jingles ur mingles

[alittlefuninstead]

By now, some of you may very well expect this. In fact, for those of you who were in attendance last year, you’ll soon find yourself lovingly agitated by a small elf who waves a golden envelope at you. As you open it, a flurry of snowflakes blasts you in the face and the letter unfolds to reveal its contents.



Then again, even those of you who are new will find yourselves with a few elves underfoot, biting and slamming their little fists into your shoes until you read the letter. The moment you register the words, however, the snowflakes begin to turn around, almost as if they have a mind of their own as they soon encase you in a cyclone of winter-y chilliness. You feel as though you're shoved inside a freezer, like the kind you'd find at a supermarket, and everything around you goes dark as you slip and slide your way down, up, side to side and upside down.

This year you're dumped right into a pile of snow, but worry not! There's a small outlet mall consisting of four shops for all of your winter clothing needs and beyond that down the slope of a small hill you'll see this year's location. It's a different village than the year before, but you can feel the magic in the air everywhere you turn. Tis the season and all of that, and it seems like the brightly-lit buildings and cobblestone paths are welcoming to everyone who wishes to explore.

Though please take notice of the large, twinkling sign that kindly states that murder is prohibited, as usual.

❄️ Sleigh Rides
Literally where do these horses keep coming from. Who's in charge of all of this? Oh well, perhaps it doesn't matter. For those of you who wish to tour the village or simply don't feel like walking, the sound of jingle bells will soon reach your ears as a horse-drawn carriage arrives. Climb aboard and settle in for a cozy ride over the river and through the woods. The horses are friendly, and while seating might be a little cramped it’s a good excuse to snuggle up to someone, don’t you think?

This year, however, in addition to the horses there are a few other friends helping out. Mind the beaks.

❄️ Christmas Market
An upgraded Christmas market is available for everyone to peruse, and while money isn't necessary for goods the shopkeepers will ask you to trade favors or holiday cheer in exchange for their wares. Whether that's singing Christmas carols, helping to bake fresh cookies, decorating small Christmas trees, etc, there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason or hard limit to these tasks. The shops themselves sell everything imaginable, just in time to buy gifts for everyone on your holiday list. If you can think it, you can find it. There are kiosks serving all kinds of winter treats and drinks (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic in variety), but this year there are also warm, savory foods such as bratwursts, sliders, mac and cheese, tamales, stews and more. There’s no limit to what magic can do, even for the casual window shopper. But if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for…?

❄️ Santa’s Workshop...sort of.
Actually, it kind of looks like a bounce house with a sign that calls itself Santa's Workshop, but that's okay. Entering the playful exterior proves that the floor is not quite as bouncy as you'd think and the inside is much bigger than the outside. Should you be brave enough to wander inside, you’ll find a few rooms for arts and crafts to build your own gifts. There’s art studios, pottery wheels, power tools, fabrics, sewing machines, instruments and more. Scratch that creative itch and let your imagination run wild! There also appears to be a machine in the corner, programmed to dial into any universe tied to any guest for all of those special-order items you may wish to gift. Plug in the place, scour the catalogue of items and voila! Hot and ready and wrapped in a bow.

❄️ Winter Sports
Toward the south end of the village is a large ice rink with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the middle. Skates of all sizes are available for anyone to borrow and the ice is always clean and smooth no matter what time of day you come by. Just beyond that, you’ll find a small stand nestled among some trees holding all sorts of winter items including skis, snowboards, snow mobiles, toboggans, and sleds. The snow is fresh and the hills are alive with the sound of laughter. Or screams. Depending if you know how to ski or not. There are a few plowed trails heading into the mountains as well leading toward icy caverns for exploration, and the forested area around the village is home to all sorts of small woodland creatures. And bears, probably. Become one with nature as you wish...just don't freeze.

❄️ The Party
But we all know why you're here. Even if you don't actually know, other guests will likely be able to catch you up to speed and mention the holiday party for everyone invited. Hosted at the largest house in the village, there are rooms with fireplaces, games, food and more. Christmas music echoes through the halls, and just like last time should you require anything special the staff will answer every beck and call. Icicles cling to the outside of the house in beautiful patterns, frost drawn across the windows spreading messages of holiday cheer and the occasional game of tic tac toe. The garden out back appears to be more of a Christmas tree farm, boxes of ornaments set in accessible locations for those who wish to do a little bit of decorating.

This year there is also a small shed-like area...a mystery shack, if you will, given the question mark spraypainted on the door. Should you choose to enter it, you may find yourselves in a simulation that's familiar whether that's familiar to your home or familiar from the place you resided in for a few months.

...you didn't think you escaped the ever-dreaded (or anticipated) mistletoe, did you? This year, the plant truly seems to have a honing device attached as it persists the more you resist. It can, and will, appear at random in places you might not expect, and often times it will show up at inconvenient moments. That’s a little troublesome, but worry not! You’ll probably come up with some way to avoid it if you really want to, right?

But do keep in mind if two people are together and avoid it for too long, you will find yourselves stuck together for one hour or until a kiss is shared. Dealer's choice.

Happy holidays!

[ooc: it's once again mgcu mingle time! this mingle is open to characters from the following: reapsody, grimmoired, plasmatio, subdivided, thotordie, bluesclues, tropicalgetaway, notagain, redactable, snowend, 7rings, seasonality, chasma, uturns, chroma, courtrooms, suitedreams, superhell, homophonic, and becomehero.

however. you may also bring special guests in the form of characters you considered playing in previous games or characters you are anticipating playing in the future. this also includes any characters you may have brought to past endgame mingles for extra shenanigans because honestly, we've all had the itch of "OH X WOULD BE SO FUN OFF OF Y" and our castmate missed connections. otherwise, have fun mingling with strangers!]

Comments

temenos | becomehero

[inquired]

i. christmas is a religious holiday

[ though temenos recently has not been much of a fan of the snow, it is a fun little break to be swept away from having to memorize histories in a way that does not involve murder. (probably).

you can find him serenely perusing the little shops, eyeing a knitted scarf with a nice pattern on it. to the shopkeeper: ] I'd be happy to offer a blessing in exchange.

[ the shopkeeper agrees with this most heartily, he does a little prayer, and then will accept the scarf! and then moves onto the next stall... and the next... and the next.... he's really racking up the gifts here ]

ii. actually it's cold

[ or, you can find temenos inside, curled up on one of the couches with a blanket on his lap and a book open in front of him. his cheeks and nose are a little red, but he seems to have made himself very comfortable, reading contently and occasionally looking up to check on the crowd, eyes sweeping across the various attendees before returning to his reading. there's a glass of red wine sitting next to him. and yet!

this is a party, sir? it is a party. you should be socializing.

he does have a small stack of gifts nearby, nicely wrapped, and if you're from heroes (or... a castmate... wary look) you might find yourselves waved over. ]

iii. mistleno

[ alternatively, you might want to duck, because a mistletoe plant is FLYING past your head at mach fuck.

the culprit is the priest standing across the way with his staff out in front of him and a smile on his face that says Threat ]

The next time, you'll be smote to ash, hm?

[ a beat. and then to this poor person: ] Ah. My apologies. Not you.

[ the plant ]

ii

[eleisoned]

[ she is leeeaaaning over to try and read over his shoulder. never mind the gifts that's not important! ]

You're reading at a party? You're as boring as Nagi.

[inquired]

[ she can peek! it's (mumbles) a book

anyway ]

Can you see me as the sort, carousing around as much as the others, Mika? [ he sounds amused when he says it though, like this is a real possibility of things that happen which. it is. maybe. ] Your friend and I may get along.

[eleisoned]

[ she finds this (mumbles) book very boring

anyway ]

Haha! I bet you totally would! But I also bet you could have a lot of fun "carousing" at a party like this!

[inquired]

Is that what you've been up to? Carousing?

[ there's a little teasing edge to his voice as he says it, picking through his present pile absently. ] You are the life of the party as always.

[eleisoned]

Oh, no. I wouldn't hope to upstage the real hosts of the party, you know. I'm being a proper guest. Nice and quiet.

[ nope, ]

[inquired]

[ (x) doubt ]

Certainly.

[eleisoned]

Really! I haven't fired my gun since coming inside!

[inquired]

[ help this makes him laugh ]

Oh, I'm glad to see you so, my little lamb. [ sweet mika ] Good, very good - as to be expected. [ thank you for not shooting anyone in the party ]

iii

[teenrebellion]

[ this is me realizing idr if their pins work outside of shibuya but the funniest answer is yes so this can startle kazuki into accidentally teleporting into a christmas tree with a stream of curses. ]

What the hell, man?!

[inquired]

[ help

he watches this with mild fascination... oops ]

Ah. My apologies - I didn't realize someone was there... I suppose I hit it a bit harder than I thought. Are you alright, young man?

i.

[naeddre]

[don't mind her she's just behind every shopkeeper stealing things from their stalls as he blesses them.]

[inquired]

[ typical

he allows this to happen for like three shops. also because it takes him at least one shop to notice she's there she's sneaky.

without even turning around: ]

Must we?

[naeddre]

[places a small wreath that she stole on his head like a crown as she passes him.]

Hm? [what are you talking about. (:]

[inquired]

Oh, nothing. [ thieves are so troublesome (affectionate) ]

Honestly. They've not even any money - perhaps that's why you're here, and not Partitio...

