【MINGLE】 August Mingle

[starrystoryteller]

August Mingle

Shrines Lore Drop Starnet Info NPC Contact FAQ Claims List

❤

.

welcome to august

July may turn to August, but the summer heat remains. Wind and Water spirits do their part to cool civilians with cool breezes and refreshing rain showers, while standing fans remain more popular than AC units as a means of beating the heat. All sorts of shops and food stands are popping up around the city, which offer refreshing cold drinks and ice creams for the low low cost of 'thank you.' It's the final stretch before the hot summer begins cooling into autumn.

It's also a time of appreciation for Fallen Stars. The Wonderment Talent Show was a great success and the amusement park is here to stay! The civilians are stunned by yet another miracle brought about by these amazing visitors from another world. They shower the Fallen Stars in small gifts and appreciation all month. The general atmosphere of the city is hopeful and excited, with a teasing question being passed around: "What kind of miracles will the Fallen Stars bring about next?

ARRIVAL

Arrivals happen a little differently than usual this month. Normally, a 'Fallen Star' would simply blink and end up in the city of Starsand. Their sudden appearance does not surprise the natives, who instead flock with concern and empathy for the other worlder's situation. Natives usually offer free food, clothing, and other resources to the new arrivals. They will even direct them to free housing options and help them learn the lore of the city.

But this month is a bit different. When people arrive in Starsand, they are flocked by the natives. The native population is extra excited to see them and extra excited to help them. New arrivals this month may find themselves receiving extravagant gifts, buffets worth of food, and high-end housing. The reason? Natives eagerly tell them that Fallen Stars are bringers of miracles. They can do amazing things that change fate, so everyone in town is eager to support them however they can..!

CLEAN THE TRAIN

Speaking of the Fallen Stars and their miracles.

Recently, some of the Fallen Stars discovered that there used to be a train on the lowest level of the city. Hidden deep in the forest and trapped on old, rusted train tracks sleeps the once proud Starrider Express. It is a black steam engine with purple streaks and it's also... rusted, covered in plantlife, and neglected. This train could once leave the city and take people to distant locations, but it has not been able to move in years. It requires a combination of faith magic and tlc in order to get it moving again.

That's where the Fallen Stars come in! The train's tiny kami has requested help in cleaning her train and spreading the word about it! For the first half of August, Fallen Stars are being asked to come down to the first level and help with this project. Weeding, painting, greasing, oiling, decorating... So much is needed in order to get the train ready to move again! But once her train can move, the little kami has promised to help the Fallen Stars with their future travels!

Check here for a Starnet Discussion re: What to do!

THE JOB FAIR

August also marks the last month of summer vacation for students living in Starsand City. Saint's Crossing Academy is a K-12 school located on the top level of the city and they are opening enrollment for Fallen Stars. In order to get the word out, the city has decided to hold a job faire at the top level's marketplace. Fallen Stars will be able to learn about the school, employment opportunities, and even take business classes in order to open their own business in the city.

Visiting the stalls has a few perks too. For one, people can try on every company's uniform using spirit magic. how exciting wow. Visiting stalls will also produce extra Starling this month, which can be exchanged for treats or luxury items. Including things like pool toys, fancy swimsuits, and loads of sunscreen. But why would that be important..?

NOTE: This prompt is being used to check interest in opening a proper school/SoL portion to the sandbox!

WONDERMENT WATERPARK

To celebrate Wonderment Amusement Park being a permanent establishment, the park's spirits are trying something new... a waterpark! Half of the park is now being used for water-based attractions. Some are simply water-driven rides, but there are whole pools and many waterslides. There is even a lazy river that drifts around the park. At night, the pools are able to stay open thanks to the fish shaped spirits that swim through the water and glow like stars.

While basic swimsuits are freely provided, fancier ones can be obtained using Starling. There are plenty of floaties and other water toys to rent or purchase, all of which can be customized using Starling.

COOL DOWN w/ CURSED ICE CREAM

Partially because of how grateful they are and partially because it's hot as heck, civilians are offering a lot of free ice cream this month. Everything from popsicles to ice cream cones to parfaits; If it's cold and refreshing, then someone is probably offering it for free! After all that the Fallen Stars did in the last month, this is the least that they can do.

All treats are made quickly and efficiently thanks to spirit magic. This doesn't just apply to ice cream, but to all foods and products sold in Starsand City. Usually this just means that things are made easier to obtain and scarcity isn't such an issue... But it also gives room for mischievous spirit to be, well. Themselves. Thinking that it's a way to show their appreciation, some of the spirits are adding a bit of extra magic to the free snacks. They think that a little prank will make the Fallen Stars happy!

If yelled at or called out, then the spirits will always back off and reverse the effects... but otherwise, the effects last until they 'melt' in the heat. The best way to get them to go away quickly is to make yourself hot again.

The pranks include...

• For Popsicles: Check your popsicle stick and pray that it says "good fortune!" Eating a popsicle will cause the fortune at the end of the stick to come true. That might mean incredible luck or a terrible curse. Bad luck won't endanger anyone's life, but it may manifest in the form of comical spirit pranks.
• For Ice Cream: There are many flavors of ice cream and many effects to go with it! Fallen Stars who eat flavored ice cream may sometimes experience a physical change: This might be a new hair colour, animal ears, or height changes. This is not an age changing prompt!
• For Parfaits: Parfaits require that you sit at a table and they're easy to share... Which is great, because the cursed parfait will force you to sit at your table until you share it with someone. The spirits will write the rules of their silly game on a cookie that sits under the first bite of whipped cream: Share Me or Stay With Me. Once the whole parfait is eaten by at least two people, the curse will be broken and you can leave your chair again. Until then: You and the chair are glued in front of the table!
• For Freezie Pops: Ice pops will give some Fallen Stars really persistent brain freeze. This prompt isn't fun and the spirits show a lot of concern when it happens! The best way to cure the brain freeze is with warm hearted friendliness: Holding hands, chatting, and getting to know someone will cause it to fade faster. Otherwise, it can last up to a whole miserable half-hour!
• For Iced Lemonade: A mood changing treat. It's supposed to make the Fallen Stars who drink it feel sweet, cheerful and confident! But sometimes it turns out too sour and they end up grumpy instead. While it won't inflict depression, it can cause a 'sour mood.' Bah Humbug.

... As always, spirits are not trying to get anyone killed or injured! If anyone seems to be in serious physical or mental danger, then a stronger spirit will always step it to reverse the prank.

code

Comments

[luminarian]

i. [thomas the tank engine theme plays]

[ After the disaster that was last month, Kaito was eager for another outlet to prove his worth. Cleaning a train might not be the most heroic avenue for that, but it was certainly a start, and it included something he considered himself pretty good at.

He can be found in any one of the train cars during the first half of the month, wearing a pair of gardening gloves and weeding with precise hands. He's making pretty good time, and he figures he's generating a decent amount of faith in the mean time, as well. ]

ii. [six flag theme plays]

[ When he's not helping to clean the train, Kaito can be found at Wonderment Water Park, celebrating their victory late into July and cooling off from the summer sun. He's clad in a pair of galaxy print swim trunks, a fashion choice that should be surprising to nobody. What's even less surprising is the toys he's got on rent from the park. ]

Surrender now, evil-doer! You're no match for me!

[ He's got a water gun in one hand, and an even larger one strapped to his back - more akin to a water cannon. He's willing to challenge any park-goer to battle, so long as they seem worthy. ]

iii. [ice cream truck noises]

[ Kaito's luck has never been the best, but still he decides to test it again when he takes a popsicle from one of the locals. He's heard tale of the spirit magic associated with their fortunes, and he's hoping he can win big.

But of course, when he finally finishes the treat... ]

"Bad luck?!" You've gotta be kidding me...

2

[stavros]

[Far be it from this one to judge sticking to an aesthetic. Yeah, Kokoro's in the cross-print bikini again. She whirls around and points a water gun at him.]

So you challenge me, then?

[luminarian]

That's right, I'm challenging you!

[ His water gun is aimed right back at her. Seems they're in some sort of standoff. He narrows his eyes at her, his finger on the trigger. ]

Don't think I'll go easy on you. I've seen what you can do.

[ She's no slouch when it comes to combat. No, Kokoro will be a real challenge in the battlefield. But if he can take her down, he'll prove once and for all that he's a force to be reckoned with just as well. ]

[stavros]

Very well. Have at you!

[She ducks to the side and begins to shoot water, starting to ponder if using a shield would be cheating. Probably.]

can't believe i rolled a 19 for this

[luminarian]

[ Kaito's quick to duck, the stream of water passing directly over his head. If he'd still had his hair spiked up, it would have nailed him there for sure, but he hadn't bothered with it knowing he'd be getting it wet anyways.

