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

[whomthebelltolls]

[Lunasa 1:]

[Maybe there's a disadvantage to fitting in to this setting a little too well. The tailors seemed to jump at the opportunity to outfit Maria - and her somewhat unique build - with their finery. She draws a decent amount of attention, and the tailors seem to want to point out their fashions look good on anyone. Which would be why Maria ends up cajoled into a blood red tailcoat and trousers. She's not even going to ask how they figured her for Cainhurst colors.

This also means she keeps getting pulled into ceremonies, and frankly, with the building headache, she's not really in the mood, but doesn't do much more than stand in the background until she can slip out. Unfortunately, she's not that lucky this time, and as the ceremony ahead of them draws to a close, and the music strikes up...

Oh. A dance. Great. Sigh. Well, congratulations, whoever is standing immediately next to her.] I don't suppose either of us are getting out of here without a dance. Shall we?

[Lunasa 2:]

[You know what's awesome? Being an Unbonded Witch during a festival and a new moon. The lack of being able to practice magic and the power boost from the new moon makes it especially rough on Maria, and more than once during the lead-up to the festival she can be seen secreting out beyond the Bright Wall - this time clad in her old, familiar Hunter's gear - to practice a few spells.

Even though that fireball is particularly huge and might've just blown up an entire, huge, old tree, and probably could be heard for miles around.

Oops.

... It felt good, though.]

[Lunasa 3:]

[You know what's still awesome? Being an Unbonded Witch during a festival and a new moon! Except this time Maria isn't outside of the city, and, in fact, might just be found at the local pub. That's right, rubbing Bonds in her face when she's suffering the consequences of not having one puts her in a foul mood, and alcohol seems like a good way to keep from taking it out on a poor, unsuspecting Monster.

Though, the more she drinks, the more she wonders if "taking it out" on the pretty bar wench in the tavern wouldn't be appropriate. She's pretty sure the woman is a vampire, and she's come to hate those particular Monsters the least so far.

But, it's a thought she just as quickly disregards as she gets back into her cups. The lack of control from the inebriation + the effects of the excess mana buildup + the side-effects of the event surely must mean that there's sparks going to fly eventually. They can come at any time she's sitting there, nursing some strong kind of drink or another, and can have all kinds of effects!

In fact, she might've just turned the barstool next to her into a horse saddle and tack, and whoever was sitting on it might've just fallen onto the ground, on the saddle. ] Mn?

[Wildcard!]

[Hit me up for whatever! You can reach me through PM or reslari or Reslari#9561 on the Discord!]

[Lunasa 1:]

[yokeye]

We shall! I would be delighted to dance with a lovely woman such as yourself! Your poise and grace at this event this evening is admirable and I am overjoyed you chose to acknowledge the presence of this lowly creature!

[Toki bows elaborately, and reaches for her hand. She was perhaps standing next to the wrong person.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Minor regret. A normal person might give points for enthusiasm. Not here.

... Unfortunately, there's not much alternative. Oh well, if this one doesn't mind dancing with an absurdly tall woman dressed like a man.]

Yes, I'm sure you're honored. You know how to dance formally?

[yokeye]

[He hasn't had much experience in the dancing arena, and formal could mean any number of traditional things. He looks around at the other dancers to make sure it isn't something too hard.]

I do indeed, my lady~!

[As long as he doesn't step on her feet, it should be fine.]

Lunasa 2

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Is this an occasion that calls for clapping? Because Everett is most impressed! He hadn't expected to see magic flying, as he wandered out beyond the wall. The older man is still dressed up per the festivities, his clothing crisp and handsomely designed, though the fabric itself was a gaudy brocade.

Okay. He can't resist giving some applause. His gloves patter together as he smiles to Lady Maria.]

A truly marvelous showing, good miss.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Not really, unless it's sarcastic, and for a moment, that's what she thinks it is - someone is applauding her going a bit overboard, and honestly, she's thinking about maybe saying something, when something about what he says catches her.]

It wasn't supposed to be like that. Unless you had figured that. [There is a tiny bit of giving the benefit of the doubt here, in case he isn't being sarcastic, as she assumes.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Was it not? The spectacle did so distract me. [While she may remain suspect of his sincerity, Everett's tone is breezy and earnest. Magic was common enough in his world, yet nothing he could channel unless it was through an imbued item or potion. Even now, he was a monster and not a witch. The universe seemed pitted against him, in that regard.

Likely for the best. Everett would be far more destructive than a few exploded trees. Not out of malice, but because he'd be testing every, little thing he could do. With reckless abandon.

He hums and approaches her with a casual stride]

Not that I am fit to be judging your technique.

1.

[succored]

[ This whole world is bizarre and definitely throwing Sora about for a loop approximately every two minutes.

Being socially obliged to dance with a stranger is also very new. At home he'd just leave, but... ]

I... sure. [ Cue Sora just standing there. They can't mean ballroom dancing, can they?

Oh, turns out they can. He turns to her slowly. ]

I don't know how to do that.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Okay, he agrees, and then... admits to not knowing how to do it. Hm. Maria considers what to say for a moment, looking her companion over, trying to decipher the situation, before...]

