expiationlogs | {Mini Event} Day of Devotion

Entry tags:

{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

[Protection... yes. Ethlyn isn't too sure how true these vendors' claims are herself, but it's true, it is a nice thought.]

So far I'm not sure what we're supposed to be protected from here, but that first letter was ominous enough that I think we should take what we can get. Even if it's not actually magical, there's nothing wrong with having a good-luck charm. [She takes a closer look at Rinoa's armlet.] That's a good choice--it really suits you, I think.

I'm Ethlyn, by the way. Thank you for the lovely gift.

[Might as well accept it, why not? It isn't as though she's got a surplus of friends here, and it's nice to have someone take a big first step.]

[Rinoa has no idea either. It could or couldn't be true. But a cute accessory is a cute accessory and they seemed to love it when they followed local tradition. So why wouldn't she?]

That's kind of what I thought too. That letter was spooky! So better safe than sorry, you know?

[At the compliment Rinoa's smile broadens, eyes crinkling at the corners.]

Aw, thanks! I had an armlet before, but I gave it up when we first got here. My arm was feeling really naked without one.

Oh no! You're right. Introductions! [A laugh, because she's going about this backwards, but that's okay.] My name's Rinoa, and it's no trouble. The merchant seemed pretty keen on me giving them to people.

[Woohoo quest complete! Well, part of it anyway, she's still got more to hand out later. But it's at least part of the way there.]

[Ethlyn has to admit, the interlocking knots of the design have an appeal that's almost familiar.]

I suppose since the scarves are meant to be gifted, it makes sense for them to insist that these are for gifts as well. [She winks.] And they'd certainly sell better that way, wouldn't they?

I know what you mean, though. [She touches the brooch that clasps her cape.] If I go out without this, I almost feel unbalanced. Although that's probably because it was a gift from my husband.

They didn't have to try too hard. I liked the idea of giving things to people.

[No shame or embarrassment to admit this. Why would she be bothered by it?]

Oh! I have something like that! [Tugging on the chain around her neck, she pulls it free of her shirt to show the rings hanging from the chain to Ethlyn.] I mean....

[Her cheeks flush at the implication and she shakes her head before continuing.]

Well, he's not my husband or anything like that. But Squall's a really important person to me and one of these rings is his. The other was my mother's. I couldn't imagine being without them right now.

[After all the ring is all she really has of her mother. Well, that and a song anyway.]

Good for you. A generous spirit is a rare thing.

[And one Ethlyn hopes doesn't get crushed. She's done her best to keep her own, in spite of efforts by too many of her countrymen to convince everyone that there's no point to behaving with anything but resentful self-interest.

She grins when Rinoa blushes, and takes a look at the two rings. They are both quite striking.]

A special someone? [She almost says that she hopes he might come here, too, but thinks better of it. This place might look peaceful, but she hasn't forgotten the little pieces of paper they arrived with.] They're both very nice. I'm glad that you have them.

Is it?

[She's pretty sure most of her friends would have loved this idea. Zell and Selphie using it to spread cheer and energy. Irvine...... using it to try and flirt with people let's be honest here.

The question catches her by surprise and she startles, cheeks flushing just a shade darker.]

I... maybe? It's hard to say. [Whatever they were, it had all been pretty new. And now she's here and he's not. ~~Some Knight Protector he turned out to be~~] Me too. I don't know what I'd have done if I'd woken up here without them.

[Spent hours and hours searching for them probably.]

Ah, well, perhaps I've learned to be a little too cynical.

[That's a strange thing for a dead woman to say, Ethlyn thinks, but Rinoa's openhandedness is refreshing. It's nice to know there are places where a person can reach maturity and still be that way.]

Well, I hope some way or another you'll get to see him soon--although I don't know how we come and go from here. But it's nice that you have a keepsake until that day comes.

There are times when it's easier to be generous than others. Maybe things have just been extra hard. That doesn't mean you're cynical, just that it's been extra tough!

[There are probably plenty of people who would argue that Rinoa is far from maturity just yet.]

It'd be nice, but no matter what happens I'll be alright. The least I can do is learn to be self sufficient!

[Ethlyn laughs a little at the image of her as extra tough. Put like that, it does sound a little better. She just won't get into how 'extra hard' things really were. No reason to bring that up here.]

