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

[theredrose]

[She still wasn't sure about this place. There'd been the pamphlet which had explained things well enough...but it all seemed pretty weird. Of course, she hadn't been chased by any art pieces yet, so that was already an improvement.

Ib didn't really know what she was going to do now, but at least she was dry and she'd found cookies, which helped since she was starving.

She'd wandered around for a little while, rose still tightly held in her hand, but the sight of an ice rink had caught her attention. She wasn't really certain about going out onto the ice itself, but watching was good enough for now.

So, Vatheon, there's a little girl with cookies and a rose watching the skaters skate, what will you do?

>Approach
>Stare back]

[beauchevalier]

[Having gotten use to the ice by now, Angelo's eyes spy a young maiden staring at him and he skates over to greet her with a bow along with a smile.]

Hello my small fair maiden, I couldn't help but notice you were staring at me on the ice. Would you care to join me?

[theredrose]

[She was a little surprised to see one of the skaters approach her, but she didn't shy away. Instead she consider his question a moment, keeping his gaze.]

I don't know how.

[beauchevalier]

[He sits down next to her and gives her a small smile.]

I could teach you as I'm learning myself at the same time, it's not that difficult.

[His eyes do fall upon the rose in her hands though, it was a very nice rose to say the least.]

That rose you're holding onto is very lovely, did you find it at one of the shops here?

[theredrose]

[She offered a small smile and ate the last of her cookie to give her a moment to consider it.]

No, it came with me. Could I...hold onto it, while you teach me?

[beauchevalier]

[He nods and stands back up, holding his hand out for her to take.]

Of course. I'm Angelo, by the way. May I have your name, little maiden?

[theredrose]

[Carefully, she took his hand, her other curled protectively around the flower.]

I'm Ib.

...it's nice to meet you.

[ugly_soldier_dude]

[Zack caught sight of the rose, and the flower reminded him of Aerith, and of home. Compelled, he walks over to her with a cup of hot chocolate in hand and stares down at her.]

That's a really pretty flower.

[theredrose]

[Ib looked up at the man with interest, though her hand tightened ever so slightly around it. She didn't know if the rules in the gallery applied here too, but she hadn't seen any vases, so she didn't want to risk it.]

Thank you.

...I like red.

[ugly_soldier_dude]

It suits you.

[Maybe she's uncomfortable because he's so tall? So he bends down to her height.]

You new here?

[theredrose]

[She didn't mind his height, Garry was about as tall, but she gave a small smile for his actions and nodded.]

Yes, I am. Are you?

[ugly_soldier_dude]

Sort of. I've been here for a little over a month.

[theredrose]

[She frowned a bit; that seemed like a really long time to her.]

Don't you miss your home?

[radiantwingedone]

[ It may be an >Approach, but he might as well be taking that second option. Duke doesn't really talk to people well, let alone young people.

... Actually he doesn't know why he's here too but he might as well stand here and watch the skating too.

Yup not the most awkward at all. ]

[theredrose]

[Oh...hello random person...she's not certain if you're a man or a woman...but that's okay. Ib looked over to him with curiosity.]

Your hair is pretty.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Well. At least she didn't reach out and touch first? ]

Seems... to be a common thought, here.. [ GUESS WHO DOESN'T GET IT...

... how does he talk to children- ]

[theredrose]

[Your voice....well, that answers that question. But it spawns another...]

Why do you look like a lady?

[Garry talked like a lady, but this man looked like one. It was interesting.]

[radiantwingedone]

..... [ Okay thanks kid uh where did that-

Oh, Duke might think he knows where- maybe? ]

... I ... like my hair this way? [ If she's talking about something else he doesn't get it at all...

Or did Rin say something about his waist and hips and Duke doesn't even know anymore. ]

... If talking about... [ Just a general wave indicating his torso area.. ]

... do not know either.

[theredrose]

[She looks at him a moment longer, both answers good enough for her.

Finally she reaches up and offers him one of the cookies she'd grabbed. Her mother had told her not to have too many sweets before dinner, and it was nice to share.]

[effeminacy]

[Garry wasn't too sure about the party... Large social gatherings had never really been his cup of tea, and honestly, after what happened with Mary... Well, he was cautious with new people. Still, some of the people in Vatheon had already shown themselves to be very friendly, so when he'd seen the busy plaza, he'd headed over to check things out.

As he passed by the skating, he hadn't been expecting -- Well, anything, really. Especially not her. He wanted to be joyous, but he had to be sure of who it was first.]

Ib?

[theredrose]

[The voice surprised her and she whipped around, eyes searching for that purple hair and ratty coat. When She saw him a huge grin spread across her face and she rushed forward to wrap her arms around him.]

Garry!

[He hadn't been there when she'd woken up here and Ib had been afraid he wasn't here at all.]

[effeminacy]

[Oh, how wonderful! Not so taken aback this time by her hug, Garry returned the gesture. Ib was here, and while he would now be worried about her safety in this strange place, it was nice to have someone he knew around.]

Oh, Ib, it is you!

[theredrose]

[She keeps her hands balled in his jacket but pulls away enough to look up at him.]

Where were you?

I was reaching for your hand and then I was here and you weren't there with me.

[And yet he was here, so why hadn't they shown up together?]

[effeminacy]

Oh... Oh, Ib, I'm so sorry!

I don't know what happened...

[theredrose]

[She shook her head. It didn't really matter as long as they were both safe and nothing or no one was chasing them.]

It's okay.

[And then she was just right back to hugging him because that seemed like a decent enough plan.]