cuddlecity | EVENT: WHEN YOU WISH...

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EVENT: WHEN YOU WISH...

With the slow but steady growth of the city, the demand for more grows every day — more housing, more retail storefronts available for rent, more space for businesses of every caliber and category. To create said space, the administration has begun the process of clearing a section of forestland on the southern edge of the city's boundaries. Far enough removed from the downtown area and the Welcome District, the sounds of construction should have little impact on the citizens' and volunteers' daily lives... that is, until construction is ground to an unexpected halt with the discovery of a long-forgotten glen in the woods.

The construction project is naturally put on hold while the administration begins to investigate the discovery, but in its inactivity, the space becomes a natural lure for the curious and the questioning alike. What's so special about an abandoned patch of rock and stone, or the nearby pool of softly bubbling water? As with any mystery, rumors abound as quickly as smoke from a fire, twisting and changing with each whisper from person to person. The game of telephone has never been a good way to communicate.

Some say the water is simply an extension of the city's springs and cave pools, nothing more or less than a shallow pool of water trapped by the stone walls that surround it. Others say it is a medieval mock-up of a reservoir, rain waters collected over the years and forgotten amidst tall trees and brush. Still others whisper of magical properties — waters once contained in a glorious wishing well that has since crumbled under the relentless march of time, waters that give impossible things to those that drink of it or that bathe in it or simply cup it in their hands. The rumors, much like those that visit the site, are many and varied; it can be almost impossible to know for sure which are truth and which are simply wishes.

Of course, should the allure of an unsolved mystery appeal to your inner meddling kid, there's plenty of clues to uncover and even more questions left to solve at the site.

▸ In the very center of the clearing, a pool of water gently laps at its stone surrounding. The pool itself is small, barely four feet across, but its waters are kept clean from the dirt of the forest floor by a carefully laid stone barrier, two inches tall, each piece hand cut and carefully laid in place. Though the waters are clean, they are not quite clear — looking in, it is not immediately obvious just how deep the water goes, and though brave souls who climb in will certainly float, those who attempt to dive to the bottom never quite reach their goals before the need for air pulls them back to the surface.

▸ It's clear from the smooth surfaces of the stone that surround the pool that this place was once somewhere of grave importance, though what purpose it may have served is murkier than the depths of the pool itself. Adding to the mystery are the three stone benches, surrounding the water on all but its northern boundaries. They are long and cool to the touch; the surfaces remain smooth even after untold years subjected to the mercy of nature, and still hold weight of those who may choose to sit on them.

▸ At its northern edge, where the water seems to lap most often, there is no bench to sit on. The stones here are well-worn, the faintest hint of footprints left on the surface, as if someone stood upon the surface here more than anywhere else. Just past the stone barrier rests a chest — stone as well, and obviously made with care. Its lid is heavy, though someone with exceptional strength (or a friend) may be able to slide it open, and bears what must have been something important etched on its surface. Time has not been kind here; though the letters were once legible, only a few remain so today: wishing and water being the only full words left to view.

What does it mean? Will you follow the rumors? Will you drink of the pool, or perhaps dive in? Will you, instead, dismiss it as fanciful dreaming? There are no wrong answers here, only possibly more questions to consider... and, of course, the wisdom of a well-known fairytale: be careful, dreamer, what you wish for.

Oooh, spooky! As you may have guessed, this event is our take on the popular wishing well trope. Unlike Snow White's well that offers to grant her dream of a prince who may or may not come, this pool of mystical water isn't quite so straightforward. (Is anything straightforward here?)

The wishing pool is here to grant your wishes. Or, more specifically, to try to grant them. Characters who touch the water and make a wish will find their wish (be it spoken out loud, thought only to themselves, or one lingering in the subconscious mind, unbeknownst even to them) granted within the next 72 hours — though, in most cases, the magic lingering in the water they've touched will be limited to short term effects only.

How your character chooses to engage with the water is entirely up to you! Maybe they'd like to take a hesitant sip, or they're a more brave sort who wants to drink of it until they feel sick! Perhaps they want to simply stick a hand in to test the temperature — cool, surprisingly, but not cold — or they'd like to dive in! There are no lifeguards on duty, though... so swim carefully. Stone and skulls don't often clash with good results.

Of course, we do have to warn: wishes made aren't always granted in the ways one might expect. The wishing pool is quite out of practice, and though it gets a gold star for effort, it's not usually very successful — unless, of course, your wish happens to be remarkably simple to grant! Wishing for something vague, like being happy, might result in wearing the face of a beloved storybook character or a friend of a friend rather than emotional adjustments or a sudden burst of cheer. Similarly, wishing for the knowledge to impress your date might bequeath the wisher with the knowledge of every romantic comedy known to man — while admittedly useful, it's probably not what you were hoping for.

