☆ 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

[usurpers]

[ there’s something about a spike in eren’s quiet, quiet temper that says me too without necessarily needing to say it. he’s gone from unsure to confused to angry all over again.

he still eats, and forces himself to despite his stomach telling him he doesn’t need it right now. he needs to eat, he needs to have as much energy as possible. he needs to search and unravel and fight to undo before this goddamn thing spreads even further to aefenglom. before he can’t even return home.

and he knows he will, as long as he does something. he swallows whatever’s left in his hand with the aggression he’d use to kill what he’d eat. he’d tear this city down. he’d kill morgana if he had to. he’d burn what’s in these walls if it meant the threat is gone. ]

I’ve got a trail on dreams, not on memories. [ he’s not frustrated with that. not when he already has a target to prey on. he’s certain and confident. ] Not yet.

I will, though.

[proficience]

[He lets out a very soft sigh at that, since he would have liked to help out more, if he'd had the strength to. Normally, he'd be all about waiting and watching others do the heavy lifting, but --

These merrow are concerning. Seeing the corpse of that last one made him realize that, if one that's alive and able to fight gets on the ship, there could be problems.]

Related to Caster, by chance?

[He has to know.]

Or is that a nickname, of sorts?

[proficience]

[He appreciates the contact, smiling softly as he turns his head to look toward the other man.]

Twice a day, usually. Sometimes I can try to get by with one meal [He sighs at the usage of that word] but that's rare. I think, because of how rapid my changes are occurring --

I can't risk one meal a day anymore.

[He still truly wishes that meal were consisting of crab instead of blood.]

Tell me, have you been bitten by a vampire yet? I know many are around.

[foursakes]

[ oh, it’s— it’s the one she almost gutted in the dream, the boy she considered drowning before taking a handful of his jugular in her clawed, webbed hands. it’s a boy that at first, makes four’s eyes go wide with surprise— all before settling with confusion. ]

I . . . Don’t know what you’re speaking of. [ 😳 ] Perhaps you confuse me with someone else, young sir–? [ she bows her head, ] I’m sorry.

[towards_okeanos]

Thank you, mods!

He'd definitely do some sneaking ;)

I have a supplemental question, if I may. How possible is that one of the very few witches that are part of Dorchacht military force is in the Resistance? Is it possible to meet them perhaps?

[bloodwit]

It won't.

[ that-- would be very, very embarrassing, yes.

viren dislikes having to collect himself. inefficient. he weighs this over several moments, gaze turned toward the ground. and then, with a sigh, his hands falling more loosely at his sides, ]


Fine. [..] I will accompany you. But, mostly because I haven't been to any bar yet, and there may yet be something interesting there to discover. [ patrons' gossip, or whatnot. ]

[hippocarnival]

Huh? [Yuya leans in a little, squinting. But her face is definitely the same...] The one that had a forest on fire, remember? You were singing that sad song.

[And yeah, got kind of creepy around his neck. But that's not important right now.]

[bloodwit]

That?

[ a very fleeting smile, an eyebrow inching upward. while he can appreciate she didn't invade his space, he holds his ground. but, before he supplies an answer, gesturing toward her - ]

You're a dignitary, I'm presuming?

[bloodwit]

[ ... well.

viren is banking on this one being a dignitary. he doesn't really have the discretion to fit easily as a spy. and a Witch? he almost looks amused all of .3 seconds, alas, snapping the book shut to hold it close to his chest. ]

Oh, I'm sure not all of the meat is [..] monstrous in origin. That could be rude, refusing your gracious host's cuisine.

[ he's-- not completely serious now, at least. ]

[fiddlestick]

[He wasn't expecting to feel that spike that familiar temper at his statement. Was Eren familiar with this kind of manipulation too? It's a little surprising, but then again he knows his knowledge of Eren's world is very limited. It's very possible there's more magic there than he thought. It's...not a happy similarity though.

He meanwhile continues not to eat. He knows he probably should. He had to keep his energy up, he had to keep going. But his appetite just wasn't anywhere to be found. He can be cheerful on the radio, he can act hopeful and positive to scared mirrorbounds. But there's no fooling himself that everything's alright, that this whole city doesn't make him sick.]

