Winter wonderland

[shardofwinter]

The Nexus has been covered in snow, from the highest rooftop to the lowest gutter. Some of it even persists on the gaudy Nexus sign. Winter has officially landed in the multiverse, and where there's Winter, there's a Winter spirit.

Reynard appears to be making an attempt at being anywhere and everywhere. He's skipping along the rooftops and skating along the path despite a lack of ice. The lakes and ponds in the parklands are frozen over, the windows of houses and shops are frosted, and it's really quite funny watching people try to get through the thicker parts of the snow.

Anyone looking particularly glum will have a snowball flung their way, with some passer-by looking like the culprit. Although someone is already on causing a snowball fight which is an encouraging sign. Occasionally he'll take to making a safe path an ice rink. Only when someone is already on it, of course. He may or may not be putting up the mistletoe too, with a preference for corners and hanging above benches. Certain places carry sound like the mountaintops, with even the quietest word being shared with everyone around. That's not even getting started on all the ice patterns he's spread about the place.

Reynard stops to fold his arms and admire his own work, commenting to whoever happens to be nearby. "Beautiful, don't you think?"


((Feel free to have Winter mishaps and misunderstandings galore here, thread hopping allowed and snow based mishaps encouraged. As noted here, Reynard will be causing trouble for the three months he's a Winter spirit. There is a list of Curses and Blessings here! For those who already looked: Double check as I added a couple.))

Comments

[smartass_captain]

Jim watches a poor kid topple ass over teakettle on the suddenly iced sidewalk, unable to help the snort that bursts out of his mouth.

"That's really evil, man." He's laughing though, which may say something about the captain. "This is downright gorgeous, Reynard."

[shardofwinter]

"It's a right of passage," Reynard replies in his half-hearted defence. Not much time is spent on that though as they are compliments to be received. Proud, he twirls the corner of his moustache, frosting it white. "It is, rather, isn't it? I have some great plans for some of the trees I skipped over, but it's a good start. A very good start."

He grins at the captain. "Does it compare to the Winters in Iowa?"

[smartass_captain]

"The winters in Iowa were wet and flat and either had a lot of mud, or a loooooot of snow." Jim laughs. "Built a lot of snow forts in my day, though sledding wasn't really much of an option with no hills."

Jim looks around, smile prevalent on his face.

"I think I like this better."

[shardofwinter]

"I should hope so! This is a Winter specially crafted by a Winter spirit. This got extra attention."

He folds his arms tighter and leans to the captain with a grin. "You had better make the most of it. Snow fights, snowmen, sledding, ice skating, the whole lot."

[smartass_captain]

"Oh really?" As if he needed to tell Jim that. Jim loves snow even if he loathes the holidays this season brings. "Are you gonna police everyone's winter fun?"

Even if they're friends, sassing a magical snow spirit is probably going to end badly for Jim, even if he's teasing.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Cold. Unforgiving. But... I will admit to beautiful as well."

The Nexus' resident rogue looks none-too-happy about her usual ability to walk on top of snow covered paths being thwarted with every turn. Her wool-blend clothes and wool cloak aren't doing much to help keep the cold out. Thank goodness she finally remembered to buy a pair of gloves, though.

"There's so much going on here. I've never..." She pauses, choosing her next words carefully. "I've never experienced a winter quite like this before. Living in a port town, the winters are never very harsh." Oh, child, what a terrible thing to admit to a Winter spirit.

[shardofwinter]

"Port Winters are different," he agrees with a knowing nod. "I've done a few of them before." He lifts his brow as he tells her, "I've frozen ships in the dock before. You clearly didn't have anyone focusing on your Winters. This is specially crafted."

He grins then. "You'll have to experience this Winter here to its fullest. Since it is so different and so new to you. It would be a terrible shame not to take it all in."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I also live far enough South that even inland the winters don't get as harsh. It's a simple matter of geography in this case." She's not trying to be ornery, but if she's coming across that way, Reynard could hardly be blamed for it.

"I think I'm taking it in just fine having to walk around in it," she points out. "Looking at it from the comfort of my room or the yew tree outside my window is much preferable to getting sopping wet when I need to be out and about." Her brows knit together and she frowns. Someone is clearly more fond of the warmer months.

[shardofwinter]

"Having to walk around in it? Having to?" If he sounds a touch offended, it's because he is. "This is possibly the most crucial Season in the year! And, not only is it useful, it's absolutely beautiful too. You should be ecstatic to have so much snow to prance around in!"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"But it melts the moment it touches my skin. Simply walking through the Commercial District to get here has me soaked to the bone." She frowns and crosses her arms in front of her chest, rubbing her arms for a bit of warmth. "If I am to enjoy it, I would much prefer to do so from a place where I can stay warm without effort." Be wary of your wishes, little rogue.

"And on top of all that, I don't prance. Not even when I get dressed up for a ball." Her father would attest to that, were he here. Dressing up is fun, but prancing is not.

[notalldead]

Jesse's a little concerned about all this increasing cold, slogging through a snowbank and bundled up in a red scarf, matching mittens and his usual duster all buttoned up. He seems a little more sluggish than usual, moving more like the zombie he is.

"Gonna hafta hole up at this here rate. Don't think the cold agrees with me, pardner, not a damn bit. An' are y'all the one puttin' up mistletoe left 'n right? That's kinda...well. I dunno. It's a little...uh. Irresponsible?"

He doesn't mean to sound like a total Grinch, but feeling so sluggish is kinda chipping away at Jesse's normally bountiful cheer and good will.

[shardofwinter]

Green and Grinch-like. Reynard's actually rather amused, watching the stranger with a crooked smile and a tilted head. "Hm! So the dead come to join us this Winter. Marvellous!"

Then he shakes his head. "Mistletoe is part of the Season. It wouldn't be the same without it."

[notalldead]

"Ain't all dead. Just kinda dead. And I dunno, mistletoe is kinda-...Well, I mean, what happens if yer under it with someone who y'all don't feel like smoochin'? People can be kinda pushy with tradition. An' yeah, before y'all ask, I'm worried I'm gonna-..."

He looks up. Apparently, mistletoe somehow ended up above him like some kind of comically timed prophecy. He heaves a sigh.

"Ain't no one kissin' this mess. Ain't proper. An' now I'm gonna have to dance around people feelin' bad for turnin' me down and me totally gettin' it because c'mon." Someone clearly has already thought out this scenario from the moment he saw the first sprig.

[shardofwinter]

Reynard follows Jesse's gaze upwards and the sight of the mistletoe is accompanied by a sound of amusement. Looking around, he decides that he should probably reinforce his own rules with a little example.

"Then they shall have to learn to be adapt politely," he tells Jesse, scooping up a mittened hand, if the cowboy will allow, so that he can bow low and kiss the back of it lightly.

[notalldead]

He's already wondering by the time his hand is taken. And then when a nice kiss is applied, his eyes go huge.

"I-...! Uh! C-C'mon, those are prolly all soggy and cold." If only he still had a proper bloodflow, he'd be blushing hard enough to glow. As is, he rubs the back of his neck, feeling like it'd be a little rude and reactionary to just snatch his hand back.

[icebearforpresident]

[Snow. Ice Bear is absolutely stoked that it's literally snowing in the Nexus. This is a polar bear's dream, after all. So unlike many other Nexus-goers, Ice Bear is happily walking through the cold snow, adapting pretty well to the ice paths as well. He finally flops down on a big pile of snow and just lays there, content with the cold environment.]

"Ice Bear thinks this is the greatest thing ever."

[shardofwinter]

While others wade through the snow, Reynard walks on top of it, leaving no footprints behind. He comes closer to the bear to better see the pleased expression and smile in return.

"I'm glad someone enjoys it. I put a lot of effort into all of this."

[bornstrong]

Iphigenia's not used to cold, and so she'll be standing nearby in one of her usual dresses, hugging herself and shivering.

"It is beautiful, but does it have to be so cold?" she asks, frowning a little. "It never snowed like this back home--we'd be lucky if we got a coating on the ground."

She doesn't mean to sound petulant, really. This is just new and a little strange for her.

[shardofwinter]

"Cold is a key part of Winter, my dear." His smile is warm and friendly, but he's making no moves to help. He nods at her, grin widening a little. "You'd better get yourself a warm coat."

[bornstrong]

"I know," she says, pouting. "I wasn't prepared--this snow happened so suddenly."

Brrr.

[shardofwinter]

He wags a finger at her and then folds his arms again, leaning against a lamp post. "And that is a lesson to be learned: Be better prepared. Especially for unexpected weather."

[westfallcorndog]

Snow is good, snow is great, good snow let's eat! Dressed in a massive red sweater decorated with the gaudiest of pine trees and reindeer, Harrowheart sits on his haunches in his worgen form in a deep pile of snow that's slowly crunching down beneath his weight. In one handpaw he's got a bottle of maple syrup; in the other, a wooden skewer stick. He appears to be pouring the syrup into the snow and rolling the stick around it to create some kind of frozen syrup shish kebab. And... He eats it!

Reynard, this wolf guy's eatin' all your snow! Is that a compliment or an insult?

[shardofwinter]

He's... really not sure. This, surprisingly enough, is a first for Reynard. That's not an easy thing to do.

The Winter spirit hops onto the back of a bench to walk on closer and peer at this oddity. After a while of watching, he asks, "What are you doing?"

[westfallcorndog]

"Eatin' snow!" Harrow says with a smile, as if it's totally obvious. "This stuff's so fresh, it's real pure! Pour some sweet syrup in and it hardens up like caramel. Then you can eat it right off the stick!"

He beckons Reynard closer and pats the snow to encourage him to take a seat. "Come try some, man. It's simple, but I think you'll like it!"

He demonstrates the technique of gently pouring the syrup into the snow while rolling the stick in the mixture until it's hardened enough to cling. He offers it up to Reynard, then sets the bottle of syrup down in the snow if he wants to try making it himself.

[shardofwinter]

When the stranger explains, he raises an eyebrow, but smiles. That is exactly what a dog would do if it could. Not that he needs much by the way of encouragement, he comes closer, hopping off the bench and kneeling down by the wolfman.

He takes the stick and takes a generous bite. It's not as if brain freeze is an issue for him, after all. Then he gives a hum of approval. "Very nice. I've never tried that before. Where did you learn it?"