[EVENT] Moon and Mirrors (Welcome Mingle Log)

[khuimods]

Characters: ALL
Date: January 15
Location: At the Dreaming Bridge and all over Aifaran!
Situation: A large influx of Dreamfolk arrive in time for one of the Lunar Festivals, and they're all invited!
Warnings/Rating: N/A


A surprising amount of Dreamfolk have arrived within a short time frame - a peculiarity remarked upon by a number of Aifaran's residents. It is unusual in that it coincides with a lunar festival, one which only happens every fifty or so years.

Newcomers will find the streets packed with all sorts of people, stalls of fried and sugared foods, carnivalesque games and rides, and all other manner of things to do. Merchants are very keen to get their wares out there, and the stipend given may just burn a hole in your pocket when you see what's for sale.

Comments

Dreaming Bridge

[khuimods]

The staff at the Dreaming Bridge take great pride in their jobs, and even such an influx all at once is viewed as a welcome opportunity to get the newcomers back on an even keel as quickly as possible. They'll be more than willing to answer as many questions as the new Dreamfolk can come up with about the city and its inhabitants, and they're always willing to share a list of shops and vendors who have been favourites of past-arrived Dreamfolk.

And if people aren't quite ready to throw themselves into the bustling festival outside, there's always the opportunity to meet new roommates, figure out who gets what side of the closet, and take one of the free cafeteria-style meals if they've recovered an appetite since arriving.

[corundrum]

[I: Breakwater Wing]

[Well, this is a new one, even for someone of Padparadscha's considerable age. Asking questions of the staff of this "Dreaming Bridge" place is definitely high on their priorities list, but once they're directed to the boarding areas, they figure it's probably a good idea to get a sense of where they're going to be living - and who they're going to be living with.

So it is that they're heading down one of the hallways of Breakwater Wing, counting doors. Their hair glimmers like a gem despite moving nothing like one, and their shirt is open to reveal several more gems marking filled holes in a body that's otherwise powdered white.]

Two, three... [There's a faint amusement to their tone, as if this whole thing is a novelty to them.] ...so this must be four.

[Catch them with their hand on the door, or in the room itself - chances are they'll leave the entrance open behind them to see who bites.]

--

[II: Festival]

[This celebration is nothing like Padparadscha's ever seen before, and though this bartering system still sounds a little odd even after having it explained along with the money handed over, it's not going to stop them from appreciating the atmosphere.

Stretching as they pass by one of the food stalls, Padparadscha casts it a glance. They're familiar with the basic concept of animals needing to eat, but this is all so curated they're having trouble even identifying it as food, which gets them curious enough to come over and peruse the wares.]

Hmm, so what's all this, then...?

FOR JACKIE

[bostonhowler]

[ Brigid doesn't recognize this place. She knows that it's like the turtle - that had been explained to her - but it's not the turtle. So, she does what she needs to do - checks out her new room, whatever - and then goes looking. She needs to find him.

Wearing her Da's old bomber jacket, jeans, and a crop top that she'd borrowed from one of her new packmates, she starts looking for Jackie. He must be around here somewhere. He has to be.

She sees a few familiar faces, and a plenty of new ones, but none that dear to her. She needs to find him. ]

[priforprince]

[ I. Breakwater Wing ]



Two beds....?

[ Hibiki blinks, somehow managing to occupy the entire doorway of her new lodgings despite her slim stature. ] A clerical error already. How distressing.

[ The furnishings also....leave something to be desired. But. One crisis at a time. ]

[ II. Cafeteria ]

[ Hibiki has requested one of every kind of hot drink the staff here provides. They're sort of staring at her as she has the drinks lined up in front of her. Every now and then, she takes a sip from the next one down the line.

She's mostly examining her new yimo, however. ]



I don't recognize these programs.

[ Computing...?

Nope. She found some feeds of the local dramas. ]

[spoilsfun]

1. Breakwater Wing
[ Conan walks quickly down the hallway, counting the doors until he reaches Room 1. He doesn't stay long, just long enough to deposit his skateboard by an empty bed and check to see if anyone had taken the other beds. And then he sets off again.

Many things were different here than they had been before. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if anyone else had been brought back here. And if they were... He suspected there was a good chance of meeting them in this building. ]


2. Cafeteria
[Eventually he makes his way to the cafeteria, where one of the free meals and a hot drink and takes them to a table in the corner. Here, he had a good view of the rest of the room. ]

[no_light]

Quayside, room #3

Kylo has been having some very very bad ever since he was taken from Keeliai and dumped back into his home galaxy far away, to say the least. Being back on the turtle should have improved things for him, yet everything is foreign and different, and he feels different, too.

