Festival: The Wishing Tree

Evening has fallen over the Town of Beginnings. Winter has left a chill in the air. Even at night, but the city is lit brightly, illuminating a the gently falling snow that gives everything a somewhat magical atmosphere. Children play in the streets, running and throwing snowballs at one another, while others seem to be building snowmen. Young lovers walk arm and arm, sipping warm cider. Even the elderly members of the town have come out, bundled in their warmest to enjoy the crisp evening.

At the center of town, is the largest gathering, around what looks to be a giant tree that stretches up high into the night sky. There is likely no way it grew here without anyone realizing it, and equally as unlikely that someone managed to carry it all the way here. If you ask most of the Landers, they just explain it as part of the 'magic' of the Winter Festival.

There are ladders which have been set around the tree, allowing people to climb up and place scrolls, bits of paper, or small gifts to the goddesses into the branches. These contain their wishes for the upcoming year, their hopes, their dreams. Many Landers gather around for this tradition, taking their turn to place something into the branches.

Others seem to be drawn to the tree as a place to exchange their Winter Festival gifts with friends or loved ones. These are usually small things, as many of the Landers can't afford anything too fancy, but a child might get a home-made doll, or a wood-carved animal, and adults may share more useful things such as bowls, tools, and other trinkets.

All around the central square there are food vendors, as is common in most of the festivals. The most frequented are those offering warm stews, hot ciders, or other warm beverages.

(OOC: This is a non-GMed, open social event. Interact with each other, enjoy the theme of the Winter Festival. Need ideas? Write a wish on the tree and hang it. Eat some festival food. Give a gift to another Adventurer. Celebrate one of your own holiday traditions. Talk about memories of your favorite holidays or family you miss celebrating with.)

Mikage lingers a bit on the sidelines of the Festival, standing under an awning near one of the local inns in order to keep out of the snow for the time being. She seems, almost hesitant, as if she were more used to watching such things than participating.

She has her fur-lined cloak pulled up, the hood over her head. Rama, on the other hand, seems perfectly happy with the event. The little lynx is tromping around in the snow, seeming as entertained as the group of children who keep throwing snow balls up into the air for him to chomp down on.

A festival calls for drinks! And drinks are the brewmaster's calling!

Don't worry, Vertina made sure to bring plenty of non-alcoholic cider and hot tea for those who don't or can't drink the 'hard' version. With a Salamander's affinity for fire one certainly doesn't have to worry about it not being warm, either.

Joining in on the festivities is Cyrus, wrapped in his longcoat, with a big piece of fur to cover his neck. The Cait Sith is remarkably comfortable in this kind of temperature at this point. Perhaps he has his Cait Sith 'genes' to thank for that. Or perhaps it's simply experience. Whatever the case may be, he's making sure that Mikage is similarly warm by motioning towards the stand near Vertina. "Let's get us one of those warm drinks over there." He suggests to the Were Fang in human form.

For his part, Robert lurks where the sense of spiritual fulfillment, warmth, and happiness is highest.

That's right. He's totally hanging out at the food tables. Insulated against winter's chill by a warm fur cloak and a handy-dandy fur hat (with ear-flaps), he's managed to locate himself a hearty bowl of stew. True, he'll occasionally sip from it. Once or twice he utters a sigh of happiness. But for the most part he's using it as a hand-warmer.

And yet, something seems to be bothering him. He glowers at the lovers who walk hand-in-hand, at the families who gather to exchange presents. Finally, enlightenment dawns.

"Chocolate," he states at last, flatly, with a heaved sigh. "Forgot chocolate."

It's a beautiful, magical, crisp evening. The festivities, the tree, the people enjoying each other's company and a moment of peace and comfort.

Proteus could soak in the ambience, really, but she also happens to be soaking in some of that hot (non-alcoholic) cider, cradling a mug of it between her gloves as she sits to one side, looking over the others gathered and enjoying the situation. She moves amongst the Landers, smiling to them and providing little additional trinkets and well-wishes gathered over the last year here and there. Nothing spectacular... Maybe next year Proteus will have to prepare something more intensive.

There is something that catches her eye however, as she wanders. She approaches Robert from behind and chuckles. "Chocolate? I didn't take you for having such a sweet tooth, Robert." She comments, stepping around him to his front and turning around. There is a moment as she looks him over, and she nods, smiling slightly. "It's good to see you again."

    Off to one side, the slight figure of Miyako sits, perched on a tree-stump with her guitar in her lap. A heavy cloak keeps her warm, and she's added a charm tied around the guitar's neck with a small warming enchantment to protect it -- far more important to her. Perhaps she's waiting for someone, perhaps she's just taking the evening slowly, but whatever it is, she's alone at the moment. She doesn't bother singing at the moment, just playing old familiar Christmas carols. And occasionally taking a break to sip from a flash of hot spiced cider. If anyone wants to sing along as she plays, that's on them. For now.

Seemingly dragged from her thoughts by Cyrus' comment, Mikage looks up, blinking at him and then coming back to herself as she offers him a small smile. There's something there, just a hint of uncertainty, but it doesn't linger long. "Sure. Sounds like a plan."

Her eyes flick to Rama, who is still playing with some of the nearby children, likely just making sure he isn't getting out of hand. Then, she follows Cait Sith towards Vertina's stall. "I'll take a mug of the cider, the hard stuff." She doesn't shy away from a drink. "Bet you're making good coin tonight." She comments, idlely.

With all the Landers and Adventurers here to celebrate, it seems like there should be a steady stream of customers.

"It doesn't have to be alcohol. They have other warm drinks." Cyrus answers Mikage, not sure what is on her mind, and just guessing at what that little pause of hers might mean. Still, he does ask; "Assuming that's what you were pondering." With a tilt of his head - showing that he isn't sure.

But it quickly turns out he was wrong, based on Mikage's order. A hard cider? "I'll have what she's having." He remarks to the stallkeeper.

SpritesHero glances over his shoulder as he's addressed, eyebrows nudging upwards, expression brightening in recognition. "Christmas means chocolate," he declares, sagely, lifting a spoonful of stew to his lips. He makes darned sure he does not slurp.

The once-over is returned, a long, slow head-to-foot-to-head. Properly assured that there are no additional limbs or wings missing...or that if there are they've been replaced by prosthetics...he allows himself a smile. "It's good to see you too, Proteus." he returns, lifting his stew by way of a toast. "Was not expecting to see you here, though. It's rather festive. And busy."

This technically wasn't a bar, but Vertina was following the typical manner of tending such all the same. Some idle chatter with patrons as they came and went, wiping down the surface the stall (to keep moisture from turning to frost), wiping out mugs when they're returned, so on and so forth.

When Mikage and Cyrus approach she looks up, smiling. "Sure thing, coming right up." She nods to them both and turns to fill a couple of mugs, holding the pair together by the handles so when one is full, she only has to shift her wrist a bit to put the other under the spout without having to stop the draw. "It's definitely worth hauling the good stuff down here." She nods her head out at the crowd. "Seeing the happy faces and people enjoying the pleasantries is worth even more though."

She turns back, handing one mug to Mikage and the other to Cyrus. "Here you go, and happy festival to you both."

Proteus seems intact enough... Though she is bundled up in heavier clothing than even normal, owing to the cold climes. She smirks. "If that's what it means to you, that's good enough." She nods to him in agreement, and raises her warm cider in a mutual toast. "As for being here..." She looks over her shoulder out at the others. "Maybe I do keep to myself quite a bit." She acknowledges, and shrugs. "There's a lot going on." She looks back to Robert. "Are you going to be all right?" She asks.

It's hard to believe that the year is almost over. One full year-- twelve months-- in this strange place. It stretches the imagination to think that their bodies are in good shape at all, anymore. Even putting aside the need for intense physical therapy to account for muscular degeneration, how is it even remotely possible that none of them-- /none/ of them-- have succumbed to some kind of illness or simple old age yet? They must be on life support too, which means /someone/ is paying to keep them all alive. But for how much longer? Surely, something must happen sooner or later, or else...

...What would that imply?

Prophylaxis mulls the problem over a steaming mug of similarly mulled wine. It's delightfully sweet and spicy, flavored with honey and cinnamon and cloves and other things that warm the heart and soul as much as the alcohol is warming his cheeks. With the turn in weather, the doctor has adopted a somewhat cozier outfit: a thick winter coat, mittens, boots and scarf, topped with a fur-lined hat fitted with long pockets to hide his ears inside. The whole thing is an ensemble of wintery colors, trimmed with white.

All except his face, of course, which is rosy with the chill and the alcohol.

It's in the midst of all this naval gazing that he glances over a dangling wish-talisman, recently written. 'I hope we all stay safe this year, and that all goodbyes are merely temporary 'see you agains'.'

That would be nice, he thinks, before turning and almost tripping over a certain imp.

"Ah, Proteus," the doctor starts, tilting his mug just in time to avoid staining the blue Olympian red. He takes a sip and scans his gaze up towards the other. "And Robert. Fancy seeing the two of you together. I'm glad to see you're both getting along."

    Eliza rides into town on the back of her peko, Sunny; the bird is still wearing his red holiday hat, won in the recent race. After leaving the mount at the stable, she pulls down the hood of her green cloak and walks into town, taking in the sights. There's a lot going on, it would seem. Eliza's first stop is the tree in the center of town. She stares up at it from its base, marveling at the decorations. "Well, Eliza, better start climbing."

    Carrying a slip of paper tied to a string, the woman makes her way up one of the ladders, carefully slipping the note onto a branch.

    The note reads: "May we all find beauty in this world."

    Nodding approvingly, Eliza climbs back down the ladder, looking around once more and trying to decide what to do next.

Miho had set up a delivery of orders to people who lived in this town as part of why she made the excuse to come here. After all, she had a cousin over in the Americas who played but there's no way there and no way to know if she was logged on or not with any of her siblings at the time this happened. She'll have to wait someday but she will seek them out if she can. For now through he's by a food vendor stocking up on various treats and seems very happy. Her tail swishes away as she gets her treats and she's got a bright red scarf about her neck today as well. She will follow after Mikage and head to VErtina.

