☆ 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

[escardos]

Again, if you ever want to find out, I'm sure I can find someone with a wooden stake they can lend me.

[ he speaks casually as he takes dazai out of the alleyway. even with all the chaos, there's definitely a lot of people that are looking at the both of them, but too afraid to ask what's going on. they simply move out of the way, terrified.

flat doesn't seem to notice any of it, though. and if he does, he's simply ignoring them in favor of dazai. ]

I can't promise that, mister Dazai. It's quite fun, after all. [ he says it bluntly, with a slightly sheepish smile, like he's confessing to something innocuous instead of stabbing. ] Besides, if you get healed in the end, then there's nothing wrong with it, right?

[hearthebell]

[L stares. Considers. Continues to stare.

He reaches for Jeremy's wrist, holding it up, staring at the veins there. He can practically feel warm blood in his mouth, already, soothing every ravenous instinct he feels as it slides down to put liquid life in his cramping belly.

It would be so easy to take a bite like an apple and just drink his fill. He could be full, instead of just taking what he needs to remain pale and weak and just managing to remain on his feet.]

You look so stupid and helpless right now. Do you even realize that?

[No, probably not. L lets Jeremy's hand drop at his side with an annoyed roll of his eyes.]

Something really horrible could befall you and you'd probably still have that stupid look on your face. And nothing to say about it, outside of "The earfall of the maize barleycorn whispers limpidly in the recollection of tonally dissonant curfews." Or something like that. Am I right? I'm usually right.

c!

[stellung]

[ Machias has at least dodged the feral bullet, so to speak. But he's not completely free of behavioral changes! Fie asks that, and Machias crosses his arms and looks thoughtful for a second. ]

Maybe. Do you have anything for it?

[ And immediately after that comes out of his mouth, he makes a face and sighs loudly, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. ]

Oh for--! Just... pretend I didn't say that. No, I don't have anything to eat. Sorry. [ He grumbles. ] I don't know what's worse, the pain or this ridiculous impulse...

sounds fake tbh

[kuroi_taiyo]

Don't see why they would.

[ Then again, Judar didn't understand most things with the types of creatures and people in this world. He didn't know what mattered, what was normal, and what kinds of things were dangerous. His eyes wandered down along the body, from glowing scales, the curves that were probably there before all these changes, and down to the hand that was on his.

Honestly, he wouldn't mind more than that. Especially with how hot his blood's been running lately. ]

Yeah. I haven't really felt like being alone, either.

[ Which he said while reaching over with his other hand to rub away one of the tear stains off from her face with a partially webbed thumb. ]

A 1

[activatingcombatmode]

[It doesn't seem like Zack cares that she tries to tell him to stop walking forward. His red eyes are locked on her as he watches her shift and change in pain and Zack can't help but lower his head and sniff at the air as it all happens. His lips twitch and a low growling noise rumbles from his chest.]

So, you're just like me? Aqua. You're changing...

[His tail swishes back and forth as he sniffs the air again. He can detect her dragon scent and it's strong.

He likes strong.]

[ilves]

[He can't help but to flinch when Emil stretches a hand out to him, not entirely sure what to expect—because wouldn't he lose his mind if Emil bit him? Wouldn't he go ape shitt? The answer, of course, is yes, but Emil doesn't go for any sort of retaliation; he just wraps his fingers around Lalli's wrist and pulls, and honestly, it's such a surprise that Lalli just... automatically moves. Yes, sure, tug him forward these first few steps; he's still thinking about the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing he just did—and trying not to think about the way he can still, ah, smell the blood in the air...

(Because it was very good blood, you see. Absolutely delicious. The taste of it lingers, and hey, this isn't a comforting train of thought at all. Hmm.)

...So mindlessly following it is! Or, well. There's nothing truly mindless about it, because he's at least present enough to keep his eyes and ears open for any unpleasant surprises in the mist! And also forming a sort of, um, plan as he allows Emil to lead him along. Step one: make sure Emil is safe. Step two: make sure Emil, like, barricades himself in a room or something. Step three: leave Emil in the room and run as far as his legs can take him, because as much as he'd like to, he cannot, will not bite Emil again. Friends... don't do that sort of thing.

But when they make it to the barracks, he's still in too much of a daze to resist Emil tugging him right inside. Mistake the first! Mistake the second is allowing his eyes to wander down to Emil's injured arm as he watches him tug something heavy in front of the door. Ah. Guilt and hunger both hit him, and he swallows thickly, knowing that he needs to speak even though it's incredibly difficult. Is this what it's like to be a... hmm, no, not thinking about that at all.]

I— [Hrmh. He looks away, almost like he's scouting out another exit... because he is.] I shouldn't be here? With... you.

[With anyone, but! Definitely not EMIL! The friend he just BIT!]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Then... Jeremy blinks.

He shakes his head gently like he's trying to nudge something loose inside of it and he focuses on L's face properly.

A question forms on his lips, maybe even an accusation, but he realizes without prodding that the same strange thing from before was happening again. He's outside the house and he doesn't even remember leaving it.

Self-consciously, Jeremy takes a step back from L. What's Jeremy been doing to this guy?]

Was I bothering you?

[If the SQUIP is somehow taking Jeremy over again, this guy would be the one to notice, right? He'd be furious.]

i-b

[bloodwit]

Dazai?

[ that - is very large set of wings attached to someone familiar, and someone that just seems a bit too eager to start something. he almost blends in, in that way; most of the city seemed engulfed in agitated chaos.

viren's efforts in going about his own business seem to be in vain, however, as he comes across the vampire in a narrow, dimly-lit street. ]

Don't tell me this madness has also gotten into you.

[ viren remains rooted in sanity, thus far; he does have some other changes to speak, mostly chimera and puca in origin, but nothing overtly visible. still claws, sharp teeth - revealed in his lips curling at the vampire. ]

[loadme]

[Monika didn't even have to "learn" how to walk the first time, she was just programmed that way. Honestly, between that and all the chaos outside, it was enough to keep her on a particularly short fuse. But never when Ursula was around.

Having her nearby and holding hands, was enough to keep her mind focused and clear.

For now, at least.]

Do you mind if I keep holding on to you like this? It makes it easier for me.

[overworker]

[Towa dunks her nose in the drink in shock when he coughs-- aaaand immediately realizes she's doing it again. The cat thing. She lifts her head and clears her throat sheepishly, lifting the cup to drink it properly.

It was a lot harder to stop those impulses than she thought.

Well, if it had to be anyone to see her like this, she's relieved it could be Elliot.

The yogurt isn't much, but she always figured she could eat more later. Nothing wrong with a light breakfast.]

Well, I'm feeling a bit more awake now, that's for sure.

chaos

[activatingcombatmode]

[It's her scent that Zack detects at first. He lifts his nose to the air and smells it on the wind easily. He follows it with a growl rumbling in his chest. There was no mistaking her fiery magic aroma but this was something else.

Something's wrong.

He stalks up behind her and his growling gets deeper as he stares at her with red eyes.]

Chandra...

[The hell happened to her?]

[whydogs]

You caught me in a good mood.

[One out-of-place joke deserved another.

She then made brief eye contact with the two victims, urging them to get the hell out of there before turning her attention back to Lancer.]

Honestly I'm glad this worked, I would've been out of ideas if it didn't.

[Nevermind that she still had her arms wrapped around her. It felt... nice.]

[fulgency]

[Ramesses hums, quite pleased with both the obvious and immediate effect he has on her and simply being close to her. But if that were not clear enough, the arm around her middle that keeps her close to him likely drives the point home.]

Were you? [He ducks his head down to the crook of her neck, nuzzling as he breathes her scent in. His tail curls as he murmurs,] You smell so good...

[With his affection and feelings for her as strong as they are, her scent all on its own would be pleasing enough. But those little changes brought on by her own changes and instincts... Whatever amount of his mind might have put up any form of resistance to feral instincts is folding quickly. His lips curve into a smile against her neck.]

[sing_for_me]

[ How easily that line came to him almost made her laugh. She doesn't, but it does lighten her mood a little. ]

Are you--

[ The sudden touch to her face was surprisingly pleasant, brief as it was. So much so that she finds herself leaning into it slightly , her eyes closing for that moment. ]

--also..a merrow? Or is it because of..whatever's happening?

refugees

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack is nearby when all of this happens. He glances over with a frown at the display. He can commend the woman for trying but lately, it feels like this city is getting just as stir-shit crazy as Dorchacht.

But of course, being a chimera or not, Zack's standing up to draw closer to her to assert his own t pose point towards the men as well.]

Why don't you pick on some assholes your own size? These people came here for peace, so we're giving it to them.

[fiddlestick]

[He laughs]

Haha yeah, I bet.

[It was really cute though. And if not fighting the impulses was key to getting through this]

You don't have to stop drinking like that on my account though. It's supposed to be better if you go along with the instincts.

