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

[kattobings]

[ Yuma looks like he’s just been told that he was going to be able to eat rice balls for every meal for the rest of his life. He pets the bird the best he can. ]

She’s so cool!! Can you ride her? Can I ride her?

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede was quiet as she struggled to stand, focused on her task instead of the stranger who'd taken a disliking to her. She got further this time, halfway between crouching and standing.

The man kept talking, though, and Kaede grumbled in response.]

Why do you care?

[justbeingknife]

[ The front of the card was indeed quite shiny, sort of like a holographic collector's card, with a series of bright patterns on it.

"Oh, my! Look at that!" the woman said, hand to her mouth. "How dreadful! It seems as though you're in for a terrible end, sir! Just dire. The only way you could possibly evade this ill portent... yes..."

She gave the niffler another choice of cards, which would turn out to be a dark image of thunderclouds when flipped over.

"I'm afraid you'll need to take up a trade. Yes, that creative energy will help both of you." ]

....what?

[ asked Majima, looking even more confused and skeptical than ever as the woman thrust a business card into his hand to a local glassblowing studio. ]

The hell is this? I don't know a thing about glassblowin'.

[fordeath]

[ once the avenger begins stalking toward him, amadeus makes the swift decision to kindly return the nicely polished, currently unbroken mandolin back to its generous owner. if whatever occurs in the next couple seconds renders the thing in pieces somehow, he wouldn't have the means to pay for it (and salieri will have successfully saddled his rival with debt on his very first night in this world — a miserable irony he'd rather not endure). so he does, and with half-distracted gestures of gratitude as he quickly scans for breaks in the crowd... you know, in case he needs to make a quick escape, all too prepared for a full on assault—

until, that is, the crunch of the grass under those sharp shoes comes to a halt.

without fully seeing, he knows. salieri not only stops, but takes a step back, and his next few words tell amadeus (most of) what he needs to know regarding the state of the unbridled violence that was the man in grey. ] ... [ for a moment, he simply stares at the other composer, nothing except quiet caution in his expression as he thinks, considers ... before cracking a casual smile. ] Right, Herr Salieri. [ a shrug. ] I was just wrapped up here, anyway.

[ the torrent of oppressive atmosphere vented from those shadowed eyes and hollow tone both is surely enough to suffocate the raging flames of the bonfire, amadeus thinks ... and yet expertly ignores it as he makes the time to bid his new friends farewell.

once he's done, he meets salieri halfway, fitting his tricorne back on with a bit of a sigh in his tone. ] You know, Salieri, leading me into the dark corner of town to off me is pretty devious even for you.

nah, no worries!

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima smiled a little at this. ]

Hey, no prob. I got that thing for free, anyway.

[ Although

He did have to jump through some flames before they'd let him have it? But look, maybe he'd just fail to mention that part, since it looked like Alex had enough on her mind as it was. ]

You okay, though?

[interlucere]

[ While it might be troubling to Akira, it lights a fire under Lux. Even worlds away from everything she knows, there's a strange sort of comfort that comes from having a clear mission to propel her forward, to throw her everything into. It's reassuring to learn that she isn't the only one that feels that way, and as Akira speaks she can't help but nod emphatically in return.

Nosy busybodies who don't know how to leave well enough alone have to stick together. He's in good company here. She smiles at him warmly. ]

Lux. Lux Crownguard. It's a pleasure.

[ Even if she would prefer they meet under different circumstances. Her gaze slides toward the patient; his breathing has slipped into an even rhythm by this point, his expression no longer frantic and pained. Reaching over to take a cloth from a nearby basin, she wipes his brow gently. ]

Did you need any help? I could come find you, once I know he's settled. I can't imagine what you're doing is easy to do on your own.

[actuallyadork]

They sometimes dance when they're in a good mood.

[It's really cute...]

A lot of the creatures in my world are animals that were either warped by mako, or just grew to be what many would consider monsters.

[civicbooty]

[ Now that they're alone, and Francel has stopped sniffling, and might reasonably say what discomposes him, Aymeric finds himself without the right questions. ]

I fear I've no notion of how I sleep. I trust that you shall wake me if I move about overmuch.

