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!

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There is, in fact, a very brief moment where Shinji wonders if he could just squirm his way out of this. But, no, that would absolutely make things worse, so he waits patiently for Kyoko to return.

"That... that seems a little excessive."

Surely if she just wanted to plop some ice on it, that would still already be a bit much? But more reasonable?

"It's not excessive!" If she'd brought the ice out now, it would have had to wait while she plopped down beside him and whipped out the antiseptic. There is a thought process here! "Hold still," is the next command, and she's already moving in, here comes that good stinging action.

Hold still he will. The sting is still there, but with that warning, he can bite back any obvious reaction.

Still, hadn't she had to do something like this for him before? It's a hazy memory, weird from the circumstances surrounding it, like it had been in the distant past instead of a year and a half ago. Scraped up hands and teary eyes, him being ultimately unable to properly take care of his own injuries....

"You don't have to do this, you know. I can take care of it, and you can go rest."

His own injuries... which had been cause by Kyoko. Funny how both those details stayed consistent.

But ah... that's right, it's not lie Shinji's a little kid, so as long as he's actually willing to tend to his scrape... isn't she kind of overstepping? She really should just let him do it. "Ah... right," she smiles a little, embarrassed and uncertain, and sets the antiseptic down with the bandages. "It's better if you do this kind of thing, I guess." But rather than rest, she smooths her hands over her lap, looking awkwardly to the side for a moment, before springing to her feet. "I--I'll go ahead and get you some ice while you're doing that!"

His own injuries that he's absolutely never going to put any blame on Kyoko for. If he can even get her to not blame herself, that would actually be ideal! But he's also very positive that he won't be able to pull it off. In his heart, at least, none of this is her fault.

Even if he were willing to let her shoulder any of that blame, however, he still doesn't feel right about making her take the reigns for the treatment. It feels too much like it would be rubbing her nose in her mistake, no matter how much she gravitates towards taking care of them when given the chance normally.

So, he reaches over to pick up the antiseptic and finish cleaning up that scrape even before she hops to her feet. When she does, he doesn't have it in him to turn her offer down, even if he'd be more than fine with her taking the opportunity to chill out instead. "Ah... thank you."

Shinji might not want to rub Kyoko's nose in her mistake, but she was more than willing to do that all on her own. Really, she'd rest a little easier if he'd just give her a proper scolding about the whole thing, but he won't! So her need to atone is even greater! But he won't let her do that either! It's awful.

Coaxing an adequate amount of ice from the replicator does take a bit longer than grabbing their first aid kit had, but Kyoko still returns pretty soon, a load of it neatly tied up in a kitchen towel. "Here--ah, but it's a good idea to elevate it too, right? Pillows, then, pillows--" Let her just set down the ice and go fetch some!

By the time Kyoko returns with the ice, Shinji's finished cleaning up and bandaging the scrape, so all the remaining first aid supplies have been placed neatly off to the side. Easy peasy.

So with the ice at hand, that's all he'll really need--

wh

hey!!!

"W-wait!" Before she can dart off, he reaches for her wrist to keep her from leaving. "This is plenty, really!"

His hand latches around her wrist, and Kyoko almost stumbles before she stops. Turning to look over her shoulder at Shinji, she frowns, awkward again. "But... but it'll help, I think. For real."

He frowns back.

"It's just a bruise," probably, "it will heal just fine with this, it's already more than I would have done for it on my own."

"But," she feels increasingly silly, but she just can't bring herself let it go, "it could be something worse. If it becomes something worse later, I won't know what to do, but right now I do know, so..." She gently tugs her wrist away.

When she tries to pull away, Shinji knows his heart wouldn't be able to keep holding on, not with such a sound argument and dejected look behind it. He lets his hand slip away from her wrist, freeing her to go and do as she pleases.

"All right..." He won't keep her, but he won't be thrilled about it. "But after that, you've done more than enough, Kyoko."

Kyoko didn't answer--because it didn't feel like she'd done enough yet! She still felt awful about everything! She wasn't done atoning!--and only hurried off to collect the pillows. When she returned a few moments later--with just two, see, she restrained herself--she only set them down beside Shinji. He could do it himself, don't insult him!

"... We don't have to share the couch if you want to lay down."

Did she want to share the couch...? He didn't see that coming, figuring she'd probably rather be on her own while she's resting, but if that's not what she had in mind... Shinji collects those pillows as he scoots over a bit. Not that he really needed to make room for her, but the gesture feels necessary.

"You can be here, too." There's always going to be room for her, if that's what she wants. He takes a moment to rearrange himself, sliding one of those pillows under his knee and re-settling the ice on top of it. "I'm not going to chase you off."

