♥ June (Dianir) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

June (Dianir) Event Log
Ainea's time has ended and now Diacht's months have arrived. Dianir marks the beginning of the hot summer months with a rise in temperature as well as humidity. With each passing day, spring gives way to summer, and the natives of Havenwell are enjoying the blue skies along with the newly expanded barrier. With the most dangerous of the beasts gone thanks to offworlder help last month, researchers and conservationists head out on occasion into the newly opened areas to continue the work of cataloguing and preserving what they can find. Some take time to study the barrier and some just seem to enjoy being outside the walls for the first time in centuries. Meanwhile, the city within seems to have calmed from Ealom's excitement, settling into its usual routine with only a few…"hiccups."

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❥ PROMPT I: Hana-hack-i

With the turning of the seasons, the weather warms up and Diacht's influence grows in strength. 'Tis the season to be honest with one another, because if you aren't, you may begin to feel a tickle in the back of your throat…

For those who have feelings repressed, secrets unaddressed, or maybe just won't confide in a friend when they're feeling depressed, the gods work in mysterious ways. Specifically, in the fact that the offworlders may find themselves coughing up flower petals. Whether petals of plantlife from Havenwell itself or another world entirely, the longer one goes without confessing their troubles or sentiments the more insistent their condition until they might even have trouble getting through a whole sentence without finding a corsage's worth stuck in their mouth. Speaking minor truths will lessen the effect a little at a time, while larger or more impactful ones will work to cure it completely.

While not painful or otherwise physically harmful, the affliction does feel awkward and very likely doesn't taste all that great. Not to mention it's going to be difficult to keep secrets when everyone can see you have a mouthful of flower.

❥ PROMPT II: Uproot of the Spirit

Those offworlders that have been present in Havenwell since the previous June may remember an outbreak of traits and desires not necessarily their own, reflecting the dominion of their associated god instead. With the return of the early summer season, so too do such urges begin to resurface--but not quite in the same fashion.

This time around, things are a bit different--adherents to one god may find themselves with any other god or gods' traits, with one or more applying at once, one and then another on different days, any multitude of combinations apart from those of the deity to which they belong. For example, one under Diacht may have the effects of Rawna one day and Ainea the next, or perhaps Ainea and Ohma both at once, but never contend with Diacht's influence. And while the previous year seemed to deal with the gods' animal natures, it seems this time things are a little different as people begin manifesting extreme versions of their gods' emotional domains.

Ohma: As the god of wisdom, Ohma's influence becomes a desperate and insistent need to exchange knowledge. The affected may ask friends and strangers all manner of questions, ranging from 'where did you get that shirt' to 'how do you like your eggs' and everything in between. In exchange, the affected also wish to share their own information on just about everything they know, whether the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow or the entire plot of a book they read that one time. They simply have to give and seek knowledge to and from whoever they can find.

Ainea: The influence of the god of compassion leads the affected to be almost aggressively kind. Complimenting every little thing those around them might say, do, wear--if it can be spoken kindly about, those under Ainea's influence will do so excessively and well past the point of obnoxious. So too might they feel a compulsion to give gifts to others--specifically, giving away the affected's own possessions. Once the effect wears off, one might even have to track down their new and old friends to get their more important things back...

Diacht: Honor and honesty being Diacht's domain, those affected by them will be incapable of lying. They will be compelled to not only speak the truth, but do so out of obligation no matter how awkward for them or the other party. Even if it means speaking a brutally honest opinion or divulging a carefully hidden secret, so long as the words are true to the affected speaker they will have the urge to share it. To tell a lie or general untruth will make them feel suddenly ill, dispelled only by speaking something truthful instead.

Rawna: Rawna's reasoning takes the forefront of their influence; anyone under their affect will be insistent upon hearing and soothing the emotional hurts of others. They are certain they need to be a listening ear or comforting shoulder to the absolute best of their abilities and beyond--that is to say, they will not only go out of their way to find others' problems, but potentially assume ones exist where they do not. Some dear friends haven't spoken in an entire day? Clearly they had a terrible fight, and it's up to Rawna's affected to fix it.

