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

[quickrecipeh]

[It's not Ignis' usual ideal, but he does find some strange comfort in the contact, a warmth spreading slowly from where he can feel her hand against his.]

There's... nothing to apologize for. It's all one big experiment, isn't it? I have no idea how this is supposed to feel or function, but I'm learning quickly, I think. It's like a comfortable coat.

[showsnopiety]

[It's strange how quickly and easily it spreads. But, she supposes that's part of the magic of Bonds.]

It's true but-it did seem overly familiar.

[She blew out a breath, but she nodded. She was learning too.]

Anyway-it does feel like a coat. Or being warmed by the sun.

[quickrecipeh]

[He chuckles.]

It feels like so many things, all of them pleasant, and all of them very inviting. I can only imagine doing this with someone one was familiar with, or even very close to. I'd think it would amplify it, in a sense.

[showsnopiety]

[She nods in agreement. She feels balanced, and unbalanced, by their hand holding.]

Oh, I'm sure. It'd just bring feelings of...if not infatuation, love to the surface. I imagine it could be very disorienting.

[quickrecipeh]

[Similarly, he's comforted by and utterly dreading this feeling. The closeness, when he guards so many secrets? It's a bit much. Still, on an academic and theoretical level, it's interesting, so he won't turn his nose up at it.]

Intense loyalty, as well. People might make rash decisions based on emotional connection, rather than thinking things through.

[Ignis is certainly not allowed to speak about that, considering his prior status. He actually accidentally allows a little unease to slip between them at that admission.]

[showsnopiety]

And yet they want us to Bond right away. It's a magical and emotional marriage.

Most people are hot headed when it comes to their beloved, much less with a Bond like this.

[She feels the unease slip through, the worry. She took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]

But perhaps...it could be countered, with faith or a rational mind.

[quickrecipeh]

Exactly. For the less emotionally stable, or perhaps for the more empathetic, it could be potentially dangerous to share such things.

[He considers himself very tightly controlled most of the time. In fact, he's surprised he let that slip through. But maybe that's the nature of the Bonds. They can weaken defenses.]

It will certainly take time, effort, and practice. Especially when two people need to balance each other.

[showsnopiety]

Indeed. It would only be tinder for an emotional outburst at the very least.

[She wants to offer something. Something to offset the worry. Do her words help? Should she hug him? Life hasn't prepared her for this.

It's really...annoying. Some of that slipped through into the bond-not annoyance at him, but at herself and her inadequacies.]

If it's a Bond between Witch and Monster especially, and they wish to venture along the wall. Monsters to me at least...seem to be the sword and shield. That makes things even more dangerous.

[quickrecipeh]

A Witch is like a battery, more than anything. That's what I've assumed from all of this, anyway. The Monster does the tough work, and the Witch stands back and supports. I can't say I like being assigned that role, even though I would willingly have taken it, all things considered.

[He looks concerned, and there's that tiny flash of insecurity? No, just worry. It's cropping up again and Ignis bites his tongue to check himself. Then again, her annoyance comes through, warm and not directed at him, he can tell.]

...Are you feeling concern for me?

[showsnopiety]

That's what I've thought of too. Though-I'm sure the Witch can do more just-their bodies aren't as tough, maybe.

[There it is again. The worry-it's in small flicks and flecks, but it's still there. Maybe...

She's startled, straightening when he notices, and she can feel warmth on her cheeks. Embarrassment-it didn't come often. She didn't like the sensation for herself.]

I-yes.

[Better to be honest here then pretend otherwise. She'd only look more the fool.]

Just...I'm not sure how to phrase it. Just-I don't-I'm not sure what our limitations are here. With us, or with this world. So-

[She made a helpless sound. She's struggling at the people thing.]

[quickrecipeh]

[He moves a little closer, though it's not a conscious thing. He just... gravitates. His own expression is a delicately perched frown, easily chased away.]

