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
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one surprise happens to be a pile of black fur, rolling back and forth in an expanse of open ground in the midst of the trees and fallen leaves, picking up patches of white with each full turn. she can't help but feel curious, stepping forward with carefully quiet steps, heels barely touching down before another step onto her toes.
before long, she's just arm's length away from the wolf, close enough to see the shine of the sun reflecting off the blues of his eyes, and it's so tempting to just reach out and run her fingers through the softness of the wolf's coat. but she hesitates, hand held back at the last second. )
It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you.
( she's not sure if she says it for the wolf's benefit or for her own, but it seems like the thing to say. )
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Derek stops rolling abruptly, jumping to his feet and whips his head around to look at her, eyes lighting up at he turns. He's not expecting anyone out here, but he really hadn't been expecting Kara. It's almost ironic the way that she's just an arm's length away, considering he tends to try to keep her there anyway. It's nothing personal — okay, yes it is: she's beautiful and he might have crushed the crush, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's confident he can keep it that way if he lets himself get too close and Kara's spoken for. Derek isn't that guy; he's never going to be interested in trying to come between two people like that.
It's just interesting that he hasn't put the distance there this time, Kara has and it's a literal physical distance rather than an emotional one. That figurative arm's length is what makes it possible for him to set aside entirely his attraction to her and be her friend. It's nice, actually. She's a good friend, if a little more maternal than he's used to friends being.
Most people wouldn't have the balls to come this close to a wolf, especially when it's distracted and therefore they're maybe unwittingly sneaking up on it, but it actually doesn't surprise him much that Kara is, because even if he were a wild wolf without a human mind and even if he were to attack her, it's not like she couldn't walk it off.
If he could smile when she speaks, he would. She doesn't know that he's Derek so it makes sense that her reflex is to try to reassure the animal, but he already knows she's not going to hurt him. He can't actually picture someone like Kara ever hurting anyone who wasn't asking for it. ...actually, even then it's hard to picture...
The glow fades from his eyes and the blue with it as Derek lowers himself back down, lying on the snow and looking up at her, oblivious to the fact that his nose and muzzle are just as caked in snow as his stomach and back are. He tilts his head down a little, breaking eye contact in an attempt to let her know that he doesn't plan on hurting her, either, because it's the only way he can think to communicate that without having the words, in this form, to come out and say so out loud. ]
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she's used to wild animals fleeing. when she'd been younger, wandering the woods had been a safe way to practice her own powers without the fear of being discovered. alex had often gone ahead, hiding in thickets and behind tall trees, and kara had needed then to rely on her own enhanced hearing or the benefit of x-ray vision to find her again. animals had often scurried, the unnatural weight of each step startling them as she ran through the trees and brush. but this animal, this wolf black as the night sky, didn't run. it didn't even shift, just blinked quietly in her direction, beckoning her forward by the simple virtue of not moving away.
it seems like an invitation, so kara obliges as best she knows how. she sinks to her knees, bare skin of her shins pressed into the snow as she leans forward, one hand and then the other coming forward to brush gently against the fur. it's softer than she expected, not quite as coarse as the manes of the dramonicus she'd seen as a little girl in an argo museum. but then, this wolf's not nearly as vicious as those were claimed to be. )
Do you like that, then? Is that alright? ( a scratch of her nails over a ridge on his back, just barely there pressure, earns a shift of muscle; it seems like encouragement. ) That must feel pretty good... I wish I had one of Atticus' treats to give you, I bet you'd like those.
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...that's new. No one has ever petted him before. Actually, the only time he's been in this form and he hasn't been intentionally meeting up with someone, he's either been alone or attacking Kate Argent. In retrospect, he should've mauled her to death and done everyone a favor, but hindsight is 20/20.
His head snaps up again, a little surprised that she's not just gutsy enough to approach him but she's touching him when he's in a form that could kill most people and is typically perceived as being naturally aggressive. And now he's not really sure what to do. Letting her keep petting him like he's an actual animal seems like a bad idea, because it's like lying to a friend. And he wonders if it's sort of...manipulating someone to touch him affectionately when they typically would not, and with good reason. But then she's scratching his back and the truth is, that does kind of feel good... For a second, his reflex is to encourage her to continue.
A second later, he processes that thought and snaps out of it. No, she'd be upset if she found out later rather than sooner and as good as having his back scratched feels, it's fucked up to let Kara keep having this magical moment with a wild beast when he's neither wild nor truly a beast and there's absolutely nothing magical about petting your coworker without realizing he's your coworker.
So Derek gets to his feet and moves away from her before transitioning out, first the wolf rising to its hind legs and then the form shifting into something human before finally the fur seems to melt away into skin. ]
Yeah, that felt pretty great, but I draw the line at dog treats.
