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

[of_the_lake]

[His left elbow set against the edge of the rink's borders, Berserkers watched people skate, curious about as to where it was that he found himself. A pleasant location such as this threw him for a loop--he was more ready for hell or something similar to that. Instead, he saw something of a more Hallmark-spirited venue, which made him feel absolutely out of place.

It was easier just to watch at that point. He'd leave judgement for the Almighty, at that.]

[detectiveprincess]

[Naoto finally got the hang of the ice again after having not touched it in a while. She was skating much more smoothly now. She wasn't about to try any tricks, but she was slowly speeding up her laps.

As she skated now, she started to think about her friends. What would they be doing right now? Shopping for the holiday? Spending time with each other and family? Having fun without her? The last thought saddened her. No one was here from back in her world anymore. She was alone here. She had barely made any new friends and even then they were busy with their own plans.

During all of this thinking, she wasn't paying attention very well. This was indicated when she finally hit the side wall of the rink and fell onto the ice.]

Ow!

[She quickly covered her mouth. She had spoken in her natural voice. That was not a good thing just yet.]

[of_the_lake]

[Berserker paused, noticing someone slipping and hitting the wall, pulling himself to stand straight and walk in that direction, mutely. Without thinking, he lowered his hand over the edge of the rink--offering it to Naoto. It was no fun, he imagined, to embarrass one's self. The principle of showing kindness to every soul he encountered was a trained reflex, his eyes set on Naoto's with a bit of a feigned smile as he kept his arm extended.]

That may have been able to avoid that, sir.

[detectiveprincess]

[Naoto looked up at the man, before taking the hand, pulling the cap down a little bit. She slowly stood up with help and tried to hide her blush. She did her best to hide her feminine voice once more by speaking with her male one.]

Thank you. My mind was wandering a little.

[of_the_lake]

Best to relax until it's found itself, then. [Unsure whether or not the young man, as per his perception, was embarrassed purely over their landing or over general distraction, Berserker simply helped Naoto up. He was used to Naoto's sort of cover-up, trying to be polite to avoid asking why this perceived young man was putting such a strong emphasis on his own tenor.

It might have really just been the fall.]

Otherwise, I noticed your posture, earlier. Your legs seemed wobbly before you fell. Are you feeling alright?

[detectiveprincess]

I suppose you're right.

[She looked down slightly. She knew she was still trying to get used to being in this place, even after having found a spot here. She was just going through the motions, looking around and figuring things out. Needless to say, she was embarrassed by both the destraction and the fall.

She looked up as he asked the question, still trying to keep her voice in the more male range.]

It's just been a little while since I've been ice skating. That and I've only just learned when I last went a few months ago.

[Not so much a few as... six to eight months.]

[of_the_lake]

I see.

[Not that he'd taken the time to have fun in years, but he did still remember a lot of the nuances of it. Trying to have fun while completely distracted was often-times absolutely antithetic to the activity itself.

One thing Lancelot remembered in abundance was his ability to distribute orders with a firm countenance.]

Try again, then. With better focus. All that distracts you must become secondary when you're enjoying yourself, right?