CHAPTER 5

[faentasy]

CHAPTER 5

monday

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Almost half of the non-fairy population of Aira Niluc is gone.

Some may be feeling the absence of their fellow participants in this story. Others will stay focused on the wish they want to get. What never changes is that the story goes on, bringing you closer to the end -- and to another chapter. What will it bring this time?

Snow!

Snow as far as the eye can see, a cold blanket covering the new area. Some winter amenities are now available, ready for perusal! But that's not all there's to find: everyone also will find reminders of their homes, of people they know, of happier times.

Of their wishes.

Who will try to reach their wish this time?

[[Welcome to Week 5! Feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. However, please try to keep investigations to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday! You can also privately contact Hamelin at your leisure.

In addition, a reminder that any Murder Proposals for this week are due by Tuesday 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST! However, please note that you have the option of submitting murder proposals for a later week as well.]]

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THURSDAY

[faentasy]

BIQUE X-MAS(???!) BONFIRE BONANZA

[heroicact]

[Given all the reflective hazards this week, the impressively large bonfire for this particular gathering has been stacked and lit right in between two of the log cabins, a little further in the back to keep farther away from the skating rink and the ice maze both. The flame is towering and sturdy and roars all day and night long to keep everyone as toasty as possible (and to help roast or warm any food that's been icebitten by the temperatures), curling beneath the sun and the stars.

It truly is cold here, but there's hot and gently bubbling oden courtesy of Marcus, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine from Makoto, other drinks and sundry snacks thanks to the help of Suga and Raven and anyone else who wanted to pitch in or even bring their own marshmallows (how big are these marshmallows it's anyone's guess). Anyone who really needs to get toasty can also take refuge in the cabins!

There's also an even more impressive stack of wood behind one of the cabins proper, brought over from the friendlier forests and climes of the other areas -- here Alexei, McGillis, Marcus and any other helpers, gawkers or aspiring lumberjacks may be found plying their extremely temporary trade. Scant outfits not-so-practical for winter and morale booster eyecandy for all? Why not.]

[edamamepon]

[ Early on until later in the party, Makoto can be found nursing his mulled wine. Pot set carefully on a hot stone, apart from the direct flames but heated by them, orange slices float to the top of the dark red liquid. The flavors shift slightly throughout the night, as ingredients are added and people partake --dry red wine, clove, cinnamon, sugar, and anise. Thanks to Suga's help, he's gotten pretty good at eye balling things, so the balance is never too far off in one direction or the other.

And for those that would like an extra kick to it, Makoto also has a bottle of brandy at his feet, lined up beside wine that he'd brought from the stockpile in his room. He hadn't planned to use the wine for this when he'd started stealing it, but Hamelin can suck it.

Roasted chestnuts are on offer as well. A large bowl full of them can be found near him and he'll periodically be using a pan to roast a batch of them over the fire. If anyone ventures too close for either wine or chestnuts-- ]

Would you like to try some?

[ Near the end, when the fire is dying down and he's trying to finish up whatever is left of his mulled wine, his gaze will turn increasingly thoughtful.

As all of his taste testing catches up with him along with the last hot cup of wine in his hand, he'll urge anyone that comes by to sit with him with a wave and a small smile. ]

Fire dying

[incompletely]

Makoto.

[ Tenn doesn’t have anything to eat or drink on him, but he will gladly join Makoto and take a seat next to him. ]

Did you enjoy yourself tonight? It was a nice gathering, wasn’t it?

Roasted chestnuts;

[biyishuangfei]

[ Huaisang looks between both of the items when Makoto asks him this question...

He's trying to decide which one to try first, evidently enough. ]

Oh, sure. [ ... ] They go good together, right? So how about both?

mulled wine

[biqe]

[ Phil doesn't plan on drinking much tonight, but with such an inviting, warm aroma wafting through the icy air, he can let himself get away with a little of that mulled wine.

