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expiationlogs2023-02-17 07:53 am
{Mini Event} 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.
no subject
Mizuki's hand automatically moves up to his, the one that's found its way onto her shoulder. It almost feels like she's going to flick it off in protest, but instead, she just seems to stop there, groaning outwardly. ]
Fine. He adopted me. He's like my old man. Probably older than you guys, to be honest.
[ Mizuki, that's rude (and absolutely not true). ]
no subject
[Even as the old lady spoke, Saito's focus temporarily goes to the gesture that seems genuine on Mizuki's part instead; the warmth of another hand on his. On most people, physical contact with a familiar human being would evoke warm feelings. But not on him. He feels nothing, as usual. Granted, it's not like he harbors any kind of emotional closeness to her. But he still dully notes it's not a sensation that can simply be synthesized, not even through pretending to be close to the other person.]
And she's my adopted pet-daughter, Mewzuki. Her full name is Mewzuki Date, by the way. And sure, I'm old enough to be her real father, but I'm definitely not over fifty-something. Mewzuki here is just jealous of my youthful looks, please don't mind her lack of manners.
no subject
[ . . . sigh.
Yet she does look at the older couple, expression softening with respect; first the woman, then the man. ]
Anyway, sorry. And thanks. [ for... making a really cute scarf? and a cute charm? ] Hope you enjoy the show.
no subject
However, this also leaves Saito and Mizuki in this weird atmosphere. Her sigh didn't go unnoticed, but he doesn't press the subject of her jealously further. Lest it turns against him in the form of her demanding that he takes off the mask again.
He does detach himself from her, though, letting his arm fall to his side and absent-mindedly contorting the fingers of the hand that was on Mizuki's shoulder as his thoughts go back to the moment his mind wandered.
It's not surprising that his "new world, new me" impromptu excuse he gave Mizuki that day doesn't apply to the idiosyncrasies of his brain even in this new environment. As ironic as it is.]
1/2
Are they seriously supposed to celebrate a Day of Devotion when they're held prisoner?
There's the odd bout of skepticism. Mizuki also should have fallen under this camp, but at the moment, she feels oddly satisfied. She doesn't even notice that he hasn't said anything as the first fireworks explode in the sky to a round of cheers. ]
Hey, Date. You know I don't usually say this sort of thing, right? But... thanks.
no subject
You make me feel less alone. [ Like she's home. Almost. ]
no subject
When red circles begin to color the sky, there's a minute widening of his eyes, and the twitching of his fingers is back, as though that particular color installs some kind of restlessness in him.
Red is the predominant color of his favorite kind of fireworks.]
no subject
[ . . . After waiting impatiently, Mizuki simply shakes her head, and finally, her head tilts upward as well to mirror his. She can certainly appreciate the beauty in it, but when she looks over to see his fingers twitching, she'll reach over to grab his hand again, as if to get them to stop.
Rude. ]
And here I thought you'd be ready to make fun of me.
no subject
I was so overjoyed that you were being completely honest about your feelings for once, it had me at a loss for words.
[Well, she did ask for it.]
no subject
[ What a laughable thought. She snorts, practically choking on the sarcasm she perceives as the fireworks display continues to illuminate his face. ]
Then what did I just say? I bet you don't even know.
no subject
I knew, but the shock and joy were too much, I just forgot.
[While he did hear her saying something, her words were registered as something something thanks and something something less alone.]
no subject
[ She should be offended! Instead, she giggles, and affectionately nudges his shoulder with her fist in a light punch. She's not about to repeat herself, so Saito gets what he wants, and Mizuki falls silent.
A smile lingers on her face as she looks back up at the sky. She can hear a faint, distant whistling as the next round of fireworks are launched, after which starry explosions crackle their way into the shape of a red heart. ]
no subject
A few more moments of transient blissfulness pass, with only the bang of explosions resounding, until a red heart pops high up into the sky for a mere second or two, then scintillates into nothingness. The sky goes still once again, low chattering starting to fill the silence that was occupied by the loud bursts of fireworks until just now.]
... It's over.
[But he's still looking up expectantly, as if hoping to be proven wrong.]
no subject
It is almost kind of cute, and truth be told, Mizuki hates that she thinks so. She's not looking at his hands, and there's no reason for her to look up at the sky anymore. She just looks at him, and after a moment, she takes the bouquet of flowers that is still in her hand and bops it over his head gently. ]
. . . Here.
no subject
Well, all the more reason to use this to his advantage... if there is any to be had in this situation. Still—]
Why are you giving me this? I thought you were done playing the cutesy act earlier.
[He doesn't suppose alluding to what he did to the last flower she gave him earlier would be of any help in maintaining his act. Instead, he merely refuses to accept the gift right away, pushing it out of his face with the back of his hand.]
no subject
Though she allows the bouquet to be pushed out of his face, it remains in offering. ]
Tch. Well, I'm not gonna get myself a boyfriend anytime soon, so you might as well have it. Put it in a vase when we get back to the room or something. [ She is trying so hard to sound nonchalant about it. ]
no subject
You're a big girl now, you should know better than to try and dump your trash on others. No matter if they're your family.
[In contrast to her, Saito is trying to sound playful instead of too nonchalant about the sudden excuse for a gift. He accepts the bouquet this time, going along with her obvious expectations of him.]
🎀
But she seems pleased, more than she should be, that he decides to keep the bouquet. She has no idea why it makes her happy to see him carrying it, but she swallows those feelings down, because she can't have him thinking she's gone soft or— ]
Whatever...