the plot thickens like a good soup

[angelshy]

kalon winter fest | team 🍲 ( signed up here )
this is where my prompt responses will go, pls no posting, ty !



🖍 = indicates artwork
🖋 = indicates written work

[angelshy]

What does your Kalon want to see first?

kujaku ( + his friends who may or may not be introduced later 👀 )

Not one ever having been acquainted with snow before, it baffled Kujaku to see the ground coated in white and to witness the snow melting almost instantaneously when it fell upon his fur. Despite being an avid lover of fall weather and autumn in general, it never occurred to him that it could get chillier! Seeing artwork and postcards of winter villages and snowcapped mountains during the Christmas season always seemed fictitious to him the same way Santa is, to his disappointment. After expressing this belief to his friends, he was met with astounded looks, some muffled chuckling, a sad expression, and one raised eyebrow accompanied with an, "Are you serious Ku?"

Now here he was, after indulging in his friends' wishes to trek alongside them to this supposedly real "Kalokairi Village," to discover that it was in fact real after all and that there was some sort of festival taking place. He was oblivious to the expression on his face, something his friends were excitedly inspecting as they ushered him ahead of them. After they'd settled into the inn they were staying at, everyone began branching off, somehow forgetting that Kujaku was glaringly unfamiliar with his surroundings and unsure about what to do next.

No matter though! Sometimes it's nice to discover things alone, Kujaku thought in an effort to reassure himself as he began walking out onto the street and wondering at the way he could see his own breath right before his nose, disappearing into the air. This early in the morning, there shouldn't be too many customers in that coffee shop over there, right? He'd already stepped inside and found that he'd guessed right after one glance told him that he was likely the first customer of the day. Perfect! He wasn't much of a coffee guy, but surely they'd have other options, like tea, which he much preferred. And what better way to figure out what to do than ask some locals? As he approached, he caught sight of an advertisement for ice fishing and became intrigued on seeing what that was all about, eagerly deciding to ask the kalons standing behind the counter about it.

[ 361 words ]

[angelshy]

Introduce yourself! What do you do for fun, what do you care about? Is there anything on your mind right now?

kujaku

Hey! My name's Kujaku and I'm really into calligraphy and writing poetry for fun, ha ha... yeah... kinda sounds pretentious of me or something, but I swear it's only cause I love being outside and there really isn't much else I can think of to do when I'm just... like... sitting outside. Oh you think it's cool? Well, I could definitely write a poem for you and your grandma later if you want! And, you know what's funny, you'd think I'd know that snow's real what with being outside a ton though, HA! Would you believe I didn't believe my friends that snow was real till they brought me here?

But anyway, what was the other question? Oh, right! Well, I'd say I definitely care about them, I mean I did indulge them and came along on the trek to get here. And I'm enjoying myself so far, this place seems like a great place to meditate and that's always something I like to do to clear my head.

You know, even though I just told you about how much I love being outside, I gotta say, I was pretty relieved when I saw the sign for this cabin! I was just thinking, the fur on my toes are frosting over! Nah, they aren't really, but man I'm glad that it's so warm and cozy in here, thank you.

[angelshy]

After hearing the story, your Kalon must be curious about the Winter Cryptid. What does your Kalon think about it? How do they imagine it might look like?

kujaku

Reveling in the tale, Kujaku imagined all the children in the village who must be terrified of it. Then he thought of the others… maybe others found comfort in this cryptid. Although it seemed somewhat scary, the very notion of holding a festival to thank it provided a certain warmth in his heart. Especially with the way Toma explained the cryptid’s history, calling it “local” as well, Ku couldn’t help wondering how old this creature was… legends can be far older than you think, he knew that.

And, although he didn’t know how old Toma was, he liked to entertain the idea that when he too was a young kit once and that maybe, just maybe, he’d heard of the cryptid for the first time and must’ve been apprehensive too. But, maybe he’d ventured a little too far out and lingered for a little too long on a winter night when the sun decides to leave too early… And he’d been frightened and left shivering in the cold, willing the moon to lead him back to the village, when he suddenly caught sight of something. A large, furry figure, too furry to even make out where its front or back would be, or even its eyes or jaws, white and blending in with the snow perfectly, and it huffed. There was a small puff of frosty breath emanating from where, it could now be determined, its mouth was. And it was turning and now it was approaching! But all it did was nudge little imaginary-Toma-as-a-kit back to the village and as it lumbered away, everything Toma thought he knew had shifted and, the following morning, the day lasted a little longer than the last.

