MOVIN' ON

Streets light up with hues of dull crimson and pastel pinks, the shapes of hearts littering window shops while glitter shimmers in the passing rays of sunlight. Even the night glows with decor, low hanging lanterns illuminating softly pathways, giving an allure of warmth and positive ambiance to those who walk by. What is placed up is not suddenly there, rather the efforts of the island locals banding together, making certain that the holiday itself is set up for all to enjoy and feel the welcoming atmosphere. Even if it wasn’t a festival, surely there would be no mind to treating it like one, even for just a short while.

“Huuuh? What do you mean ‘what’s it called?’ It’s Hearts Wake, silly! It isn’t really a party, but we like to celebrate it like one. So, drinks on the house! You heard me!”

Hearts Wake, they call it to those who ask, explaining everything to the littlest detail to anyone who decides to ask. There is something pleasing about it, perhaps even a little cute in seeing some outfits line up with the ornaments, if one was to think of it like that. Another day passes as the city glistens more with each passing day, vibrant in uplifting support and comradeship abound in any way a single person looks.

“You know, I had to do this all by myself last time...” a pout paints itself across lips, Pleiades crossing her arms a little bitterly as she keeps her seat, glancing over briefly to her occupied company.

Alathfar seems to be in the middle of scribbling some notes as Pleiades pouts at him. He can hear it in her voice without even looking up. "It's a good thing I'm not preoccupied this year, then, isn't it?" It comes off as a joke, but he’s relieved that his recovery had gone well. He missed doing these with his partner.

Pleiades adjusts her glasses, as the man looks up to give her a smile. She gives a small sigh as she moves forward in relent. A few taps on the keys is all it takes, setting up everything before leaning back against him, head lazy as glasses shine back the codes from the bright screens. All that was needed is one more press of a button, something to implement it all. Shifting aside briefly, she softens with a twirl of her ankle, offering an intrigued smile between the system and her company.

“Well, it is mostly your code, after all. Shall you do the honors, my dearest?”

A small laugh as arms wrap around his companion loosely. “I’d love to. Are you ready to see how they’ve developed?” 

“Always.”

He moves, briefly, and with a few more deft taps at the keyboard the sound of data begins to filter into the systems, molding from mere numbers and symbols that it might manifest an array of confections and other lavish products that begin to line the shops throughout Spirale...

                                                     ☆               ☆                ☆

So what’s happening?

First off, welcome to Isola’s Valentine’s day mini-event! You’re probably wondering what’s happening, right? Well this is where you’ll get it explained! While not a festival in name, it may as well be one, as everyone on the island seems to be talking about it. Cited as Hearts Wake by the locals, it can be easily gleaned that this holiday is very reminiscent of the typical love holidays you all may or may not be acquainted with, only focusing on the importance of all types of bonds, or more specifically growing those bonds. Things such as couples who wish to deepen their bonds, whether long standing or newly dating, or friends who want to become closer or learn more on one another, and even those who might want to become more than friends finding courage to ask. It’s also generally supported by the masses that those who have things they can reconcile with those they may not like or have misunderstandings with try to do just that if possible.

However, it seems a new brand of treats of varying kinds named DevoLine has, interestingly, slipped into the markets what seems overnight. Things ranging from cute little drinks, chocolates and other desserts, plushes, and even incense based goods for those who prefer fanciful scents. Must just be new items in stock, right? As if anything was so simple here on Radial Island. While the items are perfectly safe to ingest and even adjusts to the taste of the drinker, eater, or the one taking in the air as the incense burns to what they prefer in taste and scent, there’s a little something extra mixed right in to make things all the sweeter for the holiday. Like, say... a potion of some sort, for starters.

Regardless, they’re all labeled as a limited time ordeal, so you should get a hold of one or two before they’re off the shelves for good! Maybe they’ll even become collectibles worth something down the line.

How does this work?

Anyone who ingests these newfound treats will be affected by the potion itself. Whether you intake a little or a lot doesn’t entirely change the outcome, once a tad touches your tongue, you touch a plush, or you get a nice inhale, it’ll take immediate action!

There are many ways this potion can interact with someone who consumes it, though most notably with adverse effects that seem to want to flub up the entirety of the holiday itself. Rather than emboldening the positive bonds of others like the holiday attempts to push for, it seems to do the opposite, such as starting spat wars or even a full out scuffles between those who see each other as enemies or even as simple as a slight dislike each other, creating lovers quarrels over the pettiest of things, or even causing large dissonance between two people who are as close as can be and making a wedge between them.

However, despite the intention to sabotage the holiday, it seems that in the same instance this potion will sometimes fall in line with the idea of deepening those bonds. People might find the courage to confess feelings they might not have thought to before, making acquaintances feel a closer bond and wanting to build on that foundation for an everlasting friendship, or even friends with interest in each other taking that final step into asking one another out, maybe even incite an urge to reconcile things between each other. The list is, generally, endless from all the dynamics.

Essentially, emotions are a strange thing, definitely not something you can adjust on a whim, so anything you choose that involves the bonds of your fellows is right up the alley of this hectic potion.

What if my character doesn’t need to drink or eat?

No problem at all. While they may not need to eat or drink, the incense itself can be enough to participate if you truly want, affecting all those around it in one way or another. For example, if your character is a robot, it’s easy to say that the incense can simply seep into their circuits (how, you ask? magic. details. waves hands mysteriously...) and rewire them that way. Touching plushes also work, as contact is all that it is needed, so you can also go this route. You’re welcome to get as creative as you’d like with how they can be affected so you can join in!

Can I change the effects throughout the event?

Of course! You can either have your character indulge in another treat or nice, deep breath or just simply have it shift. Potions are a little weird like that, especially mixing with emotions, so it can be as ever changing as needed to suit your threading wants.

Will these changes be permanent?

Not at all, no! Once the event is over, all of the potion effects will disappear, though the memories of what happened can be used to build on what the effects did or not at all. In a way, it’s almost like someone intentionally did this to place you all to the test in regards of your bonds in general. What is the test for entirely? What an interesting question to have...

Do we have to have our characters participate?

Absolutely not! This is completely optional and you’re welcome to have your character not partake in the items or smell any of the incense at all, so no worries!

I have a question I don’t see here. What do I do?

If you have any other questions, make sure to send an ask to the MASTERLIST and we’ll do our best to answer any you have that aren’t here!

How long will this run for?