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

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack snorts a bit.]

Yeah. It was. Couldn't stick around long enough to see if it worked out, though.

[He shakes his head.]

What about you? How'd you end up here?

[activatingcombatmode]

Could always just shave your head?

[No don't.]

[clickclickbang]

[SO OFFENDED!!]

Wow, no? I am so not cool enough to pull that off.

[lonewanderer]

Pre-War normal, I'm guessing. [ Not that Bakugo has any idea what 'Pre-War Normal is. Still, her lips quirk up a little. ] So- no ruins, plenty of cars, fresh food and water?

[ She shifts slightly, getting a better look at him. ]

I'm Lex. That- [ with a point toward her dog ] -is Dogmeat. And this [ with a wave of her bread ] is delicious. If I get more, you willing to stick around? We can bullshit about weird shit we've seen.

[topslug]

[ Hmm, wasn't this person around when people were asking all those questions? Yako touches her fingers to her chin, visibly considering. ]

I asked if this has happened before, but it doesn't seem like this was deliberate. They seem to think we all got here by a teleportation spell under our own power... that we're 'witches.'

As for the mirrors looking different, maybe it's something to help us find it later? If that's the key to getting back.

[lonewanderer]

'Horrible' isn't inaccurate. Lex nods, shifting a little before patting her bed so that Dogmeat can jump up.

"Luckily, there were some preparations in place; underground shelters called vaults. The human race survived because of those." Not a lot of the human race, and the vaults had also been experiments, but... well. "But lots of things changed. I've never been in a place that's not ruins or parts until now, for example."

It's actually a bit intimidating; everything is so nice, and then here she is, with wasteland dust embedded into her backpack so heavily that even the enchanted brooms hadn't gotten it all off.

"How about you?"

[thisisamazing]

Dragonscale, yeah. It's fireproof. The heat on your hands will be much more indirect, easier to handle the glass. [Hiccup's own project, which is still pretty clumsy, is currently cooling, so no need for the gloves right at the moment. After a moment, with the thought that the other might think he's some kind of hunter or poacher,] Dragons naturally shed. A lot.

[holybeasts]

[Pff. At least Maria seems to appreciate it.]

Even better!

behold... idiocy in its true form

[soulbonder]

are you prattling on to avoid my question ?

none of that explains what a blog is . it can be used for entertainment? and "dark arts" ?

i shall simplify it for you : how can this so-called blog be used for these things [what's an internet]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He brushes some blackened ash off his pants and turns to the other with a warm lopsided smile. He does notice that the fire is burning brighter and he moves his body a little to stand between it and Konoe. It seems like something he should do.]

Nothing to it.

[Some people are clapping and others cheering and Zack feels a small roll of accomplishment and pride. This world is so new to him it's nice to know that he's made a decent impression.]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He pats Prompto hard-ish on the back.]

Then buck up, man. Embrace your style.

[clickclickbang]

[Oof. That's a Gladio back pat right there.]

I have! And it's not chocobo butt.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack has to wonder... What does being a witch even mean...]

Witches... What does it feel like? My materia has been useless too.

[activatingcombatmode]

Whatever you say.

[He pats him again. Chocobutt.]

[wylderrant]

Oh, Iramaat likes that smile. It has promise. It's sharp, jagged like glass, and she wants to see what else makes Nel smile like that. She leans forward slightly to pluck another piece of food from the tray and lets her gaze linger, one eyebrow arched delicately, her own smile wide and open and somehow sharp, despite (or because of) the mirth in her eyes.

"And woe betide those who try," she comments with a little laugh. She makes low 'mmm' noise.

"But where are my manners? I'm Iramaat," she says, extending a hand. Introductions all around?

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's lips shape into a sad smile.]

Maybe there is a nurse at the door. [Her tone is light and teasing with only a tense note hidden beneath it.] If we're lucky.

I think everyone is heading that way.

[ishisstrength]

Ah. Yes.

[Justine is ushered towards the fitting room without protest. She pauses once she's inside and then holds out a hand for the clothing in question.]

Will you pick something out for me?

[Hopefully it's okay that she doesn't have underwear because Justine literally had arrived to this world in nothing but a bathrobe. The mage robes is a step up but they hadn't been able to give her underwear.]

[ishisstrength]

[A soft pleading whimper escapes from Justine's lips as he presses the bandage against her palm. It hurts but in a way the pain helps. It courses through her panic and her fear, piercing the madness in its wake. It's a pinprick of clarity but that's all she needs to start pulling herself back together.]

Where are we? [Her voice is whispered and on edge. She's not unlike an animal, confused and backed into a corner but she's trying and its obvious that she's struggling with everything that's happened.]

