recolle | ( OPEN ) it's the time for ugly sweaters

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( OPEN ) it's the time for ugly sweaters

WHO: Akira Kurusu, local nasty crimeboy and people
WHERE: places in Recolle
WHEN: throughout this god forsaken month of December
WHAT: December happenings (includes event log stuff, Catmosphere Cat Santa, and... stuff) Thank god i wrote up a comment. Reply to the plotting comment if you would like Akira to send your character a Christmas card, too!!
WARNINGS: Akira existing.

santa is coming to town

[ The cat cafe staff have spent relentless hours deliberating over the limited edition Christmas menu all for naught, but they changed their process for the whole month. All hail aromatherapy! You'll be hit with the refreshing smell of fresh pine, peppermint, cookies if you lurk any deeper. Everyone's favorite carols are also playing... mixed in with carols sang by cats. You may curse the owner for this. They also have a cat music video for these carols on some of the flat screen TVs that would usually show menu items.

So Akira is at work dressed up as... Santa. Without the beard at least, but his outfit is rather extravagant for the occasion. Of course there's that small touch of cat ears attached to the hat. It wouldn't be Catmosphere Cafe without it! He's seated on a grand throne, decorated with snowflakes, ribbons, and presents around it. The cats aren't tearing it apart, either. Amazing. ]

Have you been naughty or nice?

spice adventures

[ Usually, he would ask someone he knows to join him, but... He feels a bit off as of late. It means that he'll be dragging some poor soul (or even call up random people) to join him on his quest. With taste being gone, this is one way to entertain himself when he's hungry.

If you even look at a restaurant momentarily with a spicy challenge, Akira is there with a flyer for it. ]

Want to give it a try together? It'll warm us right up.

[ If you need a reference as to how well your character handles spice, please refer to this chart. Akira is three chili peppers hoping to level up... This will help with anyone's courage stat, too. ]

christmas event surprise

[ Akira definitely has been a victim of garlands, mistletoe bats, and slipping on ice like an idiot. Go ahead and and pick your choice! He's running away as fast as he can from two out of those three and, like his predecessor, will pretend to be dead if he slips on ice.

Also, for those that are around when he opens his present from the Retrospec Christmas tree, you'll notice he has been staring inside the box he opened...

For a long time. He remember reading the description as "a stone worth 100k yen" on his ticket, but... Uhm. ]

wildcard!

[ HIT ME. Akira's cat won't be joining him later in December due to the cold, but he's around the university and sometimes the most desolate of areas. Anyone may even catch him or a dragon in the forest. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ alternatively, he could just live life not having to worry about some public embarrassment, a burning mouth, and sweat making his already close-fitting clothes feel a lot more snug?

but that's probably not as fun, tbh. ]

Tough people? [ a hum of thought as he takes his seat. ] But I feel that those who come into the cafe are already tough people... in spirit.

[ he's not running the Salty Spitoon, they're not screening people who can't prove their toughness! ]

Wings. Well, at least they're not asking us to eat entire peppers. [ though as soon as the first round of wings are placed in front of him, he's having second thoughts. they look real... red. ]

[ It spices up your love life, okay? Accept it, Leon. Akira can't say that he knows which cafe Leon works that... But he imagines it must be nice? Or at least he would like it, just based on what Leon is wearing.

Yes. Fashion is a great indicator. ]

Then they'll look up to you who is tough in spirit and possesses a tongue of steel?

[ Well, that sounded weird, but they can't back out now. The aroma practically clears up their sinuses and warms up their nose. ]

... Wow. Maybe ice cream would be good after this.

At the very least, I could get my employees to go through this challenge as well. If I say I can do it, then they can do it. Motivation, in some way.

[ his nose is tingling. for a moment, he wonders if this is a warning signal? his eyes aren't watering yet, which is probably a good thing, but still... ]

I mean, I feel like my tongue is already made of steel.

[ no taste. all sadness. HONESTLY this sounds like the best/worst diet ever created??? ]

Do we have to bite down at the same time?

Let's pause that thought for now.

[ Akira doesn't want to say that those employees might even quit? Worst case scenario they would die. ]

There's no rules about how we eat. If you brought a blender with you, you can make a wing shake.

[ That sounds so gross, but it's okay. Akira will start on the pile. His eyes sparkle once, enjoying the heat for a second...But smiles awkwardly. ]

... It's hot.

[ so basically, sacrifices for the spicy food god. not a bad idea for the future. ]

A wing shake.

[ he swallows. it sounds disgusting, but least the sour taste in his mouth just thinking about it dies from being unable to sense it.

oh well. one wing down the hatch, eating it daintily and trying his best to keep his fingers as clean as possible. ]

Is it? [ he sets the gnawed wing down and licks his lip. ] Doesn't feel that bad---

[ and then it hits. ]

--- whew.

[ Akira makes a low hissing noise as an attempt to keep his cool as he's on his third wing now? He's pacing himself, but at this point it might be easier to eat as fast as possible or perish. ]

It suddenly doesn't even feel like winter.

