☆ 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

[overworker]

[It’s not perfect, but the pitch matches perfectly anyway, enough to bring a smile to her face. Feeling the tug at her nightgown she knows what he’s trying to do. Normally she’d never think of being so wasteful, but she couldn’t care less about the nightgown right now.]

It’s okay, I have others... just... get rid of it.

[Her feline mindset doesn’t leave her room to worry about what he might think of her body or fret about the things she personally felt were lacking. In that way she feels really empowered right now. Rather than getting stuck in her head, she reads his body and feeds off of it.]

[fiddlestick]

Eheh, okay.

[He gives off another pleased hum at the permission given, happy to indulge. Making sure not to cut her, he pokes holes into the fabric of the nightgown, before dragging his claws down, tearing into the fabric all the way down. It's slow and careful, not wanting to harm her.

When it's done, he'll pull it apart - thankfully the fabric is thin enough that even he can do it, before slipping it off her shoulders. He pulls his head from her neck for a moment to see what she looks like.]

[overworker]

[For the most part, the majority of her body is unchanged; smooth pale skin only giving way to fur on the new additions to her body, except at her tail, where it trails up to towards the small of her back a little. As girls go, her body is well pronounced between her thin waist and her hips but far less so when it comes to her chest. But it’s not as abysmal as she likes to think either.

She tries not to focus on the fact that he’s stopped to look at her though, lest she find room to start thinking too much.

But there is a thrill in it, not having anything but her undergarments to hide behind in front of someone. Letting them see her just as she is, flaws and all— and finding the trust to let it happen.]

[fiddlestick]

[Honestly, it's something of a saving grace that Towa is as flat chested as she is. Were she more pronounced there, he might not be able to handle it. Even now, her body is enough to give him pause. Not because there's anything wrong with it. No, she's beautiful in her own way. It's just...well...

It's easy to ignore gender during kisses if you care enough about someone. And he truly did care about Towa. She was incredible. Kind, thoughtful, hardworking - she deserved the world and Elliot would love to give it to her.

But it's harder to ignore gender when there's a woman in her undergarments right there. Even dragon instincts have trouble drowning out the conflicted feelings it brings him. Shouldn't he be going crazy right now about now? That's what a normal man should be feeling right? A beautiful woman was in his lap and willing. A beautiful woman he cares about, that he's sincerely enjoyed kissing and touching?

What....what was wrong with him? How many times had he been told that he just needed to meet the right woman? That it'd just click if he did, he'd be sorted out and his preference for men would be behind him. Well, here he was. With the perfect woman, and...

He breathes out, trying to calm his nerves. He should say something.]

...You're beautiful Towa. You really are.

[He does mean that, even with his own conflicted feelings. Towa was beautiful. But his head hangs some. In this moment, he felt like such a fraud. He didn't want to hurt her, and here he was messing things up already. ]

...I-I'm sorry. [It spills out of him, the confession] I've...I've only been with men. Y-You're the first woman I've ever thought about this way. I really like you, still do. But I...

I'm not sure what to do.

[overworker]

[Everything kind of grinds to a halt in her head, and for the first time she panics. She chews on her lower lip, her sharpened canines poke out of her mouth as she finds herself holding her breath. For a long time it's as though she forgot that maybe she should be breathing.

He doesn't like girls. He's never liked girls. She wouldn't be any different.

Towa had always had a habit of surrounding herself with those that tended to go off the beaten path. They were weird and crazy and he loved and accepted them for it. All of it. But she's always had a habit of forgetting to extend the same care and acceptance to herself.

There's nothing wrong with Elliot. Logically, that left only one more place for the problem to lie-- and that was with her.

Just as he had no intention of hurting her, she had no intention of hurting him. And she's afraid that like this, she could do just that. It's never mattered to her whether the people she loved would return that love. Less so if her feelings would be responsible for ruining the precious bonds that she had with those people now.]

D-don't apologize! Really... You're not... we're both not... exactly ourselves right now. Mistakes happen.

[She scoots back onto the floor, letting Elliot have his space. Her arms do a decent job of covering up her chest, the way she sits, with her hands both firmly placed on her lap.]

