all at once the winter's here —

[happyheartsstaff]

all the lochs are frozen over

SNOW FUN

11/11 - 11/15

By the middle of the second week of November, the winter snow has spread out from the Pool of Tears and into the rest of the hotel. It falls gracefully in the hallways, the bar, the restaurants, even the nightclub and the gym. There's a gentle chill in the air, though there never seems to be more than a faint dusting of snow on the floor and it doesn't gather on the furniture.

The lobby quickly becomes a different story. Here, the snow begins to stick, and hotel staff can be seen piling it up in some kind of structures.

"Snow forts!" they will exclaim excitedly, and do their best to get any curious Oysters to help or make their own.

Shoes and foot coverings are still not available other than the ice skates in the pool area, but any Oysters who participate will find that the snow feels soft and fluffy beneath their bare feet, not cold at all.

Before long, multiple snow forts have been built in the lobby. It is then that hotel staff will start a game of capture the flag. Oysters will be encouraged to join one of the two teams and either try to sneak into the opposing side's heavily guarded forts to steal their flag, or guard the forts of their own team.

The game will span multiple days, and all Oysyers who join in the fun for any of it will receive a special reward!

HOW ABOUT A CUP OF TEA

11/12 - 11/23

If you can avoid all the commotion in the lobby to get to them, there are a few cozy spots tucked away that certainly weren't there before. Fire places have sprouted up in these, and though no one ever seems to tend to them, there's always a fire crackling merrily away. The fires seem to change colors, and will never be the same color twice.

"Of course it changes colors," hotel staff will scoff if asked. "Next you'll ask how it knows what it knows."

If pressed further, the staff member will share a Wonderland legend about the fire. Anyone who burns something in it and asks it a question will get an answer in the form of a glimpse of the future or a truth of the past.

Sofas, arm chairs, and bean bags are scattered around the fire places, with small tables covered with snacks and hot teas between them. Bookcases have also sprung up here, filled with fiction stories from all different worlds. Except, of course, for anything related to Alice in Wonderland.

BABY IT'S COLD IN HERE

11/24 - 11/ 30

In the final days of November, the novelty of the snow seems to wear thin. The uniforms of the hotel staff change, all of them now wearing coats, hats, and gloves even on duty. Whatever it was that kept Oysters' feet from freezing in the snow begins to fade. The air shifts from crisp and clean to cold and sterile, sinking deep into the bones of anyone who stays out in it too long.

Oysters will find some relief in their rooms, as the snow still doesn’t fall there, and the chill in the air is more bearable. It will drop lower at "night," and Oysters will find it harder to ward off the cold. Unless, of course, they happen to be one of those lucky enough to have someone to keep them warm at night.

Hotel staff won't admit to seeing a problem with this, when asked. Surely this is the perfect time to find that special someone, or discover the benefits of platonic cuddling! Why not try it in front of the fire, first, it does wonders to combat the cold in the hotel lobby!

Of course, their first recommendation is always going to be to enjoy a lovely cup of tea.

If you have any questions, please leave them over here! All characters who participate in the game of capture the flag will receive an item from home (which must follow the same rules as the AC reward) and a superpower tea of the player's choosing. This can be one of the character's own abilities, but it will not be permanent. Any character who chooses to burn something in the fire will be able to see a scene from their future or past. The future scene could be one from further in their canon, or could be a potential future either in canon or at the hotel (feel free to make this up!). The scene from their past can be any scene from their past. Anyone in the vicinity of the fire will be able to see either of these.

PREMISE RULES FAQ TAKEN RESERVES APPLICATION MOD CONTACT HIATUS & DROPS WORLD INFO NPCS CALENDAR AC REWARDS PLAYER CONTACT

© tessisamess

Comments

Xie Lian | Heaven Official's Blessing

[lucklessgege]

Forts
Xie Lian has never made a snow fort before and it is an interesting process. He didn't realize just how much one could do with snow. And why would anyone want to have a fort made of snow? But then the staff starts to explain the rules of the game and he becomes increasingly more fascinated by it. Xie Lian does have a small competitive streak that likes to take part in such things. He would like to be able to enjoy the game.

He sets the flag into his fort and dusts off his hands as his team is ready to begin. He has no doubt he will be able to get his hands on the other teams flag.

