☆ 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

Chandra - Dorchacht

[fieryimpulse]

The Trip Out: Boundless Energy

[Boat trips are something of a novel experience for Chandra. She is not new to them, as Ghirapur had a bustling port for the many rivers that crisscrossed Kaladesh and they had been important to her parents smuggling business...but that had been decades ago unless airships counted. Her energy for this journey was dampened slightly by the destination and the fact that her bonded had opted to stay in Aefenglom, but that was hardly enough to repress it entirely.

She practically bounds up on deck the first day, intent on enjoying the wind in her hair and the spray on her face. It's there that she's most likely to be spotted doing any number of things. She can be found practicing non-fire magic such as coaxing plants to grow out of a small handful of dirt she'd brought, conjuring up non-magical objects like rope, or levitating various objects around with telekinetic abilities. Other times she'll be quietly reading a book, with a strange creature running around beside her, bits of it slowly seeming to dissipate into thin air...and still others she's just sitting out, staring at the sea and chewing thoughtfully on something. Distractions are encouraged.]


The Trip Out: The Dark Meander

[Infected Merrow are definitely an unwelcome surprise. When they show up, predictably Chandra is there, running from spot to spot, lobbing lightning bolts out at them. Also, if anyone tips overboard or is lured away, a rope will leap out and grab them...held as if by magic.]

Hey! I got you!


Dorchacht: Coven

[This place is incredibly creepy, and the fact that it is real arguably bothers Chandra more than it had in the dream. Yet, she'd come here with a purpose: to avoid a war that might cause catastrophe for a world likely teetering on the brink of falling to the cwyld. The railroad tour does not sit well with her, but when approached by a sympathizer she's quick to try and gain access to the library

That is where she spends most of her time, tucked in a dark corner, a small fire imp acting as her reading light. She's careful enough, and has a dozen other imps hiding throughout the room to report if any coven member is approaching. Mirrorbound, however, can expect a wave.]

Find something?

Dorchacht -The City/Resistance

[Getting out of the Coven under the guise of shopping and exploring is easy enough, and Chandra is never late on her curfew, always returning with bags of gifts. What she's actually doing during her forays is looking for ways to help out, though. If she spots a Mirrorbound, she's likely to wave them over.]

Hey. Wanna help me with something?


Aefenglom -Vandalism (Late September upon group return)

[Maybe she should have expected some tension earlier, yet coming home to find threatening graffiti on her front door does not sit well with Chandra. Puffing up angrily, she spins around just in time to be hit...full in the chest...by a rotten cantaloupe. The fruit explodes, showering her with goo, drawing an outraged shout.]

You're gonna pay!

[Maybe you saw something? Or want to help her catch the assailant?]


Wildcard

[Always open to wildcards! Hit me up on plurk at intercession]

on a boat etc

[beariot]

[ Ursula had honestly been spending so much time in Fang and Kaede's company that she hadn't even thought to bring any spell materials to practice with. Remaining focused on the work she was expected to do in the city, keeping her bonded feeling well despite the trauma the dreams had left them all with, all if it had held her attention so thoroughly, she hadn't even attended most of her classes at the Coven. She felt almost silly realizing all of that in the moment she witnessed Chandra's practice with her own spells.

Almost like she'd forgotten she was a witch... ]

What sort of plants did you bring to grow?

Hopefully T. Pain can make an appearance.

[fieryimpulse]

[Chandra, absorbed in her work, almost doesn't notice the sudden appearance of someone at her side. When she does, the woman's a little close and it almost makes her lose the spell. Closing her eyes, she's quiet for a moment, forcing the threads of what she's doing back into some semblance of order and completing the spell.

A tiny green shoot pops up from the soil, and she responds quietly...]

Something with a little kick to it.

[It grows slightly, beginning to look a little like a pepper plant.]

This one's a bell pepper plant. Or will be when it finishes growing. I've got a few other seeds with me, though? If you want anything in particular, I might have it.

[beariot]

[ She hadn't intended to sneak up on her, but well, she tended to fumble a lot of things, so no real surprises there. But her eyes widened at the shape of the fruit taking shape, recognizing it immediately. ]

Poivre... I actually haven't had peppers in some time. Espelette peppers were pretty easy to come by in the town I grew up in.

Dorchacht - The City/Resistance

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker looks a little different under the effect of disguise magic. It allows him to travel freely in the city with little suspicion. Dragons are notably absent from the Dorchacht population, so one walking around would certainly cause a stir. His natural cold and foreboding aura keeps most natives at bay, which also helps.

Seeing Chandra and hearing her request, he heads over. ]

Depends on what it is.

[ He'd been...busy with vandalism and starting small-scale riots despite being part of the dignitary team. It's fine. ]

But probably yes.

[fieryimpulse]

[Is that aura ever going to keep this ray of sunshine away? Not at all.]

How do you feel about helping me get some monsters loose?

[She pauses...]

And probably starting a riot and encouraging some looting. I'm trying to stay out of sight so my cover doesn't get blown, and I need lookouts at the very least.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker may not be a member of the espionage team, but he sure is accidentally acting like one. A twisted smile comes to his face. ]

Of course I'll help you. [ He's a force of chaos under most circumstances. ] I can start a riot as a distraction, if you want. It'll give you more time to free them.

[ He should be using a bit more discretion as a disguised monster -- should be. Caution is for people who are not him. He has a rune tattooed on him, courtesy of Caster, to resist the compulsion of orders from the witches here. There's also another surprise in his pockets: his venom, bottled to be used as a weapon. He came as a guard for the dignitaries and ended up prepared to sow chaos and disorder to destroy the social order here. ]

Dorchacht - City

[fiddlestick]

[One upside to having to sneak into the city is that you don't have to worry about any curfew. As long as he kept his presence relatively unnoticed, he could go through the city as he liked. Fortunately, he had plenty of experience keeping a low profile.

He recognizes Chandra from his dream months ago, and from seeing her around the city. Another mirrorbound. He decides it's worth approaching. From what he remembered, she was a good person]

Hey. What is it?

[fieryimpulse]

[Elliot, well, she remembers him of course. The dream, and a chat or two on the network, plus him being around? Totally cool. Doesn't recall him from the boat, so he must have been one of the ones using the device. Perfect. He isn't like Berserker, so she's not going to ask him to murder anyone, but he can help out in other ways.

She grins, waving him further into the alley.]

I'm going to try and get a few of the monsters free. It looks like there's a cart with a cage on it heading towards what I think is the auction house.

Nothing too crazy. I can get the lock open no problem. Or through the bars, but I'd rather have another Mirrorbound around for backup.

[fiddlestick]

[Yeah he appreciates the lack of murder requests. Killer he is not]

Oh wow ... so you want to stop them before they reach the auction house?

So what do you need me to do?

Boundless Energy

[long_live_the_queen]

[At first, Kaede had found the experience of actually being on the water instead of zipping over it rather novel and charming.

Then they left the bay and hit the first rolling waves, and it stopped being quite so charming.

A day of stumbling and hitting her tail on doors later, her balance had adapted. She spent a lot more time on the deck, idly wondering if her wings would carry her very far yet--and spotting more familiar faces than she'd thought.

Kaede also hadn't thought watching a plant grow could be so interesting, but here she was, perched on a coil of rope and watching what was definitely a sprout poke its leaves up from the soil in Chandra's hands. The Chimera's sandals had scuffed the floor some (that protracted stumbling phase) and she'd meant to introduce herself earlier, but she got distracted.]

Didn't know you could make flowers grow too.

[fieryimpulse]

[Chandra had been concentrating so hard on the spell and hadn't even noticed Kaede's appearance. It was engrossing work, and it wasn't something that came as naturally as making things explode. So, it's probably no surprise that she starts a little when Kaede speaks up.]

No? I mean...I'm learning, it's not really my specialty. But I like it.

[She holds up the sprout, looking somewhat proud of herself.]

I think it's growing well.

[long_live_the_queen]

[When Chandra startled, Kaede throttled down the instinct to start as well; her ears flicked back, but the rest of her stayed statuesque and still. Her knuckles went white under the thickening scales from the effort, but she didn't budge until the Witch did.

But the moment passed, like a quiet breeze. The Chimera came back to alertness again like nothing had been amiss, and leaned her head in closer to the plant in Chandra's hands.]

Better than I can do.

[Chandra was a creature of fire and rage, as far as Kaede was concerned. So this was a quiet, but pleasant surprise.]

Vandalism

[chainveil]

[ Is it really any question what Liliana wants to do? Let's be honest, here, even if Chandra wasn't here (gasp) friend, Liliana takes high offense to someone messing up her own front door. So they just happen to have a similar goal here, F word or not.

Which means that there may be a familiar bat-shaped shadow hovering overhead, squeaking further down the row behind some bushes where the vandals are trying to hide.

Busted, assholes. ]

[fieryimpulse]

[Right? And death threats have to be answered. No question about it.

Seeing a familiar bat squawking at her, she grins a nasty grin.

The emotions flowing through the bond are probably pretty dark. But hey, gratitude too.]

You fucks are done.

[With a burst of speed (and a little help from a spell) she rushes the bushes!]

[chainveil]

[ A few swats are made in Liliana's direction, but she retaliates by swooping down and grabbing a fanciful hat. Once Chandra seems to be in what MIGHT be firing range, Liliana quickly takes back to the sky to get out of the way. ]

Get back here with that you rotten--!

[ Well, if Chandra had any doubt (unlikely) about the location of the vandals, one of them stupidly pops up above the bushes in attempt to retrieve their hat. ]

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?

[fieryimpulse]

[She spins, and...oh hey! It's Emerald.]

I'm fine, Em.

[Except for, you know, she waves her hand back at the house and all the death threats. It's annoying and it makes her mad but it's not life threatening.]

I think I saw two jackanapes scurrying off, but I don't have a read on them yet.

You wanna help?

[hallucinogem]

[she takes a moment to look from Chandra to the house when it's indicated to her, and now that she's actually thinking a little more clearly, those are... gods, it's hard not to think of them as real, legitimate threats at this point.]

They're trying to scare us. If we hunt them down, is that gonna stop it or just prove whatever stupid point they're trying to make?

[that's a question, just as real and legitimate as the writing on the walls. she's dealt with this kind of thing before, but she doesn't know this city. she doesn't know its people.]

--these merrow in particular

[belligerentwarrior]

[Chandra was... certainly energetic. Fang wasn't sure how long she'd been watching from the Witch dart back and forth from her perch in the mast net. Honestly, even with the odd muting spell around the ship, Fang though the school of infected merrow, harassing them from the shallows, would be irritating.]

[...instead, something about it saddened her. It reminded her of Cie'th, if Cie'th behaved more like predators instead of ghosts.]

[Eventually, Fang dropped from her perch, quietly stepping over to Chandra.]

You're sure keepin' yourself busy.

[fieryimpulse]

[She'd known where Fang was, she wasn't that unobservant, even if she seemed it. So she doesn't jump or startle with the big, tough woman appears at her side. She does skitter to a halt and nod, snapping to attention.]

Yeah? And is that bad?

[She's not sure, but the way that's phrased is funny! especially with that drawl.]

[belligerentwarrior]

[Look, she doesn't mean to prowl about. It's just kind of included in the So-You're-Part-Cat-Now starter kit.]

We get two days to do a whole lot of nothing before stepping back into that rotten nest, and you're doin' pest control. Really can't sit still that long, can you?

[Fang doesn't laugh, but the way she slightly shakes her head, it's clear she is on the inside.]

Vandalism

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex heard a familiar voice call out, and she sees a familiar face chasing after someone covered in paint. With everything that’s been going on lately, it wasn’t difficult to figure out what was going on. Looking around, Alex spots a puddle on the side of the road. She starts to move her fingers, still not that good at manipulating yet, but she can at the very least do enough to splash the vandal right in the face.

It disorients him for a moment, hopefully enough for Chandra to catch him. ]

[fieryimpulse]

[Chandra is fast. She's athletic and moving with the aid of a spell. So yes, she's got no trouble at all catching up with the stunned vandal. And barreling into him from behind, tackling him to the ground and sliding him through the mud.]

Got you!

[The man squirms, struggling slightly, trying to get an arm free.]

Where's your buddy, you rat?!

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex flinches as the man is thrown violently into the ground. That looked painful... She really did go easy on those kids.

The mention of an accomplice does surprise her though. ]

I didn’t see anyone else come this way. Maybe they split up? Or he could be hiding.

[ The other man didn’t seem inclined to give up his friend though. ]