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ph_logs2025-12-19 11:40 am
pumpkinhollow) wrote in ph_logs2025-12-19 11:40 am
December Event - Candlelight Revelry
Candlelight Revelry
The Longest Nights
{ CONTENT WARNINGS: grief, especially in a winter/December context, exclusive to Mourner's Night. All others should be mostly cw free! }
It is always interesting to consider that across many cultures, and indeed across many universes, there is something that is shared across numerous groups of people from many, many different backgrounds, and that is the concept of winter holidays. Not every culture has them, of course, and they vary in importance, involvement, reason, and length pretty wildly. But it's fun to think about the fact that all kinds of humanoids all across time and space looked at that bleak stretch of time between the end of November to the beginning of March and thought to themselves, "we should put some kind of party in there so we don't all lose our minds." The people of the Emerald Isles, of which Marrow Isle is one, are much the same in this regard.
Since its inception, Pumpkin Hollow has celebrated the two main winter holidays common among the various nations across Northern Leviathan, which are Mourner's Night and Givingstide. Additionally, it's become a bit of a new tradition in Pumpkin Hollow to join in offworlder celebrations, such as Hanukkah, Solstice, and Christmas--- often with more being added each year as newcomers arrive with their own traditions! And somehow, each year, it seems as though for a few weeks all of the evils take a rest as well. Is it because this time of year is simply too sacred for them to create trouble and pain? Or is it because the weavers of this world are too busy booking family dinners, plane flights, and road trips to subject their little toys to more horrors? It is one of the great mysteries of the universe, isn't it?
Anyway, here's wishing you a cozy, restful, blissful holiday season, regardless of your traditions. May this next year be just as full of adventure and fun, with far less trials and tribulations. (For the players. The characters should continue to endure the torment nexus, of course.)
It is always interesting to consider that across many cultures, and indeed across many universes, there is something that is shared across numerous groups of people from many, many different backgrounds, and that is the concept of winter holidays. Not every culture has them, of course, and they vary in importance, involvement, reason, and length pretty wildly. But it's fun to think about the fact that all kinds of humanoids all across time and space looked at that bleak stretch of time between the end of November to the beginning of March and thought to themselves, "we should put some kind of party in there so we don't all lose our minds." The people of the Emerald Isles, of which Marrow Isle is one, are much the same in this regard.
Since its inception, Pumpkin Hollow has celebrated the two main winter holidays common among the various nations across Northern Leviathan, which are Mourner's Night and Givingstide. Additionally, it's become a bit of a new tradition in Pumpkin Hollow to join in offworlder celebrations, such as Hanukkah, Solstice, and Christmas--- often with more being added each year as newcomers arrive with their own traditions! And somehow, each year, it seems as though for a few weeks all of the evils take a rest as well. Is it because this time of year is simply too sacred for them to create trouble and pain? Or is it because the weavers of this world are too busy booking family dinners, plane flights, and road trips to subject their little toys to more horrors? It is one of the great mysteries of the universe, isn't it?
Anyway, here's wishing you a cozy, restful, blissful holiday season, regardless of your traditions. May this next year be just as full of adventure and fun, with far less trials and tribulations. (For the players. The characters should continue to endure the torment nexus, of course.)
Local Customs
MOURNER'S NIGHT | December 10th
Nightfall comes early this time of year, so it isn't too long of a wait for the sky to grow fully dark. Dressed in mourning clothes and warm coats, the people of the town gather in little clusters in the streets, in near silence. Lanternbearers dressed like undertakers carry tall posts with blazing lanterns hanging from them, faces painted like skulls. There hasn't been a true and final death in Pumpkin Hollow for years now, but that doesn't stop the people here from holding their annual vigil for those that were lost before the barrier.The lanternbearers guide the groups through town, converging on Main Street, where they are awaited by a long-bodied black carriage drawn by black horses with white skeleton-markings painted on them. A hearse. In the driver's seat, a woman in a tight black dress and a mistletoe-patterned black veil, which gives only the smallest glimpses of her pale hair. It's Fever, acting in the role of Mortanne.
Very few words are exchanged as this procession makes its way through the cold to Fall's Promise Cemetery, where by the light of candles and lanterns alone, Reverend Clayton retells the story of Mortanne's final kindness. Those who pass away are met where they find their end by a horse-drawn hearse, where they ride with Death and recount their life until they reach their destination--- the afterlife they've earned. A mournful hymn is sung that seems to make the sky itself ache, and then…
Silence.
Stay at the candle light vigil for as long as you want. Remember those who you lost back home, honor those who passed away before you arrived but whose influence you still feel every day, or simply pay respects to yourself. You died to be here, after all. And then, when the cold starts biting too much to bear, part ways, and find your way home with a candle in hand. You will surely be left with much to think about.
Those who gravitate towards the outskirts, however, or linger after most have gone, may spy another woman in a black dress and veil. For a moment, it would be easy to mistake her as Fever--- the resemblance is striking. But then you see much longer, stark white hair spilling out of the bottom of the veil, and feel a gaze meet yours that feels like it's calling you home.
GIVINGSTIDE | December 22nd
Ah, Givingstide! After the somber observance of Mourner's Night, you only have to wait eleven days to have some proper winter-themed fun!Held on the day after the longest night of the year, this holiday is a "thank goodness, we made it" tradition that celebrates the beginning of the sun's return and the first step in the journey towards spring. All across numerous countries in Concorde's Northern Hemisphere, communities gather in large communal spaces to eat, drink, and be warm together while exchanging gifts. And for Pumpkin Hollow, that takes place in the Oak & Iron, the beloved tavern where most spend their first nights on the island.
