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

[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.

[ 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.

[This girl showing up with his gift already before he could give her his. Well who is he to decline the gesture when she put it like that? A curious glance as she gives him a wink. Holding the present, it has some weight to it.]

Let us move elsewhere. Unless you want me to open it right here. [In front of all these people.]

[ ...Private is definitely better. Not tha there is anything inappropriate in the box. Susato already has an idea of where she wants them to go, so she will quietly lead him with her hand linked in his, out into the garden. Immediately, snakes of varying sizes wearing neckerchiefs and sweaters perk up in recognition, curiously approaching when they see the present. (Ooh, ahh.) ]

You can have the box after he is done.

[ Gods, is she a little nervous?

...The first thing Kazuma will see when he opens the box is a jacket, neatly folded, though the added weight would suggest it hides something else. ]

[Such nosy snakes in their cute outfits. He admires how Susato has carefully prepared this gift before he proceeds to open the box. Seeing it's an outfit, he sets the box down a nearby bench so he could properly lift it up. He hears a thump as something slips back into the box. He barely had a chance to look at the outfit when another gift is already falling out.]

You spoil me.

Do I...?

[ The culprit behind the thump appears to be a dark brown leather-bound journal. At a glance, it appears plain, but in the bottom right corner, there's a subtle imprint of the Asogi kamon as its only identifying mark. If he opens the notebook, he will see a small petal of a certain tree taped to the inner cover: one that bears his own smiling face, flickering with life between multiple images as the angles and light change.

Every once and a while, words appear in gold: I wish for Kazuma's eternal happiness.

At the same time, a pen falls against the inner surface of the box to pair with it: white in colour with a serpentine dragon to match, snaking around it--bearing a likeness to Fang. ]

[He'll let the outfit unfold properly first, admiring it a moment before carefully setting it on the bench. The familiar crest of his family is the first thing his eyes lock onto. A personally customized journal...she really thought about this. Especially as he opens it to find the single petal from that time the great tree first appeared, and then the words forming beneath. His eyes watch the images and words a while longer, a small warm smile forming on his face.

He hasn't even gotten to the damn pen yet and he's already feeling a lot of things. The area around them certainly started to feel warmer and welcoming. Setting down the journal at last, he comes forward and pulls Susato into a hug.]

Spoiled and thoughtful.

[ Ah...... Susato can't decide whether to hope he opens the book right away or not. It was just something she mentioned she would show him, and she felt like she should follow through on that. She watches his reaction to the petal carefully, but then...

In that moment when she glances away, she falls into his hug. Blushing. ]

[ For a moment she is frozen by the compliment. Yet how many times have they done this now...? Hugged. Kissed.

Only he could make it feel like the first time all over again. ]

I didn't know if you had given anymore thought on what we discussed before, but if you had, I... [ He can probably feel the vibrations against his chest as she speaks, but she soon trails off. She can feel herself melting into him, the rest of the world, disappearing. She forces herself to look up and meet his eyes. ]

[By how he was practically squeezing her, by the rare smile he has on his face as she looks up at him, he's very pleased by her gifts.]

I haven't forgotten, and I love it. [His eternal happiness...impossible is what his mind is telling him. Better days perhaps, but he can't say eternal happiness is something he deserves. But he won't say that in front of Susato, not after she put so much thought into his gift.] I hadn't decided on a journal yet, so...this couldn't have come at a better time.

[ There is an inkling of something in his eyes that betrays what he is feeling, even if he is far too considerate to say it. Underlying guilt taints the sparkle behind them, but it does nothing to diminish his smile. Susato appears relieved, visibly relaxing in his strong embrace. ]

Hehe, I am glad. Oh, but... it did not come with a lock, and I forgot to get one for it, so... [ That's something he will have to handle on his own, if he wants it.

For now, she will give him a little breathing room (if he lets her). ]

Th, The pen reminded me of Fang.

Ah, that's all right. [He has some ideas how to secure this journal. He loosens his hold on her slightly, a hand reaching down to pick up said pen when she brings attention to it.]

Hm, I thought it seem familiar. A very good choice for a pen. [He sets both the journal and pen down, looking back to Susato.] Any other gifts you still have hidden from me?

...Hm. Well...

[ Susato doesn't go far; still has him in a loose embrace. She looks like she's really thinking hard about this, though. In the end, she just leans up onto her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek--lingering there for good measure, breathing against his skin.

That counts, right...? ]

There is that... but I wouldn't call it hidden when you receive it every day.

