event pt 1 | full moon & litha

[moustre]

Event Log: June, A Midsummer Night's Dream

I. IUNERIL 17TH - THE FULL MOONS The days leading up to the full moons are the same as last month: Monsters are a little itchier and a little easier to agitate, whether they mean to be or not, which becomes increasingly noticeable the day before the full moons. But of particular note is that this may be the second full moons that some arrivals have experienced, and with that comes greater risks, greater agitation, and further reminders to take care of themselves. Weather fair, despite the worries of the city, Monsters will find that the Sisters aren't blocked away by clouds this night. The moons cast their light down on the city, and the pull is strong for even the veteran natives that call the city home. The Coven is offering potions and charms, in an attempt to encourage those without a Bond to ensure that they will be able to keep their wits about them throughout the entire stretch of the Sisters' time in the sky at their fullest. They're always allowed to reject the offer, but it's with a warning: if they let their newfound instincts overtake them, then they might find themselves back in the Coven under worse conditions. But the Sisters rise framed in stark red skies, even as evening falls across Aefenglom, much to the discontent of the city. Streets that are rarely dim are lit up even moreso, now, in the face of this omen, lanterns and candles leading all the way to the Harbor District. Their colors flicker with shades of blue, green, violet - anything to offset the red. Boats that come and go along the river also carry a lantern or two with the same intent, and ships in the harbor are decorated with magical faerylights, strung across hulls, masts, the works. There's no place in the Harbor District untouched by light, with nary a sign of red in the midst of their goods. Tensions are already high, between the humans and Monsters of Aefenglom. It's especially noticeable on this night: full moons already cause everyone to be a little jumpy, but with the red tidings for Litha, they're more on edge than ever. Some blame the new arrivals, though never directly to their face, especially when they don't know who, or what, someone might be. It's always a there-and-gone whisper, it seems like. Gossip. Distrust. Unease. It doesn't lend well to the full moons, but there are still those that want to help. Many will notice that there's already activities and decorations up for Litha, some of them still under construction despite the fast approaching festival. The most notable of all are the hedge mazes that have been constructed, both by hand and with magic to encourage their growth. Behind the festival organizers' backs, a group of people - both man and beast - are offering Monsters a chance to burn off some of their energy by embracing their instincts in a more... constructive manner, with native Witches and Monsters alike prepared to intervene if things get a little too violent. In a sort of mockery of Litha's traditions, they're partnering Monsters up with a willing participant to run the mazes, with a variety of options that they will list. The partner - or partners, if there is a party looking to go in together - can be either Witch or Monster, and the people organizing this won't judge as they inform the interested individuals of their options: a. A-HUNTING WE WILL GO, allowing the Monster to either hunt a small livestock or game animal (a piglet, fowls, rabbits, the like) or to hunt down their partner through the maze they've chosen. This need not end violently, and can become more of a game of hide and seek meets tag. b. EVERYBODY WAS FIGHTING, where one maze in particular has been devoted to a makeshift fight ring at the very heart of it. The organizers hope, somewhat, that by making the Monster(s) in question run the maze first they'll be a little tired out already when reaching the ring. c. UNDER THE PALE MOONLIGHT, because instincts don't always call for violence, the organizers offer a more intimate experience here, whether it's sexual or nonsexual. Maybe you just want a good cuddle..? The organizers emphasize the idea of consent, and will not force anyone against their will into the hedge mazes, no matter which one it is. They also want to make sure that they will step in to help if called upon, in case someone gets a little too overeager. Witches looking to use magic this night will, peculiarly, find that their magic is a little less... cooperative. Many of the Coven Witches speak of how they specifically wait to cast powerful spells on the night of the full moons, to ensure that they have the greatest chances of success with the help of the Sisters. However, Witches of the new arrival persuasion are much weaker on full moons. Their magic is still there, and they can still draw upon it for spells, but they'll have to put greater effort if they want to cast a spell with any significant amount of power. Overexerting oneself while doing this is entirely possible, so it's best to try and find some sort of balance, lest you find yourself exhausted and without a means to defend yourself. We ask that any and all NSFW threads be marked accordingly, or otherwise moved to a locked post on the log community or an entry/inbox on a character journal. Remember to please be excellent to each other, and respect all limits that your threadmates might have, if you explore the more sexual or violent aspects of the offered prompts. If things get OOCly out of hand, please let us know; if things get ICly out of hand, please let Nessie and Mhairi know.

II. LITHA - IUNERIL 21ST TO 23RD Despite what chaos there might have been on the night of the full moons, and the subsequent day after as things began to calm, Litha still arrives as scheduled on Iuneril 21st, as the sun begins to set. The summer solstice reaches its peak the following night, and the festivities wind down the third dusk. While certainly still lively, it isn't as completely festive as Boaltinn, most certainly because of the red skies, and the natives are obviously trying to make the best they can of what they perceive as a poor situation. To say that the natives are on edge would certainly be an understatement. Whatever happened in those hedge mazes is untraceable, now, and everything looks pristine. Faerylights decorate every awning, overhang, and eave, magical and twinkling with colors to offset the red skies. There are no bonfires, this go around, but much like the fires it seems that the lights all lead to the primary area of celebration: in contrast to Boaltinn, Litha is celebrated in the Entertainment, Shopping, and Harbor Districts. Doors to businesses are wide open (with many even having large signs indicating VAMPIRES WELCOME HERE - those that don't make a clear statement), and stalls offering wares and foods and activities alike are set up at nearly every corner alongside preestablished businesses in the market. The harbor is especially lively, with many sailors coming and going as they prepare for setting sail. While ships themselves are always coming and going in the port, Litha is an important time for the more longterm voyages and those meant to carry some significance, and each ship departing is bid farewell with equal fanfare. Fireworks and celebration that is, at least in some part, genuine, but does carry a certain level of enthusiasm that borders on force of will. a. ASKING FOR A LITTLE COMPANY Though all businesses in the Entertainment District open their doors for the festivals of Aefenglom, the brothels of the city in particular are offering a warm welcome this Litha to anyone who might be interested in spending some time with someone - or, multiple someones. They have open rooms for mingling, lounges with floor pillows and low tables where customers can partake in spiced and unspiced drinks alike, where the unspiced are lacking in the potions and near-aphrodisiacs of the spiced drinks. Private rooms are also available for those seeking a more... intimate experience, however one may take that to mean. The brothel workers are more than happy to attend to any interested parties, but also aren't against randomly pairing individuals up, based on their specifications. And, after a little misunderstanding regarding their classes, the Head Madame of the guild has decided that they will be offering chances for individuals to perform at their establishments. She was rather charmed by the mishap, bless your souls, as were the rest of the guild, so the new arrivals have endeared themselves to the brothel workers. Dances, conversation, assorted busking - whatever skills that their quest-takers learned, whether it be of the more sexual nature or not, they'll provide whatever they might need to put on a show and attract or entertain clientele. b. I'M WISHING FOR THE ONE I LOVE Anyone interested in making their way into the Shopping District will find just as many open doors, as well as numerous stalls interspersed where they weren't before. Vendors hawking their wares and goods like always call out with Litha specials, and businesses set up temporary stalls to draw attention to themselves, with promise of greater bargains and products to be found at their main establishment. There are many that sell spiced foods and drinks, with varying degrees of strength depending on how one wants to feel. Others are selling candles and lanterns, offering a magitech version of a lighter at a steal, depending on how much you purchase otherwise. The largest stalls, and the biggest displays at storefronts, are the flowers though. Every single flower shop in Aefenglom has come out full force, practically painting the district in a myriad of non-red colors as they put their stock on full display. They offer deals for those who wish to buy bouquets for a sweetheart or someone they admire, as well as anyone wanting to make flower crowns for those they care for. Each of the seven largest shops are also handing out a single flower for those partaking in festivities to place under their pillow to dream of future partners, the flower they're typically most well known for; this varies from shop to shop, but the up and coming Rose Bush certainly isn't going to let superstition stop them, and are handing out red roses. It's a bold move, but one that causes the tizzy that they were intending it to. And if one is feeling particularly whimsical, they can go to any well at night, looking into the depths in a bid to see their future spouse and true love within. Perhaps making an offering of a flower would bring good luck..? Just don't linger for too long, as there's a rumor that someone is pushing unfamiliar faces into the well, likely targeting those they think are new arrivals. c. GET LOST WITH ME Though the Harbor District has some bleedover from the Shopping District in terms of festivities, their streets and warehouses are where the most room is available for the hedge mazes. Some are sprawling as they fill the streets and alleys, spilling into the towering buildings that have been empty to load the contents onto waiting ships. They create their own environments, with flowers from the flower shops blooming in the rows and creating archways at entrances and exits. Some are enchanted to seem neverending, although there always is an exit, if one can only figure out the puzzle. Each maze has a different method to its madness, and arrangements that those running them have decided on. (Some faces may seem familiar, to those that encountered them on the full moons; they'll feign otherwise, focused only on the now and refusing to draw attention to any recognition.) Some mazes send in the partners together, randomly selected and tasked with figuring out how to reach the end of the maze together. Others will send the partners in from different ends, with the instructions to find one another, whether in the center of the maze or in its winding path. Another variety offers something reminiscent of the hide and seek meets tag game, tasking one as the hunter and the other as the hunted, a game of pursuit meant to replicate the "playing hard to get" variety of courtship. There's no restrictions on how many times one can enter the maze, as it allows one to forge many bonds - and possibly Bonds - and replicates the process of finding your true love. Or, loves; no one here is going to judge anyone. They certainly won't judge, either, if participants opt to take a swig of something for luck in love before they go in. However, some mazes have been tampered with: rather than opening out into somewhere safe on the street or in a building, they empty out unaware participants into the port itself. Hopefully you know how to swim. Once again, we ask that if any threads take on a NSFW nature that they be marked as such, or otherwise moved to a locked post in the log community or an entry/inbox in a character journal.

