ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Name: Yazoo
Date: 26th Octeuril
Format: Video

( The video feed shivers into life to show a static image of a ceiling. This is Yazoo's second attempt to reach a family that he hasn't figured out isn't here, but he isn't ready to give up just yet! Sephiroth didn't make his Remnants that way, after all, and he has no plans to entertain the idea of being without his brothers. )

... Kadaj? ( A beat. ) Loz?

( The voice that breaks the momentary silence is soft and a little dreamy, his words spoken as though he's having difficulty organising his thoughts. He isn't pleased by the fact that he has to resort to this to reach his brothers: he's spent days looking for them, encouraged by the gentle pull of two more cellular signatures that match his own, and yet ... )

I know you're here. I can feel you.

( Eventually he'll learn that it isn't Kadaj or Loz he can feel at all, but until then? He's going to keep trying. )

Big Brother is with me, but— ( He thinks of the Sephiroth that he's slowly getting to know — a near stranger, nothing like the man he was in the splintered memories Yazoo holds in the back of his mind. When he speaks again it's with an edge of something like concern: ) There's something wrong with him. He needs help.

( The image finally tilts to show a young man with long silver hair, unnaturally bright eyes with slit pupils, and lips ever so slightly downturned with displeasure. )

... If what they say about Bonding is true, I need help too. I don't want a weak human.

( He leans in closer, his hair slipping forwards around his face as those strange eyes bore into the camera. )

Find me.

Name: Archer, Iskandar Date: 9th of Maurer Format: video

[The video feed starts with half of the picture obscured by some large, red shape and half showing Archer sitting at the table, a large stack of papers with what is most likely sketches of new designs in front of him. The red shape turns out to be Iskandar adjusting the position of the watch AFTER starting the transmission…He seems to be happy how he set it up and only then he joins Archer. Behind them is the familiar interior of Inkchanted.]

Hello and well met! We of the Inkchanted staff feel it’s important to announce, though we do it with deep regret, that on Full Moons and the day after that, our marvellous establishment would remain closed.

[Archer cuts in, his eyes looking more reptilian than usual, pupils turned to thin slits. It’s not as noticeable, but his eyes have a subtle golden glow. He’s smirking that irritating smirk of his, and his tone carries his usual veneer of sarcasm]

It is a necessity due to previously unforeseen circumstances. I advise our customers to avoid booking their sessions during the future Full Moons as well. Those who’ve been already booked for these days will have a priority while choosing a more fitting date.

Yes, yes. Exactly! [That’s Iskandar again. An observant eye will surely notice he’s looking a little worried even if he’s sporting his usual wide grin.] We sincerely apologize to all of our wonderful customers for that inconvenience and invite you to come back on the 11th of Maurer in the usual opening hours. We remain open for all question pertaining to the usual Inkchanted business or the current announcement.

[Having said that Iskandar raises with intention of ending the transmission but his fiddling with the watch doesn’t bring the desired effect. So, quite unintentionally it shows Archer, his eyes flashing golden for a moment .]

Are we done here?

[Iskandar dismisses him with an impatient wave.]

Yes, yes, go.

[Archer stands up swiftly, nods politely at his companion and leaves, choosing the door that leads to the session room and closing it firmly behind himself. There’s a quiet murmur of voices that is cut by a sudden sound of the window being opened, surprised yell, followed by laughter fading into the distance. (For all that know him, both sound unmistakenly like Cú.)]

Ho? Why is this light here still blinki… Malaka!

[That’s where the transmission truly ends.]

I'll keep this short.

I need a sword made for me, preferably a rapier. It doesn't have to be enchanted or anything.

I'll get the materials you need for it.

I can pay in advance or do whatever it is you want for a month. Killing, babysitting, housework, fetch quests, foraging, doesn't matter how odd or hard it is. I'm not picky.

Thanks :)

Name: un: morrigan
Date: Feb 18
Format: text

I am interested in hearing from people, especially witches, who can describe distinct benefits they have noticed to being part of a Bond.

Emotional aspects or friendships formed are less of a concern. Tell me of more practical things. Advantages or improvements you have personally experienced.

Name: un: enkidu
Date: 11th
Format: text

[It takes a lot of time tapping this message with less fingers but Enkidu manages.]

recently my truest friend has been summoned from the mirrors but for now he lacks platonic friends to spend time with. he has been living a solitary life as a king and i do not want him to be alone anymore.

his name is gilgamesh. he is very fond of his treasures and also knows the greatest stories about them. he enjoys wine as well. he is great to spar with and likes to go on adventures. his favorite color is gold. once he introduced me to beer and bread and allowed me to eat and drink everything i wanted.

would people like to become his platonic friend? or another sort of friend? as i know that many sorts of friendships are possible.

let me know if you have questions or want to meet him. he can be a bit fussy at first but please do not let it get to you. he has been alone. for a long time.

The trial of the Rathmores and their associates takes place on a cold, drizzly morning at the very beginning of Feoveuer, in a large audience chamber of Parliament, broadcast to the Watches by Sowilo (and Theodore, when Sowilo is speaking) for any who cannot or do not wish to attend personally. The trial itself is public; any who show up are allowed in, and any who were hurt by the Rathmores are invited, though not forced, to testify against them during the proceedings. Mhairi is present, as Speaker for the Coven, as are all those members who hold a Judicial Seat, and many of the Civic Seats, along with the Witches and Guards present at the raid. Mhairi and one Lady Denholm are outspoken about the Rathmores' crimes all throughout, prompting more hard-hitting questions when things grow too silent or sympathetic toward the wealthy elitists.

( a trial and a sentencing )

Name: Cú Chulainn and Archer Date: 11/16 Format: video

[ View shows a small but cozy porch. The garden surrounding it seems a bit unruly, though a trained eye can tell it’s kept this way on a purpose. Here and there are signs of animal presence - it may be a hint of petalwolf in bushes, or flash of glowing eyes, perhaps it’s deep claw marks on the bark or even black tail hidden in the shadow. Despite it, the place looks cozy, and it’s accentuated by simple seating (with a blanket thrown over it) that Caster is currently sprawled on, and a low table that the Watch is set upon, as seen from the angle. His expression attentive but not focused on the Watch itself, eyes following someone moving behind it. Moments later a dragon — Archer — joins him and stays a bit behind, resting one hand on Caster’s shoulder in rather casual but tender gesture.

That’s the moment where they both turn to the Watch itself, and Caster has a brief “ah shit, so that was already on” realization cross his expression before turning serious. He’s the one who speaks first. ]

Hey, it’s been quite a while. Some of you might remember still those few feeds from Dorchacht— feels like it was so long ago and as if it was yesterday, huh? Not fun memories to return to, but there’s a reason I’m stirring them, so bear with me.

Back then, I made a little call to arms about seeking the way into the door under the Coven there, how together with a friend we’ve found out that whatever is beside those door, fuels the enchantments on the wall?

I never made a follow-up, so here it is.

[ It's been busy, it's been crazy. Maybe a bit of it was to get some distance too. And make sure everyone involved are on the same page. ]

Turns out, crazy thing, several of ours have been taken there. Fang, Myr and Arthur. [ Ursula and Eren as well, but that was agreed to be kept silent ] Whenever you’d get infected by Cwyld, they would take you there to help. To cleanse, albeit in a different way than how they do it here.

[ That’s where Archer interjects with his usual frown. ]

They use blood instead of fire, cutting the infected area first carefully to not damage any tendons and then pour blood from the healthier part into it. Apparently the process doesn’t leave any scars. And those who left the room found their memories to be fogged as if everything happening was just a dream.

[ Caster turns to him with a stare that is slightly exasperated at which Archer simply rolls his eyes. ]

Yeah, I was thinking of leaving out that detail. But that’s not all there it was.

With a bit of planning, clever workings and expertise of a few dedicated people like Sokie and Steve— [ And also Nel, Geralt, Everett, and Zelda again preferring to not having their names connected to this. Probably wise choice ] —this team managed to put two of us behind these doors again, with one clear goal. Learn everything that's possible.

[ Caster makes a pause, oh he made a plan how to tell about this, but going back to those events isn’t as easy-breezy as it was supposed to be. Archer squeezes his shoulder and continues instead. His voice is surprisingly calm and emotionless. ]

Inside resembled infirmary, with several heavily sedated Monsters on beds. Many of them had scars and bandages that could hide any number of burns or lacerations. Some of them, though, had a kind of blue glow beneath the bandages. Witches explained that it’s to keep the patients stable and safe. However, when they touched the walls from time to time the glow intensified for a moment.

That’s not all. [ Archer’s frown deepens, but the only hint of discomfort may be a slight narrowing of his eyes as he continues in the same voice. Despite the disturbing story neither his expression changes nor his voice wavers. ] Behind a curtain hid another door, leading to a locked room. Those inside were Witches, in a similar state to the Monsters - unconscious but without any marks of infection or injuries. Each had glowing runic tattoos. The whole place felt like a crypt and not the infirmary.

[ Kind of like these that cover Caster’s arms. ]

—batteries. [ Caster cuts into it, it might cut the description short, yes, but gets straight to the point. So it can get over with. ] They were used as batteries to power the enchantments on the Walls. Their magic slowly drained away as they slept there. One could guess that’s the fate of dissenting witches.

[ It’s very Dorchacht style, really. Waste no resources, efficient in its horrors. ]

Those who should have learned about all of this did. Time will show what comes out of it. [ Archer adds with a light shrug. Who knows what the gesture means, does he disagree with leaving it to Dorchacht resistance or does he prefer it off his hands. This means both Nessie and the Resistance were informed, but since they all agreed that maybe they don’t want their ties officially stated, it’s better to hint at it. It’s pretty obvious given the circumstances, but better safe than sorry as they say. ]

｢ OOC NOTE due to shuu hiatus, Caster's replies might be sparse. we welcome you to threadjack all around ｣

Name: Yako Katsuragi (un: katsuragi)
Date: Septeril 1st, after Mhairi & Nessie's address and Sokie's post.
Format: Video

For those who are considering going to Dorchacht: someone brought up the idea of sharing what information we've been able to find out about how the compulsion to obey witches works in the city. From previous experience with these dreams, they don't often represent an accurate version of reality, so we should be cautious in our assumptions of what will actually be there.

From what I was able to find out, the enchantment to force Monsters to obey witches is built into the walls of the city itself -- along with a spell to keep the Cwyld out, though it's not the same as the one used by Aefenglom.

That being said ... if it works the way it does in the dream, then we know there are ways to protect ourselves. The resistance was distributing enchanted paper with runes that can be used to lift the compulsion. The witches were willing to teach me -- I assume I'm not the only one who learned. If there are enough of us willing to work on it, we could work together and take a look at that spell, see if we can strengthen it and distribute those spells to those who can't cast them. We don't have much time before we leave, but I think it's worth trying.

[ She pauses. Up to now, she hasn't looked very uncertain or worried, only concerned, but she's more tentative about what she says next. ]

One more thing ... we may still not know exactly where these dreams come from, or why, but I think it could be just as significant who isn't getting the dreams as much as who is. I spoke to some of the people who live outside Aefenglom's walls earlier last month -- and they told me they didn't experience anything like we did after Litha, that dream with the dragon and red skies.

But people who were infected by the Cwyld -- they did dream about something strange. They said they had the same nightmare of being trapped in darkness, hearing something or someone in pain, and a great heart beating in the distance. And they think they remember seeing some sort of cocoon, like a caterpillar's? It didn't seem like they were in the same place, but their accounts were very similar.

