Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution p1

[faileas]

Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution Part 1

I. The Freedom Festivities Behind the fortress-like walls of Dorchacht, what was once a gloomy, imposing city is lit up for the festivities to come. Septeril brings with it many mixed emotions for the citizens of what used to be called The Black City, though the overwhelming atmosphere is positive - this is a celebration of freedom hard-earned and prosperity hard-fought-for. The triple stars of the Resistance, now the current reigning party, feature heavily in decorations and in clothing: in pins, on hats, golden stars enchanted into fabric to dance merrily across skirts and cloaks. Stars light up the streets in decorative strings hung from lamppost to lamppost, flickering gently over the cobblestones. Mirrors, as well, feature into the decor, tiny round ones hung in multitudes from awnings and in windows like ornaments, catching the light and playing it across the otherwise-utilitarian architecture, lending it a sort of understated beauty. Much of Dorchacht has been rebuilt and repurposed by necessity since the uprising last year, and many new small businesses and restaurants are being featured at the festival - their goods or their foods on display in markets of street-side stalls or on the feast tables. Local handmade wares and crafts are out for sale for modest prices, and every sale helps out both the small business, many of which are started by former slaves, and helps the local economy, which is better these days but still recovering. The festivities go for six days, almost a full week, with feasting and bonfires every evening, and tours and tales of the city by day, as they display the changes for the better they have all made. And then, on the final evening, all are invited to watch a grand fireworks show that will be put on in the skies over Dorchacht, presided over by the Circle of Three themselves. Mirrorbound are welcomed warmly, whether they were present last year or not, and treated much like family - get ready to be pulled into activities and plied with food left and right. a. Join the Fun The children of Dorchacht are out by the dozens during the festivities, excited by all the freely-offered, special sweet treats and the magical sparklers and poppers being handed out by the fistful. The poppers explode when thrown to the ground in bursts of bright colors, completely harmless, and the sparklers are enchanted not to burn little (or big) hands if mishandled. Mirrorbound passing through may find themselves roped into elaborate pretend games of revolution by eager faces: the children name themselves either Resistance members or Mirrorbound, and 'do battle' with their magic fireworks against scarecrow-like constructions cloaked in dark bed sheets as 'the bad guys'. Depending on one's perspective, it may seem dark, but this is what these children have known very recently in their lives, and their caretakers or parents (there are more of the former than the latter, especially for the young Monsters) let them play as they will. If asked, they'll just explain that some of those kids even remember the fighting when it happened; this is just another way that they try to understand how the city has changed. More organized, family-friendly reenactment performances are also common, with several of the orphanage groups putting on small plays about the uprising, or moral plays about kindness and togetherness between Witches and Monsters. This includes a prominent set of performances by the Mirrored Hearts Home for Children - maybe you're helping out with their sets or costumes, or maybe you assisted with their scripts and songs. Those Mirrorbound volunteers will want to see the kids do well, right? They'll be heartbroken if you don't show. Of course, kids aren't the only ones doing reenactments. The newly formed Dorchacht Historical Society, dedicated to protecting Dorchacht's history going forward, puts on several - and may drag in passers-by to play different roles! Only the luckiest are begged to play the role of The Dragon, who valiantly rose up against their cruel former master, Morgana, and helped lead Dorchacht to where they are today. b. Forget-Me-Not While the overall air is celebratory, among the adults who are old enough to understand just what was lost as well as gained, there is an undercurrent of sombre remembrance. Many visit the burned-out Old Coven, left as damaged as it was when the fighting ceased, as a monument to how freedom fighters suffered and fought. Plaques dot the grounds and buildings there seemingly at random, until you realize that each metal plate bearing names is laid where someone died. To decorate these plaques, and homes and businesses as well, there are tables set up in the yard of the New Coven, heavy with a rainbow of small magical flowers called Forget-Me-Nots, and the supplies to make remembrance wreaths. In this new tradition, the flowers are chosen with a dead, missing, or simply absent loved one in mind, and woven together with glass beads, small wooden charms, and a spell written on a slip of paper. The enchanted fragrance of the Forget-Me-Nots allows whoever smells them to witness short, happy memories of the person the wreath was made for - whether they knew that person or not. The memories come from the wreath-maker, and are only short flashes (less than a minute long) or mere impressions, but all are pleasant or warming. With the spell woven in, they'll last for an entire year without wilting or losing their effects, a souvenir from the festival to take home. Mirrorbound are encouraged to join in, and make wreaths of their own, whether or not they lost someone in Dorchacht's uprising. It can be for someone who has disappeared from Geardagas, someone who died long ago, someone living they miss from home, anyone who is not currently with them.

II. The Uninvited Guests On the 25th, the final day of the celebrations, the partying lasts all day. Food and drink are abundant on every corner, upbeat music is played by street performers and over the radios that can be found in nearly every household and shop, and the bonfires have been enchanted to let the flames take fanciful shapes. Drinking games and dancing, storytelling and general partying all last clear into the evening, but once dusk falls, everyone gathers in the center square of the city for the fireworks show. The Three are there - the Witches Bryn and Hilda, and the Monster known as The Dragon, Starlight, or formerly Fafnir - with Nessie and Mhairi as guests of honor, and Hilda is the one to set off the first enchanted fireworks, after a brief speech thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate a year of freedom and independence with them. It's with bursts of colorful light in the night sky behind her that she seems to appear from nowhere: tall, dark and imposing, a sharp-eyed Witch that exudes power. Morgana Drummond is not alone, either, flanked by a dozen rough-worn Witches and a host of others. The chaos that ensues is immediate and violent. "All of this for me?" Drummond sneers. Attacks bounce off her, no matter how powerful - even Nessie's considerable spells. Witches will be able to sense the strong barrier spell close-fit around her body, and the others around her will not let Monsters get close. It's The Dragon who speaks, voice rough from disuse but loud enough: "How dare you return here-" "I built this city in all the ways that matter. I was never going to let you have it. You burned away my Dorchacht, so now I will make sure there is nothing left of yours but ashes." a. To Sleep, Perchance Unreachable, Morgana Drummond's form limns in a sickly violet light, the circle of a spell forming beneath her feet, steadily growing as her power gathers. So much magic gathered in one spot is bound to be felt by all the Mirrorbound, Witch and Monster alike, oppressive in nature as if it could steal the breath from your lungs. Perhaps it truly was a fluke that she was driven from Dorchacht, a happy accident caused by a timely distraction. The spell circle spreads, glowing, until it envelops the entire city, and it pulses once, blinding, before it sears itself across Dorchacht's streets and buildings in burnt lines and symbols. The fireworks continue to pop and burst overhead, casting shadows that seem suddenly sinister. Nothing happens for just a moment - and then all the people of Dorchacht collapse in waves. Next to a stunned Nessie and furious Mhairi, Bryn, Hilda, and the Dragon fall into a heap as well, the final three bodies to hit the ground. Mirrorbound and citizens of Aefenglom do not fall prey to the sleeping spell despite being in its area of effect. It happens in the span of just a few minutes, and then Morgana is gone in the blink of an eye, leaving her people to sow terror on the sleeping city. b. Battle on the Streets While she brought with her only a dozen Witches from her former Coven, she's collected a force in the Wilde. Blank-eyed rogue necromancers, mind controlled the way the Monsters of Dorchacht used to be, storm the streets controlling in turn their dead Monsters and creatures. A few even have with them dead Nuckelavee, which will require multiple fighters to take out. Wilders from Dorchacht gone missing on expeditions in the last year bear the signs of mind control as well - the ones who aren't dead, shambling around the necromancers. Maybe you recognize them, maybe you don't. Maybe you can help them, or maybe you can't. The mind control enchantments can be dispelled with a lot of effort or with the specific spells used often by the Resistance a while ago, for those who still remember it. In the slums of Dorchacht, the people who were convinced of Morgana's return, those who want to return to the days of slavery and terror, break free from the now-sleeping guards and failing wards that kept them contained and join the fighting, manic in their glee. The spell that put the rest of Dorchacht to sleep seems to slip right off them, perhaps sensing their loyalty to terrible causes. It is chaos, as the insurgents set fires and attack at will with magic, claws, weapons, anything they have. Mirrorbound will soon realize that they and the visitors from Aefenglom are not the only targets. The sleeping people of Dorchacht are ripe for the killing, unable to react or defend themselves. The fighting will continue into the night until the invaders are all dead or captured.

III. The Aftermath When the fighting ends, the work begins. An entire city deep in the throes of an enchanted sleep is a worst-case scenario that none of them could have predicted, even those who had a hunch Morgana didn't die out in the unexplored Wilde. Miss Nessie and Mhairi will remain on the scene helping to direct the aid efforts in the aftermath of the battle. Fires must be put out, corpses must be rounded up to be buried or burned, captured attackers must be secured and questioned, sleeping citizens must be whisked from the streets to safety and shelter, and buildings ensured to be safe in the meantime. Aefenglom's Coven are called in to assist, anyone who is available, and Mirrorbound help is more than welcomed. They will need everyone they can get to make sure not all is lost in this tragic attack. Nessie herself will ensure the Three are taken to safety in Aefenglom until the people of Dorchacht can be woken. Action needs to be taken quickly. Morgana needs to be found as soon as possible, and capable hands will be needed to search the Wilde far outside Dorchacht, the most likely place for her to go. More urgently, however, are the sleeping citizens. Nessie announces late the next evening, the normally-bubbly woman gone solemn and serious: "I believe I've found a counter-ritual for the spell that nasty woman used, I have. I will need your help, though, Mirrorbound. Volunteers only, of course, of course, as it's likely to be quite dangerous, though the Dreamers and I will take every precaution we can. Discuss among yourselves, decide if you're willing. Those who are, meet at the Coven at midnight on the 27th. It's not right to just leave them all like that, not right at all..."

