Masque of Wintertime

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

Nikolas stepped along the path, his stride a slow and somber thing. His countenance held a weight to it that seemed befitting to that of a time-weathered ancient. The snow crunched audibly under his feet, but he paid it no heed.

As he neared the clearing, the child made sure to shield his eyes against the glare of the snow, agitated by its horrid glow. Not long ago, he had asked Anne how it could ever learn to glow, receiving a warm laugh and a tight embrace. His sister had pointed upwards, towards the light of the sun, as she wrapped her other arm around him in a halfway-hug.

“It could always glow, silly. I learned that, and I hope that a kid like you can.” Anne’s face grew somber, and her hand on his shoulder became as a vice. “I want you to… I want you to remember that, when I am gone. Will you do that?”

Nikolas stopped in his stride, her haunted voice echoing through his mind. The cold seemed to intensify, causing him to shiver despite the lamp in one hand. In his other, he clenched onto a small red flower. He placed the flower, stiff, onto the snow, noting absently a slight resemblance to life blood.

Kneeling, his eyes moistened with tears, the bitter cold stinging against his skin. His sister… his sister had betrayed him. He had remembered her words, and… and she didn’t come back.

She was gone.

He set the lamp against the stone slab, and closed his eyes.

Nikolas wept.
 

- - - -

Ten Years Later

Nikolas adjusted the strap of his goggles, bare skin stinging in the cold as they came off for a slit second. He tugged his glove tighter, anxiously repeating the unnecessary task. Finally, he unlatched the small lamp from his belt, setting it into place in the small compartment by his seat. The lamp was as much for warmth as it was for light - more so, perhaps.

Looking backwards, he made eye-contact with the ones in the back of the cart, sticking a thumb upwards. Were they ready to head out?

Spoiler

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Born of Mist

@Honors ghost

Quote

Hello, all! Welcome to the Wintertime RP, (I added the masque of for that certain flair)

You people are those in the back of the wagon, overseeing a precious cargo: coal.

Thats right, you’re smuggling the fire-rocks that have kept civilization alive as they struggle to find ways utilize oil (which they are, as of yet, unsuccessful in.)

The rock, in this civilization, is gold. Without it, there is no sufficient fire, and without fire, you freeze.

Let me reinforce this: without fire, you freeze.

 
You all were approached by Nikolas, a representative of the Masks, a shadowy organization that smuggles coal past the tyrant “Nobles” and to those who can’t afford it. The public generally admires but fears them, as they are the only thing keeping them from freezing.

Their job was simple: Pick up coal, and bring it from A to B. Further distribution would be handled by others. Right now, you have the cargo, and are on your way to point B. Nikolas is the driver, while posing as a cabby.

Yall are sitting on top of where the coal is held.

Our GMs are Spark and Glass.

Sign-ups link:

@Through The Living Glass

@Spark of Hope

Edited August 29, 2025 by SpiritOfWrath

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

20 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas stepped along the path, his stride a slow and somber thing. His countenance held a weight to it that seemed befitting to that of a time-weathered ancient. The snow crunched audibly under his feet, but he paid it no heed.

As he neared the clearing, the child made sure to shield his eyes against the glare of the snow, agitated by its horrid glow. Not long ago, he had asked Anne how it could ever learn to glow, receiving a warm laugh and a tight embrace. His sister had pointed upwards, towards the light of the sun, as she wrapped her other arm around him in a halfway-hug.

“It could always glow, silly. I learned that, and I hope that a kid like you can.” Anne’s face grew somber, and her hand on his shoulder became as a vice. “I want you to… I want you to remember that, when I am gone. Will you do that?”

Nikolas stopped in his stride, her haunted voice echoing through his mind. The cold seemed to intensify, causing him to shiver despite the lamp in one hand. In his other, he clenched onto a small red flower. He placed the flower, stiff, onto the snow, noting absently a slight resemblance to life blood.

Kneeling, his eyes moistened with tears, the bitter cold stinging against his skin. His sister… his sister had betrayed him. He had remembered her words, and… and she didn’t come back.

She was gone.

He set the lamp against the stone slab, and closed his eyes.

Nikolas wept.
 

- - - -

Ten Years Later

Nikolas adjusted the strap of his goggles, bare skin stinging in the cold as they came off for a slit second. He tugged his glove tighter, anxiously repeating the unnecessary task. Finally, he unlatched the small lamp from his belt, setting it into place in the small compartment by his seat. The lamp was as much for warmth as it was for light - more so, perhaps.

Looking backwards, he made eye-contact with the ones in the back of the cart, sticking a thumb upwards. Were they ready to head out?

  Reveal hidden contents

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Born of Mist

@Honors ghost

@Through The Living Glass

@Spark of Hope

Alym nods to Nikolas, signifying that he is ready. He slumps down against the coal, acting bored.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

34 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas stepped along the path, his stride a slow and somber thing. His countenance held a weight to it that seemed befitting to that of a time-weathered ancient. The snow crunched audibly under his feet, but he paid it no heed.

As he neared the clearing, the child made sure to shield his eyes against the glare of the snow, agitated by its horrid glow. Not long ago, he had asked Anne how it could ever learn to glow, receiving a warm laugh and a tight embrace. His sister had pointed upwards, towards the light of the sun, as she wrapped her other arm around him in a halfway-hug.

“It could always glow, silly. I learned that, and I hope that a kid like you can.” Anne’s face grew somber, and her hand on his shoulder became as a vice. “I want you to… I want you to remember that, when I am gone. Will you do that?”

Nikolas stopped in his stride, her haunted voice echoing through his mind. The cold seemed to intensify, causing him to shiver despite the lamp in one hand. In his other, he clenched onto a small red flower. He placed the flower, stiff, onto the snow, noting absently a slight resemblance to life blood.

Kneeling, his eyes moistened with tears, the bitter cold stinging against his skin. His sister… his sister had betrayed him. He had remembered her words, and… and she didn’t come back.

She was gone.

He set the lamp against the stone slab, and closed his eyes.

Nikolas wept.
 

- - - -

Ten Years Later

Nikolas adjusted the strap of his goggles, bare skin stinging in the cold as they came off for a slit second. He tugged his glove tighter, anxiously repeating the unnecessary task. Finally, he unlatched the small lamp from his belt, setting it into place in the small compartment by his seat. The lamp was as much for warmth as it was for light - more so, perhaps.

Looking backwards, he made eye-contact with the ones in the back of the cart, sticking a thumb upwards. Were they ready to head out?

  Reveal hidden contents

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Born of Mist

@Honors ghost

@Through The Living Glass

@Spark of Hope

Mars turns around from where he’s sitting on the back of the wagon and gives the slightest nod that’s just barely noticeable if you pay tons of attention. He turns back around and lays down acting like hes trying to sleep even though he’s actually super alert to the sorroundings

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

3 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas stepped along the path, his stride a slow and somber thing. His countenance held a weight to it that seemed befitting to that of a time-weathered ancient. The snow crunched audibly under his feet, but he paid it no heed.

As he neared the clearing, the child made sure to shield his eyes against the glare of the snow, agitated by its horrid glow. Not long ago, he had asked Anne how it could ever learn to glow, receiving a warm laugh and a tight embrace. His sister had pointed upwards, towards the light of the sun, as she wrapped her other arm around him in a halfway-hug.

“It could always glow, silly. I learned that, and I hope that a kid like you can.” Anne’s face grew somber, and her hand on his shoulder became as a vice. “I want you to… I want you to remember that, when I am gone. Will you do that?”

Nikolas stopped in his stride, her haunted voice echoing through his mind. The cold seemed to intensify, causing him to shiver despite the lamp in one hand. In his other, he clenched onto a small red flower. He placed the flower, stiff, onto the snow, noting absently a slight resemblance to life blood.

Kneeling, his eyes moistened with tears, the bitter cold stinging against his skin. His sister… his sister had betrayed him. He had remembered her words, and… and she didn’t come back.

She was gone.

He set the lamp against the stone slab, and closed his eyes.

Nikolas wept.
 

- - - -

Ten Years Later

Nikolas adjusted the strap of his goggles, bare skin stinging in the cold as they came off for a slit second. He tugged his glove tighter, anxiously repeating the unnecessary task. Finally, he unlatched the small lamp from his belt, setting it into place in the small compartment by his seat. The lamp was as much for warmth as it was for light - more so, perhaps.

Looking backwards, he made eye-contact with the ones in the back of the cart, sticking a thumb upwards. Were they ready to head out?

  Reveal hidden contents

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Born of Mist

@Honors ghost

@Through The Living Glass

@Spark of Hope

Quote

I totally forgot my characters name.

 

2 hours ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym nods to Nikolas, signifying that he is ready. He slumps down against the coal, acting bored.

My character slumps next to him.

