☆ 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

[inlikethebrume]

[It's hard to resist. And probably rude to make a comment about them but now there is confirmation that he is a cat in a hyur body. She stops biting her lower lip, able to hold back her actual thoughts of his new look (and believe her, she does not want that to come out and bite her in the arse).

Nope, nothing here. It's fine.]

And it will only get worse if a hand is raised to try and strike back. No matter which choice is made, someone will get hurt.

[How much longer will it be until rocks are thrown instead of insults or spit?]

Is it safe to assume you too have gotten the same welcome?

[unsundered]

[It would be extremely rude. And he is honestly a small bit relieved that Mira is somehow refraining from mentioning his new accoutrements. For as long as it lasts, it'll earn her the tiniest amount of gratitude.]

Much the same. The comments, the accidental jostling. I don't think I've been spat on yet, but I'm sure it'll happen.

[How long was this going to go on for? Was this going to become yet another new normal for him?]

But if escalation is inevitable, I much prefer to be the one doing the striking.

[inlikethebrume]

I would offer a handkerchief but alas, I have none.

[She shrugs as she wishes that she wore her armor instead but that is back at the place with her fellow dark knight buddy.]

Why don't we try using an alleyway as a shortcut? It may lessen the chances of being spotted by the locals and I truly am not in the mood to use my sword.

[Only if they attack first. Either way, she's going to find one such alleyway because screw the jeers and the saliva bombs. It would just make her rage more and thank the Fury she did not have her abilities otherwise people would be pooping themselves at some of her skills. Not to hurt them but she can definitely show them why poking a dark knight is a very bad idea.]

[unsundered]

Fine with me. And if we are attacked- well, there should be fewer witnesses.

[With her sword and his height, they probably at least looked like a pair that would be healthier to avoid provoking.

But really, did the locals have a death wish? If they truly believed the mirrorbound or monsters were behind all of this, why would they go out of their way to aggravate them? That's just asking to be killed.]

It's enough to make one want to stay inside until this all blows over. At least until we're all rounded up and executed, or the city catches on fire.

[inlikethebrume]

...your mind goes to the darkest places, doesn't it?

[It's the first thing that comes to mind and that's saying something. Thankfully the alleyway she leads them through is practically quiet and without another soul to make noise. For once, the silence is a comfort.]

I was already out when this started, it was much worse then.

[unsundered]

You could say it comes with the territory.

[The Ascians were not a cheery bunch.

And for the first time Emet-Selch is thankful for his new ears- their ability to swivel independently made it easier to keep alert to possible dangers from several directions. But the alley was blessedly quiet, their footsteps the only real sound in their immediate vicinity.]

But perhaps they're wearing themselves out. Or it's the calm before the real storm.

[Endlessly optimistic. But then he hesitates, part of his original intention for approaching Mira resurfacing.]

--Speaking of. I have a somewhat odd question for you, if you'll permit.

[inlikethebrume]

[Oh without a doubt. It's when she takes a moment and leans on one of the walls that she hears him speak up again. And a question? For her? This is a weird day indeed.]

We won't know until it happens for now. But this is even stranger; you wanting to know something from me? I will do my best to answer depending on what the subject is.

[Look, her knowledge lacks compared to the thousands of years old ascian kitty. Heh heh, Catmet-Selch]

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch will accept the small break for what it is; leaning against quiet, dark places wasn't a particularly unusual habit, and he finds a spot opposite her.]

I wouldn't be too concerned, it's not a trick question or anything.

[He's a touch relieved she can't see the way his tail is uneasily trying to flick.]

...How much do you know of the Tempest?

General Spoilers? Nah, Big Spoiler Territory from here on out, kids!

[inlikethebrume]

[Good thing too otherwise it would be harder to hold in the actual thoughts of those cat features. She refuses to say! The thought of more mundane matters disappear when he asks that particular question, feeling a chill go down her spine. Sooner than later, she supposes and it wasn't something she was really dancing around.

After all, is there really a right way to tell the man standing opposite you that it was you who ended him?

Mira closes her eyes and exhales.]

...you invited me there when I was on Mount Gulg. Said that I could change there.

[To become the very thing she had hunted down...all because someone didn't bother to communicate.]

I saw the city down there...I saw Amaurot.

[unsundered]

[Her reaction was all the answer the Ascian needed. He exhales slowly, slumping just that degree more against the alley wall.

He'd thought he'd come to terms with it (at least, as much as he could, considering that he yet lived, could yet thrash against his fate), but Mira's words made Emet-Selch realize suddenly that a tiny shred of hope had remained. That K'rihnn's version may have been an outlier, the one world with a twisted outcome.

But that no longer seemed like an option.]

And my real name. You know it.

[It's not really a question.]

[inlikethebrume]

[Hope can indeed be a bitch to deal with. And of course, this is something neither can run from in the end. But even if she saved the Source and the First, the victory did not feel so good afterwards. This is how it feels to see the truth...and realize in order to save their worlds, the hopes of another people, good innocent people from what she had seen from the shades, had to be snuffed out.

It's something she cannot say so easily to anyone, let alone someone like the Exarch or any of her fellow Warriors. They may think her crazy for having these thoughts.]

I do.

[unsundered]

[He doesn't ask her to prove it; there didn't seem to be the need, this time. He didn't believe Mira was lying.

The Ascian is silent for a time. But what can you really say to the person who killed you? There was no animosity there, no desire to lash out at her, to demand- something. There was nothing to ask for, there was nothing to protest. Even the spiteful, petty sort of replies seemed inappropriate. He didn't hold it against her, not really. It was more complicated than that.]

I thought as much.

[He finally says, if just to break the silence. He closes his eyes with another sigh.]

'Tis no wonder you were so surprised to see me again.

[inlikethebrume]

[Maybe because it didn't feel...right to say it? Quite possibly. But it was the inaction that feels like hell. She was expecting something other than silence to come out, maybe to have some sort of feeling just to know that there's something to feel? She should feel relief and yet...]

It is...hard to bring up in conversation. [Her eyes turn downcast towards the walkway.] I had done a great and terrible thing down there.

[unsundered]

[He's not exactly inclined to reassure her that she did the right thing. Of course it wasn't the right thing, there had been nothing right about what she had done, as far as he was concerned. His people would remain dead, the world broken.

She'd fought for her survival and won. That was all.]

You did... an extraordinary thing. [It's not a compliment, nor condemnation. The Ascian still struggled to believe it was possible- using his true powers, how had some broken husk destroyed him?]

...And yet here we are. [He looks up again finally, gazing across at Mira. His tone remains carefully neutral throughout, though his ears remain back against his head, unhappy.] To what purpose, I wonder. Is there something left unfinished?

[inlikethebrume]

[She rather hear insults, at least she can play off the disappointment she feels. Anyone would say the same thing: she won. She vanquished the evil. He was considered the one who oppressed the weak, a core belief as a dark knight was that they needed to be taken cared of. And Mira did just that. Justice has been served.

And yet...

She manages to pull her head up to look at him. The warrior cannot blame him for being upset, how else will one feel after learning that?]

I...I can't say because I don't know for myself.

[But she looks back on their last conversation...and what she told him. Her thoughts and the need for cooperation, to try and understand each other...those were true and remain as such.]

[unsundered]

[It remained a little surprising to Emet-Selch that the Warriors, thus far anyway, showed no signs of reveling in their victory. He doubted it went so far as regret, yet--

Why were they so unhappy to have won? Had his words meant something in the end, even if it hadn't been enough...?]

Neither do I. It's an unfamiliar feeling, uncertainty.

[He eventually offers something akin to a smile. It's not genuine, not really, but it's not sarcastic either.]

Nothing for it but to find some meaning, meeting again in this other world. But I renew my offer of cooperation, so long as you're still willing to listen to the truth.

[inlikethebrume]

[It still sucks in the end. It makes her wonder the what ifs of the situation. There's no Alexander here or anything to try and go through time, it doesn't work like that. All Mira can do is live with the choice.]

Aye, I meant what I said before on the bridge and I do not mean to go back on it.

[To know the truth, to shake off the layers of what she assumes to reveal what lies at the heart of it all. Curiosity is a strange thing and she will more than likely get into trouble because of it but getting onto that boat to Limsa was the same thing. No turning back and Mira doesn't want to.

And as proof, she extends her hand out to him. Words are one thing but usually these kind of things are also confirmed by some sort of handshake. Don't worry, it's the one not used to wipe off spit.]

I'm willing to listen.

[unsundered]

[Was it reconciliation for the inevitable conflict, a battle and defeat that had already happened, that had yet to arrive? Or a sideways movement, an acknowledgement of pain, a feeling of potential for what could be.

From the ashes of the old, a new hope began to fester.]

You're resolute, I'll grant you.

[Pushing himself off his side of the alley, he takes the step to accept her hand. The contact is careful, trying to avoid piercing her skin with his claws, though they likely still prickle.]

Let's see how you manage my expectations this time, Mira.

[inlikethebrume]

[That pesky hope. It will never die as long as there is one who believes in it. The thing can be fickle and a pain in the arse but good things usually are.

