#hanstarter

Date: April 9, 2023; Cultural Exchange Day

Location: Saplings Sanctuary;

Malai was happy to have visitors to the daycare, as donations kept the entire process running. Many dryads, like her grandmother, didn't believe in money, so she was often left to barter herbs and purified water for it. That was the only way they could pay the bills. At least not having it in cash made it more difficult for her father to trade it for liquor.

"Welcome to our Open House. Please, feel free to talk to the children. They really want to share their art." Cherry suddenly flinched as she heard the beginnings of a scream. "Excuse me... I have to take care of that." She rushed to her sister, knowing if she didn't stop this soon, another accident would happen. Her smile was quickly going from happy to deranged.

May 10, 2023: Naiad Appreciation Day

Naiad Falls

No one seemed to want to get in the river since she had arrived. How strange. But, Zia didn't mind having the space to swim to her heart's content. Though she preferred the salty brine of the ocean, this was a nice change of pace.

She was in her full form, but she had never been all that siren-like in the water. It was easy enough to mistake her for a common mermaid (gag), though she felt one of those fishbaits would wish they had as lovely of a tail as her.

Zia popped her head above the water, relaxing on the shore. She smiled at the person in front of her. "So, are you going to join me? It's been a bit lonely here. Who knows why?"

Wedding venues were difficult to negotiate, especially when they were essentially announcing the future queen of the merfolk. Some people saw it as a political move, but those individuals were also confused by how this could benefit the kingdom. Really, it was a lot less complicated. He was in love. They happened to be a dryad. It was what it was.

Despite being a creature of the water, Matteo wanted to be respectful of Osuke. There were rumors that he was doing this to appease the dryad royal family, but Matteo was unconcerned about such things today. They just wanted Osuke to be happy and that meant having their tree present for at least one of their ceremonies. Matteo enjoyed a good party, so having two weddings was not the worst thing ever. It was, however, exhausting to plan outside of running a kingdom.

Yeongi saw absolutely no need to hold a press conference. After all, who cared if a few dryads were injured, or even died? But, yet he had to show up and show his support for that simpering new mayor. So, he stood there and looked appropriately upset. He smiled kindly at all the worried townspeople. Some of the humans actually cared about what happened to those dryads. Clearly, they had been brainwashed.

As it was, Yeongi was following a different lead. Making sure none of his uncle's old mistresses managed to leave town. He didn't know if they did it, but they must have known something. Though he had difficulties wrapping his head around being such a man, he could understand it wasn't his fault. Those things enchanted people. His uncle had been a victim, really.

He sighed. "You can stop following me now. What is it you want?"

"are you in on... this?" he gestures vaguely towards the other college students attacking each other with water balloons and guns, a pretty impressive turnout considering it had been arranged the day before on one of the message boards the university had.

remi should know, he's the one who arranged it.

May 11, 2023: Dryad Day

Location: Mistwood Grove

Matteo was trying to pretend as if their presence in the Spring Revelry was completely normal. As if there was any reason for the merfolk monarch to be here, specifically on Dryad Day. Honestly, had his schedule allowed him, he would have been around far more often, like a lost puppy.

He kept telling people it was to build a good political relationship with the new royal family. He even believed it himself for the first five minutes. However, it was hard to keep up that pretext when his head was whipping around every few seconds, searching for... well, who really?

Matteo didn't understand why they had to come in costume, but when among the humans and all that. As they had only heard of one monarch in the game, they decided to dress up like Princess Peach. Of course, he had done his research and now, Matteo was deeply immersed in the lore of the Mario kingdom.

Date: April 8, 2023 Location: Opening Ceremonies

Matteo tried not to look bored. This event was a political minefield long before he was born, but it had become increasingly chaotic in recent times. First, there was the shift in power among the nymphs fifteen years ago, which had led to an argument about which group would represent them. Then it was his own sudden coronation thirteen years ago, which had led to speculation. Now, there, was the murder of the town's mayor. Yet, they all had to show up and smile, pretending the humans didn't want their heads.

The crown felt heavy on Matteo's head, but he supposed that was the life he had chosen. His actual crown was made of volcanic rock encrusted in shells and precious pearls. They had added gold just to ignite envy in the humans. After all, this was all it really was. An opportunity to show off.

Matteo smiled at the person in front of him. This year, he was handing out abalone shells prior to the opening ceremony. After all, he was ever the benevolent monarch. "Would you like another one? I have plenty."