MISTLEGLOW: a kissing meme

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mistleglow: a kissing meme

Some residents may remember that back in September, a love-drunk and confusion-spell-addled newlywed mage from Gramarye Magic Research let loose some pretty little fairy lights that trapped people in the city in little invisible bubbles until they kissed (and any kind of kiss would do). Well, the same slightly-less-newlywed but no less romantically-inclined mage happens to really, really enjoy the winter season, and thinks it's totally romantic. That particular sentiment is pretty common in the Quarantine - while Hygge is the celebration of familial love, the residents of the Quarantine all agree that that family often includes partners and lovers. Besides that, the folklore of mistletoe as being representative of love and friendship is something that the Quarantine has in common with the universes many residents inhabit.

So, as the last week and a half of December rolls around, residents around the Quarantine will see the result of the resident romantic trying to share a bit of Hygge love - small, glowing sprigs of mistletoe will be floating around the Quarantine, ready to trap people up and make them share a bit of affection.

how it works

● Two or more characters walking under one of these glowing, floating sprigs will get stuck for one hour, trapped inside an invisible enclosure with an approximate three foot radius. The only options are to either wait out the hour, or to kiss! Characters will know they're meant to kiss, because part of the magic spell is the sudden and intense knowledge that they should kiss in order to break free. There is no compulsion to kiss, just the knowledge that that's how to get free. This time, instead of any kind of kiss working, there will be different types of kisses that will work to release the trapped residents depending on the color of mistleglow:

RED: MOUTH ● ORANGE: NECK ● YELLOW: CHEEK
GREEN: FOREHEAD ● BLUE: HAND ● VIOLET: BUTTERFLY

Trapped residents will not know what kind of kiss will work for each color and may have to experiment before finding the right one.

● Post up a top-level for your character with the types of kisses you're interested in threading out, and then go forth and have your character kiss (or refuse to kiss) others!
● This meme is for characters already accepted into the game to play with the mistleglow prompt from this month's test drive meme. If your character is not yet accepted into the game, please use the TDM post!
● This meme is GAME CANON, so any threads played out in this meme can be carried through into the actual canon of the game.
● Much like the TDM, threads on this meme can count for Activity Points, but not the monthly Activity Check.

header image is from santa's factory by Clement Danveau

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Comments

[withstyle]

[Unfortunately knowing a little more than her current companion doesn't exactly get them away from the magical mistletoe; it doesn't take a genius, though, to figure out what probably would outside of waiting the spell out. Because every spell of this sort has some sort of time limit. She might primarily deal in magic's effect on a body, but Izzy's been around her brother-in-law and magic in general enough to know that.] Can't blame you for trying at all.

[Though, she can't help but wonder if Magnus would be able to find a workaround for a spell like this. Even the High Warlock of Brooklyn has his limits. She'll have to remember to pick his brain later.

Shaking his hand, Izzy can't quite help the sympathetic wince that pulls at her face.] Eight...or seven...wow you either have exceptionally bad luck or you're magnetic, Cisco. [The tease comes out easy and she doesn't bother to hold it back. She'd much rather put a smile on Cisco's face than a frown considering he's done this so many times already.]

Nice to meet you too, hopefully this is the last time you get trapped by magical mistletoe. [She peers up at the mistletoe again while lifting her hand up to cross her fingers.] Since you have experience...how long does it take to wait out the mad mistletoe? And is this keeping you from getting anything important done?

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco laughs at that, shaking his head. He's pretty sure that for once this isn't something he can blame his powers on. ]

Probably the bad luck, with a dash of not paying attention to my surroundings.

[ It's easier for Cisco to relax, since Izzy seems so chill about the whole situation. There's nothing worse than getting stuck in one of these things with someone who is very shy, or someone who is very aggro. Cisco has had both happen, and they weren't experiences he was looking to repeat. ]

Takes an hour. And I was gonna pick up my boyfriend's suit from the dry cleaner, but that's hardly life-or-death stuff.

[ Cisco just casually mentions the whole boyfriend thing, since at least according to his own logic, it might hopefully make Izzy feel a tiny bit more secure that he's not going to be a total creep and use this situation as an opportunity to hit on her or anything like that. ]

[withstyle]

Well, much as we probably should be ready for things like this...you don't think you're going to get stuck in something like this out of nowhere, so not paying attention...I'm guilty of the same.

[In New York Izzy was much more aware, but that was because she had to be; things here have been much more calm, for the most part. There hasn't been a fight to be had every time she's turned around. Settling into a routine and all has made Izzy get a little lazy,t hough no less capable, so Cisco isn't the only one that wasn't paying attention.


And it's not something she's going to beat herself up about at the moment because it's not going to help either of them. Now that she's experiencing this, though, at least she can be a little more on the lookout for someting out of the ordinary, though?]

