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

[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.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias shrugs at his question.]

I could rush through to the other side if I wanted. My sense of direction isn't so poor that I would stay lost for very long. I suppose I could, if I were feeling truly bored, even go so far as to acquiesce and allow you to lead the way out. But what's the point of going to a structure of any kind if you're going to simply rush through it?

[Even if the walls of this place are comprised primarily of plants that have been encouraged to grow as thick as they are by magic, Ozymandias still doesn't mind taking the time to admire them. The architect in him would never allow for it otherwise.]

I didn't attend those on the full moon. How did they differ?

[sullenstallion]

The point is to...do it really quickly. And win?

[Great! Now Dylas feels stupid for some reason. He truly thought the mazes were for trying to get through as quickly as possible. It's not why he's here, of course, he's here to test out his incoming sixth sense, his faun sense of direction. He measures that, of course, by trying to get through the mazes as quickly as possible.

His tail starts to swish back and forth. He's not sure if he's supposed to feel annoyed or not, but he kind of feels annoyed anyways.]

They were letting people in the mazes hunt each other. And other things, too, like livestock. It was pretty bloody.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias won't deny that he can see the appeal of competing to have the fastest completion time of the maze. Competition is good for increasing motivation to keep various skills sharp after all. But it seems a shame to let a first pass through the maze be so hurried and ultimately forgettable.]

Understandable then why you would be in such a rush. It sounds like it was a frenzied affair.

[sullenstallion]

It was great. It was exactly what a Monster like me needed, I guess.

[He says the word 'Monster' in a tone that's a little sarcastic. He knows that referring to himself that way is stupid. He thinks referring to half the population of the city that way is stupid. Yet, he can't deny the reality—by this world's definition, that's what he's becoming.]

It was good for burning off energy. I can't really explain it.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias can't claim to fully understand the need to burn off the energy personally, but there's been enough time spent around some of the Berserkers in Chaldea to know that there's sometimes a need for such an outlet.]

[The sarcasm is difficult to miss though.]

What would you call yourself instead?

[His question stems from genuine curiosity rather than judgment about the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the word.]

[sullenstallion]

['Berserk' is a word Dylas would almost use to describe himself on that night. He's still trying to chase it out of mind, so talking about with a stranger isn't helpful. But he brought it up. And also, he doesn't want to look weak or uncomfortable, so clearly answering the questions is the right thing to do.]

I call myself Dylas. That's good enough for me.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias gets the sense that's more a name than a description given that it doesn't particularly mean anything to him. So, he feels it's safe to assume that he's more of an individual than someone who is ever going to identify as part of a group.]

Dylas it is then, [he says, seeing no need to disagree.] Though I don't suppose you'll be able to shake the title of Monster quite so easily with the natives of this place.

[sullenstallion]

I've done it once before. But you're right. The people here are pretty damn hung up on the whole thing. It's not like I asked for horns.

[The tail, the ears, those have been a part of him for as long as he can remember, so he sees no need to mention either. He nods in agreement at Ozymandias' statement anyways, because he's right. Being a Monster in this place seems like it's going to be a real headache.]

I take it you're a Witch, then. Congrats. How's that going for you?

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias laughs.]

I don't find it entirely disagreeable. I was never a mage nor Caster, but I understand more than most about the magecraft of my world. [Granted that leg up just comes from having lived when magecraft was more commonplace than the modern era, but to-may-to, to-mah-to.] But truth be told, even if I were further along in my studies, I would still prefer my abilities to the magic of this world.

[sullenstallion]

Aren't mage and caster the same thing?

[Look, someone had to ask that question. Dylas comes from a world where magic is used by people every day, so he's not impressed by this 'knowledge of magecraft.' He finds it relatable, however, because even Dylas knows a fair bit about magic just from having been exposed to it over and over.]

I doubt you're the only one. That goes for me, too. I could do without the horns, but the magic I used to have...it's missing. I can still feel its absence. I miss it.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias shakes his head no to the question, but doesn't bother with elaborating. He moves on, instead, to a question of more interest to him.]

What magic did you possess?

[sullenstallion]

Lightning.

[He shakes his head, dissatisfied with the way he's described his own abilities.]

Most people need to cast a spell to use magic, right? But I can make—could make it out of nothing. The magic was a part of me.

[fulgency]

That sounds like a fascinating ability! [His enthusiasm is genuine. Granted his enthusiasm is likely more tempered than certain other Servants would be, but it's something all the same.] Is such a thing commonplace where you're from?

[sullenstallion]

It is?

[He blinks. He even fidgets, because he doesn't get complimented so genuinely very often, and it feels kind of nice? His tail flicks, and he rubs his neck bashfully.]

I...yeah. I guess it's kind of cool. But no. There's no one like me where I come from. I wasn't exactly human.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias notices the bashfulness at the compliment, but says nothing of it. He'd be more likely to tease, but they have only just met... Besides, something else catches his attention.]

Are you the last of your kind then?

[sullenstallion]

Maybe? I dunno. There are two others like me, but they're not exactly the same, either.

[He attempts to play it off like it's no big deal. Dylas has just met this man, and though feeling like he's saying something interesting is nice for a change, he doesn't want to say everything.]

There's all sorts of...complicated stuff going on with the situation.

[fulgency]

[It comes as likely no great surprise that Ozymandias feels entitled to a great number of things, including more personal information about people. But that entitlement does not suddenly make him ignorant to the fact that some may not wish to share certain pieces of information. So, the guardedness in Dylas' response is not entirely surprising even if it is somewhat disappointing.]

I would imagine that to be the case. Most do not become one of the few of their kind without complications.

But you know them? Those other two, you spoke of.