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

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[By this point he's pretty used to Connor being close to him and the booze is making him tolerate it more than usual.]

I was serious, you know. I'm going to figure out how to make a pair of water glasses so you can still see out of the water. It's gotta be some...science shit, right! No problem! I'll just magic it!

[And this is funny to him. It's kinda nice, actually. He hadn't been...happy tipsy in years.]

[plasticasshole]

I'm sure you will.

[He means it, too. Hank is a smart man, why wouldn't he be able to do it?]

You've been drinking, haven't you?

[He doesn't sound mad, and he just touches Hank's cheek to tip his head towards him so he can smell it on his breath. He gets pretty close in the process, but thankfully soon lets go.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[The true miracle is he'd do this while he was sober and probably using magic to *cheat* the entire thing.]

Yeah! But you know...just a little...you should know I've been a goddamn model the recently. This is...nothing big!

[Wait what the hell is Connor doing?]

...uhhhhh...

[There's been an increase of physical contact since their bond, but Hank tried to rationalize it as 'Just Bond Things' (JBT™) because the alternate was all about opening that can of worms he kept pushing off into the future unable to take a look into it and admit anything that involved feelings.

That didn't mean that some less-than-subtle movements made him pause for a bit and wonder what the hell his life had turned into. He feels a wave of both panic until Connor lets him go, then a strange feeling of disappointment that his mind tries to rationalize with 'it's better that way' ]

...I can still walk home if that's what you're asking. I probably won't even get a headache or puke tomorrow.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor raises an eyebrow at Hank, and smirks.]

Oh, I'm sure you won't.

[He walks with him though, guiding him back towards their cottage. He's enjoying himself at the festival, but caring for Hank trumps that.]

We'll get you some water.

[He lets go of Hank's arm, only to link their fingers together and hold his hand.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Connor, Connor, what are you doin? We're leaving the party...just cause I said I could walk more doesn't mean we have to...yeap there we fucking go...

[Hank's got a flower crown and flower necklace and everything about him right now that screams festival goer. If this place offered the magical equivalent of glow-sticks, he'd probably have them around his wrists as well. Despite his debauchery, at some point during their their walk home he'll manage to transfer one of the flower bunches around Connor's neck, muttering something about how it looks much better on him.

When they get in, Sumo gives them the briefest of tail wags and a single boof in greeting, but then goes right back to sleep. It's too late for the old mutt, and he doesn't seem to be disturbed by the noise, even when Hank speaks up in a brief protest against being taken care of.]

Fuck! I'm a grown man waaaay past my prime, but I've already been drinking water at the festival. [Which still confuses him, but he just assumes the booze here has a mind of its own to prevent drunken witches from casting spells that might set fire to half the town, and certainly in no part due to Connor's bonded influence. Not to worry as he will take the water the android (fishdroid?) gives him with his free hand and grip it tightly once it's handed to him, as if not dropping is enough proof he's fine.] I'm not all that drunk Connor. [Which while true, his insistence does scream 'I'm on that cusp where the next drink would make it too much.' Still, it's more than enough to let his thoughts spill out before his brain-to-mind filter kicks in.] Y'know I'm usually a stick up the ass lately, but I really hope you realize I'm doing a lot of this shit because you're so goddamn handsome.

[He'll chug the water while still holding the other's hand after that statement.]

I don't know when water started to taste better, but maybe it's just the minerals around here.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor allows Hank to move the flower bunch to his neck, amused by it. He remembers being amused, in a very distant way, by Hank's shenanigans at his house too. Though he was also worried about him then. And mildly exasperated because he had a mission to complete. Now, he mostly just finds the situation funny. Hank is not close to passing out and vomiting all over himself again (he hopes).

Inside the cottage, Connor keeps hold of Hank's hand and quirks his eyebrows at the statement, tilting his head very slightly with a smile.]

You're not so bad yourself.

[Which is to say, he's finding that Hank looks good right now. He's noticing his eyes, the little gap in his teeth when he smiles. He stands very close, rubbing his thumb over Hank's knuckles, and reaches up with his free hand to turn his head towards him again so he can study his face.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

I'm not going to pass out, Con.

[For some reason, he feels the need to insist, again not related at all to the fact Connor was hoping he wasn't. He's glad to have placed the glass on the counter, because as the words leave the android's lips, Hank is pretty sure he'd have dropped somehow dropped it. In a state of brief panic and slight drunkenness, he's pretty sure Connor's just toying with him.]

You should get your eyes checked, Connor. [He can't help but laugh, considering the issue he had a few days ago, and honestly doesn't mean it that way. Mostly. His brain's on a semi-vacation at this point.] I haven't been good for a while.

[Hank is sober enough to pass a joke or two, it seems, its meaning laced with double-ententes, stuck between 'fuck it what's the worst that can happen' and 'don't make bad decisions.' So when Connor turns his head, there's a slight pinking hue to them to match the slight tint of his nose, possibly from the alcohol (or at least that would be Hank's excuse). He certainly smelled a little like it, with a strange mixture of cinnamon and spices that had been added to the drinks. In the end he goes for teasing, bold approach.]

If this is going to end with a comment about you saying I need a shave, you can fuck off.

[Yeap, it definitely still is Hank Anderson.]

[plasticasshole]

You're too hard on yourself.

[Sure, Hank needs a shave and maybe a haircut and could stand to lose a little weight. He's older and past his prime. And you know what? Connor doesn't care. It's all outshone by the fact that Hank is a good person, he's a great cop (when he's actually showing up for work and not getting yelled at by Fowler) and he's Connor's best friend. So maybe Hank can feel the sincerity in Connor's next words as he leans slightly closer.]

You're not seeing what I'm seeing.

