☆ 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]

She isn't? Well...

[Sokie considered a few moments, as she kept petting him. It seemed to soothe him-maybe it was the part cat, maybe not.]

Maybe you can still work towards becoming the person who would be able to talk with her and be honest with his feelings.

It gives you time to have the talk you both need-and figure out what you want to say. Right?

[prayerwheel]

[ She wouldn't even dream of pulling back, right now. The tail around her just makes her press in closer.

Azura's kissing experience is limited to the past few days, so it's probably an awkward tangle on both girls' ends. But it feels so nice to be close to someone, and because it's someone she implicitly trusts, there's no current of nervous energy running through her this time. She runs a hand through Corrin's hair and kisses her again. And again. Azura's about two steps from melting into a puddle, between this and the ear attention. ]

[fiddlestick]

[!!

Well that makes him look up in surprise]

Oh- y-you did? That's... thanks.

[It's really nice to know, but also...]

Wait, where would you get that expectation? Just how many dates do you think a guy like me gets?

[Cause seriously bruh I'm a tiny and weak music nerd with zero self-esteem and whose best friends are way hotter. ]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[There was a part of Corrin's brain that knew this was probably a mistake. That the two of them were caught up in the mist and their transformations and who knew what tomorrow would bring after this? But most of her was so enthralled by the feeling of Azura's body pressed against hers and the admittedly fascinating taste and texture of her lips and just how nice it all felt to actually know how to stop. Or even want to stop, really.]

[Her hand stopped stroking Azura's ear though, just resting against it now, too many different sensations popping off at once for her to manage more than one activity and kissing was pretty much going to win there. And the wonderful sensation of the other's hand in her hair was definitely a plus too.]

[In fact, after a bit of the kissing, Azura might notice that Corrin was making a noise that was definitely a warm, rolling purr. Even if she'd never, ever admit it.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He is starting to realize about that self-esteem. ]

What, a good-looking and talented musician? I'd expect girls to be throwing themselves at you.

[ Too bad Elliot isn't into girls. ]

But that's not actually why. It's more that I tend to think of you as more.... aware.

sorry for the delay!

[ressusciter]

[he's acquired a knife in the course of the night - an abandoned thing with no way of tracking the owner, and so he's claimed it for the moment. it slips out into his hand the moment his companion turns to him, hidden in the shadows of his cloak until the naga turns, and he springs to life.

snake creatures have a weakness in that they have a human chest, meaning he knows where to strike. certain strikes from the back will incapacitate, and areas where no scales hide the flesh beneath yield. even a beast can't deal with too much blood loss. it sinks into black clothes, streaks itself on the stones, shines red on the blade. he does not let up until the naga starts to sink, the telltale signs of collapse. whether they live or die depends on them now, and Dantes looks for where Wolf is - hopefully with the trapped individual, or at least headed that way.]

[guillotine]

"Too extreme."

Flat and dead and underlined by an odd change to her throat that lends a current of vibration to speech.

"Do you believe I would kill them all?" She forgets, then, that Wolf can experience the hot-blooded death spiking her veins with an intent bordering on alcoholic. Nel's spine—longer now, more prominent underneath the leather—straightens into military rigidity. The full force of that intent bears down on these petty, petty men, and they sense that running now will invite pursuit. A hunter pursues. Wolves pursue.

"You do."

Riding below her mist-influenced appetite for punishment is a rank and bitter vine. It cracks apart Nel's certainty, pebble by pebble, stone by stone, but they are not yet at the place where she doubts herself enough to stop and question.

[tryhard]

[ Waver's teeth pinch his ear a few seconds longer after he feels Berserker start to relax, as if making sure it's not just a ruse or something, but once he's satisfied, he finally pulls away. His licking his lips, and grinning.

It seems like an entirely uncharacteristic expression, with those blood red eyes and too-long fangs glinting in the moonlight. Waver's fingers curl, claws pressing into the fronts of Berserker's shoulders just enough to prick through his shirt, as if to remind him he can. ]

Oh...?

[ The curious noise is almost a growl, low in his throat and through his teeth. Waver cocks his head, ears perking, swiveling fully forward. His words sound oddly guttural too, barely recognizable as his voice as the beastly effects are clearly taking their toll on his capacity for speech as well the more he gives in to his instincts. ]

I already got it. You.

[ Ah, but he does like hearing that he won though. That's very satisfying. ]

[futhark]

[ Funny. Those who want knew the beast-form are now more humanlike then even humans. But it makes sense, it's because Enkidu abandoned it by choice, and they knows exactly what they left behind. Cú never considered himself anything but a human, but the heritage was there and urges of any kind, he always gave in easily. Closer to the instincts and impulses he had always been.

