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 ♡ ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Scary...! Particularly the glare from Kazuma. Sorry, Ryu, the slug doesn't seem fazed by his righteous indignation. Clearly this marks the need for even more cute, fluffy feelings. The creature flies up and makes sure to stay out of their reach, while its words start to sound like nothing at all.

Susato watches it, lamenting her own lack of wings. ]

Yes, just hugging. [ Was he expecting anything else!? ] As I was just telling him, that was how we escaped its clutches last year, father and I.

But apparently this one is... [ be nice Susato be nice don't curse ] pickier.

[On the one hand, it's maybe a bit cowardly of him to let Susato do all the work with explaining things to Kazuma. On the other hand... He really doesn't want to make things more awkward by needlessly interjecting? So. Once he's done massaging his poor back he's just going to straighten up and stand there, at attention, with his hands clasped behind his back. Kazuma will get an apologetic grimace if he does happen to catch Ryunosuke's eye. C'mon buddy... He would NEVER... Where's the trust!!

Anyway, there's an obvious solution here, to his mind.]

Right... Well! I'll just, uh--

[He turns on his heel so he's facing away from the both of them. Staring out over the garden, bouncing anxiously on the balls of his feet.]

I'll try to project my thoughts elsewhere and you two... Just, pretend I'm not even here!

[His attempts to be inconspicuous is having the opposite effect. His eyes following after his back turning.]

Aren't you trapped in here with us? [Wouldn't he need to participate? Again?]

[ Ryunosuke will feel a second set of eyes on him before long, even if it's just his back. He's looking for another Susato Take Down^TM, isn't he? (Don't make her do it.) ]

Why would we pretend you are not here when it took this long just to get you back...?

[...Why can neither of them take a hint. Ryunosuke half turns back towards them, flustered and slightly exasperated.]

I didn't mean forever, I just-- [HUFF. Better just say it plain.] Look, you said that thing feeds on positive dreamotion energy, yes? Well, presumably it didn't lift the barrier because that hug before didn't... Get it whatever it wanted. But now that Kazuma is here instead...

[He makes kind of a vague hand gesture, like, 'YOU KNOW...'

Bottom line is, he's trying to give those two space to be cute for the slug, without him watching on like a weirdo.]

[Kazuma gives Ryunosuke a long look before shaking his head and walking over to him, taking him by the arm.]

Have you considered that maybe it did work before I showed up? [Implying it's probably his fault?] Also, I do not believe only myself and Susato will be able to satisfy this little troublemaker. [The slug chirps, blinking innocently at them when being accused. It just wants there to be good happy feelings! No sad or being left out for anyone!]

Just don't weasel in another kiss. [They're just going to hug it out.]

[ What hint???

Anyway, Susato hangs back for a moment longer, but finally seems to understand when Ryunosuke explains. She frowns, shooting Kazuma a Concerned look at the implication that any of this is his fault. She comes up on the other side of Ryunosuke opposite Kazuma, placing a hand on his shoulder in an encouraging gesture.

...

...... ]

...!

[ And then she squeezes his shoulder, momentarily flustered at the mention of the kiss. ]

W, Well, he is not a frog anymore, so...

[ But... didn't Kazuma have to kiss him, too? ]

[Uuuugh SLUG! He doesn't feel sad or left out about it! Really!!!

However, he is feeling sort of jumpy and, uh, cornered, right about now? Because suddenly they're both behind him AND touching him, and the wall's in front of him, and... He's not sure why that has him so tense when it's just his two trusted friends trying to help him feel included? But the vibe is odd and FRANKLY he's not really a big PDA enthusiast! So!]

What-- Hahhh, I'm sorry, what! What are you suggesting, exactly, Kazuma??

[His voice is going up half an octave and he is literally tugging at his collar as he asks.]

A display that we care for one another, I presume. [A glance at the slug who chirps, nodding to confirm. Chop, chop! You're all friends right? Get to it! Seeing Ryunosuke getting all fidgety, he relax his grip on his arm.]

...Would you calm down? I'm certain it requires nothing ludicrous.

[ Sure is a good thing this slug isn't pink! When Kazuma relaxes his grip, Susato also seems to follow suit, giving Ryunosuke just a little more space to breathe. This really should be easy...

......So why isn't it? ]

What if I just hugged you both? [ The suggestion comes easily from someone who is not exactly a PDA enthusiast either--but honestly, how public is it really when they're closed and there's hardly anyone else around? They're overthinking this. ] ...I don't know, at the same time?

...W, Would that be strange?

[...Okay, yeah, maybe he is overthinking this just a tad. Ryunosuke lets out a wheeze and grudgingly turns around to face them both, looking genuinely contrite.]

Ugh... S-sorry. It's just...!

[Suddenly, he can't seem to look either of them in the eye, and he glances askance, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.]

The very last thing I want to do is complicate or interfere with this... This wonderful courtship that you two have with one another, and yet I feel as if I keep mucking things up without meaning to...! So I thought it might be best if I just... Gave you both some space... That's all...

[Not to ignore Susato's suggestion, which is a fine one, but. He feels the need to explain his squirrelly behavior properly. Even if it's a bit embarrassing to admit to...]

...Well you're not, unless... [Do you have feelings for someone in this circle? ...Maybe he shouldn't think that deeply. His friend is just being considerate, right? Right. He shakes his head.]

You're still our friend.

......

[ If he does, those feelings aren't for Susato. Maybe once upon a time, she'd hoped. That part of her makes it hard to look at either of them now as Kazuma trails off, and she finds herself swiveling between both, swapping any time her gaze lingers for too long.

She eventually gravitates towards Kazuma, though her gaze settles on Ryunosuke as her arm naturally snakes around Kazuma's waist. ]

And you are not... 'mucking things up.' [ She adds emphatically. She holds out her free arm invitingly like she is making room for him. ] Regardless of our courtship, we have saved space for you after all these months.

...So come take it already.

Edited 2022-12-30 03:56 (UTC)

[If he is having feelings for either (or both) of them, he's certainly not acknowledging it! In fact, he'll just keep any thoughts in that direction locked up and shoved somewhere deep, deep in his psyche?? And not examine them!

Even after all the reassurance provided, he still looks a bit fidgety at the prospect, eyes flicking between the both of them. He doesn't want to let them down, though! He just... He needs to calm down...]

Yes... Yes, alright... I understand...

[...Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath... And winds up one of his signature bracing face slaps first. You know. To center himself?? For... For the hug.

SMACK.

When he opens his eyes again, he looks much more determined. Fierce.]

If that's the case... Then you'd both best brace yourselves... For a group hug of great friendship! Naruhodo style!

[In so saying, he lurches forward, lightning quick, gets his arms around the both of them and just. Squeezes. Not enough to hurt but like, there's a surprising amount of strength behind it, considering who's delivering.]

[Bro that's not healthy. Take it from the expert.

He watches as Ryunosuke does that familiar routine to psych himself up. In the next, he was lunging at them both, before Kazuma could do anything besides saying-] Ah-!

[He will not push him away, just needing a moment to register what had just happened. Abrupt, but quite like Ryunosuke to go over the top. And yet....it felt like a hug that has been egregiously delayed for far too long between the three of them. He closes his eyes, raising an arm to put around Ryunosuke, the other around Susato without being prompted. Yes, he wants this. Even if he never thought it, this felt right and needed.]

[ Did Ryunosuke just invent psychelocks?!

Susato should have seen it coming, probably. That gesture is one she's picked up for herself, however intentional or not. She wonders if Kazuma has ever caught her doing it occasion, when she is trying to amp herself up for something, but before she can stew on that for too long, she's letting out a surprised noise as her gentle invitation is suddenly answered. Ryunosuke fills the aforementioned space, however aggressively, and after the initial shock passes, Susato finds herself letting out a sigh.

Is this relief...?

She closes her eyes for a moment to take in the warmth, willing herself not to do something stupid to ruin the moment, like start crying. She does open them again, however, taking a peek at their "friend" the slug, who still seems to be watching curiously.

Drinking in the positive energy, while still seeming contemplative. ]

[ Still?!

Susato can't hold them much closer than she already is, though she tries. The hand around Kazuma's back in particular grips at his shirt, and while she can't smack her face to amp herself up for this, she is definitely doing it mentally.

Does she dare? ]

[ It is easy enough for her to lean towards Kazuma. Ryunosuke will feel a tug as she pushes herself to her tiptoes to reach his cheek, planting a light kiss there as she would any other day.

And then...

After leaving them in suspense for a moment longer, she turns to mirror the gesture, planting a kiss on the cheek for Ryunosuke as well. ]

[ Damn! It sure did get warm in here. Maybe that's why the slug seems to disappear into the void in the following moments, depriving them of the opportunity to crush it. (The trade off is that they are, apparently, free--whether they know it or not.)

Susato clears her throat. ]

Um...

[ "Let us never speak of this again"? No. There is literally nothing she can think to say to follow that up. "Sorry," maybe. Did she ruin it?

...Regardless, she'll selfishly maintain the hug for a little longer as her cheeks turn pink. ]

This is... long overdue, I feel.

[Ruined it? No, not exactly! Ryunosuke is struck rather dumb by the gesture, though, and rather than look at either of them he just boggles a moment over both their shoulders while his cheeks grow flushed, and he continues to aggressively squeeze them both.

He could freak out about it. Overthink it. But that would ruin the moment, wouldn't it?]

...Yes. Yes, I agree.

[He hadn't realized it until now, but... Yeah. A big hug from his two favorite people... Is pretty nice, actually. The kiss is nice, too. As long as Kazuma isn't bothered.

...Also, as much as they'd had to coax him into this in the first place, he seems pretty reluctant to be the first one to let go.]

Hm. [Just a hum in agreement. He was taking this all in, enjoying this hug he really needed apparently. And then Susato decides to go a step further and kiss them both. It is nothing, Kazuma is telling himself. It's not that deep and they're just dealing with the dumb slug's demand. He might have let out an intentional sigh, but it's not directed at either of them. No he was simply trying to take in the moment, but then...]

...So who was the better kisser? [He glances in Susato's direction.] Between me and Ryunosuke?

...Y, You are asking me?!

[ The question doesn't entirely register at first, but as Kazuma's gaze falls on Susato, she realizes it's directed at her. This does not help her flustering, though despite all that, she seems equally hesitant to let go, and might he clinging more tightly. ]

He... He has never kissed me! [ It was her, after all, who kissed him just now, please don't make her regret it!! ] If anything... Shouldn't we be asking you, Naruhodo-san?

[ And just like that, Susato's eyes fall on Ryunosuke.

She kissed him... and then Kazuma had to do the same.

Both were able to change him back... ]

[Wow... And there he was, mouth open, ready to defend Susato and chastise Kazuma for asking such an inappropriate and ridiculous question.

He picks his jaw up and blinks a few times in disbelief, wearing a rather hunted looking expression.]

M... Me!? You're asking me? [He's dropped his arms back to his sides, so he's now more a prisoner of this continuing hug than anything.] Sorry, but, need I remind you both I was a frog at the time?

I don't care what he thinks about my kiss. Susato should win between us anyway. [Wow, declaring just like that.]

...But you did get two kisses from Susato now. [Oh no, Susato's little correction got him turning on Ryunosuke.]

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