Event Log: May

[moustre]

Event Log: May, Moving Day

I. GATHERING The morning of the 15th is heralded by the sing-song voice of The Coven's coimeadai sidhe Nerissa Bell ringing through the hallways, seemingly unimpeded by the heavy doors or any silencing spells that have been placed in rooms. She asks that all those who arrived at the beginning of the month - not the new inductees, the ones from The Looking-Glass House - gather in The Coven's main room; she has some exciting and important news to deliver. Once everyone is gathered, Nessie (very much a morning person, and sorry to the anyone who isn't) grins and lays a hand on her chest. "Thanks to a good bit of your lot, we've managed to get things ready in record time - aye, I should start out with what I'm talking about, aren't I? Well, well - with the Parliament's permission, thank goodness for my Mhairi's sharp wit, we've managed to get a space for all you to live in outside of The Coven. You can still come and attend classes or talk to all of us, 'course, but everyone's been getting a bit itchy with such suddenly crowded quarters, aye?" Aye aye, calls some poor, tired student from the second floor as they pass through, and Nessie pauses with a slow blink before she laughs, shaking her head. "Anyway, gather your things if you have any and follow me. Or us," she corrects herself, as a few other Witches seem to materialize from nowhere. "Can't be out without a couple of friends, I suppose." As soon as everyone's ready, Nessie and her entourage lead them out of the courtyard, aglow with fresh flowers and the soft light of dawn peeking between the clouds. The spot they've managed to get isn't too far from The Coven proper, and it doesn't look much different than the rest of the Aristocratic District that it resides in - the only thing that sets it apart is the sign Nessie takes a moment to conjure up and hang with balls of light between two streetlamps. The Haven. "Named so as a respite for all you refugees," she explains as she turns around; she sets her hands on her hips, gazing out at the crowd, and gives them a small smile. "I can't stay and chat right now - Mhairi's still with Parliament even with the hours, and I've got things to get in order at the Coven still - but if you have need of either of us, we'll be in contact. We've a little mailbox set up in front of the Coven just for you lot, so just drop us a letter or some such with one of our names or both, and we'll be right quick about answering, we will. Within reason," Nessie adds, laughing a little, "'course, within reason. Anyway, find some familiar faces and have a lovely time, will you?" With that, and a few more little goodbyes, Miss Nerissa Bell takes her leave; half of her Witches disappear with her, but the other half remain to help keep an eye on things as the day progresses and to help with directing people to either houses or the barracks set against the Wall. While there will be no NPC threads this time - sorry! - we have opened up an NPC Inbox! You can find it here. While they definitely prefer letters, they do both have watches now like cool moms and can be contacted through that as well, provided they aren't busy at the time.

II. 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 an 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. Some may be familiar with this portion of Aefenglom already, as they took on the task of helping to clean the area up. Surprise, one could say; they were preparing their own future homes, for their stay in the city. However, 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. Not everyone is so happy, however. A very vocal group of younger rich people are set on harassing and bullying those moving into The Haven, and they aren't afraid to use a little magic to do it. Levitation, fake fire, real fire, sudden weather shifts, and threats to do more if they don't find somewhere else to live are all present - these aristocrats don't care for the new people butting into their lives, especially anyone who looks distinctly non-human or already have signs of their Monster traits coming in. There are others, though, who are quite pleased to have new neighbors - many of them weren't so happy with their other ones - and have set up little stalls to peruse and tables to sit at to help foster them in. These have everything from food to flowers, to expensive-looking trinkets and jewelry on them - the people running them are quite amiable, especially closer to the Residential District proper, and don't mind handing these out for free... or mostly free. The only thing they'll ask of any characters wishing to procure something from their gifts is to perform a trick - sort of like a one-man talent show. They aren't picky, and as long as a character does their best, they'll give them a gift. (Or someone with quick fingers could just swipe them off, given how unprotected they are, but that person will find their hands turning red and leaving similarly-colored marks on everything they touch, as if dipped in paint.)

III. AND THEN THEY WERE ROOMMATES To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches left over from Nessie's group have come together to set up a little roommate finding service that will run for the week. 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 similar kind of amplification magic that Miss Nessie used earlier in the morning for her own voice. It seems these Witches - or at least one of them - has a prankster nature... and unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. a. A LITTLE MISCHIEF While by and large the board will work as it should - a listing is filled out, put up, and read aloud for all to hear - for characters who aren't interested in doing some writing, or who can't for one reason or another, the board will take it upon itself to make one for them. It isn't going to be the most accurate at all, being either completely fictitious or based on a first impression from the board itself. This can range from "They have blue eyes, so you know they're a kind person!" to "How stand-offish, they must be a crook! A thief! A villain!" and anything in-between, including but not limited to: outrageous feats they may or may not have accomplished, poor hygiene habits, false accounts of incredibly embarrassing moments, and so on. b. A LITTLE HANDS-ON Not entirely content with just allowing people to write their preferences and call it a day, a few of the younger Witches have begun magicking small chocolates, hard candies, and bubble gum, and handing them out to new arrivals as a welcome treat. These aren't any ordinary treats though - they have one of three of effects: • Sticky fingers, meaning characters will stick to anyone or anything they touch. • Truthfulness, meaning characters will say whatever they're really thinking or feeling at the moment. • Desire for company, meaning characters will gravitate immediately to the first person they see, regardless of their feelings on them otherwise. Thankfully, none of these last long - only about ten minutes, and they can't be combined with each other; eating one candy with one effect will simply replace any other effects... Which might be for the better. The subthread for this can be found HERE, while any ones that are made up by the board itself can be simply written into your top levels or replies to other people. Have fun with it, and good luck finding some housemates!

Welcome to the midmonth event 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. As ever, 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

[grakraka]

[Sighing, he gives a shrug.] You don't need to apologise. You of all people with your experiences have no reason to trust someone like me.

[Although his lips twitch for another frown, he doesn't care enough to be too bothered. That must is true. It isn't just about the things Akira knows about him but rather everything about him. He knows what he is and Akira's instincts weren't exactly wrong. Not trusting him before saved Akira's life.

And now, well, it isn't like he has value to add to that life.]

[scaling]

[ It's subtle, but there's something off about the phrasing... Someone like Akechi, versus just himself? ]

I thought something about you felt different. [ All the way from that first time they talked, back in the dream, and again at the bonfire. He's right that Akira had no reason to trust him, but there was certainly a part of him that felt like it was too strange to be a ruse. ]

[grakraka]

[Glancing up at him, he hesitates. If he says it right now, he won't really have control over what parts of the information comes out but he should fill him in at least a little bit.]

My father. That's who the mastermind is, by the way. A powerful politician who is on track to become Prime Minister. But you remember, don't you? What I said before that day about my mother and her terrible luck to fall for such a shithead like him and give birth to a curse like me. That's why—

[But reviewing those words, he shakes his head, using it as an excuse to turn away as his fingers curl. The candy's effects helps him get it out but being in a relatively stable mind means he cares more about the impression he makes now. Before, it didn't matter if they all hated him—in fact he had hoped they would just hate him and try to kill him with everything they had.

Now, though. Well, now he doesn't know what is going on but he doesn't really want Akira to hate him anymore. So he smiles as he breathes out a laugh.]

Well, you're not an idiot. You might be able to follow my reasoning even with only this much.

[scaling]

[ For all that they were able to learn from bugging Akechi's phone, his motivations never came to light. He had guesses, of course. Money seemed unlikely, but it was still a possibility. Power and status were more plausible, given the influence of the man for whom he worked.

This is a twist Akira would never have imagined. For a split second, the shock is plain on his face before he trains it down into something more typically neutral. He continues to stare, though, as Akechi delves into the explanation, and... can he? Can he follow that reasoning?

His first thought is that Akechi wants revenge for his mother's death, but then why murder an indeterminate number of people at his father's behest when he already had the tools he needed to end him? Akira's eyebrows knit together. ]

... Did he know?

