[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

[perfectenn]

Less then 24 hours here and he's still overwhelmed by interesting sights. But not on the greatest stages or highest-budget films has he seen anyone like this. Tenn hides his expression behind putting on his glasses and adjusting his bangs. His voice at least is calm.

"Yes." And on further thought, "Are there no such things where you are from?" Though if all things from their land are so reflective in appearance, perhaps a room of mirrors would seem banal.

[corundrum]

Padparadscha's gaze flicks briefly over the subtle movements, but comes back to his face proper before long. "Oh, we have mirrors, but I couldn't imagine the reason for doing that with them. So I thought it might be some kind of display instead. My bad."

They shrug a bit, seemingly casual, before moving on to the point at hand. "But like I said, I didn't see any traces of the disappeared ones."

[perfectenn]

Not a Kedan then... It didn't sink in until now that those known as Dreamfolk are from very different worlds. Made bolder by this knowledge, Tenn allows himself to show a little of his interest. Perhaps they find him just as unusual.

"Many find it entertaining to see themselves in different shapes. It makes the maze fun and challenging." His own shallow sense of humor is tickled by the mirror tricks, but navigating the maze to completion is fulfilling.

"I see." He folds his arms. It might be possible for a Kin'nal to camouflage themselves, but that wouldn't account for the others. "These attractions are normally straightforward. I haven't seen anything that looks like a secret passage or room." Those are fun, too. Usually. Right now, circumstances are not encouraging. "Have you been through the entire house?"

[corundrum]

It's certainly unusual for Padparadscha to see this many humans and other unfamiliar species in one place, but they're also getting the sense that they're a bizarre thing to the humans here. It's an odd exchange, but one they feel it won't take long to get used to.

"Oh, like a recreational thing. What a strange way to do it," is their only remark on that before moving on. It's a funny little oddity, but ultimately not important to the situation.

It sounds as if this one has been doing his research, at least, though they have to offer an amused smile at the idea they weren't thorough. "Floor to ceiling. Tricks and traps aren't new to me, little one, and I didn't find anything like it in that house."

[perfectenn]

A frown flicks over his lips. Little one... it's been a long time since anyone called him a nickname like that.

"I see. That's unfortunate." An understatement, as he looks aside and his brows tighten. If it were his little sibling, he'd be here all night searching. He wouldn't stop until they were found. It's hard to know if Kin'nal feel the same way... but if her family and friends do, it's painful to walk out empty-handed.

Still, he and the others have done their best. "Then it's up to the local law enforcement to search the city."

Tenn considers the shortest path to the exit. Much as the ticket stubs in his backpack profess to his love of amusement parks, he can't bring himself to stay. "Something like this happening on the day we arrive... it seems foreboding."

[corundrum]

"That's right. If they call themselves a sentry, they shouldn't rest until they do, and they certainly know the land better than we do."

That thought doesn't sit the best with Padparadscha, being so used to knowing just about every inch of that tiny bit of land the Gems called home, but this is a new world. If they want to return to being a sentry, they'll have to start from scratch.

His thought on their arrival gets a hum out of Padparadscha, low and lengthy as if they're considering how accurate it is. "Just one day is a remarkably tiny amount of time to judge by. But it's something to think about, hm?"

[perfectenn]

"It is. But one day is all we have right now." He hopes there aren't many more to come; he left his dressing room heading for home, and he intends to return soon. Until then, it would be shameful to be regarded as an ill omen. “I don’t want to be viewed as an inconvenience to these people who have graciously decided to shelter us.” There’s no sarcasm, simply acceptance that he will return to the Dreaming Bridge tonight and would prefer if the staff didn’t need to suspect him of anything. In either case, he’ll check the atmosphere outside and adjust his behavior accordingly.

Before he leaves, Tenn looks up at them and says, “Thank you for assisting in the search.” It may not be his place to say, having no relation to this city, but it puts him at ease to know some of the Dreamfolk are looking beyond their own situation. If they are all frightened at being taken from home, surely the citizens feel the same at their loved ones’ disappearances.

[corundrum]

"They're prepared for us, right? I don't think this will be considered anything but a coincidence," Padparadscha replies, calm as ever. It's a possibility that some people might point fingers, but as it is, they feel it's unlikely anyone's going to lay blame at the feet of travellers who seem to have been coming and going for years.

As a sentry themselves, they don't feel quite at ease leaving yet, but since this human clearly plans to, Padparadscha just nods a little and raises a hand in farewell.

"You as well. I'm sure we'll meet each other again soon enough, little one."

[perfectenn]

He smirks at the nickname, but without hostility. (‘Little one’ is hardly worse than ‘Tenten.’) It has been an enlightening meeting, and it won't be unwelcome to see them again at the Dreaming Bridge. They might uncover more clues.

"I'm sure we will. Bye bye." He gives a smile and a wave before stepping into the colorful tunnels to return outside.