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

[bombingking]

[For a second he stares at Deku and then he laughs. Bitter and low as he runs a hand down his face.]

Damn it.

[He was so stupid. Why did he say that shit to Deku? Admit to being nervous about controlling all of this shit. Of course he wouldn't get it. How could he? He wasn't going through this and Katsuki wasn't the best at voicing his vulnerabilities. And yet... it made him feel strangely alone, in a new world in a new body, unable to sooth the fears and anxiety clawing within him over it. He just wants to retain something that's his. Even if it's just the strength of his will..]

God dammnit!

[For a second, a dark second, he thinks about striking Deku in a bitter retaliation for his failure to understand, egged on by his monstrous urges in the moons. But at the last second he turns and his fist collides with the bathroom mirror, shattering it. He breathes heavily, trying to regain control, before he turns to glare at Deku.]

If I'm the idiot, why are you the one who can't seem to get anything through that stupid fucking skull of yours? I'm not gonna Bond with you or with anyone. I'm gonna do this my way. And if that means that you're not gonna Bond with anyone, then be my fucking guest and deal with that shit. It's your stupid hill to die on.

[defendure]

[ He's free to try? Deku's used to getting hits in from Katsuki, and he'll respond in kind, always, these days.

As it is, they're both failing miserably at understanding the other and he knows it - ]

I get it, Kacchan, I just - I just think you're being dumb this time. Having someone help you, when they can, it doesn't ever make you weak. It doesn't ever mean you're not capable. It's just...

[ He wishes All Might were here, able to explain it right. ]

...I've never once thought you were weak or anything. Not even now. But I do think you're not thinking straight on this one.

[bombingking]

[He's free too but he doesn't want to. He might be mad at Deku right now, but he keeps his promises and he promised to make things different between them.

He pulls his hand back to his chest, it's bruised and a little bloody, but thanks to Deku's spell, he doesn't really feel it.

In his heart of hearts, he knows Deku is right. But he still values his pride and independence to such an extent that he can't just drop them so quickly, even if there's a path of less resistance staring him in the face. Not when he still wants to believe he can do this.

Maybe Deku would be smarter.

Damn, it really would be great if All Might were here. He's somehow able to be help place the first few bricks down of the bridges they need to close gaps.]

No quirk? Some shitty moonlight makes me lose my shit? Feels pretty fucking weak to me, Deku.

[He drops back onto the edge of the tub.]

I'm doing this my way. I'm not just going to give up that quickly.

[defendure]

[ Okay, the "no quirk" thing makes him glare, mostly because it's honestly appalling how much emphasis Katsuki still puts on that. And yeah, Deku inherited a quirk, but...

A quirk isn't the be-all end-all. He lost that quirk the second he came here, but he maybe never defined himself by One For All the way Katsuki defined himself by Explosion.

Izuku steps forward, kneels down in front of Katsuki and tries to look up at him, considering. ]

You know you're more than your quirk, right? It's powerful, but. That's not why you're strong, Kacchan.

[bombingking]

[Go ahead and glare. He'll stare coldly back into Deku's face, unwavering.

He has always defined himself by his Quirk. So had pretty much everyone since he was four years old. And he had been forced to learn that a strong Quirk wasn't everything but...

It was still part of him. A huge part of him, and one that's now missing, something that he was so attuned to, replaced with a body he could barely control.]

Of course I know that, nerd. Doesn't mean I don't fucking miss it. Especially over this shit.

[He flexes his cracked, bloody, and now bruised fingers.]

[defendure]

You just said that it was...that it makes you weak.

[ And he's always known that's what most people think, but - ]

All Might didn't have one to start with, either.

[bombingking]

And now he doesn't have one anymore.

[His voice wavers, ever so slightly.]

You don't think he ever misses having it? That it fucking sucks not being able to do what you used to be able to do? After you'd put everything into it? Maybe it ain't weakness but it still feels like shit.

[He doesn't really know what All Might thinks. But he has to imagine that maybe All Might felt a little what he's feeling right now. A lose of self and identity, feeling like suddenly you're suddenly vulnerable.

Perhaps it's different for Deku, who always had to define himself outside of a Quirk and can adapt himself easier in a situation like this.]

[defendure]

...I think you forget that you're not the only one who lost what he could do when we came here.

[ All of them did.

His voice is very quiet. ]

I think...All Might misses it, sure. But One For All isn't like Explosion. It was always going to be passed on. Even I know I'm going to have to pass it along someday.

[bombingking]

Yeah, you lost your powers, gained some magic. Missed out on sprouting claws.

[He sighs and leans down resting his elbows on his knees and his head on on his hands. Finally, looking as defeated as he has been desperately trying not to feel. Hence all the bluster and pride and determination that he's putting forward in defiance of that.]

You done with your lecture?

[defendure]

I'm not...

[ He doesn't like Katsuki looking defeated. He's the symbol of victory, after all... ]

Kacchan, I'm not trying to lecture you. I just...you're not looking at yourself clearly. I still see...

[ You. ]

[bombingking]

Don't look at me like that.

[This sucks and he doesn't even have to look up to see Deku's stupid sad face. Still, he raises his head to look Deku in the eyes, unaware that his eyes eerily reflect the light in the dark. He's always felt as though Deku could see right through him in a way that he's not quite comfortable with but at least right now it's getting his ass in gear.]

I'm not gonna let this beat me. I'll still win, my way, on my terms.

[defendure]

I've never once thought it'd beat you.

[ That's easy enough to confirm.

He bites his lip, though, considering. ]

...I work at the university library now, you know? Maybe...you should come with me next shift. I can check you in and you can try to look up some more information on this kind of thing. There's no reason to go to battle without any information.

[bombingking]

[His face twitches, almost like he briefly considered smiling at Deku just being... so fucking Deku and maybe feeling like he needs someone like that in his corner right now.

So instead, he just straightens as he considers the boy.]

Yeah?

They better have some information on this crap they're putting us through. I'm gonna read all of it back to front and then kill this stupid new form with all the shit I learned.

[defendure]

If you find any books you want to check out, just let me know while we're there! They don't usually let outsiders, but they're letting those of us working there check them out for a fee, so...

[ He'll cover that for you. ]

[bombingking]

[No, Deku. Why must you be so kind. Because at the offer of help he just scowls with renewed bluster.]

I don't need your charity! Hell, I'll just sleep there if I have to!

[defendure]

W...Kacchan, there's no reason to do that, it's not even charity...you can pay me back if it bothers you that much!

[ Calm down! ]

[bombingking]

Don't think I won't! I'll pay your ass back! With interest!

[Why he like this...]

[defendure]

I...don't really need interest, though...

[ God... ]

W-why don't you just make an extra lunch, and we'll call it even...

[ Kacchan's meals are more than worth whatever he'll be paying for books in the meantime. ]

[bombingking]

Yeah, yeah fine. I'll make katsudon for lunch and then you know we're even.

[A BAKUGO ALWAYS PAYS HIS DEBTS.]

[defendure]

- That'd be way more than even!

[ ♬ Kacchan's Katsudon! ♬ ]