[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]

I will.

[ there's a chance he might just pull 9s right into his lap, if he could, but— he's well aware he can't handle 9s' weight. that's not an option.

instead, jude tangles their fingers together and scoots aside to make room for him to sit next to him. ]

[deem]

[And so 9S takes a seat beside him, bed creaking under his weight. But nothing new there...at least the furniture was built to accommodate species even heavier than himself]

I'll hold you to it, you know.

[talim]

[ jude leans his head over so he can rest it on 9s' shoulder. he feels so affectionate, filled with warmth from head to toe. ]

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you, for the date. And for the gloves. You really are wonderful.

[deem]

[Beside him, 9S sputters.

Despite how generous with kind words Jude tends to be, it still startles him, enough so that he mentally broadcasts it right back at him without meaning to.

W-Wonderful—? That's too much, I only...

No he doesn't know he's doing it. Controlling thoughts is an awfully difficult task]

[talim]

[ jude hears the telepathic connection loud and clear, and he laughs, muffling it in 9s' shoulder before pulling back to smile at him. ]

It's not too much. It's just the truth.

Wonderful, thoughtful, kind, generous...

[deem]

[9S doubts he could properly communicate how happy those words make him, simply for the knowledge that Jude believes them to be true. But at the same time he's embarrassed that he couldn't moderate his own thoughts again, his cheeks burning from the combination of the two, and he presses his free hand against his face]

I just...

[He trails off. While he may be used to being complimented on his performance, it's different to have his personal qualities commented on this way. Flattering, but a little overwhelming too.

It wouldn't surprise him if his systems overheated]

[talim]

You just... ?

[ jude prompts, gently. he tilts his head, ever patient. 9s' happiness might as well be his own, and if his words and praise make him happy, then he'll all but smother him with it. seeing him like this, because of him, makes him feel so giddy. ]

[deem]

[After several seconds invested in trying to articulate his thoughts, 9S can only shake his head. It's difficult for him to say it in a way that won't worry Jude: how much those things mean.

Because some reasons are personal, and some are simply down to what he is]

I'm...glad you feel that way.

[This much is true, even if it's not all of it]

[talim]

[ jude releases 9s' hand and cups both of 9s' cheeks, instead, gazing at him. he's not oblivious to how close they are; 9s' puffs of breath intermingling with his, his long eyelashes, their lips inches apart, everything. jude can feel himself getting more and more overwhelmed again. ]

Well, of course I do. I like you.

[deem]

Well, I...sort of figured that.

[A hint of wry humor carries in his voice, as he's pretty sure Jude wouldn't have wanted to pursue a relationship if he didn't like him. At the least, it'd be pretty weird]

[talim]

I know. I just thought I'd tell you again.

[ a huff of light laughter. ]

Nines?

[deem]

[And a curious tip of his head in response]

Jude?

[talim]

... Can I kiss you?

[deem]

[This calls for a moment of silence]

Is asking something we're supposed to be doing?

[Has he been doing it wrong all this time?]

[talim]

Not necessarily, I just— I didn't want to surprise you.

[deem]

[9S swings his legs, dangling over the side of the bed as they are]

Not like I mind.

[talim]

[ not like i mind.

they really have come a long way, haven't they?

heartbeat fluttering and eyes flickering shut, jude leans in and presses a soft, gentle kiss to 9s' lips. he's quick to realize it's not quite what he wants— that he wants more than the fleeting kisses they exchange so often, but he doesn't do anything, not yet. ]

[deem]

[In their first forays into a romantic relationship, 9S was nervous about a great many things. Some of that has changed, and some of it hasn't, because what he is will always remain the same.

But Jude doesn't seem to mind it, and moments like these have become more familiar at least.

One of his hands drifts up, fingertips tracing a path along Jude's jaw, simply because he wants to. This is enough for him, but he hasn't forgotten what Jude said earlier, suggesting that he had to restrain himself...is he okay now?]

[talim]

[ jude is the one to break the kiss, and it's silent as he looks at 9s with wide, unblinking eyes. they're glassy, out of focus. there's just something off.

the self-control he promised all but vanishes when he leans back in to chase 9s' lips again. there's nothing rough about it, but jude's lips are slightly parted, and he kisses with more purpose, more intent. something like relief washes over him like a wave, the chocolate's effects on him still very much present. this is what he had been craving. ]

[deem]

[The last time he'd seen Jude's eyes that unfocused was some time ago, and the observation prompts a need to inquire, but he doesn't get that far before his mouth is occupied again.

It seems like he's alright, though...

And so he returns the kiss, gentle as he always is]

[talim]

[ jude rests both hands on 9s' shoulders, 9s' gentleness only spurring him on. he doesn't know what he's doing, only following his teenage instincts and the dizzying feeling clouding his head, but he parts his lips further to suck 9s' lower lip into his mouth, breath hitching in an odd way. there's heat coloring his cheeks, burning red to the tips of his ears. ]

[deem]

[This isn't the first time that Jude has done that, but 9S finds himself no better equipped to answer to it now. What is he supposed to do in this situation? It's nothing new, so he isn't concerned, but he doesn't exactly know what he's supposed to do.

Maybe it would be more intuitive for a human. But since he isn't sure, he breaks that contact between them]

I...don't know what to do, when you do that.

[At least this time he's not asking more pointedly awkward questions, right?]

[talim]

[ jude almost tells him to go with his instincts, before he realizes that this type of thing is wholly new to 9s, and not in the same way it's wholly new to jude. 9s isn't equipped to know what to do with this sort of thing.

jude might never have been more startlingly aware of the differences between them than he is right now. he never exactly factored this into the equation, and it isn't a problem, but it's also something he doesn't exactly have a solution to.

he'll never make 9s do something he's uncomfortable with. ]

I-I think...

[ how is jude supposed to explain? he barely knows himself. ]

I think it's okay, that you don't know what to do. Because I don't really know, either. For humans, it's just... following your gut, I guess. But I know it's... I know we're...

[ it's hard to admit that they're different, despite 9s having pointed it out more times than he can count. jude's head is still clouded and he'd like nothing more than to toss this conversation to the wind and go back to what they were doing, deepen it further, but he still has his rationality. ]

[deem]

[It's one of those areas in which they're bound to differ. Simply being close is enough for a unit like 9S. He didn't require very much, and the way he's made, he doesn't respond to the same stimuli in the same way. And maybe he's too worried about what he should do, which likely complicates things.

He wonders...is that hard for Jude?

Even if it was, he doubts he'd hear about it. That worries him too, in its own way, but it's not something he thinks it wise to bring up right now]

Geez, I thought you were the expert here, being a doctor and all.

[Humor seems like a good way to go, when he's not sure how to handle himself, and so he makes an attempt at light teasing]

[talim]

[ jude bumps him in the shoulder with a light laugh under his breath. ]

What does being a doctor have to do with this, and in what universe am I an expert?

[ but it's enough to ease the tension. ]

Thanks for putting up with me. And all the human things about me. I know it can't always be easy for you.