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

Iramaat

[wylderrant]

I. Hedge-Running - Night of the Full Moon

Iramaat has been feeling on edge the last few days and she knows why. She's been told the reason, but that doesn't mean she has to like it. Her smiles have been increasingly strained and she's been a little more irritable than usual. Rather than letting circumstances run off of her like water off of a duck's back, she's snapped once or twice or been a bit jittery - even shying away at times. Tonight is the worst it's ever been and she feels like she's going to crawl straight out of her skin, given enough time, which is why she's prowling out to find out what she can do. Something - anything. She just needs to get this energy out of her and staying inside and bouncing off of the walls wasn't doing her any favors.

So she's there, down at the hedge maze, that wide grin of hers glinting in the lamplight as she waits and looks for someone to take the plunge with her. All of the options have some appeal to her, but it's ultimately not her choice - or rather, it is. But she has to convince someone else to join her. And at this point, she thinks just about anyone will do. So she reaches out to grab a passer-by or just someone who's also stopped to listen to the sales pitch, whether she knows them or not.

"What do you think?" She asks, eyes wide, almost too innocent, "Which one would you rather do?"

She's not giving them a chance to back out of it. She needs this and she'll be happy enough to drag them along. Then again, they need to say yes, too.

Those who are very observant - or those who know Iramaat - will note that her horns have changed and altered, becoming more like those of a red deer, with branching tines, than the curving, swooping horns she wore on her arrival. Interesting.

[ ooc: happy to do any of the options - just let me know if there's one you'd prefer and I can work with it! ]

II. In Fine Company - Iuneril 21

Iramaat goes out and about almost immediately, of course. She can't stay at home - that energy is still bubbling underneath the surface and she needs to find a way to get rid of it, even if it's faded since the 17th. Besides, there's so much going on and so much to see and to do with the impending festival that she simply couldn't let herself hide away at home! So she goes wandering and winds her way down to the Entertainment District and the fleshpots and pleasure houses therein. She's no stranger to hedonism, after all, and she enjoys it now and again. Even moreso if she can rope someone into it with her.

Which is probably why she sidles up to someone on the street, who may just be passing by or who may be peering at one of the pleasure houses in contemplation or just minding their own business and takes them by the elbow with a companionable smile and a flutter of her eyelashes, her other hand occupied with a glass of something spiced. It may or may not be drugged - she's no idea!

"Do you want to go in together? I'm a little curious."

III. Crowns - Iuneril 22

Whatever may or may not have happened a few days ago, Iramaat is feeling better. Or working on feeling better, anyway. SOme of that restless energy is gone and she's allowing herself to more fully enjoy the festival and the celebrations that come with it. She probably won't mention much of anything that happened a few nights ago unless directly asked - or maybe she will, depending on her mood. Regardless, she's out exploring again, letting herself be caught up in the spirit of celebration.

Besides, it's another chance to be flashy. To find herself something interesting - or someone interesting, as the case may be. She finds the flowers particularly attractive, with the multitudes of colors and scents. She wasn't quite as endeared with them before she arrived here, she thinks, but now she wants to douse herself in them and she's happy enough to settle in at a table and weave flowers together into a colorful crown. If someone wants to speak to her or give her one, that's where they'll find her. As for her? Well - she'll stop people throughout the day to hand one over with a smile and a wink, "A lovely crown for a lovely person."

Whether they want one or not, she'll plop it on their head. Oops. There are a few people she makes special ones for, of course...

IV. Well, Well, Well... - Iuneril 22

The evening air is cool and Iramaat is enjoying it - but she's been drawn by the rumors of the well that shows you the future (or at least a portion of it). That sounds like such fun that she's just got to give it a look, even if it turns out to be nothing more than hot air and ripples in a moon-lit pool. She's even brought a few flowers as offerings! She knows how important that sort of thing is. She loiters near the entrance to the square, humming tunelessly, wanting (as always) to drag someone along with her. She has her reasons, of course.

