♥ November (Malom) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

November (Malom) Event Log

With most of Havenwell left in varying degrees of shambles from the prior month's catastrophe, the city seems just a little bit more quiet and stony in ways not just owed to the chill of oncoming winter. However, the gray mood doesn't need to last; the offworlders and locals alike might just be able to band together to pick up the scattered pieces before long.

Unlike previous years, winter is approaching at a slower pace than usual. Whether this is believed as coincidence or the gods opting to give the city more pleasant weather while the reconstruction is ongoing is entirely up to each individual. Nevertheless, the sun is out and there is work to be done.

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❥ PROMPT I: Fetch Quest Frenzy

With the widespread damage of the previous month still a large issue, offworlders may find the marking-based powers of that incident manifesting again in different, passive forms. Regardless of the color one's ability takes, a little bit of trial and error will lead the markings' bearers to understand the powers are now geared towards helping rebuild or rehabilitate the city in various ways; examples being manifesting as telekinesis to move heavy objects around, or a magical compass to help locate something lost in the chaos. Some may find themselves inexplicably filled with knowledge previously unknown, Matrix-style: characters who have never picked up a hammer before will suddenly possess the skills needed to rebuild furniture or repair structural damage, weld parts together, or get really good at organizing search parties. Feel free to get creative with it, but these abilities are meant to build, not destroy like last month, so destructive powers are not likely to manifest unless for good reason.

There's no shortage of work to be done either; from dismantling petrified worms to running errands for the surviving locals, offworlders may find themselves lucky to have the supernatural assistance of the markings and their powers. With time and effort, taking up such tasks to aid the locals and fellow offworlders alike might just go a long way towards healing Havenwell on both physical and emotional fronts.

❥ PROMPT II: Fruits Basket

In places where the worms were slain before their fellows were petrified, their massive corpses have been reclaimed by the ground--specifically, they've turned to surprisingly fertile soil. So fertile that it would appear trees are already sprouting where they fell, bearing an arrangement of oddly-shaped fruits. With how delicious they look, one would surely be forgiven for daring to try them, but the result might be just a bit surprising...

-Eating a round fruit will make one have a sudden desire to cuddle up to someone else; the more of the fruit they've consumed, the more insistent the desire. Just take a bite? Maybe you could do with a light shoulder touch, but eat the whole thing and you'll realize you might be suddenly looking for some big hugs with anyone receptive to the idea.
-The square shaped fruits have a somewhat more subtle effect. The more one eats of a square fruit, they gain a steadily more obvious gentle glow and warmth to their bodies. With enough of one, someone could easily turn into a combination nightlight and comfortably warm space heater.
-Being curious enough to eat a spiky fruit will end up with one having some trouble keeping their footing; this fruit leads one to find no traction underfoot, sending them slip n' sliding around. Be careful, you might just skate right into someone's arms!
-Eating a star-shaped fruit may cause a gradual drowsiness, where residents will feel the urge to lay down and have a nap. Seems the aftermath of the worm attack left some lingering magic. (A small percentage may alternatively find themselves transformed into sheep. Weird.) Being held or gently cuddled, whether on the spot or while being carried home, will reverse the effects.

❥ PROMPT III: Corporate Concessions

You might recall that the research towers were awfully unhelpful during the attacks, preferring instead to seal themselves up in protective shielding and leave the rest of the city to fend for themselves. Now that the danger has passed, there have been some understandably divisive responses to this decision from their fellows. Many of the tower workers have pleaded ignorance for this choice, openly (or quietly, to avoid disciplinary action) blaming the higher-ups for creating company-wide lockdowns and not allowing anyone in- or out. Many were helpless to assist in relocating friends or family, and some have quit their positions over this stance. Those in charge of the decision-making are unapologetic for the most part, stating that due to previous security breaches, their priority was to protect their research and their employees, for the greater good of the world.

They are aware that doing this was not by any means a good look, so as an olive branch, they have released the research materials confirmed as stolen in the previous security breach to the public network, as they have been unable to track down those materials and would rather control its distribution themselves. Damage done, after all; those who know could pass it on as they please. Additionally, they are reallocating some tower resources to helping with restoration and rebuilding the surrounding areas and public buildings, and have donated a substantial amount of dora to the city budget for whatever purpose the council deems appropriate. Whether you think the released data is true or if their efforts are sufficient is up to you, really.

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This event will run from November 15-30. 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

[scourgingstars]

It would indeed sound like this will require some careful attention. [Ardyn answered with a thoughtful look that was only slightly exaggerated, with a small nod of agreement.]

How lucky, then, that someone as clever as you is on the case.

[shroudedsecrets]

Compliments again?

[ But she'll laugh a little this time. ]

I am certain there are implications to it that even I am missing on my own. So much has happened of late, and yet in my mind I can only compare them to prior instances and wonder about it all, and if even my prior observations have... undergone some alteration as well.

[scourgingstars]

You're certainly a fair bit wiser than I am in this regard, so of course I'll compliment you on such a thing. Your hard work deserves recognition, don't you think?

[shroudedsecrets]

You are well aware that I have said that it is better not to let such things go to my head, after all. I do not study them for the recognition it brings.

[scourgingstars]

You're right, of course. I will take care only to commend your admirable work ethic, then.

[He laughed softly, putting a light arm around her shoulders.]

[shroudedsecrets]

It is not... commendable. It is simply what I do.

[ As much as she knows he just feels better complimenting her somehow, but she'll take the opportunity to lean on him a little more. Not that she's feeling tired or anything, no perish that thought. ]

When there are answers to be pursued, one can only begin by listing the questions.

[scourgingstars]

Oh...that reminds me, come to think of it. I spoke to Regis and Noctis a little while ago. I...think I have a better grasp of how our powers function and what they're capable of, if you would like to revisit the idea.

[Ardyn smiled with a bit of uncertainty to it, somewhere between nervous and embarrassed.]

If you would prefer not to, I would of course understand.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Her expression shifts slightly with the flicker of her ears as they return to this subject. She knows its something of an awkward one for him and difficult for her, though it is... good to hear that he has been putting thought and research into it as well. ]

You know that I would not be opposed to hearing about what you have learned, especially given that you have taken the time to so do. My concerns remain... to be respectful of boundary.

[scourgingstars]

Of course, of course. It would not be my wish to push anything upon you that you did not agree to.

That said, by the sound of it the whole thing seems to be something that can be simply undone should it prove a problem. If--and I still can't say whether or not the capacity is something I possess--such a thing can be shared, it can just as simply be removed.

[shroudedsecrets]

It is your boundaries that I would be respectful to, of course.

[ Just so he doesn't think that it is on any fault of his that she has the hesitation. She knows how he is, how much he is willing to give. Even if he has the power to take it back if it were necessary, she wants to make sure the choice is done for the right reasons.

It's also complicated, she knows; being connected to someone and the potential for losing that, and what it might do. She hadn't inquired too much but she knew the effects that had on Regis and Cor. Her physical bond to Lup notwithstanding, it's still a fear. ]

What... else have you discovered?

[scourgingstars]

Well, it doesn't seem harmful on either side. Neither of them told me anything to the effect of pain or discomfort in exercising such an ability. It can tire one out if shared among too many for a long time, but by the sound of it only one should have little notable effect if any.

[He looked off to the side, trying to recall how his conversations on the topic had actually gone]

As for what it would include, that's something that can't be fully certain. Regis' retainers were able to do most of what he could, while Noctis' had a bit less. If I were to wager a guess, I would presume I might lean more towards the former; armory space, warping, some elemental magic. Noct suggested you speak to Pyra if you wished for a firsthand account of the experience, and Regis offered to explain further as well.

['When he wakes up' was inferred at the moment; hopefully, that would be soon.]

It's--I don't want you to accept something that makes you uncomfortable. If you don't want to pursue this line of thought, no matter your reasoning, I will drop it here and say nothing more. Truthfully, the uncertainty leaves me a bit unsettled myself.

But it isn't...just about knowing you would be better able to protect yourself. That's the primary reason, to be sure, but it's also...something of significance to us that is hard to explain.

[shroudedsecrets]

I hope you understand that the reason I ask for these... thorough questions of you is so that you know more... of what you offer and so that I can trust that I am not taking advantage of you for it.

