awashlogs | Event Ten.

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Event Ten.

Little Willie, mean as hell,
Pushed his sister in a well.
Mother said, while drawing water,
"My, it's hard to raise a daughter."

t's pretty dark and miserable down in the well. The cavernous area feels much larger than a well should be, bodies milling about in the darkness and knee deep, frigid water. So you're here -- and you're not alone, and the only way out appears to be the thin circle of sunlight from above, the opening of the well.

(And elsewhere, in the Town, everyone's waking up to gifts of various usefulness, but hopefully they remember to check the well today even so!)

What now?

Welcome to Awash's tenth event log, and the intro log for this month, everyone! All new characters have found themselves waking in the well in the middle of the Town. Hopefully they can get a hand out! For more information, please go here!

Meanwhile, the current characters have some new gifts.

If there are any questions, please ask them here, and have fun! Thank you!

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[?! This guy is an adult! He didn't think that he'd have to extract a promise from him to not touch it even before unseathing the blade!
With wide eyes he looks between the man, who is still casually speaking, and his fingers, that are dripping blood.]

Ah, no. But more than that, you should take care of that cut. You're fortunate you didn't lose a finger-- [Anxiously he reaches towards the man's hand, but pauses when he notices that it's not bleeding any longer. Huh?]

A-are you all right?

[ It's been a long time since anyone's worried over him like that, much less for such a paltry wound. Jion looks a little startled by Tonbokiri's concern for a moment before blinking in realization. ]

Oh! Yeah, it's fine! Here -- [ He holds his hand out. The cut definitely happened, but fresh tissue's already started welling up inside, stopping the bleeding. ] -- this much is nothing.

[ Jion gives a sheepish laugh, pulling his hand back away since making anyone look at any injury for longer than necessary is still kinda gross. ] I'm made to heal quickly so I get kinda careless sometimes. Sorry for making you worry like that.

[He bends in closer to look at the wound. Perhaps it's him, but something still seems strange about it (besides the fact that it stopped bleeding so quickly), but it does indeed seem to be fine, as the man said. He hums in appreciation, and shakes his head slightly at the apology.]

That is a fine gift of healing. But please still do take care of yourself.

[He pauses a beat, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.] You say you were made to heal quickly? Are you perhaps not human, then? [He raises a hand reassuringly as he quickly adds,] It is not a bad thing if you are not, of course. There are all types of people in this place. [He gives a sheepish smile- he's not human either, after all.]

[ 'Do take care of yourself,' Tonbokiri says, and Jion absolutely neglects to answer that bit, instead moving on quickly. ]

Yeah, I'm -- well, I'm mostly human, but I'm also part ... [ Pause. Actually, he doesn't want to say it, because it's a little embarrassing. Especially in front of a living spear, and Jion flaps a hand to dismiss the thought, cheeks slightly pink. ] Part something else. Nothing as cool as a spirit, unfortunately.

[ He finishes the thought with an awkward laugh before looking back up. ] But um, if you're actually the weapons, do you not have to eat or sleep? That'd be pretty convenient in a place like this, can't imagine it's easy getting a lotta food...

[His eyebrows raise slightly, but he does not press further. Perhaps the 'something else' is simply too difficult or uncomfortable to explain. The man does seem a touch uncomfortable, laughing nervously.
And if answering questions about himself will ease him, then Tonbokiri will help in whatever small way he can. And this man wonders about such curious details!]

It would be convenient, however we do eat and sleep. We can go without for longer than a normal human, however it is now part of our upkeep.
I consider it a blessing, being able to experience such things. Food in particular can be fascinating... As for here, however, so long as you have food that is coloured, it will taste fine. Colourless food tastes like ashes, and is most disappointing.

[He will never completely forgive the town for hiding a colourless filling inside his daifuku.]

The color affects the taste of stuff?

[ That ... had somehow never occurred to him. Obviously starting to see this place in a new light, Jion glances over his shoulder at the scenery, taking in the weird patchwork of colors and monochrome. ]

Man, that's kind of a bummer. I mean, I'll eat pretty much anything, but I can imagine that's still not great for most people. Eating gross stuff is always a huge blow to morale. [ A thoughtful pause before he continues. ] Wait, what -- um, so, how common is colored food, then? And do you just get colored food from one place? I didn't originally think a lot about the difference between colored and gray stuff here, but if it actually affects things and goes beyond looks, I guess it's kinda important.

