ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Name: Lambert [ un: 'fuck this' ]
Date: Backdated to Octeuril 15th
Format: Text

just so you know, in case you haven't figured it out already: try not to sell parts of you without asking what it's going to be used for first

because sometimes those parts get used to brew up shitty mist that turns half the city feral or gives them new parts they don't need

the coven's got one of the bitches that started that mess now, but she wasn't working alone, so i sure fucking hope someone else found them

[ ooc: a very belated wrap-up of sorts for the mist investigation, at least on team lambert/nyskie/steak/rw's end! ]

Name: Rich Goranski
Date: Backdated to Oct 14
Format: Video for initial post; various in comments

[Without so much as an introduction, a video plays. It's a little shaky with the recorder's nerves, and occasionally, a long talon partly covers the view of the scene, but it still shows what it needs to quite clearly.

Eventually, even with the struggle still continuing, the camera is turned away from the action, towards Rich. He has to hope what he just got will be enough to get the Coven to actually believe him this time, but right now, he doesn't have time to wait around. Direct action is needed, so he pings the friends he trusted: Michael Mell, Myr, and Niles. The message is still sent to everyone, however, so everyone can view the video and the panic in Rich's eyes when the camera is turned back to him.]

The SQUIP has lost it. It's going full villain again and I need back up. Meet me near the inn, I think it's trying to take Heere there.

[Without an explanation of what entails the SQUIP going full villain or who 'Heere' may be, he continues.]

Everyone else, please stay safe and-[He's cut off by something happening off screen, which makes him swear and stuff his watch into his pocket. There's about a minute more of muffled yelling and darkness before the recording eventually ends.]

~*~

[Hours later, there's another video tacked on to the earlier one, once the mist has finally started to fade away. Rich is back inside, his changes from before calming down enough that he isn't at risk of burning down Justine's whole cottage. He looks tired and worn, a few nasty scrapes on his face, but... there is a sort of relief in his expression, some sort of certainty that, no matter what happens next, he did what was right.]

Hey everyone. Sorry about that... I know I promised to be less of a downer the next time I posted on here, but... shit happens.

I'm just letting everyone know the SQUIP is knocked out. It had been using magic to charm and mind control several people, including someone I was bonded to, Justine, and a friend from home, Jeremy Heere.

Two of the people it was Bonded with, Linden Tailor and Connor, are also unconscious... guess some sort of trauma went through the connection when we stopped it. Since it was actively using mind control magic, I used Mountain Dew Red to deactivate... the part of it that was still a supercomputer, I guess. It should recover fine, and while it's passed out, I'm going to bring the recording to the Coven so they can see I wasn't lying when I told them what it did in my world.

If any of you were being controlled by it, let me know. It got to quite a few people when I saw it, but its powers should have worn off by now. It can be... a little traumatic, though, so my door's open if you wanna talk. Hopefully now that the SQUIP was... de-SQUIPped, somehow, this shouldn't happen again.

[With another tired wave, Rich signs off. He'd love to stay and chat but... he's pretty sure his roommates are still going to need a little more help in the fallout.]

((Everyone is free to respond! Rich will respond when he's done dealing with his roomies, who are likely either a) dealing with mind control withdrawal or b) having panic attacks over the SQUIP. Other players on Team Anti-Bastard Computer Man will also be responding a few hours after the events of the battle, providing information on what went down and vouching that yes, Shit Was Bad.))

Name: Rich Goranski
Date: September 2
Format: Video

[The face that fills the screen is notable for a lot of reasons. For those who haven't met Rich, the harsh red scars covering his face, neck, and shoulders are certainly different. Scales are starting to pepper the skin like freckles, but it still doesn't do much to hide the damage. Nor does it distract from how emotional Rich looks. As much as he tries to keep his expression even, there's tension in his jaw, a slight furrow in his brow, and his eyes look slightly red.

He offers a weak smile and a wave to the camera, before taking a deep breath in and out. Apparently this is going to be difficult for him.]

Hey everyone. If you don't know me, I'm Rich Goranski. I got here last month, so... yeah. Anyways, I'm not here to break the ice or anything. I... need to tell everyone about some stuff, and I've been kind of meaning to do this for days and I just didn't know how. Anyways. I just wanted to warn you.

There's this guy you might have met. Looks like some handsome Japanese model, and he's got two different coloured eyes? I can send a picture if you don't know what I'm talking about. He's called the SQUIP. Or well, I don't know if that's what it calls itself here. It fucking introduced itself as Gregward to me, but... I think that's because we have a history. We're from the same place, and if what he did to me and my friends is any indication, he's probably going to really hurt someone here. He's already got his claws in some people and I just... don't want anyone else to go through that.

[He takes a moment to nibble on his lip and then look back at the camera, as if he's found some new source of bravery.]

( Cut for length; content warnings for abuse, mention of dead parents, self-harm through burning )

Name: Lady Maria
Date: Auguril 15th - Evening
Format: Video

-

[The view opens up to Maria's face, the face of the giant clocktower in the back drop. She's sitting on a ledge on the outside of the building, one leg dangling off the edge, the other foot planted on the worn stone back of a screaming panther-eagle gargoyle. The sky, and the tower are awash with the the deep pinks and purples of the nearly-set sun. Maria herself is wearing her full hunter's outfit, her hat pulled low to shield her eyes against the sunset, but in truth it just makes her eyes seem that much brighter blue. The only oddity in her attire is that she seems to have several sunflowers tucked into her belt, around the holsters for her gun and sword sheath.

The mechanisms in the tower grind and move, and the big minute hand tocks heavily, thunking into place in the next minute slot before Maria speaks. It's almost the top of the hour.]

It has been several months, since the first of us arrived here. Life... is not made easy within this place. Not for anyone, even those of us who might be in better straits than at home. This may be the worst night yet, and we still have many more moons to come, I fear, before any of us are allowed from this place. [This, however, may very well be Maria's own last. She feels the way the headache swells and throbs behind her eyes, the pressure fit to make her burst at the seams. It ebbs and flows, depending on what she does with the Monsters, how she uses her magic, the potions and the herbs and the other stalling tactics, but she's not sure how much longer she can keep on like this. Tonight, blissfully, the pain is at its least - the full moon being the weakest pull of the mirrorbound Witches is keeping things to a dull roar at the back of her skull. For several seconds, she looks back out over the city, scanning the shapes and the shadows, watching people shutter their windows and close their doors.]

On this night, the instincts for the Monsters will be at their worst. If the pull is too strong, and you feel your mind slipping into the madness and chaos of beasthood, seek the scent of... [Lumenflowers... no,] sunflowers. They will lead you to me. I will make it as swift as you will allow me; but it may be most silent if I must seek you out. [This is exactly the threat that it seems to be.]

If the beasts loom large, and threaten to devour you, or crush you, seek me out, as well. Monster, witch, human or not, it matters not to me; it is the threat of the feral I am in search of. [Pause.] As for the rest of you... I hope you do not see me.

[Her foot shifts, and she stands, precarious though the ledge is. The terrifying drop seems to not bother her at all. The shadows deepen on her face as the sky turns a richer purple-blue, the sun setting rapidly now, though it's barely been a minute. Soon, the video cuts to black, but there's still audio in the background; a rustle of wind and cloth. Finally, there's a whirring as the clock begins to turn over again.]

The night, and the hunt are always so very long. I pray we all live to see the morning sun, and put this night behind us.

[Tock. The video cuts out as the first peal of the hourly bells sounds. Over the city, the clocktower chimes eight, and the sun slips fully below the horizon.]

Name: Louis
Date: August 9
Format: Video

[ The video comes on and Louis is front and center. He got a grasp on the technology pretty quickly. He's... annoyed, and he's not good at hiding it, either. His tone is just as annoyed. Like. He can't believe he has to go over this. ]

So, since this is the best way to get the message out from what I can tell, and I'm sick of repeating myself, so I'll only say this once.

[ Pause. He has a long pause between each of the words. ]

I.

Am.

Not.

A.

Monster.

[ He lifts the camera up to get a full view of his head, to get a good shot at every angle. ]

I am just a deer. I arrived here like this.

[ Frown. ]

Any questions?

Name: Minako Arisato
Date: July 3rd
Format: Video

[Hello friends, here is a video of Koromaru. He's sitting on a bed, looking as happy and alert as can be, with a sign hanging from his neck that says:

ATTENTION ALL WITCH FRIENDS!
FOLLOW THE WITCH CODE SO YOU DON'T EXPLODE!
CREATE A BOND IF YOU'RE FOND OF LIFE!

Koromaru is patiently motionless for about five seconds, and then he raises himself up to vigorously shake his body, turning the sign around and askew. Minako laughs off screen, a hand reaching out to pull it off him.]

Okay, fine, I'm relieving you of your duty.

[Camera view change! Minako is now the focus, holding the sign with her free hand and offering a jaunty wiggle of her fingers as a hello.]

Yes, I know it's really dumb, but really dumb rhymes help people remember them better! And this is important. If you saw the Coven infirmary during that shared dream last month, I think you'd agree with me. Nobody should-- nobody needs to go through that.

I know it might not be easy for some people to make a Bond. It has a capital B, after all, it's important and telepathic-y and binding and things here are weird and confusing as they are without adding that to the mix.

