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

IIIb

[oceanschild]

[Paris hadn't really been paying much attention to things himself, just wandering through the crowds trying to get his bearings and not panic with the press of people everywhere. If they're going to live here... he's really going to need to get used to that.

Unfortunately, that means he doesn't notice when Justine brushes past him, until their shoulders stick together and suddenly the two of them topple over, rolled over on the ground in a whirlwind of motion. He blinks wildly, trying to figure out what's going on, when his eyes land on her.]

I-- what-- what happened? [He doesn't even know enough about what just happened to blush over their position yet.]

IIIb

[ishisstrength]

[A blur of motion drops them to the hard stone path that cuts through the collection of offered homes. Justine finds herself on top of Paris, facing him with one leg slid between his. One arm feels as if it's pinned against him but the other attempts to push herself up to her hands and knees.

It doesn't work.

She tilts as her shoulder is firmly attached to his and falls back against him, knocking the air from her lungs. It takes her a moment to catch her breath and when she does, she speaks, her voice ringing near the shell of his ear.]

I'm so sorry.

I don't know what's happening.

[Her balance must be off... or something.]

Re: IIIb

[oceanschild]

[Oooooh well now Paris has the time to notice their position. He's almost frozen underneath her, wanting to not do anything untoward even though this position alone makes that very, very difficult. His face is almost on fire.

Aeto, meanwhile, thankfully didn't get caught up in this but she did see the whole thing, and now is flopped over on her side chirruping in a way that seems like she's laughing her stinger off at this.]

It's, uh-- [His voice almost squeaks its way out.] It's ok. Are-- are you ok?

IIIb

[ishisstrength]

[Justine glances up at Aeto, her dark hair falling over her shoulder as she eyes the giggling sea creature. She can't help but smile and then feel a little guilty when she looks down to see that Paris is not only turning bright red but pinned beneath her slender frame.]

I'm okay.

[Her voice is steady and calm but she isn't completely unaffected by their current position. Her cheeks are flushed from their tumble and a soft bud of heat blossoms where her body met his.

She tries, a final attempt, to roll off him but the connection tugs and this time she pulls Paris until he's on top of her. Her breath is uneven as she looks up at him, her expression apologetic. There connected somewhere along their sides but Justine isn't able to figure out how to get up now that they've found themselves on the ground.]

[oceanschild]

[This is not better. This might be worse?? He is more comfortable being pinned than pinning, apparently. At least it becomes clear that they're stuck, somehow, even though how to detached themselves is less clear. It's some kind of magic, is all Paris can figure, which...]

I guess... we just wait for it to... not...?

[Which means they're going to be laying like this until it wears off.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine realizes that she's a bit smaller than Paris now that she's lying beneath him. Her head spins and her body flushes with warmth at the close contact. There is no avoiding it but she pushes down the sensations and focuses on the practicality of their situation. Her hips shift, pushing at his to allieve the pressure on her lungs and allow her to inhale a deep breath.]

Yeah. [She swallows, tasting his breath on her tongue as they lay on the sidewalk. A few people pass but no one seems to bother asking what they are doing or offer to help.]

Are you alright? [Justine's lips twitch into a soft smile.] Your pulse is racing.

[oceanschild]

[Paris will try to help, to at least give them enough space from each other that they can both breathe. It's a harde task than it should be. He smells, probably unsurprisingly, of the shore and the ocean, both the salt of the sea and the crispness of the wind. But she is also absolutely correct in that his pulse is racing, nearly out of control and his face is so red that it's a wonder there's any blood for his brain.]

I, uh-- I-I'm fine. A-are-- are you?

[ishisstrength]

[Justine exhales a soft breath, her lips curving into a smirk.]

I'm alright. I prefer to be in a bed when I'm in a position like this. It's a little more comfortable. [Bed's aren't technically needed but the joke helps her calm down and relax.

The scent of the sea turns her smile to something a little more earnest and sweet. Of course he smells like the ocean. It suits him perfectly. Justine, by contrast, smells like strawberries.]

[oceanschild]

[It takes a minute for what she says to sink in, and even though Paris shouldn't be able to get any redder he does. Aaaah--]

I-- um, ah-- [What's the medieval equivalent of bluescreening?]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's lips part but it takes her a moment to figure out what to say.]

