Intro Log: May

[moustre]

Intro Log: May, Game Start

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. Besides the new arrivals, however, there's one more person in the building, and only one. A young teen stands; previously bored and mulish, he's now owl-eyed and slackjawed as he takes in each arrival, either from the mirrors or coming from another floor as you try to get your bearings. In his hands he's clutching a broom like a security blanket, until - "M... Miss Nessie! Miss Nessie, something's happened!" he yells, as he drops the broom and turns tail out of the building. Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is clear, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, regardless of their waning crescent phases. Follow, or explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in? The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. "MISS NESSIE" Whether you've decided to follow the hapless young man, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion. The woman covers her mouth with a soft "Oh my!" as she surveys those who begin to crowd in, and she turns to the werewolf (?), lowering her hand once more. (The handful of others who'd come with her peer as best they can from a ways behind her with unconcealed curiosity, closer to the door out than not. The boy previously seen before he ran off can be spotted at the very back of the group.) "This is right unexpected, isn't it?" She not-quite whispers, delight and confusion in equal measure in her voice. Her companion makes a quiet noise in her throat, unscarred eye narrowed - it's hard to tell if that delight is one shared by both parties. "Well, they've always said the veil is thinner during Boaltinn... We'll have to talk to James and see if he was doing anything other than cleaning, we will, but for now, we've got a full house to attend to, don't we? Ah, if they're all Witches, that'll be something, it will!" Without wasting another beat - much to the fond irritation of her companion, certainly - the woman turns back to the newcomers of Aefenglom, clapping her hands together in glee. "Well then! I'm certain you all have many, many questions... As do we! First thing's first, though, first thing's first! I am Nerissa Bell, the Head Witch of the Coven - that's where this house is located right now, on Coven grounds - and this is my Bonded, Mhairi Ainsley. Don't worry, she's a right softie despite her looks! You can simply call me Miss Nessie - everyone does, short of those stuffy folks up in the Parliament, but, well, that's just how things are with them, I suppose." She pauses a beat, for breath, before continuing with a wave of her hand; dozens of chairs and stools, all surprisingly comfortable despite their wooden looks, are conjured in an instant, and Nessie smiles wide as she gives a small bow. "Take a seat, and let's get familiar with one another for a spell! The city'll celebrate without us one way or another, and we've already finished our business for tonight anyway. Isn't that right, Mhairi dear?" Despite the onslaught of information and excitement at three in the morning, Mhairi inclines her head slightly after a huge sigh; her voice is likely exactly as expected, low and akin to a growl. "Best to take advantage of the distraction. Let's begin, before I have to report this to Parliament." NOTE: If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly.

III. THE COVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, a solution is presented. Though they certainly can't answer every question, Nerissa and Mhairi promise to help find the answers, and open the doors of the Coven to all new arrivals in the Looking-Glass House. The walk from the quaint cottage to the imposing structure ahead is lit only by magic provided by Miss Nessie and the Witches accompanying her, as well as the path of stepping stones coming aglow with each step that's taken across them. Beyond the courtyard, with its high, opalescent walls, a city can be seen. There are torches accompanying the flickering light posts outside, and the sounds of life clear even this far from the heart of Aefenglom, something that sounds like... merriment? Festivities are in full swing, even this close to dawn. The rest of the world continues on, even though you've arrived, confused and perhaps missing a few aspects of your usual persons. But while they certainly weren't expecting to spend the festival like this, the Coven has worked as quickly as it can. Their doors, decorated in cowslip flowers, are wide open - welcoming to the public, and to new arrivals as well. The Coven's main building has a surprisingly large front room, compared to its outside; the ceiling stretches ever onward, with stairs of the solidly-flush-against-the-wall variety and floating-ethereally-in-the-middle-of-things variety both. Magic and mundane intermingle as if meant to, with brooms inscribed with runes to clean making quick work of dirt and dust, shadowy figures opening and closing doors as people enter and exit, plates of snacks drifting around as if carried by invisible servers. The brooms are especially attentive to the door as new arrivals step in - they don't apologize for knocking into anyone, and really, anyone particularly scruffy will get swept at until the brooms are satisfied. None of this seems to mind the Witches coming in, with small murmurs of gratitude given to the busybody brooms instead of reprimands. Doors lead this way and that, on higher floors and on the ground floor, but runes glow by their frames in indecipherable patterns. Peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid to test them out when they can, and Nessie waits for things to calm before she steps up the floating stairs and addresses the room. "We'll see to it you all have lodgings for a bit, we will, but for now, the festival's still going on - if you couldn't tell!" She laughs a little, hands on her hips. "There's nothing we can do about things right now, so you might as well enjoy yourselves, you might. If any of you want to stay in 'til morning though, well, we can provide - just mind your manners, magic's real particular about them. At least," she winks, head tilting with the motion, "that's how I teach all my classes, it is." Those deciding to stay will be lead to doors that seem to follow no real pattern by native Witches; the rule is "two to a bed," so get cozy with the person next to you. They're the ones you'll be sleeping with tonight. The beds aren't too small - enough to accommodate at least three humans - and they're fairly comfortable too, for their old-looking age.

