November Undercurrent: And We Give Thanks

[lifeaftr_mods]

NOVEMBER UNDERCURRENT

Who: Everyone!
What: Have you told someone you loved them yet?
When: November 3rd to November 20th
Where: Everywhere!
Warnings: Nothing of note; please mark if anything comes up!

Take Me Back to the Reasons Why
The Water wishes to demonstrate their power to you, as well as just what they mean, when they suggest that they require your cooperation. They are going to bring back the harvest island of Nuidan, a generally fondly remembered island that explorers have encountered in the past. What's more, they're going to require your help to do it.

Starting November 3rd, characters will discover a simple strip of dark leather among their belongings, meant to be worn around the neck or wrist. They can disregard it, of course, but if they attempt to discard or destroy it, it will always find its way back to them, no matter how improbable this might seem. How strange...

Perhaps even stranger is the sudden appearance of a smooth slab of stone, half-submerged in the waters just off of Ensō's coast. It's an altar, and around its edges are a series of deep notches, as though something is meant to be inserted into them. In its center is a pool of water, though it curiously doesn't seem to reflect anything.

The purpose of this will only really become obvious once the month goes on. Characters will find themselves to compelled to be honest with the people around them as to why they care, why they appreciate them as people, or what they like most about them. This compulsion can vary wildly and at the player's discretion, from a gentle mental pressure to an unstoppable force, and anything in between!

The bottom line is that every time one admits to some feeling of gratitude, no matter how small or big, their little plait of leather will receive a crystal from the interaction. All crystals will be roughly the same shape, but they may vary in color, pattern, and texture. Some might be simple sticks of quartz, while others might be comprised of myriad, ever-changing swirls of color. Again, the only limit here is your imagination. Now the presence of that strange, altar-shaped stone in the water might make a bit more sense. Those notches in its sides are the perfect size and shape to fit a crystal smoothly into any one of them. The more grateful interactions one has with others, the more crystals they will gather, and the more they can fit into the altar. As more crystals are fed to the altar, it will start to glow. The pool of water at the altar's top will start to reflect the likeness island of Nuidan in increasing clarity, as though one is peering at its likeness in a snowglobe. What's more is that the number of crystals in the altar will very obviously affect Nuidan's state: very few crystals will make the island look as though it is mostly wilderness only a handful of structures in dire need of repair, while a great deal of crystals will cause the island to look as though it is thriving, in full bloom, and in more need of harvest than maintenance.

But, ultimately, the state in which Nuidan returns to you is up to you...and how far you're willing to go to express a little gratitude. Don't worry if you don't know anyone, either - this marks a great opportunity to start doing nice things for people, even if you don't know them! You've got most of the month to get to know each other, after all.

Don't think you can get away with heaping compliments on your closest friends and companions, however; variety is the name of the game here. While you can collect all sorts of crystals for personal use from repeat interactions, you can only feed one crystal to the altar per person. That is to say, Character A can be as grateful to Character B as they like, but only one crystal from each character can be delivered to the altar. If they want to procure more for the altar's purposes, Character A will have to have a positive interaction with Character C, and so on.

Take Me Back to That Big Sky

Of course, there's a lot going on in the background as well. You're free to use this log as a catch-all for the duration of November's Undercurrent Event, as well as the other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. You are very, very free to let your dreams about creepers and baby lorbies become reality, and you are always free to create your own individual logs and posts as needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them over on our Monthly Rundown post!

November Timeline

[ ♆ ] November 3rd: "And We Give Thanks" begins and lasts until November 20th
[ ♆ ] November 4th: "Aw, Man" begins and lasts until November 12th
[ ♆ ] November 11th: "The Lorblings" begins and lasts until November 25th
[ ♆ ] November 20th: Nuidan returns to the archipelago
[ ♆ ] November 21st: "Return to Your Roots" begins and lasts until November 30th

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The huts are practically indistinguishable to the angel. This whole endeavor is a way of solidifying the idea that not only at they staying here for an indefinite amount of time, but that their whole being is changed without their knowledge or consent. You could say he's trying not to think too deeply about it, but when doesn't he? 

A look towards one hut, a look towards another, and he sighs again.]

Something more secluded, perhaps? [ For whatever difference that might make.]

[agathokakological]

Make up your mind, angel. [He snaps, not really meaning to, but the angel really has to understand that he's not the only one going through it right now.]

The tree houses are more secluded, but you didn't want to climb.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He knows he's not - in theory, at least. Crowley's right here with him, having as much of a hard time as he is.

But the tone makes the angel look over, and quiet definitely frown. ]

Well, I don't.

