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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sure~ Lead the way.

[He would follow the faint blur that is Elliot, or at least his voice.]

Oh? What could you possibly want to know from little old me?

Little old you...

[Elliot repeats, suppressing the urge to scoff. He's taking a more vacant route. He's sure someone of Break's caliber will realize that, but he doesn't particularly care. Now that the shock has worn off, he grips the sword at his side and finishes off his coffee, tossing it in the trash can. He doesn't hold a grudge for what Break had did to him.]

I've been trying to figure something out all this time. I can overlook how you acted about the possibility of me being an illegal contractor-- you were right. I can even overlook that you would insist my idiot older brother of all people look to see if I had the seal. You're much more experienced than me, so I figured you must have your reasons.

[He stops. Before he realizes it, he's withdrawn his sword.]

But...what exactly was going on in that head of yours, when you decided to steal the hand of someone nowhere near your level in swordsmanship?

[His reasons were that he was blind, but considering it sounded like Elliot just pulled out his sword, he wasn't going to mention that. Instead, he held up his sheathed sword cane, ready to defend himself. His pile in his free arm wobbled, but didn't quite topple over yet. He didn't answer right away, trying to decide whether a fight on his first day to be secretive was worth it. It probably wasn't.]

What was going through my head was that it was better for him to lose a hand than his life. And considering he was possessed by Glen at the time and was trying to rewrite the last 100 years...it was important to at least try and stop him.

If it makes you feel any better, I did die because of that.

I've heard. But I wanted to hear it in your own words. I wanted to know your reasoning.

[Elliot idolized Break once. But he's just as flawed as the rest of them--although his reasoning makes sense, he knows this, it doesn't seem to help. He still feels like shit.]

No. It doesn't.

[But it would be pointless to attack Break over this, especially when he was trying to save the world and lost so much in the process too. Elliot thought he could keep his emotions at bay, handle this coolly, but they rise until it's unbearable and he spins around, shouting in frustration and many conflicting emotions at once.]

You couldn't have just knocked him unconscious?! You had to permanently take even more away from him, after everything I put him through?! He only gave into Glen because I was weak! WHY DIDN'T YOU TRY TO HELP HIM?!

[His voice rises, catches in his throat, angry tears in his eyes reflecting the sunlight.]

[It seemed like Elliot at least seemed to realize that there was no point in getting into a fight in the middle of the street, so he lowered his cane, to follow behind. Close enough that there wouldn't be a worry of losing him. Though with his shouting, that wasn't much of a risk anyway.]

What a brat.

We tried helping him first. [By we, he mainly means Oz.] That failed. I did what was best given the situation I was in. He's alive, isn't he? I showed more mercy than I usually show my opponents, and knocking him out would've been difficult given the situation. [How would he go about knocking someone out now that he can't see?] It sounds like your issue is with your own shortcomings. so I'd prefer it if you don't take your guilt out on me.

Brat--

[He repeats the word, not quite believing what he's hearing. Break is right, though. He can't retaliate or fight. He's as much to blame as Break. As much as he wants to, he won't try to fight him right now, but he doesn't give up, either.]

Explain to me why it was so difficult! There's no point in keeping secrets anymore, is there? Not when we're both dead.

...

[Yes, they were both dead, so in a way Elliot is right about there not being any point in hiding it. But it would still be admitting a weakness. Admitting that he's useless in some regards. He's still only managed to outright tell Lady Sharon, and that took some time to manage, and she's someone he trusts. Still, he doubted that the kid would let him go with outright refusing to say anything, so maybe he could hint at it.]

Knocking someone out takes more precision than I'm currently capable of.

Edited 2022-09-16 21:42 (UTC)

...What?

[That only confuses Elliot more. He approaches Break, not to try and fight him, but so he can look at him more closely.]

Is it senility?

Senility!?

[God that would be even worse. Honestly, Break always saw himself dying to protect someone, and not to the ravages of old age. He'd still prefer it that way actually. He looks in the general direction of Elliot's face, hoping that the Nightray brat wouldn't be as perceptive as Oz or Reim.]

Absolutely not. And regardless, weren't you showing me the way? Rather than worry about that which doesn't concern you, and waste both of our time, finish that task.

[Why is Break being so cagey and difficult?! Elliot wants to punch him, but even he wouldn't go that far.]

Of course it concerns me! Leo is my--

[He stops himself before he finishes that sentence, makes a surprised sound, and blushes.]

[Break didn't have to see the blush to know what was going on. It only took until the surprised sound for Break's defensiveness to melt away into a wide grin.]

My, my~ a nobleman and his servant? How scandalous~

[He decides not to tease too hard, as he does still need Elliot to lead him to his new home.]

Tell you what. I promise that as long as Leo doesn't get possessed by Glen again, or otherwise go on a rampage that would wind up harming me or the public, I won't cut off anymore limbs. Fair?

[That wasn't a promise Break was dead set on keeping, but he also couldn't see a reason to break it right now either.]

Shut up! [He blurts out the words at his former idol, which seems to surprise himself, so he just keeps talking.] I'm not a nobleman here...!

