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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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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?
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...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. ]
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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.
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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. ]
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... 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?
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[ 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. ]
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[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?]
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[ 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. ]
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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?
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[ 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. ]
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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.
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[ 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.
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[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.]
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[ 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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[Well, it's probably only here because of the spirits and what they think is most appealing, so it makes sense in a way. But it's still curious - and it makes Kanade think about Mafuyu's fish tank. This... it could be really good for her. At the very least, places like this tend to be a font of artistic inspiration, so there's no way she can pass up this chance.]
Let's go. [No hesitation there, unlike with the other attractions.] It'll also be good to get out of the sun and heat for a little while.
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[ So this is basically news to her.
And not in a bad way. Besides, perhaps their next song could deal with all of this...? So she nods and decides to follow. ]
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... Wow.
[And it seems the spirits spared no magical expense when it comes to this place, either. Before them, just past the entrance, is a low, shallow pool. Designed like a tide pool, it's shallow and lined with sand, with various creatures scuttling and swimming about; a few small, starry-skinned rays that Kanade is sure are spirits, rather than animals, along with some crabs burrowing into the sandy bottom and starfish lounging on a few nearby rocks. There are a few other patrons scattered around the rim of the pool, dipping their hands into the water and letting the fish swim by and approach.
Beyond the pool, towering tanks filled with all sorts of fish and spirit loom above, with more barely visible through hallways branching off past the main room. More rays, sharks, schools of fish so colorful they look like moving rainbows... it's a lot to take in, but at the same time, it's calming.]
Even just this... it's beautiful.
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[ Wow is undercutting it, Mafuyu thinks. Not that she voices her feelings aloud. Instead, her silent expression of how her normally almost expressionless eyes widen ever so slightly as her gaze sweeps along the lines of tanks. ]
Mm. They put a lot of effort to this.
[ It's calming.
She probably could spend hours staring at all of these. ]
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Come on. Let's get closer.
[It's not like Kanade to seem almost eager to explore like this, but she can't help it. If just walking into the aquarium can do that, then taking time to explore... that might be just the spark they need.
As she leads them towards one of the massive tanks, Kanade has to crane her neck back a bit to see the top. It should feel similar to that looming feeling of the skyscrapers in the city, reaching so far above that they really make you feel small. But maybe it has something to do with the cool blue of the water, or the glittering fractals of light that bounce around the surface, but it feels comforting more than anything. It's certainly also helped by the large school of fish that flit by just a few feet from them, scales flashing in the light.]
... I can really see why you like things like this, Mafuyu.
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[ She nods, following Kanade's lead. It's so different, seeing all of these -- things that they wouldn't see back home.
But not in a bad way, of course.
It's in a place like this, surrounded by the glass filled with spirits and fish. Mafuyu can't exactly put it into proper words at why.
Is it the quietness of the world around them in this one place?
Or is it because only thing that she can really hear is Kanade's own voice as clear as crystal?
She isn't... entirely sure. Maybe she'll look back at this in the future and consider the possibilities. But for now, all she does know is that this is something that calms her down. ]
You can see things clearly.
[ Like her own reflection. ]
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[Is it the magic of this place, or just how aquariums usually are? But even knowing that the glass in front of them must be inches thick, everything is still so clear and vibrant that she feels like she could just... reach out and touch one of the craggy mounds of coral-encrusted rock scattered about the sandy floor of the tank.]
Something this big, this wide... it would be easy for it to feel empty. But there's so much life inside of it...
[It's... strangely reassuring? Even putting aside the fish drifting about, she can see the eels burrowed under the sand or hidden away in some of the rocky nooks, little crabs and small shellfish scuttling about... there's even more to it, as long as you look close enough.
Hm.
It's easy to get lost in thoughts like that, as she watches a koi spirit with electric blue fins swim past, and as her eyes follow it, she notices something.
One of the hallways branching out past the main room isn't just a hallway - it's an extension of the tank itself. Instead of normal walls, the glass arches over the walkway, forming a tube beneath the water, giving visitors the impression that they're walking within the tank itself.
... She's not sure if she wants to pull Mafuyu away from the sight before her just yet, as her friend is so entranced by the sight before them now, but she still makes a note of it. For when they do decide to move on.]
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[ Her reply is low as her gaze is transfixed at the glass and what's beyond it -- nearly lost in her own surroundings with awe.
She might be here for a while. ]
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... It is.
[She doesn't want it to end. She'll stay here as long as Mafuyu wants to, if it means Mafuyu can keep feeling like this.
There were some benches, she noted, when she'd glanced towards the underwater tube. It's a good a place as any to relax if they're going to be here a while, and... maybe being completely surrounded by the water like that might be even better.]
There's a good place to sit with a better view. We can relax there, if you want.
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[ Kanade brings her out of it all as she finds herself canting her head in that direction. ]
... We can sit there.
[ That's basically a 'yes'. ]
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Unsurprisingly, there are a bit more people here, kids and adults alike staring in glee and awe at the way everything passes above and around them. But there are enough benches spread out evenly throughout that it's easy to find an empty one, and Kanade leads Mafuyu to it. She sits - careful to tuck her hair to the side so she's not sitting on it like she usually does - and leans back, until her back is pressed against the glass behind them.]
... This is as good a spot as any. We can stay here as long as you want.
[And then she'll just... watch. The people. The aquatic animals and spirits above and around them. Mafuyu. The lights on the water's surface dancing across everything, interrupted every so often by the shadows of creatures above them. She takes it all in, just letting herself feel, letting it sink deep into her bones.
Idly, like she's not even aware she's doing it, she runs her thumb gently over the back of Mafuyu's hand, and begins to hum. It's a nameless tune, nothing she's really picked at while working, just... something to fill the comfortable silence between them.]
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