Devil's Tower

***OOC: Be sure to label the subject line of every post with either "Open" or the names of the chars that are involved in a particular thread! This will help eliminate confusion and let you know what threads are up for grabs!***
Who: Anyone and everyone who’s in Sundance at the time!
What: St. Patrick’s Day/Spring party!
Where: The Trading Post
When: Saturday
Why: Because it’s fun!

In the warmer months the Trading Post is almost always busy, full of drifters and members from every tribe who come there to barter, socialize, and a whole host of other things. It’s generally a peaceful place since it exists in neutral territory and everyone who comes there seems to have an understanding of an unspoken truce. The Trading Post is a large park the sits on the banks of the Belle Fourche river. There are picnic tables, a delapidated swingset and monkey bars, old grills, and of course trader stands. There’s also a dock there, but it is understood to belong to the River Runners, as it’s where they are docked most of the year and those wishing to use it usually have to give the RR a token of some kind, or at least ask nicely.

The St. Patrick’s Day/ Spring party was not planned or hosted by any tribe. The whole things seemed to have come about on its own, first as a rumor and then with complete strangers and tribe members alike planning for it. Saturday morning the place was busy with people decorating in any way that they could. The place was strung with streamers of all different colors, some torn and ratty. There were candles, and lanterns strung about and a few different musicians set up throughout the park. By the time the sun set the park was teaming with people, more people than it had seen in years. Between the boos and the open admission there was no telling what the night would hold.

Who: Hawk and [open!]
What: Twin Feathers Christmas Cookout
When: Afternoon
Where: Twin Feathers Pavilion
Rating: PG-13 for alcohol references
Status: Incomplete

Hawk had been rather psyched about the Christmas party. After much planning and running around, he had finally collected Nova's things from where she had been staying at the farm with the help of Libby and another tribe member. Her suitcase had been hidden in his closet, and he would present it to her later this evening once the activities had died down. It was a rather cheap present, but Hawk was awfully proud of himself, especially since he had managed to do it without Wolf knowing.

The week with Nova had been amazing in its own special way. As far as sleeping arrangements went, he had offered to give her the bed and he would sleep on his giant bean bag, but she would have none of it. It was entirely too cold to be sleeping a long, and besides, Hawk needed to be there to protect her from the spook-a-boos lurking under the bed. So she had been sleeping in his bed with him the entire time and not once had they done anything beyond cuddling. Though, there had been that one night when he just kind of kissed her good night on her cheek. It was not out of habit, just an impulse that he acted on without really thinking. What he thought as something simple turned into a big deal when she blushed so deeply at his action and tried to find excuses to get away. After reminding her about the cold weather, the scary monsters, and his general desire to not have to rescue her again, she calmed down.

To tell the truth, Hawk was beginning to lose his cool hold on things. Nova's situation resided outside his normal practice when it came to women. Usually, when they stayed the night in his bed, it really was not for the purpose of sleeping. But Nova had a certain innocence about her, and it made him feel just dirty thinking about forcing her to sleep with him. Which is why he was super excited about the Christmas party. Parties usually meant some form of alcohol, and hopefully Nova would consume some of this alcohol and loosen up, so it would only take a little persuasion. That and every one seemed more relaxed than they had been the last couple of days. Everyone was gathered together, laughing, having fun, and enjoying each other's company.

Most leaders would make some kind of speech, something about holiday cheer and keeping up the good work. But Hawk had never been the speech-making type, that and his stomach was rumbling, so he set out to grab food and something to drink. Crossing his arms over his chest, hugging his coat closer around him, he made his way around the pavilion, checking out the delicious home-grown, home-made food prepared.

Who: OPEN to all Carrion!
What: The Carrion Christmas party
Where: The South Side Hospital cafeteria
When: Thursday morning and throughout the day


Their limited food supplies had been damaged earlier in the week which had only succeeded in scaring the children and strengthening tension between Blaze and Sensei. If they were to run out of food there would be no other option other than to ask one of the other tribes, and to do that without revealing who they were was a dangerous thing. On the other hand, the other tribes would be less likely to hand out food to every wandering drifter than they were to another tribe, even if that tribe was rumored to be crazy, and on occasion, cannibalistic.

It was these things that plagued Blaze’s mind as he laid awake in his room, hours before dawn. Once it was light for at least an hour Blaze dressed and dragged himself down to the cafeteria where their Christmas party was to happen, despite the horrible situation they found themselves in. When he arrived there was Christmas music scratching out from a cd that was set on repeat in a rather pathetic looking CD player in the far corner of the room. The music echoed rather pitifully in the big cafeteria. Most of the Carrion were playing tag at the far end of the room, or dancing or socializing amongst themselves.

There were scattered decorations, if one could justify calling the tattered streamers and left over birthday decorations symbols of Christmas. He had no gifts for anyone this year, though there was small pile on one of the tables that appeared to be gifts. Who they were for Blaze could not tell, for he’d stopped at the door and leaned against the threshold, watching the festivities before him with a disgusted look on his face.

Who: Wolf Christmas party - all Wolves welcome!
What: The Wolves throw a Christmas party!
Where: The white house and the Sundance Apartment common room
When: Thursday morning - late Thursday night

Libby was one of the people that Wolf was the most comfortable around, but for the past couple of days they’d been avoiding each other when they could. The times that they had been together had been awkward, almost scripted, to the point where the other tribe members were noticing. The wiser of the tribe knew that something was up, and that it was not necessarily a bad thing. Although Libby was not he official second in command of the Wolves, it was the position that she more or less held in the city and other members knew her and respected her. Especially since she’d returned from her trip in uncannily high spirits.

The living room of the house and the common room in the apartment building had both been decked to the hilt in Christmas decorations, lights, streamers, anything that Wolf, Libby and the others had been able to find. Wolf had been in a particularly sour mood, more so than he had been in the weeks that immediately followed Nova’s departure. It was due to a combination of his current awkwardness with Libby and the fact that Nova was still gone, that she hadn’t even returned for Christmas. He’d meant to send Nova note to the farm but in the flurry of activity he hadn’t managed to grab someone willing to run there for him.

Wolf slept in on Christmas for the first time in his life. For thirteen years his little sister had woken him up every Christmas at the crack of dawn, or even up to an hour before. Now there was no one to wake him up, and those that thought of doing it thought it best to leave their moody leader asleep. Amazingly he didn’t wake up until noon, well into the party. He finally drug himself out of bed, and managed to get dressed in time to be down by one o’clock. He nodded with a smile to those that he passed as he came down the stairs and made his way into the living room. On holidays they opened up the house as well as the apartment commons for the parties so people were scattered everywhere and coming in and out of the house.

Wolf dodged two of the kids who went running past him with their “new” toy trucks. They tried to find gifts for everyone, especially the kids, but it was difficult. Wolf made his way to the crowded kitchen for a drink amidst more holiday greetings, pats on the back and name-calling such as “sleepy-head”. He knew he was expected to say something so as he left the kitchen, warm drink in hand, he motioned and called for people to follow him. Someone ran out of the house and over the apartments to get people to come out from there.

Wolf stood in the street and waited for the majority of his tribe to gather around. “Good morning- Well, afternoon…” He laughed and was then silent for a moment as he looked around at all the faces of his tribe, most of them happy, and content, at least for now. It was a good feeling, seeing them like that and one that made him feel a little less heart sick over Nova. The tribe was his family as well after all, and he’d forgotten that in the last month or so. “It’s almost been another year, and we haven’t done too bad. We’ve actively taken steps to improve the world we live in. Every day, because of every one of you, we’re getting closer to the kind of world that we want. The kind of world where no one in need is turned away, and everyone has a chance to celebrate, like we are today. I hope you all enjoy yourselves today and be sure to welcome our guests in today’s festivities.” He eyed the crowd for the drifters but if they were there he didn’t see them. “Merry Christmas everyone.” He held his glass in the air as the tribe murmured the same greeting back before everyone dispersed to return to their activities. The children fell back into their snow ball fights and others mingled, or played games with their friends, including a rather tense poker game that was taking place at the kitchen table in the white house.

Wolf remained in the street for a moment, turning his back on his tribe and looking up at the sky, the snow gently falling. He wondered where Nova was, and what she was doing on their first Christmas apart.

