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!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

RAISE YOUR HAND.

Any questions? We've (probably) got answers!

If there's anything we can answer about this event, whether it's specific to your unique plotting dreams or more of a general gameplay inquiry, please don't hesitate to let us know! We know there's a lot to see and do, and we're here for you to make this event one from your wildest dreams... or not. Let us know, cuddlers!

— xoxo
The Cuddle City Mods

[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.

[Laurel may also be from the west coast, but she's from the Northwest, so snow isn't such a hardship. She's been there, done that, and while cold isn't necessarily her favorite time of year, she does enjoy some of the snowy activities - one of them being ice skating.

She's not an Olympic class skater? But she does well enough.

Which is why she's going to attempt to save Robbie from himself when she sees him about to wipe out. Attempt being the operative word as he has half a foot and a good deal of muscle mass on her but she at least manages to get him to the wall so he can steady himself.

Laurel Lance: Always trying to save the world.]

You good?

Edited 2017-12-02 17:01 (UTC)

[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.

[this is so embarrassing, he thinks as he narrowly misses colliding with a pre-teen girl. of course, in his efforts to steer clear, he looses his footing. robbie's bracing himself for the inevitable impact with ice... that doesn't come as a capable arm reaches out for him and with a good tug or two gets him to the relative safety of the wall.

if he looks vaguely red in the face, he's going to blame it on the chill. his wobbly shuffling suggests otherwise.

robbie reyes: trying to maintain an air of dignity when he's looks like a tipsy giraffe.]

Uh. Yeah. I was just trying not smash into that girl [he says as he points to the young woman who is now doing figure eights in the ice.] she wasn't looking at where she was going.

( 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. )

[he opens his mouth to protest as taunts him, but the words don't seem to come. instead, he grabs her duvet as she saunters off to the shower. the sound of his irritated grumbling don't be such a hot-head can be heard as he makes his way to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.

a few minutes later he's heading into the bathroom with two mugs of steaming hot coffee and a smile on his face.]

Try not to use all the hot water, babe. Whenever you're done, I've got some hot coffee for you.

If you throw coffee on me after I just showered, I will literally throw you over a building.

( not that she really expects him to, but the reminder's given all the same as she tugs a towel from the hook along the wall, tying it off in a looped knot in front before using another to dry off her hair.

feeling marginally more accomplished, she's happy to note his more pleasant expression, and the fact that he's doctored her still-full cup appropriately. or, as robbie is so fond of referring to it, until it's milk with a side of sugar pretending to be coffee. sue her, she doesn't like bitter. )

Thank you, ( and after a sip that warms her much more effectively than any hot shower might have, she adds, ) I hope you're not mad at me.

[he'd have made her one of those gigantic sugary monstrosities that kim is fond of getting, but alas he doesn't know skinny from no whip as far as coffee orders go. so the more milk than coffee drink that he offers up is his best attempt.]

You're welcome. [he leans in and presses a kiss to her cheek. and if that doesn't answer her question, he adds...]

I'm not mad. Just still trying to warm up.

( a nod of agreement — it is cold, more so than it's been even with the wet chill of the rain these last few weeks, hence her hot shower and the steamed over mirror she's facing now — and kimberly leads him out of the small bathroom and back into her room, where she can sink into her dressing chair and actually wake herself up with her coffee. )

Must be winter now, I guess. ( she huffs a bit, good-naturedly, before running her fingers through her hair, gently detangling any knots from the towel dry. ) Did you want to explore around town a bit?

( kimberly's not entirely sure he'll get the reference, but the corner of her mouth quirks up a bit all the same as she sing-songs, ) Maybe we could make a snowman? ( imitation dragging her voice a bit lower, she adds, ) It doesn't have to be a snowman...

Yeah I figured that too. It's not like the Energem could've just turned the AC on full blast. [though, after he says it he contemplates the idea that this blizzard could be just that. they live in a city built on magic. would it be so out of the ordinary?]

Yeah I want to head out. [he mumbles his reply, still tired to the point that he feels like he's missing out on something with regards to why she's chosen that particular sing-song voice.]

I'm gonna grab another cup and we can head out when you're ready.

