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.

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[Rinoa's question makes her laugh in a rather unabashed way. She grins so wide that she even bares her teeth. She must look incredibly silly in those moments to the objective eye. And it's not like anyone here, even Cloud, would really know what she's trying to do, though she doesn't have to have her hands in the earth to feel or communicate with any of it.

At least, not back home.]

Well... kind of! [As her laughter dies down, she tries to compose herself well enough to offer a better explanation.] I really like plants and flowers, so I'm used to getting my hands dirty and doing stuff like this. I planted flowers all around my house and there's a church back home that has flowers, too, and I tend to them. This is kind of just like... a really big flowerbed.

[Divine, in other words. Or something akin to it.

She looks sympathetic and patient as Rinoa continues, nodding along slowly. For the apprehension that many people are experiencing, which is absolutely fair, things could definitely be worse. She's grateful that they aren't.]

I don't think there's anything we lose by helping them out. They need help. We're in a position where we can help. It's what we should be doing.

[It's just that simple.]

Oh! So you've done lots of gardening? That's great! So I should totally be listening to you about how to not make a mess of this, huh?

[Which is great news, because now maybe her personal plans for her own little field might actually succeed. instead of her failing to plant a few flowers and then them dying horrendously because she's woefully inept.]

With all they're willing to give us, it definitely doesn't feel like we're losing out. They even said I could take some plants for myself after this so I can make my own space!

[She's really excited by this idea, despite how much work it's going to be. She's going to start that field no matter what.]

But even if they'd said no, that's fine. You know? I'd help out anyway, because why shouldn't I?

[It really is.]

I don't know about thaaaaat. Making the mess is kind of fun. As long... [With a distinct fondness that easily takes her features, Aerith very gently presses the pad of her forefinger along a flower's petals beneath her hand.] As long as we remember that they have as much life in them as we have in us. They have thoughts and feelings.

[Which might sound a little silly, but when Aerith looks the way she does about plants, she might as well be wearing her heart on her sleeve. Why shouldn't she show that she loves life in general? That it all ought to be respected and well cared for? Loosing a sigh that seems incredibly happy, she takes a moment to look over the field.

It'll be a bit yet, but she can imagine what it'll look like filled with flowers.]

You're going to plant some of your own? Do you know what kind of flowers you want to fill yours with?

[She really wants to ask if she can help, but Aerith figures she can hold off on that for now.]

... They do? [This is news to Rinoa and it shows, her eyes widening as she looks from Aerith to the plants and back again.] Plants have thoughts and feelings?

[Honestly it's pretty alarming if you think about it.]

But we step on them all the time!

[Yes, that's her immediate concern.]

Yes! There's some flowers here that look like some from a place back on my world that means a lot to me. A... meeting place of sorts. I thought maybe if I could recreate a little piece of it, then maybe if they ever show up here, they'll know I'm here!

[She looks from the plants to Aerith again, a gleam in her eyes. She caught that moment of hesitation. Which meant she could be shameless and it'd probably be fine.]

Would you... maybe want to help?

Yeah. Of course they do. [Aerith smiles, like it's the most natural thing to think.] Anytime someone stepped on the flowers back home, I always got annoyed. So most of the people who know me have learned not to step on them. But to be fair, there aren't nearly as many flowers back home as I've seen here. At least, not outside of my home.

[Rinoa seems to zero right in on Aerith's unspoken desires, which... may not be a grand feat, considering Aerith is not always good about being subtle. Of course, it all depends on the company. She certainly wouldn't act that open around everyone.

She looks a touch hopeful.]

If you need the help, I would love to, but I'd also understand if you want to handle it on your own, too.

But we walk on plants all the time. Like grass! And we even eat plants.

[She eats animals too, which never bothered her before now. But the idea that plants are more than just.... things in the background is truly shaking her world view a little bit.]

Of course! I really don't know anything about what I'm doing. Why not learn from someone who does? It makes the most sense. So I'd love to have the help!

[It's a lesson she's learned well. That finding someone who knows it better is infinitely superior to just trying to do it on your own. Sure, planting flowers isn't quite the same as trying to fight a rebellion basically untrained vs trying to fight as a mercenary, but... same general premise.]

Hm... [It's true that grass is a plant. And there's a lot of grass in Aldrip and around it.] I think in some cases we might not be able to help where we're stepping. It's really more about respecting the life. [Of the Planet, she means, though it's vague enough that she could just mean the concept of life and given how cryptic Aerith can sometimes be, that's not impossible.]

I can definitely help with your flowers. I think it's important that you do most of the work, though. Consider me more like... emotional support! [And it's got nothing to do with Aerith not wanting to get her hands in the dirt.] I think it might help you feel more connected to the project. To plants and all of that. It sounds like this might mean a lot to you, after all.

[From what she can tell, Rinoa is the type of person to put her heart into all that she does. It's important that whatever this flowerbed represents be imprinted with the strength of heart, of mind, and of spirit.]

I see. I guess that makes sense.

[Respecting life? That seems a little easier than never walking on the grass ever again. But if people catch her thanking the ground from time to time as she walks places in the future? They can mind their business. She has manners.]

Oh of course! It's not helping me if you did it all for me after all, because then I'd never learn! [Gotta implant enough of her essence for it to be recognizable as her handiwork, right? Which means, given her reputation if it looks too perfect no one'll ever know it was hers.] That's more than enough, thanks Aerith!

[There's a reason her last name is Heartilly, after all. And it's not just because she took her mother's last name to spite her dad. Though... that certainly helped. But she just doesn't have the right vibes to be a Rinoa Caraway. It just doesn't work!]

[Rinoa might not actually be understanding it, but Aerith can see that she's trying. That means something. Many of the people back home don't even try to understand and just dismiss Aerith as being a bit eccentric. Perhaps overly sensitive, which, to be fair, is something more people ought to be back in their world. But people need to have free will, even if that means they aren't naturally the most empathetic.

Empathy, after all, is a difficult skill to hone and have.

She looks pleased by the response, grinning from ear-to-ear.]

It's nothing you need to thank me for. Besides, I haven't even done anything yet. You just have to let me know when you have your space for flowers. I'll help you get everything together. Plenty of time to think about what you want to put in.

[Just because she can't relate to something doesn't mean she should just write it off. Just like she wouldn't want people to write her off even if she says something they can't quite understand or agree with. It's... happened too many times to her and it's not a great feeling. So of course she has to try and make sure she never makes anyone feel like that.

Empathy is why she ended up fighting for a small city-state's freedom despite not even being from the area after all.]

Of course I do. You're planning on working with me and helping me, that's more than nothing. Even if you haven't done it yet, the fact that you're willing to even try says a lot! Don't you think?

[Instead of say, telling her that trying to make a flower field when she knows nothing about gardening is impractical and that she should learn before trying something so foolish. Or however else someone like her father might have worded it.]

Hm... maybe!

[To Aerith, it is simply a matter of what feels... normal and natural? She's not sure she'd put it that way. She is simply being herself. Doing what Aerith would do. She doesn't need a deep or a profound reason for it. Aerith is as Aerith does.

Or something to that effect.]

I think it would've been very unlike me not to offer. I just love plants. You have a genuine interest in them. I want to encourage that! If I could bottle that up and sell it back home, I would.

[But it could very well be that the state of the world back home plays a big part in why people aren't as excitable about plants as Aerith tends to be.]

Sorry, the only reason I'm even interested is because flowers have come to mean something specific to me now. If it wasn't for that... well, not everyone can have ties to everything I suppose.

[Might as well be honest about it, right?

Rinoa glances down at her freshly planted flowers, that are a little crooked, but otherwise not too bad and smiles. She'd really done that.]

But who knows, maybe someday there'll be one or two people who end up with a love of plants. And then that can spread to others if they try.

[Aerith’s expression is sympathetic. Flowers can have all kinds of meanings for all kinds of people. It’s not always a happy one either and that’s okay. The idea that they can provoke feelings in anyone is a good thing. Sometimes the details just don’t matter. She can’t say she’s not curious, but all things with time.

The things worth having are the things she ought to earn. Including Rinoa’s friendship and anything she might be interested in sharing.]

I think that kind of fondness is as infectious as anything else. Positive feelings. Negative ones. People might not realise it, but we’re definitely affected by those around us. When we get close to others, we can even find that sometimes we start caring about things that are important to them. Because you know, those people become important.

[Her smile grows again and she looks, for those moments, incredibly fond. Or perhaps she is wistful.]

In time, maybe many other people will come to like flowers for their own reasons.

[Rinoa listens, face thoughtful as Aerith explains. By the end of it, she's nodding her head in agreement. Because honestly? She's seen it in action a time or two now. People caring about things because someone else cares about them. Like the guy who'd spent his summer helping a rag tag rebel group simply because there was a pretty girl in it. As well as some much more contemporary examples.

Though, even now she's pretty sure Squall hasn't even thought twice about Timber in a very long time.]

You're right. The feelings people have, the strong ones anyway - they never stay just in themselves. They almost always spread outwards to others. [She pokes a plant with a finger gently.] Almost like we're all connected in a way.

[Glancing up, Rinoa smiles softly at the look on Aerith's face.]

With as strong as you feel about this, I'm sure it'll happen eventually.

I think that’s the perfect way to put it. Like we’re all connected in a way.

[Rinoa would have no way of knowing it, but that’s exactly how things are back home. Plenty of people likely don’t believe in the presence of the Lifestream or the Ancients, probably comparing those things to folklore, but the way Rinoa’s just put it is precisely how things work. Everyone is connected together. Life pulses through them all. In that, they’re connected not just to all people, but to all plants and animals. In the Lifestream, one is connected to all things.

She looks remarkably happy that someone else other than her would ever bother to say it.]

And I think you’re right. One day it’ll happen eventually. I hope I’ll be able to see it with my own eyes. But for now, I’m good with this. Sometimes all it takes, after all, is one small flower bed to make a difference.

It's easy enough to see that when the people around you are in a bad mood, it brings your own mood down. Or how it's hard to be super happy and silly in a room full of super serious people.

[Which she's all too familiar with both of those, but that's neither here nor there.
Rinoa giggles at Aerith's happiness, buoyed by the fact that someone doesn't actually think she's silly for the things she says sometimes.]

In that case, let's make this the best flower bed we can! For us, for them, and everyone!

[That's true. People like Rinoa and her make it somewhat easy, as if they're both frequently smiling. Aerith doesn't know Rinoa's predicament well enough to make the assessment if they're somewhat in the same boat, but people who are always smiling usually have something deeper going on with them. At this point, she feels as if that's just deduction.

But now is not the time to pry for such things. As long as Rinoa's smiles are genuine things, that might be all that matters. She wanted to see every kind of smile Rinoa has to offer. But this one, regarding the flowers, it seems like one that is very, very special.]

That sounds like a tall order, but it's the kind of challenge that I don't mind facing head on. I never was really the kind to back down from one. I think I'm ready to do exactly that.

[It might not be the best today or even in a month, but she imagines with enough heart, it can eventually become the best.]

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{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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I think we can wrap this one up here! ♥