OPEN ★ ARRIVAL LOG

[futurologists]

ARRIVALS ( OCT 2 ) The dragons are taken from you, sent off to a safe haven. You're back in Oska for less than a day when you hear the announcement and head to the rendezvous point. You blink, step through the portal, there's a loud crack, and... You're thrown into darkness. You taste copper and, for a moment, your ears won't stop ringing. All common side-effects of portal travel. The entire crew arrives just beyond the city gates, so you might also be feeling a little bit claustrophobic. It takes a second for the eyes to adjust, but one can make out buildings and the cobblestone beneath their feet. To the right is the Trade District, where all the vendors are gathered to sell their wares. Up ahead is the City Square, where the rest of the citizens out and about seem to be gathered. To the left of the square is the Commoners' District, and to the right of it is the Nobles' District, the two main residential areas. Further travel west will come to the outskirts, a makeshift residential area, this one densely populated with goblins. Many of the people are holding candles or lanterns. You might want to try getting your hands on one of those. If you have not already done so, your enchanted jewelry will manifest words in front of your very eyes — or sounds in your ear, if you're illiterate — asking you to identify yourself. A quick look around shows that you seem to be the only one able to see it. All you have to do is think or say how you wish to be identified. After that, you're immediately given a message. Those who participated in the dragon mission at Anwick will first receive this: We appreciate your help at Anwick. The wyrmlings will live to grow up and bring about the world's natural end. Thank you. -- ALASTAIR Afterwards, the crew will be given an abridged version of this, then told to familiarize themselves with the city and natives, report all information gathered back to ALASTAIR, and wait for further instruction. At the end of the night, wherever they may be, everyone will receive a letter with the royal seal thanking them for their efforts to end the goblins' defiance and inviting them to the Festival of Illumination on the 4th. FESTIVAL OF ILLUMINATION ( OCT 4 ) Candles are sitting on windowsills throughout the entire city, but the main event is in the city square. In the fountain float lit lotuses, and people all around are holding lanterns, waiting to light them. There's a minstrel playing songs, and several of the vendors have pulled their carts up to the square in the hopes of making a sale. Many sweets are for sale, including baked apples, gingerbread, cherry tarts, pudding, and more. There's also some drinks for sale. Some children are playing games in the corner, and others are dancing to the music or writing wishes on slips of paper to be sent into the sky with their lanterns. Everyone seems merry for once, but you'd better be careful. This is an ideal place for a pickpocket. About an hour and a half into the festival, the lanterns are sent into the sky. They're sent flying, the sky becoming filled with bright lights, until... A strong gust of wind sends all the lights out. At least, you think it was a gust of wind. What else could have done that? On closer inspection, however, you'll see that even the candles sitting on windowsills inside have gone out. For a minute or so, there's only darkness and chaos. Suddenly, the flames begin to burn again, revealing a message in the cobblestone in the center of the square. It almost looks as if it's been burned into the ground: IT IS COMING, followed by a symbol of a creature with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail. [MOD NOTE: This is a catch-all log for the first few days. For the sake of organization, all arrival threads should be posted under the subheader ARRIVALS and all festival threads should be posted under FESTIVAL. Threads that don't fall under either of those categories can be top-levels. Also, please remember to add your character's tag to the post! Thank you, and have fun!]

Comments

[dailydouble]

[ What an unexpected situation. The young man who blustered and kicked little dragons was kind to thieves. He had been watching from across the street, but the sequence of events was clear enough. Dean caught a young boy trying to pickpocket him and then bought him food.

It could be the relative age of the thief or the new situation, but it did serve to alter Ahad's opinion of the man just slightly. Of course, Dean hadn't taken into consideration that the boy could be part of a ring and about to get into more trouble for returning with no coins or goods, but that didn't impact his opinion of the attempted kindness in the act.

He'll fall into step next to Dean, probably without much warning. ]

Are you now a friend to all beggars and thieves?

[whereismypie]

[ Dean barely reacts — maybe because Ahad's lurking presence had been noted. Dean's usually pretty aware of his surroundings, but especially when he's on a job. and this, he feels, absolutely qualifies, even though he trusts absolutely nothing of his current ... employer? prison warden? in any case, no one who gave him an actual choice in this matter. to say nothing of this ALASTAIR's goals which, if the last "mission" was any indication, might not be aligned with his.

he slips his hands into his pockets, glances at the newcomer and replies amicably — vaguely amused, even. ]

... Now, huh? That's kinda passive aggressive. How d'you know I'm no thief myself, pal?

[ a beat. ]

Wait up. You're the dragon whisperer guy.

