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

[scatmaam]

Aye. As I assumed it would be. [ And she still looked... 'unimpressed' was a good word for it as she regarded the image. It was well too complicated an issue to go in before a woman who was still a relative stranger, and too close to revealing both their true names, so she kept most of her thoughts beyond that to herself, simply sucking in a deep breath and sighing, turning her gaze back to the princess. ]

To help my lady, I'll allow myself to be called a different name, if it must be. You can call me Shadow. It is a fitting moniker. I wouldn't want to cause you any confusion or distress.

[sageprincess]

Shadow...?

[All speculation on how the other Lancer could be dangerous flies right out the window at that. Zelda blinks, as though surprised, and then... laughs, just a little. Though it's not entirely a happy sound.]

Of all the... Of course. "Lancer of Shadow," it shall be then. Thank you for indulging a strange, foreign princess. I would rather avoid having my lack of knowledge regarding those like you exploited once again.

[Servants.]

And while you were in the middle of something much more important as well. I can offer my assistance in finding Caster, at least, unless your search is something you would rather pursue on your own.

[scatmaam]

[ Scathach gave a thoughtful hum, not missing Zelda's reaction at all. This girl... there was something to her. It was no wonder her disciple had taken an interest in her, as well. She could immediately see why. ]

It can be delayed, for the moment, my lady. To be sure, I feel it is just as important thing to know my neighbors in this strange new world, if we are to survive together.

[ Caster could wait. He'd get his eventually. ]

If you're so inclined, may we walk and talk, and learn more of you, my lady? If you are so inclined, that is.

[sageprincess]

[Rip in rest, classmate. Zelda can't help a slight quirk of her brow at Scathach's request, however; with how driven the woman had been earlier to find her disciples, she fully expected her to jump at the chance to gracefully return to her search. The thought of talking about herself at length doesn't is not necessarily a comfortable one, either, but she doesn't sense any animosity in "Shadow's" intentions. Maybe it would be okay. After all, she has to admit to a certain curiosity of her as well.

Still--]

I am not opposed, though I cannot say I know what it is about me that you wish to know more about.

[She's... not all that impressive, she doesn't think.]

[scatmaam]

I can judge that for myself. [ Scathach shrugged, shouldering her spear and taking up a pace beside the princess. ]

Tell me about this Hyrule of yours, my lady. Particularly what brings you joy, when thinking of your home.

[sageprincess]

[Ah, well. Talking about Hyrule is much easier than talking about herself, and for one brief moment she is relieved, but--]

What brings me joy...?

[--that is... a surprisingly difficult question, one that leaves her quieted for a lengthy pause afterwards as she laces her fingers together in anxious thought. There is no question that she loves her country dearly, that she would do nearly anything to see it safe and prosperous, but... it's not something she's thought of in terms of happiness or joy.

(In truth, she's not thought about her own happiness or joy in quite some time, but that's buried so deep she has no hope of seeing it for the core of the issue that it is.)]

... There is a lake to the south. [She begins, her stilted voice betraying her uncertainty in her answer.] The water is cool and clean, and the sparkle of the first rays of the sun on its surface as it rises over the horizon is a sight that would inspire wonder within any who bear witness to it. There is even a legend that states if one shoots an arrow at the sun as it rises over the lake, the arrow will come back down wreathed in the sun's own flames for the archer to wield as they see fit.

[Another pause, and the twist to her lips suggests she's unsatisfied leaving it at that before she continues.]

But of course, I would not wish to return so dearly if it were not for the people. They are as enduring as they are colorful, and I could likely speak for hours regarding all the different races that dwell within Hyrule's borders.

[Hm, that's a little better. Still feels kinda bullshit-y, but that's not something Shadow will be able to pick up on, right.]

[scatmaam]

[ Not entirely, at least, but she does notice there's something not quite right about Zelda's response, one that feels not insincere entirely, but also being given because it was an 'acceptable' answer. Scathach pondered it for a moment, humming to herself, before figuring that it wasn't really her place to call Zelda on it, not yet. ]

My home is an island, itself, so I'm quite used to the sounds of water throughout the seasons... I think I'd enjoy this lake of yours, to hear you tell of it.

[sageprincess]

[She smiles a little, though it's a rather weak on one side. Thank goodness, she's satisfied well enough for now.]

Hyrule is landlocked; the lake and the rivers that flow into it are our main sources of water. In truth, before I found myself here, I had never seen an ocean before.

[Too bad Aefenglom's coastline is not exactly what one would call "picturesque."]

[scatmaam]

And how do you find it?

[ Picturesque was subjective. To Scathach, it wasn't entirely unlike her homeland, though not of Skye in particular. ]

[sageprincess]

It is... beautiful, and terrifying, and essential all at once.

[Her tone remains contemplative, like this is the first time she's ascribing words to these feelings, but her answer comes much more easily this time.]

There was a festival a month or so ago to send the sailors off on their journeys, but all the town was on edge due to the appearance of what they believed to be a bad omen in the days leading up to it. The ships that left then have yet to return, and so I cannot say with certainty whether or not their anxieties in this instance were well founded, but... it is not something I would expect people to be concerned about, if the danger were not something they have experienced before. But even knowing that, they sailed off regardless, because this city would likely not survive without its trade.

[That's probably focusing more on the people around the ocean than Scathach was looking for, but listen... Litha was a trying time for her. She had to find something to focus on that wasn't the rampant debauchery.]

... May I ask a question of you now, Shadow?

[scatmaam]

[ Only a month? It could just be a particularly long journey. But she also had little place to assuage Zelda's concerns, as she's only been there less than a day, herself. But even then, it seemed Zelda was moving on. ]

Aye, you may, my lady. Though I give no promise the answer will satisfy you.

[sageprincess]

What is it you are attempting to discern about me from asking these questions?

[Her eyes narrow, and though the new moons due bring out a bit of irritation in her, that isn't the true reason behind it. It's simply rare that she's unable to intuit the intentions of those around her, and she's not particularly fond of it.]

If you can honestly tell me that you are genuinely interested in the land of Hyrule on its own merits, then I will accept that. But you would be the first among those here.

[scatmaam]

[ Scathach couldn't help balking for a moment, blinking in the pause before bursting into a small chuckle, lifting a hand to cover her lips. This girl... no wonder her disciple apparently liked to tease her, based on her reactions to hearing about him. ]

I am interested in Hyrule because I'm interested in you, my lady. I asked because I wish to know more about you, the things you value and cherish, what drives your interests and insights.

[sageprincess]

But... why?

[She bristles not entirely unlike a cat, shoulders tense and gloved hands balled into fists at her sides, her frustrations growing with Scathach's obvious amusement. Don't laugh, it's a valid question!

... Yes, she is extremely easy to tease and it's awful.]

I just... I do not-- [Okay, stop. Breathe. Try to explain yourself clearly, Zelda. You are still capable of doing that.] ... I would simply feel better knowing what it is about me that has garnered your interest in the first place. It would put me at ease speaking of my country and myself if I knew that much.

[scatmaam]

[ Scathach crossed her arms over her chest, eyebrow still quirked and still chuckling, though not as loudly. ]

You don't make friends very often, do you, my lady?

[sageprincess]

That--!

[Is an accurate assessment, given the way she flushes at the question from ear to ear. Not that Zelda's going to admit as much.]

--is a rather rude thing to say to someone, do you not think? Given my position, it is only natural to hold some suspicion for those who show interest in me, I think. Do you not agree?

[Despite her fluster, the excuse she gives is not completely bullshit. It's not the entire truth about why she's so wary of everyone all the time, but it's something she does genuinely believe.]

[scatmaam]

[ The rub here was Zelda expecting Scathach and her disciple to be that different, tbh. Her reaction is an utter delight for the Lancer, having to cover her mouth to stifle her jubilation, absolutely tickled. ]

I fear I cannot agree, my lady. [ She barely got that statement out. ]

It's not as if your position amounts to much out here. Royals, nobles, warriors, commoners, we all are made equal in a foreign land with no concern for our former station.

[sageprincess]

[dear god in heaven there are two of them

Zelda's embarrassment does not lessen in the slightest in the face of Scathach's laughter, a hurt and petulant scowl tugging ever more at her lips as the other can barely speak around her glee.

No, this woman isn't like Impa at all; what was she thinking.]

Be that as it may, our pasts still remain, and the habits we have built during them are not so easily broken. The fact that you still carry your lance at the ready in a city that for all intents and purposes seems peacefully jubilant in their festivities would be proof that such things still matter regardless, I would say.

[A pause, and a breath, and an attempt to calm herself down.]

And I doubt I will ever appreciate being mocked, no matter what world I should find myself in.

[scatmaam]

[ Give Shadow credit where it was due, she had the wisdom to know when to back off at least, calming herself and tempering her reaction, though keeping her smile. She let out a small sigh. ]

My lady has a keen point. A warrior is ever ready, even in times of peace, after all. I apologize if I've made you uncomfortable.

But rest assured, I only intend to make friends with you, my lady. You have my word that I would not ever take advantage of your noble heart. I'm not that sort of person, in the end.

If you need me prove my word, you need only ask. A warrior is able to do so, at all times.