Don't Skip Your Flu Shot

[purrtagonist]

Who: Everyone! It's a mingle post for the first week of Struxta sickness!!
Where: All around the temple
When: During the first week of the sickness
Rating PG?? At most??
What: Curry, blankets and pillow forts, and other assorted sick things

[With the Struxta illness sweeping through the temple like a wildfire, and with so many new arrivals trying to get adjusted to temple living, it's probably no surprise that things around the Astoria's little pocket of space have gotten a little hectic. Feeling under the weather? Looking for something warm to soothe that scratchy throat? Just want to curl up underneath a pile of blankets and not move for like, seven hours or so? Never fear! A Mysterious Helper (TM) has you covered]

A. Curry in the Kitchen

[The kitchen smells extremely nice during lunchtime this week, the only meal of the day that isn't pre-prepared by the misty servants. Like the scent of coffee intermingled with complementary spices. Those who take the initiative to investigate will find something pleasant waiting for them. A few pots of fresh made curry and steamed rice; a few pots of miso soup (a. . . little on the salty side, sorry); and some freshly brewed coffee already poured into individual mugs, along with cream and sugar and whatever additives your heart desires. It's all strewn out across the counter tops with a handwritten note pinned against the wall above the stove:]

Help yourself, and get well soon.

[There isn't any sign of the mysterious chef when you enter the kitchen, and if you arrive near the end of lunch hour, some of the food and coffee miiiiight be a bit cold. But hey! This might be a good chance to mingle with some of your new coworkers who are also seeking out a warm meal to help quell some of their cold symptoms. Just please don't sneeze into the curry pot, thanks. . .]

[Lunch will be laid out in the kitchen every day at lunchtime for the entire first week of the sickness. Help yourselves!]

B. The Temple Hallways

[THERE ARE BLANKETS AND PILLOWS EVERYWHERE]

[. . . no, seriously. For some reason, it's like you can't even walk down a hallway without tripping over a bundled up blanket or a pillow. What's up with that! For the most part, they're normal bedtime accessories, although you may find a bundle of pillows and blankets stacked up into an ENTIRE PILLOW FORT if you're lucky.]

[Pinned to the walls of the hallways (not every hallway, but enough of them that it should be easy to find one of the signs without wandering for too long) are more handwritten signs:]

Whoever can build the tallest pillow fort will receive one (1) high five as a grand prize. Good luck. Blanket provider is not responsible for anyone accidentally falling asleep in the hallways and blocking your route back to your bedroom.

[Hm. Well, that's weird. Anyway! You can build a pillow fort if you want, grab some blankets to take back to your room, or. . . nap in the hallways. Or do whatever! They're all free for the taking. Maybe you could even team up with another Circle member to try and win that extremely coveted high five??]

C. Wildcard

[Don't feel like interacting with any of the above? That's okay! Make your own prompt based on the event stuff over here, or just use this post for. . . whatever you want! It's totally and completely open for mingling for new and old characters alike, so. HAVE FUN ♥]

Comments

[spellweave]

A.

[Ann told him about Akira's curry once and so he sought to try it now that it was so conveniently on display. However food wasn't exactly the reason he was here but rather to experiment with something else in relation to food. He'll probably catch some attention what with how he's taken up a portion of a table with what appears to be various types of leaves spread out in front of him. Each leaf is tucked carefully underneath a small bowl filled with green liquid that looks pretty unappealing. Some definitely smell terrible too if one gets too close. His curry sits aside, only a few bites taken, before he got distracted with... whatever this appears to be.

If you're sitting near by or happen to pass by he'll attempt to get your attention.]

I beg your pardon but might I trouble you with something?

B.

[The signs did warn you about the possibility but now here you are, blocked from progressing through this hallway because Alphinaud is barring your path. He fell asleep in the middle of it among a pile of blankets and pillows. It wasn't on purpose as he meant to clean up the space itself, rather than engage in building a pillow fort, but he sat down when he felt a bit winded and dizzy. He has a touch of whatever this sickness is and has less energy than he realized.

But upon taking a break he fell fast asleep before he realized it. He's small enough that you could try to get around... maybe...]

a

[p_mortem]

[ Curiosity killed the cat, or something, but Minato vaguely hopes that isn't the fate that awaits him when Alphinaud gets his attention and he approaches obediently- although he stops short of the table when he gets a whiff of whatever's going on here.

What is this... ]

I don't mind being troubled.

[ It's the truth, anyways, seeing as he quickly gets over the initial shock of it and moves to stand before the table properly, leaning over the little bowls and peering inside each of them one by one. He imagines he'd have a harder time doing this if his nose wasn't already stuffed up with whatever illness is going around, but hey. There are blessings to be found in all things. ]

[spellweave]

[He's putting the medicinal skills Jing has been teaching him to good use and now was as good a time as any. Perhaps especially now was the time. With everyone sick, a dear friend included, Alphinaud was very motivated to do what he could. While he wasn't sure he was skillful enough to find a cure he could certainly try to alleviate the symptoms.

Except the medicine he mixed was so bitter it was almost impossible to swallow.]

I am glad to hear it. You see, I mixed a medicine with various ingredients in an attempt to reduce its bitterness. It is quite difficult to take on its own otherwise. I sought to have others try and see which one is more appealing to the taste. Although I suppose the smell from some of the mixtures is now a problem.

[This seems legit, right...]

[p_mortem]

[ There's a fine line between medicine and poison, but Minato is immediately relieved to hear that Alphinaud is working on a cure for the bug that's been going around. And in that case, Minato might be the person for the job, because he's ingested foul tasting "medicine" time and time again in the school nurse's office, surviving anything from "bitter mugwort, poison carrot, henbane, jujube, and rabbit's foot," if he remembers correctly what the nurse said was in the "medicine." ]

I'll give them a try. Medicine's supposed to be bitter, but it's no good if it's thrown up right after... For smell, at least, people can...

[ He pinches his nose. Like that. They'll just need to pray the smell doesn't linger on their clothes to haunt them the rest of the week, or that the aftertaste of the medicine doesn't stick around for twice as long. ]

a

[purrtagonist]

[for the most part, Akira absconds from the kitchen as soon as lunch is prepared. but today? he hangs around a little bit longer, just in time to see Alphinaud set up his little. . . experiment? at one of the tables]

Sure. . . [he responds in a croaky voice] But it doesn't really look like much trouble at all.

[spellweave]

[Oh hey it's the curry chef himself.] I suppose it depends on whether or not you're opposed to trying very bitter medicine or not.

[Akiria definitely doesn't have any experience with this strangely specific request, right? Surely not.

Alphinaud indicates the bowls.] Although the goal here was to make it less bitter and to find out which mixture would be more appealing to those like you who are ill. I fear I cannot guarantee any of it worked, however. [Nor can he explain why some produce a smell...]

[purrtagonist]

[he used to drink TERRIBLE HEALTH SHAKES sold at the Shibuya Underground every single Sunday. he also used to down EXTREMELY BITTER MEDICINE for Takemi's research. he isn't afraid of bitter medicine at all]

Oh. So you need a guinea pig. [that he can do] I have a little bit of experience with that.

Tell me which one to drink first.

b

[oculusriffs]

[dangit, game developers are getting more a lot creative with their plot barriers, aren't they? hang on, he's pretty sure he knows what he's supposed to do here.]

[Dave just. grabs a pillow from a nearby pile and tosses it casually at Alphinaud, to see if he's a light sleeper? or, uh. alive?]

[he'll help if the guy is actually alive, honest. probably.]

[spellweave]

[The pillow instead seems to launch itself right back at Dave's face before it hits its intended target. It's almost as if it hit a barrier or something... except no, it was just Alphinaud swatting it back at him in a knee jerk reaction to being woken up so suddenly via pillow assault. It seems like some impressive reflexes... but in reality it was a combination of dumb luck and the fact that he was beginning to stir mere moments before Dave approached.

He's also not only a light sleeper but a bit of a skittish one. Camping in dragon country wrecks permanent havoc on one's nerves and you don't truly sleep soundly after that...

He looks very confused now that he's sitting up. He doesn't remember falling asleep here and like with most impromptu naps he's questioning what year it is.]

Oh, I... my apologies.

[He can't tell if he actually hit Dave with the pillow or not (sorry about the shades if he did....) but he apologizes nevertheless for being so startled.]

[oculusriffs]

[it's cool, he's already managed to break and fix his shades once, on one of Astoria's mandatory field trips. he knows a guy who could help if it ever happens again. a lockpick crafting thief kinda guy.]

[you'd think Dave would have a similar set of reflexes, having been raised by a guardian prone to blinding speeds and sneak attacks, but nope, he goes ahead and takes a pillow to the face. though, maybe it's more that he just wasn't expecting it.]

[........]

All right, you're not dead. Cool.

Did you just go down for a nap right there or what?

b

[finethanks]

[It's rather cute, seeing all of these pillow forts everywhere. It's less cute that everyone is sick, but Eichi feels a bit in company, even if he's miraculously avoided to catch it thus far. He has his own weak, ill body to deal with, and it's sort of like everyone has come down to his level.

So, really, he's just strolling the halls to admire pillow forts. He almost doesn't see Alphinaud, since he spots his hair first of all and it blends in, but once he catches sight of him, he stops in his tracks. Hmm. For a moment, Eichi crouches and just admires him. Yes, a complete stranger... he looks so peaceful, and he's pretty, too? Eichi has an eye for these things.

But also, he's just noting that there's no way he can step around him while he's as unsteady on his own feet as he is. So, instead, he settles in next to him carefully to take a quick rest, too. He can't walk for long periods of time, so it works out.

So, he'll just Be There, in his space, once he wakes up.]

[spellweave]

[There are few things more confusing than waking up from an accidental nap let alone waking up from one with someone sleeping beside you. He has a tremendous amount of concern for his life choices for a brief moment until his sleepy brain finally catches up to speed. He remembers where he is.

... That still does not quite explain this. Well.. it does, somewhat. He's very confused.

He can't tell if this guy is also asleep and so he slowly sits up and gently touches his shoulder to try and rouse him if he is.

Awkward.....]

[finethanks]

Ah...

[He was asleep, but it wasn't a deep sleep, thankfully, so just a gentle touch is enough to get him to open his eyes. As soon as he does, he smiles and sits up slowly, glancing fully to Alphinaud. Hi.]

You're awake. ♪ I thought that this was a strange place to nap, but when I tried it for myself, it was quite comfortable, after all.

a.

[moneytwin]

[ Vex finds the curry a little too heavy for a morning meal. But coffee, now coffee is a luxury she's learned to appreciate thanks to long association with Percival.

Her mug is a little heavy on the cream, and she's lifting it to slip on her way out when she hears a voice address her. ...An elf? And a range of leaves before him, along with some strange liquid.. ]

Hmmm? [slurrrrrp] Depends on the sort of trouble.

[spellweave]

[He can't say he's seen anyone else here that shares elezen characteristics. He doesn't express it but it does surprise him somewhat.

He offers her a friendly smile.] I sought to taste test this medicine. On its own it is so bitter it's difficult to swallow so I've attempted to alleviate that. I'd be grateful for a second opinion on which one might be more appealing.

It's safer than it sounds although I do not blame you if you've no interest.

[moneytwin]

[ Her ears and features aren't quite as pronounced as an Elezan; if anything, they might remind Alphinaud more of a certain Mongrel of Ishgard.

Brows furrow, a distinctly wary look present as she moves closer to his table, before she slides into a seat opposite. ]

Taste testing. [yeah, like that hasn't gone poorly before] For what kind of medicine, exactly?

B

[seventhdawn]

[Oh, dear.

Minfilia was on her way to some rest herself - not in the midst of whatever comfort chaos has descended upon these halls, but in her own room, away from the prying how-are-yous of well meaning friends. And now one of those exact friends lies curled up before her, spanning near the width of the hall.

Chances are good that Alphinaud also feels unwell. It won't do to leave him lying here for some less considerate soul to run into or worse, though. So Minfilia kneels and gently pats his shoulder.]

Alphinaud?

[spellweave]

[Waking up from an unexpected nap is disorienting. For a moment he doesn't understand why Minifilia is in his room? But then did his bed ever have this many pillows...?

He catches on eventually but only after he's sat up and stared at her for a few seconds, blinking sleep from his eyes.

....Oh.

He tries and fails to regain any dignity he has left here.]

I, er... [A-Ahem.

He's clearly embarrassed...]

...I apologize for blocking the hallway.

[H-How did he just fall asleep like that and in the middle of the hallway of all places?? Pillows are not an excuse...]

[seventhdawn]

In this instance, I don't think it was entirely your fault.

[As far as she's concerned, he hasn't lost any dignity to begin with. The whole arrangement is dreadfully enticing and looks warm and she has had to put all of her own discipline into not succumbing.]

Whoever has done this seems well-versed in the allure of such things, especially for the ill and exhausted.

[Speaking of ill and exhausted. His dark circles look as prominent as hers must. Minfilia stands back up, only to lean down to offer him a hand in rising.]

b!!

[adelphoi]

[ i mean, she could wake him, sure.

but she could also just go to sleep too.

alisaie has yet to contract this mystery space illness, like as not her stubborn fury and willpower alone enough to burn away any bug that dares enter her system, but she's been running herself ragged nonetheless. her bedside manner is questionable at best, so while she has been fussing over those she is close with, most of her time has been spent stamping her way through the forest in the rain, collecting samples and taking down notes, doing everything in her power to contribute to a cure.

so, she's bone tired. also very, very muddy. but that doesn't keep her from dropping right down next to him with a wide yawn, getting dirt all over the nice clean laundry. he seems to be breathing fine, so she's not particularly worried about him being alive, and it's sad to say she's gotten used to this slumber party in the hall nonsense.. anyway, she curls onto her side and shuts her eyes, her filthy fingers wound up in a nice crisp sheet. ]

[spellweave]

[He has a tendency to sleep so still that checking on his breathing is probably not unfounded. He isn't a heavy sleeper these days either yet he doesn't wake at all when Alisaie joins him. Now there are two small bodies blocking the hallway and passage is even less likely. At least they probably look adorable to anyone who happens by.

Time passes as they nap but the peace is eventually shattered when Alphinaud finally rolls in his sleep and elbows his sister roughly in the stomach. This collision startles him awake just as much as it probably startles her. This is mostly because for a brief moment he believes he's asleep in his usual room and in his usual bed so he is pretty sure no one is suppose to be next to him.

He turns his head and... oh. Well he still feels kind of confused but he at least understands where he actually is although he doesn't remember falling asleep in the hallway.

... There is mud and dirt everywhere. Why........]

B

[cakebuffet]

[Ann is en route to her own fort-in-progress from the kitchen, or at least making an attempt— the pillows and blankets strewn everywhere make the hallways something of a challenge to navigate, but she feels she's up to the task. She almost misses the fact that Alphinaud has dozed off in the middle of the corridor, but she manages to stop herself short before tripping over him.]

Whoa—! Hey...

[She drops down onto one knee, frowning slightly, her own blanket draped over her shoulders. She's not feeling so hot, herself, but she still reaches out to gently shake his shoulder. She doesn't want to be rough with him, especially since she can only assume he's come down with with the same illness everyone else has, but she doesn't want to just leave him here in the hallway, either.]

Alphinaud? Maybe we should get you somewhere more comfortable.

[spellweave]

[Now this is embarrassing. He's so groggy when she rouses him that he barely understands where he is at first. Mercifully he isn't really sick, although he does currently suffer from a very mild form of it, but he's been working himself quite hard to find a way to help those who are worse. This is probably obvious since he fell asleep so easily.

But it's embarrassing that Ann of all people found him and he turns a little red.]

... Indeed although I will say this is the most comfortable place I've slept in since I got here. [Haha... It's funny because it's true...]

But no, I am fine. I did not actually intend to fall asleep at all. I apologize for being in the way, Ann.

a

[punshots]

[ For his part, Prompto is very grateful that Alphinaud chooses to speak before Prompto has the chance to misidentify him and the wrong twin. At least he would have the excuse of being sick this time — but no, he would still be liable to mix them up on sight, even if he completely possessed all his faculties.

But that only means he's perplexed by the...green stuff that much quicker. What even is that? It's a small mercy he can't really smell right now, although if he could, maybe he wouldn't be leaning quite so close to inspect them, his eyes narrow. ]

Hey, uh...yeah, what's up, Alph? [ ... ] Please tell me that's not mucus.

[ PLEASE. ]

[spellweave]

[He is concerned as to why that is what Prompto first assumes when he sees the bowls. ... He supposes the texture kind of looks like it. Depending on what he tried to mix each with some of the concoctions are thicker than others. Hmm...

But at least Prompto is a familiar face! Even if he is also a sick one.]

Worse, I'm afraid. It's medicine. [Cheeky reply aside, given the initial taste, it may actually be worse.] Unfortunately it's so bitter it is difficult to take so I was attempting to mix it with other ingredients to make it better. I was seeking assistance in determining which might taste better.

[He needs other opinions besides his own especially if he wants to use this to help those who are ill.]