From his position on the ground, he tilts his water gun upwards at an angle and sends a few quick shots back Kokoro's way. ]

II

[myturf]

Hooooh? So you're my opponent t'day.

[ Karin, clad in a t-shirt and baggy shorts on the other hand, has a plastic life preserver hooked on her arm. Not the best weapon, but. She also wanted to float down the river for a bit. ]

Lucky for you, I ain't one to back down from a challenge.

[luminarian]

[ Kaito lets out a confident chuckle, looking at her flimsy defense. ]

Oh yeah? And what are you planning to do with that flimsy inner tube?

[ He pulls the trigger, sending a blast of water in her direction. ]

roll 18

[myturf]

[ Easy. ]

Watch an' learn!

[ Slipping away in a dodge, she twirls a bit, leading to her tossing the inner tube as a chakram!

...It doesn't work that well, but that's okay. As the inner tube lamely floats down, Karin slips around and from behind her back, pulls out her own water gun?! Aiming like a "trained" "gun-woman", she pulls her own trigger! How's that?! ]

4..........

[luminarian]

[ The inner tube does work well for one thing: a distraction. Kaito's so busy thinking about what a failure that was that he hardly notices Karin pull out her own water gun - and by the time he does, it's too late. ]

W-wait, hold on -

[ Aaaaaaand water right to the face. ]

II

[cottoncandydisaster]

Evil-doer?

[ Ceto looks up from where he'd been sitting on the edge of the pool typing something up on starnet. He didn't seem to appreciate that assessment of his character, but when he saw who'd said it and what he was holding it seemed to click.

He rolled his eyes, but far be it from him to tell someone to act their age. Being an adult was probably pretty sucky anyway. So he lifts his own water gun and gets to his feet. ]

Oh, I think I'm plenty match for you, Mr Hero. Don't expect me to go easy on you just because we used to be friends!

[ Yeeeah he's adding drama to it. To be expected from a theater kid, really.

Still he doesn't waste time and shoots a stream of water right at Kaito's chest for a surprise attack. ]

[luminarian]

[ Kaito does his best to dodge, but the stream merely hits him in the arm instead of straight in the chest. He lets out a quiet "tch" of dissatisfaction before aiming his gun and taking a few quick shots in Ceto's direction. An act of retaliation.

At least they're both being equally dramatic in all of this. Kaito wouldn't have it any other way. ]

[cottoncandydisaster]

[ It's funny how quickly Ceto gets his instincts back from both fighting and his similar water gun fights with his brothers and housemates. He dodges the first two shots, but the last one catches him in the shoulder. ]

Ah, that's cold!

[ Which immediately gets worse thanks to his ice magic deciding to frost the ground around his feet. Thankfully it's not slippery though. He hops back a little bit and shoots another two shots at Kaito ]

[luminarian]

[ Kaito manages to step out of the way of the first one - which lands him right in the line of fire for the second. ]

Ah, ah! Damn, you were right, that is cold!

[ It probably doesn't help that it came from the water gun Ceto is holding. In retaliation, Kaito aims his next shot right at Ceto's head. ]

II let's see if he can actually stand up to his boyfriend

[violetlies]

[This again, huh...?

Kokichi sighs - not an annoyed sigh, mind - he's just getting into character. And then his head rises up.]

I believe we both know by now that that's not true. Tsk, tsk, tsk~

[Cue the horrific expression.]

Even now, you feel my pure evil clutching at your heart. I AM THE ONLY MATCH FOR YOU! NOW...

[And...wait, did he always have two water guns?!]

FACE YOUR DOOM!

NEEEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!

[And dual fire!!!!]

[luminarian]

Wha- Kokichi!

[ Yeah, he's been sufficiently caught off guard. Was he hiding those in his swim trunks? Kaito takes off, letting Kokichi's water blasts hit him square in the back. At least the water cannon blocks part of the spray?

He takes cover behind a nearby beach chair, taking a moment to catch his breath before popping back up and firing a few shots off. ]

[violetlies]

What? You didn't expect your greatest rival to be up for this?

[Kokichi tuts, shaking his head. He peeks over one of his water guns, smirking.]

You can't just pull out that act and expect me not to respond.

[He rolls, dodging most of the shots and returning fire easily.]

At least give me a challenge~

[He says...before licking the side of the gun.

Of course the menace pulls out psychological warfare, too.]

[luminarian]

[ Kaito fails to duck down in time, and so this time he's nailed square in the middle of his face. He's spitting out water and cursing to himself when he sees Kokichi smirk and lick the gun. ]

Dude, don't do that! Do you even know where that thing has been?!

[ Yeah. Nice try, Kokichi, but your not-boyfriend might be both a little too slow and a little too reasonable for that one. He's thinking less about Kokichi's tongue and more about how much bacteria must have just transferred onto that tongue. Good luck getting a kiss from him now. ]

III

[nomanners]

[Alice stares at her own popsicle stick. It...equally reads bad luck.

She is now staring down the local who handed these out.]

I want a refund.

[She didn't even pay anything, and yet.]

Refund me and Starry. You tricked us.

[An entirely baseless accusation. She's assured it was all luck of the draw, but this doesn't help matters.]

I want to talk to your manager.

[She doesn't know what a manager is??? But she's demanding it anyway. She's heard people here say that when they're upset.

When presented with stunned silence, she walks forward, her best intimidating look on her face, and... splat.

Slowly, she looks down. She stepped in ice cream. Her dress is ruined. Finally, she looks up at the local, and--]

Nnn...mmm....RAAAAAAGH!

[She's actually latched onto their arm and started biting them now.]

[luminarian]

H-hey, hold on!

[ He is not going to have his reputation ruined by a twelve-year-old today, thank you. He rushes forward to try and grab her around the waist and pull her back...

Only to step in that same ice cream and slip terribly. He falls forward, right on top of Alice, sending them both toppling straight into the counter of the ice cream stand. ]

[nomanners]

[And down they go.]

AAAAAGHOOF.

[She hits the ground. And she whines.]

I AM BEING CRUSHED, STARRY!

[She wriggles free, but the proprietor has taken the opportunity to make their escape. Alice huffs.]

A charlatan. I see how it is. Trust no one in this universe. I will give them a piece of my mind later.

[She looks down.]

...Are you alright, Starry? I know you did not crush me on purpose. But do not do it again, or I will be mad.

[luminarian]

It's not like I meant to!

[ He struggles to get to his feet, but once he pays careful attention to where the flattened scoop of ice cream lays, he manages. ]

And my name's not Starry, so quit callin' me that!

i.

[bell_bound]

[ He's not really sure why people are cleaning up this scrap heap. He's not up to date, and he's not trying to be either. No, he was actually in his cat form skulking around watching the humans mill about and work to see if he can piece it together himself.

So he enters the car Kaito's working in, sniffing curiously at the uprooted weeds before pouncing on one of the larger ones and kicking at it with his back paws. He's making quite the mess of the pile, and his bell was jingling as he amused himself with the weeds. So much for trying to figure out what was going on. ]

[luminarian]

[ Kaito startles a bit at the noise, but quickly calms when he realizes the situation at hand. He's dealt with cats plenty before - his grandma used to keep one at home, as well as feed the strays in their rural neighborhood. He's always been more of a dog person at heart, but he won't say no to any furry critter who passes his path.

So he reaches out slowly to pat Cheshire on the head - maybe scritch him behind his ears. ]

Hey there, little guy. You know I'm gonna have to clean all that up, right?

cw reference to eye injury

[bell_bound]

[ Cheshire tenses when he sees the hand coming at him. He enjoys being petted, but it's been a long time since someone he doesn't know has approached him in a non-hostile manner, so he drops the weed and skitters out of reach with his back arched cautiously.

... almost as though he'd understood what Kaito said, he kicked some of the weeds that had spread that far back towards the pile. Generally speaking he doesn't care, but on the off chance this guy is like Vincent...

Well, he'd like to keep the eye he has.

Reasonably he could turn back into his chain form if he needed to fight him off, but he'd rather not have to. ]

[luminarian]

[ Kaito's hand stills, and for a moment, he looks at Cheshire with wide eyes. But that look quickly fades into one of sympathy. ]

Hey, I get it. I'm way bigger than you. But I'm not gonna hurt you! It's not like it's any mess I can't clean up myself. Not your fault; you were just playing around.

[ It's funny, the way he addresses the cat as if he were an actual person, and not just a skittish little furball. This has nothing to do with Kaito Momota's intuition - this is just how he treats all living things. ]