Intro Log: June

[moustre]

Intro Log: June

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. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the highers floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. 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. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, 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. "I suppose you were right again, love," the wolfish one says, voice a low rumble in the quiet night. The woman looks particularly pleased with herself, hands on her hips and elbow nudging at her companion, a quiet eh, eh under her breath. She goes ignored as the werewolf (?) lifts her head to assess the arrivals with her one eye. "Although the excuse of Boaltinn is absent, this time." "Just begs looking into then, doesn't it?" The woman gives her companion an even brighter smile, a little tighter around her eyes, then turns to those gathered in front of them. "Well then, no sense in keeping secrets! This here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have - we will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." 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 HAVEN 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, it's time to make a trek to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, 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. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental-side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live - the Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in an program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra - like maids, chefs, and so on - they'll have to pay for them themselves with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left before the new arrivals even showed up - a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It seems like the prank previously attached to the spell has been fixed now, at least, so it doesn't read rude descriptions anymore - simply the information you've offered up yourself.

IV. CLASS ACTS Once is happenstance, and twice is coincidence - but Nessie won't take any lip about it, especially given some of those who arrived aren't turning out to be Witches, but the other half of the spectrum: Monsters. It's one thing to grow up knowing what you are and what you'll look like, and it's another entirely to be thrown into a world and have to deal with it without any idea of what to do. In the days following arrivals, Nessie gathers her best Witches and Monsters, and gives them a simple task: figure out who is what, and give them a little help. On a volunteer basis, of course; anyone who doesn't want to be tested for magical potential (or a lack-of it, signifying being a Monster) will not be forced to be, but they will be encouraged to check out the classes offered regardless. a. A LITTLE BIT OF HOCUS Those exhibiting magic potential - or who are interested in magic or Witches, regardless of if they were tested or not - are brought out to the Coven's courtyard. They're given a quick primer on magic, the different classes, and taught a few entry-level spells and concepts before they're set free to practice their new magic (with supervision, naturally). Try your hand at conjuring candy, evoking a little fire, teleporting a few feet, tossing a few enchantments on others or inanimate objects - get those flowers singing! But be careful: inexperience is a Witch's greatest enemy, and these spells might just end up going a little haywire. Your simple light spell might end up as bright as the sun, or maybe instead of a nice breeze you bring in a major windstorm - effects are either big or small, with nothing in-between. b. A TINY BIT OF POCUS Those exhibiting a lack-of magic potential - or those who are simply interested in Monsters and Bonds, regardless of if they were tested or not - are brought to the Coven's basement. Despite its below-ground existence, the area is well-lit and feels as open as the main room above. They're given a quick primer on Monsters and transformations, the full moons and their effects, and a key part in keeping them from going too wild: Bonds. Those attending are encouraged to form temporary bonds, which is done by the two characters simultaneously drinking a tasteless silver-colored liquid from the vial provided to them. This Bond will last up to a day and has the same effects as a real Bond, though lessened in strength and muted in feeling.

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 new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the June 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

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Oh no. That wasn't just a dream, was it? Or is this just another dream? How he ended up here certainly felt like a dream. This man whose name he doesn't even know appearing to keep following him. ]

You.

[ It's the only thing he can think to say. Utter disbelief and irritation. How could this be? He's already annoyed with the situation as a whole, but this is another layer on top of everything else. Why him? Well, yes, he had killed a whole lot of people and done a lot of immoral things, but why punish him now? ]

The only way you'll touch it is if I run you through... [ A pause at he notices the blood. ] It seems like that's already been handled for me. Are you going to die soon?

[ Is that a touch of hope in his voice? Is this what finally gives him hope -- the potential death of a stranger? Probably. ]

[cult]

Me!

( he's like a nightmare, sure, but he's doing his best as a living, breathing nightmare of the other's. a brow raises, shaking his head to show that it's fine, the other doesn't have to go that far with what's already done. ) I'm sorry, sorry! I did tell you that you could stab me one day but it seems something left over by close family came with me here too... Next time when I'm better!

( the wound has to heal first! ) Wouldn't be the first, wouldn't be the last? So I'm not too worried. ( he pauses, looking at the other before a wide grin pulls at his features as he finally realizes. this concern.. could it be? )

You care so much! I never knew I'd see a sensitive side of you! But enough of that, we should figure this place out.. correct? ( because there's more important things to worry about than the blood he's leaking on the ground and smearing on mirrors, right? like, getting out this house of mirrors. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

... I don't care. You're mistaking my comments for worry -- I'm only worried you won't die sooner.

[ A nightmare, indeed. Berserker has no idea how to handle this man at all, much less that situation. A headache given human form, standing here talking to him. ]

If this is another dream, I want to be awake. [ A sigh. ] What should I call you, since you're not going to leave me alone?

[cult]

Nope, nope! Not a dream but I'm glad you're safe and sound! ( that's what matters enough for him, he slowly takes a few steps closer to the other as if they've been going the same direction together. he doubts wandering around a place alone will work out for the best and everyone says the same ol' saying — two heads are better than one. )

Oh! Hm. Even if I tell you, would you call me by my name? ( a brow raises in curiosity, thinking that it'd be a waste if so. though, the world he's in now is different from his own and he had an identity to hide who he really was — not everyone is thrilled to know a wei wuxian. )

I'd take any nickname from you, y'know! So in turn, what do you like to be called? ( he's taking a step forward, making sure the other is following so they can find their way out of this glass structure. besides, if one mirror belongs to them and there are others around; they should be careful around them, right? )

[curruid_coinchenn]

I wish you would die.

[ Why, why, why won't this man leave him alone? It may take actual violence to get the result he wants, but unless he's pushed to that point, it's easier just to let him follow. How annoying. ]

Tell me your name and I'll use it. Otherwise I'm not going to call you anything at all.

[ Nicknames are not something he does. Though, really, "Idiot" is becoming a strong contender for things he'd call him. He does follow after him, despite his instincts screaming to just stab him. ]

Berserker.

[cult]

( well that was pretty honest, not that wei wuxian blames him but he stares first, smiles second and nods right after. ) I can't promise that like I did with the stabbing, but I'll see what I can do!

( which is not die, sorry about that. now he's focused on the chiming that echoes from another area, wondering if they follow that will it lead them somewhere. his eyes glancing to and fro, staring at the dull mirrors that aren't as expressive as his own; he looks back towards berserker. ) ... Mo .. Xuanyu. ( alright, so what if he's lying, it's better not to complicate things either. what if berserker runs into someone that knows his name and the blood dyed with it? he'd rather not. )

Berserker? That's pretty unique! I like it. So, Gege, there has to be some reason we keep running into each other! ( calling berserker "brother" might be odd but it sounds fitting? not that they have a family bond, but it feels polite enough. ) We should stick together until we figure this place out? There's so many mirrors, I wonder what would happen if one broke accidentally.. so we need to be careful.

[curruid_coinchenn]

You hesitated. Is that not your real name?

[ He doesn't sound accusatory, more curious than anything. He can understand -- after all, it's not like Berserker is his real name. To know a Servant's True Name means to know all of their weaknesses. A guarded secret, even when he's not in a Grail War.

Familiarities annoy him. What doesn't annoy him about this entire situation, at this point? He breathes out an irritated sigh, extending his lance out. ]

Do you want me to break one to see what happens?

[ How's that for careful? ]

... Let's just go. [ He's resigned himself to Wei Wuxian's company now. ] You're good bait if anything does happen.

[cult]

I'm just embarrassed of it! I come from a village where my parents were brutally murdered so.. and Mo being my namesake just.. I always grow worried! ( truly, it sounds legit enough for any person to be hesitant with their name. so he believes that it'll be fine and when the time comes, maybe he'll expose himself but for now — what comes first is taking care of his partner. )

Why would you do that? They haven't done anything to us so there's no need. ( to break the mirrors, he's even going as far as to raise his hand to touch the weapon like so; giving a look to the male as if it shouldn't be done. ) Who's to know if you break that mirror, it won't reflect back on you?

