Quest Name: Russian Christmas
Store Used: Winter
Two Endings? Yes.
Job? No.
Room? Yes - Tundra (with the left 7A ending)
                - Moscow (with the right 7B ending)
Talent? No.
Total Cost: 250 $$$ + 150 Fee'z
               (200 $$$ for one ending)

Step 1: Departure to Russia

Incredible! I knew that my addiction to the FeeriKrokett's chocolate cereals would serve one day. My friend Audrey told me about a contest organized by the brand, with a great jackpot: a trip to Russia. A week later, guess who went crazy... I mean, who won? Meeeee! Let's say that I never win anything, but this year I go to Russia! RU-SSIA!! For Christmas! It's the most beautiful gift I ever received, I'm so happy! Well, now, there's a lot to packing, and I need pullovers because the place is really cold.

You need:
- one of the following for 7 $$$
       

Gifts:


Cost of this step: 7 $$$
Cost so far: 7 $$$

Bonus 1:
Question - What is the capital of Russia?
Answer - Moscow

Gift:




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Step 2: You said cold?

After an hour passed at the customs, I can finally exit the airport. The first thing I sense is the icy cold on my nose, but it's not a problem, my eyes shine, I don't want to miss anything! Everything is decorated for the holidays, everywhere is illuminated! And I love the Russian style, they are classy! I want to dress like them, but I need to deposit my things at the hotel before I rob the stores! I call a taxi, but we can't understand each other because of his approximate English and mine, so I show him the hotel's address written in Cyrillic.

You need:
- one of the following for 7 $$$
       
- one of the following for 6 $$$
       

Gifts:
   

Cost of this step: 13 $$$
Cost so far: 20 $$$

Bonus 2:
Question - A cold record in Russia sent the temperature down to:
Answer - -68°C

Gift:




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Step 3: Lost in Translation

The taxi leaves me in a snowy street, somewhat distant from the city, in front of a small house lost in white fields. I'm not gonna say I'm disappointed, because this place is ultra charming, but I didn't think to spend my Christmas of dreams in a chalet. Otherwise, I would have gone to Switzerland. Anyway, the wood carvings are exquisite and the receptionist is adorable (phew, someone who understands my language of gestures and images on the phone)!

You need:
- one of the following for 12 $$$
       
- one of the following for 10 $$$
       

Gifts:
         

Cost of this step: 22 $$$
Cost so far: 42 $$$

Bonus 3:
Question - What name do we give to wooden houses in Russia?
Answer - Isba

Gift:




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Step 4: Ice Garden

I was expecting it to be a bit more... luxury. I would make a joke about the state of the country after the Soviet period, but it would be bad taste. If there is someone to blame, it's FeeriKrokett that made a bad impression of itself. Offering a trip in Russia, but the cheaper one possible? It was supposed to be a Christmas gift! To be honest, this is a nice bed and breakfast (I can't call it "hotel") and would be ungrateful for me to treat it like this. Especially because there is a charming garden out there, covered in snow and frost. In the early morning, when the sun emerges from the horizon, it makes the iridescent ice shine, it's beautiful!

You need:
- one of the following for 11 $$$
         
- one of the following for 5 $$$
             
- one of the following for 7 $$$
   
- one of the following for 7 $$$
         

Gifts:
                 

Cost of this step: 30 $$$
Cost so far: 72 $$$

Bonus 4:
Question - "Raspoutitsa" refers to:
Answer - the thaw period

Gift:




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Step 5: The hut at the deep of the woods

I really want to do Christmas shopping, just to self-spoil, so I ask the young lady of the hotel (who seems to be the owner) if she could tell me a nice place to visit. I'm not sure I explained well, cause she send me to a picturesque small village, very cute, but lost in the countryside. I scold myself, I negotiate to buy a shawl and boots in a tiny shop, but the taxi don't wait for me! I am so upset that I can't feel cold anymore, so I decide to return on foot to the hotel... to the chalet. I enter the forest, leaving the village behind, so much that I don't see it anymore cause of all these trees. I think I'm lost. I don't want to spend Christmas alone in the woods! Help! Fortunately, I meet a gentle guy, not very fashionable. He indicates me the direction of the chalet, but I don't really understand what he says (and his dog is very huge?). Following his instructions, I arrive at a strange hut mounted on a kind of chicken legs. I hesitate before knocking at the door, I don't know where I am (even my phone's GPS had abdicated).

