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PRISON WORLD #2: Whoville
Characters: Ensemble cast, any/all characters of Xistentia!
Summary: With the help of D.E.S.T.I.N.Y, the Grinch crashes the Winter Wonderland Ball and steals Christmas! Along with quite a few refugees. Welcome to Whoville, your home for the holidays! Detailed plotting post is here, and latest announcement is here.
Date(s): 2 - 24 December
Warnings/Notes: None, please mark your subject headers with content.
Come one, come all, to the beautiful Winter Wonderland Ball! After the trials of war, F.A.T.E.S. has thrown a party to raise everyone's mood. The holidays are coming and it's time to celebrate!
There's snow outside, and the theme continues indoors. The gathering is non-denominational, with decorations combining several celebrations around the Multiverse, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali, and many others that you may not even recognise! If it's a winter festival on any world, it's represented here. Perhaps you can explain the significance of your own. Enjoy rice pudding, dradle games, henna tattoos, mistletoe, songs, storytelling, portraiture, and a variety of other traditions too, from cultures less familiar to contemporary Earth.
From a race of dwarves, there comes the lightbringing festival. Two partners, selected at random, get two torches they must carry outside and walk around the snowy building, keeping each other lit. Upon their return, they pass their torches onto a random person— or try again, if they failed. Those who succeed to bring the light back then write a wish on a tapestry hung in the center of the room. You'll notice a lot of people are wishing to return home and save their worlds.
Then there's the food. You'll find winter specialties from every culture represented. There are turkeys, chocolate, matzah bread, truffles, mulled wine, sweet meat, even Brussels sprouts. Find a table and eat your fill; there's plenty to go around.
The end of the night approaches. It's been a lovely occasion, full of food, drink and merriment. And gifts, of course. There's so many gifts! It's almost time to take them home. Of course, then the ceiling crashes in. An enormous, rocket-powered sleigh spins into the room, scattering glass, decorations, and dining tables everywhere. Food and drink spatters onto clothes, there are screams and shouts, and the flash of something hairy and green.
Flashes of electric light scatter all around, and the next thing you know, you're being pulled into the air. You're weightless, you can't tell which way is up and which is down, and your eyes are blinded with light. Then you're gone.
Those left behind will witness the sleigh and most of the room's occupants vanish in the blink of an eye. When they have time to take stock, they'll see that every present is gone - and as a final insult, the giant Christmas tree tips over and crashes to the floor.
Not such a Merry Christmas after all. . .
Those who were taken will pass out, completely unconscious, mid-trip. When you come to, you'll be aware of the cold, and the wind, and the snow, and did we mention the cold? You're inside a literal snowflake. It's freezing here. But aside from that. . .
The Grinch, a hairy, green monster who lives at the top of the mountain, has stolen all their presents, and stolen you as well. They explain that they are the Who, and that this is Whoville, their home. They'll direct you to the Whotel, an implausibly shaped and colourful building with plenty of rooms for you to stay.
As for the Grinch, he'll make himself known soon enough. Your daemons are with you - keep an eye on the Network. The mountain he lives on will be, in a word, inaccessible. The Grinch's allies, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. have protected it with an impenetrable forcefield. Also, they've nullified your powers. That's right, kids! Have you ever wanted to be baseline human? Because you are now.
But it's not all bad! The Who are friendly and welcoming, if still sad. At least, at first. But not to fear - not even the Grinch can keep a good Who down. As days pass, you'll begin to see a change in mood amongst your new friends.
They'll start preparing again. Cooking again, writing cards again. It's like they're preparing for the holiday all over again! Your daemon will suggest that you help them out a little. If the Grinch was determined to ruin the holidays, then let's not let him! There's cooking to be done, songs to be sung, windows and chimneys to be repaired, mistletoe to be rehung!
And if charitable works don't interest you, why not explore Whoville itself! The whole place is a snowy wonderland. There's a frozen lake to skate on, a cinema to attend - filled with holiday-themed movies, of course - and a concert hall that's lying empty. Perhaps you could fill it again. Get the Who back into the spirit of the season.
Meanwhile, the Grinch will be walking among you. He'll try to stay hidden, but some of you will find him. He's trolling and tricking, generally trying to disrupt your efforts to make Christmas happen again. But he'll see what you're doing, and see that both you and the Who are happy even without the presents he stole. Perhaps that small heart of his might just grow. Only a Who would know.
On December 24, Christmas Eve, the Grinch's heart finally grows large enough that he brings his sleigh down from the mountain, breaking through D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.'s forcefield. With his Christmas spirit restored, he'll return everyone's gifts and bring them back to Xistentia the same way they came!
As before, the trip aboard the Grinch's sleigh will temporarily knock your character out. When they awake, any nullified powers will be restored. They'll retain full memories of their time in Whoville and will return to Xistentia in time to celebrate the holidays with the rest of their friends.
Summary: With the help of D.E.S.T.I.N.Y, the Grinch crashes the Winter Wonderland Ball and steals Christmas! Along with quite a few refugees. Welcome to Whoville, your home for the holidays! Detailed plotting post is here, and latest announcement is here.
Date(s): 2 - 24 December
Warnings/Notes: None, please mark your subject headers with content.
WHOVILLE PRISON WORLD
The day the Grinch stole Xistentia
WINTER WONDERLAND BALL
Come one, come all, to the beautiful Winter Wonderland Ball! After the trials of war, F.A.T.E.S. has thrown a party to raise everyone's mood. The holidays are coming and it's time to celebrate!
There's snow outside, and the theme continues indoors. The gathering is non-denominational, with decorations combining several celebrations around the Multiverse, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali, and many others that you may not even recognise! If it's a winter festival on any world, it's represented here. Perhaps you can explain the significance of your own. Enjoy rice pudding, dradle games, henna tattoos, mistletoe, songs, storytelling, portraiture, and a variety of other traditions too, from cultures less familiar to contemporary Earth.
From a race of dwarves, there comes the lightbringing festival. Two partners, selected at random, get two torches they must carry outside and walk around the snowy building, keeping each other lit. Upon their return, they pass their torches onto a random person— or try again, if they failed. Those who succeed to bring the light back then write a wish on a tapestry hung in the center of the room. You'll notice a lot of people are wishing to return home and save their worlds.
Then there's the food. You'll find winter specialties from every culture represented. There are turkeys, chocolate, matzah bread, truffles, mulled wine, sweet meat, even Brussels sprouts. Find a table and eat your fill; there's plenty to go around.
SECRET SANTA
 | The Ball is also refugees' opportunity to present their Secret Santa gifts! Leave your presents beneath the large Christmas tree in the middle of the room. There's a welcoming space there waiting for all your holiday cheer.
If you're participating, there'll also be a gift for you left here. Look out for your name! Maybe you'll finally find out who your Santa is, or perhaps they'll decide to remain anonymous. Have fun, kids! No one leaves without a present. |
INVASION OF THE GRINCH
The end of the night approaches. It's been a lovely occasion, full of food, drink and merriment. And gifts, of course. There's so many gifts! It's almost time to take them home. Of course, then the ceiling crashes in. An enormous, rocket-powered sleigh spins into the room, scattering glass, decorations, and dining tables everywhere. Food and drink spatters onto clothes, there are screams and shouts, and the flash of something hairy and green.
Flashes of electric light scatter all around, and the next thing you know, you're being pulled into the air. You're weightless, you can't tell which way is up and which is down, and your eyes are blinded with light. Then you're gone.
Those left behind will witness the sleigh and most of the room's occupants vanish in the blink of an eye. When they have time to take stock, they'll see that every present is gone - and as a final insult, the giant Christmas tree tips over and crashes to the floor.
Not such a Merry Christmas after all. . .
EVENT -
PRISON WORLD #2: WHOVILLE
Those who were taken will pass out, completely unconscious, mid-trip. When you come to, you'll be aware of the cold, and the wind, and the snow, and did we mention the cold? You're inside a literal snowflake. It's freezing here. But aside from that. . .
The Grinch, a hairy, green monster who lives at the top of the mountain, has stolen all their presents, and stolen you as well. They explain that they are the Who, and that this is Whoville, their home. They'll direct you to the Whotel, an implausibly shaped and colourful building with plenty of rooms for you to stay.
As for the Grinch, he'll make himself known soon enough. Your daemons are with you - keep an eye on the Network. The mountain he lives on will be, in a word, inaccessible. The Grinch's allies, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. have protected it with an impenetrable forcefield. Also, they've nullified your powers. That's right, kids! Have you ever wanted to be baseline human? Because you are now.
LIFE IN WHOVILLE
But it's not all bad! The Who are friendly and welcoming, if still sad. At least, at first. But not to fear - not even the Grinch can keep a good Who down. As days pass, you'll begin to see a change in mood amongst your new friends.
They'll start preparing again. Cooking again, writing cards again. It's like they're preparing for the holiday all over again! Your daemon will suggest that you help them out a little. If the Grinch was determined to ruin the holidays, then let's not let him! There's cooking to be done, songs to be sung, windows and chimneys to be repaired, mistletoe to be rehung!
