EVENT #9: NOCWICH - IC POST

[abraxasmods]

Event #9 - Nocwich

go to the OOC event info and plotting post or the the IC wrap-up post

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Throughout August, each faction is in a constant bustle. Between upping their borders' defenses and the arrival of Nocwich's emissaries, there's been no shortage of activity.

On AUGUST 15, a few days before the portals open, the Summoned will receive invitations delivered to their doors. Inside the wax-sealed envelope, they will find:

◎ A handwritten letter addressed to them by name. The letter formally welcomes each person to the grand opening of Oleuni Square, the first neutral territory formed in Nocwich between Ikorr and Luna. If you happened to donate your blood last month, a small thank you will be included, as well.

◎ A unique enchanted pendant that will allow the wearer to enter the portal. You must have this pendant to come and go from Nocwich.

◎ A card bearing their Arcanum. On the back is a painted pink crystal with the letter E. Exchange this with Lady Elin to have your fortune told. Those newly Summoned in August will have an additional handwritten note that says, Your time has not yet come. Answers may arrive upon the next full moon.

◎ Two invitation cards: one to LUNAR POND and one to the NIGHTBLOOM. Use this to enter the ceremony you choose on the night of the full moon.

Arriving at the Portals

When AUGUST 20 approaches, there will be carriages or mages with teleportation spells ready to take everyone to the portal location depending on the faction.

In the FREE CITIES, the trip will take 1 hour each way by carriage. As a result, it's suggested you make plans to stay a few days at one of Nocwich's fine inns unless you want to make the trip daily. Of course, if you don't plan on returning to Nocwich more than once or twice, the trip may not be too troublesome.

In THORNE, portals will be available just outside the castle in a more secluded area around the back.

In SOLVUNN, a short walk will take you to a shrine in the woods where a portal has been activated nearby. If you're coming from the Tertiary or Secondary Settlement, you may need to make a slightly longer trip to get there.

Oleuni Square

Newly formed as a pact between Ikorr and Luna, Oleuni Square was designed as a welcoming neutral space for anyone to visit.

While the werewolves and vampires do not intermingle much throughout the week, this is nonetheless the first time they've ever shared a space. A bit of tension can be felt here and there, but for the most part, those who are part of this event have agreed to put aside their differences to put forth their best selves for the Summoned.

Both the vampires and werewolves are curious about the Summoning process. They'll ask the Summoned about it if the topic arises, though they won't be pushy. It seems they just want to know: is it really possible to bring forth someone from another world? Someone of the faction's choosing?

About the Vampires

Unlike what some legends and myths state, the vampires of Ikorr are a species unto themselves. A vampire cannot turn or change a human into one of its own. Physically, all vampires possess visible fangs. Their eyes can change color depending on their age into a glowing orange, red, green, or blue and their pupils may even vanish entirely. They are extraordinarily long-lived provided they remain out of the sun. Entering the sun ages them rapidly and brief exposure can take decades or even centuries off of their lives.

They are fairly secretive, fearing the destruction of their kind. Much of their written knowledge is guarded in heavily secured libraries and vaults. It is not currently known if they can procreate. It is entirely possible that the vampires in Ikorr are those who have been there from the very beginning and that there have been no new vampires for an extremely long time. Rumor has it that a vampire child is considered a rare miracle and is greatly celebrated when one arrives. Regardless, there appear to be no vampire children present anywhere in Nocwich, at least not where the Summoned can see.

Vampires require blood to survive and claim they no longer feed on unwilling humans. This would appear to be true, as very few humans enter Nocwich as it is. Further, the vampires seem to have found a way to closely replicate the taste of human blood using animal blood and a combination of enchantments and herbs. It isn't perfect, and those with a special sense of smell or who are familiar with real human blood will recognize the subtle difference. According to the vampires, they don't experience unusual blood cravings. It's simply a necessary part of their diet. Nonetheless, there are rumors that sometimes those who are seen entering Ikorr do not leave, though these seem to be tall tales more than anything. That said, Nocwich is a city like any other and has a variety of predators and criminals in its midst. Danger can befall anyone.

About the Werewolves

Similar to the vampires, the werewolves of Luna are also a species unto themselves. They do not pass on a curse nor were they ever cursed or once human. The full moon enhances their transformation process, but many werewolves have learned to control their shifting ability and can choose to change at will regardless of the lunar cycle. While they don't explicitly need to live in darkness, many are now used to this lifestyle and prefer it. Being in daylight can dull or trouble their senses. It also carries the risk of damaging their pelts, something they guard carefully as it's their only means of shifting into their wolf form.

Those who reside in Solvunn might notice familiar motifs in runes, clothing, tools, and even architecture. This is because some of the original settlers of Solvunn were once werewolves from Nocwich. Over time, the werewolf aspect of their lineage has largely faded, but some traditions remain including their preference for oral history and storytelling, as well as their more rustic lifestyle. Once in a while, some werewolves might travel to Solvunn to attend a special solstice celebration. They won't announce themselves as werewolves and blend in well, so they're easy to miss. They'll often take livestock with them when they leave.

