thespherelogs | January Welcome Event

Entry tags:

January Welcome Event

Who: Everyone!
What: January's welcome log.
When: Jan 1st-7th
Where: All over the place.
Warnings:
Notes: This is your January welcome log with Sphere New Year Traditions. Come in, go nuts.

A new day has come.

So unlike many other places, the Sphere doesn’t celebrate New Years on New Year’s Eve. Instead they celebrate it in s three day festival commencing on January first to the third. The festival starts on the first at dawn with people waking up early to watch the first unofficial sunrise in the Sphere. Unlike most other days, this sunrise is universal, moving into each of the domes and filling them with such a bright light that it looks like an idealized version of a bright summer’s day. Groups of people join together to watch it in the dormitory dorms as well as in several public areas. The agriculture dome and the recreational domes are popular places for such activities and there are several places where there appear to be flowers blooming and almost the sound of birdsong.

Also in the more public places, there are large tables filled up with what seems to be a standard light breakfast of fruit, cheese and various loaves of bread, including a particular loaf of bread that everyone is given either in their attendance or in the dome itself. It’s a circular loaf with nuts on it that’s perfect for sharing. Indeed people keep trying to share a piece with the characters around them.

One thing that’s missing though? None of the places seem to have any sort of caffeine in any form. If questioned about it, someone knowledgeable will respond: “you can’t have caffeine until the sun sets!” The words come with a good natured laugh and characters are then handed a glass of fruit juice.

Out with the old and in with the new.

As the sun is about to set on the first day, crowds gather in the rec dome. There in the middle of the area there’s a large bonfire set up. The smoke billows up towards the top of the dome before it disappears. People gathered around the fires are throwing old possessions into it, some of which are their own and some of them are the possessions of the people who had left. The idea is to unburden yourself of things to face the new year with a clean slate.

There are smaller fires around, and they burn different colors with the smoke being sweet smelling and light. Some people show the newcomers how to gather the smoke in their hands and release it over their heads, in order to clear out dark thoughts and whatever is troubling people. The smoke gives people a slight feeling of euphoria, and makes them feel as if whatever is happening isn’t quite as bad as they think it is.

And we’re dancing through life.

On the second day, the public domes are fairly dead. The merchant dome is closed and only a few restaurants are open, and only those are for delivery. The entire city almost seems to be holding their breath and waiting for something. When the clock turns to eight pm, it’s almost as if the entire city is lit in a combination of stars and candlelight. In the gardens in the Rec dome, a large ball has been set up. Everyone in the city has been given their ideal fancy dress outfit, including mask in order to wear to it. The idea behind it is that the characters are in the middle of their transitional state. Day one was the day they put their old life behind them, and day three will be the day that they form their new selves for the year ahead. Which is why at the ball, people wear masks and have the option to give into some of the things that they wouldn’t normally do.

Wanna eat that there whole pint of ice cream? Go nuts. Wanna drink a bottle of vodka? Hey it’s your liver and it’s not like you can die! Wanna hook up in a dark corner with a stranger. It’s your life and there’s some nice velvet couches over there; out of sight and out of mind.

Dinner is in the form of an elaborate meal, sort of along the idea of Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, no expense is spared and everything is extremely well done and extravagant. Rich food, insane desserts, open bar, everything this night is too excess. At various points in the evening, the sky which has been showing stars shifts into things like fireworks, and glowy nebuleuses, causing people to burst into spontaneous bouts of applause.

All the while, there are various and shifting dance floors with an assortment of music to dance to, including classical, swing, fiddles, big band, pop, R&B, and basically anything that you can think of. The dances that people do there are as varied as the population, the drunkenness level and of course the all important dances of people's native Caucasia.

The party goes until dawn, at which point, the drunken releveries spill onto the streets, and people return to their personal domes singing loudly and off key.

A new day a new you

So despite however much you may have done the night before, or whatever else you may have engaged in, and however long you may have stayed awake for, when your head hits the pillow, you wake up feeling well great for lack of a better word. You have no hangover, you're not tired, you're not in pain, and any heavy or dark thoughts will suddenly seem not at all so bad. It may be better than you've felt in your entire time in the Sphere, or better than a long time depending on how things are at home.

