☆ 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

[tinyfood]

Huh. So if it's less bad than that, then...

[wylderrant]

I mean... yes. But I thought you wanted to stop them wrecking this particular place?

[ She shoots a look at Asahi as the first couple of them - changed and with monstrous features start to circle inward toward them. Things aren't looking good. ]

I suppose we don't have a choice at this point, do we?

[wylderrant]

Something like that, yes. It's a bit vague, I'm afraid... Why do you ask?

[thejoyrider]

Oh, as you wish!

[She gives him a bright smile and claps her hands. There are plenty bars and inns around, maybe she should ask Berserker which one he wanted to go to? Or maybe just pick the closest place, since he was getting more and more irritated...]

Do you possibly... need to talk to someone?

[Because of course, that's exactly the vibes he was sending right now and there is no way it would end badly at all.]

[unyieldingmarch]

Just...be kind, I suppose?

[That's all any of them can do.]

Accept them...? I don't really know what else to say. It's an unfortunate fact that we cannot change, sadly.

[chosenside]

Hiccup! Are you okay there?

[He's glad that he came in time to stop any harm from coming to him, but it's obvious by the look on Theseus' face that he's still greatly concerned about him. It doesn't escape the wizard's notice that Hiccup has been going through some changes himself, with the small wings and horns protruding from top of his head. At least he seems in control of himself still, but that doesn't do much to erase the worry.

Nonetheless, he hurries over to Hiccup, his wand gripped by his side, as he does one last look over him, to see if he missed any injuries.]

[unyieldingmarch]

[She follows, staying close, prepared to fight. There's a palpable sense of wrongness in the building, an oppressive feeling that's entirely separate from the cloying mists hanging over the district. She does not like it, and her dread grows with every step.

Shoulders hunched slightly as they reach the attic stairs, she all but gags at the smell.]

It does. Even I can smell it from here.

[Grateful for the cloth over her mouth, she nods.]

...I fear to say that we must ascend. This must be what we're here for.

[unyieldingmarch]

I have no idea.

[Edelgard sets to work, cleaning the cut gently with one bandage soaked in water from her waterskin. And then tying, slowly and methodically tending the wound.]

I should hope not, but it is difficult to say for certain. Mists do burn off in morning, but with something as unnatural as this, can we really do anything save prepare for the worst?

[tinyfood]

Oh, I just wanted to understand! And I guess I have some friends who could be considered, 'bad', according to some metrics...

[wylderrant]

Oh, well, I expect everyone does...

[ Iramaat doesn't always include herself in "everyone", though. ]

[stellung]

[ WOW what a great time to show up!! Best luck ever. Oh well, he's here now, they'll get through this together. ]

That's... not reassuring at all. [ He huffs, exasperation to cover concern. ] If you want, we can actually go get you some food somewhere.

[stellung]

[ . . . ]

W-Well, honestly, it was mostly just completely unexpected--

[ Meanwhile, the weird Fae-addled part of his brain latches onto the uncertainty the best way a Fae knows how: with a bit of a lie. ]

-- But of course I did.

[ ... Did that just come out of his mouth?! ]

[ua_duibhne]

[Even without his pride- strange a thing as it might be to take pride in it- at stake, the look on Berserker's face has every drop of blood in his rushing downwards. There's no hesitation then when he makes his second attempt. But now he takes his time, licking the beads of precum from the tip of his cock before taking him again. Tongue flat against the ridges of his shaft, breathing controlled- inch by inch he moves forward until, finally, he reaches his physical limit. All of it.

- but he won't let Berserker find his yet. After a few moments more of lavishing attention on him, Diarmuid draws back. The taste of him is still hot and intoxicating but he manages to stand and crush his chest to the dragon's in a dazed embrace. Something new is stirring in him.

He cups his chin in one hand.]

I want to fuck you.

[The fear in his eyes is gone, replaced by intense arousal- and sense of animal-like competition. It's the buck in him, desperate to provide himself and take control, that's making the most noise. The idea of taking him is just too irresistible.]

