Returning Island: Nuidan

[lifeaftr_mods]

RETURNING ISLAND: NUIDAN

Who: Everyone!
What: Nuidan returns to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: Backdated to November 20th, and onward
Where: The harvest island of Nuidan
Warnings: Nothing of note; please mark if anything comes up!

Looking for Clear Water
Welcome back to Nuidan, adventurers.

For many of you, however, this might not be such a familiar experience. You might not have been here before. If you haven't, you'll probably be happy to know that the island of Nuidan is largely a peaceful one. New explorers can read up on the resources, dangers, and ephemera of the island here, but the most important part is that it is an island divided into quarters, each representative of a static and unchanging season. The north relates to spring, with rain-swept, windy hills; the east to fall, with orchards heavy with fruit and fallen leaves carpeting the ground; the south to winter, full of snowy plains and fields of ice; and the west to summer, blanketed with warm sand and ripe with the lazy drone of bees. At the island's heart is its temple, where the local avatar of harvest, known most commonly as Harv, can be found.

The last time you met them, they took the form of a hardworking sheepdog, determined to not let a single moment go to waste. Now, however, you'll find them looking and acting a little...different. They're considerably calmer, for one, and also a good deal larger. But their disposition has remained more or less friendly, as can be gleaned from the state of the island around them.

Nuidan's lush woods, blustery tundras, sun-warmed sands, and rolling fields are still the same as they ever were, and it seems as if the whole island has been waiting for a triumphant, colorful return. As all of you managed to rack up an impressive number of crystals - around 135 total - the island can be assumed to be in splendid health. An air of anticipation lies mantled across the entire island, and the orchards, fields, and animals you worked so hard to tend, maintain, and corral the first time you were around are ready for harvesting in whatever way you see fit. No longer are fences unmended and decrepit, or orchards choked with weeds.

You're more than welcome to go combing the island to take in the spoils, as long as you don't mind the presence of the occasional, noisy nirnroot that can be found speckling the topography of Nuidan. That's right - you can find them here, too, those pesky things. But your attention might also be eaten up by the wooden stands and display tables set up around Harv's temple, like those you might see at a farmer's market. Because this is a time of harvest, and also a time to share in that harvest.

And after harvest comes celebration.

Playing It All For Gods Yesterday
The avatar who holds sway over this island has been waiting for many hands to make light work. Pitch in a little here and there, and you'll find that when the crops have been taken in, the food all stored, and the animals bedded down, the quite literal fruits of your labor and efforts will be transformed into a feast that beggars belief.

We do recommend that you exercise some caution, however - some food and drink might make you a tad more open-hearted or open-minded than you expect. All kinds of harmless but entertainingly strange effects might happen to those who are brave enough to sample some of the products on display.

[ ♆ ] Caramel Apples: These treats come in all sorts of varieties - sprinkled with peanuts, candied sprinkles, or drizzled with chocolate. They do have some unusual side effects, however. Anyone who eats one or more of these caramel-coated delights will discover that they now have the ability to levitate about a foot or so off the ground. And, by concentrating hard, you'll find you can also go zooming about at high speeds. Careful not to go colliding into any tables of goodies, or any of your fellow party-goers!

[ ♆ ] Deviled Eggs: Sprinkled with chili powder, sage, and chopped shallots, these appetizers can easily be scarfed down by the pound. It's recommended that you take care with how many you eat, however. These deviled eggs will make you incredibly proud of yourself. Eat one or two, and you'll find that your self-esteem has been massively boosted, and you'll feel like you deserve to celebrate your accomplishments! But consuming too many will almost certainly inflate your ego, and quickly make you more prone to bragging or making up outrageous exaggerations of your accomplishments which, while not fundamentally dangerous, might put you at a higher risk of getting decked in the face.

[ ♆ ] Pepper Poppers: Peppers that have been breaded and stuffed with cheeses and spices can make a delightfully spicy treat, though these come at a small cost. Eating just one of them will make you more predisposed to verbal quirks - making bad puns, indulging in copious alliteration, sesquipedalian loquaciousness, and so on. You can wash out this effect by drinking just about anything...but when you're cracking jokes that good, why would you?

[ ♆ ] Maple Bars: A doughnut topped off with a silky maple glaze can make for a delightful treat, though most don't tend to cause the people who eat them to exhibit a soft glow. Nonetheless, you'll find that the more of these desserts you eat, the brighter a glow you'll emit. What's more is that this glow can and will change its color depending on your mood. Don't think you can hide how blue you're feeling when the color itself is streaming right from your skin!

[ ♆ ] Butternut Squash Fritters: These fritters are hot, crispy, sprinkled liberally with salt and sage, and also have the fun side effect of making you far more complimentary than you might be otherwise. Did you mean to insult that guy over there? Too bad! Instead, you're telling him how much you love his hat, or how good he is with his words. The good news, nay, the better news, is that this effect is double-edged; after eating just one of these, you also can't insult yourself. You have no choice but to be wholly complimentary of anyone and everyone, your own good self included!

