☆ Event: A Tale of Two Cities

[faileas]

Event Log: September, A Tale of Two Cities

I. THE TRIP OUT On Septeril 5th, those who've agreed to go as dignitaries to Dorchacht will meet with Nerissa Bell in the Coven's foyer. Given the group is a little large, and the boat they've procured for the voyage would be a little crowded with all of them on it, she suggests there be two groups: the first one will go now and will return around the middle of the month, while the second will depart a few days after the first group returns, just to give them some breathing room. a. DIGNITARY: THE SHIP Those joining Nessie are led to the docks, where an old ship is being scrapped down, barnacles removed and hull shined to perfection. Sailors call to and fro from on board, buckets of water thrown off the side away from the docks and there's a tingle of nervous excitement from the gathering crowds come to wish the dignitaries and ambassadors a bon voyage. She's of a medium size, able to hold her crew and half of the assigned dignitaries with little trouble, and from top to bottom the moose-like Faun of a captain calls her a seaborn miracle; short of a sea wyrm, she's never faltered nor fled the waves, but he'll admit that she's been more a fishing boat than anything the past couple years. Judging from the way his tuffed tail lashes in excitement, he's thrilled to be out on a real voyage again -- even if it's to those notoriously unfriendly blokes 'round the corner of the map, haven't been in decades time and they've always been up their own arses about this and that. While dignitaries are supposed to relax the best they can on the four day trip, the captain doesn't seem to mind offering work to those interested in learning the way of the sea or with the know-how already, eagerly asking the Mirrorbound about their experiences beyond the glass... much more than he is about talking about himself outside of his ship, who he loves a great deal and sings the praises of up and down the hour, through sea shanty and spoken word. His large antlers don't seem to get in the way of his work nor bar him from getting in and out his quarters, but watch out! They are large and they do hurt. All's not well going to and from Dorchacht, though, as while the waters are safer than the land by far, there's plenty of dangers within the deep: Infected Merrow swim in the shallows, singing sweetly from rocks that jut out at the shore, and some more adventurous ones try their luck closer to the boat too. The captain's Navigator, a Witch with just as rowdy an attitude if more polite a tone, can manage a deafening spell on the ship to keep any from falling seaward, but asks that those who can to rid the ship of those terrible pests, whether by cannon, magic, or something else similarly ranged. Oh, it'd be perfectly alright if they killed them, plenty of them out here in the sea and growing ever more, but if they simply want to scare them off then by all means! There's also all manner of sea beasts as well, from krakens on the smaller side to the mentioned sea wyrms earlier, though the captain'll say that they're just babies compared to the mother he'd faced last year -- still troublesome little bastards, best put down before they're drowned themselves, but nothing to turn tail at. Outside of these... troubles... there's disorderly sailors of Monster and Witch alike, the former being compromised primarily of Turnskin and Faun for heavy lifting, with a Harpy in the crow's nest to help with speed, and the latter being those specializing in Divination and Astrology for directions, as well as some elemental manipulation from the Evocation course. Unlike the proper Coven trained, they seem like they're a little more unconventional with their magics, using "shortcuts" and combining spells to great effect. When they're not on the clock as it were they enjoy a great deal of ale, howling stories and song, pushing each other around whilst the journey's bright and startlingly serious when things turn south. Be careful you don't get in a fight, or perhaps you'd like to show your stuff in a little competition: They're willing to do anything to pass the time. b. ESPIONAGE: THE DEVICE Upon hearing that there are some who would be interested in investigating the device that Mhairi mentioned, a young Witch opens up the room it's being stored in now to allow them a chance to check it out. They warn that it isn't particularly cooperative, but maybe those with some knowledge of magitech - or their world's equivalent - might be able to help? While not exactly the largest device around, it's one that stands out. Something resembling a Tesla coil stands atop the piece of tech, tall enough to almost reach the ceiling of the rather tall room, and various dials and knobs and gauges adorn the outside of it. Those who are perceptive to magic - training in detection spells, or who have a good sense for it, or even a sixth sense for something poised to happen - will be able to note that there's a sort of... presence in the room. It continues to build up, the more people that come in to investigate. Anyone that tinkers with it, has active magitech on their person, or even uses magic in it, only help to build the sensation. And then, when enough Mirrorbound of both the Witch and Monster persuasion are in the room - A whirring noise fills the room, as the device comes to life. There isn't any time to vacate the room, because whether it was an intentional thing to activate the teleporter or not, it's activated. The intention of using it for travel to Dorchacht remains embedded in it, and from one moment to the next, the group in the room find themselves not in the Coven, but in the midst of trees. All around you is the forest just beneath the cliffs outside of Dorchacht. In the distance, if one looks hard enough, they might be able to spot the Black City itself. Besides the storage room of the Coven vanishing in a flash of light and electricity, the device is absent, too. Some of its smaller parts can be found scattered in the craggy grass at your feet, in the roots of trees, as if it completely fell apart the moment that the magic was activated. Whatever you had on your person, when you left? It's all that you have, now. And there's no way back from here. (Notes: Some small reminders - the boats take 2 days to reach Dorchacht, meaning they take 2 days to come back as well, and the teleportation device used by the espionage team is a one-time use only. The espionage team will be able to return to Aefenglom at the end of the month courtesy of some inside help, using a similar device that managed to bring them there in the first place. The Watches can be used on the ship, but are prone to static and dropping calls. Communication is possible from Dorchacht, though voice and video both feel a little muffled.)

