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

kaden | witch

[nishiki]

a.) kissing booth!!!

[ with his favorite brush placed on the booth, kaden's prepared to do business. after seeing others take their turns, he's ready to earn some cunes for charity. it makes sense that he's basically doing some kind of favor in this regard, something he wants to continue to do; spread fortune through good deeds.

his head resting on his hands, propped up by both shoulders, he is more or less just waiting for someone to come by. however, it doesn't take long for his eyes to droop and his ears to follow suit, and soon he's mumbling wordlessly in his sleep. thank goodness the booth is sturdy enough to keep him propped up as he dozes! ]


b.) word from our sponsor

[ there are two mugs in front of him: one with the cocoa and one with the tea. with a thoughtful hum, kaden grabs the cocoa at first and raises it up to his lips, taking one careful sip. licking his lips, the next hum that leaves him is one of concern, and he places it back down with a sigh. ]

Don't know if I can drink that one...

[ but then he brings the second drink for a cursory sniff, and both eyes widen in surprise. ]

... or this one.

[ he's conflicted. he took both drinks thinking he might be able to have at least one, but drinking either completely would probably mess him up pretty bad.

he needs help. please. ]


c.) cleanup

[ it's not that kaden meant to do any cleanup, but it's practically inevitable that bits and pieces of confetti and some of the decorations have somehow found themselves in the fur of his tail. it had been a pretty busy day and kaden hasn't had the time to do his afternoon brushing... so why not kill two birds with one stone?

carefully, he finds a corner and pulls up a chair, then takes the brush tucked away somewhere in the folds of his top. once his tail is in his lap, he can start the arduous process of brushing.

the confetti starts to fall out, disappearing once it hits the floor. he won't mind entertaining anyone right now, especially because he's only on stroke number fifteen! ]


d. wildcard

[ pm me if you wish to plot something else out, or just throw something down and i'll follow your lead! ]

A

[oathkeeper]

[Unforuantely for Kaden his nap might just get interrupted by a brunette that spots him dozing in his spot. As soon as Sora sees the fox-like other he quickly comes up to him with a tiny shout of elation.]

Kaden! Kaden the kitsune, right?!

[Sora smiles happily. Rise and shine, Kaden! These charities need money! And lots of it!]

You're here too! From the dream! You're already working on charities, huh?

[nishiki]

[ it's his ears that first go alert, and then his tail--- followed by the rest of him. he his eyes with the back of sleeve, eyes droopy until he realizes who's speaking to him. ]

Oh! Sora. [ what a relief, someone else he saw in his dreams, who is also safe. ] Yeah, I am... I figured that the people who live here have been kind to us, so it makes sense to pay them back.

[ and he stands up straight, placing his hands on the booth. ]

Are you going to donate, too?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora has to wonder if Kaden really is a monster or a witch. He's seen so many people with animal appendages like tails and ears that Kaden sort of fits right into that category? But he cast magic in their shared dreams so he's just not sure which Kaden is! Either way, it must be lucky to be both.]

That's really nice of you! I've been helping with selling cookies and stuff just over there.

[He points to one of the other stalls.]

But yeah, I think I can donate! Ummm...! How much?

[nishiki]

[ cookies... he really should take some time to look at the other booths. maybe after this, he can saunter over and put some cookies or whatever in his mouth? but for now, he should do his best to get donations for those who need it more than him. ]

100 cunes. [ kaden smiles, beaming from ear to ear. ] And if you want, I'm supposed to give you a kiss!

[ he wags his tail, a few sways from side-to-side. ]

That is... if you want one. I guess it's optional, if you put money in the box.

[oathkeeper]

A kiss?!

[Sora feels his cheeks flush at the idea. This really is a kissing booth?! Welp. A good cause is a good cause.]

I don't mind donating the money but can I tell you a secret first?

[nishiki]

Yeah, a kiss.

[ something about sora's expression makes him look away for a moment, to hopefully keep the blush from spreading too quickly. kisses are nice, and sora isn't a stranger, so... it probably would feel okay. ]

What's the secret? I promise I won't tell.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora already is pretty pink in the cheeks but he smiles anyway.]

Well! I've never kissed anyone before.

[He scratches his cheek.]

I was kind of hoping my first kiss would be with someone really special. [No offence, Kaden! He's kind of a romantic.] Maybe we can kiss on the cheeks instead?

[nishiki]

That's fine! No problem.

