Event Log: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

[faileas]

Event Log: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

I. Boaltinn Down The Hatches It makes for a soggy celebration when Boaltinn arrives with the first day of Maiuril, and so too arrives a massive thunderstorm, sudden and quite unexpected. The rain alternates between coming down in sheets and coming down merely steadily, leaving large puddles on the sides of the streets and raising the water level in the River Temese (to most Merrows' joy, though the lightning flashing in the sky periodically has them worried). Boaltinn celebrations usually involve bonfires scattered through the city, where feasting and dancing and leaping over the flames take place, but it's harder this year. A few are still lit to herald summer's arrival, set up under makeshift coverings, but there are grumblings among the people that it's just not the same and it's a right bad omen. There is a call to help mitigate some of the minor flooding, and anyone with an open garden will find it vastly overwatered, but the storm, for those in Aefenglom, is a dreary inconvenience more than anything. Elsewhere, some others only wish they could say that. a. The Efthymia (4th Wall Characters' Arrival) The last thing you remember before the raging sea is your home, and a glimpse of your reflection. Maybe in a mirror, in a puddle on the ground, in the corner of a windowpane, anything reflective, you stopped and glanced, for just a moment, and then- Then there is only being bandied about on the waves, the storm churning the sea around you, salt water stinging your eyes and splashing up your nose and mouth. It's hard to tell which way is down or up as the wave rises, carrying you with it, literally tossing you through the wind and rain to land heavily on the wooden deck of a rocking ship, coughing and sputtering. There are others like you, all around you, in a similar sad, soggy state, and there are also strange people the likes of which you have likely never seen, staring at you like you've grown three heads. Men and women in loose, belted clothing, often without sleeves, the light fabric stuck wetly to their bodies. Some have tall, proud horns decorated in shining metals and jewels. Others, green-skinned, have heads covered in leaves. Some have flowing hair of water or silvery wind whipping about their winged feet. Animal features, fangs, claws, feathered wings, at least half the people around you are not human, and the other half? Almost every one of them has some small, glowing, intangible creature following them, taking orders, helping out with bursts of spellwork. After their moment of shock, a few more experienced strangers who speak a language you can understand (unlike many of them) are quick to usher you and your soggy fellows down below deck, out of the rain, to give you hot drinks and towels, assuring you that all will be well, their Sylphs and Harpies have spotted land, a harbor, very close by and they're making for it right now. The Undines and Merrows are guiding the ship. Stay in the belly of the ship away from the storm if you want, but you might be experiencing the very beginnings of your burgeoning magic or strange, Monstrous changes, and if you can help out any, they won't say no. b. The Newcomers The ship, named the Efthymia and bearing a carved Merrow figurehead on its bow, practically limps toward the Harbor the last stretch of the way, as the storm breaks on the dawn of the 4th. They have suffered heavy damages, and need a little help docking safely. The Coven is on the scene, alerted by sailors in the Harbor District, who pointed out that the ship looks like one from Neahealand (as Aefenglomites call it), a series of islands to the south - a rare sight around Aefenglom these days. Those who can swim and those who can fly are encouraged to help out in pulling the half-wrecked ship the rest of the way to the Harbor, helped along by their own people, Harpies and Merrows and odd, pale people with wings on their feet, who carry the breeze with them. Others will be needed to help care for any wounded, or start assessing the damage to their ship. They're not expecting the others on board. Aefenglom has seen one batch of untraditional Mirror-unbound from a year before, and it's easy to recognize that they don't belong with the Neahealanders, so as the original inhabitants of the ship and the newcomers disembark onto not-currently-dry land, they're ushered off separately and directed to the Coven for orientation, and to have a chance at finding friends or family members who might already be here. Mirrorbound are all sent a message through their Watches, and asked by Nessie to play tour guide, to help the newcomers get fresh clothes and hot meals and find places to stay. And, if they can, to try to begin to explain to them where they find themselves now. If experience proves correct, these newcomers will start changing into Monsters, or developing their magic, very soon - if they haven't already. c. The Other Newcomers The original inhabitants of the Efthymia pour into the Harbor District, close to 150 of them soon taking up most of the available inn space and then some, drinking in the taverns with a sort of cheer despite their wrecked ship, and enjoying their first time on dry land in close to six months. Most of them don't speak the language common to Geardagas, or only a smattering of it, but a handful do, those who had been sailors or merchants before they set sail, and any of them will tell their tale for a beer. They come from an archipelago to the south, a land they call Diasteros, the jeweled isles. A lovely place, before the Cwyld came a decade or more ago. No one knows exactly how, whether it came with traders, or spread through the sea, or was cursed upon them by some vengeful force of nature, but it spread, eventually forcing them onto one island out of many. Boxed in, their group, the ones on the ship, set sail looking for a better life elsewhere, about six months ago. Hey, maybe they could stay here? What would you think about that, fella? Think your city would go for it? They're willing to answer questions about the strange Monsters with them, the Aeternae and the Sagani and the Dryads, who were never seen on Geardagas before now, but were common enough on Diasteros. The Witches among them can answer questions about their glowing, spirit-like Phylaxes. About the ship, about their home, about their mission to find a new place to settle. Unfortunately, they have no answers about the strangers that literally washed up on their decks! Weird, innit? How about another beer?