It doesn't make for a happy Kylo Ren who storms into his room, only to catch sight of there being three beds.

He freezes, hand still on the handle, and feels half tempted to turn on his heel and walk away.


Cafeteria

Eventually hunger has driven him to the cafeteria, where he plans to find himself a lonely table in the corner to eat the plain fare they have been served. It's nothing special, but it's still better than First Order food, and he's hungry besides.

If you approach him you're unlikely to earn a glare, or simply go sullenly ignored, but he isn't paying much attention where he goes, and might in fact stumble into you with his tray.

[invisibill]

1. Quayside Wing

[ Danny checks the number on the door one more time before he enters the room. He wasn't sure what he expect, but it probably wasn't to see someone he kind of recognized. ]

Hey, it was Miles, right?



2. Festival

[ Danny heads straight for the food at the festival. The rest of it could wait. If he was going to be stuck doing this all over again, he was doing it with lots of and lots of fair food. ]

[choseanidiot]

Breakwater Wing (#6)

Stopping in the doorway, Rokuta stares in surprise for a moment. He... hasn't shared a room (well, bed, as much as there ever was one) with anyone since he shared with his siblings.

"Enki..."

"It'll be fine." Shaking his head while Yokuhi retreats, he leaves the door open behind him and forgoes all of the beds to, instead, open the window and plant himself there, one leg dangling outside and the other pulled up against him. There's other things he should do, but after being shown here by some people - the similarity to how Kaikyaku arrive is almost funny - just taking a moment to let the whole thing sink in feels necessary. Especially since there's the things, people, that he currently can't feel and that seems to be missing. At least there is Yokuhi.

[darkwingsofkilvas]

Right Outside

Even after going through all of the introductory speeches from the Bridge workers and being given a key to his room, Naesala was still rather put-off by this entire affair. This wasn't where he needed to be, if indeed he needed to be anywhere at all. He couldn't decide which part of that bothered him the most, but finding that he had a new magical tattoo was turning his mood sour all on its own.

While Naesala did poke his head into the room he was assigned, he didn't stay there long. The very next thing he did was to step outside of the Dreaming Bridge and spread his wings. Lifting himself off of the ground, Naesala flew high enough to perch on the roof of the building to get a good look at his surroundings - the larger, unfamiliar buildings in the distance and the festival spread out below, packed to the brim with unfamiliar kinds of people.

After he's gotten his fill of the sight, Naesala steps off of the roof, gliding back to the ground with occasional flaps of his wings. If there's anyone else standing near the Bridge's entrance, he doesn't seem particularly bothered by having his landing zone blocked - he still easily lands on his feet nearby, wings folding behind his back once more.

X | Quayside Wing | Room 06

[redlightgreenlight]

This world was not what she had expected to wake up to, and Valdis couldn't decide if she was thankful to not be back on her world, or furious. She only half listened to the staff as they explained things, she'd been through this song and dance before. Once in her room, she tossed her few belongings on the bed, her cat, who had somehow managed to follow, leaping up after them.

Without a word, she disappeared into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her. At least there was a shower, perhaps that would help her gather her thoughts so she could come up with a plan. Valdis stripped, folding her clothes and setting them aside before stepping into the shower. The sound of the water drowned out any sounds she might have heard, it seemed her powers weren't quite working to their full extent yet. Hadn't it been about twenty four hours last time? She closed her eyes and let the hot water fill the room with steam.

[lasergrenades]

I. Breakwater Wing

Pepper isn't her usual cheerful self the first day that she's in Aifaran. It's not that she's back when she didn't want to be, like some people. That bit she's fine with. It's who isn't here that has Pepper practically morose. Once the staff get her oriented, she takes her possessions to her room, picks a bed at random, and sits atop the blankets with her legs pulled up to her chest. She's definitely not sniffling.

II. Breakwater Wing or Cafeteria

After the first day, Pepper is much more her normal self. Sitting around in her room only occupies her for so long, and she decides its time to meet some of the other Dreamfolk who are staying here. She knocks on a few doors, especially those right around the room she's sharing with Leo and Eve, offering smiles and excited chattering (and probably more than a few questions).

The cafeteria gives a more natural opportunity to meet people, in some respects. When she hasn't planned to eat with old friends, Pepper is on the lookout for Dreamfolk without many people at their tables. "Hi there! Mind if I sit with you?"

