Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

[faileas]

Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

I. Boaltinn (1st - 3rd) Boaltinn comes around again. A handful of Mirrorbound will remember the holiday from last year, but for others, it will be brand new. In both Residential Districts, bonfires burn in central locations through the night, frequented by the residents celebrating another summer come to Aefenglom. Curiously, while last year the bonfires seemed quite segregated by human or Monster, this year, there is more of a noticeable mix at each, and Mirrorbound are invited to join the games and festivities quite happily. Characters are invited to try and jump through the bonfire's flames to burn away any poor relationship experiences, be it romantic or platonic, past or present; to aid them in this, those at the Eastern Bonfire will give those participating rune-etched accessories to protect them from the fire. The city has quite a bit to offer for this holiday: shared rose baths at public bathhouses and pleasure establishments that increase feelings of friendliness and talkativeness, poles draped in ribbons meant to be danced around, wrapping a ribbon around the pole to bring good luck for the summer, food stalls whose offerings are meant to be shared, and fortune-telling set up by Divination students of the Coven, who can tell your day is going to go. To see last year's Boaltinn prompts, you can take a glance right here! Much of it, including the bonfires, baths, and entertainments will be similar this year, so feel free to use those in your top levels.

II. An Unusual Arrival (3rd on) A full year from the arrival of the first group of Mirrorbound, the 1st passes quietly, with no one showing up in the mirror-lined halls of the Looking-Glass House. Dates and times are important in most kinds of magic, and this is strange enough that some Witches of the Coven get together on the night of the 3rd to try a probing ritual, attempting to gather some kind of clues that could be useful in prying out the cottage's secrets. Boaltinn is the best time for such things, when the boundaries are thinner, and magic is stronger. Those who are awake that night at 3 am might notice a pulse of harmless silvery light that spreads like ripples on water throughout the whole city, originating at the Looking-Glass House, but nothing further happens, and the Coven receives no answers. Well, nothing happens in the Looking-Glass House. Before long, the reports start coming in: people are emerging from mirrors, regular old mundane mirrors, all over the city. Anything with a particularly reflective surface could be an entry point for someone from another world! Inhabited homes, businesses closed and locked for the night, pools of still water in fountains or the river, these unorthodox Mirrorbound pop up anywhere and everywhere, causing chaos for the City Guard (folks aren't happy to find strangers in their bathrooms at 3 in the morning) and the Coven both. Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. If you are one of these unfortunate arrivals, it's likely a rude awakening for you, to find yourself somewhere inconvenient, somewhere other than where you've been. It only makes sense to be confused. Hopefully someone finds you and explains to you what's happened to you. Resident Mirrorbound will hear a message from Miss Nessie shortly after it begins, a call to arms: "Dears, I'm quite sorry to disturb you, but it seems your fellows are arriving elsewhere than the Looking-Glass House this month! We're trying to track them all down for the usual welcome, but we could use a hand or several! If you could just bring them by the Coven, the usual spot, that would be lovely." She'll give her usual orientation and pass out Watches, but no doubt the Mirrorbound will be more helpful in this regard, with so many arriving.

III. The Goblin Market (All Month) Life goes on in Aefenglom, despite the addition of so many new residents. With the City Guard decidedly busy dealing with the sudden flood of break-ins (or, more accurately, break-outs?), the vendors of the Goblin Market find opportunity to set up their stalls more openly than they have since the crack-downs some months ago. They pop up all over the city, but clustered more often in the Residential Districts and the Harbor District, where there are even fewer law enforcement agents out and about to run them off. These sellers, while not as devoid of morals as those major players of the Black Market, still have very few compunctions when it comes to lying, cheating, fencing stolen goods, and misrepresenting their wares to unsuspecting buyers. It's also the place to find those things that are- not quite legal, shall we say. They won't say a word if you don't. If confronted, they are quick to pack up their things and slip away, however; they know this city and its hiding places a lot better than you do. With a brand new batch of what the natives assume are Mirrorbound, many undergoing rapid transformations into their Monster forms, many of the wares on display are potions: supposed cure-alls for aches and itches, calming draughts for the full moon restlessness, some even claim their brews can halt changes entirely! Some concoctions are meant to increase a Witch's magical ability, or decrease it, or provide them a finer control. They offer potions that they say will eliminate the need for a Bond, or temporary Bonding potions of their own that they claim are more pure, stronger, than the ones offered by the Coven. Claims are only claims, though. A few remedies for the pain of changing or some regular temporary Bonding potions can be found here and there, but for every potion that works, there are twenty more that have less than pleasant side effects. A brew that will cause everything you touch to turn to solid gold for up to an hour; a potion that will invert your sense of direction - trying to turn right will make you turn left, trying to go forward will cause you to walk backward; a potion that will remove all traction from your feet, causing you to slide around as if cobblestone are the slickest ice. Worse, some shadier vendors sell things more sinister, including a potion that gives you the appearance of being moderately to heavily infected by the Cwyld. Even if you don't drink any, the vendors are not at all careful where they're sloshing those bottles around, trying to show them off, and they all activate on skin contact.

