♥ February (Nalom) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

February Event Log
It's the last month devoted to Rawna, and winter is winding down. You'd think that this would matter to them, but none of the priests of Rawna seem to care at all. If asked, they will simply explain that they are "fasting"... not for food, or entertainment, but their capacity to care. The 3rd and final month of the dragonlord emphasizes the apathy aspect of the god's alignment, and followers are encouraged to just chill and not let life bother them for a while.

This doesn't seem to have stopped the rest of the community, however. Seems they've caught wind of there being a particular fluffy holiday taking place in the second month of the year on certain worlds and have decided to adopt it for themselves as something of a test drive. Nalom is usually so boring, after all! And if it helps their unfortunate trapped visitors feel a little more at home, well, they're happy to give back if they can. Thus, there are fresh displays in local businesses, custom shops, and pop-up cafes, offering discounts and deals for people who shop or dine together. You are the only ones who can support the gods in these dark days, and you need a partner to do that! So this month they are celebrating YOU.

Happy Va... Valen... Saint's... happy Nalom!

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❥ PROMPT I: They Call Him Lakemin, King Of Soft Hugs

Once a day, all through the city, there will be a distinct robot wandering through. It's large, looks almost like a marshmallow, and seems to be there just to hug your character. Isn't that sweet? If you find him in inclement weather, he'll happily keep you company, even keep you warm or dry if necessary! Really, though, you can find him anywhere. All hugs are sweet and soft, though those less… hug-inclined… may receive a surprise embrace instead. If you don't like it, he will be very apologetic! They're testing a new technology, you see. What technology, you might ask? Well, let's see how it goes first. Just enjoy the good squishes for now.

When you return home, there's a small weather-proof box by the door. Opening it, there's a small plush of this Marshmallow-bot with a name embroidered on it. Only problem is, it isn't your name. Whoops! Someone must have been in a rush to deliver these and put them in the wrong place. Time to find who this plush belongs to, maybe they'll have yours! Or maybe they can direct you to the right person. Either way, what is there to lose? Nothing, of course! There's just the strange compulsion to see to it that this plush get home and you pass on those warm, cozy, hugs that Marshmallow-bot gave you.

❥ PROMPT II: This is How You Valentine

The information that the residents have received about Valentine's Celebrations might be a little… iffy… or at the very least sporadic, but they're trying a few experiments to see if it'll help get people in the mood. The following changes can be discovered around town, with varying effects:

• Conversation hearts
Found in display bowls at the counter of local businesses, characters who eat these candies find their vision becoming rose-tinted. Quite literally. Colors aren't erased by it but there's a definite effect as if they are seeing the world through some kind of film filter, the shade of which can vary depending on the person. Maybe you see different colors! Maybe you see some bizarre kind of Snapchat filter. Maybe you see dialogue appearing in text bubbles now. The effect can be alleviated/cured (at player's discretion) by leaning against someone for an extended amount of time, which is convenient, because the sudden shift in visuals can make you feel a little dizzy.


• Roses
A few members of the community council are handing out flowers! These aren't naturally grown, of course, as with how delicate a process is it they don't want to jeopardize the botanical gardens by removing an excess of them. However, these are made out of synthetic silks but smell like real ones and have just as soft a feeling without any thorns! Isn't that nice of them?

When your character receives one, they're filled with the gentle, warm sensation of being in love but without falling hard. And they'll want to share it. People who share similar features to your CR, even if it's something subtle like hair color or a piece of clothing, will jump out as someone to share this flower with. This comes with the urge to express some unfortunately cheesy lines about the other person… and while they don't have to be romantic, even the most platonic of lame comments can get you in hot water. Hope the rose is worth it!


• Wines and Fruit Juices
What goes with cheesy compliments better than wine? These are found only in the temples, and with a priest always nearby to ensure no one is drinking the alcoholic drinks underage or becomes too inebriated to be safe. No matter how it looks or smells, these will taste just as your character likes and will always be the perfect temperature! Handy! But boy, after even a small glass, it sure does feel like cuddle weather, doesn't it? Don't worry though, it isn't anything that would make your character get too inappropriate or do anything outside their comfort zone. But boy, wouldn't it be nice to lay your head on someone for a bit?


• Chocolate truffles
Good morning! Every residence will wake up at least one day with a small box of chocolate truffles in a box at their doorstep. Some are plain, some decorated, and the decorations range from simple white chocolate drizzle to fancy elaborate planets or galaxy speckles. No matter what the flavor, there's an urge to share them with someone. That's all! Go and spread that chocolatey delight! It's extra-satisfying to feed it to them yourself, for some reason...