II. A Busy Coven With everything that's happened just recently, between the recent miraculous return of the Dryads to Geardagas, the Diasterans from the damaged ship, and the extra Mirrorbound who do not have mirrors, who will no doubt experience their changes and growing magic very rapidly (always a recipe for disaster!), the Coven is a busy place these days. There always seems to be something going on, day or night, and there are always people, Witches and Monsters alike, bustling about with armfuls of books or papers or in some cases, large potted plants or cauldrons of strange-colored, bubbling potions. (The Coven teaches many kinds of magic.) Attending these classes is optional, but highly encouraged. They all welcome drop-ins, no appointments or sign-ups needed, and even if the subject isn't directly relevant to you, they won't kick you out. It's important to know as much as possible in this world, so you stand less of a chance of hurting yourself and others, or so you can help others as much as yourself. a. Don't Be Phy-lax About Your Studies The Coven entertains some Diasteran guest instructors from the ship a couple of times a week. In exchange for helping them out with regards to lodging, and petitioning Parliament to let their people stay in Aefenglom for a time, they've offered to teach the Witches of Aefenglom how to summon their own Phylaxes. This is an old school of magic from their homeland, the ability to conjure up a companion for life that can assist with spellcasting, extra energy, and more. Made up of magic and a little piece of the Witch's soul, the Phylax is an extension of the Witch, though often with a will of its own. Nearly every Diasteran Witch they see around will have a Phylax with them, some glowing, translucent animal that flits around their head or feet. Those who want a Phylax of their own (which is many of the Witches at the Coven, so the classes are always full of other Witches) are encouraged to attend a one day workshop, which can last anywhere from a handful of hours to a full day and night, depending on how quickly the students' Phylaxes manifest. The first hour of each class starts the same, with the instructor, a smiling Witch with a playful, pink-hued fox Phylax darting around to inspect the students (perhaps even passing right through you like a ghost!), explaining what a Phylax is, what they can and cannot do, how to summon and un-summon it after the initial meeting, and how to look after one. With the basics covered, it's time for a field trip for the ritual part. She teaches everyone the circle that needs to be drawn in paint on the ground, and imbued with a drop of the Witch's blood, and from there, she says, that's all she can do to help! The rest is up to you. She takes the classes out to the Wilde around the city, finding scenic routes free of Cwyld to wander, and encourages participants to find a place that speaks to you, a place that lets you calm your thoughts and clear your mind. Maybe it speaks to more than one of you and you get stuck next to someone! Maybe they breathe too loudly for you to concentrate. You'll just have to deal with it, or maybe say something? From there, draw your circle, drip just a little of your blood into it, sit inside, and wait. Maybe yours shows up right away, or maybe it takes a while. You can talk to anyone nearby to pass the time, as long as you stay in your circle. Leaving it means having to do it all over again fresh, in a new spot. And then… When the Phylaxes do begin to appear, the instructor just forgot to mention that, well. They can go a little wild at first! You might have trouble getting your new companion under control, or maybe yours is very well-behaved and you want to help someone else corral theirs. These newborn Phylaxes tend to fly all over the area, full of new magic and energy, and cast little spells that could be dangerous if left unchecked, like giving off tiny flames or levitating other people's belongings into the lake. Whoops. b. Monster Misunderstandings The Coven isn't just a center of knowledge for Witches. Monsters are incredibly important to balance out Witches' overflow of magic, and they have their own things to learn. Classes are held by native Monsters to teach budding Monsters of all kinds a bit about what they can do, how to be safe, how to accept and control their new instincts and abilities. This is especially important with some Mirrorbound turning into Aeternae, Sagani, or Dryads - two Monsters never before seen on this continent, and one that's been extinct for hundreds of years. The Coven gets some guest instructors of the Aeternae and all four Sagani types, and one of the Dryads freed from the tree last month, Filomena, teaches a class about her people. Even those who don't seem to be Aeternae, Sagani, or Dryads are welcome to sit in on the class, since maybe one day they'll Bond with one! You never know, and it doesn't hurt to be prepared. But the classes for the new Monsters… are a bit of a well-intentioned mess. The Aeternae and Sagani teachers are not fluent in the language of Geardagas, and tend to mix up words and phrases, with destructive or hilarious results. As well, it's difficult for new Monsters of any type to control their more magical abilities, and the Sagani especially have these abilities in spades. Maybe you aren't even attending one of these classes, just passing across the lawn, and get your hair singed by a Salamander's stray fireball, or knocked over by an ill-timed earthquake from a budding Gnome. They're trying their best! Meanwhile, the Dryad classes have an experienced teacher, but… well, the problem is, Filomena is very rusty and out of practice. Being frozen in horrified stasis for hundreds of years will do that to you. At some point, trying to teach new Dryads how to control the growth of a potted flower results in a burst of growth inside the Coven greenhouse, plants growing much bigger than they should and bursting out of the glass, flytraps snapping at people rather than flies, and six foot tall flowers releasing bursts of pollen. Even if you weren't at that one, you might get asked to come help clean up after! c. Bonding for Dummies Bonding is incredibly important in Geardagas. Many classes at the Coven cover Bonding specifically - extolling its benefits and upsides, mostly, with much less talk about the downsides. (There aren't many, as far as most native residents of Aefenglom are concerned. They keep you stable, and your Bonded is the best kind of company, so what's wrong with that?) The instructors tell the newcomers and old-comers alike what to expect, why they should Bond, and why a Witch and a Monster makes for the most perfect, balanced pair. For those who are curious to try one out, temporary Bonding potions are provided, should you find a partner! Maybe another curious soul, or maybe someone you know already, even strangers can Bond temporarily to see how they like it. These can be broken at any point with none of the pains that come from annulling or breaking a regular Bond, so what do you have to lose? The instructor will pair you with someone if you're shy! In fact, she gets a little pushy urging you to give it a go with someone, anyone. Do you fend her off, or do you try out a temporary Bond just to shut her up?

