☆ Event Log: Winter Event Medley

[moustre]

Event Log: December, Winter Event Medley

I. Snow Way Out (6th - 10th) Predictions of an approaching storm come very early into Deceuer. Diviners and weather-witches assume from their imperfect findings that it will hit around mid-month, and so preparations begin leisurely around the city. Everyone is surprised when it hits much faster, and much harder, than anticipated, early on the morning of the 6th. Clouds roll in, dark and gray, covering the sky in a thick layer that brings a steely half-darkness even in the middle of the day. The snow starts to fall that same morning, fluffy and almost pleasant at first, but quickly turning icy and bitter. And then it continues falling. And continues falling some more. It isn't long before it starts to pile up in the streets and on top of shops and houses, wet and heavy, and growing more densely packed as the sky continues dumping winter on Aefenglom with no signs of stopping. This far on the south end of the continent, Aefenglom's infrastructure is not built for this kind of historic blizzard. Homes and shops alike were not built to withstand several feet of snow piling up on their rooftops, and at least a few collapses are imminent. Witches from the Coven take to the streets to try and clear them with heat and controlled fire, but the areas they leave have a tendency to ice over not long after they move on, and it expends quite a bit of magical energy trying to make even that much progress. Attempts grind to a halt later on the 6th, however, when something strange occurs. At times, the flurries of snow kicked up seem to move opposite to the direction of the howling wind, swirling almost as if they are alive, and this phenomenon brings with it disruptions in Witch magic and magitech. They occur seemingly at random, hitting one district but not another, hitting one neighborhood but not the one three blocks down. Even the length of time these disruptions last varies by too much to predict it, a few minutes, a few hours, a few days. The only ones unaffected by the disruptions are Monsters, who seem to keep whatever natural abilities they might have. They're much better off than untrained humans and Witches. In Aefenglom, a city that relies on magic and magitech in its day to day, this brings certain aspects of daily life to a screeching halt. a. A Chill of Dread The magical disruptions pose multiple problems. Blackouts are widespread across the city as the magitech lights in buildings and lining the streets fail, leaving entire Districts in periodic darkness. Magitech heating systems that are common in many homes and shops sputter out entirely, letting the cold creep in until residents are slowly freezing, unable to rely on magic to warm themselves. The homes in the Western Residential District have a bit easier - most have fireplaces still, and wood to burn in them, what with many Monster citizens not able to afford magitech heating anyway. Most shops scattered through the Districts close up for the duration of the blizzard, and ships cannot dock in the harbor, so supplies may run low. The biggest problem is that whatever is causing the disruptions inside the city has also managed to cause disruptions in the enchantments on the Bright Wall that help to defend against the Cwyld. Whole sections of the Wall go dormant. They usually seem to flicker back to life after some time has passed, leading experts to believe that Cwyld creeping into the city on its own is not an immediate concern, but the flickering is attracting more Shades toward the city than usual. This is much more pressing, because the Wilders become spread thin trying to keep up, and residents of the Outer City are in immediate danger from attacks. Anyone who is willing and able to help defend Aefenglom are asked to do, and issued mostly long-distance weaponry to help shoot down Shades before they can reach the Wall. Infected corpses will have to be dealt with later, after the snows have let up, because conditions are even worse outside the Wall - be careful, visibility is poor out there. As a temporary solution, Parliament elects to allow in residents of the Outer City who are completely free of infection, choosing to funnel them into the Refugee District. Overcrowding is not one of their concerns at the moment, though it is likely. Many citizens in varying stages of infection still remain outside the Bright Wall, however, in dilapidated housing that offers little to no protection from the elements and marauding Shades. b. Lending a Hand The entire city is hit pretty hard, but none harder than the Refugee District, and, ironically, some of the Aristocratic neighborhoods. In the Refugee District, the rowhouses given to them when they first arrived have been improved by Mirrorbound help, but a fair amount of the wood that makes up the structures is still weak from age and the elements, having sat empty and untended for so many years before. There are at least a few roof collapses, and the narrow, uneven streets are difficult to navigate with the snow piling up. The efforts to clear roadways have not reached this area, and may not for quite some time - they simply aren't the first priority. Along with overcrowding as uninfected citizens from the Outer City pile in, eager to reach safety from shades outside, it's clear that these neighborhoods will be left to handle the blackouts and lack of heating alone. Despite the hardships, they're all willing to buckle down, pitch in, and take care of each other, welcoming any Mirrorbound who come to assist or bring supplies with open arms, treating them as if they're just as much a part of this little community that has formed up. They open their homes to those displaced and crowd around fireplaces to stay warm together, lending a somehow cozy feel to the whole affair. They may not be the richest or most privileged, but they seem happier than many in the Aristocratic District, whose massive, airy homes are impossible to heat or navigate in the dark without the help of magitech lights and heating systems. The wealthy elite as well are not used to having to shovel their own walkways, so many remain snowed into their frigid homes, miserable, until volunteers with the city can dig them out. Maybe this is an opportunity to sow some good will? c. Warm Company Everyone has to take a break eventually, and look after themselves and their loved ones. It's difficult for anyone to keep going in the frigid temperatures for too long, and Mirrorbound are no exception. They, like everyone else, are encouraged to heat their homes the old fashioned way, should their houses have fireplaces. Sharing body heat, too, is a good way to weather the cold, especially for any Witches affected by the disruptions in magic, or Monsters whose types prefer warmer climates. For any of the Mirrorbound whose homes aren't warm enough to weather the storm in, the Coven opens up the dormitories again, as they did that first month, offering bedrooms with roaring fires in the fireplaces - but it'll be crowded, so enjoy sharing a bed with someone else. The blizzard dies down by the evening of the 10th, and with the passing of the storm, the disruptions in magic cease. Witches will find their magic reliable again, and magitech all over the city will flicker back to life, fully functional. Cleanup will commence in the days after, clearing snow from walkways, repairing damaged buildings, and beginning preparation for...

II. Modranicht (21st - 23rd) Modranicht proper begins on the 21st, and the days leading up to it are a frenzy of festivity. Homes are often decorated with sprigs of greenery and, less traditional, ribbons, and many shops begin holding sales on their giftable wares. This holiday is celebrated as a time spent with family and other loved ones; traditionally, all meals should be taken with others, and those who eat alone are said to find bad luck in the coming months. Those who can are delighted to pull strangers in to have lunch or dinner with them, should they seem like they're a little lonely around this time of year. The refugees from Dorchacht, many of them celebrating their first real Modranicht, seem especially excited, and any Mirrorbound that pass through their neighborhoods are likely to be given small, humble, handmade trinkets as tokens of gratitude for all their help in the past months. Leading up to the 21st, celebrations around the city are in full swing. a. Kiss-tletoe While many of the decorations adorning shopfronts and houses are simple wreaths and garlands of pine, holly, and ivy, enchanted mistletoe is absolutely littered around the city, dangling in doorways, hung up on walls, hanging from the eaves of rooftops. Strings of it zigzag over the streets, hung from lampposts. This is a festive tradition that will be familiar to some. When two people pass under a sprig of mistletoe together, they're supposed to kiss, and the enchantments on many of those sprigs encourage it. Some will stick the pair's feet to the ground until they do so, some will just very lightly compel a smooch, whether it's on the mouth, the hand, the cheek, the forehead. It's all in good fun, though - none of the enchantments are difficult to break, should one really not want to lock lips: you just have to destroy the mistletoe sprig you're under. Careful about getting stuck in public! Other passers-by will loudly cheer you and your mistletoe-mate on until a kiss is had! b. Craft Fair Gift-giving is an important tradition during Modranicht. It's considered only proper to present something to each of your loved ones, as a token of your care and affection for them. Handmade gifts are still widely regarded as the best, because it shows your effort in creating something just for them, so while shops may be having sales for purchased gifts, they're also trying to drum up more business this year in the form of crafting lessons. Most businesses will set up tables in their shops, and for a small fee at the door (to cover materials), an instructor will show a group of people how to make something related to whatever the shop offers for sale. All materials are provided, and attendees get to take home what they make to give as a gift. Some of these even include small enchantments - Witches are encouraged to learn the spell and help their Monster friends by enchanting their creation for them. Maybe you're attending, or hey, maybe a shop has roped you in to do a demonstration yourself! c. Eat, Drink & Be Merry All meals during Modranicht should be eaten with another person, according to tradition. Many families and groups of friends have their own feasts during the holiday, but all are invited to a city-wide feast as well, on the 23rd. Located in a park enchanted to be more spacious than normal, long tables piled with food rest beneath festively-decorated, open tents, and every resident of Aefenglom is welcome to come and have a plate, from the richest to the poorest. It begins at noon and goes well into the evening, and people come and go as they please, enjoying the food and the holiday cheer. It isn't required, but many citizens bring a dish to add to the tables, meant to be shared - usually a special family recipe. Mirrorbound are encouraged to share traditional food from their own homes (or close approximations of it), if they want to - many are highly interested in customs from other worlds, and it comes with bragging rights, should their dish prove popular! The yearly Feast is a great time for restaurant owners to come out and choose new additions to their menus. While a holiday primarily for family, attending the feast together is a popular past-time of new couples; small, controlled bonfires are set up around the grounds to warm up at, and hot drinks (both alcoholic and not) are provided. It's considered a very romantic date idea, but families gather around the fires as well, singing folk songs and telling stories well into the night. The few days just after Modranicht ends are widely regarded as time to take it easy and rest after merrymaking, just in time for...

III. Hunting of the Wren (26th) Once gifts and the like have been given out, a few days pass whilst they prepare for the last of the celebration: The Hunting of the Wren The "wren" itself is traditionally, well, a wren, but within recent decades it'd been acceptable simply to use any small bird available, be they from one of the citizens or, in this case, the Coven itself! Tiff, the ghost sparrow known to all Witches and what Monsters attend the Coven's lessons, is known as the grumpiest, meanest bird about -- never a kind squawk from this one, always flapping her wings distastefully on those who edge too near no matter the offerings made to lighten her mood, and, according to some students, "older than the Coven itself". Whether true or not, Tiff is incredibly long-lived, and is begrudgingly considered one of the mascots by the students. Ghost sparrows are known to consume wayward magic, making them excellent pets and familiars, and Tiff is no exception; her belly is filled with differing colors, creating a prismatic-like effect when light strikes her, and one could almost call her beautiful... until she opens her beak. She's none too happy about being in a cage, much less paraded around to "purge" poor behavior of the folk, and is letting this be known very much. a. Mischievous Meddling Those of the city enjoy themselves thoroughly with this event, laughter ringing in the air not unlike the bells of yule, yet Tiff remains ever the grump. She squawks, she crows, she spits minor elemental magics from her beak in frustration -- and the parade simply goes on, assuring those worried that she's always like this even indoors, and a bit of fresh air's good for the old bird. In particular Tiff's unhappy with the Mirrorbound, which isn't an uncommon thing as many of the Witches of that group would know, though the reason for the dislike isn't known even by those who've tried to speak or divine it: She just does not like them! If the harmless pranks don't satisfy her, as they often do not, Tiff decides to do some of her own by way of spitting minor elemental magics from her belly, in the form of embers, sparks, and icy winds. This'll cause small fires and short circuit the magitech of house for a small period of time, and frankly speaking the party people don't seem to care much. Most do, in that laughing assuring way that it'll burn itself out or the magitech'll just take ten to start back up, but some laugh a little too hard, jeer a little too much, beneath their anonymity. They toe the line and back off before things become too dicey, but... Well, the Dorchacht refugees they prank in the same way aren't so understanding, and spats begin to start that the city guard must break up. b. Joining the Fun Mirrorbound are encouraged to join their merry band as well, or otherwise make their own -- Aefenglom is a big city, after all, and one party (while customary) has never been enough. All one has to do it find a bird to keep in a cage and parade around playing pranks on family, friend, and foe in order to "purge" their bad behavior! While these pranks can be harmless, there's certainly no one stopping those who'd like to be a little worse to other Mirrorbound and native alike given the anonymity of the costumes... ... Which is how the refugees of Dorchacht plan to get their revenge, gussying up and hiding their features in order to perform acts of petty revenge. As parties do, while it starts with just the local Aefenglom natives it does start to extend to the Mirrorbound as well, so beware those who have actual Harpy sat in "cages" of performative magic for the occasion, because their pranks are much, much worse, and include suggestive song to manipulate those who hear it into doing things they may not usually do. [As ever, the pranks and the like are to player discretion! The city guard may get involved with all parties should they step over a line, mind, but given the season they're a little lenient in their work. Tiff cannot and will not be befriended.]

Welcome to December's event log! This one post covers all three mini-events taking place in December - there will not be another mod-posted log. Questions can be found HERE. The Quest Board is open as well! As always, feel free to use this log or make your own, and Happy Holidays, Aefenglom!

