cuddlecity | EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING

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EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING

EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING.

Can you hear the bells? Throughout the city of Cadelle, the sweet chimes of bells can be heard, cheerful and bright as they sway in the cool breeze. It seems winter has finally come to the city, replacing the dreary drizzling fall rain with crisp, cool weather and — of course — the first of what is sure to be many snowfalls. In keeping with local traditions, citizens have begun hanging up their seasonal decorations, and no traditional home would be complete without a few (or a few dozen) small brass bells, hung just above doorways to merrily chime out with each coming and going.

Early in the winter season, the soft blanket of snow spread out across the ground and newly found chill in the air provides a perfect opportunity for festive frolicking. Whether you're an Olympic hopeful or content to just linger on the sidelines, there's something for everyone in the city to enjoy.

▸ By mid-week, the pond in Golden Park begins to freeze. It doesn't take long to solidify into something sturdy enough to hold weight, and as soon as it does, the city is all too happy to request the assistance of the Zamboni in making it smooth as glass. Those that have been practicing their skills over at the Ice Castle might want to show off, but those a little less familiar should have no fear — the public skating sessions are open to everyone, and skating teachers will be on hand an hour before each session to give lessons for anyone who might be interested! Skating is free, and should you get too cold after a spin or two on the ice, there's always the concession stands nearby... maybe pick up a hot chocolate or two and warm up?

▸ If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on solid ground, the gentle flurries that accompany the first few weeks of December prove the perfect atmosphere for a few wintertime classics. Snow forts, snowball fights, and even snow angels can be spotted all along the grassy shores next to Blue Springs Pool and within the tree-lined meadows of the city's many public parks. Feel free to join in to the fun! Who knows, you might even spot the Mayor building a tiny snow replica of City Hall. (Just please don't knock it over, whatever you do. We hear she's quite particular about her replicas.)

▸ While it's certainly beautiful to look at, cold weather isn't for everyone. Some prefer it hot, and for those that do, the city is all too glad to accommodate. Within the friendly and vaguely Nordic halls of the Elsket House, visitors will find a plethora of piping hot offerings to keep the winter chill far, far away. Those looking to rest and recharge may enjoy the saunas and steam rooms — the rock salt sauna claims to reduce stress, while the sun room's heated loungers provide a more relaxing opportunity to enjoy all that heat has to offer... and there's always the traditional wood saunas or steam rooms to consider too. Why not try them all?

▸ Last but certainly not least, those that linger out in the city center may notice the surprising absence of locals in their more common haunts on those days when temperatures dip below freezing. Ask around, and you may discover one of Cadelle's better kept secrets: the cave pools, open each winter season, are a collection of natural hot springs just beyond the city border. Tucked away inside caves within the lower slopes of the western mountains, the pools are local favorites for beating the chill, and are often quite popular throughout the season. While many are family-friendly, there are a few on the far end that are rumored to be adults-only both in attendance and... well, in everything else, too. (It's a bit of a don't ask, don't tell sort of arrangement. We're neither asking nor telling, so be discreet!)

Beyond the cuddle-worthy temperatures and picturesque backdrops, there's always something to do in the new month. Whatever you do, we hope you have a happy, merry, holly, jolly time during this time of year!

Can you believe it's already December, cuddlers? We can't either — even if it doesn't really feel like winter for some of us, we're delighted to share in the seasons greetings with you and some light-hearted winter fun! (Don't count on it all staying fun... but our lips are sealed!)

With all the wintertime activities available, we know there's one on the list that might spark a little extra curiosity. Yeah, that's right, we're talking about those magical hot springs, tucked in the hollows of caves, just waiting for the brave to find them and enjoy all that they have to offer. Should you choose to explore them, you'll have the choice between the standard and more adult-oriented of options. Both pools are imbued with the Energem's magic, and will leave bathers feeling warmed up and in good health. Small injuries, like a pulled muscle or shallow scrape, will heal with just a few minutes' time in the baths.

However, the pools at the far ends — the adult-only pools, of course — have a higher concentration of magic, the potent mixture having not yet met with the freshwater near the middle. These pools will not only warm a man and wash away his pain, they'll also leave bathers feeling particularly friendly after a while. Maybe you'd like to get to know someone better? Or more intimately? (We see you. We know what you're about.)

If you have any further questions specific to this event, we encourage you to ask away on our QUESTIONS COMMENT here in this post. 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.

We hope you have tons of fun out there this month, cuddlers, and we'll see ya around!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[one might suppose that a man possessed by the spirit of ~~the devil~~ a vengeance demon would be plenty hot all the time. one might even suppose that the cold weather wouldn't even phase someone whose skull can light on fire. if that were actually the case, robbie might be enjoying this seasonal shift, but the chill in the air and the soft clusters of snowflakes that drift from the heavens are not what this southern california boy has ordered.

he'd much rather be suffering from triple digit summers where the sun bakes the asphalt to the point that everything looks like it's shimmering. instead, he's bundled up tight — gone is the motorcycle jacket, replaced by a heavy wool peacoat with a hooded sweatshirt underneath, along with a soft handknit scarf. he doesn't really know what to do with the white stuff, but he's happy to try and build a snow angel and fort or to partake in the snowball fights.

later on in the week he can be found enjoying elsket house. the heated loungers quickly become his favorite place to unwind after a long (and cold) day at the garage. don't be surprised if the sound of soft snoring can be heard coming from that man shaped lump hiding beneath a fluffy towel.

and if you're lucky enough to visit golden park during this wonderful winter weather, you might just catch robbie doing his best brian boitano impression. or maybe you'll actually just catch him, period. after all, ice skating isn't something he's done before.]