II. DORCHACHT It's déjà vu. While Aefenglom is known for its dusk-hued skies, made of lustrous pinks and purples and blues, this city is dreary to the core. The streets are covered in a perpetual fog, not unlike the city you hail from, but thicker, denser, tinged with the flavor of industrial smog from the factories whose spires you can see in the distance. Magitech lights - lanterns above doors, street posts, flickering in the windows you pass - illuminate everything throughout the entire day, as if the sunshine can't reach through the foreboding fog nor the onyx walls. Even the windows are barred, offering a paranoid protection against the outside world. Doors seem hardier, and each building is reinforced and protected in a way that may feel familiar to those that have encountered the protective magic wards. They're heavier, leaving an almost ominous presence that causes unease to hang just as heavy in the air as the smog. The people of this city are just as dreary as the streets, though they do mill about with the same frequency as any city. Those from Aefenglom may recognize familiar faces, and they might find themselves looking twice at you, as if some part of them remembers you as well. Something seems... off, however. There are fewer Monsters in the streets than there were in the dream, though it isn't too hard to catch a glimpse of one here and there. The streets even seem a little more cleaned up than they once were, as one makes their way down them. At the heart of the city, dignitaries will be brought to the Coven. There, they're greeted by a slender and elegant woman, eyes bright and clever, but just as sharp as the red-lined smile that she offers her visitors. "Nerissa Bell," she begins, tone polite if clipped. There's the sense of a woman who won't waste words from her person, and she turns her eyes towards the dignitaries. "You must be the charges she spoke of. Mirrorbound, they call you?" A shallow inclination of her head, barely called respectful, as she smiles wider, in a way that would be kind if knives were made to be dull. "A pleasure. I am Morgana Drummond, head of the Coven here, and I welcome you to my city of Dorchacht, the safest haven against the Cwyld across all of our poor Geardagas." a. THE COVEN Morgana Drummond gives them a quick tour of their facilities, speaking lightly of the curriculum they have here that differs from Aefenglom's own (more of a focus in manipulation spells, be it the sort of commands that have become such a familiar sight to things such as perception and "paths" that can be seen through scrying, the other areas of practice more of "extra" than essentials) as well as allowing them to peek in on some lessons taking place. They won't be able to interact, but it is admittedly of a higher feel than what Aefenglom asks, though it's simply the seriousness of the atmosphere giving that impression. After showing them to where they'll be staying within the Coven's hospitality as well as mentioning the areas of their infirmary, library, and welcoming the Witches to try a hand at their lessons, she and Nerissa part from the characters as a whole to discuss the business of the month. There is a notable increase in guards, both around Morgana's person even within the Coven's walls, as well as the building itself. They seem to be in the business of keeping people on a kind of "railroaded" layout of the Coven building, but can be distracted for a quick peek -- the real help comes from those with triple stars hidden in plain sight, beneath the brims of hats and worn as idly jewelry and easily missed charms. These sympathizers will actively seek those out to speak with them, to let them know that even here there are those that would like to see change brought to Dorchacht, and assist in entering places that Mirrorbound otherwise would not be able to enter. Such as the library here, which contain higher level spells including the enchantments specific to the city walls. The history is just as muddled as it is in the later mentioned public library, the "when"s being vague and the like, but depicts Drummond's rise as the head of the Coven: She came to Dorchacht on a ship hailing from Aefenglom along with a number of other Witches and rose above the rest to become the esteemed leader she is now. Without her, many of the text will agree, Dorchacht would not be as it is now. Those with any notable signs of infection may be asked to step aside and