epidemiology | EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

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EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS

Following guild Ophelia's first mission, after which the temporal shard was found and safely disposed of back on Headquarters, Guild Master Imogen informs them they've received a contract to help ease tensions in a land known as Hanabira, on an unnamed planet designated as Hathaway-484. However, the contract is from a third party and the Hanabirans themselves do not know about interdimensional travel, she explains, so it'll be best to announce Ophelia as visitors from a foreign land. Any strange appearances or abilities will be able to be brushed off as magic, as the Hanabirans are no strangers to things such as ogres and imps. They're given five days to look over the dossier, and then it's through the rift they go.

Those who are new to rift travel may find themselves a bit dizzy on the way out, but overall, everything seems to have gone according to plan. Upon arrival, their magitek projects words in front of their eyes that only they can see:

Location reached: HANABIRA.

No events scheduled. You may wish to survey the surrounding area.

» LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS
A militaristic society that values strength. Main sources of income: mining, foresting, hunting, blacksmithing. Heavy matriarchal ideals. Empress NAMA resides at the HEAVENLY SUMMIT.

Those who attempt to reach the Heavenly Summit, which turns out to be the name of a castle situated on the tallest mountain peak, will not make it very far. Empress Nama's guards have no time for foreign strangers attempting to enter the castle without an audience, and there are plenty of them. It looks like that plan of action is going to take some time to rethink.

There's still much more to look at, though. In the Merchant's District, you can stock up on everything you'll need to blend in. A cursory look at all the clothing and it's clear that the Mountain Clan style focuses on a more powerful look, with broad shoulder accents and thick fabrics. Both men and women wear kimonos, but it seems men's fashion changes depending on their age and marital status. Time to figure out those backstories! There are several more items for sale as well, as long as you're willing to pay -- or if you're particularly good at sleight of hand.

The Commoner's District, derogatorily called the Slums by some, is where many of the lower class Mountain Clan work and live. Those who don't have the coin to buy a space in the Merchant's District sell their wares here; they are at a lower price, but often of lower quality as well, unless you're particularly lucky. This is the most densely populated area of the Celestial Mountains, and also the most egalitarian. Here, both men and women must do the same work to provide for their families. However, you will still find that the prevailing cultural attitude supports the matriarchy.

On the other side of town is the Noble's District, which is patrolled by guards on regular routes. Men on their own will arouse suspicion in this area, as will anyone in any garb but the noble disguise. Troublemakers will be asked to leave and unceremoniously escorted out. Those who manage to stay will be able to find conversation with the nobility, many of whom are high-ranking military leaders.

The rest of the town belongs to the lower to upper middle class, who are friendliest to women or groups with at least one woman in them. Women's reactions to sole men may range from dismissive to awkward, although men alone are not in any danger of angry or violent reactions (as long as they don't provoke anyone).

▸ SPRING FESTIVAL

After a bit of time for exploring, a new message flashes in front of recruits' eyes.

New event scheduled: MOUNTAIN CLAN FESTIVAL.

» INFORMATION: Analysis of all mentions of 'festival' since the arrival of OPHELIA suggests heavy HANABIRAN presence at this time, during which guild members may wish to gather intel.

It appears as though Ophelia has arrived just in time for the Spring Festival, a yearly celebration in honor of the changing of seasons. Plum and cherry trees throughout the Celestial Mountains flower in white and pink blossoms, creating a cheerful atmosphere as the population goes about their daily business during the day. Workers view the flowers during their lunch and tea times, and nobles can be found strolling through gardens in the Noble's District at all times.

In the early afternoon, food stalls begin to appear in the Merchant's District, and by the late afternoon, the festival is in full swing: dumplings, noodles, persimmons, and skewered meat are available at various stalls, as well as plenty of sake. Other stalls sell beautifully designed kites, fans, and kimonos, and as the sun begins to sink down, some stalls begin to sell incense-stick fireworks.

There are also games to take part in, from the light-hearted collaborative ball game kemari, to an archery competition, the winners of which are rewarded with plums and sake. An old man near the archery competition invites any passersby to join him in a game of Go, and he'll even offer to teach foreigners the rules of the game. There is also a falconry competition for the nobles, but unless you have a disguise, you'll just have to content yourself with watching.

With so many people milling around, it's a good time to ask questions and try to get a feel for the political opinions of the people of the mountain clan. They are all in favor of their empress ruling Hanabira, supporting the spread of their traditional culture over the more lax culture of the sea clan. If asked their opinions on how to ensure there is no war, suggestions will range from preemptively killing the sea empress and her army, to banishing them across the sea. It should be noted that the mountain clan is not especially known for their expertise in diplomacy.

As the sky darkens, fireworks light up the sky. It's very beautiful, but also very distracting -- the perfect time for something to go wrong.

▸ AN AMBUSH

The fireworks are loud, and everyone -- even guards milling around -- are looking skyward toward the display. No one notices the danger until it's too late.

A scream pierces the air, and everything after that happens quick and sudden: people are running in all directions, panicked, trying to escape. Stands are knocked over and food goes flying through the air. A merchant struggles to reach her wife, caught across the fearful throng of festivalgoers. It's chaos.

As the panicked crowd begins to thin, those of Ophelia who stay behind to help will see the cause -- women wearing clothes of the sea clan and masks covering their faces are laying waste to the festival ground. They begin to set stalls ablaze, and though they aren't targeting any civilians, a handful lay dead or injured, crushed by the panicked stampede.

Guards rush in to stop the women, and they could probably use help; they will be trying to capture them, but if your character is killing an ambusher instead, please let the mods know with a link to the thread.

For those who aren't the fighting type, there are plenty of other things to do -- direct traffic, try to rescue civilians from the stampede, or go find someplace to hide yourself. Once the immediate trouble is dealt with, the festival unceremoniously ended, the civilians drift back to their homes to begin a restless sleep. If your character hasn't found lodgings for the night yet, they'd better get that matter settled soon.

The morning after the ambush, there is tension and unease in the air. The people of the mountain clan mutter about taking revenge or continuing peaceably; the ambush and its effect on their relations with the sea clan is the topic of the day. Was this an attack sanctioned by the Empress of the Crashing Wave? Were these sea people acting of their own volition? Does it matter?

The festival grounds could use cleaning up, and tending to the injured can be a good way to ingratiate foreigners (that's you) to the mountain clan. Otherwise, the forests of the Celestial Mountains are open for exploration, or the Flowerlands and its farms below.

▸ OOC NOTES

Welcome to the first mission of the season! Apps are now closed and will remain closed until the mission is over. If you have questions about this log or the overall mission, please ask them on the dossier. Questions about Futurology in general should be directed to the FAQ.

▸ The festival and ambush lasts one IC day, after which characters may continue to explore. Areas currently open are the Land of Celestial Mountains or the Flowerlands. The Empire of the Crashing Wave will be introduced in the next log on 3 February.

▸ The Bounty Board is now live, as well as an items page. The February calendar will go live in late January.

▸ January AC will go up on 1 February. You will only need to supply one proof. February AC will require full activity.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's doing his best, has taken much of the advice she's already given him on board, and whilst Giovanni is no stranger to displaying the signs of subjugation, that doesn't mean he's always alert to the particular circumstances when such subjugation should make itself known. At least, not when those situations aren't in line with the kind of experiences he's always known.

As such, he happens to be stalking along in that smooth and fluid way of his when Hayame happens to catch sight of him, chin raised and body full of a cocky poise that certainly isn't befitting someone of his gender and station. That, and he may raise still further suspicion by dint of being a man out strolling on his own.

Whatever the case, she actually manages to catch him by surprise as she grabs for his arm and yanks him off the road, and it's only thanks to quick recognition of her distinct scent that she doesn't end up with any broken bones or bite-marks.

His eyes go to hers - free, for once, of the orange lenses he's usually never without - a hot red flash that lasts only a moment before he obeys her instruction and dips his head. Still--]

You're taking your life in your hands, surprising me like that.

[Words hissed just a little crossly from between gritted teeth.]

[Hayame is ready (or so she thinks) for the possibly of instinctual reprisal from Giovanni, from the moment she got close enough to notice it was him. Not that she blames him for being in that situation, per se- she had imparted some knowledge, but she could hardly give it all at once, and though she'd tried to focus on the knowledge she thought would be most useful... she hadn't covered the particulars of retinues and their rights to cut down those who did not show proper respect.

As it was, she doesn't let go of him until he's bowing, her own forelegs dipping to bring her body lower and make her bow seem more appropriate- it was difficult to look subservient straight-legged as humans did when she towered over humans that way.