But remember, you can un-Bond anytime you want! If you don't like your partner, you can find and Bond with a new one you trust later down the line. Putting it off will only worsen how much you're endangering yourself the longer you wait. And for what? Pride? Solitude? Forgetfulness?

[Her eyes go wide with a beseeching look.]

It's not worth your life. Please take care of yourself first. The rules in this world are different, and it hasn't and won't be easy to adapt to them, but this is about your health. You owe it to yourself to be in a comfortable mental and physical condition. If you don't want to do it for yourself, then do it for the people who are waiting for you back in your own world. Think of the promises you've made and the regrets you'd have if you let everything end here, so far away from home.

[She's quiet for a moment, and then huffs.]

So-- here! If you're a Monster and you're willing to Bond with a Witch, reply to this! If you're a Witch and you're looking for a Monster, you should definitely reply to this! Get it done so you have one less thing to worry about while you're on this world!

[A bright, encouraging smile.]

And seriously, if you're trying to find a Bond, take care, okay? The hallucinations and headaches get pretty bad.

Thanks for listening.

Name: Ignis Scientia
Date: July 3
Format: Voice

Good morning. My name is Ignis Scientia; I've been designated a Witch here, for the purposes of magical classification.

What I'm looking for, before things get much further along here for me, is something of a study partner or group. I've been primarily focused on element-related magic, such as fire, ice, etc, particularly in the field of Enchantment and, recently, Evocation. I've an interest in Abjuration, and of course more universal spells of various low- to mid-level varieties. Eventually, I'd expect to be well-rounded in multiple areas.

If you're willing to spend time outside of the usual Coven classes working on these skills, please contact me. I'm particularly intrigued by those who've experimented with runes, as well as those applying magic to clothing, weaponry, or other objects. In addition, I'd be curious to hear from those who had different sorts of magic in your home world, and how you're applying that knowledge here.

Whether these meetings take a more academically-minded format or find better exercise in the form of something like sparring, I'm keen to do as much as I can.

Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant day.

Name: Toby Hamee
Date: May 17
Format: Video

[Toby's set this up so her body is visible from the waist up. She's a long-limbed reptilian alien with piercing red eyes set under heavy brows, and curving blades coming out of her forehead, elbows, and wrists. Her voice is gravelly and deep, and very measured, not betraying that she has no idea what she's doing and just hopes for the best.]

I am a Hork-Bajir. My people are from on a planet far from Earth, though I was born in the state of California. My name is Toby Hamee.

[She extends her arm, flares her wrist and elbow blades.] These blades are sharp but designed to cut bark from trees - we eat mostly tree products, supplemented by some insects and the occasional egg. Blunting my blades is not an option, but I don't want to accidentally cut anyone when I'm in the city and surrounded by humans. I expect that magic could be used to prevent accidents.

If any other witches have an interest, I would appreciate hearing your ideas. Thank you.

name: peter parker (ANONYMOUS)
date: 07/05
format: video

[ at first, there's a shot of sky; then, there's a shot of a wall, and then there's peter sat on the wall — or more accurately, there's a shot of someone sat on the wall in what, in some universe, could be mistaken for a red and blue wrestling suit.

(it's not though, it's just your friendly neighborhood not-as-spidery spider-man.)

that is to say: the explanations (quote-unquote) they've received to date are somewhat lacking, and he's still kind of hoping there's an absolutely anyone he can point a finger at and go 'I KNEW IT' rather than have this remain an apparently fluke accident of the multiversal variety.

there's a quirk of his lips and he holds his hands up, palms facing outwards in vague gesture of: and so. ]

Skipping past the Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore and going straight to the yellow brick road and wizard combo was— ... not exactly life affirming, but it did make me wonder about my sartorial choices.

[ he lets that comment hang for a moment before continuing, attention shifting up to the sky for a count of three and then back in the direction of the watch. ]

I mean, I get it: dimensional travel is [ pause. ] Complex. Temperamental. Annoying. [ that's not entirely the word he means, but it's the word he's using (there could be kids listening). nevertheless: ] I've been there, done this, passed on the t-shirt because it belonged to a guy with a color scheme that makes me look ill and come out the other side. Right side? Home side. There's got to be a better way of putting that—. Wasn't really interested in a repeat. Do you know how many voicemails I'm going to go back to? Accusations of being Bigfoot?

[ he holds his hands up — exasperation, folks — and it's followed by another pause, and another a quirk of his features beneath his mask. it's punctuated by a shrug, and he almost manages to look sheepish. ]

—You know, that felt good to get off my chest. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I’d love to say this is the weirdest thing I’ve done in my life but it’s not, which basically brings me to this question:

Anyone got directions to the lost and found? I think I dropped something exit-right of Earth.