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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I just like to see if people will actually do what I ask. It's good to know.
[He reaches out to pour the liquor, his tip a little more generous than maybe a usual bartender would be, but his intention is to get him drunk.]
I hate this weather and the cold. The only thing making it decent is the food and the drink, maybe some of the company. Besides, back home, I didn't celebrate, so it's not like I have traditions to uphold.
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How's that work out for you? [His other brow met the first over the rim of his cup as he took another slow sip.]
What? No love for Christmas carols? [He joked.] I'd say you get used to it -- [Jax shrugged. Sympathetic but almost dismissive: It was what it was. Even people used to it, sometimes, winter weather could get all sorts of Too Much. He wasn't going to hand out false platitudes but he could provide understanding.] Thermal long johns, man. If you haven't bought any, get on that.
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I don't sing, but I'll listen if someone is singing them and isn't trying to drown a cat with their voice. Then, yes, I would. [He raises a brow when Jax doesn't seem to think that he can get used to this, but the sad thing is? He probably can't.]
[Swigging back some of his alcohol, he thinks that he's going to need this and more to get through the season.] I don't know what a thermal long john is. Something to buy, I can tell, but what, exactly?
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I'm surprised Cadelle doesn't have them coming door to door. It seems like the kind of place that would. Guess they figure holiday music in stores is a enough. [ He tapped at his cup thoughtfully. Though, there was still plenty of time left for that. Maybe they would. It could be fun. ]
Oh, man, okay. [ Why have they left this dude in the wind? Don't worry Vasquez. Jax has your back in style. ] It's like long underwear that helps keep you warm. There are a few different kinds. You can wear them under your clothes ... or to sleep, if you want. They should sell them at the clothing stores. Just ask a clerk and they should know what you're talking about. But if you need more details, feel free to ask.
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It sounds like something that would chafe. [Which, it does, but at the same time, if he has to choose between chafing and being warm, he knows which he'll pick. Still, he gives an amused huff.]
What happens if you want to have some private, adult times with a woman and she takes off your pants and finds those? I can't think that would go over so well. Doesn't it kill the mood?
no subject
[ Cocoa Butter. The age-old solution to many-a troubles.
If Vasquez had timed things just right he could've caught Jax with some alcohol-laced cocoa up his nose. However, it was a near thing. Jax swallowed his drink and let out a soft snort, tipped his shoulders into a casual shrug, and his mouth tilted into a smirk.] Not if you're treating her right. But if you're really that worried, they sell two pieces. Top and bottom. A lot easier to slip off. [ He stated sympathetically - with a sort of superiority that would've made Grey proud (except he didn't want to think of his psychic partner at this moment).
Jax just managed to keep his smile and laugh behind his teeth. He shook his head, far too amused. To himself, at least, he couldn't deny the point. Long johns, themed or not, probably would come as a surprise. Depending on who you were with. ]
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Cocoa and butter are two different things, as far as I know. I think you mean something else, though.
[Smirking when he gets something of a laugh out of Jax, he thinks that maybe he's still got some wit. He snorts a little at this thought of thermal underwear.] I think if you still only have the bottom on, it's not good for the mood.
You ever been in that situation? A girl finds your woolly underthings?
no subject
[ Jax shrugged good-naturedly at the laugh. Before his smirk widened and he held his hands up and shrugged again. He said what he said man. If Vasquez didn't want to believe him - well. The question brought up a chuckle and Jax rubbed a thoughtful finger over the skin above his lip. ] Uh, yeah. [ He hesitated. It had been an extremely embarrassing moment -- back when he had still been unsure of his worth and rather shy around pretty people.
But maybe it was the mix of good humor brought out by present company, the night of sharing, and the drink -- however, Jax found himself saying:] A couple of times. The first time was ... I guess as you'd say, a mood killer. The other times. [ The smirk was back. ] Definitely not as bad as you'd think.
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You really think that introducing me to some things are going to change my world this much? [That's pretty much a dare, though, for Jax to absolutely do exactly that.] Sure. Pick a day. Pick a time, then I'll be there.
So, is it really worth it to stay warm? It seems like it only ruins your luck with women, so maybe it's better to stay cold and use this instead. [He wiggles his flask a little, then his cup of cocoa, seeing as the alcohol and the chocolate are helping to keep him warm. It's not warm enough, of course, but still, woollen things? It sounds very strange.]
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And so can that. [ Jax snorted with a slight shake of his head. ] At least my way can keep you out of a whole lot of trouble.
[ooc; sorry for the disappearance. down to continue if you are.]
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He does have a few good suits, but he doubts they'll keep him warm. ]
You act like trouble isn't the best outcome for most of my situations. Maybe I like trouble?
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[ He was joking. Not about the winter living being (some people took sometimes WAY too seriously), just about it being the thing they'd be getting into. Because, if Vasquez was interested, why stop at long johns?
Jax isn't the sort who necessarily thinks that newer is entirely better per se. Time travel and being a mechanic had definitely given him an appreciation for the classics. And he could also get seeking comfort in familiarity. But sometimes, when in Rome ... ]
Most of your situations? [ Jax let out a surprise guffaw that petered out into an amused chuckle. His eyebrows doing an impressive reach for his hairline.
Why was he even shocked? There just had to be something about him that gravitated and attracted people with Trouble in their middle names? Not that he had much room to cast stones. Jax could admit that he had his moments of impulsiveness. He was self-aware, thank you. But the way Vasquez stated it reminded Jax that his mama had blessed him with good sense. And he was using it, at the moment, to be wary. ] Yeah, yeah, I bet you do. You've got that vibe about you. And while it sounds like a story there, [ It was clear that he would definitely be for hearing those stories, but -- ] there're some types of trouble you're better just not havin' in your life.
no subject
Still, he doesn't let it slide without a pointed and dubious look at Jax. ]
Most, si. I come from a time where most towns don't have someone to watch the law, so if you want to make sure you protect yourself and keep alive, you do what you have to. Sometimes, if you want to enjoy yourself, you also do what you have to.
[ Smirking at Jax, he also can't pretend that his last statement isn't true. ]
The troubles that I was having, they're gone here, but the good troubles. Drinking, joking around with friends, pushing things just a little too far, I can still have those.