[Closed] Trails of Snowed In

[fiddlestick]

Who: Trails House Residents + Visitors
When: Deceuer 6th - 10th, during the snowstorm
Where: Trails House
What: Snowed in!
Warnings: Will mark as necessary

It was safe to say that the Zemurian house was always lively, but the heaviest day of snowfall was particularly so. Everyone was home, and some had invited some friends over for dinner or socializing. It was too late before they realized just how heavily they were snowed in, and that they'd be stuck together for awhile. Best to make the most of it!

With all these people, at least it was a roomy house. There was:

The Main Floor which has a living room with a functional fireplace, kitchen (half stocked with useful cooking ingredients and half with "random things the other roommates thought would be cool"), a dining room, and the music room that's been transformed into Elliot's bedroom - because of course it has.

The Second floor which houses Towa, Crow, Machias, and Fie's bedrooms. Some of these rooms have a worrying amount of weapons, try to guess which. There is also a spare bedroom with a full sized bed, for any guests. Too bad you'll probably need to share.

The Attic, which was Rean's room and made up to be comfortable for a harpy. Shiny things are all over the place, and the bed is more like a nest of blankets.

The Basement which contains Randy and Lloyd's rooms. Coincidentally, this is the easiest place to find dirty magazines in the house.

The Cellar, which houses any alcohol that hasn't been drunken already, as well as a 200lbs wild boar carcass. Lovely.

And lastly the Courtyard which is...covered in snow. What else did you expect.

Make yourself comfortable or try to make a break for it. It's gonna be a long storm.

Comments

[fiddlestick]

[Well if being trapped in a house with a lot of people wasn't bad enough, it seems one of them is sick. Throughout the days, Elliot can't seem to shake whatever cold or fever he's managed to catch. He's pretty low energy, often curling up on the couch near the fire or staying in his room.

Luckily, whatever he has doesn't seem contagious. His housemates know what's really going on, but the rest of the guests aren't given much of an explanation. It's cold and flu season, right? Maybe it's nothing more than that.

At least when he's awake he seems coherent enough for a chat.]

[overworker]

[After the stew that Shinji helped her make is finished, she takes a bowl over to the couch with her— not for herself, but for Elliot. It breaks her heart to see him like this, even though she knows the reason why he felt he needed to. So she curls up next to him.]

Hey... how are you feeling?

[She sits the soup on the coffee table in front of him.]

Shinji helped me make some stew— I wanted to make sure you got some.

[fiddlestick]

[Whatever daze Elliot was in, he'll do his best to shake himself out of it when Towa sits down]

Oh hey. I'm alright ... feels like having a really bad cold. How are you?

[So, nothing to worry about!! Clearly!!]

T-Thanks, it looks delicious. I'm not really hungry at the moment though.

[overworker]

Be Prepared

[As soon as the problem is identified, Towa's doing her part to make sure that they have everything they need. She has to take inventory of what food they have and can work with under these circumstances-- taking into account the potential blackouts and the winter cold... So when it begins, you'll find her flitting about the house, gathering and preparing things just in case.

She's muttering to herself under her breath, but don't hesitate to chime in.]

Okay let's see... matches, candles, blankets... we could probably use some extra pillows just in case... as for what's in the pantry...

Cooking

[They have plenty of meat thanks to Fie, but soup is also great for the cold. And it's easy to prepare over a fire. There are a lot of people to cook for though, and Elliot's out of the picture. So even if you're not a usual cook around the house, you might have Towa turning to you with an apologetic smile.]

Do you mind giving me a hand? I could use some help getting the meat cooked.

[That way she can season the soup and cut the vegetables they have.]

Get Cozy

[With everything they have, they're more than prepared for the worst of it. But it's terribly cold and they do have a fair share of extra guests. Without her magic, she feels a little lost, honestly. It's funny how used to it she's become over the months.]

I just have this blanket, but you're more than welcome to join me.

lets cook...!

[hoboagogo]

[Really, being asked to help with the cooking is a relief. It's something to keep him occupied and something he actually knows he can do. So when Towa called for aid, he's quick to get up, rolling a shoulder as though casual, like his response hadn't been immediate.]