IV. BOALTINN For those who journey out into the city, they'll be sent off with a word of warning to keep out of trouble from Mhairi, to find everything still quite lively - and still quite unaware of what's taken place. There's very little left to the shadows, with dim light filling in the gaps between the flickering streetlamps and the extra candles and such people have put up themselves. Curiously, small bonfires seem to follow a pattern, culminating into a wide plaza in the center of the Residential District where a larger, brighter one burns, with people dancing around it, their clothing jingling softly with little bells hanging from their hems. The same is mirrored on the direct other side of the city - the only difference is in who's dancing. The Eastern Bonfire has more visibly humanoid beings enjoying themselves, while the Western Bonfire has creatures more monstrous in looks. Regardless, they all seem to be happy- And the reason is this: Boaltinn, a festival lasting the next two dusks. The nights and early mornings are filled with flickering firelight, while the morning and daytime have all but the small fires leading the way to the giant bonfires extinguished; the bonfires, however, stay lit. - and in general, it seems the city is quite happy, quite cheerful, and quite close. a. The Bonfires The main attraction of Boaltinn, as they are with any fire festival, the bonfires on each side of the city are tended to by various Monsters every hour of the day. While much of the scenes are similar - there's plenty of food to be shared, with those partaking in it cowed into sitting with someone else regardless of how familiar they might be, and children of all kinds play together and invite those sitting or watching to come too, in all manner of games, such as jacks, hopscotch, and running ribbons around the tall poles at the bonfires. But there are marked differences, too. The Eastern Bonfire primarily has humans or those that can pass as humanoid in attendance, and they're much friendlier to those who look similar to them; to those that look a little more monster-like, though, their replies are far more curt and their shoulders colder. The area around the bonfire is also littered with trinkets and baubles, all shiny and new and utterly forgotten by their playmates; the ribbon poles are similarly new, made professionally as if by commission. Characters are invited to try and jump through the bonfire's flames to burn away any poor relationship experiences, be it romantic or platonic, past or present; to aid them in this, those at the Eastern Bonfire will give those participating rune-etched accessories to protect them from the fire. Meanwhile, the Western Bonfire has primarily those who are more monstrous in looks, and they're similarly friendlier to those who resemble them, with a similar brusque and cold manner to those who look more human. The area around the bonfire is carefully kept clean, however, and the ribbon poles look handcrafted from lumber and grass, with tightly-woven knots and clumsily-made paper decorations. Those attending here are also invited to jump through the flames, but no such protection is offered; it's simply assumed that, as a Monster, you're likely much better at handling a little fire. b. A Little Entertainment It isn't only the bonfire celebrations that one can participate in, however. All throughout both the East and West Residential Districts, as well as a portion of the Shopping and Entertainment Districts, there's a number of stalls, stands, and stores available for perusal. Take a gander at the rest of the city and find something to do. Of note: Divination readings are available in various stalls, set up by Coven-official Witches as well as homegrown ones, with tarot cards that vary from pristine art pieces that one would almost hesitate to touch to the personally drawn and cut. They offer free readings, enticing all who pass by to join them at their table. Good or bad, the cards seem to bring with them lessons and words of wisdom, interpreted expertly by those handling them... or as expertly as possible; some readings seem a little unsure and muddy. Regardless of belief, those who take part in these readings will suddenly find their day going either exceptionally well or incredibly poor, depending on the overall feel of their reading. Carts and booths are available for one to partake in more food, however there's a stipulation to taking anything from these vendors: one must share this food with others, either in pairs or a group. While relations between humans and beasts seem to be a little frosty, they can be seen intermingling a tad more freely when it comes to this portion of the celebrations, sharing the treats and small meals that are being offered to everyone. The food available all seem to be those easy to hold in hand, not unlike modern-day food trucks; of note, the thin pancake wraps seem to be the most popular, with a bubbly drink similar to a milkshake filled to the brim with drinking straws for best sharing experience coming in second. Flavors are plentiful and varied, though they err closer to the fruits, vegetables, and spices side of the spectrum. Finally, the more pleasure-based businesses offer the chance to relax one's weary feet and take a chance with a little aromatherapy with their rose baths. While traditionally this had its roots in imbuing the bather with good tidings and blessings for the upcoming seasons (or so they'll say when asked), nowadays, it's simply become a luxury treatment for those needing a little TLC. The waters here do have the added bonus of making those who share them friendlier and more talkative with their partner(s) - and yes, all baths are a shared experience. Rather than being split by sex, baths are split by monster and human; co-ed bathing exists for those who don't mind mingling with the opposite species, and if really pressed, they can offer separate baths for different sexes, but their focus seems elsewhere. c. Impulsive Compulsion Throughout the whole festival, new arrivals, particularly those with magic talent gifted to them by the world, will feel like they can do anything and will push themselves to the limit. While not inherently detrimental, those who feel it will become more reckless, their inhibitions lessened and impulses heightened; trying new things is easy as pie, with any thoughts of fear left far in the back of their minds. While magic is highly discouraged on festival days, given their rest day quality, those under the spell of Boaltinn's madness will feel the temptation to try some anyway, regardless of knowing the proper way of performing it - perhaps it's about time to try out what one discovered in that strange dream... Those found doing magic will get a firm scolding, but no actual punishment; it's only looked down on, and they'll be cautioned against using too much. If any property damage occurs due to reckless magic use, however, there are fines; those without any money to their name can be recruited to pay it off by working at the buildings and stalls they may have accidentally damaged, serving people, looks, or whatever else the business might offer.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up now as well! While technically most of them won't start until after festivities, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the May Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

