Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

[faileas]

Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

I. A Tarnished Reality The teleporter to Dorchacht becomes operational by the 4th and the ambassadors return to their city with the first open, ceremonial operation of the device - along with any Mirrorbound who wish to join them, and Theodore Rosethorne and Sowilo, who make the trip as representatives of the Coven to ensure that all is well. Those who missed the first teleportation, never fear! Now that both waypoints are functional, Mirrorbound and others may travel freely between Aefenglom and Dorchacht at any point they choose to. Notably absent from the group, though - most of the Dorchacht refugees originally smuggled into Aefenglom. Only three or four are going back with the ambassadors, and they're primarily Witches. The rest have chosen to stay. Upon return to Dorchacht, it's obvious that some major changes have been made with the new regime. The sky is overcast, but it's merely fault of the weather at this time of year - the oppressive fog that used to hang over the Black City is gone, along with its effects on the natural lunar cycle. The auction blocks, damaged in the fires of the event the locals now call "The Rising", have been fully torn down, not a trace of them left to sully the streets. Where the triple stars of the Resistance used to be worn in secret, a majority of citizens now bear them openly (and in many cases, proudly) on pins and on clothing. In fact, any Witches who do not display the triple stars on their person somewhere, are generally regarded with suspicion, disgust, or fear unless they're recognized as Mirrorbound Witches - careful not to be mistaken for a Drummond sympathizer. The Monster citizens won't be outwardly cruel to any Witches, but will be somewhat fearful, hurrying their children along or crossing the street to get away. Recognizable Mirrorbound, those who were there during The Rising and before, are treated a bit like celebrities on the streets, though any Mirrorbound are given a warm welcome, albeit a little less warm for Witches. Storytellers share tales of how diplomats treating one another, Witches and Monsters alike, as equals so publicly and openly within Dorchacht gave them hope that such a life is attainable, or how a band of Mirrorbound snuck into the city under the cover of darkness and helped give their Resistance a leg up in the good fight against Drummond's extremists. Others share stories of being rescued from burning buildings or cruel Witches during The Rising by brave heroes. Many of these tales are shared in the form of song, as homage to those Mirrorbound who brought hopeful music to Dorchacht through the radio, which is still operational and playing a selection of music with a little more variety. Still a bit soft, their speakers and songs are, but as time passes, they grow a little more experimental, branching out from the lullabies that used to be played. Overall, the Black City is much less black these days, a little greener and brighter from the plants left by Mirrorbound before. Where the old Dorchacht could take your breath away with its feeling of barred oppression, many of those barricaded windows have been opened, reinforcements on the doors broken down. Though things are never perfect after a revolution, and it's clear that the work continues. Armed Resistance guards patrol the streets in trios, normally two Monsters and a Witch, to keep the peace. Their first priority is the protection of Monsters, many of whom still seem anxious and scared as they go about their days - not of the guards themselves, who they often greet with smiles, but of the Witches and humans they pass on the streets. In some cases, keeping the peace means breaking up fights between their own and those humans and Witches who do not want to accept Monsters as their equals, and in some cases it means putting Drummond sympathizers in their places with intimidation and force. While they do their best to keep skirmishes out of Mirrorbound sight, it's clear that despite the improvements, Dorchacht is still no utopia, and the road to a true peace is fraught with speedbumps. As noted, characters are free to travel between Aefenglom and Dorchacht by teleporter as often as they'd like! The waypoints will remain open even after this month and travel will be unrestricted; we will note if this situation changes in the future. Dorchacht quests are also now available ICly!

