January | Event: Castle in the Snow

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Castle in the Snow↲ OOC Plotting

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As winter rolls through Tokyo, some may find themselves longing for a little snowfall. While it certainly gets cold, there's very little snow in Tokyo proper, with the storm of last year having been something of a fluke.

But as it turns out, those looking for a little snow will get their wish, as the NRL announces an opportunity for refugees interested in traveling to visit the northern region of Hokkaido for a weeklong getaway.

A City Encased in Ice

Visiting Hokkaido is something of an undertaking. Well beyond the stretch of Kanto's flooded valleys and city ruins, the only realistic way to visit Hokkaido is by train. And once there, navigating it makes the train something of a requirement. This is because Hokkaido is home to a unique phenomenon known as the Everfrost, a frigid storm that perpetually blankets the region in snow and ice, no matter the season.

Following a lengthy train ride, the train enters a tunnel that sends it underground, before finally emerging into a station seemingly carved out of dark blue ice crystals. And yet the refugees won't feel a chill, as the unique properties of ice formed by the Everfrost prevents it from melting, even with the heat on. From there, it'll just be quick transfer, and they'll arrive in the Minami Ward of the city of Sapporo.

Earn Your Keep Minami, Sapporo
The refugees will be staying in Sapporo's famous Ice Princess Hotel, a luxury resort made entirely of Everfrost ice and located in the shadows of a massive castle. Ordinarily, the rooms here would be too expensive for even the wealthiest refugee. But seeing as this is the off-season (no one wants to visit a perpetual winter wonderland in the winter, obviously), they've arranged special accommodations that even the NRL can afford! The rooms are nothing grand, arranged in a suite style with multiple bedrooms connecting to a shared living area. And of course, while the rooms are still rather warm, the walls themselves are made of thick Everfrost, which is just as cold to the touch as ice ought to be. Make sure not to lean against it after a shower.

Unfortunately, these accommodations require each guest to work a minimum of one work shift at the resort. While it's not impossible to argue one's way out of working, seeing as they were not informed of this part of the deal, those willing to grin and bear it will find that the work available really isn't that bad. There's ordinary jobs, such as cleaning, managing the front desk, or helping out in the bar or kitchen. But most of them will be given opportunities to learn more about Hokkaido's Everfrost up close.

Those who can handle the cold will be invited to a workshop behind the resort where the Everfrost is processed into workable materials. Harvested from the eye of the storm in the center of Sapporo, these icy blocks are carved into shapes and then polished until they shine a brilliant blue. Walls, frames for furniture and decor, glasses and even plates used for cold desserts are all common uses for Everfrost. The ice is plentiful and can easily be frozen back together again, so there's no need to worry if your carving skills aren't up to par.

Those who assist here will also be given an item made of Everfrost of their choice, ranging from gemstones to be inlaid into jewelry, to an icy blade that never melts. Just remember, it is very cold, so try not to wear it anywhere it touches the skin.

Gourmet Tourism Ainosato, Sapporo
Due to the sheer cold of Sapporo's climate, the only way to travel through the city is by underground train, with only the locals brave enough to navigate the streets on foot. But the refugees are certainly welcome to try, and will even be offered snowshoes to make the trip easier.

Heading north to the Ainosato Ward, refugees will find a Beer Museum dedicated to all the brews made throughout Nippon, and including some rare international brands. Naturally, there's free samples, but do try not to get drunk until you reach the bar at the end of the guided tour. This is also the only bar in the East with a permit for selling imported Uki beer, which is almost cloyingly sweet and sure to be an acquired taste, even for those who normally enjoy Uki.

For those seeking Sapporo's signature snack as a souvenir to take back to Tokyo, they'll be sure to find no shortage of shops selling Snow White Lovers, which are said to invoke strong feelings of pure and innocent love when gifted to someone else. Which is very literal, because the gift boxes they arrive in are enchanted with a temporary love spell. At least the cookies are fine??

Nippon's Snow Level

While exploring the city is all fine and good, the real draw of Hokkaido is the sheer amount of outdoor activities visitors can do out in the snow! Naturally, winters in Hokkaido are even harsher than usual, so all refugees interested in exploring will be encouraged to take with them a special haori that can be worn over their clothes, imbued with a magi-tech heating element to keep the wearer nice and toasty.