That's a bit of good luck, then, at least? [Because if it were urgent that would make all of this even worse.] Well...I suppose there are worse ways to spend an hour than getting to know someone new. [It's not that Izzy wouldn't kiss him in order to help get out of the spell sooner because Izzy isn't exactly shy, but he's got a boyfriend and she's not going to push anybody just go get free a little bit quicker. There are worse things than waiting out a magic spell for an hour.] Who is your boyfriend? I may not know who he is, but color me curious!

[Maybe she knows him, maybe not...probably not, but she's still meeting new people despite having been here for a fair amount of time. Cisco shows that pretty well, case and point.]

no worries! it is a busy time of year

[franciscoramon]

[ When Izzy says there are worse ways to spend an hour than getting to know someone new, the rest of Cisco's nervousness and tension fall away, and he smiles, genuine and bright: ]

You know what? You are so right.

[ Meeting new people is one of Cisco's favorite things, after all. Particularly when they are as easy-going and friendly as Izzy seems to be. As for her question, Cisco is more than happy to ramble on about him; as soon as she asks he smiles, a little bashful, a little infatuated. ]

Eddie Thawne? Tall blond guy? Kinda looks like the guy who'd play the mean jock boyfriend in a Hallmark movie but he's actually a total softie?

[ Cisco fishes into his pocket for his phone, taps it to show that the lock screen is, indeed, a selfie of the two of them, because he's That Guy. He shakes his head a little, knowing he probably seems a little ridiculous and that she was probably only asking out of politeness, but, well, she'd said they should get to know one another, and one of the things to know about Cisco is that he's an absolute dork when it comes to his boyfriend.

He looks up at her again and that familiarity strikes him once more; this time, he actually says something about it: ]

Also, there's totally no non-creepy way to say this but I swear I've seen you around before. Like at a party or something, I just can't quite remember...

[withstyle]

I do have my moments. [The shadowhunter grins, a small laugh escaping, as she does. If nothing else she has helped to break the ice a little bit.

And it would seem she picked the exact topic to open Cisco up. Hearing the bright, descriptive way that he goes on about his boyfriend brings a smile to her red-painted lips. She may be single herself, but Izzy is always more than happy to help other people be happy - romantic or otherwise - and to hear other people talk about their relationships and love lives. There's a reason that she was so interested in Alec's and offered her own variation of advice so often.]

Thawne....sounds a little familiar, actually. With that description I'll definitely be on the lookout for him, though. [She teases with a wink before reaching out to tilt the phone just a little to help see the picture better. The face isn't extremely familiar, but he does look like one of the guys she's seen in and about the police station...she thinks, anyway. She's not sure enough to say that, though, letting go of the phone.] Very handsome, lucky you! [Again, shy is not in her nature.]

Trust me, if you creep me out I'll let you know, you're good so far. [Izzy's nose wrinkles in a bit of amusement, smiling at her companion as she tilts her head.] I have been to quite a few parties since I arrived....my brother-in-law threw a pretty big Halloween-themed one not so long ago. Maybe it was that one, I was helping out along with enjoying myself? [She offers, trying to help place her face - knowing full well it's unforgettable for a reason.] Or if you've ever been in and around the police station I'm the forensic pathologist so I flit in and out when I'm working?

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco merely laughs, delighted, when Izzy looks at the picture and says Eddie is handsome and that he is lucky.
Personally, he couldn't agree more. Still, it's always kind of fun, hearing strangers confirm his own opinion that Eddie is gorgeous, and he is absolutely going to pass on that compliment as soon as he can.

Then his mouth open - Magnus Bane had thrown the biggest, best Halloween party, and Magnus is married to Alec, which means... ]

Yes, oh my god! that's it! You're Alec's sister, right?

[ That was where he'd seen her before - when Alec pointed her out, at the Halloween party. Cisco had only glimpsed her for a moment, and it's not like everybody was rocking their normal everyday looks at that party, so he doesn't feel too bad about not realizing it right away. ]

Wait for real?! That's you? I knew the forensic pathologist was somebody named Isabelle, I just didn't realize that was.... I'm the tech guy! I mean, technically I don't work there, I'm just a private contractor, but I'm in and out all the time. I made you that souped-up centrifuge, like, two months ago? The one with the racing stripes?

[ What? He likes to add a little bit of whimsy. ]

And I got that fancy new gas chromatograph I'm workin' on, I mean, I should've been done with that already but you might have heard about how this is the eighth time I got stuck under some mistletoe?

[ He laughs softly to himself, delighted by the whole thing. The Quarantine really is a small place, after all. Still, it's surprising to him that he'd never talked to Izzy before, considering. ]

That explains why Thawne's familiar, too - Eddie's a detective. You've probably seen his name on the paperwork for some case or whatever.

