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

...!

[ 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.]

[ She should what?

Certainly not lessening her fluster, and her face continues to redden as a noise of protest escapes her! At the very least, however, her attention is torn from Ryunosuke just as quickly. She can see the look growing on Kazuma now, a different kind of demon with green eyes rearing its head. The arm she has around Kazuma tightens its hold, a little rougher than he might be used to from her. ]

. . . There is no need for that. This is your best friend, remember? Be angry with me if you must, but... the spell of the white slug is broken.

[ It worked. Yet this still feels like a pleasant dream she doesn't want to wake up from, despite the tensions. It still feels like home. She lowers her head and closes her eyes, like she's bracing for the loss of it. Just five more minutes, please. ]

[Feeling Kazuma's jealous attention suddenly get turned back on him... Ryunosuke tenses like a mouse that's just had a spotlight abruptly trained on it. He only relaxes after Susato blessedly comes to his defense.

Is the spell broken? Curious, he cranes his neck to look up and around at where the slug was hovering before.]

Oh...! Yes, you're right! It's gone....

[He still maintains that it was pretty adorable, up until it trapped them in this rather awkward situation. Sea slugs are just oddly charming though, in his opinion.

...

He might be zoning out a little now, head cocked slightly with his eyes closed in thought, while he continues to be held in this group hug, and the other two inevitably probably continue to banter a bit. He's just thinking about sea creatures now, don't mind him :/]

[He felt the squeeze, glancing back to Susato. She looked all flustered and trying to make reason with him. He just said some ridiculous things, didn't he? Ryunosuke is his friend. He knows him well enough that he wouldn't try doing something behind his back. Although...he's starting to wonder where they stand with their friendship, knowing how things turn out.]

I'm not angry with either of you. [He looks to Ryunosuke. Was he really spacing out...? Well either way, his hold on the two of them will loosen so they can actually move.] I apologize for what I said and asked.

[ Susato feels Kazuma’s hold loosen. She opens her eyes again when he starts speaking, though her hand does linger within his as the hug naturally breaks. Perhaps she is thinking of when the dragons interrupted the Dream Faire; for a moment, she’d lost him then, too, and just like then, she was able to bring him back.

A smile slowly cracks on her face—pride, perhaps? For Kazuma, but also a little for herself. She turns to Ryunosuke then, who she thinks was the true intended recipient of the apology.

Well? Does he accept? ]

[Ryunosuke is, in fact, 100% genuinely spacing out. Because the truth is, he really just isn't lastingly bothered by anything Kazuma has said or done here this evening? To the point where he can easily allow himself to get distracted wondering if he might be able to get an aquarium in his house here.

He opens his eyes to look at Kazuma when he apologizes, though. There's a light frown on his face, but it's more of the concerned variety than anything else.].

Kazuma...

[He reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder and gives it a little squeeze, before breaking into a grin.]

I appreciate that. But... You've nothing to apologize for. Really.

[Like... He knows you're a bit of a hot-head, dude. He's used to it. He really isn't taking any of this personally.]

[Nothing to apologize for at all...? As he said it, something didn't sit right with him. Now it's Kazuma's turn to space out as he stares at Ryunosuke. His remark was directed at what was happening in the present, but his mind is wandering back to home...insisting his friend to come with him to Great Britain, hiding secrets from him.

Considered Ryunosuke to be his defense should something had happened to him.

Everything will turn out okay in the end but...his eyes falters.]

...We should get inside before we freeze to death. [Now that they're not caught in magic slug powers.]

. . . [ Though it's exactly what they both wanted to hear, Susato can sense Kazuma getting away from her again. She is staring at him, and there's a chill that passes through the garden, as if Kazuma himself had summoned it. When his natural heat returns, it feels weaker, like a flame that has started to dim.

Susato sighs and squeezes his hand before she sadly lets go of both of them, taking the initiative to walk some paces towards the doorway back inside. ]

You're right. It is late as well.

[ She turns back, as if to make sure they are following her. ]

I know you're not far, Naruhodo-san, but why don't you stay the night?

[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

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