He carefully fills a mug and gives Makoto a smile. ]

You've really built up a varied menu while we've been here.

wine

[reallyfishy]

Ohhh don't mind if I do.

[The very bundled up Raven will definitely help himself to a nice mugful and takes a good long sip.]

This is exactly what we needed- even more than the fire itself! I owe ya one, Makoto.

[ideismo]

[While he may be doing this in clothing that's far less...egregious than usual (the full uniform is a bit much for a gathering this casual), it's questionable how much eyecandy he's providing; that said, if you've ever wanted to watch someone split wood with a large JRPG sword then this is where you want to be. Can swords actually fell full-bodied trees, absolutely not; can they actually split wood? ...Well, that depends on how much force you're willing to put behind one, and judging from last night he's got a lot to work out. That said, while he's looking pretty severe in doing it, he's seeming...fairly okay? Like he's infinitely more content to take this out on something that won't care if he destroys it, anyway. Once in a while he'll wander off from the bonfire itself to break down some more wood down for the sake of keeping the blaze going.

Otherwise, he's...here, though it seems that he hasn't really gotten that much more outgoing at parties; he's near enough to the fire to keep warm, but he seems rather content to stay by the edges rather than with the group proper. While he seems fairly quiet compared to, say, the party at the bar a couple of weeks ago, that doesn't mean he's entirely opposed to company; he wouldn't be here if he was, honestly.]

It's a good day for all of this; I think it's safe to say several of us have needed it.

[That aside, he leaves once as evening falls, tending to the votives in the church; he isn't gone for too long, in the scheme of things, but it helps to keep his head clear.]

Edges

[incompletely]

Agreed. It’s the most peace I’ve found in a while, personally.

[ He has a little smile on his face, eyes meeting Alexei’s. ]

Can I join you?

church

[amortristis]

[ Morgan presses into the church with the same idea, it seems – not so much the votive tending, but the clearing of the head, absolutely. She coughs just so he knows she's there, as she approaches the rows of candles. ]

Are these for the others?

[ Not the ones here, she means. ]

church

[gemuinemanagement]

[Ah. Memorial candles, huh...

Suga clasps his hands together and bows his head. He's not one to pray often, even in the position he's in, but this seems as good a time as any for it.]

[scythegun]

[This party isn't exactly Yeager's idea of a great time - chopping wood?? freezing cold temperatures?? having to walk by the fireballs just to get here?? - but he's here anyway, wearing a smile as always. Of course, this week has been particularly hard on most people and even Yeager isn't immune; he's certainly looking far more on-edge than before, and he's far more fidgety than usual too.

Earlier on, Yeager's content to sit by the bonfire and roast marshmallows. Okay, so maybe he's not actually roasting marshmallows and he's actually setting them on fire and watching them burn, but that's close enough, right?? He seems very focused on what he's doing, so he's either lost in thought or he just really loves watching things burn. Take your pick! Ask him to stop wasting marshmallows!! It's not like he's opposed to talking with anyone right now, anyway.

Once the majority of people are here and it's much darker, Yeager retreats to one of the cabins. He's not even bothering to poke around, he's just taken a seat and he's messing with a compact. It's small, white, and definitely has a mirror inside, though he isn't opening it just yet. If you happen to enter he'll put it away and hold up a hand in greeting.]

It is a bit cold out there, ja? I hope you don't mind some company~

[Because he is not leaving and you're going to have to deal with him.

Eventually it's time to head back to his room, but Yeager doesn't exactly manage to get very far before he's stopped. On the way back, you'll likely run into him staring at one of the fireballs. You might glimpse a group of men in blue uniforms and a woman with long brown hair leading them if you get close enough. Yeager certainly isn't paying attention to anything else; he's transfixed on the image within and he'll eventually speak.]

...I'm sorry.

[It's soft, almost inaudible. It's lacking any of his usual enthusiasm or cheer, and it's clearly directed at the people the fireball's showing rather than anyone who approaches. He's going to be here for awhile, though he won't speak up again and will instead just watch the scene that the fireball plays out.]

Fireballs

[incompletely]

[ Tenn’s been doing a lot of observing lately. There’s been a lot going on in this new area, a lot of things kicking up old memories; he waits for a moment and lets Yeager watch the scene before he decides to make his presence known. ]

Yeager-san.

bonfire;

[biyishuangfei]

Yeager!

[ Huaisang's voice is light when he spots him, almost immediately zipping right over and he's about to say something else when he notices he's just burning his marshmellows... ]

...You know, they're not going to taste all that good if you try them when they're like that.

[ Partly worried about the bit of spacing out, but also bummed he's wasting them, and not at least eating them properly. Not that he's concerned too much about food count here, just it doesn't look that fun. ]

cabins;

[ideismo]

[The cold outside is unforgiving and the air in the church isn't much warmer, but thankfully the cabins are here and accessible; it's somewhere to be, anyway, even if Alexei isn't entirely willing to rejoin the group just yet.

Granted, Yeager is here, but he's not entirely opposed to Yeager for the time being. Not the first person he'd seek out by any means, but for the time being "halfway tolerable" is somewhat better than "not tolerable at all".

He notes the compact, though he doesn't seem inclined to pry, regarding that. Not at the moment, anyway.]

I suppose not. I'm hardly telling you to leave, at any rate.

cabins

[reallyfishy]

[Raven is truly a sight to behold when he clambers into the cabin with two mugs in hand. He's bundled up in head to toe and had no regard for color coordination when he selected the warmest options that he could find in the boutique.]

Aha! Here ya are! I thought these were gonna go cold before I found ya...

[His gaze lands on the compact, and he grins as he comes over to plop down next to Yeager. Here, have some boozy hot chocolate.]

So ya picked that up from Suga. Good, I was hopin' ya would.

[heroicact]

[Well, Jack is here! And there! And everywhere; as usual at these gatherings he can be found flitting about, occasionally with an instrument -- he hasn't gone so far as to bring the ballroom self-playing ensemble out into the cold because that isn't good for any instrument... but he does still have a violin with him.

So there's the occasional lively ditty or soothing sparkling melody weaving its way between the crowd and the fire and assorted chatter, though he mostly seems to be playing as he's moving about. Gotta keep the fingers from freezing.

Earlier, while everything is finishing being set up, you can also find him at one of the cabins nearby the bonfire, putting together what seems to be... an extremely bizarre display against the outside wall consisting of a huge lemon lifesaver, and then a bunch of the chocolate coins stacked around the gummy person...... What kind of cursed party decoration is this. You may find him in the process of draping filched Christmas lights over the gummy, or messing around with what looks like a box of... long multicolored marshmallow noodles?? They're literally person height, and some of them are mysteriously dipped in chocolate.]

... Do you suppose we could roast these at all? I really have not tried to roast such large marshmallows at any point. They could be broken into pieces, but this shape may be better for the bonfire...

[Overall, though, apart from providing a song or two and the alarming gummy person diorama -- he's a little quieter the later the evening gets. Once it's fully dark you may find him standing by the bonfire with a mug of the mulled wine in both hands, staring thoughtfully into the fire; he may also be a little farther out, too, into the trees and wherever the will-o-the-wisps cluster. It's fairly easy to spot him with a little group of them, fondly humming a song some may have heard before.]

cabins;

[biyishuangfei]

[ So! Despite the shenanigans from yesterday, Huaisang's definitely helped out with the invitations when Jack asked. Partly because he doesn't hold any actual emneity towards him and partly because he loves parties.

Anyway, he's walking around, checking things out (and maybe people out iykwim) when he comes across...that. ]

...what IS that??

cabins;

[ideismo]

[Okay, you know what, eventually he'll need some time away from the group and that's what brings him over to the cabins; he is...not prepared for what Jack is doing over there, and for a long moment he just watches? He just kind of stares at all of this because what, with all due respect, the christ.]

