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

[grakraka]

[Although curious about what was to come after, he doesn't push it. All these conversations serve some function of information gathering but a smart person doesn't simply toss out questions and hounds leads—a smart person chooses to allow information to come in pieces naturally and investigate as needed. So Akechi allows the shift to pass without comment, smiling.]

Interesting. They seemed perfectly fine to me but I suppose I don't know what to think about any of this at the moment. [He just knows he doesn't trust until he has proof that he should.] I wonder if their attitudes will change after the festival? It seems everyone is too busy to understand our situation at the moment.

[He has no doubt some things won't change, though. Prejudice tends not to.]

I do hope they explain things better later on.

[sullenstallion]

[To Dylas, conversations are just social occurrences that he has to navigate carefully or he'll look like an idiot or a dumbass. He's pretty sure he's managed both of those feats already in this conversation, so he's trying to be a little nicer. He doesn't smile, but it's why he hasn't told Akechi to get lost yet.]

Yeah. What is our situation at the moment? This is all weird, right? I knew that other worlds existed, but traveling them shouldn't be possible like this. It's giving me a giant headache.

[As he says that, he looks down at his waist. Attached to his belt are two spiked silver gloves. The magic cast on them sends monsters from home to another plane of existence. That's what he's remembering. He's not checking his weapons just for fun.]

How stuck do you think we are?

[grakraka]

[A curious thing to do, though Akechi does assume it somehow relates to Dylas' current thoughts—unless he just really wants to fight something, which would also be fair.]

Very stuck it would seem. I was... preoccupied at the time [Dying and all.] but I did try to get back through the mirror as hard as I could manage. I worry about breaking them through further attempts, though.

[Though, he didn't know other worlds exist at all, not like this anyway.]

[sullenstallion]

I guess it...doesn't make a whole lot of difference where I am.

[He makes the comment offhandedly. He likes Selphia. It's already strange not having the Earthmate around, shoving fish in his face in an attempt to forge a friendship. But it's not like he knows whether or not he was going to stay there long term. Maybe being forced out isn't a big deal. It's enough to make him rub his neck in thought before once more taking a bite out of pancake wrap filling.]

But I'm still pissed off. Aren't you mad?

[grakraka]

[It occurs to him, then, that he supposes he probably should adjust his emotional responses. Most people would be likely to be down about all of this or at least more bothered than he has been acting—it's a bit too late for this interaction but he can temper it later. For now, he supposes he might as well be somewhat honest.]

Well... Truthfully, I didn't have anything back home, so at worst, this is inconvenient.

[Living instead of dying is apparently what he thinks is inconvenient.]

But I don't blame anyone else for being pissed off. In fact, most people I imagine should be.

[sullenstallion]

[That's...sad. Even someone as emotionally constipated as Dylas can tell he's hearing something said. 'I don't have anything back home' is sort of a weird thing to learn in a first conversation. Dylas is quiet as they walk, looking down at Akechi, thinking on how to respond. When he does speak up, it's to try and make him feel a little more comfortable.]

I have a home, but...it doesn't really mean as much to me as it should. It's...complicated.

[Is that relatable? Maybe not. His tail starts to lash more aggressively as he starts to feel stupider. It starts to thwap against Akechi's leg, and Dylas doesn't even realize it.]

I'm pissed off because whatever happened to bring us here got the better of me somehow. That's how I see it anyways.

[grakraka]

[Poor Dylas really did learn some lore there. Akechi, for his part, doesn't seem too bothered by the fact that he doesn't have anything. Mostly he wishes he had worded himself better so that he wouldn't have to worry about comfort. Or the tail suddenly whacking his leg but he manages to take that in stride. He files away what Dylas says about his own feelings, though he chooses to let it go for now.]

Ahh, that I understand. It's extremely irritating to be dragged around without any say in it. I'm personally waiting for the catch to come. But I admit I'm a little distrustful of the situation as a whole, so there might not actually be one.

[But he does believe it exists despite that.]

[sullenstallion]

[Akechi has bad taste in food and in picking people to approach, but the longer they talk the more Dylas thinks Akcechi isn't as bad as he first thought.]

A catch, huh? Like we're all suckers. It really feels that way, doesn't it? [At least a little? Dylas has already admitted to feeling played. His tail continues to strike Akechi, a rhyhtm building. One-two-three-thwap, one-two-three-thwap.] I don't trust anyone here either. At least, not anyone who was already here. Some of the mirror people are pretty annoying, but you're not so bad, I guess.

[Quiet, calm people are easy to put up with.]

[grakraka]

[Akechi tries to be pleasant and polite with most people since most people like that best but it helps that today, he just feels more depressed and tired than anything. The tail, though, is rousing some of his old irritation. He actually doesn't mind Dylas' company and even enjoys it but why this?]

Th-Thank you. I feel the same way. I can't trust the people here when I don't understand this situation at all but I do at least know everyone else dragged here wasn't part of this. Whether they are individually trustworthy is of course another matter entirely but a less troubling one at the moment.