Yeah, sure. You still need it cut, or has that been done?

[Even as he speaks, he's moving to examine the cookware available, nosing into cupboards to try and find a pot or wan or something that would be suitable to cook enough for as many people as they have. Maybe multiple batches will be needed.

But, like a good sous chef, he'll look to Towa for direction!]

You gonna throw it in there fully cooked, or you just want it seared for it to finish in the broth?

[overworker]

[Towa’s really glad to have Shinji to help—they’ve worked together before, and his food really is excellent. So she knows this is going to turn out really good when he volunteers.

Luckily they’re already used to cooking for a fairly large number, so their cookware shows it. There might still be room for multiple batches, but at least with the sizes they have available, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make sure everyone gets enough to eat.]

Portions have been cut off of the bones already, but it still needs to be cut down into smaller pieces.

[He probably knows where the basic items are in their kitchen, but she still directs him towards the good knives for that job. They’re well sharpened and perfect for carving up meat.]

I’d like to let it cook in the broth for a little bit of extra flavor, so let’s sear it.

lion king song

[sylphid]

[During Towa's preparations, the door to the courtyard opens, and Fie enters covered in snow with an armful of food she managed to salvage. Her eyes meet with the President's (never former), then she drops it on the kitchen table, shaking her head off.]

See what we can use of these. There's more out there, so I'll grab what I can. Not sure how long the magic fending off the cold is going to last. [She pauses.] And Louis is a deer, so he doesn't eat meat. Save what you can for him, okay?

[overworker]

This is perfect, thanks Fie! Here-- I have some towels, you should dry yourself off.

[That's just another one of the things Towa prepared just in case. You never know if there would be people seeking refuge from the weather after all.

Towa's quick to sort through the items so she can add it to her inventory.]

Right. I should ask the others if they have any dietary restrictions as well. We should have enough fruits and vegetables for the week at least. It's a good thing we shop generously.

[The fact that they had a generally large household helps, in this case.]

cozy.

[rightfoot]

[ Louis dressed very warmly. Layers, scarf, and gloves that he had worn to come over in the first place. He also has a coat of fur, which is thicker than normal thanks to the shifting temperatures. So, when he is peeking around in the main living area, where it seems like most are, he's trying to find a place to sit with a book, ]

Um. No need to do that.

[ He seems okay, at least. ]

I have fur, and it helps.

[overworker]

Are you certain? It's really no trouble.

[Still, as long as he's alright, she won't push it too much. Clearly, the offer still stands though. If she catches him shivering, she can just give him the blanket.]

Did you get enough to eat earlier? I'm sorry I don't know a bit more about vegetarian dishes-- but thanks to Fie, we had a real good variety to work with.

[And Towa had made sure to put aside extra vegetation specifically for him at Fie's request.]

[usurpers]

[ those weather reports will never get things right and we all know that!!!! the night before the sixth, at least, all the smaller animals seem to be making a run for it. birds seek shelter and smaller mammals scurry out of sight to whatever deep hole they could hide in— some were eren’s, what’s slowly become rather large underground layers filled with twists and turns to trap them all and have a snack— if he were hungry. the cold just zaps his appetite clean.

that isn’t to say, he doesn’t feel it coming either. the only sensible thing to do was go where his witch was, the enchantments weren’t lasting long to begin with if they had to work all day and all night. so, this leads the dragon here. eren climbs silently through one of the windows, jams the lock (read, completely dents it) open and lets himself in. no other warning that he’s here, beyond elliot feeling it would be made, so . . . if no one got word, then one might be in for a surprise.

the cold makes him sluggish, but it also makes him cranky and sour whether he can find a spot or not. everywhere just happens to be Too Cold and he seethes for that. sharp objects begin to go missing, certainly the smaller ones such as darts, kitchen knives, unattended blades and the like. paper cutter? tacks? it’s gone. magic. perhaps you’re just trying to find a warm spot to nestle into, wherever you may be.

