expiationlogs | {Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's an upwards quirk of his lips, an imitation of a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. And now, for the finishing blow(?!)...]

Mhm. I was thinking of also giving this to you, but—

[He places the hairpin-charm in one of the scarf's velvety ears in a way that it's facing her.]

Judging from your reaction, this little guy needs more protection than you right now.

......

[ There's more? Mizuki watches as he places the pin-charm against the rabbit's ear, as if he's trying to show how it'll look when it's pinned on. She is Bad at this with a capital B, but nevertheless, there's like this warm feeling in her chest that she can only imagine is what people with boyfriends feel when this kind of thing happens.

But this isn't her boyfriend, this is her goddamned "dad."

And he's not even that. ]

He's—

[ She's looking back and forth between the two items, squeezing the head of the scarf lightly as Saito still holds the charm. Her other hand is still holding the basket, alas; the handle of which she might be gripping just a little tighter. She's lucky she hasn't crushed it, but she might find a crack or two when she looks later. ]

Man, I wanna punch you so bad right now. [ How dare he. How dare he!!! But she's not punching him, so like... She's got that going for her. ]

[Oh god, no. He is not your goddamned masochistic "dad". Just thinking about how that bruise on his wrist took a couple of days to completely heal is enough to make Saito want to punch her instead. Or you know, maybe shoot. Or choke.]

... You know, maybe I should be the one to keep this instead.

[He pulls the charm off the rabbit scarf's ear and holds it in his hand.]

To protect myself against your bratty tendency of resorting to violence just because you think you can. Keep that up and you'll never get yourself a boyfriend.

[That sermon(?!) comes across a tad more caustic than he intended to, but eh... he'll pass on being a passive punching bag.]

I... I don't even want a boyfriend!!

[ She totally wants a boyfriend. Six years ago, she would have meant that in earnest, but at some point, she just started trying to channel that same girl at age 12 who never felt like she needed one. It comes out hollow, and definitely defensive. ]

I don't need protection either, but that charm doesn't suit you at all. You should definitely give it to me.

[Once a tsundere, always a tsundere...]

What are you saying, of course it does suit me. Look.

[The charm bathed in golden and bright blue colors totally stands out from the dark fabric of his coat's high collar, where it is now attached to.]

But maybe if you ask nicely, I might give it back to you. Consider it a lesson on good manners.

[Can she win this challenge?!? Also, no underhanded shortcuts allowed!]

[ Under normal circumstances? Absolutely not!!! He can take that charm and shove it up his ass. Right now, though, she's slinging the scarf over her shoulders like a snake, and she's already starting to feel its effects.

Man, is it too warm for this? She should take it off immediately... but it is so soft and inviting. The warmth may be creeping into her cheeks. ]

Well I'm not going crawl on my knees and beg, if that's what you want.

[She did really like that scarf, huh. Still, he gives a shrug.]

Well, it's fine by me. I get to keep this cute rabbit charm all to myself.

[Then fiddles with the gift a little, feeling and tracing its borders.]

I was told to give this to my girlfriend, so she could be blessed with protection and good luck. But I don't have one anyway, so I guess I'll keep it.

Tch...! [ So that's what that was about... Gross.

In true tsundere fashion, Mizuki averts her gaze, like she's trying not to look directly at the thing that practically had her name on it. Suddenly she can't stop thinking about how he'd gone out of his way to get them for her (even he was being an ass right now), and she's remembering how she felt when he first brought her Adorabbit. ]

You so don't deserve a girlfriend, let alone one as awesome as Ms. Sagan. But do guys really go for that cutesy, innocent act?

[ Cringe.

But hello, she literally runs a company now that makes money on that act. Or she did, until this whole mess... ]

Don't answer that.

[Saito goes for the "act" where they beg for their lives. Bonus points if they die shortly after. Good thing that was a rhetorical question, though.]

Well, I can't speak for all guys, but I certainly don't go for that. And I don't go for the tsundere act either, so you're out of luck.

[He leans forward slightly, still mockingly tracing the charm with his fingers.]

Last chance. Do you want it or not? All you have to do is ask. Nicely. Politely.

[ Ugh. Just walk away now. Aren't they waiting on the flowers back at the shop? Mizuki stares at them now, sitting there innocently in her basket. ]

Fine.

[ She makes a show out of clearing her throat with a dramatic ahem! and choses a flower at random from the pile that makes her think of him. It's not a winter iris, but it is a similar shade of purple, and she holds it out to teasingly tap its petals against the charm. ]

Can't I please have that cute rabbit charm, my Sea King?

[The smugness dissipates for a short moment as Saito's expression goes blank. He eyes that flower curiously.

The gesture is sweet, almost sickeningly so, even if it's just an act. An act not aimed at him, but at whom she thinks he is. But what amuses him the most is the fact she's taking his word for it; still unaware that most of his behavior around her is also that same thing: an act.

Nonetheless, he'll take the flower from between her fingers.]

Edited (typooooo) 2023-02-27 02:56 (UTC)

[The self-satisfied smirk strikes back.]

You get points for creativity, I'll give you that.

[He mimics her gesture just now, but using the flower petals to boop her nose instead.]

But I changed my mind. It took you too long to take the plunge. Thank you for the flower, anyway.

[ She hopes he chokes on that flower. Which is to say, that sugary-sweet demeanor melts immediately, and her expression hardens. She is clearly not surprised by this turn of events, though somehow, her voice still holds more affection that it normally does. ]

Wow, so it's like that, huh?

[ Enough with being nice. Mizuki barely thinks about it; she just swipes at the rabbit charm in one smooth motion and plucks it off Saito. ]

I'm taking it anyway, so there.

[Saito forces his lips downwards into an innocuous pout, but makes no attempt to get it back — as though he was intentionally riling her up and angling for that exact reaction. Instead, he straightens up and crosses his arms in faux annoyance.]

Hmph. I hope it curses you with terrible luck and all kinds of tragedies.

[He's just being silly and playful... or is he, really?]

Hehe.

[ Mizuki giggles—a genuine, girlish giggle, as she admires her new loot. Again, without much thought, her feet seem to start moving, and she'll even swing that basket of flowers as she goes, like she's in a downright good mood.

Jesus, how embarrassing. ]

Come on, slowpoke! Keep up!

[ Later, when the sun sets low, Mizuki finds herself with a (free!) bouquet of flowers. They insisted that she take it for her hard work, or something, and she didn't wind up fighting it too hard. She wonders whether they can pick up a vase on the way back, and whether it'd look too out of place in their inn room.

As she's staring, tugging lightly at a flower to adjust its placement, a couple rushes past them, one pulled by the other. "Come on! The fireworks show should be starting soon."

Mizuki just scratches at the back of her neck, not really paying attention. ]

What am I supposed to do with these?

[During the while she was back in the fields, Saito randomly discarded the pretty purple flower she'd half-given him during her innocent act. Well, even if she noticed it's gone, he could always come up with some dumb excuse like that loser of a father figure of hers would; alleging that he either dropped/forgot it somewhere by accident or gave it to some cute girl. But seeing as she has a whole bouquet in her hand, plus two gifts he gave her right now, it seems unlikely she'll remember such a small detail from earlier.

As the couple runs past them chattering about the fireworks show, he stops to follow them with his eye, taking note of the direction they're headed. He completely ignores Mizuki's question, abruptly grabbing her arm to get her attention, instead.]

Hey, did you hear that just now? There's a fireworks show starting soon. Don't you want to see it?

[He tries to keep his tone level, but a hint of excitement leaks in.]

Huh?

[ It was a rhetorical question anyway. Mizuki looks up, and the sudden grab of her arm acts as something of an epiphany. Duh. She's looking at the bouquet, then back at his face, all excited and eager. ]

Oh, yeah.

[ Right now? No... Surely there will be a right time for it. She'll know, won't she? ]

...Sure. Wanna follow them?

[As soon as she looks up at him with a hint of surprise in her eye(s), Saito realizes he impulsively dropped his act for a split second there. He's about to let go of her arm, but decides against it when her full reaction shows no signs of suspicion whatsoever.

It seems she didn't think anything of his slip-up. He doesn't suppose Date shared with him that infatuation with explosives, but...

He'll start dragging her by the arm nonetheless.]

Yeah. They went that way. [A quick gesture towards the retreating backs of the couple.] If we hurry, we might find a good spot to watch from before it starts. Come on.

[ Mizuki watches, feeling his grip loosen for a moment before hardening once more, after which point she's pretty much dragged along for the ride. Of course, had she really any protests, he would feel it. Instead, there's something of a surprised noise before he pulls ahead, and she remains close behind him as his grip naturally falls from her upper arm, down to... her hand.

They eventually find themselves in something of an open field, with couples everywhere: some who have set up picnic blankets for the show, and others who are just attached at the scarf.

It... somehow doesn't feel as awkward as it should. ]

...Well, we're here.

[Among those couples are two familiar faces Saito met earlier that day. He sees them before they see him, and he can't help but cringe inwardly (and maybe a little externally, too). Why now, of all times...? Hastily grabbing her hand again, he attempts to escape before he's seen.]

Mizuki, let's go over the—

[But his attempt is cut short by the joyous voice of the elderly woman approaching them.]

Why, dear look, it's the young man from this afternoon.

[The husband only gives a hearty laugh while the old lady approaches Mizuki.]

And this cutie pie must be his girlfriend! We're so happy to see you have taken a liking to your gifts, we made them with a lot of love. Your boyfriend was such a gentleman, too!

[ Ah...... Well, it was a nice try on his part. Mizuki blinks, looking in Saito's direction as the couple greet him with familiarity, and she's left tugging lightly at her scarf when she herself is addressed. Almost automatically, she appears to let go of his hand, which feels like a goddamn shame for some reason. ]

Uh, no.

[ Which may be blunt as far as responses go, but it could be a lot worse. ]

I mean, I do like them, but you've got it super wrong. Like, wronger than wrong. Waaay wrong. Ew. He's my...

[ The word dad catches on her tongue. She looks at Saito again, and then sighs. ]

My pet cat. Or something. I adopted him.

[Pet cat? Now that was something new... Saito throws Mizuki a sidelong glance, as the elderly woman giggles in response.]

Youngsters these days are so creative in expressing their feelings! I admire your boldness, little lady.

[But if she wants to play this embarrassing game, he'll sneak an arm around her shoulders, and lean against her head.]

... Meeewzuki, I told you not to call me that in public. People will get the wrong idea.

that is not a confused face?!!?!?

SHHH IT IS NOW

much better 👍

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that icon!!! (u should've gone with the other one, srsly /j)

WHY DO YOU HATE ME

(⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

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