... I don't know if it has any significance, but if you're staying behind, please be careful, too.

[ ooc; Yako's referring to investigation results from here and here respectively, if you were curious. ]

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.]

Name: Katsuragi
Date: July 2-ish
Format: Video

[ Yako’s going to just to go ahead and cut straight to the point. ]

After Litha, did everyone have the same dream again? Of the city being destroyed?

If it’s not too much to ask, I’d like to know what you remember from it. It might be important to confirm the details we can recall.

Name: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Date: 6/20
Format: text

[This is such a sensitive issue that Diarmuid's gone to the trouble of changing his user name from "Lancer" to the less conspicuous but creatively bankrupt "Question". Whether or not he's still identifiable through some other means is a mystery to him but he's willing to take that chance to find the answers to something that's begun to weigh on his mind as of late.]

Is Bonding with someone without your other Bonded partner or partners knowing the equivalent of being unfaithful? I understand that it can be separate from a romantic relationship but it's just as emotionally involved, is it not?

Name: Ignis Scientia & Caren Ortensia
Date: June 16th, early afternoon
Format: Video

[Greetings fellow people who are stuck here! You've checked your watch, only to find a comedy of errors taking place as two people--well, a man and the top of someone's head--converse. There seems to be a disagreement.]

--do it. I've used this before once or twice, so I think I have a suitable handle on things.

[There’s a loud, exasperated sigh, and stray hairs float up lazily in the air. They’re slow in settling even as the smaller person speaks.]

Certainly. If you know what to do then-all you need to do is send out the information via text and we’ll be done, yes?

[There's a shifting of the image, and a thumb over it for a moment, then it's the other person--the woman--in full view for a split second, before there's a closeup of the man. More accurately, of his eyes behind his glasses. Then it resolves in focus to his entire face again.]

Right. I hope you don't object to doing this as a video feed, because it appears we've turned it on already.

Ah.

( cut for length they're talkative )

[ooc; A small log for this will go up later and will be edited into this footnote! Feel free to get ready to flamingle there! All are welcome!]

name: peter parker (ANONYMOUS)
date: 07/05
format: video

[ at first, there's a shot of sky; then, there's a shot of a wall, and then there's peter sat on the wall — or more accurately, there's a shot of someone sat on the wall in what, in some universe, could be mistaken for a red and blue wrestling suit.

(it's not though, it's just your friendly neighborhood not-as-spidery spider-man.)

that is to say: the explanations (quote-unquote) they've received to date are somewhat lacking, and he's still kind of hoping there's an absolutely anyone he can point a finger at and go 'I KNEW IT' rather than have this remain an apparently fluke accident of the multiversal variety.

there's a quirk of his lips and he holds his hands up, palms facing outwards in vague gesture of: and so. ]

Skipping past the Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore and going straight to the yellow brick road and wizard combo was— ... not exactly life affirming, but it did make me wonder about my sartorial choices.

[ he lets that comment hang for a moment before continuing, attention shifting up to the sky for a count of three and then back in the direction of the watch. ]

I mean, I get it: dimensional travel is [ pause. ] Complex. Temperamental. Annoying. [ that's not entirely the word he means, but it's the word he's using (there could be kids listening). nevertheless: ] I've been there, done this, passed on the t-shirt because it belonged to a guy with a color scheme that makes me look ill and come out the other side. Right side? Home side. There's got to be a better way of putting that—. Wasn't really interested in a repeat. Do you know how many voicemails I'm going to go back to? Accusations of being Bigfoot?

[ he holds his hands up — exasperation, folks — and it's followed by another pause, and another a quirk of his features beneath his mask. it's punctuated by a shrug, and he almost manages to look sheepish. ]

—You know, that felt good to get off my chest. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I’d love to say this is the weirdest thing I’ve done in my life but it’s not, which basically brings me to this question:

Anyone got directions to the lost and found? I think I dropped something exit-right of Earth.