#ic / / interactions

[maxparkhurst]

A Toxicologist in Waiting

An ivory colored envelope, blank of any markings aside from the Alliance Lion Head sealing it shut in cooled blue wax. Delivered by on Sarida Evensky straight to the hands of Maxinora Parkhurst on behalf of Director Kat Hawke the morning following their conversation in the harbor.

Seven pages. Each one a wall of text and legalese, though nothing they had not already discussed the night prior. A standard nondisclosure agreement outlining roles and responsibilities, along with consequences should one breach their contract. Payment details, a generous sum, deposited directly into a bank deposit box in the elder sibling’s name.

A single line on the final page for only one signature and date.

Sometimes we make deals with the devil not because we want to, but because someone else will.

*** Max sank into the plush armchair, expelling the day’s woes in a single sigh. The apartment was dark and dusty, lined with a layer of comforting silence. Tendrils of smoke drifted from the slumbering hearth. It was starting to feel like home; or as close to home as she would allow. 

Her cheek fell on the back of her knuckles, gaze drifting to the side table. There, a dense pamphlet lay in anticipation. All seven pages read and digested. It was inexplicably dry. And yet, she penned her name on the dotted line- Maxinora Parkhurst. A name hardly worth its weight with how often it appeared on contracts.  

“Gilded cages…” she mused, gaze searching the rafters. The shadows above appeared darker for the hearth’s presence. Warmer.  A sight welcomed over that of an open sky. How things never change… 

Max slid further into the chair’s embrace. Fished from her pocket a vintage tin. Inside, a row of rolled cigarettes and a matchbook. She stuck a single vice between her teeth, chewing on the pipe for a prolonged moment. “Augustine,” she finally called, fumbling to strike a match, “Could you fetch me an envelope and my wax stamp, please?” Come the following morning, the contract would find its way back to the original sender. Sealed with the Parkhurst emblem, it smelled heavily of alchemical ash and smoke. And written in the margin was the Alchemist’s precise script: “A pleasure to be doing business with you.” 

( @kat-hawke )

[florainkingdom]

"I'm headed out," Fazzi said, passing by Valente as she walked down the hallway. Only mentioning it since she was passing by the avian, also knowing he'd bug her about what she was up to.

"My, so hasty my dear friend. Why don't I tag along?" Valente asked, catching up to Fazzi and walking alongside her. "After all, you hardly take a break, and I'm sure even you have limits despite your talents. Besides, I'm sure whatever you're doing will be fun." The avian schedule was cleared at the moment.

"I doubt it. I have to visit mother today." Fazzi never so much as turned to face Valente, though was sure what his reaction was. "What is it she always yapps on about? Something about coldest ice and hot fire?" The sheep honestly never listened.

"I believe it was the coldest ice can burn more than the hottest flame. A somewhat true statement to some degree since ice doesn't burn away whatever it touches." Valente was well away Fazzi's mother can be a bit... much when it came to fire users. "Well, give her my best wishes," the avian said, finally letting the sheep walk away.

"Doubt she'll accept it, though I'll think about bringing it up," Fazzi said before teleporting away. The sheep now walking on a path surrounded by a large wheat field. In the distance a large town could be seen with a large wooden wall surrounding it as she made her way to it.

Fazzi soon enough began walking up to the gate, easily getting the attention of the guards at the door who simply used their magic to open it and letting her walk in. It was a peaceful town with various people out and about. Guards patrolling, people talking, and even kids playing.

It wouldn't take long before anyone in Fazzi's way swiftly moved, letting her pass freely through the town before resuming the various activities. The large sheep only stopping as a ball came across her path. She leaned down, picking it up before spinning it on her hoof a bit followed by rolling it out of the way and resumed her walking.

After walking through the town Fazzi soon reached a house which resides at the middle of it, walking up and entering said out. The sheep would remove her hat, placing it on a rack. It was noticeably cold, obvious by the fact she could see her own breath.

Fazzi made her way through the house, passing various empty rooms as the only sound was her hoofs walking upon the wooden floors. Soon enough the sheep was in front of a large iron door, pushing it open without much effort. She now stood in a large room empty room, save for a smaller sheep who sat crisscross in front of a floor table. She too wore a heavy blue coat.

"You're late." The other spoke up, her voice on the deeper end, though also a bit soft. "Sit," she said, motioning to the other side of the table.

