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

[bombingking]

I'm fine.

[He recoils a little on instinct and also because he's a little jumpy. He did just rip his own nails off in a strange sort of fit.]

This isn't that bad. I've had much worse.

[There's no point in telling Deku not to worry.]

[defendure]

...Please let me see anyway? [ He's not sure how to force the issue, is unsure if forcing it will just make Katsuki run out of the house, but -

His hands stay outstretched. ] Come on, Kacchan. Just let me see.

[bombingking]

Has anyone ever told you that you look with your eyes and not your hands?

[He's tired. Too tired to fight. He raises up his own hand to for Deku to see. Simply up, not out, so that Deku would have to close the distance between them to take it.]

[defendure]

You have, a lot. [ But he's stepping forward to take Katsuki's hands in his own, incredibly gently so he can see the full extent of the damage.

How bad is it?

[bombingking]

Your ass could stand to listen.

[Despite the gentle touch, Katsuki flinches at first. Maybe it's his general aversion to being touched or the the strange sensation of Deku's hand against his own cold and clammy skin.

He wants to pull away but instead he just stands there, momentarily defeated by something big and existential.]

It ain't that bad.

[At least in terms of pain. His hands along with the scratches up his arm probably look pretty bad in terms of his general state of being.]

[defendure]

Kacchan...

[ There's a soft, dissenting noise but he won't argue it.

Just looks, for a moment, at the blood and scrapes and then asks, quietly: ]

Won't you let me fix it?

[bombingking]

It'll just grow back by tomorrow.

[And then he'll probably do this a few more times.

He pulls away, not looking Deku in the face because he knows if he sees that concerned look he's certainly got, Katsuki might just deck him one.]

There's nothing to fix.

[He says, not necessarily to Deku, but to just... the world. He's fine. No one's gotta fucking fix him.]

[defendure]

Kacchan...just let me heal what you did, please?

[ He lets Katsuki pull away, but he looks absolutely concerned, yes, and sounds more than a little frustrated because he wants to help, so badly, but he can't do that without permission. Not for something like this. ]

Whether or not it grows back doesn't matter, but...you're hurting right now. You don't have to be.

1/2

[bombingking]

[The logical part of him knows that Deku is just being Deku. He'd be like this with anyone. But something about the frustration in his voice lights a spark in him and the strange pressure from the moon above ignites it into a furious rage.

He reaches over and grabs Deku by the shoulders and slams him up against the wall before leaning close to his face, his voice low and furious like a growl.]

You don't know shit about what I have to be. Or what I feel, Deku. So maybe you should take your healing and shove it up your ass.

[bombingking]

[Then the flames die out and he catches himself. The rage he felt was... unnerving. Like being possessed or pulled into rage by an outside force. He hadn't felt that angry at Deku in... a long time. Not since that first training session. It feels like a different life time. He'd promised things would be different...

He lets go of Deku and pulls away, retreating to the corner of the bathroom; the darkest corner and furthest from the moons above.]

You can't heal this shit. Save it for... for someone who needs it. Don't fucking waste your magic points or whatever.

[He can't tell Deku it's not his problem. Deku makes things his problem.]

[defendure]

[ He doesn't fight being slammed into the wall at all. His hands come up to rest on Katsuki's wrists, but Izuku doesn't waver or flinch, looking up at Katsuki with only the same worry on his expression - not even for himself, but for Kacchan.

When he's let go, he just...

Follows. He always follows. ]

That's not really how it works, Kacchan. And even if it were, using my "magic points" on you would never be a waste. At least let me clean the wounds if nothing else...

[bombingking]

How am I supposed to know how the fuck magic works!

[He snaps but it's more of his usual bluster than the fit of rage he just experienced. He sniffs and looks at his fingers. The nails... claws really, are starting to regrow already, like a weird fucking disease. But he knows that Deku won't shut the hell up until he thinks he's helped so Katsuki just wordlessly shoves his hand out at Deku so he can see for himself what's happening.]

[defendure]

[ Look...he can see it growing back already, but that doesn't change what happened? He reaches out to tug gently, so he can maybe get Katsuki over to the sink to wash away the blood at least. ]

Well, you could ask. Or go to classes with me!

[bombingking]

If I start going to classes and dicking around, whose going to keep this place clean and feed you slobs? You'd all starve in fucking squalor.

[GRUMP GRUMP GRUMP. He goes over to the sink which is already stained with blood. Whatever, at least he's the one who will clean it up. The sensation of the water on his raw skin makes him his in pain and briefly pull away before shoving his hands under the water, almost defiantly.]

[defendure]

I help clean... [ Feeding...kind of. He's not an amazing chef. He can cook basics, as long as no one distracts him...? He follows along, fussing. ] Kacchan...will you at least let me cast a little numbing spell? Please? It would make me feel better.

[bombingking]

You do a shit job. [Not really, Katsuki's just extremely meticulous.]

And fucking fine! I'm tired of looking at your pathetic expression, it makes me wanna puke. So do your magic and then knock it off.

[The pain is really inconsequential to him. But if Deku gets to think this is helping then it's probably a win for them both.]

[defendure]

[ It'll get Deku to stop being quite so anxiety-ridden for a moment, anyway...

Has Katsuki even seen him cast any magic yet? Katsuki's been so...Katsuki about everything, and not having his quirk, that Izuku hasn't really wanted to like...upset him over the magic thing. But he reaches out with still-gentle hands now, scarred by a quirk he no longer has, and focuses.

Mostly he's been learning minor cantrips and charms, from jobs and books. He's practiced them alone, repetition being his friend like always, and he's definitely taken an interest in minor healing magic while kind of eyeing electricity magic. For this, it's genuinely just what he said: Katsuki's hands should feel cool and whatever pain (however inconsequential) should ease away, fading under a soft green light. ]

[bombingking]

[He sure hasn't. He's been avoiding magic. At first he'd tried to do it, trying to grasp onto some sort of power that was offered to him only to find that no matter how hard he pushed himself, he couldn't do it. Like it was locked behind an iron door that he had no hope of breaching.

The expression on his face is twisted with resentment and disdain as Deku performs the small spell. The irony of Deku having power while he has none isn't exactly lost on him. As soon as the light fades he pulls away from Deku's gentle grip, unable to deal with the kindness on top of the magic, and slumps back over to the sink.]

There. Magic done. You happy now?

[defendure]

[ He doesn't feel bad for having magic, really, but Deku does feel bad that he's making Kacchan feel bad. Even if he knows it's not his fault, or anyone's.

He bites his lip but doesn't move away. ]

Kacchan...have you been thinking about it?

[bombingking]

About what.

[His response is flat and low, like a growl. He knows what Deku means but he's not going to let him get out of saying it if he wants to bring it up.]

[defendure]

...You know. Ways to mitigate...things.

[ He huffs a sigh, because maybe Izuku should be thinking about it for himself, but when has that ever been a concern? ]

I-it might help you to make a bond. I don't think any of us have done, yet, but -

[bombingking]

No.

[He says it quickly, his hands gripping the edge of the sink hard enough that some of his wounds split and start to bleed again. Thanks to Deku's spell he doesn't even notice.]

I'm not doing-

I don't need any of that shit.

[defendure]

[ Well, Katsuki doesn't notice, but Izuku does, and there's another faintly distressed noise as he reaches over to try to pry Katsuki's hands up a little. ]

Just - just think about it? I...could, if you wanted.

[bombingking]

[He pulls back and roughly shoves Deku's hands away.]

I don't. Go find someone else to do that shit with.

[For once, it's not personal. Well, it's always a little personal with them. But he doesn't trust any of this and he's not inclined to play the game like they want him to.]

[defendure]

[ Be honest: it's definitely at least a little personal, because Izuku is offering to help, as always. And he isn't even thinking about the return he'd get, how he maybe also needs to find a bond...

He's more thinking that there's no way in hell Katsuki's going to agree to bond with a random stranger, so the only chance he has is to maybe convince his friend to bond with him.

And that's a long shot.

If only Kirishima were around... ]

I'm not looking for that.