{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

[expiationmods]

DAY OF DEVOTION

This is an entirely opt-in very casual event that has nothing to do with overarching storyline and is just an additional introductory log, and a means for characters to meet. We hope you've all had a very happy Valentine's Day week however you've chosen to spend it!

SCARVES OF LOVE

     

The season of affection and love of all kinds falls upon Aldrip in the wake of their festivities for Those Who Were There. As part of the celebration, what's referred to as the 'Day of Devotion,' local merchants carry a variety of wares, but none so coveted as their multicoloured scarves available in a variety of prints, designs, and fabrics. Perhaps consider picking one up and giving it to someone who's important to you. No money? No problem! Whilst Aldrip doesn't exactly work on a layaway system or akin to, you'll find the mercantile business owners are quite open to trades and other means of bartering. Maybe they'll give out a scarf or two in agreement for running some errands...

Lucky recipients of these very fashionable scarves will find themselves suspiciously open to sharing positive, warm and fuzzy, or perhaps downright amorous feelings toward the person who gifted them the scarf to begin with, regardless of whether you've known them for years or even just a couple of weeks. But don't worry—the feelings are temporary! Once the Day of Devotion comes to a natural conclusion, your feelings will return to something like normalcy and you'll still wind up with a new fashion accessory. Of course, if you've always been amorous with that special someone, you likely won't notice any sort of change.

Take the opportunity to embrace the celebration, maybe embrace one another a little bit, too, and begin forming some potentially everlasting bonds with others.

BRING PROTECTION

     

Not everyone is choosing to celebrate the Day of Devotion in the same way. Due to the heightened popularity of the pretty scarves, some of Aldrip's jewellers have been bitten by the green bug of jealousy. In an attempt to compete with the sales of scarves, jewellers are advertising pendants, brooches, and other assorted charms that are meant to serve as warding and protective trinkets. What are they protecting one from? It's difficult to say and the merchants aren't inclined to give a straight answer. But whether you need protection from love, personal feelings, or perhaps something more physical, they've got you covered!

If you choose to give these amulets to others, recipients of them and their related will be compelled to share their true feelings with those around them in addition to the person who gave them the protective charms. This sounds like it could be a good thing, however, that means it covers the array of positive, negative, and every shade in between, without a filter in place. Consider these accessories a potential test of friendships, familial relationships, and more.

Like the scarves, this need and desire to be truthful with your feelings will be temporary, lasting until the Day of Devotion celebration is over. But at least you'll be protected. From something. Maybe. Probably. Or not!

FLOWERS FOR ALDRIP

     

By now, you may be well familiar with Aldrip's variety of fields that are filled with vegetables and fruits that grace the dinner tables of the town and local cuisine. During the Day of Devotion and weeks leading up to it, you'll find that they're clearing another field and preparing the soil. What for, you won't find out until the actual day of the celebration. Once it arrives, there's a collection of simple carts filled with flowering plants. Locals and newly-arrived alike are welcome to lend a hand in planting them along the neatly tilled rows.

You may find plants that resemble or are identical to plants from your home world. You may find plants that you've never seen in your life. They come in a variety of colours and are accompanied by a lightly pleasing scent that shouldn't be too overpowering, though may still disturb those with allergies.

All who help out with the planting, watering, and other tending, will be rewarded with a bouquet of flowers that can be passed onto others to show your appreciation and other forms of affection. You may even find yourself making a good and lasting impression on the locals by offering some assistance.

Comments

flowers of aldrip — open

[twelfthsong]

[ The theme of being roped into menial chores seems to continue. He's got more of a technological thumb than a green one, but again, when in Aldrip. At least there are no wild geese out and about harassing everyone as they work.

You might be aimlessly wandering through the field or helping out yourself when you hear a rather loud sneeze that's followed by a cross Scottish voice muttering to himself. Further investigation will find the Doctor on his hands and knees weeding and planting various bulbs and flowers, partially obstructed from view by the flowers surrounding him. He's also wearing a very ridiculous, but somehow fitting, sun hat on his head. Ah, the perils of having pasty Scottish skin. Even Time Lords are not immune to sun burn. ]

They neglected to mention in their punishment notice that a perfectly strong immune system is going to be disintegrated after a couple of weeks here. I've never had an allergy in my life and it decides to show up now?

[ There's every possibility that he's being dramatic but who knows! He's a little miserable and not cut out for this! ]

[usarinpa]

[ Mizuki has also been no stranger to odd jobs as of late, though she might be faring better than the Doctor. She's feeling pretty girlish right about now: as the Doctor plucks the weeds and plants new bulbs, she can be seen with a basket, picking off flowers, apparently so that they can be made into bouquets.

