{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

[expiationmods]

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.

Comments

Peter Quill | OTA

[starguy]

1. Never Gonna Give You Up

[ Peter's taken a shine to the brooches -- shiny, golds, and metals are way more his style. Plus, scarves are more Gamora's thing. He's not really sure what they'd protect him from -- alien attacks? Whoever is behind their crime papers? But free is free, and he's not about to complain.

He's managed to find... very creative "brooch" if it can be called that. It sure called to him though, so he had to have it. He's got a few more star-themed ones, all pinned to his jacket like he's a con-goer in the late 00s. He's just in a good mood and happy to chat up strangers. You just happen to be the lucky one today! ]

So, what do you think they're protecting us from? I mean, it has to be something, right? Some legend they aren't telling us about or something?

2. Kiss From A Rose (came out in 95 but w/e)

[ Peter is not a manual labor guy. He can fix an engine, check a fuel gauge and chart a path along the stars, but planting flowers? Tilling soil? He simply can't do it. Picking and watering, that he can do. His visor may not totally work yet, but it's useful enough in catching the differences between flowers, and helping the locals build bouquets and whatnot.

So what if he looks super out of place, in his full gear, and with his visor enabled, hunched over a bed of flowers and hovering over each of them. Maybe if he can't pull data off a network, he can start making his own entries? ]

Hey, you! Help me out a sec. Do you know what this flower's called?

[ He doesn't recognize a lot of these -- but it's not because they're weird. Quite the opposite. Surrounded by earth flowers, he can probably name roses, sunflowers, daisies and... that's it. He could use a little help. ]

Or, uh, what do they call 'em where you're from?

/insert community clip of the dean and jeff karaoke-ing this song

[makemeasong]

[ Clara looks around at the hey you, trying to decide if she's the one the words are being directed at or not. When she realizes he is talking to her, she comes closer and smiles at his question. ]

Where I'm from they're called marigolds. Do you like them? They're good for filler in bouquets, mostly.

[ Clara is still trying to figure out his outfit. ]

Are you from Earth?

[ Even as she asks, she realizes marigolds aren't exactly as common as all the others, earthling or not. Good thing it's still a valid question in this place. ]

my eyeeeees become alive and the liiiight that you shine is the dean

[starguy]

[ Peter's manners could use adjusting, but then he didn't learn a ton at space pirate school, unfortunately. (He also didn't go to space pirate school.)

Marigolds, huh... I feel like I should've known that. I like the colors.

[ He makes a note on his visor, tapping the side of his face before it retreats back into his neck and disappears. Hey, it's a normal-looking human under there! ]

But yep! [ He doesn't think that question is weird at all! ] Kind of a long story, I wasn't a big flower guy and I haven't been back in a long time. Like, some of them look familiar? But flark if I know what they're called.

BAYBEEEEEE

[makemeasong]

[ There is some sort of light that sparks in Clara's eyes, and she forgets about the flowers, totally neglecting the fact that she was working on gathering tulips for someone. ]

You mean you weren't on Earth when you came here? me too! I mean, I'm from Earth, but I wasn't on Earth. I was on my friend's ship. Not a lot of flowers in space, but he does have a garden inside. Not with this many flowers.

[ She's talking fast, rambling, but only because she's excited to meet someone else from Earth. She's almost positive she hasn't yet, so this is a big day. ]

I'm Clara, earthling.

[starguy]

[ Ooh, Peter mirrors that same look. It's always fun to meet a fellow Terran who knows their way about space! ]

Dude, awesome! You're like the first off-worlder I've met since I got here!

[ Twinsies! Don't worry, Peter can keep up, he's on the same wavelength. ]

That's so cool that your friend's ship has a garden! My ship -- well, one of my friends kinda turned his room into one, but calling it a garden would be a stretch. It's nice to have some green when you're in space, though. Makes the whole thing kinda zen.

[ He laughs, thinking back on it fondly. ]

I'm Star-Lord, but usually I just go by Peter Quill. [ There's definitely a wink there, but I promise he is just Like This. ] Also from Earth. Nice to meet you!

1. Wow, Rinoa's bad at a lot of that song actually.... huh

[wishupona]

[Rinoa's actually quite capable of answering that question, and secretly a bit of a bookworm. So of course she's going to answer. Plus, ignoring him would be rude!]

Well, I'm not sure if it's quite the same here as it is back home, but.... usually they're for small things like bad luck, misfortune, evil thoughts, and that sort of thing. Probably a few for making sure your lover doesn't cheat, stuff like that.

[starguy]

Aw, so they're just doohickeys? That's boring. I was kinda hoping they'd be like, tied to an ancient god or something. Maybe turn us all into zombies for wearing 'em?

[ Don't tell Joel this joke. Peter doesn't know zombies are real. Never let it be said that he doesn't take a huge risk at being jinxed here. ]

For the record, I'm not real superstitious, I just think they're neat.

[wishupona]

I didn't say that. It's hard to tell. Some of them could be real, some of them could be not.

[Here she shrugs, not afraid to admit that she honestly doesn't know.]

I don't really know enough about how magic and things like it work in this world to say.

[At his joke though, Rinoa wrinkles her nose.]

Oh I hope not. The undead are super gross. Bleh.

[She might not be from the sort of world Joel's from, but she's ran into the undead before. Icky. Though the look she shoots him afterwards is maybe a little judgmental. Why write things off just because they're different? Weird.]

I've seen enough stuff that I'm not about to turn down potential help. I don't care if people think it's silly.

[starguy]

[ Peter pokes his brooches, but they release nary a sparkle of magic, alas. ]

Yeah, jury's still out on how much magic or tech they have here.

[ He's about to try and joke more about the pins when she says that about the zombie thing. It doesn't sound like she's talking about the movies. Drop everything, he needs to focus on this. ]

You've seen zombies?? Zombies are real?

i. never gonna let him down, or run around, or desert him

[usarinpa]

[ Mizuki knows nothing about flowers. She has put herself out there, however, in helping the locals tend the fields and collect the prettiest, most colorful, and most outlandish flowers she can find. She's come back to the shop to drop off a basketful to be made into bouquets, which is totally not her forte, but she spots a familiar face as she makes her way behind the counter. ]

Hey.

[ ......what even. ]

Maybe that one protects you from fires?

[ yeah she's a funny gal ]

[starguy]

[ Good job, Mizuki! Date would be proud. Peter meanwhile, is very proud of his purchases, thank you very much. ]

Pretty cool, right, Mizuki?

[ He grins. I'm so sorry he is this pumped about pins, he's twelve. ]

Hey, that's not a bad one! That mean these protect me from stardust?

[usarinpa]

[ She's glancing at the one he indicates, with a thoughtful hum before she realizes—there are more. ]

Whoa, you got a lot! Good for you.

[ And she hands off her basket without much thought to the worker who's been waiting for them, continuing seamlessly, as if going back to his question: ]

Seems like they want us to make up our own legends and stories for that sort of thing. [ 'Cause they sure aren't giving straight answers. ]

[starguy]

Hell yeah! I love stuff like this.

[ It's true. This guy can waste so many units on trinkets. But he's enjoying himself, and isn't that what matters? ]

You think so? I guess that makes sense. Maybe these, [ He pokes one of the stars, the more legit looking ones. ] are to protect from space invaders?

[ Is he kidding? Is he not? Who can say. ]

2

[grappler]

[Vi's kind of gotten bullied into being into the flower field. she doesn't even exactly want to leave it -- the sweet smell of flowers is honestly kind of overwhelming, and the colors are all so...natural.

at the question however, her curiosity and awe get broken.]

I dunno. I've never even seen most of these flowers...or any of them, really.

[starguy]

[ Peter nods. He honestly doesn't expect anybody to be a flower expert, but the fact that this lady didn't freak out at his visor is at least a good sign! ]

Yeah, these are the kinds you'd find on Earth, I think. Haven't seen this many since I was a kid.

[ He retracts the mask to reveal his face, craning his neck to see what she's up to. He's nosy, it's his nature. ]

You alright? Flowers not your thing?

[grappler]

[she's after the respirators that the soldiers wear in the undercity, she's not really fazed by anything at least. she just kind of assumes it's normal for him.

she shrugs.]

I wouldn't know if flowers aren't my thing. Where I come from, we don't see any...or many, anyway. Not unless we go up to Piltover.

[there's some potted plants and things up there, but she hadn't been up there long enough to really look at it all.]

[starguy]

[ It's so normal for him that people's response to it here has been noticeable. Her lack of a reaction is a relief, even her talk of somewhere he doesn't know feels more normal than all the Terrans he's met! ]

That's what I'm used to, too. Flowers like this are only really common on undeveloped planets or in weird gardens and stuff like that.

[ New Xandar probably has some. But he doesn't frequent nice planets like that. ]

It's weird that there's so many, right? Like, all this just to make bouquets?

2. was going to wildcard but this is perfect for the idea I had

[parasaito]

[Peter might notice a moment of silence passes before the guy he addressed chuckles dryly. Not at Peter, but to himself. Before digging his hand into the soil, then pulling out a handful of the flowers in question.]

These? [He tugs at another handful, crushing the petals and leaves in his grip.] These are winter irises. Where I'm from, they're said to mean "good news and hope".

["Killing" flowers certainly doesn't even hold a candle to ending a human life, or even an animal's. But it's as entertaining as squashing bugs (which is mainly what he is doing here), and Saito can think back to the moment he murdered the person named after these particular flowers.]

excellent

[starguy]

Dude, I'm pretty sure you don't have to pull em out by the root for bouquets.

[ He says that, but he still adds the entry to his HUD, then drops the visor. Time to meet someone new! Someone who apparently doesn't like flowers too much. ]

Not a fan?

[ Maybe he had a bad experience, who can say? ]

[parasaito]

Who said anything about pulling these out for bouquets?

[Saito is aware it's what he theoretically should be doing. What he doesn't know is why these are blooming over here. He drops the inoffensive flowers on the ground, then straightens himself up. Just enough to bring a foot down on them, grinding their natural beauty to a flattened mess.]

Not really. Especially not of this particular flower.

[It's nothing personal against the flowers, but against the people they remind him of.]

[starguy]

[ Peter nods in understanding. That's totally fair. If any of these flowers reminded him of Chitauri Prime, he'd probably want to crush 'em too. ]

You wanna... talk about it?

[ Peter's always willing to hear people out. It's one of his flaws, he just wants to help people so bad. ]

If not, that's cool too. I could actually use some help cataloguing these, so if you know any other flowers, that'd be a big help, too.

1 but a bit of wildcard

[incessantness]

(just monitoring the situation first is an owl, flying proud and not sus at all on top of the celebrations, until he sees a very familiar face. it's a bit of a prank, really, a little test to see whether peter can spot fushi easily, or would he now think these things are just lucky coincidences?

the owl sits on top of peter's head as he pins the accessory, beaking some hair, gently.)

[starguy]

[ Peter is a space-faring man, so he naturally scans both his surroundings and above him for enemies... but he's not scanning for enemies at the moment, and is mostly paying attention to shiny brooches when a shadow in the sky alerts him to the presence of a bird.

Naturally, Peter looks up. Oh, that's a really cute bird! It's been years, but he's pretty sure it's an owl. Is that the right word? Anyway. It's a cute bird with big eyes and fluffy feathers. And it lands on his head like it knows him. ]

Hey there, little guy!

[ Peter glances up, careful not to move his head too fast. Considering his track record with animals (it's not great, unless he's singing to them,) there's really only one answer as to the identity of this little feathered friend. ]

...Fushi, right? [ He doesn't say it too loud, in case Fushi's keeping his transformation thing on the downlow. ] Uh, otherwise, I promise I don't have any food on me.

[ A regular owl would not understand you, Peter. ]

[incessantness]

How fast...

(The Horrible Ordeal of Being Known-- just kidding, he sort of likes it, and even fluffs himself to properly nest against all the hair. honestly-- as an owl, it does make him think this is a nice nest, a natural thought. hasn't anybody tried this? no bird friends?

don't know what they're missing. in ligard's form, he lives here now.)

[starguy]

Hehe. I'm not real popular with birds, otherwise.

[ Who knew all this time, Peter has been doing his hair up just so that it would make a great nest for a cute owl... Honestly, Peter's lucky he's not more popular, he might actually have to wear a helmet if that were the case. ]

How's it going? You see any pins or brooches you might like? I can get you one.