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

iii. a.

[devilyouknew]

[Is he kidding with this?

It's none of Takizawa's business. He shouldn't butt in. Idiots should be free to get themselves cursed or burned by whatever random concoction they decide to buy off of spectacularly seedy goblins.

And hey, if the kid dies he might be able to steal the body and no one will -- no. He smacks himself on the forehead with that thought, annoyed by his own hunger. No more of that. To drive such a dangerous thought from his mind and to sort out the guilt he feels from thinking it, the ghoul sighs and resigns himself to lending a hand.

He steps quickly toward the youth and reaches out with the intent of snatching the item from his hand.]

It has a damn skull on it. Does "skull" mean "flight" to you?

[exsoldier]

[ The revelation that Sephiroth's last memory was from directly before everything went to hell is a chilling one. He's on a precipice, teetering between sanity and insanity, and Zack can see why Aerith had been so on edge. Sephiroth is going to kill her one day, already has from Aerith's perspective. They can't afford to risk driving him to that point.

During the long trip from Nibelheim to Midgar, there had been lonely nights where the only company Zack had was Cloud's pained groans and his own thoughts. There'd been plenty of time to wonder if he could have done something differently, if he could have somehow prevented Sephiroth's sudden descent. It had felt like one failure after another, and he wonders if this is supposed to be some sort of second chance.

Or maybe that's giving this place too much credit. Who knows?

A cold wind cuts through the Wilde, allowing Zack to get a glimpse of those black feathers hiding under Sephiroth's hair. They're actually similar to his own, though they're positioned differently and have grown in more. So both of them are changing, huh? Guess that makes sense.

At the question he sucks in a breath and lets it out again, shaking his head. ]

Years. But...

[ He hasn't forgotten Sephiroth's initial words. I was under the impression that...

Zack frowns, tilting his head as he studies that seemingly emotionless face with more scrutiny. ]

You already know, don't you? What happens.

[ It's what happens to any First Class SOLDIER, in the end. At least, that's what it feels like. ]

b

[omnicrafter]

You can't tell me auri scales don't itch more than a little at times.

[It's just an offhanded comment from the stall next door; Irhya only spares him a glance after she's said it, smiling thinly.]

Though... you seem to be having some other issues with itching, incidentally...

[She gestures to the absent scratching motions he's making, straightening up as she looks him up and down. Her tail twitches behind her.]

wilde

[supersoldier]

[It’s easy to perch himself in the thick copse of trees out in the Wilde. Easier to give into a harpy’s instincts to find a high place overlooking the goings-on below, judging the landscape from a bird’s eye view. Literally, in some cases; a harpy’s vision is sharp, inordinately so, and when he spies the figure of a man roam past just beneath the branches, Sephiroth thinks that he recognizes him.

Only a few seconds later, and he’s certain that he does.

His face seems older, but the lines of his profile are the same. The ears are a new change, but given the his own hair (interspersed with black feathers) and his ears (gone elongated and pointed at the tips), he cannot say that this is shocking to him, either.

Still, the surprise of constantly finding those from Gaia never grows dull, no matter how many he’s found until now. That the Vice President himself was bought to this world must have been quite the unwelcome surprise to Shinra’s heir, he thinks to himself, even as the branches bow under Sephiroth’s weight as he crouches down to leap from his perch.

He lands in something akin to a billow next to Rufus, then raises himself to his full height, considering the man with an expression hard to pin down.]

Vice President.

[Masamune, its hilt gripped in his left hand, shines bright.]

Your footsteps are too loud out in the wilderness. You’ll invite unwanted attention.

[Ironically, he doesn't mean himself.

Also, hello, Rufus.]

[omnicrafter]

"Wish I knew," she says with a shrug. "Though they do drag poor unsuspecting people through mirrors every once in a while. I suppose today was just one of those days, even for them."

Is it possible for whatever force drives the mirrors to screw up so badly, she wonders? Apparently so, if the sudden influx of all manner of people is any indication.

"Ah, but you may find you're missing a few... intrinsic things upon crossing, as well. As sorry as I am to have to point it out..."

