(no subject)

[sphererpmod]

Who: Everyone!
What: November open log
When: November
Where: The Merchant Dome/The Pools
Warnings: NA
Notes: NA

Holiday mingle log

It’s the most wonderful (welcome) time of the year

Christmas is coming earlier and earlier every year, which isn't a surprise but hey they're starting the Christmas/Winter stuff the week before thanksgiving. Because why not. this month’s party takes place in the Merchant dome. But it’s not the everyday appearance of the merchant dome. No, for the next five days the Merchant dome’s appearance has been altered to look like a sort of Bavarian Christmas Market. There are small clusters of tables every so often, so people can just sit and chat and eat and drink.

Some enterprising person has even managed to make it snow through some unknown means. It’s not cold, but the snow is soft and steady and slowly building up.

The entire dome, all of the streets and all of the merchant stalls are practically glowing with white fairy lights that are strung everywhere. Vendors in their stalls gleefully cry out to paterons passing by, offering them free food or drinks. The food consists of the sort of things that one might expect to find in a place like this: sausages on buns and on sticks, pretzels, pizza, loads of cookies of every variety that one could think of, including elaborately decorated gingerbread, chocolates, fruits, french fries. Think winter fair food, and be as absurd and as complicated and extra as you want. It is a fair, after all. Go nuts. Drinks are also along the same line: hot cider, mulled wine, hot buttered rum, hot chocolate both with booze and without, as well as all the normal things: water, coffee, tea, milk, soda, and a variety of fruit juices that you’ve both heard of and not.

But food isn’t the only free thing that people are giving away! They’re also offering characters hats and gloves and scarves, small toys, books, delicate ornaments, perfumes, wine… it’s a giant welcome party after all, and these people are cheerful and happy. Even offering to pay just gets met with laughter and being told not to worry about it.

Fun and frivolity.

There are even carnival rides set up! A medium sized ferris wheel, a carousel, a giant slide and ice skating ring are all along the outside of the stalls.

At the far end of the dome, the snow has fallen deeper and held to several inches. Wouldn’t you know it just happens to be perfect snowball snow! So, there of course needs to be a snowball fight! What did you think those free mittens and gloves and scarves are for after all? The snowball fight can be organized into teams, or one on one depending on the player’s choice. This is a friendly fight, of course, so no rocks or slush balls or anything. Well, probably not. No one in the Sphere is your mother.

So you want some summer?.

While the welcome party rages on in the merchant dome, people have made a smaller party in one of the recreation domes. Around the pools, as a matter of fact. There’s almost like a small barbecue clustered around the largest of the three pools, and the light is constant and sunny here. The large pool is olympic sized, and is a sparkling blue. It’s fresh water, and probably clean enough to drink. I still wouldn’t drink it. The second pool is slightly smaller and more kidney shaped with a gradual sand mound at one end of it. This pool is salt water and looks a bit more like a beach than a pool. The third pool is a kiddie pool, complete with a splash pad, that’s running. Buckets drop, it’s got one of those mushroom things, and sprinkler jets. There aren’t any kids though, so people are welcome to go nuts.

Bathing suits and towels are provided in the changing rooms. There’s frozen and fruity drinks flowing freely, along with finger food and snacks. Loud music is playing from a local band that’s just generally of a pop sort. There’s people dancing rather in a rather haphazard fashion, but the dance floor is there and present!

Oh yeah, and there's definitely the baths and everything too!

Comments

Inesa; Open To All

[unknownmoirai]

Most Wonderful Time of Year

[It isn't cold but that doesn't mean that Inesa has to let that fact crush her creative spirit. It's a holiday and holidays require exciting new attire. She'd already been using different weighted fabric to create winter styles that aren't too warm to wear in the Sphere, as well as a series of Winterfell inspired styles that match perfectly with the snow. Her own own dress is a light pale blue decorated with sections of fur and ribbon ties that appear to mix Inesa's usual angelic designs with the dresses that she's seen Sansa wear.

She remains in her shop for as long as she can, replacing the green grassy like carpet of the shop with an icy blue one that brings out the snowflake decorations and foe frost that crawl over the window.