allow Dorchacht's Witches to give them a check up -- better safe than sorry -- and this goes for Witches and Monsters alike. They'll be brought to the double doors that were so heavily secure within the dream, whether they'd like to be or not, and escorted inside. b. THE CITY Unlike the dream, things seem to be more... well-behaved. Auctions have been moved from the pavilion and in its place are genuine vendors to purchase from: Food, clothing, toys, trinkets, protective spell scrolls, all manners of things. There's still Monsters around, a little more tidy than before, but they hold the same stares they had in the dream, pinched expression and disinterested in conversation. There are signs that lead way to auctions if one is truly curious to see the extent of that terror, to gain insight on the situation there, but tailing someone might be hard within the twisting turns of the new bazaar. Another notable part of the city that can be accessed by those dealing in espionage include the barracks if they pose as hopefuls to join their ranks as handlers for their Monsters, which are collared in a familiar way to the dream, and seem reactionary to quick movements -- they're explained to be the essential frontline of what constitutes as a military force, very important, Mirrorbound Monsters beware you not suffer the same fate. The next place one might seek out is the library: While this is all deemed public knowledge, it offers insight into the kind of history and mindset that's been bred the past decade at minimum. Books regarding the dangers of Monsters, how to care and train them, practical spellbooks for those untrained by the Coven proper... The history books themselves are vague in regards to the "when" of things, and seem to be more contemporary in comparison to how old the city feels itself. There's a variety of more cultural knowledge such a cookbooks (including those dealing with monster parts) and floriography (more dour meanings compared to Aefenglom's flurous), but the relevant ones have been noted thusly. c. THE RESISTANCE Whether you're espionage or dignitary, those seeking the Resistance know what to look for: a trio of stars (some worn more openly than others), protests against the city's treatment of Monsters, and dispelling runes on the walls. Once proven that you're friend over foe, they're more than happy to have the assistance of any Mirrorbound in their company: A fight against the current practices is a fight they're for, after all. Riot! Disrupt the peace! The auctions, while a little more downplayed than in the dream, are still going, and the Resistance has good word on where they're being held in the grand city. Their goal? To cause a disturbance big enough to distract, but not big enough to catch Drummond's eye... that said, with her having to play the nice host to Aefenglom's associates within the main building, there's more to get away with. Free the Monsters! Whilst distracted, other members of the Resistance plan to dispel the runes in certain areas and smuggle off what Monsters they can, valuing quantity over quality. While the more mind-broken may resist heavily, it won't be hard to find Monsters of all kinds (save Dragons and Fae, which are notably absent from the auctions and city in general) accepting help to escape, eager to think for themselves once more. Find a way for them to escape the city safely, but know that the docks are heavily guarded in case of stowaways. Free the city! Kind of. A third party of Resistance members are looking to weaken the enchantment on the wall of Dorchacht itself, meaning they'll be looking for those brave enough to tread outside the city and into the Wilde just beyond its protective gates to take a look at and inscribe runes to hopefully diminish the compulsion in place right now. It won't be immediate, but it'll help in the future... just be careful, there's plenty of danger beyond the wall to contend with. As an interesting note, while the Resistances' bonded pairs are definitely unlike Dorchacht's compulsion-based ones, they're not exactly like Aefenglom's either: They call themselves comrades and partners, brothers/sisters in arms, giving it more of an equality forged from the same brass than something to do with convenience. (Notes: Those being willing, or unwilling, participants in the check-ups may reply to the top level there with how visibly infected they are for a special treat! Only for this month.)

III. AEFENGLOM Preparations for Meán Fómhair begin before Nerissa and the dignitaries head off on the 5th, but they seem a little quick even for the ever-festive people of Aefenglom: Apples begin the appear in great quantities to be used for later, some yellowed versus the red ripeness one thinks of when they're ready, there's hay bales tucked safely away for the days of, and there's little conversation to be made save for how things might be going in Dorchacht, though if any of the Mirrorbound try to join in they'll change the subject to Meán Fómhair in a split second, smiles thrown wider than the weeks before. Seems all is not quite as well as they'd like to appear. a. MARKET UP With the Parliament tense and looking westward, there starts to be gradual, but steady, increases in new appearances from some interesting individuals about the city. At face value they're no different than the vendors already found in great quantities, human and Monster alike, but one look at their wares proves different. The goblin market, as it's familiarly called, is somewhat accepted by the Parliament as something allowed to exist as part of their mercantile culture with Coven-approved medicines, alchemical practices, enchantments, so on and so forth, and only somewhat thanks to these known wares. Beneath these, with a dropped word or a curious eye, one can find things that are more than likely not sanctioned by either branch, things the vendors say can sate Monster and Witch alike without need of a Bond, though they decline to include the fact that such things are only temporary and that, like all hits, they'll need to come back for a greater quantity to get the satisfaction they need. Overpriced as they are (due to their private nature, it's high risk, surely they understand), they sell Monster parts of most kinds, Witch's Blood that may or may not be genuine, and what they call "extra strength" potions to mimic the feeling of a temporary bond without needing a second person to partake -- of course, you're welcome to share it, the more the merrier. However, this market hides a darker side, known more to those living among the aristocracy or who have the money and means to it, and characters are more likely to find themselves led there one way or another -- be it kidnapped or tricked, the black market isn't picky about how they drag their targets in. While Aefenglom prides itself in its fairness and equality, as in example with the goblin market not all is what it promises. Nowhere else is this more true than with the black market itself, using techniques familiar in Dorchacht to control their living wares, emboldened by the absence and turned heads of the government while remaining as discreet as they can be, they've ascended from the tunnels beneath Aefenglom to turn old houses into private auctions and the more deserted streets into bazaar-like adventures. Not all of these are unwilling wares, characters may find, and drawn by necessity for their own well-being or for their family's, but it's clear that a greater number are those from the Outer City. b. PROPAVANDALS Unbeknownst to Aefenglom's higher ups, Dorchacht has sympathizers of its own within this city's walls. While Bonds haven't been specifically dissuaded against, given that there's alternatives to the more permanent tethers, not all are in favor of changing completely. It's been ten years since Miss Bell gained her seating, such citizens'll say, and there's been decades prior where they hadn't needed that. That Monsterkind and Witches could be, and sometimes were better off, apart. Home remedies and extra practice, or finding a substitute, was all that was needed. More privately and growing in whispered popularity, that there ought to be more restrictions on the two in general. Once these words have started, both conversations planted as well as encouraged for thoughts already leaning a certain way, small attacks on those Bonded being to occur. They target the main populace and those with connections to the Coven itself, especially the Mirrorbound given Nerissa's alleged responsibility to them, and it seems they're well-practiced in hiding their activities because all investigations done towards the perpetrators, whether done by the Mirrorbound or officials themselves, will lead to only dead-ends outside the City. The culprits are hard to catch on foot, using the environment they'd grown up with to their advantage in escaping any manner of way -- it isn't just humans, but Monsters causing trouble as well -- but it isn't impossible... Just that they refuse anything but their right of silence on the accusations, claiming they'd had no part in anything, regardless of what proof might be found. The attacks and vandalism itself range from harmful messages appearing with magic on walls and doors, vaguely threatening letters written in ink that evaporates in sunlight, to fruit thrown and possessions left in tatters after breaking and entering. They don't stop at residential houses either, aiming for businesses held by those with any connection to the Coven, held by those with Bonds, and seek to cause any number of annoyance and distaste to those they attack. If it weren't for their Bonds, their Coven connections, they wouldn't be treated this way. That's the message they seek to send. c. UNEASY FESTIVITIES Come Septeril 21st, and lasting til the 23rd, Meán Fómhair is tentatively in full swing. The residents of Aefenglom are more on edge than during previous festivals save the red-hued Lithia, even once the first dignitary group has returned and the second left. There's barrels of apples decorating the street corners, but they don't seem as plentiful as they should. The games have a forced cheerfulness about them too, the unaffected being children who gleefully take part in each race, each competition, as well as the doctors with their cure-alls and promises of something to promote the harvest's delight, peddling medicine and medical advice to all who lend an ear with earnest grins and a profit to be made. The medicines are largely placebos with some possible side-effects for those that aren't, such as voice changes and intense cravings for various foods, but they seem to be very popular this year -- there's at least a couple merchants talking up the good fortune Dorchacht's stress has brought this year to one another, quieting down when they catch outsiders eavesdropping. With the continued attacks on those Bonded and Coven-affiliated, with one of their Speakers across the continent and the other sorely wrapped in Parlimentary business dealing with the attacks, the city holds its breath and tries to endure. Tries to be bright and cheerful while keeping obvious supplies behind their counters, to keep fright from their expressions and mind lest it invite the Cwyld to their midst, and ultimately drawing apart from one another in a time where unity is more than needed: Time will tell what actions might sew shut the new wound struck across Aefenglom.

