Jingle Mingle...2

[alittlefuninstead]

Some of you may be used to this by now. For some of you, this may be your very first time being swept away in a flurry of snowflakes. (Though some of you may have been particularly naughty and were shoved into a burlap sack before disappearing into the storm.) As usual, it seems as though the time for bloodshed has passed and when you open your eyes you're greeted with...

...a ski lodge.

Worry not! This isn't the lodge Krampus had taken residence in but it's a rather large and cozy getaway. You may even find that your clothes have changed into something holiday-appropriate for the occasion. It seems as though someone has gone around decking the halls with boughs of holly, lights strewn along the walls, Christmas trees in large corners, and plenty of food and drink to go around. (Yes, this includes alcohol. Please do try to be responsible though, hm?)

Similarly, some of you may recognize the frosty patterns that lightly dust the walls and surfaces and the usual staff and their assistants are back in action. Should you require anything, you may ask one of them and they'll be at your service!

The lodge has plenty of rooms filled with furniture, fireplaces, games and more. And for those of you feeling a little more adventurous, you may venture outdoors. To the left there's a sprawling garden with gazebos, firepits, flowers and lit topiary displays. To the right, you may follow the path down to a hot spring. And straight ahead? There's the path leading you right to a rental shack holding skis, snowboards and snow mobiles.

This almost seems...quaint, doesn't it? And perhaps it's a little too easy, but you should know by now everything comes with a price.

Sprigs of mistletoe are pinned up in every doorway once again, bright red bows and dustings of frost lingering around them. Don't try to escape to the outdoors to avoid it! Ice sculptures appear in every direction each decorated with the mystical plant. You could try to avoid it, really, but avoiding it too long will earn a chilly breath of air directly in your ear as you're pushed straight into the nearest person. Wouldn't you rather choose on your own?

Well! The choice is yours, and you might want to make it fast. There's no way out without paying the kiss tax, after all.

[ooc: it's mgcu time! this mingle is open to characters from the following: reapsody, grimmoired, plasmatio, subdivided, thotordie, bluesclues, tropicalgetaway, notagain, redactable, snowend, 7rings, seasonality, and chasma!

Comments

[impurities]

[ chang geng is boring. at the moment, he's fairly comfortable in the lodge - now that he's reassured himself that it's not the horribly familiar one he spent time in last winter - and drinking some mulled wine by the fire, having acquired some random books from the lodge itself to sit and read.

he apparently has no interest in going outside, but could probably be cajoled into it by the right person and approach. as-is, he died out in the cold last time he was at a lodge. he'll pass on experiencing that again. ]

[liuli]

[ out of absolutely nowhere, chang geng will feel a headband being put on his head from behind? it's gentle and the voice that comes with it is familiar, at least - teasing, amused and mischievous, that can only be gu yun. ]

You haven't changed at all, have you? Aren't those who grow supposed to learn lessons?

[impurities]

[ well, there's no threat here, so gu yun doesn't get stabbed by the weapon that chang geng is hiding. he does squint an eye shut as he reaches up to adjust the headband - what did you just put on him, yifu - before he tilts his head back to look at him proper. ]

Perhaps I'm just enjoying some peace and quiet amidst such boisterous festivities? You're clearly having enough fun for the both of us, yifu.

[liuli]

[ congrats on your new hair crown

gu yun, in his kindness, lets chang geng adjust it, propping his elbow on the back of the chair and his chin in his hands. he's clearly in a very good mood. ]

Now, that is precisely what I mean.

[ some people never change!! even with freaky time jumps!!! with that, he presses his fingertips right in between the furrow of chang geng's eyebrows, annoyingly, and pokes. ] Do you think yourself invincible, now that you've grown so ghastly tall? I'll still throw you over my shoulder and drag you out of your books and into the world outside if that's what it takes.

[impurities]

[ well. he'll allow it. chang geng nudges it back, more towards his actual hair crown, returning to his more settled position. the book gets set aside, at least. gu yun doesn't have to compete with it for his ward's attention. ]

Come now, yifu. Whatever would give you such an impression? Besides, even at my "ghastly" height, I'm certainly no match for the Marquis of Order himself. [ he reaches for his wine, bringing it up to take a sip placidly. sometimes you spend a week in a bar that gives you constant access to the only alcohol you've ever liked and then you're in a magical liminal space that has it. ] There are festivities inside, you know.

[liuli]

"There are festivities inside," he says.

[ as if this is the most dramatic moment in the world, gu yun sighs, now just propping his elbow on chang geng's shoulder. ] Xiao Chang Geng - [ as if chang geng is still like, 15 ] - you would not know a festivity if it hit you square in between the eyes.

[ wow

anyway. this very dramatic sigh moves and he shifts, turning his head to actually look at chang geng? he's very close. why is he so close? is there any reason for him to be this close or looking at him all peach blossom eyes? is there??? ] Tell me, have you observed the key to escaping this place, yet?

[shiftingwinds]

[shi qingxuan, who's sipping at her own glass of something appropriately holiday themed and alcoholic, is making her rounds and checking that people have either a drink, company, or both, so she pops in and peeks at what chang geng is drinking - ]

Aha! That's an excellent choice.

[

she has absolutely sampled most of the alcohol in this lodge, so she would know.]

You've found a rather cozy spot.

[impurities]

[ he lifts his head up, and there's an immediate recognition there. ]

Ah, we meet again, Lady Shi. [ a smile for her, placid and peaceable. they're just here to vibe with their drinks instead of rigged festival games. ] I have - my prior experience was at a lodge rather like this one, so it wasn't too hard to find a spot like this.

[ and there wasn't any murder! (yet) so. he's content to be here. ]

Care to join me a while?

[shiftingwinds]

I'd like that, if you wouldn't mind the company!

[he probably wouldn't offer if he minded, so she'll just find a place near him to sit and sips at her own beverage once she's settled.]

Have you been well since we last spoke?

[toyska]

[important question would childe be able to recognize chang geng if he saw a memory of him as a little kid, how different does he look]