Welcome to September's event log, Part 1 of The Price of Revolution! This event will continue in the TDM posted on the 21st, with a foray into purposeful dreamwalking. It will be a hybrid test drive and event that current characters will be allowed to top level on as well. Quests into the Wilde to search for Morgana will currently bear no fruit beyond small clues, but Part 2 in early October will deal with her whereabouts and her final fate. As always, direct your questions about the event HERE! And finally, for those who are wondering what's up with Dorchacht, we have a Setting update for you.

Comments

[darkcharge]

[ Just like Vanitas can feel the sting, he can also feel that grin. For whatever reason, the brat takes delight in seeing Van experience new things. Sora especially seems to enjoy it if it is the first time that Vanitas has really witnessed something. The Puca likes being a part of so many firsts. He would feel embarrassed about it, but as the explosions light up the sky in various ways? He can't be bothered. ]

I think they're both fine.

[ Like he could choose one over the other. The shooting stars might be silent, but they dance across the darkening skies so beautifully. Then the fireworks take on so many shapes and forms. Van doesn't care for how loud they are though. ]

Does that mean you're going to try to kiss me here too?

[oathkeeper]

[He just can't help it. When he gets to see Vanitas do something or see something new it makes this warm little spot inside of his heart. He's seen Vanitas change and grow so much over the last year and Sora is really proud of him. He wants to keep seeing more and more.

Sora laughs with a tilt of his head. He takes his eyes off the fireworks for just a split second to catch a glimpse of Vanitas. For a second he swears he catches a flicker of green or blue somewhere.]

I dunno, does that mean we should make new wishes too?

[darkcharge]

[ And to think that Vanitas has nearly been in this place for a year. Sometimes it's not hard to think about how far removed he is now from the situation that he had been in before. There are people here that care about him and he's come to accept that. Those are some pretty big steps. ]

I mean... I really only have one wish.

[oathkeeper]

[Now he's paying more attention to Vanitas than the fireworks display above! Sora's ears twitch as he tilts his head curiously.]

Just one? Are we gonna share wishes this time?

[Since it's not really a meteor shower right now!]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas' attention is divided, really. Every time he sees a flash in the sky, his eyes are darting back to see what just happened. It can't be helped, right? It is his first time actually seeing fireworks. ]

Does that only apply for meteor showers?

[oathkeeper]

[It's honestly kind of cute watching Vanitas looks back up at the sky. Cute.]

I dunno! I don't really know what the rules are for fireworks. I guess we could make up our own this time.

[darkcharge]

[ Excuse you, Sora. Who is the one being cute in the end? Vanitas snorts and scoots a bit closer. ]

Fine then.

[ He reaches over and tugs on one of those ears. Hums a little tune that will be carried over between their enchanted earrings. Look, he's been working on it? Nothing serious. Just a few notes...

But then Van's expression turns serious as he snatches up Sora's jaw. ]

My wish is that you'd just go ahead and move in with me.

[oathkeeper]

Huh-??

[One little tug on his ear and Sora pulls forward. Nearly nose to nose with the other boy and that makes Sora's breath catch in his throat and his cheeks warm up. One would think he'd be used to Vanitas' face so close to his by now but he still gets flustered. Those fingers holding to his jaw... It makes his heart skip a beat. A firm collection of dokis in his heart bubbling up.]

Wha- For real?

[It's not like Sora isn't there very often. Sora is there more often than he is at his own home where his room is most days. Would it really be that much of a stretch to move in with Vanitas?

... With Kairi and Riku gone...]

Okay.

[It's as simple as that. Sora only has to think about it for that split second. Now he stares at Vanitas and he swears he can see some green or blue in his yellow eyes. That little tune that Vanitas hummed still echoing gently in his head.]

[darkcharge]

[ He can feel the surge and tug of Sora's heart from across their bond. It probably is surprising to hear the question asked, though Vanitas isn't sure why. The Puca practically lives there anyway. Some of his personal items never leave Van's room. So why would it be so much of a stretch to just move in all the time? The Witch has a feeling it has to do with some social construct he doesn't fully understand.

However, he thinks he knows the answer even before Sora replies. This probably would have been a harder decision if Riku and Kairi had still been present. Yet Sora answers and Vanitas feels a surge of joy - true joy - at the answer and he can't stop himself from kissing the other. ]

[oathkeeper]

[With Riku and Kairi around Sora felt comfortable about jumping back and forth between the two places. Spending time with all his bondmates was important to him. Even if most of the time Sora ended up sleeping with Vanitas in his bed it was still Sora who felt like he should be in both places. He didn't really think too hard about it all.

But if it's Vanitas' wish? And something Sora needs right now? Why not. He wants to be with his bondmate. He should be with him.

His fingers tug on Vanitas to keep him close. Kissing him with gentle pressure as the fireworks crackle and snap above them. As long as he has Vanitas his heart doesn't feel broken at all. And when they break Sora keeps his forehead close and smiles,]

Guess your wish is gonna come true then. So long as you don't hog up all the sheets all the time. [Teasing, teasing.]

[darkcharge]

[ Van, of course, knows that this is the reason that Sora goes back and forth. All of his connections are important to him. The Witch, however, is greedy. Eventually he had intended to ask this. It had been inevitable, especially with all of the events that have happened in the last couple of months. Too many close calls and disasters ( in his opinion ).

He keeps his forehead pressed against the Puca's. ]

You're the one that likes to make the nests. I just roll with it.

[oathkeeper]

It's because you smell so good.

[Sora says this before his brain can really catch up. He's noticed lately that the only reason why he likes to makes blanket nests so much is because it wraps him up with the faint lingering smell of his bondmate and his own scent. It's comforting. And maybe something a little more animalistic is under all of that, he doesn't quite understand it yet.]

You're really okay with me moving all my stuff in?

[darkcharge]

I smell so good, huh?

[ Vanitas can't help but smirk at that. He remembers when Sora had been addicted to the smell of magic - one of the many reasons he had backed off for a time - and what it had done to him. Is the Puca implying that Van's regular scent does the same thing. ]

Yes, I am really okay with it. I wouldn't ask you without knowing what all this would entail?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora laughs softly with a warm smile. His finger pokes at Vanitas' cheek as he shifts to kiss him one more time. The fireworks are still shattering brilliantly above them.]

I should've known you say that. But, I'm kind of excited about it now! Hopefully, no one minds me there more than I already am.

[Although he's sure auntie Mira will be just find with it.]

[darkcharge]

[ He's not going to say NO to more kisses. Gosh. The fireworks just really add to the background is all. Vanitas thinks he's done pretty good here, because instead of that lingering sadness, he can start to feel the bubbly excitement that Sora usually brings to the table through their Bond. ]

You won't have to worry about that. Mira adores you and the others are kind of in and out a lot anyway.

[oathkeeper]

[It really does make the lingering sadness fade away for now. Gives him something to look forward to. A happy spark in their future that warms him right up. He murmurs against Vanitas' lips with that same bubbly softness.]

Uh-huh. Okay, I do wanna help more with things like cooking and cleaning. I'll help out!

[He is actively saying he won't be a freeloader!]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas is willing to do a lot of things to chase that sadness away. Give Sora more blankets and whatever he asks for to build a nest? Sure, and he'll only grumble about it a little bit. Sora is his and he will take care of what is his. ]

Cooking would probably be helpful. The cleaning you better leave to me.

[ Sora can be a little... Messy. ]

[oathkeeper]

What're you trying to say?

[Sora pouts softly with a tilt of his head. He's not that messy is he?? --- Yes he is.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas snickers at that pout. He takes Sora's jaw and squeezes those cheeks together. Then he gives the Pucca a kiss. ]

That you are adorable and sometimes that's all someone needs to get by in life.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora blushes deeply at the compliment but he kisses back with a tiny huff.]

Hey, I can do more than just be adorable...!

[But thanks for calling him adorable! He's smiling like an idiot.]

[darkcharge]

[ It's right about then that Vanitas removes his hand from Sora's face. He then places it between those two ears and gives the other teen a bit of a hair ruffle. Careful ruffling because he knows what touches to those ears can do. ]

Never said you couldn't do more than just that. Merely implying you may not need to.

[oathkeeper]

[With the ruffling Sora tucks his chin down slightly. He's still blushing softly. Soft appreciative emotions flicking across their bond.]

Still, I wanna help out where I can. If we're gonna live together always now.

[If he's messy he'll just have to make sure he tries harder not to be! That's that!]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas likes those soft emotions. Wants to gobble them up and keep them for himself. No one else should be allowed to feel them like he does. Yet his hand stills, only for a thumb to gently rub against the base of one of those ears. ]

There will be plenty of chances for that.

[ Augh. It's disgusting how much he likes this other boy. It really, really is. ]

[oathkeeper]

Okay.

[Yeah, these two are pretty gross.

He laughs softly and leans up to nuzzle his nose against Vanitas' cheek.]

Vanitas? You know, your eyes look a little different.

[darkcharge]

[ Now that comment sure does make him slightly uneasy... ]

What do you mean by "a little different?"

[ There's so many ways that could be taken. So many things that it could mean. There's a nervous little flicker across their bond for it too. ]