♥ May (Ealom) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

May (Ealom) Event Log

Despite the fact that spacetime has been a bit questionable in recent days, the seasons carry on as they should. Spring has begun to grow warmer, the scent of flourishing local flowers often in the air as they are set out to decorate native shops and homes with a burst of lively color. On a larger scale, the march of time flows as inexorable and steady as ever; the question is if that will remain the case for long.

---

❥ PROMPT I: Days of Future Past

Randomly throughout the city and following days, the scenery immediately before you may begin to waver as if rising steam distorts the air. The aura shimmers, then suddenly solidifies into a thin, golden line that abruptly opens sideways and upwards forming a window, which cannot be physically interacted with. Stand before this "window" long enough, and you may begin to see imagines of a past Havenwell...

1. For those who have explored the city limits of Havenwell, they might be familiar with the ruins. If a character is atop a roof and looking out at the city scape, this vision depicts these ruins as destitute no longer. Instead, the buildings remain upright, tall, and in pristine condition. The tops of these buildings are crowned with small gardens, and their terraced architecture allows for flower-covered vines to spill all the way from the roofs to the paved streets below. The metropolis glimmers like a treasure trove in the waning sunlight, peaceful and grand. Continue watching this vision, and little lights within the buildings begin to blink on as evening dips into night. Within some buildings are those still toiling late at work, while other residents greet their families as they return.

Curiously, some of those preparing to have their dinners with their family seem to engage in some sort of familial prayer, joining hands and reciting words. Others link hands and stand with their backs touching, tipping their heads so that the back of their heads touch, a ritual that some off-worlders may recognize.

As for appearances within this window to the past, the locals are now flesh-and-blood. They are humanoid in appearance, bipedal, with two sets of eyes, one nose, and a mouth, but some have a few others features. Some sport feline-like ears puffing atop their heads, others have some that are distinctly more mouse-like, rounded as they converse. A family of those with scales, horns, and a tail, similar to the statues in Rawna's temple, begin to dine. A loving couple toasts to each other, and as they raises their arms, their luxurious wings almost sweep the ground.

2.For those who are walking by the research towers, another window appears, depicting how the facility appeared before. Two researchers leave the campus in good spirits, sitting on a bench just outside. One of them holds a clipboard while the other sports a briefcase and thermos. While you cannot peer further into the vision, a snippet of their conversation can be heard clearly.

"OM1 was a success, wasn't it?" The research chimes, bringing a hand rub at the feathers upon his chin. "That's great news. Thing's get better for the planet soon."

"Yeah, I can't wait to get out of this body in general," the second researcher laughs as her pointed, fluffy ears atop her head swivel in the direction of her companion. "I'm tired of these ol' bones already."

"Old? You're a decade younger than me!"

3. Outside of the temple of Ainea, two locals, their bodies fully metallic, are having a discussion. One is draped in the stole of a priest, while the other wears a white lab coat.

"The satellite didn't work," the researcher says. Frustration and defeat can be heard within his voice. "We haven't given up on making a beacon, but we can't afford to send another. It's up to the congregation now."

"Peace, friend," the priest replies. Although his tone is calm, it is no less morose. "It's in the gods' hands now."

These scenes, among others (which you are free to write, taking inspiration from the lore collection along with some newly released entries!), can play out for passers-by, scattered throughout the city for the rest of the month. Some are unique, some will repeat; some are inconsequential, some feel startlingly important, as though you can feel what those in the memory must have felt in the moment. It's a strange experience, overall. As if the world is remembering itself.

❥ PROMPT II: The Antiques Homeshow

With all the windows to time opening up here and there in town, the city is buzzing with excitement and nostalgia as the natives' memory banks are jump-started by familiar sights thought long gone. Seeing their old selves and visions of their old haunts has them invigorated in a way most haven't felt in centuries. But as time wears on, people will start to notice that the windows aren't just for looking through.

It starts with a giant tree, nearly 4 stories tall and meters thick, popping up in the middle of the Entertainment District's streets. Then scattered reports of outer city buildings and areas suddenly disappearing, replaced with tents or campfires. Finally, it happens - your own home is now host to these weird time windows and your things are experiencing the same problems as areas around the city.

Maybe your replicator has just turned into an actual pantry, with perishable food items that may or may not be familiar to you. Weird fruits and vegetables, something that seems like flour? Or is it salt? A salty flour that’s apparently some sort of yeast? Who knows! Good luck finding out. What about your bed? What used to be a comfortable double with plush pillows is abruptly a straw mat with mice! Or a giant four-post canopy king-sized bed made for a room that is definitely 6 times bigger than what you have, and it has completely subsumed your room to the point where you can’t open the door anymore. Hopefully you’re cool with climbing in and out of the windows instead!

Maybe the changes are less obtrusive for some. Their favorite coffee cup is now a jeweled goblet. Their clothes have gone from the height of modern fashion to the height of “what era is this?” fashion. Their carefully cultivated garden is now a wild, overgrown jungle! The time windows seem to be sending in objects from every era, past and future, creating havoc both big and small across the city.

Thankfully, however, these changes don’t seem to be permanent. If the object is removed from its window area, it reverts back to its original form over time. However, damaging anything from the past has unforeseen consequences in the future, so do be careful. Cutting down that tree could mean a building in the future doesn’t get built, or removing a flower from the jungle may lead to the extinction of a known Havenwell plant! Or maybe it does nothing. Time is weird that way. Good luck with stepping on that butterfly effect!

❥ PROMPT III: Powering the Conduits

Another joint announcement comes from the researchers and priests, and they are happy to report they've been investigating and fine-tuning the prototype crystal conduits as developed by a few off-worlders. These past two weeks, they've been vigorously testing and retesting the prototype's effects on the caustic atmosphere of the outside world. Whereas the first version caused a thinning of what heavy, mysterious miasma hangs in the air, it was unable to project a proper barrier or last long. They hope to refine what the dedicated off-worlders started, and for that, they need volunteers.

Specifically, they need volunteers to help charge these individual crystal-conduits' with the power generated through touch! Researchers will be handing out these small, amber-colored crystals to those who are interested in helping, encouraging the off-worlder to wear the and hold someone's hand, hug them, or be especially lovely-dovey-kissy-wissy with whomever their SO may be. This is in the name of science, it's very important. But be warned, since these are still being tested, a few unlocking people may have experience a couple side effects:

Creating One's Own Personal Barrier: It seems rather counter-intuitive, but when the crystals are overcharged, they may automatically project a barrier that expands, pulses in an unstable fashion, and then shrinks around the wearer and whomever they're engaging in touch, trapping you both. Thankfully, this will last a few minutes at most before the barrier vanishes.

Siphoning Power: Some of the crystals may have been accidentally programed to take too much power from those wearing the crystal-conduit, causing whomever is wearing the gem to rapidly begin to deteriorate in energy and health. Effects can be a little as feeling tired, to outright collapsing.

When your crystal-conduit is fully charged, the researchers ask that they be delivered back to the towers for further analysis.

---

This event will run from 15 May to 31 May. 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

Prompto Argentum | OTA

[this_loser]

[Help Wanted]
[The bar, for the most part, isn't too affected by time shenanegans. Sure, parts of it look like it had pre-upgrade. And the distillery is missing. But for the most part, it's operational.

Oh, and there's no food, unless one really enjoys nachos. But that has less to do with the weird goings-on, and more because Insomnia 2.0's cook has "gone home". Ignis had been teaching Prompto to cook - but Prom isn't confident enough in those new abilities to actually sell the food he makes.

So after taking some time to mourn, he slaps a sign on the door.

HELP WANTED
Inquire Within]


[Conduit]

1. [He's not feeling particularly affectionate right now, but this is for Science and the betterment of the world, right? So naturally, the first thing he does is hold the crystal up to the light and take some pictures of it. Or maybe he's just procrastinating. But eventually, he'll start hunting around for a crystal-charging partner.]

2. [Once he's found a partner, he's content to sit and hold hands and make small-talk. Until a barrier springs up around them. No one mentioned side-effects.]

Is this supposed to happen?

help wanted

[carbungle]

[Noctis had technically been the bouncer since Cloud's disappearance, but it mostly comes down to chilling at the bar or playing with his phone, since most folks are pretty chill when they visit. It's a very easy job with a more flexible schedule than any he grew up with, which means he feels no guilt being a little late. Hence, Prompto beat him to the bar the day the sign goes up. He pauses at the door, studying for a moment, quietly putting the pieces together. Then, inside he goes, calling out,]

You could've just asked, you know.

[this_loser]

You already have a job!

[Not that being a bouncer at the most relaxed bar in the most relaxed city in the universe is in any way demanding or needed. But he likes having his BFF around.

