FEBRUARY MINGLE

[stellafortunamods]

February Mingle: The Outlander Who Caught The Wind
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
Life in Mondstadt seems to never change. Each day unfolds similarly to the next, and the clock turns back every seven days. Just what is happening here? Is there ever any hope for the Travelers to find a way home? Slowly, the questions that have been burning in everyone's minds will be answered The fate of all that lives in Teyvat is written in the stars - only you, Traveler, are free from the shackles of destiny.

As Travelers wake up to August 13th for the third time, nothing seems to have changed. However, a windstorm blankets all of Mondstadt in the afternoon, whipped up by the wings of a large dragon. As civilians scatter and the Knights attempt to restore order, a voice calls out to you from the darkened sky.

"Come fly with me. The winds of freedom will clear away the storm."

An updraft carries you and your Wind Glider into the air, where you can take aim at the dragon without hindrance. However, your attacks seem to focus on the purple spikes that torment the dragon's body. From whence did they come?

At the behest of the Acting Grand Master, you venture out into Mondstadt's wilds to stem the flow of power fueling Stormterror's rampage. Perhaps you may come to know of Stormterror's past - once a protector of the city, now turning his back on the nation he once loved. What broke the dragon's heart? Could he have truly turned dark once and for all?

Whatever path you choose to walk, it soon becomes evident that your actions do have an impact on the world. August 17th arrives gracefully, and the people of Mondstadt turn their attention to the arduous task of reconstruction. Helping to patch up the city's beautiful neighbourhoods piece by piece will earn you the citizens favour and a good amount of Mora.

When the dust settles, peace returns to Mondstadt... for the most part. The howling of wolves can be heard in the depths of the night - a territorial dispute in the dark forests of Wolvendom has spilled over into neighbouring Springvale. The order in Wolvendom is kept by the will of Lupus Boreas - all wolves who reside in Mondstadt must obey Andriu's code. The foreign pack heed not his words, hunting above their share and attacking human hunters.

Yet all wolves look the same to outsiders unfamiliar with their code, and the residents of Springvale are all too willing to blame all of wolfkind. Who will listen to the voice of the wolves? Will blood be spilled on these untamed lands once more? Only time will tell.

State of the World

For the first week of February, IC time will continue the time loop from January: that is, looping once more from August 10th to August 16th. ICly, the tasks in our main quest will be completed by characters before Sunday ends. Once Monday rolls around once more, they’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that the date has advanced to August 17th. The second to fourth weeks of February will be spent looping from August 17th to August 23rd, and characters will have plenty of new things to do in the new time period.

For all questions regarding February's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Comments

[bowfaire]

Height has nothing to do with it!

(In fact, he loves being in high places? He passed his wyvern riding exam, you know.)

I've just... never had to climb a tree before.

[whiteshroud]

Haha, is that so...

[So defensive about the heights! But whatever, he's not judging]

Well it's not too different from climbing other tall things. Do you have any experience with that?

[bowfaire]

Yeah, where I'm from, there aren't many trees and the ones we have don't get very high... not really made for climbing.

(This is like the tiniest crumb of lore.)

I've climbed a few walls here and there but ever since I passed my exam, I've been doing that less.

[whiteshroud]

I see, that would make it hard to climb trees.

[The tiniest crumb of lore...i will treasure it.]

Haha, well I could show you if you'd like. Or I could just climb the tree and reach the cat myself. Whichever you prefer.

[It's truly a neutral choice. He won't judge Claude if he picks the second. As long as the mission gets done, it doesn't matter to him]

[bowfaire]

Yeah? You think you could teach me a few tricks?

(Sign Claude up! He's always down to learn a new thing and something like this could be useful in the future, you never know.)

[whiteshroud]

Sure!

[I'M YOUR TEACHER NOW]

The key with climbing trees is making sure it's a tree that can support your weight, and then finding spots you can grab onto like knots or branches.

[He'll walk over to the tree and demonstrate- putting his foot against the bark of the tree while reaching up to grab a low branch]

[bowfaire]

(Easy enough and Claude will come over to watch and take notes! He's a very serious and studious student even if he doesn't seem like it. If Jun can reach that branch, Claude surely can given his [checks plurk] 9ish extra centimeters but that means needing to look for a stronger branch, too. Hm. )

Think you can show me while rescuing Lady la Mew?

(He didn't name her.)

[whiteshroud]

[Yeah Claude likely towers over Jun like everyone else. Jun will consider that, before making a "hm" noise and proceeding to jump down, landing gracefully.]

How about you give it a shot? I'll give you pointers and help out if you're struggling.

Helping Lady la Mew can be a good incentive.

[bowfaire]

Me?

(And here, he thought this would be an easy job. He frowns! Like, how dare you ask him to work? He's trying to take it easy here... but that doesn't stop him from stepping forward.)

I can give it a try. No promises, though.

(Let him slack? He'll come over though and check out the tree, looking it up and down almost like... he's never seen a tree before? Of course he's seen a tree before but he really is fresh at this whole tree climbing business. He reaches for one branch and gives it a tug to test it out. Hmm, okay, maybe not that one?

... The second branch he grabs is better and he begins to pull himself up, putting one foot against the trunk of the tree and...

Slips.)

[whiteshroud]

Just try your best.

[He'll say encouragingly, taking a step back so Claude can try to ascend the tree. Yeah, Jun's sure he could climb the tree, get the cat and be done with this. But it's more important that Claude learns this skill.

So true to his word, he watches. When Claude slips he's quick to catch his foot so he doesn't fall. For a tiny boy, he has no problem giving support. ]

Haha, make sure to keep your foot against the tree.

[bowfaire]

I am.

(He's definitely not slacking! And he's trying his best here and he isn't going to give up. He's back up on his feet and giving it another try. The hard part is really just getting his footing. He slips again and tries one more time, this time, really going for it... and manages to pull himself up! Being an archer is a benefit here-- he has the upper body and arm strength to pull himself up easily enough. The trick is just knowing where to get a hold of his next branch or where to put his foot...

He grabs one branch and it bends dangerously. Hmm and with no where else left to go he loses his grip and

Crashes onto the ground.)

Ah!

(LOOK, he's not going to get this in one day probably. Meanwhile that dang cat has the actual audacity to climb higher>)

Yeah, make it look easy...

[whiteshroud]

[Oof. He had pulled away when it seemed like Claud was getting the hang of it. So he could only watch with a bit of a wince as Claud crashes to the ground. He'd been making marked improvement too...poor guy.

And of course the cat climbs higher. He glances up at it. Cats gonna be cats, he guesses]

Ouch. For a moment, you looked like you were getting the hang of it! Do you try again, or...?

[bowfaire]

It's not that I'm against trying again.

(Because he's not! He'll absolutely try again if he has to! And you can catch him trying on his own later because Claude von Riegan might peace out of a challenge but he never turns away a chance to learn something new.)

But if our furry friend is going to keep climbing hire like that... I think she might be spooked.

[whiteshroud]

[Oh, is that what he's worried about? He'll glance up at the cat in the tree and assess the situation before looking back]

Don't worry, cats always land on their feet. She'd probably be fine if she jumped out of the tree, unlike a human.

[Is that reassuring? Who knows. It's an Attempt, at least. ]

[bowfaire]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

(Sure is nice knowing if he falls, he'll probably land right on his backside! Or worse, his handsome face? Thanks!

But he's back up on his feet and trying again! This time he manages to get a little higher. At least his feet are off the ground and he's able to move up to the next branch before...

The branch snaps. HE IS REALLY NO GOOD AT CLIMBING TREES and he lands right on his back and just

lays there. Defeated. He accepts defeat.)

[whiteshroud]

Haha...

[Yeah, he recognizes he's not great at this. But at least it looks like Claude is trying again! Go Claude! And he's even making it highe--

Whoop nope he down on the ground again. Jun winces and comes over, noting Claude's defeated posture. He looks almost sheepish because boy, he really thought that try would work.]

Er....can you move?

[DID YOU BREAK ANYTHING CLAUDE]

[bowfaire]

(Just lying on the ground. Nothing is broken except his pride.)

... So how about Plan B?

(ANSWER THE QUESTION FIRST, CLAUDE.)

