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

[hellshaped]

Right. It's an abbreviation. [He's not sure if she's covered this yet in her lessons -- in which she's obviously progressing way more quickly than Hellboy anticipated. He should probably give her more credit, and makes a mental note to teach her more advanced Lemurian.

Hellboy looks up at Kida when he feels her gaze shift, then nods down at the medal.] Not exactly. We pray to saints to intervene on our behalf. They're sort of an intermediary between us and God.

[adlantisag]

[ An intermediary... ]

And they have different properties? [ She understands, at least, the idea of gods and demi-gods and heavenly messengers, so really, this is similar. ] What might one ask of Saint Jerome? Will he bring me luck?

[hellshaped]

['Different properties,' like they're Pokemon. Not that Hellboy knows what a Pokemon is.]

Saints have different patronages, yeah. Different professions and peoples they can intercede for. [He gestures now toward the book that the engraved figure is reading.] He was a translator and a historian when he was alive. That's his area.

[adlantisag]

A translator and historian... [ She smiles. ] Thank you. I shall hope he looks favourably upon my studies.

[ It's a thoughtful gift, and Kida turns it over in her hands a few more times, feeling the metal grow warm. ]

I should find something to lace this with--it is meant to be worn, yes? As a pendant?

[ She probably won't wear a second piece of jewelry around her neck, but a bracelet... ]

[hellshaped]

[Hellboy just takes a moment to bask in Kida's smile, pleased that she understands what he's getting at. Whenever he's worried there might be some kind of cultural barrier between them, Kida surprises him again and again with her intelligence and reasoning.]

You can. [The medal has a little loop at the top for that purpose, anyway. Hellboy gestures at his coat hanging on the wall, his mouth twitching up a little.] I keep things like that in my pockets, though.

[adlantisag]

[ She's sheltered, not necessarily ignorant. She speaks all the languages humans have invented. She can make connections. ]

Pockets... [ Her usual tunic doesn't have any, but her coat does, so she moves over to it, slipping the medal inside the breast pocket. ] There. I shall not lose it.

[hellshaped]

[Pockets would probably be a useful thing for Kida to wear. Hellboy wonders, distantly, if ALASTAIR just isn't the type of organization that uses uniforms. The BPRD became more lax about that sort of thing over the years, anyway.

He watches her put the medal away, feeling thankful he's finally found the right time to pass it on to her. It's personal to him, and he's glad to share it with his closest friend here.]

There you go.

[adlantisag]

[ She turns back to her workstation, still smiling from the gift. It's sweet. He's sweet. She can't say she doesn't like the attention, or the favour. ]

Now--you must show me how to make this 'pancake' of yours! Fetch your water and your eggs.

[ She motions to the chopping board, where her seaweed is pretty much done but he has nothing to show yet. ]