do you bare your fangs at us, sir? MOONLIT RIVALS LOG 2, SCENE 2

[libraryassistants]

Who: Readers and Actors
What: The werewolves who are not sneaking into the party cause a bit of mischief... and did anybody actually agree to keep the peace tonight?
When: The night of the ball itself. [ooc timeline: Feb 6th - 19th]
Where: The city of Montica.
Content warnings: Please include any warnings in headers.


Waxing Gibbous Moon

In Town

Above the city, the Umbra Mansion stands tall. Its grand doors and windows have been opened, spilling light like a beacon. Music lilts in the air, drifting so far as to be faintly heard even in the neutral centre of the city.

The streets have emptied, particularly in the vampiric half of town. Most of the vampire loyalists have joined the masquerade, leaving their homes and shops unattended. Tonight is a special night - a once in a century event, and they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Even some werewolves and neutral citizens have been enticed to attend. Jadis the Mystic has created a lotion that will disguise the scent of a werewolf; an effect that is broken by shifting, breaking the skin, or the gradual passage of time. It is not widely distributed, but rumours travel fast. The lotion is only given to any Guildulf-aligned werewolves, but… well, there’s nothing wrong with a little trade here or there. Right?

For all of the wolves in town - with the moon so close to being full, it’s natural for them to feel a bit more excitable. Energetic. Ready to take on the world. And seeing as Montica is so empty, it’s like a playground has just been opened up. The young wolves in particular are eager to take advantage of the empty streets, the sound of not-quite-mature howls breaking through the air in their excitement. There are hardly any people around to be scared if they play too rough or run too fast, and they are taking advantage of this with great enthusiasm.

In the highly-debated 'neutral' zone, some small packs of adolescent werewolves are gathering. There's banter and roughhousing, the not-quite-adults playfully shoving each-other over the invisible line where the vampire territory begins.

Some of the bravest amongst them take the challenge to dart over and brush their fingers over silver doorhandles - their yelps spurring courage and adrenaline in the others. What starts harmlessly enough quickly escalates as they urge each-other on, teenage excitement and the thrill of the moon encouraging all sorts of bad choices. The longer they go without reprimand, the more bold they become; and somewhere along the way, bulbs of garlic start winding up in places they wouldn't normally be found. (There is at least one group who is excitedly challenging each-other to leave the garlic in more and more absurd places. If they happen to sting themselves on some silver ornamentation on the way, all the better.)

Not all homes are unoccupied, though - sooner or later someone’s going to disturb someone else’s peace, and tensions are already so high. Hopefully there are some Responsible Adults around to curtail the worst of the mischief before someone’s temper is sparked.

Comments

Mina Harker | Reader | OTA

[starandhope]

Mina didn't appreciate being forced into a role, and a life, not her own in the last Story. But somehow, this time, finding herself still herself, surrounded by monsters, leaves her feeling far worse. Suddenly, she is trapped in a strange world, with unholy creatures, and she's not sure there's anyone she can turn to for assistance. She's tried to find Jonathan, to no avail.

This evening, she finds herself making her way to the tavern she's heard tell of, the place where (supposedly) it is safe for humans such as herself to stay. But the streets are dark, and she feels vulnerable, unable to tell friend from foe.

[hellandbackpack]

At least the person that she came across in those poorly-lit streets was a familiar face? Even if he didn't look like he recognized her, Kiran knew the look of a person lost and nervous, so he slowed his stride, attention turning to the woman with a warm, welcoming sort of smile.

"Alright there miss? Look like you got yourself a bit turned around, yeah?"

[starandhope]

"Charles!" Mina exclaims before she can stop herself. It's a sudden relief to see a familiar face, and she's been so concerned for all her friends - she momentarily forgets that he's probably not going to recognize her.

And when there is no recognition in his face, her heart sinks.

"My apologies," she murmurs. "I mistook you for someone else. I'm afraid I am a bit lost, yes..."

[hellandbackpack]

Kiran doesn't recognize the name but doesn't seem put off either, sympathetic understanding in his expression as he shakes his head.

"No worries- got that kinda face, 'specially when it's this dark," He offered his hand to shake, otherwise letting her decide how close or not she wanted to get. "I'm Kiran. Where were you tryin' to go? Know this district pretty well, chances are I can get you there in two shakes of a tail, no trouble at all."

[starandhope]

She shakes his hand - it's easy to do, knowing that, despite whatever name he's been given in this Story, he's still Charles. A kind, thoughtful young man who means her no harm.

"I've heard tell of a tavern, or perhaps an inn, where safety is guaranteed to all?" she offers, turning up the last syllable to make it a question. Has he heard of such a place?

[hellandbackpack]

"Oh the Laurelthirst?" He shook her hand, but kept the touch light, both out of deference to the strength of his kind, as well as not wanting the woman to feel like his grip was restraining before releasing it easily with a nod. "S'about the safest place if you're not interested in the territorial tug-of-war the rest are on about."

