Luceti Valley - The First Log

[lucetimods]

Who: Everyone
What: The start of a new experiment... or is it?
When: August 2nd - August 6th
Where: Luceti itself
Summary: Luceti has become an idyllic and peaceful 50s-esque village. The first few days are just business as usual, right?
Rating: Varies with thread. Please move explicit stuff to appointments post with appropriate warnings.

August 1st had seemed like an ordinary day in Luceti. But late in the evening, for those night owls who had not turned in yet, they were witness to strange fluctuations in the barrier. Beautiful, really, almost like Luceti had received its own 'Northern Lights', even though it seemed to come from the far east, across the ocean. This ominous light show lasted for all of fifteen minutes before it ceased all together. Skimming the ocean waters, a horde of cultists entered Luceti, cloaked by darkness. Upon reaching the entrance to the tunnels, their leader stepped inside and was followed one by one by his fellow cultists. When the last had entered, the tunnel entrance closed. Across the mountains, the entrance to the tunnels in the village did the same.

Midnight passed without incident, but by three in the morning, the change suddenly came. Minds were altered, forms were changed, and buildings sprang from nowhere.

Much later, on August 2nd, morning settled on a changed village, the new mayor made his way to his mansion with his pair of adorable dobermans at either side of him. The sun shined bright. It was a good day to be a Lucetian.

Note: There will be a stand alone log for the homecoming dance. There will be another log for the second stage of the event.

Comments

[untrueheart]

[Doted-upon or not, it stings to hear her grandparents call her "scandal" in place of "granddaughter". She isn't meant to overhear such things, but Rue has always had a pedisposition to overhearing and today was no different. After a dinner spent mostly in silence on her part she stands near the shore of the lake where her mother's house stands.

If there were rocks nearby, she might throw them. The bank here is only dirt and weeds, though, and unless Natasha follows her there, her only companions will be the distant calling crows.]

[widows_kiss]

[Dinner tonight had been stilted and full of tense silences that spoke more than words. Anger still simmered under the surface after her latest argument with her parents, but what had been worse was her daughter's telling silences at the table. Afterwards, she'd known where to find her and Natasha strolled down the path to the lake to stand beside her daughter and stare out over the water.]

You overheard, didn't you?

[untrueheart]

They didn't try very hard to keep it to themselves.

[Yes. She heard.] I apologize for listening in like that.

[widows_kiss]

They never do.

[Natasha's voice is dry, but the apology has her reaching out, brushing an errant curl off Rue's shoulder as she studied her daughter.]

It can't be helped, I suppose. Besides, you're not the one who should be apologizing. And I'm sorry you overheard. That wasn't meant for your ears. Your grandparents love you, Rue, they just... get caught up in appearances.

[And in trying to shame her, they'd said hurtful things about her daughter.]

[untrueheart]

They think I'm a blemish on those appearances. [It mattered a lot, a whole lot, that her mother reached toward her instead of turning away.] I don't know what to do.

[widows_kiss]

[She sighed softly at that before shaking her head, letting her hand slide around to rest against Rue's shoulders.] Sweetheart, it's not you who is lacking. There's not more for you to do. It's them and their own selfish ambitions that are in the wrong. You are not a blemish, and you are not a scandal. You are my daughter and I have never been anything but proud of you.

[She tucks her fingers under Rue's jaw and tilts her head up, meeting her gaze.] It doesn't matter what they think. Especially not for much longer.

[untrueheart]

[When Natasha uses that voice, it is the end of all arguments. Rue looks her in the eye until she finishes talking, before nodding and swallowing back the onset of tears.]

I never doubted you were proud of me. [She has other worries on her mind, that's all. More age-appropriate worries. The homecoming dance, the next ballet recital...]

[widows_kiss]

Good. [Natasha gives her a small smile, affectionately tugging on a lock of hair.] Then don't think on it anymore. Besides, sweet. If all goes well, it is not something you will have to listen to much longer.

[Because she had plans.]

[untrueheart]

Much longer? Why, what's going to happen? [Rue actually looks stricken.] Are we going to move away from here?

[widows_kiss]

[She hadn't expected the dismay on her daughter's face, looking momentarily surprised by it. She tilts her head to the side, curious.]

Not away away. But perhaps just a little bit distant from the daily drama in this house. I thought the idea might please you, Rue. What's the matter?

[untrueheart]

Oh. But we'll stay in town? [She had no real love for her grandparents' house. The love went elsewhere.] It's just...there's this boy.

[widows_kiss]

((I moved them over here to avoid the captcha if that's okay?))