♥ September (Ohnir) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

September (Ohnir) Event Log
The month of Ohnir brings with it a slow but steady relief from the heat, as summer gives way to autumn and the city begins to change with it. Plants are slowly deflowering, leaves are starting to fade and fall, and while the season is not yet in full swing, all the signs are there if you know where to look. The city is abuzz with new energy as the residents realize that for the first time in centuries, they have some actual nature clean-up ahead of them: raking leaves, pruning branches, protecting young wildlife and fresh plants from the incoming chills of winter. Such work used to be relegated to those who cared for the botanical gardens and zoos, but now everyone who's been enjoying this year's garden harvest has to learn how to future-proof their treasured flowers. Offworlders are encouraged to do the same, lest all of the growth be lost over the winter.

---

❥ PROMPT I: A Clean Getaway

With all of the work to be done, it's no surprise that some are looking for new ways to refresh themselves and relax, and what better time would there be to open up the Public Baths! All the volunteer work cleaning the place has paid off, and the facilities are officially open and available for use. It is technically free to use, as a public facility, but those visiting are encouraged to tithe a small donation once in a while to pay for upkeep and freshen up the place, provide new soaps, etc. No judgment if you can't! It'll just make everything that much nicer in the long run.

The baths are separated into a few sections: oil baths for the native residents, and water baths for the offworlders. For obvious reasons, offworlders are encouraged not to enter the robot-residential sections! Though they are not strictly forbidden... it would be quite messy and bad for your health.

The offworlder half has additional separated sections that may interest characters when they visit:

1) Hot Springs Style - Clothed or Unclothed: there are 3 available rooms for each, one for separate presented genders, and a shared bath for those comfortable with the concept or don't wish to use either male or female. Each room has one larger pool and a few smaller sets, so you can sit by yourself or with others as you please.

2) Pool: a shared public pool! The water is nice and cool, which should be a comfort to those still struggling with the lingering summer heat. There is some water game equipment available for open use if people want to play and get their sports on.

3) Sauna: similar to the springs, once again, there are 3 rooms for gender splits so everyone can enjoy the place at their own comfort level.

It all seems very nice and relaxing for everyone, but this wouldn't be a proper event without some shenanigans now, would it? There are a few effects that may occur within the baths, and these effects are somewhat random. Some characters may experience them to a powerful degree, while others feel nothing at all. Players can decide for themselves who and where these will affect, so feel free to mix, match, and go wild. The effects are:

• The spring water is so relaxing that you feel free and more willing to talk about yourself, or share your feelings more openly.


• The swimming pool is cool and energizing, making you want to horse around and play with others nearby. You may also feel inclined to drape yourself onto others, like a cool, comfy pillow.


• The sauna has you dishing up spicy hot takes, releasing negative emotions or complaints, and makes you a little more inclined to gossip.

All effects can either be nullified or emphasized according to player discretion by physical contact. For some characters, holding hands or something will stop the effects, but for others it'll intensify them - it should keep characters guessing!

❥ PROMPT II: REM Stands for Realistic Emotional Memory in These Parts

Characters who were around last year might remember a bout of strange and sporadic dreams that plagued the town around this season, along with the sensation that they were being followed. This year, dreams once more enter uninvited to one's mind, but this time, it occurs as a random daydream while they are awake, and it is very different from person to person- instead encouraging you to do the following. All visions start out hazy, like a grainy old movie where details and figures are difficult to make out, but there is something both familiar and alien about it. It feels like a memory… but it is not your memory. Over time, the visual begins to clear the more often the dream repeats, until slowly the images grow more distinct, offering clearer faces, the addition of voices, discernable quotes or expressions. The memory will provide hints as to who it might belong to, though the subtlety of those hints will likely vary. Before too long, if you have not found a way to rid yourself of the dream, you will experience an entire memory of another person in town as if you were witnessing it from their perspective!

Now, how does one rid themselves of these strange visions? You could wait it out, if you're patient enough and not inclined to seek the answer, but those who've been here long enough can wager a guess: you must find the source of that memory and "send" it back to them through physical interaction of some kind. Some memories may take longer to transfer than others, and it may depend on the person, the memory itself, how clear the memory has become in the time you carried it… no two experiences are likely to be the same.

There are a few specifics about these memories that are worth noting:

• the memory should be of a single event, not a series of events that span a long period of time. For example, you could witness the stretch of someone's day at a wedding or long party (sped up to skip insignificant moments so it doesn't play in real time), but not a memory of an entire war that goes for months. How long the memory goes for is up to the player that the memory belongs to, as long as it falls within these guidelines.


• you are not limited to a single memory from a single person. Once you have solved one vision, after a certain amount of time, you may find yourself plagued with another.


• you will not necessarily end up having the same memory partner! You won't always have the memory of the person who has your memory. Characters are encouraged to pair up and try to piece together clues that might lead you to your intended partner. Help each other out and guide one another in the right direction if you can.


• those whose memory has been borrowed may find it difficult to recall it; it can seem fuzzy and indistinct, missing entirely or simply missing choice details. Through physical contact, that memory will fully return to them and both participants can experience it together.


• you can find your partner accidentally! If you're still searching for clues and happen to touch your partner through other circumstances - such as shake their hand at first meeting, or hug a friend - you may find both of you are suddenly experiencing a memory together as it is transferred! Aren't you lucky, to have found your partner so easily?

!!! IMPORTANT !!! The contents of the memory shared is up to you, but please be mindful of harmful subjects and tag/mark your comments and toplevels accordingly! Triggering memories should be noted with content warnings. Be kind to your fellow players! If someone asks you to tag something and you have not done so, please correct it as soon as possible. Untagged comments that aren't adjusted and are reported to us may be subject to mod screening until the issue is resolved.

❥ PROMPT III: I Shall Fight With My Bear Hands

Closer to the tail end of the month, one of the research facilities distributes a "Help Wanted" advertisement through the network, requesting the aid of offworlders. The advertisement reads:

"Calling all offworlders! Havenwell Research and Development is seeking volunteers for both physical prowess and supernatural ability testing. All are welcome! Even if you have no combat skills and feel only a desire to learn, we have a job for you. Those who already possess some form of self-defense or combative powers will be partnered and asked to "spar" in a partially digitized facility, or proceed with a simulation that will gauge destructive capabilities. And for those who possess neither, don't worry! Our program is specially designed to help you discover just where your talents lie.

No harm should come to any volunteers, as this is strictly simulation-based, similar to the virtual reality technology already widely used throughout the city. However, in case of any accidents, medical staff is on site to treat injuries as needed. Additionally, there is no need for you to wear any of the VR headgear typically required in our cafes, so if these devices cause you discomfort, this may be a simulation that better meets your needs.

Please contact us ASAP if you are willing and able to help. A monetary commission will be awarded upon completion of each session."

Any volunteers or inquiries will be provided with more information, and invited to one of the research towers located in town. They are guided to a floor that is abuzz with activity, partnered with whoever happens to be scheduled at the same time or a partner they themselves opted to bring with them, and taken to a room akin to Star Trek's holodeck. There, they can input "powers" or "no powers", and a simulation will be created for them based on their selected guidelines.

With Powers:
The console invites characters to select one of two options- their own abilities, or temporarily gain access to the elemental powers offered via AC Rewards (point levels 50, 100, and 200). They are able to choose a particular power level for the duration of the simulation, which can either dampen their natural abilities to a more fair level for the test you're undertaking, or remain normal. While in the simulation room, rather than actually using any real abilities, the room will materialize whatever ability you choose without causing true damage to either the room or your opponent. Science, or magic? It's probably both. Feel free to go wild and have fun, maybe try some powers you've never experienced before or vent your frustrations on being stuck here!

