hugtopia_logs | ♥ November (Malom) Event Log

Entry tags:

♥ November (Malom) Event Log

a sunlit orchard with fruit growing on a row of trees

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.

❥ PROMPT I: Fetch Quest Frenzy

image of neo from the matrix saying ' know kung fu'

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

a frost-covered branch bearing one red and orange fruit

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

four wooden letter boxes spelling 'FACT' with a hand tilting the last two letters to switch the word to 'FAKE'

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.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Clockwork puppets. Less complex than proper automatons, but better for children to play with. [ A bit safer to add a soft outer shell for cuddling without fear of breaking the poor thing. ] At home I like to collect them.

Huh. Puppets are cute, if they're not creepy.

[Sometimes they are a little creepy.]

So is making mini-robots in a city full of robots offensive, or are they cool with it? I've honestly never thought to ask, but I'm kinda amazed that Verstael never built magitek in his basement while he was here either, and I expected that to be the point where the debating started.

They're just toys, not people. I can't imagine the locals being offended, particularly if the mammets are soft and fluffy... [ But now that he's brought it up she worries about the possibility they might actually be offended. ] I'll ask Sudryl before I start any projects.

[He glances sidelong at her, thinking twice of it; it'd meant to be a throwaway comment, but she does take things too seriously at times.]

Ah... I wouldn't worry about it too much. I was kinda raised to consider the diplomacy angle, mostly because there's a million people to offend if you're a public figure, so that stuff comes to mind too easily. You're probably right.

I've never been good at that. Diplomacy was Alphinaud's... [ Focusing on other things made it so easy to forget for a while. ] My allies have always handled the politics.

[ The closer they get to where Regis' is being kept the antsier she gets, though she does well not to let it show. ]

I did say I was raised into it, now that I was good at it. I had Ignis around for a reason.

[Well, many reasons. But this was one of them. Regis had negotiation and diplomatic skills, Noctis was... hah. A different flavour, for sure. He managed one (1!) whole formal negotiation during the months he was acting as king of Lucis, and that was while it was essentially the property of the empire.]

You seem like you'd be good at it. Only in small doses though.

Yeah, I dunno how I'd have managed it long-term. There's so much... dishonesty, I guess. A bunch of overdressed assholes fake-smiling at each other and pretending like they're able to agree on anything.

[He rolls his eyes. The council horror stories over the years really made him a political cynic, huh.

Belatedly, he adds,] Sorry, Dad.

[He wasn't an overdressed asshole most of the time.]

I've been fortunate that the leaders of the Eorzean city-states and Doma, have bonded by fighting alongside each other in war. It makes things easier, since now they're proper comrades that work well together.

[ The Alliance has certainly come a long way since she first joined the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. It heartens her to know that her friends can handle themselves now with the support of each other. A continent united.

It leaves her with more freedom to take care of other things that only she can, without worrying that Eorzea may fall to the Empire if she isn't there. ]

The nation I grew up in is a sultanate, though the Sultana has no real power. The Syndicate is a group of the wealthiest people in Ul'dah, and they are the ones with all the control.

[ It makes her think of what she knows about Lucian politics. There are so many unfortunate similarities. ]

From watching Nanamo's struggles I've learned that the best way to fight back is to beat them at their own game. I'm no good at it... I don't think you would be either, no matter how much you're taught.

I think that's what makes your dad so strong. His fate was to be bound by the political games he so loathed, and so he learned to master them like a true tactician. I've seen firsthand how difficult that is.

That he manipulated things in a way that let you live as normal a life as possible for a prince... It's impressive. [ Era gives his hand another little squeeze. ] I know he just wanted to be able to be with you, to hug you whenever he wanted, and to spend all his time with his son instead of a bunch of arseholes, but that would be breaking all the rules.

[ It's something they've spoken about before. As much as she hates politics her discussions of them with Regis have always been interesting, and taught her a great deal about the man. It also helped her look at Edmont's actions from a new perspective as well. ]

Mm... he gave me the life that his dad wouldn't - or couldn't - give him. Maybe he wanted me to love the world, or the people I was supposed to save... feel normal. I dunno. I wasn't gonna be a king for real, so he had me focus on what actually mattered.

[He exhales quietly, swinging their hands a bit as the temple entrance comes into view. Getting close now.]

Maybe when he wakes up I'll finally get to ask him. I'm... scared of that, but I can't stop thinking about it, either. That maybe he'll know, and... I don't have to lie to him anymore.

[It's been so hard, for so long. He doesn't know how his father managed it for as long as he did. Out of duty, out of protectiveness, for the sake of being kind to his doomed child... still. He opens his mouth, stops himself as he second-guesses, then tries again.]

But- if he knows... maybe he won't want to see me. [He exhales a heavy breath.] Gods, I'm selfish. I don't know what the hell I want.

He wanted you to be Noctis. You're Aulea's son, not just his. She would have wanted to give you all the freedom in the world. Your dad would have wanted the same — a childhood different from his own.

Your grandfather was very controlling of all aspects of his life. He didn't like your mother because she nurtured your dad's rebellious streak. She was sent to school in Altissia in part to keep them separated, but she had already decided she would marry your dad, you know?

When Aulea came back she used everything she learned to blend right in with high society. It was a big 'fuck you' to your grandfather and your dad loved it.

[ She huffs a small laugh and swings their hands a bit more. ]

He did he best to give you the life your mother would have wanted you to have. It was the life he wanted you to have, too. To just be you, whoever you happened to be.

And... I think he already knows deep down, even if he hasn't realized it yet.

[ Era nudges her shoulder against his arm. ]

Don't be stupid. What you want is your dad, Noct. And if he wakes up knowing of your fate, I promise you all he'll want is to hug you and never let go.

[He nods along as she speaks; he'd known all of that, though he's a little surprised she does. He'd learned it here. He'd never gotten the chance to find out about it back home. There'd been no time for it, or he'd been afraid to ask, or the moments he'd been able to share with his father were supposed to be happier times, and thinking about his dead wife would have made him sad. Here, though, he'd dared to ask. And Cor had offered. He knew so much more of the woman who might have raised him now, had she been given the chance, the woman he shares so many features with but no memories. She was amazing. He truly wished he could have met her.

As for the rest... What Regis thinks or does, when he's awake and has new memories to deal with...]

I don't- I don't think it really matters, one way or another. Just as long as he's still here, after. As long as he's alive... that'd be plenty, for me.

[That's more than he'd have anywhere else. Just being able to talk to him, to see him alive and well... it's plenty. Noctis can be happy enough with that, and all else would be an added benefit.]

[ His response is something she almost expected, but it doesn't make her any less sad to hear. ]

He'll still be here, and he'll be alive. Warm to the touch and eager to wrap you in his arms. [ It's easy to sound confident when she isn't drowning in her own thoughts and fears. ] I'm not confident in many things, but this is one thing I'm sure of.

I'll try to hold on to that confidence.

[At least one of them can feel that way. There's been too much unkindness thrown at them in this place, so he's unfairly cautious when things change. Though admittedly these long sleeps have a better ratio of keeping people here than just... well, normal sleeps. How many have vanished when everything was normal?

It's why he keeps coming back here, despite the advice of the priests. Just seeing him still be here, even sleeping, drags a heavy weight off his back.]

Thanks, though. Guess I needed to hear all that.

There's no reason not to. Everything feels the same as it always does with these homesickness sleeps.

[ And while Regis will almost certainly wake up, she does worry that he might disappear soon after like the twins did. ]

You're welcome. He and I have talked a lot about family and duty... So what I've told you, about how he feels, it's all things I'm quite sure of.

It's not like he's been subtle with me, either.

[It's just that he worries things can change, because Regis must have had very valid feelings about raising a son that was going to die, and he doesn't doubt it was incredibly hard on the man. He doesn't blame his dad for keeping his distance, whether it be for the crown or his own secret grief. No matter how things are going, they can always get worse- that's what he's learned over the last few years.]

Then you know there's nothing you could do to make him love you any less.

[ She'll give his hand another squeeze she hopes is reassuring. ]

He'll understand why you kept it from him. He kept things from you for the same reason, after all. It may hurt a little bit at first, but that's okay. You can help each other through it.

And it'll be nice, won't it? To be able to speak more candidly with your dad. I'm sure he'll be happy for the chance to be there for you in all the ways he wasn't allowed to at home.

So it'll— It'll be okay in the end, no matter what happens. Neither of you will be alone.

[He doesn't have much of a verbal response for her, but it shows in his expression, and the tension of his body- he's listening, taking her words to heart. She isn't the first to tell him something like this, and he doubts she'd be the last. He feels guilty about handing others the responsibility of piecing together his issues, but then again, they're all a little screwed up in various ways. Tit for tat, giving advice to others that you ought to be following yourself... that's their family in a very uncomfortable nutshell.

Self-awareness doesn't make her wrong, though, so. He's listening, even if he needs to mull over it a while to really believe it, even if he won't feel entirely relieved until Regis opens his eyes and is back with them again.]

...Yeah, [is what he settles for at last, pitiful and insufficient. He does return the handsqueeze, though, quietly grateful.] Thank you.

[ It's nice to feel confident about something for a change, and nicer still to feel like she's been of some help. There is nothing else she can think to say, but she doesn't mind it — there isn't anything else that needs to be said.

Eventually she breaks the silence, as the temple's entrance looms closer. ]

I won't stay for long. I just want to check that he's still alright.

You can stay as long as you want. I don't mind, and I know he won't.

[He doesn't know if there are still issues going on between people lately (not any specific that he's heard, but things can change quickly when it comes to interpersonal stuff). But he certainly knows that Regis would appreciate his loved ones gathering around to support him and each other.]

He doesn't know me right now.

[ And there's no guarantee he will when he wakes up, though she knows that there's no real reason for her to worry. ]

You don't know that.

His soul is far away, at home with no memory of this place.

Is this where I have to say something sappy and emotional like, "the heart always remembers"?

No, because it isn't true.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject