PRISON WORLD #2: Whoville

[spoofer]

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.

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. Characters are welcome to RUN their OWN BOOTHS and make TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES.

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. . . It's actually kind of festive. There are colorful houses, all decorated for the holidays. The people are usually a cheerful sort, though they're depressed right now. Once their initial shock at seeing you passes, it will be obvious the mood is low. They're the ones who will explain what happened.

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

1. All kidnapped characters will have their powers nullified to baseline human level while in Whoville.
2. Kidnapped characters will retain access to the Network and can contact characters left in Xistentia.
3. All characters will return to Xistentia by 24 December - Christmas Eve.
4. The plotting post for this event can be found here.

Comments

kurt wagner [nightcrawler] ❧ ota

[shadowblends]

please have snow and mistletoe (winter wonderland)

[This Winterland Ball seems just as — if not more than — festive as the Halloween party before it. And admittedly, finding something to wear had been far easier than the former holiday.

Perhaps, you see him listening to the story-tellers, bright-eyed and altruistically enthralled by each tail or happen to hear him attempting to sing carols. He's curious about the henna art; not quite bold enough to step forward and ask for anything to be done, though. For personal reasons, he might say offhandedly. It's his only response before he goes right back to watching.

Wherever you encounter him, he's almost always got a bright, cheerful demeanor. The moment it might change is if you get lucky and catch him dipping beneath the mistletoe, face flushed as he attempts to avoid the sprig because yes, he knows.]

and presents under the tree (lightbringing)

[During this ceremony, Kurt will do all that he can to keep the torch from going out. He sticks as close to his partner as he's allowed, knowing that he still has to respect boundaries, since whoever might be helping him could be a stranger.

He peers up from the cover of his hood and gently shakes his head, lowering the scarf he'd been using to protect the lower half of his face to speak easier.]

What do you make of this tradition?

christmas eve will find me where the love light gleams (whoville)

[At the beginning of the capture, he'd been seething with irritation, both at having been kidnapped and the fact that his powers seem to be inaccessible in this new world. Still, as time goes on and he, along with his fellow captives are roomed in the (w)hotel, he begins to focus less on his anger, more on what they can do to get them home.

That, and seeing the way the town comes together, regardless of their lack of gifts brings about the idea of appreciating what they have right now.

So, vigor and determination renewed, he joins in with the decorating, writing, and cooking. Wandering about Whoville afterward to attend some movies, go ice-skating or even check out the concert hall. He may not be able to make music or sing, but he's there to cheer people on if they decide to do so!]

i'll be home christmas if only in my dreams (wildcard)

[ooc: something not tickle your fancy in the prompts? hit this up!]

winter wonderland;

[hasitsthorns]

[ By this point, Rose is just a little tipsy. It's a party! She's having fun. Excuse her as she hooks an arm around Kurt's shoulders - something she would never have done a year and some change ago - and uses him momentarily for support. It's not that she needs it, just that she's feeling a bit sentimental. Touchy-feely. Kurt might be a new addition to their little community, someone she's only starting to get to know but she'd by lying if she said she didn't feel protective of him already. ]

Hey, dude, [ she greets, smiling wide. ] You got a date tonight, or what? Do I gotta' hook you up?

[shadowblends]

[He's been nursing a drink of his own for the past hour or so, unsure as to if he should continue consuming it for fear of what might happen should he become intoxicated again. The Halloween party hadn't been that bad, but he's still wary about making a fool out of himself. Those iridescent eyes widen at the arm around him, head turning so he can spare a glance toward Rosie.]

Hi! [Kurt chuckles, reaches to — albeit tentatively — loop his arm around her middle. The question throws him, though, makes his cheeks color.] I haven't got a date, but that's okay. I'm not sure there are many people who'd [pause] look twice at me. At least, not in that way.

[hasitsthorns]

[ Only good things come from intoxication, Kurt. Look at your big sister as a model of that. She'll just never tell him about the fair. It'll be fine. She's smiling wide back at him, happy to have the affection returned so easily. ]

What! [ she suddenly exclaims, like that's a ludicrous thing to say. It is, in her opinion. ] There's plenty of people who'd look at you that way. And if they don't, fuck 'em. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. Here, I'll find someone right now-

[ A sharp inhale before she shouts: ]

KAVINSKY, GET OVER HERE AND MAKE OUT WITH THIS CUTE BLUE BOY.

but rosie *why*

[shadowblends]

[At first, it's funny, listening to Rosie go on about how people are totally looking at him and if they aren't, they're missing out. He'd never thought drunkenness could be amusing, but check her out-- proving him wrong without even trying, really.]

