hugtopia_logs | ♥ December Event Log

♥ December Event Log

December (Ranir) Event Log
The city of Havenwell is recovering very well thanks to your efforts, offworlders. The hole in the wall is sealed up and, while maybe not looking like new, it certainly looks sturdy and safe. The city itself has removed much of the rubble from the battles you fought, and the people are back to their regularly scheduled lives. They're eternally grateful that you continue to put in the time to rebuild this final bastion of civilization and are pleased to see that you enjoyed their festivals so far. As the weather of Ranir turns colder and the nights longer, some may even see snow dust the cobblestone and paved streets in the morning. The time of Rawna has come and with it...

❥ PROMPT I: At Least It's Not a Sweater

a pair of hands holding each other with a red ribbon tied around their wrists

Normally when a new season belonging to a god rolls around, the temple priests gear up and start with temple festivities. Seeing how this is Rawna's month, however, nothing much of the sort seems to be happening. In fact, it's almost as if Rawna's priests don't even care that their god's season has started. Rawna is, after all, chiefly the god of Apathy, so is it all that surprising?

What might be surprising is the sight of Ainea's priests in pairs out around the city in their stead. Each pair carries with them a single bright silver sash and they alternatively stand in broad daylight or hide in the shadows of the buildings. Walk by on your own and you'll be left alone, but when the priests spot two people walking even remotely near each other, they spring into action.

The two robotic priests zip around you and another person with surprising speed, tying the sash off around you - either around your wrists, your waists, your legs, whatever it takes to tie you to another person. With a triumphant buzz of excitement, they declare "Happy Ranir! Kindness comes in many forms!" and depart to find a new pair of ~~victims~~ patrons. As they leave, one of the pair calls out an additional clue for you: "Be kind to unwind!"

Good luck, everyone, you're now stuck with this other person. You can either wait until the sash naturally falls off in a few hours, or you can take the direction of the priests and be kind to the other person to encourage the magical knot to come undone. Each compliment, word of encouragement, or other act of kindness directed at your new partner seems to loosen the sash a little each time, so get to winning the Niceness War.

Oh, and in case you were thinking of blasting, teleporting, or cutting your way out? No amount of magic or physical force seems capable of cutting or removing the sash. Hopefully you went to the bathroom before they got you.

❥ PROMPT II: A Delicious Delight

After a long hard day of dodging Ainea's priests or just slogging through the colder weather around the city, what could be better than imbibing a seasonally festive drink? Well, the scientists in charge of Experiment 73 certainly think so! They've added a limited edition drink selection to all of the replicators and have some delightfully festive booths spread about the city staffed by a few robots wearing Rawna's colors in their sashes and hats. There are five drinks in total to choose from and you should certainly try them! They're only here until the end of the month and then the scientists say they'll be gone! The best things in life are fleeting, aren't they? The best things in life are also surprises, so when you take a sip of these exquisitely delicious (honest! For once they're good) beverages, prepare yourself for a little trick with your treat.

