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

i'm wishing for the one i love

[ishisstrength]

Why do you say that?

[Justine recognizes Sansa's voice from their brief conversation over the odd dial devices several weeks before. She hasn't learned anything new since then but she has found a few books that the lovely woman might be interested in. Sadly, they were all at her home and not with her now.]

Excuse me. I'm Justine, we spoke once before. Do you mind if I join you?

[She gestures towards the seat next to Sansa.

She has mixed feelings about making flower crowns but if it's all in good fun... then maybe she can make one or two. Even if she doesn't give them to anyone.]

[mislike]

I do not have a desire to know. [Or to find that person-- if they exist. She has already been twice married. The bonding ceremony is already serious enough, something she is taking her time with.

Sansa looks up when the girl asks to join her. She remembers her, and gives a light nod, moving to give her some space to sit.]

How are you? Fairing well during Litha?

[ishisstrength]

[Justine takes the seat next to Sansa and begins to passively gather flowers for a crown. Meanwhile her thoughts take a different path, one that follows the pain and uncertainty that seems inherent in her life.]

I am doing well. I have some books for you but I'm afraid I don't have them with me. I can drop them by your home, whenever you like. [Her fingers skillfully begin to weave some of the stems together but Justine really isn't paying attention to what she's doing.] I am well. I think those turning into monsters are having a more difficult time.

[Justine pauses briefly, letting a comfortable silence fall between them, before continuing in a more sober tone.]

I don't think I'd want to know either.

[Her fate isn't to be with the one she loves.]

[mislike]

I will have to stop by then. [Her room is currently piling up with books, but when she isn't working in Parliament, she is trying to study more, read up more, do what she can. She was never much of a studious person, but she did well with Septa Mordane, retaining all she needed to know as a young lady of a major House.]

It seems to be that way after the full moons. Especially for those not bonded. [She isn't yet herself, but then she doesn't expect to be for awhile.]

It is not a priority for me. I want to help the people here and return home where I am just as needed.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine makes a note to message Sansa with her address in case she doesn't have it but for now she continues twisting and looping stems of flowers into place, forming the shape of a crown.]

Yes. It seems so. [She isn't bonded either but from what she's experienced, its easier for witches to remain unbonded than it is for monsters. Witches need to continually use magic while monsters have less outlets for their urges.]

For me... I am worried at who it might be. I don't have a future if I return home. I already know what will happen and I worry the one I love will be the one to kill me. [She exhales a heavy sigh.] Sometimes it's better not knowing. [And if it isn't him, that would only be worse because Justine still has to return home. Her death means his life and she can't choose her life over his.]

[mislike]

[Justine is getting personal with Sansa, and at first she can feel her walls slowly climbing up, wondering what angle she's working at. But she is not in King's Landing, and she is not in Westeros at all. For a time she just stays quiet and listens to her. She cannot relate to that, to any of it, but she knows what it's like to think a man may actually kill her.]

I have already been married. [Twice, she fails to mention.] All I wish is to to remain in Winterfell with my people, safe and alive. That is what I would hope to see if stared into any pool.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine looks back at Sansa, her lips curving in a kind smile.]

There are many kinds of love Sansa. If that is the love that you wish for then it will be yours. More so if you truly care about them. [There isn't any angle or game to her words. Maybe, if feeling more comfortable in a strange world, counts as an angle. It doesn't matter to Justine.

Even giving a voice to her thoughts helps calm the chaos ragging in her mind.]

[mislike]

I already know that though. So there is still no need to look into that pool. [She knows what her priorities are.]

I hope you gain similar clarity though. [Love can be a messy thing, ruining lives and entire kingdoms. She's had her fill of men for now. Sansa knows what she needs to do here and back home.]

[ishisstrength]

You're right. [Justine smiles.] I wanted to tell you, that I enjoy talking to you Sansa. You remind me of those within the White Court but if they had good hearts. [She shakes her head and looks down at her length of twisted flowers.] They don't but I imagine that you're how a fair leader would be.

[Wanting to learn about a people and caring about them.]

It gives me hope. That people like you exist in any world. Even if it isn't my own.

[mislike]

[Her eyes go wide before a small smile breaks through. She isn't used to kindness or someone recognizing her. It took Jon forever to take her as an equal.]

Thank you, Justine. I am sorry if I sometimes come off-- standoffish. It is just that I have not had a friend in a very long time. Like your White Court there are not many people with good hearts where I am from, and I have been betrayed before.

I know you are kind though. And generous. And I am glad to have met someone like you here. To remind me that not everyone is looking to get something from me.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine gently shakes her head from side to side.] You have nothing to apologize for. I recognized what it was. It's one of the reasons I wanted to help you. [She doesn't look up from the growing string of flowers in front of her.] We're a lot alike.

But I hide behind my femininity. I understand the need to wear a mask. Even if it's different from yours.

[She finally looks up at Sansa and smiles.]

I'm not always kind Sansa. I've done horrible things but I like to think that it can be different here. I've always been just a little too hopeful. So this is my chance to be kind. I didn't... have that before.

[mislike]

[Her smile is gentle in turn, understanding where she is coming from.]

I was much like you when I was younger, but I quickly found that men thought my femininity weak. It is easier to be quiet, to sit back and watch and see what people present. Actions speak louder than any word.

[Lord Baelish had taught her much. Words mean so little. It is only someone's actions that can be trusted, and she must learn what their intentions are.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine smiles.]

I think we're close to the same age. [She doesn't want to get into her own experiences or situations. It's complicated. The world she lives in involves super natural creatures with their own laws and rules and dangers. It will only take a misstep for her life to end and there is no need to be discreet about it. Thomas is the only one keeping her alive and out of a whore house.]

And I am a fan of action myself.

[She loops her flower crown into a circle and places it gently on Sansa's head.]

There.

[mislike]

I believe we are, but I meant that I handled things as you did when I was younger. [Not that she called Justine younger.

When she places the crown on her head, Sansa smiles lightly.]

It was for me?

[ishisstrength]

Ah. I see. [She smiles softly, a light touch of embarrassment coloring her pale cheeks.] I apologize.

[Justine nods her head as she takes one of the spare flowers from the tables surface and gently teases the silky petals between her thumb and forefinger.]

Yes. I hope that's alright. I'm not sure who I would make a flower crown for or how it might be interpreted. With you, I am a little less worried about such things and it suits you.

[mislike]

[She touches a petal lightly and smiles up at Justine, grateful to find a friend here.]

Thank you. It means a lot.

[ishisstrength]

I'm glad you like it.

[She smiles as she raises to her feet.]

I should return home. Thank you for speaking with me Sansa. I'll make sure to come by with those books soon.

[mislike]

Of course. You are always welcome to come speak with me if you ever have need, Justine. [And she gives a graceful bow of her head, deciding to sit comfortably here for awhile.]