Either way, when you wake up, day is late (even if your character doesn't normally sleep) and there is a crowd of people in the agriculture dome. People are there working together in order to plant new things in the greenhouse. They're planting baby plants that will grow to feed people in the new year, according to Annie, and it's all about breathing new life into the world.

Afterwards, there are different things like yoga and meditation classes, and people just spread out smiling among the flowers. No one is as pushy as normal, it's just kind of there. They're just kind of there, stretching, enjoying the sunshine and just kind of chilling.

Later, people set up a large sort of barbecue and outdoor kitchen. Food is cooked communally, and people will ask your character to come and cook. Even if you can't cook, passing out food or cleaning up. This is a community building activity people tell ya, so you can go with it or not. But the rest of the city is, so please enjoy some delicious food your characters may or may not have a hand in cooking or giving out. Wine and fruit juice is in a wide abundance here, as is water and caffeinated drinks. A few people can even be found having some harder stuff (vodka and whiskey) if your character looks to be in need of it.

And the end of the night, the sky above the dome lights up with aurora borealis, in brilliant lights and hues, and there are what appear to be a smattering of actual, living fireflies buzzing lazily around. People who are here longer than the characters seem puzzled, and more than a few children and adults are out catching them between their palms.

Inspiration images

Threaded | Flat

I. out with the old

[Exploring has always been a pastime of Aaron's and learning about the existing culture in the Sphere is right up there. They're all surrounded by different people from different worlds and it's fascinating to see what sorts of traditions they practice. He stands apart from the crowd gathered around, just observing the proceedings, until a local takes him aside and shows him how to dispense his cares with colored smoke. Ever fascinated with local custom, he's quick to try it himself, and so however happens to find him will find a smiling Aaron, content, and happy with the day.]

Hey! How's it going?

II. and we're dancing through life

[The euphoria from the previous evening's escapades with smoke have worn off by the time it's time for the masquerade. While parties, in general, weren't really Aaron's thing, Eric talked him into it after he saw the suits that had shown up in their fingerprinted dressers. His suit and mask aren't as fancy as most of the ones he finds at the party, but that's just fine by him. He'll be found near the refreshments, sipping a glass of wine or sampling all the finger foods (and the little cakes, because he's got a hell of a sweet tooth) and generally avoiding the dance floors if he can. Look, he's a terrible dancer, alright? Nobody wants that, right?

He's not going to ignore anyone who comes close, though. He'll nod and smile as best he can, even though he's clearly not the most at ease.

Well, at first. As the night goes on, one glass of wine turns into a few. Then he gets more companionable, laughing at jokes, cracking his own, and generally relaxing into the evening.]

III. a new day a new you

[Aaron didn't really drink to excess often, even before the end of the world. Last night had been an exception and one he was sure he was going to regret. Instead, he woke up feeling better than he had in months, and he makes his way to the agriculture dome with everyone else. He's happy to help plant, and at the cookout is relegated to distributing food. Trust him, nobody wants him to help cook. Whether or not the character in question asked for it, Aaron offers them a section from a platter he's carrying when he happens by.]

Grilled corn? I promise I didn't make it. Trust me, that's a good thing.

Edited 2019-01-03 05:39 (UTC)

A new day has come!

[There are a few things that can take off Alex's grin and her normally chipper demeanor. Demons for sure, dealing with Richard occasionally, anytime she has to deal with Thomas Warren or lack of sleep and yes of course demons merits mention twice. But one thing that makes her more grumpy than the rest of it put together is her going without caffeine. There was no coffee in their dome this morning, and normally by this point, Alex has gone through an entire pot.

And then when she ventured out of her own dome (perhaps maybe stumbled is a better term, honestly.) towards the merchant dome, and found no coffee, Alex just had a scowl on her normally vibrant and smiling face. When the person told her that there was no caffeine, Alex's response is far more like that of her boyfriend's than her own:]

Oh fuck off!

Dancing through life.

[Alex is in a much better state today than she was yesterday, and it's in large part do to the caffeine that she's finally gotten her greedy little hands on in order to stop her headache, and she's been properly fed and watered and also there's the fact that Alex happens to have more than a little bit of a love of being given the chance to go to a ball. And of course a ballgown to go along with it.

So when Alex shows up at the ball, she's wearing silver and is glowing practically, and her hair is pulled back and up into one of those elegant twists that takes too damned long and involves so many bobby pins that her and Strand will be finding them all over their dome later. But for now, she's sans glasses, and all grins and smiles and holding onto a champagne flute before she greets people with:]

Hi.

[You can dress the Alex up and take her out, but she's still her underneath it all.]

i;; a new day has come

[ The idea of a three day festival is certainly new to Eric, but he's not one to shy away from jumping into local culture and embracing it. The more he learns of the customs, the more enjoyable it is. The sunrise is quite beautiful, and Eric mills about socializing as he tries to wake himself up and search for coffee. Upon learning that there's not only no coffee, but no caffeine until sunset, well. He maybe pulls a face as he's handed a cup of juice, instead. ]

I might actually die before then.

ii;; and we're dancing through life

[ It took some convincing to get Aaron to even attend the ball in the first place, but being supplied the proper attire had smoothed the debate over. Donning his own suit and mask, he can be found milling about and socializing with a glass of wine typically in hand. Never far from Aaron, keeping an eye on him to see if he's still having fun. Events like this were never easy for either of them when it had mandatory attendance, but even less so for his partner. Thankfully, Eric is good at talking, and will talk to anyone who comes near, wearing a friendly smile. ]

iii;; wildcard

[ Wildcard it up! ]

Out with the old
The idea that these people are burning things and getting high over the smoke is, annoying. It isn't something a reasonable person would do, but Richard does have something to burn. It's a suit; particularly garish and a gift from Alex.

And We're dancing through life (1)
If pressed, Richard will mention that he doesn't want to be at the ball. It's Alex who has decided that they need to go. It's also Alex who has pressed him to 'dress up'; so he's wearing a fancier suit and sticking mostly toward the uncrowded areas. He has no intention to make friends or get to know people; he's only here for Alex's sake. Although, if the young man that the girl mentioned is here, he wouldn't mind speaking with him. He doubts, however, that the boy is here. It doesn't seem like the sort of affair that an intelligent young man would be interested in going to.

And We're dancing through life (2)
Once the festivities of the dance have finished, Richard wants nothing more than to leave the debauchery that follows and return to the place he and Alex are to call home. Unfortunately, the drunks were now out, as were those that wouldn't leave him the hell alone.

Edited 2019-01-06 04:40 (UTC)

a: new day has come

No caffeine? Not even tea? Hells. [Rhus sighs at the glass of juice in his hand...

Before noticing someone else, and patting them on the arm, handing the glass to that person instead with a nod and a small smile. A wry smile at that, one corner of his mouth twisting upward. Then he takes a step backward, raising his hand as if to stave off any attempt at giving the glass back.]

You can 'ave it instead-- I drank not even a drop. [He's not a man for juice at all, having consumed too much of it that he's gotten so sick of the stuff.]

b: dancing through life

[Rhus is more a man who prefers simple clothing, loose and flowing, but luckily what he's been given are not out of his realm of preference-- even if the pants are a little too form-fitting for his liking. Ah, but needs must, he supposes, and he wont turn down free clothing. But the Miqo'te strikes a good figure nonetheless in his coat, with a small silver pipe in hand, and he almost feels like he's wearing something Eorzean. Nevermind the plain mask, which he doesn't care for, but he's never cared for masks-- and it makes his better eye on his better side stand out. That's important to him.

When he finds someone by their lonesome, especially a man, he'll bow to them in a deep theatrical manner, and ask:] Care to dance? The boots are 'armless, and I'll not step on your feet.

And he'll be patient in waiting for a response, tail swaying serenely behind him.]

c: new day new you

[Despite there being meditation classes, Rhus is not participating in any of them. No, instead he's making his way onto the flowers, onto the grass and the plains, in loose clothing and sandals, white healer's cane in one hand. And then he drops down onto a crouch right beside someone.]

Good morn. You don't mind me just sittin' here to meditate, do you? Too many people sprawled out, they might break my concentration.

[If given permission, he'll nod in thanks, sitting down properly with crossed legs and laying his cane on his lap. And when he closes his eyes, that's when he begins to commune with nature, extending his senses and seeking out what could be there. Noting who is around him, the energies they carry, and simply opening himself up to be noticed as well. And he doesn't mind at all if people.

