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

[defendure]

I. BONFIRES

A. BEFORE
[ Izuku's never actually participated in this sort of festival before. By now he's aquired more casual clothing, although he's actually wearing visible cloth elbow braces - the black, stretchy sports kind you wear over old injuries, to support them - which doesn't quite gel with the aesthetic. He's used to wearing them by now and they kind of help his arms though so it's whatever...but anyway: he's mostly adhering to the general theme here by this point, although the other not-quite-right part is the very modern composition notebook he has, and the pen.

He'll set his notebook aside in his bag, carefully out of range of the fire, as he slides a bracelet on his wrist. It has to go over a strangely scarred hand (he's sixteen, but he has a collection of battle scars - please slow down, Izuku) and then he shakes his wrist as though to make certain it's secure. ]

Sorry - do you mind watching my bag for a second?

[ - That said, he does remember the dream-memories of the Fae playing tricks, and he'd like not to lose his things, thank you. ]

B. AFTER
[ Or maybe you happen upon him just after he's gotten through the fire, hair a little singed as he pats at it, laughing rather than frantic. ]

Wow...you know, I'm not sure if that burned away bad relationships, but - it kind of is sort of a thrill? It burned away a little, I don't know, unhappiness maybe.

II. SHARED FOOD AND BAD LUCK

[ Most protagonists have laughably bad or ridiculous luck, and Izuku is no different. His divination reading is incredibly poor and his hand-eye coordination has suffered a lot, as has his...everything. He's gotten splashed with puddles despite there having been no rain; he's lost his notes at least ten times; he's been run into and over and around countless times. He's dropped two separate milkshakes.

This time, he thought he would finally get to TASTE the milkshake, but instead his bad luck expands to include you as he tries to take a sip while walking and runs directly into you. Gloriously, the milkshake splatters - though it can miss you if you like - and drenches at least Izuku.

He stands there, resigned, for a full minute before looking up at the sky, every inch of him saying 'I am too tired for this shit'. ]

...I'm never getting my fortune read again.

[ Twisting fate is one thing, ridiculous poor luck is another. He does not want his own sitcom, go away. This isn't how the milkshake was meant to be shared. :( He got two straws for that, he didn't want to just share the poor fortune?? ]

III. HOT SPRINGS EPISODE

[ Friendlier and more talkative baths, you say? Izuku doesn't mind the co-ed option (...well, once he realizes both the co-ed and non baths have girls in them he's like "why" but decides to just. Go with it so he can be a clean boy, although he's red and looking anywhere but at anyone of the opposite sex, so hey) so much because you know. Everyone...seems nice enough? Also he doesn't get why people who look less than "human" are being separated out, as a guy from a Quirk/mutation-filled society.

He's pretty much minding his own business, but once the friendly/talkative water gets to him - ]

Do you think canine turnskins want to chase their own tails?

[ It's been bothering him ever since he read it SHUT UP... ]

IV. NETWORK

[ Being told to mess around with the watch is, all in all, pretty fun. He enjoys new things? So there's a few blurry shots of some flowers, because he was testing out the picture function, before: ]

does anyone happen to have any leads on what's going on yet? this seems both connected and not connected to that dream with all the fae.

well...i guess it probably wasn't a dream, because we're here. but you know what i mean! i've been exploring, but so far i haven't learned much. except that mrs. mittens is an escape artist.

V. QUESTION OPTIONS

A. CITY-WIDE: Quest #1 - Part-timers Wanted! (Undermael College)
[ Being a library page is actually a really good gig if you're a huge nerd who loves books? Sort of. Like, sorting them and finding books isn't too hard - although he can be found trying to put away books in shelves too tall for him but let him live - but he does tend to end up like this quite a lot...

"This" being absent-mindedly reading a book he was supposed to be shelving, lost in thought.

I'm sorry, you're going to have to startle him into paying attention. ]

B. CITY-WIDE: Quest #2 - Internship Deal
[ Glass-blowing sounds really cool! Super cool! Amazing! Unfortunately it requires, uh, skill? That Izuku doesn't seem to possess, so his attempts (he wants to make a frog...) are going fairly poorly.

