CAMPUS WIDE EVENT: SNOWED IN PART II - BLIZZARD

[intercom_voice]

[Starting late that night on the 18th and continuing on throughout the rest of the day, the wind and snow howls, beating against the side of the building as it covers everything in several feet of white.

The lights flicker dangerously, and around noon is when the power finally goes. Those within the building are left in a cold-blue darkness and even the smallest comforts of warmth. Any standing water, and anything with a high water content, ices over within hours.]

((ooc: this blizzard lasts the 19th only, but feel free to backtag! There will be one final post on the 21st to signal the snow melting / closing of the event. Not that this isn't as bad as the blackout event. You can still see what's in front of you, but it is relatively dark inside.))

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura's hardly visible beneath the pile of blankets, and even so, he's shivering. But if he's handling it this badly, Anubis is probably handling it worse. It's typical that Malik's first concern should be for the dog, but Bakura doesn't bother to reprimand him for it.]

He's not handling the cold well. Not surprising. It's just as cold in here, after all. Tch, what kind of shoddy people run this place?!

[obeytherod]

[Not wanting to pull Anubis out of the blanket and back into the cold, he shoves the small puppy-sized woolen vest at Bakura.]

Here. Put this on him.

[While he's at it, he pulls out a thick quilt which barely fit in his bag to begin with.] I found this for us...

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura takes it without a word, disappearing under the blankets. From the dim glow visible through them, it appears he's using the Ring to see what he's doing. If the dog hadn't been so cold, he'd probably have had more trouble... but with him in this state, it's not hard.]

Done. Doesn't that feel better, Anubis?

[...the muffled words are barely audible before he remembers he's under the blankets and resurfaces.]

It's a good find...

[obeytherod]

[Anubis' tail gives a tired wag in response--that would be a "yes".]

It fits? Good, I wasn't sure.

[Malik throws the quilt over himself and scoots closer to the two of them, offering to share his warmth.]

You don't think this cold is going to last much longer, do you? It sounds violent outside...

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Reaching out with shaking fingers, he draws Malik closer. This is better. With Malik and the duvet, it feels at least a little more tolerable.]

I doubt it... violent storms rarely last long. But in a place like this, who can tell?

[obeytherod]

[Malik was more than willing to curl up even closer to the two of them. It was only his stubbornness that had him forcing tolerance to this weather, but the few bits of skin he'd left exposed were numb and dry from the cold.

Had he taken off his scarf, he would have been able to see his breath in the halls.]

We've already been snowed in for days... [He reaches his hand out to soothingly pet Anubis. His poor puppy... If he died from this weather, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.]

We need to get some water... It's all frozen.

[fluffydeathdealer]

That'll be a problem... It's not safe to start a fire indoors, so with the power off, we don't have a way to melt it.

[Maybe if it's just the top of the water that's frozen they can break it... but if it's become entirely solid, that's a problem. Tch, what to do?]

[obeytherod]

Do you have any monsters that might work? All I have is Ra and Lava Golem, and both would be overkill.

[Malik shifts to make room for himself so he can lay down on his side. Once he's comfortable he uses his free arm he scoots Anubis up to his chest.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...monsters, no. But...

[Reluctantly, he leaves the relative comfort of the bed, drawing the hood of the warm hoodie he'd picked up earlier over his head and tugging his scarf over his mouth. Among the cards he'd never bothered using... he's reluctant, but it's becoming necessary. The problem is where to use it so the flames won't set off the fire alarms. Even if they're brief... they could be problematic.

But thinking about it... flames controlled by magic were unlikely to start a fire. It was probably for the best to try that.

Malik had never seen him using spell cards before... oh well. Drawing the card Final Flame from among the junk cards hidden in his secret stash, he held it in his hand. A card that damages the opponent by fire... it would do. It was weak enough to be controlled even in this state.]

...this will do. I can probably use this to defrost the water pipes long enough to get water out. And keep it from freezing over again too.

[The sink's metal, right... that should be fine.]

I'll be back in a minute. Unless you want to make use of the heat while it lasts. It won't be long.

[obeytherod]

[A spell card...?

Malik had never even thought of summoning one of those, and now he felt like a fool for not thinking of it sooner. Of course he won't let Bakura on to that. Instead he just gathers up Anubis, wrapping the pup tightly up in his new quilt as he rises to his feet after Bakura.

Even if it'll only last for a few minutes, maybe if they warm up they'll be able to retain some of the heat.]