Thanks, Rosie, but I don't think that's— [Then, his name comes out of her mouth and Kurt's face promptly flushes a brilliant shade of purple, his free hand coming up to muffle her.]

That, [he emphasizes, eyes wide and cheeks burning.] Is definitely not necessary.

[hasitsthorns]

[ One minute she's yelling, the next her voice is a muffle behind blue digits. Somehow, she didn't see this coming. Maybe it's because no one's really quieted her yet. They probably should have. ]

Kurph, [ she says against his fingers, not yelling anymore. Still. He's blushing and awfully flustestered and- ]

Do you like Kavinsky?

[ This part comes out clearly because by now she's peeled his fingers off his face. Her eyes are bright and smile matches as she looks up at him. Has she discovered something here? ]

[shadowblends]

[Suddenly, his mouth is dry and it's hard to swallow. He can't admit to liking Kavinsky when he doesn't even understand his own feelings about the dream thief, but there's something about him Kurt finds appealing.

Something he can't quite put his finger on just yet.

Kurt allows the hand to be pulled away with relative ease, gaze becoming downcast as he moves both arms to tuck across his chest. He can't look Rose in the eye or it might actually give her the idea he does care, regardless of how nonchalant he's trying to appear.]

Truthfully, [he admits.] I don't know.

[hasitsthorns]

[ 'I don't know.' Isn't that what she'd thought in so many different ways before her and Vanyel dated? Isn't that what she told everyone when they asked what her relationship to him was? To Caleb? To anyone that was clearly more than friends but not quite committed to yet? ]

Well, hey, [ she says, perhaps because of her own experience, ] that's totally fine too. You got time to figure out how you feel.

[shadowblends]

Perhaps, but what if I feel like— [a pause, his features creasing with uncertainty,] like I shouldn't feel that way?

[For the record, it's not even because Kavinsky's another male. Having any emotions toward another person besides 'friends' and trying to figure out how to handle them is totally foreign to Kurt.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Ah.

Now doesn't that hit close to home. Rose had thought the same thing, that she shouldn't feel the way she did about Vanyel. So she tried to avoid it, dodge the fact that they were something more and that she did feel stronger for him than anyone else on the island of Eudio.

She didn't think she deserved him. She still doesn't, some days. ]

I'd ask you why you feel that way, first of all.

[shadowblends]

[There are many things he'd like to respond with; he isn't sure how they're going to sound once they come out, although she's never given him a reason to doubt his own words.

Should he lie, say something that's nowhere near why he believes he shouldn't feel this way? No, not to someone he's finally started opening up to. Kurt and Rosie aren't as close as some of the other people he'd befriended back in his homeworld, but.]

I've never felt this way before, [he finally admits, doing his best to meet Rosie's gaze.] Like, ever.

[hasitsthorns]

[ She doesn't expect him to spill his heart. Even if she'd like for him to open up, the blond isn't about to force it either. Rose knows all too well about being a little more guarded. About being a bit uncomfortable with the vulnerability honesty brings. ]

Never ever? [ she asks, just to reaffirm. ] Okay, well. Hey. We all gotta' start somewhere. And I've got a couple centuries on you too so you have to take that into consideration.

Also, it's not nearly as scary as you might be making it out to be. I should know. I was terrified when I realized I had The Feels for Vanyel.

[shadowblends]

Ever. [Just so they're clear and all.]

The 'Feels?' [he queries, an eyebrow raising.] A weird way to say that you like someone, but ja, it means the same thing, I guess. [A tri-fingered hand raises to his tie, hooking around the knot and pulling to loosen it, golden eyes looking down at the slackened silk around his throat. It's oddly reminiscent of a rope, like a noose that's been keeping him on his toes and the release feels freeing.

The name Vanyel sounds familiar, but he isn't feeling brave enough to ask.] A couple of centuries? Hmmm. [Don't be impolite, Kurt.] Why were you afraid?

lightbrining

[jawsitivity]

[ Despite how the cold affected him, Sidon wasn't about to turn down his friend when they needed help! This wasn't a tradition that Hyrule had though he had to admit it was intriguing. So, he braces the chill in stride and walks along with Kurt carefully so as to not extinguish his flame. ]

You know, I'm not actually sure! If I were to guess, it would be about... Teamwork, obviously! But also maybe how we need each other to keep the lights inside us lit, perhaps. That's a nice bit of symbolism, don't you think?

[shadowblends]

[Since this is Sidon that's helping him, little Blue has no trouble sliding closer to the fish-man, attempting to offer what small amount of body heat he has left. It's not much, but it's all that he has, except for the fire from the torch.]

I do, ja. [He grins up at his friend.] That's an incredible way to look at it! I never thought about it like that ...