Today, he manages to get a drop of molten glass on his left hand and he hisses in surprise before - yep. Dropping his glass thing entirely.

A lot of people have probably embodied this exact expression of "oh shit" before at the mess/injury combo, but Izuku does it in a very tired and world-weary way for someone who is all of sixteen. ]

C. CITY-WIDE: Quest #3 - Mrs. Mittens
[ This cat...Izuku might be trying to catch her for the first time or he might be trying to catch her for the twentieth. It's okay, it's fine - this is actual legitimate hero work (is it really, though) and he's happy to do it. He can't say no to someone who needs his help, even if what they need his help with is to catch a cat. If you're helping him out and he knows it - great! Let's work together!

Otherwise, sorry how he just sort of drops out of the fucking sky after launching over a house-high fence. Izuku may not have his quirk, but he still has his training and the body his training left him...

Though he immediately seems apologetic, eyes widening. ]

Sorry, I just - no, wait! Mrs. Mittens, please!

[ The ANGUISH in his voice...how long has he been chasing this cat? Too long. ]

D. Quest #4 - District Clean-up
[ Well, this is simple enough. He's hauling out heavy trash, mostly, more than he looks like he should be able to carry at a glance - and he's happy enough to lend a hand if you need it. Although after a while he'll just come over and offer you some juice. ]

I went and grabbed us something to drink...a break might not be bad, right?

NOTES

[ If you'd like to do a quest or have me write you a special starter, please feel free to contact me for plotting via PM, by comment on the OOC intro, or at Maggie#0451 or roseburst. I am completely willing to take wildcard prompts as well, so feel free to write me something unique if you would prefer that instead. ]

@nemuru

[defendure]

[ The Wilders recruitment sounds like the most dangerous quest on the list so of course Izuku is drawn to it like a moth to the flame. He's a shounen protagonist - that's what they do. Find the most dangerous sounding thing to do and then go do it at top speed. For all he seems more calm and reasonable than most shounen protagonists he's...

He's, like, not? He's a stealth reckless child, because the cute face and freckles make it seem like maybe he shouldn't be but he so totally is.

So he's up for this. The only problem is it's for pairs - and while he'd like to track down Ochako or Kacchan, he's not sure where the former is and the latter might say "no" and it seems like they're only taking a select number of participants - so Izuku looks around wildly, and calls out to the first person he recognizes, even if only from a food-filled dream. ]

- Ritsu-kun! [ He hurries over. ] Are you free?? There's a quest that goes out of the city wall -

[ Let Izuku explore...please help, Ritsu, you're his only hope. ]

FINALLY... MAKES IT HERE... I'M SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT

[nemuru]

[ At the shout of his name, Ritsu almost starts to duck out - slightly familiar or not, no one calling his name has ever had a good reason for doing so.

This time is no different as Ritsu, caught before he can really leave the area, listens to Izuku's request. He frowns ("quests" sound like a real pain, if he's totally honest) and opens his mouth to refuse

but

ughhhh, outside the city... If there's an official quest for it, all put up and everything, it's probably got good reason to be. He'd thought it was dangerous out there though - is it really okay for people to just go out without any protection? He's an idol, too; he's not really equipped for this kinda thing. Well, even if he was, he wouldn't really want to... ]

...Yeah, I'm free. [ Very unfortunate that, thanks to his years of being best friends with a busybody, he can't claim "sleeping" as a busy activity. ] You need a buddy for it?

@dialtones

[defendure]

[ By some hand-waved magic, Izuku recognized Kurapika from his dreams (He's still not sure if that's the correct term) and since they worked so well together fighting that monster in the woods...well, he asks if Kurapika would like to do any of the quests on the board with him.

They decide between them on the lost-and-lost quest, and so they're heading towards the area of the woods where the request-maker said they'd been...although considering they'd gotten lost, the directions may not be entirely accurate? ]

I'm...actually not sure how he dropped so many things without, er, noticing or stopping? Do you think he just, you know...ran back out after something scared him into dropping his pack...?

[dialtones]

From the sound of it, he's not the most coordinated or organized person.

[A deck of cards missing one, items like curse books with apologetic descriptions, begging a journal not to be read... To be honest, it's a little sketchy, but Kurapika is the type to be skeptical at first glance. His eyes scan the woods as they walk, just in case he might catch sight of where this person had been. Actually, Kurapika looks a little used to random tasks like this, with how he's handling it.]

It's also possible that he was moving urgently from something and didn't mention it to us, for fear that no one would go to retrieve his items. We should be cautious, just in case.

[Who knows what sort of wild animals there are, after all.]

@thriftea

[defendure]

[ So, this cat. This CAT, Ochako. They immediately agreed to work together on a quest because, you know, best friends and that's easy and Ochako is always on Izuku's shortlist of people he wants on any sort of team? And she's rarely turned him down for it, so here they are, team cat.

But this cat... ]

Are we totally sure Mrs. Mittens isn't a, er, turnskin? ...A crafty, maybe slightly evil turnskin.

[ How are they being outsmarted by a cat. Aizawa-sensei would be so disappointed in them.

Or, uh, he'd probably laugh at them. Whichever. ]

[thriftea]

[This! Cat! ...Is a real problem child, Ochako thinks as she, like, bends down to dust a bit of dirt and who knows what else off her knees. Crawling around in a random alleyway probably wasn't the best idea, but hey, when you're looking for clues... you really have to commit...

But soon she straightens right back up, brow furrowing as she considers this interesting take.]

Wouldn't they have put that in the notice? It's kind of a big detail to leave out...

[And it's just, uh? Rude to leave such a thing out, unless they didn't know about it in the first place? Huh. After a second or two of silence, Ochako has to sigh.]

...But Mrs. Mittens is really, really smart. [A beat:] And fast.

v, a, quest 1

[haillenarte]

[francel's been watching his coworker for a while — nothing weird, just the occasional glance as they're both passing through the shelves, so he's seen enough to notice that izuku isn't tall enough to place some of the books he's been assigned. when izuku stops short and starts reading one of the books he's supposed to be putting away, though, francel figures that he might as well step in.

calmly, the young elezen finishes his own assigned books, then steps closer, towering over izuku as he takes up one of the books from the boy's pile.]

Pray allow me.

[without further ado, francel starts putting the books in their proper places on the top shelf. he... well, at least he does it with ease.]

[defendure]

[ WHOOPS...There Izuku goes, getting caught up in reading things. He has no defense, he definitely should have tried to work somewhere less utterly fascinating...! He jolts when Francel towers closer and takes up a book, slamming his current read shut with a flush of embarrassment -

Although it's quickly followed by a smile. ]

T-thanks! Sorry, Francel... [ He's tried to learn all his co-worker's names, okay? ] I, uh...

[ His shoulders slump and his look goes sheepish. ]

...Got distracted? [ At least he's honest. ]

II

[givemewings]

[SPLAT. Mukuro turned the corner and detroitsmashed right into Midoriya. She lets out a quick, soft noise of surprise but is otherwise silent. She doesn’t even flinch or jump back. Like a brick wall.

Mukuro slowly wipes a dash of milkshake from her cheek with the back of her hand. She’s not glaring at Midoriya, but she’s definitely watching him carefully with stoic, pale eyes. There are no words to speak when someone accidentally dumps their milkshake onto you. Water? Fine. Alcohol? Frustrating. Milkshake? Unforgivable.

Her look of almost-disgust turns to her hand, where milkshake is now smeared across the black tattoo on the back of her hand. Now she looks frustrated. Disgusted, almost. She winces visibly. Her? Walking into someone? What if he was a threat, what if he was dangerous? She glances back to Izuku and immediately writes that possibility off...however it’s not any less frustrating.]

...That has never happened to me before. [She says it to herself more-so than Midoriya.]

[defendure]

[ OH NO...! He's gotten milkshake all over a cute girl? He'd be totally apologetic regardless, but he's not Great with knowing what to say to girls (or anyone). Izuku's eyes widen as he holds up his hands placatingly. ]

S-sorry! I think...er, I think I might be under the influence of a bad luck curse?

[ It's his best guess.

Alternately: the universe has decided it hates him. Depressing!

district clean-up! lmk if this is okay, i figured they would have introduced themselves by now

[topslug]

[ The place they've been working on cleaning up for the past while or so mostly looks like it's been left in a hurry: things not quite put away as they should be, a tray with now-moldy food and teacups with dried brown stains in them -- what a waste! -- among other small detritus of life. While Deku's been doing most of the heavy lifting, Yako's been taking care of sorting some of the smaller objects they've found, including putting aside anything that seems to be of value that may have been left on accident.

When she's spoken to, she automatically looks up with a smile, accepting the drink from him and glancing around. ]

That's not a bad idea. Thank you. [ She brushes dust off her clothes and takes a sip of the juice, exhaling slightly as she tries to think about how to phrase her next question. ] Midoriya-san, do you think ... this is odd?

[ She fails to specify what exactly 'this' is. ]

It's totally fine!

[defendure]

[ Izuku, who definitely cannot read minds at all, looks vaguely confused by the mention of "this". Like...what could she mean - ? ]

- Them clearing all this room for us - or, uh, having us do it? - even though people have definitely been living here?

iii

[littlemperor]

[tori's managed to bring his dog with him, the golden retriever sitting happily in the water with a towel on his head alike to his owner, and at the question tori just stares at izuku--

before rolling his eyes.]

Duh. Even King did it when he was more of a puppy than he is now, so why wouldn't they? Cats probably get distracted by string too.

[defendure]

[ There's a slight pause. A fraught pause as he considers it...

Before he buries his face in his hands. ]

...I kinda want to test it. [ BUT ON WHO... ]

iv

[1019]

Trust me buddy, being some place doesn't mean you're not pretty much dreaming.
You ever heard of hallucinogenics??

[That's. A rhetorical question, needless to say. Albeit one typed out of this weird... half-flippancy? Some kinda self-indulgence, at the least.]

[defendure]

well, yes, but i don't think this experience would really be a direct match for those so far...?

not like i've had experience.

two-for-one special: milkshakes & bath!

[tryhard]

[ Maybe it isn't entirely Izuku's fault. Honestly, even without a bad luck reading, Waver's luck is pretty crappy already, so between his natural clumsiness and Izuku's current dilemma, the collision was probably inevitable.

...and so is the result.

Waver yelps, arms outstretched as if to brace himself, but far too late. The milkshake splatters, cold and sticky, all over both of them, somehow managing to splash both Waver's sweater and his face and hair.

In his shock, his tongue darts out on instinct and, oh, well at least it was tasty for a moment? Then, it's just sticky and gross and cold. It takes him a few seconds, staring at Izuku staring silently back at him, both of them apparently flabbergasted at their own bad luck. There's something weirdly familiar about that tousled shock of dark hair, the freckles, that I'm so done with this look. A flicker of a memory in the back of Waver's mind, giggling little winged creatures, frustration and shame. More bad fortune.

Figures. ]

Just my bloody luck.

[ Waver sighs. Where he might have normally yelled at the other boy to watch where he's going and just gotten offended, by this point, Waver's too tired to even be properly angry. Everything about this night is just making it feel longer and longer and worse. He's so ready to hope it's all been a dream again, even though it... probably isn't. And that's the most exhausting thought of all. ]

[defendure]

[ They are doomed forever to be a magnetic disaster. Izuku recognizes Waver instantly from that dream (not dream?) and recalls the feel of Waver's hand in his, which...makes him flush, but it's just because yeah, he's a little unsure about why he's suddenly daydreaming about that?

Get it together, Izuku!

He bites his lip, apologetic even moreso when Waver just looks tired... ]

I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to...geeze, it's everywhere...

[ He doesn't have enough napkins for this. Or any napkins. ]

...Um. [ Actually - ] I think there's a bath house nearby...?

bonfire!

[reenforces]

[Mikleo looks somewhat alarmed as he sees that scarred hand. This-- this kid can't be any older than he and Sorey were when they set out on their first adventure. He shouldn't be so... battle scarred? What the hell. That's what sticks with him more than the weird clothes, seeing as he's dressed pretty weirdly himself compared to other people here.

He's a little startled but he answers:] I'll keep it safe. Just try not to fall in.

[He's absolutely fine staying out here and not testing his (usually) innate fire resistance, and taking a charm feels like a cop out.]

Mrs Mittens

[bombingking]

Deku!

[Katsuki had been sitting around the sitting being a little bitch sulking and doing a little bit of exploring. He knew that there were things to do in the town but the idea of helping any of these assholes really didn't appeal to him. He may be open to more mundane tasks of heroism now but he had a grudge here dammit!

And to make matters worse, here comes Deku dropping out of the sky as if sent from heaven above to annoy him.]

II. I HAVE ARRIVED

[sing_for_me]

[ It wasn't just Izuku experience a laundry list of unlucky coincidences after a reading, and really, Alex could very much blame that for the milkshake that is now splattered on her clothes.

The poor boy looked so disappointed too...]

S-sorry, I wasn't looking properly..! I can go get you another one if you'd like.

[ It probably didn't look like her day was going very well either, what with the bandages on her face. But at least the milkshake wasn't the worst of it? ]

V-b

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup figured he might as well spend his time doing things, if he's going to be stuck here for the foreseeable future. Learning glassblowing seemed like an interesting way to spend a few afternoons a week, anyway, so once he's found someone to watch Toothless, he shows up for that internship.

It's a little bit like working with Deathsong amber, though a bit less... temperamental, and he's picking up on it fairly quickly, how to handle the molten glass and control the blowing and shape it in his hands. It's satisfying work, at least.

When he notices someone having trouble, though, he comes over with a smile, holding out his own leather gloves, black as night. They're part of his armor and semi-fireproofed with crushed dragonscale.] Here, try again wearing these. They'll protect your hands from the glass.

combining I-A and I-B because I'm a rule breaker

[interlucere]

[ The first thing that came to mind when Izuku asked her to watch his bag was how... not small, but compact he is? Was that a weird thought? He's still taller than her, although not by much, but he's a bit unassuming in his appearance and demeanor. The braces on his elbows don't go unnoticed, and even if they aren't something she's seen before, she's not unobservant enough to realize that they're likely protecting old injuries. The scars on his hands only support that theory and feel a sense of dread that's mounting. He's going to try to jump one of those fires like that, isn't it?! She can't really tell him no, but—!

But then he soars over the flames like it's no big deal. Lux lets out the breath that she didn't realize she was holding; sweeping up his bag by one strap and jogging to meet Izuku halfway. She does what she can to contain herself, an excited grin spreading from ear to ear. ]

That was amazing! How did you do that? I mean, I know how you did that, obviously, but I didn't expect you to get across so easily!

[ Look at that, he's got a fan. ]

mrs. mittens!

[scaling]

[ Look, Akira can admit to having a weakness. When a feline-shaped blur darts across his path, following a fence into a wide alley, it's what drives him to follow. The cat pauses, mewling back at him with wide eyes, and that's when he notices the collar around her neck. Could she be lost, possibly?

Akira glances behind and finds no one approaching behind the cat, and so he approaches with slow steps. Although she seems skittish, she's not taking off just yet.

... Until a person falls from above, landing between he and the cat, the impact sending her peeling around the nearest corner at top speed.

Akira blinks at the newcomer, then up at the fence (that would be a difficult climb, even for him), then back again. ]

… Was that your cat?