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 Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:35 am
Quote: Backdated to December 24th Frozen Time (3) : Midnight is a magical time of night; parties, dancing, kisses--there are a number of rituals celebrated in the winter nights. Every night has a midnight, but this one is special. There is an old church and bell tower on the quiet outskirts of town, near a beautiful forest that has been decorated with lights to celebrate the season. Maybe you are alone, maybe you are with friends, or maybe you’re at a party celebrating one of the many events--whatever the case, small, delicate snowflakes have been falling lightly for the past hour. And then--suddenly--they stop. The clock strikes midnight and the bell echoes a low, metallic chime that feels like it can be heard for miles. By the second chime, you realize that nothing else is moving. Snowflakes are suspended in the air and all living creatures--plants, animals, and people alike--are completely frozen. The clock chimes twelve times and the world is still frozen. Suddenly, there’s no way to tell how much time has passed--but nothing moves. Maybe it feels like a moment, maybe it feels like an hour. You can try to leave the area but you can never go far enough that the church is out of sight. In an instant, time seems to snap back into motion. To everyone else, it feels like no time has passed. To you, you know. The church seems eerie and foreboding and if you return you feel uncomfortable, as though you have broken something and are unwelcome. If roleplaying with a partner, multiple characters can remain unfrozen as the world around them freezes! It was cold and he knew he’d suffer for it if he didn’t bundle up enough which was why it took Aloysius so long to get ready for the outing tonight. “We should be able to get a good look near to midnight darling,” he called out as he finished buttoning his shirt and settling his tie. Next came his waistcoat, and then he started down the hall to look for Liam. They’d long since gotten dressed and had probably started on making tea for him to have while they wandered the church grounds and looked over things for spacing and plans. Tucking his inhaler into his pant pocket, he made sure his contacts were in but kept his glasses with him in their case just in case he needed to take them out. “It looked nice from what I saw online but I wanted to see it in person just in case you know?” Not that he needed to justify it, he wanted things to be perfect and small. Just an intimate ceremony with a few people far from all the high society social affairs his sister wanted at her future wedding. Stepping down the stairs in his socks, he could see the snow through one of the windows and shivered. The cold was always harsh on his lungs, even if he didn’t smoke anymore.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:37 am
Liam had dressed up, more than he normally would, since this outing was somewhat professional. They weren't going out to meet anyone about the location, that would come later on if they liked the place, but it was still something important to them. Tonight was a trip for them to make, without anyone else around, to a church to see if it would fit their needs and more importantly their wants for a wedding. Whether it was at a church or another venue didn’t matter to Liam, he wasn’t religious, it was all about everything else for him.
Humming to himself, waiting for Aloysius to get ready, he was filling a thermos with hot tea for the other and warm apple cider for himself. It was cold outside, it’d been snowing most of the day and yesterday had been no batter, so hot drinks were going to be a must. “You have gloves, right?” Calling out as he looked over his shoulder from where he stood at the stove pouring tea for the other.
“I know, and I can agree with you on that. I do find it amusing how we’re going about this inspection in such an unconventional manner. Checking it out like this without anyone from the place, at midnight, like some teenagers looking to break into the place. Now, are we powering up and teleporting over to cut down on travel time?” He questioned, turning fully, as he twisted the thermos cap one and held it out to the other. “Tea, I have apple cider for myself.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:44 am
Seeing Liam all dressed up as he made it down to the kitchen, he came up behind them and wrapped his arms around them. “You look really lovely darling.” Pressing a kiss to their temple before taking the thermos from them. It sounded scandalous when Liam described their little outing that way and it brought a soft laugh out as he shook his head.
“I have gloves in my coat still and I always find it better to look around buildings without the public there. We are more likely to get an accurate view without the staff there to only show off what they think needs to be seen.” It meant some things might get left out or a place might not be all it's cracked up to be. Stepping back, he pulled his coat on and looked around for Desiree for a moment. Once he saw her and nodded, he let his uniform melt over his clothing.