Jackets are pointless in the Sphere but Inesa ties a hood around her neck when she leaves the shop, placing the white bunny Lancelot into the fur lined hood for safe travel. A little wiggling nose pokes out and watches the people walking by or plays with the light fluffy puffs of snow that make it into Inesa's hood.

Lancelot really likes snow.

Inesa takes a break from walking around with a cup of hot chocolate and her sketchbook. She finds a comfortable place to sit and watches people passing, sketching out ideas for future styles that might do well in the shop.]

Fun and frivolity

[The games are so much fun and while Inesa is horrible at them, it doesn't stop her from trying. It does tell everyone watching that she can't throw a ball to save her life. It isn't too bad. Anything that doesn't involve throwing is easy for her -- it's just too bad that most of the games involve throwing of one kind or another.

After, mostly losing, Inesa walks over to the skating rink. She loves to ice skate and remembers ice skating the year before around the same time. It's strange. She hasn't ever counted how long she's been living in the Sphere and while the words of the puppetmaster haunt her, she isn't unhappy here. Her family is here and she loves them with all her heart.

There is a light wave of her hand as crystal silver snowflakes curl around her boots. Inesa lifts and below her are gleaming ice skates of her own creation. She smiles and slides onto the ice, moving slowly as Lancelot is still in her hood.

Inesa might not be able to throw but her movements are graceful and elegant, like a dance or like flying. For those looking close enough, they might even see an outline of silvery white wings behind her gliding slender frame.]

Wild Card

[ooc: Anything Christmas related!!!]

Most Wonderful Time of Year

[gadaboutdetective]

[Llewellyn hadn’t seen Inesa since the crisis, and to be fair, he was sure it was because she was busy with her shop. He was busy with investigations that he’d been hired for since waking up, and... Well being in a relationship was also a new thing for him. Figuring that out was also as big a distraction as solving mysteries was.

But the festivities today? They were a good opportunity to connect with friends that had also been busy. He’d seen several now, and he was pleased to be able to add Inesa to the list finally. That was the nice thing about holidays, they were a chance to see people and enjoy a little break from the hectic energy of the day to day.]

Inesa! Hello, enjoying the uh— wintery atmosphere?

[He came to a halt, a pretzel from the Bavarian themed market in one hand and Pretzel’s leash in the other. The dog wiggled a bit, snuffling at Inesa’s feet with a tag of his tail and his overlong ears dragging a bit on the ground.

It was then that he noticed the rabbit sitting in her hood, oh.]

Oh, and hello to you too, Lancelot.

Most Wonderful Time of Year

[unknownmoirai]

[Inesa looks up and smiles when she see's her friend walking towards her.] Detective Llewellyn, I'm glad to see you are alright. I was told that you were unwell. I am sorry I wasn't there to heal you. [She's stayed up to date on everyone's conditions but there is only so much that the young angel can do.

She isn't very good at using her magic.]

Hello to you too. [Inesa says to pretzel as Lancelot peeks out and stares down at the dog. He has been around a few wolves and dogs over the last few months and while Lancelot trusts Ghost, he doesn't know this dog very well and looks noticeably cautious.]

How are the two of you? I have some winter styles if you want to see them. I can even make something for your little friend here. [Pretzel would look so cute with a fur lined hat on.]

[gadaboutdetective]

[Llewellyn shook his head at the apology quickly, she certainly had nothing to be sorry about where that was concerned.]

No need for apologies, Inesa. It was... a chaotic time. I’m just glad to see you and Lancelot are well now that everything has gotten back to um— a kind of normal.

[Alex had told him about what almost happened to Lancelot, and he was very troubled by the very idea. So seeing his friend and her little companion well now settled some of his lingering nerves on the matter.

Pretzel was very happy for the attention, he was a social little pup. Though his own attention is soon captured by the sight of Lancelot peeking out of Inesa’s hood, and his tail begins to wag more rapidly (if it were possible). Pretzel had experience with rabbits thanks to Richie’s pet... He was very prone to trying to make friends with it, though Richie’s rabbit hadn’t been agreeable to the idea at all. But here was another rabbit! Maybe this one would want to be his friend?

Llewellyn suspected the pup’s insistence had something to do with the fact that he was still very small, and rabbits also had long ears. At least that seemed sensible to him.

Inesa’s question does get a curious, bright smile though.]

We’re both good! Though if Pretzel doesn’t stop throwing himself piles of snow, I’m afraid that despite the comfortable temperatures here he might catch a chill. I hope you’re enjoying the rather festive atmosphere today? I admit... I didn’t expect to see snow in this place.

[Wait! Back up, Detective. She said something about winter styles. Winter clothes! More importantly, something that he’d already been considering how to find for the small dog wiggling at their heels.]

I would love to see your winter styles? And if you can make something that would fit Pretzel, I would uh— be very grateful. I think it might be sensible if he had something to cover him while he plays.

[unknownmoirai]

[Lancelot's nose wiggled at Pretzel as if the small white fluffy creature is making up its mind about the four legged beast in front of him. After a pause, the brave little bunny jumps out of the comfort of Inesa's fur lined hood and onto the bench next to her side. He takes another little hop forward and leans over the edge of the bench to get a better look at this new puppy.

Compared to Ghost, Pretzel isn't very intimidating.

Inesa, for her part, watches Lancelot with a fond smile. Her little knight is very brave and she's very proud of him. She hopes that Pretzel and Lancelot are able to become good friends.]

Yes. I am glad as well. That everyone is safe and I know soon everyone will be back. [She means Annie and Max and the others but Inesa doesn't say their names aloud.]

I would be happy to make him a sweater or jacket. Maybe a hat too? I would need to measure him. [Inesa reaches forward and lightly brushes her fingers behind Pretzel's ear.] Maybe I can make you two matching jackets.

[At the request, she hands Watt's her sketchbook where a dozen or so winter styles have been sketched out. She doesn't let a lot of people see her sketchbook but Watt's has been a constant source of inspiration and she loved hearing his input.]

[gadaboutdetective]

[No, Pretzel is rather far from intimidating. All stubby legs, wrinkles and ears that were so long he tended to trip on them if he got excited. So, all in all, awkward and clumsy like Llewellyn. A fitting duo. On the flip side, he was also a tad spoiled at this point, because both Llewellyn and Rhy had doted on him quite a bit. It was going to come back to bite at some point, but it was hard to remember that when the pup was so darned cute.

When Lancelot hopped down onto the bench, Pretzel let out a small excited sound and stood on his hind legs before falling onto his butt and sitting like that. He’s still too small to get on things like benches or furniture, so he strained his nose to snuffle in Lancelot’s direction in a friendly manner. As if to say ‘hello, fellow small creature!’

Llewellyn smiled a little, he certainly hoped they would become friends too, the pup had struck out in that department so far. His attention shifted a moment later as Inesa handed over the sketchbook. He sat on the arm of the bench (because of course he did) and flipped it open to look at the new designs with interest while he continued talking.]

Yes... Hopefully soon.

[Llewellyn knows exactly who she means, he’d been hired to find them and had yet to make any progress. Missing people cases hit him particularly hard, and if he hadn’t desperately needed a break to eat he might not have even come out today. Seeing his boyfriend, and friends, had kept him there and given his mind a small reprieve.]

These designs are quite nice? I certainly would like to try a few of them myself, mm... it might be time I try a few new styles, I think.

[On the subject of Pretzel, his brows rise curiously.]

Do you think a hat would stay on his head? [Oh, matching...? That might be nice, especially if he finished the pup’s scent trail training. Then he might seem a little more official on investigations?] Do people match their pets? I confess, I’ve never had one before to know.

[unknownmoirai]

[Lancelot makes a soft hiccup-like sound that could almost be described as a chirp. His bright beady black eyes look between Inesa and this eager new friend expectantly.] Oh. [She reaches forward as Lancelot begins to move his feet in a little dance that would soon become a leap of faith if Inesa doesn't step in.

Luckily, she steps in and plucks Lancelot from the bench to place him carefully on the ground in front of Pretzel.

