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]

[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.

[unsacrificing]

[as always, claude reads him like a book - despite having such an expressionless face, claude seems to understand him regardless. perhaps it's from all the time they've spent together, staying up late strategizing. they can read each other, and byleth is incredibly grateful for it in this moment.]

I'm sorry- I know that was a lot at once. But I don't think it's anything I need to hide, as here we are- in a place beyond the time and space we know.

[his gaze casts downward, unable to meet claude's.]

I just don't know how else to explain it. I used the power carelessly - without thought to the consequences. Whether I am solely responsible for it or not - you can't deny the possibility that I might have had a hand in it.

[kingofunification]

[Claude is quiet for a moment, gathering the jumble of his thoughts. He was known as a man who had a silver tongue, who could charm a crowd of hungry nobles into a allies of a rebellion...but this wasn't a place for charm. Byleth needed comfort, not empty appeasements.]

Perhaps your actions had a hand in it, but I don't believe that you could've changed things even if you were aware of the consequences. [Both of his hands move to grip Byleth's elbows, leaning down to try to catch his eyes--to make sure he knew the sincerity of his words.] I'm not a religious man, as you know--but I do believe that sometimes there are things that are...outside of our control. Fated, perhaps.

[There's a small smile on his lips, even if Byleth can't see it.] I believe that we were fated to meet--that we were fated to reconnect even after you vanished for five years. These...timelines seem like it was just the nature of things. Perhaps predetermined at the moment Rhea did something to your heart to make it stop beating.

[He gives the arms in his hands a gentle squeeze.] You can't punish yourself for something that was set in motion before you were born.

[unsacrificing]

[byleth glances up, seeing nothing but warmth and kindness, and relaxes in the other's hold. some may think claude says nothing but what the listener wants to hear, but byleth knows better. he knows that's just the persona claude exudes, a tactic that he uses to various degrees to keep others guessing and fog his words.

but byleth knows better.]

Thank you... I don't regret doing whatever it took to save each and every one of you. [a lil smile.] I only wish I could have stopped the entire war, to stop the needless deaths of so many innocent people.

[byleth has a lot of quiet guilt]

[kingofunification]

Again, this war seemed fated no matter what path you or any other version of you seemed to choose. [Dimitri and his tragedies, Edelgard and her resolve, Claude and his ambitions. They always would clash against each other for what they believed would be the best for the continent.] I believe you can do amazing things, but you still are only human, my friend. Even if you've been given some great powers by a goddess.

[He straightens, letting his hands slide down Byleth's arms until he gripped his hands, giving them a strong squeeze.] Maybe it's not an ideal outcome, but everyone else is responsible for the choices they made. You can't control the actions of others, you can only control you're own actions, and what you try to accomplish with the power you have.

But I am very grateful for the timeline I've been granted with you at my side. [The smile on his face is a small thing--a hesitant show of vulnerability.] I don't regret the things we've been able to accomplish together in the time we've been given.

[unsacrificing]

[byleth catches and keeps claude's gaze, now, feeling raw and open but soothed by his words, his kindness.]

I won't allow their reality to become ours. If even one timeline can stop Edelgard's advance - then all of our efforts will have been for something. All those lives lost - they will rest knowing that we have brought real peace.

[he squeezes back.]

Thank you, my friend. There may be many Byleth Eisners out there, but know that this Byleth will always choose to fight for the Fodlan you envision.

[kingofunification]

[There's a breath he threatens to choke on, a feeling of warmth building in his chest that it threatens to overwhelm him. He has to close his eyes at the prickle of phantom tears at the corner of his eyes, heaving a shaky laugh to hide the outpouring of emotion he feels.

How could it be real, Claude has to wonder. That someone would stand by his dream--share his dream with him for something better. He had come to Fodlan expecting a lonely struggle, a fight to prove that he deserved to exist. But instead he found something so dear that he could hardly believe fate would be so kind to him.]

You really don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. [He clears his throat, trying to shake away the wavering of his words] Thank you, Byleth. Truly. I couldn't accomplish all of this without you by my side.

[He opens his eyes once again, shinning bright with appreciation and adoration.]

[unsacrificing]

[aww, claude. what a sweet, rare vulnerable moment from him.]

I am certain you could accomplish much without me, don't underestimate your drive.

[but a little smirk, equally rare.]

You finally call me by my name. I'm honored.

[kingofunification]

[There's a moment of open shock on his face, not even realizing his slip-up until it was pointed out. He clears his throat, a slight pink tinging his cheeks.]

It's not like I have anything against calling you by name, you know. [He winks, regaining his balance from his embarrassment.] If it makes you this happy, I can always use it more.

[unsacrificing]

[STILL SMILING OVER HERE. genuinely and earnestly, too, at close range.]

Please, I'd like that. We are equals, after all.

[kingofunification]

That we are. [Belatedly, he realizes his hands are still clutching Byleth's, but he can't bring himself to remove them.]

I can do that, Byleth. [He lets a thumb run over the back of his hands, smile fond.] But I do still enjoy my nicknames for you.

[unsacrificing]

I suppose old habits die hard. [a laugh. he doesn't let go, either -- his hands are quite warm in claude's and he's not about to make that end.]

Thank you, Claude, for helping me to become a better man. While she and I are different people, I'm pleased to be who I am today. And I owe that in part to you, I think.

[kingofunification]

I can say the same for you, you know. [He laughs along with him, feeling much lighter than he has in a while.] Thank you for helping me open up once again. It's been a while since I've felt...well, that I belong somewhere I suppose.

Just remember that you also have support. [Claude pulls Byleth closer, wrapping his arms around him in a firm hug.] We all play a part, no matter how important. So don't take the blame all for yourself.

[unsacrificing]

[ohhh it's warm here... byleth is pleased. he's just gonna not make a move to remove himself, thank you very much.]

Hm.... even if I'm wearing all-Leicester regalia?

[kingofunification]

[Claude chokes on his breath, a sputtering of laughter and coughing coming from his mouth.]

If that's really what you would want, I would not judge you for it! [There's a curious flush high on his cheeks, clearing his throat to clear his head of...other things.] But I think you are just fine the way you are, my friend. [He lets his hand run comfortingly down Byleth's back.]