First Orientation [Open Catchall]

[cuddlery]

Who: Scorpia and you!
What: Scorpia reaches her Blessed Day, plus stuff from the last test drive and current event.
When: May 5th and throughout the month!
Where: Various parts of Trench

Content Warnings: The third prompt features a pseudo-drunken state. Will update if needed.

A. Too Close for Comfort [May 5th]

[On this day, Scorpia has received a gift, from Bausphomette themselves. A blanket! How nice. She could always use more comfort! On top of that, it helps her realize a few things, that today's her Blessed Day, and Bausphomette is her Patron Ptuhermian. She takes this news well, because from what she's read about the Patrons, Bausphomette sounds like one of her favorites.

She'll carry her blanket around town and cheerily greet others.]

Hey, happy Blessed Day! ...Or, uh, happy My Blessed Day. [A meek wave of her pincer.] Turns out my Patron Pthumerian's Bausphomette, and they gave me a blanket! Pretty neat, huh?

[Or one can find her at a different time. After she's actually put the blanket to use taking a nap, she wanders around town looking very confused... and very different.]

B. Treat Yourself [test drive]

[Scorpia had been on her way towards the shore to take part in a regular occurrence for her. That would be volunteering to help wake up newly-arrived Sleepers. But she quickly found herself distracted by the festivities taking place. It all seemed like some nice, harmless fun, and so she got caught up in the spirit of festivity!

Garbed in white clothing, she makes her way towards a table with a selection of snacks. And she invites someone to join her!]

Hey there! Want to get your snack on? They've got a real good selection here. And a bunch of drinks, too!

[She has some floral spring rolls and a plate full of the flower cookies, all ready to share! After chewing on one of the spring rolls, her scorpion parts will change to be made of wood, while her hair becomes grassier. She seems oblivious to the effects, however! As for the cookies, they might be one way for friendships to reach new heights!]

C. For the Vine [Event: Imposters]

[And sometimes, just going for a simple walk can cause something unexpected to happen. Take into instance today, when Scorpia never noticed a vine that subtly wrapped along her leg and climbed up it, sprouting flowers. She's soon in a condition to not pay it much mind, as she very quickly seems very out of it. She'll greet anyone she meets with a wide grin.]

Hey! How ya doing?! [Be careful, she might come in for a hug!]

D. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with an alternate prompt or hit me up for plotting!]

Comments

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia smiles once she sees that Aqua agrees with her philosophy!

But her question gives her pause, and she gives a little nervous laugh.]

I... think it's safe? I mean, I haven't had any for myself yet, but it looks like they've been giving them out for a while, and it doesn't look like anything bad's happened! [At least not dangerous. And she can't exactly notice if some other people didn't always have plant features, or that they might have changed sized. Really, she just doubts that even treats of all things could have been affected by this place's weirdness.]

This place can make a lot of weird or scary things happen, but I don't think this is once of those times. But I can give a good ol' taste test to make sure!

[lightblooming]

... Well, alright. ( She's still a little skeptical, but if others have been eating them without any sorts of issues so far, it might be fine. )

I trust you, Scorpia. You were able to help me more than you realize when I first arrived here.

How about these spring rolls? They look like there was a lot of care was put into making them.

[cuddlery]

[She's happy to have Aqua's trust! ...Though it makes her a little nervous too. She doesn't want to mess up in front of a new friend. But then, what's the worst that can happen.]

Ooh, good choice! I was just eying them. I would like to give these little guys a good taste!

[With that, she tosses one into her mouth and starts chewing.]

Mmm!

[lightblooming]

( Aqua tries her own share, smiling slightly. Never mind the flowers that begin to sprout from one of her shoulders, or the way her skin is turning green... )

It is good. It really was generous of them to give these to others.

[cuddlery]

I know! Right?

[She scoops some more into her mouth, grinning brightly! They really are tasty. And she doesn't notice as her own hair becomes more grass-like, or her scorpion-y parts shift to be made of wood. But as she opens her eyes, she does notice that Aqua is now looking pretty... green.]

W-wait! Aqua, are... are you feeling okay? [She hopes she isn't getting sick!]

[lightblooming]

( Aqua watches Scorpia change, eyes widening - she looks almost alarmed when she responds. )

I'm fine, but -- I should be asking you that same question.

[cuddlery]

Me? [She gives a confused blink at Aqua's question, mid-chewing down on some more.]

Of course I'm fine! Why wouldn't I be? Still a little worried for you though! You sure you're okay? You're looking a little green!

[lightblooming]

Me? ( Aqua looks to her hands for a moment, only for her head to turn afterwards to look for any trace of change... )

If I've changed, it's not just me -- do you feel any different right now?

[cuddlery]

I don't feel different at all. ...Well, maybe a little bit? Something feels a little... off.

[She raises her pincer to make a pinching gesture - and observes that it's wooden at the same time.]

Oh.

[lightblooming]

If I had to guess - the same thing may be happening to me right now.

( Though, she's more concerned about Scorpia! Her brows furrow, mouth pressing together into a thin line. )

You feel off? Do you feel sick? It might have been the food if it's affecting us both!

[cuddlery]

[She stares at her wooden pincer and snips it a few times, wide-eyed as she tries to process this.]

I... feel... confused? Yeah, mostly confusion. I don't... feel sick or anything, but something's going on over here! Maybe... [She frets and looks down towards the cookies.] Maybe it might be better to try something different, just in case that will help!

[lightblooming]

( Aqua shakes her head, a hand going to Scorpia's shoulder in an attempt to get her to focus her attention on her, instead of what was happening. )

No. If we try anything else, the effects may end up being worse than they already are.

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia blinks and slowly nods.]

Right... Right, that's a good point. We have to be careful with our moves here. Don't want to risk anything! So what should we do, just... ride this out?

[lightblooming]

It may be better to do our own research. Considering that they were handing these out, it wouldn't be too strange to assume that others may have ended up changing the same way we did.

[cuddlery]

Okay, Yeah. That - that sounds like a solid plan right there! [She gets up and prepares herself for some snooping.] Let's do it! Let's... see how our fellow snack lovers are doing!

[lightblooming]

At the least, we may have heard something beforehand if the effects were dangerous. But... it'd be better not to risk it.

[cuddlery]

[She nods along.]

True. I'm sure there would have been some kind of warnings. The people giving them out seemed so friendly, too! But you're right. Probably, probably best to play it safe for now!

[lightblooming]

Really? ( There's a pause at her words. ) Scorpia, did anything about them seem suspicious to you at all?

( Perhaps they meant no harm by giving this to them. Or... perhaps it was meant to be a harmless prank. )

[cuddlery]

[She pauses as she thinks back.]

Nottt... that I can think of? They kept on talking about change, and how lovely and fleeting it can be. Something like that? I thought they were being metaphorical and talking about one of the Pthumerians... but could they have been talking about the food...?

[lightblooming]

( That... definitely sounds like they were responsible for all of this. )

It sounds like finding them might be the key to figuring out how to change back to normal.

[cuddlery]

You know what? I think you might be onto something!

[She claps her now-wooden pincers together.]

Then let's do it! Let's go have a word with them.

[With that, she rises from her seat and walks towards the area where all the snacks and drinks were distributed!]

[lightblooming]

( Approaching the people in question with Scorpia, Aqua walks side-by-side with her until they're close enough to speak to them. )

Pardon me.

( They turn then, offering a pleasant smile. )

Yes? How can we help you?

[cuddlery]

Yes, hi. Hello!

[Scorpia responds cheerily as she greets them with a wave.]

I'm Scorpia. Long time eater, first time wood person. Just, we just have a few questions about what's being served here and... what exactly is going on? [She asks with a meek shrug.]

[lightblooming]

Oh! ( Their face lights up. ) I see that you've taken part in the festivities.

We're celebrating the season. Hence all the plants. The food you've consumed is harmless.

[cuddlery]

Oh! Really? I, I didn't know that. I guess I haven't been hurt or anything, but I am now... wooden? ...It's not really an ideal state for me! And my friend here's a little green...

[They just laugh and assure them that all change is temporary. Within several hours, it will all pass, as will anything else that happens from eating the food.]

Huh!