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

[sealeted]

[The key, perhaps, is that it is an AI based upon Kirei Kotomine—based upon the man who lived and died. A more traditional AI, without the same deviations that unleashed the likes of Twice and Hakuno.

Perhaps it's the benefit of a meticulous mechanical Grail, rather than an organic and decayed one.

Who knows? Certainly not her.

She left all of that far, far behind her.]

...ah.

[After a pause, she puts his shoulder, in gentle commiseration.]

You've... probably been through a lot, in ten years. You've worked hard.

[strongspirited]

Connections are important, yes.

[She looks back at him, seriously taking him in for the moment.]

...Are you concerned, Wen Ning? About...going crazy, I mean.

I am glad! Though my stay is short, I aim to please!

[purposefulnonsense]

"Indeed it is. I did hear it had something to do with someone working magicks upon their audience that resulted in a fire..." Such is what Mettaton told him, and it only seems right to share what little he has heard. Surely it will do some good, if only to increase awareness towards potential safety concerns. "...yet I still do not see why that would have resulted in restricting theatrical performances in their entirety."

It is an idle curiosity. One which neither of them have the answer to, and so he moves on to the next subject. "May I ask what it is you do normally, if not weaving stories for the enjoyment of audiences?"

In his memory, those that pursue the work of the theater are often passionate about the subject. What then, if not theater, is the passion of his newest acquaintance?

[gynvael]

[ Like her, she too drags the smallest smile out of him that registers as a twitch in his lips. It fades soon enough as he gives her a look. ] Let me help you. At least.

[ He's not foolish enough to think he has a solution or that he'll be especial use. Magic has brought them here; only magic can bring them home. But he doesn't want her going at it alone, either. (Ironic, considering that's exactly what he's done so much of his life.)

He shifts his weight, considering what information he's gathered. It isn't much. Everyone he's spoken to seem to know shit all themselves. ]

I can't use my signs. And my heart. [ He pauses. It's disconcerting to think about. ] It's faster.

[arturiarex]

[ She's a predator too, just a different kind. The animal in her refuses to let herself be intimidated by him or to be made second best. Or maybe that's some of her own pride as well. She sets her shoulders, lips curling a little. Her instincts scream at her to be a ruler. A king. The one in charge. ]

I will not let it happen-

[ She turns on him, wings finally spread, fingers hooking into claws. She can't make it work; the harder she resists, the more that sense of animal anxiety creeps up her spine.

The invitation tempts her. She wants to. To let it off of the chain. She takes a deep breath and she nods. ]

Yes. [ Another breath. ]

Yes-

[ And she takes off, feet digging into the soil, wings flaring out behind her. She doesn't know where she's going, only that she needs to go, much like that first full moon - but at least this time she's more in control. ]

[holybeasts]

[She blinks at that bit of news. And then she outright laughs. It's probably not nice of her but after how he'd ruffled her feathers so to speak, she's not shy about finding the moment funny.]

I thought he looked pale. When I asked though he acted like I was going to eat him.

[Okay maybe he didn't but she's going to claim so anyhow because it makes her feel somewhat vindicated after being called a liar.

What had she had last time? She looks over the offerings, pursing her lips a moment.]

Oh definitely one of the fruit ones.

[She glances back to him now, head tilted just a touch.]

Would you like one too?

[silentsavant]

( i-it's not like he's looking out because he cares or anything!!! GOSH soren's fucked. he's so not accustomed to physical intimacy nor the warmth fluttering merrily in his chest that his face screws up in wide-eyed, pouting embarrassment for a moment before averting his entire flaming face fast enough that his hair flips. he's roasting... and he's not even warm-blooded!

don't ask how that works.

but in the same motion, he lets go of his hand like it's too hot for him to handle. . . and starts slipping and sliding! )

Wh-ah!

( such beauty, such grace... will he fall on his face? will he break the ice? will ranulf catch him? or will he bowl into ranulf's legs and make them both take a tumble... stay tuned until next tag! )

[gynvael]

[ It seems her genuine response disarms him a bit. He sighs, but puts his weapon away. There's no point in hunting when everything's scattered away. ]

No. [ He eyes her for a moment. Her wings are hard to miss. He hasn't been here long, but there's at least two things he's gathered: you either have the parts of a monster or you can cast spells. Not both.

It's without much care for tact that he gestures at her wings, questioning. ] Thought you can only be one or the other. Or have I been missing the exceptions?

[thepunshow]

[ local who? yang doesn't even see them walk away, already focused on sweeping blake into a tight hug. when would she ever turn down physical affection from her partner? ]

Blake. [ she sags against her in relief, the pent-up anxiety of crash landing into unfamiliar territory in the dead of night dissipating at blake's grounding presence. ] So you know the way back to Atlas, right? 'cause Neon's gonna give us so much crap if we're late.

[meteodrives]

[ The power behind the strike is incredible, honestly. Tifa knows that without the aid of materia, the power in her strikes only go so far. Lightning's attack decimates the Shade and reduces it to a sickly oil that reminds her of things she'd see in Midgar. Worse, it eats at the greenery, leeching it of color. Tifa steps away from the puddle, wary, and swings her gaze around to Lightning. ]

Thanks. You were great.

[ She couldn't have found a better person to fight beside, really. Lightning had a handle on it.

When she sees the glow, though, Tifa starts. With a frown, she heads towards her. ]

Hey, are you okay?

[towards_okeanos]

[The moment when recognition hits couldn't be more obvious. All it takes is for the older one to move. To utter a single word. Iskandar's expression softens as he looks from the boy to the man and smiles.

The strangeness of this world never ceases to amaze him. It has happened before though not exactly. Cu Chulainn and Cu Chulainn. Even if they weren't the same person in the end. More like splinters of the same image. The original and its unwilling copy. A little different and yet no so much.

But this his boy. All grown up. The man Flat spoke of. Professor. Complete with crease between his brows. To hear about this is one thing but to see it... He truly became a teacher. Iskandar's eyes travel between both the older and the younger. Well, that might complicate their already not simple situation here. Still, it matters not. They will figure it out somehow. He's sure of it.

He grins. Ha! Let none say that King of Conquerors shies from a challenge.]

What's wrong, boy? Aren't you going to come closer?

[meteodrives]

[ She more than understands Cloud's reluctance and concern around the subject of memory and feelings. It sounds invasive even with just a bonded partner. Then, at least you might be prepared. But if others can see them? It sounds like a recipe for trouble. The discomfort is something she can give a pass too.

And there's that...little side-look he gives, but she thinks she catches his meaning. Tifa tries to smile, a lopsided thing, but the rest is what gives her real pause.

Is he avoiding the question? Is he just not sure? It sounds like he's hoping she'll jump to something else. ]

That's the official word, yeah. But... [ Here's Cloud with no outward signs of changing yet. And he's hesitating. ] There's something else, isn't there?

[ It's not an accusation, like saying she knows he's hiding. Maybe he's not. But something's bothering him. ]

I can take it, you know, whatever it is.

[ It's better to know the truth now, right? ...Right? ]

[meteodrives]

That sounds confusing.

[ Which is putting it mildly. If things sort of work out for the moment, she guesses it's okay right now. But in the long run, she's not so sure that's going to work out for any of them. Still, it's not like she can change it.

But hey, that begs a question, which she's pretty chock full of at the moment. ]

You say you're...further along. [ Aerith's dead. How can she be further along than them if she's passed? ] What do you mean?

[waswrongtoo]

"It's the job I chose. I like to think I'm pretty good at it." Even without her special advantage... which probably won't be of any use here. Good thing she tried to never rely on it.