❥ PROMPT III: 'Cause I'd Get A Thousand Hugs

Yet another indication that the world is recovering is the reappearance of the Fairy Lights. As the weather turns warmer, these beautiful little insects take to the air for their mating dances at night, dimly and softly glowing like Earth's fireflies or lightning bugs. These tiny little bugs float through the air, flitting about as their bodies pulse with light. The Fairy Lights come in a multitude of colors from red to purple, turning the night into soft rainbows of light. They make their triumphant reappearance in two locations: the botanical gardens and the green belt that grew up where the old wall used to be. Their beautiful displays start once the sun goes down and stop at sunrise, and natives are delighting in their return by taking walks among them.

If offworlders follow suit, they'll notice that the Fairy Lights are attracted to those who come in pairs or more, especially those who engage in sustained positive contact with each other while among them. The Fairy Lights seem to enjoy it when people are touching and will land upon them, one of each color until a rainbow has formed - usually in a crown around the head. Once the rainbow crown of Fairy Lights is complete, that character will feel a pleasant calmness and a feeling of peace and happiness wash over them. For as long as you and your partner(s) are in contact, the Fairy Lights will stay and so will the peace they confer. Once contact is broken, one by one the little insects will fly away, off to find a new perch.

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

Comments

[carbungle]

The call nets a confused glance from Noctis, taking a moment to check his surroundings before zeroing in on Era. A new confusion dawns in his expression, because that was pointedly not Era's voice, but they're the only ones really nearby enough for it to have come from.

"Did you hear that?" he calls back, brow lifted. If he's hearing voices again... though it wasn't in his head this time, so maybe that's just the paranoia talking.

[astralera]

"Ignore her," Era responds, which causes Narangerel to immediately puff up in offense, tail now bottle-brushed and making her natural, golden glow all the more prominent alongside Carbuncle's.

[carbungle]

"I don't think she's keen on being ignored." The bright glow being another indication of that. He ignores Era's protest instead, heading over to where she's seated and crouching down to look closer at the little critter, his head tilted. "Looking different today. When did that happen?"

[astralera]

"She is not keen on many of the things I do."

One such example being Era scruffing the little mustelid to prevent her from leaping up onto Noctis' shoulders, knowing full well to expect such forward behaviour from her dream guide by now.

{ When she accepted her heritage enough that it takes great effort to deny it, } Narangerel answers with as much dignity as she can manage in her current position. { I'm Narangerel. }

"She's a nuisance," Era sighs. Naran chitters at her in offense. "Echo changed after I received Kiyo's childhood toy... They are not meant to be so talkative, but my soul has ever been an oddity."

[carbungle]

"Surely somewhere there are benefits to having a weird soul."

He looks about as amused as his tone, shifting his position to sit properly, legs stretched out in front of him. If anything, she fits right in with it; weird souls are a family trait.

"So you got a toy? I assume from the temple."

[astralera]

"There's Ardbert." Era can think of no greater benefit from her soul-weirdness than Ardbert's existence. To his query she hums a note in the positive.

"It was gifted while I was unconscious. A soft plush rabbit made by Kiyo's biological family for her. Jījí."

She shifts slightly, prompting Carbuncle to adjust its position so she can sit up properly without fear of overexertion. Narangerel is polite enough to wait until Era is comfortable before resuming her squirming.

"Is it alright if Naran touches you? She is a piece of my soul, so it is..." She fumbles, trying to think of the right way to describe it. "...It feels very intimate, I suppose. Like a warm hug from the inside. My dream guide rarely touched others before, but Narangerel enjoys being affectionate with—"

{ With family. }

"—our most trusted companions, and I would rather you establish your boundaries before she deigns to seek them out herself."

Thus the scruffing of one overeager weasel.

[carbungle]

Noctis quirks a brow at the wriggling weasel-thing, smiling faintly. It's pretty obvious why Era's annoyed by her. "Ah, no big deal. I know better than to say no to a determined critter."

He's got two angel dogs, he's had plenty of time to learn. He tilts his shoulder slightly towards her, forming a little bridge for her guide to make contact if she wants. It does sound weird, sure, but also kind of... nice? And it's rare that nice weird things happen to him, so he's gonna roll with it and see how it goes.

[astralera]

{ I'm not a critter! I'm a representation of her soul! }

Narangerel huffs, indignant, though that doesn't stop her from pulling free of Era's grasp and leaping onto Noctis' shoulder all the same. The creature makes herself at home, draping across his shoulders like he's her own personal throne, and tail waggling delightedly.

