Intro Log: October 2020

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "My goodness. In the middle of the month! We weren't expecting you, we weren't!" The woman smiles broadly, with her Bonded glancing over the newly arrived and those who may have followed them in to volunteer explanations and assistance to the newest addition of their Mirrorbound bunch. "Let's get through the introductions, shall we? This here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament, and of course, my Bonded. And I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven -- but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds with a wink. "I know you must all be tired and confused after all that. We're here to help get you settled, dearest. Let me just..." With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have. We will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to handwave interaction with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. All responses will be summarized answers rather than an IC thread. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are -- namely, if they have magic potential or not -- then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night. Feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make the trek to where you'll be staying. As you're leaving -- with Coven and/or Mirrobound escorts as guides -- you'll be given a peculiar-looking device. It's a very special watch, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament. These watches are passed around to all the new arrivals, who are given a quick rundown on their functions and encouraged to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live, free of cost. The Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra -- like maids, chefs, and so on -- they'll have to pay for them with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services. Much of the housing already has furnishing as well: standard items such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind by the relocated owners for those moving in. Though some are fairly newly-unoccupied, the dust on the floors of other houses suggests they were left long before the new arrivals even showed up -- a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use them for -- so long as the legality isn't questionable, at least on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses -- and even some of the smaller ones, or the shared rooms in the barracks -- the Coven put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven a while back. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It simply reads the information you've offered up yourself -- or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs if you prefer! The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up throughout the month as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans or if you have any other questions, just let the mods know here!

Comments

[noblegarnet]

[Well hey, at least he managed something to preemptively pay her back, in some sense. He's a little impressed by how quickly she picks it up, but that probably speaks to her interest.

The phone itself doesn't have a lot of customization—there's a handful of ebooks, a couple of mindless puzzle games, several dozen pictures mostly of accounting documents and views from a school trip... and a lot of ignored, concerned text messages over the past several months. Whoops.]

I... guess it might not be impossible. [He hasn't given it much thought. Most of the features he was actively using relied on his network—the maps and the internet, primarily. He scratches the back of his neck, thoughtful.] I'm probably not the first person to come here with one...

[al_bhed]

It'll be a good project for once you're settled, then.

[In the meantime, Rikku hands back the phone. As much as she could spend all day playing with it, the battery is something to be conserved for now.]

You hungry? There are a lot of really good cafes that aren't very expensive around these parts.

[noblegarnet]

[A good project... to get other people to do, maybe. But he's been a people person for a while before things threw that off track, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to make more connections. He turns off the phone soon after it's handed on him, since it's basically useless to him unless he wants to be remember things back home.

He does not want to remember things back home.]

Yeah. I haven't had a meal in a day and a half at least...

[His appetite is nonexistent, but even with the way he's feeling, he knows he needs to eat more than a snack here and there.]

[al_bhed]

Then let's get you fed! I know just the place.

[And Rikku's back to dragging Ferran along by his wrist. She takes him to a small shop advertising soup and sandwiches.]

The couple that owns this shop is really nice. Here, you buy us food while I go talk to the wife.

[Before there's any opportunity for protest, Rikku presses some money into Ferran's hands and skips off to talk to a faun woman standing in the corner. Should he choose to approach, Rikku will shoo him away and give him a push toward the counter--it's clear she wants this conversation to be private.

A human man is standing behind the counter.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran is less inclined to do anything but what's suggested right now, as uncertain he is about being here in the first place, and he steps to the side to look at the menu in the hopes of not getting in anyone's way. It turns out there are some different sorts of ingredients, and that doesn't help with the decision making process.

He has to take a closer look at the currency for a moment, still unfamiliar with it, but at least they're all labeled appropriately. He's sure used to things sounding like they cost less, though, even with the places he tends to frequent... Imagine ordering a sandwich labeled a thousand cents on the menu...

Although he's a little unsure about what Rikku might like, he has to assume she doesn't hate anything here, or she would have said so. He settles on a vegetable soup and a sandwich with a couple of meats, distant but polite to the man (the owner, perhaps?) as he offers the order. She can have whichever one she likes more, and he'll have the other.

After that, he's certainly glad to sit at a table near the window to conserve the limited amount of energy he still has, waiting for Rikku.]

[al_bhed]

[As Rikku converses with the lady of the establishment, her eyes slowly grow wider and wider. It's clear she's coming to an understanding about something, and clearer still that she doesn't like it.

After about ten minutes she ends her conversation with a nod and a 'thank you,' then goes and sits at the table across from Ferran. Her expression is resolute.]

