expiationlogs | {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

[For a beat of her heart, Clara thought the Doctor was going to brush her cheek, and she'd been ready to turn her cheek into it. When he touches the chain of the pendant, though, the result is still the same. She feels something unspool in her that's directly connected to him.

And then he's on about her shoes and she lets out a huff of a laugh, trying to ignore the burning of her cheeks, the heat creeping up her neck. As a distraction, she reaches for his floppy hat again and puts it on top of her head, looking up at him, quite honestly, adorably. ]

Then let's go shoe shopping. Or out to find a cobbler. By the way, we haven't been here months. We haven't even been here one month.

[ The dim light only lends to his usual oblivious nature meaning that even if a blush had threatened to show somehow, he would have missed it in its entirety. Most things aren't as obvious as the Bambi eyes after all.

Although the floppy hat does seem to suit her just as well and his lips crookedly lift before he scoffs slightly. ]

I know. Time Lord, remember? And when was the last time you went to a cobbler anyway?

I dunno, they exist, though. And in a hamlet like this, there's gotta be at last one.

[ She stands and, still close to him, she reaches out to touch the silk of the scarf lightly. Then, she looks up at him, smiling. ]

I wanted it to be perfect. I'm glad you like it. I like trying to find the things that make you smile at me.

[ It's the first time something she didn't mean to say actually slips out, and she quickly drops her hand, turning to take off the hat and put it back on his bed. ]

Sorry, forget the mushy stuff. I know you don't like it. C'mon, we'll see if there's a calendar for you we can find while we're out.

There is. I delivered a package there earlier today. [ And the cobbler had been incredibly chatty. Rather young too - or at least that's the impression the Doctor had gotten. Their general energy had been ridiculously exuberant and he'd had tried to excuse himself from them as quickly as possible. He sighs slightly at the thought. ] They're a bit chatty. You two will probably get along.

[ Clara's smile distracts him from his thoughts, and he blinks down at her, forgetting how close they had been standing to one another. It takes him another minute to process what she's saying. And then quite inexplicably he offers up his own, very accidental thought — ]

You don't have to try that hard, Clara.

[ Out of all the things to come out of his mouth, that isn't what she expected. Now she's the one who looks owlish, looking at him, hand still against the scarf. ]

Oh.

[ But now, she wonders what that means. The gifts to one another, her crime, the fact that they're here together after only a few weeks of traveling together again. Maybe this is the place she can finally get feelings together. ]

Doctor, I—I try that hard because I'm not always brave when it comes to saying things. And if you don't like something, it's just the thing.

[ Not her. ]

If I don't like something I don't have a problem saying it, Clara. [ He can't help the wryness that colours his tone. ] You know that.

[ For all his grandstanding about how shy he is (he isn't), this incarnation of him had always been incredibly blunt which had nothing to do with this accent either. His choice of words, the way he now expressed his thoughts had changed since the boyish incarnation of him. Flowery words weren't used to soothe those around him or rather, they rarely did. All of that felt odd on him, like an ill fitting jacket that no longer fit. But who was in front of him mattered and often changed how he wielded that bluntness.

Clara mattered. ]

But what I'm trying to say is that you don't have to try so hard to make me smile because you already do that without putting that much effort in. [ He huffs, so focused on trying to figure out how to make her understand that while cautioning her against becoming someone that she wasn't, that he doesn't realize that his words may imply something else. ] Isn't that saying, "work smarter, not harder"?

[ It's only since she started traveling with him again that she's realized while he's telling her she doesn't have to try so hard, he actually does try. He really tries, but he's standing here telling her she doesn't need to do the same.

Huffing out a laugh, she rolls her eyes a little even though she's turned a little pink. And then he has to prepare himself for a hug on short notice, because her arms are going around him before he can say much about it. ]

I'm glad, then. That I make you happy, I mean.

[ How they'd left things had felt so awful, but now, hearing that she makes him happy, that makes her feel like breaking out into dimples. ]

[ The hug catches him off guard, so the stiffness in his body has less to do with rejection and discomfort and more to do with surprise. This isn't the first time they've hugged since reuniting. He's become more comfortable with touch like this, or rather, with her. There's an understanding between them now that she needs this, and a part of him, perhaps, is starting to feel like he doesn't totally hate it. At least when it comes to Clara.

What surprises him the most however is how quickly the discomfort is dispelled, replaced instead with comfort that he's starting to relate specifically to her.

There could very well be something else there about how it all relates back to her, but the thought is quickly brushed off for another day. His arms have to remember how to work. After a beat, his arms go to briefly wrap around her slight form letting them linger there for a second longer than he might otherwise before pulling back. ]

I'd probably have to file a complaint to the human resources department if you didn't. [ His lips quirk. ] Something about poor working conditions?

[ She knows the hug has gone over well and he didn't hate every second of it, when he hugs her back, even briefly. It's enough to make her happy, though she'll always want to linger longer, head right against his chest. ]

I'm pretty sure eth TARDIS qualifies for human resources, and she'd side with you, so, you've got me there.

[ The longer they stay in the hug, the more comfortable he feels. There’s a familiarity there, which shouldn’t be so much of a surprise considering how long they’ve travelled together. If he thinks about it long enough he may realize that the source of the familiarity has less to do with the time they’ve travelled together and more to do with how Clara feels like another extension of him. Like a limb, or the beats of his hearts.

But it’s him and he doesn’t dwell on it, instead just letting his chin rest lightly atop her head and savouring the moment. ]

Ah that’s right. Although you two have been getting along much better lately. You never know. You might catch her in a cross mood with me and win that argument.

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject