☆ 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

[starseedling]

[Steven follows after when he rolls off, scooping down low to try to pick him up, or at least keep him from rolling around on his butt anymore. His mantis arms are helping out with that because apparently they have fingers? Also, his fingers are a bit more like grasping roots than usual.]

You shouldn't do that.

[Like, it really just seems sensible.]

Don't struggle.

[hippocarnival]

[At least Yuya is, presently, in far too much pain to register the weird root fingers and multiple limbs.

He'll also be still enough for Steven to take hold, tense and twitching as he braces himself against it.] I'm not trying to!

[starseedling]

[Steven nods vaguely, and then runs his fingers down along Yuya's spine. Even healing would be no good for this, right now. Healing won't fix something that is changing instead of broken. Pain is the problem. Pain, he can affect.

And so, Steven works an illusion, digging into Yuya's mind to create the illusion of warmth. It might not be real, but if his body and mind register it as such, maybe it will loosen those muscles a bit. He makes it seem as if his own hand is projecting it, soothing tension, if he can.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya shudders as Steven runs a hand down his spine, which jostles hia tail joint, which sets off another cycle of suffering. He clenches his teeth in an attempt to stifle the sounds of pain, to only partial success.

Like this, he's even easier to influence. Steven receives no resistance as his magic sinks in, Yuya slowly easing as he feels heat on his back.]

[starseedling]

[That's better. Steven lays down with Yuya in the garden, gently stroking his back and applying that warmth - perhaps tricking Yuya's mind into not feeling the pain like he should.

He feels so strange, right now. All of this is happening, and yet, he feels so distant. It matters, but he doesn't feel it. Maybe that's for the best.]

Something is doing this... this shouldn't happen to witches.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya slowly eases as the pain diminishes, at least in his head. He can think a little more clearly--tilt his head to look at Steven and see the way he's changed more clearly. Is this even normal for him?]

It's not just witches. Normal people too, and monsters.

[starseedling]

I know.

[He's been around, at this point. The changes have been uncomfortable in some ways, but not as bad as it's been for some. Hibiscus flowers have replaced the ends of his antennae, their petals blooming wide as they feel at Yuya's face with their pistils. Tiny flowers blossom across the edges of his wings.]

I think they blame us. And the refugees. They've been trying to hurt them. I won't let them.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's face twitches at Steven's antenna.]

Why would it be our--[He sneezes, tilting his head away.] Our fault? Is it our fault we were brought here, too?

[starseedling]

[He pulls his antennae away with Yuya sneezes, peering at him with glowing eyes. His pupils contract slightly. His plant-like fingers have started growing across Yuya's back, clinging to his clothes like climbing vines.]

I don't know if it matters...

They're blaming the things that are different.

[hippocarnival]

[This is how Yuya gets kidnapped again.

He scrunches his face with face with irritation, his short tail lashing once in a rigid manner--it's still getting longer, just slow enough it's hard to see with the eye but noticable from few minutes to the next.] It's not going to do anything since we didn't do anything. Blaming us won't stop what's happening to them.

[He has very little patience for it now. They can blame all they want but they're still turning into monsters.]

[starseedling]

[Hey, don't be like that. He's being nice! He's helping!

To Yuya's objection, he just nods in agreement. No arguments here, buddy.]

They're scared...

[Which he thinks speaks for itself. He holds Yuya close in what seems like a comforting gesture, even though Steven himself seems pretty disassociated.]

I came looking for lost refugees, but I found you instead. Do you want to go somewhere safe?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya pauses, his gaze drifting sideways to look up. At the sky, mostly.]

Should've stayed in bed. [He groans. It's too late but he can still complain.] Do you have a place in mind...?

[starseedling]

I'm protecting the refugee houses.

[So it's safe because he's there, obviously. Also other people, but mostly him.]

[hippocarnival]

... Okay. [It's not all that comforting because no place feels safe right now. But Yuya shifts, making an struggled attempt to get up. He doesn't get very far with Steven clinging on.]

[starseedling]

[Steven doesn't let go. In fact, as Yuya agrees, he twirls his long vine toes and his second set of arms around him as well. He gives the vines time to cling and tangle, solidifying his hold.

Then, he twists so Yuya is on the bottom. They are only like that for a moment, as his wings buzz to life, bringing them both into the air. With so many limbs twisted around Yuya, it's practically a medical stretcher airlifting him to 'safety.']

[hippocarnival]

[The clinginess is all well and good until there are six limbs constricting him and Steven rolls on top. His gaze snaps to Steven, and when he feels them lift off his whole body goes stiff.

This is not a comforting manner of being carried!! But he can't push himself free like this and also, he'd just fall, so he just braces himself against the general weirdness and hopes it's over soon. And that he's not being carted off to be eaten.]

[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?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya twists to land on his hip instead of his back, throwing his arms out to catch himself. He glances back at his tail, briefly, gritting his teeth before he looks up at Steven.]

As... okay as I can be. [Given the circumstances.] It got you too, didn't it?

[starseedling]

[Steven doesn't actually detangle his fingers and toes from Yuya's body - instead he just pulls away by ripping them right off, leaving them clinging all over his body. He sits back, looking at his torn off fingers, which start growing back just as quickly.]

I guess so...

[His clothing is a bit strange - the blooms on his back seem to go straight through it, without interference. They line his back carapace like a stalk of pink lavender. Other small flowers grow in yellow and blue, shedding and regrowing just as quickly, leaving them to speckle the ground around him.]

I don't think fae do this, normally.

[hippocarnival]

[You know when a situation just can't get any worse, and then someone disconnects all their creepy twisty appendages and leaves you with the aftermath?

Yuya can only stare at Steven in abject horror at the reality he's been faced with.

And then he wails, jumping with sudden energy as he claws at the vines to get them off. There is no pain now, only fear and disgust.]

[starseedling]

[Well, Yuya seems to be feeling better, if he can do that. Steven almost feels embarrassed. Almost. Thankfully, full moon juice is a powerful drug.]

They're just plants.

[He explains this as if it will help. Meanwhile, his fingers have basically just grown back to normal. That is, five digits worth of twisty vine looking things.]

It's not like it's your fingers...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya throws one of Steven's ex-fingers back at him.] Your fingers aren't any better!

[starseedling]

[The finger just bounces off of Steven. He doesn't even flinch. He lifts his hands in example - they are already growing to be a bit too long for comfort.]

I've already got new ones.

[hippocarnival]

[That's not even half of the problem, but good for Steven. Yuya just looks alarmed and incredulous.]

... I think you should've stayed home too. [This is doing a lot more than just changing people physically, isn't it?

That, or Steven just completely cracked.

Yuya shifts to his knees, sitting back on his heels to keep pressure off the base of his spine as his tail... keeps growing as well. It's nearing three feet, but the speed is heavily tapering off.] Where's Toby?

[Where is the babysitter.]

[starseedling]

I don't know...

[He actually sounds a little off-put by that, moreso than anything else has bothered him. It's still not much, though.]

I tried to find her, but this happened. Molting took forever.

She feels really weird...