[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

[judicialassistant]

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.)

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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.)

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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 ♡ ]

Comments

[chippedsoul]

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.

[unbrokenoaths]

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.

[chippedsoul]

Is that so? [He's getting that sense Baldr is a flirter, but says nothing for now. Aura uncurls slightly to slowly inspect his hand. Soon enough, he'll have a snake head resting on his hand, tongue flicking. Hello.]

The tale of how these snakes have come to know me is a strange one for sure. [Something something become a snake demon noctaere and such-] But let's just say I discovered I was able to understand them one day in this place and they all started following me around.

[Everytime he looks, there's a new snake among the hoard.] Kazuma Asogi, by the way.

[unbrokenoaths]

[Ah, there she goes. Baldr's eyes brighten with quite obvious appreciation, and he gives his fingers a very careful little wiggle to pet a snake chin. She's terribly cute.]

One of those dreamotion abilities, then? I'll have to apply myself more. I hadn't imagined they could extend to talents like this.

[He glances back up from his snake charming attempts with a smile.] Ah, apologies for my distraction, Asogi-san. I'm Baldr.

[chippedsoul]

Certainly I never expected it. [Aura is definitely enjoying herself, eyes closing contently to the chin pets. She moves more of herself onto Baldr's hand. Her tail curls around one of Kazuma's fingers. Still not quite ready to let go apparently.]

A pleasure. A world made of dreams is certainly full of surprises. Were you hoping to gain something with dreamotion itself?

[unbrokenoaths]

[Baldr had never imagined a snake as being quite so affectionate, either, but this is a very nice discovery. Perhaps another side effect of Asogi-san's ability? He's pleased enough to take advantage in any case, holding carefully still and letting Aura bridge their hands as he pets her.]

Nothing so specific. Although given its nature, if I had a clear goal in mind, I might be faring better. But I'd be pleased if I could learn something that could be of use here. I've heard that I may be able to strengthen my healing, but I've yet to see that we have much need for it.

[Which is a good thing, all in all. Baldr gives a little laugh and shakes his head to dismiss it as insignificant.]

It's only that the possibilities are still a surprise to me. It's an unusual world, as you say.

[chippedsoul]

[This is clearly just an awkward handshake using a snake.] I was only just a lawyer before I could talk to snakes and shoot fire. In my world, that sort of thing would be consider a work of fiction, fantasy. Magic and witchcraft.

[A few snakes hiss in surprise. To be unable to communicate or use magic? The world sounds so dull compared to this place.] Is there really a skill that would be considered useless? [Feels like anything goes in this place.]

[unbrokenoaths]

[If he shakes the snake, will she bite him... time to not find out.] A world without magic of any kind seems even stranger to me than this one. That must have been... some adjustment.

[He has to stifle a chuckle at what he can only interpret as a snake chorus of disapproval. They would be lonely without their friend, wouldn't they?] That's another way to look at it. Perhaps you're right. These abilities may not have served you particularly with law, but they seem suited to this world, after all. [ The naivete of a man who has never seen an AA courtroom. Or indeed, any courtroom. ]

[chippedsoul]

Quite. Took me a few tries before I wasn't burning everything down with just a thought. [He might have some anger issues. He could feel Aura's little tail slip off his finger, now actually resting in Baldr's hand proper.]

The possibilities are endless. And it looks like she's finally warmed up to you.

[unbrokenoaths]

[Baldr might not know much about dreamotion, but he does understand the 'emotion' component. He raises one eyebrow just a little.] I'll have to hope for something somewhat easier to control, myself. --Ah!

[Look at that. Baldr can't contain a brief grin as he lifts Aura very carefully so he can pet her little chin some more.]

I'm honored. And very grateful for your help, Asogi-san.

[chippedsoul]

Me? I hardly did anything. Patience is the key. [Aura instinctively curls up nervously, but she won't shy away from the petting. She'll eventually calm down again once she realizes nothing is happening, eyes half open in content.]

...I have to ask something, if you don't mind answering. Where are you from before you arrived in this world?

[unbrokenoaths]

I doubt she would have been so indulgent, without you. [ But Baldr can also be more than patient. He lets her settle into the petting again, looking every bit as content himself as Aura does. ]

I don't mind at all, though my answers may not be much use to you. My world is called Tir Na Nog. The same as Nuadha-sama's, if you've met. [ He tips his head a little bit in inquiry, although he continues. ] It's a world made up of many others, now. You could say a place like this is hardly strange to me.

[chippedsoul]

[He's probably right, but the real champ is Aura. Now the other snakes are inching closer, seeing Aura is doing ok and getting pets.]

