expiationlogs | [open/mingle] a light in the darkness

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[open/mingle] a light in the darkness

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ More important than averting the apocalypse? Dang.

But those last three words seem to resonate, their message ringing true. "Don't be static." Is that how it goes? He reshapes himself like water in different glasses for others' purposes over and over again, but is that the same as never getting anywhere at all?

Except all that comes out of his mouth is a lukewarm: ]

I guess.

[ And then: ]

...how do you know?

[ How does he know there can't possibly be anything more important? ]

(listen, usually being half-naked in a body of water is much more fun than this--

but this is not so bad. his eyes close, his head leaning against the edge for support as he thinks. it doesn't take too long before he does speak, though.)

It shapes what you need to be who you want to be and how you will do what you need to do. Really fucking important, if you ask me.

[ Yeah this is kind of the opposite of fun right now --

The additional elaboration helps though. Based on the criteria Manjiro lays out, it's kind of a miracle that SEES didn't collapse in on itself given its leader's lacking sense of self. ]

...mm.

[ It's acknowledgement. Minato can't refute what's been laid out. He is, instead, busy staring down at the water.

Strange, how he'd managed to help others figure all that about themselves. But when it comes to himself, he's definitely at a loss. ]

...yeah. I guess so.

[ Or is he reshaping himself based on Manjiro's words? Maybe the message will stick someday. ]

You'll get it eventually.

(so, there's nothing to worry about. life has a funny way of shaping people, either way. so much of manjiro is other people, after all. his empathy, his ground, his view of future, all laid in other hands. without them, manjiro is incomplete himself, but he makes do somehow. surviving is just that, isn't it?

so, he comes perhaps too close, just to give a good look at the other boy. the large hollow eyes scan, as if he's looking for his own words in the other's expression.

it's not important.)

You're fine.

[ Everything coming out of Manjiro's mouth is frying Minato's brain, his last two words included. He's been complimented before. He knows how to nod through it, to express gratitude with some words despite shrugging at the same time.

But "you're fine" is different, and paired with Manjiro's earlier words -- he's enough? Really? Even if he can't provide any answers or action in this specific situation? ]

...right.

[ Minato glances up, though avoids making eye contact out of habit. ]

...what are you looking for?

[ No one hovers that close to another person without a reason to do so. ]

(unlike minato, manjiro doesn't have any issues with eye contact. to the contrary, that's automatic to him, an ironic contrast between the two.

but the question makes him smile, those eyes closing to make way for a smile.)

If I tell you everything, that's lame, don't think about it.

[ Fair. After all, hadn't they just finished discussing how people should use their own brains and draw their own conclusions? So Minato nods, acknowledging Manjiro's response before sinking a little deeper into the water, chin barely above the surface.

He's not quite sure how they got here, but Manjiro's not bad company at all. And given all the wisdom he's imparted --

...yeah, he's definitely someone who's been a gang leader since he was eleven. ]

(for someone so lively, it's funny that the silence doesn't bother him. instead, it's almost like he's letting the conversation dissolve and be absorbed, whatever way it should be. except, he's starting to get hungry again, which is very noticeable by the way his stomach grumbles.

the next is less than pleasant, with manjiro shaking his long hair to dry it. he's gonna get out, so he gestures with his head to let the other know.)

[ Minato's caught in the crossfire of water droplets. He wipes his face off with the back of a hand and, upon seeing Manjiro indicate he's getting out, offers the other teen a thumbs-up.

...food sounds good, actually, now that he's thinking about it. Minato cards his fingers through his bangs, getting rid of some of the dampness before rising from the water. He pulls himself out over the edge and retrieves his towel. ]

(a towel won't help them so much, when it's this cold, so he won't bother. seems like minato is sort of a feeler, just like him. manjiro isn't intelligent as shit, or observant as shit, but some things stand out to him and those are the ones that he follows. a sparkle on someone's eye, the way their shoulders rise or give up in front of adversity. almost metaphorical knowing.

though, it was pretty obvious he's starved, with his stomach complaining again. after he's dressed back again, a jacket on top of his uniform, and all the accessories he had in the first place.)

If you wanna eat at my place, I got some leftovers.

[ The thing about being new is that Minato hasn't had the chance to look for anything warmer than his school uniform. The only indicator that he's cold is the red in his nose and cheeks. Otherwise, he seems wholly unaffected.

He nods. Yeah, why not. Grabbing a bite to eat sounds like a good plan. Average social link interaction, etc.

By "my place," Manjiro probably means -- ]

The Dojo?

Yeah, hop in, Not-Kototan. Minatan?

(sounds... cute... he likes it, and that's really it, really. by his request, he means the bike that has been waiting for him to return. he doesn't have helmets, though, we ride and die like lightning McQueen in aldrip, where traffic violations don't apply.)

[ Minatan's cool. He's got plenty of nicknames. What's another one to add to the list, especially since no one's called him "Minatan" before?

Though he doesn't verbally acknowledge what Manjiro's said, he follows through with his actions. No helmets? No problem. He'll hop right on even though he hasn't been on a bike before. ]

Hold tight and don't die.

(simple instructions, he hopes. manjiro does ride like a mad man, and once his bike starts, the sound of the engine will forever haunt minato's ears. it's loud and imponent, and he reaches the dojo in no time. of course, with the blackout, there isn't much he can do other than to hold out his arm for the other.

he knows this place as the back of his hand.)

[ Yep. The engine roars to life and Minato holds on for dear life. The winter air is frigid but refreshing. You know what. He can get the appeal behind riding with the wind in your hair.

He takes Manjiro's hand and slides off the bike, bangs a complete mess. His attention immediately shifts to the dojo. It's huge. In hindsight, he's not sure how he managed to miss it. ]

(bike is life, minato.

it is huge, but also, very traditional - a fresh piece of nostalgia for those who come from japan, a little breeze of the familiar. he guides them to the kitchen, for some onigiri and tea. it should be able to hold him off till morning.

he's not exactly allowed to cook. like, he is. but it is very not recommended.)

[ The fact that it's such a traditional piece of Japanese architecture makes it stick out like a sore thumb. But it's a nostalgic, comforting, sort of sore thumb. Perfectly acceptable.

Minato trails after Manjiro and, even after food is set before him, doesn't start eating immediately. He stares and stares at the onigiri and tea. So there's food here that's like the kinds from back home? This is the first time he's come across anything that resembled Japanese food since arriving, not that he'd really been here for very long. ]

You good there?

(there is food in this house that does... all the spices and little original things, but eventually, it will be over... but he can't really see minato that well, so the least he should do is light some candles.

and yu says he's not romantic.)

[ ...oh. Right. He's not alone. ]

Mm. Yeah.

[ Minato reaches for the tea, wrapping his cold fingers around the cup. He takes a sip of it and, admittedly, this is way better than the hot chocolate. ]

I didn't know they had onigiri here.

They don't. I do.

(it's one of the perks of having your home just freaking appears with all its contents. he tries to be mindful, after all, ingredients will run out eventually, but till then, he can have these little reminders of where they came from.)

[ Manjiro's decided to share some finite ingredients then. For now, the onigiri goes untouched. ]

...is it really okay?

[ Of course it is. Why else would Manjiro have gone through the trouble of laying out food and tea for the two of them. Old habits die hard though for someone who's not used to those sorts of gestures. ]

If it weren't for you to eat, I wouldn't have offered. Just fucking eat, don't worry about it.

(he's not fake nice, and some would argue he's not nice at all. he doesn't do niceties for the sake of it.)

[ Right...

That's sufficient reassurance. Minato reaches forward for one of the onigiri. He takes a small bite, nibbling thoughtfully. ]

...it's good.

[ It's... really good, maybe because he doesn't know when the next time he'll have onigiri will be. ]

Yuchin made it. Yu Narukami. I can't cook for shit, so he's the cook here.

(like remember that one time manjiro tried the Romance Route Social Link 10 and then almost burned the dojo. it's best if he doesn't even try.)

[ Ah. Duly noted. ]

Oh.

[ He's met Yu. The guy's pretty chill, good vibes all around. ]

I didn't know Yu could cook.

[ Good to know this is one of Yu's semi-regular haunts though. ]

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