[ honestly, giving or receiving kisses... they don't always have to be on the lips? no one said it had to be done there in the first place, and sora is so up front about it. how could kaden ignore an innocent request like that? ]

Here, turn your head to the side a little, okay?

c

[cyclopticsadist]

[Niles' fur is spotless (except for the spots in his pattern of course). He made sure he was in pristine condition before approaching Kaden. Azura had told him, heart heavy with the weight of her confession, that his tail was softer than Kaden's.

Even in Nohr the legendary softness of kitsune fur was well known, and Niles is eager not only to see for himself, but also to rub it in. He hadn't had the time or space to strike up much of a conversation with Kaden while they were in the process of moving boxes, and on top of that he's been sincerely trying not to be obnoxious in front of Corrin. But now he has no such restrictions.

He saunters up to Kaden and pulls up his own chair. He sits on it backwards, resting his folded arms on the back and giving his tail space to sway in a long, slow arc behind him.]

Afternoon. Any chance you'd be willing to share your brush?

[nishiki]

[ it's niles, and kaden is... wary. he can feel every individual hair on his tail and ears immediately go on alert, standing still and tense as the other takes that chair and positions himself directly in front of him. it's the alterations that kaden's still not used to; that tail is impossible to ignore, how it moves in an almost hypnotic fashion. he squeezes his eyes shut before matching niles' gaze, a very slow smile forming across his face. ]

That depends. [ does kaden actually have the upper hand here? or does this outlaw have something up his sleeve? even though he recognizes niles as being his ally doesn't necessarily mean anything, and... ]

Do you want my brush? Or do you want me to use my brush on you?

[ ... when opportunity knocks, how could a kitsune like kaden ignore it? that tail certainly holds some kind of secret and he will find out what it is. ]

[cyclopticsadist]

[Kaden's immediate wariness of him is surprisingly refreshing. He'd lived so long with his tarnished reputation that coming to a new world with a clean slate was honestly a little disorienting. Ultimately he likes it of course, but there's comfort in that familiar distrust. He leans into it, his smirk one full of undeniable mischief and ill intentions.]

Well I'd never turn down an offer of full service.~

[His tail swings around him, landing squarely in Kaden's lap. If he hadn't noticed the wicked scorpion stinger partially covered by the fur at the end of his tail it was unmistakable now, although thankfully it's covered in a sturdy leather sheath. He's not being threatening, just smug and demanding.]

[nishiki]

[ and now that smile wanes, replaced with a little bit of confusion and hesitation before the tail flops heavily onto his lap. he jumps in his chair, ears and tail staying stiff, while his nerves are being tested by the fact that there's something on the end of niles' tail that is distinctly not... fluffy. nope. it's covered like a sword might be, and it makes him very curious and worried at the same time.

putting his hands on the tail itself, kaden's eyes widen. it is indeed soft and furry, but in a completely different way that his is, and the longer he drags his fingers through it, the more he know that his brush is perfect for it.

he is an expert in the art of tail grooming, after all. ]

Is there anything you won't turn down? [ and he means it innocently enough as he begins to brush, short ones to start. ]

[cyclopticsadist]

[Kaden's little jump warms his heart, although he was expecting some amount of resentment or gloominess to follow afterwards. Niles tended to assume the worst of people, and so he'd assumed that Kaden would be more vain and competitive. Oh well. His eye trails down from Kaden's unexpectedly cheery face to where his hands are working on his tail.]

Hmm, I suppose a few things. [Anything new he'll try at least once, but there's definitely things he's done he wouldn't repeat. But absolutely none of them are fit for a public conversation.] But I probably shouldn't describe them. I wouldn't want to make you queasy.

[nishiki]

[ maybe he should be thankful for that, because whatever niles has in mind surely deflates some of that curiosity, only to be replaced by some mixed feelings. ]

... I should probably ask: what do you normally do to your tail that makes it so soft?

[ it's not that he's jealous or anything, nor was he to begin with when he first set eyes on it, but that he's clearly a very mature kitsune! totally not narcissistic or shallow in any way possible. he bites back the urge to rub his cheek against it, though with every brush... he's going to have to test it at some point, right?

kaden switches from short strokes to long ones, doing his best to avoid the tip. ]

Maybe it's magic... maybe magic can do something like this.

[ thinking out loud at least helps him think of the more outlandish possibilities... ]

[cyclopticsadist]

[Ah, there it is. Niles tilts his head and makes just a liiiittle show of making himself comfortable. He ends with his head laid sideways on folded arms propped on the back of his chair. Under Kaden's hands the tip twitches just a little.]

I have my own brush at home, and...[Well honestly stalking Linden gave him plenty of down time to absently brush his tail while watching an emaciated nerd do a whole lot of nothing.] I put in the time.

[As for the defensive excuse, well Niles doesn't let that fly.]

Hmm, no magic in this world is reserved for the witches, isn't it? All my new parts are naturally and truthfully grown.

[If it had been magic it wouldn't have been so uncomfortable and itchy. But he doesn't add that. Doesn't really fit into his whole 'effortless beauty' thing he's going for.]

A.

[fordeath]

[ funny that they should always meet this way. apparently determined to lay the foundations for a new tradition, amadeus approaches the sleeping fox with muted steps.

ever so slowly and carefully, amadeus pulls a coin from his pocket and gently lays it atop kaden's head. amidst all the festivity this is how this witch is making his fun: by building a small tower of cunes on that orange head. he's meticulous enough to minimize the clink of each coin as the stack grows, but only fate will determine how tall it'll get before it all comes crashing down...! ]

[nishiki]

[ at first, he can feel a presence. something familiar and comforting? not malicious--- far from it. this is why he doesn't immediately stir and grumble, instead choosing to mumble a few noises while not moving his head.

but once a few cunes start to weigh down his hair, this is when kaden opens one eye very slowly. his vision is blurry as mozart's somewhat familiar form takes shape in his sight. ]

Hm...? [ and then he closes his eye again. too bright! ] What're you doing?

[ kaden doesn't bother moving, lest he disturb the growing tower of money. ]

c.

[amurder]

[Salieri doesn't mind the aftermath one bit. Cleaning is, in fact, very distracting- if not therapeutic for the towering Chimera.

But he certainly wasn't expecting confetti to find itself everywhere on his person... and particularly on his tail. His long, large fuzzy tail. Ugh!

Thus, he finds himself watching Kaden and his chore with keen interest.] Brilliant.

[Brilliant...! Of course! ] Ahem. If you perhaps have a second brush...

[nishiki]

Of course I do! [ kaden always carries a spare or two, it's the only way he can live his kitsune life without any fears... to be able to groom himself at a moment's notice. this man is certainly large and probably imposing to most, but the only thing that kaden can focus on is the large and long fuzzy tail.

hm. more tails. ]

Here, just um.... pull up a chair.

[ and he pulls the brush out, waiting for the other man. ]

[amurder]

!! [Wait— did he make it seem as though he were asking him to... ??

Salieri's confetti-riddled tail spasms once more.] Ah, no— there's no need for you to... I can attempt it on my own.

Ah, [But there is a chair. He finds himself taking it and having a seat besides the smaller male.] I assure you.

[nishiki]

Hm... are you sure? [ kaden's smile stays bright, though he's not completely sure if this man knows how to handle his own tail. ] I'm really comfortable with brushing, as you can see.

[ and he wiggles his hips, making his tail shake. ]

You didn't always have a tail, right? Let an expert help!

[ the expert is him. ]

[amurder]

[The expert... is Kaden.

Salieri's frown seems to tug down further at the prospect. He's no stranger to brushing his tail of course, but the process usually takes quite a while...

That fluffy fox tail seems to goad him further, with all its wiggling!] Well...

[With a grunt he takes hold of his lengthy tail, draping its heap over his knees.] If you are insisting.

[nishiki]

[ yes. he's definitely not as used to having a tail as him. kaden's kitsune instincts haven't led him astray yet, but also--- it'd make sense given a mirrorbound's origins. not that he's assuming anything about salieri or anything, but... ]

Great! Okay, just let me know if it feels... weird or anything.

[ because he's not here to make salieri feel any more awkward. he's here to learn more about the magical tails that await him. ]

... do you like it? Having one.

[amurder]

[The Kapellmeister ponders the question while still adjusting to the sensation of someone else touching his tail. Of course, others have but... this is still fairly new.

He chews the idea over in his mind and glances briefly at the large standing fox ears atop the man's head.] ... It is interesting, to say the least.

It brings some unexpected inspiration. [Can you believe that??] ...

I am Salieri, by the way. You seem far too familiar with this certain habit. [Grooming, that is!]