☆ Event: Fright Night

[moustre]

Event Log: October, Fright Night

I. The Mist It starts in the middle of the night. As the bells chime for 3 am, a slow fog creeps across the city from all four cardinal directions, swirling low to the ground, shining purplish in the light of the twin moons. It goes without notice for a while, an oddity, easily brushed off as too much rain and the changing temperatures turning it to mist over the cobblestones. The first ones to get caught up in it are the night workers, the drunks leaving the bars, the sailors returning to their ships, anyone out on the streets when it begins. In most cases, the effects are not instantaneous - it takes a little time to sink in before… a. The Transformations Even if you don’t find yourself out on the streets in the middle of the night, the mist creeps its way into buildings through cracks and openings, until exposure is almost guaranteed for everyone in Aefenglom, and even some just outside the Bright Wall in the Outer City. Though a lucky few, Mirrorbound and citizens alike, will find themselves wholly unaffected by the substance and will retain their physical forms and their own right minds, many more find themselves bent to its whims, changing in ways that could never have been predicted. There is little rhyme or reason to what changes occur or how - some simply wake with new parts, uncomfortable, while others run from their homes, panicking as wings tear painfully out of their backs or claws burst forth from their hands. The mist does not discriminate. Humans and Witches find themselves gaining the parts of Monsters, or even creatures that live outside the Wall. Monsters gain parts that don’t match up to their species - Arachne with wings or gills, Turnskin with antlers and Merrow tails, Puca with the teeth and claws of predators or the horns of unicorns or the scales of lizards, such strange sights become more and more common as morning approaches slowly. Mirrorbound may find that they can even gain the features and mannerisms of creatures from their home worlds. It all seems to happen wholly at random. These parts may not even last; plenty of citizens lose their new additions after just hours, only to gain new ones in the meanwhile. In the dark, wee hours of the morning, the city erupts into chaos. b. Widespread Chaos There’s no chance of peace tonight. Some may be lucky enough to escape the mists or its effects somehow, but the vast majority of the city hasn’t -- and it’s telling, from the sounds of people in the streets, that no one’s particularly happy about the turn of events. Many are in pain, many are blind with panic and upset. How could this happen? What’s going on? Many of the shouts attribute blame to the Coven allowing the practice of at-times experimental magics, while others turn it into anti-Monster sentiment, claiming the Monster population wants them all to suffer the way they do. Other tinfoil-hat-ists spread their conspiracy theories loudly, laying the blame squarely on Dorchacht - retribution for the Monsters the Mirrorbound stole from their city. This is an attack, they shout! The actual truth remains to be seen, however. There are plenty who don’t care about the truth and pay little attention to the rumors. They’re opportunists at heart, and a city in chaos is good for lining pockets. Some less-affected and less-moral citizens take to the streets of the Shopping and Aristocratic districts, throwing rocks through windows, banging down doors, looting shops and the houses of the wealthy of whatever valuables they can carry with them. Even a gang of kids from one of the orphanages in the Harbor District, sporting their own mismatched new features, can be spotted roaming the city, looting stores and homes, stealing from people incapacitated in the streets. They can’t pass up an opportunity when they have so little to begin with. c. State of Emergency Parliament, in contact with the Coven, is quick to declare a state of emergency in Aefenglom. A magical announcement rings out all through the city, loud and impossible to miss. Those who can keep it together are called upon to help find some sort of order before things devolve too badly and more damage is done than can be fixed. People will get hurt if things continue like this, they could even be looking at casualties. Those who have learned healing magic are asked to report to makeshift first aid stations scattered around the city to help those dealing with more violent, bloody transformations. Anyone with prior law enforcement experience are tasked with helping contain and stop the looting and the muggings. More still are called to try and figure out some way to get rid of the mist, or reverse its effects. None of the assignments are mandatory, plenty are unable to assist as they deal with their own afflictions, but any help is greatly appreciated.

