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

The world ended. Starbucks went with it.

[ He says that matter-of-factly. It's a thing that happened, and it's not like there's anything he can do to fix it. ]

Good coffee is hard to come by these days.

Oh. Well, that'd do it.

[ She assumes Earth, confirmed in the next word by mentioning Starbucks. ]

Sorry. About the planet, I mean. Unless you're way ahead in my future, I don't think we're from the same Earth.

Yeah, I doubt it.

[ Probably. He's only just started wrapping his head around the idea of, like, multiple worlds and universes, and like a lot of things, right at this moment he figures the best way to deal with it is to not deal with it. ]

Everyone here so far seems like someone from before.

[ Which is simply to say that he doesn't think anyone else here is from a post-apocalyptic hellscape like he is. He would've noticed the signs.

Oh, here they are. He drops the box of scarves (now mostly ruined) next to the door. No one seems inclined to steal the things, anyway. ]

C'mon. This place smells really damn good.

[ She's used to following grumpy men without putting up much of a fuss, or taking their grump personally, and so, with a glance down at the scarves, she makes her way into the coffee shop with him. ]

Are you sure about buying? It was only an accident, and I hadn't gotten paid anyway. I'm sure more than two people in town want coffee.

[ Money is tight for most of them right now, she assumes. And it'd feel dishonest if she didn't admit to not having been paid yet. ]

I've been workin' a few days. Got enough to feed myself, which is all I need.

[ Is he staying at a room at the inn, like most of the others? ...eh. It's more likely he's sleeping in a barn or a shed, honestly. He just doesn't trust any of these people, no matter how nice and accommodating they seem.

He does approach the counter, explains the lost coffees and offers up the money to cover them - plus enough for a couple fresh coffees.

What? He likes coffee. ]

[ The man has a right to miss his coffee, Clara makes no comment. She decides on one of her own, too. ]

Thanks, Joel. And hey, now you know where to treat yourself to as much coffee as you can stand.

[ She waits for their order to be ready and casually crosses an arm over her stomach. ]

You haven't got any use for books have you? I've been wondering if there's anything like a library.

Mm. [ That's his way of assenting. Coffee good. Man like coffee. ]

Haven't seen anything like a library.

[ No, he has no use for books. He probably hasn't seen a book that wasn't just rotting away in years. ]

Never been much of a reader. I used to be a - contractor.

Like building things, being in charge, bossing people at job sites?

[ She smiles a little at him. He definitely looks the part. He has hot dad vibes, he seems strong, and if romance novels have taught her anything, contractors are gruff. He checks out in her professional experience. ]

I'm a teacher. English lit, so the book geek in me is sort of built-in.

[ A self-epricating joke. ]

But hey, you'll definitely be useful, seems like people here aren't lacking for want of helpers.

Yeah, more or less. Carpentry. I did a lot of framing.

[ Joel makes a dismissive sort of gesture. ]

It was a long time ago.

Good luck finding books, though. Somehow I doubt anybody in this world knows Shakespeare.

[ That's English lit, right? He sure as shit wouldn't know. ]

[ Clara looks mildly horrified at the idea of no books. ]

Every world has books. There have to be books. Maybe not Romeo and Juliet but...

[ She might not live without poetry, at the very least. ]

Your making money opportunities seem a lot higher than mine, suddenly. Everyone appreciates a bloke with good hands.

[ Clara huffs out an awkward laugh. ]

I just mean, general contractors are always needed, even if that's not what you're called, here. I bet even with how long ago it was, you still remember everything.

Maybe all the books are in a language you can't read? Maybe they just tell stories to each other around a camp fire?

[ Joel's lips twitch, however. Very faintly. ]

They've probably got somethin'. And I've seen some pretty young-looking kids here. They could probably use a teacher.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say nothing here is actually written in a language we understand. Unless we're gonna assume everyone in the universe speaks and reads English. But you do have a valid point.

[ This very well could be a place that thrives on oral tradition, in which case, the Doctor will thrive. She's seen some teenager-ish looking people, but she's stopped assuming anyone is the age they look. An embarrassing lesson to learn. ]

And...probably could, but if no one's enforcing school, I'm not gonna hold my breath on kids showing up. At least I probably wouldn't have. I was too busy exploring, hated bedtimes and rules. This place would be an unregulated Utopia.

Sure, if they think they're being forced into it. You could invite 'em on a field trip or something, I suppose.

[ Why is he trying to be helpful? Who knows. Maybe it's just because she showed him the coffee shop. And the barista is now helpfully handing him his coffee. Oh damn. Coffee. And it's good coffee, too! Joel actually closes his eyes in pleasure as he sips it. ]

That's a genius-level move. I'll be stealing that when the time comes.

[ It's nice to see someone else enjoying the simple things, particularly since his Earth ended. Taking her own first sip, she sighs happily. ]

As good as you hoped it'd be?

[ Genius-level, or just dad-level? Hard to say. Precocious kids are just kind of his thing. ]

Mm. Better. ...Thanks.

Then I'm happy to take all the credit for showing you this place.

[ She smiles with the full force of her dimples before nodding toward the door. ]

This is an item best delivered hot. Thank you, again. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we'll probably see one another again. Seems like a nice little hamlet.

[ Seems nice, she says. Yeah, sure, it seems nice. That's the problem. And why Joel doesn't trust it. But he's not interested in destroying whatever happy little fantasy she's got going on, and the coffee tastes good enough that he's willing to give the doom and gloom for a rest, at least for a few minutes. ]

Yeah, see you around.

{Mini Event} Day of Devotion

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