His new claws don't bother her, having been in much worse fights such as that little scuffle with his buddy in Zenos's body. Mira would also be lying if she didn't believe he would take her hand but Halone strike her down for every thought she got wrong so far.

Please don't do that, O mighty Fury, for she may become nothing but a crater.]

I always manage to surprise. Let us hope this one leads to good things.

[She would speak his name but...uh, that would be awkward.]

[unsundered]

[Hope brought nothing but suffering. But what was a little more pain on top of everything else?

At least Mira was used to the occasional Ascian-scuffle. It was probably good for her, kept her on her toes.]

With any luck... now, where were you headed, before being interrupted?

[He actually wouldn't. Mind if she used his name. Very few people had a right to it, but she was one of them.

They were friends, after all.]

[inlikethebrume]

[She raises a finger and opens her mouth but no words come out. Now that she thinks about it...]

This may sound strange but...I do not recall where I was heading. The only thing on my mind was to go anywhere where there is less jeering.

[It's said sheepishly and she cannot believe that just happened but her thoughts are interrupted when she hears a townsperson faintly yell something like "Hey! I thought I saw some Mirrorbound go down here!" To which Mira's reply is a groan as she pinches the bridge of her nose.]

Oh hells. It makes me wonder if some people really wish to start a fight.

[unsundered]

[Her first comment gets an amused sound from him, though his own thoughts are equally cut off by the distant shout. His ears reflexively swivel in its direction; still some distance away, but not for long, if they decided to follow after them.

He gives a small, mildly-disgusted shrug and a sigh.]

Mortals are a violent lot. We should move on, in any case- unless you'd prefer to use that sword after all.

[He's not about to try and stop her, if she did decide to stab a few (non-Ascian) people. Not that Emet-Selch intended on helping with any fight that broke out either, not unless he absolutely had to. Not out of any concern for the natives, of course, but fighting was tiring and he disliked the exertion.]

Who knows, maybe it'll be less trouble if you just cut them down now.

[inlikethebrume]

[The footsteps are growing louder as Mira simply nods in wanting to leave as quickly as they are able.]

I agree. We need to-

[And now she hears shouting on the other side of them and its testing her patience. One hand immediately goes to her sword handle as she stares around two finely dressed gentlemen who catch up with and without warning lunges at the dark knight.]

Bloody idiot.

[She quickly brings out Shadowbringer and sets it upright...and right in the man's path. It's too late for him as his body slams hard into the weapon and crashes into the ground in a crumpled heap. They all saw it; he ran into her sword! Self defense!]

...do you want to join him?

[She addresses the other man, who shakes his head and grabs his friend, attempting to drag him away.]

One group down...more fools still trying to play hero. [And for the first time...she grins as she lifts her sword and points it at the other group coming their way.]

Don't worry, I'll make us a path. Just be ready to run.

[Addressing Emet-Selch this time as she breaks into a sprint with sword pointing out. The small mob group move in closer but when they see Mira run towards them...well, they turn tail and start running away. Bloodless and a good way to scare the piss out of some idiots.

As well as a way out.]

[unsundered]

[And Emet-Selch steps politely back as Mira brings her blade around, having no particular desire to get caught in any potential carnage. Watching dispassionately as the first pair takes care of themselves, he shrugs in acknowledgement at Mira as moves to intercept the second group.

Running, was it? Everyone was so energetic....

But he's also not about to be left alone, and his long gait at least makes it easy to keep up with the dark knight.]

Enjoying yourself?

[He has to comment as he catches up to her, ears pointed, listening ahead of them for additional bodies.]

...There's more around the corner. Four- maybe six.

[An ambush? Or just some unfortunates in the wrong place, his ears can't tell intent.]

[inlikethebrume]

Not much to enjoy if it's all one sided. Tis pointless if not a single soul thought it would be a good idea to try and go after someone without a weapon! Do they have a wish to meet their maker?!

[Is the dark knight feeling a little cranky? Define 'a little' because she has stayed up all night and worked to try and keep people safe and this is what she gets in return? Sometimes people make it hard for her not to defend them at all. Upon hearing the possibility of more coming, Mira turns the corner and continues to run. Ah yes, she sees the men mentioned and keeps that sword pointing out.]

Keep moving lest you truly wish to be pierced!

[They were close to leaving the alleyway, right? At least in open space there's the freedom of movement as she hears one of the men shriek at the size of her sword and the rest decide to run. No one is behind them and honestly, if one of them dares to try and aim for either one of them, Shadowbringer does make for a good bludgeoning tool.]

Surely we must be reaching the exit to this, yes?