♥ 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

[whenyouneedme]

Golly. Who could have predicted he would be happy with reciprocation!

Hopefully there were no real doubts that he was. Kai opened his eyes as she pulled away, admiring her a little. There was a smile in them as she leaned back in for that almost-boop, only brightening at her request. Or, what he could hear of her request. The gist of it had been pretty clear. Kai pulled his hand from her hair to brush her cheek again, murmuring back a warm, "'Course." He could absolutely do that.

Just let him shift a little and trail that hand warm down her side. A short journey to slip behind her back, finding its home and pulling her more flush against him. How very easy to hold her now! "Like this?"

[daikonrose]

Nobody could have possibly foreseen this outcome.

Kyoko'd had a hunch, of course, that Kaito might just possibly like some smooches. She hoped he would, anyway. He'd received them positively before! It was mostly the execution that she was worried about now--what if her smooches weren't up to par? What if her timing was all wrong, and right now he just wanted to be on the giving end? This was still a new world to her, and she wasn't sure of her footing.

But there was less room for doubt when he held her so close. Kyoko gave a tiny nod to his question, her forehead almost bumping his. "Mmhm." A beat, and then a mumbled, "Thank you."

[whenyouneedme]

It wasn't like he honestly knew any better. He was winging it always and hoping for the best, just trying to feel his way along. He'd just had a few months headstart was all. She'd get to his stage of winging it in no time, and he was more than happy to flounder with her along the way. All of her efforts were going to be encouraged.

Which was why he was still smiling warmly at her, tilting his head a bit to kiss her cheek. "Mmm. Whatever you want." That kiss trailed a little, tracing her jaw. Just a little adventure for a moment! A little something new.

[daikonrose]

How much experience did Kaito actually have? For all that he was a menace, he didn't seem like the actual playboy type to Kyoko--and she knew even those types could be lacking experience in crucial things. But when he seemed so calm and sure with her, she couldn't help feeling like she was leagues behind.

But even so, she felt safe with him, even when his kisses were getting bold and his words bolder. "Not... whatever I want," she mumbled, after another quivering sigh. That was just too audacious to suggest.

[whenyouneedme]

"Mmm... no. Whatever you want," Kai repeated, the low murmur of his voice right there against her ear as his traveling smooches found that soft spot below her lobe. That was a good destination for this adventure, at least for the time being. "Bet I'd probably want it too."

[daikonrose]

Maybe he was right; Kaito was so good at rolling with things, and Kyoko knew she didn't actually have much to suggest anyway. But it was the power he was offering that she had to resist. That was just too dangerous.

Almost as dangerous as the warmth of his mouth under her ear. Kyoko gasped softly, the tiniest whimper catching in her throat. Had she known about that spot? How was she supposed to think about anything else with the rumble of his voice against that tender skin? "Th-there's nothing."

[whenyouneedme]

... Uh. Was that a good noise or a bad noise? It was definitely a cute noise that made his stomach flip a little, but he wasn't sure if it was one he should have been feeling good about. Kai pressed another little kiss there before he turned his head a bit, taking a peek at her. Just to see.

"Nothing at all?"

[daikonrose]

The noise didn't repeat with the second kiss, but the flush that just seemed to permanently live in Kyoko's cheeks now darkened, and expanded its territory up to her forehead.

"N-nothing," she squeaked softly. But then, since she didn't want him to get the wrong idea, "... Just... just this, for a while longer, I think."

[whenyouneedme]

Looking at her now, it was becoming clear that 'nothing' was quite possibly... 'something.' Fancy that. Reassured that he probably hadn't been stepping too far out of line, he took a moment to just take her in with a dumb little smile on his face.

"Sure," he murmured as he gently bumped the side of his nose against hers. "You can keep your secrets for now."

[daikonrose]

"They're not secrets," Kyoko mumbled, unable to look away from him even though he was so close she thought she might drown. "You just kinda know them already, probably, I think..."

[whenyouneedme]

"That so..." She sure had a lot of faith in him. When she looked at him like that though, he could sort of believe her. "Maybe some of them."

Perhaps one of them was another kiss pressed softly to her lips.

[daikonrose]

How could she not believe in him? Here he was already, sweeping in to steal her breath again. Batting a thousand. Kyoko leaned into the kiss carefully, with a whisper of, "You see?" when he let her breathe again. "You already know it all."

