ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Name: Lady Maria
Date: Ieneur 20-something
Format: Video

[It is video, but the video is not of Maria. Instead, it is of a flatbed horse-drawn cart. To the front is attached a buckskin colored draft horse, and inside... are what appears to be crates of glass bottles. Curiously, they all appear to currently be empty, from what can be seen, but there's labels, and embossing on them.

Maria speaks from somewhere behind the camera, but her quiet, gentle voice carries enough to be heard just fine.]

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback and tried out the gins I sent out for Modranicht. Your comments were valuable to make a couple adjustments I had been hesitant about to the formula, and I think the results are all the better for it. The first batches for commercial sale are now ready, and I am picking up the bottles for them.

There are two types of gin that will be available... [Her hand reaches down, and picks up one of the bottles. When she lifts it, the sunflower embossing remains on the shoulder of the bottles, but there's a fancy label indicating the alcohol meant to be contained within is Dorchacht Rose Gin, made with specially cultivated Dorchacht roses.] The Dorchacht Rose is made from the wild roses from the region; they are hallucinogenic by nature. The effect is mild, and I infused it with other plants used to make love and happiness potions here: the effect is to allow you to remember pleasant memories, whether they be of home or here. It does have a decent alcohol kick, and a higher ABV.

The other... [She puts the first bottle down, and takes out a second. This label calls it Summer Garden Gin.] Also has a distinct rose note, but has a gentle floral accompaniment to the juniper. It has no magical effects. I also reeled back the ABV on it a little. It should make for a pleasant sipping alcohol, especially with a bit of ice and a lime wedge.

And finally... [Putting away the second bottle, she pulls out a third. This says it's a limited edition mead.] My bees produced far more honey than I was expecting, so I decided to make a small batch of mead.

If any among you wish to purchase of a bottle, I'll set aside some for you; otherwise, they will be available at a few bars and taverns in Aefenglom and Dorchacht. Furthermore, if any of you wish to taste test for future batches, let me know. It's free alcohol, in exchange for some feedback. I don't see much of a downside, if you enjoy a variety. I'd like to perhaps see about wines and brandies sometime in the future.

I'll even deliver it, if any of you wish, whether you buy it commercially, or wish to taste-test future batches. I need to get out of the house more often anyway, and it will be good exercise for the horses.

Name: Cú Chulainn (Caster)
Date: late-Ieneuer, when the kidnappings related to The Salvation of Geardagas start
Format: text

There's been a word on the streets, of people being assaulted, disappearing attempts of kidnappings— that's not a word anyone who was here a year ago wants to hear again, plenty of us might be already on edge. But whatever is going on this time? Whoever it is? They're not as good as the scum behind what happened a year ago. That means we have a bigger window to act and to protect each other.

My idea is: let's put together a list of Mirrorbounds willing to guard those returning home. Whether it's for those who work far away from the Haven or stay at Coven classes long after its dark or just anyone that would feel safer in the company.

I'll start

I work at Inkchanted, it's located in the docks, near the Slydog tavern. I tend to work afternoons and evenings, so if anyone also finishes their job at docks around that time, I can walk you back to Haven. I could also pick up someone working on the western edges of the shopping district.

｢ OOC: feel free to threadjack each other for bodyguard seeking/service offering ｣

Name: not specified
Format: text

Question.

Those of you who're turnskin and had changes which means you want to hunt, do you do it?
Someone who I used to hunt with disappeared. I tried going it alone, and got into some trouble. I don't remember the details, but something happened, and I guess changed, I'm not good at doing it by myself.

If you want to know, I'm a wolf turnskin. So, I have to change once a month anyway. I tried not hunting, and it made changing when I had to do it more difficult.

I'm not good at asking, but I guess the point of this is to ask to tag along with someone that hunts. Or, if there's any other option anyone might be able to think of, that'd help too.

Thanks.

Name: Marie Antoinette
Date: 2/11
Format: text

It’s my birthday! Second time I have celebrated one in Aefenglom. Time really flies! Hard to believe I have been here for more than a year already! :D I hope I can celebrate with everyone next year as well!

[Yeah, on the topic of celebrating with everyone...]

This year I will not be able to celebrate with two of my dear friends, the musicians Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. For those of you who knew them and attended the performances at the opera house... To my best knowledge, they are not in Aefenglom with us anymore. I felt the disappearance of both of my Bonds with them so unless something unknown is going on, it is safe to say that they have returned home. I am going to miss them but I am also happy to have been able to spend the past year with them.

[She is definitely not upset or at least is not going to show it.]

Name: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Date: 27/10
Format: voice

Let it be known that Diarmuid Ua Duibhne has sworn off of the cláirseach.

[A pause- and then he sighs. No, that's far too weak willed for his liking; if he were to give up now, he'd never be able to look at another harp again. What started as a faint interest in rekindling his connection to his father has turned into an endless string of headaches and sore fingers but he's nothing if not masochistic stubborn.]

... at least, temporarily. In the meantime, does anyone know how to restring this godsforsaken thing? Harps are so damned- [As if in objection to whatever insult he was about to throw its way, Diarmuid is interrupted by the sharp twang of another string snapping.] I might need a tutor.

[Omi's wearing a broad smile this time when he hits up the general populace, and he's holding a digital camera in one hand. There's a distinct wolflike quality to him these days.]

Ah, hi everyone. I'm Omi Fushimi. I was looking for a way to kind of give back to everyone here, and I came up with an idea... well, half of one. I'll need help with the second half, I think.

See, I'm a photographer, for lack of a better way to put things. I was thinking it might be nice to document people who are here, what they did back home, what they do now, their experiences... Like a big community yearbook or something. That way as people come and go, nobody will be forgotten, and we won't forget where we started.

I'm not the most compelling writer ever, so if anyone wants to help me with the interviews I'd be grateful. I'm mostly in it for the portraits, sure, but I could do some great candids while people are being interviewed!

So if anyone is interested in helping with interviews or wants to be interviewed or photographed, just let me know. I'll arrange everything else.

Thanks for your time! Stay safe, and take care.

Name: Lan Wangji
Date: 10/03
Format: text

( and a wild lan wangji appears. textually, anyway. it’s a rare sight around here, a quiet presence, easily missed, but he grieves, and nie mingjue deserves to be remembered. )

Chifeng-zun, now departed. His life abridged yet again, and ours forever changed.

His name, Nie Mingjue. Never to be forgotten.

May he rest peacefully.

---

If you have left Aefenglom and returned, have your memories perdured?

Who among you has died before, and returned home alive?

Name: Scathach
Date: Before the Dorchacht celebrations, late evening
Format: Voice

[ The voice is a solemn one, if familiar to some. The statement is kept simple, as little else needs to be said. If you know, you know, you know? ]

If you were friend or colleague to a girl by the name of Zelda, you should know that she is no longer within this world. Her scent has left the city, and is not even in the outskirts beyond.

[ It probably wasn't strictly necessary for her to say anything. Even a little trite. But she knew Zelda was connected to the community. It mattered. But that was all she had to say, in the end, too. ]

Name: Hakuno Kishinami | un: hakunon
Date: Septeril 15
Format: text

To any new Fae out there that doubt our inherent fragility:

Don't.

I just got released from a month of bedrest.

Name: Anonymous
Date: 9/13
Format: Text

Do you ever find yourself missing the world you came from before coming here?

Name: Rikku (un: albhed)
Date: 9/11
Format: Video


[A young, blonde teenager can be seen on the screen. She's dressed up--the better to impress people--and gives a smile and a wave before she starts in with her spiel.]

Hi everyone! I'm Rikku, and I've been here for a couple of months now. I'm a witch, which is taking some getting used to, but that's not the point of this post.

The other witches say that I'll explode if I don't find someone, and people I know have confirmed it. I really don't want that to happen, you know? It sounds painful and awful, and other people could get hurt too.

Sooooo... are there any monsters out there looking for a bondmate? Or anyone out there with advice on how to find a good one?

I promise I'll be a good bondmate! I'm loyal and friendly and I'll even help you out with things! I'm good with my hands and can help you build or fix whatever you have around the house. I can kind of cook. I'm good with kids. I can braid your hair if you're into that kind of thing.

[She pauses, scratching her chin as she thinks of other selling points and comes up with nothing.]

Um, if you have any questions or want to verify anything I just said, you can always ask my housemates Lighting and Karin and Ann. They're really nice and will be honest with you.

[Nailed it. Hopefully this works!]

Name: Princess Allura (un: PrincessAllura)
Date: 9/10
Format: Text

I have a question directed to the Earthlings who were brought here.

