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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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Also sorry again César, you've just been easy to threaten lately.
"I'll just leave it to you. I have no idea what you just said."
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And so César starts with the basics. Standing alongside Dabi as he shows him the steps just by themselves, working through those. Terminology sprinkled in, the same amount he taught Magne. Working through the steps and how to keep time. Then eventually onto how partners dance and starting with Dabi as follower and then eventually as leader. Of course, César will have to duck a bit to spin, but he promises to teach Magne to dance with shorter people.
The question is... should the audience check in on them partway through or just let the time skip hide the worst of it from view?
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The spinning is definitely the weird part for Dabi. He's not all that short but he's shorter enough that it's a little awkward and he can only hope it'll be easier with Magne...not that he thinks it will be.
"So, when is this dance thing?"
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But it's honestly very sweet how Dabi's trying and how much he cares about Magne. It's good that her love was returned. César needs to make sure they both get back alive, one way or other, and on the same timeline.
"A little more than a week from today." César walks over to the fireplace mantle, where he's put down the ad he copied, which he offers to Dabi. "Here, copied this for you. ... honestly, you're pretty good for a beginner. We could practice a couple more times before Merrymeet just to cement it into your mind."
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"Hope you're a better teacher than I am a dancer."
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And afterwards, you can just... eat all the good food, there—ah!" A thought occurs to César. "... Let me heat you up food on the stove before you go. Magne and I made something a couple of days ago, and there's no way I can finish my portion of the leftovers. Might as well give some of it to you rather than a random neighbor that might not eat it."
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"Sure why not. So long as it's not too spice." His spice tolerance is shit...funny considering he's from Japan and they do a lot of spice compared to some other countries.
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"The base dish wasn't very spicy to allow for customization." César walks towards the kitchen and goes to get a pot from a cupboard. "I miss microwaves."
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"Spice just doesn't really...it's not something that goes well with me. Pain receptors are all fucked so it's complicated." Following the other, Dabi just watches him. Leaning against the door frame while keeping an eye on César. Does he think the guy is gonna poison him? No. Old habits just die hard.
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He grabs a flatish pan and puts it on the stove before going to the ice box to get the leftovers. César doesn't mind he's being watched. What else is Dabi going to do?
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"I just don't see the appeal. My nose and my mouth don't like to cooperate when it comes to spicy foods, but I'll eat whatever's put in front of me. So long as it's not fish."
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He stabs a piece of venison then walks over and offers the fork to Dabi. "Is the fish thing an allergy or a dislike? Either way, it's one of our main sources of protein here, so you'll need to keep an eye out."
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Chewing a minute his face sort of screws up a bit at the gamey flavor before it grows on him.
"Not bad." There's a moment where he has to run his tongue over his teeth before continuing. "I just hate fish. The smell, the taste, it's gross. It was one of the more common things back home too. The others always raved about wanting sushi..." Magne never did get to share that with them all.
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He hadn't expected Dabi to lean over and eat it straight off the fork with such an unaffected expression.
César's immediately flustered, and he stammers a moment, his cheeks turning a little pink.
After realizing he needs space to gather himself, César gives up trying to say something and quietly puts the fork down on the nearest surface. He goes back to the leftovers, speaking up after he has a moment to collect himself. "That's—ah—fine. People have preferences. I like it myself. Not everyone does."
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"Yeah? Who knows maybe I've just never had a good fish dish. Got anything you don't like?"
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"Maybe a different preparation would work." César didn't tell Dabi off, precisely, because even through his fluster, it was funny. "... honestly, I'll eat just about anything."
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Granted, he's not actually planning on stepping over any boundaries. He loves and respects Magne way too much for that.
Wait.
No.
He respects her too much for that.
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Bit uncomfortably close, but César will do his best to ignore it. Just. Going to quietly start reheating the food in the way his player doesn't feel like googling right now.
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"So...how did you and Magne get to be so close? Not many people back home gave her the time of day. Seems the exact opposite here." Good for her. That's where Dabi is more paranoid, however. He wants to believe that this place is better for both of them but he also knows not to get his hopes too high.
brief mention of Argentine history
The way Dabi asks that does cause a flicker of pain for César—and it takes him a moment to find his words because his mind explodes with a million different ways to answer that question. "... We see each other for who we are, and we listen to each other when we talk. It's honestly been a bit of a whirlwind up until now, our closeness accelerated to where we would've gotten to eventually, just not so quickly."
He stirs a bit, making a face to show he's still thinking. "... There's no archiac laws here forcing Magne to jump through impossibly expensive and unwanted hoops to prove she's herself like in Japan. The culture follows. Here, her name is her legal name in Pumpkin Hollow. Without question."
César pauses and taps the spatula for a moment, then places it on a spoon rest. He closes his hands. When he opens them, there's a Magnolia blossom, same as the one Magne now wears in her hair. Answers the question of where she got hers from.
"... in a world filled with magic, gender's one of the least confusing things in the world." He's quiet, staring down at the blossom with a soft smile. "So Magne was able to easily get a job, one where her strength is considered an asset. And she was on shift my first night after arriving. Magne went out of her way to welcome me like she did everyone else. She paid me a compliment, and I paid her one right back, then made sure she knew I meant it. And soon we were talking about everything. Things accelerated a few days later due to... external events."
He puts the blossom down on the counter, then goes back to working on reheating the dinner, making sure nothing burns, his voice getting harsher as he continues speaking, although not directed at Dabi. "... but first, as for why it was so easy for me to accept her? Family history. Dad's Argentine; he had to flee for his life because he dared to protest people had the right not to be tortured and murdered by their own government. Landed in Mexico City. My parents met, got married, and had me. Much later on, my baby brother. We both exist because of injustice, making it impossible to ignore. And equally impossible to ignore was the fact I only exist because my father's family had influential connections and wealth. And they used a part of that wealth to help me connect and care for the world rather than seek to control it. Which I easily could have done."
César's eyes flick up to Dabi, and there's tightly controlled rage in them. "... The more I hear from Magne, the more I wish to scream and tear the entire damned system down for all it's done to her and everyone else." He looks back down and forces himself to breathe. "... but for now, with my limited resources here, I'm letting myself revel in the fact Magne has a chance."
A beat, and then a snort, his voice lightening just slightly. "... sorry. That's like. Half the story. I have very strong opinions, and Magne's only made them stronger."
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If Tomura had someone like César on his side...would they have even needed the nutsack face? Would they have needed All For One? Or Overhaul. Hell...would they have even needed simp Redestro? Something in Dabi's gut told him no. César would have been able to help him get his revenge, helped to keep Magne safe, helped Tomura take down hero society bit by bit in their own way.
"Nothing wrong with being passionate." Dabi drawled, managing to hold on to that bored expression as he shrugged. "Keep that fire, don't let it go out."
Looking back at the flower in his hands, Dabi gets a little idea that he can't help but chuckle at. Reaching up he tucks it behind César's ear before patting the guy on the shoulder with an overly warm hand. "You eat that when it's done. I can eat at the hotel, besides I gotta go find someone about getting new piercings."
Yup, this has even more convinced Dabi that César is good for Magne, she's safe with him.
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"Don't worry, I have no plans to let it go—" César stops in confusion as Dabi places the flower, stammers, and turns red again, his anger shattering against that very smooth flirting. "But—more calories—your metabolism?" A beat. "You're... tease-flirting?"
Brain broken, Emeran hard, words incorrect.