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

[hoaxer]

[Lu Li is so still that she could be mistaken for a statue, were it not for how her lenses shutters -- the robotic equivalent of blinking. He seems genuine and almost too honest for his own good, and that's enough for her to cautiously turn his way, to tug her hood further up to better hide her features.

Where is she trying to go? She remembers Morgan telling her where their family was based...]

I'm trying to get home. [Abruptly, rushed:] To Thebit. Do you know where the nearest port is.

Aymeric de Borel | FFXIV

[endsought]

an unusual arrival

['Tis one thing to wake up in an unknown place after receiving numerous injuries. Well, unknown in the sense that it takes one some time to gather their bearings. 'Tis another to be fully lucid and looking into the reflection on his desk that says much work has been finished only to wind up in a new place.

To say he's disoriented would be an understatement. This place gives off a sense of deja vu, but he can't quite put his finger on it. Mayhap it is due to the lack of sleep he has gotten the past few nights.

Shaking his head, he looks around. Well, he's been out of place before when he visited Eorzea, specifically Ul'dah, but this is something different.

As if he doesn't belong. With his height and his blue armor, he certainly stands out in a crowd...]

This is quite troubling.

[You know, not being at his desk doing work...]

goblin market

[While he's still here, he may as well look at the local wares. It is always interesting to see how clothing differs between nations. What is considered fashionable in one place is considered tacky in another. While he doesn't exactly want to attempt to fit in, there is nothing wrong with what he's wearing.

For a while, he's looking at jewelry and other such, noting the intricacy of it and it draws him in. Of course the peddlers are trying to make a sale and he's quick to decline.

Either way, he's enjoying the culture and what those here have to offer.]

goblin market - closed to rose

[And meeting his Warrior of Light, she seems to have ideas of going shopping for more casual clothing and 'he looked nice the last time he wore such attire'. Certainly, he does remember, even if he thought such a thing was a fever dream, but how can he deny his Warrior of Light when she's asking such a simple thing of him?]

I do not know why you wish this of me, but I am not one to decline. 'Tis not as if I have other pressing matters at the moment.

[...and he actually hates that he doesn't know what to do, but he can manage?]

wildcard

[anything else you thought of? hit me up via pm or arithmetic]

one a

[freeing]

[ Daenerys was not fond of the Goblin Market. She had been a few times, mainly for the Lady Edre and her own chores, but none had been interesting enough to make her fond of the excursion. Aimlessly browsing goods, falling for merchant silver tongues... it was too busy and Daenerys misses the solitude of the farmlands she calls home now more than ever.

She weaves through, a basket of tomes already purchased – histories of the monsters and their origins – hooked under her arm. She had one more merchant to stop to, hoping to seek out a few runes to help strengthen the grounds of the farmlands from Shade invasions.

Like a comet guiding her, red seems to intervene in her fate. It was not any potions she was familiar with that splash across her front half - her basket tumbling from her hands. It was a truth potion. The rush of it all goes to instincts, where Dany is kneeling down to gather her books before looking up to the haunting woman. ]

No. I would be far better without being drenched.

[ However, the surprise slips onto her face like a mask. Brows knit up and a hand goes over her mouth sympathetically – as if she didn't mean to say that. ]

My ... my apologies, I did – ... did mean to show my annoyance.

[ Again, she looks as if shock rushes through her. Whew, child. Get ready for #honestDany. ]

[kindlymeant]

[ Her mouth opens to respond, but her focus is briefly arrested by the bird alighting nearby. With its size, she guesses it to be a raven, which leaves her wondering for a moment if its his. He seems unperturbed by it, either way.

Even if she never had much cause to visit a rookery, the sight is more familiar than many here have been, and a faint smile colours her face as she watches it before she reminds herself not to waste a stranger's time.

Taking in his dark hair, dark eyes, dark clothes, she's near inclined to think there's a resemblance between him and the creature. ]

You have me right on both counts. [ A smile, fleeting, bordering on apologetic. ] Perhaps you might be kind enough to direct me towards the Haven?

[weiward]

[he can talk. ...of course he can talk. wei wuxian's immediately a little ashamed for even thinking that. he's been here a few months already, and during that time he's seen plenty of different monsters, mixtures of humans and animals. he sees it in the mirror every morning. he's gotten used to things he's never seen the like of in his own world.

and yet he still reacted in such a dramatic way to a newcomer. he takes a deep breath, and his legs still tremble when he stands up. honestly, he's still afraid. but it's not anything that legoshi should be blamed for. he doesn't want to ostracize someone out of his own fear. if he does, then he's no better than the people who feared and ultimately hated him.]