If you have any further questions specific to this event, we encourage you to ask away on our QUESTIONS COMMENT here in this post. We're glad to give suggestions on ways your characters' wishes can come true! If you have general questions, or prefer a more private venue, our GENERAL INBOX (and SCREENED INBOX) is always available for you. In addition, if you've got an idea for a future event, feel free to drop us a line at our EVENTS SUGGESTION POST.

Have fun — we're wishing you all the best!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( If it's even possible, Caitlin's face grows warmer and, subsequently, her cheeks go pinker when he gestures down to his body and she cannot help herself from reflexively following his hand with her eyes.

Good God what she wouldn't give to touch a body like that again; it's been a very long time.

Redder. Still.

Caitlin clears her throat and fumbles at an attempt to tuck her hair behind her ears before actually achieving it and she nods. )

I...oh. It works? You...I mean, what... It's rude to ask what you wished for, but what on Earth did you wish for...?

( The words tumble like word vomit before she can stop them and she holds up a hand, closing her eyes in an expression of self-exasperation briefly. )

I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that. Obviously. That's none of my business. The wishing well works?

See, right, so I went ahead and made a stupid wish because I was sure it wouldn't work. So it's technically not my fault, although I recognize that it wasn't necessarily my proudest moment, but I didn't really think and -

[ Don't worry, Caitlin, he knows word vomit intimately. But then he sighs,
opening his arms in a 'this happened' way. ]

I wished to be sexy.

[ Another sigh. ]

But apparently, not only does the well work, it also has some weird sense of humor or just some perception that the less clothes you wear, the sexier you are. I mean, I guess I can't entirely fault that, but..

[ Because if you asked Nate what's sexy, he doesn't have to think before thinking 'a beautiful woman in fancy lingerie'. ]

Anyway. It works. I'm sorry, I can - turn around, or something.

( For a moment, Caitlin is quiet, just listening and watching his face and trying to figure out where exactly he's going with this. The sigh and resigned gesture has her lifting her eyebrows with interest, waiting for him to come out with it and when he does, she immediately regrets the fact that her reflexive response is verbal. )

Why would you need to wish for that?

( Cue an even redder face as she raises a hand to cover her mouth and closes her eyes for a second. Did she just say that out loud? Seriously? )

No...it's, you're fine. It's fine. You're fine. Actually, you know what? You just saved me making what might have ended up being a really horrible mistake by trying it out myself, because if that thing has a sense of humor, I'm not sure I'd like the results I saw.

( She pauses and shifts her weight awkwardly from one foot to the other. )

Do you...should I...go...? Uh, and give you a minute or...?

[ her reflexive response has Nate bark out a laugh. He's confident enough in his looks, but good looks don't necessarily equate sexy. ]

The history teacher look is endearing, but not necessarily 'sexy'. [ Completely with air quotes. ] Although I have regrets, let me tell you. I was thinking... not, actually, I wasn't really thinking. But I'm glad I could help. What were you going to wish?

[ Nate gives Caitlin an amused, if slightly embarrassed look. ]

No, don't - I mean, not if you don't want to. If you want to leave, I get it, I mean. But don't think I want you to. Because I don't think this wish or whatever is going to let me put clothes back on for a while. The oil doesn't wash off, either.

Well...I think you're maybe your own worst critic, then.

( Caitlin gives him a little shrug and a sheepish smile. She's already made herself sound like an idiot, so why not go all in, right? He seems at least a little unfazed, so there's that to go on.

But then he asks her what she was going to wish for after saying that he hadn't actually been thinking and Caitlin worries at her bottom lip with her teeth for a moment before responding. )

I hadn't fully decided yet, but if the water was going to take it with a grain of salt, it probably wouldn't have mattered what I ended up wishing...

( She gives him an empathetic look at that and tucks her hair behind her ears again. )

Okay, uh well...I'd ask if you wanted to get a bite to eat since I'm getting kind of hungry, but I'm guessing you aren't super interested in going out in public like that... What if someone else tried to put clothes on you, for you? Think we could outsmart the wishing well if we tried that? If you want, I mean.

[ Nate grins, scratching the back of his head as he shrugs. He's just full of shit most of the time, so he knows. Inwardly, he can be pretty much the worst to himself.

Caitlin's scientific approach to his problem makes him light up, pointing at her with a genuinely awed smile. ]

You are a genius, and it might even work! Did you walk here, or drive? Because if we've got to walk back to mine, better do it now while it's too early and the streets are not too busy. I already feel like a circus attraction...

