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

[tryhard]

Thankfully, it's been a couple days since the full moon and the mazes specifically geared for Monsters to indulge in their instincts for hunting and chasing, or whatever other bestial indulgences they needed help with at that time. Still, even with the moons starting to wane at their edges, the innate desire to give into his new, animal nature hasn't completely left Waver. What's worse, he's somehow managed to indulge in a bit more than letting a little of his wild side out.

He hadn't known the drink was spiked with some sort of infatuation concoction. Maybe it had been given to him on accident, or maybe on purpose by someone among the many residents who hadn't taken well to the wave of newcomers. Whatever the case, the result is the same: Waver ends up in the maze with his fellow offworlder, trying to find both each other and their mutual escape.

His ears -- dark, furred triangles that part the curtain of his hair on either side just above where his human ears had recently been -- perk up at the sound of footsteps nearby. He raises his head, scenting the air automatically, and rushes to follow.

The long path Ozymandias had taken doesn't seem nearly so long this time. Waver spots him just up ahead, broad back and sun-tanned skin. He smells so... good.

Waver dashes forward with an eager growl. He may be fast, but he's really not that stealthy.

[fulgency]

Ozymandias manages only a few steps before he hears the fast-approaching telltale signs he's been found. He only glances over his shoulder to confirm before he sets off. There's no danger in being caught, but it would be a shame if he made no attempt to escape. Of course, his speed as a Servant would be helpful in keeping more distance between the two of them (as would a sphinx or two in clearing the path ahead by moving through rather than around topiaries), but his longer stride buys him a little time in delaying the distance being closed.

Because there is no danger to this chase, Ozymandias is able to remain mindful of the path he takes. Trouble is, there still isn't much time to really assess any direction for the likelihood in which it will lead towards the exit or a dead end. In fact, sometimes Ozymandias needs to make the choice to take the sharp right and then follow the winding path to the left before he even reaches the choice point.

Eventually, though, he finds his dead end. While his larger size than Waver made it possible to maintain some of the distance between the two of them long enough to come to this point, it inhibits escape through the greenery. The growth is too thick and doesn't allow enough space from the ground for him to even crawl his way out. He runs to the end, skidding to a halt and turning back to face Waver.

"It seems my luck's run out," he says with a breathless laugh. Now that he's still, he can feel himself being a little out of breath. Being reduced to human speed and trying to outrun someone capable of faster has its consequences, it would seem. Gradually, Ozymandias begins willing his breath to slow once more.

[tryhard]

The chase is exhilarating. Waver bolts after his quarry, just a few steps behind with every turn, and it's a good thing Ozymandius is at least trying to keep track of where they're going because Waver is single-mindedly now focused on him and only him without minding the paths at all.

Whatever is affecting him, it seems only to aid further in the loss of control as he lets go of a bit more of his more human nature to give into the call of the hunt. The result is a flushed and excited young man when he finally corners his would-be prey, curled black dog-tail wagging and ears perked up. Despite the claws and fangs also visible glinting in the moonlight, his posture is unmistakably playful, not violent.

"Nowhere left to run, huh?" he teases, not nearly as breathless as he should have been.

"That's what you get for running away so stubbornly without knowing where to go." He says, sounding smug as if he knows where the exit is. He absolutely does not.

And then it occurs to him that the goal had been to reach and catch his maze-partner, but now...? Now, he has no idea what to do. Except unsubtly stare up at the man, now that he's gotten a good look from the front. He certainly doesn't hate what he sees.

[fulgency]

The staring is noticed, of course, but Ozymandias thinks little of it. Who hasn't stared at least a little in his presence? What merits more of his attention is this young man's tone. He speaks as though he had the time to find both it and Ozymandias, but that seems entirely unlikely if not impossible. His unearned confidence is amusing.

"Oh?" he says with a grin. That grin is an unspoken challenge. "Then I suppose I shall allow you to lead the way out. Unless, of course, I've managed to make you lose your way."

As far as finding the exit is concerned, it's probably not in Ozymandias' best interest to let him lead the way out of the maze. It would be wiser to let Ozymandias lead their way back from where he was spotted and work together from there, but he's not in any more rush than he was before and it could be entertaining to see how long he's able to keep that confidence up.

"Or would that be too boring and you'd like to find me again?" Ozymandias asks, walking towards Waver and stops in front of him. "Which will it be?"

[tryhard]

When the handsome stranger begins walking toward him, Waver's breath quickens slightly, his shoulders tensing up with a mix of anxiety and excitement. The closer he gets, the longer Waver's eyes remain fixed on his confident smile, the faster his heart beats too. He's too pale to hide the the color in his cheeks even in the darkness of night, not with the glow of the moons above and the faerie-lights wound through the hedges. They almost seem to make the stranger's eyes glow, bright and self-assured-- and Waver can't help but feel drawn in.

He realizes belatedly he's gaping, mouth half open, and attempts to recover with a smirk of his own, a soft snort as if to say this is hardly a challenge at all.

"You're right. That would be boring." Besides, he has no idea where the exit is, but even if he did... suddenly he's not so sure he wants to go to it immediately either. "I bet I can find you again. I'll even give you a head start."

Unearned confidence, indeed.

[fulgency]

It truly is unearned, Ozymandias thinks, if he's so easily flustered. Though Ozymandias couldn't exactly say what it is that caused him to be so flustered in the first place. No matter, the challenge has been accepted and the confidence returns albeit somewhat shakily. Ozymandias laughs more fully now that his breath has returned to him.

"How generous." Ozymandias steps around him, forcing him to turn around if he wants to keep his eyes on Ozymandias. He stops just behind him though and doesn't begin his head start just yet. "If you fail to catch me before I find the exit, I win and you owe me drinks afterward. But if I fail to find the exit before you catch me, you win and can have a prize of your choosing."

