#winter snippets

[collegetennisoriginstory]

CT:OS Winter RO Snippets

Hi everyone!

I've taken a short break from writing since the Merry Crisis Visual Novel Demo launch (if you haven't checked it out yet, it might be up your alley this festive season!)

It's not exactly progress on the next chapter of CT:OS, but I have been writing a winter snippet for Rayyan and will be sharing it with patreon/ko-fi supporters on 21 Dec!

If I do find the time to write more than one (e.g. for G, Tobin, Sam), I'll update again—if not, it'll just be a short piece on visiting Rayyan's family over New Year's, and meeting their family :)

[bellamy-ifs]

I have done one of these relatively recently but let's see...

I was tagged by @ashenmaw-if :) And my word is JAUNTY.

Game rules: Participants must share one sentence/excerpt from their IFs that starts with each letter of the word you're given.

J - Just as you try to focus on the eyes and try to make out what animal it could be—so high up in the trees, too—there's a rustling in some bushes close to you that connect to the tree line. As you look back up to where you saw the eyes in the trees, the supposed animal is gone, leaving only a branch softly swaying—the wind is still.

A - After you've given him all the information he needs for opening a new bank account for you, the banker asks, "can I do anything else for you?"

"Yes," you reply with some hesitation, "apparently my grandmother had a bank deposit safe? I have the key here." Just so you definitely wouldn't misplace or forget it, you attached the key to your key chain. You take it off with quick movements and give it to the banker.

U - Urgh. Just your luck—at least that's what you guess your luck must be like.

After traveling quite a lot in the past two days and barely getting any sleep, you fall asleep only moments after your head settles on your shirt.

N - Not knowing what happened and only knowing where to go, you began to make your way Northeast, towards the Transylvanian mountains and the national park called Retezat.

T - The dull pain in your head that has plagued you so far becomes worse, grows into a stabbing kind of pain on the sides of your head.

Y - Your head turns to look at the woman. Her auburn hair is a rather unusual look, just like her skin—tawny skin with lighter vitiligo patches. Dark blue eyes slightly crinkle at the corners as she smiles at you. "How can I help you?"

Tagging with zero pressure: @deerbourne-if, @bloodlines-if, @coldmountainif and @taintedsoul-if.

Your word shall be STAR.

(And yes I did include snippets of something I have yet to announce. Because I like teasing people.)

[midnighthostifs]

The second part of the winter snippets. Again below a cut to keep it short.

Alvise

As if in your own world, you hum and dance around the room, placing decorations that you found tucked away in one of the far closest, Alvise shouldn’t mind… much. He said he enjoyed the winter festivities more than the spring. You hope he is happily surprised when he returns.

Your thoughts pause as you spot a wooden statuette in the chest.

A carved creature of some sort was the next pull from the chest, you turn it a few times trying to decipher what exactly you are holding. It was large and had several tails, not something you remember ever seeing in the forest.

“It’s the Wise Fox from the tale of the Great Hunter.” You hear the heavy thud of Alvise’s snow-covered boots as he enters the small room.

“Is that so? I don’t recall the fox having this many tails.” You murmur more to yourself, but it draws a snort from Alvise, nonetheless.

“For I am as all-knowing as the greatest of beings, held in confidence by those who breathed life into this world…” Alvise begins to recite.

Tracing a finger over the tails as you count them to yourself. “Didn’t the Wise Fox only have two tails? One for the Great Mother and the other for the Great Father?”

Amusement spreads across Alvise’s face. “Perhaps, I was only past my thirteenth summer when I made that for my mother. It was her favorite tale to tell.”

Taking the statuette, you place it in the center of the mantle. “A way to include her then. I’m sure she would be incredibly proud of the life you’ve built.”

There is softness on Alvise’s face as he moves closer to you. He doesn’t speak at first, choosing to take your hands in his instead. “She would have loved you.” His eye shines with emotion.

Leaning forward, you are met with a kiss.

Amber

The smell of herbs and berries filled your senses as you entered the kitchen. It reminded you of the long winter nights you spent with your family as a child. It reminded you of your mother and the songs you sang together…

“Are you going to hang around in the doorway or do you plan on joining me for a drink?” Amber questions playfully.

