Intro Log: October

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "There's always a right lot of you coming in, aren't there." The woman sets her hands on her hips, with her Bonded casting a glance at those looking confused - newly arrived - and those who may have followed them in to talk to the newest addition of their mirrorbound bunch. "About time for introductions though- this here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have - we will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon under the same header! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are - if they have magic potential, or if they swing a different way - then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night - feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make a trek to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental-side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live - the Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra - like maids, chefs, and so on - they'll have to pay for them themselves with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left before the new arrivals even showed up - a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It reads simply the information you've offered up yourself, or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

IV. Samuin There's an odd sense of relief in the air, newly arrived may notice, and it's common talk to hear about the return of those from another city; Dorchacht, they gossip, must've been terrible for their dear Speaker, who'd felt to them more weathered than she'd been previously, not to mention to all the Mirrorbound that went with her. Right shame, it was, how they acted over on the west coast, those Dorchachtians. It'll be common talk for a while yet, with increasingly worse rumors spread about that city to the far northwest, but not all of them can be true... right? While the black market moves back beneath the city, weaker than they were coming up, the goblin market remains in their places in broad daylight, happy to parse their wares to newcomers and oldbies alike -- with Samuin coming up, there's all sorts of things necessary to have on one's person, they say, absolutely key to keep bad spirits at bay! They say the boundaries are weaker this time of year, after all, wouldn't want your new year to be cursed right off the bat! Though Samuin's still the month away (it's at the end of the month, anyone'd tell you), the people are eager to gather their parchment, write away their worries, and start Geardagas's year off right. a. Aristocratic District With Samuin bringing in the new year on Geardagas, the Coven is eager to be rid of old, outdated things and bringing in the new -- this means they're offering spots for magitech demonstrations, extracurricular class presentations to be added to the potential roster, and even recipes to be used. Not just in the cooking sense either; they're excited to see alchemical results as well, and won't shy from innovative, even unconventional uses of different schools of magic, runes, and botany. Witches have brought their own game to the front, putting on spectacular shows with how conjured blankets can offer the placebo of warmth for a time, new techs that enhance readability in the dark (and they shine like the stars! floating crystals in a lamp!), so on and so forth. Won't you join them? While the Coven is in higher spirits with their Speaker returned lately, Parliament seems to be taken a breather as well, and while their eyes have set on the city once more they seem a little more lenient with what constitutes as a performance -- at least during Samuin proper, though the building itself, for those who visit, is certainly less tense than it was previous. There's tight-lips as far as Dorchacht's concerned, for those who ask, so there won't be any information to be found about that here, but there's plenty of talk of "scum" found in their own city that have had judgement passed on them and found them guilty of immeasurable crimes, and also of finding the root of their operations so they won't end up having something akin to Dorchacht beneath their streets. The rich people who live still in the district, with their overly extra houses and colorful personalities, throw exuberant parties all across the month -- there's to be a grand fireworks display at the end of Samuin, but they're taking liberties as they do every year to put on their own, seeking Witches to entertain however they can and, surprisingly, offering the same to Monsters; they still look down on the lower born, there's nothing that can stop that or their stuffy attitudes in general, but it seems the city's in a bright mood thanks to one of the most important holidays of their year. b. Residential District Preparations for Samuin are well underway for both sides of the Residential District, separated by the River Temese. Octeuril is a month for celebrating the end of the year, and for remembering and honoring those who are no longer living. On both sides, humans and Monsters both are hard at work cleaning their homes and businesses, and getting rid of things they no longer need - porch sales pop up all through the month outside of homes, selling off whatever folks have decided to part with: a lot of antiques, hand-made items, old clothes, things that are worn but could possibly be useful to someone else after a good spit-shine or fixing up. On the Eastern side, some artisans or hobbyists are even selling brand new pieces - this is a time for weavers and textile artists especially to shine, selling elaborate and cozy woolen blankets, to cuddle under as you watch the fireworks shows at the end of the