[OPEN EVENT] Weekend Winter Wonderland

[wintershepherd]

Characters: All?
Date: March 8th-11th
Location: All of Keeliai
Situation: It's been a stressful month thus far for a lot of people, but Jack is determined to Make All The Happy and decides he needs to get back to his wintery roots by giving the city a proper snowing.
Warnings/Rating: People high on snow glitter?
NOTES: Actionspam OR prose, whatever is preferred! (Settings were just easier to prose.) Make your own thread headers if none of these suit! ♥



Jack had spent the last three hours balanced motionlessly on the top of a flagpole, head tilted back as he listened to the wind and the sound of the city below. Where is Winter? it asked. I'm here! the spirit replied, but he knew it didn't mean his physical presence. He'd had too much on his mind and too much in his heart and in that sense he had indeed been absent these last few weeks.

Eyes closed and thoughtlessly trusting, he tipped forward into open air, letting the wind catch him and hurl him upward into the misty cloud cover that scudded across the stars tonight. At his touch they thickened, fat and pale grey against the indigo backdrop and Jack swirled them up, the motions so ingrained in him they felt just like breathing. In the small hours of the morning snowflakes began to fall on the sleeping city, specks at first but then quickly becoming heavier.

Now with a fresh canvas to work with, Jack was really in his element. He could never have done something like this back home, not anywhere in his world. It would have been too strange, too inexplicable, drawn too much attention. But here on the turtle, things were different. There wasn't really a semblance of normal and Jack poured his imagination and heart into the things he wanted most to share, and from the snow rose gleaming swirls of snow and blue light, forming things of exceptional detail and delight.

By the time the sun rose, a solid three feet of the snow had blanketed the city, glistening and crisp and Jack went rocketing down the streets, rapping on doors and windows to leave spirals of frost on every surface.

"Whooohoo! Snow day! Get up sleepyheads, everyone come out and play!"


THREAD STARTERS
Ice Skating | Snowball Battle | Sledding Hill | Ice Cityscapes | Kids Playground | OOC Plot Post

Comments

SNOWBALL BATTLE

[wintershepherd]

Jack had chosen a wide flat field for this, letting the snow pack a little firmer here to give people a good base to run on rather than the gentle fluff layering the rest of the city. Scattered around the field he whipped up mounds of snow into half-height walls, blowing on them to freeze them with an icy coating to withstand the inevitable pounding that was sure to come. Each wall was differently shaped and he helpfully put a few holes for lookouts in them. Some curved, some had staggered heights and overhangs.

He may have had a bit of inspiration from watching winter rounds of paintball.

Then the winter teen whirled his staff around and started creating piles of snowballs because no one was going to run out of ammunition for a snowball fight while Jack Frost was around.

SNOWBALL BATTLE

[mrsarcastic003]

Tim surveys the field. There's no one here yet, but it's absolutely meant for a snowball fight. He makes his way for one of the half walls and immediately starts fortifying his position. This is going to be awesome.

[andaway]

As awesome as a snowball hitting you on the back of your neck as Clark laughs a bit, right Tim? Sorry, Clark might be an adult but he doesn't act like one sometimes. And he happens to have a very good aim.

"Were you planning on doing something there, son?"

Ye Old Fort of Sassmastery

[inseine]

[The first stray snowball brought no more than a grimace to Javert's face. He brushed it off and picked up his stride, hacking and shoving his way through the thigh-deep snow.

The second stray snowball gave him a pause. His fingers released from their balled-up fists. He found himself giving a start and peering around for the source of the errant toss.

By the time a third snowball lanced in his direction, he impulsively ducked out of the way.]

So that's how you'll play it! [cried he to no one at all as a fourth snowball sailed over his head. He bounded behind one of the half-height walls and cast a darting glance around the playing field whilst errant snowballs sailed over his head.

Oh, this would not do. This required strategic fortification. This required a battle plan.

Which brings us to the present. Through the crossfire, an incredibly resolute and stern-looking older man climbs his way to one of the prepared fortifications planted atop a sloping hill. It does not take more than a quick survey of the layout for him to determine that the place is in dire need of a good patch-up. To prevent any unpleasant surprises from careening through, of course.

Anyone happening by this odd, tall, dark older man with the flaming spark in his eye would find him bent beneath one of the walls, methodically building it up with hefty ice bricks welded with snow. On occasion, he can be heard muttering to himself,]

They want a battle, well, well, well! It is a war they will get! They were warned...

[dominare]

[ in all honesty, Haytham hated snow. Terribly. It had been a rare nuisance back in London which suited him just fine. But Boston had a horrific penchant for the blasted weather, and many a weekend was consequently spent inside, grumpily demanding Charles get this and that done in Haytham's stead.

The first snowball hit him squarely in the back, and Haytham only turned to give his attacker a glower before trudging on. The second and third whiffed past his head hardmless, and by the time his opponent had balled up a fourth, Haytham had him pinned with a hidden blade unfortunately close to the jugular. If this had been an average day back in Boston, the poor man would be very much dead.

Instead, Haytham gives him a small smile, before bodily throwing the poor man into the nearest snow bank. This is Turtleback after all, and this snow isn't just your average yellow Boston snow, and oddly enough, Haytham feels rather thrilled at the prospect of having a good old snow-bound frolic.

It's in this rather elevated mood of his where he chances upon Javert, busily fortifying the start of what will indeed be the most magnificent of snow forts. ]

A fortress that would put even Carillon to shame, I believe.

[ there is no sarcasm, only admiration. he gives it a professional look over, trying to spot any weakness that could be exploited ]

— west rampart in dire need of fortification, however. A skilled opponent could vault over and easily take us by the unawares.

[virginprice]

[Alcuin, who is entirely a noncombatant due to his awful aim, is on a mission of treachery ducking behind the walls of Javert's fortress to escape the barrage of snowballs crossing the field. The snow doesn't stand out against his hair, but he brushes it away before it has a chance to melt.]

Elua, Messire Javert, you have built this place up! Are you preparing for a siege?

ATTACKING THE FORT

[cynisme]

[The thing about a fort is that it's not much different from a barricade. It's more organized, sure, but serves pretty much the same function.

Now, Grantaire is not the sneakiest person to ever find a way through and around a barricade, but he knows someone who is.

Someone who he's helping to hoist up a distance too high for the petit gamin, to get up and over the wall of snow.]

Hey--Watch my--that's my nose--how's it looking?

ASSAULTING FORT SASSMASTER, ROUND 2

[dracobin]

(don't mind us just coming in from here)

[Temeraire is tempted, of course, to do a few corkscrews in the air, but Gavroche's inexperience and lack of a harness forestall him. Still, it has been almost a week since he had a rider of any kind, or anything like a proper goal, and he can't resist showing off a little, backwinging high over the fort before dropping to a lower altitude, so Javert and his allies present more manageable targets.

He tilts his head back to better speak to his passenger.] How are you faring, Gavroche?

Iorveth + Emma; 8| THIS MEANS WAR.

[aenseidhe]

[ You know what sucks? Not having boots that go up to your knees when the snow you're trying to walk in has your foot sinking in to about mid-calf. Sand and rocks in boots are easy to deal with. Snow? Watery, gross, freezing snow? No. Fuck that noise.

Granted, this area is thankfully packed firmer than the city was, but it's too late for his socks. Iorveth's stomping through the field, disregarding the snowball piles here and there, just trying to get back to his goddamn tree. That is up above the snow. With a blanket. Where he can just curl up and hibernate nap through this bullshit.

And if some little human princess pegs him with a snowball in the back of his head, so freaking help him, Emma. ]

BRING IT

[roadtorule]

[You know what doesn't suck? Being a Hero with a high Skill level. You know what also doesn't suck? All of this awesome snow. Emma has enough sense of mind to catch on to the fact that something... odd is going on here. She's familiar enough with Will to recognize that. But it's harmless, right? It's just snow. And it's just wanting to act like a kid. So...

... even though she's fully aware that she should be resisting the urge to huck a snowball at the back of the head of the person who was rude to her just to be rude? She's not going to.

Snowballs are a ranged weapon, right? Her accuracy is going to be fantastic.]

[withoutaworld]

Rikki's not bothering with the outposts - tempting as they are, the kind of snow forts she'd always tried to talk her brother into helping her build when she was younger, she'd rather stay moving. She's prowling from one wall to another, ducking for cover and darting between them like she's under fire. Anyone who passes too close to one of her hiding places can expect a snowball to be lobbed at their head - anyone who doesn't pass close but looks like a likely target is likely to be stalked until she's in striking distance.

[thewaythatiam]

Astrid has never quite grasped the joy of a good snowball fight - to her it seems like extremely poorly-executed war games, to train in combat and tactical maneuvers that a majority of children would never need even if they were done well.

But she wants to understand, so she's hanging around the edges, watching. Plus, you know, the sledding was so surprisingly fun... what's to say a snowball fight wouldn't be fun too?

[mrsarcastic003]

Tim watches the form darting from one wall to another, throwing snowballs at whoever is in range. He grins a little from his own fortified position and picks up a snowball, taking aim while she goes from one wall to the next. He throws the snowball, then ducks behind his own wall again.

[relentlesstide]

[He's taking a walk, alternating between doing some date things with his wife and just taking in the sights (investigating the sudden change in weather, which he's surprised to note seems wholly innocent). He's not really dressed for the snow in an open, short-sleeved shirt embroidered with fish and waves he'd bought at market because it's vaguely reminiscent of Atlantean fashion, but he's not shivering or looking cold at all. He used to walk around Alaska in shorts, honestly.

He's not really participating in the snowball fight (right now), but he seems vaguely amused at the flying projectiles, watching people scramble around. Feel free to chuck one at him, he might even step off his royal high horse to participate.]

