[OPEN!] Let's go to the Christmas Market!

[merchants]

Who: EVERYONE!
What: Rose Bonbright has organized a bus and sent out invitations to all numbered that she has contact information of, asking them to inform everyone else about the trip to the Nuremberg Christmas Market that she's organizing. There was also a sign to the same end at the Hotel in Reutte where some numbered are staying. And today is the day! The bus leaves around 11am Central European Time (5am EST) and leaves Nuremberg late at night when the market closes down.
Where: Germany - on the bus and at the Christmas Market
When: 29th of November
How: Please just start your own threads and tag around, there's no top level comments this time!

And this is where we're going:

(description below is an excerpt of this.)

If you deviate an inch, you may never get out. Snowflakes lit by lasers are drifting down on the market square. Toasting sugared almonds spice the biting air. A jingling horse-drawn coach parades the Christ Child's Angel – a girl chosen to symbolise the city that styles itself "The Capital of Christmas".

Medieval Nuremberg, ringed by walls with 80 towers, sheltered by the castle of the Holy Roman Emperors, seems like something out of a fairy tale at any time of year. But in dark December it dazzles, its 400-year-old Christkindlesmarkt the prototype for Christmas markets across Europe.

Though the Nazis shamed its name and Nuremberg faces that past heads-on, the ancient capital of Franconia now bustles with the confidence it possessed in the days before they came. The fountain-dotted central square, a glorious montage of medieval buildings, is one of Europe's most captivating. At the Beautiful Fountain, a 60ft-tall golden confection, passers-by tiptoe to turn the brass ring that for 600 years has made wishes come true. Crowds gather at the Frauen Church to watch the clockwork procession of Emperor Charles the Fair's medieval knights.

Today the snowy squares beneath the castle resemble antique Christmas cards. Icicles drape fountains. There are inns with glowing stoves to thaw our freezing feet. The quaint house of Albrecht Dürer, Nuremberg's most famous son, illuminates the life of the 15th-century artist, scientist and author.

The city's 43 museums range from the vast Germanisches Museum's Bronze Age gold horns via Dutch Old Masters to Bauhaus design and the Museum of Toys. The master toy-makers of Nuremberg have apparently worked for Father Christmas since he filled his first sack. The market has toys in every colour, shape and size, sold on stalls manned by local trades-people who forsake warm shops for the convivial chill (an ancient guild of wardens prohibits piped music and cheap plastic trash). Another lovely square holds the children's Christmas market and we watch web-savvy children falling under its spell.

As the frost falls, stars appear, crowds thicken at the glühwein booths and at a stall barbecuing sausages (it's been here since 1420). Near the crib a band strikes up. Not even Scrooge could feel grumpy here. And at some point in the future when the Nuremberg's Nazis seem as implausible as the Grimm Brothers' ogres, we're sure the Christkindles-markt will still be going strong.

[Please keep in mind that Nuremberg is outside of the echo boundaries and all echoes will thus be at 10%. Memories of the network will still be present but feel a bit unreal and kind of fuzzy. The network is not accessible from outside of the echo boundaries.

People don't have to take the bus back to the Neuschwanstein Area, they can also take the train if they want to afterparty or stay a few days.]

Comments

[Open]

[espigeonage]

Out here Julien does not look human, exactly, especially since he's often holding himself like he's imitating a dinosaur. But there are a lot fewer feathers on him and his body temperature is considerably lower, so venting excess heat isn't a big problem anymore. He seems shrunken.

Once over the boundary he'd bundled up, putting long sleeves under the blue cloak-cape that had been a birthday present. Thick fingerless glove/mitten combos warm his hands without getting too tangled or impaled by his claws. But he hadn't thought to bring thicker pants, ones not modified for a tail, and the wrappings he wound around his oversized grasping feet are not adequate. He stamps and shivers and gets out of the wind a lot.

Over the boundary he feels a little steadier. Still when he's not talking to someone his face is usually oddly serious, even wistful as he takes in the sights. Julien prefers to talk to people.

[hustru]

Despite having lost most of her numbered traits, Floweregg still rides on Siiri's shoulder - or rather, in her hood, because it is cold and the little dog has mostly been inside these past months, so she couldn't get used to the colder weather.

Siiri notices Julien as someone who was on the bus when they drove here and waves at him to come over while she waits outside a bakery where Åsa's currently standing in line to get them some food. Downsides of having a dog with you: Not being allowed into places that sell food.

[espigeonage]

Julien beams at the attention and of course comes over, his breath pluming in the cold air. He's on the balls of his feet, standing like a dinosaur or someone in high heels.