Lancelot isn't a large rabbit, Inesa expects that he's not yet a year old, but he is brave. Much like his name sake and he has no fear of dogs... as long as they don't act like they're going to eat him.] There. [With Lancelot on the ground, he now bounces towards Pretzel in an awkward little hop that ends up with his head crashing into Pretzel's front legs.]

I think they've both made a new friend. [She smiles up at Llewellyn only after watching Pretzel and Lancelot be adorable.] I'm glad you like them and yes. I would fashion a hat that has holes for his ears and it would tie comfortably under his chin. I've made a sweater for a sloth and Lancelot has many outfits.

I admit, I don't make a profit doing it but I enjoy making smaller clothes. I would make more children's clothes but there aren't many children here.

[gadaboutdetective]

[The rabbit bumping into him, his ears droop forward as he pushes his snout lightly against the bunny’s head curiously to give him some curious little snuffles. Yes, this one was both friend shaped and smelled like a friend! His tail wagged pleasantly before he finally flopped into a relaxed little recline and pawed the ground lightly in greeting.]

You know, I think you’re right. Definitely different from the last rabbit he tried to befriend. He kept sitting next to Richie’s rabbit, and it kept hopping away. But Lancelot and him seem like they’re going to get along well?

[He liked that, it was a very sweet sight. His attention shifted curiously to the topic of hats and clothes.]

Then I would be delighted to purchase some clothes from you for him, and myself as well.

[and he’d be sure to pay her well, nice clothes were worth the money. Even if they were for a dog, her work was impressive.]

I’ll be sure to stop by after the festivities? Once you’ve had a chance to work on things, I’m not sure how easy he’ll be to take measurements. He can be a bit wriggly at times.

[And on the subject of her shop, his mind flit on to another thing.]

I’d been meaning to ask... You carry ribbons of all sorts, right? Do you um, sell them as well? I want to do something, but I’ve been quite unable to find what I need.

[He sounds slightly more awkward as he asks this, a touch bashful looking perhaps.]

[unknownmoirai]

[Inesa can't help but be proud of her gallant little knight.]

Yes. He is very brave and he likes making friends. I worry that he feels lonely when I work so much. [Which is why she goes out of her way to carry Lancelot with her, even if she can't give him her full attention.

She turns back to Llewellyn and starts to think about clothes, letting the two fuzzy friends get better acquainted without an audience. There are a lot of styles that she thinks would suit Pretzel but it was important to balance design with comfort when designing clothing for animals.]

I will design a few ideas and you can stop by and see them. [Her smile widens.] And I'm sure we can find ways to keep him still. [If bribing doesn't work, Inesa can always try and sing a calming song for the cute pup.

She nods her head in a soft incline.] Yes. I use then in my design at times. You are welcome to purchase them on their own. What kind of ribbons are you looking for?

It's the hap, happiest season of all

[ulfur]

[ The woman in all her Winterfell-style furs and fashions catches his eye easily. Ned diverts his steps towards the park bench where she's sitting and sketching. It's easy for him to guess who she is. He's seen her designs all over Sansa's shop every day, and they look very much like she herself does.

And, in fact, he's wearing one of her creations right now. Or Sansa's. He's not precisely sure how much each of them is responsible for. Such fine seamstressing details are beyond him. But the Lord of Winterfell looks and feels fully himself once more in that undeniably Northern style lightweight combination of fur, leather, and lamb-soft wool, or approximation thereof that her shop has come up with.

He takes a seat at the other end of her bench. He eyes the hood, and then, the little pink nose that pokes through, stray bits of what was not snow still clinging to its whiskers.

Ned smiles. ] You have a friend.

It's the hap, happiest season of all

[unknownmoirai]

[The soft sounds of a pencil scratching against paper surround Inesa. Her thoughts are captivated by the holiday and while she's only drawing, there is an aura of excitement around her. It's as if she's in her own world of light, music and freshly baked goods.

A deep voice resounds next to her and Inesa snaps back into the present. She turns to look towards him, her soft gray-blue eyes taking in the stranger next to her. He looks familiar but she's sure she hasn't seen him before. He's older but with kind deep eyes and without understanding the reason's why, she finds herself smiling back at him.]

Yes. This is Lancelot. My little knight. [She places her sketchbook on the bench and gently reaches for Lancelot, who makes a little chirping noise as he's pulled from the fur lined hood.] He is one of my very best friends.

[She places Lancelot on her lap before once again meeting Ned's gaze.] Would you like to pet him? He's very friendly.

[ulfur]

[ Grey eyes like morning fog meet the softer blue-grey of hers, finding them kind in return. The features of his face, sometimes called stony or frozen, prove that they can thaw as he looks at her and sees the joy she finds in her creation. So much so that she hadn't even noticed him here until he'd spoken. She is truly an artist.

Ned chuckles as the bunny makes his debut. ]

What a brave little knight. A shame to disturb him from the comfort of his den. But he shall be well rewarded.

[ He lets Lancelot snuffle at his fingers for a moment, getting the scent of him first - and perhaps he might smell a bit like Jon? vaguely? - before proffering a gentle head scritch to the bun. ]

Your name is Inesa, is it not? And mine is Ned Stark. I'm Jon's and Sansa's father. [ In all ways but conception for Jon, but it's a good enough summation for now. ] You've been very kind to my family.

[unknownmoirai]

[Lancelot's nose wiggles in a friendly motion as he gives Ned's fingers a good sniff. He smells Jon but, more than that, he smells his fuzzy four legged savior; Ghost. Comforted by these scents, Lancelot jumps into Ned's lap but his jump is lopsided and his back legs furiously kick against his thigh to find purchase to sit on his lap.]

Oh. [Inesa is caught off guard between Lancelot's sudden leap forward and Ned's introduction. She'd seen pictures of him through Jon's memories and has heard a great deal about his strength and honor.] Oh!

[Her faces flushes in embarrassment. The soft rosy pink accenting the pale flawless curve of her cheeks. ] Excuse me. I should have recognized you. I have heard about you from both Jon and Sansa. It's truly an honor to meet you. [She inclines her head in a soft bow before gently closing her sketchbook and tucking it into the bag she had discretely looped around her shoulder.

I assure you. It's your children who have been very kind to me. I don't know what I would do without them.

[ulfur]

[ Suddenly there is a bun in his lap, nearly falling. Ned laughs and reaches to hold the brave little knight in hands both strong and gentled. He's held five babes of his own; he knows how to hold precious wee things. Lancelot is secure in his lap and settled between a pair of big warm hands that smell like Ghost, after petting the direwolf on his most recent visit to Jon.]

How could you have known? I am glad to finally meet you, Lady Inesa. [ His gaze returns to the young woman, now that Lancelot has found his new resting place. ]

Have they indeed? I tried to raise my children to be kind and good people. I think I succeeded. Tell me what you know of them, make a fond father proud.

[unknownmoirai]

[Inesa's expression softens as Lancelot settles comfortably in Ned's lap. For such a firm looking man, his hold is gentle and sweet. It further confirms who he is and is proof that all of the stories that Jon has told her are true.]

It's nice to meet you too. Jon speaks very highly of you. [She doesn't speak to Sansa about her father too often. The girls have other things they spend their time gossiping about.]

Well. Your daughter is my very best friend. She's strong and kind and honest. She is with me when I don't even know what I need or what to say. She makes me feel like I can be as strong and amazing as she is and there are so many things in this world that neither of us really understands, so it's fun to explore with her too. [Humans are so strange.] As for Jon....

[Her cheeks warm to a rosy hue.]

Well, he's kind and has saved both me and Lancelot more than once. He has the kindest heart I have ever known. He's always there for me and we love to see new things together. I want to-- I want to show him all the beautiful sights. If I can.

[ulfur]

[ Ned has always been good with animals and small things both. How fortunate that both Jon and Inesa have ones that he can visit and pet. He gently scritches Lancelot behind a floppy ear. ]

Sansa is amazing, isn't she? When I last knew her, she was still a little girl to me, on the verge of womanhood. Now, she is a woman who is everything you say.

[ That time skip still boggles him sometimes when he thinks too hard about it. But Sansa is still the same person, just a grown, complicated, wonderful version of the girl he'd raised.

