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

[The squirrel continues to scamper about his shoulders, restless from the fight and still hungry for food. It has gained a bit of weight since the two first encountered it. Beat seems used to its dealing with its frantic energy though.

He looks over to Susato as the squirrel lets out a few squeaks, seeing the snake nearby.]

Snake got your tongue, Loops?

. . . Beat.

[ There is a pause. Susato doesn't seem sure, and while she doesn't start hissing like a snake, Ruby seems to continue while she listens intently. She looks over to Squirrel and blinks as if looking at the critter for the first time. ]

Did you know your friend is a girl?

My friend...?

[It takes a moment for him to realize exactly what she was saying, after noticing where she was looking.]

You mean Squirrel? Nah, he's a guy, yo.

[And he sounds so sure of himself too.]

[ Ah. Yes, that's right, a typical teenage guy. Beat is, at least. This completely tracks, so much so that Susato is barely affected. ]

Is he? What makes you say so?

[ She had never even thought to question it before. From a distance, male and female squirrels are essentially identical. ]

...Have you checked? [ She dares you. ]

Check, why do I gotta check?

[Which was his way of saying no. He never thought to bother since the squirrel had come home with him a month prior.

But he'll humor Susato, holding out a hand for the squirrel to hop onto. After stroking its head and back so it would calm down, he gets it to lie on his hand.]

Jus' stay still for a sec, aight?

[And—]

[...There are no balls.]

YOU'S BEEN A GIRL THE WHOLE TIME?

[ ...Ow?!

Susato flinches slightly from the SUDDEN LOUDNESS of Beat's surprise. Even Ruby seems affected, and in the next moment, he recoils in protest and Susato can feel him moving off her neck and away, probably to find another treat ornament somewhere far away from the ruckus.

He is probably saying something like, 'Get smarter friendsss.' Susato doesn't speak squirrel, but there is a chittering from her in response that probably means, 'You didn't know?' ]

...Well.

[ What is she even supposed to say here? At least it's not a bad thing, exactly. ]

Doesn't that explain a lot?

[The surprise on his face doesn't dissapate immediately, slowly taking its time to settle. He blinks once, twice, mouth still agape as he stares at the squirrel as she stands upright once more before turning to Susato.]

Hell yeah, it does. That's prob'ly why I was havin' a helluva time thinkin' 'bout what to call her.

[And that's when it comes to him. His expression shifts from shock to glee almost instantly, almost like that of a child on Christmas morning.]

Yo, whatchu think 'bout "Rhyme"?

[Because that just made sense, didn't it? The squirrel chitters and squeaks at the name, pressing her furry cheeks against his fingers before clambering up onto his shoulder once again.]

I think she likes it!

Rhyme... Rhyme...

[ Beat isn't really asking her, but she'll repeat it a couple of times to herself anyway as the chittering and squeaking continues. Why does that sound so familiar...? Raimu.

......She can't place it, but she does clap her hands in approval. ]

Wonderful! I think it is cute. [ And really, so long as Rhyme likes it, does it really matter? She does seem to look Rhyme over though, as if trying to spot where Beat got his inspiration. ] How did you come up with that?

It's the name of my li'l sis.

[The smile on his face is soft, gentle, and a little nostalgic and bittersweet. Though it may seem uncharacteristic of him, he couldn't help it, much less realize that he looked that way. As much as he wouldn't admit it, he missed his sister and thought about her often.]

She, uh...

[There was a slight pause, taking his time to continue. He looked towards Susato as if considering her for a brief moment. She may have been one of his closest friends since he'd gotten here, but he wasn't sure if he should suddenly sour the conversation by telling her how the name had come to him so quickly. It wasn't as if that topic was light after all. His hand reaches up to scratch the back of his neck. He's sheepish about what he decides to say and it shows in his expression and the tone of his voice.]

Could say she had a thing for squirrels, you know?

[ Oh.

For some reason, the name did seem familiar, though she'd never heard it before. His body language speaks volumes, however, and Susato realizes when she's breaching an uneasy topic. (At least that nostalgic smile looks nice on him, even if it is something she'd never see.) ]

I see.

[ She smiles warmly. Hopefully it is as inviting as she intends. ]

Did she like them...? [ Is that the "thing"-- ]

[Of course, she'd catch onto it. Susato's too smart to not figure out that he was lying.]

That easy, huh?

[Beat laughs, but there is an uneasiness to it. The topic certainly wasn't something easy to breach. His gaze flits over from the newly-named Rhyme to Susato as he takes what he says next into consideration. It's Susato though, someone he considers a close friend... But the possible judgement from his still gives him a moment of pause.]

Not 'sactly. [A beat.] She kinda use to be one. Leas' somethin' like it for a little bit.

[That's about as much as he can manage in the meantime, looking up to Susato to gauge her reaction. This wasn't going to be easy.]

[ Susato's smile fades gradually, and her mouth is left hanging lightly open. It takes a moment for it to really sink in, and it seems like she's not sure whether this is just one of his Beat-isms that she doesn't understand. ]

She...

[ used to be one?

Although, with how many transformations she's undergone here in the past year, is it really so strange? ]

......Well, I became a rabbit once. A doll. But... somehow I don't believe that's what you mean.

Nah, it ain't like that. [But wasn't it?

He reaches out for one of the snacks that had fallen on the ground, picking it up to feed Rhyme on his shoulder. The squirrel happily reaches out and immediately starts heartily nibbling on the piece. It's reminiscent of when Rhyme had been in a similar form during the first Reaper's Game, but even that memory felt like a hard pill to swallow.]

She got trapped as one for a little bit 'cause of a mistake I made.

[As much as it hurt, he could admit to that now. He wasn't going to lie about something that he knew was his fault. While there's more to the story but he didn't know if he should burden Susato with more of it.]

She's aight now, for the record. Back to normal an' all back home.

[ Susato is still listening, but when Beat feeds Rhyme, she recalls that there's still clean up to be done, and she bends down to pick up the larger pieces of broken glass.

Despite the inconvenience, she appears to be smiling. ]

You'll see her again.

[ When and where that will be, she doesn't know, but she is as certain of it as she had been on that day at the Port of Dover. Perhaps that's a conversation for another day, though. ]

I'm in need of a broom, so keep Rhyme safe, alright? I will return in a jiff.

[Susato is taking the news better than he expected. Sounds like she really has adapted to the fact that she's changed forms numerous times.]

Yeah, I know I'm gonna. Still can't help but miss her though.

[When she leaves, Beat starts to at least clean up the other snacks that had fallen to the ground to at least put aside for when Susato and the snake return. Rhyme reaches out trying to get more, despite still working through the one he had given her. He scolds her lightly but laughs despite her behavior.

When she arrives back, she may be surprised to find the area just a little bit cleaner than when she had left it, devoid of Ruby's snacks. On the table rests a small stack of these, ready for the snake to snack on when it pleases. ]

[ Ruby's attention seems to be elsewhere, but Beat will find that his efforts are rewarded with some other curious snakes who approach rather timidly. There's one that he might even recognize: Ryusei. But even if he doesn't, she'll recognize him.

It actually takes a bit longer than Susato intended, but that is because she does a little more than retrieve a broom and its accompanying pan. In a sudden moment, inspiration strikes, and she decides that now is a good a time as any. She goes all the way out of the restaurant and up the stairs, returning not only with the broom, but a wrapped present in the form of a box.

On top of the box sits a bag of what looks like acorns, but closer would inspection will reveal that there are various other nuts and berries as well. ]

Oh! Thank you, Beat! [ For helping. ~~Now go home and do the same to your own room.~~ ] Apologies if I kept you waiting. I figure I should probably give you these while I am thinking about it...

[ And she'll set the broom aside for now, moving instead to hand Beat his present. ]

[Unfortunately, with everything that had happened when Beat first met Ryusei, he does not recognize her as he cleans up. And he's back to working on one of the cranes while Susato is away. Though she was gone for some time, it takes him that long to actually complete one as well.]

No sweat, yo. [He sees the box that she holds out to him, looking back at her in surprise.] For real? Ya didn't haveta, Loops.

[As soon as he takes it, Rhyme immediately sees and smells the acorns, scampering down his arm to get to them.]

Looks like she's more excited than me. Can I open it?

[ When Beat doesn't recognize Ryusei, however, she leaves him alone and allows him to keep working. He looks like he's concentrating pretty hard, after all, and these snacks are tasty, and with Susato returning to distract him further, the snake feels no need to interfere.

Susato laughs at the comment, opening the bag for Rhyme when she comes scampering over. ]

I meant to leave it for you at your house. I didn't have a chance to write a card for you, but I suppose I don't mind. That is, if you don't mind one less present to open on Christmas morning.

[ Normally she'd be a stickler for this, but she's gifted a few others their presents a little early... What's one more. When Beat opens it, he will find an adorable plush squirrel inside.

Hmm... perhaps Rhyme was right to be excited. ]

Edited 2023-01-22 18:52 (UTC)

[And just like that he sets the bag on the table so he could start ripping through the wrappings. A gleeful smile spreads across his face as he holds it up.]

Yo, looks like you got another friend now, Rhyme.

[Shaking the toy from side to side, Beat watches as the squirrel takes a few sniffs at it. However, she is quick to bore and is far more interested in the bag of acorns that lays on the table. Beat makes swift work to open it and give her one.]

Thanks, Loops! Wasn't really expecting a gift or anything. But I got somethin' for you too. I'mma have to give it to you sometime but how's this for now?

[He picks up the crane that he had been working on that had been mostly obscured up to that point, placing it atop Susato's hands.]

[ Susato grins. Truth be told, she wasn't entirely sure if Beat was the "plushie" type, but she also figured... it might make a good gift for the real Rhyme, someday. And a friend to the squirrel, in the interim.

Susato also has to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the crane he presents. No sugarcoating here: it is terrible, but she seems to treat it as something precious anyway. ]

This is what progress looks like, Beat. [ She places an encouraging hand on his shoulder. ] Hmm. It is too big to put with the rest of mine, but I am going to find a place for it.

Why don't you work on another? I'll come back to help you.

[Hearing that almost makes it look like he's beaming. He had taken one of the bigger sheets of paper so he could get the folds in, and while she was right in saying it might've been too big at least he's finally completed one. Well, that just means he has a new goal to aim for.]

Aight! I'mma make that that fits with the rest, yo. Jus' you wait.

[A few days later, he does drop by to give Susato her gift, telling her to open it whenever she wants to. Inside she will find a pair of sakura-themed hair clips that he thought would she would like.]

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[10] baby... kurisumasu daze 🎄

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