vella | Week 3 Log

Week 3 Log

WEEK 3 LOG ♬
Weather: Sunny and warm AM, cool PM until Friday. Friday - cloudy AM, rainy PM

Another Week Goes By

Monday morning comes along. It’s a quiet morning, which is much-needed after such a long island adventure. To anyone walking around the island, you’ll notice two things:

The airport is open, but the seaplane is gone.
Also, there’s a familiar face jogging around the perimeter of the housing portion of the island. That familiar face happens to be none other than the ninja rabbit himself, Snake! Looks like he’s already spending his first day on the island getting in shape!

When Tom Nook calls you all over for morning announcements, he looks pleased with himself. Even Snake comes over to join those who gather to listen to the tanuki. “Good morning, everyone! Let’s all give a warm welcome to our new friend, Snake!”

Cue applause. … Hopefully there is some applause, anyway. Snake grins and just looks very happy to be here.

“Next, I’m pleased to announce that the postal service is now open, since Orville is here to manage mail! You’re able to send individual messages to your fellow residents with gifts attached if you'd like, all handwritten if you’d like, yes. Alternatively, you can redeem what are called Nook Miles for items now -- they’re essentially a rewards system, and you can track your rewards on the Nook Miles app on your phone.”

“Essentially, the app will automatically award you for every contribution you add to the island, whether it be decorating your house, harvesting fruit, pulling weeds -- you name it! You can then turn in those Nook Miles at the airport, and that’s how we’ll be delivering items to you in the mail from now on.”

That’ll have the mail system make more sense, at least! Now it’s all on you if you decide to end up with 40 items in the mail all at once.

“The last announcement I have to make is that we’re going to make a second housing plot! The first one was a success, what with Snake moving in, and I’m grateful for Wilbur and Orville’s efforts in helping us build our island. So...with that, I need the following items for the next house:

1 Ironwood Table
2 Ironwood Dressers
1 Ironwood Clock
2 Ironwood Chairs

And just like last week, if nobody on the island has the DIY for these, I will send over the DIYs to your apps.”

He pauses, and then he looks a little...sheepish at this next announcement. “Now, I’m aware that some of you have been building bridges — and now that you all have vaulting poles and ladders, there are untouched parts of the island for you to explore. I’d like to ask you all to consider creating areas outside, such as an exercise area, perhaps even a park of sorts — though we will have someone coming in soon who may need some space.

Finally, this is just a request -- if you have any fossils, bugs, or fish, do turn them in to Blathers! He's very close to hitting his goal before we can open up a museum, so keep that in mind.”

He raises his hand, as if to end the morning announcements. “That’s all for today!”

Possible Objectives

1. Help Tom Nook prepare a housing plot for the second villager house!
2. Get Nook Miles to redeem items at the post office at the airport.
3. Help Blathers by catching and donating specimens.
4. Decorate and explore the untouched part of the island (see locations page; it’s the left hand area)

NOTE: Nook Miles are not a new mechanic and are simply an IC way to justify the rewards system, now! You don't need to keep track of points; just assume the threads you turn in are characters redeeming points for items.

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday

(OOC: Welcome to Week 3! Please direct all questions to the FAQ under the Week 3 top level.

Here's this week's Weekly Plotting Post for you all to use!

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let us know! Have fun!)

Taken / FAQ / Locations / Rewards / Full Nav

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[ By now, evening has settled and they're in their separate beds. It's already been a night since they've gotten their own and Dokja has already suffered some nightmares the night before. Leaving him groggy throughout Tuesday and struggling to sleep even now. He rolls one way, rolls to the other and.. gives up. It isn't long until he finds himself quietly.. carefully approaching the bed his companion is sleeping in.

..It's a little weird to see him asleep. (Is he asleep? He can't imagine that he's completely unguarded--) Still, for the past week he always ended up falling asleep before Joonghyuk and every time he woke up, Joonghyuk had long since woke up and gone about his day.

Before he realizes it, a hand carefully reaches out and brushes aside the other's black bangs. If one didn't know any better they would question on whether Yoo Joonghyuk actually slept since he always seems to have his guard up. Like one of those people that sleep with one eye open except Joonghyuk was surprisingly not that insane. Of course he's more than aware Joonghyuk at least sleeps more than Dokja manages to. ]

[ Joonghyuk's wolf ear twitches slightly when he hears Dokja approach him... Of course, he was initially asleep, but as his companion knows? He's used to be on guard. However, he's mastered getting enough rest and also being alert enough to notice anyone entering.