Anyone with even a lick of sensitivity towards magic or life energy will be able to sense him, even if he isn't giving out wisps or sparkles of magic. The stronger people, or even the mages themselves, may even notice that his strength is like a well-- or even a reservoir, deep and vast.]

wildcard
[[ ooc: if you have something else in mind, let me know! ]]

Edited 2019-01-06 07:22 (UTC)

Arrival: closed to Ubbe (maybe Ivar?)

Soon as she was allowed, Gyda immediately began exploring the quarters she was assigned to. Though clearly a sort of dormitory, it was well stocked and not entirely dull; the beds also had means of privacy which was a good thing. She also spent a good time looking out the windows of the place, equally fascinated and disturbed at being so far under water. Atleast when she lived on the moon, there was no underlying threat of drowning if a window broke.

Anyone looking would see a young girl dressed in what could only be a mix of homespun and modern fabric, a knife at her belt, exploring the various rooms of the dorm. There was certainly a lot to explore, and she was glad that her time in Riverview allowed her to know most of the design and how everything worked. That gave her more time to explore details, like the food stuffs in the kitchen and the games and books provided.

A new day: OTA
Gyda's up early just on habit. Even after months in Riverview, she could never get over years of waking up at dawn. She does notice something strange about the sunset, and gatherings around food are even done at home.

The clothing provided for her reminds her of home-her first home in Kattegat-though the colors and fabric are too well made to be from there, but they still give her a sense of homesickness that's become all too familiar. This is a new world, and however strange it might be, it was a chance she might never get back in Kattegat-or even in Helheim.

Plate and drink in hand, she looks around for a place to sit and enjoy the view.

Squirrel: ota
Having grown up and helped raise animals her entire life, Gyda knew from almost the first day that there were none in any of the Domes she'd visited. This unnerved her more than anything; even in Riverview, even on another planet there were animals of sorts, however none she knew the immediate names for.

She saw the black squirrel in passing, and her curiousity's peaked enough to try and follow it. The creature's clearly scared, and even when she gets close enough to it, Gyda wonders at what sort of health condition it might be in-clearly not good. Having grown up on a farm, she knows how to handle skittish animals, especially ones extra fearful from sickness or injury. She knows they don't like to be handled, and often need a form of covering around their eyes to keep them from thrashing out.

The only thing in way of a covering she had was a jacket, and she quickly took it off, keeping her eye on it. She then moved forward, keeping quiet and steady-before quickly throwing the jacket over it. The creature struggled as she tried to gather it around her, hoping it wouldn't hurt itself from thrashing.

She held it out in a bundle, praying it wouldn't scratch or bite through the fabric. "I have a sick animal here." She called out to the nearest person she could see. "Is there an animal doctor around?"

Maybe a human one as well, given the scratches on her hands.

Wildcard Hit me up on Discord at Rschwartz501#6755 or plurk at Rschwartz501 if you have another idea for a starter

Edited 2019-01-23 14:07 (UTC)

A. New Day

Rick is awake early but it's not for the purpose of watching the sunrise or what not even though it ends up happening. He's not particularly paying that much attention to it, though. His mind is still elsewhere as he makes his way around.

Hunger does make itself known, being the main reason he'd gotten up and out so early in the first place. He doesn't accept any bread from those offering it, but he does take some fruit, cheese and bread and finds a place to settle and eat, keeping an eye on his surroundings. He's observing but he's not unfriendly or unwelcoming if someone looks his way or joins him.

B. Out with the Old

[ Rick has nothing to add to the fire that is being started but he is there all the same. It's interesting to watch what people give up but he doesn't particularly have anything that he's willing to let go of and there is very little he has in the first place and it'd been that way for some time now.

There is plenty of internal baggage that would have been good to burn but that's harder than the material.

Rick watches as someone is shown some ritual with one of the smaller fires, looking at it curiously and then shaking his head doubtfully as he overheard the explanation. ]

C. Wildcard

[ [ Feel free to switch up styles or hit me with something else! Recycling from TDM, so feel free to continue those threads here too. ] ]

Threaded | Flat

aaron | the walking dead | ota

Alex Reagan | The Black Tapes Podcast | OTA