[ ♆ ] Pumpkin Pie: A staple of any kind of harvest-based celebration, of course, and a perfect example of it. Flaky crust, silky custard, topped off with nutmeg and whipped cream...and prone to making almost everything around you seem unbearably funny. Eat one slice of this, and you'll find that you just cannot seem to stop laughing! It might just end up being the best abdominal workout you get in years.

[ ♆ ] Leafy Crown: For those of you who aren't predisposed to eat anything, don't worry. You can still participate in the fun, if you want! Some tables carry crowns of colorful leaves that you can wear to showcase your festive spirit. It will also increase your festive spirit, and make you far more inclined to break into song and/or dance. What's that? You're not particularly talented in either of those areas? That's a shame! Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, self-consciousness isn't likely to affect you once you've put one of these things on. No matter how poor a singer or dancer you, in actuality, are.

[ ♆ ] Harvest Candle: A table full of all sorts of beautiful candles invites you to light one as the day grows dark and the sun sinks over the horizon. You're certainly welcome to, but be warned: lighting a candle from this table will vastly increase your confidence, to perhaps a dangerous extent. While you'll feel less inclined to any shyness or second-guessing of yourself that might ordinarily plague you, you'll also be less susceptible to any sort of fear or warning signs that maybe you shouldn't be doing things that might be considered, ah...foolish. Like, for example, deciding you're going to trek out into Nuidan's southern region to ride a popo. Things like that.

Other than these, you'll find that almost everything else that can be consumed and otherwise interacted with will have no additional effects. What a relief!

Looking for Clear Water

Of course, there's a lot going on in the background as well. You're free to explore any other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. You are also 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!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

a.

[uptightness]

[She's stayed away from the animals, mostly, as her family had never really been the pet type. The only reason the tigerlily is there with them is because she had been CT's, and after she had left, the animal had remained with Wash. It is why she does harvesting instead, as at least that seems more straight-forward, if not as back-breaking.

Her gaze flickers over to the person speaking, straightening to her almost six foot height. Once, she might have told someone to get lost and leave her be, but she has been working on her people skills, a little, anyway. Carolina still gets frustrated and annoyed, with living with and working with the Reds and the Blues has helped. What they can get themselves up to is... Well, words can't describe.]

If you want to pick from the lower branches?

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Well, at least he's not making a fool of himself by trying to talk to an actual wolf. Though now that he's actually facing one of the local deities, he's somewhat at loss for words.]

Oh! Oh, well, hum. Hello. [ Falling on politeness, as always. ]

This is... [ A lot. Ahem. ] Would it be possible to have a word with you?

[thankgods]

You've had several of them already.

[The wolf's head goes to one side almost lazily.]

But you're certainly welcome to have several more. Most everything that needs doing has already been done, you see. [So they're in no hurry to go anywhere, to do anything, to end this conversation, or anything else besides.]

[counterblows]

Jesus! [Wash is a little preoccupied with casing the place, which means that he's not really expecting to be waylaid by a spinning Church.]

What the hell, Church?

[forwearemany]

(They finish a round of dancing, and, having noticed the staring, stare back.)

Greetings.

[salutosinedelectat]

Usually, Aziraphale would have simply progressed the conversation and mostly ignored Crowley's comedic or sarcastic attempts, whether by them flying over the angel's head or him just flat out ignoring them, but not this time. This time, it gets a giggle out of him, and he holds the back of his hand to his mouth to cover it.

"I'm sure we would have heard something about that from the other residents."

fruits of our labors

[galrarm]

As for Shiro, he's got a few deviled eggs on his plate. Really, he's pretty endeared by the phoenix, and gives its back a little stroke. And then to the poor wolf, who's levitating and looking absolutely miserable.

"Can't really blame them," he says, quirking a grin. "All this food looks pretty--"

And then Keith eats the maple bar. Shiro blinks, and for a moment, he's stunned enough that he doesn't say anything. Glowing? Huh. It looks harmless enough, but you never know in this place.

"... Uh, Keith? You're glowing."

[motherfucking_ghost]

What part of dreidel didn't you understand, dude? Do you need me to sing the song? [he'll do it too unfortunately] I mean I could probably try some slightly more traditional dances but c'mon. That's for later!

[counterblows]

Why are you dancing, though?

[He's got everything else, or - he's sort of cottoned on to everything else? But the dancing. That bit is the thing that's catching off guard.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

Um, cuz this is a party, dipshit? What, you got two left feet? You wanna dance with me?

[thermalwind]

Keith blinks and the glow around him turns rosy pink in his confusion. Kosmo whines again and tries to move his paws. They swing uselessly in the air. He looks down at himself as the glow shifts from pink to a flicker of red for alarm then to a soothing purple as he forces his alarm down with a visible effort.

“Uh.” He slowly lets go of his wolf friend to pat at his arms. Ember chirps and brushes a wing across his back again, tossing Shiro a bird look of contentment. Ember likes his not so human friend and his partner.

The glow doesn’t go away or shift. Keith has a moment of thought then he reaches for another maple glazed donut. “Hold on,” It seems harmless. And normally he wouldn’t poke the possible danger with a stick but this one has him curious. “Let’s see if it was the donut.” Nuidan has been harmless.

Or so he tells himself as he quickly wolfs down the second donut and glows brighter. He swallows and inspects his hand. “...Well if we get up in the middle of the night I can light the way.” He says with a straight face but his lips twitch and his glow is a happy gold. It’s a bit funny.

[counterblows]

You never dance. I have never seen you dance even once in my life and why are you asking me?

[THIS IS, LIKE.......A LITTLE SCARY, BUD]

[salutosinedelectat]

Right.

[ When Harv turns their head, the angel first glances in that direction, before focusing on them again.]

Well, if I may - what is your name?

[thankgods]

I have many names. Some call me Churnpeg, or Oko, or Demetus, or Jarilo. It is rather dependent on the people referring to me, and how they choose to do so.

I suppose that I prefer "Harv," if it makes any difference. But you may refer to me as you like.

[forwearemany]

(They see her watching them, so they don't startle. After a few moments, they stop dancing.)

It is an efficient method of testing movement.

(And Quarians like dancers. And answering yes to whether they know how to dance in Fleet and Flotilla got them a higher score. And they thought it was both appropriate and likely to appeal to organic humor that a robot would know how to dance the robot.

They just give the first answer though.

...None of these possibilities answer the actual question.)

[motherfucking_ghost]

I've never seen you dance, either, bucko, you don't see me claiming you never dance.

[He then starts doing some form of the twist. But like. Less nerdy. Probably more hip waggling. And don't forget the singing!]

Do ya do ya do ya do ya wanna dance, do ya do ya do ya do ya wanna dance, do ya do ya do ya do ya wanna daaaaaance~

[uptightness]

... you okay there?

[You know, just in case that wasn't... dancing, but some sort of malfunction or... whatever else it might be. She is smooth. Real smooth. Smooth as a freshly graveled dirt road.]

[counterblows]

[Seriously. What the hell.]

Are you high?

[How does a robot get high? No idea. None! But that's what's happening, it feels like!!]

a.

[uptightness]

Animals. Animals are like children. They are a foreign entity to her. It's not that she's not nurturing...ish... but her patience tends to only go so far, even now. Surprisingly, it is better than it once was, but it's still not saintly by any stretch of the imagination.

And it's not fear, exactly, that the creatures can smell, but uncertainty. She's fine to wave her hands and even jump in front of one, because that seems safer than trying to lead them or anything else. She's dubious to begin with, wondering if she should go back and harvest, as at least that is straight-forward.

"You certain about that?" Because Carolina isn't that things will go faster... Then again, she has had a lot of experience herding Reds and Blues to various places, and they are all still more or less alive, so that counts for something, right?

[motherfucking_ghost]

No! What? No. I wish. C'mon! Maybe I'm getting in the holiday spirit.

Y'know, in place of getting into the holiday spirits.

[counterblows]

You're the least spirited person I know. [Wait, no. That's...not entirely true. But it's close.]

All right, you might not be the least, but you're up there. Down there. Whatever. The point is, you're not acting like...you. And I'd ask if you're drunk, but you can't drink, so I have no idea what's up with you.

Re: a.

[thermalwind]

"Yeah," Keith says as he stands up and lifts his hand to push against the shoulder of a cariborn. He leans a little into the task but only enough that his hand sinks into the fur. He doesn't look away from her face as the beast decides his pushing is a direction. Into the pen it goes. "Kosmo is doing most of the work anyway. They probably think he's Harv. I'm just one side of the cleanup." The animals recognize that his side of the gate is guarded and try to drift away from it to the other side.

"All you have to do is stand on the other side of the open gate and redirect them back if they try to go somewhere else." He shrugs and adds, "They want to wander because they're hungry. But they'll follow our directions because they know people mean food."

[motherfucking_ghost]

And you're acting like a fucking humbug, dude, but I don't know why I expected anything different.

[counterblows]

Maybe because you're acting the exact opposite of how you usually do?

[Like, he's occasionally (often) done stupid shit, but THIS?]

[motherfucking_ghost]

Putting aside the fact that I disagree with that assessment--given what you know about the wild shit that happens on these islands constantly, are you really that surprised?

[Maybe less if you would stop doing some kinda shuffle dance as you said that.]

I mean, really? What's that, Lassie? Little Bobby's acting like a lunatic again? Must be new island time!