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« 006 ⇢ event006.exe »

Who: CERES & you
When: OOC - 11/25-12/02 ; IC - 10/09-10/12
Where: Cerealia & Pleasure District
What: Event log
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let us know if you need this rating changed)

//event006.EXE

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa-bot underneath the Mistletoe

It's the morning of October 9th when you feel it. At first, it's a gentle rumble. Then, the ground begins to quake harder as a transparent shield erupts from the perimeter of the colony. Those fortunate enough to be standing outdoors will get a glimpse of it as it slowly closes around the colony, forming a glass dome that keeps everything enclosed inside. It may spark your curiosity. It may even cause a bit of fear and anxiety, but other than that, the day remains the same. Plain. Neutral. A little too quiet.

That's when the cold sneaks up on you, little by little. You may notice yourself shivering and in need of a warm blanket. It's just a little breeze, right? You might close the windows in your apartment or throw on a sweater. But the cold doesn't stop there. The temperature begins to plummet gradually by the hour, and you notice frost appearing on all visible surfaces. Machines start to malfunction and grow stiff all over. The wind knocks over a few post boxes and signs. Your skin goes numb in places. Shrinkage happens for those who have things that shrink.

All in all, it's an unpleasant experience, and the trains are shut down, leaving most of the colony's citizens with limited transportation. However, a figure appears in a dimly corner of the station to brighten your day. He has a blanket laid out with snow globes placed on top, some plain, some rose-tinted. They're all for sale for a meager 25 credits. Since he can't speak, he lets his boom box do the talking for him, letting out a familiar song.

"♬~ Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!~♬"

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I

[ xxxx ] The cold is starting to set into your bones, a sharp pain emanating from the way it seems to burrow under your flesh. No amount of jackets, parkas, and sweaters offer relief as the temperature plummets by the hour. The streets are paved with ice everywhere, and snow is rapidly falling from the ceiling of the dome. Will you play in it? Will you settle by the fire with a warm beverage? Will you and your ill-prepared body be subjected to the slow madness promised by hypothermia? It might seem bearable at first, but nothing is ever that simple or easy in Cerealia.

Of course, for those who wish to brave the weather, come see the snow globe salesman in Cerealia's train station. He'll show you a few wonders that linger behind the glass.

PHASE II

[ xxxx ] Just as the cold starts to reach its most unbearable temperatures, a single haven lies in the Pleasure District at Cerealia's famous virtual Fantasy Hub. Whispers will pass from lips to lips, moving quickly across the colony about the warmest place to be. Your character is welcome to investigate for themselves and set aside their embarrassment for a little bit of reprieve.

The robot staff will be more than welcoming, offering you compliments, cookies, and hot chocolate. The three great C's! They will let everyone linger about the lounge and encourage them to pair up and try out a bit of the technology. They might even find a little something to smile about after. The robots will be promising customers a lovely boost of warmth just for subjecting themselves to a world of their own desires.

PHASE III

[ xxxx ] For those brave enough to venture into their virtual fantasies, you'll be lead into a private booth where no one else will be able to bother you. A headset will be available for you and any companions of choice. Feel free to put it on and check it out. You'll be prompted to type in or verbally explain your fantasy before watching the world being built before your eyes until you're completely immersed in your ideal world. You are welcome to roam around and enjoy for as long as you wish but do remember you're on the clock and that there are other customers waiting. Oh and do try and clean up the booth after use!

PHASE IV

[ xxxx ] It's day four. The cold has reached its lowest, most unbearable point. Those who took a trip into their own fantasies or the fantasy of others are now free to revel in the warmth (and in their own embarrassment and shame). Congratulations! For those who avoided it, prepare to feel numb in places and to possibly lose a finger or two. The CERES medical facility will do their best to stick you back together or keep you from death. The suffering will continue until the very last second when Julius Vincere, CERES' CEO, will appear on all screens and billboards to announce that the climate problems have been fixed at last.

Just like that, the dome will open once more, and the temperature will return to normal. With that comes another set of apologies same as before. How much are you willing to put up with his bullshit?

BONUS

[ whyo'clock ] They're cute. They're cuddly. They're also being sold at a CYbuddy shop near you, provided that snow hasn't blocked the door from opening. They're seemingly harmless and innocent until you take your eyes off of them. That's when they'll scuttle to your underwear drawer and slowly and surreptitiously start stealing pairs of it to hide in a super secret stash so it can sell your unmentionables in an elaborate robot underwear smuggling ring. Prepare to brave the cold without underwear.

[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ]

//RUN.EXE

Welcome to CEREALIA's latest event post. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing what's going on right here and feel free to consult the FAQ if needed. Please leave any lingering questions in the OOC post, and we'll answer them as soon as we can.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ poor Zara is also feeling the bite of the cold, especially on those long thin ears of his - he's bundled up in an (appropriately ruffly) trenchcoat, and has a hat pulled down over his head, aforementioned ears forced down and poking out of the sides hat as if he's suddenly become a lop rabbit. Though he's reluctant to do so, he actually is heading towards the pleasure district. Better to be embarrassed than to freeze to death, he figures. Besides, it's not like he'll need to do anything...