month, or fancy clothes and costumes they've made. A few have even laid simple enchantments on their wares, resulting in tapestries that tell a story as the little thread figures move about, or dresses that shimmer like the night sky. On the Western side, the porch sales are simpler and full of more practical items, and don't seem as celebratory of the wares, but they make up for it by holding small bonfires outside at night, taking turns telling ghost stories and old legends, or tales of ancestors long past. If you have a story to share, true or made up, most circles will welcome you, offering you a hot drink and a piece of heavy, fruit-laden spice cake in return. (Get the piece with the coin in it, and you're guaranteed good luck, they say!) One tradition they both share is the airing of grievances and making amends with one another, to start the coming new year off on a good foot. The bridge over the River Temese that separates the Eastern and Western sides of the District is decorated with hanging lanterns and paper flowers, and here is where humans and Monsters, rich and poor, come together to get it all out and forgive. Mostly these are heated discussions that end in hand-shakes and smiles, but occasionally a scuffle breaks out; it's fine, they're getting it out of their systems. c. Shopping District The Goblin Market is bustling with activity, lately, just a little more out in the open than they were before. The selection of vendors seem... maybe just a little less shady. Some are eager to whisper gossip about the change, telling curious Mirrorbound that oh, it's too dangerous lately to sell items that aren't above the board, so to speak. Why, some of those sellers, the ones with living wares, they've taken a huge hit to their coinpurses from merchandise disappearing! Seems fair and just, doesn't it? Would you like to look at some of their own fine products? All ethically sourced, of course, this shed Faun antler was purchased fair and square from a willing Monster! 'Ethically sourced' is a big trend this month for Goblin Market sellers, with similar phrases scrawled across stall signs and banners to indicate that their ingredients were sourced fairly, given freely. They carry a wide variety of Monster parts for re-sale, though most of it are parts that could have been obtained without harming the Monster, and Witch's blood, donated, they'll say. Potions and charms to temporarily mimic a Bond, talismans that supposedly keep a Monster from going feral, they offer all kinds of specialty items, though still none of it is sanctioned by the Coven. With Samuin coming up at the end of the month, the wares laid across tables become more colorful, and more... interesting. Talismans made of dyed Harpy feathers and papery shed Naga skin promise to ward off ill-intent going into the new year, and several vendors are hawking samples of a potion that, they claim, will allow you to speak to dead loved ones. To Mirrorbound, they may claim these magical concoctions will let them speak to loved ones beyond the glass - but these claims are patently false, and the potions have a wide array of side-effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, skin or hair changing colors, or a burning fever that only abates when the afflicted cuddles up to someone close. Luckily, these symptoms will wear off in just a few hours. You're liable to start a fight if you ask for your money back, though. d. Harbor District The Harbor District is lively this time of year. Besides the Samuin traditions the entirety of Aefenglom enjoy, the sailors have their own. During the day, many of them set up tables wherever they can find the space to help each other make bright, painted lanterns to hang on the sides of their ships, to ward off evil spirits and welcome the good spirits. If you have some time to spare, they'll say, you're welcome to paint a lantern to hang outside your door! Then, every evening, the parties start at dusk and last clear until dawn, often spilling out of the bars and taverns into the streets. Drunk revelers play shabby instruments and sing folk songs and sea shanties, and they lead each other in exuberant dances under hanging lanterns. If asked, any seaman will tell you that you have to get it all out of your system before the new year begins! One last hurrah of drunken fun! (Several of them will swear they're going to cut back their drinking and be more serious - they've been saying the same thing every Octeuril for years.) Even the children in the orphanges around the factories get in on the fun, in their own way, making paper masks of fanciful creatures, and going door to door, or even just from street to street, to ask for trinkets, money and food so that they can have a good Samuin at the end of the year. But if you don't give them anything, well. They consider a kick in the shins to be proper retribution. Children can be so mischievous. Despite having less than most, the people of the Harbor District and the sailors are quick to welcome new faces into their parties, happy to include any Mirrorbound, and the Monster refugees from Dorchacht, sharing drinks and conversation. "It's nuts, what's happening up there," the sailors say, eager to share the latest gossip from their trade routes. "It's not much in or out of Dorchacht right now, is it? After chaos broke out and all. Their Resistance seems to be holding strong, and good for them, aye! Maybe we'll see things improve up there yet!" They'll toast to good luck for the Resistance, and good luck for the refugees, and good luck for the Mirrorbound alike.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up now as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

OOC QUESTIONS

[moustre]

Please put the subject of your inquiry in the subject line.

GENERAL

[moustre]

SETTING

[moustre]

Pertaining to happenings within the log.

ROOMMATES AND HOUSEMATES FINDING

[moustre]

Fill out the following form if your character is the type to participate, post it here, and comment around for some ??? profit! Since we know that character desires don't always line up with player desires, we have both an IC and an OOC portion to fill out; the IC portion is what gets read aloud by the board, while the OOC portion is just for plotting among each other - which can be done on this thread!

If your character wouldn't participate, but you'd still like to plot for housemates, just use the OOC portion of it.

• IC Portion (All of this should be filled out as your character would - if that means lying about any of the information asked after, or omitting certain things, go for it.)
Name:
Age:
Three words you'd use to describe yourself:
Favorite color:
Seeking: What they'd like in a roommate/housemate.
Not Seeking: What they wouldn't like.
Preferred living situation: With just a few people, in a house that house multiple groups (like an apartment or twin house situation), etc.
Extra notes: Pets, special circumstances, etc.

• OOC Portion (All of this is just for you, the player!)
Character name:
Character age:
Canon:
Choice: Witch or Monster?
Preferred housemates or plans: What kind of characters/living situations you'd like. Need someone to bully your character into being nicer or less lazy? Want someone to help your character loosen up a little? Put your wishes and plans here.
Extra notes: Anything else, be it ways to contact you, notes about your character, and so on.

• <B>IC Portion</b> <b>Name:</b> <b>Age:</b> <b>Three words you'd use to describe yourself:</b> <B>Favorite color:</b> <B>Seeking:</b> <B>Not Seeking:</b> <b>Preferred living situation:</b> <B>Extra notes:</b> • <b>OOC Portion</b> <b>Character name:</b> <b>Character age:</b> <B>Canon:</b> <B>Choice:</b> <b>Preferred housemates or plans:</b> <B>Extra notes:</b>

IC QUESTIONS

[moustre]

If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. As fair warning, IC threads may be gotten back to slower.

Those who volunteered for the Welcome Wagon may also respond in our place, if it's an answer your character would know the answer to! Nessie and Mhairi trust you all.

[bitr]

are there farm-like lands or stables that would take up housing someone if they offered labor in return?

[mantiger]

▶ option i. ( slight minor spoilers for the latest chapters up to ch70 )

[ It's honestly strange to Atsushi Nakajima, really, to step out into a whole new world and be without his ability — Beast Beneath the Moonlight — and find himself being able to stare into the night sky for once, the moons hanging right outside the window without transforming into a tiger or having any sort of fear that he might go savage.

Then again, there was that dream—

Was that dream real, then?

He can't help but feel a little bit curious. Then again, the term 'curiosity killed the cat' applies here. Especially for a former weretiger.

Maybe that's probably why he can't help but think about what happened, exactly. He might not be the brightest bulb in the bunch, but he's still a member of the Armed Detective Agency. There has to be something he can investigate here. The mirror he finds decorated with reminders of home - Montgomery-san, Kyouka-chan. Yokohama. The book. The white tiger that hates him just as much as he hates himself.

Fingers roam across the mirror's surface and he feels an all too familiar ache in his chest.

He has to go back.

No matter what.

After all, the people he cares about the most are in danger.

But he's brought out of those thoughts the moment he hears the three chimes of the bells. With the moon out like that, it must be morning. And although he can hear the creaking of the doors opening towards the foyer, Atsushi opts to explore first; although if there are others around in the area, he can't help but ask: ]

Ah, excuse me—— y-you didn't happen to have some sort of weird dream before this, did you?

[ He's asking the important questions here. ]

▶ option iii-a. ( video )

[ The very moment that Atsushi gets the watch and at the first chance he gets, he decides to tinker with it. Even if he's given the rundown on how it works - it's similar to the cell phones back home, in a way - he's not perfect at it.

Which is probably the main reason why when a communication line is open, people will first see the view of someone who is way too close to his watch; bright, sunset colored eyes peering with what can only be described as curiosity.

He speaks up in a small whisper, a little awkwardly, a little nervous at first: ]

I wonder if this is working... how can I tell? Is it on? Eh? It is-? W-W-Wait a second, I didn't even come up with something to say yet—!!

[ Nailed it.

Nevertheless, he pulls the watch a little away from himself, fumbling with it in his hands which causes the angles to pan a little weirdly. He's so sorry. ]

Ah.

I think I got it this time. . .

[ He tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it didn't even matter. ]

U- Um! Hello! Can everyone hear me? I've never really used these types of things for video before. I usually had cell phones for calling-- but anyway, um. I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nakajima Atsushi, although just calling me Atsushi is fine, I really don't mind. . . honestly, I think it'd be really weird if someone called me 'Nakajima'.

I don't know what people do on here. . . so. Maybe an 'ice breaker'?

That's what people do when they can't come up with something, right? So, ah-- what's everyone's favorite hobby to do here? I'm new, so I can't actually answer the 'to do here' part of it, but I generally like to read.

I'm also a little curious about a few things, too, so I guess I'd like to know what the situation is currently like here.

And I think that's it. . . ? Oh-- and I guess if anybody responds, I can answer questions about myself, so we can get to know each other a little better! I hope.

