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

Nope, I couldn't translate their language either. I think they probably communicate in like, subtle branch movements or something?

[ He wiggles a hand, as if that means something. Well, they only got the Cotati to move thanks to Groot, so he can only guess. ]

They live on this planet called Lamentis. It's actually a really beautiful place. Really peaceful. I guess the Cotati believe in peace, so maybe they probably think people are stupid for fighting all the time.

[ He shrugs. It's a little more exposition that he might give usually, but he knows how much Fushi likes to learn stuff, so he's happy to exposit. ]

Huh. That's cool. What was being a fish like? Is it true you don't realize you're underwater?

[ That's what people say, right? Fish don't know they're underwater, because for them it's as normal as breathing? ]

(the hand that is on peter's wiggles too, only to copy, mimic, laugh a little. who knows what they're saying to the cotati.

part of her just wants to go to space now, see beings as strange as she is, meet people who would find fushi normal and where there are no responsibilities. she can live forever on her own terms, it seems.)

... Take me, okay? One day, we're going to space!

(adventurous fushi, and she laughs at the question. again, things she's never been asked before.)

Mhm... It's a very nice life. You just think about the smells you like, the food you like, and keep away from predators, but mostly the smells... You can't tell you're underwater, it's outside that it's scary, it's just... Like you and I are now! I didn't have good eyesight, so my friend would tell me when there were predators. I used to dig holes as a thanks, too. I spent two years like that.

Edited 2023-03-01 23:06 (UTC)

[ Peter smiles big and wide. He wants that for Fushi too. A spaceship and a dream -- that's all you need out there. No one would even think twice about them there. ]

You can count on it.

[ He squeezes her hand. He really means it. ]

Two whole years? Man, that must've been nice! I mean, predators are something I've had to worry about sometimes, and I'm human.

[ He's mostly joking? But also? Even Peter can admit that having no worries would be a pretty nice break. ]

Can't believe that thing about the water's true. But yeah, I guess to them it's just breathing... Kinda reminds me of how some people can survive in space the same way, they don't need air or nothing, they're just built different.

[ He is not one of those lucky people. ]

Then I'll be able to see all the things you've been telling me about. I think I'll even be a little normal there.

(If Peter Knew The Shit Fushi Goes Through He Would Have A Heart Attack

either way, there's a laugh from fushi. of course it would be like that. humans are fragile, and even humans can be predators and prey, but he doesn't like that either. it's not even for food!! humanity, help out.)

Yeah, it's like you and I are here, but if we went underwater, it could be scary after a while. Isn't it incredible? Many different things.

Oh, totally. 'Shape-shifting immortal aliens' describes a good chunk of the people in the galaxy.

[ He waves a hand, dismissing it. He'd be in good company. ]

Yeah! It's seriously incredible. [ Peter's eyes really light up at the idea. Even if going underwater would be trouble for him, he can't deny that seeing somewhere new would be the best. ] There's so much of the universe to discover. New planets nobody's been too, new places with new things to see and explore... I love how everything's different, everywhere you go.

... I'm an alien? I thought I was an orb.

(new vocabulary, new confusion. nothing that peter isn't probably used to with fushi at this point.)

Do you want to ever just stop on a place? I think that could be tiring after a while, don't you think?

Oh, uh! [ Don't teach the orb weird words, Peter. ] I mean, that's kind of just what we call anybody who isn't the same species as ourselves. So like, to you, I'd be an alien. It's kinda shorthand, if that makes sense.

[ Space is a kinder place, or at least Peter will make sure Fushi thinks so. ]

Never. My place to stop is my ship, the Milano -- that's home for me. Everywhere else is just a cool place to visit. [ He waves a hand, he talks with his hands a lot, but he gets especially impassioned about his ship. ] I mean, there are some places and planets that are cool, like Knowhere or Contraxia, and we'll stop for a week or two if we need to unwind, but... getting tired of being out there? In the stars? That's just never gonna happen to me.

... What if there is just one of you? Am I a single alien? An... Elien?