A massive feast is held, where the tavern itself, local restaurants, and amateur chefs collaborate to create a menu of warming, hearty dishes. Soups and stews, pasta, roasted meat, bread, root vegetable dishes, and sweets galore are served alongside hot cider, cocoa, coffee, tea, mulled wine, and mead. Paper horses and snowflakes line the walls, and boughs of pine and holly create beds for skulls on tables and above the fireplace. A miniature sleigh is set up in the center of the room, piled high with gifts that everyone placed in it upon their arrival. Once everyone has gotten their food, the mayor and Dahlia take turns plucking parcels from the pile and reading off who they are for so as to hand them out. Although some do prefer to give the gifts directly. (The mayor, for once, looks relaxed.)
With all the gifts passed out, songs are sung and instruments played in groups while others dance or sit by the fire. Some will go out to play in the snow, and by the end of the night, more than a dozen snowmen will have popped up outside the tavern. Others still will remain inside, basking in the warmth of being among their community. Children play with toys, adults laugh, desserts are overindulged in, and all is well.
OFFWORLD TRADITIONS
Winter Holidays from Around the Universe
The interfaith space within the Temple of Sacred Roots stays busy this time of year! Since most local traditions are celebrated outside the temple, many of the main areas are offered to the pursuit of offworld religious observances for much of December.Hanukkah is up first among the larger celebrations, running from December 14th through the 22nd this year. The island's Jewish population consists primarily of Anzu, Lev/Lyubov, and Zivia, though they'll warmly invite friends and family to join in on the festivities.
Christmas, of course, is on December 25th, though the preceding evening is also a busy time. Despite being a Pumpkin Hollow native, Dahlia Leeds has partners who observe the holiday, as well as a gaggle of young housemates and a television who are all very enthusiastic about Christmas. As such, she's made the decision to host a fairly well-appointed and cozy Christmas Eve party in her home (though she largely allows Radar and the teenagers to select the guest list). Dress in your Christmas best and have dinner at Leeds Estate before proceeding to the Temple for midnight mass! Non-partygoers are invited to attend the ceremony by candlelight as well, as usual. Christmas Day celebrations vary by household!
But for those who don't have anything in particular to do on the afternoon of the 25th, a recent town addition is also hosting a celebration for the Feast of the Winter Star from her own home world. Those who signed up can participate in the "secret gift exchange" organized by Haley. But you don't need to be in the exchange to come and have fun! Light and decorate a holiday tree in the snow, enjoy a potluck with friends new and old, and enjoy some stargazing afterwards--- it's a perfect way to cap off the day, whether you're incorporating it into your own holiday or just there to have a nice time.
Other holidays celebrated throughout the month are:
- Saturnalia on the 17th, celebrated by Gaeta
- Winter's Crest on the 20th, celebrated by Cassandra
- Dongzhi on the 21st, celebrated by Shen Qingqiu alongside his found family
- Mittvinter on the 21st, celebrated by Hector, Capochin, Godpoke, Patty, and their found family and close friends
- The Birth of Hathor on the 23rd, celebrated by Marik
- The Winter Solstice celebration on the 25th, celebrated by Sorceress and Wizard
- and Gyftmas on the 25th, celebrated by Mettaton and Papyrus
And of course there's New Years Eve on the 31st, celebrated by both locals and a majority of offworlders! Share some holiday cheer with your friends from all across the multiverse and take some time to get to know how your neighbor spends the season this year, and cap this year off with a wonderful, festive bang!
Happy Holidays!
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS
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Just checking in, since it's not specified - are those skulls on the tables paper decorations like the horses & snowflakes, or do we have some real skulls on display?
(If they're real, are there any identifying details listed with them?)
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Mortanne, Mother of Winter and Death
You've spoken to her before, most likely, but it's possible that it's your first time seeing her like this. Nearly everyone spoke to the white haired woman in her rustic, beige office covered in paper snowmen and smelling of hot cocoa, but whether you recognize this as the same person depends on who you are. Many here have spoken to her before outside of that context as well, and Mortanne always likes to visit a friend.
In most cases, Mother Death will wait to be approached by you, simply nodding in acknowledgement when you meet her eye. And it's entirely possible to simply end the interaction there, but if you need her, she will make time for you. However, there are some here with whom she has sentimental ties or important business who she will approach directly once she spots them.
[ ooc note: basically you can either come bother me or set the scene for how I can come bother you! Mortanne's a pretty popular lady, so I'm going to need to prioritize people that I had substantial plans with, but I'll get as many people some mom time as I can <3 Thanks again to Guil for Mortanne's new icon art! ]
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"Mother."
Look, she's trying to be less formal about this. Trying being the key word.
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How does he greet her? Not with a bow. She is not his god, and she asked him to see her as a friend. So how would he greet a friend?
(How would he greet a mother?)
When it seems like he can take a free moment away from the mourners, he approaches. "Hello," he says, soft, with a smile. He holds out an arm; a gesture for a brief hug. "How wonderful to see you again."
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It just didn't seem fair to Ralsei, that Givingstide falls during Mortanne's season but doesn't include her. Maybe she doesn't really mind, being a goddess and all, but her job is so important, and probably a lot harder than it's supposed to be with the barrier and the curse, and she was so kind to Ralsei when he woke up in her office. If nothing else, he wants to say thank you.
And anyway, nearly everyone likes snickerdoodle cookies, right?
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For a while she stands right where she stopped, snuffed, stubby candle still clenched in the hand she’s using to clutch her shawl shut. Then, something firms in her face, and she starts to pick her way closer through the snow.
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"I feel so lost."
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He'd find her, if he kept searching. He'd find his wife.
(But then what would come after that? When he found Amelia's ghost? Could he bear to ever let her go again?
Would he choose to die, if he could be with her?)
There's a deep shame in the fact. When he cries tonight, candle clutched in his hand, it isn't only for his lost love, but also for his daughter, mourning her, grieving her in a different way. Not dead, but not here. Not with him. He's never felt so alone.
