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

[alienwear]

She listens attentively through most of his explanation, but before he even finishes it it's clear she knows exactly what he's talking about, as she starts to energetically jogging in place while he speaks.

"--Yes! Yes, I do remember that!" she exclaims loudly the moment he's done speaking. "I ran into this human girl, and we agreed that we most definitely met under the exact same circumstances!"

[alienwear]

[ She's about to ask "what the heck is a dragon", but, well. The obvious answer to that is "what 'Toothless' is", so. ]

Technically she's a fruit, but, colloquially. Yes. She's a vegetable. The greatest vegetable! My friend Steven made her using his life-giving Diamond juices.

[veilfires]

[Luckily for her, Solas rarely declines to answer why questions if they’re on the subject of magic.]

I was trying to satisfy my curiosity. Briefly: I learned that there may exist a veil which crosses over into this world during the Boaltinn. I came out here for solitude, to meditate under the twin moons, and to see if I could verify its existence for myself.

[He shrugs, a bit wearily.] The outcome you witnessed yourself.

[It’s night, so it’s a little hard to see. He raises a hand, focuses his mind, and though it takes him a few long moments to gather his concentration does cast fire again. Safely, this time – a little ball of flame sitting on his palm providing a modicum of warm light. He thinks he recognises her face from the Looking-Glass House - not a farmer, but a fascinating person from a distant unknown world. He watches her with interest.]

[nobunagastan]

Um… why, the same reason as you are, Sister!

[That is, to look for his missing older sister and nothing else, ever. What could possibly give her the idea that he was here for anything else. That was silly. So silly. Ahahahah.]

Since there’s no one who understands you like I do, I knew exactly where to go if I wanted to have a chance of finding you!

[So he is off the hook, ok?]

… Maybe we should move back to the bonfires, though, since…

[He does not want to be put back on the hook, which he will be if they stay here.]

[alienwear]

"Oh. Okay," Peridot says simply. That's good enough of an explanation for her! "Ssssso... What's your take on this whole situation? How long do you really think it'll take these people to find a way to send us all back to the proper 'universes', or whatever?"

[honoraboveall]

"I wouldn't think for every meal. Perhaps its just for the festival to emphasize foster fellowship and generosity." High handed rhetoric, but important festivals and holidays were usually chock-full of such things.

"What do you have a taste for?" Symon continued on politely, "I think some spiced meat turnovers, and perhaps some candied pecans?

[halfbloodhatchling]

"That's where the trick lies." Don't get too caught up in the logic of that statement, it's a dream so things don't have to be logical.

"But see, you are definitely too cute to be real." Kai's just going to be ten times more shameless now, because if this is a dream maybe it can be a good one.

[honoraboveall]

"I know plenty about fighting, but my opponents, more often than not, were men." With an odd orc or so there as well, but Symon didn't really think of them as beasts perse. "If we are to fight these creatures," And there was a suspicion curling in Symon's gut that the would have to, "Well, if you wouldn't mind teaching me at least some of the basics, I would appreciate it. As you said," His mouth twists, faintly amused in a black sort of way, "Knowledge is an important part of any battle."

[princessences]

"I have to admit, I might have needed that." A little jump to her mood, to her energy. Though she knows she can't easily just move on from her worries, a small lift is probably warranted. "Thank you."

The bow feels a little nostalgic. "I'm Pr--" Ah. But that doesn't hold much weight here, does it? Despite her tiara. "I'm Allura. It's a pleasure, Iramaat."

[nobunagastan]

[So the man in red was a witch too… If only Nobukatsu knew what that really entailed.]

Have you tried to cast any spells yet?

[But he was willing to enable someone into finding out.]

[halfbloodhatchling]

"Moonshine."

Kai flashes her a smile that's wide and bright, and shows a hint of sharp fangs. It's a charming sort of smile, from someone who's used to it having only limited effect. Alcohol isn't his favorite thing -- that honor definitely goes to chocolate. But he learned how to drink from Dempsey and he has an elfin constitution to go with it.

"I'm in your debt already. Would you like some as well?"

[halfbloodhatchling]

"If you're not offering food with that hand he might bite it." Despite his words, Kai's face when he spots his cat again is filled with pure relief to find Newt apparently unharmed.

The cat, for its part, ignores Kai for now in favor of checking out the stranger.

"It's no good me trying to find food for you if you're not around to find it for," Kai scolds the cat.

[activatingcombatmode]

Guess you got a lot of relearning to do.

[Zack crosses his arms over his chest.]

They said something about me going through some changes but I don't really understand what they mean by all of it yet.