Comments

Closed to Ozymandias, before the 13th

[long_live_the_queen]

[The mansion had always been a gloomy place; even now, with all the candles lit. The vaulting ceilings tended to swallow up the light before it reached too high, and all the spires made the house groan in complaint at the slightest draft outside.

Kaede's mood usually didn't reflect the surroundings--at least, she thought not. But of late she'd been unusually restless and prone to pacing. The feather-footed Chimera could handle forays out into the snow quite handily, and when the winds hit a lull she often did. She could make it as far as Ursula's apartment and back again before the storms picked up again--if she wanted to untangle herself from a clingy Witch. She often didn't.

But something kept pulling Kaede back here. She haunted the hallways as she usually did, tracing over her own steps--she'd met Giorno around this hallway first, when they both had no idea there were other people in the house. Now the place almost seemed busy.

The clinking of the fire-resisting charms strung about her neck were as much a signal as the hiss of her feathers and the rasp of her claws. The Chimera paced about the dying Vampire's room, but never quite worked up the gumption to enter. He'd be fine, probably.

Probably.

Kaede didn't like that uncertainty.]

sorry for being so late!!

[fulgency]

[Giorno is...]

[He's...

[Well. He's fading fast.]

[His appetite for anything seems to be nonexistent. He almost needs help to even roll over or shift around while lying in bed. Conversations end sometimes not even halfway through as he begins to swim in and out of consciousness. There is simply very little denying that at this point all anyone can do for him is trying to make him as comfortable as possible as everyone awaits the inevitable.]

[Ozymandias smooths some of Giorno's hair back before extricating himself, replacing his lap with one of Giorno's many pillows and drawing the blankets up further to make up for the loss of warmth. He's in need of a break after having sat here for the past several hours. Even if Ozymandias is confident that everything will be alright -- that this is just another change that must come to pass -- it does not make it easier to bear witness. There are times when he reaches his limit and must walk away even if it ultimately only ends up being a few minutes.]

[Now seems as good a time as any. Giorno will likely be out cold like this for longer than Ozymandias cares to track and he can hear the sound of movement outside the room anyway. With Giorno properly settled and tucked in his bed, Ozymandias heads to leave the room. He only really gets as far as opening the door before he stops short to avoid stepping on a tail as Kaede paces. He follows the tail to its owner, and it takes a moment or two before there's any semblance of recognition.]

[It's difficult after all to recognize a lurker once they are, you know, no longer lurking.]

[Ozymandias assumes she wants to come inside and sit with Giorno, and pushes the door open wider.]

He's asleep right now, but I'm sure he would appreciate the company.

[Ozymandias doesn't bother with lowering his voice. It won't disturb Giorno any, unfortunately, and Ozymandias won't kid himself by acting as though it were otherwise.]

No worries! I think December just conspires to be busy for everyone

[long_live_the_queen]

[The Chimera's ears flicked back towards the sound of steps and the opening door before she turned to look, her long tail curling away into restless motions. Kaede stiffened when she saw him, the same as she did with any unfamiliar person.

...no, she'd seen him before. Usually from quiet corners or the back of rooms, rarely from a wary stare over Ursula's shoulder. She didn't relax, but her tail stopped its agitated swishing after a moment.

There were other things to concern herself with. The sharp intensity of Kaede's gaze was tempered this time by worry.]

Is he still...there?

[fulgency]

He's still alive, but how much he remembers or how aware he is... [Ozymandias shakes his head a little.] I couldn't say.

[It doesn't seem likely that at this point much really gets through to Giorno on any sort of conscious level. At least not in a way that he's capable of articulating to anyone, in any case.]

I don't imagine it will be much longer.

[At least, that is what Ozymandias hopes. Even if Giorno doesn't seem particularly aware of everything that is happening, it is an uncomfortable thing to watch him linger, and witness the last of his life draining as his body shuts down so slowly. He would rather than this process be a much faster one than it is, to have Giorno's suffering reduced to its absolute possible minimum, but that does not seem to be what happens to a vampire in this world.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede listened attentively, though she was still facing the man in a wary half-turn.

It was just what she expected to hear, though. The Chimera breathed out a sigh through her nose, and glanced away. The end of her tail resumed its agitated flicking, back and forth like a restless cat.]

...mn.

