[Open] Hit the Slopes

[topgun_textiles]

Characters: Everyone!
Location: Mount Hood, Oregon
Rating: Varies
Time: July 28th - 29th
Description: Skiing! Hot chocolate! Snowball fights! Hiking! Folks of Death City say 'screw the heat' and decide to take a frosty vacation a few states away. COMMENCE MISCHIEF.



The discounted price came at a surprisingly good time. With the temperatures in Nevada climbing and no end in sight, it seems the owners of a Pacific Northwestern lodge took pity on the Meisters and Weapons of Shibusen and offered them a break from the heat. Despite it being July, the snow was still plentiful for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and innertubing! Dress warm, rent some gear or bring your own and have at it, they say!

From dawn to dusk, the mountain is lively on all sides, boarders and ski nuts to ski newbies enjoying a mid-week break while nature buffs take hikes over the trails on the greener side of the mountain, reachable by a short bus ride from the main lodge. Whether you're more into the powdery white or the vivid green, there's a spot for you to take a breather on Mount Hood.

The question is, where do you even start?



[I volunteered to put up the log for the Oregon trip, and here it is! Tag in to one, two, or all three of the areas noted and start your own open or closed threads within. Tag yourselves in (you guys know the drill), mingle, and enjoy!]

Comments

The Trails

[topgun_textiles]

The trails are mostly empty, well-tread winding paths through the greener side of the mountain. Look hard and you might catch sight of wild rabbits and deer if you're bored of the birdsong in the evergreen forests, but do keep your eyes peeled for subtle markers of ribbons and spray paint on the occasional tree. The trails are for you to explore, but take care not to stray too far and get lost! Or do, and become a crazed mountain hermit.

Open

[pishirogane]

[No skis on her feet and not concerned about falling over or getting lost, Naoto's trying to decide which hiking route to take, referring to the resort guide. Both wouldn't be anything too long, but it would soon be time to turn in for the evening IE, stay near or in the lodge. Seems as though she's planning on going alone. Why not hop up and join her?]

[vintage_magic]

[Having no idea how to ski, taking a walk in the woods seems like a better idea to Lily. After all, the witches of her world are typically aligned with nature and she hasn't been on a forest walk in this world without it involving demon hunting.]

[She walks into the area to find someone else has the same idea, someone she hasn't seen for a couple of weeks.]

Oh, hi, Naoto. Did that salve I gave to Kanji help? [She'd made a batch at his request after he mentioned that Naoto had acquired some markings that stung.]

[pishirogane]

[Naoto blinks and turns at her name, lowering the pamphlet in hand to address the woman with a nod.]

Yes, it did. Thank you for preparing it. [Though her back faintly ached, it was much better than before.]

[vintage_magic]

[A nod.] I'm glad it helped. [After a quick glance up and down at Naoto, trying to see if there's any visible injury left from that mission...] Are you okay now? Kanji said y'all had to stay in the clinic for a couple of days.

[pishirogane]

[There was nothing visible. It was difficult for Naoto to sustain typical injury once in Weapon form, but Kanji would have a few more scars.]

Yes. I realized there's a part of me that still wasn't willing to immediately cooperate with the new soul.

[vintage_magic]

Is that supposed to be normal with absorbing souls? I hadn't heard of issues like that before. [Not of anyone ending up in the clinic after absorbing a soul anyway. Although Lezard had admitted that he felt the demon souls sometimes.]

[pishirogane]

I don't believe so. I'm suspecting it could have something to do with my Persona. Until another Weapon becomes a Deathscythe, I have little else to go on.

[tauborn]

[He leans over her shoulder, peering at the map.]

Going for a hike, Naoto?

[pishirogane]

[It's a shock, but at least she doesn't haul off and accidentally hit him for coming up behind her like that.]

Yes. I was going to clear my head.

[tauborn]

[He raises an eyebrow.] Is it too full of things?

[pishirogane]

You could say that. It's mainly my thoughts are disorganized.

[tauborn]

[He pauses for a moment.] That seems very unlike you.

[pishirogane]

Does it?

[She rubbed her chin, head tilting.] How so?

[draculabackwards]

Oh, are you walking around out here as well, detective? *Alucard is dressed for outdoor weather. He certainly looks like he's enjoying it more than the desert sun back home!*

[pishirogane]

[She turned as Alucard approached and nodded]

Yes. I wanted to get away to think and also enjoy the scenery.

[draculabackwards]

Do you mind if I walk with you for a bit?

[pishirogane]

No, I don't mind.

[Though, now she's somewhat curious.]

[draculabackwards]

*He is quiet for a minute or two. Naoto is always fairly direct with advice and never questioning motives. As long as you weren't the defendant in a case, that is.* May I ask you something that might be of a...personal nature?

Alucard and Raidou (closed)

[draculabackwards]

*Was he really going to do it? Really tell his partner what had been on his heart for a long time now? He'd wanted to walk with Raidou for this purpose. He blamed Kanji for prodding him to this decision but truly, he would need to admit the truth to Raidou eventually. It might start to affect their resonance.*

I'm glad you could join me before it gets too dark, Raidou. *That seemed a safe way to start.*

hello I am not late at all

[timelessummoner]

[Raidou thought nothing odd of being asked for a walk. Indeed, the weather was ideal for it -- the air was pleasantly crisp. The quiet forest trails were soothing after the activity of the day as well.

He wouldn't be much of a partner, though, if he didn't notice Alucard acting oddly. The dhampir seemed almost... jittery. Did something happen?]

I'm sorry I took so long. The ski lessons... did not go as planned.

Huzzah!

[draculabackwards]

Oh? Did you fall more than you skiied? *Because that seemed to be the only way to start learning.*

*It would be easy to concentrate on small talk, but he couldn't give up this opportunity. He had to do something.* Raidou? There is...there is something I need to tell you.

[timelessummoner]

You could say that.

[Raidou sobered a bit. It sounded like whatever this was about, it was important.] What is it?

[draculabackwards]

*He is trying not to look at Raidou. Just walking beside him. He feared his words might fail him if he had to look Raidou in the eye.* I would like to tell you that...I'm not sure how this happened. What I'm going to say.

You have been the best of men to work with and the best of friends that I have had in my very long life. I wanted and intended that to all there ever should be. You have to believe me. But...but it would seem that it is not all that I consider you.

[timelessummoner]

[The meaning of the words didn't sink in immediately. What other role could he play in Alucard's life to make him so restless?]

...I'm not sure what you mean, Alucard-san.

[Unless... No, that couldn't be it.]