III. Twin Flower Blood Moons CW: Drinking, mentions of smoking pot, mentions of group sex (implied, not explicit). If you choose to use these elements, please mark your threads accordingly! The Sisters, the world's twin moons, go dark and new in the sky on the 11th, and despite being dim round shapes in the sky, the very edges take on an almost petal-pink hue. While native Witches are weaker during the new moons, Mirrorbound Witches, including those who are newly arrived on the ship, are much stronger than normal. The effect seems to be multiplied this month, and newer Witches may not be used to the rush of power, leading to magical mishaps. Any Witches still getting used to having a Phylax might notice their spirit companion is more active, whether they want it to be or not, casting spells without their say-so, wanting to run free and use their magic to the fullest. But that isn't why the moons are the talk of the city this month. That petal pink hue intensifies and brightens gradually as more of the Sisters become visible over the coming days, getting the Coven and the Diasterans talking excitedly, and the civilian Aefenglom residents with a superstitious dread, about the Twin Flower Blood Moons. Some Aefenglom residents think that any shade of red in the sky is an ill omen that portends bad things to come, but others in the Coven think it could be a good thing, a celebration that the Dryads have returned to Geardagas, even in small numbers. The Sisters are full and bright, seeming bigger in the sky than normal, on the 26th, a vivid reddish-pink and casting a warm moonlit glow over the city. Witches will find themselves weaker, unless they have a Monster Bond, permanent or temporary, and then they'll find themselves feeling just as good as Monsters. Monsters get a power boost as their instincts rise to the surface, and while they can try to shove them down, that only tends to make things worse. You can go feral if you clamp down on yourself too tightly, cling too hard to your human (or whatever you were before) nature. Meanwhile, the Diasterans have their own view on the Twin Flower Blood Moons. They're a cause for celebration, for Monsters to revel in their natures. Sagani feel more connected to their elements, Undines frolicking with Merrow in the river or the harbor, Sylphs flying overhead with Harpies and a few Dragons in some complicated dance, Gnomes shaking the earth joyfully, Salamanders dancing through bonfires and lighting every candle or torch they come across for good luck. The Dryads, both the two who returned to Aefenglom from the Heart Tree, and the ones who came over on the ship from Diasteros, along with Faun friends, find a patch of land outside the city and grow a magnificent garden laden with fruits and flowers, where they can play music and drink, open to anyone who wants to stop and smell the roses or taste fruit wine fermented on the vine. And the Aeternae? They find a public park and set up a full on party that lasts for hours and garners a new record of noise and indecency complaints to the City Guard (who, frankly, will let this pass unless someone gets hurt). How they get it all together quickly, no one can say, but they have rich food, gambling, drink, and, if you're of age and know who to ask, weed (from a Dryad friend, supposedly, primo stuff). They have music and dancing and all the finer things in life to enjoy. At some point, they kick out anyone who is underage, and start to lose their clothes. Maybe that's your thing. Maybe it's not! But if it's not, it might be time for you to go, because they show no signs of stopping until the sun has risen. Whether you stick to the tamer celebrations with the Sagani or in the Dryads' garden, or party hard with the Aeternae, it's never a bad thing to experience some different culture. The Diasterans seem much more free and open, in tune with nature and the underlying magic of the world.

IV. Mis-Communication Devices Not a day passes after their arrival before Miss Nessie makes sure that all of the wave-tossed Mirror-unbound (some are jokingly calling them the "Oceanbound", but she has more manners than that!) get hooked up with Watches, communication devices used by the Mirrorbound. They can be used to make general inquiries to the network, asking after anything someone might want their fellow Mirrorbound to tell them, and just so there are no difficulties, she makes sure there are people on hand to teach the arrivals how to use them. Except. Well. With all the magic in the air this month, the network, a complex sort of magitech, is acting up a bit. Maybe your Watch broadcasts something you didn't mean to send, or didn't even type (did your speech to text function get turned on?)! Maybe it turns on and starts playing other people's messages at top volume at 3 in the morning. Maybe it butt-dials someone you don't want to talk to. They'll be working on recalibrating things at the Coven, but, well, it might take a couple of weeks to fix, sorry!

Welcome to May's event log: Arrivals from Distant Lands! This is our 2nd anniversary and our 2nd Fourth Wall Event, meaning if you want to try a new character or aren't part of the game at all, you're welcome to come play with us for the month and see how you like things! The log and network comms, aefenglom & middaeg, are now open to non-member commenting and will remain so until June 1st.

Fourth Wall characters can top level on this log using the event prompts, or make up your own wildcards! You can also use this post for making network posts of your own, since the comms do not allow non-member posting. That said, feel free to comment around on logs or network posts made by our current players, unless they specify that they do not want fourth wall guests. We also still have a Fourth Wall EMP right here that everyone is welcome to use! As a note: we do allow characters who would be otherwise unappable such as doubles, though we are not allowing CRAU characters from other games on the fourth wall.

