winter catch-all

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🌸WHO: Otegine and various
🌸WHAT: Open prompts and closed starters for winter into endgame
🌸WHEN: From Winter 1 onwards
🌸WHERE: Various
🌸WARNINGS: nsfw is labeled!

Please hit up my discord, plurk, PMs or plotting if you'd like a closed starter!

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OPEN PROMPTS, ALL MONTH

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I)
[With their greenhouse running, there's still plenty of work to be done in regards to crops... but, at the very least, the elements don't have to be a part of it. Even from the start of the month, there isn't much rest for Otegine. With the cold comes the need for fire, and fire needs wood, so more often than not, one can hear the chop of the ax near their property, taking the free time he has to stockpile in case the snow gets too deep to work.

If he sees anyone, he'll stop, letting the ax rest against a shoulder as he pulls his scarf from his face, face tinged from the cold.]

Hey there. Ah -- did you need help setting up for the cold? I've got time on my hands.

II)

[After the first of the heavier snowfalls, there's enough accumulation out to have some fun with. Once can drag him up to the mountains if they want, but either in the mountains or on his own property, he slowly sets up a tiny collection of snowmen near the porch. None are more than a foot high at their tallest, and it only starts with one or two... but it quickly turns to six, then twelve, multiplying everytime someone visits. All of them have sticks of various sizes strapped to them - the tiniest ones have short little twigs at their size, while the taller ones carry branches even taller than them.

It's not hard to catch Otegine in the act, looking very thoughtful as he searches for rocks and wood to work with.]

Oh! Oh, hey, uh... sorry, this will be a weird question. Do you have anything purple I could use for a snowman? Or green?

III)

[After Winter 5 and a subsequent rejection from the goddess, Otegine's energy drops considerably. But he still tries to think of something to spend his energy on, in the moments where he can, while the town starts to buzz with the business of engagements and weddings.

At some time during the month, before the ceremonies start, he'll be knocking on the door of every single property. Fresh eggs and flowers are brought to each house in a basket in one hand, with a bundle of paper bound by hand in the other.]

Hey, hope you're staying warm. I know this might sound strange, but... given this is our last month together, I had a favor to ask before everyone gets swamped with preparations.

I know not everyone is leaving this place by the year's end, so I, uh... I thought it might be nice to put together something to remember the time, for the library. Sentiments, or advice, or anything like that.

It would be a nice memory for everyone, and it'd mean a lot to me to see as many people in here as possible... if you'd be willing.

closed - owen (Winter 6, day after goddess)

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[It's early morning when he trudges through the fresh snow towards Owen's farmstead, a little tense. He'd tried the pond again this morning, to the same solid wall blocking his way. She really wasn't going to hear him again... not for now, anyway.

He'd intentionally taken the rest of the previous day to find other ways to work through the hurt and frustration, not wanting to dump it on Owen when he knew the wizard was already at his own tense odds with the goddess. But he couldn't leave this to sit and rot when they had such little time left.

He shoves his scarf further up his face as he knocks at the door, trying to keep his eye out for fresh footprints. Was Owen even here right now???]

[sicklysweet]

[He’s there, even if he’s not actually inside his house. He’s around the back, watching Cerberus frolic, but the dog alerts him to the arrival of a visitor.

Seeing Otegine there should have been expected - was expected, because who else would bother to come visit him? - but the tension in the air is less expected.]

What’s with that look?

[For as much as he can see Otegine’s face with him fussing with his scarf… Also, Cerberus is still out! Still stuck as a puppy though, only reaching up to Owen’s knees, and it growls briefly at Otegine.]

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Oh... hey, there you are.

[He actually has a dog. Incredible. Here he thought Owen had been making that up... well, he stands corrected.

He'll hook a finger to his scarf to free up his space, a little bitten and red from the cold, keeping a distance from the dog as he tries to make his way over to Owen.]

I didn't realize it had so many heads. Is that, uh... normal, back home?