( so be careful :/ )

... Bait? You're cruel! So cruel! But I'll accept it for now, hopefully nothing will run into us! ( removing his hand, he crosses it in front of his stomach once again. ) You'd protect me if anything bad happened, right?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It's good enough for Berserker to leave it alone. He was simply curious as to why a seemingly normal...normalish person would want to hide their name. It's really none of his concern -- if it's to protect himself, that's fine. ]

Hm, fine. Mo Xuanyu. [ He says it to solidify it in his memory. ] ... I'll leave the mirrors alone if it upsets you that much.

[ Funny how superstitious some people could be. He moves his spear back to his side, a hint of a smile crossing his lips. ]

You know nothing of my cruelty yet...but I will protect you. [ Useful. Wei Wuxian is useful, if annoying. ] Draw out the enemy and I will make sure you're unharmed.

[ He's not lying, either -- the other man is an ally and allies are to be protected at all costs, even if it means his life. It seems silly, but his thinking is extremely black and white. He has no self-preservation instinct, if he dies, then so be it. It's not a selfless act, but one that makes sense to him. ]

[cult]

Thank you.. ( there's relief in his voice, pleased that berserker is leaving the mirrors alone. they're unaware of the consequences, who is to know what could happen and while wei wuxian is curious — he doesn't want his newly acquired friend to pay the price. it's not that important to him in which he raises one hand, patting the side of the male's arm next to him. )

You say that you're cruel yet you speak in kindness, funny enough, fitting for a person like you. ( why does he say something like that? well, the other reminds him of someone back home.. the thought process is quite uncanny and it gives familiarity to his surroundings. though, he won't say that aloud as he continues. ) You can count on me, like I said before! I'd follow so you can't get rid of me that easy ~ ( though, him following around doesn't limit him to just acting like some scared, quivering animal. he pulls back his hand as soon as he finishes patting the males arm. )

No matter the people we become, I'll always be on your side, alright? ( because they're all going to become different later on down the line if those strange dreams were anything to go by. it makes him wonder, would they run into anymore strange creatures like that one merrow. if that's the case, he comes to a conclusion that won't change and accepts the future in stride — this world is strange, but interesting. )

So sharing this place with you sounds like fun, so please depend on me anytime! I'll do everything I am able. ( though it must be funny to hear coming from someone bleeding from their stomach. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Loyalty means a lot to Berserker, even if it's from someone as irritating as Wei Wuxian. Loyalty is to be rewarded, even if it's only as a courtesy. He just gives a silent nod to the other's words, making a face as his arm's patted. No one usually dares to touch him, so he doesn't know how to react to that except by jerking his arm away in surprise. He quickly covers it up with a look of irritation which is replaced by apathy shortly thereafter. ]

... You won't be able to do much if you don't get that wound tended to. You're useless to me dead, but I can't do anything for you. Find someone to take care of it. Consider that an order if you're to keep following me around like this.

[cult]

Don't worry, if I haven't died yet, it's a sign! But I'll find someone to take care of me ~

( don't worry too much about the wound, it'll be dealt with in which he has high hopes for. the way the other moves away from him is also noted, keeping it in mind and his smile only gets wider. he wants to do it again because he just finds the reaction endearing, but he keeps his hands to himself as he keeps moving on. ) You give orders now, will we really play Master and Servant aesthetic like this? ( he's only teasing from the other's comment, turning around so that he can walk backwards but keep berserker in his line of vision. )

Do make sure to keep yourself safe even if there aren't days I'm not following you — how can I be behind you if something happens to you first! So remember that!

