♥ 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

II

[helmsplitter]

[He's not sure what sort of sounds a sword tsukumogami would make, but considering all his armor and his complete lack of stealth, it's probably a lot of clanking and noise. Doudanuki feels a bit of sympathy with this poor guy, seeing as he's stumbling around even when the earthquakes aren't happening, and when he reveals why? There's another spike of emotion - pity.]

Yeah...that's why I don't eat sweets. Maybe you should sit down? You're gonna get a concussion wanderin' around with your eyes closed like that.

[zapdope]

[ Most definitely not the sound a human would make, so Zenitsu's immediately freaking out even before he's getting a good look at the guy talking to him. ]

I'm sorry!? Whatever you are, please don't come here?! I don't wanna die?!!?

[ Zenitsu will be screaming more nonsense as he edges away from Doudanuki. ]

[helmsplitter]

[Holy shit, the guy just started screaming. He stops dead in his tracks, free hand up to ward off whatever craziness is spouting out of his mouth while the other keeps a tight grip on his sword hilt.]

What? Why the hell d'you think you'd die?

[And what the hell does "whatever you are" mean???]

Stop screamin' you'll burst an eardrum.

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu hears the sound of the sword shifting, and that only makes him jump with a yelp. Nerves already going haywire with fear makes it worse for this dumb blond. ]

You got a sword!? You don't sound human!?! Please don't kill me!?

[ Says the kid who also has a sword at his waist too, not that he's even close to using it at the moment as he cowards in his spot, continuing to wail. Sorry, Zenitsu's not going to quiet down anytime soon... ]

My vision's messed up from eating the candy! I can't even run away properly without getting dizzy!! It's no fair!!!

[helmsplitter]

[Why is this guy screaming about him having a sword when he has one at his hip?? Doudanuki is about to point that out when the next thing out of the blond screamer's mouth stops him dead in his tracks. He doesn't "sound human"???]

Wait-- How do you know I'm-- I'm not human?

[And please stop screaming about that? He's still sort of undercover??]

Can you stop yelling?! If you pipe down for 5 minutes I'll-- [Shit, what can he say?] I'll-- I'll stop chasing you! How's that!

[zapdope]

Huh?! You were hiding it?! I'm sorry!!??! [ Sorry, he's going to scream a little more before he picks up on what the other says towards the end. ]

Y-you swear you won't chase me?!

[ Zenitsu will also take this moment to actually see who he's talking to, and he almost starts screaming again because intimidating man alert! ]

[helmsplitter]

I swear! Now shut up!

[And he does stop moving toward him, dropping his sword down by his side, his hands very much off the hilt. He's trying (for once) to be the least threatening he can be.]

Gods, just calm down. I ain't gonna attack you, that's not what I do. I protect people!

[zapdope]

[ Oh, he protects people! That's good! Zenitsu will try to quiet down with his screaming, and his noise level will go down to sniffling from the tears that have fallen during his freak-out session. ]

O-Okay... I'll try to keep calm... [ Will not guarantee it. ]

[helmsplitter]

[Okay, he's calm(er) now so that's good, right? He's still crying and sniffling, but at least he's not screaming which is a vast improvement.

Doudanuki sighs, running his free hand through his short hair.]

Alright, good.

[Because he really wasn't trying to hurt him at all, just living his life and seeing a guy stumble around.]

Now, are you okay or is there something in your eye?

[And more importantly, how did he know he wasn't human???]

[zapdope]

[ Not screaming, but he'll still be trembling a little. It's a miracle he hasn't fainted already, really. ]

Something's wrong with my eyes! I'm seeing pink with sparkles and also bubbles! It's been making me feel dizzy and even a little nauseous!

I'm going to die!!

[ He's definitely overreacting, but magic stuff has always been associated with enemy demon attacks and him quite literally almost dying. ]

[helmsplitter]

[This guy looks like a stiff wind would bowl him right over.]

You ain't gonna die.

[Although it does sound dire. And weird. And magical. Which probably means it has to do with some weird magic bullshit that's going on here. But in order to really understand, he's going to have to get closer and make sure that there's nothing physically wrong with the guy's eyes.]

Lemme get a look at your eyes. Did you eat or touch anything weird lately?

[zapdope]

[ It's like the tear ducts are broken for Zenitsu. Tears will keep falling as he tries his best to keep calm. ]

Uhm... I've eaten some candy that some of the stores were offering for free? For the holidays, they said.

[ He's not sure if having someone take a look at them will be any good but he'll peer out slowly, not to make himself dizzy by opening them suddenly. ]

[helmsplitter]

[Ah. The food. That would be a good reason why Doudanuki has been sticking to the stuff out of the replicators and avoiding anything offered by the temples. Even when it looked good. And was cooked. The last time he tried anything it made him feel like he was on fire and not in the good way.

When Zenitsu opens his eyes, he'll see Doudanuki's gold eyes peering at him, leaning forward to get close without taking too many steps forward. He doesn't want this guy to flail and smack him, but he does want to see if he can see anything in his eyes that might be a different cause of his malady. ]

Yeah...you gotta be careful with the food they offer for free here. It can give you some pretty weird problems. Last time, they were giving out drinks and they had all sorts a' weird effects. Most of it goes away after awhile or if you hold onto someone.

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu instinctively leans back as he sees the other lean in, raising his hands defensively. Personal space! But the sudden movement adds to the dizziness caused from everything having roses and actually have rose petals falling down from nowhere. ]

C-close!! You're too close!

[ Zenitsu moves quickly to regain his personal space, but he's disoriented from the vision filter and he stumbles over his own feet. ]

[helmsplitter]

Ah--shit, sor-- [He immediately pulls back when the other guy goes reeling, but hands up or not, he can't let him just fall on his ass. Then he might get hurt and probably start screaming again. And seeing how he'd been looming over a guy in tears, people would probably assume he pushed him and Doudanuki! Can't! Have that! He's already a scary enough looking guy with all the scars, he doesn't need a reputation as a bully!

As the guy stumbles, Doudanuki shoots a hand out, grabbing him by the arm or wrist or whatever he can to make sure he doesn't hit the ground.]

Whoa! Careful!

[zapdope]

[ With how Zenitsu keeps wailing and screaming at almost anything, it's more likely that Zenitsu would be seen as being a pathetic loser than the other person being the bully from a stranger's point of view...

It was his own fretting that made him misstep, so Zenitsu was expecting himself to hit the ground. When he gets grabbed, he gives a confused blink and looks up at the other. ]

Uhm... Thanks?

[ Zenitsu's Very Confused, yes. ]

[helmsplitter]

No problem.

[With the guy righted and no longer in danger of falling over, Doudanuki checks one more time that he's stable before letting his arm go. Confused is better than screaming and crying.]

So, you calming down any?

[zapdope]

I think so... [ This guy still looks pretty scary, but at least so far he isn't like almost everyone back at home. ]

Uhm... Sorry for freaking out earlier... Your sound isn't something I've heard before, so I got scared...

[helmsplitter]

Mm, not gonna say no problem, but I guess I can understand.

[He takes a step back and then checks the area. No one is quite close enough to hear their conversation so long as the kid doesn't start screaming again, so Doudanuki relaxes.]

What d'you mean by that though? My sound? How--[No, wrong question starter.] Why d'you think I ain't human?

[zapdope]

Uhm...

[ Even without the keen hearing, he can tell the guy isn't comfortable talking about his identity. Zenitsu feels bad for blurting it out earlier, but he can't take back what's been said already. ]

My ears pick up more than an average person? Every living thing makes certain sounds and they're all different by what they are. Like humans have a specific sound, birds another. And yours isn't human. It's more like... [ clanking and lots of noise ] metal clanking?

[ He'll pause here, super unsure. ]...Are you sure you're okay?