EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING

[cuddlemods]

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!

Comments

marcus keane ✞ ota

[missio]

public skating sessions

[ marcus is officially at a point in his life where he can kind of do whatever the hell he wants, which is disconcerting. he's only been ice skating possibly once in his life, before he gave up on fun.

but he's giving it a try now, at last. he's also going exceedingly slowly, the look of someone who didn't feel like copping to an instructor but is fully cognizant of the fact that he's basically never done this before and could knock out a tooth if it goes badly.

he won't turn down help, though. or a friendly conversation as he finds his feet. ]

public park

[ he's always on some level prepared for sudden drops in temperature, or at least he's resilient in the face of strong weather, and anyway being in public spaces during the holidays could put anyone in a better mood—even someone who's seen half the world like he has.

outside the streetlights are wrapped in garlands and smaller lights. either he can be caught strolling the walkways with a cup of coffee or he's sitting down on a bench whose wrought iron frame has icicles from last night's snowfall. if you catch him doing the latter, there's a sketchpad open in his lap, where he's drawing the landscape of the park, down to a crooked row of snowmen among the trees.

he's a very good artist. ]

cave pools

[ a sauna is a little too self-indulgent for a dude who's lived an extremely austere life, but naturally occurring phenomena are just barely within the threshold of acceptability. and he does like to follow a rumor. he tells himself it's to get the lay of the land.

so he ventures out towards the springs, booted and gloved, and when he arrives he figures he might as well take advantage of it, which is why any passers-by will find him sprawled slackly in a pool he's occupying all by himself. he doesn't look like he particularly expects company, but he probably won't be rude. probably. ]

fun @ the park

[buenpastor]

[ despite having spent the last few winters in chicago, the cold still gets to tomas very easily. he'd be at his government issued flat, covered in every blanket he owns if that wasn't counterproductive to like, meeting people, making friends, becoming part of the community.

so he's out at the park, trying and mostly failing to enjoy the view. there are people packing snow, building snowmen, having fun and he's still asking himself if any of it is real.

the chocolate looks real though, and smells real, and if he spots the familiar figure sitting by the table, he's quick to dismiss it. he's tired and stressed and homesick, no point in thinking about it. once he has his chocolate, he walks past marcus without glancing at him and stops a few feet ahead, torn on whether to turn back. ]

[missio]

[ marcus is still seated cheerfully when he notices someone terribly familiar walk past. it's less the silhouette that catches his eye than a certain droop in the shoulders, the flash of a downcast expression—but no, he thinks, it can't be.

there's only one way to test that theory, though, so. he's just gonna put everything down and huck a snowball at his head. if it's tomas, great, theory proven. if it isn't, he just hit a handsome man on the head and will be politely escorted out of town, probably. it's a win-win. ]

[buenpastor]

[ he should have expected this, his collar's visible under his scarf and he's very used to young people not liking priests. he turns around, expecting the culprit to be ready with another snow ball, or to have run off already. he turns around-- ]

Now, why— [ but he sees marcus and his expression goes from resigned annoyance to open shock and whatever he was going to say is immediately irrelevant. ]

[missio]

[ WOW he doesn't realize how much he expected someone else until tomas turns around, and then he just looks faintly aghast. ]

Tomas?

[buenpastor]

[ he opens and closes his mouth a couple of times before he manages any sound to come out. ]

You hit me with a snowball.

[ ???? how long has it been since he slept properly? what's the likelihood of this being a hallucination. ]

[missio]

[ uhhh. shit.

it occurs to him that if he'd approached this slightly differently he would be capable of feeling something presently other than confusion. ]

... least it didn't have a rock in it.

[buenpastor]

That's not better.

[ he really needs to sit down, but he also needs to make sure he's not hallucinating so he steps closer. ]

Why did you?

[missio]

[ marcus is like a cat that occasionally knocks over a glass of water for the hell of it, so he doesn't actually have a great explanation. ]

Well, if it was you it'd be good for a laugh, and if it wasn't it wouldn't have been that hard to blame it on someone else.

[buenpastor]

[ that sure sounds like marcus. he reaches for his arm and looks kind of confused when marcus turns out to be solid. ]

Very funny.

[missio]

I thought so.

