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Who: Everyone!
Where: Anywhere
What: May mod log!
When: The First two weeks of May.
Warnings: Use your best discretion.

May Open log

First of May, First of May

So apparently the open festive mood on the locals hasn’t stopped so May opens with a tradition that happens within it. It’s May Day, or Beltane if you’re feeling formal and it doesn’t just last for the day. Instead it lasts for two weeks, because why do in one day what you can party for multiple days over?

There are the traditional May Day things of course. There’s the May pole stretching upwards with its brightly colored ribbons welcoming people to do it either together or separately. The colors are explained of course, purple for a good year, pink for fertility, green for fiscal gain, blue for calmness. Each ribbon wrapped around the ancient poll is a wish, an old woman tells you. So you should take it seriously. But if you do is up to you.

Ringing outside of the giant circle in the recreation dome are large bonfires. People are writing down their wishes for the year and burning them into the universe. Some more… adventurous people are hopping over the fire in order to increase the effectiveness of the wishes. In case you were wondering, John is standing ready with a med kit and a judgmental look on her face.

There are small picnics set up around rather than tables, and spring foods are placed on it. Strawberries, oat cakes, chocolate, and things like real food are scattered on them, letting people pick and share the platters around them equally. Wine flows freely, of course. Wine made here in the Sphere that comes in a variety of fruited flavors.

Traditional things such as three legged races and general races are occurring, people grouping those with powers together in order to make it fair. Other games are happening. Including Max in the dunk tank for a few minutes, so you may wanna get that in.

There are of course things that are non-traditional as well. After all, this is the Sphere. A series of bouncy castles is set up, as is an inflatable obstacle course. One of the larger castles is even set aside for the adults because well, why not.

Several large ball pits are set up and people are bringing drinks to them. There’s no way that can go wrong. It’s adults only because sometimes everyone just needs a ball pit.

Fireworks happen every night. Or at least something that looks like fireworks, minus the fire and the noise. But they fill the sky above the Sphere, making it seem as if they are under a real sky.

painting the roses red.

After celebrating the spring in April, May brings with it the work of what spring actually entails. What it entails especially after the loss of the person in charge (rip Annie) is doing the sort of normal planting in the fields. There are people around to supervise and to hand out seeds and the other things that one needs to successfully plant fields and all of that.

There are other fields and vegetable patches to be weeded and harvested, because the agriculture dome tends to always be in a state of flux depending on how many people are currently living in the sphere at the time.

But it wouldn’t be a community event if food wasn’t provided, so there’s a sort of barbecue going on. It definitely smells like barbecue that’s for sure, and there are people tending long pits of things that look like meat but that definitely aren’t. Still it tastes like good old bbq and that’s really what matters isn’t it?

Of course it wouldn’t be bbq without beer, so there’s a lot of it. It’s free-flowing (a little too free-flowing actually) and some of the teenagers have gotten their hands on it. On way too much of it as a matter of fact. Which is why it seemed like a good idea to them to show up at the work picnic with squirt guns full of washable paint.

If it’s washable and non-toxic, one argues, then it’s not as if anyone can be really angry.

But honestly it’s a paint fight. Join in or be an innocent victim there are definitely squirt guns a plenty around.

Everyone loves bathtime, right?

Well, people requested baths, so the staff at the pools in the Rec dome have tried to accommodate them! While normally, the events at the pools go something like this: The largest of the three pools, and the light is constant and sunny here. The large pool is Olympic sized, and is a sparkling blue. It’s fresh water, and probably clean enough to drink. I still wouldn’t drink it. The second pool is slightly smaller and more kidney shaped with a gradual sand mound at one end of it. This pool is salt water and looks a bit more like a beach than a pool. The third pool is a kiddie pool, complete with a splash pad, that’s running. Buckets drop, it’s got one of those mushroom things, and sprinkler jets. There aren’t any kids though, so people are welcome to go nuts.

Bathing suits and towels are provided in the divided changing rooms. There’s frozen and fruity drinks flowing freely, along with finger food and snacks.

The Sphere has increased it towards bathing though, through the use of temporary means. There’s a large bamboo building near it, and inside are various sets of hot and cool pools, sauna and steam pools, a masseuse and other spa treatments and the like. There’s three options for these times. 1.Strictly bathing suits, 2, strictly mixed nudity/ bathing suits and 3. Strictly separated nudity. No one below the age of eighteen is getting naked in the baths, sorry kids.

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First Of May

Listen, there isn't much of a point to holiday traditions so far as Tommy cares. He wasn't really brought up with an appreciation of them. But this? This is about the most awesome set up he's seen, and just a few days ago he was at the most rockin' New Year's celebration ever, pretty much spent with every teenaged superhero of any note. But that had dancing and music, and Tommy could get dancing and music literally any time by going somewhere in the world. It's not the wine or the food ~~though he puts down a lot~~ and it's not the races ~~even against powered people he knows it's not fair for him to participate~~ that keep him here. No, it's the more brightly colored games.

There's more than a few days that Tommy passes his time, happy to invite some degree of competition too. There's the bounce house where he's trying to see how many times he can flip in the air before touching down, but he's not great at flips. There's the obstacle course, which he's looking for a teammate in just to have a bit more fun at a more reasonable speed. And of course there's him in the ballpit, more than ready to start a fight or just tug someone down under the balls, as if he was a shark.

But, at the end of the nights, he does slow down. Sits off alone as he watches the not-fireworks, frowning up at them sadly as he nurses a glass of wine that cannot even hope to make him tipsy. Of course, sit next to him then and the frown will be a playful smile in less time than it takes a hummingbird to flap it's wings. Advantages of being fast.

Painting the Roses Red

Making things? Not Tommy's sorta thing, but he respects the whole point of it. He does his part but his real focus is the fact that food is provided. That is what brings Tommy, it's not what makes the young man stay. No, that honor goes to the squirt guns. All it takes it one tipsy teen to mistake Tommy as a bit younger than he is, and then his hands are filled with a squirt gun filled with appropriately green paint. He grins to himself and darts around the area, from improbable cover to improbable cover, seeking targets out to mark with a quick spray of green, delivered with a victorious burst of laughter.

Bathtime!

Swimming wasn't really a hobby that Tommy had ever gotten into. First, his parents hadn't intentionally taught him how to swim or sent him somewhere that did. Second, he hadn't had too many chances to enjoy the skill even after he had learned. Third, well, after he got superspeed, swimming more became a skill used if he messed up and ran too slow and thus sank into whatever water he was running over.

Mostly he only came because he wanted a hot soak if he could. But as he was walking past the kiddie pool a giant smile came over his face. This? This was so amazing looking. No parents teaching him to swim also meant he'd never gone to a waterpark and never seen something like this. So of course there is a muscular young man in vibrant green swimtrunks frolicking under the bucket drop whenever it is about to fall, before rushing over to sprinkler jets. This is better than a proper pool!

Wildcard
[Message me on plurk at

churbooseanon or on the discord to plot something or get a specific starter. May not be available for nightmare plots depending on my vacation this month, so this is a great way to meet Tommy.

By preference I like third person present with RP, but I will match tens, and styles as needed. I avoid brackets when I can because a serious portion of my tags are done by phone and it's just easier that way. But if you really want brackets, let me know. Just means tags may be a touch slower.]

Edited 2019-05-01 18:58 (UTC)

Parties aren't really Arthur's thing, you know unless there's booze involved, and as luck would have it, there's wine here. He's starting to get the impression 'wine' was this place's idea of a good time, so he's not going to complain too much. When in Rome or something like that. For the most part, Arthur's been sticking to the food, he's a big guy and that just means he likes to eat, and the other refreshments, but has been watching from the sidelines the contests, too.

He isn't, however, expecting to be invited to a team, even if it is just a duo. He raises his eyebrow questioningly, crossing his arms and looking out over the course.

"Partners, huh?"

"Yeah, why not? I mean, not like anyone could even begin to challenge me competitively if it's one on one, right? Two people? Then we like, do this like that old show, American Gladiator. Ever seen it? Probably, right, you're old. Anyway, in case you haven't, effectively we take one of us to run through this, that will be you. And you do it as fast as you can. And the other team does it as fast as they can with one person. And the second person from the team tries to slow them down. Within reason, right?"