[jawsitivity]

[ Sidon is appreciative of the effort, Kurt! It doesn't do a whole heck of a lot, but he's not about to perish or anything because of the cold or anything either. He will endure. That's what he's known for. ]

I definitely know I couldn't have faced my most difficult moments alone! What about you?

[shadowblends]

[There's a moment where Kurt hesitates, his grip around the torch tightening and his posture stiffening. He averts his gaze to his feet, absently chewing the inside of his cheek.]

I suppose, now that I've got friends to help me, I won't have to face them alone anymore.

[jawsitivity]

[ Ah. Perhaps he's hit a nerve... Sidon never means to but his blunt nature definitely lends itself to treading on some people's sensibilities more easily. ]

Tell me about them, [ he says. ] Your friends! What are they like?

[shadowblends]

[He perks despite himself, grateful for Sidon's distraction in asking about his friends.] Oh, they're all quite amazing in their own ways!

[Drawing his tail around and up, Nightcrawler curls the spade around the torch to hold, freeing up his hands for the gesturing that is to come.] None of us have the same mutations, either. There's Scott, who's a boy about my age with the ability to shoot eye beams. [He's absolutely miming this, by the way.]

[jawsitivity]

[ Sidon smiles in kind at Kurt's own energy. He really is such an interesting young man and he's glad to see him happier.

His eyes widen at the miming of the laser eyes motion though, a bit surprised. ] Like a Guardian! They're awful machines with a single eye that fire lasers at unsuspecting people who draw too close to them.

I'm sure your friend Scott doesn't intend to hurt anyone though. That must be quite the impressive power though. What other abilities are there that you've seen?

[shadowblends]

Just like that, but— [he pauses, lowers his voice in case someone is listening.] Don't call them 'laser eyes' in front of Scott. "They're not lasers," is what he'll insist in a rather offended manner.

[Kurt chuckles.] Even though that's what they look like.

[But yes, there are other powers to talk about and Sidon looks more than interested.] Unless the person is deserving of it, no, I'd say he isn't intentionally trying to cause harm. Besides that, my other teammates are Peter, aptly named 'Quicksilver' for his superspeed. Ororo, who has the power to bend the weather to her will, and Jean, with her telepathy and telekinesis. Others include elemental proficiency, super strength, being able to fly and then — in my case — I'm a teleporter!

[jawsitivity]

Oh, I see! If I ever meet him, I'll try to refrain from doing that...

[ He can understand why Scott might be offended. Anyone he knows back in Hyrule would likely be as well if compared to the Guardians littering the lands. They weren't anything good to be associated with.

Of course, Sidon doesn't make any promises. It wouldn't be the first time he forgot something he wasn't supposed to say and just blurt it out anyway. It wasn't that he meaned to be insensitive, he just had a tendency to speak his mind. ]

Sounds like you have quite the entourage! You all must be unstoppable when you're working together! It's something I'd like to see someday, if possible.

[ Ever since arriving here, there's... a lot that Sidon wants to see, admittedly. His world suddenly seemed so small. He'd never strayed too far from Zora's Domain but he's sure his father nor his people would fault him the opportunity to travel and grow now that it's presented itself. ]

[shadowblends]

I'm sure you'll get a pass. You aren't from our world, so he has no right to scold you for something you had no idea about. [And if Scott tried to make it a problem, he'd (gently) correct him because Sidon is his friend.]

We do! The more we train, the stronger and more in control we become. [He ponders mentioning the battle against Apocalypse, but second guesses himself, figuring it best to talk about something that serious on a different day.] If there's ever a chance we can get to my world, count on me introducing you to them.

[Of course, it's his hope that the fish-man would want to do the same with his friends and Kurt.]

[jawsitivity]

[ Friends! Sidon would be pleased to hear that. He actually already considers Kurt one as well, but he tends to consider people friends a lot faster than they might about him. It's fine. In this case, it certainly worked out. ]

That's good! Link and I are the same. We didn't train together often back home, but I'm glad for the opportunity to here! I think we've learned a lot about one another because of it.

[ So he agrees that training can be something to increase strength and camaraderie. ]

I'd appreciate that! And if the same becomes possible for you, I'm sure that you'd love Hyrule. My father would be happy to meet you and I'm positive the other leaders would as well.

[shadowblends]

[Should it ease his mind, Kurt definitely considers Sidon a friend and one that he believes he could come to with a problem, if he had any to discuss at this time.]

What all have you learned from one another? He said he wouldn't mind teaching me things, but I'm worried about asking for too much.

[He perks slightly, golden eyes lighting up with enthusiasm at the thought.]

I'm sure I would, too. 'Hyrule,' huh? That must be the name of your homeworld. [His lips quirk.] I'd love to meet them and your father. I'm sure they're great!