[open/mingle] a light in the darkness

[orphne]

Who: any and everyone!
Where: astralin's farmhouse
What: mingle log for post-blackout!
Warnings: y'all tell me, please be good and don't break the house :(

If she hadn't been at the party, Kotone wouldn't have even known about the extent of the blackout. Sure, it's inconvenient, considering a lot of the lights are electric, and the fridge is, of course, powered by electricity as well, but the farmhouse she'd taken over from Astralin is an older and more traditional building. The main heat sources are the fireplaces strategically placed throughout the building -- a large one in the living space, a smaller one in the kitchen along with a wood-burning stove, and another large central one upstairs to help heat the bedrooms -- and the geothermal hot springs on the land. With the cold weather and snow on the ground, it's easy to take the food from the fridge and leave it outside in a locked box away from wild animals, but aside from the inconvenience of resorting to the candles and lanterns that were stockpiled in the basement, the farmhouse itself survives relatively unscathed!

Therefore, not long after the blast, Kotone sends a video message over the (charm) network inviting anyone who wants to take shelter from the cold, or even just cook some food, to come to Astralin's farmhouse on the edge of town for as long as they want or need.

She won't even make anyone help out on the farm. Probably!

1. Rural Snapshot
Power might go out, but life on the farm doesn't stop for something like that! The old wood stoves in the barn need to be cleaned up and made ready for use to keep the animals warm, and the animals still need to be taken care of. Goats, sheep, cows, chickens (a particularly big and brave one has the tiniest leather collar and a tag that says her name is "Scramble," and her friends Benedict and Sunny aren't far behind. They are Not For Eating (though their eggs are!))

Kotone won't make anyone help her with the farm chores of cleaning the barn, feeding the animals, or generally keeping things up and running, but she definitely won't turn down the help, either, giving pointers so the new folk don't completely muck it up (sometimes literally).

With the snow and general chill, there's not much to do with the crops themselves. Everyone is safe from the fields for now!

2. Potluck and BYOB (chef's recommendation: hot cocoa)
The farmhouse is not the inn -- Kotone has some food prepped and stored, with preserves from the fall harvest one of the key features, but it's not meant to feed the whole town. Thus, Kotone's going to request that anyone coming to stay at the farmhouse bring either raw ingredients or something they've made to share with any other hapless souls. Feel free to use the kitchen to cook, or get some help from someone else with cooking!

The wood-burning stove in the kitchen is perfect for heating up cocoa or wine, and there's room to get close with someone in front of any of the fireplaces. Like, it's encouraged to get close. It's a big farmhouse, but not that big. Make a friend! Share some warmth! The couches are cozy and comfortable, and if someone dozes off, well, Kotone won't be the one waking anyone up.

If someone would prefer to sleep in a bed, there are some bedrooms upstairs! One is, of course, sharing the room with plants. They're benign, normal plants, from potted flowers to hanging vines, but they are everywhere. Kotone herself doesn't have much of a green thumb other than keeping the plants watered and in view of sunlight, but the plants themselves seem to be flourishing throughout the farmhouse either way. It's almost as if someone (Astralin) had used magic to keep them growing strong and healthy, even indoors.

Oh, and speaking of sharing, again, the farmhouse isn't the inn. Expect to be sharing a space with someone else. Maybe a few people! Cozy up and make a new friend. It's better than freezing to death, right?

3. Hot Springs Episode
There are natural hot springs on the farmland that have been developed to mimic a Japanese onsen in places. The air might be cold and dark, but there are candles and lanterns around the springs to light it, and the water is nice and warm, perfect for those chill nights.

There are rules posted -- namely, clean yourself before going to soak -- and while there are separate bathing spaces for genders, Kotone doesn't really care too much about mixed bathing as long as everyone is respectful about it. Others may not be so casual about it, though, so one has to venture across at their own risk!

[ooc: This is a mingle! Feel free to use these prompts as inspiration or make your own. The only request I have is not to completely destroy the farmhouse or harm the animals -- anything else, go wild!]