Play nice and have fun! We hope to see you all when our Reserves Open on May 18th! Your fourth wall threads can be used as samples, or for AC for current players.

Comments

Lahabrea, Aeternae now - OTA. Impromptu shoreline party

[fuelingfire]

The aeternae are newcomers to the city, but they've been working on making themselves at home quickly. Ordinarily, Lahabrea would not consider indulging in their company - after all the rumors had already begun that they were vice-filled gluttons, hedonists and sex-addicts one and all (though how much of that was true weighed heavily on the individual..), and if he had to keep company he generally preferred the more scholarly sorts. Books, education, knowledge. Even the dragon that edged his thoughts felt there were better things to do than eating, drinking and being merry.

At least, until his dreams had gone strange.

And then he'd lost every mark of being a dragon, seemingly in an instant, before he'd even finally gained the only thing that would have made the changes tolerable: his wings.

Early evening mid-month finds the Ascian uncharacteristically out and about though.. and not shrouded in the all-concealing black cloth he'd made a habit of since his changes had begun in the fall. The fabric had been multi-purpose, hiding the shame of his deformed appearance as well as maintaining some level of propriety, but now.. well, it might be the company he's keeping for the moment, but that's gone out the window. As had any trace of him ever being among the dragon-kin. there's a small gardenish plot fauns frequented along the river-bank, a place that had become popular with the aeternae too, open to fresh air and cool breezes, with just enough cover from groomed hedges that anyone could be doing anything if they hunkered down a bit. There's drink, there's food, there's the warm inviting scent of fire and honey, and a handful of aeternae and a faun or two.

And Lahabrea. Who does not visibly stand out in this group ... not anymore. It would take someone very familiar with him indeed to even recognize him based on appearance alone, with all hints of dragon gone, replaced by dusky skin peppered with tiny crimson and gold freckles, half-grown spiralling translucent horns, cloven hooves of matching color, and a long lean tail currently wound around the base of a long-stemmed glass filled with some form of drink or other while he simply lounges, with all appearance of absolute comfort, right out in public. Like the others present, he's.. not precisely wearing all that much, little more than a comfortable pair of shorts and several choice bits of gleaming golden jewelry, content to feel the warmth of the last rays of an evening sun on his still sturdy, muscular frame. He's visibly not .. quite.. done with his changes, by the patchy coloration of his skin and the way his horns don't quite seem to be full size, or other numerous tiny differences between him and the ship-arrived aeternae, but there's no mistaking a demonish form for some other species, these days.

Shame and humiliation had edged his actions since he'd arrived in Aefenglom so many months ago.

It's gone now, as if it never were. Maybe it's the company he's keeping, certainly there's a boisterousness in the air; likely this is just going to end up as one of many other spontaneous parties sooner or later as the evening goes on. The invitation's there, for any passer-by: Here's food, here's drink, here's company.

Stay a while!

as promised, here's a fellow aeternae

[indolentaxe]

A figure blocks the sunlight for a few moments as a similarly half-transformed Aeternae approaches and has a seat next to him. Hilda's changes seem to be the opposite of Lahabrea's, her skin paling in patches to a pale gray that's nearly porcelain in appearance. Small horns, black and bony, are growing out from either side of her head. So far, she has no tail to speak of--what has grown in is still too small to do anything other than protrude a little in the waistband of her skirts.

The pink color of her hair and eyes are as they ever were.

"Hello, fellow newly-monster-person." The grin she gives him shows small, fanged cuspids.

Without waiting for him to indicate that he company is wanted or not, she stretches out and makes herself comfortable. Once settled, she gives him a once-over as she sips a sparkling green beverage.

"You certainly have outdone yourself with all the jewelry."

It's not a judgement. If anything, she's impressed.

all demons, all the time!

[fuelingfire]

Ordinarily Lahabrea outright chafed at being interrupted, bothered or otherwise even having people exist in his general vicinity. Not today, apparently, for when one gray eye slits open to see where his sunbeam has gone, there's no sudden explosion of wrath.

Maybe it's because she's very obviously his kind. Not ... not an Ascian, that he's sure of, but that's no faun. They didn't have fangs. Kin to them perhaps - his sort. "Good evening." There's no protest from having her decide to take up a space nearby and also presumably enjoy the fading rays of the sun.

He should. He knows he should. Spending time with mortals even for idle socializing was a bad idea. And yet.. and yet it's hard to not be pleased a little, that his ornamentation has been noticed. It's a different sort of feeling than the dragon had, when someone praised his selections. This was somehow more personal. "I've been collecting it for quite a while now, but never really had any interest in wearing it."

Which strikes him as absurd now. Why have it if he didn't show it off a little? The drink held wrapped in his tail bobbles a bit ominously as he shifts to pull at one of the delicate-looking golden chains carefully. "It seems ridiculous in hindsight."

She didn't seem to have much of her own, for that matter-- "Here." He half-sits up, enough to unwind the chain from around his throat entirely, and offer it. It isn't altruism. It really isn't. "It should look rather striking against gray too, I think. More people keep showing up, it won't do to be outshone by the fauns."

\o/

[indolentaxe]

For her part, Hilda has no such deep-seated internal conflicts about this interaction. She's sharing a drink, some conversation, and the evening sun with an attractive man. It's as simple as that.

