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

[warfares]

You've a mind for politics? ( the lady had been a member of parliament, she'd said; this offers him some useful information. namely that the politics of this land is open to the influence of outsiders and that at least some of the members are magically gifted.

he wonders if their stance differs at all for the others ㅡ he refuses to call them monsters, if only because he has grown up around non-humans and near-humans and would not think to consider them monstrous. strange, perhaps. intriguing, certainly. but never monstrous. )

[mislike]

I come from a family of political leaders. My brother is a king. [Even if he may have bent the knee for the Dragon Queen, that does not mean the North with take lightly to it. She does not, and she will not. She keeps her head held high, knowing that playing the game has always been her best skill. She was forged through it.]

[warfares]

You must be missed. ( a more courteous man would ask her if he should be referring to her by some title, lending her claim some significance. indulging her would cost nothing, after all.

he doesn't. her land is not his land and the extent of his willingness to humor others is limited at best. still he tucks away each sliver of information she gives him, using it to build a better picture of sansa stark and the world she hails from. perhaps, if he digs deep enough, he'll uncover whatever thread joins them. )

[mislike]

My brother is currently away, but my younger sister and brother have returned home. [She is the one that has been handling everything, from winter preparations to the clear coming war. She will be missed as the Lady of Winterfell, and that is why she working within Parliament. Not just because it is what she does well, but because hopefully if they prove that they are helping the people of this land, perhaps their plight will be more recognized.]

I do need to return home. As soon as I can.

[warfares]

As do we all.

( beneath the mildness of the remark is something flinty. a resolution.

but given that the coven themselves seem to have no idea what could have brought them here much less send them back, he is not about to pin the entirety of his hopes on them either. by the sound of things, they have little reason to send them home. certainly not with the cwyld creeping across the land as it is, eroding their numbers steadily. if nothing else, they are valuable as cannon fodder. something to throw at the shades and the infection until some answer can be found. )

[mislike]

Where are you from?

[For as much information she's given away, she is interested in him. Sansa's also good at collecting pieces of information of people-- usually used on whether or not she can trust them.

She hasn't come to many conclusions about any of the people here.]

If you excel so easily at this, I would imagine you have other natural talents.

[warfares]

Somewhere far from here. ( his conversations with lex has given him an idea of how difficult his story is to accept. lex, herself, had been at least open to the idea of planetary colonies but the idea of a vast and populated galaxy had been a bit more of a stretch.

sansa, who while she hasn't admitted as much seems to hail from a place not unlike this city, might struggle to accept the fact that men can move among the stars like they do the oceans and rivers. he changes the subject. )

I've been trained in a similar art.

[mislike]

[She has learned about similar fantastical places, but nothing quite like where Kylo is from. She would imagine they are all from some place far from there, but she takes his answer with a nod.]

But not magic. [She recalls their first conversation.] You are fortunate then.

[Jon, Bran, and Arya would all probably have an easier time of this place, and the thought of her siblings settle her until she lowers her hands down. It's been a good practice session at the very least. She knows this is something she needs more of.]

[warfares]

( kylo ren tips his head, a vague sort of acknowledgement of what she's saying. fortunate is not the word he would have chosen, personally. fortunate implies that he has gained more than he has lost and that is simply not the case. )

No, ( he repeats, drawing a line that must seem arbitrary to anyone not versed in the ways of the force. ) not magic.

[mislike]

[She watches with raised brows. She knows her brothers and sisters have seen some things, capable of things she doesn't even understand, but she watches, intrigued.]

What do you call it then? [That's the only word she knows for it, but it seems 'magic' can still take many forms.]

Is it from your gods? There are red priestesses from the east that can create such things. [But she knows very little of the Red God herself, though she had heard of the Brotherhood and Lord Dondarrion.]

[warfares]

( huh, an interesting question for a man that arguably follows a metaphysical force with almost fanatic devotion while simultaneously disavowing any and all connection to the religion that had founded this practice. for that's what the jedi had been, once. millenia ago, admittedly, but the bones of it still lingered in his uncle's training academy, shaped by the most ancient of teachings. )

We have no gods. ( a generalizing statement that nonetheless holds kernels of truth in it. most societies served no gods but themselves, and the ones that did were looked upon with skepticism and pity. )

What I could was a part of me as much as the hair on my head and the color of my eyes. It was like breathing.

[mislike]

[She raises her brows. Many may not believe in the gods, Old gods or the Seven, but to have no gods at all is strange to her. He must be from a completely different place than she is.]

Did it feel good? [She imagined it felt good to have that much power, to not have to worry about anyone trying to do anything to you or the people you loved.] I mean what you could do?

Sometimes I think about that here. [Things may have been different if she could do these things back home.]

[warfares]

( skepticism. it tells him that his suspicions about sansa and the world she hails from are likely true and that he was right to keep the broader truth of what he was and where he came from, from her. )

Yes. ( though it's clear that the answer surprises him. was that not obvious? )

Are there many people you wish to hurt? ( because it's a very human sort of desire, isn't it? to have power and to use that power to keep yourself safe from harm.

looking at her now, he can see the shadows of the past traumas that are haunting her. the steel behind that fragile exterior. )

[mislike]

No. [She says it easily, the corner of her lips turning upward just a bit as if there is something she already knows.]

The men who dared come against me are dead. [Not all of them by her doing-- that she is aware of. Joffrey got what he deserved, Ramsay died by her word, and her sister killed Lord Baelish. Cersei was still out there, and she would meet her end soon enough if Sansa had her say in it, but all of their energy had been focused northward.

For now.]