I don't know about all that, but...

( Caitlin laughs a little and wrinkles her nose. She knows what he means, it's just hard to take the "genius" compliment when she's met actual geniuses. )

It's worth a shot, anyway. Worst case scenario, it doesn't work, right? I walked, though, so in that case, I agree. We should get going. What happened to the clothes you were wearing? Did they just...disappear into the ether?

[ Nate grimaces and nods. ]

Yeah. I dunked my head in the water, wearing all my normal clothes, and then pulled back, and was wearing this. At least, I'm not feeling the cold, as if I'm still wearing them. Weird, right? It's like the well knows this isn't normal clothing.

[ At least, not for a guy like him. They start walking, Nate wishing he could make himself smaller, just because he feels so incredibly exposed right now. It's not shame, but, c'mon.

It's weird. ]

( She blinks, surprised by the fact that Nate actually confirms it. Of course, it'd be silly for him to have denied it, because that would've meant he'd voluntarily changed his clothes out here in the open, which obviously makes no sense. But all the same, having it confirmed surprises her a little. That's...some pretty interesting magic. )

Well, let's get you back as quickly as we can; it's kind of cold outside.

( Not to mention, if she were in his shoes, she'd be feeling completely mortified, so she can only imagine that Nate is probably feeling kind of embarrassed, if not just exposed. The sooner they can get to his place and she can try to get some clothes on him, the better. She'll let him lead the way, because maybe he knows a shortcut she doesn't. )

So that's an actual wishing well... That's crazy. And I know crazy. You know I know crazy.

( Seriously, she really can hardly wrap her head around the fact that the rumors are true. What is this place?! )

[ Exposed, check. Embarrassed, also check. Couldn't the wishing well think that he wanted to fit the 'sexy professor' theme instead of this? Give him glasses and elbow patches and a beard, or something like that.

Because this is not only embarrassing for him, it's also embarrassing for other people, considering how much Caitlin is trying not to look at him anywhere else than in the eyes. He's never thought he'd ever think of the whole 'oi, my eyes are up here' thing applied to him. ]

Yeah. I know like, aliens are real and meta-humans and, I mean, time travel, right? But magic. I didn't even think magic could be real.

( Caltlin's eyes go wide as she nods and points at him, as though he's just made the most important point of all time. )

Yes, exactly! Magic is in a whole other realm. And, I mean, I've seen some already. Magic. ...here, I mean, but still. It's still a lot to take in. You know what I mean.

( That's a statement rather than a question, because she has a feeling that they're on the same page, even if he might not have seen magic here before...well...this. )

We'll figure something out, don't worry.

( Of that much, Caitlin is truly confident, even if she probably shouldn't be. )

[ Throughout the walk back to his apartment in the starter blocks, Nate has to fight wrapping his arms around himself constantly. Sure, he's not ashamed of what he looks like, he knows he looks good. But that doesn't make the whole experience any less humiliating, thank you very much wishing well. ]

Yeah, I know.

[ Look at him. He totally get what she's saying. ]

If it doesn't work, I guess I'll just... hide away until I'm back to normal, right?

( Certainly, Caitlin does not envy Nate his position right now. The fact that he isn't covering himself is actually really impressive, because Caitlin can't help thinking that she would absolutely be covering herself, without question, by reflex.

Giving him a sympathetic look, Caitlin sighs a little. )

I don't think you'd have to hide. You should just own it. It's not like you don't look good, you know? It could be worse.

( Caitlin tries to keep her voice even and casual when she says that, but she can't help the way her eyes flicker quickly over to his abdomen before she forces them away again, clearing her throat. )

[ Nate lets out a noise of amusement, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his pants. He doesn't think he'd have the space to put his hands in, even if he tried. Those are tight pants. ]

Thanks. It could be worse for sure - [ You could have lost your powers, or you could be a yoga teacher, Nathaniel, don't forget. ] - I just feel like I should have known better.

[ A member of the Legends, acting before thinking? Never. ]

( Caitlin gives him a sympathetic look and shakes her head as they walk. )

Come on, now. How were you supposed to know that the stupid thing would not only work but misinterpret your wish? Don't be so hard on yourself.

( She just hopes, for his sake at least, that it doesn't last terribly long. )

[ He gives her a half shrug. Back on the Waverider, he tries to be the one with the information, and sure, it often means fucking up - to fix things for the better in the end - but here, it feels... useless.

At least, it's also harmless.

They get to his building, and walk in, Nate opening the door to his apartment on the fourth floor to Caitlin without hesitation. There are books and papers and coffee cups everywhere, sorry. ]

Sorry for the mess.

( When they reach his apartment and he opens the door for them, Caitlin moves inside and, for the first time, starts to wonder if maybe she doesn't really belong in here. This is Nate's private, personal space. Of course he's invited her in, but technically it's just to help him out with this whole wishing well thing.

She tries to shake the feeling off because if he didn't want her here, he would've left her in the hall. When he apologizes for the mess, Caitlin looks around and then shakes her head, shrugging. )

Believe me, I get organized chaos, Nate. It's totally fine.

( Yeah, it's a little messy, but he hadn't been expecting anyone, probably. Besides, this is not too unlike what her apartment looks like when she's planning on no visitors, too, so it's not like she can judge. )

All right, so. Let's see if we can't get some clothes on you. Let's start with the easy part: where do you keep the rest of your shirts?

[ At least, it's lived-in, cozy. It's got books everywhere, stuff he's been reading and stuff he's been wanting to read, research for when he's back on the Waverider, notes strewn around, rings of coffee around some of the notebooks. But even if he'd been expecting anyone, he probably wouldn't have done much tidying. Organized chaos, indeed. He probably would never find his notes again if he tried to tidy them. ]

Oh, bedroom. C'mon.

[ He imagines she knows the layout of the apartment, as it can't be that different from hers, but he still leads her to the bedroom, kicking some socks off from around the bed towards the corner of the room and the bathroom door. Opening the wardrobe, he gestures for the range of mainly dark and plaid shirts. ]

Here we go!

( The invitation has Caitlin moving, following him through the apartment and finding it unsurprisingly like her own in its floor plan. It's kind of interesting, actually, to see how someone else has decorated the same space in a different way. Not that she's put a ton of effort into her own decor, but she's bought a few things here and there; wall art, knick knacks, and the like.

Nate opens the wardrobe and Caitlin doesn't hesitate to reach in for a Henley. She finds herself guiltily thinking that he'll look just as good in it as he does out of one, because she's seen for herself a time or two in passing. He fills these shirts nicely. He must know that, too, or he probably wouldn't have so many. )

Okay, arms up.

( Caitlin holds up a shirt and waits for his arms to raise so that she can pull the shirt on over his head and arms. He's taller than she is, though, and she blushes a little. )

Um, little lower...sorry...

[ It's all pretty embarrassing for both of them, honestly, the whole thing just making Nate wish for a hole to appear and swallow him whole, but. They might as well try, after all, and so he bends at the waist to help Caitlin put some clothes on him.

It might have been easier with a button down, but he is not going to start criticizing Caitlin's choices, when he has no idea what's about to happen. What if it works? ]

If it works, I promise I'll buy you a crown that says 'genius' on it.

( If it had been embarrassing before, when Caitlin tries to put the shirt on and her movement just sort of stops before she can actually manage it, it's definitely humiliating now. To someone on the outside, they would look completely ridiculous, Nate standing there in leather pants and no shirt while Caitlin fights with an invisible forcefield or something around him.

Several unsuccessful attempts getting a shirt over his head does not have her deterred, however. No, now she's determined. Caitlin drops the shirt unceremoniously to the floor and looks for a button down. If she can't get it over his head, maybe she can get it around him. )

I'll figure this out.

( She's not sure it's Nate or herself that she's actually trying to convince. )

Sorry, stand up straight again, arms out. I will make this work, dammit.

( ...she doesn't like failing, what can she say? )

[ He does as ordered, with an amused look on his face at how stubborn Caitlin is being. It's cute, actually, and Nate likes it - likes tat she wants to help and she's doggedly trying, even when it doesn't work.

So he stands with his arms out and looks around at his room and the mess he's left in it. ]

It's okay if it doesn't work out, Caitlin. At least - I'm very grateful you tried, at least. It means a lot.

( Her face scrunches with concentration. She will not be beaten by a damn shirt. No, Caitlin Snow will not be bested by a piece of clothing.

While she does manage to get his hands into the sleeves, she's left awkwardly flailing in her failed attempts to draw the rest of the shirt up around his shoulders. )

You've got to be kidding me...how is this even...?

( It's only when she realizes how stupid she probably looks right now that she finally stops, her shoulders heaving with a long suffering sigh as she looks up at him apologetically. )

It won't let me...I'm really sorry.

[ After a while, Nate sits back on his bed, a shirt hanging by the wrist of one arm, but not going any further. And then, he starts laughing, helplessly, little chortling noises as he runs a hand over his face. ]

It's okay - [ He manages between chuckles, eyes tearing up. ] It's okay. You tried.

( Nate's laughter is admittedly contagious and Caitlin laughs a little herself. )

Well, at least you're taking it well...

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