♥ 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.

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❥ 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.

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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

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"Hm?" Sometimes a yawn is just a yawn! Sometimes you gotta yawn. It's okay, there's no reason to give him that pointed look! "Mm, yeah. I didn't think I was very tired before, but maybe when we get back home I'll rest up for a bit."

[whenyouneedme]

Perhaps someone had just yawned nearby. The yawns got him. Oh no. Kai looked at him a bit longer, but a compromise had already been neatly laid out right there. Hm! Hmmm.

"Sounds good. Bet a nap's a fast track to chargin' one of these guys."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"Power it up without even realizing it, huh?" Just spend some cozy time in bed together, get so much juice for these conduits. A perfect plan! One to keep tucked away for after they finish this little impromptu date/nephew visit. He gives Kai's hand an extra squeeze, "Mmhm, we'll see how charged up these ones get before then."

Maybe they'll be able to get a few of these bad boys filled up! How neat would that be.

[whenyouneedme]

It would be super neat! They'd be such helpful lads. That hand got a happy squeeze right back. "Mhm. See if we need to pick up any more on the way home." Who knew if they were just the most efficient batteries ever. It was too soon to say! They'd find out.

For now they could just make their way to the zoo without any issues. (Probably.) There would be the occasional glance to see how Shinji was doing, but nothing was getting pressed. He was gonna! Listen to his boyfriend! If he said he was fine then he was fine (until he wasn't fine).

[hedgehogsdilemma]

What a good boyfriend you are, Kai! If they were settling into a comfortable quiet while walking, that at least gives Shinji the benefit of being able to focus on putting his energy into the journey. A totally normal thing to do. Extra normal when his head starts to feel somewhat fuzzy and his muscles fatigued. Ah... huh. This, um, might be bad.

"Kai," it's probably wise to actually speak up before something drastic happens, but Kai's likely to feel a slight tug from Shinji's hand as he sways and re-steadies himself before that tired voice speaks up. "Can we sit down for a minute?"

[whenyouneedme]

Oh yeah, totally normal. Just like that subtle slow down to their pace that was happening the longer Shinji was putting his all into the task of walking. It was high time for the boyfriend squint at this point, so it maybe wasn't the biggest surprise when Shinji did speak up. Even without the surprise, that sway still spiked some worry.

"Sure, yeah," Kai said, squeezing his hand. Seating wasn't really robust at this point, but Kai led him over to a clear spot where they could take a break next to a building. Nothing wrong with a little dirt on their butts. Kai made sure Shinji was down there first before he plopped down right there beside him.

"You okay?"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Hey, at least he spoke up about it before true disaster hit. He's not going to complain about a little bit of dirt, just as long as he can take that break. So, down we go.

"I think?" Very convincing, truly. Still, it's not like he feels sick, just like fatigue has very quickly kicked him to the curb. But, hey, sitting down means he can comfortably hit Kai up for some cozy leans again, this time resting much more heavily against him than he was before. "Just... really tired."

[whenyouneedme]

It's true! Look how far you've come, Shinji, letting someone know you needed something. Very good.

It did curb a bit of Kai's worry. Shinji had definitely been fine that morning, and he didn't look all that pale? Still, that was a bit more than just a cozy boyfriend lean, so Kai was going to quickly touch the back of his hand to the other boy's forehead just to try and rule that out. It wasn't like it was unheard of for sudden fevers to crop up.

"Mmm... you feel pretty normal," he confirmed quietly. "We can just chill as long as you need to."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

No heaping extra worry on to boyfriends if he can help it! What he's got going on at the moment is already more worry than he'd like to be dishing out in the first place.

"Thanks," he mumbles, another yawn sneaking up on him that seems to let even more of his energy slip away. Even while they're sitting, is he still really this tired? What the actual heck is going on? "Should be fine soon."

He'd certainly like that to be the case, anyway, but maybe that head drooping to rest on Kai's shoulder isn't a good sign for that optimism.

[whenyouneedme]

There was a brief scritch of Kai's nose. That yawn nearly got him. Dangerous.

That sure was a whole lot of tuckered out though. Kai was starting to have the inkling of a thought that maybe they should have just wandered home. That nap plan had probably been the best one they'd had. He let Shinji stay like that for a little bit, brows furrowed as he kept an eye on him.

Eventually he spoke up again. "Did... you want to get a bit comfier?" He had a lap right here that Shinji was more than welcome to.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

In hindsight, perhaps the nap option was the smartest move, but Shinji hadn't felt too off when the idea was floated, and he honestly thought the zoo trip was a fun plan. He was looking forward to it! How could either of them have known this would happen?