Welcome to the event log, part I! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. As ever, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know, and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

[figmentpigment]

[ Oof. Well, at least Bendy's nice and squishy to help break her fall. There's a faint little squeaky noise as she knocks into him, and they both hit the ground.

Bendy's eyes spiral wildly in opposite directions before he shakes off his dazed state, holding his head. Bendy shoots Monika a somewhat shaky smile, and hops to his feet--then staggers a moment, still a bit wobbly, before he catches himself, arms akimbo while he reclaims his balance.

With a quick dusting off of his.... clothes(?).... Bendy extends a hand to help pull Monika up to her feet. There's no time for them to lie around now, their way is finally open! ]

[halfheartedmagician]

Mmm, really? I think it depends on the kind. [Asra tugs Newt closer to settle an arm around him and press close to his chest, resting his head against his shoulder and nuzzling close.]

Don't think of just gifts and trinkets. Spending time together, escaping from the world where it's just the two of you... even dancing together under the stars. That's spoiling to me.

[Asra is familiar with the 'more or less' and what that might mean and just gives Newt a slightly sad smile. Wonders if he's also ever had to watch someone direct their affections somewhere else.

But he doesn't try to pry, just tugs Newt with him and starts them walking away from the press of people and towards a quieter spot, a small park that offers a view of the stars. It's been decorated with soft lights and blankets for people to sit on, and Asra gives Newt and apologetic smile as he realises it's more popular than he'd expected.]

Well, maybe it won't be as solitary as I'd hoped, but at least it's quiet.

[oceanschild]

[Paris bites back the immediate urge to answer 'no'.]

...I, um. I g-guess baking? But I don't think anyone should bond with me because they like bread.

[halfheartedmagician]

[He laughs softly at Waver's obvious fluster and tugs him close again, arms wrapping around him and enjoying the novelty of a smaller lover for a change. His lips find Waver's and he kisses him slowly, drawing his lip between his own and teasing it with his teeth. Curls his tongue into the other man's mouth to taste him, the faint echo of the drinks they'd had, and draws away once he's certain Waver will be left breathless.]

It's Asra.

[He drops his lips to grace Waver's throat with soft kisses and one sharp, unexpected bite.]