What's the trail?

ii

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky keeps to Tony's side for a while, willing (if not super pleased) to play the loyal monster 'pet' while they're in public. When he isn't with the Resistance, offering them his knowledge in guerilla tactics, combat, and smuggling, he's trying to help gather info, anything that might be useful. He's still uneasy to be here, but considering he came willingly, it's settled down into a constant, but ignorable, background feeling.]

Gettin' a collar is probably easy. The library could be harder. I also want to see if we can't check out their military situation sometime while we're here, but that probably involves you playin' the eager new recruit to even get near.

ii-a

[anotheroldsoldier]

[It's no wonder they sought out the resistance almost first thing. For one, the sewers they call their headquarters is probably the safest place for a moment of downtime in this city, but also, this is right up their alley. It's easy to imagine being back in 1944 together, helping a city that isn't their own overthrow a horrible regime, if just for a few moments.

He stops to watch when he catches Steve drilling a small group of eager young recruits, smiling a little wryly, throwing out a pointer here and there himself - tighten up in the back, keep together.

It helps to focus on something. His changes are progressing, rather inconveniently, and the two new sets of small, round black eyes placed over the arches of his eyebrows allow a kind of peripheral vision that is almost nauseating.]

Just watching for now. You're enjoying playing drill sergeant. [His amusement filters lightly through the bond.] Nicer than our drill sergeants ever were, though.

[bloodwit]

[ despite eren's comparatively masked appearance, that doesn't stop viren's eyes from narrowing as he recognizes his face, a grimace briefly flashing over his features. ah, the dragon. nothing exaggerated obviously; he knows maintaining discretion is of import, here. old biases die hard. ]

[ but so he quietly accepts the books, mouth pressed into a thin line and giving the gesture a nod of acknowledgement. he clutches the stack to his chest, glancing down towards eren's titles. now those look like a better use of time. ... alas. ]

[ at the risk of sounding like an idiot, he knows, his tone incredulous, ]

In these... cookbooks...?

[ sorry, all he can envision is angry scribbling about how a dash of ground scales is much better than a sprinkle of it. ]

[bloodwit]

[ oh, lord. viren nearly drops the books he'd just compiled all over again, looking up sharply from picking one up as dazai addresses him. you better believe he's marching on over. ]

Not so loud. [ viren whispers.. loudly... he hopes no one heard that name. ] Have some discretion.

[ he sighs, gives dazai a look-over. at the question, he shuffles the stack of books in his hands, almost looking a bit awkward about it for a split second before his expression returns to its typical stoicism. ]

I was looking at... dessert recipes. For cultural insight. [ urgh. ] Hopefully, whatever you're perusing would also be pertinent.

[bloodwit]

[ ah, entrapta. princess of dryl. viren's eyebrows raise. --admittedly, he doesn't really know what he'd do with it, and certainly he can think entrapta might. ]

[ but he doesn't yet hand it over, instead pulling it slightly towards himself. ]

Hopefully, you would put it to good use.

[ even if just for study. there's a question there, somehow. pls confirm what he already knows. ]

[horkbajir]

Toby has been told with a certain degree of condescension that the waters have been very calm, that this ceaseless wave-surging is like a bathtub compared to the open ocean and to storms. She really doesn't want to believe that. Or at least, she doesn't want to have to be present to discover it for herself.

"I have many regrets," she says solemnly, giving him a red-eyed glance, unhappy enough to make no effort to return the expression. "How long, and do you think it's easier with a more human inner ear structure? I don't have those bones and the spiral thing."

The human ear, inside and out, is baffling and she's not sure she completely has it.

[long_live_the_queen]

[The Chimera's slouch straightened, finally, though she remained tense for a different reason. She knew the turnskin could fight, but not the full extent of it. Kaede still held the same wary respect for Fang she did around any predator formidable enough to be a danger to herself instead of something specific.]

Yes.

[Don't get thrown out of the ring, wait for the bell, don't go for the eyes. On purpose. Simple enough. Kaede had been practicing with Eren, but with how rapidly her body had been changing and how busy they'd both been she hadn't gotten much of a chance to revisit it.

When the small ship's bell rang, Kaede lunged. Not pounced--that would slam her antlers into Fang's face and fail rule three. She grabbed for Fang's arm and shoulder with limbs stretched long, feathers smoothed back and out of the way. If she could secure her grasp, she'd yank towards herself.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[...oh.

