[WORLD ONE | POST-UVI CELEBRATION]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members and Palai
Where: In and around the Aimintas marketplace
When: Day 39
Open/Closed: Open to All

After an appropriate amount of time for mourning, the Palai have shifted into a more positive mood -- they're a very resilient species, though there is a bit of a muted tone to their celebration. The whole event is a little hodge-podge, mostly because they aren't used to having to celebrate with the coven members added to the guest list. The Palai have gathered together all of their people and have invited the coven members to a small, intimate gathering -- the purpose of the event is to thank them for their service in fighting the Uvi, and the success of freezing the Uvi in their home. While no one knows how long the Uvi will stay gone, any amount of time without the Uvi being a concern is fine by them. The event takes place in the very center of the marketplace, with the Palai interacting on the fringes of the party throughout the rest of the large building. The coven members have time to spend by themselves, but there's room for moving around on their own and also spending time with the Palai if they so choose. A ▢ One of the more noticeable editions to the food the Palai have provided is a large pile of sweet, sugar dusted pastries. You may notice that something about them seems...odd, to say the least. It looks as if the pastries are vibrating slightly, but they smell divine. If you're so inclined to ask what the deal is, these pastries are magically infused by Eltos, which somehow gives them a sweeter flavor and enhances the sensation of tastebuds. The Palai sometimes eat these before meals in order to better the flavor of their entire spread -- though adding this energized magic to an already magical being means magic powers may be a little off kilter. Don't be surprised if suddenly your abilities go a little crazy. B ▢ The Palai aren't participating the party for two big reasons. One, the purpose is to celebrate the victory of coven members. The other reason, however, is one that may be more interesting to outsiders. While previously the Palai were peaceful people, happy to exist submitting to the Uvi, the coven's show of strength and valor has inspired them to be more aggressive in their approaches. Grown Palai can be seen working on makeshift weapons, but the idea of smaller tools like slingshots have already been constructed and almost perfected. The Palai youth have discovered these tools and are playing with them gleefully, though occasionally hitting each other -- and potentially you -- with energized, paralyzing rocks fueled with Elto energy. Watch out or you might get zapped! C ▢ Other Palai youth aren't as fortunate to be so distracted and happy. While fewer Palai died during this attack, the casualty number wasn't zero. Most Palai children still have at least one family member to care for them, but they're still a little disconnected from their people by means of grief. Some are milling about with the coven members, trying to eat or pester them for attention. If you're good with kids this may be more your speed, but those bad with children can find this irritating. Some Palai youth are more muted, however, content to just sit and listen to stories or eavesdrop on conversations. D ▢ For some people, rain isn't that big an issue -- but it certainly puts a damper (get it?) on a party. The Palai seem a bit confused by the sudden shower that comes in heavy as the evening dies down. The Palai have never experienced rain before, using irrigation systems and existing ground water as their means of hydration (both for themselves and for plants). Because the rain is coming from the ocean, the drops are large and salty, and the marketplace quickly begins to flood. The Palai move the party indoors for the most part, but that doesn't mean you or the food aren't already soaked. It's much warming underneath the roofs in the marketplace, but that doesn't provide much relief since the ocean rain is warm and humid. E ▢ Wildcard! How will your character handle this violent and volatile situation.

Comments

[bulletbiter]

[ He'll try to pet the younger Palai who's wandered back to bother them, mirroring Jude's previous movement so that they won't look suspicious. ]

Yes. A type of beast named the Aragami appeared on the Earth two decades ago. We've been fighting them ever since.

[talim]

[ jude doesn't hold back a small smile in response to julius mimicking his actions. he doesn't seem to realize that he can be rather... sweet. ]

Aragami... I've never heard of such a thing, but coming from different worlds, I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise.

[ this... certainly put a damper on the topic of reading, though, although jude blames himself for pursuing this line of thought in the first place. ]

Awhile back, you mentioned parasites in the clouds and the Red Rain being the source of the disease. Are the Aragami related to those parasites?

[bulletbiter]

[ These are difficult things to think about. He can't answer with complete honesty, even if the truth had been staring at him in the face since... well, since he came here. ]

We knew that they were connected, but we couldn't find out if they were the same type of organism.

[ It's not a lie. But it's... not the complete truth, either. There are some things he has to keep to himself. ]

[talim]

[ something tells him that julius is holding back, but jude has realized that's he's a reserved person, far more than he is. there's no reason to press the issue. ]

I see...

I wish I could offer more reassurance. You've really had it rough, haven't you.

[ it's more of a statement than a question. ]

And maybe I've been prying too much. I know we're still practically strangers, so if I ever overstep any sort of boundaries...

[ feel free to tell him. ]

[bulletbiter]

[ Secrets are important, really. Especially when he's still trying to figure out all that's elapsed after the formation of the Helix tree. What to tell, what not to tell? Would it even make a difference? ]

Don't worry about it. I've had my hand dealt to me, I'll just have to work with it. You have kind intentions. I would trust you with more if I could, but some things are beyond my scope of knowledge.

[ A small lie, perhaps. But where did his self end and the Singularity begin? ]