cuddlecity | 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

Skating

Out of all the activities listed, the one that gets Magnus down to the winter festival the most quickly is the ice skating. He'd still been a young man when he'd first seen someone gliding across the ice as if they were sailing or flying, and he can still remember the way he'd stared in open delight. It had seemed like a magic all its own, entirely unlike his own magic or anything he'd seen before.

Now every winter finds him at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, and this year he'd been very happy to find Cadelle had the same tradition. The metal blades of his conjured skates are decorated with glittering swirls of contrasting ice blue and cobalt to match the blue streaks in his hair, and he moves on the ice like a professional skater, even adding a few spins to the routine. But he's the first to grate to a halt at the fence and talk to someone considering trying it out, and he'll race across the ice to catch anyone losing their balance.

Once he's had his fill of skating (which takes quite a while, admittedly) it's time to sample the various concession stands, taste-testing hot chocolates and deciding who has the best recipe.

Cave pools

Eventually a day comes when skating isn't the first thing on Magnus's mind, and that's when he finds the cave pools. It's just the thing for easing the ache of several days of skating, although he's sticking to the pools near the entrance to the caves (for now). Rumors about the nature of the pools farther in have already reached him, and in another time he would have explored those first, but right now things are...complicated. From the look on his face as he floats and stares at the ceiling, he's thinking about the complications more than the relaxation this soak is supposed to provide.

But of course if someone else comes along hoping for a soak, he'd be delighted at the company, please join him!

[Brackets or prose, feel free to start something else or hit me up at

voxmyriad with ideas!]

The last time Thor had been in a place like this, he had needed to revisit a vision that Wanda had given him. It was when they'd first crossed paths, and of course she had been trying to knock him off balance and render him helpless. Instead she had given him the information they all needed regarding the infinity stones. A search that was so far fruitless, and one that was now pointless while he was in this city.

He entered the cave pools wearing his usual garish board shorts, winter now making it uncomfortable to swim in the ocean despite his inability to always feel cold. He grinned as he saw Magnus, dropping a towel and pulling off a sweater that he had worn to travel through the city. "Magnus!" His joyful, booming greeting echoed off the cave walls.

He was ignorant to the nature of the pools towards the back so perhaps it was lucky that the warlock was there to save Thor from getting into trouble.

His eyes had been closed and Magnus had only dimly noticed someone joining him in his chosen pool, but the shout of his name makes him start and splash water into his face. Sputtering, he sits up and wipes his eyes. "Oh, Thor!" He's delighted to see one of the fast friends he's made since arriving, but so far he's only seen Thor in person as a bouncer, and he was wearing a lot more. Frankly it's impossible to keep from staring.

"It's so nice to see so much of you" is what slips out, and he rolls his eyes at himself. Just because he and Alexander aren't together right at this moment doesn't mean he's looking, even if he is letting himself look. "I was just thinking I wouldn't mind something like this in New York."

Thor caught the slip and laughed as he waded into the water. A part of him may have been waiting for a vision to hit - to suddenly find himself in a dream, but nothing changed. He was still in the cave pools looking at his new friend. "Not as much as some have seen unfortunately. Let me just say that you should stay away from METAMalt until you have read all the labels."

While he had no shame when it came to his body, he was still wary of moments of unexpected nakedness after that particular experience. "New York would clearly benefit from such a thing. Though if it existed there, I can't imagine I would still want to travel to other areas of the Earth. I like that each country offers something different."

"That sounds like a story." And try as he might, Magnus sounds very interested in hearing that story. What can he say? Thor is almost terrifyingly built. "I agree, I've been all over and every city has something different. Well, at first. Eventually it all feels rather same-y."

He blinks, a little startled at his own honesty, and he lifts a hand and looks suspiciously at the droplets on his fingers. "Anyway...where else have you traveled on Earth? Any favorites, any goals?"

"I'm not sure I would call it my worse experience in the city, but certainly an unexpected one." The only thing that didn't feel 'same-y' about this place was the fact that he wasn't really needed to fight beyond sparring. He wasn't needed as the God of Thunder, or an Avenger. "I would still argue that the nine realms feel different from one another."

Thor splashed water over his face and rubbed his hand agaist his now damp beard before he grinned a little. "England. Norway. Sokovia. Germany. Perhaps not as many countries as I would have liked in my long life. Any recommendations should I return?"

"Sokovia. I don't think I know that one." It's another indication that he and Thor aren't from the same world. Which means Magnus's suggestions may not be particularly helpful, but maybe there are only surface-level differences.

"I may have a few. Let's see, you've been to New York and London already..." He dips his head below the surface, slicking his hair back as he resurfaces. "Paris in the spring. Kyoto, or Osaka. Or both. Oh, St. Petersburg, it's beautiful there in the winter, and somehow I don't think you'd mind the cold."

"It is a rather, ah, complicated situation anyway. Apparently it has caused my friends much trouble in the wake of it." Having a murderous robot manage to make an entire city float will have that effect. He was also getting the feeling that quite a few people he met for from different realities to his.

Thor listened intently, trying to make mental notes of all the cities Magnus mentioned. He hoped he would remember it all when he did leave Cadelle. If he left. "You are right, but still not quite as comfortable with the cold as my brother." Even if Loki rarely admitted to it.

EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING

Magnus Bane❄️ OTA

cave pools aka shirtless thor says you're welcome

good bc magnus def says thank you

thor is magnus' eye candy any time XD

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