hugtopia_logs | ♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

a winter scene showing a line of houses, each a different colour, and a church in the background

January (Lasra) Event Log
Are you feeling free of last year's burdens, offworlders? The natives certainly are after spending the final month of the year at Rawna's temples. Now it's time for a new beginning even as the cold deepens, leaving snow drifts piled along Havenwell's streets. Industrious robots are hard at work keeping the city clean and removing any ice from the stone roads, leaving only beautiful winter scenery behind. The city sparkles under the snow and the silvery white decor brings out of their temples the priests not only for Rawna, but all of the gods.

❥ PROMPT I: The Temple Celebrations

lights decoring trees in front of a church

As noted in the Intro Log, the residents of Havenwell have been invited to help with the decorations in order to incorporate your worlds' cultures with their own, and to assist in celebrating the new year's coming. Residents are encouraged to visit any temple at their convenience or pleasure and join in the design process. There are craft tables, ranging from basic (for the younger or less skilled, such as kites or papercraft) to intricate and advanced designs (like glass lanterns or embroidery). Those less creatively-inclined are welcome to use their various skills, magics, or just ladder-balancing talents to help with the decoration installations around town. Many hands make light the work, after all.

Each temple has music playing and all of them have their associated animals not inside the temple like normal, but spread all over the temple grounds and surrounding areas. They aren't lost for once, but seem to be beckoning people toward their respective homes which are bedecked with holograms of dark green leafy boughs, ribbons, and ornaments all in the temple's colors. Diacht has red and white striped ornaments, Ohma has blue and gold, and Ainea is bringing up the cute factor with pink and purple. But Rawna is looking especially resplendent with rainbow sheened silver ornaments hung in the air, mixed in with real ones that are suspended from wires so thin they look as if they're hanging in midair. The dragonlings fly through the air, trailing silver ribbons behind them that make the temple really seem to shine this month. At each temple, simply by showing up, you can receive a small gift from the priests regardless of whether or not you're an adherent. And they invite you to play the temple games or dance along to the festive music playing from speakers. Each temple has something different to offer, so grab a friend and make your first visit of the year a special one!

Ainea:

Rawna:

Ohma:

Diacht:

❥ PROMPT II: Your Yearly (Mis)Fortunes

a hand pulling a fortune in front of a set of temple drawers

At each temple along all the other celebrations and games, you can also find a separate booth that has a strange and unreadable Aellyn script on it. The robot sitting behind the booth has their face covered with a strip of fabric that obscures it completely, but it calls out to you when you walk by. It offers you an ancient-looking wooden container with a single small hole at the top. If you take it, it mimes shaking the container and tipping it over. Do as they say and a wooden stick pops out of the top with that same strange script on it. The robot takes a look at what you got and takes the container back, passing you a single strip of paper with reverence. "Keep your fortune close or learn to let it go," it says, and then looks to find another patron. Turn your paper over and discover what your fortune holds for you.

Big Luck:

Medium Luck:

Small Luck:

Bad Luck:

Terrible Luck:

OOC: If you wish to roll for a random fortune, leave an comment with your character's name in the Request Thread. The mods will randomize for you and give you your fortune. Your character can only claim 1 fortune, no matter how many times they attempt the fortune-teller's game. Feel free to choose your own fortune instead, if you would prefer a set result.

❥ PROMPT III: Memories of the Sun (VR)

This seasonal VR simulation is especially popular with the natives for the fact that it lets them see their world as it used to be. Load into the simulation "Memories of the Sun" and you'll be transported along with all others who are currently logged in to make a pilgrimage up Aellyn's most sacred mountain. Although its peak is rocky and somewhat barren, it has a serene beauty as it reaches up through the cloud layer and you climb upwards through the dark. The path is clearly lit by small lamps embedded into the ground, but you might find it easier to take the climb if you hang onto someone else. Once you reach the peak, whether you're alone or with someone else, you'll be treated to the sight of a gorgeous sunrise peeking over the thinning clouds. It's a sight to remember, and a sight that brings memories. As you watch you're overcome with a very real vision of your home, a place you remember, or people you know. This vision is typically of a better time in your life, something to bring you hope and peace as the new year dawns - but not always. Is this a vision of your past? Your future? Of your present? If you came here with someone else, they can also choose to share in your vision and you in theirs. Are you brave enough to face what the mountain has to show you?