[dailydouble]

You could be. I did not mean to imply otherwise. [ It's phrased in such a way that it could be a compliment. If you find being called a potential thief a compliment, that is. Ahad didn't actually mean his previous comment passive aggressively, but he has no problem being so now.

He does roll his eyes at the 'dragon whisperer' part. ]

I do have a name.

[whereismypie]

[ well, technically and all ~saving people~ shenanigans aside, he is pretty much a career thief ...

and Dean doesn't actually take issue with passive aggressiveness. but it's funny to point out.

he grins. ]

Oho, so you're not gonna out me and my possible thieving ways to our merry crew there? I'm flattered.

And I'm sure you do have a name. Care to share?

[dailydouble]

Why would I share anything with a group of individuals that I barely know?

[ Generally, Ahad is not the sort to share. Of course, he has to announce that in a way that more than borders on unfriendly. ]

You may call me Ahad.

[whereismypie]

[ he raises both hands, jokingly placating. ]

Ooh, I wouldn't dare assume. But you know, most people don't actually like thieves. For all I know, you could be some secret samaritan.

[ but given how Ahad phrased that ... Dean's lip twitches in amusement. ]

... Then again, maybe not.

So, if I may call you Ahad, you may call me Dean. Winchester, even.

[dailydouble]

I have little opinion on them. [ Theft isn't an issue for him...and he's more likely to give a desperate thief what they need than anything else. Either way, it's not a concern. ]

Which one? [ The question sounds bored, but you need to be specific, Dean. Who knows what the naming customs are in your world. ]

[whereismypie]

They don't seem like a bad bunch.

[ he raises an eyebrow — Dean pays little attention to the tone, but he does note the request for specificity. ]

Stickler for precision, huh? Just Dean.

[ ... and then an idea occurs to him. he couls have fun with this. ]

Or — you know what? You could also call me Chuck Norris if you want. Now that's a good, solid name.

[dailydouble]

Names...are important. [ That seems like it's all Dean's going to get out of Ahad on the topic. ]

What I want isn't as important as calling you by the name you choose.

[whereismypie]

[ ah — small sigh. it's always so very sad when Dean's awesome jokes go unnoticed.

OH WELL. ]

... Ahad, buddy, you don't have a whole lotta chill, do you? Relax, let your hair down some— [ glances at said hair ] not literally, of course, 'cause you got a serious case of metal hair—

[ and he's back to the topic at hand. he sure enjoys babbling. ]

You know what, just stick with Dean.

[dailydouble]

[ Dean may want to begin looking for new material. Material that everyone will understand. ]

Half of what you say sounds like nonsense.

[ At least he sounds not as unfriendly about it as before? ]

[whereismypie]

[ he clutches his chest in mock despair. ]

Aw, you break my heart, you do. So sad you don't appreciate just how funny a guy I am.

[dailydouble]

Perhaps you should search for better jokes.

[ There's a lot of sass behind the suggestion. Not that it's one Dean would interpret any other way. ]

[whereismypie]

... Yeah, that's not how it works, man.

[ he rubs the back of his fingernails against his jacket, then blows on them. ]

Talent. You either got it, or you don't.

[dailydouble]

Ah, and yet I remain doubtful.

[ Again, the statement is open to interpretation. Joking or mildly insulting? Dean gets to decide. ]

[whereismypie]

Oh ha ha ha, I see what you did there. You should know though, I'm basically immune to any shade you wanna throw my way.

[dailydouble]

Shade? [ He says, as if he cannot discern what Dean means from context. ]

Ah, another one of your quaint expressions?

[whereismypie]

Wow, you're not even trying anymore.

[dailydouble]

I see no need to make much of an effort.

[whereismypie]

There's this little thing called communication. Sometimes, it takes a little effort but it sure as hell makes life easier.

Ever heard of it.

[dailydouble]

Are we not communicating?

[ Clearly, there is some form of an exchange of information going on. If Dean doesn't like it, he only has himself to blame. ]

[whereismypie]

[ he leans towards Ahad, not quite entering his personal space but close enough. ]

Ah — you tell me.

[dailydouble]

[ Ahad very pointedly does not back away. His expression doesn't change, but there's a sense that Dean is pushing at a line that's become thin. ]

I don't know what you expected.

[whereismypie]

[ he never intended to get anywhere inside Aha'd personal space, and he was just egging him on. he straightens back up, slips his hands in his pockets and moves away, like nbd. ]

A smile? I'm teasing you, no-chill man.

[dailydouble]

[ That gets a sigh out of Ahad. ] Perhaps the problem does lie in communication.

[ He sounds more resigned than annoyed, shifting slightly away himself. ]