you and me in the moonlight

[crosslaced]

Who: You!
What: A year end party MINGLELOG to help everyone recover from the Shit we’ve been through.
When: Forwarddated to Nov 24
Where: Enso E4, close to the ST Temple
Warnings: Mark as necessary, but none expected.

As the end of November draws near…… it’s time for that player plot the mods hinted at in their latest announcement.

Laurent’s Witch Labyrinth! -no, actually, it’s just a party.

[preparation]

All day on the 24th people are hard at work setting up on the golden beaches of Enso. The Storyteller’s Temple can be seen from the site and vice versa; it’s just a short walk away. There’s quite a bit to be done, so every extra pair of hands are welcome!

[the party]

As evening falls, a series of torches light up the party site for the lost; most prominent are the three large campfires spaced out across the beach, offering a variety of gathering spots for those who don’t like the loud partying going on at the other one.

There’s more than enough food to go around. An entire Cariborn is being dug up from the sandy soil way up the beach, having been roasted in the ground. There’s a wide variety spread out on tables… of handwaved origin… maybe they’re the ones left around from 4/20?? It’s probably fine. Herb- baked vegetables, fresh fruits, meat of various types, pizza!! and yes, Muffet’s Magic Blackberry Alcohol abound.

We’ve also got party favors. Amongst them, it seems like..... owo are these sparklers?

Come hang out! It’s a well-deserved break.

[activities]

The children (and adults so-inclined) have some cute party games to have fun with. There’s a simple little ringtoss area set up, with rings that aren’t even proper circles (listen, Laurent tried) and wooden stakes in the ground to be ringed.

Across the wide stretch of sand there's a lot that can be done- want to build some sandcastles? Pick some shells? Fight some crabs? The beach is dotted with doodles in the sand, inviting you to join in.

The biggest attraction is perhaps the petting zoo- well, it’s a cluster of animals just hanging out, but you get the idea. Located far up on the beach and away from the danger of the waves, the petting zoo has three whole Chocobos, two whole Tigerlilies (one of which is clearly guarding the Chocobos), and one whole horse. Sometimes two horses, but the grey wandering one is wearing a plaque that says “I BITE. PET ME CAREFULLY.”

[storyteller?]

Yes, ST-chan is invited! I’m leaving it to them to top-level or tag out at their leisure. Keep an eye out for the bunny god, they’re Coming.

Comments

[forwearemany]

We have not.

(Their home planet doesn't even have cats.)

[counterblows]

[That's a crime and a shame.]

I was going to say that these guys are kind of like those. Except about ten times less vicious, if you can believe it.

[forwearemany]

(Cats would not do well on Rannoch.

They headtilt and chatter.)

They are not predators.

[counterblows]

Tigerlilies aren't, no. House cats, though...

[It's hard to remember cats with anything but fondness. Even if some of them happen to be crotchety old lady cats who give you weird nicknames before they disappear, maybe forever.]

Be glad these aren't like house cats, is what I'm saying.

[forwearemany]

Data indicates that "housecats" are commonly kept as pets."

(Legion is confused.)

[counterblows]

And data would be right. People just like to keep the most dangerous possible animals as pets. Poisonous snakes, spiders...and cats.

[He never said humans made much sense.]

[forwearemany]

(Their headflaps ripple once as they consider this and ... you know what? That absolutely scans.)

Acknowledged.

(Just look at the popularity of Varren. One would have to posess exceedingly poor judgement, considerable stubbornness, or an intense obsession with danger or violence to wish to possess such an animal, but such traits are practically ubiquitous among both past and present organic allies.)

[counterblows]

These guys are mostly pretty harmless, comparatively. Most they can do is knock you out for a couple hours. [He scratches one of them gently behind their cheek, eliciting a warm, delighted purr.]

...you'd probably be pretty safe from that, actually.

[forwearemany]

(They headtilt and chatter inquisitively, not understanding.)

Elaborate.

[counterblows]

They have these sleeping spores. Breathe them in, and they'll knock you out for a few hours.

[Which would only really matter if you have, you know. Lungs.]

[forwearemany]

Then you are correct: we cannot breathe.

(It's probably a good thing, given if a Tigerlily damaged them after knocking them unconscious, they would have to be repaired.)

[counterblows]

You could raise a pet of your own here, if you wanted.

[Tigerlilies in particular, given that they wouldn't suffer much risk from their sleeping spores.]

[forwearemany]

(Their flaps raise a bit, in startlement both at the suggestion and their own lack of objection to the idea.)

... Acknowledged.

(Though whether the pet they would want is a tigerlily is uncertain.)

[counterblows]

Plenty of people do. Roommate of mine has a tigerlily she's been...training.

[Training to wake him when his night terrors start waking people up - and everyone else. Back when there was an "everyone else" to wake.]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. Training?

(They are curious what "Tigerlilies" are capable of.)

[counterblows]

To, you know. Hunt. Help out. That kind of thing.

[Mentioning the nightmares might be understandable, given what they know of his history, but if he's frank here - he'd rather not go there.]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(They're probably similar to Varren in capabilities, it sounds like.)

[counterblows]

[He leaves off after offering the tigerlily one final scritch behind the ears and straightens, standing up.]

Damn handy, a lot of the time. They photosynthesize, too, so you don't need to feed them or anything.

[forwearemany]

(That is "handy": time intensive acquisition of specialized food, environmental damage via predation from artificially enlarged pet populations, and potential demoralization due to devouring of sapients and other varieties of pets will not occur.)

Affirmative. Method of acquisition?

(Now they're curious.)

[counterblows]

I think it was in September. Back when those flowers were all over the island.

[Tigerlilies were apparently well in abundance at the time, though that's not what stands out to him. He remembers the date because of the Director, and all that interaction...entailed.]

[forwearemany]

(...This is not the question they asked.

...Then again, a program points out, perhaps it is. Some creatures are unique to specific islands or events. It may not always be possible to acquire them.)

They were available during a limited period?

[counterblows]

They're not from this island. I think they're from the...well, the one that was destroying itself when I arrived.

[He was a little concerned with getting off the island, more so than discerning its name, which is currently escaping him.]

[forwearemany]

Island designation: Zizyphus.

(Aren't A.I. memories great?

Apparently if they want a tigerlily, they'll have to wait until kittens become available. If they become available.

Perhaps, if they desire a pet, there is another species more readily acquired.)

[counterblows]

That's the one. They're from there.

[He's not sure if there are...more hanging around, actually. They were most bountiful back then, but he hasn't been keeping an eye out. Amitusha is enough of a handful all on her own. Or she was, until C.T. got a good handle on training her.]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(Perhaps they will "keep an eye out".

For the time being, perhaps a change of subject is in order.)

Have you been functioning well?