♥ 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

[carbungle]

[Blood or not, there's something disturbing about witnessing that, and Noctis can't help taking another step back, startled.]

Dude, what the fuck.

[Can you not murder your quasi-self right in front of him!?]

[astralera]

If they think they're stronger than me they won't go away.

[carbungle]

No, yeah, that part was not unclear.

[His "what the fuck" still very much stands.]

That's not even an unusual fear, you know. You don't have to hide it.

[astralera]

That he won't wake... That fear is illogical.

[ She lowers herself slowly until she can kneel on the ground to retrieve her dagger, then pockets it. Getting to her feet again... She decides to stay on the ground for a bit longer. ]

Of course he will wake up. They always wake up.

[carbungle]

[With a quiet sigh, he closes the distance between them and offers his hand out to her.]

You are being an idiot. Fear's not logical.

[astralera]

It should be. This isn't like...

[ when I was small.

Regis isn't Nobuyuki. Havenwell isn't Coerthas. It isn't the same at all, so she doesn't understand why she's so scared.

It takes Era a moment to realize he's offered her his hand, so lost in her haze of unpleasant thoughts, but she reaches out to take it once she notices. At first her grip is tentative, though it quickly grows more firm; unwilling to let go. ]

...You're not allowed to disappear, okay?

[ It isn't something any of them can control, but it brings her a childish sort of comfort, as though the gods might hear her quiet demand and abide by it. ]

[carbungle]

[He doesn't pull away. Even if he wanted to, he doesn't have the heart. With all that's going on, there's definitely comfort to be found in connection; could be the gods aren't wrong about everything.

He does help her back to her feet and keep her stable, if she's willing.]

Whoever's in charge should definitely think twice about that, if they know what's good for 'em.

[Unless the gods aren't keen on listening, or Bahamut managed to make it here in order to retrieve him somehow, he has no plans to leave any time soon. (And even if the Draconian managed it, he suspects there's a line of people to interfere with that one by now.)]

[astralera]

[ His help is more than welcome, and even once she's back on her feet she doesn't let go of his hand. First Alisaie, and then Alphinaud, one right after the other. It was difficult enough, knowing they were gone before she had the chance to make up with them.

The last time she saw Alisaie her face had been full of hurt and betrayal, and they hadn't spoken since. The last she spoke with Alphinaud it was through text and she had been drunk. She never had the chance to see them again before they disappeared. To give them a hug and tell them how much she loved them, and how proud she was of them both.

Era anxiously tightens her grip on Noct's hand as she looks down at her feet, blinking away the moisture in her eyes. ]

...May I have a hug?

[carbungle]

[He pauses at her quiet request, his breath leaving him with a heavy exhale.]

...Oh, Six.

[Honestly, their family is so garbage at this. Who has to ask for a hug? Them, apparently. He doesn't say anything else, just shakes his head and tugs her in, winding his arms tightly around her. He needs this, too; just seeing the temple in the background sends waves of anxiety through him, but this does help, a little.]

[astralera]

[ At first his reaction makes Era think she may have misstepped — perhaps this wasn't the right time, and her request too selfish? Not the most logical of conclusions to draw, but logic seems to be in short supply when it comes to her emotions.

Fortunately Noct hugs her before she can backtrack, effectively assuaging her concerns. Era is quick to return the hug, wrapping her arms around him (still being careful of his back). She rests her chin snugly on his shoulder in a position that would be impossible if she still had her horn in the way. ]

[carbungle]

We'll be okay. [His voice is quiet, after a handful of seconds just vibing with it.] I'm not gonna make any promises, we both know better. But it'll be okay.

[Hugs aren't a cure-all, they both know that too. But reminders that the people they care about are still here- that matters. It's what he's been trying to focus on, every time someone vanishes.]

[astralera]

This month... It sucks a lot.

[ An understatement to say the least. Given what memory Regis' condition reminded her of, Era knows she would have had a difficult time even if that was the only thing to happen to her family this month.

She still doesn't know what to do. It hurt enough to see Alisaie's empty room after she moved to the other house, but at least Era knew she was there. Now she can barely stand to be inside her house anymore. Not with that empty room looming like an accusation, and the fear that she'll walk through the front door one day to find everyone else gone, too. ]

It... [ really fucking sucks ] If not for the fatalities I would almost say last month was preferable.

