 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! |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Seeing the fireplace does get a relieved expression from him, brief and dull as it may be. He could still feel, but she was right; he was losing touch with it more and more, than disconnected sensation growing with each step.
Her explanation of how exactly to rectify this gives more context to the blushing.]
Ah.
[... that was probably not the reaction she was hoping for.]
I should be taking way more issue with that.
no subject
The look she gives him is kind of tired. ]
Yeah, sounds like it's getting to you alright. God. Stupid fucking ice castle. You really should be!
[ With her work done, Vriska stands and blows out a breath. ]
You don't know how to light a fire, do you? It won't help with the emotions thing, but at least we won't be freezing our asses off.
[ ...
...
...
rather than just let the elephant sit in the room-- ]
Do you-- ugh. [ Vriska tucks her hair behind her ear, the pointed tip of it somehow even more blue by now. ] ... I can help you. If you want.
no subject
He would apologize aloud if not for already knowing that it's going to sound hollow no matter how hard he tried to sound sincere. He was sincerely sorry that this was happening, but the more seconds that ticked by the less he felt like himself. It was disconcerting. Or rather, it would have been if he could even feel such a thing.
The offer of help instead earns a blank stare, only a faint sensation in his cheeks giving any indication he knew this was something that should have been embarrassing for both of them.
If he gets out of this without being completely broken he'll apologize properly.
He digs in his pockets, finding a worn metal lighter he had forgotten about in there. He tugs it out and starts to hold it out to her.
Huh. His fingertips sure are turning blue. That's upsetting.]
I think I do need help...
no subject
But she remembers Shouto, the way he'd returned after their accidental kiss, and watches this boy hold out a lighter for her.
Man. She doesn't even know his name, now that she thinks about it.
Steeling herself, because she'll be damned if she lets something this stupid stop her, she moves over to him. She curls a hand over the one he's using to offer her the lighter, pressing it between their palms and lacing the tips of their fingers together. Quick and soft, barely there, she presses her lips to his.
She doesn't linger; pulling away she takes the lighter and goes to crouch in front of the fireplace. It's a silly piece of pride, as if he won't be able to see just how blue in the face she is, but it helps to have something to do. ]
... better? [ with a glance back at him. ]
no subject
Plus he was actually wandering around a good while before he came across the knights. Time and circumstance were working against him at an annoyingly fast rate.
Of all the ways for his past to bite him in the ass...
For what it's worth, though, Duo wasn't one to make a big deal of kisses or affection normally. Between that and the lack of emotions, he wouldn't be making a big deal of what had to be done to ensure that he wasn't going to turn in to a fucking ice cube.
He let the kiss happen with no response to it, waiting for her to move away with the lighter to flex his fingers. There was a tingle as they started to warm and return to a normal color.]
Yeah. Thanks. ... and uh. Sorry.
no subject
Vriska watches him for a moment more, then looks away, setting her attention on setting fire to the kindling. She'll flap a casual hand in his direction, though. ]
Don't mention it. Seriously. Don't. Ever. To anyone.
[ GOD. spare her. she glances at him again, still blue, but she seems to be recovering a little, at least. ]
Now come here. You're making me cold just looking at you.
no subject
Thanks, Chroma. You're kind of a dick.
There's a faint smirk quirking at the corner of his lips, but he holds up a hand in solidarity.]
You helped me so that's the least I can do.
[It was a nice kiss, though!
Buuuut he'll behave, and come over at her request to flop down in front of the fireplace.]
Glad I had that on me.
no subject
What she does say, with dry humor and a sideways look, is: ]
You're lucky you're cute.
[ and she'll toss the lighter at him. The fire is picking up, so they get to have warmth for a while. she'll take a seat too, leaning back on her hands with a sigh. ]
You know, that makes it twice in a row I saved your ass. Now you really owe me.
no subject
[There it is. The goofy grin, that touch of ego with his usual sense of humor. He's feeling better already! Still cold, a faint numbness hovering in his limbs, but otherwise her action has kept him from turning in to an unfeeling lump of ice.]
Not the first time in my life. Won't be the last. I always pay my dues, though.
no subject
You're pretty calm about this. Do you end up in life debts to other people often?
no subject
More than I care to think about, yeah. That's the good ol' Maxwell luck for you.
[And by luck he means very little.]
Seriously, though, if I can do anything to make it up to you I'll do my best.
no subject
If I were younger I'd take advantage of that kind of honesty! You should be more careful about what you say to obviously dangerous girls. [ but she just kinda flaps a hand. ] Seriously, don't worry about it. If I can think of some favor you can do for me, I'll let you know. For right now, I am just glad you're alright.
[ it's the truth, and it seems to surprise her slightly. ]
no subject
[He grins a little more at her, giving a playful nudge with his elbow.]
If it makes you feel better to think of yourself that way, though, I ain't one to tell you not to.
no subject
[ Vriska will curl up, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her cheek on them so she can watch him sideways. ]
... Vriska, [ she says, and this time her voice and her face are warm. ] That's my name, by the way. Vriska Serket.
no subject
[He's still convinced his survival is some sort of fluke.
But then there's the whole issue of how many people have died just by being near him...]
Duo Maxwell.
[Definitely not how he expected to make friends here, but for the first time since arriving he doesn't feel like he has to be nearly as guarded as he had been.]
no subject
[ She lifts her head to give it a faint shake and stare into the fire instead. ]
That was a hell of an introduction, but it's nice to meet you all the same.
no subject
He's mostly numb to it now.
Mostly.]
Yeah. ... seriously, though, thanks for getting me out of that mess.
no subject
no subject
Had problems with that before? That why you don't want me to pay you back for it?
no subject
Sure. Something like that.
no subject
If she doesn't want to talk about it, he's the absolute last person to pressure her for more.
He nods in understanding and lets silence fall over them, the crackling of the fire being the only sound.]
... you don't have to stick around with me. Might be other unlucky idiots who need saving out there.
no subject
You are not the only killer around here.
There's no taking that back, little though he'd had much of a chance to comment on it. But she has the feeling he won't have forgotten what she said, and she wonders. She wonders what kind of human he must be, to have the least chance of understanding the kind of life a troll comes from.
She knows an opportunity when it's given to her with a great big pretty bow, but even so she hesitates for a moment. ]
... this place is huge. I may not be able to find you again, you know.
[ if he needs help. ]
no subject
Maybe someday he'll tell her more.]
Heh. I know. I have a better idea of what we're up against now, though.
[Find corners, find darkness. Play their game until its over.]
no subject
... just be careful out there, alright?
[ It sounds like she cares, and as she moves towards the door she considers softening it, making some quip, but she looks back at him, and... ]
I will see you soon.
[ unless he stops her, she'll take her leave. ]