☆ 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]

You have a tail too?

[Look, she doesn't go looking around there because a sane person doesn't do that but the fact that the ascian has a kitty tail and it's probably lashing under his robes at the mention and the mental image is rather amusing.

Could be worse like her trying to touch those ears. It'd be like trying to do that to a miqo'te and uh...no.]

I'm sure we can find something to make them go away...once the rioting calms down more.

[unsundered]

Yes, and no you can't see it.

[He's already exasperated at himself for mentioning it; with how aware he was of the way it kept trying to lash about, he occasionally forgot it wasn't quite as obvious as the ears.

Such tempting ears, though!]

If the rioting calms down. If whatever mess that's caused my... additions remains, I doubt the city will quiet down either. Not until we're all burned down with it. [A small huff.] I'll adapt, as I've ever had to. This is hardly the worst I've endured.

[inlikethebrume]

[She holds up her hands, biting down on her lip mainly because she's imagining said tail going crazy. What's next, the feeling of knocking stuff on the shelf over?]

No need to worry, I am not that kind of person to consider such a thing. Although I have to admit that they are a bit...fitting when it comes to you.

[The ears are tempting let's be real and yes, she did kind of call him a cat. Where's the lie, give her the proof. But he speaks and her curiosity is piqued. Would it...be wrong to ask? Too soon?]

[unsundered]

[Oh, he's already knocked several things off of several ledges, and is still vaguely baffled by the impulse. And when the Ascian finally puts his mug down, he is careful enough to make sure it's well away from any table edge. Not gonna risk it.

The- insult? Compliment? Draws a confused look, ears tilting forward slightly, curious. What part of him was cat-like, exactly?]

Fitting...? How so?

[If this was just an excuse to mock him, he'd be Not Pleased, but Mira didn't seem to be the type so- questioning it is.]

[inlikethebrume]

[Setting down her own mug, Mira puts two fingers on her lips in thought for only a moment as she crosses her arms.]

Because cats can be fickle at times. Appear when they deem it alright even when others believe the opposite. But also they are rather selective when it comes to attention as well as where they choose to relax.

[Like him and sleeping in a tree.]

It is like when you appeared throughout my journey in the First; offering something when you felt the need or answering a question I asked but also not doing everything myself and the Scions had done. But that is only my opinion...that and watching my gaelkitten do similiar had me thinking.

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch frowns throughout her explanation, though in the end he just looks thoughtful. He'd assumed the appendages to be random, reflecting some caprice on the part of the powers that be, and nothing else. Oddly enough, finding some point of sense to these irritating additions actually helped. Good job Mira, you've probably earned a pet or two.]

...when you put it like that.

[It was harder to argue with, though being compared to a mere gaelikitten was somewhat less acceptable.]

I'm not that- well, perhaps a little fickle. [Yeah he can't really deny the rest of it either.] A necessary development when dealing with the peculiarities of mortals. You'd come across as capricious too, were you in my position.

[inlikethebrume]

[Excuse you, Breezy is a great little kitton! Besides, cats in general are great...even if they act like the biggest assholes at times.]

Perhaps that would be true...if you expect me to exclaim how I would never, it won't come from my mouth. Blind naivete can only go so far and that is something I had learned firsthand. However, imagining it cannot compare to experience.

[Because somehow it will find a way to slap you upside the head and laugh in your face. Probably steal your chocobo going 'neer neer neer' too.]

[unsundered]

[A great kitten yes, but also tiny and adorable, and Emet-Selch would disagree that he was either of those things.]

There's no replacement for time, nor experience. [And no recovery from them either.] To recognize that one's perspective may shift, 'tis... unusual to hear from a mortal.

[An edge of acknowledgment. Only an edge, but- perhaps his efforts to get to know at least one of these heroes hadn't been a complete waste.]

I wonder how far that inclination will take you...?

[How dark can the dark knight go.]

[inlikethebrume]

If we were speaking when I had just started adventuring, the answer would be as such. Naive hope and unknowing what the road would hold does tend to make someone much more idealistic. But it is the obstacles in the road that shapes us; for better or for worse.

[Perhaps it was such a moment that she set down the grimoire and took up the greatsword; not only was it a childhood dream, it was going into the unknown. A path that many do not travel for it is not for the weakest of hearts. To use that Darkness to help others but also be sure it does not consume you.]

Besides, how many of us have you heard going through the same kind of adventures that can drastically change your perspective? That span literal stars? How can someone remain unchanged after it? Mortality can be a right pain but if you learn something and try to apply it, then it's worth something.

[The Abyss is deep and no one knows how far it would take to reach the bottom...if there is one. The journey is still ongoing.]

[unsundered]

[He listens quietly, though at the end of her words, Emet-Selch sighs.]

I would have to disagree that it's worth something. [A degree colder of a look, a harder tone.] In the here and now it makes your company that much more tolerable, yes, compared to that of your ignorant and untravelled brethren. But for all your beginnings of understanding, your rather unique travails- you'll die before you can make full use of them.

--But I can't argue that you've affected nothing.

