intro log: august

[faileas]

Intro Log: August

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 brighter with the absence of the sister moons in the sky - it's the new moon, after all. 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. "There's always a right lot of you coming in, aren't there." The woman sets her hands on her hips, with her Bonded casting a glance at those looking confused - newly arrived - and those who may have followed them in to talk to the newest addition of their mirrorbound bunch. "About time for introductions though- this here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of insanely colorful seats are summoned; half of them are wooden (sturdy and comfortable besides that), with the rest being misshapen and bag-like. Regardless, the seats fill the foyer and spread out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch, should they have come to check on things. 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 interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. 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 - if they have magic potential, or if they swing a different way - 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 a trek through a bit of leftover ice and snow to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid 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 - 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 themselves 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 due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left 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 it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. 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 reads simply the information you've offered up yourself, or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

IV. LÙNASA Just like three months ago, those new to Aefenglom have found themselves brought to the city in the middle of a celebration. From dusk of Aguril 1st to the dusk of Aguril 3rd, Aefenglom celebrates something fairly special: Lùnasa. Traditionally, Lùnasa celebrates all kinds of traditional marriages sanctioned by Parliament, generally of the arranged kind, and handfastings, a ceremony based more on love and how long it lasts. The Coven's Bonds err on this side of things, though some Witches do have official spouses - Miss Nessie and Mhairi are an example of this, though not everyone marries their Bonded, either. Many of them are made during this festival, prompting the city to dress for the occasion just in case they find themselves in the middle of a ceremony, and just as many of them are formally renewed. Like during Litha, shops offer lovemaking potions, but only to those renewing vows or taking them; smaller fireworks, like sparklers and fountains, are also a common sight. Lùnasa is also home to the city's largest fashion show, showcasing fun and upcoming trends in the city. No experience is required to sign up to show off designs or to model them, and hundreds of tailors and needlework experts come together to quickly make dreams into reality for the end of the festival, when the show happens in genuine. The clothing is often wild and sorted into three categories: children, where those 14 and younger can submit their designs and model them as well; popular, where those 15 and older can do the same to try and vie for the judges' vote on what's in and what's out; and bonding, where all ages aspire to modify and make personal the traditional garbs of marriage and handfasting. While circumstances might be a little weird - and the month is a little cold coming in, given the snowstorm that happened at the end of last month - there's plenty to do, plenty to see, and plenty to take your mind off of just what a weird experience this all might be. Though those who have been in Aefenglom for a while now might notice something different over the course of the festival: they're a little more powerful than before, almost similar to the free-feeling that Boaltinn encouraged. Spells can still go awry, but the results will be much bigger - but it's frowned upon to use magic during festivals. Then again, characters will feel as if they're about to burn up if they don't use it a little... Well, just one spell beneath the shadow of the new moons wouldn't hurt, would it? a. JUST IN CASE While the city is dressed up on the off chance they might be roped into an impromptu wedding ceremony - it's likely that those who aren't native to Aefenglom don't have such luck. Thankfully, the tailors of city are offering free clothes on the caveat they advertise for them by wearing them around the festivities - they're long yet breathable garments, with colors that are fairly muted oranges and reds, not unlike the coming fall. It'd seem the fear of red skies from Litha has started to fade as nothing else too terrible has happened to the city at large, at least on the surface. And as it turns out, those offers might be better timed than they think: characters will be pulled into ceremonies at random to act as witnesses, to serve as dance partners for lonely folk, or just because they really needed someone to even out the numbers. b. ON THE CATWALK An annual occasion, the Aefenglom Fashion Show is always a bustling, bright time for those young and old to strut their stuff and try their best to either follow the latest trends, or spark them into being. Unfortunately, they're running a little low on models this year - many of their other ones decided to try their hand at sewing themselves - and so they're accepting volunteers! Willing or not; many of the more aggressive youths aren't above dragging those they deem perfect enough to wear their clothing to the back of the stage set up in the center of the Shopping District and pushing them out onto the catwalk dressed to the nines in all sorts of ridiculous-looking styles. c. EYE-CATCHING A few of the newest fashionistas in town have tried their hand at some rather... peculiar-looking clothing - but none so peculiar as those found in Precogstitchin' or Arwel's Tailory, in two completely different ways. While those who try on a piece or two of Precogstichin's wares will find themselves the center of attention due to their rather avant-garde shape, color, and pattern choices - not to mention accessories and rumor of being made of arachne silk! - those who try on Arwel's wares will find themselves being stopped quite frequently in the street despite the rather plain and dull colors and formless shapes the tailory provides as free samples. d. NEW MOON RITES While native Witches bemoan their weakened magics - some even expressing relief the new moon happens to land on a festival this year so they don't have to notice just how weak they are, mirrorbound Witches will find themselves feeling just the opposite: they're stronger. For those that chance a little magic despite the unspoken rules of the festivals in Aefenglom, they'll find the expelling of energy to be very relieving, as if a weight lifts off their shoulders. For those that refuse the siren's song of release, however, sparks of magical energy will fly from them, with a myriad of results - enchanting inanimate objects, transforming animals from one thing to another, starting small fires, creating illusions of the person or creature they fear the most... and so on.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. 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 now 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 August's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know, and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

[overworker]

Elliot?