The Ice Princess Hotel is connected to a large ski resort, and is a short distance from numerous hiking trails. But take note: the cold isn't the only threat out in the wilderness, and those without the ability to protect themselves may be joined a local Hunter Samurai just in case they get lost or encounter something dangerous.

Regardless, whether one is interested in renting some skis, sleds, or snowshoes, the ski resort is still sure to be a pleasant experience!

Crystal Tears Minami, Sapporo
Although Hokkaido is stuck in a perpetual winter, that doesn't mean nothing grows here. In fact, Hokkaido is the only place where crystalflowers can be found. As the name suggests, they're flowers with a crystal-like appearance, with jagged petals and a clear stem. And despite growing like flowers, attempting to handle the fragile petals will cause them to melt like ice.

These flowers can be found all across Hokkaido no matter the time of year, but the best place for viewing them is at the summit of the Ice Princess Ski Resort, where an elaborate garden showcasing different varieties can be found. Some grow on spiky vines like roses, while others grow straight from the ground like poppies.

But beautiful as they are, being surrounded by so many has an odd side effect. For those with an affinity for water or ice magic of any kind, be it local or from home, they may find themselves starting to cry when standing amongst the flowers. While they won't be able to understand why, they'll feel a certain sense of melancholy when looking upon them, as if reminded of someone dear they've lost in the past.

Thankfully, this effect will wear off after getting some distance from the flowers.

Remnants of a Goddess ???, Sapporo
But not everywhere in Sapporo is safe to explore. Those with a penchant for getting into danger may find themselves wandering into the eye of the storm at the very heart of Sapporo. The Everfrost is not a natural occurrence, and is in fact the result of a powerful Goddess who is said to have met her untimely demise at the hands of the people who once worshipped her. While the true history has been lost to time, there's no denying that the source of the storm pours out from a single region in Sapporo.

Although there are many signs warning visitors to keep their distance, should anyone press through the snow, they may hear the sound of someone screaming into the wind. Following it will lead them to a large chasm, with a single bridge of ice leading to a large crystal-like structure. The bridge is slippery, and the only way into the structure is to follow the winding staircase of ice that circles around the outside to an entrance at the top. The chasm is too dark to see the bottom of, so hikers best be careful not to slip and fall.

But once they reach the inside, they'll find no person waiting for them. Instead, they'll find the entire inside of the structure is carpeted with crystalflowers, and at the very center sits an absolutely massive flower, which begins to stir as if it were alive.

If the elaborate set up wasn't obvious enough: this is a boss fight.

The flower is capable of summoning icy phantoms, who take the form of beautiful young women. These phantoms will surround their opponents with cyclones of icy wind, causing a death by a thousand cuts if they aren't shattered. Only by shattering the first phantom will the flower once more return to dormancy. Attacking the flower directly is also an option, though it is far more dangerous, as the entire structure is filled with the flower's roots, capable of wrapping around opponents and stabbing them with icy thorns, sapping the heat from their bodies.

Defeating the flower will calm the storm down long enough for them to safely return to the city proper. But should they stay long enough to explore the inside of the structure, they'll find numerous riches and expensive offerings that no one is going to stop them from taking. Just don't take too long stuffing your pockets, or you'll have to fight the damn thing twice just to get out.

Icy Reflections

Just behind the Ice Princess Hotel sits a tall and imposing building within the castle complex. Believed to have once been the keep where an ancient goddess ruled over her subjects, this area isn't part of the main hotel. Instead, guests are welcome to explore the maze-like corridors on their own.

Unlike the hotel, the castle isn't heated, and the structure isn't entirely made with Everfrost. Instead, it appears as though the Everfrost simply blanketed every inch of the original wooden castle, with everyday objects and decor sometimes visible beneath the unpolished ice stone, forever frozen in time.

But for those who dare explore the highest levels of the keep comes an ominous warning: should you meet a phantom of ice, shatter it immediately, lest it assume your identity and replace you.