You didn't answer, by the way. We can stop now, if you're not comfortable but--

[And just as quickly, Asra stops entirely and takes two measured steps back from Waver.]

You'll have to show me exactly how much you want this if you do want to continue. Impress me.

[oceanschild]

Ice cream now almost completely forgotten by the both of them, Paris deepening the kiss with a soft noise between their lips as he feels her hand slide into his hair. It feels... very good, just as good as the times they've touched before, and he doesn't foresee it not being that way. But just in case, just in case she realizes she could leave him behind, he cherishes every one they share.

They're almost impossibly close now, their bodies pressed up against each other and sharing their warmth. Paris isn't quite bold enough to lead them somewhere more private... though he'll also be horribly embarrassed if an outsider tries to get them to stop being so public.

[long_live_the_queen]

[The answer flowed out easily without any paranoid inhibitions. Kaede's tailfeathers brushed Chandra's knee unintentionally while it was busy flicking about.]

No, not really.

[Terms and conditions apply.]

[belligerentwarrior]

[Fang's gaze swept down to Ursula. She didn't glean as much from the witch's subtle emphasis as the other had, but there was enough understanding that Fang didn't bother with a "didn't say anything happened" deflection. After a couple moments, she looked away again, feeling uncharacteristically awkward. Or maybe vulnerable. It was hard to tell the two apart.]

[The ache grew sharper, too.] I'd like to think that. Weren't exactly seein' eye-to-eye last time we spoke.

[Fang did her best to keep thoughts adjacent to that one away, but they came unbidden, and that sharp ache seized tightly. Fang's features flickered with pain before they smoothed out again, trying to desperately fend off the feeling.]

[She took a half-step away from Ursula, but to sit down rather than create space.]

Not like it matters anymore—[Her tone was discordantly non-chalant, all of a sudden,]—since I stumbled outta that mirror.

wrap?

[justbeingknife]

[ He smiled down at her. Hey -- after so much time alone, maybe this might even be for the better. ]

I'm good. Want to head back to your place? I gotta admit, I'm curious about these flower spells of yours.

[justbeingknife]

Could be. Some people ain't particularly careful where they're walkin'.

[ He snorted. ]

Dependin' on the person, though, they might've been the type to change plans and run right into me on purpose. I kinda stick out, and they tend to take that as a reason to pick a fight.

good place to wrap?

[justbeingknife]

[ This was terrible. They should be helping this old man out of the well but

eh you know

they made it halfway. ]

Well, that was a bust. Let's go get something to eat instead -- probably just a dumb superstition, anyhow.

[justbeingknife]

....Why's every other thing ya say sound like a weird come-on? Sure, I'm pretty decent at makin' stuff.

But if you're lookin' for someone to replace all those flowers ya just scattered, that'd take all day.

[wylderrant]

Your words touch me - I do hope you know that...

[ Iramaat's reply is low, voice husky, as she undoes her jacket, button by button, and finally shrugs free of it. There's a shirt - one that buttons down the front - underneath and she sets to work on that even as she leans in and kisses Justine, slow and easy and heated. ]

So do keep speaking them into the world.

[wylderrant]

One can never be too generous, I think. Especially when it is the truth.

[ She might be laying it on a bit thick, but hey, they've both been drinking, right? ]

seems like!

[wylderrant]

[ Should have, could have, would have.

If he drowns, it's his own fault, in Iramaat's opinion. ]

You know what? Some food sounds lovely just now...

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It wasn't even that she's underestimating him, it's more that normally his physicality is a barrier. What changed...? Eh, it's not worth worrying about, not when he's inebriated, anyway. He reaches for his half-finished cup of wine and just holds onto it, leaning back against the bench. ]

... You're right. I have no reason to hurt you. [ His way of thinking led people to walk on eggshells around him. That kind of caution usually isn't necessary and irritates him. ] I don't think you'll give me one, either. Not any time soon.

[beariot]

H-hey now... If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were flirting with me.

