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

[ He's admittedly quite surprised to see Shugo and blinks when he registers what the man said, a little confused for a moment. ]

... I took my medicine today?

[ It's not quite registering what the issue is. The medicine was to dull the pain, not to prevent him from coughing. He would still cough regardless, just less often.

Sorry Shoes, he may be smart but he is also an idiot when it comes to things like this. ]

See, Satou, this is why I think we should legalize murder for just me.

[Shugo mumbles inaudibly to himself as he takes a bag off of his back and begins searching for water. He finds some patience in there too, which he uses to hold a water bottle out to Akutagawa.]

I didn't make that so that you could kill yourself faster. Here. Drink this and sit down until your lungs aren't so irritated. Let me see what I can do about your cough... [He keeps poking through his bag.]

[ Akutagawa is a very stubborn person, but he is also quite obedient when it comes to the people he considers to be his superior. Shugo happens to be one of those so he accepts the water bottle and sits down without argument, if looking a little bit like a scolded child. ]

That was not my intention, I merely wanted to make myself useful.

[ It bothers him if he feels he isn't contributing enough. Still, he drinks the water as requested. ]

By dying faster? If Yuuto heard that then he’d cry, you know.

[Shugo certainly has a bad habit of being blunt at all of the wrong times. But when it comes to Akutagawa pushing his condition, better soon and harsh rather than late but gentle. He’s not going to beat around the bush like Satou does.

He keeps searching his bag, taking out medicines and examining them before putting them back.]

I can’t undo the damage that you do to yourself. If you keep this up, you are going to actually die. Don’t you realize how rude that is?

[“Rude” is definitely the wrong word to use in this situation.]

What am I supposed to do, then? Sit around and be useless as I die slowly anyway?

[ He's frustrated and a little guilty. Obviously he doesn't want to hurt Satou or Yuuto. He cares about them, but he can't just sit around and do nothing either. He feels bad that Satou has Shugo trying to prevent something that is inevitable. Especially given his lifestyle and personality-- It was never going to be easy to get him to relax. They're lucky he's been as compliant as he has been. ]

I realize perfectly well how "rude" that is, but I don't see much of an alternative without becoming a waste of space and resources.

[Okay, that does hurt to hear. If only because, for all of the shit he is flinging, Shugo does care about Akutagawa. It’s hard not to when Satou and Yuuto sing his praises like it’s a song on the radio. Hearing that someone they love thinks that way kind sucks.

… So miraculously, Shugo tones down the asshole side of his personality. He even filters his words.]

What’s so useless about living? You think there’s no value in the way you make them feel?

[And before that can be added to his rude comments card, Shugo continues:]

I know you don’t. But you gotta start aligning your feelings and your actions now. [Shugo zips up the backpack, holding a new sleeve of pills,] Otherwise you’re gonna be kicking yourself when the time comes.

[ Akutagawa huffs softly in response. Shugo has a point. He knows that. ]

I'm... not used to people caring.

[ No one ever tried to limit him before. His death was inevitable and no one seemed interested in trying to argue with him to ease up. The only one who came close was his sister, and she was fairly resigned. ]

If I don't contribute enough I'll seem weak, and I am not weak.

[“I can’t see that,” Shugo nearly says. But he withholds the rude comments, trying to find a middle ground with his own firey anger and Satou’s softer approach to these things.]

Then… save your energy for punching people who call you weak? [The advice leaves his mouth and he realizes that it sounds very bad.

Forget that one. Let him try again.]

I’m not saying to change the way that you think overnight. But people do care about you here. Yuuto has never looked so genuinely happy before. Let him show you how much you matter. Text him when you cough like that, if you need a reminder.

[He offers the medicine,] Starling. Don’t take much. Its for emergencies.

[ Of all the people to possibly condone his violent nature, he was not expecting it to be Shugo. The surprise almost cancels out his previous annoyance. Almost. ]

... Really? He always seemed pretty cheerful...

[ Granted his first conversation with him was when he promised to resolve his Rumor which got him out of his shell a bit, but...

Is it self centered of him to be pleased that he made his lover that happy? He's not sure. Quietly, he accepts the medicine and nods at the instructions he was given. If there was anything he's learned because of this stupid condition it was how to be careful with medication. ]

My apologies for the inconvenience.

It was always so empty before.

[Shugo mutters this observation, recognizing that it's perhaps meant to be a secret. He's aware that Yuuto puts a lot of effort into pretending to be someone else and he's also very bad at confronting the subject.

His gold eyes narrow when Akutagawa apologies.]

It's not 'inconvenient' to worry about people. Just don't use that medicine as a way to push yourself more. I gave it to you so that you could spend more time with my son.

[ He's tempted to point out that the pain hadn't been inhibiting him from spending time with Yuuto, but he realizes a little belatedly he meant it in the other sense ]

Empty... yes, he does like to pretend things are fine... I suppose he used to do that more often before, then...

[ He sighs ]

I am still learning how to balance my duties with watching my health, but I will be more careful.

He's just like his mother in that regard... Maybe worse. I assure you, he doesn't get it from me.

[Shugo is not one to fake smiles, as you have probably noticed based on his... personality. General aura. Terrible bedside manner.]

You can get help with that. It's not like the rest of us aren't struggling with shit too. But it gets solved faster with a second set of eyes.

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

no subject

CW: Mortality

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cw talk of mortality and slight self-ableism

cw talk of mortality

cw talk of mortality

cw talk of mortality

Re: cw talk of mortality

cw talk of mortality

cw talk of mortality

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