[JANUARY INTRO LOG | WORLD TWO]

[spellbindmods]

Who: All coven members, especially new folk!
Where: In and around the new world’s apartment building where the coven is staying, as well as the rest of Shehui
When: Day 160
Open/Closed: Open to All
IMPORTANT: While some prompts are newbie exclusive, all characters can tag this intro log!

How did you get into this building? This apartment room? What the fuck is going on? Let's refer back to this page for a semi in-depth, wow so detailed, explanation of your current situation. You'll also have a letter slipped under your door with some explanation about your whole coven situation, as well as info that explains you have magic now! And yet what kind of magic is conveniently left out. Are you up to speed? Great. Now, here's the question of the hour: what are you going to do about all this? A ▢ If you're the sensible sort and want to explore your new digs before slinking around Shehui, you're in luck! You've got easy access to your apartment, and it's luckily not on lockdown right now. Feel free to check out your room, raid the fridge -- oh, and saying hello to your roommates should also be on your to-do list. B ▢ Let's say that hanging out with these people is a little overwhelming...that's fine! There are plenty of things to do in the apartment building without interacting with roomies! There are vending machines to prop up, a leisure floor that contains a totally vacant air hockey table and a nice garden to relax in. C ▢ But ah, there's also venturing outside! Out front is the job board, which is a nice place to hit up if you're looking to add to your currently fat but depleting credit account. The problem is that the jobs are currently disappearing quickly, and those around you aren't giving you such nice looks. This apartment building is a known problem area at this point, and your signet doesn't do anything to settle their fears.

D ▢ With new year's week coming to an end, the residents of Shehui are feeling more celebratory than somber now. A lot of businesses are closed in order to enjoy themselves and ring in the new year the right way. A lot of restaurants and bars are currently offering specials, from free drinks to cheap food in order to pull in the holiday crowd. If you're looking to meet people and socialize in Shehui, this is the best way to do it. E ▢ Also because it's the post holiday season, stores are trying to push out the rest of their overstock merch. One item of note that's being peddled quite often is a cell phone. From tiny flip phones to the latest Orange product, cellphones are a necessity in this modern society. Get yours right now and begin texting right away! There are a few social apps that are installed, so you might be lucky enough to connect with another coven member! They also have Redmolar capability, which will automatically allow you to text those with phones in the area. Maybe send some mysterious stranger texts? F ▢ While you're hustling around Shehui, you may realize that the telepathic messages get stronger -- perhaps the new coven members are near? In general, you may be subject to telepathic messages about current Shehui goings on, random thoughts or requests to meet up at so-and-so location. A.K.A. let's utilize that telepathy...it may not last forever! G ▢ Because the week of remembrance is still going on, flowers are littering the streets, though most of them are dead. Bunches of flowers are being sold, and flower fortunes are a popular activity during this part of the holiday. There are fortune tellers on the street who will give you your flower of the year, but it's more fun to have them read with one another! There are digital cards that you can buy that will allow you to read fortunes on the go -- simply tap the screen of the card and your flower will be decided. Not happy with your choice? Too bad! It won't randomize to something different, no matter how hard you try. H ▢ While a lot of Shehui citizens are trying to avoid the coven members like the plague, a small alien child isn't so much concerned with who helps her, just as long as someone does. She accidentally left her house's door open and her five new kittens are suddenly missing! Where are they? Who knows! But she'd certainly like some help looking for them. I ▢ As the day winds down, snow falls on Shehui for the last time this season. The government is getting rid of their supplies that create the festive weather. This is old hat for older coven members, but for newbies? You better enjoy the snow while you can. After an hour or so, it piles up enough to truly be utilized for merriment...this also means that it's pretty easy to get snowed in if you happen to be in a building during the snow fall, which also creates some interactive opportunities. J ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

we can wrap up here soonish? :D

[bulletbiter]

[ He nods. ]

I'll look forward to it. Thank you.

[ Unconsciously they've walked closer to the apartment buildings, so maybe they can go in and have some tea. ]

[bulletbiter]

[ Julius nods. ]

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.

[ With that, they've arrived at the lobby of the apartment building. Julius walks over to the lift to call it down. ]

Which floor are you going to?

[inspiteful]

[ Sorry Jusis this is where the whole other worlds culture shock is kind of a thing. ]

Uhm, kinda? I grew up along the waterfront, and we'd leave fish or milk out for him and the local cats. I don't do it much since I became an apprentice, though.

[ He realises if he mentioned a word like 'brothel' it would...honestly be begging for misunderstandings, he's learnt this the hard way before! Especially in polite company.

That said, he never really understood what the brothel's relationship with the Prince of Cats was like, beyond the fact that Prince loved to gossip with the sisters from time to time, at least according to one of them. ]

But yeah, it's a port town. Plenty of merchant ships coming through.

[ Other major economic activities: shipbuilding and a lot of crime and things of dubious legality, but it's better to not mention that. ]

[inspiteful]

It'd be in a real sorry state if there wasn't more than one, actually.

[ The thing about working for a doctor and having a more high-minded friend who cared about this sort of thing is that you learn really quickly that healthcare is Important. As clean and shiny Shehui seems to him, Skylark imagines it's at least partially because they have all that in order. He pauses to think. ]

The medicine here seems more advanced than what I know back home. I think there's a library too, so we can check that out as well.

[allbroea]

[ eizen ... ]

Regrettable. [ no small amount of annoyance in that utterance. ] Very well. Who would you recommend I speak with?

[ even if eizen doesn't personally keep up with information, he should at least know who's who, right. ]

[allbroea]

[ so polite, julius ... his kneejerk reaction to someone calling anything for him is to insist he can get it himself, but he suppresses that urge to be completely unpleasant. ]

Fourth. [ a pause. ] Room three.

[ he does not say julius is welcome to visit, but if he didn't mean it, he wouldn't have said anything at all. ]

It's been a pleasure, Mr. Visconti.

[allbroea]

[ good idea on skylark's part to avoid bringing up brothels before he gives jusis a heart attack. he takes note of apprentice ... old enough to start studying under a master, but still too young to be a journeyman.

lightly amused: ]

Perhaps the Prince of Cats gave you his blessing, then. That kitten warmed up to you fast enough.

[ good work on being a devout, skylark. ]

[sluggard]

[He shrugs. Eh, he's got a point. About both things, buuuuut.]

That's the rub right there. Kinda felt a little less unbearable back home though.

[He's just ridiculously lazy, never mind him.]

Guess we're just gonna have to wait for now. Us jabbering here won't really change whatever happens to all of this.

[ex_tenzoku558]

[ persistent, this one.

hundreds of years may have passed since she received them, but edna still remembers each and every word in eizen's letters from the sheer amount of times she has reread them. ]

He's penned about Velvet, well-endowed in foolishness; Magilou, the compulsive troublemaking witch; Rokurou, the swordsman drunk in impulsiveness; Eleanor, the tearfully honest exorcist; and... [ she begins to twirl her umbrella idly for several moments ] —of course. How could I forget? Steadfast to a fault [ wait for it......... ] Benwick.

[ it's still amusing to her how "appropriate" they are for him, even after having met a few of her brother's acquaintances for herself. just the type she'd imagine eizen would throw his lot with. ]

As for you, Laphicet... [ she giggles, an angelic sound of innocence.

......... or one of a devil in disguise. ] How cute, trying to find out your assessment results from me, just because I'm the little sister?

[bulletbiter]

[ They've had a long walk, and no doubt Jusis wants time to himself. That he can give. ]

Same for me as well. Have a good rest.

[ If Jusis needs him, he'll no doubt give a call. No reason to further take up the youth's time, so he'll key the lift before going to his own room. ]

[armigers]

[ Noctis shakes his head, still coming to terms with the fact that someone he started to befriend just vanished like that. It hit a sore spot after losing so many people he cared about -his entire home city, in fact. There's never enough time to really absorb the events that transpired let alone deal with it all without crumbling like he wants to. ]

Not a single reply. If Qri's behind it or the government here, no one knows.

[ All he can do is keep searching and hope that no one else vanishes like that. ]

He's the only one I'm aware of. Don't know much else.

[deusex]

[ Perhaps the heart of the problem was that Julieta and Mikazuki simply got off on the very wrong foot altogether from the beginning. Even with McGillis' initial presence it wasn't enough to stave off the open hostility from either side nor was whatever agreement that had been established enough to dissipate it -- Mikazuki might have been McGillis' ally, yes, and acted accordingly to it, but the orders and the decision to do so ultimately all came down from Orga.

So he'll follow along with whatever he decides here and now, again, as always.

Their eyes meet, and Mikazuki gives a slightest tilt of his chin, a nod, before his gaze too returns to the girl. ]

[deusex]

[ mikazuki always asks The Important Questions.

but... something that cats would like? Mikazuki sits back on his heels, carefully watching the kitten hidden in the shadows. ]

What do cats like?

[counteracts]

[It's true, it's true... Usually he's fairly good with rolling with the punches and adjusting to whatever shit is thrown his way, but it's more the loss of his crew that he's slowly adjusting to. Being without them feels like he's wandering around with one arm tied painfully behind his back.

Orga gives a huff of a laugh.] On a plate, in front of me. Check those two boxes and I'll eat it. Hell. It doesn't even have to be on a plate...

[He's not picky. Of course, eating had become perfunctory back home, something he got out of the way so he could return to work. This opinion could stand to change here.] How about you?

[It is a fair point. He gives it to him.]

True. Seems to be working out that way right now.

[He certainly feels as though he can trust Julius at any rate.]

[deusex]

[ of course, he sees the benefits of learning this, somewhat - in the maybe-distant future, when they have reached where they wanted to be, Mika would like to own a small farm, after all. Something smaller than Sakura's, something he could easily care for even when he's like this. Someday, somewhere, the possibilities exist, a different future that he only need to reach out and grab hold of - some place in this world where they won't be judged by anyone's eyes, some place where they can feel at peace. But that's still something far in the horizon, still more a dream than any potential reality.