Mirror, Mirror Minami, Sapporo
Throughout the castle's keep, there's only one thing that hasn't been covered by the Everfrost. On each floor sits a large mirror, seemingly enshrined into the center of each room. And looking into these mirrors reveals a distorted image of oneself.

As they ascend to the higher floors, the images will become clearer, revealing the reflections to be glimpses of alternate timelines from their home worlds. Each floor will reveal more of a specific timeline, their altered reflection growing more and more detailed. And upon reaching the highest floor, looking into the mirror will cause them to trade places with this alternate version of themself.

These alternate versions are the result of a kouribake, the ice phantom ayakashi, and appear just as real as the ones they replace. They retain all memories of the original's life in Nippon, as well as any memories from the alternate timeline. However, they have a significantly lower body temperature, and their bodies will crack and shatter when injured.

But what do they want, exactly? It's hard to say. Some of the more peaceful ones will even admit to being reflections of alternate timelines, given solid form thanks to the ayakashi. But others will retain some shades of malice, intent on taking over the life of the original, and silencing anyone who finds out the truth.

Shatter Me Minami, Sapporo
Now some may be wondering why something so dangerous is open to the public. But that's just the thing: ordinarily, these ayakashi aren't dangerous at all, and their phantoms simply melt away after about an hour, freeing the original from the mirror. But things have changed. And the ice phantoms will exist indefinitely unless destroyed.

Is it Kizuna? For some reason, the locals and even the NRL don't believe that to be the case. But regardless, these phantoms need to be dealt with.

Thankfully, many phantoms can be convinced to leave peacefully. These phantoms may simply have a short list of things they want to experience or share, and will leave willingly once satisfied. It could be sharing their alternate past, finally confessing their feelings for someone they met in Nippon, indulging in sex or a specific kink, or just eating their favorite meal from home. Upon being satisfied, they will fade away until all that remains is a crystalflower.

But others will be more stubborn, and may need to be shattered entirely. Naturally, this is easier said than done when the phantoms share the face of someone you care about. These phantoms may have powerful new abilities from their respective timelines, or even ice-themed versions of their original's powers. While their bodies are constructs of ice and magic, wounds that would otherwise be fatal will still be fatal for the phantoms.

Of course, the fastest method is to simply destroy the ayakashi responsible for creating the phantoms. But by the week's end, any remaining phantoms will turn into crystalflowers, with the kouribake responsible nowhere to be found.

And perhaps the most troubling thing about all of this is that the original may receive memories of the phantom's time spent in Nippon, as well as vague memories of life in this alternate timeline. Was the alternate timeline real after all? Or was it just all an illusion conjured up by the ayakashi? Perhaps some things are better left unknown.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's January event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• Characters who won a trip in the TDM's ice skating contest will be upgraded to private, luxury rooms as per the contest's rewards. As there was no need to sign up for this, players who want their characters to have a fancier stay without needing to work for a day can just say they won a prize!

• As the Hi element concerns both high and low temperatures, characters who have mastered either Hi or Mizu can also be affected by the crystalflowers.

• The giant flower cannot be fully destroyed, nor will the structure melt if subjected to fire. That said, the crystalflowers can still melt, and will cause the chamber to fill with icy water if too much heat is applied.

• The treasure will not include modern day currency, but instead will include jewelry, gemstones, very old gold and silver coins, and ancient artifacts like vases, cutlery, and weapons. These can be sold in Sapporo to collectors for a high price (upwards of 500 thousand yen), or sold in Yokohama's Port Market for an extremely high price (upwards of 10 million yen). Only the weapons will not sell, as upon explaining where they were found, most collectors will presume the weapons to be cursed and will suggest they enshrine them instead.

• Ice Phantom AUs must be possible deviations from canon, but otherwise, can be as wild as you'd like. For example, you can't do an AU where Naruto is a Pokemon trainer, because Pokemon don't exist in Naruto's canon. But you can do an AU where Naruto is adopted by a canon villain and grows up evil, drastically altering his personality and past.

• AUs will still retain memories of their original's time in Nippon. Whether these memories are skewed to suit their new personality/backstory is up to you!

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Comments

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[redshields]

[ despite winning the same luxury upgrade, the mention of working a shift had caught thoma's attention and had brought him to volunteer anyway. it's a chance to see if he recognizes anyone else as much as it is one to meet more people, though half of the reason also has to do with not having a job just yet and wanting to do more than just vacation. he realizes that might seem strange to some, but after being yanked out of a relatively busy life, having so much time has left him feeling a little lost in the time he doesn't fill with exploration.

so this feels natural, even if he's never spent any time working this specific kind of job. thoma's in the middle of checking a woman in and handing off her keys when he feels eyes on him and when his attention shifts, he finds himself looking over at childe as he ends up at the counter. his smile brightens at the sight of him, but he finishes with the first guest before he turns to him fully, an easy laugh earned by the request. ]

Is that so, sir? Would you like me to contact the service department or should I come take a look at it myself? [ his shift is nearly over and there's another person working the front desk with him, so it's not as if it would be a terrible thing to step away for the last half hour or so. ]

[acutabove]

[ not for the first time he's reminded of how much he likes Thoma, how easy it is to get along with him and how the blond responds to his teasing in kind. the questions get a short huff of a laugh, Childe draping himself obnoxiously over the counter and subtly demanding all of Thoma's attention with his presence alone. ]

The service department would take much too long. I think it just needs a firm hand and someone experienced in laying pipe. [ the grin that follows this statement is telling, but the act is quickly dropped in favor of looking the blond over from his vantage point and fixing him with a curious look. ]

I guess those ice skating lessons didn't really stick, huh? A shame, I thought I was a pretty good teacher.

[redshields]

[ the way childe drapes himself across the counter in such a way that he nearly takes away from the other person now checking another guest in is enough to make thoma chuckle as he reaches out and gently urges him to straighten up. his attention is, of course, entirely on him now, though.

the act being dropped isn't something he minds and thoma grins as he steps over a little, closer to where the edge of the desk is. it gets him away from the work still happening and, presumably, pulls childe's attention over as well. ]

Oh, no, the lessons were great. I won the upgraded room! But when I heard about how they wanted people to work, I thought I'd help anyway. [ he glances over, taking note of the way the line of guests has dwindled to only a couple of people. then his attention is back on childe, a smile settling on his lips again. ] Somebody else should be here in a few minutes to take over in my place. Are you busy?

[acutabove]

You thought you'd help anyway. [ Childe parrots, unable to keep the smile from his voice even as he speaks. Thoma was looking more and more like a genuinely good person, and it's a fact that has him feeling some strange kind of way. it's almost a shame that they got on so well, really. ]

I'm sure they definitely appreciate a hard worker like yourself.

[ if that were the case he wouldn't really mind swinging by every so often just to pester him. there's something about the blond that's magnetic enough that keeps him coming back, and it's something he's quickly coming to terms with the longer he stands looking at him.

the question makes him blink, though his expression is quick to ease into a grin. ]

Not at all. Why do you ask?

[redshields]

They seem to. I'd consider working here all the time if it were closer.

[ but he doesn't intend to move from where he's living now just yet and, even if he did, it isn't likely he'd choose so far from the people he knows. he'd honestly find it sad to be so far from places where he could run into childe.

there's a note of excitement that comes with hearing he's not busy, thoma perking up as he nods toward the front doors of the building. ]

I was planning to look around outside. Want to come with me? [ the weather, he assumes, probably isn't quite as harsh for childe than it is for him and some others. ] I'd like to hear more about you and Snezhnaya.

[acutabove]

Yeah? You think you wouldn't freeze over in the snow? Guess there's more perks with having a Pyro Vision than I thought.

[ he could really spend all day here just chatting Thoma up, not even caring if he might be in someone's way or not. the fact that there's someone else here to man the desk is only a bonus, as that meant that Childe could take as much of his attention as he wanted without having to worry about stepping on anyone's toes. and with the hotel being not terribly busy at this hour, everything worked out just fine for him.

but he's able to catch the way Thoma perks, following the direction of where he's nodding and spotting the doors at the front. he thinks he has an idea of what the blond's going to say before he says it but he still keeps his expression the same, humming thoughtfully as though considering what he's offering before answering. ]

A walk in the snow sounds pretty fun to me. Is there something specific you're looking to hear? [ admittedly, he didn't get a lot of people asking about his homeland. to know that Thoma had such an interest either meant that he was a traveler in spirit or... maybe he was just interested to know where Childe had come from. both were pretty viable options. ]

Are you getting off now, or do you want me to go kill some time and freshen up before you take me out?

[redshields]

It's not like I'd be working in the snow. I'd probably freeze over if that was the case.

[ he just sounds amused by the idea of it, knowing he'd definitely need a little time to adjust to this weather when he's spent his life in generally moderate to hot temperatures. it makes him that much more curious about childe and his homeland, about his siblings and his childhood. the few mentions of things while ice skating haven't left him, but there wasn't a lot of chance to really talk given the way his lesson had turned out.

when childe agrees, a smile spreads across thoma's face again even as he shakes his head. ] Nothing specific. I'd like to get to know you better.

[ over childe's shoulder, thoma can see someone in uniform heading in their direction, likely to take over his position. the mention of taking him out earns a chuckle as thoma steps back from the counter and moves to grab the couple of things he's got stored behind it. he slips the haori he was given on as the uniformed guy enters near childe. with a cheerful thanks for the relief, thoma steps out from behind the counter and over to childe, reaching up to cup his jaw for a second, a playful grin on his face. ]

I'm off now.

[acutabove]

[ the way that Thoma speaks, so open and honest, is quite nearly enough to take Childe off guard even after everything he's been through here. when one considers that he'd been made to admit to some long-dormant secrets or some hidden desires due to the kizuna forces beyond his control, it's understandable that there's always some lingering suspicion or doubts whenever he encounters someone being so ... truthful. especially about things like these, though maybe it's his own experience handling how he feels that has him feeling a certain type of way about Thoma's adorable honesty.

the hand on his jaw is met with a tip of his head, applying gradual pressure into Thoma's hold and fully milking the gesture for all it's worth. there's a playful, fond look in his eyes, an unmistakable, pleased expression to complement the blond's honesty. ]

Then I guess you'll have to take me as I am.

[ Childe himself isn't exactly dressed for the snow, having long since traded his own Harbinger uniform for something that was more native to the area. it's not the haori that had been offered prior, but something of similar make and a thinner material. obviously he isn't as bothered by the cold as most.

his gaze lingers a moment longer on Thoma's own, and for a second it looks like he's leaning in, closing the distance between them in a single, unbroken movement - before he reaches down to grab at the other's wrist, leaning back and tugging him back towards the door with that same wide, playful grin in on his face. ]

Come on, then. [ it takes little prompting for him to slip his hold lower, taking a hold of Thoma's hand and lacing their fingers. ] I'll tell you everything you want to know.

[ he doesn't so much lead Thoma along as he drags him off, pulling him towards the double doors and out into the vast snowscape beyond. there's a light flurry falling down and a cleared path, the snow shoveled off of it and into piles on either side of the walkways. there's practically no one about at this time, which is a given considering the sudden drop in temperature once one steps outside, but Childe seems hardly bothered by it. ]

[redshields]

[ the look he gets as he finds himself cupping childe's jaw has warmth spreading through thoma's chest. for just a second, that warmth catches him off guard, not quite expected but impossible to ignore when he already knows he wants to get to know him more. he imagines most people who come in contact with childe feel some level of attraction to him, though. from their time together so far, thoma knows how magnetic he can be. ]

I'll take you exactly as you are.

[ the lean in toward him fools thoma into tilting his head closer for a second before he lets out a laugh as his wrist is captured instead. he follows with no resistance, their hands ending up joined before childe is dragging him and thoma's feet are moving quicker, fast steps helping him to catch up as they exit the building together.

where childe is used to this kind of weather, thoma still isn't. the haori is a savior in this case, though his vision could work just as well if necessary. even knowing where childe is from doesn't make him certain that he'll be able to spend a lot of time out in the weather like this though.

but, hey, he's more than willing to help warm him up.

as they start heading down a path, thoma settles into walking along beside him, squeezing childe's hand as he looks over at him. ] How many siblings do you have? You mentioned teaching the younger ones to ice skate before.

[acutabove]

[ that was not a line of questioning he was expecting, and it shows openly on his face in the way his blue eyes widen, mouth setting into something of a frown. it's a subconscious display of defense and one that was probably completely justified given his line of work and where he came from. he's pretty sure that there were few in Liyue who knew of his home life despite how often he'd sent gifts and medicine home for his family.

but it's probably telling that that look fades, the tension in his shoulders easing as he gives Thoma's hand a squeeze. they're not in Teyvat. if they did inevitably end up returning to their world, he doubted that there was a lot Thoma could do with this information. perhaps they wouldn't even see each other again.

more than that, though... is that Thoma just doesn't strike him as that type of person. at all.

the path leads away from the resort and into an empty walkway, though the steadily falling snow is doing a good enough job of quickly blanketing the previously shoveled paths. it's something of a walk to the nearest shop, he knows, but he doesn't particularly mind it and Thoma seems warm enough to make it without much complaint. so he'll start off slow, for now, keeping to the beaten path as well as he can. the ski resort is connected and he knows, just from his own exploring, that there's a few hiking trails they can walk along without being bothered or eavesdropped on. ]

I have six siblings. Three younger, three older. I'm surprised you remembered that. [ the snow seems to come down a bit more heavily at that, though the temperature remains largely the same. bits of white stick to his hair and his lashes, and he can't help but to lean his head back and let his tongue hang out to try and catch some there, too. ]

[redshields]

[ he's looking at childe as he reacts to the question and thoma feels an instant moment of regret as he takes in the look on his face. even as the look fades, even as his hand is squeezed, he can't help feeling like he's touched on a topic that he shouldn't have. and so soon, too.

as they continue to walk, thoma's attention regularly flits back to childe, the cold going almost unnoticed thanks to both the haori and the distraction of reconsidering any questions he's thought about.

when he gets an actual answer rather than an attempt to move on from it, thoma pulls childe's hand up and briefly brushes his lips against the back of it. it's an apology of sorts, affectionate just because he wants to be and he finds himself incredibly comfortable with that with childe. ] You mentioned teaching your younger siblings to skate. A lot of my time when I got here is a blur, but meeting you sticks out in my memory.

[ it's why he's found himself so happy to see childe each time they've run into one another. and why he hopes it will continue to happen.

with that in mind, and as he lowers their joined hands to go back to lightly swinging between them, he watches the way childe tilts his head back with a smile. ] I know you answered anyway, but I apologize if that question was too personal.

[acutabove]

Why, Mr. Thoma, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were coming onto me.

[ he's teasing, of course; after what they'd done, there wasn't really a whole lot to be shy or coy about. Childe is the sort of person who didn't usually beat around the bush when it came to making his interest known, especially if who he was making them known to was receptive to his attention.

but the kiss is definitely new, definitely different. there's just the faintest twitch of his fingers at the gesture, his pupils dilating in the unspoken pleasure of affection being given to one of the most sensitive parts of his body.

not that Thoma knew that.

as they continue on along their way, Thoma foregoing any additional attention to his hands in favor of swinging them to and fro, Childe finds himself examining the blond beside him with no small measure of interest. a lot of Vision users he'd met had all seemed to share one specific character trait where they held themselves tall and full of confidence. it varied amongst the different elements, of course, but between the ones he'd met from Mondstadt, Liyue and Inazuma, respectively, he could say that they all had at least that in common.

Thoma was much the same, but more... subdued. it was as if he were content to step aside and let others have their share of the limelight, content to support them from the side and out of sight. he was definitely far more nicer than most people he'd met, and it wasn't as though he only went around rubbing elbows with assholes and underhanded types.

he was just warm, and bright, and sunny. all the things that Snezhnaya didn't really have a lot of. ]

It's not as if you held a knife to my throat or anything. If I didn't want to answer, I wouldn't have answered. You're not that scary. [ here he mimics the other's earlier action, pulling Thoma in close and gently pressing his own lips to the blond's knuckles. his eyes flash playfully, grinning at Thoma over his own hand - and then he's tugging him down behind a nearby snowbank, gently pulling him forward only to turn and shove him back into it. ]