Please don't push yourself on my account, I understand.

[fiddlestick]

[He feels awful as she responds, pulling away. Goddess, he really messed things up. He knows Towa, he knows she's going to blame herself. Which isn't right because none of this is her fault.

He shakes his head]

It wasn't a mistake!

[He says it quickly, even before he has thoughts sorted out. He doesn't want Towa going away from this thinking it was something wrong with her. ]

Kissing you feels really good. You're so incredible, I'm not just saying that.

[Claws dig into the fabric of his pants, ]

I wanna be with you, I do...b-but I don't know if I can please you like a guy should. And you deserve a lot better than this.

[overworker]

[For all he rushes to say it wasn't a mistake, she knows it's not worked out in his head. He doesn't know that. And as long as there's that doubt, she can't say it isn't either.]

Elliot... it's okay, really. You don't have to worry about me.

[She hates worrying people. That's why she's good at wearing a strong face. Even now, she refuses to let him see her crack. When she's gone, when she's in her room or... somewhere, anywhere else, she can cry. She can let it all out. But not now. Not in front of him.]

I don't want you to settle for less, you deserve to be happy with the people that can really give you the things you want out of a relationship. It doesn't matter who that person is, it doesn't matter that it isn't me.

[She smiles and puts her hands on top of his.]

I can't sit here and let you put yourself in that position because of me. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner.

[fiddlestick]

[Towa says that, don't worry about me, but when she also says "don't want you to settle for less" and all this other stuff ...

Yeah, it just about does the opposite. He knows her well enough to know that she's trying to take the higher road here. ]

Towa... [He takes a breath] Stop throwing yourself on the sword here.

[Because yes he sure sees what you're doing and is calling you out on it]

There's nothing less about you. That's not what I'm saying at all. You have as much say in this as I do ... don't leave it all on me to decide.

What do you want?

[overworker]

There's nothing to decide. If this isn't something you're comfortable with, then I'm stopping it now. I care way too much about you to even consider otherwise. The last thing I want is to do something that would hurt you or make you regret the things that did happen here.

[She can say that she is genuinely very happy that there are things he enjoyed, even if it was just one or two things. And she hasn't forgotten that-- it just that other things take priority.]

Please, I know it's nothing I've done wrong. Although... in truth, something like that might be simpler.

[Towa shakes her head.

...this... this is me. I can't change this. For better or worse.

[The thing that's "wrong" with her in this case isn't wrong yet it's still not right in this moment either. It's Complicated. But she knows that. There's a lot to relationships. Love and attraction weren't the same things. And it does hurt-- but not as much as it would if he hadn't been honest with her now. This... it might take a while, but she can get over this-- or, at least learn to live with the feeling. As long as it doesn't ruin what they'd had before.]

So it's okay. Even if I could-- I wouldn't want you or anyone else to change for me. So I have to think you'd probably feel the same towards me.

[So. It just remains something that is.]

[fiddlestick]

[Oh. So that's how it was. As kind as Towa was trying to be, the words struck like blows. There would be no compromises, no attempts to work around this. It didn't matter what feelings he had for her. He was too different, and would never change. That's all there was to it. Without her saying directly what she wanted, he can only read between the lines of what she's saying - she didn't want him. He wasn't Right and she wasn't willing to go further.  

In a way, it'd be easier if she was angry at him. It was hard hearing someone kindly explain such things. ]

I...

[He looks down at the ground, lost for words. The urge to cry was strong, but he's blinking it back for now. He doesn't know what else to argue, to say.  She's made her decision.]

Okay.

[I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so sorry I don't know what's wrong with me.]

[overworker]

[She doesn't understand what exactly it was, but she knows she'd said something that upset him. For as much as she'd tried to avoid hurting him, she'd managed to do the complete opposite. And if this was the result of her attempts to avoid hurting him, she can't imagine what other outcomes there might have been for less.

But she remembers... an important time. When he'd told her that it was okay to be sad for her own sake.

Maybe they were both sad that way.

