When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love

[whomthebelltolls]

Who: Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower and OPEN
When: December
Where: All over
What: Catch-all for December! Snow, snowglobes, fighting some oogie boogies, and feasts. Not much mistletoe, though. She's not prone to it.
Warnings: A bit of blood and violence



[1: Does it kill? Does it burn? - Haunted Mansion]

[Well. This isn't so much different than what she's used to. The cold rain giving way to a blizzard of this proportion is certainly A Thing, though. It's been since Cainhurst that she's seen something this bad. Yharnam got a lot of rain, but tended toward that rather than any large amount of snow. Not that she thinks most people would've noticed, even if it did snow a lot there.

Well, it matters not. The Haunted Mansion is normally kind of shadowy and cold, but Maria's garden has been well-enchanted, so the grounds immediately around it are... mostly clear of the snow. In places, the wards fail for a brief period, and she can be often heard sighing as she watches the snow pile up on the plots for her plants. Inside, however, it's not so much magically enchanted as it is just sort of full of well-burning fires - naturally made, in hearths, and plenty of candles around when the power inevitably flickers and dies.

Anyone who wants or needs a stop over - or already lives there - is invited into the kitchen for some mulled cider (and a bit of rum, if they wish to splash some in there from the bottle next to the pot - Maria's cup is pretty much spiked the whole time.), or tea, or just a moment to shake off the cold and snow.

If they dare. After all, the place looks like something out of a horror story at the best of times; tall and imposing, with narrow windows set back into the facade, and spiky towers. The ivy that normally grows up the sides is mostly dormant for the winter, and all the winterized trees make it look especially haunted. But maybe the otherwise relative lack of snow is enticing... or the fact one knows who lives there and wants to brave it anyway.]

[2: Is it painful to learn that it's me who has all the Control? - Around town]

[Or maybe it's the opposite. Maria isn't afraid of a few... feet... of snow, anyway. So she bundles up in her hunter gear, and tromps out into the snow. The streets are mostly abandoned - honestly, just the way she likes it - as she sets out. Perhaps one runs into her in the few stores that remain open, hoping to eke out a bit of business from those brave (or foolish) enough to brave the winter weather.

Or maybe she's making a house call, if she knows the person well enough. She knocks the snow off her hat and boots before ducking through doorways.] It's not slowing down out there... [If only she didn't hate Cainhurst. She'd make a joke about it being just like home! Or maybe not, it is Maria, after all.]

[3: Does it thrill? Does it sting? - Snow Global]

No, no, it's... taller than that. The Astral Clocktower is built into the front of the front wing of the Grand Cathedral, but the tower stretches up far above the face of the clock itself. [She's explaining it to the crafter, who frowns a bit in concentration, and comes up with a new prototype. It's starting to shape up - the Astral Clocktower is an impressive thing, in the end.] And the front of the Cathedral is a large staircase down into the Central Cathedral Ward's plaza.

[Once they're out, though, it seems to become a bit of a commodity. Maria looks a bit bemused as, several days later, she sees yet another couple shaking theirs and setting the flurries about.] ... For as much as magic seems to rely on astronomy... I'm impressed they've never seen a star-reading clock.

[4: When you feel what I bring, and you wish that you had me to hold? - Modrainicht]

[And, again, Aefenglom loves itself a good, huge party, regardless of what else is going on. Mounting tensions among the populace? Doesn't matter, have a party. She has nothing to add to the giant potluck... and probably with good reason, because she's pretty sure nothing but the Vampires here would have taste for food that's been... imbued with Blood, and that's the only thing she can think of that's unique to her world. She doesn't even have the right type of Blood for it, anyway.

