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pumpkinhollow) wrote2000-02-08 08:52 pm
TDM #4 - Aurora Borealis Bust? [REPRINT]
[Find our plain text version here!]
Pumpkin Hollow Gazette
2/8/24 | TDM #4 - AURORA BOREALIS BLITZ BUST?
Content Warnings: "Further Details" section has independent CW labels.
Forecast: SEVERE BLIZZARD WARNING
REBUILDING HELP REQUESTED
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
A photo taken of the damage.
ACROSS PUMPKIN HOLLOW - City government is requesting aid with repairs to public buildings and local fixtures after the recent earthquakes on Tuesday, January 8th. While there was minimal damage to Town Hall itself, several important buildings sustained damage, including the Magpie National Bank, the South Train Station and the Clock Tower, which is now stuck with hands at 8pm.
Regarding the cause of the earthquake, local biologist Dr. Elias Coldwood was heard to say “There's never been seismic activity here.” And he’s a scientist, so he would know! But clearly this is no longer the case. Perhaps Pumpkin Hollow has a mysterious tiny civilization underground worshiping a destroyer god, planning to attack through the bowling alley, the moment we create a bowling alley. Perhaps not. More on this story as it unfolds, faithful readers.
In the meantime, volunteers to help with the damage to city buildings are invited to meet with Mayor Hellen Poe for assignments.
AURORA TURNS VIOLENT - MYSTERIOUS BLIZZARD INTERRUPTS CHAOS
By Yorick Aberdeen
An artist's rendition of last year's view.
ABOVE MARROW ISLE - Despite our earlier report, it turns out that this year's annual aurora borealis season did not turn out to be a pleasant or romantic viewing experience. Instead, starry monsters based off of classic constellations have been attacking the town each time the aurora is in the sky! However, due to some extreme blizzards that have been occurring most nights each month since late January, the aurora has been interrupted more nights than not and the monsters intercepted. Still, the Pumpkin Hollow Safety Board would like to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions during inclement weather, and to tread carefully on clear nights as monsters may still be attacking until late February!
HOROSCOPES
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
What do the stars say about you today?
Capricorn: Do you feel as if you’ve lost something? If not, it’s wise to double-check. Perhaps it’s not something like a button or a key, but your sense of wonder or your self-confidence. Remember, things tend to be in the last place you look.
Aquarius: Something about the year ending made you feel lighter, like taking off a heavy wool coat. Ride this burst of energy as far as it will take you, because the shiny of a fresh beginning tends to wear off quickly.
Pisces: Don’t worry, I don’t believe what everyone says behind your back. You’re not too sensitive or too naive. They’re just jealous. Really, most of the time when they’re whispering, it’s not even about you.
Aries: You’re the sort of warm individual that babies and animals are drawn to. Unfortunately, this may include hungry wolves and swarms of insects. But don’t let that bring you down! We need that sort of personality around here.
Taurus: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, until you work to stop others from also being the best. That’s called cheating and may lead to you being disqualified from competitions. If you get caught, that is.
Gemini: You know those riddles about the two guards, one who always tells the truth and one who always lies? Well, everyone hates those riddles with a passion. You’ll see for yourself, soon.
Cancer: Wouldn’t you like to know?
Leo: Your incandescent personality often makes you the center of attention. However, that’s not the only thing about you that glows. Moths may flock to you in the dark this week, and so might children afraid to sleep with the lights out.
Virgo: Be careful with your words–they aren’t just the precursors to your deeds, but the manifestation of your will. This is not a week for idioms and metaphors, not for you. Even something like bemoaning a lack of spoons may make eating cereal harder.
Libra: You are, inevitably, the first one heard to say a situation isn’t fair. And it’s not, nor will it ever be. Instead of getting upset, have you ever considered getting revenge? That’s usually more satisfying in the long run.
Scorpio: Ugh, Scorpios. The position of Venus means your usually volatile emotions will be in the doldrums instead. Enjoy this while it lasts I guess. Who knows if you’ll ever experience such peace again, given, well. You’re kind of an emotional mess and no one likes you.
Sagittarius: There will never be another day like today. You must strive to make the day everything you want it to be. No mistakes, now! Consider your choices very carefully. Consider your choice to consider, very carefully.
SUNFIRE'S HEARTH
By Yorick Aberdeen
A photo of Mayor Poe's cats, Toffee and Butter, enjoying the view.
ASSORTED LOCATIONS - As the coldest part of the year settles over our fair isle, it is time for Sunfire’s Hearth--- an informal celebration of bonfires and hearth flames, for those unfamiliar! For the months of January and February, a raised platform for bonfires will be lit on weekends, and restaurants and taverns across town will keep their fireplaces lit. Unlike many of our other festivities, there is no structured celebration--- simply make some time during this time to bask in the warmth of a fire! You can even celebrate at home.
An additional benefit of this time of year is that Merrymeet is well on its way. So take this time and get snuggly in front of a fire with your special person to get in the mood for romance! (Or they could be platonic snuggles. Whatever suits you best.)
LOCAL ALCHEMIST REPORTS MISSING POTION
By Yorick Aberdeen
Some of Mx. Sallek's usual stock. Could stand to have better labels./p>
LOCATION UNCERTAIN - Early Monday morning, local alchemist Aeryn Sallek reported that a large container of magical potion has been swapped with another, and it would seem that the mistaken jug has been sent out for delivery. According to Mx. Sallek, they sent a number of jugs out for delivery in a case with our local delivery extraordinaire, Sam Porter Bridges. The jugs were meant to contain a harmless, potable freeze-resistance potion for our town’s various water sources, in the interest of keeping water reserves drinkable in sub-freezing winter weather. However, when they returned to the shop, one of these potions remained on their counter while a love potion they’d been working on went missing.
“‘Love potion’ is kind of a misnomer, honestly,” Mx. Sallek is quoted to have said on the matter. “But ‘emotional acuity’ potion doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Basically what it actually does is enhance existing romantic desire and embolden the user to be emotionally open. But Yorick should already know all this, since he’s the one who ordered it.” [Editing note: don’t forget to cut the last part of that comment before publishing. Cecil, you don’t need to include personal statements directed at reporters from these interviews!]
It’s unclear which area of town this particular potion ended up being injected into the water source, but according to Mx. Sallek, the potion was not particularly intense to begin with. It should be significantly diluted as to be harmless. Still, if you notice any strange symptoms such as butterflies in your stomach, a desire to burst into song, or inexplicable yearning, please file a report with the Safety Board at your earliest convenience.
FOOD SHORTAGES PUT STRAIN ON ISLAND ECONOMY
By Yorick Aberdeen
MARKET DISTRICT - While there are many things to celebrate this time of year, Marrow Isle is not without its adversity. Over these past months, many new members of our community have arrived by ferry after our numbers remained small and stagnant for many years. And the presence of our newfound neighbors has been a boon to all of us. Many artisans have opened useful businesses, medical professionals have expanded our access to healthcare, and a new fishing vessel has taken to the seas. However, despite a few additions, our farming community remains quite modest and planting was not planned with such incredible new growth in mind.
The unfortunate result of this is that food reserves on the island this year are uncharacteristically low. As such, Town Council has made the difficult decision to allow for the temporary inflation of food prices and the rationing of food staples.
“We understand the hardship this will place on the residents of Pumpkin Hollow,” said Mayor Poe in a statement after this decision was made. “But please know that we are all in this together. We hope to be able to offer a better incentive package for those interested in farming in the coming springtime.”
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Aurora
The dead of winter sheds all colors of the trees and flowers across Marrow Isle, but tonight, there are no stark whites and grays and browns.
Tonight, in the sky sprawling with stars above the dreary town, there are lights.
Sprawling trails of violet and green twist and wave through the sky, brightening the earth below and the sea beyond Jack's Marina in magical colors. The return of the borealis is something many Pumpkin Hollowites look forward to, and their reactions are very clear: people scurry down to the shores to watch with wide eyes, many retrieve telescopes, and some even borrow the decks of ships, abandoned for the night at the docks, to watch the sights.
It doesn't take long for this to change, however; the sea nor land are safe from the curse, and it's made quickly apparent that the sky is no exception.
At first, the sight seems like none more than an illusion, perhaps someone blinking and missing a strange shift of the lights. A glimmering outline forms around a cluster of stars, only slightly harder than any of the lines that define the aurora's rays. Several of these shapes form, each array of stars different from the last, some larger, some smaller.
And then, the stars begin to fall.
Seeming to peel off the painted sky, the ebbing colors surrounding the starlight drop, crashing to the world below. Some fall to the streets and beaches, while others fall into the forest, leaving view, or drop into the sea, leaving splashes and waves in their wake that ensure any watching knows full and well that this is not a trick of the light. At first, these shapes are unmoving, glowing masses of aurora-light with stars shining brightly within them. Most townsfolk are uneasy, but this seems to pale in severity to the other disasters, even if they lack any idea of what it could mean for them.
That is, of course, until the masses begin to move.
Each one is as varied as the constellation it stole from the sky: stars form suggestions of skeletal structures, and their "flesh", only consisting of swimming lights and liquid sky that steals any lights around them. Two identical glowing shapes rise to a face finally taking form, and slowly, moving more like gel than animal as it rises to freshly-formed legs, it settles on the closest living thing it can find.
There is no calculation in it, nor what seems to be a glimmer of thought.
It simply lunges with intent to kill.
Cecil’s disconcerting horoscopes have the following effects for the next few days:Horoscopes
[CW: Altered emotional states ]
(Don’t know your character’s sign? Feel free to just decide on one!)
The effects are not particularly intense. However, anyone who drinks any of the tavern’s housemade ale or cider, drinks the coffee, or eats any food that might require water to cook will experience symptoms of “emotional acuity”. This involves feeling more emotionally open, more receptive to positive feelings about others, a strong desire for physical or verbal affection, and the intensification of romantic or sexual attraction that you might already be experiencing. It will last about half a day. Just in time to help potentially land you a date for Merrymeet, a flower and fertility festival in early spring!Love Potion
[CW: Altered Emotional States ]
Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the “love” potion ended up in the water supply of the Oak & Iron. As promised by Aeryn, it is thoroughly diluted, as its recipients believed it to be a normal freeze-resistance potion to be mixed with their water.
Food rationing and inflation will have the following impact: Grocery budgets for apped-in characters will be reduced in their efficacy. Bonuses and Discounts associated with the Farmer and Fisherman jobs are also reduced. Oak & Iron Residents will only be able to receive bland, repetitive meals with their food vouchers consisting of simple broth, plain bread, bland potato dishes, and the like. It is enough to be fed and comfortable but it is incredibly unsatisfying. (This includes all new characters that are not apped-in.) Drinks, however, are still plentiful. Characters who do not eat will find that their respective sources of fuel will be reduced to just barely enough to keep them functional, provided that they ration carefully. (Ex. Transformers may want to be less active. Vampires will find that victims cannot handle excessive blood loss without fainting and generally prefer to stay home.) Characters who were present to fight the Mother Crab back in late summer and chose to can some of their crab can use it now! Hunting, foraging, and fishing can help reduce the impact of these reductions, and people can share their food. You can absolutely die of starvation. After Merrymeet in February, food will return to normal.Famine
[CW: Starvation and food scarcity ]
Basic groceries will be only the most minimal of staples. You will likely go hungry if you do not find a way to supplement this.
Bountiful groceries will be reduced to the amount of food normally contained in basic.
Lavish groceries will not be available at all.
Your grocery choices from Activity Check are not able to be modified for this month unless otherwise stated.
Level 1 bonuses will be reduced to standard, which is to say how they would function for a non-Farmer/Fisherman character during a normal, pre-famine month. (ex. Whereas normally a Level 1 Farmer would get free Basic groceries, they will now have to pay the 50 Brass, but do not have the efficacy of Basic groceries reduced as described above.)
Level 2 bonuses will be reduced to that of a Level 1 Farmer/Fisherman. (ex. Whereas a Level 2 Fisherman would normally be able to have Bountiful groceries discounted to 50 Brass, they now must pay full price for Bountiful groceries. However, they can still get Basic groceries for free and don’t suffer from the famine induced efficacy reduction for either budget.)
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She's. Absolutely certain they're telling the truth. If they had wanted to hurt her, those claws could have torn her to shreds. She knows that, but what she saw... "The visions were of others being hurt. I could not just leave that to happen." She's too driven to stand by, or wait and risk it happening when she wasn't there.
