(october catch-all) IT'S TIME TO GET FUCKIN' DAMP

[vestigemods]

OCTOBER CATCH-ALL

► YOU CAN BE REGULAR DAMP

As Autumn sets in, the containment zone begins to settle into all of the trappings of autumn. Chilly weather, bundled clothing and hot drinks, the turning and falling of leaves... It really just goes to show that life goes on in a place like this just as it does anywhere else.

For those unfamiliar with the seasons on a cultural level, the newfound offerings that Foodland and the gas station have to offer might be a little surprising. After no seasonal trappings to accompany summer, we now see an abundance of plastic gourds and multi-colored corn, of browns and oranges and leaf-themed decor - and as the month goes on, an influx of spooky decor in blacks and purples and... still oranges, orange is pretty universal as far as fall is concerned. Many of the buildings around town also sport seasonal decor, subtle but present. A pumpkin here, a glittery sign with a fall-themed pun there.

The weather, depending on perspective, has taken quite a turn for either the better or the worse. All of the rain the skies withheld throughout the summer seem to be coming down all at once, sometimes a sprinkle and sometimes a downpour that soaks you to the bone if you dare venture out for groceries. But the rains are just short of lukewarm, not yet carrying any proper chill, and the lush greenery of the landscape seems to be thriving in it. Perhaps it isn't all bad after all?

► OR YOU CAN BE EXTRA SPICY BONUS DAMP

On the 18th of October, however, the weather starts to get a little bit... dodgy. Which is to say: You should probably be ready to dodge, as you find that the leaves blown about on the savage winds no longer just flop wetly against your clothes or your cheek. It will likely come as quite a surprise the first time one stings - you might even mistake it for an unusually frigid drop of water splattering across your skin, at least until your fingertips come away reddened just slightly with blood. But it's certainly not the end of the world, nowhere near as bad as rotting away or being haunted by some malevolent ghost. You can just bundle up! It's not as if they can slice through clothes.

But oh, it's not quite done just yet.

On the 24th, the cutting winds come to a head in a thunderstorm. Dark, ominous clouds greet you as you wake on this morning, perhaps even confusing your sense of time as a far dimmer light than expected shines in through your window. But the storm sets in like an oncoming wave, first hitting the town and then sweeping west. Those with an eastern view over the nearby trees will see it coming, a foreboding curtain of rain encroaching all to quickly. Then comes the thunder, rumbling far too close to feel entirely safe. Which is true. It isn't safe. Because after each clash of thunder comes the immediate flash of lightning... Lightning which skips right past high-reaching trees to seek out the nearest living being it can find. No - not any being. Just those who've been trapped here. Those whose suffering brings rest to the elder gods below.

Perhaps it's best to stay indoors.

► MOD NOTES

• This is the October Catch-All Log, for any action top-levels throughout the month which don't fit in a designated event log. Large gatherings (parties, meetings, etc) are still encouraged to post their own logs for organizational purposes!
  
• All top-levels for the Winds of Change mini-event also go here, since it won't be getting a log of its own.
  
• Refer to the bottom half of the October Bulletin for any October-specific info to potentially include in your prompts! The above blurb is honestly just mood-setting flavortext.
  
• Because this is a catch-all for everywhere + all month, try to remember to label your top-levels with identifying information like the IC date and location of each prompt (whether in the subject or in the prompt title within the comment). Also try to indicate any event prompts for the Winds of Change mini-event aside from just listing their dates, so they can be easy to spot!
  
• Any questions can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk.

Comments

[toosmall]

Maybe I could come feed them too? That way they'll leave you alone, Jiang?

[Vivi will just become the hungry animal whisperer okay.]

Over here-

[Vivi points over at the nearest opening to a dark spooky alleyway. Heading on over he stops just at the entrance to it, peering into the darkness. There's some skittering around, but he can't see much.]

It's okay everyone, I'm just gonna leave you some food, alrighty?

[Like the animals can talk back. If Jiang Cheng looks hard enough he may see beady eyes glowing in the dark out at them, watching the tiny mage as he squats and fishes out four cans and opens them.

He'll dump them out on the ground before he collects up the bag and hurries off a bit away to watch. Vivi motions for Jiang Cheng to join him, spying on the cans of pet food quietly. Sure enough, after a minute or two, a couple of thin gangly dogs cautiously step out of the dark to snuff at the offerings.]

Oh-!

[A soft gasp.]

Do you think they like it?

[Whispered at the man beside him. Whether the dogs do or not, they start scarfing the food down, clearly starving.]

[legbreakings]

[ Although the dogs are gangly, mangy-looking creatures, Jiang Cheng makes a delighted noise at the back of his throat, eyes wide and joyful at the sight of them. ]

I think they do [ he whispers back ] or at least they're hungry enough not to care if they don't like the food.

[ Which may not be the best solution but food is food, right? It is better than nothing. And he is reasonably sure they picked well.

He watches a little longer before sighing regretfully. ]

We should leave them to it. It will take time for them to start trusting people. [ Even if he would love to pet one of the dogs. ]

[toosmall]

We could bring them something nicer next time. There's all sorts of food in that big building after all.

[Vivi had only gravitated to this stuff as it was labeled for pets! Clearly that meant it was for animals right?]

It's okay if they never do... I just want them not to be hungry anymore.

[That's what's most important. Even if someone could never trust or believe you, as long as you do right by them. That's what counts.

Vivi doesn't expect anything from this. He's just happy they're eating.]

I'm gonna put more cans out, there's a few more spots I've seen them hiding. Wanna come?

[legbreakings]

[ Bring them something nicer next time? That sounds like a solid plan to Jiang Cheng and he nods his agreement with it. Quietly resolving to bring some extra whenever he makes a food run, too.

But at the question of accompanying Vivi, he shakes his head. ]

I promised my sister I wouldn't be gone for long, I was only supposed to get some food very quickly.

[toosmall]

Alrighty, you shouldn't keep her waiting.

[Pushing himself up he'll grab the bags of cans and turns to Jiang Cheng.]

Maybe next time she can come too. If it's not too dangerous that is.