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

[purposefulnonsense]

Being that he is from before the time autonomous figures were even proposed as a concept, robot is a word that means nothing to Hythlodaeus. Still, there are more than enough other words from which he is able to paint a picture in his mind of Mettaton's passion. An actor who feels a calling to entertain. A lover of the theater.

"How fortunate that they have, though why they would ever have wished to keep it from the masses, I cannot comprehend." Yet another way in which this place was strange to him. Still, he is glad that, for whatever reason, they seem to have changed their minds on the matter. Just as he is glad that there is opportunity here for a soul bound to a concept to flourish and pursue their dreams, for such is how he sees Mettaton; for an individual so vibrant to exist, and to have a body that is both inorganic and organic, and so heavily favoring the former, such is the first and only impression of the other's physical nature to imprint itself upon his thoughts.

He wonders, briefly, what his new friend would look like, were he to truly see him. Alas, bereft of his natural abilities, he cannot. As much as he misses seeing the world as he is accustomed to seeing it — and he misses it dearly, indeed — for now, he can only perceive the physical.

"I would enjoy the chance to see a performance of yours, if you would have me." Will it be the same as in Amaurot, he muses quietly, the floor upon which the actors play their roles set into the middle of the audience? Or will it be different, as so many things here already are?

Truly, there is only one satisfying way to find out. He shall have to go there in person, and see it for himself!

[glitzandglamour]

Once more, Mettaton's ears spring up at prospect of having Hythlodaeus in his audience, excited. And how different he is from Hades, as a person! Far more like himself in his cheer, just as he was told. (As if it were an insult.) Though he knew this, it doesn't fail to amuse him that they'd be friends. Hythlodaeus' energy is radiant, much like his soul was — that bright soul he saw, compared to the deeper, solemn hue (untempered, as it was in that particular memory) belonging to Hades. Mettaton has the unique privilege of having seen Hythlodaeus' soul just as Hades could perceive it, given that the memory was from his perspective.

Seeing souls isn't uncommon to Mettaton, coming from a race of beings who interact with their souls.

"Well. You might be in luck... given that I've been working with a number of troupes, freshly emerging from their secrecy." Mettaton waves a hand. "The reason it was banned. Some Witch worked a little manipulative magic, upon his audience. His act went up in flames! Literally. Things were on fire. He lost control of his magic! But I don't see how that should have ever stopped me, a Monster... Here, in this world, I can't perform much in the ways of magic."

So okay, Witches and their magic might be tenuous and easy to overdo in the passion of theater, but how is a Puca supposed to carry the same risks? Mettaton never understood it. Would a Monster go feral in the middle of a performance...? Would the emotion be enough to get carried away? Nobody's ever suggested as much, so he doesn't spare much care for it.

Nevertheless, the robot reaches for Hythlodaeus' hand to grip between his own, wearing an energetic smile with a daring glint in his eye.

"Anyway. I'd love to have you, darling! I could never turn away a new fan," he responds simply, ears flicking, cocky as he is. "So early on in theater's revival that chances for performance are slimmer than I'd like... And I find I've fancied being part of a cast, rather than on my own. But! Go to the Entertainment District as the sun begins to set. You'll find all manner of advertisements for nightly shows, when the evening's young! You'll usually find me... considering I scarcely tire. I have boundless energy, perfect for showmanship. Ha-ha."

[purposefulnonsense]

Unaware of Mettaton's thoughts on him, as charmed by them as he would be, Hythlodaeus is instead drawn into the details of his explanation. An accident with fire would indeed be something to be concerned about in a place as crowded as a theater... yet he thinks it excessive by a fair degree to ban theater outright. Certainly, restricting the usage of magicks upon the audience and taking safety precautions for magick usage within crowds in general would be a much more appropriate way of minimizing the risk of injury or harm.

So deep is Hythlodaeus in the minutiae of these thoughts, that when Mettaton reaches for his hand, he is taken completely by surprise.

Though his mask well conceals his eyes, his lips part, a short intake of air rushing past them and into his lungs as the smaller concept-borne soul latches on. Yet his cheer is quick to return, his smile emerging anew, both wider and brighter than before as he gingerly lifts his other hand to lay it over one of the pair clutching his.

"...If you feel energetic after your performance, we should go do something together." To celebrate one's work made manifest, surely there would be no better way. "We can bring Hades along!" Hades, who he can readily imagine grumbling about being dragged about, as though they could not tell that he was secretly pleased beneath it all. Already, he feels half-giddy with anticipation!

[glitzandglamour]

At that, Mettaton takes on a new brightness. It's a peculiar, open brightness at first, one of simple glee at the thought.

And one that quickly morphs into something a touch more impish, knowing that Hades would not approve of such merriment outright. He anticipates such convincing protestation at the notion, the kind completely ineffective on himself — and, as he can see, on Hythlodaeus. It might flirt with his possible threat of retreat, but Mettaton's sure he could convince the Ascian to remain in their overabundant company.

"A marvelous plan! Whether he somehow manages to worm out of the occasion, I'd still love to spend the time with you. We'll always have chances to involve him, in the future. But..."

At this, Mettaton gives nothing in particular a fanciful smile, seeming to stare off while he thinks over such a future. A future with Hades and his friend, Hythlodaeus, here in Aefenglom. Mettaton and all of his friends, too. So many people to surround themselves in! But right now, this would be an event between himself and his two Amaurotine friends.

"I think we could convince Hades to join us. Reluctant though he may behave, I'll manage it. ... Besides." Mettaton makes eye contact with Hythlodaeus to the very best of his ability beyond that mask. He clutches down onto the other man's hand, a receiver for his exuberance. "Did the Coven tell you much about Bonding, darling? Hades and I are Bonded, but moreover... we're in love!! I thought you should know, since you're his friend."

Mettaton Brings All Of The Juicy Gossip, as per journalistic standards. But Hythlodaeus seemed the sort to want to look out for his interpersonal affairs, according to the memory he saw. May as well give him the ammunition for it! The robot's all about enabling such behavior.

Alas, I have no popcorn. But I shall /popcorn in spirit!

[purposefulnonsense]

Though at first fully sharing in his new friend's unbridled joy and more mischievous inclinations, Hythlodaeus' mood shifts to equally open confusion once the conversation turns towards talk of the Coven. Between talk of Bonding and the bold declaration of love, suddenly he feels... incredibly lost.

Lost, because until this moment, he had thought that his new friend was a child.

"...Oh. Are you... an adult, then? Pray forgive me... Between your youthful appearance and demeanor, I had mistaken you for being younger."

Please be an adult, he inwardly pleads to whatever fates will listen. He does not want to have that sort of conversation with his friend. Still, his smile remains kind, if politely befuddled, and though his hold is a little less snug, he makes no move to withdraw his hands. Out of a subconscious, nervous sort of anticipation, he both tenses slightly in the chest and shoulders and ceases to breathe, waiting for an answer, hoping, keenly, desperately, on the very cusp of praying, that he was simply mistaken in his original assumption.

oh no hyth no...

[glitzandglamour]

"Hmmm...?"

He sobers somewhat, tipping his head to the side in confusion. Did Hythlodaeus believe all along that he was somehow a child? This is a new one for him. He's never been considered a child by much of anyone, though he supposes that comparatively, he might——

"Ah." He realizes the error of Hythlodaeus's ways, and lets go of his hands to raise a finger in protest. "Interesting conclusion. Yes... I may be gifted with an eternally youthful radiance, and in possession of boundless energy. But I'm well into adulthood." Older than most Mirrorbound, but that's a secret. Ghost life... "You'll find that height won't help you in determining any Mirrorbound's age, by the way. A helpful tip, from me to you."

And a wink, but it's impossible to tell he did it, considering one of his eyes doesn't show. It just looks like an animated tip of his head and a blink.

Luckily he's a fast learner.

[purposefulnonsense]

"Oh thank the Star," the Amaurotine exhales, words mingling with the sound of rushing air as he lets out a sigh of relief, the tension leaving him. He continues to smile through it all, the expression changing in subtle ways with the shifting of his emotions, it now tinged with a healthy dose of both gratitude and abashment, his cheeks infusing with hints of pinkish color visible where mask ends and show of flesh begins.

"I am glad," he breathes, nearly laughing at the ridiculousness of it all now that he has been gifted with his new friend's generous reassurance. "Truly, I am glad." For both this revelation, and, in light of it, the one before. All at once, a myriad of concerns are lifted from his thoughts, and in the wake of their departure happiness finds its home.

[glitzandglamour]

He takes in the reaction to start with, realizing that any tenseness was likely due to a singular concern, a mistake, and little more. Loaded are the words of his gratitude, and the robotic idol's ears find their place comfortably pulled back, standing tall and neutral.

"Yes, well. I'm happy, too. I'm quite a catch."

Mettaton closes his eyes and nods, crossing his arms. Self-flattery, a natural sort of response Mettaton has to such matters. An easy arrogance. But who could be happier than him to have found in Hades something so important? Really, though. When he thinks on it, it's something to be glad for, having a friend make meaningful connections.

"But he's in good, unrelenting hands. Mine, that is. So. Do you have other concerns, as a new arrival...? I've only been here for, oh." Thought spared, months counted. (So many hazy months un-Bonded, a terrible time. Hard to count.) "... Perhaps, ten. Ten months. I know plenty. ...Though I can't tell if you're a Monster, or a Witch, given your attire..."

And all else, like the fact that he is new. Most new arrivals, under traditional circumstances, are a difficult read.

Why is it already the 22nd? I am having so much fun!

[purposefulnonsense]

Hythlodaeus agrees. He is quite a catch. Any who could catch the eyes and attentions of his most discerning and, he boldly adds in his thoughts, perpetually disgruntled friend would have to be special. So of course Mettaton would be so, and even on this first meeting, this kindling of a friendship, Hythlodaeus can already see something of why he is. He's a persistent, cheeky fellow. Just the sort of influence his friend needs to yank him out from his brooding contemplations.

He will make a wonderful friend. They could come up with any number of things to do, or to coax a certain, likely protesting Architect into.