( it wouldn't be entirely out of the realm of possibility. considering the city's managed to throw at them an earthquake, freak rain storms, and everything else, she wouldn't be too surprised if this surprise winter arrival wasn't part of the city's unique weather patterns too.

but whether the weather is a result of energem-influenced atmosphere or just standard shifts of the seasons, it's cold, which means layers. it also means a proper ditching of her tried-and-true lycra or denim shorts, opting instead for thick black leggings and a buffalo check flannel shirt that may have been stolen from the wardrobe of a fellow ranger particularly fond of yellow and black. clearly, kimberly hart has a type.

as she makes her way back into the kitchen, now empty coffee cup deposited into the washer, she offers a bit of a snap in reply. )

I can't believe you don't know that song. Everybody knows that song. I think my dad even knows that song.

( screw street cred. if she has to, she'll go home and get a dvd copy of it and sit robbie reyes down for a good and proper frozen singalong spectacular. )

snowy weather

The idea of snow is not exactly foreign. She's seen it in the movies a million times; she's seen them make snow on film on the show before. But seeing the real thing? That's new. It doesn't exactly snow on the Moon.

It gets cold once in a while back in Eagan Hills, but not like this. It's cold and when Jo steps out of the warmth of the Gamma building, it isn't without a cup of coffee suspended in the air with a lock of brown hair curled around it to hold it up. She actually almost went without letting her biogenetic extensions do the work for her but decided that she'd be better off in mittens and it's hard, as it turns out, to hold a cup of coffee with thick mittens on.

Seeing her breath in the air when she walks out is a surprise and it shows on her face. Jo takes a deep breath and lets it out in a huff, laughing when she can see the puff in the air when she exhales. Shivering, she walks down the streets, looking at up at the sky at the falling white snow, catching it in her mouth — or, more accurately, just getting hit in the eye occasionally with it but whatever — and marveling at the snow forts and snowmen.

"What the heck...? What is that?" she asks no one in particular, seeing the snow angels. The coffee cup moves to her lips a final time, her hair tipping up the bottom of it so that she can drain it before the hair extension shifts to drop the cup into a nearby garbage can before settling lifelessly against her back again as she rubs her gloved hands together to warm them.

magical hot springs

After getting acquainted with the cold and snow quite well, Jo decides to see if she's heard right when she thought she heard someone mention in passing that there were natural hot springs. She might not be the most put together person when she's trying to talk to someone for the first time in person, but she's willing to try to fake it til she makes it because it would be awfully lonely — and totally lame — to just hang out all by herself in these things.

She intentionally tries to find a pool that doesn't have anyone else in it, though, because maybe she'll loosen up a little if she kind of has a few minutes to let the warmth envelop her and help her relax before she tries to socialize. Online is one thing. When she's on the clock and in business mode, also easy. Trying to do it just for the sake of doing it is when she gets a little awkward at first. Hopefully if someone joins her, they'll be patient and give her a chance to be normal. It only takes a few minutes. ...usually.

Then again, she isn't usually talking to someone for the first time while in a tiny black two-piece bathing suit, either, in her defense. So it might be an extra...bit before she reins the awkwardness in enough to be considered appropriately chill.

wildcard.

(( or hit her up with your own starter! feel free to shout at me on mistojen or discord: mistojen #8486 for plots. ))

((ooc: Even though this is in prose, I'll match brackets if you have a strong preference for them.))

snowy weather

In spite of the fact that he grew up and lived in California for most of his life, Derek did spend a couple of years in Brooklyn with Laura, after the fire. Even in Beacon Hills it sometimes got very cold, but he did sort of miss the volume of snow that came with New York, so when it starts to snow here, he can't help being enamored with it. Being a werewolf means he tends to be warmer blooded and it doesn't bother him much to be out in the chill. Actually, he kind of likes it, especially when he goes for his morning run in wolf form out in the woods where no one will hopefully come across him. ...or his stashed clothes, for that matter.

The snow chills the air in a way that feels incredible as it moves through his fur, but even more...it feels amazing when he rolls around in it. His human form wouldn't appreciate this the way his wolf one does and now, now he understands, all these years later, why his sister loved it so much.

When he's not running through the woods in his wolf form, Derek is contemplating attempting to ice skate for the first time. He's walked on ice plenty of times — slowly and carefully, but still — but he's never bothered to try actually skating. The likelihood that he'll just end up looking like an ass while falling on his own is pretty high, though, so it might take some talking him into it.

Once in a while, one may catch him watching snowball fights and wondering whether he could actually join in on something like that without hurting anyone. He doesn't typically throw things unless he means to break them, so the idea that he might throw a snowball too hard and hurt someone is a real possibility. He's not really sure he wants to find out one way or the other, but maybe he could be persuaded.

