hugtopia_logs | ♥ July (Lasdia) Event Log

♥ July (Lasdia) Event Log

a table display celebrating a first anniversary

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!

❥ PROMPT I: National Telegraphic

a pair of binoculars peering out of a bush

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

an animated gif of elsa from frozen changing her icy dress to a green one

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!

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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.

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.

[ 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... ]

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.

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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.

[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.]

[ She snickers as he jumps, ignoring how his knees bump into her, since she has the rest of him to lean against to make up for it.

His statement causes her no small amount of embarrassment, but she perseveres. ]

I— Yes. I try not to, but I've trouble noticing when it happens. He is just... [ He's Dad. The echoes of Noct's soul made sure she was well aware of this. ]

He's similar to Edmont, you know. In so many little ways I never would have noticed them before.

Yeah, he kind of has that vibe.

[The dad vibe. It's incredibly prominent, no matter the age. Sort of like how Ignis acts like a mom sometimes, only much more emphasized because he is a dad.]

Actually, even before he knew who I was or that he'd have a kid, when he was barely older than me, sometimes he'd say something and I came so close to calling him Dad. I looked at him and heard his voice and my brain just auto-filled. I had to fall back into court-mode and say "Your Majesty" instead, so I wouldn't give myself away.

[ ...She takes a moment to mull that all over, and how weird and difficult that must have been. It is a little bit funny though. She can almost picture the panicked look on Noct's face when he realize he nearly slipped up, and quickly trying to play it cool.

This time, instead of a snicker, he gets a few stifled giggles. ]

Seven hells, you'd think all of this was a practical joke. Of all the moments in time it could have plucked you from... I'm glad you no longer have to hide that from him.

...And I suppose I should be grateful. It could've been worse—he could've ended up imprinted in my mind as Daddy instead. I imagine that'd be a sight harder to ignore.

[ Yes, she's absolutely teasing him. No, she isn't fully aware of the possible connotations behind it, though is aware enough to know it would have been a great deal more embarrassing for all of them. ]

[He can't quite hide the brief escape of laughter at the unfortunate term, mildly horrified by the idea.]

Yeah, that's... for sure a good thing. Don't use that one.

[They really don't need Regis to be asking more questions than he ought to. He gives it a moment's pause, and then adds, in a more serious tone,]

I don't think he'd mind, you know. If you actually called him that. [....wait] Dad. Dad. If you- nevermind.

I can assure you I won't. [ She says with a little giggle that's cut short by what he says next. ]

I— [ Wasn't expecting that. Era doesn't know what to make of it, nor what to say. ] Even if he wouldn't mind, it isn't— It's not a privilege I've earned.

Is that a thing to earn? I just got it by being born, go figure.

[He quirks a brow, though he knows what she means.]

Seriously though, that's between you and him, and I can't vouch for how he'd feel about it, but... I don't know. It just sounds like something he'd be chill with.

By being born you—and your mother—gave him the gift of fatherhood. In return for your grueling struggle you earned the gift of being his son.

[ Having witnessed the moment an anxious man met his newborn daughter, Era is under no illusion that such a thing is anything but the greatest of gifts. A brand new life, so painfully fragile and vibrant, cradled in one's arms like an exceptionally large, ruddy potato.

(She can't blame the newborn for looking like that, all things considered.)

The thought of speaking to Regis about the issue at hand is nerve-wracking enough that she finally pulls away from Noct enough to furrow her brows at him. ]

What am I supposed to say to him? "The Echo had me live through your son's most traumatic childhood memories and now I can't help but view you as a father-figure. May I call you 'Dad'?"

Ah... I know. [He huffs a quiet breath, thinking back to one of the first months after his arrival, and the strange dreams he'd shared with others.] I saw, actually... he was really happy.

[There'd been a strain in the room, he remembers. His mother's health had not been good, there'd been warning signs they hadn't wanted to acknowledge. But none of that could conquer the joy he'd seen in his father's eyes, holding that undersized bundle he could scarcely imagine as himself. The sound of each voice in the room, quietly celebrating the life of their newborn prince.

As she pulls back, he glances around, spotting his father off in the distance, mingling and talking with someone else, diplomatic and charming as ever. Looking every bit a king as usual, even in his own (terrible) unique fashion. His joy is more muted these days, a trade-off thanks to the newly gained memories of the birth of a son and the resulting death of the partner he loved more than anyone, and continued to love all the rest of his days.]

...I'd... prefer if you left out the trauma part, he doesn't know about that. But as weird as our lives are, he'd have no problems believing you if that's what you told him.

I can't even begin to comprehend how joyous he must have been in that moment.

