isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

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This is the event log. Reply with your character's top-level response using the prompts below, or come up with your own related scenario! Totally up to you. You're also welcome to make your own network posts, but we encourage you to keep logs in one place. If you have trouble loading, please click here to view top-level comments only. Please check the plotting post here for more details and questions. The event itself takes place on Dec. 21st.

As the moon rises on the 21st, all non-emergency businesses will be closing early as the Winter Solstice celebrations are of the utmost importance. Those who participated in the ritual will feel the night is different in their very being. Anyone who participated in the Winter Ritual preparations will be immortal for the next 24 hours. No harm may come to them, they will not be affected by the cold, and their magic will be amplified significantly as they are currently a conduit for the world's magic. Everyone, regardless of whether they participated in the preparations or not, is welcome to partake in tonight's festivities as there are many ways in which the Winter Solstice is celebrated.

The most significant event of the night is the Solstice Night Run. If you didn't participate in the ritual, you may be able to get a hit off of someone's Everwarm to participate. At the edge of the City of Camelot, heading into the Brocéliande, characters will be asked to remove their clothing (or if they aren't comfortable with that, change into very light robes provided by local donations) to return as close to a natural state as possible, then run through the forest. As characters run through the forest, despite everything being covered in ice and snow, the woods will begin to come alive. Will-o-wisps sprout out of the snow and shake the frost off, floating in the air to provide lights throughout the forest. The trees seem to move and dance as you pass by, flurries pick up, and even some animals will start running alongside you. It's a celebration for all, as magic flows through your body as becomes part of the forest.

Inevitably, somehow, someway, those participating in the run all end up reaching what seems to be a crack in the ground, slabs of rock surrounding a stream of water flowing through the crack. This is the fairy fountain of Barenton, a crack in the fabric of Avalon that connects its waters to other worlds. Though it's currently unable to connect now due to the time freeze, some of the fairy folk running with you will happily let you know that some of its powers are still in tact-- try sprinkling some water on the stone slab nearby. As the waters trail down the slab and form a puddle on the floor, the drops from your hand will open a vision of a treasured memory. Anyone near you will be able to see it, so only do it if you're willing to share. There are many other uses, but since you're still very new, this is the only one they're willing to share for the moment. Regardless of whether you choose to use that form of magic or not, as you approach the fountain, it will begin to bubble and glow, and lights like an aurora borealis will begin to glow around you as your connection to Avalon deepens. You'll be able to feel the life of the forest, a connectedness to the world you've likely never felt before. Every leaf, the wind, every living being, the magic in the fabric of the world, is a part of you and you are a part of it.

As the night presses on, a large number of fairies begin to form fairy circles, both in the forest and back in the City-- so you needn't have participated in the run to find one. Toadstools and flowers sprout up through the snow that hadn't been there before, forming near-perfect circles in nature. Stepping into one, whether on purpose or on accident, will shrink you down to the pixies' size so you can dance with them, if you promise to keep going for the whole dance. The dance lasts about 20 minutes straight and there don't seem to be any rules besides keep moving around the fairy circle, even if you bump into someone. In the last minute of the dance, pixies will fly above the circle and sprinkle dust over the whole party. Anyone who completed the dance will be returned to their normal size and granted the ability to fly for the duration of the witching hour of 2-3am. You'll be invited to drink with them afterward, if that's your thing, but will not be offended if it isn't.

Not completing the dance despite stepping into their circle, being rude to the pixies, or attempting to stop anyone who is dancing will anger the pixies. Pixies are a tricksy bunch, so you'd be better off avoiding this, but if a character happens to get on their bad side, there are a few different types of pixie curses they may be inflicted with:

Small Soul:

Pixy-led:

Bellbark:

As the night winds down, anyone who had participated in the ritual will find themselves rather suddenly sleepy regardless of where they are and may fall asleep as if under a spell right there out in the snow. They'll wake up normally in the morning, the land having used their slumber as time to finish off its work using you as a conduit. Don't worry, those under the influence of the ritual's effects won't catch cold or anything... though, we can't guarantee anything with those pixie effects-- they weren't really harmful, after all, just irritating. Anyone who fell asleep outside will find that the snow has melted in their area for about 5 feet and bright green plants have started sprouting around them on the ground, some vines growing around their limbs but ultimately nothing that can't be brushed off easily.

It would appear that while it was a permitted act during the Winter Solstice, the fae who may have told you about that little trick with the fountain and the pedestal may not have shared the whole story. As it turns out, the slab that everyone was trickling water onto is a stone known as Merlin's Step. Merlin's Step, when a little bit of water is sprinkled upon it, summons rain. When a lot of people put water on it, it summons a huge thunder storm. It is certain to, as many of the fairies are happy to attest, wash away the freezing snow so they can move about freely during the winter again. Fae often have ulterior motives, even if they're often coupled with good intentions. This may have gone a little beyond their expectations, however, as enough people have done it that the storm has brought about torrential rains and hail, frequent zaps of lightning, and strong winds. Most people are being urged and ushered into cellars throughout the city as the hail has been causing injuries, breaking windows, and the lightning is strong enough that it's been striking the ground frequently. You may end up crammed together in a small, dark room while a storm rages outside with little to do except what's in the cellar-- eat canned foods, play old board games, dust of a.. uh oh, is that a Ouija board? Get creative and have fun with what you think could be in the cellar you end up in.

After what seems like most of the day, the storm is still raging on, but the next moment you find still water, the Lady of the Lake's face shows up, with another woman beside her. The Lady of the Lake's ability to communicate via water is being used to reach everyone at once. The Lady doesn't say anything, once she's got it live, well aware that they're short on time as the lake surface is choppy and dangerous right now. They have a limited time above the surface to speak, so she leaves it to the woman with her.

”"It would seem my brethren have gotten carried away treating you all for helping with the ritual. I can put an end to this storm, but there is a cost. You'd do well to learn all magic has one sooner than later. The stronger the magic, the harder it is to stop. Your first lesson in breaking spells follows: In using Merlin's Step, you've awoken his Black Knight. Bring me his sword. Don't bother trying to kill him, he's already beyond that.

Don't be alarmed if you see more than one, dears. The Brocéliande is known to play with its guests when it's in a bad mood."

She smiles as she says it, and the image disappears out of the water. A small whorl forms in the water and a small vial pops out. An attached slip says "Pour me out and drop the sword into the water." for how to deliver the sword to her, as she certainly didn't say who she was. In order to obtain the Black Knight's sword, characters will have to find creative ways to fight an unkillable knight and distract him long enough to steal his sword. Using magic and teamwork is your best bet. Multiple groups of characters can obtain the Black Knight's sword and Morganna won't tell which one is real, as she won't be able to tell until she receives it and is always pleased to see those doing her bidding anyway. As a thanks and an apology, anyone who dares to fight the Black Knight and bring the sword to her will find a pile of fresh, edible mushrooms and herbs wrapped in a cloth on their doorstep the next day. The cloth they're wrapped in has a culinary recipe on it for a lovely mushroom soup. These are from the fairies who encouraged everyone to use the water, not Morganna. Her gift was to stop the storm, leaving the realm glistening as the sun comes out and sparkles against the rain on the ground and small remaining clumps of slush.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Gokudera is going to be anything but rough with handling his boss while they dance, because despite knowing what he's doing, he's happy to get to teach Tsuna something. Thankfully, this isn't being taught with a board or overly complex diagrams. He could explain the basics of the box-step with the numbers for each beat, but there are no such tools around. That, and he's not even sure what music they're hearing that he's following.

He's moving them steadily in a circle, basically walking his boss back and to the side and just repeating the motion over and over until he feels comfortable.]

Don't worry if you step on my feet, Tenth. It's better if you don't watch them. [Tsuna is literally the only person allowed to step on his feet, ok?]

R-right.

[Tsuna nods, though he's not entirely sure where to look because somehow eye contact is embarrassing even though he's pretty sure both of them have been in worse situations.

It does seem to have a bit of the effect of making his steps a bit more confident. Or at least, less hesitant.]

Sorry if I did already though. It's hard not knowing what my feet are doing.

[If Gokudera knew his boss were struggling with where to look, he'd tell him to look over his shoulder, that his right-hand man is leading, and watching over his boss's shoulder so as he turns them, he's not running them into any other dancers in this circle.

This feels as natural as walking to the Storm Guardian, and their footsteps may even seem to flow with the beat of the music around them. This is truly magical, as Gokudera hasn't ever danced this well since he was a child, back when he'd learned by constantly being Bianchi's partner.]

It's fine because you don't mean to do so. Just walk backwards and if you miss a footstep, just keep going! Eventually, you'll fall into the pattern. It is literally the same four steps over and over.

[And if anyone were around and trying to take this dance with the Tenth from him, then he may get a little more competitive and make this more difficult. The pixies seem to be keeping their hands on their own partners though, so that's some good news at the moment.]

You're sure? I don't want you falling over me or anything if I fall.

[There's a lot to worry about when it comes to dancing and he's not in a mode where he can just turn all that off.]

But thanks for teaching me.

I am! There are a lot of things you get better at but only after you fall! If you step on me, as the lead I will push or pull you away and figure out what you did so we can stop it. If you’d rather try leading, I’ll only go where you direct me. But you should learn to lead anyways since you will probably only ever need to dance with women...

[Gokudera knows how it works in the mafia, and if there were a large social gathering between families, knowing how to waltz would only help the Tenth! Reborn would teach him by shooting at his feet or dressing up as a girl or something, right?

It’s a good thing Gokudera is pixie sized and wearing only the robe. He’d probably come up with some contraption to aid his boss, but is actually a very good hands-on instructor.]

Do you want to learn how to lead? Trust me it’s not too hard, you just walk me forward and follow the way you did by going backwards?

[He stops in order to change how their hands are positioned, and waits.]

[Probably both, knowing Reborn.

Meanwhile, Tsuna has kind of stalled out at the thought. He hadn't even considered it and really his only thoughts about dancing have been fantasies with Kyoko.]

Uh...um...I don't know, really...Is it something I really should know?

[How much stuff does a mafia boss really need to know?]

[It seems his tactics are working, but Gokudera would be the last person to pass any judgement behind Reborn-san's methods. He trusts him as well as the Tenth. Even in small things like dancing!]

You should! At least in Italy, it is a much more social event. It's almost aristocratic. [Or maybe that was just how his father ran things in his inner circle. Being an obvious fan of the arts, Gokudera's father had made big ordeals out of music and food, and the bomber definitely remembers social gatherings involving dancing.]

It wouldn't be until you're officially the Tenth! You'll be much more capable by then, so you have a lot of time to learn before something like that! You're already doing great, boss! You haven't stepped on my foot even once!

[Gokudera takes a small step back, tugs gently with the hand at his boss's bicep to motion that he step forward.]

[Tsuna generally doesn't let himself dwell on his whole future career as a mafia boss, maintaining that it's not going to happen even as he continuously propelled towards it. He can't even imagine being aristocratic.

But at Gokudera's announcement, his gaze immediately goes to his feet]

I haven't?

[Which, of course, causes him to do just that.

Tsuna grimaces.]

[Seems like it's going to happen one way or another, and Gokudera is always focusing on some kind of plan for the future. He needs something to look forward to, some goal to accomplish. To have none would give him no purpose, and then he'd just turn even more destructive than usual.]

Ah, Tenth. Don't look at your fee- ow! Yep! Hey there we go!

[Sure it stung a little, but it's not like Tsuna outright or purposefully stomped on his foot. He shrugs. Gokudera has been hit by cars all because he was in such a rush to see to his boss' needs before his own. A step on the foot is NOTHING.]

There's a first time for everything! Tenth, just-

[He reaches a hand up and touches Tsuna's chin to direct he gaze out over Gokudera's shoulder.]

Direct me wherever you want!

[In the small circle they've been rotating in, or around the entire pixie circle.]

Sorry.

[He's a little embarrassed since he was doing so well before, but at the same time, it is par for the course for him. Almost frustratingly so.]

R-right.

[He'll just ignore any sort of embarrassment he might be feeling as his gaze fixes itself on the point that Gokudera's guided him to.]

Let's just stick with the small circle for now.

Don't be, Tenth! You're doing great and you're still learning!

[Gokudera nods, happy to just go back to dancing in the circle however his boss wants.

That is, until another couple on the dance floor bumps into him and he steps on Tsuna's foot way too hard than he has any right (and he has no right. ABSOLUTELY NOT!).]

Tenth! [Shouted point-black with nothing but worry before he turns around and grabs the shoulder of the pixie that bumped into him.]

Apologize, or I'll blow your stupid wings off!!

[And hey look, there's dynamite!]

[Tsuna winces at the pain and stumbles again, doing his best to not cause both of them to fall over. Though he recovers quickly so that he can put himself between Gokudera and the Pixie.]

It...it's alright, Gokudera-kun! I'm fine, really.

Sorry, sorry.

[He's trying to hold Gokudera back and apologize at the same time. It's not the easiest place to be right now.]

[Gokudera isn’t easily held back, but he wouldn’t dream of crossing his boss. It’s a shame that the Tenth doesn’t know how to talk him down, or put his foot down. He’d physically need to be held back, and the pixies don’t take well to him brandishing explosives and threatening them.

The pixies are clearly not bothered by Tsuna, but the one standing before him that Gokudera had grabbed yells something? back at the bomber.]

Tch! [He tucks the stick of dynamite away and then folds his arms, decidedly done dancing.]

If you say so, Tenth. [Now that he’s not threatening anyone, he’s just content to hang back. The dancing around them continues well enough, and the pixie that had ran into them motions for Tsuna to join them for some drinks.]

[Tsuna is torn between a few things, and man does he hate when situations explode like this. Reborn would be telling him to defuse it and he just, doesn't know how.

Still, he's not thrilled with the pixies and doesn't exactly want to wander off with someone who stepped on his foot, intentionally or not so he'll wave them off as politely as he can before wandering back over to Gokudera.]

[Usually situations like this get even more out of hand and dynamite is the least of their worries. Usually there are at least four more people involved.]

I think I might turn in for the night, Tenth. [Gokudera says, tone clearly full of worry. He didn’t mean to ruin his boss’s fun for the evening. He bows at Tsuna and points a thumb over his shoulder, meaning he’s doing to head back towards the city.]

Are you sure?

[The question is out before he can really stop himself. He's not trying to be rude, and really, a party like this was hardly his scene but they had been having fun for a bit. Minus a few stepped on toes.]

I guess it is getting late.

Yeah.

[He's a bit tired, not a very social person by nature.]

You can stay, Tenth. You don't have to turn in on my account!

[As he's walking out of the circle, he's not returning to his regular size.]

N-No, it's fine.

I mean, the last time I think I talked to fairies my magic went out of control so I'd rather be safe.

[At least, that's what he assumes happened when the traders came by in the city.]

You'll be safe around me, Tenth! [He smiles at the idea of his boss wanting to stay close to him. It really makes him feel better to be thought so well of!]

I am sorry for ruining the dance, though. You were doing very well.

[They're out of the circle, and he's still tiny. Hm. Odd.]

[Safety in numbers and around friends.]

I'm glad for that. It was actually kinda fun.

[Even if he did step on Gokudera's foot. Although, now there's a new problem/]

Uh...Gokudera-kun? Are you okay?

[Because he is looking down at you and not up like usual.]

[Gokudera's just going to think he's the entire reason his boss is and will be safe. It's his job and he is single-minded in his devotion.]

Good! I agree!

[10/10 Would dance with the Tenth again! Maybe with some more interesting music and maybe some of the family, so that he could teach his boss how to properly lead with maybe Haru... Gokudera has a feeling that Kyoko would just make the Tenth more nervous and self-conscious.

For some reason, his boss' voice is louder, and he looks over to him.]

Hm? Yeah, where'd you-

[THAT IS NOT A TREE THAT IS THE TENTH'S LEG!!!]

TENTH! YOU GREW GIANT!!! [He gasps, eyes nearly popping out of his head in exaggerated surprise.]

I -- what?

[Tsuna looks around, not feeling any bigger and he seems to be the right size. At least, everything looks proportionate.]

I think you stayed small. Or is this magic?

I-!

[He glances back and sure enough, that pixie circle is gone. Dread sinks in his stomach and he looks up, expression lost.]

I can't stay this small, Tenth! I'll never be your right-hand at this size!

[Oh no what is he gonna do?!]

Maybe it's just a magic spell, so it might wear off. Or we can find someone to remove it!

[Never mind his right hand, he doesn't want his friend to be stuck so small.][

I'll try asking around. It can't just be you.

Everything is so cold down here... [The snow comes up almost to his head, and the path through the forest seems unreasonably long. Gokudera lets out a little sigh.]

Okay... let’s find someone.

EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

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