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

Re: c Resting

[iminthebook]

Harry's own cheeks turned pink.

"Maybe. or maybe they would have done so more successfully and quickly." What they had endured before the rescue was still something that haunted him. He shivered.

"Its a start. Maybe try to remember how you felt when you were trying to do magic, what you were thinking and feeling. Magic is as much an art as it is a science. I know you can do this, Justine. You have an artist's soul." He spoke gently, but firmly.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out something he had bought in the market. "I got this for you."

It's a small copper locket, with a black leather-like cord, and a shimmering surface that could be decorated. Inside is one single rose petal, for now. He held it out to her.

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

She met his smile with her own. "Thank you Harry."

Justine didn't want to disappoint him but she didn't have the same kind of blind faith. She had never had power before. She didn't know how weighted it was or what she might do in a moment of panic. It was nice to have someone believe in her but it didn't diminish the worry she felt knot in her chest.

Her eyes widened when he pulled out the copper locket, taking it in her palm. "For me?" Justine couldn't banish the surprise on her face as she gently turned the trinket over in her palm. "Its beautiful Harry."

She looked up at him, her lips parted and confusion evident in her features.

"But why?" There were so many things that she didn't understand and random acts of kindness was one of them.

c Resting

[iminthebook]

Harry nodded, grinning. "You're welcome." He smiled at her, having seen her, in that future he knew, with her shit together and pulling her weight quite well.

"Because I am grateful to have you here, and grateful for your friendship and kindness, and it reminded me of you. You're one of those people who are precious, and work hard, and don't tend to stand out around people a lot, because you don't show off."

He reached out and tapped her nose, lightly, slow enough that she could duck out of the way if she wanted to. "But you are precious nonetheless. And I wanted to express that." He nodded again, his cheeks very red.

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

She let him boop her nose, a light smile curving her sweet lips. "Thank you Harry. Really." Her fingers curled around the locket as she moved it close to her heart. "I'll treasure it."

Justine glanced down at the necklace before pulling her hair over her shoulder to fasten it around her neck. The pads of her fingers trailed down her throat and lightly rested on the locket before she turned back towards Harry. "How does it look?" She's gotten some gifts in the past but almost everything she owned was given to her by the Raith's.

This felt like a real first gift and she decided then that she wasn't going to go a day without wearing it.

Re: c Resting

[iminthebook]

"You are welcome." Harry smiled, his cheeks still a little red. When she smiled like that, he had to remind himself that she was not his, because whoah, did it make his heart race.

He swallowed as she put it on and asked him how it looked and he looked down at it resting there above her breasts and flushed more, then nodded. "It looks beautiful, Justine." She made things look pretty just by being around them.

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

She laughed softly, the notes of her voice light and warm as she turned towards Harry. She was always careful when looking into his eyes but for a second or two she dropped her caution. Her fingers trailed along his cheeks before she leaned forward and pressed her lips lightly to his.

"You're very cute when you blush." Justine broke away then, tearing away her gaze before she could begin a soul gaze. Harry might have seen her darkness but he hadn't seen its depths and she didn't want him too.

"I hope I can make it up to you in some way." She didn't know if she could but maybe she'd find something that suited him in return.

Justine paused and then glanced over at the houses around them so that he might not notice that she was blushing too. "Did you find a place to live?"

Re: c Resting

[iminthebook]

The kiss caught him off guard and it was a moment before he kissed back, but he did kiss back, and sighed softly in like, definite like. Damn. Her eyes also made him smile, and he held them as long as he dared before looking away.

He gently hugged her. "You already have, Justine." he nodded, and smiled.

"I did not, yet. I found a few places that looked promising. Would you like to look around together and see what we can see?" He offered her his hand.

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

"Yeah." She nodded her head and gently slipped her hand into his. A little flutter settled in Justine's chest but she quenched it as they rose to their feet.

They were going to be living together and leaning on each other, they had to get used to being around each other but there would always be a part of her that was excited by his touch. "The homes I've seen are very big." There was a hint of nervousness in her voice at the thought of living with a lot of people.

"You don't want to live in a large house?"

c Resting

[iminthebook]

He gently squeezed her hand, and smiled, and kept from kissing her cheek again. Barely. Silly old man. Stop it.

She was strong and smart and pretty and he was too soft for that sometimes. he followed her, and walked with her. "I would rather have just a small place for us. With maybe a little expanding space, but not a lot, you know?" He waggled his other hand, trying to make an outline of something medium sized. "I saw something like a cottage and thought that it, or something like it, is what we need. What do you think?"

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

'a place for us'

"I like the sound of that." Justine smiled at him as they walked hand in hand down the cobbled street. She's been exploring but she didn't know her way around yet and she had no idea where there were small houses.

"Do you know where those small houses are?"

c Resting

[iminthebook]

"I do too. It feels right." he smiled as he looked ahead.

Her question had him stopping and looking around, then pointing.

"That away... ish. Ready to go get lost with me?" His grin was fond as he looked at her.

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

Her lips parted and then delicately snapped shut again. She really had no idea how to respond to that.

"Okay." She said finally, her mouth shaped into a light smile. "Is getting lost a habit of yours that I should be aware of?" Justine had always thought that Harry was someone with a plan. Though she wondered how often he simply winged it.

c Resting

[iminthebook]

He nudged her lightly, with one hip as they walked hand in hand. "Not particularly, but you never know what will happen in a whole new world." He chuckled.

"And if I had to get lost, with you is a good place to be." He nodded again as they walked. "But, seriously, it's not too far."

c Resting

[ishisstrength]

Justine gently shook her head, loosening strands of silky dark hair as she looked down the row of large houses. They looked similar to the Raith's smaller family homes around the world and it was unsettling somehow. Justine didn't want to be reminded of home. It was easier to pretend that there wasn't a life that she had left behind.

"I'll have to learn to navigate for you." Her tone was soft, light and warm as she glanced at Harry. "I won't let us get lost." A beat. "Unless its on purpose." Sometimes getting lost could be fun.

"I think I see smaller homes up there."

c Resting

[iminthebook]

Harry chuckled, and squeezed her hand gently, shaking his head. "I will trust you to it, I think. For I do, you know, trust you."

He smiled at her, until she spoke and he looked ahead and smiled wider. "Yes! Come on!" And he led the way, a little faster, until they came to the smaller houses, and he looked carefully,m until he found a stone, one that was almost a J in shape, laying next to one that was a malformed H in shape almost.

"Here, this one." And he waved a hand at it, and a globe of light floated from his hand, only to flicker out and vanish a second later.

he stayred. "Well... that was new."

[ishisstrength]

'Don't trust me.' That was what she wanted to say but the words caught in her throat. Justine knew herself and she'd never try and hurt Harry but if she couldn't trust herself... then how could he trust her? It was a mistake.

She trailed behind him, her heels clicking rapidly on the cobbled stone streets. The larger homes made way to smaller ones. There weren't many but they were cute with odd floating decks hoovering above some of the houses. Justine noticed that they were close to the Witches academy, which made a little bit of sense.

She turned towards Harry and the house that he indicated in time to see the little ball of light.

"What did you do?" Justine glanced up at the house and her heart trembled at the site. "I like this house."

[iminthebook]

"I am not sure. I just thought that the house could use more light, and remembered the teaching about light magic, and... and the light happened." he looked down at his hands and sighed, shaking his head.

"I feel so helpless about this kind of magic."

He looked at the house again and moved to her closer, gently kissing her hair as he hugged her. "So what do you think? Ready to cohabitate with a grumpy wizard?"

[ishisstrength]

"You'll learn." She assured him in a soft voice. "We'll both learn." It would take time and practice but they had time now... didn't they? It was odd to consider. Justine had never had endless seconds before but now it felt like she had all the time she could ever need; a life that didn't end in death.

Justine leaned towards him as his lips brushed against the top of her head. Heat flared through her and she felt herself relax against him.

"Do I have a choice?" She asked, her voice light and teasing. "But I like this house. I think it'd be a nice place to live."

It was a cute home.

[iminthebook]

"I would never force anything on you, Justine, and I would do my best to help you find whatever else you chose, if you want something else, or to live elsewhere." There was no hesitation, at all, in his words, which were spoken earnestly, quietly, but surely.

He hugged her gently, but without tightening his arms around her.

[ishisstrength]

"Thank you."

Justine wrapped her arms around his waist and held herself tightly against him. Her face buried in his chest and she inhaled the pleasant scent of cotton and leather that clung to his skin. She stayed like that for a few seconds and then gently pulled away. "This is perfect. Let's see the inside."

She met his gaze as she gently took his hand, sliding her fingers through his.

"We should see how nice the bedrooms are." Her voice was light and just a little teasing as she stepped towards the houses front door. It was a really cute home and it looked big enough for them without having any unexpected roommates.

[iminthebook]

Harry hugged her and smiled softly, then nodded as he squeezed her hand in his. "Sounds like a plan. Never know when we will need to use... them."

Two could tease, and he found himself wondering how long they would tease, or if they would ever decide to do more. He wasn't sure, but he was betting it would be fun finding out.

Fade to Black?

[ishisstrength]

Justine laughed softly as she stepped towards their new home. She liked to tease and once or twice, she's found herself thinking back on their night together in the odd fairy dream. Doubt twisted in her chest at the thought of continuing their tryst but she'd be lying if she said that she didn't want too.

Harry was wonderful but there were a wealth of complications that came with getting sexually involved with Thomas's brother. The only question that she had unanswers; were those complications worth it?

"I'm going to select my room first." Justine declared as Harry reached for the door.

Fade!

[iminthebook]

"I will follow you, follow you wherever you will go..." he hummed the words softly as he opened the door, waved her in, and followed. he glanced back, outward, then closed it and smiled.

A home.

It had been awhile.