IV. A Wilde Hunt (7th - 22nd) All Mirrorbound, temporary or not, are likely to feel it. Monsters are always affected by the full moons, but this month, it is more. Stronger. Instincts rise to the surface as the Sisters emerge full and visible in the night sky, and for many Mirrorbound, they are undergoing rapid transformations into whatever type of Monster they are meant to be. Curiously, the natives get along like they usually do, noticing nothing out of the norm, other than the increased agitation and restlessness from Mirrorbound Monsters. Monsters' aggression fades when the Sisters start to wane, but as the new moons approach on the 22nd, Mirrorbound Witches will notice their magical reserves overfilling, and will find themselves stricken with the overwhelming urge to use it, until casting spells, pushing one's magical limits, is almost a compulsion. Those who are not in proper Witch-Monster Bonds will feel it even stronger, with no stabilizing magic to consume (for Monsters) or avenues to expend magic (for Witches) other than casting spells. (For those who are interested, the Coven does offer temporary Bonding potions which can be used to help alleviate the effects somewhat.) The Coven Witches notice the signs, and they take decisive action on the morning of the 6th, the day before the full moons. So many Mirrorbound, likely to be so heavily affected by the lunar cycle this month, many of them coming into new features and abilities at a breakneck pace, only spells danger for the city. They barricade off a massive chunk of Wilde outside Aefenglom, largely free of Cwyld and totally bereft of farms, homes, and Wilder outposts. They invite anyone who feels the effects of the moons too strongly to control to come out for a Hunt. The hunting grounds will be open nightly to anyone who needs to work off restless energy or overflowing magic; all participants will be warned that their safety cannot be guaranteed from others, but they won't be able to harm bystanders out here. The woods are thick, with the river cutting through them, and full of wildlife. There is room to run and chase prey, or room to play with your developing magic. Play cat and mouse with your friends or Bondmates, or stalk a stranger. If playing games isn't your thing, there is something else to hunt out here as well. With the deep Wilde entering into Winter, this patch of land so close to the city is much warmer, and fearsome Shades have emerged to search for prey. These were once living beings, Monsters, Witches, or animals, who have been overtaken by Cwyld infection long ago, leaving them dead but for the infection, white-eyed and seeking out sources of magic to consume and infect. Anything could become a Shade, but the most common out right now are the ferocious remains of bears, wolves, and nomadic Arachne and Turnskins. If not killed, these Shades threaten the people of the Outer City, when they inevitably escape the barricade. Careful to limit your contact, though; anyone infected upon their return to the gates will be escorted straight to the infirmary.

Welcome to May's Fourth Wall event, An Inauspicious Arrival! The comms are now open to comments from all registered users and will be until June 1st. Current players, if you don't want fourth wall characters tagging your posts, just say so in your text. Fourth wall characters can use this post for their own network top-levels, or this post for log top levels. This event is game canon; threads from this fourth wall can be used as application samples later and current players may use these threads for AC. As always, be courteous to each other! Let the mod team know if there are any problems and we will handle things.

As always, please direct your questions to this thread!

Comments

[kingofunification]

[Ah. There it is. It had been obvious from her looks that this *Byleth* wasn't from a world he remembered, but having it confirmed...

Well, the feeling that settles in his chest is not comfortable. The smile is still on his lips but his eyes narrow and forces a huff through his nose.]

Perhaps for you it's united. It's a bit of a different story for me, seeing that I'm lucky to be still standing today. [He shrugs.] Must be nice to know of the peace that only victors can savor.

Wilde

[sneaksweet]

[Juza's looking different these days, but he figures if Izumi is around maybe there are... more? His bear instincts are mostly eat sprouts and nap- and Juza has a handful of may or may not be grass that he's eating.

He's not embarrassed enough to throw the handful out as he notices Sakyo.]

... Did you just get here this month?

[unsacrificing]

[well this is a dumb challenge!!! real skill involves a rod!!! he could probably catch 1092381 fish in the time it takes him to catch one with this paddle!

the tiniest scrunch between his eyebrows form as he considers the game, and he glares oh-so-subtly at the broken paddle.

but when claude kneels down beside him, the mild irritation melts. maybe claude can help him catch a fish.]

It's not presumptuous. I'm glad to see a familiar face, and that you're safe.

[hegemonwings]

[ byleth wishes she could say the pleasure is hers, but it truly isn't. she's wanted to know nothing of these twisted other lives she might have lived, where her path led away from the one place she belonged. where she did the thing she was told and never chose.

it's possible she's projecting. that sort of thing isn't something she knows how to unpack, after all. but she's resolute on this much. her voice carries a considerable touch more life and inflection than the professor's, and her facial expressions betray a bit more to match. ]

I imagine your Deer will be pleased to see you. Though most of them were my Black Eagles, as I recall it. [ in the true history, she nearly says, forcing it down. there's a wince at the mention of dimitri. ]

I hope you didn't take much of what he told you to heart. I think he's content to see me as little more than a monster... not that it matters. The war is won, in my history.

[kingofunification]

[He raises his hands with a chuckle, trying to placate her. He's gone about this all wrong, hasn't he...] Of course you're not. I meant, they typically try to take advantage of people the perceive as being weak-willed. But you being here already proves you're not, right?

[He lowers one of his hands, instead offering one for her to take.] But if you would like some company to help haggle with you, I wouldn't mind to tag along.

isaac | castlevania (netflix) | witch

[honesthearts]

Arrival - Precogstitchin'

[ it was not isaac's intention to go through his newly acquired transmission mirror, a strange and disorienting sensation as he touched the glass, but where he comes out of baffles him. emerging from a tall yet slim mirror into the darkness of small tailor shop, with a strange assortment of offered garb, isaac finds himself once more thrust into unknown territory. he at least carries his dagger on his belt, white cloak and charcoal robes untouched by the journey, but a quick inspection of the mirror confirms this is a one way trip.

the shop looks to be closed for the evening at least. it gives him a chance to look at the wares, perhaps try to glimpse at the culture of the land through its... very peculiar fashion. hell, where is he now? he does not think himself a common thief, far too prideful for that, but he is careful to unlock the door of the shop and exit out with the caution of one.

the door opens just a creek at first, and then the gap becomes wide enough for him to slip out. he shuts the door soft, knowing the owners will find it unlocked tomorrow and knowing he will be long gone, and exhales a quiet breath.

then he turns and realizes by chance someone has come up the road - you. if you're not quite by the store yet, he is quick to get away from the door and onto the street, even if it's suspicious for someone to just be out like this late at night.

but if you catch him as he exits - his eyes bulge, hand still on the doorknob, and his eyes flick rather awkwardly as if to say "it's not what it looks like. ]

Goblin Market

[ though isaac has no interest in buying potions with questionable claims, he does chat up the merchants to learn more about where they acquired their concoctions. most are quick to shoo him off, angered that he would dare ask questions. a couple chat him up with a luring voice, doing their best to hook a curious man and tempt him into giving their mixes a try. their silver tongue charms and reckless waving of a half-open vial do nothing for isaac and he bids the man a good day. he is surprised how easily they speak of alchemy and monsters, how commonplace it is in this strange land and met with normalcy. it's a welcomed change of pace.

