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

[wylderrant]

Whatever he means, I'm sure we'll handle it. No need to worry!

[ Iramaat nods knowingly. She's not worried in the least. She's handled quests before and this is likely to just as simple as all of the rest of them! She's rattling her fingers against her sword hilt as the Wilder continues.

"Well, what you're looking for likes to burrow. So if you're not careful you can fall right in..."

Iramaat's eyes widen and then she leans over to stage whisper to Majima. ]

Sounds like we're getting our hands dirty.

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima nodded as the man continued: "We've been having trouble with a den of foxbits, you see. They're very quick, and their bites are pretty painful. It's a family of four, and we'd really like to get them all at once to study the effects of the Cwyld on..."

As the man droned on, Majima was taking a quick look around the grounds. Hmm. Burrows, brambles. Likely much easier for a foxbit to navigate than a human.

"So, any questions?" ]

Yeah, uh... I'm hearin' the explanation, but I'm not really seeing any traps.

[ "Oh. Well. We do have some other equipment, but mostly I thought you'd just be... you know. Grabbing them and putting them in a sack."

Majima looked at the man for a second, trying to decide if he was serious or just hazing the new guys, because 'put four wild animals in sack' seemed like an incredibly

flimsy

plan. ]

[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?

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima sighed, but it looked like he was actually going to go along with this? At least he was picking up one of the sacks. ]

I can't believe this is happenin'. Alright, well... I see some tracks over there. Looks like they lead off to the west side.

[ Somehow, he thought they'd be fighting something cool. Instead they were playing animal control what was his life.

"Good luck!" said the man. "I've got band-aiiiids!" ]

[wylderrant]

[ Look, come along or don't, but Iramaat basically expects him to. So thankfully, it looks like he is. She's lightfooted and seems quite at home out here in the woods. Maybe it's the horns. She glances down and then squats to get a better look at the tracks. ]

That might be their main entrance. They'll have a bolt-hole, though... but that could be just about anywhere close by and it'll probably be hidden. Hmm...

[ She taps her chin. ]

I suppose we should find the main entrance first and go from there, right? Let's go-!

[ She doesn't slow down. Just takes off, following the tracks. ]

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima moved to follow her, at least until he heard a... rustle? There was a small foxbit staring slightly wall-eyed at him from some underbrush, when the hell had it gotten there

and then

from the side, suddenly a lunge of orange-red fur. ]

Fuck!

[ He managed to pull up the sack as the older foxbit hurled itself at him. Fortunately, it sailed right into the sack. Unfortunately, it was hissing, screaming, and clawing and biting up a storm through the thick fabric, making a racket to wake the dead.

Thanks, he hated it. ]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat's attention was on her tracking, mind racing ahead. Pity that she forgot to think too hard about a possible ambush. She jerks upright and comes racing back as she hears Majima's yell and then the yowling, hissing, screaming that comes from a foxbit in a sack.

Wow, they really are loud.

She tries to help him keep it closed, her own pair of sacks cast aside while she tries to get this one handled. ]

Hold it steady!

[ Wait, is she laughing?

Yeah, probably.

She's risking getting bit, but she's also doing her damndest to tie the damn thing shot. ]

[justbeingknife]

I'm holding it, I'm holding it!

[ The best he could, attempting to keep the bag level with all the racket and the flailing animal within. Man. Usually wild animals sort of settled down after they realized they couldn't get free. ]

It must've thought we were after its kid. Speakin' of which...

[ WHERE WAS THE OTHER PARENT. ]

[wylderrant]

[ Fortunately, Iramaat has deft, quick hands. She tugs the sack shut and ties it off without too much trouble, although she almost gets bitten once or twice as the foxbit tries to get out. She steps back, hands raises and still laughing like this is the funniest joke in the world. ]

OK! That's one-!

[ Where is the other parent? Wait-

She's turning around when the other one comes out of the undergrowth and leaps at her. Not the face! ]

[justbeingknife]

[ why this

Before Iramaat could get a face full of foxbit, Majima dropped the sack and grabbed for the animal's middle. What he got instead was a handful of its back drumstick shh it's fine, foxbits had drumsticks. The animal snapped at her once or twice before bowing its spine to try and get at Majima's arm instead. Holy shit, it was mad. ]

Uh, sack number two, please!

[ Ow it was kicking him ]

[wylderrant]

Oh, good catch-!

[ Iramaat is still recovering from almost being tackled by a foxbit, but she's jumping back into action as soon as she can. It's straining rather mightily to try and get Majima with its teeth and kicking up a storm with its claws, but Iramaat isnt about to let that stop her. She hastily snags the sack and comes back at the struggling pair and tries to get it over the foxbit's head.

The foxbit, naturally, is not pleased, and she almost gets a bite on the arm for her troubles. ]

Get it by the neck!

[justbeingknife]

[ This time, the foxbit did get him, an angry bite as Majima grabbed it by the neck and pulled it up and away. ]

C'mon, Fluffy. Into the bag.

[ With this more stable grip, it was slightly easier to shove the animal's head into the sack, though not really much more, er. Dignified, as the creature continued to hiss and yip and kick. Doooown it went, though! ]

[wylderrant]

[ Together, they manage to get the thing into the bag and Iramaat yanks the drawstring tight and ties it off. Fortunately, her clothing is both long-sleeved and built to be sturdy, so she's managed to avoid getting scratched or bitten too badly. At this point, her hair is a little askew and her eyes are wide, a grin on her face. ]

Exhilarating! Two more to go, I think? Where should we start looking?

[justbeingknife]

[ Whew. They were earning this... whatever it was. Majima didn't seem too bothered by the bite; he could always get some antiseptic later. ]

You do this before or somethin'?

[ But before he could answer the question, it was answered for him in the sound of a tiny, aggressive growl from the brambles. ]

Oh. Well, I guess there.

[wylderrant]

Not exactly. But I have wrangled with dangerous monsters before, so a few furry fiends aren't really a problem-!

[ She's about to talk about how she's fought dragons or something when there's that little, aggressive growl. She half-turns, eyes gleaming, and then glances back at Majima. ]

Back me up!

[ And then she just dives headfirst into the bush, ignoring the thorns and brambles.

Ow. ]

[justbeingknife]

Back you --

[ Ah, but it was too late. The littler foxbit cub wasn't as fierce as its parent, and not nearly as agile, but it was also smaller, and more used to navigating the brambles.

Majima circled around to make sure it at least didn't escape out the other side, and now the cub was turning, back towards Iramaat. ]

[wylderrant]

[ Man, this is a lot more painful than she thought it would be.

Oh well, nothing for it now. She's basically low-crawling through the brambles, chasing a foxkit cub around. It's actually kind of entertaining, even if she's getting pretty otrn up. It's coming back toward her and after a long moment, she leaps and manages to start wrestling it to the ground. ]

Ah-ha!

[ Next problem: getting it into a sack. ]

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima took out his knife and started slicing his way through the brambles, at least enough to wade through with the damn sack and for Iramaat to make an attempt to get the kit into it without... putting its eye out or something. ]

Okay, right here!

[ He'd yank the sack open, and hopefully she could keep a good enough hold to shove the animal in. Even with the hack job, the brambles were still exacting their horrible blood price from him, though. ]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat is absolutely covered in scratches and cuts by the time she manages to wrestle the little bastard out into the relative open. Fortunately, it hasn't been able to bite through the thick clothing she wears, so at least she doesn't have to deal with bites, either. She holds it up, almost triumphantly, despite it's repeated efforts to twist and bite her and then she pops it into the sack a moment later, yanking her hands back to avoid losing fingers.

For a long moment afterward, she's standing there, breathing hard, eyes wide. ]

That.

Was.

Great.

[justbeingknife]

[ It was? ]

It was?

[ He sliced through another bunch of brambles, more out of something to occupy his hands with than anything else at this point. As dumb and ill-advised as it was, however, Iramaat's enthusiasm was kind of... inspiring? Something like that. ]

You're really into this kinda thing, huh?

[wylderrant]

Oh, yes, I haven't been that excited in a while. And wounds taken in battle are no wounds at all! Merely obstacles to be overcome!

[ Or something like that. She stills has blood on her face. She ties the third sack shut and dusts her hands off. She's going to feel this later, but right now she is doing 100% a-ok. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. ]

There's just the one now, isn't there?

[justbeingknife]

Hey, that's one way to look at it.

[ He was swiping at a bit of blood on his forehead now -- 3/4s done, and how bad could the rest of it be? ]

One more furball to bag, and we'll be in the clear. Okay, if I was half fox, half rabbit, where would I be hiding?

[ The most natural option being, of course, the den. Majima approached one side and, with effort, created a sort of wavering light in his hand to cast some illumination into the gloom. ]

[wylderrant]

Well-

[ She wipes some blood off and then follows, carefully circling as she looks for the escape tunnel that she knows is going to be there. It takes her a few moments, but she eventually finds it and crouches next to it, watching Majima with curiosity. Oh, so he has magic! Interesting.

Meanwhile, his light illuminates a pair of eyes and there's a short little growl of anger and fear, but the little tyke isn't coming out just yet. Doesn't want to, probably. ]

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima supposed it would have been too easy if the kit had. What to do, though... ]

Think I can get him to run from the light if I stick it in there. He'll scramble out the other side as fast as he can, though, I bet.

[ Hopefully this wasn't going to turn into Aefenglom's Funniest Home Videos. ]

[wylderrant]

Probably. The other option would be flooding the blighter out, btu that might take too long - so let's go with your option!

[ She has to go retrieve their last sack before they start, but she's back in a moment, full of energy. ]

Ready to whenever you are. Although if he doesn't come out, we might just have to dig...