Well, he's an attactractive fellow Aeternae. But that's just splitting hairs--the sentiment is the same.

The effect that the change is having on her is similar enough to her base personality that it's gone largely without notice. While she would prefer to remain human, she's finding as the change continues that she cares less and less as the month goes on, particularly in a setting such as this when she's surrounded by fellow monsters and therefore feels less self-conscious. Plus, it's a party. Who doesn't love a good party?

She doesn't hesitate to accept the offered gift, leaning over to take the chain. "That's so sweet of you, thank you! We need to show those furry goat-people who's better at this, right?" Nothing like a little monster-rivalry to bond over.

She sits up and puts the chain on, carefully arranging it so that it follows the line of her cleavage just so. There's little point in wearing jewelry if it doesn't accent what's already there, or so she's currently in the mindset to believe. Once finished, she strikes a pose for her companion's approval.

"What do you think?"

[fuelingfire]

"It's about time they have some competition." Not that fauns were the only ones fond of parties before that ship arrived, but the newcomers were surely going to be more boisterous about it!

Lahabrea is forced to choose between having his drink and trying for one of the honeyed treats JUUUUST out of reach, a conundrum that isn't usually an issue.

Never an issue, really. It's .. interesting to consider, likewise how the stranger's managed to arrange her jewelry in just the right fashion to be particularly eyecatching. A week before, he'd have been irritated at even thinking about it for long, the play of gold on pale gray skin. He was beyond such things! Better than that, surely-

Dragon instincts simply don't sit the same way as aeternae instincts. The newer ones are far more subtly insidious, and so he disregards the strangeness entirely. "I think ... and it may not be my place .. but you'll be drawing a fair bit of attention if this gathering keeps growing." Which it likely will. Partly because free deliciousness! Partly because curiosity! And of course, the company--

"Did you arrive on the ship, or have you been here a while?" He settles back down, drink now in hand, eyeing the snacks still out of reach. There's a decision. "While I've been here some changing of the months.. things have gotten a little unusual of late."

[indolentaxe]

"Good. That means the jewelry is doing its job." Hilda gives him a wink, clearly unbothered by the implications of his carefully-spoken statement.

She follows the line of his gaze toward the plate of snacks. It's out of his reach, but not hers, so she leans over to pick it up and hold it out for him. Although she helps herself to one of the treats first. Goddess, the food tastes wonderful. No wonder he wanted some so badly.

"I just arrived. These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. 'Welcome to Aefenglom, and also you're a monster now. Good luck with that.'" There's a hint of derision in her voice, as if she's not totally comfortable with things, but it quickly passes. "At least it's not just us newbies that are struggling with things, I guess."

Discomfort loves company, or something like that.

"So, new best friend, you got a name?"

[fuelingfire]

She's a mortal, and he has no business talking with her as if she were some kind of equal. Somewhere in the back of his mind an alarmbell is ringing, aware on some level that something's weird here, but Lahabrea, studiously arrogant Ascian that he is, is otherwise certain nothing's wrong.

He deserves nice things after the hell of the last few months. Pleasant company was a nice thing, wasn't it? "No indeed, though for we who have been here a bit longer it's more akin to suddenly and repeatedly changing species." There's very much the sense that this particular aeternae disapproves deeply of that. "From a mortal hyur, to a dragon of all things, and now this." He lifts one hand, studying the comparatively delicate claws at the end of his fingers. They'd been fearsome talons not long ago. "But if a choice must be made, this is preferable to either of the former states. Voidsent we may be, but Voidsent at least are not mindless beasts."

Mostly.

But he's going to be smug about it anyway. Clearly this is the best possible outcome, among terrible outcomes. Finally curiosity and hunger win out and he's forced to actually get up enough to retrieve himself a bit of a treat. He'd never been one for obsessing over food before, but everything just .. tasted.. better lately. "I don't know what they're putting in these, but it's far better than the dreck they had before.."

It's the same stuff.

"Ah. I am Lahabrea, of the Ascians." He manages something that should be a bow were he either 1. standing or 2. not really reluctant to leave his comfortable sprawl, but he manages enough that politeness is satisfied. "Now more of the Void than usual, I suppose. And you as well, whatever had come before. What are you called?"

[indolentaxe]

Hilda sits up a bit in attention as he speaks, not expecting the intensity of it. That's a surprise, although not necessarily an unwelcome one. There's something intriguing and attractive about it, if that's what one is into. She'll bite.

What he says, however, throws her for more of a loop. "No one told me you could end up being multiple things. They just said I'd turn into a monster, and good luck with the full moons." The Coven told her more than that when she had first arrived, but most of it didn't stick. Hilda's not unintelligent, but she is actively a terrible study. "That had to have been an awful time, going through this whole process multiple times. It's not fun even just this once."

The word "hyur" is alien to her, as is the concept of Voidsent, but she's able to pick up from context clues that the latter is probably his world's version of whatever Aeternae are. That's good enough for her, so she doesn't really bother investigating his use of language further. There are more important things to concern herself with, like food and company.

"Lucky me that they finally brought out the good stuff, huh?" She helps herself to another. "I'm Hilda Valentine Goneril, of the Leicester Alliance. Pleasure to meet you." There's no bow of the head from her, just another wide, charming smile.

