Let winter go out with a bang

[folklorist]

Who: Everyone who wants to join in!
What: Snow Sculpture Competition
When: Early afternoon around 11am-6pm
Where: Just outside the town square
Summary: Snow sculpture competition! How good are your skills?
Rating: PG


If anyone is walking by today past the outer edges of the town they'll notice large snow pillars holding up a banner. Its white with dark blue letters painted on it that say "Luceti's first Snow Sculpture Competition!" Beyond said pillars is an open space large enough for numerous people to gather around and make things to their hearts content. Off to the side will be tons of tables set-up holding hot beverages and foods and the like to keep the cold out and everyone energized as they work on their sculptures.

A simple, fun, little competition to make use of all the snow they've gotten this year. And who knows it might end up in more than just a competition (a snowball fight perhaps?) anything is possible in Luceti after all.

Comments

[folklorist]

[ Helios might be making his own snowman off to the side to by the time as people come and go. He is also going to be setting up the refreshments table before he spots Adele. He's wearing his own gloves and scarf and coat as he walks over to her with a broad smile. ] Ah! Adele I'm glad you came by!

[fleurdesel]

[Adele turns at the sound of that familiar voice and breaks out into a smile, waving back to Helios as he approaches. For half a moment she wonders if the cold bothers him at all before she shrugs it off. Not today. Today life was good, there was nothing to worry about, and the weather was beautiful. It's all she wants, and she has it for now.]

Helios! How could I not come and support my housemate in such a festive endeavor?

[folklorist]

[ The cold admittedly does not bother him at all, really. But the scarf, coat, and gloves were there to keep up appearances and the simple fact that he rather not accidentally touch anyone. ] Well it is a bit nippy out isn't it? I wouldn't hold it against you really. But I really do appreciate you stopping by Adele. [ A smile. ]

Oh! Ah, c-can I get you anything? Hot tea, chocolate, cider perhaps? Or coffee.

[fleurdesel]

We have suffered worse on the shores of Normandy. Now that I've a coat it is not so terrible.

[It wasn't that windy, compared to what she was used to, even if she has to smooth curls out of her face every five minuets when she's not settled by the trees. Still the weather is no deterrent and, well. It was important to Helios, so she would support him.]

A coffee would be wonderful Helios. I honestly do not understand you and Ginia's fascination with all things sweet.

[folklorist]

There's always a bit of magic too. [ He holds open a palm and a bright reddish orange ball of fire erupts in it. It doesn't burn his gloves or ever his hand it just sits gently in his palm warming the air around them significantly. ]

One coffee coming up! [ He'll close his palm and the fire will extinguish itself immediately. Helios will turn back to the table and fill up a cup of hot coffee for Adele and a sweet cup of tea for himself. ] Oh but it's amazing. So delicious too! I suppose it's a person's preference though. [ A smile. ]

[fleurdesel]

That is your own magic, yes? Not the Filial? [Adele quirks a brow and tries her best not to be startled by such an abrupt display. It wasn't that strange, not compared to the rest of this place.

The coffee she takes with a smile and nod, sipping the strong, rich beverage with a soft sigh.] I can enjoy sweet things now and again, but for the most part? I prefer my coffee bitter.

[folklorist]

Yes but being able to use both has its advantages. [ Like a week or so ago when he didn't have his magic at all. ] If-if one doesn't work you can always turn back to the other. Like with, ah, experiments and shifts.

[ With that he sips some of his own. ] I've never acquired a taste for coffee I admit. But maybe I could try to get used to it here. What's one more experience under the belt, hm?

[fleurdesel]

[The only magic Adele would ever be able to access would be the Filial, that at much seemed universal depending upon the student's temperament. She nods along with Helios explanation and sips her coffee.]

It is something you learn to enjoy over time. If you do not care for it on it's own, I will see if I cannot find an espresso machine and make you a variation that you will find agreeable. Cooking and baking is beyond me, but coffee? This and tea I can do well.

[folklorist]

You'll be able to cook just as well once Ginia and I are done with you. [ Helios is certain of this fact, okay? It will happen! He believes in you Adele! ]

Espresso though, hm? I'll certainly try it. I can't promise anything however.

[fleurdesel]

Just as I make no promises on the matter of my cooking or baking anything that isn't somewhat toxic. [Adele chuckles offers Helios a half smile.] It is worth trying, however. I will do what I can to make certain it is sweet enough for you.

[folklorist]

Things don't automatically become toxic, you know. You'll get the hang of it, surely. I-I mean you're a surgeon a-and that requires a great amount of skill. So I-I think cooking...will take time but it'll come to you. Maybe there's a certain method you need to take or, ah, music! Cooking with music always helps. Everyone is different in how they learn things cooking or no.

[ It's just a matter of figuring out what works best really. ]

[fleurdesel]

Poisonous. I am the anti-chef, Helios. I am a surgeon because I was driven to become one, to learn the skills required. I have tried, by god I have tried, to learn to cook. Nothing has come of it. [She shrugs and sips her coffee.] Maybe music would help. A silent kitchen is a boring kitchen, yes?

