hugtopia_logs | ♥ September Event Log

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♥ September Event Log

a wide green pasture at dusk with a red-leafed tree in the foreground

September (Ohnir) Event Log
Ohnir is in full swing now and the weather, while still boasting hot days, is starting to cool slightly at night. The residents are recovering after the lightning storms from the previous month and, curiously, most of the robots that had been damaged in the storms are back. They don't look the same as before, but they seem to act the same, still happy, still thankful that the offworlders are here. A few even thank those who carried their bodies to the temples with small gifts of painted stones. Havenwell continues as it always has and welcomes their new arrivals with a few rather odd changes...

❥ PROMPT I: Robot Crossing

a farmer holding a bountiful box of vegetables

Now that all the new and old arrivals have mingled and met, the robotic natives start pointing everyone toward the VR cafes. The bright lights and cozy insides have been decorated with fake leaves and carved and painted plaster approximations of fruits and vegetables in odd colors. When an offworlder comes in, they explain that back when they were still in their flesh bodies, the month of Ohnir was one for harvest and celebrations of the summer bounties. Now, without any real farms or need to eat, they've translated the Harvest Festival into a game, so why not play?

Logging in with another character will net you a little farm and a variety of games to choose from:

Pick and harvest as many Aellyn vegetables and fruits as you can before the timer runs out! The more you pick, the better your score. Work together with your partner to clear the field in any way you can. Strangely, once you finish clearing a tree or a field row of their bounty, they seem to magically refill when you turn your back. Oh well, at least you won't run out before the timer hits zero and with the sheer number of levels and combinations of trees and fields with obstacles in your way to make harvesting a little more challenging with each new level, you certainly won't be running out of things to do.
With a partner, use the giant slingshot to launch comically large fruits into a garden patch of other colored fruits. Match a line of 3 or more similarly shaped fruits to clear it from the field. The more fruits you can clear, the higher your score - aka welcome to Fruit Crush. Stack lines of 6 or more to get shining clear diamond fruits that clear the entire row and snag yourself some bonus points.
You and your partner(s) are given a magical golden pumpkin and it's your job to grow it into the largest pumpkin possible. Why? There's a county fair of course and the largest pumpkin wins! But how do you grow this pumpkin? Well, there are a lot of methods! You could gather up materials and work together to stick it to the pumpkin until it absorbs them and grows. You could do a song and dance routine together to encourage the pumpkin's soul to grow big and bright. You could hold hands and share stories and entertain the pumpkin until it feels encouraged enough to grow on its own. The possibilities are endless, so get to work making the best pumpkin that (digital) fair has ever seen!

As always, when playing the game, the picture and quality seems to increase as long as you're in contact with another person. Once the games are over and your scores tallied, the cafe attendant walks over and asks to see your communicators. To the winners, he or she attaches a little floating charm in the shape of one of Aellyn's weirder fruits. It looks like a cross between a blue rambutan and the hala aka puhala fruit, and it's called the sikheen fruit here. The sikheen are extremely rare nowadays, but their appearance is so unique that Havenwell residents still like to remember it for the Harvest Festival. Enjoy your prize!

❥ PROMPT II: Paint by Number

The new arrivals get to enjoy Havenwell in all its glory for about a week before suddenly, one day everyone wakes up to find the entire city has gone gray. And not a natural, nice gray either, but a strange dull, lifeless gray. Everything from the sky to the houses to the grass to the native people have all turned the exact same shade of graphite gray. Even the natives are confused and the devout flock to the temples while the science-minded head to the labs to study this new phenomenon. The only ones who seem spared from this strange color drain are the offworlders and the statues of the gods in the center of town. Or, well, at least most of the offworlders are spared. A few people might notice that their colors aren't as bright as they once were, or that parts of them are starting to turn gray as well. Those offworlders unlucky enough to lose some of their own can touch another player character to regain what was lost easily enough. Overall though, no one seems harmed by this sudden loss of color, but they're certainly perplexed.

