☆ 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

[fiddlestick]

Yeah, that would be my guess. I couldn't tell you anything more than that though. I was...pretty distracted to notice anything else.

[To put it lightly.]

W-What about you? Did you...see anything?

[overworker]

Unfortunately not... somehow I was... able to sleep through it completely.

[Which isn't like her, and now she's even more certain that it's not just a coincidence.]

So it may be more than just the physical changes that we should be watching for.

[fiddlestick]

W-Wait...you slept through that...?!

[Yeah that isn't like Towa at all. Of everyone in the house, she probably slept the LEAST.]

That's...worrying.

[But it can't be ruled out, can it? If they're becoming monsters, monster instincts might become a thing.

...

And so, the only thing he can do is test it. Scientifically. From one of his wrecked shoes, he'll pull out the lace and...

Dangle it in front of kitty Towa. For Science. ]

[overworker]

Yeah, I meant to be up an hour ago, but I only woke up when I heard you come in.

[She knows. It's. Well, it's not a problem she's had before. Traits like that she could see, but when he pulls out his shoe's lace that's just silly. Surely some traits might transfer but something like that? There's no way.]

Haha, Elliot very... funny...

[Against all of her better judgments, her eyes are following that shoe-lace closely; feline eyes darting back and forth... Her tail is also swishing now a bit; a playful perk to her ears as well.

She doesn't want to play around with some string.




...she wants to play with the string.

And then, something even worse happens. Her throat, of it's own natural accord, makes an excited purring noise.

Towa freezes up in horror as she realizes that noise came from her.]

Oh no.

[Is there anything else to say about this?]

[fiddlestick]

[He feels a little bad, but her reaction? Actually gets a real smile and laugh out of him, easily the first he's had all morning. He knows this is bad, all of this had dangerous implications, but...dangit that was really cute]

Aha...L-Looks like your hunch was right. We'll have to look out for mental changes too.

[overworker]

[When it makes him laugh, Towa's initial reaction softens a bit. And yet the first thing out of her mouth is--]

Please don't tell anyone about that. If Crow finds out, I'll never hear the end of it.

[Or Rean. Just. The embarrassment for days... kill her now...

Surely she can mind-over-matter this problem now that she knows what it is, right?]

[fiddlestick]

O-Oh, I won't! [He doesn't want to die okay]

Though he might figure it out on his own. [It's Crow. This is a guy who just carries cat toys with him ok.]

But...I wonder if this will be the same thing as it is for monsters. You know, where the more you fight against the instincts, the worst it gets...

[You know, like Rean his first month]

[overworker]

[Unfortunately, he's right. Hiding this from Crow would probably take a miracle. It doesn't mean she won't try anyway.]

Well... if it came down to that, I doubt you'd all have any problem putting me down, anyway.

[Casually says the girl who refused to fight said Rean.]

[fiddlestick]

[WHAT THE FUCK]

Wha-

No!! Towa! We'd have a LOT of problems with that! Don't talk like that!

[overworker]

Trust me, I don't have any intention of causing you trouble. If there's any way I can avoid that, then I'm going to do my best-- I can't imagine what going "feral" would be like for me, but... I'd like to hope I wouldn't be too bad.

[Still not saying she wouldn't let you all fight her to bring her down though.]

[fiddlestick]

T-That's not the point!

[He reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder. He's trying to hold it firm without accidentally cut her with his claws]

Towa, you're precious to us. If you're go feral, we're not gonna just "put you down". We'd find a way to help you, just like you'd do for us!

So please...don't talk like you're expendable. You're not. W-We'll get through this together, okay?

[overworker]

...I’m sorry, that was a careless choice of words on my part. I promise I didn’t mean it like that.

[But it’s hard not to feel the weight of those words. To be a precious, irreplaceable person in this group... it’s as much as she could have ever hoped to hear.]

No matter what happens, nothing is more important to me than being able to come back here at the end of the day. That isn’t going to change.

[fiddlestick]

[He breathes out. Okay so it was just..a poor choice of words. He's going to take her word for it.]

Honestly Towa...you nearly gave me a heart attack saying it like that.

[Don't scare him like that!! No murdering friends!!!]

[overworker]

Sorry, I guess I'm not as awake yet as I'd like to be.

[He hasn't slept yet, from the looks of things, but she doesn't think getting him to just go sleep after all this is as simple as that. So instead, might as well make the best of it.]

Would you like some coffee or something? I can make us something for breakfast quick if you're hungry.

[fiddlestick]

Ahaha, right. Well...I'm sure Fie could point you to the best catnap spots later.

[Fie is the resident expert napper. He has no doubt she has figured out every good napping spot in this house. A true skill.