[ There's another bit of fumbling on his end but eventually he manages to end the feed from his end with a rather heavy sigh.

He did it. ]

▶ option iii-b.

[ The generosity of the people here is honestly a little astonishing. While he's told that if people need maids, chefs, etcetera he'd need to pay for them -- Atsushi really doesn't need that sort of thing in the slightest bit.

He's a simple man with very simple needs.

Which is why he can be found searching frantically for places with food.

And he'll definitely have to pick up a job at some point if he wants to feed himself, too. ]

I wonder if there's a place where I can find some chazuke around here. . . Or at least the ingredients for it. Maybe I can make it myself?

[ That's his number one priority over finding a roommate, or even anything else. ]

▶ option iv-a.

[ In some ways, this place is no different from Yokohama. The rumors that float about regarding dangerous people - or in this case, monsters - is kind of disheartening in some ways; a lot of it due to the fact that the mirrorbound here didn't choose to become monsters, nor were many of them born as one.

He can't help but feel just the slight amount of pity, really, as someone who was seen as a monster all his life.

...

It just feels a little unfair.

But he's soon distracted by the performance that the people in this district make, eyes wide and bright with amusement as he turns to the nearest person with a smile. ]

I've never seen fireworks before. . . I think it'll be really fun to see them! Don't you think so, too?

▶ option iv-b.

[ Ironically, for being a former weretiger, you'd expect Atsushi to not be spooked by ghost stories.

This is absolutely incorrect.

While he doesn't have any stories to tell for himself, he can be found screeching like a surprised kitten at some of the stories, even to the point where he just latches himself to the nearest person. Although the very second that he notices this, he glances over with a frantic: ]

I- I- I'm sorry!!

[ Whoops. ]

▶ option wildcard.

[ Want to play something else completely different? I'm open to it! Feel free to message me at tsundereban or Len#0139 on Discord for a custom prompt and I'll get to you as soon as possible.

As per usual, if you'd like to opt out in any of the content warnings that come along with Atsushi, feel free to let me know here! I'll never spring it on anyone without explicit permission, though. ]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Question for the harbor celebrations; Will Captain Heuf and his crew be there to party with?

Follow up, if yes. Any additional Dorch gossip he'd be willing to spill to certain.... friendly diplomats who got to know him prior?

[krihnnges]

A: West Side Story

[After stabling his chocobo, Iris, K'rihnn stands at the edge of the crowd around the bonfire in the Western side of the Residential District. His ears are perked and his tail curls upwards in interest as he listens to the stories being swapped. He's ever a bard at heart, loving a good story even if he doesn't necessarily offer one up himself. Noticing that he's not the only one listening in, the purple-haired Miqo'te hesitates before venturing a question.]

Um... do you have a story to share...?

B: Pushy Salespeople

[While heading over to the Shopping District out of curiosity, K'rihnn doesn't expect to get accosted by shopkeepers hawking their wares quite so quickly. Some of them try to push Witch's blood (gross) onto him or get him to buy talismans to help bring good luck in the new year.]

Um, n-no, I am really... really not interested....

[K'rihnn's trying his best, but being a soft-spoken person normally isn't doing him any favors in this situation. One of them looks like they might try to drag him over to their stall.

Please help.]

C: A Sailor's Life for Me

[Perhaps surprisingly, the Miqo'te can be found in the Harbor District sharing an ale with some of the sailors. He seems a bit more relaxed in this area, and a little more confident in engaging in conversation. For the most part, K'rihnn's been listening to the gossip, but he can also be found participating in a rousing game of arm-wrestling. Despite his small stature, he's been winning more often than losing, though a glint in his eyes tell that he loses on purpose to keep things interesting.

K'rihnn will look up on occasion to your character and ask, with a somewhat mischievous smile:]

Care to join a round?

[Alternatively, one can find the Seeker going to a quiet corner to have a break from the rowdiness of the party, nursing either a mug of water or a pint of ale.]

D: Wildcard!

[Mix and match to your heart's content! Or we can make up something entirely different, whatever floats your boat!]

iv-b

[prayerwheel]

[ from that kind of reaction, she at first thinks it's a young boy grabbing on her arm, which she doesn't mind, but

no. oh my god. this is a guy her age. atsushi please. you absolute weenie. ]

...was it that chilling?

[ taaaaaaking a slight step aside. pls not be clinging to her, stranger. ]

[mantiger]

But what if it's real?! Wouldn't you be scared if there's actually a body snatcher out there--

[ Thankfully, he's not clinging to her anymore, but he is, however, looking a bit like a startled cat that is just slightly freaked out. ]

B

[clickclickbang]

[Oh no, poor guy. Cool hair, but poor guy.

