♥ 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

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Personalized messages... he's not sure how much he actually likes that idea. But. He has no real way to dispute it.]

They... could have been, since they were different.

[He hadn't thought of that before, but if they both heard unique messages, then it isn't that far-fetched. Even if it still feels like a pretty convoluted way to be delivering specific messages to specific people.]

[daikonrose]

[ Kyoko had certainly felt targeted by the message she got, so it makes a certain amount of sense. Why wouldn't it be personal, anyway, if the words are being delivered directly to their very own brains?

But, while she can get an idea of what her message means, Shinji's seems less clear and even more ominous. Maybe that's just because she doesn't know him well enough, though. ]

... You don't think so? Are there any "changes" you've been waiting for, that they could have been talking about?

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[He gives a wary little shake of his head - back hen he had first arrived, it had taken him a good deal of effort to accept the fact that maybe this place wasn't going to shift into another reality entirely, or simply vanish before his eyes. Now that he'd become a little more comfortable with the idea that it might not do any of that, getting a message like this one isn't doing his imagination any favors.]

N-no, not really.

[Days passing, seasons changing, yeah, but surely they aren't going to go through the trouble of saying something like that for something as innocuous as those changes.]

[daikonrose]

[ Huh, that answer doesn't sound super firm and confident, somehow. But maybe Shinji is still too shaken to really think about it. Or maybe he does have something in mind, but it's a sensitive topic?

Doing her best to pull on a little smile for him, Kyoko decides not to push it too much. ]

Well, even if the whole thing is weird, it's... not impossible that it'll lead to something good. It's not like we can do anything right now except guess, anyway.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Something between the quality of that smile she's offering and the whole.... everything-ness of the situation tips Shinji off to the idea that, perhaps, Kyoko is attempting to curb some of the panic floating around in the air. Perhaps. He should take the cue. And do the same for her sake.]

Y-yeah... I mean, yeah. [It's been a hot minute since he's had to paste on a smile as a means of deflection so, uh, forgive him if the one he counters her's with reads a little thin.] I guess we really aren't going to know either way until... something happens.

[Just gotta not worry about it until then, piece of cake! (Not a piece of cake)]

[daikonrose]

[ It sure is hard to be a force of reassurance when she has zero persuasive ideas about why anything that just happened is really fine. And her usual method of giving comfort at home would involve a kind touch--to his hand, or his shoulder maybe--but she suspects Shinji wouldn't appreciate that even if she didn't have hangups of her own about it here.

So she just keeps up a bland smile, and tries to forge along with this line of reasoning. ]

Exactly! Anyway, the gods bullying me and the possibility of weird changes looming is just the status quo around here, so really! There's no reason to read into it right now!

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Right, just... wait and see. [Actually, he super hates that idea! Being under the thumb of eventualities and whatever fate may be in store is, actually, awful!

But also: H-...hey.......]

You think the thanks was a way to bully you...?

[He doesn't sound skeptical - he is, more than anything, relieved to have something to take the focus off his own worries - but that's kind of really depressing to think about!!]

[daikonrose]

Hm? Well, yes? [ She'd kinda figured that would be obvious, but maybe it's not? ] At the very least, it had to be sarcasm, right? There's no way the gods are actually happy with a slacker like me, you know?

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[He knows that Kyoko's not too big on the task they've all been explicitly brought here for, but he still can't help but think that, perhaps, calling herself a slacker is not entirely fair.]

It still seems like you do a lot of work... [Helping get the temple scrubbed to a nice shine, along with who knows what else she busies herself with.] I didn't hear how it sounded, but I'd think some thanks aren't completely uncalled for.

[daikonrose]

Shinji-san... [ She holds up a hand, a wry look of understanding crossing her face. Ah, she made him worry, didn't she? What a nice guy. ] It's fine. That level of snide remark won't affect me.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Ah. Well. He won't argue it too much is she's sure, and he's definitely too stressed out at the moment to push the issue, but he'll keep that information tucked away in his mind either way. For later, perhaps.]

If you're sure... [He may not be totally convinced, but he'll let it be for now.] I guess... it's better that we know what's going on now, at least.

[Better-ish? At least it isn't a mystery anymore.]

[daikonrose]

[ Don't worry Shinji, the gods will never be able to instill as much anguish and self doubt as Kyoko's mom. ]

Yes... I think my curiosity is sated for the next century. Thank you for trying it with me, even though it ended up being something like that.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Ah. A relatable mindset.]