[gunshow]

[ to be fair, the loud noises are very impressive! because not only are they working on the shopkeep, but the feisty words seem to get ryuu looking a little rattled too - with him... his expression falls somewhat. is he no good...? too scary looking? ryuu seems to ponder on this for a long moment, wondering what he can do to convince him to tag along. only he doesn't have long to wait for a change of heart, eyes brightening in response. ]

Really? You will? [ a smile blooms on his face, relieved. ] I'm so glad! You were really brave just now, so I'm sure we'll be fine! Though... it's not exactly toothpaste I'm looking for, haha...

[ given how big his smile was, it's easy to see now that things have settled that his canines are... long. and quite sharp. definitely not entire human anymore. ]

These seem to be a problem.

[detonatability]

[ He isn't daunted by this boy's anger, though maybe boy is a pretty liberal use of the word when there's little to no disparity between their ages. He's the type to die young, Sasori had said. He hadn't been wrong.

Already he's on the brink, he can feel it. Without access to chakra, without a way to center himself in his art, everything he's revolved his life around has unspooled from him in the span of days. What was the point of life, an afterlife, without a way to channel the transience of beauty into something external? Part of him wants to get vicious with this guy, just because he happens to be here — it wouldn't be very serious or cool of him, but the Akatsuki aren't around beyond Itachi, and what does he have to prove to that guy?

But... he's aware of the milling crowd, and that he's one of the new ones, and that while he might be skilled in taijutsu the magic here isn't one he's familiar with yet. This bastard might pull something on him and the embarrassment isn't worth it.

Deidara lets him go with as much violence as he'd grabbed him. He shoves Stiles hard as he lets go of his collar, and int hat forward step he takes glass crunches under his feet. Vindictive and petty, he hopes the guy trips over himself. ]

Then stay the hell out of my way, nn.

iii

[thatsamoray]

[The man Hawks approaches is tall and gangly. He sort of sways while he stands, although it settles slightly when his attention is grabbed.]

Haa? [he considers it for a moment. When he answers, his sharp teeth are clearly visible. Not that those are too weird here.]

Yeah, probably. At least for a little bit. [he turns more into the conversation, expression turning a little more smiley]

If you make the potion right. Otherwise it's reeeeally painful, you know? I'd trust Azul to make it right but anyone here? Eeeesh. It could feel like you're dying! And since it's not permanent you'd just have to go through it all again.

[he explains, full of cheer]

[gunshow]

[ it's clear he doesn't make very challenging or stimulating prey - at least not purposefully. jolting a bit at the slide of teeth over his knuckles, cheeks red with exertion, he pulls his hand back. at least it'd been more gentle that time. ]

Umm... well. [ this seems both like an insult and a compliment? ] I'm not sure I'm the best person to answer that, but I can't blame you, can I? I was careless.

[ if his tail is bleeding from the chomp those teeth had wedged in between the scales, he's not exactly noticing it. turns out, dragons are sturdy. ]

Put a lure in the water, expect to catch a fish...

[ he seems confident in that ability. though he does pass an obvious glance at the length of floyd's tail. ]

Four

[princessascended]

It's... sort of a hunting ground, I guess.

[Poor girl. She's just shown up and already her body's warping so much faster than they usually do and she's being hustled off to who-knows-where on the coven's say-so. Kairi knows how she feels... well, sort of. She's a witch, herself, so the body-changing thing is out of her experience, but the rest strikes a chord.]

Don't worry, though. You're not being hunted.

[Well, she could be if she wanted to play a hunting game, but let's not confuse the poor girl any more than she already is, Kairi figures.]

I'm Kairi. New? [Not really a question, more of an icebreaker.]

[detonatability]

[ Deidara bristles, and for a second it looks like he could choke on his own rage. It's not at all pretty, the way his whole face flushes. I remember you more clearly...?! Had his final act not left any kind of impression? After he'd leveled an entire forest? Even if this little bastard got away, which never should have happened, that ultimate display of art should have made an impression — forced him to acknowledge true artistry.

That statement, it's enough to make Deidara want to start a fight, just to be contrary. But — he doesn't know how long this Uchiha has been here and Deidara hardly even has a surface grasp of the magic of this place. He's severely under prepared for a full-scale battle, and kicking the shit out of Sasuke wouldn't be worth it if he couldn't make it artistic.

That doesn't stop the outrage, though, or the sentiment: ]

I'd blow up this whole city if it would take you with it.