Even now, listening to Enkidu's words and trying to focus on their calming aura— when the impulse hits, he does not think twice. The hold already secured, now the only thing he needs is to run magic energy through the runes of strength littered through his body. There are no enchantments on his wings, obviously, but everything else should work.

Without warning, he launches up into a flight, with Enkidu in his arms. It's more of a quick jump than proper flight, but what high jump it is. It takes them above the roofs and then glides over one of them - one that can be landed upon ]

It seems that I am now a beast— that goes against everything we were told here, against everything I experienced— [ A Witch. He should be a Witch. He still is, the fact that he could activate his enchantments is proof enough. But he's also experiencing all the trappings of a Monster and looks like one. ] But if you are still a Witch at heart, horns or not. What will you do?

[ Now that you got literally kidnapped by a (temporary) Fae trying to stay sane, and failing ]

[futhark]

[ Light and breezy, but still allies, still— friends? Who knows what they were, but they were, too many questions to ponder— but for now they're on the same side.

He leans into the touch, it's hard to escape the effects that the Moons have over him, but focusing on someone else is a close alternative. ]

So they not only hurt but they also insulted you? Hn. [ Was broken nose truly enough? Maybe they should have something else broken too. A foot, for example. ]

[horkbajir]

Toby coughs and gags as her mouth reflexively floods with saliva in an attempt to dilute lingering acid. Taxxon spittle eats into hard earth and certain kinds of stone and this remnant is quite a bit weaker than that, but it's still sour and acrid. Her eyes stream. She barely notices the handkerchief and ignores it - the gesture isn't one that's been offered to her in the past and she can't think through what it could mean now.

Humans often seem to her like a mid point between Taxxon and Hork-Bajir. Humans and Taxxons are both soft with sharp teeth, omnivorous, fragile, often oozing fluids, signalling each other with scent, tailless, short-limbed, high-voiced, a mix of yellow and brown and red. It had been easier to fix on this shape, but she can feel already that it's an active effort to be human. If she stops making it...

She rubs her tender, dirt-smutched hand and forearm across her face and heaves several almost clear breaths, trying to focus, before looking up at last. Her deep voice is strained. "...Myr?" He looks horrible, not that she can judge. "This isn't going to last long. I can't hold this shape."

[integrous]

"No."

She quickly shakes her head, not wanting him to get the wrong idea and think he's holding her up or something. It's true that Asahi looks like she's doing alright, and she is. Or, well, as much as anyone can be alright in a place like this.

"I was just.." She pauses, seeming to think for a second. Like she's wondering how to word something. ".. Just going to look for some people, that's all. I didn't expect to see you here though."

If not just because he looks like such a big, tough guy. Sure, last night wasn't exactly safe, but if anyone could get through it fine, it'd probably be him.

[integrous]

Yeah, it was really weird at first. [ And it still is, kind of. Especially when she keeps checking to see if people are lying out sheer habit and just.. can't. ] I guess it's kind of like if you could see your whole life and then ended up here suddenly blind. .. I guess some people might say that comparison is exaggerated, but that's what it feels like for me.

[ It's hard to explain just how much of an impact her ability has had on her life to someone who has never had it, after all. ]

I used to be able to tell who I could trust and who I can't, and now that's impossible.

[integrous]

We?!

[ Okay, so it's not like there's any possibility of backing down by now. No matter how offended Asahi looks as she repeats that word. But let it show on the record that she still protested until this last moment, okay! ]

I-- Just--! [ She sputters a few words, but when she realises the guys are close enough that they're completely out of time, she just quickly says: ] L-Listen, just knock them out or something, okay? Don't kill them!

[futhark]

[ And that's where he could make the hunt interesting. Instead of making a distance, leaping away or even flying away he first— snaps the wing open with enough force to send a small cloud of shimmery dust that covers them into the air.

First, glitter-bomb, run next. One of the few sane thoughts, as he takes his chance to leap away, might be "oh, that's going to be a pain to get out off hair" ]

[ua_duibhne]

[How could he say no? Diarmuid doesn't even give him time to recover before moving in for another kiss, more forceful than Berserker is probably used to from him. A light nip on his lower lip sets the tone for more as he rakes his claws over his body. Searching for entrances to his clothes is frustrating but he has enough self control to undress without tearing anything.

As soon as he's stripped to his waist, the witch falls on him again. His lips find a nipple, teasing the sensitive skin, as he reaches back to massage the base of Berserker's tail. Speaking of sensitive, turning into a beast such as this must come with new weak spots, right?

