WEEK 3 DAY 1: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Rest under the tannenbaum!"
Time Limit: Short
Noise Plane: Solo
Wall Instructions: Key wall in front of the main gate. Condition is a pact.
Wall Rewards: Long Live The Ice
Reaped Rewards: Cold Stare
Mission Rewards: 10,000 zeny



[After a long trek through the snowy field, a row of fancy heat lamps and a stone gate finally come into view. Through it, the town of Lutie is visible, and looking quite welcoming with its Christmas greetings everywhere. Compared to the frozen tundra, you'll want to hurry inside - just try not to let the wall hit you on the way in! And once the gate is passed, the first thing you'll see is a massive Christmas Tree.... ]

Comments

[juuichi_yosamu]

[Grovyle is settled up close to the wall, himself. He hadn't had any orders to keep an eye on Kreutz after last week, but he seemed interested in sticking around anyway. He doesn't say anything without provocation, just making sure she's aware of his presence.]

[suicidoll]

(A glance over helps Kreutzer become aware of his presence. A welcome luxury, honestly; at least she had something-- no. Someone by her side.

It wouldn't be right to say she was on her best behavior; that would imply she was actually trying. Unlike before when she chose not to, here she literally can't. Still, she's doing the job regardless.)

...You'll freeze if you stay out here with me.

(At least her concern is genuine.)

[juuichi_yosamu]

Not like it'll kill me. I'm more worried about you. You're taking this hard for someone you barely knew.

[Yeah, he knows what went on between Kreutzer and the Flutters, even if he wasn't there for the incident. The two of them were pretty obvious in trying to figure out how to keep that puppy safe and sheltered, on Day 6, and the upswing in Kreutzer's mood on Day 7 was pretty obvious.]

[suicidoll]

(Kreutzer might not have explicitly told him, but it's not like they were keeping it a secret. Of course he'd know; they're partners.

That actually makes it a bit easier to talk about.)

Barely knowing the puppy is partially why it hurts; I didn't get the chance to know it very well. I was prepared to, but I got my hopes too high up. It stood as much of a chance as I did.

I'm just hoping the cold will numb my emotions.

[juuichi_yosamu]

Anyone can survive on their own if they want to. That one had the will, that's probably why you got so attached to it.

[It's a weird way of saying "the puppy will be fine, it's strong", but...]

It'll numb your fingers first. I'd rather you not collapse from frostbite.

[suicidoll]

(At least she caught on to what he's trying to say.)

Perhaps. So young and full of vigor, it was...I can only hope I didn't send it to its death.

(Because the last time she did this to anyone else was Rosa and that was 112 different levels of complicated.)

I should've brought gloves, then. Perhaps I'll buy some once the players fulfill the requirement.

(Meaning she's being self-destructive again. At least there aren't any explosions to go with it.)

[juuichi_yosamu]

You didn't. Have some faith.

[Maybe Grovyle has a little too much optimism. Or maybe it's just enough.]

Perhaps I'll buy some for you. Can't leave the wall, right...?

[suicidoll]

(It's enough to counter Kreutzer's pessimism, so the answer feels more towards the latter. She smiles a bit. Faith...that's a touchy idea for Kreutzer. She once had it, but it was quickly lost in time. If a little faith could help her believe she did right (or at the very least, didn't do wrong), if others could have it this easily, then maybe she could get hers back.)

...Do buy something for yourself, though; I don't want you to fall to the cold.

[juuichi_yosamu]

[It takes Grovyle a while in the city (during which Kreutzer's other threads invariably happen), but he eventually comes back with a pair of thick gloves - and a wool-lined cape draped around his own shoulders.]

Sorry - it took a bit of haggling to get gloves. Apparently they're a real commodity around here.

[suicidoll]

(Subtle time skip it is!)

Understandably so. I hope it wasn't too much trouble buying a pair.

(She giggles a bit.)

The cape looks natural on you.