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

[ishisstrength]

[Justine steps closely, running the tips of her fingers along the sweeping curve of Iramaat's neck before lightly resting the tips of two fingers against the hallow in her clavicle.]

I think I had mentioned that before. [She whispers before trailing her fingers across Iramaat's shoulder and then down the other woman's arm. The touch is light and innocent but its meaning and design are not.

There is no mistaking Justine's meaning.]

[wylderrant]

[ Ah. Iramaat makes a low little noise at the back of her throat, something pleased, and she turns into the touch. But she reaches up to take Justine's hand and intertwine their fingers and pull her a touch closer, voice pitched low. ]

Oh, dear heart, I know that's what you offer me. But there's always more to us than that, isn't there? More than flesh. There's dreams and hopes and fears...

[ishisstrength]

[Blossoms of heat swirl up her palm and thrill in tantalizing waves through her limbs. She inhales a sharp breath and exhales slowly in an effort to keep herself calm and her thoughts clear.]

There is more but is that much of an offering?

[Uncertainty colors of voice, her brow furrowed as she tries to make sense of Iramaat's definitions.] My dreams... [Justine shakes her head.] They're fantasies.

[She can't have dreams because her life doesn't belong to her.]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat sighs softly. ]

Why don't you let me decide if I think it's worth it or not? If you don't think it's worth much...

[ She shrugs, laughing. ]

Well, I can take it all off of your hands.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine shakes her head gently from side to side.]

It isn't that they aren't worth much to me but I don't believe that it'll be worth anything to you. I-

I gave up my dreams. A long time ago. [Her eyes drop to the ground.] But I wanted a family, a life. When I return home... if I get home. I'm going to die.

[wylderrant]

If you get home.

[ Irmaat corrects breezily and lifts a hand to pat her on the cheek. ]

Don't think about that. Think about the now. Think about living... and if not for yourself?

[ She cocks her head, smiles, and the edges are sharp. ] Live for me.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's expression softens when Iramaat whispers those sweet tantalizing words in the shell of her ear.]

I need to return home. [She steps closer to Iramaat and gently runs her fingers through the other woman's hair.] My life can save someone else's but until then. I'll live.

[She looks up.]

That much I can promise you.

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat's smile is like the cat that caught the canary. She's pleased with herself. Extremely pleased. And she shows it, hand resting against the small of Justine's back in a light, warm little embrace. Having someone fawning over her? She enjoys that. It makes her heart sing. ]

I accept your pledge.

[ Her voice is sweet. ]

And I'll hold you to it.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's lips part but she doesn't speak. She always chooses her words carefully but now, she doesn't know what to say. She gently twists her fingers in Iramaat's hair before bringing the ends of the silky strands to her lips, kissing softly.]

And what about you?

What are your dreams?

[wylderrant]

Oh, I don't need dreams.

[ She grins, turns her head and presses a kiss against her temple. ]

I'm already made of them. [ Which is weird and self-centered, but that's Iramaat to a 't'. ]

I'm already what I'm meant to be; what I want to be.

[ishisstrength]

[That doesn't really answer the question and it teases Justine's curiosity.]

And what is that?

What do you want?

[Justine lightly slides her arm around Iramaat, gently holding herself against the other woman's side before encouraging her to walk through the streets and wander amongst the now empty stately homes. Justine is familiar to homes like these, it reminds her of the Raith's estates though their family homes were far more extravagant, extensive and secured.]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat walks with Justine, letting her arm loop around her. It's possessive, in a way, but Iramaat enjoys surrounding herself with beautiful things or people who will make her the center of their universe. Right now, Justine is more of the former, as far as Ira is concerned. Which is all she really needs.

At least for now. ]

I want to be a heroine and I am. I go where I'm needed. I meet... lovely people and I help them.

[ She shoots a smile at Justine. ]

And I suppose I'd like to keep you around. I like you. [ She drops her voice just a touch. ] A part of me wants to keep you all to myself, honestly.

[ Which is... not as flip as she makes it sound. ]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine slowly blinks, focusing on the way that Iramaat held her. It's so similar to the arm that Thomas held around her thin waist, the silent possessive gesture that marked her as his. Her pulse briefly quickens in her chest but she only as a few seconds to indulge in the distraction.

