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starsand2022-08-01 11:08 pm
starrystoryteller) wrote in starsand2022-08-01 11:08 pm
【MINGLE】 August Mingle
August Mingle
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.
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Hm? Cheshire is a cat.
[ Ah... but he's technically a chain now, isn't he? ]
Or Cheshire was? Cheshire's owner brought him back like this.
[ Because he was envious of humans, but obviously Cheshire wasn't going to admit to that.
Regardless he tilts his head when Elliot mentions magic. Is that why so many people had cat ears today? ]
Cheshire has always talked like this. Why is the magic causing cat ears?
[ He wrinkled his nose though, having noticed something when Elliot swatted at him. ]
Mrr... you smell like the guy with the black sword...
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[Appearance aside, there's certainly aspects of Cheshire's behavior that strike Elliot as very cat-like. He overlooks his own irritation, his eyebrows pinched as he looks almost concerned. How do you help a cat who's human??
There's only one other person he knows who had a black sword though, and he tenses up as he starts putting two and two together.]
Are you talking about Leo?! Do you know about the Abyss?
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[ He states this with an edge of irritation. He's still not very happy about that, even 100 years later. ]
Is that his name? Cheshire didn't know.
[ He was being controlled by Glen when he'd seen him last, and asking the body's name wasn't exactly a high priority when there was a sword aimed at his face. He supposes he can give Leo a chance, since it wasn't him that decided to stab him. He was on thin ice though. ]
Cheshire is a Chain, so yes. Cheshire knows a lot about the Abyss.
[ More than most probably do actually, given his close relationship with the Intention of the Abyss. The question was how much was he going to tell him. ]
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I’m— I’m sorry.
[He whispers, but it feels like a pathetic response. And then the alarm bells go off.]
You’re a chain? [But he doesn’t seem anything like the others.] How do you and Leo know eachother?
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[ As if to punctuate this, Cheshire rubs at his eye with one of his paws, as though they still hurt. His ears flick at the question of how he knows Leo, however. It's a hard question because he's never really met "Leo" so much as he met one of the other Glens. The angry one from his past. ]
Mrr... Cheshire was watching between dimensions because of the Hatter. They wanted to hurt Cheshire's owner, so Cheshire had to stop them.
[ Come to think of it, he did vaguely remember seeing this boy before, while he was watching. He hadn't paid much attention to him since he didn't seem too interested in harming the Intention, but He'd made note of him since he'd had Humpty Dumpty at the time...
Cheshire shifted forward, paws on the table as he sniffed at him to verify. ]
Oh, Humpty Dumpty's not with you anymore... Too bad. Cheshire hasn't played with him in a while...
no subject
Even so, he can't help but feel bad for him.]
You're safe now. No one here has any interest in harming your...owner.
[Leo explained what happened to him, but some things, like the Intention are still confusing. When it comes down to it though, if Cheshire is telling the truth, he's nothing more than a cat trying to protect his lonely little girl of an owner. How can he fault him for that? There are two people Elliot won't forgive: Jack, and the people who tormented Leo and isolated him.
He will never forgive Glen.
His reaction when hearing the chain's name is visceral. He flinches, sucking in a small breath, his eyes widened and skin pale as he grips his wrist. The fur on his ears seems to stand up on its end.]
Humpty Dumpty is dead. I killed that thing.
[He forces the words out with a degree of finality as if to bury the subject matter for good. Nevermind that if another chain can exist here, what's stopping Humpty Dumpty...?
Elliot tries to at least banish the fear from his eyes, and changes the subject.]
How long have you been here? Do you have food and shelter?
no subject
Curious as he is, he can smell the fear on him still, and his ears flick as he moves, looking at his wrist to see if he had hurt himself or something. ]
Cheshire has not been here long. Humans were very loud and crowded Cheshire, so he ran.
[ He gently pokes at Elliot's wrist with a claw, very careful not to use the sharp point. He doesn't betray much emotion with his expression, but there's something sad about how he holds himself. ]
Cheshire thought he entered the hundred year cycle with his owner. Cheshire shouldn't be here right now. Cheshire isn't sure where 'here' is.
[ He's not used to being so lost. His powers as a chain made it so he could go anywhere as he pleased, contract or not. For him to not know where he is is practically unheard of, and it made him anxious. ]
no subject
[That's a very cat-like reaction. It's hard to imagine Cheshire was once a normal cat...but that doesn't stop Elliot from being concerned. He tries not to flinch when Cheshire pokes his wrist, but he tenses nonetheless.]
It's Star Sand, a city in the future not from our world or the Abyss. At least that's what I gather. I'm sure you'll return to your owner eventually, and your owner may appear here. In the meantime, the place I live with my-- [Boyfriend sounds too casual.] best friend who is also the person I am courting, our own cat, Melody, and a short brat. I can't guarantee it will always be quiet, but it is safe and no one will crowd you. You're welcome to stay there while you wait.
[Cheshire is a cat after all, so Elliot's instinct is to adopt him.]
no subject
Oh, you mean your mate. Does Melody like other cats?
[ it's an important question because when he was fully a cat he very much did not like other cats. Cheshire does not feel like intruding on another cat's territory. ]
Short brat..?
[ He could think of a few fitting that description, so it wasn't really helpful for deciding if he should go or not. ]
... What happened to your wrist?
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My-- My what?!
[Did Cheshire have to call Leo that?! And now his heart won't stop racing. He stumbles over his words, trying and failing to gather his composure.]
Melody...yes. She originally lived in a cat cafe. She is accustomed to other cats. I mean Oz Vessalius.
[He looks confused, but the distraction helps him with his embarrassing thoughts about Leo.] Nothing happened to my wrist.
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Your special one. Your mate. Is that not what humans call them?
[ Its good to know that Melody wouldn't dislike him on principle, but hearing Oz's name makes him tense. He has complicated feelings about him. On one hand, Oz used to be a friend of his back when he was the B-Rabbit, and on the other he'd endangered the intention which upset him on principle. He didn't know where Oz's opinion of him fell after everything either, given he seemed to favor Alice now anyway. ]
Mrr... Cheshire thinks you should ask the rabbit first.
[ He doesn't explain, but he didn't feel as though it was much of a secret that he may be divisive in the eyes of those from their world ]
You were holding it like it hurt.
[ Had Humpty done something to it? ]
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[Elliot feels himself slowly dying a bit inside from embarrassment. How is he supposed to convey this to a cat, let alone face his own feelings? His voice dies into a choked sound, and he ends up giving up in defeat to bury his face in his hands.
He hasn't the strength to look at Cheshire yet, so his answer comes out muffled.]
It's mine and Leo's place, therefore we make the rules. Everything that has happened in the past stays there, so no fighting will be tolerated. If you choose to live with us, you will be safe there...I'd only allow someone I trust to live in our household.
Ah-- [He finally looks up.] No. I'm fine, I didn't realize I was doing it.
no subject
The rabbit doesn't like fighting and neither does Cheshire.
[ That said, he still looks conflicted. Just because he's not worried about them going for each other's throats doesn't mean it'd be a very good arrangement. Oz could very well hold a grudge still. ]
... Cheshire guesses he can try it. He will just leave if the rabbit doesn't want him there.