And then — he isn't. He's looking up with a soft breathless sound, to the figure. Another ghost, he thinks at first; they keep finding him, getting inside, because he keeps letting them. ...But no, she isn't. She's something... else.
Something familiar. Something known. For a long moment he just stares, glasses smudged with tears, heart thick and tight. Then he speaks. It's almost comically childlike, voice very soft, almost shy as he calls out to her. Like approaching a butterfly, not wanting to frighten it off. She isn't Fever, but rather...
"Hello."
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Haley, Stardew Valley
Givingstide
Haley's only been here since last month, so she doesn't really know many people that well yet, and that's been hard. Having lived in the same town her whole life, never having to change schools or friend groups, Haley's not used to being the new girl, to not having close ties to rely on. It's been… lonely. Probably the loneliest she can ever remember being in her life. She's been spending most of her days getting her tailoring shop set up, practicing the skills that she learned alongside her sister and trying to make a few simple garments, and she'll probably be ready to open officially before the end of the year, but it's just been… a lot of time sitting alone in her shop, surrounded by mannequins.
But this is nice. It's warm, comfortable, lively. She sits and watches as people exchange gifts, and is able to feel close to something. Like maybe she might be part of a community again. She shouldn't have taken that for granted the last time. Shame she doesn't have her camera.
You know what? This wallflower business is for dorks, and it's depressing. It's time to get back in the game. Maybe it'll be a little awkward, but Haley can handle that.
While gifts are being given out, Haley will offer to Mayor Poe or Dahlia to help pass them over, weaving her way through crowds to get to the recipients so that the other two women can keep the gift train moving. "Hey, this one's for you! What'd you get?"
Drinks are on, and with no one required to work officially, some volunteers take it upon themselves to take them to tables. Haley joins them, feeling a bit like a beermaiden of some kind lugging around massive steins full of cider and mead. "Hi! Want one? The cider's awesome, but I've never had mead before so I haven't tried it yet. Tell me how it is if you get that one."
And then, as things are winding down, you can find her on the couches over by the fireplace, stirring a cup of coffee with a peppermint stick. No one here's thought to put a crook in it to create a candy cane, but the sticks themselves surely exist. "It's not the easiest way to make peppermint coffee," she remarks, "but it's working okay. Wanna try? I got a few extra sticks."
Coffeee
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Feast of the Winter Star [Mingle!]
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Winter Star Gift Exchange
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For South
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for papyrus.
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For Kris
For Shen Qingqiu
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For Ralsei
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For Felix Gaeta
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for Cassandra
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For Glory Coldwood
For Mettaton
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For Pyotr Stamatin
For Fever
Sorceress
for noelle
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for Radar
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for Grace Halloway
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For Carolina
For Namu (Marik)
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For Fr Mulcahy
for Lev/Lyubov
For Anzu
for susie
for Leon
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for Patty
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For weeks before this party (indeed, immediately after the Dance of Celestine), Dahlia and her new housemates have been preparing for today. Noelle was quick to ask if holiday decorations could go up around the house, and the others seemed to be in agreement. So despite being totally new to the whole thing, Dahlia decides, screw it. Go big or go home.
A long day at the winter market with Radar, Daisy, Tenna, and the kids yields a lot of Brass spent, local artisans supported, and wintery decorations hauled back up Founder's Hill. The rest are made by hand. Then it's a few days spent indoors, hanging garlands and swags and arranging pine cones and holly boughs into centerpieces, stringing dried cranberries and popcorn onto the chandelier. (Is this a mistake that will later be regretted when it's time to remove them? Yes. But it looks awesome.) She even has a tree brought into the house, which seems like an insane custom, but honestly the thing is so beautiful when the kids are done decorating it that Dahlia has already decided she wants an even bigger one next year. Cookies are baked and frosted, and a small feast is prepared for December 24th.
By the time guests show up, what can be found at Leeds Estate looks just about like a proper Victorian Christmas party from Earth. Cozy, intimate, lit primarily by candles. The tree acts as a statement piece in the ballroom near the fireplace seating area, and a classic Christmas dinner as described by Radar and Noelle is served in Dahlia's lavish dining room. Honey glazed ham, roast turkey, meatballs, stuffing, mashed potatoes with rich brown gravy, garlic roasted green beans and brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and a damn good fruit cake. Plus those frosted sugar cookies. Throughout the night, Kris can be heard playing Christmas tunes on the grand piano in the ballroom. All in all, it's a nice night. And afterwards, partygoers will proceed to the temple together for Christmas mass!
-Hostess-
Dahlia is relaxed, happy, and in her element. A cross between a more intimate version of her gala and Givingstide with no insane surprises suits her just fine, to be frank. She's happy passing platters around at dinner time and making conversation. "How are you enjoying the party? It's my first time doing one of these, specifically, so I'm open to feedback."
When she goes over to watch Kris play piano, she'll turn to a guest. "Can you teach me this song? I want to sing with everyone."
And when it's getting late, Dahlia can be found just sitting near the fire, gazing serenely at the tree. She let the kids do most of it, only contributing what she was asked, and it's so charming that she can't help but admire it.
Join her, if you like.
If she spots Radar or Noelle, she'll wave them over with a smile and invite them to sit. "Was it everything you were hoping for?"
-Mingle-
[ Feel free to mingle here for the party, or do your own toplevels! Whatever's easiest for you <3 The party is meant to be small and cozy, but anyone with close CR with Radar, Daisy, Kris, Susie, Ralsei, Noelle, or Tenna can assume they were invited. ]
wildcard as discussed
"Afternoon, Ms. Leeds," he says, and wonders internally if that's too formal, or not formal enough. The two of them haven't exactly spoken much, so he doesn't yet have the measure of how to speak to her and oh no he's overthinking it, shit. Okay. Back on track. "You uh, need help with any of that?"
He gestures at the parcels she's carrying, hopeful for something to do to make himself useful.
