lifeaftr | November Undercurrent: And We Give Thanks

November Undercurrent: And We Give Thanks

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 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The angel blinks, once again not expecting the sort of comment right then. He stares for a moment, but his face is quickly overcome by a fond smile.

Oh course. After everything they've been through, after they lost all they had and all they wanted, after they came out the other side...they can handle this, as long as they're together. ]

...Of course.

I'm very glad we are, too.

[He couldn't bare to lose Aziraphale again, but that part he struggles to put into words. This place is making him delirious, not to mention exhausted. That has to be what's brought this on, right?]

You've always been much more brave than me.

[He winces as it slips out of him.]

Augh... what am I doing?!

[ Aziraphale is confused, but no less flattered for it. But this time it doesn't quite make him smile, as much as it leaves him a bit...well, he's not sure how he feels. ]

Oh, I... [ He's had that look before. When there's too much to feel about something.

He looks at his hands instead.]

I don't know about that. But--thank you.

[ ...and that's dramatic, even for him.

He fidgets his hands slightly, in that way he often does, thinking for a second or two. ]

Well...I've always thought you were quite brave. Certainly a lot more bold.

Always found it quite admirable. [ Even when he thought it reckless at the same time. ]

[Crowley rubs at his own temples, irritated by his lack of barrier in this moment. But Aziraphale says something sentimental back, and his hand drops from his face to look back at the angel.]

You really think that?

Yes.

[ "Too fast" didn't necessarily have to be just criticism. ]

You've always...[ The words fail him and he purses his lips for a moment, trying to look for the real ones. ] Found solutions. No matter what happened, you were very quick on your feet.

[ The angel finally looks at him again. ]

You really are quite cunning. We may have not been--ah, capable in our tasks, but you always thought ahead.

[Crowley scoffs at this. In front of anyone but Aziraphale, he might have boasted a bit more, but in front of Aziraphale it felt so fake. If anything, he felt his ears get hot.]

You'd of probably been much more capable without me mucking it up. You're terribly clever.

[ Funnily enough, Aziraphale would probably be the easiest person to trick with false confidence and overhyped boasting. Naive as he can be, and, honestly, he’d just probably take it as a fun exercise in self confidence.

But they’ve known each other for far too long, and they’ve been through too much.

The compliments clearly hit pretty hard, as he adverts his gaze again, though he’s smiling.]

Well, it’s a good thing neither of us was competent. [Echoes from something he’s said before - that night, in Tadfield.]

We might not know why and how we’re here, or...where we are to begin with, but I’d go as far as to say nonsensical adventure is our specialty.

[ He glances over again, with a soft, fond smirk. He still does look tired, specially around the eyes, but in a far better mood. ]

I think we’ll be alright.

[Crowley mirrors Aziraphale's smirk. The leather strip he's tired to his wrist earlier has gained a crystal, but in his exhaustion he's barely noticed.

He shifts on the floor, dragging his bag behind him to use as a pillow and leaning back into it, but in a spot he'sable to maintain eye contact.]

I'll watch your back if you watch mine.

[ Aziraphale had left his own mysterious leather stripped inside his bag, and whether or not he'd ever find the crystal now stuck to it is a great mystery.

He watches the demon settle, and his expression softens. ]

Gladly. [ While he's not done that a lot before now, he will absolutely make sure they're both safe. Somehow. He has no idea what this place might throw at them, but he will try.

Even if he's tired too. He doesn't particularly look forward to having to sleep. Or eat. Or drink. Why would anyone think of suddenly dropping these mortal needs on them? Why, it's just cruel--

Focus. ]

Do get some rest. We'll have to figure out what our next steps will be, but I think we should be alright here for now.

[Crowley watches Aziraphale with a bit of unease. He's never seen him as frayed and tired as this, and it concerns him despite everything the angel has done to prove himself time and time again.]

C'mere angel. [He pats at the floor.] You need your beauty rest much more than me.

[He teases, of course. But it does occur to him that Aziraphale may not have slept in a very very long time, maybe even forgotten how. The area also seemed safe enough, certainly they could both drift off and not need to stsnd guard?]

[ He glances at Crowley's hand, and at the demon. ]

Oh, it's- it's alright. One of us really should keep an eye out. I don't mind waiting.

[ Sleep is a strange concept. Sleep by obligation is even stranger. And there's things out there that scream and hiss and explode and make strange noises, and even if they're alright inside, they don't know what might happen. And, and, and. ]

Aziraphale.

[It didn't sound quite scolding. As much as it could for a tired demon who doesn't really have the nerve to scold anyone.]

Lay down, I'll keep watch.

[He sat up again, finding himself a corner, that way nothing could sneak up behind them. He dragged the knapsack over with him and gestured Aziraphale to it.]

Here, angel.

[ Aziraphale opens his mouth to protest, albeit just polite refusal. But he settles into a gentle huff and soft eyes.

He scoots along until he's sat next to Crowley again, though he doesn't lie down. He gives the bag a look instead. ]

I really can wait. [ He looks at the demon again. ] There's really no- I'm quite fine just sitting here for a while.

