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

[honoraboveall]

"Yes," Symon half sighs, his eyes flicking to the group. "There will always be bullies, after all. People have to feel powerful in one way or another." A strange sort of smile flickers across his face, but it's gone just as soon as it appears.

Symon's gaze was dragged down to his hands; the scales had only appears a couple of days ago. He has woken up to the glint of them, had seen them, felt icy fingers grip around his heart, the knowledge that he was going to change that he was going to turn into a monster.

There was a breathless moment, a moment of spinning, dizzying vertigo of worry of something like fear-

But then Lyr, curled alongside him had woken, turned his hand over, and saw the scales. Saw them and smiled, soft and sleepy, and nuzzled at them.

They're beautiful.

"No, not at all." He flexed his hand, the scales rippling with the movement. "They feel like a part of me." After a pause, he held out his hand for Asra to inspect, if he wished.

[halfheartedmagician]

It surprises him somewhat that Symon is willing to allow him to inspect the scales so closely; Asra is so used to keeping himself at a careful distance from most others that he doesn't expect openness from anyone he's not already close to. But he does appreciate the offer and, with one final glance to ensure there's no risks nearby, reaches out to take Symon's hand gently.

His touch is delicate and careful as he traces his fingertips over the scales, marveling at the feeling of them, smooth and warmer than expected, like Faust after she's been warming herself by the fire.

"They're quite lovely." He lets go of Symon's hand, not wanting to overstep the offer, and his lips curve in a gentle smile. "I'm glad that they're not painful for you. If only others could see how beautiful they are as well."

[honoraboveall]

Symon doesn't mind the touch at all, his hand held steady for Asra's investigations. He had never been shy about touch, not when it could be such a useful tool. His eyes flicked over the other man, watching him investigate.

"Thank you." He held them out before his eyes, watching them glitter in the sun. He shrugged and continued on, "Well, it would make life easier I would assume. But it is what it is, I suppose." He doesn't sound too fussed, easily taking this in stride.

His head cocks as he looks at his scales, "I wonder what I'll be." He said softly. It was a strange thing to be in flux. Symon had always been so sure of what he was, this was a quite a novel thing.

[halfheartedmagician]

Aware that he's being watched, Asra glances up briefly at Symon from beneath pale lashes, checking that he's not overstepping a boundary, and doesn't linger too long. At the other man's words he laughs quietly.

"You'll always be you," he points out. "Magic might cause change at times, often in ways we can't predict, but if you know who you are then you don't have to worry about what you look like."

[honoraboveall]

"Of course I will be, but," His fingers traced over his cheek, "Whilst the inside is unchanging, the outside still matters. In the festival, the beastial ones were treated differently, I'm sure our old friends caught sight of my scales. The world will change around me, you can't deny that."

[halfheartedmagician]

Symon isn't wrong about that, Asra knows, although his expression turns sad and distant at the thought.

"Sometimes it doesn't change in the ways it should," he agrees, almost reluctantly, as though he'd prefer not to think on the darkness of the world they're in.

"But even if there's people who use how you look as reasons to turn against you, you should remember that they are the problem no matter what changes you have."

[honoraboveall]

Symon supposes its endearing, the concern this young man has for his well-being, and so he gives him his best smile, the wide, brilliant one, the one that lights up his eyes, that makes them sparkle. "Thank you," He said quietly, "It's good advice, and something I should keep in mind as I...change." He holds his hand out again, unable to stop himself, watching the glitter, before letting it drop down by his side once more.

His gaze flicked up to the other man. "You haven't had any changes have you?" His eyes cast over the man, as if he had missed a pair of horns sprouting out from his skull or scales. "I wonder if there is any rhyme or reason that determines who changes."

Did this place recognize something within me? Something that he had worked so hard to hide.

[halfheartedmagician]

Oh, the smile catches him off-guard, wide and seemingly genuine in how it reaches Symon's eyes, lights up his entire face and softens it for just a brief moment. Asra feels his face heat in response and he looks away, feeling almost as though he's overstepped some boundary. But if it's Symon's or his own he's not certain.

"Ah, well... if you ever need to talk to anyone, I'm happy to listen." It's an offer that he makes thinking it unlikely to be taken up; Asra prefers his own company and those of a few close others and while he's willing to help others when he can, the emotional closeness is not his best strength. He gets the sense Symon wouldn't want it anyway, and is happy to leave it at that.

The question that comes afterwards is a much easier topic and Asra relaxes, the tension falling from his shoulders. "No. But... I was a magician before I came here as well. Perhaps that has some part in it all?"

[honoraboveall]

"That is very kind of you. Perhaps I will take you up on it." The smile doesn't shift, but perhaps its wattage lessens a touch. He rather doubted that this man's counsel could be any better than Lyr's, but getting more than one opinion wasn't always bad.

"It likely does. I didn't have any magic myself before I came here." But Lyr did, and Lyr wasn't turning into some kind of beast. "Do you plan to study with their Coven? To learn their magic as well?"