Without Powers:
The console invites characters to select a type of weapon and skill level, and said weapon will materialize in a basic form; while held inside the room it moves and feels real, but it cannot be removed from the facility. Those who are skilled in utilizing said weapon are free to wield it as if it were the genuine article in their chosen simulation. Those without much or any skill will be walked through a tutorial on basic techniques from a variety of styles, old or new, most unfamiliar but well suited to the body type of the person using the program. It's quite intuitive, though it is by no means perfect, so characters might end up being guided through a stranger workout than intended.

For versus mode, each participant has an HP bar displayed above their heads, and everyone has the same HP unless both players select an unbalanced mode, and the goal is to force your opponent to hit zero HP. Characters can also choose how realistic the simulated violence is and how the process feels: in low realism, it's similar to laser tag, where characters flash a colour when hit and take damage without feeling anything more than some uncomfortable vibration. In high realism, pain is genuine to a certain degree depending on how high a level they choose, though it is artificial and will fade as soon as the program ends. Hitting zero HP will not result in a knock-out, but characters will feel dizzy and be forced to sit down, unable to rise again until they surrender. All effects wear off as soon as the simulation ends.

For demonstration mode, participants are given a selection of virtual targets to practice on using whatever method of combat they've chosen. It could be moving targets, such as creatures that have invaded the barrier previously (via the Wild Wild prompt), or simulations of the more dangerous beasts in the museum/zoo areas of town. It could be simple targets built to take a beating without providing much challenge in return. It could be a collection of buildings that characters can break or explode as they please. This mode is designed to gauge just how strong a person's destructive potential is, either with their own powers or with powers granted to those who have been blessed by their patron god.

Characters are welcome to volunteer as many times as there are available partners and/or slots! So feel free to try a few times using different options.

❥ PROMPT IV: A Bonus Trip Down Memory Lane

Last year, some offworlders might remember the tradition of sharing stories in the temple of Ohma, to offer small tributes to the god on their first month of devotion. It is that time of the year again, and everyone is welcome to return and share more stories, or perhaps retell an old favourite to a new audience. Here is the event as described previously:

Ohma's temple is particularly lively during Ohnir and the priests are busy cleaning and sweeping, decorating it with rolls of parchment and digital inkwells and quills that write as if they were actually fountain pens. The natives, especially adherents of Ohma, start to make pilgrimages to the temple in little processions, some playing music, others flying banners.

Anyone who chooses to follow can observe the natives going up to the altar and sharing stories with one another. They talk about things they did over the past year or things that are far, far in their past. Some of the stories are happy and result in the procession laughing and some are...well, not everyone returns safely from certain disasters that befall the city throughout the year. The priests diligently write every story down on those parchment rolls and deposit them onto the waiting altar, where they're summarily lit on fire to the cheers of those present. The more emotional the story it seems, the brighter and bluer the flame that it emits and the louder the procession cheers.

As the file out, they notice you watching and urge you to go up with someone else in the temple to clear your heart and offer up your own stories. They can be stories of home, information about your worlds, or stories about your life.

---

This event will run from September 14th 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

[iustaegis]

[ This is a chance for the two of them to develop their relationship to what it could have been. It's such a wonderful opportunity for them to be here, father and son.

She asks him, encouraging, ] What's... the best thing about having a father?

[ Ah. An awkward thing to ask, perhaps. But she's looking at him earnestly, as if she genuinely seeks his opinion. What he loves about being someone's son, what he loves about having someone to call father. These are both important. ]

[carbungle]

The best thing...?

[That... is a good question, and a personal one at the same time. He'd be as likely to brush it off if she wasn't looking at him with such hopeful sincerity, which is enough to get him to reconsider his reply.]

I guess... it's that he always made me feel safe. Like when the Regalia drove up at the Citadel to bring him home, or when I saw him and he looked at me, even if I was mad at him for something or acting like a brat, I still thought... Dad's here. So whatever was going on, no matter how bad it was, he'd make things better somehow.

