ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Name: Saori Nakagawa
Date: Jan 15
Format: Video

[The video starts off with Saori alone in the pristine kitchen space of her prized eatery. It's no where near opening time, but she decided to go to the one place where she could clear her head. While she tries to put on her usual happier face, there's a tinge of sadness in her voice.]

Hello, everyone. I'm afraid I have some bad news. Sylvia has returned home.

I know she will be missed by so many here. She was one of the first people I met since arriving here and was such a joy to be around as a housemate. I glad I could meet her and can only pray she's safe wherever she is. Akechi, as her bond partner, you will be always welcome at our house if you ever need anything.

[She takes a deep breath.]

I also hope you will forgive me for closing Fushimi for the night on such sudden notice. I...just need some time.

Name: Hubert von Vestra | un: hvv
Date: 9/18 (backdated
Format: Text

For alchemists, medical professionals, fauns, and the botanically inclined:

Nearly half a year ago, the expedition northward to establish the Wilder outpost brought back plant specimens that produce an unusual sap, which can draw out and contain slight Cwyld infections if applied immediately. It also proved effective on the invasive algae underground.

I've been experimenting with these plants for some time now. The sap creates a... sort of false magical signature that the Cwyld is drawn to—bait, essentially—but the sap is quickly overwhelmed by stronger traces of Cwyld.

With experimentation, I've found a potential way to refine this sap that should fortify the substance's ability to draw in and entrap infection; from there, it could be processed into a medicine. Unfortunately, supply is an issue. One of the ingredients is rather rare and I'm still researching the best way to source it. The other is the plants themselves.

With aid, we've cultivated more of them, but it is a limited operation; this process requires a far greater quantity of sap to work with. I'd like to request help from experienced botanists, gardeners, fauns, or any other interested party in cultivating far more of these plants, and if possible, selecting for the pitcher plants with sap that displays the strongest resilience to Cwyld. From what I've gathered, it should be possible to breed this trait to greater potency.

I can share my formulas with interested alchemists, and keep you informed when production becomes available. If this project comes to fruition, I'll certainly require the hands.

Name: Percy de Rolo III
Date: Septeril 14
Format: Video

[ Percy is visibly in the forge, no surprise there, but it doesn't seem like much work is getting done. He looks more than a little manic, not quite able to sit still at the moment. And also like he may not have slept much recently, which might explain it. ]

Alright. I wasn't going to...[ he takes a breath and makes himself settle. A little. ] I've been hearing a lot about bonds recently. And obviously, I can only speak to the Witch side, but for that, I'm going to tell you a secret.

[ He leans forward a bit, mostly to make the point. ] You don't need one. If you want to bond, by all means enjoy yourself, but my gods don't let anyone convince you that you must have one. Going without may not be pleasant or comfortable or even particularly safe, but it is possible. I've managed without for well over a year, and I--

[ Whatever he is gets cut off by a deeply unimpressed woman's voice somewhere in the background easily overriding him: ] Percival, what the fuck?

[ And Percy's eyes shoot wide with maybe just a hint of panic before the video abruptly ends. ]

Name: Anonymous
Date: 9/13
Format: Text

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

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: Noctis Lucis Caelum
Date: backdated to 8/25
Format: Text/also open to action in the shopping area of the city


Say someone wanted to take up gardening but has never grown anything before. What advice would you give them to start?

[He's not bothering to add 'for a friend' or anything, and just vaguely hiding that he's asking for himself.]

Name: Waver Velvet & Cú Chulainn (Caster)
Date: Aguril 20
Format: video | Caster in blue ; Waver in green


Hello, everyone. There's something important you should know.

[ A rare public appearance from Waver Velvet?! Not for long... He turns the camera to his companion, Caster, who continues seriously. ]

Some of you might remember the ghastly, skinless creatures we faced in the forests surrounding Dorchacht. They terrorized their Wilders, and many of us have helped them deal with the threat — but these creatures can hold a grudge like no one else and, seeking vengeance, they found us here in Aefenglom. They crossed the entire continent to get even, but that means they now pose a danger to the Wilders and people in the Slums.

[ Waver turns the camera back to himself for a moment to nod in agreement. ]

They're incredibly tenacious, and they will follow any prey they set their sights on as far as possible. They've been getting closer lately, right up to the edges of the city.

[ Hence, Caster's point of the danger the Slums are now in, not to mention the Wilders. ]

I propose we help them. The Wilders are organizing efforts to hunt and trap these creatures around the Northern Outpost. People in the Slums are in need of protection. And if you can't fight, and think that makes you useless... you're wrong. Preparations are underway, and any set of hands helps.

[ Waver adds: ]

I'd also like to mention that they don't seem to be affected by the Cwyld, despite having crossed huge stretches of Wilde to get here. As such, I think we should at least try to study them. I doubt it'll be easy to capture one of these things, but I found out that they can't cross running water.

