Intro Log: Mimicry

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for March
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: March 10th-16th
Warnings: Fresh meat and fatal sweets.

Rise and shine, it's time to meet your new home! While the two suns overhead might make it a bit of a scorcher, there's plenty of shade to be found around you, so get out of the sun before you burn! While you're at it, you might want to introduce yourself to the others who woke up in the same predicament as you- or just run off on your own, that's cool too.

Be careful though, because you're arriving with a bunch of, uh- inanimate objects? Wait, that's no chair! These are mimics, small gelatinous spider-like creatures that can transform into inanimate objects and then pop out to scare you. If you can keep calm, mimics are no big deal, but if you give them the opportunity they will jump onto your head and suffocate you, before using your corpse to reproduce. Nice!

That's alright though, because if you can survive the mimics then you have delicious food waiting for you as a reward! In a shocking twist of events, the items supplied by the Door have no significant twist, save for the desire to eat every single one you can get your hands on. They're Girl Scout Cookies! Long the envy of boy scouts everywhere, these delicious treats will have you munching away your daily caloric intake in no time!

Just, uh- be careful, as the mimics seemed to have caught onto everyone's desire for these colorful boxes. Approach your cookies carefully!

Once you've escaped the mimics and grabbed some snacks, you're ready for the wider world of Hadriel. Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers March 10th-16th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

SPEAKEASY MINGLE- OTA

[sciencelizard]

As is the start of every month, the Speakeasy lights up again for it's monthly new arrivals mingle. The dance floor is lit up with a variety of lights and stage gels, the disco ball glittering and the jukebox pumping out tunes- or song provided by anyone who's free to take the stage for a round of karaoke. Those brave (or drunk) enough to do so are welcome to their five minutes of fame. Some music ranges from peppy beats to the very rare mellow tunes to slow dance to. Behind the bar, a variety of bottles of wine with odd pourers can be seen, along with hard liquors and beer on tap. There's also a variety of snacks laid out on the bartop, and non-alcohlic drinks for people who just want to party. The tables around the dance floor look inviting if you'd also just like to sit and watch- if you're into that sort of thing.

Oddly enough, unlike other months, Rey is nowhere to be found- since her little brain stunt not long ago, it's Alphys and Rosie running the show this month, serving up drinks behind the bar. But still, someone has to be out here to make it happen, so the party goes on. Have a drink, meet a new friend, or just dance the night away. And welcome!

[ooc: This is the monthly Welcome Dance Night! Consider this an open mingle thread for old and new characters. Tag in, tag out, hit up your friend meet someone new. Either way, enjoy! Assume that this is set around the 14th.]

alphys | ota, will match format!

[sciencelizard]

[Unlike previous months where she was just helping out, Alphys has taken it upon herself this time to actually run the show- while Rey's encounter with the computer wasn't her fault or anything she could control, the guilt will eat her alive until Rey's back to normal. The least she can do is pick up on her duties, and especially keep the party going for the one she's fixed up since it's inception. So while Rosie sticks behind the bar, Alphys can be found everywhere else- making sure the karaoke runs smoothly, the tables are clear, there's enough food stuck up on the counters. Admittedly, a lot of it is cookies this month. There were a lot of cookies.

Regardless of her partying status, she can be stopped for a drink or a chat while she runs around making sure everything is just so- in fact, someone absolutely should. She looks a little stressed.]

heyyy

[pleasereset]

[This is not really a place that Asriel goes, and it's not really a place he's sure he's supposed to be. But it's not like he really has anywhere else to go. He's been searching up and down the city for Mettaton, but without any kind of luck of finding him again.

... Maybe he doesn't want to be found.

Asriel remembers meeting Alphys, when they were both kids. But he kind of figured she was just some kind of weird dream. However when he sees her cleaning a nearby table, he freezes up.

Alphys will find herself being watched, by a goat monster with one, scarred eye. He doesn't realize he's doing it until he accidentally bumps the glass of water, accidentally spilling it across the table.]

Darn it!

[sciencelizard]

[Truthfully, Alphys had forgotten about seeing Asriel as a kid- that event was a bit of blind terror, and by the time she was back to normal, connecting the small goat monster with a more recognizable person was forgotten, especially when she didn’t see him again. If they were here, she thought, they must have left. Or was just her imagination.

But when she hears the glass fall and his voice, she looks over and she knows.