[It's not like that feeling has worn off now that he's an adult. He'd shied away from asking sometimes, but his father is still one of the first people he turns to when he needs advice, aside from the things that only Ardyn knows about. And any time he's needed it, his father has been there for him. He still sucks at expressing it, but there's no denying how much he feels safer still, in the man's presence. Even something as simple as sitting in the Regalia had done wonders for his mental state when he'd returned from his coma and had to face his fate.]

[iustaegis]

[ "Dad's here."

"He'd make things better somehow."

And: "--he always made me feel safe."

To harbor those thoughts within his heart speaks of an unconditional admiration for his father, what makes him family. Safe, comfortable, loved. Just as Prompto had described all those months ago... And she is so very thankful that someone she loves has a family like that.

It's her turn to raise his hands up to her lips for a kiss. ] I love your family, Noct.

[carbungle]

[He can't help smiling again at that. Sappy. It's so, so sappy, anyone who saw them now would laugh at him, surely.

Doesn't stop him from leaning in, taking advantage of the fact that his hands are so close to her face: he tugs them free so he can cup her cheeks, tilting her in his direction.]

Convenient- me too. [He presses his lips to hers, noses bumping.] Don't you mean our family?

[He'd accepted her months ago, and that hasn't changed, nor is it likely to.]

[iustaegis]

[ Her face colors as his lips meets hers, the brief taste of him as sweet as it is tempting to continue. Her eyes flutter closed, then open again as she brings her free hands up to his shoulders. ]

Our family.

[ It makes sense to her. She feels safe with him, and she feels content knowing he feels safe with that family, extended.

It does make her wonder about her own... family. Could the same be said of her brothers, of her Father? Thoughts of who she had called family in her world are clouded and confused, made complicated by emotions that shouldn't be but are. Compounding this, she had never called the Architect "Father" or the other two of the Trinity her brothers until she had been awakened, imprinted with emotions in the first place...

It's all so confusing, this. However, she is certain that she adores the idea of family. And she adores being family to Noctis.

Ah, just like that, he's distracted her. Realizing this brings her mind to one of the points she had been distracted from. ] The idea of family... used to be so untouchable to me. Confusing, too.

You make it seem so much simpler. [ And easier to bear. ]

[carbungle]

I think in theory it's supposed to be simple. Usually it's everything else that complicates it.

[The world that made his father the king and he the prince, the world that gave them magic and war and the sickness that took Aulea from them both. Pyra's world has its own complexities as well, obviously- things that prevent her from knowing this mysterious being as her father, or forging relationships with her brothers, or freely sharing Mythra with the rest of their friends and not just him.

He doesn't love it here. This isn't home. But he loves what he has here, the people in his life that he never had the chance to know- either at all, or half as well as he does now. He loves the freedom to spend time with them without hesitation, the lack of responsibilities. He loves that he can look at her and see family, the same way he can accept Ardyn and Era and all the people he's let into his circle beyond the ones he grew up with. It's simple, yes, and the only complications are the ones they allow in the way, the ones they can fend off if they want to.

He wishes home could be like that. It's a lot less confusing than it used to be for him, too.]

You know... after she got one of my memories, Era started accidentally calling him "Dad".

[iustaegis]

[ She smiles at him as he shares a little bit more about his family. In this case, Era. That she is referring to Regis as "dad" just shows how close she is with them-- and that... that is wonderful, how like Noctis, she easily finds herself a new family. It is a talent only the easily beloved like them might have.

What else might she do but look at him fondly and speak her mind, feeling that soft warmth comfort her as she thinks of Era, Noctis, and Regis, and the bond the three must share: ] Ah, that's wonderful...

[carbungle]

[He can't tell if his intent went over her head or if she's being deliberately obtuse not to make it weird. Or not to assume. Actually, that sounds like something she'd do.

Ah well, clarification is free.]

I'm just saying that if you did that too, pretty sure he wouldn't mind.