[illequipped]

[For once, Emil doesn't chatter the whole way back to the barracks. Frankly, he's tired and not in the mood, especially not after being bitten! There are a few times he mutters to himself about crowds and he definitely has a choice Swedish swear or two ready for this couch he is pushing in front of the door, but besides that... he's uncharacteristically quiet. It's probably fine. That he hasn't tossed Lalli out with the bathwater is sign enough that he's keeping this bitey boy where he can see him for the foreseeable future.

So: here they are, in a room, with a couch shoved in front of the door, and Emil leans against the arm of it but doesn't sit down while he stops to look at his arm again and assess his injury status. Still bleeding, a little... This sleeve has been completely sacrificed to become a shitty bandage, and he's just going to have to live with that.

That said, oh, Lalli. Stupid, stupid Lalli. Please, do not speak. Emil glances up from his arm to look at his face, and there is a part of him that's pretty annoyed! Lalli bit him! With fangs! And yet the part of him that just wants everything to be normal and okay again starting with Lalli is pretty overwhelming, all things considered.]

Ummmm, no? Don't be stupid. I told you, you're staying with me.

[Dummy. If Emil hadn't used up all his knock out papers acting a fool out in the streets, he could just slap Lalli with one and deal with him being pissed about that later, but alas! They do not have that luxury. He considers Lalli for a beat, then points down at the couch.]

Come sit over here! We're going to figure something out.

[escardos]

I’m not suffering, though.

[ he doesn’t seem rather concerned, merely shrugging as he looks onward. ]

Are you?

[overworker]

I suppose you're right-- still, I don't want to keep you here all day.

[Cute it may be, but practical it is not really.]

But I'll try to remember to pour myself a smaller cup next time.

[bloodypath]

[Ah. This one at least appeared to be aware of himself. The hostile tension leaves Hubert's shoulders, though his wary gaze doesn't leave the harpy (?) and the spear remains in his grasp.]

It is. [It's attempting to be. It's taking form better than it had been after Hubert first got it, which was something to be proud of, considering that he hadn't yet finished his introductory classes.]

Do you find yourself in need of it...?

[whydogs]

[The thing about Jill is, she does care. Any customer that sits across from her always her immediate, undivided attention. It was listening to their stories, whether as part of an audience, or someone looking to vent and get something off their chest...

She wanted to be able to provide that for them.

Even as everything went to hell.]

Not really. Some other businesses decided to stay open, whether it was provide services or shelter.

I helped them out however I could.

I don't have any crazy powers or special training, or... whatever. But I don't need those to be able to make a difference.

[fiddlestick]

Eheh...good point. I guess it'll get cold soon too.

[He focuses on his own drink, finishing up what he can. Near the bottom of the mug, he finds himself licking the last liquid out -- which whoa. It was like a weird sensation of taste and smell at the same time. It's enough to make him blink in surprise]

- W-Whoa. So that's why Eren's always sticking out his tongue.

[THE MORE YOU KNOW]

4

[bloodwit]

[ friendly face may be a bit of a misnomer, but with also having had an exhausting few last days, viren's far from being in a mood for picking a fight. he pauses at seeing zack at the bridge — it's been quite a while since he's interacted with the chimera in person. so he approaches, his presence announced with the solid metal clinks of his staff tapping against the ground. ]

Afternoon, Zack.

[ his tone isn't unfriendly. ]

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

[starseedling]

[Flight comes easy, with his wings even larger than usual, shedding tiny glowing petals as they move. The refugee houses aren't that far, but as long as Yuya isn't audibly complaining, he doesn't pay much heed to it. His... mutations make keeping hold of him easy, as do his second set of arms.

Once they are there, Steven settles on one of the front lawns as gently as he can manage. He looks down at Yuya, his pupils swallowing up most of his eyes again.]

Are you okay?

Damage Control

[stellung]

[ Machias is still dealing with his own sudden changes - there's a hard shell on his back that covers a brand new set of wings, and patches of reddish-brown scales visible on his arms - but he can't very well stand aside while everything goes wild in the streets. He wants to help.

He happens to be passing the same apothecary's shop when a few bottles come sailing through the doorway right in front of him, just missing his head, thanks. He peers inside, sees Chandra in her rage, and his eyes go wide for a second. ... He clears his throat, pointedly calling attention to himself. ]

Maybe because the collateral damage wouldn't help anything right now?

[ He might be a teenager, and he might be new here, and he... might have weird beetle wings for some stupid reason he has yet to figure out fjdskl, but he speaks like someone who means well, and has seen enough in his life already that a few flung bottles aren't going to faze him. ]