Before I came to this planet, my experience with humans was brief. As such, my knowledge of their culture is largely limited and something I have been working at understanding for some time now.

To get to the point: I am curious about human friendship rituals. Is handholding a common practice among friends?


…


And what about kissing?

[AHEM. Not lingering on that one for too long. Definitely asking for a friend and not because she’s been casually smooching her bond for awhile now and still they are acting like it means nothing. As you do.]

I only ask this because I have seen a lot of different behavior since I arrived here that is different from the culture I was raised in and do not wish to misinterpret the meanings. Thank you.

Name: Mettaton (un: METTATON)
Date: 09/06
Format: text

Hey there, beauties! Lend me your imaginations and INSPIRE me... By answering to my provocative scenario:

Wedding bells are ringing, and you're dressed to the nines. Surprise! You're in LOVE now... with none other than your Bonded*!!! ...And you're getting MARRIED!! What's more, this is going to be your DREAM WEDDING!!

Describe it to me: what does your ideal wedding day feature, with your Bonded betrothed??


*If you're un-Bonded, you thought of someone. You're marrying them now. Ha-ha.

Name: Marie Antoinette
Date: 8/1
Format: text

Greetings, citizens of Aefenglom! It has been too long!

If you could bring one person from home to keep you company here on the condition that you have to Bond with them upon arrival, who would you choose and why?

[She has no real reason besides curiosity to ask this. She just wants to talk about Bonds, as she always does]

Name: Anonymous
Date: 7/2 (after new mirrorbound arrive!)
Format: Text

question. what's supposed to go into a bonding vow? how did your bonding ceremonies go? are you supposed to wear something nice? bring presents? would appreciate some advice.

[ Help out an anonymous space mullet? ]

Name: Anon!
Date: 29/06
Format: Text

Where do people go on dates in this blasted city?

[ Well, Aef? Please enlighten the romance-averse anonymous how he can woo a man beat his rival at romance. ]

Anyone here able to talk to dogs?

Kind of wondering what it is they have to say.

Name: Scathach (un: dunscaith)
Date: Late May
Format: video

[ It's midday out in the Wilds, a turnskin woman setting down her device to record on a nearby surface before stepping back and sitting herself against a stone, a blood red spear rested against her shoulder, and face partially obscured by a mask. The darkness of her fur and clothes mixes with the stark shade of the canopy overhead, making it a little difficult to see her aside from the bit of face that's visible.

She speaks in a calm tone. ]


I've seen quite a few of the new visitors and seen there are quite a few among you that adept and strong. As well as folks who've been here some time already who could use something besides Shades to fight.

I propose, before all of this gets corrected, we have ourselves a bit of a bedlam, to enjoy ourselves as warriors and treat ourselves to some friendly fights and whiskey to share.

I don't doubt there's a lot of you that have had the same itch I've had. Particularly with the last moon phase being as it was.

Well, what say you, then? Shall we have a warrior's festival, before the month's end?

for those that knew him, flat escardos is gone.

don't ask me anything else about him.

Name: Byleth Eisner
Date: 5/10
Format: video

[ a dark-haired young woman in glasses and dark local fashion sits in front of the camera. she can't be older than 21, surely. anyway, byleth's been here for over a month and she's only posting to the network now. ]

I'm Byleth Eisner. I've met some of you already. I suppose you would call this an... interest check? [ she takes off her glasses, hanging them from the neckline of her shirt. ] Most of my recent work before coming here was in commanding my Emperor's army, but I'm an experienced teacher as well. Armed and unarmed combat, archery, strategy and tactics, riding, magic... rhetoric and composition. [ was that last one a joke? it's impossible to tell. her face gives no hints one way or another. ]

The Coven trains witches in magic, but that only does so much good. I'd like to work towards establishing a school where the Mirrorbound without martial skills can learn them. As it is, the Wilde is too dangerous for too many of us, and ad-hoc lessons aren't enough. [ she waves a hand. ] This is all... hypothetical, right now. But if this sounds something you'd like to either help with or learn from, please, let me know. In the meantime, I'm open to teaching one-on-one.

[ she seems to consider something, briefly, before: ]

... Also, firearms are new to me. I'm familiar with powder explosives, and I've seen cannons, but if anyone might help me to understand the use and maintenance of guns, I would appreciate it.

[ byleth pauses again. ]

That's all. [ and off it goes. nailed it? ]

[ ooc: open to fourth wall people! ]