Fazzi would simply walk over, sitting crisscross in the spot the other directed. The sheep then looked down at the table, seeing two bowls, two spoons, and a large pot of soup in the middle of the table. "Smells like chilled beet carrot soup. I assume it's cold?" She asked, now looking at the other.

"Were you expecting anything else? Our bloodline has developed the most powerful ice and frost techniques since separating from the Gods. Cold foods are tradition as are our techniques." She'd then use her magic to fill both bowls. "Eat," the smaller sheep said, picking up her bowl and spoon, taking a sip the soup.

Fazzi did the same, yet seemingly disliked the taste of it. "Could do with some seasoning." The sheep almost forgot how bland the family recipes were. Supposed she had grown accustomed to the various food stands and restaurants in Eggton.

"The recipes haven't changed for generations. If you wished for something with seasoning, then perhaps you should've shown up on time and made your addition to the family recipes." Seemed there was a bit of tension.

Fazzi didn't say anything, continuing to drink the soup spoon full by spoon full. The two would do this in silence until both finished their bowls, setting them down and resting the spoon inside.

"Report," the smaller sheep said, waving her hand as everything on the table disappeared.

"Nothing out of the usual in regard to my normal tasks. Keeping the gangs in order, opossums in line, and following Chicadino's commands. As for new information, Queen Kit's portal system is up for travel between new worlds, and everything is now in order. Going to scope out some new ones soon." Fazzi kept it brief like normal.

"I see," the small sheep said, seeming to take a moment to think. "What are your thoughts of the other worlds you've been to? Any notable threats to Chicadino's plans?" She asked, wondering how Fazzi would answer.

"Most are harmless if you ask me. Some might have problems, though Chicadino has already begun making moves to prevent issues. Namely some a few Mobian's I've heard of who could cause annoyances, though I'm confident in my skills to deal with them." Fazzi had only agreed to assist the Darling Family with checking out worlds to get information ahead of others.

"Good, I didn't allow Chicadino to put you in school at Eggton and assist with developing your skillset for him to break his promises. After all, you're the first of our bloodline to be born with a Lucky Star which required some outside training."

"Yes, I'm aware mother. Though Chicadino doesn't make empty promises, that I can assure you. He's one who can be followed and worthy of loyalty." Who better to say than someone who's worked with him for years by this point. "I still detest his employment of opossums, yet he's made use of them."

"Ah, I see. Well, how others in their country conduct business with opossums is of no concern to me. Just keep them in line. Anything else to report?"

"Nothing worth note or that would be cause for concern." Fazzi then seem to be thinking for a moment, something that caught her mother's attention. "Valente sends his best wishes."

"If I recall correctly you were forbidden from mentioning the fire user to me. Do remember that next time before speaking such useless information. Anything else?"

"...No mother, that is all," Fazzi said, seeming to want to push the topic yet she bit her tongue. "Anything else?"

"No, you're dismissed," she said, shooing her away with a hand as she stood up and exited the room though another door on the opposite of the room.

Fazzi would leave just as swiftly, teleporting the second the iron door closed. The sheep now back in Eggton and in the food market. She wasted little time in find a nice soup shop and ordering the hottest and spiciest soup they had.

[skipppppy]

So. About that new episode huh

[sillys-little-blog]

neapolitan ice cream 🍨 🎀🍼

[pretty-fly-for-a-kite-guy]

"Marionette's going apeshit, a movie they've been waiting years for is finally coming out this year."

[poritora]

More book Dany but this time with her children🙏

[bamboo-muse]

Just reminder:

Fuck ICE

Death to Trump and his billionaire buddies

Always punch Nazis

[the-catboy-minyan]

I will never forgive goyim for taking the word for the group that was literally all about mass murdering 6 million jews in the most horrific genocide in history that wasn't even 100 year ago, and twisting the meaning to be "evil person that is so fascist and evil they're not human anymore" and then turn around and call Jews that.

the Nazi belief is literally that JEWS ARE SUBHUMAN. Jews literally CANNOT be Nazis unless they genuinely see their people and themselves as subhuman and deserving of death.

[womenclature]

The Trump administration has already made loads of progress in the first week! 👏👏 🎉🥳

To think that this is how badly the Biden-Kamala administration were neglecting their duties. 😕

[ebiebii]

i tried a thing

[emositecc]

They’d be so silly billies!

