hugtopia_logs | ♥ November (Malom) Event Log

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♥ 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

Good... this seems good. Kyoko's nerves being settled help bring down any immediate worries from Shinji as well, and... heck, maybe he can even bring his vigilance down a notch or two.

"I can't help but be a little curious, too." He's just not feeling bold enough to try the fruit himself. Not to treat Kyoko like a test subject, but letting someone else take the reigns on this experiment was a bit reassuring. "I never mind helping you out, but this way we both get to learn about the fruits, right?"

"I'm just glad if it's really not a burden to you," she giggles lightly, and then there's a little sigh as she sheds her typical ramrod-straight posture in favor of just leaning back on the bench. Just a little. Just for a moment. She really wore herself out with all that fretting, gosh! "You can get the full experience through me, then!"

A little slump, just for a moment! It's easy enough to think that it might be a moment of relief on her part, nothing particularly strange here, even if it's unusual enough for Shinji to notice in the first place.

"And, I guess... if it turns out there isn't anything to worry about, we can split one afterword."

Wouldn't that be nice!

"Ohh, you'd wanna do that?" Kyoko was grinning even as she let out a tiny yawn. "Good food tastes more delicious when you eat it with someone you like, so that'll just make it even better~!"

Oh, a yawn...! That's... huh. She hadn't seemed particularly tired before this, but maybe he just hadn't picked up on it through all of her anxiety over the fruits. It could very easily be nothing, but he can't help but at least wonder,

"Are you feeling a little worn out?"

"Hm?" The hum comes with another little yawn. Just a small one, you know how it is, yawning once leads to more yawns. "Oh--maybe just a little bit. Now that I think about it, things have been pretty hectic lately, so it's been a while since I just sat down without anything to do." Never mind that Kyoko basically never sits down without anything to do normally, either.

Please, no, don't spread the yawning to him...!

"It has been really hectic." Like. 'Really hectic' still feels like an understatement. Maybe just the act of relaxing a little bit has made room for more fatigue to settle on her shoulders? Especially after that extra bit of winding up eating the fruit may have caused, it could have hit a tipping point. Who knows! "We can wait here as long as you'd like, but if you wanted to head home afterwards and rest, that might not be such a bad idea."

"Ah, maybe..." Kyoko sighs--or is that another yawn too? Don't worry about it. "I really wanted to go help fix at least one more roof today though..." Surely a great activity for the sleepy.

So ambitious...!

"Roof repair... sounds tough." That's a lot of work, isn't it? Since when has that been one of her specialties? So amazing, Kyoko, a girl of many secret talents. "Have you done... a lot of that already today?"

Maybe that's why she's so tired now? All that work has finally caught up with her?

Kyoko tips her head back with a little giggle, proud in the most sheepish way possible. "I never thought it would be in my wheelhouse at all until just recently!" Strange how that worked out, huh. "I haven't done a lot of that today, though--just one, since I was working on a wall all morning."

Ah, then maybe all the wall repair work has caught up with her. A very important distinction.

"Impressive... I'd say you definitely deserve a break if that's how you've been spending your day." Gosh! "You don't feel strange at all though, do you? Besides just being kind of worn out."

"Strange..." Kyoko weighs the word, tilting her head a bit, thoughtfully. "No, I wouldn't say that. Not particularly. It's always a little shocking when you sit down and notice you've gotten tired, but that's a pretty boring and unremarkable phenomenon."

Not strange at all, huh? What she's saying certainly makes plenty of sense, and if she's been hard at work up until this point, the logic tracks.

That's that, then, he figures.

"If that's the case... did you want to finish up your snack before we head back?" Get a little bit of extra energy to make the trip home, perhaps? The fruit, it seems, might actually be harmless.

She perks up at that suggestion, even if she's still a bit more sedate than usual. "Oh! Maybe I should, if it really is all right after all." Finishing it now would be neater than walking all the way home with a partially eaten fruit in her hand, wouldn't it? "Did you want to split it with me now? --Oh, probably not, I've already bitten into it directly," she chuckles, sheepish. Stop being silly, Kyoko.

It's not like they couldn't still share it - how easy would it be to break one of these fruits in half, actually...? A couple of bites isn't a deal breaker, but, even then,

"You can finish it, that one's yours," he says with a faint half-smile. He's no going to take something that's hers...! "We can grab more later and share them then."

Kyoko nods in understanding. Safe from indirect kisses they shall stay, then. "I'll eat it quickly!" she promises, before going in for another cheerful bite. No dawdling and keeping Shinji waiting, he's already been so considerate of her!

Alas, perhaps some other time they can skirt the line of what constitutes a kiss or not ~~when there's no threat of both of them falling asleep in the chilly air halfway through it~~.

"There's no rush." He'll be patient with however long it takes her to finish chompin' that fruit down, don't go so fast that you choke, Kyoko! Chatting isn't very conducive to finishing up that snack nice and quickly, so he just sits back in the bench quietly while he waits.

Never fear, Kyoko is too neat and careful of an eater to sloppily rush through and choke. She just doesn't waste any time, is all, and doesn't pause to talk, only smiling sunnily at Shinji between bites instead. If she slumps down a little bit more while working her way through the fruit, well, don't worry about it.

She does straighten up to stretch a bit once she's polished the whole thing off, at least. "There! It was delicious~"

Proud of you, Kyoko, good job not choking.

A little more slumping isn't that surprising, especially not after she perks right back up once the fruit is finished. "Glad to hear it." A delicious time for her, and a potential delicious future for everyone involved. Up Shinji goes, then, turning to offer a hand out to Kyoko to help her up.

"Ready to go home?"

Look at her, just a pro eater right here.

After that stretch, Kyoko had let out a little yawn, and then just let her head dip--it was so heavy, jeez...

Shinji's voice cut through the haze, making her jerk upright. "Ah?! --Ah, yes. Yes?" He said something? He was? offering a hand??

Uh... huh? That is a bit more strange, and fairly concerning, but not immediately alarming. That hand is staying out, just in case she does want to take it.

"... Home? Or do you want to wait a bit first...?"

For a moment or two she just stares at Shinji, before her gaze falls to his offered hand again for another moment of staring. Oh. Right, they were going home. Well, come on Kyoko, get moving then.

"Sorry," she giggles sheepishly, reaching for his hand while she shifts to stand up--but before she can latch on, she feels herself sway, and suddenly it feels a lot simpler to just sit back down. "... Sorry," she says again, voice smaller this time. "Maybe... just a few more minutes."

Okay, that's... that doesn't seem totally normal anymore. Shouldn't a delicious fruit have given her a boost of energy instead of... this?

He frowns, dropping his hand and bending over enough to get a better look at Kyoko's face, in case there are any hints of trouble there. "We can wait," he won't force her to get up right away, "but are you still feeling alright?"

She meets Shinji's very considerately lowered gaze with another sheepish grin, but there's starting to be something decidedly sleepy about the expression. Why is it so hard to keep her eyes open? Jeez, she really is making a lot of trouble for Shinji today.

"I'm okay!" she promises. "I guess I just need to rest my legs a little longer, but you," whoops, big yawn, "d-don't have to hang around with me."

"You know that I'm not going to leave you like this," he says, brows knitting closer together as he leans in a bit more.

"We can wait a little longer," his tone takes a very careful edge, like he doesn't want to quite concede to that idea, but... Hm. "If you don't start feeling more awake soon, we should get you home that much faster, you know?"

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