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

2 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

My character slumps next to him.

Quote

I had to track down the other thread to remember my own character's name

 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

5 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

My character slumps next to him.

Nikolas looks at him, muffled voice coming through the heavy layers of clothing of his mask. “Are you ready?”

@CoderDrag0n8

Quote

Added the link to signups to the first post.

 

Edited August 29, 2025 by SpiritOfWrath

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

2 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas looks at him, muffled voice coming through the heavy layers of clothing of his mask. “Are you ready?”

@CoderDrag0n8

 

Kefdev nods. "I am ready."

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

Just now, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Kefdev nods. "I am ready."

“Good.”

He shifts his gaze to the last member of the crew.

[Born of Mist He/Him]

17 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

“Good.”

He shifts his gaze to the last member of the crew.

Carlom slouches on the coal, tinkering with his latest design. Several other cases are scattered around him. He looks up.

"Vat? I'm ready.

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

Just now, Born of Mist said:

Carlom slouches on the coal, tinkering with his latest design. Several other cases are scattered around him. He looks up.

"Vat? I'm ready.

Nikolas nods, then turns away, coaxing the dogs forwards.

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

They begin to move, passing through a desolate landscape. Before long, they’ve entered a smaller valley, which seemed to turn away from the light sources now visible behind them.

At the other side of the valley, they run into patrol.

As Nikolas stops the dogs, he turns back, temporarily removing his mask of cloth. “Keep it cool. We don’t want to fight them - a routine check shouldn’t reveal the coal. You’re travelers, hiring my transportation.” He replaces the cloth.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

31 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas nods, then turns away, coaxing the dogs forwards.

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

They begin to move, passing through a desolate landscape. Before long, they’ve entered a smaller valley, which seemed to turn away from the light sources now visible behind them.

At the other side of the valley, they run into patrol.

As Nikolas stops the dogs, he turns back, temporarily removing his mask of cloth. “Keep it cool. We don’t want to fight them - a routine check shouldn’t reveal the coal. You’re travelers, hiring my transportation.” He replaces the cloth.

Mars gives a small nod from where he’s pretending to take a nap signaling that he understands 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

2 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas nods, then turns away, coaxing the dogs forwards.

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

They begin to move, passing through a desolate landscape. Before long, they’ve entered a smaller valley, which seemed to turn away from the light sources now visible behind them.

At the other side of the valley, they run into patrol.

As Nikolas stops the dogs, he turns back, temporarily removing his mask of cloth. “Keep it cool. We don’t want to fight them - a routine check shouldn’t reveal the coal. You’re travelers, hiring my transportation.” He replaces the cloth.

Kefdev nods.

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

5 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas nods, then turns away, coaxing the dogs forwards.

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

They begin to move, passing through a desolate landscape. Before long, they’ve entered a smaller valley, which seemed to turn away from the light sources now visible behind them.

At the other side of the valley, they run into patrol.

As Nikolas stops the dogs, he turns back, temporarily removing his mask of cloth. “Keep it cool. We don’t want to fight them - a routine check shouldn’t reveal the coal. You’re travelers, hiring my transportation.” He replaces the cloth.

Alym stays slumped down, but gives a barely perceptible nod

[Born of Mist He/Him]

18 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Nikolas nods, then turns away, coaxing the dogs forwards.

@CoderDrag0n8

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

They begin to move, passing through a desolate landscape. Before long, they’ve entered a smaller valley, which seemed to turn away from the light sources now visible behind them.

At the other side of the valley, they run into patrol.

As Nikolas stops the dogs, he turns back, temporarily removing his mask of cloth. “Keep it cool. We don’t want to fight them - a routine check shouldn’t reveal the coal. You’re travelers, hiring my transportation.” He replaces the cloth.

Carlom nods, and puts away his projects.

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

21 hours ago, Honors ghost said:

Mars gives a small nod from where he’s pretending to take a nap signaling that he understands 

19 hours ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Kefdev nods.

16 hours ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym stays slumped down, but gives a barely perceptible nod

3 hours ago, Born of Mist said:

Carlom nods, and puts away his projects.

The fifth one in the wagon (who was definitely there before), who seemed to be posing as another traveler, nodded. “Remember our purpose, Nikolas.”

The cart stopped, and the patrol-man stepped up to Nikolas. “Bit late to be traveling.” The voice was barely perceptible. “What do you carry? Do you have to funds to pay its tariff?”

”Just some travelers, Noble.”

