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

[keytarheroine]

At this point, Nova and Cass have been practicing too, out of nerves and the need to defend the Laurelthirst come the worst as much as anything.

Nova has also been eying the silverware while doing it, which is not a good sign.

When they hear the first howl, Nova is almost relieved.

"Thank the moon, we're needed out there to fight," she says. "Cassidy - and Cassandra - can you brace of Casses hold down this sorry fort?"

[fearinahandfulof]

Cassandra would be lying if she said she hadn't been eyeing the silverware either. Anything to give them an in-battle advantage, if necessary.

She blinks a little at brace of Casses, but otherwise nods.

[keytarheroine]

"Remember: end fights, hopefully before they begin. Surprise and swiftness over strength and stamina," Cass Taylor admonishes Nova.

Nova rolls her eyes. "Aye, and I can tell a hawk from a handsaw when the wind is southerly, Taylor. See you later, friends."

Exit Nova, and Cass Taylor eyes Cassandra, Dust-Eater.

"It's only a matter of time before Armando Endymion or some other lackwit who would be Amalia Hunter instead of Amalia Hunter will openly attack," she opines. "Will you be ready?"

[fearinahandfulof]

Cassandra is eyeing her back. "Yes."

She glances around the room. "Should we move the tables out of the way, or use them as a barrier, or...?"

[keytarheroine]

"For the moment - for as long as possible - it's business as usual," Hazel Hoffman says from the bar, as she polishes a glass, then examines the rag. "Want to make sure that people seeking shelter will get it, something warm to eat, a pint, a room. But when the Endymions or the Appenines or the Noctilus come, take every advantage you can get. I'm a lover, not a fighter. I trust my girls and you with strategy and tactics; let me handle logistics."

[fearinahandfulof]

Cassandra nods (though she's still not sure why any of these people trust her). "Is there anything in particular to watch for against any of those?"

[keytarheroine]

"If you're vulnerable to silvered weapons, some of them may use those. To a stake in the heart, or garlic, that too. Any other esoteric weaknesses they know, they'll try. But I suspect you'll surprise them greatly."

[fearinahandfulof]

She probably will.

But she still has questions. "Why garlic?"