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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[ It's... warm.

There's a large sense of warmth that emanates from Kanade's hand, and she finds some comfort in it. ]

Where's the nearest slide?

Mmmm... there.

[With her free hand, Kanade points; a twisting mass of brightly colored tubes, a little ways away past the wave pool and a few wading and kiddie pools nearby. It's hard to tell what kind of slide it is, but hey. That should be a fun surprise, right?

As she walks, she still doesn't let go of Mafuyu's hand. It's... comforting. It makes that sort of tense, ever-present buzzing in her chest, that sharp-toothed fog nipping at the corners of her heart, just... go silent.

She doesn't want to let go.]

... Do you think I should try tying my hair up this time?

[ Mafuyu doesn't either--she doesn't want to let go of this warmth, of Kanade's hand in hers. ]

Do you have something to tie it up with?

[ Mafuyu doesn't have any extra hairties with her. ]

Edited 2022-08-10 23:12 (UTC)

... I did not.

[.... Look, all of Kanade's skills at planning and organization go fully into music. Every other aspect of her life? Absolute garbage.]

Maybe one of the souvenir booths has something??

Maybe. We can check.

[ If they don't, she supposes they can just deal with it.

...or maybe. She debates on it. ]

[Unfortunately, the shops and booths are back towards the entrance of the park, so it'll take a bit of walking. Normally, Kanade wouldn't want to make the effort, but... she really doesn't want a repeat of what just happened. So small sacrifices must be made, she supposes.

As they walk back, even with the bright summer sun beating down on them, Kanade... doesn't feel all that bad. She still feels a bit out of place, and she knows she's going to be burned and aching when she wakes up tomorrow after all this exorcise... but she feels no regret about it.]

You know... I'm glad. That we can do something like this, I mean.

[ All of this doesn't bother Mafuyu. Even in this scathing hot weather, she's not alone and to her -

She supposes that's what matters for now.

Kanade saying that she's happy is definitely...

She doesn't know how to feel. ]

...Mm. It's not bad.

Do you think... [She hesitates. Is this too forward?] Can we... keep doing things like this, when we find a way home?

[They haven't really... talked, capital-T Talked, since that day when everything crumbled around them. Kanade's still not sure where everything stands; will their group disband when they find a way home? Will they figure out how to make things work so they can keep going the way they are? So many unknowns, so many things to worry about in the future...

She's ruined so many good things she's touched. Her curse is like a blight, hurting not just her but others. But even so... she doesn't want to let go of this.]

... I don't know.

[ Her answer is small and just thinking about it is painful. She remembers -- how her mother's been looking at her relationships with those at school. What will happen if she finds out about the others in Nightcord? What is she going to do...? ]

Can we--

[...]

I don't want to think about it.

[... Ah. A look of guilt flits across Kanade's face, just briefly.]

... Sorry.

[A comforting squeeze of the hand in hers. Kanade slows her pace, just a little, so she can walk closer to Mafuyu's side.]

At least there are still a lot more memories we can make here. We can just... focus on that.

... Yeah.

[ She's quiet as she squeezes Kanade's hand, as if letting go would be horrendous. ]

It looks like we're almost there, though.

[Oh. Right. The hair ties. As they make their way over to the souvenir shop, Kanade lets out a hm as she looks around. Most of the stuff here is similar to the usual amusement park fare; all bright colors splashed across everything, with most of the shelves and racks filled with shirts and plushies and other such things. They pass water toys and sunglasses until-]

Ah, here.

[On one little rack set up atop a shelf are a few hooks with some scrunchie-looking hair ties hanging from them. They're set up in packs of two, with one scrunchie a lighter blue and the other darker, decorated with little multicolored fish that look like the spirits that flit about the pools.

They're not... bad. And with a pack of two...]

... What do you think? Do you want the other one?

[ Does she want the other one? Mafuyu finds herself pausing -- she doesn't know if she wants it or not. It's still a bit of a struggle to decide things for herself, after all.

...but, the fish kind of remind her of her aquarium.

And the spirit that now lives in her own fish tank now. ]

I'll take it.

[ Basically, that's a yes. However, it's not a rather enthusiastic one. ]

[And that's just fine with Kanade. She's careful to watch for anything that might upset Mafuyu, but... she doesn't expect her to feel anything she wouldn't otherwise feel around Kanade. That would completely defeat the purpose of helping Mafuyu find her true self.

But with that decided, Kanade goes to - well. Let one of the workers know she's picking the bands up?? It's still bizarre to her how few items here need any kind of currency, and she looks momentarily apprehensive as they head out, like they're going to be stopped... but they aren't, and with a curious little hm, she finds a spot off to the side where they can stand out of the way while she pulls the scrunchies from their packaging.

Just gonna. Ignore the strange tingling in her hand as she lets go of Mafuyu's.]