But, she'll partake, and enjoy the way the mood seems to have lightened up. She feels a few compulsions of friendly cheer as she mills about the place, but the mistletoe doesn't seem to stick when she's under it - that's on someone else to bring it up, because she's pretty resistant. Instead, she drinks the drinks, eats the food, and... sits down by a face - familiar or not - beneath the warmed tents. She picked up something from a serving dish that didn't look like it belonged, so it must've been brought in potluck style. She picks up a morsel of it, and puts it in her mouth... and immediately grimaces. Eugh. It's fish. The briny taste is immediately offputting. She's had enough of seawater and blood, thank you.

And with that, she slides the plate back out.] ... If anyone has a taste for fish, help yourself.

[5: Like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams - The Woman]

[If she hadn't been pre-warned by the Wilders about this she might have - okay, no. She never would have fallen for this. Not only is this one of the oldest folklore tales in the books, the baby is a dead giveaway. No one just carries a baby around in the woods like that.

Though the haunting, ethereal cries of the infant make her skin crawl, for reasons entirely related to her time at home. How unpleasant.

Maria's swords spark into fire, into life, burning down the edges, illuminating the area. It's trying to lure her out. Again, nothing new. She can only think it's that the people here live such comfortable lives that this thing has claimed so many lives. It wants to be hunted like a Beast, well, Maria hears the hunt calling... and she will answer it. The itch for violence has been working its way into her arms for some time, her fingers aching to take someone apart - this will be the perfect outlet for it.

And then, she holds her sword out, stopping whoever is coming up from behind her.] Shh. She's waiting in ambush. She thinks she's clever.

[6: Is there anyone out there? Cause it's getting harder, and harder to breathe.]

[Wildcard! If anyone needs her for anything, might wanna bounce ideas off of her for the infiltration thing she isn't going to be actively participating in, but is more than down for being tangentially related to. Or anyone being harangued by the Hunting of the Wren? She's more than happy to scare off the crowds if she knows you. Hit me up on plurk at Reslari on Discord at Reslari#9561 or at Maria's monthly plotting post here!]

Comments

Maybe!!!!!

[whomthebelltolls]

[The Haunted Mansion isn't always the most inviting place, even taking into account how it looks. The people there run toward the, generously termed, 'very paranoid' about just about everything. But... the weather means they've made some concessions. They all know the house is warm, without relying too heavily on magitech.

So hearing something shuffling in at a slow pace - a snout, some scales, the sure signs of a dragon puts her briefly on edge because all unfamiliar Monsters do, and especially in what should be the relative safety of her own home. However, the moment mostly passes. She has a sharp object somewhere close by, but the worn, weary, sluggish movements aren't exactly screaming "threat" to her. Not yet. Perhaps if he needed to, he could put on a burst of speed, but it isn't showing yet, so instead, once her initial threat assessment is concluded, she relaxes.

They know they're all expecting guests. They might not be guests the others recognize. The voice, however, does bring a brief flash of recognition to Maria that pairs with a bit of irritation. She got into a lot of arguments with people that night; but it was that and something afterward, perhaps during Dorchacht? It's not a favorable reaction, but he's not making any overtly threatening gestures, so she keeps her own calm and tries to remember precisely where the negative association comes from.] Good afternoon.

[A very carefully neutral greeting; this isn't the time to cause a ruckus anyway, if there's not an immediate threat. She watches him scent the air as lizards do, and tries not to think it too strange, though he has still so many human looking features. Her other roommates have developed their own animalistic quirks. This isn't really any different.] Are you here for one of the others?

[usurpers]

[ a nod in return. afternoon already? he can’t tell the time anymore, what with how much he sleeps in this lack of heat. he’s rather glad they could play it civilized as adults do. plus, hey— he won’t lie. he has a certain amount of interest in approaching her to begin with. ]

Kaede, [ another flick past his teeth, this time close to the table and walls, probably where she walked once, or plenty of times. it’s his last shot, anyway. old trail and all. ] but I think I’ve just missed her.

