epidemiology | EVENT ★ GONE FISHIN'

Thanks to your help, repairs to the flood wall are complete. The Nalawi are still largely without their Gifts, so they are thankful -- without the aid of ALASTAIR recruits, they would have surely drowned or been eaten by sea monsters.

Despite the barely averted disaster, the residents of Komo have decided to go along with their lives as planned, perhaps to bolster morale instead of giving into despair. By chance, their annual fishing contest is scheduled for today! As honored guests, recruits are invited to participate.

FISHING CONTEST

Dugout canoes are provided for all participants, patterns that suggest fish scales burned into the wooden sides. Curiously, no fishing rods are offered; if a recruit requests one, they will be given a strange look, but the harbormaster will acquiesce.

Due to the rough seas, the passage between Komo and the other islands is still inaccessible. Contestants are reminded to stay behind the reefs or venture east toward open ocean for their quarry. It’s only when the contest begins that the quarry in question is actually announced . . .

Sharks.

You are fishing sharks. And, judging by the lack of equipment (or the puny fishing rod you requested), you’re expected to do this by hand.

The tiny deer people don’t seem bothered by this predicament at all: the goal is to catch the biggest shark, by length and poundage. Better not embarrass yourself in front of the locals.

GET PUMPED

Mettaton has announced over the jewelry that he will be hosting a celebration in tandem with the fishing contest, in order to help the native Nalawi and the ALASTAIR recruits get to know each other better. This includes singing, dancing, and all sorts of different performances -- and, of course, reporting on the actual fishing.

If you aren’t the fishing type or maybe you just need a break from chasing sharks around, this is a good chance to bust a move and show your teammates how you can get down -- or just sit back and watch! It’s bound to be entertaining one way or another.

Plot for the stage here!

Olivia will be the final performer in the showcase. Anyone who witnesses her dancing may feel themselves super-charged by the spectacle . . . with possibly unexpected results! Characters may feel even more determined to win the fishing contest, or perhaps they’ll take this surge of optimism to help rebuild some of Komo’s destroyed buildings before the day winds down into night.

THE FEAST

After the fishing contest, the sharks will be collected and prepared. Grilled shark, fried shark, shark caviar, and shark jerky from the results of last year’s contest. There are fruits and vegetables and breads available as well, but if you want some protein, you’d better go native.

During the feast, some of the Nalawi perform dances and song. The subjects range from their goddess Nalanni to love songs. Want to show off your talents again? Now’s the time! Or, if you’d prefer to step away from the excitement, the beach is quiet and empty, and the baths are unoccupied since the whole of Komo is at the gathering.

As the feast winds down, the Nalawi will pass around their very potent alcohol for a toast to Komo’s health. Someone shouts, interrupting, wondering what good that will do if Nalanni has abandoned them. Concerned murmuring fills the gathering, spoiling the mood. ALASTAIR recruits may attempt to put them at ease -- otherwise, the feast will disperse on a sour note.

OOC INFO

If you would like your character to win the fishing contest, please sign up below. You must thread out fishing in order to participate in the drawing. There will be only one winner, decided by RNG. The winner will be contacted on April 1st. The prize is a necklace of shark’s teeth, which has a one-use spell that will make all sharks in a one mile radius sleep for 30 seconds.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She's quiet for a moment, no dialogue between them save for the light weight of her palm against Riza's back (that she quickly and mindfully withdraws).

There's no mirth or fondness to her explanation, certainly then no happy memory behind the strange seal. ]

And the scars...?

[ Did he burn you, too...?

If she doesn't wish to discuss, it's fine, but Aqua can't bring herself to ignore something right in front of her, especially when it involves someone she trusts and cares for as much as Riza. ]

[Her frame stays still as the question's uttered, her own lips straightening out at the memory. Neglectful her father had been in spades, but he'd never been abusive, not intentionally so. There's residual affection left in her person, enough to compel her to set the record straight and clear his name.]

The scars were my choice.

[Quiet, but the firm tone to the voice brooks no argument—and little room to ask further at the moment. Her past is hers alone to deal with, and whatever resultant suffering she might have experienced because of her father's choices ought not to be a burden placed upon anyone else's shoulders, least of all Aqua's. Besides:]

They don't hurt anymore.

[Physically or psychologically.]

[ Each explanation only seems to produce another question, but Aqua's considerate enough to desist. (Old though the wounds might be, it gives her no more right to pick and prod at them.)

With a lengthy exhale, she steps back to allow for some space, some time for a tactful silence to settle.

—But it would be ridiculous to stand around in this literal shack forever, moping over bygones while in a state of virtual undress. ]

...Shall we get going?

[ There's festivities to be had, their uniforms to be found (not gonna happen), and of course, ] I believe we still have that date on the beach.

[There'll be time for explanation in the future, time to slowly deconstruct her defenses piece by piece, but for now Riza's content to let them stay in piece. Mature though Aqua might be, she doesn't deserve to have the weight of Riza's troubles added to her no doubt already heavy burden.

They're on a beach, in swimsuits. Even if their clothes have mysteriously vanished, there's still plenty reason to pull forth a smile, enjoy the sunshine and the good company. And Aqua's right—they do have a beach date still unfulfilled.

Riza tugs the last bit of swimsuit into place, turns and presents Aqua with a smile that, if a bit small, is wholly genuine.]

Let's get going then, before everyone else clears the dinner table of the most delicious options.

EVENT ★ GONE FISHIN'

(; (; (; (; (;

no subject

no subject

no subject