Comments

[orphne]

[Kotone can be found literally anywhere around the farm! She lives here, after all, and is happy to show anyone around if its their first time, whether it's taking care of the animals, or just giving a tour of the grounds.]

1.

I know there's a lot of strangers. Don't worry!

[Dressed in dusty coveralls, but still wearing her usual ponytail and bright smile, Kotone seems to be speaking encouragingly to some of the chickens. The biggest one, the one with the collar that says "Scramble," doesn't seem at all perturbed, just pecking at the feed Kotone is scattering out. Sunny, though, flaps her wings and bocks unhappily, leaving Kotone sighing at her and pouting.]

No, don't bite anybody. They won't come back if you do that!

[For all the world, she seems to think that this negotiation with a literal chicken will work. Help... her...?]

2a.

[And while she'd said she wouldn't be responsible for feeding everyone in the farmhouse, it'd be pretty terrible to ask everyone to bring something and not bring anything herself! Earlier in the day, she's baking bread and frying eggs, but later in the evening, she's abandoned her work-clothes in favor of a comfortable skirt, blouse, and leggings as she mixes up some hot chocolate on the stove. There's a bottle of wine nearby in case anyone wants a mulled wine, but she's more interested in the chocolate at the moment!]

Hey, you got the cream I asked for? For whipped cream!

[She asks without looking, so perhaps she's speaking to someone she'd asked to get cream from where it's been stored outside in the makeshift "fridge," or maybe this is just another hapless soul who's suddenly about to be pressed into service.]

2b.

[In the living room, in front of the fireplace, Kotone has squished herself into one of the plushest and coziest-looking chairs -- not too close to the fire, but also not too far away, either, easily big enough for two people to sit in (three if they squish). A mug cupped in both hands, she'll toss a smile to just about anyone who comes in and tilt her head toward the other half of the big chair.]

Wanna sit with me? I don't bite!

3.

[Comfortably on the female side of the baths, Kotone looks like she's in serious danger of passing out asleep. Every now and again, her head nods, only for her to shake herself and try to snap back to full wakefulness. It's warm and relatively quiet in the baths right now, though, and she's exhausted.

It feels like she's been running non-stop since the octopus attack months ago, and she's lost so many of her important friends, and she's just tired. Someone please make sure she doesn't drown...!]

4.

[wildcard! come get her anywhere on or around the farm]

3

[invinciblemikey]

(sleepy bitch disease havers stick together. manjiro is also always exhausted, always in a cat nap here or there, so if there's someone who gets her level of nearly passing out in the tub, well, there he is.

but it's okay. he is quiet as he wraps an arm around her shoulders, so she has a place to rest her head against, and he can snooze on top of hers.

someone else will need to make sure both of them don't drown. she's too relatable.)

wildcard >> charm text

[cursegod]

[The least affected person in all of Aldrip during this blackout is texting because...well, she's bored. Or using the pretext of boredom in her mind to check in out of concern.]

I'm guessing the yukata procress will be postponed until the electricity is back on?

2a

[solitarysoul]

Uh...n-no.

[He's also not the one she asked originally, but he's a bit lost and sees no reason not to help.]

Where was it?

2a

[garbagecanned]

[Yosuke had gotten roped into helping her a while ago... which he had complained some about it, but had given up. damn wildcards.

he's running back in as she asks for the cream, and hands over the bottle he'd gotten.

except it's milk, not cream. but he doesn't know the difference.]

Give a guy a minute to get back, you know?

2b

[snowslip]

[ Marianne had been coming by the farm to help look after Astralin's chocobos in his absence, and she is quietly overjoyed to see him return. She has always had a quiet presence, and today as well, she had intended to quietly depart after seeing that his animals were sprightly as could be and Astralin was settling in smoothly. However, her presence doesn't go unnoticed. ]

Oh, um. I suppose if it's not a bother...

(ooc: we've not threaded but marianne is friends with astralin and has been helping out too! would you like to handwave that they know each other? )

2b

[izanagis]

[This is the longest amount of time Yu has spent at the farmhouse, at least on the inside, and...he can see why people like it here. It's comfortable, and with the lights out and heaters gone cold, it's still very much habitable.

He's been meaning to find Kotone in the past few days, for more than one reason, so when they catch each other's attention by the fire, he nods to take up the invitation.]

It'd be fine if you did. [It's like the more stuff happens, the worse his jokes get. Anyway he takes a seat, gentle enough not to disturb the mug in her hands.] How've you been?

2a

[melnik]

[ The wisest thing to do in a town-wide blackout seemed to be simple—gathering everyone together and gathering enough food, blankets or clothing, and supplies for keeping fires going as possible. So, after he saw her message inviting them here, Miller figured this was the place to go about it. He's already been in and out with firewood a few times, but realized at some point that he should probably thank her for her efforts.

As well as bring the raw food she requested to her directly. He finds her in the kitchen with wrapped packages of meat in his hands, only she hasn't turned around to see who she's talking to and seems to mistake him for someone else. ]

Uh, no... Sorry.

[ He sets the meat down onto the counter. ]

I can go get it if you tell me where it is.

1

[beautifulleopard]

[Having a negotiation with bunch of chickens doesn’t appear all that stranger to Juri as it probably should. Honestly, it really seems something that one would easily come across in Ohtori Academy. Especially if they happened to hang around one certain dark haired girl with glasses.

Ok, ugh. Ew. Juri does not want to be thinking about the Rose Bride outside of the context of the duels and The End of the World. The thought of her leaves a sour taste in her mouth that’s almost enough her to turn around and leave this strange girl alone.

But just as she’s about to continue on her merry way to explore the farm, she notices one of the chicken running towards her and circling around her feet.


..Erm?]

Hey, [She calls for Kotone, taking a step back away from the hen] I think you have misplaced one.

2b;

[chemex]

Aww, that's a shame, [Akira offers the vague innuendo easily, wandering over and oozing over the arm of the chair to fold his limbs into the opposite corner of the chair, only to stretch his legs out and set them neatly over Kotone's.]

minato arisato | persona 3 | ota

[memori3s]

i. guard duty

[ The barn's been freshly-emptied. Cows and sheep wander about, temporarily moved right outside the barn. After all, it's challenging to do a good deep-clean with all of them getting in the way.

There's definitely something supernatural keeping dangers at bay. Even Minato can sense it without the aid of a Persona. But because one can never be too careful, there's a blue, lion-like creature roaming nearby. It paces about with a watchful eye.

Maybe you've strayed a little too close to the herd. Whatever you've done, it displeases the creature and it leaps -- claws extended and fangs bared -- right at you.

Instead of stopping the Persona, Minato's a stone's throw away hand-feeding some chickens. You're not in any actual danger after all, because the Persona stops mere inches away from you and decides to give you a curious sniff. Nevertheless, the Persona will probably give the average person a scare. ]

ii. hot chocolate

[ In return for clearing his lawn during festival preparations, the local allowed Minato to keep all the wood he'd collected. It's a good thing too, given the Chosen's current predicament.

Minato adds a bit more of the wood to the stove. The fire within it crackles, reinvigorated by the additional materials. As it burns, Minato retrieves a pot to heat some milk. He sets it above the stove until it's warm enough before distributing it among some mugs. A bit of hot cocoa gets added to each one. He stirs them all, ensuring there aren't any clumps of powder left behind.

Each mug is set on a tray. He carries it out to the living room, and upon spotting someone lingering about, Minato approaches them with the mugs of hot cocoa. He holds it out to them, offering one to the person. ]

...here. I made plenty.

iii. and then there was only one bed

[ Even with all the heat sources going at full blast, it's still pretty chilly at the farmhouse. Or at least, it's pretty cold for Minato. Even with his hands shoved into his pockets, they still feel like blocks of ice.

While there's a fireplace that could easily warm him up, it's getting a little too lively downstairs. Minato retreats upstairs and heads for one of the bedrooms. He's careful to knock, to do his best to ensure the room he's entering is empty. Upon receiving no response, he pushes the door open and wanders over to one of the beds.