That's an awfully tempting offer Kai has in mind, perhaps not one Shinji would necessarily want to take when they aren't in a more private setting, but either way, it's a question that gets no answer from Shinji. In that interval between his reassurance and Kai's offer, he has apparently gone out like a light. Goodnight.

[whenyouneedme]

Oh.

Well.

Kai eased out a breath as he realized. That was one way to avoid fluster altogether, huh. "Geez," he murmured to himself, tilting his head to rest against Shinji's. "Rest well, bud." He'd just be here, making sure sleepy boys didn't go toppling over anywhere.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Rest he will! Thank you for sparing his dignity by making sure he'll remain mercifully untoppled, but will this rest prove to be restful? That steady sapping of his energy seems to have reached a point where it's not making things worse, but there doesn't seem to be much sign of Shinji stirring any time soon either. Just one suspiciously big snooze, a steady level of outright exhaustion.

[whenyouneedme]

All in all, a very strange situation. Kai let a bit of time tick by, thinking perhaps that this was just a snooze that a bit of cuddling would help out with. Maybe some kind of weird snack had happened! That seemed to be happening fairly frequently lately, he couldn't rule it out. Maybe a cat nap was good.

It didn't feel like the right conclusion though. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like things had started getting snoozier when they had met up. That was weird? That was the opposite of how things usually worked. He was stewing on that while he idly checked on his conduit. It seemed like it was still going pretty steady, a dim glow burning in its middle.

"Ah, it does get brighter," he commented as if Shinji was going to reply. Obviously snoozetown was still happening, but hey. Curious now, Kai reached over to fish for Shinji's crystal to check how it was doing. He'd just take that, thank you.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

No response from Shinji, even if that motion happens to jostle him a bit, and no argument either as Kai goes to check the crystal. It should be clear right away, but it's shining brightly - much more so than Kai's! Maybe that has something to do with these mysterious snoozies. Who knows.

[whenyouneedme]

Oh.

Well.

Kai's eyes had widened the second he saw it. So bright! Why! Was it so bright!! There was no offense meant to Shinji, but Kai did not think he'd gotten in a lot of touch before this. Why then was it so bright.

He was just going to take that, thank you. It could sit right there next to them for now as Kai turned his focus back to his snoozy boy.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Oh, there it goes. Goodbye for now, conduit.

It's a fair hunch to have - it's not like Shinji knew a lot of people that he was comfortable with having enough casual contact with to juice that crystal up quite so brightly. It's pretty much just Kai and Kyoko! Maybe Pyra, or Cliff if he wanted to, but, like, Kai's got it right regardless.

It isn't quite an instant change, but a few long moments after he's been unburdened, Shinji shifts a bit uncomfortably, a tiny grunt in his throat as he begins to stir.

[whenyouneedme]

That was a whole lot more action going on than there had been for a while. Kai perked up a bit as Shinji stirred, tipping his head to catch a peek of his face. How were you doing, buddy?

[hedgehogsdilemma]

He's doing... a way.

That exhaustion is probably at least a little visible on his face, but more-so in the way that he kind of squints against the light as he opens his eyes back up and makes a small noise of protest. Ah... wait, wasn't he just doing something else? When did he fall asleep?

"What...?" Happened?

[whenyouneedme]

Hello there.

"Hey," Kai greeted quietly, relief softening his expression. Naps weren't the most worrisome things but... sometimes they were the most worrisome things anyway. It hadn't occurred to him until Shinji was waking up to worry about that kind of nap, so he was extra relieved he didn't have to.

"You conked out there for a bit."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"Did I...?"

Slowly, he picks himself up off of Kai's shoulder, running his hand over his face to try and get his bearings back together. They're still outside, right? Conking out so hard outdoors by mistake doesn't seem like the kind of thing he'd do! How embarrassing. "Sorry. I wasn't.... that tired, I thought."

[whenyouneedme]

Yep, still parked outside next to this building. Kai was still keeping a careful eye on him, watching out for anything more serious than a little embarrassment. "Hmm. I don't think you had a lot of choice about it."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Luckily, it seems like embarrassment is the worst of it, aside from residual fatigue still settling heavy on him while his energy recovers from being so thoroughly tapped out.

"I didn't do anything that would have tired me out that much," he mumbles, because clearly that's what Kai had meant by that. It's going to take a moment before his brain really gets going again, please be patient with him.

[whenyouneedme]

That kind of had been what he meant, actually. "You were just bein' helpful," Kai told him as sleepy brains began the reboot process. "I think it was crystals."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"The... crystals," he echoes, letting that thought settle in his brain while he runs a hand through his hair, shaking off as much sleep as that motion will let him. Something had happened to him because of the crystal, does that mean...?

"Did something happen to you?" He asks, a small hit of panic in his voice. Kai! Are you? Okay?