Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

[faileas]

Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

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

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

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

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

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

As always, please direct your questions to this thread!

Comments

[kingofunification]

Perhaps. [He finishes the prodding of his paddle, determining where the paper was weakest. Strongest at the edges, but less surface to scoop a fish with...] It would at least be worth a try. Make use of this chance we get, no matter how strange it may be. And if we fail, at least we could say we tried.

[Claude's eyes track a fish, letting the paper skim the water.] But I am glad to see you, my friend. It's been hard to adjust without anyone I--tch.

[He huffs, the fish he was attempting to catch rolling from the edge of the paddle and swimming off--not before ripping a hole in the paper.] Harder than it looks...

[unsacrificing]

[despite claude not finishing the sentence, byleth gets the sentiment anyway. he laughs a little, not knowing if claude purposefully interrupted himself or if the little fish had great timing.]

Mm... shall we see what the rest of the festivities have to offer? I don't know if we'll have much luck, here.

[the subtlest glare at the paddles and fish.]

It's been a while since we've had a moment to enjoy ourselves.

[kingofunification]

[There's a genuine smile on his lips, the light of mischief in his eyes as he sees Byleth's unamused stare at the fish.] Perhaps we can find some poles to properly fish later.

[He stands, dusting dirt from his knees as he tosses the broken paddle in a pile filled with such.]

Maybe this is just a fine offering from that Goddess of yours to force us to unwind for a bit. [Claude winks, offering Byleth a hand to help him stand.] Maybe she's telling us to stop passing out on maps and uncomfortable chairs.

[unsacrificing]

[maybe he LIKES passing out on maps and uncomfortable chairs, claude!! his cheeks redden a little - just a little - as he grabs the offered hand and stands, eyes averted as if caught doing something bad.]

I don't do that as often as you do...

[he assumes, anyway. it's not like he's watching claude's every moment to see if he's sleeping properly or not.]

I passed some food vendors, if you're hungry. The cuisine here must be interesting, if it's catering to monsters like me. [a hand instinctively goes up to the bit of scaling on his neck.]

[kingofunification]

[Claude laughs, taking the open embarrassment--however small--as a personal victory.] You've got me there, my friend. I feel like my bed must be getting lonely with me gone nearly every night.

[His eyes follow the movement of Byleth's hand, and the joke he prepared about the older man's insatiable desire for food slips from his mind as his eyes widen just a bit at the scales there. ]

So here you've been delegated as a monster here, hm?

[He itches to see how far the transformation has gone--to ask what monster Byleth could be becoming--but he holds back his questions for the moment, trying not to be insensitive. Though, this wasn't the first major change Byleth had gone through, was it...]

[unsacrificing]

Mmhmm. I think I'm a fish.

[he can't really pull his collar down because his mantle is metal and doesn't move, but he does pull off a glove to reveal the scales along the back of his hands along with his long, sharp, blackened nails.]

That would be nice... do you think I can still fish if I am a fish?

[he can maybe use his new claws as a fishing spike...o:]

Oh-

[oh this is PERFECT!!!]

We should bond.

[kingofunification]

A fish... [He's not quite sure if he's seen a fish with a scale pattern like that, nor quite as long...claws. But who knows where the blend of Monster and Man truly lay for this world.] I'm sure you can still fish--there are fish which eat other fish, after all.

[His musing on what kind of fish Byleth could be is cut sure as he is derailed by--]

Bond? [Claude's jaw hangs open, blinking at the abrupt change in topic.] My friend, you do know what bonding entails, right?

[unsacrificing]

I don't have any idea.

[he pets a hand to his chin. he doesn't think dimitri mentioned how bonding works. but he did get there was a sense of importance to bonding here... he doesn't want to go feral and hurt someone, even if he is a harmless fish!]

But if it's with you, whatever it entails is fine. [a firm, confident nod.]

[kingofunification]

I mean, I'm flattered, but-- [Suddenly his hands aren't busy enough, running his hand through his hair. He had done his research on bonds, since it was emphasized as an important connection to make in this strange place.

But it wasn't as easy as just...making a pact. If that was it, Claude wouldn't be so flustered.]

[He huffs, trying again.] ...it's not that I don't trust you enough to form that kind of bond--in fact, your probably the one I trust the most. [Suddenly the booths over there seem very interesting...] But, beyond just keeping your sanity, you also end up--well, unwittingly sharing more between each other. Like... [He glances at Byleth from the corner of his eyes] ...memories, and the like.

[unsacrificing]

I don't know anyone who I trust more.

[byleth angles himself so he can catch claude's gaze directly, his blank stare somehow intense and certain. he still isn't sure what the actual...bonding entails, but he's serious in that as long as it's with claude, he can trust it'll be all right.

and his memories? well he doesn't have any that he hasn't already shared with claude.]

But if you'd rather not, I understand. [he knows how much claude keeps under lock and key, not because he doesn't trust byleth but because it's just not the right time.]

[kingofunification]

No! [Claude startles himself at his vehement response, clearing his throat before continuing on, trying to ease his nerves.] No, it's not that I don't want to. It's just--I mean, you're probably one of the only ones I wouldn't mind seeing those things--those memories.

[The only other person he could think of even remotely trusting to be privy to those would be Hilda, but even then it's not something he would jump into without trepidation.]

[He turns to face Byleth fully, a small frown pulling at his lips as another restless hand makes a futile attempt to push back some of his more unruly strands of hair.] It's not that I...don't trust you with those things. My past that is. It's just... [He huffs, unable to keep up with the eye contact, gaze wandering.]

...I would like to tell you all those things about me, at some point. I'm not trying to hide it forever, but the thought of being forced to share something I haven't prepared myself to share is... [A mirthless chuckle] ...not really a thought I enjoy.

[unsacrificing]

[byleth is also a bit caught off guard when claude raises his voice. it's not like him to lose himself like this, and it's clear claude himself is surprised by it as well. the slip tells byleth that what's about to follow is important, a vulnerability that claude would never allow himself to show otherwise. but since they trust each other so completely, even without being privy to his every thought, claude is allowing byleth to see him like this.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I don't think you trust me. I know that you do.

[a smile as he regloves his hand]

I'm grateful that you'd like to tell me, and I'll listen when the time comes. Until then-

[a frown]

-until then, perhaps I can distract myself from the shared memories with something else. Like trying to master that strange fishing game.

[kingofunification]

[Claude smiles, a small thing that crinkles the corners of his eyes and allows the tension to ease from his shoulders. Of course Byleth would take his hesitation in stride. Allowing him comfort without questioning his past, his secrets, his heritage.

He knew he had nothing to fear by letting Byleth in, but somehow it was always a pleasant surprise when he was reminded how dear Byleth could be to him.]

Perhaps after we eat we can try that fishing game again. I think I know a trick or two to make it work. [A chuckle, before he pats Byleth's shoulder, letting his hand linger for a moment.]

...but in all seriousness. I can't thank you enough for understanding, my friend. It means a lot to me. [He gives the man a squeeze before reluctantly releasing his shoulder.] We can figure out how to make a bond work for us.

[unsacrificing]

[and byleth smiles - a genuine, very blatant smile. his gaze relaxes, warms, as he looks at the man he's fought beside and fought for.]

There's nothing to thank me for. I know you- even if I don't know your past or all your thoughts, I know who you are as a person. And that's enough for me.

[he returns the shoulder squeeze with a little back pat.

....then he hits his fist into his open palm, as if just remembering something.]

Oh- if we are to be bonded, should I also wear full Leicester Alliance regalia? [though they are fighting for a better overall world and not something as small and petty as nations and patriotism-- he wonders if claude would like it if he wore his colors.]

[kingofunification]

[The question takes him by surprise, an open look of confusion on his face. This...was a different turn than the heart to heart they were having.]

Why... would you need to? [He starts slowly, trying to piece together Byleth's reasoning. He didn't wear the regalia during the war, so...] There is no Leicester here after all. [Claude laughs, but it's a small and almost nervous thing.]

[unsacrificing]

Have you met the Byleth here? [he tilts his head, not catching the nervousness this time.]

She wears the colors and regalia of the Adrestian Empire. I wondered if I was doing you a disservice, not wearing the Leicester Alliance colors.

[could it be that this is what claude wanted all along??? and byleth was just too socially inept to catch on??]

[kingofunification]

[He...had encountered the other Byleth, and it wasn't a completely pleasant memory. He still can't completely push away the irrational feeling of betrayal when he thinks about them, even though they had no such rapport in whatever timeline she was from. But it still sat ill in his stomach, and he can't completely fight the frown on his face at the mention.]

I have seen her, though I don't think you need to compare yourself to how she presents herself. [He shakes his head, mostly to clear it from the negative thoughts.] No disservice is being done to me by not wearing Leicester colors. [He shrugs.] We don't even march under them, so I see no reason to put more borders within our ranks with regional allegiances.

[He pats the shoulder that usually houses his cape, offering an easy smile.] Honestly, I only wear them because it would be in poor taste for the Duke not to. And also because I look pretty dashing in yellow. [Punctuated with a wink for good measure.]

[unsacrificing]

Ah, I was afraid that it was something you'd wanted but did not want to tell me. I do think it strange.

[claude's reasoning makes a lot of sense, though. their mission is to break down barriers and borders that cause the discrimination amongst its people. they're not fighting for the Leicester Alliance, they're fighting for a much greater cause.

--well, also to defend themselves from being invaded, which is also a very important cause.]

You do look nice in yellow. I don't think I told you, but this new outfit suits you.

[byleth tugs at the cape lightly.]

It's kind of a relief, though, to hear you don't want me wearing all that Regalia...

[kingofunification]

If I wanted you to wear it, I would ask--I am not so timid as to not approach you with my opinions. [At least not with something inconsequential like clothing...]

[Claude can't help the way he straightens at the compliment, rubbing his beard to try to hid his slight embarrassment.] Thank you, though I can't take the credit for the design, besides a flourish here and there. [Mostly his belt, the smallest bit of his homeland he would allow--it's not like Alymran silks were uncommon in the Alliance, after all.] I suppose it comes with the job to let other people dress me to their whims.

[He pushes past his embarrassment, chuckling.]But you don't have a job like that. Regalia has a time and place, but this is neither of those. [He shakes his head, fond smile still on his face.] What you typically wear suits you, and it's what we've become familiar with. Makes us nostalgic for a simpler time, you know?

[unsacrificing]

Thank you, I do like it. It keeps me warm. [most people would find his ensemble probably way too hot with his shirt, tunic, armor, gloves, boots over thick pants, and coat. but he is a man who gets cold much too easily, and even moreso now that he has become a fish? lizard? whatever he is?

he quirks another little smile.]

So if you are planning some secret regalia for me, please make sure it is warm.

[but the smile quickly becomes strained when he thinks about--]

How strange, don't you think? That I could be so different in another lifetime.

[kingofunification]

I would never dream of making you cold, my friend. [He winks, an over-dramatic gesture.] Only the warmest of clothes for you if I ever decide to gift you with some finery.

[But seeing the fleeting smile of Byleth fall only makes his lips turn in kind, a pinch in his brow at the doubt he can hear starting to bubble in those words.]

It is strange, how the flow of time and collection of events and acquaintances can can change one's path so dramatically. [Claude takes a step closer, letting his gaze wander to the dark sky above you.] Is it uncomfortable for you, seeing someone who's you but not you?

[If it was already hard enough for Claude to wrap his mind around a different Byleth, he can't even begin to imagine what the man himself must think about it.]

[unsacrificing]

It's -

[byleth knows a little bit about time. he knows he can turn it back a few seconds to reverse a fatal decision but only during certain times and only a certain amount of times.

each time, the people around him are the same. this is the first time that the world, timeline, memories, and personalities are different.]

Claude, you know they call me the progenitor god. And while I am much more limited than the goddess herself, I was allowed one gift from her- the ability to rewind time. [said softly, so no one but claude can hear.]

There are many limitations, but I am no stranger to the fluidity of time and space. But this is still so different. This is the first time that recollections of time are different, that people come from different points in time entirely- that the world is different.

For all the times I've brought you all back to life - even my own - we were still ourselves. I didn't think much of it.

But now- I wonder if there are greater implications to this power than I considered. I can imagine no other path than the one at your side - and this situation only confirms my decision - but I can't help but wonder about the many variant timelines I may have unintentionally created.

[kingofunification]

[The only thing keeping Claude's jaw off the ground is the whirring of his thoughts, flashes of hypotheses and memories flooding his mind. Of fast reactions, of wide-eyed glances, of miraculous deflections and counters--

He knew that Sothis gave something to Byleth, and that merging with a Goddess had to have his merits as well as drawbacks. He even had his suspicious of what that power might be, with Byleth's reactions during battles.

But he didn't expect...]

That's-- [He blinks, suddenly remembering where they were. His eyes rove frantically around the small crowd--sure these people weren't from their world, but sharing something like this out in the open didn't feel right.]

[Claude grabs Byleth's hand, giving a gentle tug as he starts to lead them towards the empty trees not far from the celebrations.] This is not the best place to discuss this. [His voice is low, chancing a glance back at Byleth.] Let's find somewhere quiet to talk, my friend.

[unsacrificing]

[byleth nods, allowing claude to take him wherever he feels is safe and private. he can always, always count on claude to watch out for him like this, to always have his back as byleth always has claude's. what a wonderful team they make.

byleth feels a bit of a shiver run through him, likely due to his new coldblooded nature, and he huddles closer to claude to leech some of his warmth.]

[kingofunification]

[It's a short walk until they're in the middle of the trees, the moon lighting up the small clearing Claude finds. There fair enough away from the festivities that the sounds of chatter is barely a whisper on the breeze, the lights of distant bonfires winking like fireflies from gaps in the forest.

Claude turns to face Byleth fully as he stops. He drops the hand in his--but still lingers close, resting a hand on his shoulder instead.]

I have...many questions. I'm honestly floundering trying to wrap my head around the concept, even though I've seen you do more impossible things. But-- [His brow furrows, concern shining in his gaze as he looks at Byleth's face, searching for any minute changes in his expression.] It sounds to me as if you're somehow blaming yourself for these other impossible timelines--as if you could have predicted this, or that the fault would lie completely on your shoulders.