[scaling]

[ Well, Akira's brain jumped straight to sushi, but that's just Morgana's incredibly high standards setting some weird expectations on his part.

Fish would be much more manageable. ]

Sounds like a plan. [ Surely Mrs. Mittens won't be able to resist the lure of fresh fish. ]

[oceanschild]

Oh spirits that is not where Paris was expecting this to go, and he has no idea how to deal with it. Other than flush a bright red, which he does. Not that he has any control over than action.

"I--" What does he even say that. "--thank you? Y-you're cute too." WAIT NO that is not what he meant to say... even though it's true....

(Aeto is just laughing at him, honestly, a chittering noise that really is just making his blush worse.)

[halfbloodhatchling]

That kind of dream is definitely a nightmare, as far as Kai is concerned. But then -- disregarding the occasional evidence to the contrary -- Kai has put rather a lot of effort into trying to stay alive.

"Hell if I know," he offers back.

Kai's frequently impolite, but he is at least aware of general manners even if he's mostly self-taught, and right now he can follow them well enough.

He offers out his hand to her. "Kai Gracen. I hope you're not a figment of my imagination."

[activatingcombatmode]

[He nods. Best to keep the fires at the fire festival contained and controlled so that everyone can enjoy it all properly. No need to make it a fire emergency.]

It was for sure just a chance or a coincidence. Predicting the future is all just reading people and making assumptions about them. Don't take it to heart. She probably saw that you were having a bad day or something and played on it.

[That's all fortune telling really is. It's people reading. There's no such thing as seeing the future. If it were real Zack's life would be very different.]

[veilfires]

[These answers are phrased more like spoken word, he notes, rather than letters or even missives. That does make sense.

It’s funny. He’s been catapulted across dimensions and worlds. Had uprooted his basic foundation of knowledge and belief. Been given freely a device that staggers his belief of what is possible with technology. And he’s having with it now a conversation he might as well have walked across Skyhold to get from Sera.

It's with the dryness he's honed from a year spent in Sera’s company he responds – after a fashion:]

Yes. I am a wizard. [He begins dividing his messages in mimicry of his anonymous correspondent. There’s a pause before:]

As a wizard, my attentions have been instead turned towards scrutinising how to best manipulate the delicate primordial essences balanced with such elegance that they form reality itself.

I defer to your superior mastery of all devices small and mundanely mechanical.

[scaling]

[ On one hand, Eren's desire to protect is admirable. On the other, he might actually be more gullible than certain friends back home, which is... really saying something.

Akira has to think fast, and what ends up coming out is: ]

I remembered how you can free me.

[ He's too deep in the grift now. He's gotta build a home here. Start a family. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

Dunno, don't think things are advanced enough around here for these witches to invest in little cleaning robots so this is what we get. Magic brooms.

[No roombas around here!]

They're insistent but I guess they get the job done... Just gotta watch your own two feet.

[He laughs as he drops the broom to the ground and kind of half kicks it to shoo it away. Go go!]

[activatingcombatmode]

Aaugh!?

[Zack immediately doubles over with a small wince and growls out with it. Did she really just sucker punch him?! He's still injured from his mirror landing!]

What the hell-! That was a low damn blow!

[He coughs and holds his side as it just takes a brief second for him to straighten himself out with a dry laugh. Yeowch. She's got some muscle on her!]

[activatingcombatmode]

[And suddenly Zack is like an obedient puppy and if he had a tail it would be wagging wildly. Like a dog taking treats from a generous giver.

He sniffs the offered pastry and once again snatches it as soon as he can. He scarfs that down too like he forgets that they're supposed to be sharing everything. Good greif.]

S'all great! All of it!

[activatingcombatmode]

Who's name did that kid say? Nessie? Let's start with her.

[No running headlong into a mirror, please. It'll probably shatter and cause more than just seven years worth of bad luck.]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He gives the hand a good shake before letting go. He can still tell the other is stiff as a board about something but all Zack can really do is keep offering his easy smile. He woke up in this place with very few people to rely on and Zack's always seen that as the worst situation one can be in. Having no one to trust is a death sentence especially in a place that is completely foreign.]

It's good to meet you, Konoe.

[Konoe seems like a good person proved by the fact that he stuck around to check on Zack after his leap. Awkward or not Zack finds guarded people to be pretty trustworthy.]

Yeah. Came through a mirror just like everyone else. I was a little roughed up when I got here but the witches in the infirmary managed to patch me up.

[socials]

[ ... pff. ]

Does this come from experience or observation?