middaeg | VALENTINES CHARITY

VALENTINES CHARITY - Feoveuer 14th

♥ THE FESTIVAL OF LOVE ♥

"At the Festival of Love: Shine like thunder
At the Festival of Love: Cry like rain
At the Festival of Love: Hear my calling
At the Festival of Love: Hear my name"

...wait, who prepared this poster? The vibe it gives off is totally wrong... ah, well, it will do! ♥

I. Welcome! ♥

On Feoveuer 14th regulars of DiplomaTea will immediately notice that the place looks different. Fresh flowers, garlands and paper decorations are everywhere, all in lovely shades of pink and red. Heart-shaped confetti is falling from the ceiling, magicked to disappear shortly after touching the floor so it would not make a mess. Quiet music is filling the whole cafe, one of the many masterpieces of Amadeus Mozart and a particual favorite of Marie who picked this particular song to play. Even those who have missed Marie's flyers and announcements about the upcoming event would definitely notice that something joyous is going on inside, why not check it out and join everyone?

If you haven't heard before, the posters will explain everything. Today's event, The Festival of Love celebrates the holiday known as Valentine's Day some Mirrorbound might be familiar with. This is the day to celebrate love in all shapes and forms. Spend a wonderful, romantic evening with your partner... or your friends and family, because these kinds of love are important too! Or get some sweets and eat them all by yourself, because self love is also important! All money collected during today's event will go to aid the refugees and help those who have been affected during last month - celebration of love for your fellow woman, man and everyone else.

a. Preparations ♥

Of course an event this big cannot happen without the help of many. Making and putting up the decorations, enchanting the confetti and music, building the booths, preparing the tables, all of this and much more took almost the whole previous day. Everett will also defintely need part-timers to help tending to the increased number of custoers during the event. If you visited DiplomaTea during that time, you probably couldn't enjoy your drink in peace... or maybe you were roped into helping? Marie gives you a pleading look. Every pair of hands is useful, you know!

II. The Festival of Love ♥

Kissing Booths ♥

Two hastily made but lovingly decorated wooden booths have been placed on DiplomaTea porch. For supporting the cause with a small fee of 100 cunes the person inside will gladly give you a lovely kiss... though you are, of course, welcome to throw an even bigger amount into the donation box! The Mirrorbound staff the booths in shifts so nobody will be forced to sit out the whole event and more volunteers are always welcome... come on, don't you want to support the charitable cause? Marie is quite persuasive, she might find a way to convince you even if it's not something you would have usually agreed to ♥ Or maybe your crush is currently in the booth and this is your big chance? Either way, thank you for your support, good people!

Bake Sale ♥

Are you skilled with the cooking appliances? Would you like these skills to serve a good cause? The tables just next to the main entrance of DiplomaTea have been filled with cakes, pastries and other kinds of sweets donated by Mirrorbound - help yourself to some! You have to pay for it, of course, but all the money collected helps the charitable cause! For those who are not fond of sweet things, savory and spicy snacks are also found on the table.

Did you bring a dish? Would you like to buy something? Or maybe you are just staffing the tables and helping with the bake sale itself? All kinds of help are appreciated! Are you culinarily challenged but refuse to admit it? Thank you for your donation anyway, it is going on sale! Did anyone see the Fae who donated these cupcakes? These appear to be enchanted and eating one will cause you to say the opposite what you mean for fifteen minutes. What do you mean, Marie, we are putting these on sale as well? Could it be... that Fae was... No, impossible!

Auction ♥

Want to support the cause with a bigger sum? As a part of the main event, a couple of items will be auctioned. To show their support, the Coven donated several valuables that could definitely be of use for both Witches and Monsters:
an ornate golden ring Fae-blessed to provide the wearer 12 hours of invisibility (which does not have to be used consecutively, it's 'turned on and off' by rubbing the stone set into it, and does not conceal the wearer from other Fae)
a suit set and a dress that will both transform magically to fit whatever Monster form the wearer has (and will also take on the wearer's color and design preferences)
a book on imbuing baked goods with minor luck spells - good and bad both.
Place your bids now! But that's not everything that will be put on sale today - donations from Mirrorbound are also accepted and will be auctioned! Do you have any items you no longer need and could contribute? Maybe it's something you have crafted yourself? Or a voucher for any kind of services you can provide? Whatever it is, thank you for your donation! Yes, even if it's enchanted. Especially if it is enchanted!

Not donating or buying anything? You could certainly help with the organization part! That pile of items over there... Mind checking out what we even have there and assign starting bids?

A Word from our Sponsor ♥

DiplomaTea is offering a couple of special offers on this special day, all proceeds will be donated! Extra large mug of cinnamon cocoa you can share with a special person to warm up your bodies and hearts. You can also drink it yourself if you want to, nobody will judge you and certainly not Everett. However, even if you came here by yourself... Are you sure you can finish it by yourself? How about splitting the cocoa with someone who also came alone? That's the spirit of the day!

For those interested in a drink that can provide more thrill than simple cocoa, Everett is offering a tea blend called Ardric's Warmth. In his own words, it tastes like a live firecracker and has enough caffeine to raise the dead. And yet, this blend seems to have its dedicated fans in Aefenglom, especially among Dragons. Dare to try it? Or maybe someone tricked you into drinking some?

Inkchanted Corner ♥

Caster Cú Chulainn is doing a promotion on behalf of his and Waver's tattoo shop, Inkchanted. Still undecided if you would like to visit their place? Unsure about a permanent tattoo? You can try it out here and help the cause! For a low fee you can have Caster draw a small, enchanted painting on your skin. It can make you give off a charming aura, perfect if you are still looking for someone to spend the evening with or trying to grab the attention of that particular person. Or maybe you are celebrating self love and just want a spell that will allow you to eat a lot of sweets without consequences tonight? Perfect! Another idea? Be sure to communicate it well, you would not want to end up with an enchanted painting that gives a different effect you originally wanted... though even if you do, the magic will only work for a few hours. You can wait that long, can you?

Magic Show ♥

Trucy Wright, one of the recent arrivals to Aefenglom is on stage and about to perform her splendid magic show! Huh, that's nothing special in Aefenglom, you might think. Magic is an everyday thing for every Witch after all. However, this young lady here is not a Witch, so how does she do it? With totally real magic, of course! Get your seats and pay close attention to everything she does, but you are not very likely to notice anything - this girl is a professional, after all. In using real magic, of course! Or maybe you have similar skills? You are welcome to join her on stage and perform your own well-practiced trick. If it's not as well-practiced as you thought... well, at least you made the audience laugh? In need of a charming assistant? Just pick someone more or less willing from the audience!

III. Cleanup ♥

Tired after a busy day? Congratulate yourself on a job well done, we managed to collect a nice sum that will certainly help a lot! But before you can rest in your bed, there's more to be done. Taking off decorations, removing the confetti enchantments, washing the dishes, collecting the trash and cleaning the whole place. We cannot leave Everett alone with this mess after he was so nice to allow the usage of DiplomaTea for today's event, can we? You can stay and help, can you? Maybe there are some leftowers from the bake sale to sweeten the deal?

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Can I ask what's inside them?

[he will Definitely stay away from the chocolate ones for sure.]

I can't believe Marie set all of this up... she's really amazing.

Dead from broken hearts of course. But you're being modest. You do have lovely features. But if you're not inclined to be kissed to death, I'll have to respect it.

[But hey, she'll give him a smooch, especially with the guady lipstick. She's already picking it up, and she nods in approval.]

Just a hundred will be enough-take the rest back. Did you want to wear the lipstick?

I'm fine with sharing.

[She didn't have cooties.]

[Yeah there's. An eyeroll. She figured.]

Sure. Just don't expect anything grandiose.

Probably none. I don't see anyone else crowding around to get a piece of you, to be sure.

[But who composes that fraction that qualifies as the exception...? She jabs a finger at his nose.]

Oh, come now. Surely there must be something that can spur you on, if not coin...

[ It was a pleasant sight to see Nier clean and less killer-in-the-night-like.

A Valentine's charity wasn't where she expected to see him next, though. Then again, the guy seemed to have a thing for helping, so maybe this wasn't too off track.

When he leans in an accepts the challenge, she exhales softly through her nose, quite amused and almost tempted to say

'I doubt you'd say no to a lot of things.' ]

Alright then, say 'ah'.

[ She coos, as if talking to a much younger person. Taking a piece of the bread stash she has beneath the table, Alex brings her hand closer to him and pops the piece into his mouth. ]

You don't need to tell me the base ingredients, just what I used for the flavor.

Ah- Ven!

[It was more than a bit of a surprise to see him here - and on that side of the kissing booth, too - given how... almost shy the boy had seemed at their first meeting.

But Sylvain is nothing if not encouraging, especially in ventures like these, so he's quick to both donate and... well, lean in to kiss Ven on the top of his head.

Before reaching up to ruffle his hair and just kind of see how he reacts to getting pet behind the ears. For, you know, future knowledge.]

How are you?

[ Intrigue was exactly the bait she was hoping it would be. She beams at the challenger, probably more excited about this whole thing than he was. ]

Absolutely.

[ And from his choice, either way was a win for her.

Alex puts aside his order, then slides her hands beneath the table where the master bread was kept. ][ She breaks a piece off, but doesn't bring it to his face until his eyes are shut and she's sure he can't see a thing.

From what she can feel, she believes this one contained nuts, or possibly seeds. ]

Carbs are a much better prize in my opinion.

[ She gives a playful wink, not objecting to his choice at all. ]

Ah--not at all. That wouldn't be very fair. It's more of guessing the flavors, or what I added for it to taste the way it does. So none of the basic ingredients.

[ While she found these types of games fun now, the merrow only played underhanded games during the full moon. ]

If it helps, I didn't use any super fancy or strange ingredients.

[ven perks up and offers a smile ienzo's way.]

Yeah! I mean, it's not like I'm very good at baking and I don't have anything for the auction so... I thought this would be okay?

[his cheeks are a little pink.]

What about you?

[Charity is something he's heard of, at least. His family had been rich enough to actually participate in it a little when he'd been younger, though now they might as well be going for beneficiaries of charitable work rather than helping out with it. Kissing booths had been pretty new, but Emil's never taken kissing all that seriously so he's got no real issue with it.

Except when it starts stinging him in the ego, of course. Apparently others do take kissing pretty seriously around here.]

I guess a lot of people wanted to help out. I couldn't pass up a bake sale. Same for you?

Sylvain!

[oh- that's a kiss. even if its on his head it still has his face blush a nice pink, but it's the ear scritches that has him really brighten. his tail wags hard enough to hit the side of his chair.]

I'm good! Trying to help out and I thought this would be a good idea, heh...

[When the guy abruptly looks startled and a little guilty, then starts apologizing, Emil waves a hand at him.]

It's fine, it's fine. I guess the donating part is the important part. Man, it sure seems like people take kissing a lot more seriously here than where I come from.

[As dismissive as he is, his face is still a bit pink and he can't quite make eye contact. Keep it together, Emil! You can't act as sensitive as you are when you're trying to hustle for donations and make a good impression.]

[ It takes a second, but there was no forgetting someone who treated her after that ordeal not too long ago. Her hand comes up to her mouth in surprise, not having expected to see him again in this type of setting. ]

Mr. Elliot--

[ Yes, she was aware he was younger, but it seemed appropriate to address him that way considering how he had helped her. Maybe it was also because he was in the medical field. It wouldn't be the first time she's addressed someone younger in such a respectful manner. ]

Thank you--It took a few tries, but I got some to be presentable...and edible! Of course..

[ Her usual awkwardness was starting too show, but mostly because she was somewhat embarrassed. She had every intention of finding a way to thank him properly, but here she was trying to get money out of him. ]

Was there one that you wanted?

[ she certainly wouldn’t be wrong. the bread slides into his mouth — the texture is unexpectedly fluffy, not in the slightest bit dense. she toiled to make this and it showed.

with a tilt of the head, nier swallows at long last. ]

Sage, honey, garlic...

[ there’s a beat. ]

And thyme?

Then I guess you'll see me then probably.

[ He's never one to turn down free food and drink after all. ]

The puppet and the bloomers were definitely the highlight, but I think you were pretty amazing at everything! Your motor control, your ability to keep the audience's attention where, and when, you need it most... At your age, that's all really tremendous!

[ Ursula didn't mind gushing praise where it was due. And a born performer definitely recognized a born performer. Even if she'd given up that part of herself... ]

The magic was in the audience's smiles, for sure...

I guess it's good for, you know, staying out of trouble and all that.

[ A beat, he looks Vanitas over. ]

So, fitting in ok I guess?

[ Now for a second there, he MIGHT have thought she was suggesting a blood sugar cookie or something. Is that... an actual thing?? Maybe he'll figure that out later. Not... that he would eat one. Just... yeah. ]

How much do I have to pay for it?

[ He sure is and Trevor is doing his best NOT to fall for it. Rather, he just gives the faun a bit of a look. ]

I didn't volunteer. I'm only watching this thing until the actual volunteer comes back.

[ Which should be... now-ish? Maybe?? Hello?? ]

Anyways, what are you doing here? Come to look at the sights and sounds?

Nothing. You're helping, are you not?

_{[Are you doing something because even though it's a volunteer position it's kind of illegal to allow people to go without, y'know, food and water on the job.]}

Surely a cookie can be spared for a man doing good work.

[ Good enough reason for her, though she didn't particularly need a reason to look, either. ]

A special occasion, is it? Do you mind sharing why?

It means I'll be able to satisfy a certain curiosity of mine with a more different sort of attack than I thought I'd be taking.

[ Not that she would have particularly minded other approaches... nor were they actually off the table, for that matter. ]

Marie. [ A small shrug. ]

She's an old friend of mine. She actually asked me some advice about you, so our world is a bit smaller than it seems, at times.

[ Asura was one of the people she purposely called out to, maybe his own boldness rubbing off somehow. There was something comfortable about him that allowed her the freedom to try a little more, to make mistakes, to explore. She may not have been ready to dive right in, but she was starting to test the waters.

Alex puts aside a sweet bread for him, which she will wrap up once the challenge is over--or when he decides to give up. If that's even in his vocabulary.

She thinks a moment before responding, her lips puckering as she glances to the side in attempt to look guilt-free. ]

Mmm...do I count?

[ Technically, she was betting on them losing, so in a way she was still taking part in this gamble, wasn't she? Her lips inevitably crack into a smile, a little more demure to shake off the overconfidence. ]

Maybe they just got unlucky?

[If nothing else, Emil can usually be counted on to be honest to a fault, and at least that usually applies to compliments as well as bluntly stated painful or awkward observations. Actually, he's a little surprised by how surprised Eren looks, and he just gives him a little smile, somewhere between encouraging and just plain warm.]

Oh, wow, that sounds familiar. Except the meat bit. We have enough livestock and there's enough immune animal life to hunt a bit too, if you want to take the risk, so meat's not a big deal. Flour was though, kind of. And chocolate and sugar and coffee were just...ridiculously expensive, same with fruit that didn't grow naturally. All of that had to be shipped in from greenhouses in Iceland.

[That bit about meat being a luxury sounds familiar though, for some reason. Where has he heard that before? It's definitely a conversation he's had since he got here...]

Oh. I never minded being fat, and then I stopped being fat and now I like myself this way, thank you very much.

[A little laugh, and he shakes his head.]

Besides, sharing is nice, right? Might be a good way to, you know. Try to make friends?

[It's an attempt at reaching out. An attempt.

Where has he had that conversation before though? It's going to drive him crazy until he figures it out...]

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VALENTINES CHARITY - Feoveuer 14th

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