He'll make it his job to discover them.]

[wordsinthesoul]

[Thancred grits his teeth- still angry, but acutely aware that if he lashes out now- he'll just be proving that point. And given what Dorchact was like- he has to do his best to restrain himself from doing more than glowering.]

Were I to take an outreached hand, it would hardly be yours.

[Well. That reaction is something, at least.]

It seems to be able to reach very deep. Particularly if it could affect someone like you. What is it like, to feel that that magic is now a part of you?

[Hm. Catlike- a turnskin, perhaps…?]

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch does have to give the smallest point to Thancred for not giving in the bait. It was the absolute minimum level of acceptability, as far as he was concerned, but hey, he passed it, good job.]

Ah, so cold, even now.

[Faux-disappointed, though he turns the level of smugness down a level or two, into a more generalized arrogance. The question gets an odd- and for a moment, slightly amused- look, before he sighs dramatically, shaking his head.]

...It's certainly a different experience. I can't say I see what all the fuss is about.

[wordsinthesoul]

[Well, he wasn't really expecting very much, so he'll take it.]

I doubt either of us would have expected this to be a warm encounter.

[That seems to fit well enough. Though watching that look, he tilts his head, curious- one long ear twitching slightly.]

No? I'd imagined someone of your lineage might be curious about magework. But then- you brought magitech to the forefront, correct?

[Which… might have worrying implications in this land. Lovely.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It's an assault on his senses and one he truly wasn't expecting. Instead of resisting, he encourages Diarmuid through touch and his responses. His hands roam his body, clutching tighter when he finds a weak point. He arches up towards his mouth, a sharp hiss coming in response. Beneath his touch, Berserker becomes pliant. His tail flicks in almost expectant agitation, his breathing borders on ragged. It's not enough to make him completely submit, but it's obviously having an effect. Part of him wants to struggle against this and make the witch work harder for it, it just feels so damn good he's having trouble fighting it. ]

1/2

[fiddlestick]

[ . . . 💧 ]

Well, seems I'm more aware than you, at least...

[Bro we're on a date right now. He's not sure how else to spell out he's into guys.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He flicks his ears as it's released with a soft whine. It would've been trivial for him to fight Waver off and just accept the damage to his ear, but this is much more interesting to his moon-addled brain right now. He's been letting his chaotic side come out in full force on this night, letting it take control and using it to encourage the bad habits of those he knows.

Berserker studies Waver as he shifts slightly beneath him. ]

Is this all you want from me -- to sit atop me like you conquered me? Don't you want more?

[fiddlestick]

[Okay dry quipping aside, it's time to actually give a real answer]

No, girls don't throw themselves at me. Not like they do with Rean. Wouldn't want it anyway, so I don't mind.

As for being more "aware"? [He sighs a little. It's embarrassing to admit, but Elliot's not one to shy from the truth.] I... I have problems seeing good things about myself. When you grow up as Craig the Red's only son whose too weak to even use a sword ... it becomes pretty easy to focus on all the ways I don't measure up to people.

The only reason I have any confidence now is because of Rean and the rest of you in Class VII giving me constant support. And it helped a lot, truly. But ... it's not like my problems went away completely. I don't think anyone's did.

[Class VII was still a bunch of people broken in different ways. They were just a little less broken thanks to each other.]

So, yeah. In some ways I'm more aware than him and my issues aren't exactly like his ... but it's not like I'm not much better.

[He makes a small whine noise, clearly embarrassed by showing that level of emotional vulnerability.]

Man, now I'm really tempted to throw myself into the ocean...

[He's not serious, just doing one of his usual whines. ]

[unsundered]

Perhaps not, though I try to leave room in my heart to be surprised.

[His own ears twitch in response. This is where it got slightly trickier. He resented his new magic, of course, if for entirely different reasons.]

Yes, I'm certain Garleans in the past would've been most eager to wield the barbarian magics of our old oppressors. But my magitek has more than evened the odds, don't you think?

['Rediscovering' magitek that he'd been partially responsible for developing in the first place, back in Allag. There was a certain symmetry there that he appreciated.]

We've surpassed your primitive arts with technology. Why would we want your powers now?

[kuroi_taiyo]

[At this point, he'll just shrug. No one's going to believe him about anything regarding what he was, so what's the point in fighting for that belief?

Also, why did it sound like she was blaming him for not having his name? ]

You never tried to get it, and I've got no reason to give it to some weirdo that drags people off by their hair to do things they didn't cause. One that never gave their name either.