This just in: water is wet. You already knew that, though, didn't you? So smart, so wise — and yet, here you are, in a city that's somehow managed to displace an entire group of people with one tiny drop of a shovel. One might assume that flooding a set of recently inhabited buildings and stopping a brand new construction project would be enough damage done for one accidental swing of a shovel, but you know what they say about making assumptions. The fact is, there's always more to the story... and it has been raining quite a bit lately. In fact, it's been raining nonstop for the past few days.
If you've been wondering why, wonder no longer. At precisely noon, a chime can be heard all around the city. Its tinny vibrations are impossible to miss, and those who have been around the block might recognize it from a long-ago treasure hunt — it's an all-call, a broadcast sent simultaneously over local television & radio stations as well as citizens' personal CuddlePhones, containing a message from Volunteer Coordinators Flora & Cornelius.
Like your favorite weather reporters, they've come out to the center of the action to report live on the recent happenings within the city — most notably the curiously shimmering rainfall and its potential impact on those who are exposed to it. It's Flora who delivers the bulk of the message, clearly reading off of a teleprompter in her slight twang, and looking quite confused by the entire ordeal. Also, she's drenched, the rain pouring down on her which she tries desperately to smile through, undeterred.
"The city's scientific community, after much research, has concluded that the pipes affected by the — er, puncture under the building site were filled with water typically filtered by the Energem. Due to the recent, totally innocuous, tooootally nothing to be concerned about fissure — oopsie-daisy, I wasn't supposed to say that — it appears that some of the Energem's magic has also leeched into the water during the fil-ter-ing pro-cess.
While the flooding has now thankfully subsided and the standing water has receded back into the underground reservoirs, it appears the affected water has at least partially been absorbed into the atmosphere, where it is being released in particularly ... enthusiastic rain showers. The rain itself seems to be affecting those who come into contact with it, making them less resistant to unfiltered communication or confessions. Did y'all know that I'm not a natural blonde? It's true! Ahem. Anyways! The current hy-po-thesis, while not yet confirmed by the city administration — well that's silly, we're the city administration! — is the Energem's intention to foster intimate connections has imbued the rain with, um, encouraging properties."
Finally done, Flora offers an friendly, reassuring smile. A voice can be heard clearly from behind the camera, male, and most definitely Cornelius: "Good job, darling! Except you sounded terrible. — I mean! I didn't mean that! I don't know why I said that. Hey, Flora? Do you think we maybe should've brought umbrellas before we —" And then the feed cuts off abruptly. Huh. What did she say about a fissure again? Could that have been a result of the recent earthquake?
Before anyone has too much time to overthink, the chime once again echoes out into the city. This time, it's a text bulletin from an account simply named THE CITY OF CADELLE. Fancy.
The city administration and local scientific community have advised that it may be in your best interest to remain indoor until this weather pattern subsides.
Naturally, such an advisory might make it difficult to attempt moving back in to the recently re-opened Welcome District, so hotel accommodations will be extended for the time being. In addition, complimentary umbrellas, raincoats, wellies, and galoshes will be available for pick-up at City Hall, should you have a need to venture out in this weather.
What will you do? Among the many, there are a few options to consider:
▸ You could decide to continue on, business as usual. It's just rain, isn't it? A little water never hurt anyone, and besides, you've got nothing to hide. If the Energem wants honesty, well, by golly, that's what it's going to get.
▸ You might prefer to be prepared — gather your umbrella and your wellies and trudge on, soldier. Try as you might to stay dry, a few drops might hit you here and there, but you're not panicked. You shower, you brush your teeth; what's a few raindrops on top of that?
▸ You might want to investigate! Collect samples of rainwater, and try your best not to be exposed to it too much in the process. The University's chemistry and life sciences departments are paying handsomely for well-preserved samples of this unique weather event, and while you'll have to battle the elements to get there, the monetary reward might be worth it for you. Or the satisfaction of contributing to scientific exploration, if that's more your thing. Either way!
▸ You may, however, not want a thing to do with it. Stay home — or in your new home-away-from-home, if that's where you're at — and more importantly, stay dry.
The city hopes that all of its citizens do try their best to stay dry and therefore unaffected by any unintended effects of this quite unseasonal rainfall.
Isn't this fun? Characters splashing about in shining, shimmering splendor puddles, getting soaked to the bone with magical rain that makes people want to spill all their secrets? Or perhaps avoiding it all by staying inside with a warm cup of hot chocolate and their favorite book. Of course, it's one thing to have rain that makes you truthful... but quite another to assume the rain just disappears. Any fourth grader will tell you that's not quite how things work.
You see, there's this fancy thing called the water cycle, where rainfall finds its way into groundwater sources, which are then filtered and utilized for city water supplies, which then feeds into all sorts of water-dependent utilities inside. Places like a shower, or perhaps a sink where people brush their teeth, or the tap water used to make coffee in the morning or to boil on the stove... the sky is the metaphorical limit here.
