starsand | 【MINGLE】 August Mingle

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

August Mingle

Shrines Lore Drop Starnet Info NPC Contact FAQ Claims List

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.

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So what I'm hearing is everyone knew before me. Great.

[ Between Kokichi and Maki, he's starting to realize he's not great at picking up on potential romance. ]

I'd believe you liked me to some extent, but there also had to be a point where you couldn't stand me, right? I definitely spent a lot of time at that point with you.

Yeah, pretty much. But I also kinda told the two who aren't Ryoma outright. Ryo-nii has good intuition.

[Well, he's not lying.]

Mmm...I usually don't, like, put anyone into that category without damn good reason. I've definitely been annoyed with you before, though. Mostly because I got jealous. Either jealous of you for taking Shumai's attention...or, y'know, the whole me vs. Maki war. I think the only time I've actually been that mad, though, was when you had that whole episode and I got jealous again because I was fed up I never had any sympathy.

And even then, that kinda broke when Shumai laid into me. After that it was just a lot of crying.

Still. The biggest thing that pissed me off was just that I honestly thought you gave cute girls more leeway than me, because they were cute girls and I'm me. Both Kay-yay-day and Maki both...they got away with running people ragged and asking people if they wanna die, and I couldn't be giving anyone kiddie-insults, that's the breaking point.

[He shakes his head...but he's still right by his side, holding his hand.]

I don't mind now, though. Even if you were a Dummy, you're sweet to me now.

Yeah, and I could stop at any point. Make sure you don't get on my nerves too much.

[ It's said lightheartedly, of course, as he gently hip-bumps him. He's in way too deep to stop caring about him now. ]

But cute girls, huh? I never thought I was treating them any differently...

[ Are Kaede and Maki considered cute? He never really considered it. Well, maybe once with Maki, but that was only once he got to Starsand, and he finally had time to think about - ]

Oh, shit!

[ He glances down at Kokichi, eyes wide. ]

Did I ever tell you what happened with Maki?

No you couldn't. Lying is bad, beloved.

[Called out.]

And yeah, you absolutely did give them more leeway than me. If I marched around going 'do you wanna die' you would've never let me hear the end of it. Meanwhile Maki does it and you were just like 'eh, that's Maki.'

[He quirks a brow.]

What'cha mean? What happened with her?

Well, yeah, but I don't think it's because they were girls. I woulda done the same thing if it was Shuichi, or, like. Rantaro or somebody.

[ At least, he thinks he would have? Anyways, that's not the point. The whole Maki thing. ]

Before Monokuma... you know. Sent me blastin' off or whatever, she started bawling her eyes out. Nothing I said could make her stop.

[ As he walks and talks, he idly swings their joined hands in between the two of them, almost like he's not telling the story of his own death. ]

Which, like... understandable, obviously, but I really wanted everyone to see me out with a smile, you know?

I did not know that at the time. But you basically would've cut everyone slack except me because it is either a flat out love or hate with me. I see how it is. Neeheehee.

[Kokichi's amused smile fades at the description of the Maki thing, and he hums thoughtfully.]

I mean, as much as one might not take Maki for the crying type...it doesn't shock me. As much as she may have wanted to smile, from what I could tell, she wasn't exactly used to kindness. And to be confronted with the first person to reach out to her not only about to die, but being aware of it and accepting it - she probably couldn't help it. No matter how you felt, she loved you. And you loved her. Not romantically, obviously, but in a platonic sense.

We're a lot alike, her and I. That's probably why we clashed so often. So I get it.

And if I'm being honest, at this point, if we had to do any of that again...I don't think I could. I couldn't force my emotions down, I couldn't put up that front again, I couldn't smile. I'd probably break. Worse than she did, with screaming and crying and throwing a fit. We were only able to do what we did back then because there was a distance.

Can you honestly tell me that if I gave you that script again now, if I told you to follow my plan now, if I said 'It'll be fine. This is what needs to happen.' ...would you be able to smile?

[He looks up at him, knowingly.]

You wouldn't, because I know you. You might try to force it, and you wouldn't cry - yet, but you'd still be a wreck because you'd be angry at everything. Me, for giving up when there had to be some other way. Everyone else, for not somehow finding another way. Tsumugi and her stupid mascots, because obviously. And most of all, yourself. And then and only then, you'd cry. But you couldn't smile. Even if I told you to, even if you tried, you couldn't.

