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

[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.

[bombingking]

[Okay, it's a definitely little personal. Because he hates the idea of needing help from anyone, especially Deku. And yet, Deku is absolutely right. The idea of bonding with some random extra is almost worse. He's put himself into a corner and he refuses to admit.

Katsuki sits back on the edge of the tub, looking exhausted and drawn, like he did that night at Ground Zero. His eyes seem to eerily reflect the light from the moons outside as he looks at Deku and then to the floor.]

I don't need you to worry about me. I just have to get through this shit... [The clouds move outside and the light from the moons shift and enter further into the room. Katsuki hisses and pulls further away.] Then I'll figure out how to control this shit and get back home.

But bonds are supposed to help witches too, you know.

[Maybe Deku should look after himself for once.]

[defendure]

... [ He knows. HE KNOWS, BUT... ] There's...there's only so many Bonds you can take and still be safe, I guess...

[ ...So he's worried about taking too many and not having enough room for Katsuki, so the obvious solution is to...wait?? ]

[bombingking]

[Something in his chest stirs at the thought of Deku worrying about him. An emotion he can't quite place, something that's a little bit guilty and a lot resentful at the same time.]

Deku.

[His voice is low.]

Sometimes, you just gotta worry about yourself. You can't just suffer for someone else's sake. Then if you get all filled with magic and blow up or whatever, where's that gonna get us?

[defendure]

...Well, where's you going feral going to get us, Kacchan?

[ IT'S KIND OF A TWO WAY STREET. ]

[bombingking]

I'm not gonna go fucking feral!

[(narrator voice: he's definitely going to feral)

He stands up, suddenly furious, like the comment was something outrageously offensive. Of course, underneath the rage is fear. Fear that Deku is right and that he can't control this. That he can't stop himself from changing. That he can't grasp onto some kind of normalcy that he used to have.]

I'm gonna beat this shit. Without Bonds or whatever the fuck they want us to do. So fuck off and go find other people to save.

[defendure]

W-well. Maybe I won't get one at all, then!

[ Like, honestly: if a monster asks him and needs his help he's too weak to say NO, but hey...he can stubbornly refuse to go around asking people himself if they're going to dig their heels in over something stupid.

That's a thing he can totally do. ]

[bombingking]

WHAT?!

[He looks further enraged at the idea that Deku would do something stupid! So... basically he's getting mad at Deku for doing exactly what he's doing? Yep. That's exactly what he's doing. In his head, he has a good reason, he has to be able to control (and ideally stop) all the shit that's going on in his body and mind on his own. While, Deku is just being Deku, which means stubborn and stupid.]

You shitty nerd, I know what you're doing! Don't mess around with me!

[defendure]

W-well, you can't make me!

[ No, they're both definitely being stubborn and stupid. As long as another monster requests a bond Deku should be fine, but...look: his never give up vibe has always been his best and worst trait, and Katsuki has always inspired it the hardest. ]

[bombingking]

[They're so stupid, they deserve each other. Tied together by history, fate, and stubbornness. An unbreakable bond.

There's a part of Katsuki that's always respected Deku's tenacity as much as it drove him up the wall.

He jabs a finger at the smaller boy's chest.]

I'm not gonna make you do anything! Besides, your ass is gonna Bond. Like you could resist that, you shitty nerd, it's basically what you fucking do.

[defendure]

[ Pictured: this conversation.

Izuku doesn't allow himself to flinch backwards, glaring up at Katsuki as they have the world's dumbest argument in their bathroom. ]

I'm - ! I'm not going to ask anyone else, Kacchan!

[bombingking]

[YOU LITERALLY PREDICTED MY TAG.

And Katsuki smirks and gives him another jab in the chest. It's funny to see Deku looking at him so defiant over this.]

Bullshit. You'd Bond with a houseplant if you thought it needed help.

[defendure]

[ At least he's distracting Kacchan from his changes, okay. :) ]

I won't ask anyone else to Bond with me! So...so, consider this me asking you!

[ Which means he may or may not explode and/or hopefully someone asks...him...this is stupid. ]

[bombingking]

[YOU BETTER NOT EXPLODE HE JUST CLEANED. Also, he'll put out a personal ad for you or some shit. "Shitty nerd seeks someone to help" or something like that.

Still, Deku's earnest face makes him sigh and pull away a little. He knows now that Deku isn't looking down on him and he's gotten better at helping others... Why is it still so hard to accept help? Maybe because his ego still hasn't quite gotten under control. Or maybe it's because he's desperate to prove that he has some kind of control.]

Really? You're gonna hold yourself hostage over this?

[He's not surprised... just tired.]

[defendure]

If you say it like that, it's almost like it would work.

[ Like you.............care. ]

[bombingking]

You're a stubborn ass but you're not that villainous. You'd Bond with someone who needed it.

[There's a pause as he seizes up, pain shooting through his body, like something is growing inside of him and trying to rip it's way out of his skin and to the surface. He grips the edge of the sink to keep himself from stumbling.

Fuck. He cares, he supposes. Because the idea of Deku doing that is absolutely infuriating and he figures that must be a form of caring, if he's honest with himself. And he's always been more willing to be vulnerable in front of Deku more than anyone else. But he still looks away when he finally speaks.]

I have to know that I can fucking do this.

[

[defendure]

Kacchan, of course you can do this, that's not the...that's not even the point!

[ It's never been the point, whether or not Katsuki can do things alone. ]

It's that you...you don't have to. I'm here, use me.

[ It's the same argument as ever. ]