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

Claude von Riegan | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Witch

[kingofunification]

{Unusual Arrival}

[This was not how Claude expected to spend his evening, by a long shot.

He expected to be awake until the rays of dawn began peeking through his curtains, already burning his third candle of the night as he fussed over formations and contingency plans for their march on Enbarr.

He had not expected--nor could he have ever even imagined--that a glint from his pauldron, long abandoned in a chair at the corner of the room, would catch his attention so intensely. He blamed the distraction on the exhaustion of war and the little sleep he had gotten in the weeks since Fort Merceus fell, blaming the way his feet seemed to move on their own on his body begging him for a break.

What he hadn’t expected was the glint to become rippling, blinding, a ringing in his ears before--]

SPLASH

[It feels like Claude is thrown upwards into the air before he comes splashing back down in an ungraceful flail, suddenly consumed by lakewater.

He very quickly comes to the surface, sputtering obsenticies to himself as he drags himself ashore. He stumbles to his feet, slicking water from his hair as he scans the area, now very aware that this is nothing like he’s seen before. His fingers itch for a weapon he doesn’t possess, not liking the feeling of being caught unawares.]

{Goblin Market}

[The best place to collect intel, Claude had always found, was in a city’s underbelly. And when he heard whispers of a market that seemingly popped up out of nowhere to avoid clashing with the law of this land, on top of being a hub of untraditional potions--

--well, to say he was intrigued was putting it lightly.

Beyond picking up rumors, he was especially interested in getting his hand on one of these potions. Not because he believed their use would bring about the benefits they claim, but more for the interest of what components made up such things. Were they similar to the plants and minerals he used back home?

There was only one way to find out.

He strolls down the lane, a smile on his face as he puts on an air of perusing wares.]

{Wildcard}

[Hit me with your best shot!]

hey bb hey bb hey (arrival)

[crestfallenfor]

[The pulse of magic washing over the city at such a late hour was... strange, certainly, but Sylvain chalked it up to the coven doing something strange, or to some witch trying some new spell, only to have it go wildly out of control.

Or, he'd like to brush it off as that, anyway.

There's a commotion outside, as the neighbors chase multiple newcomers from their homes with spells and claws, and something tells him to go investigate... elsewhere.

Maybe not unarmed, though, so he grabs his lance on the way out the door, because if this is how new faces were showing up this month... Well. He'd be remiss if he didn't look for familiar faces in the chaos, right? Right.

And that's what takes him to the edge of the lake just when there's a particularly ungraceful splashing and flailing by a particularly familiar someone.]

Claude?

[kingofunification]

[From his quick survey of his surroundings, it's not long before he pinpoints the flash of red approaching--an unsettling familiar face in a unfamiliar place.]

Sylvain?

[He stands taller, pushing his hair back once again. He makes no move to approach because...sure this person looks like Sylvain, but who knows if they are actually one in the same. His fingers flex again, cursing his lack of weapon, cursing this...place or whatever it may be for tossing him out here so unprepared.]

[crestfallenfor]

Yeah, it's me.

[He can't even be offended that Claude is also questioning what he's seeing. It's late. He's lit just by the light of the moon (he never really knows when his lance is or is not going to decide to glow and twitch, here, after all...) and...

Well, and Claude was just unceremoniously dumped in the lake. Apparently. Can't blame the guy for being disoriented.]

You alright?

[kingofunification]

Define "alright". [The sight of Sylvain (or the compelling doppelganger) settles his dizzying thoughts, if only because now he had a conversation to focus on instead of questioning absolutely everything around him.] I've certainly had better evenings...

[He takes a moment to attempt to wring out his shirt, finally feeling the cold set into his skin after his unceremonious dip into the lake. Claude makes no move to approach, part of him too wary of a trick to trust the first familiar person he sees. He looks Sylvain up and down, taking in his clothes. He seems awfully comfortable with the local here.]

You seem like you're doing well...

goblins abound

[boarddyd]

[Dimitri returns yet another potion - gently, gently... - and politely turns down an offer. He has no reliable method of determining real tonics from fake concoctions, and his simple search for something akin to a vulnerary is beginning to seem grim.

