【MINGLE】 August Mingle

[starrystoryteller]

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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Comments

himeko inaba / kokoro connect [scp crau]

[dereban]

option one.

[ Inaba was the kind of person who was good at keeping her stuff clean, but dealing with all of this is...

...definitely something.

She can't help but sigh a little bit as she watches people clear it out. ]

This is definitely going to be a lot...

[ But since she's trying to save her energy for the parts that matter the most for her, she decides to keep an eye on the heavy lifters before eventually approaching them. ]

Hey, do you need a break? I have water and some onigiri to keep your energy up.

[ That's important! Alternatively, people can find Inaba trying to take a careful look at the mechanics of the train, making sure which parts need to be looked at and fixed. ]

option two. ( job fair )

I'm interested in going back to school, but it's going to be a huge problem if I can't enroll in the high school because of my age.

[ Inaba frowns deeply, looking rather conflicted. It's not her fault that the Foundation took her while she was fifteen and now she's nineteen and mostly self taught. ]

I wonder if they even have the classes for the profession that I want to get into here... [ She mulls it over and then tries to find another person, who she ends up asking-- ] Are you interested in this kind of thing?

[ She is. She totally is! But she's trying to curb her enthusiasm lest she get disappointed. ]

option three. ( not nice cream )

[ Inaba can be found at one point at one of the tables outside absolutely groaning in pain.

Why?

The answer can be found next to her: a parfait and some spirits hovering--but still keeping their distance so they don't get nullified--nearby, just bouncing up and down as if concerned over the girl who definitely does not seem to be alright. ]

Uuugh...

option wildcard.

[ Want something else outside these prompts? Feel free to hit me up on the Discord or on plurk at tsundereban! ]

I

[loveedition]

Ah, I appreciate it-- but I'm kinda in a zone right now, I can grab some water later.

[ As per always, she's been busy clearing out and cleaning whatever she sees that needs to be done, while also keeping an eye on others who might be exhausted. Ryoko may have... been at this for a while, but it's.

Fine? ]

[dereban]

No pushing yourself allowed. We're not here to see anyone collapse or else I'll get mad.

[loveedition]

[ --Is this what that feels like? Is this what she's been doing to her friends? ]

L-Like I was saying, I was starting to feel a bit tired. You're just in time, Inaba-san. Thanks?

[ BUT SHE WANTS TO KEEP WORKING......... but, she also would rather not have Inaba be mad? ]

[dereban]

I'm glad you understand.

[ She huffs with a bit of pride, grinning wide. ]

[loveedition]

Sheesh... I didn't think I'd ever be out-mothered...

[ You've defeated a powerful enemy today. That grin is well earned. ]

There's just-- there's a lot to do, and I'd rather it get done quicker so we can put it behind us.

[dereban]

You'll end up making more work for us if you overwork.

[ Just going to put it out there. ]

[loveedition]

Right, right...

[ She graciously decides to go and accept some water... ]

Maybe the faith part'll be a lot easier than this...

[dereban]

If it isn't, then I will consider magic to once again have failed me.

3

[spacialeyes]

[As a kami with his feet in both realms, Yuuto could hear the worried spirits quite clearly. He didn't need to know who they are worried about to come check it out, genuinely concerned for whoever crossed paths with spirit mischief. But when he recognizes her Yuuto's concern flips to a more stern expression. He sighs when he approaches and waves his hand at the spirits in a slightly dismissively way.]

It's alright. I'll take it from here. Don't do it again, alright?

[He can't really undo the magic if Inaba has ingested it, but Yuuto walks over to her table and gently taps her shoulder.]

Himeko? It's Yuuto.

[dereban]

I'm dyingggg...

[ She recognizes his voice but she doesn't raise her head in the slightest bit, just wanting to not move at all. ]

[spacialeyes]

[He can't tell if she's teasing him or being serious, but either way: He gives the spirits a scolding look as they flee the scene:]

If they killed you, then I'll start my revenge arc early...

[Yuuto brushes her bangs aside, checking if she's gotten a fever from trying to fight off the magic.]

Let's get you home. I can carry you if you want to keep 'it' on.

[dereban]

You caaan't...

[ She groans and raises her head, looking a bit pale in the face but it's fine. She'll be fine, probably. ]

No getting revenge, Yuuuuto.

[spacialeyes]

[Now is not the time for jokes, he thinks.]

Then no dying. [... is what he says.

Yuuto pulls the chair back so that he can try to scoop Inaba up in his arms, tucking her head against his shoulder.]

I've got you, so relax. Is teleporting fine?

[dereban]

Mmmhm.

[ She nods as she quickly switches off her nullification in her head to allow it. ]

[spacialeyes]

[Teleporting is faster, so when he notices his belt can move again he tightens his grip and takes them to Inaba's house. He even lets himself in, teleporting into the entry way so that Inaba doesn't have to worry about keys. Though he does take the time to remove his shoes and wait for her permission before actually entering the house proper.]

If it's spirit magic then you might not be able to use medicine. Maybe you can sleep it off? How bad is it?

[dereban]

I probably could, but I don't want to waste away doing nothing...

[ She gripes, frowning as she manages to kick her shoes off. ]

It's like having really, really bad cramps. I can probably like-- walk to the bedroom but I don't think I'll be able to concentrate much.

3

[nomanners]

...

[Alice is also hovering nearby. Not literally hovering, but she's definitely staring at Inaba before a brow slowly arches.]

Did you eat too much?

I'll eat it if you can't.

[Is she concerned or is she just looking for food...?]

[dereban]

I didn't eat too much.

[ She groans, her brows knitting. Not that it can really be seen with her head lowered onto the table like that. ]

If you want to eat the rest of it though, just. Take it.

[nomanners]

Okay.

[Alice says, popping one of the spoons of the parfait into her mouth.]

Do you need a doctor? You look sick.

[It's a little concerning.]

[dereban]

I'll be fine. I can handle myself.

[nomanners]

...That's what most people say before they collapse and spit out their organs.

[Is it really????

But she shrugs and takes another bite of the parfait.]

If you say so, though. I hope things like bad pains from sweets aren't normal here. Otherwise I may be in trouble.

[dereban]

I'm pretty sure that's not true!

[ She does groan once again in pain, frowning. ]

They usually aren't...

[ But magic. Unfortunately, magic. ]

[nomanners]

I've never seen someone spit out their organs. But I'd imagine it'd start with tummy ouchies.

[She shovels a few more bites into her mouth.]

Usually. So it's sometimes. Well, that's okay. I have a stomach of iron.

I'm Alice. I'm new. Who are you?

[dereban]

You really don't want to see that. It's not fun.

[ Not that she's seen it. She'd rather not, thank you very much! ]

Inaba. Not new. Been here a couple of months. My stomach is... normal. Just normal.