♥ 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

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Hey... hey! He sees that munch munch action! That's what he wants to address here!

He frowns for a moment, concerned, before his expression softens up. If he pushes about this too hard right away, he might drive her back further, and she's clearly dealing with a lot as it is. As delicate of an approach as he can manage is probably in his best interest, for her sake.

"If... if it's not a problem, can I walk with you for a bit?" He's not going to stop her from whatever plans she had, of course, but that shouldn't be a problem, he figures. Just a walk! Maybe some talk! That's not asking too much, right?

[daikonrose]

Well, it's not like the flower thing is the secret. She can't really hide it at this point! And besides, lots of people are affected, it should be strange if she is too, right??

"Um!" She says once she's swallowed that mouthful, unable to put off answering him. It's a little rude, but she turns away again to put on her shoes; for some reason, it's extra hard to look at him right now. "You're not busy? I was gonna go kinda far."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

It just seems like... a Lot, Kyoko.

"I'm not," he answers softly, not paying too much mind to her turning away to get ready. If she's not turning his offer down right away, then he can step a bit closer to the door as well, ready to get his shoes on as well. "I won't follow you all the way if you don't want me to."

[daikonrose]

"I just don't think it'll be very interesting, is all," she says with a little laugh that ends in a cough, and a hand clapped to her mouth. Gardenias again, she notes with a quick glance into her palm, before curling it into a fist. "You'll probably get bored."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Ah. He catches a glimpse of those petals plaguing her, but won't say anything about them right away. Stop bothering his friend, flowers.

"It doesn't have to be anything exciting, I just... want to spend some time with you." That's not too weird, he thinks. "Even if it ends up being quiet, that wouldn't make it boring." Not that he really has any plans to let it be a totally quiet affair, but there doesn't have to be a precedent of something interesting happening for him to want to have her company.

[daikonrose]

Ah. Gosh. Jeez. Shinji really knows how to come in with the big guns, doesn't he? There is absolutely nothing she can say to that. What a dangerous person.

Defeated, Kyoko lets out the very tiniest of sighs, and then turns a sunny smile his way. "Ohh? So it's a date~ with Shinji, yay~"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

He's just trying to be straightforward with her! Though, something about the cadence of her relenting strikes him as off, something that he should be careful with if he doesn't want to push her into closing up further. He hesitates for just a second before ducking in to get his shoes on properly, offering her a soft, sincere, "Thank you."

A date it is, then?? Jeez, he doesn't even have it in himself to feel too flustered over the word choice, that underlying concern swallowing that feeling up soundly.

"Is it okay if I ask where you wanted to go?"

Is this just a walk? Or is there a destination in mind? Somewhere he may need to leave her alone once they reach?

[daikonrose]

What, no reaction? She'd hoped she could put him at least a little off balance with that, maybe even lighten the mood, but it seems Shinji isn't tease-able today. He doesn't seem upset with the remark, at least, but.... Ah, what should she do? What kind of face should she make?

For now, she'll stick with that bright, simple smile, taking care to put an extra bounce in her step as she heads out the door. "Aaaall around the city, where it's green!" This in fact was her true plan from the start, so the words come out easily, unaccompanied by any side effects. "I mean, the whole way around. Are you really sure you wanna?" She says it with a playful lilt, but really Shinji, there's still time to back out whenever you like.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Sorry for foiling your attempts at pep, Kyoko. He's still not sure how much of it is genuine, given the general strangeness of the month, but he doesn't want to whip out his suspicions right away, either!

Those are some ambitious plans, Kyoko. Shinji, luckily(?) is no stranger to walking for a looong time, and remains undaunted by the prospect of doing an entire perimeter sweep. "As long as you don't mind me tagging along," which he will - right out the door with her, in fact. "That sounds like a nice adventure."

[daikonrose]

"I don't know if 'adventure' is the right word," Kyoko says with another little giggle, and apparently she's being truthful enough at the moment that no flowers feel the need to fill up her mouth this time. Thanks.

"Actually, I'd like to work my way up to running it, eventually! If I wanna get back into show biz, I'd better work on my figure, and all." Sssssorta true. Nothing she had actually felt a pressing need for, but now that she mentions it, she's sure it's a good idea anyway.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

What a downright believable plan! He's... not exactly sure where the problem with maintaining her figure might be, she seems to be doing a good job of that already, he thinks? But it's probably something he can chalk up to simply not understanding. Showbiz is mysterious to him, as can be the whims of other people.

"That's ambitious," not like she's ever really been anything but that. It's still an admirable goal...! "I'm sure if anyone could put that kind of work in, it would be you."

[daikonrose]

"Well, lots of people do more impressive things all the time, you know," she says breezily, making her way down the street. "Especially around here, where just about everyone is a protagonist-type. Ordinary folks have to work hard to keep up!"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"Protagonist-types, huh..."

That sure is a way to put it, but if he thinks about it, that's a pretty accurate assessment. There are plenty of extraordinary people around, and he's sure that he'd put Kyoko right in that category as well. She's one hard worker, and she just keeps going...! From his perspective, there's no need for her to worry about being left behind.

He clears his throat a little, maybe something that sounds a bit like a cough (do not worry about it), before following that hard-work thought up. "Has everything been going okay with your job?"

[daikonrose]

She's pretty sure she didn't say anything strange! Havenwell is at least 50% main characters by Kyoko's calculations, which is way too many by any standard. It's only natural that a boring girl like her would have to work hard, given that!