Despite that, he pretends to be asleep even if his whole body freezes when Dokja brushes his bangs. It's a familiar sensation. Just not familiar enough for him not to feel self-conscious and strange about it. Quietly, he curbs the confused emotions and keeps his face without creases. No scowl. He's "sleeping," so Dokja can say whatever he wants. Joonghyuk would be lying if he barked that he wasn't curious to know more about about his companion and his thoughts. ]

[ A hand rests on the bed after he brushes hair side, peering into the man's what he thinks may be his sleeping face some more. He actually looks peaceful like this. No scowl or frown, no crinkle or wrinkle on his face. The bed dips a little with his weight as he sits down slowly and he knows he won't be able to get away with him not noticing.

So, he waits a minute, before Dokja quietly calls out to him. Anxiously his tail swishes quietly behind him, the sound of it lightly brushing the sheets filling the air along with his low tone. ] Yoo Joonghyuk. Are you awake?

[ Dokja is right. Joonghyuk knows that Dokja knows him well enough that the weight on his bed wouldn’t go unnoticed. Whatever plan he had to eavesdrop is foiled... He cracks open an eye and peers up at him, wolf tail slightly thumping under the sheets against the mattesss. ]

I am. [ He has some guesses he can make. Sleeping well in their world isn’t easy when you e seen and experienced certain things. Despite that, he doesn’t press. ] What is it?

[ Ears twitch atop his head at the sound, however his eyes find themselves drawn to the eye peering at him. He swallows quietly, flickering his gaze down for a moment until he looks back to him. ]

I see. [ Did he wake him? Or had he just not fallen asleep yet? Dokja wishes he could shake this feeling, hands absentmindedly linking and releasing with another. Sometimes the nightmare are simple. Nothing but darkness, distant whispers, almost suffocating.. finding it harder to breathe, trying to block everything out- but then he wakes up in that same darkness and that terrifies him more.

When he was sick, he slept mostly undisturbed. Before that, there was the.. feeling of having company there, having Yoo Joonghyuk there that helped ease him. It takes a moment but he answers him. ] I, ah, couldn't sleep.

[ Then even quieter. ] ..Is it alright if I stay here?

[ Dokja tries to not look embarrassed by asking that, tries not to show the light tremble in his hands from the effect of the nightmare still running under his nerves. To think, as powerful as Dokja is back in their world, he still gets haunted by nightmares and tries to still play it off as if he's fine. ]

Edited (jk i thought of more to say) 2020-07-14 07:16 (UTC)

[ Joonghyuk stays quiet as he watches Dokja's faint form in the dark, barely making out the small little movements in his body. He doesn't quite see it too well, but he can sense and hear the slight vibrations of the quivers. He's always known Dokja to have trouble sleeping at home, assuming it had to do with the amount of nonsense filling his mind. Once in a while, he will catch Dokja startling awake. He always wondered what went on in his head... What happens in there that makes their leader jump in a cold sweat?

His ears pin back as he continues to wonder, tail slightly shifting under the sheets. He can ask if he wants, but it won't help—he knows that. There is something he can do, though. No answer is uttered. Instead, he lifts his sheets so that Dokja can join him. Joonghyuk was conveniently sleeping on one side already, anyway... Being closer to one edge makes it easier to stand up and fight if he needs to. Dokja can occupy the other side like he did before. ]

[ The silence that fills between them starts to feel a little uncomfortable. The longer Joonghyuk goes without saying anything, the more Dokja considers laughing it off and getting up to head back to his room. Come up with some excuse, to wave this all off. Lips part with an idea hanging on the end of his tongue until he catches sound of the blankets shift.

He promptly closes his mouth shut. He blinks in the darkness, but he can see that the blankets are held up enough to indicate his answer that wasn't verbally said. His chest feels strangely tight and his heart is starting to race a little. However, he shoves both of those thoughts to the back of his mind, carefully sliding in under the sheets and instead of turning away he stays facing his companion.

It's still a bit hard to see, scooting just close enough until he can make his face out a bit more. He considers saying "thanks" but he opts out and stays quiet as he carefully moves his tail between them. Three weeks in and one would think you would get use to sleeping with a tail but it still kind of got in the way. At least his breathing has evened out, any nervousness and shaking has seem to have left him and a sense of.. comfort washes over him. ..It's as he thought. He prefers it this way. ]

[ Once Dokja joins him in the bed, he drapes the sheets over him and makes sure it covers his tail. He can't go the distance to make sure Dokja is tucked in tail and all, though. Joonghyuk gets comfortable again, closing his eyes with his arms over the sheets. He started sleeping this way ever since his world changed for the very first time. A lot of his habits and choices now stem from the will to survive.

His tail sweeps along the mattress before curling closer to his leg. ]

It's quiet here.

[ Unlike home when there's always some noise. Always some sound whether it be the sound of monsters or demons from earlier scenarios or the footsteps of their allies in the complex. Biyoo used to always rest with Dokja, too, didn't she? For Joonghyuk, his memories kept him company.

... But now it's different for Dokja, no? ]

[ That's enough for him. Burrowing a little more as the blanket drapes over him, a seeming content sigh escaping him. Were he a cat he would probably be purring. Fortunately he's not, ears flickering back as his tail slowly sways under the sheets. His half-lidded gaze lingers on his companion as he distinctively sees the other close his eyes, growing quiet again. Dokja can't imagine him being this relaxed before. Then again, he's aware he is a bit ahead in their timeline.

After all, he's aware of what it is that Dokja plans to do. He must have gotten comfortable living in the more peaceful world he wants to provide for them. Dokja isn't sure how much time passes before he hears the sound of Joonghyuk quietly break into the silence. Lips twitch, unable to stifle the chuckle escaping him. ] Sometimes a little too quiet.

[ How use to he's grown to the sound of noise around them. Monsters, demons, even the messages coming in from Constellations, their allies voices.. It became background noise at some point but it was a constant reminder.. he wasn't alone. It wasn't just him anymore. His tail curls over and brushes against the other's own. A fleeting touch akin to a brush of fingers. ] Sleeping by myself feels too lonely.

[ It's spoken softly, as if he wasn't sure if he should say it out loud. If he should be telling anyone. But he knows Joonghyuk is curious, hasn't dared to ask, and because of it Dokja felt it was.. okay to be forward about it for once. Before, where he would keep everything to himself, has grown throughout this adventure with everyone. He knows he has a problem of not telling them anything so he's.. trying. ] Silly, isn't it?

[ His tail freezes to the touch before settling again, allowing Dokja to occupy that space, too. ]

Are you a child?

[ Whether that’s silly or not, Joonghyuk doesn’t confirm. Personally, he understands... In earlier regressions, he suffered from sleepless nights with nerves alight with brimming paranoia. The loneliness drowned him, then sometimes comforted him. He’s grown used to it now—numb to it unless the threat levels are high enough.

Nowadays, he can sleep more peacefully with some guard up. With the complex being rather safe, then also this island... The quiet isn’t bad. Gently, he strokes his head. ]

You’re not alone, you fool.

[ How much space can Dokja occupy until Joonghyuk just slides off the bed--

A quiet scoff sounds, his tail now flopping over his companion's own as though to reimburse him for that comment. Maybe he is a child. What kind of adult still gets the occasional nightmares since they were a kid? How despite all his talk, the way he held himself, he was still just a broken man and not an overpowered being.

Eyes blink suddenly at the touch of that gentle hand, feeling a chill run down his spine as ears flicker back. A hand raises to lightly rest fingers on that arm but does not shove or try to remove that hand atop his head. He spends a moment thinking on it instead. It's not the first time this has happened while on the island, nor even the second, it's happened a few times by now and he wants to tell his heart to calm down.

It's funny in hindsight how use to the more threatening grips and contact Dokja is use to Joonghyuk treating him with. However, this still manages to comfort him as the times before, finds himself at ease. A quiet laugh leaves him, paying close attention not to be too loud. There's still Kairi that they're sharing a house with. Ears quiver back, head dipping a little but it's closer to the other rather than away. ] I know. You're here. And the rest of our friends back home too.

[ It needs some getting use to. Dokja is aware how much of a broken record he must seem, and how.. frustrating that must be to deal with every time. After all, he's gotten plenty of yelling from Han Sooyoung and Jung Heewon doesn't hesitate to speak her mind to him. ] The mind works in strange ways.

[ Though that's spoken distantly, thinking of the Fourth Wall. How absent his thoughts have become without it talking, without it protecting him.. calming him down. How vulnerable he is to his own emotions has become so much more obvious now on this island. ]

[ Joonghyuk would Not allow that. He would kick Dokja off the bed before that ever happens. His tail wiggles underneath the other's, not pulling away because he's too tired to deal with something so trivial right now. While his eyes aren't open, he can tell from the sound of Dokja's voice that the fragile and insecure side of him has surfaced. He has seen crumbs of it in the past... The man sometimes was on the verge of breaking into pieces, but he still held on. It never meant the fear of uncertainty in his eyes ever disappeared.