[gunshow]

You were plenty convincing! [ after all, what better to get ryuu up to speed than letting him see something with his own two eyes? it pays sometimes, to be plain and easily convinced. of all the things ryuu is, a hard sell isn't one of them. ] Though...

[ he's quiet a moment, turning it all over in his head, the way in which momo has described this all to him. he knows that better than anyone, momo is quick on the uptake, and good at conveying things to others - information, moods, so on. but there's more to it, the familiarity he displays at this situation that seems incredibly overpowering to ryuu. so, he takes it in piece by piece, starting with the shift in momo's expression. ]

You've really been here for three months, haven't you?

[detonatability]

[ If this were what Deidara was used to, he might know the attack was coming. If he retained his chakra, the awareness of it in another person, the slow gather of magic into this stranger's arms, into the space between them, wouldn't catch Deidara off guard. But this isn't the world he's accustomed to, it isn't the power he'd lived and breathed growing up — and he's distracted by what he's being told.

Half of it is useless words, but Aefenglom isn't a city he knows, and Geardagas sounds like a string of made up syllables that don't even fit into his native tongue. So when the magic is cast, it punches the breath out of his lungs and flings Deidara back into the bathroom he'd just surged out of. His painted nails score Jonas' throat when they disconnect, leaving four perfect welts along his neck.

He would have toppled back, rather comically, into the bathtub if reflex hadn't dug his heels in, if he hadn't cast his arms wide to catch himself on the bathroom sink and the edge of the door. He's breathless from the blow, but there's a laugh in his voice: ]

Oh, so you have some power, huh?

[ But when Deidara starts to draw on the chakra what he assumes should be in his body, prepared both to fight and to show off, he comes up with — nothing.

He freezes and surprise flickers across his expression. ]

[thatsamoray]

[Upon being attacked, this guy was worried about the attacker and then put his fingers in his mouth. That meant either really dumb or strong enough to not view him as a threat.]

[and honestly he wasn't sure which one applied here]

... Lure? [his fins flare slightly]

... Ohhh, yeah, huh! It's a nature thing, isn't it? [his face busts into a relaxed smile] So, with the same idea...

If you stick a finger in a fish's mouth you expect to lose it, don'tcha?

[So, he should have bit down! ♪ It would be really threatening sounding if not for the fact he had been pulled a fair distance away from the water and had his mobility severely compromised.]

Waver Velvet (Lord El-Melloi II/Zhuge Liang/Caster) | Fate/ Grand Order | Witch

[hypomeneo]

Witching Hours

[Tick tock.

Tick tock.

The clock strikes three as chimes sound and a full length mirror in someone's living room ripples silver. Smoke blows out first. Sparks. A tall silhouette appears and resolves itself into someone Aefenglom perhaps knows quite well, although older, bitterly wiser, and with far more added into the mix then at first glance.

Waver Velvet - otherwise known as Lord El-Melloi II, Zhuge Liang, Caster, or a range of nicknames that range from slightly silly to utterly ridiculous, but Waver in his own mind even if he no longer uses that name - freezes in place as he steps out into the silent living room. He recoils as he sucks a steadying drag from his cigar, nostrils flaring and chest tightening as his eyes widen and frantically scan the room.]

Fuck.

Rider?

Berserker?

[His long red coat, as stained from battle as the rest of him, snaps as he turns one way, then the next. Darius the Third and Alexander are not here... wherever here is. He sucks in a breath as the next realization hits. He feels human again, though Zhuge Liang's dormant presence is a steady thrum in the back of their joint consciousness. Human... with all the attendant consequences. Yet there's a relentless energy cracking under his skin, dialing up the anxiety even more.

Where is he? This is someone's home, obviously, does he need to worry about the homeowner? Fuck, fuck, fuck. Christ, he better pray they're understanding or he can deescalate the situation. He's no longer equipped for any sort of fight if it comes to it. Or really running, blast this useless body. He wouldn't get far.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.]

Right. Now where am I?

A Strange Brew

[There's a bit of nostalgia warring within him as this Waver wanders through the Goblin Market. It reminds him of the open air markets he found during his travels through India, the Middle East, and up through Greece. Same energy. Same... less than scrupulous sellers. A mage could happen upon an interesting thing or two, but buyer beware applied to more than just the goods.