Edited 2017-12-02 00:58 (UTC)

( the snow comes as a surprise, blanketing the world in soft white overnight, any hint of dreary fall rain swept away and forgotten in the seasonal shift. while it may be beautiful to look at, the chill seeps into her room as they sleep, window left open to allow the white noise of the nearby streets, and kimberly wakes up in the early morning hours with the sudden and irresistible urge to cling to the warmth under the blankets rather than evacuate for caffeine just yet. warmth being the operative word here — as in heat, as in the man tangled up in her sheets, skin warm to the touch in all seasons thanks to the fire within.

except, surprisingly, in this season. when she curls up closer, it's only to feel cooler, tanned expanses cold as ice pressed up against her own bare skin. getting out of bed seems like a torturous idea, but she can't think of any other way to stop the slow flurry of snowflakes from piling up atop the sill, spilling over onto the bare hardwood floor beneath. )

God damnit, ( hissed out between chattering teeth, too annoyed to bother being quiet. ) What the — this is garbage.

( let her back into bed, and don't bother arguing with her about cold feet. )

I'm freezing, babe, come on.

[it's not his idea to crack the windows open and to let the heat out. no, that honor distinctly belongs to kim herself as he's capable of sleeping pretty much anywhere. that's not to say that he hates it though. she usually curls up against the expanse that is his chest as his dreamscapes — this time spent flying through the air — give way to reality.

but this particularly chilly morning, he wakes to chilly toes instead of an expected tangle of limbs. robbie blinks sleepily at her and shifts, exposing his skin to still chilly air.]

Jesus Christ, Kim. Why is is to damn cold?

[he shifts, grabbing hold of the covers to burrow deeper.] And don't you even think about putting your cold hands and feet on me.

( oh, no, don't you dare. those covers are for sharing, and she'll be damned if she's going to have to lay in her own bed and freeze to death because somebody doesn't feel like being a gentleman with the blankets. with a huff, kimberly reaches forward, pulling and then tugging a bit harder at the covers. not that it does any good, as he's wrapped up so tightly in them. ) What are you doing? ( grumbled crankily, another tug or two just to try, ) Are you a burrito?

( stupid burrito man in his plaid lounge pants and no shirt stealing her blankets. unacceptable! )

You're supposed to be keeping me warm, you jerk, give it up...

[and normally he'd be all down for sharing, but she left him in this very cold room in her very cold bed and damn if he'll be unwrapping himself from the moderate relief from the winter weather that the blankets serve. so, there's really only one answer that he has for kim, which he offers through chattering teeth.]

Sí. [warm burrito says as he snuggles even tighter in the covers.]

Not gonna work. You can grab one of the ones in the hall closet. I'm cold.

( she may not speak el español fluently, but even the girl who slept through most of high school spanish class can recognize an affirmative in context. especially when the speaker of said affirmative chooses instead to curl himself even more firmly under the warmth of her — her! — duvet, leaving only his closed eyes and the shadow of his dark hair visible from above. )

What? I'm not going out there, I already got up to shut the window!

( wild gestures towards previously mentioned windows turn her attention towards that side of the room for just a moment, and her eyes catch sight of the piles of slowly melting white snow that have built up overnight just underneath the sill. well, if he won't get up voluntarily, she'll just have to make him get up. the room falls quiet for a bit then, just the soft pad of her footsteps moving around the room, the low swoosh of a door opening once and then again a minute later. it's only when kimberly's knees bump up against the mattress that she speaks again, a sugary sweet baby, give me a kiss? signaling her arrival.

once he sits up, of course, to greet her, her real intentions are displayed: two ice cold palmfuls of slushy snow shoved into his face and then against his chest once the blanket is snatched away, her own diabolical glee on full display as she clutches it tightly in her now damp hands, scooting backwards away from his surely cold grasp. )

That's what you get!

[he sputters, mouth full of cold snow, follow by a round of uncomfortable shivers. robbie levels her with a glare as he wipes the rest of the snow from his chest and at last gets up to rummage through a canvas duffel filled with his things until he's found a long sleeved baseball t. a careful tug over his head and then he's free to address kim's 'lesson']

What the hell! Why would you do that? It's not like that was the only blanket.

You gonna go lay in your very snowy bed now?

Mm, ( a pause to think about it, wicked grin curving across her face even as she clutches the still-warm blanket to her chest. ) Nope.

( even with the window closed, the room's still pretty chilly. she doubts she would have felt very warm if he had shared, and since he hadn't been willing, she'd definitely have felt quite frosty laying there alone, without the benefit of body heat or thick duvet to keep her warm. better to just bite the metaphorical bullet and stay awake now, face the day head on. )

Just brush it off. ( she would have had to clean up either way, and if he follows her gesture towards the floor, he might notice the pile of towels she's left near the foot of the bed for soaking up the mess. ) It's just snow, don't be such a hot-head.

( and with that, kimberly's content to laugh at her own bad joke, blanket finally abandoned to rest in a pile atop the dry refuge of her dressing chair. hands now free, she slips out the door and across the hall into the bathroom, giggles echoing through the house. )

robbie reyes ▸ ota

▸ surprise, it's cold af.

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golden park } lemme know if this doesn't work

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elsket

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