xistentia | LATE SUMMER FAIR (NSFW DESSERTS)

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LATE SUMMER FAIR (NSFW DESSERTS)

Characters: Ensemble cast, any/all characters of Xistentia!
Summary: The slow transition from summer leads to a fair, complete with whacky treats and activities from other holidays and festivals from around the Multiverse.
Date(s): August 26-September 2
Warnings/Notes: None, please mark your subject headers with content.

Late Summer Fair

I play my part and you play your game

Welcome to Xistentia's first fair, F.A.T.E.S.' excuse to mingle. The setup appears overnight on the edge of town, a nonsensical mash of themes and places from the multiverse. Haunted house and circus tent, facepainting, ferris wheel and carousel, game stands that seem to self-operate, dozens of empty shopfronts, self-regenerating popcorn stands. Pretty soon, however, the people start to come, bringing their own goods and wares. The population of Xistentia is 333, which is more than enough people to fill a fair.

As far as fair food goes, there are penis-shaped waffles^[NSFW] in various flavors, two-sticked popsicles for sharing with a partner, turkey legs, fried dough, cookies as big as your head, fried fish, fried lizards, glutinous fruits, and lembas.

And let's not forget, there is an abundance of alcohol everywhere. Beer, wine, you name it.

But of course, let's not forget the games. Many of them are low-key and prizes vary from the ability to change your daemon's color to any other natural hue, to free food, horrible writing pens, and stuffed animals. Games vary from whack-a-mole to bobbing for apples. Everything is free to eat, drink, and play, barring some excuses for barter with some of your friendly neighborhood natives.

Some games, however, are less casual if not necessarily more costly. The contests of finesse and strength come with special prizes from F.A.T.E.S. and...

THE WINNERS ARE

Note that the "prizes" do not stack. Runner-up winners will not get multiple of the same type of prize, and those who experience a critical failure won't suffer particularly severe consequences. If your character receives a dream or a "unique item," you will receive a reply to your comment on the mod announcement with more information.

Contests of Finesse

DARTS
First Place	Vanyel Greyjoy	The ability to "say just the right thing" once this week
Still Good	Era, Alec, Nico, Vex, Rosie, Aymeric, Jace, Amanda, Zeke, Kavinsky, Janus	Emotional intuition boost
Yikes	Magnus, Barclay	Daemons totally lose filter and start saying the most awkward shit
RING TOSS
First Place	Jace Wayland and Magnus Lightwood-Bane	The ability to "say just the right thing" once this week
Still Good	Era, Alec, Nico, Vex, Rosie, Vanyel, Rafaello, Amanda, Zeke, Barclay, and Janus	Emotional intuition boost
Yikes	Aymeric and Kavinsky	Daemons totally lose filter and start saying the most awkward shit
ARCHERY
First Place	Alec Lightwood-Bane	The ability to "say just the right thing" once this week
Still Good	Nico, Vex, Aymeric, Zeke, Magnus, Kavinsky, and Janus	Unique items
Yikes	Rosie and Barclay	Uncooperative powers (very minor, non-dangerous incidents) and accurate memory of silly dreams
SPARRING
First Place	Kavinsky	The ability to "say just the right thing" once this week
Still Good	Era, Nico, Vex, Rosie, Aymeric, Rafaello, Zeke, Barclay and Janus	Emotional intuition boost
Yikes	Alec, Vanyel, Jace, and Magnus	Daemons totally lose filter and start saying the most awkward shit

Contests of Strength

ARM WRESTLING
First Place	Ezekiel	Precognitive dream later that night
Still Good	Era, Alec, Nico, Rosie, Aymeric, Vanyel, Rafaello, Magnus, Kavinsky and Janus	Unique items
Yikes	Vex and Jace	Uncooperative powers (very minor, non-dangerous incidents) and accurate memory of silly dreams
HIGH STRIKE
First Place	Era	Precognitive dream later that night
Still Good	Alec, Nico, Vex, Jace, Zeke, Magnus, Kavinsky and Janus	Unique items
Yikes	Rosie and Aymeric	Uncooperative powers (very minor, non-dangerous incidents) and accurate memory of silly dreams

See also detailed dice roll information for: darts, ring toss, arm wrestling, high strike, and archery.

Kissing Booth

And what would a fair be, without a kissing booth?

Just like the rest of the fair, the odd thing is that there is of course no payment required.

Instead, a large and lovely lantern hangs behind the booth. It seems to glow a little brighter every time a kiss is transacted. It's hard to know exactly what this means, but considering that emotional intimacy lights the streets of the city, one might guess that F.A.T.E.S. is saving up this particular energy for something special.

But until then, it's a good excuse to make out.

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He'd been waiting with practically baited breath. He doesn't know why he suddenly feels so uncertain, practically self-conscious. Was it too forward of him? Maybe he should try to take it, try to-

It was only a moment's silence, honestly, but felt like an eternity. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he'd hardly noticed her tail curling around his arm. Though he doesn't mind it in the slightest once he does register it. It's not a no but not a yes either. Still, it's better than he allowed himself to hope for so he'll take it.

"Please do," he answers. "But of course, there is absolutely no obligation. I'm just trying to keep both our best interests in mind."

Sure.

"It would be a benefit," she agrees quietly, blinking a few times in an attempt to rouse herself. Aymeric's arms are warm and the rocking motion as he carries her is very effective at lulling her into a state of drowsiness, though having been sick to her stomach certainly didn't help her energy levels either. "To be so near to a comrade is a boon."

But she has liked her solitary camp just as much as the nights she spent in Aymeric's apartment. It gave her time to think, or to train, or to just be herself with no obligation to anyone else.

...Not that being around Aymeric ever feels like an obligation. Quite the opposite, in fact.

"'Tis," he answers but doesn't say anymore just yet. He can sense her listlessness; it's only understandable, after the night she's had. At least she has some fair winnings to help recover from the ache in her stomach. She'd done impressively well at the high strike if he's recalling correctly.

"If nothing else," he continues, after a moment's consideration, "you are welcome anytime." So even if she chooses not to stay permanently or consistently, he'd feel better knowing the door is open for her should she need it. Not that it wasn't before but he hadn't said as such. Maybe he should do that more.

They're nearing the complex now. He doesn't want to pressure her to rest just yet but quietly hopes that she might be because sleeping off her sickness is likely for the best.

It had been a rather busy day, even excluding her strange bout of bad luck and the discomfort of her stomach. Era had... learned a lot. Mostly from Mandy, but a little from Rose as well. She does her best not to think about such topics while being carried by the object of her 'crush', however it's a difficult task when she feels so sleepy and comfortable.

"I'll think more of it in the morn."

It's not long after speaking that she finally surrenders to sleep - it isn't something she does as regularly as she probably should, but she knows that she's safe with Aymeric. One would think that being so at peace when falling asleep (despite the lingering ache in her abdomen) would leave her with peaceful dreams, yet Era wasn't so lucky in that regard.

Era is lucky that she was granted a few hours of peaceful rest before being assaulted by dreams of Haurchefant. Not of his death, but a simple conversation. A heart-to-heart with a dear friend beyond the grave in a place entrenched in peace rather than war. It's enjoyable, telling Haurchefant of the adventures she's had since his passing and how his loved ones are doing. His humour is infectious as always; smile bright and charming as ever.

"There's something important I must tell you, my friend." Suddenly his tone is more serious than she had ever heard it. Her hands are grasped in his own and he stares her in the eyes, smile all but gone.

The mortal wound in his abdomen makes itself known, blood dripping from his lips, hands growing cold in her own much too quickly, bright eyes dimming. It's a bastardized retelling of his death, and instead of his true last words he tells her: "You must go to the temple and open the black door."

And then Era's awake, cheeks wet and chest heaving. Her stomach no longer bothers her yet she still makes a mad, clumsy dash for the bathroom to upend bile into the toilet. She coughs and shakes and all she can hear are those false final words ringing through her ears and all she can see is the light fading from Haurchefant's eyes.

He's surprisingly gentle in the way he walks up the steps, opens the door, and lays her to rest without waking her. Naturally, she gets his bed while he makes a place for himself on the loveseat in the living area. The Elezen doesn't sleep just yet. He has Haurchefantd check on Era throughout the first hour or so before confirming that she is, in fact, alright and hopefully able to rest soundly.

Maybe it was too much to ask for. "Ser," comes a small, tinny voice after he's roused awake by the sound of someone else in the apartment moving about. Though still mildly groggy, he hoists himself of the couch and easily makes his way towards the source. Seems like Era is still having some stomach issues, but- She also seems rattled. Had she been crying?

A bad dream, he suddenly realizes. It actually makes sense considering the stress she'd put her body through. He doesn't say anything at first but drapes a blanket around her shoulders where she kneels because he can't imagine the linoleum tiles are all that comfortable nor warm. "Tell me your troubles?" he finally asks in a whisper.

