vatheon | Monthly Mingle Log

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

[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.]

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.]

[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.]

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.]

[Ah...hahaha... Okay. Right. He looks down, a little unsure, but... Well, it doesn't seem too difficult. It seems easier to keep moving than to stand still. And that makes sense, given the lack of traction.

So when Shulk puts one skate on the rink, he immediately follows it with the other. Yep, he's gliding across the rink. He skates forward a bit more. Huh... this isn't all that hard. He laughs.]

This is easy!

[But uh. He's kind of headed in your direction, Rinoa.]

Don't take it too lightly, though.

[It can be deceptive. Unless someone had a stellar sense of balance and familiarity with their body, they were likely going to wipe out once or twice on the ice.

...]

Uh-

[Rinoa's just, going to try to scoot to the side to stay out of his way. A head on collision is the last thing she wants!]

[Shulk isn't bothered by the prospect of possibly falling over; he's taken plenty of spills over the years in Colony 9. But in his attemps to steer himself away from Rinoa, he put's a bit too much pressure on the back of his feet and--]

Whoa!

[--that sure is him flailing his arms as he tries to stay upright. But NOPE that sure is Shulk landing on his butt. The sword on his back may have also just... shaved off a patch of ice there, too.]

[It's like a red and blonde and icy trainwreck Rinoa can't look away from. But that doesn't stop the grimace when Shulk hits the ice. She slowly skates over to him, being careful as to not upset her balance and add to the pile on the ground.]

You okay?

[Shulk nods and gingerly gets to his feet, taking care not to stack it on the ice in the process.]

I'm alright!

[He doesn't sound terribly bothered taking that spill. Sure, he's a bit sore but eh. He pauses to brush the ice from him, though.]

You might have a sore butt later, but that's normal.

[She smiles, glad to know he's not hurt otherwise.]

Maybe you should leave the sword back at the entrance? It might be throwing your balance off.

[Shulk shakes his head.]

It's... probably not a good idea.

[It was okay to leave the Monado back in the Colony 9 lab; everyone knew each other and everyone knew about the Monado and what it had done to Dunban. It was safe to leave the Monado there. In Vatheon, though...]

Things could get dangerous if someone else handled it.

Oh, really?

[What kind of weapon is it...?]

I don't think anyone would take it, but, it's your weapon so I guess you know.

[Shulk shakes his head again, before smiling.]

Everyone I've met has been a great help. I'm not worried about people taking it. It's just...

[He thinks about the time just recently, when Reyn had picked up the sword and had destroyed a good portion of his lab equipment. Shulk blinks, and turns his attention back to Rinoa, not realising his thoughts had wandered.]

The Monado isn't a normal weapon.

Not normal? How?

[It... looked a little weird, sure, but she's seen some strange weapons.]

Is it that dangerous?

[Shulk shakes his head. It's a bit complicated.]

It can't cut people, if that's what you're worried about.

[The blade is perfectly capable of cutting through steel with ease though.]

It's just that most people can't control the Monado. I don't want any more accidents to happen.

[He gives Rinoa a sheepish shrug and says his next words in good humour.]

Last time, half the equipment in my lab got broken.

...Oh.

[A part of her is morbidly curious as to how that happened, but perhaps she shouldn't delve in too much. If he's not offering it up front, there may be a reason for that. Besides, if it can't hurt anyone, no big deal, right?]

Whoops?

[Shulk gives a small chuckle.]

Whoops is right.

[But hey they've been standing around chatting more than skating, sooooo... He taps the ice with one of his skates.]

So how do you change direction without falling over?

Monthly Mingle Log

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