The voice comes from a back room, before Prompto pokes his head out.]

You wanna cook for me?

[Help Wanted]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis is rather glad to see that the bar isn't being affected by odd time slips going on. One had appeared in Valeo earlier and had thrown him for quite the loop. He's still trying to shake the odd feeling as he arrives, carrying two newly potted fire flowers in his hands. Bars aren't really known for their flora, but he's certain that Prompto won't mind having something to brighten the place up, especially now that Ignis is gone.

Besides, if the sign on the door is any indication, he could likely use the company. Plants aren't the same as people--especially when those people are ones you really care about--but they are better than nothing, and much better than any cooking Regis could offer. He might have improved during the time Ardyn's spent teaching him, but cooking is one skill he will never feel he has mastered.]

Greetings, Prompto. How are things today?

Re: [Help Wanted]

[this_loser]

[The office in the back suddenly becoming a storage room was startling, and inconvenient, as he was planning on taking a nap on the couch. The bar Prompto is leaning over is intact, and a bar is all a bar really needs!

He looks up and smiles as Regis enters.]

Getting by. [He tilts his head at the flowers.] Whatcha got there?

joins the help wanted train

[scourgingstars]

[Well, what else was he going to do? Gods forbid he just pass by a sign like that, rather than stick his head in the door.]

...Hello, anyone home?

conduit - 2

[iustaegis]

...Oh!

[ She seems surprised by the presence of a barrier appearing around them. The effect is stronger than she had expected. ]

I'm... not sure. But it's-- working. [ The cautious tone in her voice quickly turns excited. ] And with the outside, erm, weather seeming to be less harsh, maybe it'll stand a better chance.

Honerva | ota

[shroudedsecrets]

( iii. the things we do For Science )

[ While it's possible that some might recall the initial work being referenced, this aspect of it is a little new, and while Honerva has not spoken too much of it, the fact that this project is now being presented to other offworlders as an activity has certainly caught her notice.

So, she is actively volunteering. Whether the experiment is a pre-planned arrangement or if someone seemed curious about learning information pertaining to it after the local's broadcast--maybe the place of choice is a cozy spot where one can observe an inexplicable vision window or something not being quite right in the area while considering the crystals they're charging.

Surely, this will all go smoothly, right? ]

( wildcard )

[ Or you know, come visit Affurgato! or any of the other options for chatting if science isn't your thing. ]

iii

[scourgingstars]

Well, this is certainly nice.

[And who else would be more perfect to enlist for an afternoon of handholding-based science?]

I would not have expected to be of much use to your hard work in any academic sense, so I admit I'm thrilled to be of aid like this.

( iii. the things we do For Science )

[kingkingcxiii]

Considering how little the priests cared about this experiment not long ago, I didn't think this day would come so fast. I wonder how much their change of heart has to do with the memories that are returning to them in bits and pieces.

[Regis gives her a smile and motions to a seat next to her.]

May I join you?

iii

[necromanswers]

[Thank god holding hands for science is the norm around here, or this would be very weird. As it is, Lup's eyes are periodically turning silver as she does a magic check on the crystal, making sure everything's still working as it should. Or at least, to the best of her understanding of it... she just can't turn off those artificer habits.]

So, like. Is it working as intended, you think? Did they replicate your prototype well enough?

[It seems like it, but looks can be deceiving admittedly.]

Shinji Ikari | OTA

[hedgehogsdilemma]

I
This. Is not his beautiful garden.

This is clearly someone else's beautiful garden, which has opened up and swallowed the efforts he's put into the yard of his home. It's not much of a jungle, but the plants that are flourishing here are absolutely nothing like what he's planted. Strange fruit bushes and beautiful flowers, carefully tended to and cultivated with care, blooming largely and wonderfully.

Uh... huh.

He is torn somewhere between awe and panic - this is something worth admiring! But! What! Happened to all of the plants that were here before!!

"What in the...?"


II
Testing out devices the off-worlders helped make, huh? Interesting... very interesting. Such a collaborative effort surely means that it's worth looking into, and eventually Shinji finds himself with one of the crystal conduits in his temporary possession. He's not about to get all touchy-feely with simply whomever, but a friendly face? Someone who he's cool with casual contact? Hey, maybe they can charge up one of these things!

i

[necromanswers]

Don't mind Lup, she's just passing by, but something about the cadence of his tone as he observes the state of his garden is very familiar, so she's peaking over the fence/gate/whatever his house has going on to see what's up. And yeah, looks kind of weird over there.

