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

whew sorry for being late ahh

[kaowont]

I'm pretty sure that's me? Your temporary roommate. Since there's no one else in here... see? It's kind of obvious.

[ The way she's still half-hiding behind the door like that is honestly pretty cute, and he doesn't make a movement beyond watching her glance around the room. ]

What I mean is that I'm super trustworthy. Really, really. ♪ I wouldn't pressure a girl to do anything weird when they're sharing a room with me, which is what you're about to do... so?

[mislike]

[When he asks that, she looks around for a moment. This feels like a trap. It's suspicious that she would know that he does not know of Westeros, and now he's asking her to repeat what she's done.]

We're not supposed to. During the festival. [She does not want to admit she's not sure if she could even do it again, though she can feel the magic that feels like it's teeming over within her. Sansa just does not know how any of this works.]

[1019]

[Ohh, he can be perfectly friendly on his own terms, trust 'im!

Except that... "friendly" isn't necessarily the right word. "Chipper"'s probably better. At the very least... well, nowhere near this bristly. 'Less you're counting the damn scruffy face.

That said, ahh, he thinks he knows she's playin' that game...! And his nose scrunches for a moment - a restrained li'l shake of his head like an animal holding back a sneeze as one side of his smile slackens out. Deliberately for the show of a slant - think you're gonna just go smilin' back at me right after goin' and ruffling my feathers, will ya -- ...

And -- his hands start lowering, after that, as... the other half slips, too, and he comes leanin' in squinting under a knit brow with lips turnin' a hint over his teeth just bitten together? It's what? Ira...

... -- Ohhh, pffff, what the hell, it doesn't matter...! Grin wrenchin' in again, eyes bloomin' back wide open...!]

LUCAS -- !

[He says, all nice 'n floaty!

With one slackenin' of muscles, out comes a hand flopped outstretched on the elbow, palm upward. An invitation to shake.

He re-approaches, a little - steps uneven, course not entirely straight. Like an on-edge swordfighter circling an opponent.]

THERE, now, was that so hard -- ?!

[With a faint warbling quality in his throat - one jerk-up of the corner of his jaw at the start, and a small shake of his head on each subsequent word. Still pacing half-in, half-around.

Is it so hard ta just announce yourself first?? IS IT???]

[mislike]

They said I should. [She points to the group of boys her age, glad someone essentially came over to shoo them away. Sansa tends to attract male attention, and the last thing she wanted to do was impress some boys when she didn't trust this place, yet.

She stands opposite of him, looking up at him. His height was intimidating, but she didn't move. She knew more intimidating men that were intimidating for a reason. She was not the girl who was afraid of the Hound any more.]

[mislike]

I grew up with powerful men. Power is just power.

[She has experienced both good and terrible power. Sansa was fortunate that for the first fourteen years of her life, she watched her father rule over the North. She also watched her brother lead a battle charge for their family, for her and what the Boltons had done.

It may not be magic, but power was power. That was something she had learned.]

[fifty]

[America can't clap well with Zelda's stuff in his hands, but he can cheer more loudly when she does her jump, and that's probably better, as far as America's concerned.]

That was awesome!

[fifty]

Toby seems like such a normal first name compared to her last--America's kind of glad, because he's gotten yelled at before for mispronouncing things. "I got here the same way. I'm America. Do you guys shake hands?"

He holds out a had in offering if it's yes, but even America realizes that with all those blades, that might not be how she greets people.

[hearthebell]

[L is remembering, too. It's slow, and feels much like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces removed in inconvenient places, but the overall picture is becoming clearer. Considering no time seems to have passed, and his foot is currently quite undamaged and he's not exactly capable of using debris to tell the best possible future outcomes, though.. it must have been a dream, surely?

He nods stiffly, still seeming uncertain in spite of the jerking commitment of the gesture.]

I see no other possibility, at present... but I don't feel that's what we're inhabiting now. This seems very different.

[And troubling. He cringes away from the contact with another jostling body, because this hall is starting to feel extremely claustrophobic, and his breath comes soft, shallow and quick.]

I think... Toothless might prefer more space.

[Definitely just Toothless.]

[mislike]

[The look she gives Toothless is both excited and reverent, pausing to look over at him.] Dragons were thought to be extinct where I am from. I have seen large skeletons below the castle in a city once as a young girl, but there are only three dragons that are alive now.

[Dragons were only thought of like stories, of what once was. She stares for a moment though, remembering what it was like to have Lady. Many thought the same of direwolves.

When he insists on her having the bed, she dips her head in thanks before picking her head to look up at him.]

Your face is familiar to me, but I know not how. I have just arrived.

[hearthebell]

Yes. It's extremely and indisputably clear that you love to talk.

I'm wondering when you're going to actually say anything at all, though.

[interlucere]

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[fortunyx]

Plane spoilers...?

[Man, talking to such an ancient figure like Eren is pretty crazy. He wonders if maybe he's actually from the past instead of an alternate world. Maybe he's some kind of foreign warlord or something. That would be really cool. A story of the ages.]

Uh, maybe? If that's something you want then I could give them to you. I can certainly tell you planes have come a long way.

[1019]

[Oop? His eyes flit open wider at the evaluation! Briefly bites the interior of his lower lip; moves from knockin' out tiny, tiny cackles to flutin' out something more akin to a muffled "ha-ha-HOO...!"

Brow shoots high; holds one hand up at shoulder level, bends the other arm in front of him for a couple of hasty quarter-of-the-way bows as the woman bats out the fire - follows up liltin' "thank you, thank you...!"

...With a tick right back up to Majima's face before he straightens out fully. Smile pinnin' right up into his lower eyelids, givin' his brow an... attemptedly jaunty li'l boost!

Aaaaand that goes for you, TOO, pal -- ...!

Does finish straightening, though, when the lady o' the fire blanket's work is done. Bats and pats at the tops of his legs a couple times - some reflexive just in case there's any stickin' fire still on me I'll keep the batting up -- ...!

And with his nose scrunchin', he seizes into a crunching, hissing sorta laugh at the last bit. Like a burst of static.

Lets the look on his face sink lazier, mouth steeaaaadily hangin' open, shaping a silent "aaaaahhwwww..."

Shakin' his head, lightly, as he starts to... slow-saunter Majima's way! Still all lazy and loosey-goosey. A little kick to each step, a bit of a... curve and round to the course he's takin'...!]

Ha...!

[Low and in from a creak, in a good and steady cadenced roll - leanin' and swaying tonally into every shift in inflection...!

Good ol' play with sounds.]

What did I tell you 'bout me and fire, my friend -- ?

[With the last bit of inflection curving straight up like an "eh?!"

His eyes go just a hint wider again. Smile just a tad more open rrrriiiight along with his throat!]

I'm into DEMOLITIONS! Ya think I'm afraid of a little BONfire -- ?!

[With a toss of his head over to said bonfire! And a weave back in sorta... "rolling" into a tilt. Another lift of his browline for cheeky "ha ha, well?" emphasis.]

[fortunyx]

[Just Lux? He could work with that. It's quite odd being on a first name, no honorific basis so quickly but he imagines that it is only because there is some kind of cultural difference here. Lux has to be somewhere from the west, right? Or, well, maybe her own equivalent to the West? This situation is still odd.]

You really don't have one? That seems impossible. After all, you're as radiant as the sun. You even seem to have your own gravitational pull. It's certainly dragging me in.

[He gives her a quick wink and a smile.]

[grakraka]

[Thinking for a moment, he clears his throat.]

U'm rather fond of both company and solitude. At times like this, of course, it can be more comforting to have closer bonds with people in a similar situation. What I mean is that, should you desire both of those things, I don't mind, say, reading books in relative silence or idle chatter, things like that.

[fortunyx]

[He chuckles lightly.]

It's really...complicated, in a way. But let's just say that she's my other half. We're soulmates. Though, we couldn't be together for the sake of...her own well being, really. It was honestly a forbidden love. But I'm sure she's happy nowadays. Whoever is the man that ends up with her is truly lucky.

[He could honestly go on and on about her. Thinking of Minako, a warm small crosses his face. Instead of being hit with feelings of longing and loneliness, he remembers the fond memories that he's had with her. He really hopes that she is living a good life. He'd die a thousand deaths if it meant she was smiling elsewhere.]

A karaoke bar? I've never been to one. I hope this place has it then. You have a new fan, Majima-san.

[fortunyx]

[Ryoji keeps a smile on his face but he's laughing internally at how easy to fluster this guy is. When he mentions that he's not keen on sharing a bed, Ryoji simply shrugs before he starts to get up and out of the bed. He's still fully dressed luckily enough. Mostly because he suspected he would have a bed mate and that would be extremely awkward.]

It's fine. Don't worry about it.

[Ryoji picks up one of the pillows on the bed.]

I can just get some extra sleep on the floor. You can take the bed.

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[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede's eyes flicked towards movement; she hadn't expected that man to have followed her, for however far she'd gone. But there he was, materializing like a ghost.

She wiggled an arm free of the blanket, gesturing at the empty IV stand.]

Take that thing away.

[youkoso]

( it's relieving, it really is, the way ritsu reacts in kind the same as usual. though it stings—it always does—to be so thoroughly rejected, even pain can be a thing familiar in unsettling foreign ground. ritsu is still well enough to growl at him, and that ritsu is well is all he cares for.

and then he gets pinched, and he has to stop himself from laughing at how adorable his little brother is... like... is this even legal... it's not is it... is ritsu going to get arrested for being so cute... please rei be the one to do it via hug, )

Oh~? What's this? ( gently taking ritsu by the wrists now that he's left himself open...! hohoho ) Despite his needlessly cruel and unforgiving words, Ritsu's finally touching me of his own accord~? My cute little Ritsu finally wants to engage in some loving skinship with his lovingest elder brother? Is this, as my darling Aoi children might call it, "gap moh-eh"?

( and then he takes ritsu's hands in his (loosely!!!), curling his fingers lightly around ritsu's own. )

I hadn't known you'd arrived at all. ( and arguably he's much worse off for knowing it. ) I hadn't thought you were one to dress for the occasion, either. Has Isara-kun chosen to accompany you, perhaps?

( an inquiry as to who else is here as much as it is the curious state of ritsu's dress, more a costume than a true fit for the setting by his observation . . . but it is a festival in a strange, new world, so perhaps his assumption is off. )

[socials]

( overflow! )

[lifespanned]

Who would want to hang on to bad memories? They're bad for a reason!