The street is littered with vendor after vendor, each eager to peddle their wares. Maybe if he finds a weapon's dealer, the trip won't be completely for naught. There's always something worth finding in their collection of rusted blades.

A nearby harpy sings the praises of his new, heart racing potion, and opens a vial to splash it over passers by - Dimitri steps away in time to avoid the spray, but the street smells so strongly of vinegar...

He quickens his step, and soon the acrid bite fades, replaced not by the myriad of market scents but another familiar smell.

Weaving through a small crowd, Dimitri sets eyes on a face he almost recognizes.] Claude? [He damn near barrels for him, barely keeping his pace in the realm of 'walking'. Nostrils flaring when he nears, Dimitri's recognition is confirmed by increased senses he hasn't yet acknowledged.]

[kingofunification]

[Claude is pulled from his thoughts eyeing a curious bundle of dried flowers hanging above a vendor that he can't identify by a calling of his name in a voice that was--

--almost familiar.

The last time he had heard the sound was after the owner of said voice had turned down his offer to work together, threatening his head if he got in their way. So, it turns out to be quite a shock to Claude when he turns around and is met with a face he hadn't seen in 5 years.]

Dimitri? [For a man who prides himself on masking his emotions, there was no hiding the open shock on his face. Even here under whatever spell this place had on him, the Dimitri he saw before him had been long dead.] Is that really you?

[boarddyd]

[If it wasn't for the distinct scent that Claude always possessed, Dimitri may not have recognized him. Grown into his features, so very much an adult, the sight of the man stuns Dimitri even after he identifies him.

Like his mind can't keep up with his senses.

He leans forward, then slightly to the side, but stops short of whatever he'd been doing to force himself into a formal bow. Don't just lean in and sniff his neck Dima]

It's been too long, Claude. Five years, if I were to guess - am I correct?

[kingofunification]

[at least take him to dinner first come on He huffs by way of a laugh, trying to hide the bitter note that wanted to sing from his lungs. It had indeed been five years since he saw Dimitri like he stood before him, but it was much more recently that he saw a different Dimitri. He shakes away the memory, trying his best to offer a smile, albeit strained.]

Something like that.

[He rolls his neck, an idle moment to release tensions.] I take by your reaction this isn't the first...well, age gap you've encountered here?

Goblin Market

[unyieldingmarch]

[If Claude has been asking around, there's a chance that he's heard Edelgard is here. She's made a number of arrangements with the local merchants, including the goblins down in the market, and she's one of the people on the Mirrorbound council. It's entirely possible that it may have been missed, too.

Edelgard, on the other hand, is simply down in the market to pick up a few things. Mostly presents for Hubert, little alchemical gifts...and so she's strolling along merry with a basket under her arm, looking surprisingly normal. Heavy trousers, a starched white shirt and gloves that reveal no skin at all, with a red cloak to offset things. She's a good bit paler, and carrying a sword at her hip, something simple.

Pausing as she turns a corner, she blinks, shakes her head...and looks right at Claude.

She doesn't seem nervous as she marches closer, or especially hostile. More curious than anything.]

So you're among these new arrivals, Claude? How curious.

[kingofunification]

[Claude had heard bits and pieces of the structure of this new place, the rule of the Coven, the required bonds to keep a hold of your sanity. It was...not enough, not by a long shot. Being out of the loop was not a feeling he enjoyed, which had spurred his trip to the markets in the first place.

But he had already seen familiar faces around in his short time here. It wasn't too surprising to find another.

Though, the face he saw wasn't one he expected to see like this--dressed down, off of a battlefield. It made him think back to their academy days. When they could almost be called comrades.]

Ah, the Empress herself offers a greeting. How flattering. [His smile is genial, opening his arms wide in a show of peace.] It's been a while, hasn't it?

[unyieldingmarch]

[She actually smiles back, perplexed, raising a hand to rest against her cheek in a thoughtful posture as she studies him.]

...Emperor.

[It's a gentle correction, but her title is not Empress. Still, he was Almyran, so it wasn't entirely unexpected that he'd be unaware of Adrestian custom.]