"Oh? And yet, monsters all the same, I'm guessing?" That was familiar territory, at least. It would be hard for a person from Remnant to believe in a world without some form of monster, after all.

sorry for the delay, had a death happen;;

[imprecates]

Dad...? [ Kainé pushes her brows together because something in her head - her memories - feels like it is just out of reach and no matter how hard she tries to focus on it, there's just a wall blocking it. ]

Hm. I can't say. I just remember seeing you when you were older ... I swear, did some assfuck mess with my memories here?! [ Her voice gets louder at the end, and she turns her head to grit her teeth together from annoyance. ]

[hypomeneo]

[One tear drops down his cheek, then another. Waver's lip wobbles as he comes forward step by step.

He had a dream like this once. One that stayed with him after he waked. When Iskandar was calling him over... it feels a little similar.]

Boy? I'm older than you, now.

[Not if you count the two thousand years since Iskandar's time, though the measure evens out by a lot when you add in Zhuge Liang's time to Waver's. He sniffs, the sound uncomfortably loud to him, as he looks up. Eyes are windows to the soul, and he's never been very good at keeping his composure around Iskandar, unless it's truly a life or death situation (and even then). Iskandar can read the story of his life in them if he truly looks.

His arms are coming up like he wants a hug. Waver's hands rest gently on Iskandar's arms instead... almost if there's something making him hesitate... before slowly pushing forward.]

I missed you.

[islandhuntress]

[Hearing her name, at the very least, draws her attention away from the vendor momentarily.]

... Lance? I- [Her brows knit again and she continues angrily.] I do have calmness!

This merchant was giving me lies! Everyone was telling me not to be trusting them but he was saying this potion would be... [She pauses, a shameful blush coloring her cheeks. She lowers her voice slightly.] He was saying that this potion would be stopping the monster changes.

I purchased it but he did not have my trust so I was having a witch do a test on the potion. It is nothing. Plant oils that would be calming. No more.

You! [She once again turns on the vendor, pointing at the goblin.] Are making lies! I am wanting my coin returned. [She sets the potion down on his table and crosses her arms, chin raised.] And I am wanting an apology.

[shinkunochou]

A witch... [She trails off and sighs, looking down at the ground, spinning the stick between her fingers.]

I’m glad for you. [She nods, because really, that seems fitting. He should be a witch! Why shouldn’t he be the better type? Being a monster was fitting for her in a depressing way, but if Witches were the better half of all this...] I wonder what decides that sort of thing... If I ask, will they— Will they tell me what type...?

I feel like I don’t understand anything. I was told so much, but none of it feels like it stuck...

[islandhuntress]

Oh, they have much loveliness. Do you have certainty that you are wanting to do that? I am not wanting them to be wilting before you can be drawing them... [She smiles softly, gaze on the assortment of flowers Bernadetta had found.] But I would be liking that, if you are wanting to.

I could be braiding one or two into your hair also!

[She leans closer, picking out two of the smallest flowers, both tiny with white petals.] Little flowers for little braids. [She smiles.]

[bravelyathome]

Would they work? I don't have as much hair...

[Even as she says this it's clearly something she wants based on how upright her antennae go. She really wants flowers in her hair too!]

[glitzandglamour]

At that, Mettaton takes on a new brightness. It's a peculiar, open brightness at first, one of simple glee at the thought.

And one that quickly morphs into something a touch more impish, knowing that Hades would not approve of such merriment outright. He anticipates such convincing protestation at the notion, the kind completely ineffective on himself — and, as he can see, on Hythlodaeus. It might flirt with his possible threat of retreat, but Mettaton's sure he could convince the Ascian to remain in their overabundant company.

"A marvelous plan! Whether he somehow manages to worm out of the occasion, I'd still love to spend the time with you. We'll always have chances to involve him, in the future. But..."

At this, Mettaton gives nothing in particular a fanciful smile, seeming to stare off while he thinks over such a future. A future with Hades and his friend, Hythlodaeus, here in Aefenglom. Mettaton and all of his friends, too. So many people to surround themselves in! But right now, this would be an event between himself and his two Amaurotine friends.