[ He's not slept in...so very long. He knows it can be quite good, the feeling of letting yourself drift off, but he's always found something far more interesting or enjoyable to do. Now he feels like he has to do it, and how it's one of the examples of changes done to their corporations and, in fact, their each individual entire being, and it's...

It's quiet here, at least. Sitting on the floor isn't ideal, but it'll do. ]

Well one of us has to sleep, angel. Before it's impossible for either of us to stay up and keep watch.

[He puts his hand on the bag and looks at Aziraphale.]

Would you rather use me as support?

[ Well, that certainly catches him by surprise and he just barely keeps himself from sputtering. ]

I-

[ ...it's sweet, though. The offer. The angel just finds himself embarrassed and a slight bit flustered. ]

It's alright, thank-- thank you. [ Offered with a coy smile. ] Hum.

[ He looks at the knapsack again, subtly fussing his hands. He can't deny that he does feel quite exhausted.

So, after some (even more) consideration, he eventually does lie down next to him, resting his head on the knapsack, shifting to get as comfortable as he can considering the situation. His hands rest over his stomach, fingers laced, and he doesn't quite close his eyes just yet. Just...as always, just thinking. ]

...this isn't too bad, I suppose. All things considered.

[ He is not relaxed at all. ]

[Crowley felt rather pleased he'd won this one as the angel laid down, and he relaxed his own hands in his lap.]

Try and relax.

[He snickered very quietly to himself, watching Aziraphale out of the side of his eyes.]

Do you need a lullaby?

Huh--no. [ He says in his very own gently fussy manner.

The angel falls into silence, still without closing his eyes. Still without properly relaxing, but when everything is quiet and he's done talking, he feels... well, he frankly feels awful. He feels tired. He feels...somewhat hungry. He feels sore, which, honestly, is bothering him even more than the hunger. He could have really done with never feeling any of these things at this very physical level.

After a bit, he speaks quietly, still looking at the ceiling. ]

Crowley?

[Wow, real missed opportunity there, Aziraphale. Offers still on the table if needed, later.

Crowley had remained otherwise silent, half watching the doorway in the distance, half feeling as if he might doze off himself. He'd of snapped himself out of it, if need be, but only because Aziraphale was expecting him to watch his back.

He turns his head slightly to look down at the angel as he hears his name.]

Yeah?

[ He hesitates for a moment. ]

Do you think this might actually have something to do with...well, with all that's happened before we got here?

[ Somehow. In some way. This is still all too strange. Nevermind the fact that the less he rests, the more overwhelming everything feels.

He's learning to not try to assume how everything works, but these things take time. ]

[Crowley was fairly certain it hadn't, but the doubt began to seep in again. He shook his head as if to clear it.]

Angel, no, we've talked about this. It doesn't add up.

[It doesn't add up at all, but it definitely doesn't add up to be about them and solely them. Crowley's met a lot of people here, all from different realities.]

Go to sleep, Aziraphale.

[ He did think that. It doesn't sound like anything Hell and Heaven would have come up with, even if they wanted. And while the Almighty had Her ways, it doesn't feel like something she would do. Certainly not something he's ever heard about.

But it's all too much and he just can't help it. It's hard not to try to draw the lines between things.

He takes a deep sigh, and finally closes his eyes. ]

Wake me if anything happens.

Will do.

[Crowley's thankful for a moment as Aziraphale closes his eyes. He sighs rather heavily before turning his head back to the door. Nothing was getting in unless it came through there, and Crowley was fairly confident they were safe, which is why it may have been a little too easy for him to let his own guard down. Aziraphale would have to understand that Crowley was just as exhausted. The difference here of course, being the demon wanted to sleep.]

[ The angel knows Crowley's as exhausted as he is. He'd seen it in his face - there's only so much his sunglasses could hide -, and heard it in his voice. You don't know someone for six millennia and not pick up on a few things, even if you tend to not be particularly attentive in a general sense.

Sleeping doesn't come relatively easy. Sitting still and in silence just means whatever is in his mind is louder. He's tense, very much so. But still, exhaustion is bound to win over, specially as a newcomer.

So it's soon enough that he starts drifting off, forgetting where he is. Where they are. Everything gets, thankfully, a little quieter. ]

[Funny thing about exhaustion. You can fight it, but sometimes, it wins. And it was wuite triumphantly defeating Crowley, who in the silence and the warmth he felt on the corner, began to drift off himself.

It snuck up on him, and before he knew it sleep had consumed him, made his head heavy and hang forward until he could no longer hold himself up. Very slowly his posture slid down, head bobbing loosely from his shoulders, until it had fallen right onto Aziraphale's chest. The great serpent had completely crumbled into himself and on top of the angel, and the most amazing thing about it was that it hadn't woken him up at all.]

[ Good thing he didn't wake up, because at least Aziraphale can retain the honor in not being heard making the funny sound he does when he's startled awake, eyes snapping open. It's not that the demon had fallen violently, just that the angel's nerves were absolutely frayed.

Takes him a couple of seconds to remember what reality is and realize Crowley's head is resting on him, and a few more seconds before he remembers how to use words. ]

--Crowley?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject