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

[scooptimistic]

Of course!

[ this is not surprising to her. ]

I've been through a lot worse than this. And I think what everyone needs right now is someone to stay positive.

[noholdsbard]

Then stay, benevolent angel that you are. [ But he’s smiling, as this is all in jest. ]

I feel my heart warming along with my body at the sight of you. Ah, why is this so?

[scooptimistic]

That's the power of optimism!

Or the fire's just doing a really good job, which is entirely possible.

[noholdsbard]

It is a great power indeed. I feel it almost envelop me, and yet… [ He’s gotta be a downer no matter what— ]

And yet the night grows deep.

[scooptimistic]

...

[ You know what, sad person, she's just going to sling an arm over your shoulder. ]

And eventually the night will grow shallow again, because it'll be morning. Isn't that amazing?

[noholdsbard]

[ Oof, much obliged, happy person. ]

Ah, but will morning return us to gentler climes? I fear our mysterious host means to keep us for quite some time.

[scooptimistic]

Maybe so, so we might be in it for the long haul.

But let's not give up just yet. I bet we'll learn more as we go!

[noholdsbard]

[ Chuckling, ] When you say it, I can almost believe it.

[scooptimistic]

I feel like you say "almost" a lot when it comes to dealing with positivity.

[ Very strange. ]

[noholdsbard]

I’m afraid my life has been a series of such near-misses, particularly where it concerns happiness.

[ Maybe shut him up before he starts going on some melodramatic tangent— ]

[scooptimistic]

... Oh, so--

[ pardon, she's sneezing now. ]

[noholdsbard]

[ …Smooth. ]

Please forgive me. [ He totally fell for it. ] It appears that this fire is hardly sufficient to warm you.

[ And they’re kind of short on kindling at the moment, but… He turns toward the tapestry hanging from the wall. It might still need a good thawing by the fire, but it’s better than nothing. He plucks a string on his harp and the ropes fastening that tapestry in place snap, dropping their half-frozen load onto the floor. ]

[scooptimistic]

... Did you really just cut a rope with your music?

[ Uh. ]

[noholdsbard]

Oh, yes. I can do a fair amount of tricks with my harp.

[ But he’s bending over to pick up that tapestry anyway. It’s probably not the best blanket around, but they haven’t got a lot of options anyway. ]

Is it really so surprising? I think your abilities far outshine my own.

[scooptimistic]

No, it's kind of extremely different...

I like your ability a lot, though! It suits you.

[ Sad harp man. ]

[noholdsbard]

[ Is he…really giving off that kind of image to people… ]

Then I thank you very much for the compliment. So long as I’m able to assist you, I care not which form my powers take.

[ But ah, he’s managed to shake the frost off a sizeable portion of that tapestry. It looks warm enough… ]

And perhaps this might help to warm you.

[scooptimistic]

I appreciate it! Care to join me?

[ In sinful tapestry cohabitation? ]

[noholdsbard]

[ L—Lewd… ]

It would be a pleasure. [ Maybe he looks a little too happy about the prospect. Um. Pay no mind to him as he slips under the tapestry with her. ]

[scooptimistic]

[ Look, they're not being naked under a tapestry, so all is well and Maya seems very pleased with this state of-- being slightly less freezing. Cuddling under a tapestry, sure why not. ]

This is a first for me. I've got to say, I've been able to experience a lot of firsts since I came here!

[noholdsbard]

[ Wow, next thing you know this might escalate into, like, handholding, or something. ]

Camping by firelight, you mean? [ Even if it is indoors… ]

I have had the opportunity many a time, but I have never quite gone about it in this manner. It’s…strangely exciting.

[scooptimistic]

Oh no, I've done that! But I've never used a tapestry as a blanket with a melancholy musician before!

[ OF COURSE YOU HAVEN'T, MAYA, THAT'S TOO DAMNED SPECIFIC. ]

[noholdsbard]

[ So pure… ]

Haha, well I’m happy to provide the experience! [ Honestly they probably should just hang around campfires more often. ]

Ah, but there is one thing I’ve never been able to do at a campfire…

[scooptimistic]

...? What's that?

[ Yes, enlighten her. ]

[noholdsbard]

It’s a bit silly. [ He turns toward the flames, even shrinking back a little into his side of the tapestry huddle. ]

Campfires are such wonderful places for storytelling. Many a harrowing deed of valor had been passed over this rite of flames, and yet I…well, it seems rather foolish of me to want it. To…To be scared, that is.

[scooptimistic]

You... [ Oh. ]

You want to hear scary stories?