II. A Few Alterations a. The Coven Major changes are still underway. One of the biggest that Mirrorbound will notice is that the new administration of Dorchacht have moved the Coven. The old building is in a state of disrepair right now, doors and windows wide open, the interior stripped of trappings. The library has shed its books to somewhere else. The basement where so many horrors took place is abandoned. Instead, a sign has been erected outside it, stating that this center of Drummond's operations will be turned into a museum to remember their unpleasant history, and to memorialize those who lost their lives fighting for freedom. It's still a work in progress, and not high on the priority list when survival and care of the citizens have to take precedence, but inside, characters may still find small shrines set up in various places to Resistance members who died there. Instead, Dorchacht's new Coven is currently based inside an old manor located just a handful of blocks from the town square, and it's a much more informal affair. Magic lessons have continued with Resistance Witches, though the subject matter has changed instead. They experiment with different types of magic based on their own interests, but many are studying plant magic, medicine, and defensive spells that can be used out in the Wilde. Anything that will prove to be practical going forward. Lessons are also open to Monsters now, so they can see what their magical brethren are learning (and know that the compulsion and control spells that Morgana loved so much are no longer being taught). With the Coven being moved, visitors from Aefenglom are offered places to stay either within the manor of the new Coven, or in various empty houses around the city. Stay as long as you'd like, they say, and apologize that the accommodations aren't nicer - reconstruction is still obviously ongoing all over the city, repairing damages from The Rising and the fighting that happened afterward. They don't really have anywhere as nice as the rooms their ambassadors were given in Aefenglom. b. The Walls One of the biggest on-going projects in Dorchacht right now is removing the Monster control spells from the set of enchantments on their city walls. High on the list of priorities is making sure that Monsters can feel safe again, secure in their own minds and bodies. As the spells are made visible, particular sets of runes have to be ground down and smoothed over. A spell is either cast or provided to soften the stone temporarily, and then it's basically going at it with magitech-powered sanders created by Hilda. The particular runes that need to be gotten rid of will be provided on reference sheets - please don't touch the others, they chide! Those are to protect from the Cwyld, and are still very important. While help is welcomed with open arms and enthusiasm at most sections of the walls, those guards posted at one particular small district, guarded with trios of Resistance members at each entrance and warded with alarm magic to warn of escape, turn Mirrorbound away; these runes are being altered, not removed, to help contain unruly Drummond loyalists, they say. The people who now live in that guarded district are all human, whether they're Witches or no, and all refuse to bear the triple stars. "Troublemakers," the guards will explain grimly. "We have to contain them for now. It isn't a perfect solution, but they've hurt people, or tried to hurt people, since Drummond was run out of town." c. Bond Lessons Bonding is a bit of a tricky subject in the new Dorchacht. Many Monsters are afraid of the idea, as it was once used as one of the collars around their necks, but the Circle of Three recognize it as an important way to wean citizens off the lullabies and calming draughts that prevent going feral during full moons. As part of encouraging others to form Bonds, partnerships at the very least the way most Resistance members describe theirs, there are demonstrations and public seminars that pop up around Dorchacht on the regular. They may be as informal as a circle in what's going to be a park or as official-seeming as a talk held inside a shop or lecture hall, but they have one thing in common. Many of the citizens are keen on getting Mirrorbound in on it -- mostly by dragging them in, asking if they have a Bonded, and if they do, they tell the Mirrorbound to talk about their Bonded. They're interested in the ups and downs (but mostly ups) of having one in order to show that if the Mirrorbound are into it, you should be too! They accept all stories but prefer the happy ones - the aim is to encourage their Monster citizens and help them be less afraid of taking that step with Witches. And for those who aren't in a Bond, or decline to talk -- well, they get what amounts to a "flour sack baby" in the form of a Dorchacht citizen of the opposite role of their own (a Monster would receive a human/Witch, a Witch would receive a Monster) that they must hang with for a day, ensuring no harm comes to them, bound by one of the temporary Bonding potions so popular in the Wilders' ranks. (As a note, for the second option, you have free reign of the NPC; do the personalities you find fun, be they cooperative or mischievous, shy or loud, abrasive to your character or someone they can genuinely get along with. They are all willing - no one is being forced into this. No Fae or Dragons allowed for Monster NPCs, unfortunately, as they are still very much not about.)

III. Ahoy Mateys! With Dorchacht opening up again after the last few months of closed off internal fighting, plenty of trading ships' Captains are ready and raring to go build business relations with the new regime and find a new market for some of their wares. There has been increased interest in finding a shorter route to Dorchacht by sea - the teleporter is useful for small groups of people, sure, but it can't handle much cargo. The only problem? Ships are being turned back, barely halfway there, with significant damage to their hulls. Brave individuals looking for a seafaring adventure are asked to come aboard and help the crew navigate tumultuous waters, hopefully figuring out along the way what's causing the damage to previous ships. It's a three day trip to Dorchacht if the waters are kind, and characters can simply teleport back home once there. On board the various ships brave enough to return to the sea, Mirrorbound find the problem halfway through the trip: a colossal squid that's made it home at this point, thrashing ships that come too close to its den. While uninfected, it does have injuries on its body, which may be the source of its lashing out. The ships are able to bring themselves close enough for longer ranged attacks, and the Harpy on board are careful not to be captured by the churning waves caused by the thrashing, but there's others who want to seek a less violent mean to end this surf and turf conflict. Killing, healing, subduing, or relocating it are all valid options, but getting in close to do any of those will be difficult, as it has a tendency to ink up the waters around it and reduce visibility to nothing. Be careful of any creatures swimming around that are interested in the weakened squid as well, such as various carnivorous fish, sea-plants, and things that appear alike to Merrow, but rely only on instinct. The Merrow cannot be spoken to, nor are they infected; the Captains of the ships will explain that they're "wild", and refer to them as distant cousins to the Merrow that sparsely populate Aefenglom itself.