however his good mood quickly dissolves when he touches his cloak, wanting to pull it closer to him, and within seconds a shiny glimmer moves from top to bottom and the all white cloth turns to gold. though it retains the consistency of fabric, it turns heavy against his body and weighs him down fast. he reaches a hand to the wood counter of a stall to catch himself before he falls, and it too begins to glow and turn to gold.

the owner manning the stall gapes and awes, perhaps a little more than thrilled to now have gold in his possession, but isaac quickly retracts his hand and tries to get away from the scene in a quiet panic. he does not want to draw attention and now many eyes are on him as he tries to rush past the crowd.

just don't get in his way. ]

Wildcard

[ feel free to pm me if you want a starter, especially for hunting prompts since I rather write closed starters for anything having to do with that! ]

[unyieldingmarch]

A pity.

[Edelgard half turns, considering simply leaving. Claude isn't exactly an easy man to deal with on a good day, and she's been putting out fires all week with the sudden influx of new Mirrorbound. Temporary though it may be, it's still a lot of work.]

You could do worse than helping the people here. Or...well, the version of you that I'm familiar with could do worse. I doubt our timelines match up.

[hegemonwings]

[ that gets a slight puzzled tilt of her head, hand lifted to her chin. she blinks, once. twice. wait, does he think...? ]

... I parted on good terms with the Claude I know. I look forward to our nations working together, once things settle. That's what you wanted, isn't it?

[bravelyathome]

That's right! I'm not! I'm strong willed! Well, strong-ish willed!

[She can't give herself that much credit.]

So don't you try to...

[Whatever she's about to say dies on her lips as she sees him offer a hand to her. And to haggle with her. Really? He'd be willing to do that? It doesn't seem real. Because he's the schemer...

Except that Claude always was so nice in school. They never spoke really but she saw how he treated others.

Fidgeting some, she finally lands and very hesitantly takes his hand.]

If you try to trick me, I'll scream.

[So there.]

Jonathan Strange | JS&MN | fae

[kingsroads]

an unusual arrival
[ Traveling through the mirrors should be easy. Strange did something of the sort back in England, slipping through the mirrors into the realm of Faerie. But the mirrors here seem annoyingly resistant. Which is odd. And certainly worthy of investigating.

Someone also has not yet figured out he's magicless. So, Strange can be found standing next to a fountain, looking down on it and frowning. Anyone who approaches him will get waved over. ]

You arrived through a reflection as well, correct? [ he says, just assuming that obviously someone else arrived via reflection. ] Where were you before arriving?

the goblin market
[ What do you mean you probably shouldn't haggle with the vendors. Strange hasn't heard of that in his life. What he does know is that he's interested in those so-called cure alls because he's only had his beetle-esque wings for a week or so and he's already not fond of them.

And, of course, he's got wings to begin with. And is missing his magic. Those really shouldn't happen.

But Strange's desire to find some sort of wing-be-gone brew has absolutely vanished the moment he saw a concoction to enhance magical ability. And the argumentative, nerdy, magic loving side of him will happily take the opportunity to argue. So he does, getting into an argument with one of the shopkeepers. ]

I don't know how you claim this can boost magical abilities. There's no studies that say such a thing like that exists in the first place—and even if it did, I doubt it would smell so aggressively like a headache cure. You there! [ and surprise random person, you're being pulled into this dumb argument. ]

Smell this and tell me what you think. Personally, I think it smells far too much like peppermint to be of any use in magic but my good sir over here claims otherwise.

wildcard
( playing this fast and loose, baby! Feel free to find Strange accosting witches, bitching about monster changes, or bring your own prompt. )

[spirialink]

[Kor chases after Hisui, following the sound of his voice. He was still in the building, good. But when he realizes he's calling out Kohaku's name, he feels his stomach sink. Of course, Kohaku's not here. But Kor swore to protect her, and if he's not with her, then he's not protecting her! That's probably what Hisui's going to say to him. And he'd be right to say it.]

Hisui! There you are.

[He covered up at least, Hisui. Sorry for the lack of pants. You interrupted his shower.]

[unsacrificing]

It's not weird. It's surprising, but not weird.

[He removes a glove, showing her the dark scales that line his hand, the claws that were once nails.]

I'm different, too.

