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

[sullenstallion]

Wha—of course I can! That's exactly how it works!

[Logic is lost on horses. He's absolutely in the right here. He keeps glowering down at Konoe, continuing to posture aggressively, leaning forward just a bit more to loom menacingly.

Wait. Are the turnkin born with ears and tails? Probably, right? What's more important is that he assert his dominance now before it's all over.]

Of course I have a tail. But I came through a mirror. I don't count.

[sullenstallion]

I'm not a fisherman by trade, either. I'm a waiter. I'm just better at fishing than everyone else is. No one in the village comes close.

[The confidence. The drama. These are things he'd never say to a stranger on the first meeting, but here he is, gabbing away.]

It's relaxing, yeah. But it's also pretty intense. I like both sides of it.

[sullenstallion]

I'm not really a welcoming kind of person.

[He's more of an 'asshole' kind of person, he'd say.]

I'm not a monster and I don't think my senses are anything special. But you're right. I'm not human, I guess.

[He doesn't really know what he is? He's never stopped to question it.]

I came through the mirrors with everyone else. So, what, are you some kind of ghost normally?

[usurpers]

[ you almost got me there aj ]

Eren. [ a beat. there’s his last name, but. can you believe he’s still a little suspicious about giving his last name? he hasn’t seen a single person from his own home yet, and he already let paradis slip—

well. with a whole nation on his tail, he’d rather be safe than not. you never know when he’ll see some person who actually does know him (and wants to like, eat him or something). ] Eren Krüger.

[ there we go. thanks, actual mister krüger. he actually looks at the food now, absently. ]

I’m still serving.

[ the military! ]

[sullenstallion]

Even if fish were gross-looking, you'd still be beneath them.

[But they're not. Fish are amazing, powerful creatures. Why can't he be a fish instead of a horse?]

What're you being punished for? Did you take some candy without asking?

[sullenstallion]

[is that a challenge Goro's not wrong. Dylas has had some issues with the monsters and humans alike since arriving. He's not a monster, but he's not being welcomed by the humans, either. It's a pain in the tail, and it's left him feeling tired and annoyed, even moreso than usual.

'Wonderful,' this guy says. Dylas wonders why he's so chipper.]

Wraps will be fine as long as the filling's not fruity, I think. I'm pretty sure I saw some like that while walking around.

[He definitely saw some like that. He tried to get food once, too.]

lewd is the enemy

[sullenstallion]

[At first, there's no response from Dylas. He's caught up in his own thoughts about the situation. He can't just kick a girl out or make her sleep on the floor, can he? ...Or can he? Sure, the Earthmate or Margaret would skin him alive if they knew, but they aren't here.

Slowly...slowly, he moves forward and takes a seat on the bed. Alright. He's made it. The bed is his now. Clearly, there will be no upsets in the following battle.]

Or maybe...I won't have a bed partner at all.

[He's. Trying to insinuate something here. What could it be.]

[sullenstallion]

That's right. And not everyone who does great things is a hero. I bet half of them are delusional or liars.

[He's not sure which Iramaat is. Hero? Fan of heroes? A little too eccentric to handle? Maybe she's all three.]

I wasn't embarrassed! [He was embarrassed. The fact he almost falls off the bench in an attempt to scoot back again proves that much.] I just...I just don't like being touched! Yeah!

[sullenstallion]

"It's really not a big deal to me if you have mine," he says in reply, but there's no insistence or fire in his voice. It sounds instead like he's more exhausted at the thought of owning one, but she's making her point well enough. It's enough to get Dylas to follow and sit down next to her. He doesn't open his pocketwatch in his lap, but he does hold it in his left hand.

"I've never heard of setting up a watch before. Usually you just set the time and wind it up, right? I get these are special, but..." He continues to grump about his first experience ever with technology more complicated than a refrigerator (go figure; his world has those). "It's Dylas." How does one 'put in' a name, though? After thinking it over, he brings the pocketwatch closer to his face and repeats his name for the watch to hear.

He's never done this before.

[sing_for_me]

[ It's possible he is concerned, but how does she know he wasn't somehow involved? The grabbing motion of his hand set off a defensive reaction though, and she swipes at it with her own. Her nails may graze him or not. With fight response done, it's time for flight.

She tries to make a run for it, but her headache wasn't doing her any favors and slows her down soon enough. Not to mention she had no idea where she was, so she didn't even know where to go. She comes to a stop, bracing her head with a hand as she tried to find the exit. ]

[wylderrant]

Oh, this sounds like fun.

[ Iramaat, on the other hand, looks positively delighted as she gets handed a sack and she claps her hands together.

There are two kinds of people in this world.

She glances up at Majima with a grin, one hand settling on her sword hilt. ]

Well, I think the first order of business is finding their main entrance and then their escape tunnel, don't you?

[wylderrant]

"Good, good. Well..." She leans back with a soft sigh, "I am just going to soak for a while. You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

This is either a test or Iramaat is just being her usual, pushy self.

[givemewings]

[She stops and crosses her arms.]

Okay.

I’ll get one for you.

[Her tone really doesn’t let Izuku in on what her intentions might be here. She’s an open book, but in the wrong language.]

What flavor?

[haillenarte]

[solas's response raises more questions about him than does it provide answers, and there are a great many things that have piqued francel's interest towards him, but it seems best simply to tackle one thing at a time. he nods, in agreement, for all that solas has said.]

What questions have you about this place?

[though it would also be nice to ask solas why he was a wanderer. an adventurer or mercenary of some sort, perhaps?]

I've many of mine own, of course, but I confess myself curious to hear your logic.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Why?

Kaede...blinked. She opened her mouth to answer, only to realize she...didn't have one. Why dragons were depicted? That should be obvious.

Why weren't they real?]

...I don't know.

[Kaede's voice is devoid of its usual prickle; it's flat and quiet and mostly tired.]

[spiritwrangler]

Despite his bad nerves and odd profession, Pierce considered himself a reasonable man. Part of the difference was that he was a reasonable man given proof to the contrary, that the world was no longer as reliable and reasonable as it looked at first glance. He still preferred things like obvious clues and sightings before he jumped to conclusions.

None of that is keeping him from feeling decidedly ill at ease the longer he talks to Lucas. There was something wrong about his manner, as though he'd gone and taken too much of something prescribed by a pharmacist. It might be tempting to blame that kind of behavior on a drug, but Pierce doesn't know for sure, and he's not too keen on asking.

"Uh, what I'm wearin' is normal," he clarified - though of course Pierce is in quite the old-fashioned three-piece suit. It makes the more modern clothing that other new arrivals are wearing seem downright flimsy, with too few layers and not enough skin covered up. "Not that much else here seems to be much in the way of that. Could be you got a point," Pierce admits grudgingly.

[sing_for_me]

[ It wasn't only the diner who was taken aback by the man's appearance. Alex took a cautious step away by reflex.

But when she takes a moment to listen to his words, she realizes the scary looking guy was..helping her out? ]

M-Mind your own business! It's only right I get repaid. [ Looks like the diner had his own pride and didn't want to back down just yet.

Alex didn't really think he was wrong either. Debts were a big deal, no matter where. There were big consequences if you didn't repay them. She wasn't sure why he'd try to help her either. There wasn't much she could offer back. ]

It's..It's okay, I'll try to..figure it out..

[topslug]

“I’m Yako,” she answers, with a bob of her head, as her expression clears slightly. “It’s good to meet you. Are you heading out to see more of the city now?”

[sing_for_me]

Yeah..

[ Strangely, she felt familiar, or at least, she didn't feel uncomfortable around her. ]

Were..you brought here too?

iii.

[tryhard]

I- I didn't think it was poisoned!

[ Should he have?! Well. Now Waver's squinting at the offered food suspiciously, suddenly uncertain.

After all, assuring someone something isn't poisoned sounds like exactly the sort of thing someone might say about food that is poisoned. ]

What is it, anyway? Some sort of vegetable cakes?

[ua_duibhne]

[... fair enough.

If there were ever two individuals used to staring with ineffective frustration into the eternally unforgiving face of fortune, it's Waver and Diarmuid. It shouldn't be a surprise that he's so calm- there's really nothing to be done here except push for an answer- but it's fascinating trying to match him up with the panicked boy he'd seen at Rider's feet the first time they met.]

I take it you've had as little luck as I have.

[It feels peculiar to talk to him so openly. A part of him, wary of his Master's disdain, still wants to look over his shoulder like a schoolboy worried a teacher will catch him whispering in class. In spite of everything, the weight of their relationship still sits heavy on his shoulders, now with the extra baggage of a bitter goodbye. Should he feel guilty? Angry at himself for clinging to it? Free? Now hardly seems the time to process such a tangled mess of emotions.

So, he does what he does best and pushes his personal feelings down and down until all he has to focus on is the matter at hand.]

Rider still isn't with you, I see.

[wylderrant]

Depends on how you define hero, I think.

[ She leaves it at that, but she also watches him as he nearly goes toppling off the bench. Well, she's having a good time, anyway. ]

It was just a brush on the shoulder. Nothing to worry about. I'm not contagious, you know.

[ She tips him a wink. ]

Can't be helped; I'm a very tactile person!

[bombingking]

...What?!

[Of course he can keep up. He's a natural born athlete, unlike a certain shitty nerd. Plus being taller helps.

But mostly he's just trying to make sense of all this nonsense and why they're running.]

[andernach]

[ Ah, there's all kinds, aren't there. He's excited to learn, she'll give him that, even if he seems a bit weird - off - about it to her. ]

Vampires, aye, but "zombies" or "ghosts," nay. Turnskins make up a good bit of the population - that's what my Mhairi here is - and after that, there's Pucas and Fauns. Merrows too, but they're hard to catch; won't know you're talking to one 'til they get a bit wet, you won't. Harpies... [ She reflects on the Coven's staff, the ones she's seen out and about. ] Well, that's about all you'll see plenty of, but there's more than that still. Regardless of who you meet, though, treat them with respect and you'll get on, you will.

[ Respect, young man!! Respect!!! ]

[givemewings]

Eren. [As if saying his name again constitutes “Nice to meet you.” She nods and watches his hands for a few moments.]

You’ve seen a fair bit of combat, haven’t you?