An arm is held out, a clear offer of escort. "Wouldn't be a bad idea for me to check in with 'em before I head out too. It's not too far."

And with his sensitive hearing and sense of smell, he was well-suited to helping her with avoiding the larger groups of other young wolves out for nonsense.

[starandhope]

"Yes, I believe that's the name of the place," Mina says with a relieved air. "I've only just arrived in your city. I have no interest in your conflict. I merely wish to be safe."

To that end, she takes his arm.

[keytarheroine]

And here is someone with gloves, a silvered dagger and a wooden stake both at either hip. Her grimace has prominent canines, but they aren’t a vampire’s fangs.

“Are you seeking the Laurelthirsts’s safety?” she asks, holding up her lantern.

[starandhope]

Mina is unsure if she should be comforted or concerned by the sight of the weapons - though the stake, she knows, is intended to kill vampires. That is what gets her to step forward into the lantern light. To summon her courage.

"Yes, I believe so. I was told it is a safe place, for a human such as myself."

[keytarheroine]

Now it’s her turn to pause, considering.

“…for humans among others,” she says. “All who would not breach the peace or predate upon our patrons are welcome. All. But you will be harmed there over my dead body, or else I lose my voice, this I vow upon the moon.”

She reaches out her hand. Will Mina take it, knowing this?

[starandhope]

She does, in fact, take the offered hand. Safety is what she needs, and given the solemnity of the vow, she's willing to take the woman at her word.

"Thank you," she says, a nervous smile twitching her lips faintly. "I've only recently arrived in this city, so it's all a bit new to me."

[keytarheroine]

She considers this.

"Then you should know: I am Cassandra Taylor of the Blood Moon Troupe, us sisters on the stage wifwolves all. I wear gloves because the silver I'd wield in your defense would burn my hand as readily as the flesh of any of mine, who've wolfish instinct without the love of pack, and human savagery without the reason of man," she says. "But I meant my oath, and I'll keep it. No harm to you, else my voice fail, I swear it by the moon."

And, so introduced, she starts to lead her inside, to safety, warmth, food, drink, and a scant ration of good cheer.

[starandhope]

Mina does pale at that - she's not sure she wanted to know that this safe place was run by some of the very monsters she was trying to get away from. But she is so earnest, and she's already met a few people in the Library who could be called "monsters" but are certainly not.

"Thank you," she says as she enters, glancing around. "This seems quite a cheerful spot."

[keytarheroine]

"We try," says the person at the bar of the Laurelthirst. After all, it is a public house, perhaps even of a familiar and comforting kind.

She is blond, wearing a heavy mantle with a fur lining over richly colored clothes with a sporran-bag, smallsword and dagger on the belt, on the taller side; heavyset but hardly sedentary, and cheerful.

"Hazel Hoffman," she says by way of introduction. "Welcome. Got the fire going, warm bread and salt butter, some cheese and pickles and ham to go with, a potage of beans, and hand-pies for things to eat - as well as beers, cider, wines, cordials and the punches made to order that the werewolves enjoy calling cocktails. Let me know what you like, and don't be afraid to cross my palm with silver."

In other words, she's both entirely human - and entirely comfortable with the thought her clientele may not be.

[starandhope]

"Mrs. Hoffman," Mina says with a slight dip of her head. The human part does make her feel a bit more comfortable, though she is immediately faced with another quandary.

"I'm afraid I have very little money with me," she admits, a bit ashamed. She hadn't even considered it until it was mentioned.

[keytarheroine]

Cass says, "I could eat," and puts two silver dimes, with ravens on the front and and castle towers on the obverse, on the counter. "Meat pie and a perry, if you please."

Hazel bows, an exaggerated gesture, then starts on it. "Any of the menu appeal to you, good madam?" she asks. "...and don't worry about the price, just buy someone else a meal when they need it and you have the chance."

[starandhope]

"Oh," Mina says. "How very clever, and kind."

She glances at the menu, uncertain. "Mistress Hazel, I should like to try whatever you like best from the menu."

having just done canon review, lol, lmao even

[keytarheroine]

She thinks, then produces a hand-pie full of steak, root vegetables and gravy, a homemade gherkin, and small cup full of what looks like steak frites with a dipping sauce.

"Guaranteed hot and enticing," she says with a grin, and for some reason this makes Cass roll her eyes.

"Oh yeah, Claire might say her flavors are incredible," says a bright voice from the door, belonging to someone in garb as blue as Cass's is in warm browns and golds.

[starandhope]

"I thank you," Mina says quietly, accepting the food. It all smells delicious, that's for sure and certain. She glances around at the various...people, for want of a better word, and smiles. So long as she's safe, she figures she can find a way to wait out this Story until they all get sent back to the Library.