♥ 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

[shroudedsecrets]

She looks a little surprised at his offer, but she smiles, taking his hand gently, knowing his grip might be a little stronger.

"Your care is important. I know... you can endure most things. Or... feel that you must do so."

But after the time he had all but collapsed on her from the state that illness had left him in, it was difficult for her not to be a little more alert when it came to his physical state.

[waitatick]

Lotor didn't really remember the illness beyond being extremely tired, but he knew he'd frightened her. It was one of the reasons he didn't hesitate to let her check him.

"Thank you."

Having someone say that his care was important was fairly new to him. Allura had been the first in centuries if not more to ask him if he was all right, and it was something he still wasn't used to.

"Such things are often necessary in war. But we are not at war here, so I do not object to you assuming the role of nurse."

[shroudedsecrets]

"War... does alter perspectives."

And there were many types of warfare beyond even just the physical. Too much that both of them were familiar with.

"But I am grateful that you would allow me the chance to do so. To... see that you are well. I admit I was quite worried for you during... that last incident here."

[waitatick]

"Forgive me. I tend to push myself more than I should, and while I do not remember a great deal of what occurred, I do recall thinking that it would be pointless to trouble you. I apologize for worrying you."

He did smile though, a bit ruefully.

"Unfortunately my heart rate is a bit higher than most on any given day, so I am unsure at what point it may become worrisome. But I am not winded and my muscles seem to be reacting with ease. I shall make sure to rest regularly, however."

[shroudedsecrets]

"I am more familiar with what your heart rate is now, at least."

Having helped him while he was ill gave her an understanding of that much. Hard for her not to take note of it, while all the time concerned if it was overstepping, but he'd allowed it. He was allowing this. It still was a surprise.

"And while I well understand the inclination to push ourselves, just remember that even if it worries me or that I might wish to attend to your care, it is not trouble to me, to know how you are faring. To be able to assist you in those times you are in need... is what I should have done all along."

[waitatick]

"Please, do not torture yourself. Neither of us chose the lives we led, and what is past is past. It is fruitless to self-recriminate over things for which we had no control. Even if we had, feeling guilty for them will not change anything. There are a great many things I wish I had been able to do differently as well."

He sighed.

"I have come to the conclusion that regrets are simply a part of living, and with lived as long as we've led it would be nonsensical to expect anything else."

[shroudedsecrets]

She's quiet for a moment, ears dipping a little ruefully at his words but smiling at him softly, as grateful as she is to even be here to hold his hand now, even in the pretense of monitoring for wellness.

"That they are, and you aren't wrong about them." Really it is a lot to hear him say that for the amount of guilt she has for it.

"Though I will admit it can be a rather... powerful emotion for me. When you have been in a position where such things could not truly be felt for a while... it does magnify in unhelpful ways. Especially when still learning how to... appropriately navigate them so we can move forward. Coming to terms with... things. My concern for your boundaries, and not wanting to overstep, with the chance we have."

[waitatick]

"My apologies. I do understand on a surface level that it would be quite difficult after not having been able to feel such things fully, but as I have no direct experience I cannot understand completely."

He cleared his throat, unsure how exactly to say the next bit.

"I do hope that your uneasiness will recede. I am... not entirely comfortable yet myself, though I am doing my best to be. Knowing what I have learned has made my anger evaporate, but... I cannot simply banish the scars. Please know that I am trying. I will very likely react in ways I may not wish to, for certain things, but... I have always been far too prone to showing my feelings. I assure you that it is not meant as a personal slight. I am simply... trying to navigate terrain I did not think I would have the chance to traverse."

[shroudedsecrets]

"I do not believe that either of us would... wish our positions on others."

Which does not help when feeling that her experiences directly impacted his to an extent, before he became an age where his choices were his own, no matter how much that was maneuvering in the circumstances he was dealt.