[iustaegis]

[ As it were, she had just thought he was shifting the subject to them, continuing to chat about his extended family. ]

That... would be a little abrupt, no? [ She hasn't spoken with Regis in quite some time. The man has been busy, it seems. ] As if I'm inviting myself in.

[carbungle]

It was abrupt for her, too. No one minded. [Noctis shrugs his shoulders. It's not like he can make the decision for her, but...] That's just the kind of person Dad is.

[iustaegis]

W-well.... The next time I see him, then. Perhaps I'll ask. [ If it's appropriate to bring up, that is. And only if Regis would think her as a daughter, otherwise a one way label of "father" would be imposing her own want, which is something she struggles with enough. That's a reasonable compromise, especially regarding family.

She thinks to her own for a moment, then the memory that was shared with them, then the vision after.

And then she looks back up at him. ] Um, Noct...

About my memory from before. [ Her fingers brush over his hands. ]  I feel terrible for having forgotten, then, to ask about how you were feeling.

[carbungle]

[He doesn't chase it; the shift of subject to him is often suspicious when it comes to her, but there are instances (when he notices) where he doesn't mind an evasion. Family relationships are complicated, as she'd said, and while he doesn't agree that his is as simple as it seems, he can guess it isn't as much of a challenge as whatever she's got going on. He has no idea what her and Regis' relationship is like, either.

He does make a mental note to poke his dad about that later, though. They're two of his most important people now, he'd like it if they got along well, if they can.

Her question does make him tilt his head, curious. His feelings...?]

Back then? I don't know... I was mostly focusing on you, so I didn't think about it. They were your feelings, weren't they? I was just kind of a tagalong.

[The memory of being locked away is never going to be great for him, all things considered, but... it'd been her choice. That's a sensation that stuck out for him personally.]

[iustaegis]

[ Of course Noctis had been focusing on her. As ever, he is kind, selfless.  ] I, ah, just wanted to make sure you were alright.  [ That no harm was done, no stress... ] Yes, but--

[ The feelings projected upon him in the memory had been hers, and those feelings within it were heavy, and he would have experienced them as strongly as she had experienced his own in this childhood memory. If some harm had been done, she’d wish to address it.

Because... She wants to be better at this. At this relationship. And that means giving the time to address how he feels. Letting him speak, and she listening in return. ] They were mine, but you experienced them...

How you feel, Noct. It's important to me.

[ She inhales, but smiles. ] I don't want to ever forget asking you about them again.

[carbungle]

It's okay if you do. I know you didn't mean it.

[If there's one thing he trusts her not to do, it's intentionally hurt him, if she can help it. Anyway, it's not as if he's always up-front about how he feels when the answer isn't a positive (or even neutral) one. But since she's asking now, he takes the time to think carefully about what kind of answer he actually wants to give. Denying it would be as pointless as it would be dishonest, but it wasn't a lie that his first focus had been on her. Maybe... that itself is his answer.]

I think... it was kind of the same for me as it was for you. Like- it was hard, of course, to feel all of that. It... um, it hurt, for sure. [His free hand lifts idly to his chest, like there's an ache still to be felt there.] But it was something I hadn't felt before, something new. And it was yours, so it kind of felt like I was learning something about you. In that way, it... wasn't all bad, you know?

[He glances hesitantly at her.]

Does that make sense?

[iustaegis]

[ Her eyes follow the movement of his hand to his chest, and after he finishes speaking, she lifts one of hers to clasp over it.

Like her, he can struggle with expressing himself or holding back what he feels (even if they’ve been through this before). She hasn’t figured out exactly why... perhaps not wanting to let down others’ expectations of him as royalty? Perhaps wanting to seem strong, and his vision of strong is keeping pain to himself? Or maybe it is the thought of not wanting to be a burden. Perhaps more, or less, perhaps all of the above.

But that’s also why it is important she takes the time to ask him (even days— weeks?— later). ]

It does. [ She wishes it hadn’t hurt him. But. No one can control what memories others receive, and everyone has something sad within their hearts. He’s saying it hurt, but he’s also saying that he’s glad to know a little more about her.