And yes, it has. Almost a year, now. I've been here for eight months, and two months from when last we spoke in Fodlan.

[kingofunification]

[His smile doesn't falter at the correction, but a petty part in him only drives him to ignore the comment.

He is...intrigued though. The last time they spoke face to face hadn't been since Gronder, and that could hardly be considered a conversation. He was made aware that some memories he had didn't line up with everyone else, however...

...well, better off seeing what he could discover.]

Eight months is an long time, Princess. [A pointed name, said with a smile as he tosses his arms behind his head.] But I've seen you've had no problem settling in, here? Made quite a new name for yourself, hm?

Goblin Market

[bravelyathome]

[As he gets closer to a stall, he'll suddenly hear what is probably a familiar shriek. Yep, that's Bernadetta somewhere. In fact, that's her in a tiny Fae version expertly avoiding being splashed "accidentally" by a potion as she flies up into the air. Covering her face, she waits a second until she realizes she avoided the disaster.

Sighing she unfolds and Claude gets to behold that she's not only lost a foot in height but she also has the wings of a damselfly as well as eyes that are one solid color. Oh and have the antennae been mentioned? They're there too. Along with shimmery scales showing up on various parts of her skin.]

That was so close...

[kingofunification]

[It's hard to miss the little creature, seeing as it almost hits him right in the face in their desperate flight. Though it's a good thing that he does, as it would've been hard to recognize her otherwise.]

...Bernadetta?

[It was her, right? Claude was still getting used to the changes in the people he once knew once they arrived here, but the purple hue of hair and the shrill voice was unmistakable. There's a smile on his face as he's honestly delighted by seeing such an interesting change in the girl.]

[bravelyathome]

Eh?

[Her little 4'5" body swings around to realizes she's at eye level with none other than Claude himself. Blinking, she stares at him before zipping backward a foot so she's not immediately in his face anymore.]

C-Claude? You're here?

goblin market

[hegemonwings]

[ suffice it to say that she'd been curious about the market, after what she'd heard from edelgard about the rumors. even if she's sure most of this must be a sham.

regardless, as she keeps her attention on a stall up ahead, byleth brushes past claude without registering that it was him. she simply wasn't paying attention, sue her. so look lively, claude, just ahead there's a flash of dark teal-blue hair, and a dark cloak marked with the adrestian double-headed eagle on its back in bright silver. byleth turns to interact with one merchant, and regardless of what the professor might look like in claude's memory, she has the dagger and medallion that they wore attached to her belt, standing out against her dark clothing. ]

What can you tell me about these? [ byleth indicates a pack of poultices, as a safe enough place to start. the merchant sees the symbol embroidered on the front of her cloak as well and puts two and two together. "you must be general eisner! always a pleasure to have a friend of lady hresvelg about. now, those are some of our standard..." ]

[kingofunification]

[The flash of blue is nostalgic, and it's enough to pull his thoughts away from the book in his hand as he tried to discern the local flora enough to start brewing on his own. It brings a smile to his face, remembering a simpler time when he had first met the person who would become his professor, blue hair and blank stares and--

Claude blinks as he looks up, something unfamiliar yet familiar in front of him.

It's a woman, blue hair like Teach once wore, a coat with an more familiar coat of arms on the back. Adrestian regalia.

Adrestian regalia? Long hair, shorter stance.

This wasn't the Teach he remembered sitting across from him at the war table last week. But there was something so achingly familiar--something that could be overlooked if not for the double-headed eagle on their back. It kicks his curiosity into overdrive, wandering close enough to hear the name "Eisner" in the air.

Too many coincidences at once could only mean one thing, right?]

Holding onto a title like General outside of a war-torn world seems a bit like a power move, don't you think? [His face his all smiles as he approaches, eyes guarded as he takes in her expression.]