[ that's definitely why and it has nothing to do with murdergames. yes. anyway he's now got a wreath on his head - temenos reaches up to touch it with one hand, feeling around for the flowers. ]

Very festive of you, Throné. And your match?

[naeddre]

[he gets poked by a pinecone or two in the wreath when he touches it. anyway, she has no idea why she's here but she's having a decent time getting into everybody's pockets so hey! it's not a total wash.]

Were Partitio here we'd have another department store on our hands. [she says dryly.] ... I don't know what you're talking about.

[silly temenos you're the only one who gets to look like a doofus with a wreath crown]

[inquired]

[ he knows that there is no way he's going to be able to get this doofus wreath crown onto throne's head because his reflexes are simply just not fast enough, but you know what he can do. he makes a noise, a "hmm", then looks around...

... and then calls - ] Excuse me.

[ and from across the way, one of those just adorable penguin servants comes waddling over. temenos squats down to talk to it and gives it his sweetest, most angelically holy smile in the entire world, putting a hand to his chest. ] My dear companion was quite kind to fetch me one of these, and gave it to me out of the kindness of her heart. It was the only one she was able to obtain, though, and while she's been quite generous, I'd hate for her to go unadorned. Perhaps you could fetch us another?

[ the penguin goes !!! and cutely waddles off

temenos's holy smile remains but it has shades of haha sucker i dare you to say no to the cute animal ]

[naeddre]

[this is INCREDIBLY rude

the penguin waddles over and her expression shifts from something flat and uninterested to like, still sort of flat but also with big sparkly eyes. look at it!! it's so fat!! it's so cute. she's so distracted by this that she almost misses temenos using this wonderful creature for evil.

she gives him such a look. venomous, even, but like listen, he knows she's not going to say no to a cute animal. she'd rather die.

when the penguin comes back with a wreath, complete with pinecones and cranberries, she crouches down gently and holds out her hand for it. it squawks happily, pleased to have helped, and waits for her to put it on, expectantly.

a beat. and she puts it on, with a big heavy sigh.]

ii. actually it's cold;

[odoruhinokaze]

[ Ah yes, quite the adorable sight, actually. Also...definitely expected, when it involves Temenos.

Anyway, he is going to be heading right on over, amused, but fond look on his face after the hand gesture to come closer. As well as casually plopping down right beside the other male on the couch. ]

So, getting into the party mood with a book like the usual, eh?

[inquired]

Oh, something like that.

[ now here's welcome company. temenos does not push him away at all - in fact, he even leans a little bit into lea when he plops on the couch, readjusting his position so they're touching. not too much to be improper because he'd rather die than show pda but also.... lea's like a human furnace. warm.... ]

I'm watching over the flock. What about you? [ light and amused ] Taking a break from the dance floor?

[odoruhinokaze]

Someone's gotta keep an eye out, eh?

[ Buuut excellent, excellent. Lea will just bask in Temenos' company, as per the usual, then. Feeling the other man lean against him, he will let him do exactly that.

Even in the cold, he puts the w in warm. What if he sneaks a quick kiss atop that head for a moment? Blink and miss it affection. ]

Oh yeah, you bet. Gettin' in some quality time with the holy man of my life. What could be better?

[ Wink. ]

[inquired]

[ this gets a little laugh, immediately. what a nerd... ] You've spent the past month with me, is that not enough to sate your appetite?

[ as if he does not also enjoy this - he just can't help but tease about it. the sneaky kiss to the top of the head is a little embarrassing, but there's not anyone really looking, so it's allowed, and in fact, he gets a little more comfortable, sinking down against his side with his book. ]

[odoruhinokaze]

[ That sure is a cute laugh he's hearing...Lea once a simp, always a simp. ]

What if I told you I had an amazingly big appetite that could be sated with a bunch of moments like these?

[ Lea definitely (lea)ning into the teasing with one of his dorky smiles for sure. The fact his ninja kiss goes off without a hitch is also only a plus. ]

[inquired]

Then, [ a pause for dramatic effect here, as he reaches up, then says, sweet and innocent like an angel: ] I'd tell you gluttony is a sin, my dear Lea.

[ and boops him on the tip of the nose with a fingertip. because he is a bully. ]

Are you having fun?

[odoruhinokaze]

Ooh, what a terrible sin. What kinda punishment would be awaiting me then? Just the little tippity taps on the nose?

[ He will gladly accept more of Temenos' bullying. ]

Yeah, I am. There's definitely been a lot to work with—there's the workshops, markets, and the seasonal dance music.

I was kinda caught off in the beginning, but this sure is a nice surprise. Especially since we've got no weird vibes going on, y'know?

[ And the invitation pre-warned them instead of everyone being transported suddenly without explanation. Which, well. There's a vague explanation but it is...one? ]