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

[activatingcombatmode]

[Elliot's reaction actually makes Zack bark with a laugh. He swishes it purposefully so Elliot can get a better look at his fluffy wolf tail.]

Er. Yeah, surprise... ! I don't think I'm one hundred percent turning into a sheep.

[He waves a hand to show his big bad wolf claws too.]

[fiddlestick]

Whoa!

[Yep that is definitely a wolf tail. It is very fluffy too. And oh-big claws too]

Crazy! What are you supposed to be then?

[The only thing he's seen come close to this match up is a demon and.

Well.

Zack is not exactly demon material.]

...A-Also your tail is really fluffy.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Please don't call him a demon that might actually make him sob.]

I think the definition I was given was ... I'm a chimera?

[So he's going to end up being a hodge-podge of several different animals all mixed into one. It makes Zack frown. He never asked for any of this. Turning into a monster like this leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]

It's got its ups and downs, I guess.

[fiddlestick]

A Chimera...

[Yeah that's not a monster type he's familiar with. He'll have to look up the details at the Coven later rather than badger Zack for them. It's not hard to see the guy's more conflicted about it]

Yeah, that's one way to put it.

Have you been okay? Anymore pain or anything?

[activatingcombatmode]

[Not prodding Zack for more information would be nice. Not because he doesn't want to give it but Zack is still in the midst of accepting all of this. It's hard when he wakes up to see horns and claws and a tail. He's no longer fully human and he has a lot of inner conflicts about that. It makes him think of Angeal Hewley too much.]

You know, since my horns have come in completely now the pain in my head hasn't been that bad. The tail was weird, but ... [He glances up at the red sky.] Not much pain other than that. Everything actually feels better, like I want to run around. I think it has something to do with all that.

[He gestures at the moon.]

[fiddlestick]

Oh yeah...the full moon wasn't long ago. I was surprised how much that affects things here.

[He clears his throat.]

G-Glad you're feeling less pain. I was gonna offer to pat your head again if you needed it, but you sound okay.

[activatingcombatmode]

[He gives a small laugh.]

Thanks, Elliot. For being so reliable! [He nods.] How've you been, though? With the moon and everything... Not sure how that affects witches much.

[fiddlestick]

Aww, think nothing of it. I just like helping.

[Also friends but he has no idea if he can say that since they haven't known each other that long]

O-Oh, well....about that. [he scratches his chin] Apparently on full moons witches are supposed to get stronger but...

I don't know, somehow the opposite happened for me.

[activatingcombatmode]

[They're becoming fast friends, Zack would be okay with that.

Zack raises an eyebrow in confusion.]

How'd that happen?

[fiddlestick]

[Ye friendship ✨]

I don't know! The Coven seemed confused too.

I just know my spells were weaker. Even the ones I had down were a struggle to cast.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack crosses his arms.]

Is there something faulty about you?

[He's just joking, Elliot is not faulty-]

Have you been doing anything different than what you normally do?

[fiddlestick]

Not...in any way that's relevant to my magic, I don't think.

[Anyway, moving on.]

Not really. I practice every day, but not too much so I don't overexert myself. And since the full moon ended, my magic's been going back to normal.

[activatingcombatmode]

Huh. That's strange. I figured witches got a power boost and could cast meteors or something... Hopefully, everything's okay now.

[That's a shame. He doesn't know enough about witches to really understand why this happened that way.]

[fiddlestick]

I thought so too. But nope, no meteors.

[He clasps his hands together]

Yeah...maybe it was just a one time fluke. I hope so, I'm not really keen on the idea of having my magic weak during a full moon.

[activatingcombatmode]

[But when do witches get meteors??]

If it ends up like that every time you're gonna need to find someone you trust to bond with to help you out. Or so I'm guessing. Don't want your magic fizzling up into nothing.

[fiddlestick]

Oh, see, I actually have a Bond. I got one a few days before the full moon.

It just seemed like a safe idea to get one quickly.

[activatingcombatmode]

Oh, hell! Lucky you, then.

[He's still trying to bully Cloud... He laughs.]

What was your trick in convincing them?

[fiddlestick]

Trick...?

[He scratches the side of his jaw]

I wouldn't say there was a trick to it. He knew I wanted a Bond, so we used a temporary Bond for a day while doing a request job. It went pretty well, so we agreed on a permanent bond.

[He says it like it's no big deal. Mostly because for Elliot, it wasn't. He's done stuff like this before]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack makes a dramatic sigh and shrugs heavily.]

Guess you're lucky in that department too. I've tried those temporary bonds a grand total of once. And the one person I'd want to bond with seems to be giving me the cold shoulder.

[Huh. Maybe that's why his horns grew in so rapidly. With no magical bond from a witch he's gonna end up exploding or something.]

[fiddlestick]

Oh...that's too bad...

[Giving a cold shoulder isn't very helpful. People sure get really skittish about the bonds.

...]

Well if you still need one, you could bond with me? I'm a witch.

[Ooooor maybe Elliot isn't skittish enough about them]

[activatingcombatmode]

What? Just like that, man?

[He seems amused and he pats a hand on Elliot's shoulder.]

Maybe. I'll think about that one, I know bonds make a pretty heavy empathetic link between two people and all. That's nice of you to offer so fast, though.

[fiddlestick]

Well, yeah just like that. [He scratches the side of his jaw] I used to do something like Bonds back home. Bonds are a little stronger, but having my emotions known to a friend isn't that big a deal to me.

Just...think it over, okay? I won't be hurt if you say no, but I don't want you to feeling like you have no options.

[activatingcombatmode]

You should be careful about how many bonds you take here, though. Things here might work a little differently than they do at home.

[Elliot is such a good kid. Zack can't help but admire that attitude.]

But tell you what, why don't we set up a temporary bond for now? That would really help out. I'd appreciate the hand at least for the rest of the week.

[fiddlestick]

Right. The Coven told me three bonds at most. [Surprise surprise, Elliot is not reckless. That's his best friend] I only have one right now, so I should be alright.

Oh, I can do a temporary bond, sure! We just need potion from the Coven, right?

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack nods. Three bonds is the soft max- Zack should try to make sure to remember that as well. He's been trying to convince Cloud first since it's Cloud but... ! It's a process.]

Yeah, they've got them there. You got time now?