"Oh shit, yours too?"

II kicks down the door

[whenyouneedme]

Oh hey. Conduits! Kai remembered these-- something like these that were in the works, at least. He'd volunteered to wear one around when Pyra had posted about them ages ago, so it only made sense to volunteer for it a second time.

This felt like a whole lot easier of a volunteer mission anyway. Arranging a visit out the walls was a whole thing. Being especially lovey-dovey-kissey-wissey? Now that he had easy access to.

Hello Shinji. Here came a familiar, friendly face. Perhaps you were cool with casual contact with the fellow coming to slide an arm around your shoulders. "Hey."

Nico di Angelo | OTA

[wakemelater]

I. Days of Future Past
[When the first window opens, Nico is a few steps from his home. Whatever his original destination was, it's forgotten. He watches a scene play out, feeling a little guilty. It feels like looking in on someone else's memory. But he doesn't feel guilty enough not to look. The appearance of the locals as they had been is interesting to him.

He moves up to a rooftop to see if the phenomena is happening elsewhere, and spends a long while looking at visions of past-Havenwell.

When he tires of that, he sets off to hunt for more windows. Even if one is already occupied, he'll slide in to watch too.]

II. Dreamwalking - For Teo
[As soon as he falls asleep, Nico quickly abandons the clutter of memories that make up his dreams for the fuzzy gray landscape that makes up the space between. He'd told Teo he would try to find him, which is the tricky part. He doesn't know what Teo's dreams look like, and he's only met the guy once.

Eventually, he stops and concentrates. And also yells Teo's name. It might work!]

Wildcard
[Open to anything! Though the dream prompt is directed at Teo, if anyone else wants to play in dreamland, hit me up~ (deadtea]

II

[ghoulserrand]

[Abandoning the clutter of disjointed memories is always the hardest part for him. Being conscious in the waking world is what sets him apart from the other dead. Being conscious while asleep too, well that's asking a lot. He still doesn't know how he did it the first time.

He's caught in a gorey slideshow of fractured memory and even older splinters of life. He's not particularly thinking of how to escape. But something calls his name. Someone, and the voice calls from deeper in the dream. He has the vaguest sense of drifting. He tries to move his limbs with purpose. And then-

He wakes with a start in the diner. The golden light streaming through is the same as before. Everyone in it is the same. He's the same. A laugh of relief escapes him and he doesn't even choke on it.

He pushes himself up and slips out of the booth, making his way across the tile, taking in the sounds of radio crackling. He pushes out the front door and this time pauses in the entry way so he doesn't simply drop into water like the first time. He gears up and hops to the first stone. But, rather than an endless sea with stepping stones, this time it all seems to fade into fog. He frowns.]

NICO!

[He cups his hands around his mouth and yells again.]

NICOOO!

[What is he doing? Is he really yelling into the abyss and hoping for the best? This is stupid. He tries to hop to another stone and hopes the fog lifts the further he goes.]

days of future past

[tempusfinis]

[ Oh hey, it's this kid...

Machina doesn't appear to mind the company in watching one of the visions the windows present. This one appears to be of a family settling down to dine together. ]

Do you recognize this type of magic...?

Or technology.

[ What with this world having living robots, perhaps there's not much distinction between the two. ]

noctis lucis caelum | ota

[carbungle]

( ii: antiques are boring, climb a tree )

[It's impossible not to notice that the statue in the central square has been replaced by a mystery tree, and after passing by it once or twice resisting the urge to poke around, Noctis finally caves. After circling it a few times, pressing hands against the bark to verify it's solid enough, he takes the plunge and warps up to one of the lower branches in a flash of blue energy, stabilizing his landing against the trunk and giving the wood beneath him a good shake. The leaves flutter and shiver together, a few breaking free to fall below- and those, too, seem real.]

Wonder how old this thing is? It looks like it's been growing forever.


