realmofstories | Character Introduction Log: May 2020

Intro Log: May 2020—

§ instructions.

Greetings and welcome to the intro log for Forgotten Tales! There are no hard and fast rules here. Just include your Character, canon, and essence in the subject line and post away! Network prompts are allowed in the intro log, so feel free to put one in.

In terms of timeline, the intro log can span over several days, so don't feel as if everything has to happen all at once. You are also free to post your own logs at any time, and can even take these prompts for them!

§ prompts.

¶ I. Adjusting to a New Life. Even after being told by the Storyteller about everything, there's still a lot to learn. There's also the satchel and journal to investigate, and figuring out where they live. The Index itself is a large, vast city inhabited by a large variety of characters from numerous stories. Because of this, there is no uniform style to the city. One street could look like a normal street plucked out of a Victorian, English fairy tale and then the very next is made of candy. It makes for an interesting mishmash of cultures that somehow manages to get along. Most of the time, at least.

A. Brushing Up on the Lore. Perhaps a trip to the Grand Library to read up on the essence's stories wouldn't be such a bad idea. It might help give the Aspect some ideas as to what they can do. But you know, it would be their luck to have a large tome dedicated to their stories way high up on a top shelf. And the ladder is rusty. Might need some help.
B. Magic Journals. For those of the modern era, needing to write is going to be an interesting exercise. But after reading the instructions, maybe they want to reach out, see who else is out there. Or troll people with dumb doodles.
C. Watch What You're Doing! Testing out a new spell or weapon? Great! Just be mindful of the surroundings—this is all new and no one has thought to create a special training area for everyone (yet). And while most of the locals are happy and hopeful about their potential heroes, broken windows or almost burning one of them won't go over too well.
D. House Hunting. Among the items found in the satchel is a set of keys. These keys will magically lead their new owner to the house they will be living in for as long as they are in the Realm of Stories. The home will be styled to fit the essence and the location will also be fitting of that essence. It could be within the main city of the Index, outside of town, underwater, in the air—anywhere! Now if only the keys didn't take their own through...interesting, winding routes. Like through a random bakery or down someone's chimney. Who knows, maybe they will want to come back and visit the stores for clothing and other housewares.

¶ II. Rabbit Season, Duck Season. There are two new cafes that have opened up: Hare de Lune Teahouse and Bistro de Saison de Canards. The Hare's owners hail from the Book of Kaguya and wish to spread the joy of eating their local treats with the bonus of having a cute, fluffy rabbit as a dining companion. Canards, however, are more local and are competing against them with their own special delicacies focused on duck and eggs. A fierce competition is brewing between the two, and hair and feathers may end up flying before the day's out.

A. Hare de Lune Teahouse. The inside of Hare de Lune's is brightly colored (almost a bit too bright and chaotic), but the perfectly brewed teas and beautifully crafted wagashi served are surprisingly elegant, adding a note of serenity to the riotous surroundings. … At least at first. After eating certain cakes or drinking certain teas, patrons will suddenly find themselves either suddenly growing or shrinking in size. The effects only last at most ten minutes, but it's still a bizarre change that sends many in a panic. Could the Canards across the street have sabotaged their food!?
B. A Hareful of Trouble. Not only that, but even the cafe's rabbits are acting strangely. While most are still docile and enjoy a nice warm lap, others are acting rambunctious and are attacking cafe patrons. It gets worse when a few nibble on a few of the size-changing cakes. If they grow in size, they become a more dangerous threat while those that shrink make it harder to find. The owners don't want the rabbits to be harmed, however, so great care is needed to try and catch or calm them down! Perhaps a big carrot will help? Or figure out which size-changing food will reverse the effect—and hopefully not make it worse.
C. We Ducked Up. Bistro de Saison de Canards has gone all out to be as fancy as possible in every way. Duck-shaped flower arrangements and topiaries, ice sculpture ducks enchanted to "swim" in the center of the tables and quack pleasantly, linen napkins folded like swans, menus inexplicably also folded into a duck shape (good luck trying to re-fold them), and very pretentiously named dishes which… might have concerning amounts of duck eggs and rabbit meat in them. To help attract customers, they are hiring volunteers to be their mascot who must wear a special costume and try to draw anyone who is heading towards Hare de Lune to their side instead. Unfortunately, sometimes the mascots are a bit too zealous, and one even tries to steal a rabbit! Perhaps it's someone working for Hare trying to sabotage Canards? Whether trying to have a meal, roped into being a mascot, or a witness to the ridiculous actions, it's a chaotic mess. (Was that a small flock of ducks that just waddled out onto the street with a chef chasing after them?)