(help, this is so confusing, but at least peter's always been patient. there's never been any reasons for her to feel like she can't be ignorant.)

I can't imagine how you feel like that. It... Could feel a little lonely, but I suppose you have friends, so it's not so possible. Groot, Rocket, and the others...

Just the one alien, yep.

[ Peter really is patient with her. He was once that confused, lost kid in space, (even if Fushi is 200 years old) and he would never want to discourage them from asking questions. ]

Yeah. [ He sighs, a little misty-eyed. ] Having good company helps a lot. Groot, Rocket, Gamora, Drax, even Nikki... they're my family. Doesn't matter where we go, as long as we're together.

[ He looks up at the sky.... oh, he's going to make himself sad. He's definitely sad. But he's also realizing it, so he blinks hard and flips his visor on to hide any red in his eyes. ]

Ugh, that pollen's pretty bad. [ Sniff. He clears his throat. ] Anyway... you'd fit right in.

(please, peter. fushi might not be able to sense emotions, but she's not stupid. she hears it in the voice, saw it before the visor hid it, and well. a look here, a look there, ensuring there's no one paying attention - and the girl is the wolf that fushi knows makes peter the most happy.

he's going to get jumped, and barked at, and licked.

don't be sad.)

[ Who can be sad when they are getting licked by a big white wolf, ok. Peter easily allows Fushi to topple him and just starts laughing as Fushi gives him the very best in doggy cuddles. ]

Hah, whoa—

[ Naturally he's going to hug him and pet his ears and the mask is gone because it's hard to laugh in that thing. Plus, he knows his friends wouldn't want him to be sad, either. ]

Thanks, buddy. Guess I did a pretty crappy job of hiding how much I miss them, huh?

(speaking, well, that will be for when fushi's a person again. right now, it makes him very happy to hear peter laughing after those tears threatened to leave. it's. bad. they can talk about the people they've lost.

it might do peter some good to remember them. fushi's an expert at that, after all. so, without any strength at all, he'll bite the hand that pets him, guiding them away from the crowd.)

[ Awww, Fushi really is doing his best, isn't he? Peter follows his lead and keeps patting him as they move away from the street, into a quieter alley, away from prying eyes. He doesn't totally get why, but he'd trust Fushi with anything at this point. ]

This where you wanted to go, boy?

[ Look, he's a puppy, it's hard to resist talking to him like that when Fushi's like this. ]

(it's fine, he likes all this puppy things!! he truly is a puppy when he is like this, a speaking, fushi puppy. it'd be strange if it continued when he turned into a human, though...

which is what he proceeds to do. it's the boy this time, the gust blowing a little on their hair and he sits on the nearest patch of grass, a hand pulling peter down with him.)

I think you need to talk. Can you trust me to be honest with me?

[ Peter watches it happen and it's still as cool as the first time. Really, Fushi's whole deal is very cool. It's very sad, but also. Cool.

Being told he needs to talk about his friends is maybe less cool. Aw! But then if he were in Fushi's shoes he wouldn't want to pretend it didn't happen either... ]

Aw, man. [ Peter hangs his head. ] Of course I trust you, Fushi... I just. You know. I miss my friends... I miss the Milano. I shouldn't dwell on it, but. It's hard sometimes.

It's not about not dwelling, Peter. I think... When we think of them and want their company, they're with us. It's hard being sad, and it's hard to want something you can't have, I understand it very well. I just think it's important. It's because they're important to you that you feel this way, so it means something. Dwell as much as you'd like.

(it's 200-year-old wisdom, even if it comes from a teenage boy.)

Besides, you have a chance, still. We don't know what this place wants from us, maybe you'll see them again.

Yeah... Yeah, you're right.

[ Peter sighs, his smile a bit muted. But it's there. Fushi is pretty wise for a 200-year-old kid. Peter should know better than to ignore his own sadness, after the mess with the Promise, but that was different. Missing his mom, or mourning Kor-El was dealing with the deaths of people who deserved better. At least Peter's friends aren't dead. They're out there, probably looking for him. Probably worried sick and arguing constantly without him to smooth things over. ]

I know I'll make it out of here. I have to, for them.

[ He feels stronger in his resolve, thinking about them. Even if the ache in his heart wants nothing more than to get yelled at by Gamora for being stupid, or cursed at by Rocket for leaving without giving them a heads up. ]

Do you, uh... I've talked about Groot a bit, but did you wanna know anything about the rest of 'em? Drax, Gamora, Rocket, or Nikki?

I look at people I've lost every day, you know. Some things, only you can do for them.

(remembering, cherishing, honoring. the ways peter and fushi can do it differ, but the intention doesn't so much.)

Tell me their dreams... And if you'd like, I'll introduce you my friends, too, later.

Yeah.

[ Peter nods. God, he can't imagine if he had to see his mom every day... He misses her still, even if he's come to terms with her death. It's still rough. He sucks in a breath, almost a laugh, almost a sob, then runs a hand across his face.

He still misses her. She didn't deserve what she got. But all he can do is keep living, and keep her memory alive. Same goes for each of his friends. ]

Dreams, huh... [ He smiles, sad, but trying. ] I think most of them just want a place where they belong. They're all people who've lost a lot because of the Galactic War. We all wanna make the galaxy a better place, maybe make it so less people get hurt like we did. Or at least help enough people so that the memory of the people we lost gets easier to carry.

[ Whoops, everyone in gotg 2021 has dead friends or family... hey at least they all have that in common with Fushi! ]

Edited 2023-03-08 17:34 (UTC)

(all fushi can do is set his bony hand on top of peter's shoulder, it's a reminder he's not alone. there are things only peter can do, but he doesn't have to do it alone.

fushi can listen.)

... But you've given them a place to belong, right? If you don't want to settle down, you've given them a place to stay. You've also given them each other, right? So in a way, their dreams have come true, yes?

[ Peter smiles a bit more, resting his own hand on Fushi's. It's a nice reminder that he's not along. That he'll always find good people, no matter where he goes. What he says rings true. Without Peter, where would the Guardians be? Nowhere good, he knows that much. For people like them, the Milano is the best thing there is. It's home. ]

Yeah, that's right. [ Now he's tearing up, but they're happier tears. ] In a weird way... all of us are lucky we found each other. I'm not gonna pretend it was all me, but... yeah, I think we really have made our dreams come true.

(he can't tell peter not to cry, but he can do the next rational thing, which is to take his tiny hands to peter's face so he looks at fushi for a second, the side of his index fingers moving the tears away.)

That's something really good, Peter. I'll work with you until you get to leave this place, okay? You'll see them again, I'll make it my personal mission.

(that moment when a god intern promises the impossible.)

[ Peter smiles, feeling the warmth from Fushi's tiny hands. He's so small. And so old. It's oddly comforting. Even here, he has the stars at his side. ]

Thanks, Fushi. That really means a lot to me.

[ He blinks back some more tears, seeing that clear determination in Fushi's eyes. He matches it as best he can -- he hasn't forgotten what he's told Fushi, nor what Fushi's told him. ]

I won't leave you behind. I want you to come see space, too.

... Ah... I know I said I wanted to go, but I can't go, Peter.

(his hands retrieve once the tears are away from peter's face. that's better, much better.)

I need to defeat the Knockers, or... People will keep dying because of me. The Black Hood won't move a finger, so... It's always up to me. I'm... So tired... I just need this to end so we can go freely.

[ Peter listens, nodding at Fushi's clear plan. You know he only respects Fushi more for this! ]

I get that.

[ Sometimes you gotta clean up your own mess before going on an adventure. Even if it's not your fault... he gets that. Once upon a time he would have tried to run, but that's not who Peter is anymore. He sets a hand on Fushi's shoulder. ]

If you need any help taking care of those Knocker jerks, my crew's ready to go once we get out of here. But I totally get wanting to gun it alone, too. You gotta show that scuthole that he's got another thing coming.

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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