♥ July (Lasdia) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

July (Lasdia) Event Log
Offworlders, did you know? It's been a year since you and your peers began to arrive here! Some of you have been around this entire time, others have only just arrived, and many more fall in between. Whatever length of time you've spent here, the locals are very grateful for your time and effort. Even if it's been given without your consent, they want to make sure you know that your contributions are appreciated and, of course, have come to bear much fruit. Sometimes literally!

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❥ PROMPT I: National Telegraphic

As Lasdia is in full-swing and whispers of anniversary are in the air, the entertainment district is beginning to capitalize on the general mood in town. Camera crews and journalists are seen more frequently, particularly in the residential areas where the majority of offworlders have settled, and have taken to following a few people on more than one occasion. Some are more subtle than others. And some are very obvious, maybe even going so far as to narrate what they observe. Even if what they see characters doing is mundane and not especially exciting, they'll do their best to hype it up. "Watch as the human stalks his prey, teeth bared and hungry, trying to decide which angle to strike... and he's got it! The human has chosen the strawberry danish as his meal. ...Oh no, we've been spotted! His teeth are bared towards us... loyal viewers, this could be the end for us...!"

It's... mostly harmless, and when caught in the act most of them will dramatically flee the area and attempt to film in a more subtle manner. Their attention can be short-lived if they spot another offworlder wandering by doing something more interesting and switch targets. Some will try and create drama or conflict, either between residents and offworlders (such as knocking over a store display and vanishing, leaving someone with an irritated shopkeep) or between the offworlders themselves, and generally they won't break any laws to get a scoop... but you may want to keep your curtains closed. A clever offworlder or two could probably get some annoying crew arrested for causing too much trouble, as many locals are likely to grow exasperated with it as well.

Shops to an extent are on board with capitalizing on the offworlders' popularity, however, which becomes apparent as characters might find something odd while shopping around: merchandise, representative of either yourselves or your neighbours. Perhaps some collectable figures of the great warriors of Havenwell can be spotted at the check-out counter. Or keychains showing a recognizable symbol someone wears are for sale at repair shops. Clothing of the offworlders become a popular style that transition well into the shawls and scarves that the robots wear. Trading cards with information blurbs (which may be accurate or entirely fictional), buttons... you name it, there could be at least one of it out there of you! Do you object, find a seller to yell at? Do you buy out the stock and hope they disappear? Or do you collect your friends for a laugh?

Just... maybe do yourself a favour and don't check the network for offworlder fanfiction. Even if the names have been changed, some of it is far too obvious and probably not meant for public consumption.

❥ PROMPT II: Calling Doctor Jones

Over the past year, and the past several months in particular, the locals have heard a number of requests for a more organized health care system within town, as the population of flesh-and-blood residents remains steady. While each temple has had recovery rooms built to provide aid to those who get sick or injured, it isn't their focus, so despite their best efforts they have come to recognize the need to do better.

Therefore to fill the void, this month's changes include the soft opening of the Havenwellness Clinic! Run by a local researcher of biology and a former veterinarian, Dr. Rojir, it exists not to replace the temple recovery rooms, but to give residents a more clinical and less religious location to recover from whatever ails them, as well as centralize supplies, medicine, and direct research on non-robotic species without being too invasive.

Doctor Rojir is a quiet and polite automoton with padded metal fingers designed to sense subtle differences in texture, temperature, and damage across surfaces, particularly skin. It can't feel, exactly, but complex mechanics within have been specially programmed to aid in detecting what sort of ailments might be affecting the patients. He's done a fair bit of research into the medical techniques of the past, as well as what is known thus far about the species inhabiting the world - humans especially, as there are a number of you! - but much of the information available is incomplete, since they don't have years of study to fall back on, or even a proper subject to examine, living or otherwise.

This is where you come in! There will be a sign-up thread down below for appointments, and Dr. Rojir will have a toplevel on the event post. What he's also going to do to assist in his research is pair characters up with someone unlike themselves in some way. That person is going to be your temporary research partner! You will be asked to sit down with the other person and teach one another about your status, your general health, anything that might be considered unique about who or what you are. This prompt is all about world-sharing and swapping questions with another person, and may be a great way to make some new CR, good or bad! You can request a specific partner, or have it randomized by a mod. We will try our best to link up characters who aren't in the same exact situation, physically.

If Dr. Rojir's solo appointment requests are too popular, we may schedule dates for when said appointments will occur, to avoid mod overload. You will be given a date if your appointment is going to occur later on during the event, or afterwards. We ask that you respond to the Sign-Up thread before tagging the NPC toplevel, so we can gauge interest and schedule accordingly.

Additionally, characters who are a) already volunteering at the existing temple clinics or b) medically trained in some way are welcome to volunteer to work at the clinic with Rojir. There will be a salary awarded to those willing and qualified, so it can count as a job in-town to help with whatever your monthly dora reward won't pay for. Please let us know if you're interested and qualified, and you can be added to the staff once we have the clinic added to the game information pages.

❥ PROMPT III: So Very Glamour-ous

It's been a year since Havenwell officially began pulling people in from another world. Crazy, is it not? The locals can hardly believe the changes and how well things are progressing. It may not seem like much, but to them, who have seen no positive changes for centuries, it's something worth celebrating for certain. Therefore, close to month's end, they're throwing a party for everyone!

Much like the food festival half a year ago, the party will occur in one of the towers in town, on a floor large and open enough for such gatherings. It's been decorated to the nines, each corner devoted to one of the gods and their respective colour combinations (iridescent silver, pink and purple, red and white, blue and gold), with the central zone focused on Havenwell itself, a spread of tables with food galore, and an elaborate showcase of events and instances where the newcomers have helped the city, all displayed through edible arrangements: sad fork robots saved by the arrival of sliced-meat and fruits in the shape of people; tiny grape spiders breaking through a wall of cheese and crackers, fought off by celery-soldiers; a handful of cookie-people cuddling and sitting cozy or kissing. It's all very fancy and delicious enough that they've clearly put the work in to show their appreciation. They will of course urge everyone to eat and enjoy, no matter how fancy it looks. It would be terrible if it all rotted and went to waste. Once a sufficiency of food has been consumed, the tables easily move aside to make room for a dance floor, if people feel so inclined. There is a band of local talent playing a curious blend of synth and orchestral music, their style shifting suitably between fast and slow dances, so there should be a little something for everyone in attendance.

What is the dresscode for such an event, you might ask? Well, on paper the locals have stated that anything is fine, since it's your party, but the gods (not without their own sense of humour) have other ideas. Plenty of their accomplishments this year was fueled by you, but they also brought you here... thus, a few days before the party, you might find a package on your doorstep, seemingly delivered by one of the animal familiars of your god of choice. Inside the package you'll find one curious thing: the equivalent of a glamour prism, a curious bauble that could easily fit into your pocket and that alters whatever you're wearing into a single outfit that the glamour is programmed to display on you.

What outfit it is... well, that's your choice! There is no universal style. The only stipulation is that it is not a style of this world, and it is not dangerous/magical beyond the glamour's effect. The outfit feels real, and can wiggle/move/flow in the breeze as it normally would, provided the glamour is active- so rock that cat-eared beanie, roll with that floor-length cape. It can be an outfit from the character's home closet, a style of your world or another's, a fancy suit, or something silly like a dragon kigurumi. If you're not sure if what you can acquire is allowed or would require modification, please ask in the question thread below.

If your character ends up with an outfit they wouldn't wear to the dance, never fear- you can still wear whatever you like! But those gods and their critters can either be easily offended or love a good gag, so the glamour might find itself on your person in some way during the party, inexplicably active. You can deactivate it, throw it away, whatever- somehow, it just keeps finding its way back to you. Might be best to just roll with what you're given.

EXTRA: Characters who first arrived in this world last year might remember the Ribbon Games that were occurring in the month of their arrival, and this tradition has been brought back once again- both the temple portion, and the challenge at the party. Feel free to play with this in your prompts if you wish, though it is entirely optional!

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This event will run from July 15th to 30th. 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.

Comments

[carbungle]

[There's a quiet pause in the moment, and then Noctis also catches sight of Ardbert not far off, terrible suit and all. He sidles over to one side, close to her shoulder, and gives her a little push in that direction.]

