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pumpkinhollow ([personal profile] pumpkinhollow) wrote in [community profile] ph_logs2023-12-27 04:07 pm

December Event - To All a Good Night

To All a Good Night
Givingstide
Winter is hard for everyone, but none more so than the residents of an island that has been isolated by the cruel hands of fate. Where the rest of the Emerald Isles is able to rely on imports from other nations in warmer places, Marrow Isle has no resources but her own. All the while, her mettle continues to be tested against the horrors brought on by the curse.

It is for this reason that among all the holidays celebrated by the Mothers' children, Givingstide is particularly beloved. A warm and cozy festival based around wishing each other prosperity and love in the new year, the lengthening of days, embracing generosity even in the lean times, and celebrating the fact that the darkest part of the year is coming to an end.

The fireplace is lit at the Oak & Iron. A wreath of pine boughs hangs over the merry blaze, paper horses and snowflakes decorate the walls, and a table in the center of the room has been done up to look like a silver sleigh. As people file in, hot food and warm drinks begin coming out of the kitchen and bar, and gifts begin piling up on the sleigh table. (Ultimately, a fair amount of them end up on the floor around it.) Everyone greets each other warmly with hearty handshakes, firm hugs, and wishes of a blessed Givingstide. Perhaps if you have a clever eye, you may even see a horned figure drinking hot cocoa in the corner harmlessly, enjoying the atmosphere of good will and keeping watch over the party to prevent any troublemakers. And for once, just once, for the first time in so long on this frightful, forsaken island, there is true peace.

[ Enter the Tavern. ] The tavern is warm. Orange firelight flickers, as if dancing with the shadows. Decorations of shimmering silver and hunter green, the colors of Givingstide, adorn the dark wood decor of the Oak & Iron. The stucco and timber walls of the dining hall safeguard those within from the bitter wind and snow. It's no Leeds gala--- the food is simple, but it is beautifully made. Roasted chicken, potatoes, onion soup, and fresh-baked bread. Slices of pumpkin pie are passed around for dessert. Hot cider with or without alcohol, mulled wine, coffee, and spiced tea are served with the meal. It isn't glamorous, but it's made with love and tastes like coming home somehow.

As dinner carries on, music begins to be played from the tavern stage, and Mayor Poe has Yorick assist her in doling out the gifts from the table. They read the tags and summon the recipients to the table to recieve them. You can open yours right there or at your table, and decide for yourself whether you care to announce the name of the giver to the room.

Once the gifts are distributed, the partygoers are left to their own devices, allowed time to laugh with friends, dance to music, drink to their hearts' content, sneak off to while away a private moment in one of the inn's sitting rooms, or head home for an early night. Regardless of your choice, let it be with a loved one. A friend, a partner, a member of your newfound family. Blessed Givingstide, and may your lantern ever stay lit.

gifts and vouchers
Some important information regarding gift-giving and vouchers can be found below.
[ Review. ] Gifts can be purchased using your own Brass, or via the holiday bazaar vouchers found in our December TDM. If you haven't taken the trivia quiz on the TDM, you still can! You can take it for each character or just once and give all your characters the same voucher.

For simplicity's sake for both our mods and our players, we will allow you to decide for yourselves the prices of your items so long as they are reasonable. You can use other purchase requests in the bank as a reference or simply decide on a price you believe is fair based on your experience. You do not have to list prices. We will trust you to make fair decisions! If you're still unsure how much an item ought to cost, feel free to ask us in the question thread on this post, but in the spirit of the holiday season (both real and fictional) we would rather allow your characters to get gifts for all their loved ones than worry too much about financials. Perhaps your character is simply a very good bargain hunter!

As a slight aside, we would love to thank each and every one of you for being a part of making Pumpkin Hollow amazing this year. We truly could not ask for a better group of players and are extremely grateful to have met all of you delightful, creative, talented, funny, incredible people. We hope you had a great holiday season, whatever that looks like for you, and we're so honored to greet the new year with this fantastic community!
Hand in hand, we put the darkness to our backs and step into the light. Rejoice, spring cometh.
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-19 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
She tips a grin. "Not to shock you with my discoveries in mechanical biology but not having a heart or glands means I'm not exactly getting the experience out of the romance novels. And whoever wrote the one about the clockwork boy overheating from cuddling needs to be flogged."

"...But I could go again sometime. There's an appeal."
theresalwaystheview: (wink)

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-19 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh no, it stands perfectly to reason that you wouldn't get the same things out of this sort of exchange for exactly that reason," he replies with a small nod. There is some surprise when she continues though, and he laughs quietly. "It sounds like the clockwork boy needs a better cooling system. At least you've got us to help you look after yours."

His nose wrinkles as he looks back at her at that afterthought. "I think you just like manhandling me."
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-19 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe. Do you like being robot handled?"

ANSWER THE QUESTION BART -
theresalwaystheview: (cheeky)

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-19 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Vika are you flirting with him or threatening him...

"Can I tell you a secret?" He tucks in close, with his cup tucked against chest securely as if it will protect him from the silliness about to come out of his mouth. He's quiet, cartoonishly secretive when he continues, "I might prefer a larger robot than yourself."
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

It's Both Bart

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-19 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"...The doctor?" Many thoughts run through Vika's mind at the same time; Bart is impaired, she's not sure what she's even doing or what she wants (only that Bart is the only person safe enough right now to help her find out...). Is this a rejection? Merely a confession?

What comes out of her mouth is: "Fifty Brass says you can't get him to prescribe an orgasm."

theresalwaystheview: (wink)

V good

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-19 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
The amount of red in his face just increased exponentially, and yet...

"I think in this era it might be referred to as an induction of hysterical paroxysm."
lastofthefirst: Literally The Only Picture Of Her In Existence (Default)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-19 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"You know I'm going to ask why. I find him well meaning but annoying...and I'm trying to imagine him mounting one of the toys from the books and it would look. So small. On his body."
theresalwaystheview: (serene)

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-19 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I happen to find him quite pleasant, and it's obvious to me that he cares very much about his job, and the people that he works with. He's good and thoughtful, and I enjoy his company." His smile fades somewhat, and he straightens back up again, toward the bag that he'd been gifted, with its expensive and very thoughtful contents tucked away safely. "Maybe it's only wishful thinking on my part, but I would like to think that perhaps the feeling is mutual."
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-20 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Not to say this as the robot who just sucked your face maybe three meters away from him but have you tried telling him that?"
theresalwaystheview: (inquisitive)

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-20 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, no no absolutely not! He has far too much to worry about on his own and I don't want to be presumptuous. Besides, I am very...erm. Squishy." Compared to the average Autobot, at least.
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-20 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
...

Bart you're getting grabbed again. At least it's not a kiss this time; Vika's voice has a distinct 'disappointed parent' quality. "When you figure out the cognitive dissonance between your anxiety and that ambulance being a fucking surgeon I'll set you free."
theresalwaystheview: (:'0)

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-20 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Bart makes an undignified little squawk and grips his cup to make sure he doesn't spill it, then covers himself taking a sip while mostly just pouting into the remainder of his alcohol. "Fine, okay, yes, I'll talk to him! Just...when I'm sober. So. Tomorrow."
lastofthefirst: (pic#16845962)

[personal profile] lastofthefirst 2024-01-20 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good. If I had to keep going you'd have frightochondria as the powerhouse of the cell."

"...Wait a bit to talk to me about the mistletoe. I want to think." Vika releases the Bart. "I'm gonna go stare at the wall in the cloakroom, you get me when it's time to walk you home."
theresalwaystheview: (cheeky)

/wraps!

[personal profile] theresalwaystheview 2024-01-20 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
He's already puzzling a bit over tht joke, and the fact that Vika had made a joke to begin with, when she starts to excuse herself. He reaches out and takes her shoulder, giving it a short squeeze.

"Actually, before you go-" and gives her plenty of time to move before he's bending just enough to press a kiss to the middle of her forehead. "I'll come and find you. Go rest."