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

[fiddlestick]

[He catches that tone. It's a little strange, since violins were very common in his world. But so is Sepith, and no one seems to know what that is, so...maybe there were worlds without violins.

Which sounds like a terrible world, but still.]

Aha, thanks. When I find another violin, I'll play it for you.

["When". There was no if about it. Either he'd find one in a store, trade one or learn how to conjure one, if he really needed to.]

Makes sense. I just wish that price didn't include my equipment. [He sighs] I'll have to find a replacement power source somehow. [He wasn't looking forward to that task. He did okay in Orbal science class, but he didn't have an engineer's mind. What he'd give for Alisa or George here. Or even Mint, if he felt desperate enough]

But enough about me. [Elliot's you've barely said anything about yourself] Tell me about yourself.

[usurpers]

[ a small shrug, but it’s hard to tell is he’s just shifting his weight to accommodate the impromptu sunbathing. there’s a price for everything and they’re not going to like most of it. there’s never the perfect exchange.

eren blinks— sort of. his third eyelid swipes once or twice rather than the conventional blink. about. him. not that he doesn’t want to talk about himself! ]

I’ve . . . Been here for a month, now. [ . . . ] I think I’m 19.

[ THINK ]

[fiddlestick]

[That is one weird blink, Elliot notes as he watches this guy. But that's probably a monster thing right? This guy seemed to be pretty along in transforming.

Also really not good at the introductory. He smiles though]

Haha, oh we're the same age! Neat.

Where are you from? I mean, before you came here.

[usurpers]

[ he can’t tell with the time shift, how it was the beginning of the month now when— it was completely different back home. perhaps the same season, there was no way he could forget the heat of paradis, which came pretty quickly after the winter. around the same time mom would make his favorite stew.

it’s been like ten years since someone’s directly asked him “talk about you”. ]

An island called Paradis. [ when he thinks of something— it brings out a tiny smile. ] We’re not as advanced in technology as Aefenglom is.

[ he’s taken his watch out of his pocket, as an example. but he’s seen phones. and people talk about movies on airplanes. ]

Or most places I’ve heard about.

[fiddlestick]

Paradis....what a pretty name.

[He smiles a little in return, seeing that tiny smile on Eren's face. Maybe he doesn't get questions about this much. Everyone is so focused on this world, on witches and monsters.

They were still people past all that stuff right? Just like Class VII at the end of the day, for all their differences, were just people.]

That explains why you didn't know what a violin was. [he doesn't say it judgmentally, just passively. In Erebonia, technology depended on where you lived. From the technological advanced city of Roer, to the nomadic Nord highlands]

What's your favorite thing about Paradis?

[usurpers]

[ this got deep

because eren knows exactly what he wants to say, it doesn’t take long for him to. although he does briefly have his brows furrow and his smile still linger, as if he’s never heard a question like that in his lifetime. he hasn’t, but it isn’t a bad one.

it’s not the climate, or the people, definitely not the political chaos and far from the titans (that have long been culled from the island’s shores). ]

It’s where I was born. Where I met my friends. [ and right now there is just. nothing more precious. ] I’d never change that.

[ . . . this got really sentimental, he’s almost embarrassed. only he’s not, because there’s nothing to really be ashamed of here. only proud. ]

1/2

[fiddlestick]

[It's a sweet answer. Not one that Elliot expected, but it made perfect sense in retrospect. Without thinking, his hand slips into his pocket and his fingers wrap around his ARCUS. This world had drained all its energy, rendering it to be nothing more than a hunk of metal and gems. And yet it felt like a lifeline - to his home, to his family, to his friends.]

Aha, you're a very sincere person. Most people would've said something about the food or weather...

[He doesn't sound like he means it as an insult. Quite the opposite. There's a fondness in his tone, something nostalgic. ]

[fiddlestick]

[he hesitates. it's tempting to ask him more questions about Eren, to try to find out everything about him. But he knows that he shouldn't pry that much, that it'll come off suspicious. So he bites his tongue on the questions, for now, opting to share something personal. Sincere, like Eren's answer had been]

Where I'm from, lots of people use magic, but only one group called themselves "witches". They're a secretive clan, most people don't even know they exist. That's why I said in the dream I wasn't one.

[He lets out a sigh]

...Honestly, even with what I know now, I'm not sure I like being called one. I'm willing to relearn magic if that's what it takes, but being a 'witch' wasn't the path I choose for myself. But here, that's all that seems to matter, you know?

