It's the most wonderful time of the year — whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or even the classic "festivus for the rest of us", this time of year is the holly jolliest all over the world. That's right, cuddlers, it's officially winter in Cadelle, and with no time to spare!
The Energy Festival takes place in time with the changing of the seasons —
a time when energy is high in the air, released after a long (and hopefully bountiful) harvest; it's a time-honored tradition in the city where citizens gather together and welcome in the new year and reflect on the old. It's a little solemn, a little hopeful, and sometimes a little bit of both. Strap on your trapper hat, lace up your snow shoes, and be sure to grab your mittens — it may be a little cold outside, baby, but it's definitely warm in our hearts. (Awww.)
Over the month of December, you may have noticed the city's administration and volunteer corps gathering twigs, branches, and fallen trees from the forests, piling them high along the beach in a wide circle. On the evening of the twenty-second, once the sun has dipped beneath the horizon to leave the sky milky black, the collected woods are gathered up and finally put to purpose: a merrily roaring bonfire, tended with care to ensure the flames survive overnight and throughout the duration of the three-day-long festival.
▸ Feeling particularly peckish? Much like your everyday Boy Scout campfire, there are plenty of snacks and sweets best enjoyed with good company around the dancing flames. S'mores kits are available for a small donation to the city's charitable organizations, and options like popcorn packs and roasted sausages can be purchased for those in the mood for more savory staples. Of course, there's always the allure of hot cocoa and marshmallows, available at no charge whether or not you choose to indulge in the rest of the concession stand's menu selections.
▸ Once you're settled and cozy, be sure to keep an eye out for your favorite volunteer coordinators, Flora & Cornelius. They've volunteered to host this year's sharing circles, a tradition particularly well-loved in Cadelle at this most austere time of year. Surrounded by friends new and old and even those you haven't met yet, the sharing circle is an opportunity to grow closer with others by sharing of yourself — feel free to tell a beloved memory from home, or perhaps offer up a confession from your days here. Surely there's something you'd like to get off your chest before the new year begins.
▸ As the night draws to a close and sleep begins to call you home, consider taking with you one of the offered ceremonial torches. As any mother in the city might tell her child, it is said that carrying the light of the bonfire home will help to cleanse the air of any lingering negativity that may have accumulated over the previous year. Allowing the torch to spark your own fire — safely, of course, in your fireplace — is said to provide warmth, light, and hope for the new year to come.
For those that prefer a more festive winter experience, rejoin the city administration and all your fellow citizens within the familiar halls of the Ballroom Hotel. Here, the decor is once again bright and beautiful, with silver and gold throughout the room creating a sparkling winter wonderland perfect for ringing in the season. Even the grouchiest of Grinches will be sure to find something to smile about within these hallowed halls, between the dancing and drinks and delicious delicacies available around every corner.
Should you opt to venture beyond the pretty decorations, however, you might find yourself drawn to a pair of ornately decorated double doors near the end of a dimly lit hall. Push through, and you just might find yourself within the quiet of Chalice Hall. As the name might suggest, the room is simply decorated: all that can be seen is a large silver goblet resting atop a pedestal, lit only by the bright, unnaturally blue flame dancing within its bowl.
Strange as it might seem, you may feel a distinct urge to touch. As your hand inches forward into the goblet's roaring blue flame, you might be surprised to note just how pleasurable it feels. It's fire, so it's reasonable to assume it might hurt, but nothing quite prepares for how nice the sensation of the flames trailing a path along your arms feels. It's a warmth, like sinking into a hot bath on a cold day, and even as you step away from the fire, it lingers still.
Touch fingertips to the center of the fire, and be greeted with the chalice's reply: a thin scroll of parchment, somehow impervious to the appetite of the flames, upon which a simple instruction is written. This, brave visitor, is your sacred task. The city hopes you will attend to it well. In the spirit of the season, your task is to give — not of material goods, but of yourself, giving but the purest of gifts in the coming days. Your task is to find YOUR RECIPIENT. Once found, you must give the gift assigned; tarry not, for this gift must be given sincerely.
Well, don't delay! The city administration, having gotten word of the goblet's reawakening this season, strongly recommends entering the provided address to your recipient's home (or perhaps their workplace, depending on your assignment) to find them and begin the giving season!
Should you look on the back of your scroll, though, you may note:
NO REFUNDS. NO EXCHANGES. NO COMPLAINTS.
Hopefully that won't be a problem.
Good golly, it's almost the new year! With the reason for the season fast approproaching, we hope you find joy and good tidings in this most merry of events. From simple winter fun around a bonfire to heartfelt exchanges of stories or secrets, there's plenty for all to see and do during the chilliest weeks of the year. As a reminder:
this event is icly scheduled for the 22nd through the 24th of December. We've posted it early to ensure everyone has plenty of time to enjoy the festivities!