Or he can be found just generally wandering the streets and enjoying the fact that the snow here is actually really pretty, because it's not nasty brown slush all over the place the way it typically was in Brooklyn.

magical hot springs

Typically, this wouldn't really be his thing: sharing a warm pool with strangers. Truthfully, though, the allure of it begins and ends with the fact that it's cold outside and it seems like a better way to warm up than to drink a hot chocolate that'll just go cold before he can get it all down or a coffee that won't give him the appropriate caffeine burst because he's not human.

It's worth a shot. Derek doesn't bother with swim trunks because, quite frankly, his kind are a lot more comfortable with nudity than he realizes is normal. When his mother or sister would transition out of their full wolf forms, just as he does, it would be into their own skin and nothing else. No one thought anything of the fact that Talia Hale stood before her pack naked as the day she was born until her eldest daughter would cover her with a robe. Derek hadn't ever thought it strange when Laura would do the same in front of him and he thought exactly nothing of fighting a Berserker in the nude after his evolution into the full wolf the first time it happened.

So if he makes anyone uncomfortable by stripping down like it's no big deal before getting in, he'll certainly apologize, but it'll surprise him a little. It's not lost on him that other people might not feel comfortable with their own nudity, but it never really occurs to him that they might not be comfortable with his, especially in a place like Cadelle.

wildcard.

(( or hit him up with your own starter! feel free to shout at me on mistojen or discord: mistojen #8486 for plots. ))

((ooc: Even though this is in prose, I'll match brackets if you have a strong preference for them.))

[Vasquez hates the cold. He's hated it since he was a young boy when they had to go north for food or jobs or something else. Even trudging through the weather makes him miserable and cranky, which is why when he gets into the little house, he finds himself the strongest glass of alcohol he can muster, trying to search for a heated chair to lie in where he can enjoy his drink.

Of course, that plan goes south quickly when he sees that his favourite one has been taken and by a familiar face, no less. Poking at Reyes with a few fingers, he waits until he's alert and awake to give him an unimpressed look.]

That's supposed to be my chair to hide away from the cold in, you know.

a; hot chocolate, keepin' me warm

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.

↪ i said, brr, it's cold in here.

( growing up in a small fishing town in northern california means learning the way ice forms along the coastline, but the salty sprays stay slush for much longer than the pools of fresh water that form ponds in the woods. hard ice, like the kind that forms the skating rink within golden park. her running path takes her through the park; initially, she only watches from the sidelines, using the concession stand's offer of hot chocolate as an excuse to linger on the nearby benches, watching the skaters on the pond as they make circles and figure-eights.

it's only when a friendly gaze catches her eye, laughing and smiling, that kimberly trades in her pink running shoes for thin blades on boots. she's not an ice princess by any stretch of the imagination, but athleticism helps to keep her upright, ranger reactions stepping in whenever instinct alone can't quite manage it.

or maybe she falls on her ass anyway, because she's a teenage girl who gets distracted pretty easily. )

Goddamnit!

( feel like offering her a hand? )

↪ the cards, they are wild.

( want something different? feel free to throw something at me, or hit me up at semicolons or supergirl#2740 for a custom starter if you prefer. )

[children's movies aren't exactly robbie's genre of choice. so kim shouldn't be all to surprised that he's not been introduced to the sensation that is frozen.

while kim finishes getting dressed, he rummages through his own pile of clothes. a pair of dark jeans replaces the plaid flannel bottoms and he slips on a wool coat over his inner layers.

before long he's rinsing his own cup and shrugging his shoulders at her comments.]

Sorry? I don't really listen to a lot of newer things. And I'm not convinced I should build a snowman.

( kara's exploring. it seems like the thing to do on an afternoon off, given the sudden blanketing of the city in soft white snow. she hadn't had opportunity to do much exploring in the forests over the fall when the ghosts had been present, too busy focusing on rescuing those who had wandered too far or who had tripped over exposed roots in the dark. now, in the bright sun of the afternoon, kara has time to wander, enjoying the beauty and quiet among the trees and all the surprises that await.

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. )

[ He's enjoying the snow so much that Derek doesn't actually hear her approaching right away. In fact, it's her scent that he catches first and it startles him, because...well, typically when he comes out here alone, he remains the only person out here.

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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EVENT: SLEIGH BELLS RING

▸ QUESTIONS.

robbie reyes ▸ ota

▸ surprise, it's cold af.

golden park } lemme know if this doesn't work

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jo schumacher • ota

derek hale • ota

elsket

jyn erso ; ota

kimberly hart • open.

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