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

Warm gloves are just as important as scarves and coats. You can't really do much if your fingers are about to freeze over.

[She remembers the cold of Cyslodia. It was especially shocking after the sweltering heat of Calaglia. Going from one extreme to the other was pretty awful. Especially since so many of the zeugels in the area had ice attacks that they used like they were going out of style. She knew that Alphen didn't feel it because of his weird condition, but she never complained when they sat down to a fire at a campsite, that's for sure.

Of course, Menancia and Mahag Saar were both fairly temperate, but considering each realm was affected by the elemental astral energy that was harvested from each, she wasn't that surprised. And, well, carrying the Fire Master Core meant that it took a bit more for her to be hit with the cold of Cyslodia, but not the others.]

Oh. [She hadn't really thought about going with the other woman, but... There's a part of her that thinks that it probably shouldn't be this hard to really meet new people and do something innocuous like this. Not that she has a frame of reference for shopping with someone else, that wasn't for battle.] O-okay. Do you have any colors or styles that you prefer so that I can keep an eye out for something?

I usually wear dresses.

[ Her hand goes to smooth the fabric of her current attire. A long, modest blue dress with an elegant look to it, but not too elaborate overall. ]

I've also been looking after horses on one of the farms, so I could use some clothes easy to ride in.

[ Marianne senses a slight hesitation from the other woman, and she wonders if maybe her suggestion came at a bad time, or maybe she misread something in their interactions. She knows she isn't the best when it comes to socializing. So, she adds— ]

Only if you want to. It's okay if you're busy.

As do I.

[She looks down at the really dated dress she's wearing, flattening down the flare of the skirt at her mid thigh, where her garter is barely visible at the edge, bullets showing that it's a small bandolier. Of course, of the other outfits she has available, this one is her favorite. She really likes the lace accessories.]

I... don't know much about horses, but I could probably help you find something to wear to make it easier to work around them. Or ride them. [She blinks.] You do do that, right?

[She still has to get used to that. Horses just aren't used that way where she's from.]

No, it's okay. I don't mind. I just...haven't done this before.

Yes, I like to take them on rides. They really enjoy being out in the meadows.

[ She finds herself the most calm on horseback. It's almost enough to chase away the anxious thoughts that plague her day to day ever since she woke up with an accusing scroll in her hand. That, and it was good exercise for the horses, and she liked to see them happy. Her expression even relaxes while she talks about them. ]

Oh, what do you mean?

[ Marianne responds with gentle surprise in her voice. She hasn't done this before? That can't be right, she's dressed so prettily, with an eye for fashion... Does she mean shopping with others, perhaps? ]

You are the second person that I've spoken with that has talked about riding horses. Is it fun?

[She'd really like to be able to do that herself, if she's honest. She's never really done anything for her, but she's sure that the others would agree that she probably should do something. Besides eat more of the food when it's her turn to cook.

She also wonders if Alphen would enjoy it. He's a lot more open to new things than she is. And he can sort of act as a buffer for her so that she avoids hurting someone else.

Marianne's question makes Shionne startle in a way that she feels a bit ashamed.]

I don't normally stick around during the shopping parts of traveling with my companions. They like to look at the weapons. [And Kisara and Rinwell aren't as into fashion as she is, but she also hasn't tried to go shopping solely for things she wants either.]

I find it very relaxing. You can take in the scenery as you ride. The land around Aldrip is beautiful.

[ Though soft-spoken by nature, Marianne's voice grows animated at the talk of horseback riding and she loses the hunch in her shoulders. It's evident that she's very fond of the activity. ]

I see. I don't do this sort of thing much either.

[ She didn't know many people growing up, much less get to go shopping with them. It was only after meeting Hilda and the rest of the Golden Deer that she'd started to come out of her shell. Marianne doesn't know if she makes for good company, but she enjoys shopping for clothes over weapons, so they're similar in that regard. ]

My name's Marianne.

[She's not sure how to address the part about riding a horse. It's not something she has the frame of reference to compare it to, so she just lets it sit to the side. But, there's a tiny part of her that she is curious about what it would be like.]

I'm glad it's not just me.

[Shionne gives what she hopes is a reassuring smile. If she can just get over this strange feeling of having to push pass a barrier she's put between herself and everyone else, she might be able to acknowledge that she wants to have friends. Friends that don't hate her.]

I'm Shionne. Are you... are you here alone?

I am.

[ It feels a little lonely when put into words. If this were back home, she'd be passing the time with her classmates. Marianne tells herself it's for the best that no one else she knows is here though. ]

But it's alright. I'm used to it, and the people I've met here have been kind.

[ She adds, in an attempt to not damper the mood of the conversation. After all, she had Shionne's company now, so it's not as if she's spending the festival alone. ]

Oh. I'm sorry.

[Shionne won't say this out loud, but having so many of her companions here from home is a relief. Sure, they have issues between them all, but they're the only people who really accepted her back on Dahna, even with all of her baggage. She's not sure she wants to go back to being completely alone again. It's.... Nope, not thinking about that.]

Yes, everyone I've meet so far has been very kind. It's... It's not what I'm used to.

[People being nice to her is weird. Someone please yell at her and call her a killer.]

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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