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

[iminthebook]

"Yes, ma'am. " He shook his head and sat, shivering a little as he took his place, rubbing his hands through his hair, and then finding a handkerchief to wipe them on.

Harry could get used to touching her, and finding comfort in her, and he was worried he was taking advantage of her. He smiled as he shook his head, focusing on her as she talked, trying not to think about how she felt and smelled so nice.

"I do." Grateful for the question, he nodded. "I work out and run every day, no matter what, unless I am stuck in bed sick or wounded. It's part and parcel of being able to outrun and out-maneuver the bad guys." He worked hard to stay in shape, which was why he didn't mind eating as much as he could when he could. He consumed and used the calories he took in, quite well.

"I was thinking of trying to get seeds and see if any of the ground around the house will take plants."

[ishisstrength]

Justine glanced over her shoulder before returning to her task. She had two plates out now and was decorating them with fresh slices of soft warm bread and strips of thick bacon while the eggs cooked on the stove.

"It's good that you take care of yourself Harry." She didn't work out but then, Justine didn't expect to live as long as a wizard or past the age of twenty five. Her future wasn't going to be a long one, her position didn't allow it, and she was okay with that. Though Justine knew that Harry wasn't.

"You want to start a garden?" Surprise colored Justine's voice as she slid the eggs onto the plates and moved them over to the table. "I think there is a space in the back yard."

She walked over to the fridge and got them both a glass of orange juice before taking a seat at the table.

It was very domestic and she found that she liked it. This was the life that Justine had always wanted. She wanted to fall in love, get married, have a house and children but that wasn't going to be her life... she couldn't have those things.

[iminthebook]

"I try. And I am glad to show you some things, sometime, if you like." He nodded. He would see it as a good thing, he thought.

Her question made him smile, that lopsided smile that brought out his childish dimples sometimes. "I do. I like herbs and the like, and I enjoy raising them. I just usually don't have a lot of space." He smiled wider.

He inhaled the scent of the food, and smiled at her. "Thank you, Justine, for the food. It smells amazing." He grinned again as he started in on it, glancing at her across the table, and thinking she was very capable, even more so than he had thought.

"I didn't know you could cook."

[ishisstrength]

Justine began to cut bites of food and delicately pop them into her mouth. She ate quickly and spoke only when she was finished chewing. "I guess you haven't tasted Thomas trying to cook." Her smile tugged into a little bit of a smirk. "I learned." She had a number of hidden talents but they only ranged between first aid and basic domestic tasks.

Thomas could not clean up after himself and his cooking skills were sub-par at best, so Justine picked up the slack.

"I think a herb garden would be a good idea." She has never gardened before but it sounded like it'd be fun. Justine was sure that she could find a book or two on the subject as well.

"I would like to help. If you want me too."

[iminthebook]

Harry ate like a hungry man, and listened to her as he ate. He smiled warmly. She had a way of making him grin, and she had a tendency to set him off his guard.

He chuckled as he finally spoke. "NO, I cooked or ordered out for us when I lived with him." He had had a very odd time during that time.

"I can make pizza, and ice cream, and barbecue, and that is about it, so I appreciate your skills." He raised his drink to her in salute before sipping.

At her admission, he smiled wider. "I would like that. It could be something we can do together, and I can show you the ways some of the herbs can be used outsaide of cooking."

[ishisstrength]

Justine hesitated but said nothing. She hadn't realized that Harry and Thomas had lived together because that hadn't happened yet. She knew that there was something odd going on because Harry was older than she remembered him to be but she hadn't asked. She was scared of the answer. What happened to Thomas if she wasn't there to save him?

She felt a little flutter in her chest but remained silent. Justine had no interest in her future and it wasn't a topic she was going to breech.

"You should teach me to make ice cream. I don't know that one." She knew the others.

Justine smiled softly, banishing any depressing thoughts that she might have had a few seconds before. It was easier to focus on what was happening here and now. "I'd like to learn more with you Harry. I'm not... good at being a witch. The Coven keeps telling me that I am." Which was weird.

"If there is anything you'd like me to cook for you, I can."

[iminthebook]

Harry cursed at himself silently, seeing her reaction and realizing what he had done. He was trying not to ever mention the future and sometimes wished he could just forget it too.

Her words shocked him out of his remorse and he nodded, smiling tentatively at her.

"If we can find the materials, and if we can stabilize a freezing spell on a container, I would be glad to." He smiled at her, more enthusiastic now. He had to think good thoughts, damn it, good thoughts.

"Ice cream is the best, and if we can make it here, we could even open a small shoppe, maybe. Just you and me, making people smile." he waggled his eyebrows at her.

Justine's further words made him blush more. "I would be glad to work with you, and help you, anyway I can." He nodded.

"If we ever get the meat for it, steak is always the best." He nodded again, not even ashamed, for he loved that meal.