Kaede's mouth opened for a question and a protest, but no words made it out. "Do you mean that?" she meant to say.

But she didn't need to ask. The Bond didn't lie, glowing warm as the sun.

Flustered, Kaede finally closed her mouth and glanced away. Her ears couldn't blend into her hair anymore, but her cheeks were trying to make up for that. Brief, but noticeable.

...she did glance Fang's way a few times without moving her head too much, trying to figure out if the taller woman saw. Kaede was...composed! She was fine, she was calm, she was...having difficulties with her calm, collected nature eroding away to something jittery and ticklish.]

aefenglom

[hallucinogem]

Chandra!

[her. Witch. her Witch, Emerald's Witch is nearby, and from the sound of things, getting treated like shit for being Bonded (and not, as Emerald initially thought when this stuff started happening, for being a Monster). something about that sets her blood on fire. sure, it's not as bad as it could be, but the surge of anger that comes through the Bond should be easy enough to recognize before Emerald even catches up with Chandra outside the house that they're supposed to be sharing.]

Are you okay? [it's kind of easy to figure out what happened here through context clues, but unfortunately, Emerald doesn't have a bead on whoever did it.] How many were there?

aefengremlin

[hallucinogem]

[wrong person to catch with this stuff. Emerald doesn't recognize who exactly is talking to her, but that line about how it's peaceful to have "them" locked up, contained, submissive and leashed and obedient? Em's not a fan. she lowers her voice and gets close to the hooded figure, who probably only approached her because she doesn't look like a Monster at all yet.]

Shut up and take that back to Dorchacht.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ That seems good enough for him, even if he replies with a barbed joke. ]

In theory, you can dispel my disguise, then.

[ Aside from his borderline (and actually) criminal activities, Berserker hasn't talked to many people around here for any length of time. Not talking to people and keeping them at bay is kind of key to how he's been working, after all. ]

Strange...This city looks like it's existed at least as long as Aefenglom. How far back do their memories go, do you know?

[belligerentwarrior]

[It was a familiar warmth in the Bond, by now, something that Fang basked in and warmed her own emotions in turn. Fang's elbow came to rest on Chariot's far shoulder, hand on the top of her head, lightly cradling it.]

You? Silly? What a stretch of the imagination, [the turnskin teased with a smile, oblivious to Kaede's self-conscious fidgeting.]

You would've made it just fine, Chariot. You're stronger than that—I've seen it. [Her fingers brush affectionately against the Witch's scalp.] But it's not like we've gotta find out. I'm glad I met you.

[freeing]

[ His words do nothing to calm her own fears – they were brought here, seemingly, as scapegoats she viewed. Now that there was some calculated chaos, how could the pieces not align to be sent back to them?

Her arms cross defensively, almost as if she was cross with him. ]

I'm sure the sudden strike was not timely with any of the Aefenglom or mirrobound arrivals. None at all. [ Sarcasm drips in her words. ] You're putting yourself and others at risk, you know. What do you plan to do if – something... truly comes from this?

[ Could it? Could it honestly? ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker watches the scene without much outward emotion -- mostly, he keeps checking towards the street to make sure this isn't drawing any undue attention.

There's an unspoken kind of fascination with how Chandra's magic works and the way the body burns away. It's not like he hasn't seen this before (Caster prefers fire magic and he's seen that at work numerous times). When the elementals pop out is when he stops gazing back at the entry to the alley.

He simply gives a nod. ]

I'll take a few with me. They'll make good distractions for my own distractions.

[ Murder and chaos on the same day, it's like heaven. ]

i-b

[chosenside]

[Now that Theseus is slightly more calm about Newt already being in Dorchacht, he's been trying to focus on what he can do now and actually being useful for the upcoming mission. Oh, he's certainly still worried about his brother, but receiving letters from Newt has done a lot for Theseus to get a better hold on his emotions.

And Hiccup has truly helped with that aspect-- by having Toothless receive those letters.

For once, however, Theseus is not here to talk about Newt. He looks at the cuffs Hiccup's working on, noting what he's trying to do with them.]

Enchanting them with protection, aren't you? That's quite brilliant.