"Hello!" For a moment he'd gone blank on the greeting, but Julien's used to that happening out here. He waves, his claws hidden by the mitten, and resumes hugging himself under his cloak. "I don't know that we've met! Julien Sakazaki!"

ota

[hustru]

1.
[Siiri has quickly claimed the backseat row for herself, Åsa and Floweregg, and there both Siiri and Floweregg can be found during the drive. ...Floweregg becomes nonverbal as soon as they leave the echo boundaries, but she still remains a bit too intelligent for a normal dog, and Siiri is rather occupied with telling her that no, she cannot run through the bust while it is driving.]

2.
[Siiri will walk around the market with Floweregg on her arm so nobody steps on her in the crowd, and usually Åsa somewhere in the general vicinity. Every time she comes across a numbered there is a short wave and nod of greeting. Approach?]

2

[vaimo]

Åsa finds Floweregg's silence a little worrying, and almost disconcerting after getting so used to the puppy's voice, but she resists the urge to say anything. She doesn't want to worry her or Siiri, after all! The dimmed effect of her strength is also disconcerting and when they arrive and she stands she finds herself so disorientated for a moment that she has to hold onto Siiri to stop herself stumbling.

After that, though, she's fine: better than fine. It feels like a load has been lifted off her chest and whatever reasons she had for being slightly awkward and unsure seem rather silly out here, so she has no qualms about showering the taller woman in more than normal physical affection: her fingers brushing over her arm as she leans in to stroke Floweregg; standing with her back against Siiri's chest as they look at stalls (to stop them taking up so much space!); even giving into the desire to run her fingers lightly through her hair once or twice. It's nice, and she's not sure if it's the atmosphere of the market or being out of the echo boundary that's unleashed it.

The market, though. If there was anything that could distract her from Siiri, this is it. All of her love of Christmas and winter and buying gifts seems to have been bottled and then released over the city, and it's hard to get her to stand still as she flits from stall to stall, trying hard to keep her purse in her bag, constantly reminding herself that she only has so many euros. Although she does have to break away from Siiri every now and again because how else is she going to buy her something?

Grabbing her hand again, she tugs, gently but firmly pulling her on to the next stall. "Here, let's see what's here!"

[hustru]

Siiri for her part is no less awkward than usual, but at the same time... somehow it feels more natural between them, as if some additional source of awkward was gone, and that is nice.

What is also nice is having Åsa so close, and being able to take her hand or slip an arm around her with the excuse of not wanting to lose her, or to steady her, or to take up less space, or... just being close without it being odd. Because she doesn't want it to be odd for the other woman, never.

It's always a disappointment to have her let go of her hand, but at the same time very nice when Åsa renews the contact. To know that it is happening so surely is more reassuring than anything really.

It's a store with nativity scene figures and houses and everything that a person could possibly need for a nativity scene (there is even a small castle for the background on one of the shelves). Siiri ponders everything, though only after stepping around Åsa, half behind her so more people can look at the things before them.

1

[italktofish]

[It's a puppy! Outrageous! Arthur is just going to try to sneak the puppy a bit of beef jerky, because that's a good thing to have on hand for a long bus ride...and outside the echo boundaries, it's kind of hard to worry about whether or not it came from a talking animal.]

[notbloody]

[She will excitedly take the beef jerky and chew on it with force while Siiri is preoccupied with something else, and then manage to sneak away later and weasel her way through legs to Arthur's place. More beef jerky?]

[professorwolf]

1. [CLOSED]

The timing of this invitation couldn't be more perfect. Lyall had all but insisted Nick come with him to have an evening of actual fun, for once, instead of work or plotting suicidal missions or moping, and Nick actually hadn't protested too much. So here they are, hand in hand, walking down the snow-covered street peering in shop windows, examining merchant stall sales, and standing by the fountain looking up at the lovely buildings all around.

Even without all his memories and pulses, Lyall's still aware that things aren't all right at home-- while he doesn't recall the mafia plot, exactly, he knows Nick wants to do something dangerous to avenge a loved one, Anthony-- but he's also determined not to let it ruin the evening out. "It almost makes a grown man want to buy a toy," he comments, standing outside the famous toy shop and watching the people inside with a smile.

2. [OPEN]

Separated from Nick for a few minutes, Lyall's at one of the candy vendors. There's not a ton he remembers about being a werewolf in Locke, but he does know he can't have chocolate-- and he loves chocolate. So while he's away, he's sneaking a bit of the forbidden food: he's buying himself a small bag of mixed chocolates. He'll have to eat them all here, before crossing the line back into the echo boundary, but that's not exactly a hardship.

[detectivetroll]

Of course Nick had agreed. It feels like there's very little he's doing for Lyall these days, and even though he's trying to balance how he feels about about Anthony's death with the fact that Lyall's pretty much the only thing keeping him going, he knows he's not really doing that great of a job.

There's little he can do tonight with either work or the aforementioned suicide mission, anyway.

Being away from the pulse boundary isn't enough to make him forget Anthony, or the fact that he has something important to do back home, but it does dull it, a little. Especially with Lyall right there beside him; he hasn't forgotten the way he feels about Lyall, either.

Nick's smiling, too, but it's directed entirely at Lyall, as he watches him look in through the window. "Let's get you one. I bet there'll be something in there for you. Maybe a little stuffed sheep."

[professorwolf]

"Oh, now that's funny, to offer a stuffed sheep to a werewolf." At least he's not denying it anymore. The partial changes he suffers well outside the echo boundaries have long since been enough to convince him of that. He's still amused when he comments, "You know, it does make my college research topics a little bit ironic, I will certainly admit that."

Note that he hasn't actually turned down the suggestion, though.

[espigeonage]

"Hey! Lyall!" After the distance and weariness of just a few days ago, Julien seems... like himself. Just as intended. "They have jellybeans? I promised a friend something."

Open!

[charcoalfeather]

1. [Rakka had taken a seat somewhere in the middle of the bus, letting her look out the window at all the lights and people outside. Outside of the echo boundaries, her halo disappeared, though her wings still remained. It made her look even more festive than before, in a way.]

2. [Walking through the market, Rakka will be doing some window shopping, while also looking for any of her friends that may have came with the invitations too. There was quite a bit here, and Rakka knew that she had to get things for her friends.

But... what?]

2.

[scarlet_devil]

[Emi's around, naturally, only it's clear that she doesn't have her wings on display. They've gotten small enough for her to easily hide and allow her to wrap up more than she would have been able to otherwise.

She's alone, though... No Dani in sight, but she happens to be frowning at her phone and unaware of Rakka approaching. It seems Dani is with a fellow Numbered, so at least she's not alone.]

2

[originaloddcouple]

[Despite the fact Granny Harvent has been in town (and has been for quite some time now that they think about it) the Dians are feeling... pretty darn good. After all, she doesn't stay at their place (even if they have the space again), and they got Rakka there to make sure they aren't lonely. That's not getting into the great network of people they've met over the last year.

Therefore, its time to get some Christmas presents. They're practically bouncing off the walls as they try to brainstorm a gift for each and every person on the network. And a few off-network too.]

Raye likes scary movies, right?

[Open]

[italktofish]

[1]
[It's a bus ride! Arthur used to drive a bus! So he is a professional, and he can't just sit still. Outside the Echo boundaries, Arthur's put on 90% of the weight he lost when he echoed back a superheroic physique, but he's hiding most of it under a hideous Christmas sweater.]

Hey, you think they'd let me drive the bus? FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE?

[2]
[Arthur can be found doing one of two things when they reach their destination. He's either trying any and all sweets he can find at the food booths, or trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for Granny Curry back home.]

1

[peacefulwinter]

[In a way, she's missed this. Arthur has always been loud, but at the same time, he's straightforward. She needs more of that in her life. Probably.]

Setting the question of a driver's license aside, it's possible. Although, isn't it nice to be in the back of the bus for once, instead of the front?

[open]

[peacefulwinter]

The bus ride was a bit of an interesting trip for Winter; she feels it the moment they cross the border again, something she hadn't experienced in a few months. The feeling of separation from herself, of her posture changing just a little, of Raquel turning colder all of a sudden as he falls from her shoulder into her lap, and she scrambles to catch the no longer sentient plushie. But in a way... she's comfortable with herself, now. She's regained an identity aside from "Cure Diamond" that she can project with confidence, and she feels like she can deal with the world again, in a way she'd been struggling with since almost a year ago. To that end, she's upbeat and social on the bus ride to Nuremberg.

As they step off the bus, Winter's face lights up; this is her kind of place, and as her scarf flutters in the breeze, she's grinning and wondering aloud what to do first. She does need to pick up a few Christmas gifts, still, and she's also definitely in the mood for something tasty and warm to snack on. Over the course of the day, she can be seen with a steadily-increasing load of packages and bags in her hands, though just enough of her ill-gotten strength remains to help her cope with it all. On occasion, she'll just look up at the sky, or out at the mass of people, and she'll just pause and smile. It's been a long time since she felt like she could blend into a crowd, and she's taking the opportunity in stride.

