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

OOC QUESTIONS

[moustre]

ROOMMATES AND HOUSEMATES FINDING

[faileas]

Fill out the following form if your character is the type to participate, post it here, and comment around for some ??? profit! Since we know that character desires don't always line up with player desires, we have both an IC and an OOC portion to fill out; the IC portion is what gets read aloud by the board, while the OOC portion is just for plotting among each other - which can be done on this thread!

If your character wouldn't participate, but you'd still like to plot for housemates, just use the OOC portion of it.

• IC Portion (All of this should be filled out as your character (or someone else) would - if that means lying about any of the information asked after, or omitting certain things, go for it.)
Name:
Age:
Three words you'd use to describe yourself:
Favorite color:
Seeking: What they'd like in a roommate/housemate.
Not Seeking: What they wouldn't like.
Preferred living situation: With just a few people, in a house that house multiple groups (like an apartment or twin house situation), etc.
Extra notes: Pets, special circumstances, etc.

• OOC Portion (All of this is just for you, the player!)
Character name:
Character age:
Canon:
Choice: Witch or Monster?
Preferred housemates or plans: What kind of characters/living situations you'd like. Need someone to bully your character into being nicer or less lazy? Want someone to help your character loosen up a little? Put your wishes and plans here.
Extra notes: Anything else, be it ways to contact you, notes about your character, and so on.

• <B>IC Portion</b> <b>Name:</b> <b>Age:</b> <b>Three words you'd use to describe yourself:</b> <B>Favorite color:</b> <B>Seeking:</b> <B>Not Seeking:</b> <b>Preferred living situation:</b> <B>Extra notes:</b> • <b>OOC Portion</b> <b>Character name:</b> <b>Character age:</b> <B>Canon:</b> <B>Choice:</b> <b>Preferred housemates or plans:</b> <B>Extra notes:</b>

IC QUESTIONS

[moustre]

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.

[hippocarnival]

In regards to the new moon power boost, will witches coming in literally on the first be experiencing that surge immediately, or does the magic need more time to settle with them and won't be worse than usual?

[scatmaam]

[ iii - the haven - don't walk if your feet don't know the way ]

[ Scathach hadn't opted to linger, either at the mirror house or the welcoming party. She'd asked what questions she'd needed answers for, and promptly left the others to their confusion with little to offer them. Given all that had come to pass in the dream, in the battles she witnessed and participated in, she'd learned a great deal about the situation already. Moreover, however, she wanted to spare herself conversations with those she had met in the dream that she'd be having all over again, and didn't feel particularly inclined to know any of them better. There was that one girl, Emerald her name had been, that she'd have to deal with later. But later would be just that, and in the more immediate time, she had other matters to attend to.

Namely, now being keenly aware her spirit origin had been altered, and was going to need actual, proper shelter and access to food and water on a regular basis, on top of whatever changes may come with this new body, she needed to find housing.

Spear in hand, slung over her shoulder, she wandered the streets of the Haven. In particular, she was looking for two certain people, or anyone that might know them. ]

You'd think a dog could find a dog... [ She huffed, taking to sniffing the air. Which probably looked a bit unusual to anyone passing by, if the blood-red spear itself wasn't threatening them away. ]

[ iv - a - the apple now is sweet, oh much sweeter than it ought to be ]

[ Well another thing had been made quite clear to her; no longer having a proper spirit origin meant she needed to put together an actual wardrobe. As much as she preferred her bodysuit, she knew she was going to need something else to wear for day to day affairs and leave her combat gear to just that. Unfortunately, she'd almost forgotten how troublesome fashion of a certain era could be, and found herself getting frustrated with her options. ]

Can't hardly move in any one of these. [ Lancer scoffed, tossing aside one garment after the next. One would probably be wise not to treat what were essentially gifts so harshly, but... ]

Tell me, how can you stand to wear things like this so often? At least modern fashion is more flexible than this... [ She grumbled to the person nearest her. ]

[ wildcard ]

[ i both had trouble braining out some other prompts besides these PLUS i have to scoot off to work soon BUT if there's a specific scenario you want to do that isn't covered under these two HMU! i'm open for any and all scenarios! you can catch me on discord at gsai#7107 and on plurk, too. ]

[moustre]

The magic needs more time to settle with them! The longer they're in Aefenglom, the more the new moon will begin to effect them - so people from the first two app rounds will definitely feel the boost and pull, while those coming in on this app round either won't have it at all or won't have it as bad.

[hippocarnival]

[I. Arrival]

[Yuya trips forward through the mirror, barely catching himself on his hands and knees as he stumbles. He blinks rapidly at the floor, then turns his head up to be greeted with his reflection a dozen times over, with everyone else in the same position.

It takes a moment, and then he jerks to attention and scrambles up. He spins around to face the mirror he came from, slamming his hands against it as if it'll take him back through the same way he came.] No!

[III. Haven]

[He's compliant once the witches come to gather the... newest batch of arrivals? It isn't like the dream he had, pieces of which he just barely remembers, but there are terms that are familiar, so he suspects it must be the same place.

He looks around curiously as he follows the guide down the halls. He's not looking at the architecture, though--he's looking for people. Someone who might be familiar from that dream.

It means he's also not looking where he's going when they're turning a corner, or what he's about to run into.]

[IV. Lunasa]

[Yuya's colorful, modern attire (And hair) don't... really mesh with the fashion of the city at all. He's aware he'll need a change of clothes eventually, but after a weeks of having to make do with not having even that much, he's accepted a little slip in his hygiene.

It gets him a few weird looks, but more than that--it makes him a bright, prime target. It's more than once that he's stopped to orient himself, only to have someone in his space or his arm grabbed to drag him to the nearest ceremony.]

Whoa, hey--[And if you're standing next to him, you're probably going to end up a casualty too, to some harried bonded-to-be whose witness couldn't come at the last minute, or a lonely guest who really doesn't want to show up alone and needs a date. Or two, who's counting?]

III

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Uh oh. Uh oh.

Avoiding this confrontation is impossible. There's no turning back without it being extremely obvious. He knows there's no escaping Scathach -- by now, she's already spotted him for sure and it's all he can do to not run away. Their shared dreams has weighed heavily on him and he doesn't want to talk about it. He hasn't even spoken about it with Diarmuid, just chosen to let it fester in his mind instead.

Berserker says nothing, just tries to keep his distance for now. He knows it's a losing battle, but you gotta give him points for trying. ]

[integrous]

(1. arrival)

[ All of this is just too weird to be real. One moment Asahi is just living her normal life, and the next moment she's.. well, she has no idea where she is. Somewhere. Somewhere where there are weird mirrors all around, and there's tons of people she has never seen before, and there's a distant, omnious clocktower.

Which means one thing. It just can't be real. That's the sole possible explanation, right?

Anyone else among the crowd may see a teenage girl looking just absolutely frozen in shock before she moves up her hands to the sides of her head, closing her eyes and murmering. ]

You're asleep, you're asleep, this is just a bad dream..

[ She pinches her own cheek, letting out a yelp, but when she opens her eyes she's still in this place.

Which clearly just means the pinch wasn't hard enough to wake up. She grabs the arm of someone else in the crowd - yours, perhaps - to draw attention. ]

Hey, pinch me..! [ A totally normal and not aggressive at all thing to say out of the blue, right. ]

(2. lùnasa)

[ Still totally unused to the idea of having found herself in this place and everything surrounding it, Asahi has just taken to sitting out there, watching all the people passing by while her head desperately tries to sort everything out.

(It's not going well so far, but what else can she do?)

At least there's one thing distracting her from everything else about this place that she'd rather not think about, and that's the fact that despite the amount of people passing by, she hasn't seen even a single person tell a lie. Which would usually be a good thing, but it feels impossible. Asahi can't recall a single day of her life where she hasn't seen at least one lie.