And if charitable works don't interest you, why not explore Whoville itself! The whole place is a snowy wonderland. There's a frozen lake to skate on, a cinema to attend - filled with holiday-themed movies, of course - and a concert hall that's lying empty. Perhaps you could fill it again. Get the Who back into the spirit of the season.
Meanwhile, the Grinch will be walking among you. He'll try to stay hidden, but some of you will find him. He's trolling and tricking, generally trying to disrupt your efforts to make Christmas happen again. But he'll see what you're doing, and see that both you and the Who are happy even without the presents he stole. Perhaps that small heart of his might just grow. Only a Who would know.
RETURN TO XISTENTIA
On December 24, Christmas Eve, the Grinch's heart finally grows large enough that he brings his sleigh down from the mountain, breaking through D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.'s forcefield. With his Christmas spirit restored, he'll return everyone's gifts and bring them back to Xistentia the same way they came!
As before, the trip aboard the Grinch's sleigh will temporarily knock your character out. When they awake, any nullified powers will be restored. They'll retain full memories of their time in Whoville and will return to Xistentia in time to celebrate the holidays with the rest of their friends.
Footnotes
- All kidnapped characters will have their powers nullified to baseline human level while in Whoville.
- Kidnapped characters will retain access to the Network and can contact characters left in Xistentia.
- All characters will return to Xistentia by 24 December - Christmas Eve.
- The plotting post for this event can be found here.
Zane Freeman | OTA
[ zane recognizes most of the holiday decorations, they're reminiscent of the ones from his own world -- a sentiment that he's yet to wrap his head around. different worlds. different universes all converging in one place, and he just so happened to be one of the chosen few plucked from one.
(thankfully so had his other half. it would have otherwise been a strange sensation to feel someone's presence even when they weren't there, but such a thing had always been prevalent in zane's life. not feeling crimson’s presence would have been strange to him.)
and as odd of a sensation it is to recognize things in a completely unfamiliar place, it doesn't deter him from partaking in them; browsing the cakes and other treats carefully trying each one in an attempt to find his favorite of the bunch, allowing both of his hands to be intricately decorated with henna ink, having one of the various artists draw a caricature of him, and even indulging in a glass of the classic holiday treat -- eggnog.
(spiked with copious amounts of liquor, of course. how else does one get through holiday events like these?)
where ever you happen to stumble upon zane, though, it's likely that he'll be quick to strike up a conversation -- whether it be about the repeating playlist of holiday tunes, or whatever odd thought has just passed through his brain.
It's always a surprise with this guy. ]
[ zane doesn’t remember signing up for any kind of winter olympics torch-bearing ceremony, but somehow he still finds his name being called out, paired together with someone he’s yet to have the pleasure of meeting — which, honestly, covers a good amount of people at the festival itself, he’s yet to make his rounds mingling with the friendly folks of Xistentia. — and thrust into the cold weather outside.
(not at all properly dressed for such a task either, a baggy and loosely knit sweater hanging off one shoulder and a pair of skinny leather pants did very little to combat the elements.)
the whole thing doesn’t make sense, but he’s found that most ritual traditions usually don’t. trudging around the building in the snow with a complete stranger trying to keep a flame from burning out. zane is sure there’s some age-old tale that goes hand-in-hand with all of this, but no one has seemed to inform him of it yet.
or perhaps he hadn't been listening when they did.
and so, with that thought still in mind (really, he’ll take any thought at this point, it’s better than focusing on the cold weather.), he turns his head to look at his partner as they trudge through the snow. ]
I don’t yet understand what making laps in the snow has to do with successful wish-granting. Did I miss the story time where that was explained?
[ the first thing that zane notices (aside from just how Extra Christmas this place happens to be.) is that something inside of him is >off, like there are connections inside of his brain that should be linking up, but something is stopping them, as though they are just out of his reach.
it doesn’t take very long for zane to realize that his typical abilities are now gone and it takes even less time for a quick panic to settle in.
the people of whoville are quick to help, though! leading him to the whotel and a room that they tell is specifically just for him, filling him with all the treats and food that his heart could desire, and encouraging him to simply ask if he needed anything more.
it isn’t long before zane is out and about, mingling with the friendly Who, lending a hand with decorations whenever someone stops to ask him for help, catching one of the many holiday films at the cinema, or simply just walking around enjoying the winter weather. (maybe even building a snowman.)
it’s a welcomed change from the warm and sunny weather of california that he’s used to. ]
[ he’d taken some of her clothes for this event — something that shouldn’t even surprise crimson anymore, for as far back as zane could remember himself, he’d been rifling through his twin’s dresser looking for pieces to complete his various outfits.
