a welcome;

[mallowmods]

Who: Everyone and everyone!
What: Welcoming in the new members to Mallow Hallow
Where: Everywhere!
When: March 2nd.

[ Once everyone’s settled in their particular districts, no doubt thousands of questions running between each individual mind, there’s an announcement. Not over the devices, but rather in speakers all over each and every district. A familiar voice should ring out—you did, after all, hear the voice of your Queen earlier today. ]

Ahem! Can you hear me? Ah, right then.

Hello loveies! You might recall this particular visage which speaks before you—that is, I am your Queen. Call me Queenie, if you must! I’ve met you all on this particular day, and I find it important to bestow some of my boundless knowledge onto you, sweethearts.

Now! Done with formalities, let’s see where we stand… ah, yes! Might I be the first to welcome you all to Mallow Hallow, our wonderful little country. Not too big, not quite too small either! It’s just lovely, isn’t it? Oh, how all my new babies will love it here! Or—perhaps not. [ She clicks her tongue. ] Either way, it doesn't really matter. You're stuck here for the time, so do try to make the most of it, dears.

Of course, there are our sectors within Mallow Hallow. Six… [ There’s silence for a short moment. ] Yes, there are six, aren’t there..? Well, six different communities you might stem off from! Surely you remember the name from our meeting earlier? If not, I’m sure one of the regular inhabitants of each particular district will assist you in naming your new home!

Live where you’d like, eat what you’d like, do what you’d like! Our homes are now your homes, so please, consider us all a big happy family to you! Remember you can reach me or any of the other rulers of any of the districts, over at our voicemails! [ Somehow, that seems sarcastic… ]

Also, don’t cause any trouble, or I’ll personally end you. [ There it is. ]

I suppose that's all. Well then, bye now, dears! And let the word spread—Mallow Hallow is up and rising once again!

[ ooc: Quick links: Lochwell | Mallowhallow | Orlea | Astralfield | Crystalden | Highcrest | Whitewood | Network ]

Comments

[eyeofamiracle]

You're more than welcome. [Something about the way Jack pet Karen reminded Jim of when he first met her all those years ago, cautious but eager. It's amusing, and a little touching. Bending down to scoop up snow, resuming tossing the ball back and forth in his hands, Jim huffed with a small smile.]

I think I might head off to explore this district a bit more soon; need to find shelter. You want to come along?

[on_thin_ice]

Me? Really? ... Are you sure? You don't have to invite me along, I can take care of myself.

[he cringes at the sound of his voice, ducking his head slightly. Great, babbling. Babbling is very endearing ... not]

[eyeofamiracle]

[Jim blinked before smiling, little quirks at the end of his lips.] Well, I don't doubt you're capable of that. I just figured we could both use the company, is all - 'sides, you're a nice guy, and I don't have a reason to not want you around.

[Honest and friendly words. He hoped Jack could tell.]

[on_thin_ice]

Well, if you don't mind... I guess it's okay. Sure. I'll come.

[He relaxes a bit. He's a Guardian now. Of course people will want him around]

[eyeofamiracle]

[Pleased at the answer (although he'd be fine if Jack didn't want to come; he wouldn't force the guy), Jim bent down and clicked his tongue, calling Karen over.] No worries at all, mate. It'd be good to have a friend along. [At this, Karen huffed, nosing Jim roughly in the leg.] Besides you, Karen. You know I wouldn't forget you.

[Standing up, sighing through his teeth, he recalled all the places he's been to. It wouldn't be bad to retrace his steps, plan out some type of plan of what to do while he was here, but he'd do that alone; he didn't know what Jack planned to do here. Besides, if someone ended up getting a little too curious about Karen, Jim didn't really want to drag the kid into that mess; he couldn't help his protectiveness.

Shrugging, he asked:]

Got anywhere you want to head first? I know there's a castle around here.

[on_thin_ice]

No, I'm good. But if we're going to be here for a while, you should probably find yourself a place to stay. And Karen too.

[He saw some nice trees around that should do fine for him, but it's probably better not to bring that up]

[eyeofamiracle]

Good point. I don't mind the outdoors, but Karen's spoiled. [Clearly he's joking, but Jack didn't have to know that. Or maybe he did- it's fairly obvious when Jim jokes.]

Well, guess we'll just walk around until we find a hut. [A pause.] Probably near some water. That'll save me and Karen trips.

[on_thin_ice]

That shouldn't be too hard.

[eyeofamiracle]

Hopefully not. This place seems to have a pretty wide range of geography. [And with that, Jim tilted his head, signaling Karen to start walking as Jim fell into step behind her.]

[on_thin_ice]

[Jack walks with a slight skip in his step]

Probably. I haven't seen houses like these in centuries.

[eyeofamiracle]

Centuries?

[Jim steps...kinda faltered at that comment, the word basically making him blink stupidly.]

...Heh, ahem. You don't say. [Continuing to walk, steps careful this time, he hummed to himself. So. This kid was named Jack Frost, had been around for centuries, made comments about people seeing him, was able to leap off of rooftops, had cold hands, and showed up with snow. Sounds to Jim like an very well-played joke, or he was actually talking to a real story legend. Well, only one way to find out:]

So. You're actually the real Jack Frost, right? The one from those legends?

[Jim had never been more grateful for his calm nature than he was now. Well that, and his interest in old wise-tales.]

[on_thin_ice]

That's right.

[He twirls his staff, casually] I was made three hundred years ago. Back then, all the houses looked like this.

/flails over this thread ;w;

[eyeofamiracle]

[At the confirmation, Jim nodded with a small smile; he had a feeling that'd be the answer. Listening with rapt attention, Jim allowed his shoulders to slump. Chuckling just a bit, he cleared his throat - it wasn't every day that this type of thing happened to him.]

Huh. Guess that might give some back story to this place, then.

[He eyed the staff with interest as he continued walking, steps relaxed but still maintaining a decent pace.]

Still, pretty interesting meeting someone from a legend. Sorry about me sounding a tad slow, mate, but this doesn't usually happen to me. Don't get me wrong, though. It's been great to meet you. [Cue him adjusting his hat again, fingers scratching his head - clearly he was kind of bewildered. Karen, however, just continued to roll her eyes in his direction.] Anyway, on to house hunting, I suppose.

GOSH ME TOO

[on_thin_ice]

Legend? Me? People barely knew my stories, let alone my name.

<333

[eyeofamiracle]

Really? Where I'm from, we've heard of you - you're a pretty well-known guy. Well, what we know of you, although the story is different depending on who you talk to.

[Jim was trying to be careful, hopefully choosing the right words that didn't seem to hurtful. Despite talking to an entity, the tale of Jack Frost back home did differ from person to person, book to book, place to place. Considering the real deal was right next to him, that probably wouldn't sound like great news unless he just liked the fact he was known.]

If you want, I can share one that I remember?

<3~

[on_thin_ice]

Sure, I don't mind hearing one.

[eyeofamiracle]

Heh. Well, I remember that there was this old maid back home, loved telling stories. Whenever we were lucky enough to have snow, people took their kids and she told everyone a story of Jack Frost. Of course, she told her own variation; like I said, it differs between people.

[He smiled at the memory of his mother retelling Jim what she had overheard; he himself had never been lucky enough to visit the woman.]

The tale always went on about Jack being a kid, about eleven or twelve years old who was carefree, bringing winter and cold to the places he went through. He'd play with the people there, and all would be well. Sometimes she'd say the weather was light snow, sometimes it'd be a storm. That's only a basic version, though; guess my memories fuzzy.

[Chuckling to himself, he added:] But I remember that kids always loved the story. Every time the maid finished the story and their parents bundled them up, they'd go out to play in the snow.

[on_thin_ice]

...That's a nice story. I love playing with kids. It's the only thing that kept me happy.

[He smiles]

[eyeofamiracle]

[Jim smiled, although the words came close to making it completely fall. It did, however, sink just a bit.]

You said before about people seeing you. Does that mean some people can't...well, couldn't? I mean, if you don't mind me asking, mate.

[on_thin_ice]

[Hearing that accent makes him miss Bunny. A little]

That's how it works. If you don't believe in Jack Frost, you can't see him. So for three hundred years, no one knew I was there. They couldn't see me or hear me, or even touch me.

[eyeofamiracle]

I'm mighty sorry to hear that. I can't imagine what that'd be like.

[Sure, he'd been lonely since he had someone like Karen with him, a creature deemed dangerous by most of the people around him. But for three hundred years? He really couldn't imagine, and hoped the man still wasn't alone like that.]

...What about now, though?

[on_thin_ice]

Now... I don't know. Things have changed... but I don't know how long it'll last.

But that's fine. I'm okay.

[eyeofamiracle]

Mm. Sometimes, I guess it's okay not to know.

[Even though that's hard. He's aware of that.]

But if you say so, I believe ya.

[on_thin_ice]

Thanks.

[eyeofamiracle]

[He chuckled.]

You're welcome.