Unlike the vampires, the occasional werewolf child can be seen, though not as many as one might expect. The werewolves are tightlipped about it for the most part, but some do speak of the moonlit years, a time when their numbers were thriving. It's unclear what's happened if anything, but the werewolves as a whole are extraordinarily protective of their young ones.

The Marketplace

Making up the majority of the Square, the Marketplace consists of a series of outdoor stalls and a few actual shops. Whatever you can think of can be found here, from jewelry to clothing to food and wine. There are fancier eateries where one can order a meal and cheap street vendors. Much of what's available is of fairly high quality. Nocwich has put their best forward and only those who would make a good impression have been allowed to set up in the Square.

The list below is not all-encompassing, but it'll give you a sense of what you'll find.

Sights & Sounds

◎ THE MAIN STAGE. An outdoor stage will feature a variety of musical performances, dances, and plays. There is no need to buy tickets or reserve a seat. Simply come and go as you please, though it's of course polite not to leave in the middle of a performance. Refreshments can be purchased at nearby stalls.

◎ GAMBLING DEN. While there are a few under-the-table wagers being made all over, the main gambling den is run by the vampires. Complimentary tokens will cover the first few rounds. You'll need to purchase more if you want to keep playing seriously. Nocwich is no different than any place, though, and chances are you'll find that the house always wins in the end. Still, if you know when to stop you might find yourself with a little extra spending money!

◎ SHOPS & STALLS. In addition to the wares brought over last month, visitors will find an even greater selection of wine, meat, jewelry, herbs and flowers unique to the land, and special elixirs that offer different effects from cures to recreation. Some of the ingredients in these items may contain werewolf hair, vampire blood, or other unknowns. There doesn't appear to be much by way of regulations in Nocwich, so take extra care. Nothing will cause major harm, but you might end up with a more potent piece of candy than you were expecting...especially if it looks green and faintly glowing.

◎ HOT SPRINGS. Hot springs are used among the werewolves to ease their aching muscles before and after a transformation. A hot spring is available near the edge of the water for anyone to visit at any time. A few torches have been lit for the sake of their visitors. Do note, however, that the werewolves have little modesty and expect the same of those who join them. If you insist on keeping a few scraps of clothing, you'll be looked at strangely.

◎ SPAS. Near the hot springs, spa treatments will be available. Hot stones, massages, and aromatic herbs are all options for you to try. There will also be wine and herbal teas served while you're relaxing. You may experience this alone or you can go in pairs.

◎ TATTOOS. Due to their quick-healing nature, tattoos are popular among both the werewolves and the vampires. A couple of tattoo shops are available, where anyone can get a tattoo of any kind. For an extra fee, the ink can be imbued with the sap of a special flower that gives the design a faint glow under the moonlight.

◎ YARN & WOVEN ITEMS. Werewolves shed a great amount. A few enterprising individuals have spun the fur into yarn to make knitted shawls, gloves, blankets, and socks. The resulting wool is surprisingly soft and keeps the wearer warm without overheating them. It's also highly absorbent and quick to dry, making it an ideal washcloth.

Lady Elin's Divinations

To the east of the square sits Lady Elin's fortune-telling tent. It's modest and plain, without any of the flashy trimmings the other seers have. The only thing advertising her business is a single wooden sign. She possesses no equipment beyond a single crystal embedded into a round disc and a few candles. Those who are sensitive to magic will be able to sense the hum of power from her. Whoever she is, she appears to be the real deal - or at least has a significant amount of magic compared to others of her kind.

Curiously, any of the Summoned who pass her by will receive a look, almost as though she recognizes you or senses something familiar in you. As the Summoned, you are the only ones whom Lady Elin will actively encourage to get a reading. She may even insist on it if you hesitate. She does not seem interested in performing readings for anyone else. Her presence is calming and she's soft-spoken, if serious. While she will not explicitly say such, it's as if she has something she wants to tell each of the Summoned - something she can only reveal through a reading.

To get a reading, all anyone has to do is hand her the tarot card received in the envelope.

Comment here to receive a personalized reading. Should they have any further questions, Lady Elin will tell them their time is up and the crystal has no more answers to offer.

Be sure to request a reading before AUGUST 25th at 11:59 PM ET! This is to help us make sure all the readings are given and wrapped on time.

Hunting Woods

The Hunting Woods are dark and haunting. Anyone is welcome, but the guardians of the woods make it clear that you enter at your own risk. Other predators hunt alongside you and may see you as competition or even prey. Any form of lighting is not allowed as it chases away the wildlife.

As most of the Summoned are expected not to be carrying large hunting weapons with them, the guardians will lend fine-crafted weapons for those who wish to hunt. These weapons are of the same quality their hunters use. You can choose between a crossbow, a bow and arrow, or a spear.

Have trouble in the dark? There are options for those who can't see without firelight: merchants sell eye drops that will enhance the user's sight in the dark for a few hours. There are also goggle-like glasses that serve the same purpose for anyone who doesn't trust putting things in their eyes, though these run the risk of breaking in a fight. Whatever you decide, just take care in these woods. They are not for the unskilled nor the amateur hunter.