None of us know what to expect, do we? It's natural to have reservations. For my part, I have a situation from home that makes me approach at least this with an abundance of caution. At the same time, I've an abundance of curiosity as well.

[He places a hand on her shoulder, because it feels right, comfortable, warm.]

I'll be fine, as will you. You'll have someone suitable by your side.

[showsnopiety]

[She didn't know when she made the choice. But...she found herself leaning her head against Ignis' front, her hair falling over her face. Maybe it was just-this way it was easier to hide her flush from others. From him.

She can feel the warmth of his hand through her clothes, on her skin.]

You're good at reassuring. It's almost not fair how easily you're making me feel at ease.

[She huffed in laughter briefly, before taking in a deep breath.]

You're going to do well in this world Ignis.

[quickrecipeh]

[It's not conscious, but he feels a compulsion, and he goes with it, settling his arms around her gently, politely, in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.]

I've had years of practice. [He sighs a bit, quiet and more out of wonder at this whole thing than at anything else.] I hope your confidence in me is merited. I'd like to flourish, for however long this lasts.

[showsnopiety]

[And she finds herself leaning against him completely. Funny. She normally doesn't feel small in a good way.

Mostly she just gets just annoyed at how high shelves are.]

I'm sure you will. And if I'm not-then you'll have to prove me right, out of pure spite.

[quickrecipeh]

You can't possibly be accusing me of being spiteful...

[A joke, gently offered, just an attempt, considering she's basically a stranger. A stranger he's Bonded to for the moment, sure, but... Well, he can't be seen as rude. It wouldn't do to get that kind of a reputation.]

You wouldn't be wrong, however. I may have the capacity for just that.

[showsnopiety]

Not at all. I just know that most people-most that I know-are capable of a little bit of it.

[She didn't mean to be rude. She was more or less guessing at his ability to extend his stride, so to speak.

Lightly, she patted him on the chest.]

I apologize. I should have said that I'm sure you were determined, not spiteful.

[quickrecipeh]

[He smiles down at her kindly, not offended in the least.]

You're not entirely wrong. I am a bit of a fighter, anyway. And I'd succeed to spite someone, certainly. It does sound nicer dressed up.as determination.

[showsnopiety]

It does sound nicer.

[She completely agrees. And...she can't help but smile back. The Bond. This bond tho.]

Though I will freely admit I can be a fighter too. And sometimes, even a spiteful one.

[quickrecipeh]

[This Bond is fascinating, in all sorts of ways Ignis didn't expect. He certainly didn't expect to be enjoying holding a perfect stranger in his arms, talking about such a thing in a very cavalier manner.]

I think I'd like to hear more about that, sometime. You seem like an intriguing woman.

[showsnopiety]

[She didn't expect it either. She's not a cuddly person in the least, and to get that while speaking so lightly? It's a strange experience.

But not an unwelcome one.]

I'm not in the least. I'm pretty boring.

[She says it without a trace of false modesty. Seems she believes it.]

[quickrecipeh]

[He feels warm and close and it isn't unwelcome or strange at all. These Bonds are going to be very enlightening.]

Well, even if you think you're boring, someone else may find you fascinating. That's how these things usually work. I also think I'm rather boring, aside from my culinary skills, and even that's just a hobby.

[showsnopiety]

[They truly are. They can't really hide from each other like this, can they? But then-why would they want to...]

Says the royal adviser. I'm not sure about you being boring-I daresay you're clever and have a way with words.

Also-I would not dismiss something because it's not your main occupation. You have hobbies because you want to try something, or because it's something that gives you joy, correct?

[quickrecipeh]

It is something I enjoy, but I think you'll find me more skilled in other areas, should they become relevant. I'm afraid I'm mostly business-oriented, though. Isn't that boring?

[showsnopiety]

They may eventually, but there's no need to force it. We'll learn of each other over time.

[She made a soft little huff. She seemed amused.]

So far it isn't boring. I think it's more...practical. And I'm partial to practicality.