I. A Friendly Competition (14th - 16th)
To those who spend their time with Aefenglom's Wilders, they'll notice them quite excited as the day of the Not-So-Annual Grand Scavenger Hunt approaches. It's set to be Wilders vs Mirrorbound, and even those who aren't participating are discussing it like a spectator sport and placing bets on one side or the other, based on whose wilderness skills they think will win out.
At noon on the 14th, participants meet at a small outpost just outside the city to check in, where those without partners are paired up, and each duo or trio is given a bundle of items: a list -- on a paper enchanted against moisture and tearing -- of the challenges to be completed, in no particular order; a map of this area of the Wilde marked with general locations for where each challenge can be found - not small area by any means!; three emergency flares, should they find trouble; a small med-kit with basic first aid supplies; and a bag to hold their retrieved items in, which can be turned in at the same outpost at any point during the 48 hours of the competition. You are responsible for your own camping gear if you stay out overnight. At least it's summer out there!
Once everyone has been given their kits, the event begins, setting participants scattering off into the woods to track down and complete any of the listed challenges. The Wilders are highly competitive, wanting to bring a win to their side in the first Scavenger Hunt in a few years, and some of them will do anything (short of murder or grievous injury - they don't mean anyone true harm) to nab more points or sabotage the other side. Watch out for your opponents trying to thieve your item bags, trick you into getting lost, or setting off natural obstacles that will slow you down! All's fair in love and scavenger hunts though - it's not against the rules for you to sabotage them back!
Mirrorbound Witches need to watch out as well - the competition takes place during the new moon, and this month, it's going to be difficult for even experienced Witches to control their super-charged magic. Backfires, fizzling out of spells, etc. are all expected - from you, but not from the native Witches on the other team, whose magic is only weaker on the new moons.
a. Challenge 1: Pearl of Wisdom A broad lake can be found some miles to the east, the water glittering and inviting, if dark enough that you can't see the bottom of it even on a clear day. The brief outlines a species of clam found at the bottom of this lake, numerous, big as dinner plates, and bearing massive, iridescent black pearls, prized for beauty and their properties in illusion spells when ground into dust. One of these pearls is your target. The clams are uninfected and generally safe to handle, protected by their hard shells. The brief does not warn, however, about the troupe of white-eyed Merrow Shades that live in the lake and jealously guard this treasure. They use their shrill singing voices to muddle minds and urge trespassers to drown themselves, and they're viciously adept at fighting both on land and in the water.
b. Challenge 2: Willow Bark The bark of a willow tree, infused with magic, has some fair pain relief properties. The maps are marked with the location of a willow grove, largely untouched by Cwyld, where participants in this challenge are required to collect at least a hand's length worth of bark. The main problem, not mentioned in the brief, is that the real willow trees are interspersed through a grove of numerous toxic Impostor Willows, which look exactly alike, but whose bark has opposing properties - it causes horrible pain when prepared and consumed, and causes ugly rashes when you peel it from the tree. Find the bark of the real willows using observations of the area - insects and small creatures tend to avoid the impostors - or, less recommended, by... testing them yourself...
c. Challenge 3: Track & Observe You have been given an enchanted tracking collar in your item bag for this one. Without harming the creature, place the collar on a Neeklur; these will be used for tracking purposes to study their movements and behaviors. The Neeklur is a breed of small, nocturnal marsupial. They have developed a unique relationship with a type of bush that grows into tall hedges, which spread across sparse, open areas where there are few trees and plenty of sunlight for these aggressively spreading plants. Neeklurs make their nests in the heart of such natural hedge mazes, where they can sleep safely during the day, when the hedges quite literally move around on their own, rearranging the paths between them in, it seems, no discernible pattern, making it quite difficult to find your way around if you aren't careful to mark your path. Without direct sunlight, the hedges are dormant, but be warned that the timid, sleepy Neeklurs transform into long-clawed, screeching little beasts at night. They are extremely territorial, and defend their home as a horde.