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by the tree
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fever | baldur's gate 3
(mourner's night - open.)
She holds steady, and waits. There will always be a streak in her that gnashes its teeth against ceremony, that mocks the idea of mourning the dead - but there is far more that has grown. Intrusive thoughts might try to strangle her and ask for laughter in the pain, but she can cut them down, let them fade away in the night air, and ask them to come again tomorrow.
When the last notes of the hymn die out, Fever waits. Some will leave early, uncomfortable or simply full of too much to bear. Some will want to be in solitude with their grief. And some, clearly in struggle, need a listening ear, offered in a whisper that does not break the feeling, a soft touch to the shoulder. Who do you remember, or what brought you here.
A hush, nothing more. But she has time enough to offer, and she looks enough like Death in this moment to pretend at being her.
And when the bulk of the town has finished the outward procession, Fever sets to the rest of her work.
When she has as many candles as she's probably going to get, extras and those salvaged from those who do not wish to take them home, she starts heading out towards the potters field. The box is a little heavy in the snow, but she has intent, and she's determined to not be stopped, either in transportation or in starting to set them up in little rows, held up in the snow. In this moment, it's easier to catch her to talk, though she'll keep her voice down to not break the stillness in the cemetery.
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(mourner's night - semi closed.)
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(birthday - open.)
let me know if this works!!
it's perfect!
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(givingstide - open.)
(wildcard.)
Sephiroth | Final Fantasy VII | OTA
Several trips to the winter market are made. Sephiroth can be found examining all the various wares with a careful eye. He wants to make sure he gets all the right things for everyone he's giving gifts to. The little Eevee riding on his shoulder makes commentary about almost everything, to his amusement.
At Givingstide, Sephiroth can be found at the Oak and Iron, partaking of the festivities. He and Zack have presents for others in the stack. They enjoy seeing everyone get their gifts and settle in with the delicious food.
For Christmas, Sephiroth lets Zack organize a little party of his own. Anyone is invited, even people Zack has only talked to once! Zack prepares food and they have quite a feast. And there are more presents, of course. Afterwards, they go to the temple for midnight mass.
Sephiroth looks thoughtful afterwards, stepping out into the snow and staring up into the sky. It's been peaceful these days, something everyone sorely needs. And he smiles to himself.
He and Zack fall asleep on the couch at home that night, happy in their togetherness with the peace of the winter holidays surrounding them.
Givingstide
Re: Givingstide
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Givingstide
Re: Givingstide
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Dr. James Harvey | Casper
mourner's night — ota
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givingstide — ota
Re: givingstide — ota
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wildcard — ota
Agent Carolina | Red vs. Blue
Mourner's Night | OTA
The day rolls over into frost-rimed night; the air, an unending cold. The walk through town is slow and solemn; lull of whispering fabric, crushed snow and the metallic tinking of the hearse's traces and bridles. To call it still would be disingenuous— everyone is moving— but it feels that way, doesn't it? Even her breath hangs. The shoals of black-clad bodies move like a drift of smoke suspended in air, surrounding her, folding her into itself. A cold breeze shivers across of her armor. They make their way from town into the cemetery and everything is still— and not still.
The hymn sits heavy in her chest and in the small of her back. Death isn't a friend she's learned to embrace yet. She resists it. Once, she'd even thought herself above it. Overestimated her abilities, let rage and retribution guide her path, and in making this mistake fell straight into its arms. Her arms. Does Death always wear black? Hers did. Texas. The name tears through her like a bullet through flesh when she thinks it. Texas slaughtered her career— Texas played it off like some friendly competition— Texas coaxed her friends to her side and now those friends are dead. Texas kills anything she touches. There were so many of her. What could she do but fight?
So she fought. And she died. And she stands here now, yielding and resisting, pushing and pulling, thinking and feeling and telling herself it's okay to do all these things at once.
Carolina thinks of her father— who will die. She thinks of her mother— who has died. She thinks of herself, killed at age six, who then continued to march on as a dead woman with incredible purpose for twenty-three more years. Feels a little silly, thinking like that. Of course she hadn't really died then, it's just that certain doors closed and others opened.
Close to the edge of the cemetery, haloed by pale shafts of light, Carolina rests on one metal-shelled knee and touches the earth, still as a statue.
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Marik Ishtar | Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
Mourner's Night - OTA
He wishes he had his father's earrings. The one thing he has left of the man. While he was terrible and put a lot of mental strain on the young Ishtar, he couldn't fully fault him. Not when the Pharaoh who's identity they were sworn to protect ordered Shadi, a member of another clan of tomb keepers, to kill the elder Ishtar.
The boy sits by the oceanside, his eyeliner in his usual Egyptian style with the double wings on his cheeks, with a simple crafted lantern and a candle inside which he's gently pushed out to sea. Marik watches the light slowly disappear into the darkness and hugs his knees. He only mutters a single word: "Apa..."
Givingstide - OTA
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WILDCARD
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Dr A. T. Menelikov
Shabbos Dinner on Hanukkah VI | Closed Mingle
Anzu has taken over preparations for Shabbos dinner (and the subsequent Third Banquet); initially he'd assumed it would be a pretty low-key thing, just for him and Lev and Qingqiu, but then when Lev floated the idea of a proper Hanukkah party in the evening, Gerry's partner — Carolina, he thinks her name is, Cah-roh-LAY-nah — expressed interest in somewhat hesitant way. Not just interest in attending, but interest in participating.
And with how hesitant she'd been about it, it rather followed that she wasn't sure what she'd be expected to do.
"I mean, like," Lev had said, "it'd be very uh. Unfair? To just corner her right before the party and shove a siddur in her hands. What if she reads not no Hebrew? Then we look like assholes."
An excellent point.
