INTRO LOG: SEPTEMBER

[nextnightmods]

INTRO LOG: SEPTEMBER
BRIGHT STARS BURNING

characters: everyone.
location: all over beacon!
date/time: the first part of september.
content: new folks, old folks, new things, dead things.
warnings: n/a.

welcome to beacon.

The first thing you're aware of as you come to is the glow of a lantern, just within reach. Hazily, you start to recall the events leading up to your arrival. You died, somehow, but how does that equate to you being wherever you are?

A few answers can be found if you pick up and look through the tablet that's settled right beside the lantern. Some of the information is a little out of date at this point, but the most important details are still there: yes, you're really dead, keep your lantern close, and watch out for the spirits. You might notice mention of a ferry, but that's odd, considering you're half-submerged in water with no boat of any kind nearby.

And why does the water smell like you just walked into a Starbucks on the first day of pumpkin spice season? Boy, that's not coming out of your hair any time soon either.

Leaving where you are and using the provided map on the tablet will help you find your way to town, and along the way you might find some out of place items, like crates of food or toiletries or clothing. Feel free to grab what you find as you make your way there, your new neighbors are sure to appreciate it.

Luckily for all the newcomers, the tablet and the town have some resources available for getting acquainted with their new situation! In fact, as soon as they're prompted to enter a network username, an app containing all sorts of useful welcome information will launch. It's still a little messed up (maybe someone might want to record a new message?), it has plenty of important information to share. Newcomers can always check out the weekly bulletins and the records that were thankfully saved from the bad storm a few months ago. If that's not enough, there's many long-time residents of Beacon that will be happy to share how things go around here. If not in person, network works too.

muffins!

In addition to the potent scent of pumpkin spice, during the first few days of September you will occasionally be able to detect the aroma of baked goods in the air. It seems the case of pumpkin spice flavoring was brought in for a reason, and that reason becomes clear when baskets of muffins start appearing at the doorsteps of buildings (even those that have been damaged and/or abandoned) and in front of occupied room doors. Some of these baskets contain flavors that are more unique than others and the baskets look a little haphazardly put together, but there was clear thought put into the gesture. You may notice a spirit lurking out of the corner of your eye, trying to hide behind a tree or in a doorway or behind furniture - don't worry, they just want to make sure you got your basket!

ooc.

Hey there, wonderful players, and welcome to The Next Night! We're so glad to have you with us, both new and old. For a run-down on what's upcoming in September, please see the September gameplan, or check the calendar for a quick overview!

As a reminder, things like newcomer arrivals, item deliveries, and lantern repair all depend on the help of the characters in the game! If your character would be interested in assisting with the equipment at Dr. Solis' Lab in any way, please let us know!

DELIVERIES

The item request crew at the lab has always tried their best, they really have. The things people request often come in pretty close to what they had asked for, and lately they've struggled to get the things landed neatly in one place but at least they've always arrived somewhere. Maybe it's the shifting of the seasons, maybe it's pure bad luck, but it seems that they've struggled in a new way this time. Everything has landed in the harbor and is quickly sinking. Worse (or better?) is that among the supplies seems to have been an enormous pallet of boxed pumpkin spice mix which exploded on impact. Everything, including the water of the lake, tastes and smells strongly of pumpkin spice. Festive!

The following can be found, one way or another:

• The monthly store restock, which provides enough food, general sundry items, and basic supplies to comfortably last the group a month. You can check what kind of items to expect in a monthly restock here.


• For Inspector Javert: an abundance of high-quality pistol ammunition, including a bonus box of armor-piercing rounds; plenty of tools and supplies for a very nice kitchen including some polished granite countertop slabs, exotic dark hardwood panels and beams, a professional baking oven that stands floor to ceiling, and more, plus three large wheeled carts to help carry everything.


• For Cao Pi: a high-quality silk bathrobe, a very casual robe, and a travel guide to the Chinese city of Fenghuang, circa 1995.

If you submitted an item request last month and we've missed it here, let us know!

QUICKNAV
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Comments

[theimpatientone]

Her expression is doubtful, but Merwen knows perfectly well that this is probably going to be necessary. "Frostbite" might be a new word but it's a pretty evocative word. "I would appreciate what advice you have to share," she says. "I don't know what is practical, and I don't know how clothing is meant to be sewn together." She gives a puff of rather humourless laughter. "Usha and I made seasilk clothing to wear when we went to Valedon, but 'frostbite' was not a concern in that climate, either. It was a very simple assortment of rags taken from other weaving."