IV. Back At Home Back in Aefenglom, the stir caused by the Circle of Three's arrival takes time to calm. It's the talk of the town for days - many seem happy about Morgana Drummond's apparent demise. "Good for them," is the general sentiment in the residential areas more populated by Monsters and the Harbor District. They're glad to know that things are on the way up there. Others think this is a boon; should anything happen, now Aefenglom has an ally city to stand with them, one in their debt. Others still don't really care either way, and go about their lives as if nothing's happened. The refugees, in their neighborhoods on the far reaches of the Haven, seem happy to hear news from home and find The Dragon/Starlight/Fafnir freed, and while a few of them choose to return to Dorchacht, having never put down roots in Aefenglom, more still don't wish to leave the homes and families they've formed here, or the Mirrorbound who have helped them so much over the months. Some even doubt that things are as good as they say, and choose to remain for that reason - slavery and ill treatment from the upper class in Aefenglom instilled in them a sense of (well-earned) paranoia regarding the intentions of Witches, especially those back home. They hear that things have changed, but don't necessarily want to find out for themselves. Even still, the mood is upbeat, with a general consensus that if Morgana is really gone, that's at least a solid step in the right direction. In the Aristocratic District, though, the atmosphere is sour. The general sentiment is that they wish the refugees would have left with those ambassadors. The kinder ones think Aefenglom should focus on its own citizens - the people from the Outer City brought in to weather the blizzard have never left, after all, still living in the neighborhoods with the refugees. Those who are more vocally outspoken about the Mirrorbounds' presence in the city think they should have all left to Dorchacht. Let another city shoulder all the misfortune they bring with them! Many of the people grumbling about that are ones who were directly affected by the Mists back in October, either through temporary changes themselves or through being attacked by ferals. Some of the more hot-headed young people try to spread this message - through graffiti, on homes and businesses in the Haven and the refugees' district, though if caught, they're quick to run away and not willing to enter into a confrontation. The graffiti is wholly mundane and not particularly difficult to remove, just unpleasant, telling Mirrorbound and refugees alike to "go home" or "go back to Dorchacht", in so much colorful language. Seems there's still some work to do at home, as well.

Welcome to your establishing post for the current situation in Dorchacht! This log takes place through the entire month; characters can come and go as they please. As always, you can direct all your questions HERE. This month we're also putting up a City Tracker for PC actions, both in Aefenglom's plot later on and Dorchacht's log here. Let us know what your character is doing, good or bad! The cut-off for the tracker is February 3rd.

Comments

[futhark]

"Cú Chulainn, or just Cú for short". Last of Cullan's hounds, Shield of Ulster and Child of Light. There are many colorful names that could follow, but here in this world, they're entirely meaningless - aside for the memory and worth they have for him.

True names hold great power and with that great danger, and if Faerie are any example, that rule also applies here. Still, he'll take that risk. "To be entirely honest, I do like it much better than that nickname.

[silentsavant]

"Cú it is, then," Soren accepts with a nod, then proceeds to ask, "What is the story behind such a nickname? I always thought it was a bit of an odd name, but I've heard odder around here."

[futhark]

Here it goes and Cú lets a short laugh. This question's small, but it leads to bigger truths. And there are enough Servants with similar names, hell even more Casters, that someone might start noticing a pattern of weird. But all this secrecy, it's useless here and eventually, it's bound, someone explains how things work.

So he starts casually, but looks away, observing the crowds they're passing.

"Really, it's more of a role, a class designation rather than a nickname. Sabers and swordsmen, Lancers are spearmen, Archers are—" Dicks. In the vast majority, they're dicks. Sorry, not sorry, Emiya. "You get the drift. True names can hold both a terrible power and uncover a critical weakness. Our Masters would want to use the first but hide the second. That's why secrecy was part of the war."

Many buildings around still have signs of fire, not everything was painted over. Today people laugh and go on with their lives, but sometimes that smile comes forced. When Cú turns to Soren, his smile remains, but his gaze is sharp, pupils turned into thin slits.

