♥ 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]

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."

[whenyouneedme]

Because to be frank, she was in bed with a pair of dummies.

"Gotta be with such a concerned guest." Kai sighed, but he grinned when he turned his head at her. It was hard to tell if that was a blush or not, but. Endearing coccooning all the same. "S'fine if you want us to give you some space or whatever, but you're really not bothering us. We're all just gonna sleep anyway."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Sooner or later, sleep will happen.

"Really, don't worry about it." Easier said than done, he knows, but the more assurances they put out, perhaps the more convincing they will be. "Just let us know if there's anything you need, or if you want a little space."

[daikonrose]

"You guys should just let me be nice to you once in a while," Kyoko grumbled, her pout hidden under the covers and therefore ineffective. She had to stay down here though, to shield herself from dangerous grins flashed in her face. "For a change. It might be refreshing."

[whenyouneedme]

Alas that he had no free hands to poke that lump.

"You're nice to us literally all of the time."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Kyoko, what.

"Yeah, you are."

[daikonrose]

"But you two are totally ridiculous!" Oh, it was time to just straight-up whine now. "Always saving me, sharing everything with me, even your house, and now your bed--I can't compete! You won't give me an inch!"

[whenyouneedme]

Whining was more preferable to the melancholy, honestly.

Kai shifted so he could better lift his head, looking over her side. "Hmm, no, you've got more than a few inches over there. Don't know what you're talking about."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

She already does so much more than they'd ever ask for! Even if they would very likely not ask much of anything in the first place, but gosh!!

"Hmmm, we could give you a little more room, if that's what you want," he suggests, playing along as if the inches she had on her side of the bed weren't any good. Absolutely ridiculous, both of you, jeez. "More space for our good, hardworking friend who makes sure we're well taken care of."

[daikonrose]

For a moment or two, there was just silent vibrating as Kyoko glared; when she finally poked her head fully above the covers, her cheeks were puffed out.

"Then I'll take them! Those inches! Every one of them!" Tugging her hands free, she briskly grasped Kai's shoulder and set to rolling him towards Shinji. "So you guys should hurry up and just cuddle already!"

[whenyouneedme]

"Uwoh-" Whoa! Hi there, sweet boy.

"We were already cuddling!" Kai protested with a laugh.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Whoa! Hello there, handsome boy.

There's a moment of stunned silence from Shinji's end as Kyoko puts an abrupt end to those hand holds, like he's worried that he may have taken the joke a step too far. Kai doesn't seem too worried, if that laugh is anything to go by, but ? should they be ? anyway ? He peeks over Kai's shoulder, a hint of genuine worry knitting his brows together, to get a better look at Kyoko.

"Sorry," please don't be for-real upset...! "We'll behave."

[daikonrose]

Once Kaito was dealt with, Kyoko had turned over on her side; surely if they were back-to-back, they could content themselves that she wasn't freezing, and rest easy. Unfortunately, it meant Shinji was met with only the back of her head when he looked over. In the dark, he wouldn't even be able to make out the deep red her ears and the back of her neck were sporting.

But that worried tone made her frown to herself--guilty, and frustrated. She really was being silly about all this, wasn't she? But she couldn't help it! She didn't know what to do when she was the only flustered one! Not that she had expected anything in that vein from them really, but jeez... they really weren't bothered at all?

She really was stupid.

But it wasn't anything Shinji should feel bad about. If he was comfortable, that was a good thing! "... Sorry," she mumbled at last. "I'm just... no good at this."