Ozymandias looks down over his shoulder at him.

"What do you say? Five minutes headstart as before?"

[tryhard]

He turns, clearly fixated, chin lifting as Ozymandius steps closer so Waver has to look up at him, considering how much taller he is than the newly-changed Monster trying to chase him. Without even realizing it, Waver's made a full turn just watching him, and grinning like an idiot at the excitement of the challenge.

It feels oddly... flirtatious, almost. Or is that his imagination? (Or the drinks speaking, more likely?) Whatever the case, the warmth that floods him when his would-be 'prey' looks down at him like that feels real enough. It draws a shiver down his spine, leaves his blood racing.

He nods, pointed ears perked up and forward eagerly. The effect kind of ruins his attempt to act cool.

"If you need five whole minutes, then sure, go ahead."

[fulgency]

The other's eagerness for this little challenge is practically tangible in the air at this point. Between all his little non-verbal betrayals of his attempts to act cool and his attempt to goad Ozymandias into reducing his lead time...

Ozymandias is almost tempted by it. But he knows without his usual abilities and his still-developing grasp on the magecraft of this world, he is at a significant disadvantage here. What this one lacks in stealth, he makes up for in speed and no doubt some other ability or two.

Ozymandias twirls a finger in the air to indicate that he needs to turn back around while simultaneously not rising to the bait and reiterating with a grin, "Five minutes."

It's only once his back is turned that Ozymandias begins retracing his steps at a run.

He maintains it only for a portion of his head start, however. As much as immediate distance is important quieter progress was an equally important factor here. Ozymandias reasons that if he were to run the whole of his head start, it would leave too much of an aural impression of his direction. Better to taper off and seemingly disappear into the maze if the other has to rely more on memory to return to where he first spotted Ozymandias. Despite slowing his pace, he's not quite as leisurely as he was before. He's staying as alert as he can to the sounds of the other's approach, keeping mindful if there appears to be any give to the greenery that might lead to an escape in an emergency. Even if he thinks he may be misremembering the path back (as he has not quite yet returned to where he was first spotted), he doesn't linger at choice points and continues moving.

He has to, in those instances, simply trust his instincts and keep moving.

[tryhard]

"Fine," Waver huffs, at least not trying to goad him again. He realizes belatedly why the man had walked around him and complies, turning around to make sure he can't tell which direction the other chooses to go in.

Five minutes. Waver pulls out his watch, impatiently counting it down without turning to look until the time is finally up. It takes forever, until he feels wound up spring-tight, ready to burst into action, needing that chase. Needing to see him again.

Waver catches his scent a few times, crossing and re-crossing the same paths, though he can't quite tell if it's now or from before. When his nose can't pinpoint between all the fresh scents, he relies on his hearing as he wanders, ears pricked, stalking his prey.

This time, it takes him a while. He's careful, quiet as he can be once he's run around a bit and finally slows down to follow one particular trail. It seems the strongest, even though it is difficult to tell. Finally, though, Waver is rewarded with the sound of footsteps from beyond one of the hedges -- right on the other side.

Now, how to get there?

Waver pauses, listening for which direction the footsteps are going in.

[fulgency]

Ozymandias manages to reach where he was found sooner rather than later and from there continues his progress in attempting to find the exit. Though it is with reluctance that he doubles back a few times upon finding other dead ends, but he has little choice. He must find that exit.

The longer he goes without a sign of his pursuer, Ozymandias thinks it's ever more likely that he managed to lose the other entirely. Before long, instead of hoping to find the exit, he finds himself hoping that he won't have to wait too long to collect on those drinks.

But then...

Then he thinks he hears something. But it's hard to tell over the sounds of his own footfalls even while keeping them as quiet as he is. Ozymandias pauses a moment to listen, straining his hearing for even the slightest sound of movement. Nothing comes to him and still he waits. And nothing comes. He frowns a little, feeling he has lingered for far too long despite his obvious lead and continues on. Unbeknownst to him, Ozymandias walks past his partner on the other side of the hedge, heading in the opposite direction as his partner was progressing a moment ago, but not necessarily any closer.

[tryhard]

At least Waver's got his scent now. He catches it, stronger and clearly fresh, and turns to follow even if it is on the other side of the hedge. There will be an opening eventually, he figures... hopes...

Or maybe somewhere lower, where he can climb up? That's beginning to seem like a better and better idea as his frustration grows and his new hunting instincts tug at him more sharply, refusing to let go of the quarry and lose track of him again.

After a few fruitless minutes, Waver decides to try it. He grabs onto the hedge, meaning to see how strong the little branches are (it's not like he's heavy) and if they might actually hold his weight.

Unfortunately, it seems the mazes are guarded against cheating of this sort. The branch, as soon as it's grabbed, swings out of Waver's hand and smacks him sharply on the arm. He yelps, a sound of shock more than significant pain, and stumbles back, affronted.

[fulgency]

Ozymandias stops in his tracks.

The sound didn't sound particularly pained, but he stops to listen for any further sound be it delayed pain or movement. There's nothing that he can hear, however, which to him means that it's unlikely his pursuer is bound to round the corner behind him suddenly. At the same time, however, Ozymandias finds himself momentarily torn on his next step. Part of him feels confident that even if there is an injury, it can't be anything too severe or else there would be more noise than just that singular yelp. Another, larger part of him would much sooner abandon the game than his partner in the case his assessment is wrong.

But just because the sound isn't too close doesn't mean it's far enough away either. Ozymandias cannot afford to linger and debate, so he continues forward. He moves a little slower at first, straining to hear if there's any reason to head back and only when he's satisfied there's nothing does he resume his earlier pace.

He is, however, definitely going to ask what that noise was about later.