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It's been a long time since anyone has touched Berserker at all -- small touches, casual or intimate, confuse him. It's not that he hates it, either; he enjoys the small touches, but he'll never admit to it. It would take a lot for him to allow someone to do it without pulling away. Or at least someone doing it a lot and him just giving up and accepting it because it's simpler than continuing to fight it. ]

I'm no Master and you're not my Servant. Don't confuse things... [ He shakes his head. ] I will not die here. This is not where I want to die, so don't worry about me. I'll be fine when you're not behind me.

[cult]

( he nods, accepting the male's words as truth and he's happy to hear them. not pressing on the matter since it's been said. they say actions speak louder than words and considering how berserker has responded to various things from the dream and to here — it sounds all pretty honest. the last thing he wants to do is bother him or label him a liar so turns back around proper, so they face the same direction but little distance between them. )

This place is quite odd, when I think about it.. first the dream and now here.. we really don't get a break, huh? ( thrown into one thing after another and with no warning! it's not bad but it does make him curious. ) That means.. what we were in the dream is what we'll become here.. right? ( not that wei wuxian wants to say he'll become a failure but from his own abilities, they weren't anything to brag about but the shredding body apart aspect was neat. )

Do you think since we're meeting, other people from there might be here?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He find it odd how close Wei Wuxian chooses to stay to him. Normally, his presence is enough to keep people at a distance, but why not this one? It's something he finds himself continuing to question the longer he spends in the presence of this one. ]

I don't know that. [ He didn't. He shows no signs of what he was in the dream, no horns, no wings, no tail that isn't a part of his armor. He just knows this isn't home and something is wrong. ] ... And maybe we will. It's more likely than not, but what if this is simply another dream? What's to say we won't wake up at home again, exactly as things were?

[cult]

Ah, another dream? The last felt just as realistic but even here.. when you say that, then we should do what we can! ( not make good choices, but do things so they can ensure they have a home to go back but but wei wuxian pauses in his step, thinking on the matter and if this is true.. he wonders if one is to die here — would they die in their sleep. it's an alternative he isn't bothered by, actually, it sounds pretty tempting considering the trouble he's in back home.

he's not even suppose to be alive! ) If we wake and I do remember you, I'll try to come and visit! ( probably impossible because of the time frames in wei wuxian's case but for berserker, it should be easy. ) Do you always look like this in your real world.. I guess if that's what we should call it if this is a dream! ( but he'll start walking again, just in case he let any distance slip between them. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker tilts his head slightly. ]

Do what we can...?

[ Not that he particularly cared, he just wanted to ensure they're on the same page. If this one is so bent on being a part of his life, clearing up any potential misunderstandings is important. ]

Would you even be able to? [ If he knew the time period Wei Wuxian was from and a general area, he might be able to visit him...If he cared enough to. ] And yes, I look like this most of the time.

[ Sometimes he wears normal clothes, but those tattoos under his eyes are unmistakable. ]

Why are you so interested in staying by my side?

[cult]

Yes, until we can go back home! So we have to do.. what we can, right?

( he's making sure, repeating himself a few times to make sure his thoughts are clear on the matter. a brow raises as the other speaks, canting his head to the side that's followed by a shrug of his shoulders. )

.. Hm. Dunno, I don't think we're from the same time at all! ( that's what he gets from how the other dresses, it feels much more drastic than what he's use to but there's some modern take to it as well but even wei wuxian wouldn't understand the term "modern" for him. ) Most of the time? What do you look like other times?

( at his question, he's humming softly in thought and without hesitation: ) Is there any reason to push me away?

[curruid_coinchenn]

If you say so.

[ A resigned agreement. It's not even really an agreement, just something to drop the subject. He has no interest in helping out anyone for any reason. ]

There are times I'm not wearing this armor.

[ That's different enough for him. He's still intimidating with it, but he's slightly smaller and stands out less. A Servant sometimes needs to blend in rather than stand out, after all. He narrows his eyes slightly at Wei Wuxian for just a moment, then shrugs. ]

Aside from my own desire to be alone, no. You have the potential to be useful to me, so I have no reason to push you away.

[ There's no sense in lying. ]