Era, well acquainted with the sensation of her dream guide making contact with another, is unphased by the odd, twisting sense of comfort it brings. Instead she's more focused on how Noctis might react to it.

[carbungle]

"In the form of a critter." He will not be deterred, especially since her indignance is kind of funny and Era opened the door for gentle bullying already, so he's sure gonna charge right through.

He is distracted as she climbs over and settles on his shoulders, though, brows lifting and ducking his head a little while that odd, supernatural warmth ebbs through him. There's something weirdly familiar about it, and he takes a moment to put a finger on just what sense memory it's triggering.

"It reminds me of Carbuncle," he says after a moment, lifting a hand up to offer in case Narangerel likes to be pet as well. "Mine, that is. It's not the same, but since it's a special kind of Messenger, the comfort it offers goes right to the soul. Is that what it does?"

[astralera]

{ A tiger weasel! } She grumbles, licking the young man's neck in retaliation for this great offense.

Era recalls the faint memory of Noct's memories and the Carbuncle friend within his dreams. After rolling the thought around in her mind, she nods her agreement.

"In Deerington there was a place called the Great Dreaming you could fall into whilst asleep," she offers. "It was... dangerous. Easy to get lost in, and nigh impossible to defend yourself from the monsters within."

Carbuncle shuffles behind her on the ground, shimmying carefully closer to Noctis and clearly wanting in on the pettings. In response, Era shifts her position until she's leaning her weight against Noctis' side rather than on her summoned companion. While not wholly out of character for her, she isn't prone to leaning on others for support so unprompted.

"Dream guides were gifted to us as guardians. They are powerful, made of light that cannot be extinguished, and would guide our way to the waking world. They could wound those creatures normal weapons could not harm, and always bring a sense of comfort and security with them."

[carbungle]

He snorts a laugh at the lick - tickled a little - and scratches the weasel under the chin. Her Carbuncle is welcome to pets as well once close enough.

As Era leans on him, he doesn't move. She's small, and he's stronger than he looks, so her weight is practically nothing to him. He doesn't question it either, all things considered. She's probably still recovering, and since he's been fully fit and good to go since a day or so after the fight, it's no problem.

"Sounds about right. Carbuncle is my dream guide, too... it taught me how to fight the daemons in my nightmares. If not for that, I might've never woken up." Hardly anything could compare to the sort of comfort and protectiveness of his little invisible friend. His tone can only be described as fond. "It's not part of my soul or anything, but... we were connected through mine, I think, even before I was chosen. It's always been with me."

[astralera]

Era hums a note of acknowledgement, hesitates briefly, and adds:

"I remember... It didn't feel like a dream at all."

[carbungle]

He notes her hesitation, pausing in return. He doesn't want the Echo memory to make her more uncomfortable, but unless she shuts the door on this, he'll roll with it. He's not the most comfortable about it either, though it's quite a bit older for him at this point so the sting is lessened.

"It... was, and it wasn't. Carbuncle said the daemons were stopping me from waking up. Probably would've looked like more of a nightmare thanks to the scourge, if Carbuncle hadn't protected me."

Guesswork from a faded memory more than a decade old, but it's educated; Cabuncle has guided him through plenty of bad situations at this point, so he knows more or less how it works.

[astralera]

Era nods, and the movement cause the flat of her horn to rub against his upper arm.

"Someone didn't want you to wake up." For all that the visions are more distant now, over a year later, she can still remember it quite clearly if she tries. "It was confusing, because it didn't feel like being asleep...

"Carby kept it from being scary. An adventure with a friend by your side... Vanquishing foes like a hero from a fairy tale. Like Dad..."

She rubs her horn against him again—purposefully this time—in a gesture of affection that Narangerel mimics with the top of her fluffy head against his cheek.

"In retrospect, knowing what you do now, and the danger you were in... It's scary. But back then...it was nice. Having a friend, you know? A friend who you knew cared, and not an attendant just doing their job."

Something in her words resonates deeper than mere recounting of Noct's childhood memory.

"Having Carbuncle... It wasn't scary, or lonely. My first friend..."

She sounds confused as she trails off. There has always been a thin line between how Noct felt and how she felt during those visions. Era had thought it was due to her Echo's increased strength, but perhaps that wasn't the reason why.

