[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

[toblueskies]

F. can you hear me now? (oh god, you can)
[ Ritsuka has gotten used to broadcasting her thoughts, or so she believed. having everything amplified like this means that anyone in her vicinity who's openly listening is able to hear her more concerned inner dialogue that involves the shopping she's trying to do and having little success with. ]

It's probably too late to be thinking about this, but I wonder what I should get them.

I know I missed that holiday. I can list off the reasons but in the end it doesn't matter why.

I'm not used to going out and making friends. They usually just come to me.

I still want to get them something. What is a good idea for someone you don't know well yet?


G. she spent her last paycheck on that
[ time waits for no one. just because one silly girl decided to stand outside of a shop, seemingly absorbed in the world surrounding her and the item held in her hands does not mean the world around her would cease. that stark reality interrupted her thoughts as she was bumped into by someone else who was late for an appointment. they did not have all the time in the world even if the girl did.

crouched now at the side of the walkway, Ritsuka held in her hands a brooch. gold with a red gem set into its face. a massive crack split its surface, marring the way the jewel took in light and ruined its glow.

beside her on the sidewalk was a bouquet of flowers. colorful zinnia to be exact. the card that came with it was on its way down the gutter with the wind but she paid both that and the flora little mind. though her expression was thought to be unreadable there's no mistaking the lines of cold tears trailing down her cheeks.

isn't this just a cheerful sight? ]

or wildcard me!

g

[gimmecandy]

-Jack-O' had finally managed to get a sweater and padded skirt to wear in this colder weather, so wandering around outside wasn't such a harrowing event for her (not that it had been stopping her before, but she'd gotten tired of being scolded over it). So of course she was just wandering around, noticing people REALLY didn't like interacting with a masked stranger, and was starting to get discouraged if she was going to have ANY sort of adventure today, until she caught sight of a familiar head of red hair.-

Oh! Ritsukaaan~! -Her friend! Her super special friend! The youthful tone gleefully exclaimed as she started to twirl and dance her way over, before it started to become apparent that... something...

... Something was wrong.-

Ritsuka? -No cute nickname. The mature tone shifted in midway through the name- Ritsuka? What's wrong? What's happened? Please don't cry... T-tell me what I can do the help...

[toblueskies]

[ the shift in tone went right over her head much like the shadows of people passing by. this shadow carried with it a familiar voice so Ritsuka left her thoughts behind a moment to take a look up. ] Huh?

Oh. Hi Jack-Oh. [ she wore a puzzled expression. ] Help? Um. Help with what?

[gimmecandy]

-Jack-O's lack of respect for personal space was a pretty noted factor of her personality at that point, so it probably didn't come as a surprise when she poked Ritsuka's cheek.-

You were crying. Unless it's just allergies?

[toblueskies]

Allergies in winter? I'm not sure that's right.

[ finally coming to her senses, Ritsuka puts her fingers to her cheek and wipes at them. ] Oh, I see what you mean. Sorry. I didn't realize I was doing it.

[gimmecandy]

-The youthful tone whined.- But why? What's wrong? People very rarely cry over good things!

[toblueskies]

They can. But ...[ she looked down at her hands and clutched the brooch tighter. ] This celebration of remembrance. I just — remembered someone. I'm sure that's it.

[gimmecandy]

Memory... -Despite having said it before, the context made Jack-O' roll the word about on her tongue as if it were a foreign term, alien to her. In a way, it was. And despite the melancholy of the moment, she felt a strange...

Envy

... of Ritsuka in that moment.- Do you wanna talk about it?

[toblueskies]

I'd... like to. I would. [ she frowned. ] I'm just not sure if I can.

[gimmecandy]

I-It's okay! You can take your time! Should we go inside?

[toblueskies]

Time? Time is the problem. [ Ritsuka chewed on the inside of her cheek.

then she picked up the bouquet and rose to a stand. ] Inside is probably better. I'll just be in the way otherwise.

[gimmecandy]

Yes, yes! Let's find some place nice and warm and cozy to sit and talk about our feelings! Bupu~! -Jack-O' clapped, before grabbing onto Ritsuka's hand and dragging her along. Not... that she seemed to have any idea where she was going.-

[toblueskies]

N-Not so fast! [ Ritsuka kept her grip tight on both objects as she was led by Jack-O'. after some walking and dodging around people she decided she's had enough of being outside and just stopped hard in front of the nearest diner's window. it looked busy but not packed to the brim. ]

Here! Please. Here's good.

g;

[marakukaja]

[ Hardly cheerful, and in a city as bustling and busy as this, full of strangers, might be difficult to notice. But not for Aigis. Her eyes are keen and although she may not be the best at reading people, she sure as hell knows that crouching and tears are anything but a good sign, so she quickly makes her way over and crouches with her, hands on her knees.]

Are you all right, Ritsuka-san...?

[ Assuming that they exchanged names at the very least She sure doesn't look like it. ]

[toblueskies]

[ there's indeed a familiar voice, and the name to go with it! it takes Ritsuka a moment to realize she was being addressed, but once she does she looks right over to the other girl and smiles weakly. ] Oh, Aigis, hello. [ she blinked, only then noticing the way the cold stung at her reddened eyes. ] ...oh. This? This is nothing. I'm all right just... overwhelmed.

[marakukaja]

...You seem sad, not just overwhelmed.

[ Or maybe she's overwhelmed. By sadness. Either way, to her sensors, she doesn't seem to be as all right as she's trying to play off.

Times like these are when she counts herself fortunate to carry around basic human necessities even if she herself doesn't need them. Reaching into her coat pocket, she pulls out a handkerchief and offers it to her. ]

[toblueskies]

[ why not both? ] Thank you. [ she takes the handkerchief and spends a good bit of time wiping off her face and blowing her nose. ]

Ugh. The cold isn't making it any easier. Sorry. [ Ritsuka is... not sure if she should be handing that back. ] I'll clean it before I return it.

[ she's smiling a bit more. see? all better! :`D ]

[marakukaja]

It's quite all right.

[ Just because she's smiling doesn't mean she's all better!! Her sensors are a little more advanced than that. She smiles at the other girl. ]

Why don't we move somewhere warmer?

[ Like a cafe or something, bustling and busy enough so that they can't be heard over the din of other conversations. ]

[toblueskies]

Okay... [ Ritsuka nodded dumbly. that seemed like the smart move and also something she expected from Aigis. she was so concerned about her health the last time. it seems to be a running theme.

once she had picked herself up and tucked away the kerchief, it was time to collect her things. though she stared down at the flowers. ] —I should find somewhere to put these, first.

[marakukaja]

[ Maybe if Ritsuka stopped!! Putting her health at risk in various situations!!

If Aigis has anything to say about this particular situation, she doesn't voice it at all, and gestures for her to follow. ]

A flowerpot, perhaps. [ If she intends to keep them. ] Where did you get them?

[toblueskies]

I got them from a card. It was... weird. [ but though she says so, Ritsuka doesn't think it's all too unusual. people here distrust magic so much there must be a technological explanation for it. surely. ]

I think I'm meant to put them out with the rest but I don't know where.

[marakukaja]

[ A hop, skip, and a step away, a cafe rounds the corner in their view, and Aigis turns her head, glancing at it before glancing back a Ritsuka, as a silent invitation. ]

...What do you mean? How was it weird?

[ She's also curious as to whether the flowers have something to do with the fact that she was crying, but maybe right now at this particular moment is not the time to ask that. ]

[toblueskies]

[ pocketing the brooch, Ritsuka then pulled out the card from before. ] I received this, and after it told me my fortune the vendor gave me those exact flowers. It's... weird, right? To just have them on-hand like that. They can't have room for all the options.

[ yet as she had stood there, watching, others came and went and it seemed like the types of flowers (and sometimes just plants or herbs) were given out decisively and accepted mostly without question. ]

[marakukaja]

That's true. It's a bit unexpected, unless they knew something beforehand.

[ Or they were extremely lucky and it was a coincidence, but with the way Ritsuka was crying earlier, maybe they hit the nail on the head a little too hard. Who knows. ]

...Do those flowers hold some sort of meaning to you?

[ She can't say she understands flower language and the like, but forget-me-nots hold a special place in her heart, she knows that much. ]

[toblueskies]

[ she shook her head. ] They didn't, at first. But then I noticed the color reminded me of her ascot. Since I just bought a brooch that looked familiar, too, I guess the timing was poor for me.

[ too real of a coincidence to be comfortable, or easily dismissed. ]