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

[endgames]

[She's more than he deserves. Selfishly, he hopes it stays that way. With all the problems with his family, and his mother maybe not making it past this Winter, Sakura's all he has...]

Red, because I love you. [Because I always want to be with you.] ...and because it matches the dress I got.

[When his hands are free, he'll reach towards the side of the house, where he set the box down so she wouldn't see it. It cost a pretty penny, but he's hoping the look on her face will make it worth it.]

[medicalpunch]

[He's about to get an 'I love you too' when that second bit about the dress falls, and her eyes go wide.]

Dress?

[Her eyes fly to the box, and she clutches the roses in shock.]

Shikamaru... you... [How can they afford this? But even so, she can't help smiling. He's all dressed up, and flowers, and a dress for her...] What's the occasion? [There's got to be something special. He's got something up the sleeves of that tux, and she's going to love it, she just knows.]

[With a laugh,] It's a little early for our anniversary...

[endgames]

[They can't, but Shikamaru's already working an extra two hours to make up for it for the next couple of days. They're late shifts anyways, so Sakura shouldn't miss him anyways, he reasons. He'll be home before she wakes up, and they'll have the mornings together.]

I know how much you miss school. [Apologetic. He wishes there was a way she could go back, and that they could make enough on just his paycheck. He smiles through it, determined this will be a good day for them.] So I talked to Naruto. I pulled a solid, and he's gonna get us into the homecoming dance tonight.

[medicalpunch]

To the dance? [And she can't help laughing, but with sheer happiness as she wraps her arms around him in another tight hug.] Shikamaru, you are the sweetest man! I can't believe you pulled all this together...

[Just like last year, just like when they were both at school and finding themselves in a whirlwind of romance, sudden intense feelings that led them down this road. To go back to that, even just for a night... oh yes, this is the best surprise he could give her.]

[endgames]

[Yeah. Definitely worth it. He hugs her back, pleased as punch with how well everything fell together.

Gently, after a few seconds he separates them, offering to take the flowers back.]

How 'bout you go get ready, while I put these in water. It's not glamorous like I would've hoped, but mom took in the car today so we'll have to catch the bus.

[medicalpunch]

Oh, I think it'll be plenty glamorous, car or no car. After all, who else gets to show up with you?

[But his suggestion isn't a bad one, and she trades him the flowers for the dress box with an excited smile. The last time she got to dress up was when they got married, and since then, even if she has nicer clothing from before she was Harukawa, it hasn't been right to wear for job-hunting or for their situation.]

Time to go make my transformation!

[endgames]

You say that, but I'm gonna look like I'm dressed in a paper sack standing next to you.

[Now time to go inside before they let more flies in through the door. He takes the flowers from her, and goes off to find a vase for the roses while she gets ready. Maybe three of them...]

any thoughts on the dress? XD

[medicalpunch]

[And she hurries off to change, practically vibrating with her excitement. For Shikamaru to have planned such a thing for her...]

[endgames]

[It's one like this!

After putting the flowers to water, Shikamaru takes a seat at their kitchen table, foot tapping lightly against the floor.]

[medicalpunch]

[Oooh, classy! Shikamaru has good taste, it seems. She spends some time getting herself beautifully dolled up for him -- in truth, it's a delight to do it.

And when she finally does make her appearance again, she's blushing like they're still on their first dates.]

Do you like it?

[endgames]

[He'll pass the compliment on to the shop owner who helped him pick it out. >>

At the sound of her voice, his head turns up-- and stops there, looking at her like seeing a painting for the first time.]

Honey, you're a knockout.

[medicalpunch]

[The look on his face is absolutely priceless, and she's beaming as he looks her over.]

Then we make a great pair, don't we? Since you're aalways going to be the handsomest guy in the room.

[endgames]

You flatter me, love.

[But he stands, offering her an arm. Shall they go?]

[medicalpunch]

[And she takes his arm delightedly. Even if they're not a rich posh pair, they can pretend to be for tonight, and savor the luxury of it for just a little while.]

You're wonderful, you know that?

[Even if they're taking the bus to the dance. That just doesn't matter. And on the bus, she'll unabashedly lean against him in their seats, not caring who sees.]

[endgames]

I'm glad I can do something right.

[He'll wrap his arm around her, as the bus starts moving. Yes, he's looking forward to a good night tonight.]

[medicalpunch]

Of course you can. You married me, didn't you?

[It'll be an unabashedly snuggly bus ride to the dance -- she doesn't care who sees. She loves her husband.]

[endgames]

Fair point there.

[medicalpunch]

[Continued here]