¶ III. Untitled Swan Princess. It's a lovely morning in the Index… unless you happen to be the latest princess cursed by a rogue sorcerer. Unfortunately, this particular magic user was under the impression that swans are lovely, serene birds and make complacent captives. He was proven very, very wrong very quickly. Now the princess-turned-bird has a lot of anger to unleash, and quite a few acts of chaos on her to-do list.

A. Write Your Story. Apparently either the princess or her new bird brain has quite the case of kleptomania. Everyone wandering the streets today will want to keep a close eye on their valuables: lunches, keys, potion supplies, even journals and quills! As a result, some might find themselves on the receiving end of squiggly, angry beak-writing from strangers, or chasing after the thief while dodging bubble traps or ice slicks from potions dropping out of a snatched satchel!
B. Hot Fuzz Sundae. Somehow, the swan has managed to orchestrate a massive accident involving broken barrels of caramel sauce, a teddy bear parade, and a cart full of down pillows. Thankfully for anyone caught in the crossfire, the caramel is room-temperature, but now the whole intersection is covered in a sticky, fuzzy, feathery mess! Are you a passerby, a volunteer for the clean-up crew, or a stunned victim? And more importantly, is that caramel making you stick to something (or someone) else?
C. Wild Goose Chase. Finally, after hours of chaos, reports come in of the swan storming the Grand Library, stealing artifacts from the four Drafts the Aspects have restored thus far: a Jack-o-Lantern from A Hollow Christmas Carol, a bamboo sword from The Legend of Princess Kaguya, a pearl necklace from The Little Mermaid, and a rose-decorated dragon egg from A Midsummer Rose. It's up to the Aspects to stop the swan before she leaves the Library with the relics, but it won't be easy. The swan has planted rotten egg bombs all over the place, some even ready to fall on the unsuspecting. They do not smell until cracked open and are camouflaged to match their surroundings, especially the carpeting. Then there are some that are large and tick ominously once someone is within range, counting down until they explode. Either get those eggs out before they explode or somehow neutralize them, or the Grand Library will really be a mess for months to come.

¶ IV. Of Tea Leaves and Dragons. Somewhere outside the index is a newly opened nursery farm focused on raising tea dragons — special little dragons that produce leaves on various points on their bodies. Teas brewed from their leaves will reflect the temperament of these dragons, and although friendly special care must be taken for them. As they are a new addition to the Index, both the dragons and their caretakers are still learning to adjust and thus need a little extra help. These are the mains types of dragons and their teas at the nursery:

Rooibos. Active, curious dragons who tend to get into trouble. Drinking Rooibos tea will lead one to being unable to sleep or sit still.
Earl Grey. Easygoing and protective dragons, they are the largest of the group. Drinking this will lead the person wanting to be around those they care for, making sure nothing bad happens to them.
Hibiscus. Although calmer, they are willing to try new things and socialize with others. Drinking this tea will make one want to explore new places and or become more talkative about what they discover.
Ginseng. Very sensitive, these dragons can read the emotions of others and are loyal. The tea will help strengthen bonds between relationships as well as have an odd side effect of allowing one to read each other's thoughts.
Chamomile. The smallest of the dragons, they love to take long naps and just laze about, not really caring about what's going on around them. Similarly drinking their tea will make the drinker more apathetic and prone to sleep more often.

A. How to Bribe Your Tea Dragons. The dragon tea leaves are ripe for "plucking," and while the process is painless for the young dragons, they can still be a little ornery about it. After all, no one likes being manhandled by a stranger. One has to earn their trust, and fortunately it's not too difficult. As they are young, playing with them will go a long way in forming that needed bond. Tossing balls for either a game of catch or fetch, playing chase (the flyers are cheaters), hide and seek (they love hiding in bushes), and other similar games. Another good way is to offer them their favorite treats; fruits, veggies, and specially cooked biscuits are all part of a balanced diet, and will add some delicious notes to the final tea.
B. Harvesting Tea Leaves. Once settled in, the dragons will allow their leaves to be plucked and harvested. The process is really more like "grooming" the dragons, using special brushes to gather the loose leaves before hand plucking those that remain. First a special oil is applied to loosen the leaves and then a rake-like brush is used. It's a simple enough process, but the real problem comes from the dragons. While one person could possibly harvest a dragon on their own, they get so comfortable and cuddly while grooming that more often than not they end up pinning the holder's arms or keep butting their heads against the brushing hand which can hinder gathering the loose leaves. A second person is usually needed to either help distract the dragon or to collect the leaves.
C. Taste Testing. At the end of the day, everyone is welcome to try a taste of the finished tea. They all have different effects, and everyone can carry a small sample home with them.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Gimme a minute to try, first.

[Without much ado she plops the sleepy chamomile dragon into his arms.]

I'm Minako, by the way! Nice to meet you.

My name's Kaiba. Welcome to the Index.

[ He normally wouldn't be so...nice, but the dragon is burrowing in his lap for a nap. Looks like he's not going anywhere any time soon.

Honestly, there were worse things he could do with an afternoon than cuddling a baby dragon. She yawns cutely, and he struggles to hide a smile. ]

Have you figured out your calling here yet?

Thanks!

[Aww, this little chamomile is adorable and Minako wants to keep her. Alas, she'll have to settle for visiting this farm as often as possible in the future.]

Rapunzel! [She thought it was pretty obvious, but then again maybe he's from a world where Grimm's stories don't exist?] I got all the loooooong hair and thankfully none of the romantic drama.

[As she cheerfully says this, she starts gathering said long hair towards her to bunch it up at her feet, shaking it out every so often. The little pink dragon's tail shuffles further along her hair to avoid getting dragged upwards.]

Can't stay in there forever, little guy, come on out~

I wondered. I'm not the biggest expert on fairy tales. Things here tend to throw me for a loop.

[ He watches the dragon get cozy in her hair and snorts. ]

We'll have to make it someplace more comfortable to sleep. Hold on.

[ He reaches into his bag of toys and summons...hm. A baby blanket. It'll have to do. He offers it. ]

Come on out. Don't you want to play some more?

I thought I knew a lot, but then I saw how many stories are in the Grand Library. Completely blew me away.

[She pauses in reeling in her hair to watch him curiously, making a small sound of delight when she connects the dots. She doesn't say anything (yet) though, lest she ruin his efforts.

Good thing, too, as the pink dragon takes that moment to pop the tip of his snout out of Minako's hair, snuffling at the familiar sound of Kaiba's voice. Oh? A new toy? But this bed is so very nice and warm...]

Come here. It's soft and warm over here.

[ Kaiba waves the blanket and continues to call to him. It's a little awkward to do it one-handed while soothing the other dragon in his lap, but one can never have too many dragons to cuddle. ]

Did we get him?

Almost...

[The dragon squirms little by little out of Minako's hair, enticed by the soft blanket. Once he's wriggled half of his body out, Minako leans down and scoops the young dragon into her arms, beaming.]

Gotcha! You sure are a handful, little mister.

[The dragon trills happily, but fusses a little to be away from the blanket he was promised. Minako offers him to Kaiba.]

Here, I'll switch you for the chamomile dragon.

All right. Come on, time to go. You'll be taken care of.

[ Kaiba gently deposits the sleepy chamomile dragon in her arms, then swaddles the hibiscus dragon in the blanket. He makes himself comfortable in Kaiba's lap, curling up and trilling happily. He'll hold off with the brushing for now: bonding takes patience. ]

Sorry about that. He's faster than he looks.

No harm done!

[With their switch made, Minako carefully sits down next to Kaiba to get comfortable as well. The chamomile dragon barely made a peep during the transfer, only letting out a little sigh of content once she and Minako are settled again.]

I would've mistaken you for one of the workers, you're such a natural with them.

I've always admired dragons. My preferred ones weren't so pink and fluffy, but...I'll take what I can get. And he's...ugh. Can't believe I'm saying this. Cute.

[ Yes he is, all nestled in his little blanket. Aww. ]

How have they been treating you?

Aside from using my hair as their personal playground? [She laughs.] Pretty well. It's like being in a cat cafe back at home all over again. It's really comforting.

Wonder if we could get a part time job here? I definitely wouldn't mind working if I got to see these little guys every day.

I'll ask.

Can't say I've ever been somewhere like that, but I don't mind this. Better than sitting at home fixing a gingerbread house all day

[Gaaaasp he doesn't know the wonders of a cat cafe?? Minako definitely needs to look into if any exist in this world now. And if one doesn't exist, then she'll make one.]

A gingerbread house sounds like an absolute pain to live in...I'd be tempted to eat all of it. And it can't be a great place to be in when it rains. [Her brow furrows.] Is it not possible to live somewhere else?

[Minato had invited her to live with him, so she assumes there aren't too many hard and fast rules about where Essences have to live...]

It holds up in the rain, believe it or not. Must be that cement icing ceiling.

I couldn't move if I wanted to. I've...become a sanctuary for someone I know, who claims his home is even worse.

[ He sighs and continues to pet the pink dragon. The little guy is very comfy in his blanket, craning his neck up to lick Kaiba's cheek. ]

Did they stick you in a tower?

[She makes a sympathetic sound. That's right, it makes sense-- if she's remembering correctly, there's a lot of Stories that are housed in the Index. For all the fun and games it feels with her new hair and abilities, and for all that the town is bustling with magic and activity, in the end it's still a refugee camp.]

Mmhm! I might move in with a new friend, though. Towers aren't really fun to live in, once you get over the novelty factor.

Character Introduction Log: May 2020

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