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! |
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cuddlecity2017-12-01 12:00 pm
jyn erso ; ota
The change in weather had brought a lot of people out and about in order to enjoy it, including Jyn. How could she resist getting out and doing the sorts of activities she'd never had a chance to experience before?
So, when she'd heard rumors about the pond freezing over, she had to go see it for herself. And as she watched brave souls skate on by she couldn't resist the urge to try it out for herself - even though more often than not, she ended up flat on her back with limbs akimbo, embarrassed at first, but soon finding the humor in the ridiculousness of it all.
Maybe she'd never make much of a figure skater, but there was one thing she could do as she watched others fly by, or twirl gracefully, and that was enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, the way it tasted and the steam as it rose from the cup, and the way it warmed her hands just so.
Not bad, all things considered.
b; walkin' in a winter wonderland
Jyn had begun walking around the city at random - just for something to do, just to keep her mind off of other things entirely. She did her best to bundle up as the weather changed and the air turned frigid, her hands shoved deep in her pockets, sometimes burying her mouth and nose against the scarf wound around her neck.
Still, nothing stopped her wonder and, alright, a little bit of excitement once the snow began to fall. Often, she could be found with her face turned up to the sky, her cheeks flushed pink and her tongue extended to catch a flake or two on the tip of it.
And sometimes, when she was feeling particularly young, she indulged a bit in enjoying the snow to the fullest ... even though her first attempt at a snowman was awful, to say the least. If she looked foolish flailing on the ground making snow angels, she hardly found reason to care.
It was fun and that was a phenomenon she hadn't often experienced, so why not take the opportunity and have a little bit now?
c; things are heating up
Old habits died hard. Jyn didn't mean to eavesdrop, but her ears had perked up considerably when she'd heard a conversation extolling the virtues of the cave pools and hot springs right outside the borders of the city. It hardly took more than a moment's worth of thought on her part to decide that yes, those sounded worth a little exploration.
So, early one morning, she made the trek out to where they were located, tickled beyond belief to realize that the story had been true. The larger pools looked nice, but Jyn wasn't yet interested in sharing one with a group of people who'd had the same idea as she had, no matter how friendly they seemed.
Thankfully, the deeper she explored, the more pools she'd found, set away from the rest, inviting her to partake. And so, she took a dip, clearly enjoying herself as the heat of the water lulled her into relaxation, her toes breaching the surface as she moved her feet playfully, creating waves.
Now, this was exactly the way to enjoy a cold day outside.
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She carefully tiptoes over the slick rocks past the groups of families and ventures further into the back of the caves, before...
Well, she trips into the one Jyn is occupying, falling into the water with a yelp and surfacing with a sputter, hair plastered to her cheeks and forehead before she shoves it back. "Well, hi."
Thea Queen knows how to make an entrance.
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So to say that Thea's sudden appearance - and not so dignified entrance into the pool itself is a surprise is unexpected, to say the least. But when she surfaces, she'll find Jyn watching the proceedings with an eyebrow arching in her amusement, her lips turning up into the hint of a smile.
"Hi, yourself."
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Is she? Mostly. Probably? She doesn't think she trips a lot now that she thinks about it, so when she does make a mess of it, she clearly goes big, offering Jyn her own smile, this one sheepish.
"Mind if I share with you? I'm not sure I can make it to another pool now. It could be hazardous to my health."
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There's hardly a need to feel embarrassed, it wasn't as though Jyn was going to judge, or anything. It wasn't as though she hadn't found herself at the end of some embarrassing moments, herself. Besides that, Jyn was kind of in need of friends, too, so it was easier to be welcoming than it as to be anything else.
"That's fine. It's more than big enough for the both of us."
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"Seems only fair to introduce myself now that I've stumbled into your grotto."
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"Well, you can't say that you didn't manage to provide me with a little entertainment, right?", she asks, her smile widening slowly. "That's got to count for something."