( semi open ) 🐳 🎇 tartaglia & yoimiya's housewarming party

[niwabi]

WHO: Tartaglia, Yoimiya, their CR, and their +1's!
WHAT: Tarumiya Housewarming Party
WHEN: January 5
WHERE: Frostreign
WARNINGS: none for now!

Tarumiya Housewarming Party

Welcome to Tartaglia and Yoimiya’s housewarming party! On the outskirts of Frostreign sits a lovely wood cabin built from the ground up by the talented architect, Kaveh. Whether you heard about this get-together from the chatty couple themselves or received this cute invitation in the mail, all of their friends, acquaintances, quest buddies, what have you, are invited to join them on this special occasion. Gifts aren’t required, the ecstatic couple are simply happy to have their friends over but they do ask for everyone to bring a set of ice skates, and an ornament for a contest they are holding.

Outside, the cold doesn’t seem to bother the couple as they greet their guests with big, bright smiles, the two of them excited and proud to show off their new home. As expected of Kaveh’s incredible craftsmanship, the wood cabin amidst the pristine snow is like a scene from a storybook. To add a bit of festivity, white lights have been strung along the cabin’s exterior, the porch offers a comfy space for anyone who wishes to soak up the wintery ambiance. Upon entering the spacious cabin, the main floor hosts the dining room and a living room with an inviting fireplace burning brightly to keep their friends nice and toasty. As you warm up, feel free to gaze out the large windows to view the snowy landscape from their comfort of their home. Further down in the basement is a recreational room built as a fun place for their companions to gather, it features a mini bar and plenty of games to play.

It’s chilly so come in, grab a warm beverage, a bite to eat, play some games and enjoy your stay at Tartaglia and Yoimiya’s cozy winter cabin.

A Warm Welcome

After traversing through the winter segment, the guests are welcome to slide underneath a large, cozy kotatsu waiting for their arrival in the dining room. On top of the heated table is a smorgasbord of warm, homemade Snezhnayan-Inazuman foods prepared to fill everyone's bellies. Dishes include borscht, olivier salad, pirozhki served with sour cream, a bountiful bowl of sukiyaki, zenzai for a sweet treat and of course, a kotatsu set up isn't complete without a bowl of mandarin oranges. For drinks, there's a variety of warm teas such as matcha, sencha, and hojicha. For the ones craving alcohol, bottles of sake and vodka are also available. Eat, drink, chat with your fellow guests, and have a merry time!

Along with chatting, the energetic couple also encourages playing games with one another.

Would You Rather? Find a partner and fire off a round of questions to each other. The questions can range from positive, negative, to straight-up ridiculous, not even the sky's the limit in this household.

Hot Takes. In the mood to spark up a lively debate? Announce an opinion you might think is unpopular and let others weigh in.

Blind Origami. Team up with another guest to play this game! Sheets of origami paper will be given out alongside a step-by-step guide on how to craft various shapes and animals. One person will read out the instructions while the other is blindfolded as they attempt to create the shape based on their partner's instructions.

Now with a New Year upon Ellipsa, it's time to drink and clank your glasses together in a celebration called, Bounenkai. Glasses of beer, sake, and vodka are available for drinking away the woes and forget about what went wrong the previous year. The floor is open for anyone to reminisce, complain about the not so great memories, gush about happy memories, and look forward to the new year.

It’s All Fun And Games

Downstairs, the couple have decided that their entire basement would be dedicated to being a recreational space, filled with plenty of games and other challenges they could enjoy while staying inside their comfy home out in the snowy landscape.

Aside from a few rooms that branch off, it’s a large room that has games such as air hockey and a ping pong table for people to use. A simple card table also sits nearby, with a few packs of cards sitting out and available for any sort of card game people want to play.

A more comfy part of the room has a couch and few chairs in front of a large flat screen TV mounted to the wall, with their Switch hooked up to it. Tartaglia has personally made sure that there are plenty of multiplayer games to choose from like Mario Kart M▊▊▊▊ Kart, Super Smash Bros and Overcooked, but one particular game flashes on the screen that he’s personally chosen in hopes that people will play it first- Mario Party M▊▊▊▊ Party. It’s clearly here to start fights, and there may be someone who’s keeping an eye on any players to see if one breaks out…

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party if there weren’t any drinks. A full bar sits along the expanse of the back wall, stocked well. There’s even a few bottles of Fire-Water that were brought from Snezhnaya via otherwise questionable methods from a certain shady store…but it’s safe and it’ll put hair on anyone’s chest who dares to try it. Otherwise, all sorts of vodkas, tequilas, whiskeys and the like can be found as well as sodas and other mixers. Help yourself, it’s a party!

The prize of the entire room, however, isn’t the Switch or the bar- it’s the dance machine against another wall. It was discovered first in an arcade in Nightwake City, and the Snezhnayan had to have it- and it now sits there available for anyone to try and see how their skills measure up. Even if you’re brand new to this kind of game, there’s difficulty levels for all skills.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Indoor activities aren’t the only thing available to do at the couple’s home- the cabin has been built next to a pond that’s frozen over, which makes it perfect for ice skating. Everyone’s invitations whether they were told or mailed included telling people to bring their skates if they wanted to go enjoy the frosty weather, or you can chance it with borrowing someone’s skates and see how that goes. There’s no walls around the pond however, so there’s nothing to grab a hold of if you fall! Grab onto someone else instead, it’s your only option! There’s a few small makeshift benches the couple have set out for the time being until they have nice ones made (look, Childe spent that money on the dance game *sweats*) for people to rest on if they’d like, or change back into their boots.

Of course, having a cabin out in the middle of the coldest part of Ellipsa aside from the Winter Segment means there’s snow everywhere, and an endless amount of it. For those who like to have a little more up close and personal action, at some point if your character is outside, they might get hit in the head from a snowball, initiating a snowball fight between anyone who wants to participate. Build snow walls and make yourself a good foxhole because here it comes! This is war, after all. There’s no clear winners or losers in this fight, it’s just there for the sake of fighting existing…you can make your own assumptions on who started it to begin with.