Ginger and Honey Tea: A hot, thoroughly warming drink with the bite of ginger and the sweetness of honey. Drink this and you'll be shored up against the cold, but also feel compelled to tell or blurt out the truth. Whether you're asked a question or trying to tell a little white lie, you find you can't say anything but the truth. This effect lasts for up to an hour after drinking the tea.
Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie: A cold sweet treat of vanilla smoothie topped with sweet strawberry pieces and whipped cream. At the bottom, you'll find a layer of sweet sponge cake cut up into pieces. Drink this with its own special thick straw and enjoy the taste of cake; and the effect of a personal miniature snow cloud that appears over your head. The cloud dusts you and your immediate area within a foot of you with beautiful multicolored snow - and that snow leaves splotches of color behind that last for up to an hour after drinking the smoothie.
Hot Cinnamon Apple Cider: A deliciously steamy beverage that tastes of apple and cinnamon and comes with a cinnamon stick stirrer for effect. This beverage smells as delicious as it tastes and the aroma wafts around the area more strongly than the others. Drink this penultimate holiday drink and you'll find yourself heating up so much that you'll want to stay cold by giving your heat away via holding someone else. You'll want to be everyone's personal heater for up to an hour after drinking the cider.
Gingerbread Latte: A nice piping hot latte with the hint of gingerbread threaded through the coffee, topped with whipped cream and dusted with gingerbread spice. Served in a tall red cup that seems to transfer the heat uncannily well through its thin walls, sip this and you'll find yourself painlessly sprouting an animal's appendage at random. You can have one functioning or non-functioning, cosmetic animal appendage like a cat's ears, a dog's tail, a duck's beak or whatever else you can think of for up to an hour after drinking the latte. They can replace your original body part (e.g. your ears become cat ears) or grow superfluously (e.g. you have regular ears AND cat ears). You can move the appendages or talk with them as if they are your own, but they don't confer any special magical powers with them. So you can fly with those griffin wings, sure, but you're going to need to put the effort into it.
Hot Mulled Wine (alcoholic): This one isn't for children - and in fact, under 18 people might find it hard (but not impossible, be industrious, little ones!) to get their hands on this drink. Red wine is heated with spices and citrus fruit over low heat for several hours - or it would if it wasn't all synthetically created. The effect is the same though, a delicious adult beverage that's a nice way to spend an evening with someone special. And you'll want them to be someone special because drinking the hot wine makes you inclined to get a little steamy with people. Kisses, both chaste and passionate, seem to alleviate the urge which you'll be under for up to an hour after drinking the wine.

❥ PROMPT III: Winter (VR) Wonderland

a wooden lodge at night, blanketed in snow

There isn't quite enough snow on the ground to allow it in reality, but in the VR Cafes anything is possible. This month, the VR Cafes are decorated with snowflakes in odd patterns and designs - holograms, naturally - that spin and change shape and color in a timed routine. Plug into the games and you'll find a new selection among the usual offerings: Winter Wonderland.

There are two modes to Winter Wonderland and each are fun in their own ways.

Snow Fight! Head out into the powdery snow where fantastic snow forts await and battle it out with snowballs to claim the most territory or just see who can hit the other side the most. You can choose Team Battle, Solo 1vs1, or Battle Royale. All magic, skills, and cunning are at your disposal. While the snow might not be falling outside, it's definitely going to be raining down on you here, so bundle up and have some fun. You earned it!

Ski Lodge But maybe you don't want to go flinging snow down someone's shirt and would rather cuddle up on a couch in front of a big warm fire, huh? Sure, we understand that. Welcome to the Ski Lodge, a cozy getaway up in the mountains where you can relax with a hot chocolate (or cider, or glass of wine even) and curl up on the couches and experience a lazy afternoon in thick fluffy sweaters. It's even better with a friend, they say, so why not create this private little getaway for the two (or three or four, we're not judging) of you? For people wanting a romantic lean, you can always slip out the back (and out of your clothes if you prefer) into the private jacuzzi on the wooden deck, too.

For people who want to have some fun tearing it up on the mountain-side though, we suggest trying Ski-venture! A year-round game that lets you ski or snowboard your way down the mountain.

❥ PROMPT IV: A Mysterious Gift [REGAIN EVENT]

Toward the end of the month starting from the 20th and on, some people may find themselves drawn to Rawna's temple late at night, when most of the priests are offline or elsewhere. The only native creatures you can see here are the fledgling rainbow dragons which watch you from their various perches all around the sanctum. As you approach the temple's altar, you realize someone else has been drawn here as well. In the quiet, dim lighting, the barest of candles still burning and the watchful eyes of the dragons, you feel compelled to unburden yourself to the other person. Tell your tale of woe or sorrow, relieve yourself of a secret you've kept hidden for too long, and listen to your companion as well. They say a burden shared is a burden halved after all.

Once you've both shared something, a pair of dragonlings crawl up into the altar's clawed hands. They wind around each other until an iridescent light shines from their scales. The light is blinding and you must look away as it reaches its pinnacle and releases a burst of rainbow light. When you look back, the dragonlings are slithering away and in their places are two objects - one familiar to you and one to your partner - so long as both of you have shared. It seems your tithe has been rewarded with something from home.

OOC: These items from home must be approved by a mod. They cannot exceed the Medium Item regain limit. It cannot be a power or other ability. It cannot be something your character did not own or have knowledge of in their canon or their CRAU. Please post your regain request in the Regain Request thread before threading out the receipt of the item.