You need:
- one of the following for 13 $$$
     
- one of the following for 12 $$$
               
- one of the following for 8 $$$
       

Gifts:
                                   

Cost of this step: 33 $$$
Cost so far: 105 $$$

Bonus 5:
Question - What is the majority religion in Russia in 2017?
Answer - orthodox religion

Gift:




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Step 6: Granny Cake

A gentle small old lady finally opens the door and invites me to enter. Her home smells good! I sit near the fireplace, she makes hot tea and reassures me, even if I don't understand a word, but she seems nice. I think her name is "Baba", it means "Madame" in Russian. Besides, don't I see a Christmas tree or decorations? It must be one of those old people who still stick to old traditions. If I understand correctly, she tells me to loan a horse to return to the chalet! A horse, it's so outdated and hyper cool! So, I have a choice to make... Ride a horse all alone to rejoin the civilization, or stay here for the night and wait for someone to come and find me?

You need:
- one of the following for 16 $$$
       
- one of the following for 13 $$$
       
- one of the following for 16 $$$
   

Gifts:
                                                 

Cost of this step: 45 $$$
Cost so far: 150 $$$

Bonus 6:
Question - What is the name of the witch character in Russian fairy tales?
Answer - Baba Yaga

Gift:




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Step 7A (left): Return of the light

I decide to ride the horse, even if I'm not that good at it. I thank the granny (not sure if she understand) and hop! While riding in the snowy forest, I feel like a czarina of the fairy tales. Thanks to the horse, I will return to the chalet in no time! On the road, I meet an old man on a sled with lots of tree branches. He absolutely wants to give me a branch, I accept just to get rid of him. As I am starting to enjoy the ride, suddenly the horse pitches up, throwing me to the ground and running away! Completely lost, I circle in the snow, and of course the old man disappears. Nothing can go any worse... but I encounter a bear. A bear! I am going to faint in terror, but out of nowhere the branch transforms into a crown! The bear points its claw towards me... and when it speaks to me, I understand I am completely elsewhere. He tells me he is a prince, transformed into a bear, and that I can help free him from the curse. In exchange of the crown, he offers me to become a princess of fairy tales in his palace. Did that old man orchestrate everything? A bear-prince who offers me to celebrate the winter solstice, the longest night of the year for the return of the light, in his palace in Siberia, before returning in my world? How can I refuse such a chance? Happy winter solstice!

You need:
- one of the following for 13 $$$
"Merry Christmas" in different languages written in the snow
           
- one of the following for 8 $$$
         
- one of the following for 15 $$$
               
- one of the following for 14 $$$
snowflakes
       

Gifts:
                                                                             

Cost of this step: 50 $$$
Cost so far: 200 $$$



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Step 7B (right): Christmas in Moscow!

I decide to wait at the old lady's house hoping for someone at the hotel worries about my absence. And it don't take long: Ivan, the son of the owner, find me after crossing the guy who saw me in the forest! Apparently, the Granny is known in the area for her hospitality, I was lucky. She makes me a delicious meal (a kind of meat stuffed bun, thick soup and stuffed cabbage, too good!). I return to the chalet with Ivan, where an invitation awaits me: am I a guest of honor at the Christmas party in Moscow? Probably organized by Feerikrokett! A taxi will be at my disposal to take me and bring me back when I want. Wow! Lucky! I must choose my outfit! And I'm not disappointed: the evening takes place in a beautiful apartment, very aristocratic, full of elegant people. I am intimidated, there even could be real princes and princesses among them! But my host, Aleksandr, is adorable! He takes me by the arm to introduce me to his friends who kindly try to speak with me, and also to his children before they go to bed (although I think they want to stay awake to see Santa Claus!). We dance a waltz, I taste many dishes unknown to me and even receive gifts! I spend an incredible evening, certainly far from home, but welcome with warm by these people as I am part of their family, celebrated as a close friend not seen for a long time. I will keep a wonderful memory of this Christmas, and at the time of opening the gifts, the resplendent smile of the children!

You need:
- one of the following for 16 $$$
             
- one of the following for 14 $$$
             
- one of the following for 11 $$$
             
- one of the following for 9 $$$
           

Gifts:
                                                                                       

Cost of this step: 50 $$$
Total cost: 250 $$$ + 150 Fee'z

Last edited by rheasilvia (2017-12-20 12:19:27)