alittlefuninstead: (❄I am Jack Frost)
Jack Frost ([personal profile] alittlefuninstead) wrote in [community profile] glocksuke2023-12-17 01:06 pm

jingles ur mingles



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: [community profile] reapsody, [community profile] grimmoired, [community profile] plasmatio, [community profile] subdivided, [community profile] thotordie, [community profile] bluesclues, [community profile] tropicalgetaway, [community profile] notagain, [community profile] redactable, [community profile] snowend, [community profile] 7rings, [community profile] seasonality, [community profile] chasma, [community profile] uturns, [community profile] chroma, [community profile] courtrooms, [community profile] suitedreams, [community profile] superhell, [community profile] homophonic, and [community profile] 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!]
bindings: (050)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-18 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
[this poor man

it's okay he kind of reminds her a little of kaveh a bit so she's very patient.]


... Right. Shibuya is a place that exists outside of that place. [she forgor] I suppose I should ask first if you, too, were part of the competition, once? The Reaper's Game.
unsync: ([S] Conflicted)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-18 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ They both have that pathetic nerd energy... ]

The Reaper's...? [ Wow that does NOT bode well at all. His pop culture knowing-ass would've probably played the original TWEWY but ignores the fourth wall. ] Uh, n-no. I had to do a different kind of competition in a place called Oceanside.

What did... you do in this "game"?
bindings: (059)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-18 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[yeah! those are her favorites!]

We formed teams and murdered each other. [she says this so casually] But we all came back to life in the end, and your Mizuki did not die.

[a beat.] Though if she had it would not have been terrible. We enjoyed the maid cafe. And I suppose crayons are not the worst thing I've ever tasted.
unsync: ([S] Fuck)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-18 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
I think we had to do the same thing...

[ Why is it 'think'? Reasons. That sucks though!! That sucks!! But he seems somewhat relieved when she says Mizuki didn't die. He literally has a hand over his chest like he's an old man staving off a heart attack. What would he have done if Shenhe told him Mizuki died. He could never look Date in the eye for the rest of his life (he literally could have done nothing to save Mizuki) he would simply walk off the fishery pier.

Wait a minute.
]

Please don't eat crayons.
bindings: (057)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-18 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
[i'm sorry to report she's vaguely amused by him doing the old man heart attack motion]

I have not since then. [... thoughtfully:] The crayons were better than the slugs, though.

[anyway. she reaches and pats him on the shoulder, awkwardly.]

This place is not like those. There is a sign that says no murder at the front.
unsync: ([S] Unhappy)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-18 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's very delicate, Shenhe... he'll wilt at this rate... ]

Please don't eat those either...

[ Maybe he's not the one who needs help actually. This shoulder-pat motion is familiar, he has dealt with it so many times in Oceanside. He's calming down though, he will trust her that Mizuki is okay... because he knows that girl is super tough anyway. Even if he'd lose his mind worrying about her, he knows that she probably would have been able to cope with Oceanside better than he did. ]

Um... right. I don't know how trustworthy a plain sign is, but it's probably a good sign. Does that mean you were brought here by force too, though?

[ By elves . . . ]
bindings: (050)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-18 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[she's gonna toughen you up ryuki. give her your account she'll grind artifacts for you.]

The fact that it does not encourage murder is a start. [she doesn't trust that it won't happen anyway because she's seen the collection of fucks here so far but like, it's fine.] I was cornered by a swarm of tiny men intent on fighting me. I froze and shattered four of them before I was forced to read a letter. And then I was here.

[she's really matter of fact about this]
unsync: ([S] Unhappy)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-18 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ The raw idea of this. I guess he can be a geo catalyst. The catalyst part is Tama and other eye things. ]

. . .

[ He really wants to be like please don't do that but honestly. Surely whoever sent out the invitations is aware of what the majority of people in murder-games were like, based off of his own personal experience, so the elfboys are probably fine. Probably. ]

Yeah, I think they could've used a better delivery system. Since the fact that they have the sign up probably means they know exactly the kinds of people that were getting invited to begin with.