[folklorist]

Maybe you just...need a certain environment. For instance do you have a certain way of doing things when you preform surgeries and the like? Music can help with that in a sense! It'd make the process of cooking more energetic and light instead of worrying about poisoning people. Though, really, I don't think you're that bad...

[ I mean Helios is chock full of optimism though so it might just be him. ]

[fleurdesel]

Typically a life is at stake when I'm performing surgery Helios. If I falter, if I make a mistake? Someone dies. I need to focus, I need to be accurate, of there is blood on my hands. [She looks over to him with a quirked brow.]

We do have a record player, do we not? And. Did you even taste that soup? At all? The cats fled the kitchen Helios.

[folklorist]

Ah w-well perhaps that's what's keeping you from cooking. The need to be accurate and precise. I-I know there's recipes and the like for just that but sometimes deviating a little and adding your own touches to things can make the experience and end result all the more appealing. Like experiments, only with food!

[ He nods. But holds up a hand at that last part. ] You're only just starting it's to be expected that there's going to be initial bumps and hills to get over. I mean...even the world's most renowned chefs all started as students who made mistakes. We'll just have to find what it is you're having trouble with and then go from there.

[ This is Helios in his teacher mode. It doesn't come out very often but when it does come out it does rather enthusiastically. ]

[fleurdesel]

What kept me from cooking was two toaster fires, five trips to the ER, and the word of a gourmet chef that what I made for him under his tutelage was the worst thing he had ever tasted. And. If I am to be perfectly honest?

[She sighs a little and looks out over the snow.] Pride. The continued and repeated failures I have had in this area, without sufficient time to set aside to better learn the craft, I contented myself with eating out, or letting Remy do the cooking.

[A little surprised at his sincerity, Adele turns her attention back to Helios and cannot help but smile at least a little bit.] I look forward to our continued lessons, then.

[folklorist]

Yes well I'm sure him calling it the worst thing ever tasted didn't really help towards your cause of learning from your mistakes.

[ A smile. ] We'll just have to take it extra slow and careful. You'll be a fine chef in no time at all! [ And then with that said no ifs ands or buts about it Helios will make a gesture towards the snow. ]

Are you going to build anything for the competition?

[fleurdesel]

Ah, no. Aimee was the artist of the family, not I. Though she did insist on using me as a model for an ice sculpture a few years ago for the obligatory New Year's Eve ball. I am just here to watch, and to enjoy the day.

[folklorist]

She sounds amazingly talented. Using live subjects is always harder I think? N-Nothing like still life and what have you. [ Not that he would know entirely not being an artist. ] Well if you want to help me build some snowmen that's perfectly fine by me! [ A smile. ]

I was thinking of making some snow mythica again but, ah, I-I think I'll leave the sculpting to everyone else today. [ As much as he loves making moving snow sculptures they do make him ever so tired. He has things to judge! People to attend to, beverages to keep warm! His work is never done, never! ]

[fleurdesel]

She is, if a little...her attention shifts from project to project so quickly, it is a wonder any of them are ever finished. Her son, Phillipe, is much the same. [Adele chuckles and looks back out to the snow, the sculpture contest, smiling a little to herself at how much it reminds her of home.]

Would they be at all like the sand dragons you made at the New Feather Party? [A quirked brow, a soft laugh.] A judge is not supposed to outshine the competitors Helios.

[folklorist]

Yes. Though I'm not quite up to making them all move. That spell does take a lot out of me. But everyone seemed to enjoy themselves at the beach, didn't they? [ A sheepish laugh. ]

N-No of course not! I would never try to do that. Besides I think we have some competitors who are going to bring some hard to beat competition.

[fleurdesel]

How is it that the spell works, if I might ask? The energy must come somewhere, does it come from you? [She takes a deeper sip of her coffee, warmed against a sudden cold gust of wind.]

It is not science, I know, but magic still has rules. It must.

[folklorist]

The sigil transfers a bit of my own energy to the object that's enchanted. So, yes, it comes from me. Like a golem which is a soulless creation that can move and walk on its own. Typically they're made out of clay and mud, but-ah I do have a history of being unconventional. [ A smile. ]

Oh yes magic has rules they're a bit more...easily bended than science but it does have them.

[fleurdesel]

Are there ways to ensure that whatever is given life, however temporary, doesn't harm the caster or other innocent bystanders? Is that coded into the sigil or is it stated in the casting? [And Helios has sparked Adele's curiosity. She'll be asking as much as he'll let her get away with for the next however long.]

[folklorist]

Yes! Of course. In the sigil itself there's a certain aspect that allows only the creator to control said beings. They sometimes...obtain a part of the creator's personality as well. Which would fit, given how friendly the ones I made were. [ Another smile. ]

They wouldn't harm a fly because well...you know. I don't really like violence and rather not partake in it needlessly. There are ways to...takeover another's golem though but, well, that's highly advanced magics and I don't know if anyone here knows how to. But I wouldn't put it past someone to know a spell like that in their world.