Event Fourteen.

[awashmods]

Roses bloom and cease to be, But we shall the Christ-child see.

t's very, very cold. It's cold enough that you'll see your breath fog in the air before you, that goosebumps appear on your arms and legs and a chill goes up your spine. You're inside, in a huge palace with sweeping arches and rooms, but it's no real shelter from the cold -- it's just as cold inside as out. There's a throne room, a kitchen, various rooms and even a dungeon to be explored -- and outside, a frigid, frozen garden, a lake that's naturally frozen over, and miles, and miles of snow as far as the eye can see. But be careful while you explore. The snowflake soldiers are naturally dangerous, but even more dangerous than that...there's that creeping sensation of numbness going up your arm, a pang through your chest, and the slow, slow freezing from the inside out. Try not to leave any of your friends behind, okay? Even if they might look a bit too uncannily like some of the statues hanging around for decoration when they're frozen over. Welcome to Awash's fourteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs for this event, but please keep in mind the lack of laptop function during this event when it comes to forum posts! If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[heartsteals]

I

[ It's fairly unusual that they get physically dumped somewhere else - in fact, he thinks this is the first time it's happened, at least to him. Lupin's grateful his irregular sleep schedule meant he showed up here dressed in all his warmest winter finery and not in his pajamas, and that's about the only thing he's glad for. It's so damn cold. Between this and the chills he's been feeling on and off for the past few weeks, he feels like he's turning into an icicle from the inside out.

But there's no time to worry about that. Even though the doors open, the wide, barren expanse stretching before his eyes is reminiscent enough of the equally-ominous expanse of woods that stretches infinitely out from the town, and he decides against leaving the castle for now. If the solution isn't outside, then it's inside the castle. Somewhere. He's got a bit of experience snooping around in the homes of royalty, looking for secrets - he may as well start with the most obvious place to hide a secret exit or hidden treasure.

He can be found in the throne room, at the throne - not sitting in the throne, of course, but occupying pretty much any space around it. Pushing on it from each side, carefully running his hands along the gilded arms, tapping around the floor where it sits -- obviously, he's looking for something there. ]

II.

[ once he's finished finding absolutely nothing in the throne room (and the master bedroom, and the kitchen, and a lot of the guest rooms), Lupin returns to the foyer, looking a little frustrated and a lot cold. This would be the point where most people would give up and start looking for a place to build a fire and hunker down with some friends for the night, but - as he's made abundantly clear - he's getting tired of settling down and giving in to the weird whims of this place. So he keeps working.

He's got his trusty pocket knife in one hand, and is in the process of digging it into the icy wall of the foyer. Which might seem pointless; however, take a few steps back, and it becomes obvious he's carving something. It's a diagram of the palace. The map he made before had ended up being beneficial to him and most of the others - he may as well get a head start here. Those who have a good sense of navigation will note that it's shockingly accurate, despite the fact that he must be doing it largely from memory. There's only one thing odd about it: there are large "X" marks dotted throughout some rooms and hallways.

Every once in a while, he steps back, puffing some breath onto his gloved fingers and shaking his head. ]

Geez... Never thought I'd be missing those hot summer days.

III.
[ Normally, Lupin's spirit is inextinguishable - even when everyone else is giving up, he's the one holding onto hope and charging ahead. No matter what the town's thrown at him, that brightness of his has never dimmed. Until now, apparently.

Those who know him will definitely have noticed a difference in his behavior as the week goes on; he's quieter, smiles less, and just seems tired. There's been a weird, cold numbness in his leg that's just been getting worse. Strangely, he finds he doesn't care.

He can be found sitting at his half-finished map later in the week - just sitting, not working, with his back against the wall and one knee drawn into his chest. The knife's blade is dulled from being forced into the frozen wall so much, and there is a stone he's been using as a whetstone sitting nearby, but both the knife and the rock are sitting abandoned while he stares into the flame of the makeshift torch laying on the ground in front of him. If he's not there, then he can be found at one of the communal campfires, doing almost exactly the same thing. ]

IV (WILDCARD)

[ whatever you like!! Feel free to PM me if you want to do something specific. Lupin's condition will worsen until he freezes into a statue near the end of the week. Towards the beginning, he will be very active in exploring all the rooms of the castle and helping people build fires + avoid the knights (although he avoids getting into actual combat with them); as time goes on, he'll become less and less interested in doing this and keep more to himself. I've already got someone lined up to break his curse, but anything else is fine! ]

[espritdecorpse]

[ Wei Wuxian has been leaning against one of the ice walls of the throne room, silently regarding it. As well, he's aware of the man moving around and carefully inspecting it. After a while he asks: ]

Find anything?

