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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[Yeah this was not good for anyone's backs, so he doesn't protest at having to straighten up a bit. Her acceptance gets a grudging nod; Zodiark forbid he actually have to do work that he wasn't interested in.]

Good. I fear I would just disappoint them.

[Very few warranted his attention, and he felt no reason to pretend otherwise.]

Give yourself some credit.

[But then again, Mira tends to go off the beaten path with attraction. Less on looks and more on the inside. Emet's got physical features that she likes as well but Mira knows of one she cannot say in public.

But then again, who could say no to Marie? Even sorcerers of eld cannot it seems.]

I give myself plenty.

[He wasn't exactly lacking in confidence. Emet-Selch didn't particularly care how people perceived him, in appearance or otherwise. How could the opinions of insects trouble him?]

But why would I dispense a modicum of pretense for a stranger? I did enough of that in all my past lives, I'm not going to continue the habit when there's nothing to gain from it.

[So basically, Kissing Booth Extreme.]

Pretty sure some like a challenge.

[She can't be the only one who does but folding her arms and leaning against the booth again. While Mira herself isn't too fond of the kissing booth idea, she did say she'd help. Hopefully folks will not take notice.

Or maybe a tiny nap.]

Let me know when you wish to switch. I'm sure I can handle a few.

[At least it's not Savage. Or Ultimate.]

Some have an unrealistic idea of their own abilities.

[And Mira had an unfair advantage, as a Warrior.

Standing up (carefully, the booth wasn't that tall), and moving out of the way, he gestures for Mira to take his place.]

Your suitors await your attentions.

[Ultimate would include a lot more people that's for sure. Mira doubts she would get many herself as she takes Emet's place at the booth. The one person who asked for another encore decided to leave when they saw it was just going to be her and the other just decided to shrug and walk off.]

Doubt I'll get anything myself but it cannot hurt.

[Said as she waves him goodbye, assuming that he may teleport back to the house and nap. Can you blame her?

Some time has passed and...she has gotten a couple customers, including the trio of refugee monsters from the time she went investigating. Ironically, it was the nervous puca's idea to come as a means of thanks. But other than that, it's been rather boring. Enough that Mira had thought to rest her head on the counter and shut her eyes for a moment. A nap sounds good and just as she is able to relax her body, she hears it.

The jingle of coins. But it doesn't sound like someone is dropping any in. If Mira knew any better...

She raises two fingers and sends a small bolt at the person and they yelp, dropping the coins back in.]

Drop them you right arse. Lest you wish to taste flame as well.

[Emet, if you see some guy grumbling and nursing his hand coming from your booth...well, she's not sorry for stopping a thief.]

[The Ascian did not, actually, leave and take a nap. He didn't even stay and take a nap, he is actually quite capable of remaining conscious for periods of time! Though in this case, it's because he knew if he left, he'd be ever more disinclined to return, and even for him, it'd probably be a little too rude to just abandon Mira to her fate.

So it's after some slow meandering and minding of things that Emet-Selch returns, just in time to see some small commotion from the booth. A raised voice, a man stumbling off with an injured hand.

The Ascian ducks his head in to peer at Mira, then back in the direction where the man had gone.]

...I see you've attracted those with more eclectic tastes.

[How much did you charge the guy to get shocked, Mira.]

[Oh shite, back to work time. Mira covers her mouth with a yawn as she blinks up at Emet's words.]

He thought me asleep and tried to take what was not his. So I punished him for it.

['Thought' you asleep? You were asleep weren't you, Mira? That was slightly concerning; she didn't strike him as the sort to take naps in the middle of her duties, as trivial as they were.

This earns a skeptical look when he turns back to regard her. You aren't taking care of yourself are you, Mira?]

Then he got off rather lightly, considering.

[Better than bringing her sword out and cleaving the guy and probably the booth with it.]

And I see you found the experience nearly as riveting as I.

[Seeing as it had become a Napping Booth.]

[Hey no one would mind if she rested her eyes for a minute! Maybe. Marie's not around, right?]

'Twould be overdoing it if I had my weapon of choice with me. But this is not the time for such a thing.

[And to not cleave the booth.]

I had a couple but rather innocent ones.

[But if she cleaved the booth... then neither of them would have to do this. A foolproof plan!]

Oh? I'm sure you did not disappoint.

[Or he has a biased opinion of her, maybe.]

I'd suggest you should stay longer... [You might get some rest that way.] but I don't think your desserts will sell very well without you.

[And if they didn't get rid of them, they couldn't leave, he assumed.]

[No, cleaving only for good, not for the mundane!]

I appreciate the vote of confidence.

[But selling her sweets? Rather easy with minimal tools...and a son with a mouth.]

Selling a dessert? I found that easy when shoving a cookie in Vanitas's mouth. Somehow I ended up with customers when they saw him eat.

[What's wrong with a mundane good?]

Hm... I doubt somehow that if I attempted a similar action, it would have the same effect.

[And why would someone buy something just because they saw some random kid eating it...? That is to say, he wouldn't, so why would anyone?]

[Because you're you, Emet.]

If you had never tried it, how would you know?

[You mean those words never bite anyone in the arse before? Like anyone will try to do the same to Mira.]

[Someone has to be him, and no one else was up to the task.]

Why would I care to find out?

[Which is what it came down to, really. His curiosity was intermittent and particular, and 'shoving random food into people's mouths to see what happens' did not strike him as especially interesting. Probably for the best.]

[Oh right, this is Emet we are speaking with. If there is no interest from him then the point is moot. After all, stubbornness flows through his veins as well. She shrugs in reply then chuckles.]

Well, it would help them sell and less to carry afterwards.

[Or rather less for her to carry. She just assumes she would do it because strong.]

Just load up Vanitas. Sure, he's small, but he looks like he could hold a few.

[Yeah he's just gonna volunteer him for the task. Though after a moment more, he sighs.]

Or I can just teleport us and the lot back.

[In either case, no Mira, you're not walking back with all that.]

[The mention of Vani gets her to giggle a little.]

He may sneak some to eat but would that be a bad thing? And while I do appreciate the offer, I cannot let you do everything yourself.

[What? You are not a pack chocobo, she can pull her weight.]

Fewer to carry is what that means.

[Van's sweet tooth gets to come in handy.]

We're not going to be walking back in either case, holding a few things between us isn't any extra trouble.

[He's not remotely inclined to do everything himself, don't worry about that. But he's going to teleport anyway when it's (finally) time to leave, might as well make the most of it.]

Well, if you insist on it.

[Getting help is still new for the smaller things. But she can't help but reach out to touch his arm gently.]

I appreciate what you're doing. Don't think I said it enough.

[He's surprised a little at the gratitude, the small touch that went with it. His tone, when he answers, is light enough though.]

It's fine. Though a few more words now and then wouldn't go amiss.

[How often was anyone grateful to an Ascian for anything?]

Words and gestures go a long way hmm? Then I will be sure to give the proper thanks.

[First time for everything. Take that last line as you will Emet.]

The proper thanks, hm...?

[And how's he supposed to interpret that, Mira?]

I suppose it's some incentive to maintain my current good behavior.

[He hasn't caused even a single Calamity.]

[That depends if your mind has been in the gutter or not. Besides, all he has probably done is annoy people and mostly ignore for other pursuits like sleep.]

You've been nothing but.

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VALENTINES CHARITY - Feoveuer 14th

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