Who: All the RR who show up at the Christmas time party!
What: Pan provides a feast
Where: The winter camp, farm house living room
When: Thursday morning

Pan had stormed into the living room the afternoon of Christmas Eve and demanded that everyone stay in their respective rooms until he called them down on Christmas morning. Amongst grumbles and suspicious looks he’d more or less gotten people to comply. It was no secret that he’d been busy the last couple of weeks in his Christmas preparations. Pan was always up for a party and he was more than willing to be the one to throw it.

Aside from spending incredible amounts of his time creating paper chains and decorations that were rather… odd, instead of festive, he’d managed to master ice fishing. He’d found a children’s book in the attic the first week of December that had pictures of Eskimos in parkas standing next to ice holes, holding their strings of fish proudly in the air. Pan figured, if they could do it in Alaska, why not in Wyoming? Perhaps not the best logic, but at least no one could ever say that he was lacking in ambition.

He’d become pretty good at it and by the time Christmas was ready to roll around he was somewhat of a master. He had always had an uncanny knack at regular fishing anyway. He’d managed to catch enough fish so that there was at least one for each person. With the shortage of food he was hoping that his contributions would help, at least a little bit. For all the hours he’d had to spend in the cold he hoped they would at least be thankful. It really was a wonder he hadn’t gotten frost bite.

He caught all the fish in the afternoon of Christmas Eve and stored them carefully in a little make-shift ice chest he’d constructed out of snow, near the barn. Thankfully when he awoke at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning no animal had disturbed them. He’d devised a spit that would fit in the fireplace and roast as many as eight fish at a time so he was set to go. He’d completed the nasty task of de-boning and gutting the fish on Christmas Eve as well.

He set one of the Runners the boring task of roasting the fish so that he could enjoy the fruits of his labors. He flitted about the living room on Christmas morning to make sure all his decorations were in place and that he himself was looking properly festive before he trounced down the hall and up that stairs shouting “Wake up you princes (an princesses) of Sundance! You kings of Wyoming!” When he was done with that little parade he marched back down to the living room and managed to turn on the Fisher-Price 45 player he’d found. He even had a few Christmas discs, though the carols were sung by children and more creepy than enjoyable. The electricity in the farmhouse was also rather shaky so every now and then he’d have to jostle the plug and restart the player, but at least there was something.

Who: OPEN to all Mountain Lions
What: Christmas festivities!
When: Christmas Day, from mid-morning to night.
Where: The main room of the Lodge.
Rating: We've got it all, man - language, sexual references, very heavy drug use...

Azrael sat in an armchair by the fire in the main room of the Lodge, looking out at the people milling around the room. His people - all of them. There seemed to be more of them than he remembered, when they were all together in one room, but nobody was out of place. He remembered each one, and the circumstances under which they had come to be a part of the tribe. Not all of them lived in the Lodge, though, and those who lived elsewhere he saw even less often than those who lived at home base.

They had all gathered together today to observe that most wretched of archaic holidays. If Az had his way, Christmas would've died out with the adults. He had hated this time of year when he was growing up, because it meant that everybody who was anybody felt compelled to throw ridiculous and redundant parties, which he in turn was compelled to attend. His family never spent any more time with each other than was absolutely necessary, even at Christmas, but they went through the motions of tradition for show, and there were a good eighteen years of picturesque greeting cards of the attractive and perfect Fraser family out there to prove it. Azrael had thus spent every Christmas he could remember since his family bought the Lodge in this building, with too much brandy and eggnog and forgettable girls who managed to corner him under the mistletoe. He'd spent each one of those parties preoccupied with plotting as quick and inconspicuous an escape as possible.

Now that he was in charge, Az could've just decided that Christmas would not be celebrated in the Lodge. However, he had to accept the fact that the holiday was an element of the old world that wouldn't be easily forgotten. Those with happy memories of the day liked to carry on their family's traditions, or take the time to reminisce. Those who were like Az - those who didn't like to remember, for whatever reason - tended to appreciate the opportunity to drink as much as possible. Surveying his tribe, Azrael had to admit that even though he thought the holiday itself was useless and outdated, it did put most people in better spirits than normal. There was a Christmas tree, decked out in the decorations preserved in the basement of the Lodge, and holly and garlands and mistletoe, and food, drink and alcohol enough for the entire tribe to have an all-day party.

