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.
senseandcecilbility: (Holy sh--)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-29 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Such display of creepiness is met with a scandalized whisper:]

M-Mister Break, that was not what I meant!

[How can Break's metaphors (or euphemisms?) be even worse than his? Still, that quite effectively stops his sobbing. All thoughts about punishment and lost wings supplanted by far more recent memories.

He

has

never

been

so

mortified

in his whole life.

And now he has found himself in a particularly awkward position. If he disengages his face from Break's shoulder, one might notice how absurdly scarlet it has become.
]
senseandcecilbility: (William)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-29 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
M-Mister Br--!!!

[The sobbing has restarted. This time for completely different reasons. Break might notice the difference by the fact that Kevin is now showering his chest with weak and desperate punches of protest.]
senseandcecilbility: (praying)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-29 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Kevin withdraws just a little bit, but only to strengthen Mister Break's shirt collar and properly tie that ridiculous cravat of his.]

I can assure you, sir, that George does not tease Clarence as much as you tease me.

[And with that, he attempts to recover some of his long lost dignity, even if he is still sniffling like a child and his face is gleaming with tears.]
senseandcecilbility: (happy birthday)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-30 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[...The sentiment of perfect ambience, Kevin muses, could be summarized in two simple thoughts: "Not in public!" and "I don't want this to ever end." Today, the latter wins, just like his raging attachment issues.

He lets his head fall back on Break's shoulder, simultaneously fretting and smiling like an idiot.
]

That only proves that you are completely out of your mind,sir...
senseandcecilbility: (It's going to be AMAZING)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-30 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Mad angels are dangerous beings, he should have pointed out. But he focuses on the movie instead, up to the point in which George is saved by those whose lives he had touched. The final ring of bells reduces him to a sobbing mess again. This time, a happy sobbing mess.]

Human beings are so...

[Beautiful, really. Especially when they are not making terrible choices. No wonder God loves them so.]

We should watch more! Together...

[He holds Break's hand and squeezes it. He will bring food from the kitchen so they will not need to leave this room for a whole week!]
senseandcecilbility: (Default)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2013-12-30 11:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Considering the mental, emotional and physical strain of nuclear war on his territory, the resurrection of Solomon and four disconsolate months away from young master, this angel is - for the time being - too happy for words. Break might notice how warm his touch has become, the familiar divine aura subtly spreading to meet his, pleasant and peaceful.]

I promise.