duologs | 3.0 May Event Log

3.0 May Event Log

3.0: Event Log

APRIL RESULTS
Congratulations to everyone who decided to perform the ritual.

Based on the results of last month’s Choice, the ritual was performed to seal away the dragon, taking away a handful of memories along with it. How do you feel? With those empty spaces of yourself staring back at you? Knowing something is meant to be there, but not being able to place exactly what. It seems like your heroics have born fruit–at a cost.

Whether your memories have returned to you or otherwise, a new month dawns. In the spirit of giving parts of yourself away–well, at least this time, they’ll land in the hands of someone else. Key traits of yourself can be temporarily swapped with someone else. Hey Grumpy, ready to feel inexplicably Happy for a few hours? Or if you have a penchant for fighting, it might feel a little weird to feel an almost saintly calm slide in its place. Whether it be personality aspects, skills, or powers–anything can be transferred for a bit, so long as it’s important enough to miss.

LIMITED EVENT REWARDS:

Characters who chose to Perform the Ritual: Congratulations! Your reward for your choice is One Dragon Scale that allows you to change the weather within a limited space.

No other Choice option was submitted. :) Thanks, goody goodies.

This reward will be activated if rubbed three times. Accidental activation is OOCly allowed and welcomed, especially if it's funny.

MAY FLOWERS.

On the bright side, April showers bring May flowers… and there's plenty of those to be found! Amidst the damaged city, as the mud starts to dry and harden, Avisle blooms into an array of bright flora–flowering trees bloom in the city, Windhaven Woodlands, Dandelion Fields, and wherever else there's grass and greenery to be found.

> 1. off - speak to me in blossoms.

In Crane City, vendors everywhere are selling fresh-cut flowers, with plenty of gardens in the city parks to supplement. It's encouraged to give loved ones (or friends, or enemies?) a bouquet for the season, though some opt for flower crowns instead. Either way, let hanakotoba, the language of flowers, speak for you! Here is a reference for flower meanings.

For people who are feeling a little shy, these bouquets can be delivered anonymously through Dodo's mailing room. But Dodo, in an effort to be helpful and proactive, can also create and send bouquets on your behalf. It might be better to send bouquets on your own, before Dodo does it for you! OOCly, this means you can send: bouquets in person, anonymous bouquets, Dodo delivered bouquets (anonymous or not) through inboxes, etc. Flowers do not necessarily need to be truthful; feel free to have Dodo send 'misfire' bouquets as well!

And an extra bonus: flowers sent for the sake of hanakotoba never seem to wilt.

> 2. on - a bingo by any other name.

The hanakotoba tradition during May has been part of Crane City's history for generations, but it's recently evolved into something more ~~capitalistic~~ exciting in the ON world in order to help fund repairs for storm damage: all Duocaeli players receive a special hanami bingo card upon log-in! Take part, meet some new people, and go on an adventure with each other. Based on which tree you go visit, funds and energy will be diverted to that special type of healing. When they are given the Bingo Card, they will receive instruction on the type of healing that each tree will boost. By taking part in the hanami bingo (sponsored by the businesses of Avisle City), characters will receive a special token which grants mastery over one power of any element.

For ease of use, everyone will receive the same bingo card. Bingo will directly correspond to your Choice for this month and decisions can be submitted here!

on - among the trees.

As part of the bingo event, there are mats laid out beneath nearly every tree for flower viewing, along with picnic snacks and various dainty refreshments. Trees vary by location:

Magnolia: Magnolia and sakura trees bloom predominantly in the town square, their blossoms pink and fragrant. People who spend time beneath these boughs may feel soothed of their troubles and open to suggestion–not unlike being drunk or high. Actually, it's almost exactly like that, so try and control yourselves, sad drunks. Visiting the Magnolia Tree will put energy toward Emotional Healing.

Jasmine: In the Nightlife District, the jasmine trees are a little worse for wear from the storm; there are broken branches, petals fall en masse, and the fragrance is almost overpowering. But the petal storm is a little… romantic? You might feel yourself declaring your love (even if you're not in love! The vibes are right!), dropping pick-up lines like it's hot, or generally feeling more open to encounters of the romantic kind. Visiting the Jasmine Tree will put energy toward Physical Healing.

Dogwood: While most of the Innovation Hall is left in shambles thanks to the… passionate efforts of its inventors, the dogwood trees are still standing, proud and resplendent. Any time spent underneath their branches will leave you feeling competitive and confident… Alpha behavior. Visiting the Dogwood Tree will put energy toward Environmental Healing.

Wisteria: These trees are found around the marketplace and are believed to bring good luck and fortune. Those who wander here will find their experiences enhanced—colors will look brighter, food will taste better, and even the off-key jangle of a nearby merchant might sound like the sweetest tune. Visiting the Wisteria Tree will put energy toward Structural Healing.