[worthallthis]

"Well, you won't have to sew anything, I promise. It's already sewn, you'll just have to do things like buttons to keep it closed, maybe. I'll show you." They're not sure if she's ready for zippers. They'll see what's available.

The bed and breakfast is coming up here, so they nod towards it and pick up speed a little to set their box off to one side of the building, next to the giant wall-sized oven. "Just set it here. It's not going inside yet."

[theimpatientone]

"I wouldn't mind sewing," she says, doing so. There's a streak of homesickness in her voice. "I miss spinning and weaving, here. It was always good to keep my hands busy, while I thought on other things, and even if we never use it to cover ourselves, we always need more seasilk."

Merwen turns to look at Soldat, her expression troubled. "I suppose it is one more way this place shares its sickness with us."

[worthallthis]

They pause to blink at her, then the surprised expression melts into a warm smile. Soldat absolutely understands that impulse to keep busy, and if she can make seasilk, surely she can make other things, with a little direction. "Well, I think something can be arranged for that, Merwen. There's still altering to do. And. Other things. Come on, I'll show you." They motion with their head in the direction of the general store.

[theimpatientone]

"I haven't seen any silk that needs spinning," Merwen points out, a little wryly, "but I am willing to see what you suggest."

She follows along, though, only feeling a little bit in over her head. Cold weather. What is this nonsense of cold weather.

[worthallthis]

"No spinning, no, but sewing. There's some of that." And Soldat might have an idea that Merwen could help with. They don't have as much free time as they used to, to devote to projects, but... this could be a fun project. "Taking things that are made one way, and making them be another way. I turned three normal-sized shirts into a coat big enough for Rosinante, for Christmas last year. I altered my good coat last autumn so it fit properly over my arm and flattered my shoulder line. I'll show you how."

[theimpatientone]

"You speak of it as though it is an art," Merwen says. "Is it an art? I have thought of it as primarily a functional skill, but there seems to be artistry in making clothing that is attractive."

Because she can understand it, put like that.

"I know that Valan soldiers wear all the same clothes, so that we know what they are. I also know that Valans want to trade us for our silk, and that they use it for clothing sometimes. I had thought of it as functional or communicative, but I had not thought of the artistic expression inherent to it."

[worthallthis]

"I never thought of it that way," Soldat admits. "It can be an art, I guess. Making sure clothing fits right and looks good. And isn't too uncomfortable. Wearing clothing that fits right and looks good makes me feel better, sometimes." Of course, in the context of comfort. They still like their layers, which isn't necessarily flattering unless they're careful about it. Which they often are.

And right now, they're still kind of wet from wading into the lake, so they're not really at their best. Soldat, realizing that, somewhat self-consciously sets about wringing water from the bottoms of their two layers of shirt. Not much to be done about the jeans, though.

[theimpatientone]

See, this is why Merwen comes from a society of nudists. Clothing is just silly when you're in and out of the water all day.

"So there is functional clothing, meant for protection or warmth, and there is artistic clothing, and then there is clothing that is both. Do I share truth?"

[worthallthis]

"You do share truth," Soldat agrees, smiling over at her again. "I prefer clothing that's both. When I can. You've seen my tactical vest, the one with the straps and metal arm bare. It's very functional, lots of pockets, lots of protection. But it looks pretty badass, too. We'll focus on comfort for you, though. Since you aren't used to it."

Merwen, he's realizing, does tend to bring out the chat. She's so easy to talk to.

[theimpatientone]

"Badass," Merwen repeats, frowning, though it's more thoughtful than disapproving. "What a peculiar word. You use it in a positive way."

It didn't exactly translate well.

"I suppose that if I must wear clothes, it's better if they are... pleasing to the eye, I would think. But I'll trust your judgement." She looks up ahead, squinting a bit. "It's that building there, yes?"

[worthallthis]

They chuckle. "Sorry. Picked that up from Sora. It means tough and strong, but also--" They have to pause to fish for another word that isn't slang. "--good. Well-dressed. Artistic, like you said."

They trot ahead a couple of steps in the dark so they can hold the general store door open for her. "This is it, yeah. Come on in. Have you been in here at all yet?"