II. Damage Control The chaos of the first night dies down somewhat by noon the next day. The air of forgiveness and cleaning up for the new year that was present at the beginning of the month is gone as the violet mist still spreads, wreaking havoc with the citizens of Aefenglom. Human citizens take it worse than the Monster half of the city, but one of the side-effects hits the Monster community harder. It quickly becomes apparent that the effects of this never-before-seen magic are not only physical. Fights break out over anything from minor slights to things worth fighting about, blossoming from a few thrown punches to all-out brawls that spill into the streets. Anger and agitation increase in most affected citizens, and you can cut the tension in the air with a knife. Relief efforts have to be redirected. Some can keep it together just enough to go about their daily lives as best they can with their new ‘additions’, but others rapidly start to lose their minds in ferality, even those with strong Witch-Monster Bonds. Miss Nessie is quick to whip the Coven into action to help preserve the peace as much as possible. There isn’t enough room to contain so many feral citizens, but they try to make do. All available Mirrorbound, Witch and Monster, who are able and want to help contain the people of Aefenglom or each other are taught a simple knock-out spell, or given slips of paper enchanted with the same, to literally knock some sense into the ferals. It won’t hurt them in the long term, but it will give them a time-out and help pull their minds out of their pits of animal instinct. Plenty of citizens will be thankful for this. That doesn’t mean everyone is happy to see the Mirrorbound around town. They may notice that they get more scowls while they’re out and about, more whispers and dirty looks. They come from humans the most, but especially the wealthier people of the city, dealing with their own share of terrible transformations, who mutter under their breaths words like, “Knew they would bring trouble with them. Knew it right from the start.” Known Mirrorbound may find themselves being kicked out of higher class shops in the Shopping District, or even spit on in the streets. Poorer citizens, especially Monsters, see things differently, however: they’ve seen the refugees from Dorchacht, they know what was done for some of their kind. They’ll admit that the Mirrorbound have brought trouble with them, but a little trouble isn’t always a bad thing - sometimes you’ve got to shake things up and disturb the status quo. Though they’re dealing with bizarre changes and an increased risk of going feral, they have faith that the Mirrorbound will help solve this problem. Of course, this difference in opinion just means both sides argue louder and fight harder.

III. The Refugees For those who’d found themselves rehomed, mostly Monsters and what few Witches came with, this is not what they had expected from a “full moon”. They’d been warned that certain urges would be stronger, that magic could wax and wane like the moons themselves, but this? This rampant disorder, the odd turning present in so many citizens and Mirrorbound alike, the Coven and Parliament’s bid on attempting some sort of damage control--? Is this what they left Dorchacht for, from one far too controlling city to one that didn’t seem to have any control at all? They aren’t in chains, at least. They can choose their Bonds if they’d like one. But it’s put them on edge enough that some linger by the docks, both wanting to leave to someplace “safe” in their eyes and wishing to stay. The latter wins out in most cases, seeking to help the Mirrorbound as they were helped themselves, though they may be suffering from the mists themselves... oddly, they seem to be more aware of themselves in a way that the natives are not, likely learned behavior leftover from Dorchacht to keep themselves in check; the compulsion spell had only helped compulsion, after all, there’d been a genuine want to remain secure and safe in their minds even with the situation as it was. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of locals who see the refugees as part of the problem -- before the Mirrorbound, before Dorchacht, Aefenglom had been fine, and in continuing these thoughts, they’re not... the friendliest to outsiders. Some are more likely to retaliate violently with new-found additions to their physiology and skillset when the refugees attempt to help, with whispers, conspiracy theories, and nasty rumors all the while spreading at a rapid pace. As bad as Dorchacht had been, maybe they had a point about the strange, suggestive magic used across the city. Maybe it’s something Aefenglom should look into too, during the fuller moons, should this be the beginning of something worse as the new year rises at the end of the month. But hopefully -- and this is the hope of all -- it simply remains a one-off, freak happening at the end of the year, and they pray the new one fares better.

IV. The Aftermath Thanks to quite a bit of Mirrorbound assistance, the city is still largely in one piece by the end of the day after the full moons. The mist, an unstable alchemical compound, eventually breaks down into nothing after a day or so, and the effects all fade or reverse, leaving everyone in their normal bodies and feeling clear-headed as the moons start to wane again. There are issues of property damage, stolen goods, and political discord to deal with, but the hardest to handle is perhaps the guilt of those who went feral and attacked their friends and loved ones. Samuin preparations continue with an unusual gloom hung over the city as clean-up and reparations commence. While before, though, humans and Monsters could often be found on the bridge over the River Temese, making amends with one another, the activity almost entirely ceases, leaving the bridge empty most days from now until Samuin.

Welcome to October's event log! This event takes place ICly on the 12th, 13th, and 14th. The Questions thread can be found HERE! Please help us and other players out by putting the subject(s) of your questions in your header! Investigation briefs will be going out soon on the OOC Sign Ups thread to the teams who were chosen by RNG, so keep an eye out for that. And as always, while we do encourage you to use this log, you can feel free to thread things out on your own log or elsewhere.

Comments

[weirdnecro]

[Sokie huffs as she stumbles down as she lands-and for a few moments, she wastes time by flipping Alex the bird.

Then she takes off.]

[lightblooming]

[ Aqua responds with a roar - the sound loud, piercing through the sound of the wind.

Luckily for Lapis, Aqua gets to where she wants to go. She begins to lower herself near a grassy cliffside - dropping Lapis once she's close enough to fall to safely.

Aqua, on the other hand, lands in front of her - watching her closely. ]

[freeing]

[ Daenerys is not a fighter. She would be a fool to go against anyone ready for an altercation. The time it would take for her to confidently defend herself would take months, if not years – so instead, she digs into her pocket as Edelgard qustions her. ]

I believe they could overpower me, not you. There are more of them then you, while I do not doubt the weapon in your possession or your will – it is a risky call.

[ Unfortunately, all she has is wits. Her advisers have helped shape her into a tactical thinker and before one of them could properly strike either of them if they so choose – Daenerys lifts the odd recording device she was gifted here. Eren's teachings of it, as limited as it had been, provides use. The device was turned, facing the select few that were focused within Dany's range. ]

However, a riskier call would be to document such a bold gesture to not only our fellow Mirrorbound, but representatives of the Coven and Parliament. Both of whom have say in punishments for crimes against humanity and aggression to foreign entities.

[ Her hand was steady, eyes casting to Edelgard. It seemed a few of them were still ready to fight, while a few stepped back defensively. ]

But, by all means, my lady – self defense is allowed.

[fiddlestick]

Aha...I can lie down on the bed. That's probably more comfortable for you than kneeling on the ground.

[Because he was just down there, so he knows- it's not great on the knees to be on the wood floor like that.]

Hold on, lemme just-

[He moves to unbutton his pants, and slide his pants off. He's still got underwear on, but it's better to make things easy for her. once they are past his knees, he'll kick them off to the ground and then pull his legs up so he's fully on the bed. He feels...a little on the spot, but Towa here has nothing but a bra on, so who is he to talk?]

There.

[showsnopiety]

We need to get you more songs.

[Her voice was fond, and her glance was too. But...ah, she supposes this might make him feel better. so she took in a deep breath and started to sing. It wasn't like some of the ones she'd song before, but the mood seemed to work with it. Which was impressive since she was carrying a man larger then herself.

Before Connor could react to the last of it, she started singing a different one. Maybe one that was a little on the nose but...still.]

[showsnopiety]

[It's a hard topic. Not everyone was casual about it as Caren was. But considering the atmosphere...one of them was far less harmful then fighting.]

That's pretty normal. [She's mostly cat and all.]

You can indulge it, or you can ignore it by degrees. It depends on what the impulse is but...I assume it's mostly hunting related? As in wanting to hunt papers or lights or such.

[mirrortide]

[The roar is enough to get Lapis to stop earnestly, and she's pretty much silent and still for the rest of the flight.

And still silent when she's dropped onto the ground, staying sitting down while the dragon watches her.

What has she gotten herself into? She didn't think she made anyone mad!]

[overworker]

[Towa might have been tempted to put her clothes back on-- or at least a shirt, if it were still available to her. But the thought comes with the reminder that she let Elliot slice it open so. Well, no going back now.

She waits until he's comfortably settled in and gives her the go ahead, before she crawls over, perching herself over his lower legs and leaning down to kiss him. She can't imagine that things earlier were very exciting for him, so she'd like to build up to it a little. Besides, she remembers thinking it had felt good to her. She wants to know through experience a little more about what feels good for him.]

I've never done this before so... please don't hesitate to tell me if I do something wrong or... there's something I should do.

[She won't say more than that as far as that goes. She doesn't want to set herself up too much for failure. But she wants him to know he can tell her what to do if he needs to.]

[prayerwheel]

C-Corrin, if you...keep doing that, I'm--

[ Hmmmmmmmmm that groaning noise in the back of her throat is sounding a little suspect. ]

[prayerwheel]

I--

[ She wants to continue this conversation, but it's getting increasingly hard to concentrate with someone laying on top of her. What was she going to say? ]

...could you sit up, please?

[ note that that is not "please get off of me" ]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot makes himself comfortable on the bed as Towa perches herself over him. He lifts his head a little to meet her for that kiss, fingers reaching up to run through some of her brown locks. He doesn't mind some build up at all. It's a wise call.]

Aha...okay. Only thing that comes to mind is...don't bite? Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be fine!

[But seriously be careful with your teeth. He begs of you]

[overworker]

Oh-- yes, of course!

[Towa rearranges her legs so she can sit on Azura's lap instead, giving the girl room to sit back up. She should probably get off, but--

She hesitates. She doesn't want to. And she knows it's probably bad to let that part of her feline instincts persist, but--]

[unyieldingmarch]

[Edelgard nods and starts her way up the stairs.]

If you smell something dangerous, or sense danger, inform me. My senses are a little...duller...than I would like.

[Admitting weakness is hard, yet, no. This is just a fact. Her body is not as it was before her arrival and she's struggled with that at times.]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin wasn't sure if that noise was an actual worry or not. Azura's expression seemed upset and flushed but that could've almost been a purr, in a way? Still...she at least slowed down, her hand sinking to the base of one of Azura's bunny ears and resting there, her thumb gently stroking at it still.]

...You want me to stop?

[She really would, if Azura asked her to. Probably.]

[overworker]

Right. Of course.

[It's not a bad reminder, considering she's not as used to the tiny fangs in her mouth. She'll have to be extra careful.

She takes her time, taking another kiss and deepening it as her claw-like nails gently ghosted over the patches of scales on his torso.]

[chainveil]

[ Liliana is only too aware of a warm body moving close, filled with the sustenance she's been trying to deny herself as if that would somehow delay the ultimate transformation. She's too far gone, really, but digging her heels in is the last bit of control she feels she has against this.

Control that feels like it's sleepy when Chandra takes her hand. For her lack of pulse, she can feel Chandra's as much as she can smell the heat of her blood beneath her skin. Normally she can only catch that scent when it's open to the air, but this is just... devilishly delicious.

She can feel her fangs elongate a little more in her mouth.

Wait, Chandra's talking?

Liliana snaps her eyes back upwards, not having realized she was staring at their hands, trying to follow the flow of her veins. ]

Hm?

[ Even as her attention is quickly diverting elsewhere, Liliana knows that look and that cadence too well to ignore it, even if she hasn't seen it often on Chandra, nor directed at her, for that matter. ]

Oh, yes.

[ Maybe this can work in her favor. ]

And we both know I have excellent taste.

[ She raises a brow. ]

[overworker]

Right... wanting to pounce on things, getting distracted by cat toys, taking naps in the middle of the day... It's nothing I wouldn't expect from a cat anyway.

[Just nothing that most people would expect from Towa.]

But... it's true that I've experienced all of those instincts.

[Including mating, but. It's fine, she doesn't have to talk about that.]

[prayerwheel]

No. I quite like it. But--

[ nooooooooo not there. Her foot starts tapping, like a rabbit would thump. ]

I'm just...is this something you want to be doing? ...with me...?

[ this relationship is going places very quickly and she's not sure how she feels about it ]

[unyieldingmarch]

Ah...yes and no? The conflict is over. My armies were the victors. Of course, the real work begins now, or will once Hubert, Caspar, and I return.

[Edelgard manages a small smile. She allows herself that much. She has earned that much.]

Undoing a thousand years of corruption and stagnation and building a brighter future for Fodlan will take time, but I think it will be a rewarding task when I am able to step down and see our people prosper.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[The last thing he's going to do is run, although... The gears are turning in Bucky's brain as he takes in the current situation, tries to predict at Steve's feral behavior. It would give him reason to chase, if Bucky ran. He could lead him away from the refugee camp, toward the harbor district instead. That would give him some space to try to bring Steve back around. Someone else could get the unconscious figures away from here. Out of sight, out of mind.

Bucky starts by taking a couple of confident steps forward, making eye contact, maybe hoping to rile him up a little bit now. Give him reason to chase.] You're doin' a number on these guys. Wouldn't you rather chase someone on your own level? Here, kitty, kitty.

[weirdnecro]

Well...I don't think we forced this current generation out of their houses, if the dusts says anything.

But their aggression...mostly we can ignore them, I think. The problem is when they start getting creative and spiteful.

Especially because we don't know what they're invested in. Thankfully, there's no army nor milita for them to bribe.

[unyieldingmarch]

Ah. Yes, one of those devices.

[Edelgard's smile grows outright nasty, and this time she steps more confidently towards Dany. Firmly planting her armored form between the men and the young woman they were clearly regarding as a threat, she sets her staff in a warding position, ready to fight. Some stepped away, vanishing into the shadows, but others step forward with anger in their eyes.]

In a legal sense, self defense requires warning, does it not?

[She ask of the stranger, without ever taking her eyes off her targets. There are only a few, now, their will weakened by concern over their own well-being. And none seem ready to take on a battle-hardened veteran like Edelgard...but they do outnumber her, and that's the only reason they have yet to flee.]

[unyieldingmarch]

Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg. It's a pleasure, Sir Fair.

[cryptsleeper]

[There's a few words in there that could be considered ironic, but Alucard doesn't comment on them. There's only his eyes ahead, and-- ah. The safe point. He slows once they both enter it, and then turns to her.]

Do you believe yourself capable of a second attempt at this routine?

[fieryimpulse]

I will...if you give me more to work with than teeth.

[Honestly Zack. Just give her a kiss...she won't mind.]

I don't mind a few bites...but gimme something soft, too.