[ This is near-meaningless preamble. He sits down on the edge of the mattress, leaving a respectful distance between them, and plants his hands, looking at Francel out of the corner of his eye. His voice is light. ]

You needn't consider yourself my friend, if you mislike the the idea — but you should feel as though you can rely upon me, and so, henceforth, I mean to be yours.

[justbeingknife]

[ "Oh, please do," said the woman, smiling brightly. Should Misa choose a card and flip it over, she'd reveal a card with the face of a winged fish, with little stars in the background.

"Interesting, interesting... honestly, I'm not even sure how to interpret this. You see, one or both of you is... doomed to death." ]

What?! How's that even open to interpretation? Ain't that a terrible fortune?

[ "Well, you know what they say: living is the number one cause of mortality! But if you'd like to do some good in the meantime... dear, would you mind picking another card?" ]

[ipseite]

( petrana has never been overly fond of cats—they are tolerable enough animals, but neither has she ever particularly taken to the sort of lapdogs commonly seen in the company of women of her class. they are so little, and she has long preferred a working animal, a dog—

but if cats had ever looked like this, she might have reconsidered her stance, meeting its brief gaze with open, fascinated wonder.

it's beautiful. )

What is this, please?

( "hello, it's lovely to meet you—" no, she wants to know what the big cat thing is. helpfully, she shifts the broomstick out of his way...and out of hers, that she may more easily approach for conversation. )

[justbeingknife]

Yeah, awful generous.

[ The woman continued: "Not only is there a monetary reward, but I'm sure that couple will just be so pleased to have their beloved pet back in safe hands!"

Majima gave up. ]

Y'know, ya could've just asked to begin with, lady. It's not like I'm workin' full time out here.

[dialtones]

We... have, technically, though you were a little more orange at the time.

[If he's remembering correctly. The thought makes him smile just slightly, eyes flicking down to where his hands had been before traveling back to his face.]

You were practicing magic just now, weren't you?

[usurpers]

[ eren will cut the old dude some slack he ain’t even here to defend himself ]

At least you found someone you’re friends with.

[interlucere]

I see. I can understand your need to return. In some ways that sounds similar to our predicament. Not on such a grand scale, of course. A war between nations, instead of a war of worlds, against a power that would stamp out any who oppose them without hesitation.

The Galra sound like the Noxians from my world. But unlike you, the other nations have not united to try to stop their expansion. I hope for both of our sakes that we can return home soon.

Please tell me if I am overstepping. Could you tell me about this monster? There is more than one?

[veilfires]

[Being generally a quick leaner, he's already managing to type with increasing smoothness. He's also now making sure to check through for errors before hitting the 'send' button. Mistakes still happen, and his answering message is very slow.]

I am not familiar with that language. But you appear to be writing in what I recognise as the Trade Tongue. If you seek a lettered discourse in it, I can oblige.

i got u.....dont even trip B^)

[expressed]

[ Rohan doesn't notice the food going back to the plate, something he'd usually do with thinly veiled disdain, instead looking up at Ochako. But she is right - what he's doing is important. On the page he has open is an illustration of the building in front of them, only half done from the looks of it. ]

That won't be necessary, at all. This should still be fine. [ AFTER ALL... he still has the lower half!!!! He goes right back to ignoring her, pushing the pencil down to continue drawing only for the entire piece of lead to break and fall out. If he wasn't amused when his pencil broke, he certainly doesn't look it now. ]

...I'll be heading over to the art supply store. [ He closes his sketchbook, grabbing his bag to put it inside. He stops to give a stern look at the pencil before pocketing it. ] If you want to help so bad, you're welcome to come along.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede hesitated when the man knelt. But it was only a momentary thing. It was either now, or when she'd passed out on the floor. So she looped her arms around his shoulders, leaned against his back, and took the weight off her feet. It was...a comfortable enough place to rest, up here. The man wasn't trying to dump her straight off his back again, and kept a secure grip.