[theimpatientone]

"Badass," she repeats, committing the word to memory. Merwen follows, glancing around her rather warily.

"Briefly," she says, "once. I saw what was being traded and decided I had no business here, not then, though it was good to know if I did need cloth of some type for another purpose."

[worthallthis]

Mun looks forward to seeing Merwen repeat "badass" at someone else and shock them.

"There's other things in here than just clothes. Supplies, things to build and sew with, food. Though we keep most of the food at the Invincible now, it's just cans here." The inside is lit by a torch, and they head over to the place where they keep basic sewing kits. They offer one of the little packets to Merwen. "Find some clothes you like the feel of. Doesn't matter what they are, we'll change them if we need to."

[theimpatientone]

Well, you never know, it might happen.

Merwen runs her hands over the various fabrics musingly, letting it run over her fingertips and the webbing between them. It's very different from the silk she knows, which is strong and smooth. "What are these fabrics made of?" she asks. "There are so many kinds. Oh, it's so soft." She pulls at a fleece sweater she's found.

[worthallthis]

"That's called fleece. Not sure what it's made out of. This is flannel, also very soft. Both are warm and good for if it gets wet. This is denim, warm and strong, but bad in the wet. This is cotton, not warm but soft. This is wool, very warm and good in the wet, but also kind of itchy." They tap a piece of clothing of each of the fabrics, naming the type.

[theimpatientone]

"I do not mind being wet," Merwen points out with a bit of a laugh. "Do you mean it shares warmth while wet or that it is meant to keep you dry?"

So many textures. Wool is sort of scratchy, or at least this particular one is.

"But being warm is the goal, so perhaps that is what we should focus on."

[worthallthis]

"Wet clothes are even colder in the cold than dry clothes, is the thing," Soldat explains, and starts collecting articles of clothing that she indicates aren't too uncomfortable for her. Also the wool, he can use that for outer wear maybe. "Where you come from. I guess it's pretty warm, right? Rain is warm, air is warm, ocean warm. Not like that here. We had a blizzard last year, snow up to here." They hold up the stack of clothing to their hip. "It was so fucking cold I actually put up with a scarf."

They also collect a whole bunch of thick socks. They're going to have to work something out for her feet, or she's going to lose all that pretty webbing.

[theimpatientone]

"What is a blizzard? What is snow?" Merwen shakes her head. "There are parts of Shora that can be cold, but we don't take our raft trees there. The poles are where the seaswallowers dwell, most of the time, and even if we wished, that would make it far too dangerous to travel to those parts. Shora shares with us what we need in the rest of her waters."

[worthallthis]

"Snow is like rain only frozen. A blizzard is. A lot of snow, all coming down from the sky at once." They give her a look that might read concerned, imagining her in all that snow. Maybe she should stay inside as much as possible once the snow starts.... "Here. This should be enough to start something. Let's go back to the Invincible."

[theimpatientone]

"Is it different from hail? We can have terrible storms, sometimes with hail."

The picture she is starting to form is... not a great one. It's becoming worrying. Who knew there were so many types of weather? Merwen fingers through the clothing, lingers on a bright floral-patterned sundress. Not warm, but it appeals to her.

[worthallthis]

"Snow is like hail, but smaller and softer. It doesn't hurt when it lands on you." Soldat notes the attention, and collects the sundress when she moves on, heading for the door out again. It may not be warm, but if she's attracted to the pattern and color, they'll find a way to incorporate it. "It's actually fun to play in. So long as you're warm enough. Sora and Misty and I got into a play-fight last year, throwing it at each other."

[theimpatientone]

"Snow," she repeats thoughtfully. "Soft ice. I look forward to seeing it. It certainly sounds more pleasant than a hailstorm."

She follows him out, still trailing her fingers along the rows of fabric, because it's new and interesting, still. She might have to come back and look another time.

"It does not share pain to throw it at someone?"

[worthallthis]

"Nah. Not unless you pack it really hard, and since it's for fun, we don't do that." They hold the door for her, then head for the Invincible. "It holds it shape pretty well, so you can build it up to funny shapes, or make holes in it in funny shapes."

[theimpatientone]

"How interesting. I look forward to seeing it."

She's genuine about that. She's imagining... something, but she'll recognise that it's probably a pretty good distance away from the reality of snow.

"Is snow common where you are from?"