Hence this Shabbos dinner, to give them both a chance to talk to Lina without putting her on the spot. Lyubov even prepared an entire handwritten page with different transliterations of the blessings, and a short essay on the connotations of the Three Contested Letters. Anzu had pointed out that the essay conveniently ignored his contested letters, at which point the conversation abruptly ended so as to not start into an argument as to whether merging shin and sin counts as a legitimate regional pronunciation or as a speech impediment.
After giving Fever a perpetual standing invitation to Shabbos dinner, it feels churlish to disinvite her from this, and equally churlish to kick Qingqiu out. And if they're doing a proper big dinner, then surely Zivia should be invited ...
So this is how Anzu ends up making Shabbos dinner for seven people. It comes out quite well — he decides, for simplicity's sake, to stick with milky dishes, so as to not provoke another interminable argument about how long to wait after eating meat.
The dinner ends up being somewhat buffet-style. There's blintzes — savoury and sweet — as well as latkes, kugl, and various light salads, as well as a small herring-based winter salad, mostly intended for Anzu, Lev/Lyubov and Zivia, should Zivia be a fan of winter salads. There's a bottle of sweet kosher wine, and a samovar with a teapot sitting atop it.
Dinner starts closer to lunch hours, around 1 PM — but guests are told they may start arriving as early as noon. There's a couple of slightly rickety drop-leaf tables set up in the livingroom, covered with white tablecloths, and an assortment of mismatched chairs. Most of the food is still in the kitchen, but the salads and challah (covered by an embroidered cloth) and wine are set out on a side-table, waiting.
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applesauce and latkes
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The Herring
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For Carolina and/or Anzu
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For Anzu & Lev/Lyubov
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Hanukkah VII Party | Open Mingle
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father mulcahy | M*A*S*H
mourner's night - open (limit 1)
The wheel turns. One more year passes him by.
The role of lanternbearer is more familiar now, having done it once already. There are many out there who would decry him as some kind of apostate, to participate in a local pagan ritual like this, but he sees it differently: he is a spiritual leader to the community at large and the passing of the dead has long been his specialty. This is not devotion; it is service. So he paints his face and dons the black clothes. He takes his staff, lights the lantern, and steps outside.
Just like last year, Mulcahy walks through the streets and leads the townsfolk to the main processional. He falls into step alongside Fever's hearse. Up and up they march to the cemetery that he's taken such painstaking care of all the year long, and there he listens, and his timid voice joins the hymn to the sky. Silence descends and he does not move. His vigil will hold until almost everyone else is gone.
One more year does not make this easier. Old grief has faded but still bitterly lingers like a stain on his soul, and the last few months have seen a violent opening of both fresh and rotten wounds that have left him panting and broken. He will lay to rest all that he can, but the past seems to keep chasing him; the process seems like it will be less like letting go and more like plucking shrapnel from his guts.
Still. Mulcahy bows his head, wraps a rosary around his hands, folds them around his lantern-pole, and he prays for mercy and a better year.
And when he is done praying, he waits. Not everyone likes to grieve alone. He is here, as always, to be of service; some will want a soft touch, some will want a soft word, and some will want nothing more than someone else to witness their grief and see that it matters. And it does. So he will.
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givingstide - open (limit 1)
midnight mass | OTA | read notice!
after midnight mass
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WILDCARD YEEHAW
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Capochin { Mittvinter, feel free to mingle }
December 21st. The winter solstice. The sun rises at its latest and sets at its earliest, leaving the earth bathed in silver moonlight for longer than any other night of the year, and when it rises again, the journey back to spring begins. There are many reasons to celebrate, many legends and fables, but for a world whose creator deity is the God of Night, it only makes sense that this would be the holiest and most important night of the year.
Hector and Capochin have not been subtle about their intent to host Mittvinter festivities in their home on the solstice, which turns out to be a stunningly clear Sunday night with snow blanketing the ground. They invite family and friends, explaining the holiday in advance.
Mittvinter is a celebration to honor Miss Mitternacht, the night deity who created their world. A sentimental, romantic old goddess who appears as a skeletal bird-person in a nun's habit, her people honor her with symbols and beloved items--- small animal bones and bird skulls, moon and star motifs, poetry, romance, camaraderie, and the giving of gifts as a gesture of love. The traditions are simple--- a big, hearty dinner surrounded by loved ones, exchanging of gifts, some time spent looking up at the night sky, and kisses shared at midnight for those with partners. The official guest list is short, consisting of Patty, Pokey, Carolina, and Gerry, but it's not closed. Just let Capochin or Hector know if you want to invite another guest! Or feel free to just invite yourself as long as you bring a contribution of food.
As the sun sets on the winter solstice, doors and hearts and seats at the table open up at Bizzyboy HQ well before dinner is finished. Capochin can be seen in the kitchen, working hard on an utterly excessive feast and wearing a sleeveless undershirt despite the chill. He's kept the kitchen hot all day. "Ey, welcome in! Grab a glass 'a wine, I'll be right out. Just dump ya coat anywhere."
He doesn't seem to mind the enormous scar exposed on his chest.
-I think I'm prone to getting blinded when it's bright-
Before too long, dinner is on the table and a shirt is on Capochin again. The space is awfully small for a feast of this size, and results in cramming everyone together a little. "We need a bigger godsdamned table next year," Capochin gripes. "Well, act like ya like eachotha. Someone pass me dat gravy."
-This December, I'll remember-
After dinner, Capochin lets everyone else do the tidying up, vanishing into the bedroom before reappearing in a homemade Santa Claus outfit. (Apparently Mittvinter still has Santa???????) "Whooooo's ready for presents?"
There's no tree--- instead, gifts are placed beneath a window that has a clear view of the moon, with candles and decorations all over the sill. "I worked hard on these things, I'll have ya know. One'a youse come ova here, I'm givin' mine out foist. Ho ho ho or whatever."