It's weird enough that after a while she just jumps up from where she was sitting the moment some unfortunate soul crosses gazes with her. If that's you, then you sure suddenly have a teenage girl sprinting up to you, looking like she's almost about to barrel into you, but stopping at the very last moment. She looks you in the eye, and then just says, sounding dead serious-- ]

Tell a lie.

[ Yes, no context whatsoever. Sure hope you aren't getting your festival enjoyment ruined by this sudden and very weird interruption. ]

[overworker]

ARRIVAL

[Towa finds herself exploring the Looking-Glass House; eyes drawn to the glowing stones that mark her steps as she tries to learn her way. Memories of a strange dream sit at the back of her mind as she wonders how she can find the people that she'd met there, if they were truly here to be found. She keeps moving, keeps looking-- until she steps outside and feels the brisk air on her skin. For a moment, she drowns in the feeling of magic, a concept familiar and yet a feeling so unlike any she's ever felt before.

Her gaze turns upward, taking in the bright shimmer of the stars above.]

It's so different... [Glued to the stars, she stands there for a comfortable moment, appreciating the view.] I wouldn't mind staying here for a while.

LÙNASA
( just in case )

[Advertising for the festivities didn't seem like such a bad request. The soft, flowing orange outfit was both comfortable and lovely in it's own right. If it made things a little more festive, she didn't mind wearing them.

The dancing part, she hadn't expected however. She laughs sheepishly.]

...oh! Me? Well... no, I don't mind if you don't.

( on the catwalk )

Oh no, I couldn't possibly--

[This is a complete disaster. She remembers this dreaded feeling all too well. The idea of everyone looking at her while she's asked to show off to the crowd. As soon as she realized what she'd walked into, she'd done everything she could to try and politely talk her way out of it. But the coordinators didn't seem to be hearing her at all. But she can hear them. The relief that they found someone. The fact that no one else had been available.]

...th-there's really no one else...?

[She really is hopeless. Once she's heard that she can't turn them down. Maybe if she just closes her eyes, she can pretend she's somewhere else and not on a stage in front of a crowd of people wearing something so flashy.]

Oh... just tell me when it's over...

haven

[sageprincess]

[There is a lot that is unusual about the woman walking around the Haven in the wee hours of the morning with a giant spear casually slung over her shoulder, but honestly? Zelda thinks she's seen weirder, at this point. She doesn't seem to be wielding it aggressively at the moment, which is all that the princess considers to be her business, so Zelda politely decides to not comment on her sniffing of the air and instead asks:]

Are you... looking for someone?

[It's not like she can sleep much tonight anyway, between the life of the festival and the dull ache pounding behind her eyes. Might as well do something useful with her time.]

[yokeye]

a. arrival

[Toki was almost home, he'd thought. The familiar city only reflections and not a way back, though he can't remember what he was doing, how he'd found the mirror, and maybe he hadn't seen what he'd thought at all. It was gone now, and in this room different mirror; one much more elaborate than a panel on the wall.

He reaches out tentatively to trace the carvings in the wood and inlays of metal. Butterflies, a snake, a staff with rings, a motorcycle. Faces of people and demons from both "The Real World" and Amatsuki. There's a ache deep within him, but also confusion. He wants to go back, but to where? Which world? He can't have both, and he can't decide between them. The mirror glass is cold and hard; it's not a doorway or a portal. Toki stares at his reflection for only a moment, his own expression frightens him. Too much loss and sadness and pain in his eyes.

Turning away, the room isn't empty. Other mirrors line the walls that he hadn't taken notice of before. Old and neglected, like they'd been here forever. He wanders the hall slowly. He's somewhere else entirely removed from the places he knows. It's not the first time he's just ended up in another world somehow. Will he be here only long enough to make connections and then... taken somewhere else?

He's pulled out his thoughts when he sees another person in the hallway.]

Uhh, hello?


b. watches

[Toki hasn't seen any advanced technology for a while, and even though the watches are outdated from things in his own world; they're a huge step above Edo-era Japan, where he last resided. He plays with the device while half-listening to the guides. A text message is sent to a random number.]

IS THIS AN ALTERNATE DIMENSION
OR ANOTHER PLANET ENTIRELY?
MAYBE A VIDEO GAME?


c. haven

[The modest houses are certainly more than enough for him, and much better accomodations than he's gotten used to. He also has no problem just walking into one if the door's unlocked, and talking to the first person he sees.]

Hello~! I can stay here, right?


d. free clothes

[Toki's current attire actually blends in pretty well with the things being offered, a pink/orange yukata. However, he's been wearing that for maybe a week straight and it certainly hasn't been washed since his fight with a mermaid in a hell ocean. He also doesn't have any pockets in which to keep his new watch communicator thing. He will absolutely lose the device if this isn't remedied.

He looks through the clothes offered for something that might fit, and has pockets of some sort. Pulling an orange robe/dress/jacket -he doesn't know what it is, but it doesn't matter, it's clean- off the rack, he realizes now might be the time to get something else for free too. It's fine to go barefoot in the countryside, but it's maybe not the best choice here.]

Are there shoes anywhere?

Arrival

[fiddlestick]

[After the dream the other week, Elliot had a feeling that Fie and Towa might show up here. So to greet his friends, he had got up nice and early to greet outside the coven when they got done with orientation.

Unfortunately for Elliot, who preferred staying up late to work on music, waking up before dawn was not an easy task. So even if he had made it to the Looking-Glass House before they had finished their orientation, he had uh...drifted off while he waited.

Luckily, the commotion from everyone coming outside was enough to stir him awake.]

Wha- Oh shoot!

[He scrambles to get up, straightening his clothes and hair and trying to pretend he wasn't asleep]

O-Oh I hope I didn't miss them...

Re: OOC QUESTIONS

[purpose]

asking a question for a friend (the friend is me)

are ceremonies restricted to handfasting and traditional weddings during the festivities, or could two people viably use the ceremonies during said festival to forge a bond? would they resemble a handfasting ceremony, if so?

[bloodwit]

i. arrival

More mirrors... Of course.

[ viren's been wandering about for quite a while, intrigued and frustrated - he approaches one of the mirrors, one with an ornate, wooden frame. it's not his mirror, no, but he supposes, after hassling his own for long as he did any of these mirrors would do. he blows a puff of air at its dusted surface—with a brief look of disgust, he uses his sleeve to wipe some of it clean. ]

[ then he raps his knuckles against it. it's a sharp noise. there's predictably no response, so after glaring at it, his hands snap out to grip the edges of its frame. ]

Excuse me.

[ with scorn, now; and yes, he's speaking as if he 100% expects the mirror to respond. he repeats a spell - cigam ruoy laever - in some hopeless endeavor, both without the ingredients he needs for it and slowly realizing his magic must be broken or something. ]

[ this place must be broken. ]

[ although it's not a crowded area, he probably incorrectly presumes he's alone - and, his voice raising as he shakes the mirror's frame, ]

I KNOW you're there, I know you're listening, and I know you must be responsible for this—

[ yeah. looks like it doesn't respond to being yelled at, either. ]

ii. aefenglom may i speak to your manager??

[ viren's right ticked by this point - he looks affronted as the chairs materialized (really? a human did all of that, so easily? without even sacrificing like, a magical puppy to make it happen?), sitting himself heavily in one of the better chairs along with a huff. he casts a glance to the person that's seated next to him, his voice an annoyed muttering but just loud enough that he hopes it overheard by their instructors, ]

We're honestly expected to cooperate and take this quietly.

[ can you? believe? this shit? his teeth grit; yes, they certainly are. but then, what can they do? and then his annoyance rapidly ebbs to... well, honestly, he's upset. ]

This is ridiculous. There must be some sort of... mistake.

iv.a. great effort viren 10/10

[ viren doesn't know precisely why he's stuck around. likely some attempt to understand more of the nature of this place, observe the people, take note of their celebrations. it's a scientic sort of venture, he figures. therefore acceptable for now. so that leaves him, naturally, standing off to the side of the festivities like a a proper wallflower observing some strange, fascinating specimens.

of course, this doesn't go unnoticed. one of the natives sees it fit to tug him toward someone - another newcomer, perhaps, and makes a gesture as if they should dance. ]

[ ... before he can even process this, and blurting out - ]

No. Absolutely not.

V. WILDCARD

( hit me up with whatever you'd like! or if you'd prefer, i'd happy to write a custom starter. thanks! )

[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?

(2. lùnasa)

[yokeye]

A lie? What kind of lie? Like, "two plus two equals five" concrete evidence to the contrary lie, or like "I robbed a bank" anecdotal lie where you really don't know!?

[It's said in one breath, and while giving Asahi a wary look.]

What is this about?

[proficience]

I. Arrival

[These mirrors are interesting, certainly, and Dazai soon finds himself exploring around to look at as many as possible. He's a little lost in thought, for a moment, as he wonders exactly where he is and how he'll return home. After all, his presence is pretty much needed there, even if he'd like to claim otherwise.

He'll spend a few minutes around the mirrors, but will eventually head to the foyer, and outside, looking up at the sky. This isn't Earth, that much he's figured out.

He does feel a little more tired than usual for some reason...]

Hm.

[If you're outside as well, he may approach and initiate conversation.]

What a strange place we've found ourselves in, huh?

II. Welcome Party

[Dazai listens to the Q&A, asking a few questions of his own, but the primary fact he leaves the room with after the discussion is that there are bonds that are encouraged to be made, here. He's still not completely sold on the idea, so he may try to squeak his way out of trying to find one anytime soon, but --

This pairing off (or a derivitive of such) is enough to spark even more curiosity in his mind. What is their endgame here, anyhow?

He'll leave soon after all questions are done, and may be seen wandering out of the room with a thoughtful expression on his face.]

IV. Lùnasa

[Are you a beautiful woman, perhaps? Or a man who could pass as one? (Honestly, even if you aren't:) If so, Dazai will end up near you, his charm levels tuned to over one-hundred. He's a flirt, through and through, and he can't pass this opportunity to potentially find someone to woo over.]

Oh, you captivate me! Truly! [He'll have a drink in hand, nearly spilling some of it over the rim of the glass as he props one arm on the back of the nearest object, be it a chair, table, or whatever.]

If I keep running into beauties such as yourself, I'm never going to want to leave!

V. Wildcard!

[OOC: plot with me on discord (Celes#5178) or plurk (danger) if you have any ideas! i'm up for anything, really, since dazai is a newbie :3]

[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!!]

b

[proficience]

A video game? The thought never crossed my mind!

I do wonder what winning the game would mean.

iv-a

[proficience]

[And that newcomer happens to be Dazai, who has already had one too many drinks. So, he's a little excitable and chipper. He'll hold out a hand and beam.]

I'm not one to dance with a man, but this could be fun!

[Whether his hand is taken or not, he'll still start to dance, be it on his own or with the stranger.]

[yokeye]

THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!
MEAN LIKE-
HOW TO WIN THE GAME?
OR
IF WE DO WIN THE GAME, WHAT HAPPENS?

[proficience]

Did you know that typing in all capital letters lowers your lifespan by a minute per word?

[yokeye]

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE
WHEN YOU PRESS MORE KEYS CAPITALIZING
THE FIRST LETTER OF EVERY WORD INSTEAD?

[proficience]

It raises your blood pressure! Trust me, my partner back at home used to have terrible blood pressure until I told him this.