"I have not been here long enough for concerns to start to settle in. Everything is so new... so small and interesting to look at!"

His gaze lifts, head swivelling as his glance sweeps across the tops of assorted buildings for what seems the hundredth time thay day. A child-sized city, for child-sized people. He can imagine the children of Amaurot being delighted with the idea of dwellings sized for them.

However, Mettaton has managed to bring up a point that draws his attention away from the varied rooftops, and back to focusing solely on him.

"Though... you do raise an equally interesting question to consider. I have never thought myself a witch or a monster. Is that what people change into here? Hades did say he had received of another form of magick in place of his own..."

fortunately, there's an overflow on the ooc comm to ensure that tagging may continue 😎

[glitzandglamour]

Anything would be small to an Amaurotine standing at their native height. Mettaton can only laugh at that. It is small, he agrees. It would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed upon arriving here to find that these humans didn't have skyscrapers like he always dreamed of seeing above ground...

But his question is something the robot can easily answer. He nods firmly.

"You've got it, sweetheart!" He says this with a snap of his clawed fingers, then points to his ears. "All Mirrorbound - like you and I - are destined to be Witches... or Monsters. If you're a Witch, you'll have the capacity to perform different magic. And if you're a Monster... You get no magic. Tragedy!"

The back of his hand is pressed to his forehead in his drama of such tragedy.

"Upon arrival, I also lost my magic. And instead of gaining another sort of magic, as Hades did... I was subject to months of gradual transformation! What a bargain..."

He rolls his eyes with a laugh.

"I'm a Monster. Specifically, something called a Puca: a rabbit-like shapeshifter. Many of the traits you see... are not ones I've always had."

... To emphasize this, his hands run up and down his body... seductively. But more importantly, it's done with intent to highlight areas that are new: long, broad ears, fur on the back of his neck and upon his forearms, silvery fur over broadened hips... So on. That it's done sexily is just because this is Mettaton. It has nothing to do with being a Puca, probably.

"If you feel any knack for magic whatsoever, it's likely you've been deprived the thrilling experience of gradual disfigurement. Haha."

AH, so there is! I would have missed it if not for you!

[purposefulnonsense]

Were it not for Mettaton's words, Hythlodaeus would think the other enjoys the feel of the fur on his body, given how he lingers over it as his hands move over his form. Such an unusual behavior, if graceful in its own way. Yet, this only draws his attention for but a short amount of time, for his mind soon turns to the substance of what his new friend has imparted.

That the mix of organic and inorganic is a result of their transportation to this place, this Aefenglom, is... interesting.

Hand lifting to poise before his chin, Hythlodaeus slips once again into his thoughts.

"I see... so the concept you merged with was originally inorganic in its entirety? That must have been quite an adjustment for you."

Still, Hythlodaeus cannot help but be curious about the form. How do the senses work? Is there a disconnect between organic and inorganic, or do sensory inputs translate through the changes in composition without impediment, as the motor skills appear to?

Perhaps he will come to know in time.

💖!

[glitzandglamour]

Mettaton nods: his body was entirely inorganic. His ears bob with the bounciness of his movement, but a smile remains.

"An adjustment..."

This seems to give Mettaton some thought, too: he presses a hand to his cheek in his reflection over the past number of months, all the way back to his initial arrival. The very day he debuted this body was the same as a lot of events, including his arrival in Aefenglom. The development of organic features has changed a lot.

"... Yes." He says it fondly. Mettaton doesn't mind the adjustment, both jarring and unfamiliar. "Things like touch. Taste. Smell... Sleep. They're all new to me."

Touch is not as new as he says it is, but it's easier to claim that it came with his organic developments. It wasn't as though being a body of unyielding metal would be rigged so easily with sensation, after all.

"I like those parts."

I already love their dynamic so much!

[purposefulnonsense]

The note of fondness that carries along his new friend's voice inspires warmth, the feeling rising from within his chest and spreading pleasantly along his arms and to his fingertips. Mettaton looks happy. That, in turn, makes Hythlodaeus happy.

"Then we shall have to do things together that will allow you to experience all of those things in abundance."

And then he adds, softly and with a hint of affectionate humor, "You have a lot of catching up to do."

a similar key of energy... a duo too powerful for Aef, probably

[glitzandglamour]

Oh, how Hythlodaeus wouldn't have a single clue that Hades said a similar thing months prior. He was the first person he'd admitted the sheer extent he'd been without, after all. They're completely different people, the situation and intent different as well, but the words are much the same. He still remembers it. It was before they'd label their feelings as love or affection, just after Mettaton realized he'd landed himself in a Bond with someone who turns his nose up at the humanity he adores — still a subject they disagree upon.

But it was also when Mettaton explained why he needed a Bond with him, that nobody else had met his standards. Of course there's catching up to do. An impossible amount.

Nonetheless, the phrasing brings a nostalgic smile to his lips.

"I'm working on it." A beat, as he shrugs with his arms. "With plenty of help. So much to experience! Even if I 'caught up'... It would never be enough for me."

That's precisely why it's so entertaining. None would stand a chance!

[purposefulnonsense]

[Continued Here]