[whenyouneedme]

He wasn't sure what to do with all this softness. It was all very sweet, and he really didn't want to go tripping and messing it up. The best bet was probably just to sink into it, just get real hecking sappy. So he gave her another tiny peck, smiling softly when he pulled back. "Then I know for sure I want 'em too." Things like the smooch at the corner of her mouth, or his legs carefully brushing against hers, just trying to get all tangled up. The cuddle monster was getting set loose now.

[daikonrose]

"... Okay." Would she be able to contend with such a fierce beast? Kyoko still doubted she could really keep up with Kaito, but if he was going to look at her like that anyway, she was probably safe with risky moves like brushing another soft kiss right there on his mouth. Scandalous.

[whenyouneedme]

Such scandal could only be rewarded by such a rowdy guy. Nevermind that right now all that rowdiness had given way to all of that desire to simply hold her close and cherish her, that was besides the point. Kai smiled into the kiss, another pleased hum in his throat. She was doing great, and he was eager to reciprocate. Deeper, warmer, rewarding risky moves with risky maneuvers of his own.

[daikonrose]

That cute little hum made her stomach flip again, even before he'd returned her efforts so warmly. Kyoko wished she knew how to match him, but even that was soon swallowed up by a greater longing. Why not let him pull her down into the deep, if it was going to be this sweet? Let him tangle their legs up, let him kiss her until she forgot everything else, let her hand find its way up to cup his cheek so he would know he could stay right there for as long as he wished.

[whenyouneedme]

Truly that was all the encouragement he needed to kiss her endlessly. Surely there was nothing wrong with indulging in this for a while when she was so warm and cozy against him. So that's exactly what he did. Kissed her and kissed her a little more, murmuring her name against her lips when they did need to take a breath.

"You're so soft," he rumbled during another pause, trailing his hand down her side.

[daikonrose]

She quivered lightly under his hand, her gasp for air puffing hot against his face. What was she supposed to say to that? How was she supposed to handle such a tender, intimate piece of praise? She was so dizzy already.

"You're," she had to pause for another breath, "warm." Ah jeez, her voice was so squeaky. "Kaito..." Dipping her head into the crook of his neck, she tried to gather herself a little. "It's so warm."

[whenyouneedme]

Kai drew in a little breath as she hid against him. She was right, it was very warm. Somehow it was that tender motion that got his face heating up. It was just very cute? How was he supposed to handle that? Maybe a little break was a good idea.

"Yeah, it is." He turned his head just enough to press another kiss to her hair and murmur near her ear. "Really, really warm. It's nice though, right?"

[daikonrose]

Kyoko closed her eyes with that little kiss, keeping her face buried against him. Ah, she really was a mess already, huh? "Mm-hm." Slipping the hand at his cheek around, she settled it at the nape of his neck instead. Even if the smooches were on pause, no going anywhere please. Her voice came out muffled. "I'm still not used to it, but it's really... really nice."

[whenyouneedme]

Not to worry, he wasn't planning on going anywhere. As if to prove it, he was playfully hooking his ankle around hers. Definitely, no going anywhere at all. "Good," he said with another smooch. "Hoped it would be." That wandering hand of his hand found a home right there at her hip, his thumb tracing small circles through her shirt. "Didn't know you were gonna be this cute."

[daikonrose]

That slow tease of his thumb had already kicked her heart rate up, but then he dropped that line on her and Kyoko was down for the count. "Huh..." She was vibrating, blushing far enough down her shoulders that Kai might even be able to see it. "Huh...!! Huh?!?"

[whenyouneedme]

... Huh. Kai couldn't help the soft laugh that tumbled out of him, endeared by this complete bafflement. "What? I knew you were gonna be pretty cute. Did you not know you were cute?"

[daikonrose]

"I'm not!!" That was just inaccurate, sir! She had to leave her hiding place against his neck to look at him now, earnest. "I'm not trying to be cute! I've been serious this whole time!"

[whenyouneedme]

He blinked at her. "I wasn't saying that you weren't! I mean more.... uh..." Time to fumble around, trying to find the right word for this. "Mmm..." Give him a second. He's really trying. Hold on.

"Charming? Irresistible. Both of those?" Kai paused, that fluster from earlier really catching up to him now that he had to like. Say words. "Irresistible sounds kinda weird out loud..."