♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

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.

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❥ PROMPT I: Festive Flora Festoons

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)

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

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!

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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!

Comments

[daikonrose]

"You two...." The good news was that Kyoko had totally forgotten to be flustered at last, for at least this one moment. The bafflement was just too strong, the disbelief too overwhelming. "What kind of party takes place in a bed?"

[whenyouneedme]

Kai blinked. "A slumber party?" Obviously???

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"I... guess?"

Like. Actually probably no parties, really. But a slumber party is kind of adjacent enough to what they have going on right now, isn't it? He doesn't have a better answer other than 'none', and he's not about to be that big of a party pooper.

[daikonrose]

"Slumber parties are for girls." Right?? Probably? "And even if they happen to feature a bed, that doesn't mean they include all this skinship! It's a totally different thing!"

[whenyouneedme]

"You're a girl," Kai pointed out helpfully. "And its our slumber party, we can do whatever we want. The sleepover police won't catch us."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Are they for girls? Only girls? This is all very mysterious stuff to Shinji, though he doesn't doubt Kyoko's judgment. The notion of the 'sleepover police' pulls a single, small laugh from him, effectively putting a stop to whatever questions about slumber parties he may have had.

"Ahh, well, if it is too big of a deal, I guess... we could try and just huddle on the couch, instead?"

Would that be better than being cozy on a bed? Less embarrassing? More... party-ish?

[daikonrose]

But what if Kyoko is the sleepover police.

She was frowning, but her brow was creased in a confused sort of way. "One girl doesn't make it a slumber party! And I've never heard of boys and girls having a sleepover, for that matter. We're disqualified no matter what the location is!" A pause, and she went on more tamely, sheepish again. "Besides, it would be hard to sleep on the couch, right? And moving would mean getting cold all over again."

[whenyouneedme]

What!!

"We're not disqualified!" Kai shot back earnestly, though the playfulness was still readily apparent. "We're making our own rules here. Rules that say hanging out on a bed is totally fine."

Just like this. Totally fine.

Kai went ahead and squeezed both of their hands. "I got you caught, so nobody's going anywhere, sorry."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

If Kyoko's the sleepover police, she's not doing a very good job of enforcing her own rules. A corrupt snooze cop, easily swayed into doing truly naughty things like engaging in a boy-girl slumber party when there's only one bed in the room. Being detained by one of the participants. Scandalous.

"Guess we have to stay here, then." What ever are they going to do? What a truly terrible situation, etc. "Where it will get nice and warm in no time."

H... hopefully.

[daikonrose]

She was just pointing out all these rule violations as proof that this was not in fact a proper sleepover! It was just a ridiculous situation, and that was all! No parties were happening in here, slumber or otherwise!

Quieting long enough to suck in a soft breath when Kaito squeezed her hand, Kyoko let it out after a moment as a small huff. "We are disqualified," she insisted, "but... it's already warmer than before, so... for now, it can't be helped if we have to do something like this." Right?

[whenyouneedme]

Excuse you. There was a party in his heart.

Kai lightly clicked his tongue and sighed. "Whatever you say." There was no real budging her on something when she'd already made her mind up, he knew. It was getting a bit warmer though, bit by bit, so hopefully that meant he'd be able to be all toasty for them soon enough. It wasn't like that was going to be the end of the snoozfest, the cold was coming from the outside. They were gonna have to stay huddled in cozetown no matter what.

"I get to indulge either way," he went on in softer tones. "I like this."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

This is pretty standard coziness from Shinji's end, all things considered, but just imagining the extra degree of indulgence on Kai's end, with what the additional person brings...

It would probably be way nicer if Kyoko were actually comfortable with this whole situation. Shinji can't get that fact out of his head, no matter how cozy it truly is. Alas.

"It would be better if it wasn't because we have to do this." Maybe a reprise when it doesn't feel like freezing solid is the only other wouldn't be so bad, but this feels a little too forced for Shinji to find it truly indulgent. He gives both of their hands a small squeeze, though, as a measure of reassurance. It's not like he hates this, or anything.

