hugtopia_logs | ♥ August Event Log

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♥ August Event Log

orange flowers in a field under a blue summer sky

August Event Log
The first month of the offworlders being in Havenwell has passed, the welcome party over, and the native residents are starting to get back to their usual routines while the new arrivals are perhaps starting to find theirs. The month of Achtom has started and with it, a crisp summery heat. The skies are gorgeously blue and dotted with high fluffy clouds that never seem to threaten rain - so long as the weather stays controlled. Businesses are picking back up, the natives starting to cater once again to flesh-bodied people with varied amounts of success. The VR cafes are featuring more helmets so even more people can play along with the ever expanding selection of games. Overall, it seems like Havenwell is quite the peaceful city.

And then...

the silhouette of a man staring down at a crowd of rats

❥ PROMPT I: Where's the Pied Piper?

It starts small at first as most things do. Astute observers might notice that the statue of Ainea in the town square and in her temple is brighter than the other gods' statues. Her colors are a little more vibrant, like they've been given a fresh coat of paint. Then, little things in characters' houses seemingly start moving of their own volition to other parts of the house and go temporarily missing. Search as you may, you just can't find them - until they suddenly they show up again where you least expect with tiny little teeth marks in them. The corners of books and furniture get chewed on. The pillowcases and bed frames get nibbled. The edges and hems of clothing get a little frayed without you noticing when it happened.

Then, the squeaking starts up at night. It's innocuous at first, one or two here or there in the house, just barely noticeable by most. Over time, it gets more insistent, longer, louder, until, by the end of the month, it's difficult to sleep at night for all the noise of chattering and squeaking throughout the long night hours. Trying to find the source is a surefire way to drive yourself mad, but it seems that sleeping in the same bed with another person makes it a little easier to bear, especially if you hold hands throughout the night.

And finally, mice start showing up - pink and purple and of various sizes from panda mouse tiny to chihuahua-sized rats. They pop up in kitchens, in bedrooms, in the temples that don't belong to them, at businesses, in the labs, along the streets and in the city squares. They're in your new favorite chair, popping out from cabinets and drawers, and scurrying from under sofas and beds. It seems the only place they aren't is where they're supposed to be - Ainea's temple - and that's a big problem. Her temple priests are out in the city, begging residents both robotic and flesh to peacefully and carefully capture the creatures and return them home to the temple. They pass out soft woven reed baskets to any who agree and thank all participants heartily for their help.

❥ PROMPT II: We Didn't Start This Fire

Throughout the month, pockets of the city experience magnificent dry lightning storms. Before each onset of the storm, an immense clap of thunder booms across the entire city like a siren and the natives hold their figurative breaths until the first strike rains down. A peal of lightning, searing hot, strikes the ground or hits the spires of nearby buildings, cracking stone and leaving nasty burn marks behind. Each storm is only 4 to 5 minutes in length before they suddenly disappear again, but in those few minutes chaos reigns. For anyone unlucky enough to get caught amid one of these storms, take cover! Residents throw open doors and push people inside, even shielding the offworlders with their own bodies if necessary to keep them from getting harmed.

When the lightning and its sonorous booms pass, residents scurry out to repair the damage. They'll be asking nearby offworlders to help as well with patching the stonework or removing broken debris. Most importantly, they put out a call for help in putting out fires that spring up after each storm. Their metal bodies can't withstand the heat for long without melting and the water is dangerous to their circuitry. After the fires are put out and the damage repaired, on occasion, residents will ask for the somber help of pulling a native robot unlucky enough to take a direct hit from the lightning to a local repair shop. Strangely, the natives don't seem sad when their friends and family can't be repaired, and instead start gathering up objects from home to take with them to the temples along with the bodies. When asked, they say it's to pray for a rebirth and go on their way.

a row of contestants before a game show host

❥ PROMPT III: Let's Play the Friend Connection

With all the craziness going on, some people might just want a distraction. A lot of Havenwell's natives certainly seem to think so. Despite everything, the Entertainment District is as bustling as ever and this month the offering is to participate with a friend or group of friends to play a game called: Friend Connection. Rather than the usual plug in and sit configuration, this time the VR cafes have been reorganized into 3 meter by 3 meter square pads with no chairs or furniture available. Players plug in or put their helmets on and they're instantly transported to a garish neon-lighted stage with multicolored spotlights that show a floating, legless robot with a rainbow bowtie and a magnificent mustache. The robot's LED face lights up into the approximation of the :D emote and then a disembodied voice comes from speakers overhead:

"Hail, well met, and welcome to the hottest game show around: Friend Connection! As the studio audience already knows, this game is simple! You and your new friends compete to complete more challenges than the other hidden team. The more fabulously you and your team completes each task, the more points you'll be awarded. At the end of the game, the team with the most tasks cleared and the highest point value will be declared the winners and take home some fabulous prizes. On today's team is..."

And the robotic host waves an arm to a scoreboard behind it, showing your names. The heading "Other Team" has ???? underneath it and a list of challenges is revealed along with a burst of applause. The list reads:

Play Twister until someone falls! The longer you go, the more points you win!
Help each other do a handstand! The Wheelbarrow is acceptable too.
Recreate your favorite scene from a romantic movie. Take, for example, That Scene from the hit movie, Skytanic! Or hum along to this song as you and your friend make some pottery together.
Create a complicated Best Friend Handshake consisting of more than 5 moves and do it together 3 times without messing up!
Answer trivia questions about each other and your worlds while holding hands and staring into each other's eyes. The more questions you can answer, the higher your points!
Do a trust fall into your friend's arms. The higher or further you fall, the more points you'll earn.
Play two truths and a lie with your friend. If you can guess correctly, you'll earn points for your team!

Are you ready, contestants? You have 20 minutes. Good luck!

At the end of the game, the characters are declared the winners by a slim and, naturally, exciting margin of just one point! And their fabulous prize......? The friendship they earned along the way! Congratulations, players! And don't worry, when the game ends, you'll be in the exact weird position you were last in as the helmets turn off. Hopefully you aren't still in those weird Twister positions because everyone can and has been able to see you. Yup, the entire time.

❥ PROMPT IV: Comic Logic

As Lasdia comes to a close and Achtom begins, characters will start noticing something odd happening. Throughout their day as they go about their daily routines, helping people out or trying to find their missing items, the natives stop looking at them and start looking above their heads. In fact, as characters meet one another, their attention may also be drawn vertically above their companion because floating above every offworlder's head is a faint white cloud. Whenever they move, the cloud moves too. Attempts to dispel it by magic or physical means does nothing and it seems like you can't touch it at all.

It's annoying isn't it? Or maybe you're feeling quite curious about this phenomenon? Or maybe it scares you? Whatever you're feeling or thinking, it shows up in that cloud clear as day. It's not every thought or feeling that shows, but it's enough to be disconcerting, and any attempts to control what appears will fail. Like it or not, you're now broadcasting your innermost self to the world.

...For a time, at least. Over a period of time, smart characters might notice that after prolonged physical contact with another person, the cloud fades away and stays away for an undetermined amount of time. Sometimes it's an hour, sometimes it's a day, sometimes it's only 5 minutes, and then it begins to reform again. Whatever it is, it's here to stay, so good luck keeping your secret inner workings, well, secret.

This event will run from August 9th to the end of the September application period, September 9th. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread below.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[More of that puzzled bewilderment. Will, what is this madness? Why are you showing him keychains? Why do they change size?

He misses the little stress ball moogle Iris gave him.

What, no, wtf is this?]

They're.... in... uh...

Mmhmm~ I'll introduce you when we get back, okay?

[The sweetest smile. You've got to be sitting down and resting to meet his friends, Cor, he insists. He's not above mild bribery like this.]

[Cor is pretty sure Will is messing with him at this point but he nods regardless. Let him have his fun. Whether it's a prank or not Cor is too tired to argue, at least not until he gets some more caffeine and some food.]

Fine.

[Thankfully it's not too much further, especially because he's not sure how much further he can push himself.]

[He knows where Cor's house is, of course. He could just as easily herd the man as he is helping him stay upright. But Will allows himself to be guided instead, and finally lets go of his hand to allow Cor to unlock the door. Not that that's stopping him from being close at hand, if Cor should find himself too unsteady to manage.....

Either way, he motions insistently to the couch once they're inside.]

You sit down, I'll check on the food situation while you lot are getting acquainted.

[It's a couch he is very familiar with. He has more time on it than in his bed, honestly, and the stack of books on the end table, many of them filled with tabs and scraps of paper as markers makes that clear. It speaks to how tired he is that he flops instead of easing himself down, leaning heavily on the arm of the couch and letting Will do as he sees fit.]

Hmm?

[The faintest of questioning noises. "You lot"? What does that mean?]

I said I'd introduce you, remember? Come on out, ladies!

[One Pokéball comes out, then another, and another. He releases the Pokémon in quick succession--first a Flareon, then a Chansey, and finally a Xatu.]

Arche, sit.

[He doesn't point at the floor, the way one might command a dog--he points at Cor instead, an amused smile tugging at his lips. The Flareon's ears perk right up at the command, and she yips, taking a running start to bound up into Cor's lap. Hi there!]

[The process of watching these creatures materialize from within the pokeballs is absolutely stunning and Cor is unapologetically staring in awe. Which makes it all too easy to see the gesture Will makes. He's trying to determine what in the Six the Chansey is... soft certainly but? Is that fur? Is it something else? What in the heavens?

And then he abruptly has a lap full of Flareon. Warm and soft and fluffy and on him.

He grunts softly as she clambers over him, adjusts to make himself more comfortable for her and immediately begins petting her. She reminds him a bit of Dave's dog, happy and friendly and always ready to lean and demand pets.]

Arche, you said? Well you are very friendly aren't you?

That's right. Good girl!

[Arche trills at the question, big fluffy tail immediately beginning to wag as Cor starts petting her. The Xatu seems content to simply watch him from where she was released; meanwhile, the Chansey hesitates a little, looking around the room and back at Will before she approaches Cor. She is absolutely soft, and now that she's coming closer, he can probably see just what fine, fluffy fur she has, too.]

Arche is a Flareon. This one is Arete, she's a Chansey. And this is Deja, she's a Xatu. You three be nice, okay?

[She's so cute and having that steady warm weight against him only makes him sink further into the couch, nodding in acknowledgment of Will's words but clearly distracted by the pokemon now.

Arete looks like she's just uncertain enough that Cor doesn't reach out to her. If she wants affection she'll come to him, surely. So for now he makes mental notes on the girls' names and species and... he's just gonna rest briefly on the couch with Arche.

Despite his best efforts he's liable to be drifting off in a moment. Not a real sleep, mind you, just a light doze.]

[Exactly as planned. Who wouldn't relax if they're that tired, with a warm, soft, purring weight anchoring them where they sit? Arche nuzzles up under Cor's chin and leans against him, content to enjoy cuddles for as long as Cor will hold still.

Arete takes a minute or two to warm to the situation, but once she does, she isn't really interested in affection. No, she approaches to steal a pillow from the couch instead, moving to slip it behind Cor's head.

It's all Will can do to not melt over how cute the scene is; he only reluctantly vanishes into the kitchen, to find the meal that Ignis had prepared and start portioning out plates. He'll have to whip something quick together for the Pokémon, but that won't be too much of a problem.....]

[Arche is adorable and warm and Will if you don't get a picture of this Regis will never forgive you.

