EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

[futurologists]

HOLIDAY PREPWORK The sun might still be AWOL, but that doesn't mean it's time for a vacation! The goblin community seems even more motivated to get their holiday preparations together, working tirelessly to brighten up the grim atmosphere. To that end, they've enlisted the help of the ALASTAIR recruits that've been bumming around. Characters that signed up will be invited or roped into the goblins' various holiday traditions and events. Though they may refuse or fail these tasks, for every one that isn't accomplished, characters will suffer one effect from the curses list for upsetting the holiday balance. Note that those that didn't sign up can still help with tasks out of the goodness of their hearts, they just won't be assigned anything themselves or suffer any curses. Additionally, though PCs are magically bound to work with some partners, they may team up with others as well. GREETINGS FROM LLOYD ALASTAIR sends their holiday tidings! Some characters will find special deliveries addressed to them by name from the mysterious Lloyd of HR. The packaging might be messy and overtaped, and some of the gifts are less nice than others, but it's the thought that counts. MISTLESNOW The first snowfall of the year arrives, and though this may not bode well when there's no sun to melt it away, for now it's pristine and beautiful. Flurries and gentle snowstorms continue for days, blanketing all of Chantes and the outskirts. With it comes a uniquely magical weed epidemic. Mistletoe grows off every surface it can, stems and shrubs of it creeping off of anything it can cling to, including trees, archways, lanterns and buildings. This parasitic plant is a notorious holiday tradition, but in Chantes it packs an extra punch: when two characters step under it together, they'll find themselves magically rooted in place. Mistletoe's spell can only be broken by a kiss, and while chaste exchanges usually work (kisses to the hand, butterfly or eskimo kisses, etc.), more stubborn weeds do exist. This effect lasts until characters smooch or the weed dies from lack of sustenance, which could be anywhere between several hours to a full day. Mistletoe can be destroyed by a third party in a pinch, but be careful not to get stuck under the plant as well! As an OOC note, feel free to be creative on the range and strength of the mistletoe, but please respect other players' boundaries! If you would like to break the mistletoe with a hearty handshake or have your character be immune, be our guest. HAPPY HOLIDAYS All the hustle and bustle aside, the festivities themselves are peaceful and joyous -- and thanks to the ALASTAIR recruits, not punctuated with death or ominous Chimera motifs this time. A large bonfire continues all night with food and mulled wine aplenty. It's time to kick back, make some snow angels, and relax.

Comments

[jamminshield]

[Whoa, it's happening. Steven blushes a little too, backing away from that hand just a little bit until he's sure he's not going to slap.]

I'll be the most proper of gentleman. I promise! [He tries to remember how it goes on tv... He softly presses one of his hands beneath her extended one, makes a very dramatic bow.]

Your majesty!

[And then he leans in, pressing a quick and soft peck to her hand before he pulls back and releases her hand.]

D-did that do the trick?

[grunehexe]

[It's actually happening!!

As much as Sieglinde could talk and insinuate, she actually had almost zero experience in these matters- which she desperately tried to conceal despite the fact that her cheeks were beet red.]

W- well, that shall be enough of that scandal-

[She pulled her hand back a bit loftily, but. "Your majesty", that was nice. Not as nice as the mistletoe releasing them from its hold, but.

Nice.]

[jamminshield]

[It happened, the thing happened. Steven retains a fluster, and he only looks more nervous at Sieglinde's response, resolving to look in any direction aside from directly at her.]

Sorry! I- I was to scandalous, wasn't I? And I was trying to tone it down and everything... my bad!

B-but we did it, right? We stopped the mistletoooee! [He says with a cheer, then he nervously guffaws as he scoops up a snowball and tries to throw it right at the mistletoe.] Take that, mistletoe!

[grunehexe]

That is quite alright- men are scandalous by nature, you cannot help yourself...

[At least, that's how it was according to the many Totally Accurate books she's read on this... exceedingly academic subject.

But she tests their regained freedom by taking a few shaky steps, distinctively away from the mistletoe just in case it was only a temporary measure, making sure there was none visible elsewhere...]

So, I shall forgive you.

[So generous, she was.]

- I shan't forgive that brazen plant, however.

[jamminshield]

[Well. That isn't exactly what Steven expected, and he goes blank for a moment at that assessment. He doesn't think to counter it and just wonders how scandalous he must have been all along.

He sheepishly does take some steps back as well.]

Th-thanks... I think.... I'll try to be less scandalous in the future!

[But she does bring up an easier option - taking it out on the mistletoe. He points towards it dramatically.]

That's right, Mistletoe! If you wanted to be forgiven, then- then you came to the wrong part of town!

[grunehexe]

[Taking it out on the mistletoe is much easier, they both agree.]

I shall have my butler harvest it now that it is powerless and grind it into spell dust for doing what it has.

[Crossing her arms self-importantly, she nodded firmly. She would have looked more serious if her teeth weren't chattering, but.

She tried.]

[jamminshield]

Yeah! You hear that, Mistletoe? And I bet it won't be for pretty spells either! You're gonna become a... um... smelly foot spell!

[He chuckles as he finishes that point, and then he looks down towards Sieglinde.]

Hey, are you cold?

[grunehexe]

[It was definitively going to end up in a virility spell, being mistletoe and all, but. Let's just keep that to ourselves.]

Of course-

[Well, she had been out there for some time now, so perhaps it was to be expected.]

I shall return to my residence forthwith- you should do likewise before you catch ill.

[jamminshield]

[SIEGLINDE WHY]

That's a good idea, Sieglinde. I really hope you don't catch a cold! [He frets in concern.] Go and warm up, and let me know if you need anything, okay?

[grunehexe]

[She's got problems.]

I shall, I shall-

[She also just really wants to run away and be red in the face in peace, THEY KISSED BASICALLY.]

You be well-

[She's just gonna... scamper off balance back up the apothecary stairs GOODBYE YOU SCOUNDREL she'll remember this... and the mistletoe...]

[jamminshield]

[While for Steven, the kiss itself wasn't so big a deal since he doesn't mind using that chaste level of affection on friends... but Sieglinde's reaction and the general situation do keep him flustered.

The scoundrel waves nervously as she departs!]

You too! Be as well as... um, a wishing well! ...Seeya!