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

[sonlight]

[Chibi goes sliding past him, having already wobbled himself into tripping and landing right on his gut. Any attempts to stand up only send him skirting further away from the safety of the edge of the rink. As he tumbles by, he looks up to Fai in desperation.

Oh, great and mighty master of the ice! Won't you please help this poor sun pup?]

[faiofmisfortune]

[There is a look of true panic when he catches sight of his friend struggling on the ice. It's not safe for him to be so close to the surface while everyone's got sharp metal shoes on. He makes a move for the pup as quickly as he's comfortable with, weaving around others if he must, and carefully scoops up Chibi.]

Don't worry, I've got you.

[sonlight]

Arf! [Chibi is beyond grateful, and maybe a little too eager to get off the ice, considering the way he unhelpfully wriggles around in Fai's grasp to get as far from it as he can.]

[faiofmisfortune]

Ah! Chibi don't move so much!

[Unhelpful indeed. Fai's balance is pretty good but if the pup wiggles too much he might get dropped or they'll both take a tumble. He certainly won't be putting his friend back down on the ice, so he'll start skating a shaky line for the edge of the rink.]

[sonlight]

[Taking Fai's instructions quite seriously, Chibi suddenly goes rigid, freezing exactly in the position he's currently in and not moving a muscle.

He doesn't even blink.]

[faiofmisfortune]

[Okay, not quite the reaction he was expecting but definitely helpful. He glides the last few yards effortlessly to the edge and sets Chibi down, giving him a few loving scratches behind his ears.]

Maybe you should stay off the ice for now. If you wanna go later I can carry you again, okay?

[sonlight]

Woo... [He hangs his head in shame, grateful for the rescue but embarrassed about having to be rescued in the first place.

He really looked so uncool, you know? That's not how the sun is supposed to look!]

[faiofmisfortune]

[Aww magic bro, he knows that face. He doesn't like having to get help doing things either. Fai takes a seat next to him, minding that he's still wearing his skates. And then he takes up giving Chibi attention again.]

Skating is pretty hard. And it's got to be much harder on four feet than two! I'm only as good as I am because I've had a lot of practice. The place I come from is always covered in snow.

[sonlight]

Roo? [He looks up, surprised. You live in a world where it's cold all the time, bro? Man, how do you deal with it?

He shivers a little, thinking about it. Wintertime is fun and all, but he doesn't think he could take year-round snow.]

[faiofmisfortune]

[By lots of layers and not venturing outside unless they must. Or magical time-bending valleys, take your pick. ]

Yeah, it's pretty much winter all the time. It's a big part of why I like being here so much... I can feel the grass under my feet and all sorts of things grow here that couldn't back home. I get to meet a lot of people I couldn't back home, too. Like you!

[Fai pets down Chibi's head and back. The pup seems like he'd be able to withstand the cold if need be, but the boy agrees that endless winter is not the most favorable of conditions.]