stellafortunalogs | MAY MINGLE

May Mingle: Entombed City
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
Everyone's hard work resulted in the gate to upper Dragonspine opening. These ruins have not been traversed in years, if not centuries - everything within has been lost to time and living memory. An entire city has been buried in the snow.

People once lived there. The broken buildings host damaged furniture and weathered streets. There are various cloth-covered mounds in a house here and there, accompanied by a sprig of blue flowers. Someone has laid these people to rest after they passed away.

Traces of technology can be found in the city - golden boxes that contain crystals capable of recording and playing back holograms. One of the boxes introduces this place as Vindagnyr; a land once full of greenery and life. Just what happened to these people? What caused the eternal winter?

The highest point in the city is occupied by a temple built into a Domain. Within the Domain is a pale white tree, split in half by a strange object that has fallen through the Domain's ceiling. This temple was once a site for worship for Vindagnyr's people, and even in death they continue to pray for salvation. The priests have been frozen in ice, and the sheer cold emanating from the Skyfrost Nail makes it obvious that it is the cause of winter.

The city's inhabitants worshipped Celestia. Why then were they left to die?

State of the World

On October 1st, the entombed city of Vindagnyr becomes open for exploration. Travelers can choose to look for clues or try to scavenge the city for ancient materials or tools. Recording boxes all around the city tell stories of Vindagnyr's greener past, and of the days when winter suddenly arrived. This is the cruelty of Celestia that Forneus wished you to see.

For all questions regarding May's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he shakes his head. ] No, no, I insist. You said it yourself that you're not used to this kind of cold, aren't you?

[ if she's not going to take it, he'll get behind persephone and drape his coat over her shoulders for her instead. and he'll even lean in to whisper in her ear: ]

We'll thoroughly warm you up once we get away from here.

[ figaro read the room challenge

he pulls away just as quickly, absorbing more of the landscape. ]

Well, we may as well take a look around while we're here. But if you're still not up for it, I understand. [ he's used to investigate things on his lonesome, it's fine. ]

[In response Persephone slants her lips, clearing not willing to just take the jacket. Though she has no argument when he moves behind her and drapes it over her shoulders, hesitating before acquiescing with a sigh. The whisper does catch her by surprise, her breath hitching for a moment, but it's enough to get a low chuckle from her.

But for now, exploring. And while she isn't looking forward to this at all, she also refuses to let herself falter in the face of this. So she's quick to step over to his side and loop her arm around his. Not investigating on his own today!]

Of course I'm coming. I've come this far, so I shan't stop now. [Then she smiles faintly, her tone becoming a little lighter. An attempt to keep spirits up.] Besides, I can't let you walk around on your lonesome

[ oh, she actually took him up on his offer. figaro actually blinks in surprise when she links arms with him. ]

Eh? I'm not a little child that can easily get lost, you know? [ he laughs. he's just that used to being alone. ] But if you insist. We should look around and see what the other looters might've missed.

[ since they aren't the first people who've set foot here, apparently. ]

Oh, I'm very aware. But it does my heart good to be in your company. [It's said in a light, teasing tone - but Persephone is still being genuine. She would really prefer not to be alone, and she likes Figaro's company.

But she nods in agreement, still keeping her arm linked with his as they head into the city. Though there's the slight tensing of her arm around his as they venture in deeper, the sight of the bodies tugging at some unpleasant memories she refuses to bring to the surface. At least someone, or many someones, had been kind enough to do some kind of simple burial for them. Yet her expression is calm and unflinching, quiet until her eye lands on some... odd gold box?]

What do you think that is? I've not seen anything like that before.

[ meanwhile, figaro's easygoing as always, though his smile's a little strained the more they explore this part of the mountain, squeezing persephone's arm in reassurance. this may not be his first time seeing this kind of landscape, but it's a sad thing to witness nonetheless, especially if it's with someone who's clearly uncomfortable with the situation they're in.

persephone's words snap him back to attention, and he brings themselves closer to the golden box. he crouches down on the ground, hands hovering over it. ]

Looks like something our previous guests overlooked. [ they could've just looted this very box for themselves, but... ] It's some sort of a recording device? Let's see here.

[ he fiddles with the box, until a recording of a certain little girl pops up. something about missing springtime and wanting to see the flowers again, her parents waiting for the gods to correct the weather, not knowing of the frozen prison they'd die in, and the recording ends with the girl still clutching a stuffed doll in her hands, blissfully unaware.

it's a heartwrenching sight, something that figaro can't even bear to process as the video wraps up. ]

[Persephone isn't sure what to expect, as they approach the little box - after all, there had to be a reason why it was avoided like this. She crouches down next to Figaro as they take a closer look, humming softly as he reaches for it, peering curiously before... something flickers to life. A recording of a little girl.

The recording makes it feel like the cold of the mountain has seeped inside her, every hopeful word of this little girl causing chilling dread and despair to swell inside her. She had hoped this winter would fade, and now they stand in the remains of her home ravaged by the deadly cold.

Persephone is silent for a few, long moments. She feels sick, every nerve alight in a nauseating mix of outrage and distress; she doesn't realise she's holding her breath before she releases it in a strained sigh.]

... We shouldn't linger. We're still susceptible to the cold. [Now, more than ever, she is grateful for Figaro's company. Persephone has seen much over the years, but things like this never become easier to handle. Especially when it resonates so strongly.]

Of course.

[ it's truly not easy, even if you're an immortal. he gets that sentiment all too well.

he gets up on his feet first, extending his hand towards persephone. ]

Here. Hold my hand.

[ he feels just as cold as their surroundings, but he's alive, if nothing else. it's more than enough. ]

MAY MINGLE

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the way this escaped my inbox ahhhh

IT'S OKAY!!!!

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