"Whomever is guarding that other flag better be ready!"

Fire
Xie Lian has found one of the quiet corners and has curled up in one of the big chairs with a big. He is rather enjoying this little time of relaxation and reading the books of this new world is something different for him. He finds the stories rather fascinating.

He reaches out and picks up the cup of tea on the table and starts to sip it. It has a unique flavor and does a very good job of warming him up.

After awhile he sets the book down and just watches the changing colors of the fire. Ruoye unwraps a little and acts rather threateningly towards the odd fire.

"Easy easy...the fire isn't going to hurt me but if you get too close it will hurt you."

Cold
Xie Lian really doesn't notice the cold. He has since lost most of his ability to feel pain and so even if his fingers and toes are a little red or threatening to endure a bit of frost bite, he can't tell. He walks through the hotel still as if nothing has changed. He decides that it might be smart to get a few extra layers just in case things get any worse though and so he is wandering around the boutique looking at the various types of clothing that are available.

Wei Wuxian | MDZS

[scaredofdogs]

GAME ON
Wei Wuxian cracks his knuckles as he gets into a stance that says he is ready to run full speed ahead towards that fort he can see in the distance. This is a competition and Wei Wuxian is used to being the best...or close to it.

He finds it a little strange that the snow beneath his bare feet is not cold but that is of little concern. The fact that whatever magic there is in this place is making it so they don't have too many shoeless regrets is a good thing.

As soon as the signal is give, Wei Wuxian takes off full speed towards the other fort. No one better get in his way!

Setting the Mood
Fires crackling, warm tea in hand, comfy chair beneath his butt..Wei Wuxian is oddly content with this whole thing. He hasn't actually taken a drink of the tea, far smarter then that when it comes to those things. But he is using it as a kind of hand warmer. Hopefully he doesn't forget that it is nothing but that as he stares into the strange color changing fire.

He has heard the tales of the fire and how it shows the past or the future and to say he is tempted would be putting it mildly. But he also isn't sure he wants to see what the fire might show him..

Wildcard
[Feel free to just throw out any scenerio! He'll be out in the snow until it starts to actually feel cold.]

Nie Huaisang | The Untamed | OTA

[eternalgrief]

( A. Snow Fun )

Initially, Huaisang had been reluctant at the idea of joining the game of capture the flag. The snow wasn't all that cold beneath his feet but he still isn't a fan and well, this sort of game is not one of his strengths. Still, he'd been roped in -- not that he's very helpful.

He's the opposite of helpful really, just peaking around corners and watching the action. It's entertaining him, though, and despite his initial reluctance, he's having fun being there.

( B. How About A Cup Of Tea )

Huaisang had quickly grown tired of the chaos of the game and had wandered off and had been ecstatic when he found the cozy little area tucked away -- books, fire, tea, snacks, what more could he want?

So, you might find him reading a book or eating a snack -- maybe he's staring intently at the strange fire that changes colors, pondering what the hotel staff had told him about it.

( C. Baby It's Cold In Here )

Huaisang's freezing. The temperature had dramatically shifted and even in his room he had been uncomfortable. He finds himself in front of the fire now, rubbing at his arms and trying to get as close as he could without actually being in the fire.

Actually, he honestly can't be sure if this is even better or worse than his room but he's had about enough of it.

( D. Wildcard )

[ I'll match tenses and styles! Feel free to hit me with your best shot or hit me up via PM or on plurk at poetanarchy if you want to plot something or want a specific starter. ]

Jin Ling | The Untamed | OTA

[jinlingers]

( A. Snow Fun )

Jin Ling is surprised that despite how cold the snow looks that it's not actually that cold and so for the time being he is fine participating. It'd taken some cajoling because he's a stick in the mud but once he'd started playing he'd gotten really into it. The competition was thrilling after all.

He crouched down in his team's fort and exhales as he takes a bit of a break. Maybe he should call it for the day.

( B. Cup of Tea )

"Do you think it's true what they say about the fire?"

Jin Ling asks when someone joins him, he's been staring at it intently for a long time, so many questions in his mind that he could ask it but he is also too afraid to do so. And it could all be a farce or everything it answers could be a lie.

