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A Christmas Carol

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  1. #1
    Swift's Avatar


    There is something magical about the time around the Winter Solstice. Maybe it has to do with the fact that in the darkest of nights suddenly what seems to be a slow march towards eternal darkness the sun makes a come back and the days begin to lengthen once more. Perhaps it has less to do with the lengthening of days, but merely with the continuation of the cycle of the seasons. Maybe there is something about the greater metaphysics of it all and the days leading up to the solstice have some sort of greater significance for some arcane reason beyond the comprehension of mortal kith and kin.

    For as long as there has been civilization, humanity has recognized the significance of this time of year and we have celebrated the season. In ancient times the Romans celebrated Saturnalia around this time commemorating, among other things, the Sol Invictus – the undefeated sun. The Celts along with a thousand other northern European cultures held celebrations and rites surround the Yuletide and many other similar holidays of various names. Later these celebrations were adopted by the burgeoning Catholic church and incorporated into what has become the modern Christmas traditions. Additionally the season plays host to other holidays as ancient as Chanukkah and as modern as Kwanza, and, yes, as eclectic as Festivus or Wintereenmas. And that's just considering Europe and the northern Americas.

    Whatever it is, all these cultures recognized something fundamental and magical that resides in what is now simply known as “the Holidays.” Or, maybe, there isn't anything especially notable or magical about the season at all. Maybe, just maybe, the magic comes not from the time of year but from the significance that all of humanity – all 7 billion of us – place upon it.

    And then there is the shopping. As soon as the Thanksgiving game is over, we throw out the turkey and throw up the trees. Hell, some shops opened for Black Friday as early as 8pm on Thanksgiving Day. 8 in the evening. The freaking pumpkin pie hasn't even made it past our collective stomachs yet and we're out trying to kill each other over Tickle-Me-Elmo dolls – or whatever it is this year the kids simply must have.

    Westfield Downtown Plaza was no exception. The Holidays had come in the night, and it hit like a truck. Holly decked every banister, mistletoe was available in every shop (the fake kind, not the poisonous stuff), and Santa was expected to show up any day now to listen to all the little kiddies hopes and dreams.

    Still, despite the commercialization and the hype, there was something in the air, and even the every day mortals could feel it. To the Lost, it was almost palpable. Desire in its most material form hung thick in the air with pockets of Wrath as inattentive shoppers cut each other off and Fear that parents won't be able to afford to make this year as special as they want. And under it all a nice sprinkling of sweet and bitter Sorrows of not being able to make it home this year, or the memory of a loved one lost who will never be there on Christmas morning again. In short, Glamour permeated everything.

    Yet amongst all of the hullabaloo there were signs that not everything is silver and gold. Outside a man on a soapbox decries the evils of capitalism, pleading with shoppers to give up their materialism and embrace the true meaning of the season. A headline glares out of a nearby newspaper box declaring scandal and corruption and promising to tell all for $1.50. An man in his late 50s sits at a food court table, his expensive clothing looking wrinkled and slept in, his eyes bloodshot and his hair in disarray. He holds his head up with on hand with a half-empty cup of Starbucks coffee and an empty bottle of caffeine pills on the table.

    Those signed up in this thread, please narrate your presence/arrival at the mall and any interactions you might wish to initiate. Please note the following:

    1) Any who wish may attempt to bask in and absorb some of the ambient Glamour in the mall. Roll Composure + Empathy, adding successes to your normal starting total for the scene and narrate the effects in your post. Note this is a special case for this scene and this scene only, and in this case you do not need to worry about penalties for multiple characters harvesting the same source.

    2) Please include a perception roll in your opening post, I will be using it later so don't worry about narrating it at all.

    Any questions can be posted in the Living Room thread for this scene or PM'd to me directly. Have fun!

  2. #2
    Malcolm Green's Avatar
    Freehold Pledge: Winter
    Allies (Clubs) 1
    Allies (Emergency Services) 1
    Allies (Unions) 3
    Malcolm Green, the Mountain

    WP: 4/4
    Health: 10/10
    Giant
    Mantle: Bubble of crisp, cold, air surrounds him. Frost rimes his head and shoulders, tracing icy epaulettes.
    Malcolm Green

    Sun Banisher's Oath

    (+1 Investigation, +1 Intimidation) - Winter 2016

    Freehold Pledge

    (+1 Streetwise) - Winter 2016

    Dragon's Bane Pledge

    (+3 Faerie Favour) - Spring 2017
    Greens Scenes

    Dragon Giant|

    3
    PRE

    Green blazed a trail through the press of shoppers. It was not like he was actually forcing people out of his way, it was just that he was big and scary with this unkempt hair and big beard. Catching sight of himself in a window, he registered just how much of the "barbarian giant" image he exuded. Put him in riding leathers and he'd make a good biker. His eyes smiled and for once his face actually followed suit. He looked happy. He felt happy.

