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

[oceanschild]

[Both the man and Paris look over at Akira when he speaks; he might not look imposing, but the tone of his voice is difficult to ignore. The man growls, his grip just tightening on the young man's shirt initially, but either the barkeep is making eyes at him from behind the counter or he detects something in Akira that he doesn't want to mess with because he drops the grip, growling deep in his throat before stalking off.

Paris blinks after him, before looking back at his would be rescuer, clearly deeply and profoundly confused.] I... thank you. Why did you do that?

[The man could have just turned his temper on Akira, after all. Surely there was no reason for him to risk himself like that...?]

[scaling]

[ Historically, sticking his nose into situations like this doesn't end well for Akira. His interruption redirects the man's ire, and he readies himself to have to block a punch—but the customer's gaze drifts to some point over his shoulder, towards the bar, and suddenly the encounter is over.

Akira watches him storm off before stealing a glance begins (the barkeep gives him a nod and then carries on with his work, and eventually his attention lands on his coworker. ]

You looked like you needed a hand. [ Like it's that simple. And it really is, as far as Akira is concerned. The potential consequences barely crossed his mind.

There's a beat before he continues. ]

Paris, right? [ They've yet to have a proper conversation before now, but Akira is the type to pick up on details. ] Are you okay?

[oceanschild]

[That might be the simple, straightforward answer, but it clearly doesn't answer all of the questions Paris has. Because he is very much not used to near strangers sticking up for him in almost any capacity; more often they do the opposite. So there's a moment where he's just staring at Akira like that is the strangest answer he could have possibly given before he realizes how rude he's being and shakes himself out of it.]

Sorry, I-- yes. I'm alright. Thank you. [And then after a pause.] ...He looked like he was going to hit you.

[scaling]

[ Akira nods, satisfied with that much. He seems more confused about the whole thing than shaken up by it, anyway. ]

I thought he was going to try for a moment there.

[ For all the neutrality in his expression, there's an edge of amusement to his voice. He really did get off easy this time, huh? And luckily so. An assault charge was something he could work with back home; who knows what they would've done to some off-world nobody if the situation hadn't been interpreted fairly for him again. ]

[oceanschild]

[This is not clearing up anything for Paris. And he's... not quite sure how to make it clear to this other boy why he's confused. He's noticed that there are many differences between what he knows and what is normal here, and sometimes even more between him and the other newcomers. Maybe that's why...?]

You could have gotten hurt. Helping me. But you don't know me.

[scaling]

[ When he notices that Paris still looks just as baffled as he did before, Akira pauses. As far as he's concerned, helping out is a given, but he can understand the confusion. Plenty of people look out for themselves first and foremost—even his own parents treated his sticking his neck out for a stranger as foolish and unnecessary. ]

Not knowing you don't mean I'm okay with seeing you get hurt. [ He glances towards the door, where the customer slammed his way out a few moments before. ] And people like that shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want.

[oceanschild]

[Paris glances over as he hears the door slam as well before looking over at Akira again. It's not an unwelcome gesture, not in the slightest; after a moment longer he relaxes and Akira is granted a small but genuine smile.]

...Thank you.

[He's just not used to it. It's very rare that anyone would even ask him for his preference, much less look out for him.]

Are... you're new here too, aren't you?

[scaling]

[ The gratitude is met with an answering smile, subtle but enough to soften his expression.

He's pretty sure the owner won't let them continue to talk while doing nothing, though, so Akira moves to pick up the half-consumed tankard the customer left behind, nodding as he does so. ]

Yeah. [ He casts a glance around the room. It looks like something out of a movie; never a reality he thought he'd be living. ] ... We're a long way from home.

[oceanschild]

[Right. Paris picks up on it and moves to clean the now empty space. The setting itself isn't unfamiliar to him, but the rest of it?]

Yes. We are. [It's a lot, to say the least. He sighs, looking back at Akira.] ...Where is home for you? It's-- everyone I've met so far, it's been so different...

[scaling]

Tokyo. Japan. [ He goes broader after a moment. Judging by the look of some of the other people that showed up in the Looking-Glass House that night, not all of the new arrivals come from the same Earth that he knows. ] Ah. I'm Akira. [ While he may have picked up on Paris's name through hearing their employer address him, Akira's not sure if the reverse is true.

He pauses alongside the table while Paris wipes it down. ]

Where are you from?

[oceanschild]

[That sounds... familiar but a little off. Someone mentioned a Kyoto to him during the festival, and now he's just wondering if he misheard it.