But it's true that Kyoko's always had to work hard, regardless of the main character ratio she's contending with. Honestly, she's used to it, and finally having a regular job has been a relief. So Shinji's question takes her by surprise. "Hm? At the bar? It has, but... why?"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Is that really such a surprising question? From a practical standpoint, he's largely trying to see if there's been anything going on with a more recent lifestyle change that would lead to a quieter, more evasive Kyoko. Otherwise, it's a solid conversation point, isn't it? How have things been going? Tell him a little about your life outside of the house.

"Just curious, that's all." A faint, lopsided smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, hopefully enough to assuage any surprise or suspicions still lingering. "I'm glad to hear it, though."

[daikonrose]

Gosh Shinji, she kinda thought you knew about the flower vom situation. Is that not reason enough for you??

But oh, that's a nice little smile--a reassuring sight, after he'd seemed so anxious and cautious. Kyoko relaxes a little in turn, not least because this is an easy topic to speak honestly about.

"You know, I never thought I'd miss being a waitress, but it really feels kinda good to do it again! Sitting around idly for so long just wasn't right at all."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Yes, but why the petals? Surely combing through more recent happenings and going back from there isn't a terrible way to approach this. He's definitely not going to be taking shots in the dark for a very long time if he does that.

"Having something important to do seems more your speed." Not as if she wasn't doing anything at all, but having a stable job is definitely different from throwing yourself at odd jobs all the time. "You'll probably be extra busy when you start getting some roles, too."

[daikonrose]

Definitely stay on this track, Shinji. Kyoko appreciates it. Look at all these flowers she's not coughing up! Even that restlessness from before is manageable, with all this easy chatter to keep her occupied. Why, she might be on the mend!

"There's no helping it, too much free time just doesn't suit me! --Ah, but don't worry, Mr. Stark was really understanding when I told him I'd need a lot of time off if I got any roles. And no matter how long the day on set, I'll make sure they let me go home for bed and breakfast at least!" No disappearing! It's a priority!

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Thank goodness she's not in any real discomfort! That must mean he's on the wrong track! Fantastic.

"Please do," no disappearing! "Even if you're staying busy, we'll be worried about you if we don't see you for even a little bit every day, you know." Hence the effort to chase her down and follow her on her journey around the city today. It's not like she's been entirely elusive, but still.

[daikonrose]

Gosh, he really just came right out and said that, huh? Kyoko has to pause, blinking. She turns her gaze from him, focusing on the road ahead, but there's no good way to hide the flush in her cheeks.

"Yes," she says after a moment, bashful. Turning her head to the side, she clears her throat briefly. Ignore those plum blossom petals on the wind, please. "You sound like the lady boss from back home, talking like that."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Oh, are those more petals...? There we go. He's getting closer to the root of the problem, it seems.

"Sorry," he offers softly, reflexively - he doesn't want to trouble her like this, not exactly, but maybe the problem can be addressed if he knows what precisely is bothering her. From that, it sounds like a matter of feeling homesick, he thinks, which... nothing he can really do about that, other than let her talk about it. That could be enough. "We just want to make sure you're taking care of yourself. If you ever need to take a break, or just talk about things, both Kaito and I are more than willing to help."

[daikonrose]

Talking about homesickness would have been perfect, Kyoko thinks--surely enough material there to fill a nice long walk and satisfy Shinji. It would be easy to avoid stray thoughts of certain boys. But just as she's gearing up to talk more about her bosses at Darumaya, Shinji comes in with that line about him and Kaito.

It's stupid, she thinks. Usually something like this wouldn't unravel her so easily--and even if it did, she'd be able to hide it no problem, keep the conversation going without a hitch. But something is off today, even beyond the flowers she just can't stop coughing up--it's a flood of gardenias and yellow roses that she has to stop everything for this time, turning away from Shinji as she buckles over. There's just something about even hearing Kaito's name, especially from Shinji's mouth, especially when he talks so plainly about the two of them as a set pair....

Something is wrong with her.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Oh. Oh no.

The goal had been to nail down what was causing Kyoko so much distress that she felt the need to dodge the two boys so often, but Shinji couldn't tell what had triggered that deluge. He hadn't explicitly mentioned anything about her home just now, but he's not sure that he touched on any particularly sensitive topic either. Had his guesses just been that off?

Regardless, he stops short, a feeling of panic rising in the pit of his stomach as he gingerly lays a hand on Kyoko's back. Maybe it will help quell those petals? Maybe it will just help ease that physical reaction. It feels like the right thing to be doing, either way.

"I'm sorry," he insists yet again, obvious worry in his voice. "Kyoko, is there anything I can do to help you?"

[daikonrose]

With the touch to her back, Kyoko stiffens, but doesn't manage to draw away immediately as another cloud of white and yellow feels the need to wrack her body. Squinting through faintly wet eyes at the mess she's made, she can't help think--ah, she really is disgusting, isn't she?

Whatever pangs she might have felt for Kaito up until now, Kyoko's never even entertained the thought of telling Shinji about them. In fact, she's been firm from the start that keeping it to herself is the only morally-sound option. Her feelings might be wrong, but they can't hurt anyone else if she doesn't let them out, so she never would--the easiest, most obvious decision there could ever be.

She'd never particularly worried if keeping such an important thing from a dear friend was a betrayal in itself, contrary to her honest nature. She'd never felt even a little conflicted about it, not until today.

Arms curling around her middle, she shakes her head feverishly. "This kind of thing--it's not that bad." Why is her skin tingling? "Don't say sorry."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

He's the one goading this reaction out of her on purpose, shouldn't apologizing be the natural course of action? He won't do it again right away, but he does rub small, careful circles against her back instead. Easy, now.

"I'm worried about you," both him and Kaito are! But right now, he's the only one here, so it's his responsibility to make sure she's okay. "Even if you say it isn't bad, this is..." he casts a quick glance down to the puddle of petals at her feet, "This is a lot"