[usurpers]

[ eren, when told about paths: triggered.

why hasn’t he done it earlier? well— eren’s found his own way around it, a symbiosis of sorts that still tied him to his own desires, wants and needs again without much struggle. it wasn’t as predetermined to him as other more dire things were; this was small in comparison to a problem no one wanted. here, in aefenglom, while monsters may go feral . . . it’s avoidable. it’s being taken care of, growing to a point where peace is closer than chaos. it’s of their kind, and it is as much forced upon them as is birth (meaning, it’s not. it’s something natural). a certain prejudice may be found anywhere, and even under one common enemy, no one would readily unite.

that’s just stupid.

but, different worlds, different cultures, different feelings. “monsters” and “witches” are as simple as labeling left or right here. for newcomers, it’s derogatory. some don’t care. others are made a little uncomfortable, like in this case. ]

What path did you chose? [ he’s not saying ignore it plainly, but: ] That’s the one that matters to me. And it’ll matter to everyone you tell from here on out.

[ “make your own path”. ]

[fiddlestick]

A traveling musician. [There's no hesistation or embarrassment in his answer that he might've had when he was younger. ] My homeland is going through an uneasy time. So I wanna travel and help people, either through my music or other means. That song I played for you in the dream, for example, was something I composed to heal and soothe people.

I've been working towards this goal for over a year now, and I was suppose to set off this week, but... [Obviously, he ended up here instead] Now I'm back at square one, this time in a walled city that's hard to leave, and everyone keeps calling me "a witch" which stirs up a lot of complicated feelings thanks to a certain other "musician witch" that's a long story, and there's people hurting from monster transformations right now but I can't do much to help...

[His face scrunches while he gives an anxious smile] Sorry, sorry. I know I have to keep going, but it's still frustrating, you know?

[usurpers]

[ eren’s . . . actually listening all the while with full attention, only seeming to shift when elliot cuts himself off. ]

No— you just got here. [ it’d be inconsiderate to tell him to just suck it up, it’s not like telling off his comrade soldiers to stop being so fucking selfish and get to work or how can you even call yourself a soldier? it almost felt like ages ago as it did yesterday.

he looks like a guy who has a lot of things on his mind, and to eren, a similar mind. he has purpose, or at least wants to keep having one and it’s hard to stabilize in full when you have to do it all over again all of a sudden. eren presses his lips together for a moment, licking them (he’s been doing this all day? he can smell better—) ] You’re goal isn’t lost.

[ another pause. ]

You’re Elliot. The traveling musician. [ hm— ] Everyone here has some sort of magic, and not everyone’s called a witch. You’re free to make your own title.

You don’t have to fit into theirs.

[ obligatory YOU ARE FREE but, you know ]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot feels a little bad venting. Eren, and everyone else here, had so much on their plate. So when Eren responds with such kindness, he feels very appreciative. He's already heard the "suck it up" mentality a few times- from other people, and in his own head. It was nice to hear someone not dismiss his concerns right away.]

...You're really kind.

[He takes a breath. Eren's right. His goal wasn't lost. It was just a setback. Not a small setback, but still just that. He can still go farther, he can still forge his path. It's just taking an unexpected turn.

He takes a deep breath and thinks to himself: forward, relentlessly. ]

I think I needed to hear that, thanks. My nerves have been trying to get the better of me. Thought I'd gotten good at keeping them in check, but guess I didn't prepare for this.

[....He gives a sigh and a small laugh.]

Haha, but now I feel like I owe you. And I still owe you for one of the times you saved my life.

[usurpers]

[ if eren could hear your thoughts, he’d love you. ]

No one did. [ he wasn’t the only one that had moments of panic. to the compliment, as well as the thanks, eren can’t help but to smile a little, and nod in acknowledgement to it. it was nothing— it’s what he felt. plus if he could lift someone’s morale like that, someone who could make a difference, there was no price. ] You don’t owe me anything, come on.

[ the water was just an accident, the dream was a dream, and that talk was just . . . eren being eren. a pause, but if it made elliot feel any better— ]

. . . The violin’s more than enough.

[ deal? ]

[fiddlestick]

Aw c'mon, after all the grief I've put you through already, I feel bad not doing something.

[He'll take that suggestion into consideration.]

...Okay. I'll play you something when I find a violin.

[He'd never turn down playing for someone. But also-]

Until then, how about I buy you lunch?

[he has to come up with a plan of how to scrounge up enough money to buy a dragon lunch, but...look. Any excuse to keep hanging around this guy longer, okay.]

[usurpers]

[ oh, that’s— that’s up on the list of nicest offers he’s ever gotten. even if he’s seriously here like god you seriously don’t have to buy me lunch. he’s new. eren’s too humble, but. this isn’t in ill humor. elliot wants to, he can see it in his green eyes.

so, after what seems like thought, eren relents with a sigh. ]

We’ll have lunch. [ . . . sort of relents. ] And look for violins.

[fiddlestick]

[oh it is very clear in his eyes that he wants to. Even more so when Eren agrees. His eyes light up and he beams, clapping his hands together]

Oh great! That sounds perfect!

[He's so happy right now.]

Just need to hit up a pawn shop first, okay? My quartz are useless here, but they're pretty enough that I bet they'll sell for a good amount.

[usurpers]

[ he’s going to ask the obvious questions here, foremost. ]

. . . What’re they supposed to do?

[fiddlestick]

The quartz? They'd help me cast magic.

[He pulls out his ARCUS and flips it open. Inside, there's a collection of round gems of various colors - 8 small ones and one large blue one in the middle. Elliot pops out a small blue one, examining it. It's a beautiful gemstone, but it's lost any light it once had.]

But they lost their energy when I came here. It'd be easy enough to replace the smaller ones when I get home, so there's no sense in keeping them.

[usurpers]

[ oh! they’re nice. not only that, but gems are . . . well, he’s only ever seen them on royalty. ]

I sold the one with my uniform for enough. At least they’ll still help you. [ but the big watch-phone thing has his attention. ] This too?

[fiddlestick]

Oh that's good to know.

[Ah, the ARCUS. He shakes his head]

No, this is harder to replace. And...well, I'm not ready to part with it.

[There's sentimental value to it. He shuts the lid of the phone, covering the gems once more. Briefly, Eren might spy the red cover before he pockets it again]

Anyway, shopping area is...this way? [he points in a direction that he THINKS the tourguide directed him] Still learning my way around.

[usurpers]

[ he doesn’t know what it’s like to have sentimental value in things— if it’s replaceable, he’d give it up. if not, he’ll fight you to the death. alas, that doesn’t happen often, the last important thing he carried of value was a basement key, which lead to the trolling of a lifetime. mm, he hums in return, but not taking his eyes off the device.

and as they walk . . . eren can’t help but to stare back at elliot’s pocket, back to him and

]

—Yeah, it’s. This way. [ a slight change in direction, elliot wasn’t off by too much. listen, he can’t keep shut forever though. ] You’re in the military?

[fiddlestick]

Oh, alright! [He starts walking along, feeling a little proud that he wasn't too off. But...yeah, he does feel those eyes boring into him and his pocket. He's not sure what's up (did they not have pockets in his time?) until Eren speaks up]

Huh? Me?

[That is never a question he gets asked randomly, so he sounds a bit surprised. It's only after does he connect the dots]

Ohh, the cover. [He shakes his head] No, I'm not. I went a military school, but I transferred to a music academy after my first year. [And a civil war. But eh, details] Never made it into the actual military...I'd be a bad fit anyway.

[usurpers]

[ he’s not assimilating how this is supposed to work but please don’t mind his temporary . when he made sense of it enough to put it into a rough translation (school, what is school). i went to a military ___ but transferred to a music ___ after my first year. never made it into the actual military is what he hears. ]

So— you stopped as a trainee. [ he’s seen that happen— in the worst ways. eren was almost kicked, too. ] Did you want to?

[ he’s confused about that part. sure, it’s not every day you meet someone that says i want to join the military, and even if you did, the circumstances were never. great. but he either tried, couldn’t and accepted it, or just figured out it really wasn’t for him. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Well that's a close enough translation to it. It's easy to see the brief confusion on Eren's face but...he seems to get the gist]

Yeah, something like that. [No need to get into Erebonian education systems today]

Transfer? Yeah, that was my choice. My dad's the one who wanted me to join the military. But then a lot of stuff happened, and ...well, long story short, eventually I was able to prove to him that I was strong enough to decide my own path.

[And that path was joining the music academy and figuring out his own way to help the people. ]

I don't regret my time there though. It taught me a lot that I wouldn't have learned if I went straight into music. Plus, it let me meet a lot of my closest friends.

[usurpers]

[ introduce actual educational systems and he’ll might explode, from curiosity.

this guy, though? this guy. everything he’s saying hits important points that prove valuable to eren, enough to make his distorted look of confusion slip into a smile. with his shirt in his hand and dry enough to put on again, eren slips into fabric and pats it down. eren has been thrown into the opposite and seemingly fated, but . . . he would never be.

not when he was free. ]

The best principle to have. [ you’re just feeding his freedom monster ] That’s why you won’t give it away?