[ The malevolent energy permeating this palace has a source. It has been tricky to find, and exhausting, actually, given how often he's had to run from those wretched knights. The throne room seems like an obvious choice to him as well. But he's been having difficulty analyzing it, probably because of this relentless feeling of cold numbing his body. ]

[heartsteals]

A lot of ice, mostly, [ he replies dryly. Not that he's irritated with being asked the question (really, he'd been waiting for the guy to speak up), but he is irritated with his own lack of success. ] I thought there might be a hidden passage underneath this, but... well, maybe not.

[ it was a good try. He stands up straight, placing his hands on his hips and sighing. ]

[espritdecorpse]

Ah. A passage for the king to escape. It's a good idea.

[ He shivers, suddenly. It doesn't do any good. He's so cold. He sighs, exhaling a puff of fog. ]

I thought perhaps you were looking for the source of the energy here.

closed to cairngorm

[heartsteals]

[ there is one thing he keeps up, even as he loses his will to do much of anything. Though his map remains unfinished and there are plenty of metaphorical stones left unturned in his scouring of the palace for answers, they all go ignored - but every morning, without fail, he goes to find his friends and make sure they're alive and safe. Minato, Akira, Akechi, all the rest - and, of course, Cairngorm. Perhaps Cairngorm in particular, with how they'd struggled uncharacteristically with the cold for a handful of days. By this point, the conversations he holds with all of them are curt and bare-bones, a hollow echo of the way he usually acts; nevertheless, he makes a point of holding them, or trying to.

This is the first morning where anything is different. The hour he usually arrives at to greet them passes. Lupin knows he should get up and go. He's having a hard time understanding why he's so determined to do this - it feels pointless, especially with his leg in the condition it's in and the cold gnawing at his marrow - but the seed of that emotion is planted deeply enough that its roots can still reach his heart even as the mirror shard edges into it alongside them. It takes time to summon the energy to move. Just Cairngorm, he decides, as a way of convincing himself; he can just go check on Cairngorm today, and then he can go lay down by the fire again. It feels especially important to see them; again, the reason why is just out of his reach, but the urge remains.

To his credit, he makes it impressively far for a man on the verge of freezing solid. He almost reaches the room he knows they were staying in last night - almost. But he never enters; instead, there's a heavy and unnatural clunk from the hallway outside as he collapses to the ground with a sound more reminiscent of a statue than a human. ]

[unghost]

[ At first, that painfully icy chill had kept them awake amidst their confusion about this situation and how to fix it - the effects of their theoretical solutions have been so non-consistent that they simply have no idea of whether or not there is a surefire way to reverse any of the symptoms people are experiencing. But the slow deterioration of hope over the week, combined with the unending snowy weather? They're sleeping more than usual.

Still, it's weird that Lupin didn't come before they woke up today. Even with his strange behavior, he's been coming right around the time they start to stir... today is different. They're wide awake, and there's no sign of him - for someone who lives as routinized of a life as they do, any change to a pattern is an immediate red flag. Just as they're about to consider the idea of going to look for him, they hear that clunk from outside and jolt up to investigate, thinking it must be a gem, or a knight.

What they see is obviously not either of those things. For as fast as they bolted out at the sound, they're stuck in place when they see him, their shocked and distantly horrified expression making them seem as though they're the one that's frozen. ]

Lupin...?

[ After their slight bout of horror, their first instinct is to go kneel beside him, looking more genuinely concerned than they ever let show. When he doesn't show any sign of answering, they seem to be panicking slightly, uncharacteristic of someone who puts up as stoic of a front as Cairngorm. First things first, they're looking around for someone who could have caused this; when they find no perpetrator, they switch gears to gently turning his body over so they can see his face.

He's so...solid. It's ice; they know the feeling well. What they do from here seems routine— like any sane gem, they start checking for cracks or pieces of him that might have broken off when he fell. While their gloved hands are deft as they run them against his arms, chest, and face, the intense worry in their expression doesn't fade, even when their search is turning up no damage. ]

[heartsteals]

[ No damage, fortunately; the fact that the shard entered through his leg has saved him from falling over and shattering into a hundred pieces, since he was already hunched over and limping when it finally reached his heart. That's really the only positive about his condition at the moment. He finds he can't move at all. That's not a good thing, he knows - yet it seems like it doesn't matter right now. It's not like he'd been making any progress, anyway. They were trapped, a bunch of them were sick, and now he might be dying before he could figure out a good way to stop it.

He's not sad about it. He views the situation the same way he might view a stranger's obituary - it's depressing, but far away, and Lupin doesn't dwell on it for more than a moment. Seeing Cairngorm come over at least gives him a small sense of accomplishment: he did what he came here to do. Mixed with it is an awareness in the back of his mind that it's not good that they look so upset, a memory of making that promise that he wouldn't die, but it's like he's recalling someone else's feelings.

