[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

[secrowtary]

Do I look like I could murder someone?

[ This is a very serious question. ]

[talim]

... Not really?

[ this is a very serious answer. ]

Unless you've had hidden motives all along, and paper could be used as a weapon, or something.

[secrowtary]

Hidden motives? [ He's genuinely surprised. ] Interesting. Aren't you going to try it?

[ The pastry. It's only vibrating innocently, nothing more!! ]

[talim]

A joke. It was a joke.

[ jude shakes his head, bemused, before tentatively taking a small bite of the delicacy. ]

... Hmm.

[ another bite. ]

These...

[ one last bite and the pastry is gone. he immediately reaches out for a second. ]

... are amazing.

[secrowtary]

That's what I've told you. Aren't you feeling a bit weird, though? There must be some ingredient hidden in these, I just wish I knew what is it...

[ Hibiki can barely hold back his chuckle and hopes that he won't scare Jude with his suspicions...not too much, at least. ]

[talim]

Now that you mention it...

[ jude hums thoughtfully. ]

I don't know what it is, but it's almost as if there's some sort of... energy flowing within me. Sounds crazy, huh?

[secrowtary]

Oh? So you are feeling different. This means that these pastries... [ A pause. ] ... Are indeed connected to the magic going awry. But you haven't found out what your power is yet, have you?

[talim]

Actually, I did manage to figure it out. I just haven't had the chance to tell you.

[ he clears his throat, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. ]

You know where that huge library is, right?

[secrowtary]

I do, but why are you asking?

[ There are multiple scenarios popping up in his head, one of them is Jude being able to manipulate books somehow. ...Not very creative, but well. ]

[talim]

I can translate every book in there. It looks like I can read other languages without having to learn them, including the Palai's.

...

Not the most exciting power in the world, but it is useful to have so much information at your disposal.

[secrowtary]

Who cares if it's exciting or not when it can be so useful. [ Probably...a lot of people. But Hibiki doesn't belong to that group. ] It'd make information gathering much easier. The Palai are friendly and willing to teach us about their culture, [ And not only with words... ] but we can't expect other people we meet to be so...enthusiastic.

[talim]

That's a good point. Honestly, not even a point I considered myself. You're right.

[ jude hums thoughtfully. ]

Well... I'm pretty happy with being given this power. With all the research I do, I can't say it doesn't suit me.

[secrowtary]

Have some confidence in your abilities and in yourself.

[ He's not trying to sound particularly harsh, but it may come off as strict anyway. Which Hibiki realizes just in time, at the very least and offers him a soft smile. ]

Now, that's better.

[talim]

[ it doesn't sound strict to him. if anything, it's reassuring. jude needs these reminders every once in awhile — he's never had total confidence in himself. ]

Yeah... Yeah, you're right.

[ jude returns the soft smile with one of his own. ]

Thanks, Hibiki.