hugtopia_logs | ♥ May (Ealom) Event Log

♥ May (Ealom) Event Log

May (Ealom) Event Log
Ainea's power begins to wane as the last of her months begins, but that doesn't mean it's completely gone yet! With all the effort everyone has put in to clearing and reclaiming the new parts of the city, Ainea and the rest of the gods want to show you the fruits of your labors. A fragrant and gentle breeze springs up through the city, winding through its streets. It's strongest near Ainea's temple, but the power seems to flow from the entire city as it sweeps outward through the new areas. As soon as the wind reaches the outskirts of Old Havenwell, it becomes visible - a shimmering semi-opaque swirl of mixed colors that curls along the ruins and streets. Wherever it goes, greenery and life follows, the atmosphere lifting and the city gleaming in its wake. Small, tentative flowers bloom along the path of the wind until it brunts up against the barrier wall, bursting into a shower of sparkles.

Congratulations, Havenwellians and off-worlders alike! You've cleansed the city!

❥ PROMPT I: It's All About the May-bies

an elderly woman looks into a mirror at her younger self

That beautiful breeze brings with it a strange magic as well. When it sweeps through the city, it touches everyone - flesh or metal-bodied alike - giving people a contented, youthful feeling. That feeling eventually subsides, but in its place is a little bit of magic gone haywire. Throughout the month, characters can experience a little bit of rejuvenation themselves as they suddenly find themselves de-aging abruptly. Whether they retain their memories of their adult lives or revert entirely to their previous selves at that age is up to player discretion. Curiously, no one becomes so young that they would be considered younger than a 6 year old human for their species. Characters can either know where they are in Havenwell or be completely surprised by this strange city full of robots and have no idea what they're supposed to do! Returning to their original age is quite simple though - they can either wait until the power snaps them back, or take the initiative and hug it out to see if it helps (it does, surprise!). If characters wait, they might find that it takes a while before the magic can remember what age they were supposed to be. You might snap from 17 to 29, then back to 12 and suddenly to 59 until you finally settle at your regular age.

Not everyone is affected alike, however. Some may find that they never age one way or another, and some may find they age up instead of down. For those who age up, only their physical appearance is affected and they will not gain canon knowledge of their futures. Sure might feel weird for that 12 year old to suddenly become a 25 year old though! But at least you got to skip the horror of puberty. To return to their original age, they just have to do the same as the others - wait until the power snaps them back (hopefully to the right age) or go find someone to hug these growing pains out with.

Please note, for this prompt you are welcome to use journals other than the ones currently registered to the comms, HOWEVER we ask that you post the journal names you intend to use to the Alternate Account thread on the plotting post. This is so we can more easily track comments for AC and AC Rewards at the end of the month. Thanks in advance!

❥ PROMPT II: There Must be Something in the Air

It appears that the offworlders aren't the only ones affected by the sudden influx of youthfulness. During the month, the city council puts out a call for help from those who are able to give it. The Havenwell Zoo and Animal Conservatory has had an unexpected surge of new baby animals born at the beginning of the month. There's so many that they can't keep them all at the zoo's nursery so they need your help! Characters can volunteer and arrive at the zoo to pick up a cuddly baby to take home with them to keep for the remainder of the month. They will be required to give it back once Ealom ends, however, since the natives will (hopefully) be finished with their new habitat expansions by then. As with any baby, characters will need to keep their little fluffy one close and tend to its needs - which may include having two parents. You and a friend (or frenemy, we aren't judging) will need to help this little one grow up enough that it can return to its conservatory home! The zoo will provide the basics that you'll need to keep these babies alive and well. The animals available are:

Clackoos: These rainbow colored chicks resemble chickens, except that the babies are almost a foot tall and when they "chirp" it sounds more like the clacking of wood. They're mostly flightless, but they do enjoy trying to fly and can get a few feet off the ground or glide when they get older. At this stage, they're testing their wings out and are more likely to fall off of high places and bump into people and walls in a manner more akin to flailing falling than actual flight. Keep them warm at night and make sure they eat a variety of seeds, simulated insect mealworms, or fruits.
Sinory Lizard: These feathery lizards look a little like a cross between an iguana and a komodo dragon, being almost 2 feet in length from snout to the tip of their tail. They come in a variety of colors like striped blue and green, yellow and pink, silver and black, etc. They're most notable for the downy feathers on their legs and along their backs. They make a rumbling sound if you pet the down on their back. These lizards are known for their sluggish nature when it's anything less than hot hot hot, so they tend to slither away quickly to seek sources of heat like sunny spots, people, or stoves. You might want to keep them away from stoves. They enjoy eating the simulated meats or kibble provided by the zookeepers, but will also steal whatever food is on the table if it's not guarded.
Lohpeh: This large pink creature resembles a rabbit with long thin ears and powerful hind legs, except that it also sports brown antlers that sprout light blue leaves and pretty yellow flowers. They're about half a foot tall not including the antlers and pink like bubblegum. They eat mostly grasses and vegetables, and will happily munch on anything that even slightly resembles their preferred food - so hair, clothing, anything flowing. Their teeth are pretty sharp though, so be careful of the accidental nip here and there. They don't like to be alone, so they'll follow the largest group of people they can find, chasing after them to rub their antlers against their legs. Apparently it's to mark them as family.
Nirofu: A small black and white giraffe-like creature with gangly legs, a long neck and two little stubs on the top of their heads that look like they're meant to grow into something much longer. As a baby, the creature is extremely awkward looking as it's trying to grow into its long limbs and neck and they vary in height from runts who are barely over 2 feet tall to ones that are nearly 4 foot in height. They like to swing their heads and bash them into things as a form of play and once they start running, it's hard to get them to stop. They're extremely playful, but the zookeepers still haven't pinned down exactly what they like to eat. Feed them a variety of raw foods from meat to vegetables and these nirofu seem to gobble everything down.

