(no subject)

[a1enzo]

Enzo's been skiing a few times, including on Game Simulation field trips. It's one of those concepts that have made it down to sprite level by being copied from Games, so he's accustomed to doing it on synthetic terrain. He just hadn't expected that, in the off-season, so would Users.

"How do they make it?" he asks in fascination, digging his ski pole into the artificial snow.

Comments

[ami_imperfect]

Dani, standing beside him on her own skis, just grins and shrugs. "Dunno!"

Not that she really cares. They're finally on vacation!

[a1enzo]

Enzo can't help being fascinated; he always is, in Userspace.

This isn't the time for it, though. This is keep-Dani-sane time.

"You want another run on the bunny slope, or you ready to upgrade?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Ummm..."

Dani looked over at the intermediate slope, then back at the bunny slope.

"One more run on the bunny slope."

[a1enzo]

"Okay." He grins at her and says those Three Little Words.

"You wanna race?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Bring it on."

[a1enzo]

He does so.

He'd give her a handicap if he had a big advantage, but although he knows the motions, there's a significant difference in texture between snow and static, and he's still getting used to it.

[ami_imperfect]

---
It's not a big advantage, but it's enough for Dani to come in a close second to her boyfriend.

[a1enzo]

Enzo swings sideways and comes to a halt. "Close one! You're getting good at this!"

[ami_imperfect]

"Yeah! Maybe I am ready for the intermediate slope now!" Dani agrees.

[a1enzo]

"Only one way to find out!"

He gestures in the direction of the lift.

[ami_imperfect]

"Winners first," she says with an exaggerated bow.

[a1enzo]

Enzo bows back, and starts poling himself over to the lift line.

They reach the top of the bunny slope just as Danny and Maddie finish their own latest run on the intermediate. "Mind if we join you?" Enzo calls to them.

[notjustcookies]

"Well, of course not, kids! I have to hand it to you, Danielle, this is fun! And I think we all needed the break, even your father."

[ami_imperfect]

Dani flies through the Jack-shaped hole in the roof, setting her boyfriend and older sister down before looking around to see where they are and to see where her dad landed.

The room they are in is large, paneled in wood with a large stone fireplace at one end. Red curtains frame the large windows. The walls are bare, but the empty spots where pictures or similar objects used to hang are visible. The furniture in the room looks like its seen better days; it's covered in cobwebs and a semi-decent layer of dust.

[passthefudge]

Jack is sprawled, groaning and occasionally coughing, in the middle of a big, dusty red carpet in the middle of the room. He doesn't look severely injured, but a casual glance doesn't necessarily say much.

The pattern of the carpet is just visible as a double-headed heraldic eagle overlaid on the letter V.

[notjustcookies]

"Jack!" Maddie rushes to his side and crouches to give him a rapid examination.

[amity_npc]

"Oh, no." Danny is more interested in their surroundings, though he moves to join his parents as well. "You've got to be kidding me..."

[ilovebearbert]

"Danny?" Jazz walks over to join him, Dani trailing behind. "What is it? What's wrong?"

[a1enzo]

"Yeah, what is this place? Besides a total dump."

[ami_imperfect]

Dani's starting to get a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"No..."

[amity_npc]

"It's, uh..." Danny swallows. "It's Vlad Masters' old vacation house. It's where..."

[a1enzo]

"Oh, frag."

[ami_imperfect]

"It's where I was born," Dani finishes for her brother. Her fists are clenched at her side, and it looks like she's fighting the urge to either cry or burn the place down.

[notjustcookies]

Maddie half-straightens up. "Oh, sweetie..."

[a1enzo]

Enzo doesn't say anything more. He just moves to Dani's side to take and squeeze her hand.

As soon as his foot touches the carpet, something in his pocket tugs sharply sideways. His trailing foot is still in the air, and he overbalances and falls backward, still holding Dani's hand.