[sullenstallion]

[It is a great honor to be thwacked with such a fluffy, periwinkle tail, Akechi, excuse? Dylas is oblivious to the other's circumstances—he'd missed the bleeding out, and he's often fairly depressed himself. Alas, he's not the sharpest horse in the stable(???).]

Huh. So you're worried about what's troubling or not? [He comes to a stop and turns to look at Akechi which means that his tail is finally thwacking only the open air.] Being here like this puts us all back at square one, right? It's like a fresh start meets a kidnapping. But I've been through this before. The trick is not making it as hard as it has to be.

[grakraka]

[Why is there no polite way of telling someone to mind their tail? Is there a polite way? He needs to think of one fast.]

I'm curious what wisdom you have for me and I mean that sincerely. This is an entirely new experience for me. [With that said, he makes his attempt.] Ah, and sorry if I'm walking too close to you.

[There. Maybe that will be polite enough.]

I'm sorry for all the edits, I keep missing things or immediately realizing smth could sound more IC

[sullenstallion]

No, you're fine. I'd rather you stand close so no one's hearing anything I have to say. I don't like talking about myself.

[But now that he's turned his body to face Akechi, at least his tail is no longer a threat. For now.]

It's exactly what I said. Don't make it harder than it has to be. If you can find someone who annoys you the least, it doesn't suck as much if you end up needing help. Pulling your own weight helps, too. The sooner you have money to get by with, the better. And then you can mind your own business or do whatever you want. That's how I did it.

tbh that's been me constantly lately so mood

[grakraka]

[At least it spares him for the time being. He will think of a better way to say it when it becomes relevant again. For now, he focuses on his words. The advice is surprisingly good, too. They should be things he would have thought of but he also would have dismissed them. Akechi has always worked alone, more or less, never relying on anyone but himself.

Well, that didn't ever really go well and he can admit it to himself now but changing his habits will be another thing entirely. Even if he can admit it, too, he still doesn't want to rely on anyone. He doesn't want people to think he needs help, that he can't do it, whatever 'it' happens to be.

He hesitates, debates the merits of answering in different ways.]

That is good advice. I can see how those things will help quite a lot, too. I didn't intend to be dead weight but it does give me a good guideline on how to work towards that end.

[He still doesn't want to ask for help but the way Dylas worded it, it sounds like he doesn't particularly like it, either. It also implies he thinks this will come up and Akechi can't actually say for certain that it won't.]

I do have a... problem? I don't know if it's a problem. [It is a problem.] Someone I know actually is here but we had a rather strained relationship back home. [That seems like a polite way to say he tried to kill Akira several times.] So we are, understandably I feel, both rather mixed on us being the only two. I don't suppose this ever came up, did it?

[sullenstallion]

[He's still happily ignorant of anything shady Akechi is thinking. From Dylas' perspective, this is a nice young man who he thinks he might work well with together. 'Friend' isn't a word that comes to mind, no, it never does with Dylas, but he's already approving of Goro.]

Yeah? [He thought maybe it sounded stupid. His ears flick up, making him look a little pleased.] Yeah. They helped me. Oh, and find something you like to do, too. It helps to have something you can do alone on the side. For me, it's fishing.

[But moving on, he listens carefully. Being asked for advice is pretty new to him, actually. He's usually the one asking for advice, because how the hell does being a person work? Having emotions and trying to awkwardly be social is hard.]

It never came up for me, no. What happened to me...it's a little different. [But he shakes his head. Akechi doesn't need to know about his amnesia.] But it doesn't sound like a problem to me. If this asshole gives you a hard time, just come and find me. I'll make sure that he doesn't.

[Dylas will now die for you, etc.]

The name's Dylas.

[grakraka]

[It amuses him that somehow he managed to make Akira seem like the asshole in this situation but he can't think of a way to explain the complications of it all without getting into the less savory parts of it all. He really does not need to do that and no one needs that information anyway. But it definitely makes this situation hilarious in the worst ways.

Oh well. He'll apologise to Akira if it ever comes up. It will probably be fine.]

I appreciate it. If anyone gives you problems, too, please let me know. I don't know how I could help but I will do my best. [Too bad there is not Mementos here.] Akechi will do just fine. I'm glad to have an ally.

[Oh. Before he forgets:] Fishing might be fun to learn, too, by the way. I've never been fishing.

[Though he prefers more active things, fishing would also give him a useful skill, so it's a win.]

[sullenstallion]

['How could Akechi be the asshole???' and other such feelings brought to you by Dylas' completely normal conclusion that Akechi is a normal person.]

You don't have to worry about that. Monster or human, anyone who gives me a hard time is getting tossed right into the ocean. [He lifts his hands and slams one fist into the palm of the other. Oh. Wait. But what about the...fish ones? He can throw those into a sandbox or something. Yeah.

His ears perk at that last part.]

Yeah? Well, there's nothing like it. And I guess if we're helping each other out, I could show you sometime.

[This is exactly what Dylas meant by 'find someone who doesn't annoy you,' though he questions Akechi's taste considering how their conversation started.]