Turns out that monsters can't use familiars like witches can, so my plan of going to adopt you one after lunch isn't going to work. And potions are just a short-term option.

[She grabs the sandwich closest to her and takes a bite. Just because she's being Serious doesn't mean she's not hungry.]

So do you wanna bond? We don't have to do it forever--just until you're settled and find someone you would rather bond with full-time.

[noblegarnet]

[Although Ferran had glanced at her once or twice and taken note of the look, he hadn't really considered that the conversation was necessarily going to be about him—she's got her own life here already, after all. So when she finally approaches and brings the topic up immediately, he's a little surprised, eyebrows raised.]

Really? [It's not like he's going to refuse.] Yeah—if you're okay with it.

[The idea really takes a weight off of his shoulders, in no small part because she's already been so generous. He'll pay her back, somehow... but for now, he probably needs to learn more about the situation.]

S-so, what goes into it, exactly?

[And as she answers, he'll finally dig into that soup. He'd waited to be polite, but he definitely needs the sustenance.]

[al_bhed]

Yeah, I'm okay with it. I'm not bonded, either, so it'll benefit both of us.

[Man, this place has the best sandwiches. She's so glad she brought Ferran here.]

We have to talk to the witches at the Coven, and there's some kind of small ceremony where we say nice things about each other and stuff before they do whatever it is they do to make it happen.

[Clearly, Rikku's understanding of the process is very in-depth.]

Maybe they'll be able to squeeze us in today or tomorrow.

[noblegarnet]

[Any information she has is better than what he's got! And the food here is definitely good—not the best he's had, but it somehow feels like the best. It's probably the desperation. He's sure there's a saying about that that he can't recall.]

I'm glad to help, then.

[He's a little surprised to hear that she hadn't gotten around to it, but again, she'd mentioned familiars and being able to stave off... whatever happens to witches. He vaguely remembers something about exploding? Unpleasant.]

Sounds easy enough. [He's already got at least a dozen nice things he could say, honestly.] You make it sound like they're pretty busy...

[al_bhed]

I mean, I guess they are? They have all their Coven stuff to do, don't they?

[She never really thought about how busy the witches actually are. She just kind of assumed.]

You think if we ask really, really nicely, they'll say okay?

[noblegarnet]

[He wouldn't have the first idea of what Coven stuff they might be up to, but for the moment, he doesn't particularly care—as long as he gets what he's been told is the way to avoid losing his mind. Even in the worst case scenario, they'll be put on some kind of wait list or given an appointment.]

It's worth a shot, surely. It's not like they want a bunch of... [avoiding the m-word] time bombs running around, right?

[It's a benefit for everyone, as far as he can tell.]

[al_bhed]

Hey! You're not a time bomb!

[Well, he kind of is... but that's not a nice way to think of oneself!]

You just have an issue, and we have a solution. That's different.

Let's head over there after we finish eating.

[Cue Rikku STUFFING HER FACE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran shrugs with a strained smile on his face that turns out looking more like a grimace. He didn't mean to upset her with the implication.]

I'm just trying to be realistic.

[But it's a little reassuring that she's so eager to help, so even if his appetite is limited, he does his best to finish his soup a little faster than he would normally. When he does and they're prepared to leave:]

Hey, thanks for all this. I... really needed it.

[Even the offer for a Bond aside, he's still struggling with a lot of thoughts of home, and what it might mean to be here or to go back. A little bit of kindness goes a long way, it turns out.]

[al_bhed]

[Rikku gives her future bondmate a grin.]

Don't mention it. Like I said, a lot of people helped me out when I first got here. I'm just passing that kindness along.

Come on, let's go get bonded!

[noblegarnet]

[Phrasing it that way suddenly makes it sound more serious than he'd been thinking! Even if he'd gotten the vague idea that Bonds were at least halfway a romantic thing for people here, he'd only been considering it as a necessity that didn't exactly need any feelings attached.

That's not to say any complicated or awkward feelings are going to stop him, though. It's still the optimal solution.]

R-right. Lead the way.

[al_bhed]

[For her part, Rikku's more or less decided that romance doesn't have to be part of the equation. Karin and Lightning are bonded and not at all romantically inclined toward each other, and they're doing great!

This is all a very 'take it as it comes' kind of arrangement.

She takes Ferran's arm again--sorry, this is going to be a trend with her--and starts leading him back to the Coven.]

I hope they're able to do it quickly. It's better for everyone that way, you know? Help people bond as soon as they can?

[noblegarnet]

[Thankfully, Ferran isn't as averse to touch as he might seem, what with struggling as much as he has been the past couple of days. She'll find that he offers no resistance to being led, especially because he's a little close to impatient, himself.]