"But that kind of story could go dark pretty quickly. This day is too bright for that, don't you think?" It's not that he doesn't trust Soren with said story, it's more that he's interested what brought the beautiful dragon to this city in first place. No one has good memories of Dorchacht, but Monsters, the rare ones, even more so.

[silentsavant]

In other words, Cú didn't want to go into the subject. As curious as Soren may be about his tale, he decides it better to respect that wish. The greatest of tragedies happen in the theater of war. He's not surprised that they might be treading across one of the Witch's personal minefields together. Now is not the best of times. The sharp look says it all.

"If you mean the perpetual fog has disappeared, then yes." He glosses over his surroundings: open windows; an upbeat melody whistled over carting goods; a fox turnskin letting a young boy pet and hug his fluffy tail with a helpless smile. A few of the citygoers brighten up when Soren rests his eyes upon them, and they wave and call out to the couple of Mirrorbounds to thank them and how they're heroes now, the triple stars symbolic of the Resistance proud on their clothes. Soren finds situations like these difficult, so he offers a nod of acknowledgment much weaker than their starry-eyed enthusiasm. He's never been good with strangers nor lavish praise. He tries to focus more on his current companion.

"But... it's brighter in plenty of other ways, too." His natural impulse is to dip into how things could go wrong, how it wasn't completely sunny in other spots of town, but he catches himself before he sours the mood of their conversation with his usual pessimism. "I came to see for myself whether it really changed as much as Bryn and Hilda claimed it had."

[futhark]

Secrets no longer matter here, but he's honest when saying it might be too dark. While often he could be described as blunt, he has a keen insight in courtesy and tact should he want to. Not delving into bloody past right from the start Cú considers a better conversation starter.

"It's not easy to believe just words alone. Some things need to be witnessed personally" Though in Dorchacht bloody subjects are bound to return sooner or later. While his original interest in coming back was fates of the poor souls that powered the wall, seeing people brighter, happier even just simply living warms his heart.

The attention, he doesn't mind but then suddenly a familiar face appears. "It's you!" a sudden screech by an owl harpy who seems to be in charge of a stall with used books. She approaches them quickly, going as far as to jump-fly over her own stall. "Never thought I'll see your face again after you and the white one made me run through the stinky sewers"

It would be threatening if not for the fact that instead of attack Cú is suddenly dragged into a feathery hug.

"Good to see you in good health, Henrietta. You look absolutely dashing" Cú laughs and returns it, he looks at Soren and opens his mouth to do the introductions but— the harpy and her chirp is much faster than he is.

"Oh my, by all means. Do introduce me—" she pauses as she scans Soren intently from head to toe, because of her owl features it seems almost judgmental... but it's hard to tell with harpies. She eventually nods twice after appraisal and her expression turns mischievous as she looks at Cú at Soren and back at Cú again "Hah, I recall people saying you are Bonded to a dragon. I am honored— how good you are here, I always wanted to ask you, people of Aefenglom few questions about those Bonds"

Oh...

｢ ooc: she's a very vaguely characterized NPC so if you wanna to user her in your tags, go for it ｣

[silentsavant]

This abrupt reunion takes Soren aback. He steps aside as Henrietta seizes Cú and he receives it warmly in turn, but it's her high-speed personality that leaves him a little overwhelmed. He raises his eyebrows, glances at Cú, then realizes the misunderstanding.

"...About that. Him and I, we're—"

"Made for each other, by the looks of it!" She twists her body and flutters her wings. "I can tell these things~! Oh, but I'm making you shy... Hoo hoo! Sorry; I know how I get when I'm excited." She straightens up and looks between the two, her wide and vivid eyes shining in her zeal. "Is it true what they say, then? That you can read each other's minds? That a Bond can be strengthened by a mere touch?"

"Well, no, not quite. And yes, Bonds can be reinforced by physical contact. But—"

She clutches her chest and positively shrieks. "How romantic!! Oh, but I don't want to be presumptuous about the kind of relationship the two of you share together, of course! I'm letting my imagination sweep me away again. Bad habits, bad habits." She giggles and looks to Cú again as Soren finds himself not only irritated, but a bit flustered as well. "And you can have more than just one Bond, right?"

[futhark]

Knowing her where she was still a slave to one of the scums of this city, it's incredible to see her so full life, so bright and happy... even if it turns out to be so exhausting.. And here Cú thought he can manage high-energy personalities. Now that Soren is a target, he needs to find a way to put a... pause to this.