[With everyone coming and going, it takes her a moment to track the voice she'd heard, with everyone else coming and going. But she sees a familiar head of red hair coming up as he stands, and she calls out louder.]

...Elliot! [One step at a time, she politely excuses herself past several others.] Excuse me-- [It takes a minute or two, but she's able to catch up with him before he has time to take off.]

There you are! I'm glad I was able to find you.

[That's when it sinks in. He was-- oh.]

Were you waiting here for us?

[fiddlestick]

[It is a good thing she spots him, as while he was looking around- she is tiny and easily lost in a much larger crowd. But he does hear that familiar voice, looking around as he spots her approaching. ]

Oh, Towa!

[He sighs with relief. Thank Aidios, That's one of them. He gives a wave as he moves to close the distance]

Aha, yeah. I had a feeling you girls would come today. [he smiles brightly] It's so good to see you! I mean, it's not great you got stuck here too, but...still! [Happy to see you!!]

[overworker]

[She thought that might be the case. At least being small has it's perks when you're trying to move quickly through smaller spaces.]

You must have gotten up really early. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[Because she can't help but think of such things. It's very thoughtful, but she feels bad he had to go through the trouble.]

I know what you mean. It's complicated, but I'm glad that we're here to work through it together. If I was here by myself, I don't know what I'd do.

[fiddlestick]

Oh- no, no! It's fine! You couldn't really help when you showed up. I'm just glad I could make it.

[He stretches a little, trying to make it seem like it's just normal movement and not post-sleep stretching]

Aw, I'm sure you would've been just fine. [Because she's Towa and Towa's amazing] Buuut I also remember they throw a lot of information at you in there, so I can try to help you out if you have any questions.

[overworker]

Thanks Elliot, I really appreciate it. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot to adjust to.

[Just having a friendly face amidst it all makes her feel like she's really fortunate. Because she's considered it a bit already, what being here means for her now.]

It's not enough to just consider the magic I have to study-- and not just that but what kind of magic I want to focus on. But there's housing and living expenses, food and supplies...

In a way, it's almost like starting a whole new life, starting from scratch. It's a little exciting but twice as terrifying.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot meanwhile watches her, impressed. She was already taking all these factors into consideration. Adjusting and thinking of how she'd spend her life here. He distinctly remembers still being in the panic stage around this time during his own arrival. Freaking out about the overload of information and wondering he was chosen out of everyone else.

Towa really was amazing. He simply didn't compare. He won't vocalize any of that right now though]

Yeah...terrifying's a good word, but it sounds like you're already giving it thought.

[Seriously]

The magic can be worked out in time. Just attend all the classes and pick which ones really stand out to you.

And you don't have to worry about living expenses right now. Music lessons pay pretty well, so I can cover you until you get settled in.

[overworker]

[It's honestly easy for her to break things like that down-- figuring out the solutions, however, was a bit more difficult. But at least her analysis is on point.]

Hehe, you make it sound easy. But I wouldn't expect anything less honestly.

[Oh but you can't expect to get away with that, Elliot Craig.]

I couldn't possibly ask you to do that! You worked hard for that money.

[fiddlestick]

Ahah, well, I wouldn't say the classes are easy, there's a lot of studying and new things to learn. But it's easy enough to figure out which ones you like, at least.

[He smiles and shakes his head]

Sure, but what better way to spend it than to help my friends? I'm not gonna leave you hanging, Towa.

[overworker]

[Towa pouts. She understands what he's saying in theory-- and in truth, she should have expected something like that. Elliot's too kind. But that's all the more reason that she doesn't want to take away from him.]

Still... I'm sure the other members of Class VII could use your help more than me. I'd feel bad, adding to your troubles.

[.......]

At the very least, I should at least find some way to pay you back.

[fiddlestick]

Aha, you mean Fie? Don't worry, I'm sure you two will be quick to find your feet, so I'm not worried about helping both of you.

[He...isn't aware that there's more than just Fie and Towa here]

You really don't have to...but we could always study together?

[overworker]

[No time like the present to learn.]

Fie, yes... I'm sure you're right. But if I'm honest, I'm more worried about Rean. He's always working hard for everyone's sake, but he's not very good at remembering to stop and take care of himself.

[That solution makes some sense, but it still feels like it would almost benefit her more. Still-- since she doesn't have a better answer for the time being, it seems this is as good a start as any.]

We're not on the same level at all. Still... if you think it would help, I'd be happy to join you.

[fiddlestick]

[!!!!]

Wha- Rean's here too?!

[Sorry Towa, all other topics of conversation are put on pause as he learns this factoid]

But I didn't see him in the dream! Just you and Fie!

[overworker]

Well... he was in the dream. At least, for me he was. When I was cornered in the forest, he rushed in and saved me.

[That moment left a strong impact on her memory. If everything else was to be believed, then that too had to have been real.]

We didn't have much time to talk, but we fought together. But... I haven't seen him here yet.

1/2

[fiddlestick]

Well, that sounds like Rean...

[Rushing in to save people was something Rean would definitely do. His hand absently goes to his chest as he thinks that Rean might be here. Not that he wasn't happy to see Fie and Towa here, he was. But he's had a week of knowing they might arrive, and also well...it's Rean. ]

[fiddlestick]

We'll keep an eye out for him too.

[Yeah, let's just shove those emotions in a box right now. He offers Towa a gentle smile.]

But haha Towa if he's here, doesn't that give me more reason to help you? You know Rean, he'd focus on getting everyone else settled before even thinking of himself if he thought there was a reason to worry.

[overworker]

[That certainly is a point that he's made. One that she can't very well refute.]

Even if I told him not to worry, I'm pretty sure he'd just worry more. So I'll just have to make myself useful in the meantime, until I'm able to return the favor.

[fiddlestick]

[He knows how his best friend works ok]

Hehe, okay. But don't feel any rush to pay me back, you've already helped me a lot.

And don't worry! I'll make it work until you guys find work. I'll have to readjust a few things to support Rean too, but it'll be fine!

[He's going to cry when he finds out Machias is here too]

[overworker]

[There has to be a proper solution that will help them all out. She's worried about making sure the others are comfortable more than herself. And to do that with one person's income-- even if he says that she's already thinking about what she can do in a reasonable amount of time.]

Maybe I can help with advertising for your lessons then. That sort of thing falls into my area of expertise.

[Flyers, events-- whatever you need, she's done it before. If it helps get him extra attention, it sort of counts.]

[fiddlestick]

[!! ]

Really?

W-Well, I don't think I could say no to that. You've always been better at that stuff than me. And I did just lose a couple students, so I have openings...

[Elliot is kind and selfless, but he's not so much so that he'd turn down an opportunity that'd further his music]

[overworker]

Oh I don't know about that, I've just had a lot of experience.

[But she does have a few ideas. It's not hard to sell a good product.]

I think it would be nice to organize an event where you and your students could show off the hard work you've all put in. I'm sure that would get people interested.

[There's something about seeing what's possible to get people excited. Besides-- she can't say it wouldn't be a feel good experience regardless.]

At the very least, it will get people talking.

[fiddlestick]

Don't sell yourself short! [He short too, he doesn't mean anything by the words] The academy festival wouldn't have been such a huge hit if you and student council hadn't promoted it so well.

[Meanwhile he knows he tends to be timid, even if he's come a long way from how he was when he first came into the academy]

Oh, you mean like a recital? [His eyes light up] That's a great idea...I mean, it'll take awhile before my students are ready for that, but it'd be something to work for.

[overworker]

Yes! I think it would be good motivation for them too.

Remember how hard Class VII worked to put together that concert? There's something about having a goal to work towards that brings out the most in students, I think.

I have a feeling that if you put your heart into it, you'll inspire more than a few people.

[fiddlestick]

Aha, of course I remember Class VII's concert! It's one of my happiest memories.

[Everyone working so hard on the concert, getting to share his love of music with all his friends, spending late nights with Crow as they planned every detail out. It'd been hard work, but looking back everything felt so perfect and not--

Nope nope nope, focus on now.]

You're right. I'll run it by my students. I bet they'll really- [He was in the middle of pumping his fist as he does, but with the extra magic build up (and not at all the conflicting emotions he's burying), it cause some sparks to shoot out from his hands]

- Whoa! Oops.

[overworker]

It's a fond memory for me as well.

[Bittersweet, but-- well, that's not for focusing on right now.]

That's wonderful. Then when the time comes, please let me know. I'll do everything in my power to make it a big success.

[It might only be the organizational aspects, but she'll do whatever she can to support him in return.]

[fiddlestick]

[Yes, let's just shove all those emotions in a little box until one day, we die. He quickly shoves his hand in his pocket, not wanting to risk more sparks from coming out. Right, gotta burn through some more magic later]

Haha, I will. Thanks Towa. You really gave me a good idea.

[It was something to work towards and look forward to, a feasible goal. He can deal with that]

In the meantime, we should track down the others and figure out where everyone's gonna stay. I'd offer to let you stay at my place...but it's a tiny room in the barracks with a single bed.