maddeninghatter: (debonair)
Xerxes Break ([personal profile] maddeninghatter) wrote in [community profile] exsiliumlogs2013-12-15 12:10 pm

[ Open ] A Home for the Holidays

Date & Time: December 10th - 21st
Location: The Museum of Old and New(ish) Art
Characters: Xerxes Break and you. Information about and a map to the castle has been left in the Transporter Facility, so anyone interested in renovating a warm and secure (if weird) place to stay is welcome.
Summary: An eccentric billionaire’s 27th century medieval-replica castle/art museum/hotel lies abandoned and half-buried in the snow. It’s going to take a lot of work to renovate, but hey it’s more kid-friendly than a brothel. Right? Right?
Warnings: None.

The 1980's ski-wear themed snow suits Break brought back from this mission proved to be a hit with the local population (so stylish!), as were Mister Cecil's ugly Christmas sweaters, so they have been able to trade for goods and some technical services, to help make this place more livable. Supplies from the DITR have also been a great help. However, a lot of work needs to be done: cleaning and vermin-smiting and clearing away snow. Come and help, or simply explore.

(ooc: feel free to start threads willy-nilly, action-spam or prose, name your time and place, threadjack and mingle.)


(1) Museum:

The stairway forces you straight down, past four floors, into the very dungeons of the castle. There are no windows; it was artificially lit, although the electricity isn't on at present. However, the old geothermal power generation system in the structure is simple and robust, so only a small amount of tweaking will be required to get it operational once more. In the meantime, the DITR has kindly supplied you with bright uber-LED flashlights and batteries with advanced energy storage, meaning they should stay lit for weeks. Should.

As soon as you emerge in the dungeons, you’ll find yourself lost in a maze of gallery after gallery. High sandstone walls rise up, towering over everything. What was once a set of opulent velvet curtains lining the art spaces hang in rags, having long since been devoured by rats.

Many of the paintings are destroyed, but most are intact, as are the sculptures and installations, preserved in the deep freeze. The subject matter is bizarre and disturbing. Take this human centipede for instance. And what on earth does this machine do? What’s that smell….

However, some of the “artworks” are playful and interactive. Try a game of ping pong on an accordion-shaped table; or jump on a trampoline in a cage with bells underneath; or find the white library, full of blank books (don’t deface the art!).

Try not to get lost.


(2) Castle/Hotel:

The upper levels of the castle were hotel rooms, long ago. Alas, all of the sheets and bedding were made into nests by rats. Here too, the lush velvet curtains hang in rags, and the wool carpets over the stone floors have lost their battle to the moths.

Yet most of the furniture remains intact, as well as the elaborate chandeliers. Compact heaters will keep the spaces at a near-comfortable temperature, and sleeping bags will do for now.

Let’s get cleaning!


(3) R&R

All that hard work has finally paid off. The geothermal power system is now providing electricity and abundant steam heat, and multiple hotel rooms are in habitable shape. Most importantly, the kitchen is functional. it's time to relax with a cup of hot spiced wine (or chocolate) and pastry. Some mischievous person has hung mistletoe over various random entranceways, so look sharp!


(4) Playing in the snow

The weak December sun makes an appearance, illuminating the ice crystals in the frigid air, creating a sun dog. The snow sparkles like white diamonds. It’s still freezing, but how can you stay inside on a day like this? Anyway, the snow needs shoveling, but perhaps there’s time to make a snowman (or snow angels).


(5) Penguins:

In addition to vermin of the four-legged, tailed and whiskered variety, this castle is home to a flock of penguins. These might be the principal reason the castle has lain abandoned all these years. They can be found anywhere in or around the structure. Approach with caution. Or better yet —



— run away.
devotedtothecore: (mandatory spelunking.)

[personal profile] devotedtothecore 2013-12-31 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ahh, modern appliances... a constant reminder of that "certain level" he's still catching up on. ]

It would depend on the era of make. But I could certainly take a look...
retraced: (stfu Vincent)

[personal profile] retraced 2013-12-31 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[The penguins standing on top of the roombas are thrown off if they aren't smart enough to abandon them first, but Rosette is correct. They do explode, which makes Gilbert fear and despise them about five billion times more than he had before. He steps to the side and bumps her shoulder, urging her to run for the next flight of stairs while the penguins hopefully flee in the opposite direction.]

I can't believe they actually exploded...
senseandcecilbility: (angelic)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-01 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
[He is a little mesmerized, but not by the movie.

Regardless, silence has been achieved.
]
senseandcecilbility: (So be it purple)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-01 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
[It is Princess of Mars by Burroughs, the borrowed book Kevin had lost for choosing to stay in Exsilium when it was about to get nuked. It is even the same edition.]
senseandcecilbility: (Holy sh--)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-01 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
[It occurs to Kevin at this right moment that they are on the second floor and that he cannot possibly fly in front of Mister Gilbert. Regardless, he joins him on the pulpit, holds the human's free hand, and plunges into the empty space created by the creepy Jesus' demise.

Perhaps the snow will cushion their fall...
]
timehalt: (pic#6290054)

[personal profile] timehalt 2014-01-01 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ Eheh. ]

I, ah, you see he said he got cold easily and I wanted to check on him to see if he would be all right here! He said he'd be moving in today, so...

I thought I might find him on the way here!
timehalt: (pic#6290192)

[personal profile] timehalt 2014-01-01 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Miranda has her face shielded, trying desperately not to antagonize the monster further. ]

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I swear I didn't mean to interrupt you! I--I wasn't trying to exorcise you or anything! I--I'm not qualified for that! So--so please don't hurt me! I promise I'll leave right away!
timehalt: (pic#6290211)

[personal profile] timehalt 2014-01-01 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ It takes Miranda a few guesses and scalded fingers 'ouch!' to get him his coffee, but at the end of it there's a steaming mug in front of him and maybe a biscuit if she's found where Gil's put them. That done, Miranda stands nervously off to the side after, wringing her red hands. What should she do next? ]

Are you sure this is all you need? It won't be any trouble to find a doctor.
soul_sister: (A stretch limo?)

[personal profile] soul_sister 2014-01-01 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[This time, as they get up the next flight of stairs, there's no whir, no angry honking.. It might... it might JUST be over. JUST IN CASE, she slams the door behind him as they pass and sits down against it, panting.]

Yeah... It wasn't supposed to do it the first time.
retraced: (you fucking--)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-01 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[He leans both hands against the wall to prop himself up while he catches his breath.]

We can't trust modern machinery any longer-!
retraced: (it's only in your mind)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-01 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[They're already aware of what's outside, so Gilbert turns them both down that hallway, still squinting in the bright light.]

There's a sign for a theater. Maybe there's a stage?
retraced: (you know I nearly fell down)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-01 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm -

[He's half-dozing by the time she returns, but the smell of the coffee alone energizes him enough to sit up and take it from her. And also opens his eyes wide enough to notice her hands. No amount of exhaustion can keep Gilbert Nightray from fussing.]

Are you all right? What happened?
retraced: any icon marked "please do not take" was given as a gift from my RP partners; please don't repost/use on tumblr (dreaming of butterflies)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-01 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's not until about halfway down that Gilbert realizes just how bad this idea truly is. But there is a soft snowdrift beneath them, and if one knows the correct way to fall without hurting oneself, then one can come out of a good deal of otherwise harmful situations unscathed. Of course, those people generally aren't running for their lives from killer penguins either.

Sooooo into the snow they go! Plop!]
soul_sister: (.....................................)

[personal profile] soul_sister 2014-01-02 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Did you trust it to start with?! I bet there's some mad scientist cackling about it RIGHT NOW.
retraced: (this town is coming like a ghost town)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-02 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Oh - nothing is broken yet. [He explains before going on.] I'm just expecting it to happen sooner or later.

[Given who has moved into this place so far, this probably shouldn't come as a shock.]
senseandcecilbility: (Solomon)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-02 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
[The angel is used to landing, but only as much as birds are. It occurs to him that this is the second time since his arrival that he tosses himself out of a window and just then remembers he cannot use his wing. A bad habit, no doubt.

Since he graciously jumped head first as he is prone to, he face plants in the fluffy snow like a majestic creature, still holding Gilbert's hand for moral support.
]
retraced: (waiting on the rain)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-02 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Some of it is useful.

[He stands upright then, stretching his back and rubbing at one of his shoulders.]
retraced: (hoping for a frigid air)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-02 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Face down into the snow they both go. At least it's soft enough - and deep enough to cushion the fall. Except now they're both lying in identical foot deep human shaped snow-holes holding hands. This is a problem, but not as big of a problem as a broken neck.

Gilbert spits out a mouthful of snow and groans as he attempts to sit up.]
senseandcecilbility: (This time I messed up)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-02 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Slowly but surely, Kevin lifts his face. He too notices the same in the snow and at least manages represses a mortified sob. He was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but now he is a wet and freezing angel.]

Are...are you all right?

[Are you in need of any stabbings, my friend?
Edited 2014-01-02 03:04 (UTC)
retraced: (keep your eyes on me)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-02 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
[No stabbings necessary, but he might have a sore neck for a day or two.]

I'm okay. [With some effort, he turns to look back up at the shattered window before looking back at Kevin over the edge of the snow.]

Are you hurt?
senseandcecilbility: (in the shadows)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-02 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Following Gilbert's gaze, he attempts to shake the snow off his hair much like a puppy would.]

I am cold. [Something that could have been easily fixed if Mister Gilbert were not there. Being a human is hard. Not for the first time, Kevin wonders how they have managed that far.] I believe...I believe we should hang up a warning sign outside the chapel's door.

[Because the only other believer he knows in this place is Sister Rosette, and he doesn't want to imagine what she would do if she found the chapel populated by angry penguins.]
retraced: (end the reign)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-02 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Gilbert doesn't want to imagine it either, but if he did there would definitely be fire and explosions. And he doesn't want to scrub any more burn marks out of upholstery this week.

He stumbles to his feet and shakes the snow off as well, his teeth starting to chatter.]


Good idea. D-do we have any paper?
devotedtothecore: (books in brooks.)

[personal profile] devotedtothecore 2014-01-02 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Do I detect a note of long-suffering in that voice, he wonders, as he starts on the cinnamon bread. ]

Ah. I see.

...preferably later [ chomp ] in all honesty, as [ chomp ] would be best I did the larger [ chomp ] matters first.

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