    He had much to be content about: his was part of a Freehold; he had acceptable digs; he had work opportunities lined up; and, he'd even found a shop that sold clothes that fit, not to mention the possibility of getting to work with stone again. The lawyers card was still in his wallet. Maybe things were starting to turn around. Being in such a good mood had its advantages: he could stand being swamped by the milling masses of small people, and so he rode the escalators and absently window shopped. He had never really taken the time to explore a shopping centre before. The ambient Glamour was a heady brew, a bubbling cloud that only he could perceive; still his skill in gathering the stuff was lacking - he only managed to siphon off anything when he past a momentary stab of sorrow jetting from Santa's grotto. Green was not able to pinpoint where exactly the burst came from, but he was able to suck it in.

    Unnatural hunger somewhat sated, he began to weary of the endless march of shoppers and the irritating jingles. With a determined set to his jaw, he made his way through the food court, hoping to make a short cut to the car park and freedom.

      1 sux Glamour harvest
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 06:54:07 Green attempts to draw some ambient Glamour rolls 1 to Composure 2 + Empathy 0 -1 Unskilled (10 Again) 9 1 success

      2 sux perception
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 06:55:08 Green is perceptive rolls 4 to Wits 2 + Composure 2 (10 Again) 3, 6, 9, 8 2 successes

  3. #3
    S
    Shin Wei

    Behind the mall, away from the worst of the hustle and bustle, Shin was offloading his last delivery for the day. Things had been slow at the moving company, as it wasn't really the time of the year when people moved homes, but it had been simplicity itself to get a second job with a delivery company. The poor manager had practically wept with relief as soon as he'd entered the office. And with good reason - there were seemingly no end to the boxes of goods being shipped around right now. T'was the season of giving, after all.

    And so he worked double-shifts. He didn't mind that so much, as it kept his mind off of the fact that this, his first Christmas in almost twenty years, would almost certainly be spent alone in his apartment, trying not to think of the family he didn't have.

    Trying not to think of Lin.

    She would have loved this, he thought as he waited for the guy at the loading dock to sign off on the delivery. The air had just a hint of chill to it, and even here in the loading area, the distant sound of ringing bells carried over the idling of trucks. He hadn't been fond of Christmas after his grandmother had passed, but Lin had somehow gotten him to recount his early Christmases to her. The good years, when his parents had still been around and he'd been so eager to see what was under the tree that he'd woken them up at ungodly hours.

    The thought brought a small, sad smile to his face. He took back the signed papers, handed the dock worker his copy, and passed the clipboard back through the truck's window to Jim. Jim had agreed take the truck back and sign them both out for the day, but as the mall was close to where he lived (or at least, close to a bus terminal), Shin had asked to be let off here. His plan was to grab dinner at the food court before heading back home to collapse for a few hours before his next shift. Jim waved, tossed him his half-empty backpack from the passenger's seat, and left Shin to his evening.

    The foo dog sighed to himself and headed into the mall. He was still wearing his uniform, but he had some spare clothes in his knapsack. First order of business - change and wash up. Then food.

    He paused as he entered the mall, unprepared for the sheer buzz of the place. So much emotion... So many people! As he sidled his way through the crowds towards the washroom, he took a moment to let it all wash over him. The joy, the excitement, the sting of petty annoyances... And yes, under it all, the sadness of those who, like him, would be spending this Christmas alone.

    Unsettled by those darker notes in the holiday cheer, he broke off after absorbing only a little Glamour and ducked into a bathroom to change. When he emerged, wearing jeans, a black t-shirt, a very worn leather jacket and a Sacramento Kings cap, he was surprised to see a literal mountain of a man passing through the food court and towering over the seated patrons. Another Earthbones, like himself?

    Tentatively, he gave the man a nod, knowing that even in the busy mall, a man-sized jade statue like himself would stand out as much as the mountain man did.