In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

Sorry, what was that? Your speech is a little slurred. The couple has made sure to provide all sorts of different drinks for partygoers to partake in, from wine to whiskey and back. The featured drink of the night is Fire-Water from Snezhnaya, something they were able to get their hands on due to the ability to summon non-magical items from home, and it’s available for everyone. If you didn’t have some hairs on your chest you’re about to, stuff is strong and harsh on the throat. There’s a few games set up just for the purpose of getting their guests smashed if they so choose. Some of the games are clearly Snezhnayan in nature, and it makes one wonder how much the people of the snowy north drink…

Chess. For those who like an intellectual challenge, one of the most popular games from the Harbinger’s homeland is available to play. There’s a few chessboards in the home for people to play against each other, but with a twist. The rules are the same as normal chess, but for each capture of the other player’s piece, the one who loses the piece has to take at least a quarter of a shot. Of course, they’re welcome to drink more, but one may end up incredibly sick given the number of pieces and how badly they lose.

Stairs. Popular among younger Snezhnayans, it’s a game that merely exists just to get its participants drunk as fast as possible. Tartaglia happily teaches anyone interested in how to play- players are lead to the stairs leading upwards to the second floor as he fills a small cap with the player’s choice of hard alcohol into it. But not just one, but nine of them, placed on each step that reaches only halfway up the staircase. He’ll explain: "The goal is to inhale the vapor from the cap as you drink it, and though the amount you’re drinking is quite small, you’ll feel its effects far faster than if you were to drink something normally. The one who manages to last longer than everyone else is the winner. This truly only serves to test your strength and ability to handle your liquor. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re a lightweight…”

Snezhnayan Roulette. Three shot glasses, two filled with whatever clear liquor of the drinker’s choice (or more than one kind- as long as it’s clear) and one with water. The beauty of this game is that the player doesn’t know which shot glass holds which liquid, and they have to pick and drink two of them in rapid succession. The other person moves them around on the table, and the player can’t smell it, they must pick it up and drink two immediately. Have fun if you choose two liquor shots together! Take turns until the two of you are done or until someone passes out. The bathroom isn’t too far away just in case.

A Kiss on New Years

As a parting gift to their guests, the hosts have a special show to end off the evening with a bang. Step outside and gather around the outdoor fire pit as the couple sneak off to make their preparations. While you wait for the show to start, grab a hot beverage, mingle and cozy up with one another. As always, Yoimiya has sparklers of various colors ready for everyone’s enjoyment. Since coming to Ellipsa, she’s honed her craft and upped the level of creativity to her homemade sparklers. As you wave the dazzling stick around, the sparks of flame aren’t just colorful but also can take shape into little stars, flowers, goldfish, and narwhals.

Of course, Naganohara Yoimiya isn’t about to hold an event without flashy fireworks going off and with her beloved Tartaglia’s assistance, the show begins as lights burst forth, dancing across the sky in a blitz of color. While watching the spectacular light show, you might notice the mistletoe hanging off the overhang of their roof. Thankfully, this particular plant doesn’t have any magic and won’t force anyone to kiss, so you’re welcome to ignore it in favor of the fireworks. But if you’d like to participate in a good ol’ holiday tradition, sharing a kiss underneath the sky painted with bright, dazzling colors does have a special, magical feeling to it.

Finally, the grand finale is upon them. Grab a blanket, get cozy and make sure you have the best seat in the house for the performance of a lifetime. For the final act, the couple have prepared a special firework that they’ve been working on in preparation for the party. To start things off, mini explosions in rapid succession burst throughout the sky in a sea of bright, dazzling colors. Yoimiya is hard at work, firing off the smaller fireworks, running around to check on each of the mortars, lighting fuses in perfect harmony with one another. She’s done this plenty of times without (too) much incident and with the help of her boyfriend, everything should go swimmingly well. The fireworks girl from Inazuma is in her natural element, staring at the sky in awe as a barrage of blue, reds, yellows, pinks paint the sky in a splendorous display.

Meanwhile, Tartaglia is trying to find the best spot to light off the one firework he’s been put in charge of for this final show, a special one that Yoimiya’s made specifically for this. An artwork to christen their new home and to celebrate with all their friends, one that surely would show off the peak of her skills. He’s determined not to mess this up for her, putting it down and securing it in what he thinks is a stable spot in the snow, waiting for the right moment. On cue, he lights the firework, scampering away to a safe location before it goes off, watching it while also glancing upwards in the air at the magnificent show occurring overhead. The fuse burns up inside of it, and he instantly hears the familiar sounds of a whale call, especially loud in his ears from being so close. It’s hauntingly beautiful, and he waits with baited breath to see it launch into the sky for all to see- only to have the worst possible thing imaginable happen.

The snow beneath the firework melts just enough from all the fireworks they’d been setting off…and it tilts. Right at their group of guests.

"Oh no-!"

"Is everything okay? OH NO—"

It launches without hesitation, and from the launching tube appears the magnificent form of a narwhal that looks much like his own, accompanied by a goldfish that swims happily alongside of it (much like the firework from Lantern Rite from years past) that dives at the guests with a loud cry, swooping low and searing away any snow that might be in its way. Thankfully, it misses everyone as it rises back into the air crying once again, the two swimming in tandem to put on a show among the sea of fireworks behind it until they both finally explode in a brilliant show of lights, shimmering out of existence.

"Ooooh dear, that was sure a close call…"

"Haha…yeah…"

The two of them head back towards the group, with Tartaglia’s hand up behind his head looking awfully guilty, Yoimiya quick to to be at his side, also feeling guilty from their harrowing mishap. Apologetically, she places her hands together, bowing her head down.

"Heheh…sorry everyone, that one’s on me."