Please choose only one animal to foster!

❥ PROMPT III: A Bigger, Better Nursery

a zoo enclosure with greenery decorating it, and an elephant in the center

Remember when the city council said they'd be expanding the zoo? Well, they're going to need all the hands they can get and have asked people willing to help to do so. This job will be paid, of course, with a healthy dose of Dora into your accounts if you don't mind a little bit (or a lot of) physical labor. The habitats for the creatures in the zoo need to be expanded, new paddocks built and populated with vegetation, water, and play areas. The simulated vegetation like trees, grass that feels real but is very much fake, simulated moss and bushes need to be arranged and planted. Water areas need to be cleaned and then filled. The fake wood play areas with ropes and ladders, slides and swings need to be assembled and secured within the enclosures. There's no lack of things to do! For the more construction minded, they can help pour foundations and lay the mortar and stone for building walls in the new enclosures, or help add the glass or build fences to separate the soon-to-be curious zoo-goers from the animals that need protecting. Grab a friend, roll up your sleeves, get to work and earn some Dora!

❥ PROMPT IV: I Can Show You the City

With all the hustle of last month, the VR cafes were rather sparse and this month the owners of those cafes want to make up for the lost time and profit! This month they're offering a new experience that any and all may enjoy. The cafes' decor have been updated to be painted a light sky blue inside with soft diffuse light that resembles sunlight. On the ceilings and walls are holoprojections of very realistic clouds that slide along like they do outside. Hook up into the VR sets and join others in an extremely realistic and detailed flying tour of Havenwell.

Ever wonder what the city looked like from above? Well, wonder no longer! Once you're loaded up in the game, you'll find yourself floating gently in the sky high above the city. There are others here, too, holding hands or linking arms as they zip about, free as birds. You, however? Well...you can't do much more than float or sink closer to the ground! It seems you need to find a partner and keep in contact with them in order to control your flight, so you better hurry before you end up on the ground like some regular ol' walking Joe. Thankfully, everyone is being loaded into the same game experience, so it shouldn't be hard to find a partner!

If you want a little excitement in your game, feel free to load the "Balloon Challenge" mini-game and compete against other teams to catch the most balloons. Once the game starts, you have 2 minutes to maneuver with your partner to fly through virtual obstacles and collect brightly colored balloons. Catch them by the string and hold on because the more balloons you and your partner collect, the higher your score. If you're crowned that Balloon Challenge champion by beating out all the other teams, you can collect a little balloon of your own when you leave the VR cafe. The balloon floats happily along on a little string and never loses its air, no matter how long you keep it.

This event will run from May 14th to 31st. 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.

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[Superhuman strength was probably a very useful thing to have on construction projects such as this. Why, just ask the very normal looking beanpole of a man carrying a...bag of concrete on his shoulder. Looking like it weighed about as much as a housecat.]

Oh, not at all, I believe I have it well in hand.

[He smiled, leaning over and setting the heavy material down near some outlined structure in need of a foundation. Easy as anything, and though he still wore a very sincere smile as he straightened up, there was something very distinctly dark about him in the physical sense.]

What of yourself? Is there anything with which you might benefit from a second pair of hands?

[Oh nooooo, he's stroooooong. Mitsuri tries very hard not to stare as she watches him handling something she knows is pretty heavy with ease. She doesn't completely succeed, but at least she only stares a little.

But... something feels ... off? Mitsuri's hand twitches towards the hilt of her sword, but she promptly puts both of her hands behind her back instead, mentally telling herself to stop being so jumpy around here geez!]

Actually, yes! I know there's a couple of boards over there that need be held in place and hammered there. They're just too long to do it right with just one person.

[She points over her shoulder to a little project that is very much still in progress.]

Do you think you could spare a minute?

[And she offers him a hopeful smile.]

Of course, it would be no trouble at all.

[If Ardyn noticed any hesitation, he didn't comment on it; simply agreed to help with a friendly smile.]

Shall we, then?

[Beaming, Mitsuri turns on the spot and skips over to the project, humming as she grabs a fistful of nails.]

Sooooo if you can get over on that side...

[She points to the opposite end of the structure.]

...You can hold that side in the right place while I nail this side in!

[And she picks up one end of a long board so he can see which one needs to go up.]

As you wish. [He picked up the other end of the board, holding it in place easily.] You're quite eager to be so hard at work, aren't you?

