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]

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!

[formerabyssinian]

No thanks. I'm better off on solid ground. [He just feels like he's too old for getting sore and learning new tricks.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

Where's the fun in that?

[And why approach an ice rink if you weren't gonna try? Rinoa shakes her head in disbelief.]

[formerabyssinian]

I was enjoying watching everyone else, actually.

[Aya wasn't big on fun anyway. Doing this much is a new concept to him.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

Did I wreck that?

[She's sort of teasing, although she's curious as to his response. Meanwhile, she's pushing off from the barrier, letting her own legs keep her up. A little wobbly, but so far so good.]

[formerabyssinian]

I won't say. [He smiles lightly, watching her skate. He wonders if she can manuever around

[sorcery_fledgling]

Why not? I won't mind. I wouldn't have asked otherwise.

[If her legs stop being wobbly then she'll give moving a try. For now, she's happy just to keep standing up.]

[formerabyssinian]

Because there's not much fun in telling you. I'd rather you come to your own conclusion.

[As he watches, he can't help but wonder who invented ice skating anyway. They must have been bored.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

O...kay?

[The point in that is lost to her, but she doesn't seem terribly worried as she begins to skate in a circle, her footing becoming more sure.]

[formerabyssinian]

When you say you haven't skated in a while, how long ago was that?

[sorcery_fledgling]

Um... seven years, maybe? Not since I was a kid.

[formerabyssinian]

Then this must be nostalgic for you. [Aya hasn't had much experience with ice skating, but it isn't like he and his family tried to go out of their way to do it.]

[sorcery_fledgling]

A little bit. It has good and bad memories attached to it.

[Most which she's trying not to think about as she skates around a bit. Looks like someone's getting the hang of it again.]