"You wouldn't be chasing me," she insists, but she sits down beside him all the same. "Even if I don't sit on the couch, I could still be in here. Like I said, we'll both watch over each other this time." Shinji cannot banish her from the living room, he is not that powerful (except he could if he really wanted to). Look, she's already reaching for the sewing kit she left out on the coffee table, ready to settle in.

Even if she was still in the room, what would the plan be besides the couch? Let her potentially fall asleep on the floor? He's not going to do that, not when the couch is the best possible place for it in that scenario.

If she's going to settle in so easily, though, there's no reason to worry. And look at that, she even has something to keep her busy! Shinji... does not, but he can find other ways to keep his mind off the ache in his knee while he tries to relax. Watching what Kyoko's up to is a good distraction, and after a moment he softly asks, "What are you making?"

There's nothing wrong with the floor! Kyoko is good friends with the floor! It's a nice floor!

But for now it's the couch, though with the lingering awkwardness Kyoko can't quite get comfortable. She's glad to have something to work on, at least, working her crochet hook steadily through red yarn. "--Ah?" The soft voice was a surprise, but it shouldn't have been. Kyoko grins a little, sheepish. "Oh--this is going to be a throw blanket. Since it's getting colder and colder, I thought it would be good to have another one to keep out here."

The floor is plenty nice but the couch is objectively a better snoozing spot!

And a better crocheting spot, honestly. Shinji can get a better look at the process, which is seriously fascinating to someone without that kind of skill under his belt. Watching a simple bundle of yarn get transformed into something so nice and useful... incredible work, Kyoko, truly.

"That would be good," he agrees. "You don't mind if I watch, do you?"

If only snoozing were happening!

But it is not, the effects of the fruit seem to have been shaken off at least for now. Craft time only. "I don't mind," Kyoko quickly assures, though there's a small flush to her cheeks. She really doesn't think it's going to be that interesting to watch such a repetitive motion! But if he's really interested, of course it's fine. After a beat, a thought occurs to her.

"Did... you want to try it, maybe?"

That offer is made, and Shinji has to take a second to try and work out if it's a matter of her genuinely wanting to share this hobby, or if it's a more practical approach of giving him something to do while she busies herself. He'd never actually considered trying it for himself, figuring crafty things simply weren't in his wheelhouse, but... hm.

"I don't know if I'd be any good," he answers honestly, "but if you don't mind showing me, I can try."

Really, Kyoko's main hesitation had been that Shinji would balk at the suggestion he participate in such a feminine pastime--she wasn't trying to insult him! Truly!! She'd just thought if he was interested enough to want to watch, he might be interested enough to actually do it!

Whether she was off base with that or not, Shinji agrees--thank goodness, he wasn't put off. "I don't mind!" Kyoko chirps, brightening as she reaches for her sewing kit again. "And it took me a long time to figure out how to do it, but the nice thing about crochet is that it's easy to undo and try again. I think it'll be easier to learn if you start from the beginning, so let's see--ah, here." She passed a hook, just a size up from the one she was using, his way. "What color yarn do you want? Besides this, I have some purple, and some white."

Watching something rhythmic like a blanket being made one stitch at a time seemed to Shinji like a nice thing to lean some of his attention to as a distraction, but wouldn't getting a crash course be even better for it? So... yeah, let's give this a try.

Hook in hand and soft "Thank you," offered, he's now given The Choice. "Oh, um, purple, I guess?"

Purple it is, then, good job Making A Decision, Shinji. Kyoko plops the chosen yarn skein into his lap, and pulls free one end. "So then! You start with a slip knot around the hook, and then you'll make a chain--like this, you see--" Her hands join his for a few moments to guide him through the motions. "You just keep catching the yarn with the hook like that, and pulling it through, nice and steady."

It was a very simple decision, low stakes, but thank you for the praise regardless.

He easily sits back and lets her guide him for the initial chain of stitches, watching closely to puzzle out how exactly everything works together. "I see," he mutters softly. She does it so effortlessly, but even while getting an up-close look at it, it feels like magic watching the yarn become something else.

"Just... like that?"

Anything else he should keep in mind?

"Just like that!" she chirps, and then presses the yarn and hook back into his hands. "It gets a little more complicated when you add on rows and make shapes and so on, but the foundation is always pretty much like this. I think the best thing is to just focus on this part until you're used to it--ah, or until you're bored." He does not have to continue if he decides he's not into it! Don't get carried away already, Kyoko.

Okay... okay, he can give this a shot for a while. Until when.... well, he's not really sure, if this is going to serve as a distraction, he probably won't get bored with it.

So, he will give it a shot...! Moving the hook and yarn carefully, like he's trying hard to avoid making any mistakes even though there's no way his unpracticed hand is going to make an elegant looking stitch. One... two... and three down the chain, "Like this?"

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