-Want you to see it when I do-
After dinner and gifts, games are played well into the night, desserts are served, and chatter is exchanged, all the way until a little ways before midnight. Then, everyone bundles up in their warmest clothes and carries blankets outside, where seats are arranged on the porch. It's cold, but the warmth of all the fabric and bodies and people together is enough to stay cozy by.
"New year's comin'," Capochin remarks. "Drain of a year."
Agent South Dakota | Open to other Mittvinter guests
Carolina convinces her to come. Not without some effort, mind you—South knows these people in passing at best, from helping out with some repairs, and it's hard not to feel like she's going to be intruding on some whole other family's holiday. But, in the end, Carolina does convince her it will be okay. And so when Carolina and Gerry arrive, they do so with South in tow, looking awkward but trying not to and at least grunting greetings as Carolina more properly introduces her.
The atmosphere is pretty nice, she supposes, something she's determined not to ruin. She made sure to get through the bulk of her alcohol target for the day earlier at Carolina's, so that the worst effects have had time to wear off and she won't be drinking obscene amounts at the gathering. Just a few glasses of wine throughout the night, slow and steady, even that mitigated somewhat by the heaps of food on offer.
The food is great, the games are fun, the people are welcoming, and South tries her best to fit in, but it'd be hard for people not to notice that she's a little quiet. Not on purpose, not really—talk to her and she'll go along with it just fine, if maybe somewhat awkwardly to start, but it's more of a struggle than it used to be to talk first. To take up space.
And at some point in the evening, she has to steal away for time to herself so she doesn't explode. No one's fault. Just hard, to spend so much time surrounded by happy people (happy couples) and not start to feel like the spare wheel you pulled out only to realise it's got a puncture. So rather than make it anyone else's problem (rather than worry Lina, who she knows is really trying to do something nice for her—and it is, it is nice, it's just also complicated) she steps outside to get some air, her latest glass of wine in hand and kind of missing the days she smoked.
She'll come back in once she's settled down. Or if that takes too long, she supposes she'll still be out here when everyone else comes outside, anyway.
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Agent Carolina | Open to attending guests | Closed for Gerry
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Santachin
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Star light, star bright...
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Dr A. T. Menelikov & R' L. V. Morgenshtern | Open to fellow guest
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Want you to see it when I do
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Cassandra de Rolo | Critical Role| OTA
But first there's Mourner's Night, and she attends in a dark gray gown and black coat, somber and quiet. She has a lot of dead to remember, and a lot of people who may or may not be dead but whom she cannot expect to ever see again, which is its own kind of mourning. You may encounter her in the procession, or lingering at the vigil after.
Givingstide, a week and a half later, is both a relief and another stress. There's the flurry of buying and making gifts, hoping she's guessed right about what their recipients would enjoy, there's getting ready for the celebration on her own ... but then there's the feast at the Oak and Iron, crowded and noisy and comfortable, and she finds herself relaxing into it. Find her at a table during the festive meal, or applauding at the gift exchange, or outside afterward in the snow.
And having signed up for the secret gift game, of course she'll attend the Winter Star festivities as well. Though she might either way, as one of the new arrivals is hosting -- one she's finding interesting. (And, if she's being honest with herself, hoping to befriend.) If you're attending, she's easy to spot in a deep blue dress with a silvery gray fur wrap and gloves; she's particularly admiring the tree, its decorations reminiscent of what one might see in Whitestone at this time of year and yet wholly different.
[Got a wildcard idea? Hit me!]
Givingstide
As Cassandra passes by, she can see a battle omnic trying to lift a large snowball onto a half-built snowman without dropping it or allowing it to fall apart; since they're trying to avoid using their gun arm even as a support, it's an unwieldy task, and the Cacturne wrapped up in a full set of human-style winter clothing is getting underfoot as much as she's helping. Their Togekiss hovers a short distance behind them, out of the way but close enough to watch.
Bastion swivels their head to look optic-to-eye with Cassandra. // Would you mind assisting?
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mourner's night
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Zivia Birnbaum | OC | OTA
A holiday for mourning is bound to be hard for some, differently hard for others. Complicated, in some ways, for still others. Zivia does what she did last year, joining the vigil at the cemetery after the procession has ended, to stand with her friends and neighbors in remembering the dead and the otherwise departed.
She has her own dead to remember, of course, but it doesn't sit quite right with her to make that part of this day. That doesn't necessarily mean she won't talk about that, though, if asked.
but we fog up the windows at fezziwig's (Givingstide)
The celebration at the Oak & Iron is in full swing, and Zivia's there cheering and singing with everybody, thumping the table during the most raucous of dance tunes. Yes, she's brought her own dinner (a wrapped jar of potato-leek soup and a long roll stuffed with smoked fish and cheese), but she'll partake of both cold beer and hot tea from the offered drinks, and distribute homemade ginger cookies to everyone at her table at dessert.
If you're a friend of Zivia's, odds are good she's brought you a small gift, most likely either a piece of decoration or a useful item for your home -- a suncatcher, an ornamental picture frame, a painted spoon-rest, a standing hook for keys. If you're close, you may get a somewhat more personal present.
After the gift-giving, you might find her outside helping build something out of snow.
let it out, be quiet or shout, only friends around (Offworld traditions)
It's kind of nice that Chanukah is first in the lineup of winter holidays this year, and of course Zivia will be participating fully in that celebration, lighting the menorah at the interfaith area outside the Temple every night and attending Lyubov and Anzu's party on the Saturday night. At either of those, she'll happily answer any questions about her holiday, its history or traditions or jokes.
But she isn't going to neglect the remaining offworlder holidays; at any celebration open to the general public, she will at least visit and ask questions of her own to learn about it, and wish those celebrating a happy holiday of their own.
stay warm, come near / stay warm, you're welcome here
[Wildcard!]