If we can build some sort of enclosure using that information, it would give us a chance to study one of them. The plan is to do so near the Northern Outpost.

We're looking for engineers, builders, Witches specializing in enchantment and barriers, especially those with an affinity for water -- anyone who is willing to help. And, of course, anyone who is working on researching the Cwyld and Cwyld-resistant organisms.

The Wilders have organized a night hunt on the evening of the 26th in a few days. We need to have the enclosure done before then.

Contact me if you’re interested. We’ll need as many hands on deck as possible at the Outpost, and of course the Slums could use protection too.

Thank you.

Name: Nico
Date: 18/07
Format: Video

Alright, so here's the thing—

( The video begins with the camera pointing up at what appears to be a neatly thatched cottage ceiling, but it's quickly lifted and moved so that it's propped up to show what appears to be a kitchen. Appears to be, because at the moment it's also functioning as a tinkering-station-cum-greenhouse for Nico, her piles of scrap metal and magical textbooks taking over the majority of the counter space.

The woman herself doesn't seem to be in the best of moods. Before she can get into it she brandishes a cross-head screwdriver at someone off screen with a "Hey! Get outta here, I'm fixin' this!", before reaching over to a semi-hidden fruit-bowl and hurling an apple towards the intruder. A long-suffering sigh follows, and she drags a hand through the mess of her hair as she turns her attention to the camera again. )

Right, so. My associate here, he just doesn't have any appreciation for the love an' care I put into my creations. He thinks he can just run around breakin' them without any consideration for the time it takes to fix 'em again.

( She tosses the screwdriver onto the table, then reaches over to pull a mechanical arm into the frame. It certainly looks as though it's seen better days: there's visible damage to the forearm, one of the fingers is missing, and where the prosthetic would connect to Nero's elbow there's a tangled mass of frayed wires. )

Only problem is, they don't wanna be fixed any more. Nothin' I do works—an' I made this from scratch, you understand? These are my babies.

( Her lips pull into a frown as she places it back down onto the table. )

So I gotta wonder, is this a magic thing? I've been up all hours of the night with these books I borrowed from the Coven— ( A vague gesture is made towards her chaotic piles of research. ) But even if I'm supposed to be a witch, my "magic" ain't good enough for makin' technology work yet.

( And you know, Nico's just going to avoid mentioning the whole Bond thing for the time being, because while she now has a pressing need to regulate her magic? The thought of relying on someone else makes her wrinkle her nose. )

Anyone got any bright ideas? Or— ( Your pride, Nico. Swallow it. ) Maybe someone could point me in the direction of a magi ... tech ... tutor? I can't pay much, but I'm real handy. I can do repairs, run errands—heck, the only thing I won't do is cook. Trust me, you definitely don't want that.

( She slants a grin towards the camera. )

Nicoletta Goldstein, by the way, but if you're gonna help me out then you can just call me Nico.

( And there's a wink as she reaches over to shut off the feed. )

[suddenly, a post appears.

And several minutes later, it's appended. And then again. And again. Until it looks a little like this:

soooo this is kinda awkward, but when i woke up this morning my feet weren't working? like i can't move my toes??? Has anyone else had anything like this happen before?

edit: OH MY GOD??? right after i posted that my toes just like. STUCK TOGETHER. i think there's something really wrong with my feet!!

edit x2 ALL OF MY TOES JUST FUSED INTO ONE BIG TOE

LIKE A HOOF???? OR SOMETHING

WHY DO I HAVE HOOVES?????

edit x3 i dont know how to walk with these things help

[and thus, Alphys accidentally liveblogs herself discovering that she is, in fact, a faun.]

Name: Anonymous - but probably poorly so
Date: 05/17
Format: Text!

does anyone know why monsters can't do magic?
i'm not talking about being able to do alchemy, i know that monsters can follow recipes and make stuff that way (;¬_¬)
but monsters are just as connected to the magic of this world as the witches are
so what gives???

is it just that no monster's ever been successful and so everyone's just assuming they can't?
or is there actually something that makes it so they can't

just curious

Name: Mettaton
Date: 05/09
Format: text

Ohh yes!! Hello darlings... My. So many of you, to bear audience to my post. Something's been on my mind for a few weeks now. And with so many questions on the network this month, why not conduct a survey of my own?

QUESTION: How many digits do you have on your hand? Fingers, thumbs, claws, fins, amorphous appendages. You name it, you count it! In as much detail as you'd like!!

Every reply will receive feedback on the configuration of your hand... by none other than ME!! Some lucky responses may receive any extra commentary that comes to my dazzling mind! Will you be one of the bold and the lucky...?

[ooc: 4th wall characters welcome!]

Name: Akko
Date: 2/7
Format: text

soooo what's everyone's plans for valentine's day??? （〃・ω・〃）
i'm going to be making chocolate for all my friends! if there's anybody else planning on making chocolate you could come over and we could make it together
i'm okay with helping people if they're not sure what they're doing

[...She might need the help more than them in reality, but this is neither here nor there.]

oh! i know, it can be a sleepover for those that wanna stay longer or have a lot of people to make chocolate for. let me know if ur coming and i'll see about getting enough snacks for everyone (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

and supplies for making chocolates duh

Name: Sheva Alomar
Date: backdated to 1/5
Format: text

Given everything going on, this might not be seem that important, but hear me out because I've been struggling with this myself for a while.

We need a 'dating' site/app for finding bonds. Either temporary or long term.

Any tech savvy person able to help with this?

Name: flat escardos
Date: 11/11
Format: text

happy pocky day!

i wonder if anyone in this place has seen any pocky that i could find? not that i have anyone to kiss while eating pocky with them, but it's a tasty snack so if anyone finds some or something like it...send me that way!

anyways, what's your favorite type of candy? answer me, folks!

Name: Monika
Date: Octeuril 18
Format: Text

Isn't it funny how you can spend weeks, months, and maybe even longer in trying to be a better person.

Only for a couple of bad days to make it feel like you lost most of your progress?

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: Elliot Craig
Date: October 6th
Format: Text

Hey everyone!

For those who don't know me, my name's Elliot Craig. I'm a musician and a music teacher, and now that I'm back from Dorchacht, I'm starting up music lessons again! Music is a valuable tool. It can soothe, move hearts, and can even be a great way to channel spells!

The instruments I'm currently offering are:

Piano

Violin

Guitar

Singing

Recorder (great beginner woodwind instrument!)

My going rates are affordable as well! Standards rates are:

	30 Minutes	45 Minutes	60 Minutes
Solo Lesson	2500c	3000c	3500c
Group Lesson*	1500c	2000c	2500c

*No group lessons offered currently for piano

As always, the first lesson is free! Discounts are also available for those with lower incomes. Music lessons will take place either in the barracks or the Aoide Foundation school of music, depending on the instrument. Thanks to the Aoide Foundation for loaning of instruments!

And if you rather hear some music than play, I'll be doing free street performances in evenings in the Entertainment district, weather permitting! Here's a sample of a piece called "Looking up at the Sky"

[He attaches a audio file to the entry] That song and more will be on my first album which if everything goes smoothly, should be coming out this season!

Thank you for listening!

[OOC: Lessons themselves will be mostly handwaved!]

Name: Entrapta
Date: Septeril 11th
Format: Text

HELLO ENTRAPTA HERE I AM LOOKING FOR HELP FROM ANYONE IN DORCHACHT WILLING TO ASSIST WITH COLLECTION OF SPARE PARTS FROM RADIOS LAWNMOWERS SEWING MACHINES ETC ETC ANY MACHINERY OR SCRAP METAL THANKS!!!! I WOULD JUST DO IT MYSELF BUT I AM SUPER BUSY. I CAN PROVIDE COMPENSATION IN THE FORM OF USEFUL DEVICES FOR AVOIDING DETECTION WHILE WE ARE HERE

I AM NOT BUILDING ANY BOMBS THIS TIME!!!!

I AM IN HIDING BUT I WILL SEND YOU THE ADDRESS + INSTRUCTIONS TO AVOID THE TRAPS!

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: Papyrus | Username: CoolSkeleton95
Date: Aguril 1st
Format: Text

SO YOU'RE IN A NEW WORLD, LOOKING AT A WATCH,
WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH YOURSELF...
WELL!
THE FIRST THING YOU CAN DO, IS READ THIS WELCOME MESSAGE:

HELLO!!!
I HEARD THERE'S MORE PEOPLE POPPING OUT OF MIRRORS TODAY,
AND MAYBE THAT MEANS YOU.
IF IT DOES, WELCOME TO AEFENGLOM!
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

YOU MIGHT HEAR SOME DOOM AND GLOOM FROM PEOPLE, ABOUT THE CWYLD, AND THE FULL MOONS...
BUT, ONLY SOME OF IT IS TRUE.
AND THOSE PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THINGS LIKE THE COLOR OF THE SKY, SO WHAT DO THEY KNOW ANYWAY.
THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE PRETTY MUCH CONSTANTLY WORKING HARD TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND HAPPY.
SO, DO YOUR BEST NOT TO WORRY TOO MUCH, AND LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!
IF YOU'RE A WITCH, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DO ALL KINDS OF MAGIC.
AND IF YOU'RE A MONSTER, THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE MOONS WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU!
AND I GUESS SOME MONSTERS HAVE A KIND OF MAGIC TOO? BUT IT'S NOT -MAGIC- MAGIC.
WHATEVER!!
THE IMPORTANT THING IS, YOU NOW FEEL WELCOMED.
YOU'RE WELCOME!

( Read more... )