“Teleporting will be just fine if you can handle it while powered down it might be better than two signatures of our rank appearing suddenly.” Not that he would linger powered up but he wanted to consider the risks just in case. Reaching out his free hand to Liam, he gestured for them to come along.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:45 am
“Thank your sister for the clothing, she picked it out for me last time I let her take me out for clothing.” He wasn’t the best when it came to picking such fancy clothing for himself, he was working on it slowly, but he knew with his job and position in the family he needed to add to his wardrobe more fancy and business minded clothing - like this. Leaning back into his fiance's hold, letting his head fall back to rest against the others shoulder. “You always like when I dress up, but this is rather important, even if no one else is around.”
“I can do that, I don’t mind you teleporting me like this.” It wasn’t that bad of a feeling, he’d gotten used to it, he knew it was easier than taking someone with him through a mirror. It was odder to walk through something solid, yet suddenly wasn’t so solid. “Good, once you power down gloves on, I don’t want your hands getting too cold.” Pressing his lips to the others cheek as he took the offered hand.
“I agree, which is why I rather like this idea, even if it does make us look like some misbehaving teenagers.” Something he hadn’t been in a long time, a teenager that is…he’d never really misbehaved. “Now let’s go and see this place love.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:45 am
As much as things were rocky with Mel, he was glad his sister had managed to convince Liam to get some nicer clothing. It made his heart flutter when they were all dressed up for him because he knew they didn’t do it for everyone. It was special and he liked that, just as he assumed they felt when he dressed down at home. “I do darling and it can be a nice surprise even without an occasion calling for it.” When things were important like tonight even if they weren’t actually getting married right now.
With their hand gripped firmly in his, he focused on the place and got them teleported. The gust of chilled wind as they arrived hit him like a brick wall though and he powered down and tried to get his scarf up between coughs. Taking the time to look around as he stayed pressed to Liam’s side, he finally got the coughing under control and pulled his gloves on, being careful with his ring so it wouldn’t catch on the fabric.
“Sorry darling, it is a bit colder than I expected.” A slight shiver as he spoke before curling his hand around theirs again. “At least if we do things in winter it looks like we may avoid unwanted guests.” The snow around the clearing helped to keep people who weren’t on the paths out but he wondered how easy it might be for guests to drive up if the weather was bad.
“Maybe not winter though, I may freeze despite your best efforts.” Even as he teased, he felt another shiver as some of the snow started to melt on his hair. It was gorgeous here and quiet, both things he liked the idea of but the weather was a bit much for him currently.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:51 am
Arriving at their destination Liam felt the air ripped from him with the first cold gust of wind, just as he went to take a breath, and he gasped in the next breath before pressing his face into the others shoulder. “Cold is fine, that gust though.” That had not been fine, losing a breath however was not such a fine thing if you asked him. “We should get inside and look around.” Nodding once as he motioned to the place, indicating they should get inside.
“We would but we might not have any guests either. The weather might ruin that. We could settle for a compromise and go with spring. It might keep people away, especially if it rains, but it still would allow our people to arrive.” At least he could hope they’d turn up, few as there were likely to be. They just wanted to keep away unwanted people…social people, those who would want to see such an event.
“We could make a spring wedding work I think…plus the pictures might be nicer with some plants growing and coming into bloom. Just when things start to get green.” A nice bit of freshness to things.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:57 am
“Agreed, best to get away from the wind before we both freeze.” Aloysius’s teeth chattered slightly as he pulled his fiance along toward the church. It was quiet out here with the thick treeline keeping most of the sound out. The issue was that it made it easier for the wind do get caught in the clearing and even as he pulled them to the church, he cursed slightly that it was locked.
“Well… it would seem they planned for unexpected visitors.” At least some of the warmth came out from beneath the locked doorway, enough that it helped him stop shivering as much. The slow flickering of the fairy lights in the trees was lovely and he could see the vision they mentioned with things in spring.
“We can plan for spring, I wonder if they might have roses then as well. You know how I adore them and they would be perfect for our wedding.” Maybe if Alexandre was able to figure out the purple ones by then, he could have his grandfather there in spirit. It was a nice thought but it did leave his smile faltering as he leaned into Liam. “I wish he could be there Liam…” It came out as a whisper before the bell started to toll.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:58 am
“Yeah, I’d like us to both stay alive.” Preferably till old age decided it was time for them, best case scenario and all that, but he didn’t say that. He followed at his partner's side as they headed for the doors and stood there. “We can just power up again and head inside…” He whispered, thinking they could give themselves a proper tour of the place, it didn’t seem the sort of place with alarms and cameras set up inside to catch them if they went in.
“They might have roses and if not I’m sure we can find a way to get roses.” Purple ones if he could, as many as possible, whether they were the same color Aloysius’ grandfather had created or not there would be purple roses! Reaching up and petting the others hair, softly, he nodded his head. He didn’t even need to ask who Aloysius was talking about - he knew.
“I know you do. I wish he could be also…but he’ll be with you in your thoughts and memories.” He whispered, wanting to offer the other something. He wouldn’t get his hopes up about the roses, though there would be some sort of purple roses, so he did watch what he said but he was still offering comfort. Liam wasn’t religious so didn’t think people were watching down on others, on loved ones, but he didn’t know if Aloysius meant it literally…like someone who was religious might…or like when most people still said god bless you to someone who sneezed - it was a comfort and normalized force of habit.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:05 am
Powering up to head inside wasn’t a bad idea but he wasn’t sure if there was anyone inside and getting caught might not be a great idea. So maybe just looking around the rest of the building but he needed that moment.
“I know, I know, he would have liked you, you know?” Breathing in the cold air he squeezed them into a hug for a moment before straightening up and looking around. He wasn’t hiding things from them but it wouldn’t be good for them to freeze.
“Oh… the snow.” Bringing the blonde’s attention back out ahead of them, he watched as the snow had not just stopped falling but was frozen in place and with it that gusting wind had stopped as well.
Reaching out with his gloved hand to touch one, it still melted as normal but didn’t fall. Everything was still here. “Nobody followed us so….unaligned magic again.” Maybe not harmful but that was to be decided.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:06 am
Hearing those words, knowing how much the others grandfather meant to Aloysius, the blond held his partner tighter and would have kissed his cheek till the other was turning about and looking around. “The snow…?” Staring now, blinking blue eyes, he spotted it also.
“The city's magic.” He knew what his partner called it, and wasn’t surprised to hear that term used, but he just called it the city's magic because it did seem like it was something the city possessed. “It looks pretty, magical even.” Like being trapped in a portrait, everything around them was still. “Maybe we should take the chance now to enter and look around? If things aren’t moving we should be safe…a quick in and out to get a quick idea?” Sneaky yes, and risky as well, but it was better than dealing with people leading them around and one of them trying to slip off and look around on their own.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:06 am
They each had their own way of describing the oddness in the city but Aloysius could agree that this looked pretty. “I would still rather not try getting in while powered up but we can go around and see about the side entrance.” If people were frozen it wouldn’t matter if they walked past through one of the service exits.
Keeping his fingers laced with theirs, he pulled Liam along and went around the side of the church. It was still cold but without the wind gusting it didn’t pull the breath from him as much. It was oddly silent outside of the crunching snow beneath their feet and it unsettled him a bit but without anything else odd happening he could slightly write that off. It would have been different if Liam had frozen too, that was something he didn’t want to think about.
“Ah, see? That looks like the side entrance where they bring things in for services.” Pointing to a small door that was slightly propped open, the snow melted around it and he saw someone frozen mid swing with a trash bag hovering over their shoulder.
“We can head in there.” Keeping a reasonable distance from the man, he was glad that the door still functioned even if everything seemed frozen.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:07 am
“Alright, we’ll do this the harder way.” He said with a shake of his head and a smile in place, teleporting would be easier, especially now, but he wasn’t going to try and persuade his partner any further. It was useless and he knew it, even if it would be easier and no one would notice.
Ah, so his partner was right and teleporting in before everything froze wasn’t a good idea - damn. More shaking of his head as he let Aloysius lead him inside. “This place is nice, it’s quaint…nothing too polished or fancy like some places. I’d rather something like this than over the top and too fancy and modern…or even too big.” He didn’t think he could handle that. He was still from a very humble life and certain things, like this, would have been too much for him. It would be about him, in part, and if it were something too big he’d be too uncomfortable with it.
It was why he was so comfortable in the large home they had - it was just theirs. They was nice and comfortable and safe and cozy feeling. He went to events because they weren’t about him…and he wasn't the center of attention. He went to events and he worked from home and still ordered delivery like every other person. He got to shuffle about in lounge wear and cook and do normal things for himself.
“Let’s take a close look at things…while we have the chance. The size is nice though.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:07 am
Looking around, he saw the empty church aside from a few other workers in the side hall. It was easy to pass them this time and he nodded and listened as Liam gave their view of it.
“Something small and intimate, Melody may want to make a show of whichever Evans male she marries but I am happy just to have a few close friends and family for ours.” Running a finger over the pews as he walked and looked over things, a plan was starting to form on how things might look for a ceremony.
“Yes we can get a good look and hopefully this magic decides to agree with that.” Even with it being dark outside, he could tell the light coming through the stained glass windows would be beautiful during the daytime.
“We can have your father there and then Melody, perhaps Desiree if she sneaks in or the ceremony is less than three hours for her.” It would be nice to have his mauvian there but then something lingered on his mind. He did technically have a living parent, even if she hadn’t spoken with him in over a decade.
“I wonder… if I should reach out to my mother.” Attending Melody’s ceremony would be a must for the woman but he wasn’t sure how he felt about reaching out after how she’d painted him in such a bad light to his sister while knowing partially what he’d gone through at the hands of his father.
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:08 am
“She’ll make a show of it, over shadow that you kept it small and private by doing so, and will tie into a larger family whereas you aren’t. I suppose it also fits that she has the bigger, more grand, wedding then. It makes sense and will cover for our lacking wedding, that’ll still be heard about.” Especially once they turned up at a social event with not just engagement rings, it would gain attention after all.
Looking up from where he was inspecting something else, he too could see the beauty in the old church. “You could extend the invitation, I mean it would be proper considering you are the family heir. It might look bad, socially, for her if you didn’t. She can then choose what to do with it or speak in private with her about it. If she doesn’t want to go find a way for her to gently turn down the invitation? But at least it’s been made and people will know that. A way for everyone to come out looking good?” Because as much as he didn’t care about such things he knew it would be looked at and picked apart, Melody had taught him well enough that he knew this, he knew it was something to deal with gently and properly.
“I mean it would, I assume, satisfy you both if you went about it that way?” Venturing off Liam was inspecting something else and looking around further. “And we can make sure Desiree can attend, I wouldn’t have it any other way really.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:09 am
“True, Melody will show things off as usual but I would be happier with just us and a few others. We have no need of a big ceremony and I rather prefer avoiding all the issues that come with that many people in a room.” Standing in the center of the church, between the rows of seats as he looked over things, he paused and ran a hand through his bangs at their response.
“I could do that… I have a feeling speaking in private may go just as bad as things did with Mel privately before you managed to reason with her.” The weariness in his voice settled in deep, coming out as he sighed and sat down in one of the pews.
“There is time to sort it all out and figure out a plan for Desiree to get in an out without being discovered as a Mauvian by my sister. I know she wants to avoid Mel but really it will be impossible at the wedding so we have to make sure things go smoothly.” Aloysius would need Liam to play middle man again, something his partner was amazing at when it came to his sister and mauvian.
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