So I'd say it's a wonder she just cried.

[The typical dissection from Kokichi. He gently squeezes his hand.]

But. At least that's the past now. And if we're lucky, maybe she'll show up again someday - and if I have anything to say about it, she most definitely will. And then maybe we'll all be able to actually smile.

Once she finishes giving me a shoveltalk and we fix up a peace treaty...before questioning your sanity since she'd last seen you.

Don't worry about it for now, beloved. Tonight is for us.

[ He squeezes Kokichi's hand a little tighter. Part of him wants to stop walking, after all that, but he settles for just slowing down their pace a little. ]

Hold on, there's more.

[ And he's suspecting Kokichi might have already guessed this, but it's something he should say anyways, especially if they're talking about Maki showing up here someday - ]

...She told me she was in love with me.

[ He almost leaves it at that, but quickly realizes just how horrifying that would be, with how serious he's suddenly gotten. ]

And I didn't - I mean, I couldn't - ...All I did was tell her I was proud of her. Like, could I have been any more awkward about it? But that was all I could give her. Even if -

[ He shuts his mouth. Surely the implication is clear. Kokichi's smart. ]

Mmm. It's that whole situation of 'she deserved more,' yeah? I know you loved her. In a different way than what she wanted, but there was still love there. Which is the roughest part of it. And yes, I was always aware she was in love with you. She came at me with death in her eyes when I 'captured' you. Not exactly subtle.

But you can't take that kind of responsibility. Sometimes things don't go the way you'd think they were supposed to. And that's fine. Sometimes that's even better. But I think no matter what, you made her stronger. You were the first person to reach out to her, and that means a lot. Especially to a girl who probably never had the chance to explore any emotions.

No matter what happened, if I were you, I would've turned that down. Even if you weren't gone forever, hell, even if you were into her...she'd grow co-dependent. She's strong enough to stand on her own now. You're proud of her. She needs to learn to be proud of herself.

So. You did the right thing. Better than me, anyway. The one girl who liked me for some godforsaken reason I tore to shreds to make her stronger and then left her that one line in the script I gave you like it meant something. [He takes a breath out his nose.] I need to apologize to Maki and Himiko. Urgh.

...I mean, she tried to kill you before that. A couple times. I guess I kinda figured it was more about you than me.

[ But yes, he will admit, he was kind of a dense idiot there. ]

You're right. That's pretty much what I told her, since it's all I wanted for her in the first place, but... I don't know, man. I just wish I could have comforted her a little more back then. But I guess I don't really know how well it worked, considering...

[ He can't see what happened after he died. So until he asks Shuichi, he doesn't know if Maki was able to keep pushing forward. But he can hope. ]

...Wait, is that why you wrote that? You think Himiko was into you?

[ That's... a weird thing to think about, but alright. He doesn't see it, but hey, he didn't see Maki's feelings for him either. It's not impossible. ]

I mean, yes, it was probably equally about her just hating my guts at that point, not that I can blame her.

[He shrugs at that next bit, though.]

Ask Shumai when he gets to being sociable again. He'll tell you. I'm curious, too, so maybe the three of us should reconvene at some point.

[As for that last bit, he snorts.]

Oooooh yeah. Definitely. As you know, I'm an expert at reading emotions. Minor tics and cues. She definitely had a thing for me, never noticed I was gay, despite being the most obvious one there - apart from Tenko. Sweet girl. Hope she's okay, too.

...I hope they're all okay. Somehow.

[ Despite the whole "being dead" thing. It's said somberly, as he glances down at the ground, but it's only for a moment, as he picks himself back up again pretty fast. ]

I think I am, too. Gay, I mean.

[ A pause. ]

...I mean, that was probably pretty obvious after - all of that - but, uh - what I meant to say was -

[ He clears his throat, trying to regain his composure. ]

Like, completely. I don't think I ever really liked girls. It would sure explain the whole thing with Maki Roll. I remember just kinda feeling... bad that I couldn't tell her I liked her back. 'Cause I just... didn't. And I wasn't about to cap off the end of my life by lying to her, y'know?

[ He'd already done enough of that. ]

They will be eventually.

[He'll ensure it.]

...And yeah. Not that I've got any room to comment on anything, being the liar king and dying the liar king, after all. But that still would've hurt both of you, so being honest is for the best.