Welcome to September's event log! The questions thread is split into two this time: one for Dorchacht, which can be found HERE, and one for Aefenglom, which can be found HERE. Please keep questions to their respective cities! This'll help both us and your fellow players in sorting information. Additionally, this event is a little special - we've prepare an OOC post to go along with it. Check it out over HERE - don't forget about it, as it'll help us see how things'll progress in the cities!

Comments

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Before, there wouldn't have been a second chance -- his Madness Enhancement wouldn't have allowed for it. With its influence heavily lessened here, though, he's learned something resembling mercy. ]

...As you say. [ He drops his scrub brush, his work done. ] Don't dwell on it too much. Whatever you're still clinging onto from your past has no bearing here right now.

[futhark]

[ She's wary and careful, but she trusts him. Caster he knows he's asking her for a gamble here— he does not intend to betray that trust ]

May I? [ Now that he found the pendant he takes her hand into his and that is the only warning. Mannerless, not subtle, but they are not in the court right now but on a dangerous mission that— might even turn more so. She can take care of herself, hiding more skills than one could expect from the small, delicate frame. It's a front, but a useful one.

Masks, masked people everywhere.

A soft inhale later, Caster closes his eyes and touches the wall, knowing what to expect. That knowledge combined with the protective barrier Zelda weaved around them had let him take the second submerge better. They don't get to see, not with their eyes at least, but they can feel. The enormous size of continuous enchantment built into the wall. The long and crooked branches pulsating all over the city. It's like a tree contained within Dorchacht, and that tree is what fuels the enchantment.

That's what he wanted to show Zelda. A lot easier to show than tell.

Like every tree, it has a trunk, at the very center the Coven is at its heart— but the roots, the roots grow deeper. If they can just concentrate long enough— If she can hold the barrier they could locate the source ]

[sing_for_me]

[ If she had to pretend like she was going to hurl she was ready to do so, but it seems the man wasn't saw right through it.

Any chances for slipping away subtly was gone once the shopkeeper dropped to the ground. While the other shopkeeper starts to call for help, Alex finds another alleyway that cuts through the marker. She urges the faun to head that way, and grabs hold of Geralt's arm to pull him along. ]

We need to find a canal.

[ If things were just as they were in the dream, they should be able to get away underground. Hopefully... ]

They went down that way!

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex is just as shocked too as she's pulled away, turning back to mouth an apology to the shop keeper for the burn. ]

I..was asking if you actually saw them doing anything bad. I've only seen some of the residents harass us..

[sing_for_me]

[ That didn't really answer her questions though. ]

I didn't mean if you were doing anything wrong..I meant..how you're feeling. You said you don't really want to go?

[sing_for_me]

[ She's finished as well, but she continues scrubbing at one spot. ]

It's all I've got.

[ Hell, she couldn't even remember most of her past. Those few flashes of memories, and the few months of lucidity, that was all she had. Bad as most of it may have been, what was she supposed to be? ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker does what he does best: cling to a weakness and tear at it until something gives. ]

Do you have nothing here worth attaching yourself to? No one worth letting go of that for? You've been given another chance...Don't waste it.

[amurder]

[From here he can feel the gazes bearing down on their makeshift stage.

Of course sounds are their forte, but even this up close Salieri can detect the various emotions flitting across the crowd as he steps forward and extends his hand towards Amadeus.]

You are cruel, Maestro. [He murmurs to Amadeus, his own demure smile threatening to spread further. Yes, it was lullabies, wasn't it? That's all these people have been allowed to hear... when was the last time any of their hearts had been shaken? When was the last time a rhythm or a chorus struck them so profoundly that they could not keep it out of their minds for days?

Probably never.

Salieri drops the miniature piano into the Witch's palm.] You can't mean to play anything grand on such a small instrument, Herr Mozart.

[From around them are low murmurs of agreement. What are they planning?]

[sing_for_me]

[ She did have that other chance though, with both Nicolas and Worrick. She was in a position to help them this time, rather than weigh them down or just watch helplessly from the sides. But before she could do much for either of them, they were gone. Again. ]

I already did.

[ She should consider herself she was able to see them at all, after she got separated from them both in Ergastulum, not knowing whether they were still alive or not. Just like she should have considered herself luck that, brief as it was, they gave her a taste of a good life with them. And yet, it wasn't a question a whether other people were worth it.

All these chances, they were wasted on her.

She could imagine the smile on that man's face at being proven right. ]

But, there's really nothing I can do but to keep going. I don't know really know how, but..

[ The last thing she was going to do was to just lay down and die. ]

[niespodzianka]

Right at the next break.

[ Geralt's been in contact with the Resistance since he arrived, and knows his way around by now - it's just risky to leap into the most obvious nooks and avenues of escape among so many prying eyes. But they have no choice, now, unless he wants to just drop anchor and pick a much bigger fight while the two girls get out.

... Which is an option. Geralt doesn't give too much of a shit about himself.

Still, best to avoid it. They'd probably be able to figure out that he's not a local more or less immediately. So they just have to book it. ]

[fieryimpulse]

Me? Oh, yeah, totally fine.

I just got back from Dorchacht, and...ugh. Vandals.

[whattaprick]

That makes two of us.

[ Lambert doesn't take his eyes off her, but a body in the shadows behind him stirs, and an ear flicks back. ]

... More than two of us.

[ For there are other, frightened-looking monsters behind him -- a faun with a bloodied nose, a merrow with cracked skin, others that are eerily still. Lambert doesn't think of himself as a soft touch, and there's little he can do to help directly, but ... he jerks a thumb over his shoulder. ]

You gonna let these nice people step out too? [ And hey, maybe ... time to improvise. The Lambert approach of bulldozing through everything isn't gonna work out too well for him, here. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

... If you lost someone or they disappeared from here, carry on because of them. Don't give into your sorrow or what could have been or you will lose yourself. Turn that into strength before it crushes you.

[ Whatever strength might mean to her. ]

You don't have to accept my words, of course. Do as you will.

[weirdnecro]

[And she gently guides his face away, using her pinch to do so so they're face to face. Normally she would have enjoyed a nuzzle, but he done something stupid.]

So I guess this makes it the second time?

[Her voice was wry at least. She wasn't too mad.]

Sorry beautiful. But reminding me that we're gonna die is not going to get me in the mood.

You're still cute though.

[And she let go.]

[weirdnecro]

[It's the most serious plan. She's clambering up like a monkey, but she still looks down at the rumble of his voice.

And chuckles.]

Well if I fall, you'll catch me right? Or try to? That'd be a friendly thing to do.

[She grinned as she steadied herself. Should she try to stand completely...? Not yet. It's a little rocky.]

I'd try to catch you. I mean, then we'd both be siren food, but still.

[proficience]

And perhaps not the most appropriate. He exists in my heart, obviously.

[A pause, and he finally moves to stand up from his chair.]

And in my ideals. [He's sounding like Kunikida, using that word, but he means it.] But physically, he's long gone. I was there when he died. It was -- a turning point in my life. [Said with utmost sincerity.]

[futhark]

[ Caster doesn't respond to that, there is no need to. In no way he could change her mind when she's like this, so he just allows her to take the second which off his hands. That's the moment where he deactivates the runic tattoos as well— he can carry one dude and traverse the forest at good speed just fine.

He leads them further from the wall and when they finally get back to the road he unceremoniously drops the unconscious witch. ]

Now back to the wall, best to use all the daylight available. [ Should Scáthach wants to accompany him still, she is of course welcome. ]

[futhark]

Get yourself comfortable, it will take a while.

[ Since the ink is going directly into the skin, there can't be any mistakes made. Paint can be adjusted, fixed and worked on. Tattoos got to be as close to perfect as possible. Caster starts with cleaning the area and drawing the initial runes before any needle get ]

So you're familiar with such wards? Anything to do with your job? [ As a spy ]

[bloodwit]

[ despite viren's best efforts, he's at a loss of words for that one. and again, he's expressive in that; there's shock, and some incredulity, before he recalls that in the place, even the most fantastical seems possible. ]

That's...

[ he stops, forces himself to take a steadying breath. then, no fucking wonder they would make the best of their share time here. ]

I'm sorry to hear. [ that too, sounds sincere. it's a little too sudden for it to be anything but, anyway. sorry for what? useless as it may be, it's a condolence; viren knows well what it's like to have someone die, their death a turning point. —which, he realizes with unfortunate abruptness, even as he forces the implications of that down for the sake of conversation, could be.. a problem. ] Does he remember that? ... His own death?

[futhark]

[ Hailing from ancient Ireland he came here with a hidden perk— the local runes are incredibly similar to Ogham his people used. He wouldn't have such an easy time deciphering and working with them otherwise. That he is willing and surprisingly enough, interested in doing so is another thing.

He takes two stones out of his pocket and puts them on the table. Their shape might differ but runes with faint glow are carved all the same. ]

They will make you inconspicuous in the crowd— people won't pay attention to you. Just remember, once activated it will be only few minutes before they turn to dust. [ So it's best they take the nearest exit possible. If they take it— there are a few long seconds when the harpy considers Geralt's words.

And then she makes her decision by taking the runestone. Better forward into the unknown to go back. ]

[fordeath]

[ even the simple act of taking the piano is a grand show for amadeus, tossing his arm up and throwing his coat out with a flourish in the process. ]

Patience, my Bonded. [ apparently radical in that, too. he's having far too much fun, perhaps dangerously so... but if the suppressed people of dorchacht can find some sense of liberation in their display, maybe law enforcement will simply chalk up his antics and his words to mere theatrics.

following that, amadeus sits the piano on the ground — directly across his own so they faced each other. from his coat, he produces his baton and takes a step back. ] Daring art can have beginnings in the most modest of places. Don't forget this. [ from the seriousness of his tone it's clear he's not quite acting. what's more — he's not speaking to salieri. ]

You simply need a little ... spark.

[ and with that, a twirl of his baton activates the runes etched atop the small piano. they glow, sparkling colors surrounding the instrument in magic as it suddenly and brilliantly — explodes in size with a growing spell.

what one was a petite model of a keyboard expands into a full-sized, standing piano before their very eyes. amadeus has even given it a deep red lacquer job to contrast with his own's amber hue. ]

I suspect we'll be able to give them a show now, ey, Kapellmeister?

[chainveil]

[ All her jokes die pretty quickly with that point-blank statement. She really shouldn't expect anything less from Chandra, but that doesn't mean she has to like it.

Liliana scoffs, leaning back into the pillows. She likes her pillows. ]

Do you have to put it like that?

[ She crinkles her nose. ]

It'll pass.

[fieryimpulse]

I do. Because otherwise you'll dance around the subject and fish for a compliment.

[Folding her arms, Chandra frowns, marching closer, still holding a rag over her finger.]

It won't pass. You're becoming a freaking vampire. You can't starve yourself.

[And to prove her point, she tosses the rag over towards Liliana, just to gauge a reaction to fresh blood being so close.]

[amurder]

[It's difficult, to say the least, to not outwardly react to that unsuspecting endearment.

My Bonded.

The significance of the term comes so abruptly to him that he nearly misses his unspoken cue to step back. He leaves a wide enough space between them, but even this far he can clearly hear the words Amadeus enchants and casts over the crowd. No, those words weren't meant for him— and he can only hope that with this lasting impression these weary folk were listening carefully.

He smiles against the brilliance unfolding before them— and finally releases a fleeting laugh as the piano swells to full size. Ah, he should not be so ready to tease— but their faces—] Spettacolare!

Truly astounding, Herr Mozart. [He gives a few hearty claps before returning once again, taking his place in front of his newly grown piano. He's beaming now- standing tall and straight with his tail curled high above the ground. He glances to Amadeus.] Yes, this will do just fine.

Now, then... are we ready, Maestro? [Because he is.

Right now, he's ready for anything.]

[fordeath]

[ it's a tad cruel of him to take all the credit for the display, given the witches of the resistance were the ones to delicately carve the runes for this moment, but ... oh well. amadeus deigns to look pleased all the same — stops to quickly bow — and bounds backwards towards his own piano with a smile on his face. ]

I have something perfect in mind, just for this moment! [ his voice grows louder as he makes his way towards the bench. before he sits, however, he hits salieri's piano with a subtle spell — an enhancement similar to the one on his, meant to amplify the standing piano's volume and timbre to sound like that of a grand.

finally, he sits. ] Can you guess what it is, Herr Salieri? [ all show, again. they discussed what piece to play prior to this, after all. ]