[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

[witchhooded]

A time like what?

[ innocent smile, a hand on her hip - jade chuckles as she moves, but keeps her laughter in otherwise. ]

A snow day? I am sure the goats are still there!

[justiceobjects]

Snow? I don't even have a jacket. it's not like I got to pack...

[Apollo moves over to a bench against the wall, sitting down heavily before roughly scrubbing a hand over his face. He knows he needs to get it together, but thinking of this as some sort of awfully weird emergency situation isn't helping all that much.]

I meant a time like getting kidnapped from my office, and getting stuck with - this! All of this!

[witchhooded]

[ oh...

oh. um. hm. jade bites her lip, rabbit teeth sticking out. okay, yes, that was a booboo; she had half assumed this was a... non-coven member? there's more than a few around these parts. it makes for guessing who is and isn't new a pain in the butt.

there's a sense of guilt in her actions as she quickly takes the seat next to apollo, just far enough for it to not be too friendly, but close enough she doesn't feel like she has to talk at full volume. just in case - she doesn't know who is listening, and after the monitor visiting everyone, she's not quite as willing to put herself and others in the spotlight. ]

...Soooo. You are a new member to the coven, then. You're lucky it's me and not someone more dangerous, so please don't go putting yourself in trouble, mister.

[justiceobjects]

Y-Yeah. That's what the letter said, anyway.

[Apollo pats the pocket he had stuffed the letter in, just to make sure he didn't lose it. Like it or not, he didn't have much more evidence to go on regarding how he got here. That made anything he learned valuable, no matter how outrageous it seemed.

He looks over to her after she sits, hesitating briefly before saying,] It's not like I get in trouble on purpose. Are there really dangerous people here? In the... coven or whatever? I didn't even think about that!

[witchhooded]

I trust you with the not getting on trouble on purpose part. ...Umm, that's a tough question to answer, thought! [ jade doesn't know everyone well enough to answer bluntly, so she makes a so-so gesture with her hand. ] Everyone I know is great! But I haven't really met everyone. More than us, you should be more careful about letting people know you're one of us. I know it is kind of alarming... But... Unfortunately, this place does not seem to want us here!

[justiceobjects]

Oh, yeah. That part came up a lot when I went through that whole space-age Customs thing about visiting the city.

[Apollo's frowning to himself now, finding his gaze straying up towards her ears. Now that he's paying attention, he's really hoping those are just part of an interesting headband.]

Do you know why? Do the cops just not want people [he lowers his voice a little, uncertain,] running around with magic wands? Or cooking up potions in big cauldrons? That's what witches do, right?

[Apollo isn't prepared for this in the slightest. Why couldn't he have been summoned by a bar association instead? At least then he would've had a much better idea of what he was in for.]

[witchhooded]

[ pfft. jade slaps her hands over her mouth and tries to stifle a giggle, but it's a pointless endeavor. ] Hehehe... Well, no, I do not have a cauldron, but my friend has magic needles! They are sort of like wands.

[ but jade inclines her head a bit, looking a touch solemn. ] Don't worry yourself about it, but... we don't know yet why it is that they are against magic. The other day we had a lockdown and were interrogated but I think a couple people told the truth about us, so... it's best to keep your signet covered. Easier said than done, I know! Jeez. But there's really no other way to avoid getting questioned.

Oh, um. The lady who brought us here is kind of also missing? [ like. it's so weird catching someone up, when she thinks about it. it's a pretty dire situation. ] If I had to guess... the reason why will be revealed when we finally find her.

[justiceobjects]

The thing in my neck, right... [Apollo lifts a hand back up to his collarbone self-consciously before he starts buttoning his shirt back up completely, adjusting the knot of his tie. With his collar and tie back in place, it covers up the signet pretty well.]

... Wait! If she brought us here, then she could probably get us out, too! Has anyone found any clues about her disappearance yet?

[It might be a little bit of wishful thinking, but it made sense to him. Besides, a missing person was a serious issue, especially in a place that didn't seem to like the whole 'coven and witches' situation.]

[witchhooded]

[ jade nods, confirming his suspicion about the thing in his neck; she smiles a little wider when he's done his part, too. rabbit teeth poking out against her bottom lip, it's clear she approves. he's dressed so formally - jade wonders what this man does for a living. ]

Hm. I don't know. I think you would be better off asking someone else. I do not know exactly what to do in this situation. [ additionally, jade's not so sure they want to go looking for qri. if qri's disappearance is connected to this whole... magic ban, then it might be a bad idea and put everyone and qri at risk. hm. ]

Have you tried out the telepathy yet?

[justiceobjects]

[Apollo lifts one of his hands, poking his pointer finger right into the middle of his forehead. He's taking a moment to think hard about that one - his only involvement with a kidnapping so far was very clear-cut, with a known perpetrator that gave clear demands for a trade. Mr. Wright had an old case with a kidnapping, too, but it wasn't so entirely different...]

I know what I'd do with a murder. Er, not to say she's been murdered! But if anyone knows her last location, or who might've seen her, that's the place to start looking for clues and questioning witnesses.

[Then he pauses. Wait, didn't she just say...] Did you just say telepathy?

[witchhooded]

[ a murder? that's so curious, and jade opens her mouth to question it. she thinks better about that, though, and opts to place a hand over her signet; beneath a scarf. it looks comical, but maybe on lookers will assume she's checking her pulse...?

barely seconds later, jade's voice comes through again, but her mouth isn't moving. ]

Yes! All of the coven has telepathy and one new ability, it's pretty neat. It is more than a little tricky at first, but you will get the hang of it sooner than later.

[justiceobjects]

[Apollo gives a start when he realizes that her voice is just... there. It's not coming from any direction when it's in his head, and that's honestly a little creepy... but it's also amazing.]

Wow, [he murmurs, awed for a moment before some of the implications hit him.] Wait, you can't read just any of my thoughts, can you? Because that would be really embarrassing.

[witchhooded]

Oh, don't worry too much about that. You generally have to try to do that, and even if you make a mistake, it won't be for long! [ but there's a beat, as jade considers something. she looks concentrated, as if she's pulling a memory forward. she speaks slowly, and carefully, measuring each word. ]

There was a time when everyone kind of lost control but... well, it was everyone at once, so I do not think it would be the same as being embarrassed on your own, at least. Um, I guess an easier answer would be that I haven't heard any of your thoughts... and if it makes you feel better, I broadcasted one of my thoughts to everyone on accident before!

[justiceobjects]

So what you're saying is that it's only occasionally unreliable? That's still pretty cool! It's like something out of a comic book.

[And useful, too... if he can remember not to 'think at' about anyone he's particularly annoyed with. That's something that would've gotten him into a lot of trouble in the courtroom.]

Heh, I'll just have to be careful about what I'm doing. ... Uh, I never introduced myself, did I? I'm Apollo Justice.

[witchhooded]

Hehe, right? It's been pretty useful, too, since back on the hub, they are not many ways to communicate remotely at all.

[ actually, it's literally the only way. ]

Don't worry, I didn't either. My name's Jade Harley! [ to be polite, jade mimics something she's seen in movies and offers a hand to shake. ] Your name is pretty strong, like you are a comic book character yourself!

[justiceobjects]

[Apollo promptly shakes her hand, in a firm, professional manner.]

If I'm in a comic book, I don't think I'd be the main character. Comic relief, maybe.

Thanks for explaining so much, by the way. Knowing all of the bad news is way better than blundering around completely lost about what's going on here.

[witchhooded]

[ if jade were at all versed in body language, she'd note what a confident handshake that is. he's acquainted with the concept, at least, and that's good. she beams, and her own handshake is looser, lighter, but her attention's on him. ]

It is not problem at all, Apollo. My name's Jade! Jade Harley. You are pretty used to handshakes, I think?

[ is that weird to say. maybe. jade was raised by a dog and has no idea what "quirky" means. ]

[justiceobjects]

[That question's so odd that Apollo can't help but laugh a little.]

You could say that! I was taught that a first impression was important. [Not that he's always great at it, but he did have a strict mentor that cared about those things once upon a time.]

It's nice to meet you, Jade. Hey, let me know if you ever need my help with something. It'd be the least I could do after how you've helped me out.

[witchhooded]

Thanks! I might take you up on that.

[ pausing briefly, jade taps her chin. her ears - the dog ones, that is - twitch, and she curiously tilts her head. ]

What kind o stuff are you good at? Ohh, I bet you have a really professional skill set!

[justiceobjects]

[Apollo's eyes dart up to her ears when they move, and he can't help but momentarily stare. It's really only reminding himself that he should probably try to not be so rude that makes him drag his gaze away from the sight.]

Well yeah, I do! I'm a defense attorney. I run the Justice Law Offices in Khura'in, but before that I practiced in California.

[witchhooded]

[ a california lawyer! like out of the movies! john would be so excited about this. ]

Wow, how very accomplished, Mr. Justice. With a name like that and in that profession, you really do seem like a comic book character! Hehe.

I'm just Jade, though. I guess I'd just be a student! But I am very good with gardening, guns and nuclear physics, so if you need help with any of those, let me know. I'll do my best!!

[justiceobjects]

I don't know. I think that'd be a pretty boring- wait, did you just say nuclear physics?

[One of those things really wasn't like the others! That was impressive in its own right, considering Apollo would struggle to define what nuclear physics even was. And he's watched plenty of sci-fi.]

That's a really advanced topic! I'll let you know, though... personally, I hope I'll only end up with gardening problems. [The last thing he needed was problems with guns. Or physics.]

[witchhooded]

[ if jade were a little more pop culture savvy, she'd make a legally blonde reference. ] Awww! Science is so fun, though!!!

I'm on theeeee 14th floor, Mr. Justice, you can stop by if you need any gardening tips! Did you have any other questions, though? I've been here and the island, so I might be able to answer anything else you are curious about.

[justiceobjects]

I guess it can be, but I was never great at wrapping my head around it. [It is definitely too hard for Apollo, that's for sure.

Nodding and making a mental note of that, he thinks on it for a moment before slowly shaking his head.] That's everything I can think of right now. I could use some time to process all of this.

[witchhooded]

[ sounds good to jade. awkwardly, like she's not used to the motion, she gives him a thumbs up. ]

In that case, I will leave you to it, Mr. Cool Name Lawyerpants! Don't wear yourself out, and make sure you claim the right bed in your apartment!!

[ embarrasingly, she'd grabbed someone else's. it's a cautionary still. after her warning, however, jade stands and continues her day as initially planned. after all, work can't start without her. ]