Hopefully he doesn't mind Prompto coming over and grabbing his arm and acting like the guy's best friend. (And hopefully the, uh, wagging dog tail isn't going to scare him?)

Perks to taking after a shiba inu: occasionally the bold confidence is enough to override Prompto's own anxiety]

Dude, there you are! C'mon, found a place that has shoes in about your size!

[Please cooperate, please cooperate.]

[prayerwheel]

It might be. With the things that happen in this city, I wouldn't be surprised if a body-snatcher actually existed.

[ AZURA THAT DOESN'T HELP ]

[joies]

I. Arrival

[All Persephone can feel, the moment she steps through the mirror within her personal chambers and finds herself tugged here - into some dark, dank, unknown room - is fury.

As far as she knows, the Summer King has succeeded in his (very poorly concealed) plan to spirit her away - to hide her where the danger of her former Fae Master can't touch her. Where she can't do anything as the Fae descends upon their Courts, spurred by its madness and obsession. She thought she had more time, she thought the Winter King wouldn't go along with this ridiculous plan - !

But her fury is abated when she sees others arriving here. Humans. And Persephone, with horns and hair and skin all adorned by flowers, certainly sticks out a bit. Fury muddles into shock and confusion, unsettled by the absence of the magical mask that would allow her to seem like a regular human. Nothing here feels right - there's no familiar pull of her Contracts, of the Wyrd that should pulse through her.

It's why she wanders the mirrored halls, maybe to see if there's anything at all she can recongize. Really though, the only thing familiar is one colorful, almost glowing, bird perched atop her horns - flapping its tiny wings and cheeping in what would probably be an intimating fashion if it wasn't so tiny and cute.]

Oh, do hush, Iago! The hour is late and people are already on edge without your noise! [For once she isn't smiling, lips thinned into a tight line as she tries to wrap her mind around just what the hell is going on.]

III. The Haven

[Now she's more aware of what's happening - of the true reason she is here, yet her mood hasn't lifted in the slightest. The news that she's a Monster, fated to change into something else (why again, why, why - ) is sickening. It drudges up memories hazy and disorientating, that make her skin crawl before she shoves them aside.

She'll instead focus on what's happening in front of her. And finding a roof for her head is a priority right now, even if she is a bit... bemused, by the shouting notice board.]

What if someone writes something for you? This could all be horribly embarrassing. [She says, as if she wouldn't be tempted to do something like that if certain individuals from home were here.]

IV. Samuin

C. Shopping District

[Persephone's explorations eventually bring her here, and through some sweet talks here and there, the gossip she pulls from the vendors certainly prove interesting. The products, however, less so.

She smiles serenely, even as she rebuffs offers of talismans and potions, well aware that this is all sketchy at best. Really, she had probably gotten her hopes up when she heard that this is a Goblin Market. Yet, it's nothing at all like the markets she's familiar with.]

I'm afraid I must decline your offer. I know a genuine talisman when I see one, I'm afraid. [Her smile is unflinching as she says this, so friendly and sweet - as if she didn't just not-so subtlety called their wares fake.]

D. The Harbour

[You know who can't resist a party? This lady right here.

While the harbors have always been great sources of information, they're also amazing sources of entertainment. And it was only a matter of time before Persephone found herself drawn here - the jubilant nature and music all so familiar, so reminiscent of the parties her Court held. It's enough to remove her previously bitter mood, happy to be social and merry, sharing drinks and conversation.

And of course, take part in the dancing! When you have long since discarded your shy bone, you see nothing wrong with joining in with enthusiasm, even leading a few dances of her own, with bright laughter and smiles. And anyone hanging near the walls will get her eyes... Eye, before she smoothly slides out of the dancing crowd and over to their side.]

Won't hanging by the side get boring? Come, you should join!

Wildcard.

[Feel free to hit me up with anything else that comes to mind!]

[mantiger]

[ It's definitely not helping because now he's trying to curl in on himself a little defensively. Sorry, Azura, it's definitely not helping his rather obvious predicament here. ]

F. . . Fingers crossed, then, that it's just a story?

[ He hopes it's just a story or so help him. ]

Jusis Albarea | Trails of Cold Steel | Monster (Vampire)

[noblige]

I. MIRROR, MIRROR

A. INSIDE
[ Jusis Albarea isn't as sentimental as he could be. Or he is, sometimes, but not when responsibility beckons. He's one of the first to pull away from his mirror, automatically checking on others without wanting to seem like he's checking on others...

