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

[ Perhaps Mizuki doesn't quite understand what is so incredible about them, but she can clearly hear the reverence in Aerith's voice. She watches as her fingers trace the petals, ever careful and gentle. Flowers say a lot, apparently... She just has to learn to listen.

She closes the distance between them, coming up behind Aerith as she picks a flower from the bunch. A yellow one. ]

There's an iris back home that grows in winter... a purple one. It's supposed to mean "good news and hope." I guess it's a little like that.

[ Different flowers with different meanings... She offers the flower to Aerith, though she has no idea what this particular sunny one might say. ]

What would you say with them?

[Aerith grins over to Mizuki and she nods.]

Exactly. It's just like that.

[Does Mizuki like irises? She has to wonder, though it's an interesting piece of information to file away for later. That she remembers something like it implies that there's some kind of significance to it. Maybe not irises in general, but at least a specific purple type.

The yellow flower she offers to Aerith is rewarded with a smile. Aerith recognises it as a pansy, which is not a relatively common plant to Midgar, but she's seen them in books.]

This one represents optimism and hope. Happiness. The flowers in general are symbolic of free and independent thinking.

[They're a good flower for the situation as a whole, though Aerith wouldn't expect anyone other than herself to know. Maybe that guy from the charm network who was sharing flower meanings with people, though. He sure seems to know a lot about them.]

[ One day, Aerith will get a story about her best friend, who's named after those irises. For now, Mizuki watches her handle the yellow pansy, and thinks that maybe she should have picked more of them. ]

. . . That suits you. [ Iris, too. How funny would it have been if she'd been named something like "Pansy" instead?

There is a quiet snort under her breath at the thought. ]

[Aerith looks flattered at the remark. Mizuki's not wrong, either. Aerith is incredibly full of optimism and hope. Her smile grows and she takes some moments to eye Mizuki.]

How would you describe yourself? Don't be modest, now. And make sure you're nice.

[She has some ideas herself. Mizuki is thoughtful and kind, very proud and very self-sufficient. But she wants to hear her thoughts on this before she says anything.]

[ It doesn't take long for her to realize Aerith is taking this question seriously. The smile fades into something more neutral, thoughtful, and it's just like... being asked what you want for your birthday. Feels like you always have a whole list of things in your head, until someone asks, and suddenly it's all gone. ]

I'm, uh... [ Nice? Sure. Well, she's definitely not modest. She's very proud. ] I mean, you already know I'm strong. Like, I can kick some ass and look cute doing it. But I'm also... just a girl. I go to school, and I gotta worry about homework just like anyone else.

[ On top of her ABIS duties...... Hormones^TM. She sounds a little lonely, before she continues; ]

A rose seems too elegant for me, but maybe something else with thorns. [ If there is such a thing, Aerith would know. Or, she thinks. ]

[Aerith holds a patient smile as she listens, reflecting on just how seriously Mizuki interprets that. There's no right or wrong answer here. There never really is when it comes to assessing one's person. The thing about people is that they are a bit like water, too. They are never one thing. They are never simple. They are never still.

The gears in her head are turning as she considers the kind of flower that she feels might suit Mizuki the best. Something with thorns, but not a rose. And Aerith can understand why a rose might not be the best choice. Mizuki understands that she has growing to do. It's a very mature evaluation.]

Oh, I think I know. I didn't see any of the flowers here, but...

[And that's not a surprise, all things considered. She didn't see any roses, likely for the same reason.]

There's a plant called a bougainvillea. It's kind of like ivy, if you know what that is. They flower and they climb. They have thorns, too. But the flower of the plant signifies the idea of abundance and protection. It can also mean prosperity or represent one's passion for relationships with others. I think that all sounds a bit like you. You're strong, so you can use that strength to protect others and you sure seem to have an abundance of heart. I think if you want to protect others, then you must feel very deeply for those you'd want to guard.

[In short, these plants seem very well-suited for someone like her.]

[ While Mizuki listens, she eventually shuffles in and sits, making herself comfortable. Even the other locals around the table stop to listen to her and seem to appreciate Aerith's expertise. Time feels like it freezes in the room, and by the end, and odd sense of calm and understanding seem to reverberate throughout the room.

Hands start moving again. Plastic starts crinkling as bouquets are wrapped, and the eyes that were on Mizuki avert as everyone goes back to the tasks at hand. ]

Bougainvillea... huh. I'll remember that. [ Said in a tone that suggests he's never really heard of the flower. ] Too bad we didn't see any. Guess this town isn't big enough to have both of us.

[It's a strange thing to have so many people listening to her. In Midgar, she's easily overlooked. Plain and insignificant, which is intentional. Attention tends to be a dangerous thing for her. Having it here, she's not sure yet if she really wants that just yet.

She takes a moment to look around when it seems as though everything returns to something that feels a little more normal. Tilting her head at Mizuki.]

Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Sometimes, you just have to have a little faith. Besides, you're not restricted to one flower. I'm positive there are so many flowers that would fit you.

[ A little faith... It's been more difficult than not to have as of late. Her perceived failure regarding Tearer and Ryuki in particular still weighs on her mind, but maybe Aerith is lifting that somewhat.

Mizuki pulls out a seat, then gestures for Aerith to join her. ]

Well, c'mon, then! Maybe you can teach me a few more. I bet you'd be better at this than I am.

[She doesn't need much more encouragement than that. Aerith settles in the chair that Mizuki pulls out for her. The smile drawn across her face is gentle and warm. It might be easier with a book, but Aerith is a fount of knowledge when it comes to flowers and the related. In time, she'd love to share all of them with Mizuki.]

It's not about being better. [She corrects, her smile growing.] It's just about learning.

[And girl, she's about to learn you.]

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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Can probably wrap this one up here. . .