[tactile_telekinesis]

[Kon hadn't been happy in this place for a really long time. The last time had probably been when Superman showed up and that was only because it was Supes. For the past few months, things had just felt like they were getting worse and he was sure he'd take a round or two with Doomsday than repeat all the time he'd spent here again.

So the snow? Yeah, it was making him smile and revert a little to his 'younger' self. He noticed Aquaman a little way off and smirked as he brought three snowballs up with him as he took off. One in hand, he got closer and launched them all at the Atlantean.]

[imaginate]

[Kyle wasn't planning to do much besides sledding. For snowball fights, he needed the full power of the ring behind him - not for showing off, but for maximum fun. There was nothing like a small construct army behind you to really even the odds.

Arthur hasn't spotted him, so he's about to wave before the idea strikes him.

Oh, he's probably going to regret this. A lot.

Even so, it's his job to make sure his colleague lightens up. He doesn't think the future Arthur's coming from is extremely pleasant, although it's a few months down the road. They could use the time here to forget. To run, for a little while.

Heads up, Aquaman. There is a snowball headed your way, and if you turn around to see who threw it, a very smug Kyle waiting at the other end, daring you to join in.]

Overlooking the Fort of Sassmastery | OPEN

[dracobin]

[The last time Temeraire experienced anything resembling this much snow, he was dealing with a pack of squabbling ferals, and then an avalanche buried the lot of them and killed one of his crew besides. So he is not, at least at first, inclined to look favorably on the current weather conditions.

But curiosity gradually overcomes his skepticism. As he takes to the air at last and beholds the whole of the city, blanketed in white--well, he does have to admit there is something remarkably beautiful about the sight. And when the ice crystals catch the sunlight just so, and he squints his eyes, they look for just a moment like diamonds, and Temeraire is won over entirely.

In the end he comes to rest on a hill near a flat plain, folding his wings and staring with considerable interest at the scene taking place below him. It would almost be like a battle, he thinks, if it were not for the laughter ringing out from all sides.

Is this some common human activity, then? Some distance away, he spots M. Javert and Mr. Kenway hard at work on a fort, and shortly afterward a third person comes vaulting over a wall to join them. They all of them do seem terribly intent on shoring up their defenses, and Temeraire would be tempted to drop in and ask what they are doing. Only, if it is a game, then flying directly over it and dropping in seems somehow like cheating.

For the moment, he settles back and watches them keenly, the heat of his body slowly beginning to melt the snow around him.]

[poeticverses]

[Jehan, by now much more relaxed and inclined for childish displays, throws a snowball at Temeraire's head when he spots him]

What are you watching so intently?

[withoutaworld]

[ Rikki wasn't aiming for the dragon. Really, because she's not suicidal, and possibly annoying something that big seems like a really bad idea.

But a stray snowball might end up flying in his direction, and the second it hits him, her eyes go wide. She ducks behind her current defensive wall, peeking over just enough to see the dragon, and calls: ] SORRY!

[ Can it understand her? She really hopes so, because otherwise calling its attention to her is probably not a great plan. ]

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack knows well the beautiful view of a snowy landscape from the air, and it's from the air that he sees the dragon land and settle in to watch. He considers a moment, then angles downward to land lightly on the snow near Temeraire, though cautiously enough not to startle him, just in case. ]

They're having a lot of fun down there, huh?

[chiot]

[ Gavroche was on a very important mission. One that would not take him through the backstreets of Paris, no--it would take him to the dangerous ice fort belonging to Javert and another older gentleman.

He would win. He would, he had to, he just needed a--Ah.

Temeraire, the dragon. Gavroche could think of no better way and that's precisely why he whistles sharply to get the other's attention. ]

[philosophe]

[LUCKILY, there is at least one of these French jerks who has grown up in the mountains. Temeraire is fairly easy to spot, even though they haven't quite met in person yet. In any case, here is Combeferre, heading over with his arms piled with snowballs. He has always had a great appreciation for snow, and the glitter here is only intensifying it.]

Hallo, Temeraire!

[virginprice]

[At first the giant creature watching the snowball field takes Alcuin aback, but then he realizes who it must be and that he must greet him properly. He picks his way over carefully, offering a bow. He can hardly give a dragon the kiss of greeting, after all.]

You must be Temeraire. What a pleasure it is to meet you!

Too Cool for Snow (that worked better in my head)

[notamachine]

[It didn't take much magic to get Dean out in the snow. He hates it as a general rule, just because salt is hell on his baby's finish and because it's hell to drive through, but when he has nowhere to go and nobody to save, well...snow is actually pretty cool.

Plus, it's been a long time since he got to play in it. And pre-made forts? Perfect.

Even better, having the perfect target to aim at from safe inside his tiny, frozen fortress.]

closed to Wally West

[imaginate]

[It's tempting to continue snowball fighting, but honestly Kyle's starting to feel the chill, and he has a sudden craving for hot chocolate. That reminds him of winters in New York, with Donna, and with one last look at the small forts he turns his back and heads to the outer edge of the field.

He is completely oblivious to being watched or targeted. Especially by a certain speedster.]