She doesn't even seem to be breaking a sweat, though the sneezing and distant complaining do catch her attention. Poor guy. ]

Hey, you wanna switch places? [ She raises her voice to be heard. ] Maybe you're less allergic to the ones over here. [ Or something. ]

[twelfthsong]

[ His head pops up amongst the flowers like a grumpy looking daisy. It’s a nice offer that he appreciates despite how wry his voice sounds. ]

I don’t think that’s how allergies work. This should pass. Hopefully. Probably.

[ He’s trying to work as fast as he possibly can and the small little wagon that’s carting around his bulbs and flowers is dwindling but it’s anyone’s guess how fast he can work when he’s sneezing the way he is. ]

[usarinpa]

[ Probably.

The way he trails off doesn't inspire confidence, though he's probably not wrong. But they're on a whole different world with different rules, so who knows? Mizuki stares at him for a moment longer, but then sighs and decides to walk on over.

She'll close the distance between herself and the wagon (and him by extention), and once she's close enough, she'll reach for the wagon's handle. ]

Here, I'll take over. You take these back to the shop.

[ And she offers him her basket of flowers. ]

[twelfthsong]

[ A normal person would take the offer on hand and just leave — but the Doctor isn’t normal, and he isn’t technically a person — so it should come as no surprise when he does neither of those things.

…He definitely does consider it though. ]

If you’re going to be that insistent, this will go faster with the two of us.

[ And he’s right back at it, weeding at a much faster pace than before. Whether or not Mizuki joins him is up to her. ]

Let me guess. Another fellow sinner?

[usarinpa]

[ Wow??? Mizuki is left staring and blinking as the man doubles his efforts. She looks at her basket of flowers, then at him, and finally lets out a sigh as she sets the basket down for now to free up her hands.

Guess she's doing this, and really—he's not wrong. She starts plucking at the weeds to help, chucking them into the wagon with impressive speed and strength, and only speeds up, groaning slightly as he mentions that. ]

Don't remind me. I buried that thing to get rid of it and that still didn't work.

[twelfthsong]

[ Don't be jealous of this double-time speed he's got going on, Mizuki. He just wants out of here asap.

There's a bit of a snort there at the mention of her attempt at ridding herself of the paper. ]

What did it come back to haunt you the next day? Hover over you like it was some paper possessed?

[usarinpa]

[ Okay, so he's totally making fun of her, which should not be funny, but she finds herself snorting back at him anyway at the mental image. ]

No. Well...

[ Kind of, yes? ]

It didn't hover. And it took a few days... I just kind of woke up with it under my pillow. Like some gift from the tooth fairy or something. [ Paper fairy?? ]

[twelfthsong]

I think you mean a paper fairy.

[ If she wasn't going to say it, he gladly would. ]

But not the fun kind of paper fairy. Although, I'm not really sure what sort of person would look forward to a visit from them. It didn't occur to me to try and bury my paper though.

[ There's a brief pause here as he strains to dig out a particularly stubborn weed. ]

I lit it on fire and that didn't work either. Bit fascinating to watch really.

[usarinpa]

[ It was the whole idea of a time capsule that'd come to her mind. It seemed like a good idea at the time, though thinking on it now only makes her sad, and also tired for all the effort she put out. She'd basically made it look effortless to show off to Peter, but it still took a lot out of her. ]

Damn, [ Speaking of effortless, she notices him struggling and decides to help, yanking the weed out with a smooth motion. ] I should've thought of that. There was whole fire pillar that night and everything that I could've chucked it into.

[ Wouldn't have worked, but maybe would've made her feel better. ]

What happened to it? [ Did it at least burn? ]

[twelfthsong]

[ Well, okay, Mizuki. Show off why don't you? Aside from the mildly startled look, he manages to recover quickly enough with a nod of thanks to her before digging his spade into the weedless-spot in the dirt to make room for the next set of flowers. ]

Sorry to disappoint you but it wouldn't have worked.

[ As if reading her mind, he responds in the affirmative — ] It did. But not in the way you think it would. It started eating the flames after about a minute or so. [ It could have been disconcerting if he hadn't found it so dreadfully interesting. ]

Apparently, they really want us to remember what we're being charged with.

[usarinpa]

[ You're totally welcome. Since he's got the spade and all, she decides to reach into the wagon for the next set of flowers. Since he's got some sort of pattern going (she thinks?), she'll keep that going. The flowers she choses are a vibrant yellow.

She is so focused on it, in fact, she doesn't catch onto the fact that he just read her mind, though she does give him an odd tilt of her head as he finishes digging. Did she say that aloud after all? ]

Well, we're living pretty comfortably for a bunch of sinners. Could hardly believe it when the innkeeper said she wouldn't charge us.

[twelfthsong]

[ It's less that he's creating a pattern and instead just kind of subconsciously creating one. And with that in mind, the yellow is definitely next. He probably won't kick up too much of a fuss if she decides to stray though. Seeing that she's reached for that one, he shuffles over so she can make room for her to plant it.

He starts working the soil a couple of inches over, his eyes flickering towards her. ]

Do you think it's suspicious?

[starguy]

[ Peter is likewise struggling with the menial work. He's managed to talk his way out of actually planting, and is instead cataloguing flowers when he hears some very loud sneezes and complaints. Peter turns to find the Doctor clearly struggling, and that's just a universal experience that he can relate to.

That said, he looks a little ridiculous with his visor on, wearing his padded leather jacket and jeans when it's so sunny out. But a guy has to stick to his aesthetic, you know, and his aesthetic is '80s groupie with a flair of future tech.' ]

Need any help, dude? [ Peter's voice comes as clear as a whistle through his visor. Space medicine means you never get allergies, so he can't relate. ] I mean, I don't have like, an allergy shot on me, but I can probably plant a few if you need a break.

[ How hard can it be, right? ]

[twelfthsong]

Dude?

[ There’s a hint of amusement in his voice for the first time since he started planting. He’d always loved that word always harmless and could be used in so many different contexts; maybe he could start introducing it to societies that didn’t have it yet during their times that might be fun. That wouldn’t mess with any timelines, surely.

But then something else distracts his hyperactive mind when he notices what Peter is wearing on his face. It’s nothing that he’s seen before, but it’s probably one of the more advanced pieces of technology he’s seen since getting here which is what really draws his attention. He straightens up, sniffling passively and apparently taking Peter up on his offer even if it’s in a bit of a roundabout way. ]

Where did you get that visor? I’m assuming not here.

[starguy]

Yeah, dude! It's like "guy" or "man," you know?

[ It's just hist style to 'dude' even the un-dudely types. But also he's used to running into people who don't recognize his lingo, so he's fine with explaining. The note on his tech makes him perk up, though. Maybe he's finally met someone who's at least decently aware of better tech than here? ]

Yep, this is from back home! I got it from... [ It was definitely stolen. ] Uh, well I got it on a job, and it was broken, and a friend of mine fixed it! But I can't get a decent 'net connection on this planet, it sucks.

[twelfthsong]

I know what “dude” is. I just forgot about it — thank you for reminding me, dude.

[ There’s a relish to the word along with something that looks like a kid who’s discovered his new favourite thing. ]

There’s practically nothing. Just a database of the world along with myths and folklore. [ The flowers, and apparently his “allergies” have been forgotten as he brushes himself off before closing the distance between them. Sorry Peter, have the Doctor peering at your face mask in a way that might cut into your personal space. ]

They have technology akin to the 90’s. Shame really. We could really upgrade them if we had the right tools. What else can it do?

[starguy]

Anytime, dude.

[ Peter grins. OK old man, you got him. Anybody who says "dude" is getting points in his book. ]

Yeah? Guess I'll have to see if I can get it hooked up. So far it's just "No Data" but then I haven't tried to put it on a network this weak before. Is this what 90s tech was like?

[ Ah, but the Doctor is approaching him as he speaks, and while Peter is pretty chill with rolling with the punches, he does lean back as the Doctor gets up in his face. Unhelpfully, his UI reads "Subject: Unknown. Data unavailable" as it highlights his face in bright pink. Peter takes a step back, tapping the side of the glass.

He does love talking up his tech. Rocket would be so proud. ]

I can use it to scan around me, 360 degrees. It highlights stuff that might be useful, structurally damaged, or stuff that it might have info on. Also calls out dangerous temperatures, gasses, things like that. I didn't make it, though. I can fix tech, but working from scratch is more my friend Rocket's thing.

[twelfthsong]

I'm being a little rude to 90's tech. You should have seen the computers back in the 70's, although it's a bit generous to call them that really. At least the 80's had the start of the internet but even though that's a bit of a stretch —

[ For once he's being humble because he knows the precise date because it was New Year's day and he had been there, but details. He's far more interested in the visor. ]

Connecting to the network might not be worth it. It's mostly just generic world information and myths and folklore but if that's your thing... [ He extracts the mildly malfunctioning sonic screwdriver from his pocket, and is about this close to just pointing it at Peter's face when he practically hears Clara scolding him. ]

Do you mind?