He'll be the gladiator, and make sure he ONLY moves at normal human speeds. See? It's a really well thought out plan, and he'll have TONS of fun trying to mess with people. And you know, not use too much of his strength.

"Yeah, yeah, I know the show." He does tilt his head slightly, though, but instead of getting angry, as he is typically wont to do, He just smirks slightly. "I'm old?" And he chuckles also, just to, you know, show just how good of a sport he's being.

"You know, that has got to be the worst persuasion technique I've heard in a while. 'Hey, man, be my teammate, since you're old.'"

"Woah, didn't say be my teammate since you're old. I'm saying that you've probably seen the show since you're old. And you did see it, so hah! But seriously, some of the most badass people I know are, like, over forty or whatever. So older than you. You're, what, late twenties? Yeah."

Tommy just grins at him, come on, that's a great explanation, right? And he can't help how he's about bouncing with excitement because the guy is smirking and not walking away. Like some other people have. So he's definitely hopeful.

"Come on, man. Have some pity. I can't challenge anyone to race through this because I'm gonna win and with no challenge there's no fun. Throw me a bone!"

If Arthur takes the comment as a sort of apology he doesn't show it, except that he still hasn't left yet. The idea of a competition, something friendly that didn't have to end in death, dismemberment, or exile? It was pretty nice.

"Okay, so, say I agree to this," and he holds up a hand, "which I haven't, by the way, but say I do. What's in it for me? 'cause, between you and me? I could take these guys easy, and it sounds like we both have that going for us."

Could take these guys easy? Tommy scoffs. Yeah, that's possible, guy looks BUILT, but that doesn't mean he can overdo people who are agile like him. Or like Tommy was, duh. He smirks and tilts his head as he considers the buff guy.

"Winning, man. Come on, isn't winning it's own reward? Or, if you want, you could go be someone else's partner. I mean, if you wanna lose."

At that boast, Arthur actually turns his full attention to the smaller man, amber eyes moving over his frame appraising.

"What makes you so sure you're winning?"

Really? Tommy raises a finger to indicate Arthur should just stay there for half a moment. Then he moves. One second he's there, the next he's gone. And in the one after that he's back, except his clothes are different. Instead of the soft blue shirt and brown pants he had been wearing, he was now in purple and gray respectively. Fresh looking clothes too. Changing had just been to prove a point.

"You couldn't touch me if you tried."

To Arthur's credit, he doesn't jump at the sudden change. Instead, he crosses his arms across his chest, eyebrow raised, expression clearly unimpressed. Sure, some of that is for show, but the little speedster doesn't need to know that.

"Not bad. So, you're fast." He shrugs slightly.

“I’m super fast. Didn’t even use my full speed, because, yanno, not worth it. Explosions to. Phase through walls. Super strong. All the good stuff.”

Clearly Arthur just has a good poker face because Tommy knows what he just did was super impressive. But his point is clearly made. No one could touch him, right?

“Gotta modify games like this for people to stand a chance.”

"You sure it's all the good stuff?" He's smirking, now. "So you can...fly? Breath underwater? Control water?" He leaves talking to fish off the list, because most people misunderstand what he means and start to belittle the ability.

Nevermind he was the first person since King Atlan to possess the ability.

Okay, that... Tommy frowns and looks very seriously at Arthur. Because all of that sounds very familiar.

“Next thing you know you’re going to claim to talk to fish and be the King of Atlantis and half-Atlantean, half-Human. And have a really silly trident. And under all those clothes you’re wearing a terrible green speedo.”

Because DAMN if this guy isn’t just listing off all of Namor’s power set. Which sounds fake. Because only Namor is Namor and frankly, Namor is an ass.

Arthur arched an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side and turning to look at the kid again. "Nobody wears speedos un-ironically." And then, smiling, he patted Tommy on the shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze.

