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!

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Dylas | Rune Factory

[sullenstallion]

i. full moon
cw: blood, transformation, violence

[Dylas doesn’t need bonds, he doesn’t need potions—as far as he’s concerned, he’s strong enough to handle whatever’s happening in this land almost entirely on his own. The first full moon hadn’t been hard on him, so why would the second be any exception? He’s caught outside when the sun starts to set and the Sisters start to rise in the sky, on his way home from doing some work. The gossip goes ignored, the candles in every color are easily dismissed as ineffectual, and he vows to pay no attention to the color red—

Until the color red is starting to appear in his hair.

A piercing headache cripples him to the point where he has to reach out and catch himself on a wall, panting for breath, but it’s the intense feeling of pressure that really starts to worry him. He lifts his hand to his head, only to find his hair is bleeding, and he scratches at his scalp as if it’ll relieve some of that pressure. But it’s no use. Bone is pushing its way out of his skull, coated in keratin, and they won’t stop growing. Horns. He’s growing horns—he knew the monster changes would hit him soon, but this is more painful than anything he’s felt in his life.

His hair is growing longer, his eyes becoming darker as he staggers down the street, willing the changes not to happen. He’s not going to let this happen to him! But his resistance fades quickly to anger, heaving shoulders, a wild look in his eyes.

Approach with caution—taming a bull-to-be is more difficult than it looks.]

ii. labyrinth (take one)

[Of course Dylas consents to walking into the labyrinth. Whether it’s the day after growing a set of bull horns or the same night, the only thing he wants is a moment of quiet to himself. If said moment of quiet is followed by a fight or something at the end (he wasn’t paying attention, really), even better. There’s just something odd going on—and it’s not that he feels bigger, more intimidating, and more angry. No, there’s something else he hasn’t noticed before.

He knows where he’s going. He makes work of the labyrinth in no time at all, making very few wrong turns, because he can remember exactly where he entered from and where the center would be. It’s not something Dylas can explain, but he makes it right to the middle of the arena in record time, not having even broken a sweat.

Whoever his opponent (or, you know, other participant) is, they’re greated with a snort, a flare of nostrils, and Dylas’ condescending comment.]

What the hell took you so long? Did you actually get lost in there?

iii. flowers everywhere

[Dylas, despite his gruff appearance, doesn’t hate flowers. It’s been days since his horns have come in, and he’s no longer looking as wild as before, so he can actually take the time to appreciate all the flowers that are laid out to look at...even if the shopkeepers are giving him a very disgusted eye, his status as a Faun now on full display for everyone to see.

Someone walking by might hear him mutter the name ‘Amber’ under his breath, or they might even catch him buying a few to take home. He’s constantly looking over his shoulder, though, making sure no one is watching him...this is his softer side, okay, no one is allowed to see it.]

iv. labyrinth (take four)

[He enjoyed it the first time, so why not go for it again? Dylas quickly notices that he has that nagging feeling that he did after the full moon, too, that sixth sense that tells him exactly where he is at all times. It’s spooky, and it feels a little like magic, but it makes these labyrinths a real yawn. He can tell which paths he’s taken before, he can usually guess which turn will lead him the right way. Either:

a) Your character is stuck with Dylas, and he’s being unhelpful. “Are you sure you want to go this way again,” he asks with a bit of a smirk, suggesting he could do a lot better at leading the way but isn’t.

b) Your character is being hunted with Dylas. They haven’t been in the labyrinth for a full four minutes yet, and Dylas has already figured out where they are. That’s what minotaur faun are good for, right? They can hear him, maybe, dragging his hand along the bushes and humming to himself, or they turn around and suddenly he’s at the far end of the corridor they just came from, a short run away. “If I catch you, I win, right,” he reminds them.]

[ooc; Some notes! If you want to do the violence prompt, I’d prefer to plot first, but otherwise all prompts are OTA—except for the first labyrinth prompt, which is men only if you want it to end in awkward cuddling. I’m also open to entertainment district prompts if NSFW interests you! Hit me up via PM or via ForestTemple with questions. o/]

iii

[catasstrophy]

[Horns. Dylas has horns now, and even though Konoe's stance on that particular feature has softened after meeting some horny friends, he's still not sure how he feels about them on Dylas in particular.

That's Konoe's personal problem, though, and one he will no doubt get over soon enough. In the meantime, he's trying very, very hard to make a flower crown, lost in utter concentration. The results are... not great, but not terrible either, considering he's new at it. That said, even a small length of crown-to-be has already taken him so much time and effort, and he's even accidentally ruined some of his flowers when he tried to make it better. He could spring for more flowers, sure, but he's not sure he can justify the expense, and besides, it would be embarrassing to admit how many flowers he ruined along the way...

Glancing up at Dylas, he has an idea. Rather than making it a full-sized crown, he finishes it up at the size he's managed so far - not exactly a full-sized crown, but easily big enough to fit around a horn. Satisfied with the result, he's still oddly nervous as he offers it to Dylas.]

... Here.

[sullenstallion]

[Dylas isn't too sure how he feels about having horns, either, though most of the time his feelings are more on the negative side. He tries not to let Konoe see that, though, because he doesn't want the cat to worry.

He doesn't notice Konoe walking up to him at first. Dylas is opting to buy a small bouquet instead of buying flower crown materials, and so far he's picked out something that's cheap and mostly in soft purples and whites. A few petals are missing here or there because he picked one of the cheaper ones, but he has it tucked under his arm anyways as he walks or stands, admiring the flowers and then turning to Konoe.]

What is it, Konoe? I didn't drop that.

[Unaware of Konoe's flower plight, he completely misses the meaning of what's being offered.]

[catasstrophy]

I know you didn't drop it!

[Seriously - what is he supposed to do with a stupid horny horse like Dylas?! If Konoe hadn't put so much effort into making his miniature crown, he would have just given up on the idea of giving it to anyone, but he set out to do this, so dammit, he will do it.

Reaching way up (and probably standing on tiptoe, let's face it), Konoe puts the mini-crown on one of Dylas' horns.

There, that's better. He just... can't seem to think of what to say, now that he's done what he wanted to do.]

... It's for you.

[You know, in case that wasn't glaringly obvious from the whole putting it on him part.]

[sullenstallion]

Then why are you—

[Oh. He never put two and two together there. No one's ever given him a flower crown before, and honestly Dylas never would have expected it from Konoe. He looks in the direction of his horn, gives up because he can't really see up there, and then looks back down at the cat. Some color is seeping into his face, because this is really...embarrassing.

It's such a dinky flower crown. At least it slides onto his horn easily, but...having Konoe look so closely at his horns feels funny, too.]

Oh. It's...kind of small, isn't it? [Wait. Shit. No, he shouldn't have said that. He thrusts the bouquet he'd been carrying right at Konoe's chest with more force than really necessary.] Take this!

ii

[topslug]

[ Dylas has changed. Yako had thought on commenting on that when she saw him, earlier, but between one thing and another they'd ended up in a maze and it seemed like the only way to keep being able to talk to him was to get through it and hope he'd be inclined to stick around after.

What she hadn't counted on was how exhausted she is. For some reason, despite not doing anything more strenuous than the usual practice and spells around the Coven, not only is she more tired, she's also had a poorer rate of success with her spellwork. When she finally gets to the end of the maze, Yako has to pause to take a breath, hands on her knees. ]

Sorry ... you're just a lot faster than me. [ Also, the divination spell she was using to direct her through had started to go haywire. ]

[sullenstallion]

What? It's you?

[Unlike Yako, Dylas hadn't really noticed who he'd been ushered into the maze with. He's here to burn off some energy, after all, he spoke to someone and they let him inside. He's never that attentive to his surroundings unless he's fishing.

So when he sees her, his eyes go wide in surprise, but then an unpleasant feeling washes over him. Whether it's hunting or fighting, there's just...no way he can do this.]

I'm not going to fight you.

oops i never decided if this was during full moon or not

[topslug]

[ Wheeze. Yako looks up at Dylas to smile wryly, still half-bent over. ]

I should hope not ... because it’s obvious ... who’d lose.

[ Some things you don’t even need to try to know the outcome... she straightens when she finally catches her breath, and she points a finger at him. ]

You’re hurt.

[ Either fresh blood or old still seems streaked on the new growths. It looks pretty painful. ]

[sullenstallion]

Then what are you doing in here?

[There's something riling Dylas up from within. He wants to fight something, he wants to burn all of this excess energy. He has to close his eyes, let his nostrils flare, and refocus.]

I'm not hurt. It's all dried now.

