[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.

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!

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?

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: 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...?

[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?

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]

[ 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. ]

[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. ]

1.

[protivvyter]

[ Bucky spies the skateboard, before he sees the kid connected to it. So, he follows the skateboard, wondering. When the kid turns for the room, he smiles to himself. First familiar face, Conan. It figures.

He's got a soft spot for the kid. He puts his flesh hand out and catches Conan by the shoulder. ]

Hey.

[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.

[spoilsfun]

[ Conan jumps away at the touch to his shoulder. He doesn't relax until he recognizes his former roommate. ]

Bucky.

Did you ever make it home?

[spoilsfun]

It doesn't take Conan long to determine that talking to the police here wouldn't be useful. Here, he had no convenient contacts with the police or local detectives to take advantage of. Instead he circulates around the upset individuals, listening intently and collected the information to build a picture of what happened.

Later, he moves around the funhouse, searching for anything out of place.

[protivvyter]

[ He hadn't meant to startle the kid. Still, he smiles slightly. ]

No, did you?

[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.

Mmm Cafeteria food....

[protivvyter]

Bucky is trying to carry his tray with one hand. It's not as easy as it looks. He really needs to talk to Tony Stark about getting him a new arm. He thinks he's seen the kid around here somewhere.

He bumps into someone and down goes his tray along with a soft curse. Dammit, that's twice now he's lost his lunch.

"What the hell?" He snaps, barely recognizing the guy from the Turtle before.

[spoilsfun]

Mmm, I made it home. For a while.

[A few months, another hundred or so cases. He'd stayed busy.

And gone even deeper in his investigations. But not deep enough. He had more allies now, but he still didn't have enough to find a cure or to be sure of stopping the organization.]

But I guess this place wasn't done with me.

[protivvyter]

[ Bucky's a little jealous. He would have liked to see Steve, again, at least. If not T'Challah and the other Avengers. Still, it's good for the kid to have gone home. ]

You find your room alright?

[ Bucky doesn't know who he's staying with yet. ]

[spoilsfun]

Not yet. But it shouldn't be hard to find. I'm supposed to be in Room 1.

[protivvyter]

Lets get you settled in, then, we can figure out what the hell is going on around here.

[ Because Bucky is supposed to be in the ice. He's supposed to be in cryosleep and not a danger to anyone, never mind that this place keeps dragging him back. ]

[theinfamous1412]

Kaito is still trying to get used to the new surroundings and spending a good time moving place to place, meeing new people and mapping out locations in his head. It's only coincidence really, that he even notices miniature detective get swept into the herd of other small children. Coincidence or misfortune, he hasn't yet decided.

He stays off to the side for a bit, watching the detective carefully and smirking slightly at its cheeping. It seems the detective has made a friend. He takes a second to roughly fix his hair in the trademark Kudo Shinichi style. The detective is likely aware that he doesn't need a mask to diguise him but he'd still rather not appear fully as Kuroba Kaito.

"It seems to like you." He states, squatting down to the detective's level and whispering behind his ear.

I

[annihilist]

[Devin is more than a little displeased by being back here, and the fact that he's going to have roommates for the foreseeable future is even more irksome. He wants privacy and solitude, and the only way he's going to get that is by leaving the city - and at the moment he has next to no resources. Needless to say, the vampire is more than a little sullen when he goes to find his randomly assigned lodgings.

The door is already open. Great. He sighs and pushes it open without a word, taking in the sight of strangely sparkling red hair on a slim frame. More silence as he selects one of the empty beds and drops the few items he has on it.

Sorry about the idiot vampire, Padparadscha.]

[spoilsfun]

[ Conan nods, and starts walking toward the end of the hallway. ]

Have you seen any of the others here yet?

[protivvyter]

[ Bucky shakes his head. ]

Not yet. You're the first familiar face I've seen since arriving.