[skunkes]

got ya

[twinge-of-cosmicangst]

The fact Jon and Theon didn’t like each other is kind of interesting, a lot of authors would’ve made them very close because what they have in common, i.e. trauma bonding about Theon quite obviously wanting to be a Stark, but is actually their hostage, and Jon wanting to be a ‘proper’ Stark but instead being a bastard Snow, but instead they both favour Robb as a brother despite being quite obviously jealous of him and his position as Ned’s heir. They both parallel each other when Jon dreams of being in the Stark cypts and thinking it’s not his place, and Theon going down to the cypts in adwd and thinking the exact same thing.

You could argue it’s more to do with their personalities not being compatible, but Theon and Robb are very different also. I think it’s more to do with the fact that both being at the bottom of the family hierarchy, or more accurately outside it, is what makes them resent each other.

Like from Theon’s perspective he he may think to himself ‘I may not be part of the family but at least I’m not a bastard’ but then he will see Jon and Robb behave like brothers, Ned treating Jon with affection, Jon getting a Direwolf, even if it is the ‘runt’. Whereas Jon may think ‘I may be a bastard but at least I am Ned Stark’s son, and Robb’s, Arya’s, Bran’s, etc brother’ but then he’ll see Theon being treated fairly by Catelyn, Robb and Theon’s friendship, and Theon being allowed to be part of the formal greetings of the King, and being allowed to sit a the high tables when they feast, and all this leading them to resent each other.

It is true that love him or hate him Theon is an asshole and downright mean a lot of the time, so some would assume that, if Theon being the elder had been kinder to Jon, then Jon would’ve liked him, but I don’t know, Jon may be kind, but he is also proud and I don’t know if his pride would’ve ever allowed him to like Theon Greyjoy.

[technological-patriarch]

1337 whined as he was starting to wake up. He snuggled in a bit more. He slowly blinked open his eyes…when did his pillow feel- like it was breathing-

He shot up and stared straight at 7n7 with wide eyes. His face now furiously red from embarrassment.

@the-lost-guest

-> The hacker just smiles awkwardly and sits up, shifting away a little from the soldier. "Good morning, 1337... I see you managed to sleep well."

[poritora]

Wolf girl

[iced-if]

⋆ DEMO: TBA (sory) || FORUM: TBA ⋆

When a previously-cold case sparks once more, you'll take what you can get.

You live for hockey. The ice is your home. You know it, everyone knows it.

Friends and family back at home often joke about you skating your first steps before walking. Especially your parents—with them being your biggest fans, and the ones who ignited your fire—they were the ones who helped you take both. Even when you're off the ice, your hands fidget for your stick. You itch for the rebound of the puck. You crave the chill of the rink. There is at least some truth to their statements.

That day was supposed to be a celebration, to commemorate the blood, sweat, and tears. You were supposed to end the day with a celebratory dinner after bringing home the win for your school's hockey team, not provide a witness testimony for two dead bodies.

It's been ten years since then. Your dream of winning in the major leagues has dampened. You feel mediocre for a professional, always seeming to be middle-of-the-road with no progress in sight. Everything has just been so stagnant, and you're this close to throwing in the towel altogether. Little did you know, this year's about to be the best in a long time.

Try to stay afloat in the meantime.

Iced is a work of fiction aimed towards mature audiences, and contains themes such as explicit language, substance use, murder, descriptions of murder, sexually suggestive themes, that may be triggering to some. This list is subject to change.

Play as a semi-famous pro hockey athlete, with an immense love for the sport that surpasses none. Probably.

Solve a decades old mystery and finally put all those lost souls to rest, all while finally breaking out of your progress lull to achieve what was once a distant dream. Make your parents proud, and see how far you've come.

Choose your greatest asset, and fatal flaw, on the ice. Will you rank in the top six, or at the bottom of your team, as a center player?

Be the charming stoic, the team's quiet-but-deadly comedian, the fans' favourite haughty Samaritan, and more unique personality combinations to discover.

Become world renowned, or an infamous villain in the hockey world.

A wide range of customization to choose from, that do matter (or an option to randomize everything if ya don't care).

Romance 5 ROs, and get caught in a love triangle between two of them. Or, avoid romance entirely.

Jealousy and drama abound!

Participate in tomfoolery.

Find a family within your new team, or stick to purely colleagues.