The man nodded. “Yeah, well, I guess we’ll see.”

He walked to the back of the cart, then held his bright lantern towards the five in the back. “Wake up!” He barked.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

1 hour ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

The fifth one in the wagon (who was definitely there before), who seemed to be posing as another traveler, nodded. “Remember our purpose, Nikolas.”

The cart stopped, and the patrol-man stepped up to Nikolas. “Bit late to be traveling.” The voice was barely perceptible. “What do you carry? Do you have to funds to pay its tariff?”

”Just some travelers, Noble.”

The man nodded. “Yeah, well, I guess we’ll see.”

He walked to the back of the cart, then held his bright lantern towards the five in the back. “Wake up!” He barked.

Mars lurched up and shot a worried glance at Nikolas 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

1 hour ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

The fifth one in the wagon (who was definitely there before), who seemed to be posing as another traveler, nodded. “Remember our purpose, Nikolas.”

The cart stopped, and the patrol-man stepped up to Nikolas. “Bit late to be traveling.” The voice was barely perceptible. “What do you carry? Do you have to funds to pay its tariff?”

”Just some travelers, Noble.”

The man nodded. “Yeah, well, I guess we’ll see.”

He walked to the back of the cart, then held his bright lantern towards the five in the back. “Wake up!” He barked.

Alym just slowly lifts his head to look at the man. He also shifts his hand against Mars' shoulder, a signal to calm down. @Honors ghost

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

3 minutes ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym just slowly lifts his head to look at the man. He also shifts his hand against Mars' shoulder, a signal to calm down. @Honors ghost

Mars relaxes but he’s still on edge 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

17 minutes ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym just slowly lifts his head to look at the man. He also shifts his hand against Mars' shoulder, a signal to calm down. @Honors ghost

 

13 minutes ago, Honors ghost said:

Mars relaxes but he’s still on edge 

The official held up his hand. “Peace. I’m not here to hurt you. Noble’s not all bad. I’m just worried about your cabby…”

He looks around, then nods. “Everything looks to be in order!”

He starts to turn, then hesitates, narrowing his eyes.

He soon shook his head. “Yep! We’re fine.”

He started to walk away.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

Just now, SpiritOfWrath said:

 

The official held up his hand. “Peace. I’m not here to hurt you. Noble’s not all bad. I’m just worried about your cabby…”

He looks around, then nods. “Everything looks to be in order!”

He starts to turn, then hesitates, narrowing his eyes.

He soon shook his head. “Yep! We’re fine.”

He started to walk away.

Mars rearranges himself so he’s sitting on the back and takes his cap off and sets it down next to him

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

5 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

 

The official held up his hand. “Peace. I’m not here to hurt you. Noble’s not all bad. I’m just worried about your cabby…”

He looks around, then nods. “Everything looks to be in order!”

He starts to turn, then hesitates, narrowing his eyes.

He soon shook his head. “Yep! We’re fine.”

He started to walk away.

Alym settles back down, grumbling and generally acting irritated his "sleep" was disturbed

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

@Born of Mist

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

@CoderDrag0n8

 

The fifth member of their crew turned to Nikolas. “He’s saw it. Some coal dust or another. You need to kill him.”

Nikolas shook his head. “No! If he saw it, he would have stopped us. We’re fine.”

The member rolled their eyes. “Fine. But this is on your hand.”

Nicholas turned, then took ahold of the reins.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

27 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

@Born of Mist

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

@CoderDrag0n8

 

The fifth member of their crew turned to Nikolas. “He’s saw it. Some coal dust or another. You need to kill him.”

Nikolas shook his head. “No! If he saw it, he would have stopped us. We’re fine.”

The member rolled their eyes. “Fine. But this is on your hand.”

Nicholas turned, then took ahold of the reins.

Mars shuffles uncomfortably after watching this interaction but eventually goes back to facing away 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

1 hour ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

@Born of Mist

@Kansas Stormcursed

@Honors ghost

@CoderDrag0n8

 

The fifth member of their crew turned to Nikolas. “He’s saw it. Some coal dust or another. You need to kill him.”

Nikolas shook his head. “No! If he saw it, he would have stopped us. We’re fine.”

The member rolled their eyes. “Fine. But this is on your hand.”

Nicholas turned, then took ahold of the reins.

Alym starts scanning around without moving, seeing if he can spot any dust.

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

1 minute ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym starts scanning around without moving, seeing if he can spot any dust.

There was indeed some coal dust near one of their seats.