People had been wandering in and out of the Lodge as they pleased, but as lunchtime approached, they had pretty much full attendance. Several had said hello to him so far, and most who took notice of him seemed to be waiting for him to do something. It was understandable; most of his tribe only saw him when he had something to tell them. Really, Azrael just thought that he should make an appearance, and wasn't really planning on saying anything. He would've been perfectly fine just sitting with his drink - which may have been intended to be eggnog, but it tasted kind of funny, and then he'd added a generous shot of moonshine and after that he couldn't taste much of anything - but what was one more Christmas toast? He'd only had to make one every year since he was about fourteen, after all.

Azrael heaved a quiet sigh, and then stood up. The people nearby grew quiet, looking at him expectantly, and the hush spread gradually throughout the room. It always amused him when he didn't actually have to do anything, and he held back a smile.  "To the Mountain Lions," Az toasted, raising his glass to his audience. "Merry Christmas." He knocked back the remainder of his drink as the words were echoed throughout the room. It wasn't exactly a profound oration, but it was short and sweet and very Azrael.

Week Nine-- Sunday to Saturday (December 21st-December 27th) and Week Ten-- Sunday to Saturday (December 28th - January 3rd)


*****OOC: For every post made you need to specify the DAY and the WEEK NUMBER so we don’t get days confused! Have questions? Ask a mod! J ALSO, please see the OOC comm. concerning the tribe holiday parties!!*****

Month: Fourth week in December, Fifth week in December/First three days in January
Year: 2020 - 2021


Week Eight Overview:

The weather was somewhat tolerable for once, although a good deal of snow remained on the ground the entire week and a couple more inches fell on Saturday. Although the residents hoped for no more snow, things are not boding well.

The Carrion spent the week dealing with their rat problems. Each person had a different way of dealing with the little pests, from bludgeoning to trapping. By the end of the week the rats were still a problem that didn’t seem to have any immediate remedy.

Although the Twin Feathers have faired decently so far, one of their members suffered a great loss last week. The horse keeper of the tribe lost his cabin in a fire and , as far as anyone knows, the entire herd of horses is missing. The keeper moved into the canopy, at least for the time being, and plans were made to search out the herd. Interestingly enough, the canopy became home to another last week though she is not a tribe member. The little sister of the leader of the Wolves found herself in the Twin Feather’s camp after fleeing the farm and there she remains, for now.

In an attempt to solve their supply crisis, the River Runners sought out the leader of the Mountain Lions. The Lions were barely able to help, but the deal at least bought them a few more weeks of food. The River Runner leader also sent a tribe member into Wolf territory to seek out a doctor in an effort to help curb the illness she had so long suffered. The Wolf medic complied but it is not yet known whether her efforts will come to any good.

The wanted drifters remained within the protection of the Wolves throughout the week. Once again, no Lions have come sniffing around Wolf territory for the offenders, at least not to the knowledge of the Wolves.


Week Nine:

Although the skies remain closed at the beginning of the week they open up to offer a white Christmas starting Wednesday afternoon. The snow fall continues through Thursday afternoon though nothing sticks. Even when the snow isn’t falling it’s cold as hell and most people stay inside although a few will find snowball fights and fort-building all too tempting.

The Carrion are still being harassed by the rats and no matter what they do the problem seems to remain the same. In the beginning of the week they discover the rats have managed to get into their small food supply and either eat, damage or otherwise contaminate a good portion. With the weather and lack of tribal relations the situation becomes rather stressful and dire.

For three days the Mountain Lion lodge is haunted by an injured deer that won’t leave no matter what the Lions do. There’s no telling how the cold souls of the lions will deal with this one.

Though it may be a thing of the past, Christmas still exists and is still acknowledged by all of the tribes in one way or another. The more fortunate of them host the most elaborate parties that they can. Though gifts are scarce there’s usually dancing and alcohol at most parties which makes the whole affair more than agreeable to most people.

Each one of the tribes celebrate the holiday in their own way. The Mountain Lions open up the lodge to all members of the tribe on Christmas morning and the party lasts throughout the day with people coming and going as they please.