(share and share alike was just a common theme in their lives, it almost seemed more so than with just a pair of normal siblings.)
but now that the twins had found themselves no longer at the extravagant ballroom, but in some entirely new world of curvy architecture, bright colors, and extremely friendly townsfolk, the knit sweater that hangs off his shoulders and faux leather pants aren’t doing very much to keep him warm. ]
I didn’t bring a jacket. [ he points out the obvious, hands rubbing over his forearms in an attempt to warm himself up. ] I suppose that wasn’t meant to happen, don’t you?
[ he means the whole hairy green fella and the sudden transport to this winter wonderland. ]
got something else up your sleeve? throw it my way, or give me a ping at
no subject
That's a cute resemblance to yourself! Was that your idea or theirs?
no subject
(which, could possibly come off as slightly unnerving and a little rude, but zane truly doesn't mean it as such. he's just Very Interested.) ]
I'm unsure. [ he looks between the intricate lines of henna on his own skin and then yet-to-be-henna'd skin of sidon. definitely different than his own but… ] I suppose they have to be able to, don't you think? More important to ask would be how the ink would react to your skin.
[ and then his gaze cuts to the artwork in question. ]
Theirs. I was simply the muse. [ a laugh. ] I do think that the hair is the best part, it almost has a life of its own. [ he hums thoughtfully to himself. ] A bit like Medusa, don't you think?
no subject
My skin is a lot tougher than the average person's. Also, a different consistency! I'm not sure the paste would stay. I also need to swim a lot to stay healthy... and I imagine that might made it fade faster too!
[ He'd also hate to have some kind of allergic reaction. With all these new species of plants to become knowledgeable of, he seems to be taking the 'safe rather than sorry' approach. Not that there's anything wrong with that. ]
Medusa? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with earth stories. You are from earth, aren't you?
no subject
(Which, has gotten him into more than a few not-so-pleasant situations.) ]
Understandable. [ He hums softly in thought. ] Perhaps there's a different paste they could make, something waterproof and a more durable. You shouldn't be left out of the festivities.
[ Zane pauses a beat, he'd almost forgotten there were world's where stories like that of Medusa didn't exist. ] Oh. Yeah. I'm from Earth. California, if you want to get technical. Medusa was a Gorgon -- like a monster, basically -- that looked like a woman with wings and snakes for hair. The story goes that if you looked at her, you turned to stone.
no subject
Perhaps! If it's not possible, I'll definitely recommend it to them for the future.
[ There are a lot of monsters in Hyrule but 'Medusa' isn't one of them. There are creatures that can turn you to stone though (or at least make it feel like that) so that part he understands. ] I'm from Hyrule, which apparently no one but myself and Link know about!
But California sounds like a frightening place with creatures like that.
[ Sidon, no. ]
no subject
[ Zane's nose wrinkles for a moment in thought -- as though he's trying to recall if he's ever heard of a place called Hyrule.... but to no avail. ]
Sorry, it's not a place I know of either.
[ And then there's the final comment and Zane snorts in laughter. ]
Oh, there's not stuff like that in California. Those are all stories from ancient times and really old civilizations, things like that don't just roam around or anything.
no subject
[ At the mention, the silver wristlet on Sidon's arm whirs to life. It twirls around his skin before unhooking and suspending itself into the air in front of Zane. It floats curiously towards the fire red chamelon, a soft glow emitting from it. There's something soothing about the light but it's yet to be seen if the chamelon will feel the same way.
If he seems disappointed about the man not being familiar with Hyrule, he doesn't show it. He is, a little, but there's not much he can do. There's quite a few places out there in the multiverse he hasn't heard of after all. ]
Ah, I see! That makes it a little less intimidating, I guess... Hyrule has creatures roaming about but they stay away from the larger settlements for the most part.
no subject
The sort of kimino that she's in had a lining that at least didn't leave her as cold as she could have been but she was still not nearly dressed for this either. ]
It definitely was not supposed to happen. [ She thought that much had to be clear but she didn't know what they could do about it either. She tried to use her powers then, light could create a bit of heat if directed properly but it didn't work and she frowns but doesn't say anything. ]
Some people seem to be going in there... [ She pointed to a building where it seemed some of those that had been spirited away were entering. ]
We need to get you out of the cold before you catch one and die on me.