[carbungle]

His brows furrow at her phrasing, taking a moment to parse it. It's been a while since she explained the Echo after all, though it's simple enough to recall everything that it conveys. Some of those feelings were his, and there's little sense in denying what she says is true.

"Yeah... I know. I'd forgotten a lot, I think, while I was there. I didn't remember Carbuncle's name, or what happened to me, or the gods. I'd never been to Altissia, but in the dream it felt so real, like I'd walked those streets already. I'm not sure I remembered what there even was to be scared of in the world. And when the daemons came into my dream, Carbuncle taught me how to be brave."

He keeps petting the two creatures curled around him, feeling Era's horn against him, and more than that feeling safe, surrounded by care. It's an odd sensation, but far less odd than it used to be. He's actually gotten used to it by now with others, so this is just a different kind. Things have been rocky for a while now, but he's grateful for this.

[astralera]

"I think that's just how dreams work," she muses. "And the way a child's mind works, too. Things are... simpler. You don't question what's in front of your eyes quite as much. What's there is there even if it doesn't make sense."

While she can't remember feeling that way as a child, she remembers that childish mindset she had during her first few days of life as Era. She didn't understand much of anything, but it was what it was and she didn't question that.

"As a child it was easy to feel invincible, even when frightened, because you know nothing can hurt your daddy and he won't let anything hurt you."

[carbungle]

"Mm." He can only agree, though his expression is more thoughtful, and a little pensive. "It's funny... Carbuncle's always been pretty blunt, just says it like it is. That's why I always believe it. Back then it said some stuff about Dad, how he doesn't come when I want him to. I knew it was true, but I didn't feel bothered by it. He was... my safe space. Even if it wasn't when I wanted, I never stopped believing he'd be there when I really needed him."

He'd never consider himself an expert on dreams, but what she says makes sense. The usual complexity of his relationship with his father had been filed down to its core components: that he was the king, and he protected Lucis. That Noctis was a part of Lucis, and his father would always protect him. And that in his dreams he is king, because his father said so, and that meant he had the power of kings there- the power to protect himself.

"Even though Carbuncle said I was in trouble, I was never all that scared. Maybe a part of me couldn't believe anything had hurt me, that Dad wouldn't have let it happen."

[astralera]

"I remember..."

Era lets out a soft, thoughtful hum, and snuggles more firmly against his side in a move of affection (and to leech off more of his body heat).

"Being dragged into unconsicousness by the Dark. Feeling so very afraid, and not wanting to go... But knowing deep down things would be okay, because he was there."

She thinks of Regis, and how he worked so hard to keep his son safe within the confines of his duties. Of Gaius, and how his work afforded his children protection they desperately needed. She remembers Ganbold, who gave his life to give his family more time, and Nobuyuki...

"Fathers protect their children the best they can, even if it means not always being with them.

"They teach them what they need so one day, when they're gone, they have the strength to protect themselves. In that way... Even when they're gone, they're still always with us."

[carbungle]

He hesitates a moment, since she's normally more reserved about touch, but finally takes a break from the petting to drape one arm around her shoulders (for warmth, totally!) while the other braces behind himself to hold them upright.

He nods again at her words, taking a bit of time to mull all of that over. He'd felt the presence of his father a handful of times, during his journey. Through the connecting souls of the past kings, he'd felt his history, the strength of his family. Through the ring, when he'd finally acquired it, one familiar voice rang out amongst over a hundred, pushing him onward to face his destiny. A king pushes onward always, accepting the consequences and never looking back. And in his final moments, when he goes home one day, his father will...

"Dad... trust in me."

...he closes his eyes, and pushes those thoughts away. Not now.

"Do you... remember your dad? Since you remembered the bunny, I was wondering." He tilts his head, throwing caution to the wind. "Sometimes it's hard for me, too- to tell if your memories are coming from the Echo or not."

[astralera]

Era has learned a lot since she began suffering through the indignity of her recovery, and comrades not minding her leaning on them for support when she needs it, or when she needs the extra warmth (insisting upon it, in fact), was one of the first things drilled through her particularly thick skull after waking. Now, it just seems like the sensible thing to do.

Noct's question causes her to go still, but does not stiffen—meaning that while she is caught off guard she doesn't feel like she needs to be. His comment on the Echo, however, causes her to duck her head as she's struck by that reflexive feeling of shame she always struggles with these days when it comes to matters involving her 'gift'.