( C. Wildcard )

[ I'll match tenses and styles! Feel free to hit me with your best shot or hit me up via PM or on plurk at poetanarchy if you want to plot something or want a specific starter. ]

Wei Wuxian | The Untamed

[sadflutenoises]

I. Snow Fun
Wei Wuxian has never been the sort to stay down. He might be sad or upset for a while, but he always felt the gradual shift to do something about it, rather than let himself sink. Those decisions tended to be drastic, and not always for the best, but it was better than sitting and doing nothing.

Fortunately, the hotel gave them plenty of distractions, and Wei Wuxian welcomes them with his usual reckless abandon. Rather than join a team for the game of capture the flag, he's decided to act as an agent of chaos, pelting down snowballs and using his newly-acquired spells and talismans to fill the battlefield with tripwires and other pranks, targeting both teams.

"Which side are you on?" he asks, as if it matters. Regardless of the answer, he'll help guide you through unhampered or lead you into one of his many traps, laughing all the way.

II. Cup of Tea
Curiosity gets the better of him, as it often does, and Wei Wuxian can't help but wonder the sort of books they keep in this place. Rather than anything terribly useful, they're all fiction, but he finds he doesn't mind so much; they're nothing if not entertaining.

He curls up with a stack, everything from sci-fi to horror to romance. Wei Wuxian is currently mulling over a copy of something called Twilight, but he can't help but be disappointed in the lack of scary supernatural creatures.

He hadn't intended to drink the tea, of course, he knows the risks. But it was getting chilly and no matter how he might pull his robes around himself, it does little to keep out the cold. With the promise of magically-induced warmth, he's started in on a cup, book spread open across his lap as he sits in a messy sprawl on one of the couches.

III. Baby it's Cold

The cold is really starting to get to him. The tea helps, but he hates to rely on it, so he's been a little clingier than usual around the people he knows, and taken to wearing a few extra layers. The only thing it does nothing for are his poor frozen toes.

Were you curled up in front of the fire, enjoying a good book? Hope you like cold toes. Up the back of your shirt, under your legs, or stretched out in front of the fire, Wei Wuxian is determined to warm them up.

COMMANDER SHEPARD ♥ MASS EFFECT ♥ OPEN

[earthborn]

i. snow fun
Shepard really had not intended to join in the snow-war. But she's not too hard to provoke on the best of days, and after enough snowballs erroneously thrown directly at her head her patience runs out. Or course they were erroneous, how could you think otherwise.

Maybe she doesn't have her biotics at the moment, but she's not afraid ot be a party-pooper, simply knocking down walls to get at the flags. When she's not doing that, she's being opportunistic, taking advantage of distractions, firing off salvos, and simply shoving people down and stealing their flags.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way!" You might hear her calling from behind a snow barrier, of an afternoon. Inevitably, it is never the easy way, "Alright, so we're doin' it the Krogan way."

Once more over the top. Once more, into the breach.


ii. the fires
She only does it once. Twice, maybe. No more than three times, before she realizes how dangerous it is, how tempting. What's happened to her crew. The face of a dead loved one. The satisfaction of destruction, a simple pleasure. Burning something ought not to be the kind of thing that has an extrinsic reward.

She doesn't answer when you approach, too busy transfixed on the fire. There's a face there, the scene of another world... Do you want to see? Want to look closer?


iii. ooh baby (closed to Sam)
Not for the first time, but for the first time in quite a while, Shepard finds she has to agree with the staff. There is absolutely nothing wrong with combining body-heat to survive. She'd done it often enough as a kid on Earth, and it had meant the difference between life and death; she'd shared her bed in a more adult capacity plenty of times since, too. But that hadn't been about warmth, not physically anyways.

She really doesn't care to talk about feelings, most of the time. But it had to be done sometime; relationships, like anything else, choke and die if they can't get enough air.

"This is bullshit," Shepard comments, without chagrin. The whole fucking hotel was an icebox and here she was under four layers of blanket and a thermal fucking nightgown. With frills. She was a woman who liked a nice bit of tasteful lace in a few strategic places, but this was not that, "Y'know, Sam... I've been thinking."

Well, why not? They already sleep together regularly. Not that she needs it, not that... it makes all that much of a difference, really. Why he puts up with the nightmares, she'll never know.