[WORLD TWO | FEBRUARY INTRO LOG]

[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 226
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 ▢ One of the places you may arrive in Shehui is your apartment -- and if you're not a newbie, then that may be where you're hanging out anyway. There's likely going to be at least one other person in there with you. Are you going to say hello? Are you on good terms with your roommates? Do you even know who they are? Discuss. B ▢ If you want to go out and do something else, that's also acceptable. Because no access card is needed to enter the recreation floor, which contains the game room, garden and more, it's likely a lot of coven members are hanging out there instead of waiting around for roommates to let them into their rooms. If you want to blow off steam, the game room now also features a karaoke machine and photo booth. C ▢ Word of the recent jailbreak -- which you'll likely need to be caught up to speed on, if you're new -- has made it out into the greater part of Shehui. The job board in front of the apartment is somewhat depleted now that a number of coven members have been "black carded," and thus have no need for credits. This doesn't mean jobs aren't available, though! The newest jobs are going to be related to the upcoming festival, which includes card delivery, chocolate carriers and water holders. These will be explained in a bit -- but there are a lot of other jobs you can utilize to make money. What interesting position will you find on the job board to try out?

Those coming into Shehui today are in luck -- today is Neyi, which translates to "the day of darkness." Today you'll see a lot of old furniture on the sides of the road, people drinking depressedly in bars and a general melancholy aura in the air. The point of Neyi is to get rid of the pain, heartbreak and toxicity you've been carrying around in your relationships. D ▢ Chocolate carriers are walking around the busy streets of Shehui with boxes that are held with straps that go around their necks. Some of these boxes contain four pieces of chocolate, containing a very strong liquor. It doesn't take much for these to get you drunk. Other boxes circulate as the night goes on, other boxes circulate that are a lot more gentle and amorous. These chocolates contain a caramel that has a slight aphrodisiac -- not enough to turn someone into some raging horndog, but they are inclined to make someone a little more cuddly than usual...although, it's worth noting that the more you eat, the less true the previous statement becomes. E ▢ A lot of Shehui residents who aren't into the somber feeling of Neyi have begun to get their true Yuenai party on. One of the most traditional charms of Yuenai is giving out cards with well-wishes, romantic sentiments and other positive emotions. Those who want to send cards can choose from two options: personal, or competition. Personal cards are a lot bigger and more ornate depending on the credits used to purchase the card. Competition cards are part of a little game played on Yuenai that focuses on who can get the most well-wishes. These cards will contain one sentence and then the name of whoever sent the card, and are meant to be a small symbol of appreciation. These can be received all day on Neyi or Yuenai. F ▢ One of the biggest rituals of the day is the ceremonial bonfire that's held in the middle of Shehui. Participants are welcome to bring photos or mementoes of those they hate or ache for, then throw them into the fire. Usually, there's a special powder that's inserted into the fire in order for it to change colours once objects come into contact with it -- it helps with the symbolism, you know? Instead, because of a lot of confusion and ruckus within the contraband rooms, the powder has been mingled with something a little more magical. Now when these items ignite with the fire, a representation of that person springs to life within the flame. They aren't a true physical person, but instead an eerily accurate visage. While they can't possibly be that person, they do speak tormenting or heinous things to those who dare to throw in an object. Bear in mind, this can be performed with something even as simple as writing their name on a piece of paper. G ▢ If you want a less drama-filled evening, then you may want to skip out on the big bonfire and instead head out to one of the smaller parks. There are more personal canister fires scattered throughout each park, and water carriers are asked to patrol in case fires get out of hand. These smaller burns don't contain the same contaminated powder and instead will ignite into a fierce array of colours if anything is burned in them. Others who don't have the same relationship needs as the sad sacks on Neyi have actually begun to use these fires for marshmallow roasting, scary stories, or just outright warmth. It is a little chilly out. H ▢ The discovered magic has, of course, put the residents of Shehui in a tizzy, even if most of them think that this is just an amplified version of what happens on Neyi anyway. Despite this internal reassurance, that doesn't stop most Shehui residents from being very on edge. Fights are becoming commonplace in the street, and the added liquor candies and open bars aren't helping this out, either. What kind of person are you? The kind who has been devastated by Neyi yourself, or the kind to break up those who are causing a scene? There are also an assortment of sad drunks on the street who may need some cheering up. I ▢ Unlike the Valentine's Day that many worlds celebrate, Shehui's Yuenai is open to more than just romantic love. There are also tiny kiosks that are giving away personalized pins that state the holder's name. They can receive up to five of these for free and are asked to give them to those that they consider family. The pins are in the shape of a bouquet of lilies, with the ribbon connecting them the location of the engraved name. The person who requests these will have their name on the pin, and those who receive it are to wear it proudly, showcasing who cares for them. J ▢ Those who are completely new to Shehui may feel a little left out if they don't quite have any close relationships already present in this world. Citizens of Shehui will be given a gift basket by the monitors that contains the names of several already established members of the community -- this is an exercise in relationship building. They're to give the people on this list part of their gift basket, including a competition card and a box of chocolate -- you can pick which kind! Have fun hunting down the people on your own list. [OOC: You have the choice of either selecting your own names or picking people at random based on the taken list. You can also keep this open-ended -- hey, can I ask you to help me find this person? Oh that's you? What a coincidence! etc. Also, this is open to everyone -- not just newbies!] K ▢ Finally, the fact that the Shehui government has been put through the wringer lately is evident by the rain that begins to fall ahead of schedule, around 10 PM instead of at midnight. The major bonfire is a little too powerful to be taken out quickly, but the smaller park fires will be put out eventually. This rain is also a surprise to a lot of residents, and taking cover is a slow process with so many people out and about. L ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[terezias]

Yes, that sounds like something I would do.

[She raises her head back up, shaking it gently out of Chika's grip if she's still holding on.]

Mine are not very large, however, so I would guess it is not that different.

[heartholder]

[ hmm. ]

Did we ever introduce ourselves before? This seems like as good a time as any. I'm Chika!

[terezias]

Terezi. Terezi Pyrope.

[A pause.]

You are very cheerful.

[heartholder]

[ chika sounds hesitant when she responds, a rare thing. ]

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[terezias]

It is not necessarily either. Or rather, it could be both in different circumstances. For now, it was just an observation.

[heartholder]

So I'm the cheerful one, and you're the mysterious one... That's kind of an interesting match, right?

But I think you're kind of cheerful, too, Terezi! You don't seem like the type to let much get you down.

[terezias]

I have also been told that in the past, yes. [Or, you know, less nice versions of that, but Chika doesn't need to know that.] Do you often sort your acquaintances into types?

[heartholder]

Hmm...

[ does she? good question. no one's ever asked her that. ]

I guess I do! You-chan and Kanan-chan are the sensible ones, Ruby-chan is the shy one, Mari-chan is the teasing one, Dia-san is the strict one... I could keep going!

[ a bright grin. ]

My wish is for you to meet all of us. I think I'd like that a lot.

[terezias]

Would you? We have only barely met ourselves.

[A pause.]

Though I do know Dia. She is very serious.

[heartholder]

So what? The more the merrier! It could be one big party!

[ that's the attitude she has, anyway. ]

Once you get to know her, Dia-san is warm and kindhearted. Ruby-chan is her younger sister. Right now, she's taking good care of her.

[terezias]

You really are the cheerful one.

[Cheerfully herself, almost teasing.]

I did not know Dia had a human sister. How do you know each other?

[heartholder]

[ chika's tone grows a bit more somber. ]

Dia-san's sister was... one of the chosen twelve. She's not in great condition, but she's recovering.

[ but she's quick to perk up again. ruby wouldn't want her to worry too much. she knows she's in good hands, with a sister like dia. ]

We all go to the same high school! We're in a group together called Aqours. Have you ever heard of a school idol?

[ back home, everyone knows what a school idol is, but... here, it's different. ]

[terezias]

Hmm.

[Terezi notices the somber expression, as well as the sudden topic change, but opts not to comment on either.]

I do not, as it happens, know what a school idol is. [Helpfully:] Although I have heard of your human school.

[heartholder]

A school idol is pretty self-explanatory. It's just that: an idol who performs to represent her school! And then there's a big competition called the Love Live that we compete in to see who comes out on top. It's a pretty big deal!

[ chika isn't trying to brag— rather, she really is just trying to genuinely explain. there's no haughtiness to her words. ]

But, most importantly... it's lots of fun, and I get to be beside my eight closest friends. We've come so far together, we might as well be family.

[ she twiddles her thumbs, marshmallow stick still in hand. ]

[terezias]

[She listens to that explanation, head tilted. Chika might not have been as clear as she thinks she was being.]

What sorts of things does an idol perform? Songs? Dance? Epic poetry?

[heartholder]

Songs and dance, but epic poetry sounds like it would be a really neat addition. Definitely a creative one... !

[terezias]

If you decide to write epic poetry, I will graciously listen to it.

[Solemnly. Her mouth twitches downward, again, though, after a moment: she's got another question.]

What purpose does the performing serve? Are the songs meant to be part of schoolfeeding? Or is it simply about proving yourself superior to the other schools?

[heartholder]

It's none of those things.

[ chika doesn't miss a beat. ]

It's not about being superior; it's about being proud of where you come from. It's about learning to shine, and, most importantly, it's about having fun! Being a school idol is really, really fun!

[terezias]

So it is about geographical affiliations?

[???? SHE'S CONFUSED she gets that it's fun but surely that can't be the original purpose of the activity. Surely it serves some sort of overall societal goal.]

[heartholder]

Geographical affiliations—

[ chika laughs, the sound warm and genuine. ]

No! What did I just tell you? It's about giving it your all, practicing hard, and having as much fun as you can along the way!

[terezias]

[She shakes her head a little.]

That is the purpose for you. But what purpose does it serve for your society?

[heartholder]

Spreading that happiness all around, of course! If you're smiling from the bottom of your heart, then other people will smile with you, right?

[terezias]

[ . . .

She has accepted she is not going to get the kind of answer she's looking for out of Chika.]

Maybe!