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

[yueshen]

[ he's valid honestly.

while he's out meditating, someone notices him! and though this person leaves the young man alone at first...

...eventually he returns, holding a warm blanket over his arm. it's only when lan wangji finishes that the young man who approached him bows, politely - and the tiny white ferret on his shoulder bows, too, mimicking the gesture. ]

Pray that you forgive the interruption, young cultivator, [ you two are like the same age ] but, you may yet catch a chill out in this weather. There are plenty of warm places to practice your meditations indoors - and, here. [ and with that, he will offer the blanket! ] At least until we return to the warmth itself.

[souheki]

[Oh--oh!! He straightens up (no he doesn't he was already sitting perfectly straight) and lifts his hands to bow in impeccably polite greeting, but he somehow looks the tiniest bit more relaxed around a familiar sort of person. Though he shakes his head slightly at the offer.]

Thank you, but no need. I am accustomed.

[His Gusu Lan winters and cold springs... his eyes flick to the ferret, but only for a curious moment. A spiritual animal, presumably.

But since it won't do to be impolite, and this man looks like he'll understand a proper introduction--]

Lan Zhan, courtesy name Wangji, of the Gusu Lan Sect.

[yueshen]

An honor to meet you. My family name is Xie, courtesy name Lian, and I am...

[ ....

what is he, exactly, nowadays. uh. not quite a god, not quite a prince, not quite the daozhang of puji shrine yet. ]

...A cultivator like yourself, of the Royal Heavenly Pavilion. It is not often that I am privileged enough to meet cultivators outside of the Central Plains, especially ones who are practicing so diligently even in this sort of place.

[ which pleases him very much, honestly. it does his heart good! ruoye chitters and settles back down against xie lian's neck, wrapping around it like a scarf, too. ] Have you been meditating long? Even if you are used to it, to care for the body is as important as caring for the heart and mind, young master Lan.

[souheki]

[I have no fucking clue if Lan Wangji would know anything at all about the Royal Heavenly Pavilion but I'm guessing not. I was going to say "at least he knows about alternate cultivator universes" but now that I think about it I don't think he ever found out that Wang Lu wasn't from Modao world I'm in tears

ANYWAY.]

Only since arrival. [It's probably only been a couple of hours, but he was absolutely considering just staying out here until he could go home... but he doesn't want to be rude, especially not to a fellow cultivator. And Xie Lian's being so respectful, to boot--it's impossible not to be reminded of his brother, just a little.

Hesitantly, his gaze flicks towards the lodge, then back.] ...I am unfamiliar with this celebration.

[More like he hates parties and that's exactly what this looks like so he ditched for some peace and quiet.]

[yueshen]

[ being unfamiliar gets a little laugh, actually. ]

I am, too. I've always been much like you, truthfully - I would sooner find myself running off to the pavilion than spending even a moment socializing in the kingdom. [ sometimes that involved denying marriage proposals also but you know? sometimes your head is just full of swords

anyway. he smiles at lan wangji. ] ...Even so, it is terribly cold, and while those sorts of celebrations were always full of the types of people I'd rather be nowhere near - it seems there are many friends abound, familiar and unfamiliar alike.

[ a beat....

and then, a little more excitedly - ] Besides, I should like to hear all about your cultivation practices! Pray perhaps young master Lan would indulge this humble cultivator in an exchange of skills and techniques? If you wouldn't mind!

[ look at him. his eyes are practically sparkling. ] There are many areas in the lodge itself that are less crowded, too. We could fetch a cup of tea and discuss our practices! What do you say?

[souheki]

[At first, Lan Wangji doesn't seem particularly swayed--even if he can relate to the sentiment, this is hardly the first time someone well-intentioned has tried to approach him. It's only a matter of time before Xie Lian, like anyone else who's ever attempted to be friendly with him (save for Wei Wuxian), inevitably realizes that he's as distant as his name implies. This is a fact of life, and Lan Wangji's long since made peace with solitude amongst peers.

But then Xie Lian asks after his practices, and mentions techniques--and Lan Wangji isn't prepared for the deep pang of nostalgia the mere thought evokes. It reminds him so strongly of lectures and foreign students, of the days when his biggest problems had all centered around a single, infuriating, beautiful boy.

He'd hated those joint classes at the time, convinced that none of the guest disciples were truly taking their lessons seriously, that none of them were treating learning with the respect it deserved. But now, when it's a distant memory of brighter days...

...There's a long pause, but eventually, he nods, gracefully getting to his feet. This--he can do this. If there's one sort of conversation he can actually partake in, it's a discussion of cultivation.]