( iii: conduits )

[What's that, an excuse to take a nap? (Or feign it, at least.) Noctis doesn't need encouragement when the sleepiness kicks in, so whoever's unfortunate enough to be partnered up with him to power the crystals might find him tilting wearily in their direction, a convenient pillow. Sorry? (Not sorry.) You can shove him off, it's okay.]

for pyra - may 22

[carbungle]

[Part 1 of Epic Birthday Date had gone off without a hitch, and despite it all being virtual, Noctis is still feeling the adrenaline rush. He'd never gotten the chance to do escape rooms back in Insomnia (a little too real, some of them, and the risk of a royal being trapped even under playful circumstances was a security nightmare he didn't want to put his poor Crownsguard team through) and the real-life versions in Solheim's ruins kind of dragged the fun out of the concept. A virtual escape room toed the line between 'safe' and 'real enough to scare the shit out of you, like a good horror movie' that made for a pretty fun time. As they unplug from the VR machines, he grins at Pyra, feeling a bit flustered even though they hadn't literally been running around solving puzzles.]

We were cutting it close by the end there... up for a victory selfie?

ii

[scourgingstars]

[Unsurprisingly, Noctis was not the only one that got the bright idea to warp up into the giant tree.]

[Less surprisingly was the fact that a little higher up was violet hair sticking out against all the green leaves, Ardyn fast asleep in the considerable amount of shade with his arms folded bhind his head.]

iii: conduits

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis can't help but smile gently as he feels the weight lean into his shoulder. Part of him is tempted just to let his son doze, but he also knows Noctis may feel embarrassed if he does so. As a result, eventually he gives his son a gentle nudge.]

You know, you could just tell me how boring I am instead of falling asleep while I'm talking.

ardyn | ota

[scourgingstars]

[ii;]

[In that new or perhaps old enormous tree, somewhere around a height most would call 'unreasonable, it might have been possible for someone with sharp eyes to catch bright violet hair and light-colored clothes in between the branches.]

[Or specifically, sleeping on one.]

[It might be a little tough to get his attention, unless one was exceptionally good at climbing or had wings.]

[..Or could throw small objects particularly well.]

[iii;]

[Ardyn turned the small crystal over in his hand a few times; he definitely didn't quite grasp the entire process behind creating it, but the method of charging was simple enough.]

Well, there's hardly much else to do but make the effort, is there not? [He laughed under his breath, holding out his free hand to the nearest person that seemed to have any interest in the concept.] Could I trouble you for your aid?

[wildcard;]

[anything else you want/i didn't think of, go for it]

[ii;]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Throwing small objects. Regis can do that well, but instead of just doing so immediately, he stands by the tree watching that tuft of familiar hair and thinking about if he should or should not do what he is considering.

It's been a while since he tested his warping skill, so really he should see if he has gotten rusty.

The first warp pass isn't that close to Ardyn really, but slowly, Regis passes closer and closer waiting to see how long it takes for his uncle to notice he's being buzzed.

Look, sometimes one just has to give in and act like they are six once and a while.]

machina | ota

[tempusfinis]

Days of Future Past

[ Perhaps it's the result of being one of the newer folks in town, but he doesn't quite understand the significance of what the windows show.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Machina watches with distant interest the scenes as they play out. However, whatever magic or technology is behind the visions... that's a far more intriguing, and perplexing, phenomenon. He dips his head forward by a slight degree. ]

Gotta wonder how these windows work, huh...

Powering the Conduits: Barrier

[ Well. This is not what he had expected to happen while volunteering to help power up a conduit via touch. (Just hold hands, they had said. It'll be fine, they said.) Now that it has, it couldn't be more uncomfortable. Firstly, he's fairly new to this world. That means that whoever he's managed to be stuck with is basically a stranger. Secondly, no one likes to be kept within a barrier with one's personal space completely ignored.

Machina raises a hand in a loose fist, tapping the back of his knuckles against the barrier that's appeared around you and him. ] It's more solid than I expected... [ He at least tries to sound not as disgruntled as his expression comes across. Additionally, he knows that since he's the one who had asked for someone to join him, he's the one who owes an apology for roping another into this mess. Stupid. He should have known better.

Letting some of his frustration go, Machina addresses you. ]

Sorry. Didn't expect this to happen when they asked for volunteers.

Powering the Conduits: Siphon

[ Ever the one to be dedicated to the cause, it seems that Machina has been diligently wearing one of the crystal-conduits as requested. Unfortunately for him, the one he's gotten is the one in which it takes his power.

...Which means that by the end of the day when he thinks he's fine, he's absolutely not. Watch him as he stumbles against a bench and then outright collapses. ]

Siphon

[this_loser]

[Prompto is already veering off path to approach the boy, having noticed he didn't look all that stable. He breaks into a run once the other drops, skidding to a halt beside him and bending down to wave a hand over his face.]

Hey there, buddy. Need some help?