> 3. on - the root of the problem.

Finishing the bingo card includes traversing through the new dungeon! Word has it that the especially turbulent weather of April has caused the rare, medicinal stormbloom flower to grow on the peak of a nearby mountain, Mount Cumulo. Supposedly able to cure any ailment under the sun, the Guilds are offering a reward to those who can safely retrieve these delicate herbs.

But naturally, the path itself is perilous. Good luck! This is a permanent dungeon, so it can be revisited at any time.

DUONET.

In the OFF world, a notification will pop up on each character's cellphone. DUONET is conducting a player survey, and promises an in-game reward for completion: a limited-edition boutonniere to be redeemed in the ON world. Equipping this accessory will make it easier to harvest stormblooms as it lowers monster aggro and grants a temporary dexterity boost.

The survey itself will ask about your character's gaming experience in Duocaeli as well as a few demographic questions, and takes no more than a few minutes to complete—unless your character would really like to extrapolate on their feelings regarding Big Pipip.

After submitting the survey, players will be rewarded with the promised accessory in their in-game inbox, along with... another notif…

It seems there's a glitch in the system, and everyone who participated in the survey will find a little truth about their AU or OU lives posted to DUONET. There is no way to delete the information, much less hide it… Some may also find some answers from the survey itself posted on the network as well. Now all of Duo will know how you really feel about Big Pipip.

OOC Notes

For this month, you can submit your Choice Submissions at this top-level by 3 PM, Friday, May 19th.

You can also submit any Questions you might have at the Questions Top-Level. We will see you on Friday, May 19th for our Questboard Update!

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[As if to pick up the scent in question, Roland angles his head in the direction of the jasmine trees. Whether something tickles his nose or not, he soon turns back to face V with a nod.]

Agreed. We are best able to serve when we ourselves are hale. Shall we be on our way?

Of course.

[He offers a little half-smile. It always looks wan, coming from V, but he's pleased to have found a companion who appears agreeable enough to the idea.

He shakes the grip of his cane at the other, slowly yet playfully.]

Would you like to walk, or ride? [Ride what, V.]

Ride . . . ?

[He glances around, his enthusiasm for the joint activity giving to rising confusion. Ride what.]

I have a faster mode of transportation, if you would rather not take the scenic route.

[He twirls his cane, quirking a brow.]

Would you like to see?

[Roland's eyes follow the motion of the cane. Are they . . . going to ride that?

Refocusing on V, he nods.]

Consider my curiosity piqued. I should like to see this ride of yours.

[Not quite, but close enough.

V taps his cane at his feet, as though to summon... something. And summon something he does, the darkness from his tattoos eking to the ground and forming a pitch black blob beneath his feet, extending behind him. Like shadow of darkness, awaiting commands.

He points said cane to the spot behind him.]

This will take us where we need to go. If you would like to join me, stand here.

[It reminds him of dark magic, but in a form he's never seen before. Watching the shadow take root with a slack jaw, he remembers to pick it up at the point of the cane.

The shadow is to transport them, is it? A demonstration will likely save them the time of exchanging superfluous words. Roland, who's keen to join V on their visit to the jasmine tree, readily falls into place behind him.]

[If he notices the expression—and he probably does—V has the grace not to point it out. Probably because this stranger eases himself onto the darkness without a single complaint, which is admirable in its own right.

AND THEN THE INKY BLACK DEVOURS THEM BOTH—

Just kidding. Instead, V gives a very brief warning-]

Be sure to hold on if you can.

[Hold onto what? Probably to V, is his meaning, because as soon as the words leave his mouth, the darkness rises a few inches off the ground, lifting both of the men along with them. And then it glides along the ground at a quickened pace. This is what V meant by “riding”, guiding it with his cane, and down the path they go to the Jasmine trees in the distance!]

[Alas, the inky black goes hungry another day . . .

The very ground seems to melt and shift. Roland lurches back from the unexpected motion, but quickly throws his weight forward to right himself before he can be thrown off.]

Wha . . . !

[He reaches out with a hand to grasp V's shoulder, if just enough to maintain his balance, while his eyes dart to and fro to take in the unusual sight of the world as it blurs by them. Incredible.]

[It's pretty much like zooming along on a scooter, if that scooter was made of strange darkness at their feet. They won't be there immediately, but they will certainly be there a whole lot faster than if they walked or even sprinted, and at least it requires minimal effort on both men's part.

V hums a little in amusement; the self-satisfaction that comes with surprising someone with this is not going to get old, he thinks. They zip along, and the wind pushes their hair back.]

Convenient, isn't it?

[It's fast, and he's hardly had to lift a finger. Roland's gaze snaps to the back of V's head at the question, eyes still wide with wonder. Now that he isn't on the verge of falling over, he can enjoy the breeze that tickles his face on their way.]

I'd never seen the darkness utilized in such a way. Is it a form of the arcane arts?

[As amusing as it is to think that he might be a mage, utilizing magecraft (though maybe in this ON world, he could?), he shakes his head.]

Not exactly. It's demonic energy.

[Which maybe doesn't sound promising depending on who you are, but V sees no reason not to be honest about this.]

Given form, and with which I've made a pact with. ['Round a gentle curve they go.] You see, you're riding atop Shadow right now. The name, not the noun. It usually takes the shape of a large, black panther.

[He blinks. Demonic? His eyes flit down to Shadow, and he very nearly steps aside from the realization that he's stepping on what he assumes is a sentient being, only to be reminded by his shifting weight of how foolish that would be.]

Then Shadow . . . is a demon?

A demon and a nightmare.

[As one does. Is.]

That's not a problem, is it?

[As one is. Yes.]

. . . I know naught about demons and nightmares. But I do know that you seek a tree of healing. As such, I've no reason to object.

[A low chuckle.]

Don't worry. This one only adheres to my command. And I don't let it act like an ordinary demon.

[You know, causing havoc and generally being a Bad Time. For what consolation that's worth.

The scent of jasmine fills the air, thick and almost cloying now. Petals flutter as they travel up the incline of the path.]

We're nearly there now.

[It's difficult to gauge what counts as ordinary in a place where worlds intersect. But V tells him not to worry, and he's not given Roland reason to doubt him. So he doesn't, and instead turns his attention to the scent of jasmine that wafts over them.]

Already . . .

[A petal flutters past his periphery. He turns his head to follow its downward trajectory and watch it disappear into the distance.]

[Soon the air is practically bursting with little petals that rain down, swirling past them as they glide by. Eventually, V urges their ride to a stop, and it slows until it halts altogether, right beneath the shade of a large tree.

The darkness dissipates, crawling back up his arm and into the markings on his tattoos.]

Quite a sight. One might even say... poetic.

[Shadow moves before Roland can. The latter watches the darkness make its home on V's body again, and his mind lingers on the sight as he lifts his gaze to the jasmine tree in all its splendor.]

Aye. [He raises an upturned palm to catch one of the many falling petals. His fingers curl loosely over it.] I find it to be . . . somewhat romantic.

That’s one word to use.

[Poeticism and romance are happy bedfellows. A stray petal flutters down and lands in the ebony of V’s hair, and he plucks it free, twirling it between forefinger and thumb.]

Would you like to hear a verse or two about flowers? I think it suits the mood.

[It's a word—one he wouldn't be able to explain if asked. V asks him something else entirely, however, and the answer to that is clear.]

Indeed, I can hardly imagine a more suitable location. I should like to hear it.

[That's what he likes to hear. His chest flutters, strangely, in anticipation, and he begins.]

Very well. How about...

[For once, he will not subject a man to Blake. Time for something a little different.]

'The gray trunks, and, as gamesome infants' eyes,
With gentle meanings, and most innocent wiles,
Fold their beams round the hearts of those that love,
These twine their tendrils with the wedded boughs,
Uniting their close union; the woven leaves
Make network of the dark blue light of day
And the night's noontide clearness, mutable
As shapes in the weird clouds. Soft mossy lawns
Beneath these canopies extend their swells,
Fragrant with perfumed herbs, and eyed with blooms
Minute yet beautiful. One darkest glen
Sends from its woods of musk-rose twined with jasmine'

[He recites from memory, with the ease and flow of someone who has pored over poetry books and gleaned their words, emblazoned into his mind and constructing the visual imagery that accompanies it.

At least he's not reciting the whole thing.]

[Roland is no poet, but the words that flow from V paint a vivid picture of the trees and sky. Petals fall around them all the while, and he can easily imagine those in the painting, too, as he dwells on the gently heartpounding sensation that the thought of union gives him.

Once V stops, Roland turns to him with a satisfied curl of his lips.]

What a splendid poem. You've a talent for recitation.

[He seems pleased, but not in a way that's preening; rather, oddly self-conscious for a man like V, who tinges a little pink across his cheekbones.]

It's simply an excerpt from a longer poem. Its overall meaning fitting, though. That while it is easy to get lost in the fantastical beauty of nature, and travel, that we should focus instead on what is here before us. What matters the most.

Words to live by, truly. If only I had known them beforehand, I . . .

[Well, who's to say he hadn't? He shakes his head and shoots V a somewhat coy smile.]

What would you say matters the most to you?

C

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