It could make things worse, but she can't leave things like this. She can't. Whether she wanted to or not, her mouth just kind of blurts words out of it's own accord.]

...what I want is selfish. And entirely unfair, Elliot.

[And it's difficult to admit, leaving a heavy aching feeling in her chest. Because she's never told any of the people she's had these types of feelings before just how she felt. It was frankly terrifying, knowing that wanting too much could hurt the relationships that already meant so much to her. But... she has to learn to have faith in them.]

Part of me really does wish... I was... attractive to you, even if it's pretty terrible wish. Still, I was incredibly happy to know that you... even a little... thought of me that way. Even now, I don't want to forget that. You're an absolutely wonderful person, Elliot. And I don't regret my feelings for you one bit. Even now they haven't changed. That's why... I'm so, so sorry... I just. Want you to be happy.

[Even though she'd like to die about right now for how red she is and how hard it is to remember to breath between admissions.]

[fiddlestick]

[He wasn't expecting more feelings. He was expecting to have to figure out what to do next between finding new clothes for her and also maybe moving out to live in a hole somewhere.

But instead she starts talking...about her true feelings. Not any noble actions, what she was actually feeling. He hears her out. And maybe it is a little upsetting, but...it's also relieving in a big way. To know her true feelings on what's going on]

... That's not a terrible wish, Towa. Not at all. [If it was terrible then every person in the world has been terrible at some point or another. It was just...normal to have such wishes] And I do find you attractive in a way. It's just ... [Goddess how to explain it]

Guys, we're supposed to think about girls like Crow does. [Quick headshake] Well, maybe not as bad as him, but you know what I mean. [Girl crazy, into the tiddies] I never got it myself, but people would tell me that I just hadn't met the "Right Girl" yet. And then if I did, I'd get it.

I've never known a more "Right Girl" than you, so I thought...maybe, maybe it'd finally click. But, well, obviously it didn't go as planned.

[Like, obviously from the fact they are currently talking depressing feelings and not halfway to happy town.

But in a way, it felt relieving to get this all off his chest. He knows it's not exactly the best thoughts in the world, but he trusts Towa at least hear him out.]

...I-I don't wanna give up though. Not yet. Not to prove anything about being a man, but...

I'm happy with you. And I'd be happy trying to figure things out, if you're willing. I just... [...] I was worried about going through it feeling like a fraud because I didn't tell you.

[overworker]

[If she wasn’t already at peak embarrassment already, being told that he thought she of all people could have been the “right girl”, even if the thinking around that wasn’t all wrong, would have done it anyway. And she’s still visibly flustered by the off-hand compliment.]

Elliot, that’s really sweet but... you’re wrong. Just because you’re a guy doesn’t mean anything. There’s no right or wrong way to be you. You are different. But I like you because of those things... not in spite of them. You’ve become one of the people most important to me— and it wasn’t because you were trying to win me over. It happened because I just... got to know you better. And before I realized it... well, it felt. Different. In a nice way.

[It’s all or nothing with her and feelings. Once it started she just. Found it hard to stop.]

I know not everyone is born with the overflowing confidence Angie and Crow have... honestly, both of us could learn a thing or two from them. We’re all special. And we deserve to live happily that way.

You’re not a fraud Elliot. But I am glad you told me. I would have never forgiven myself if I unwittingly pushed you into a situation you were uncomfortable with. [Even if it never worked out, she could never be mad at him. Right now...] If you want to, we can figure it out together... I’d like that. I don’t know if I’m the “right girl” but... I really do like you. And I’m willing to give it a try if you are.

[fiddlestick]

[Girl you're amazing okay. He's not just saying that, he really does mean it.]

I... [He sighs. Yeah. He can't fault that logic.] I-I know you're right. It's just harder to get myself to fully believe it sometimes. [It's hard when he's heard these things for so long from so many different places. He wasn't Angelica, his own resolve was more fragile] Thought I'd be over those thoughts after going to the Music Academy, but ... [He sighs] Guess I still have to work at it. Those two make it seem so easy...

[It was still nice though, to hear that someone did like him for who he was, and not in spite of his flaws.]