[ Which says a fair bit, and also makes Era feel guilty.

But she's allowed to be selfish sometimes, isn't she? Even if it's better for the twins to have returned home, she's allowed to feel all this heartbreak and homesickness and hate it. ]

[carbungle]

[He shifts a bit awkwardly, trying to keep his tone more neutral as he responds.]

Uh... hard disagree, but you're allowed to feel it.

[Last month he'd almost died and scared the shit out of everyone, and it'd only gone downhill from there. The city's in a state of destruction, and that brings back all sorts of unpleasant memories for him. But he's not about to tell her she's wrong for feeling a certain way about things, caveat or not. It's not like this feels good either, comparatively.]

[astralera]

[ She notes the shift, and though her sense of hearing isn't as acute as it should be can tell something is not quite right, which makes her try and recall what else happened last month beyond the worms' assault. ]

...Wait, was that last month?

[ Gods, she really can't remember. Era gives Noct an apologetic squeeze and tries to piece together a timeline of the past few months. The twins woke up and then there was Noct's brush with death. Or did Noct's incident happen while the twins were still asleep? So much has happened, she can't keep track of it anymore. What even happened the month before last?

...More importantly— ]

What day is it today?

[carbungle]

[He exhales a vague, noncommittal noise, thinking a moment. The days often blur together anyway, and it's not like he's signing paperwork with the date all the time. But he has been tracking days since his father fell asleep, so he at least has a timeline more or less.]

25th or so. 's Thursday, if that means anything.

[It's "can't go to the cafe for cat & cake distractions until tomorrow" day which is the only reason he keeps track, really.]

[astralera]

The 25th? [ Era pulls away from the hug, though doesn't let go of his hand. She is so very, very confused at the moment and definitely looks it. ] But there hasn't been any weird stuff.

[carbungle]

...I noticed you were being kind of a recluse lately, but damn.

[He turns their hands so she can see the other side of his arm, where a bundle of small, subtly-glowing marks in tetris-block shapes can be seen on his bare skin.]

[astralera]

I've been busy.

[ Doing very important things, and not getting any weird glowy markings on her skin. ]

What does your arm-Tetris do?

[carbungle]

My what now? [Does Tetris exist on Eos? Who knows, never played it.] Um. Don't laugh, but I'm really good at putting things together right now.

[astralera]

The markings look like Tetris. It's a game on my old phone.

[ ...Huh. ]

Were you not good at it before? You've always been skilled at making things.

[carbungle]

I wouldn't say that. I've got bursts of creativity here and there I guess, and I did good in school, but this is like... deep organization nerdery. I've been recognizing robot parts, sorting file folders without knowing how to read them... mostly stuff that Ignis would be interested in, not me.

[astralera]

Oh. That sounds weird, but useful. I've just been fixing broken limbs and helping make replacement parts... [ She gives his hand a small squeeze. ] But the past few days I've been at Valeo, so the plants don't grow sad.

[carbungle]

[His more casual expression falls, and he glances away. Never lasts long, does it? Not in months like this. The lightheartedness has to fall away, because reality won't be ignored for long. It's not her fault- it's no one's fault. Still, it's a feeling that really sucks.]

Yeah... that's good. I'd have done it, but I forgot he had live stuff there. [He exhales heavily, closing his eyes, and swallows past the lump.] He'll be grateful, when he wakes up and remembers it's a thing.

[If he says "when" enough times, will it become a believable guarantee?]

[astralera]

It's alright. It's better that I do it, since some of the plants are finicky. I'll have to teach your dad the best ways to care for each one, since different plants do better with different soil chemistry. The healthier the herb the more potent the remedies they can make...

[ Which she could ramble on about for ages, and Noct probably isn't particularly interested in.]

Since I'm here now anyway... D'you want to visit him with me?

[carbungle]

Mm... think we should, yeah. I was debating it anyway.

[He's probably been there too much already- Regis has been asleep longer than before, and the locals had hinted that hovering too much might have an effect on their connection last time, and they'd all opted to ignore it. At this point it's unhealthy to be around him all the time, so he's tried to restrain himself more. Hard not to want to be at his side, though, so this is a good excuse to indulge that itch without the attached guilt.]