[holyswordwielder]

𝓐. 𝒜𝑅𝑅𝐼𝒱𝒜𝐿;
5/3 - THE HAVEN

A traveler like him is accustomed to the shifting of landscapes, even as unpredictable and inexplicable as they often are, but seeing as this time there was some manner of warning and something terribly familiar about the eerie draw of a glimmering reflective surface, he can't shake the feeling that he should have known better. There's a horrid sensation of pitching forward through nothingness, the dark, and then the abruptness of breaking the surface of some body of water, and rather than a dead world surrounding him, there's life. The unpleasantness of the physical experience though is nothing compared to the mental; it takes so little time for memories to start poking through this wall that apparently was put up in his mind at some point and soon, they're a flood. Days and weeks he had no idea before now had ever happened, entire months he'd just forgotten... Arthur scrambles out of the pond water, but remains on all fours, staring down at the wet grass as he takes huge, heaving breaths, trying to get his bearings as the images and emotions overwhelm him.

It feels like a lifetime before he's finally caught up. Until now, he didn't even know that he'd ever been gone from Chaldea, let alone that other Servants too had found themselves spirited away into this world... Geardagas... Aefenglom. It seems impossible. But all these memories... They feel real. And, well, if it really was impossible, then he himself never would have been able to be summoned to the world of Chaldea in the first place. He's not really in a position to claim whether or not something could happen. Not having remembered any of this when he apparently woke up back in Chaldea though is the truly unnerving part. (He'll save puzzling over the personal relationships it seems he fostered with some of the other Servants for another time, when he feels less insane.)

And there's the fact that this is wrong. It was much the same as the first time, but what's different is the lack of ceremony upon arrival. It's not the Looking Glass House he's in this time. He'd spent many hours in the Looking Glass House, watching the phantoms of his life on his home world in the mirror he emerged from, frustrated and afraid that he couldn't reach them. Something tells him the Witches of The Coven have something to do with this. According to his memories, it wouldn't be the first time their magic rituals caused things to go haywire...

With a last deep breath, Arthur Pendragon finally gets back on his feet. He tries to dismiss his armor, but to no avail. Excalibur is here, thankfully, but just like last time, he's been cut off from his usual abilities. Quickly, then, he removes a gauntlet and check his hand. They're normal, for now. His face, too, doesn't feel like it's undergone any of the transformations he had before. No horns. No fangs. No scales. Is he something else or have they just... not happened yet? It did take a few weeks before they began feeling the first of their transformations, but... something just feels off. He gets the feeling he's not going to be here for long and he's not sure why.

Maybe it's time to seek out The Coven.

[supersoldier]

[Her kick knocks against his knee, but it might as well be the same as striking a heel against a brick wall. Even so, Sephiroth lets go, quick to watch if she’ll make another attempt at an attack, but none comes.

He straightens, eyes roving across her frame, once again noting how time has made her appear a little older, her face less rounded by youth. It threatens to stir frustration in him again — how often will this happen, this time discrepancy between himself and the rest? — but he tamps it down. Returns to a casual stance with his sword at his side, almost surreal in his stillness as he regards her.]

For the same reason as you. Taken from Gaia with no way to return, for reasons unclear.

[Sephiroth allows that to settle, the silence hanging heavy.]

...The last I saw you, we had our picture taken. Do you recall that?

Arrival

[unyieldingmarch]

[Evening in Edelgard's home is typically a quiet affair, even though it's when she's active. She is settled in a chair, pouring over notes from the Mirrorbound Council meetings at her desk and quietly working on a paper supporting Ozymandias's proposal when she hears a clatter...and the tell-tale beating of a heart.

She rises quickly, smoothly, her hand gripping the quill she'd been working with like a dagger. How had someone gotten past Hubert's wards...let alone into her bedroom? It wasn't one of her bondmates, she'd have felt them coming. No, instead, it's...]

...Marianne?

[bravelyathome]

[She chews her lips a bit before shifting forward to reach up to touch the hand. Scales like this can mean dragon or naga. He doesn't seem fully either yet so she's not sure...]

It's pretty...