He just walks for a while and observes the people and surroundings. Lingering at a stall, examining this or that, just listening to flow and ebb of many voices around them, having many conversations. What a dodgy lot.]

No wine? Just beer? [Waver leans in slightly, eyebrow up as he tilts a jug of amber glass to and fro to examine the contents within. More sit upon a through filled with ice. He prefers scotch and wine and Macedonian liquors that Gray wrinkles her nose from the alcohol content even as she pronounces the scent pleasant. Beer, though refreshing on a hot summer's day, sits in a far distant second place. But he doesn't dislike it - more is indifferent as a British man can be about the national preferred quaff of any pub.] That's a shame. I was hoping to pick up a bottle or two.

What's this though?


Wilde Card

[Something different? Use this to create your own prompt or hit me at Kerimeos for plotting.]

[detonatability]

[ His laugh is only just tapering off when he's joined by another person. Deidara, delirious with happiness at finally getting something even close to what he wants, sits forward and throws both arms up in victory. ]

It's art! That beauty in a single moment, in that bang!

[ The fizzle of magic in his body doesn't feel quite so much like it's going to rip his heart right out of his chest, either — but neither is that pull gone. Now that he's set one bomb off, all he itches to do is turn this whole night into a shatter of fireworks. He turns that mega-watt grin up on the guy standing next to him. He hasn't stood up yet. ]

Did you see it, nn?

[yesdoubt]

[Momo gives a soft laugh at that, like he wouldn't have thought that would be the sticking point. Still, it would probably be a bit weird to hear if what he's heard about time passage while they're in this world is true.] Yeah, though I've been told while I'm here, time won't pass back home. So it's kinda reassuring to know that nobody's noticed anything.

[He was very worried about how Yuki was going to react to his disappearance when he arrived, but at least his concerns about that got lifted very quickly. Ryuu's outfit also tells him that they were probably taken from around the same time, though he still can't tell whether it was from the first performance of it he did see or the end of year live that was still a few weeks in the future from Momo's point of view.] There's people from all kinds of worlds here, so I've met lots of new people and learnt a lot of new stuff, but you know Momo-chan's too soft to not miss his cute juniors.

[He winks jokingly, trying to bring up the mood a bit despite the blatant hole in that statement, the other person besides his juniors it would've hurt even more to be separated from. For once in his life, he's actually trying not to bring up Yuki, because being away from him for the longest he'd had to be in the last five or six years has not been a fun time.]

[gale_arc]

[ A long time ago? Kor, do you not see the sand Hisui just tracked all through your house? ]

The hell are you talking about?! I was just there a few seconds ago!

[ This is making less and less sense the longer this goes on, and Hisui's temper is already short as it is. Not only because he's sick of seeing Kor's dumb face - as well as the rest of him - but also because his worry over his younger sibling is growing by the minute.

He lifts his fist in a threatening gesture he's used plenty of times before. ]

You better have a real good explanation for this, kid. And if anything, and I mean anything happened to Kohaku, I'm gonna make you wish that sandworm ate you!

[ He's been worried sick ever since they were separated (though in true Hisui fashion, he displays it in his usual prickly manner), but he had no choice but to trust Kor would see his sister to safety. And that trust is already fragile enough as it is. ]

Arrival

[waswrongtoo]

[An exasperated, unimpressed, and eerily familiar sigh comes from behind Raven as she hassles some poor defenseless villager.

Eerily familiar because it's one she probably never thought she'd hear again. Followed by a matching voice.]

You know Rae, there are other ways of getting information than threatening to cut people's heads off.

[Somehow, she can't help the wry smile that slips onto her face, because Raven wouldn't be Raven if she wasn't threatening somebody with bodily harm.]

Arrival

[waswrongtoo]

Atlas?

[The woman who turns to answer Yang wears a face all-too-similar to one she's seen almost every day of her life... but just different enough to make it clear who she was really talking to. Impossibly.

Summer's eyes flicker over the girl's hair, blinking in surprise. That's... such a familiar shade, and the shaggy way it's grown is similar too. Even the girl's face, and eyes...

But she can't be.]

I'm afraid it's starting to look like getting there, or anywhere in Remnant in fact, may prove very difficult, miss...?