We're sharing. We'll take it.

[his treat - well, lan wangji's treat. but it's wei wuxian's apology. he glances up at the taller wolf, chancing a smile.]

You don't eat meat at all?

sry fewix

[fortunefound]

molly is drifting, he feels as though he's in a haze, and none of these people seem to want to help him. he doesn't know where he is, he's barely conscious, and fucking hells, he's hungry. the water feels warm on his skin, like it's hot to the touch, but his body feels cold. shouldn't he be dead? he saw the glaive, he felt the glaive. he spat blood in his face, but there's no blood here now, just... leftover stains on his clothes.

molly reaches down to pull his shirt over his head; the water is beginning to feel too warm. as he wrings it out over the cobblestones, he hears a sharp voice that penetrates his ears, not in it's pitch, but it's tone. he winces, then takes a glance to his side at felix, his red eyes scanning his form up and down.

"i suppose you'll forgive me for being ravenous and having just died about an hour ago," he spits, shaking out his shirt, snapping it once it's unrolled. "so unless you can point me in the direction of food, now, then i suggest you keep your attitude to yourself."

[gynvael]

[ The first thing Geralt does is just stare. He hasn't seen the bard in a awhile. Months. Which isn't unusual for them; they part ways often. They'd just never parted ways on such a sour note and Geralt's not expecting him to be here. Smelling...like that. Like magic. His nostrils flare just a hint, inhaling the scent that's both familiar and yet not. He's forgotten all about the deer that fled into the woods. ]

Jaskier. [ He blinks once, the surprise in his expression closing away. He puts his crossbow down. Unlike him, Jaskier shows no sign of ears or other beastly changes. But he saw that smoke. Smelled the smoldering embers.

Ah, fuck. He came here to blow steam. Clear his head. Not...dredge up the shit he said that he regrets. (If Jaskier's here, what the hell does that mean?) ] I could ask you the same.

[thinhammer]

Who are ya callin' a dickhead, ya massive turd?

[ Didn't even hear the rest of what he said, honestly. There's no excusing this, he's literally only found someone to take his frustration out on verbally - it's also really no secret that in a yelling match Naruto is a hardworking competitor - and if anything he proves himself to be a man of his word when he reaches up to push with both hands at Jonas' shoulders. ]

[ It would probably be more impressive if this little idiot wasn't barely over 5'6" but. Oh well. ]

I ain't askin' you nicely for nothin' if you're gonna go ahead an' be a dickhole straight away, y'know!

[moustre]

Axolotls would not be included under Merrow or Naga, as they are amphibians. You could go for a Chimera that uses the axolotl as the primary animal, however.

[coherer]

right on, thanks!!

[kindlymeant]

[ She's at once unsettled and made all the more curious. The ha ha ha almost makes it sound as though laughter is a foreign language. The words are something to consider, however, and she hums as she thinks. ]

I am not sure how I would quantify such a thing, to channel it, [ she says eventually, looking at her fingers, red from cold as though it is winter still. Truthfully, thinking about understanding herself worries her. It feels too much like digging at things she shouldn't, how ever far from Westeros she's come.

She turns her gaze back onto the stranger. ]

Are you... a witch, yourself? [ It feels bizarre asking, and the 'from what I heard' has her thinking otherwise, but asking if someone is a monster feels dreadfully rude. ]

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto looks back at the little goblin dude when she says that, and though he's really not one hundred percent chill with trusting the knife girl.. He's gotta admit that these guys wares look. Just a little shady. The way he's shrugging, also, is indicative of the countless times Naruto himself has shrugged to try and misplace blame that is very much deserved... So now he's kind of torn.

He steps back from the stall, so now he's kind of equidistant between the two of them. ]

... How do ya know so much about this stuff? You been here a long time?

[ Naruto, she's got a weird looking eye, dude. Put two and two together. ]

ii

[exsoldier]

[ The markets are bustling and packed with people and goblins and Monsters alike, and Zack can't help but be drawn to all of it. Not just because there's the chance of finding something useful, but because he hasn't been surrounded by this much life in what feels like forever. It's similar enough to the grimier corners of Midgar that he finds himself just walking the crowded market and enjoying the energy around him.

Except then he hears a raised voice, someone who's outraged and accusing all at once, and turns to watch as a woman berates a goblin who's gradually hunching up on himself, like he's scared he'll be struck. Probably because it's not the first time, but that's why you don't go around trying to scam people.

That being said, Zack doesn't think that allowing a fight to break out here would be a good idea for a whole host of reasons, so he slides over to the pair. He hasn't missed the woman's hair color and isn't sure what to make of it, but he's already gathered from Aerith that people come from all kinds of different worlds. It might not mean anything. ]

It's not very nice to try and trick a lady, you know.

[ This is directed to the goblin. Zack's tone isn't threatening so much as admonishing. ]

So, do you have anything worth buying, or should we move on?

[cryptsleeper]

Sketchy markets are a constant. [The way he says it, Alucard sounds closer to making this just a statement of pure fact rather than a joke or even wry commentary. They are a constant, and it's up to others to decide if they take comfort or are concerned by that fact.

But the other comment she makes, that gets a considerate noise out of the dhampir.]

Magic being something that doesn't exist within your knowledge, I presume?

[hoshikiri]

[A comment off hand is still enough to get Takame's attention, and seeing that a Miqo'te woman was the one behind the voice kept it. He's seen few, if any reminders of his original realm thus far so seeing something familiar was. Welcomed.]

Ah, perhaps... [When he's shedding. Of course her pointing out his scratching he went from unaware of it to hyper aware and he willed himself to keep his hands still, one set to rest on his hip and the other firmly by his side.]

But it is not a major issue.

[kindlymeant]

[ Usually, she'd have some idea of what someone expected from her. In fact, she's gained quite a skill for determining as much.

It's woefully absent right now, however. Her eyes rove over him, but she's finding it practically impossible to surmise much of anything.

Well, she thinks, again, at least he hasn't been cruel yet. ]

You did not tell me the terms of the deal.

[ Her hand moves to reach out, but she does not extend it yet. ]

Witching Hours

[enkidoh]

[Apparently the mirrors are summoning again. The influx of new faces is quite evident and, curious as they are, they trail off to enter the room full of mirrors. Most of the mirrors seem still. No change, no ripples, no figures appearing. All is quiet except for that one figure that has already appeared. A Master looking for his servants, apparently.]

Ah...I do not belong to those classes. [Their voice is soft and neutral.] But I do know some who do. [His face is somewhat familiar and for a moment of time Enkidu takes their time to study his face.] May I know your name? I think we have met.

[Still, they aren't telling him where he is, though.]

[coherer]

(he almost laughs. almost, indulging in a sharp, disbelieving huff instead.

it's more an initiating push than any outright attack on his person, but jonas—at six-foot-one—isn't impressed with the move. hands come away from his tote bag's strap to square up in hopes that naruto will back off from sheer size difference.)

Blondie, come at me again and I'll throw you back in the river, I swear to god! (he barks, which is far more his style than any actual bite that could follow; those anger management classes really aren't helping in this situation.) I wasn't being a dickhole, are you deaf? I gave you a very reasonable "no," 'cause I don't want you sloshing around in my shoes. The hell's wrong with that?

[kindlymeant]

[ Alayne's undecided on whether it's a comfort or a concern. It's homely, in a sense, but not terribly reassuring.

Both, perhaps, can be possible. ]

No, my lord. [ A guess, but he certainly seems lordly, and it's always better to be too respectful than not enough. ] At least, not for a very long time. [ Belatedly, she considers his wording - the within your knowledge. A thoughtful frown knits her brow. ] Though I... suppose I had not considered that it might exist.

[cryptsleeper]

[From the phrasing, there's some interesting history to be had. Enough to get a well and truly considerate noise. Magic was around, then it wasn't, and was so far gone that it existed it all might be doubtful.]

I suppose that being here has shaken quite a few assumptions then. [And here, in the Goblin Market, is probably not the wisest place to be talking about one's magical naivete.]

Was there anything you were looking for, or should I leave you be to browse?

[hoaxer]

[There is a significant pause that borders on a moment too long. To be called a Monster in this world is as normal as stating your profession. But Lu Li cannot bring herself to utter the title. It's still too raw. Too scathing.]

That'd be nice.

[The girl means no harm by her question, she's certain of it. Still, Lu Li slips her hands into her pockets.]

No. All I know about magic comes from stories and movies. Where I'm from, magic only exists in fairy tales.

[duckflails]

[Now, now! It does something alright. The water sprays right into Donald's open, squawking bill. Now his shouts turn into gargling noises, and it distracts him that now there's absolutely no chance of him changing direction at the last second! So, time for a giant duck to barrel right into you!]

Izuku Midoriya | My Hero Academia | Witch

[fullgauntlet]

[ A: boaltinn, bonfires ]

[The only thing more alarming than finding himself in a strange new world is to find himself as powerless and quirkless as he was when he was a little kid. Izuku arrives in the city in the midst of Boaltinn with nothing to show for himself aside from the note that he’s now some sort of ‘witch’ (like something out of a jrpg...?). He has tried to summon the old power he inherited inside of himself several times but no matter how hard focuses he can’t seem to pull out the special power that was entrusted to him by someone dear back home.

Honestly, he’s used to being powerless. He just hasn’t felt this way for a long time. So, when he’s presented with a rune-etched accessory that is said to keep him safe from fire he holds onto it like a lifeline. It’s not something inherited but at least it’s something.]

The fires burn away poor relationship experiences if you can jump and clear the fire? It’s a bit superstitious but I think I want to give it a try.

[If only to just prove he can do it!!]

[ B. the goblin market ]

[Izuku happens to be wandering around the goblin market (might as well see the sights, right?) when he notices there’s one particular stall that is selling all sorts of knickknacks and potions. He’s always been a sort of collector of things so he’s drawn to all the flashy looking items. When he approaches he’s offered several potion samples to try out. All of them are different colors and some shimmer while others look murky.

Now he really does feel like he’s in some sort of weird video game or fantasy drama come to life... Complete with the pushy and convincing merchant that heavily insists that Izuku give a green potion a shot. Izuku never really does well under insistent pressure so down the hatch the green liquid goes!! Gulp.]

Errp... [Oh, that’s not a great feeling. Izuku’s starting to turn as green in the face.] Wait- Wait... I don’t feel so well-! [Hiccup!] What was in that potion, I might be- [Hiccup!] allergic-?

[Suddenly Izuku finds himself suffering with in controllable hiccups! The longer they go the louder they get until Izuku himself is hiccuping bubbles into the air! All the while the goblin merchant is cackling away at Izuku’s misfortune! There has to be some sort of remedy! Or will he be hiccuping bubbles forever?]

[ C. a wilde hunt, casting spells ]

[By the time the full moon comes around Izuku has had some chances to try out casting spells himself. He’s naturally attracted to the use and execution of thunder and lightning. He’s been trying to harness the power in a way that’s practical but he finds that every single time he tries to cast a lightning spell it goes horrible awry. He’s destroyed so many trees with frantic exploding spells of lightning. Sorry trees... He’s trying to get this right!

When the wash of the moon takes over Izuku finds himself even more compelled to get the spells right. It feels like his body is overflowing with the power of lightning in his bones and he just can’t help casting the wild spells over and over again.

Izuku inhales and shouts as another burst of magic explodes from his fingertips sending a powerful green lightning bolt in every which way and direction. It sparks and fizzles powerfully around him and he can’t control it! Don’t get too close or be ready to dodge actual lightning bolts! Zap! Kaboom!]

[ D. wildcard ]

[Anything else can go here!]

a

[hoshikiri]

[The potion once held rolled all the way off of the stall to the ground, stopping at Takame's feet. He's been a victim of more than a few pushy vendors this day, so bearing witness to someone losing their temper towards one of them was unsurprising.

Enough that, despite the fact that he had the courtesy to pick the fallen potion up and bring it back to the stall, he initially made no effort to diffuse the situation. Not until the vendor noticed him and shot him a pathetic look that practically screamed some help??

He couldn't deny that, his sister would never deny that so he shouldn't either. Of course how he would help he didn't know. With his sister on the mind, he idly wondered what she would do... she was always the diplomatic sort, right? It's not until coming up with that that he said anything towards the aggravated Xaela.]

... Has something happened here? [Nailed it.]

Food Stalls

[enkidoh]

[Enkidu absolutely tries every bit of every food stall. In fact, they're stuffing their face. And when they spot this wolf-man telling one of the vendors he doesn't eat meat...well...that's unusual, to say the least.

So allow them to come closer and be ridiculously curious about it.]

Hmm? A wolf who does not eat meat?

[That is new.]

What do you eat instead? Fruit or vegetables? Or bread? [Enkidu gestures at one of the foodstalls.] The bread they sell over there is quite good. When combined with beer it will taste very nicely.