"I hear there's someone pushing people," she comments almost at once, "Want to come with me and look anyway? I'm sure it'll be fun - and safety in numbers, you know."

V. Hedge-Running, Pt. II - Iuneril 23

Iramat is back, of course. She's not about to leave herself out of the fun because she's already done it once. Besides, she thinks that trying things out under different circumstances is always a worthwhile endeavor! She volunteers, almost immediately, to be paired up at random - or if she sees someone she knows, she might try to drag them in with her, if only to entertain herself. Actually, she probably does the latter almost exclusively to people she thinks it might irritate, because that's the sort of person she is.

"We have a couple different choices about what we can do," she laughs, "I can hunt you, if you like..."

She means that, too.

"If not, well, there's always team-work, hmm?"

Regardless, she's going back in and she wants someone to go with her.

VI. Wildcard!

She can be found almost anywhere and everywhere, so feel to drop your own prompt or idea in here!

[ ooc: Happy to switch to brackets, if wanted! Drop me a line via PM if you need something! ]

I

[tinyfood]

Entrapta pulls a face and makes an uncertain sound in the top of her throat. She only came out here for a look round at the lanterns and candles that were starting to go up, she wasn't planning to stick around for anything except maybe watching people and asking a few questions before she ran into Iramaat, but...

But. She feels so restless and so itchy, especially on her shoulders and just above her eyes and on her chest, where her weird shirt/sleeve situation exposes the skin just below her collarbone. She has a length of loose wire in one of her pockets she keeps taking out and wrapping round and round her fingers and wrist to help stop herself from scratching those spots too much, but it's really not enough.

She taps her chin as she looks over the listed options, feeling the wire wrapped round her gloved finger smooth against the skin of her face. She bites her lip. (She has fangs coming in; she made a note of it a few days ago but it's still weird.) If she goes back to her workshop she's just going to be jittery and unfocussed all evening, she knows it.

"... Okay," she announces, lifting her other hand with a decisive finger raised, "what if you chase me! That's not too weird, right? All of these seem pretty weird."

She'd normally feel much more uneasy about making that kind of determination, but nobody here is from her world and she can say what she wants about her observations on what seems to be normal without anybody being able to judge her for missing something that's somehow obvious to everybody else! It's very freeing.

[wylderrant]

Iramaat can see those little changes in Entraptra, can sense the anxious nervous energy ,and on another night, maybe she'd try to leverage it a bit more. Take advantage. But as it is, she's full of it herself. It expresses itself differently - not nervous little tics, but in the way she moves. Quick movements, then stock still, then another quick movement, smiling and laughing too much or too long. The moon, the moon, the moon-! It calls to something in her blood, makes it sing, and she is not sure she likes that.

But what can she do?

Nothing. For now.

She cocks her head and claps her hands together with a loud laugh and another of those too-broad smiles, "Good! Good! That sounds perfect! A hunt! Just for us! Weird or not, I want to."

Needs to.

She lowers her voice, almost conspiratorial, "Wager on it? Or shall we play for the fun of it?"

Her fingers hook slightly and Iramaat is practically vibrating out of her skin as she tries to keep all of that energy contained for just a few more minutes.

[tinyfood]

"Wager on it," Entrapta repeats, and then her eyes light up. "Ah! You mean for money! Yes."

[wylderrant]

"Oh, it doesn't need to be for money. It can be for favors, for fun, for anything we think of," Iramaat laughs, "It all depends on what you'd like to stake. Come up with something and I'll see if I can match it, hmm?"

She's greasing the slide a little. Don't mind her.

III. Crowns - Iuneril 22

[justbeingknife]

[ Well. That sure was a flower crown. Majima looked somewhere between amused and disgruntled -- like he kind of wanted to complain more, but couldn't quite summon up the indignation. ]

I get it now. It was a setup from the start.

[ Whatever the flowers were, they smelled strongly, and some pollen found its way onto the top of Majima's head. He did not, however, remove it. After a glance at the tables, he took up an ostentatious purple bloom. ]

How many of these things are ya churnin' out?