Much of the flora and fauna in the Hunting Woods have adapted to the dark. Ferns grow low to the ground, flowers bloom under the moonlight, and there is a large variety of mushrooms. Some are edible, but many are not - so don't eat what you shouldn't. For an idea of what creatures you can find in these woods, check the Nocwich section of the Bestiary. (Thank you everyone for your contributions!)

Night of the Moon

On AUGUST 26, the moon will shine bright and round in the sky. During this time, the Summoned will be invited to one of two ceremonies: Lunar Pond and the Nightbloom Ballroom.

Lunar Pond promises a beautiful and elegant moonlit night with the werewolves of Luna and offers participants the chance to earn a blessing that will strengthen their hearts. The Nightbloom, meanwhile, promises an evening of luxury with the vampires of Ikorr and the chance to witness what the vampires call the Blooming. It is said all those who are fortunate enough to see this event will find their path lit more brightly than others.

To attend one or the other, simply gather in the middle of the Square when the time comes and step through the appropriate portal. The Square will be closed while the ceremonies are happening. If you do not wish you attend, you must return home. It is not possible to remain in the Square or in Nocwich. Otherwise, choose the portal to Ikorr or Luna and enjoy your time! Carriages will be waiting after the portals to take guests the rest of the way to their destination.

At Lunar Pond

Hidden within some dense forests, Lunar Pond is more than just a pond. The vast wooded area is lit with delicate flowers and fireflies that pulse gently with life. Due to the thickness of the trees, the moonlight reflects the brightest off of the pond, giving it an ethereal glow. Additional glowing flowers have been placed around the forest to make a path for the visiting Summoned, like blooming lanterns. Carved wooden benches and tables have been placed around the area for seating, as well as natural tree stumps, boulders, and logs.

A large space for dancing has been cleared out, and music will be going all night. The werewolves favor folk sounds and wood instruments not unlike what's common to Solvunn. There's nothing formal about the dancing, as the point is to enjoy yourself. Set partners are rare. Most of the locals will dance in large groups or switch partners regularly within the space of a single song, making the experience a bit chaotic to watch. As the night wears on, it's not unusual for the dancing grounds to get a little rowdy - though in a friendly, celebratory way.

REFRESHMENTS
In the middle of the clearing is a large buffet table. Refreshments include a variety of raw meat and fish delicacies similar to tartare, ceviche, and carpaccio. The hosts will assure anyone who seems nervous that these are entirely safe for human consumption.

For those not convinced, there's also a variety of roasted poultry, steaks, delicately steamed and smoked fish, barbecued eels, and pies. Dishes of root vegetables and mushrooms such as tarts, soups, and stews are also available, along with a fine selection of mead and wine. Sharing a meal is important to the werewolves, and the amount of food and drink available demonstrates this. This doesn't mean the food lacks care, though. Presentation is equally important, and each plate or bowl is displayed with the appropriate garnish and decorations.

MOON LANTERNS
Upon entry, each person will be given a small lightweight lantern made of unusual reflective material and a piece of parchment. Write down the name of someone important to you - someone present in your life right now in this world - and place it inside the lantern. There are also paints and ink available if you wish to decorate the outside of the lantern. It isn't required, but personalizing your lantern in some way is encouraged.

Once completed, the lanterns will be set aside within a carefully watched tent for the decorations to dry. It would appear the werewolves take guarding the lanterns seriously, and no one will be allowed to enter the tent.

BLIND TASTING
Ever adventurous, the werewolves have set up a blind tasting tent. All the food and drink here are unlabeled and enchanted with a spell that makes it difficult to see what it is.

Enjoy dining alone? Too bad, because this requires a partner. If you don't want to choose a partner, the werewolves will choose for you. You'll be asked to choose your partner's meal based on what you can vaguely discern from the blurry and obscured view of the available dishes and drink, and they'll do the same for you. You might get something you enjoy, it might be horrific. The adventure is the point so these dishes won't be mundane, and are likely to contain something a bit strange, whether that's extreme spice, an unusual animal part, or an untested vegetable. While the cooks are attempting to make an edible yet experimental dish, their idea of edible might not be the same as yours...so although nothing will be dangerous or make you ill, the taste can be another matter.

Of course, you can give up and tap out at any time. Those who commit to clearing their plate, however, will be rewarded with bragging rights and an embellished drinking horn.

THE TRANSFORMATION
Partway into the night, attending guests will be invited to the clearing before the pond and given the lantern you made earlier. Here, a small group of werewolves will take their place in the center. Each werewolf is covered only in their pelt, a thick coat of fur that wraps around their body. As the moon shines upon them, the pelt begins to stretch and mold over their bodies like a second skin that melds into their form. Their limbs elongate, bones snapping and skin splitting. Within just a few short minutes, several large wolves now stand before the audience.

Take your lantern and follow the transformed wolves to the edge of the pond. Here, you can set the lantern on the water. As it floats, the full moon will light it up. If you pay attention, you might feel a warmth inside you - and the person whose name you wrote might feel the same, too, even if they're not with you at the ceremony. The werewolves refer to this as the moon's blessing, a promise of protection for the days to come.