[He nods almost instinctively to the observation that bad food is bad for morale. So true.]

[A faintly pained expression flashes across his face. The first couple weeks... may he never go through that again.] As for food, our diet is rather limited still, but it is much better.

There are several gardens producing food, and sometimes we receive other things that help. Do not worry! Your roommates will certainly ensure you don't go hungry.

Yes, you will find that colour is very important here. For example, the colour you are designated by the place you live can influence the quests you can complete. Then, completing those quests seems to be what restores colour to this place.

Ah- Forgive me. I should not overwhelm you with so much information.

[ It's reasonable for Tonbokiri to offer that pause, because Jion's definitely struggling to absorb all that information at once, and it shows in the slight furrow of his brow and the way he bites at his lip. So the apology earns a small sigh before he shakes his head, looking a little embarrassed. ]

No, it's okay! I mean, I do need a moment -- sorry, I'm not that smart, so I can't take in too much at once. But if you'll give me a second ...

[ He silently parrots Tonbokiri's words to himself, counting points off on his fingers to make sure he isn't forgetting anything, then gives a firm nod. ] Gardens make food, food can be colored or not, colored stuff has flavor. Everyone has a color, and it affects quests -- someone already told me about quests, so I got that -- and doing quests restores color.

[ A pause before he looks up. ]

What decides what color a person is? Is it, like, their hair color or something?

[He'll quietly give the young man all the seconds he needs. When he lists back the points, Tonbokiri nods to acknowledge each one as correct.]

That is an interesting idea, but I'm afraid not. I am 'yellow', although my hair is like this. [He pulls on a lock of his hair, which is clearly closer to red.]
I cannot say how it is decided. But whatever colour we are, that is the region in which our house is, and the colour our text becomes on the forum.

You've been told about the quests, so perhaps you know of the forum?

[Tonbokiri doesn't believe that the man is 'not that smart'- he's just smart in a different way. But he can certainly accommodate that he needs the information in smaller portions so he can understand it properly.]

[ This is all just so ... weird. So many arbitrary rules and classifications. Jion's used to rules and regulations, but these are strange even for him. He frowns at the mention of the forums, trying to remember what he's been told about them. ]

The forums, right. Um. So we get computers, but there's no internet except these weird forums. Like, older-style forums. And that's all we get to talk to each other, and we can talk about the quests there, right?

[ There's another pause as a few puzzle pieces fall into place for him, and he gives a confused tilt of the head. ]

Wait, who decides what these quests are, again? I'm assuming we're not the ones who decide it, or we could just, like, make it all really easy stuff. Is there a mayor or someone in charge here?

[Again, Tonbokiri nods at each point he recites back, although it has more of an air of being in a context the man knows better than himself.

The question allows him to hum softly in approval.]

That is a very astute question of you to ask. The quests are given by someone on the forum we do not know. Some have taken to calling him Mr. White, or... I believe Mr. F was another nickname.

We truly know nothing of him, but some believe that he might somehow be the town itself.

[ This all sounds like something from a bad thriller, honestly. Jion scrunches his face as he tries to commit these extra points to memory. ]

I guess ... I think I got all that. Mr. F is our mastermind, and he might be the town. [ There's a pause before he gives a dramatic exhale, flapping his hands. ] I think I have to stop there though, I think my head might explode if I try to remember any more of this at once. Or it'll start coming out of my ears or something. I wanna say I'm good at adjusting to new places, but this is just so different that it's kind of a lot, you know?

[It would make his head explode or make something come out of his ears? That's a mental image that makes Tonbokiri's eyes grow round for a moment.]

Yes, I understand completely. Then, we shall leave it at that. Do not worry, you will come to know what you need to.

[With a reassuring smile he continues,]

If I may, then, I would like to ask for your name.
Forgive me, my explaining about tsukumogami took away your chance to introduce yourself.

[ Whoops. He usually doesn't forget his manners like this, but it's also not every day he encounters a living spear. ]

Oh, right! Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I just got distracted. It's just that your whole deal's really cool, and I've never seen anything like it before! But, um -- I'm Jion Haru.

[ He extends his hand to shake, giving a sheepish grin. ]

Just call me Jion. It's really nice to meet you.

[Tonbokiri is confused for a beat over the name- is 'Jion' his last name, or first name? (Ah, the struggles of always being very polite.)]

If I may, then. It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Jion-dono.

[He shakes the man's hand with a smile.]