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat laughs to see the look on his face, feeling more and more amused. Yes, this was an excellent decision - especially when it comes to Majima. He looks... well, maybe a bit silly, but she thinks he looks fine. She sways up on the balls of her feet and then turns away with a wave, heading back to the table. ]

As many as I like! Isn't it grand? All the scents and colors and so many people to hand them out to! It's like I'm at one of the grand tourneys again!

[justbeingknife]

[ He snorted. ]

Yeah, right. What's a grand tourney? A fightin' tournament, ya mean?

[ And then grabbed a bunch of white daises. Strangely enough, despite looking like the kind of guy who'd never touched a flower crown in his life, he seemed to be winding the stems together with some aptitude. Hmm. Maybe it was those flower arranging classes. ]

[wylderrant]

Something like that. Tests of strength. Dueling. You get to award your love with the crown of flowers at the end if you win out. All that sort of thing.

[ She gestures, perhaps a bit too dramatically, as she watches him. Then she settles, going quiet and appreciative. ]

Oh, look at you - you've a deft touch, after all!

iii;

[complementing]

[It takes Minako a moment to recognize the lady, but she quickly perks up and beams as she accepts the flower crown.]

Thank you so much! Here, let me--

[She carefully sorts through the pile of flowers in her basket until she comes up with a dainty flower bracelet.]

I wanted to experiment.

[she says in way of explanation.]

[wylderrant]

[ Oh, she does know this person! Wonderful She's taken aback only slightly and then her laugh and smile are back and as broad as ever. ]

Oh-ho! A token for a token! Seems reasonable!

[ She holds her wrist out expectantly, waiting for Minako to tie it on. ]

So glad we've met in person now! How are you?

[complementing]

I've been pretty good!

[She could be better, but the answer slips out without her thinking about it. And why bother a new friend with such deep troubles anyway! She bends over to slip the bracelet on and make some adjustments. Fluffing up the flower petals probably won't do anything for its longevity in the long run, but look. Aesthetics.]

There, now you look even more beautiful!

[wylderrant]

[ Oh, good. Iramaat can deal with positivity. She raises her arm and gives it a look, turning her wrist from side to side to admire the token she's been giving. She approves! ]

You're too kind!

[ She flashes Minako a smile. ]

Besides, I'm sure you'd outshine me, given half a chance.

iv.

[auftauen]

Crymaria knows she's been caught; she knew how stupid the rumor of a well that reveals one's true love is, just a childless frivolity for people who still believe in fairy tale romances. If she were to see someone in the well, would they be a person who could save her? She fears what she might see.

She fears what she might not, what it might mean for only empty water to stare back at her.

Skittish enough after having been coaxed out of the safety of her apartment for this festival she otherwise wanted to avoid, Crymaria nearly withers. Iramaat's offer seems instantly suspicious, though maybe that's because she's been cornered. She fixes her with a cold look, her red eyes tired and narrow.

"Unless you're the one doing the pushing."

[wylderrant]

Crymaria is unfamiliar to Iramaat; a new face. That's not too unusual. The city is large and full of people she's never met, but something about her makes Iramaat think she's another of those new arrivals and that makes her grin grow a touch a touch wider. She leans in just slightly, eyebrows arched.

"Really, if I wanted to trick people into that sort of thing, there are probably better ways. No, no, while it's amusing, it's also far too... oh, I don't know. Juvenile, I think. Yes, that's the word."

She offers her hand.

"You look like you could use a bit of a distraction, anyway."

[auftauen]

The expression reminds her of people she'd rather not think of. Iramaat leans in, and Crymaria leans back in response, a silent rebuff.

"This entire display is a distraction, isn't it? There are plenty of other things going on that people are just choosing to ignore." Hiding from their fears with drinks and flowers and other things she doesn't want to consider right now.

Even then, ignoring the offered hand, she shifts her weight slightly to the side, like maybe she can divert her gaze around the obstacle standing in front of her and catch sight of the rumored well.

"Some Witch could very well just be casting an illusion in the water, if we're to believe the kinds of magic they're capable of."

II

[alienwear]

Peridot is literally just passing through; she's gone through a few additional changes herself thanks to the influence of the sisters, now sporting a stubby tail, bigger horns, and sharp teeth. She's also idly scratching at some new ear fins that have sprouted out the side of her face.

"Iramaat--? Nyeh!" Her hand gets pulled away from her face when Iramaat takes her by the elbow and pulls her off course, causing her to stumble slightly. "Go in where--?"

She's a tad flustered, and also more privately, not really sure that she's thrilled to see Iramaat right now! She'd been impressed by the fairy's display of strength at the bonfire leaping ritual, and felt a certain kinship with her being a fellow non-human... But also both times they've interacted have ended in Peridot experiencing a near panic attack about her apparent mortality in this world. It's left her with something of a negative association!

[wylderrant]

"Here!" Iramaat exclaims and sweeps her hand around to encompass the brothel they're standing in front of. There are a variety of sultry sorts hanging around and some of them laugh amongst one another as they watch (and listen) to the exchange.

"Aren't you even a little curious?"

Iramaat, it must be pointed out, now has more antlers than horns, with growing, splitting tines. She leans down to give Peridot an appraising, thoughtful look.

"See what they have on offer...?"

[alienwear]

She flushes as the strangers laugh nearby, overcome with the sudden mysterious urge to curl up and hide somewhere. Or maybe retract her head down into her thoracic cavity? Either would work right now.

She stands her ground though, grimacing lightly as she looks up at the building, considering the fae's proposal. Something about this place... The decorations, the people... It evokes a memory she has trouble placing for a second, before it clicks: This whole setup nearly exactly matches a description of something she read in a Camp Pining Hearts 'alternate-universe fan fiction' once!

"But. Isn't this one of those... brothel establishments?" she hisses under her breath at Iramaat, earfins tucking flat against the sides of her head. She has no ingrained societal precedent for how to feel about brothels as a general concept, but she sure as heck is confused as to why Iramaat would want to drag her into one.

ii

[beariot]

[ Ursula was on her... well let's just not ask how many glasses of wine. It wasn't really a problem for her, of course, since by her cultural standards it was rude NOT to take offered wines as a guest. And she was very much a guest in this world. Which is probably why she'd been standing outside the building thinking about it at all, when that was something a more sober Ursula would very much not have ever done. ]

I've... never actually been in one. [ A small nervous laugh, scratching at her cheek. But she wasn't saying no, either... ]

[wylderrant]

Really? Never in your life?

[ Iramaat acts more surprised than she actually is. She knows loads of people who have never thought about setting foot in a den of pleasure, let alone actually done it. But she likes playing it up a little. Especially when it comes to this sort of thing. ]

Well, now's as good a time as any to give it a look, isn't it?

[beariot]

I'm sure you could manage better company than me for something like this. [ Ursula chuckled again, sipping from her drink. Though she had to admit, her curiosity was burning, spurred on by the wine. ]

Besides, is there really that much to see in there?

V.

[sullenstallion]

"There's always me leaving. Right now. I'm still at the entrance."

Of all the people in the world to be paired with, why would it have to be her? Hunting another 'faun' wouldn't be fun, he thinks. If Ira's sense of direction has become as finely tuned as his own, it'd become less of a hunt and more of a foot race as they pick each corridor correctly every time, no wandering involved.

Re: V.

[wylderrant]

"There's no fun in that, though, is there?" Iramaat laughs and waves a hand, gesturing irrelevance, "You're here to have fun, same as I am. Why not give it a go with me? Surely you don't find me that repellent."

He probably does, but she's asking anyway.

[sullenstallion]

"I do," he answers immediately, matter-of-factly. "I can't see how much fun this will be at all, but if I don't go with you, some other poor fool will have to suffer through it."

With that said, he steps into the maze, making sure that Iramaat is following him.