Cor mumbles a soft wordless sound when Arete brings him a pillow, frowning at her in confusion, resisting the weight of exhaustion for another moment. No, no... he should go help Will in the kitchen or... do... something? What does he need to be doing again?

A glance and the dog-eared and highlighted books on the end table. History to research and knowledge they all need to understand this place better. But Arche's nuzzling under his chin and how can he possibly move the poor dear. Especially when she's been locked up in that weird keychain dodad all day.]

[Arete only lets out a few high-pitched chirps in response, reassuring but firm, and reaches out to pat Cor's hair. It's Fine, everything is fine, you're fine, just stay right there. Everything else can wait.

The "conversation", if it can even be called that, is enough to make Will poke his head back out to check on them. It's even cuter than before, now--this time, he has to pull out his tablet and snap a picture. How can he not, when Cor is petting one Pokémon and getting petted by another? Maybe it'll be enough to make Reggie squeal over him.]

[He gives Arete an odd look, confused and bemused and entirely uncertain what he's meant to do with all of that chirping and fussing and he idly thinks she reminds him of Ignis. It's enough to get a chuckle out of him, a soft sound he muffles in Arche's ruff.

Okay, okay. he's staying, he's sitting. Heavens forbid he upset the big pink marshmallow.]

[That's right! The big pink marshmallow will let him know when he's allowed to get up. Once she's satisfied he's accepted being confined to the couch, she nods in approval, flicking her many ears at him with a questioning chatter. What's so funny?

Meanwhile, Will ducks back out of the kitchen to bring Cor his plate.]

Lucky for you, Ignis already cooked. Yours will be ready in a few minutes, girls.

[Cor blinks up at Will, guard dangerously low, enough to give him a small smile. He takes the plate gratefully and, unfortunately, has to nudge Arche off to the side so he can actually sit up enough to eat.

He devours about half of his plate before he pauses, takes stock of the situation and flushes in embarrassment. Will is a guest in his home, the last thing he should be doing is cooking for himself and taking care of Cor. Which has him shifting, prying himself up off the couch no matter how tense, tired, or sore he might be, and heading into the kitchen.]

Have you eaten? [Even as he says it he's setting his plate down on the counter, out of the way, sideyeing Will.

Don't you dare say you've been too busy fussing over him to feed yourself, Will.]

[Oh no. Oh no, that's adorable too, all by itself. Will beams warmly at him in return before he vanishes again; Arche whines a little in protest, but obligingly crawls out of Cor's lap, instead snuggling up against his side while he eats.

She only whines louder as Cor moves to get up, pawing at his arm; Arete is the one who actually trails after him, though, with a squeaky scolding he probably can guess the content of, even if he can't understand her. Will hasn't technically been too busy fussing over Cor to feed himself; there is a plate of food by the stove, and he has picked at it, a little.

He's been more concerned with getting the Pokémon's food taken care of, though. It's hard to tell exactly what's in it, now that he's portioning it out and mixing the final touches in--but there's definitely a sharp, bitter smell like horseradish coming from one bowl, and the spicy scent of peppers from another.]

I am, don't worry. Didn't I tell you to sit?

And I did.

[For a long time too, it's fine. He glances over at Arete, not the slightest bit guilty about getting up despite her scolding. Then back to Will who is still fussing with bowls and Cor frowns when he catches sight of the plate by the stove.

He moves to stand behind Will, reaching around him to tug bowls out of the way and slide that plate in front of him. ]

Eat.

And if you really insist I can finish off what the girls need.

[He's perfectly capable of making food too, and he's eaten at least half of his food.]

Though I think Arete would rather wait... what fifteen minutes? for us to finish our meals.

How rude, stealing my job like this..... I'm supposed to be the one fussing over you, remember?

[Will sticks his tongue out at Cor, laughing. Arete, meanwhile, makes a loud disapproving noise at both of them. Clearly Cor has the right idea.]

It's fine. It's fine. I promise. ill just leave the clean up until later, if you're really that worried.....

[Will reaches for the bowls again--at least this time apparently just to serve them, instead of keep fussing over them. Is Cor going to insist on playing waiter?]

[Cor scowls and reaches around Will to catch his hand before he can pick up the nearest bowl, holding it firmly, stepping up behind him to box him in against the counter with his body. His other hand settles on Will's side, not unlike how he had earlier when he'd set the younger man down.]

They are smart enough to tell you what to do they're smart enough to take the right bowls from me. You. Eat.

[The words are firm and leave no room for argument, spoken just behind Will's ear. He's not going to let you get away with fussing at him while neglecting yourself, Will.

Then he lets his hand slide away from Will's reaching for the bowls, balancing two on one arm and taking the other in his free hand as he finally steps back to give Will a little breathing room again. Cor turns away, offers Arete a helpless kind of shrug and nods at the bowls in hand.]

Alright, don't make a liar out of me. Go on.

Ah--

[Will can't help the little noise of surprise, finding himself all too suddenly pressed against the counter and held in place, a low, commanding voice against his ear. Well, now..... This certainly is a change, from a man who lives to serve.

Not an entirely unwelcome one, though. Will makes no effort to squirm free, or even protest the order. If anything, he relaxes in Cor's grip, all but purring as the older man steps back.]

I've never seen you so authoritative before..... I could get used to this.

[He obediently picks up his plate, while Arete takes both of the ones from Cor's arm, moving to bring Deja hers as well. She'll accept this, as long as you two both sit down again now.

Meanwhile, Arche just whines from her spot on the couch. Come back and pet her mooooooooore. And bring her food over here, that too.]

[He may live to serve the crown but he's also the commander of an army, Will.

Cor flashes him an odd look but doesn't say anything right away, not until Arete has taken their dishes and he's left standing between the kitchen and the living room, giving Arche a stern look.]

I don't even let Regis eat on the couch. You get over here on the tile or you can just wait for dinner.

[Breakfast in bed is one thing, sheets can be washed. Washing the couch is much harder and meals are eaten at the table like civilized people, not in front of a TV or anything of the like. As such, Arche's bowl gets set on the ground for her, firmly on the tile. She can come to it or she can not eat. Those are her options.

Then Cor turns back to get his plate and sits down at the little table in the breakfast nook. It's no formal dining room but it's close enough.]

I shouldn't have let you get me started on this out there. Showing her bad behaviors and all.

[A sheepish smile and a little shrug as he gestures for Will to join him.]

And I'm the Marshal of the Lucian Army, do you really think I'd hold that position if I couldn't be authoritative?

Hehehe..... she's been a naughty girl from the minute she hatched, don't worry. She'd be trying to get away with this sort of thing no matter what you did.

[Have a mischievous smile as Will goes to join him. Arche whines louder, but the promise of food and company wins out; after a bit of sulking, she pads into the kitchen to start eating, too.]

Oh, I never doubted you could. I just haven't really seen that side of you yet.

[See talking about a naughty puppy is cute. So is that smile Will. It suits you. He likes it.]

I don't have anyone to command here, or battles to fight. I haven't needed to be.

[As odd as it is it's almost... nice? Not needing to be that stoic and assertive all the time.]

Sounds like a nice break! It's not easy having to manage even a few people. I can't even imagine how hard it must be to command an army!

[Will doesn't seem like much of a commanding sort himself, does he? Sensitive and soft spoken, too playful to take much of anything seriously..... Not at all the kind of person who would be a Rocket executive, and able to command most of a sizeable criminal underground if he saw fit.]

[One doesn't have to be authoritative if they're efficient enough to command respect and Will is nothing if not capable though. Powers from different worlds aside he is a responsible person and that means a lot in a leadership role.]

It's strange though, not having more to do... more that needs doing.

[Other than looking after Regis and feeding himself, that is. And it's not as difficult to do the former here without the political aspects of things in the way.]

♥ August Event Log

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