[grakraka]

[He tends to expect a lot of Akira, so it isn't Akira's fault. But at the question, he remembers looking into his own sneering face, the way it laughed at him for wanting to be loved and needed, the way it told him he would have died at Shido's hands anyway. The way he spoke of how he knew what it meant to him to be cared for by that demon of a man...

Akechi breathes out a laugh.]

I am rather certain that he did. I didn't know that until right before I was shot, though in retrospect I really should have assumed he would figure it out at some point. What kind of idiot would believe some dirty orphan without questioning it a little?

[scaling]

[ That gives him a little more insight into Akechi's motivations, but that train of thought is sort of derailed in the wake of the casual mention of being shot. ]

—He shot you?

[grakraka]

[This time he snorts out a laugh. It is almost cute that Akira thinks Shido would deign to lodge a bullet in his head personally.]

What, you think he did it himself? I bet he would have had his cleaners do it eventually but no, it was... his Cognitive version of me. It was all very poetic and symbolic, I'm sure, but I'm still so— so—

[But even without a filter and telling the truth, he doesn't have the words to express what he feels about it.]

The feeling the candy gave me before wore off after several minutes. I think your time is almost up. Anything else you need confirmed before I never speak again?

[scaling]

[ Honestly, he's still too busy feeling overrun by all of this information (and by the apparent bitterness and self-loathing that's been lurking under Akechi's fake smile all this time) to be bothered by the disdainful noise Akechi makes at his assumption. Akira pushes his free hand through his hair, letting it all sink. ]

I still have a lot of questions. [ Far more than the time limit of this spell would allow. What he's learned today helps to fill in the puzzle left by the previous comments, but the picture is speckled with missing pieces. ] ... But they can wait.

[ He doesn't really want to ask them while Akechi is under a magical influence. As convenient as the guaranteed honesty is, Akira doesn't think this is the way he wants to have this sort of conversation. ]

[grakraka]

[In the pause between his words, he waits for those questions, expecting them. He wouldn't blame him for taking further advantage of it when Akechi just said he wouldn't want to open up about it again. The threat of never getting any other answers about someone who tried to kill him—not just about Akechi but about Shido, about the Conspiracy, about all of it—exists. Yet Akira relents. He chooses not to use him just for answers.

It is such a small thing but his eyes widen and he hesitates.]

Ah... Thank you.

[Although he would have said it anyway, the waning spell forces the relieved sincerity into his voice.]

[scaling]

[ It's entirely possible that he's giving up his only chance at this information. Akira realizes that, but the relief in Akechi's voice is enough to confirm that this is the right choice.

He shakes his head. ]

Thanks for explaining. [ It was probably prompted by the candy, but either way, it came from Akechi and not his own suggestion. It's not like he could have left before hearing it, anyway.

The force binding his fingers to Akechi seems to be wearing thin. Akira soon feels the contact grow slack and removes his hand, awkwardly tucking it into his pocket. He could say nothing at all and let Akechi pretend like the last few minutes never happened. Not contented with that option, Akira opens his mouth: ] It sounds like you weren't so different from the rest of us.

[ It doesn't excuse the things he did, but there's no denying that Akechi was taken advantage of in his own way. ]

[grakraka]

[After being held for so long, his wrist feels somehow cold without Akira's hand there. He touches it for a moment before clasping his hands loosely in front of him. He could ignore the statement or give a non-response but he thinks about it in silence before he speaks.]

I... agree. Listening to you all as we worked together or the things I looked up about their histories had an intense familiarity to it. All of it.

[To every single one he heard a story from, he understood it. He doesn't say how deep it ran now that he can choose his words better but he doesn't deny it or brush it off.]

[scaling]

[ He's half-expecting Akechi to split the moment that he's released, so Akira is mildly surprised when he actually receives a real response to the comment.

It's easy to see the parallels, knowing what he knows now. He's not usually the type for what-ifs, but Akira thinks that perhaps things could have been much different had they met sooner or under different circumstances. If Akechi had been able to find a place for himself the same way they did.