Pairs. Please calm down. I'm joking. I- [Her cheeks flush a light rosy red.] I was just trying to lighten the mood. I'm sorry.

[Not that she's opposed to sleeping with him but Justine doesn't want to make him uncomfortable. Given their current position, there might not be away around that but she's going to try.]

[oceanschild]

[She's trying so hard to reassure him- and really, it's not like he would mind either. He's just... kind of painfully awkward and shy, and has a very hard time believing other people could actually like him so he always feels like he must be doing something she wouldn't want.]

N-no, it's-- it's ok. I know. I just... I'm not. Good. At this.

[He means dealing with people. That might not be clear.]

[ishisstrength]

At... this?

[Justine asks as her eyes dipping down his chest to indicate the position. Justine has always noticed that Paris is a little awkward but most of their meetings have also been in naturally awkward situations.

She doesn't have a very wide range to compare too.]

[oceanschild]

Oh-- uh--

[Spirits he just realized how that sounded--]

...P-people. Talking to them, I mean. I didn't... most people didn't want to talk to me back home.

[So her being friendly enough to make jokes and things is weird and new and also she's very pretty???]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's surprise shifts to warm understanding.]

It's alright. [He's probably not used to much else that involves two people if he isn't used to talking to people at all but Justine decides its best not to draw attention to that while he has her pinned against the ground.]

I'll just have to help you practice. [Her cheeks flush.] Maybe not always in this position.

[oceanschild]

[Do spirits count

Somehow that actually is what gets him to calm down a little and he smiles faintly, even though he's still beet red.] I... really? [He seems surprised, because he is- why would she even want to try?]

Ah! I somehow lost this! I am sorry.

[ishisstrength]

[Spirits count.]

Yes, really.

[Justine is glad that he's calming down a little.]

[oceanschild]

[Then he's got a bit more experience than she probably things he does in that particular realm. ...Not that he's likely to bring it up.]

Oh, um... thanks. I, um... yeah. [He has no idea how to friend?? How????]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine has very little practicing being friends with anyone but she supposes they can figure it out.]

Good. [She can't move with him on top of her but she gently probes the spell to see if its fading. It's a shame that her magic isn't very strong; she's still learning.] I do enjoy running into you.

[Even if 2/3 were awkward encounters.]

[oceanschild]

I, um. Me too.

[Even though, yes, it's usually awkward. Not helped by Paris's.... everything. He tries to move and he can at least roll over next to her, even though they can't fully separate yet.]

Have you, um... been doing ok? [This is a good time for small talk right???]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine slides easily so that she's lying next to him. She gently probes the magic keeping them tethered together and begins to feel it weaken. She can't do anything to help it but she feels it as it loosens its grip.]

I've been okay.

[As okay as she can be.]

It's a lot to get used too. [She smiles and glances down at their current position as an example.]

[oceanschild]

[At least she can feel it. Paris is totally in the dark and will be until they test it and they can move freely again. As for her point, he sighs.]

Mm... it is a lot. [He feels so confused all the time by everything, it's kind of exhausting.] ...Is your home anything like this?

[ishisstrength]

Not exactly no.

[Her home is filled with strange things but never... this strange.]

I was born in Chicago. [Maybe he's heard of it.] It was 2004 from what I remember last. So not like this but I did know a wizard. He was a little destructive. [She gently tugs at the magic but Justine doesn't have the skill to really help it fade faster.]

I think the spell is fading. It should be gone soon. [Then they can get up off the ground.]

[oceanschild]

[He has not heard of it.]

2004... so many people are from the future, compared to me. T-though I guess it still might be different, um, worlds.

[Paris nods, trying to move to sit up- they're not totally attached anymore, but it'll still be easier if they move together.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine moves with him, trying her best not to fall into him again in the process.]

Oh? Will you tell me more about your world? [She doesn't think her home is all that exciting and she's starting to pick up on the fact that Paris is from a place that's vastly different from what Justine knows.]

[oceanschild]

Um... sure. I can try. [And sitting up, even if they are still kind of in the middle of everything, helps the situation.] My village was on the coast, by the ocean. Most people lived a little further inland but maman and Aeto and I stayed right on the beach. And, um. I told you Aeto was a spirit, right...? There are a lot more spirits, but they're for different things so they all look very different.