♥ 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

[hot_handed]

Stop killing the grass. I wasn't nice-

[Bakugou folds his arms defensively, looking at Nico again and narrowing his eyes, ignoring his own suggestion.]

...Shit, I can see it now.

[wakemelater]

Shut up. I can't control it. [Which is why he normally avoids the gardens.

He raises a brow at "I wasn't nice", everything in his expression saying, "Oh really?"]

You can see what now?

[hot_handed]

What do you mean you can't control it?

[He brings his arms closer to himself, trying to kill Nico with his glare.

He wasn't!!! Nice!]

I can see you as the sheep. Your hair's all fluffy and shit.

[wakemelater]

I mean I can't control it. What do you think I mean? [He throws his hands up.] It's an emotional reaction.

[He glares back. There was cuddling.]

It's not that fluffy. [Maybe if he bothered to brush it...]

[hot_handed]

Then learn to control it.

[Only because he was tired and Nico was...adorable. Not because he was trying to be nice!]

It's as fluffy as a fucking cloud.

[wakemelater]

Wow. What a novel concept. I'll get right on that.

[It's okay to be nice, though? And not just because something is cute.

He pushes a hand through his hair, trying to flatten it some.] At least I don't look like a porcupine.

[hot_handed]

You don't see me blowing up walls and buildings just because I have emotions.

[Though he sometimes blows up smaller items, so he's being a hypocrite. And maybe it is, but he's embarrassed and has trouble expressing himself. He doesn't like that Nico, or anyone, saw that side of him.

...Okay, he can ignore his embarrassment to stomp up to Nico so he's in his face and shout.]

WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!

[wakemelater]

[Nico looks very pointedly at the grass Bakugou had blown up when he first realized his "sheep" was missing.]

Sure.

[He's not going to be intimidated. Drawing himself up, he glares and jabs a finger at Bakugou's chest.]

Por. Cu. Pine.

[hot_handed]

[That's...different. Somehow.

Oh yeah what's he going to do, stand on his tiptoes and make a snarky comment-

Did he fucking just.

Bakugou scowls at Nico, completely silent, his expression saying more than words ever could. The silence only lasts as long as it takes for his brain to catch up. He doesn't know whether to be impressed, pissed, or both.

So he settles on the latter.]

IT'S FUCKING ON, SHEEP! I DON'T CARE IF YOU WERE CUTE, I'LL KILL YOU!!!

[wakemelater]

[He's faced down things much bigger than an angry teenager.

The ground around them is turning black by this point, and he rises up a little bit more (he's totally not on his toes).]

Yeah? Go ahead and try!

[hot_handed]

FUCK YOU, I'LL MAKE YOU BARBECUE SHEEP!!!

[He notices the ground, but he doesn't care. Nico took it too far, and his previous embarrassment, the anger he feels at the nickname, all of it comes boiling over at once and he throws an explosion at Nico, while throwing another at the shitty grass.]

[wakemelater]

[He's expecting the attack, but there isn't enough time to dodge, and the flash of the explosion eliminates any shadow he could slip into. So he rolls with the hit - what's a little pain? - gets his feet under him, and moves to try and tackle Bakugou before he can get airborn.]

[hot_handed]

[Bakugou is tackled- he doesn't care if he is, going airborne and fighting Nico wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't bring him the same satisfaction as his attempt to punch him in the face does.]

YOU WERE LESS ANNOYING AS A SHEEP!

[wakemelater]

[He grunts, head snapping back from the punch, and draws back to return the favor.]

Why? Can't handle someone who can talk back?!

[hot_handed]

[Ow. Bakugou grunts in pain, blinking a few times before he decides to try and headbutt Nico to try and get him to roll over. It will hurt him too, but he doesn't give a shit.]

Of course I can! I just don't wanna listen to your shitty and uncreative insults!

[wakemelater]

Because SHEEP is so creative! FUCK!

[The headbutt has him falling back, clutching his nose. He kicks out as he goes down.]

[hot_handed]

At least it makes sense! You act like you're some kinda badass just because ya got a cool sword and can use the darkness in your soul to travel a little fast- OOF-!

[The kick stuns him as he struggles to get above Nico, aiming a punch at his shoulder.]

YOU DON'T GET TO LOOK DOWN ON ME, YOU'RE TOO SHORT!!!

[wakemelater]

And you don't with all the fire and DIE DIE DIE!?

[He grunts and pushes Bakugou's hand away with hand while swinging with the other.]

I don't look down on you!

[hot_handed]

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YELLING DIE?! You jealous, ya demi-god of pastoral animals?!

[Bakugou dodges out of the way and tries kneeing Nico's stomach.]

I bet you did, you probably think I'm a fucking idiot for being weak in front of you!!!

[wakemelater]

Jealous of what? You couldn't kill a fly!

[Nico exhales hard as his breath rushes out of him, and bucks up to try to dislodge the other.

But that stalls with a baffled, angry glare up at Bakugou.]

What? If I thought you were an idiot, I would've called you one. Don't put words in my mouth.

[hot_handed]

I could kill way worse than a fly! And you're not one to talk, supposed Demi-God of Death-san!!!

[Bakugou is ready to fight back, but Nico's response stuns him and he falls back in the dead grass, frowning in confusion.]

You don't think I was fucking stupid when you were a sheep and making fun of me.

[It's voiced incredulously.]

[wakemelater]

I fought in two wars. You ever seen war?

[Nico doesn't move, just lays where he is, staring up at the sky. Maybe the bruising is dark enough to hide the red he feels heating his cheeks.]

I wasn't making fun of you. I still had legs. I could have walked away if I wanted to.

[Though the fruit had made him sleepy enough that the extra contact hadn't bothered him. He still wouldn't have allowed it if he didn't consider Bakugou a friend in the first place.]

[hot_handed]

...No. Not yet.

[He can't argue against that because there's no way to argue with it. He knows about what Mina saw, but since he doesn't remember it, it doesn't impact him the same way. He narrows his eyes at Nico before finally sighing and flopping on his back to stare up at the sky. Nico has dealt with more than he has, and he won't deny that fact.]

Then why not walk away?

[wakemelater]

...I hope you never do.

[No one should have to experience that. Especially at their ages. It's fucked up.

He shrugs.]

I didn't want to be alone. And...I trust you. Even if the name you gave me was really fucking stupid.

[hot_handed]

It's not like I want to, but as long as villains continue to be fucking stupid, there ain't much I can do to stop it.

[Fighting villains is one thing, but an all-out war would be fucked up. And Nico experienced two of them.

His eyes widen a little at his words as he lazily glances over at him. He trusts him? He ends up scoffing softly.]

Shut up, it's a great name. ...I'm glad you're not a sheep anymore. I mean, you're a pain in the ass, but that makes kicking your ass and killing you with words challenging. I don't hate it.