[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

[allconsumed]

[Hearing a voice in your head surprises almost everybody the first time.

Anyway, she should have figured that he'd be quick to test it out. Which is good; she hasn't bought a cell phone and doesn't want one. She replies to him in a rush, not wanting him to worry.]

No, everything is fine. If you want dinner, I'm going to make a new dish that could use a test subject.

[dividepain]

[ If it was someone else, he'd be wary, especially after being called a test subject. But since it's Velvet, he's pretty excited about it. ]

I do! What will it be?

[ Laphicet wasn't even hungry, but he already knows it might change pretty soon. ]

[allconsumed]

[She does mean test subject in an endearing way. It will be a tasty test, hopefully.]

That's a surprise. It's something I had on one of my first days here.

Anyway, there's no rush. I don't want to interrupt if you're busy with something right now.

[dividepain]

[ Laphicet's not only excited but curious too, now. ]

I've got back to my room a little while ago, so it's okay. Maybe I can help you out with something?

[ He's not even waiting for Velvet's response, just getting ready to go. ]

[allconsumed]

[Well, she hopes not to disappoint.]

Why not? I have a few things you could do. Floor six, room one.

[She could throw a mini cooking lesson in, too.]

[dividepain]

[ He might be a bit too enthusiastic about the whole thing, even...because he arrives at Velvet's door in a few minutes, raring to help her out. It's been a while since they could spend time together like this. ]

What can I help you with, Velvet?

[ No greeting, just this. Also, Laphicet already rolled up his sleeves, it seems. ]

[allconsumed]

[She can't help but grin at his enthusiasm.]

You're ready to go, huh?

[Velvet has an apron on, and there's an extra one for him – it's pretty ugly, and it'll be oversized on him, but it's fine as long he doesn't trip on it. On one end of the counter, she's making patties from raw beef. On the other, there are some nice and fresh-looking vegetables arranged next to a cutting board: an onion, tomato and a head of lettuce. There's a block of cheese lurking nearby, too, and a jar of pickles.]

Put that on and wash you hands. [She gestures towards the ugly apron. He probably doesn't need it for cutting vegetables, but a little grease might start flying in a minute.]

We're making burgers. See, they're going to be round and flat, and we'll put them between a bun with the vegetables you cut. I need you to slice them up so that they'll fit on top of the patties.

[dividepain]

I am!

[ Everything about his behavior screams excitement and enthusiasm. He'll be cooking together with Velvet, after all! The apron is indeed hideous, and it's definitely not his size, but it doesn't bother Laphicet at all. With his hands clean, he's ready for real.

What he wasn't ready for is the onion. Overzealous, Laphicet starts chopping the vegetable and only realizes his mistake when his eyes get irritated. Shortly, there are a few tears trailing down his cheeks. ]

I'm fine, I promise...

[allconsumed]

[It's the cheapest apron she could find. Really, save for the time with Waver, she didn't expect to need an extra.

This is as relaxed as Velvet has been in a long time, and it almost feels strange. Phi's enthusiastic nature is just like she remembers. It didn't occur to her to warn him about the onion, though, and now she has to hold back a chuckle.]

You went for the tricky one first. There are tissues in the living room. If you wipe your face with your hands, I'll make you wash them again.

[dividepain]

[ His determined expression turns into a pout which possibly makes a hilarious combination with the tears. Resisting the urge to wipe them with his hands, he clutches his fingers at the fabric and marches straight to the living room, only to be back a little while later. His eyes might still be a bit watery, but the tears are gone. ]

How do you cut it without crying, Velvet?

[ He probably should have asked that sooner, much sooner. ]

[allconsumed]

[A very good question!]

I wonder…

[She doesn't actually know of any tricks. Maybe Celica knew one, but if she taught Velvet, she's forgotten. It would have been a long time ago. Now Velvet has to resist the urge to finish chopping the onion for him.]

It might just be something you have to get used to. We don't need that many slices, so hang in there and do your best.

[dividepain]

I will.

[ She doesn't need to repeat that twice—Laphicet resumes chopping the onions, and even though he's sniffling during the whole process, there's no stopping him. Not that it takes too long, but still. ]

If we're stuck in this world for a while...does it mean we can do this from time to time?

[ They should be able to spend time together in peace...it almost sounds too good. ]

[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.]

[dividepain]

[ Laphicet, fully aware that he's being watched, tries even harder than usual to do what he's been told as fast and as neat as possible. It doesn't go quite his way—he's sniffling way too much for his liking and even though it's just one onion, it still takes him a while. ]

I don't mind! As long as we're together.

[ Ah, he might have said too much. Did he get so mushy because of the tears? Who knows. ]

What's that island like?

[allconsumed]

[He can get as mushy as much he wants, frankly. Velvet will still play the part of Lord of Calamity if and when she has to, but what's the point of keeping up the harshness around Laphicet? He certainly doesn't deserve her at her worst.]