Oh jeez. How long as he been here? Of course, he’d be avoiding her. Why would he have reason to want to talk to her? Alphys hadn’t thought about the Amalgamates, or the flower, in almost six months, but this puts it all rushing back. Has he been hiding from her? It’s so hard to say.

But she owes it to him to acknowledge it. Even if he, too, looks a little different than she last saw him.]

… Asriel?

[Oh, shoot, maybe he doesn’t remember— well, too late now.]

kate / ota, will match format

[dedikated]

( There are certain constants in Hadriel. The gods' bullshit, The Door opening, and Kate sat wherever there's alcohol to be served after she finishes working. Her hand finds the blonde lengths of her ponytail (she really needs to get that sorted, it's beginning to look more and more unkempt) after she sinks into a seat at the bar, pulling a bottle of wine close to her and pouring a glass. Despite the usual controlled look on her face, neutral expression and sharp brown eyes, she doesn't turn down conversation if offered and doesn't seem to be guarding the empty seats next to her either.

Self-service and no currency, it's the hip thing in this city.

She may turn up alone, carrying the kind of exhaustion you'd expect from someone who'd spent the day dividing her attentions between the clinic and the mimics which have slipped out of the Colosseum and into the city, but Kate nods her greetings to passers by - old or new - and, after a few glasses and some catchy music, can quite easily be persuaded towards the dancefloor. )

[hot_mes]

[what a good idea, bugging out on the clinic and coming straight to the bar. Law is unsurprised that someone else had the same idea as he did, and really, he could do a lot worse than Kate for company.

He picks out the rum, though, not wine, and gives Kate a nod as he eases into the next seat]

I forgot that there's usually a party around this time.

[dedikated]

( The place was seeming overstaffed anyway. A far cry from what it used to be like, from the times where it seemed like all their staff was being dragged back home. Instead of scraping the bottom of the barrel for work, she may as well drink.

It's about the only thing worth doing here sometimes.

Kate shrugs when Law speaks, swivelling slightly in her seat and turning her head to look out at the crowd of people. )

Better welcome than the monsters. ( Petition to change the monthly door opening to booze dropping into the colosseum plskthx. A sip of her drink before she speaks again. ) First time I were here we didn't even have a bar to drink in.

( Kate Delight got revived a couple weeks after you appeared it wasn't that bad. )

Barry Bluejeans | OTA, will match format!

[barold]

[This so isn't Barry's scene. Too many lights, too much noise, too many people.

Funnily enough however, the people are much of the reason Barry decided to take the plunge and set foot into the Speakeasy tonight, after Alphys tipped him off. He desperately needs to meet some people. It's been over two weeks since he left home. Even for Barry with his incurable recluse-tendencies, two weeks in that stuffy lab without social interaction is just too much.

The liquor sure helps.

He's nursing a chilled scotch at one of the corner tables, sitting by himself, trying to work up the nerve to approach someone. Anyone. Easier said than done. His anxieties have had more than enough time to fester and intensify since leaving, and he's not sure he's equipped to conquer them tonight. But he's taken the first step. Actually cleaned himself up before going out - shaved, combed his hair, the works. Everything has to start somewhere.

Sitting there, debating whether or not to find a group to join or a more crowded table, Barry glances down at his phone. Should he text her?

He decides against it. He's not ready yet.]

[hellosirs]

[ The Speakeasy isn't really Angus's scene either, especially considering the alcohol, but today, he's on an assignment. He'll brave noisy crowds, dancing, and liquor for the sake of seeing this case through! Luckily, he's small enough to be hidden in a forest of adults as he approaches Barry's table, pops out of the crowd, and sits down across from him like the Speakeasy is a totally normal place for him to be.

Angus hadn't been around much during the Rage Incident, but it hadn't been hard for the World's Greatest Detective to piece things together and figure out what had happened after the dust settled. He didn't know all the details, and wasn't going to ask for them, but between Barry's absence, the new memories in his head from his brief disappearance, and the weird, lingering aftermath of the Rage Incident, it's been weeks since he's seen the man, and Angus isn't really sure how he should start this conversation. He decides to go for the polite, businesslike detective approach that he uses with most adults. ]

Hello, sir. How have you been?

[ Not for the first time, Angus regrets being short, scrawny, and eleven years old. It's hard to feel businesslike and professional when your feet don't touch the ground in a restaurant booth. ]

[barold]

[Out of everyone who could've approached him and taken a seat at his table, Barry certainly hadn't expected it to be Angus McDonald. How did he even get in? Don't they have age restrictions here? That's the first thought to strike him. The second - and more pressing - is how much he's missed the young man. He didn't see him much during the Rage Incident. In his few lucid moments, he'd been concerned about the boy. Did he go missing? Was he hiding? Was he scared? Angry? Unfortunately, Barry's lucidity never lasted long enough for him to act on it, seek the boy out and make sure he was okay.