[Yes, good! He really is strong~~ Ahhhhh~~~

Mitsuri starts to hammer some nails in, speaking in between the thuds of the hammer.]

Well, I'm used to basically being... um... on call, I guess. Just all the time! And I like helping people, so this makes me feel soooo much better than just sitting around doing nothing!

Oh, as do I. There is very little I enjoy more than being able to help others, so being useful however I can in all of this is a very worthwhile endeavor indeed.

[Strong and kind?? Okay, Mitsuri, deep breaths, keep cool.]

Haha, yeah! I know what you mean, I feel the same way.

[She gingerly lets go of her end of the board and gives a pleased hum when it stays in place.]

Okay, let me just get that side now...

[And she comes over the start hammering the side that he is holding as well.

And... OH RIGHT!]

Oh! By the way, I'm Mitsuri. It's nice to meet you, and thanks for the help~

[Cute, for a scruffy beanpole with long messy hair and a general air of something Not Quite Right.]

It's a pleasure, Mitsuri. My name is Ardyn Lucis Caelum--you can simply call me Ardyn.

[Mitsuri takes care of hammering this side down quickly (so he doesn't have to keep holding it for too long) before turning to him with another smile.]

Well then, Ardyn-san, there's one more board to get up if you could lift this end please?

[As she walks back to the other end, she shakes her head a little. There's something... different? about Ardyn, and her emotions keep waffling between thinking about how cool he is and feeling on edge about him. Which is Not Normal for her!]

Of course.

[Ardyn lifted the next one as easily as the first, holding it in place. Though...something did seem just a bit off to him.]

...Is there something bothering you?

[...! Eeeek! She doesn't want him thinking she's behaving weird! So she waves a hand dismissively, replying with max energy.]

Ahahaha! No, no! I'm fine~ I just keep getting this weird feeling, that's all! It's no big deal!

[As if trying to illustrate how not big a deal it is, she ferociously hammers a few nails into place!]

Are...you quite sure? You seem a fair bit tense.

....

[He might have a point actually, ugh. Mitsuri shakes her head like she's trying to dispel something.]

It's... No, no, it's just a weird feeling. It almost feels like when a Demon is around, but... mmm... different? Haha, I probably just sound silly, don't I?

...Ah.

[Probably not something one wanted to hear in response to that.]

What, er...are your world's daemons like?

[Her world, huh. She'll touch back on that in a moment.]

They are... powerful murderers. Cannibals. They have to eat human flesh to survive and they ... they have no problem with killing in excess.

[She grimaces.]

U-um, what about your world? At least, it sounds like you have some too...

Well, er...hm. That description actually sounds familiar.

[Give him a minute, he'll put it together.]

Ours are...I hesitate to say 'different', and while highly dangerous I wouldn't say they're known for cannibalism. They're creatures that were once mortals who fell ill with a particular disease.

A ... disease?

[Mitsuri tilts her head, looking thoughtful.]

I think I understand! Demons where I'm from are created by having their blood tainted by the original demon! So that's ... almost like a disease?

[She sighs and shakes her head.]

It's so sad to think they were human and now...

[She gestures vaguely. She's definitely sad about demons in general, even if she's highly trained to destroy them...]

[Oh, thank Shiva she didn't seem likely to want to kill him on sight if he admitted the truth of the whole thing. Still, he decided to be very cautious with his wording--obviously he wasn't going to lie, but for someone already aware of daemons it was a subject to be careful with.]

If you're sensing something wrong, then it's because it was once my role to heal them. It's alright--I'm not going to hurt you or anyone else.

[Ah, that is a very roundabout way of saying it and Mitsuri doesn't really get what he's talking about for a few long moments in which she stares at him with a puzzled expression.

And then she gasps. And rather than fear or anger crossing her face, it's a gentle despair mixed with concern.]

Oh no...! Does that mean you caught the disease?? W-while healing them??

[She's not as stupid as she seems, at least! Though she is... gently assuming that he's not demonic at all still, and just has this demon disease in him or something.]

Ah--something like that.

[he said, screaming internally.]

It's...fine, really. I only didn't want you to be concerned, that's all.

[She still looks Very Concerned!!]

I'm so sorry...! I wish I could do something to help you! But... ahaha, the only interactions with demons I've had has been killing them.

[...She says this with a small laugh, like it's a funny thing to say, omg.

But she quickly corrects herself!]

Oh! Except for Nezuko-chan! She's a demon who doesn't eat people! She's very sweet and adorable~

Wait... [there we go] ...You don't happen to know Tanjiro, do you? He spoke of his infected sister once briefly, and this is all starting to sound quite familiar.

[GASP!!]

Yes!! Tanjiro-kun is my kouhai!! He's very cute and earnest, isn't he??

[She is very delighted to talk about Tanjiro, tbh.]

Ahahah, yes! Nezuko-chan is his little sister! They're both such good kids.

[She holds a hand to her cheek, blushing and smiling as if remembering some... great long-ago thing.]

He's unfailingly kind, a quality I would say I value highly in people. I should call myself quite fortunate to be acquainted with him.

(no subject)

breathoflove - 2020-07-11 19:09 (UTC) - Expand

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