[ Era knows that Noct's mother died when he was young enough to have not even a fleeting thought of her during those memories she experienced. She has her suspicions of what her fate may have been. ]

How could he not— [ Ah. Right. ] ...His most recent memories of you are when you are just a baby, aren't they? I will keep that in mind.

[ It would explain a fair bit. ]

...I spoke to him not long ago, seeking his advice. When I told him about my 'first' proposal, he told me his wife did something similar when they were a bit older.

I can only imagine your father barely ten summers old, being told by his best friend that when they grew up she was going to marry him. From what else he told me of your mother, I imagine she would have brokered no arguments.

[He blinks at that, surprised speechless for a moment. That young, really...?]

I... didn't know about that. [Six, there's still so much he doesn't know. There's probably mountains worth of stories he'll never know.] She sure got her way, even if she had to wait until he was crowned for it.

[He can imagine it too, based on what little he's seen and heard of his mother. Everyone made it sound like she had so much energy to her, a burning fire no one ever thought would go out. Someone strong enough to stare down the council and all of Insomnia's court and defy every societal desire to see someone less controversial as Regis' queen. He would have loved to see her gloat about how it was she who brought the Chosen King into the world. And... he wonders if she'd have told him to defy his fate, too.]

He couldn't recall a time before she was in his life. [ Era wonders how much Regis has shared with Noct, and if it's wrong of her to speak of such things with him. ]

...There were rules they were expected to follow, given their social standings, but that never mattered to Aulea—as she grew older she simply learned how to use those rules in ways no one ever expected or intended. She let your father experience facets of life he never would have had the chance to otherwise, and I"m certain he is all the better for her influence.

He first described her to me as 'a brilliant star that could outshine the moon in the night sky whenever she wanted to.'

[ She had enjoyed hearing about Aulea, and wouldn't mind hearing more. Wives are not something Era has much experience in dealing with, nor hearing stories about. ]

For all that you are your father's son, you are your mother's as well.

[He purses his lips, still studying his father in the distance as she speaks, though he does listen- when it's about his mother, he always listens, like a dog under the table hungry for every crumb that falls. A brilliant star. Of course he'd call her that. She'd been a light in his eyes, a beacon of trouble to king and court before his father's coronation.]

When he found out I was from our line, Dad asked who my father was. I told him to guess, and he knew me by my eyes. [Her eyes.] She's the one who gave me my name, too. She said that Dad could be king all he needed to be during the day, but "the night is for us".

[It was a promise Regis hadn't been able to keep forever, ultimately; such is the weight of the crown, of grief and responsibility, when war and country demanded more than a lonely toddler. And he's sure it was hard for his father to look at him sometimes, seeing so much of her in his features and feeling that loss all over again. But he hopes that for all the difficulties they had over the years, he was still able to bring his father that kind of joy a few more times when he needed it. Wayward, the king had called him on that final day when he left the Citadel. Like her, he thinks, in retrospect.]

[ Era listens closely, eyes moving to look at his when he speaks of them. Of how his father came to realize the young man he spoke to was in fact his future son.

She recalls meeting him when she was Kiyo. The fleeting conversation of fathers and their children. When he spoke of knowing their child no matter how old they were, he was speaking from experience. ]

I'm not surprised he knew. When I was Kiyo, he offered to help me look for my Bàbà, but she couldn't remember what he looked like, and she had grown since he... [ She gives a small shake of her head, forcing the thought out of mind. ] She thought that even if her Bàbà was there, he wouldn't know her.

...And your father reassured her, telling her he'd like to think he'd know his child, no matter how old he was.

It makes sense now, knowing he spoke from experience. Though I wonder if he'd've guessed correctly if you didn't have her eyes?

[ She offers Noct a warm smile, her own eyes bright with amusement. ]

I also wonder if your mother had always been so romantic, or if your father was to blame for such sentimentality.

[He smiles faintly. It had worked in reverse too, hadn't it? He'd recognized his father, despite being the man becoming much older than his child self had remembered. Sometimes the heart just knows. And if he hadn't had his mother's eyes, wouldn't they be his father's? ...Well, he's no expert on genetics, but he figures Regis would have found out eventually. That's not even taking into consideration Ardyn accidentally giving him away.

Regardless, he has no regrets. Things are... good, now. Very good. And it's still progressing- they're allowed to be close here, the way the throne never allowed them to be back home. He's always going to be grateful for that.]

I can't say for sure one way or the other, but I can hazard a guess- I was told she went to school in Altissia, and it's probably the most romantic city in the world. Maybe she soaked up the culture and brought it home to class up her very unfashionable king.

[ ...'Unfashionable king'?

Era looks over to where Regis is and just stares, expression shifting from confusion into mild horror.

She turns to face Noctis again after a moment. ]

...He chose to wear that? Unironically?

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