Winter Wonderland [Event]

[voidtreckermods]

”Good Morning passengers. Today is day Twenty Four of the month of Catfish. You may wish to look out of the window.”

As passengers wake in their beds they will indeed notice something different about the light. If they look out of the window, instead of the ever changing void they will see white slopes of mountains, flakes of snow alling down around them and frost covered trees zipping past the windows. If they glance at the ICP on the table they will see a message.

Investigating the dressing cart they will find the drawers and cupboards unlocked once again. However, instead of the fantasy-esque clothing of world #25768 they will find thick winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. There are heavy fur lined boots and even some ice skates.

Entering the garden carriage they will see that the glass dome of the roof has opened, leaving the carriage exposed to a bright blue sky. Any nonsense of the past few weeks has vanished, leaving the carriage pristine. Not that that is easy to notice as it is covered in a thick layer of snow. The paths are clearer, a light dusting of snow but easy to talk through. Around the paths the drifts are high, perfect for snowman building or a snowball fight.

The streams and the pond in the centre are solid ice. Anyone brave enough to try to find the ice holds their weight for ice skating.

And the ICP message was correct. There is hot chocolate in the stores.

Comments

[happyends]

Madoka has absolutely no idea what she's agreeing to here. She thinks Ple Two is thinking of the same kind of innocent decorations as she is, so she nods with a small smile.

"Of course. The most fun part of a snowman is decorating it, after all." Especially since Madoka loves being creative. "What kind of snowman would you like to make?"

[pleple]

She probably won't do a gun, because, again, she's aware that might distress Madoka, but she's not ruling it out.

"I would say I would make it look like a friend," she decides, "but then I would be stealing your clothes."

[happyends]

She freezes up on the spot.

Not because of the cold or anything, nor the snow they're handling. No, it's the sheer surprise at the words she just heard. They may not be super surprising by themselves, but it's the fact of who is saying it that makes them special. Madoka did discuss this whole friendship thing with Ple Two, sure, but the other never was so open about it before. Or the first to start about it.

So when she looks at Ple Two, for a moment it almost looks like she's about to cry with her big puppy eyes. But then she suddenly moves to try and hug the other. "That's so sweet of you..! I'm so happy to hear that!"

[pleple]

Ple Two is very proud of herself. She hadn't really even thought about that as she was saying it but she can muster up enough composure to play it cool, and smiles just a little bit again.

Madoka is... definitely her friend. At this point, if Ple Two tried to get rid of her, she'd just call her out and force it back into her. She might not know what friendship is supposed to be like, but she has fun with Madoka, and wants to make sure good things happen to her.

Still, the sudden hug is a bit much for her and she blushes and stiffens, before trying to awkwardly reach out with one arm. "A-ah. You're... you're welcome Madoka..."

[happyends]

It takes a moment for her to even realise how the other girl is reacting - she's too caught up in the joy of Ple Two having called her a friend so easily and openly. Considering all her friends are dead there's no one else from home here on the train, she's just super glad to have been meet people her own age and make friends with them regardless.

"Oh..! Sorry!" She quickly speaks up when she does realise the other girl is so stiff, letting go of Ple Two and looking slightly apologetic for her hug enthusiasm. "It's just.. I'm really glad we're friends. And I know it's really special to hear you say that."

[pleple]

Is it better to have had friends and had them all die, than to never have had friends at all?

...it'd be better to go with neither, actually. Ple Two retracts her arm awkwardly, face slightly red. "...you're my friend enough that I didn't push you away," she pointed out. Or, more likely, an elbow to the ribs.

[happyends]

".. Thank you," she says after a slight pause. The pause isn't out of sheer awkwardness or hesitation for once, but more just since hearing that is so touching that Madoka needed to take a slight moment to take it in.

She really wants to make sure to properly appreciate that.

"Um.. If hugging is hard for you, then maybe I can stop doing it, if you'd prefer..? Or I can give a warning in advance next time, or.. um, maybe we can practice with little steps? I want to make sure I don't make you uncomfortable."

[pleple]

It's certainly still a little awkward on Ple Two's end - but it feels good to have this conversation in spite of htat.

"...warning me. Starting slow. That... might be better." It's not a bad thing, but she has so little experience with physical contact at all, good or bad.

[happyends]

Madoka nods in response. She can only guess as to the reason Ple Two is uncomfortable with hugs. The real reason - the lack of experience with touch - is among them, but maybe she is used to it and just doesn't like it from people she's not super close to? Who knows. Either way, she wants to make sure to respect that.

Despite her getting into hugging mode when she's being overenthusiastic.

"Okay! I'll make sure to keep that in mind!" Madoka is still smiling though. "And if you ever want me to stop for a while, that's okay too. Papa always told me everyone is comfortable with different things, so I understand."

[pleple]

It's a reason that also has her stomach tighten a little at the mention of Madoka's family. She had... a master. He treated her with kindness that seemed entirely manipulative, even though it often worked.

Madoka isn't manipulating her, though, and the honest affection makes her wonder how she'd handle seeing him again.

"You've got a... good father." A smart man. "We should... keep working on this snowman."