To feel the tremors in his voice, to sense the vulnerability in his form on the bed—it almost garners pity from Joonghyuk. He knows better, though. Dokja is more than a wayward soul and he doesn't need pity. It won't help him at all. Joonghyuk just needs to guide him back. He allows the hand to rest on his arm, deciding to let his arm rest in between them in turn. ]

... Do you want to listen to a story?

[ Maybe that will calm him down and he'll be his usual self again? ]

[ Even though Joonghyuk is no longer looking at him, it just piques more interest from Dokja. Maybe he's just that tired. He would think that Yoo Joonghyuk was the kind of man that would always keep an eye on him, even in bed. (~~squints~~) His free hand raises between them close to the other's face, halting in movement as he dawns on what he's doing and rests it instead on the mattress.

Ears twitch atop his head with a brush against the pillow, fingers twitching on the arm that it lingers on until that hand grows just a bit more firm. An offer to hear a story from Yoo Joonghuyk? Of course he's curious, what kind of story is it? Something he's heard before? Or something new? Even if it's a story he's heard of before.. it'll be new to him. To hear it from the other man.

Of course, he can't help but quietly tease. ] ..Yeah. I do. Though you should know, I'm a little picky with what kind of stories I listen to. [ A softer laugh sounds at his words. However, he does feel a little excited. ]

Beggars can't be choosers.

[ So Dokja just has to listen to Joonghyuk tell his story! After his offer is accepted, he stays quiet to rummage through the many memories he has... Some of when Dokja was around, some when he wan't. Would it be better to retell one of his beloved chapters in Ways of Survival? His tail twitches under the sheets as he lands on something he doesn't think has been explained or elaborated, considering Yoosung was shy and embarrassed about the fiasco.

Remember. Dokja asked for this. ]

I will tell you about the Elephant Monster Who Almost Became Kim Dokja.

I'm not begging.

[ Which he has no issues pointing out. Yoo Joonghyuk offered, and he's taking up said offer! That's all. However, Dokja continues to watch the look on his companion's face as he tries to think of something. He chuckles a little, muttering something like, "You'll get wrinkles with an expression like that." His tail swishes against the other's when he feels it twitch, he doesn't think it'll be possible to tangle the two together. His own fox-like tail is quite poof.

He didn't ask for this specifically don't pin this on him. His gaze is drawn on those black pointed ears. He still keeps his hold on that arm throughout, but this time his free hand does raise up to touch a curve as though to map out the shape of an ear. His fingers twitch along with his lips as he blanks at the words. ]

..Huh? Wait, why that of all things? [ Of everything you could've picked... hello? Wait, he should shut up and listen. His mouth closes immediately as though to let Joonghyuk continue. ]

[ Dokja's tail is much poofier than his, it's true. It's very soft when Dokja actually combs it, but he digresses. His ear flickers when he feels that brush, eyes cracking open to shoot him a real squint this time. If it weren't at some ungodly hour in the night... He swears. ]

We were trying to clear a sub scenario and there was an elephant monster... Shin Yoosung couldn't use Diverse Communication on it and Lee Gilyoung berated her for it. However, she thought she sensed a connection between the monster and herself. It wasn't attacking us, either, and seemed to be especially fond of her. I wanted to get rid of it. Han Sooyoung agreed.

[ Of course, they did. ]

But Jung Heewon, Yoo Sangah, and Lee Hyunsung were sympathetic. We have only lost you a month ago... [ He grows quiet because he remembers how he reacted to the messages telling him Dokja no longer existed in the < Star Stream >. ] Lee Jihye as well wanted to believe. The majority chose to bring it back to the Industrial Complex and we all took turns trying to understand and communicate with the elephant monster, thinking it's you and that it'll eventually regain the humanity it never had.

[ ... ]

It especially did not like me.

[ Hey, he's gotten better with it? When he remembers, anyways. If he does, he makes note to brush Joonghyuk's as well if he's nearby. If he has to groom then obviously he needs to too. He grins a little at the squint but he's not being stopped? So, he continues as he listens to the story.

The corners of his eyes start to crinkle with mirth, unable to stop another quiet laugh from leaving him. ] That sounds like her.

[ There's fond in his tone, knowing exactly the kind of girl his Incarnation is. And frankly not surprised that those two in particular wanted to get rid of it. He does grow equally quiet at mention of losing him. It's only a light smile lingering on his lips now as he caresses a black ear. The others respond as he expects. Lee Jihye too, huh.