Barry has a lot to be ashamed about, a lot to regret, and that's certainly among them. He should've checked in on Angus. He should've...

A lot of woulda coulda shoulda. That doesn't help anybody. All Barry can do now is confront his problems head-on and try to deal with them. Something he's frankly done a piss-poor job at for weeks.]

Angus. [His voice, while loud enough to be heard over the music, is smaller and rougher than the last time the two of them spoke. He tries for a smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.] I uh, y'know... Gettin' through th'days.

[There's no point trying to lie to Angus McDonald. Barry knows better than to try sugar-coating the truth.] ... How have you been?

[tongueamok]

[Given his vow to abstain from imbibing, the Speakeasy isn't Carlisle's scene either; however, it has been some time since he heard from Miss Rey, and so he heads there to see if he can speak with her. He doesn't find her, but he does find someone -- something -- else.

Carlisle feels that uncomfortable stirring in the pit of his gut before he even opens the door, but the moment he's across the threshold, he can pinpoint just why his nerves are riled, where that unease is coming from. His eyes land on a bespectacled fellow in the corner. He looks so unassuming, just sitting there. Drinking. Acting like nothing is wrong. But Carlisle knows, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end, energies swirling within him. That man is an undead, a vile being daring to poison the very air within Miss Rey's establishment. The clergyman remains in the doorway, all of his suspicion and ire focused into his gaze.

The rest of him catches up almost immediately. Now that he has sensed this undead's presence... what is he going to do about it?

His posture stiffens as he attempts to count the other patrons on his blurry periphery, finally forcing himself to take a quick glance around the room. No Miss Rey in sight, but she's got to be somewhere. She won't like it if he makes a scene. The last scene he made involved her breaking that cat-faced bottle he was rather fond of. A shame. He pulls in a breath instead, steeling himself; this will be fine, he says inwardly. It's just one undead. A stronger one than one of the shambling husks that came to the city so long ago. Stronger than Armand? It's hard to tell. Vampires had a funny way of disguising themselves.

That kind of trickery just makes his blood boil. With his eyes lodged on the stranger once more, he wanders over to his table, keeping his voice low, doing his best impression of someone intimidating. Given he looks like a strong gust of wind could knock him over, he's sure he's unsuccessful.]

What are you doing here?

[barold]

[Barry looks up from his drink, taking in the stranger. The pounding music and his own racing thoughts made him completely unaware that someone had taken notice of him until the unfamiliar voice cut through the racket. His body tenses, brows pulling together in a frown. The last thing he wanted tonight was trouble, but the tone of the man's voice suggests he's... angry at him?

That's weird. Barry has never seen this man before in his life.]

I, uh... Just... drinkin'? Sittin' here? Mindin' my own business?

[He clears his throat, rubs the back of his neck. This is awkward. Perhaps this man one of Lup's many friends, furious at him for what he's done. That's the only explanation that makes any sense. Why else would he be antagonizing him? Or maybe he's just drunk and looking for a fight. Although, looking him over, Barry suspects he could knock him unconscious by brushing past him too fast. Not that he would, but...]

S-Sorry, have we met?

[outofthefire]

[the Speakeasy is Laura's scene. she comes here most nights after finishing at the bakery, drinking until she feels a buzz, then going home. repeat the next day. so she knows the regulars, knows who's likely to show up and who isn't.

Barry definitely fits into the "isn't" category. in fact, she's surprised to see him. he looks like he's cleaned himself up, but his expression is uncertain. like he doesn't know why he's here.

she takes pity on him, gets up from where she's been sitting at the bar, and goes to join him at his corner table]

Hi, Barry. What's up?

[barold]

[Laura. Barry perks up a little as the young lady joins him at his table, trying to look like less of a sad sack. It's been a while since he's seen her - not since that humiliating stint as a child building sand castles. Thinking about it makes his cheeks flush with color. Thankfully its too dark in here to tell very well.

Maybe if he doesn't mention it, she won't bring it up.]

Hello, Laura. Nice t'see ya. [As for what's up,] Just uh, hangin' out. Or tryin'. [He chuckles.] I'm not used to places like these.