Go over there, then! Before you chicken out.

[astralera]

[ There is no missing Ardbert's terrible, horrible, endearing eyesore of a suit. She nearly stumbles at the little push, then glances back to the drink in Noct's hand. ]

Is that alcoholic?

[carbungle]

[He quirks a brow, then offers it out to her.]

It's wine.

[Strong and sweet, if she needs some liquid courage.]

[astralera]

[ She debates it for a moment, estimating how much wine is in a glass that size, and how potent the alcohol would be to her. ]

...

[ It would definitely force her frayed nerves to relax, and so she takes the proffered glass with a small nod in thanks, then downs half in one go.

She crinkles her nose at the lingering taste of alcohol, but the immediate warmth it brings is more than worth it.

Era offers the rest of it back to him, though isn't sure if he'd like a shared drink. ]

The whole thing'd get me rat-arsed.

[carbungle]

[He smirks and accepts the glass back, seemingly unbothered; he's absolutely shared worse things with his friends on the road, so this isn't that different.]

Puking on his stripes would definitely make the proposal memorable, but it's probably not what you're going for.

[astralera]

I don't puke. [ Too wasteful. ] Apparently I tend to get really happy and try to start fights, or summon Carbuncle and cry because its so soft...

All of which Ardbert'd get a kick out of, but it wouldn't be conducive to a proposal.

[carbungle]

Maybe save it for next time, then. [Er, hang on.] Next time you get drunk around him, I mean. Not next time you propose. The whole point is kinda just to do that the one time.

[An astute observation from the wise king of Lucis over here.]

[astralera]

The next time I'm drunk around him would also be the first time. I don't like when my memories get fuzzy, so I avoid that sort of thing.

I've been drunk around Hades before though, since he was helping me with all the PTSD. [ A small gesture toward Noct's glass, and she seems rather proud of herself in retrospect. ] He'd be pleased, I think. I'd've never touched that when the year first began.

[ And then she has to point out— ]

This will be the second time I propose to him, remember?

[carbungle]

PTSD...?

[Difficult not to echo, with such a loaded term. He doesn't push further than that, though, considering where they are and how this is supposed to be an encouraging moment. It's up to Era.]

A-anyway, it has a different connotation as a kid, even if it's no less heartfelt. When I was a kid, Luna- [He stops, the word catching in his throat, instinctive and helpless. After a pause, he clears his throat and tries again. Maybe someday, he'll be able to say it.] ...Luna and I told each other we'd spend our lives together. Even if we meant it, it's still different, getting engaged as adults.

[astralera]

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

[ She's accustomed by now to people not knowing what it is, and so clarifies without a second thought.

What is given a second thought is the way he falters over Lunafreya's name. It is something she understands all too well, and she wishes that he didn't. ]

A promise is a promise, isn't it? No matter the age.

[carbungle]

[Ah... there's that word again. Trauma... there's far too much of it in the histories of too many of their friends. He files the information away, but merely nods for now, stamping down whatever grief or curiosity the conversation is trying to keep in the forefront.]

Promised, but not official. Now you get to fix that part of it.

[astralera]

I... There are many other things to fix, but I suppose this is among the easiest of them. [ She fidgets with the hem of a sleeve, though the gesture isn't nearly as anxious as it was before they struck up conversation. ]

Irrational fears aside for now... Or, at least, the most pressing of them— [ She is very, very thankful for that. ]

Would it... be all right to give you a hug? I won't take offense if it's not—it would be more than understandable.

[ It's no secret that she tends to not do touch, and though she has gotten much better at it over the past months she still hasn't hugged anyone save for Hades and Ardbert. And Ardyn once or twice when he was being particularly stupid. ]

[carbungle]

Oh, uh.

[His brows lift, not expecting the question, and the surprise shows on his face. The smile is back a moment later, tentative, but not reluctant- the difference is subtle, but there.]

Yeah, of course.

[He'll even shift to put his glass aside, holding his arm out to invite her in. C'mere. He's getting better at this!]

[astralera]

[ For some reason his agreement comes as a surprise to her, and she is left mentally floundering until he shifts and holds out his arm. Era moves closer, though pauses a hair's breadth out of reach for a hug. ]

Should I be mindful of your back?

[carbungle]

[Ah- that, too, is a surprise. No one asks that... but then again, most don't know to ask. He hesitates, pursing his lips, and shakes his head. What's he going to do, show her where to put her arms?]

It's okay. It's easier when I know it's coming.

[astralera]

[ She nods, understanding that well enough. Even so, when Era finally closes the distance between them she makes sure her hands give his old wound space. It takes a moment to settle into it, but she relaxes fully once she has.

It's easier to pinpoint who Noct reminds her of now, despite there being hardly any commonality between them— ]

...You remind me of my little brother.

[ Perhaps the only resemblance is the feelings they each invoke in her. ]

[carbungle]

[She does better than most to thread the needle, he'll give her that. And he meant it when he said it's easier if he knows ahead of time, so he doesn't flinch in her embrace.]

Yeah? Even though you're kind of the little one between us.

[His tone's a bit playful, one hand at her back to return the hug, the other lifting to give her head a pat. He's used to feeling like the short one, so this is fun.]

[astralera]

[ In a show of utmost maturity, she blows a small raspberry against his chest. It's short-lived in the face of both the reciprocation of the hug (it gives her the briefest of pauses) and a pat on the head (which she leans into ever so slightly). ]

I'm an Auri woman, Noct. Even the tallest of us could only dream to grow as tall as Pyra.

[ Even if what she's said does imply that she is, in fact, short by almost all standards, Era has no inclination to point it out. ]

Alphinaud is near your age, though very near my height. He and his sister are soon due their growth spurts, which will have them see at least six fulms by the time they've finished. [ Her tail gives a happy little wag. ] I hope I'll live long enough to see it.

[ She's watched them grow so much over the years. No longer are they children on the cusp of adulthood, but adults in their own right. ]

You look nothing like either of them, and your personalities are very different. I don't know why you remind me so much of him. [ She gives him a little squeeze, still careful of his back. ] I just know I want to keep you safe.

[carbungle]

I halfway expect that from Gladio's sister- she's kind of my little sister, too. She's so small now, but in ten years she could tower over everybody.

[He... hopes he'll get to see that as well. On his end, his grip tightens a little to echo hers, feeling the sentiment stronger than he'd expected.]

Adopted little siblings are kinda universal in a sense that it doesn't matter if they look or act different- the connection's still legit. That's how I feel anyway.

[astralera]

[ Era remembers when Noct spoke of Gladio's sister before, and how he saw her as a little sister himself. ]

At her age it would take much less than a decade. [ Children tend to grow quickly, unless they happen to be Elezen. ] Perhaps with longer legs the next runaway cat she finds won't outpace her.

[ Thinking of how the twins will continue growing up, and how she will likely not live to see them reach their full potential... It is a bittersweet feeling, but makes her appreciate how privileged she's been thus far.

She hums a small note of agreement, though it's cut a bit short, trailing off as she mulls over something that has only really occurred to her as of late. ]

...Sometimes, even long after my visions have faded, I'm left wondering what feelings are mine. If what I feel now was seeded from the feelings of another, does that make them any less true?

[ What she felt for Somnus after experiencing Ardyn's memories was almost wholly influenced by feelings that were not her own.

Era has been otherwise fortunate, with Somnus' memories only truly serving to solidify what she had already felt for Ardyn. The other feelings he had—that distant familial affection—were faint enough that she doesn't think it interfered with what she fostered in subsequent weeks... ]

[carbungle]

Yeah, probably. [He shrugs. It was an arbitrary number because it's the next time he'd see her again, if he ever does. He has no doubts that she'll be amazing, either way. It's... becoming more of a twinge of pain than outright agony, over time, though: the what-if of the future, knowing what he won't get to see. He wonders if that's normal or if he's just pretending for his own sanity.