If anyone seems to be having more trouble than expected, however, he'll be nearby. ]

Are you able to walk? If so, I believe we may find better answers outside.

B. OUTSIDE
[ If you want to find him in quiet contemplation, however, once he's outside and looking up at the sky Jusis seems a little more lost in thought. ]

II. ARISTOCRATIC DISTRICT

[ Speaking of stuffy attitudes...Jusis doesn't seem to much care for most of the aristocracy despite being an actual member of the aristocracy, turning down several invitations to entertainments the second he catches on it's meant to be generous to include non-witches rather than just...an afterthought? Demonstrative generosity?

He does take advantage of a bench in the aristocratic district, however, finding himself tiring rather more easily than usual and pausing to take a breather. Despite the fact he's "resting" his posture is perfect, though his arms are crossed and his eyes are shut for the moment.

He's not sleeping, though. ]

III. RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

A. TAPESTRIES

[ Those magical wares are more interesting than the usual sort, for all Jusis painstakingly chooses some normal, less expensive clothes to have alternates to what he showed up in. He's fascinated by the moving tapestries, however, watching one curiously. It's some sort of quest, he thinks...to find some sort of flower...? ]

Have they books with moving images as well, here?

[ It's more said to himself than anything else, but of course anyone is free to respond. ]

B. BONFIRE
[ He listens more than he speaks, mostly, but eventually Jusis does share a story...and he gets a piece of cake in return.

And promptly has the "guaranteed good luck" of biting directly into a coin, coughing behind one hand and basically losing his entire composure because he definitely bit into that coin too hard without meaning to. Since he didn't know it was there. ]

C. BRIDGE
[ Jusis has zero intentions of airing grievances or making amends with anyone - he just arrived, after all - but he does find himself on the bridge over the River Temese at some point, watching with apt attention as people have it out and then make up...

No one seems concerned about the scuffles, either. ]

Is it so very helpful? It seems like they might just make things worse.

IV. SHOPPING DISTRICT

A. ETHICALLY SOURCED?
[ Guess who happens to be skeptical of these claims. Guess. ]

And have you any proof that these are, in fact, "ethically sourced"? You cannot simply claim something to have been given freely without some sort of proof.

[ ...He might be giving the goblin salesmen more trouble than they're giving him. ]

B. POTIONS
[ Yeah, no, these potions sound sketch as fuck. If Jusis notes anyone buying one or considering it: ]

I wouldn't. They keep changing the claim as to what they'll do.

V. HARBOR DISTRICT

A. LANTERNS
[ Why not? Jusis doesn't consider himself any sort of artist, but he's far less busy here than he was at home and sitting idle has never much suited him. He'll soon enough stockpile some library books and simply do that, but for now when a child asks him to paint lanterns, he simply acquiesces and carefully goes about it.

He's very much a perfectionist, taking his time with shapes and colors, although he seems to be going for a sort of abstract design more than anything else. A bunch of blues and greens in curving lines. ]

B. CHILDREN
[ He's actually good with children for some reason. Jusis is easy enough to beg trinkets and money and food from, though he's careful to make certain every child gets something, but he's also the responsible sort of Dad Person who sees a kick to the shins and carefully puts his hand on the shoulder of the child responsible - ]

That isn't the way to go about it.

[ Yes, he is going to make the child apologize. But he might also scold you for not playing along... ]

NOTES

[ If none of these prompts work for you and you would like to do something else, please feel free to PM me at this journal or contact me on discord at Maggie#0451 or on plurk at roseburst. You can also add me at either if you'd like to plot or discuss anything, or simply throw me an alternate prompt if you have an idea. ]

[prayerwheel]

It's possible. But I've found that local folklore like this tends to have a grain of truth to it. So perhaps there were a few scattered cases of corpses being exhumed for nefarious purposes...but I doubt there's an entire black market for it.

[ and then she pauses, because

actually.

no, she could buy there being a body market, here. maybe in Dorchacht. ]

B

[inlikethebrume]

[Wait, she knows that miqo'te...from the dream where he was up a tree. And he looks like he needs help again but this time, it's from pushy merchants. Mira shakes her head at remembering Tala and cooly walks up, Shadowbringer secured on her back.]

You must be having poor sales if you're pushing your wares onto to those who are not interested.

[Hey buddy, nice seeing you here as she gives him a smile.]

Are they bothering you? [If the sword doesn't scare them, Mira can try other ways.]

[escardos]

>i. arrival

[ flat's attention on his mirror is brief. his expression is blank as he looks into the mirror that he stepped out of, watching the scene play out like fond memories. perhaps, if there's someone else there, they might see a flicker of loneliness as he turns away.

it's not that he doesn't want to go back--he does. oh so very much. but he knows that such a thing is for naught, and there's nothing that he can do about it now.

instead, he'll focus on something else--anything else at all. every cloud has its silver lining after all, and this is no different. flat will be on his way to the foyer as soon as the bells ring, most definitely be on the lookout for...basically anyone! ]

Hey! Did you know about the cool magic mirrors? I've never seen something like that before!

> iii. the haven

a. (text)
[ while the idea of a multi-functional, magic watch isn't something new to flat, he seems to be having a bit of a time fiddling with it. he looks very focused, too--just what could he be trying to do? ]

hi guys! just a quick q. if you had to be stuck in a desert and could only bring one thing, what would it be?

b.
[ with that stupid text out of the way, flat decides that it's time to look for somewhere to stay. and while he's not a very picky person on where he'd like to live (living 10 years in the college dorms does this to you), he'd at least like to have some place with a bed.

but when you have a board shouting people's names and preferences, it's hard not to lose track of everything else. ]

Man, I wonder if you can add other people into this thing...

[ considering his slightly mischievous smile, he may just be plotting something. ]

> iv. samuin

[ while flat is a very cheery, upbeat person, the fact is that he's not all that great at parties where he doesn't know anyone. and while he does let himself be roped into staying there, he's mostly staying on his own with a jar of beer that hasn't been drank even once.

he listens to the stories of spirits and ghosts, but also those about the resistance and the chaos. a lot of it flies over his head due to lack of knowledge and general disinterest, but there's something that he does get out of this.

he turns towards the person nearest to him, speaking in a low, but excited, tone. ]

Man, this place is really lively, huh? So much is going on.

> wildcard

[ if there's anything else you'd like to plot out, contact me on odasaku or my discord (tori#3410) to plot something out!! im totally open for ideas! ]

iii a. (text)

[escardos]

you're rly bad w/ technology aren't you??

[ sorry atsushi he's mean. ]

anyways, im flat escardos! it's nice to meet you, atsushi :D

iv

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker isn't fond of parties, either, but a chance to drink is welcome. Any kind of distraction after what occurred at Dorchacht is nice. Of course, he can't escape the chatter from it. That's expected, though. He's more interested in his beer than listening to what's going on around him. It's only when he hears Flat speak that he lifts his head.

... Oh no. ]

You have no idea what any of this is about, do you?

iv b.

[escardos]

Well yeah. Of course it's not gonna be a legit potion.

[ flat says this in a matter-of-fact tone, even as he's still holding the vial in his hands. even the vendor seems surprised over the response that comes from him--perhaps he thought that he had fooled flat? ]

Still, though, wouldn't it be nice to take a look at it?

Troy Dantes - Original Character - Witch

[kublan]

▶ Haven:

[ Troy can't say he's pleased by this turn of events. Apart from being picked right in the middle of a war away from his friend Sofia, he's going to have to put up with having to live in peace here. The irony of being a witch in this world is not lost on him. He tried to play nice and friendly during his arrival, he can be seen at the Haven just after parting ways with his guide. He pockets the watch he was given, and sticking out of the crowd because of his high-tech armor that covers him from the neck down. He explores the area with a friendly calm and a soldierly stride, nodding and greeting anyone he catches looking at him. Even a casual two-fingered salute ]

Hey there, how are you doin'?

[ He's going to need a place to put his armor in, and new clothes to wear among other things. Help a guy out. ]

▶ Samuin:

[ The city of Aefenglom reminds him a lot of Metro Manila in a way. Especially during fiestas and holidays like Christmas and New Years when things get really turned up. Watching the scenery change around him was a balm to his frustrations. This man can't resist the offer of a party, so he walked his way towards the Harbor District to see the impressive displays. He whistles with approval, now walking with less of his guard up and clad in a long leather coat over his pull-over shirt, with sleeves reaching down his forearms just below his elbow. His machete-like sword is on a scabbard attacked on the belt of his leather pants and new boots. He's already fitting in the place, it seems, no longer drawing too much attention from the locals.

He stops to pick up a stuffed animal on the side of the road, looking around to see if anybody dropped it. He assumed it's a kid's so he tried to see any children around but so far hasn't. ]

Excuse me. Seen any one drop this?

[ He asks, waving the little teddy bear around and even moving it's head to animate it, with the bear tilting it's head at you. ]

▶ Wildcard:

( OOC: I'm a little busy this week to really come up with better starters, but I'm open to just about any scenario if you prefer a different one than the ones I have above. I'm open to plotting via PM, or at Plurk as Oksy! His info is in his journal )

[escardos]

It's you!