[ Maybe the joke will add some levity to what's probably going to be a fairly awkward exchange, given she'd thought he was an animal and probably the last thing she expected was for the wolf to turn into her friend. Her very naked male work friend. His nudity means next to nothing to him but if she reacts to it, he'll probably cover himself for her sake. ]
Sorry, I was just...trying to let you know I wasn't going to hurt you, either, I didn't think you'd— [ He stops short and looks apologetic. Start petting me is lost off the end of the sentence, but they both know what he was going to say. ] Sorry.
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the adjustment, as the wolf puts weight on its feet again enough to stand up and move away, gives her time to brush the snow and dead leaves away from her shins and hands. while she’s busy, he’s transitioning, and her first instinct is to simply reply to the familiar voice that calls out to her. )
You know, they’re not that ba — oh!
( of course, it’s only when she looks up again that kara actually realizes what’s happened. or, rather, who has happened, as she’s brought face to face with the man behind the fur.
or, more specifically, brought face to waist, since she’s still kneeling on the ground and he’s... well, standing at attention. for lack of a better phrase. if it was possible for kara to go invisible, she might have managed it in this moment from sheer embarassment alone. her voice is tight, embarrassed discomfort evident in every syllable, as she tries to muster up some kind of reply to his apology.
his apology. rao have mercy. she’d petted him, as if he was her dog or a creature at a zoo. what kind of weirdo did he think she was? )
You’re... um. ( not wearing any clothes, her brain oh-so-helpfully provides. not the thing she wants to say, even if it is painfully obvious. ) That was you. The wolf, that I was. You know. ( she can’t bring herself to say it. petting. it just sounds so dirty. ) You’re a wolf?
( she can’t believe how stupid she sounds. as if that’s a normal question normal people ask of their friends. you’re a wolf? )
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Seeing that Kara is uncomfortable is easy enough. He can literally see it on her face, but he can also hear it in the tightness of her voice and the stumble of her words, never mind her heartbeat. For her sake, he uses both hands to cover himself and gives her a shrug, looking more apologetic. ]
Yeah, that was me. I didn't think you'd appreciate me letting you continue without you knowing who was really in there.
[ Derek takes a deep breath and lets it out in a soft huff that puffs a cloud of white into the air in front of him. ]
Would you feel better if I got dressed? I have my clothes stashed behind the bushes... It's just that you look really uncomfortable right now and I feel kind of bad if that's my fault.
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I... ( get it together, kara. it's just a man who can casually turn into or out of a wolf shape. nothing that strange. ) I didn't realize you could do that.
( the words feel a little harsh coming out of her mouth, and kara winces a little, embarrassed. )
Not that it's bad. It's not — I mean, it's surprising, but there's nothing bad about it. I think it's kind of neat, actually. ( a brief, if not awkward pause. ) Well, I mean, aside from the naked part, but... that's more me than you, I guess.
Anyway.
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Shaking his head as he uses the bush for cover — more for her benefit than his own; he doesn't care, but she clearly does — to pull on his jeans. He also pulls his undershirt on, but drapes the long-sleeved Henley over his shoulder for now as he comes back out, while he finishes cooling off. ]
It's okay. I didn't come out and say it, or anything. I kind of only do when it comes up in conversation, because before recently, I couldn't even manage to get myself to do that. I'm sort of still adjusting to being able to admit that I'm a werewolf without knowing that I'll be hunted down and killed for it. It's a nice change, but it's the whole having to undo almost thirty years of conditioning and all.
[ His eyebrows lift a little when she pauses, because he's not really sure why she has until she continues and he laughs a little. ]
Yeah sorry about that. It's sort of a new skill, actually, and I'm so used to only doing it around other werecreatures that sometimes I forget that humans can get uncomfortable with nudity, so I'm sorry. Really.
So... [ He pauses a little and clears his throat, giving her a lopsided smile. ] Now you know why I didn't think having a cat would be a great idea...
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( worse: aka people doing things they shouldn't in places she didn't expect to run into them. like the copyroom, or a hall closet, or in a bathroom. )
Not — not that you're bad to look at. ( well, so much for the color leaving her cheeks. ) I mean. You're great to look at?
( time to change the subject. )
Would a dog be better?
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Is that a question?
[ He's laughing when he asks it, but then he smiles and holds a hand up as if to stop her from trying to explain that. He'll let her off the hook since he's pretty sure he unintentionally put her on it to begin with. ]
I'll take that as a compliment. [ And swiftly move on, for her sake. ]
A dog would be a lot better but then we come back around to whether or not I have the patience and time for a dog. I mean, I guess I could take the time.
[ Now he's thinking of those comically large checks, the damn obnoxious things. He'd almost rather just keep working regular hours and pay with real money than try to cash in one of those stupid things; he looks like a real winner carrying them around. ]
But dogs — especially puppies, I'm guessing — are a huge commitment and responsibility that I'm actually not really sure I'm ready for. I'm just getting my life together. It's probably not a great idea to take in a creature that dependent until I know my shit's together, right? I don't know...
[ Now he's just bouncing ideas off of her before realizing how long they've been out here and how she doesn't look to be dressed very well to the weather. ]
Aren't you freezing? We can go back into town... ...what are you doing out here, anyway, all by yourself? I come out here all the time, but I've never seen you...do you do this a lot?
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( kara can't help but smile at the mental image of derek hale — and wolfy derek, at that — getting to curl up next to a sleeping lump of a dog. it's a cozy thought, warm and comforting.
to his question, though, she only shakes her head. she might not be dressed for the chill in her slim-fit jeans and a button-down, but she's not chilly either. kryptonian dna at its best. )
Oh, I don't really get cold. Or hot, for that matter, so I don't mind staying out here if you want to. ( the breeze kicks a bit of snow from the treetops, and it dusts over her shoulders for only a moment before kara quickly brushes it away. ) I like to go out sometimes, when it's quiet, and explore. I used to do it a lot when I was growing up. On Earth, anyway.
( which sounds like a strange thing to say, but then again, #alien. )
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[ It still sounds like more of a responsibility than he's probably ready for in his life right now. He's had a pack; almost all of them died. Even Jackson died, technically speaking. He might be alive now but still. Technically he died. His family is dead. His baby sister, the only Hale besides him who survived the fire and isn't a nutjob, is in hiding...without him. Derek might have moved on a little and allowed himself to get comfortable in this place, but that doesn't change the fact that he's historically really bad at taking care of people. Somehow, he doubts a dog would be any different. ]
I'll have to think about it. That might be an option.
[ His eyebrows lift with interest. Kara doesn't get hot or cold, really. That's...interesting. He'd pegged her as human but apparently there is more than meets the eye. Then she goes on and it makes even more sense, because she says Earth like it isn't her original planet. He laughs a little to himself for having made the assumption. ]
You're not human? Guess that makes two of us, huh? One more thing in common. Look at us go.
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( if she sounds a little thrown off by the question, it's only for a moment. she forgets, sometimes, that people don't know her kryptonian background. that not everyone is barry or oliver, that they haven't seen her in her cape and boots and all that she can do. here, in cadelle, she's just a girl in business casual who can open all the pickle jars, no matter how tightly closed. )
I'm from Krypton, actually. ( which isn't a place that's likely to generate any sort of recognition, so kara continues: ) It's a planet. Or, well, it was a planet, before it died. Now it's just a big pile of floating ash in space, I guess.
( maybe one day kara will stop dropping really sad bombs into conversation. today's not that day, though. )
But I came here... well, technically I came here from another multiverse kind of like this one, but before that I was on Earth. So, kind of? Fifty/fifty, I guess.
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Isn't that the planet Superman is from?
[ And wouldn't that then suggest that Kara has the same abilities since, if Derek's not mistaken, those abilities Superman had were specific to the fact that he's Kryptonian and those powers came from his exposure to Earth's yellow sun? His eyes widen a little bit as he lets that sink in and suddenly it makes so much sense that Kara would be from the same place and have the same abilities. It explains why the cold doesn't bother her, why she's comfortable in a place like CriminALES when he would've thought she'd be the type of person who would be a little more intimidated by the atmosphere and clientele than she is. ]
...huh. Well, you learn something new every day, huh? That's kind of awesome. So we just became kind of embody one of those dumb jokes; a werewolf and an alien walk into a bar...
[ He gives a quiet huff; he knows that's not a funny joke, but still. ]
What was the place before this like? If you don't mind my asking.
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( it used to bother her. her baby cousin, only born months before, now older and wiser and completely uninterested in any guiding light she could offer. he barely knew krypton. what he knew came from kelex and holograms, not first person experience. but maybe that was easier. less painful. you can't miss what you've never known. )
It was... well, not that different, I guess. It seemed to run the same. Be nice to people, be... intimate. And they'd make your wish come true. ( or so they said. kara had never gone home to find out. ) When they closed their volunteer program, I wasn't ready to go home. I guess that's how I wound up here.
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No kidding? Wow! I mean, I've heard of him. Everybody knows who Superman is, and I don't even—
[ He stops himself abruptly because, somehow, "I don't even read the comics" seems like a really weird thing to say now that he knows Kara's from the same place and is actually related to the guy. ]
— that's so crazy.
[ This place had seemed like such an anomaly to Derek; a place where being affectionate was a form of payment to receive a wish. Kara's saying there is at least one other place like that. ]
...huh. Cool. It's weird to think about the fact that this might not be the only place like this. I never considered the possibility before you just said that.