      
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 13:24:14 Shin rolls 2 to Harvest Glamour (Composure 3 + Empathy 0 -1 unskilled) (10 Again) 4, 8 1 success
      
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 13:25:53 Shin rolls 6 to Wits 3 + Composure 3 to notice stuff (10 Again) 3, 1, 7, 8, 9, 9 3 successes

  4. #4
    J
    Jarons20

    Without much grandeur, without impact, Erik Lightner arrived at Westfield Plaza outside of Macys. The crowds were thick, the masses teeming with holiday cheer and all the other emotions that came with the season. It was like a winter feast with dozens of dishes of which to sup, and Erik gladly did, knowing that with each glamour harvested, he was taking from another without permission. It was not theft, as the owner did not know they held such a precious commodity for the Lost to take. Yet the actual harvest eluded him.
      fail
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 23:48:29 Erik rolls 4 to Harvest at The Mall (10 Again) 3, 6, 1, 7 failure

    Erik Looked around to find a place to sit in the din and drama of the mall, and if there were any others doing the same.
      1 suxx
    Date Action Roll Result
    2012-12-01 23:51:35 Erik rolls 5 to Perception (10 Again) 5, 9, 6, 1, 3 1 success

  5. #5
    D
    Decibelle

    OOC


    A mall at Christmas was amazing, even if you didn't have anyone to celebrate it with - the glitter, the glamour, and the joy in the air. It might be artificial and commercialized, but the happy feelings of the season are still the most beautiful thing one can ever catch. And Molly was hoping for the opportunity to find someone to enjoy it with this season. Maybe a Freehold. Maybe a couple of friends. Possibly even her family, again.
    Shaking the thoughts out of her mind, Molly idly lifted her arms and stretched a couple of times, feeling the tension beginning to recede from her body as the Glamour - tinged with hope and joy - seeped into her. The momentary rush was all she needed to throw herself back into the rush of her job, and with a leap and flip, she landed on her hands, a new crowd beginning to gather around her small bowler hat of coins.

    Clad in a small Christmas hat and red socks - along with a green leotard - she'd dressed appropriately for the job, and it seemed to be paying off. Her taut frame held her weight easily as she balanced on one hand, listening to the clink of change and awed chatter. That was the other advantage of Christmas, she decided, people wanted to share and celebrate the good feelings of the season: to laugh, along with her. Smiling at the thought, she tilted her head to the side, giving a small child a happy, peppy grin - and watching him return it.
    "Mummy, look at her!" The child pointed in Molly's direction as he ventured away from his mother's leg a fraction, nervously, approaching the Fairest. "She looks like an elf!"

    To be fair, she decided, walking on her hands towards him, legs spread in the air, it was an accurate assessment. Even more so if he could see through the mask. "Oh, y'can see me?" she asked, opening her eyes and planting a hand over her mouth in mock shock, as she straightened and flipped back over to her feet - the child squealing slightly at the motion, taking a nervous step back. "Oi'm shocked. Only th'very best children can see Santa's helpers, y'know."
    She knelt down to his level, beaming, and he couldn't help but smile back at her. Stretching up, she cartwheeled back towards where she was busking, giving him a happy wave on the way. "Thank all of you, and y'have a Merry Christmas!" She gave a brief bow, savoring the warm applause, before turning away to remove wipe her brow with a towel.

    That was it for the day, she decided: six hours performing in the mall had given her more than enough money to get through the week. And, more importantly, she was tired. Her fingers pressed against her brilliant green dress, feeling for the small her of back and pressing against it, stretching out her tired muscles. Oh, that was wonderful. All she needed now was a hot cup of cocoa at a cafe. Maybe she'd pick up a new dress as a Christmas present to herself, something green, and then head back to the small apartment she was renting. Idly, she pulled a loose white cardigan over her leotard, doing it up, and let her gaze flit over to the food court as she pulled on her ballet slippers.

    Oh. Changelings. Well, she was going to get cocoa, wasn't she? Giving them a brief nod and a mouthed 'hang on', she walked over to a small shop, queuing in line, patiently. Every step she took rattled the bell at the end of her Santa's cap, and the cardigan wasn't enough to distract from her skintight performing attire. Eh. She'd be driving home soon enough - could go shopping for a dress another time. It wasn't as if the Lost would see her in anything other than a skirt, anyway, so who really minded?

    Paying for the enormous mug of cocoa, she carefully made her way over to the group, fingers curled around the deliciously warm beverage. This was good sign, seeing more members of the Freehold around. Yeah. Her first Christmas out of Arcadia was going to be a good one. She could feel it.

  6. #6
    Swift's Avatar


    Please feel free to interact with each other if you would like before I move on. I will be updating either tomorrow or the day after to get this show on the road.

  7. #7
    Malcolm Green's Avatar
    Freehold Pledge: Winter
    Allies (Clubs) 1
    Allies (Emergency Services) 1
    Allies (Unions) 3
    Malcolm Green, the Mountain

    WP: 4/4
    Health: 10/10
    Giant
    Mantle: Bubble of crisp, cold, air surrounds him. Frost rimes his head and shoulders, tracing icy epaulettes.
    Malcolm Green

    Sun Banisher's Oath

    (+1 Investigation, +1 Intimidation) - Winter 2016

    Freehold Pledge

    (+1 Streetwise) - Winter 2016

    Dragon's Bane Pledge

    (+3 Faerie Favour) - Spring 2017
    Greens Scenes

    Dragon Giant|

    3
    PRE

    For a moment, Green did not register what he was seeing, so intent was he on not ploughing through, or over, the patrons at the food court. When he did, he stopped. A jade statue nodding in greeting was an invitation after all, and it was another Lost he had not met before. He also remembered how his Court was supposed to be on the lookout for newcomers, to offer what comfort and succour could be had. Perhaps this was his chance to do the same?

    It took Green a while to get moving; he had to work out a path in his head or he would bump into someone, he just knew it. In the mean time, he nodded back in a gesture of welcome, the action widening to encompass the other ghostly figure he noticed nearby.

  8. #8
    J
    Jarons20

    Well, there certainly were a good deal of others exploring the mall. A Jade skinned manimal, a rare kith of the eastern courts no doubt, and a mountain of a man, whom cold winds seemed to cascade down from his top. Erik saw no obvious hostility, still, they were new to him. He would introduce himself to them
    Yes, this seems a good a time as any

    He made his way past the tables, shoppers, and a woman in a red apron handing out terriyaki chicken on little toothpicks to reach the jade skinned fellow and the mountainous man. As he passed, a woman grabbed her coat tighter and hurried off to get whatever the newest thing that had to be bought was. As he passed he saw what looked to be a smaller woman moving through as well and he heard the jingle jangle of a bell. It was hard to tell if that was real or some Entitled effect of the Wyrd.

    "Happy Holidays" Erik beamed through a toothy skeletal smile.

  9. #9
    S
    Shin Wei

    Shin, intent on the other Earthbones, almost didn't see the small Fairest woman until she'd already gotten her cocoa and was nearly beside him. His gaze shifted down to her with a slight look of surprise that quickly faded as he remembered that gawking at his fellow Lost was rude. Still, he'd never seen anyone as small as her before. He almost felt large and strong again - something he hadn't felt since returning to his (comparatively) small and weak human body.

    He bowed his head to her, then swept a hand towards a nearby table in invitation.

    "Hello, 貴贵魎." He said, slipping briefly into some unknown asian language before catching himself. "Would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"

    Before she could respond, however, yet another Lost joined them. Shin studied the tall, skeletal man and couldn't help but think of the Ghost Rider comics he'd been such a fan of in his youth. He bowed more deeply this time, affording the older man more respect as courtesy demanded, and repeated his invitation.

    "And you as well. Merry Christmas." He said soberly, as though the words of holiday cheer were a blessing. He spoke extremely good English, but had the hint of a strange accent - not quite Mandarin, but close. "Will you join us for a meal? It is the season of cheer and food, and I've had little of both today." He smiled. "Work, you see. Since early this morning."

    He sat at the empty table, partially to allow the mountain time to make his way through the crowds to them, and partially because the line-up at the Taco Bell was a little longer than he preferred. He was necessarily a patient man, but tables were limited and it seemed wise to save one while they could. "It is a pleasure to meet you both." He said. "My name is Shin Wei, and I am new to the city. I have only recently returned from Beijing." And, by the look of him, from stranger places beyond...

  10. #10
    D
    Decibelle

    Molly's steps, in stark contrast to Greens, were agile and fluid, and she moved with an easy, simple grace through the crowd, picking and weaving her way around people to avoid being knocked over or stepped on - standing below people's points of view was rather annoying, she had to admit. Seemed like the big one was planning on how to get over to them - poor thing. Sometimes she wished she could be taller, but the sight of him stranded like that...
    She shook her head, and lightly sat down on the seat, returning his nod with a wave, and glanced at the other two. A flaming skull was in front of her, wishing her happy holidays, and despite her minor surprise, her reaction was entirely positive. "Right back at ye!" she grinned, taking a sip from her mug of cocoa. And thank y'for inviting me over here. I was worried about havin' t'share a table - it's great to b'able t'do it with friends!" The Fairest's words come quickly, without effort, and her Irish accent lends a distinct, chirpy happiness to them.

    "I know what y'mean. Christmas is such a busy time o'year, and it feels like oi've been workin' non-stop, y'know?" She shrugged her shoulders, feeling the ache of her muscles from the day's perfomances, and reached out to massage her shoulder through the cardigan and leotard. "M'name's Molly, anyway - Molly Bairre. And I don't think I saw either of ye at th'Halloween Party!"
    Despite herself, she grinned. "Probably a good thing y'missed it, though. It seemed nice, but..." She lapsed off, marginally distracted, before looking at the pair once more. "Anyway. What brings y'here? Working, Christmas shopping...?"

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