d. Challenge 4: Tree Elk Antlers Tree Elk, found in the lush woods, are sporting flourishing green-leaved antlers during the Wilde summer. Retrieve a branch from a Tree Elk's antlers with the leaves still lush and intact to win this challenge. Hurting the beast in any way, even emotionally (they're easily traumatized by a small fright) will cause the leaves to shrivel up, turn brown and/or fall right off. You'll have to figure out how to gain its trust and get close enough to it to take a small branch as a willing gift. Don't worry, breaking off a small branch of antler won't hurt it, and these intelligent, if timid, creatures are happy to bestow them as gifts upon those who have earned them.
e. Challenge 5: Singing Shrooms At the base of an old, sprawling oak, deep in the forest, is a symphony of mushrooms. Literally. These fungi come in all shapes, sizes, colors... and keys. They sing. In fact, they never shut up. You may find them easily enough by their eerie, discordant song, but finding the right one in that cacophony is a difficult task. Many different types of singing mushrooms cluster together, and may or may not be infected. Cwyld doesn't affect their outward appearance, but it does change their tune - we're only looking for the uninfected ones that sing a particular song in a particular key. Pick the right type of mushroom off the tree and bring it back. Though, watch out for the ones with teeth. And the ones that emit poison spores. Or hallucinogens. There are so many mushrooms on that tree.
All retrieved items must be stashed in the given bags and turned in to the small outpost where the event started by Deceuer 16th at noon. From there, Rilla Sparks and her organizers will count each team's contributions and tally up points. There will be back-slaps and congratulations for a job well done, and drinks to celebrate! Prizes will be mailed out to the winners within a couple of weeks.
The prize list will go up on January 1st and each participant who submits an in-progress or completed thread tackling at least one challenge will get to pick what they want for their character! |
II. Modranicht (21st - 23rd)
Modranicht proper begins on the 21st, and the days leading up to it are a frenzy of festivity. Homes are often decorated with sprigs of greenery and, less traditional, ribbons, and many shops begin holding sales on their giftable wares. This holiday is celebrated as a time spent with family and other loved ones; traditionally, all meals should be taken with others, and those who eat alone are said to find bad luck in the coming months. Those who can are delighted to pull strangers in to have lunch or dinner with them, should they seem like they're a little lonely around this time of year.
Especially in the neighborhood adjacent to the Haven, those people who came over from Dorchacht over a year ago, who are doing fairly well for themselves these days, are thrilled to have their Mirrorbound neighbors over for a hot drink or a meal and a spot of catching up. They heard what happened with Morgana a couple months back, nasty business, horrible woman, that, and for the most part, they seem quite comfortable with the idea that she's dead now. "I wouldn't move back," most say, "but it's good to know they're really free of her."
The ones most in need this season are those orphans in the Harbor District, though efforts by the Mirrorbound Council and others to better care for many of the parentless kids there have improved spirits, making kids playing and laughing a more common sight. Still, many of those rascals haven't lost their mischievous streaks: some little ones are quite likely to try and pickpocket you as you pass through, or pelt you with snowballs, but gifts or candy can perhaps soften their demeanor. They're just kids, after all.
a. Kiss-tletoe Redux While many of the decorations adorning shopfronts and houses are simple wreaths and garlands of pine, holly, and ivy, enchanted mistletoe is absolutely littered around the city, dangling in doorways, hung up on walls, hanging from the eaves of rooftops. Strings of it zigzag over the streets, hung from lampposts. This is a festive tradition that will be familiar to some. When two people pass under a sprig of mistletoe together, they're supposed to kiss, and the enchantments on many of those sprigs encourage it. Some will stick the pair's feet to the ground until they do so, some will just very lightly compel a smooch, whether it's on the mouth, the hand, the cheek, the forehead, or anywhere else. It's all in good fun, though - none of the enchantments are difficult to break, should one really not want to lock lips: you just have to destroy the mistletoe sprig you're under.