This event will run from December 6th to December 31st. Click on each prompt's title to see the text. You are welcome to use this log, or create entries of your own! If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I guess they can be, sure.

[He's never tried before, but he'll take her word for it; lots of unexpected things are good listeners. People, creatures, now plants, too. The shape of it matters very little- he'd said it before, and he meant it.]

And people can be, too.

[Something that she is. A plant, and a person. It's fine to be both.]

... People too.

[Her hold on his hand was slowly growing firmer, bit by bit.]

I just mean... we're-- [She sucked in a little breath.]

We're partners, right?

[...! That was loud, for her. His brows lift in surprise, but he wisely opts not to comment. Merely smiles again, giving their joined hands a playful swing.]

Yep. Way to go, partner. Tonight's a win.

[He's! Proud of her!]

[So loud! Especially in the quiet of night! Vianca looked a little surprised at herself, but she swung along in a pleased fashion.]

Yes. ... Thank you, Noctis.

[In regards to that whole quiet of night bit, it was very, very late for tiny plants with early bedtimes. Vianca's nose wiggled in warning, chased by a yawn she couldn't quite hide with all of her hands occupied.]

[So very, very proud...! And that yawn is contagious; he struggles (and fails) to stifle his own. They really ought to get the heck back to bed. It's not even a good hour for him to be out and about, nevermind a little girl.

Carbuncle squeaks at his ear, still curled around his shoulders, and Noctis blinks through a realization and nods.]

...Yeah... [He glances down, giving her hand a light squeeze.] You can call me Noct, by the way.

[It's not that he owes her or anything - well, okay, he kind of does, but that isn't why. She's earned it, plain and simple.]

[Vianca blinked up at him sleepily. Now that everyone was yawning, it was hard to deny the sleepiness settling over her. But also, wait. Hang on. The implications of what had been said was sinking in, and her eyes slowly went round.

A... a nickname! That she got to use? She'd never felt like she could use someone's nickname before. This new information left her hushed all over again.]

... Really?

[Ah... there she goes again, quiet. His brows furrow for a moment, and then he halts and turns to face her, crouching down to get at her eye level, her little hand clasped in both of his. He looks very serious.]

Yeah, really. C'mon, give it a try and see how you feel about it.

[Say it loud! Say it proud!]

[Oh, very serious. The path to keeping the volume control at a steady 2-3 wasn't one she could walk overnight, but she did feel better about it with him. That at least steered her in a more comfortable direction. Pressing her lips together, she gave him a little nod. Okay. Giving it... a try.]

Noct? [She tilt her head, considering.] ... Noct.

[There was a pause as the sound of it settled. And then quieter again, with a small jostle of Cameron as if this was a truly terrible (though maybe endearing) act of ventriloquism:]

... Who's there.

[He blinks, caught off guard for a moment, then he snort-laughs and ducks his head, pressing a palm to his forehead.]

Oh, man... that one's good, haven't heard that.

[The guys usually throw out all number of puns for just about everything, including his name, but people still manage to surprise him sometimes. Kudos, Vianca.

Evidently Carbuncle also approves, because a cheery set of emotes is sent her way, along with a vaguely laughter-esque bark,

😂😂😂 💗 ]

[Very good. These were all very good reactions and Vianca felt the littlest bit proud of herself for it.]

Really? That... seems like it was a missed opportunity.

No kidding. Just don't pass it along to Prompto- I'm sure he'd love more ammo for teasing.

[Can't make it too easy for him.]

[She shook her head, face scrunching a little as she tried to hold back another yawn.]

No, he can think of his own Noct Noct jokes.

[This was! Hers!!]

... Thank you.

Huh? What for?

[for?? a nickname?? because that's what comes to mind but what a strange thing to be thanked for...]

For being my friend.

[Because he did not have to be. No one had to be. Looking back at all the times she had not said it to friends now gone hurt, so these moments were all that more important to her.]

...That's a weird thing to thank someone for.

[It's a sentiment he understands, though. When you don't have very many, you have to make sure you're not taking the ones you do have for granted. Still-]

It's not like it's hard.

[Is it? A weird thing? Vianca faltered a little between wanting to quiet right back down at that and wanting to keep this up for him because... oh. After everything else tonight she did not have the heart to outright deny this very kind claim, but she couldn't deny the friend pool had been very... small.]

... I used to make it difficult.

Is that what you think, or just what you assumed because of how people treated you?

[Because he's really beginning to question that.]

I was... more quiet.

I suppose that would mean both.

[He's quiet for a long moment, considering his words, and any response he might offer. He could just comfort her, deny it and blame others for not understanding. But he wasn't there, he didn't see how it was for her. It's easy to rage against the monsters who'd string up a little girl and hurt her for no reason. Harder to blame someone who doesn't know how to talk to the quiet kid. And he gets that.

...Well. It is a night for sharing, apparently.]

When I was younger, I was really shy. Quiet, and withdrawn... couldn't make any friends, even if I wanted to. I heard people talking about it, when they thought I wasn't listening. How I was different than what they expected.

[If you don't speak much, it's easy to listen to what's going on around you.]

Sometimes I'd wonder... who am I supposed to be, if who I am isn't the "me" you think I should be? Which sounds weird, I know, but that's how I felt. I don't remember being the person they used to know.

[Such a fruitful night.

The idea of a quieter, shyer Noctis wasn't one that Vianca would have ever considered, but it... it made sense, if she gave it some thought. How many princes actually had a lot of friends, when they were someone to be kept safe? Vianca knew to take a lot of books with a grain of salt, but it was so frequently made out to be a lonely experience.

She listened intently, clasping his hand a bit firmer when it all sounded intensely, achingly familiar. The question of who she was supposed to be was such a common refrain in her own thoughts.

There was a very quick shake of her head.]

No. That doesn't sound weird at all.

[Lightly, he squeezes her hand back. He figured she'd get it.]

The more I thought I was disappointing people, the worse it felt. I snuck out a lot, because I couldn't stand them all crowding around me. Maybe if I got out of the castle, people wouldn't know me. Strangers don't expect anything.

[Might have worked, too, if social media didn't exist and he wasn't a well-known public figure despite being tucked away like some kind of fairy tale princess in a tower.

Another silence, long and considering, before he faces forward, chin up, shoulders lifted. It feels so long ago, now, and at the same time he can remember it clear as day.]

It took me a while to figure it out. I think it was stubbornness, mostly- I couldn't be who they wanted, but I didn't like the idea of being alone, either. When they pushed me, I pushed back, and eventually they stopped being surprised when I showed them who I am. [He smiles faintly.] Turns out it's easier to make friends if you don't have to fake it.

[She nodded a little. It certainly seemed that way. That's why everyone liked her sisters. They were just their bright, honest selves right out the gate. Vianca just wasn't sure what it meant to not fake it-- and not even in the self-deprecating sense, just simply that she wasn't sure what identity she could hold on to so strongly.

Which was why the most comforting thing he could have said was that it had taken him a while to figure it out. She had felt like maybe she'd already taken too long, since she had a time limit before. Now that it was reset, maybe... Maybe that was okay.

Maybe.]

How long a while was a while?

Ah... a long while. [It's hard to confess, but he wants to believe that his honesty is helping her at least a little. Maybe it's good for both of them to get it out there.] I didn't really notice when it happened, but the payoff was a heck of a long game. Took about seven years to make a friend who hadn't started out as getting paid for it.

[He bears no grudge towards Gladio or Ignis for that, obviously. Their friendships are no less real or valued to him. But they were given to him, by the king, by family duty, by promises made at birth or as children. To them he wasn't just Noctis, he was also the prince, and their job was to look after him. They would be by his side whether they befriended one another or not; that was a nice side-effect but not the instigation.

Prompto's different, in a way that is uniquely him: he doesn't care that Noct is a prince, and never showed him fealty or loyalty as an heir to the crown. He didn't bow or use titles or remind him of his duties. He worked through his old issues and insecurities to finally approach Noctis as a person rather than a public figure.

It was... nice. To just be himself, without that underlying layer of his position getting in the way of things.]

It'd be different for everybody, but that's okay. I just had to be honest with myself about it before I could be the same way with other people. I'm still kinda learning that part.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

♥ December Event Log

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject