glocksuke | Jingle Mingle...2

Jingle Mingle...2

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!

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[ xie lian is inside after having snow dumped on him, so - when sora addresses him, he has an absolutely warm smile for him, and then tilts his head. ]

...I've never had any of them, so, I'm not sure I'm the right person to ask. What is 'egg nog', Sora?

Um...it's like eggs and milk and a little bit of alcohol and spices I think? [he perks up upon seeing xie lian though which means he turns to grab a glass of egg nog for him to hold out for examination.]

Here. Try it and see if you like it.

[ he will gladly take it!! and examine it for a moment... ]

Well - I'm not sure if I'm the best judge of how things taste, but...! [ local man who eats garbage

he will take a sip!! and it's - wow, yeah, there's a little booze in there, but it's pretty good. ]

Interesting...! I expected it to taste a bit more like eggs. Ah, which one is your favorite, Sora? Of the three.

Maybe you're not, but I trust your opinion anyway. [local boy picks up ingredients from the garbage, so. he seems pleased with the response though.]

It's good, right? I think the spices help balance out the egg taste, but I've never made it myself before. I think I like cocoa the best though. [is anyone surprised? he runs on sugar.]

I'm glad to hear you say so. Though - our opinions do often align on most things, don't they? [ awful please do not grow up to be like your scrap collecting grandpa. or do, maybe? xie lian sounds fond when he says it at least.

and as sora continues, xie lian listens, nodding... ] Cocoa... that's chocolate, isn't it? I'd like to try that one as well.

Most of the time! You do understand things better than most people anyway. [unfortunate! still kinning this god. it's fine. sora's also immediately offering his own cup of cocoa for xie lian to take the moment he says that.]

It's chocolate and milk...some people put stuff like whipped cream and sprinkles on it, too. This one has marshmallows though.

I would say the same of you! [ they're just kinning each other forever. xie lian looks pleased when he offers over the cocoa, though, eyeing it curiously...! and he will take a little sip of it after.

and: ]

...Oh, it's warm... this is very good... [ passing the cup back. ] I've come to miss food like this, a bit, back in my realm. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but... I still think about Miss Lup's cooking all the time, and Taako's baking...

[that gets a laugh. at least they can agree with that, and he waits for xie lian's assessment before there's another eager nod.]

Right? It's kind of the best. [do not listen to him, he just likes sweets.] They were both really good at it...maybe one of them's around and you can ask them to make some stuff to take home with you.

[he has the cup now to warm his hands, but he tilts his head.] How are things? Back home.

Things are - quite well, actually. [ xie lian starts, smiling, and then

there's a beat. ] --Um, well, actually, they're sort of a mess, but, they've been a mess for a year now.

[ another beat. ] But, San Lang is back, now, so things are alright!!

[ this is followed with what he hopes is a reassuring smile and a thumbs up!!! and absolutely no explanation for any of these things. ]

[there's a smile, and then a look of alarm, and then a look of confusion?? xie lian???]

Uh...[UH.] That...really isn't as reassuring as you think it is, but I'll take it if that means you're okay and together. What kind of a mess? [there's an unspoken "how can i help?" attached to it.]

[ stop his reassuring thumbs up ]

Ah, nothing so serious, I promise, I promise! [ almost immediately, xie lian waves his hands. ] More of, ah... Well... the Heavens were nearly destroyed, is all. There was something of a hostile takeover? Almost! But, it's all alright, now.

[ xie lian is trying very hard even if he is not sure whether to laugh or cry trying to explain this ]

So, when I say mess, I do mean so quite literally - leveled palaces, destroyed streets, the political structure of the Heavens all destroyed with the Heavenly Emperor's, um, abdication. Things like that! I suppose, if you'd like to come visit the Heavens sometime, I would be happy to have you, of course, but... Ghost City and the Mortal Realm would be much more exciting.

[ and, xie lian doesn't love the heavens, he just now has to spend... all of his time there! or at least a lot of it. he'd like to go back to being the weirdo who lives in the mortal realm anytime now. ] San Lang would love it if you came to visit him, as well, I think, if you're ever able.

[ he also has heard some Things from lup, so... maybe the ghost realm would be the best fit. ]

[xie lian keeps explaining and sora continues to look more and more alarmed. WHY ARE THE HEAVENS THIS WAY? WHY IS XIE LIAN THIS WAY? actually, wow, it sort of sounds like what happened in herc's world when hades was messing around and the city was crumbling.

he does think that maybe he wouldn't necessarily mind visiting the heavens just for the sake of visiting, but he seems more interested when xie lian mentions ghost city.]

I'd like to come see both of you. [first and foremost, because one is kin and one is dad.] Are you stuck in one place, too? Or could you come to the Ghost City whenever I get there? We could see him together.

[ that is... actually not a bad comparison at all good job sora.

but, xie lian's smile is warm at going to see hua cheng pretty much immediately, and he shakes his head. ]

I am not at all stuck, no. Truthfully, he and I spend most of our time at Puji Shrine, when we can, in the mortal realm, together.

[ home sweet home, holes in the wall and all! it's where xie lian would prefer to be, too, honestly, but the heavens do need his presence. ] So, it's more like... ah, I was working before, in a job that was much less restrictive, collecting scraps. But now, the 'job' that I have is a bit more demanding, is all.

That being said - I think you'd really like Ghost City, Sora! [ this comes out very brightly, his praise genuine for the strange, strange place. ] It is truly interesting! A hustling, bustling place filled with all sorts of creatures and ghosts and people - packed to the brim with colors and sights and sounds, some far stranger than you could ever imagine. Some places are a bit, ah, gorier than most, and you certainly have to avoid the majority of the cuisine, but the ghosts are for the most part quite kind. San Lang worked very hard to create it!

Good. At least you can still see each other. [he doesn't need to share his opinion, but he's very happy that they're together at least. that's the only thing he wanted to hear.]

It sort of sounds like Halloween Town...there wasn't a ton of color there, but everyone who lived there was pretty unique. [and weird. and monstrous. but it's okay.] Now I definitely have to see it.

[but...] Is it a job you like, at least? The one your have now.

I think it must be very similar, then. I'd be more than happy to bring you along sometime. Though, ah - we may have to put you in a bit of a disguise! Needless to say, I think you would stand out.

[ that's just a little teasing, if only because sora's Big Protagonist Energy will probably shine like a beacon in a place full of mischievous ghosties and monsters. xie lian's was similar, and... really, if it weren't for his connection to hua cheng, all sorts of things could have happened.

however, xie lian loves that funky little city, and he considers sora's question about his job as he thinks about it, absently reaching for a passing penguin to pick up a cookie and munch on it. ]

... I don't think, truthfully, that I will ever like it that much. But... I don't intend to keep it for long, if I can help it. If power can be in the hands of more than one person, I think it will greatly help the Heavens as a whole. And then, I ought to return to collecting scraps and managing Puji, I think - a blessed life indeed.

[ (xie lian voice) fuck this monarchy

anyway! he claps his hands. ] Ah, but, that is enough about me! Sora, you must tell me - speaking of seeing each other, have you been reunited at all with your friends yet? Their names... lets see. Riku, and Kairi, right?

[sisi is this why you're scrap collector on plurk right now i hate it here. anyway! the penguin gets a pat on the head for his troubles and sora takes a few cookies himself before he grins.]

No problem. Our appearances change sometimes when we visit other worlds, too, to make sure we don't stick out too much. Something about the world order? [sora loves donald and also never listens to him like a true teenager.] If I have to disguise myself to spend time with you guys, then oh well.

[but...there's a nod of understanding.]

I think I get it. It's something you have to do right now to make sure there's peace, but once that peace is maintained you can go back to a place you really belong. [kind of like how sometimes you go on a three year journey wielding a giant-ass key to bring peace to all the worlds with the hopes of going home to your island with your best friends. this is exactly comparable.

and speaking of his friends...he shakes his head a little regretfully even if his smile doesn't drop.]

Not yet. But I know they're looking for me. [although...] Riku's here though. He was in a different realm than us, but he had a job like the Leaders. I haven't seen Kairi yet, but I think that's probably a good thing.

[for now.]

[ local scrap collecting martial god,

ah, but it does seem like a nice time. sora's tough and can certainly handle anything that ghost city has to dish out, no matter how strange it is. the mental image of him fitting into the crowds of reds and pinks and blues that make up hua cheng's city does feel appropriate, and xie lian catches himself smiling as he listens along to sora's explanation. ]

I'm not sure if it's world order here so much as it is... [ he laughs a little. ] ... well, it is a strange place, and one without much necessity for personal space or privacy. You'd likely be asked many a question.

[ or. or worse. he's probably too young for the prostitute ghosts to bother him. probably? it's fine. who knows. ] But - though I wouldn't want to invite someone to San Lang's for him, I know most certainly he would be happy to have you there.

[ and everything right up to the giant key bit is in fact very true, so xie lian nods. sora gets it! shocking no one, he understands.

but, ah. he's glad to hear about riku and kairi looking for him at least, and, honestly, isn't much the type to dwell on that familiar, regretful headshake, because he can easily navigate this conversation and what he wants to talk about. so, instead, at the mention of the name, xie lian brightens immediately, looking very much like a proud grandparent for a moment! ] Oh! Will you point him out to me? You must have been so very happy to see him again, at least!

Edited 2022-01-13 01:46 (UTC)

I don't really mind answering questions. I probably would have a lot of my own anyway. [please don't let prostitute ghosts proposition him, he's too taken for this. also sixteen. but there's a hum of thought before he nods again.] Maybe if I see him, I can ask him myself then. Juuuust to make sure.

[sometimes you kin because you're both head-empty and big-hearted. it's fine! it's fine. the way xie lian brightens is enough to make sora perk up again.]

Yeah! [to both of those.] Well...of course I was happy to see him, but I think he was surprised to see me. The last thing he remembers isn't the same thing as the last thing I do. I had to tell him everything. [and it kinda sucked, but...] Let's see...

[give him a second to scan...and he points to where riku is with yamato and taichi on their couch being useless and gay probably.]

That's him. The other two are people he met in his game. I haven't talked to them much but Yamato at least seems pretty nice.

Neither do I, but... [ well. ] We'll just tour it together when San Lang is busy. How does that sound?

[ ideal!!! time to take the baby to ghost town. ] I'm sure the residents will enjoy your company, too - truly, any friend of San Lang's is a friend of the city. [ xie lian sounds very affectionate here, touching his hand to his heart. ghost city has been very good to him, even if they call him grand uncle daozhang and sometimes say things that are terribly embarrassing, and it is a place he's especially fond of.

it's best to hear sora talk about his friends, though. clasping his hands at his chest, he looks very warm as he listens. ]

That is quite strange. [ the whole memory thing. but - ] Something similar happened with someone I recognize from home, as well, though, so... perhaps not all that strange. Still - surprised enough, I think he must have been very glad, too.

[ and peering past him to look!! xie lian puts his hand over his eyes and peers... and then nods! cute. ] Still - best of all is to see the people that we know having experienced these things, and come out of them with stronger bonds yet.

[ he turns his head to smile at sora with that one. ] That's been the best of it all.

[ fwiendship ]

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Jingle Mingle...2

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