Careful about getting stuck in public, unless you enjoy being the center of attention in a crowd! Other passers-by will loudly cheer or jeer you and your mistletoe-mate on until a kiss is had! Be wary too, of pranksters who will actively push two people under a sprig, laughing all the while.
b. Craft Fair Gift-giving is an important tradition during Modranicht. It's considered only proper to present something to each of your loved ones, as a token of your care and affection for them. Handmade gifts are still widely regarded as the best, because it shows your effort in creating something just for them, so while shops may be having sales for purchased gifts, they're also trying to drum up more business again in the form of crafting lessons. Most businesses will set up tables in their shops, and for a small fee at the door (to cover materials), an instructor will show a group of people how to make something related to whatever the shop offers for sale. All materials are provided, and attendees get to take home what they make to give to friends or loved ones. Some of these even include small enchantments, such as carved wooden birds that actually fly, or timepieces that announce the time in funny voices. Witches are encouraged to learn the spell and help their Monster friends by enchanting their creation for them, but the instructors will do it as well if needed.
If you have a crafty talent of your own, it's easy to make some good money this season by setting up your own lessons on how to make whatever you're good at. Space is available, though it's up to you to source your materials and decide your fee. All the rage in the Western Residential District, where Mirrorbound are generally regarded as friends and neighbors, is objects and styles that come from other worlds. They absolutely want to learn from you and be able to give their loved ones something new and exciting.
c. Eat, Drink & Be Merry All meals during Modranicht should be eaten with another person, according to tradition. Many families and groups of friends have their own feasts during the holiday, but all are invited to a city-wide feast as well, on the 23rd. Located in a park enchanted to be more spacious than normal, long tables piled with food rest beneath festively-decorated, open tents, and every resident of Aefenglom is welcome to come and have a plate, from the richest to the poorest - all except those often-infected residents of the Outer City. It begins at noon and goes well into the evening, and people come and go as they please, enjoying the food and the holiday cheer.
It isn't required, but many citizens bring a dish to add to the tables, meant to be shared - usually a special family recipe. Mirrorbound are encouraged to share traditional food from their own homes (or close approximations of it), if they want to - many are highly interested in customs from other worlds, and some challenge each other (or you!) to try every single dish on the massive tables.
The festivities don't extend past the Bright Wall, unfortunately, but the people of the Outer City, who don't have much to begin with, can be found having their own feast on hunted game and pilfered vegetables, trying to scrape up some cheer for themselves. Most groups won't turn Mirrorbound away as long as you've brought a big enough dish to share, welcoming you into the fold to bad-mouth those hoity-toity inner city folks, but some rare clusters of residents can be hateful at this time of year, made somewhat bitter by your privilege and their lack.
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no subject
I don't know of a ... spell, despite my efforts of discovering another way. [ if only, alas. ] I only know that it's broken with a kiss.
[ this is accompanied with a narrowing of reptilian eyes, as if daring lan xichen question his sincerity (which would, at the same time, also be an assault on his properness...) ]
[ but provided the other man doesn't completely balk at that, there is something questioning in viren's gaze-- is that acceptable to you? ]
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Of course he wouldn't question the dragon's words. That would just be foolish. But the given proposal is something more to think about, especially with the crowd around them. He has to draw a steadying breath as he raises his head, a bit nervous, but not afraid or withdrawn. ]
Would you want to break the spell if it means sharing something like that with me?
no subject
[ so there's a careful pause (he already knew the answer to that question, after all, but the directness warrants reflection), before he lets out a breath. ]
If it's for the sake of freeing us, then it's not something I mind.
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[The agreement he echoes back is spoken with a bit of gentle amusement, but still delivered with careful respect. A sect leader knows better than to insult his neighbor, especially a powerful neighbor, and he likes Viren too much to want to hurt his feelings.]
It would also be a favor to be gifted such a great treasure. I only hope I don't disappoint you.
[After all, a dragon must have plenty of choice when it comes to any sort of affection. He could take his pick if he wanted a lover, never mind a kiss. But part of him likes to think that this is a special case. Perhaps he's just being romantic, but Lan Xichen can't resist the thought.]
no subject
I'm certain it will be fine.
[ he lifts his hand, looking to touch lan xichen by the shoulder, and then stops. he'd made an assumption; but as he's asked of others, when likewise stuck in this predicament, ]
Where would you prefer?
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It reminds him a lot of other people that he still has deep fondness for. Xichen has to raise his arm and turn his head, coughing lightly into his sleeve to hide the laughter threatening to ruin the moment. When he turns back, he's composed, but his eyes are shining. ]
I won't take too much of your time, but I hope you will forgive me for asking too much.
[ It might be too much, but Lan Xichen leans forward anyway. ]
Will you let me give you a real kiss? I promise not to go too far.
no subject
[ so viren stands stiller than he needs to, even his typically animated tail coming to a rest. perhaps if his brain were better working, he would politely bend to lan xichen's level - as tall as the man already is, hopefully they'll find that unnecessary. ]
[ ah - ]
Yes... Go ahead.
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Lan Xichen is a little concerned at what a kiss might mean, but he thinks, looking at Viren now, that it won't do any harm as long as he is focused and honest. And maybe he should know--Jin Guangyao was married for years, Wangji remained unwaveringly loyal with passion, and Nie Mingjue had, as far as he knew, always put family above things like romance. They all knew well what they wanted. ]
Then, I wish you a beautiful Modranicht.
[ He puts one hand behind Viren's back to balance himself and the other on the Dragon's arm, tilting his head to meet Viren's lips with a soft, but lingering kiss. He completely ignores the cheering and noise from the gathering around them, blush coloring his cheeks as he steps back again. He doesn't drift too far, waiting to see what Viren's reaction is. ]
no subject
[ when lan xichen draws away, he gives a furtive glance to the side. his hand drops and he clears his throat. ]
... You, as well.
[ he manages, somewhat awkwardly. he lifts a foot, experimentally, ducking to study it even as he knows full well their predicament has been resolved. with a look upward again, ]
We should.. go, before we're trapped again.
no subject
Normally, this would be the moment that courtesy and restraint reasserted themselves over Lan Xichen, pulling him back into the safety of rules and propriety telling him where he should stand and how he should behave. But seeing the dragon's blush and feeling the excitement of managing to initiate a kiss, Xichen is swept up in the energy of the moment. Impulsively, he reaches out both hands to take Viren's and pulls him forward, out of the influence of the mistletoe, but toward himself. ]
Come have a drink with me.
no subject
Lan Xichen.
[ he says with a heavy tone, serious in a way intended to pull him back to earth. and he might have said something serious, too (there might be something to be said about this), but there's a sharp eyebrow lifting pointedly, ]
... Is your tolerance still terrible?
[ no, he may not have been completely sober either, but he Remembers. ]
no subject
I suppose that such a thing is not easily improved. I cannot say I've practiced either, so it is probably the same.
[ He raises his eyes, smile still in place. ]
If you would prefer, perhaps something else, then? Tea?
no subject
Tea.
[ an agreeing nod. he seems to have regained himself, lifting his chin again. he tucks his hands behind his back as he adopts his typical, formal posture. ]
DiplomaTea, then? [ he tilts his head in the direction of said shop, invitingly. ] Shall we?
no subject
And somehow having Viren agree at all seems like a victory. He managed to win over the dragon for one thing, at least! As his hands are freed, Xichen reaches back into his robes and pulls out a small pebble. Holding it in his palm, he pushes magic through it and the tiny circle bursts into a full blossom. Xichen takes his new gift in hand and reaches up to tuck it into Viren's hair. ]
Yes, I think I'm ready now. Allow me to treat you, as thanks for freeing me.
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[ he's pretty sure he looks very silly. ... still, even as his mouth presses into a thin line, he doesn't make to remove it. ]
[ with a long-suffering sigh, ]
If you're to insist, [ he resumes in leading the way, ] very well.
no subject
I do. It is quite necessary to repay kindness when one receives it.
[ He chirps the response. Sorry, Viren, you're stuck with him. ]
And you have been very kind.
[ He probably won't forget this too soon. ]