main floor, second floor, your room? the basement, of course. your bed, where you rest, your body is warm. or perhaps under it. your untamed laundry. small as he was now for energy conservation, eren easily fits under covers, blankets and layered fabrics or crackling fire wood (yes, already on fire). anywhere warmer than the walls may be. the kitchen. the fireplace. the stove will growl at anyone who enters, short and more of a faraway rumble of thunder, or a hiss from the blowing winds outside.

uplift your clothes, your blankets, or even opening the stove will mean being face to face with a toy-dog sized dragon, disgruntled to have been awoken and clutching— oh, are those the missing objects? he moans, but the only other warning he gives is a slow rattle of the barbed tip of his tail.

maybe you can convince him to go somewhere warmer. all you need are the right words. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot had picked up on the presence of his first bond arriving, but with his fever he hadn't been fully cognizant of it as the sensation blurred with the other bonds that were always closer by.

So when Eren found his bed, Elliot had been up for awhile in the living room. But eventually he felt worn out enough that he needed rest, so he makes his way back to his room. He's sluggish and low energy compared to usual. So when he pulls back the covers to see a small dragon with a sharp object, his reaction is to pause for a moment as he assesses if this is a fevered hallucination, or...]

....That's my razor.

[He says with a very tired and resigned tone. When you're other bond is Fie, you get pretty used to bonds regularly invading your space and stuff. ]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow is for the most part a social bird, but that doesn't mean he doesn't need his own space sometimes. He retreats into his own room, unaware of the small dragon nestled into a pile of his laundry.

He does pause to frown at one thing, though. ]

Where the hell did my darts go...?

[hoboagogo]

[Coming over for dinner and socialization with Fie's family was one thing. He'd met them before, they were fine, he got along with them decently well. But then the snow had begun. And kept going. And didn't stop. And for as much of a homebody as Shinjiro may act at times, taking away the option of retreat is a surefire way to make him feel closed in, especially in someone else's house and surrounded by the found-family of the girl he's? dating?

Well. It's definitely not how he would have chosen to spend his weekend.]

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! (but the in-laws are much more so.)

[In the first early hours, he'd busy helping everything get set up. Dragging blankets out, making sure candles were plentiful, all the works. But then everything that could be done, is and they're all still stuck here inside with snow gradually piling up and darkness taking over. Sure, the house is huge, there's plenty of space for as many people are here-- but that doesn't mean there's any real retreat.

Even if one takes a moment to lean against a window and stare out at the blank expanse of snow-covered streets barely visible through the window, forehead and horns pressed against the glass. The streetlights flicker and spit a few times, a clear sign that the magitech of the city is being strained.

Yeah. They're definitely in it for the long haul. At least this is a winter storm he gets to wait out inside, though. As though casually, he'll toss out the question to whoever is nearby:]

...You guys get storms like this back home?


But the fire is so delightful! (until we run out of wood.)

[This is probably the first time in Aefenglom that Shinjiro's been glad for his copious amount of fur. Between that and his coat, he's content to stay a bit farther from the fireplace, letting other more cold-natured people take the closer spots of the blankets. Sure, it's still cold, and he keeps pretty huddled up during downtime, but all the witches with their magic on the fritz probably have a harder time keeping warm than him.

If offered, he'll take a blanket, or a turn keeping an eye on the fire to make sure it doesn't go fully out, or whatever's needed. And hey, maybe they can even figure out how to hang a kettle and make some tea or coffee to share! Might as well do something to pass the time, even if that something is huddle for warmth and still try and look cool.]


And since there's no place to go- (guess this is where we die)

[By the second day, surely everyone is a bit stir-crazy, there's only so long you can sit around picking junk out from between your hooves (which is absolutely something that has happened, feel free to be appropriately disgusted at this) before the need to just do something becomes overwhelming. Which is why by then he can be found all over the house.

For the most part he's just exploring. Bedrooms are off-limits of course (because it would just be creepy to be rooting through someone's dresser) but he'll still poke around most everything. Primarily of note would be:

-The Music room, looking at the instruments, having never really examined one before. A piece of sheet music may end up with the corner bitten off and gnawed on, sorry Elliot. goats gotta goat.

-The cellar, though perhaps surprisingly for a faun, he doesn't seem too interested in the alcohol other than reading the bottles because it's fucking something to do, before deciding the dead boar staring at him is too weird and he's gotta leave,

-Out someone's (Fie's) window to carefully sit on the snow-covered eaves on the house, getting some freezing air and a touch of freedom, even though the sun is too obscured behind the clouds to melt any of the snow. It's freezing, the wind is terrible, and he has to keep the lapels of his goat up to keep his ears from freezing, but its as much of a break as he can ask for.

But he can be encountered basically anywhere doing most anything. Enjoy!]

And since there's no place to go - Music Room

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot was normally a very nice person, very reasonable. But every man has his limits, and walking into his room to see someone eating his music is his. So excuse Elliot as he gets VERY loud.]

HEY!! What do you think you're doing?!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow looks out the window with a grimace. ]

Depends on who you ask. Rean probably has but me? I lived in a coastal city.

[ A northern coastal city, but even when it snowed it never got anywhere near this bad. ]

outside;

[rightfoot]

[ Louis found the same way out, so he'll eventually he make his way out there, where he sees... Shinji is already sitting. He's bundled up neatly, and shuffling his hands through his pockets to find his lighter. He can't use magic because for some reason this weather seems to have disabled his ability.

He doesn't say much, though he doesn't make any attempts to make his movements silent. He shuffles over, and takes a seat next to his bondmate. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and offers one to him. ]

I can't remember, do you smoke?

[ He's felt a little uneasy, but at least he can catch fresh air outside. ]

[bad_crowmance]

I. Snowed In.

[ It's not like Crow never saw snow back home. Jurai was a northern coastal city, snow certainly existed. But it had never been in the kind of volumes he's looking at right now, staring out the window. Not that there was much he could see through it at the moment as the line of snow kept creeping up higher and higher. He'd never seen this much snow in his life. And personally? Crow's not a fan. He's never liked the cold, never liked the snow, and nothing about the current state of things was changing his mind.

He pulls away from the window, tucking his hands behind his head. ]

Damn. It's really not stopping, huh?

[ This is ridiculous! ]

II. Blanket Fic Zone.

[ There are many ways to keep warm and certainly everyone's got their own ways. For his part, Crow has taken a cup of hot chocolate and is warming his hands on it with a blanket draped over his shoulders while he leans against a wall. He's close enough to talk to anyone and is certainly smiling and willing to chat, but he's not really opting to cozy up to his friends at the moment. ]

III. Stir Crazy.

[ Crow loves his friends, he really does. But he needs space sometimes! He needs space and he swears to Aidios the snow hasn't melted even a bit. He's taken to the point where he's eyeing the entrance to Rean's attic room more than once with the serious thought of breaking out for a bit. The only thing keeping him is that it is still, in fact, colder outside than it is in here.

But that just means he has a lot of keyed-up energy and nowhere to put it. He's still smiling and chatting casually to anyone who wants to, but those who know him recognize the signs of a bored bird. ]

Hey, anyone wanna play cards?

[ Please distract him! ]

II

[fiddlestick]

[The living room was the warmest place in the house while the magic's gone out again, so Elliot has dragged himself to get as close to the fire as he can. Which means more like huddling down on the floor in front of it and disappearing in his blankets as much as possible.

The only sign of life coming from the lump of blanket? Is a very discontent moan about this situation. Why is it so COLD??]

i.

[rightfoot]

[ Snow isn't super common back home. Sure, Louis had seen it before, but it wasn't something that people saw all that often back where he came from. They gold cold, and maybe rare flurries. But it had never snowed like this before, at least not in his home town. So, of course he has his face pressed near the glass to watch it. There definitely doesn't seem to be anything that gives him the idea that it's stopping anytime soon. ]

It doesn't look like it.

[ He notices when Crow speaks up. ]

It seemed to come on suddenly.

[sylphid]

[Once they realize they'll be snowed in, Fie's quick to start her preparations. The first thing she does is brave the courtyard to pick and salvage as much food as she can: vegetables, fruits, roots, leaves, you name it. As much as the inevitable flower death pains her (she worked hard on those), she's a practical person, so those are dutifully ignored. Those bonded to her might feel a slight twinge of regret, though.

The rest includes bringing wood up from the cellar to the main room, fetching blankets from places for people to grab, blocking off door frames to the outside to keep heat in, and trying not to think about what's to come.

All of that taken care of, she's set to make the next however long work as well as it can. Sometimes she retreats to her room for some alone time-- bonds excluded-- or to catch a nap somewhere with a mattress. If anyone checks on her, they might notice her blanket nest is significantly lessened due to her contributions towards their numbers.

Other times she's among the rest playing cards, chatting, eating, or just lounging. While most of them are somewhat stir crazy, she actually seems okay. Jaeger life had her hiding out on more than one occasion, and with her "pack" here, her turnskin instincts have her more settled than she might be otherwise.

Still, on the occurrence that someone looks not super well off, they might find her leaning against them to offer the warmth of her higher body temperature for some time. Though, that still doesn't mean she's not cold herself. When she is, her go-to's are Shinjiro and/or Louis, whether it's just resting or leaning, she seems content enough.

It's going to be a long few days.]

[hoboagogo]

[At this point, he's not even embarrassed at being huddled close with Fie in front of her family. At first it was weird, sure-- Not exactly the impression he wanted to make, what with the first 'family gathering' since they'd starting going out. But a few hours into the deep freeze, temperature dropping, and an easy way to make sure there's enough blankets to go around is so share, and so here we are.

He'd retreated off to the kitchen for just a few minutes, though returns to where she's curled up underneath the blanket, having managed to completely curl up within the entire thing in the timespan since he's gotten up.

And so, both hands occupied, he'll just nudge whatever side of the blanket lump is closest with a hoof.]

Hey, get up. I made you hot chocolate.

[bad_crowmance]

[ It is approximately when Fie is leaning against Shinjiro that Crow speaks up, grinning as he does. ]

Awwww, aren't the lovebirds cute?

[rightfoot]

Inside

[ To anyone other than his bondmates, Louis seems to be doing just fine. He feels trapped - imprisoned. He couldn't hide every physical, visible sign that he might be uncomfortable. His ears are low, flat against his head. But, to most - he seems at least like he's doing alright.

From time to time - he can be found tucked into a corner somewhere with a book that he located somewhere. He has focused more on wearing the warm clothes - scarf, sweater, pants, and a sock on his one foot that needs it. And a single blanket. He doesn't have much body fat to note, but he seems okay, and even if he is a little cold, he won't show it. He doesn't want to take blankets from others who may need them, or someone who doesn't have fur.

He may join in conversation, putting on his best face to hide any hint that he's ready to climb the walls.

When he sneaks into the kitchen to grab some food, he picks up a couple of vegetables, his focus on celery and carrots (his favorites, of course). He just grabs a handful and finds somewhere to snack on them.

He may be found, also - moving from room to room on the second floor, opening windows and looking outside for a place to perch outside. He wants to find a place to sit outside. He'll close the windows behind himself if he doesnt think the window will work, though. Feel free to catch this clearly stir-crazy deer in the act. ]


The Roof/Outside

[ Louis has, after some trial and error, found his way to the roof or an outside perch somehow (whether through an attic window or a bedroom window he's left open - he's not even sorry). He's perched himself somewhere, and is smoking. He doesn't do it very often - but it gives him a good excuse to be outside without having to explain to anyone why he felt the need to escape. He couldn't use magic, for the first time in months since arriving.

If you make enough noise climbing up there: ]

Want a smoke?

[sylphid]

[It's in the kitchen when she finds him early on the second day. Fie's got a blanket draped around her as she goes for some boar stew. With boar on the side. The sight of him with the vegetables has her smiling a little.]

Those're from the garden. They taste okay?