"D-Don’t be too hard on him, y’all. This was our first attempt at this kind of firework… All’s well that ends well, right? Hahaha…"

( Guests can react and deal with the All-Devouring Narwhal firework coming at them as they see fit. Dodge, scream, panic in fear, etc, you do you. Tartaglia and Yoimiya will write their most sincere apologies in thank you cards later. )

( ooc: This is an open log for Tartaglia and Yoimiya’s cr but guests are absolutely allowed to bring a +1 to the party. Feel free to write your own top levels, mingle, and have fun! )

(CODE)

Comments

📖🖊️ ( guestbook )

[niwabi]

Gifts aren't required ( Seriously. STARES AT THE WALKING WALLET THAT IS CHILDE... ) but for anyone who wishes to give the couple a present, they have a table set up with a guestbook to fill out. Drop off any gifts here, sign your name, and leave a message if you'd like. Tartaglia and Yoimiya will be sure to send out thank you cards within a few days time.

[roundandaround]

[The only present Rinku brought was a fruit basket, so she should feel a little embarrassed next to whatever stand mixers or what have you they got, but it somehow has not occurred to her. She fills out the guestbook:]

Your house is so cool!! I really hope everyone has fun at your party! You guys thought of EVERYTHING! The whole thing makes me 「Happy Around!」 -Rinku!!!

-also happy new year

🎄 ( ornament contest )

[niwabi]

The only items the couple asks for you to bring is a pair of ice skates and an ornament for their contest they are holding. They wish to decorate their tree with ornaments from their friends. There's no particular criteria, the two of them are simply judging based on which ornament they both like the most. The prize of the contest is a gift basket filled with kozinaki, a cute box of wagashi, ringo ame, and of course, a good ol' bottle of Snezhnayan Fire-Water. Comment here with a description or a picture of the ornament your character is bringing. The winner will be decided at the end of January!

[roundandaround]

It's an ornament made of treasure!

🎄 ( ornament contest )

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

pls accept this ornament in these trying times

It makes sounds like this

[sultanofsquat]

This was a lucky find, to be honest.

A crystalline ornament that softly glows in the dark. Reminiscent of Magic Materia.

[rustyhonesty]

Jean painted this ornament himself for the occasion. His initials can be found in a very small text at the bottom of one side.

Re: 🎄 ( ornament contest )

[noarchitact]

An ornament of their new home.

🎄 ( ornament contest )

[acquirement]

Rather than going by the normal convention for tree ornaments, a small painting with a ribbon thread through a hole at the top has been done with the whale he's seen from childe's burst, along with flashes of red to signify yoimiya's fireworks and personality.

[rockxinyanroll]

Xinyan found this ornament and couldn't resist. (pls pretend it has a way to be hung on a tree)

[monoceroscaeli]

[Of course, Tartaglia has been drinking before the party even started- he had to cook, after all, and it's really not a traditional Snezhnayan dish if you're not taking a shot of vodka while cooking. So while he isn't starting the night out trashed before people even get there, he does have a light buzz going as he helps Yoimiya greet guests who show up with a smile on his face, in a matching sweater to Yoimiya's own, and a warm welcome for them to come in, kick their boots off at the door and have a good time. He'll direct people to one of the many activities available, grab some food, and enjoy themselves!]

🐋 A Warm Welcome

[Now he's finally getting the chance to settle in himself as people get comfortable, grabbing himself his own bowl of borscht and sitting down under the kotatsu to play a few games with whoever wants to. He's especially interested in playing a game of Would You Rather, his eyes intrigued at what people could possibly ask him- and maybe he'll even surprise himself at his own answers.]

Come, join me, [he'll say to whoever is nearest to the kotatsu,] it was a chilly trip out here so sitting under the kotatsu will warm you up. Besides, I think I've got a few good questions I can ask for our little game here, or perhaps we can have at something more...controversial.

[He's also playing Hot Takes with whoever wants to throw an unpopular opinion at him...maybe he'll even be able to start a fight over it >:D

But otherwise he's also just hanging out, he won't be complaining really about much but he's down to talk about all the nice memories everyone's made over the past year as part of the Bounenkai celebration that Inazuma practices.]

🐋 It's All Fun and Games

[After having spent some time upstairs with some of the guests, the Harbinger decides to move downstairs where all the competition games are being enjoyed, going over to watch some other people's games to see how everything is going before he partakes in some of his own.

But not before he plays a little bartender, taking his place behind the bar and taking any requests for drinks that anyone happens to have, no matter how ridiculous they are. The variety of drinks he has is vast, you name it he'll do his best to make it. He's more than happy to show off his skills, and while he's not any sort of professional bartender or anything, he's got a good knowledge of drinks! Challenge him if you'd like too, he's also drinking himself while he serves...

Sooner or later he's absolutely moving over to his prized possession, the dancing game he bought after watching some really good people use it at the arcade and trying it out himself. Being not too shabby at dancing himself, this drunk ginger is getting on it now to show off his stuff, playing whatever song tickles his fancy at the time. His dancing is a strange amalgamation of the shuffle style he's seen people at the arcade use and his own Cossack style from Snezhnaya, but it works! He's drunk and still hitting steps, and when he finishes he's going to invite anyone who was watching up to play another with him. There are, after all, two dance pads.]

Heeeeyyy, you can watch all you like, but it's far more fun when you're giving it a try yourself. C'mon! That was just a warm up for me.

[His cheeks are definitely taking on a rosy hue as he urges someone to play with him. It's fun, he promises, he wouldn't break a promise to you.]

🐋 Walking In A Winter Wonderland

[A solitary snowball is tossed up and down in his hand as he takes aim at his target.

If you guessed that Tartaglia was probably the source of the beginning of the snowball fight, you guessed right. Even though he's supposed to be behaving for his own party, surely, there's no harm in starting a snowball fight, right? He does this all the time at home with his siblings, so there's no way anyone's going to get offended about him starting this kind of fight.

He takes aim at the poor, unsuspecting people who have gone outside for some fresh air, chuckling quietly to himself as he throws it directly at them. No matter if it hits or not, Tartaglia seems to of disappeared, though an aura of danger hangs over the immediate vicinity, like someone's watching. Waiting.

Another snowball comes out of seemingly nowhere, but there's an audible low chuckle that accompanies it now.]

Heheheheheh....

[Blue, predatory eyes are staring right at you, expecting his prey to at least try to defend themselves. It's not fun if you don't play with your food first.]

You'd best come at me with your all if you hope to survive. I'm in my element here, after all.