It takes her a few long moments to relax and ponder how, exactly, to answer. What can she say when she isn't sure of it, herself?

"The events I've spoken of were your memories, but the feelings..." Era frowns down at her hands. Narangerel vocalizes an encouraging chirp from where she's curled around Noct's neck. "I think...learning what I have of Kiyo's childhood, your emotions were burned so clearly in my mind because they were familiar."

The question about her own father is also difficult to answer, but she tries:

"...He was taller than Gladio. He had brown skin, large hands with calloused fingers, kind eyes, and a warm voice. His name was Nobuyuki. He loved his baby girl more than anything in the world. He was— He was barely twenty-two—"

Her breath catches, and she does her best not to cry.

"'Stay quiet and still until I come back. You'll be safe—I promise.'"

[carbungle]

He winces a little, though she might not see it with the way they're positioned. Hard to miss the way her breath was just now. "You can tell me not to ask, if you'd rather not talk about it."

He's well acquainted with the idea of a lost father being a sore spot, for sure. And his breath had caught that way plenty of times soon after Altissia, when the death of someone precious caught his heart unawares. That sting doesn't fully go away, or at least it hasn't yet, so he gets it.

"...He sounds nice, though."

[astralera]

"It's fine."

And it truly is. Era doesn't mind his asking, knowing that he won't mind if she can't or won't answer.

"He was." From the memories she bore witness to, at least. "She was born too early, and her mother didn't want her. She was weak, and sickly, but he loved her all the same. He kept her alive against all odds..."

It's hard to say that Kiyomi was her, even though she knows it's true. The memories she bore witness to felt more like the Echo than anything else, save for one.

"...He broke that last promise to her, though he had tried his hardest to keep it." She pulls her stuffed bunny from the bag at her side, hugging it close. "She stayed put for a long time, until it was quiet. He never came back, so she went searching for him. I watched as she found his head first."

Jījí gets a tighter squeeze.

"She tried so hard—" Her voice cracks. "—to wake him up, and I remembered how it felt."

[carbungle]

That is a familiar story, in part. Born too early, and though his mother had dearly wanted him, she hadn't been able to stick around. Left alone with a father too young, only to lose him well before either were ready (if one ever could be). It's no wonder she feels the way she does.

He holds her a little more closely, quiet for a long moment, letting her finish and allowing that quiet to linger. Sometimes there's peace to be found in silence and warm company, in the lull of mutual understanding and griefing empathy. To be understood and have those feelings recognized... he's come to appreciate that experience more than he can properly express through words.

Finally he murmurs, "I'm sorry." Because what else can be said to ease that kind of loss? He's not yet figured it out himself, so he can hardly offer her any answers.

[astralera]

She appreciates the silence, and more than that Era appreciates being held. With Carbuncle behind her, her plush bunny in her arms, and Noct's arm around her shoulders, she feels safe, warm, and comforted. Not so long ago she would have thought herself undeserving of it, but she's since learned that it doesn't matter how she views herself — if Noct thinks she's deserving of comfort then she is.

"It's—" fine. The word is on the tip of her tongue, heavy like a lie. Era flounders for a moment, squeezing Jījí more tightly. "...Thanks."

There is more she wants to say, and at first she thinks it better to remain silent, keeping it bottled up like she does for so many other things, but...

"She was barely two years old, and she thought it was her fault for not waiting until he came back... It's almost funny how little things have changed, isn't it?"

Era gives her bunny one final squeeze, then shyly places it on Noct's lap. It's a bit embarassing, but it also feels important to introduce him.

"This is Jījí."

[carbungle]

"Funny..." He's not sure he'd use the word, but he understands what she means, of course. It's been a point of contention for some time now, on and off. Whether or not it's merited has yet to be agreed upon.

Anyway- "Hey Jījí." He accepts the toy with care, lifting it up to get a closer look. Kind of reminds him of the moogle toy that Iris had given him, what feels like ages ago. Obviously handmade and a child's plaything, but done with love and in this case clearly loved by its recipient. (He hadn't been as charitable as a two-year-old in that department, unsurprisingly.) He turns it towards her after a moment. "You'd warn me if this was gonna start talking too, wouldn't you?"

It is both playful and expectant. Come on, do him a favour this time. One voice in his head is enough! (Or two, or three, or one hundred and thirteen.)