Event Post: Everyone Chill

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone participating in the event!
What: The event log for Tranquility's resurrection event!
Where: All around the city
When: December 27th-January 7th
Warnings: Absolutely nothing creepy or weird at all.

The revival of Tranquility on December 27th marks a vast - if temporary, and actually completely fake - change to the city. Upon awakening that morning, the inhabitants of Hadriel will find the city changed from its usual broken-down dour cave self into a sparkling, clean, delightful island city. Instead of being surrounded by hard stone walls, the city is surrounded by warm ocean waters and soft white sand beaches.

Gentle waves lap at the shore, the sky overhead is perfect, wide and open. The spires have been replaced by shining skyscrapers, the roads are clear of rubble and paved neatly. The stores are quaint, windows no longer broken, and the items inside have changed too. Instead of simple canned goods and strange clothing, you might find delicate pastries, cool drinks, fresh fruit, and flowy summer clothes to match the city. How nice! How calming, really. Didn't everyone need a vacation? So throw on some flip-flops, grab one of the mopeds that have been provided, and enjoy yourselves!

As the days go on, though, you might notice one or two odd things. Maybe the pretty sun hat you picked up looked, for just a moment, like a grubby old baseball cap instead. Maybe that beach ball is a little heavier than it should be. Maybe the shining wall of that skyscraper feels more like stone than glass. Maybe - just for an instant - the sky above was solid rock instead of the gentle, calming hues of the sunset.

While there is a mild compulsion toward calmness and tranquility, towards accepting the city for exactly what it seems to be, that can be ignored - and the illusion can be broken, if you choose to try. But do you really want to? Isn't that croissant much nicer than yet another can of beans? Wouldn't you rather relax at the beach than run around, trying to convince all your friends that this is just the gods getting inside their heads again in an even more creepy and all-encompassing way than usual?

Come on. Don't be a buzzkill.

► This log covers December 27th-January 7th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you chill out so much you end up dead, please let us know here.

Comments

Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[pyralisit]

OTA

Whether or not this is a good thing, at least it's a change. And as distrustful as Cal is, he can't bring himself to worry about it too much. Which, if he thought about it would be odd, but...well, why shouldn't he take advantage of the calm, even if it was a little strange? Evidently, it didn't happen very often. And after the last little game, weren't they owed some kind of a rest?

He started wandering through the city, but it was truly inevitable that he'd end up at the beach. The whole thing was...odd, but not unenjoyable. And certainly not the sort of place he was used to. It was lovely, certainly. As much as he didn't want to trust anything about it, he simply...can't. This was certainly the mellowest he's ever been.

He even smiled as he sat down in the sand, entirely unconcerned. This was probably as good as things were going to get.


CLOSED - Pellaz

Let it never be said that Cal didn't know how to play the game. If it was a courtship he was supposed to provide, then he would make it a grand one. Although the idea of playing coy about it was certainly tempting. Perhaps the middle ground, then.

The garden wasn't that hard to find, either. Hopefully the flowers he'd left in the middle of it would draw attention. Pell's attention, in particular. Underneath the bouquet he's left a small box with a necklace inside.

Someone will have to find it eventually, right?

[pellameno]

Even in an island paradise, a garden doesn't tend itself. And Pell is keeping to his routine despite the changes in the city, still showing up for his clinic shifts and all -- it's been peaceful but someone could have a moped accident or something. You never know. He still has a vague distrust of the whole situation as well, expecting it all to turn back into the cave at any moment. It doesn't. It's beautiful and sunny as he heads for his garden today, harvesting bag over his shoulder. He twists his hair up on top of his head and works his way through the rows with the speed of experience, weeding and picking from the ripe plants.

When he's about a third of the way through he notices the flowers near the center of the garden. Pell tilts his head in confusion and moves closer, thinking at first that they may be a new addition from the place itself. Part of the changes. But no, it's a bouquet propped up against the other stalks. He picks them up and brings them to his face, taking a deep breath. He hasn't smelled fresh flowers since Galhea. And there's something beneath; a small box. Someone's deliberately placed these things here for him, and he's pretty sure he knows who. Opening the box just confirms it... Pell smiles and laughs softly to himself. Cal. It has to be.

He sets the items carefully aside to continue his work, but when he returns to the house with the usual bag of vegetables he's wearing the necklace and holding the flowers in the crook of his arm. "Caaaaal~" he calls out, putting the bag down on the kitchen table and searching for something to hold water to put the flowers in.

[pyralisit]

He had to laugh when he heard that call, but emerged on the command, only barely containing it, the grin on his face all but giving him away. Still, he could keep playing dumb about it, although both of them knew who exactly was to blame.

"Yes?" He makes a show of folding his arms over his chest and taking a few steps closer, seeing the flowers and the necklace with a raised eyebrow and an amused expression. "And what's all this then? A gift from one of your many admirers?" Another laugh. "I suppose you did want a courtship. Wherever all this came from, perhaps you should say thank you."

He reaches out though, and takes the bag from him gently.

"Here. Let me help."

[pellameno]

Pell has to bite his lip not to laugh himself at that, not only Cal's words but the way he takes the bag. Such manners. Such ridiculousness. Still, he likes it, silly as he knows that makes him.

"I would if I could. It seems to be a suitor that didn't leave a note. However will I find them?"

[pyralisit]

If all it takes is a little ridiculousness to make Pell happy, Cal can certainly manage that. He moves through the kitchen, putting the vegetables away, distracting himself from laughing.

"You could ask around. I'm sure someone saw who left it for you."

[pellameno]

Oh, he's happy. He comes up behind Cal, slipping both arms around his waist and going up on his toes to hook his chin over Cal's shoulder.

"Maybe I will. It's funny how you don't seem to mind this at all. I could leave you for them, you know."

[pyralisit]

Cal shook his head, fondly glancing at Pell and covering the other har's hands with his own.

"Maybe. I have all faith in you." That had never been in question. "And yet, if you do, I imagine they have earned it with those gifts."

[pellameno]

"Don't worry, it'll take more than a few trinkets to drag me away from you." He's not sure such a thing could be done, honestly, but he'll keep the game going for now. Cal gets a little squeeze. "It was so sweet of them, though, whoever it was."

[pyralisit]

"How generous of you. I am eternally grateful for your unending devotion." That isn't even a lie--he means every word of it.

"I'm certain they appreciate hearing that. Do you like it?"

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[saltrock_imp]

It was weird to be back at the beach, by the water, and it made him long for the days where he'd be with Lor, Mima and Lileem on their boat. Just the four of them. It wasn't exactly homey, and they were too scared to stay in one play more than a few days, but it had still been their routine. Flick watched the waters for a moment, letting himself drift back, as if maybe when the waters waves retreated, it could take him too.

Come to think of it, everywhere he went, it seemed is life was stressful. Full of fear. Was that what life was? Or was that just Wraeththu, and the worlds were testing them with growing pains? Flick glanced over, trying his best to be unconcerned with the fact that Cal was there too. Couldn't he just enjoy it?

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[pyralisit]

If it was silence he wanted, Cal would give it to him--for a while. The awkwardness was palpable, but then it had been since he'd gotten here. And there really wasn't anything Cal could say or do to dissipate it. He couldn't even assure any of the other hara that he wouldn't do what they were afraid of--only that he hadn't. Yet.

He tried to ignore the other one for as long as possible, staring out at the water, but eventually he sighed and leaned back on his hands, speaking softly without looking at him. He must have been in a really good mood.

"Not wanting company, I take it."

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[saltrock_imp]

Flick let out a loud exhale. "I was just wishing the water would take me away and I wouldn't be stuck here with you." Wow. That sounded harsh. He didn't mean for it come out that harsh. Flick flinched. "Sorry."

He forced himself to look at the other har. "You seem happy. It suits you." Happy was much better than crazy. But, because Flick couldn't help himself, he thought of those times before Orien had died, when Cal had come back and tried to roon him senseless. Wipe away Pellaz. For a while, it had been nice. Until it wasn't anymore. He could see the appeal though.

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[pyralisit]

He didn't even react to that declaration--a lot of people wanted to get away from him. He just shrugged. But the apology was unexpected. He chose not to comment. It was progress, and there really wasn't a reason to antagonize anyone right now, least of all a har he had to live with.

"I could get used to it." It probably wouldn't last very long, but...it was much less effort to just be content instead of angry. It was almost easier to breathe.

"I suppose that means it won't last long now that it's been spoken aloud."

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[saltrock_imp]

"It's nice." Flick shook his head. "It was never meant to last that long. It's just pretend. Another mind game, only this one is pleasant. But will it still be when it shatters?" They were still talking about the city, right?

"You're different, with Pell."

Flick was trying to enjoy the peace, to let all his problems go. But he couldn't help but keep thinking of all the things that needed to be done. No, maybe he needed to take a lesson from Ulaume and Cal and just....be.

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[pyralisit]

What was he supposed to say to that? It was the truth and they both knew it. There wasn't any objection that could be made that either of them would even consider accepting--for however brief a time. Regardless of what--or who--they were talking about.

"Different?" He actually had to stop and think about that for a moment--he'd never really considered that, but it was so very obvious now that Flick had brought it up. He had to try hard not to laugh.

"I suppose I am. He tends to bring that out in people. That optimism of his in incurable. And maybe a little contagious."

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[saltrock_imp]

"That's a good way of thinking about it. Pell and his endless optimism. It changes people. Makes you want to believe in him."

Maybe that was why Thiede had chosen him? Orien had seen something in Pellaz that day, something he'd communicated to Thiede, Flick was sure of it. Especially after the endless dinner fights he'd witnessed between Seel, Orien and Cal. It was a fight that no one would have won, until someone ended up dead. And then someone did.

"Do you think its permanent? Do you think that the qualities another har brings out in you is forever?"

Re: Calanthe | OTA + Closed

[pyralisit]

That was part of Pell's charm--it always had been. Finding worth in so many people that most of them dismissed. It was infuriating. And endearing.

But that question...that was truly a question. And it was a long few moments before he answered.

"I don't know." It was surprisingly honest. Call it his good mood. He could have said 'yes,' could have told him what he wanted to hear, make the problem go away--and even been convincing about the lie.

"I won't beg your forgiveness. Not for something I haven't done." Yet. But he could certainly believe that he would. "You wouldn't believe it anyway. And if you're from some future reminiscing about all the terrible things I've done, I'd believe it. I have done terrible things. Call me a monster if you wish. That's a truth I've known for years."

He paused there for a breath, desperately wishing he had a cigarette.

"I won't apologize for feeling, either. The rest of you might be able to live like marble and ice, but I can't. I won't freeze to make a statue happy.

"Does Pell make it permanent... Enough, I suppose. So long as he's alive I have no reason to be a beast."

[unfollowing]

If she'd known there was going to be a beach vacation, Emily would'vee made herself a bathing suit for the occasion. As it stands, she's wearing a tank top and shorts and walking barefoot on the sand.

It's nice. It's so nice, even if it's fake. (And she knows it is, because this is shithole cavetown, and nothing is ever as simple as it looks.)

When she comes across this guy she doesn't know, she talks without a care for how he's a stranger. This is Tranquility's doing, so she's going to do him a favor and take it easy.

"This is the last thing I imagined would happen here." She looks out at the water and gives half a smile. Just half, because she can't stop thinking about how this might not last very long at all. "I've missed the sky."

[pyralisit]

Usually he would not have been so nice. Usually, he would have glared and maybe told the girl to mind her own business in perhaps a little more colorful language. He didn't know where his good mood had come from, but it was better than being high strung and shouting. A little strange, but not in a bad way.

So when she spoke he shrugged and leaned back on his hands to look up at the mentioned sky. It seemed just a little too perfect if he thought about it too much so he stubbornly didn't.

"As strange as it is, I think I have to agree with you."

[unfollowing]

Same, actually, though lately Emily has been more amenable to not being a bitch without cause.

"This is better than that time Rage made us all want to murder someone specific."

She makes it sound like some shitty memory from college or something, but it was a thing that actually happened.

"Mind if I sit with you for a bit?" And she does mean 'a bit' -- she wants to go back to her friends from home soon and enjoy this while it's here.

[pyralisit]

That sounded downright terrible, but all Cal did was raise an eyebrow. He'd missed that one and he wasn't sorry for it. And yet if the girl sounded so blasé about it, that didn't bode well for anyone or anyhar.

He waved a hand when she asked to sit. He didn't really care either way.

"Be my guest. I'm not going anywhere for a while."

[unfollowing]

Lucky him, really.

Emily sits, and the way the warm sand shifts as she does so reinforces the lie -- because it's a lie, she's sure of it. There's no way the gods have moved them above ground. She woke up in the same house, for fuck's sake.

"How long have you been here?" She doesn't recognize him, but he doesn't act like a complete newcomer.

[pyralisit]

"A month or two." Long enough to know the place was shit but still appreciate that people he'd thought well and truly dead were somehow still alive.

He shrugs, though. He'd seen a lot of hell. This is up there, but he'd survive.

"At the least, it seems, they're playing nicely for the moment."

[unfollowing]

"Lucky you." It merits being said aloud. He's been spared a lot of shit. "My advice? Enjoy this while it lasts. Be nice to Delight and Hope. They're the best ones. And Tranquility too, I guess."

That remains to be seen, but his name bodes well.

[pyralisit]

He can't even muster the energy to be angry at the girl giving him orders. Instead he just shrugs again.

"So I hear. I wouldn't call myself lucky, but I suppose I can appreciate missing the worst of it."