[Fill this brat up with lead I MEAN snowballs loooool]

🐋 In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

[Who's up for a game of Snezhnayan Roulette? After coming inside to warm up, Tartaglia is smirking with his hands over the three shot glasses as he swaps them around expertly, making sure that not a single drop of liquid accidentally splashes up and out of the glasses as they get mixed around. Guy's face is rosy from the cold and from how much he's drank tonight so far, humming happily while he does his best to ensure that his opponent here has no idea which ones hold alcohol and which one doesn't, but he's having fun and that's all that matters, and he hopes that his partner here is having just as much fun as he is.]

Haha, let's see how well your eyes can handle that speed. Go ahead, don't be shy- you might even have an edge on me since I've been partaking all night already.

[Not that he plans on passing out, he still needs to help with the fireworks Yoimiya is planning on setting off later in the night. But Tartaglia is tenting his fingers, setting his elbows down on the table as he watches intently to see which two his opponent here gets. When someone reaches for their first shot glass, he speaks up to sow seeds of doubt:]

Ah, are you sure you want that one?

🐋 A Kiss On New Years

(Please read the very last prompt of the log for this! It's a continuation from there!)

[Even though he's given his apology for what happened during the firework show, that doesn't necessarily mean he's off the hook. Yeah, he messed up, but he was so sure that it was a good spot, he hadn't meant to scare everyone and launch a firework right at them...

He's here to pay the consequences for his mistake, if anyone wants to have a conversation with him about it...he's really sorry! He likes to make a scene but this isn't the way he imagined it happening...]

🐋 Wildcard

[If none of these prompts work, please feel free to use any of the other ones, except for the last portion- he's busy messing up the fireworks lol. He's here for the whole party and can get dragged into everything else though! Or make up your own, it doesn't matter! Hit me with it! You can reach me at bucketsofbeans, beanrifical on discord or PM this journal!

Also there might be a surprise cat!Yoimiya that might appear randomly in any of his threads to cause a scene and then scamper off LOL]

would you rather

[roundandaround]

Controversial questions... Oh, I know! Would you rather go home but not have all the magic and stuff you learned to do here, or go to another world and have everything you do now, but you don't know what that world is?

wildcard 🐱

[niwabi]

[ When the pair have some downtime to themselves, Yoimiya takes Ajax by the hand, leading him outside to admire their beautiful cabin. Over the course of the past two months, the couple have been busy bees. Between moving all of their belongings, planning and setting for up the party, making sure their friends are all informed... they've been working round the clock.

And now that the guests have settled in, Yoimiya can't contain her urge to spend a little bit of alone time with Ajax. At the end of the day, she's still a greedy little gal craving to give her beloved some special attention, he's worked so hard to get this party off the ground, he deserves all the affection in the world. ]

It's stunning... Kaveh's work is top-notch. We couldn't have asked for a more talented person to build our home.

[ Lacing their fingers together, she's in awe at the Light of Kshahrewar's splendid craftsmanship. Subtle bits of frost nip at her cheeks and nose but even as they stand in the coldest region of Ellipsa, her heart is filled to the brim with warmth. ]

Hot Takes for you, Childe

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

[Wanderer doesn't want to be here at all. And he doesn't want to sit across of Childe, sipping on tea he actually really likes. At times he picks up a bit of food from one of the trays. He knows them all. Most of them came straight from a Harbinger banquet. How ironic.]

Truly? You want me to tell you a hot take?

[Well, he's known for not sugarcoating anything so please allow him to be an absolute Ruiner of Moods.]

Nothing about this is real. Once you return to Teyvat you will never remember any of this. All you know is the role you play in Teyvat. [He chuckles.] Cruel, not?

Hot Takes

[glidinglight]

[ She raises an eyebrow. This seems like a really good way to ruin the party. But okay. ]

Hot takes, huh? Just remember, you're the one who asked for it.

[ She crosses her arms over her chest. ]

Firewater is the worst alcohol in Teyvat. Maybe in multiple worlds.

[niwabi]

✰ a warm welcome

[ a. Meet-and-Greet Dining. At long last, the big day is finally upon them! Donning a warm sweater dress that matches with Tartaglia's for the occasion, her blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, Yoimiya is constantly on the go. The bright bundle of energy runs around all over the place, quickly moving from welcoming any guests at the door to assisting Tartaglia behind the dining room counter. She's beaming with excitement while bringing out food and drinks for everyone to enjoy, ecstatic to see familiar faces and maybe even some new ones. ]

Thank you for coming out all the way here to see us! Is there anything I can get you? If you'd like a suggestion, I totally have to recommend the pirozhki! Tartaglia made it himself and it's simply divine.

[ This might not be a restaurant but Yoimiya is here to service with a smile and make sure all of their guests are well taken care of. That and... she'll never miss an opportunity to sing her sweetheart's praises. She's radiant as the sun, her features glistening with an aura that exudes pride.

Sorry, she'll never stop gushing about her boyfriend. But seriously, let her know if there's anything she can get you... ]

[ b. Kotatsu Nail Salon. After making sure everyone is comfy and had plenty to eat, Yoimiya uses the downtime to slip underneath the kotatsu to check up on the guests, eager to join in on the party. At her side, she has an organizer that holds a treasure trove full of various nail polish colors and decorative stickers. She presents the box to anyone who might be interested in receiving a cute manicure. ]

Wanna have your nails painted? I can make them look really cute.

[ It's a quick dry polish, so it will only take a few minutes to dry! ]

✰ it’s all fun and games

[ a. Nya Rawr. Once the party moves downstairs to the recreational basement, a small yellow cat can be spotted roaming around the room being cute and a menace. Hopping around with her tail up in the air, this little feline is strangely excited to see any guests, making a beeline straight at anyone in her peripheral. ]

Mya!

[ Now that the fuzzball has you in her sights, it's too late to escape. She's a little chatterbox with her nonstop chirpy meows as she throws herself on the floor at anyone nearby, rolling around, and looking way too adorable for her own good.