Yeah. It makes more sense for it to be a priority... [In case someone was dumb or unfortunate enough to wait until the last minute to get one. Ferran won't be making that mistake, at least.] If it's as important as they keep saying, I'm sure we won't have to wait too long.

[al_bhed]

Exactly! The sooner, the better.

[It's not long before the two of them are back in the Coven. Rikku is familiar with the building, since she's done plenty of studies here, and quickly tracks down a Witch instructor she recognizes and lays out her case for bonding.

The Witch is clearly taken aback and a bit concerned--she asks Rikku several follow up questions, including a pointed are you sure?--but eventually relents. She guides the pair to where the bonding circle is set up and asks them to wait while she gets someone who knows how to complete the ceremony.

Once they're left alone, Rikku bounces gleefully.]

That wasn't hard at all!

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran had met the Coven Witch's concern with a deadly-serious stare, himself; for bonds being such a vital thing, he would think they'd approach it with a little less scrutiny, but maybe they're not all a monolith in how they approach the concept...

Well, whatever. As long as the process is moving along. Ferran's arms are folded as he waits, having been put on the defensive by what he saw as and attempt to keep him from, you know, remaining himself as much as possible. But Rikku's enthusiasm does soften his posture a little, and he lets out a slow sigh of both relief and exasperation at himself. She's right; they're well on the way to getting a bond, and he should calm down.]

Yeah. I'm glad there isn't a waiting list. We just have to wait for the spell and accept it, right? [He actually attempts a small smile, letting his arms return to his sides.]

[al_bhed]

[In fairness to Ferran, the witch's concern has less to do with him and more to do with the fact that she's well aware of Rikku's general temperament and sees this for the sudden decision that it is. But hey, the important thing is that they're both here.]

I am, too. Basically, a witch comes and has us say nice things about each other, and then ties our magic something together. It should be pretty quick.

[Especially since said vows are likely to be short due to them knowing each other for a couple of hours.]

[noblegarnet]

[Nice things?]

I...? [Is that really a necessary part of the process...? Magic is weird.] Hm. Alright.

[He can probably come up with... something. He used to be really good at talking to people, what happened? He rubs his forehead, sighing at himself. He cut himself off from all his friends and talking to most people for several months, that's what happened.]

I'll have to look into it a little more afterwards. [He might be in a rush to get the spell done, but he'd like to be properly informed about what to expect eventually.]

[al_bhed]

["Vows," "nice things"... either or. Rikku isn't the most studied up of witches outside of alchemy, admittedly.]

That's probably a good idea. I bet they have lots of books and stuff about it.

[The Coven seems like it would.

Around then, another witch comes into the room and, after confirming their identities, tells them to step into to the circle, join hands, and begin their vows.

Rikku steps in and holds her hands out expectantly.]

[noblegarnet]

[Maybe he should look into these things just to make sure one of them knows at all...

Great. Vows. Ferran steps into the circle as instructed, a little more hesitant than Rikku but hardly enough to make a difference. After taking her hands in his, he takes a deep breath. A part of him almost makes him pause so she can start them off, but the least he can do after all of her help is break the silence instead of making her go first.]

I promise to... balance your magic— [obviously, since that's the one thing he knows about it] —and do my best to earn your kindness.

[That should do... right?]

[al_bhed]

And I promise to keep you from going feral and to help you out with whatever you need while you're here. And also teach you all the best places to eat.

[Nailed it! Rikku looks at the witch expectantly, since clearly the vow part is over.

The witch blinks at her a few times, realizes that they have nothing more to say, and moves on with the casting of the spell. Quite frankly, if they weren't Mirrorbound the woman would likely protest the union and call the whole thing off. But as things are... well, at least she can tell from their magic signatures that they're both sincere about this.

It isn't long before the spell is cast and the pair dismissed with the Coven's blessings. Once outside, Rikku breaks the silence between her and her new bonded.]

Do you feel any different?

[noblegarnet]

[It's definitely a good thing that the process was so simple, as far as he's concerned, and it's also good that the presiding witch didn't try to call it off, or Rikku may have seen a very unpleasant side of her now-bonded partner. It's a huge relief to have one thing accomplished, even knowing how complicated and unknown the rest of the... process is likely to be, even setting aside any unpleasant aspects.

Ferran has had so much noise in his head the past couple of days, it's almost hard for him to detect that anything else is going on there, but when Rikku brings it up, he turns his attention to her and he pauses with a curious look. There is... something back there, like a subdued thrum of energy that wasn't unlike his necklace's magic.]

I... guess so? It's hard to tell, since I just got here...