She glances up at Iramaat, her gaze looking a little more unfocused now that they're walking with their sides pressing intimately together.]

I can promise many things to you but I cannot promise you all of myself. [She pauses thoughtfully.] But.

Maybe. When its just us. I can do that. Whenever you want to possess me. I will be there.

[It can't be always but day's, nights, moments like these. She can give everything but her heart to Iramaat. Her heart is the only thing that no longer belongs to Justine and because of that, she can't give it away.]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat's expression falls a little and she glances down at Justine with a hint of concern. ]

I really do only want what's best, Justine. And if you can't give back as much as I give to you, well... that's fine, I suppose. It's worth it, to me.

[ There's just a hint of restrained sorrow there. ]

We'll just have to make it work. [ Her arm squeezes around her, a tight little side-hug to reinforce that she's still here for her. ]

[ishisstrength]

I'm sorry. [Justine whispers as the tips of her fingers trail along Iramaat's side. She gently nuzzles her face and nose against the curve of Iramaat's neck and she inhales the sweet scent of the other woman's skin.]

I gave up my heart a long time ago. I don't think I can give it to anyone but I can give you everything else.

Everything but that.

[Justine isn't sure if she has a heart anymore. She can go through the motions but feeling... that's harder.]

[wylderrant]

At least tell what happened. Give me that story at least, so I can understand.

[ She doesn't quite sound pleading, but her voice is still pitched low, like this is a private conversation, meant only for the two of them. She lowers her head, presses a little kiss against the crown of her head. ]

Or let me try to heal you.

[ Which is something else entirely. ]

[ishisstrength]

It's... a long story.

[Justine exhales a slow breath as her eyelids flutter close.] I was younger then. It was almost five years ago. [She would have been 16 or 17 at the time.] I ran away from home and found myself in a club called Zero. It's... an exclusive club that's owned by monsters.

[Her voice trails off.]

Bianca, she owned the most exclusive whores in Chicago. She saw me and she wanted me. Thomas stepped between us. He saved me and... I owe him everything. I gave him everything. [The story is more complicated than that, longer and with far more disturbing details but Justine can't bring herself to say more.

It's hard to talk about.]

[wylderrant]

Oh, you poor dear. That sounds... hard.

[ There's some sympathy in her voice, but honestly Iramaat can't really even think about putting herself in that kind of situation. It's utterly alien to her and so she can't imagine it. Can't empathize.

She's going through the motions, because she knows it works.

She gives Justine a little squeeze - a hug, really - and pauses so she can turn to face her. ]

Thomas isn't here, is he?

[ishisstrength]

[Justine doesn't need sympathy. It's the past and she's happy with the life that came from the torment of her childhood. She has Thomas and while he will one day be the death of her, she doesn't care. She'll give him everything because he'd given her a new life.

It's only because of him that she's standing here now.]

No. He isn't.

[A note of sadness slips into her voice before she gently shakes it away.]

[wylderrant]

Well, since he isn't... I'll take care of you. Sound fair?

[ She gives Justine's side a little pat. Something reassuring (or meant to be, anyway). Justine's missing someone from her life and clearly Iramaat just wants to step into that hole and take it over as thoroughly as she can.

Whether that's a good idea is another question entirely. ]

[ishisstrength]

Yes. [Justine isn't sure if anyone can truly take Thomas's place. He'd offered her a retreat, a drug and she is addicted to him in every possible respect. Her body aches for it, remembering the heady feeling that followed in his wake. His presence alone is a high but the magic here has changed that. Justine can't expect anyone to be able to do exactly what Thomas did for her.

After all, Thomas isn't human.]

Thank you. [She slides an arm around Iramaat's waist and holds her close. She inhales and attempts to surround herself in the promise of Iramaat's words. Justine doesn't believe that this is a good idea but she doesn't care. It gives her hope and hope is all she needs to keep going.]

So, what are we doing for today?

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat leans her head against Justine's with a slow little hum, feeling quite pleased with herself. Not exactly what she wanted, but it's close enough. Time to go explore a little. ]

Let's take a look at the city, I think. Just going for a bitof a walk - seeing what there is to see. Maybe shopping...?

[ It'll be a busy afternoon. ]

Fade to Black

[ishisstrength]

[Justine nods, an arm around Iramaat and follows her through the crowded streets.]