Akira looks towards the houses that line the street, people filtering in and out as they shop around for their new homes. ]

... Second chances, right?

[grakraka]

[Following his gaze, he gives a hum to show he heard and is thinking about it. Second chances. Those don't exist for him. One chance, one failure. One mistake has always been enough to ruin everything. But if he could have a real second chance, if even just one person really thought he could, what would he do? Would it even be something he could use the way it should be?]

Do you think so?

[Akira might not know everything but he knows enough of both sides: both what Akechi has done and what has, in many ways, been done to him.]

[scaling]

Yeah. [ It doesn't take much thought to come to that answer.

Isn't that what the Phantom Thieves' work leads to, anyway? Wiping away the corruption to leave a fresh slate beneath, a second chance at being a better person. Akechi won't have it nearly so easy—they can't change his heart, like flipping a switch—but it isn't so different in the end. ]

It seems like a good opportunity for one.

[grakraka]

[Lucky for them both, really. Having been in Palaces and seen Shadows himself, he doesn't like the idea of someone taking those choices away from him. Maybe it will be a terrible, painful struggle but he would rather have it and do it himself.

Akira doesn't hesitate to support him and he breathes in. Takes a moment to figure out how to express what he wants to without actually saying it. No candy can force him to be plain about it now.]

Do you want to play chess over coffee sometime?

[Ultimately, though, it comes through with surprising clarity: Does the second chance apply to friendships, too?]

[scaling]

[ The invitation, and the unspoken question that comes with it, earns Akechi his gaze, steady behind the thin lenses of his glasses. ]

... Sure.

[ His thoughts on Akechi may have just become even more complicated than before, some aspects easier to understand and others impossible to fathom, but the insight he's gained is enough to confirm that the offer is sincere, even without the magic of the candy behind it.

Although... ]

Does chess exist here?

[grakraka]

[That somehow kicks him into trivia mode and he smiles as he speaks.]

I would assume so. Chess was invented in ancient India and spread to Persia through trade routes, where it spread further after the Arabian Empire conquered— [Wait.] Ah, yes. Because this is not our Earth.

[He got there before he launched into the full history of chess at least.]

It wouldn't be hard to invent if not.

[scaling]

[ Now that's like flipping a switch; Akira huffs out an amused noise when Akechi belatedly comes to the same conclusion. ]

Yeah. [ They know the rules; it wouldn't be hard to use random items for the pieces if it's not a thing in this world. ] I'll have to ask one of the locals about it.

[grakraka]

[Akechi's modes are absolutely like switches. But he seems happy enough with that answer.]

Wonderful. Have you found a cafe that is up to standards, by chance? It would be difficult to replace Leblanc's care, though.

[scaling]

[ Difficult is an understatement, but it's entirely possible that Akira is just biased. ]

Not yet... [ It's probably safe to say that Akechi hasn't either, since he's asking. ] But I haven't looked much.

[ Most of his time has been split between working and trying to learn more about this world. ]

[grakraka]

On the next day that our schedules allow a day off, we should look together. [It might be easier to stay focused if they do it together.] I can drink anything to wake up but there isn't anything to drink to relax. I don't know about you but I could use that.

[scaling]

It wouldn't hurt.

[ He's not so sure it was Leblanc's coffee itself that was relaxing so much as the atmosphere, but that could just be him. ]

Alright.

[grakraka]

[It's an excuse but Akira will have to figure out honesty again himself.]

Excellent. On that note, though, how are you handling all of this?

[He does in fact mean a specific aspect but he doesn't say that, either.]

[scaling]

I'm adjusting. [ The answer flows out naturally; it's true, anyway. The same as always, he's finding ways to adapt to the setting, to apply the things he knows fill in the gaps where he can.

That reminds him, though, of the talk of magic and monsters and the beginnings of transformations he can already see in some of the people milling around. ]

... Have you felt any changes yet?

[grakraka]

[Reaching up to brush his hair back, he gives a nod.]

I have.

[Two can play at that game; though Akira might not realise he is playing.]