Pause, because he does not believe a true stop can be put on it, at least until customers pull her back to the stall. So the moment Henrietta turns to him, he takes it as a chance to flick her forehead, right above between of her eyes.

She hoos, finally turning off for a second. Where can they even start answering her questions? If she took assumptions and run with them, that's really only her own fault.

"That's true, three is the ideal number so they say. So if you got multiple suitors, you don't have to worry about picking just one of them." Cú grins deviously as he returns the ball on Henrietta. "No one is going to read your thoughts, they might get your moods though."

Briefly, he shoots a wink at Soren, in a wordless 'I got this, I swear'. Swooping in to save the day. Or so he really hopes.

"Where are my manners, Henrietta, meet Soren — Soren, meet Henrietta— we know each other from the earlier trip." The details he decides to leave out. Everyone knows how different Dorchacht was before and what living in it entailed for a Monster.

[silentsavant]

Soren isn't exactly a mind-reader, no matter what people think sometimes. So what does that wink mean? Is he supposed to roll with her assumptions and pretend they really are Bonded? But why? Is he just being his flirty self, or...?

It doesn't matter. She's already advancing upon Soren with more questions, blinking her bright and inquisitive eyes with a playful grin. "Then tell me, Soren. Just how happy was he to see me again~?"

...Does she have a crush on Cú or something? Because the signs sure are showing.

"It was so obvious, you didn't need a Bond to feel it," retorts Soren.

"But you felt it, right? Did it make you happy, too?"

For a moment, the dragon falters. A spell of reflection is cast upon him, but it only lasts a few seconds. However slightly, it looks as though this question affected him. He glances to Cú, remembers the past times he'd shared Bonds both committed and temporary, and imagines what the answer would be if they were, in fact, linked. His joy brushing up against his heart like the gentle lap of a wave.

"...In a strange way, yes." He sends his eyes to the ground. "It's... a nice feeling."

His empty heart, voided of its Bond, aches for want of that feeling again.

"Haha! Then his happiness must feel different from yours!"

For her bubbly personality, her remarks are oddly insightful in their simplicity, like she knows she's cutting to the quick of a personal matter. But she's not a mind-reader herself. Again, he pauses for another bout of contemplation. How to put this. "...It is." It has to be. He always knew that he didn't experience emotions in quite the same way most people do, so freely and over such trivial things, but being able to feel the tilt of other people's feelings made him privy to just how limited the scope of his capacity for happiness truly is.

"What of your sadness, then?" Her expression melts to match the poignancy of such a contemplation. "Doesn't it hurt when he's sad? Oh, I hate imagining how that must feel! Are your sadnessess different, too?"

"..."

[futhark]

Navigating this minefield of personal questions in a way that give a satisfying answer, without truly confirming Henrietta's assumptions is an art form. Oh yes, she will believe they are Bonded, but Soren never truly confirmed that asa fact, instead answering the questions at their very core. His answers must be coming from whoever he is Bonded to—

Which Cú realizes he has no idea who that might be. But lots of Mirrorbound can be pretty private about this kind of thing. Not even his mentor gave him the identity of her Bonded at first (he's got his suspicions, but he was content just knowing there is someone). The answers Soren gives fits with his own experiences though. It's true— these echoes of feelings and emotions, they feel different. Fill a void. In a good way.

The intense interest Henrietta displays could be related to being intrigued by the concept, but he is starting to pick-up on how... fixated she seems on him. Rescuer's crush could hit either him or Geralt, really.

Gently he puts his hand on harpy's shoulder, noting how thinner and delicate to touch it is. Steering her away from both Soren and the subject at hand

"In the end, it is something you have to experience yourself. And I know you will! You've got my utmost best wishes on that." there's cheer in his voice and genuine fondness, but as he rotates them he does it in a way she might see her own stall. And at least one potential client browsing through the books. "You're going to have a good life and I'm happy to see you again—"

But, there is a but, and it does not remain unsaid.

"—But you've caught us in the middle of something and unfortunately it is time for us to take our leave." Now he moves closer to Soren, positioning himself to make the potential latching onto him again a tad harder. "If this spot is yours, I'll drop by soon. If not, let me know where I could find you."

She once again looks at them, tasking them with her gaze and hoos and coos a short-laugh.

