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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A friend.
Not that Buffy wasn't a friend, she just didn't think there would ever be a way to fully overcome all of the history between them. There would always be that slight disconnect. Fight and die side by side once, twice, or ten times over, that history would always be there. That history would always be there with Giles. And Angel. Trying to untangle all of it was exhausting at times.
Thor was the first real friend she'd had that wasn't caught up in any of that.]
You don't look so bad yourself.
[There's a brief flash of her teeth that's almost predatory.] Always.
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The fact that Faith was nearly always present when he was working helped him feel like there was a chance to forge a more meaningful connection. Platonic, with perhaps a little understanding that occasionally warriors needed to blow off steam.
It certainly wasn't difficult to talk to her, and he really did have a lot of respect for the brunette after their first sparring session when he finally understood why he had always thought she had the bearing of a woman that could handle herself.
He grinned at her compliment, resisting the urge to fidget with his collar. Sometimes he still wasn't sure if he would have been more comfortable in his armour or not. ]
I don't, do I? I might finally be getting used to dressing for being here.
[ Thor offered his arm to her so that he could lead the way to the nearest table laden with food and drinks. ]
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I don't think you'll hear any complaints, although I'm pretty sure at least half the room is undressing you in their minds right now.
[In particular, one elderly crone who looked like she'd just found the fountain of youth inside his pants. Her eyes never seemed to stray far from the general area. Or maybe that was the glaucoma. Faith was amused either way.]
If you're into the older crowd I think she's your first volunteer for a date.
[Faith gave the granny in the corner a little wave and got an unabashed smile in return. Not glaucoma then.]
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[ And he couldn't blame any of them. Thor may have been guilty of the same, though he's slightly better at hiding it these days. But he isn't the only one that can be straightforward. At least with Faith he knew she wouldn't take it as an insult. ]
Oh?
[ Thor had perhaps expected to see another like himself that enjoyed a long life without looking it. Instead he saw the crone and laughed. ]
As much as there are times I appreciate someone closer to my own age, she looks a little too... eager. I might only disappoint her.
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Not the first time she'd been naked in public. Maybe not even the last. Probably the most unexpected.]
I'd say the odds were good.
[Uncomfortable as she might be in dresses, the one she'd chosen for the evening had not been designed to blend in. Faith lived for hungry stares and unadulterated want. She knew how to deal with those. Thrived on it, really. It made her feel powerful in a way that not even Slaying could touch.]
And that'd be a real shame. She might not survive the heartbreak.
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It wasn't as if you could have told the Big Guy to not smash. There was another brief pang of homesickness. Wanda was here, but it seemed most of his friends had returned home.
But he didn't let his mood creep too far into his enjoyment of the ball and the company. ]
I would say you were one to use it to your advantage when necessary.
[ And he wasn't insulting her. He knew Natasha was another to use flirtation and her looks as just another weapon to catch people off-guard. ]
Something tells me she will survive just fine. Perhaps there's yet another magic drink we are unaware of and she's actually much more youthful.
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You use what you got to get you by. Things I normally fight though? Don't care how I look so much as how they think I'll taste.
[It wasn't until that moment that Faith considered the possibility and decided to take a quick look around to reassure herself.
Most of the people in attendance seemed to vary in age but there weren't any heads suddenly and obviously sprouting gray hairs so she thought they might be safe.
Hopefully.]
Remind me to avoid anything I haven't already tried tonight. Just in case.