Is it her fault if her ears tilt forward? Perhaps it's just avoiding thinking about how she was wrong, not one flash of foresight went the way it was supposed to.
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[this is gonna get nsfw, be warned y'all.]
They're close, leaning in near her mask. They could take it off at any time, and right now she couldn't stop them. It makes her nervous, which... Tangles itself with the rush of a fight, the ache in her ankle, and tightens into need. And the way they're speaking. Ryja has enjoyed each of her experiences recently, River and Tara were delightful, but...
Ryja has always leaned into the submissive side. It's certainly not intentional on their part, but they don't even seem angry. Concerned, caring... "I understand." She does, she will take this seriously. Some later day the imperfection of her sight will land in her head and that will be a painful moment. But right now?
The mask is just a little bit askew, and it's not fully covering in the first place. Does Jean know what it means when a girl they are sitting on and holding down meekly nods while biting her lip? Do they know what it means when a bunny's ears are so far forward they're nearly touching their face?
It's in her eyes, too, but perhaps the lift of her chest is more obvious, her generous breasts squished up against them invitingly?
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They reach for the mask...
...And adjust it so it's sitting properly again. "Comrade," Jean murmurs. "Are you trying to escape? You can just ask to be let up."
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She likes that sound, and now she knows there's at least some interest. She goes so, so still when they reach towards the mask, making a sound nearly as inviting as the press of her chest... Hesitation is a word in her vocabulary, but not one that comes up often except in the negative. "I am not trying to escape, no."
Technically, this is a common misconception about the Viera. They respect strength, power, skill. And thus, some believe they might prove themselves to the mysterious warrior woman and be taken in. Many, many men have died trying to make this a real thing. None have ever succeeded.
But Ryja broke the Green Word and eventually learned that when someone can take her down, in a fair fight, or even an unfair one... She likes it. "You fight with incredible skill, and a kind heart, and you beat me. Soundly. I am your prize to take." Her voice leaves little doubt to the fact that she does in fact, want them to do so.
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And if they do get caught...
Well, there's no world in which they're not telling Zelda themself anyway. The thought of doing this right here sends an electric thrill through Jean, makes them want to -
- wait, be sure -
"Take?" Jean asks, their voice thick with all the restraint they can muster. They've been so lonely when Zelda and Pomni are away...
They can only restrain themself so much, though. The question comes with a hand on Ryja's breast, squeezing her tit for emphasis, marveling at the warm give of her.
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She moans, warmly. The fight left her wonderfully sore, and she could happily let them press into every aching point of her body as hard as they can. Their restraint, however, gets a warm smile. Not all of her partners have been so respectful, though she hasn't always sought that out, so to speak. The number of Ishgardian nobles she's entertained attests to that.
"In whatever manner you wish." She wonders what they'll find between her legs. It's always such a fun surprise! The glow of her markings is pulsing faintly, again, steady and slow with her arousal.
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"But someone in my bed for the night would be. It would be very good."
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"For the night, then. And if we should want to continue beyond that, perhaps a more equal, intentional rematch?" The idea is very exciting to her, making her wiggle in anticipation... which does wonderful things to her chest alongside Jean's efforts.
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Jean opens up Ryja's top, exposing her large breasts to the chill air. For a long moment they're simply entranced, eyes wandering the viera's glowing markings, lips parted faintly as if to drink her in. Their face is reddening...
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She loves that expression. She loves knowing exactly how her body affects people. After all, it is something she has worked quite hard on maintaining. "I would gladly accept that, if you were both amenable." This brings back such memories. The handsome leader of the Rogues had her out at the docks, once, too. He couldn't have beaten her in a fight, though. That had been a fair trade, instead.
She shifts her shoulders, enough to push her breasts together, enjoying Jean's attention and the weight of their knees on her arms. There's still nothing between her legs, and she wonders if they'll not be taking her there.
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Ryja grins beneath her mask. Her body has always been sensitive, and the more they press, the more she wants. A feedback loop between pain and pleasure which makes her hips buck against nothing, with nothing. "Yes, please take me. Hard, fast, slow, gentle, whatever pleases you. You won, and I am yours." She emphasizes it, even if it's just for a night.
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The fur of Jean's suit is plenty warm, though.
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That, ah, the use of her body. What she needs, wants, and often craves, what she hasn't gotten since coming here, really. Every mark pulls a moan from her, louder and louder. Wonderful pain. They could go harder, if they wanted. Bite down with those sharp teeth and draw blood. She almost suggests it, but then they have her hands at her waist...
And there's still nothing between her legs. And that's... Confusing. Just intending to fuck her, even if after enjoying her breasts, should bring something there. But thinking about that isn't going to happen, not with their lips on her nipple. She pulls down her pants vigorously, tearing the fabric a pleased gasp when the motion makes her ankle turn just right.
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...Huh. Jean blinks for a moment at the blankness between the rabbit's legs, just under her pubes, and then they shrug, and kiss that spot where nothing is. There are many strange worlds here. Perhaps this warrior comes from a species with only one hole down there. What Jean wants to know is if this place where a human would have genitals is still an erogenous zone.
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The thing is that it usually isn't. Beneath her pubes, -neatly trimmed into a little white heart,- is usually a featureless, smooth, unresponsive bit of soft skin. She can't even use it to masturbate, which perhaps contributes to her tendency towards being easy. And she's about to tell them, direct them over to her thighs, or the other hole, and then they kiss it and the words turn into a little surprised squeak.
It felt good. It felt really, really good. That's new. They really have no expectations of what she would have, no preference. Not even a little bit of it, and that has given her something brand new. A small part of her mind wonders if she can even cum like this, but most of her is focused on the feeling, on pushing her hips back up to meet their lips again and feel that again.
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"You're delicious," Jean half-growls when they come up for air. "...Maybe a few days..."
They bury their face between Ryja's legs. Beg for them, rabbit.
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Ryja wasn't prepared for this, but she's so very, very into it. It must be because they do want to fuck her, even if they don't have an expectation, or a preference. What would happen if this was their preference? It will probably be their expectation, now... Part of her is thinking about it, working out how this quirk of her body is responding to them. She can't help it, she is a Scholar, and Astrologian. Thinking too much is literally her job.
But the rest of her, the rest of her is grounded in her body, screaming out in pleasure... Pleasure that doesn't seem to have a peak. No mechanism for climax, just more pleasure. It spreads, down her legs, to her toes, to the place where the small claws start. Each kiss, each stroke of their tongue pushing it further. Up, back to her chest, and she can't help herself from digging nails into her breasts, sharp, sharper than she meant and drawing just a tiny little bit of blood.
"Bite? Please, bite, sharp, please." Her words appear to have failed, and all she can manage is a desperate request for more. She knows Jean's teeth are sharp...
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Jean isn't not into it, but the request takes them by surprise, makes their mouth falter. Right here, where they're...surely that must be what this warrior is requesting, right? Surely?
Well. They can give her an out. Jean opens their mouth wide, pressing those teeth just against Ryja's null. Beg again, or clarify.
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"Yes! Yes there, right there, please!" Ryja's masochism has, for five years, been unmatched in all of Eorzea. She joined an illegal fighting ring because she thought the bruises were fun. She has yet to find a limit for pain inflicted to her flesh, and the stories she might tell, as a healer...
CW biting, blood
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She screams, loud and loving every bit of it, and it is going to be pure luck that fails to get them caught... Or perhaps fate? It hurts, it burns, their teeth are so sharp and she's so absolutely sensitive, and worked up, and she can't. Cum. If she could, if that could bring her over that line, she would have, and that she doesn't...
She bucks against their teeth, screaming out again. What heights of pleasure can she reach, this way? How far does this go? She wants to find out, needs to, and her body welcomes Jean's finger... She's no stranger to that, either, of course. It's a little less common for her, simply because of how whatever else she has tends to immediately appeal, but she likes it. It hurts a little more, after all!
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They're just going to ignore the surprising-to-themself use of their Commander Voice on this rabbit, or the way it makes them tingle inside...
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Ryja whines as they let go, hips wiggling in their hands. But then there's their voice, and, the tone... She nods, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, "Yes. Yes, I understand. I will be good." Her head is spinning, just a little bit, and her mask is askew again, and there's blood drying slowly where her nails dug into her breasts.
And all she wants is more.
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Hrmmm...fade, or timeskip to morning after if you want more conversation?
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Mmm...Wrap?