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

[pleple]

"...no." She covers her face and sighs. "I hope not too many people are watching." This is dumb. She can't give up, but this feels so silly.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel shuffles over awkwardly and offers her a hand up.

"I think everyone else is either having too much fun to notice or in equal strife! Here. Let's try again. Maybe if we hold on to each other?"

[pleple]

"I-I hope so." She needs to look cool to almost everyone still! A motherly woman like Nerdanel is probably good at keeping secrets.

Ple Two takes the offered hand.

[marriedanidiot]

"Let's see if I can manage to pull you up without us both falling! On three, if you push, I'll pull. Ready? One... two..."

[pleple]

"I'm ready... ...three!" Ple Two gives herself a little push up - and hopefully doesn't topple Nerdanel on the way.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel braces herself - all those long-years working with stone and steel have made her strong, but ice is treacherous, as she knows well. Still - on three she pulls, and Ple Two pushes and they wobble to their feet together, clinging, and Nerdanel laughs.

"There!"

[pleple]

That's a fair bit of strength in those hands, those arms - it's reassuring as it helps her up and Ple Two ends up quite steady on the ice again, after a moment.

"...better. Much better." She takes her time adjusting her footing. "...thank you."

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel adjusts as well, slowly letting go once both of them seem to be stable.

"You're welcome. Shall we try again?"

[pleple]

"That... is how one learns, isn't it?" Trying and failing, and trying and failing... this is not a skill that was 'programmed' into her, after all.

[marriedanidiot]

"One step at a time." She agrees and starts to shift her feet again, slowly. Half-steps as she pushes off, keeping her weight forwards.

[pleple]

Just a little bit, this time working with her momentum a bit more. It's certainly not like walking... "I'm getting a little better?"

[marriedanidiot]

"I think so." Nerdanel agrees encouragingly. "And I am slowly remembering how to balance, I think. Shall we try going a little faster?"

[pleple]

"Just... a bit," she decides. There's no point in sending them both sprawling by getting too enthusiastic.

[marriedanidiot]

"Alright. I'll pull, but slowly. Ready?"

Nerdanel nods and when Ple Two indicates readiness she'll try and speed them up a bit.

[pleple]

Ple Two nods as well. "I'm not going to just stand still for long."

[marriedanidiot]

One foot after another, and Nerdanel slowly increases speed, gaining confidence as the muscle memory starts to come back.

[pleple]

Put one foot in front of the other

and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor

If only Ple Two had ever seen any Christmas movies. At least she's a fast study. "I'm getting the hang of it... a little..."

[marriedanidiot]

Alas for missed opportunities!

"I think so too! Do you think you are ready to try on your own?"

[pleple]

"I ought to be." A little kick, a little more speed, and she let go of Nerdanel's hand to drift away a little.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel drifts a bit away, to let Ple Two get the feel of moving on her own.

"There you go!"

[pleple]

She's not just drifting either, slowly, smoothly kicking her feet to keep her speed and balance up.

It's only a little more difficult to turn, even if it's just a wide, slow arc. Her lips quiver; she's fighting a smile to concentrate better.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel claps softly, delighted.

"Oh, but you are getting good!"

[pleple]

Finally, coming to a gentle stop, it's hard to not smile a little - she's accomplished something, and being recognized for it. That's good.

Ple Two takes a careful bow, and looks up, and then the moment strikes her...

Would someone who didn't know them just assume that they were family? Her expression tightens a little; but she has to bury that thought. She's only just met this woman. "Thank you... it's kind of fun... now that I know how to do it..."

[marriedanidiot]

Ple Two is welcome to ask Mom Elf to Mom her~

"What is it?" Nerdanel tips her head curiously, spotting that flicker.

[pleple]

Maybe someday.

Even if she might want it... even if she needs it... "Mm? Nothing." She says that quite quickly, better than burdening Nerdanel with her strange, errant thoughts.