[starguy]

Pretty sure I'd never heard of computers back home, but then my family was more the outdoorsy-type so I dunno.

[ No, Peter, she would not have had military access to the internet. But Peter missed the whole personal computer and smartphone era, so he's both the owner of incredibly advanced tech and also completely unaware of the internet. ]

Hey, generic information is better than nothing. That's most of what my visor used to display, anyway. Sometimes it helps to know what I'm looking at.

[ Can't stop him from scanning everything, it's the completionist in him. Peter looks at the screwdriver in the Doctor's hand, then back up at his face. ]

Mind what? Is that a multi-tool?

[ Oh, maybe this guy's offering to help fix it? Well, Peter's nothing if not dumbly trusting at times. He can practically feel the choice in his mind, "don't trust the guy with your tech" or "go for it, what have you got to lose?" ]

I mean, if you can fix it... Sure.

[ Yep, Peter pulls the visor back up over his face. Rocket's gonna kill him if he breaks this thing, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? ]

[twelfthsong]

You've never heard of computers but you own something like this?

[ There's been stranger things, but it's currently the strangest thing the Doctor has heard. There's amusement in his voice as he says it though and it partially has to do with getting his hands on tech that isn't positively ancient (at least in his mind). ]

Sonic screwdriver. Little less sonic-y here unfortunately because of whatever it is they have against current technology. I'll have to see if there's something I can do about that.

[ And it's okay Peter, Rocket can come and strangle the Doctor. Now that would be fun to watch.

He fiddles with some of the settings on the sonic before giving it a quick scan. Nothing worse than starting on a piece of tech and then potentially making it worse than it was before. A quick 'beep' signals its completion and he squints at the read out. True to Peter's word it's certainly some sort of alien tech made for exploration and — ]

You need to change the air filter on this. It's getting a bit musty.

[starguy]

Yeah, I 'left' Earth in the late 80s, when I was a kid. The only things I cared about back then were horror flicks and metal bands.

[ But boy, does it feel nice to say those things to someone who he's assuming knows about that stuff? This guy doesn't seem that old, but Peter's seen stranger. ]

Oh, man. Tell me about it. My comms have been flarked to hell. Bad enough we're stuck here with all this old junk...

[ Peter's never heard of a sonic screwdriver before, but it sounds techy enough, or maybe like something Rocket would come up with (though his would explode.) He shrugs and lets the guy try it. The thing must work, if he can get a read on that much. ]

Crap, really? [ He sniffs. It's not something he pays much attention to usually, so it makes sense. ] Guess I'll just clean it, there's no way I'd get the right parts here.

[twelfthsong]

There might be a way to pull something together that could do in the meantime. [ He's made odder things out of less and there is shockingly, a silent offer in that statement to do it for Peter, if he wanted it. ]

Left Earth? [ That definitely piques his interest although he doesn't really glance away from his work as he continues to tinker with various settings on the sonic and the visor. ] By your own choice, because someone took you or because of a mistake?

[ Because the Doctor has technically been the cause of or involved in all of those scenarios. Oops. ]

[starguy]

Maybe... If the atmosphere starts thinning here, I'll have to hit you up.

[ Peter is all for trusting in the kindness of strangers, but his visor is a bit of a lifeline for him, so he's a little hesitant to let a stranger take it apart. Plus, it's implanted in his neck half the time, that could be a problem... he says, still letting the guy tinker with his UI. ]

It sure wasn't a mistake, I can tell you that. [ He laughs, a bit ruefully. ] Aliens showed up at my house to kidnap me. Turns out my dad-who-I'd-never-met was space royalty, and the Chitauri needed a defenseless hostage to convince Spartax to stay out of the Galactic War.

[ Not even Peter can keep himself from sounding bitter about that. ]

[twelfthsong]

It doesn't taste like it's going to start turning stale anytime soon. Although [ He pulls a face, smacking his lips slightly completely oblivious to man's mild hesitantion. ] that's hard to say with the amount of dirt and pollen particles in the air.

[ The bitterness doesn't go unnoticed and his eyes slide briefly over to him. None of the words ring any bells, but he doesn't expect to find people apart from Clara who share the same Earth as the one they're familiar with. The same expectation extends to space. ]

So does that make you a space prince then? And this [ He motions to the visor in his hands. ] your princely visor?