1 ❀ SECOND MONTH / WINTER MEME

[konnosuke]

1 ❀ SECOND MONTH / WINTER MEME

1. HOUSE WARMING Before winter hits in full blast, it's time to celebrate. Everyone's been fixing up the citadel for the past month and what do they have to show for it? A gorgeous citadel they can finally call home. Sure, it might not be perfect yet (there are still a few stray spirits trying to test them) but it's nothing that can't be fixed later. There's plenty of food to go around and for the first time all month there's more than enough alcohol to get Jirou everyone through the night. 2. STAY WARM (I just wanna cuddle) It happened gradually so the swords should have seen it coming but it's like the temperature dropped suddenly overnight. Did the swords turn the heater on the night before? Maybe they did but it wasn't enough... because this morning, it's like waking up in an icebox instead of a home. They better hope that there's a sword around who knows how to adjust the heat or they're going to have to find other ways to keep warm until a modern adult comes home. 3. WINTER WEATHER Gross. Maybe the swords were looking forward to snow but that's not happening. It started off as cold rain and then there was a slushy mix of ice and rain while they were coming in from the stables. Or maybe it's the sudden hail storm in the middle of the night that wakes you up and ruins winter for you. Either way, there's no doubt about it. Winter is here and if you're patient... The first snow will come. When the swords wake up one morning, they can find everything covered snow. It's your first snow so don't be afraid. 4. TIS THE SEASON And I mean cold season. It was never a problem before but now you have bodies and you need to take care of them. Try as you might, though, some things just can't be helped. It starts off with a scratch in the throat and then WHAM! You have chills but you're burning up, everything hurts, you smell like sickness, food tastes like muck, and even though you've been told you aren't dying it sure does feel like it. 5. WINTER CELEBRATIONS (PART I) With winter comes festivals and who wouldn't be excited? If the swords can find a clearing in the woods, they can look down and see the little town at the foot at the mountain. What was once a dimly light town at night has suddenly brightened overnight. There are lights of all colors flashing and sometimes, on particularly quiet nights, you can hear laughter and music. What's it for? Hana will eventually explain Christmas. It's a very basic explanation she's remembered from school: A Christian holiday that has become popular in Japan. The best part is being with friends, eating together, and exchanging gifts. She'll explain the other curious customs like writing letters to Santa and what not so feel free to run wild. And what about more traditional celebrations? The town is having a snow festival-- tiny snowmen and ice sculptures line the streets. It's very popular so people from all over the country are coming! Even weirdos from Tokyo........... in case anyone wants to take turns sneaking down. 6. WINTER ASSIGNMENTS The citadel is up and running so it's time to get out there and do some missions! While different teams head out to the frontline, you might be left behind wondering what else there is to do. Don't worry! There are still things to do on the homefront until your turn comes around . A. Frontlines. The mission is easy: Seek and destroy. You know roughly where the enemy will be so it's only a matter of time until you sniff them out... hey, what's taking you so long? What do you mean you haven't found the enemy yet? Who let the blind grandpas scout? You've been running in circles and into dead ends all day. B. Expeditions. You're in this for the long haul. Your mission is to go undercover and try to find out where and when the enemy will attack. You could be working for days, weeks, months, or even ye-- okay, this is a pretty easy mission so it shouldn't take that long. That said, how's your reconnaissance? If you're going to be living in this time for awhile, you should learn to dress up like the people... you know... fit in and not be so sword. C. Neighborhood Welcome. There are some new neighbors at the citadel! They're very shy so it's hard to see them... but they aren't afraid to let themselves be known. It starts off innocent enough-- someone will throw a snowball at the window when no one is outside or a branch will suddenly drop piles of snow on top of you when you're out. But the pranks grow until suddenly, all of the snow on the roof is crashing in your direction. You open the door to go outside and you're completely snowed in. Get to the bottom of any of these mishaps and you'll catch glimpses of what look like little bipedal snow rabbits causing mischief. They just want to have fun and don't appreciate being ignored. Engage in a snowball fight to the death to appease them. You'll know you've won because later that night you'll hear mysterious singing. A woman in white gathers up the smaller spirits and together, they sweep across the citadel, leaving a blanket of fresh snow and a blue teapot on the veranda with a note "to good health." Anything made in the pot is tastes perfect and is just the right temperature. The sick will recover faster and the healthy will feel warm and happy... are those cherry blossoms in the winter? D. Let Them Eat Cake. For most of December, the swords will find fruit baskets and various slices of cake in different takeaway boxes. The fruit baskets are nothing special other than the fact they never stop coming but the cake comes with a note from the saniwa to help themselves and let her know which one is your favorite by sticking a note on the refrigerator (sticky notes provided for your use). Picking Christmas cakes is important work so stuff your faces. 7. PICK YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. You know what to do. Be a new arrival, come in for repairs, destroy a microwave, be a sword.

This is our second catch-all open post! Our next post will be a mini New Year Meme at the end of year. Remember to read the information post for information on our setting and saniwa-chan. If you have any questions, let me know @ eski on plurk.

Comments

[toobigtohandle]

The taste is not very pleasant.

[This said with small grimace but this is medicine after all.

Tarou blinks several times, then loks down at his hand and clenches them a few times.]

I feel... a slight tingle in my fingers.

[He's so big that maybe chugging it all down didn't do much... hopefully.]