[disarmer]

[ Magnus has been low-key keeping an eye out for Barry since returning from the bois roadtrip through (the cool) hell. He'd considered straight up messaging him with his phone, but...he wasn't sure that Barry wanted to talk to someone, and didn't want to push him until he was ready for it. Because...fuckin' yikes, man. Mags doesn't know the specifics, but it's pretty clear from the fallout that whatever happened while everyone was gone? It was bad.

And he can understand needing space after something like that.

But the longer Barry's away, the more Magnus worries about him. He still can't quite bring himself to bother the other man directly, but he does start to actively seek him out, wandering to places he might not otherwise. Today's destination: This place.

And he's not disappointed, he spots Barry almost immediately and makes a beeline over to his quiet little corner table. ]

Hey. [ Mags gives a hesitant wave and a friendly smile. ] Got room for one more?

[barold]

[When Barry hears Magnus' voice, he's immediately struck with a lot of conflicting, powerful emotions, crashing over him in dizzying, nauseating waves.

He's scared. What if Magnus is here to confront him, to make him pay for what he's done to Lup, to their family? What if he's here to condemn him? To tell him he's not welcome back home anymore? He's worried. How is Magnus handling this? Is he sad? Is he furious with him? Barry wouldn't blame him, he has every right to be. He's upset. Why hasn't he heard anything from anyone back home? Aside from Taako (and a very brief exchange with Lup), Barry hasn't received a single message from anyone, of condemnation or otherwise. If they're all so quick to throw him aside, he'd at least appreciate being told.

But more than anything, he's relieved. God, it's good to hear a friendly, familiar voice again.

Their eyes meet, and Barry tries to match the young man's smile, but it only ends up looking forced. He's so tired. It's obvious in every line of his face, sunken and drawn, like he hasn't slept or eaten or seen the suns since he left home. He's lost weight.]

Sure thing, bud. [He gestures at the seat across from him. Anything closer would just be too much.] Have a seat. You uh, not gonna get anything t'drink?

I Want To See My Little Boy.wav

[weedbgon]

[ For all his own weird wandering off and tendency to be half-somewhere else at any given point in time, Merle has the capacity to notice things. He sometimes makes perception checks that are good.

Things went and got complicated. In a bad way. A really bad way. Like enormously potentially life-changingly bad. Turbo-liches? Jerks. To put all of those facts extremely, extremely lightly. That's sort of Merle's specialty. The things you miss by taking a road trip.

In any case, the point is he's definitely noticed a lack of denim in the family lately. Not.... that he's... missed him or anything... he just happened to notice. Conveniently.

So when he catches sight of Barry hanging in the Speakeasy, even if hanging could be called way too casual a term for what he's actually doing, Merle is obviously inclined to head in that direction. Make room for weed dad, he's taking a chair. ]

Hey, buddy! Been a while, huh? Didn't think you'd be hitting the party scene.

~Here He Comes~

[barold]

[Barry looks up just as Merle slides in to join him at his table, easing himself into the chair opposite him. His body language tightens for a few seconds, anxiety gripping him like a cold fist, until the dwarf speaks.

He has the same cheery disposition he's always had. Like nothing happened. Like they're just two buds meeting at the bar over the weekend, like they always have.

Not that Barry expected the dwarf to completely condemn him for his actions. He's a cleric, a gentle, joyful man. Forgiveness is in his nature. But Barry sure hadn't expected his tone to be so... normal. Considering what he's done... shouldn't Merle's tone have some somberness to it? Some note of seriousness?

Who is he kidding. This is Merle we're talking about.]

H-Hey, bud. [Barry shifts in his seat, trying to look comfortable, natural.] Yeah, no, I... d-don't usually come around here. I'm assumin' you're a regular here? What with your party points an' all.

[braveoff]

[ Drake is actually very social and thus frequents the Speakeasy, albeit usually not alone. Still, it's the place in Hadriel that most reminds him of home, of shifts people-watching at the Snake Eye, and even if he isn't hanging out with anyone in particular the music and buzz of people talking around him is pleasant. He grabs a drink and turns away from the bar, scanning the crowd for anyone familiar. His eyes settle on Barry, who looks pretty miserable in a corner by himself.

Huh. When he last spoke to Lup it had sounded like she was going to make the first move, but apparently that hadn't happened yet. Drake hesitates a moment -- he's never really spoken to Barry before, besides pleasantries while Lup was letting him crash at their place. Maybe this isn't the best time... or maybe it's the perfect time. Barry glances down at his phone and Drake hums to himself, then weaves his way over to the other man. ]

This seat taken?