[The scales. The claws. All of it.]

josh stone | resident evil 5 | dragon (nanki nanka) | ota

[forprettywomen]

an unusual arrival

Water. He doesn't remember falling in water, the rush of air leaving his lungs as he throws himself out of---a fountain? Josh scrambles for breath, spitting water on the cobblestone while he looks down at his dry clothing. This isn't-- that's impossible? He takes time to compose himself, standing as he adjusts his tactical vest and picks up his long rifle as he stands. 

It looks like he's not in Kansas anymore. 

Josh needs to get his barrings, to understand his new circumstances before he completely loses his mind. Was this what happens if you succumb to the virus? He doesn't recall being infected but he doesn't put it past TriCell to have hallucinogenic side-effects to reduce panic.

"Excuse me." He stops the first person he sees, West African accent heavy. "Can you tell me where I am?"

Maybe he could find someone he knew.

goblin market

Claws and teeth, he never thought he'd be looking back at a creature meant to scare children into doing their chores. He recognized the scales around his eyes first, the dawning realization that he resembled the Nanki Nanka; a dragon-like creature that crawled out of the depts of rivers to be a bogey-man among the tribes. A legend passed down by his grandmother to him in an attempt to make sure he and his cousins behaved.

"Are you certain that this will stop the changes?" He's hesitant, not certain he can trust the vendor but in this strange new land what did he have to lose?

Someone, please stop him from making a terrible mistake.

wildcard

[ have another idea? go ahead and throw it my way or message me here or @ redfielding]

Sieg | Fate/ | Dragon

[heartmunculus]

I. Arrival

[Sieg just sleeps. As the evil dragon who looks over the Greater Holy Grail, he has to watch over it, making sure nobody can actually use the thing. It's when he opens his eyes to see the reflection of himself in that golden cup that he ends up crashing through a mirror he doesn't remember into a world he doesn't recognize.

It seems like some sort of apartment, but he can't recognize it as anything he's ever seen before. He sighs, checking himself over. This is... his terminal, isn't it? This isn't quite correct, though, dragon tail lightly squishing in agitation.]

Excuse me. I'm sorry to be a bother but where is this...?

II. The Goblin Market

[He knows he doesn't particularly like any kind of golden cup. But he also has the strongest urge to take every single one of these and pile them together, somewhere no human or monster would ever find them again. It's a strange instinct that he's almost certain he didn't have before. Sure, he'd take any Holy Grails away, but that's very different than trying to take any golden colored cup.

Which is why he's been staring, agitated at this golden chalice that's sitting on one of the tables.]

... How much is it?

III. Wildcard

[ooc: hit me up on aureatian or just reply here!]

grimoire weiss | nier: gestalt | witch

[bookpunching]

a. an unusual arrival

I am going to use my magic to spear the fish! I cannot stand sitting on this dock any longer!

[ It has been hours. (Has it been?) Grimoire Weiss can indeed tell time but he has grown so sick and tired of fishing that he uses all of his might to launch an all out assault on the fish within the lake. Surely, surely something will be killed and their fishy bodies will come floating up to the surface of the water.

Yet as the grimoire floats over the reflective surface, he is instead pulled in. By my pages?! The swirling waters all but envelope him, and for a moment, he fears that he has been taken in by some undertow. His yells are swallowed up by the waves, but he can't say that he's afraid. Not really. He's a book; he won't die from this, after all.

He comes splashing out onto the street, coughing and soaking wet. Grimoire Weiss puts his hand down -- he puts his hand down -- he puts his hand down.

Okay. Now he's screaming! Why does he have hands?! ]

b. goblin market

Ugh, get that away from me!

[ Grimoire Weiss -- wait, can he still call himself "Grimoire Weiss?" -- slaps away the offered item in annoyance. He stumbles backwards as he is not yet used to walking on two legs. But he refuses to crawl! He may not be the same text of the darkest, most arcane arts, but he still has his pride as --

He stands in the Goblin Market and holds his head in his hands. ]

I want to go home.

[ This is the WORST! ]

c. wildcard

[ He's a book turned human. Have at it! ]

1 - lightning!!

