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[paradisamods]

TOWN SQUARE

STEPFORD MINGLING POST

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ICE SKATING

[paradisamods]

[Ice skates for rent, a glassy sheet of ice smooth as a mirror, little benches to rest on and gab and giggle. All under the stars, too, with Christmas music playing over the speakers.]

[hellofist]

[Here is Cass, doing her best to make an entire lap around the ice rink without falling. The feminine dress might be enough to tip someone off that she's not quite herself, but the fact that she's wobbly on her ice skates should make it pretty clear something is up. What kind of self respecting Batgirl doesn't have enough balance to skate around gracefully?

She casts the occassional glance towards the benches and the outskirts of the rink, possibly on the lookout for a certain husband of hers, but for the most part she's really just focused on enjoying this.

And not falling. Not falling would be great.]

[freeslider]

[There is a startled squeak close by that says somebody else is failing at what Cass is trying so hard to accomplish. Hopefully that doesn't disturb her focus too much.

Wade doesn't have much experience with ice and snow in general, being from California and all, but that didn't stop her from getting out here as soon as she spotted the rink. It's always been something she wanted to try, after all. Fortunately, she's at least located a pair of white trousers to go with her fuzzy pink sweater. It makes falling down only slightly less awkward.]

ICE SKATING

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess is warm everywhere but her calves, but that's just how the fashion of the time goes: flared wool coat with its tiny tailored waist, a crisp dress falling to mid-calf with a petticoat underneath for warmth, and cute ankle-high boots. Nylons don't do much for the cold, and the only pants in her wardrobe are obviously meant for summer weather and thus pretty useless. Oh well, though, there's not much you can do about it, and at least this is better than Florence. At least here she has underwear, even if it does come with way more straps than necessary.

And the living here is certainly better than Florence: everyone here has their own bed, and their kitchen is well-stocked, and their home is warm. Instead of burnings and lynch mobs, they have ice skating and sleigh rides and Christmas decorations. Tess likes that; it's like Christmas out of the movies, and even if she hasn't thought about it in years, A Miracle On 34th Street comes to mind vividly. She'd been fifteen, curled up on the couch with her mother, griping that if they were going to watch lame Christmas movies, couldn't they at least watch the remake version, the one with the girl who played Matilda instead of the old people version?

But this Christmas is going to be just like the one that had been on TV that night a lifetime ago. Tess has tried to avoid letting the Stepford mentality go to her head the way it has for others, but there's something about this place that makes her love it. It's like the mistletoe but directed at everything.

Tess pulls her scarf a little closer around her face and then looks to Joel, whose arm is linked firmly in hers because that's how things are in this time period. She gives a huff of amusement that has her breath fogging on the air.]

We should go skating. Think Ellie'd get a kick out of that?

[focusrighthere]

[A definite improvement over Florence. A definite improvement over home. Joel got used to winters this cold after the outbreak, and ones with far fewer resources to get by on. He's content to walk arm-in-arm with Tess and just take in the scenery. It's getting easier to do that, to just relax. Not entirely, of course, but lately things have been looking up for them.]

Ice skating? [A short laugh.] I dunno how.

[He's picturing it now, his big frame skidding around gracelessly because he's never set foot in a rink before in his life. Texas 'winters' never gave him the opportunity to learn. Ellie probably would get a kick out of seeing that.]

Best skip it, or someone'll get hurt.

[Can't teach an old dog new tricks, Tess.]

[teenagebadboy]

[Aaron is dressed in a warm black coat, something he otherwise would never have worn. Initially he had felt that it wasn't right but it had been quickly been removed from his mind by castle magic. He leans towards the fence which runs around the ice rink. He got a small smile on his lips as he watches the people skate pass him. He feels content. But he would probably not try it himself, his skills are less than desirable.]

[unexpected_adventures]

[Bilbo couldn't for the life of him skate. He felt as if he were gliding on air and falling over constantly. Hobbits weren't meant to skate! But, he wanted to try it. All those years of gliding along on frozen lakes as a child. Now, he could try it within the castle. He felt himself glide along then he smashed into someone in front of him.]

Oh! I am sorry!

[strangewonders]

This certainly wasn't the weirdest circumstances the castle had ever dumped them in, even accounting for the fact that half the residents seemed to be suffering from some level of brainwashing or another. And it wasn't the first time Howl had found himself having to pretend he knew what was going on in a place where he most decidedly did not.

Of course, it helped that this places was so very... American, which was also decidedly not, which meant he could smile and play the poor foreigner who just wasn't used to how things were done, if need-be.

It did mean he had to find ways to occupy himself, however, and without any of his magic at his disposal. So skating it was, at least for the time being. He was competent enough not to crash into anyone, at least, even if it was less fun circling the ice by himself than it would be with company.

[Closed to Utena]

[therealrisette]

[Spending time with the rest of their family and the others in town is all well and good, but Rise had begged and pleaded with her "brother" to take her ice skating the second she found out about this place. It just seemed like the perfect kind of activity for her and Utena to do together!

She never really asked Utena if she could skate, but... she's an athletic girl. Er, "boy". Whatever she is here. She's sure she'll be fine!]

C'mon, 'Big bro'~!

[And she tuuuugs on Utena's sleeve! Not too hard, of course. Just enough to make it known how determined she is to get her out there!]

[princelyspirit]

Oh come on, you don't have to call me that - look, I know this place is weird, but I'm still a girl you know.

[But, despite her protests, she still follows along with Rise, arm in arm. Once they get close to the ice, she'll fiddle with her skates - she's never done this kind of thing before, but it can't be too hard, right?]

[his_nemesis]

[Harry hadn't ever ice skated before. Not even as a child, as the Dursleys never took him out. Ever. This was a first for him. He pulled on his skates and set upon the ice. Was Hermione here? Or Remus? He looked around and didn't know who he'd find, as he tentatively glided along the surface of the ice. He was shaky at first, but then got used to the sensation. He preferred brooms much better.]

FOOD

[paradisamods]

[The diner on the corner has its doors open for people looking for some warmth, burgers, shakes and waffle fries, and there's a caramel popcorn stand selling popcorn and caramel apples and hot cocoa. Share a mug with a sweetheart or stuff your face?]

[hasmommyissues]

[Silva has finished his shopping and is just sitting with a hot cocoa watching the world go by.

Care to bug him?]

[originalcopy]

[Church comes in, all smiles, packages and bags from his Christmas shopping tucked under his arm. He nods politely at Silva before setting his shopping down on the floor and ordering a coffee to warm up with.]

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine had been going to get some hot cocoa herself when she notices Silva sitting nearby.

Welp. How to proceed. So far she had been ignoring his journal entries, not wanting to deal with the man who killed Bond and angry at herself for not realizing how dangerous he was sooner. Honestly, if not the blood soaked outfit he arrived in, his mother obsession should have been a tip off. Hadn't there been an old horror film with something like that? Anyway, ignoring him forever would seem just as suspicious as outright attacking him.

So Dairine decides to act natural, as though nothing had happened. She isn't sure how far feigning ignorance would take her, but it seemed like a good option. Better not to let on how much you know when said murderer is right there. She walks past him, places an order for two hot cocoas, and stands waiting at a respectable distance. She is keeping an eye on Silva though. Subtly.]

[freeslider]

[Wade is making a bee-line for that stand because wow it is cold out here and all this running around is making her tired.]

Who wants cocoa?!

[She might still have as much energy as her "children"]

[therealrisette]

[Rise's perfectly happy with the family arrangement in this place! Not only are her siblings actually close friends that she pretty much already thought of as the closest she has to real siblings in the first place, but Wade makes a pretty great "mom". At least, in her opinion. Way better, and less confusing, than the way they met back at Halloween...]

Ooh, that sounds perfect~!

[Like mother, like daughter. Rise is right there with her, rushing over to the stand. It's almost like street vendors back home! Just... kind of different.]

Can we get some caramel apples, too?

[princelyspirit]

[And here's your "son", her long hair braided up, and her usual clothes traded for a pair of slacks, an appropriately tacky Christmas sweater, and a letterman jacket for warmth. Utena's just sort of milling around idly, but once she sees Wade, her eyes light up. Now there's a familiar face. If Utena has to be stuck in a fake family for god-knows-how-long, at least she knows that "Mom's" pretty decent. If a bit... enthusiastic]

Erm...

[Well, what's the harm in playing along?]

Sure, but would you like a hand? I've got nothing better to do, so...

[She does look pretty tired, after all]

SLEIGH RIDES

[paradisamods]

[Fancy a sleigh ride in a grand red sleigh, pulled by two beautiful black horses with bells on their harnesses? Just a quick spin around town.]

Clementine, Lee, and Carley

[batteriesarehard]

[It's something of an Everett family tradition, going on a sleigh ride after a day of Christmas shopping. It's romantic for Lee and Carley, and a way to give Clementine some time off her feet after walking all day without it being condescending. Everyone wins.

Plus, Clem gets to see the horses, and Clementine seeing the horses might be Carley's favorite part of Christmas. Seriously, most adorable daughter ever. And lucky them, they happen to arrive just as one of the first sleighs is getting ready to go.]

Looks like we're just in time. Do you want to pet the horses before we get on, Clementine?

[willrememberthat]

Can I, can I?

[Except Clementine is pretty short, and these horses are very tall. She turns to Lee with a smile. You know what that means, dad.]

[eaglet]

[Connor is very pointedly ignoring the sleigh and is instead petting the horses. Horses are the best, don't hate.

Continuing the trend of the castle making him wildly uncomfortable, he's also dressed in standard fashions of the day. A stocking hat and a matching scarf and a peacoat. But the important part is that there are horses and this is the most calm he's felt all week.]

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING

[paradisamods]

[Some of the boutiques are open late for the festivities. Maybe treat your wife to a new dress, or your husband to a cigar? Your son to some new skates, or your daughter to a new doll? There's something for everyone, even if you've just lost your mitts and need a darling new pair quick.]

Re: LATE NIGHT SHOPPING

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss had slipped away from the rest of the family to sneak in some shopping for the kids and of course, for her sister and brother-in-law. She was singing under her breath as she slung her little black purse on her shoulder, wandering into the Toy Store, the Dress Shop, and of course the Pipe shop. Just trying to find something for everyone.]

[both_neither]

["Grace" had left her kids to enjoy themselves for a few hours alone while she browsed the shops alone. Presents for the two were almost set but her reticent husband was always a bit of a challenge. Picking up a few extra things here and there was always a bit of a temptation. She lived to please him.

She paused in front of the pipe shop and bit her lip thoughtfully, idly adjusting the fur-lined mantle over her dress]