[ It's an easy-out way of asking if he can join Barry -- if he doesn't want Drake's company he can just say he's saving it. Even though there are tons of other seats. ]

[barold]

[At first, Barry doesn't recognize the young man. All he registers is a stranger slipping up and asking for the seat opposite him. It's a little too dark in here to really see, and they've met too few times for his face to really stick out in his mind - no offense, Drake, but Lup has... a lot of friends. For someone like Barry, it can get a little overwhelming sometimes.

But another glance over his features makes him realize there's something familiar about him. He's seen him at the house before. The occasional photograph. Lup knows this man. By extension, this man must know what he's done to Lup.

He doesn't seem aggressive or confrontational in any way... In fact, he seems polite enough. Although since he's just asking to take the chair - as Barry assumes, the table his friends occupy must have too few available seats or something - he supposes aggression is unnecessary.]

N-No, it's not. Uh... help yerself, buddy. [He gestures for Drake to take the chair. It's not like anyone's going to approach Barry for company anyway, it might as well go to someone who has use for it.]

Semiyon | OTA | Will Match Format

[bespectacledsnake]

[The Speakeasy is a far cry from Semiyon's more natural habitat. A man who keeps himself neatly appointed right down to the meticulously kept beard and hair, he generally prefers more polished settings: the delicate bubble glasses for wine, elegant champagne flutes, Russian caviar... that sort of thing.

But he's now been in this city a month and his aloneness, like an uncomfortable pricking at the back of his neck, is beginning to unnerve him. Not so much loneliness as it is a feeling of not having one's back covered. Being the extra bit on the outside that no one would notice if it went missing.

So with an oddly shaped glass of what he was told is vodka in hand, he begins his attempts to mingle, smiling with ease despite his discomfort.]

Are you going to sing?

[abyssalarcana]

What, do you want me to?

[Caedra catches his glance and meets it with a smile. She's been here a day, barely, and already has wandered much of the city, taking in its sights, picking up a few things here and there to settle in as it sounds like she'll be here for the long haul.

Already picked a few fights, already killed a boy. A mixed sort of day, between the highs and lows.

The speakeasy isn't really her scene either. She's been treated like royalty for the past few decades and has grown fond of expensive wines and exotic treats herself, a far cry from her humble human life. But she's here to look around nonetheless, because this town is short on entertainment so she'll just have to settle.

The man before her is an appreciated sight. Hadriel seems to mostly be populated by young adults, many of whom are younger than her own grandson. This one is probably as human as the rest, but at least he's lived a little, and had she not died and been brought back a demon, she estimates she might look around the same age. And his accent isn't too far off of hers either, which is interesting. He wouldn't sound out of place in parts of Tochar, where she learned to suppress her childhood accent and adopt one like their own.

So she raises her glass of wine to him in a teasing toast, then has a long drink, curious as to his reply.]

OTA

[hot_mes]

[Law. HATES. Parties. But he's been back in for two days, seen to a bunch of loose ends, and now really really needs a drink. He apparently can't help that it's welcome-time and there's loud noises and flashy lights, but he sure can minimize the damage.

His tall, dark shadow is such an obvious contrast to the jovial atmosphere that it almost begs interrupting. He is slouched in a corner as far away from the stage and the jukebox as he can get, doing his best to polish off a bottle of rum. Once in a while his gaze lifts whenever someone walks by, and even if he doesn't appear to want company, he manages to make eye contact every single time. The question is whether that moment of contact is inviting or frightening. If the former, he's about to have a guest at the table.]

[solase]

[Fortunately (or un-, depending on your point of view, one might suppose), Alucard is the sort of man to find just about any sort of eye contact inviting. Especially that of a man such as this one. The brooding look of him, the tattoos, the lurking in the shadows. It's all rather intriguing, and Alucard has always been the curious type.

He's nursing a glass of wine, hair pulled back in its silver clasp, wearing the same privateer's getup he always does, complete with sword and jangling boots, as he makes his way across the floor to the edge of the other man's table. Raising a sapphire studded eyebrow as he delivers the age-old line:]

Is this seat taken?

[roseofthetyrells]

[Margaery, on the other hand, loves parties. she's made her rounds greeting familiar faces and introducing herself to new ones, a goblet of white wine carried in her hand.

it takes her a couple of rounds to notice Law sitting in the shadows. she hasn't seen him since their. . . unfortunate encounter as children, so she's unsure of her reception when she approaches him]

Is this seat taken?