And I highly doubt any of these--huts are quite the most satisfactory accommodations anyway. I was just suggesting there might be one a bit farther away.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley huffs, shrugging his bag higher on his shoulder. If his glasses weren't obscuring his eyes, surely Aziraphale would notice them rolling.]

Yes, your highness. Let's go.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Oh, if Crowley knows tones of voice and looks, he certainly knows the look the angel's giving him now. ]

Oh, then you pick one.

[agathokakological]

Would you also like me to carry you on my back?

[He knows the look, he's giving Aziraphale one right back. He sputters as he moves aling the islets, looking for a suitable hut. His majesty wants one far and away, and Crowley sees a bridge that will take them to the next islet, so he heads in that direction.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The angel scoffs, pausing for a moment before following behind. ]

I'm not asking you to do anything. I just don't see- Ugh. [ He adjusts the back over his shoulder, then gives up and just carries it in his hand. ]

If you want to rather a place, then do. It shouldn't make a difference anyway.

[ He adjusts his bow, frustrated, adding in a quieter tone but no less passive aggressive- ]

It's not my fault we're stuck here.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley's busy muttering to himself as he approaches the bridge, pausing before it and glaring back at the angel.]

And? Is it mine? Am I to blame for our lovely island holiday? Oh yes, must have planned this one for decades.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale stops in his tracks, frown well plastered on his face. ]

I did not say that.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley sighs, shaking his head as he turns back to cross the bridge.]

You didn't. It's fine. C'mon, angel...

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He takes a deep breath - in, and out. It's fine. They'll be fine.

He follows again, lingering in silence, but only for a short while. ]

...we can just stay anywhere.

If at least one of us keeps watch at a time, it should be safe.

[agathokakological]

You know, if you weren't insistent on staying somewhere secluded, we may not need to 'keep watch'.

[He leads them onto another islet, more huts, there's yet another islet entirely in the distance if they keep going.]

[salutosinedelectat]

I did not insist-oh!

[ The angel scoffs again, pinching between his eyes, then gesturing in frustrated motions.]

I'm not going to argue with you.

[agathokakological]

You already are.

[He starts peeking at huts, looking to see if any are vacant.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Crowley isn’t even looking at him to actually see how much the angel frowning at him, so he simply huffs.

A look around, and he notices not as many huts and shacks seem to should any signs of anyone living there.

He considers just not saying anything. To just keep quiet and not fight anymore. Not dignify anything with more responses. ]

...did you find out anything else?

[agathokakological]

[Crowley peeks into the window of a cottage that doesn't look occupied, there's no furniture that he can see or any belongings scattered about.]

Think I found one.

[He finally turns to face Aziraphale, cued by his huffing.]

Yeah, that everything here is out to kill us, nothing can be trusted, and we should have some sort of code word with each other so as to make sure it's really us.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ That last one certainly peaks his attention. Mostly because he very much dislikes the sound of it. ]

Someone's might try to pass off as one of us?

[agathokakological]

That's what I'm told.

[Crowley looks for the front door of the house.]

Is this secluded enough for you, angel?

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He frowns slightly, although not quite as angrily as before, and sighs.]

It will do.

[agathokakological]

It doesn't have to be permanent, angel. [He sighs as he says this, feeling rather defeated.]

C'mon.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He doesn't quite seem angry at all anymore. He may still fuss, but he mostly looks tired, and somewhat defeated as well.

He takes a deep breath. Has had a lot of those lately. ]

I know.

[ He looks at the door, then idly gesturing toward it. ]

Lets have a look, then.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley enters the building and does a quick inspection to make sure it's actually vacant. As soon as he notes the rooms are clear he drops his bag.]

We're good.

[He moves to the floor, taking a seat, leaning on his arms for support.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale follows him in, taking a look around. The lack of furniture and...well, anything else, feels very...jarring.

He doesn't remark on it. He clearly isn't too keen on the place, but he wouldn't be keen on any place. Truth be told, it's not the shack that's the issue, of course - but there's nothing to be done about that.

Eventually, he goes over beside Crowley and sets his bag down. ]

Well. [ He sighs out. ] At least we won't get rained on.

[ That's something, right? ]

[agathokakological]

[Crowley's deliriously tired, and chuckles softly at the angel's comment.]

No reason for you to shelter me under your wing?

[He smiles. He's feeling oddly sentimental suddenly... Crowley couldn't determine why.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale looks down at him, not at all expecting the comment.

He pauses, then smiles faintly. Shifting on his feet, he carefully moves to sit down on the floor as well, taking care move the back of his coat so that he doesn't sit on it.]

I guess not.

[ He settles with a huff, posture as correct as ever.

He gives the room another look around.]

It could use some decorating.

I don't suppose theses much we could actually get our hands on here.