[fuelingfire]

"The coven had no answers for me when it happened. It may not be common." It had happened before, just not enough to make it able to be studied! And Lahabrea himself is NOT interested in being a subject of someone else's examination. "It may be of some relief for you to know that as yet, the instincts of a voidsent seem almost.. nonexistent compared to the tumultuousness of a dragon's mind. The quiet has been ... ah, almost an appology from this star in of itself." Aeternae: way easier to contend with than giant fire breathing lizarsd. "Mayhap like vampires, it's merely a mild afterthought! If so, the moons may have little effect on you, and no luck needed when they rise."

And himself, which frankly he's looking forward to. What could possibly go wrong? But vampires did indeed seem to suffer almost no effects for the full moon, therefore it seemed reasonable another species might likewise be fairly unaffected..

Was the food really better now than it had been before, or does he (and maybe Hilda) simply have better senses with which to enjoy it? He considers this for a long moment before deciding he really doesn't care. "Well, Hilda Valentine Goneril, welcome to Aefenglom, city of things that will make you tear your own hair out sooner or later! But the drinks are worthwhile." His smile is brief and has sharp fangy teeth in it, but maybe for the first time in .. months. Maybe even years, it does seem genuine.

[indolentaxe]

It sounds like he really had a rough time being a dragon. Hilda's sympathetic, but also very glad that she's not going to suffer similarly. So far, she hasn't noticed a difference in her thoughts and behavior. She's been more unihibited, sure, but that's the result of circumstances and expectations. There's no older brother looking over her shoulder, no constraints brought about by her noble title, no responsibilities brought on by war and its aftermath. She can merely do as she pleases, and she fully intends to.

(It's funny, how quickly someone can rationalize things.)

In any case, she appreciates Lahabrea's honesty. And she especially appreciates that smile, even without full knowledge of its rarity. "Thank goodness the drinks are good, or else we'd have to deal with all of it sober." She laughs a bit and holds out her glass. "Cheers."

[fuelingfire]

"Stars spare us from having to deal with any of this either sober or with an empty belly," the Ascian agrees easily enough, reaching just enough with his own drink to tap it against hers. These are not sentiments he often has.. or .. has ever really had, but it seems comfortable and appropriate enough!

It WILL eventually occur to him that it's strange. That's not today.

Instead he crosses one leg over the other and wiggles the split toes of his hooves thoughtfully. The material of his hooves looks almost like chiseled crystal over keratin, much like his half-grown horns. "What do you think you might finish with? The toes and talons that some sport, or hooves like these? I'm a bit partial to the hooves, but that might be resignation speaking."

[indolentaxe]

Hilda smiles at the pleasant clink of their glasses and proceeds to finish her drink in one go, setting the empty glass aside. In response to his question, she kicks her feet--clad in embroidered heeled boots--absently as she considers her answer.

"I'm trying not to think too much about how my feet are going to change, to be honest. But I guess I'd prefer toes and talons. That way, I don't have to give up nice shoes." A girl has to have priorities, after all. If she's going to look like a Voidsent or whatever, she wants to look good while doing it. "The hooves are a pretty nice look, though, if you aren't so conscious about your fashion choices. Probably less painful to deal with than talons will be."

She catches a bit of movement out of the corner of her eye, and before turning toward it she gives Lahabrea a conspiratorial wink. The source of the motion is a faun passer-by, and Hilda starts to make a show of slowly--and painfully--trying to get to her feet.

The faun stops. "Are you all right, miss?"

"Me? Oh, I'm fine." Hilda gives the faun a pathetic smile. "Changes and all--they didn't warn us how painful it was going to be. You all are so lucky, just being born the way you are. I was just going to get some more drinks for my friend and I to help take the edge off while we relax here."

The faun looks at Hilda first, then Lahabrea. They do look rather strange, half-monster and half-human. Finally, he holds up a hand. "Would it be easier if I just got the drinks for you? I think you ought to take it easy."

"Oh, really? That would be amazing, thank you so much. Whatever you can grab will be perfect."

"Yes, of course." With that, the faun heads off to find them something to drink.

Hilda settles back in and shoots Lahabrea a grin. "Hope you're fine with whatever. I didn't want to push my luck by being picky."

Have an awkward witch who doesn't party so much

[inlikethebrume]

The last time Mira went to a party was the masquerade and she had to have friends and her sons to convince her to go (not as bad as Litha thank you Mettaton). So she's out of her element when it comes to having fun with others.

But this seems to be alright. And she does need to get out more and work less. She's sure the publisher wouldn't mind if she took a night off, right?

Mira has no drink in her hand, leery about if anything else is in them (that paranoia doesn't go away after years) and is currently trying to find a place to sit down and watch the festivities go on. It just so happens there is one nearby Lahabrea and Mira having no idea who he is, quietly walks up and asks in the same tone:

"Excuse me, but is this seat taken?"

He could have friends that he is waiting on and saving a spot. Who knows but she thought it would be polite to ask.

Clearly an aeternae-faun party is where to go.

[fuelingfire]

Lahabrea, on the other hand, recognizes Mira. That woman at the ... trash heap slash swap meet so long ago, before his changes got out of hand.

Those changes are no longer an issue, and he's quite a bit more content with looking half-voidsent at this point. Enough where he doesn't have the urge to hide any embarrassment or shame when approached by someone he at least recalls.. though so different is his appearance that she can easily be forgiven for not recognizing him. Until he speaks, anyway, if her memory is good for those she hadn't spoken to in years (or a few months ago, in this miserable city--).