[ooc: AH, prompt II was meant to be full moon adjacent labyrinth shenanigans! So I just assumed full moon or close to it is what you wanted.]

iv-a

[atsumoribiito]

[It isn't Nobunaga's first bout with the maze, either, but the shift in focus compared to before has her off-balance. Before she was only focused on the hunt--now, she's fumbling around trying to find the correct path. Of course, even though she's lost, she marches out ahead confidently, as though she isn't.

Well, until her supposed partner questions the next turn.]

Hoh?

[Wheeling around on her heel, she crosses her arms while looking up at the guy she was paired with.]

You think we've been here before? Go ahead, prove it.

!!!! Nobu is my highest level Servant *_*

[sullenstallion]

I dunno. You're so great at getting lost, I'd hate to interrupt.

[He folds his arms across his chest defiantly and looks down at the girl in front of him. From that 'hoh?' sound, he already has the impression that she's a fairly confident sort. She isn't frustrated at all in the face of a tall horse-bull-man telling her she's doing a terrible job at this.]

Besides, how would I prove it? Are you asking me to guide you to the exit? You could at least add a 'please.'

awww amg, take good care of her <3

[atsumoribiito]

[Technically, the man has a point. But it simply isn't in Nobunaga's nature to admit defeat. Instead, she just chuckles once he's finished.]

I could, but you want to get to the exit too, don'tcha? It only makes sense to do what will get you there the easiest.

[In fact, she pauses there to draw her sword--not on the man, no. She points it at the nearest wall of green.]

On the other hand, if they didn't enchant the maze to stop me, there are always other options.

[sullenstallion]

I'm not here to get right to the exit. I'm testing myself.

[He says those words with confidence, like they explain everything? But Dylas hasn't actually said anything important. Also, he's being a little contrary, because he is trying to get to the exit, it's just a byproduct of his main goal.]

Are you serious? You want to be remembered as the crazy girl who gave up and cut her way out of the maze?

iv

[fulgency]

[The question and his expression make it clear that it's meant to get under Ozymandias' skin. But Ozymandias refuses to have his feathers so easily ruffled. He glances over in the other's direction.]

I am absolute in all my decisions, no matter how small. If I wasn't confident in this direction, I wouldn't take it. [He glances over at him again.] Are you in a hurry to leave so soon?

[sullenstallion]

Aren't you picking at random like everyone else?

[Geez. Dylas has spent exactly five seconds around this man, and already he's convinced that Ozymandias is some sort of stuffy noble.]

I'm not in a hurry. I can leave whenever I want to, so I'm just taking a walk. What about you?

[fulgency]

[Picking at random?]

[Well, it's a fair assertion to make at the start of the maze. Ozymandias will give him that. But at some point, the decisions have to have some logic behind them, or else how could one possibly ever find their way out? He lets it go.]

No, I intend to enjoy myself. Granted a maze isn't quite as good as a bottle of wine, but it's a way to pass the time. Besides, these are beautifully constructed.

[sullenstallion]

Isn't the point of a maze to get out as fast as possible?

[Dylas is actually a little curious, a little confused. If Ozymadias isn't here to speed-run the maze, then how else is he going to enjoy it? Is he trying to get lost? Dylas' sense of direction isn't perfect enough to tell him how to walk straight to the center, but it won't be long until he has a clearer picture.]

They are, uh...pretty nice, I guess. They grew 'em pretty fast. These ones are different from the ones they had on the full moon.

i

[justbeingknife]

Hey.

[ Majima didn't really recognize the figure stumbling down the street at first, but it was hard not to figure what was going on. A monster, undergoing their transformation. Something had been going on with his magic, too -- it was harder to bend to his needs, but what else was new? It was always something in this weird two-mooned fantasy land, and this time, at least, he'd prepared ahead of time.

Strength flowed into him, guided and shaped by the runes he'd written out on his possessions ahead of time. Felt kind of like old times, actually. ]

You doin' all right, there? Need some help?

[sullenstallion]

[Dylas doesn't even register that someone is talking to him at first. His own voice in his head is too loud. He's yelling at himself over and over, focusing only on the pain of having his skull warped to include two new horns. Does he know that bull horns aren't composed of just keratin, that they have bone cores? He doesn't. Hell, before coming to this world he didn't even know what a bull was.

What he does know is that it hurts. Where his horns push out, blood trickles after. Right in front of Majima Goro's eyes, Dylas' horns get a little bigger. Barely noticeable. They're not growing at a steady pace. Barely half a centimeter, maybe less. A few seconds later, the same thing, and they still have a lot of growing to do. In between the sound of his own skull cracking to accommodate these horns, someone has spoken to him twice.]

Stop...talking, dammit!

[He places an arm out against the wall of a building that he's passing, no longer sure enough that he can keep walking without some support. It hurts. It hurts so much, and he's supposed to be the tough one—! His breath is coming out uneven, ragged, like he's gasping for air. And he is, because he's so focused on the pain that he's forgetting to take breaths.]

You're too loud!

[justbeingknife]

[ Was it just him, or did that voice sound familiar? Majima took a step forward, only to catch sight of blood and the start of horns breaking out from the man's skull. He looked unsteady, he looked like...

Dylas?

...okay, so clearly he'd like to help the guy, it was shitty to leave reasonably nice dudes in the lurch with what sounded like their own bones slowly breaking themselves. But how the fuck was he supposed to communicate with Dylas without talking? The guy didn't exactly seem in the mood to pass notes.

Compromise: he'd lower his voice. ]

Let me help. Might be able to do somethin' for the pain.

[ For the horns, though? Nooooope, no idea how to stop horns from breaking out of a dude's skull during a monster transformation. ]

[sullenstallion]

[Just like before, it doesn't immediately register to Dylas that it's Majima looking at him and speaking to him. His eyes are focused on the path in front of him, his head tilted down both from the weight of growing horns and his belief that staring at the paved street will make it easier for him to walk on it.

His first attempt to communicate with Majima is to wave his arm in his direction, as if attempting to shove him but not realizing he's not close enough to be shoved. Then, he comes to a stop to catch his breath. He tries to focus through the pain and...and whatever energy this is filling him up, and he asks a single question without looking away from the ground.]

I'm fine.

[He's decidedly not fine. He's. Starting to slump a little, but you know, it's Dylas.]

i

[newtralize]

[Newt has kept himself quite busy. From taking work at Runetchers or the Petagorium or whatever else, the man seemed to be earning his keep and staying quite busy. He's heading back to the barracks when he catches sight of the other. The heaving shoulders and the way they had moved before had him concerned.

He recognizes Dylas from before. A bit difficult to converse with, but he didn't hold any ill feelings towards the other. Even if he did, they seem unwell. He slowly is approaching the other from behind, still a decent distant from them to not intrude on their personal space.]

Dylas? Are you okay?

[sullenstallion]

[Newt is just about the last person Dylas wants to see right now. Their first meeting had been...well, Dylas would say it went about as well as it could have, considering his own irritation and the events in play. But it's not Newt's fault. Dylas doesn't want to be near anyone right now, not when there's so much unwanted energy coursing through his veins like lightning. It's energy that has nowhere to go, because his body, in contrast, is in pain.]

You...you're mistaking me for someone else.

[He tries to get away with such a flimsy lie first. That said, there are likely very few people in the city with such periwinkle hair and exactly one with an equine tail. He takes a few steps forward, not even sure where he's going. He's half-tempted to start walking towards the harbor, if only so he could throw himself in the water to cool down.

But his horns start to grow again and instead he leans against the wall for support, gasping for air. His skull is changing to accommodate these horns, and it's more pain and discomfort than he's ever felt.]

[newtralize]

[The other was obviously having some sort of discomfort. Why is that, he doesn't know. It does make him more concerned for the other though.

Also, Dylas... He most certainly is not mistaking you for someone else. That wasn't even a good attempt at a lie. He doesn't comment on it because they both know he's who he's claiming not to be. Even if they weren't who they were, they didn't look well and Newt couldn't possibly ignore someone who was unwell.]

Even if you aren't Dylas, you look like you've seen much better days.

[He approaches the other, hands hovering over them. Not quite wanting to invade their personal space unless absolutely necessary.]

We should get you somewhere to rest. You're in pain.

[sullenstallion]

[Ugh. Why can't he ever tell a good lie? When people stare at him or spend too much focusing on him like this, discomfort washes over him. It makes his own personal world start to spin. He feels more unsteady than before, and Dylas is already trying to think of ways to get rid of Newt.

But he probably can't. He makes a 'tch' sound with his tongue at the realization. Newt's a talkative guy as far as Dylas remembers.]

I don't need...to rest. I can handle this just fine on my own!

[Even as he speaks, his horns push out more. Has Newt ever seen someone grow bull horns? Maybe. Who knows, maybe there's a monster that does this in his world. Dylas remembers that talk about creatures and briefcases. The thought this might look interesting to Newt annoys him even more.]

I'm completely fine!