[EVENT] On the first day of Christmas...

[vrdr_mods]

Winter has been drawing in for quite a while, and even here, Christmas is inescapable. What's going on?

The day before

Snow is falling... all around. It's a freezing cold evening, and the air is still—except for the blizzard outside. Will you stay home in the warmth, watching the snow fall and the frost form on the windows? Or will you head out into the whirling night? Visibility is next to nothing, but you'll probably be fine... as long as you don't go too far.

The next day

Snow has fallen! It lies everywhere you look, inches-deep, from Tokyo to Mikage-cho. The air is still, and the sky is a clear, wintry blue. Doesn't look like it's going to warm up any time soon. But that means a snow day. You'll be fine, as long as you wrap up warm. Do you want to make a snowman sledge, skate or ski? Waterways are frozen solid, and if you can get to the right store, you'll find the equipment you need. Or maybe you want to keep it closer to home, with snowmen tea-tray sleds and snow angels? Just try not to kill any rivals or near-rivals with a snowball.

Snow also drifts gently from the ceiling of the Velvet Room, fading before touching the floor. Festive, unseen sleigh bells clash unnervingly with the usual elegiac piano melody. Igor watches on with his trademark knowing smile—the festivities are just beginning....

In Iwatodai Mall, Inaba Shopping District, and Station Square, there are Jack Frosts around the place, along with chilly-looking Pixies, Onmoraki, and many other assorted demons. They have large sacks, or toolboxes, or planks of wood; they work merrily in hard hats, and whisper and giggle amongst themselves, and watch you as you pass. What could they be up to?

Christmas trees now stand in all the open spaces, hung about with baubles and lights. Illuminations are up, too, on every building, across every street, between streetlamps, you name it. More urban areas, like Tokyo or Sumaru, are as dazzling as you'd expect. But it isn't just the real world—all cognitive zones are suddenly hung with countless tiny lights as well. Probably not a good sign.... then again, the inhabitants seem strangely reluctant to fight you.

Comments

[rosemaudite]

"The fact that none of you live with your mother anymore will catch Hawk's attention sooner or later. Either that will start the conversation, or you'll have already had it, but either way there's no reason not to tell him the truth." And plenty of reasons to tell Hawk the truth, as harsh as it is. Maybe it can change things.

More likely, he'll at least know it's coming.

"Would it bother your mother to know you were happy and loved? I doubt it." And then something clearly occurs to Haru, but she doesn't voice it right away.

"...Though you could, at least after a fashion, ask her yourself."

[fogboundcrow]

He was going to comment on Hawk again, but—

What.

Raven's eyes widen. He blinks. Did he hear that right...?

"How can I ask her? It's not as though she's here..."

Is she? Is she really here? Some version of her? Alive? Here? He can see her? Really?

Give him a moment. This is a lot.

[rosemaudite]

"I bumped into her yesterday, actually. I don't know exactly how, but she managed to get out of the dead end before it consumed her. I did warn her as to what most of you have experienced, though, so she won't be going into those conversations blind."

[fogboundcrow]

"Mama's here..."

Not his mama, but still... she's here.

Um. Okay. This is a lot to process. "Where is she? Is she okay? Can I see her?"

Congratulations, Rose. You have unlocked desperate child mode.

[rosemaudite]

"She is okay. I can text her when you're ready to meet her."

Haru's expecting that answer to be 'now please immediately,' but just in case it isn't, Raven has an out.

[fogboundcrow]

"Any time! ...As long as it's not a bother."

Please, please, please? He needs to see her. He needs to know that this is real!

[rosemaudite]

"Considering she was very quick to say she'll consider all of you her son if you want to be, I really don't think it's going to be a bother."

But Haru's already pulling out her phone to shoot Akako a quick text.

[fogboundcrow]

"She said that?"

She said that... but she...

His breath hitches. That's so... Is it real? Is it really, really real?

"That's... good. I'm glad."

[rosemaudite]

"That's not something I would lie about." It's far too important.

"She also says you can have her number, if you'd like it."

[fogboundcrow]

"Oh. Yes, please."

He doesn't want to be too pushy, but that sounds handy. Contact. He can talk to her. Maybe.

That requires nerves.

[rosemaudite]

When he's ready, Haru passes along the phone number. She can't help with nerves, but hopefully the conversation will do that.

"She's on her way."