Thankfully her question is a distraction, and one he needs to think about first. Visions and feelings, not her own... it's weird. Not so long ago the very idea of having someone else's memories was such a strange concept, and now there are at least three of them who have that issue in some form or another, and all mostly uncontrolled. How does something like that even happen? And it's a fair question- how does one reconcile the reality of those new memories with the old, and whatever feelings might be attached? At least for him, emotions weren't a central part of it, and what he carries now is so sporadic he can barely recall any. Ardyn might be a better person for this. Still... he wonders if she might take some comfort in knowing that commonality.

His answer is hesitant, still unsure of it, but wanting to at least try.]

I think... those feelings are what you make of them. Kinda like how you feel about someone can change over time- it can get better or worse, depending on how they treat you. If somebody else's memory made you like them, but then they're nasty to you, one feeling could overrule the other, right? But if they're a good person, then how you feel would just get stronger. Um... [Gods, what is he even rambling about.] I guess what I'm saying is, you can decide for yourself what's real.

[astralera]

[ Era is glad she's still so close he cannot see her face, because while ultimately assuaging much of her guilt, his answer still leaves her a bit conflicted about one point— ]

In those memories... The feelings were so loud. [ She shivers, just a little, and holds onto him more tightly. ] The fear, and the darkness. Desperation so silent it was like a scream. Then relief— Dad. Daddy's here.

Waking up after it all to hear that father's promise. That profound sense of comfort to come from nothing but his presence. No more loneliness. Just that feeling, of knowing with utmost certainty: Dad's here, so I'm safe.

[carbungle]

[His body goes stiff against hers, inhaling sharply. He'd known she got his memories, sure, and they'd discussed it a little, but... the visceral nature of that memory is far stronger than he'd imagined. And for it to still be so strong, that she can say all of that without hesitation? Gods. It's unfair, actually.]

...I... [What the hell does he even say to that?] ...Yeah. All of that is...

[Real. True. He doesn't remember much of that time, corrupted by the scourge and his coma and the desire to not remember. And yes, the trauma, now that he can think to call it that. But the memory of how he felt had never truly gone away. His heart had half-shattered even after the monster had finally been slain, feeling the loss and the grief all over again, knowing he'd never feel those hands on his own, or see the warmth and love in his father's eyes, or hear that voice speak such an unshakeable promise. His voice quiets, as he bows his head and rests it against the top of hers.]

Sorry. If you had to get one, I wish I'd given you a better memory.

[Even just- the latter half. He'd never felt so strong a comfort, from childhood to adulthood, as the moments when he was in the presence of his father. Many people came close, but there were also many times when it felt as though his father was the only one who truly understood him and all that life demanded of him. He'd been there, after all. It's why, on that last day...

He exhales, forcing those thoughts away. They're unpleasant, and if he accidentally triggered another Echo, she doesn't deserve that memory either.]

[astralera]

[ She stills as he stiffens, but doesn't loosen the hold she has on him. When Era feels his chin atop her head she relaxes once again, and his words cause her to lightly thwap his thigh. ]

Don't apologize for something beyond your control, Noct. You've given me many better memories since then — like this one, right now. You are standing here, whole and hale, despite all that I witnessed. A good memory to carry with me always.

[ Era gives him another light squeeze, absentmindedly weaving some of her aether into the hug. It's something she does frequently with Hythlodaeus and Ardbert, allowing the radiant, loving nature of her aether to express what she struggles to. Her aether is soothing; comforting and warm as a smile blooming in one's chest. You will never go unloved so long as I draw breath, is the sense it whispers. An expression of unconditional love from something so vast and incomprehensible as the energy of life itself—her life, in this case. ]

I brought up that vision because it... lingered in ways that were difficult to brush aside. Nothing unpleasant. Just... a lingering imprint to colour my impressions, and exacerbated by other unrelated factors.

[carbungle]

[His knees bump against her as he jumps at the unexpected smack, exhaling a soft sound of annoyance. He forgets about the tail, sometimes. The feeling fades after a moment, and unconsciously he leans in closer, not sure what it is that she's doing, but drawn in by it regardless. It's warm and soft, like a hug within a hug. He doesn't get it, but he likes it anyway. As for her words... a lingering imprint, huh. Yeah, that makes sense.]

So... that's why you keep calling him Dad. My dad, I mean.

[The first time could have been a fluke, but it's been a few, at this point.]