Yeah...I thought about that. I thought it'd upset you if that happen. [Having your first time be based on a lie is a terrible way to go about things. He couldn't do that to Towa]

...I'm willing. If it doesn't work, at least we know we tried.

[overworker]

[She can relate, in a different way, but she knows what that's like to have those conflicting thoughts, even when it goes against logic.]

I know. It's frustrating. It's never as simple as it feels like it should be--

[Towa just scoots to his side and gently laces her fingers with his own.]

But I don't mind telling you as many times as you need to hear it. No matter what happens, that isn't going to change.

[Maybe it won't work and they're just postponing the inevitable, but-- right now, she can't help but just feel happy for the time they do have.]

Thanks. Really. I'm glad...

[fiddlestick]

[Good old societal expectations being drilled into their heads. Being around Class VII, a whole group of misfits, has helped a lot... but there was still room to improve, as this morning had showed]

Yeah. If I could have just a teaspoon of Angelica's confidence...

[He'd be set for life honestly. But setting that aside, he lets out a deep breath and his fingers intertwine with Towa's. He feels better after talking. Like the pressure's been taken off, somewhat. ]

Thank you, honestly. [He gives a little nod] We're just...two dear friends, trying something new together? If it doesn't work...no biggie. Yeah.

[Now the question is how. He can't see himself pulling off the traditional way between a man and a woman very well, it was daunting to even think of it. But it wasn't like Towa had the parts for what he was used to.

...

Wait. Idea.]

...Um, so speaking of dear friends...did Angelica ever tell you...um, how it goes between two women? [His cheeks turn red just thinking of it] S-Sorry, I was just thinking that maybe if there's some overlap with the ways two guys do it...

[overworker]

That's right.

[For her, seeing Elliot relax a little again is the best thing to put her at ease. And then Angelica comes up again and she blinks.]

W-well...

[She hadn't expected that turn in the conversation. It's not a type of conversation she's had with anyone besides Angelica before.]

I know a little bit about it, yeah... but for us iiiit's more like simulating what it's like for a girl and guy.

[Ah. Ah.]

...oh! I...

[She understands. She knows now where this line of questioning comes in handy. She certainly never imagined using something like that herself, but in this situation--]

Th-that way could work...

[fiddlestick]

[Look, it's awkward but he has absolute faith that Angelica would be Angelica and share lots of details with Towa about lesbian sex ok.

He tilts his head curiously, tail perking up a little]

What way?

[overworker]

[Towa clears her throat and. Hooboy. She didn't think she'd be having this conversation today.]

Well it's... for girls, we can... use... certain items... to help simulate an intimate connection.

[Okay, out with it.]

If... it was something like that... then... technically I could be with you in a way that's... not unlike what you're used to.

[fiddlestick]

Huh-- Ohhh...

[He gets what she's getting at.]

I...I don't have one of those, I'm afraid.

[which is probably not at all surprising]

B-Besides, that wouldn't do anything for you either.

[overworker]

...heehee, I figured you wouldn't. But... along those lines... well...

[Fifteen, twenty minutes ago, this would have seemed like crazy talk. However-- this is important to Elliot which means it's important to her. She wants to find a way to make this work.]

...I could use transmutation... to achieve a similar but... more "natural" effect...

[fiddlestick]

....Y-Yeah, please don't do that. Transmutation's tricky enough, and the last thing we want is to risk a trip to the infirmary over...that.

[Interning at the infirmary showed him more than enough examples of spells like that backfiring

He sighs.]

There's gotta be other ways....Hands? Mouths?

[overworker]

[This is not the first time she's been asked for ideas and gone way over the top. But Elliot's probably on the right track.]

Yeah, you're right. That seems like the best solution right now.

[...]

Don't worry, my tongue hasn't undergone any changes.

[fiddlestick]

Eheh-- I wasn't worried! I could deal with it even if it did.

[That said...]

Though...I'd rather go first doing that, if that's alright. The um, tongue part.

[overworker]

[Blink. Blink.]

Well... if that's what you want... then I don't mind.