[ He's tempted to gulp some water, but some poignant sips are better. He can't get full just from water alone. ]

You're not intimidated, right?

[ Even though he can see Leon's expression, he asks, anyway. This is not only a challenge, but a competition now. ]

[ lord, he's so strong? watching Akira pound wings like they're nothing makes him sweat nervously... that and it's the heat that makes his entire face feel like it's on fire. ]

... intimidated?

[ both eyebrows raise. this feels... well, it feels bad. he definitely doesn't want to be carried? what's he look like, someone who can't pull his own weight??? ]

Of course not. [ he bristles, taking a second wing and promptly chomping down on it. ] What do you think I am.

[ HE'S ON FIRE GOD EVERYTHING HURTS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, internally.

externally, the tiniest bead of sweat.

also his heart is going to explode ]

A homely cafe owner with a cute dungeon.

[ GET CARRIED, SCRUB. Akira was hoping it would spark some a fire (hah) in Leon, not woes. He's fanning himself as he's eating another wing. It's hard... So very hard, but he's trucking on.

Trucking and dying. ]

Remember we have water.

[ That's... more of a reminder for himself since outwardly DEATH is written across his face. ]

[ why did Akira just put Leon in the dumpster? how dare he??? what an incredibly not-really rude boy, where did he learn his manners! he's going to have to... save a cat-head shaped cookie for him later. one with black frosting and blue eyes. that'd show him. ]

W-water... [ grabbing his glass, his knuckles are white with how tight he's gripping it. at least he could feel how cool it is, with his fingers stained with hot sauce. ]

... not yet.

[ WITH DETERMINATION he eats third and then chases it with a fourth. the heat isn't as bad when they're eaten quickly, but when just sitting there... well, his ears are starting to sweat a little. ]

And how many waves of chicken wings are we supposed to eat?!

[ said with a cracking voice. ]

[ Just cause you're a scrub doesn't mean you're complete trash. Akira has no shame in taking a sip as Leon debilitates over taking that refreshing step. He would stop to continue eating, but this is quite a sight.

Two down in less than five seconds? It looks like they're about to hit the third wave with how far they've gotten. Akira now is behind on the wing race. Not that he minds at all? ]

We have one more to go, I think.

[ Thank you for the carry. He attempts to be useful by downing the last one for this wave. Once it sinks into his stomach, he makes

a face. ]

[ eventually, scrubs do go in the trash. at one point or another.

despite things going a little hazy, whether it's from the adrenaline from eating all the spicy wings up to this point or due to the fact his mouth is so numb (nevermind not being able to taste any of the wing's natural flavors, he probably wouldn't be able to with the burning), he does watch that... face.

that kind of face. that facey face. ]

Are you all right?

[ he has to wipe off his face with an unused napkin which takes him a moment to find. the last thing he wants is to put any of the sauce in his eyes. he would probably go blind. ]

[ or you can just git gud. i believe.

Leon has proven to be a great adversary and ally in their spicy race challenge. He's taking slow and deep breaths—in and out. In and out. The last wave of chicken wings is set before them and suddenly it feels like Mt. Everest. He has to wipe beads of sweat off his forehead that from simply looking at it. ]

I'm thinking I'm hitting my limit.

[ HE SAYS THAT, but he takes another wing and eats it with a grimace. ]

[ GITTING GUD IS TOO HARD, where's the pay to win option??? he can totally afford it! where's the suptix or the guaranteed 5* that will eat the wings for him... ]

Yeah? [ wait, is he winning? is his burnout soul giving him some kind of advantage here? or... maybe he just has a more competitive spirit inside of him than he originally realized?

OR MOST LIKELY, his brain is actually melting. ]

... there is no limit. What's the worst thing that can happen?

[ and he reaches for his water, but the glass is empty.

oh. no.

his heart sinks into the lava that is his entire body. ]

[ Well, that 5*/guaranteed SSR is definitely not Akira. He's still helping even though he said his limit is close. At this point, his tongue feels numb and his stomach is on fire. Is this what being tortured is like? ]

The worst thing is that—[ Oh, do you need water? Akira thinks about passing him his glass, but it's also empty. It's fine. This is fine. He raises a hand to get a sever's attention...

In tears. ]

[ every second is agonizing. every second is an inferno behind his eyes, in his sinuses, flames on the tips of his ears, and his stomach? well. let's not talk about that part. all of him is wondering if he'll ever recover from this, and how stupid he is to have taken this challenge? even with someone else, no picture or free ANYTHING is worth it.

also? in good faith, he can't put any of his employees at risk from this... horrendous punishment. ]

... we're going to die here, aren't we?

[ he puts his head down on the table, being very careful to not put his face right into a messy plate. it's also tempting to lick the surface underneath him, just to get some of that spice off... but he's not THAT desperate yet. ]

Hang in there, Mister Aksera. Water is coming.

[ Voice hoarse and throat dry, he tries to stay positive. The server finally notices them and brings a full pitcher of cold water. To think it's technically winter outside... If they look out of the window, they'll find everyone in sweater weather, knitwear up to their necks while traversing the snow. Quickly, Akira pours a refreshing glass for the both of them, nudging the cup over to Leon with much haste.

The oasis is here. Don't die. ]

Should I just pour the water on you?

[ Will that help them win?! ]

[ it's like he's about to cross into the oasis, only before he reaches it, the sand falls away to reveal red hot lava and he immediately sinks into it, losing all of his hearts and having to return back to the spawn area. or a bed. ]

No... no, don't do that... [ the worst part about a burning mouth is even the open air makes everything hurt? slowly, he reaches for the glass. the cool feeling on his fingers revive him, a reminder of what's to come when he brings it to his lips and chugs it down!

EXCEPT!!!!

he just... misses his face. some goes in his nose. he's now a sputtering mess, as water goes down the wrong hole. coughing, he pounds the table with his non-glass holding hand.

everything sucks ]

[ oh

my god.

Akira was sipping his own glass before seeing all of that. While the crisp sensation of water doesn't completely alleviate the burn, it helps him cope. At least one of them survived? There's pity, sympathy, and consideration that he may need to repay this man for joining him in this god forsaken challenge. But...

Usually, he can keep his cool, but he can't help it. He tries to hush himself into a snicker rather than a full-blown laugh, but the water also ends up going down the wrong pipe for him. Hacking and coughing along with Leon, though not as showy, it seems this may be the end for them. It alarms all of the servers. Quickly, the staff comes to their aid and pats their backs like they're a couple of babies. ]

[ THESE BACK PATS AREN'T HELPING and he grumbles, slamming his fist into the table again for added measure. it's the best way to cope as he can't get another mouthful of water to aid in repairing his frayed nerves and his scorched mouth.

he has to wave the servers away before he gets actually upset, though he wouldn't want to lash out at complete strangers. not in front of Akira. the sudden attention feels claustrophobic and combined with the burning, has him gasping for breath in a different way--- from panic. ]

I have... to get out of here.

[ now he's in agony in TWO ways! but at least he's finally able to grab some water and hide his face as he tries not to show the tears growing in the corners of his eyes. ]

[ Akira seems to be doing better with the servers, finding them patting his back is helping the pain in his lungs, coughing up just to clear it up. After the fiasco ends and the staff realizes that they're okay, they disperse and Akira is left laughing normally like this entire thing is so silly. Choking on water over some spicy wings? How ridiculous can they get?

But then he notices how ill Leon looks. A wave of concern washes over his face as he speaks up, leaving the glass of water on the top and his mouth still on fire. ]

... Hey, are you okay?

[ How he managed to speak, even softly, is a miracle. But, shhhh, kitty. It's okay. ]

[ through the pounding of his heart in his ears, he can hear Akira's words clearly. the panic slowly subsiding, he rubs his eyes with the backs of his wrist before lifting his head out of the safety of the nook of his elbow. hopefully, his face isn't any more obviously red than before. ]

Y-yeah. I don't... know why I said that.

[ embarrassment! pure embarrassment. not like adults can't cry, but it's still a very compromising position to be in. but at least the heat has waned enough for him to come to his senses, taking a few cleansing breaths. ]

... still feels like I'm on fire, though.

[ !! Oh, Leon is back. Akira can take a relieved breath of air (which still burns his tongue, ouch) as he leans back against his seat. It seemed like his companion was having a panic attack... He wouldn't know what to do in that situation if that were the case and persisted. ]

It's all right; I'm just glad you're okay. We still have twenty minutes left, so let's rest.

[ Here! More water! With much gusto, he fills up the glass to replace the water that spilled everywhere. ]

Sorry for dragging you to spicy hell, though...

[ twenty minutes... well, beats twenty hours! at least the optimist in him hasn't died in a fire yet, though there's probably plenty of time for that to happen, too. just not here. maybe when he's working.

another mouthful of water, and he holds it in for a moment before swishing, then swallows it down. he's almost back to normal! whatever normal is, anyway. ]

Wasn't that spicy, right?

[ with an extremely weak laugh, he puts his forehead back down on the table. ]

I thought the older you get, the weaker your sense of taste was supposed to be... I kind of thought the spiciness would've gone with it, too.

[ It just meant that they wasted ten minutes forcing themselves to suffer... But Akira is also taking a break. He watches Leon recover slowly, like a stray cat licking its wounds and putting its guard back on. It's okay. He chuckles a bit after he takes a long sip. ]

Since we don't have taste anymore, it would make spice a sensation, right?

[ ... Squints at him. ]

You're not even that old, Mister Aksera.

[ squints right on back. ]

Being around such lively and young spirits at the catfe, I feel like my age has increased two-fold. A sacrifice I'm willing to make for the good of everyone else.

[ then, he huffs out another laugh. a little more confident than the previous one. ]

Besides. I'm older than you, aren't I?

[ and THAT, he's pretty sure of! then again he's also pretty sure that whatever he's been pretty sure about has been more or less been destroyed by recent events. like the stupid app. and the stupid no taste thing. ]

( OPEN ) it's the time for ugly sweaters

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