Where did this random cat come from? Eh, who knows. Gib her ear scratches, please! ]

[ b. You're not an ordinary fella. As much fun as causing trouble as a cat was, Yoimiya is ready to throw herself into the excitement and have some fun. Poof! She's back to trotting around as her perky, human self albeit... with a little bonus in the form of yellow cat ears sitting on her head and a tail that flicks with every joyful step she takes. Oops, couldn't quite get rid of those cat features, looks like she's still learning the ropes of this animal transformation thing.

Of course, Yoimiya is going to play as many games as she can with everyone and anyone. But to get her adrelaline going, her first stop is the extravagant dance machine. ]

Our dance machine is really awesome, isn't it?

[ Tail swooshing around, fuzzy ears perked up, she turns to anyone that happens to be nearby with a look that practically screams: Play a round with me... nya! ]

✰ walking in a winter wonderland

[ a. A beautiful sight, we're brawling tonight. Suddenly, snowballs go flying everywhere. At this point, it doesn't even matter who started it to begin with because the fight is on. Naturally, Yoimiya isn't going to miss this, eager to get a piece of the action for herself. Unfortunately for potential opponents, she's full of energy, chucking snowball and after snowball in rapid succession with one another.

If you happen to get hit... she's not sorry in the slightest. The sprightly blonde is looking way too smug for her own good just before she takes cover behind a nearby tree. Don't let her get away with this! Knock her down a few pegs or two. ]

[ b. Alliance time. Or alternatively, you can team up with her! After all, alliances are part of warfare. Yoimiya is hard at work constructing a large snow wall, picking up clumps of snow, patting it down layer by layer. It's a slow process while keeping her guard up for any projectiles, so she's gonna need any sort of assistance in making this snow fortress impenetrable. Ain't no snowball getting through on her watch!

She holds up her hands in peace to whoever passes by, gesturing at her work in progress. ]

Interested in teaming up? If we make a huge snow fort, we'll be able to block any incoming attacks.

✰ in snezhnaya, vodka drink you

[ Ever since Yoimiya had her first sip of Snezhnayan Fire-Water, she's grown accustomed to the strong flavor of vodka, even coming to enjoy it as her relationship with Tartaglia blossomed. But even though she's gotten used to the drink, it's still impossible to tell the clear alcohol apart from water. She looks down at each glass, taking a brief moment to contemplate before picking up the one in the middle. Shot glass in hand, she holds it out to her roulette buddy to clink their cups in a notion that could potentially get them wasted together.

Welp, here goes nothing! ]

Cheers!

[ What better way to celebrate one's impending doom than with a toast? :D ]

✰ wildcard

( If you'd like to plot out something else, feel free to message via journal or konimi. Yoimiya will be thrilled to play any of the games with anyone that asks, grab a drink with her, drag her in for ice skating or you could have even ran into her elsewhere in the house while she was a cat. If all else, just strike up a conversation with her! However, due to her tending to the fireworks, she'll be unavaliable for most of the final prompt but anyone is welcome to catch her after the show to praise her work or wonder what went wrong during with the All-Devouring Narwhal firework. I'll be happy to write out a custom starter for you once we hash things out. ♥ )

dance machine

[roundandaround]

Yeah! It's the greatest!

[Rinku immediately grasps Yoimiya's hands and sparkles at her.]

Wow, you gave yourself cat ears! That really fits you! It's super cute ♪ What song do you wanna try?

[roundandaround]

[1) a warm welcome -- food]

[Rinku has never tried a lot of the Eastern European food, but that only makes her more excited for it. She's got at least one of every flavour of perogy and is sticking them all on a skewer to eat them all in a row. As for the Japanese food, she's got a pile of that, too, and she'll wave at anyone looking over the food tables.]

Everything here is so great! Are you trying to pick what you want?

[2) a warm welcome -- games]

Hmmmmm... I know! Would you rather turn into a werewolf or turn into a skeleton! But, like, an alive skeleton.

[Well, you can't say she's not trying to play to the crowd.]

[3)it's all fun and games]

[The fourth-wall-friendly versions of games Rinku recognizes will get a head tilt, but there's one thing that draws her attention: the dance machine. She hops over, studies it for a moment, and starts moving to select the hardest songs and difficulties.]

Do you wanna play? This looks fun!

[4) a kiss on new year's -- sparklers]

[Rinku starts waving around the magic sparklers, sees the image in the sparks change... and her eyes absolutely light up. She puts a song on with her phone turned up so others can hear, and then she starts twirling and waving and shaking and spinning the sparklers like they're penlights and she is going full wotagei on this thing.

Once her impromptu routine is over -- that is, when the sparklers burn out -- she douses the smoking sticks in a nearby snowbank, turns off the music, and smiles without a sense of shame.]

Yoi-chan worked really hard making these, aren't they great? Come on, you try now!

[5) a kiss on new year's -- runaway narwhal]

Wah!

[Rinku goes to hit the dirt (well, snow) when the giant firework creature flies by. Unfortunately for somebody who really isn't used to cold or snow, she slips on a patch of ice and skids right down the path and face-first into you.]

Oww... oh, right, fire doesn't work on me now, right? I guess I could've not moved. Ehehe...

2

[rustyhonesty]

[How did she know to ask that question. Jean looks awkward.]

Werewolf. Definitely. It's not really that bad, but being a skeleton sounds really awful.

[sultanofsquat]

🌠 A Warm Welcome

[ It wasn't his first forray into Frostreign. Not for him or Ayaka. But venturing out, bundled and sporting a scarf as they make their way to the right address, he can't help but reminisce. Nippon had one dramatic snowfall that overtook the whole of Kyoto in the time they were there, but the chilling bite that's all the way out here?

It reminds him of Modeoheim, and leading up the mountainside alongside Zack when he was a cadet. Thankfully, the reception inside was just as warm from the new homeowners as that cozy kotatsu was. This housewarming party was another kind of challenge for Cloud. The challenge of not letting himself just go find the nearest corner or barstool to sit at and people watch. As much progress as he's made when it came to opening himself to people that he knows and trusts, he's resigned himself to his fate in that he wasn't a social butterfly. If neither Yoimiya or Tartaglia are around to do so (or Ayaka let's be real), Cloud will pour whatever available tea is provided for anyone sitting around the nice and warm kotatsu.