..Ah. that last statement got him. Dokja is.. trying really hard to hold back laughter this time. He really is. Jaws tight, keeping a mostly neutral face but it's struggling as his shoulders tremble with the held back laugh. It's. It's really funny. His voice shakes as he carefully tries to respond. ] I.. I see.

[ Pbbbbfffttt. ]

[ It's good to see that Dokja is listening intently, no longer thinking on whatever thoughts plaguing him. His tail every once and a while will slightly wiggle under the sheets as he recalls memories. That train comes to a halt when he hears those stifled laughs, though. ]

Why are you snickering?

[ Also, stop touching his ear. That's enough. Taking Dokja's wrist, he pries that hand away from them and moves it under the sheets. ]

It's funny, isn't it?

[ His tone has a bubbly-like lift to it, clearly doing his best to still stifle such laughter. Even though he wants to badly. Dokja lets that hand pry it away, even if the sensation of fur still tingles under his fingertips. ]

Did it bother you? That it didn't like you.

[ It's such a odd thing to mention in the story. So, he can't help but wonder if Joonghyuk in a way was secretly bothered by the fact that this elephant monster apparently did not like him. It's what makes it so funny. ]

[ ... He doesn't like the implication of that question? Joonghyuk frowns as he closes his eyes, attempting to catch some rest. An ear flickers in annoyance as he stays quiet, trying to find an answer.

No one likes being hated. Not even Yoo Joonghyuk by one of his precious allies, too. ]

Why would it bother me?

[ Under the sheets, his tail is puffing up. ]

[ Oh, Dokja can feel the puff of that tail. Especially since his own is draped over it, and though he can barely make out the expression Joonghyuk is making he can tell.

It bothers him. Not because of what it actually was, but what it potentially could've been. Hands lightly touch the arms held between them, gaze lowered with a contemplating hum. With his mind relaxed, distracted due to the tale of the story he can feel himself being draped with a blanket of sleepiness. ]

You should know that I like you, Yoo Joonghyuk. [ Despite everything, it isn't as though Dokja doesn't like him. ] Even if you're a pain sometimes.

[ Joonghyuk stays quiet as he hears those words... It's not like ever doubted that Dokja cared for him. If he didn't, then why did he keep dying for all of them? Even though they're "fictional characters." No sane person would do that. Opening his eyes, he watches his friend finally find the rhythm of sleep. ]

Go to sleep.

[ He says that, but he shifts a bit closer with intentions to watch him for a little longer. ]

What? I don't get another story?

[ It's said softly, with a smile tugging at his lips and a close of his eyes. Joonghyuk doesn't respond to his words but he thinks maybe that's for the better. He wouldn't know how to respond, much less react, if he had. ..Yeah. This was probably better.

Ears briefly twitch at the slight movement, gaze half-lidded as he takes in that just maybe his companion is a bit closer. But he's too sleepy to think on it. However, one hand does lightly reach over to touch the front of his friend's chest. His gaze lowers but the blanket covers most of them, fingertips searching until he finds that heart beat. A steady thump, thump- a reminder that they are very much alive. Not that they are in any danger here but.. nightmares are a fickle thing.]

[ The touch to his chest has his heart either stop or skip a beat, he isn't sure which. It was so sudden, but it returns back to its normal pace though his eyes round in confusion. It doesn't last long consider how sleepy he is himself. Carefully, he cups Dokja's hand with his scarred hand and brushes his thumb along the palm.

Carefully, he places it between them, giving it a slight squeeze. The more he thinks about it, the more he realizes he is relieved that Dokja likes him. ]

There will always be time for more stories, Kim Dokja.

[ So rest up. Close your eyes. ]

[ If Dokja notices that brief stutter with his heartbeat, it doesn't seem to show. Though his gaze flutters suddenly at feel of that hand around his own. He had done it earlier, but that's because he was touching his ear.. so it was a clear sign of annoyance.

This was different. The hold was.. light. Catching feel of that thumb over his palm that sends a shiver through him, tail quivering in response. He doesn't say anything as it's held in place after as his fingers almost cautiously squeeze back. ...Mm. Okay. ]

..Alright.

[ He decides not to argue anymore. If because he can feel his own heartbeat stutter. He forces his eyes shut, a quiet breath leaving him and subconsciously cradles that hand holding his closer. Almost as though it was a lifeline to chase away any coming dreams. Bad or good. ]

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Week 3 Log

closed for yjh cause my brain small.

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