[withstyle]

Guilty as charged! [The laugh escapes automatically. Izzy and Alec don't look exactly alike or anything, but matching them up isn't always too hard...particularly because she's never been shy about referencing her grumpycat of a brother, and he's always been proud of her - mostly, anyway. Sometimes, even if here, it is a small world, though.

That amusement only grows as the other reason for the familiarity falls into place. The wide smile taking over her entire face and a peel of laughter escaping in it's full.] Yes, for real! It's a small world! I didn't make the connection at all, but I love the souped-up centrifuge! You have no idea how much I appreciate those racing stripes, they're a pop of personality in an otherwise sterile work environment!

[Style. Personality. Anything connected to those two things are elements that Iz appreciates, so she means that, unable to even pretend to banish the smile from her face.] So, I owe you a massive thanks for that because it was an unexpectied, but much appreciated surprise!

[And now that she knows who is responsible, and that he's quite an interesting, you'd better bet she'll seek him out again! The twinkle of mirth pulling at her eyes at Cisco's joke helps her nose wrinkle in amusement.] I think I can forgive the late new toy considering you have a really good excuse. [Izzy winks, playfully.] But now that we've met you better bet I'm going to be curious about what you're working on. Dare I even ask what work you're doing to the fancy new chromatograph? Or should I wait and find out once you're finished? [Izzy's eyebrows lift, playfully before she nods.

That is why the name was familiar.] I have, that's why...by the Angel it really is a small world, though, now I have no idea how I didn't manage to run into you sooner!

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco beams, delighted to hear that Izzy had noticed and enjoyed the little embellishment. It is exactly the kind of thing that Barry would have overlooked, or that Captain Singh would've rolled his eyes over. At least some people have eyes and appreciate a break in the monotony!

He makes a face of exaggerated consideration, stroking his chin, as if unsure whether he should tell Izzy or leave it to be a surprise. But Cisco's never been good at containing his enthusiasm, even when he isn't trapped with a captive audience and no distractions. And the lure of talking about all the technical changes he'd made is just too strong. So he says: ]

Well...

[ At which point he launches into a rapid-fire explanation of all the improvements: a streamlined injection system, faster processing, greater specificity and precision, automatic data backups of all results, backup systems in case of emergencies. It is clear from the way he speaks that Cisco is not just good with machines, but that he loves them. He also doesn't dumb down the explanation any, and there isn't a trace of condescension about it. Izzy's a scientist, and while she might not be an engineer herself, she doubtless understands the chemical processes that occur within a chromatograph just as well, if not better, than he does. Finally, he says: ]

...and now that I know you don't mind a little bit of style, you better believe I'm gonna make it gorgeous.

[ He can't wait to go home, to tell Eddie that he'd met one of his coworkers. Cisco is already thinking, perhaps, the two of them could invite Izzy over for dinner sometime. Maybe she could bring Alec and Magnus, make it a whole big party. In any case, he is totally at his ease now, and happily chattering away. ]

Me either! It's almost enough to make me glad about the mistletoe.

[ Cisco glances up at it, pointing at the little glowing sprig with one finger. ]

Almost.

[withstyle]

[If there's anyone in the station, working with these machines, that would notice something like that it would definitely be Izzy. She's always appreciated the added touches, the little pretties, and the stylish flares.....even while dealing with samples or bodies that grossed other members of her family out. It's an added bonus, so she waits with excitement, giving Cisco a definite 'you have to tell me' look at the teasing one he adopts....and when he starts to share with her what he's working on, the improvements, and everything she can't help but tap into his excitement.

What can she say? She's passionate about her science, honestly, and she loves what she does. There are still times when she's not sure how she forgot about it, how they managed to extract it from her, back in Wayward Pines, but the fascination comes with such ease. None of her enthusiastic nods, oohs, ahs, or squeals of excitement that go along with her little comments of feedback, excitement, and impatience to actually be able to utilize his new improvements are disingenuous. It's all coming naturally with unbridled enthusiasm.

And to top the cake it'll look gorgeous! She loves it, so the laugh that comes out is accompanied by a wide smile.] I seriously can't wait to see it! And use it! Anything in the lab that you want to spruce up, or have ideas for, I will legitimately always support because I'm a girl who can appreciate all of this. Gorgeousness, tweaks, and all. [Izzy gestures, happily. She's glad that she ran into Cisco. She's not socialized enough with people from work, focusing more on the tasks at hand than she probably needed to.

So, this is exciting for her and she can't help but be excited and look forward to what's going to come from a simple little run in. Laughing, Izzy winks at Cisco, playfully teasing him.] Looks like the mistletoe was looking out for us today, even if you're only going to almost glad. Now that I've met you, though, you better believe you're going to be hearing more from me.

[What? Izzy's honest! She can't help herself, and this meeting, though random, has definitely pumped her up about some things, so she can't help but look forward to it. Especially since Cisco seems so easy to get along with.]