Ned smiles at his son's girlfriend - Sansa has explained the unfamiliar terms to him - and at how sweetly she blushes to describe Jon. Her heart is wholly given, he can tell.

The hand not petting Lancelot reaches over to squeeze the top of her hand, earnestly. ]

I couldn't ask for a better companion for my Jon than you, Inesa. His heart is very kind, though deeply hidden at times. He has walked alone too much. I am glad he does not have to, here.

[unknownmoirai]

[Lancelot settles into Ned's lap and makes a little vibrating noise that is easily misinterpreted as a purr. He is in no mood to move, unless Ned gets tired of the ball of fluffy heat that's taken over his lap.

Compliments come easily because they are true, what Inesa doesn't expect is the warm touch of a father's hand gently squeezing her own. It's true that she considers Seregil her family, even a father figure, but there is a different sort of comfort in Ned's touch. It's strong and steady. As if the ocean could crash against it and it would remain standing tall. He is very much the man she had imagined when Jon described his father. This is truly Jon's family.]

Thank you… He is very sweet, even if he doesn't let everyone see it.

[Her heart skips nervously at the thought of Jon as well as Ned's approval.]

I want to stay by him, while he's here and… forever if that's what he wants.

[It's something she's mentioned to both Sansa and Jon but if she can find a way back to Westeros with them… and they want her to return, she will. She'll do anything to be with Jon; even become human herself.]

fun and frivolity

[king_inthenorth]

[Even after all his time here, he still hasn't gotten used to the festive atmosphere that sometimes descends on this place. Not because there had never been festivities in Westeros, but because there had been little enough reason for them lately. And also partly because there were a number of them that he hadn't been allowed to attend, so festivities were few and far between for him.

He's at this one, marveling at where the fake snow comes from, when he catches sight of Inesa on the ice skating rink. Instead of coming to join her, though, he just leans against the edge and watches her go around in circles with a smile on his face, waiting for her to notice him.

fun and frivolity

[unknownmoirai]

[It takes only a few loops around the rink before she feels the weight of Jon's gaze following her. It isn't an uncomfortable feeling but one that she relates to the morning, waking up to see his messy black hair and shining dark eyes.

Her mouth curves into a smile as she carefully shifts her path and glides towards him.] You aren't skating. [It isn't a question but there is a slight teasing accusatory note to her tone.]

You should join me. I promise it's fun.

[king_inthenorth]

[He pretends to be considering it. He's not unfamiliar with ice -- winter is coming, after all, and the North will get the worst of it -- but where's the fun in just agreeing right away?]

Strapping bits of metal to my feet and sliding around the ice?

[But he's not protesting very hard. It won't take much to get him out there with her.]

[unknownmoirai]

[She holds out her hand to his.]

Yes and we can hold hands. Besides, there is something I want to ask you and I think this is the perfect time.

[Her fingers slid gently through his before she leans forward to place a light sweet kiss on his lips, her mouth curving into a warm smile as she pulls away.]

Please?

[king_inthenorth]

[Holding hands? How can he say no to that?]

Where do I find a pair for myself?

[unknownmoirai]

Oh. I can help.

[There is a swirl of blue magic beneath Inesa's feet as she lifts Jon on a pair of ice made skates.]

There. [She holds out a hand to him, waiting for him to take it.] Now we can go.

[king_inthenorth]

Oh. [He's a bit surprised, because while he knows magic exists, and that she can use it, there are plenty of things he doesn't know about what can be done with it. Nor does he entirely trust it yet, despite, or perhaps because of, what can be done with it.

He takes her hand to follow her onto the ice.]

That's handy.

[unknownmoirai]

I've been practicing a bit.

[Inesa's fingers curl around Jon's as she gently pulls him onto the ice.

She doesn't use her magic a lot, she doesn't need to but Mr. Dresden has mentioned to her that it's dangerous for her to use her magic by accident.. and so, for her safety, and Jon's, she's been trying to learn.]

Um, there is something important I wanted to ask you. I am... a little scared. I don't know what you'll say. [She glances over at him, pausing as she works up the courage to continue.]

Would you like to move into my home with me? [Her cheeks flush.] I am alone and it is designed for two.