sonnestark | aefenglom sample post

( prompts drawn from the fourth wall event )

i. boaltinn

a. bonfires

[Bonfires have often evoked pleasant memories for her, and these are no different. For as strange and chaotic an experience as coming into this world has been, there is something universally comforting about a bonfire, and so she gravitates towards them shortly after arriving to investigate the Boaltinn festivities.

People of all sorts are gathered around them, witches and monsters alike, and it helps her to feel just a little less self-conscious about the stray feathers she's found mingled in with her hair and in small patches along her shoulder blades. It's said that monster transformations are meant to take some time, but the rules seem to mean little this time around— along with arrivals being out of the ordinary in and of themselves, newcomers seem to be experiencing changes at a rapid rate. It's worrisome, but for tonight, she's inclined to let herself enjoy the festivities— for awhile, at least.

She pauses near the East Bonfire, just in time to see someone else leap through the flames, and a curious smile pulls at one side of her mouth as she looks to whoever might be standing nearest to her.]

It's supposed to be cleansing, isn't it? Do you think you might try?

[Flames with the power to burn away poor relationship experiences... well, she has plenty of those. It's tempting.]

b. rose baths

[This isn't her first shared bathing experience: she had warmed up to such things during her time in Japan, and the soft scent of roses reminds her of Lucia's talent for aromatherapy, something she hadn't realized she would miss until suddenly it wasn't available to her any longer. All of this has been a great deal to process, and so the chance to unwind is a welcome one. She exhales softly as she sinks down so that the water is up to her chin, leaning back so that her head is gently resting against the edge of the bath, the heat pleasant against the sore spots where feathers have begun to grow.]

This is awfully considerate of them... do they always do this for new arrivals, or are these strictly a part of the Boaltinn festivities?

[She sort of hopes it's the former. She could get used to this.]

ii. wilde hunt

[The moons' effect on her is much stronger than she'd expected, even having been warned. When the opportunity is offered, she heads out to the area of the Wilde that has been barricaded to allow new arrivals to test their new abilities and forms without the risk of harming passers-by. There's no guarantee that they won't hurt one another in the process, but given they're all going through a difficult adjustment period, she wants to trust that they will all do their best to look out for one another.

The talk of Shades out among the trees has piqued her interest— she has yet to see one for herself, but she would like to see evidence of the Cwyld up close if she can, be able to recognize it for what it is and see its effects in person. She's left behind the games of cat-and-mouse to venture deeper into the woods themselves, sword drawn as she advances, wings now fully-developed and folded against her back. Balancing on what she thinks are shaping up to be talons isn't so different from walking in heels, and actually makes picking her way through the forest a bit easier. All things considered, though it is difficult, she's doing her best to take these changes in stride.

A low growl from within the trees ahead draws her attention, causing her gaze to narrow and the grip on her sword to tighten, but her attention is quickly drawn elsewhere— the rustling of brush somewhere to her right, the space between the trees too dark to make out if it's a Shade or another Mirrorbound approaching. Either way, her wings flare as she raises her blade, prepared to defend herself if necessary, taking up a ready battle stance.]

Show yourself.

[It may not mean much to a Shade, but another Mirrorbound would respond, she assumes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He hops around a little awkwardly as he doublechecks his foot. What used to be his foot? This whole Harpy thing is really damned confusing.

But after a moment he just waves a hand in the air. ]

Yeah, I think I'm fine. I kicked the side of the head that was still mostly, y'know. A head.

How bout you?

I'm fine.

[She offers her response with confidence, rising back to her full height once she's sure the blade of her sword is clean. Steadily, she circles around to examine the creature from Yata's angle, offering her a better view of where the rot has eaten away at part of its face, its one visible eye gone blind white from the infection.]

Thank you for your help. I was hoping to see the effects of the Cwyld up close. Guess I got my wish.

[ He wrinkles his nose as he nudges a piece of flesh with the tip of one talon. ]

Gross. That's what the effects are. Why would you wanna see something like that?

[ ...Which is kind of a dumb question since that's exactly why he's out here, but that's not surprising. If there's a fight to be had, Yata's usually the first on the scene. She's a girl, however. They usually run away screaming at anything messy and violent.

Even if she does have a sword. ]

Why not?

[The question is firm, challenging rather than flippant.]

It's a threat to everyone here— not just the locals, but people like us, too. You should always take the opportunity to learn as much about your enemy as possible.

[Except in this case, rather than an enemy officer, it's a disease. The approach is slightly different, but the idea is the same.]

What brought you out here, then?

I was bored.

[ He shrugs nonchalantly as if that was all there was to it. ]

This place is weird. And the full moon was making things weirder. The city felt... cramped.

[ Which was weird, since he'd grown up in a city all his life and very rarely left the busy streets and chaotic life there. It had never bothered him before.

...Then again, he'd never had wings and feathers before either. ]

You were bored?

[There's a vaguely incredulous note in her voice as she echoes him. It seems like an awful big risk to take for someone who's simply bored, but it's not like she isn't grateful for his help. While she probably could have handled the creature on her own, it was nice that she didn't have to.

She relaxes somewhat, nodding. His description of the city is relatable, somehow.]

It does. I've been in lots of cities before now, but for some reason, I keep finding myself feeling restless here. Maybe I've just been traveling too long.

Yeah. So what?

[ He's done plenty of riskier shit than this from being bored in the past. ]

Hiding where it's safe isn't really my style.

[ He gives her a curious look when she agrees with him, though. ]

Wouldn't that mean you haven't traveled enough? I dunno, I could always find something to do to get rid of this, back when I was home. And it feels like there should be plenty to do here that I wouldn't get bored, but... It still feels weird and... I don't know. Itchy.

[ That's not really descriptive, but it's as close as he could get. ]

I just mean that I've gotten so used to not staying in any one place. There's certainly plenty to do here, but...

[She glances back in the direction of the city and its walls before shaking her head, a frown pulling at her lips.]

I don't know. I just feel restless. [That's kind of like 'itchy,' right?] I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's something to do with the transformations? We seem to have a few... features in common.

[Talons. Feathers. You know.]

Yeah, the whole damned giant bird thing?

[ He grimaces at that. ]

Lucky us. Maybe it's time to migrate...

[The suggestion actually earns a partial smile in response, and she lets out a sigh as she gives a shrug, her wings folding against her back once more.]

I think we just did, technically.

[Considering they're both distinctly not from here.]

Where else would we go, anyway?

aefenglom sample post | monster (harpy)

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