Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
As the year comes to an end, an abnormal cold snap has taken over Tendaji. The mountains of Zena are covered in a blizzard, and even the desert of Oba is feeling a bit of an abnormal chill.
[ What do you get up to during the cold? Do you find a place to warm up, or check up on a friend? ]
Torsten himself didn't mind the chill too much; he had a dense robe underneath his leathers and a scarf around his neck as he walked along his route. He didn't want to weigh himself down too much in case he was needed. It was amazing to see how the different people reacted to the strangely cold weather though. Some just put on more layers and went on with their lives. Some complained back and forth about the discomfort and bought extra cloaks. And some were outright offended. Those people made him smirk with amusement. There wasn't anything to be done about it, so what was the point of getting so worked up?
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:22 am
"There must be something that they can do!" Zuri whined as she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. The air was freezing! How could the city allow such circumstances to persist? The walk to the school back from visiting her mothers was usually easy enough. Today though, she wasn't sure she wouldn't turn into a popsicle before she got home. "I thought I was living in Oba."
She noticed someone walking toward her up ahead and frowned. Ugh. She didn't want to- oh! That was a guard! She picked up her pace and marched purposefully toward him. Oh, he looked... nice. She reined her irritation in just a little and cleared her throat. "Excuse me. What is the city planning to do about this cold?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:54 am
2
Noticing the woman approaching, Torsten pulled up his friendliest smile. A guardsman was always willing to assist the pub-..lic? His smile faltered with a mix of confusion and amusement. "What?" Had he heard that right? "Oh, I mean, yes, there is extra wood being shipped in from the mill to the north that is going to be available for purchase, and I believe I've heard about some people donating blankets to those who ask." He smiled encouragingly. "Otherwise, it's best for you to stay inside by the fire and eat something hot."
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:58 am
Zuri's brow knit slightly. Shipping in wood and blankets? The fur that lined her cloak was short but warm, and she gave it a demonstrative pet. "I don't need any more blankets to be walking around in, I assure you." She had been forced to tromp around in a blanket once... Never again! "You misunderstand though. What I mean is, when is the city going to make it warm again?" She fluffed up her collar for emphasis. "I can't afford to stay inside all day, and this chill is doing nothing for my vocal chords."
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:02 pm
3
Only sheer will of force kept Torsten's smile in place as a bite of wind snuck up the sleeve of his coat. His eyes shifted left and right, searching for any guardsman who might lurking about and watching from the shadows. Was this a prank? Where had they found this woman? "When.. is the city.. make it warm?" He stared for another long moment, smile faltering again. This had to be a joke. "You mean, you want the city to.. change the weather for you?"
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:44 pm
Zuri raised her chin, waiting with growing impatience for the guard to figure it out. Okay, maybe this guy had more brawn than brains. He was lucky that she was able to resist rolling her eyes! "Well, obviously the city can't change the weather." She sniffed and gestured to their surroundings. "They control the city itself though. The royal family has their fingers in every single pot. Don't try to tell me they can't do anything about this cold air."
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:01 pm
4
"Right. Obviously." It was another loooong moment of Torsten just trying to comprehend what this woman was saying. Was this really not a prank? "Ma'am, the city can't make the air warm except with the fires that it already has lit; and those can only heat a certain amount directly around them. That's why we're asking you to stay inside. Any heat made out here just vanishes with the wind. In a room, it'll stick around and warm the room." He glanced around again, waiting for someone to pop out and start laughing.
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:19 pm
This time, Zuri did roll her eyes a little. "In a room, in the city, what's the difference? The buildings are close enough together to hold in the heat." Now she was just being, well, she didn't know the word, but she was irked. "It's never been this cold before, and it's unacceptable." Noticing the regular looking around, Zuri also turned her head to look around. Was this guy signaling someone? "Excuse me!"
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:24 pm
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'Excuse me!' Torsten snapped his attention forward again. Okay, so, it wasn't a joke. At least not one by his fellow guardsmen. He could see with growing certainty that this woman didn't think it was a joke either... "Okay, ma'am, listen. Rooms work because they had enclosed walls and a ceiling. The city," he raised a hand to gesture upward, "does not have a ceiling. It is not enclosed. It's exposed to the open air. So, the heat has the whole sky to rise into. The fires are all the city can do. You need to do the rest yourself." Honestly!
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:31 pm
Zuri's posture curved with irritation. This man sure was being thick. "No, you need to listen. I don't like how cold it is, so it needs to change. The hot air always sticks around in the summer, so why can't they keep it in here now?" She took a step forward and crossed her arms. "Oba is hot, and Zena is cold. They're both exposed to your open air, but one manages to always be hot while the other is always cold." She stuck her chin out again and narrowed her eyes. "Otherwise, the whole of Tendaji would just be one temperature. So. Make. It. Warm."
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:45 pm
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Torsten inhaled a slow and deep breath. This seemed to be the epitome of the phrase 'just a pretty face.' He was starting to lose any hope of this conversation making any sense.
All at once, he smiled broadly and laughed. "Oh! Oh you mean that air. Yes, yes, of course. I assure you that I will go find the proper officials the moment I get back from my route and let them know that you don't like how cold it is. I'm sure it's just a mistake, because you're right; Oba never gets this cold." He straightened up with a click of his heels and put his fist over his chest. "The moment I get back." If you couldn't beat them..
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:50 pm
Zuri took a step back at the sudden shift in the guard's demeanor.
Finally.
She shook her head, her red curls bouncing from under the edge of her scarf around her face. "I am glad you finally see reason, but later is not good enough. As a gentleman of this city, surely they will understand your desire to take a break from your route in order to deliver the concerns of its dear citizens." Now that she could relax again, she pulled up her sweetest smile. "I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to let someone know how helpful you've been, Mister..?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:54 pm
7
Well... that had been too easy. Torsten almost felt bad that the woman was so ready to believe he'd flipped his faiths. But, if she really believed that the cities controlled the temperatures... "Ah, yes. I'll get right on it." He flinched slightly when she requested his name. Did he want to be associated with this event? Ah, but if she really did go looking to compliment or complain, it wouldn't be hard to identify him later. A false name would only get him in trouble. "Torsten, ma'am. And I'm always willing to help. Excuse me." He quickly spun on his heel and marched away, biting back the laughter that would come out once he was out of sight.
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:56 pm
Zuri was quite pleased with herself. She'd stepped up and made her wishes clear. She hadn't backed down to any condescending talk. Now, she could continue on, happy to know the city would soon be warmer again. "Torsten, yes, thank you."
A few moments later, as she was heading on her way again, she paused and cocked her head. Was that someone laughing?