Anubis needs it. And I wouldn't mind it either.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Opening the cupboard below the sink, he straightens up and focuses the fire spell on the metal sink. It's not powerful, but it's still draining; the initial casting is bad, but with the temperature being so low, he needs to keep it going. It takes a lot of his energy to do that. The flames heat the metal of the sink, sending the warmth down through the pipes, and forcing the water to melt. The reason why he opened the cupboard should become clear; the pipes are now giving off a lot of warmth and he beckons for Malik to come over and warm himself and Anubis beside them.

In these temperatures, it won't take long for the water to cool enough to drink, and only a couple of hours after that for it to freeze, so he keeps the card active for now, letting it sap his energy in exchange.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik watches with interest, shivering as he clutches Anubis in his arms. As soon as he's given the go-ahead, he settles down on the floor next to the open cupboard. Tucking his feet under his body, he faces the steaming pipe so the heat can wash over him and his puppy.

It was the biggest relief he'd felt in a long time. All the prickling numbness in his face and fingers was simply melting away. After a few minutes, Anubis nudges his nose at the blankets bundling him up and finally pokes his head out.

For once he doesn't bark, but settles his head back down outside the sheets and shuts his eyes. Underneath the blanket, Malik can feel the slight wag of his tail.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He knows his own limits, but even so, seeing Malik and Anubis in that better state, Bakura keeps the spell going longer than he should. By the time the flames are allowed to die down, he's in actual pain. It's like the channels of energy within him are scraped raw and he has to lean against the counter. Letting the card drop against the counter for support, he slumps there for a moment.]

Haaah... I need to practice using magic cards more often...

[Using spells like this was a rare thing for him. The heat from the pipes and the over-heated spell in his hand took away his own discomfort for now, but he's tireder than he should be for it.]

[obeytherod]

[Sensing Bakura's discomfort, Malik looks up from his cozy spot on the floor. Concern weaves its way into his words as he speaks, and he brings a hand up to comfortingly place it over Bakura's own.]

Are you okay? Come sit down with me and Anubis. It's nice and warm.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Squeezing Malik's hand reassuringly, he sinks down to sit next to him. Without thinking about it, he rests his head on Malik's shoulder.]

Magic cards are a lot more draining than monsters... that's all. It's a constant energy feed, rather than the initial drain.

[obeytherod]

I see...

[Malik scoots closer, more than happy to indulge Bakura and share his warmth.]

At least we have some heat now, even if it's temporary. Not to mention water. I just hope all this snow melts soon... I don't know how much longer I can handle being trapped in here.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[This is comfortable... He could almost go to sleep right here, with Malik's warm body so close beside him.]

I can do it again later, once my energy's restored.

...if worst comes to worse, try using Ra? His flames might be able to melt the snow enough to get outside for a while.

[obeytherod]

[Malik draws Anubis closer, and the puppy is more than happy to nuzzle up against him.]

I could, but it's freezing outside. I wouldn't be able to stay out there anyway... Feh.

[He sighs, reaching a hand up to scratch behind Anubis' ears.]

And we can always take shifts using the spell card.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...I suppose with your armor, you'd have a better chance at keeping it going.

[Come to think of it... If he hadn't given Diabound to the thief king, so could he. Ah, hindsight. He should probably try to do it again with a different monster later...

Without thinking, he brings his arms up around the two of them, holding them both close.]

[obeytherod]

That's right. It probably won't hurt me at all.

[Malik leans into the embrace, resting his cheek against the other man's shoulder as he thinks. Anubis just pokes his head up between the two of them and gives Bakura a sloppy puppy kiss on the cheek.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

If you can handle it. It's not like using monsters at all.

[Ah well. Just this once, he'll not protest the puppy's affection.]

Sankyuu, Anubis-kun.

[obeytherod]

Of course I can handle it.

[Anubis barks once in happy declaration and then turns to give Malik's face a lick as well. He wouldn't want to leave anybody out!]

...Keh. [It was gross, but cute, and Malik ruffles the puppy's ears in return.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heh. We'll see when you try it!

[A slight smile tugs at his lips as he watches them. How odd... it's like his own little family right here.]

You two are cute.

[obeytherod]

You mean Anubis is cute.

[Malik isn't cute. He's Malik, and he's never thought of himself as "cute". Intimidating and confident, on the other hand...]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Did I stutter?

[Bakura smirks in a slightly wicked manner.]