[daikonrose]

I like this, Kaito said in that soft voice, and Kyoko had to turn her face in to the pillow, face half-covered by blanket again as her stomach flipped. Why did he keep doing that? And why was Shinji so gentle and supportive about it all?

"There's no way this would happen if it didn't have to," she mumbled into the pillow. "That's what I keep saying. Indulgence... isn't something you need me around for anyway. Jeez."

[whenyouneedme]

Ah, well. They had humored him for at least a minute, and they were still being good sports about it. That was about as much as Kai should have asked for. As much as he agreed that it'd be a hell of a lot nicer if it was something they all just wanted, he already knew without Kyoko confirming it that it just never would have happened.

"That's exactly why its an indulgence," Kai huffed. "It's still nice even it doesn't need to be this way." He sighed again, quieter this time. Now that he knew how nice it was, it would have been something he'd like to do even without the Need. "I know you'd rather not no matter what, so... thanks."

And there was another squeeze of Shinji's hand as Kai glanced at him. "You're being a real trooper too for putting up with me. Hopefully its just one night."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Why would he be anything but supportive? Is there anything to be unsupportive about here? What, exactly, is he 'putting up with'? He had already agreed to it, and it really is for everyone's benefit, so there's no reason for him to do anything except settle in as comfortably as he can manage.

"It's really not as much of a pain as you think it is, you know." At least not from Shinji! "I won't be trying to escape in the middle of the night or anything."

[daikonrose]

Kaito really was just an insatiable cuddle monster, wasn't he? Jeez. Jeez!

Nodding, Kyoko buried her face a little further down in the pillow and blankets, as if she would be imposing less if she hid a little. "I'll get out as soon as it's safe, though," she promised. "I won't oversleep or anything."

[whenyouneedme]

Yes.

"Sleep as long as you want."

He had bit back the urge to blurt out another protest that she didn't have to rush anywhere. Just saying it was fine wasn't going to make it actually fine on her end. Let's strike the middle of the road then. It wasn't a problem if she slept in at all-- but it wasn't a problem if she wanted to leave as soon as possible. Not really.

"We'll all need the energy to tackle all that shoveling."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Everybody rest up as much as you want.

Nobody's allowed to turn into a popsicle while the danger is still there, but if there's no argument on the time from Kai's end, then there's no reason for Shinji to object either. He simply nods a bit, humming in approval. As long as they are warm enough, then that's what's important.

"A good, winterized breakfast will help with that, too." Gotta get !lots! of energy for what will absolutely be a monumental task, if the chill permeating the house is to be believed.

[daikonrose]

Offering to just take care of all the snow herself, and cook the breakfast on top of it while Kaito and Shinji stayed warm together... probably wouldn't go over well. Even Kyoko could anticipate that. So instead of divulging any such plans, she was quiet for a few moments.

"Well," she piped up at last, "in any case, don't stay awake on account of me. I'll let go of your hands when it's warm enough, so just ignore me after that."

[whenyouneedme]

Don't do that.

Don't say that either. Kai gave her hand another squeeze as if in protest. "Don't say it like that, geez."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"We can leave you alone, if that's what you want."

That would be understandable, given how awkward all of this is for her. An easy feat for the two of them to achieve - give her some space, as much as they can while forced into close quarters!

"But I don't think either of us could just ignore you while you're right here."

[daikonrose]

What was wrong ignoring her? What was so bad about saying that? She was just trying to be considerate!

"But... I'm invading your private oasis, and all, so... the least I could do is roll over and let you have a little privacy."

[whenyouneedme]

Again! Again with that!

"You were in-vi-ted." That came out awfully sassy, didn't it?

"You can do whatever you want. But you're not invading, or intruding, or interrupting or whatever. Got it?"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Maybe she needs some sass sent her way in order to really get the point across. Maybe!

"It would be rude to ignore you after inviting you."

[daikonrose]

Inviting a pal into your bed! Was not normal though! Why was she the only one concerned about this!?

Even with the blanket covering half her face, there was no hiding her blush when it spread all the way up to her forehead. "You don't have to be such diligent hosts."