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]

[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?

[spellweave]

[When she seats herself he gets a better look at her. Indeed her features are a bit more akin to Hilda. It sparks instant curiosity--is she perhaps from Hydaelyn too?--but with another task at hand he pushes that aside for now.]

I aim to cure it if I can but that is likely beyond my skill level. So instead I've concocted some medicine to reduce fevers based on what I've learned thus far of herbal remedies. [Anything to give someone a fighting chance to fend the illness off before it advanced is better than nothing. But he made it for the express purpose to help a friend who was experiencing some pretty bad fevers already...]

If it is any consolation I have tested the medicine itself quite thoroughly and the worst side effect I experienced was feeling drowsy. Now it is my attempt to make it more pleasing to the palate that I seek assistance.

[moneytwin]

Most things about our situation appear beyond anyone's skill level. [including the so-called witch who brought them all here. Still, it isn't said with sarcasm; more a statement about their situation] So you're an alchemist then?

It's a shame Keyleth isn't here to lend a hand with that. She's the one who studied making potions. Though admittedly, I don't recall her making many.. [the group did rather get..distracted]

Oh, I see. You need a guinea pig. [she smirks] And what's in it for me?

[spellweave]

Nay, nothing to the sort. 'Tis a skill I have started to study only since arriving here. Without the use of my magic I fear I can do little in the way of helping as a whole and so.... I thought it best to set my mind to other things that may provide useful. [So far this had been one of them so that, at least, was a relief. It didn't make him any happier to be without his magic. Especially his healing spells.

Her potion making friend sounds like they'd be pretty helpful though he wonders what ingredients could be found for potions. Maybe he should look into that. Although that truly would put him down the alchemist path, huh...

...Ah. Right, well... he can't expect everyone to want to do this simply "because". He can respect that.]

I fear I have very little to give but... name your price and I shall do my best to accommodate it in exchange for your help.

[moneytwin]

So I'm not the only one to have lost things learned at home. [said more to herself, than him, but she can't deny the merits to taking time to learn things that make up for the loss] That's very practical of you... ah..

[ Hmm. Can't very well make a deal without a name here. Smirk becomes a winning smile, and she offers her hand. ]

I'd say a small favour of my choosing, to be owed at some later date, would suit in payment for taste testing. I'm Vex'ahlia, by the way.

[ How bad could this all taste anyway? ]

[spellweave]

[For her to say that makes him think she must be newer around here. They had all lost that... although that was assuming everyone had magic to begin with. There were a few he'd spoken to that had nothing like that in their home world and the discovery of unique powers upon arriving here had been a bit of a shock to them.

He returns the smile and politely takes her proffered hand.] I say we have an agreement then, Vex'ahlia. My name is Alphinaud. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'd be most curious to some day learn more about your lost abilities that you allude to. [To meet someone who could pass as a resident of Hydaelyn makes that curiosity all the stronger although rest assured he pokes his nose into this particular business of others very frequently regardless.

He drops her hand and motions towards the bowls.] Choose whichever one you'd like. I ask that you take small sips since it is medicine and it would be unwise to take down too much.

[It tastes real bad. His attempts to sweeten it were not enough to offset the bitterness.]

[moneytwin]

[ New. Very new. Arrived in time for sneezes to be the norm, apparently.

The handshake is firm, and brief, and she nods acknowledgement of his name. Certainly not one that you'd hear in Syngorn. Perhaps further east? ]

Perhaps some day indeed. [if she likes you] And that's a good warning. I'm well enough for the moment, after all.

[ Dipping the tip of her pinky and licking THAT earns a wary wrinkle of her nose, before she retrieves a small spoon and carefully scoops a very small amount of the concoction on to it.

It's gross. It's so vile. The way her face contorts is prelude to the coughing and gagging, and good manners barely prevent her trying to spit onto the floor. Instead, a napkin. ]

Gods above what did you put in that?!

[spellweave]

[Her reaction is honestly kind of amusing but he just met her and chuckling would be rude. He does feel kind of bad about it as well. It's clear his experiment with the taste did nothing to actually help it.]

That good, is it? [Haha... well, he tried.] Nothing but the herbs to make it and some kitchen ingredients to attempt to mask the bitterness. My apologies for the experience. It would seem I was not successful.

[But he was partially prepared for this and offers a glass of water to her that he had waiting.]

Perhaps I will have to instead change the form it is in entirely...

[moneytwin]

[ It is very funny from the outside, but most certainly not inside Vex's mouth. YuckyuckyuckYUCK. ]

That would be an understatement. Eugh.

[ The water is gratefully accepted, and its gulped down a bit to clear the taste. ]

Bleh. Well. At least it doesn't last long, as bad tastes can do.

[a hum] Less a potion, and more something solid, like a tablet? Would that work?

[spellweave]

[He appreciates the help at least! He definitely owes her whatever future favor she comes up with for him after this.

He nods at her suggestions.]

Precisely. The problem then is I've no idea how to convert it properly. [Beyond like... freezing it... but that isn't going to be much different taste wise.]

I suppose like the medicine itself it could be crafted but that may be beyond my ability. Then I had a thought that perhaps someone's power could assist but that seems far too specific. [He shrugs a bit helplessly but smiles.]

Or everyone could simply must deal with the taste.

[He says it as a joke but if he can't figure out maybe it'll have to be true....]

[moneytwin]

It could be worth speaking with others here. I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with medicine preparation beyond knowing that some can be dried out and eaten, rather than a straight swallow.

If we have to suffer a short term terrible taste over long term suffering...well, the taste will pass quick at least. [a hmm] I'd say ask our host for advice but she's rather busy, best as I can tell.