Muttered, with a barely held back roll of her eyes,]

Save your threats for after this procession.

Less a threat, and more a warning.

[Honest enough a response-- instinctual violence runs in him right down to the marrow of himself, and she'd seen what he'd done to the flank of that dragon with only his bare hands to aid him. Still, the vague irritability in his tone could easily make ot seem quite the opposite.

He keeps his head bowed though, eyes on the ground, has enough sense to obey her instruction without question as she moves to kneel beside him. Making them more of a height, Hayame no longer towering over his slight frame.]

[Whichever.

She doens't bother to say it out loud however, not feeling a need to argue semantics, her long mane slipping over her shoulder to hang nearly to the grass as they wait on the side of the road. Just barely in her vision, she watches wheels creak by, ox hooves, and the step of armored shins... until it passes, and she finally raises her head.]

They have passed.

[And in turn, the commoners further up the road now take their turn clearing the way and bowing for the noble's procession.]

[They have passed she says, and he waits only a moment longer before raising his head, glancing off down the road to watch with remote curiosity as the commoners take on the submissive poses he and Hayame had so recently adopted.]

It's not such a bad place, this.

[The irritation of his earlier words seems to have bled out of him, and what stands in their place is - perhaps - a little surprising. Well. Not entirely--]

Despite the poor fashion sense. Hahah.

[If he seems willing to let it go, Hayame obliges in turn, silent on his last comment and instead straightens back up and moves to adjust the lay of her kimono collar, fingers pausing over the fletching patterned silk as she turns with a raised brow.]

What is wrong with the clothing?

[It's great???]

Well. It's not awful I suppose, but it doesn't have quite the same effect as a fine-tailored suit now, does it.

[He says, fussing briefly with his own clothes.]

It doesn't cut quite the same lines.

[To be honest, though, he doesn't look all that bad in it.]

If by that you mean it provides a far more sensible range of movement and comfort, then “yes”...

[She didn’t know how he could stand to be in the suits he normally wore. Even having seen for herself how he fought even in such a tight item of clothing, she couldn’t believe it comfortable, not with how narrow and confining the sleeves and pants legs appeared to be.]

[He throws her an incredulous look at that, entirely unconvinced.]

You'd call this attire comfortable? And how anyone fights wearing this is anyone's guess...all the loose material getting in the way.

[Not that he's attempted it yet. But of course, it's only a matter of time. Perhaps he'll see it a little differently once he's actually given it a go.]

[She gestures to his kimono with a just as incredulous look.]

Of course you cannot fight well in that- where are your hakama?

[Not to say no one could fight in them, but. He's a beginner used to prancing around in tight fabric, she can't expect miracles.]

[A small, exasperated sigh. Why does everything have to be more complicated than it initially seems?]

My what?

[He'd stick to prancing about in slimline suits at all times, if he could.]

They are...

[Ugh, they're hakama... why does she have to come up with a way to explain it.]

Like your trousers, but more modest.

[He makes a face at that, his confusion showing plain.]

More modest? What's immodest about a fine pair of suit trousers?

[Once again, here come the cultural differences to confound them.]

Just-

[It's just her explanation, Giovanni, gods!!]

Follow me, and I will procure you a pair!

[She tosses her hair over her shoulder in a huff, already trotting back onto the road with a jingle of bells and tassels on her harness.]

[He stares after her for just a moment, the red gleam of his eyes vaguely narrowed in an attempt to discern the source of her ill-temper, but after a moment he shrugs. Follows on behind her, keeping a respectful two paces behind and slightly to the left (so she can see him in her periphery, no need to kick!) as seems fitting - to him, at least - of someone who occupies an inferior position within society.

Still, his tone is wry when he chooses to respond, not exactly meek or mild.]

All right, all right. There's no need to get uppity about it.

You will know when I am uppity.

[She'll add that to her list of annoying, silly little insults, shot over her shoulder back at him.

But maybe just as petty vengeance... she keeps up a slow trot back to town, so he's going to have to keep those long legs moving quicklike.]

[He says nothing more of it, but given that she's moving at quite the clip and he has to trot to keep up with her, he'd definitely say that she's uppity. And whilst having to pick up the pace in order to keep up with her is hardly a matter of difficulty considering that he can move inhumanly quick if need be, it does earn them a number of amused looks and entertained twitters from women who obviously find the funny side in watching someone force their 'charge' to all but jog at their heels.

Lucky, really, that he's accustomed to worse degradations.]

[There's admittedly a part of her that revels in this place, in the fact that she, who has tried all her life to be recognized as a warrior and not just a mare, now finds herself somewhere where it is women with the power.

She keeps him trotting until halfway through the slums, but she's also never been much of a talker, so it's silence from her until the merchant's district- and then, it's only to point out a midrange tailors.]

Get in there.

[... She has trouble fitting her rear end in, so. He needs to go first.]

[And whilst he can be a talker when the mood strikes him, the opposite is also true, and he lapses into vaguely irritated silence as he follows along in her wake, a silence he maintains even when he's abruptly ordered into the tailors.

He cuts his eyes at her, a quick sharp glance that could easily be missed unless one is paying attention, but quietly does as he's bidden nonetheless. There's a need, after all, to play the part, and even outside of that-- well.

There's a settling familiarity in it, following a harsh woman's orders. Like a weight being removed from his shoulders.]

[As long as it doesn't come to actual words... she's willing to overlook it. After all... she's bit back a lot of words herself.

Once he's in, she begins the difficult process of entering a shop made for humans, leaning down from the waist to get in through the low door, putting hands on the doorframe to maneuver her equine rear inside without scraping the sides, only entering halfway, leaving rear and tail sticking out the shop.

Other customers are just going to have to wait.]

Mistress, this man needs a proper pair of hakama.

[She's quick to take charge of the matter, gesturing the fastidious looking woman who runs the place, who comes over to attend to the matter of... measuring Giovanni.]

I am thinking... black?

[She actually looks to him for his opinion on color, at least.]

[And for his part at least, Giovanni has the good grace not to laugh as his teammate awkwardly manoeuvres herself into the shop. Luckily for the both of them, perhaps, he also manages to reign in his less than sociable impulses when approached by the fastidious-looking woman and her tools of the trade-- it's there in him as it always is, the desire to lash out and cause harm in the wake of increased proximity, but at the very least her actions had been clearly telegraphed and he has time to mentally prepare before she descends upon him.

He glances over his shoulder at Hayame, posture tense but voice entirely neutral.]

Whatever you think most appropriate.

[Which ends up making him sound suitably meek, despite that he defers to her only because he doesn't have enough experience to draw from in order to make an informed decision. He'd have been inclined to pick white himself, but how is he to know what is and isn't socially acceptable, here?]

[White hakama is just asking for trouble, Giovanni. ... and dirty hakama.]

Black, then.

[She nods to the woman in charge, who begins in a no-nonsnse manner to begin measuring Giovanni's waist and height, tutting to himself about how Hayame ought be feeding him better, skin and bones, he'll have to pad his waist if he wants the hakama to hang more stylishly.

But black would also hide bloodstains, so. Best choice, really...]

[It's true enough that white would be quickly spoiled, particularly on someone like him, inclined as he is to to engage in the kind of fighting that tends to end...messily. And so black it is, and he endeavours to make himself at least a little pliable as the woman fusses around him; at the very least, he has been measured for clothing before, knows how to behave himself.

And whilst he feels slightly indignant and being called nothing but skin and bones, he remains quiet and docile in such a way as to suggest that perhaps she doesn't look after him well enough-- after she'd forced him to trot at her heels through the streets he may as well take a little pleasure from her chastisement.]

[She sees what he's doing... and it admittedly does make her eyebrow twitch slightly in displeasure, the very idea that this woman might think she was in charge of him and not treating him well...

But the second after she realizes how hypocritical it was.

How she'd actually treated those she was in charge of, those she'd considered lesser than herself.

And so she says nothing to refute it, standing there silently as the proprietress finishes her measurements and begins scurrying about to collect the proper garments, coming back with a proper sized pair...

Which leaves putting them on.]

[Well if she's going to treat him like her subordinate, he'll act like one-- how's that for revenge? A short lived one, perhaps, considering that the proprietress is soon finished with her business, holding out a pair of what look to be very loose-fitting trousers that he supposes he's expected to wear.

He looks back at Hayame then, his expression indicating that he's looking to her for proper guidance, though just guarded enough to make it clear that he's hoping she won't tell him to try them on right here in the middle of the shop in front of two pairs of watchful eyes.]

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kisha - 2018-02-09 13:54 (UTC) - Expand

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ofobedience - 2018-02-09 14:04 (UTC) - Expand

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EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

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