"Not at all, every patch of grass is free." For the moment, anyway, with the occasional further aeternae or faun trickling in, lured by the sounds of Interesting Times. Lahabrea doesn't have friends with which to wait on.. except, perhaps, Elidibus, who might well show up sooner or later. He doesn't move from his comfortable sprawl though, using the tail-wrapped glass to gesture a bit instead of his hands. "Not trying the food or drink in offering? You need not fear tainted treats, the fauns wouldn't stand for it."

Apparently the aeternae would be fine with it. "You seem as if you could use it. A treat or two, mayhap a drink." He remembered, in a dim and distant way, how she looked before wrapped in winter gear. "Try the little blue glittering round pastries, they taste rather like rolanberry." It's a suggestion anyone would make! And isn't driven, at all, by a sharpened interest in delicious things of late.. surely.

Clearly :3

[inlikethebrume]

The voice seems familiar but Mira cannot place where she has heard it before. The months prior have been a strange blur with how she has been feeling about this star and her place on it, is probably a problem. It was oddly refreshing to admit to someone (granted it was to Vani) about her feelings on it and perhaps a small step into Mira feeling a little bit better.

A little.

The man reassures her that the food is safe and she takes him on the offer as she bites into one of the pastries and takes the open seat. The guy seems friendly after all and for a moment, the rolanberry comment goes over her head. But only for a moment until she realizes what he said. Swallowing the bite, Mira gives him a curious look.

"You said rolanberry...didn't you?"

Was he...from Eorzea as well?

[fuelingfire]

Reassurance is all it took clearly. He'll have to steer her clear of the things made with nightshade; while fully changed aeternae could handle it fine, everyone else.. not so much. He wasn't sure he was ready to try it himself, without some means of poison clearing on hand.

The question draws a pause from the not-voidsent, who sits up enough to take his drink and actually drink it without risking spilling everywhere. "I ... believe the local word for it is ... 'straw berry'? Mayhap 'rasp berry'? I'm not quite certain. They are a tart little berry, though some varieties can be very sweet."

That's not what she's asking, though if Lahabrea's aware of it, there's no sign.

[inlikethebrume]

It'll certainly put her alchemy skills to work: how long can she make an antidote before she passes out. Even with hearing the explaination, the thought of another person from home has her both curious and nervous. After all, she doesn't have the best track record with fellow Eorzeans...or ascians when it comes to Emet-Selch.

"They can be sweet, true. But I haven't heard really anyone call it 'rolanberry'. Except those who come from a certain star...the one I hail from."

[fuelingfire]

"Is that so?" Now she has his full attention, turning horned head to regard her fully. She doesn't strike him as familiar, but why should she? There were millions of mortals on the star! And all of them save a very few irrelevant, unremarkable, worthless - save for what they will become when whole again.

Lahabrea has no such apprehensions. Whoever she is, there's only one person who troubled him from the Source, and the less said about the Warrior of Light, the better.

He places one thin claw to his chin, eyes narrowing in thought. "Hydaelyn, then. Better than 'earth'. What a silly name." The planet, by the tone of it, not the goddess. "Eorzean, by accent... Gridania mayhap?"

[inlikethebrume]

"Ishgardian."

Mira clarifies as she is trying to pinpoint where this strange man might be from. He may know of those in the highborn circles but Mira's tone clearly gives off that she's much more common than those.

"It's been awhile since I have been around someone from there in this place." She admits quietly as she finishes up the pastry. Thinking about all those who have left this place and those who she no longer speaks to...well, it wears on her soul.

"But I cannot tell where you are from. Well traveled I assume?"

[fuelingfire]

"Truly? And not a single invocation to Halone or the Dravanians, I find myself suspicious." Not really, his tone doesn't sound suspicious at all, merely a bit distantly amused. He'd spent more time than he cared to of late in Ishgard, working on their holy leader. Things were going quite well, but he still hated the cold with a passion.

There were a handful from the Source, here and there. "Aye, we seem fairly thin on the ground. There were others until.. fairly recently." Maybe the origins of that quiet tone, a dull sorrow she still contended with if they were her friends. "I myself remain, my bond. Two others that I know of." But better to avoid them, as far as Lahabrea's concerned.

"..Ahhh, very well traveled. If I must spend a moon in any city of late, it feels much too long." Which made Aefenglom a special torture. "But I'd been a week or so at Ishgard myself, before finding myself in THIS miserable place." He scowls, the mood change sudden and abrubt, short fangs bared. "And now look at me. A voidsent. Soon I shall begin feasting on the aether of the unsuspecting and sowing corruption and decadence wherever I go!"

Apparently this last bit gets overheard, by the cheer from a pair of fauns a bit of a distance away.

[inlikethebrume]

"Aye well, Halone hasn't done much for those who don't swing a lance or sword for the highborn. Not much comfort for the likes of me or any other lowborn." She can't exactly say that she is more inclined to the Abyss because it's not exactly a deity or anything of the sort. One is more likely to curse her name than praise it down in the Brume.

"I may know of the two you speak of." She speaks again and he can tell that it is them that Mira has that concern for. She knows about Elidibus but doesn't know anything about his Bondmates. Which only left Irhya and Emet-Selch. Her former Bondmates and a lesson she would never forget: don't trust folks from home like them with matters with her soul. It only burned her in the end.