❥ PROMPT IV: All the Ups and Downs

And while the celebrations continue, there seems to be something a little awry with Havenwell. Here and there throughout the month, gravity has gone utterly haywire. You can be walking from temple to temple or going about your everyday life when suddenly you feel yourself lifted off the ground or heavier than you have any right to be. Havenwell's natives aren't immune to this effect either, and you might see a robot go shooting up into the sky suddenly to hover a good five to ten feet in the air. Or they might take a step and suddenly fall flat on their faces, their gears whirring with the strain as they try to pick themselves up. Thankfully the other natives are quick to jump up and grab their companions if they're flying overhead or pull their friends out of the well if they're stuck to the ground. If you find yourself caught up in these gravity wells, you'll need someone's help to do the same. Be sure to pay it forward because you'll never know when it could be you in this awkward position.

This event will run from January 15 to January 31. Click on each prompt's title to see the text. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread below.

This post is meant to act as a catch-all for convenience, but feel free to make your own posts if you prefer!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nnngh.

[Have a wordless noise of agreement at that; Will pushes himself up to an unsteady sitting position, one hand coming up to hold his head. His everything hurts, the world still feels like it's spinning around him, and it's hard to gather his thoughts through the jangle of nerves and adrenaline..... But it's no worse than some of the harrowing adventures he'd had during his journey, right? If he really needed to, he's pretty sure he could get up and walk away from this.

.....That is, of course, assuming he didn't have to jump down out of Nanu's hand to do so. He doesn't like the looks of that drop.]

Y-yeah, thanks. And thanks for the save, too. Nice to meet you, by the way.

Edited 2020-01-18 09:14 (UTC)

Nanu.

[Between the unconventional meeting and Will's addled state, Nanu's mindful to not overwhelm him. Besides, there's more important things to figure out than introductions, and the interrogative edge his questions take is all too natural.]

When'd this happen?

I don't--mmmn, no. I was walking for a while. Half an hour ago, maybe?

[Will digs into his pocket to fish out a tablet (thankfully undamaged) just as tiny as he is, checking the time. At least he's cooperative, in spite of the interrogative tone? Obedient, even.]

Something like that. It was just a little after I drew my fortune from those booths they have near the temples.

[Considering how long he'd been walking, he really didn't get too far from the temple at all, did he? Getting home is going to be absolutely miserable, he can already tell. He's not sure he even dares to release his Pokémon while he's like this--what if it effects them somehow, too? Their Pokéballs are also small, after all.]

Those fortunes. [He grumbles and thinks to the one in his pocket.]

Mine said, "The smallest things can bring the biggest rewards."

[Nanu won't profess to be particularly superstitious, but, he's quickly learning Havenwell operates on its own nonsensical rules.]

Maybe I was supposed to find you like this.

Edited 2020-01-19 06:57 (UTC)

Hehe, maybe so..... But how am I supposed to reward you, hmmm?

[How is he supposed to do almost anything like this, stranded in the middle of the city and sitting in a stranger's hand after nearly being a Persian's lunch? Maybe he should call Kiwi and ask him to come pick him up.....]

Mine said the world would be my limitless bounty. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

[Except for the part where you figure out what it actually means. He'd kind of been hoping he'd just get more lucky somehow, not just..... have everything stay the same but be comparatively more.]

Maybe if your bounty includes a normal couch that'd be reward enough for me.

[Like the couch isn't great for his back but Nanu's standards of living were only just above the floor. He grumbles bitterly.]

Every piece of furniture I try to touch shrinks to about your size.

...You want any of it? I've got use for it now.

Edited 2020-01-21 07:11 (UTC)

I hope I won't be like this long enough to need it, but I wouldn't mind! Although if my bounty is rea--wait a second. Wait.

[His thoughts come to a screeching halt at that idea. He has enough experience by now at thinking in the strange, whimsical way this world works that he's quick to put together the pieces. Sure, his mental calculus is a little different than what it should be--but it's still close enough that he arrives at the right conclusion regardless.

Nanu might be grumbling, but he laughs.]

I get it. Stick with me, and you can have a real bed for a reward; I'll cancel that fortune right out for you.