[Please give her a name that won't cause her brain to suddenly require a reboot, strange young woman who looks so much like her eldest daughter.]

ii b; adds to the train sorry not sorry

[detonatability]

[ Without the tell-tale cloak, dressed in clothing he's found from this world, and likely the last person Naruto Uzumaki would expect to see — it would probably be pretty easy not to recognize Deidara from behind. In the grand scheme of Naruto's life, Deidara had only been a blip on it — even if at the time, it had been a pretty serious one.

Deidara has only just barely started to wrap his head around the fact his chakra is gone and everything that goes with it, to be replaced by a magic he hasn't even begun to understand. It's put him in one hell of a sour mood — so maybe it's irony, that when he turns around to the poor fool that's decided to ask him of all people for help, laying eyes on this particular ninja puts a shit-eating grin on his face.

One hand props his own hip and Deidara cocks his head. ]

You look like shit, nn.

[raventhaw]

[ she narrows her eyes at him, scowling. ]

I didn't join Salem.

[ it's the one thing she's willing to answer, because there's one little tidbit that qrow doesn't know about: ]

Vernal and I killed Cinder in the vault. Froze her to death and saw the pathetic look on her face when she realized she was outsmarted. She fell into the abyss and she won't get back up. [ she's not going to say she did it alone. she's not going to give her maiden status away, not to qrow of all people. ] When I told you that I was the leader of the tribe, I meant it.

[ the relic was hers. almost hers. and it should've been until she touched her sword and got pulled into this godforsaken place that took everything away from her, just like that. ]

Unlike you, I'd never turn my back on them.

[raventhaw]

You --

[ whatever snide remark she was about to make in regards to yang's little squad making it out alive flies out the window at the mention of the relic. raven's eyes go wide, and then her brow furrows. ]

What did you just say?

[ no, no, no. the relic was hers. the relic belongs with the tribe, not with a delusional band of teenagers and an idiot younger brother who are chasing a pipe dream. ]

How do you know about Cinder? [ let's start there. ]

[raventhaw]

[ raven releases his shoulder with a swift movement of her hand, unimpressed. ]

Of course it is.

[ as badly as she wants to comment on how unhelpful he is, the truth is, well. that's the answer she needed to make up her mind on the potion. it's a better answer than any, given the people she knows who appear to be around his age. then again...if he's new like she is, she should be taking his opinion with a larger grain of salt. how can she trust someone who barely knows anything about aefenglom to give her a trustworthy answer? ]

You don't look like you're from here. A Mirrorbound, I assume?

[glitzandglamour]

He hardly needs to ask before this absurdity of a "little one" makes a wild bet upon his own guesses, his gold eye flashing bright in sudden recognition. He splits into a grin to match this boisterous energy.

"Oh yesss! That voice... You ARE Hythlodaeus!! I knew it!"

Absurdity indeed. A dark-haired man made of metal and fur, a conglomeration of silvers, blacks, and pinks, with rabbit-like features added as an afterthought stands before Hythlodaeus. Tall in his own right, even as he dons a pair of heel that give him a good few inches, he'd never match Hythlodaeus's height. His silver, black-tipped ears stand tall and alert, leaning forward here and there in their unrestrained curiosity. Though he doesn't speak in that odd language he recalls from Emet-Selch's dream-memory, MTT recognizes the voice. He needed to verify his identity at all only because everybody from Amaurot looked relatively similar, with their faces masked and bodies hidden under identical garb. At least Mettaton has a knack for voices.

The robot laughs. ...Puca senses overwhelm him in his glee, and he performs an odd sort of tight, spin-bounce hybrid on springy steps. It's not only physical traits that Monsters manifest, but behavioral ones.

They both form a real spectacle in this city. What few passersby there are never get enough of looking at the both of them: Mettaton for all of his oddity, and Hythlodaeus for all of his.

"I've heard about you. Only the most agreeable of things, to impressive ears as discerning as mine... I assure you."

Harrowing: this implies there's some translation involved to reach anything "agreeable" about it. He smirks at the recollections of exasperated commentary upon his character, amused. Then, Mettaton extends a hand in greeting.

"I'm Mettaton! I never imagined I'd actually get to meet you... But what WON'T Aefenglom give me??"