"And I do not expect you to... forget your scars, and experiences, when this chance was something we could hardly imagine would come to be, or for you to force yourself to do so. I may have come a long way from what I was back then, but I know some... reminders must remain for you, and your own habits are for you to shield yourself. It... makes sense, after all. But... I do believe we can navigate this. We are... learning another, after all."

[waitatick]

"We are. It is very difficult for me to trust, and though I understand that you are not the same as you have been the great majority of my life, it is... well. Difficult. But we shall manage."

It was either that or they wouldn't, and he'd had enough of being willfully miserable and locking himself away. It had caused his death, after all.

"There is much that I would love to share with you, but I am a coward and cannot yet overcome my steadfast aversion to doing so. It is based solely on past events and nothing to do with the person you are now, away from the thing that overtook you... but I still find myself wary, and for that I am truly sorry."

[shroudedsecrets]

What he last says gives her pause for a moment, but she inclines her head.

"Please... I know that it is completely understandable on your part, to feel that way. It is not cowardice, considering those circumstances. Your... trust is something to be earned, with time, considering how long it had been strained otherwise."

She can't blame him for that, which was why she never went out of her way to push him on it. Certainly he meant no harm with his actions, but she couldn't help that she was far more sensitive now than she had been, and that wasn't his fault either, just part of what needed to be worked through.

"For the latter... the least I can do is confirm for you that... that which used to haunt me for all that time... does so no further. Certainly the influence had been mitigated during my time here, but with Lup's assistance we've been able to banish it."

[waitatick]

"Strained." He couldn't help laughing, but it was a bitter thing. "I believe 'nonexistent' would be a better descriptor."

But he shook his head and smiled, genuinely.

"It is rather obvious that you are no longer... afflicted with it, and I am very happy for you. Truly. I realize the sudden awareness of things due to its absence can be nothing but jarring, but you are handling it admirably. It...is not something I have any way to know how to navigate so I am effectively flying blind, but I am willing to make the attempt if you are."

[shroudedsecrets]

"That... is fair."

She has to laugh a little self-consciously herself, with an ear flutter. She hadn't realized it had been obvious to him, but given all it involved it was part of that navigational process.

"It is not something I can easily explain myself. It was... something of an accident that led to that occurrence. We always knew that something more was there, but perhaps... because it's influence was starting to lessen it was able to be 'defeated'. Adjusting has been a process, but I have not... been alone. That has helped, and perhaps... that will continue to. As we navigate this."

Gmail sucks, I'm so sorry!

[waitatick]

"A happy accident, then... unless it caused you discomfort in some fashion."

He frowned, but decided not to press the issue. It wasn't his business in the first place.

"I am glad that you have not had to deal with such a thing alone. Though I worry that should you share my ineptitude with your friends I shall be either ridiculed or despised."

But he grinned, not really caring at all as long as she herself seemed willing to tolerate him.

it loves to send notifs to the void

[shroudedsecrets]

"The only true discomfort was the... realization of just how much it had held over me at all."

Certainly she had been lightheaded and off balance for a while physically, still had to stop herself from the motions of habits for abilities that just were no longer hers to access. Even then, mentally, she had to focus on looking forward and not cling to the despair it had left in the wake of all those failures when here in this present she was not alone to deal with it. The choice had been made long before, and perhaps that was in part of how the accident was able to result in severing her from it at all.

But he follows up one of those statements with his jokes and it again goes beyond her understanding of why he would insist on it, as much as he was coping. He hated who she had been, and none could have known how pitiable and wretched Haggar truly was, least of all herself in those circumstances, both lauded and loathed as one of the Empire's greatest assets. But that was far behind her and she couldn't honestly even say she could grasp that state of mind any better now that she was no longer in it.

"I am grateful that you are here. Even though you were not witness to that particular accident... knowledge of you is what had led me down this path at all. To strive to be better so that I might even have a chance for any crumb of acceptance, but the others... stayed with me, even through a prior rejection. They helped me broaden my mind and the capabilities of my heart for the rest as well."