Era is disoriented enough that his presence startles her and the blanket frightens her - she instinctively reaches for a weapon at her side that isn't there; hand grasping for a hilt or the spine of a book. It takes her a moment to realize that it's just Aymeric, and that the weight is just a blanket. She settles into the warmth, wrapping it more securely around herself and tucking her tail around her waist for extra comfort.

She has trouble finding her voice, and even more difficulty finding the right words. Instead she simply settles for saying: "Haurchefant."

And that should be enough.

He probably should know better than to sneak up on the Warrior of Light, honestly, but he'd been too concerned and sleepy himself to have better reason. As it is, Aymeric is relieved to see the tension from her shoulders fade.

"I see," is all he offers at first. She needn't say more, honestly, because he understands perfectly just from that alone. There had been a more than a few nights of his own that he'd woken up with a cold sheen of sweet on his skin and a shake in his limbs that wouldn't subside from the memory of losing one of his dearest friends invading his sleeping mind.

"Was it-?"

The time at the Vault, he means to ask, but doesn't go any further. She'll know what he's asking.

She makes to say no, but hesitates. While the first portion had nothing to do with that dreadful place the last... She hiccoughs, feeling simultaneously cold and hot; skin sweaty, hands clammy, scales itching. Being sick isn't something she has any memory of and it's a surprise to her to feel such a way right now. It certainly isn't helping move on from her dream - nightmare? - any more easily.

"He died," Era whispers, staring down at her hands. Her fingers clench, remembering how Haurchefant's went limp in them so many moons ago. It was his choice to take that blow for her and she knows she shouldn't disrespect his decision, yet Era still feels like it was her fault he died. Not even slaying Zephirin rid her of that burden.

How many times, he wonders, has he seen Haurchefant's death while he sleeps? He wants to let her know that she's not alone in this. Their grief is a shared one even though it manifests itself in different ways; Aymeric had spent his time after his dear friend's death remaining busy as ever, sleeping only when necessary to avoid said nightmares. To stop himself from running each what if scenario in his head. What if he'd gotten there sooner, what if someone had seen Zephrin's attack coming beforehand.

"And what did he say to you in his final moments?" Aymeric knows the answer, knows that it's likely the last thing she wants to think about. But he also knows how important it is that she keeps that in mind. A smile better suits a hero. But what he doesn't know is that actually isn't true in this case. That the vision hadn't spoken Haurchfant's actual last words but instead something more foreboding.

"'You must go to the temple,'" Era intones quietly, managing to mimic Haurchefant's inflection near perfectly. "'And open the black door."

Scooting away from the toilet and hugging her knees to her chest, Era falls silent once more. As much as she would like to just get up and crawl back into bed she can't find it in herself to do so. She is tired, upset, cold, and honestly would really like to curl up with Aymeric to fall asleep, not that she would ever dare voice such a desire.

That's

not actually what he was expecting. In fact, that's a lot more ominous than Haurchefant's true last words. His brows furrow in concern at the foreboding message. "We will have to investigate," he answers.

"Once you are feeling well," is added immediately thereafter. He notices the way that she curls up uncomfortably and doesn't seem too keen on moving. The tiled floor of the bathroom are no place for her to sleep though, and so- She'll find herself swiftly scooped up into his arms for the second time this night.

He takes her back to the bedroom and lays her gently onto the farther side of it. Then, he crawls onto the bed himself and settles in next to her. Not laying down (his propriety prevents him from it) but instead sitting with his back upright against the headboard. Even this is a little more than he probably should be doing but he supposes there are exceptions to be made for unwell friends.

Era would rather not dwell on such a dream, though it did have the discomfiting feel of a vision moreso than a mere dream.

She jolts in panic initially when Aymeric scoops her up - her senses are a little off at the moment, leaving her spacial perception somewhat lacking - but she quickly settles, snuggling against his chest. Era recognizes the feel of his arms and the scent that clings to his clothes and skin; it's comforting, easing her frayed nerves when nothing else would.

Had this been a different day, Era may have protested Aymeric's presence. She doesn't mind it in the least (quite the opposite, in fact), but normally wouldn't wish for him to feel any obligation to stay. Right now she couldn't care less, however. She's not in the right state to deny the comfort she so dearly needs and so she says nothing, merely curls up on her side as close to Aymeric as she can get without encroaching beyond what's considered proper.

Emeraldd has no such reservations and jumps up onto the Elezen's lap. It circles once, twice, then settles down to sleep.

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LATE SUMMER FAIR (NSFW DESSERTS)

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hope this works!! :U

it's fine!

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lazarus saved this tag from shitty hotel internet

remembers for the umpteenth time that I should download lazarus

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