"So whatrcha got my dear kicker?"

"I -meant- that Christmas means there must -be- chocolate," Robert clarifies, shooting a horrified look in Proteus's direction. "-Not- that Christmas is reduced to a Snickers bar." Her last question merits a bit of a pause. Confusion registers, but is shrugged off. "Yeah, I'll be alright," he answers, trading in his soup for a mug of cider. He closes his eyes, inhales deeply, and exhales on a happy little sigh. "Sorry if I've caused you worry?"

And then Prophylaxis shows up, causing -him- worry. Well, maybe only a little. "Hey boss," he greets the other fellow, dryly. "You shouldn't be too surprised. We're being antisocial together, you see. Like attracts like." Beat. "I notice you found us rather quickly. Unpleasant thoughts, sir?"

"Hot cider!" Vertina answers Miho. "Both the hard and the general kind. There's also fresh warm tea for those who'd rather. There's no reason for the people that don't wish for alcohol to not be able to enjoy themselves."

One has to wonder what that might mean indeed, Prophylaxis. Proteus has been pondering this issue herself. But that is a discussion to have... perhaps another time. Even the approach of the defacto head of the Scale Emblem doesn't remove Proteus' cheer, though her relationship with the Shady Doctor is... complicated. She rolls her mug of cider in her had for the moment before her eyes flick between him, taking in his slightly inebriated appearance, and the tree full of wishes. "Mmm. Hello, Prophylaxis. I trust you are well?" She nods to him, and shrugs. "Robert is an intelligent and capable operator. I have no issues with him."

She glances over at Robert, then, and squints. "Except for maybe his apparent contextual evidence processing." She shrugs. "I knew what you meant, Robert. Christmas is a time to have chocolate. It's a good time for it, really, though I hadn't had much occasion." She frowns for a moment, and shakes her head. "I'm not worried, Robert. Just confused."

There is a little curl of her mouth as Robert addresses his boss. "I suppose it's not magnetic, else we'd be repelling one another, perhaps." She observes... Then nods. "Though that is a good point. What brings you here, Doctor of Tolbana? Haven't had a chance to put up a tree in the Tower yet?"

"Your cart can be the designated driver, so I'm not too worried about that." Mikage replies, some hint of her usual humor showing on her features as she laughs softly. Clearly, whatever had been bothering her, didn't have to do with their choice of beverage.

The Were Fang rubs her hands together around the drink, blowing on it slightly as she enjoys the warmth being spread into her fingers. She gives a nod of thanks to Vertina, "I'll let you get back to it, then. Happy festival to you."

She gives a glance to Miho as the woman steps up, making sure she has room and offering a smile to the smith. "Good evening." She is still just a little awkward in social settings, unfortunately.

With a glance to Cyrus, she asks quietly, "Is there anything you wish for?" Her blue eyes look from the Cait Sith to the tree and back again.

"Mm, chocolate would be nice. We've made do with coffee and plain old sugar candy, but... Well, maybe we'll find it one of these days?" Like on the Seventh Floor for example. Maybe a certain someone should go snooping around for it? "...Well, anyway. That's something to handle in the new year, I suppose. Right next to figuring out if we can start growing curry spices."

It's important.

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

Or perhaps even... Criti-curry... important?

"What?" Prophylaxis arches a brow at the imp's question. Their relationship... can certainly be described as 'complicated.' That is absolutely an adjective that can be used. But it's something to handle for 'not Christmas.' The holiday has far too optimistic of an atmosphere to ruin with complex feelings. "I'm allowed to come out of the tower every now and then. Besides, I just finished with a pretty impressive breakthrough. I get to have a little vacation! And there's no reason to cut down a tree as big as this one for Tolbana when there's a perfectly good one a short grunty ride away."

But, 'unpleasant thoughts,' is it? The doctor makes a soft but noncommital noise. "...Nothing much. I've just been... thinking. I can't believe it's already been a year since all this happened. Makes a guy think some pretty complicated thoughts, you know?"

    Miyako keeps playing along, smiling at the occasional adventurer who sings along for a bit, and then... she pauses, spotting a face she recognizes in the crowd. Someone she's been meaning to look for. "Okay, folks," she says to those hanging around to listen, "Music's on break, gotta let my poor fingers rest. I'll be back in a bit, after I've had some cookies and milk." She waves cheerfully and slides the guitar back into her inventory, hopping down from her tree-stump and heading off into the crowd - heading towards Miho.

SpritesHero returns Proteus's squint with a dubious-eyed squint of his own, just on general principle. There's nothing to it; it's just something that needs to be done for the sake of tone. "Confused about what?" he queries, drawing a step closer to her.

To Prophylaxis he offers a sigh and a nod. "I was just thinking about that myself, a couple days back," he reflects. "Not sure it's particularly -useful- to think about it. But it creeps in anyhow. Like a birthday, once you're over thirty-four." He trails off, one finger idly tapping against his cider mug as his gaze shifts towards the tree, contemplating it. Or at least the abstraction of its shape. His gaze is a bit too distant to be focused on it. "Hey boss. Even Proteus says I'm an intelligent and capable officer, with whom she--and this is important--has no issues. May I get a raise?"

Cyrus watches, perhaps easily impressed by the way Vertina is handling the mugs. Pouring a drink is hardly something he's had much practice at, aside from the occassional sake pour at work, overflowing cups and being nausious afterwards. Things he luckily did not have to deal with much being in the medical sector back then.

"Thank you, Vertina." Cyrus notes, bowing his head in thanks to her service, and takes the warm drink into his hands and holds it to his chest, enjoying the scent of it as he begins to walk with Mikage. "Hmm... it's hard to say. I imagine seeing my family again is one of my wishes. But at the same time, that's not what I've written on this." He takes out a piece of paper and shows it to her.

In nicely caligraphed writing, it says; 'A wonderful time with those closest to me'.

    Merek walks along and to the place while he nods to people he knows. The man wears the dark attire he often does while he wears a scarf. "What are you all doing?" he asks, while he finds a place to get a drink.

"We'll find some eventually. I'm sure something like it has to be out there somewhere... I suppose it is simply something I didn't notice. Perhaps some of the Landers might know." She shrugs. "I guess even today one can't not look at the situation and think of a way to try to make it better. Our arrival in this World and seeking familiar comforts have done a lot to make this a better place."

Proteus then chuckles. "Curry spices... You would think Westelande would know most about those. They like everything else hot, after all."

There is a shrug from the Imp. "You should get out more often. There's a whole World out there, you know." The Imp chides, but lightly. With a smile on her face... Then there is a pause, and an arch of her brow. "Tell me, Doctor. Do the people inside celebrate this time too? Do they understand what time is, in that place? I wonder..." The Imp looks about, and takes a sip of her cider. "It has been almost a year. And most of us seem to have come through it... more or less intact. I consider that a win." She says, intentionally not bothering to get into deeper thoughts at the moment.

She looks back to Robert, and arches a brow. "Why would I think that? That's all. I don't think you're a meathead, Robert, I wouldn't assume that about you." There is a little chuckle as he takes the opportunity to ask for a raise. "I suppose I would be something of a harsh mistress on occasion." She murmurs... Then glances over at the tree once more. "Hung your wishes on the tree, hmm?" She muses aloud.

"Mmm." The quiet sound is Mikage's own acknowledgement. "I guess, that's hanging on me a little, too." Likely more than she seems willing to admit out loud, but it is there in the way she carries herself. "My dad and I used to get this big fried chicken dinner, and we'd watch some stupid movie, just the two of us." It's a bittersweet memory, now that they are trapped here. "I miss him."

Then, when the Cait Sith shows her what is written on his wish, her expression softens, a bit of color rising on her cheeks. "It's a good wish." She reaches into her pocket to pull out her own crumpled bit of paper, which looks as if she'd been a bit rough on the parchment. She offers it out for him to see: 'Be brave enough to take chances.'

"Do you want to go hang them up?" She asks.

    Eliza spends some time walking around town some more. She comes across a garden shop, where she buys a new shovel which she plans to give as a present to Brynjar Iversen, the Lander farmer who had shown her such hospitality this year. Eventually she returns to the town square, feeling in need of something warm. Stopping by Vertina's stall, she offers a cheery smile. "Hi, how are you?" she asks the Salamander. "I'll have the tea, please."

"There's other hot spices than curry you know!" Vertina calls out good naturedly when people comment on Westeland being the place for hot stuff. "But you're not going to -real- curry without -REAL- curry. Anyone knows that."

Then her attention is taken by another arrival at the stall. "Sure thing ma'am, one moment." She's got hot water ready in a kettle behind her stall, so the tea can be finished when it's actually requested. You can store, pour and heat cider sure thing, but tea is only proper when it's freshly brewed. So it takes a slight bit longer before she passes a still steamy cup of tea back to Eliza. "Here you go. Enjoy!"

Cyrus smiles as Mikage shares her memory. "That sounds like a wonderful time. My last Christmas was a bit lonely, to be honest. Not that my family really celebrated it. But I think I spent that time being online." He expresses to Mikage. "I am enjoying this Christmas a lot more." He then admits, before moving his head a bit to look at her crumpled up piece of paper, pressing a hand to her side after snaking his arm around her back.

"Hmm, I like your wish. It's thought out." He tells her, before releasing her and instead taking her hand.

"Let's hang them up together."

"Hmm, a raise you ask?" Prophylaxis scrubs his chin thoughtfully. "...Hmmmmm. Indeed. I suppose? I guess it couldn't hurt." It looks like Robert is getting his raise! PLOT TWIST: It's just an adjustment to keep up with the rate of inflation, and functionally he's going to be getting paid exactly the same amount.

This is the power... of the Accounting Department...!

"I get out plenty," Prophylaxis says with a huff. "Why, just the other day I lost a peko race. And yesterday we had to deal with several goblins in a trenchcoat kidnapping Landers! Why, sometimes it feels like I'm everywhere doing everything. Hrmph." She's just teasing him, he's sure. But still! A man's gotta stand up for what he's done. "...As far as I'm aware, they know the passage of time just as we do, and celebrate many of the same festivities. The Landers of the Third Floor have their own take on some of the holidays, and the ones of the Fourth record the passage of the ages well enough to know their origins and how they managed to survive in isolation." Though their situation /is/ somehwat unique, considering what they've had to deal with.

"...Speaking of doing things, how are those steamships coming along?" Prophylaxis asks, "We've had significant success with the locomotive, ourselves. Have you had a chance to ride it yet? I'm very happy with the fix we put together for the inter-floor transitions."

Miho looks to Mikage and grins for a moment. "Good evening to you."

She pauses for a moment and thinks while the question was not asked of her she notes "Wish I could show Grandfather what I have forged here...There's no having that happen unless one of gods of this world could bring him here. "Heh to see him in his prime would be a hell of a thing."

Her tail swisehs a bit ands she looks over to VErtina for a moment and says "I'll take whatever your special is Vertina."

SpritesHero's hand lifts, as though tempted to give Proteus a well-deserved noogie atop her head. But the temptation is squashed, and he does little more than offer a shrug as his hand falls back to his side. "I've not bothered to hang my wish," he confesses. "I figured 'overwhelming POWER' and 'Open up a path home' aren't exactly appropriate. Though maybe I should. I wonder if the act of hanging a wish makes one more inclined to work towards it. Or, conversely, more ashamed if it's the third year in a row one has hung that same wish." Beat. "Not that we've been here for three years."

He clasps his hands before his chest, then, features brightening in an eerie simulacrum of excitement. "Oh boy! I can't thank you enough, boss!" he gushes. "I've been looking forward to this raise for so long. Little Billie can have his train. Little Margaret can finally have her doll." He wipes away a tear, and sniffs dramatically. "Say, boss," he continues at length. "What -do- you pay me?"

One of Mikage's ears twitches ever so slightly, perhaps vestigial response from the monster side of herself. She looks over towards Miho again, "I think he'd be proud, regardless." She reaches back to pat the weapon that is sheathed along her back, "What you do here, it saves lives."

As Cyrus suggests hanging their wishes up on the tree, she bows her head, "If you'll excuse us." She murmurs politely, then has to jog a little bit in order to catch up with Cyrus. "I've got one from Sassaral, too, but she told me not to look." Miki fishes out another bit of paper, this one seemingly better kept than her own, wrapped in a blue bit of ribbon.

"She seemed, a little sad. I think the holidays remind her of people she's lost." The Ranger doesn't bother climbing up to place the wishes, and instead simply pushes a few outer branches out of the way, looking for space closer to the ground. She starts to tie the two bits of paper to the branches. "I just hope having us around makes her feel not so alone."

"I still don't know that much about what happened to her in the past. For as sunny of a person she is, she tends to be pretty quiet on that side of our condition." He then rubs the back of his head, picking up speed a bit, having had to slow down so Miki could catch up. "But then, a lot of people have just stopped talking about the old world. More and more, people are just concerned with what is in this world. It takes events like these to bring their history back to attention it seems." Cyrus points out to Mikage.

Approaching the tree, he uses his height to push some more branches out of the way for Mikage to get in there. Using his shoulder to keep it in place, he reaches in along with Miki and ties his together with hers, smiling at her. So very close. Comfortable with the state of things now.

"I hope so too." He then whispers, in regards to Sassy having felt alone. "Can you imagine if Hammelin had been the people that'd caught her back then, instead of us?"

"Goblins in a trenchcoat, kidnapping Landers? Instead of just...Doing it without a bad disguise?" Proteus ponders this. "Goblins are strange. I assume they were summarily dispatched." She shrugs. "Congratulations on your, ah, raise, Robert." Proteus might already have done the math on that raise.

She then looks back to the Doctor and nods. "Like tiny pieces of worlds, stuck inside a protective shell." The Imp observes. "The nature of the Tower is fascinating. I wish there wasn't such baggage with it." She sighs again... And then mutes herself for a moment with some more cider. She'll have to talk to Vertina later about a more regular supply. She /is/ a fan of things that make her warm and comfy, after all...

The mention of the steamships gets a shrug. "With the devastation from the Waves, things slowed. There has been some talk about beginning to consider militarizing one of them to potentially act as a resistance bulwark against the Leviathans but few have been willing to engage in the kind of metallurgical and technological development required at this point. They /do/ make cross-continent travel much more convenient, however."

There is some comedy from Robert, and Proteus turns away for a moment to take up a slip of paper and begin writing on it with an ornate script. First, letters in black.

Then a strange series of words in silver, a series of letters of sheer nonsense, it seems. And yet, Proteus seems perfectly content with hanging it up on the tree.

Can we remember the days we mark,
And keep them close to our heart.
Even when we travel into the dark,
Strength will remain in some part.
And in the end we each carry the spark,
Returning to lands with no chart.

Xli tewwmsr jsv xli yrorsar mw e asrhivjyp xlmrk.
Xlmw asvph mw jypp sj qcwxivmiw erh asrhiv.
Hs rsx pix mx fi xeoir jvsq csy.
Viqiqfiv als csy evi, als csy aerx xs fi,
Erh lsph xmklx xs mx.

Csy als evi amppmrk xs psso hiitiv,
Riziv jsvkix xlex csy lezi xli tsaiv xs wleti e
jyxyvi sj csyv glsswmrk.
Xli Asvph mw fieyxmjyp.
Erh ws evi csy.

Vertina chuckles a bit at Miho. "I imagine a lot of families would be amazed at what they're relatives have been able to do here." She fills a mug of hot hard cider and passes it over to Miho. "I've made sure to be prepared to suit the season... Even if we don't need as much help keeping warm," she adds with a wink to the other Salamander.

    Threading her way through the crowd, Miyako pauses here and there to talk to people she recognizes, or just those who approach her. She pauses briefly to listen to the talk of steamships, but shrugs and carries on towards her goal.

    Finally her goal is in sight and she smiles lightly as she approaches, waving cheerfully. "Hey there, neighbor," she calls, "Keeping busy?"

"You know we don't discuss salaries on the holidays," Prophylaxis answers with a big ol' shrug. "Tsk tsk, I might have to dock your pay for such a grievous faux pas." If he even gets paid at all. Does Prophylaxis get paid? Is Naobi's room not a den of iniquity and forbidden lore, but actually just a moneypit that the guildmaster uses to go for his regular afternoon swims?!

Proteus has words. The Doctor nods thoughtfully in reply, "Yes, it's strange isn't it? It's almost as if someone has plucked self-contained environments from some kind of database and stuck them together for the specific purpose of providing a challenge to anyone trying to get from one level to another? It's very strange, very ad-hoc, but the people who live within undeniably have connections to those on the outside. But why was the tower built in the first place? Apparently we may be able to blame the Alvs, but I've no idea what their motivation was."

Other than to build a deathtrap, that is.

The issue of the damage being inflicted by the waves, though, is... troubling. "Hmn," the doctor strokes his chin, "Well, let us know if there's aught we can do to be of assistance in rebuilding. Cannons, though-- we could cook up gunpowder, sure, but it may be faster if we can figure out how to get to the FM World and grab whatever they have."

What is that the imp hangs? A message, but what is below? A cipher, Prophylaxis thinks. But what does it say...?

Miho get her order from Vertina and notes. "Family's been blacksmiths since the warring states era. Don't get me wrong I take pride in my work even before here? Yet to do more than kitchen items is a hell of a thing." She smiles a bit about that. "I hope he'd be proud to know what he taught me is being put to hse her ethough he would be jelous of my fire breathing and mental handling."

She looks over to Miyako.

"Hey there yeah lots of orders got a few ideas of what I could forge in the future. I got an idea for a Katana but that's going to take a while to do... I want to do it right and I have another project I need to chase after first. I need to get better with a forge...first."

SpritesHero cocks an eyebrow. And though he does offer Prophylaxis a -wounded- look, he doesn't actually say anything in response. What he does do is take a very, very large step to one side, where he proceeds to peacefully drink from the now-cold remnants of his cider. Interestingly, this means he's no longer between Proteus and Prophylaxis. Funny coincidence, that.

     Eliza takes the teacup gratefully. "Thanks, and Merry Winter Snow to you," she says. She smiles and gives a nod to the others at the stall, before adding "And everyone." She sips the tea carefully, finding it to be a decent temperature. She listens to the others' discussion. "I don't think anyone who knew me in the old world would guess that I'd be living on a farm here," she explains. "Except maybe my grandmother."

"She doesn't want to think about the world she left behind." Over time, Mikage and Sassaral had become quite close. Enough so that she understands quite a lot about why she might not want to return to the real world. Even if Miki isn't quite in the same boat, she can sympathize.

Once the wishes are hung, she lets the needled branches fall back down, hiding them amongst a numer of other bits of paper, all tied to the branches.

Then, she offers a hand out to Cyrus, "Walk with me?" She looks to him, then around to the gathering of so many people. "You know I'm not the best 'people person', but I wouldn't mind an evening walk before we go back to the inn." Her hand remains outstretched, offering it to him in a public display of that subtle shift in their relationship.

    Miyako nods, "I'm sure he would be," she agrees. "From all I hear, you do very good work." She takes a sip from her flask of cider as she closes into more comfortable chatting distance. "I only wish I'd had more time with my own family... it's been... mm. Too long."

    Miyako sighs and shakes her head. "Too damn gloomy to be thinking about that tonight," she decides. "I hate to talk business at a time like this, but, well...."

"An evening walk would be nice." He agrees with Mikage, squeezing her hand and staying close to her. As they turn, he takes a moment to look back at the tree. He used to be much more of a people-person. But these days, he enjoys the smaller knit communities a lot more. Maybe it's the fact that everyone is always available on the alliance Chimlink that makes it so different.

"I know a few neat alleys I found a few weeks back that are nice and quiet, and have some nicely hidden eateries. They probably have some small snacks." He explains. "What with the holidays."

"Smithing is a lot more relevant here, that's for sure... not that a good set of really well crafted kitchen knives isn't important." Vertina picks up one of the returned mugs and starts wiping it off. "I know a few things about weapon craft and maintenance, but not anything of the full forge and fire and such. Just keeping stuff in good fighting shape."

The Imp is quiet as the Doctor goes into detail on the varied slices of existence that seem trapped inside the walls of the Tower. "Mmm." She replies, without saying anything at all. Maybe she is simply agreeing with him.

Prophylaxis offers to help in rebuilding, and Proteus stiffens. Her jaw goes tight as she clearly considers saying something in the heat of the moment... But slowly, she relaxes, her tone controlled as she replies, "It shouldn't be me you're asking, Doctor, but the Landers. I am sure many of them would love to tell you how you could repay them."

She turns away, then, and shakes her head. "I am not sure if rushing headlong into other world servers is the best plan at this time. The Travelers mention that such things cause damage. Until I understand what that means, it is better to not do anything that would harm the World in such a manner."

Her eyes track Robert as he steps away, and the Imp follows after a short time, her hand rising to clasp his shoulder from behind. "Are you okay?" She asks, simply.

    Merek looks along to people and will gently settle into a nice place to relax, taking a cup of tea. He then takes a drink from it, while he watches the people, he seems to be a bit distant in thought while he waves to Proteus. There is a general way that he will look to be a bit tired, and yawns.

Pant pant... gasp gasp...

Better late than never.

Here is Kotono, arriving out of breath with her hands on her knees. She immediately joins Miyako, still gasping for air as she sits down beside her.

Robert, what is it that is going through your head? Repaying theatricality with theatricality, or something more? Prophylaxis heaves a shrug.

Perhaps he shouldn't drink before talking to anyone about anything meaningful, if that look on Proteus' face is any indication. "I'm sure I could guess what they'd have to say to me," the doctor answers sheepishly over the rim of his mug, "I can't blame anyone for hating me for what we've done."

But they'll still do it. Over and over again, until they find what they're looking for.

"Hm, is that so?" He asks with a shrug. That's somewhat new information, that is. "I know of at least one person who has traveled to Yamato from the FM World, though. And there was that orc in Eas who opened a gate to the Palace Lands..."

Did Ascheriit somehow harm the world in the course of his transit as well? Hm, curious.

     Eliza smiles at Merek and Kotono as they arrive. "Hi. Merry Winter Snow," she greets them as she sips her tea. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year brings us." It certainly brought some changes last time, that's for sure.

    Miyako nods to Kotono, sliding an arm around her for a quick hug. "Hey, Ko-chan, glad you could make it."

Miho says "It is, that is true. Go back to the 1800s and father. Europe, Japan, The middle east, anywhere with metal and you'd have found smiths being imporant to the point kings would have to come to them for things." She beams at this little bit. She also blushes a bit "Thank you, I feel kinda bad for any westerners here in Yamato it must be really hard for them given how bigger of a holiday it is for them."

"I figured that, given what boss said and your general inclinations, there was a high chance that you'd try to savage him," Robert admits, turning around to grin at Proteus. He grins at Prophylaxis too, though the expression isn't -quite- as repentant as it perhaps ought to be. "Sorry, boss. Some fights I don't step in the middle of." With which comment he leans in to murmur something under his breath in Proteus's ear, even if he gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Hugging Miyako, Kotono nods to Eliza. "Hello there." She then smiles at Miyako. "It's a good thing I made it, Miyako!"

    Miyako nods, "Yes, Christmas is a big deal over in the States. I... haven't really celebrated much, the past few years, though." She shrugs. "No one to celebrate with. Now... well." She looks down, for a moment, then back up to Miho.

    "Kind of more than just curiosity, but how deep is that queue you've got for commissions?"

Miho says "I lived there for a good bit got invited over to a few friends dinners. They go totally crazy for the cooking on it and Thanksgiving there. Not so deep I'm keeping on top of it really so if your looking for something we can talk about it."

"But you're going to keep doing it." Proteus simply says aloud what they were both thinking. "I am hoping the Boss of the 10th Floor dissuades you. Thoroughly. And just because someone else does it doesn't mean the Traveler is wrong. I seriously doubt the orc cared about what the cost was in his position." Her speech at this point to the Doctor is much more... clipped, with signs of carefully controlled emotion throughout. It's not hard to tell that she has Opinions, however.

That said, there's Robert, and she shrugs. "I'm not going to start a fight. Not here. Not now." She says, simply... And then she pauses, her eyes flicking away as he whispers to her... And then she whispers something back.

    Miyako nods, "I am," she starts. "You know I normally use a naginata, right?" She pauses a moment for the smith to answer before continuing.

    "The Waves have been... hard on equipment, for all of those of us participating in fighting them. It's past time I moved up to something more sturdy. I'd been hoping to be able to catch you before all this..." She waves a hand at the festival-goers surrounding the little group. "... but it proved impractical, it would seem."

Prophylaxis shrugs, but only because it's true. "Well, you know us old school types. If the boss is too hard to beat, you just have to go beat a different boss to steal the power it's weak to first." Though somehow Prophylaxis is pretty sure merely megamanning the system isn't going to work so well. "Mm. Perhaps so, but don't you wonder whether being 'within' the Yamato server is keeping us from uncovering all of its secrets? Well, I suppose popping over to the EM World were possible without breaking things would be too easy, wouldn't it?"