Oh -- I'm Ryuki, by the way. Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.
bindings: (052)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-18 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
[they're probably fine, probably

anyway, she tucks her hair behind her ear, and then nods. and smiles, just a little! it's small, but it's so much more practiced than it used to be. not that he'd necessarily know this, but hey. it's a step!]


Shenhe. [she says in response, and then... holds out a hand? shake? she guesses? she doesn't know how people from different places do things but this usually seems to work.]
unsync: ([S] Bashful)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-18 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His Asian ass doesn't usually do handshakes but for Shenhe he will. He takes a hold of it politely. A firm normal shake. uvu ]

It's nice to meet you, Miss Shenhe. And Merry Christmas, if you celebrate it.

[ He doesn't know how old she is and neither do the rest of us but a miss is polite. ]
bindings: (060)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-20 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
[she's also not a handshaker, but it's her default these days when it comes to dealing with people from other worlds. she's not very good at it, because she grips way too hard and the shake is a little like she's trying to wrench his arm out of its socket (on accident, she doesn't always realize how strong she is), but she tries!]

To you, as well. [she says, with a little smile.] ... It is nice to be somewhere that allows me to meet new people, and also not have to kill them.
unsync: ([S] YEEHAW)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-20 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Eek. You know what, this is fine. She could probably hang out with Genny, that'd be really cute... ]

. . . Yeah!

[ That is nice, isn't it!!! God, mg casts kill him by how out of left field some of you are. ]

Yeah... let's not talk about murder.
bindings: (058)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-20 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
[one day i'll play this game to figure out who that is

also listen he really could've gotten a normal genshin like nahida or kaveh but no, he gets the insane bird. sorry ryuki]


I'd also prefer not to do that. [she tucks her hair behind her ear.] Would you be willing to tell me a little about yourself? I like to hear about other people and the worlds they come from.

[she'll sort of just absently look through some of the stalls, here, thinking about how he said he wanted to find presents for people.]
unsync: ([S] Smile)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-20 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ I wish linking a picture would help but actually it would only confuse you even more why I think they would vibe. The long story short though is big monstrous guy hides himself from society but runs a hole-in-the-wall ethnic fusion restaurant with very good food. ]

O-oh, sure, though I think, based on everything I've heard, I'm probably on the less interesting side than most... Do you want to walk around? I think I saw a place selling something called an Irish latte.

[ Just inserts my seasonal favourite into this setting, I love you Tully's Irish latte. ]
bindings: (052)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-20 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
[incredible i agree just based on this description they'd vibe]

Yes. [she says, with a little smile, because she does want to walk around! she's kind of excited about being here... it's all new, and there are so many people, and that irritates her far, far less than it used to. sumeru has been good for her.

also now i want a latte but it's almost midnight. tragic.]


And I doubt that you are less interesting. I've found that even the simplest of people have many fascinating things about them. [she gestures a little for him to walk. she'll walk side by side with him.]
unsync: ([S] Glad)

[personal profile] unsync 2023-12-20 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ Now links you a picture after all of that. Personally flies to your house for latte fun.

He abandons trinket hunting for a walk -- those things will still be there when he loops back to it later.
]

Thanks. [ He won't resist, it's sweet Shenhe is encouraging him. ] Well, I'm from a place called Tokyo in a nation called Japan. I'm a detective. Oh, if you see a girl with white hair with little orange streaks in it, that's Tama -- we're from the same place.

What about you?
bindings: (058)

[personal profile] bindings 2023-12-22 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[grabs you and runs away but also WHAT is that. that mask is terrifying.]

Oh, I know of Tokyo. [she sounds proud of herself, ig.] Tama... I will remember this.

[a little nod.] I am from Liyue. Teyvat is the name of my world. It appears there are a lot of people from Teyvat here, actually. I've met a few.

Kaveh and Nahida are the ones that I know best, though. [...] A detective... you solve mysteries?