A sore subject even if the annullments were for the best. Even so they do cause pain on the soul and Mira has been feeling hurt for far too long. Best not to bring up old wounds to this stranger.

"I'm sorry that you got pulled away. You sound to be an adventurer; don't know many who are alright with staying still for awhile so I can understand a bit."

A pause.

"Voidsent you may appear to be but I do not think of you as such. I know nothing about this particular kind but you don't strike me as the type to suddenly go and attack others for aether. And this place may do something different like with vampires."

...it was the first monster that came to mind. She doesn't know much on pucas except they eat veggies and flowers like whoa. She only knows about vampires and that feeding from Witches is dangerous because she was Bonded to one.

[fuelingfire]

"Can the lowborn not still rise through esteem and rank with military might?" Although it's a question he certainly asks, it also comes with an almost dismissive gesture and tone that suggests he's not overly invested in the answer - she clearly had no great interest in pursuing the honor and glory of Halone.

For a moment he allows himself the distraction of nearby snacks and helps himself, mindful of the difference of claws now versus a week ago. "..It sounds as if you've not a lot of interest in the company of those of our origins. You may be better off." Would be, certainly, but Lahabrea isn't quite so crass as to simply say so aloud.

His knowledge of monsters is .. fairly broad, he'd made it a point to study several. But aeternae and their new mysteries were beyond the local knowledge. "Ah, we must all go where we are sent, must we not? Even if it's here. And while I have no sudden craving for the aether of the innocent yet, that may be a more pleasant option than feasting upon blood. I am told by my new cousins that occasionally we do take after succubi." And they even shared a name for the breed of Voidsent! "Ah, but 'tis better to struggle with the known urges of a Voidsent, over the instincts of a beast, don't you think? Here, try one of these, they're exquisite."

Well they are to his senses, but Mira may well find the little puffed cookie things quite pleasant regardless; the one he offers does NOT have a bite taken out of it. "And yourself a witch, free and safe of any such instinctual impulses. I envy you, Ishgardian."

[inlikethebrume]

"Mayhap better now given that the war is over but more for rebuilding both the city and our relationship with dragonkind."

Mira smiles a little because somehow, even the highborn could agree to it. Adventurers and those of her homeland working together to create better from the rubble of war. It'll take a long time but it will be worth it. However, she does not comment on his words about the others. In her mind, there's an odd sense of...relief. After all, the ones who helped heal her broken heart were her sons mostly. Just by being there when needed the most.

"And yet being a witch has it's own problems. Including if without a Bond or not using magic for a certain amount of time, we explode." Mira remembers how Vani looked and how she had to take him to the Coven with a newly arrived Sora for Bonding and it was one of the worst moments of this place.

Maybe it's the reminder that makes her take the offered cookie and just shoves it into her mouth. Along with taking the nearest cup of...whatever is in it and taking a big swig.

"By the way," after she swallows. "it's Mira. If you were curious."

[fuelingfire]

That draws a rise of pale blond eyebrows. "The war's ended?" That's a surprise, he'd intended to instigate it into a destructive fury the likes of which hadn't been seen .. since well, Dalamud. "It seems I've lost some time somewhere! Last I'd heard, peace was further away than a dream."

But Elidibus had come from a more distant point than he. Emet-Selch too, for that matter. Was he the only one from an early enough point to try to change anything? "I suppose if this world loosens its grip on me, I know where to head next." Which could be for adventure but ... in truth, he'll have to see what Igeyorhm's done in his absence. That tinderbox should have been ready to blow..

"I would, I believe, take the chances with explosions," the Ascian adds after a long thoughtful two or three seconds of thought. "I have ever favored the arcane arts, and to be stripped of them after so much work is ... insulting." He grips at empty air with delicately clawed hands, frowning. "There have been so many situations that could be settled with a simple fireball..!" Black mages. They're certainly a focused lot, and really good at one thing.

The drink she takes is of faunish origin, which means it's not only delicious but if she drinks the entire thing she's going to be putting her sobriety to the test.

'Mira' rings no bells but draws an acknowledging nod, a bit of jewelry jingling with it. "You shouldn't be so quick to give your name out to strangers." It's said soberly, without the momentary spark of indignation of a few seconds ago. "They are close, personal things, best kept for kith and kin who can cherish it properly. I shall have to find something else to call you by!"

But what?

[inlikethebrume]

Mira nods, confirming the claim. "Aye, that it has. The road will be long but the people are willing to change and make it stick, even to learn about each other."

All the people she has seen trying to make a difference and it's actually happening. Not to mention seeing those who were starving and cold in the Brume be able to have food and warmth. It makes the dark knight very happy.

"Sometimes fire can solve problems but then it can also make it a lot worse. It's deciding when to do it that leaves a bigger impact."

Chill Megumin! But it's the bit on giving her name that Mira is a bit confused.

"Really? Don't know many who have that kind of thought before."

It's more of a curious tone rather than one of accusation; she's reminded of Emet-Selch's explaination of titles used between Convocation members. Outside of that and the Night's Blessed, no people on the Source that she knows of has that way of thinking.

"I don't have any nicknames that would be useful," and she hates the Warrior of Light/Darkness one so...

"What do you see me as then?"