"That's how you should do it, that's exactly how. Protective of him, I see— When she shrugs energetically a feather flies into the air. "I can get... a little carried away. That is for the best, probably"

[silentsavant]

"It was nice to meet you, Henrietta," says Soren with a polite nod, further emphasizing the aim to fold up this encounter and tuck it away congenially.

"Well... I'll see you around!" The harpy waves them off. "Please swing by sometime if you ever feel like giving my books a look!" With that, she swivels around and bursts into the air to flit the short distance back to her stall. Soren turns his attention back to Cú, grateful that her badgering session is over.

"That was a bit... awkward. And now she thinks we're Bonded. Was it your intent to impart such a misunderstanding?"

[futhark]

Cú sighs, dramatically almost, his shoulders sagging low.

"No, but she was so set on that idea, there was no way we'd convince her there." Awkward is one way to say. In the end, she was the one who roped herself into that belief. "If you're worried it could make a problem for you and your Bonded, be at ease. I'll clear it up with her later when she's not so—" . . . "—excited"

Yeah, that's the word. And they're almost at the pub too, so Cú quickly points at the quirky building situated in a corner of a crossing a cobbled pedestrian lane and street. Despite early hour soft music can be heard from inside already. A wordless direction, that's where we're going.

[silentsavant]

Soren diverts his path along with Cú's toward the pub, his mind running down the current of their conversation. A misunderstanding still abounds, though it is not between them and Henrietta. He was going to bring it up eventually, so this is the perfect way to introduce the subject.

"I don't actually have a Bonded at the moment," he admits quietly. "Not anymore." They pass by the doors; eyes fall upon them here, too, and whether it's because they're recognized in some capacity or because the sight of a dragon is a natural cause of rubbernecking is a complete toss between reasons.

[futhark]

'Not anymore' carries the finality of what happened. There was once a Bond and now there is emptiness. Cú tilts his head down, a silent apology before they find a relatively private space, in a corner— behind a flashy screen.

"That conversation must have been painful— sorry I didn't pick on it and ended it quicker." They're handed a card, mostly drinks but some food options are there as well.

[silentsavant]

Soren takes his seat across from Cú, sensing the shift in mood between them keenly. While it weighs his heart down, the palpable sympathy is nice to feel, even if he does not actively recognize the effect it has upon him.

"Don't worry about it. There's no way you could have known." He glances to the card, not completely invested in making choices about what he eats or doesn't eat, and the same can be said for drinks. Instead, he rests his gaze upon the man before him. A somberness exudes from his bright red eyes, his lips set in the same neutral pout he usually wears. He's trying to remain strong in his company. It's pretty easy, considering how accustomed he has grown to pain of any sort.

"...Anyway, it wasn't that bad. I am, however, in a bit of a pinch. I run a high risk of going feral, which is not only bad for me, but..." He swallows, looking down to his clawed hands folded politely across the table, "anyone I may unintentionally hurt. With the reputation of the Mirrorbound in such jeopardy, I would hate to soil it with blood."

[futhark]

Never experiencing losing his Bonded, Cú knows he truly can't fully understand what Soren must have gone through. But going Bondless for an extended period of time, that's another can of problems. One that he has experience with.

"So you're looking for a Bond." A swift summary of the situation. He's ready to withdraw from the subject at the first sign it should be dropped, but until that signal is there, he continues.

"Witches have— huh, plenty of alternatives now that I think of it. But I don't know about many for Monsterfolk— aside for special potions." And without an ounce of shame "Or sex." Because 'witches fluids' is a much uglier way to put it, but that's the truth.

As the waitress approaches Cú takes it upon himself to order them few snacks, as an addition to what Soren chooses (if he does) and mulled, spiced ale to warm them up.

[silentsavant]

Dropping 'sex' so casually causes Soren to raise his eyebrows. That sure is telling what sorts of experiences Cú must have encountered in dealing with feral Monsters... Very likely, it happened with the Dragon he's actually Bonded to already. Imagining it any further forces him to avert eye contact to conceal the small dose of shock and embarrassment it sends through him. TMI, Caster!!! Not only does it open a window into Cú's private sex life, but it reminds him of the helplessly carnal nature that he is shackled to as a Monster. How fortunate for him that the waitress arrives just then.

Soren does not pick out any choices of his own, perfectly content to share in whatever Cú wants. With their server departed, Soren resumes the topic at hand.