It was very hard to keep her eyes open, and despite her best efforts Kaede felt them drift closed as her head fell against his shoulder. She'd been able to make out the eyepatch, but that didn't fit anyone she knew. He hadn't called her Lucy or Messiah or any name at all, even though he...cared about her?

How...strange.]

...why are you doing this?

[It wasn't a question directed at anyone specific, though Majima was closest and most likely to hear her whisper-quiet mumble.]

[expressed]

[ Rohan's eyes flicker to the things he's strategically placed on the bed. He scoffs, crossing his arms and completely taking his attention away from the photo book to the man addressing him. ]

Of course not. I was taken at an extremely inconvenient time, but my studies are still important. [ ''''Studies''''' is used lightly here, but it's better he do it than completely neglect it because of his situation. ] I'll be finished when I'm finished.

[ And then, added as an afterthought - ]

Will that be a problem for you?

[usurpers]

[ then suffer

except all of that just sort of . . . feels like a me against the world thing. it doesn’t slide into place with what’s been mentioned, and while he wouldn’t put his hand on the fire just yet for the wilder duo at the coven—

they were genuine and consistent. this isn’t some master plan to ruin their lives, this was something more. but, before eren could even begin to voice most of that, something strikes a chord in him and makes his chest tighten. when he mentioned abilities to mhairi, she didn’t seem to know about any lack of them as she knew how much people had them. ]

Wait— Wait, what do you mean our powers are gone?

[warfares]

[ his attention shifts away from the bracelet (which seems no more remarkable than any other piece of jewelry) to the person who has just spoken, finding himself looking into the face of a pretty blonde, a tune dangling from her throat. ]

You haven't gone yourself?

[ or are they simply handing out these stone like they've been handing out cakes? ]

[veilfires]

[– That this stirs up pain for her is obvious, and thoroughly understandable. He’s curious, but doesn’t comment further, obliging her wish to steer the conversation out of waters of so personal a nature.]

Magic is my lifelong companion, but one that is part of me by my nature. I have always been so, and I could not choose to be otherwise. It is as hearing.

[He chuckles at his own choice of simile, not happy but not without a certain amount of grim amusement at his own expense.]

And, if I may confess, being here without it has struck me deaf. It is troublesome.

[expressed]

[ Uh, wow.... Why are the children suddenly cheering for this random man?? When Rohan's right here??? ]

Fine by me. If you really think you'll be a challenge then I'll be glad to accept.

[ As satisfying as it is completely destroying children at their own game, Rohan has to admit, it'll be far more exhilarating to beat the metaphorical crap out of this man than a ten year old. Besides... It's not like he really has anything better to do. ]

Do you know the rules of the game?

[ He reaches over for his discarded bag, in the middle of taking out a pen and a book. ]

[warfares]

[ an irritated huff, one that's directed at the broom more than the (timely) intervention. ]

Thank you.

[ it's got the air of something perfunctory, but it's more that she ㅡ a stranger ㅡ has caught him in a moment of vulnerability and that he's not sure what to make of that. of any of it, really. ]

bonfire

[killmarks]

( After spending most of her evening with a rune necklace pressed into the palm of her hand, watching as everyone around her adorns them before leaping through the bonfire. She'd only escaped with hers after the promise of trying later, one that she fully intends to break; there's no way in hell she's willingly jumping through a bonfire, but Clarke was desperate to get her hands on the necklace.

Not for the sake of using it, but more to find out if it's worth smashing it to see what's inside. She's still debating.

Clarke casts a sideways glance at him before returning her gaze to those that jump through the fire, keeping a careful watch to those that walk away with their jewellery still on. Can't be too careful, right? )

Supposedly. ( Seems to be true, but Clarke is still dubious. ) Just don't eat them. ( Is she actually serious? She sounds serious. Yikes. )

[usurpers]

[ so this is how you initiate friendship

giving him a heart attack ]

How’d that—? [ this place is so weird, oh my god. you can practically touch his naïveté from here, look at him! looking over his shoulder to make sure he actually wasn’t there or something— what if he’s next? what if they’re all next.

(he should’ve actually paid attention to the instructions). ]

What’s the last thing you remember?