A few days later and round silver platforms start showing up around the city, dragged out of storage by the natives. The first arrivals might remember these as the fireworks platforms that are activated by people standing and holding hands on them. The temple priests and scientists encourage the offworlders to stand on the platforms again and to hold hands or engage in some other sort of physical contact on them and wait.

When characters do as asked, the platforms shoot fireworks like they did before - in brilliant colors instead of the dull gray everywhere. And wherever the sparks fall, color starts returning to the world in splotches. The natives are overjoyed and move the platforms all across the city, asking the offworlders to find and use them wherever possible to return the color to their town.

❥ PROMPT III: Sharing is Caring

a book open with images and words popping out

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. It would probably be far more impressive if the colors weren't still so gray and splotchy, but they're trying their best.

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 came back from the lightning storms. 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. It seems the more personal the story, the brighter the flame though and the more Dora that will mysteriously show up in your account at a later date. If the priests are asked about this donation later, they're just as perplexed. No one they know would have paid anyone for an offering to Ohma, so where could it have come from....?

❥ PROMPT IV: Sleep Sweet

With Ainea's temple familiars finally back where they belong, quiet returns to the city at night. We're sure that first long uninterrupted sleep felt heavenly, right? Although there may not be color in the city, the world of dreams at least is fully technicolor and safe. Which might be weird for some characters in case they don't normally dream or remember their dreams because now everyone is dreaming at night. Most of the dreams are the usual variety that your character always has, but every so often in the midst of a pleasant dream about home or a funky one about flying pizza (whatever it is you usually dream about, we don't judge), there's a glitch.

Out of the corner of your eye or just on the edge of your vision, a person appears. Their face can't be seen and their arms are longer than they have any right to be, but they appear and stand there, watching. Trying to focus on this person causes them to flit away and it's easy enough to dismiss as a random event, until it keeps happening. And it keeps happening, and it keeps happening, and every time you see this person, they get closer and even less distinct. Waking up and talking to or holding someone might help calm that disquiet in your heart, offworlder, so hopefully there's someone around to help you.

This event will run from September 16th to September 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 on the OOC Entry.

Feel free to also use the OOC Plotting Post for planning what your character is up to!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It may be a little hard to see him in the darkness; Will's colors have been fading in and out over the course of the month, and he's currently a rather grey-muddied version of himself, colors dull and cloudy, but not entirely gone. It's not hard to notice someone eyeing the platform he's been waiting on, though--Will grabs the railing and kicks off the platform, leaning forward to balance himself precariously on his hands.]

Corrrrr! Come make fireworks with me?

[The fact that he was able to startle Cor says a lot about the trickery the lack of coloring is playing on his depth perception. Hmm perhaps an old man should get some glasses? Nonsense.

He looks up at the younger man and immediately frowns. Will, so vibrant and cheerful, should definitely not be so discolored. What would take coaxing from anyone else requires exactly one wheedle from a monotone Will for Cor to step up onto the platform with him.]

Six, look at you. [Worry and disapproval in one and, once on that small platform, Cor reaches out to offer Will his arm.]

Hehehe~ Looks like I've been rolling around in the dust, doesn't it?

[He seems more amused by the transformation than anything else, lowering himself back to his feet and gladly Cor's hand. A shapeless streak of sparkling pink bursts across the sky overhead immediately, throwing a broad spray of sparks with it.]

You look a little frost-nipped yourself.

[Will can be amused all he wants, Cor is worried.

He glances up at the streak of pink, then shakes his head dismissively. The hand Will has taken squeezes slightly, a nudge to draw his attention back to Cor from the sky overhead.]

We don't know what detrimental effects might go along with this discoloration. Will... You need to take better care of yourself.

[That same feeling that had woken him in the middle of the night is there again in the back of his mind, not so strong or panicked but there nonetheless. For Will himself this time instead of his King. I don't want to lose you.]

I'm doing my best to take care of it! It seems like it just comes and goes for me pretty fast, that's all.