“I would never pass up a chance to share even a moment of your time.” You softly reply.

“Sweet-talker.” Amber chuckles as she pours you a cup.

You say nothing but smiles you take the cups she hands you. Taking a sip, you notice it is sweet, but has a slight bite.

“What brought this on?” You ask as you swirl your cup in your hands.

“When the nights would grow long, my mother would make this. Said it was to keep us healthy and happy, brought luck as the nights grew closer.” Amber said with a light sigh.

“Do you stand by that now? Are we lucky tonight?” You question. The last part with a wink.

She laughs deeply before taking another sip from her cup. “You’ll have to drink a little more if you’re hoping for luck.”

Amber finishes her cup and kisses you lightly before leaving the room.

[collegetennisoriginstory]

Tobin and Sam winter snippets

I'm very happy to announce that I had time to write today, and managed to finish Tobin and Sam's winter holiday snippets!

I'll be releasing them on Patreon and Ko-fi likely on the 1 Jan and 3 Jan (probably around 9pm GMT+8) after I've done a proof-read :)

Hope everyone's been having an awesome couple of days between Christmas and New Year's, it's truly the favorite time of the year for me (not biased at all because my birthday's on Christmas Eve haha).

[midnighthostifs]

The first two of the winter snippets and I will have the next two done sometime tomorrow. Under the cut to keep the post small.

Caius:

“It is truly a sight to behold. The way the snow blankets the ground, as if it has always belonged there. I can’t say that I have experienced snow in this way for quite some time.”

You hear Caius say as he walks up behind you, when you turn and see him wrapped only in a light cloak you shake your head, “You could at least pretend to be cold like the rest of us.” you joke as comes to stand fully beside you.

“Oh, little dove. I was pretending. I donned a cloak just for you.“ His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he spoke.

“I’m convinced you only donned it so I might doff it.” You half joke.

He chuckles lightly as he pulls you close. “I simply wanted to enjoy the snowfall with the one who has managed to ensnare my heart. Are my actions truly so familiar that you anticipate motive in everything I do?”

Turning fully to look at him, there is something enchanting about the way the snow clings to him, how his eyes drink you in while awaiting your response. You pull him in for a kiss and can feel as a question begins to form.

“Hush, kiss me in the snow. It’s romantic.” You murmur.

He only smirks against your lips before recapturing them with a passion that causes something to burn within you.

Alecto:

“One large egg” Alecto says aloud as she reads from the recipe book that she dragged out of a box several days prior.

You watched bemused from your corner of the room. Alecto wished for company, but not any assistance.

As she adds all the ingredients, you are in awe at the precision. When the first batch is slid into oven, the scent of something familiar starts to fill the kitchen.

“Are you making Gingermen?” You question with a smile.

A wide smile spreads across Alecto’s face as she begins cleaning up the space. “I am, I know how much everyone enjoys them, just don’t tell Alvise or he will hang about in the hall.”

*if Child of Winter

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t let me help. I know my way around the kitchen.” You say, pouting slightly. Making Gingermen had always been something you looked forward to as a child, one of the best parts of the winter in your opinion.

“Because I wanted to do something for you. I promise next time we can bake together.”

Pulling her by the waist, you lean in for a kiss, careful to avoid her hands.

*Other seasons

“I could have helped you know. I can crack an egg and combine ingredients.” You say with faux hurt.

“Mhmm yes, I am familiar with your… creations.” Alecto starts.

“My creations?” You ask with a laugh.

“Well, I’m not sure what else to call them… they certainly aren’t edible.” Alecto says with a grimace.

You can only sigh. She isn’t wrong. In fact, inedible was kind when confronted with whatever you attempted to make. “Creations it is then.”

Alecto crosses the kitchen with a faint smile on her lip, “I don’t mean any harm. I’m sorry, my love.”

Sighing dramatically, you fight a smirk. “I suppose I could forgive you… for a kiss.”

Laughing Alecto kisses you softly before going to check the Gingermen.