Please do not worry over it. I understand that it can be difficult for humans to grasp my nature. ['Cool', though. That's nice.]

Will you be going back into town, now? Mikuniguro and I could give you a ride, if you like.

[The black horse, who had wandered away slightly in search of coloured anything to eat, perks up at his name.]

[ '-dono.' That's what they say in samurai movies, right? Jion looks a little pleased by that, but it's the offer of the ride that really gets his attention. ]

Can I?

[ Jion radiates palpable excitement at that; it's a level of enthusiasm that's almost inappropriate for how old he appears. ]

I mean, I'd love to, but don't some horses get kinda touchy about other people riding them? Although I guess you'd know best, everything I know about horses just comes from television, so it's probably pretty inaccurate.

[ When Mikuniguro perks up, Jion looks over with a small sigh of admiration. Yeah, he wants that ride. ]

[Tonbokiri can't help but laugh- it is refreshing how straight-forwardly the man expresses his feelings.]

I don't know much about television, yet you are not wrong. Horses have preferences and temperaments, just like humans. However, because I am with you, it will be no problem. Haha- and Mikuniguro can tell that you admire him, too.

[The horse arches his neck proudly. Is he not the most spectacular and powerful beast you have ever laid eyes on? Go on, praise him more.

Going over to Mikuniguro, Tonbokiri slaps him affectionately on the neck.]

Right, right. You will be fine carrying the two of us, won't you.

[Two large guys would be a heavy burden for a normal horse, but like Tonbokiri, he is supernatural now.]

Here, Jion-dono. Put your left foot in the stirrup here, then swing your right leg over and get into the saddle. I'll ride behind you.

[ Jion is practically starry-eyed as he approaches Mikuniguro, but he also doesn't let his excitement get the better of him. He makes sure to approach without rushing, looking to Tonbokiri before getting too close.

And when he tentatively extends a hand to pat at Mikuniguro's neck, his hand hovers hesitantly for a moment before making contact. Jion beams as he gives the horse one, two long pats to the neck. Man, what a cool animal. It really is like something out of a movie. ]

Is he really gonna be okay handling two people? I'm kinda heavy ...

[ Though he gives a nervous laugh as he turns to the saddle, he still decides to give it a go; he'll just get off if it turns out to be too much. It's obvious he's never ridden a horse before -- his movements are pretty clumsy when he climbs up into the saddle, and he looks a little unsteady once he's seated, hands gripping tightly at the pommel. ]

Um, like this? Is this okay? Not stressful for him?

[Yeah~ Mikuniguro can tell when he's being admired, and he's enjoying every second of Jion's attention.

Jion-dono is very kind and contentious, isn't he!]

It is fine. If we were galloping, it might be a bit much, but just walking will be no trouble for him.

[And he'll placate him with an apple later. Tonbokiri smoothly mounts behind Jion, spear still in hand.]

I shall steer him with my legs, so just relax as best you can, Jion-dono. If you need me to steady you, just say the word. This is your first time riding, is it not? So there is no shame in asking for some help if you need it.

Let us be on our way!

[And with a press of his legs, Mikuniguro starts walking.]

Which district do you live in? Flavo, perhaps?

[He'd said something about colour by hair colour, after all.]

Right. Right, gotcha. I'm good, I think.

[ Jion wobbles slightly when they start moving, but grabs the saddle's pommel with both hands to keep himself balanced. He's definitely new to horse-riding -- he has no idea how to move with the horse's gait, bumping along awkwardly with each step, but he's still fascinated all the same. ]

-- woah! Oh man, this is so high up, and he moves so easily even with two people! This is so cool ...

[ He's so distracted there's a pause before he even realizes Tonbokiri's asked him something. ]

Um, yeah! I'm in Flavo! Oh, you can drop me off anywhere nearby though, I dunno if all the trees and stuff might make it hard for your horse to navigate ... I guess it's easy to keep him fed, at least, with all the grass around?

[To be fair, horses sway far more when they are moving slowly, so Tonbokiri thinks he's doing well!]

It's no trouble at all to go the whole way. I live in Flavo as well.
Haha, as for what Mikuniguro is eating, he's been a bit spoiled on apples recently. He doesn't appreciate colourless food, either. But things have gotten better bit by bit.

[The horse's ears perk back at the mention of apples. Is he being treated? He's carrying two huge guys right now, you know. You've gotta treat him.]

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Event Ten.

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