[She'd seen death. She'd caused death. She knew what it was like, watching the life drain away from someone, the desperation and despair fading in their eyes. Sometimes there was only apathy, dismissive calm, a dying acceptance. Usually, Kaede felt little in turn; callously stepping over the corpse to the next target, finding an ember of cruel delight in their passing--rarely, felt a sharp pang of regret or horror at what she'd done.

This was different, watching someone's slow slide into the grave. Someone she knew, someone whose death...upset her. And she could do nothing to help. Her powers had stitched Kouta back together, but those had long been silent.

All she--all anyone, it seemed--could do was wait for Giorno to die.

Death shouldn't bother her. But this time it did.]

[fulgency]

[Death is never an easy thing to accept, regardless of how one thinks about it or, in this case, what is anticipated to come next. He steps out of the room fully now, leaving the door open behind him for a moment or two before deciding to quietly close it. Perhaps it is not really his decision to make, but it does not seem as though it will do her any good to sit with Giorno right now. Being this close is perhaps too much for her as it is.]

[For a long moment, he says nothing as it's difficult to offer comfort to someone you know let alone someone who you barely know as is the case here. Eventually, what he lands on is,]

It's difficult to be patient for something like this, isn't it? Even knowing that he will ultimately be alright and return to this body.

[long_live_the_queen]

[An ear flicked towards the sound of the door, but she didn't protest its closing. That had been the right decision--or at worst, just one she had few opinions about.]

Suppose so.

[It was an ambivalent answer as Kaede turned to face him again. She'd seen this man around the mansion, but usually faded into dim hallways once she spotted him.

It'd be so easy to do so again. But then she'd just be back to pointlessly treading the same path in her mind and in the carpet. Even Kaede could occasionally see when something was unhealthy.]

Where do you know him from?

[Her voice wasn't so dismissive this time, her gaze sharper. Like a cat taking the measure of something.]

[fulgency]

[This really is not the first time one of Chariot's Bonded have been extremely scrutinizing of him, but the first time it happened, Ozymandias was not particularly aware what was happening. (Fang, as it turns out, is a bit more subtle in her assessments.) So, he doesn't miss the shift in tone or gaze, but raises a slight eyebrow in response. Still, he provides her with a very straightforward answer.]

Our paths crossed accidentally. I am not so used to modern technology and accidentally sent him a message on my first day in the city. [If questioned, he would acknowledge he still doesn't know much about the watches. It's not his preferred form of communication and he almost never bothers with looking at anything other than personal messages sent directly to him.] I also happen to live nearby, so he often visits.

[Sometimes to solely play with Ozymandias' sphinx cub, but who could blame him?]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede would straight-up trespass if someone had a friendly animal in the yard, that's valid.]

[No stepping sideways around the point--Kaede appreciated that. An ear flicked, a blip in her otherwise serious demeanor.]

Not a fan of the watches either.

[There was still something dissonant about talking into a pocketwatch like it was a flip phone to her.]

[fulgency]

If that is the case, then you are the first I've met that shares in that feeling to my knowledge.

[Ozymandias huffs a quiet laugh because if one were to take stock of the pair of them, it doesn't seem likely that many comparisons could easily be made.]

And what about you? How is that you and Giorno met?

[long_live_the_queen]

Don't like typing on that tiny screen. [A twitch of her long claws.] Network isn't very interesting either.

[There were some entries that Kaede found funny, but they were few and far between.

Though speaking of amusing things, the Chimera snorted at his next questions.]

None of us realized there were other people in this house when we moved in. Ran into each other by accident. Giorno tried to hit me with a brush.

[She did leave hair in his shower drain.]

[fulgency]

[He chuckles again. Were it any two other people, he might think it impossible for them to exist in the same house without realizing the other was there, but the combination of all her lurking and Giorno's initial isolation? It's not that inconceivable.]

That was quite rude of him.

[long_live_the_queen]

[The Chimera's ear flicks again--the other one, this time. She didn't react much to the chuckle, but didn't seem offended either.]

I did scare him.

[She tends to do that. Even before she could see in the dark.

If this was anyone else--almost anyone--she wouldn't be finding excuses like this.]

[fulgency]

And he threw a brush... [Ozymandias huffs another laugh.] Well, I'm glad the two of you were able to work it out from there. I'm sure it would have made living together more difficult if either of you held that against the other.