Quayside Room #07

[afoolsgold]

As it was explained to him, his quarters here would be shared--and that was reason enough to to immediately slip out into town in order to procure for himself some modest trappings for the creation of a simple partition. Now, back in the room he's to share with an as yet unidentified companion, he pieces together the partition such that his bed, and a little space around it, is shrouded from view.

He's left the door to the room open to invite visitors, and has seated himself in a vacant chair with a bit of woodwork to keep his slender hands occupied.

Breakwater Wing | closed to tony and pepper

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene was, very quietly, losing his absolute mind.

From what he'd gathered (because he hadn't really been listening), he was back on Konryu, but things had gone horribly wrong with the transition - damn right they'd gone horribly wrong, he's supposed to be at home, fixing his mistakes as best he can. And now he was...back here. Not in Keeliai, the place he'd come to consider his home during his time here, but in Aifaran, somewhere new and strange and so like Keeliai and so alien.

He'd gone home with Tony and Pepper because they'd all agreed that it was best, and Gene had grown quite a bit from the scared and angry teenager he'd been when he'd first arrived in Keeliai. Tony and Pepper would vouch for him while he hid for a little while, and worst to worst...he'd turn himself in. He didn't want a life in SHIELD custody - as much of a "life" as it would be - but he had to be responsible.

But instead of taking responsibility, he was here.

And he was alone.

He'd come to lean on Tony and Pepper as his new family in Keeliai, and been terrified of losing them. The choice to go home and potentially lose them had been a hard one, but there was the possibility that he wouldn't, and he'd held onto that.

But here...he was over 500 years past Tu Vishan's disappearance, and he was alone.

He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. If he was here, Tony and Pepper might be, too. He grasped onto that thin, shimmering thread of hope like a lifeline. But he also needed to accept the high probability that he was alone again, like he'd been for most of his life.

That would shatter his heart into a thousand pieces, because he'd have lost the only people he'd dared to love since he was six years old.

He kept leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, forcing his breath to even out. That would calm him down. If they were gone...they were gone. And there'd be nothing he could do about that. With all of his power, there would be nothing that he could do about that.

[annihilist]

I. Breakwater Wing

He has roommates. Really, that should be the least of his problems, but its tied to a dozen other issues that are clamoring for his attention and that he is simultaneously trying to ignore. Devin decides early on that he's going to try to avoid being here unless he needs to sleep, which fortunately he needs less than most people. It's not the lack of privacy, per se - he's done that before, in much more uncomfortable conditions. It's just people. Maybe he should take up being nocturnal again.

Devin doesn't really have much in the way of possessions to be worried about losing, but after arranging a few of the things the staff gave him under the bed, he departs the room and goes to learn the layout of the building. That'll help.

II. Festival

The bustle outside is at least an opportunity for anonymity, to melt into crowds and disappear. It's people without the pressure of getting to know anyone. The city is new, which means he needs to learn it. Mapping Aifaran can maybe wait a little, but the festival presents enough of a distraction from his current predicament to be worth exploring a little. He can be seen at the fringes and off to the sides, at the edges of alleyways. Near enough to observe but not engage. He is usually frowning.

Breakwater/Cafeteria

[meds4sale]

It was a step down from his room in the Gallows, but a step up in that the green shard in his hand that had anchored him to other Rifters had apparently gone. The proverbial leash was off.

There was a symbol now where it had been - unfamiliar and radiating some kind of energy but it lacked the ache he had before.

He spent a little time in the room, and then more time exploring the halls because he was nosy and wanted to see who he'd be sharing quarters with until going back to his itinerant lifestyle.

There was also free food. Not something he ever passed up really, and some of the options were pleasantly familiar.

The Dreaming Bridge - January 18th on

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony arrives a few days later than the rest of this batch of Dreamfolk – just long enough to really stress Gene out. Whoops.

But he's here now, and though he's not happy about it, he's glad that at least some of his friends from Keeliai made the round trip too. Over the next few days, he makes himself pretty obvious around the Dreaming Bridge. He's living in Quayside, while Gene and Pepper are housed in Breakwater, so he's frequently roving between the two wings. In the hopes of tracking down his other friends, he spends some time hanging out in the cafeteria (central location and free food!) and knocks on a few doors (hopefully the right ones!).

festival!

[afoolsgold]

The Fool does not blend into the crowd.

The festival is a brightly coloured affair that transpires around him, and he stands in the middle of it with a look of wide-eyed, appreciative wonder lighting up his expression. He makes his way from vendor to vendor, slipping into stores to admire brightly coloured baubles and elegant silks; despite not looking like one who came to this world with much material wealth, the peculiar man with his tawny skin and golden hair has quite the shrewd eye for finery, for quality.

He pauses near a collection of carved pieces of wooden animals and picks one up to examine it. It's a simple, unadorned wolf.

After taking a moment to examine the wood grain, the pays for the trinket and slips it into one of the pockets of his lengthy cloak.

Bibiru Racing

[khuimods]

A common pastime during festivals, especially among children, there’s a small track where bibiru can run around. Some of them do actually run the track; others just roll around and play. Some people bet on these races, but it’s usually only for small trinkets or food.

Next to the "racetrack" is a petting zoo-like area where people can play with the bibiru, which is highly encouraged, as they’re social creatures. Just watch out if you’re allergic to dander!

[spoilsfun]

While exploring the area, Conan had been swept up in a crowd of excited children and dragged along to the petting zoo. He takes a quick look around for escape routes, but the crowd of kids is completely boxing him in.

And before he can formulate any escape plans, a large bibiru is dropped in his arms. Conan holds the creature out at arms length and gives it a skeptical look.

It cheeps at him.

open;

[prana]

      PETTING ZOO;
( Sera, who has been on edge ever since her arrival, seems to finally calm down when it comes to interacting with the bibiru. They are interesting creatures, reminding her of pieces of art in which two or more races were mixed together, and in turn that gives her a bit of peace in her mind. Even if she's silently brooding their lack of freedom, she's gathered from the handlers nearby that these creatures rely on their care so she won't cause a fuss here.

Not yet, at least.

For now she's plopped on the ground with her legs straight out, watching the bibiru hop over her limbs to chase after some of the more active children. She blends in as a child when she's like this, her eyes wide with curiosity and her posture not so lady-like. Which means her scrutiny and piercing gaze are being overlooked, as she watches the people around her, listening and learning from their interactions. )

      TRACK;
( It's only when the other children notice her that she gets pulled away from her evasive eavesdropping and forced to participate in the races. Sera is no stranger when it comes to betting or gambling, having seen a fair share of it in her life. She doesn't necessarily approve of it, but there it is, happening before her eyes all while being encouraged to participate. All she has to do is contribute something to the pot and place her bet.

So far the pot is full of random knick knacks and a couple pieces of what might be a confectionery treat of some kind. One of the children suggests her necklace or maybe one of her hair bands, while she silently thumbs something in her pocket. After brief consideration, she withdraws a twisted piece of gold and adds it to the pile.

Somewhere an ancient Pharaoh is slighted. )

[iseeall]

Leo was having less than a stellar day. He'd recently gotten out of the hospital and all his bandages and stitches pulled from the Dr. Gamimotz fiasco, only to again be pulled into a place that was both alien and familiar.

Alien in the fact he'd never been here before, and familiar because it was exactly what happened with Keelai. Hell, he could remember Keelai again, and that freaked him out the most. He remembered being worried he would forget everything and that's apparently what happened. Ha, I can almost laugh-it's like a dream.

But again, he was pulled away from Michella and Libra and everything important, just to be alone here again. Leo didn't even know if Klaus was taken along for the ride or anyone he remembered whatsoever. It all seemed rather pointless now.

He'd been spending time wandering and his feet led him to a small racetrack and petting zoo. Leo remembered those; as kids, he'd always bugged his parents to let him pet every single animal, then bring them up to his sister so she could do the same. Leo let out a slight smile and entered the petting zoo, only to have the attendent hand him a fluffy creature that looked like a cross between a rabbit and owl. "Hi there...you're really cute."

He was slightly grateful that when he broke down crying in the next moment, the people keeping track of the bibirus just let him hug the one he was holding and set him in a corner somewhere.

Fashion Show

[khuimods]

Selys are domestic frilled serpents, prized for their coloration and docility. Of course they need to be shown off; otherwise how will everyone know how pretty they are?

The day's fashion show begins with both outfits and selys simply on display, but later in the day, when the light is hitting the reserved plaza just right, there will be a runway show with models, each strutting their stuff with enthusiasm and glitter.

Any likely nearby Dreamfolk may be borne down on by a tall, brightly ornamented Arybar with a fiendish look in her eye. "One of my models is missing, and they walk in ten minutes-- it'll take less than an hour, you're just the right size--"

Those fortunates not press-ganged into service will have a pleasant view of vibrant outfits and glimmering, amiable serpents. None of them have gotten away, right? ...Right?

[priforprince]

[ Pre-Show ]



A fashion show?

[ Hibiki frowns. Nods at the selys. ] Featuring those?

[ The selys glimmer attractively. Hibiki thinks this over. A smirk quirks across her mouth. ] You have a good eye.

[ Don't mind them, if Hibiki and this impromptu talent scout jostle you! The new model has places to be. ]

[ The Show ]

[ Even if you weren't watching the fashion show before, you may hear a cry of surprise and appreciation fly up from the crowd. This model they've got right now, they're - they're -

Well, they're certainly flashy.

Hibiki strides down the runway with noble, magnificent ease. The air behind her seems alight with sparkles and purple glitter; the selys draped about her has never looked more brilliant. Prince and snake pose together at the end of the runway. ] Now, behold. Before your very eyes!

[ The selys is holding a rose it in its mouth for Hibiki. She retrieves it, kisses the petals. ] The dawning of a new age for Khu Ioduan! My name is Shikyoin Hibiki!



Your new, true-number-one celebrity!

[ She tosses the rose into the throng. Half the audience rushes for it. The other half just blinks. Dreamfolk....are....certainly unlike the people here, aren't they.

Meanwhile, the rose - lands in your hands. ]

[ Post-Show ]



Well, it's second nature for me.

[ Hibiki is now surrounded by Arybar, and has purchased herself a cup of tea that tastes like chocolate (excellent). She's still wearing the last selys they'd put on her, which seems unwilling to give her up. ] Accentuating the inherent charms of a stage partner is the highest form of - OI!

[ The selys has discovered that one piece of Hibiki's hair is longer than the rest. It has decided to take hold and tug.

Hibiki is now a captive to fashion. ]

A Strange Happenstance

[khuimods]

It was all quite a kerfuffle around late afternoon. One might spot a number of Sentry officers milling around, talking with individuals all in varying states of hysteria. A good listener might pick up on what’s being said - all of it strangely similar;

"He was right there-"

"I just turned my back for a second-"

"Gone. Just gone. She was tall, you’d be able to spot her a mile off-"

"Please, there’s no reason why they’d just vanish-"

While the Sentry officers will be firmly dismissive of any Dreamfolk who may try to ask about the goings on, those with missing friends and family may be more willing to trust their unconventional powers (though some may be as skeptical as the Sentry). After all, they just want their loved ones returned safely - they don’t care if all the legal boxes get ticked off first.

There is no real consistency between those who vanish - age, race, size, gender, etc - they’re all over the place. The only similarity between them is that they were all in the general vicinity of what is effectively a funhouse. Those with supernatural senses or a really good sense of smell will notice that the lost individual’s various trails vanish approximately where they were reported missing.

Later in the evening, when the good cheer of the festival is starting to sour into confusion and fear, almost all the missing individuals will turn up, slightly dazed and confused at how it got dark so suddenly, but otherwise apparently unharmed. The only one who remains unaccounted for is a Kin’nal’s little sister.

[corundrum]

[I: Late Afternoon]

[The change in mood is difficult to miss, and though Padparadscha isn't taking it for granted that any newcomer to this place and this system would be trusted, they're listening for a little while to get an idea of what's going on here.]

My, my...never a day without work. [Though there's still some sense of humour to their tone, it's outweighed by something more serious.] Maybe their worship of the moon turned around on them.

[They've seen no sunspots in this world, but it's a hard thought to dismiss.]

--

[II: Evening]

[So, all's well that ends well...except, it sounds like, for one person. Again, Padparadscha prefers not to approach, but the one remaining voice of dissent among the relief is something that stands out to them.

It's an odd situation of itself, but that just piques their interest more. If they're going to find out more about this world, they need to know of its oddities as well. In the end, they choose to approach other Dreamfolk instead.]

Hey, did you track any hints of the one they're still talking about?

A tour... Brigid/Fool

[bostonhowler]

Brigid feels like she's done this before. No, this isn't the turtle, no it isn't exactly the way she thought it would be, but it is somewhat familiar, in that it's completely alien.

She'd immediately volunteered to help out the people who hadn't been on the turtle. They have to be horribly disoriented.

She meets her little trainee? Is that what she should call him? She isn't sure. Tucking her hands in her back pockets, she waits for him, just outside the Dreaming Bridge.

[afoolsgold]

It is a slight, slender man who makes his way across the Bridge towards Brigid now, stepping lightly in a manner that might be compared to a deer's gait. His eyes wander with avid curiosity rather than fear or disorientation; this? This is but a shock, rather than the trauma of coming back to life again.

This he can manage quite well.

When he spots the woman he is to meet, he smiles and dips in a little flourish of a bow. "Unless I am mistaken, I believe I am here to meet you," he informs her.