Feel free to get creative — maybe your character doesn't want to heed the city's warning, and continues on business as usual. Maybe they've already been exposed to enough rainwater to feel particularly chatty. Maybe they hole themselves up inside their room, but continued exposure to water via their daily two-hour bath or excessive showering habits (hey, we're not judging, maybe they're part mermaid) has lent its magic anyway.
Of course, you always have the ability to opt-out of any event, including this one. While the rain's effects are certainly encouraging, no one is ever forced to tell the truth — resistance might give someone a bit of a headache, or a queasy stomach, but characters will not drop dead or find themselves grievously ill unless you particularly want them to! (Please don't kill your character.)
Citizens may also respond to Flora and Cornelius's network post! Yes, it's true, we've got Cuddle City NPCs out and ready for action at long last. While they may wait until they return to the office to respond, feel free to speak with them via text, video, or audio and they'll be happy to chat. Simply respond to THIS COMMENT for a little interaction from Cuddle City's favorite (and only) Volunteer Representatives!
As always, your mod team is here for you with answers to any questions you might have, whether related specifically to this event or the game in general. If you have any further questions specific to this event, we encourage you to ask away on our QUESTIONS COMMENT here in this post. If you have general questions, or prefer a more private venue, our GENERAL INBOX (and SCREENED INBOX) is always available for you. In addition, if you've got an idea for a future event, feel free to drop us a line at our EVENTS SUGGESTION POST.
We hope you have fun out there — good, old fashioned, honest fun! |
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cuddlecity2017-11-18 01:00 pm
no subject
Judging by the surprised expression on her face, one might think that Jyn was shocked to hear the outburst from her accidental conversation partner. The truth of the matter, though, is that she's more surprised at her own. She's never really had a problem keeping to herself, she hardly knew why everything was coming out now.
"Not you - !", she exclaimed, gesturing futilely toward the sky. "This place!"
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in ...
"Pretty sure you're well aware that you're far from hideous."
And now she wants to hide. Some things are meant to stay private!
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But then she keeps talking and Derek blinks at her, taken a little aback at first before the neutral expression becomes even more sympathetic.
"Ah, you're having a moment. Got it. I was having one of those recently, myself. Brain to mouth filter malfunction?" he asks, just to make sure that he's not making an assumption. Really, even if he's wrong, she's welcome to say he's right and give herself a scapegoat. Derek wouldn't know the difference.
"Also, thank you. You're far from hideous yourself," he says before he can stop himself and the sympathetic expression sours with annoyance at himself. "This place," he echoes her original sentiment as if by way of explanation.
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At least it's not just her, and that gives her some sense of comfort (vindication?), however fleeting.
"Something like that", she huffs out, nodding gently, even though the movement sends wet hair cascading into her face all over again. If she's surprised by the compliment, it hardly shows other than a slight tinge of pink coloring her cheeks. "I've looked better", she answers, shrugging. "So ... does this happen often?"
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A deep breath comes out in a huffed sigh of frustration as Derek shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders again. He's been here a while and there've been plenty of issues in this city, but nothing quite like this that he can recall. "This is the first time I can think of it happening in the few months I've been here," he replies and if he looks and sounds apologetic, it's mostly out of empathy, because God knows if he had any control over the situation, there would not be a situation.
"I'm Derek," he offers after a moment, realizing that maybe this could be a little less awful if they weren't complete strangers. Then again, that could make it worse, but he's sort of banking on the former rather than the latter. He holds out a hand to her to shake and couples it with another apologetic sort of smile. At least she's not the only one, he thinks, because then he'd really feel bad for her. Him being affected maybe softens the blow.
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She isn't really expecting much of an answer, to tell the truth, and it is a little concerning to hear that although this was a brand new phenomenon entirely, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility for other strange things to happen within the city. Perfect. Just perfect. "There's a first time for everything, I suppose", she answers, her voice wryly amused.
"I'm Jyn", she offers, a little taken aback when her actual name passes her lips, when it's always been so easy to use others before. She only pauses for a moment before she takes the offered hand and shakes it firmly. She has been considering the fact that maybe she does need to get out and meet people.
And maybe this isn't the most auspicious beginning, but hey, things could be worse. She doesn't really know how, but she assumes that in the grand scheme of things, she's gotten off pretty easy. "It's nice to meet you."
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"Jyn...that's different. I haven't heard that name before. Is it short for anything?" Because he hears "gin" and figures that it must be. Her handshake is firm and that's impressive. Most human girls would be a little limper wristed because, from what Derek's observed, they've been conditioned to think they are — and therefore display signs of being — the weaker gender. It makes him wonder if she's like him — except she doesn't smell like a wolf — or if she comes from a place different than the Earth he knows as his own where the culture is different and maybe less patriarchal.