[weirdnecro]

[Heck yes to that

But oh good, she can keep some clothes on for now. She grins up at him, shivering only once at the feeling of his tongue at her throat-that's a dirty move.

Well. A little dirty.]

Would it help if I blamed you for starting it?

[She chuckled then, and walked with him to the bath-and stepped inside of it so he'd be encouraged to get in too. She doesn't get the reluctance but then...there's a lot she doesn't know about dragons still.]

Hoo...it's steamy.

[Really he might have been happier with a steam bath but-he's too dirty for that, so.]

[weirdnecro]

[Lightly, she touches him on the shoulder. That was a bit of a nervous tell there-as if she hadn't heard that in the lilt of his voice.]

Let's not borrow trouble. We'll react when we see it. The only thing we can do for now is learn the counter magics and be more knowledgeable then they are on their laws and customs.

[Though there's something that creeps into her tone as she adds:]

We don't have to beat them up. We just have to be better, with style.

[prayerwheel]

You have the same hair and eyes. [ though corrin's hair is wavier

and then

oh no

zero don't call her out like this ]

Wh--no! A friend of mine.

[rightfoot]

[ Roadkill breath? Oh. Oh no. He didn't just say that. He didn't. Of course, if he was paying attention he would know it's not a lie. His mouth reeks of dead animals that he's been mutilating along the way, but he won't take it lightly.

One, two.

His footsteps hit the ground in almost thuds. His left foot has no shoe, his right - a prosthetic leg still in it's shoe - nothing to change. ]

What, afraid I'm going to hurt you?

[gunsmithed]

[ Ah. He'd been hoping the man had something a bit more creative in mind. A shame.

Still, it's an easy answer. ]

Yes. Let's see how this goes.

[ Which means he's going to have to focus a bit more on the wind spell. The smoke drifting from the corner of his mouth blows about a little as he tries to get a better hold on the magic. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Slower or not, he's still moving faster than Elliot would if he had tried to move. ]

Y-Yeah, but I wish I was playing music for you instead. [He liked those nights when Eren would come to listen to his compositions. Eren didn't know much about music, but he could tell he liked what he heard. But he was still grateful that he was here.]

It's...I think it's coming in waves now. W-Which is better than constant?

[fiddlestick]

[I can't believe the monster features is giving Machias decent social skills. How monstrous.

But since Machias is not one to really lie, Elliot seems to buy it. Or at least. he's flattered]

Aha, aww, thanks Machias!

I know it was pretty rough, I don't know much at all about dancing. But seeing you just made me feel like trying!

[rightfoot]

[ At Newt's suggestion, Louis snorts. It wasn't a particularly good or dignified sound, and boy was it louder than he thought it was. At this point, now, he's expecting that something wild is going to sneak up on him and just happen. His life wasn't dull at home, not by any means, but the excitement here was -- well, very different than the type he was used to.

He rolls up his sleeves, moving towards a broken bench and kneeling in front of it. It looked like all of the pieces were in tact, but repair was far from his specialty. He had been practicing so much magic that could help him fight that things like this - weren't his specialty.

Piece by piece, as long as it's near where it's meant to be, starts to slowly come together. ]

Too much excitement, if you ask me. A surprising amount of Witches changed, too.

[ Shrugs. ]

It's almost like there's no point in distinguishing between the two.

[sylphid]

[Fie's quiet for a long moment then she needs to ask.]

Was he really that attractive?

[fiddlestick]

Uh- Well-

[He gulps]

Didn't you see him? I-I wouldn't chase after him but...he was pretty cute.

[escardos]

Ooh, you better start running! Because if not--

[ and he'll make the universal gesture for getting your head chopped off. Finger To The Neck Means Death ]

[sylphid]

We could. [That's definitely not her agreeing to it.] I think I'm more tired than hungry, though. Can we just sit here for a bit?