Cancel it out?

[He's not sure how Will knows this but he sounds confident enough in his answer. Must be a psychic thing. Either way Nanu's ready to try nearly anything at this point.]

If you say so.

[He readjusts so Will can sit comfortably in one of his hands, so Nanu's other free hand can do important things like scratch the back of his head.]

Where am I taking you?

[Is this what being a Pokeride feels like?]

You bet! I wouldn't be surprised if they're straight up paired fortunes, but I haven't gotten to read any of the others yet.

[Now that he's had a chance to recover from almost being Pokéchow, and realized what they probably need to do, Will just seems entertained by the whole affair. He leans back onto his hands and crosses his legs, lounging comfortably on Nanu's hand; this is definitely what it feels like to be a Pokéride, shuttling trainers around in style. ~~Just..... with way less dorky outfits.~~]

We're heading to the residential district. I'll tell you where to turn.

[Onwards, noble steed!]

[Yep he's a Pokeride now. This is fine. He lets Will get good and comfortable in his hand and then immediately decides he doesn't like not having his hands free. He gently deposits Will into the one breast pocket of his outer shirt.]

Be good and don't squirm.

[He still has to wrangle Persian up, that's his excuse. She's wandered only a few yards away and perks up when he brings his fingers to his mouth and whistles.]

Come on, we're going for a walk.

[On he walks, at a leisurely but steady pace.]

[Oof. Even gently being handled like this is kind of dizzying..... At least that means he's nice and obedient, leaning back against Nanu while he gets his bearings. There's little more than a glimpse of fluffy purple hair visible over the edge of the pocket; he ends up having to tug the edge down a little to watch where they're going.]

Are you Alolan, or did you get your girl imported? She's really something!

[She may have only been a few seconds away from making him a snack, but that doesn't mean she's not gorgeous. How can he hold a grudge when she was just following her instincts?]

Alolan stock.

[Persian prr-chuffs at the compliment, her ears finely attuned for them no matter where they were coming from.]

Had about a dozen other Alolan Meowth back at the station on Ula'ula. Lost count a while back. If they were here you would've been a goner by now.

Ahahaha! Yeah, I'd have been torn limb from limb! Lucky me you've only got one with you right now, huh?

You might get more of them back, once your god is a little healthier. I've gotten a few of my team brought here.

[He's far too casual about this whole being almost eaten alive thing. But still, there's no point freaking out over hypotheticals, right?]

I always wanted to travel around Alola properly. It was a little too expensive for me to stay for long when I visited, though.

That so? [It's nice to hear affirmation he wasn't the only one who came here missing his team and that there's the prospect of getting them back but, ugh, that means complying and Nanu's very bad at that, especially if it involves touches.

Optimistically he thinks maybe it counts enough that Will's pressed up against his chest, even if there's at least two layers of fabric in the way...

...Yeah probably not good enough.]

Price of paradise. I'd tell you the cheapest places to stay but even that's not worth it. [It was definitely Ula'ula.]

When were you there?

Hehe, I bet. Your rent must be through the roof!

I was there a couple years ago, I'd have to look at my photos to remember exactly when. I mean, I spent years backpacking around the world! I visited so many places, it's a little hard to keep all the dates straight.

It's the worst. [The worst location for the best rent. That's where he decided to settle down. Because no one else was crazy enough to do that so that meant he could do it in peace.]

Got around, huh. Guess all that experience made you Elite material.

[Alola's Elite Four league was in it's infancy still and Nanu willingly turned the position down even when offered. He's glad Acerola stepped up to the plate in his place. No one needed to know that but she didn't keep it a secret.]

Now look at you--hitchhiking in someone's pocket.

Mmhmm! I participated in as many branches as I could, and collected badges from all over. What better way to prove yourself worthy of being a part of the League than by testing yourself against it over and over?

[He sounds insufferably pleased with himself--and even that jab doesn't suck the wind out of his sails. Will just laughs, reaching back to pat Nanu's chest.]

Hitchhiking in someone's pocket? That's a funny way to pronounce "riding in style atop my noble steed"~ ♥

[He sounds so insufferably pleased with himself. Nanu scoffs.]

Don't get too used to that or you're gonna' make me put some hustle in my step.