[Will beams reassuringly and squeezes Cor's hand in return--as though to prove that he's still here and substantial, not about to crumble into ash or fade into the Night. It looks like he dipped his fingertips into water to wash away the discoloration, if Cor happens to look down--tiny clean spots where the gray is already starting to fade. Physical affection is always easy come, easy go with him, isn't it?]

I don't feel like there's anything wrong with me, though. Do you feel off?

[Cor frowns harder, watching Will intently for a long moment. His free hand comes up to brush a bit of his hair back. Still as soft as it looks, even if the bright violet color is faded. He rests the back of his hand against first Will's forehead then his cheek as if expecting the younger man to have lost his warmth as well as saturation.]

It's... hard to say.

[Grey or not there are distinct bags under Cor's eyes and the bitter scent of coffee clings to him even more than usual. Does he feel off kilter because of sleep deprivation or because of the discoloring? And maybe that's why he doesn't over think himself out of it, just steps in close to Will and lets his hand go from twined with the younger man's to settled possessively on his opposite hip, arm wrapped around him.

Will is just his now. His to fuss over. His to protect.]

You don't know? What exactly have you been doing to yourself?

[He sees those bags, Cor, and he doesn't approve either. (He'd actually like the coffee smell, if not for how clearly it represents exhaustion and sleep deprivation.) Will is obliging enough to let Cor study him as he sees fit though, nuzzling affectionately into the gentle touches. He's as soft as always, though maybe not quite as warm to the touch as he could be--but then again, who would be, wandering around outside on an Ohnir evening? The air is finally turning crisp, even starting to get a little nippy on occasion.]

Don't make me drag you to bed and sit on you. You know I'm not bluffing.

[For all that it's a threat, and one he probably would attempt to carry out, it's a playfully delivered one. His smile doesn't falter, though Will does let out a soft noise of surprise to find himself hemmed in like this. Still, he can't say he minds being hemmed in like this, or where that hand ended up, or even the possible lines of thought that could lead to feelings like those..... Will drapes against Cor's chest instead, air blossoming anew with fireworks even without him looking up this time.]

Arete would be very upset... It's... been worse the last week or so.

[He hesitates so much saying it but the fact that he does is bounds beyond what he would have done back home, or even would admit to here. It's a hard truth to accept, that the nightmares might actually end up impacting his ability to carry out his job soon enough. He was already having trouble thinking as critically as he should. For now he had to trust his body to remember what to do regardless of if his mind could keep up.

The little nuzzle his touches get is enough to have his breath catch in his chest, suddenly glad for the grey tones because they would at least hide the way his neck colors slightly. A little burst of happiness adding a rich, deep blue spray to the darkening purple sky. Then Will leans into his chest and for a moment Cor feels like his heart is going to stop, uncertain and surprised. It takes a long moment for the tension to gradually bleed out of him still held a little too tight, a little too rigid, but not quite holding his breath in flustered anticipation.]

It might... honestly, I might sleep better with you near.

You know I'm happy to come over whenever you want, right?

[Will doesn't scold this time. If it's bad enough that Cor is willing to admit to it, then he's surely already well aware that something needs to change. He doesn't need a lecture now, he just needs support to help make things better, and encouragement to ~~train him to~~ help make sure reaches out in the future, too.

And a little more happiness like that little flash couldn't hurt, either. The touching is what had prompted that, right? Will nuzzles into Cor's chest with a little pleased sigh, letting his fingers curl into the fabric of the taller man's shirt.]

In this case, at least, you won't find a better guard Growlithe in all Havenwell.

[Cor may be big and strong, and he may be small and soft, but he can keep him safe at night. Those nightmares won't stand a chance.]

I don't want to pull you away from your own bed...

[He can manage on his own, just as he has been. He really can. But having the protective warmth of someone beside him would help quite a bit. He doesn't want to worry His Majesty enough to outright ask him, however. The need to be more legend than man to maintain appearances for his King is still ingrained too deeply into him.

It's a weak protest, though, one he can't bring himself to continue when Will presses into him and nuzzles against him. It will be all too obvious the little hitch it causes in his breathing with how close Will is. If the trainer were to look up he'd see the grey beginning to fade into scarlet as his neck and cheeks flush. So much affection is embarrassing in a way. Like something he doesn't deserve and is somehow lying to earn. He's not used to such things and doesn't know how to respond.]

Guard Growlithe, hmm? Isn't guarding supposed to be my job?

My bed won't get jealous of me sleeping around, don't worry~ ♥

[Will just giggles mischievously, both with the reassurance and from the clearly felt hitch in Cor's breath; the taller man can probably far more easily feel him smiling than see it. The smile only grows as he peeks up at Cor, seeing the warm flush of color starting to return. His own is a fluid thing, almost as quick to leave as it is to return; it's Will's clothes that are starting to brighten up first, before the rest of him is touched by it.]

What, you've never heard of "watching each other's backs" before? Besides, you may make a better guard than I do, but that's technically an Elite's job, too.

[Sleeping around

By the Six, Will, you're going to give him a heart attack.

The fact that his color is slower to return, especially to his body rather than his clothes is more than a little distressing and slowly Cor raises one hand. His fingers touch Will's hair ever so slightly, hesitant, certain he's going to fumble past some line he wasn't even aware of any moment. But if the younger man will allow it slowly he'll let his fingers sink in, letting the weight of his hand rest gently against the back of Will's neck.]

Of course I have... there's only so much watching one can do against nightmares, though.

[Awww, Cor, you don't appreciate his turn of phrase? He thinks he worded it quite well!

If he were hugging a stranger, or even a recent acquaintance, Will might be a touch more reluctant to let someone's hands anywhere near where his mask is fastened. There would at least be some tension, fleeting though it might be, or maybe even a smooth deflection and redirect. He's known Cor for a few months now, though--and what's more, the man is like an open book to his eyes, no matter how perfect his poker face is.

So Will simply hums in contentment as Cor buries a hand in his hair instead, eyes half-closed behind his mask. Enjoy how soft he is, Cor; he takes care of his hair as well as Havenwell allows, given the residents don't really have much need for shampoo anymore themselves.]

I just so happen to be uniquely qualified to watch out for those.

[Cor doesn't quite hum but there's a weight to his next breath, an almost sigh, something that settles contentedly in his chest that he doesn't dare examine too closely. It's a feeling he has not felt in decades, something he only vaguely recalls from his youth, sitting in the back of the Regalia with Clarus on one side and Regis curled into his shoulder, fast asleep on the other. That satisfaction of being somewhere with those you care about and being confident that no monsters were going to come slinking out of your nightmares to take them away.

His fingers curl tighter into Will's hair for a moment before relaxing to card his fingers through those violet strands. He might even smile, something soft and woefully underused.]

So I've noticed... You have all sorts of hidden talents.

[His hair is slowly starting to brighten as Cor runs his fingers through it, purer hints of violet shaking off the grey haze that's overtaken him. Will is just about purring in Cor's arms soon enough, basking in both the affectionate touch, and the sheer satisfaction of being able to coax some hard-earned happiness out of Cor.]

Just a few. But I like to think what I do, I do well~ ★

[The easy confidence and teasing lilt to Will's words actually earns him a muffled laugh, a real smile breaking through despite himself and Cor just shakes his head as though to dismiss the slip in his composure.]

Maybe too well.

[He leans back just a little, fingers still tangled in violet hair but just enough space between them that he can look down at Will and cock a brow.]

Regis said something about you writing speeches for him now?

Why, there's no such thing~ ♥

[Will giggles himself, smile sly and playful as he looks back up at him. Victory! He knew he'd make you laugh one these days, Cor.]

What can I say? He just couldn't resist my way with words! Of course, he'll need to get into a position to actually start giving speeches again before I can write for him.

[Cor rolls his eyes and sighs dramatically, fond exasperation ruining his mask of control but he can't quite bring himself to care just now.]

Don't encourage him or he'll find a reason.