...

She’d like to believe she’s given him far more memories that are good.

As if in deference to him and what he’s endured, Pyra dips her head, kissing her hand that rests above his. She looks up at him afterward with a small, fond smile, repeating, ] It does.

And... I’m glad you shared that with me. Both your feelings, and this memory, too.

[carbungle]

[It may be small, but he'll take it, softly returning the smile and giving her hand a squeeze. While he may prefer sharing good memories like this, it doesn't distress him to take the bad with the good as much as it used to. He doesn't know what that means - a sign he's more stable, or growing up? Healthy coping mechanisms? It's too new - but he'll take it, quietly and contentedly.

Honestly, it's mostly her who's helped this change to develop in him. Easier to overcome sadness when you let yourself feel it rather than burying it. It wasn't even that long ago that his answer to anyone if asked that question would be "I'm fine" and little else. He still does sometimes, but to admit it so freely here and now means he's come a long way. Hell, even being self-aware to know he does it is a big deal.

He'll... try to hold on to this. The memories they've shared, but also this memory that it's okay to share, that it won't always hurt people the way he thinks it might.]

I'm glad, too. I know you didn't choose it, but even so, thanks for letting me have it.

[iustaegis]

[ To be thanked for sharing such an awful memory with him, while he had given her such a wonderful, heartwarming memory of his childhood, completely with imagination and magic... It's unfair. Is this really his luck?

His memory of thinking of his father has made her think of her own. And she's already told him about her father. Not all, but enough to know that family is... both simple and complex, with a basis of love. As strange as it is to feel it, she loves the Architect, too, for creating the world that has such diverse life, that across multiple continents-- and at least two universes-- not one species of sentient life arose, but many did independently of each other. And with that sentient life came love. It's a marvel.

She's grown, too. Being able to reminisce without too much sorrow, being able to share that sorrow with him. Being able to feel what it is like to have a family. ]

It would feel very strange to say 'your welcome' to that. [ She says at length, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. ] I see a cute memory of you, and you get that. [ And the vision of the future. ]

But I want to share more with you, one day.

[carbungle]

[He can only smile and shrug. Not like either of them have a choice in the actual memory shared. He would have liked to get a happier memory as well, but if he won't get them through supernatural means - which still feels an awful lot like stealing, anyway - he'll accept giving her new, good memories instead. Although-]

Nothing's stopping you from sharing them, you know.

[No pressure, of course, but the door is open and always has been.]

[iustaegis]

[ Nothing's stopping her, true, save her own fear and sorrow. (Even if it has been easier.)

But she knows what he means. Nothing-- no judgement, no lack of understanding will stop him from listening.

.... ]

Let's... go camping.

[ She begins quietly, stops, then starts again as if afraid to suggest more. ] Either in reality or in King's Knight.

[ Her hands squeeze his.

Camping beneath the stars, real or fake (or real-fake beneath the barrier), is something she had done often while she still walked the earth, before she had been sealed. Camping would bring up those memories from before, but camping with him would mean she's creating new ones of the same kind. Not as a replacement, but to help... ease the burden of those memories.

For him, too, she suspects. She knows he's often camped. ]

[carbungle]

[He blinks at the suggestion, surprised for a moment, then smiles and nods, lifting his wine in her direction, a small salute.]

As her Ladyship commands. [The more serious smile only lasts a few seconds before he cracks. Silly, that's too silly...] The real thing might be nice, if we can find the gear. Never been to the outskirts overnight here. Maybe we can set up our own little "haven".

[Wonder if they could find some white paint...]

[iustaegis]

[ His "silliness" earns him a smile and a blush, at least, as if she had been disarmed. Why is he also so cute-- ]

I'd like that.

[ She replies quickly, quietly. The two of them, camping together. Making another new memory together, one that they can share, and one in which they might both share more with each other.

His eyes would look beautiful beneath the stars, too. ]