"I think we could convince Hades to join us. Reluctant though he may behave, I'll manage it. ... Besides." Mettaton makes eye contact with Hythlodaeus to the very best of his ability beyond that mask. He clutches down onto the other man's hand, a receiver for his exuberance. "Did the Coven tell you much about Bonding, darling? Hades and I are Bonded, but moreover... we're in love!! I thought you should know, since you're his friend."

Mettaton Brings All Of The Juicy Gossip, as per journalistic standards. But Hythlodaeus seemed the sort to want to look out for his interpersonal affairs, according to the memory he saw. May as well give him the ammunition for it! The robot's all about enabling such behavior.

a stellar tag just in time for all these icons

[usurpers]

[ eren can hardly believe that it’s jean who’s still talking to him and jean that sounds the most leveled of all of them when it came to, well, eren himself. he hits the nail right on the head and gives no room for the dragon to argue. there’s no room to throw back even hurtful truths (or insults) when jean has taken the opportunity away with a single joust: i have no right.

eren falters, mentally. he told himself not to break but he cracks, fissures under the pressure of silence, of years of keeping to himself. he would not flare out, wouldn’t slant his brows dangerously and prepare to strike. his pointed ears and spines behind them are expressive, folding back to the sides of his skull as his eyes become just as sullen as the last time jean had seen him in liberio, drifting downward to hopefully curtain them with all the hair he’s grown.

jean asks not what he’s doing and why. he’s asking about him and it catches eren off guard. he inhales, and from it came quiet words, with no conflict. he missed them all dearly. ]

It’s my choice, [ he lifts his head, but doesn’t seem any less ruined in his core. his frames of support are still holding strong, with the way his pin-slit pupils narrow into thin lines and how his jaws tighten, how he doesn’t waver with his tone or even his decision. he’s dead set. ] not yours.

[ it wasn’t a rebellious jab. it was the truth. the reason eren said nothing and said even less when a bullet pierced right through sasha. jean’s last words to him still buried so deep that his distance had grown thrice, and he’d go far enough to be someone, superficially, that he wasn’t, but someone internally all the same as eren could ever be. they didn’t and couldn’t get involved again just because he asked, and they really didn’t have to— at least they had a choice, now, one that eren had once stripped from them.

and look where it led them. ]

[gynvael]

[ That does sound unfavorable. He seems to relax just a hint, though now that he can really take in where he is, it isn't just a foreign location. Everything appears strange, including the equipment in the room. ]

Sounds elven. [ Perhaps it is. It might explain the mirrors. He ends up brushing glass shards out of his hair. Her comment is acknowledged with a sound that says he agrees. It's a shitty welcome.] I thought there'd be wine.

[ He pushes open the door to the tavern outside. Might as well see the rest of this place. ]

[gynvael]

[ He's certain the man said one question, not several. The look that Geralt gives him suggests that he should work on his counting.

He sighs. ] Yes. [ Whether he's answering both or not, Geralt leaves it up for his company to figure it out. (He is.) There's a pause before he adds: ] Within the sphere. Not outside.

[ He's never been taken straight to another world. Not until now. With this many coming through over such a long period, he doubts it's a spell of any one person's doing. It must be a rift. ]

[gynvael]

[ His gaze narrows briefly at that. The implication of what she's saying isn't lost on him: that she's had this dragon before she was ever changed in this world with her scales. ] And how does one become kin only after having their child?

[ He's gathering there's a lot she's isn't saying. Which, truth be known, he isn't sure he wants to know. Not for lack of curiosity but because it feels like he's inching ever more close to being dragged into something he hasn't meant to be. That's never turned out well for him.

The Shades might be new, but the sound of a threat is the same anywhere. He stops short when the screech cuts through the night air. One hand goes to his sword and the other reaches for her shoulder, intending to keep her behind him.

The glow is hard to miss in the dark. It shines in the distance. The light grows brighter, the shadow larger, as it comes closer: if it hadn't caught their scent before, it sure as hell has now. ]