hugtopia_logs | ♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

indoor decorations with winter wonderland theme

January (Lasra) Event Log
The new year has dawned and many natives are busy with their VR pilgrimages to the sacred mountain. Others are busy redecorating the town after all the excitement of the last month. With the cold winter days and nights continuing, the occasionally clear blue skies seem all the colder even with Havenwell's nicely temperature controlled environment. The winter has fully set in and so the celebrations continue as natives try to incorporate more of the offworlders' traditions into their own. They know it can't be easy being away from your homes for so long, but they hope adding touches of home to their celebrations might help ease the loneliness some.

❥ PROMPT I: Festive Flora Festoons

festive holiday garland with metallic colored berries

They're trying to keep the holiday spirit going with some greenery among all the cold wintery snowy weather! All around the city, over doorways, strung across roads and walkways, threaded in entryways and hallways alike, people can find colorful wreaths and garlands hung overhead. Prominently displayed among the Rawna-centric ribbons and synthetic greens are real live plants! It seems the natives have picked up on the idea of holiday decorations involving seasonal flora and other decor to brighten the darker winter days. Sadly, it seems they've missed the mark on what kinds of plants are meant to be involved. Here and there, people can find all manner of plant strung up from things that look like ivy to pine-adjacent trees to weird decorations that miss the 'plant' mark entirely. Moreover, it seems these decorations are being tampered with by the gods in a haphazard manner. Some, not all, of these decorations carry a strange field around them, affecting people when they walk beneath them. Watch out, offworlders! While the natives are also getting caught sometimes, you're the most susceptible to this mysterious meddling.

♥ Mistletoe: Some of these plants are actually mistletoe, and for those familiar with the Earth tradition, they carry the same effects. On occasion when you and another person walk under the mistletoe, an invisible force field springs up, trapping you both in a six foot circle beneath the plant. Any attempts to destroy the decoration does nothing to dispel the field and teleportation does nothing but bounce you to the other side of this odd bounded circle. For those in know, they may have an inkling of what needs to happen to escape this little trap: positive physical contact in the form of hugs or kisses! Platonic kisses on the hand and cheek do seem to work for some people, though, so maybe you can both escape this without too much embarrassment? ...Maybe?

♥ Missile...toe??: Some of the plants around town have brightly colored stockings and socks hung in them. The natives seem to think that hanging footwear is an integral part of the offworld winter tradition, so they've carried it over to Lasra. On occasion, when you and another person are caught under these decorations, a cloud will form overhead and begin pelting both of you with tiny foam darts. The cloud moves with you both and will give chase for an indeterminate amount of time. It even seems that it can follow you indoors, which is entirely illogical but so is a cloud blitzing you with foam darts and here we are. It isn't omnipotent though and quick thinking or some fancy moves can throw it off your trail for awhile. The only problem is you and the other person can't seem to get more than six feet apart from one another, so you better come up with an action plan to either dispel the cloud or figure out a way to elude it or you'll be spending your day annoyed at the constant barrage of toys.

♥ Verdant veritas: This is just getting weird now. Some of the garlands have miniaturized versions of entire trees hung upside down from them. These trees range from off-colored pines to what passes for this world's version of plastic palm trees to miscolored birches, oaks, and fruit trees. Most of these trees are plastic, but it can be a little strange to see a scaled down tree hanging into the roadway. Getting caught under one of these with another person when they go haywire will trap you both in an entirely uncomfortably small circle of 3 feet from one another. The only way to widen it is to tell the other person a truth about yourself that they may not know. With each truth you tell, the circle widens by 1 foot until it snaps at some indeterminable point. For some, this might just be 2 truths and you're free. For others it might be 20. The natives tend to get caught by this one the most, so at least you have examples of what needs to happen should you find yourself trapped!

♥ Berries aplenty: Some of the decorations are filled with red and white berries hanging in clusters. These are the most innocuous seeming of all the garlands and, since the berries are small enough, the easiest to miss. They do, however, seem to be causing quite a stir with anyone caught beneath it. When you and another person walk beneath these garlands, you'll find yourselves trapped with one of you suddenly wearing a Santa outfit projected over your normal clothes like an illusion. You cannot escape the six foot circle under the berries unless you sit on Santa's lap and tell them what you really really want for the holidays. You've been a good person/robot/cat/creature this year, right? The gods hope so because only those on the Nice List who say what you want and mean it get to leave the clutches of the berries.

❥ PROMPT II: Ski for Free(dom)

Stick figure yeti creature running and gnashing teeth

For those of you who frequent the worlds of virtual reality, there's a new game available! In SkiFreezin', you and a friend can enjoy an excursion to a beautiful mountain covered with freshly-fallen snow for a fun ski trip!