Or he's reading into a goddamned handshake and not everything has a significance deeper than the surface value, so he mentally chastises himself and gives Jyn his full attention again. "It's nice to meet you, too. Haven't been here long, I'm guessing?" Since she'd asked if this sort of thing is normal, after all.
no subject
All in all, and despite their initial bad beginning, this wasn't all that awful. She's still uncomfortably wet, but Jyn's been in worse circumstances.
"Just Jyn", she replies, releasing her grip and stuffing her hands into her pockets, shrugging thin shoulders slightly. "I was always taught that standing out was a bad thing - doesn't seem so bad right now."
She'd like to think that she's a pretty astute judge of character, and thus far, she doesn't sense any danger, or any nefarious intentions with her. Probably a good thing, because although she's small, she does know how to take care of herself. That's neither here nor there, though, and she huffs out a soft chuckle, nodding. "It's pretty obvious, huh? Yeah, I'm new - very new. Still trying to find my footing. What about you?"
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He smiles a little and shrugs, looking an amused brand of apologetic. "Just a little. That's okay, though, it just means you've got an adjustment period. I've been here a few months, now. It took me a while, too. Mostly because I spent so many years in self-imposed isolation that this whole being social thing is harder than it looks."
And there he goes again, following his statement with a roll of his eyes because yeah, he hadn't meant to say that, either, but there it is. They're fast approaching knowing more about one another than any two people who've just met ever should. Derek scratches his temple and sighs. "Do you want to get some coffee? Maybe getting out of the rain would help."
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And that is way more than she felt comfortable sharing, but now that it was out in the open, there's no taking it back. At least there's other aspects of the conversation to concentrate on, before she inadvertently shares a little too much, as if she hasn't already. "People - they're a mystery. I'm far more used to my own company, too. For what it's worth, I think you're doing alright - this isn't awful."
It's a good idea, getting out of the rain, not only because Jyn would very much like a chance to dry off a little, but as she was beginning to learn, anything was possible, so maybe staying out of the water would help keep some things private. "Yes, please."
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If she's uncomfortable with the level of information she's sharing, Derek hasn't noticed because he's a little too worried about the amount of information he'd rather keep to himself that's passing through his lips without his permission. But then she says that people are a mystery and Derek can't help wondering if she says it like that because she's generalizing or because she isn't human. Likely, it's the former rather than the latter, he tells himself.
A smirk takes over his expression and his eyebrows lift with amusement. "Oh, this isn't awful? Wow, that's a good way to make a guy feel like you're completely underwhelmed," he jokes, but he's already leading her toward the nearest coffee shop, following his nose surreptitiously as he lifts his chin just a little higher. Coffee is a hard scent not to catch in the air, so it's easy enough to follow. "I think I smell a place not too far this way." ...so not what he wanted to say.
no subject
Not being able to censor herself is disconcerting, to say the least, but there's no fighting it, so what she tries to concentrate on instead is being able to say things in a way that isn't quite so baldly honest. No luck thus far, but she's adamant upon continuing to try.
Of course, that train of thought derails completely when it registers that Derek is teasing her. "That's - ", she begins, and halts, cocking her head to the side before she remembers that she actually needs to follow him if she wants that drink, that chance to dry off a little, and to discover if she can keep her foot firmly out of her mouth once they're out of the rain. "I - wait, that's not what I mean! You would know if I were the least bit unhappy."
Jyn pauses, once again reaches up to brush more soaking hair out of her eyes, huffing out an offended little breath at the indignity of it all. "If anything, I'm overwhelmed. I didn't expect to meet anyone who could understand me - someone that I might actually be able to like. And I'm ... talking way too much again, aren't I? I'll - I'll shut up."
She's definitely heard the 'smelling' comment, but doesn't bother asking. She's known plenty of people (and other beings) with enhanced senses, it hardly reads as out of the ordinary. Just another day, it seems, here in Cadelle.
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"I'm going to take that as a compliment because I really want it to be a compliment," he replies and then his jaw tightens because he really could have done without the latter part of that statement and this is bordering on infuriating; the total lack of control.
Clearing his throat, Derek leads her the rest of the way and pulls open the door. The sooner they can get inside, the better, he thinks. Maybe once they're out of the rain, that'll do it. Maybe they'll have to dry off, but getting indoors is step one, either way, so he holds the door open for her and gestures her inside. "Ladies first."
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After a somewhat pregnant pause during which Jyn silently begs herself not to speak, she quickly mumbles - "Good. Because I meant it as a compliment and I really wanted you to take it as a compliment, too", and then she heaves a frustrated sigh and slumps into her thin coat a little more, and doesn't dare speak again until they've reached their destination and he's pulling the door open, gesturing her to enter first.
