t's very, very cold. It's cold enough that you'll see your breath fog in the air before you, that goosebumps appear on your arms and legs and a chill goes up your spine. You're inside, in a huge palace with sweeping arches and rooms, but it's no real shelter from the cold -- it's just as cold inside as out.
There's a throne room, a kitchen, various rooms and even a dungeon to be explored -- and outside, a frigid, frozen garden, a lake that's naturally frozen over, and miles, and miles of snow as far as the eye can see.
But be careful while you explore. The snowflake soldiers are naturally dangerous, but even more dangerous than that...there's that creeping sensation of numbness going up your arm, a pang through your chest, and the slow, slow freezing from the inside out.
Try not to leave any of your friends behind, okay? Even if they might look a bit too uncannily like some of the statues hanging around for decoration when they're frozen over.
Welcome to Awash's fourteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs for this event, but please keep in mind the lack of laptop function during this event when it comes to forum posts!
If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you! |
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Then... you're a fool.
[ He is, for trying to get close to them, and for putting himself through pain just to touch them. It doesn't make any sense, and his behavior towards them in general never has. How he's always making them seem more than they are, taking risks for them that he doesn't need to; they've never understood why he'd ever go to such a length for them. But looking at the issue in the eye, it's because he cares that much, right? It's a scary thought to let themself even consider, but they can't really deny the (increasingly likely) possibility when he pulls a stunt like this.
Trying to grapple with that— hurts, in a bittersweet way. And there's nowhere to run, not like this. They look down at their joined hands, and watch themself as they make the motion to grip back gently, feeling his still slightly quickened pulse against their palm. ]
You should care.
[ They squeeze his hand deliberately, both because of the storm of emotions they're feeling, and because they have a desire to elicit some sort of negative reaction out of him from the cold to prove their point. When they meet his eyes again, their own gaze is every bit as defiant as his. ]
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[ and what kind of gentleman thief would he be if he wasn't willing to hurt a little for love? His brow furrows just a little as he endures the frosty squeeze of their hand, but that's the only satisfaction Cairngorm will get from him. Lupin's insufferably stubborn, and unwaveringly serious about making this point clear. They're worth hurting for. Even if they don't think so, they can't stop him from believing it. The fierceness in their eyes sparks a fire in his veins, makes him want to prove it to them.
But for now, he simply leans down enough to brush his lips over their fingers, just as he'd done after they'd danced all those months ago, before unlacing his fingers from theirs as much as they'll allow. His legs are still shaky, but he's going to at least attempt to stand up on his own. ]
Now, then... we've still got a castle to crack and some curses to break, don't we?
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But they let him go, brushing their hand against their own cheek as if to get rid of the lingering feeling there from his kiss. Like usual, it's pleasant in a soft way, which of course means they need to spend as little time thinking about it as possible. ]
You're a little late to get involved in that. [ Whatever. They're a champion at burying whatever they need to in order to continue functioning, and if he wants to try and be a tough guy and stand up on his own, then fine. They move to stand too, not holding a hand out for him. ] But if you're going to go around "curse breaking", don't expect consistent results.
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Urgh. I feel like I got trampled by a horse... I guess that's still better than getting smashed to pieces.
[ grumble, grumble. none of his predictions were right, but he's glad that one in particular didn't come through. He does his best to shoo away the lingering warm bubbly feelings towards his companion, concentrating on what he should do next, and also on rubbing some circulation back into his poor arms and hands. Their comment, however, gives him some pause, and he raises an eyebrow at them. ]
What do you mean? It doesn't always work...?
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[ At least, that's what they assume to be the reason for why there's still so many people freezing terribly. Cairngorm had done what they could to tell people what they thought was the solution; that doesn't mean that that solution works on everybody, or there isn't some hidden variable that also needs to be met for it to work. Given the track record of this place, and based on the text, they'd assumed it would only work for people they knew personally, which is why they haven't gone around kissing every frozen statue they've seen (and also because that's very weird). They don't understand the full picture, and they're fine with admitting that.
Either way, they don't look at him as he stumbles, nor as they continue to speak. ]
It worked when I did it for Phos, too, but it's not like I know what kind of requirements have to be met for it to fix things. I just assume there has to be something, or else this would have been solved days ago.
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So you kissed Phos, too, huh...
[ obviously, he knows it was to save them, and obviously, he would do the same thing for any of his friends here, too; he doesn't for a moment hold it against either of them. Still, he can't keep a sliver of disappointment from slipping into his voice. Lupin presses on, hoping it wasn't too noticeable. ]
It probably has to do with your bond with that person. Did you see what Dex posted to the network a while back? He and Guren got in and out of the forest unscathed thanks to their relationship. That, plus the way they're always trying to make us work together... They want us to get close to each other, though I can't imagine why.
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[ He seems... slightly let down, so they don't mention that they had kissed Lottie too in explicit terms. That barely noticeable sliver of disappointment is puzzling. Of course they're aware kissing is supposed to be something intimate, but they didn't expect him to show any sign of displeasure at the idea of them kissing someone else, especially when he just said he's going to go off and do the same thing.
Hmm. They let it pass without comment like he wants it to; if they were in a different mood, they might have brought up that last point verbally. They didn't exactly think they had the right to be disappointed or feel any type of way about it, but maybe they do. ]
Like I said, I don't know. All I'm saying is be prepared for it not to work as well as it did on you.
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Whatever. He'll make up for this later, he decides. There's plenty of time to do things right. Lupin thinks that the bond has to be a little bit closer than "someone you know personally" - going ahead and saying "it's probably only people you really care for" might put them in an embarrassing spot, though. ]
Still, it's better than nothing - and the only clue we've gotten so far on getting out of here, too. Going around and kissing a whole bunch of people isn't a very gentlemanly activity, but I suppose I'll endure it. [ ... ] ... After I get warmed up.
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Either way. They're not going to act out on a feeling they don't completely understand, nor do they think has a place in their current relationship. ]
I don't think anyone's going to care about manners if it saves their life...
[ They give a slightly wistful sigh, shaking their head and closing their eyes momentarily. There's a sort of awkward silence while they process the remaining thoughts in their head, which are: 1) after thinking that he might die for real, they don't really want to leave his side just yet, but 2) they really don't want to follow him around while he kisses people, as they anticipate they'll quickly become annoyed. Urgh. Maybe they should've just left him as an icicle if all this was going to make them feel so confused... ]
Well. Anyway... you're off to make another fire, then?
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[ his #Aesthetic, Cairngorm!! It's everything. And maybe he also cares because he has someone he actually wants to kiss now, and running around bestowing his affection on strangers while nurturing that feeling is even less gentlemanly. His inclination for heroism and helping others outweighs his inclination towards the romantic only slightly. (Wow, I've gotten pretty serious about Cairngorm, he briefly notes inwardly, and wonders if they'd thought half as much about the whole kissing thing as he is right now. That would be nice.)
Unfazed by the awkward lapse in conversation - perhaps because he's still a bit lost in his own head - Lupin nods. ]
Yeah, I think so. I don't feel like I'm trapped in a block of ice anymore, but I'm still cold - I'd better not test my luck. [ he pauses, looking at Cairngorm a bit curiously. The two of them just shared their first kiss; it would be weird for him to just run off, wouldn't it? Besides, if they separate, both of them might end up wandering off to go do the same thing with other people, instead, and he finds himself opposed to the idea at the moment, life-saving or not. There are plenty of other townspeople around that could kiss those in need... ] Come with me? With the way I am now, I could use backup if one of those snow knights starts chasing after me.
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Not going to complain about me babying you?
[ Of course, "backup" here to them translates to they'd be protecting him; they don't think he's quite as quick on his feet as he usually is with how cold he must be. They remember it being quite hard to move when they were that cold, and even without that, they've yet to see Lupin face off against someone in a fight, so they have little idea of his capabilities. After a feigned pause of contemplation, they look back to him. ]
...Well, alright. [ They'll keep their agreement subtle and restrained, not wanting to let on that this is how they wanted things to go. ] My inclusions need the light, regardless.
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I'm not so big-headed I can't recognize when I need help. [ usually. ] Besides, like you said earlier, I wouldn't want to waste your efforts.
[ getting knocked off by a snow knight after that heart-pounding rescue would really be a shame. So he beckons them after him, setting off towards some place a little safer to rest in. ]
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You're right about that. That would be a waste...
[ They follow after him, their unnatural footsteps echoing against the ice distinctly. ]
They are pretty easy to outrun, though. I'm much faster on this terrain than those things. [ They're trained to run and jump on the ice, after all. It'll be super easy to just carry Lupin to safety, or throw him out of the way if trouble arises. Even though he didn't like that much the first time. ] We won't have to fight any of them.
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Or run. He glances over at them, raising an eyebrow. ]
What? Don't tell me you're planning on picking me up like a sack of potatoes and running off with me.
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[ FACTS ARE FACTS!! It is the easiest way to avoid conflict, and they obviously don't understand why he'd wanna make anything harder on himself than he has to. Besides, they don't exactly trust that he'd be that great at facing off against someone with a huge sword and shield when he's half-way frostbitten, so they'd rather just control the situation themself. ]
What, would you rather I run off on my own and leave you there?
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[ sighing, he shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest more tightly. The comment that follows is light enough that he's probably kidding around, but there's a shadow of seriousness behind it, too. His poor ego is suffering... ]
When did I become the princess in this fairy tale? I should be your knight in shining armor. Mr. F's got this backwards.
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[ Between the lines here is that they don't care if things aren't the way they're "supposed" to be between them, and why should they? ]
What do you mean by "when", anyway? If you're looking at things like that, then you've always been the more princess-like one.
[ they literally just revived him with a magical kiss how is he NOT the princess ]
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You're the only one who would say that, I wager.
[ that he's like a princess and he's not much like a knight. Lupin doesn't really think of himself as a knight, exactly, but if he has to slot himself into a fairy tale archetype, he'd rather be the hero who comes to the rescue in the nick of time. The root of all this isn't fairy tales, though; he's just embarrassed about how Cairngorm only knows him as a weak human who constantly needs their help. They're always saving him and seeing him fail. Certainly, they're not much of a princess, either - but he likes them the way they are. ]
Where I'm from, I'm famous for what I do. The peerless, dashing gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, bamboozling the cops and sweeping fair maidens off their feet - that's me. Since I showed up here, though, all you've seen is the Lupin who gets bitten by werewolves and cursed by broken mirrors. [ a sigh; he rubs his nose, a bit chagrined. ] One day, I'll get to show you the real me.
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Well, we'll see about that.
[ If he continues to act the way he has, they don't feel like that will happen anytime soon. But whatever. As long as they're around, he can count on them going out on a limb to protect him, no matter if it makes him feel like a princess. ]
You already said you were gonna try to show me your good side all that time ago when you got shot. So you don't have to say it again.
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Ugh... Don't remind me, or I'll really start feeling pathetic.
[ as pathetic as someone with his level of confidence can feel, anyway. These complaints are all minor, in the grand scheme of things - he just hates failing in any way, shape or form, and he continues to feel like he's failing at being the man he should be in Chroma, to say nothing of the man he'd like to be for Cairngorm. The #Aesthetic is real. ]
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I told you back then to just focus on doing things properly. I'm not gonna care if this is the "real" you or not...
[ They say it with a cut off sigh, obviously meaning that they wish he wouldn't care so much about showing a particular side to them, and definitely not that they don't mind whatever side(s) of him they see. ]
You probably see me a little differently than gems do, too, you know. It's not that weird.
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure I do. [ and if he had to guess, the parts of them that he sees and likes the best aren't the ones they want most people to see - their soft side, their caring side, the way they're shy. ] Fair enough! But I'm sure even you want me to see you a certain way.
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...I don't care that much. [ Wanting people to think of them this way or that; that sort of thing does not matter to them a ton, nor has it ever in the last 900 years. You don't grow too attached to at least people's initial impression of you if they barely have one to begin with. ] Not as much as you do, at least.
[ It's true that they prefer to be thought of as resilient and strong, but they feel like he's likely to think that of them just because of their nature, anyway. It's also true that they go through a considerable amount of acrobatics to conceal their kindness towards others, which is exactly why they're not bringing it up now as a point of something they'd care about being seen; doing that would only draw more attention to it. it pays to contradict yourself all the time ]
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I wouldn't be so sure about that. You're always trying to act a certain way, aren't you? Sure, you're tough and cold on the outside... Intimidating, even. On the inside, though, you're gentle as a lamb.
[ if he had to guess, the tough guy act is to try and protect that soft center of theirs... but he thinks that shyness is cute. ]
Well, I like you both ways, so it's nothing for you to worry about. I don't mind a princess with a mean streak and a heroic sword-arm.
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You are the only one stupid enough to say that about me.
[ So what if they just showed him a ton of kindness and gentleness not more than half an hour ago? And that they're aware he already thinks this of them, given their past conversations? They'll still deny it. Violent, rude, but reliable Cairngorm; that's the person they're supposed to be, not a gentle lamb, which is a reference they surprisingly understand. When they think about it, literally everyone else they know would likely laugh at this assessment of their personality, so he truly is the only one.
Well, whatever. The more they try to justify that he's wrong, the more likely it is that he'll keep pressing the issue. With most people, they don't have to worry about forcing the other party to back down if the conversation goes a way they don't want it to. But those sorts of intimidation tactics doesn't really work on Lupin, they've found. They'll enter the room with him, but they stop a few steps into the doorway, folding their arms petulantly. ]
Maybe the next time you get yourself cursed by something, I'll leave you there to deal with it, if you want to prove yourself and be the knight so bad.
[ Of course they'd probably never follow through on a threat like this (because they're nice. just like he says)... but they still gotta make it. ]