March Undercurrent: Lost Connections

[lifeaftr_mods]

MARCH UNDERCURRENT

Who: Everyone!
What: We remember those lost, and connect with one another
When: March 3rd to March 19th
Where: Everywhere!
Warnings: Please mark anything as it comes up!

From Stardust to God

Those months since the Water's introduction to you all have been...tumultuous, haven't they? These two gods have more or less been trying to consistently undermine each other, and you all have been caught in the middle of it - whether or not you wanted to be! Kind of a miserable state of being to be stuck in, right?

All that is going to change.

For the duration of this particular month, both the Storyteller and the Water will be operating under a tentative ceasefire as they commit their efforts to one singular, joint goal:

They wish to remember those who have been lost. Those who have left the archipelago, those who have died, those who have come and gone, those who you lost in your homes...and these gods will be, also, commemorating those who they have lost. This commemoration will be facilitated with the use of memorials and offerings to those long past.

The Storyteller will provide you with materials to craft paper lanterns that can be illuminated and sent sailing into the ocean waters. They can be decorated with colorful paper, cut designs, and so forth. The Water will guide the currents to allow the lanterns to drift to...wherever it is they need to go. You can send as many lanterns as you like, and as many nights as you like. The skies will always be clear, and the water will always guide them to the horizon, where they eventually fade from view...

Both the Storyteller and the Water will be available for discussion for the duration of this event.

The Highs We Trade for the Lows

This month isn't only about remembering what's been past. To conjure Ai'tuoh back to the archipelago, it will also entail that all of you do some reflecting on what has been lost in your lives, and sharing in that pain together. This may be a somber month for some of you, or it may be an introspective one.

At any point during this event, your character may wake to discover that one or more thin threads of colorful light appears to be emanating from their chest and trailing through the empty air. These threads cannot be removed or influenced in any fashion; attempting to grab at them will simply cause one's hands to phase uselessly through them, as though they are ethereal constructs of some sort.

The purpose of these strands of light might not immediately be apparent, but if you spend enough time observing your fellow islanders, it might get a bit clearer. Each tether connects you to someone else - someone who has a pain similar to your own. Should you follow your tether to whoever it has linked you to, you may find yourself compelled to comfort or relate to the other party. This compulsion can honestly vary, from a gentle nudge to a sudden impulse and anything in between. There may or may not be a subtle pressure on your thoughts that may help you discern what you might have in common with this other person, whoever they might be. This facet of this event is completely opt-in, naturally, and we encourage you to interpret this however you like. What counts as shared pain? It can be as literal or as figurative as you like. Whether characters underwent the same events in this game or another, or whether there are certain parallels you wish to explore within certain canons or across multiple ones...or if you just want your character to have a nice sit down and talk about their problems for once, the choice is yours. Your character can be connected to as many others as you like - there is no limit to how many characters you can share any related trauma with!

Should you choose to reflect on that which you have endured, and the shared pain of others, what follows is fairly intuitive. The tether binding you together will fade, though hopefully a stronger bond will be forged, and ideally you'll all feel better afterward...but that's not necessarily a given, now, is it?

This is No Place Like Home

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 February's Undercurrent Event, as well as any of the other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. And, of course, 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 the Questions header on our Monthly Rundown post!

March Timeline

[ ♆ ] March 1st: "The Return of Your Special Lifting Friend" begins and lasts until March 10th
[ ♆ ] March 3rd: "Lost Connections" begins and lasts until March 19th
[ ♆ ] March 12th: "Spring Forth" begins and lasts until March 21st
[ ♆ ] March 20th: Ai'tuoh returns to the archipelago
[ ♆ ] March 22nd: "The Happy Hang Glider Vacation Society" begins and lasts until March 31st

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[salutosinedelectat]

Dinner?

[ He closes the door behind him, eyes kept on the little makeshift table, the meal, the pretend plates. It might not be dinner at the Ritz, but... Well, it might as well be. The angel is a little stunned, mostly for the effort put in this little domestic endeavor, which, honestly, he didn't think Crowley would really have an interest in.

The wobbledog shambles intently around Crowley's feet, hoping for more treats.]

I didn't know you could cook. [ Even though, well, it's not like they have a kitchen. Or anything beyond the basics and Crowley's gardening.

Aziraphale sits by their little table, looking curiously at the food. ]

[agathokakological]

Why couldn't I cook? [He asks, almost insulted. Of course, all it took was slicing things in a presentable way and letting them sit over the fire for a prolonged amount of time. Herbs were sprinkled over them before cooking, which he had also grown, rosemary and thyme on the root vegetables, bit of sage on the fish. This isn't a culinary masterpiece, but it's simple and fresh, and most importantly, made with love.]

Isn't any more complicated than making tea or... I don't know... are you hungry, angel? Have a seat.

[Doing his best to ignore the piss out of the wobbledog, Crowley carries their servings to the table, placing one at each setting... or well, what there is of a setting. He doesn't have utensils for them, but he does have two clay cups he's acquired that he's been using for most of their beverages, tea, hooch, whatever. Once the food is placed, he pours them each a glass.]

[salutosinedelectat]

I don't know. Just didn't expect it. [ The surprise is a lovely one, and he's beginning to put together a picture of just how far Crowley's efforts have gone to prepare this little moment for the two of them.

Sat at their little table - also made by Crowley - he rests his hands on his lap and waits patiently, eyeing the food and drink like oh so many precious gifts. ]

This is quite the production. [ All things considered. ]

[agathokakological]

[The bottle is replaced on the table once each cup is filled, and Crowley grabs his own cup, raising it to the angel as he takes his seat.]

It doesn't have to be a production, angel, could be the new normal. [A smile.] Cheers.

[The wobbledog has found a seat upsettingly close to Crowley. Touching thigh, even. The slightest wavering to his smile is noticeable, but he doesn't look down at it. He's very intentionally pretending it doesn't exist.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale is far too busy gazing quite lovingly at his demon, so suddenly overtaken by this lovely scene.

He raises his glass, clacking the cups together. ]

Cheers.

[ As he takes a sip, he finally does notice the wobbledog cozying up to Crowley, which he finds quite endearing. ]

My. Is this a budding friendship I see?

[agathokakological]

Absolutely not. [He snaps back almost too quickly, which in and of itself is indication of a lie. Crowley stammers for a moment, an assortment of groans that lead to no real words.]

Can't get the thing away from me. Should have cooked him for dinner. Wouldn't that have been nice?

[salutosinedelectat]

[ A rather subtle answer, clearly. The most subtle. Aziraphale smiles and entirely fails to hide the fact that he doesn't buy it at all. ]

I'm not sure that would have been the best. [ Not that they would actually harm it, but he dreads to think of the actual consistency of the creature, seeing how it wobbles. ]

He does seem rather content.

[ How the angel gets that from the wobbledog's many vacant eyes is a mystery. ]

[agathokakological]

Right. He'd probably taste like rubber bands.

[Crowley exhales in an irritated way, but decides ultimately not to let the dog ruin his dinner, this labor of love that he worked so hard to give to Aziraphale. No, a slimey dog was not going to get in the way of that.]

Don't give him too much attention, he'll think he's getting some.

[Crowley plucks a piece of vegetable from his serving, tasting it, and smiling in a pleased way at his results.]

[salutosinedelectat]

Right.

[ Not that Aziraphale is really that focused on the wobbledog. The creature seems to be doing fine. No, he's much more focused on the demon, and everything he's clearly done this evening. How much effort's gone into preparing this meal for them.

He goes ahead and tastes a bit of the fish. Now, Aziraphale certainly has standards, and a rather exquisite palate, but after the last few months, this might as well be ambrosia. The tender love and care poured into it certainly helps. ]

Oh- [ Sounding pleasantly surprised. ] This is quite good.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley is by no means a Michelin Star chef, but the food was fresh and seasoned, and that was miles better than the meals they'd scrounged for since their arrival.]

You seem shocked by the idea that I could cook at all.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale would certainly agree. One of the worst things - okay, not the worst, but pretty high up there - was seeing himself deprived from all the great cuisine from Earth, and being faced with not only subpar food but having to eat to survive. So he's pretty happy with this scene. ]

I simply didn't know it was one of your interests. [ He tries the vegetables next. ] You've never mentioned it.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley shrugs.]

Surviving is my interest. Not suffering is another. One thing lead to another...

[Crowley begins picking at his plate, and in typical fast-eater fashion, its shoved in his mouth so quickly it's a wonder he tastes it.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale, on the other hand, takes his time, as is expected of him. It may not be a five star five dish course, but Crowley went out of his way to prepare it for them. He has the full intention of giving the meal its due. Besides, it really is the best he's had in a while. ]

Hm, well, excellent surviving. [ He adds in a light tone, as he continues his meal. ] And excellent work on the garden.

[agathokakological]

Thanks, angel. [It's muttered before another handful of food is shoved into his mouth. His plate, as usual, is cleaned pretty quickly,  giving him more time to watch Aziraphale enjoy himself.]

Ah, don't forget- I managed to get a bottle of the better wine from Denny. Drink up.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ How could he forget? He hums with interest, and uses that moment to take a sip. ]

You know, I'd have been happy to lend you a hand. This must've taken you all day to prepare.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley finishes a gulp himself before replying.]

Not much you could have done. It just needed to sit above the fire for a bit.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The casual conversation really is betrayed - or enhanced - by the brightness of the angel's smile. ]

I see you've finally managed to figure out fishing.

[agathokakological]

[Crowley chuckles, shaking his head. Most of his day was spent trying to catch a fish, but Aziraphale doesn't have to know that.]

I have many skills.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Nah, let him keep imagining Crowley as cooler and more capable than the demon really is.]

I do wonder what else you might be hiding. [ He teases, taking another bite of his meal.]

[agathokakological]

If I show my hand all at once, you'll never be impressed.

[Crowley finishes his meal rather quickly, which is nothing the angel shouldn't be used to. He leans on the table, resting his head in his hand and watching Aziraphale continuing to eat.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The angel does actually look happy, for once in these last few months. Which isn't to say everything has been miserable - despite the struggles, there are many moments where everything feels like it could be fine. But he does treasure his moments with the demon a bit more above all else, and this one might be one of the nicest. ]

Such showmanship. [ He teases more, smiling at Crowley. ] I guess I'll just have to wait, then.