EVENT: A Certain Confession

[joybound]

Who: everybody!
When: Day 16, evening
Where: wherever you are

[As the sun sets and the new stars come out, there's a message on the ChainChat app. The username is new -- it's not The Construct, but it also doesn't have a profile attached, and doesn't accept private messages. It appears to be some different admin account.]

★: Hi everyone. Good news and bad news here. Good first: you should find your new train car attached as of this message! You guys wanted a garden, so hopefully you'll like this one.
★: As for the bad news: we're having a bit of a problem generating positive energy, so from now on we're adjusting the whole "sparks of light" thing. Starting tomorrow, you'll only get a payout when you consciously make a decision to increase your bonds. We're talking about increasing prices, too, but... one thing at a time.
★: Sorry for the bad timing.

[There's a pause, and then a follow-up.]

★: There are some things I ought to explain now, but I'm not sure where to start. Just be aware that things might get rougher in the future. And that Trials... I might've lied a little about those.
★: I'm sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen. Please try to hang in there.

[It's not a cheerful message, but on the upside, there is in fact a new train car at the end! On the outside it looks like one of the communal cars, with a stylized flower symbol on the door. Inside, however, it's a huge greenhouse. There are several different "rooms", each about 50 feet square, aligned to different climates. It also comes with various basic gardening tools - trowels, gloves, etc -- and enough seedlings to get started growing flowers and veggies. There's always (artificial) sunshine coming down through the glass roof, and the soil in the beds never loses fertility. There are even benches here and there -- it's not only a practical facility, but a nice place to relax!

More seeds and seedlings, equipment, and decor, can be bought via the sparks shop. You may in the meantime assume any simple plants you want are provided -- but they won't be re-issued for free if you kill them!]

[OOC: You can use this toplevel to reply to the prince's chat message. He'll respond for a limited time, but you can use this opportunity to uncover some major plot info! You're also more than welcome to talk to eachother -- it's a chat room and the conversations are public. The changes to the sparks system are outlined in this OOC comm announcement. Thank you!]

Comments

[newmodelblade]

Hopefully for less ridiculous reasons than what befell me.

[He yawns a bit, tries to stifle it at least.]

[desirestruth]

...I feel like I'd be impugning either my dignity or someone elses', no matter how I answered that, Lucien.

[In reality; did you know making a den out of your blankets and pillows is extra comfy when you can literally turn into a jackal?]

[newmodelblade]

[No he didn't, because he's not a jackal.]

It is a bit of a farce already. But I suppose given the team it is to be expected.

[desirestruth]

...Do you want to take one of Senna's couches? Or...well, I hardly need a bed as it is.

[Naeva, you didn't think through how that sounded, did you? But she does rub at her cheek. Pause and look at her dirt covered hand and released she just smeared soil on her face. What a fierce and mighty queen.]

Well, either way, the game this morning was apparently...quite dire, and the Prince of the Stars--who is our host, apparently--isn't handling well. But we have a car containing a greenhouse now. That's the extent of my knowledge.

[newmodelblade]

I am certain my team will tell me the details, ere long. Do not worry about that. Instead, perhaps concern yourself with the fact that you just offered me your bed without thinking? Is the morality I thought confined to my team merely the rule of the day, here?

[desirestruth]

Wha--Oh!

[So turns out, for a dead girl who needs to drink blood, she blushes magnificently. You can almost see her puff herself up. Lucien you haven't even used your memory tokens no bully!]

No, I meant--I mean--I don't mean to be forward, that's...!

[newmodelblade]

It is quite alright, Miss Naeva. You needn't explain yourself. Truthfully, with all the dalliances occurring in my own team I was beginning to feel quite self-conscious; a bit of flattery has done my heart good today.

[desirestruth]

It's just Naeva.

[That came out a little forcefully, and she's pouting a bit. She's still bright red, though.]

What I am trying to offer you is a place to get some rest, since you don't seem to be getting much. I no longer need to take up much space, and don't sleep much besides.

[newmodelblade]

Well I did not say no. Perhaps you and I should discuss this further, at some point.

[desirestruth]

[She is trying to explain she wasn't thinking of a sex thing and somehow now it seems even more like a sex thing.]

'At some point'? We're both right here...or do you mean, 'after you don't smell like garden mulch', Lucien?

[newmodelblade]

You seemed to be headed somewhere with some considerable purpose before I interrupted, yes.

[desirestruth]

...[Slowly reaching up and poking his cheek.]

That's just how I walk, Lucien.

[newmodelblade]

[Well now he has dirt on his face, too. He will lick his thumb and rub he dirt off of her cheek, then!]

Even aimlessly?

[desirestruth]

[She kind of makes a soft whine, but she lets him do it!]

Even aimlessly. Though the showers are this way, too.

[newmodelblade]

Then it's hardly aimless, is it not?

[desirestruth]

We're on a train, Lucien, there seem to be largely two directions I can go in.

[Don't smile at her like that it's cheating!!]

[newmodelblade]

Well? Which one will it be, then?

[desirestruth]

[She sighs, and stares at him a while.] Can you find Senna's cabin, then? I need only wash my hands and face, but it is faster that I meet you there, if we're to discuss things at length.

[newmodelblade]

Of course. I will be waiting there for you.

[desirestruth]

It won't be too long.

[And, it won't be! Senna's probably asleep or Busy right now, but try not to spook the other dogs, and Naeva will be there, freshly cleaned, in a few minutes.]