[ She might be absent of such things now but she is too well acquainted of the mindset of pushing for more just because she could or why not as a nagging tug in her brain. She didn't know Noctis very well but she knew Regis in a way was much like Ardyn in their way of always trying to please others in some way. That part was the concerning part; would she be able to limit herself, even without those impulses at play? ]

Even so I think it is important to... build an understanding of it, if not for me but for your own sake as well. Perhaps we might even... discover something new, with it, if... that is the sort of significance you mean.

[ She's sure it isn't, but that's for him to find the words for. ]

[scourgingstars]

What--no, of course not. This isn't...quite like that. I'm not offering out of obligation and it shouldn't cost me anything if you accept it.

[He shifted a little uncomfortably, carefully looking for the right thing to say; far from a simple task, when the concept wasn't one he'd ever approached before.]

It was a good idea to have me question it a bit further, because...I've never done this before. Sharing a fraction of our power is something normal for most of us, but I never exactly...

[Trailing off, Ardyn shook his head and tried again.]

This is something I want to offer for both your sake and my own. While it would set my mind at considerable ease knowing you had the means to better protect yourself in an emergency, it's...more than that. I would...like to entrust you with this connection, if you desire it and if I am even capable of it in the first place.

I have been trying exceptionally hard to remember that I don't need to do everything or work myself well past my limits--neither of us does. So I thought that...this connection would help, possibly. To--to remind us both that we need not be alone.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ She listens, as he speaks, quiet even through the first pause he gives, trying to keep her own misgivings out of the logic of it. He has at least given her others to direct questions to, so that she might understand, but she certainly knows how stabilizing it can be to have those tangible connections.

It's more than that. She knows those particular words well. ]

That does... add more to the perspective. I will want to speak to those you mentioned, of course, but... I would much rather you had led with that, than your original offering of power. You understand why, don't you?

[scourgingstars]

I'm...sorry, I understand.

[A quiet, uneasy laugh.]

It's a difficult thing, to articulate what one barely understands of themselves. To frame it like that seemed natural, but I should have been clearer about the actual sentiment behind it.

[shroudedsecrets]

Sentiment... will get you far.

[ Her ears flicker a little, but she leans in close. ]

Feeling closer to you and... being able to support you, means more to me than any power you might impart with that.

[scourgingstars]

I will endeavor to keep that at the forefront of my mind, in future.

[Ardyn smiled slightly, leaning his forehead against Honerva's.]

[shroudedsecrets]

I would hope so, for that... for something like this to work, we must both be on the same page when it comes to these matters. To... trust another.

[ But she'll smile as well, even if he might not see it from their positioning. ]

[scourgingstars]

I think that you're likely to be right. I certainly trust your cautious judgment, and I could stand to be a bit more open about such things even should it take a bit of effort.

[what are feelings again]

[shroudedsecrets]

In my experience, I have found that... it is well worth the effort. It does take time to adjust for, even if it becomes... frustrating to not progress at a rate you would like. But you did not know me for long enough to... know how much I have changed.

[ Certainly he'd seen her through some changes, but she had at least been well on her way at the time. At least she tends to believe that counts for how highly he seems to think of her than otherwise. ]

[scourgingstars]

Ah, I fear you're well ahead of me in such a regard. A matter of two years or so is...extremely short, as you can no doubt imagine. But you have had no small part in aiding me in becoming a fair bit better in that time, and I do hope my adjustment hasn't been terribly frustrating.

[shroudedsecrets]

I scarcely have a year or two longer than you with such things, if that is any hope or consolation.

[ Time was a funny thing that way. The Fleet being her first rodeo had certainly paved the way, but only because she'd had a particular constant through it. ]

We are most often frustrated with... ourselves than with one another. I can only hope it does not seem otherwise.

[scourgingstars]

I confess I do have a tendency to try even my own patience, at times. But no, I can safely say you and everyone else have been endlessly patient with my foolishness.

[shroudedsecrets]

It is because I understand... likely far more than you know and more than you have ever been willing to share, even with me. The weight that you carry and shift with you.

[scourgingstars]

I would never dare doubt you on that. I need only learn to remember that...my own strife is not so unique that I am ever alone in it.