aterat | The Winter Games (And Other Winter Things)

Entry tags:

The Winter Games (And Other Winter Things)

Who; Everyone!
What; Late Winter Games and Other Festivities!
Where; The City Outskirts and The Circus Complex
When; Two Weeks, Mid February
Warnings; None as of yet!

As the snowfall slows to frequent but short-lived flurries toward the middle of the month, the city has remained its own flurry of activity as locals prepare for what they are referring to as “the annual” Winter Games (Nevermind that they’ve previously claimed their city is only two years old and that the Circus Complex around which these games seem to be clustering only just randomly appeared). Fliers abound in all community areas of the city advertising the competitions, which are all amateur competitions and require no previous experience to enroll.

A Winter Wonderland

The park near the Complex has become a glittering expanse of show! Children ~~and adults alike~~ build snowmen and even sled down some of the higher hills in the area. There are stands around the park selling hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and cider, as well as sweets and wrapped snacks for the day in the park. Speckling the park at regular intervals are standing fire pits designed to ward away the cold and allow for gatherings and conversation.

The pond in the park has frozen over as well, affording the abilities to ice skate as the ever-industrious Raimon is renting skates, and maybe even challenge people to a hockey game. How hard could it be to find some makeshift pucks and other accoutrements in order to play a game?

Let the Games Commence

The main events seem to be held at the Circus itself. The massive complex is a buzz of activity the whole two weeks, with regular organized games of hockey, hockers selling all sorts of wares including winter wear, food, drink, and more! There is also a tournament involved in an ice-skate race that involves running the entire circuit of the Circus track in the fastest time.

None of the games require prior experience to register, and teams do have the chance to win ribbons, a trophy for the actual winning of the two-week long tournament, and glory (though there is no monetary award for winning).

Players are encouraged to do whatever they want with this! Team up with other players, have fun, or just spectate the festivities. Not everyone’s a team player, after all!

Visual Inspiration

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Circus Complex | OTA

Nothing quite reminded Jagger of the world he left behind quite like a hard-frozen winter lasting well into February. As odd as this town could be, he decided to get away for a bit, follow everyone’s example and head out to the new Circus Complex northeast of the city. He hadn’t had a chance to investigate this place since it had suddenly appeared and the locals didn’t seem to think anything was amiss with its random appearance. He didn’t know if checking it out would answer any questions, but here he was, bundled up in a wool jacket, his worn leather gloves, a knit cap, and scarf, having a walk around the complex.

He kept to the outskirts of the crowds, though close enough to overhear what they might be discussing, and could be found browsing stalls, or spectating snowball fights. There are also a few times he’ll be found on a bench, watching people and sketching in his sketchbook, sipping from a mug of hot cocoa, though the cold doesn’t seem to bother him.

If anyone joins him, regardless of where he is, he looks at them with a nod of greeting, seeing as it’s simple enough to wager who is and isn’t from around here.

“Weird how everybody’s just fine with all this, yeah?”

The Park | Closed to Illyana

He’s not sure if she’s going to show up at the pond in the park, but it was worth a shot. She’ll find him standing off to the side from one of the stands selling cocoa, sipping from a cup and waiting. He’ll admit, at least to himself, he’s more than a little nervous about asking her out. Will she even realize it’s a date? Honestly, if their previous conversations are any indication, the answer to that is probably no, but you know what? She doesn’t even think of her herself as a normal girl, and she bloody well deserves to.

And so, here he is, sipping hot chocolate and hoping the cute blond with the sarcastic smile actually answers his little note.

Winter Wonderland (OTA) -

This whole place was just dazzling white and it was also very cold. It made Terra wonder about this place, somehow thinking if maybe the Aspects were mad or something. Funny Halcyn didn't seem to be that type of person to just be angry enough to make it snow. But for now he had some hot apple cider and something called a 'hot dog' wrapped in something called bacon on some type of bread.

Blue eyes were fixed on watching the thing going on called a hockey game. And while it didn't look tough to keep eyes on a puck, they were on ice skates. The keyblade wielder didn't like his feet on anything other than on something solid, which of course equaled to the ground or when he went riding around on his glider. But as long as someone else was doing it, that was okay. Terra did think that Ven might get a kick out of something like this or maybe even Aqua would.

For now he stood (because the seating was cold) and would definitely notice whoever was approaching. "Have you ever tried ice skating?"

Games (closed to Namine)

As this winter thing continued on, at least for some reason the snow wasn't still falling. So he'd agreed to meet her here at the Circus Complex. Somehow different stalls had been set up with loads of brightly coloured balloons in one of them that you had to pop with darts. Another two seemed to have a certain number of balls you needed to toss into a hole or a hoop.

Not being sure about any of this, people tried to beckon Terra to try their various brightly coloured games and sometimes matching colored stuffed animals for prizes. But he just kept shaking his head. "Sorry, I can't. I'm waiting for someone."

Edited 2021-02-08 10:23 (UTC)

It was actually nice to be outside and doing something other than working on setting up a salon he wasn't even sure someone would patron. It was nice to feel the crisp air, to have a cup of hot coffee in his hand, and to be watching people ice skating and doing other completely normal things.

Even if it was in a place that hadn't existed a month ago and they were the only ones who seemed to realize that. The whole star-crossed reality bit was hard to swallow, but this? Children laughing and throwing snowballs at each other? This was normal, at least on the surface, and for now, the incubus was satisfied with that. It was clear the man knew how to dress for the weather, black and white scarf, stylish leather jacket, good boots.

The man he was approaching looked out of place, but that just meant he was one of the people who wasn't from around here, which Thomas found were easier to talk to. He hadn't expected the man to speak to him first, and he took a sip from his coffee before he responded.

"Yeah, almost every winter when I was a kid. You haven't?"

Terra was wearing a coat but was thinking that maybe he should get a warmer one or wear the red one he'd worn at christmas which had been new to him. This snow and cold wasn't weather he was used to and he'd been more concerned about making sure Namine had warm clothes. When he was walking around the cold wasn't so bad, but now that he was just standing here it made him colder. And while his coat might need to be warmer his gloves certainly didn't.

He too had noticed the children with the snowballs and that looked fun even if the concept of it escaped him. Sure it would probably be fun but again this weather was nothing like he was used to. He'd even summoned his armor once and tried to walk around in that but some children had gotten scared so he took it off and put the coat back on.

Looking over, Terra shook his head at Thomas who had approached him. "No." Nor did any of the worlds he'd visited. Ice was for the keyblade and enemies, not to be dealing with in this manner. "It doesn't look easy."

Winter Wonderland

Sam moved around the winter area with a gentle grace smiling now and then when he sees the children having fun. He wasn't the biggest fan of winter having dealt with enough hunts in the cold and snow. He stopped near one of the food stands and got a coffee continuing to people watch as he sipped it.

Circus Games

Sam wandered the complex taking everything in. Sam had never ice skated or played hockey before, but he didn't mind watching and cheering on anyone who did. He grabs something to eat and finds a seat to watch the fun.

Winter Wonderland -

Snow didn't come to Insomnia. Winter temperatures did, but not snow because that was reserved for Niflheim. But around the new area children flocked together and played with sleds and snowboards. Some were laying down making snow angels or even building an igloo or snow fort. Not familiar with these things himself, Ignis had to pass by and over hear what these things were called. And then of course there were other children stacking cups to throw snowballs at (although occasionally those got thrown around at each other) so all seemed to be pretty merry here.

The white stuff was pretty and not coming down hard at all. But of course the moment Ignis popped the top off of his cup of hot chocolate, a few snowflakes decided the hot beverage was a good place to melt. "Oh well." he mused, taking another sip. The lady that had sold him the drink had asked him if he wanted whipped cream on his chocolate and of course the advisor had replied in the affirmative though he'd never had it before. Due to the snow for some reason today everyone had stayed home, not even venturing out, so that had given him the day off very unexpectedly.

He wasn't sure what to do and no doubt he'd be home alone with the cats so he'd ventured out instead. And as the advisor continued walking, he saw a little place selling some sort of sugary treats. Well he'd already gone with the whipped cream, might as well go all out with the rest of it. So he headed over and purchased half a dozen snow cakes. They were filled with custard and of course he was going to do his best to replicate them at home. Of course he could make them at the lodge now that he was the full time cook there once he's mastered them at home.

That gave him plenty of other matters to think about and now that he'd spoken with Yuna, it was time to broach a particular topic with Nida, one that had long needed talked over. If he was going to move forward it needed done.

For now Ignis tried to stay out of the way of the rambunctious children's shenanigans. But that didn't stop a rogue snowball from hitting the top of his beverage, almost knocking it completely to the ground.

"Drat."

Realizing there was still some left in the cup, Ignis quickly put the lid back on and his green eyes peered around to see how the snowball had gotten him.

Good news. The snowball was not from Nida, who came up after he saw his lover pelted. How rude. He moved to kiss the taller man's cheek as a hello, then went back to stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Cold hearted children. I think they missed someone else. Ugh, I just want winter to pass already. It's no way to live for a guy from the tropics like me."

Naminé had gotten turned around while heading to the newly arrived part of the city. It was strange how it had suddenly appeared but exciting too. She'd never been to a circus or anything that held that name.

Perhaps she should have asked Terra to draw her a map because she was nearly a half hour late when she finally spotted Terra's brown hair in between the stands of games. She was jogging, coming to a slow tired walk when she finally reached him. "I'm so sorry. I got lost on my way here." Her cheeks were flushed from her short run, her hair windblown and messy. She was wearing a cute white and baby blue jacket along with a pair of light brown books.

"Were you waiting long?"

A kiss was always welcome from Nida and the advisor shook his head. "It's my fault for leaving my hot chocolate open." But he smiled at hearing how his lover wanted the winter to pass already. "After the cold comes the warmth of Spring if the seasons here follow the pattern that they do back home."

Atha has become a rare sight around the place since the snow and cold started to blow through the city, the hyurian woman much preferring to seek shelter inside her own rooms away from the, in her opinion, incredibly cursed weather. The festivities have actually succeeded in dragging her out.

Not that anyone would know it was Atha at first glance.

Atha has bundled herself up in so many layers and scarves that only her height and her pink eyes reveal her true identity as she queues up to by mulled wine and food. Every so often she shoots the ice rink a suspicious look.

"How in the seven hells do they even do that?" She grumbles, intrigued despite herself.

"I hope they do," Nida smiles. "I'd like spring. It feels... sweeter than a lot of other seasons."

Granted, Nida was an early fall guy. Just cooling, but not actually cool. It was a pleasant time.

Nida slipped closer to his lover, snugglig in against the warm body of the taller man, wrapping an arm around Ignis's free arm. Nice.

"It's always warm when I have you."

Why Jagger had asked her to meet him by the pond was far beyond Illyana. The only thing she could speculate was that he might have found something there. It was kind of strange that they were advertising "annual" winter games in a place that supposedly had only existed a few years. Everything about that was pretty suspect and perhaps Jagger had found something to explain that. Instead of responding to his message she simply chose to throw on a coat and teleport to where he'd asked her to meet him.

Before she appeared he might smell the slight hint of brimstone before the stepping disc slowly revealed her entire body.

"Enjoying yourself?" she asked as she looked curiously at him sitting there with a cup of something. This was not quite what she'd expected.

"What do you mean by sweeter?" Ignis asked, all ears as he asked the question. After all, if Nida liked Spring then he could make plans along those lines. But he was soon distracted by the close proximity of his lover and smiled down at the other with the words spoken.

So he leaned his head towards his mate to give him a quick kiss. "That is quite the compliment darling."

"I don't know," Nida admitted. "It's... a feeling. Each season has a taste in my head. Spring is sweet, like cherry pie filling. Summer is citrus, stinging but making you feel energetic. Fall is all about spice, like cinnamon and cloves and cardamom. And winter is savory, like stews and roasts."

This isn't even a new thought of his. Perhaps it's just because those are the things he likes to eat in those seasons. Sweets in the spring, fresh foods in the summer, curries in the fall, and then big, savory foods to get through the cold.

Nida just thought of the world in strange ways.

"It's not a compliment so much as a universal truth."

"You're referring to foods and spices." Ignis replied, thinking about this now. He'd thought about it in terms of weather and foods occasionally but obviously Nida had foods covered in a different way so it was both informative and entertaining to hear his take on it.

A smile was the advisor's response to his lover and he nodded. "Of course." But right now he was going to see to the man's needs, so he raised his now lidded cup. "Would you like to get something to warm you up?"

It was cold out and Nida had mentioned wanting winter to pass so Ignis figured something warm to drink or maybe eat was a good idea.

"I am," Nida agrees with a smile. "Is that weird? I think it's fitting anyway.

Oh, something to warm him up, huh? Nida considers and looks around, trying not to shiver next to his partner.

"I would love a nice, hot, spiced cider if I can."

"No it's actually a rather refreshing point of view." And of course being a chef Ignis likes it a lot.

He's patient while Nida looks around and comes up with what he wants. The advisor himself will probably get another hot chocolate so he smiles once he hears. "Alright. Hot spiced cider it is."

Reaching down, he takes his lover's hand in his and starts to walk over to where he'd seen it. "I passed some on the way here, it isn't far."

He chuckles, nodding. "It isn't. It takes a lot o skill and coordination, and a degree of bloodthirst." At least professional hockey did.

"Do they not have team sports where you're from?"

"Refreshing like citrus," Nida grinned at the other man. "They were just typically the flavors more common around Garden at those times of the year, or the ones I craved more. So they link together in my head. And I think there are... distant echoes back to my parents."

Strawberries were a spring fruit, as were grapes and cherries, and he remembered those being things in his childhood. Citrus was good with fish and that was a summer taste. The fall had plenty of things like curries with fresh produce from the harvest, so that worked out too. And winter was about thriving in the cold.

It was all psychological to him.

"Thanks, Ig. I'm now super excited," Nida confessed. He did hate the fact that he could never have hot mulled wine again, but this was a good substitute.

"DO you have tastes for different times of hte year?"

Namine's voice shook him out of his thoughts and was the reason he turned around. Nodding at her, he canted his head to the side. She was just so cute, but he couldn't say that to her. So instead - "I'm glad you're here. There's all sorts of these games to play and I was wondering if you wanted to try them." His blue eyed gaze went from her to looking beyond all of the brightly coloured tents. "There's food not far from here if you're hungry. But next time I'll come get you so you don't get lost again."

That would be the sensible thing to do, right? Go and pick her up and keep her protected because that's what he'd said he was going to do.

That last part had Terra confused. "Blood thirst?" That part he really didn't understand though he did note how aggressive the skaters were and how rough they were at pushing and shoving each other. Maybe that's what this man meant, had to be.

The question had him thinking. "They did have a few at the Games in the Coliseum. But there wasn't any ice." His gaze then went to the men who were skating around the ice with the sticks in their hands. "And it didn't look anything like what they're doing."

Ignis smiled, happy to hear about how foods went back to Nida's parents. During Christmas he'd tried to picture Nida as a young boy and the thoughts just made him wish he could somehow hug the child who would eventually become his best friend and guiding light here.

For now curious green eyes turned to the other man, wondering how it was somehow his fault for the excitement. So they reached the Cider place and the advisor ordered the cider which only took a moment before a huge full cup was handed over to Nida.

"Different tastes. Well there's soups for fall and winter. And of course lighter fare such as fresh fruits and vegetables for the spring and summer." He recalled a green pea soup that the young prince had tried from their old cook. Not even King Regis had been able to stand it and had insisted at first that Noctis was just being his fussy hating vegetable anything face.

"Fish we could get any time so that was plentiful year 'round."

Oh what a good cup. Nida holds it in one hand, curling the thing against his chest. He really wasn't going to let go of his boyfriend's arm. Nope, this is his now. Sorry, not getting it back.

"I was spoiled for fish at Balamb. It was just everywhere. I think that's part of why it's a comfort food for me at this point."

Seeing Nida hold onto both the cup and his arm made him feel warm inside even as he got the fresh cup of hot chocolate. And as he's hearing about fish being a comfort food, Ignis thought of the ways that he knew how to prepare it. And of course he went to the fish market a few times a week so he could investigate more about meal preparation.

After all, it was all about spoiling Nida as much as he could possibly get away with, without looking like that's what he was doing.

"Is it really?"

Nida was at the point where he could, you know, absolutely allow the man spoil him as much as he wanted. Truth was, he'd come to cherish it.

"I guess it is. The last place, I missed it so much. Being here has been a relief."

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The Winter Games (And Other Winter Things)

Jagger Crowe | Open (and closed) prompts

Terra -

Winter Wonderland

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Sam Winchester l All Prompts are Open

Ignis - OTA

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Games

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Athala Hunter

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