[hegemonwings]

[ she startles a bit at the sound of claude's voice, turning to face him. byleth quickly hands over some coin for the poultices and turns her attention fully to the man. that damned false smile. if she hadn't seen the worst parts of this man, it might not bother her so much—but she's seen through it from the day they first met, and she knows now what it can hide. he's someone she'd prefer to keep as an ally if possible, all the same.

either way, the recognition in her eyes is clear. ]

Force of habit. And war-torn is an odd choice of words. Fódlan stands unified now, Claude. Or don't you recall? [ there's a touch of dynamism to her expressions and inflections. ]

wildcard

[roseish]

[ She comes back out of the woods with her hair undone and wild, and covered in blood and wounds. Her eight pink legs are still growing in, but they've ripped through her skirt and bodice. The whole outfit is in shreds, and she limps up the grassy hill towards him on her usual two legs. Pink chelicerae protrude from her mouth. She gazes at him with eight pink eyes that have neither iris nor pupil. Even with the changed features of her expression, it's obvious that she's putting on nonchalance at seeing him there. ]

Really, you didn't need to wait for me, Claude. But since you're here...

[ She had a grand old time playing with the other monsters, but she's feeling pretty low on stamina now. ]

HILDA! HILDA! HILDA!

[kingofunification]

[Claude has a book in his hands, looking over the assorted circles drawn inside as he tries to create his own. Potion brewing wasn't something new to him, but combining ingredients magically was too interesting a concept for him to pass up experimenting with.

He tilts his head up absentmindedly at the familiar voice, trying to keep his hand steady to finish the circle.]

Did you enjoy your trip-- [When he looks up, he's taken a back for a second. Her clothes just seem to get more and more ripped every time he sees her.]

Gods above, Hilda, we need to get you something that fits better than that...

[roseish]

[ She comes to sit alongside him, angled away to make room for her dreadful squirming extra legs. She has seen other Arachne around, she knows there will eventually be some power and grace to the whole terrible thing... But right now she's in shreds of clothes that no longer fit what she is. Kind of a sad look for Hilda Goneril. ]

It's not like I was expecting to turn into a spider when I got into this dress.

[ She wipes a hand across her brow. ]

I'll just have to get someone to take me shopping tomorrow.

goblin market - sorry i'm late! moving suuucks.

[islandhuntress]

[Petra is exactly the kind of sucker these merchants thrive on. She's desperate and more than that, she wants to believe their lies. She wants a cure. She wants something that will stop her transformation. She already has a forked tongue and long, black talons for nails, both of which she's attempting to hide as best she can.]

This one stops the changes? Is this truth? How much are you wanting for it?

[She tries to remember all the tips Ashe had given her and prepares herself for bartering like she'd prepare herself to spar, determined and focused.]

It's okay, I'll wait forever for dearest Petra <3

[kingofunification]

[With personal research from the library he found himself sleeping in and his daily trips to these markets since he heard of them, Claude had amassed a fairly good knowledge of the plants he had not recognized on his arrival in this new place.

The gossip he had manged to pick up...was a little more lacking that he would like. Most of these vendors were tight-lipped, expertly steering conversations toward the wonderful benefits of their products.

He had been keeping his ears open anyways, trying to see if he could pick up anything useful, when instead he picked up a familiar voice.]

But the root at the base of this cure also is known to cause tremors and all sorts of muscle spasms when ingested, is it not? [Claude slinks to the side of Petra, offering her a wink as he pointedly ignores the annoyed look he's shot by the vendor.]

[islandhuntress]

[That voice- Her head immediately snaps to look at him, eyes wide with a barely contained mix of emotions - excitement, relief, joy and then a good dose of nervousness. What is she to him? She isn't sure what she'd do if Claude saw her as his enemy. Just the thought of it made her heart ache.

What he says doesn't even really register but his tone is obviously smugly dubious and the vendor looks annoyed. Through body language alone it's clear that Claude thinks the potion is no good and the vendor doesn't have much of a retort.]

Claude! Seeing you is giving me great joy. [The vendor is all but forgotten, much to the goblin's annoyance.] When... Are you just arriving? One of the ones the message was speaking of? [Even with the chance that they're enemies looming over her head, she can't help but practically vibrate with excitement, using all of her willpower to resist the urge to pull him into a tight hug.]