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

[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.]

[topslug]

That’s good.

[ Yako brushes her hair back from her face, sheepish. ]

To be honest, I hadn’t given it too much thought. I just saw you going in here and they said something about burning extra energy off...

[ Whereas she, in contrast, can’t seem to find any. She shakes her head as though she’s trying to clear it, focusing on him again. ]

Did you ever get someone to look at your arm?

[ ooc: wait HAHA you’d think i’d know this considering i tagged yako in being tired af which could only really be during the full moon ... that’ll teach me not to parent up. full moon it is! ]

[sullenstallion]

It's fine now.

[He moves his arm to indicate as such, keeping it close to his side but moving it in a small up-and-down circular motion like he's winding it.]

Wait, you followed me in here? Why?

[He can't think of any reason why Yako would want to talk to him, even though she literally just asked him a question about himself.]

[topslug]

[ Yako grins and straightens, answering the question readily even though her response should be more than obvious. ]

It's been a while since we've seen each other, hasn't it? I wanted to say hello and see how you were doing. I'm glad you're all right now.

[ Especially since it's the full moon, which brings out strange tendencies in monsters, she knows. Speaking of, she puts a hand to her hip, thinking. ]

I may not be able to fight, but if you need to burn off some of your energy, maybe I can still help.

[sullenstallion]

[Talking to Yako...it isn't a bad thing, but getting all worked up for a fight in the labyrinth and then losing it has Dylas fidgety. His tail is lashing a bit more wildly than usual. One hard lash to the left, pause, another to the right. There's something burning inside of him, and...

...he's having a polite conversation about it.]

I've been better. I, uh...it's not bad to see you, either.

[He's not getting his hopes up about working off any of his energy here, but he should still be polite and entertain her, right?]

What is it? Your idea.

[topslug]

Well, um, you’re a really strong guy, right?

[ Yako glances up at him, cocking her head. ]

How much do you think you could lift?

[sullenstallion]

Yeah. I'm pretty strong.

[He has to think about it for a second, but he shrugs.]

Usually, I just left the packages that come to Porcoline's...how much does a crate of apples weigh?

[topslug]

Hm, a box of apples might weigh around twenty kilos ... [ Yako ponders, coming up with that number way too fast. ] Plus a little more if the crate was wooden.

[ She looks around, seemingly searching for something, and finds it in a slightly wilted sunflower blossom on the ground -- something discarded during the festival preparations that hasn't been cleaned up yet. She crouches down to touch her fingers to it, murmuring under her breath -- the magic leaving her makes a dizzy rush pass through her, but she shoulders it aside -- and after a moment, she glances up at Dylas. ]

Here. [ She's ever so slightly out of breath, but she grins challengingly at him. ] Why don't you try lifting this?

[ If he actually takes her up on that, he'll find himself dealing with a little over an apple crate's worth of weight to lift, the sunflower enchanted to be heavier. ]

oh my god I've never lifted weights in my life i have no idea how strong he should be

[sullenstallion]

...You're joking, right?

[He's pretty sure she just cast magic right in front of him, but there are two things wrong with this picture. One, it's still a sunflower. And two, Dylas is pretty sure that Yako is going to keel over after casting that spell?

He steps closer, if only to place a hand on her head in an attempt to keep her steady.]

Why is it that you look worse than I do right now?

[That's absolutely a lie, Dylas is fidgety and has blood in his hair. They both look awful.]

grown-ass horses can carry a lot so B I G S H R U G

[topslug]

I'm serious! [ Yako can't help but laugh at Dylas's obvious skepticism -- hey, she knows it's nothing fancy, but she has been practicing enchantment a lot, all right?! -- but she stops just as quickly when a wave of dizziness passes through her. The hand on her head ends up being a surprisingly comforting presence, and she blinks up at him under its weight, touched by the unexpected concern.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have any answers. ]

I don't know. [ She says honestly, still breathless. ] The Witches at the Coven said ... magic's supposed to be strongest on the full moons, but... it's only gotten harder.

he's not a horse!!!!!! yako!!!! nooooooooooooooooo don't think that shhh he's not a horse

[sullenstallion]

[Dylas stares at her for a long moment. He stares at the flower. He has something turning over and over in his head. Is it a bad idea? Absolutely. Does he care? Absolutely not. He sighs—it's not clear to Yako why he's sighing, not yet, but it's because he's resigning himself to do actual effort.

He steps closer.]

I'll carry you out of here. Maybe someone can look at you. And you're heavier than a flower, anyways. It's a win-win.

well then what are you dylas! what are you!!!!! (an idiot sandwich)

[topslug]

[ Somehow, even though that's ... probably a logical conclusion, that catches Yako off-guard, even in her own exhaustion. She jerks up a little in surprise, looking up at Dylas. ]

Ah--? U-um... [ Congratulations, for once she's the one at a loss for words. ] Are you sure? You don't have to, I could walk on my own.

[ Just. Slowly, probably. She takes a step forward to try and prove it, but it's a shaky one, and she has to stop to steady herself before she trips inelegantly in the dirt. ]

wow that's so rude!!!! all this abuse

[sullenstallion]

Yeah, you're really fooling me.

[He steps closer, more or less closing the distance. He doesn't want her falling over again, so at least he's there if she needs something tall and sturdy to brace herself against. He squats a little so he's more at her height level.]

Up we go.

[That's the last warning she's getting before Dylas reaches out with a leg to sweep her feet, but he catches her when she falls, standing up with her. Has she ever been princess carried before? Dylas would guess...probably. Dylas would also rather throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, that's less embarrassing than this, but he might get in trouble.]

it could still be worse!!!

[topslug]

[ Given Yako's not that much heavier than a crate of apples herself -- though a much less ergonomic shape to carry -- Dylas will have no trouble whatsover sweeping her off her feet. The sudden shift in her center of gravity causes her to squeak in mild alarm, but truth be told, she's far too used to being manhandled worse than this, so the fact that she ends up in his arms instead of, say, being dangled about the scruff like a misbehaving kitten is actually a nice surprise. ]

... Thank you. [ She says, sheepishly craning her head up to look at Dylas, even if the angle she's at means she's mostly just seeing the bottom of his chin and part of the side of his face. ] It wasn't like this last month, so I don't know what's changed.