"Superman's the flyer. I don't need to. The trident's only silly if you don't know how it works, and if you're really curious? I go Commando." And then he returns to crossing his arms and watching the competition, such as it is. "I'm Arthur Curry. Some people call me the King of Atlantis, but that's pretty new. Tabloids call me 'Aquaman'."

What? No. Tommy is left standing there, staring at Arthur. Doesn’t have, but it is a near thing. ~~Also Superman is a terrible name.~~ Holy hell, this really is like meeting another form of Namor. That is just wrong. Still, he has to wonder, maybe a time difference?

“You happen to be related to Namor Mackenzie somewhere in your history? The Sub-Mariner? Because he’ll you sound a lot like him. It’s actually sorta creepy. Guy has an ego that makes Gramps’s look small.”

Granted the guy is long lived, didn’t have a reason to mess with surface dwellers, and had a whole different culture people didn’t understand.

Edited 2019-05-12 18:04 (UTC)

"The Sub-Mariner?" He shakes his head, grimacing. "I thought Aquaman was bad. Tell me this guy didn't name himself that."

And he arches an eyebrow again. "It's not an ego, short-stuff. It's confidence."

“Aquaman sounds more like an aquakinetic than an Atlantean. They should call you King Atlantean or something. But seriously, talk to sea life? Badass power. Not as cool as mine of course, but really cool.”

What? As a mutant he feels it is appropriate to give props to people who aren’t trying to one-up him on his own power set. But he grins at the confidence thing. Like he hasn’t gotten that in spades. Confidence is his real super power. Except, you know, not.

“Not that short. Maybe Atlanteans on your world are just freakishly tall.”

"I can do that, too, with the right tools." But it wasn't something inherent to all Atlanteans, which is why he hadn't mentioned it. "And most of the humans don't really get it anyway, so they're forgiven."

He shakes his head. "Not many people believe Atlantis is real. All they know is I can breathe underwater and talk to fish."

He laughs, though, clapping Tommy on the shoulder. "You keep tellin' yourself that, short stuff."

Seriously? Short stuff? Tommy glares briefly at all of that. Considers and discards a lot of things. Including throwing Arthur for the unwelcome touch. And instead he just shakes his head.

“Yeah, Things got complicated with Atlantis back home. Anyway, you cool with this team plan? We might not be a balanced team, but it is a good idea.”

Because otherwise he could be so bored.

"I think Atlantis exists to be complicated for 'surface-dwellers'," a subtle emphasis on the last suggests he doesn't agree with the derision with which it's usually stated

"Sure, kid. What makes you think we're not balanced? I've worked with a pretty fast guy before."

“I mean we might be too amazing for other people to compete with.”

Still it’s interesting. The fact that he wasn’t entirely dismissive of surface-dwellers is interesting.

“You know a speedster?”

"Everyone has something they're good at. Some of these people might surprise you."

And there wasn't a hint of arrogance in his voice when he said that. He meant every word of it.

"Yeah," he nodded along with his response. "Barry Allen. Heard of him?"

Edited (that improper word use was painful) 2019-05-19 16:52 (UTC)

“Dude, surprises are about standard in my line of work. Not that I don’t run into a lot of humans too. I mean, my main crew involves a super-strong, shapeshifting alien, a witch who can change reality, an Olympic skilled archer, and some change up team. So I get strange. I just tend I be fast enough to dodge most surprises.”

Still, he appreciates the heads up. Though he is left considering the name for a while before shaking his head. Never heard a name like that. But two first names? Sounds like a video game hero.

"Hey, no worries. Last I checked, Allen was living off the grid as an internet troll or something." He shrugs. "Usually, I fly solo. Last time I teamed up with somebody, it was a cyborg, Allen, an Amazon warrior, a flying bulletproof alien, and a guy who dresses like a bat."

So he gets weird, too. "But sure, kid. Let's do this."

Hilariously? Not too far from Tommy’s team makeup. But the doesn’t point that out.

“All superhero teams are weird like that. Strange backstories and all. Right down to the flying alien who gives no fucks about billets I think. Of course ours is my future brother-in-law. Means even if he hurts my bro I can’t really hurt him. But seriously, we doing this, fish king?”

Tommy Shepherd | Marvel Comics

First of May

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