Also thank the spirits Akira introduced himself because no, Paris hadn't caught on to his name and was going to feel like it was too awkward to ask.]

France. I was a few days outside of Paris. [please don't comment on his name in this context, he knows.]

[scaling]

[ Yeah, Akira's not about to—he figured that Paris either came from a world where the city doesn't exist and thus any comments would be lost on him, or he's from one where it does and is probably tired of hearing the comparison. ]

Somewhere I've heard of, at least.

[oceanschild]

Really? [Paris looks up at him, finishing his wipe down of the table and resetting the few things on it.] I've, um. Never heard of Tokyo... sorry.

[He pauses, and then adds.] Someone told me I'm from a much earlier than them, too. [So maybe that has something to do with it...?]

[scaling]

[ The apology is brushed off with a shrug. He imagines a lot of people around here haven't heard of it. They're missing out, but—what can you do.

When Paris finishes up the table, he sets off towards the bar, glancing back to check if he's following and also to throw out another question. ]

What year was it for you?

[oceanschild]

[Paris follows along behind him, and luckily there's still to clean up at the bar so they can probably keep talking.]

1289. ...I think.

[He grew up on the French coast in a small village and has never had anything even resembling formal schooling so... he thinks that's what he heard when he was in the city, but he's not sure. It's probably close enough to get the point across anyway.]

[scaling]

[ Huh. That gets a considering tilt of his head. Even if he's off by a few years, Akira's pretty sure that puts him from a time before even Edo was really a thing, so... completely understandable that Paris has never heard of Tokyo. ]

... I'm from 2016.

[oceanschild]

[That's about the same as the person he spoke to before... it was a bigger number than 2000 at least, and it's not like he can comprehend anything he was told tabout that time period. Paris just sighs.]

...There's going to be a lot that I don't understand, isn't there. [He didn't really need massive time differences to make him feel stupid...]

[scaling]

[ Akira's mouth upturns in a reassuring smile. ]

Well, we're both out of our element now. [ Most of Akira's modern knowledge doesn't seem to apply here, in a completely different world with radically different culture and technology. ] Magic and monsters don't exist like this where I'm from.

[ He may have some experience with variations of those things, but it's definitely not an everyday norm like it is here. ]

[oceanschild]

Really? [Does the future just not have magic...?] We have magic where I'm from, but... it's different.

[No one here seems to know what spirits are, but there is still magic. He hasn't quite figured that one out yet.]

[scaling]

Yeah. [ And not only would the way magic exists in his world be an explanation that requires a long and winding backstory, but Akira's also of the mind that it's probably better if he continues to lie low in terms of his... past extracurricular activities.

So instead, he deposits the tankard behind the bar and turns his attention to Paris's statement. ]

How so?

[oceanschild]

[Paris scrubs at the bar, trying to figure out how best to explain. He's so used to everyone knowing about spirits, he hasn't ever really thought of how to describe them.]

Where I'm from, there are spirits, which are like... beings that guard over a certain place, or species, or... something like that. Only spirits have magic, really, but if you bargain with them or befriend them they'll help you out. So lots of people have deals with minor fire spirits to make their ovens work, or horse or wind spirits for travel... things like that.

[scaling]

[ He sort of instinctively moves to cleaning up as well, tidying things that have gone out of place over the past couple of hours, much like he would have at Leblanc. At first, Akira's quiet, soaking in the information, nodding along. The concept sounds similar to Shintoism, except it seems to be less abstract than religious beliefs in Paris's world. ]

Were you friends with any spirits?

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods.] Aeto actually came with me- she's just swimming while I'm here. [She's a ray, after all; she needs to be in the water as much as she can, and there's no point in her coming along here. (Though if he gets into any trouble at work and she finds out, she will definitely follow him later.)]

And, um. My father was one too. [So that's a thing. He usually doesn't tell people that, but... he likes Akira so far. Really, any kind of attempt at friendship is really effective on him.]

[scaling]

[ A water spirit, maybe? Akira's curious about the specifics, but then Paris volunteers another piece of information with a bit more hesitation than the last. ]

So you're half-spirit?

[ He wonders if that's something that happens often—but Paris seems a little... self-conscious, perhaps? So if it is something he's struggled with in the past, Akira doesn't want to dredge that kind of history up in a first conversation. ]

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods.] People with spirit heritage usually get some kind of magic on their own from their ancestor. [But as the word might imply, usually the ancestry is not so immediate as Paris's.] But it seems like this place takes any kind of magic away.

[He's clearly not happy about that, but... there isn't much he can do about it. He does wonder if they can learn the magic here to make up for it or something.]