But hopefully you're quick to clear the course; every so often innocent skiers looking for a fun time might find themselves in the sights of the mountain's inhabitant; a cranky creature giving chase with stick figure limbs and angry eyebrows. Better get to the finish line quick! If it catches up, you just might find yourself dumped into a pile of snow with a hat placed on your head at a jaunty angle befitting a snowman.

And the chase doesn't end there! The VR network's errors that brought on Havenwell's cube-shaped bee friends is acting up again, bringing the particularly pixelated pursuer to the city's snowy streets to chase around the local inhabitants. And if it catches you...well, Frosty, hope you like snowbanks!

❥ PROMPT III: The Weather Outside (and Inside) is Frightful

dog with white face and black fur buried in snow

To some, the best part of winter is the beautiful snowy landscape and Aellyn is delivering on that this year. All across Havenwell, the snow is drifting down in lazy, cozy piles that turn the city even more picturesque than usual. It's a lovely sight and even the natives are enjoying it by doing things like building snowrobots, snow forts, snow sculptures, and snow fights! Some of the less jolly ones are grumbling about the need to shovel the snow to keep roads and walkways clear, but overall the city seems to be enjoying the weather.

The grumbling might be justified, however, because at random times and in random places all over the city, the gentle drifts of snow suddenly become small localized Snowpocalypse pockets! Small storm clouds will whip up in pocketed areas, dumping feet upon feet of snow all at once before dissipating. These massive snow drops have the potential to trap people inside homes, businesses, in doorways, or even bury them outside. If you're unlucky enough to be caught outside, you'll need to cuddle up to keep warm until you or the locals can dig you out. If you're stuck inside, you better start digging out from your doors or you might be stuck for awhile. The cold of these snow drops seem to seep in through the walls, making even those inside want to cuddle up for warmth before either digging themselves out or awaiting rescue.

The gods must not know the saying, "All things in moderation" when it comes to snow!

This event will run from 15 January to 31 January. 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. You can also use the Havenwell Status page or the General Plotting Comment to give you other ideas for original prompts!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dryly, "I'd really prefer if we don't." He just wanted to make sure his head isn't worse than it feels! It's fine!! There's no need to freeze him over something so minor, especially when it's already so chilly out and they're likely to be stuck here for at least a while longer while they puzzle out how to escape.

"But I don't know why it would have done that... was it something I said, maybe?"

Is it another one of those 'say nice things about the person you're trapped with' situation? Mysterious.

It's fine Shinji, Kai will be there when they get back to counteract the chill, it'll all balance out again.

"I'm saying we can't let you keep getting hurt," she fusses, but relents with a sigh. Better to focus on getting out of their goldfish bowl, motherhenning can always recommence later. "But I guess it would have to be, right? Since we weren't touching, and nothing else was going on...."

There's a pause, before she goes on a bit bashfully, "I was kinda surprised, by the way. That you feel that way about it. I'm not sure how to put it exactly, but... I was happy, too."

He's not trying to get himself hurt, but with Kyoko's fussing a factor to look out for, he'll have to do a better job of actually keeping himself safe, huh?

But, enough of that worrying for now, instead let's be surprised in turn by that warm admission from Kyoko. Was it that unexpected...? Probably, if he thinks about it long enough. He knows he's not a very open person, it would only make sense to assume his stances haven't softened even after spending so much time together.

"You're a very considerate person, Kyoko-san," he says, the words falling out of his mouth a little carelessly. He means it, though, and so he's not about to make any effort to take it back. "I'm lucky to have someone so kind watching after me, but I don't want you to think you have to be so careful."

Considerate... gosh. Jeez. Kyoko has to duck her head against a flush of pink, for a moment. That's too generous, Shinji!! For someone like her!

But she knows by now that pushing back against his kindness will probably only make him feel like he has to say more... so it really is better to just gratefully accept it.

But ah... maybe there's something she can share with him in return, in the name of all this trust and goodwill they're confessing for each other? It's a bit of a risk, but maybe he wouldn't mind?

"Then... if you don't mind things being so familiar, I... have a confession to make!" Deep breath!! Clasping her hands together over her chest, Kyoko leaned in a little.

"You don't have to, but--if you ever want to call me 'Kyoko-chan,' or just 'Kyoko,' I'd be really happy! I've been thinking about it for a long time!"

You can't argue against being considerate when that's literally what you're doing, Kyoko! But if she doesn't argue, then Shinji has no reason to try and press the issue. No, not when there's something far more attention grabbing being presented to him.

He wouldn't have been sure what to expect for a confession from Kyoko, but what she says has his eyes going wide. Oh... oh! A matter of familiarity! Perhaps it is high time that he stop keeping her at quite that amount of arm's length, especially if they've established time and time again that they're friends, and that they should treat each other as such.

"I... had been wanting to ask the same of you, actually." The cat's out of the bag! "I just... I wasn't sure when to bring it up."

Now's probably the best time for it, if any.

Goodness, that sure was nerve wracking! She really just came right out and and said it, in plain speech! How bold, how daring!

But Shinji takes it so graciously, and blesses her with permission for familiarity in kind. A deep sigh eases out of Kyoko, and then she's revived, ready to beam all her sunshine at him.

"Really?!" The question mark is barely there, honestly. "Can I? I'm so glad! Aaah, I feel so much lighter now!"

Can you imagine? That they might have the same desire? When Kyoko reacts so overwhelmingly positively, it feels like a weight lifts off of Shinji's shoulders as well. Thank you for breaking the ice on this issue, Kyoko! What a favor to the both of them, honestly.

"Of course!" This isn't really the kind of thing you just say in return to be polite, is it? But more than that, it's probably something that should have been said a while ago now, and her reaction is enough to pull a bashful, yet relieved smile from Shinji. He hesitates for just a second, as if to psyche himself up for what he wants to say next, which turns out to simply be, "I'd really like that, Kyoko."

And he's going right for it! That bashful smile is answered with an obnoxious grin on Kyoko's part, with a pleased little "ehe~" to follow up.

"All right then! Shinji! Okay!!" There's a little fist pump, and Kyoko looks around with renewed vigor. "I'm filled with new life now, so let's defeat this thing together!"

There's no denying that little bit of joy that jumps in his heart when she says that. Diving right in just as quickly as he did! Goodness!

"Let's figure this out, then." Not that they're both refreshed and ready to fight! He reaches out to put his hand back on the barrier, and... hang on, it feels like it's inched away again, on his end. It's definitely still there, but not quite where he had left it. Very strange. "I think... that might have done something to it, too?"

What had they just said that was like something he'd said before? Something... nice? Is it one of those 'play nice and we'll let you free' situations again?

"Oh?? Did it move again?" An exciting development! Surely there is something to be learned here! "We definitely were still only talking, so that's gotta be it! Right? But the theme...."

Kyoko pauses for a moment, in earnest thought. They're gonna crack this code! "Maybe it's something like... 'say things that make the other person happy?' They're into that, right?"

So, something that would make Shinji happy to hear... hm, hm! "I already said it yesterday, but--lately the tamagoyaki you serve at breakfast is really, extra delicious! Better than ever!" Did that do the trick??

They're on the same track with that assumption! Incredible!

But as she lays out the praise, as much as it succeeds in flattering Shinji, the wall remains solidly in place under his hand. Alas...

"Having so many good ingredients to work with is really helpful," he can't take all the credit, cooking skills can only get him so far with basic replicator ingredients. "If anything, I should be thanking you for bringing over so many options to work with."

Will that do the trick, or is this just the wrong line of thinking altogether?

Truly glad though Kyoko is to hear that she's contributed something for Shinji's benefit, alas, those don't seem to be the magic words. Kyoko frowns, leaning a hand of her own up against the barrier.

"I guess it isn't enough to be nice after all.... As usual, the world is harsh." But then, what could it be? Humming thoughtfully, she looks over to Shinji. "Does it need to be something the other person didn't already know about?" Since the appreciation for expanded options is pretty well established, but all those revelations about personal comfort and familiar address were surprises, even if maybe they shouldn't have been.

"How about... um--that time I got to see the little-kid version of you, even though I was a monster, you were totally adorable! I thought so!"

"Wh-?" Adorable?? Apparently that was a truthy enough statement to get the wall to budge, but Shinji's too busy balking to really register it. "N-no..."

Didn't he spend the entire time either running from her or crying? What could have possibly been adorable about that? Shock gives way to honest skepticism, and, again, what he has to say next just kind of tumbles out of his mouth without thought.

"I'm pretty sure I was just obnoxious."

Shinji might not have noticed the wall moving, but Kyoko does, and her eyes light up in excitement before he distracts her with his protests.

"You were definitely adorable!" It's really not that deep, either--he was just tiny and cute! So endearingly soft-spoken and cautious! And he still is, but that would probably be a little rude to say now that he's all grown up. Besides, hasn't she already told him how attractive he is? That probably won't help them right now.

"No, no the obnoxious one was me.... Look back, and remember it properly. All the parts where I shouted at you and chased you and said things to upset you... you were the victim, for sure."

"It's not your fault that I was a skittish kid."

He's skittish now, too! It's just a Thing with him, nobody's fault here, other than potentially his own. But, you know, give him a short second to recall everything, just for the sake of argument.

"I was already pretty scared even before you showed up, and I know now that you were just trying to help... Things probably would have gone a lot smoother if I hadn't assumed I was in trouble."