[ishisstrength]

Justine laughed and shook her head. "We could just use ice Harry. Not everything needs a spell." They've been making ice cream without magic for a very long time and they had an ice box in the house that Justine was determined to keep stocked.

"That does sound like fun." She liked the idea of making people smile and the idea of them doing it together.

'just you and me'

So many times she heard Harry's words in her head and it sent a little shiver down her spine.

"I'll see what I can get." Stake was a little harder to come across and it was expensive but Justine would swing by the butcher shop and see what they had available. "For now." She rose to her feet and took her empty plate to the sink. "Are you full? I can make more. I wanted to ask you about training with magic today. If you're still willing to teach me."

[iminthebook]

Harry stuck out his tongue at her. "Point. Fine. Okay. Ice it is." He grinned at her, waggling his fingers. The barest bit of warm wind ruffled her hair as he nodded.

"I like it. I like the idea of just doing something like that. At least until things go weird here." He nodded as he spoke. Something weird would happen, because that was his life, really.

"I am full. I'm fine." He smiled and took his plate to the sink as well, touching her arm as he did. "We can do that. I am still learning too, but maybe practicing together will help us both." He smiled, liking this idea.

[ishisstrength]

Justine began to wash the dishes, turning when she felt the light touch on her arm. Her lovely dark eyes focused on his lips when he spoke and she nodded in answer. "I think so too." They could learn together and hopefully not burn down the house in the process.

She was already beginning to get attached to the house.

"I heard about something called The Cwyld. It's... I'm worried. All I've gathered is that its an unstoppable force and it's devouring everything in this world." She left the dishes and turned her shoulders towards him. "Do you think this is why we were brought here? To fight some unstoppable force?"

It's clearly been on her mind because her worry was pouring from her in nearly tangible waves.

[iminthebook]

He started drying dishes as she washed them. Little things working together. This felt like a good thing. Yes.

He nodded as she asked that. "I think so, but it sounded more like a plague almost, when I heard about it. and no plague is unstoppable. Even if it is magical. We'll find a way to defeat it, to restore the balance to this world." Harry blew out a long breath, thinking about that.

"We can defeat it. I've faced worse."

[ishisstrength]

The corner of Justine's lips twitched into a light rueful smirk at Harry's over confident reply. "Somehow," She began as she passed him the last of the plates to dry. "That's exactly what I thought you would say." It was a very Harry Dresden response and as predictable as it was, Justine was glad to hear it.

Things might become disastrous somehow but Harry always saw those sorts of things to the end. If anyone was here protecting her, she was happy that it was him.

"So." Justine turned towards him. "What should we do first? Magic or find a place for the garden." They didn't have any of the materials they needed but they could find a good area of the yard to mark where the garden would eventually go.

[iminthebook]

"Oh really? Am I getting predictable in my old age?" He chuckled as he worked.

"You have a cute smile. Did you know that?" The words just kind of slipped out as he dried plates, and he cast a glance at her.

"Why don't we go out to the garden area, and when we find it, we can practice there. We can work on trying to move earth and air and water." He nodded. "Then we can go to the market tomorrow, maybe, and see if we can find seed and the like."

[ishisstrength]

Her cheeks warmed at the compliment. "Yes but it's always nice to hear." She watched as Harry put away the last of the plates before snapping out of the turmoil of her thoughts.

"I don't know if I can move anything but I'm willing to try." Justine was learning the basics about the types of magic but she hadn't exactly stuck to one discipline yet. She wasn't sure what she could do or what she should do. Magic was such a daunting volatile thing.

"I am in your hands Harry."

[iminthebook]

Harry smiled as he finished, then turned to her.

"I am sure you can, with practice." he wiggled his fingers at her. "I'm still learning, and very new to it too."

He extended a hand to her again.

"Shall we?"

[ishisstrength]

Justine gently lipped her hand in his, shivering when there skin touched and followed him to the yard outside. It was a lovely yard and not large by the Raith's standards. There was a place to sit in the far left corner and a spiral stair case to their right as they walked out onto a small patio.

There was plenty of room for a garden and a white picketed fence that managed to keep the yard contained. Justine's hand slipped out of his as she walked out to the center of the grass.

"Maybe in the corner next to the house? How much sun do herbs need?" Justine wasn't sure if they required direct sunlight.

[iminthebook]

Harry felt stronger, and more confident as he walked with her and smiled. This was fun. He looked around, and then looked at the spot she mentioned and he nodded.

He followed her and hmmmed. "That would be good. And we can do our own sunlight. " He knelt letting his knees his the ground, and closed his eyes, stretching a hand out over the ground, he started whispering words, loud enough for Justine to hear, the same ones over and over as he concentrated.

Sunlight, and proper arrangement, and the weather just so. He concentrated and pushed all of his will on it, thinking about it and his hand slowly glowed up a little, a dim area of sunlight shimmering from the bottom of his hand to the ground, brightening it. It flickered, fading, then growing back to the dim light it was at, and he breathed out as he let it go.

"I need to practice that one a lot more."

[ishisstrength]

She followed him to the far corner of the house. It was here that she could see where the exhaust from the kitchen exited the outside wall of the house. She smelled the rich scent of the bread she had been cooking that morning and then notice a small line of ferns that had been planted near the front side of the house. They were far enough away that they wouldn't give the herb garden any trouble but Justine had never noticed them before. They were cute.

"Do herbs need a lot of sunlight?" She asked as she stepped past him towards the small expanse of grass next to the house. Justine had found a few small twigs in the grass and used them to mark a square in the grass, the new edges of their garden.

"How is that for size?" Justine couldn't use magic like Harry could but she had a practical way of thinking. "We can try to turn over the earth but we might need to do this the old fashioned way Harry." She knelt at the edge of the area she marked and stared at the grass.

Justine tried to summon the stir of magic that had somehow gathered inside of her. Nothing happened. "Harry?" She looked up at him, a thoughtful frown tilting her lips. "How would you summon light if you were back in Chicago? Can you walk me through it?"

[iminthebook]

Harry nodded. "That is good." He smiled at her. "Different herbs need different amounts, and it is hard, but it can be done if you pay attention and really see what they react to best."

He gently patted the grass as he knelt next to her, his hands folding in something like a prayer formation unconsciously.

"Back home? Regular light, with applied use of will, by thinking of light, and of the flow of it, and of how it feels as it touches my skin. Sunlight? That is harder."

Harry swallowed as he closed his eyes and smiled. "Sunlight needs happy thoughts. Thinking of something that makes you smile, and gives you joy, real joy, in your life." Harry thought of Justine, and her warmth, her trust, the way she helped him, and the way she made him feel. And he stretched out his hand, thinking of the teachings the cove had given him, and how it felt to get something right. How magic felt, even here, and he blew out a breath as he grinned softly.

Soft and dim sunlight flowed over his outstretched hand, flickering there, and then gone, and then back in again, warm, and gently happy, it stretched out for the ground, and for Justine, seeking her like a blob with a mind of its own. It kept vanishing, or growing dim, but then coming back strongish.

[ishisstrength]

She listened and watched as the sunlight flickered above his palm. Her smile grew as a soft giggle escaped from her lips with the sudden appearance of the light circling around her head. Justine had never seen anything like it before and it was wonderful.

"This is amazing Harry." Thin fingers rose and lightly brushed against the light only to have it phase through her limbs.

Justine didn't know what he was thinking about but it was beautiful. "I hope I can do that one day." Happy memories were tricky things but she thought... just maybe... she could conjure one with each practice.

"We have light and dirt. Now we need water." She paused as she turned to look at him, her lips tugging into a light smirk. "And herbs."

[iminthebook]

"You are amazing, and I know you will do amazing magic." His light faded and he sighed, then smiled at her. She inspired him.

"We can irrigate, maybe? We'll have to get some books on how to do it here. When I did my own garden, I had help from someone who knew how." He nodded.

"Also, my last one was smaller and inside."

He chuckled.

"And herbs. We should see if any markets, either street or store, have any."

[ishisstrength]

Justine glanced up at Harry with a smile. "I have found some books from the Coven. I hoped that we can start today." If Harry didn't have anything else he wanted to do.

"I can check the market for herbs when I pick up more food for the house." She paused thoughtfully, her lips tilting into a light frown. "We'll run out of money soon. I haven't been able to get much. I don't have many of the talents that are valuable here."

She'd thought about learning more about potions and selling those but Justine wasn't sure how difficult that would be. She'd have to start learning and find out.

[iminthebook]

"I would be glad to start today with you." he nodded, one hand gently touching her shoulder.

"I've been doing the notice board work. Maybe we can do some more together, pool our efforts and earn more?"

he nudged her. "I am sure we can find you have far more talents than you know."

[ishisstrength]

A smile tugs at the edge of Justine's lips as Harry's shoulder lightly bumps against hers. He's always so confident and sure of himself. It's a little annoy but she'd missed it too.

"Okay." They can work together, even if it's only on the occasional job. Justine might try and find other ways to pick up more money as well.

"Do you mind if we start magic now? I can go out this afternoon to grab the things we need here." They have all day since they are both early morning risers. "I was thinking... there are many types of magic. Maybe I should try to learn an attack?" Even if it's only just one.

[iminthebook]

Harry nods, mind already sliding into study mode.

"I don't mind at all. Lets find some comfortable places to sit, where our bodies wont get uncomfortable if we don't move for awhile. In my experience, much of magic is concentration and repetition, practice until your mind wants to weep, and more practice."

He chuckles, but smiles at her.

"An attack is probably a good idea. Of air, earth, fire, watrt, and electricity, what feels most... natural to you?"