Extra-Tough Ethlyn has a strange sort of ring to it.

[She nods, finding that the longer she talks to Rinoa, the more she thinks of Tailtiu. As flippant and carefree as their thunder mage seemed, when the time came to make the difficult choice, she made it.]

I'm sure you'll do just fine. You don't seem like someone who gives up very easily.

[Mental fortitude is just as impressive as physical, even if it's not noticed nearly as much. So it tracks for Rinoa to be impressed, considering she's... not really extra tough physically either.]

See? That's the spirit. No one's taking advantage of you, because you're Tough and Mature!

[Hype Woman for hire. Maybe that's Rinoa's newest calling in life.

Oooh much too close to home that analysis, Rinoa might not be entirely comfortable with it. While also being super flattered by it. As long as Tailtiu is cool and pretty and strong. Because who wouldn't want to be compared to that?]

You're right. Maybe I might have given up once, but I've learned better now. Even when things are super tough, that's no reason to just give up. Sometimes you have to keep going no matter what.

[Mostly because by then there's no real choice in the matter, but it's moments like those that really redefine someone's character. Hers included.]

I should hope not.

[Tailtiu is definitely cool, pretty, and strong, and also uses lightning bolts to take people down extra-hard when she gets hurt.]

Exactly. Especially when you have something to fight for, you musn't ever back down or give in. [Ethlyn feels her heart flutter a little as she goes on with that sentence--that's a fair description of the last moments of her life, at least her life in Jugdral.

She has to move her mind away from that. It ill-suits such a cheerful conversation.] It sounds like you've been taught by experience. That's the best way to learn, sometimes--making mistakes and resolving to do better again.

Exactly! See, you'll do great!

[What's she doing great with? Rinoa's not even sure anymore, but that's not even the point. Anything she wants to do clearly!

Well.... she does have access to Thundaga, so she could at least kind of resemble that.]

Yeah, things are really different when you've got things to fight for, and you aren't fighting just for abstract reasons because you think you should.

[Because at first, she thought she understood. Fighting for Timber's freedom! But then, when it was something less abstract and more concrete? Like fighting for the lives of her friends and everyone? Completely different situation. Groundbreaking in the difference.]

Well, that's something I'm really good at. Making mistakes that is.

[And she's not even bothered by it. Why should she be? Ethlyn literally just mentioned it's part of learning and growing!]

Yes... you can have oaths, and kings, but in the end if you're going to fight--you won't succeed unless you believe in it. [She smiles a little.] I knew an arena-fighter who lost to one of my brother's forces, and he decided that being beaten by someone with conviction was better than winning for nothing better than money.

[Not that Rinoa seems anything like a professional sword-arm.]

Are you, now? [Ethlyn grins, it's true, she did just say that.] It sounds like you're well on the road to wisdom, then. Plenty of people spend too much effort into denying that they've made them.

I think I know a few people who'd probably agree with that arena-fighter now.

[Even after all her travel with mercenaries, she's still never really picked up the mindset. Then again, none of them really had that mindset either. Honestly, they're probably not very good at being Sell-Swords.]

That's silly. Especially when it's really obvious that you've made bad choices. Denying it just makes it look like you can't learn.

[Bad plans. Bad choices. Bad a lot of things, they'd all kind of built up into one giant 'I messed up' moment that about killed her and a lot of other people. Hard not to see where you went wrong in those cases.]

[Ethlyn raises her eyebrows, a little surprised to hear that Rinoa is acquainted with that sort of person. Granted, there are plenty of personalities in Sigurd's army, so she ought to know better than to develop any notions about what Rinoa's background might be without even asking.]

It sounds like you lead quite an interesting life back home.

[Denying your bad choices... yes. That was the Agustria campaign, wasn't it? Chagall refusing over and over to see that every choice he made dug his nation further into the ground. Even after being pulled almost literally out of his own grave, he only resented it and found a way to make things worse.]

No--and there's not much worse than a person who can't learn. Or who refuses to because their pride won't allow it. It's better to acknowledge it openly while you still have a chance to fix things.

Oh, you could say I get around.

[Probably an understatement since she's been all over her planet. And also has been to outer space now. She'd thought her journeying was finally done, but instead she'd gotten sent here, to explore a completely new place instead. Yay.]

Exactly! I might not be the smartest person, but I'm smart enough to know this at least.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject