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: (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: (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?
senseandcecilbility: (what is my life)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-02 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh no, Mister Gilbert is cold too.]

Yes, yes I do.

[He offers his notebook, hoping to use the brief touch of their fingers to discreetly convey a little sunny heat.]
retraced: (not sure what I'm looking at)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-04 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Gilbert takes it, frowning a little at the sudden rush of warmth. Well, that's strange. Flipping it open to the back, he tears out a sheet of paper before handing it back over, no longer shivering. Maybe he's finally getting used to this cold weather.]

Ah. Thank you.
senseandcecilbility: (The meadows where we play)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-04 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
[The most innocent smile is bestowed upon Mister Gilbert.]

You are welcome. Shall we return to the castle? Hot cocoa, perhaps?

[Kevin stands up and offers him a helping hand. Apparently, being hunted down by killer penguins and jumping out of a window did not dampen his spirits.]

retraced: (and do no wrong)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-04 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[He folds the paper and puts it in his pocket before reaching out and letting Kevin help him up, brushing the snow off of his clothes and shaking it out of his hair like a wet puppy.]

That sounds like a good idea. Oz will probably want some soon.

[They've wasted a lot of time with this penguin thing; it'll be time for afternoon snacks soon enough. DAMN YOU PENGUIN DISTRACTS.]

After I put up this sign...
senseandcecilbility: (Content)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-04 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kevin laughs a delicious laughter.]

I was talking about you, Mister Gilbert. Certainly we can still spare ten minutes or so. We have managed to secure the kitchen, after all.

[He turns around and goes back into the castle, planning to feed Mister Gilbert properly once more.]
retraced: (nobody feels me cold)

[personal profile] retraced 2014-01-05 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. Um...

[Shhh he's bad at letting people fuss over him. >':]

All right. Let's go.

[And then they lived happily ever after and penguin-free. For now.]
senseandcecilbility: (if I had wings!)

[personal profile] senseandcecilbility 2014-01-05 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, the joy of penguin-freedom!]