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

day 5

[imatreenow]

[Of course Mithos had noticed when his dad ate from an emptier plate at dinner, all the while insisting that he and his siblings take extra helpings. At first he had wondered - worried, really - if his dad wasn't feeling well, but...

It's later in the night when he slips downstairs for a glass of water, taking a quick break from homework. On his way back from the kitchen, he decides to linger in the living room, where he sees his dad.]

...Is everything okay? [The new tax hike is looming in the back of his mind, so he has his suspicions.]

[winds_voice]

[Eley's taking one of his rare breaks, reading a newspaper when Mithos passes him by. He thinks nothing of it though and lets him get whatever he needs from the kitchen. At least until his son pauses to address him.

He lowers the paper now to look at Mithos, noting the concern on his face. He offers a faint smile, trying his best to reassure him.]

Everything is fine, Mithos. Unless there is something bothering you, of course.

[imatreenow]

You didn't eat much at dinner...so... You're not coming down with something, are you, dad? [He doesn't expect that to be the answer, but he'll ask anyway.]

[winds_voice]

[Oh dear, so he had noticed... Well, of course he had. No doubt they all had, they weren't stupid after all.

Still, he shakes his head.]

I am perfectly fine, do not worry. I am just having to make a few changes for a while, that is all. It will not be for long. Just... focus on yourself for now, all right?

[imatreenow]

[When Mithos sees that his dad is going to try to tip-toe around the issue, never touching its center, he locks his gaze on him unflinchingly.]

Dad. I'm not a little kid anymore. [He steps further into the room, no longer hovering by the back of the couch. His words grow in desperation more than anger.] You can tell me what's going on... I can help!

[winds_voice]

... [Eley is obviously a little taken aback by his son's sudden desperation, but he shouldn't really be all that surprised. Mithos was right, he wasn't a little kid anymore. He was old enough to understand what was going on and certainly old enough to be concerned about it.

He gives a soft sigh, the mask of reassurance slipping slightly.]

I know you are not a clueless child anymore, Mithos. The thing is... money is tight at the moment. Tighter than usual with the sudden rise in taxes. I will look for another way to make more money so you need not worry. Focus on your studies and take care of your siblings. Everything will be all right.

[imatreenow]

Will it? [He wants to believe that everything will be okay, but...] What if they keep forcing more taxes on us - on the lower class families, who already can't afford it? What will happen to us? Where will we go?

I can work more too, dad. I can pick up more hours at the bakery. I don't need any pocket money...I can put everything I earn toward groceries, or bills, or... [More than anything, he wants to be of use to his father and siblings - he wants to take care of them, and protect them from anything bad that might happen.]

[winds_voice]

...I do not know. [He interjects. It was an honest answer. There was only so much they could push them before everyone in Lowtown would find themselves unable to cope. Then what hope did they have? He reaches up to rest a hand on Mithos' shoulder, meeting his eyes.]

But whatever happens, I will not stop fighting to keep my family alive and well. That is what matters to me the most. None of you should have to work so hard just to live. You should not be the ones supporting me either. Do well at school and find a way out of this pit. I know you will lead far better lives than I ever could.

[imatreenow]

We're here to support you as much as you're here to support us. That's how a family works, isn't it? [In his head, he's trying to calculate how many extra hours he can work before it starts interfering with his studies - he can't afford to slip even a little bit if he wants a good scholarship.]

[winds_voice]

...yes, of course, but...

[He hesitates. Honestly he felt extremely lucky to have such a supportive family, especially after the loss of his wife and their mother. Somehow their loss only seemed to make their bond stronger. It was... touching to say the least.]

I will not stop you if you really want to help. I... trust you to take care of yourself as well as your siblings... and me. Really, I suppose I am afraid of losing you.

[imatreenow]

You're not going to lose me...or any of us! [He sits down next to his dad, body pointed toward him, face knotted in concern. His glass of water is left behind on the coffee table.]

Why would you think that? We're not going anywhere.

[winds_voice]

[Eley gives a soft, sad smile, removing his hand from Mithos' shoulder now.]

Life has a way of taking things away from you when you least expect it. Often that which you consider most important. Times are getting harder again... I cannot help but worry.

...yet, perhaps you are right that we should work together for this very reason. We will be all right, I believe that.

[imatreenow]

[Life has a way of taking things away from you when you least expect it. The mother he barely remembers flickers through his mind - a warm hand, a smile, words muddled by time - and he doesn't know what to say. His chin tilts down; his fingers clench around his knees.]

I don't want to lose anyone either...and I don't want anything bad to happen to this family. That's why I want to do everything I can to help.