starsand | 【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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do you really need to address me by my full name each time we meet.

[ She asks a question but it's spoken so blandly that it doesn't even sound like one. Besides, Rinne knows more than he should about her, so she isn't going to bother keeping up the act.

In any case, the answer to his question is: ]

I don't really care one way or another. I don't particularly like or dislike it. But I can't leave this seat.

That bothers you, but you have no opinion on parfaits?

[ She didn't say it bothers her, but that tsukkomi made him think it did. As always, he can't really get a read on her, which... is unfortunately familiar. Sigh.

At her comment, he quirks an eyebrow. Tied to the seat... the spirits are up to their tricks again, aren't they? ]

Oi, what's the deal--

[ Wait a second... he's instantly sitting down, because he's half wondering. ]

If I have it, will that free you?

I can't taste it.

[...]

That's what the cookie said, apparently. If it's a liar, then I suppose that's that.

No taste buds?

[ Alright, well... if that's the case. He can go ahead and sit right down. ]

I...I'll give it a try. As long as it's not going to cost anything.

Something like that. It's free, anyway. They just gave it to me.

......

Why did you trust a free parfait?

[ Said as if this is the most obvious thing in the world? ]

Never mind. I'll give it a shot. It's better that I sit here anyway.

All the food here is free.

Until it isn't. Nothing in life is free.

Maybe you should tell that to the kami's face.

They'd simply tell me it's not true.

[ Idly, he picks up a spoon-- ]

It may not be now, but I'm sure I'll be in a kami's debt soon. That's how things typically work.

[ As such, he moves to scoop out some of the parfait and. Freezes up a bit. Wait, can he really... ]

... in their debt? Why?

They brought me here, where I can be far away from the poor lifestyle I lived before. On top of that, Hanyuu-san's given me a place to stay, given me warm meals, and hasn't complained once about it.

[ He scoops out some of the parfait. ]

I do work around the shrine, but as long as I can't do more for her, I'll be in her debt.

[ And he pops the spoon into his mouth. ]

Isn't that just them being kind?

[ First, a content sigh. ]

Ahhh, so this is what a parfait tastes like...!

[ He could die right now and be happy! ]

Of course it is, but I refuse to take advantage like that. So right now, figuring out how to pay that back is my main goal.

You've never had one before? What does it taste like?

[ She honestly... can't remember. To her, there is no taste. She can only feel the coldness of the ice cream. ]

I don't think you're taking advantage of their kindness if they're offering it to you. And I don't think they're expecting you to repay them for their actions.

Like creamy heaven. Sweet, milky... it's wonderful.

[ Whoever said men can't have parfaits can go to hell, tbh!!! ]

Maybe not. But it'd still be bad if I didn't. Karma would come back and bite me again.

... It sounds like you're overexaggerating.

'Again'?

I'm not a food critic.

[ He's going to take another spoonful, though. ]

...it's very rare that I actually do get anything for free without something bad happening. It used to be that I'd wind up losing money or whatever it is I had right away, but now it'd probably be something a lot worse.

[ Someone he's trying to save getting shot, for example. ]

Of course you aren't.

But it seems like you just have a stroke of extremely bad luck.

My luck's finally turning around as of late, which is why I'm trying to be even more careful about this.

[ Anyway... ]

Can you stand?

I see.

[ She says those two words simply before using her hand to get up and--

Oh.

It works. ]

Looks like that really worked.

Job well done then!

[ Ha ha ha! ]

Anyway, I'll be taking the parfait as payment for this!

... You can have it. I'm sick of eating parfaits now anyway.

Thank you, I greatly appreciate it--

[ Before he can take more, he pauses. Right, she had more than one. ]

How are you feeling otherwise? Does your stomach hurt?

[ Thems a lotta sweets. ]

...

[ She pauses, mentally checking herself. ]

I'll manage.

(no subject)

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