He actually doesn't recognize Ciel at first, bundled up as he is, but it's hard to mistake that grumpy voice. Zara smiles just slightly... but don't worry, he won't comment on the cuteness aloud. ]

The snowglobe...? I bought one earlier, myself. It's my master, Earl Galland's, estate in the wintertime, as a matter of fact.

[ Ciel makes a thoughtful noise as he withdraws his mittened hand to look at his own again. His frown is soft as he looks into the snowglobe, almost fond, and then after a moment he just sighs. ]

So it's your home too. It's my manor inside here. Which is... strange.

[ To say the least, he thinks. He gives the globe a very light shake to start the glittery snowflakes again, and it's not hard to see that the expression on his face is vaguely homesick. ]

It hasn't snowed there in quite a while, now that I think about it.

[ an acknowledging nod. Zara had heard as much from others while he was obtaining the snowglobe - he was considerably shocked to see a tiny model of his home out here, and quickly learned that it was indeed too much of a coincidence to be intentional. Just more strange technology he doesn't understand.

It's not surprising to see the young earl feeling homesick about his manor, either. He doesn't know Ciel terribly well yet; however, it's not hard to guess that a wealthy orphan boy might be feeling especially out of place here. ]

Indeed. All we've had is rain in my own country. [ considering the weather right now, he's finding it hard to wish for snow... ] ... It's a surprisingly kind gesture, for them.

Well, I understand what that's like. It really only ever rains in England, and scarcely anything else.

[ Which he sounds a bit sour about, and yet, he hates any other weather more, so. He's just being a contrary shit, as usual. He tucks the snowglobe awkwardly into one of his giant pockets. ]

I'd hardly call it kind, though. If they were kind, they wouldn't have made it so terribly cold in the first place. Now it's just a mockery.

[ ciel, so puffy in his winter clothes... Zara can't help but laugh gently under his breath at the sight of him trying to maneuver in that coat. Cute. Fortunately, he's too polite to actually comment. But he's thinking it.

While he's on the verge of asking about England, Ciel's other comment makes him change course. ]

You believe they're doing this on purpose? Is that possible?

[ Zara's surprise gets Ciel's mouth to set in a thin line, and the bitterness is unmistakeable on his face. He's surprised that anyone would trust their captors (as he thought of them, at least) so willingly, so seeing anyone naively trusting that this was anything but the work of some other power. However, in reality, Zara is the reasonable one here and Ciel is just extremely paranoid. ]

Why not? They can bring us here, apparently, and they can clearly manipulate other things. It doesn't seem unreasonable that they could do this too.

[ it's hardly that he trusts his captors - far from it. Rather, the idea of anyone controlling the weather itself is so far-fetched to him that it didn't even cross his mind. Ciel's explanation leaves much to be desired, but Zara can't dispute it, either. He sighs through his nose, a small puff of frosty breath drifting away from him. ]

... I suppose it isn't unreasonable, no. [ just unbelievable. But so was his very being here. ] I don't believe in magic, but this all seems closer to witchcraft than science. There must be a good explanation for it all.

[ That at least gets Ciel to relax, if only marginally, and he shrugs as he raises a hand in the air helplessly. ]

To that, who knows. I would scarcely believe it myself if not for the fact that there are people from the future here, so far as I'm concerned.

Then the two of us are the same in that regard. There's not much room to be skeptical when it's right before our eyes.

[ although judging by what he's learned here, things may not be as real as he thinks they are. Something about virtual worlds. He's still learning.

After a moment, Zara shakes his head gently, nose twitching a bit in the cold. ]

In any case... Were you on your way somewhere, or were you just enjoying the weather?

The weather is terrible.

[ So that's a definite "no" to enjoying the weather, but with a personality like Ciel's you have to wonder if he enjoys anything... ]

It's no better inside, so I thought about looking for a solution to this cold, but I've had no luck yet.

[ considering the situation and what he's heard about the boy's past, he has a hard time holding Ciel's attitude against him... when he lost his own parents, he'd had a similar attitude until he was taken in by the Galland family. It's a familiar bite.

Zara purses his lips, seemingly thinking about something, before speaking again. ]

... I'm hesitant to suggest this to you, but I have heard there are buildings in the red light district with functional heating. It's shameful, but better than freezing, in my opinion.

[ As expected, Ciel looks taken aback briefly, and there's a sourness to his expression that implies that he's about to tell Zara off for even suggesting such a thing, but... His face sets into a resolute expression instead. If it weren't so cold out, his cheeks would be a shade darker, but, well, they're pretty much already the right color. ]

...Are you certain?

Not in the least.

