starsand | 【MINGLE】 August Mingle

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

August Mingle

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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.

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Coughing like that isn’t ‘fine!’

[But Yuuto would be a hypocrite to complain about how Akutagawa doesn’t understand his self worth. He finishes opening the tea canister and holds it out.]

Here. Give yourself a minute, okay? The train isn’t going anywhere today, no matter how much we push ourselves.

[ He sighs softly since Yuuto did have a point in that the train wouldn't be going anywhere today regardless.

He's notably reluctant since he doesn't like to feel as though he's wasting time. That makes him less useful, and what is he if he's not useful?

It takes a tense moment of mental warfare with himself before his ability recedes and he accepts the tea. ]

Alright... how are you managing? You seem very busy bringing everything down. Are you tired?

[Yuuto finally relaxes when Akutagawa accepts the tea, a reaction made visible by how his shoulders sink with relief and he sighs quietly. An itch in his mind insists that he confront Akutagawa properly about how reckless he is with his health, but for the moment he decides to let them both rest.]

It's no problem for me. My power comes pretty naturally to me. If I get tired, I can eat Starling.

And you- [Yuuto retrieves the bento box what has been hanging from his tail, which is lifted up more like a monkey tail than a cat's right now,] -can eat lunch! I made you something! Is now a good time?

[ He glances to the train, tempted to go back to working, but... he knows Yuuto is worried. As much as he is offended by the implication that his ability doesn't come naturally to him, he's pretty sure it's unintentional, so beyond a soft sound of indignation, he doesn't address it. ]

Yes, now is fine dear.

[ He glances around the clearing and nods to a little shady patch they could eat and snuggle in. ]

Would you like to sit over there?

[Yuuto's eyes brighten again when he realizes that he not only gets to give his boyfriend a meal, but hang out with him. Perhaps a small and even expected thing to most people dating, but to Yuuto it is still exciting enough to warrant a big grin.]

Yes, please! Let's sit together! [While he does note that soft sound, Yuuto chooses to be cheerful and ignorant for now. At least until they're settled together in the grass.]

The train is looking great! I never thought I'd see it so clean! Do you think it'll be able to run soon?

[ Yuuto looks so excited by the idea... hadn't that been the plan to eat together? silly.

He walks over to the shade, holding the lunch in one hand while putting the other around his boyfriend so they could walk together for the short distance before they could settle down.

He hums in response to Yuuto's musings ]

I think so, yes, though even once it's able to run it may need some cleaning still. It seems as though it's been left here to waste for a while.

[He happily leans closer for a moment, indulging in his happiness and love, before straightening his steps and laughing in response.]

Yeah, that's true! If we can get one car fixed for now, then we can fix the others later? The little Conductor seems so impatient to move that I feel a little badly for her.

[Yuuto stops at their sitting place and eagerly takes his seat, welcoming a few curious spirits as they float closer to inspect the lunch box.]

It's amazing how rundown it got in just a few years.

[ He nods quietly, listening to his lover talk and laugh. It was comforting to hear him be happy like that given how things have been in the past few months. ]

I suppose. I don't see the harm so long as the train is structurally sound before she runs it. We can clean the interior over time... the only problem I see arising is that she's so impatient that she might not want to sit still long enough for us to clean the rest if we allow her to run it before we finish.

[ He sits close to Yuuto as he picks at his food, though he does wave to the spirits that join them. ]

She does seem like the type to just start racing about, doesn't she..? It's a little endearing though?

[Yuuto won't admit that she reminds him of his younger self. Actually, if he can help it, Akutagawa is never going to hear about what a menace tiny Yuuto was.]

If we could do this sort of thing for every spirit and kami, I'd be really happy. Even the spirits are happy that we're helping the train. Maybe they can go sightseeing when it's fixed?

It is. She reminds me a little bit of my sister when she was small, only Gin was much quieter.

[ He hums, clearly affectionate. Caring for his sister made him much more forgiving when it comes to 'obnoxious' children. ]

Maybe they've been stuck here this whole time, then? The locals down here don't seem too nice to them. It would be nice to do something for the Kami, though large scale things like this would be difficult to manage for more than one or two a month.

Tau is a lot quieter than this too... But I have a lot of karma to make up for.

[So he'll be patient with the Conductor.]

If we could set up a way to honor the spirits daily, maybe..? I'm just dreaming out loud at this point... but I don't want any of their lives to fall through the cracks, you know?

Karma..?