[ flat's otherwise mellow expression immediately brightens when he sees berserker--the man from his dream!

while the sudden change in tone does make some heads turn, they quickly return back to what they were doing. ]

I told you we'd see each other again! I'm so glad!

[ who the fuck cares about dorchacht, anymore? not flat, that's for sure. ]

[theunluckygirl]

[I: Arrival]

Alice Through the Looking Glass... [Jennifer murmurs as she stands there, hands clasped at her chest and her fingers worrying over the rose brooch clasped at her throat. She examines the mirrors, moving slowly as she tries to figure out just where she is, what's happening-- What fractured memory is this supposed to be part of?]

I thought I remembered everything. Is there still more...? [But none of this strikes as familiar, exactly, and her nervousness grows, anxiety twisting at her stomach. Next to her mirror are a hand-written storybook and worn teddy bear, which she kneels by and slowly picks up.]

How did these get here?

[II: Welcome Wagon]

[The ringing of the bell makes her flinch and her breath hitch and she skitters away like a scared animal to the foyer. The subsequent introduction to the woman and the...werewolf?? has her staring in open bewilderment.

None of it makes any sense to her, they might as well be speaking Greek. Parliament? Bonded? Covens and Witches? But it's the fact that she summons up the seats from nowhere that really is the final straw for Jennifer's constitution.

As embarrassing as it is, Jennifer's legs give out from under her and she collapses to her knees, completely missing the seats to hit the ground, one hand going to her head as if it were hurting.

This is fine.]

[III: Home Sweet Home?]

Oh. I don't-- It's really not... [Jennifer mumbles and shyes away as helpful Witches attempt to get ehr to fill out a form, shoving everything in her hands.

She stands there off to the side, staring at it with a deep frown and a furrowed brow, as if somehow this was way harder than it appeared to be. She glances up and around for help and then back down at the questionnaire.]

...If they just shoved me anywhere, it'd be fine... I don't want to be a bother to anyone. Must we have roommates? [She speaks quietly to herself, thinking it through, and then winces.] But it might look horribly arrogant if I ask to room by myself, like I'm better than everyone... [These are the things she worries about, okay.]

[IV-C: Love Potion #9]

[Potion to speak to a dead loved one? Jennifer reluctantly buys one, then spends about an hour agonizing over if she should drink it, brow furrowed. She's already made her peace with the dead...Maybe.

But she does try it and when, inevitably, it fails, she just sort of sighs and chalks it up to her bad luck. The horrible fever that follows and makes her feel all weak all over again is just one more tally on what made her the Unlucky Princess in the Aristocrat Club.

While she'd started feeling ill as she wanders around, she pushes through, thinking that she has enough time to get back home before anything bad happens. Which of course, means, something bad happens almost immediately.

Once again Jennifer finds herself meeting the ground, feeling dizzy and hot as the fever kicks up all of a sudden. She sits there, legs tucked underneath her and her head bowed as she takes shallow breaths, trying to wrack her brain and remember what she might need to kill this fever.]

I... I'm sorry. [She apologizes immediately if she sees anyone begin to walk over to her, waving one hand as she tries--and fails--to get up.] I'll move. I'm in the way, I'm sorry. Please, don't be angry...

[IV-D: Harbor]

[Jennifer isn't much for celebrations, exactly. ANyone who might see her hanging around listening to the people outside the taverns (she doesn't go inside), will see her sitting with her back ramrod straight and hands folded politely in her lap, watching people dance and sing and play their music in the streets with a look of polite interest.

She helps the orphan kids with their masks and things, and finally does allow a couple of them to drag her into a sort of circular dance/jig that they teach her as she goes. And she laughs and seems a bit happier than ever before, letting the smaller children take her by the hand and lead her around, though she instantly shys away when they approach anyone else.

Jennifer thinks it's just to ask for candy or something, but instead the child tugs on Jennifer's hand and then takes the hand of the other person.

"Dance with her! Teach her a dance!"

Jennifer makes a slightly strangled noise, her eyes wide.]

What? N-no, we shouldn't bother them with something like that--

["Oh come on! It'll be fun! Please?" The child looks at the other person and tugs at their arm insistently. "She won't do anything fun unless you make her! Go dance!"

It's certainly a lively song being whipped up, but Jennifer looks at a complete loss, like she wants to protest, but she's worried about what protesting might do.]

[V: Wildcard!]

[Obligatory wildcard option! Hit me up at ovals for plotting and such if you want!!]