songerein | { when it snows }

Entry tags:

{ when it snows }

WHEN IT SNOWS

All items on this post will last/be available for the entire month! So timey wimey shenanigans are allowed.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during A.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN THAWED

After freeing the Ice Queen from the glass shard from her chest and clearing the dreamscape, the blizzard that affected not only Reverein but the Wildlands and beyond finally dissipates and soon everything returns to…mostly normal.

A. Glitter Snow. While the freezing sleet and ice of the blizzard is no more and a more gentle winter has entered Reverein, the fresh new snow that falls is not one one might want to stick their tongue out to try and catch a snowflake. Unless one likes the taste of glitter.

🎉 Good luck getting it out. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad if the glitter melted like snow, but it does not. It sticks to everything everywhere and while some might like a splash of colors, others may not.
🔮 Dreamglobes. Some fae are passing out empty spherical glasses, suggesting those who are interested to collect some of the glitter snow into them and then set the snowglobe next to their bed before sleeping. Whatever dream they have will be captured into the glass and upon waking will create a physical representation of the dream to create a little special "dreamglobe." Hope it's a good one!
✨ Glitter Collector. There are a number of people and shops that actually want the free glitter and ask for anyone to collect as much as possible. Works well for those trying to clean up and not sure what to do with it. What kind of products will end up coming from them well.

B. Mari Lwyd and Family. Mari Lwyd has finally returned to Reverein, and she's bringing along some family she's found. However, they can be a bit of a handful. Some are friendlier than others while others are going to make full use of this glitter snow with pranks and mischief. But they all just intend to have a good time, something that everyone may be in need of after that blizzard.

💃 Little Pranksters. The young Lwydlings cannot sing or speak, but they love to dance around and make all manner of noise—they also bite if you're being a big fat party pooper in their presence, and are a lot more likely to pull a few harmless pranks than their dear older cousin Mari Lwyd is. Very quick, they have the same vanish-and-leave-you-with-bad-luck if harm is attempted on them. Have a dance off with them, or aid them in pranking those who are being big fat grumps/meanie-butts.
🔥 Bonfire. One of the merry friends looks like a very tall pile of long hair and arms, but with them they seem to be carrying a basket and filling it with sticks and other kindling. This is for giant bonfires! Help gather wood and kindling to make a great bonfire to welcome some warmth in this winter, and aid any lost to not wander in this cold.
🥜 Nurturing Gifts. There appears to be another skull-faced being wandering around with their own 'little one' in tow—and despite the horned and frightening appearance of the larger fur and hyde clad figure there are small gifts to be shared. An act of kindness rewards one with a bundle of magic beans that if nurtured and cared for will bear a great gift come spring. Great.

C. Hot Springs. The dragons are holding an open invitation to anyone who wishes to use their hot springs to warm up after that frigid blizzard. The dragons in particular will be practically living there, so hopefully others can squeeze in a spot. Rooms will be available for anyone who wishes to stay the night, and all amenities will be available: food, recreational games, etc. Just beware of the monkeys that have descended down from the mountain seeking warmth as well. They are prone to stealing things, particularly clothing—and wearing them.

D. Dream Board. This is the perfect time to do many of the Dream Board prompts, and while the full details are on the notes, here is the quick list of what they are:

Dream Board List:

⛄ Snowball Tonics: Transform into massive, different colored snowballs.
🔔 Bell Choir: Grab a bell and play for a concert!
🧣 Never-Ending Scarf: Help untangle the beautifully, extremely long crocheted scarf, dodge cats, and get the whole thing together in one place.
🍻 Keg Brawl: A game where one must carrying a keg of ale from one end of a field of ice to the other while avoiding the other team trying to stop you.
🐶 The Inugami. Help a pair of spirit dogs find each other.
🌠 Falling Stars. Make wishes upon the falling stars before they cause too much damage!

II. SHATTERED DREAMS

Although the Dreamwalkers were successful in removing the strange glass shard in the Ice Queen's chest and ended the nightmare dreamscape that caused the blizzard, the Ice Queen still has yet to awaken. Jack Frost has taken her to Orkili to try and purify her with the pods, yet it only caused an adverse reaction, prompting the Orkilins and Jack Frost to ask for help from the Dreamwalkers once more. Isolated in a separate room where neither dreamotion nor nightmare energy can enter, those who are willing to investigate the Ice Queen's dream will be able to freely dreamwalk, with the warning that she seems sensitive to positive dreamotion so everyone should take caution when using it.

In the meantime, there are some other happenings going around in Orkili, including investigation into some nightmare crystals.

A. Piecing it Together. Those who enter the Ice Queen's dream will find themselves free floating in a dark void with large reflective glass-like shards with blurred, fogged scenes reflecting on their surface. They float aimlessly through the space, and a closer inspection will reveal that these shards can fit together and likely form a larger image. The goal is to now try and put the pieces together, though it's not as easy as it might seem.

🪞 Nightmare manipulation. For whatever reason, those who either have high nightmare resistance or can control nightmare energy will be able to move and be around the shards with very little effect to them.

💥 Too much of a good thing. Because the shards are dark and clearly exude nightmare energy, there will be those who will try to use positive types of dreamotion to purify the shards. Some dreamotion will be safe to use and will help clear up the image on the surface. However, too much focus will have a negative feedback where the dreamers are pushed back with a freezing gale and the shard they are focusing on will crack and break into smaller pieces. Nightmare energy can help mend the cracks, so it's better to try and use both at the same time.

💔 Blurred visions. As the surface of the shards clear up, various scenes of different themes can be seen, both good and bad. Love, heartbreak, hatred, anger, joy, jealousy, loneliness, fulfillment, family, abandonment. Those who experienced the ice mirrors in the previous dreamscape will feel a strong familiarity with these larger shards, except these are clearly towards the Ice Queen herself.

This is where we want players to come up with any scene that the Ice Queen may have experienced that could be reflected on the shard! We'll request submissions and piece together a story based on player input. Don't worry about any contradictions, we'll work it all in one way or another. The only constant is that Jack Frost and the Ice Queen do have a close, romantic relationship, which is why Jack is very worried about her.

B. Unwanted Intruder. While in the dream, a grotesque looking noctaere will appear and try to attack and consume the shards. Should it succeed, the Ice Queen will receive physical damage that everyone will be able to hear and feel inside the dream. The void will contort and turn more like sludge. Attempts to use dreamotion will only worsen it, but those who can control or absorb nightmare energy will take it away from the Ice Queen. How it affects them however, will vary between dizziness to momentary lapse in judgment and may need to leave the dreamscape.

Those monitoring outside the dream will witness the Ice Queen scream and her skin blackening as if charred by fire. Same thing applies here: those who try to use dreamotion to heal her will only worsen it, but those who use nightmare energy to either draw it out into some other container or absorb it themselves will be able to pull it out of the Ice Queen. Those who absorb the nightmare energy will have similar varying effects, from just light dizziness to becoming more irritable and hostile. Attempts to try and directly pull out the nightmare energy otherwise will be unsuccessful—it will only work when the noctaere has consumed a shard and caused the physical side effects.

No one will turn noctaere through this method because not enough nightmare energy will have accumulated.

As for the noctaere, it will sometimes appear outside the dream, and those who encounter it or deliberately try to hunt it down either within or outside the dream will find both dreamotion and nightmare based attacks effective against it. However, it's a very tough and difficult foe, so while it can be damaged, it cannot be defeated at this time. Those who investigated the claw marks from a few months ago will notice it leaves behind the same claw marks. Those who witnessed it will also find it familiar and can safely say it's the same.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Alright that wasn't the reaction he'd expected at all, and he made no effort to conceal his confusion. Aside from the coat, this wasn't much different than what he generally wore, and even if it weren't, why would a change of clothes prompt Adrien to doubt his identity? The only thing he could tell was that the reaction was tied in somehow to the grief he'd felt earlier.

"I did," he said. "And I'm frankly not sure why you think I'm 'pretending'; I am Gabriel Agreste, and have been all my life. I can show you my ID, if you don't believe me."

"Gabriel Agreste died as a hero helping Ladybug and Chat Noir save Paris from Monarch! So I don't know who you really are, but pretending to be my father when we both know he's de... ad.." his voice absolutely cracked a moment on that last word. He shook his head. "I don't care what kind of dream this is supposed to be, this is a sick joke and I'm not laughing."

Edited 2024-01-23 07:33 (UTC)

...Oh. Well that explained a great deal. And also confirmed his earlier idea. Not that he expected that to be any more of a comfort to Adrien than it was to him. He lowered his head solemnly and sighed. "I'm sorry Adrien," he said gently. "I had no idea..." Not precisely true; he'd known he was hurting. The difference was now he knew the cause.

He took a deep breath before raising his head to look this other version of his son in the eye. "But rest assured that I would never joke about something like that. I can assure you, I am Gabriel Agreste; just clearly not the Gabriel Agreste that you knew. Because not only am I very much alive, I've also never heard of any of those other people you mentioned."

"Not the...." how could anyone not... and then it hit him. He'd dealt with Hesperia. Well... no. Chat Noir had. So Adrien had to still act like he didn't know. But that didn't mean he couldn't let himself catch on before too long.

Still, he had to play uniformed a little bit longer. "How could anyone not have heard of Ladybug and Chat Noir and Monarch?" he demanded, playing the role now. Not that it was hard to pretend not to buy it, because even knowing about other realities... he was having a hard time buying it.

"I imagine that you're familiar with the concept of alternate universes, if only in fiction?", he said. His own son had a sizable collection of comic books, movies, and other media, some of which he was vaguely aware featured the concept from time to time, after all; he would be very surprised if this version of Adrien had never encountered it. "As difficult as it may be to believe, that is, I think, the most likely explanation."

"Because while you're clearly Adrien, you're just as clearly not quite the Adrien I know. You have on a good deal less eyeliner for one thing, and your hairstyle is entirely different. And while my relationship with him has unfortunately been somewhat... strained lately, he would have no reason to believe that I've died, heroically or otherwise."

"Alternate... universes..." he repeated slowly. "Well... if I didn't already believe this was a dream, between you and the talking unicorn... I'd be about there. But..." he looked at the man now, seriously. "If you're Gabriel Agreste, but not my father, and I'm Adrien Agreste, but not your son," eyeliner was something to consider later, though, perhaps, "then what.. are we?"

He gave a bit of a wry smile. "I think it was being turned into a cookie and then back again that convinced me," he said. "Though I agree that the unicorn definitely helped."

His expression softened somewhat as he continued though. "As for what we are to each other... that is a very good question." He stood up, brushing a bit of glitter from his pants leg. "Fortunately, it seems that we'll have ample time to find out."

After a moment's consideration he added. "Have you found a place to stay yet? I'm actually out doing a bit of house hunting at the moment, and while none of the places on my list are exactly mansions some of them do have two or more bedrooms..."

A hint of a smile at the mention of being a cookie. He... had mixed feelings about the comment over them having time, but then the last part...

"Are... you sure you'd be able to handle that?" he asked, softly. "My father can't... couldn't... spend much time with my aunt because she.. she looks so much like mom looked," he whispered. He closed his eyes, looking away. "I... wouldn't it be like trying to live with Felix? Living with someone who looks just like your son but.... is just... me?"

He wasn't sure how he could handle it himself, but he'd rather get the rejection out of the way, if it was coming.

"Ah...", he said. He could see why that would be a legitimate concern. "Where I'm from, Amelie hasn't visited since your mother passed, so I can't say for certain how I would feel about that. But to be perfectly frank, there'd be no mistaking you for Felix, and not just because he's a terrible actor. The two of you may look similar, but your personalities are very different."

"Besides, even if you aren't the Adrien I know, you're still family of a sort, and a minor; it would be irresponsible of me to not make certain you had a safe place to stay. If staying with me doesn't work out, I can help you find somewhere else, but I would like to give it a try, if you're willing."

He stared at him, without responding, for a long moment before shaking his head in painful amusement. A million emotions were racing through him as he tried to reconcile things. "If I wasn't convinced before that you weren't my father..." HE shook his head again. "Even when he... even near the...." he couldn't say it, couldn't get the words out without letting the pain free, and he wasn't ready to do that.

"My father can act as well as anyone, but I don't think he could have ever said something like that. To anyone. If he were looking at someone who looked at me, but wasn't? At best he'd find someone else to look after me and only see me when he had a use for me," he said, a bit bitterly.

He frowned. "If you'll pardon my saying so, if that was the sort of attitude he had, I can't say I think much of the man," he said. "I'm far from perfect, of course; the state of my relationship with my own son is proof of that. But still, to be so callous..."

He shook his head and sighed. "Forgive me; I shouldn't speak ill of the dead like that, especially not to you. But people should not be treated like tools, family least of all. Nothing good ever comes of it." As he'd learned to his great cost.

He was torn between feeling the need to defend his father, agreeing, hating himself for agreeing, and wanting to run away. At least that last was easier to shove aside. "What people should or shouldn't be doesn't change what was," he finally said, making himself sound calm again as he shoved his emotions down once more.

"No, it doesn't," he agreed solemnly. "For better or worse, we can only move forward." Forward... to the future he hoped to create. The kind of future his son deserved.

But this was far too heavy a conversation to be having standing outside in the cold, and even without his abilities he could tell that it was distressing Adrien. He cleared his throat softly, signaling a change in subject. "In any case, I should get back to house hunting; that's actually why I'm out today. And if you're going to stay with me for the time being, you should have some input as well."

He pulled a list of potential residences out of his pocket. "Most of the ones I've looked at so far are built into trees, but I don't know if that would be something that appealed to you or not." From his tone, it clearly doesn't appeal to him, though not in a disapproving way. More that he just finds the idea of living in a tree a bit too weird for his taste.

He made a face involuntarily at the thought of living in a tree before he caught himself. He could see Rose or Nino liking the idea maybe, but he couldn't see any of them actually enjoying the reality of living in a three house.

"Paris on my world is a city. Trees are generally outside or small and in decorative pots."

He was a city kid, through and through. "I'd rather electricity and good wifi to leaves and bugs if it's all the same."

Adrien's immediate reaction to the idea of a treehouse brought a bit of an amused smile to his face. "I'll take that as a 'no'," he said dryly. "Granted, the treehouses here might not be quite the same as the ones you're thinking of, and they do make for an interesting aesthetic, but not interesting enough that I want to live in one. In any case, that should narrow down the list quite a bit."

"Fortunately, the next place I intended to look at isn't a treehouse. And it's also not far. Would you like to come take a look at it?"

"You... really want me to come?" he asked, still unsure and surprised by this. And a bit wary.

Gabriel was a bit puzzled at the question. "Well it would be difficult for you to offer any input on potential houses if you didn't see them for yourself," he said. "So yes, if you're willing."

"Alright..." He was still pretty sure that his input wouldn't matter at all. And he wasn't sure why this version of Gabriel even wanted to live with him in the first place... But he was going along with it for now.

Gabriel's reasons were basically the ones he'd already stated, namely the fact that- while not his biological son- Adrien was still technically family as well as a minor. Thus, he felt it was his responsibility to make certain Adrien was fed, housed, and otherwise had his needs met while he was here. He wasn't about to leave him out in the cold, literally or metaphorically.

Gabriel nodded and pulled out his list of locations to double-check the address. "This way then," he said, indicating the direction of the house in question, indicating that Adrien should follow as he started off in that direction.

He had heard all the words, he was just wary about trusting them. Perhaps for good reason. He followed along with him, trying to keep quiet so he wouldn't be a burden or find out too soon just how alike the two men really were. Logically he should push all the buttons and learn the limits before putting himself in this position but...

... He just couldn't bring himself to do it.

There were ways the two of them were alike, some obvious, others less so. But still, should Adrien choose to press buttons, he would likely find many of his reactions surprising.

As it was, they walked quietly down the glitter-covered streets until they came to a small house. It had a yard surrounded by a somewhat rustic-looking wooden fence and two rectangular glitter-covered lumps that would almost certainly be flowerbeds flanking the path leading up to the front door. The house itself matched the fence in terms of being constructed primarily of wood and being overall a bit rustic in appearance, but unlike the fence, it was painted. It was primarily white, though the shingles of the sloped roof were a warm brown, and the door and other trim dark blue.

Gabriel checked his list to make sure they had the right place, then nodded, tucking the list away again. "This is the place," he said. "Shall we go inside and have a look around?"

He managed to keep his initial reaction off his face well enough. He didn't really think of himself as a snob, he didn't. But... he also didn't see himself living in a place quite like this. Still, he was sure if it was all they had he could find charm in it.

Or spend as little time home as possible.

If he'd even be allowed to leave.

What if he couldn't leave?

He forced down the spiraling panic and gave a small nod. "Alright."

In the end, after all, it didn't really matter what he thought, did it?

For some reason the sight of the little house deeply alarmed Adrien, though he couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Nor could he even make it obvious that he was aware of it, as Adrien gave little outward indication of his reaction. But while he was still determined to give every potential house a fair shot, that reaction automatically made this one a much tougher sell on his part.

Pausing just outside the door to shake off as much glitter as possible- always a losing battle, but it would be rude not to at least try- he headed inside. The interior of the house was largely what one might expect from the exterior; a mildly rustic country cottage with basic but reasonably comfortable-looking furnishings, all on one floor. He walked from room to room at an unhurried pace, looking thoughtful. While there were technically two bedrooms, both were on the small side. In fact the whole place was a bit smaller than it looked from the outside. Perhaps not the best for what was sure to be a somewhat awkward living arrangement at first.

"Hmm... it's a bit smaller than I was expecting," he finally commented. "What do you think of it, Adrien?"

Edited 2024-03-19 04:27 (UTC)

He walked around as well. Not that there was much to walk around in. He wasn't sure he'd ever actually been in a house this small. Nino, Marinette, Alaya, they all had big houses. While the house boat probably had smaller bedrooms, the boat itself had lots of deck space to hang out on.

Still, he did his best to not show too much of how he was feeling, still unsure how this look alike of his father's would react to him expressing negative sentiment, or disagreeing. "Small," he said to agree, with a nod, watching him carefully.

He considered for another moment before nodding. "Yes, definitely too small, I think," he said. "Much better suited for one person who wants to have a guest room, or someone with a young child who needs a lot of supervision." The overall aesthetic could grow on him, but they'd definitely need a bit more space.

He pulled out the list to check where the next potential location on the list was. "Hmm... The next potential location is a bit more of a walk from here than this one was from where we were, but it shouldn't take too long to get there."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject