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

[arturiarex]

[ The Sisters make her want to do something. To run wild, to hunt, to loser herself in madness for a little while, but now she has a bond and now she has more of a barrier against the encroaching lunacy. She still finds herself wanting to stretch her legs and stretch her wings and so she finds herself in the woods, not sure where she's going - simply running at a steady jog, wings tucked in tight to avoid getting snagged on a branch or bush. A ruff of feathers has spread and grown across her shoulders and lower throat and her claws have grown longer, despite her efforts at keeping them trimmed back - the full moon seems to have brought them back.

At least until she hears the growl. She skids to a stop, peering into the dim light and trying to see who she's talking to. There's something vaguely familiar about that voice, even with the gravelly voice. ]

Saber.

[ She announces herself. ]

And who are you to be asking where people go walking on their own business?

[finesseblade]

[ His ears shoot upright at the sound of her voice, equally familiar even in his changed state. Even in the dark, his eyes pick out the outline of her face , the golden hue of her hair the most distinct thing he can see. The wings are new. So are the feathers. But the smell...

Felix's nose quivers as he lifts his face, scenting the air, and confirms that actually, yes, it's her. His tail starts to tentatively sweep back and forth, recognizing someone familiar; Felix immediately whuffs and rocks back on his haunches, flattening it before it can do any worse. ]

It's Felix, [ he says, his voice still a growl. ] just differently shaped than you're used to. Since when do you have wings?

[arturiarex]

[ That's a surprise. Although perhaps it shouldn't be. She peers into the darkness, her own nostrils flaring as she tries to catch his scent. Her's aren't quite as acute as his, in all likelihood, but they've still been enhanced. It certainly smells like him - although a little different than she's used to. She takes a few steps forward, watching him with fascination.

He really is larger like this. She flicks her wingtips with a little 'hmm' sound. ]

Since last month, honestly. They grew in during the last full moon. I have been... adjusting.

[ Which is something of an understatement. Her tail flicks behind her and she takes a deep breath. She still feels a bit on edge, but talking to someone is helping with that. ]

I hadn't realized you could... change... like that.

[finesseblade]

Mm. Then you can imagine my shock the first time it happened.

[ He tilts his head to one side, fixing her with the appraising look of one solid golden eye as she approaches. Part of it is just his own damn instincts gauging threat levels, even when he doesn't need to. Part of it is just his own natural inclination to try and figure out her current state of mind.

He's begun paying more attention to animal body language since he started having these monthly changes—a side effect and a personal goal at once. Hers says stress. Hell, he has a cat. He'd have figured it out even without paying any special mind.

He whuffs out a short bark to draw her attention. ]

Relax. Steady yourself. You'll still be you, so long as you keep your focus, and embrace that you're this—stronger—for the night.

[arturiarex]

[ His reassurance is rather welcome, although she still finds his form to be a bit strange. Even if she knows it's him underneath all of it. That same Felix who continues to remind her so much of her own knights, even if he isn't. At the moment he's simply very furry and much larger. Her wings flutter and then settle. Normally she's shorter than him in any case - now she's much shorter and has to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. ]

There is a strength to it. I feel... invigorated. Like I could conquer any foe that crosses my path.

[ She flexes a clawed hand for emphasis, the points glinting in the low light. ]

But there is also the sense that if I set my foot wrong I will lose control and go sliding down into something unpleasant. Do you feel that as well? As if we are balanced on a knife edge?

[finesseblade]

[ He doesn't respond immediately, still watching her steadily, but after a moment he turns his head away and snorts quietly. ]

Yes.

[ And while Felix in his normal form isn't given to prance about unnecessarily, this Felix is restless, claws curling at his sides, stalking forward one step and then two—circling her, giving her the occasional glance, but most of his senses are tuned toward the night beyond them. ]

The more you resist, [ he growls, and he tilts his head toward the full moons overhead, ] the harder they pull.

[ His jaws open wide—a yawn, baring sharp white teeth, and then they clamp shut again with a click. His head swivels back toward her, lips curling back in the approximation of a grin. ]

You have to embrace the madness to avoid it. Funny, isn't it?

[arturiarex]

[ The pacing and the circling make her hackles rise a little, even if she knows he doesn't mean any harm. She turns to follow him with her eyes, wings flickering and spreading as if she might try to take off at any moment. ]

I've noticed. [ She replies with a little clench of her jaw. The feathers along her shoulders and lower throat ruffle in the breeze. She really is a chimera and trying to pull against her animal instincts makes it pull back - even stronger. ]

I'm reluctant to do that. To... lose control. I don't want that.

[ Her clawed hands twitch and her head cocks, bird-like. It's an unconscious tic. ]

But do I have a choice any longer?

[finesseblade]

[ The animal part of him is satisfied to watch her feathers ruffle and think that he's established himself as a threat, at the apex of the hierarchy of these woods tonight. Good. He should be threatening. It's only natural.

The human part of him resists, because it's a vicious and unruly instinct and not one he's proud of, but in the back of his mind he thinks: isn't it natural? Doesn't it feed into his all-consuming striving to be regarded as the best, the foremost, at something for all these years?

Tonight, maybe he'll let that unruly instinct slide. He chuckles. ]

No one does, but they'll take you eventually, one way or the other.

[ He drops low, his claws touching the ground, flexing into the soft earth beneath him, and there's a glint in his eyes as he leans in close. He's a pack animal in truth now, and he wants to run—to sprint into the forest, at full speed, and who the hell cares where he ends up?

The urge is overpowering. But he doesn't want to do it alone. ]

Run with me. Just for tonight.

[arturiarex]

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

I will not let it happen-

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

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

Yes. [ Another breath. ]

Yes-

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

[finesseblade]

[ There she goes. Felix's lips curl back from his teeth in a canine grin, tongue lolling out of one side of his mouth, and for a moment, he savors his amusement.

Then his instincts break loose, screaming at him to chase, and Felix takes off like a shot of ink into the dark after her.

She's fast, and lightweight, with wings that may very well take her off the ground if she gets it in her head to really fly, but Felix has power behind him, so he lopes alongside her, upright at moments and then down on all fours when it suits him. He doesn't bother to conceal his movements—branches snap and old leaves crunch beneath his paws, signaling to everyone and everything that the two of them are on the move.

No instinct to rend, or kill, but just to run, and feel the wind through his fur. It's a freedom he rarely indulges in. It's... exhilarating.

He swerves in close to her, barking short and sharp, nipping at the tips of her wings—not a threat, but a playful move, and a warning that he's nearby and she'd better move quick. ]

[arturiarex]

[ There's something invigorating about finally letting it all loose. Letting it run free, without restraint, letting her thinking mind go. She didn't think she would enjoy it, but a part of her does. She's not out of control. This isn't like the other full moon. She's more aware of who she is and what she's doing and the rush of air around her and the catch of branches against clothing make her feel alive.

She glances back, wings tucking in slightly as he follows alongside her. There's a playful nip from him against the feathers and she gives him a slightly shocked look before she spreads her wings wide again and gives him a buffet from one of them in return as she puts on speed. She may not have quite his size, but her frame is powerful and she move quickly when she wants to.

Besides she has a competitive streak.

She breaks into a clearing, the moonlight illuminating everything in a silver, and she jumps forward, wings catching the air and for a moment she's poised in the pale light - not quite flying, not merely leaping. ]

[finesseblade]

[ Felix ducks against the beating of her wings, ears pulling back, well aware that those feathers are not to be trifled with. But he grins, still. The danger is part of the chase. He remembers wandering the courtyard as a child, being chided by the stablehands not to bother the geese, lest they beat him with their powerful wings.

He wonders if that power will translate to flight—if those same wings could carry her aloft, if she tried. Were he but a beast, he'd probably take the opportunity the moment they burst into the clear air to grab her by the ankle and drag her down, to deal the finishing blow with his teeth.

But he's not here to hunt, or to kill. Instead, he's curious. So he bolts into the clearing after her, still snapping at her heels, a not-so-gentle encouragement for her to keep going as he barks at her. ]

Can you take flight? Spread your wings! Let me see!

[arturiarex]

[ Unlike the last time, this feels more freeing. Less like she is losing control and more like she is indulging herself in something she has never allowed. Felix's voice chases after her and with her wings spread, she gives them a flap, the downdraft kicking up some stray leaves. Then again. She manages to claw a bit of altitude, wings working. It's an unfamiliar sensation, with muscles she never had before.

It feels exhilarating.

Of course, the clearing is only so large and she has to glide back to earth before she runs into the branches and tree trunks. She's actually laughing when she does, wings working for a bit of stability as she stumbles. ]

I didn't know I could!

[finesseblade]

[ There it is. Felix pulls up short the second she's in the air, ducking his head against the whirlwind of leaves and dust she kicks up in her wake. When he lifts his head again, it's to watch her glide to a landing on the opposite side of the clearing.

The giddy feeling the sight invokes isn't something Felix ordinarily allows himself, but tonight is an irresistible exception, and he ends up turning a whole circle trying to work out the restless, full-body vibrations that have taken hold of him. ]

Only because you did not try, [ He yips, tongue lolling out to one side as he pants off the run. ] What are wings for, if not flying? That was excellent.

[arturiarex]

[ She twirls lightly on one foot, wings still spread out behind her. She's never tried, honestly, because she's never wanted to indulge the changes that have been made to her body. But tonight? Tonight it feels liberating rather than stifling. ]

It felt so... freeing.

[ She's not given to emotional outbursts, not really, but she can't help the exultant smile that creeps over her face. She comes back toward Felix, arms and wings outstretched. She almost feels like a child again. ]

But you can still outrun me, can't you? That's what you're good at - running.

[finesseblade]

On foot, certainly. Four legs are faster than two, if I stoop down.

[ He grunts, and as if to demonstrate, drops down to all fours, ducking beneath one of her outstretched wings. The feathers feel strange brushing against his back, quills combing through his dark fur, and when he comes out the other side he sniffs curiously at the tips of them. Instinct guides him more than anything to explore now.

He's reminded of something Ingrid told him once, about pegasii, and what it felt to be atop one. She reminds him a little bit of Ingrid—not just the way she looks, but her attitude, her stubborn dedication to foolish ideals.

He and Ingrid aren't really so different. Felix knows that. ]

But you have the advantage of the sky. There are no barriers up there; you can move as far and fast as the wind allows you, and see everything on the ground from a falcon's viewpoint. That's a powerful advantage, if you can master your wings.

[arturiarex]

[ Saber is a little confused as she watches him sniff around and slip under her wings. Maybe a little wary. But she's also happy to indulge him. The full moon gives her a sense of joy, of excitement, to be sharing this with another. She reaches down with a hand to feel the fur along his back, curiously letting it run through her fingers. ]

I haven't tried yet; I've been busy. But perhaps I should practice when I'm not beneath the branches of this forest.

[ She gives her wings a little flap. They don't lift her off of the ground, but she's not trying for that. ]

That would be something - to be able to fly at will and without the use of technology.

[ She shakes her head. ]

Listen to me - finding joy in this. I wouldn't have thought I would, when I arrived here. And you - you seem... happier than I've known you.

[finesseblade]

[ For once, he accepts the careful stroke of fingers through his fur with little more than token grumbling, shaking his head and letting out a sharp whuff. then he's turning his golden gaze on her, blinking slowly, ears perking up in curiosity.

After a moment, he drops his head, whining gruffly. ]

It's... pleasant, to run free out here. To lose all inhibitions, if only for a moment.

[ And isn't that hard to admit? He thinks he's reached his quota on self-expression for the night. No more feelings.

Well, maybe one more feeling. He tilts his head to the side, peering at her with a single eye now. ]

Does it not feel the same to you? To forget about past and future, and revel only in the wind and the moonlit sky?

[arturiarex]

I... don't know.

[ She admits that with a slow sigh. Apparently she's not entirely done with feelings. ]

I've always prided myself on control, so letting myself go - it is liberating, but also disconcerting. Like I'm walking a tight rope and one wrong move will send me tumbling. Does that make sense?

[finesseblade]

[ He watches her for a moment, and then grunts. This again. But she's not wrong, and he nods his head. ]

It does. I feel the same.

[ He's tried control, ever since he got here. It doesn't work. This is the only full moon he's felt truly at peace since he arrived. ]

But we're walking that tightrope no matter what we do. We must simply learn to balance—or fall.

[arturiarex]

I've fallen once. I have no desire to do it again...

[ But the harder she tries to control herself, the more she seems to slip. It's disconcerting. ]

Honestly... I don't know if I want to let go. Or if I'm simply being recalcitrant because of my pride.

[finesseblade]

[ He watches her for a long moment, quiet and curious. He has no comment or criticism here—he's just as familiar with pride, and it's because of his pride that he still struggles to adjust to this form.

He tilts his head to one side and asks, simply: ]

Did tonight feel like falling, to you?

[arturiarex]

I - no.

[ She goes silent for a long few heartbeats, considering the question and her answer to it. ]

...I am not sure what that means, though. Do I really feel that? Or is the moon affecting me?

[ Too much doubt. ]

Do I really feel what I think I feel?

[finesseblade]

[ See, this isn't working, he can tell. Felix grumbles, a deep noise from the back of his throat, and leans over to headbutt her shoulder—not to knock her over, but just hard enough to shake her on her feet. ]

You're overthinking it, [ he growls. ] Quit worrying about the hypotheticals and focus on the reality. You haven't hurt anyone tonight, or felt the urge. That's what matters.

[arturiarex]

[ Overthinking her own self is sort of what she tneds to do, but the gentle headbutt does seem to at least get her knocked out of it for the moment. ]

You're right.

[ She admits that with a deep exhale and then a small, controlled smile. Probably the widest he's ever seen on her. ]

Let's enjoy it while it lasts. Will you run with me?

[ She lifts her hand and holds it out to him, wings spreading behind her. ]

If I'm going to let go for a while, I would prefer to do it with a companion. [ She isn't sure she can call him a friend. Although perhaps she would like to. ]