Kujaku thought all this in the span of Toma’s short spiel and he smiled warmly in response much to a somewhat surprised Toma but, no matter what the other villagers may think, Ku liked to think this monster was actually quite nice.

[ 326 words ]

[angelshy]

“No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850.

What does this quote mean to you?

kujaku

Kujaku blinked slowly. He’d read The Scarlet Letter too long ago to remember its plotline, he’d even seen a stage production of it with his friend Jun, but he couldn’t recall any of the lines anymore. All he could think of now was the overwhelming sense of sudden dread. What was this trying to tell him? He was still blinking slowly when he sensed the mic being waved a little before his eyes and a voice saying, “Hey, bud, give us your answer! Take your time, we’ll listen.”

He took the mic and began to speak as slowly as he had been blinking, “I’m honestly not entirely sure what this quote means, even if I had context, I don’t think I’d still be able to give you my answer. But, I can tell you that the face I’m showing you now is the same I show my friends, it’s the same one I see when I look in the mirror when I’m alone. But, one’s countenance may change when among others. It’s when I… when I,” Kujaku felt as though he was trying too hard to sound smart, give an intellectual answer, and he thought about the quote again, “Uh― umm― when I… well… Let’s just say, right now at this moment, I’m talking to you and I’m hoping you think I’m a charming guy with some big brains, but maybe that isn’t how I really am all of the time, and maybe if I tried to always be that charming guy who’s spewing out knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to allow myself to just be alone with myself and my-not-so-intellectual thoughts or being openly vulnerable with my friends, because I’d be too worried about how I’m no longer that self that I thought I was and had been masquerading around for so long.”

He felt he’d accidentally talked for a little too long, but he was relieved to realize a moment later that barely anyone was paying attention anyway. One kal was though, Suni, who’d been intently listening to him rambling with an intrigued expression on their face. They winked good-naturedly, “I don’t know Kujaku, maybe you’re a whole lot smarter than you give yourself credit for and just as charming too.” Feeling comforted by what he recognized to be a way to reassure him, Kujaku smiled in reply.

[ 390 words ]

[angelshy]

What author do you most look up to and why?

kujaku

Kujaku thought for a moment.
He considered admitting to Suni that he didn't read very much... however... he did like the sound of a batch of free cookies.

So, once again, his mind wandered to his friends―specifically one―Rooney, who is an author after all! She’s also far more well read than myself, Kujaku thought to himself. And although Roo was particularly a children’s author, she did dabble in other age groups as well and would read a wide variety of books. Kujaku respected her passion for being a children’s author as he’d often listen to her talk about how, “You never know what kits will pick up from stories nowadays, that's why you need to be careful about what goes in those books.” And so she’d meticulously outline the message she sought to get across and would even pick Ku’s brain about what he thought about what she’d written. Those were some of his favorite conversations with her, especially if she’d pull their friend Jun into it as well since he was an aspiring playwright.

As Kujaku held the microphone once again, he chuckled briefly and could hear it reverb back to him softly from the coffee shop speakers scattered about. He had such talented writers as friends. “I actually look up to two authors, both of whom are my friends, Rooney and Jun. I don’t mind tooting their horns for them, they’re both quite inspirational. I don’t write stories the same way they do, but I do write poetry, and my art has been influenced by them one way or another, the same way they’ve influenced me. I most admire their passion and hope that my work can convey that same amount of love as well.”

He noticed some kals nodding as they sipped their coffee and, as he handed the mic back to Suni, he felt more confident about how he’d answered this time around. He also felt nice knowing he’d shouted-out his friends and decided to share the cookies he’d acquired with them later, wherever they were in this village.

[ 343 words ]

[angelshy]

Yuki is challenging you to a snowball fight, and some others show up to join in on the fun! Who is there, and how does your Kalon plan to win this one?

kujaku and his doctor, salem ( + salem's daughter, delilah )

With the salivating smell of soup and pie and whatever else was being conjured in that tempting kitchen area, Kujaku allowed himself to be dragged outside and soon the scent in his nose was replaced with the biting winter air. He swallowed as he attempted to keep up with Yuki whose pace hadn’t slowed even now when they were amidst the snow and cold.

Before he could find enough breath to plead with the kid to slow down a bit! because I’m dying here! Yuki came to an abrupt stop, the cause being that he’d collided with another kit who’d careened in front of him. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” The kit spun around apologetically, her long hair whipping around along with her, “But I just heard that there’d be a snowball fight somewhere around here! Is it true? Are you playing too?” Yuki scrambled up from where he’d fallen in the snow, clearly not hurt at all, and ready to forgive, as all was forgotten now that he was faced with the prospect of a partner around his age, “Yes! Yes, I am! Be on my team!” He bounced a little as he reached a small paw out for her to shake, “My name’s Yuki, what’s yours?” The other kit replied with a smile as she took his paw in her own, “Sure! And my name’s Delilah!”

But before the two kits could do anything else, two larger paws came down on Delilah’s shoulders, rooting her in place. Kujaku looked up to see that… it was his doctor, Salem! He mustered a surprised Hey Doc! as the newcomer began to speak, “Well, it seems you’ve met my daughter! We’re here on a brief father-daughter trip and this little goober didn’t bother listening to me before scurrying off on her own,” he said with a good-natured wink as he quickly tied her hair into a ponytail, “There we go, that’s better! Now you won’t go tripping on your own paws.”

And, with that, Delilah gave her father a quick hug before bounding away with her new friend. Yuki hollered over his shoulder, “Thanks for joining us mister! But we’ll beat you and mister Kujaku, you’ll see!” Kujaku laughed in reply but when he turned to face Salem, he saw a glint in his doctor’s eye, “Hey now, we can’t let those kiddos beat us, not on my watch!” Ku returned the look with a mischievous one of his own―what a team!―a doctor and his patient and… Toma suddenly appeared beside them, and winking conspiratorially “I’ll help, those two might get in a lot of trouble if I don’t.” Alright, a team of two dads… and Kujaku!

[ 446 words ]

[angelshy]

What is your Kalon's favorite thing to do to relax?

kujaku

Kujaku watched the two kits shaking their heads to get the snow out of their hair as their respective fathers began ushering them back into the warmth of the inn. He smiled as Toma looked back once more with a little nod meant to nudge him along with them and Kujaku obliged.

As much as he loved visiting The Polar Espresso, he didn’t often buy their coffee and much preferred simply sitting in the atmosphere of the shop and occasionally humoring the pair who worked there with their daily trivia and open-mic nights… but his heart truly resided with tea. His favorite method of relaxing was through sitting somewhere, anywhere―though preferably somewhere peaceful―and sipping his chosen cup of tea, often green. Then he’d ruminate about a poem he could write later on…

But, right now, the atmosphere wasn’t exactly peaceful, what with all the chattering around him, especially Yuki and his new friend. And yet, Ku didn’t mind it one bit. In a way, it was a different kind of peace and, hence, he decided he’d try a different kind of relaxation. Already feeling very warm and exceptionally cozy, so he sidled over to where Toma mentioned there’d be tea and was met with a pleasant surprise. Not only were there warm tea options, but cold ones too! Bubble tea? He’d never tried that before, maybe he would this time… and maybe he’d like it!

[ 235 words ]

[angelshy]

Spend some time drawing or developing a character you want to give more attention to and post what you made!

raine,xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxnoah,xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxand edmund

[angelshy]

What souvenirs does your Kalon buy and for who?

kujaku

Of all the souvenirs Kujaku assumed he’d come across in this quaint winter village, a mousepad was definitely not one of them. However, there it was, set alone atop a display table in the corner of this gift shop he’d wandered into. Then, as he approached the display table, he noticed several others were lined up next to it. Each one was shaped like a different creature, one a polar bear, another a reindeer, and even fluffy white fox. And each one seemed to have, well, two protruding “humps” meant to cushion one’s paw when using it for its intended purpose as a mousepad.

Kujaku chuckled to himself and thought that this’d make a perfect gift for his friend Jessica, a famous streamer who happened to be a PC gamer and often used her mouse during her “let’s plays.” He remembered her making a fuss about joining the friend group to visit here, but unfortunately couldn’t. This’d surely lift her spirits!

And, after facetiming her to ask about which one she’d like best, a younger worker noticed, recognized the kalon on the phone, fangirled for a moment, and gave Kujaku a well-endowed mousepad for free to gift to their favorite streamer.

[ 201 words ]