[After all the dramatics his expression settles into something warmer and more comfortable than it has been, not just in the months since he'd come here but in years. And for a moment, standing there with Will in his arms, fingers curling in the younger man's hair, there's a flicker of a thought. Something intrusive and embarrassing and color begins to creep across his cheeks again as soon as it comes. Standing here in the evening light with fireworks flashing overhead blue and pink and gold reflecting off silken hair he... well... Will is quite beautiful isn't he?]

[Will's smile only widens, both at the clear exasperation and the way it softens. He's pleased enough that even the embarrassment just adds a fluttery edge to the rush of gentle warmth; by now, even his previous ashen grey pallor is fading back to his natural fair complexion.]

That eager, is he?

That dramatic.

[The faintest of chuckles and seeing Will smile like that, because of him, makes something in his chest flutter oddly.]

Between the two of you it's a miracle I can get anything accomplished.

[Distractions the both of you.]

Then it's a good thing you don't have too much that needs to be accomplished, hmmm~? I'll have to write him something to take full advantage of that.

[Oh, Cor..... If you think they're not going to be bad influences on each other when it comes to ridiculousness and drama, you're sadly mistaken.]

[Cor narrows his eyes but the scowl is not in earnest, there's still a playful edge to his expression even as he squeezes Will lightly, pinning the smaller man against him by doing so.]

What did I say about encouraging him? And I have to do something>/i> with my time.

[Oh no, he's trapped! Whatever shall he do??

Maybe he'll just wind his arms around Cor's neck and enjoy how cozy this imprisonment is. That sounds like an excellent idea.]

You mean we don't keep you busy enough? I don't think it should count as encouraging him if he gets himself into the speechifying position first, and I just provide the material after that.....

A technicality.

[Don't split hairs, Will.

But the last thing he expected was for Will to lean into that embrace. He'd fully expected an attempt to squirm away, to get some distance back and laugh it off and for it to clearly be... nothing.

Pressed against him like this though, looking up at him, arms loped around his neck. Cor immediately, instinctively, leans down a little to make it easier on Will, given their height difference. There's a moment where his heart leaps up into his throat and he has to remember how to breathe again, how to swallow, how to do anything other than looking down at this man that's wiggled himself in so close so quickly and marvel at how beautiful he is all over again. Not just the fall of his hair and the pout of his lips, lips that are oh so tempting in a way Cor hasn't let himself even consider anyone in decades. But in the vibrancy of his personality and the depth of his heart. All grandoise passions and a depth of caring that is only going to get him hurt in time.

All to similar to his King, really. But it's not Regis on his mind just now, for once perhaps. And just as it's second nature to lean down to ease how much Will has to stretch it's all too easy to continue that dip... And hover, breathless and uncertain and all the same doubts and fears that made him snap over their call weeks ago creep into the forefront of his mind. What is he doing? Will is half his age, of course he doesn't mean anything by the playful flirting. Is it even flirting or is Cor just taking things wrong? The encouragement of all the physical contact only makes it easier to blur lines that would be so clear otherwise.

He doesn't realize he's doing it but his brow furrows, mouth turning down in a frown, fingers clutching to the back of Will's shirt because he doesn't want to let go of the easy camraderie between them but-

What in the heavens is he supposed to do?]

[Something inside him knots up and yanks itself tight. Suddenly, the gentle warmth runs cold, like a shocking blast of ice water during a relaxing shower. He's not sure exactly what's changed, let alone why, now that Cor has leaned in until they're only a breath apart--but clearly something has. He can feel his hands suddenly trenbling with the force of it, unbidden.

For anyone else, he'd assume that this was probably a segue into a kiss, or at least was meant to be--after all, it's common enough in the movies, right? But..... this is Cor, so that's obviously wrong. He knows full well who Cor's heart belongs to. Hell, he probably wouldn't even have needed to be psychic to figure that one out. So.....? What is it, then? What's gotten him so rattled?

Will leans up just a little more--not to press their lips together, but to press their foreheads together, voice a soft, reassuring murmur.]

It's okay, Cor. You're okay.

[Everything is fine, see? He's got you, you're nice and safe.]

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