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

[hearthebell]

[L nods. He comprehends the language used, processes the associated images, implications and concepts. All of it checks out... except, you know, the actual reason or logic of it.

He exhales. It lasts for several seconds as he continues to stare.]

And your assumption is that I can dance, enjoy dancing, and that I would be willing and able to participate in an unrehearsed routine with you.

[defendure]

Do...you have an alternate suggestion?

[ You're allowed to make those, bro. ]

[hearthebell]

[L considers for a second, as though this hadn't occurred to him, but now that it has, he's giving it some honest and searching thought.

It's not that he's not good at things; he just doesn't know how much he wants to reveal the extent of that.]

Do you have a deck of cards?

[He asks as though he realizes it's probably too much to hope for.]

[defendure]

Um...no, but I can probably get my hands on one?

[ If he doesn't mind waiting for a bit... ]

[hearthebell]

If you could, we'd make a killing. Metaphorically, of course...

[He chews the pad of his thumb thoughtfully, his bristly demeanor melting a little bit. As usual, when L has something to occupy his thoughts, it lights up a distracting beacon that makes him a lot more pleasant, a lot more helpful.

Even if that's often not saying very much.]

[defendure]

Well...okay! Just wait right here.

[ It'll take him maybe ten to fifteen minutes, but eventually Izuku will come back with a deck of cards!

Ta-dah. ]

[hearthebell]

[It's not an unreasonable amount of time to wait, even if one is a particularly cantankerous and impatient individual. L certainly is, but he is in a position where he's not going to immediately write off an opportunity he imagines can turn out favorably. So... he decides he's willing to wait twenty minutes, and Izuku comes back well before that timeframe has expired.]

I haven't done this in a few years... but I'm sure it'll still impress people enough for our purposes. Are you good at shuffling?

[defendure]

Sure! Do you need me to shuffle in a particular way, though?

[ Because if he's looking for something special...maybe not. ]

[hearthebell]

No...

[He's tempering his tone, now. Maybe with limited success, but even if it's his default, he is trying not to sound tetchy or impatient.]

Just mix the cards up, and let me look at the order they're in. Then, if you keep them in the same order, and count out as many as you like facedown... I can tell you what the card is that you stop on.

[It isn't even a magic trick. He fully intends to just remember every single card's position at a glance.]

You can keep going, or reverse the direction at any time. It's... usually a hit.

[If a little bit cheap and degrading, in L's book, but it is better than just doing a dance. Maybe.]

[defendure]

All right...

[ Well, okay. He'll start shuffling, letting L do as he likes. ]

Is this, er, counting cards or...?

[hearthebell]

It technically isn't not that...

[He pinches the bridge of his nose.]

It's just memorization. 52 cards and their positions in the shuffled deck. Most people can't do it at a glance; we can even make people place bets on it, if they're willing to bite.

[defendure]

Well...let's give it a go! It's not that bad.

[ Like. It's maybe illegal back home but he's not sure it's illegal in fantasy land yet. ]

[hearthebell]

It's actually really good.

[Better than doing a dance with a stranger. He will maintain that to the very end, even if only in a privately derisive way.]

You seem outgoing. Get a small crowd together, if you can.

[defendure]

Sure. [ He won't debate "outgoing" since while he doesn't think of himself that way...he doesn't mind talking to people, exactly. So it works out! ]

Give me five minutes.

[ And five minutes later? They should have a decent-sized crowd. ]

[hearthebell]

[Compared to the antisocial wonder himself, this kid is "outgoing." Especially on a relative level, and especially from L's somewhat warped perspective.

Still, his talent is a sound and reliable one, and once that crowd is gathered, he knows it can make up for any charisma they might lack.

He briefly and crisply explains what's going on to the crowd, and many of them immediately dismiss it as impossible to remember the position in the deck of every single card... but that's a good sign. They're expecting a really amazing trick, and the truth is that it isn't one, and he genuinely can remember. It works on two levels, because long after they're parted from their money, they'll still be wondering how he did it.]

My assistant and I are accepting tips... but if you want to place bets, we'll pay you back double what you put in if I'm wrong about the card.

[Well, now people seem really interested. To the kid at his side, L lowers his voice and says]

I could keep calling you "my assistant," but what is your name...?

[defendure]

Izuku Midoriya! [ Either name is fine, because he'll answer to almost anything...

He's kind of easygoing in that respect. ]

[hearthebell]

[L nods shortly, before considering that he, too, probably needs a name here.

He's not really used to needing to use a pseudonym for prolonged periods.]

I'm Linden Tailor. I will remember every single card, just don't mix up the order once I've seen them. I only need a few seconds. Can you do that?

[defendure]

Of course! Don't worry about me.

[ He can follow directions pretty well, unlike some shounen protagonists. ]

[hearthebell]

["Don't worry," in this context, rather translates to trust me. L has a difficult time doing that on the best of days with the best of people; he rather requires evidence to trust, and that sort of defeats the purpose.

In a world where there was evidence for everything, after all, trust would not need to exist.

He nods, telling the crowd in his short, unshowman-like way that people in the crowd are welcome to inspect the deck if they want to to make sure there's nothing unusual about it. Several members of the throng seem interested in doing just that, and when the deck comes back to Izuku, well... it's on him.

L makes sure that he looks at every card, even if only briefly, and someone has offered their hat to start passing around for bets. It's lucky, since L himself doesn't really have anything to collect money in. He listens, keeping track of who is betting what... but there won't be a need to pay anyone back double. No, so long as Izuku doesn't alter the card order now that L's seen them, they'll be able to claim every cent.]

[defendure]

[ He's a dependable nerd: Izuku doesn't alter the card order at all, but plays the role of an assistant flawlessly.

Although he doesn't seem to have any stage presence whatsoever... ]

[hearthebell]

[Neither of them have any stage presence. Fortunately, this is an easily-impressed crowd; the novelty of newcomers and their eagerness to help result in them being rather easily and gladly parted from their money. This might not work in a big city with a crowd expecting a scam, looking for reasons to be dissatisfied with a performance in a public space, but it goes over well enough here. After going through the facedown deck several times forward and back, without missing a single card, there's no flourish, no grand finale; L just sort of announces that he's done and doesn't feel like doing this anymore, and the crowd disperses after scattered applause.

The hat comes back to them, though, along with all the money inside.]

Is a 50/50 split alright with you?

[L crouches down and starts to count out the money, assuming that it will be fine. Hey, they did OK!]

[defendure]

That's more than fair!

[ Because L did a lot of the work, here... ]

Um - have you done this often? [ Izuku has to admit to a certain curiosity. ]

[hearthebell]

[To be fair, he didn't break a sweat!]

Things like it, depending on the situation. Usually, if you tell people that you can do something that's difficult to believe, they want to see proof.

[An awkward pause as he passes Izuku his half, because now that this is a conversation, some reciprocity is somewhat required.]

So you're a student...?

[defendure]

At U.A.! It's a school of hero academics back in the Japan I come from.

[ Most people here don't seem to know about it. ]

[hearthebell]

A school of... hero academics? I'm not familiar with the field.

[He's one of those people who don't know about it... but at least it's genuinely interesting to him. L often can't say as much, especially for the bright and cheery types who drain his energy faster than any other type of person.]