EVENT: BLANKET FIC

[trainmasters]

Who: All the lovely Heroes!
When: Day 44, morning
Where: Around the train

[ It may have been only a few days, but did that heatwave feel like it lasted forever to anyone else? No? Either way, it's gone now. Bringing with it a blessed coolness. Actually wait, it's cold-- too cold! Worse yet, not even going into the train seems to really help. Fortunately, someone seems to have been kind enough to leave some nice, fuzzy blankets lying around. Too bad it doesn't seem to help much unless you share them with someone...

Either way, you're in luck because you've got some new teammates on the train! The notification appears cheerfully on everyone's Chains:

WELCOME NEW HEROES

Enjoy the cold...? ]

[[ NOTES: You're welcome to make team posts if you like, or intro directly into this mingle if you haven't already. Until next month's placements, the cold snap will persist-- along with the lovely blankets lying around. Enjoy! ]]

Comments

[firstworldproblem]

[Hiding behind her --- of course he is! Though with the height difference it is not as effective as it would be.]

Of course, of course, such would be the first spell ushered forth.

[nhaamasblessing]

I'm sorry, that was much more power than I anticipated. Are you quite alright?

[firstworldproblem]

Merely blinded by your sudden display of radiance.

[He rubs his eyes to accentuate the point before looking at the rubble.]

Shall we continue on?

[nhaamasblessing]

Probably a good idea, before I invoke any more destruction on this cavern.

[firstworldproblem]

[Trudging forward and arriving eventually at the pristine, white beach. It's quite lovely and the fish are colorful, but that's not why they are here. Emet-Selch walks out to line where the sand turns dark from the waves lapping up on the shore.]

And there ----

[Pointing at a smaller island two kilometers off the shore surrounded by darker waters.]

--- is the corruption.

[nhaamasblessing]

[coming up to stand next to him, shielding her eyes to gaze out towards the island]

And the only way to fight this corruption is through bonds, correct?

[because every bone in her body is itching to FIGHT, though it's certainly not by a means she's used to]

[firstworldproblem]

So we are made to believe. 'Tis not something I have experienced firsthand yet. There is a Prince, but since my arrival he has yet to make an appearance.

[nhaamasblessing]

The one who brought us here, correct? I'd love to pick his brain...

[hm hm.]

I suppose it doesn't hurt to keep at the bonds either way. Hopefully it helps with the Malice, but even if it doesn't, it's still how we earn back what we've lost.

[firstworldproblem]

[Giving her a look.]

Truly I am surprised you aren't jumping headfirst into the water to get a closer look.

[nhaamasblessing]

[how did you--]

I considered it, but it's much too cold. I'd probably end up freezing to death in the process.

[firstworldproblem]

A little cold. Stop you. Oh, you are so very different without your memories. Though that fact I already knew.

[nhaamasblessing]

[is that a CHALLENGE, sir?]

Hold my jacket, please.

[shoes are coming off, too.]

[firstworldproblem]

[Why, yes. Yes, it is. He holds out a hand more than willing to become a coat rack for the pleasure of seeing the result of this.]

Of course.

[nhaamasblessing]

[tiptoeing out into the water.... god it's fucking cold, and she's already shivering to begin with now that she has one less layer of clothing. but she keeps going, and going... oh no, this is bad. does she back down?? no, she can't back down, she has something to prove! she's waist deep at this point, and she wants to dive under in theory, but... this is really really bad. this is so bad?? why did she do this.

pausing for a moment. considering.

...how in the seven hells is she supposed to warm up again after this?]

I think this may have been a bad idea.

[firstworldproblem]

[But you're doing great, sweetie! Just keep going out further. Maybe she'll freeze to death. Maybe the malice will get her. All fine in his book.

Making a shooing motion for her to continue like the helper he is.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[she can do this. she'll just ask someone to get under a blanket with her afterwards. it's fine. it's fine??? fine. yes. slowly sinking her body further in... except it feels like a thousand needles stabbing her every time more of her skin gets submerged. and her legs are going completely numb.... ugh. okay. this is stupid. this is very very stupid.]

I-I g-give up!

[very awkwardly and stiffly trudges her way back to shore, the wet clothing immediately starting to freeze as soon as it makes contact with the cold air. she's shivering horribly, teeth chattering, and she reaches out for the coat he's holding with stiff fingers.]

C-can we... b-blanket...?

[pls emet-selch have pity]

[firstworldproblem]

Can we what with a blanket? You'll have to be more specific with your words.

[Enjoying this? Yeah, yeah, he is as lets the coat slip through his fingers. It is petty and he knows it. But he got a hole blasted out through his abdomen and chest so he's allowing himself a bit of pettiness.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[giving him what is supposed to be a huffy look but is probably much more pathetic and miserable than that as she retrieves the coat, stiffly pulling it over her wet clothes where it proceeds to help none whatsoever.]

W-what d-do you w-want me to s-say? S-share? C-cuddle? Will you c-cuddle w-with me, Emet-Selch?

[bond? maybe?]

[firstworldproblem]

[Putting his arms behind his back and leaning down even more than usual.]

Convince me.

[nhaamasblessing]

[well, considering he tried to stab her upon first meeting, "so I don't freeze to death" probably isn't high on his list of things he cares about. so...]

Y-you get b-bond p-points for p-physical a-affection, a-and you'll be w-warm.

[firstworldproblem]

Hmmmm.

[Turning back and heading towards the train.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[she has no idea if that's a yes or a no, but she's gonna follow after him because that's where she needs to go anyways, regardless.

though, her movements are slow and stiff and she's shivering quite badly, so she's trailing a few paces behind him.]

[firstworldproblem]

[Good thing he's slow!

Upon arriving back to their little pocket of civilization, and oh is it little, he makes a motion to her carriage.]

I would recommend changing prior. Those wet clothes will do you no favors.

[nhaamasblessing]

[is that a yes to warmth? or is that him just trying to book it while she was occupied? she's not sure, but she's gonna nod stiffly and head inside—]

Y-you can w-wait in here i-if y-you want.

[—keeping the door open for Emet-Selch if he chooses to come inside. she heads to her room and tries to change as quickly as possible with fingertips turning blue and stiff. when she's done she'll head back out, her shivering having only grown worse. the real question of the hour is: is Emet-Selch even still here?]

[firstworldproblem]

[Well, well, well. He did stay.

Emet-Selch is sitting on the edge of one of the couches closest to the fireplace. He's still in his coat with his elbow propped up on the couch arm, chin in hand as he stares at the fire.]