Her Japanese is tellingly rusty all of a sudden, and she doesn't really speak anything else reliably aside from English, but she'll still try and talk to anyone that looks her way, and Winter will definitely call out to anyone she knows already, or anyone she recognizes from the bus ride over. She's experienced all this enough to know that even if she's firing on all cylinders, there's a bit of a disconnect, and she's willing to patch it up as best she can.

Generally, Winter can be seen in the vicinity of Lily, and often Jasmine as well. Before her hands start to get full, she'll be holding Raquel in her arms, then in one arm, and eventually she'll just stash him in a pocket. Hopefully he doesn't fall out... or get stolen.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Winter isn't the only one whose arms end up loaded down with things. Lily's taking the opportunity to do some shopping herself - for friends, her sister and father, Winter herself (who may or may not be the subject of Lily more closely guarding certain bags from prying eyes) and even Winter's parents which becomes... an odd sensation once she realizes just what she's doing.

The opportunity to get away even for a day is welcome, however. Even if they're already pretty "away" as it is, even if those memories remain intact more, there's still something... relaxing about stepping outside the boundaries for a little bit, even as much as she sort of hates to admit it. There's a part of her that kind of needs to rejuvenate herself, and being able to pretend she is just a normal young woman for a few hours is... good, for a small break at least.

"Winter honey, I think by the time we get going back, there's going to be more bags than you. Do you need any help with that?"

[open]

[feastorfamine]

Amy had arrived on the bus at the same time as Winter and the others, but she didn't recognize the girl until they were all already off of it. The thing had been packed, so she had an excuse. By the time Amy had run into her, they were both getting snacks, Amy carrying her own bag of presents for both her family members and Saretha.

Ohhh, chocolate. Amy loved chocolate, and Nuremberg didn't disappoint whatsoever. As she happily snacked on it, she finally noticed Winter, and her eyes widened a bit.

"Ah, Winter!" she cried, holding up her hand. "I-It's me! Amy!"

Amy didn't know if she could really call Winter one of her friends yet, but... for some reason, she felt good seeing her.

[Open]

[scarlet_devil]

One of the first things she noticed upon leaving the echo boundary was that she needed to breathe. As in, she had a heartbeat, most of her bodyheat... She was alive. Mostly. Not only that, outside the boundary, she didn't even need her parasol.

The vampire found that her wings had shrunk to the point she could easily hide them under her clothes, which is fortunate since she can feel the cold again. Meaning, of course, she's wrapped up warmer than usual.

[prismaticdestruction]

Being outside the echo boundary felt weird to Dani. She was wrapped up as warmly as she could, as her wings had not seemed to shrink. Either way, the little vampire kept close, shivering every once in a while just due to the metal but seems to pretend like it doesn't bother her. Which at the moment, it isn't her worry.

That would be the fact that this place is HUGE and she feels like getting lost would be a very bad idea. So Dani will be gripping gently on a sleeve when she can, although she is looking at getting a few things for Christmas. It was going to be weird..but determination and plain old stubbornness was going to keep her going.

"Emi..This place is really pretty."

[Open]

[prismaticdestruction]

(1)

[Even if she's so used to being on buses, it does not stop the small vampire from excitedly pressing her face against the glass to watch the world go by. Even though as they pass the boundary the only noticeable reaction from her is her shivering hard before again watching out the window.]

(2)

[At some point, Dani does get away from her cousin to do some shopping. First Christmas without being anywhere near her family was going to be rough, but there wasn't anything that she could do about that. For now, her attention is on getting a few things for presents. Between a small necklace with a red gem pendant to silly trinkets, Dani was jumping around at random because she wasn't sure exactly what to get.]

Um...What about this...

2

[goldenflames]

[Sure, she did get away from Emi, but before long who would Dani run into but Yelena? The tall blonde was here for much the same reason Dani was, she was looking for something for her own cousin. Trying to decide what to get is no less simply for her, though.]

You sure about that one?

[seed_of_memory]

Fuyuka had opted to come along on this on Natalie's invitation, though the two of them had separated for a bit. Nevertheless, her roommate was, as was often the case, on her mind, especially as Fuyuka looked at all the families and couples that were in attendance.

On one hand, it made her feel a measure of regret, but on the other, she was also thankful. This was the first time she'd had a chance to spend Christmas with someone in a very long time, and she wanted to make this special for both of them.

... At the same time, certain questions hovered over her head. Where were they both now. What direction were they heading? In any case, those were some of the thoughts on Fuyuka's mind as she stood, quietly looking into a Nuremberg jewelry store window, wondering if anything inside was worth buying.

Of course, it should be noted, Fuyuka seemed to be missing the spirit of the outing. The atmosphere, the feeling of camaraderie and christmas cheer... this was all thanks to her unique talent to be alone in a crowd of people, it seemed.