Minato lifts the blanket and slides underneath. Wow. It's super cozy, definitely beats having to be around several people "crowding" the fireplace. Except, it's only cozy because -- oh there's another person under the covers. Huh.

...it's so nice and warm though. Bed, warm and soft, even if it happens to be occupied by someone else. Not being in bed, cold and hard. ]

iv. wildcard

[ Minato can be found anywhere on the farm!! lmk if you'd like a more tailored starter and we can get something going o7 ]

i

[solitarysoul]

[It'd give an average person a scare, but while Levi freezes he doesn't get all that scared. He brings a hand up to--oh, wait, no, he'd left his rifle behind. Thankfully the beast doesn't seem to want to actually attack?]

...h-hi?

ii

[threadmage]

[ Sandry is taking a break from helping out. She's really not used to this kind of weather so she's warming up inside. When someone approaches and hands her a drink she takes it. Maybe it's tea? She looks at the mug. ]

Is this... chocolate?

ii

[mapsio]

Oh, thank you.

[ This is admittedly the first time that Haru actually stuck around to hang out at the farmhouse. She also really didn’t know where to go once the blackout was in effect either, it’s a bit too cold to stay at her own place!

She takes the mug of cocoa and scoots so that if Minato wants to sit, then he can.]

Here, you can take a seat here. I don’t think we have met yet.

i

[thegtg]

[gojo is not here to help out, so much as he is here by accident after taking a wandering walk to scope out the area. this is the first time he's seen the farm, very rustic, much nice, he thinks. if you're into that kind of thing.

curious, he wanders close enough to catch the attention of the lion - and it catches gojo's attention, too. he doesn't flinch as it pounces, in fact he appears completely relaxed, hands in his pockets and a slight slouch to his posture.]

Aw, little guy! Who's a good little demon? You are a demon, aren't you?

[he sounds intrigued. he is intrigued. most chosen have residuals of cursed energy, sure, but this lion like creature is made of the stuff.]

i!!

[orphne]

Oh!

[Rather than being alarmed, instead, Kotone looks pleasantly surprised at the leaping figure, taking just one quick step back and crouching down to offer both hands out like she might a particularly feral cat.] Hi, Barong! Do you know me?

[Like, there's weird shit in the Sea of Souls, so maybe somehow the Persona would recognize her...? She has no idea how any of that works; considering most of the Personas she has in her possession these days are huge, she doesn't really summon them unless they're in battle. It hadn't occurred to her to check to see if Akira's would recognize her, and Goro had gotten so touchy when he'd learned that she also had Loki that she hasn't asked a second time.]

i

[garbagecanned]

[well, Yosuke's no average joe, but he's still. a dumbass, so when the lion comes at him, he shrieks and falls on his ass trying to get away.]

Holy shit!! What the hell are you??

[... sorry Minato.]

hot chocolate

[invinciblemikey]

(when he first arrived, kotone was very nice to him, offering and offering things he would like - he thought it was rather suspicious, but eventually, he learned to trust. helping others doesn't come easily for him, his empathy compass is completely misguided - which is why he is often weirded out when it comes like that.

but at least, manjiro learned to accept easier. big, lightless eyes watch the other approach. a shrug comes, because it can't hurt.)

Thanks, newbie.

i

[izanagis]

[The stray cats at the farm know him pretty well, and with the recent cold snap, Yu is extra concerned about making sure they're doing okay. They scatter abruptly, followed by the bounding Persona, but rather than startling, Yu just puts his hands out, almost like greeting an unfamiliar dog.

This is a surprise. Barong stirs within him, as well, probably a familiar feeling to the Persona.]

Hey. Look at you.

[Bounding around like a proper guard...lion. He says it with nothing but fondness, patting the top of Barong's head.]

i volunteer as prompt 3 tribute

[drugsnotclubs]

[You know, he'd almost managed to get enough heat built up to think about the possibility of trying to sleep, when some asshole lifts the layers of covers behind him and fucking ruins it. While Shinjiro doesn't lift or move much from his huddled position, be does make a noise that's somewhere between cursing and the sound an angry bear might make.

He just hopes whoever the fuck is crawling in behind him is better at generating heat then his eternally-frigid ass.]

You could give a guy a warning, you know...

[Grouchy, but not chasing Minato away. He finally lifts his head to glare over his shoulder. Minato's not the worst guy to have to share a space with, at least. And it's been years, but it's not like Shinjiro's never had to share a bed. As long as Minato's less rambunctious than Akihiko always was, he'll allow it.]

You put your cold feet on me and I'm kicking you, by the way.

[Translation: You're allowed, get comfortable.]

i; joins the ranks of persona kids reacting to the guard-persona

[chemex]

[Things that were not on Akira's To-Do List for today: wild guard Barong. He actually notices the Persona before he notices the farm animals and Minato, because it sticks out a little more than the rest, and slows to a stop in passing, not even flinching at the aborted lunge. He's actually just staring at it, head tilted.]

You couldn't have escaped my head, so... [He notices Minato a moment later, midway to crouching down to ruffle some of the Barong's chest fluff.] ...ah. [Whenever Minato opts to turn his way, he waves in a remarkably awkward fashion, just raising one hand and wiggling his fingers.]

and so there was only one bed

[murderingjustice]

[Getting used to life without electricity had been harder for Akechi than what he'd care to admit. And the hardest part for him had definitely been adjusting to being cold all the time. So it's really no wonder that he sought refuge from the farm. It was probably the best place to be in this climate along with the inn.

After a long day he decided to stay for the night instead of braving through the cold darkness. He takes one of the spare bedrooms and settles down on the bed. Stripping down from his day clothes he buries himself underneath all the warm covers. The warmth slowly coaxes his curled body into the comfortable lull of the sleep as he waits for his partner to arrive.

Which is probably why he doesn't seem to react when Minato reaches the bed, sliding under the covers right next to him. He's already so used to having another body next to him that he doesn't do as much as stir in his sleep.]

astralin | original | ota

[scythedance]

i.
[It seems that he arrived at such an interesting time. While his world was filled with modern technology these days, his farm back home was all natural. He was familiar with this, and now that he was here, he would familiarize himself with everything. The girl named 'Kotone' seemingly doing well in his absence with maintaining the farm, so the least he could do was return it, tenfold.

The animals are familiar with him at least, and it's easy to wrangle most of them in with ease. Still so strange that the animals know him, but he didn't remember a single thing. Still, the least he could do was feed the animals, and clean up the barn like he did back home. The man shifting back and forth from the barn, and outside to clear it out and make it clean.

While he cleans, people around the farm will notice that he's talking with some of the animals in a soft, but sad tone.]

Apologies... I do not remember a single one of you. But I am sure my memories will come back in time...

ii.
[Once again, he's in an unfamiliar house that's meant to be his. He has to get used to calling this house his own once more, but having so many people around... Feels nice. He's grown used to people's company, after becoming a teacher at his niece's school and all. So it was pleasant to see people wandering back and forth through this house.

Though, he isn't going to let Kotone do all the work. He's in the kitchen, and cooking what's requested of him. Surprisingly, he's a very good cook, and can usually cook whatever people ask. Happily standing by the side of the kitchen, and waiting for people to order something special.]

I can make whatever you wish of me.

iii.
[This hot spring was... Impressive, especially more so when people tell him that he's the one that built the damn thing.

And because he built it, it meant that he could enjoy it too, right? Though, some part of him doubts that he was able to relax once it was built. Knowing him, he probably ran around doing errands and made sure that everyone was happy and content. Which, he would certainly still do if people wanted him to do it -- he didn't want to leave all the fun to Kotone. The girl deserved a break.

So, people can find him cleaning up the hot spring. He doesn't know how to relax apparently, and he wants to make up for lost time.]

1!

[orphne]

[Kotone doesn't speak up immediately at the sight of the taller man -- she's just listening to him talk to the animals for a little while, her hand clutching her chest as she tries to figure out what her emotions are. Relief, definitely -- running the farm is really hard, especially without Ken anymore, so the sooner she can give it back to Astralin, the better. Happiness at once again seeing one of the first adults who'd genuinely cared for her as a person, someone she hadn't been sure she'd ever see again. And then, that same kind of resigned sadness, because if he doesn't remember the animals, he doesn't remember her.

But at least he knows there are things he's forgotten, so that makes it a little easier, maybe! Once she trusts herself to keep her smile warm and friendly, erasing any trace of that bittersweet sadness, she steps forward and peeks around his shoulder.]

Hi, Astralin-san! Welcome back!

[threadmage]

i.
[ Sandry is new and isn't really sure what's happened, but she thought long and hard about how she could help with the situation. Her magic isn't really practical for the things people need right now, but she finally came up with something she can do.

She's sitting inside the farmhouse where it's warm and has a pile of woven bracelets next to her. There's a variety of colors and patterns but most importantly they're glowing. Quite brightly too. If you wore one in the dark it would be fairly easy to see about 3 feet in any direction.

If she catches your eye she gives a small wave! ]

Do you need a light for when it's dark? Take one!


ii.
[ Sandry is outside in the dark looking for any stragglers. Maybe they're trying to find their way back to the farmhouse, or just attempting to power through whatever they were doing despite the dark. She's carrying a crystal that easily fits in her hand that gives off a gentle but strong light.

When she finds you, whatever you're doing, she approaches with her light. ]

I have a light, do you need any help?

i!

[orphne]

Oh! Really?

[Kotone ventures closer without any hesitation, peering down at the different bracelets before giving the stranger a friendly smile. She can appreciate the craftsmanship, and one of those bracelets with warmer hues of pinks and oranges really stands out as something she'd wear normally, but the fact that they cast a light is pretty remarkable!]

That's pretty cool! Is it magic?

Scott Summers | XMCU | ota

[laserguy]

i; feeding animals
[Of course Scott's helping out, because he can't possibly let Kotone do all the work, right? Besides, feeding animals is sort of a relaxing task, watching them just... eat the food he placed for them. The simple fucking life, huh? Not that he wants to be a chicken or a cow, but there is something kind of calming and enjoyable about this. Hah, maybe his future calling is to be a freakin' farmer or whatever, although he knows that really isn't something he wants.

He doesn't really know what he wants to do back home. At least he really doesn't have to think about it here, right?

Scott's only pulled out of his thoughts when the horse he was feeding suddenly licks across his face with its large tongue, getting the mutant to splutter and protest.]

Dude, not the glasses!!

[Gross, they're definitely covered in horse drool now!!]

ii; hot cocoa
[It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make hot chocolate and that's a good thing, because Scott definitely isn't one. He's still in-training to make things other than sandwiches, but luckily, everything seems to be going well enough with this batch he's currently making, the smell perhaps inviting enough to draw people to the kitchen.

Anyone that stops by will get a somewhat self-satisfied grin from Scott, who honestly looks a little proud with how things are going. It's enough to get him to be a little cocky.]

Ready to try some Original Summers's Homemade Hot Chocolate?

[Not copied from a recipe or anything, totally. Also he's still working on that title, okay. There's additionally a bag of marshmallows nearby, because you can't have hot chocolate without marshmallows!! It's definitely a war crime or something like that.]

iii; hot springs
[Scott's sitting on the boy side of the hot springs, because he doesn't want to get his ass potentially kicked. Besides, he's not here to see naked people, he really just wants to get warm and soak in the hot water. It's really nice, okay. He's relaxed, his sunglasses placed on top of his head as he keeps his eyes diligently closed, leaning back against the side with his face titled up.

He almost looks like he's sleeping, but any audible noise near him will get the teen to speak up.]

Hey. [...] Nice place, huh?

wildcard;
[Hit me up with anything!! Or if you want to plot my plurk is currykirby]

iii

[solitarysoul]

Oh. S-sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.

[Levi had tried to be quiet when entering the spring, but doing so still made noise.]

I-it is really nice, though.