[hoaxer]

[Keep your head down. If there's trouble, keep your nose out of it. That's a hard lesson Lu Li's learned the past few months on the run. It's still strange to be able to walk freely without worrying about being scrapped. The whole idea of a magical world is still bizarre to her and she can't quite wrap her head around it all.

She happens to find herself in the Goblin Market, disoriented by the overwhelming amount of wares. This isn't where she wanted to be and she's quickly getting the feeling she shouldn't spend too much time here.

And she would have left had there not been the crashing of glass and thunder.

Her first thought: oh god someone set off an explosive. Her second thought: Was that a Witch? Merchants and shoppers alike are beginning to gather around the scene. The culprit is tall and apparent: a woman who looks as if she walked straight out of an action movie.

Lu Li should move on. This isn't her business.

Instead, she finds herself squeezing her way through the crowd.]

Excuse me. Excuse me.

[Her voice, more a synthesized and droning buzz than anything remotely human, rises easily above the commotion. Her height helps as well -- she's about an inch shorter than the lightning-wielding woman, draped in so much layers of clothes she looks almost like a comical puppet. She turns her masked face towards her.]

Are you a Mirrorbound?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ While Berserker has never been in a proper Grail War, the designation of Overseer is clear enough -- there's no need to waste time asking for further clarification. He watches the subtle change in Kirei...Strange. Either he really loves or really hates this person he's seeking so much.

A shame that he won't get to see the truth of the matter. ]

No, not that I've met. [ He shrugs and decides to divulge some further information. ] The Masters I have met are Waver Velvet, Flat Escardos, and Hakuno Kishinami.

[gale_arc]

[ Okay, it's not a proper set of clothing, but even a towel around the waist is better than nothing. He'll accept it. For now. But only because of extreme circumstances. And the fact that he's more concerned about other things right now. ]

Yeah, wherever here is.

[ Seriously. Hisui's got so many questions he has no idea where to even start. And now that he's settled down just a bit, he can actually voice them.

He backs away from the door, kicking it closed behind him and turning towards Kor with a furious expression. You better start talking, Kor. Fast. Hisui is very short on patience right now. ]

Where the hell are we? Where's Kohaku? If you let anything happen to her since we got separated back there, I'll separate your teeth from your face!

Goblin Market

[unyieldingmarch]

Edelgard, unlike Byleth, is simply down in the market to pick up a few things. Mostly presents for Hubert, little alchemical gifts, a clockwork toy or two for Leslie, and a few bones and treats for her dog...and so she's strolling along merry with a basket under her arm, looking surprisingly normal. Heavy trousers, a starched white shirt and gloves that reveal no skin at all, with a red cloak to offset things. She's a good bit paler, and carrying a sword at her hip, something simple.

She pauses at the sight of that hair...but it's the outfit that sells it. She can't help but speak up. She steps into his line of sight, but does not get too close. There's no hostility in her stance or voice, just a kind of curious wariness.]

Byleth Eisner, is that you?

[Not Professor. This isn't the one she's familiar with. The one from her timeline.]

market - b

[hoaxer]

[The shirt she happens to grab belongs to a tall, masked stranger who's draped in so many layers of clothes that she looks a bit like an oversized, towering muppet. Unfortunately, Lu Li doesn't like being surprised -- and Mitsuri happened to grab her by the back. A high-pitched buzz like the whirring of saws escapes her and Lu Li whips around to look behind her.]

Ahh.

[Inflections don't work with this voice synthesizer. She sounds like a downgraded Google Translate reading words aloud.]

AhhhHHHHHH.

[She can, though, increase her volume. WHO TUGGED HER SHIRT?]

[urbossa]

[ Urbosa knows her name carries on – in Hyrule, but she had little reason to believe it held any power here. It was her words, demeanor, blade, and lightning that would demand attention like a thunderous boom.

And such, the rippling effect of her dramatics were felt. Someone, a stranger, felt the need to intervene and instead she looks down to him in a huff of annoyance. ]

They made a choice, peddling fix-alls for the – afflicted, I believe?

[ Of course, she doesn't really care to fight the man on it. The merchant fumbles, sending off his assistant to brew from scratch – a potion that was not diluted like all the rest. ]

They'll recover, perhaps do better business now that they're doing it honestly.