Here. [She holds both of them out, dangling from her index and middle finger.] You can pick which one you want.

[ Mafuyu cocks her head like Kanade's said something crazy when she suggests that she be the one to actually choose.

Especially when the warmth leaves her own hand nd she finds her gaze almost flitting towards it, as if it would bring it back.

But of course, logically, she knows it won't.

In any case, it really doesn't matter which one she picks, right? ]

... This one, then.

[ And yet, she takes the darker one. ]

[Even such a little thing makes Kanade smile; every small moment, every little exchange that might seem inconsequential to most, are just crumbs that help her understand Mafuyu better. She'll take whatever she can get, and hold on tight to it.]

... Even the darker one would stand out against your hair. [She lets out a soft laugh.] But I think it would look nice.

[As she speaks, Kanade attempts to wrangle her hair into a high ponytail. It's... a bit of a hassle, considering her hair is still soaked and already going a bit stiff from the chlorine. It's heavy, and each time she loops the ponytail through the scrunchie Kanade winces, like the weight is starting to strain her arms. But eventually she manages to wrangle it into place, with only a few strands out of place.]

There. That should work for now. [...] Does it look okay?

Mm.

[ She doesn't have any strong thoughts one way or another in regards to Kanade's own words, even if she can feel the small warmth in them.

As she watches Kanade tie her hair up, she mentally takes some notes to keep this in mind for certain trips. ]

It works. That's all that matters.

[ It's efficient, is what she's saying. ]

Yeah... the last thing I need is for it to come loose when I'm halfway down a slide.

[She shudders. That's just a nightmare scenario right there.]

Ah, speaking of... we should probably head back. I don't want to get back and the line is too long...

[There's a pause before, almost hesitantly, she holds her hand out again. This time, Kanade almost seems... shy?]

That would be bad on both of our accounts.

[ Since Mafuyu also has her hair up in a ponytail, naturally. ]

We should. A long line is annoying.

[ She stares for a moment -- and then reaches out, slowly to Kanade's hand. ]

[It's starting to feel a little like instinct, the way her palm slides against Mafuyu's as Kanade takes her hand in her own. Like it's just... a little puzzle piece clicking in. A piece of what, Kanade's still not sure, but it's a good feeling.]

Mmm. It wouldn't be worth it, if there are too many people there already.

[And yet, even as she says this, Kanade doesn't hurry her pace. Honestly, even though the water park is nice and all, she's finding herself enjoying just walking like this.]

Is there anything you'd like to try after this?

...Not in particular.

[ Of course she still struggles with making her own decisions, with having the gravity of choice put upon her. She doesn't really care much about the where, not really.

Just doing is enough. ]

[It's okay, really. Some people might get irked at the constant noncommittal replies, but Kanade appreciates the flat sort of honesty. It makes things like this simpler. Easier.

A moment of silence as they walk, and then-]

... Sorry.

[Okay, well, maybe it's not easier, but Kanade honestly blames herself for that, rather than Mafuyu. Outside of their music, she's very much a go with the flow type when it comes to their group activities, so she feels a little lost trying to take charge. If Ena or Mizuki were here with them, they'd be able to plan the whole thing out, and know what attractions to hit in what order.]

I probably should've planned out what to do a little better. But I've never been in charge of anything like this before.

Edited 2022-08-17 15:26 (UTC)

There's nothing really to apologize for.

[ She's not upset at Kanade having not planned much and in fact doesn't blame her in the slightest bit. ]

The rides at this park change every day, so it's pretty unpredictable.

[ Mafuyu knows -- after all, she was the one who went into MirrorMe tent both of those times. There's a part of her that almost wants to wince at the thought; after all, the tent is still there, isn't it? A memorial to what had been lost, but also a reminder of something that scarred her heart.

Even if she doesn't necessarily see it as much. ]

Maybe we should just walk around until we find something with few people.

... I'd like that.

[There's that shift again, a sense of shyness taking over her. Kanade's voice, always so soft, grows even softer with those simple words. Her hand in Mafuyu's twists - not like she's trying to pull it out of her grasp, but more like she's trying and failing not to fidget too much.]

Even if we don't find any rides to go on... just walking with you like this is nice. It's... [She hesitates. How does it feel to have Mafuyu with her like this? She knows it feels good, but... she's having a hard time fully wrapping her head around what it is she's feeling.] Peaceful.

[It doesn't feel like the right word. But it's something, for now.]

Is it.

[ Even if those two words are a question, Mafuyu simply says it like a statement of fact; if Kanade thinks it's peaceful, then she'll simply take it as such.

Kanade's hand in hers...

She can't help but stare at it for a long length of time before raising her head, looking at the attractions and the amount of people that are there and spots something-- ]

... looks like that place might not be too crowded.

[ It's not a ride, but rather more of an 'attraction'. An aquarium, if you will. ]

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