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

[chefalier]

[No response, eh? Well, that's probably fine. It's enough to know that he's not about to die on him, so best that he saves up his energy until they make it to the hospital. Which. ...Okay, he doesn't really know where one's at, but a few inquiries later, involving some questioning of local night owls, and they're at a small, but comfortable clinic.

It's here that Sanji helps the tired doctor get Ferran to a bed, before the medic promptly begins checking on his condition. The pirate can probably leave right now, but instead, he stands nearby with hands buried in his pockets, just wanting to hear the doctor's diagnosis.]

[noblegarnet]

[After he has an eye pulled open to be examined, there's really no point in trying to rest further. Rise and shine, the medic offers with a little humor, but Ferran doesn't look entirely amused. After being asked a few questions—he hasn't slept in a while, he hasn't eaten in at least half a day, yes, he is a new arrival, no, he doesn't have magic—the doctor comes to the conclusion that if that's the case, the stress of coming here combined with a new Monster's changes might have been enough to cause his collapse, even if the latter aren't visible yet.]

I could have told you that...

[It's really a halfhearted response rather than one intended to be rude—but either way, he needs rest and sustenance.]

[chefalier]

[So just stress all this time. Good that it's not anything more serious, although the young cook can't help but feel a twinge of annoyance that Ferran just passed out from that alone. Shitty guy making him all worried and stuff...!

Still, it's overall better that there isn't anything more serious going on.]

Don't be a smartass.

[Sanji speaks up, cutting in for a moment before turning away slightly, but not enough where he's fully looking away from Ferran, his blue eye focused directly on the exhausted teen.]

Stay there. I'm gonna grab you something to eat.

[noblegarnet]

[Sometimes you're just That Traumatized, Sanji.]

Don't tell me what to do...

[He says as he lies there with clearly no desire to get up, let alone leave. He can't just let the insult go without remark, his pride won't stand for it.]

[chefalier]

[Sanji has immediately decided that Ferran lost all right to complain when he found him unconscious on the ground. Try again.]

If I find you out of that bed, I will kick your ass.

[He has his eyes on you, Ferran!! ...At least, for a few seconds longer, before the cook starts to walk out. It's almost strange of him to go this much out of his way to help some dumb teenager, but he's a dumb hungry teenager and he'll never ignore that.]

[noblegarnet]

[YOU'RE NOT HIS REAL DAD

Honestly, though, the most Sanji will find when he returns is Ferran lying down, eyes narrowed at the miniature screen of the device they were all given. Sure, it's legible, but why is it so small? What is this, a network for ants?]

[chefalier]

[Normally, Sanji would've cooked something himself for Ferran, but with no home to claim for himself just yet, he'll just have to settle for grabbing something from a local restaurant that's still open. In all out honesty, Sanji doesn't really mind, as he's actually interested in the local cuisine that this city undoubtedly offers, but he'll have to check more on that later.

For now, he purchases a small serving of soup, one that should be easy to digest, but full of protein and veggies still.

About thirty or so minutes, Sanji promptly returns to the clinic, a passing relief going through him when he notices that Ferran is still resting at the bed. Good, if the shitty teenager was out and about, he'd be pretty Mad.]

Oi, got you soup.

[He plops himself on a chair that's nearby, before holding out the bowl for Ferran to take.]

[noblegarnet]

[It takes a second for Ferran to register that Sanji has not only returned to the clinic room, but has come back for him specifically, and has apparently acquired the promised food.

Even with the explanation the chef had given for leaving, and their previous encounter in the dream, he hadn't expected the guy to come back. With both of them being new, he would have had his own business to take care of... finding out more about this place, a place to live, talking with others like them. He's almost unsure of how to respond.]

Uh... thanks.

[He's not sitting up to take it yet, but he doesn't want to seem ungrateful. He has a feeling that's going to be a theme with their encounters...]

I'll... have some in a little while.

[chefalier]

['A little while,' huh? Well, guess he'll just have to sit here until a little while passes and Ferran starts eating.]

Okay.

[Sanji brings the bowl back, but his eyes don't leave Ferran's exhausted form, nor does he move even the slightest bit. It's quite obvious that he has no intention to leave, not until he watches the teenager eat something. Partly to make sure that he actually eats, and partly to make sure that he doesn't waste any of it.

He's sympathetic to whatever Ferran has been through, but he's not going to go easy on him when it comes to food.]

But I'm not moving until you start eating.