The Carrion are perhaps that worst off this Christmas, with what little food they had having been damaged they will do their best to scrape something together. Their party is not really a party, but more a quiet gathering of family that mainly consists of trying to keep the younger children happy and their minds off the biting cold.

The River Runners will enjoy a lively party starting late Christmas Eve and lasting until early evening on Christmas. One of their tribe members took it upon himself to provide the entire tribe with a fish feast and a rather quirky bout of entertainment.

The Twin Feathers have a cookout under the pavilion they built in the summer though they spend the evenings in their respective canopies or visiting friends.

The Wolves have their famed party that takes place in the apartment commons and the living room of Wolf’s house. There’s lots of food, some cider, decorations and white-elephant gift-giving. Should a drifter wander in from the cold they won’t be turned away.


Week Nine Events:

Wednesday - Christmas Eve
Thursday - Christmas

Sunday-Saturday: The Carrion continue to deal with the rat problem and find their small food supply has been infiltrated by the nasty things.

Sunday-Tuesday: An injured deer arrives and hangs around the Mountain Lion lodge.

Thursday - Each tribe celebrates the holiday in their own ways.


Week Nine Citizen Birthdays:

December 24th - saint

Week Nine Weather:

Sunday : Scattered and light snow fall High: 30 F Low: 16 F
Monday: Overcast and breezy. High: 29 F Low: 15 F
Tuesday: Overcast and calm. High: 31 F Low: 18 F
Wednesday: Heavy snow fall starting late in the afternoon and lasting through the night. High: 31 Low: 20 F
Thursday: Gentle snow fall throughout the day though not much sticks. High: 32 F Low: 21 F
Friday: Gentle breezes and no snow fall. High: 34 F Low: 19 F
Saturday: Calm and overcast. High: 35 Low: 23


~*~*~*~*~


Week Ten:

The beginning of the week brings incredibly strong winds. The Twin Feathers feel its force most of all though nothing gets damaged. Snow fall returns in the middle of the week to add over six inches to what has already been accumulated from last week. At the end of the week the clouds part and finally reveal a blue sky, though the absence of the clouds brings about a hideous cold spell.

Wednesday brings with it another holiday of the old world. Though having spent most of their reserves on the Christmas parties the celebrations of the New Year are minimal in comparison. The Mountain Lions spend a quiet evening at the lodge with friends over dinner.

The River Runners simply try to keep warm, and keep their minds off of their dwindling food supply. Despite the minimal help from the Lions the winter will be an exceedingly difficult one and they will all most likely come out of it a few pounds lighter.

The Carrion on feeling the same woes as the River Runners and they hardly acknowledge the holiday at all. They still gather together and tensions rise between members as stomachs go hungry.

The Twin Feathers spend New Years in their respective canopies and enjoy being sheltered from the storm. However, late Saturday night the Twin Feather’s routine is interrupted with strange noises coming from below the canopies and the surrounding woods. Those that the noises awaken make every effort to get a glimpse of what is making the sounds but they can see nothing. The next morning there are no signs of anything ever having been there.

The Wolves have the most abundant New Years party and combine their efforts in celebration of Wolf’s birthday.

Week Ten Events:

Wednesday - New Years Eve
Thursday - New Years Day

Wednesday - The tribes celebrate the holiday in their own ways.

Friday Night - Saturday Morning - Some of the Twin Feathers hear strange noises below the Canopy that last for almost thirty minutes, and even if they‘re adventurous to look out their doors they see nothing in the darkness below. In the morning there are no tracks and no sign of anyone or anything ever having been there.


Week Ten Citizen Birthdays:

January 1st - wolf_leader

Week Ten Weather:

Sunday : Overcast and windy High: 33 F Low: 21 F
Monday: Very dark skies with stunningly strong winds. High: 29 F Low: 17 F
Tuesday: Heavy snow fall that adds six inches and strong winds High: 32 F Low: 19 F
Wednesday: Continued snow fall though the wind calms slightly. High: 31 Low: 20 F
Thursday: Light snow fall with no wind High: 32 F Low: 18 F
Friday: Overcast and calm High: 30 F Low: 20 F
Saturday: Partly cloudy and very cold High: 28 Low: 16