❥ PROMPT III: Kreative Kompetition

No matter what the month, the world still spins, and businesses run, which means that the VR Cafes have been working on new games. This time, the theme is friendly competition! The following games are now available at the local cafes:

• Kart Racing:
Pick a kart and get out there! You'll be provided with everything you need, of course, since even virtual reality observes safety requirements. On the track, you'll be able to pick up comically large and squishy 'weapons' and obstacles. Nothing that will hurt but a cream pie to the face sure does make it hard to keep up! You can race against friends, strangers, or even find yourself in a whole grand prix.


• Kapture the Flag:
You and your opponent are tasked with capturing the other's flag. No holds barred! You can move and hide your own flag, plant traps around it, even carry it around with you! Can you find a way to disguise it? That's an option! Whatever you do, once your opponent gets it, you'll receive a message alerting you that your flag has disappeared. Don't let them get it back to their base!

Once a game has concluded, win or lose, both players will be rewarded with coupons for a free meal for two at one of the local cafes around town. Matching up the coupons gets a bonus dessert! It's not necessary to match them, but why wouldn't you?

❥ PROMPT IV: Gentle Trembling of the Toes

In the last few days of the month, something begins to happen: a very gentle rumble reverberates throughout the city, an earthquake small enough to not cause any damage, but large enough to be felt. The timing of it is sporadic, but it happens once a day. The sensation will typically last for anywhere between 10-30 seconds before dissipating as if it never occurred at all.

Around town, characters may also notice something curious- each time one of those tremors occur, many of the robotic residents in town will immediately stop, find a partner, and link arms while standing back to back with one another, clinking their heads together. They stand that way for a while, even after the tremors subside, until at last they say their farewells and move on. If asked, rather than alarmed, the town natives are tentatively optimistic, even excited in some cases: the quakes are a message, a gentle warning, but of what they don't yet know. It's been so long since a public declaration from their deities was made, due to their diminished presence in the world and the decline of the planet. The priests are especially eager, bustling about in their temples trying to prepare for whatever might happen, but no one seems to know exactly what, or when, the next step will occur. The doors exiting out of town are being reinforced, and the guards have doubled up their patrols and will be especially vigilant about explorers going too close to the walls around the city. Most people at least know this much: do as they do, when the tremors hit, and you'll understand a little better.

Characters that link up for long enough during one of the quakes can receive one of following messages in their heads:
1) "Change is coming." this message is passive, almost like a greeting.
2) "We thank you for all you have done." this message is softer, almost apologetic.
3) "We shall do all we can to keep you safe." this message is gentle, almost parental in its affection.
4) "Share your bounty and your joy." this message is kind and encouraging, tugging you toward people you may not have met yet.
5) "Remember to keep the balance." this message is plaintive, but without urgency.
6) "Do not approach the walls." this message is LOUD, insistent, and the most frequently transmitted.

The voice that conveys these messages is a collective of multiple, speaking in synchronization but at inconsistent volumes. Multiple links (eg. different threads) can receive multiple messages, and characters do not have to hear the same message as their partner.

This occurrence is also ONGOING. The quakes will continue until it is announced in the near future when they end. Stay tuned!

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This event (aside from Prompt IV) will run from February 11th to 25th. 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 on the Plotting Post.

Comments

[twistedempathy]

[Awww, this is nice. It feels almost like normal again--save for that lingering, buzzing note in the back of his mind, a sourceless restlessness crawling just under his skin. What on Aellyn has Kiwi so wound up lately?]

Hi there~ Didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?

[It's a gentle probe, more than anything--has Kiwi been waiting for him? If they needed him, they could have called, right? Even so, he doesn't let it stop him from accepting the kiss with a pleased little hum, winding his arms around the bard and turning his head a little to offer a kiss against the corner of Kiwi's mouth in return.]

[wannabethehero]

[Kiwi makes a happy little sound at the return kiss, giving Will a gentle squeeze before resting their arms around his shoulders. Thank you for that lead in, that helps a lot, even if they still buzz with nervous energy.]

Actually, you're right on time. You uh...heard what today is, right?

[twistedempathy]

Hehe~ Sure did! The locals are absolutely over the moon. Valentine's usually isn't this big a deal back home.....

[Or maybe that's just because he's never paid it too much mind, himself? It was always cute to see all the couples out and about, and he enjoyed a day of whirlwind romance with whoever he'd found on his journey, if he happened to be in town instead of on the road when Valentine's Day rolled around..... But ultimately, it's never really mattered much.

That familiarity makes him decidedly more casual about the whole affair, but he does smile slyly nonetheless, reaching up to play with Kiwi's hair. At least it stayed fixed for a couple minutes?]

I guess it must be pretty novel for you too, hmmm? You weren't thinking about doing anything special, were you~? ♥

[wannabethehero]

[Ahhhhh all their hard work ruined! They scrunch their face up, tinging pink as their hair is tousled.]

W-well, why not? It's a day for doing something special, isn't it?

[twistedempathy]

Mmhmm~

[Their hair is just extra soft and pettable-looking today, how can he resist burying a hand in it? Will giggles, kissing Kiwi's nose as the bard makes a face at him.]

I'm all ears. Anything you want to do today, we'll make it happen.

[wannabethehero]

[They go just a little redder at the nose kiss. But at Will saying the magic words of 'anything you want,' they perk up, their heart doing another nervous-excited jump.]

...Ok!

[Kiwi breaks off the embrace, sliding their hands down to Will's, tugging him eagerly to the corner where their music station is all put together.]

Come over here!

[twistedempathy]

Okay.....?

[Clearly Kiwi's got something in mind already. Will allows himself to be led over without protest, puzzled. Is this about the band, maybe?]

[wannabethehero]

[Kiwi is grinning ear to ear as they excitedly bring Will over. A second chair has been prepared right next to the keyboard, where they encourage Will to sit.]

Now...close your eyes.

[twistedempathy]

Like this?

[Will settles into his chair and closes his eyes, leaning back and smiling to himself. Whatever this surprise is, Kiwi is adorably excited about it. It's downright charming; how can he help but be a little excited himself?]

[wannabethehero]

Yeah, perfect!

[Kiwi's hands linger around Will's for just one more second before they pull away and settle themselves in front of the keyboard. This was it, the big moment. Their hands were already shaking a little from the anticipation of what Will would think. There's a click and faint electrical hum to fill the silence for a moment as Kiwi adjusts the volume, then they take one last steadying breath, centering themselves, and their fingers lower onto the keys, starting to play.]

[[OOC: mood music~]]

[twistedempathy]

[Music fills the room, slow and soft and sweet--and somehow, it feels almost..... familiar? It feels like he knows this song, and the peaceful, dreamy contentment that flows through it. It feels like..... like lying in bed together half-asleep, breath mingling and wrapped in each other's arms, brushing feather-light kisses over warm skin, the rest of the world completely forgotten.

It feels like..... falling in love. Is this..... for him.....?

It's beautiful. Will stays silent, eyes closed as he listens, but there's no denying the blush that only deepens the longer Kiwi plays.]

[wannabethehero]

[There was some time in the creative process where Kiwi struggled to give lyrics to this song. But ultimately, they accepted that this is one of those pieces full emotions more complex than words. Love, of course. Intimacy. But also...

Safety. Gratitude. A tight embrace to weather the harshest storm. The music fills a space that they didn't know was so empty. Need long neglected that was now filled. Long-aching pain that slowly healed. Mystery. Desire to know someone deeper. Everything that Will had done for Kiwi, everything Kiwi felt about Will, wordlessly woven into the keys of the piano.

Even if there were words, it would be hard to sing them as the vulnerability of pouring their soul out in this song was giving them a lump in their throat. But they watch Will's face carefully as they play, their smile warming to see his reaction.]

[twistedempathy]

[Will can feel it all woven into the melody, every swell of warmth and fading ache and whisper of longing. More importantly, perhaps.....

He can hear it, inside and out. It's all the same, every last note, the music from the keyboard echoing in his mind. Will is secretly grateful Kiwi had him close his eyes; he might be tearing up, just a little. How is it even possible for someone to be so sweet?]

[wannabethehero]

[No judgement here. By the time the long, slow melody finishes, trailing its last arpeggios up the keys, they have to dab at their own eyes with the back of their hand before Will notices. They're not sure they can speak yet, with their heart pounding in their throat from the nerves of the performance - they didn't really get stage fright, but performing for a single person they felt this way about, telling them a love story in music, was very different. But in lieu of words, as the silence fills the room again, they slide over in their seat and lean in to rest their hand on Will's.]

[twistedempathy]

[The feel of the music lingers even after the last notes fade, wrapped around him like a cozy blanket. He's a little overwhelmed, to be honest--hardly even realizes the story is over, until he feels Kiwi's hand covering his.

(Except it's not over at all, is it? It's only barely begun.)

He probably looks a right mess, blushing and uncharacteristically subdued like this--but that doesn't stop him from reaching for Kiwi, to pull them into his arms (and possibly lap) to hug tight.]

Kiwi..... You're incredible, you know that?