#& — event : cupid shuffle .

[stephreynaart]

I like thinking about how awkward Ford was at Soos and Melody’s wedding trying to dance

[blankticket]

@punishercross

"Wolfwood!" Vash's voice, nearly sing-song in its excitement, calls out from underneath a deep-red duvet. "Over here, over here."

On the coffee table in front of Vash, there are two brown paper bags.

"C'mere n'join me, sit sit sit…!"

His right hand repeatedly pats the seat next to him, audible even under the thick comforter. To make the offer more enticing, he partially lifts up the fluffy duvet away with his arm. It's nice and warm under there! What a shame it'd be to leave it to waste, right?

[isolaradiale]

This is an event rerun. For more information on how to participate, please check our EVENT RERUN GUIDE! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!

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?

The event will run from 1/19 through 2/09 (ending at 11:59:59PM EST on the 9th)!

[innerbeast]

reds, pinks, whites! the promises of love and company, brightly lit shops and venues -- and yet dar'khol keeps his back turned to all of it. if anything, he finds it all practically blinding. instead, he'll keep his sights on something a little... darker, in theme.

some place more humid and hidden by trees and fauna; some place he might be able to test his blade rather than ingest the scent of another bouquet or lack-luster array of sugar.

he's well adjusted, already, to the sounds of chattering folk and music fading away behind him, but another pair of footsteps cause attentive ears to rise and flatten with disapproval. "celebrations are the other way, y'know." // @darkenforcer

[punishercross]

He'd been feeling off since eating that free chocolate, and it really just goes to show that you can't trust con artists or people giving shit out for free. Pacing around his room at Home, he finally flops down on his bed, groaning as he tries to figure out what to do.

Turning to the side, cheek pushed up against his glasses, and said glasses askew, he sees the light reflecting off the orange tinted glasses on his nightstand. And then he sees the stuffed Toma chick.

And between the two of those, he can feel his expression soften, and before he's thinking too much about it, he's taking out his phone and taking a picture of the Toma chick plush. It's patchwork belies how well-loved it is. He's hardly even thinking about the sunglasses, sitting on the nightstand on the side of the bed where the pillow is rumpled the most.

And he's not thinking much about opening his messages, selecting a sender, and...

[Text to: @punisheye] [Image] [hey look what vash got me for christmas] [did u have one like this too?]

"Heh..." He looks at the picture fondly before sitting up rapidly, glasses falling halfway off his face as he stares at the phone. "No, fuck. Unsend. Unsend. Shit!"

"Noooooo..." He groans as the phone confirms the picture sent, smacking the phone against his forehead as he collapses back onto the bed. The Toma chick is already bad enough, but he called needle-noggin' 'Vash', again, and the damn glasses that made his stomach do a flip were there too.

And the priest probably understood. And now he knows.

Never trust free candy.

@punisheye

[panwati]

@hollowfaith

"This can't really be th' only one, can it...?" Leaning around the display as though doing so will somehow reveal a new dimension laden with produce, Ari straightens with a sigh of disappointment. "Well, I suppose it'll do for now- I'll come back an' see if they restock fast or somethin'..." The last is mumbled mostly to herself, her hand reaching toward the last- and yet somehow still unripe- avocado in the display.

A larger, paler hand intercepts her, snatching up the fruit with a careful, testing squeeze, and the young woman bristles immediately.

She doesn't care that when she turns to fix the perpetrator with a glare, she has to tip her head up a good bit to do so. Rather, without hesitation or fear, she holds her palm out expectantly, raising her voice with the obvious intent to make an entire scene.

"Hey! I was gettin' that! Hand it over!"

[thegreatfraud]

@windmadepoet

"DRINKS ARE ON ME BOYSSSSS!"

If Huey was lucid and not under the effect of the mood altering Choco he would....have a literal heart attack over how much he spending right now

Of course BECAUSE he under the effect of the choco he don't take shit like self interest into consideration.

"Is that Big Venti i see? AYYY! HERE FOR THE DRINKS?"

[moraypower]

She'd been staring at the heart-shaped box of white chocolates sitting in the window display for a little too long by now, her own half-empty chocolate box left oddly forgotten in her hands.

"...wish I could bring some of these things to Big Man..."

[amoirsetpacis]

★ --;; It starts while he's at work.

Vash doesn't mind busy hands; keeping himself endlessly occupied is something he doesn't think he'll ever become unaccustomed to, a crutch that he'll ever stop leaning on. It keeps him from latching onto thoughts he probably shouldn't and helps him keep a barrier between him and thoughts he probably should sit with, but nonetheless scampers away from. So the steadily increasing demand for flowers and bouquets and their subsequent deliveries hardly phases him; he takes it in stride, the ring on his finger slipped onto a chain to hang beneath his shirt in the interim.

Regardless of how long or how many times Vash has found himself in this city, he'd not once had anyone to spend the upcoming holiday with-- never mind the air of generality it held. Keeping others at arm's length is a talent of his, yet another old friend to fall back on, friendly to a point but no more. The decorations slowly going up around the city had been, for once, something to be quietly excited for.

The bustle makes it even more likely for Vash to skip out on his breaks, swearing up and down he doesn't need them. Eventually someone manages to corral him into taking one-- though his tactics clearly aren't that well known by others, if there are still so many openings for his slippery tendencies to take advantage of.

But there are sweets left out and up for grabs, so when another piece goes missing at the same time as he does from the back room no one bats an eye. It melts on his tongue as he dips out with another delivery cradled in his arms and a frustrated sigh from the current manager as they catch sight of him disappearing around the corner.

That same buzzing energy that's been carrying him through the day suddenly doesn't feel so good five minutes later, though. Worse at ten, and by the time he's finished making the delivery with a plastered on smile and on the way back it's dug its way into his bones, into his gut, needles instead of pleasant sparks.

His hands are empty, feet on autopilot, and he very desperately wishes he was back in the too-crowded storefront. The metal around his neck suddenly feels more like a white hot brand.

Even though he doesn't have to, Vash stays till closing, insisting on flitting about until he's all but kicked out.

He can't go home right now. Not when he's as see through as wet rice paper. Lying feels like a rock lodged in his stomach, especially like this-- but Vash also knows his voice would give him away in an instant.

[ text ] hey, im gonna be late! [ text ] got invited for a few drinks

Instead, heavy soles start carrying him as they have done for decades now when he hasn't known what to do-- away from the problem.

[elfcast]

@cladinivcry

✲ Change had been in the air in the city and Marcille had been observing from afar. It seemed that one of the Stars was up to something in the city, and the half-elf wanted to stay as far away from the effects as possible. Everyone's emotions were getting all topsy turvy and that sounded like a pain in the ass. She'd been trying to avoid dealing with it, and yet...

"Indi...? You haven't been eating any chocolate, have you?" It was hard to ignore the fact that they weren't acting as they normally did.

They were out in public, but Indigo was acting rather aggressive towards other people. "Or are you just in a bad mood?" She was hoping it was the latter.

[corvisque]

@mageunderground

Of course Zevran notices the change in the island's decor -- it is difficult not to, wintery-themed festivities now being paired with pink and red lights, hearts, flowers, chocolates. Heart's Wake, someone tells him, although he has no idea what that means until a giggling young maiden shoves a small box into his hands, gushing about this holiday dedicated to strengthening bonds. A day for lovers. Zevran finds the idea charming. The little bottle of perfume he produces from the girl's giftbox is charming, too, when he is finally satisfied there's nothing wrong with it. It's a floral scent. Sweet, but not overpoweringly so.

He does not feel unusual in the slightest when he smells it. Not at first.

It is only when he is sitting on the couch of Anders' apartment with the ridiculously named Ser Pounce A Lot 2 curled and purring in his lap -- his Satinalia gift to the mage, a sweet orange cat who'd taken a liking to him off the street -- that he begins to feel...different. Not a bad different, necessarily. Just. Different.

In the time since Anders had offered the proverbial olive branch in the form of a home-cooked meal the two had begun working to repair the rift between them. They both seem content to leave their affair in Kirkwall behind them; or rather, Anders seems content. Zevran is not so sure. He has tried, of course. Tried to be willfully ignorant, to ignore the obvious, to make excuses, but he can no longer deny what he knows to be true -- that somewhere along the way he had begun to develop something for the mage. He had felt it with Taliesen and then Rinnala, long ago. Something he cannot put a name to, something that makes his stomach lurch and his heart feel full. He had been in no great rush to share this epiphany. Ever.

Now he feels like he must say something or he might explode.

"There is something I must tell you." Zevran's hand nervously busies itself with scratching behind Ser Pounce's ears. Why does his throat feel dry? "Not something terrible, I promise." Well, it has the potential to be terrible. It has the potential to undo all of their progress.

[eusarca]

"This is a more exhilarating way of spending my morning than I usually follow!" Kyrie admitted cheerfully as they jogged alongside their new acquaintance, Indigo. They weren't really dressed for the exercise, but they never planned for their powerful encounter amidst the smell of incense to sweep them along into it.

"Thanks for letting me come along with you! Do you usually do this alone?"

★ @cladinivcry

[anghexescu]

Ah, he wasn't fast enough. Klaus had quickly made his way home by teleporting when he heard of these strange candies giving unknown effects.

"So...You already ingested the sweets? How do you feel?" Klaus waits for something. Anything. He's seen and heard what this strange-themed indulgence does to people.

@hollowfaith

[curseshared]

"It's just, I..."

She has to stop mid-conversation, turning away to wipe tears from her eyes. Something doesn't feel right—but she was having an ordinary day up until now. There is a strong scent wafting over from a nearby market stall. She thought it was pleasant at first, but who knows, she could be allergic to one of their incenses...

Look how quick she is to reach for excuses.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me."

[archaictold]

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑 in his doorway and strangely, he's not particularly thrilled at the idea of company. For the better half of an hour, he's been lost in thought—or maybe dwelling is the better phrase, if he's honest, as so often happens when he's within the walls of the university. On an average day, it's quiet. Ignorable. Today, it's loud. Incessant. It makes the typically welcome sight of Eiden something worth being anxious over. He prepares to mask it, but it poorly fits; the malaise physically manifests as tension in his face, a delay in greeting him.      ❝ Oh... Eiden? ❞ Remembering the pen stuck in a standstill over his notes, he sets it aside, albeit absent-mindedly. His head hurts and he rubs it as he stands, reasoning that he might just not be feeling well. He wonders if the smell of poor-quality incense still trapped in his nose is to blame, having burned some unfamiliar variety from the market at home. Next time, he'll make sure to avoid that specific fragrance no matter how compelling a pitch the shopkeeper makes.

     ❝ Um. Sorry. Did you need something? I wasn't expecting you to drop by. ❞ @kleinstar — cupid shuffle.

[schleckermaul]

break has been stirring the same cup of tea since he sat down to chat with eiden during his lunch. there's nothing unusual about the situation at all: same café, same tea, same— well, not the same pastries. the waiter was quite excited to show off some of the new sweets they had. and while sugar usually wouldn't upset break's stomach, since it's in fact the only thing that works for him ...

   his head hurts. and he's feeling awfully crummy.

   ' i dont know what it is, ' he says eventually, not exactly to eiden but also not entirely too himself, too loud and too laced with upset, ' but something has me feeling positively awful today. '

   and as he says it, he finds himself wondering: since when does he share those types of thoughts, with eiden of all people?

@kleinstar / sc