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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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[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.]
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[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.
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[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?!
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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.]
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[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?
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Oh? What do you mean?
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[He's not going to spell it out. Not easily, anyway.]
Things are different here, so...what do you plan to do?
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[He may not have to worry about Break seeing him blush, but a couple of people stop and stare at them. Before Elliot can respond to Break's gratitude, he feels a vein popping and his voice grow strained in a mix of frustration and concern.]
You...didn't drop it somewhere, did you?
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[He stopped himself right before teasing Elliot about being a criminal. That would probably ruin their "peace".]
I would've heard it if I had dropped it.
[A little more patting through his pile, and-]
Aha! There it is.
[He held the key up with a triumphant wave.]
See you later!
[He tapped his way to the door. It took a couple tries to get the key in the keyhole, but after a moment the door swung open.]
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[It's fine they can be murderers together. Elliot still looks worried, imagining the chaos that would ensue if he offered Break a place to stay. He could always try a hotel room...
He tries not to sigh in relief when Break finds his keys, but he still sounds annoyed.]
See you... And be more careful with your keys next time!