Yeah... I'm sorry it was that. [He can't even bring himself to think of saying 'you're welcome', given the outcome! That! Was not something he'd ever want to spring on an unsuspecting someone!! The only good thing about all of this is that neither of them are curious anymore.]

[daikonrose]

[ She quickly shakes her head; apologizing is not allowed here, remember! ]

Don't let it weigh on you! Please just banish the whole thing from your mind! Actually, where were you going before all this? Let's just go there!

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Sorry, it's just what he's really, really good at!!]

I - [Where had he been going? The whole thing's done a nice job of knocking whatever priority he had been holding for his normal routine right out of his head. He lightly rubs at the back of his neck as he tries to recall.] Think I was just taking a walk? [That sounds right.] Around. Maybe just... back to the housing area.

[Being out in public sounds like maybe not the comfiest idea anymore! Perhaps a walk home is in order.]

[daikonrose]

Great!! Good! Yes! [ There's a fistpump. ] I'll go with you!

[ She'll even start off the walk. They are! going!! ]

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Oh! Okay! Here we go!!]

S-sure. [He takes an extra hasty few steps so as not to fall too far behind Kyoko as she takes the lead. Yeah, that... that makes sense, that she'd probably want to head back inside right away, too.] Unless, you weren't doing anything else before this, were you...?

[You don't have to, like, go out of your way for him or anything!]

[daikonrose]

[ Honestly, when is anyone truly doing something important and urgent in Havenwell? When's the last time that happened? Maybe when they were all repairing that hole in the wall a few months ago? ]

I was going to the temple, but I have changed my mind! After that stunt!

[ She could have gone to the temple anyway for another shouting sesh, but seeing Shinji safely home feels like the better move. ]

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Not even worth troubling yourself to go in and yell at Rawna, wow! You must be super peeved, Kyoko. She's really left him no room to argue with that kind of insistence, so... all right. Going to Not The Temple it is.]

I... guess I can't really blame you.

[Not like he's planning on wholesale avoiding the temple after this himself - that would be an awfully suspicious shake-up in his regular routine! The kind of thing that may draw concern! And he gets the feeling there's already too much of that being thrown his way right now!!]

[daikonrose]

I mean... [ She huffs, falling into step beside Shinji. ] Getting into our heads is bad enough, there's no need to be passive aggressive on top of it! Like I'm gonna do chores for any of them after that! And to think I liked Rawna because he's the most straight-forward.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Oh... Does that mean she's not planning on swinging by the temple at all anymore? He can't help but feel a little extra deflated at the thought, not that he can hold it against her.]

It does feel kind of especially unfair in that case. [If they were truly being passive aggressive about it - but, again, she seems convinced, and would clearly have a better read on the message she got than he would.] I don't know if I'll stop, but... I see why you'd want to. [He gets it. No judgement.]

[daikonrose]

[ Kyoko was ready to huff and grumble some more, but at this point she can't really miss how low Shinji's spirits seem to be. Ah... he's not the type to get into griping and commiserating, is he? This is probably not the correct way to get his mind off being shaken, even if it kinda works for her. ]

I mean, [ There's one last huff, that sort of dissolves into a sigh. ] it's not like that place wasn't doing fine before I got here, right? But you've already been a staple there for a while, haven't you? The dragons would probably get sad if you skipped out.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[It isn't like he's the only one who keeps the place nice and tidy, but he'd also hate to think of leaving that extra work and loneliness on Kaito's shoulders. That's really not a point worth arguing, even hypothetically. The dragons have probably had more experience without all of them milling around than with them, and who knows if they'd actually miss anyone if they were all to vanish suddenly? Ah, still,]

You do know how to give the place an extra shine. [She probably took the chores more seriously than anyone else, after all! But, again, not trying to make her feel guilty,] You could probably take that kind of work ethic to whatever else you wanted to do, though.

[daikonrose]

[ She'd been trying to build Shinji up a little, there--he would be missed if he didn't show up!--but ah, maybe it was too subtle? She's still trying to come up with a retort that would work better towards that goal when he adds that second remark.

Ah... work ethic, huh? Whatever else she wants to do....

Kyoko's gaze flickers down. ]

... I guess there's still the library system to conquer.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[But, you see, even conquering the library sounds like a noble use of time, by comparison! But, ah, her tone doesn't seem to indicate that she's super jazzed about this noble pursuit. Hmm...]

There's bound to be plenty of time for it. [That is assuming nothing goes horribly wrong anytime soon. Which. You know. So maybe not 'bound to be'.] Or... there's probably a lot to do there, anyway.