For the braver or perhaps simply those willing or able to be dragged along for the adventure, the chalice of charity is a great opportunity for CR both new and old. You'll find that characters have already been assigned a random giftee, and while they may note their "gift" already indicated, feel free to be creative with how your character chooses to provide this gift! Just because the most obvious answer comes to mind doesn't mean that's the only acceptable one — after all, as we tell children when they begin to buy their own holiday presents for the first time, it's the thought that counts!
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 on the flip side! |
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cuddlecity2017-12-13 11:04 am
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Oh, would you like something to drink, while I get ready? Please, make yourself at home. I didn't expect company! I worked last night so I slept in.
[ Gesturing at her clothes, she rolls her eyes. ]
I won't be long, though. You haven't been in town very long, have you?
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[She shakes her head, because no she hasn't.]
A couple of weeks? It's ... a bit of a culture shock compared to where I'm from.
[And the history that comes with being here with people who know her but she hasn't met yet.]
What about you?
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[ Cadelle, and how quiet, how quaint it is, compared to New York, still sends Claire reeling sometimes. The lack of constant threat, constant urgency, constant something still makes her feel wrong-footed on most days when she gets to the clinic. ]
I've been here a few months now. It's so different from home, and yet I still find myself always expecting something jumping out at me. I guess it's going to take me some time to get used to not being in danger at all times.
[ She chuckles, slipping into her room to change, but leaving the door open to be able to keep talking. ]
What do you do, back home?
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[Unfortunately.]
I'm still a student, currently. Law school. Right now I'm currently leaning towards legal aid organizations, but I've got to get the degree and pass the bar first.
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[ There's no anger or bitterness in her voice. It's just the way things were, and she's perfectly content with the career choices she's made.
Walking back out of her room with proper clothes on, Claire smiles, grabbing her coat from the back of the couch. ]
All right, ready. Shall we?
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[And they will head out of the apartment and towards the spa!]
And there's nothing wrong with that. My dad was a cop and my mom's a lawyer, so the justice system is kind of in my blood.
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[ She laughs, but it's fond, more memories and love than any bitterness. ]
He just wanted the very best for us. But this is it for me, really. Do you love law, or is it mainly because it was in your veins?
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[She's still fairly new to it, but there's so much about it that just speaks to her.]
I've always wanted to help people, I just needed to figure out how. Lawyer is the best fit for me, I think.
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Back home, we'd make a good team. You have no idea the amount of patients I see to that would need good lawyers. Most of the time, they can't afford it, sadly.
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It's the same in Starling City. The law is supposed to be there to protect people like them, but they can't afford to have someone who really understands the law to help them.
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[ Claire might know more than the average nurse about medicine, she knows absolutely nothing about law. No idea how it works, that's for sure. ]
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[She may waver from that a bit, but Tommy Merlyn will do his job to get her back on track.]
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[ Claire smiles, before switching topics, because, after all..... if they're here to bond and have a good time, she might as well be a little cheeky about it. ]
Unrelated, buuuuuut, you met anyone yet here that you want to 'energize' with?
[ Yes, she does air quotes. She does indeed. ]
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Honestly, I haven't really been looking? Which is terrible, I know, considering the point of the place, but I just got out of a relationship back home so I'm ... taking it slow. I figure for now I can survive on good deeds and see what happens.
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[ Claire lets out a noise, thinking back on where she was when she left New York. The state of her relationships, of her life. ]
Not that I've done anything but good deeds myself so far, but I might be on the opposite end of the spectrum. I also just got out of a relationship, back home - a weird one - and I'm so looking forward to move on from it.
[ The spa comes into view, and Claire grins. ]
Not that I'm looking for a boyfriend, either.
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I've just learned that I have really terrible taste and am terrible at casual relationships so ... I don't know. I'll figure it out, and if it means I have to stay here a little longer because good deeds aren't rated as high, then I can live with that.
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[ Funnily enough, the two of them don't realize that yet, but their tastes are apparently similar. Self-righteous vigilante with a death wish, coming right up. ]
I think good deeds should be rated even higher. Generally talking, they're a lot harder for people to perform than casual sex.
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[She gives a small shrug.]
I think that depends on the person though. Like I would rather volunteer with five year-olds than try speed dating or go out to a club.
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You don't go clubbing? At all?
[ Claire feels old just thinking of clubs nowadays, but when she was in college... ]
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[They always thought she needed a break.]
And I go with my girlfriends, sometimes, but ... trying to meet guys is ... rough. To say the least.
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[ Even if Claire seems to find most of the guys holding her interest hanging out at CriminALES. ]
I'm sure if you ever get to that point, where you want to date again, you'll find someone, easy. Look at you! Gorgeous and smart.
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Thanks. And I'm sure you'll do the same.
[Because Claire is also gorgeous and smart. But that being said, she'll turn her attention towards the menu of spa options.]
So. What looks good to you?
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Scalp massage and hair treatment sure sound good to me.
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I'm thinking the foot massage and a pedicure.
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In a high-backed chair with her hair in a towel and her feet up, Claire sighs happily. ]
Haven't gone to the spa in forever. This is heaven.
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thread end I think!