Why are you helping me?

[ishisstrength]

[Some flickers beneath Justine's dark eyes, recognition or acceptance, it's difficult to tell what it is.] I see.

[Her arm falls to her side as her voice softens to its usual sweet Candance.] I'm sorry. I don't understand this world or what these tokens are even for. [It's difficult for her to be so removed from the world and reality that she's come to known; to be away from Thomas and the little shred of sanity his presence offers her.]

There is a lot that I don't seem to understand.

Are you alright? I can get you some water.

[wylderrant]

Well, I will try, but how does one put into words what one has always felt?

[ She shrugs, apparently unconcerned and at ease. Or she hides it well, buries it deep, and lets her smiling, sunny face take on the world for her. She puts her back against the tree, illustrating her words with gestures as she begins to speak. ]

In the beginning, there was the Dreaming and the walking, waking, mortal world and while the mortal world is mostly the domain of men - short-lived, foolish, amusing creatures - the Dreaming birthed the Fair Folk. That's us. Or me, I suppose, since I think I'm the only one here. But we're creatures of that energy, steeped in it, made of it, and we are not so much born as simply... coming into being.

[ She shrugs. ]

Unlike so many mortals, I have never had a childhood and I do not think I would want one. It sounds troublesome.

[ That's a bit of tangent. Focus up, Iramaat. ]

[catasstrophy]

[The ears, at least, are halfway hidden under a hood... which does absolutely nothing to hide the outline of them, but an attempt was made. The crooked-tipped tail is even more visible, Konoe's mantle reaching not even halfway down his thighs.]

Right... One spark.

[The image is far too vivid in his mind, everything around him covered by a transparent layer of imaginary fire. How stupid... It's not like he's ever been burned to death, or anything. Still, his thoughts are weighed down by the mental image considerably - until he's called out on that, and he immediately tries to do some damage control.]

I'm fine! [The words come out louder than before - perhaps just a little too loud, in his determination to prove that Nothing Is Wrong.]

I'm just -... [Quick - what's a good excuse?] ... tired.

[... Well, that has nothing to do with anything, even if there's a core of truth to it. But he's said it now, so it's not like he can take it back.]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat doesn't much care either way. She's just happy to have someone she can play dress-up with for a bit and amuse herself with. So she picks a few things - leggings, corset, bits and bobs, a brighter ribbon of pale green, everything that she thinks will suite Justine and she passes it along to her, happy to wait outside while she dresses.

No shoes, unfortunately, but shoes would be even more expensive. ]

*blocks you*

[wolfcorgi]

[ hm? hmmm... for a moment it almost seems like koga is completely disregarding everything his senior had just said, but it's just-- there's something more important at hand, he feels. yes, that honey-like smell that is a bit too sweet for a wolf's taste, but there's something about it that almost shoos away all his current thoughts, empties his mind of concerns and responsibilities, but soon enough, he manages to snap out of it for a moment. ]

Hm? Ah, yeah yeah. But a guy's deck is pretty damn important, ya know, it ain't that easy. Don't ya think he'd have just bought new cards if that were the case? Think with your damn head for once.

[ ah, but even through all that aggressive speech, really, it's proving itself to be a bit too hard to ignore that smell. it seems like leon thinks so as well, because as koga smells the air and (un?)consciously follows that scent, it turns out his dog is going to the same direction. ]

Hey, Hakaze-senpai, can ya smell that? There's somethin' real good coming from here. It smells differently from the rest of the forest, so maybe we should check it out for a bit. Leon seems to like it too, see?

[catasstrophy]

[Acting as a shield between Konoe and the fire is much appreciated. The guy is smiling, too, which is a relief. He really is just fine...

And everybody is just so impressed by what he did. It frustrates Konoe, if only because he knows he could never jump that fire.

His relief is quick to dissipate, replaced by a veneer of annoyance that is honestly aimed at himself if anything.]

If there's nothing to it, don't act all smug about it.

[... He's not even acting smug, but he sure is too damn happy for Konoe's liking. How dare people have a normal reaction to fire instead of an intense fear of it?!]

[subruo]

[He's hardly throwing it up in the air, but he's definitely manuvering his weapon extremely casually, as if it isn't basically just a giant science needle.]

[His smile widens at the answer, and he stops moving his hand, letting the lance lean against his shoulder. The stone in the middle stares out, an unblinking vivid blue eye.]

I did, I did! Earth, you say? What an interesting name. Like calling a planet "Soil"... [He laughs.] And yes, I suppose we all do stick out like sore thumbs, huh?