[ Ursula... oh my god... ]

[beariot]

[ Ursula didn't stay apart from Fang for long, sitting herself down right beside Fang with a small flick of her wand, pulling up a stool for herself to plop down on. ]

I don't want to think of that mirror as a one way trip. If we got here, there must be a way to get back. I need to have faith in that... I've got a lot to return to. And it sounds like you have unfinished work, too. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I didn't work to reunite you with Vanille, so you can tell her all of this yourself.

[beariot]

And I don't intend to, either. [ Ursula sighed, resting her head against his shoulder, thankfully not spilling the rest of her collection of flower crowns all over him; she'd had the sense to take off her hat before they sat down. ]

If I ever do something that upsets you that much... I'll probably deserve it in some way, anyways... [ There's... a certain solemness in her tone, a softness that seemed to hang with some sort of regret in the air. ]

[belligerentwarrior]

[It's a great sentiment, and almost eerily like Lightning's words with a lot more warmth to them. Instead, Fang clenched her teeth, fighting the surge of bitterness.]

And if there's nothing to go back to? [She turned to meet Ursula's gaze.] Why don't I let you in a little secret? The place I come from was dying. World was gonna end in two or three days, tops. Want to take a stab at how long I've been here?

[More than two or three days, that's for sure.]

[beariot]

[ It wasn't that Ursula couldn't understand Fang's concern, but... ]

Well, that would really only mean anything if your world was on the same point of time as this one, but...

Are you familiar with relativity? I don't mean as, like, a general concept, but like how it has to do with the relationship between time and space.

[ Nerd alert. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ How close she is irks him, but he does nothing about it. Berserker just looks down at her with the mildest of irritated glances. He's already warm, but the additional warmth isn't unwelcome. His physiology changed more than he knew or cared to think about.

The shift in her tone catches his attention. His gaze softens slightly, back to his cold apathy. "Upset" is a strong word, really. When he decides to harm someone that used to be an ally, it's just a side effect of his nature. ]

Are you holding guilt over something you did before? [ An idle observation as always -- he doesn't really care, but it's easier to keep talking than to ignore her. ] An act that makes you think you'd deserve that sort of treatment?

[long_live_the_queen]

[ made a little mumbly noise of not-quite-protest when Zack tightened his grip. It still didn't hurt, but it was impossible not to notice. They were...quite close together, huh. And the way his arms were curled around her put gentle pressure on a sensitive part of her back, which was also making it hard to be disgruntled at the contact. Just before she'd been counting down the moments until he let go, and now the opposite was true; she could put up with Zack saying such silly things if he didn't let go. This night, the scents, and the moons were making her charitable.

Before Kaede could comment on what he said, the other chimera leaned close to her head—too close and too suddenly. She stiffened, head twitching back in a vain attempt to see what he was doing. Just...leaning close to her? Okay, that was fine. The smaller chimera started to tentatively relax—

Zack moved again, the warmth of his breath puffing against the side of her neck—moments before sharp teeth bit into her skin. A little bite, more like a nibble, and there was a tingle of something that wasn't pain or indignation underneath it—but her response was immediate and visceral. As she stiffened and sucked in a sharp breath, one of Kaede's clawed hands leapt off its resting place on his arm to swat at Zack's face, the other scrabbled and grappled at one of his curling horns to grab on and drag his head backwards.]

[belligerentwarrior]

[...Ursula, she has like a high school education at best. Probably hardly even that much.]

[She just stares, and a bit of that bitter frustration starts to bubble up.] The relationship? The bloody relationship is that time's been busted for the last five hundred years and reality's gone fraying at the edges until there's damn well nothing left to fray but a couple little sorry patches.

Even the sorry god that made the damn world's gone and given up on it to go make a new one all his favorites get to move to after it all bites the dust!

[juzubeads]

Either way is fine. As long as we keep getting the directions so we don't get lost. But -- a nest egg?

[She really thinks they would be stuck here that long that they would get old and need all that money? He's not sure he had really considered, though he had been here a few months by now. Probably he should think more. Beyond starting plans to figure what he needs to arrange for his own dojo here.]

[fieryimpulse]

[Chandra snorts a little laugh.]

Well, if you ever feel like you need a hand with something, not that I doubt you're capable, let me know.

Especially if you feel...fight-y. I can conjure you up something to punch to get that out of your system.