He seems... Relaxed about the state of things. Or maybe just resigned to them? One way or another, the climb will always be an irreconcilable difference between the two.

"I'm sure she'll soon find a way to make me rue my misdeeds," Prophylaxis answers Robert. "And I mean that seriously. But I'm glad at least it won't be today."

SpritesHero does chuckle at that, mirth lightening his expression, sharpening his gaze to an impishly snapping one. "Well then, sir: May your many misdeeds catch up with you only much, much later. May the can ever be kicked further down the road. A very Merry Christmas truce to you."

With which cheerful wish he lifts his hand to, if permitted, lightly pat Proteus atop her head with fond affection. "And you too. I know things weren't great over...well. But Merry Christmas to you here, Squirt."

Proteus looks like she's going to say something, but she stops. There is a pat on her head, and her eyes widen in shock and confusion, like she's not sure if she should do something about it or not.... "I... tch." There is a faint blush in her cheeks at that, before she turns away, huffing. "Merry Christmas, you fool." She says, before she quite definitively stalks off.

"Merry Christmas indeed," Prophylaxis says with a mirthful smile of his own. There might be a reckoning one of these days, but it isn't today. "Merry Christmas to all," he says instead, most definitely un-obliterated by certain short imps, "And to all a good night."

SpritesHero looks just a wee bit on the confused side, his expression very much of the 'was it something I said?' variety. But after a moment's thought he gives up, lifts his hand in farewell, and turns about to make his own departure.

Miho says "Ohhh I see where this is going. Yes it has that's why I'm considering making that Katana when i'm able to. So I'd be up for something like that. If you are interested....":

    Miyako nods. "We can talk about it after the festival, if you like. I think we'd both rather get back to celebrating, yes?"

    She brings up her menu again, sending a friend request to the salamander. "If nothing else we can exchange messages, at least."

Miho will make sure she has Miyako friend before she head back to the party "Merry Christmas."

    Miyako nods with a smile. "Merry Christmas." And she, too, heads back to the party.

There's been a lull in the celebrations.

Most people have somehow wandered back to the food stands, and very few have remained around the tree. One of them has been hanging spherical glass jars, corked, with a differently colored slime inside each of them.

To the occasional Lander who wanders by and gives the whole thing a quizzical look, Uta hurries to explain, "No, trust me, this is a great idea!"

    Merek looks along and waves up to Uta, while he takes a drink from the tea with him. It looks like the man will be relaxing a while.

Uta spots the alchemist, and waves to him. "Oh, hey, Merek! How's it going?" She returns to hanging jars on the tree's branches. "You invented a new kind of outdoor light a while ago, right? I was wondering... uh... hey, think you can make glowing decorations for trees?"

    "Ya, I can put a light on a tree," Merek will note to Uta, while he nods a bit along to the woman, "What would you like?" he asks.

"I don't know, really," Uta replies. "Any... any kind of light-up decoration? You know, tree lights? Like back home?" Her gaze lost in the distance, she taps her lips a few times. "Hmmm... I wonder if I can feed your lights to slimes and thus creating mobile light-emitting creatures..."

    "I will come with you to give the slimes a lantern, anyway. I can make a light for the tree if you would like." Merek will nod a little and looks to the place.

"If the Landers don't mind, anyway... do you think the Landers would mind if we lit up their tree?"

Uta climbs down the stair, picks up another jar, and observes the slime inside. It deosn't look particularly concerned at being contained; it seems, if anything, quite busy attempting to consume the cork. "Hm. I should remember to take them down before they escape. The glass is solid protection, but the corks will not survive the night..."

    Merek looks to the tree, and nods. "I will begin to work on it." Then he stands up while he takes a moment to begin working with materials from that alchemy satchel of which he keeps with him. "What's new with the slimes? I was thinking about going to see the Chim Chim with you again sometime if you'd like."

"Oh, yes! Indeed, been a while since I've visited them. They are amazing little creatures, and I think there is so much we can learn from them." As Uta talks, more and more people return to the tree, hanging little strips of paper or wood with their wishes on it. "Planning to go back to Ezzo then? Anything in particular you'd like to do once there?"

    Merek looks along to the tree and nods a bit. "I don't think that there will be a lot to do, will look into making the place a little safer, for the people. Eventually, we can make it to where they can come back." He does begin to adjust the scarf which he wears, "Anyway."

Uta blinks at Merek. "No, I mean... for the Chims. Remember? The Gnomish Caves where we found the Chims were in Ezzo, outside the bubble." She hangs a slime on a low hanging branch. "Just asking if there was something in particular you wanted to do when you meet the Chim. Or if you were just planning to visit, and that was all."

    "I would like to visit. I don't think we need to do anything crazy and all. It'd be nice to learn a little more about them," Merek will note. Then he nods a bit, "I think we need to relax away from the craziness a while."

"That sounds like a good idea. Nothing like a few chim choirs to soothe the troubled Adventurer's spirit." She scratches her head with a frown. "We'll have to see what happens after people attempt to beat the tenth floor boss. I fear that it will amount to nothing, but that we healers will have a /lot/ of wounded people to take care of..."