♥ 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

B!

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu, being a sweet tooth, obviously took part in trying some of the candies out, with or without permission. He definitely didn't seem to learn from experiencing the "terrifying experience" (or so he says) with the drink experiment back in early January...

So when his vision changes from the candy's effect, Zenitsu has a hard time clearly making out Momo's appearance, but definitely knows it's her from the sounds he's picking up. He's definitely been crying and screaming about some nonsense like demon bloodarts just a moment before, though.

The hand wave in front of his face makes him jump a little. ]

S-sorry...! Ever since I ate one of those candies, my eyesight's been weird?

[yaoyoroshka]

[She'll raise her hands in front of her placatingly, now feeling a bit sorry for scaring him. (And making him think of demons, apparently...?) Her brows only knit further at his response.]

Weird how so? [She inspects his eyes (at a respectable distance, lest she ends up making him jump again) and sees no visible particles that could've been impeding his vision. Ah, could it be—]

How many fingers am I holding up?

[An impromptu eye-check up it is! And for what it's worth, it's three fingers.]

[zapdope]

Weird as in...everything looks a little pink...

[ Zenitsu blinks as he watches Momo put her fingers up. Thankfully, there's no effects that are making his eyesight blurry...yet. ] Err... three?

[ Now he's seeing sparkles around Momo and the surrounding areas, though. ] Uhm, do you see anything sparkling around you? Kinda like fireflies?

[ tHIS IS SCARY ]

[yaoyoroshka]

[Despite Zenitsu getting the answer right, Momo's frown remains because what's this now about everything looking pink? And sparkling?]

Not at all. As far as I'm concerned, everything looks normal. I suppose it's only you who's seeing—

2/2

[yaoyoroshka]

[...ah. Her expression falls flat, as if to say 'what else did she even expect from this place']

And you said this started happening after you ate those candies, correct?

[zapdope]

[ The expression Momo falls to makes Zenitsu very uneasy... ]

W-well they were offering them for free! And they were tasty so I ate a bunch of them?? I didn't steal them, I swear!

[yaoyoroshka]

[Definitely not wanting him to panic more, so here's a reassuring smile to make up for that!]

Oh, I wasn't suggesting that, don't worry! But it seems the candies you've eaten were the reason for your eyesight problems. It's just a bit frustrating to hear that they've put some effect or another on the food again, is all...

[No use griping about that, though.]

Waiting out the effects here outside is probably a hazard, however. Do you have a residence in this world already?

[zapdope]

[ You are too kind, Momo. Zenitsu gives a relieved sigh as he pats his chest down. Dizziness aside, at least he's not getting scolded for eating too much candy. ]

Y-Yeah. I've got a house with a friend from the same world. I've actually been trying to get back there while my vision's acting weird, but it's been a little more difficult to walk in the streets with just my ears...

[yaoyoroshka]

...how exactly does your ears help with walking?

[Odd. But anyway, that's good that he has a home and a friend in here! That means she wouldn't have to worry too much over him after dropping him off. She knows the residential area, at least. Perhaps once there, she can just ask around where exactly his home is. For now, she extends a hand.]

In any case, you don't have to rely on it for now if it's ineffective. You can hold onto me and I'll walk us along.

[zapdope]

[ Hand-holding with a girl!! Despite the weird and sometimes scary things that's been happening in this world, hes' gotten to hold hands with so many girls he keeps wondering if he really had died and went to heaven. ]

Th-that would be great!! Thanks. [ Since Momo's offering, he'll happily take the hand. The effect isn't immediate, but he can already see the vision slowly start to clear up.

He probably should explain what he meant earlier, though. ]

The thing is, my ears pick up a lot more than an average person's... So I was going to use them to get around while my vision was blocked.

[ Technically he should be able to do it perfectly fine, granted he'd have to be basically unconscious, but he's not at the moment. ]

[yaoyoroshka]

[Meanwhile, Momo thinks of this hand-holding more close to holding a lost child's hand... Though with a small squeeze of his hand for reassurance, they'll start walking! Momo listens to the explanation attentively.]

I see, like using echolocation for navigation! I know bats usually rely on it, since they usually hunt in the dark, but I've never heard of a human use it as well. That's very impressive!

[...being compared to a bat aside, it's a genuine compliment!]

Oh, but it must be quite inconvenient when you're in crowds... wouldn't it be too noisy?

[zapdope]

Echolocation? Is that what it's called? [ He's already known of the concept somewhat, but not the word.

Also, lost child is what Zenitsu is no matter who he's holding hands with. ]

Yeah, actually. In a way, there's a lot more sounds in this world than compared to my home world... There's no robots in my world, so it took a lot of getting used to.

[ From since last time, he's been getting used to picking up the sounds of certain people from different worlds. Momo's was one of few that he was able to distinctively pick up, and her sounds were generally very soothing and refined. ]

You're a really nice person! Both times I was having problems, you helped me out. Thanks!

[yaoyoroshka]

It is!

[But she won't fault him if he doesn't know. For all she knows, there's some alternative term for it in his world. Heck, hers has "Quirks." This line of thought moreso reinforced when he says there's no robots in his world. A time from way, way back then, she presumes, considering technology is well advanced in hers already.]

You must've come from a peaceful world, then? And here I was thinking how quiet and relaxed this place tend to be.

[You know. When there aren't any earthquakes. As for being called a nice person, she'll feel a bit sheepish.]

Ah, of course! I'm happy to help to the best of my abilities. Still, now that you've mentioned it, this is the second time... Be more careful next time, okay? We wouldn't want to worry your friend too much, after all!

[zapdope]

I wouldn't say it's peaceful, there's dangers in my world... It just didn't have as much nifty technology either!

[ Zenitsu doesn't want to scare Momo, so he'll leave the demon stuff out. But yeah, earthquakes are definitely creepy, but somehow the instagram filters was distracting enough for him to really freak out about the tremors.

As for getting stuck in weird effects... ]

I'll try... It's so hard to resist tasty free candy, you know? I should treat you for a thank you gift, you've been helping out so much.

[yaoyoroshka]

[Though she's curious as to what those dangers may be, she'll take Zenitsu's word for now. She wouldn't want to inadvertently make him talk of something he doesn't want to, of course. A smile then as she focuses on the lighter side of the conversation.]

Technology's great, isn't it? The VR Cafes are especially amazing. Have you tried any of them? I've always wondered how much work goes into them to make the experience realistic. Then there's our replicators, too! Although, admittedly, it can be hit and miss...

[It has yet to produce the perfect cake for her, alas. As for the offer, she'll wave off her free hand.]

There's no need, truly! I was able to help and meet a nice person in the process. That's a good exchange already, don't you think?

[zapdope]

Oh, yeah! The Vee-Arr thing! I tried it a little during January, actually! The early morning mountain climbing thing. It really felt like I was on the mountains! It was a little scary...

[ It took some time for him to get used to it, really. In fact he's still not used to it.

But wow, look at Momo talking about the technology stuff so excitedly! It's pretty cute. He gives a smile at that. ]

Do you like learning about the technology here? It's really nice to hear you talk about it all!