It wasn't, but you had me curious with how you address others. I thought perhaps there was someplace in your world like Japan. You say it's made up of other worlds though?

[unbrokenoaths]

[More snake friends... Baldr lowers the hand that isn't currently petting Aura and leaves it there as an offering for any others feeling bold or jealous of the attention.]

Yes. After... much of our world was destroyed, some of the survivors were able to create new continents using the memories and images from others. I'm not familiar with 'Japan,' but there do seem to be similarities between even different worlds, at times. I was drawn here because it reminded me a bit of my home, actually.

[Not that he has the context for "my home country is an amalgam of Tang China and Japan with inexplicable Norse theming."]

[chippedsoul]

You just...imagine new places? [Yes, they are in a dream world where anything could happen, but it's still an out there concept for Kazuma to grasp when he hears of other similar worlds.]

Interesting how certain familiarities find themselves in other worlds somehow. Was it the garden itself or the food that brought you here? [Most of the snakes remain at a distance from the approaching hand, flicking their tongues curiously. A few others come forward, only to retreat back. Aura is raising her head, swaying back and forth in amusement of her shy companions. It's no big deal guys.]

[unbrokenoaths]

[Baldr shakes his head, although carefully, to avoid scaring off any of the snakes. He can't help grinning at Aura's little wiggling. Show-off. Just for that, he tickles her little scaly stomach very gently.]

I'm no mirrist myself, so I can't speak to the particulars. But essentially, they create a copy of a person who exists in another world. And that person's memories and thoughts, feelings and imagination, become the seed of a new location in our own world.

[...So, comfortably familiar to a resident of Reverein, perhaps? Baldr directs another smile at Kazuma.]

A bit of both. Some of the food here is very much like Bifrost's. To be honest, I'm happy to hear that the way I speak is familiar to someone as well. Do they use those sorts of titles in your "Japan" as well?

[chippedsoul]

...Like how our dream selves are separate from our real ones. [The end of the world part also kind of hits home from the last world he was in. How many world endings are there...?]

And yes, casually and formally. Sometimes it's dropped when we're close. Similar in how the titles are used for you?

[unbrokenoaths]

Very much like that, yes.

[Baldr brightens in recognition, giving a nod a little more eager than he means. It may have startled a snake friend or two, but at least Aura appears steadfast.]

Yes, precisely! Though as a knight, I admit I have fewer occasions to omit them. [He ducks his head to muffle a tiny chuckle.] Perhaps I should consider working on the habit here. It may be confusing to most.

[chippedsoul]

I have the opposite problem. I have been away from home for so long, I have not been using them as often. For the very reason you've said. Other cultures are not familiar with such titles and it was a means to integrate with society more easily.

[He watches a few snakes flick their tongues at Baldr's free hand. A few snake boops to his hand, but not quite getting on just yet.] Although, people seem not to mind it as much in this place.

[unbrokenoaths]

Before this, do you mean? The longest I've heard of anyone being in Reverein is perhaps a year. Though, that's certainly long enough to change such a habit.

[Look at those little snake boops. Baldr chuckles and stretches out his fingers for them, though his expression remains a little distracted. Plenty of space, silly shy creatures.]

[chippedsoul]

Before this, and another world I was thrown into. [He's going to help some of the more daring snakes along, gently pushing them so their heads on resting in Baldr's fingers. There, nothing is happening ok?]

It's been quite some time since I've actually been "home".

[unbrokenoaths]

One world after another...

[Baldr holds his hand very still for a few more moments to let his new snake friends adjust before he attempts any tiny finger-wiggling to pet them. Watching their little tongues flicker is... strangely, soothingly adorable.]

If I may ask a rather personal question... do you miss it?

[chippedsoul]

[....The answer should be clear, it should be an immediate yes. There are skeletons in his closet, causing him to pause before answering.]

...I still have dreams of my homeland. When I wake from this world, I still won't exactly be home. That's still across the ocean for me.

[unbrokenoaths]

Ah. I wondered...

[But Bifrost has been gone these ten years already, and Baldr knows very well his own feelings haven't changed. How would it feel if it still existed, but were an ocean away? He shakes his head and gives Kazuma a small smile.]

...I hope you can return, when you wake to your world again. Speaking to someone from a place so similar to Bifrost, nostalgia appears to have gotten the best of me.

[chippedsoul]

. . .Thank you. [He'll deal with that hurdle when the time comes.]

You can talk to me about Bifrost if you ever desire to. I am admittedly curious.