[Which is true. He doesn't consider himself a nobleman anymore, not here. But Leo is still his servant, his best friend, and now the one he is courting. It's a bit weird, but their friendship was never that normal to begin with.

Those lighter feelings are quickly doused when he hears Break's "promise". All Elliot hears is a threat.]

Let me be very clear.

[He doesn't hesitate anymore, pointing the midnight black tip of the blade at Break's chest. He doesn't care what happens to himself, but he will not tolerate anyone threatening Leo.]

If you so much as touch Leo, I will ensure that you have no hands to cut off anyone else's. Does that sound reasonable to you, Xerxes Break?

[That wasn't exactly what he was after, but it did get Elliot distracted, so it works. He stepped away and tapped the blade with his sheathed sword cane.]

Let me be clear in return. I have no interest in hurting either of you, as long as you two don't pose a threat to me. The second that changes, however...There is not a force I know of that can save you.

And are wandering dangerously close to that line, Nightray. Choose your next action wisely.

[Elliot says nothing and just stares at Break, before finally lowering his sword.]

I'm not stupid. I know how strong you are, so I wouldn't do something recklessly.

[He turns away and keeps walking again to lead the way.]

And I won't allow Glen to ever do that to Leo again. ...Anyway, you never struck me as this bad with directions before.

[Break stares in the general direction of Elliot, focusing more on any sign that he should either relax or defend. When the pressure from Elliot's sword dropped away, and no sound signaling an attack came, he lowered his cane sword. He followed Elliot, tapping his way with his cane.]

Good. Then, we're in agreement.

[He slipped into his default grin.]

Oh, I'm sure it's just because I'm new here. Give me a few days, and I'll know this place like the back of my hand.

[That doesn't explain why he pointed the opposite way Elliot had earlier, but lies are always imperfect.]

We are.

[Elliot goes quiet, more absorbed in his own thoughts. Break is right about some things. He was being a brat, and he probably overreacted just now. The thought of Leo getting hurt again terrifies him, but it isn't just that. He was taking his self-directed anger out on Break.]

The map isn't that complicated. What are you, blind?

[It's an offhanded comment, muttered mostly to himself.]

[Break freezes for a moment when Elliot guesses right. He has to decide whether to lie and risk getting caught later, possibly when its important, or telling the truth and admitting a weakness. He shifts the pile in his free arm, and keeps walking.]

[He plasters a too wide grin on his face, hoping that it will hide how admitting it bothers him.]

Yep. Have been for awhile. Hahaha.

WHAT?!

[Elliot at least doesn't seem to notice that Break is hiding anything. He's too busy walking up to him and waving his hand in his face. Is this his idea of a stupid joke?

But things start clicking into place. Break's comment, the fact he couldn't knock Leo unconscious, even how he asked Gil to check and see if Elliot had a seal. This entire time he thought Break was just being cruel for no reason, but now...]

How many fingers am I holding up?!

[Break was starting to get used to Elliot's outbursts. But his smile did drop when Elliot felt the need to test his blindness. His eyes didn't follow the hand waving even though he could feel the slight breeze from Elliot doing something in front of his face.]

How should I know? I just told you I was blind. Idiot. Now are you going to lead me to that place on the map, or shall I just figure it out myself?

[Not that he could, but he's already spent an hour looking for it on his own before this, he's stubborn enough to try again.]

I'm not an idiot...!

[Elliot blurts out, making that his priority. He can't believe THE Xerxes Break just called him an idiot. Scowling, he turns away.]

We're almost there, but...what do you plan to do?

[He was glad that Elliot took the bait.]

Oh? What do you mean?

Cut the crap. You know what I mean.

[He's not going to spell it out. Not easily, anyway.]

Things are different here, so...what do you plan to do?

Awe, are you worried about me?

[He wasn't going to whine to a 16 year old about how he doesn't know how to live outside of service to somebody else, and so between that, being blind, and being in a new place with different rules and technologies, he's rather terrified. No, that's more a sit in the corner of his new home and angst about on his own sort of thing. Time to come up with a plan of action, then.]

Well, so far locals seem to willing to give me everything I need.

[But not working would be too frustrating to even consider.]

So I have time to figure out how this place works before I make any lasting decisions. Once I get settled, I'll probably sniff out some place that needs my set of skills.

Absolutely not!

[Elliot yells over his shoulder, fuming and blushing in embarrassment. Why would he be worried?! It just...wouldn't be right, to leave Break alone like this.]

Living here is pretty easy when it comes to getting basic needs yet. I don't care what you do...but there's plenty to do here.

[He shrugs.]

We're here.

Edited 2022-09-18 03:13 (UTC)

I don't know~ It sure sounds like you were worried~ After all, if you weren't worried, than why bother asking?

[He laughed bit.]

Well, thank you for the escort, Elliot.

[He stepped away, presumably towards the house he had been given, and started feeling though his precariously balanced pile for the key. He could feel the pile wobbling, but has had plenty of practice balancing things like this so he wasn't too worried about it falling.]

I guess I should've put it in my pocket. Oh well.

【MINGLE】 August Mingle

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