Intro Log: Welcome to the Snave (snake cave)

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for March
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: March 10th-15th
Warnings: Snakes! Snakes! It's a snake!

Good morning, new arrivals! Or, well, it's probably morning. The sun is up, anyway. Okay - not the sun, but that ball of light at the top of the cave that functions as the sun, anyway. Whatever. The point is you've woken to find yourself on the floor of Hadriel's colosseum. You may be wondering where you are and what you're doing here, but what you should be wondering is how fast you need to run to get away from a three-headed snake.

You're not the only one who just woke up. Also to be found in the arena, angry and confused, are Runespoors - large three-headed snakes. Only one of the heads is venomous, but all of them are perfectly willing to take a bite out of you if you get too close - or if you annoy it. If you're lucky, an attacking Runespoor may distract itself via infighting between the three heads, giving you time to run. If not, well, let's just hope you can fight off all three heads at once!

But that's not the only thing you might find. Also scattered around the colosseum floor are what look like tasty snacks. Popsicles, cheese, even toast! Unfortunately, if you get hungry and take a bite, you will quickly discover that each and every one of these is actually soap. So that's great. Maybe the Door thinks everyone needs to shower more? You can also find a few that actually look like soap, and if you're really lucky, you might stumble across the rare and coveted 'pile of baby hands' soap.

With luck, you didn't get eaten by a snake or accidentally eat a piece of soap. Once you find your way out of the colosseum there's plenty of other distractions. 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-15th.
► 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

[leashed]

Yes, I-

[After spending his entire life in the company of werewolves, Romulus knows what it feels like now. He doesn't know this one and the lack of familiarity is... territorial, setting off a deep feeling in his lower gut.

Still, the man hasn't even shown his full face yet. He could be hiding a weapon behind the door, he could be hiding anything. Rome immediately doesn't trust him, and his eyes go narrow and sharp as he tries to discern if there's anyone else in the house- though it's difficult to peer past Morgan when he has the door cracked like that.

Focus. He has a reason for being here.]

I'm looking for a place to live. There's a home nearby that's empty and I wanted to introduce myself to the neighbors.

[danseur]

I think you might wanna find somewhere else to live.

[ he says it before he realizes what he's saying - it's reflexive, kneejerk, and his face scrunches in frustration at both himself and the situation before he pulls the door open further.

morgan's hand is still gripped on the knob, like he's ready to pull it shut at a moment's notice. the frustration on his face gives way to overt defensiveness, and his eyes track across rome's face, clearly seeking recognition. ]

Do I know you?

[ aggressive, not curious. he hasn't been around other wolves enough to recognize this feeling immediately. ]

[leashed]

[The hostility doesn't come as a surprise, even as the door opens up a little further and Rome gets a clearer idea of what he's looking at, who he's interacting with. He doesn't recognize this guy, but he places the what of him in a heartbeat. Yes- finding somewhere else to live would likely be a good call, but now there's something else: an awareness, a concern, a duty that needs to be done, even here where his obligations are voided.

Well. Romulus' obligations are never really voided.]

You don't.

[He reaches out, presses a hand against the door- firmly, and with enough strength to resist if Morgan tries to close it.]

May I come in?

[danseur]

Uh, no.

[ what the fuck. morgan is left bristling immediately and visibly, suddenly protective over a house he has literally never cared about until this very moment. ]

You mayn't. Go find some other doorway to darken, thanks.

[leashed]

[Again, not a surprise.

Again, not going to stop him.]

It feels territorial, doesn't it? [He asks directly, his eyes flickering downward.] I know. But I don't want to leave until I know that you're not a danger to those around you.

[There's a pause, and Romulus eyes Morgan again- the idea that Morgan doesn't also know doesn't even cross his mind. He can sense it, clear as day, most wolves can as well and he knows that it's having some sort of effect on the other man, given the tightness of his expression and the defensive posturing.]

Wild wolves often are.

[danseur]

-- you're a werewolf.

[ oh. right. and as soon as rome actually says it, it's clear: he's another werewolf. that makes sense in a way that he definitely isn't happy about. he gives a push at the door, trying to close it again, but he knows he's not going to be able to -- it's symbolism, more than anything else. ]

Okay: first of all, not a danger to anyone else here, but thanks.

[ by the grace of god, honestly. ]

And secondly - not a wild wolf. Are we done, here?

[leashed]

[Rome doesn't see the need to grace the obvious statement with a reply, so he simply nods once, keeping the door open. There's a powerplay here that isn't quite done with words- it's Romulus, keeping his presence in Morgan's house, irritating, threatening, calculating, purposely playing off of the feelings of discomfort to see what lies beneath.

A test.]

Just because we can't see the moon doesn't mean it's not here, [he reminds him, frustratingly passive and calm about this whole thing. He has a good grip over his instincts, ignoring the alarm bells ringing in the back of his mind at completely invading this man's space like this.]

