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

[Oh-

Yuuto looks down at their hands, clearly embarrassed by the request. Primarily because it was something he would have wanted to do anyway and feels silly for not voicing. He looks awkwardly between the edge of the bed and the floor, not sure where to sit.]

S, sure. I can stay as long as you want, Himeko.

...thank you.

[ It's a quiet two words, but there's something about them that's warm. ]

Can you tell me a story, maybe?

[He cautiously takes a seat on the side of the bed, humming thoughtfully as he tries to think up a story worth telling.]

Mm. Is a folktale from another world okay?

...Yeah. Anything's fine.

[Yuuto reaches out to brush her bangs aside, continuing to think for a moment longer. Then he settles on what was considered a pretty common story in his original timeline.]

Then... I'll tell you our world's creation story. The version from when I'm a kid. It's about how two opposing powers came together to create a miracle through the power of love~. [He laughs softly at his own joke,] That's a common theme when I'm from.

Love, huh?

[Inaba already starts shutting her eyes, but she speaks up again to show that she's still listening even if her eyes are closed. ]

It really is a powerful thing, isn't it. But...mm, yeah, I'd like to hear it.

Let's see... How would my sisters start this story..?

"A long, long time ago," or something. Before there was any life, there were two forces. One of beginnings and one of endings. The two kami had the combined ability to tell many stories together. But they craved each other's company, and anytime they touched they would end the stories they were writing.

Ah, I think in this case 'stories' means worlds. It's a metaphor! [you're welcome, inaba. he's happy to help.]

That's depressing, you know.

[ She didn't need an explanation of the metaphor, especially since it seemed rather straightforward. ]

I guess it sort of it, huh..?

[Yuuto puts his hand on the bed so that he can lean towards her as he continues.]

They say that many stories were started and ended while the couple chased each other. But then one day, the two kami wrote a story that they didn't want to end. They decided to separate one last time to protect it... and in the space between them, 'love' was finally born. That's supposedly how my mother came to be? Kinda weird for your mother to have an origin story, actually.

There's no "sort of" about it, stupid. But... yeah, it is kinda weird.

… Yeah, maybe that was the wrong story to tell. I’m not as good at this as Tau. But I think it’s kind of a nice story in the end..? I find it encouraging..?

If it is encouraging....then I'd like to hear the rest of it.

Okay... [He clears his throat and tries to settle back into a story telling tone;]

That story tells us that this world we live in is here, because we are all very loved. The two kami who created the world continue to watch it and, even though they're apart now, they love this world like it's their child. So many things aren't just born from love but are love.

So for me, anyway, it makes me think... "Even if I can't be with everyone I love right now, I'm here because I am loved by them," or something... The 'Yuuto' I am is proof that I'm not ever going to be alone. I think it's very encouraging to imagine things like that.

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

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