[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

[talim]

No— you don't understand. It's like...

[ jude takes a deep breath through his nose. ]

I want to go back. Then I'll explain.

[deem]

[9S isn't entirely convinced, and it shows in his initial hesitance.

But he nods, albeit stiffly, taking Jude's hand]

Okay. If you're sure.

[He's not the doctor here, although he can't shake his concern]

[talim]

[ jude squeezes 9s' hand tightly, even though he can feel his palm sweating underneath his touch. unlike 9s, jude wasn't a part of the jailbreak, so he has no issues getting into his apartment, gently tugging 9s along with him and leaning back against the wall once the door is closed with a sigh. ]

Thinking about it more clearly, you were probably right. The chocolates probably had something in them, but it wasn't alcohol or anything. I don't know what it was.

I swear, nothing in this place is safe.

[ jude makes his way over to sit at the edge of the bed. ]

Just— I don't think you should come near me. For now.

[deem]

[Whatever is the matter with Jude seems to grow more mysterious by the minute. 9S lingers where he stands, unsure whether he was intended to stay here or not, if he's supposed to maintain his distance.

They agree that it was probably the chocolate, but...]

Is proximity having a negative effect on you?

[Maybe that's why he wanted to be away from people. Jude may have just wanted him to see him back to his room and recover from this on his own, but not knowing what it is or what it might do, he can't exactly leave him]

[talim]

Not... exactly.

[ he buries his head in his hands, face burning red underneath his fingers.

here goes nothing. ]

Do you remember when you got that new outfit and we talked about your legs? And wanting to touch them?

[deem]

Er... [This seems oddly tangential] Yeah, of course I do.

[And then as now, he doesn't mind the idea. He knows it bears more weight for Jude than it des for him, but he sees no reason why he shouldn't be able to touch his legs if he wants to]

What's that got to do with this?

[talim]

I still want... I still want...

[ he's peeking at 9s through his fingers. even his ears are red. ]

It's like I want to touch you and kiss you and I can't stop it. My entire body is flushed. It's like this... this urge that I have to fight. It came out of nowhere.

[ rip rest in pieces jude. ]

[deem]

[Following this admission, 9S is silent. Whatever was in that chocolate, it seems they know what it's causing for Jude. The only problem is that he doesn't know what to do about it.

On the one hand, Jude wanting to do those things doesn't seem so bad. If anything, it's something he has expressed in some measure before. But if it's the case that he's fighting it, he must not want to feel that way.

So how does he help that?]

Will you be okay?

[That's the most important thing, he thinks, right now]

[talim]

I don't want to do anything you don't want to do. That's all I care about.

[ but jude nods. ]

I'll be fine, but you should probably... go.

[deem]

[9S wonders whether Jude can tell for himself what he wants, if something is chemically influenced right now. He frowns, unable to fend off his growing concern.

It ought to pass like that strange injection did, but still...]

Do you want me to go?

[talim]

... No.

[ said simply. he finally uncovers his face. ]

[deem]

Then...is it okay if I stick around?

[If he doesn't want to go and Jude doesn't want him to go, then it should be alright, shouldn't it?]

I know you said you'll be fine, but...

[Even so, he's worried]

[talim]

Yeah. It's okay.

We can't sleep in the same bed, though, or I might...

[ he Hates this. he doesn't think he'd ever force himself on 9s— no, he knows he wouldn't— but the very idea of it is enough to want to keep his distance.

he's never wanted to pull him in and kiss him so much, though. every nerve is on alert, buzzing. ]

I'll just take the floor or something.

[deem]

[9S frowns and then sits right where he is on the floor]

You're the one who needs sleep. I'm not stealing your bed.

[And so he'll station himself right here by the door if he has to, although he isn't quite sure what Jude is so afraid of doing to him. They've shared a bed enough times that he doesn't think there's any particular threat he should concern himself with]

It's not that late anyway. We could talk or something.

[talim]

You're so stubborn.

[ but it's enough to make jude laugh, at least. he's struck with an almost unbearable fondness. ]

Okay. What should we talk about?

[deem]

I got to thinking by now you must like stubborn.

[What with being fond of him somehow]

But let's see...I know your favorite food, but what are other things you like?

[He had made Jude gloves because of his hands, and because he grasps utility better than novelty gifts, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about personal taste]

[talim]

You got to thinking right.

[ the easy talk eases his mind and his nerves, though. ]

I like studying, I like research, I like learning new things... But you knew all that, didn't you? My favorite color is navy blue. You knew that, too.

[deem]

That can't be everything right? What about...your favorite kind of weather?

[Does Jude like the sunshine he reminds 9S of? It's a legitimate question]

Or flowers, or animals? Humans have favorites of those too, right?

[talim]

Weather? I enjoy sunny days just as much as the next person, but every once in awhile I find the sound of rain to be soothing.

I happen to know a little bit about flower language, and I like princessia flowers thanks to... a dear friend of mine I associate them with. They mean "most precious treasure" and "a long, healthy life." As for animals... Well, I'm allergic to cats...

[deem]

I don't imagine they're a favorite, if you're allergic.

[That means being around them prompts adverse effects, doesn't it?]

[talim]

It's a shame, because I do like them...

[deem]

Isn't there something you could do, as a doctor?

[Granted he knows precious little about human medicine, but still]

[talim]

[ jude smiles. it's sweet 9s cares this much. ]

There's allergy medicine I could take, if I really wanted to, but it'd have to be a daily thing.

Do you like cats, Nines?

[deem]

[His first answer to that is a helpless shrug]

People have told me what they look like, but I haven't seen one before.

[He still doesn't realize that Rollo is a cat, fun fact]

[talim]

[ jude nods. he isn't surprised. ]

You'll see one sooner or later. Alvin loves cats. I'm sure he—

[ ah. suddenly, jude's expression turns sour. ]

...