[He probably should have seen it coming, but he takes the kiss as if it were his first. His expression softens at contact, lightly chuckling.]

I say it's hidden. One more kiss than usual. [He tried. He glances down at the outfit once more.] Would you like me to put this on now...?

[ He tried. Susato's expression softens to follow, and she finds herself following his gaze down to where he's set his new coat down. Aura seems to have snuck her way into the sleeve, however, and Susato chuckles, seeing her poke her head out as she explores. ]

If you don't, I fear it may be confiscated. [ aka: yes, try it on!!!! for your gf, gosh darnit. ]

[Aura looks to Kazuma, as if wanting to stay in those fresh clean clothes even longer. He shakes his head as he removes his current coat.]

Come here. [She better get on his hand unless she wants to fall out of the new coat. Snake curled around his arm, he proceeds to get his new coat on. Surprisingly loose on him, but comfortable. He looks it over, walking towards the nearest pond to admire the reflection. It really looked good on him. But was it a bit much for casual wear?]

Well? [He looks to Susato. What did she think?]

[ Susato follows him to the pond, her eyes on the coat and then on Aura, who seems to be enjoying the warm ride. Kazuma will see her smile brighten as she regards him in the reflection, but then she turns her attention to the real thing. She starts to pull the white fabric closed around his chest, and adjusts the red strap running across. ]

Do you like it?

[ Doesn't matter what she thinks--though it's probably written plain on her face.

To be fair, it's probably written on his, too, but words are important and she wants to hear them. ]

[He looks to the red strap as it's being adjusted. That's going to be a troublesome piece, isn't it? He leans in closer while she's busy.]

I'm happy. [A simple reply, but it felt like he was happy about more than just the jacket.]

[ Troublesome... perhaps. It may be easier just to remove it, but she can't bring herself to do that after only just processing his whole look with it on. There is something brave and dashing about it, and the Karuma remains ever perfect at his side, only amplifying both.

Notably, her hands practically freeze in place at the simple words, and for a moment, she doesn't know what to say. Perhaps he's only saying that for her benefit... She can feel his presence as he leans closer and she looks up to meet his eyes. ]

With me?

[He reaches to move aside her hair, his face getting closer to hers.] With you...with how things are, I suppose. [At least in this moment, he genuinely feels content. Not letting any negative thoughts bring him down and enjoying the moment. Their faces touch, the space feeling warmer.]

Thank you, for bringing me happiness.

[ First their foreheads touch, and eventually their noses. She can feel his breath against her own, and she closes her eyes to immerse herself in his presence. Her cheeks feel a little wet... Did a few tears escape? Is she relieved?

Yet a part of her knows that it is not as simple as that. Demons like his are not easily defeated; but as a certain foul-mouth girl once told her, most things worth doing are pretty damn hard. All she can do is refuse to give up on him, and refuse to let him give up on himself.

For now, that's enough. ]

[ Eventually, his inviting warmth leads her to fall into a hug. She doesn't know how long they stayed that way, though she can feel a squirming that starts in his arm around her back, until it ends just above her head at his shoulder.

Aura is still there, and she can't decide whether she wanted to join in on the hug, or whether the warmth was getting to be too much. Susato laughs a bit sheepishly. ]

Oh, sorry.

[He lets the hug happen, doing the same in return. The moment could go on forever, but it's momentary when he remembers Aura was still with him. Poor Aura, caught up in their little fling. Though she didn't seem to mind, understanding and admiring how in love they were being.

He reaches to give her little headpats as she chooses to remain on his shoulder for now. It seems like they had a few other admirers in the garden now too. Watchful eyes from snakes and dragon noodles alike.]

Hm, I think we've brought some attention to ourselves. [He looks down, seeing the wetness on her face, reaching to wipe what tears remain.] I suppose I have to give you your gift now too, don't I?

[ NO WHY IS SHE CRYING THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

She is too slow to wipe her own tears after him, but seems to try anyway, bringing a hand up to her face as she glances around them. She is met with innocent reptilian faces, and some curious hissing and chirping. ]

......

[ His words go over her head at first. ]

Huh? Oh--! [ aaaand protesting ] N, No, I... You don't have to.

[ That's not why she presented his gift early... ]

[His hand reaches for hers, trying to dry her tears. She was getting flustered again and he's trying to reel her back to him. Only him.]

But I don't think it's fair I can enjoy your gifts and you not mine. Will you let me...? [He's asking at least, before actually committing.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject