autumn catch-all

[startraveler]

WHO: Aether and you!
WHAT: Open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: None for now


A. Arco Lunar
[The date with Steinbeck aside, Aether is curious to explore Arco Lunar on his own. You may see him looking at the sea while leaning against the railing, trying out different dishes in the buffet and peeking inside the spa or massage studio.

It's really rare for him to be surrounded by such luxury. He's just a traveler, after all and the best he can usually get is a comfy, but modest room in an inn... or his current home.]

B. The Dulces Sueños Resort
[Obviously, Aether wouldn't be himself if he wasn't curious about the resort. Perhaps you are the one who invited him to go, perhaps the two of you just bumped into each other and now venture into the resort together.

If you use the open bath together with Aether you will pick up that beneath the optimistic demeanour, there's actually a lot of lingering loneliness and exhaustion.

If the two of you end up spending the night in the same room, you will see one of Aether's memories. Was it a good one of fun festivals? Or was a sad memory of something lost?]

C. Chocolates
[Perhaps you are minding your own business, when suddenly someone hugs you. A sheepish voice quickly says:]

Sorry! I didn't really mean that...

[The traveler laughs softly, if not a bit awkwardly and pulls away. The chocolates he received seem to cause the person who has eaten them to want to hug others. Aether wasn't aware of that, of course, so he tried one in the morning and its effect seems to linger for the time being. It's a bit awkward, but he doesn't mind too much.

He may be giving some away depending if you're fine with such an effect or not. Or maybe he'll just decide that you need all the hugs you can get and will gift you one without an explanation.]

D. Wildcard
[If you'd like your own starter, a completely different prompt, etc feel free to contact me at discord Ashka#4609 or plurk (spiritualwhisper)! Or just go for it. Also if you'd like to do something from his bingo that's also fine! :D ]

Comments

[startraveler]

[This is awkward for both of them.

After getting a pat on the back, Aether slowly lets go and gives the other a small, apologetic smile.]

I'm okay! Sorry about that, really...

[He doesn't look like he's in distress at least?]

[knightunerring]

It's not a problem. ...Did something happen?

[ Flynn gives an encouraging little smile in return. That he's not distressed or injured is all that matters, really. Flynn's sturdy enough to tank some surprise hugging. ]

[startraveler]

[what a dependable knight.]

Just... chocolate happened.

[He's keeping it vague.]

[knightunerring]

Ah... um? I see?

[ Flynn's maybe a little naive to the ways of this place, because he didn't think the chocolate would have traps. He eyes the box he's carrying in some confusion.

...Probably he should have tried this first. ]

[startraveler]

[Aether is silent, but his gaze follows the other's.]

...You got a box of chocolates, too, right?

[He gives a soft, but still apologetic smile.]

If you'd like we can trade. As I said, mine makes people want to hug others... I don't think the effects of these chocolates are harmful though, so I don't mind trying if you're too worried.

[Just... be ready for consequences.]

[knightunerring]

It didn't occur to me they would do something like that. I'm still relatively new here.

[ Goddess, ma'am, what are you doing... But hugging people is fairly benign, and it makes sense that she wouldn't really be trying to poison her farmers. After a moment's consideration, Flynn nods and holds out his box. ]

I don't know the effects of mine yet. But if you're willing to risk it, then I accept.

[startraveler]

If something happens to me, I trust that you'll find a doctor in time.

[His tone is very much amused. He honestly does not think it'll be so bad. And he reaches for a chocolate!]

[knightunerring]

Not to worry. I have some basic healing magic.

[ They should definitely live! And if Aether isn't worried, then Flynn won't let it trouble him. He closes the box and holds things out of the way on the offchance that all chocolates result in hugging outbreaks. ]

[startraveler]

You definitely sound reliable.

[He smiles, then he tries the chocolate.

As expected, the taste is sweet and nice, but nothing seems to happen after Aether finishes. The traveler lets a soft "hmm" escape him. He wants to tell the other that he doesn't feel any different, but that is not what leaves his mouth:]

I'm afraid of the darkness of the Abyss.

[His eyes widen and he quickly clasps his hands around his mouth. He did not mean to say that. Why is he confessing his fears to someone he barely knows?! Why did the goddess think this is a good idea??]

[knightunerring]

[ When the chocolate doesn't result in a hugging onslaught, Flynn has to wonder if perhaps his is just plain chocolate after all.

And then, that. He blinks in surprise at the apparently sudden--and unintended?--outburst. ]

What? What's "the Abyss"?

[startraveler]

[Aether doesn't know what to say. He only shakes his head and places a hand to his forehead.]

It's... nothing. Forget I said anything.

[He doesn't want to explain this!]

[knightunerring]

[ Oh dear... Flynn can tell that this was a landmine, at least. ]

That must have been the effect of the chocolate. I'm sorry. If you'd rather not talk about it, that's understandable.

[ Why were his so much more unpleasant than the hugging ones?? ]

[startraveler]

It's fine. It's not your fault. I volunteered to try them.

[So he only has himself to blame.]

...I am also afraid of falling.

[...And here's another one.]

[knightunerring]

[ Oh no. Like the hugging, it's still going. Flynn flinches a tiny bit for that one though. ]

That's a very understandable fear. I think it must be a common one. [ ... ] Would it... help if I also ate one?

[ He really doesn't want to confess any fears, but. ]

[startraveler]

[Aether firmly shakes his head.]

I-it's fine! There's no need for both of us to suffer because of this...

[He is not even going to comment on any of his fears.]

[knightunerring]

Then... would you still like to exchange? At least you'll be able to complete the board task, with that.

[ And perhaps Aether needs a hug after that. Especially if the effect is going to keep going. ]

[startraveler]

Ah... if you're okay with that.

[He offers his chocolate.

Maybe Flynn is right and Aether really needs a hug now.]

[knightunerring]

I don't mind at all. I'd have to say that yours seems harmless, in comparison.

[ Flynn wouldn't even really need the chocolate in order to give a hug, but he'll take it! He eats it dutifully, waiting a moment until...

oh, it feels strange to have the compulsion to hug coming over him. But at least neither of them are surprised about it. He reaches over to wrap an arm around Aether only a little awkwardly. ]

[startraveler]

[It may be a bit awkward, but Aether appreciates the thought. Without a word, he relaxes a little against the other. A soft smile appears on his face.]

Thanks... But you know, now that I think about it, we've never even learnt each other's names.

[Funny, isn't it?]

I'm Aether.

[knightunerring]

This place does have a way of making things happen in a strange order, doesn't it?

[ At least it's only hugs and confessions of fears. Flynn relaxes a little in turn, his smile genuine, if a little wry. ]

I'm Flynn. It's nice to meet you, regardless of the circumstances.

[startraveler]

It certainly does.

[He's experienced it more than once.]

It's nice to meet you, too, Flynn.

[He pauses, before letting a small sigh.]

Well, at least now you know what to expect from the chocolates.

[knightunerring]

I'll need to put a warning label on them. I can understand the sentiment behind them, but...

[ Well, he thinks the goddess could really have gone about this better! What a thing to spring on someone. ]

For what it's worth, I think working to overcome your fears is much more admirable than not having any to begin with.

[startraveler]

I... definitely agree with that. But my fears are a bit different.

[He doesn't really want to elaborate, but maybe he should?]

I'm not afraid to jump down from a high place... especially that back where I'm from we had those things called "Wind Gliders" that helped us glide in the air. You could say I'm really used to jumping down even from the highest mountains.

[knightunerring]

Really? The view must be incredible like that. I think most [ not Yuri or Judith ] people would be at least a little frightened to try it.

[ But Aether said it wasn't that, so... hm. Flynn gives him an encouraging smile. ]

[startraveler]

That's true... but once you get used to feeling of the wind on your face and you know the wings on your back won't fail you, it's hard to not enjoy the freedom it gives you.

[He smiles more easily now.]