"You're right." He starts counting on his fingers. "Witches have familiars to rely upon. Expensive dampeners for the rich. Rigorous practice casting spells." He sets his hand back down. "Other means. Monsters have historically never needed to rely upon Bonding with Witches, but when it comes to coexisting with humans, we need to be able to restrain our baser instincts. This is especially true for the Mirrorbound. We're not used to being Monsters. And I... am afraid." He looks down. "Of losing my sanity to the Sisters. Of the day my draconic form emerges. So, yes." He locks eyes with Cú, resolute. "I am looking to form Bonds."

[futhark]

Unfortunately, Cú has been always been pretty shameless and open about these kinds of things, nor he ever has hidden that it's this way he got by whilst bondless. Fortunately, though, he can read the room, and while Soren might not escape some teasing somewhere in the future, this subject is dropped for now.

He rests his chin on his open hand and listens intently, noting the resolute glow in the dragon's eyes. Such a declaration could be read into— could but doesn't mean it should. It's a bit like flirting, really.

"Surely you must have someone on your mind, or at least know what you're looking for in someone you'd like to Bond with." For some, Bonds are easy as breathing. Sweep in, drag a few with your current see where it goes— for others, something requires to be planted first and then nurtured over time to grow into such possibility. There is no denying though that the longer this is put aside, the worse it gets.

And losing yourself is a horrifying possibility.

[silentsavant]

Soren straightens up in his seat. "I do." At this point, he considers a way to charm his company — relax his posture, his personality slackening along with it as he drops a line about how he's looking right at him. It might be more his style, but it's not really Soren's, and he wants to be accepted as he is, not for how he can play a game. Besides, he's not completely sure how compatible they truly are yet. But he has a feeling they might work out just fine. He continues.

"There's someone else I've made loose plans with. We're still tying ends on the arrangement; I want to meet with his other Bonded, first. That's all well and good, but I don't think it's wise to settle for just one Bond." His eyes dart to the tabletop as he sighs, the memory of the non-consensual annulment ghosting past his heart and causing its next pulse to throb in one heavy ache. "You never quite know what will happen to them."

[futhark]

This sounds almost like a business arrangement— or more like an arranged marriage in this case. The latter being a staple back in his times.

"Sounds like a plan— your efficiency is commendable." Cú means it. Not everyone faced with Soren's situation could analyze it and look for solutions and strategies with calm such a calm head. So he gives praise where it's due. Both of his Bonds started for practical reasons, even though there was a foundation of friendship, respect, and/or rivalry. It's different from those people who Bond easily out of passion.

On the other hand, Bond is still a union of souls. It's private and it can be intimate to a terrifying degree. Passion compliments that well. "My curiosity compels me to ask who this special someone might be, but I know better than expect it to be indulged."

He lets a breath of a soft laugh, his own nosiness has to be kept on the leash. Perhaps, there is a sliver of advice or suggestion he can make though.

"But while you are considering options, have you looked into temporary-bonds? That will stave off the symptoms for a while"

[silentsavant]

Soren nods, focused more on the tail end of his response. "I have resorted to them in the past, but they are what they are: only temporary. A real, more permanent Bond is much better to have." Dark thoughts cloud over his mind, casting shadows across his face as he keeps his eye contact reserved for his clawed and scaled hand resting on the table. He curls his fingers. "...For something like me, especially. I don't... want to find out what I'm capable of when I reach the full extent of my transformation on a full moon cycle. I've already experienced it in doses." His voice softens even more. "Left unchecked, I might become a tremendous threat to Aefenglom. I need to count upon Witches capable of calming me down. Or powerful enough to restrain me."

The deep-seated fear rises to touch the quality of his bated voice. He has a terrible feeling about what sort of Dragon he's shaping into. Whatever comes, Soren knows one thing: he is going to need help. He can't keep trying to do everything by himself.

"I don't want become a savage beast lost to madness."

[futhark]

Cú reaches out and covers Soren's hand with his, giving it a good squeeze. Clawed and scaled it might be, but he doesn't mind— he never minds.

"You won't." It's said with utmost confidence and faith. No stumbling over condolences, sorry for your beasthood, no look of sympathy that could be mistaken for pity. "The Moon songs are hard to resist, but you got this under control, you're taking all the right steps. And soon you will be safely out of their influence."

He meets the severity of this situation with the same grim acceptance as any tragedy or loss. Refocusing what lies in the future, rather than on pain here and now. Doubt can be poisonous, but just as fear it really is unavoidable. Being given support and comfort in a moment like this— everyone needs that, no?

"So what do you seek in someone you'd want to Bond with?"

