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

[figmentpigment]

[ Bendy scurries down the street ahead of her, occasionally stopping to look back and wave to make sure Monika is keeping up. Before they go too far, Bendy darts down an alley between two buildings, further waving her on.

Their destination lies here; a ladder, stretching down from the roof and ending a good eight or so feet off of the ground. The miniature demon hops a few times up at it, several feet too short to reach it. He then looks back at Monika, hopeful. Someone with more scruples might call what he's doing "attempted trespassing," but he likes to think of it as "thorough exploration." ]

[loadme]

[She follows along easily enough, never really losing sight of... them. Whatever this was about, Monika wanted to see what this would lead to. A little curiosity never hurt anyone, right?

It's when she notices the ladder and their attempted jumps that puts two and two together. Someone with scruples might indeed be taking issues with this.

Monika was still working on developing those. Call it a work in progress.

Where the progress was very little.]

Is this it? Let's see...

[She's on the shorter side of 5 feet tall, but with a running a start and her arms held out, Monika's able to grab on to the bottom-most rung on the ladder. It... doesn't quite budge all the way.]

Oh, um... Oh wow, this is embarrassing!

Maybe if you pull on my leg a little bit?

[figmentpigment]

[ Morals are a social construct and these two are new to society.

Bendy claps excitedly when Monika makes her flying grab, extremely impressed by her combination of athleticism and normal human height. His enthusiasm was not at all tempered by her awkward dangling.

Not much more than three feet tall himself, Bendy's the perfect height to complete this chain. Throwing Monika a thumbs-up (which she was at no angle to see), Bendy widens his stance, rubs his hands together, and grabs a hold of her ankle.

Bendy is surprisingly strong for his size, but the ladder still doesn't give right away as rust stops up the rungs. Careful not to hurt Monika he pulls harder still, until there's a CLANK and a SKREE and now Bendy's pulling Monika right down on top of him. ]

[loadme]

[Where does the ladder lead to? She doesn't really know!

Should she have asked more questions before agreed to help with this? Probably!

Could there have been a better way? Too late now!

Monika continues to dangle from the lowest rung on the ladder as the creature grabs on to her ankle and pulls her on down. There's enough force the ladder is finally budged loose and extends all the way.

With Monika still holding on.

She comes crashing down as well, landing on her butt.]

Oof! That was a little bit too sudden for me!

Are you okay...?

[figmentpigment]

[ Oof. Well, at least Bendy's nice and squishy to help break her fall. There's a faint little squeaky noise as she knocks into him, and they both hit the ground.

Bendy's eyes spiral wildly in opposite directions before he shakes off his dazed state, holding his head. Bendy shoots Monika a somewhat shaky smile, and hops to his feet--then staggers a moment, still a bit wobbly, before he catches himself, arms akimbo while he reclaims his balance.

With a quick dusting off of his.... clothes(?).... Bendy extends a hand to help pull Monika up to her feet. There's no time for them to lie around now, their way is finally open! ]

[loadme]

[At least they're both alright, even if she'll be feeling the fall throughout the day. She takes his hand and uses it to help get back up, dusting herself off as well while rubbing any sore spots.]

Alright, well! It looks like we should be on our way!

I wonder where this all leads to!

[Seriously, you're both still trespassing.]

[figmentpigment]

[ With this hurdle finally surmounted, Bendy can't contain his excitement. He hops in place to make a happy little dance, before grabbing the rungs and waving Monika along to follow him once more.

He's up the ladder like a shot, all vibrating energy and enthusiasm. He's wanted to do this for ages, but for some reason people wouldn't let him wherever he wanted to go on their property! It's baffling.

There's nothing so exciting about the top of the building itself, really. What it has is a view. For all the staring at the sky Bendy has been doing, all the buildings seem to do is get in the way. From up here, though? There's nothing to get in the way of looking at that brilliant red, stretching in every direction. He can even see the harbor from here, the red of the sky glinting against the waves. ]

[loadme]

[She follows along, not quite as fast as the creature but making her way through nonetheless.

There's a whole lot of nothing going on once she makes it to the rooftop, up until she looks up at the sky. Uninterrupted, vast, and so much more to look at than from her spot on the street. It was breathtaking, really. The locals were so afraid of it, but Monika honestly found herself lost in that sea of red.]

[figmentpigment]

[ Bendy takes a moment to marvel at the vibrant color of the sky. The city is great, but there's something really to be said for a wide open skyline, with no one around to grumble or shoo you off for being in the way.

He turns back to Monika--his chest swells with excitement to see she's just as taken as he is. It's a relief to know he picked a good companion for sightseeing. There's not too many people around who seem terribly impressed by the sky, somehow.

Tucking his hands behind his back, Bendy struts back over to his new co-conspirator, making no secret how pleased with himself he is, and waits to hear her verdict. ]

[loadme]

[If left alone, Monika could've spent all day looking at the sky. She was just so... captivated by it. Such a shame that not many others seemed to be taking the time appreciate the view.

A lot of them were afraid, even!

At least the company she was with felt the same as her.]

It's really something else.

I'm glad you brought me here!

[She looks over and smiles.]