[He definitely had a large reservoir of patience and rushing wasn't his style. That said Havenwell wasn't exactly huge and they're already in the residential district. He looks around between buildings and doors and scratches the back of his head.]

Alright where to?

I mean, if you want to do extra laundry.....

[He's just saying! Nanu will be inconvenienced too, if he makes Will motion sick from walking too briskly. Will tugs the front of the pocket down to peek over it, looking around and trying to get his bearings from such a strange perspective. It's a little disorienting, but he's been here long enough to know where they are, even so. He points.]

You'll want to take that next right up there, and go down that street. The number is--

[Insert address here. Better remember it, Nanu! You may need to crash here more than once, if that fortune comes back.]

[Don't worry he'll pretend to forget it and suddenly remember it whenever it's most inconvenient for Will. Right now it's most inconvenient for him so he's careful to commit his own steps to memory. Persian follows along dutifully, also taking in the sights and smells of the area, Marsh or Mallow.]

Hopefully you're irresponsible and don't lock your place or we're both in trouble.

[He'll try the doorhandle.]

.....Oh, Crustle. My key is definitely too small now, you're right.

[Enjoy the family friendly swearing as the knob rattles. He doesn't think Kiwi is home yet, either.....]

Just..... hang onto the door for a second, okay? I'll take care of it!

[Will moves to climb out of Nanu's pocket to stand on his shoulder, and from there to trot down the man's arm towards the door. The nice thing about knowing how to pick locks like it's second nature is that he's never really locked out of the house, even if his keys are useless.

The nice thing about being psychic is that he doesn't have to rely on trying to manipulate a lockpick as long as a spear to him right now, either. As long as he can get close enough to listen to the tumblers, it should only be the work of moments to get inside.]

[Nanu keeps his arm still as it effectively serves as a bridge while Will works his way down and picks his own lock. Hardly an altruistic or conventional solution which of course gets Nanu to crack a tiny smile.]

Petty handy. I'll call you next time I need to rob the sushi place downtown.

[Which would matter if there actually was a sushi place anywhere here. Nanu is bereft of this. Anyway, he'll carefully scoop Will up again in one hand so he can open the door. Once inside Nanu goes for a light switch and secure Will up on a countertop or somewhere safe, stable, and moderately high. He's not shy about being nosy and walks around.]

Mmhmm~ ♥ You do realize the locals here can't taste though, right? Even if there was a sushi place, we'd probably make it better ourselves!

[Will is quick to scamper after Nanu as the man pokes around, keeping to the counters and tops of furniture as he goes. No sense in tempting Persian more than he has to, right?]

Looking for something, big guy?

I'd rather die.

[A life without taste. Nanu's pretty miserable even on a good day but sushi is something worth living for. His suggestion is, ahem, food for thought. Maybe later though.

He's mostly nosy for the sake of it and trying to get a better idea of what Will's living situation is like before he potentially makes himself comfortable here, even for a cat nap. Persian also slips into various rooms, silently sniffing the air and occasionally rubbing her cheek on the corner of furniture. Hers now. She's here.]

Said something about a reward and a bed that won't shrink.

[He's eyeing the couch though. It's much closer and that's what he's actually far more used to sleeping on.]

[~~THEN PERISH.~~ There's not too much to see, really. In the corner of the living room, an electric keyboard and sheet music is all set up, ready to play. Three of the four bedrooms have their doors standing ajar, while the fourth is firmly shut. That one is immaculately clean and empty, like it's waiting for someone, while not quite as much attention has been paid to the other empty room.

Of the ones that are actually lived in, it's easy to tell which is Will's, if only for the probably familiar state of controlled chaos it's in. Stray bits of Flareon fluff clinging to the bedding, a sizable pillow and blanket nest on the floor for his girls to snuggle into, a brush on the desk and a ball rolled underneath it--there's only so much anyone can do to keep the place tidy, with all these Pokémon. There's plenty for Persian to do, if she wants to try and drown out all these other scent claims.]

Mmmhmmm~ You'd better come get me, then; it'll only work if we lay down together. As long as we do that, everything should stay put!

[He's not entirely sure, it would probably still work if he got set down on the bed (or couch) first..... But he's certain it'll work if Nanu's actually carrying him when he sits down. After all, that's what this place is all about, right?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject