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

Entry tags:

[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 ♡ ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[he's been wandering around for some time now, trying to get into some sort of festive spirit. it's a little hard, without his friends and family, but this place is helping a bit. Grover would like this place, he thinks, and even notices the wolf that's leaping behind 76.

Grover would probably like her, too.

he grins as she comes over to sniff him, and he bends down before he realizes that the man had spoken to her.]

Oh, it's no problem. I've been jumped on by a dog much bigger than her before.

[he holds out her hand to her.]

Can I pet her?

She's still growing, too.

[Wolves were huge- and the picture of her that large with all this energy? It was both hilarious and he could imagine her just pinning people down; reason for the 'manner' lessons early if she were going to follow him so closely at times.

Still, she at east stayed on all four paws and her attention was caught on the young man. Eyes bright.

76 nodded a bit, chuckle soft but warm.]

You can, yeah. She certainly loves the attention.

[Right on that second, with a small gesture made, Cherry took it and approach, nose pressing against the offered hand and soon moving so her sniffs reached wrist.]

Cherry likes 'helping' out here at times.

[Percy grins as he starts to scratch her behind the ears. he wants to say that she probably won't get as big as the hellhound that was given into his care, but that's probably something he shouldn't bring up to someone he just met.]

I'm sure she does her best.

[Mrs. O'leary (his hellhound) always tried her best too...even if her best was accidentally occasionally being extremely destructive.]

But I'm sure she really brings in the tips -- in the payment of snacks, anyway.

[he'd definitely sneak some food to her tbh]

She does- and does a bit better when I'm running errands in town.

[A lot more outgoing than the rest of her pack, that was for sure. They kept to the garden area mostly, or outside with the large-horse sized dragon that could be seen hanging around outside of the Wild Harvest; too big to come inside, which may have been learned the hard way at first. Blue was still a well behaved dragon, and all too clever despite some of her antics.

Cherry however? Was the happiest young wolf at the moment with how she leaned into the scritches as if she were just some large dog. A few cherry blossom petals drifting here and there from her own motions, but that was fine. The blooms were all as healthy as her coat of fur- even if that was thickening with the growing chill of winter coming.]

One of her favorite parts, and clever enough to make sure she wins extra to bring to her packmates- reason she'll run off between treat collections at times.

[76 had assumed something of a more relaxed parade rest, arms loosely folded just behind his back. Loosened up stance at least-]

They're not as outgoing as she is.

[he knows that look on a dog. his grin gets even wider as he starts scratching her with both hands, making sure to give her the best scratches possible.]

She has a pack? I'd never seen one wolf that looks like this before, much less a pack of them.

[he has seen weirder, though.]

You learn...or see in this case, something new every day, huh?

She does- they started following me around a few months back. Took a while to find where they came from. Loads of 'flower wolf' packs live out there, apparently.

[Or at least they would now, he'd seen a few since his last hunt. Was something else. Various flowering -and non-flowering- plants growing amongst fur and... big. Bigger than regular wolves; a few individuals big enough that some would think them godly in appearance. Likely depended on things to get them that big, though.

Those tended to keep in the underground caves, at least. Kept them peaceful.

Cherry leaned all the heavier, that tongue lolling out and absolutely in heaven.]

More so in a world like this. She and her pack were the first ones I'd seen here, but it was nice discovering a lot more of them exist, too.

[Percy's going to keep up the affection, making sure to rub and scratch at the places she likes most while he keeps talking to 76.]

There's even more outside her pack?

[that'd be really cool to witness, he'd think. that is, if they were all as friendly as Cherry is.]

Are there other animals that are...like this?

[half flower, or plant or whatever.]

A lot more, some are even part of more regular looking wolves' packs last I went out hunting.

[Was interesting to see- and 76 nodded a bit as he tipped his head a little while speaking.]

Loads of 'em- the koi in the pond in this garden grow lotus flowers. Some of the cats that have made themselves home here have leaves. There are deer that grow various flowers, cows that give flavored milk depending on what grows on them; and that's just a small example. See a lot on my hunting trips, or when I visit some of the farms.

[he tilts his head a little, and shifts, rubbing the back of his head as he considers.]

If you...need a hunting partner next time you go, I'll go with you. I'd go by myself if I wouldn't get lost.

[being on land is nothing like being in the water -- he gets lost pretty easily.]

I want to see all that stuff too.

Well- how do you feel about dragons?

[There was a point to the question that came up a moment after some thoughtful pause after all. There was a sort of gesture that was indicating outside- not that he was making a motion to go, this was a bit more of an emphasis.]

There's a blue dragon, around the size of a large horse, that goes with me for most hunting trips. She'd likely come along if I took you out with me.

[Comfort levels- he could get Blue to follow at a distance if it wasn't good.]

[his eyes flicker outside for a moment, and then he shrugs.]

So long as it's not trying to turn me into charcoal, I think I'll be okay.

[he's a very chill person when everything's not out to kill him, honest.]

[76 hummed, the sound amused.]

Most she'll do is demand to sniff and then pets, so you'll be fine there.

[Blue was never really that far away, more so since the last hunting incident when he ran into a group of Wild Willows while trying to finish off a deer. Maybe out of sight, but only so far.]

Then we're fine. Someone gave me a pet hellhound at home, so I have a little bit of experience with possible Percy-eating animals.

[he grins a little sadly.]

Mrs. O'leary probably comes with a little bit more slobber and clumsiness than a dragon does.

I feel like I've turned into something similar once.

[A hellhound- a fae dog that could kill with just barking was close enough, right? Possibly.

There was a faint sort of exasperated but fond huff-]

Blue's got a habit of preening hair if she likes someone- raised her from an egg since she got left on my door-step. [In some other world, but she was certainly here as well now.]

That's a lucky break. Not everyone just gets a dragon on their doorstep.

[he grins a bit, and shakes his head.]

I'll manage. Is she around now?

[in all of the talk about dragons, he's started slacking on scratching Cherry...]

At the time I certainly didn't want it- but she grew on me, I suppose.

[To put it lightly. She was near three years old, if his memory was right- but it might not be between everything that happened in the Real of Stories and here. Oh well.

His head tipped a little bit towards the outside world beyond the greenhouse walls—]

Since I'm working and all the wolves are around here somewhere? She likely is. She's adopted them- [Cherry made a huff of a woof as if on que for that.] -and she tends to keep close to at least know where I am.

Isn't that how it always is?

[Percy wasn't so sure what he'd do with Mrs. O'leary either, but...he likes having her to to rely on, too.

he considers for a moment, looking innocent.]

Do you wanna...play hooky for a few more minutes and introduce me?

Surprise egg dropped on your doorstep and all.

[Just replace 'egg' with whatever and change the situation around, fit quite a few things.

76 chuckled softly, and turned a little to be aimed for the 'outdoor' entrance for the greenhouse.]

Technically? I'm on break anyway. C'mon, she could probably do with some attention herself, and Cherry her loves Blue like a pack-mate.

[The name was even enough to get the cherry blossom wolf's ears to perk, tail picking up in something close to a wag. Oh yes, a good idea for all of them, clearly.]

[Percy grins down back at Cherry as 76 mentions Blue, and starts to follow him as he moves towards the entrance.]

Cherry really is an outgoing little wolf, isn't she?

She honestly is. Has been since she was a much smaller thing, too. Blue used to baby-sit them while I was busy here, or had to tend to something elsewhere.

[Really, the dragon had been quite the companioning in another world and this one ow as well. A good hunting partner, and far more clever than she let on at times.

He pushed the door open and- well, a few seconds after he stepped outside there was a large blur of blue and feathers landing just a few feet in front of him, feathery and scaled wings tucking in as Blue moved in close. Snout going right under the hand 76 offered out, chuckling softly.]

Just as I thought. Just waiting for me, huh?

[If dragons could smile? Blue certainly was, those blue eyes bright as feathers ruffled and smoothed. Cherry letting out a boof of noise as she came close as well-]

All you gotta do is offer out a hand, Blue here is... mighty friendly.

[Percy only jumps when the dragon comes out of nowhere because he wasn't expecting her right there, but when he sees that she's really just a curious sort and everything, he relaxes and smiles.

he puts out a hand as he's told, waiting for the dragon's approval before getting closer or actually touching her. if there's anything he knows about magical beings, it's that they can be kind of picky.]

Hey, Blue. You're really pretty, aren't you?

[this guy has some seriously cool pets.]

[Blue seemed to preen for just a moment- before she was moving to come over; even with her head lowered to meet better at eye level, it did not take away from the fact she was still the size of a large horse. Eyes focused, a bit of smoke curling as jaws briefly parted to fully take in the scent of the boy.

There was a sparkle in those eyes of hers before the dragon pressed the end of her snout to Percy's palm and sat, wings shifting to be at a comfortable fold. The dragon even tittered with a musical and almost bird-like trill.]

If you really want on her good side? [There was a chuckle there in 76's tone, arms folded loosely -relaxed and comfortably- there across his chest.] The spots between horn and ear are her favorite spots for a good scritch.

[Those were very fluffy ears, too. Blended near perfectly with the rest of the feathery fluff at her head.]

[Percy grins as the dragon relaxes, and listens to 76 when he gives his recommendation. he starts to scratch and rub between her horn and ear, feeling a bit of excitement as he does it. even though he is used to really weird stuff, it's still always super cool to him when he meets something new that isn't trying to kill him.]

I'd definitely stay on a dragon's good side. I might not be that fireproof.

[if she really wants to burn him to a crisp, she probably could.]

She gets along with most things, people included.

[Even if her favorite animal seemed to be owls- but she got along well with wolves in second place, given how easily Cherry flopped against Blue's side and was covered by a wing. Content.

Blue was as well, leaning into hands as eyes closed and the trilling continued and rounded into something purr-like.]

Made sure she was socialized after she hatched, which has made her popping up here a lot easier.

Sounds like you're a good dragon parent, then.

[both animals definitely sound content.]

Thanks for introducing me to her.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

II B

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

December came for my throat- sorry about that!

oh big same don't worry!

Now's just slowness of recovering from it _(:з)∠)_

YEP...................we should just get a whole month to recover from holidays

Forreal

Re: Forreal