My name is Romulus Hart. It isn't my intention to hurt you, but if I feel that you're losing control, I will. Is that understood?

[danseur]

I'm registered. You can't just roll into my house-

[ except he could, and the government frequently did. he typically kept his temper in check because it wasn't worth the stress on his parents, but now? what was holding him back here?

he growls quietly, feeling the hair bristle on the back of his neck, and finally just takes a step backwards, releasing the door. right. he wasn't fighting here because he didn't know how to fight, instinct aside, and romulus would probably actually fucking kill him. ]

Yeah? And what happens when you lose control?

[leashed]

I don't.

[Is the long and short of it. The tension escalates with the growl, and Rome feels heckles rising in the back of his throat in reaction. He swallows it down, maintaining his composure.

There's a line, here. The threshold of Morgan's house is open, Morgan is stepping back, relenting, and Rome could push the advantage. Part of him wants to, a buried piece that longs to assert itself- but he doesn't. Since Morgan is backing down, then so does Rome, and his hand drops from the door, his shoulders loosening just a fraction.]

I'll inform those in charge here of your presence. I'm sure you'll want me to stay away from you- I'm willing to do that. Just, don't- [his jaw tenses for a split second here-] -don't do anything stupid.

[danseur]

Those in charge?

[ that by itself is enough to get his temper to spike again, hard. morgan is grabbing his things - not that he has a lot of them, but he's shoving what possessions seem to belong to him into a bag. ]

Jesus, seriously? Goddamn lapdogs. [ his mood is SO FOUL right now. he jabs a finger in the air, pointing at rome with it. ] You're not the boss of me here.

[leashed]

I'm not the boss of anyone anywhere.

[He says frankly, a little confused- though the insult is nothing new, and something that rolls easily off of him.

He still doesn't cross the threshold, but curiosity is beginning to get the better of him.]

...what are you doing?

[danseur]

Then maybe you should hold off with the "telling me what to do" shit.

[ this is what it looks like when a grown man has a temper tantrum.

morgan heads for the door, not looking directly at romulus; he shoulders past him, maybe a little more bodily than he needs to. at least he has some height on the other guy.

he doesn't shut the door behind him. ]

[leashed]

[This is not- he's behaving erratically, not following the general script. This is the point where Rome would look back at his handler for guidance and his handler would know what to do- either by talking the potential threat down, drawing his weapon, or something else. Here, there's nobody to give him that order, and Rome finds himself hesitating, stumbling back when he's bumped into, and turning to see Morgan's retreating back.]

You're leaving?

[It's obvious that he is. The dynamic has shifted again, and Rome finds himself uncharacteristically frustrated by it.]

There's nowhere to go.

[danseur]

[ okay, it feels good when romulus actually stumbles back. validating, a little: this isn't the full, unmovable force that he's used to dealing with. it's just a guy. he can handle a guy. ]

Not really sold on being your neighbor. Enjoy the place, though, buddy.

[leashed]

I wouldn't have been your neighbor.

[But he liked the idea of knowing where the other werewolf lives- just enough to keep tabs on him. Now that Morgan is leaving... well, it's not like Rome can't track him, but he'd rather not have to.

He stands up straighter again, assertive, though lacking the backup to carry much more weight.]

This isn't how this works. You know that.

[danseur]

Enlighten me.

[ morgan pauses where he stands, back still to rome. he's going to dig through his pocket, then, digging out one of the very last of his slightly crumpled cigarettes. his hand is shaking a little as he lights it. ]

How does it work?

[leashed]

[He watches him, conflicted- but not so conflicted that he neglects his duty.]

If I know where you live, I can respond to any potential threat faster.

[As well as keep tabs on him, check up on him during full moons, annoy him, generally make his life a living hell- for all that that isn't really Rome's intention, he knows that most of the registered beings really seem to hate it when he visited. He's not sure why, either- isn't keeping everyone safe the goal here?

His mouth tightens a little when he smells the ash in the cigarette, the strike of spark and smoke in the lighter, and he says, without thinking-]

-those are bad for you.

[danseur]

Why would you be responding to any threats?

[ yep. rome, congrats: it is literally your mere existence that is making this guy's life a living hell. ]

I don't need or want your supervision, protection, or guidance. [ he takes an exaggerated drag on the cigarette, too, which is a gesture born entirely out of obstinence, since he'd been carefully rationing these since his arrival. ] Do we have an understanding?

[leashed]

[Rome's nose wrinkles at the sudden whiff of smoke- he doesn't know how Morgan can stand it, being so close to the vile thing, but there are more important things in play here.

Like the fact that Morgan is now trying to dictate the terms between them. That's not how this is going to go down.]

I meant threats from you.