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

Zack Fair | Final Fantasy VII | ota

[activatingcombatmode]

[A: Arrival]

1: [His body is weak and his eyesight is starting to dim around the edges. He can feel the blood seeping out of his body but the wounds littering his flesh don’t seem to hurt anymore. He’s widely aware of them but the pain is gone like his body no longer needs to worry about trying to tell him that he’s … Dying.

He looks up at the raining clouds above and swallows hard as the thirst in his throat makes it hard to think. Zack croaks for a breath and then catches sight of the blond hair of his travelling companion as he seems able enough to crawl to him.]

"Zack...?"

For the… both of us… [His weakening muscles strain as he lifts the old sword at his side. He holds it out to the other with the last of his strength. He passes it to him with a calm smile as he accepts the darkness closing in.] My living legacy…

[There’s a sharpness that occurs as he lifts the buster sword. It suddenly becomes smooth like glazed glass as Zack catches his own reflection in it. It happens in an instant, feeling his body being pulled through that reflection to somewhere distant on the other side. It feels like passing through snow and water only to meet the coolness of a solid floor.

Zack’s mangled body collapses on the ground with no sword in hand and no companion at his side. He stares up in confusion at the room filled with mirrors that he will soon know as the Looking-Glass House. He heaves painfully.

He’ll need help. Someone to shout for the witches in the coven to wheel him off to the infirmary before it really is too late. Maybe someone to stay by his side and reassure him that he’s not actually going to die. Or maybe someone is strong enough to heal him themselves?]

2: [After some time spent in the infirmary and the talent of the witches working there Zack finds by some miracle that he’s alive and kicking. He’s not sure where he is or who the people are that helped him but he’s not going to question a second chance like this.

When he’s told that he shouldn’t move should his stitching and bandages come loose he decides that it’s the first thing he’s going to do. He still feels weak but his need to wander and find answers or familiar faces is stronger than that.

He holds an arm around his bare and bandaged torso and slips out of his infirmary bed to find his way back to the Looking-Glass House. It’s late as he can see stars in the clear night sky. He eventually finds himself back near the room of mirrors.]

What is this place? Better yet, how do I get back home...?

[Feel free to approach the injured looking solider he could use a friendly conversation.]

[B: The Coven]

[After a rather chaotic orientation with Miss Nessie and the others Zack finds himself in a crowd of people and looking over at the landscape of the city with what appears to be a festival going on down below. His stomach decides to grumble loudly just then like it senses that a festival means a party and a party means food.

And honestly he could use a change of clothing pretty soon as well. He’s still walking around with bandages all over his body and his clothing all bloodied up from his arrival.

One of those magical little brooms sweeps over his feet and Zack lets out a small growl as he steps away from it. After a short visitation and a device given to him later Zack finds himself in the Coven’s temporary lodgings. And as soon as he sees one of those large beds Zack decides to claim one as fast as he can which means face planting into the nearest one.]

Nap first. Then looking for food and beer...

[C: Boaltinn]

1: [Zack naturally feels more inclined to the Western Bonfire where people are more monstrous looking. They all seem more talkative and friendly in general but maybe there is a hidden kinship he feels too.

He’s made friends with what looks to be a goat-looking faun who is now cheering Zack on as he grins wolfishly at the large bonfire. The name of the game is to leap through the flames to prove that one can do it and Zack is more than ready to show off a little.]

Alright! Alright! I’ll show you how a real hero does it! Take notes!

[Zack psyches himself up and runs and jumps over the flames with relative ease! But it seems that he’s still healing from his wounds and doesn’t jump quite as high as he would at full health. With a wince Zack’s ankle sweeps part of the flames and his pant-leg catches fire. When he lands on the other side riotous laughs roar out as Zack struggles to put the flames. But he’s laughing just as much at himself as the others are.]

2: [Zack can be found around the many food stalls eyeing up one stall in particular that is selling freshly cooked spiced meat kabobs. The aroma is tantalizing and Zack can’t stop staring as he sucks back some drool.

Then he pats the closest person to him on the shoulder without even looking away from the meat.]

Hey. Hey! Share a meat kabob with me. I gotta have one but the guy selling em says we gotta share.

[Please share with him HE NEEDS ONE.]

[D: Wildcard]

[Got something else? Go ahead and put it here! Or contact me at michrure for more plotting!]

a2

[fordola]

[ Of course, Fordola seems to perk up at seeing the injured soldier. Not because he's hurt, but because goddamn it, he seems to look reasonable. For something here. But she answers him, as she remains standing near the exit. People watching. ]

Dunno, and dunno.

[activatingcombatmode]

[It hurts (like hell) to turn his body towards the person who speaks up and he looks at her with a small unsatisfied smile and a curious shrug.]

Let me guess... You woke up on the other side of a mirror too?

[fordola]

Yeah - saw a weird gleam, and walked out here. [ She approaches him, so he doesn't need to turn any more. Stretching a little. ] You doing okay?

c2

[justbeingknife]

Didn't anyone ever tell ya not to put strange meat in your mouth?

[ was Majima's question, but he was still holding his hand out for a kebab, a glint of humor in his eye. Ah, the one the storekeeper was holding looked so tasty! ]

Alright, lay it on us.

[activatingcombatmode]

Hey, don't know if I'll like it until I try it. [;D

There is still a gleam in Zack's eyes. He wants that meat in his mouth. He shoots the other a wide grin and then the stall owner passes them one meat kabob. One. Guess they really mean it about the sharing thing. At least there are some hefty pieces to it. Zack picks it up.]

Check it out... It's beautiful.

[FOOD. BEAUTIFUL FOOD.]

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima whistled. ]

Check out the brownin' on that baby. Well, time waits for no man --

[ And with that, he was just going to bite off a piece. Sorry, Zack, you'd better get your bites in quick, at least based on Majima's reaction. ]

Mmmph.

[ As in, 'Holy shit, this's amazing!' ]

C2

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto looks over (which means Primula takes this chance to steak the cabbage he was feeding her from his hand).]

Oh, man those look good. I'm down! What's on 'em?

[activatingcombatmode]

Hey! Hey- How the hell did you get a chocobo around here?

[That's Zack's first question. But he's more than hyped to have a pal around to get these met kabobs.]

Looks like these are spicy kabobs.

[clickclickbang]

She came with me. You know chocobos?

[But he gives a thumbs up at spicy kabobs. He loves spicy!]

B!

[1019]

[AAAAAAAALAS! He's... he's not alone. 8,)b

Because guess who hasn't had decent quarters in way too goddamn long. (Yeah, sure, plenty a' big ol' beds around a family manor, but everything in that damn house is mold-logged, what's "decent" about that - not to mention chance o' getting shooed back out to the barn for sittin' or chillin' wherever at the wrong time like you're some kind of unruly cat.) Nope nope nope he hasn't fully accepted the -- you know. Supposed actual real-ness of this whole fuckin' deal, here, but...

...As long as he's here and expected to tentatively "play along" for a bit hell yes is he getting on that shit.

...Or he was! Because, uh -- he had just locked visual target on that bed through the doorway of the room! Stalled for a moment checkin' around as if to make sure he wasn't gonna get caught reaching into the cookie jar, before... one-two stepping practically a shuffle toward it only to get cut way ahead of WAIT --

...Ohhh -- ohhh, FRIGGIN' -- ! No you DON'T -- ]

Aaaaaahhhhhwwwwwww -- !

[Trudging forward, shakin' his head in pendulum swings - lifting his hands to shoulder level...!

And jabbing forward and down with a finger.]

I god-damn called DIBS on that one...!

[Still fringed with a nasal keen and the muffled edge of a squawk.

...Also, no. Nooooo, he did not. Jesus.]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Suddenly someone is squawking in his ear and Zack groans into the fluffy pillow before him. He just came back from the dead and he really wants ten minutes to power nap is that so much for a guy to ask?]

What the hell, man... First come first serve.

[Zack just didn't notice the guy was already in the room!

He rolls over enough to smack away that jabbing finger and he lazily stares up at the other man. What's his beef?? The guy looks a little crazy in the eyes but he is definitely thinking it's because of some sort of lack of sleep. This place is filling up fast but that doesn't mean he can just kick people off beds!]

I have such a weird relationship with this icon.

[1019]

[OH, WOW, SON -

Yeah, it's a sleepy smack, but Lucas flinches back at it like a cat that's just had its face clapped in. Blinks hard as his head tracks his... mildly-knocked-aside hand!

-- Gawks for two seconds like he's not sure whether or not something someone just said was an insult before, with a couple quick-flicking takes, he practically low-honks a small, wavery laugh.

Kinda... in the same spirit as a hyena. A little expulsion of built-up electrical tension.

Drops both hands on the edge of the bed. Muscles tuggin' his face into a great big open crescent of a grin.]

-- Well, I was first come -- ...!

[Words a-trippin' over themselves and landing in sand - last noise all taperin' out in the back of his nose and throat.

Jabbin' down a couple times, again - index finger bent at the middle...!]

So your rules saaaayyyy you gotta take the floor or GET -- !

[Last sound through his god-damn teeth.]

let's do c1

[wordsinthesoul]

[There's clapping from Thancred's direction, and maybe a little wince- but that's gone by the time he approaches Zack.]

I think you've won some admirers tonight, friend.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Don't mind him as he hops around for a second or two longer, patting out the flames on his pants with a hand.]

Yeah-! Making new friends in new places is the best thing to do from the get-go, right-! Guh!

[Patting vigorously!!]

[wordsinthesoul]

I should think so! It ought to help with anything later, should we need it. Ah- do you need a hand now…?

a2

[darkbreak]

[Riku was trying to do his own scouting as he goes around investigating the Looking-Glass House himself, curious about the mirrors and the general place. He's keeping one ear open for any tidbits of information beyond the confused and frustrated conversations of the other arrivals, and one eye on the mirrors themselves to see if they spit out more newcomers.

Though admittedly, the injured soldier does catch this kid's eye. He watches Zack carefully with crossed arms and a strange looking weapon leaning up against his leg.]

You probably shouldn't be here.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack looks over his shoulder at the person belonging to that voice. It takes a bit of effort and pain in his neck but he manages with a weak grin.]

Yeah. But like hell I was gonna lay around forever. You're not gonna rat me out, are you?

[darkbreak]

[Riku doesn't exactly smile right back. More just sighs and goes back to looking around the other multitudes of mirrors, picking up his Keyblade with a hand. He doesn't want to be 100% dismissive, but he'll keep an ear out for the sounds of a man crashing to the floor if need be.]

No. Not unless you hit the floor and decide to lay around in here forever.

C1

[belligerentwarrior]

Been a long time since I've heard an idiot go on about bein' a real hero. Almost makes a girl a little nostalgic.

[It sure was a spectacle, watching the injured man attempt the flames. As sour as Fang's feelings are about this particular little foreign ritual, the stunt got enough of a chuckle for her to take pity on Zack. Besides, she felt like she owed him for... the dream, was it?]

[As she saunters closer, her tone has an airy, almost sarcastic humor to it, though very little of it's reflected in her face. The tall woman reaches down to offer a hand up.]

Won't bite this time. Promise.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Look, he's got things to prove and friends to make. That's the best policy when it comes to winding up in brave new world with no familiar faces around. If he's gotta prove how big his Hero is by almost lighting his own ass on fire, he's gonna do it. It's a manly pride thing.]

Better an idiot than a stranger.

[He grins a bit and looks to her with a curious expression. Those eyes and the colour of her hair...

He takes the hand to haul himself to his feet.]

We've met before, right?

[belligerentwarrior]

Think so.

[Fang says it remarkably casually, despite the uncertainly of this whole situation.]

Correct me if I'm wrong—and I mean it. This scrambled head of mine's got a nasty habit of forgetting important things.

b;

[bloodyuseless]

[Zack's faceplant shakes the entire bed, and a startled squeak can be heard from... below? Hastily, Mary pokes his head out from under the bed. He glares up at this new stranger, utterly scandalized.]

I thought I was gonna die!

[activatingcombatmode]

[What the hell is a gremlin doing under his new bed-?! Zack makes a tired startled noise and moves his head enough to look down over the edge of the mattress.]

What the... What are you doing way down there...?

[bloodyuseless]

[Those aren't gremlin ears on that hood, mister! They're adorable cat ears, and they should be recognized as such!]

Trying to sleep! [Which had been going relatively well until he woke to what he thought was an earthquake.] What else would I be doing here?