[He smells good, like cinnamon. He wonders what he'd taste like.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Heh heh heh [there's an opportunity here, and in any other occasion he would have maybe thought about it and snickered to himself, perhaps whispered it under his breath so that even an android couldn't hear it, but with the alcohol in his blood it just comes out as a unprocessed joke;] it's not the only thing that's hard.

[He should be wincing. He knows he should be wincing, but the prideful part of him just suddenly seems to come out more convincingly than usual, wanting to push the envelope because if Connor's going to, like hell if wouldn't either, almost daring him to make it worse, because 'how worse can it be'?

(Honestly tho, if Hank and Fowler weren't yelling at each other is when the DPD would REALLY get worried.)]

Well I know what I see...

[And for some reason, he leaves it at that, pressing his forehead closer.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor almost, almost is a shit and asks what Hank means by that. He knows exactly what he means, he isn't stupid, but it would probably be worth ruining the mood just for the look on his face. Still, he instead slides his hand around to the back of Hank's head and keeps him close.]

Can I try something?

[It might be obvious from the look in his eye what he wants to try.]

I want to see if there's something I can do.

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Good thing too, as Hank would have shut down and requested to go to bed the moment the words were thrown back at him. At least right now his brain isn't catching up quiet yet to what was happening...that or the boldness of the drink didn't make him think about the consequences as clearly. The bluish eyes look into Connor's own, a look of amusement plastered all over his face.]

Can I try something , he says. Fuck even if I told you no, when's the last time that stopped you?

[So yeah, he's egging him on.]

[plasticasshole]

You're right.

[So he pulls Hank in for a kiss, his free hand resting on his shoulder, his slight smile hidden by how close they are now. He vaguely has a point to this, though he can't deny that he wanted to kiss Hank from the moment he saw him approaching covered in flowers. A silly sight, and yet it made him feel ridiculously attracted to him.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[He's not sure what he expected to happen. How it's both something he'd been desperately craving for a while, but also dreading. Cast adrift deep within his soul, Hank is briefly conflicted. Connor didn't need flowers or fish fins or anything of the sort, Cyberlife had made him perfect in every way possible and it had been almost an exercise in futility from when they parted to when Connor had returned from the protests not to think about him.

He knew he was kidding himself, but he also had hoped this moment never came. Hank could want something, yes, but Connor shouldn't want him. He's old, he's past news. His prime has long since left him. Out of everyone on earth or this planet, hell the universe, it shouldn't be him .

And yet, right now? He didn't give a fuck about that. Worry and dread could come tomorrow, drowned by the alcohol and he fell into the movement with relative ease after that. Live , his mind begged him, just for once in your goddamn life, live for the moment and worry later.

There was no need for words, actions spoke for themselves. The pressure increases on the hands held together, and he uses his other free hand to run it behind Connor's neck positioning himself better by adjusting the flower collar, the smell from the floral necklace overstimulating his nose, so he can also pull him closer by his side.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor presses closer, sighing through his nose in a very realistic fashion despite still not needing to do so. He parts his lips, trying to deepen the kiss, and finds that kissing Hank feels oddly natural. Maybe it's because they're so close already, and they know each other well. Connor can taste the spices on his tongue and, finally, gets what he was looking for.]

Your Blood Alcohol Content is around 0.09%. It should take you approximately six hours to sober up.

[He then moves back in to kiss him again, just because he enjoyed it the first time around. This time he's more demanding, rubbing his thumb over Hank's cheek and closing his eyes.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Honestly even if Hank didn't notice the subtle realistic human-like touches that Connor was doing, his brain was certainly appreciative that the silence between then included a breath of hot air so close he could feel it on his cheeks making the bristles of his hair stand upwards in goosebumps.

Christ this felt good. Way too good, in fact. Thank god that Connor still had Connorisms in him to give them a pause and break up the mood because otherwise Hank had half a mind to just drag him somewhere else.]

What the fuck--?

[Reality could be a bitch.

He doesn't get much time to think about it, as they're right back to it again, and Connor looks a lot more confident about it, the comment working enough to calm Hank's mind down. Maybe it was that he could appreciate someone who had a sense of humor from a situation. With the 0.09% burned into his mind, he let himself be carried by the current once more. His own kiss back was just as demanding as the android's, unable to recall the last time he felt this needy. It was different than kissing a human, but he didn't mind it at all. Briefly he thinks back to that magazine that claimed androids were becoming more and more commonplace to replace other humans in relationships, and damn if he was beginning to understand why .]

[plasticasshole]

[He's already thinking of dragging Hank off, let alone the other way around. They're so close to a bed... Hank's room is right there. He breaks the kiss into smaller ones, then meets Hank's gaze, biting his lip. It had been easy to ask others for more, but the fear of rejection from Hank is strong.]

Would you like to maybe... go into the other room?

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[This is...suddenly getting very serious. Enough of a serious that even the alcohol won't dull Hank's senses. There's a moment of clarity and hesitation from him as his very human brain wonders if he should.]

🎮

X - Reject the offer

▲ - Like really, it would be better to reject the offer

o - Eh, just fuck it

[Hey, what could he really lose from it? ...well everything it was true, but Hank had a feeling that while he'd hate himself the next day, the today Hank is going to enjoy this and maybe try to have some fun for once in at least three goddamn years.]

If you're implying what I think you're implying Con...[how are words still even falling out of his mouth...]...I wouldn't mind. [And just like that, he seals his own fate, and laughs, maybe due to the absurdity that led them here, the drinks, or both. He hasn't sounded that happy in years.] Hell, I wouldn't give a fuck in the world if you suggested or prefered the pool or the ocean.

[plasticasshole]

[Continued here]