ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Man becomes monster: what a common theme throughout human literature. Yet in this world, it's an aspect of life that's hardly worth batting an eye at. Were Shakespeare here, he'd cream himself over the ripe psychological suffering among the Mirrorbound. Him, or certain nuns...

[bro what the FUCK are you talking about]

Thinking about those two in cahoots gives me an ulcer. I feel like vigorously scrubbing my brain smooth, so I can't picture it! Maybe that way, I won't be beset by stupid thoughts!

But I am, unfortunately, sentient, and I will continue to suffer this farce of an existence. As if that wasn't enough, I've been plagued by a question for the past few days. Witches, I'm not talking to you. You can gawk and stare if you'd like, I certainly can't stop you from being voyeurs.

Monsters. What are your feelings towards being pet? Is there truly a polite way to ask for a petting?

Name: Marie Antoinette
Date: 3/5
Format: text with some pictures

[The post opens with a picture of Marie in a fluffy dress making a victory sign. She looks excited!]

Hello, fellow Mirrorbound! I have just found out that Dorchacht will be hosting a sports event soon! And what does that mean? Well, naturally it means that we will need to cheer on the participants!

I am looking for volunteers to join the cheerleading squad during the games. It does not matter if you are athletic or not really, Witch or not, smaller or bigger, there will always be a way to participate!

If you would rather not go out and cheer by yourself, I am also looking for choreographers, someone to come up with a few chants we can use and the crafty types to help out with making the costumes!

If you are interested, just let me know! This is going to be so fun! :D

[She already made some pom-poms, you know]

Name: Anonymous (Momiji Sohma)
Date: 03/04
Format: text;

Mirrorbound of Aefenglom:

Do you have a crush? Someone who always makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside? A person whose face you can't get out of your head? Springtime's almost here, and it's the perfect season for finding love!

But...taking the first step can be intimidating, too! Especially if your special someone is from a whole different world or time. How can you know they feel the same way, or that they don't have eyes for someone else? Sometimes, you're just not ready to confess aloud.

Don't despair! If that sounds familiar, just contact

♥ The Aefenglom Secret Admirer Service ♥
For a modest fee, our intrepid investigator can burrow into the secrets of the object of your affection's heart, so you can confess with confidence! Or deliver a secret admirer gift or letter to express your feelings from afar! Complete discretion guaranteed.

For more information, or to contact your secret admirer agent, don't hesitate to reply to...

--

((OOC: The message goes on to include the Aef equivalent of a "work phone" number for Momiji at the Particularly Good Finders office, to maintain relative anonymity, but private IC inquiries can be directed to his inbox. For more OOC info about the Service and a sign-up form, see here!))

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.]