[ might as well be honest. Though he's not blushing, aside from the color on his face from the cold, he does look distinctly uncomfortable. Even Zara isn't so logical that he doesn't feel any shame in inviting a kid to the pleasure district. ]

However, I don't have any other ideas. And, frankly, I haven't checked there yet... for obvious reasons. I may as well.

[ Ciel makes an upset, disgruntled noise at first, but he ends up just placing his hand on his hip as he looks up at Zara. The impression is that he's looking down at Zara, even though Ciel is a tiny baby. ]

...Fine. Let's go, then.

[ So that Ciel can blame you when it's weird ]

[ it's not his fault!! ]

... Don't worry, Earl Phantomhive. It might not be my place to say this, but I'll do my best to prevent them from harrassing you.

[ because he can tell Ciel isn't happy... for obvious reasons. And despite how mature Ciel is, he's still a kid, and Zara still has instant mothering instincts. ]

I'm too cold to be patient with them today.

[ Ciel gives Zara a clearly scrutinizing look, since he's not trusting of such declarations at a default, but ultimately... His expression softens, and he makes a neutral "hmph" noise. ]

Very well. I'll count on you to do that much.

[ But don't think too much of it, b-baka!! More seriously, Ciel nods for Zara to lead the way, since Ciel definitely doesn't know where the district is. ]

[ that's fine with Zara, because of course he knows where the pleasure district is... even if he didn't, he's sure he could hear and smell it from several blocks away before he saw it. Ick. In any case, he takes the lead without prompting.

Hopefully, this is actually profitable and not just another embarrassing memory for the two of them. After a few moments of silence, Zara pipes up again. ]

Your country is called England? What is it like?

[ Oh. Smalltalk. This is an area that Ciel struggles with, since he's ultimately just an awkward kid. Ordering people around and acting in pursuit of his goals is one thing, but when it comes to interacting people on a normal level? That's much more difficult. The question makes him pause, but only because he's not even sure how to answer. It's why it's such a bad one when it comes... ]

Er... Rainy? I don't know. I've lived there my whole life, so it's hard to describe.

[ it's faintly surprising that Ciel is awkward, since most nobles are trained to socialize, but -- Zara had already been told the reason why, he supposes. Fortunately, he's patient, and merely smiles to himself as he continues to walk. ]

Then you haven't traveled outside the country? [ well, that's not so unusual for an earl... ] To be honest, I haven't, either. I hope the rain isn't too dreary.

Well, I have, but it's always for business.

[ Zara is clearly better at smalltalk than Ciel, since Ciel is already much more at ease as the topic shifts to business. Truly, he's a boy that acts much, much older than he appears. ]

I don't usually have time to go sightseeing, but I wouldn't anyways. I'm too busy for such things.

[ he tries... ]

My, my... An earl's work is never done, hm? [ he seems amused about just how old Ciel sounds. there's no way around it - he sounds like a middle-aged banker or something. ] My master is always working on something, himself. Lately, the people that live on his lands have been getting restless, so there's much work to be done in easing their fears...

[ or there would be if they hadn't, like, gotten his daughter arrested ]

[ Ciel looks to Zara, at least interested by this turn in conversation, since it's a very old duty of a nobleman to be concerned about such a thing, so far as he's concerned. ]

I suppose not, but it's nothing like that. All of my concerns are business and social politics, of which I strongly prefer the former... But I guess it's better than having to deal with people like that.

[ ciel i've got news for you, zara is very old ]

Really? You're lucky. Calming an unhappy mob of villagers is no easy task... [ a small sigh. Not that he was worrying about that anymore. ] But I won't bore you with those details. What sort of business does your house do? I'm curious.

[ and "phantomhive" doesn't really provide any hints. Unless he has a ghostly apiary. ]

[ He looks mildly impressed as Zara explains, but Zara has at least earned enough of Ciel's respect that he doesn't rudely pry. He simply nods, then answers the question easily. ]

The majority of our work is in a confectionery and toy company, though I've expanded the reach of our company into food production and general trading, though they're still new ventures. The confectionery is still the largest of our branches, so most of the work revolves around managing that, and I establish new contracts where I see opportunity.

[ He waves a hand lightly and dismissively, like this is perfectly normal, especially for someone of his age. He's definitely an intelligent child, if nothing else and seemingly especially suited to business. ]

We do work with the royal family on request as well, which is where our title comes from, but that's not as regular. When Her Majesty asks something of us, it's our duty to provide, but she only asks for us when she needs us, naturally.

[ that is... also not what he was expecting. Usually the answers are more along the lines of "iron" or "cattle." But confections and toys...? Those are well in the realm of merchants and traders, not earls. With mild disbelief, he looks over at Ciel. ]

... Those are unusual resources for an earl to control. I'm quite surprised. [ maybe he only owns a small piece of land with a confectioner's guild on it or something like that? He's trying to think of reasons. If that were true, though, then why would he be close to the royal family? ]

My own household works... worked with the royal family, as well, though, so I understand those duties. Is your queen a human?

i!!

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