He thinks about her offer of breakfast, his tail flicking as he thinks. She is right, he hasn't had much sleep but he was still worked up to sleep. ]

Coffee would be nice.

[His tail flicks some more. If anything, the toll on his body has left him pretty hungry now that he thinks about it. But when he tries thinking of his usual breakfast foods - omelets, pancakes, fruit...none of them feel appealing to his appetite. Instead...]

...Is there any meat left?

[overworker]

Maybe I should ask her.

[She's mostly joking but-- well, her cat-side certainly likes the idea.]

Alright, coffee it is!

[...ah, yes. Lizard brain. Considering she did her questioning when she wanted to put together her gift basket for Erin, she's fairly well prepared for this.]

There should be sausage and bacon-- or if you want something a bit more filling, I can take something out of the freezer.

[fiddlestick]

Might as well! You have a cat expert in the house, why not take advantage.

[He feels like Fie would like being the teacher to Towa. And also bless Towa for not making him go through a line of questioning. The craving felt strange enough as it is.]

Ah- whatever's easier for you Towa! I think I just want something on my stomach.

[overworker]

[Before he's finished, she's already digging around in the fridge. Milk, yogurt, bacon and sausages come out of the fridge-- something quick.]

Oh please, it's no trouble at all! It's nice, having company for breakfast this early.

[She starts the coffee first before heating up the stove to put the meat on the stove and give it a light seasoning.]

[fiddlestick]

[Smelling the meat being taken out, he finds himself getting up and following after her into the kitchen. He moves to a stool, crouching on it as he watches her cook. It's not a normal sitting position for him, but it does feel better this way than sitting on his tail.]

Aha ... that's true. If it wasn't for the whole ... turning into a monster, this wouldn't be a bad way to spend a morning.

[overworker]

It's... different... being the one on the changing side. I can see why it was so hard for others.

[At least none of her changes have hindered her cooking ability-- the claws get in the way a bit, but they're a manageable level, she just has to be careful.

She's struggling to come to terms with the differences between her habits and the cat part of her brain being so at war with one another. And she imagines Elliot's probably dealing with a fair amount of that too.]

...but it doesn't change what's important, you know?

[fiddlestick]

...Yeah, you're right. [She has a point there] We're still us. It's really tempting to complain about it, but really this is just what the others deal with all the time so I probably shouldn't...

[Just gotta suck it up and learn how to deal. Even if it's weird getting used to all the changes to his body. As for the mental stuff...that'll probably take awhile more.

Maybe positive thinking will help? His eyes keep flicking between Towa and the meat that's cooking.]

And you know, you make a pretty cute cat Towa.

[overworker]

Eheh, that's very sweet. You know, you don't make such a bad looking dragon either.

[It's really interesting to her how monsters develop their traits in different ways. While she wouldn't have pinned Elliot for the dragon type, the style of the traits are still rather fitting on him.]

I can't say that I thought either of these choices really fit us-- but if you look at it another way, maybe this is just the city's way of reminding us that there are parts of ourselves we're neglecting, that we could use a bit more of. Like I should sleep more and focus on work less... and you could stand to be more assertive and eat more meat, something like that.

[fiddlestick]

Aha, really? I haven't actually seen a mirror yet.

[He can kinda see the wings and tail, but it's hard when you were out in the street.

But her remark will get something of a dry laugh.]

If that's true...then we should put my dad on the list of possible suspects for this, because that is definitely something he'd say. [He's clearly joking about that. Craig the Red would be way more direct than this] But... I wouldn't disagree with what it's telling you. With all the work you do, I think you've earned a break.

[overworker]

Well we can fix that. Right after breakfast.

[She flips and rolls the meat. It smells like it'll be done soon, that's for sure.]

Ahahaha. [Craig the Red is already too powerful, can you even imagine if he was allowed to have monster powers? Towa sure can't. But it's hard to argue with what he says about her. She wouldn't have taken one for herself, but--]

I have been feeling a bit run down lately. Maybe you're right.

[fiddlestick]

Okay! I have to figure out new clothes anyway.

[Since his current stuff is pretty ripped up, and nothing in his closet is made to accomodate wings and a tail. Fun. Too bad Eren is way too big to borrow clothes from

But oh hey, Towa actually agreed to maybe taking it easy. His tail swishes and his wings stretch a little. ]

Hehe, how about we take it easy today? Get used to...this. There's enough of us here that some of the others can look into what's happening.

[Normally Elliot is not really want to slack off. Maybe he's less gungho about volunteering than Rean or Towa, but he still likes to chip in. That said, he sure did just grow a bunch of monster parts, so he's rather okay with taking a backseat today]