[sicklysweet]

His name is Cerberus.

[It’s an obedient dog, at least. Way more obedient then the adult Cerberus, which probably says something about training puppies… Or how Owen’s been dealing with everything here.

He arches an eyebrow.]

He’s not a typical dog, but he’s cute, isn’t he? Incredibly fierce.

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Cerberus... [Huh.] I guess so. I don't know dogs all that well...

[He lowers to a crouch to get a better look, hoping it makes him a little less intimidating. Big things were intimidating to littler things, right?]

Are you guys liking the snow?

[sicklysweet]

[Pff.]

No, I imagine not. I’ll have to teach you more, but I admit even I’m more familiar with wolves.

[Cerberus sniffs at him, one of the heads still growling while the others don’t seem particularly bothered about.]

The snow reminds me of home, but you didn’t come all the way out here to ask me about the weather, did you?

closed - oriphi (winter 8)

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[He has a hard time finding Ori at her house, but it's to be expected - she is a busy, busy gal. So the craft shop is the next stop, a tied bundle of flowers from their own greenhouse in hand along with his odd bundle of papers, ducking through the doorway to take a peek towards the counter.]

Ori? You here??

[hearthwarming]

[ Ori has indeed been busy as of late; there's to do for a florist during a month dedicated almost entirely to wedding celebrations! She's certainly not the only one in town to supply flowers, but that doesn't mean she hasn't got her work cut out for her. She peeks up at Otegine from behind the counter, having apparently been invisible behind piles of. Well. Floral arrangements. ]

Otegine! I'm here! Come in, come in!

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[He lets out a low whistle as he takes in just how MUCH is on her countertop, closing the door carefully behind him.]

Geez, you've got your hands full...

Oh--- h-hey, uh... here. [He fumbles for the makeshift bouquet, a gathering of petunias of various colors transplanted from the fall.] Syr and I got the greenhouse up and running right before winter started, so some of the blossoms are still going.

I figured you could use a pick-me-up, with all the ceremonies going on. You must be busy...

[hearthwarming]

[ Some might find it odd for Otegine to gift a florist some flowers, not even as an offering to her inventory, but to brighten her day. But not Ori! She knows the flowers are special because they came from Otegine, and were grown by him and Syr. ]

Oh... That's so thoughtful of you...

[ She rounds the counter to stand with him, taking the bouquet out of his hands once it's offered. ]

Right! This will get me through the day, for sure! I mean, all I really wanted to do with this place was give people that same feeling I just got from getting flowers, you know? Ah, thank you so much!

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You're welcome, Ori.

[He hopes he can give her something a little better, before the winter is over... but he has time.]

I've got something else with me here, but... it can wait for a little. Is there anything I can do to help?

[hearthwarming]

[ Insert everyone from here and other worlds voices echoing in her head to tell her to let someone help here... ]

Ah... There is, actually! Are you sure it's okay if I borrow you for a little while?

closed - syrlya (winter 5)

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[Otegine had left the farm rather early in the morning with a basket filled with assortments of their crops. It's barely an hour before he returns, empty-handed, red in the face with his outfit wettened down from falling into the snow.

He's angry, and anger has made him silent and sulking, a cloud that can be seen a mile away as he looks for the ax and goes to the chopping block. Is he hitting things a little harder than normal? Maybe. But it'll exhaust him a little bit, while these emotions of his can settle.

By the time he slips back into the house to warm up, he's tired himself out quite a bit, kicking off the snow from his boots outside the front doorway.]

Syr? Are you still in???

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya notices his anger when he returns, but since Otegine seems inclined to blow off steam in the field, Syrlya doesn't comment.

But he's surprised when he returns with his voice still elevated, and he stops from where he's cutting up vegetables to freeze in order to poke his head out of the kitchen.] Otegine? Is everything all right?

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Yeah, it's fine.

...

[A beat.

Okay, no. He knows better than to try and pretend around Syrlya at this point.]

Actually, no, it's not, b-but... the wood's fine. That part is, uh... is okay.

[He's quick to shut the door now that he's not tracking snow through the entryway, boots and gloves removed momentarily while he slides into the kitchen to get water. He still feels flushed... maybe he's overextended himself a little.]

Um... hey, uh, I took most of the fresh eggs already this morning. [He's still mad it ended up being a waste, but oh well.] If we need any more, I can go over to see if one of the neighbors has any left, if you want.

[chronosynthesis]

Uh--no, no it's all right. I'm not desperate to have egg anytime soon. [He continues to stare, bewildered.] You spend a lot of time in the cold. You should warm up... I'll make you some tea.

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[Ugh... well, he has a point. He hasn't stepped foot inside all morning...]

Mnn... no, you're right. You're right.

Sorry, uh. The goddess and I had a disagreement earlier, so I'm not... [ugggggh] ... really feeling at my best right this second. Waste of good crops was all that ended up being, I guess...

[He'll at least move in the direction of the fireplace, though the sour edge to his expression softens considerably when he catches Syrlya's stare.]

...You don't have to stare at me like that, Syr. What, what is it?

[chronosynthesis]

... Nothing. You just seem especially troubled. [It's a rare sight to be Otegine so upset. Actually, has Syrlya ever seen him this bothered?]

I'll start making some tea. [And with that, he disappears into the kitchen again.]</small.

after dying 👻

[sicklysweet]

[Well. Owen’s conversation with the Goddess… did not go well. He did try, but there are some things he won’t stand for. He probably could have held his tongue and kept himself from being killed, but…

He was caught up in the moment.

When he finds himself alive again with his voice gone he feels even more offended, because it’s cut him off from his stronger magic and from his ability to even communicate… He spends some time sulking, but then he’s traipsing over to Otegine’s farm. He pauses for a moment to check on the pigeons, before trying the front door.

He’ll just walk in if it’s unlocked, but if not he’ll start knocking and rattling the door knob. Let him in!!]

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[It sure is locked!! But he's not left standing there for long, the door of the greenhouse sliding open in the snow, Otegine with a watering can in one hand with the other held up against his eyes against the glare of the sun.]

Owen??

Oi, h-hold on, let me-- let me put this away, I'll come get the door for you!!

[He slips back into the greenhouse for just a second, a quick fumble of keys as he locks up the greenhouse and trucks through the snow towards the porch, a flush of color to his skin at the change of temperature.

His eyes flicker with relief, a hand against Owen's shoulder as the other slips the key into the lock.]

Glad you're okay -- I tried coming over yesterday and saw your footprints, so I guess I must have just missed you...

[sicklysweet]

[Oh. There he is. At least Owen doesn't mind standing in the snow, still finding the weather very nostalgic.

He waits, surprisingly patient, and as soon as Otegine is near enough he's burying his face into Otegine's chest. Good luck with that lock, Otegine, because Owen is very intent on getting as much attention as he possibly can.

He really wishes he could say something right now, but he settles for burrowing into the warmth of him.]

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[...?

He starts at the abruptness of the contact, stilling his work at the lock as Owen presses into him without so much as a single word of retort.

With only a moment's pause, his arm reaches up against the wizard's back.]

...

Is everything okay?

[sicklysweet]

[He shakes his head. No, thinks are not okay. Things are pretty shitty right now, but he doesn’t know any way to express himself besides just standing there. He can make a whining noise, but that feels too pathetic. So he just stands there for a moment, before pulling back and looking up at Otegine’s face.

They should probably go inside. Otegine looks cold.]

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[Concern grows heavy on Otegine's face. The growing silence is eerie when Owen normally loved to have the last word...

The goddess, maybe?

His jaw sets with a nod, turning his attention back to the door to get it open and lead Owen in.

Only when the door's closed behind them and his boots are properly kicked off does he speak again.]

What happened?