xistentia | PRISON WORLD #2: Whoville

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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.

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

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.

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[ 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? ]

[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.

[ '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.

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.]

[ 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.

[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.

[ 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.

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?

Yeah, you know, the Feels. The things that make your heart beat faster when you see them, butterflies in your stomach. All those terrifying, awful things. [ A beat. ] I'm kidding. They're not bad.

But, yeah, basically that you like someone. [ She notices the light of recognition at Vanyel's name. Has her boyfriend recently made the rounds? She'll have to question that when it's a bit more appropriate. ]

Before Eudio, I... was on the run. And anyone who got close to me usually got caught up in all that I was running from and it never ended well for them. So I was scared, I guess, to let people in because of that. Even in Eudio, I wasn't sure I was really safe. That they wouldn't find me again and everything I'd built would all be gone or all the people I'd gotten close to would regret it once things took a turn for the worse.

[ And there were deeper, darker things too. How Rose was terrified of love because of the vulnerability it brought, because of how undeserving of it she sometimes still feels. ]

[Despite Rosie's reassurance, Kurt pales, swallowing hard around the lump forming in his throat.] Actually, now that you mention it, they may not be bad but they do feel odd.

[He nods then falls silent, listening intently to Rosie explaining her situation. The teleporter isn't familiar with Eudio or any of the people (that he knows of) she's talking about, though that doesn't make him empathize any less.]

That's ... [Eerily similar to how he feels about many of the people in his life.] I understand where you're coming from would be the easiest way to put it, I suppose. I've found a safe place, even outside of Xistentia, but who's to say that humans won't suddenly turn and destroy us all at the drop of a hat? Anybody that I'm close to, they would—

[His head shakes, showing his inability and unwillingness to continue with that sentence.]

Odd is okay. Odd can be good. This one time, Vanyel and I did this weirder thing I didn't think I was gonna' be into but- Wait, no, focus. Anyway, the point is! Odd is alright, I think. [ There we go.

She definitely empathizes with him though. That's... Mm. It's so similar to her own life before she'd landed in Eudio that it definitely causes a pang of sadness for him in her heart. Perhaps it's that or the alcohol that has her a little more loose-lipped and earnest, but either way she squares herself up in front of him and drops some big sister knowledge. ]

I'll tell you what I was told, alright? And sometimes it's still hard for me to believe, but- You gotta' respect other people's choices. Vanyel and Farraige both choose to be with me despite what danger it might mean for them. I tried to take away that choice from Vanyel and cut him off and... It was a mistake. Even if you don't understand or agree, you just gotta' trust them and believe they really do want to be with you come what may.

[WOAH THERE, ROSIE. He briefly covers his ears, gawking at her for a long moment at the fact she'd just about shared some information that might be best left in the bedroom.] That's all you had to say.

[Because he doesn't think he needs to know intimate details about Vanyel and Rosie's relationship. Not that it's awkward (okay, it is, but--), he doesn't see why people would share such things unless the person they were telling was involved with them? Perhaps he's just. more old-fashioned in the relationship sense and there are things he doesn't understand. Either way, he isn't judging.

Again, Kurt goes quiet, brilliant eyes assessing the woman in front of him, taking in everything she's saying. His brow wrinkles with a mixture of emotions; he knows that she's right, that people's feelings shouldn't be taken for granted, especially when they decide that you're important to them.] You're right, I know, but what if they get hurt? How are you not supposed to take blame for something like that or be okay with the fact you couldn't help them? [This sounds. weirdly like a specific situation.]

[ Whoops. Virgin ears, she'd forgotten. It's so hard to remember that people have shame anymore when hers fucked off like a half a year ago now... Vanyel doesn't seem to be the kiss and tell sort but she also doesn't think he minds. Considering he's wearing his collar out and about often, that's about as loud as they can get about the kinkier things they're about these days. ]

You don't have to be okay with it but you can't be responsible for what happens to other people because of what they decided, [ she says to that. ] If Vanyel or Farraige got hurt trying to protect me, I'd feel guilty as hell. But it would have been their choice to and not something I could blame myself for even if I thought I should. Easier said than done, I know, but- It's not a bad way to try and think.

[Should he notice that peculiar thing about Vanyel (and if he's brave enough), he'll have to ask about it and see what sort of significance it has, aside from being a bizarre sort of fashion statement. He'd seen lots of 'punks' wear them — for aesthetics, he feels — though it's safely assumed that's the only reason why. He never stopped to ask any of them when he was fleeing the club.]

It's ... an optimistic way to look at it. [Wasn't that supposed to be his thing? Even the fearless can be frightened in some way.] So, what should I do? I'm afraid to do it, but— [Kurt hesitates, peers over one shoulder then turns back to Rosie.] I have a feeling you're going to tell me to go for it.

[ Rose would love to be privvy to that conversation. Actually, she'd love to hear what her boyfriend might say about the accessory. She hopes he wears it with pride. The woman knows it's almost become a comfort to him in some ways, which... is more than she could have asked for.

It's a shame that Farraige doesn't feel the same but she understands. He has enough metaphorical bindings. She's not about to tether him physically... even though she can't deny she'd like to. ]

That's exactly what I'm gonna tell you to do, dude. Go for it. That's the best thing you can do.

[Collars, whether wearing them himself or having someone else don one, would feel all too familiar in an uncomfortable way right now, like the shackles he saw at the club. But maybe, if you wear them with someone you trust, it's completely different. He believes it's not his thing, but he could end up being proved wrong.

An overdramatic sigh,] It's like I'm a mind reader.

I hate to admit it, but you're right again. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?

[ To be fair, Rose never imagined she'd collar a man with the soul of the dragon. Nor did she ever think that she'd have such control in certain facets of her life that made her feel strong in ways she never thought she could. So, it's... been good for her. While she'd initially worried that what she was doing to Vanyel was similar to the ways of the ring, she's since realized it's anything but. There's consent and love and trust between them. An understanding that she never had in the ring. ]

There you go! That's the spirit. And, hey, even if the worst does happen, well. Then there's only one way to go after and that's up. So, y'know, gotta' try and think on the bright side.

[And see, if they were explained more thoroughly, how they can even be celebrated with something similar to a marriage ceremony with a completely different ring? He'd understand that way better than, say, someone wearing a collar just for kicks or aesthetic purposes. Anything for it to make better sense.]

Funny, how tables can turn. I'm usually the one telling people to think positively. [He's grinning, though.] It feels nice to be reassured for once.

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PRISON WORLD #2: Whoville

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