"I can do it myself", she replies, although there's no particular heat in her tone, and a surprise lighting her eyes, as though the simple gesture has completely thrown her for a loop. "But thank you."
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"I'm sure you can," he adds in response to her comment. "I'm just trying to be polite." Then, before he can stop himself, "my mother raised me to be respectful and helpful, especially to women. So I was just trying to help." And now he can't shut up, so there's that. Which is, you know, great.
Derek clears his throat as they head inside. "Anyway, you're welcome."
no subject
Now she feels a little ungrateful and a lot bratty, already anticipating just what she was going to say in response. "I've been taking care of myself since I was sixteen, so it's - difficult for me to accept assistance, even if it's offered without a reward in mind."
This time, her sigh is less harsh, and more resigned. "I really do appreciate it."
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"I'm sorry to hear that. My sister and I were taking are of ourselves from the time I was fifteen and she was seventeen. And then she was murdered a few years later and I was on my own. So...I at least know that feeling. Having difficulty accepting help, I mean. You start to depend on yourself so much when you're on your own that you question everyone else's motives," he replies and he'd probably be more pissed off about the fact that he's sharing so much if he weren't identifying with her on a deeper level and, hopefully, at least gaining a friend out of this whole mess if nothing else. At least they have some fundamental things in common to lean on, even if those things aren't the best to share.
"You're welcome," he repeats with a small smile that borders on apologetic. This is all really awkward on both sides, but it could be worse. He's sure there's a way it could be worse, even if he doesn't want to think about how.
no subject
But before she can indulge in another round of internal self-flagellation, he's sharing a very similar story and she's torn between hurting for Derek and his losses the same way that she hurts for her own, and feeling upset and angry that someone else knows exactly how she feels, because this - this, she wouldn't wish on anyone. "Because there's always an ulterior motive", she replies, nodding her understanding, her agreement. "There's always a price to pay, even for the smallest gestures. And it's easier to depend on yourself rather than wonder what price you'll have to pay for accepting that assistance."
Jyn hates that he understands. But at the same time, she's selfishly grateful for the very same thing. Maybe in this, she doesn't have to feel quite so alone anymore.
And while she would like very much not to continue this line of conversation, she can't bite back the desire to offer - "I'm sorry. For your loss. For being a pain in your ass - and I know that I am. For all of this - ", she says, her gesture meant to encompass the entire circumstance they've found themselves in. "But I still think I'm glad to have met you, anyway."
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"You're not being a pain in my ass, though, you really aren't," he promises, giving her a small smile. "I honestly would've already left you in the dust if you were. I have a finite amount of patience for that sort of thing and I tend to have to save it for people from home so often that I've found it difficult to extend it to others these days. Trust me, I would've bailed by now."
He smiles again, a little more broadly. "I'm glad to have met you, too, however obnoxious the circumstance and upsetting the conversation." There are worse things that could be happening, after all.
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"I'd call you a liar", she teased, shrugging, "but, well ... ". The rain. The unfortunate side effect of being caught in it - the predilection to tell the truth, no matter how embarrassing, or incriminating, or worse. "I usually don't do this - talking to people. Because of the trust thing, of course, but also because getting attached is - it's terrifying, really, when it's so easy to lose the ones you care about."
She rolled her eyes, and shrugged, and tried to find some respite from her still wet clothing. "Maybe that's why I'm here. I can't begin to imagine that I was chosen for my particular set of skills. Doesn't seem that they'll come in handy in a place like this."
no subject
"I don't either. Well...I didn't. I've been doing it a lot more since getting here. I don't know, I guess I just sort of trust that there's a vetting system of some kind that the city council or whatever has in place, so it feels safer to do that here than it did at home, or something. It's hard to explain without oversimplifying like that or else sounding like a paranoid idiot," he replies, shrugging a little. "But something's got to give, you know? Right? We can't keep losing everyone that matters forever, can we? Maybe that's just what I tell myself to make myself feel better, I don't know..."
And then there went the extra information he would've preferred to keep to himself.
no subject
"It's not being paranoid to wonder why we, of all people, have been brought here. Admittedly, I haven't been here for as long as you have been, but I think it would drive us crazy trying to figure it out. That's ... what I'm telling myself, anyway, just so that I don't drive myself crazy wondering and worrying about it." She sighs, and the little knot between her brows deepens a little before she answers - "Sometimes I feel like the universe is playing some sick little game with me, taking away more and more and more in an attempt to find my breaking point. How much more can a person lose when they've already lost it all?"
That, she would have liked to keep to herself, but there's no taking it back once it's out there.
no subject
A hand moves to scrub at his face with frustration, reflexively. It falls away and his frustration with it, replaced by sympathy, when Jyn goes on. Yeah. He knows that feeling.
"I feel like that, too, sometimes." He pauses and adds, before he can stop himself, "all the time. ...this conversation is incredibly depressing, I'm really sorry..."