...Why?

bonfire

[edamamepon]

[ As he's adjusting the ingredients, stirring the wine that he's worked so hard to get right, Makoto catches Jack by the bonfire proper. At first, the silence is comfortable, broken by the crackling of the fire and distant conversations. But Makoto's curiosity gets the better of him again. ]

Hey, how is it?

[ With a nod at the cup in his hands if Jack looks over. ]

[amortristis]

[ Speaking of scant outfits, Morgan hangs around the gathering for the majority of the night, though she comes in a little later than most. The night's getting colder, which she doesn't mind, but the ambient heat coming from the bonfire is nice, all the same. She can be found by the wood, an axe taken from a cabin probably in her now bandage-free and uninjured hands as she stares at the remaining unsplit wood, like she's trying to decide whether it's worth the effort or not.

Otherwise, she does what she does best, and lingers around the edge of the gathering. She definitely seems way more pulled back and quiet than normal, but she's not going to turn anyone away if they approach. She'll nod. ]

Are you staying warm?

[ Which is probably rich, coming from her.

Near the end, she ends up by the ice rink, standing near the edge looking out with an unreadable expression. Or at least, she's looking anywhere but down. She really doesn't want to know if anything is there in the reflection anymore. She sighs quietly, as she seemingly plays with something in her hand. ]

... I'm not sure what you want me to do, anymore.

edges

[crimson_flamel]

[Edelgard, wrapped up in a thousand cloaks and still rubbing her hands together, turns and looks surprised at Morgan.]

Trying to, at any rate. These gatherings are always a bit bizarre, especially so close to friday.

I haven't been to a place this cold for years now...

[She can see her breath turn into mist in the air...]

around, kind of?

[edamamepon]

[ Once he spies her lurking around, how bright does Makoto have to smile to get her to come sit with him? A little wave? He's got very tempting mulled wine and chestnuts to share.

... or is she really going to make him get up? ]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis is here to chop wood and do so with near obsessive focus. As long as wood is being chopped, there is no need to pay the will-o-wisps floating around him any mind at all. He's placed his winter coat to the side and is dressed in only a very simple top, because while he's chopping the movement itself keeps him warm. Enjoy?

Once his wood chopping shift is over (or he's been forcibly dragged away from it), you can find his now more warmly dressed self close to the bonfire itself. At least this fire is harmless even when you stare into it. ]

Remember to get home on time, being hit by a sleep curse in this village might be deadly in itself.

[mirrite]

[How did Marcus get talked into chopping wood? The same way he gets talked into just about anything else he ends up doing here: he's capable of it and (most likely) one of the best options for the job... pretty much exactly how things work back at home, so. Well. He's used to it, at least.

It doesn't take all that much effort to wield an axe compared to swinging around his regular weapon; once he gets a rhythm going, he ends up working at a pretty good pace, the pile of chopped wood stacked beside him growing rapidly. (And while he's no McGillis, he will take off his jacket after a while to keep himself from overheating, so... enjoy the sort-of view of him in just a black t-shirt, you thirsty people here.)

Later on he can be found tending the pot of oden, stirring it and adding fresh ingredients as necessary once people help themselves to some. If he notices you eying it, he'll grin and reach for a bowl.]

Hungry? There's plenty left.

[By the time the party is finally starting to wind down, he actually seems pretty tired and has taken a seat near the bonfire itself, cup of mulled wine in hand as he tries to relax for the first time all day. Petition to let Marcus rest for once in his life Still, he's not so tired that he isn't willing to chat if anyone approaches, though he does seem considerably more subdued than he was earlier. Perhaps it's just that he's tired, or perhaps there's some deeper reason behind it... hard to say.

It might be due to the fireball he's staring intently at, however...]