songerein | [10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

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[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

Who: Anyone!
Which: Open mingle log
Where: The Wild Harvest in the Residential District.
What: The holidays are here! This is a place where dreamwalkers can retreat during the month of December (and beyond) for a quiet, festive experience away from the crowds.
Warnings: None?/TBD (Gumdrops are in season.)

The Wild Harvest has been open almost a year now, welcoming patrons from all walks of life with unique dishes every month inspired by both Eastern and Western Earth culture—sometimes beyond. This month, the coming holidays have made the atmosphere homey and warm, simmering with excitement around every corner; and while it is never overwhelming, it is clear to anyone who observes that Christmas is here.

I. Deck the Halls

a.) Along with usual vines of yellow, brightly lit moon-shaped fruit strewn about, there are ornaments with holes in them hung around the restaurant and garden. Some have been decorated by staff; others have small critters taking residence inside for a quick snooze, from young snakes to noodle dragons. Try not to disturb them too much if they're asleep!

Aside from the small critters, the mistletoe gumdrops are also back in season. They are still a menace, and these creatures also fit inside these ornaments: red, white, and pink alike, so be careful! What you might find may not be so harmless.

b.) A small station has been set up for those who wish to decorate their own ornaments to take home or hang in the restaurant. There is a variety of material including paint, flowers, markers, crayons, and glitter along with colorful paper where patrons can draw, write a message, a Christmas wish—anything they want! If they are able to flag down Susato, they can even learn how to fold origami (her specialty is cranes). There is popcorn for making garlands (or for eating), as well as colorful tinsel that can be looped around the Christmas tree or around banisters and door frames to add to the festive atmosphere.

Patrons are also invited to craft their own Christmas star and personalize it however they wish with all the decorations, bells, and whistles.

The staff will do their best to keep the area tidy, but make sure to clean up after yourselves where you can! (Susato would appreciate it...)

» BONUS: Reach for the Stars! Patrons will be encouraged to enter their star in a special contest as part of the Harvest's special quest to find the perfect star. The patron whose star has the most votes will have the honour of placing it atop the Harvest's Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Entries can be submitted with a picture or short description here. Please vote for your favorites with a +1 comment! (Think Flower Fest/King & Queen.)

c.) While the search for the perfect star is ongoing, patrons may notice the top of their Christmas tree remain notably bare throughout the month. Most of the time, this will be true, but take another glimpse during a quiet moment when it isn't too crowded, and you may catch the rare sight of something pink in its place.

Meet the newest cat addition to the Wild Harvest family. She doesn't have a name yet, but she has wings, and evidently is not afraid to use them. She looks pretty comfortable, with her weight tilting the top of the tree as she sleeps. She's not a star, but who's going to be the one to tell her?

Not any of the staff, apparently. Or maybe they just haven't noticed...?

II. The Garden

Maybe you're already tired of Christmas, and you just want a quiet meal away from the holiday buzz. Walk out into the attached garden to enjoy your food and you'll find a variety of things to see aside from what's going into your food. There are certainly enough critters walking and crawling around that one might get the sense they're being watched.

There are signs that say something like: Be Mindful of Snakes.

a.) Rows of crops and various ingredients can be seen growing. Yellows and reds from various peppers and fruits burst into color against a sea of green and call for your attention. Wait long enough and you may see a garden snake or two lurking in the foliage. Some may even be brave enough to come out and greet you, with a few of the bolder ones demanding pets. They're relatively friendly, as long as you're not up to anything mischievous. Otherwise they'll start hissing at you, or get the attention of the staff.

The soothing sound of a small waterfall also fills the air, flowing into a pond nearby. Lotus blossoms float above its surface, glowing faintly after dark; though whether they are from the plant or the lotus koi fish swimming about will not be immediately obvious. The fish and the snakes both can be fed by asking a staff member.

b.) Speaking of feeding—if you're sitting down to enjoy your meal, you may feel the gentle brush of a cat or two against your leg, begging for food. You may also be visited by a spice or garnish noodle dragon, looking to live up to their names and add a little something extra to your meal; or a curious axoturtle that may nip playfully at your long hair, if you have it. Or your hat—if you happen to be huddled up or lying down somewhere on a vacant bench, and have your head low enough.

Or maybe it's your blanket as it trails onto the floor, if you have neither of those. Honestly—

c.) "To those who have left Songerein, but are not forgotten." Between two ponds in the garden is a Remembrance wall. On this wall and amidst the grass and dirt at your feet, you'll notice several star-shaped stepping stones, each one adorned with the name of someone who has left the dream world. This was started by the staff, but in light of the holiday season, they have opened it up for anyone to write the name of someone they wish to honour upon a star, and hang it on the wall with the rest. (You can also etch the name onto the star using dreamotion.)

III. Sing your heart out!

Back inside the restaurant near the bar, a small stage has been set up with speakers and a microphone for the occasional live performance. Karaoke is also welcome, so feel free to take the floor (or bully someone onto it)! Sing whatever song or tune your heart can dream up.

Just be careful not to let the alcohol take you too far. Become too drunk and disorderly and you may find yourself sinking into the shadows and back outside before you know it, with no idea how you got there...... Hmmm. (Did this place have a bouncer the last time you checked?)

[ OOC: This is a mingle log to showcase all the various updates to the Harvest we've implemented over the past year. Feel free to top level, tag around, and/or wild card it up! Happy holidays ♡ ]

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[Ryunosuke's Christmas experience is exactly nil, and it's obvious his friends are several steps ahead of him on that front. Regardless, he's frequently present around the Wild Harvest for the season; lending a hand with the festivities, helping with the decorations... He can even be found waiting tables when needed.]

A)
[Gina's little pal Toby knows exactly where he needs to be to have the best shot at scoring some free handouts. Sadly, this behavior is putting him and Ryunosuke rather at odds. Ryunosuke has lost track of the number of times he's had to shoo the little dog away by this point, in an effort to spare the customers the experience of being stared at mournfully while they eat. Most of the time, just pleadingly asking him to knock it off and go find Gina seems to work. Other times...]

Ah... Toby!

[...Other times, Ryunosuke has to resort to forcibly picking him up and moving him out into the garden. Which, of course, Toby has immediately gotten wise to, and learned to resist. Right now, he's evading capture by scurrying under tables/chairs that have customers actively using them, knowing that Ryu can't just dive under there and pull him out. Enjoy the surprise dog at your feet, and the flustered waiter who has just had to screech to a halt in his pursuit of the troublemaker!]

B)
[On breaks, you may find him out around the Remembrance Wall. Somehow, he hadn't made his way out here yet in the whole month that he's already been in Reverein. So he hasn't really taken to examining the stones until fairly recently.

You may catch him staring somewhat pensively at a few particular names. Herlock Sholmes, Yujin Mikotoba, Daley Vigil... It's odd to think about, that these three men were once here, living out their lives this fantastical world, only to disappear before he'd even arrived. Like ships passing in the night...

...Okay, maybe 'before he'd even arrived' is a matter of perspective, actually, because there is one other stone out here you might spot him looking at. But rather than looking pensive, with this one, his expression is more difficult to pin down. It basically looks like he can't decide if he's touched by what it represents, or if it's making him go through some kind of existential crisis.

The stone in question, of course, bears the name: "Ryunosuke Naruhodo".]

Why does this feel like some kind of omen... Or, maybe a threat?

[He's definitely muttering to himself, but feel free to call him out on it. Break his brain a little further by telling him about stuff he's done that he can't remember doing! Or, if you had CR with some of his castmates who are no longer here, catch him looking at one of those names and take a walk down memory lane by telling him about whatever shenanigans you got up to together.]

C1)
[His actual favorite place to be in the garden is right by the koi pond. He's really gained a particular fondness for aquatic life, ever since he and Susato put all that effort into maintaining that little aquarium in their office back home. Something about the sound of the waterfall is especially soothing as well...

Basically, it's a good place to turn his brain off and just... Be. It gets him in exactly the right mindset for practicing his dreamotion abilities, too. You may indeed find him crouched by the water's edge. Watching the fish, apparently... But also he closes his eyes after a moment, and something about the air in the immediate vicinity seems to stir. Additional motes of light in varying colors appear just above the surface of the water, adding an extra glimmer to the display. It's not much, but he looks pretty satisfied with it! And the koi, at least, are intrigued by it; some of them surface with their little suction mouths agape, as if they're hoping these might be a tasty snack...]

Oh! Ah... Terribly sorry, little fellows... Ahh, where did I put that food...

C2)
[That's just one of the things he might be practicing while out there. But other times, if he's coming off a shift, or just feeling particularly wired or fired up, he can get... Fidgety. And that can manifest in some rather shocking ways, it turns out.

He's busying himself with watering some of the plants and snapping his fingers to some tune playing in his head, when a tiny flash of blue light manifests between his fingers. Doing a double take, he stares agog for a moment before trying again... This time, paying closer attention to the effect.

And there it is again. They're... Sparks. Tiny electrical sparks! Little more than a jolt of static electricity, truthfully, but nonetheless...

Oh, this is fascinating. He's distracted by this for a moment, letting his bouncy energy just manifest like this, creating little zaps and jolts with each snap. When he's got it happening consistently, really getting into the rhythm of it, he does a little spin, then tries doing a fingergun instead--

A tiny little bzzt of energy shoots from his index finger! Very cool! Or... So he thinks, for like a split second after he does it. That may change, but it all depends: you didn't just walk in front of it, did you?]

D)
[Wildcard! Hit me up on Plurk @ awkwardpossum or on my OOC plotting comment if you want to do something specific!]

[ It's a quiet night, which is to be expected, given how close it is to Christmas. Perhaps that is the reason Kazuma even finds himself on the stage to begin with. Tifa and Susato always joked that he would never be able to say 'no' to both of them, and... goodness, that feels like a lifetime ago now. It seems like it finally happened at last.

Susato can be seen in the audience, clapping softly to the beat as she sways, and she might even be mouthing the lyrics in sync with him. In front of her sits what is clearly a present, wrapped in pink with a purple bow to top it. Perhaps she was expecting a friend today to send it home with; or perhaps it was just another present that was making its way beneath their tree to match with the others with identical wrapping.

When he finishes, however, Susato claps most enthusiastically as she stands, and grabs the present as she approaches the stage. She's hardly bothered as she uses her free hand to brush away the pink and white petals. ]

Bravo! Bravo, Kazuma! I think it was the perfect song to warm our hearts. [ Seasons, schmeasons. ]

[ Would it be mindreading of the koi, or mindreading of Ryunosuke to approach now, with fish food in hand...?

Whatever he thinks, Susato is doing just that, perhaps quieter in her approach than she intends to be. It looks like she is carrying a bag of colorful candied stars, though that is hardly the only thing. The bag actually sits on top of what looks like a present in her arms: a box covered in pink wrapping and purple ribbon, not unlike some others he may have seen beneath the tree. ]

What a coincidence. I was just coming to feed them.

[ Was she really...? Well...the fish food says 'yes,' but perhaps it's not about that. ]

...Ah! [ That is because it is, indeed, a pink cat. Susato had been excited to find Gina tonight, though the sight in question is certainly a distracting one. In Susato's hand when she approaches is what's clearly a present, one that might look similar to what Gina's already seen beneath the tree. Unsurprisingly, it is pink and purple in color. ]

Blossom, what are you doing up there?

[ That can't be comfortable, can it? And yet as the cat is called, she just lifts her head sleepily at Susato, blinking like she's got no intention to move. Her wings flap lazily like a sail in the wind, expanding slightly so that she seems even more star-like. ]

Could do with some.

[Better to attract them to the ones out of easy reach at times, and it didn't hurt that he'd figured out what little teats most of them enjoyed by now.

He'd still glanced down from where he had been looking, the garnish dragon yawning wide and curling. That one was more interested in a nap than the treats, but that didn't mean some others weren't watching.]

[The Remembrance Wall.

Honestly, Hans is a little surprised by the small list of names written on here, but guess it was originally just meant for the staff that works here. The names listed are mostly unfamiliar to him, maybe just a passing acquaintance at best. As someone who has only begun to care about some people, he really doesn't have a reason to write the name of anyone on these stars.

...

Although, there's one passing individual that flutters to his mind, and wouldn't that be something, the prince that tried to kill the queen opting to write her name on here? Maybe he'll just blame Sora or someone else later for being the source. With a serious look to him, he kneels by one of the blank stars, still unsure if he wants to do something as sentimental as this.]

[wildcard: Want to plot something? Reach me at

currykirby. In general, Hans can be spotted enjoying the food that the Wild Harvest is serving or feeding a couple of cats that have forced his attention.]

......

[ Susato freezes when she sees him. She's not scared of him, but a little surprised by the gesture. This seems sentimental for his tastes, and this place is fairly private, with no need to keep up appearances or create an image.

Hans may feel a pair of eyes on him. A snake may hiss lightly from her shoulder to give her away, but otherwise, she is waiting curiously to see the name he'll write. ]

[Oh, there's Sooze! With a pretty-looking present? Gina glances towards her - and then back towards the cat atop the tree as her head is raised.]

Oi! That cat... star... cat-star... it's movin'! Is that alive, for real?

[She glances back towards Susato?]

Ya know this kitten, Sooze?

[The sudden and unexpected hissing grabs his attention and the prince almost jolts from his spot, turning sharply to the noise. There's unhidden surprise on Hans's face, clearly caught off guard, but it slowly morphs into his usual easy smile that they both know to be fake. He's all about keeping appearances though, until neither of them wants that.

He wonders how long Susato wants him to maintain that polite facade.]

Susato, you should've said something. [His smile is still there, but his eyes turn just slightly sharper, as if knowing what she was doing.]

One would think that you were spying on me, although I'm sure it's nothing like that.

[While Beat had noticed the jar earlier, he imagined that it was filled with all the cranes that everyone else had been making. So hearing that Susato was the culprit behind all of this takes him by surprise, his eyes going wide.]

Stock? How much stock you talkin' 'bout if you already got enough for a coupla wishes, yo?

For what reason do you need so many?

[ There's a phantom within this workshop, now, carrying with him a cool, somber presence that doesn't quite mesh with warm atmosphere. His tone, a steely bass that carries a calm authority, is one that she may recognize: this is Somnus, the same one that had appeared as a giant suit of armor within the dream months ago.

Heavy robes rustle as he lifts pale, long fingers to reach for one of the cranes out of curiosity. Dreamotion makes his ghostly form tangible. ]

Heh, well, they have never seen people looking so festive. [The one name Aura, a snake with a more bluish hue and wearing a tiny red scarf, curls up slightly at the compliment.] Hm, she wasn't expecting that and thanks you.

[As Baldr's hand approaches, a few snakes shy away from the hand. Aura remains, her head poking out slightly in her curled up state. A small few linger with their tongues flicking at the hand curiously. Still not quite in range of a petting though.]

Have your palm facing up.

[The applauses were gradual, perhaps by song choice or who was singing, but it was a warm one. Or perhaps that's the drinks talking. Either way, he had a good time and that's all that matters, especially when Susato comes walking up to cheer for him.]

I'm glad it had the intent I was going for. [It certainly felt like there was more talking among the patrons after that. More importantly, Susato approves. And was that a gift in her hands?] Really, I wasn't expecting a gift for my performance as well.

Just tell me what and which to put in the treats. [Just as he picks up an ornament a little snake comes slithering up onto his hand.]

You know, I'm starting to think we may have ourselves a zoo at this point. [Speaking in an amusing tone. How did they suddenly have so many animals?]

That's a shame. A lady should always be able to expect the compliments she deserves.

[Nuadha would probably have something caustic to say about Baldr's habits even extending to flirting with snakes. But Nuadha isn't here, so Baldr can give Aura the smile her cuteness warrants and carefully turn his hand over to show it palm-up.]

They're very friendly, if a little shy. They must be used to you.

A slug--??

[It takes flight just as he repeats the word, and he starts back a bit in surprise.]

A... Flying slug, evidently! I don't know why I'm surprised...

[Hardly the strangest thing he's seen here. Also, he was imagining more of a garden variety slug, but it more resembles a little sea slug, if anything...]

...It's rather cute, though. What exactly is so pesky about it?

[A question he definitely won't look back on with a sense of irony in the next few minutes, he's sure.]

Oh! Susato-san! [He grins.] Look at you! Hero to all fish kind, showing up just in the nick of time with provisions...

[Wait... Does that make him the villain for accidentally taunting them? Hm...

...He might be overthinking this.]

I thought for sure I'd brought some of the food out here with me, but... I suppose I must have set it down somewhere on accident, hah...

[So he says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Of course, the box she has also piques his interest, and, lightning quick, his eyes flick over it with curiosity.]

[ Ah. Well, he figured that out quickly. Still grinning, Susato confirms his suspicions by holding out the present in offering. ]

Well... I think you deserve a prize.

And if I say it is a prize, I can get away with letting you open it a little early. [ There is a playful wink. How's that for a loophole? ] ...Happy Christmas.

A flying slug. [ Susato confirms in a light laugh, largely unfazed by comparison, but she is rather charmed at Ryunosuke's understandable surprise. ] We saw them last year as well around the same time, once the cold settled in. Father liked them, too, at least the white ones like these.

[ She definitely got a vibe of 'can we adopt it' from the grown man, but let's not talk about the red ones.

... ]

They are an annoyance because... [ SIGH ] ...Well. Simply try to take some steps away from me now and you'll understand.

[ The little slug, meanwhile, does a cheerful spin as it cries out, its voice way too small to be heard properly without some concentration: Fuwa, fuwa!! ]

[ Please don't overthink it, Ryunosuke...... She's not going to be able to resist to playfully tease you. Some of that is already seeping into her lighthearted tone. ]

Oh, is that why I found it discarded on the ground... The Remembrance garden must have given you quite a fright.

[ Is she joking? It certainly would explain some dirt sticking to the bag... Though truth be told, not even she could give an adequate excuse for why Ryunosuke's name is still there. They've just haven't had it in mind to remove it.

...She could get more mileage out of this, but she can see the curiosity in his eyes. ]

Well, no matter. Take it.

[ ...... ]

The present, too.

...Ah. [ Susato turns, watching as the ghostly fingers reach for the crane, which are really rather small and fragile. Still, as highly as she's come to think of them, they are also rather replaceable, so she isn't too worried at the end of the day.

The voice certainly does seem familiar, and she will likely be able to place it with time, though for now, she'll remain polite and treat him as any other patron. ]

It is an old legend of Japanese culture. Would you like to hear it?

[ Oh, did she... not explain? She was rather distracted with the horrid state of his room at the time, though she's fairly certain they touched on the topic of wishes, at least. It truly doesn't bother her, however, as she's had to explain it loads of times to her non-Japanese friends. ]

Well... a, as I said, I haven't counted. But the protection magic burns up the cranes, so this is the only way I know to be prepared.

...Are yours still well in tact, Beat?

Been keeping them along the rafters of the place- or where the moon berry vines are the strongest. Making a little game to keep them enough apart to try and avoid the more eager ones from getting a bit too... well, frisky isn't quite the right word.

[More or less to try and avoid any little squabbles over the treats if more than one went to a treat filled ornament to crawl into and snack. Thought it was a good bit of enrichment for the little critters.

His head tipped just a bit.]

I know the feeling. Still- at least they seem to play nice with folks who come in for food, yeah? [While offering over a treat filled ornament and a gesture where Kazuma could hang it, head shaking in a shared amusement.]

[ He turns over the paper crane, and his movements are delicate, suggesting a mindfulness of the structure of its wings and beak. Curious, there are no cuts in the paper. It is all folded. A similar craft exists in his own world, but it had not been popular in his era.

When she speaks, his head angles in her direction, nodding once. ] Go on.

[ The snake at her shoulder today, Ryuko, is comically surprised by Hans' surprise, ducking herself behind Susato's neck and beneath her clothes. After a moment, she can feel Ryuko pop her head out on her other side, as if to check if Hans is still there.

Susato lifts a hand to her in comfort. ]

...My apologies. It was rude of me, but if you truly intend on adding a name, I admit that I am curious.

This area... It was my idea, after all.

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[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

Ryunosuke Naruhodo | The Great Ace Attorney | OTA

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