[Mini Event] season the day

Deimos

Dare we know the halo's hanging low

With winter’s press into the surroundings, an even firmer bridge and branch of snow, ice, and rime, the Sword’s own version of antics and traditions continued. A persistent plunge and pledge into more mischievous, juvenile, and fun components that allowed Halo a moment to breathe, to forge onward, or to express amusements before the echoes of LongNight.

This time, instead of specific, solo expeditions, there was more of a medley and assortments. Carnival-esque in its own right, Deimos had coerced several merchants into selling hot beverages, including but not limited to cocoa, cider, and any number of spirits, alongside a multitude of events. Sleds passed by with racing dogs and whooping cheers, horses pulling daring skiers over bumpy, snow-enhanced ramps built into the streets, and icy sculptures were being built by those creative enough to strengthen the local scenery (yes, some were indeed phallic in nature). He also ensured there were open portions for any other Halovians who yearned to create and draw others into their orbit.

Meanwhile, he started at the hot chocolate, surveying the scene, and waiting for even more chaos to billow and sway.

--

This is Halo’s mini event for Frostfall – enjoy a little winter carnival! There are all sorts of things to do and feel free to add your own! This will be up until the end of the season.

Somewhere my lifeline still hums and sings
In the mess of all I have thrown away

Evie had helped to coordinate this event, of course, but nothing would ever beat days and nights of haggling and scheduling than seeing it all come together in a festive, delightful display. Cheering, whooping, children screeching and laughing. It has a beam almost permanently affixed to her face as she helps tie together the last few loose ends.

Or so she had told Deimos.

While she did go talk to one of the vendors, what she had truly intended was to give herself a chance to sneak up on the Sword - by not being sneaky, and casually walking up from behind him in the hopes of sounding like any other citizen - and smooshing snow against the nape of his neck.

“Oops!” she trills cheerily, and with a laugh turns her engagement ring and promptly makes herself invisible so she can try and run away.

Evie

Nim's arrival at the bustling festivities in the Citadel couldn't have been timed more perfectly. The air was crisp with winter's embrace, and the laughter of children and the joyous shouts of the revelers filled her ears.

She couldn't help but be captivated by the sights and sounds. The sledding, the daring skiers, and the... intricate icy sculptures all spoke of a world she had never known before. The warmth of the hot beverages being served by the vendors was a welcome contrast to the biting cold.

Nim's eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the colorful array of costumes and the faces lit up with delight. Her heart swelled with a mixture of curiosity and wonder. It was a far cry from her solitary life in the wilds.

Suddenly, a playful exclamation caught her attention, and she turned to see a cheerful woman approaching a familiar man, Deimos. The woman's actions were anything but subtle, as she playfully smooshed snow against the back of his neck. Nim watched, her brows raising with surprise, as she disappeared.

Feeling a surge of unexpected boldness and wanting to join in on the festivities, Nim picked up a handful of snow and, with a touch of hesitancy, attempted her own playful maneuver. She sent a snowball soaring in the direction the other woman started running before she'd turned invisible. Of course, she had no idea this was the warden of Halo, or else she may have at least given this a second thought.

deimos evie

Deimos

Dare we know the halo's hanging low

And so it was that the Sword wouldn’t have to wait very long for bedlam to start – Evie made certain. Her voice, and the subsequent miniature ambush, were familiar and distinct enough to know exactly where to pinpoint the sudden onslaught and chill rampaging down his neck and along his spine – a wry snort following a rumbling drawl. “Really?” Permitting a single undulation through rippling muscles underneath boundaries of fur, he rolled his eyes further when she’d gone invisible.

Ordinarily he might say something about betrayal, but Deimos was probably owed this mischief from some antics long since before, and shrugged. Presuming she couldn’t be very far in her attempts to flee, or the press of tracks in the snow still visible, he launched a counterattack by snagging at any fresh powder he could find with water incantations, and unfurling them in various directions.

Could passersby and onlookers get caught in the midst? Probably.

Somewhere my lifeline still hums and sings
In the mess of all I have thrown away

Giddiness swells like a bubble in her chest, making it delightfully hard to breathe and filling her limbs with eager, childlike tension. Deimos' rumbling, deadpan response only makes her laugh aloud into the air, the remnants of little mist clouds the only sign of her presence as her ring turns her invisible seconds after.

Evie is feeling rather good about her odds this time (though she shouldn't, as she has yet to win a single game against Deimos in this manner) which makes it all the more hilarious when she is brought low by a snowball from the opposite direction. Yelping, snow splattering against an invisible but clearly solid surface, Evie is startled enough to be caught dead on from the other side by Deimos' retaliation as well.

"Treachery!" she yelps dramatically, using her own magic - and, oh, that's something new to explore later - to throw the snow covering her out in all directions like a shaking dog. Whether that little explosion hits Deimos or not, the Evergreen whirls around to find her sly attacker, and wastes no time running toward her in a crunch of boots and ice that are the only audible herald of her vengeance.

Well, that and the magically-coalescing snow suddenly forming midair, shooting down toward Namythria in a formal induction into the impromptu snowball fight.

Evie

Sah

Sah watched the crowd and sipped his hot chocolate contently. But then the mischief begins, and he can't help but join in. Smirking he clicks his wrist, and a surge of snow rises up from the ground and races toward the trio. Once it gets close enough, the mound breaks down in an effort to cover Deimos, Evie, and Namythria without harming them. The Abandoned doesn't recognize the last woman but if Evie is trying to bring her into the game, who is Sah to not help?

As the snow fight begins, Lilly and Pad make their own fun. The two wolves race through the snow, pouncing into larger piles and sending flurries toward nearby pedestrians. Lilly is determined to get as many people in on the fun as possible and while Pad would rather not, even he can't say no to his sister when she truly demands his compliance.

My soul is in the sky
-William Shakespeare

Deimos

Dare we know the halo's hanging low

Shaking his head at the expulsion of Evie’s laughter, but imploring and encouraging it just the same, the sputtering nonsense only amplified the situation. Permitting his own round of devilish adornments and chuckles to echo from his chest, the dramatic yelp, and assistance from elsewhere, was enough of an opportunity for him to slink several feet away, intending to gain some traction and space, intending to execute another plan.

Several onlookers gauged the situation and headed away; though some kiosks still seemed inclined to watch the impending debacle. Puffs of powder launched back hardly bothered him, but there was a distinct shadow lingering above…

He had enough time to narrow his eyes at the threatening cavalcade, snorting and rapidly twisting, turning, the elements back in Sah’s direction, where the Thunder could have a taste of his own medicine.

From there, one would expect they'd all continue their volleys and rallies, a contentment to place burdens aside for mere moments and happenstances.

{FIN}