[ He looks to Yuuto a little concerned that he was being too hard on himself again, but he doesn't press more, merely holding him a little closer in a silent form of reassurance. ]

... I'm not sure about daily, but I'm sure people wouldn't oppose showing appreciation for the spirits if it's brought up. We could work up to more frequent events once people get used to them. It may not have to be frequent depending on the results. It's best to be flexible to start.

[It takes Yuuto a moment to figure out what prompted the closer contact and he laughs softly when it clicks, leaning closer to show his own positive affection.]

I was a really annoying kid, is all! And because of how time affects me, I was a pain for a very long time. [So he's not exactly being hard on himself.

He nods along as Akutagawa suggests more events, especially inspired after the talent show. Though what's most encouraging is hearing it from someone like Akutagawa. Hearing his boyfriend care so much about a matter that is this important to Yuuto is nice. Flooded by adoration, Yuuto's smile softens.]

Speaking of important lives... How do you feel? Did the tea help your cough? It sounded painful.

[ Yuuto, annoying? Honestly he could see it. A lot of sweet people were probably obnoxious as children. They'd have to learn the limits of others to be sensitive to them in adulthood. At least that's how it made sense to him. ]

Hmm, I'm sure people forgave you for being a little annoying. It's not abnormal for children.

[ Ah, but Yuuto's turning his ideas for assisting the spirits back on him. He shifts and nods. The tea didn't really help in so much as it washed the taste of blood away. He wasn't really in too much pain because of the medicine and even without the medicine his pain tolerance was astronomical. ]

I'm alright starlight, don't worry about me too much.

[ He glances to the others to make sure no one was really paying attention to them before pressing a soft kiss to his partner's lips. Just a chaste one since he was feeling affectionate. ]

I took my medicine this morning so I'm not in pain if that was your concern. Using my ability in excess sometimes agitates my condition.

[The kiss comes as a pleasant surprise and Yuuto presses forward to return it, his smile shy when he follows their kiss with some cuddling. He knows that being worried at can be tiring, especially when the habit people worry about it just that: A habit. Yuuto does it with his self-loathing and own twisted careless attitude towards his mortality. The more he's reminded, the worse Yuuto feels. So he opts not to press Akutagawa on it directly.]

Mm. I love you, Ryunosuke. [Instead, Yuuto chooses to show some affection.] Being together like this makes me so happy... Can your break be a bit longer?

[ He hesitates just a little bit at the request, not because he didn't want to, but because he doesn't want to be seen as shirking his duty. Still, people have been imploring him to rest so they probably wouldn't be opposed to him sitting out for a little longer, even if it's to cuddle with his significant other. ]

I love you too, Yuuto.

[ He gently nuzzles the top of his lover's head as they cuddle ]

... I don't think that would be a problem. Did you just want to cuddle for a while?

[Yuuto doesn't mute his happy laugh as he cuddles closer. Having Akutagawa choose him over work makes Yuuto selfishly happy and he's not shy about showing it.]

Mm. Until you get tired of me. [His tone is teasingly, implying that he knows that won't happen. For all of his self-loathing, their mutual love is something that Yuuto has faith in. That confidence has been growing every day.]

Did you get enough to eat first?

I could never get tired of you.

[ He cups Yuuto's cheek so that he could look into his eyes as he says the next part. ]

And I would gladly sit here for eternity with you to prove that.

[ His loyalty and love are not in question, and he knew very well that Yuuto had been teasing, but if there's one thing Akutagawa likes to do, it's express just how much he loves his partner. Perhaps one day he'll realize his own positive traits. ]

I did eat enough, love. Your cooking is delicious as usual.

[It’s almost embarrassing how those words make his breath hitch and his body feel lighter. Yuuto covers Akutagawa’s hand with his own and turns his head to kiss his palm.]

Me too. I could stay here forever. We don’t even have to do anything… just having you here makes me feel better.

[He doesn’t worry as much about his Rumor or fear the future either. Akutagawa makes those things seem so small and manageable just by being there. When Yuuto imagines the future, he isn’t alone anymore.

Yuuto does grin a bit at the compliment.]

Then I’ll bring you lunch tomorrow too.

I'm glad. There's nothing I wouldn't do if it was for your sake. To keep you safe and happy.

[ A potentially very dangerous concept, but he means every word of it. He's already doing everything in his power to figure things out. ]

Hm? Only if it's not a bother for you. I don't want to inconvenience you over something like this.

[ After all he's fully capable of feeding and taking care of himself, he just... forgets to. ]

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【MINGLE】 August Mingle

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