Not at all? [Well, this will be awkward.] Ah... I suppose I can teach you a few basic steps... [She is not particularly fond of dancing or teaching people, but if they can pretend to be part of the festivities and then slip out more quickly, then she's all for that alternative.] If you don't mind following, especially.

[succored]

[ This is an extremely inauspicious start. Sora wishes he could leave, but that would be unfair to her, and also the social pressure is mounting. With all the people around he takes the easy out. ]

Okay. [ No protests from his end, and even if he's ignorant to actual dancing he's quick to follow her lead with a moderately panicky look in his eye. ] They won't care if we leave after one, will they?

Lunasa 3

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede hadn't been thrilled about another festival. It meant at least three times as many people crowded into the places she usually haunted, let alone the actually bustling ones. Though...the prospect of free clothes was a bit harder to take issue with. Especially since the changes to her form necessitated nearly everything the Chimera wore be customized, which got expensive. Her smaller form made slipping away after the fitting easier, though; she'd gotten away with a muted red shawl, a burnt orange vest with buttons suitably large enough for her claws to fiddle with reliably, and a brown skirt with a seam for her tail to fit through without fuss. And she didn't have to be a witness for anybody. Yet.

Still, it'd gotten far too noisy for her. Especially with how sharp her hearing felt nowadays, loud sounds made her either jumpy or irritable. Today was a bit of both. A pub wasn't the first place Kaede would have chosen, but if she spent any longer outside she was going to claw the next person who approached her. And one was doing so right now, walking towards her purposely and hopefully like he had some task to ask of her and Kaede wanted nothing to do with it.

She ducked inside, and the man didn't follow her. The Chimera didn't look back. It was surprisingly quiet in here, compared to outside. Still clearly occupied and busy enough that her arrival didn't merit immediate attention, but not so bad.

--huh. She knew that hat. Kaede's antlered head perked, and she made her way closer for a better look--as if it was possible not to spot that pale hair. But that man might still be lurking outside just waiting to ask her something. Can't have that. The Chimera would take a seat instead.

Not too close, though. Maria seemed to be in a bit of a mood--she could tell within a few steps. She'd just take a seat on a stool not too far away, and--

The seat vanished as Kaede tried to sit down on it. And with her weight fully committed already, she couldn't just stop so easily. A long arm shot out and tried to grab the counter, but only succeeded in scratching the varnish. On her ass she went with a half-stifled yelp.

What Kaede landed on wasn't the floor, though. It was peaked and her legs folded awkwardly when she landed on it, and some other leatherwork with jangly bits on it clattered to the actual floor in front of her. This was not a stool. This was a saddle. Where'd that come from? The pommel came perilously close to somewhere unpleasant.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Honestly, she looks over just in time to see that mass of pink hair go tumbling for the floor, and it takes Maria a brief moment for her thoughts to catch up to her. She knows this one. This one is... a roommate, even. Hm. Maria wasn't even sure if Kaede would be turned away by the bartender for her apparent age, but she supposed the fur and feathers are starting to make that more of a moot point.]

Kaede...? Are you alright? [But now that Maria remembers who this is - yes, even though they live together - she can ask that. Because she sure is sitting on a saddle on the ground, and Maria has no idea where that came from.

Honestly.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[That was going to be her next question. Next several questions. The bartender had raised an eyebrow at the Chimera's appearance--a young looking but also harried looking girl walking in like she was getting away from something. She seemed too young to be here, had the scruffy half-down-half-feather plumage of an adolescent, but the antlers of an adult. She might belong, or she might not.

Less poignant but more immediately important--]

I--guess? Why is there a saddle here?

[Kaede scooted herself away from the pommel, untangling her feet from the loose stirrups and harness straps.]

Wildcard coz u rude

[sing_for_me]

[ She was actually in the middle of working, but considering she knew Maria, well...How often was Maria going to make such an offer considering how she usually avoided contact with her? Her fair skin had that tint of red that Alex just didn't see often--if at all on Maria. A tipsy Maria? Consider her curiosity piqued. ]

Well..I could probably take a little break.

[ She couldn't say no to a customer, now could she? ]

I am perf idk what ur talking about

[whomthebelltolls]

Good. [A familiar face is almost as interesting as anything else... and proven so far not to want to try to kill people. Yet. Plus, Alex really is still quite pretty.

Or that could be the alcohol talking. Maria motions at the bar, then taps it with her fingers.] I'll have another shot... and whatever she wants.

[Maybe with a little more alcohol in her system she'll not care enough about the slowly creeping fish-bits Alex is showing more and more of.]

Lunasa 2

[alienwear]

As a general rule, Peridot doesn't go outside the city very often. She's trying to get over that though, spending occasional brief bouts of time out in the woods, combating her intense phobia of the Cwyld by immersing herself in the relatively safer parts of the wilds.

Climbing trees is easy now, with the talons that she's recently grown in. Even though it's pitch dark out, something about the moons just has her wanting to get outside, and rest in high places. Except... She definitely picked the wrong tree to roost in, this time. She's just minding her own business, watching the stars, when the whole thing just goes.

Miraculously, she isn't seriously harmed! Thanks, dragon resilience. But the spell does fling her several yards away from the tree, an acid-green blur that goes flying just over Maria's head with a squawk.

[whomthebelltolls]

[And here Maria thought she'd picked a better target than that, though she supposed what looked a lot like new growth in the branches of the tree verily much so wasn't. Actually, in the echoing din of the explosion, the fact all she can see is a blur over her head prompts about the same reaction any person would have to a large insect flying near their head - she turns toward it, unsheathing her sword, totally ready to fight.

Great introduction.

She's learned how to be quiet, though, from years on the Hunt and in the catacombs, and she walks toward the lump that's a bit hard to make out with the darkness in the sky from the shadowed moons. At least the bright green scales catch a little glimmer and give her something to track onto.]

[wylderrant]

[ In the moments following the explosion and the thunderclap of noise, there's something a bit softer - a round of applause. Iramaat has a tendency to wander and her wanderings take her beyond the city walls from time to time - and today she's in the right spot to notice a fireball going a little awry. Not that she's complaining. ]

You certainly showed that tree who was in charge.

[ She has antlers now - which is probably a little different from the last time they met, locked in combat in a hedge maze. ]

You seem none the worse for wear after a month or two. Managing? Or...

[ Her eyes flicker to the not-quite-crater left behind. ]

Maybe not.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maria avoids the Monsters for the most part, barring the ones that really stubbornly make it a point to inject themselves into her life, so it takes her a moment, in the dimness of the forest, to remember who this particular one is. Ah yes, it has been a while since she's met up - and sparred - with this particular one. The silhouette isn't entirely familiar anymore with the antlers being as they are, either.]

I am managing just fine, yes. [At least, comparatively, she is.] The way they frown upon using magic during festivals is just... inconvenient because it is the new moon. [Definitely not going to talk about the elephant in the room. Or the burning tree husk behind her.]

1

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru has never felt petite next to another woman, until she was stood next to Maria. Apparently, the light, flowy red dress she'd been gifted made her a complementary figure to the tall blonde in her coat and trousers.

She'd been under the impression that they were just here to be set dressing this time, until people started looking at them expectantly.]

Eh?

[She's caught off guard by the suggestion, but quickly recovers. It looks like she's right, after all.]

Oh... yeah, I guess it looks that way. I'm... not sure I'll be any good, though.

[She's not even more nervous than she'd normally be because Maria intimidates her. Nope. Not at all.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[It's not the first time she's had to lead, nor had to teach - ever since the events this month started, she has been getting a lot of that practice in. Oh, what her dancing tutors would think of her now.

It's alright. It's not this other woman's fault this place has been dramatically annoying this moon so far.]

They want something. Can you keep beat and try not to step on my toes?

[Lunasa 3:]

[futhark]

I want to say don't mind me, I'm just here to enjoy the show. [ Caster proclaims a little too cheerfully. The horse saddle trick was entertaining to watch but, unfortunately—

—he works here. And he likes working in this particular tavern. People in charge somewhat of his friends here, as much as natives are going to get friendly with them Mirrobounds. ]

But it's quite on the opposite. I got something special for you and it's all on the house. So how about we sit in that corner for a moment? [ And true to his word, he is holding a flagon of something and an empty glass on the tray. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

[... Did she even order anything? She doesn't remember, and her nose wrinkles a little as she looks at him, at the saddle on the ground she accidentally transformed, and then back to whatever he has on the tray.

With a sight, Maria stands up (and up, and up) and looks over at him, eyebrow carefully arched, and completely belying how unsteady she looks on her feet. She's had plenty so far.] I don't... remember... ordering anything, so what do you have? [She could be wrong, though. She is surprisingly deep into her cups.

Still, there's a tiny bit of her that wonders what in the world he's going to try to give her as he's trying to bait her into a corner, and even soaked in alcohol her brain is giving off a warning alarm. Maybe too much of one, considering the otherwise lack of control inebriation brings.]

3.

[lonewanderer]

Maria...

[ There's faint disapproval in Lex's voice - it comes from behind her, and if Maria looks, Lex has her arms crossed over her chest and is tapping one booted foot against the ground. There are more feathers in her hair, this month, but Lex still looks fairly humanoid. Humanoid enough to look noticeably disapproving, at least. ]

I think you might have had enough to drink.

[ How are you meant to fight off whatever may attack us all if you're drunk, friend? ]

[whomthebelltolls]

[There's other people to defend the city and Maria needs a break?] I can still hear the revelry. It's not enough yet.

[That's apparently her answer. She does, however, motion to the non-saddle version of the barstool to her other side.] Would you like some? [Somehow, her brain hasn't entirely parsed the feathers and fur as a threat. Not yet. Maybe it's just that she knows Lex, and has an established rapport with her, but it's probably just because she's not thinking clearly.]