Givingstide
Still, full of good food and honeyed wine, the boy begins to head back towards his place until he spots Zivia with some other people building things in the snow. His eyebrows arch in bemusement and he approaches her to ask the simple question of:
"What are you doing?"
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Chanukah
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givingstide
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Kris Dreemurr | Deltarune | OTA
-Local Holidays-
Kris can be found at both Mourner's Night and Givingstide.
Mourner's Night takes place under the black of night. Thus, they are unable to attend in anything but their new form. They linger behind, covering their blue complexion with the hood of a black mourning cloak they borrowed from Dahlia and dodging the lantern light. They sing into the sprawling winter void with everyone else--- the words come to them unbidden, but it wouldn't matter what they were. They are among Those Who Sing The Night now. What a strange feeling.
When it all ends, Kris stays behind, wrapping their gloved hands around the wrought iron cemetery fence and sing to the sea, where they watched the Heavy Heart leave port with the people they loved. "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day..."
They're in better spirits for Givingstide. It's a different tradition, but it has sort of a Christmas-like vibe, so they're definitely in a good mood. They can be found stuffing their face or relaxing by the fire while listening to the dulcimer music being played, apparently without a care in the world.
-It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...-
...Christmas!
Despite coming from a religion that reveres an Angel rather than the Christian god, there are definitely similarities, and one of those is Christmas. And there is no Christmas like a Dreemurr-Holiday Christmas. With some purchasing help from Dahlia, Kris and Noelle basically have the run of the estate, decorating it from floor to ceiling within the last week of November. (And of course the others are welcome to help!)
During the Christmas Eve Party, Kris can be found dressed in a white men's shirt, waistcoat, and cravat, with a plaid skirt and petticoats, all in red and green with a sprig of holly pinned to their lapel as boutonniere. They spend much of their night at the piano, belting out holiday tunes. "Haaaave a holly, jolly Christmas! And when you walk down the street, say hello to friends you know, and everyone you meet..." Got any requests?
They also run around like a little butler offering their plate of homemade (kind of goofy-looking) Christmas cookies to partygoers. "Take a couple, I made like a bazillion," they inform you.
Then it's time for Midnight Mass. They attend dutifully, not really fully understanding the religious context, but that's fine. They never really paid that much attention to their own religion either, being a chronic church sleeper. But there's something about this one, done by candlelight...
The cloak of darkness consumes them, and they sit behind the keys, blue as death. But this time they aren't self-conscious about it. They play with their heart, even the religious songs they do not know, and they feel a quiet closeness to the divine that chases away the unholy crawl over their skin that shadows tend to leave.
This escalates when they play for the Mass at Dawn. The sun rises, and the warmth returns to their complexion, and it takes everything in them not to start sobbing right there. The Dark isn't gone forever. But it is for now. And some part of them feels healed. They leave behind a little present for the Father on the piano bench, wrapped in brown paper and a bright red bow.
Then it's back home to open presents with the gang. Their found family. They thought their first Christmas without their mom would be hard, but with their renewed vigor from the morning and being surrounded by good people here, they feel...
better.
The best they have in months.
·꙳⋆𖢔𖠰𖢔༺𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼༻⋆𖢔𖠰𖢔·꙳⋆
✧Dahlia✧Tenna✧Susie✧Ralsei✧Noelle✧Radar✧Daisy✧
✧Mettaton✧SQQ✧Gwen✧Crichton✧Carolina✧Mr. Pennyburrow✧
[ During Hanukkah, Lev/Lyubov, Anzu, and Zivia receive handmade door decorations (a Star of David made out of particularly straight sticks that are bound together with silver embroidery floss and decorated with blue paper flowers) and one of those little jars full of pre-measured dry cookie ingredients. ]
decorating
During the later days of the decorating phase, while watching an attempt to string decorations up high: "Want a boost? Stand on my shoulders and we might be just about person-height."
Short people jokes, but also an actual offer.
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Givingstide
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decorating......!??!
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christmas, before mass
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North Dakota | RvB
It's been a tough December.
The Dance of Celestine led North to an unpleasant revelation about his twin sister, and after weeks of trying to hold his tiny family together, it became clear that the two of them were going to need some space. But having her out of his house... Well, North's not used to being alone. It's been quiet. Hard. Especially given the time of year.
So when he hears about Givingstide, he's quick to attend. Sure, he's not super close to anyone yet--- it's been a long damn time since he's felt like this much of an outsider, frankly. But he has to do something so that he doesn't go completely nuts. So he shows up. Dresses nice. Immerses himself in it, the comfort, the warmth, the community.
And maybe he drinks a little too much. Just enough that he feels bold enough to go to as many tables as will have him and try to make some friends. "Hey! Happy Givingstide! It's my first one 'cause I'm new. How's it goin'?"
(He's going to be so embarrassed at how awkward this is was later, as he remembers how many people looked at him like a wacko for just plopping down at their table without asking.)
Still, he has fun, meets a few people who don't think he's totally insane, and has a few more mugs of mead before noticing the dart board. Now there's an idea.
So later in the evening, if you're a masc-presenting person that is more or less in North's age range (or maybe a little older) that he has determined to have a "good vibe," you may find a very jovial, absolutely towering blonde man finding his way over to you. "Hey! I'm looking to put together a group of guys for a game of darts, you in?"
[ Those who accept, and stick around, will eventually come to be known as "the Lads"--- a mostly-male friend group who often hang out and engage in lighthearted shenaniganery. ]
-A Blue Christmas-
North had been dreading the 25th. It didn't matter what happened on Givingstide, it was never going to fill the hole left by his sister's absence on Christmas. His only family for years of his life. His other half. She's gone, and it's his own fault. He asked her to go.