Not that he could react even if he wanted to. Even their touching him elicits nothing. It's as they say: he's like a block of ice, right down to his eyes, staring ahead at nothing. ]

iii.

[messianic]

[Really, Minato's not sure what to do. Lupin's so listless right now, so tired... he ends up just huddling next to him on the ground, frowning a little as he wraps his arms around his knees. He was getting used to Lupin always popping up to check in on a daily basis--

The fact that Minato had to be the one to go find him today just adds to his concern. Eventually, though... he just unwraps his own scarf to wrap it around Lupin's neck instead, and reaches for his makeshift whetstone with numb fingers, to begin sharpening his knife for him.

He can at least handle that much, with the amount of weapon maintenance he's used to.]

[heartsteals]

[ He's not totally oblivious to the world around him; he notices when Minato shows up, giving him a nod as he sits down next to him. This coldness is strange - not the temperature, but the sensation inside of him. When Lupin looks at him, he's sure he should be saying or doing something. The energy to do so, however, is locked up somewhere else, and he can't seem to find sufficient reason to force himself to do it. Logically, he can go through his memories and know Minato is his friend. But emotionally, the feelings simply aren't there.

Only having Minato put his scarf around him finally elicits a reaction. He shifts a little, lifting a hand and tugging at the length of fabric. ]

Don't you need this?

[ not quite worried - closer to puzzled. ]

[messianic]

[Minato won't really front or lie; he shrugs a little, and nods.]

Yeah, probably.

[But he has all of his layers, and that's what matters right now; it's enough to keep him going.]

But you seem colder than I am, so I'd rather you have it.

[At least for now. It takes more concentration to sharpen Lupin's knife when his fingers are so numb; he doesn't want to lose a finger, so he's very, very focused, and very cautious.]

At least for now.

i

[scooptimistic]

[ ... Leave it to Lupin to immediately spring into action when it comes to being stuck inside an ice palace. Maya can't even be surprised.

She can, however, be curious, and will be ambling his way to peer over his shoulder while he's investigating the throne. ]

Secret passage? Hollow leg?

[heartsteals]

No and no, [ he returns, sounding faintly disappointed. ] There might still be a hidden switch somewhere, but I wouldn't put money on it.

[ Lupin sighs once. Then, after a second, looks over at her with a smile before standing back up fully. It's good to see her face. ]

You keeping warm there, mademoiselle?

[scooptimistic]

As warm as I can!

[ Sure enough, Maya's smiling as strongly as ever. ]

This isn't really my favorite way to spend a winter, though. What about you, Lupin?

[trepidate]

[ If the clicks of their heels against the frozen floors didn't already alert Lupin to their presence, the clinking of their metal arms drawn tight across their chest as they shiver definitely will.

Cold, like heat, isn't a feeling Phos is familiar with, and they're largely trying to ignore it despite how overwhelmingly terrible it is by focusing on literally anything else. Right now, that means squinting at the map from just a ways behind Lupin himself. ]

How do you put up with this every season—? The weather I mean, not the scribbles.

[heartsteals]

[ he definitely notices - one doesn't simply sneak up on the world's greatest thief. When he hears their approach, he stops in his carving, skillfully flipping the pocketknife around one finger before closing it and tucking it into his pocket while he turns to face them. (Show-off.) ]

What are you saying? I know you guys have winter, too. You've even got icebergs to go with it.

[ he saw it himself!! Lupin quirks an eyebrow at Phos. ]

... Don't tell me you're feeling cold all of a sudden, too?

i; assuming they've at least chatted once in person?

[interlucere]

If you're looking for a switch of some kind, then you're wasting your time.

[ How long has she been standing in the throne room? Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, hands holding her elbows as she tries not to show that shivering, Lux watches him with vague interest. She's been staking the throne room for quite some time now, hiding herself in case any of the snowflake knights decided to make a nuisance of themselves. It's easier to get the jump on them when she's invisible anyhow. Out of sight, out of mind.

Lux walks slowly toward him, the usual smile of hers absent from her face. She looks tired, her complexion paler than usual; an odd light seems to cling to her, but that may be the reflection playing tricks with his eyes. ]

I've already checked it myself. I couldn't find one. [ The malevolence permeating from it, however... ] I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

ye!

[heartsteals]

[ he's had the feeling that someone was watching him for quite some time now - that sense is particularly honed in him, unsurprisingly. But the way he saw things, there were only three possibilities: it was whoever sat in this throne, in which case he'd be glad to meet them; it was one of the snowflake knights, in which case he'd just trick them and dart away like he has been; or it was one of the other people in town, trying to be secretive. As it turns out, it was the last one.

Lupin's condition hasn't quite set in yet; he broke his mirror, but perhaps due to how strong his emotions are, he's still his old self, and offers her a friendly wave when she approaches. ]

Good at hiding, aren't you? You're a tricky one if even I couldn't spot you.

[ her bad news doesn't seem to bring him down much. ]

It was worth a second look. I'm something of an expert at finding things. At the moment, though... I'm thinking you're probably right.

III

[theshowsover]

[Akira had been doing his fair share of exploring the last few days, though over time it's turned from exploring for curiosity to exploring for food, rest, and warmth. The map Lupin has started working on has served him well, and he returns to it occasionally to look it over, but this time when he returns, something is wrong.

He quickens his pace to get to Lupin, immediately skidding onto his knees to check him over. His first thought is that he was attacked by one of the roving knights, and is injured, but it's quickly apparent that isn't the problem.]

Arsène?

[He doesn't sound panicked, or even concerned - just curious.]

[heartsteals]

[ he looks a little befuddled when Akira rushes to his side, as if something is wrong. Well, something probably is wrong - his emotions are gone, but his logic isn't, and logic tells him this is abnormal behavior based on his past memories - but surely nothing that urgent. It sure doesn't feel like it matters that much. He does get points for making Lupin move a little bit - he inches away from the younger thief slightly, apparently in confusion. ]

What?

[ he sounds more tired than anything else. There aren't any visible injuries on him, but his skin does look pale. ]

iii;

[fineprinted]

[ tsumugi's been up and about the palace in his own way, whether trying to gather up more blankets, find a laptop that could let him access the network at the very least, or even traces of food to sustain themselves while they're trapped in this wintry palace. he's been watching lupin tinker with the ice every once in a while as a guide on where to go, seeing as this place is hugely unfamiliar to him.

but one day, the map just stops updating on its own. thinking that maybe lupin's only taking a break, tsumugi's just going to drape a spare blanket upon his shoulders, offering a smile that's warm and weary. ]

Here, you deserve some rest. [ ... ] Thank you for the hard work as well; your map's been very useful to most of us here.

[heartsteals]

[ weirdly, he doesn't even react to having the blanket put on him outside of the barest flinch; with a sort of dazed expression, Lupin looks up at Tsumugi. He doesn't recognize this guy beyond seeing him around town. His name was Tsumugi, he thinks? That's about all that's going through his head - no gratitude or anything else. ]

That's good. I don't know why I started doing it.

[ just what was he hoping to accomplish with that? It wouldn't help him find a way out, certainly - and from his current perspective, it seems entirely pointless. Fighting all this is both too hard and never worth it. ]

i

[whereabout]

[ Secret exits weren't so much Joshua's thing as using the ones in plain sight without being caught, but some things are universal, and shady people recognizing other shady people at work is perhaps one of them.

His approach is quiet enough to easily be missed, unless someone were actually watching for him, but then boom, there he is, peering over Lupin's shoulder. ]

Have you found anything?

[heartsteals]

[ despite appearances, Lupin actually is on guard - he knows those bizarre snow-knights are patrolling around the castle, and he also knows he's not really equipped to fight one man-to-man. Fortunately, he also knows that they're not very good at stealth or coming up with any plan beyond "attack on sight." He's aware of the presence of someone else in the room, but the fact that they're trying so hard to hide it is proof enough that it's not one of the castle's pursuers. And, lo and behold, Joshua is who pops up a few moments later. ]

I'm sorry to say it, but no. [ a sigh; he drops his hand on the armrest of the throne with a resigned air. ] I figured it wouldn't be that simple, but I thought it was worth a shot. You never know unless you try.

II

[sirnyxalot]

You and me both.

[Nyx approaches with little fanfare, shivering as he cradles a flame in one hand close to his chest. It's not doing enough to keep the chill out, but as the town saw fit to grab him without his coat it's better than nothing while his chocobo is helping someone else warm up.

His coeurl clicks her way across the icy floor after him, claws out to keep from slipping as she does her best to become one with his legs when he stops to study the map.]

How long did this take you? [Impressed.]

[heartsteals]

[ yeah, Lupin's pretty envious that this guy has both fire-on-command and a big, presumably warm animal to keep him company. Though they haven't talked, Lupin recognizes Nyx and knows his name; he makes a point of keeping track of who comes and goes in town. ]

You've got it pretty good from where I'm standing, [ he replies, turning to face him with a sardonic smile. ] A few hours, give or take - not counting all that wandering around the castle to map it out in the first place.