[whiteshroud]

[ .... 💧

Well he's not screaming in pain so he's...probably fine, right? Enough that he can actually attend to this while Claude nurses his broken dignity]

...Alright. I'm on it.

[He steps over to the tree and starts climbing it. Between his climbing experience, enhanced physical abilities, and weighing much less than Claude- he scales the tree with ease! Honestly, it practically looks effortless on his part beyond needing to take a couple minutes to coax the cat over to him.

But it's not long until he's got the cat in his arms and he opts to just...jump out of the tree, landing gracefully on the ground with a cat in his arms.

Man, think how much time and pain could've been saved if Jun had just done this to begin with.]

[bowfaire]

(While Jun is climbing and putting Claude to complete and total shame, Claude will sit up and rub his back. Brush the grass out of his hair. Generally nurse his pride.

... But he's also watching Jun scale the tree, studying the way he does it. He's taking mental notes! He's not going to give up on this but this is definitely enough for one day. Dryly,)

Gee, way to show me how it's done.

(He claps! )

Let's get Lady la Mew back to her owner and call it a day.

(Let's go!! Find the owner who is like... a sweet old lady and her very granddaughter.)

[whiteshroud]

[Claude means nothing by it, but Jun still feels a little self-conscious at that reaction. He really wasn't trying to show off. ]

Haha...I'm sure you'll manage this with enough practice.

[No he won't, at least not to Jun's skill level. But that didn't mean Claude couldn't get better in general...! He's hoping that's what the guy take away from that]

Yeah, good idea. Please lead the way.

[bowfaire]

(Take his praise, Jun. Claude will never be on Jun's level but just wait.. he'll eventually climb a tree all on his own.)

This way, I think. (And he'll lead Jun away from the tree, towards a row of humble homes and little shops.) It's one of these...

(From a small shop-- one that sells cheeses and other dairy products-- a little girl screams, "Lady la Mew!" And comes running towards them. She practically tackles right into Jun for her furry friend.

If Jun gives her the cat, she'll thank him warmly and enthusiastically. Claud whomst? Jun is the hero in her eyes for the day.)

[whiteshroud]

[Jun follows, fully intending on passing the cat over to Claude and splitting before they arrive. But oh no- the cat is clingy. He can't get its claws unhooked from his shirt.

And even bigger oh no- the girl spots them and runs out to meet them, taking away precious seconds Jun thought he had to make his exit. Next thing he knows, he's getting practically tackled by a happy girl]

Ah-!

[The cat will eager unhook itself from jun and jump into the girls arms. Jun can only stand there stunned as he gets thanked like he's some hero. Truthfully he looks like a deer in the headlights from the way he stares and stumbles for words. HE IS NOT GOOD AT THANK YOUS.]

I-It was...nothing. C-Claude did most of it...!

[HELP]

[bowfaire]

(RIP Jun but lucky for you, Claude can't leave a deer in distress.)

Oh, I didn't do anything at all.

(Waving his hand in the air, just brushing away the compliment! He did nothing but fall on his butt. It's all Jun. It doesn't stop him from crouching down to be at the girl's height to redirect her attention over to him,)

But make sure to keep an eye on Lady al Mew from now on, okay? It wasn't easy getting her down.

(The girl nods fastly and thanks them both once more before running back in to call for her grandmother. They're free!)

... Wouldn't have pinned you for a shy guy.

[whiteshroud]

[Thank you deer boy. he's about to raise a protest as Claude brushes away the compliment because don't leave him hanging--

But oh, it looks like he is intervening. Objection rescinded, he really appreciates the save. He breathes out and manages a wave to the girl as she runs off. They're free!

Though was free until Claude pointed that out. Which uh yeah, talk about embarrassing.]

Ah...well, you know ... between my work and being a nerd, I don't go to many parties.

[Jun that doesn't explain what just happened here at all]

[bowfaire]

(That sure doesn7t answer any questions at all but Claude seems content to let it slide,)

That makes the two of us.

(Between his goals and working to achieve it, he doesn't spend much time at parties either. It also doesn't help that he's a big ol' outsider back home, too. And yet, he still manages to act like a jock or something,)

It's a good thing we aren't at any parties right now.

(JUN WHAT YOU SAID DOESNT MAKE ANY SENES FOR WHAT HAPPENED)