[ he doesn't so much as twitch. ]

When did you get in?

[buenpastor]

Couple of days ago. We were... I was... the island. Andy Kim's family.

[ the only productive thing he's done since arriving is shave. ]

[missio]

Yeah. We were staying at the motel.

[ he has more questions than he thought he would, but he supposes he'll start with what's most important. ]

Are you alright?

[buenpastor]

I'm cold. Some jerk hit me with a snow ball.

[ an attempt at humor means he's fine, right? he gestures at the table. they should sit down, sitting would be much easier than standing, given he can feel his legs shaking. it's a wonder he's managed to hold on to his cup of hot chocolate. ]

[missio]

Sounds like someone trying to have a good time.

[ he gathers his effects and stands up. ]

You want to go somewhere with a heater instead?

[buenpastor]

Yes, that sounds good.

[ he takes a sip of his chocolate, finally. it's sweeter than he'd like but he'll take it. ]

[missio]

Let's go back to where I bought this coffee.

[ they're in a strange place under the unlikeliest of circumstances, but that doesn't mean marcus won't still take point, try and give the day some direction. ]

[buenpastor]

[ tomas is thankful for it. it's ridiculous how lost he's felt without marcus to guide him. ]

Anywhere indoors.

[ he smiles a little. his face feels half frozen. ]

[missio]

[ awww. he reaches a hand up to pat tomas' face. ]

Look at you. Practically turning blue.

you're welcome!!!

[recoined]

( she's not entirely thrilled about the concept of a white christmas — it's not like her small fishing town is really the poster child for leave it to beaver style holiday fun — but at the end of the day, kimberly supposes that making a snowman with her roommate isn't the worst thing to do during the holidays. or, at least, she was supposed to be doing this with her roommate. leave it to clary fray to get distracted by something during snowman building.

which leaves kimberly alone, feeling a little ridiculous as she continues to pack snow into a ball, and wondering why the hell she agreed to this activity in the first place. she could be lounging in a heated pool or in a sauna right now, enjoying temperatures that invited skimpy bathing suits or even nothing at all. or, more simply, she could just be still in bed. but no, she's here, in the park... getting stared at by a dude she doesn't recognize, who's probably old enough to be her dad — and if not, at least old enough to be her creepy uncle. )

Jesus! Take a picture, dude, it'll last longer.

( what is tact? she's very sorry, trebek, she doesn't know the answer to your question. or the question to your answer. either way, she's losing that jeopardy round. )

THANK YOU

[missio]

[ for a second it almost doesn't register that he's being yelled at. he blanches momentarily, and then barks back: ]

I did!

[ he's calling back with a crisp british accent with which to convey irreverent indignity. he holds up the sketchpad. it is an eerily faithful rendition of the park setting, notably without the people—there are too many passing through to latch onto any particular one with accuracy—but with the snowmen. and there, in the front, is kimberly's forming snowman, looking a little ... under the weather :( ]

It came out unfortunate!

[recoined]

( well, then. that's... well, it sure is something, that's for sure. kimberly's not entirely sure what to think about uncle creepy — because, until told otherwise and possibly even still then, that's his name — drawing the park and its residents. don't old people have normal hobbies? )

It's a figure of speech. ( insert Teenage Eye Roll here. ) Plus, you fucked up my snowman. Rude.

[withasouvenir]

[ thea grew up with rain more than snow, but she grew up rich so it didn't matter, she'd had lessons when she was tiny and here she is making good work of a lifetime of passes to the star city skating rink as she gracefully loops around the rink. she slows when she notices the guy probably her dad's age stiffly plodding across the rink and swoops over, coming to a stop near him with a spray of ice. ]

Need a hand?

[missio]

[ he eases into a stop himself, blinks up at thea, and grins. it's friendly, maybe a little sheepish. ]

Um. Well, I'm not missing any teeth yet, but the answer is still probably yes.

[ he is extremely british also :I ]

[withasouvenir]

Handsome smile like yours? Let's keep it that way.

[ thea grins right back, reaching out to indeed take his hands. there's nothing about her that makes it seems like she is being patronizing, she just genuinely seems like she doesn't want him to fall flat on his ass and because she's friendly like that. ]