[Reluctant, and he glances aside, ears pressed back. The nations, the lives she'd saved were ephemeral and meaningless, but the damage she'd done to the Ascian cause? His own death, the inevitable reckoning; it was only a matter of time before the remnants of Zodiark were put to the sword. That was a change that couldn't be undone.]

...You've caused great harm, and you'll never live long enough to truly understand it.

[inlikethebrume]

[To him, those places and nations mean nothing. For what can be seen worthy through the eyes of someone who had lived eons compared to mortals? But for the woman sitting across from him, they mean everything. Her journey of discovery began in that gods forsaken pirate town and gave her a different outlook and a good friend in the process. Then when she returned to the land of her birth, it only cemented how she cared for it and the people there.

And even as far as Doma, to see things in a new light...every single place precious to Mira and helped her grow. It may mean little to him but those people he speaks of as they are nothing but shadows, mean everything to her.]

I know I cannot live forever. Personally, I don't think I would want to but I rather not go seek death either. Nor do I believe in the idea of nobly sacrificing one's own life just for what can be considered a good and just cause. Anyone with that thought in mind can sod off.

[Was...was that a jab at the Exarch and his attempt at a noble sacrifice? Partly but also the constant talk around Ishgard during the Dragonsong War about how dying in battle against a dragon was considered honorable and just and noble. All it did for Mira was roll her eyes.]

I am already aware of what the costs are but it is something I cannot turn away from. All I can do is press forward and learn from it. My life might be a speck of time compared to yours but it is mine to consider. You may consider me and others as pale reflections but we are still us.

[And yet as she speaks, there is no anger, no bravado about how humanity is the best thing ever because she knows it down right sucks at times. But there is good in it.]

Mayhap if I knew more about the star before its end, I would be able to understand. If I had known about such a place like Amaurot before...perhaps I would get a chance to.

[There's one more thing she feels needs to be said. Logic dicates that she should stop but no, it needs to be said. If Emet-Selch can speak the truth, what holds Mira from doing the same?]

Besides...it would be doing your words to me a disservice in the end.

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch is silent for a time, not quite able to find the words to protest. To reaffirm the uselessness of intent, the hopelessness of mortality. Even if her perspective was skewed to his eyes, it was hers. It was... her truth, her answer.

You always were stubborn. It's a thought that comes unbidden, and the Ascian quickly pushes it back, closing his eyes. Mira was not- and could never be- that person. For all that there was that occasional moment of familiarity, of uncomfortable recognition. That's all that it was: a moment.

But his words... K'rihnn had mentioned that. Emet-Selch can only assume his future self had asked of her the same thing that he'd asked the miqo'te. In the end, that's the part that he responds to, looking back to her finally.]

To remember us... was that it? I heard as much.

[That he felt some small consolation from that- he's not sure why. The part of him that had accepted futility, even as the rest of him was forced to struggle against it.]

My presence here- 'tis an opportunity, of sorts you're not like to have at home. To learn more of our buried history. Assuming you can carry it with you... I hope you can find a way to safeguard it from those who would prefer it remain lost.

[Hydaelyn would surely try to see it buried anew.]

[inlikethebrume]

[She nods, making direct eye contact without even blinking.]

"Remember us. Remember...that we once lived." Those were your words to me.

[He is right: there is no way that she could get a better chance at learning about Amaurot before the final days and Mira is not one to push aside knowledge. What happened in the past can very well help the future.]

If you are willing to share, I am willing to listen and record every word.

[Oh she will find a way to keep that memory alive. To not let that knowledge die with her. It'll be tough but Mira is willing to run down that path fullsprint.]

[unsundered]

[The words held a certain finality to them. Considering they were his last words- it seemed fitting. But he holds her gaze steadily, before finally nodding once.]

...I don't mind. It might even be nostalgic- my thoughts inevitably turn towards the final days, but that's only a small part of our history.

[Perhaps it would be good for both of them. Or perhaps it would only remind him further of that gnawing emptiness, the unending sense of loss and solitude. Only time would tell.]

It'll be a lot to record... but I'll answer whatever you like.

[And not even the normal Ascian half-truths.]

[inlikethebrume]

[She was half thinking that he would decline. But instead, he agrees and she's grateful. This a good chance to learn about a culture and a place lost to the sands of time, how could she not think about it? There's just much more to learning it rather than just for the sake of learning; it's to understand about the ancients and why they went so far. Mira cannot condone the ascians and their need to Rejoin all the shards but she wants to understand their reasoning, the stories behind them.]

I do not mind writing; it was a duty of mine to put quill to parchment before taking on the mantle of adventurer. Whenever you are willing to talk, I will be there to listen.

[unsundered]

[Though he would've refused to detail Amaurot to a stranger- it was too personal, too important to share with just anyone- Mira was someone he'd entrusted the truth to. It was... acceptable, that she would know the rest.

And if all Emet-Selch could do for his people in the end was to pass down their lives, their hopes- that if nothing else, their sacrifice for the star wouldn't be forgotten- then that's what he would do. It seemed a most meager offering, but... it was all he had.]

Soon. Not today- I'm tired, and I will need to collect my thoughts regardless. But soon.