The silence in North's farmhouse, exacerbated by the blanket of snow outside, is deafening. North didn't bother to cut down a tree and haul it inside. Got the ingredients for cookies, but hasn't made them. Hasn't actually eaten anything all day. Considers calling South, just to say Merry Christmas. Considers calling her to ask her to come home. Remembers the bulletin board sign-up sheet for a gift exchange run by that girl South was talking to, with South's name on the top slot, and hurls his stupid sending stone across the room.
He and Theta sit bundled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, waiting for it to be over.
Maybe someone should check on him.
Givingstide
Edgar's feeling a little better than he was last time North talked to him. The celebratory crowd is equal parts comfort and fresh unhappiness by turns; right now the general atmosphere of cheer is winning, though who knows for how long.
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Givingstide
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Givingstide
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Givingstide
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Golden Givingstide
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Givingstide
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golden givingstide
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noelle holiday | deltarune | cw: grief, sibling loss
On the first of the month, Noelle spends all day at the pier. She sits at the edge of one of the docks, letter her feet dangle over the frigid water. She watches the sun come up. She waits. She watches the sun set. The ferry doesn't arrive.
It's the holiday season. Time to get to work.
Noelle commits herself to decorating every square inch of the Leeds Manor she can get her hands on. (Thanks to Dalhia's support, it's a lot of square inches.) It all culminates in a Christmas Eve party, which has Noelle acting the most outspoken she's been in months. If you so much as breathe in the direction of the Leeds Manor, you'll find a reindeer girl dressed in white, with a red-and-green garland woven through her antlers, ushering you in.
"Come on in! Get out of the cold and the dark. It's Christmas. We've got hot chocolate, and a fire, and I think Kris is going to play the piano - they're really good, you don't want to miss it."
If Noelle has her way, no one will be left outside. No one will be left behind. And the manor will be filled with laughter, and song, and she'll forget, for at least a minute, that someone else is supposed to be there.
Noelle does manage to take a couple of breaks from Christmas party planning, at least. She helps Father Mulcahy put Midnight Mass together. It's a nice observance. Peaceful and quiet, in a good way.
Mourner's Night, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult. Noelle joins the procession late, lingering at the back of the line. She's wearing her veiled dress from Dahlia's party, the hood pulled as low over her face as she can stand. She looks at the ground when she walks, and says very little. She takes a candle when instructed. All through the vigil, she keeps to the back of the crowd.
Her resolve breaks once. Only once. After the singing stops, and while Noelle's candle burns low, she whispers to herself quietly, under her breath:
"She's not dead."
mourner's night
The voice is soft, coming from behind Noelle. A woman's voice, light enough to be carried away by the breeze, but not cold. Not cruel. Just frank. December Holiday is not dead.
"But she doesn't have to be for it to hurt. I'm sorry, my dear."
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PAPYRUS | Undertale
Not being one to take to bed early or for long, Papyrus is out for a walk when he comes across the starting procession. The skull faces of the lanternbearers startle and delight, even when he realizes that no, it's not the sailors and their captain come to shore, it's some other festivity.
Maybe a few people nearby shush him, or maybe he catches the quiet of the mood, but he sticks with the procession as they join travel the streets to the carriage - whose horses, he's more quietly delighted to see, are also painted like skeletons!
By the time they reach the cemetery, the somberness of the mood has properly sunk in and he's listening. Sure, he's aware that in human literature - what human literature he'd read before and begun reading now - skeletons tend to be associated with death in some mix of metaphorical nods (to how intimidating and cool they were), and also, really... death. It's something that didn't come up underground very much, given how abruptly fallen monsters fall to nothing but dust, but humans... they dust much, much slower.
The sermon is strange to listen to, the hymn haunting in the way where it's clear there really probably aren't any dead-ghosts lingering around for it, and the vigil...? Well. He's really not used to thinking of himself as dead. Nearly died, in some accident of overenthusiasm by his flower friend's ambitions, maybe, but the entire thing of his coming here was that he wasn't really dead and would stay not-dead once he went back.
...But he did die, too, more recently. After all the strangeness that took a good half of October away from them all, for all that most people have been eagerly dismissing all memory and mention of it. He's mostly tried to do the same, but... but... It's weird, that he didn't die back home, but did die here, but still isn't dead either way. Maybe it's worth staring at a candle about for a while, in hopes that it brightens his mood somehow. Nyeh heh heh.
💀 GIVINGSTIDE
Papyrus shows bright and not-quite-early, but decidedly on time for the party - if any bells toll on the hour, they might still be ringing when he arrives. The bag in hand rapidly makes its way to where the other gifts are accumulating, name on the handle carefully facing upwards.
As the party gets under way, he spends a fair time by the food, commenting on things like the pasta - did listeners know that, in a pinch, rigatoni could be used as a straw? It worked better for liquids than anything with chunks, though - either things would get stuck and plug it up, or the intruding lumps would damage the pasta and ruin it for straw use.
He makes his way towards the tavern's kitchen, too, asking whether they couldn't heat up some milk - his cocoa got cold surprisingly quickly. Maybe not too surprising, onlookers might note, given the color of the beverage in his mug is far closer to milk than cocoa. Yes, he'll eventually clarify, he's hoping for hot chocolate milk, emphasis milk.
Later on, as people are playing music, dancing, or just relaxing around, he gazes out the window and mulls to himself (and anyone nearby) about how "it was so easy to enter the tavern. Not even a little bit of a maze, as obstacle and entertainment alike. Maybe they could gather up some snow, start building some walls, add some icicles to corners - for that little dangerous thrill of the risk of spikes along the way...?" But unless someone else goads him into starting one, the idea stays an idea - there's so few monsters on Marrow Isle, and some of the humans might not appreciate partaking in a cultural tradition that was kind of meant to be unwelcoming to humans, once upon a time.
💀 MOURNER'S NIGHT
[ooc: Open to other prompts, be they threaded here or over on the TDM! PM me, poke me on the plotting post, or find me in the discord for plotting.]
Givingstide
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