Can you juggle the responsibilities of a professional hockey player, and find the murderer behind it all?

CHARACTER MOODBOARDS

THE SUCCESSOR OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

For a detective, they sure are dense...

HIRAN/HATHAI ANUMAN (m/f) is the one who you've reached through that window of opportunity for, and arguably the most important piece to solving this puzzle.

This disheveled, crabby detective likes to say otherwise, though. With a no-nonsense attitude, Anuman likes to live inconspicuously, using the quietness and mundanity of their life to help balance the crimes they investigate. They prefer staying in their court, picking up cases that helps keep them out of the limelight. With an eye for detail, they mainly use their skills to help determine the tax of their groceries.

As much as they like to keep everyone at an arm's length, there's a hidden part of them that pushes them to ask if you'd like some water, or if you need a break. Which, may be difficult to tell at times.

That mask of indifference and professionalism has a limit. Will you be able to take it off or break it?

THE ENIGMATIC POLITICIAN

Do politicians have the time to be a fan?

KELVIN/KELSEY WEN ZHONG (m/f) is one person you would never have expected to ever meet—especially at a hockey game.

Intertwined by a chance meeting, your first impressions of Zhong don't fall short to the real deal. Intelligent, personable, composed, likeable, they make for the ideal politician. Hell, even the way they carry themselves says important. The words they say make you nod along with them, and leave you agreeing with a new perspective you've never even considered. Unexpectedly, there are times where a spirited enthusiasm exposes itself in the midst of a goal.

You find it impossible to forget the look on their face when they watch a game. An expression so foreign and childlike, but maybe it's because you haven't gotten used to it yet. Although, it fits them more than you expected it to.

And, judging by their reactions, you might just have a new fan.

THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE

Holy crap they're good. Personality could use some improvement though.

LESTER/LYDIA RAMIREZ (gender locked based on MC) would probably benefit from daily meditation. Although, with how physical hockey can get, one could argue that they've got the perfect temperament.

Unfortunately teammates, Ramirez is quite the character. They burn with a passion so hot and overpowering, it takes up everything they do. It's not an unfamiliar concept—after all, you're here too, but the way they go about it is not giving them the brightest reputation.

They aren't shy about getting physical themselves, making them popular among your fans and despised by the rest of the league—but even they have to acknowledge their skill on the ice. Although, their tendency of getting into fights can cause a bit of a headache for your coach and the team. For Ramirez, winning comes first.

If they're not going to do it, how will you preserve the team dynamic?

THE TOUGHEST LINE OF DEFENSE

Much tougher than you remember, or maybe you hadn't noticed until now.

ELLIOTT/ELLA LAMBERT (gender locked based on MC) was the best defenseman on the team, and the only freshman to make it on.

Back in high school, no one expected the short, scrawny kid to make it on back then, nor blow most of the competition out of the water. Lambert could steal a puck like no other, and weave through bodies as if it were just another warm up. Being a sweet kid with a cheery disposition, and a toothy smile to match, they were someone you wouldn't think would be able to stand getting bodied, and get back up like it was just a small rough-and-tumble.

Not much has changed since then, except for the height. No longer the freshman who admired you with wide eyes, they've grown into an even more skilled player, and an even tougher opponent.

You don't remember a stubborn intensity being there before, but now that you stand face to face, you have a chance of getting more up close and personal than you would have all those years ago.

THE HOTTEST SINGER OF MODERN POP

How the hell do they have a natural tan at this time of year???

CITRUS/CHERRY MOORE (m/f) is the newest pop singer on the scene, and they are crushing the charts with each new release.

Or, at least they should be.

Moore can command a stage with a presence that pulls you in by the collar, and a sound that rocks you to the core. They are charismatic, fun, flirty, and bring a new kind of energy to the table. Yet, here they are, singing their heart out in a dinged out bar, the rest of the patrons too busy wasting away to hear their soul hum.

Underneath all that magic, however, it's clear that the passion in their eyes has dimmed, giving way to cynicism. With long years passed, still living from gig to gig, they feel that the years yet to come will be even longer.

Will you be the one to realize their potential?

---------

Let me know about any spelling errors, grammatical errors, story inconsistencies, incorrect information/interpretations, coding errors, and choice suggestions/feedback in a google form I haven't implemented yet. Feedback is always appreciated.

Are you ready to shake the world?