I saw Mommy kissing Samba-Claus (KISS BINGO EDITION) 💋🌿

[beleos]

QIASU (HIGHSTORM)

On December 15th, the marker of the latter half of Takiltu, Kenos comes together to celebrate unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. This celebration is an amalgamation of many worlds’ winter festivals, and as such, is known in the two cities as the Year’s End Festival, or Qiasu as Highstorm calls it.

This part of Takiltu is when Highstorm truly starts to hit winter. Snow is a frequent occurrence, but it’s one that the city welcomes, since with the snow comes a few of the most beloved traditions of the city. By far the most popular is heading to Greenwood Yards. The gardens themselves may be either dormant or showing their simpler winter gardens, but you may have noticed an area by the bathhouses left in surprising amount of disrepair… This is because during the winter months, this area fills up with a natural outdoor hot spring! Take a swim under the moonlight, and even explore some of those ruined old manors, now with their first floors warmly flooded. It’s a tradition to bring in your favorite drinks and spend an evening sipping it in a parlor with friends, and to make new ones by sharing your drinks. Of course, do watch out for the ghosts. They’re mischievous more than malicious, but this is their favorite time of the year too!

You can also head to the Great Tree, which is decorated for the season with glittering glass orbs and is the current roost for the pale Moonbugs of Highstorm. Write a wish on a slip of paper and hold out your hands, and one of the Moonbugs will come sit within them. Whisper the wish to the Moonbug and it’ll take the paper and fly away to find someone to fulfill it. Of course, this also means that a Moonbug is likely to come find you! Besides it being good karma to fulfill the wish, you’ll be given a brief vision of the person whose wish you fulfilled and be blessed by the tree for the duration of the month depending upon your Aspect:

• Advocate: People are more likely to buy you meals/rounds and every recipe you make turns out perfectly.
• Exalt: Animals seem to think more kindly of you, and you'll find them much easier to befriend.
• Harbinger: You're given a more silver tongue as your arguments seem to be better at persuading people.
• Iconoclast: You won't be effected by cold weather in any way.
• Savant: You heal much more rapidly from any injury and are generally the very picture of health.
• Stargazer: Your indulgences (whatever they may be) are both easier to find and are of higher quality.

And of course, there’s one more well-known practice in Highstorm, though it’s more of a tradition of Kowloon’s… The Gävle family is a well-known family who has lived in Highstorm for a long time, and they brought a tradition of building a festive Yule goat made straw in the square outside of their businesses. However, it also happens to be outside of Yura Szczepanski’s home. He’ll never do it himself, of course, but if you manage to burn it down? He’ll reward you, obviously. It doesn’t make it any more legal, so those that try generally spend some time in a Highstorm jail, but it’s an enshrined enough practice at this point that not only has it burned down more often than it’s survived, but there’s even a betting pool in Kowloon for whether it survives or not.

Of course, if these traditions aren’t quite your vibe, you’ll also find the city just generally set up for a metropolitan winter. The Antiques & Baubles Market is rearranged to make room for a large ice-skating rink, Tasseography (the coffeeshop by the Tomes) has a seasonal special for a hot chocolate that will fortify you from the cold for a few hours (and make you fire resistant? Weird,), and the city also hosts a full-size gingerbread house that you can indeed take a bite from, to name a few things. Generally speaking, if it’s something you could do in a snowy city at home, you’ll probably find an equivalent somewhere in the city of moonlight.

Be warned, however, if you are visiting from out of town. Highstorm's reception seems just a touch bit chiller than the weather!

YEAR'S END FESTIVAL (SPRINGSTAR)

Springstar will never turn down a chance to celebrate, but eternally Highstorm’s opposite, this is the warmest time of year. With the sun always shining, some days can get near sweltering, but that just means you have a different set of traditions to have fun with it!

The ivy-like vines that decorated the city in the beginning of the month (November) are now in full bloom, and you’re now likely to learn why the Meri consider them sacred. Wherever the flowers bloom, they encourage feelings of warmth and slightly higher inclination for physical contact within those that encounter their magical pollen*. Holding hands with someone by the flowers will give you feelings of liveliness and happiness, and for a few hours, the positive traits of the person you’re holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, you’ll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. It’s very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if you’re at all a frequenter of Psychagogía...

Madame Dee’s hosts a very popular competition simply called Kiss Bingo. Approach the booth set-up outside the brothel and touch your Shard to a special card, and names will appear upon it. From there, the rules are simple. Just give that person a kiss! It can be on their hand, their lips, their [redacted], all of it counts, and once you do, a little kiss mark will mark their name out. Get a bingo, and you can pick from a variety of prizes such as a ticket for a week’s worth of visits at a local buffet, a shopping spree at a nearby store, or a box seat for a day at the Coliseum. Of course, if you’re really an overachiever, fill out the whole card to get multiple prizes. Madame Dee might just give you a job!

With the promise of home that the Meri deeply believe in, they have their own gifting tradition. The Shard-Bearers know best that it’s possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Year’s End, it’s tradition for the Tribune to pull out all the stops. For a week of the Festival, the Tribune works just outside of Heliopolis, and with the help of priests from the Church of Helios, reaches into the Timestream to produce a gift for anyone that comes to ask. This year, however, he's asked Quetzalcoatl and Samba's elves to deliver gifts, but you might not get anything you asked for (or maybe you did!) but they're all gifts the timestream spit out!

On rainy days (or simply the unbearably hot ones), you can also go to Starlight Park, which offers a reprieve from the weather. Inside the dome, you’ll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. There’s (highly) competitive snowball fights, sledding, and skiing to partake in, though you might be cautioned away from one slope. Head down that course and about halfway down, you’ll be chased by… a yeti? Luckily it doesn’t seem to be able to harm you, but it’s still shockingly fast and will catch you no matter how quickly you ski. You can also spend a bit of money to rent a yurt along the river for a relaxing and exceptionally cozy glamping experience. Some Yurts are even adorned with the sacred vines. You know, for no reason.

You’ll also find the Meri heading away from the city of Springstar a bit to head down to some of the beaches that surround Springstar. Being an island within an Island (capital ‘I’ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstar’s summer season and all the fun that comes with that. The beaches are bustling, but the cool and crystal-clear waters of the ocean surrounding the city make it worthwhile. Surfing, diving, and sailing are popular activities, but just make sure to stay within sight of the shore. It doesn’t take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenos’s starscape generally isn’t survivable.

Just be mindful, if you're trying to escape Highstorm's chill for some summer fun, as attitudes are shifting toward bearers in general, and it might not be as easy as it once was.

NOTES

Weather summary for the second 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

• Highstorm is out of fall and into winter. While there are some milder days, snow (and heavy snow at that!) is getting more common.
• Springstar is hot and humid, and it's not uncommon for brief thunderstorms to roll through in the afternoon.

Notable city changes:

• Both cities have experienced changing attitudes toward shard-bearers. You will need to be mindful if you want to travel to a city that doesn't house your faction, as things might not be as easy when it comes to getting around.
• Springstar has had an increase in attacks toward it's citizens, and they are often fatal and destructive. Rumors travel among Springstar's seedier types that these are escaping from Ryad, and they aren't being reigned in. That always comes with a flicker of worry.

CODING

Comments

[lockedon]

[ Dokja has shit taste, evidenced by the fact that he likes Eustace.

But Gray's pink-tinged face is enough for Eustace to grab another book nearby and pile it on top, obscuring the raunchy cover from view and saving them both. A temporary solution, though his preferred permanent solution (taking the offending novel and throwing it in the trash) probably wouldn't pass muster by Dokja's standards.

He doesn't really want to talk about romance novels with Gray, but at the very least his feelings on the subject can be summed up succinctly. ]

I've read a few. [ Largely out of morbid curiosity. ] They're terrible.

[ The distaste in his voice is evident. Presumably there are good romance novels out there somewhere, but if they are there aren't located in this bookstore. ]

But my tastes are probably different from yours. [ He ponders a moment, then offers up a suggestion. ] You could ask that friend of yours. Rin.

[ They're about the same age....surely that must mean they have similar tastes. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray's faith in Eustace is such that if he says they're terrible, she believes that they're terrible. There's a certain curiosity she has for things that are terrible but which garner an audience anyway, but it's a curiosity she can live without sating.

Her thoughts begin to drift back toward work, then crumple against the side of a mountain when Eustace unexpectedly brings up Rin. ]

Eh?

[ Does Rin... like romance novels? Is that something Eustace knows for a fact? ]

... I could. I think she'd just tease me, though.

[ And Gray is defenseless against such bullying... You'd think she'd be strong after a lifetime of Add. She shakes her head. ]

Her tastes are probably pretty different too.

[lockedon]

[ Eustace doesn't know shit, as evidenced by his assumption that all girls of a certain age must like similar things. But if he cannot give appropriate recommendations and neither can Rin, then who out there can enlighten Gray on the world of romance? Maybe D, considering that he wrote a romance short story once.

He looks a little puzzled by her quick clarification, his hand pausing in its quest to grab another (more SFW) book. ]

Is that so. [ Every day a man learns. ] You could ask another friend then, if you're interested.

[ Because surely Gray must have many friends. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray thinks about her other friends. Gen. Mordred. D. Hm. Out of all of them, Rin really would be the best bet... on account of everyone else seeming like they'd have less than zero interest in romance novels. Maybe Ruby...? Though Ruby gives the impression that she'd be in the same boat as Gray, scandalized by the mere glimpse of a gleaming chest.

In any case, she will not ask any of these people. She refuses to randomly bring up bodice-rippers out of nowhere. She is interested, but not interested enough to tank her modest reputation. (If anything, she will just sneak a peek at these later. If the opportunity arises.) ]

Maybe your perspective is a bit different. You're already living out a romance.

[ She's joking......... but also maybe it's true?? ]

[lockedon]

[ Is her reputation really anything to worry about after she [redacted] during the Oracle....

But if nothing else, the unexpected shift in topic is enough to grab his full attention, his body pausing midstep as his head twists around sp he can stare at her, a look of deep consternation on his face. What a way to describe things. He certainly wouldn't call whatever he has going on with Dokja a romance. If anything, it just feels like a natural extension of what their relationship had been before, but with slightly more physical contact than before. ]

There's no romance to it.

[ Not in the stereotypical way anyway. No flower petals spread over bedsheets and women (or men) swooing into somenoe's arms. He's not sure why he feels the need to point this out, but somehow the thought of him and Dokja acting sappy together out where anyeone can see makes his stomach curdle a little. ]

It's not that different from before. I don't think either of us would know how to act if it was.

[ If the expectation for a (romantic) relationship was supposed be something thrilling and heartpounding. The words are more candid than he would usually offer up, and said in a softer tone of voice, but if anyone deserves honesty it's Gray. ]

[gravings]

[ She looks up at him when his footstep stalls. The face he makes at her makes her feel as though she's said something horribly offensive... She straightens up, hands close to her stomach with alarm. ]

No romance...?

[ No love?? She blinks, trying to understand. She can't imagine he's saying that he and Dokja are just Enhanced Roommates. It's like being told her parents are in a loveless marriage. Gray's traditional little heart says it ain't so. ]

But you're still devoted to each other, right? That's a kind of romance too... I think.

[ This is why she needs to read more romance novels. The research. ]

[lockedon]

[ She's so cute to think of it that way. One eyebrow raises, a flicker of a smile crossing his lips. ]

I'm devoted to you too. [ And Gen, though he probably shouldn't talk about Zenites so casually even if the store is closed now. ] Does that make us romantic too?

[ Just kidding, don't think about that one too hard.

His footsteps resume as he makes his way back towards the bookshelf, quietly but efficiently slotting books back into their rightful places. Tomorrow he's just going to have to do this all over again, but there's a comfort to busywork such as this. ]

You know as much as I do about romance. You probably know more than Dokja.

[ Which is sad, but true. Maybe they should all be researching together at this rate. ]

[gravings]

[ Eustace's horrible jest elicits a vivid D: out of Gray. Even though she knows that Eustace is handsome, the mere thought of anyone misconstruing their relationship as romantic is deeply distressing.

She goes back to tidying up the dining area, vaguely troubled... A seat tucked in here, a table straightened out there. ]

More than Mr. Dokja? That can't be true...

[ How very alarming. How did Eustace and Dokja even get together?? Maybe Gray really does need to do some research into romance then... for All of Them (except maybe D, who seems to have things handled). Eustace deserves nice romantic gestures every once in a while. ]

I only know the things I've seen on television, and even those things seem a bit... um, fantastical.

[lockedon]

[ They really do just need to have a sitdown one day and go through every romance novel in the store. Maybe then one of them will understand the proper way to go about doing this whole relationship business. Until then, they will all just have to bumble along in the dark. ]

You could ask him yourself if you're curious.

[ And then Gray can find out for herself how (boba voice) sexless Dokja is. He finishes his shelving, and then turns around to face her. ]

I'm sure for some people that's how it happens. Maybe that'll be how it happens for you.

[ Imagine Gray as the heroine of a romcom... ]

[gravings]

[ Maybe she WILL ask Dokja... Thus does Eustace's plan to shunt all of the awkward explanations onto Dokja succeed. What a loving relationship.

Gray doesn't respond as she arranges a final table. She's a bit surprised that he'd suggest that she'll get into any kind of romance when she's never entertained the notion herself. She's far too mousey and issue-laden; who would bother? (Literally Svin would bother but she does not perceive.) And yet, it's a small source of ache in her chest, not for the idea of romance itself, but for another point of normalcy she feels is out of reach for her due to her circumstances.

She crosses to the register and pastry display, begins packing up the leftovers and wiping everything down. There isn't much to do, as she keeps it obsessively clean throughout the day.

As if reading her mind, Add speaks up, his voice an explosion in the quiet of the cafe. For such a little box, his volume dial always seems cranked up to max. ]

If you ever want her to have a chance, you'll need to give her better advice than that! You can bet she's thinkin', "No way that'll happen to me." As if guys are really that picky, ihihihi!

[ The Knights of the Round Table were really the worst at romance... ]

[lockedon]

[ Dokja has to pull his weight somehow in this relationship and this is it.

And apparently Add has to pull his weight by making completely unnecessary commentary whenever the silence stretches on for too long. Thanks Add. It's really unfortunate (for Add) that Eustace has long since learned to just tune the little box out. Like how he does now, even if Mr. Box does have a point about men and their standards. That's not the important point here. ]

It's up to her if she wants something like that to happen.

[ Said mildly as he dusts off a stray cushion on the floor and places it back where it belongs. Maybe it'll take awhile, but he has full faith in Gray to take wobbling steps towards romance when she feels ready. Or maybe someone really will come in and sweep her off her feet one day. Hopefully if that does happen, he'll be here to see it.

In the meantime, Gray will have to settle for platonic familial love instead. With the bulk of the store all tidied up now, they have time for other things. ]

Are you busy right now, Gray?

[gravings]

[ Eustace has truly found the most efficient solution to dealing with Add, which is to gently brush him off. Add has no retort, and Eustace's calm response is enough to soothe Gray's mild exasperation. Add doesn't rush her toward things, per se, but he has a way of needling her where she can feel it. Thank goodness for Eustace, who hasn't needled her for a single thing in her life.

She looks up from where she's neatly folded a bar towel and set it aside. ]

I think I'm finished here... What do you need?

[lockedon]

[ It's Gray's turn to needle Eustace now to stop being such dead weight. Though it's not as though he needs much needling on that front when he's well-aware of his own deficiencies, of which he has many.

At the forefront: his inability to communicate! He could do this the easy way and simply march over to where she stands, or: ]

Can you come over here for a moment?

[ For what.....stay tuned. ]

[gravings]

[ Imagine asking questions... Gray can't, when Eustace is involved. Maybe he found something weird a customer left behind, or needs help cleaning something. She makes her way over and stops in front of Eustace, looking up curiously at him. ]

[lockedon]

[ Thanks Gray. :)

Eustace waits until she comes to a stop, then very gently settles his hands at the side of her head before leaning down to press a quick kiss onto her forehead, the way a parent might kiss their child. It ends up being mostly over her bangs, but it's fine, the sentiment has been expressed.

And then he pulls back, looking completely unfazed and like he hadn't just invaded her personal space without asking. ]

For my card.

[ The kissy ones, as if that explains everything. There's a very small smile on his face, though it fades as he reasserts his words from earlier. ]

But you should go at whatever pace makes you comfortable. As long as you're happy, I'm happy.

[ Happy to be surrounded by the people he loves, in a place he can finally call home. ]

[gravings]

Ah.

[ She stays still as she feels the hands on her head, watches him lean down, receives the peck on her forehead. Her eyes are round with surprise, her cheeks dusted pink with warmth, but otherwise she's more nonplussed than alarmed; Eustace could pick her up and toss her in the air like a cheerleader's baton and she wouldn't feel danger. Even with her face being a point of sensitivity, she doesn't mind his closeness. She's more than internalized that he doesn't care a lick what her face looks like.

She blinks as he explains. It is truly all the explanation that's needed. She slowly pushes her hood back into place, arranges her hair a bit in the back. It's nice not having to manage so much hair anymore, but she does miss how her bun would keep everything locked in place under her hood. ]

I'm glad I could be of help...

[ By just standing there and doing nothing. Though she means it, actually. A nice easy tick off for him. She wonders if Dokja knows Eustace is particpating in kissy bingo... though now she isn't even sure if that relationship is considered romantic enough for strict exclusivity. She decides not to think about it too deeply. ]

Um... is that how you're playing the game with everyone else?

[ Without warning, that is. ]

[lockedon]

[ Gray has her (brief) internal crisis about the state of Dokja and Eustace's relationship, and Eustace goes back to doing one more loop through the cafe, making sure no pillows or books are out of place. ]

No, just you. [ Is that comforting or concerning....He doesn't sound bothered either way. ] I haven't kissed anyone else yet.

[ And has no real plans to outside of two names belonging to the other people that live in the house with them. It would be a stretch to say that he's actively participating in the game when he's already dismissed the large majority of his card, but the excuse to kiss (platonically or romantically or otherwise) the people he cares about isn't so bad.

Maybe physical affection every now and then is okay, actually.

Satisfied that the shop looks clean, he returns back to Gray's side. ]

Ready to go?

[gravings]

[ So she was the first target... Maybe he just deemed her an easy one, but still she feels a little honored. For the first time, she regrets that he isn't on her card; it would have been nice to have an excuse to return the sentiment.

Eustace's last sweep of the cafe grants Gray the time to get past her initial surprise. She smiles up at him as he approaches, warm. ]

Yes, I'm ready.

[ Lead the way, furry man... Off home they go. ]