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

[weirdnecro]

Yes, exactly right! A collection of authors that write opinions and facts of the day rather then just poetry or stories.

[And she starts to. Slide up closer, even as she takes a sip of wine from the bottle.]

I'm used to culture shock, I assure you. I'm a traveller by inclination. And you're faking it until you make it...

It's far more admirable then those who would complain bitterly of their loss.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Oh, that's more than a little welcome. Everett sets his bottle aside for the moment, because he's very much inclined to reach out to her. His fingers gently brush aside some hair from her cheek, an easy excuse for the touch]

Bemoaning such circumstance? I wouldn't dare. Traveling to a new world... it's so much to have gained. [no loss at all, really, but Everett had explored most of Myddvai and didn't have many ties he feels longingly towards. Loose ends, maybe, but nothing he's pining for. A new adventure is so much better.]

I'm frankly grateful. Not to mention the grace of such fascinating company as yourself, Sokie.

[weirdnecro]

H'oh? An optimist and a flirt? Be still my heart.

[She smiled, letting her foot slide over his shin, and move so it was between his legs. Oops, was that too much? She's a bold one.]

I'm glad for the new opportunity, but there are a few things I miss.

[Lightly, her fingers brush over her chest-or what little that's there.]

Thankfully, I forget all about those little things with a few fun little distractions here and there.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[not too bold when Everett is fully onboard, his own leg rubbing pointedly against hers. Tangling themselves up together is very promising. As is her meeting his flirtation back with her own.]

I've been told... I'm a very good distraction. [he chuckles, petting a thumb over her cheek. Just a short lean in and they would kiss, but Everett's a polite sort, he likes to be invited and he's not shy to ask]

May I kiss you, Sokie?

[weirdnecro]

[It's very cute, and if anyone else pointed it out, Sokie would huff at them. She laughs quietly instead, and leans in for a small, quick nuzzle.]

You may. Maybe if you do it right, you can do more then kiss.

[Wink wonk.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Ooh, I shall try to impress. [he teases back, playfully intrigued by the challenge. Then again, he's absurdly confident, so all something like that does is give him more gusto.

Everett lean in to plant the kiss. There's heat to it, but it's not aggressive, his lips taking there time to press into hers. A first kiss isn't one to be commanding with, it's more about care and the promise for more, should it be so eagerly reciprocated.]

[weirdnecro]

[She grins back at him, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she closes her eyes, and leans into the kiss with a soft sigh.

It was good. No chewing off her face, no slobber-there's something to be said about hooking up with men with a bit of experience under their belt. Some of them know how to keep her around-or at least give them a chance for more.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[There's something to be said about restraint, in Everett's case. It's well practiced and considerate, rather than timid. He drinks up that sigh, in it's simple pleasure and gentleness. The kiss attuned to last just a few second, not rushed and not lingering passed it's time.

He separates from her with an appreciative hum, thumb still petting her cheek.

And he's quick to joke, of course he is]

An above average attempt, but I can do better.

[weirdnecro]

[It was different, amusing even to see that he was petting her cheek like that with his thumb. Very affectionate, much cute. Cute charmer.

He's quick to joke too. Sokie snickered, and leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips.]

H'oh? You sound pretty confident. All right. Do it.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[That's just the permission he's hoping for, smiling and leaning back in without hesitation. He meets her short kiss with a smile and then lets the next be more urgent and linger in that. Everett drags his lips over hers, moving smoothly to roll from kiss to kiss, eventually escalating to catching her bottom lip between his and suckling softly over it. It's all predicated on her eager reception, he only pushes for more when she pulls him in, keen to the small signals of what is and isn't preferable.

The hand upon her cheek slides further back to hook fingers beneath her ear, cradling her head. His other arm, free from have abandoned the wine bottle earlier, find her waist to rest over that delicate feather bodice. careful with his touch upon it.]

[weirdnecro]

[If he was a dog, his tail would be wagging. It's cute how he's so wiggly and happy to get just permission for a kiss. Kisses even! And while it's sweet and nice, but thank goodness it ramps up a bit.

The sucking has her make a noise of approval, and she squirmed happily, moving under his hand to press against him.

Oh right. Wine. She leaned forward briefly, trying to put her wine...on a hard flat surface, but she wasn't sure if it was an end table? Whatever, close enough. She needed that hand free to stroke her hand over his halter top and over his stomach.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[The win being set aside is a good sign, Everett feels much more bold knowing he won't be spilling alcohol across his cottage. Not yet, at least. The hand at her waist falls to her lower back, feeling about for a good place to shift her. Time to do something more exciting.

In one fell swoop he'll push her hips up towards him and tip her back onto his couch, letting her fall and bounce onto the cushion below. Far from a timid man, Everett smiles down at her, his hair falling over his shoulders to hang by her neck. He dips in to kiss her again, now hovering over top her without putting his weight down, giving her room to push back against him if this wasn't a welcome motion.

Given it's likely very welcome, the room is left for her to grope at his chest and shoulders. Everett is so much lean and shapely muscle, from a lifetime of climbing. Her hands exploring that is something he fully anticipates]

[weirdnecro]

[They'll be splashing things against each other easily enough. It might even be from a shared bath!

In the meantime, she laughs and bounces briefly against the couch before Everett is there and kissing and stroking those soft feathers.

Of course she has to explore. Over his stomach, his chest, on his back and over his shoulders.

And naturally, she gives his butt a good squeeze. Just to make him jump.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Rock climbing makes for an exceptional physique, but his back is really the best of his features. He appreciated her appreciating that! And doesn't really expect her to dip down lower-

Butt squeezing isn't a jump so much as an undignified squeak, whoops. Everett's face going red to hear the surprised sound out of himself, chuckling to duck his head into her collar and cover that embarrassing expression over.

He can make fun of himself, at least...]

No chance you'll forget that noise, is there? [oh what's the good in having cool, anyways? He'd much rather joke than be overly concerned over her thinking he's smooth]

[weirdnecro]

[It's a really nice back! She has to admire it. Who wouldn't admire all the work he put into himself?

Though she has to laugh in surprise at his squeaking, and even reaches up to fluff up his hair.]

Not a chance. You're screwed, squeaky boy.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[yeah, he'll just laugh at that. Everett's embarrassment may spike, but it rarely lingers long. Chuckling against her skin, he'll pepper her neck with jokingly apologetic kisses]

Not to be forgotten, but perhaps forgiven, instead?

[weirdnecro]

Awk! It tickles!

[She squirmed, laughing and trying not to wiggle around too much. She might fall off the couch!]

Nothing to forgive though. I thought it was cute.

[rollfordiplomacy]

I squeak and you sqwuak! What a pair we make... [he teases back, more gently and deliberately kissing her neck after. If it's still ticklish, it's in that sensual manner meant to make her toes twitch, not send her colliding with the floor.]

Cute is an acceptable fate, I'll accept that any time and day.

[weirdnecro]

You make me sound like a bird.

[A parrot, but she didn't want to confuse him. Not when there was that choice kiss that caused a thrill to go through her. Yeah, that did not feel like a casual kiss. It felt more like a signal for more.]

So Everett...if you're going to accept being cute...what other things are you going to accept...?

[Sexy things. That's your prompt to do things Everett.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[The first comment just gets him to look down and gesture to all her feathers, before lifting an eyebrow to her. The opening is obvious and he's a man to pursue opportunity when presented.]

I would accept moving this to my bed, Sokie. Should that be preferable. [more joking, looking at how close the edge of the cushions are]

It would certainly be more roomy.

[weirdnecro]

[She lifted an eyebrow back. At least she was apt with the description, considering.]

You're right. At this rate, we're going to end up covered in feathers. We need the room.

[She offered her hand for him to take since-well-he was still on top.]

If you would lead us there?

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett's an eager man, so he doesn't linger over to her. He straightens up and takes her hand to help her upright in turn. His other hand moves to the swoop of her lower back and he'll gesture to the room he took up as his own.

It's a cozy space, nothing extravagant. He has something just a bit larger than a twin bed, tucked in the corner. There's a wardrobe, curtains closed over the window, a few hangers on the wall for clothing or coats, a desk already covered in notes and journals... though all are neatly stacked and organized. The bed is made. Everett may be a bachelor, but he's tidy!

After gently closing the door behind them, he gestures to her lovely outfit once more]

Shall we set all this aside? Ruining such a lovely piece would... ruffle some feathers. [leave right now, Sokie, if you hate wordplay or puns]

did you want to move this to inbox or to a locked log?

[weirdnecro]

[It's a smooth motion up-and her mouth quirks as she feels his hand against his back.

What a little charmer.

It's not a large room, but it's a comfortable one. It's rather neat too, and already filled with a touch of life. She can admire that-even if he does like his puns.

She snorts, and with a smooth movement, turns to show him her back, sweeping her hair to the side. Not that she needed to but-hey, check out her naked neck and shoulders.]

It truly would. Would you be a dear and undo me Everett? I fear I can't reach all of the clasps.

[Maybe it's true, maybe she wants him to do it.]

Sure do!

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Continued here!]