Monthly Mingle Log

[thalassino]

Is it that time of the month already?

...No, today is not the start of shark week.

The Station Master's taken precautions to make this month's mingle party nice and laid back, after that rather magnetic week. Today, locals are all over the Plaza starting to put up the decorations for this strange holiday known as "Christmas", and they're more than happy to cheerfully rope any foreigner who doesn't look too busy into helping them.

The food tables are back, albeit with more drink than food. Hot chocolate, gluhwein mulled wine, a huge bowl of fruit punch, you name it, it's there. Foodwise, there's snowflake shaped crackers with cheese and meats, shrimp cocktails, cups filled with green or red jelly, and plenty of cookies to go around.

Near the food tables are the two usual booths, one belonging to the Welcoming Committee, armed with all the information a newbie would want to know, and the other belonging to the Host Club, manned by all the male eyecandy you could ever need. Have they done something special for their booths this festive season? Better sashay their way and find out!

Walking around all the tables and booths is what looks to be a giant lobster(???) in a Santa suit handing out candy to anyone and everyone nearby. It seems the locals don't understand that it's "Santa Claus", not "Sandy Claws."

Finally, it looks like there's been a new addition to the plaza. Was that ice skating rink over there last night?? It certainly fits the theme, and the locals don't seem to be surprised. They'll even help you lace up those skates and take them for a spin. Bundle up and try not to fall too much!

Comments

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Rinoa could count on one hand the number of times she's gone ice skating, and it didn't take very many fingers. But when she saw the rink, she had to try it out. So if you'd like, you can see her lacing up her skates as she tentatively stares at the rink. Come join her? Or talk and watch?]

[formerabyssinian]

[Ice skating isn't his thing, so Aya is more than happy to sit out and watch others skate.]

[Although the real reason is that he can't ice skate.]

[He notices a young woman not too far away lacing up her skates, but staring at the rink in uncertainty.]

Are you sure you're ready?

[sorcery_fledgling]

[A little surprised someone is addressing her, she looks over and laughs a bit nervously.]

Yeah. I just haven't done it in awhile, so I'm a little nervous.

[formerabyssinian]

Well, I would be glad to help, but I don't ice skate. You've got a leg up so far.

[sorcery_fledgling]

It's okay. Once you get out there and try, it comes to you.

[And there's no point in dallying over it. Rinoa stomps over there (which is really all one could do wearing ice skates) before tentatively stepping out onto the ice. Then another step. She's upright, and hey, this isn't so-

WOMP! Down she goes onto her butt.]

[formerabyssinian]

[Aya was skeptical at how sure she sounds, but seeing her get out onto that ice proved him wrong--]

[Oh, spoke too soon.]

[Aya goes over to the rink barrier, concerned.]

Hey, are you alright?!

[sorcery_fledgling]

I'm okay!

[At least she's laughing, even if her rearend is now really sore. She gets to her knees and crawls over to the barrier. Slowly, she climbs back up to her feet, using the barrier as support.]

That's just a part of it. You're gonna fall on your butt.

[formerabyssinian]

I've had enough of that to last a lifetime. [It wasn't easy getting where he is now.] Have you even done this before?

[sorcery_fledgling]

Once or twice, but that was years ago.

[For now she'll stay close to the wall until she gets used to being on skates.]

You should try!

[sonlight]

[You have a companion, Rinoa! And he's staring at that ice with even more trepidation than yourself.

He pokes tentatively at the edge of the slippery surface, then backs up about two good feet.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Rinoa catches sight of him from the corner of her eye. She smiles and stomps on her skates over to him, bending down next to him.]

Never been on the ice before?

[sonlight]

Woo... [He and ice are... acquainted, but...

He rolls back against the snow, imitates doggy-paddling, then sits back up and shakes his head. He can't swim! And there's no way he's risking slipping through the cracks of this pond here just for the chance to skid lamely on some ice. No matter how fun it looks.

(Yeah, he hasn't realized that there's no water under this rink.)]

[sorcery_fledgling]

You afraid of falling through the ice?

[That's what she's getting from it, really.]

This isn't a proper lake. More than likely this is ice installed here by people, so there isn't any water underneath. It's just sheer ice.

[sonlight]

...Roo? [Really? Like, really really, that's a thing people do? He moves to the edge of the ice, eyes wide with wonder, and slowly taps it again.

You're absolutely sure about that? You're sure, right? Positive?]

[sorcery_fledgling]

Come on, I'll show you.

[With a half step and a shaky slide, she's out onto the ice. Now, it's been awhile for her, but she doesn't want to discourage him, so she bends down so she's crouching. Easier to maintain her balance and it keeps her level with him. Win!]

See? No harm.

[sonlight]

[He stares intently at the ice a few (likely agonizing) seconds longer, then slowly nods. Maybe, just maybe it'll be okay?

He plants his paw down a bit more firmly this time and carefully follows with the second. So far, so good. He moves to get a third paw out onto the rink--]

Wuff! [And he slips! His forepaws give out from under him and he falls flat on his stomach, sliding a few inches forward.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Even while flopping onto the ice unceremoniously, Rinoa can't help but find it adorable. She giggles as she scoot-slides across the ice over towards him.]

I guess paws don't provide the best traction, huh. You okay?

[monadont]

[Shulk's never seen an ice skating rink before. Colony 9 never got cold enough for snow, and it certainly didn't get cold enough for the lake to freeze over (they'd be in big trouble if it did, too). He was more than happy to watch other people skate, but when a local forces a pair of skates into his hands, Shulk doesn't have any reason not to try himself.

Most other people by this time are already on the rink, so when he spots Rinoa, he approaches, skates dangling from one hand. The huge red sword, the Monado, is still strapped to his back.]

Excuse me? Do you know how to skate?

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Luckily the sight of a sword in plain sight doesn't really faze her much. Instead she simply looks up and smiles.]

Uh, a little? I haven't done it in a long time though. Why, haven't you ever done it?

[monadont]

[Shulk shakes his head.]

Not even once. It doesn't get cold enough for ice where I live.

[sorcery_fledgling]

Wow. Sounds like a pretty warm place.

[Once her skates are on, she stands up, holding onto the outside of the barrier for support.]

Want me to show you?

[monadont]

[Shulk nods.]

That would be great.

[Oh, right yes. He should. put his skates on. Which he does, strapping them on tight, but not too tightly.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

Okay. Don't laugh if I fall on my butt.

[With a step and a push, she's onto the ice. Like an awkward bird, she holds her arms out to help with balance as she slowly slides over the surface. There's a lot of wobbling and one or two shouts of "WHOA", but she remains upright, for now.]

[monadont]

[Shulk stands on the ground around the ice rink, balancing awkwardly on the skate's blades. Is... she really going to be okay...

Shulk watches, transfixed with a fascination not unlike watching an accident waiting to happen. But when she manages to stay upright, he grins and calls out--]

Keep it up! You're doing great!

[But he's still over here. Where there's not slippery ground.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

Don't just stand there, come over!

[No point in showing him the ropes if he won't join in! In the meantime, she's just gonna keep her balance and try not to faceplant. Or buttplant.]