[ one can’t quite scent a shadow, after all. she was all around the house, in aroma, but all of them were varying degrees of time ready passed. fresh trails were no where to be found. a social dragon always seeks company, of course, so truly: he’d rather settle here for a moment than walk the empty walls. he doesn’t take a seat, yet, because this was her home. he had enough boldness to open the door himself, the rest needed a little more harmless permission. ]

I wouldn’t mind waiting here with you, if you don’t.

[whomthebelltolls]

No... there is a reason I kept the route to the kitchen clear. [And that she's got that cider mulling where it's at. It's no longer in the fire, and hasn't been for a while, but there's still a heat spell keeping it nice and warm.] If you would like some of the cider, you may help yourself. [She motions to the pot, to the cups nearby, then to the bottle nearby that is labeled with a local rum distillery.] The rum is free, as well. There should still be plenty. [You know, in case he was wondering. She makes a point of taking a sip afterward, as well. There's just a slight tinge of taste to it, as she likes it. He can add as little or as much as he wants.

With that, she closes her hands around the sides of her cup, as though warming them on the outside. But the truth is, she's not even very cold - she doesn't really get cold anymore, she's noticing. Her blood burns, quite literally, too hot.

And, she watches him. Not... too intensely, she's already determined there's not much threat here, but as one does with another in the room with them and a lack of anything else to do.]

[usurpers]

[ eren looks between the gestures and the cups, the offered drinks— with a heavy nod, he’ll drag a cup aside for himself. 1/4 of cider, only! the rest is filled with rum. more like rum spiked with cider, but it’s all good. he’d prefer alcohol numbing his lips than warm cider in this weather. either way, for his tongue, it’s wholly appreciated. ]

Thanks.

[ taking a seat would be his next journey, slow moving of course, but he gets to dragging a chair out and sitting in it comfortably. more at its edge, to make way for his tail, and soon enough maria would earn the same glance she gives. it takes two to tango, and with genuine curiosity: ]

How has hunting been?

[whomthebelltolls]

[Ah, there it is. The little grating edge of annoyance. That's where she remembers that voice from.

Well, it's not mocking, nor particularly accusatory, so there's no reason to let it affect her. If he'll be conversational, she will follow suit.]

The Shades seem to be more active lately. There's one particularly dangerous one I had pursued, as well. One even Wilders seemed afraid of. I'm waiting for the next expedition to see if we can't make another dent in the Cwyld infection.

[She takes a slow, but long draught of her cider.] Everything else has been... quiet. Or at least, not severe enough to grab my attention.

[usurpers]

[ swirling the drink in the cup as she speaks, eren’s eyes begin to weigh, letting them rest but still very intent on listening. reminds him of when he was a boy, scolding the soldiers that drank merrily in plain daylight because of one-hundred years of peace. except, he wasn’t scolding here, just softly mulling over the fact until another sip beckons him. ]

Quietness is when I’ve always felt more restless. [ the worst happens when everything is quiet! ] Regular expeditions outside the Bright Wall, or deeper?

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes, I have to try to keep myself busy. The increase in Shade attacks is good for that, if nothing else. [That is just the side-effect of being a Hunter. Occasionally she still has the urge to... take things apart. And her garden is mostly winterized now, so she has more free time on her hands, which she finds the need to do something about. She can't sit idle for long.] Deeper. There's a lot to be learned about this world, I feel, and that cave we discovered did not even scratch the surface. Doing some damage to the blight... learning more about what was lost in its spread... I'm quite curious about the whole situation. [She tips her cup back, then looks into the bottom of it when it's empty, watching the last little dregs gather in the corner of the cup.]

[usurpers]

We never had the chance to talk about it before, [ he, a little too young still, and she, a little too riled from being poorly received, he figures, but it’s been something he’s been looking into ever since he arrived. leaning back in his seat, his eyes fixate with validity. ] about anything, really.

[ past is gone, at the very least. elbows against the table, he allows his weight forward. ]

Do you know something about the four protectors?

[whomthebelltolls]

Mm. [That's about the extent of her agreement with it. She still doesn't regret anything she said, did, nor does she consider the offer off the table, but it did remind her how soft some people could be. And, well, he firmly implanted himself in her mind, now that she's thinking about it as little more than a brat child who needed to go back to his crib.

It seems a bit different now, though. Maybe it's the weather making him more calm, but... he also seems older, somehow, though it wasn't that many months ago she made her broadcast.

She's halfway to reaching out, long slenderman limbs stretching across toward where the cider and alcohol are, to pour another glass.]

Four protectors... here? I can't say I've worked my way that deeply into the library yet, though the words seem familiar. I can't say I know much outside of that, though. [She sets her cup down, and only looks back away from him long enough to ladle a few spoonfuls of the cider into it.]

DID I SAY FOUR i meant three 😭

[usurpers]

[ as she prepares her own glass, eren extends his talons to fill his share. more rum, even less cider than the last.the burn of alcohol was hotter than the drink’s sweetness.

his voice is . . . much deeper, compared to that broadcast they left each other in. there are far too many things to consider when such short time has passed. or, the opposite. a content exhale comes when he swallows the next swill. ]

It’s rare for me to frequent the library. I do talk to the elders a lot . . . And some others. [ his shoulders lax against the back of the chair, and he cards some talons through his hair to tie up into an unkept bun. ] It’s said that Geardagas has three natural forces to keep nature’s balance. They’re dragons, each stationed in their element.

[ he tips his head up, and his tone changes— to signify they aren’t his words, but from someone else’s wisdom. ]

“The Forest sought duty, the Air sought solitude, and the Sea sought company”.

Three, like margaritas, instead of four, like seasons. Got it.

[whomthebelltolls]

Hm... I see. Getting the information from the people closest to those who lived through the worst of it.

[She listens, and she thinks it sounds about right. Even mythologically speaking, dragons are known for being powerful creatures, it would make sense that some would be some kind of guardian force in a totally different world, as well.

The forest sought duty... okay. Air, solitude - also okay, she could see it. And the sea company.

That's what pauses her. Something about that is familiar. A dragon... in the sea. Something that is powerful most be very large... Ah. She won't forget the feeling of that hard splat anytime soon.]

Oh. The leviathan from the dream. I think I have seen one of them, perhaps. Or a hollow, approximated shell of what it used to be.

[usurpers]

[ that— makes him pause, too. pause with wide, interested eyes. he doesn’t bound up close to water anymore, even during that dream, when sea sprays and even the scent of it would repel him. ]

I’ve found the forest dragon. In a dream at first, the same way. [ he’s now even spoken to her through dream, and any true searching to dig her out— he hopes to get to it once the winter thaws. he’ll need plenty of hands to help clean what was left of her. ] Did it speak?

[whomthebelltolls]

[Frankly, she doesn't go near the sea when she can help it, either, but... the giant looming shadow looked like the kind of Elder God Final Boss that would be the source of the dream they had. So she had to go investigate.] No. It could not - it was a dream where the whole city was covered in Cwyld, and the dragon was too infected. It would only react if you attacked it, and even then it was so large you could not do any kind of damage.

[Yes. She checked.] It was quite massive, though. Perhaps if it is that size in the waking world, it is still capable of being found?

[usurpers]

[ eren hums, sounding more like a grunt at the actual dream. that was some time ago. he knew all of it, including the destroyed parliament records in them, had relevance. eventually, at least. the future fae made it sound like something rather bad happened, with the same level of misfortune. ]

It’s a possibility. [ a large one, at that. with some clicks of his talons against the glass he holds, ] All you might need is some reaching out.

[whomthebelltolls]

I'm afraid that may be a bit beyond me. I avoid the sea whenever possible, but if others with to pursue it...

[She makes a sort of motion.] Perhaps it is out there, and far less infected.

[She swirls her drink, and then...] So that leaves... one, yes? One whom I might be able to find, at least. [As much as she can appreciate solitude.]