Unlike this city, the only people who will be there are members of the coven. We had to build a camp mostly from scratch, but there's no lack of necessary resources. There was a bad storm, and we've had to deal with attacks from wildlife. Still…

[She trails off. Compared to some of the things the two of them have had to deal with in the past? Nothing too rough.]

Speaking of, you might be able to find some bugs there that you've never seen before. I haven't exactly been keeping an eye out.

[dividepain]

[ From what she has just said, it sounds like the coven members were quite busy back on the island. But what he finds interesting is that Velvet used the plural form. Maybe she just meant that in general, but there's no way he wouldn't ask about it further. ]

Does that mean you worked together with other members?

[ He still remembers how, to put it mildly, worked up Velvet was in the earthpulse and it's relieving to see that she's been doing well. ]

I hope everyone will be able to see me there, too. I want to help.

[ Oh, bugs. At that, Laphicet immediately raises his head and shifts his gaze to her. ]

I can't wait!

[allconsumed]

[It's not too surprising that he would pick up on that. Velvet hasn't been super eager to include herself in the community of the coven, so to speak, but it's also not an idea that she completely rejects. Laphicet sure seems enthusiastic about the prospect, so instead of disappointing him, she evades the question.]

I hope that, too. You make a much better helper than me.

I don't know if anybody has made a detailed record of all the fauna and flora on the island. On top of that, I'm pretty sure there are places that still haven't been explored. There are plenty of ways you can stay busy.

[Instead of mostly brooding in isolation, like some people.]

[dividepain]

[ He might be naive, but not that naive to not know that she evaded the question on purpose. As much as he's curious about what she's been doing up until now, Laphicet leaves it at that.

Well, at least for now. ]

Does it really mean we'll be the first ones to explore those places?!

[ He knows what it means, but it just sounds too good to be true. He'll get to explore a new place, perhaps describe it even! And all of that with Velvet! Because yes, he already assumed they're going to do it together. ]

We could bring someone from the coven along, too...

[ The Have you made any friends? topic is back, but this time he tries to make it more subtle. ]

[allconsumed]

[He assumes correctly. Even if she's pretty damn sure that he can look after himself while out there exploring, it's a comfort to know that she can look after him. Plus it should be fun, so long as they don't run into anything too nasty.]

From what I gather, there's a person or a group that's made a map. We can figure out who and ask to make sure.

[Clever for him to frame his curiosity concerning her friends that way, though. It's just like him, and she relents.]

Bringing someone else along wouldn't hurt. I've met a surprising number of people who seem reliable.

[A surprising number to her is, like, three. And now she's practically baiting him into asking who.]

[dividepain]

[ Hamburgers have to wait—he needs to turn his attention fully on Velvet now, especially when she mentions someone making a map. ]

Maybe I could help them make some copies...do you think they would like that?

[ As much as he'd love to help them out, Laphicet has his concerns. If there's a group they might have already done enough copies. Or they might not take him seriously. ]

A surprising number? [ That's surprising, no less. ] Who are they?

[ He fell for it hook, line and sinker. ]

[allconsumed]

[Velvet has the patties ready and is all set to get cooking, but no rush.]

It wouldn't hurt to ask. I don't see why they'd say no.

[That's essentially code for "if they say no I'll stab them." Back to the second topic, which… wait why is she encouraging this? Probably because it's Laphicet.]

Shiro is one of them. I train with him on the roof, and we've actually talked before about exploring the island but never got around to it. Jude is younger than me, but he's studied medicine, so he's not bad to have around. Then there's 2B, who's so tough that I couldn't beat her in arm wrestle even using my left hand.

[Listening to her speak fondly of these folks might be a little bizarre for him. Not like she's fawning, but the vibe is positive.]

[dividepain]

I'll give it a try!

[ Still, for some reason Laphicet makes a mental note not to tell her if something goes wrong and they won't want his help. It might be for the better good. ]

Shiro, Jude and 2B.

[ That's right, it is a bit out of place. But just a bit. He's going to remember these names. ]

There's someone you can't beat, Velvet? Really?

[ A weird thing to hang on, but here he is. ]

[allconsumed]

[Probably for the better good, yeah. Her over-protective nature could use some toning down.]

It was just arm wrestling. If we ended up in a real fight, I could win.

[She believes that firmly even if it's not verifiable.]

Still, it's not like I'm hoping that that ever happens. We get along. She's definitely pretty even though she's not human. Funny, huh?

[dividepain]

I'm sure you would—

[ His tendency to idolize people could use some toning down as well but let's be real, it's not happening anytime soon.

But wait a second. ]

She's pretty?

[ Has Velvet just called someone pretty? ]

[allconsumed]

[His idolization isn't such a bad thing on Velvet's end. It motivates her to be a better person, and there's opportunity for that now more than during their journey.

There's also more potential for her to let embarrassing things slip, apparently. She turns away to fire up the stove, then pulls out a pan.]

That's what I said. [She puts the pan down too hard, and it clanks.] There are more vegetables to chop, you know.