[silentsavant]

The hand secured over his washes him in soft surprise, pulling him from the drudge of his unpleasant thoughts to look Cú in the eyes, listen carefully to the conviction soaking his voice through and through. It's enough to make him believe past his current doubts, if only for this moment. He takes a few to recover from the impact of his firm comfort, the kind he'd really been needing. Something about the way his table partner looks right now, be it a trick of the light, a trick of his heart, or the clout of his bearing manages to strike Soren like the scrape of a match.

"Let's see..." he begins, to work himself out of the mental stutter. The contact tingles somewhere between comfortable and uncomfortable, a bit distracting, but he keeps his hand there for as long as Cú decides to reach for him, like an animal deciding not to bite the hand that feeds him. He starts off businesslike and composed. "Ideally, they would be strong. Mentally and emotionally stable. Serious about the conflicts we find ourselves trapped in. Above all, someone I can rely on."

The memory of Ike fills him, mind, heart, and soul. He cannot have that here. Nobody could be him, no matter how closely they fit the vast, empty shape he left behind in Soren. He casts his gaze to the screen that partitions them off from the rest of the pub, slightly affected by the turn of his feelings.

"I want him to be honest and straightforward. Genuine and loyal to his friends and allies. Kind, perhaps... and not just when it's convenient for him." He shakes his head as though dismissing it all, knowing full well where his description is treading, expression wrought with lines and furrows as he undergoes a severe pang of heartache. He returns his full but weary attention back to Cú. "I can't be that picky, though. I just want someone I can be confident will support me, and I will support them in whatever way they need of me in return. That's all I can really ask for."

[futhark]

Cú listens and allows his expression to soften. Hand still lingering, maybe a little heavy, with fingers too long and hints of callouses, but also warm— much warmer than that of a normal human would be, a mark of a fire-witch in a sense.

"That's not being picky, Soren. You've got your values, and you won't compromise them, that's integrity." It's admirable how clearly Soren can communicate his needs and wishes. It's not easy, but those things are never meant to be easy. The emotions that arose, he interprets them as longing— perhaps to the Bonded lost? Hm.

"Each Bond is different and important, ensuring it is forged with someone you want to be Bonded with is crucial. I'm not going to say that I understand completely how it feels to lose one though, but taking your time to figure what you truly need, looks to me like the wisest choice"

Suddenly he taps his finger at the hand underneath his. Tap. Tap. Tap.

"Time to figure out when people like this have the highest chance of hanging out, and throw yourself there, no?" Because while this kind of knowledge is great to have, Cú can't help but imagine that anyone who self-describes themselves with words like the ones used here, are either incredibly self-aware but also arrogant, or anything but what the description says. "Or perhaps you'd prefer a recommendation?"

There are a few who he'd sing praises like that to.

[silentsavant]

"Time is of the essence here," he contests, withdrawing his hand in spite of the luxurious and comfortable warmth to settle it into his lap, softness of his exposed emotions retreating behind stone-faced gravity. "In an ideal world, I could afford to mull over my prospects for the 'perfect match'... but this is my current reality. While I have no Bonds at all, I'll take what opportunities I can get. That said, if you do have recommendations for me, please let me hear of them."

In the meantime, the waitress arrives with a smiling face to deposit their order between them. Soren acknowledges her, but doesn't mind the intrusion on their conversation; he appears ready to listen to what he has to say at any moment.

[futhark]

"That's why I mentioned temporary Bonds but— yeah, fair" Cú nods twice, conceding as he runs his head for people that would fit the requirements. Not to mention— the stages of worsening conditions are different for everyone, and Soren the best knows on which stage he is now.

He takes a sip of the mulled ale. In the end, the recommendation would still necessitate being introduced, the time required to get to know each other better— but it's still stepping forward towards helping Soren achieve his goal. And he... he likes the Dragon, and don't want him to fall towards this darkness he fears.

"There's a man named Lancer, hailing from the same land as I do—" he starts speaking of Diarmuid and doesn't even try to hide wistful fondness from his voice. And here comes the class monicker again, if only because he isn't sure how to open about his name Diarmuid is "An honorable knight he is, noble and loyal—" well... at least he wants to be, but things in the far past of their legends are a long time over "He offers his kindness and honesty not only to his friends. Without doubt, he is one of the most radiant of ours"

Another sip, feeling the spices warm him up, adding the pleasant aftertaste to the ale.

"That's the first." And he got more. Zelda comes to mind, from people he had known since the beginning. Then there is Iskandar.