Right here and now, shining even brighter than what he can see in front of him, is Orga, and what he promises him. What he had promised. That's more real than any of this, the green grass and the dark earth and the sunlight shining through the glass panel of the dome they are in.

None of this reflect on his outward expression. Mika doesn't have enough words to ever explain this to him, but he doesn't need to anyway; he trusts Orga to understand him regardless. For now, Mika returns the squeeze of the fingers before they let go. ]

You're not distracting.

[ a breathy edge of a laughter, and he turns back to his task. ]

I'll grow some more now, if you pass me the pots there.

[bulletbiter]

[ Noctis' words didn't exactly apply to him, but he can very well empathize with how he feels. There always remained the risk of death, and he knows how keenly that loss would hurt. ]

I'm sorry. [ For your loss, your worry. ]Do you... know anyone else here?

[ It's an awkward question, but better words than just leave Noctis a silence. ]

[bulletbiter]

[ Julius can't help but smile at the response. It's something he might have heard from Gilbert, though the older man did prefer a drink with his meals. Not just for the taste - sometimes, he wondered if the veteran ever doused his worries in alcohol. However, the likelihood of that happening had decreased over time. ]

I had the luck to be able to eat a somewhat balanced diet, so something along those lines. Meat, and some cultured greens. [ cultured because farming no longer exists. ] But if it's required, I'll also eat whatever's in front of me on a plate.

[ Friends are good, and being both military means he doesn't have to mind his words so much. ]

I think there might be a cafe of sorts around here that I can recommend. We can check it out, if you're free. [ If not, maybe next time. ]

[inspiteful]

I already said I'm just used to dealing with cats.

[ Skylark says, all flustered. He's not sure if he wants a blessing from the Prince anyway, given the patron god of cats is kind of a smartass. ]

[allconsumed]

[Determined as always. Velvet pauses her own preparation to watch him for a few seconds. There's something bittersweet about them being together again – for reasons she won't mention for now. Not that she wants to keep secrets from him, but this doesn't feel like the time for heavy conversation.]

Yes, we can. Here and wherever else we end up. Once we're on the island the available ingredients won't be as diverse, but we make do. It's like the type of cooking we used to do while traveling out in the wilderness.

[Without the daemons, but sometimes there are other kinds of weird creatures that show up to be a nuisance. Zombie boars.]

[armigers]

A while, yeah.

[ Longer than he'd like. Who knows how much time has passed in his own world, trying hard not to think about that either. They could have gotten to Altissia and back several times by now, and he's nowhere closer to finding a way out than where he was on Day One. ]

You're not going to start shooting off a bunch of questions, are you?

[ Because he's terrible at answering them and has little to no idea what's ever going on. Mostly, he's just aware they were kidnapped to help other worlds, and they keep hopping from dimension to dimension for reasons?? It's not like Qri ever wants to sit down and chat or explain her powers to them. Most of what he learns is second-hand information from the other coven members. ]

[sharpestsword]

I'll talk to Gaelio and let you know what we come up with.

[ She takes notice of how he is around Orga. His presence is a necessity if they are to move beyond fighting with each other. This is her first time encountering him in person without coming to blows. So far it's been successful. They might even be able to talk about this the way they were talking so casually earlier, instead of like some wartime negotiations. As for Mikazuki, she'll watch him until he leaves, but more out of interest than caution. ]

[sigfried]

[ Siegfried couldn't help but smile a little at that. He doesn't seem to mind that the other man has. ]

Well, if you did wish for your friends to show up, I wouldn't blame you. Not too much, anyway. It's only natural to want to be with someone you know in a place foreign to you.

[ There is admittedly a tad bit teasing there. But not mean-spirited at all; a tiny spark of lightheartedness in the midst of all this unfamiliarity. ]

And while we're asking those questions, it could be good to see if there are any other coven members who know more about this city.

[skiouros]

There's the guy who told me what I know. His name is Shiro.

[ maybe he can teach jusis how to eat an apple, too. ]

[allbroea]

[ the blessings of the goddess prince work in mysterious ways ...

he takes note of the fluster. cute kid. ]

Of course. I didn't mean to discount your skill in cat handling. [ STILL TEASING ... it's a curious talent and a curious deflection of being watched over by a deity. ]

[armigers]

You have a point there.

[ How often does he get to unwind and kick around snow? It has its therapeutic advantages, and he can't help but still kick what's left, the tiny mounds that get smushed beneath his boots before he molds a snow ball in his hands. Too bad Gladio isn't around so he can smash a face-ful of it into him -well deserved considering how much space that guy hogs when he sleeps.

There's a lot he still misses back home, having been trying to cope with losing all that, and it's not often he gets to lose himself in the moment and have fun, especially since the attack on the Crown City. Some days, he forgets what it's like being a twenty year-old -enough that he's tempted to start a snow fight with a stranger, but he'll refrain. For now. ]

You do this sort of thing often back home?

[ It doesn't look like it's his first snow fort, but what does Noctis know? There's little he can ascertain from the guy's appearance alone except that he should probably have someone properly gel back that forelock for him. That's got to get annoying ...says the guy who can barely see through his fringe. ]