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

[holybeasts]

[Ah, thank goodness for understanding people! Maria plucks up one herself with her free hand and then huffs out an amused breath.]

If it comes down to bumping elbows, we might just have to feed each other.

[It's said in more of a joking tone than anything. Now that she had her apple though and has both taken a bite, chewed it and swallowed, she turns her glance around the area.]

Now where can we wash this off...

[activatingcombatmode]

Hey, helping out is helping out when food is involved.

[He is joking too. But if it were to come to that he probably would do it. Delicious food is delicious!

He takes a rather large chomp out of his own baked apple and finishes with an appreciative nod.]

There's gotta be a washroom or a fountain around here somewhere. This place is still a giant maze to me.

[holybeasts]

You too, hm? I've never been in such a big town before! Even this area - the Haven, I think Miss Nessie and the others called it? It's pretty large on it's own!

[The Belmonts lived on the outskirts of a smaller village, tucked out of the way of notice for the most part.]

[activatingcombatmode]

Yeah, the only place I've seen this comparable is Midgar- a industrial city in my homeworld. But that city is a garbage hole next to this place, though.

[The city, the Haven, it's actually really nice here.]

[holybeasts]

That's a shame to hear. Have you been enjoying exploring here?

[With all that said, the search for a point of washing off whatever has them stuck together... well, there's no real need for it.

Maria is mid-bite on her apple when their hands just sort of fall apart and all she can do is make muffled sounds of surprise, along with her wide-eyed look over her now freed hand. She manages to speak once she's swallowed.]

Amazing! ... My hand isn't sticky at all though.

[Hmmm.]

Maybe it was some sort of temporary curse?

[activatingcombatmode]

Hey- Okay.

[That was convenient! Here he was sort of looking forward to being stuck to a pretty girl for a little while. But at least he can get more baked apples this way.]

Curse or a charm? Must have been. I think there's a lot of that going on right now.

[He grins anyway. At least it's not pesky fairies messing with his head and emotions. He'll take sticky hands over that any day.]

My name's Zack by the way.

[holybeasts]

Is there? None of them have been harmful, have they?

[There's a touch of worry to her tone simply at the idea of curses and charms running around. When he introduces himself though, she smiles lightly again.]

Maria. I'm sorry we had to meet like that but it is good to meet you!

[activatingcombatmode]

Good to meet you too, Maria.

[He sighs just a bit.]

And yeah. Those fairies cast a charm on me once that made me fall in love with people at first sight. They're annoying little bees.

[holybeasts]

... There are charms for that?

[She had no idea!]

[activatingcombatmode]

Yup.

[He shakes his head and looks a bit amused.]

Don't tell me you're one of those witches that want to learn charms like that!

[holybeasts]

[Ack!]

No! Never! I-- th-that is...

[She's never even really considered love. Or maybe she has? Or...]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He's laughing with some harmless humour now. He teases,]

Right, sure! Charms for making people fall in love would be pretty useful, right??

[holybeasts]

I... suppose. If used between people who wanted to be in love with each other?...

[Then again, if they wanted to be then... why weren't they?]

[activatingcombatmode]

Or to prank a friend...

[He whistles.]

I'm kidding. Those fairies got me bad I wouldn't want someone else to go through that.

[holybeasts]

I should hope not! It isn't very fair to them after all.

[activatingcombatmode]

Yeah. It isn't. And I felt sick to my stomach afterwards, actually...

[He told like five people he loved them, it was incredibly awkward.]

[holybeasts]

[Aww. Poor guy.]

I'm sorry to hear that. You're feeling better now though?

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack pats his chest with a fist.]

Fit as a fiddle. Luckily the charm wore off pretty fast.

[He's good now! Less in love but still ready to mingle. Monster changes haven't made his head hurt too much. Yet.]

[holybeasts]

Ah, that's good! The charms and such certainly don't seem to last long at least.

[With that said she laughs a little awkwardly.]

Before I got here I had something of a dream when I ended up being turned green. Well that and laughing too much.

[activatingcombatmode]

Yeah, and just stay away from the annoying fairies in general.

[He smiles.]

You had those dreams too, then? It's weird how real they are, huh? Turning green must of been rough.

[holybeasts]

[At that Maria gives a faint smile.]

Honestly it was a lot easier than the laughing. At least when I was green I could be quiet.

[activatingcombatmode]

Laughing can't be that bad. I bet you have a great laugh.

[Unless it was uncontrollable GYAHAHA-ing.]

[holybeasts]

I don't know if I would call it great or not but it certainly feels bad once you've laughed for long enough. I can't imagine it sounded very nice by the end!

[activatingcombatmode]

Just think of it like a great abs work out. Laughing does wonders for that.

[He laughs a bit. Hey, it's true??]

But yeah, good thing all the charms seem temporary.

[holybeasts]

Oh! Does it? I've never thought of laughing as exercise before.

[Speaking of charms being temporary though, her brow furrows some.]

I do hope most of them are like that.