At the Nightbloom

Rising through the fog in Ikorr, the Nightbloom is a grand castle that boasts an exquisite grand ballroom within its vast walls. Dancing is a given - and although elegant, it is certainly not stiff. The dance floor quickly becomes a whirlwind of swirling fabric from the vampires' natural grace and speed. Plenty of plush couches have been set aside for attendees to rest their feet, have a drink, and chat.

On either side, two curved staircases lead to the upper floor where guests can explore a collection of prized sculptures, paintings, and other art pieces. Some of the art is broken or worn, some are in pristine condition, and others still may even register as quite ugly depending on your taste. Nonetheless, every piece holds a lot of history and the vampires consider every artwork an important part of their past. None of the art is labeled, and most of the locals are reluctant to share too much about their history. Most questions will be answered with a coy, Art is how you see it.

REFRESHMENTS
Favoring elaborate flower arrangements, the long dining tables are neatly set with candles and refreshments. As the vampires largely subsist on blood, eating for them is less about sustenance and more about the experience. There's no shortage of food, but each item is delicate, meant to be eaten in one bite. The variety is unmatched. Some of the ingredients have been imported from elsewhere in Abraxas: fruits and herbs that couldn't possibly grow without sunlight.

More important than the food, though, are the drinks. The blood-infused wines and cocktails are the most popular of among the vampires, though there are non-blood varieties for those who wish to stick with something more familiar. You can serve yourself or ask one of the attendants to make you a drink of your choosing. Mead and ales are also available, but in smaller quantities and with less variety.

THE FLOWER
In the center of a guarded room sits a large flowering plant. From the plant are smaller blossoms, all of which are budded and not yet in full bloom. At a glance, despite its size and ethereal blue hue, it seems unimpressive with its petals tightly closed. Nonetheless, an aura of magic hums from it, a gentle sensation.

As a Summoned, you'll be invited upon entry to take one of the smaller blossoms and to keep it with them. Approaching the flower, you'll find yourself drawn to one bloom in particular, for reasons that can't be explained. That will be the blossom to take. Slip it into your pocket or wear it in your hair. It doesn't appear to matter what you do with it, the flower can't be crushed and it won't wilt...though its petals remain tightly closed for now.

DANCING LESSONS
Find yourself a partner and step into one of the side rooms if you want to have a lesson in a unique form of ballroom dancing. That is to say, you will be floating a few short feet off the ground once inside the enchanted room, giving the entire experience a weightless feel. The instructor is an encouraging and soft-spoken gentleman who will guide each person through each step no matter their skill level. He's exceptionally patient, willing to work with the most difficult of students, and overall enjoys his craft thoroughly.

Feel free to change partners between lessons if you wish, and take on whichever role you like - or try both leader and follower. Be careful: if you're too stiff or lose your footing, you run the risk of sinking through the enchantment and hitting the floor. It won't be far enough to injure and the floors have been cushioned, but your ego might be bruised.

Those who succeed in completing at least one full dance without tumbling to the ground will receive a jeweled music box.

THE BLOOMING
Partway through the night, all attending guests will be invited to the room where the flower sits. Those who took a bloom will be asked to bring it out and hold it. Slowly, the frosted glass ceiling above begins to fade, growing clear and allowing the moonlight to stream through directly onto the flower. As it does, the bud begins to open, revealing glowing orange petals that fill the room with a soft light.

You'll find at the same time, the blossom in your hand begins to unfurl and bloom, too. Its glow is smaller but no less bright, and a rush of warmth will fill you. The Blooming lasts only a few brief minutes. Then the large flower will close again - but not the blossoms. While their glow will fade, their petals remain open and vibrant. Be sure to keep this flower safe.

FOREWARNING

Nothing ever stays quiet for long. Near the end of the full moon ceremonies, officials from each faction will reach out to their Summoned who are in Nocwich.

In NOCWICH at the ceremonies only, two couriers will make a delivery shortly after the main event finishes (either the wolf transformations in Luna or the Blooming in Ikorr). They will discreetly slip it to your character, and will not linger to answer any questions. Once all deliveries are made, the couriers will seemingly melt into the crowd and vanish.

Those who are not attending the ceremonies will not receive the package. Unfortunately, there is no time to search for those who are not in Nocwich, so faction leaders have concentrated their efforts on the ceremonies where the majority of the Summoned are expected to be.

The Assignment

If you're chosen as a delegate, the below won't apply to you. Your scenario will be outlined under The Delegates.

Each person will receive a package containing a small note and a particular item. Along with detailed instructions on how to carry out your assigned task, the note will inform you of the following things:

◎ A potential threat to faction officials in Nocwich has been found. This threat may include one of the Summoned delegates of the same faction. The nature of this threat is unknown, so preventive measures for defense are being taken. This task is not meant to cause harm to another directly, only to protect.

◎ As the threat is believed to be coming from a rival faction, discretion is of utmost importance. It is strongly recommended that the Summoned do not discuss it with anyone outside of their own faction, or with anyone in Nocwich.

◎ Faction leaders will take care of the Nocwich leadership. The Summoned are asked not to spread panic and to keep this information to themselves, as the factions firmly believe that this threat is only to anyone of great importance belonging to one of the three factions. They are quite sure that the citizens of Nocwich and regular visitors are completely safe, citing that their information source is highly credible.

◎ The Summoned will be informed that assisting is their choice, as the faction leaders understand this carries a risk not everyone wants to accept. Those who don't wish to be involved are asked to place the item they are given in the envelope and return it afterwards to their faction.

Once the note has been read, the ink upon it will dissolve, leaving behind an unremarkable piece of blank parchment.

As if that weren't enough, you'll also only have one hour to do what you need to, as well as perform any sabotage or assistance, since the full moon ceremonies will soon draw to a close. Once the ceremonies end, you'll be herded into the returning carriages and nothing more can be done. Act quickly, especially since completing the task requires at least 15 minutes of preparation first. And remember: choosing not to act is still a choice, and it'll influence what happens next. To truly abstain, you'll need to not be involved in the ceremony at all.

Work together if you must, share resources or spells and skills - time is of the essence.

Thorne

The Summoned from Thorne will receive a tarot card that is blank at first. The image must be fully revealed by heating the card's surface, then waiting 15 minutes for the design to appear and the ink to dry. The card needs to be placed facedown somewhere (ideally hidden, such as under a book or a seat cushion), so it's critical that the full 15 minutes pass or the image will smear. There must be no rips, burns, or other blemishes anywhere on the card. It is up to you to find the appropriate heat source to do so, discreetly.

To interfere, you can deface the card before making the placement. Defacing the card involves drawing on it, smearing the image, or otherwise ruining it in some manner while ensuring the card itself remains intact. Those who are familiar with Abraxan magic will understand that defacing a tarot card can nullify or subvert a spell or enchantment.

Free Cities

The Summoned from the Free Cities will receive a tiny bug designed to resemble an insect common to Nocwich. The device will arrive with its wings open, revealing the cogs inside. These cogs need to be wound with a small tool (a pin or a needle) five times, no more no less. It will take 15 minutes for the device to finish preparing, at which point the wings will snap shut and you may cast it into the air with a gentle toss. Casting it before the wings close will cause the device to shut off too soon and plummet before it can be of any use. It is up to you to find the appropriate tool to do so, discreetly.

To interfere, you can ensure the device fails to work by winding it the incorrect number of times, removing one of the cogs, cutting one of the wires, getting it wet, or otherwise jamming the bug in some way while ensuring its physical body remains largely intact.

Solvunn

The Summoned from Solvunn will receive a delicate seed the size of a walnut. This seed is dry and must be soaked in clean water for at least 15 minutes until a small sprout forms on the seed, then planted in some earth. This can be anywhere, such as in a potted plant or under a tree outside. The seed must be fully covered and it must show signs of a tiny green sprout before it's planted. It is up to you to collect the appropriate water source, discreetly.

To interfere, you can ensure the seed will not properly grow by cracking the seed, charring it, soaking it in a liquid other than water, removing the sprout, or otherwise ruining the seed somehow without destroying it altogether.

Players will have until August 26 at 11:59 PM ET to let us the final outcome of their character's assignment, as this will affect how the event wraps up.

You do not need to finish any threads by then. Only two things are required for submission:
1. You must have a thread started of your character attending one of the ceremonies
2. You must decide what your character's final outcome status will be and mark it down for us

How your character reaches their final outcome is up to you and you can play out as much or as little interference, conflict, or drama for flavor as you like leading up to it. Once your outcome is submitted and the deadline has passed, please do not change it ICly or OOCly.

If your character is ICly attending the ceremony but you do not submit their assignment outcome by the deadline, it will default to decline.

Once you are ready, fill out and submit the form here.

The Delegates

If you were chosen as a delegate, you'll have already left for your meeting before the courier arrives at the ceremony. As a result, you won't receive the same package and your path will be a bit different.

To get to the meeting spot, a large and official-looking building, you'll be taken through a portal into an unknown city square rather than traveling directly to the meeting. If asked, you'll be told this is for security reasons. A carriage will await all three delegates at the square, which will then take them to another set of portals - where they'll finally reach their respective destinations of either Ikorr or Luna.

A separate IC log has been provided for delegates. Please go there for further details and to meet with your chosen representative.

The Outcome

As the carriages return to Oleuni Square, all seems well. The market is beginning to open back up as citizens return from the ceremony, merchants are setting up their wares, and there's no visible danger in sight. Intriguingly, Lady Elin is nowhere to be found, her things packed and the sign no longer on the table. It appears she does not plan on returning, or perhaps knows what lies ahead before anyone else.

Sure enough, the rumors start to surface: a fire, smoke coming out of one of the buildings in Ikorr. Or is it Luna? Both? Maybe it isn't a fire. Maybe someone was stabbed, actually. Or there was an accident involving a carriage. With how rumors work, it's impossible to tell what's true or not...but something is afoot.

Before anyone can investigate too closely, word comes that for security reasons, the event is shutting down a few hours early. Visitors are asked to conclude their business as quick as possible and then return home through the portals.

You'll find out exactly what happened during the event wrap-up on AUGUST 31! The outcome and which factions are involved will depend on the choices characters make.

Comments

Jo Harvelle || SPN || Strength

[tobeclosetohim]

[ open & closed starters || planning plurk & wanderlustlover for contact/planning ]

OTA || Olefin Square, Market Place, & General All-Call

[tobeclosetohim]

After getting her invitation, strange moon pendant, and some planning with her people back at Mag’s, Jo takes the carriage to Olefin Square and books a room at The Inn for the week next to her people. Since getting newly outfitted, Jo can be found roaming in clothes like these.

She spends a lot of time checking out the whole of Olefin Square, introducing herself and chatting up people while looking for any hint of things happening behind the scenes, whether for the event or before the event was ever planned. She can be found wandering the Shops & Stalls, frowning at window builds, staring at boots and swords mostly. Once or twice throughout her wanderings, she can be found looking through the art books for Glowing Tattoos, and standing outside the Hot Springs/Spa looking up at it undecided.

The two most equally likely places to find her often are at 1) Gambling Den (plying the time-honored tradition of her people, and finally getting some coins in her pocket that don’t belong to Dean) and 2) Taverns (putting to work the opposite side of her skills as well) sampling these new ales they’ve brought out.

[epitaphs]

Clarke is understandably wary about attending this event, given that she's only been here a few weeks and already they're springing things like vampires and werewolves on her. As if humans didn't do a good enough job at causing problems for themselves. Still, she's never been one to sit by and let things happen around her, which means at least going to get a feel for things.

She's wandering through the shops and stalls, pausing at the one advertising glowing tattoos, and sees the other girl paging through the art books. She picks up one of the books and starts leafing through it herself, pausing to admire a design that's reminiscent of Lexa's.

"What are the chances the glowing stuff turns out to have some awful effect on humans, do you think?"

She's not going to do it, though she can't deny the moment of temptation. They're pretty, and it's been a long time since she could entertain the idea of doing something purely for fun and aesthetics.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo glanced over at the girl, giving it a second to see if she can place her, but she can't. Someone new. Which isn't hard given Jo feels like who she knows, and what she knows, could fill a few tablespoons at this point. It's so damn annoying when she's used to knowing exactly how her world works and where she fits into it.

"Haven't seen anyone fall down and start convulsing yet."

"But I don't know anyone who's gotten one yet either."

[epitaphs]

"I think I'll save experimenting on myself for when I've been here a while."

Says the girl who injected herself with Grounder blood and let herself be irradiated. Clarke Griffin is absolutely from the Fuck Around And Find Out school of experimentation, but she did just get here.

"Have you been here long?"

[tobeclosetohim]

"Probably smart." Jo nods. She'd been thinking along those lines. She keeps getting distracted by the art, but there's little here that would give her a reason to actually let them put something both into and onto her skin. Her one and only other tattoo was for the job, and she'd never stopped at a tattoo shop once since leaving home.

It was just here, in the road, between points a and b, several times, and she stopped.

"Oh." Jo blew a breath out. "A little over two weeks now."

It's so weird how fast and how slow it's gone. "You?"

Closed: Not-A-Opener

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo's walked past the place every day this week. Stopped a few times. She'd leafed through books out of boredom. Never considered it as anything significant. This time she stops. She needs to head toward the party already. Jo squints at the sign, skipping the books, and walks in. She asks a question she never thought she would. About another tattoo. About placement. About white ink.

He warns it it won't heal on you, and people won't see it much, there's every likelihood it'll fade faster than a normal one, is she sure, it's likely to look like a scar later. That feels even more right, so she shrugs and asks easily when she can book for. Which happens to be now.

Both of them are small—less than an inch each in both directions.
Placed on her pulse points, right below her palm. White ink.
Two sets of two letters and two periods.

On the right side; W.H.
On the left; E.H.

She stares at them. Then pulls down the long, green clinging sleeves from the green wrap Nadine helped her pick out. It's was designed almost like it knew before she did. The sleeves are fashioned long enough they fall across an inch into the back of her hands. There's a thanks, a sizeable tip, and then she's gone.

[frontlinetitties]

She's been hanging around this particular tattoo studio herself, debating the pros and cons of getting inked. On the one hand, it'd be totally sick and badass to have something permanently etched into her skin, something to draw (more) attention to her biceps. Something like a skull eating another skull, or maybe a skull wearing sunglasses. There's only a small embarrassing little part of her that considers emblazoning one flesh, one end on her body. The same achy part of her still marooned in the loss of her necromancer. She imagines the look on Harrow's pointy little face though, the tight shitty line of her mouth. The roll of her lightless eyes. Writes it off as a dumb idea.

The skulls, though. Maybe one of those.

When she sees the blonde woman perusing the art books she sidles on over to her. Maybe talking this shit through will help them both decide.

“Thinking of getting something?”

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo's glance between the page and the voice is brief—but enough to see lots of tall, lots of black, lots of muscles; s bit of ginger hair—and punctuated with a slight wrinkle between her light brows. She was unsure she wanted company, but she was in the wrong place to have any opinions about that. The place is in the middle of the city. The book stand is basically in the street.

It's meant to catch the attention of walking passersby. "Can't decide."

"What do I want to have to stare at for the next fifty decades?"

A beat and Jo looks up to meet her eyes. "You?"

[frontlinetitties]

"I was thinking of like, a badass skull. Maybe with flames or something. You know. Tasteful," she says with a crooked little smirk, inviting the conspirational knowledge that they're both aware it wouldn't be tasteful. She's aiming for sick and in your face, no subtlety here.

"Although you've kinda got a point. I've already spent the best part of eighteen years staring at skulls. You'd think I'd be sick of it by now," she won't admit to the embarrassing fact that now there are so few skulls in evidence, she kinda misses the familiarity.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo snorts, but her mouth curls at the corners at that 'tasteful' there at the end. It's definitely not, and the girl definitely knows it, which makes the conspired, confessed, acted humility, implied rebellious nature of it almost a call to lean into it.

The fact she follows it up with is .... pacing though.
Staring at skulls. For years.

"And yet no?" She's not?

OTA || The Hunting Woods

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo would still be so much happier with a gun, but she’s not complaining at the chance to get out and shake the dust off the bottle finally. Due to this, she’s inside The Wood, perhaps, more than is necessary after her first semi-disastrous trip in. Or maybe that's another new part of why. She chooses a crossbow, and night vision drops each time she comes in.

While she comes from a long life history of hunting being done both alone and in groups, she’ll have no problem teaming up with someone or dropping someone like a hotcake who can’t carry their weight. Also, if you need someone to save you from unwise choices you made, too, feel free to ring.

Closed: Nadine Cross

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo is at least fifteen shades of unpleased while wandering a row of shops.

Occasionally she looks down at the invitation in her hand — re-reading for the millionth time 'beautiful and elegant moonlight night' — before scowling at whatever newest window or rack holds another endless variety of frills and fluff and beads. Half of them look like someone liberally threw up the glitter on them everywhere. She was wrong. There is something worse than promising Dean she wouldn't go hunting until he brought her up to speed on the monsters here.

It's this.

[nadine_he_loves]

Nadine's been at it for hours already. Normally she doesn't put this much thought or effort into clothes. She has her handful of nice outfits, none of which she thinks are suited to this particular event. Especially considering she's going to be on the arm of the Free Cities delegate.

She doesn't even know exactly what she's looking for, just something that will in some way match Jaskier's elegant cloak and ensemble and be fancy enough for a formal affair in a fantastical world. It's a tall order.

At least there are plenty of options, and she's sure she'll find something that meets all of her requirements and looks good.

She notes she's not alone in searching fruitlessly through the various racks of gowns and suits and other formal attire, and offers a sympathetic smile to the woman across the way. She's pretty sure she's another Summoned.

"Feels like trying to pick out something for the red carpet, doesn't it?"

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo hasn't touched a single thing yet. Not in any shop. She looks at them and dismisses them all as tragedies. At this point, it's probably a more self-fulfilling prophecy — walking down rows, looking at the colors, fabric, the edges of sleeves poking out or full dress bottoms ruffled at the floor, locating the worst thing in the bunch, then deciding they must all be that bad and moving on to another shop.

Jo's glance up is distasteful but in a remote, distracted fashion. Sympathy doesn't help that this is a travesty of a lost cause, and she should stop looking, go back to the Gambling Hall or the Hunting Grounds while away the last days, and be left in these clothes, not caring and excusing herself as new and broke.

(Even if the second is more untrue each day.)

But it's a stranger who looks sympathetic, and Jo glances back down at the latest hate crime in maroon silk with pearl beads, asking, "You've been on the red carpet?"

[nadine_he_loves]

"Uh, no. I've just watched a lot of award shows. Fashion always seems to be a big deal."

And it's the same in parts of the Free Cities, at least from what Nadine has seen on her brief visits to Libertas and Aquila. Fashion, until recently, was nothing she'd ever cared about. Practicality in clothes, that was important.

But it's different now. She has reasons to care.

If only she felt more comfortable in her own opinions of what looks good.

"This is actually going to be my first formal event...uh, well, ever." She'd been about to say 'in this world', but when had she ever gone to a truly formal event? She hadn't even gone to prom.

"I have no idea what's considered fashionable here."

OTA || Lunar Pond

[tobeclosetohim]

With the help of new-friend Nadine, Jo finds a new outfit — might we call it, even a new direction for her wardrobe in this place — and heads out to the big to-do being put on by the werewolves. Yeah. She can’t believe this is happening either. To-Do. By Werewolves. Her. Without a gun. But she’s going.

It’s weirdly pretty, which Jo wasn’t expecting. She skips over eating their food and even someone trying to flag her over to a Blind Tasting until the mention of a drinking horn. Then, she’s in hard. Waving her way through the process, tell them it’s fine whatever she’ll take whoever she has to for a partner on the way to that summit. [ Tasting Closed. ]

At some point later, carrying said won drinking horn, Jo does skirt looking over the refreshments, and at least eye the dancing though there’s almost zero percent chance anyone on this planet could convince her to get out on that floor with so many werewolves.

Jo spends a lot of time somewhere near the Moon Lanterns but not getting one. For the greater part of the time, when they can work on them, she hovers nearby, seeming deeply conflicted. This isn’t helped by the level of Jo’s twitchiness getting into a monumental space watching a Werewolf Transformation while too deeply aware she has no weapons on her.

lanterns;

[shadowthief]

Inej likes the ritual of the lanterns, it’s simple, but powerful— she doesn’t doubt literally, because everything in this world is so very full of merzost— and reminds her of traditions back home.

That homesick ache that creeps into the space between her ribs from time to time is in an all-time high this night, but she focuses on the good: the joy here, the effort of peace between peoples who had been at odds for years- decades? centuries? If it’s possible between the vampires and the werewolves, is that lent hope to the factions here? To the far too long war-ravaged Ravka back home?

“Did you make one?” She asks quietly, noticing the tension, the hesitancy, in the other woman.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo keeps staring at the lanterns, the people writing, drawing on their slips, and releasing them into the water. Slowly collecting as they float away in little clumps or individual little lone lighted soldiers against the dark. She's watching one of those, floating all by its lonesome, when Inej's voice invades.

"Mmm." Is the first sound, and there's a slight frown
as she looks at the girl. "Not yet."

She's still not sure if 'yet' fits. She doesn't know if she's going to. She doesn't know if she's not going to. Every once in a while, she circles her wrist of her hand not holding the new drinking horn. The movement is a searing burn of cloth moving over one of her barely hours-old new tattoos. Bone-biting, pulse-snapping proof she already did something. She could walk away.

But she keeps not walking away.

[shadowthief]

"Do you think you will?" It makes no difference to her if Jo wishes to partake in this tradition, so there is no judgment to be found. Just a question purely for curiosity's sake.

Her eyes flick to the woman's fingers circling the opposite wrist. Only paying mind to the motion because she's seen her do it twice already. An injury, perhaps. There was plenty going on in those woods when they were all hunting, after all.

[carmesi]

The refreshments are an appealing part of the Lunar Pond, especially after the blind tasting. Wanda finds herself returning to them, wanting to not think of the food whatsoever, but wanting to make do with drinking. Between the mead and the wine, though, her options are rather limited.

Holding a glass of wine, she gestures at it with her free hand, scarlet swirling over it, turning the drink instead into a way more appetizing Jack Rose cocktail, glass and all.

Wanda still scrunches her nose at it, but it will have to do.

Her gaze lingers, though, on the drinking horn the blond woman nearby holds.

"I guess your blind tasting went well," she offers, a flat tone in her words.

Closed: Dean Winchester || Blind Tasting

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo hadn’t been interested in anything in this place, really, not the dancing, not the food table, not the strangely pretty decor of this whole thing. She’d been in the middle of waving off the werewolves who suddenly stepped up to ask her to be part of some blind food tasting of god knows what.

But then she saw the horn, not for sale, but as a prize.
Switch flipping, even as she was led away from the example.

“No, really,” Jo said more boisterously to the ‘woman’ leading her away to a half-empty table than any other thing she’s said all night. “Give me anyone. Give me your worst contender. If they can’t carry their own, I’ll do mine, and whatever they couldn’t.”

“You only need to finish your meal.”

Jo heard the woman say it, but it didn’t register as much as the creeping sensation; the closer she got that she definitely knew that head of hair, and instead of answering the nicely dressed, only professionally interested hostess, all Jo said, a bit incredulously, was: “Dean?”

[righteously]

Little do either of them know, on the exact opposite sides of the party, they're drawn into a connection through time and space, against all odds, a singular moment wherein the universe aligns and they both lock eyes-

-on that god-damn horn at the same time. It's meant to be. You and him, baby. He's gonna have that horn.

"Besides," says the woman leading Jo toward the tables, "I don't think you're gonna have to worry about that. The gentleman we're pairing you up with seems just as motivated as you are."

Behold: Dean Winchester.

He hears his name (still bizarre as hell to hear it in her voice). Looks at her.

Looks at the horn.

Looks back at her.

Points to the horn, and declares, "Dibs."

[tobeclosetohim]

Somewhere something or someone in the universe is laughing at them and steepling its fingers. Probably the same thing that brought her here in the first place. She puts a hand on the back of the chair closest to him and pulls it out for herself

"You wish," Jo pops back lightning fast.

There is no way she's losing to him.

[righteously]

What cruel, capricious assholes are the powers that be. Surely they should be ashamed of themselves.

And then this bitch steals his damn chair. There's a floundering moment of incredulity, a huff, and he rounds the back of the chair to stride off toward the next one. Yoinks it out, and flops down into it pointedly.

"What are you, five foot nothin' and a buck ten soaking wet? You seriously think you can play in the big leagues? I think I've eaten more wings in one sitting than your whole body mass."

The kind werewolf lady behind them helpfully points out, "You do know you're on the same team, right?"