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran's expression turns questioning as he looks at the man from his sideways vantage point, wondering what in the world he's done to earn this level of attention. Sure, he passed out or whatever, but now that he's in the clinic's care, it's not like it would weigh heavily on a person's conscience to leave him be at this point. Not to mention he's already gone above and beyond...]

Shouldn't you be... looking for somewhere to live... or something?

[chefalier]

I'll be fine.

[The words may seem dismissive, but it's clear that Sanji is actually rather confident that he'll find a place later. Besides, he's used to living in shit places, even at a young age.]

Besides, we're focusing on you. I'm not the one that was collapsed in the middle of the road. [Maybe a low blow, but Sanji leans back against his chair and briefly looks up at the ceiling.]

[noblegarnet]

I'll be fine... [for a definition of fine] ... eventually.

[Look, he won't argue he's not doing great now, but the current circumstances allow for recovery. Like a bed to rest in and a decent meal to look forward to.]

I'm not your responsibility.

[chefalier]

[Hearing that 'reassurance' only makes Sanji exhale a plume of smoke into the air, deigning to not even bother responding to that comment.]

No, you're not.

[Sanji agrees rather quickly, especially for someone that sort of went out of his way to help Ferran, both with getting him to the clinic and providing food. Nonetheless, the cook continues to sit in the chair, not moving away from his spot yet.]

But it's shitty enough finding yourself alone here.

[noblegarnet]

Yeah, well...

[Every single thing about this situation is "shitty". At least, that's how he feels about it right now.]

Maybe you should go and check on everyone else, too.

[It's barely an argument, and there's not really any energy in it. He's just saying things to say them—to keep himself out of his own head.]

[chefalier]

[There's a period of silence after Ferran makes that comment, with Sanji just watching the ceiling, occasional puffs of smoke swirling above him. But eventually, the cook speaks up, his voice somehow a tinge softer, even if it still sounds a little brash.]

Are you always this resistant to help?

[Despite the question, Sanji doesn't give Ferran much time to answer, before he presses on.]

I'm a cook. Doctor's job to keep you healthy, yeah? My job is to make sure you're not starving.

[noblegarnet]

That doesn't make any sense...

[Maybe this guy has some kind of savior complex... but it's not like he can judge.]

You've helped me more than enough. I'm not going to waste that or anything, but...

[Surely he has more important things to do.]

[chefalier]

That's what it means to be a cook.

[Keeping not only his friends healthy and fed, but even people that he dislikes. Doesn't matter if they have money or if they're the worst person in the world, no one deserves to starve. It's a pain Sanji doesn't wish on anyone.]

I'll leave once you finish your meal. [That's motivation, right?]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran isn't going to force himself to eat just to placate this guy when he's already suffering enough... he's already given him plenty of reassurances, so at this point, it's just stubbornness. Well, whatever. He rolls onto his back with a sigh.]

Get comfortable, then...

[Maybe the shakiness and the adrenaline will wear off in the next half hour or so... and he might actually feel like food is appealing.]

[chefalier]

[At the very least, Sanji doesn't seem to push Ferran further into eating right now. Although, after a couple minutes of silence, the cook is finally ushered out by the doctor to 'stop making my clinic smell bad.' But even with Sanji leaving the chair to stand outside, to enjoy his cigarette, the blonde never walks away from the building.

He has values to uphold.

Nonetheless, after about twenty or so minutes, Sanji finally steps back in, sans any cigarette.]

[noblegarnet]

[Yeah, some patients might have sensitive lungs, Sanji!!!!

Of course, by the time the pirate returns, Ferran has dozed off despite his efforts otherwise. To say he's had a long day would be an understatement, so it was only a matter of time. But it's evident with a closer look at the bowl that he's attempted to down a couple of spoonfuls of the soup, so Sanji's gift hasn't gone unappreciated.]

[chefalier]

[The kid's asleep, huh?

Sanji ruffles the back of his hair, not quite callous enough to shake Ferran awake just to eat food. Rest is equally important and he's certain that his appetite would be shit if he forcefully woke him up. At least he's eaten some of the soup, if judging by the contents of the bowl.

Well, time to make a decision.

He looks over at the doctor, who just returns Sanji's deadpan expression with one of his own, but the cook pays no mind before speaking up.]

Hey. Tell the kid when he wakes up that I'm gonna kick his ass into the ground if he doesn't eventually finish his soup. [How Sanji will find Ferran? Well, he'll figure that out. Probably somewhere in danger.]