Even if you've gone on and made a biiiiiig terrible mistake instead of getting some kind of reasonable boyfriend, a mistake you intend to keep making. Neeheeheehee.

Shut up, you.

[ He mumbles, gently elbowing Kokichi in the side. "Shut up, Kokichi," is basically becoming his catchphrase at this point, it seems. Luckily they both know he doesn't really mean it - and even if he did, Kokichi would never shut up anyways. ]

You're not a mistake. I'm having fun. It's like you said - we're never gonna be bored from here on out.

Can't. Physically unable to.

[Kokichi responds immediately. He giggles softly.]

I'm not a mistake yet. And that's true - you just have to be always prepared for it from here on out.

[He says, though it seems more like an invitation than a warning. They're heading towards the amusement park, and it's not too long before--]

This way.

I found this area when I was exploring around. Ah-par-en-tly...it's obscure enough that no one else has yet.

[It's a few corner turns until... they're there.

The pool is beautiful at night. There's a hot tub there, and, with an inviting smirk on his face, Kokichi lets go of his boyfriend-not-boyfriend's hand for a moment to tug out a purple cooler from behind a tree. There's two glasses resting inside it, too.]

Welcome to the private oasis, beloved.

[He shrugs off his jacket, looking over his shoulder at him.]

...We'll just enjoy ourselves tonight.

[ It really is a sight to see. A whole area of the water park, all to themselves. Maybe it isn't truly "private", but the way Kokichi says it is still enough to make his stomach do somersaults.

There's no mistaking what this is. Kaito may be dense, but he's not that dense. ]

You... you really went out of your way to prepare all of this behind my back, huh?

[ He says, with a wayward look at the cooler - though the sight of Kokichi taking his jacket off is a very welcome diversion. Still, he pulls his eyes back to the drinks again, trying to hide how red his face has turned. ]

...Hold on. Where the hell did you get alcohol from?

Sure did. I wanted everything to be perfect. So I ensured it.

[He shrugs lightly.] I have connections. Does it matter? I'm 20. By the laws of Japan, I can legally purchase alcohol. This may not be Japan, but it's not America, either, so I'll go with the laws of our home nation.

You, on the other hand...well. I'm older than you, huh~? Not that it matters... [He undoes his bandanna, putting it on top of his discarded jacket. He strolls over, now only in his thin t-shirt and shorts, and he's almost purring.]

So much for heroism and holding ourselves back - you're in my capture once more. And since I'm the villain here...

[He slides his shirt off, tossing it near his jacket and bandanna. Now he's completely shirtless, which isn't an unfamiliar sight to be sure, but instead of it being a time when there was no time to think on it whatsoever, now there's all too much time. Even if he's mostly pale, and he's fairly thin. No muscle whatsoever, but it's mostly because he's not built for that. More 'cute' than 'handsome'.]

Let's be bad, yeah? I'm sure even you have your... [he leans in, up on his toes, near his ear, his voice breathy] vices. [He leans back, but he's already moved his not-yet boyfriend's hand onto his hip.] Don't you, Mr. Hero~?

[ He's not just 'cute' to Kaito. He's handsome, too - and let's be honest, hot. He's more attracted to Kokichi than he truly know how to articulate, probably because it's something he hasn't really experienced until recently. At least, not with full acknowledgement of what he was feeling.

So instead of using his words, or his head, he thinks with his heart, and pulls Kokichi in to kiss him hard. No words needed.

He pulls him in close, arms around his waist, hands lingering around the edge of his waistband. His mind should be running wild, but instead he finds he's not really thinking much at all. He's running completely on instinct... which should be something he's learned not to do by now, but who could argue with these results? ]

[Ohohoho, yep. That is EXACTLY what he wanted, yep. He just needed the right environment, and--he couldn't argue with these results, either.

Kokichi is kissed hard, and he can't help but release a moan he doesn't bother to push back - an incredibly lewd one at that. He wraps his arms around his neck as he's tugged in close, and he relaxes into his touch. Even if he's more excited than relaxed, persay...

He kisses passionately in return, his tongue peeking out. He feels needy, longing, absolutely too hot despite basically only having pants on and swimtrunks underneath. Doesn't help that his face is now burning red, he supposes.]

Mmmnn!! ♥ Mmm...mm...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/3

2/3

3/3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject