VALENTINES CHARITY - Feoveuer 14th

[thejoyrider]

♥ 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?

Comments

Alex Benedetto | Gangsta

[sing_for_me]

Kiss the Baker

[ Alex was quick to hop on the chance to help out the refugees. It felt good to be able to do something for someone after being helpless in past events. the guilt still weighing on her despite the comfort offered by several people. Good people...

She was also more than happy to put her rekindled love for bread to use. Since coming here, it’s become a habit to stop by the bakery, picking up tips and new ideas to up her baking game from just sweet buns. Her menu for today includes a variety of appropriately themed artisan breads, a mix of savory and sweet.

The kissing booth she was less inclined to participate in…but one look at a face like Marie’s was enough for the merrow to cave. A little bit, anyway, since she decides to put a catch. You could always just buy some bread, or if you wanted to be a little more daring, you could take on the merrow's challenge. ]

All you have to do is close your eyes, eat whatever it is I give you, then guess what the ingredients are. If you can guess them correctly, you can get either a kiss or another bread for free.

[ Her ears flit subtly, with Alex just barely hiding the mischievous tone in her voice. At least if you lost, the price wasn't death by drowning. ]

The price is one order of bread for one kiss or try.

[ This was for charity after all. ]

[extirpator]

[ it's a familiar face, to say the least.

she draws his attention almost immediately; fortunately, he isn't shirtless or soaked with blood this time around, and she isn't wracked with anxiety at 3 in the morning.

nier listens intently. and then when she's finished speaking, he offers her a nod, an easy smile and her payment. ]

Alright. I can't say no to a challenge.

[ his eyes flutter shut, and he leans in. ]

Give me your best shot.

[sing_for_me]

[ 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.

[extirpator]

[ 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?

[ressusciter]

...Consider me intrigued by the challenge. Though I shall take the free bread, should I win.

[he'll bring it back home as something special to go with dinner, and if he fails? then no harm in trying something new. so he'll pay for the order, and then close his eyes.]

[sing_for_me]

[ 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. ]

[ressusciter]

[he definitely can't see anything, his eyes are most assuredly shut.

before he takes his bite, he inhales to smell, to see if there were any clue that way, and then he chews slowly, trying to take note of the flavors inherent. through it all, he doesn't even try to open his eyes, instead concentrating on taste.

it's an interesting test, to say the least.]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo has taken off from the bake sale after his stint behind the table earlier, but that also means he can come look at what everyone else is selling. Cute bread design is a pretty easy way to catch his attention, and his red nails settle on his cheeks for a moment in delight at the rosy tomato bread before the stallholder catches his attention and he straightens up.]

Hmm, I don't really want a kiss, but I was going to buy a bread anyway, so I guess going for a second just makes sense. Are you asking for all the ingredients, though? I feel like that's gatekeeping to professional chefs or something...

[He says that rather lightheartedly, so it's obvious he doesn't actually have a problem with it, but he is thinking his partner would probably be better at this than he will be.]

[sing_for_me]

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.

[yesdoubt]

My diet rules wouldn't agree with you, but then, I've never really agreed with them either.

[As an idol, Momo is supposed to keep a fairly strict diet, but he's so active he can get away with breaking it with monotonous regularity. He seems a bit more confident with the idea of only having to guess flavours, at least, and he gives a bouncy sort of nod.]

Alright, I'll definitely give it a shot. My darling is a much fancier cook than me, so maybe tasting his ingredients has rubbed off on my tastebuds over the years.

[Momo is very much an average household cook and kind of a lazy one at that, so Yuki and fancy restaurants are his gateway to more complex flavours.]

[fiddlestick]

[He remembers Alex as one of the patients in the infirmary that he'd assist with. It was nice to see her doing a lot better, so he decided to go say hi. As he approaches and sees her breadwork, he's honestly impressed]

Wow, these are beautiful....!

[He's definitely going to buy one, he can see his housemates loving this.]

Haha, that's some challenge though... [He might do it, it does seem fun]

[sing_for_me]

[ 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?

[fiddlestick]

[Ah, she's still calling him that. He offers a gentle and friendly smile]

Hey, there's no need to call me that. Just "Elliot" is fine.

[Being called "Mr. Elliot" really made him sound more important than he actually felt he was. Especially when Alex was older than him. ]

You did an amazing job, none of my bakes look this nice. [He was a decent baker, but his breads weren't anything you'd sell at an event like this.]

Well...honestly, they all look good. So what would you recommend?

[mirshikar]

Yeah?

[ Music to his ears horns, the silvered lilt to Alex's voice. Doubtless, that she has ensnared many festival-goers with it, right alongside that daring smile of hers. The King himself can be counted among their numbers—the bold, the brazen, those Valentine's Day lovers thoroughly given to the cause of devouring both confections and the kisses of others—and as he sets a sum of cunes atop the counter (for one of the sweet breads, Miss Alex, if you please), he finds he can't resist asking: ]

And just how many takers have emerged victorious after taking you up on this wager?

[sing_for_me]

[ 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?

[mirshikar]

Maybe. [ —he drawls smooth as honey, his taloned fingers drumming against the kissing-booth counter in a rhythmic staccato as Alex's show of bravura breaks into a genuine smile. Each are different facets of her, he thinks: the merrow who is sporting, and the glimmer of starlight who shines as brightly as she is shy. And someday soon, she'll find the balance between the two, knowing that both are true to the person she is now. Until then, Asura will always come if she calls, because he's not about to miss out on anything (no bread tasting and no challenge, no sung song and no bringing music to others out in the cold) she wants him there for, because cruising along with her? It's fun.

He continues on with a laugh!: ] But then, the odds are in no one's favor but yours.

Yet, even with this knowledge, I accept! [ Here, the click-clack-clatter of his talons ceases to be as he bows his head and closes his eyes, just as she'd prompted him before. And though the grin he's been wearing all this while remains, there's a new edge to it, a competitive gleam and glint which is surely a fierce sight to behold! Here he stands, champion and King of Summer! And the thing about champions? They don't know how to lose.

The invitation he extends, after that, is playful and daring in turns: ] Do your worst, Alex.

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ ... Ah, Judar's familiar with those finned ears, and that hair. There's obviously a few differences here on land, including those glasses, but he sure remembers the last time they met. Even if he was already going through his own recoveries after those attacks, walking with the crutches, he's been putting some money into these things.

This... Well, the past is coloring how ready he was to participate. Though he's certainly not that recognizable at this point, save for his long hair, so he's curious if it could even be recalled. ]

Yeah, I think I'm at too much of a disadvantage. Different names and unfamiliar ingredients in general; there's still plenty of things here I haven't even tried.

[sing_for_me]

[ Such a night when instinct took over made it difficult to remember things very well. That he's changed so much doesn't help with that either. While he feels familiar, Alex ends up brushing that feeling away. As far as she was concerned, he wasn't a faun she knew. Or was he...?

His statement does pull her out of her thoughts, however, realizing that she hadn't really considered that people from other places may not be familiar with what she used. ]

Oh..well..I don't think I used anything too uncommon but..

[ That would be her own assumptions, wouldn't it? ]

But you don't really lose anything for trying, if you wanted to. It would be the same thing as buying a piece of bread.

[ But she wouldn't force him. ]

Was there any that you might want to try? I could give you a sample if you'd like?

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ While having been swept by the whims and instincts of those nights, funnily enough, Judar's mind wasn't so clouded. He recalled things quite well, and not just with Alex. ]

It's not so much uncommon, but it can go by different labels... I guess if that's the case, I could find out after. That, or I guess what kind of thing it is...

[ Is it weird to participate when he's one of those affected people? Eh, whatever. Having done plenty before the kidnapping, it's not as if he was hurting with cunes or anything. So he'll just hand some over- The other things he'll bring up in a bit. The last thing he needed was getting her to bolt. ]

I'll handle the flavor better if you've got something sweet in this selection.

[shadowsthedawn]

[The charity aspect is what had drawn Riku to the festivities in the first place. Even having been here only a short time, he hasn't been able to avoid hearing about the plight of the refugees or the tragedy of last month. He wants to help...even if the theme of the event leaves him feeling a bit bewildered and lost.

He gives the kissing booths a long, hard look, wondering if maybe he could just donate a small sum and skip the kissing part. A moment later, the aroma of fresh bread hits his nose and he finds himself drawing closer to the booths.

It isn't hard to figure out which booth the smell is coming from, and he reaches the table in time to overhear the woman explaining her challenge. His eyes scan the different breads laid out. They all look delicious. Unless she's hiding something suspect on the other side of the booth to feed people once they close their eyes, he doesn't see a downside to this.]

I'll try whatever you got. And hmm...I'll also take one of those. [He points to one of the sweet looking breads.] How much?

[If he guesses right he'll take another type of bread for free. But he plans to pay for at least one of them.]

[sing_for_me]

[ It was always exciting to get a customer, as this type of business isn't something Alex has really tried on her own before. It was refreshing, being able to sell something else of hers that wasn't...her. ]

Thank you.

[ She says with a smile, even before she tells him the price and before he pays. It was quite uplifting to see how many people wanted to help. ]

Did you want to try to take a guess? Since you bought something, you get a chance anyway. You might be able to get another piece of bread.

[shadowsthedawn]

[He hands over his payment and accepts the bread in exchange, eager for a bite. But first he has some winning to do.]

Yeah, I'll try your challenge.

[showsnopiety]

I could, but I don't think we should. My lips are already swollen from earlier.

[They are, a bit. And there's still a little bit of lipstick on her lips from earlier-a once vivid red has faded to a more faded red, looking far less...well, bloody on her mouth.

So she slides over the coins.]

How many have won so far Alex?

[Few, she guesses. Not many people here are bread bakers.]

[sing_for_me]

Ah!

[ Alex didn't think Caren would be one of the people listening in-- ]

Oh, no, no, you don't have to! It's just..one of the things i'm throwing out there. But you can just go for the bread!

[ She wouldn't want to do something like that to Caren after all. Though it appears a few people have. Now Alex wondered what kind of impression she was leaving on her... ]

Mm..A handful, I'd say? Ah! But they mostly got the extra bread.

Which um..which one would you like to buy?

[showsnopiety]

I see...

[She isn't judging, mostly she's curious. From the composed woman in the cells to the woman here seemingly easily flustered over the matters of kisses for goodness sake.]

I'll trust your judgement. You are aware that I would have done the same thing, but teased them even further, yes?

[She's not a cotton puff Alex!!!]