He pays attention to the ideas thrown around by the couple, and...thinking about it, he's not even sure if he knows how to have a hot take. Not unless someone else started, anyway. And getting blindfolded while folding origami was too involved.

... not that that's stopped the acerbic swordsman from stepping outside his comfort zone before when needed. But until then, he nurses a cup of matcha in his hands, looking over to whomever was listening to the games on hand. Fine. Gotta at least try. ]

... [ How do. ] Flip a coin on who "Would You Rather"s first?

🌠 It's All Fun And Games

[ Okay, so Cloud's appointed mission of getting better at socializing...half-sorta-maybe failed. Which is exactly why he's currently taking a little break from upstairs to check out the downstairs suite. Guess he shouldn't be surprised at this point, with how well designed everything was. Maybe it's because the home was just freshly lived-in, but it almost feels like being on a getaway. The atmosphere is completely different from that of Sunwaning and the new Kamisato Estate. But it's less about which one is better (because he'll always cherish home), and more...it's exciting? Being somewhere different?

Though Cloud does a well enough job in hiding that fact. He's also doing a good enough job in keeping a low profile for now. After muttering "hell with it" and slamming back a downright mighty shot of Snezhnayan Fire-Water, he's now contently seated at his barstool, holding a glass of whiskey on the rocks, his feet idly swaying as he watches everyone else. The Ping Pong table brings back memories. The last time he played that was with Ayaka and— ah, oops. Safe to say that Cloud had impeccable aim when it came to where that ball landed. He sighs, shaking his head before taking another sip.

The Switch games were one thing, but what really catches his curiosity? Is the dancing machine. He's seen them in Nightwake before. Never actually stepped on one however.

What did he say before? "I don't dance"? See, he says that, but...his fingers are tapping along the counter to the energetic beat anyway. So how about you? You gonna join in at the bar? Or is Cloud going to find himself "on stage" one more time? ]

🌠 Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[ He doesn't own a pair of ice skates. But the more he thought about it, maybe going outside and skating around wasn't such a bad idea? It could give him time to clear his head in case this housewarming party got a little too loud and bumpin' for his liking. A chance to recharge. However, there's just...one little problem. ]

Shit— Mn.

[ Cloud's never skated in his life. Were his skates on too loose? What happened to his SOLDIER reflexes? He hasn't fallen on his ass yet, but he looks awkward out there. And when he thinks that no one is watching while he's out on the frozen pond, his head is down, watching his feet...literally waddling in tiny steps like a penguin as he tries to prepare himself to actually glide again. ]

🌠 In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

[ At some point during the festivities, Cloud has already had a healthy* blend of various Snezhnayan-Inazuman snacks, matcha green tea, and maybe a shot or three's worth of liquor in him. The thing is? Cloud's alcohol tolerance was actually considerately high. It's not like he drank when he was younger, being underaged and all.

But if it wasn't for his new genetic (and Mako enhanced) makeup, there's a very good chance Cloud would have been a lightweight. Not in this instance! He's feeling content now, a little more loosened up but Cloud's not slurring anything or losing concentration. Not yet. Instead, he finds himself sat down in front of a chessboard opposite you, choice of alcohol to be determined and a shot glass for each! ]

You know how to play?

[ Asking like you already know, Cloud. FDSLKJA If his opponent doesn't, he's just...gonna grab his phone and open up Goggle real quick to figure out how each piece moves. ]

🌠 Wildcard

( OOC; Got something else in mind that you wanna play out? I'm open for fireworks watching, snowball fights, other games, the works. Feel free to lemme know or start something up! If you got more questions, you can grab me here via PM, Clandon or over on Discord via clandon. )

skating

[roundandaround]

[You know who's not going to judge you? The girl who spent most of her life off the coast of Madagascar. Rinku studies the penguin walk intently and then starts trying to copy Cloud's movements.]

So this is how you learn to walk on ice, huh...

[closed to Lumine]

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

[Wanderer has decided that he has had seen enough people for this evening and manages to find himself a quiet place close to the fire. Its cold outside, he can see that, yet one of the fun things about being a puppet is that he doesn't feel cold at all.

And it isn't that he's tired or not feeling well. Its just quiet and without people. At least, until he hears footsteps and he barely looks up when he speaks.]

Shouldn't you be inside with the others? Or do you want to go home?

[Wanderer just knows its Lumine. Who else has this uncanny ability to track him down wherever he is?]

Re: [closed to Lumine]

[glidinglight]

Why would I leave? The fun's just started.

[ Dressed in a simple oversized, cable-knit sweater dress, the chill clearly isn't bothering her, though her breath leaves her mouth in breathy clouds. In either hand, she holds a glass of mulled wine--one of which she offers to him. ]

Here. For you.

[phoenixblessed]

It’s All Fun And Games

[He had been surprised to be invited and would have turned down Childe's invitation outright were it not for Yoimiya getting involved. As it turns out he can't refuse her when she turns on the puppy eyes and so he had begrudgingly agreed to show up and even to not start fights with Tartaglia while he was there. It's just one evening, and he's put on a better face for worse (looking at you, Dottore).

Diluc idly toys with a pack of cards, shuffling the deck back and forth between his hands, but his attention and curiosity is on the large television in the room. He hasn't delved too much into the technology of this place and hasn't really seen much like this, certainly not in somebody's house, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested...

A card game would be fine, but if someone wants to invite him to play a video game, he might just be able to be persuaded without too much fuss at all.]

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[Diluc didn't bring skates - not because he was being a downer about the whole thing, but simply because he doesn't own any - but he's quite content to watch other people skating. A few drinks have mellowed him out a little by the time people begin to venture out to the frozen pond and he sits down on one of the benches outside, a hot drink held in one gloved hand as the other moves in front of him, creating small shapes out of flames in the air. A blooming flower, a fish, a shower of stars, all moving smoothing from one to the next as his fingers conduct them.

Just sitting there does make him a fantastic target for a snowball to the head, standing out bright crimson against the snow as he is, but Diluc has been so well-behaved for this entire thing, is anyone going to take aim at him..?

Perhaps accidentally on purpose. Alternatively, shove a pair of skates at him and make him get out on the pond.]

A Kiss on New Years

[Having heard of Naganohara Fireworks before, Diluc finds that he's quite looking forward to seeing the display before it even begins. He watches with rapt attention, head tipped back and his slightly chilled hands curled into the front of his coat, as the colours and sparks burst overhead.

Naturally... something goes wrong.

He doesn't notice how that final firework tilts slightly in the damp ground, aiming the thing right at the gathered observers. His reaction when it comes shooting towards them is something he does without thinking, a deeply ingrained instinct, and despite knowing full well that it is only a firework there's a large claymore in his hand as Childe and Yoimiya head back over to them.

A claymore that he doesn't seem to immediately notice... and that is very obviously on fire.]

Tch--

[The large weapon disappears in a small shower of golden sparks, leaving the outline of the flames to hover for a moment before it winks out of existence as well.]

I could almost think he did that on purpose.

Winter Wonderland

[icepatch]

[Kaeya walked right up to the lake without any skates on. But once his foot stepped off the ground and onto the the frozen water, cryo swirled beneath his foot and a pair of literal ice skates formed. It happened on the other foot as well. He glided to easily to where Diluc sat and slid to a stop in front. He produced a pair of skates and held them by their laces between them.]

Now, I'm sure you're having so much fun with your little light show but would you please be so kind as to join me on the ice?

[He even tilted his head a little with a smile. A very familiar act to get people to say yes, he knew. Especially Diluc. Embrace the cute!]

[physicianhealthyself]

It’s All Fun And Games

Oh, I couldn't possibly--...

[The reaction to being invited to dance on this... fascinating machine is immediate as Baizhu thinks about his poor lungs, but something about his expression speaks volumes about not being entirely sure about that decision. He lingers, a faint frown pinching his brow, one hand curled up near his lower lip as he considers.]

... Could I..?

[Could he manage it? Maybe something not too fast? It does look like fun. He glances to the person who invited him over to the contraption.]

Perhaps, if you agree to keep an eye on me.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[The good doctor is already looking a little worse for wear when he ventures outside to see what everyone is doing. He's bundled up very warmly against the cold, but he still visibly shivers as he stands on the porch of the cabin and looks towards the pond and the people throwing snowballs at one another.]

Ah, the energy of youth... [He murmurs to himself, an idle little smile on his face as he leans on the porch railing.

As someone passes by, he might just have the cheek to sweep some of the snow off the wood in front of him and throw it playfully in their direction. He's a tired, very ill man, but that doesn't mean he's not capable of being mischievous!]

A Kiss on New Years

[Baizhu is not outside watching the fireworks, but there is a very good reason for that.

When everyone begins to make their way back inside they would find that the doctor has fallen asleep at the kotatsu, his arms underneath his head and his glasses pushed askew across his face. He looks pale and tired but not uncomfortable, his breathing steady and even, simply... exhausted by the day's events.

He certainly hadn't meant to fall asleep, just to have a minute to warm up before he went out to watch the fireworks with everyone else, but his exertions have caught up with him and now he's made himself a prime target for a little harmless mischief. Or kindness, if someone would be nice enough to wake him up.]

[icepatch]

[Wow, the good doctor had certainly become worn out, hadn't he? Kaeya couldn't help but chuckle quietly. While the urge to probably do a little mischief was strong, he also didn't want to cross the doctor or Changseng either. Besides, he didn't quite well know Baizhu well enough to cause trouble just yet. So, for now, Kaeya knelt beside him and placed a hand on his back to shake the sleeping man lightly.]

Looks like someone has had a good day today, eh?

[Okay, so he couldn't resist at least some verbal teasing.]

Think you can make it home?

[inexorablejudgment]

A Warm Welcome

[Not really one for getting too warm, Neuvillette declines to get cosy under the kotatsu but does take a cup of tea to occupy his hands while he observes the other guests. Even back in Fontaine, the Iudex was not often seen at formal functions and parties and he's clearly just a little awkward about being at one...

But leave the man be, he's doing his best.

He's close enough to a debate to be drawn into it by someone who makes a comment in his direction and he looks up, lowering his cup and lifting his eyebrows slightly.]

I'm happy to join in, but what is a... 'hot take'?

[Please help him.]

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[While he does not have skates... this does not appear to actually be stopping Neuvillette from skating. One might think that as soon as the Iudex stepped on the ice he would find himself on his ass but instead he slides effortlessly across the surface with the dress shoes that he arrived in.

Perhaps surprisingly, the man has always been more a fan of cold weather than the summer heat and does not actually live too far away from where Childe and Yoimiya have made their home. He hadn't been expecting this kind of invitation but had accepted it graciously, in payment for actions Childe had yet to take in his own timeline if nothing else - what he and all of Fontaine owe the young Harbinger may not be something yet discussed... but he does feel that he owes him something for his actions.

He moves over to the side of the pond, stepping off the ice and onto firm land once again. The tips of his ears are slightly red with the cold and he pulls his scarf up a little to warm them.]

We don't often see weather like this in Fontaine. [Neuvillette comments mildly.] It's very pleasant.

In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

[Neuvillette hasn't been drinking and late in the evening is decidedly sober, but somehow has found himself drawn into a game of chess that involves Fire-Water. He would, of course, like to argue that the word 'water' could not be applied to the stuff at all.]

Are you certain you wish to challenge me?

[He asks the question mildly as he moves the pieces into place on the board.]

In the interests of full transparency, I ought to tell you that I have been playing chess for a few hundred years.

In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

[acquirement]

{ in contrast, ayato has been drinking and is anything but sober, but despite that fact he doesn't seem to be doing all that badly in comparison to some other people around them. }

Oh? Then that merely makes this all the more interesting to see. I struggle to find opponents who can make chess a challenge. The question is, how are you with alcohol if you are to lose a piece or two?

[godofdust]

A Warm Welcome

Hehe-- How does it look?

[Guizhong is seated at the kotatsu with two empty shot glasses and another full one next to her, a blindfold over her eyes as she tries to fold a piece of paper into something recognisable. She's been doing her best to follow the instructions and thankfully has a high enough tolerance to alcohol that it isn't affecting her co-ordination just yet, but the crane she's trying to make is still... rather wonky, to say the least.]

Is it right? [She giggles, moving her fingertips over the shape in her hands.] I can't tell at all!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[The adeptus throws herself fully into the snowball fights, laughing, giggling and outright squealing when snow hits her and slides down the back of her neck. She could employ wartime tactics had she a mind to but where would be the fun in that? This isn't a time to be reminded of things that are far better left forgotten.

But despite her excitement and very apparent giddy joy about the whole thing, her aim is true and her throwing arm is strong, and more than one person may find themselves beaned in the side of the head by a snowball that explodes very satisfyingly on impact.]

Whoo! Are you okay!?

[She can relish her momentary victory and show concern... but she might just take any sign of weakness as an opportunity to throw another snowball.]

In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You

Augh-- Not again!

[Though the back of her throat is numb enough by now that Guizhong has long since stopped coughing when the liquor hits the back of her throat, she still grimaces as the taste washes over her tongue and waves one hand as her face screws up.

For someone so small, Guizhong can handle a startling amount of alcohol... but she has been drinking steadily for most of the evening and by now is starting to show the signs of being just a bit intoxicated. She giggles and sets the empty shot glass down, leaning just a little too far to one side in her seat and squeaking as she pulls herself back upright again.]

Goodness! If Snezhnaya had been exporting this to Liyue four thousand years ago our parties would have been so much fun.

[She rests her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand, smirking languidly at the person across from her.]

Your turn again.

A Warm Welcome

[niwabi]

[ By the time Yoimiya has time to mingle with the guests, she's already downed a few shots of vodka. While she's not full-on drunk, Yoimiya's red cheeks and nonstop chirpy giggles are an indication that she's a little tipsy. It also doesn't help she's paired herself with Guizhong for a game of blind origami, her friend's cheerful aura is infectious, inciting her to be extra giggly with her own shot glasses. Playing with her has been a delight.

Sure, the crane is a little wonky but much better than anything Yoimiya can do while blindfolded. She's fairly certain her own creation would look like a wadded-up mess. ]

Hehehe, you're doing better than I ever could!

[ But the wings could probably use a bit of work to get it really looking like a crane. ]

Let's see... do you feel those lines you folded earlier? Fold along those edges and bring them downwards, you should have a square with four triangular flaps.

[acquirement]

A Warm Welcome
{ considering the type of event this is, ayato knows that some small talk is unfortunately inevitable. at least by enjoying both a cup of matcha tea and a cup of sake he can bring himself to take part in one of the suggested games. his gloved hands are curled around the cup of matcha tea for warmth as he turns to whoever happens to have slid into the kotatsu before him. }

Good evening, would you like to try one of the games suggested? I can't say I've tried any of them before. I suppose the origami one is similar to blind cooking...

{ not if kaeya had anything to say about it, given how much of a menace he was during that cooking show quest. still, folding some paper doesn't seem as interesting in comparison. } So perhaps either would you rather, or do you have any 'unpopular opinions' to share?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
{ the ice skates ayato brought with him are clearly very new. he'd tried ice skating before, partly for ayaka's birthday but then merely out of enjoyment for how calming it is to do--especially when the ice rink had been quiet. as it is now, a lot of people are indoors enjoying the warmth and chatter. as someone who doesn't like having attention on himself, he'd slipped out quietly to enjoy the cool air and sober up a little from the alcohol he's already ingested.

the surprise is probably how little he needs support to do this. his balance is incredible for someone new to it, confidence keeping his feet moving forward to glide across the ice.

if you're someone there to also enjoy the sanctuary of the frozen pond or perhaps someone who needs a hand, as soon as he sees someone approaching he'll slow to a stop nearby. }

It's a little difficult with this being more natural than an ice rink, be careful of bumps on the surface.

In Snezhnaya, Vodka Drink You
Chess
{ chess is a game ayato is very familiar with, to the point it's almost cruel for him to sit down at one of the tables and ask anyone for a match. the problem is, watching someone realise they're getting thrashed and scrambling to save themselves some face is equally as entertaining as the winning part.

so here he is. }

Are you familiar with the rules of chess?

Stairs
{ from what he's seen so far, no one is really willing to try stairs especially after the warning they've received. }

Oh? Are you willing to give this a try? Not to worry, I'll ensure you don't fall after we're done.

Wildcard
{ ooc: feel free to throw something else my way! }

games

[roundandaround]

Unpopular opinions... hmmm. Oh, I know! Lizards are cute! Some people think they're scary, but I don't get it.

[rockxinyanroll]

I. A warm welcome

[Xinyan was not prepared for the cold, even though she dressed warmer than she normally does. She's even wearing pants! Still she makes a beeline for the kotatsu and its warmth once she gets inside.

Once she's warmed up enough to think of joining in the games, she pipes up.]

Anyone wanna do blind origami with me? I'm sure it'll be tons of fun!

II. Its All Fun and Games

[While the dance machine looks fun, and she will be checking it out later, she notices that there's already a game flashing on the TV screen, M▊▊▊▊ Party. She hasn't really played any video games yet, so she's excited to try that. It even has party in the name, what could go wrong?]

Hey, ya wanna try that game with me?

III. A Kiss on New Years

[Xinyan did not really want to leave the warmth of the house, but she's not about to be a party pooper and miss the finale. So she stays near the fire and plays with the sparklers until the fireworks start. She's in awe at the shapes the sparklers make]

This is so darn cool! Yoimiya made these?

Its All Fun and Games

[niwabi]

[ Ah, good ol' M▊▊▊▊ Party! Surely nothing will go wrong in this game. In response, Yoimiya happily nods her head, patting a spot next to her on the couch. ]

Yeah! I've been itching to play a round with someone.

[ As soon as the character select screen pops up, Yoimiya will let Xinyan have first pick of the not!M▊▊▊▊cast. ]

Is this your first time playing?