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

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?"

It's true, she can't really imagine Shinji leaving her right now, but...! "I've kept you out here in the cold so long already," she laments. "It's not fair, letting you suffer for the sake of watching over me."

"I'll be fine, Kyoko."

He can survive some chilly weather for her sake! It's not that big of a deal! With that thought, he straightens up, exhaling softly. It doesn't seem like he'll be able to figure anything out just by looking at her, she's just... suddenly very sleepy.

"You don't have to worry about me right now, okay?"

"But it is a worry!" She's just full-on pouting now, only looking even more like a child when she has to yawn again before she can say, "A-at least sit down, if you won't go ahead."

Fine, fine...! "All right." He'll take his spot back on the bench, though he's not sure he'll be able to really relax as long as he's on alert for potential Kyoko troubles. If it'll help put her at ease, then that's what's important.

"Just... let me know if you start to feel better or worse. I don't want to wait too long if things start to get too out of hand."

"I don't even feel bad," she yawned, the pout quickly fading out as he sat down. Good. She was still being a burden, but this felt a little better at least. Relieved, she lets out a little sigh, head dipping again. "Nothing's... out of..." Hm? Just let her close her eyes for a minute.

Out of...?

Oh. Oh dear. Kyoko is out.

"H-hey...!" There's some small comfort to be had in the fact that she didn't feel bad leaving up to this, but, uh, this doesn't seem good either way!! Here comes one hand, gripping her shoulder firmly. "Kyoko?"

That hand at her shoulder would probably serve as a good safety cushion for Shinji as Kyoko slumped towards him, her breath slowing and deepening towards sleep.

"Ha...mburger steak..."

Well said, Kyoko.

At least he's given himself some room to catch her as she slumps forward. For as much of a shock as it is, the sleepy mumbling does put some more immediate worries about what could be happening to rest, but this is still not... great. Okay, he definitely needs to get her home one way or another.

Let's give waking her up another shot, first.

"Kyoko," he tries again, a hint of panic rising in his voice despite his efforts to keep his tone steady, "can you get up?"

"... So beautiful..." Kyoko sighed, slumping a little more heavily into the warm body beside her. "Shining... gold... Mr. Yolk...'

At least she is dreaming of a delicious meal....... Someone gets to have a nice time right now.

But. Okay. What... what can he do now? He wants to get her home, obviously, but could he carry her that far? He's gotten a bit of muscle from his gardening adventures, but that's probably a different group of them compared to having to carry a whole other person somewhere. Hm. Hmm.

"Kyoko," he says in the off-chance that she'll be able to hear him. Carefully, he shifts around and pulls her arms up around his shoulders. Can we go ahead and get those over his shoulders as he turns his back toward her? Let's piggyback this, that should be doable. "I'm gonna get you home, okay?"

It was a beautiful dream.

One she was determined not to wake from just yet, because, aside from a few little "hmn"s and "unh"s and mumbles about sweet demi-glace, Kyoko didn't stir. Aside from her weight, she would be shockingly easy to maneuver and mold to Shinji's whims. Off they go, then??

Doesn't she deserve to have beautiful dreams? If Shinji can't rouse her from them, then he'll just be forced to let her live her dreams for a while longer. That's fine, he can just go ahead and shift everyone around until he manages to get her leaning onto his back as securely as he can and holds on to her legs. Slowly he lifts himself up off the bench, finding himself a bit unsteady but figuring if he goes nice and steady, he can keep this up until they get home. Off they go indeed!

"Sorry, Kyoko." She had been so adamant about not being a burden! Hopefully(?) she won't wake up before they get back, so she doesn't know that he ended up doing this for her. "We shouldn't be too long."

It's a shame Shinji doesn't know anybody with a vehicle capable of carrying a passenger or two. Truly, this suffering is his only option. What a noble fellow.

Unfortunately, it's a long while before Kyoko stirs at all--and then it's to pull an arm up octopus-like across his neck. Hello.

Yeah, if he knew someone like that, he'd probably also be worried about pulling him away from work, or not being able to take care of hiccups like this on his own. But also suffering is what he does best, so suffer it will be. How truly terrible of a fate, to have to help a friend get home safely.

Safely, until this sleeping Kyoko attempts to give his neck a squeeze. That's less safe. His breath hitches with a startled "Gk-!" and his movement freezes for a moment so he doesn't accidentally throw himself off-balance in surprise. He's not sure he'd be able to keep a secure hold of her if he frees up one of his arms to try and loosen that hold, so before that hold can get too tight, he instead tries once again to call out, "K-Kyoko?"

You awake back there? Or just dead asleep still?

"Hmmnh..." There was another shift, as Kyoko rested her head more snugly on top of Shinji's. There, very comfy. "Poke th' middle," she muttered, slinging her other arm up to rest on top of the first, in front of Shinji's face. "'ll get all... round..."

Kyoko please you're being unreasonable.

As long as he can see and breathe, this isn't... completely unworkable, but boy oh boy does it make things way more difficult. He leans forward a bit more, hoping that the gravity might loosen her hold somewhat and facilitate the rest of the trip being that much easier. Please, Kyoko.... please.

Shinji was gonna have to tell her all about how difficult she'd been later, so she could apologize. There was no reprieve now.

For a moment her arms did loosen a bit, draping down in front of him in their hold, but it wasn't meant to be. Only a few moments of this lasted before Kyoko sighed into his hair, and her arms readjusted for a snugger hold.

Okay, so that plan was a bust. Maybe he should just cut his losses here, and deal with his position as long as he can, if trying to get her to loosen up that hold is just going to get her to redouble her efforts.

It's... fine? This is Fine. He'll just get started moving again, trying to hustle along a bit faster this time. Please don't squeeze him any harder as he does his best to rush them both the rest of the way!

Sorry Shinji, you're just very cuddleable, as it turns out. A super comfortable cushion carrying her on this trip through dreamland.

As he sets off on his perilous journey, Kyoko sighs, and seems to settle into a deeper snooze. She's not squeezing any tighter, but she sure seems content with the current set-up. Home might even be in view before she stirs again, raising her head to blink at this strange viewpoint, letting out a groggy, "H...uh?"

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