Here's the OOC thread for this chapter. Questions and comments welcome.

Just the HA contest this time. You need a puzzle break. You may use any items on Subeta.

ONLY two members of each team need to do an HA for this, although more are welcomed. Only two will be judged, so, if you want to take a bye, go ahead.

...are we supposed to use novels from the real world (even if our characters would never have heard of them, let alone read them), or do you want us (in the case of nonhuman, never or barely exposed to English-language literature/media, characters) to dress our characters as the main characters in their actual favourite novels (which you and/or your judge panel would never have heard of)?

I am pretty sure my engineering student hasn't spent a lot of time reading Terranaani literature...

ETA: I may also be overthinking this, but are there items of clothing available for our characters to put on, or can they just imagine themselves in these outfits, or what?

Yes, you really are overthinking this, and making it more difficult than it needs to be, although I can't say I'm surprised. I thought there was a chance this might occur. So, if you wish, you may use a book on Subeta OR a book of your character's own devising. Provided you can explain the character and why you chose this, go ahead.

Reading your profile, I think you well might be able to pull it off! :)

You must actually make an HA of said character in actual Subeta items, which you may never have heard of, and type the explanation in that dang unknown English. See how this goes?

In the end, this is about pleasing the judges, and giving the players a break with something easier than the puzzles they've struggled with in the last two chapters.

I get what it's about and I could probably do it but if my favourite book series is okay there's a much better option. (Because honestly, Dhara's favourite book is probably an engineering treatise.)

I'm surprised that the typing thing came into your mind because it's third person. I'm describing what she does, she doesn't have to type a thing!

What tripped me up was having all this addressed directly to her, as though she were the one deciding what to cosplay.

I hope I'm not annoying you, do you not like the strict divide between OOC/IC knowledge that I'm used to?

The book can be one in real life or will it have to be a book on Subeta?

Oh, you're not annoying me at all! Please don't think that. It's just that everytime something like this is part of the scenario, someone has difficulty with it. I think it was WS2 when there was a lively debate about a puzzle involving sorting relevant Subeta items on the grounds that none of the Squirrels would know about Subeta, and therefore could not sort items. And I do like the strict divide for serious RP, and I'm worse with my own world structure for what I create for my own novels. I'll do a rewrite before I publish if it doesn't hang together properly.

But here's the deal on the Wayward Squirrel. It's not a serious RP, or a puzzler, or a series of strict HA designs. It's an entertainment with pieces and parts of all of these. It's also a "living" thing in that the players create this along with me. I take all suggestions and weigh how I can fit in what they want with the new go-round. Most of our players,especially the regulars, sign in each year for the adventure, the friendships, the ever expanding plot, the "cute animals and quirky characters" (a quote from a player,) but above all, FUN.

That's how it's meant, relaxing fun for everyone, so I put in elements I hope will manage to please and give each player things they love to do. Last chapter was for the ones who like RPs. Many have puzzles and riddles for the lovers of those, and now it's a turn for those who love to dress up in a fun way. Try to think of it less like evolving with Isaac Asimov and more like dinner and wine with Terry Pratchett. Does that help you a bit? I sure hope so, and I hope you'll feel comfortable if it isn't what you're used too. (It is a bit of a roller-coaster.)

I think the judges had your RL favorite in mind, but you could do the other if you wish, just as long as you explained. PS: What are you going to name the baby, if you've both decided, and don't mind saying?

so Sorn hates reading. He's only read Elvish and Drow spell books, histories and things like that. he doesn't read novels. Can it be any book, even if its a children's book that he's learning to read in English--like the Dick and Jane books? Or where the wild things are? Things like that? lol I love reading so having a character who doesn't is difficult to me.

Sure, any of those will do. Remember, any book can travel into Squirrely's nexus, and be distributed by such pyrates--er--middlemen as Jack and Lucien.

cool, then I have a children's story idea. lol He'll be sooo grumpy -giggles-

Ha ha!! has been keeping it a secret! Which apparently she is really good at keeping secrets. But we are working on getting the exclusive rights to publishing that story.

yeah my first thought was my own favorite (choosing favorites is hard!) and then I was like "well wait it'd be Jean's favorite, wouldn't it?" and then I was thinking well what about books that don't actually exist but do for her, and what about the stuff that gets done for NaNo and...

I briefly considered dressing up as because I know they are in actual published works! But I figured that'd be a bit much. Equally too much is using one of my own characters -- Jean herself appears in one of my novels, and Sihr/Musa turns up in both my NaNo wins.

However I do have a question: this must be a novel, but may it be a novel based on something from another medium? Indiana Jones has novel versions, and do graphic novels (manga, comics, etc?) count? Webcomics?

Now to figure out which chars that Jean or I love have HA cosplay potential....

All medium is fine, but just remember you have to explain who this is and why you chose them. You may choose someone from your own work--I still love your "dragon girl."

...oh gods don't remind me. The idea was nice but the novel itself /sucked/ and she turned into such a mary sue. flailing

ACK. I just realized...I do not have access to book descriptions of 90% of my favored characters and this is a serious issue, because I don't want to go off pictures.

Tea and Chat are still deciding what to name the kid and yes, we have a boy and girl named picked out already. Walter Michael Kainoa if a boy and Rebecca Lynette Noelani for a girl.

Both gorgeous names, applause

They both have a nice flow to them. On the 14th we get to, hopefully, see which name we get to use! The last appointment, baby was being modest.

Wait who's having a baby?!

I am :D This will be our first and he or she will be born in January.

ooh mazel tov~!

- Congratultions!!! You have so many exciting things to look forward to with a new baby due. Wishing you an easy pregnancy and delivery and wishing the whole family many MANY happy peaceful and loving years together.