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]

"I told you it would be," Iramaat replies, laughing long and loud herself. Her cheeks have lit up, flushed with excitement, and she bounces up on the balls of her feet. She twirls and then dips into a low bow in Allura's direction.

"But I haven't got your name yet! I'm Iramaat, at your service."

[princessences]

"I have to admit, I might have needed that." A little jump to her mood, to her energy. Though she knows she can't easily just move on from her worries, a small lift is probably warranted. "Thank you."

The bow feels a little nostalgic. "I'm Pr--" Ah. But that doesn't hold much weight here, does it? Despite her tiara. "I'm Allura. It's a pleasure, Iramaat."

[wylderrant]

Iramaat catches that little moment where Allura starts to say something different and that makes her curious. She opts not to push too hard at the moment, not in this moment, where everything is relaxed laughter and exhilaration. That can come later.

"Likewise! Just between you and me, I'm a knight, but i'm not sure the title matters so much here..."

Iramaat shrugs.

"I take it you're as new to this place as I am?" A beat and then her smile widens, "Oh, I appreciate your ears. One of the few people with proper ones around here, I think."

[princessences]

A knight? Perhaps Allura should be a little more open, but she'll keep that in mind. Her smile lightens a few degrees.

"It's an honorable title either way." And one that a Princess can certainly appreciate.

She nods. "Yes, I--"

Oh.

Oh.

There might be a light flush to her cheeks. Maybe.

"Thank you--yes! It's surprisingly less common than I anticipated." AHEM. "Yours are nice as well."

[wylderrant]

Oh. Iramaat blinks for a moment as she picks up on the flush in Allura's cheeks and then her smile broadens. She hadn't meant that as a flirtatious compliment, but she's happy to let it be interpreted as one. Allura is, after all, very pretty. She reaches up to brush some of her own hair out of the way, as if make her ears more prominent, tilting her head to one side as she does so.

"Do you think so? I'm so glad to hear that - I was afraid I might be surrounded by a bunch of people who wouldn't think all that highly of them."

Which isn't strictly true, but she deals in half-truths.

"I'm glad you do, though. It's nice to be appreciated - oh!" She leans in slightly. "Forgive me if this is rude, but those markings, are those... tattoos? Or paint? Or a part of your skin? They're striking!"

[princessences]

Unintended, but not unappreciated. And not unnoticed the way Iramaat makes her larger ears even more prominent. Goodness.

"I might be a little biased."

Which is probably clear, though she realizes that not all peoples with pointed ears may find them as appealing as Alteans.

It still doesn't prepare her for the compliments on her markings. Allura touches her face gingerly.

"Siluria?" No, not prepared for this at all! "N-No, not rude at all. They're part of my skin, yes. They're a mark of an Altean."

[wylderrant]

"Nothing wrong with a little bias. We all have our foibles..." Iramaat laughs, settling a hand on her hip. She's still tracing her eyes over the markings, admiring the contrast between them and Allura's skin.

"Altean? I've never heard of Alteans before, but if you're the first I get to meet, I can't really complain, can I?" She flashes a grin.

"If I can keep asking questions - what do they mean? Or do they do something? Or is it just... a part of the appearance of being an Altean?"

[princessences]

Goodness, she's really laying this on, isn't she? Not that Allura is complaining. (She definitely isn't.)

"No?" Though it is surprising that she's never heard of an Altean before. Even if they had been nearly wiped out--apparently, still...in some sort of colony in the folds of time--they had a pretty large mark on the history of the universe.

"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

Since this is a game of questions, as it seems.

"But they are just part of our biology. There are specific siluria that all Alteans share, while others are as unique as a finger print."

[wylderrant]

Iramaat isn't quite sure how to describe her world to people. It's just... hers, as far as she's concerned. Placing it in a larger universe was never something she was too concerned about, so she has to pause for a moment.

"I suppose it was Earth, but I'm really from more of a parallel to Earth; the Dreaming or the Hedge. It's all magic, all dreams, all... wonder," Iramaat tries to illustrate with her hands, "That's what we were born out of and that's where we still live! Or... did. Until I arrived here."

She shrugs, "It feels a little tricky to explain, honestly."

[princessences]

Allura tilts her head slightly. "A parallel to Earth? As in...a parallel reality?"

Which is something she's familiar with, but not all the mechanics therein.

"This seems to be something of the sort, doesn't it?"

[wylderrant]

"I suppose it's a parallel reality. But it's more like... they occupy the same space, but do not actually touch, unless we find a spot to cross over. Like a mirror or a pool or the old standing stones or a doorway..." Iramaat waves her hand in a vague gesture, "There were ways and most of them were ours, but some humans could tap into our realm and use some of our power. I don't know much about them though. Wizards or whatever."

She settles her hands on her hips.

"As for this place, it feels a lot like my home, although it also feels like... well... somehow it's different in some ways. Like all the magic is-" She wrinkles her nose.

"I can't put my finger on it. And since I've been stripped of everything I thought I had, well - I don't think I'll be able to sort it properly. Not for a while yet, anyway."

[princessences]

"Occupy the same space?" Allura raises her brows at that. "That's...interesting. I haven't experienced anything like that before. Hidden pockets of time and space, yes, but they definitely existed there on their own."

Fascinating, though. And potentially relevant for their current situation.

"Stripped of everything you thought you had? That--...does this place alter our quintessence?"

[wylderrant]

"I'm not sure what quintessence is, but it does alter us... somehow," Iramaat muses, "Not entirely sure how or why, but everything's off. I'm not the same. I don't... I can't do the same things in the same way."

She frowns, clearly not happy talking about this.

"It's very bothersome. Surely you've felt the same?"

[princessences]

There's some solace in knowing that it isn't just her, but it does make her a little more concerned at just how something like that could be possible in the first place.

"Yes, I have. That sort of power should be unheard of...I suspect they won't have answers for us any time soon."

[wylderrant]

"I'm not sure it's unheard of... I know of realms where the lord or lady of the place determines what is or isn't reality, essentially," Iramaat muses, "Never experienced it, though. Just heard stories. So it's possible it's something like that..."

Although the idea that someone is toying with them is also problematic in the extreme.

[princessences]

"Is that so?" Allura's interest is very visibly piqued. "I hadn't ever heard of such thing before. I would have assumed they are less lord or lady and more of a deity."

[wylderrant]

"I'm not sure they're really... gods of any kind. I know I'm not. They're more... forces of nature, I suppose? Locally powerful? Hard to describe, in any case..."

She's trying to describe the fae without really describing them. It's a bit of a pickle.

"That's all I can really say about them, unfortunately."