[holybeasts]

I can imagine. Do they use the sorts of lights they seem to have here?

[She tips her chin to the flickering street lamp. Is it a candle? She had assumed so but honestly she hadn't looked close enough to tell. Streetlamps weren't precisely a thing in most tiny villages like the one she lived near and she could only recall them distantly from the descriptions of others.]

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto just laughs.]

It's fine. This is weird as hell. I'm Prompto--and the chocobo is Primula.

[Said chocobo just tilts her head at her name. Huh?]

[futhark]

[ Caster barks a laugh. "Too perfect" Wow Archer, such harsh jab, don't exert yourself. Caster turns just to grab his cape and throw it on top of his shoulders once again- he's keeping the hood down for now though. ]

Mmhm, I wonder. We gotta feed ourselves after all- [ Do they really though? Their nature works differently here, that much he started to notice. But it's not something he put much attention. There is this weird intoxicating feeling that- stuff will work out okay. Why would they fall? It's a kind of intoxication that has nothing to do with the alcohol consumption-

Speaking of which he looks at his empty pint. ]

For now, this gets the job done.

[rowdyraven]

[Despite the deep depths of his intoxication, the other man's words still have a dubious look stealing over Julian's face.]

What do you mean, spirits attached to them?

[The tone of his voice, it suggests that this is something he doesn't like the sound of.]

[shepherds_pie]

No comment.

[Sorey laughs.]

I hoped you'd be the one cooking. I seem to only get it right half the time.

[Not that it won't stop him from trying.

He lets his best friend go, though a part of him is just as reluctant. Still, the brunet grins cheerfully at his friend.]

Trying the food first! And this way I can make sure you eat enough before we turn in for the night.

[rowdyraven]

[Julian is quick to shake his head, to smile a self-depreciating kind of smile. He makes a dismissive gesture with one slender, long-fingered hand, sends droplets of rose-scented water flicking away from him.]

Ah, don't get me wrong. It's a nice job and all, but I'm hardly eminent. And I'm sure the pleasure is all mine, Thancred. I'm Doctor Julian Devorak but um, I'm not really worried about titles and all that so you can just call me Julian. Most other people do.

[thisisamazing]

You've seen things like this before? What war? [He's interested, he's not going to lie. But he's trying to hold back the questions a little bit, considering she looks pretty ill.]

Good, that's good- Oh! Here, here, you can have my seat if you want it. [It's the polite thing to do. He stands up from the low bench and motions to it with a smile.] Things have been pretty crazy today.

[thisisamazing]

I'll just, uh- [He goes to start gathering up the ruined banner, folding the tattered, charred, soaking cloth as neatly as he can considering the circumstances. Look, it's not his fault, he's totally new to this magic thing!!

He stops, though, when Mikleo jumps back, flat against the wall, looking from him to Toothless with an almost comical quirk of the brow. Toothless almost seems to roll his eyes - at least as much as a dragon can roll its eyes.

There's a barely disguised laugh in Hiccup's voice when he says gently,] That's just Toothless. He's not going to hurt you.

[dialtones]

[A doctor. And for a Countess, no less. Kurapika brings his hand to his chin as he considers this, still walking along the flame lit path. The sounds of the festival ahead are getting clearer.]

To be in a position like that, you must be talented in your craft. Researching for things to cure plagues or other illnesses... am I correct in assuming that you're well read?

[He moves his hand away from his chin to gesture at Julian, glancing his way.]

In a situation like this, it's important to establish allies and work towards finding solutions. Normally, I prefer to work on my own, but without my nen, and considering the circumstances... this isn't something that anyone can handle alone. Would you like to team up?

[He's so official about it... it's how you know he's going to dive into Too Much immediately.]

[alienwear]

Uhhh... Tame her?

[ Peridot pulls Pumpkin back into her arms, frowning confusedly. ]

There wasn't really any taming involved. My friend Steven just grew her like this.

[thisisamazing]

[Toothless spits out some straw from the broom, baring teeth at it as it finally decides they've probably been swept enough and retreats. He barks out a sound that definitely has the tone of 'try me again, I dare you'. Hiccup has both hands in his hair, trying to flatten it down again after being attacked by a magic cleaning instrument, and he seems a little flustered when he finally faces Peridot and her- Is that a... That's a barking vegetable.]

Uh. That's Toothless. [Because that's informative.] What is that?

[alienwear]

Well how can Peridot possibly say no to that? Maybe she needs to be more open to trusting the people around here.

"Oh. Well... Alright then," the gem says with a shrug. "When you put it like that..."

She takes her hand.

[thisisamazing]

[Well, that's... Well. It's not too much worse than it was. The fire's out. That's a start. Toothless cracks his eyes open, and immediately jolts to life at the sight of a very large, very unusual creature, who is now playing with the torn banner. He decides that looks like fun and, of course, latches on to the other end of it with his teeth, tugging. He wants it, large cat!!

Hiccup just watches the whole scene like he's given up on life.] At least the fire's out now... [Which is better, right? Nothing else can catch on fire now.

He smiles sheepishly at Newt, who... seems kind of familiar, almost like they've met before. But that was a dream, wasn't it?] Uh, no, don't worry about it, actually this is probably better than it was before. I uh, don't have a handle on this... magic thing.

[dialtones]

I see...

[Charity, even from someone who's here by chance, like him. Kurapika looks like he's seriously considering this, staring at the cards as they're shuffled. He's missing his dowsing chain already, and watching this has him briefly wondering if he might be able to imitate it through learning the type of magic here...

But a question. A question... He curls his fingers into his palms. A question will reveal a little more than he normally does to a stranger, Asra, but still... he doesn't want to waste it. Something telling, but not too detailed, then?]

Then... What can I do here to get back and achieve my goals?

[wylderrant]

"What if we're... not... human?" Iramaat puts some inflection on those words and gestures at her horns and ears. She's never considered herself human, so she doesn't know why she'd want to start now.

"I mean, obviously you have your inhuman companion, but where do they fit in to this whole coven thing?"

[alienwear]

Despite her somewhat stand-offish mood, Entrapta is lucky that Peridot generally just loves to babble explanations like this.

She sucks in a breath through her teeth. "Mmmm... How to explain this to a human..." She taps her chin. "Well. For my species, the gemstone is the only part of us that exists in it's own right. It's where our consciousness and memories are stored. But, using advanced chroma-projection, our gems are capable of projecting bodies of hard light, that is, the whole rest of us."

Granted, regarding the hard light thing... Peridot's hasn't been feeling quite right since she got here, but. She hasn't yet been able to put her finger on why...

[baneful]

Team up?

[It's a phrase that seems to take him mildly by surprise, eye on the younger man as they continue to walk the path into town. The lively sounds of revelry, they're definitely increasing, growing louder and more noticeable and vaguely he wonders if they ought to worry about the kinds of beings they may encounter in this realm, or whatever this place happens to be. But for now the concern remains at the edges of his thoughts, unvoiced, as he tends to the question at hand.]

Well if you mean um, that you want to work with me towards finding a way out of here, then I'll gladly agree to that. Though I'm not sure how much use I'll be.

[He lifts his broad shoulders in a small, somewhat apologetic shrug.]

And I suppose you could call me well-read, yes. Mostly on the subject of medicine, but uh, I have an interest in the sciences, and I've read what I can, when I'm able. It's usually the province of the rich after all, isn't it? To be able to read. So I've been in plenty of places and situations where books are fairly hard to come by.

[Though he's also had the Vesuvian palace library at his disposal on more than one occasion-- both now, and three years prior. He's far better read than most in his world.]

Funnily enough, I have read a book on travel between realms.

[A 'borrowed' book. A book who's rightful owner wasn't to thrilled to discover he'd taken it and made...additions to it.]

[wylderrant]

"I can think of a few people I know, but this really isn't their style," Iramaat muses to herself. Occasionally she's seen some fae lord go out into the countryside and round up people for his own amusement, but she's never really seen them do anything like this. It's not really how they do things. They trick people. They have to be "willing" insofar as they agree to a very carefully worded proposal. You can't just dump people in and say "aha, you're trapped now!" There are rules!

Iramaat, in the meanwhile, is happily eating. She considers herself beyond such petty concerns.

"Maybe it really is some sort of terrible magical accident," she proposes with a shrug.

[thisisamazing]

[He takes after his mom, okay. Tall and gangly. Toothless plods into the room like he owns it, takes one look at Keith and Kosmo, and spins in a few circles before he curls up on the floor without a care in the world, flopping his tail - with prosthetic tail fin - over his face.

Well, guess they're staying here tonight. Hiccup laughs a little sheepishly.] Nah, it's okay. I've slept in more uncomfortable places before. And Toothless prefers the floor, usually he likes a flat stone.

[He drops his helmet to the floor next to his dragon, and then starts the process of unbuckling pieces of dragonscale armor.] Really, you two can have the bed.

[dialtones]

I had the same sort of dream. I'm beginning to wonder if everyone here did, or just a majority.

[His own hands lift in front of himself, and he eyes them, fingers flexing.]

So you were able to summon it forward like your usual abilities? [He knows magic use is being discouraged right now, but he still focuses, feeling the energy of his own body, trying to pull magic forward like nen...

And briefly, a flash of flame engulfs his hand and vanishes again.]

That's it! [So it does work?!]

iramaat would NEVER

[wylderrant]

So you'd rather be alone, then?

[ Iramaat cocks an eyebrow. She thinks she deserves attention and friendship. Lots of it. It's part of why she's such an amazing person, after all. She leans over toward him again with a curious little gleam in her eyes. ]

That's not a way to live a life - cut off from everyone around you.

[alienwear]

[ Peridot briefly follows Hiccup's gaze down to the gourd in her arms. To be fair, her explanation is just about as informative: ]

Her? Her name is Pumpkin. [ Pumpkin makes a noise in the affirmative, waving her nubby front legs in greeting. ] And I'm Peridot. So, your Toothless... Is he reptilian in nature?

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat didn't mean to insult him - she thought it was a compliment - but she also remains blissfully unaware that might be insulted. Or if she notices, she doesn't mention it and doesn't try to apologize. Maybe she thinks it's his own problem to deal with. Or maybe she just doesn't consider it important. Who knows?

Her gaze is forward, stride eager, still smiling, as if this is the greatest thing that's ever happened to her. The mirrors they pass get a glance and nothing more, although occasionally she reaches out to trail her fingertips over the glass, a low little hum springing into her throat. And then they find a window and she rushes to it with a gasp, peering up into the night sky. ]

Two moons? No, that's not right. My home certainly doesn't have two moons.

[ She glances at Solas. ]

Does yours?

[haillenarte]

[by all rights, francel should be embarrassed — he is a grown man! — to be stuck crying in front of the lord commander, the de facto leader of the house of lords, ishgard's representative on the world stage. he should also be embarrassed to be witnessed by a woman, even a local woman with no reason to know him from any other stranger who has suddenly crossed the threshold into her world.

still, francel finds to his surprise that he isn't especially bothered. the room is only barely furnished, the chairs made of unvarnished wood and too far away, so he sinks into the edge of the mattress, still ineffectually trying to wipe his tears away. he isn't sobbing, at least — just teary-eyed.

briefly, he considers saying that he'd be happy to sleep on the floor — but aymeric seems the sort of person who might then insist that he should take the floor instead, or perhaps more mildly explain that there isn't any real reason to sleep apart, and in any case francel has had enough of pointless self-sacrifice.

he and haurchefant never shared a bed, he reflects — not even when they were both very young.]

...I've been told I sleep like a corpse...

[with a final sniff, francel presses his hand against his temple, and seems to recollect himself.]

I'll not bother you.

[wylderrant]

"I'm so glad you've agreed!" Iramaat responds with more than touch of excitement in her voice. Her grip tightens and then she takes off running for the bonfire. She'll pick up and carry Peridot if she has to, but they're doing this.

Together. Like real friends.