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
jyn erso || rogue one || ota
It was difficult not to feel excited as decorations went up all around Cadelle in the days leading up to the Energy Festival. There was talk about a massive bonfire, and Jyn had to admit that she was interested in seeing it up close and personal - maybe not too close, though.
The night of, she wandered the perimeter of the sharing circles - touched to hear some of the participants' stories, but not quite prepared to share her own just yet. Snacks, however, were a different story altogether, and she could hardly resist the lure of a s'more after watching others make their own.
Sitting near the bonfire, she prepared her first s'more and let the flames lick at it, watching in delight as the chocolate and marshmallow began to melt and blister, the fantastic scent of it all coming together and making her stomach growl in anticipation.
Later on, as her energy began to wane and her eyelids began to feel heavy, she decided that it was probably a good time to start heading home. As she walked past the offered ceremonial torches, lit with flames from the bonfire, she impulsively accepted one, wondering if it was true, if by having it and trusting in it, things would start to get a little better. She could certainly use something good in her life, for what felt like the first time ever. And maybe she was beginning to feel hopeful that she'd find it.
Maybe.
(Please feel free to catch her at any of the three locations!)
b; it's the most wonderful time of the year
When the invitation had arrived, Jyn had almost ignored it completely. Fancy party? Her? But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that maybe she did need to find a way out of her comfort zone - however small and familiar it might have been. New home. The promise of a new year. New experiences.
And she needed to open herself the possibilities that were coming her way, right?
So Jyn went shopping, and eventually picked out an ensemble that she felt was appropriate for the occasion - even if it wasn't normally something she would ever wear. And while she didn't change much about her makeup, she tried fixing her hair a little less austerely as usual.
The night of would find her a little out of place, a little awkward and unsure, but determined to have a good time. That's what this whole party was about, right? So it might take some time settling in - she'd be okay.
(Please feel free to offer her a dance, or a drink, or point out which of the hor d'oeuvres is absolutely to die for!)
c; underneath the mistletoe
Later on, needing a breath of fresh air away from the crowd, Jyn began to explore the Ballroom Hotel a little better. Before long, she found herself walking down a long hallway, and standing in front of the prettiest set of doors she'd ever seen. There was no denying her curiosity when it came to finding out what was behind them, and slowly, she pushed them open and stepped inside.
There was also no denying how drawn she was to the only piece of decoration in the room, and she stepped toward the pedestal one tiny step at a time until she was reaching out with trembling fingers to touch at a flame that she was certain was going to singe her fingers. But it didn't hurt at all more than it sent a chill racing through her veins, nor the way the sensation didn't fade more than it just made her feel warm in the aftermath.
She peered as a piece of parchment suddenly appeared, and on it appeared a name. Waverly Earp, and a set of instructions that left her stunned. The gift of pleasure? Whatever that meant, the instruction was not to tarry, and Jyn didn't want to find out what would happen if she did.
Time to leave. Time to find her gift recipient. Time to try to deliver her gift to the best of her ability.
Pleasure. What was that supposed to mean?
(For
d; wildcard
Or feel free to find Jyn elsewhere! You can reach me at plurk.com/made_of_stars for plotting purposes.