"Shinji," Kyoko sighs in a sort of stern way. "I'll have you know, every child I approached that way screamed and tried to escape. I even had to give up completely on soothing Tanjiro-san, and resort to awful deception tactics to make him accept a hug. I think he cried a little."

Pointing at him, she continues firmly, "You were really pretty reasonable! I was out of line and ridiculous! I have a lot of bad habits like that!"

Edited 2021-01-25 23:34 (UTC)

She even menaced poor Tanjiro-san? Gosh.

But he's not entirely convinced that he was reasonable, because, really, how reasonable was kid-himself supposed to even be? He's not entirely sure how to argue with all of that, though, especially if there was more child scaring going on that he didn't even see. He frowns a bit at the finger being pointed at him, but figures he should probably relent the point of contention, even just a little.

"Even if you were using..." How to put this? "Strong tactics," yeah, there we go. "It was just because you were worried, right? I never even considered holding it against you, even after everything was set straight."

"Thank goodness for that," Kyoko sighs, letting her hand fall as she props the other one on her hip. Though really, isn't that just another sign of how agreeable Shinji truly is? Just a very reasonable person! Except for when it came to accepting praise, apparently.

"Anyway, all I said was that you were cute. You don't have to be so against it."

He's still not sure he can agree, but he's also pretty sure that even if he continues to deny it, it's not going to change her opinion.

"Anyway," a smooth transition away from how cute he may or may not have been, "It seems like that helped." He takes another step out to where the barrier had been, reaching out only to find it once more, solidly a short ways away from where it had just been. "But it's still here."

Changing the subject is perfectly acceptable, honestly--it's not like Kyoko could expect much more from him. Stepping over to tap curiously on the solid air, she nods thoughtfully.

"So then... that means it probably does have to be something the other person doesn't know. A getting-to-know-you type situation? Unless any trivia would work...." She pauses a beat. That should be easy enough to test, right? "Um-- 'Dark Moon' holds the record for all-time highest television ratings in Japan, as of 2015!"

Tap-tap. Kyoko nods decisively. "There, trivia won't work, confirmed. Good work, team."

Maybe she didn't say anything explicitly about herself, but knowing that, surprise! They come from essentially the same year, if that date is a current statistic from before she showed up! Is interesting for Shinji. Huh! What a coincidence.

"So probably just... information about ourselves, huh?" That could be... quite a powderkeg for Shinji. Let's go with something very non-distressing, just to confirm this theory: "I can't swim."

There we go. Enjoy your extra spot of freedom!

Look at that, the power of knowledge has granted them some extra breathing room. Kyoko beams at him. "Ohh, really? You never learned? I guess it's not like every school includes it in the curriculum, though."

But she can't just make him do this all himself! Now that they've determined the correct course of action, it's time to charge towards freedom! "Let's see, it's my turn, so... I--I don't like fizzy drinks!" Fascinating, and they get a little more space for the trouble.

"... I wonder how long we're supposed to do this for."

Whether or not he was actually taught is a bit of a moot point, and he quickly clarifies, "It's really more like... I just sink." It's not necessarily that he doesn't know how, he just can't! Alas.

Her factoid is plenty fascinating, at least as far as Shinji's concerned, and he answers it with an understanding "Ohh," and a nod. He will remember this, should it ever be relevant. "That doesn't seem like it would be too big of a problem here, at least."

That's earned them a decent amount of room in this bubble, but freedom is not yet at hand. What gives? "At least it's not the mistletoe." This is wholly preferable, even if it's just a different kind of potentially uncomfortable. Now that it's his turn again, he takes another moment to ponder, trying to filter out anything that comes to mind that could lead to particularly upsetting lines of thinking. "I... never actually got to experience fall, winter, or spring before coming here."

He sinks.... Huh, what would cause that? Is Shinji's body just extra dense somehow?? "Maybe a little more body fat would...." Kyoko mutters faintly, please don't mind her.

The reference to mistletoe draws a small blush, but Kyoko doesn't remark on it. Surely they have plenty of things to talk about as it is! Like that admission from Shinji--Kyoko blinks, turning the words over in her head again to be sure she understands them.

"Never... as in never?" She thought he was from Japan, though? Did she have that wrong? Or is his Japan in a tropical climate or something, somehow? "Wow... no wonder you look so cold all the time now. Do you hate it a lot?"

"Never!" He confirms, and he knows it's probably a shock, he has yet to come across anyone who's world is in quite the same kind of situation as his was. "The seasons stopped changing a few months before I was born."

Surely that's gonna stir up a lot of questions, but nothing that's really About Him. Maybe answering the question she does pose will be just as helpful in getting them out of here, though!

"I don't think I necessarily hate it...? The snow is really pretty, and it's something I've never gotten to see before, but... it's so cold." How do you stand it? Every year?? Jeez!!!

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