realmofstories | Character Introduction Log: May 2020

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Character Introduction Log: May 2020

Intro Log: May 2020—

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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

A little wounding built character, as both of them had experienced and worked their way through it. Sure maybe they weren't whole any longer, probably couldn't even find all the pieces that they had lost through their numerous woundings and the deep scars. There was no point wasting time over spilled milk, right?

Reaper was aware of the back and forth pull of energy, tilting his head curiously. Well, well, that was a new trick, wasn't it? It was a curse that he had after all, but it seemed that he wasn't the only one. This just added another interesting layer, one that he wasn't particularly happy about. This changed things; what did it mean? Was Jack cursed? Would the give and take of needing energy damn him?

He resisted, claws momentarily digging into Jack's throat. He waged physical war with the younger man, but eventually he fell backwards, taking Jack with him as he went. As soon as his back hit the ground, he moved to twist and roll them so that he could take the top spot, all the better to get a punch in on Jack's face.

It was more magical energy that was being sought after, and something that 76 had already been feeding in to, having found a way to at least appease that part of him. Still, it was what kept him together -or at least the Essence of the creature he was- and granted so much else that he could do. Magic and revenge fueled, pieced together after having been so utterly destroyed and killed out of greed. It fit him in a few ways-

But it was causing that back-and-forth tug of war. That bit of magic very willing to fight to keep any energy from being lost, and fight harder to take back as well for what bit had been managed.

Didn't care about the claws digging in to his throat, only had him snarling louder, more animal like behind that hard mask of his that hid the changes to him under it as well. Driving harder, digging in a shoulder, and grappling right back once they were going down. His own claws went for Reaper's throat next, less to choke and more to gain some leverage, that mask baring the brunt of punched, getting a leg around one of Reaper's as he moved to force himself of his back. Whether it just got them both on their sides or them just rolling one over the other didn't matter, didn't stop him from returning the favor of a hard and aimed punch.

While he wouldn't know it yet, his energy being less decay and theft-like and more witch-based meant that their energies were similar. It meant that they could technically share easier as the magic that held them both together was along a similar vein. He simply wasn't used to having to power struggle energy, when his previous skill was horribly passive with its greed.

This tug-of-war would require more speculation when he wasn't having a battle of the fist-to-cuffs with Morrison. They seemed to be taking equal measure after all, and he wasn't certain he liked that.

If Jack wanted to lay down on his back, Reaper would more than oblige. He preferred the top position as it made it easier to pummel Jack. He rolled up, snapping his knees tight to Jack's sides as he reared up as much as that hand on his throat would allow and began to rain down punches on that mask, hissing like an enraged owl.

He could very well channel his own reserves and empower a witch-based aspect, and in turn strengthen his own because of how well his own essence paired with it. Was meant to pair with a witch after all, how tightly the folktale knit Raw head with Old Betty to the point she would raise the already magical hog when he was wrongly caught and brought to slaughter. Part of why he knew Reaper had some witch essence now.

Could feel it, and all it did was further rankle him when that same way he knew wanted to draw up on some positive feeling. Instead 76 was burying it under anger.

Anger which had him persistent in that fighting, getting an arm up as the other swung in a backhand that could come very close to what being hit by either Winston or Reinhardt could feel like. Those very bear-like claws weren't just for looks after all, and that noise that came from behind his mask sounded far more like a wild cat, far too engrossed in what he was doing to pay any of that any mind. Surging forwards after that hit.

Anger was easy to cover over the motives and plans they may have, especially when it might relate to each other. It was so easy to just be angry and have that wall keeping them from digging into one another's motives. Just as easy to insult the other, stir up displeasure and more anger given their long history, the end of it being particularly turbulent.

For him being new, he was going to have plenty to ponder after this contest.

The backhand snapped his head to the side to an almost inhuman degree, practically ended up looking backwards. He shook it off, landing a solid punch to the side of that mask. And oh those noises that 76 made; it was like dealing with an angry badger. He figured another solid punch for good measure would at least earn him more growling even as he kept his upper hand perch.

At least this new mask of his was holding up, but he wasn't trusting it to keep together if Reaper kept those hits up, doing his best to force himself out from under the other. No matter what that took, ramming a knee against his back as 76 even twisted himself around violently. Hands going for arms, twisting his grip to more or less haul Reaper with him.

Another round of rolling in the dirt before planting a knee firmly in to whatever side of the man he could get. Round himself on top and deliver a right hook towards that masked face in turn.

Wasn't close to letting up.

Reaper was fully intended to smash that mask on Morrison's face, see what grizzled shadow of the man was underneath it all. It was holding up well, good tech, but with persistence he figured he could crack it open in time. And if he rang 76's bell over and over as well? He wasn't at all against that.

He was momentarily stalled as his arms were seized, fighting to overpower Jack. He tended to be stronger in a pound for pound combat, not much but enough to eventually gain an edge. He went with the sudden pull, rolling with Jack and setting a foot to the ground to flip them right back over again.

His continued roll didn't work.

As the right hook came to slam into his face, Reaper's body suddenly shrunk until Jack was straddling a barn owl. He hissed like a scalded cat and scrambled right out from under 76 to leave himself room to stretch his wings to take off.

There was a whole new playing field now, because sure they at least had the same base level brought with them, but there was something new. Different stories, and 76 knew he had something of an upper hand at being her for a few months; got used to what this Essence of his brought for him. Reaper didn't know what he had, and he had an idea of at least witch- and the fact the man was showing off a bit.

Always had to be dramatic no matter what he did, and apparently what he had fit him. Witch and birds, and he had an idea of what this could be. Just had to check the library later-

All in one 76 rolled up on to his feet and lept upwards the moment Reaper tried to take off. Catching him bare -and bear- handed, pinning wings to his sides and a snarl from behind that mask, "Not so fast," Asshole.

There was definitely plenty for him to learn about his essence and the powers that came with it while also dealing with losing the abilities that he relied so heavily on in order to succeed with his own plans and strategies. However, he was persistent to the point of causing self-harm when it came to learning new skills, especially in a place that was volatile and would require fighting and smarts.

At least he escaped Jack by hopping away, but he wasn't quite fast enough. He was caught in a clawed hand, wings trapped against his small body and talons moving to grasp at anything. It took plenty of energy to become this form, something he would have to learn the full scope of.

And because he was pinned and held like this, he couldn't change back, too compressed to force that hand open. He struggled, screeching very much like the owl he had become. His head could turn though, almost right around, and he pecked at Jack's hand. "Going to kill me finally?"

Huh. "Admitting to being trapped for once?" Not an answer, no.

He also wasn't letting go of that Reaper owl, letting the leather gloves he had on be enough to protect that hand and, well. 76 was carrying him with him, going to retrieve that hunting rifle he'd stashed away, hooking the strap of it back over a shoulder. Knew right where it was, shoulders rolling a bit.

Walking deeper in to those woods, Reapowl firmly and securely in hand.

"Hardly. Can't bring yourself to kill me then, hmm? You do care," he said, hooting out a laugh. He offered a few more pecks to that glove, but he knew it was pointless so stopped.

So if Jack wasn't going to kill him and instead apparently take him for a joyride around the woods, what was the plan? He already was considering the possibilities, measuring each against what he knew of the man and what Jack was capable of. His taloned feet opened and closed as well, looking for opportunity. Waiting for answers before exploiting opportunity.

"Showing me the sights? How kind."

"You're one to talk, how many chances to kill me you've let pass you by."

Head tilted, those long and furred lupine ears of his keeping him steady away from people, and keeping Reaper far away from any passing things he could latch on to with those feet of his. At least for the moment 76 planned on keeping a firm hold of the owl man, the woods darkening the further he went in, and for one that pitch black visor blinked out of existence.

Allowing a glimpse of deep blue owl eyes, all the better to see in this light. "You left a trail."

"More than I can count if I think about it. You make it so easy."

He was waiting to see where Jack was deciding to take him, especially as the forest began to darken the deeper that he was taken. He managed to grasp a leaf or two, but otherwise, he was unable to find purchase to make things a bit more difficult for 76.

His head was on a swivel, looking around, so when the visor disappeared, he noted the blue eyes. His own red ones peered back, having no issue seeing in the dark.

"Your point?"

"Yet you don't," he fought sure. They put a lot of damage in to each other, but it was still something he could always walk away from. 76 kept chasing all the same.

At least his skull was big enough he could actually move those eyes, rather than having to rely on a turn tilt of his head to look in various directions. Plenty of room for those muscles, and it was that same damn blue his eyes always were, some brief flash of yellow as his gaze narrowed to look further ahead- he had no issue seeing in the dark either. The visor was more to protect his eyes in the sunlight.

There was no answer, the man just marching on along the path, looking as if he was following something alright.

"And neither do you apparently. Unless you're taking me deep in the woods to pluck me and roast me over a fire," he said with a hoot of amusement. He invited the man to try, even if he knew that wouldn't happen. If 76 wanted him dead, this opportunity would already provide that.

He was an owl, so neck muscles were such that he could turn his head in very dramatic directions if necessary to have a good look around. He decided to give Jack's hand another peck for good measure, to remind the younger man that he would escape if he wanted to and he would hurt Jack if given the opportunity.

He allowed himself to be carried, peering about. This wasn't a part of the woods that he had yet explored, so it was best to keep his bearings.

Knew something Reaper didn't, yet again, but he wasn't going to point it out. Didn't matter at the moment, flexing his hold on Reaper as those claws dug in. A silent reminder that he hadn't crushed his body yet but very well could like this if his mind so went to it.

"You'd taste like shit, not even the dragon would eat you."

Glanced down briefly, head tilting and looking ahead, turning his trail and following after something. Following not just a scent, but a trail ran through the area.

Being so new here, Reaper had no doubt that many people knew more than he did. He was more than willing to change that, needed to know the limits and rules of this place so he could play them for his own benefits or finds ways to circumvent them entirely. That would take time

"How would you know that?" He had no doubt he tasted awful, but that didn't mean he'd take such a comment rolled over.

Everyone in this place had a house, right? Perhaps they were going there, which left open so many questions. He certainly felt more at ease in the darkness of the forest, not caring over the threat that Jack could crush him at any moment.

"Under all of those feathers you're more or less a twig. Have you ever seen a featherless owl?" No damn meat and taste like shit because of whatever the hell diet he could subsist of. Rolling with that, too.

Everyone in this place had a house, but not everyone lived in those houses; he suspected that Reaper would do something akin to what he was, but still not someone to leave space wasted. "Be more surprised if you wouldn't taste like something gone off on top of that."

"You realize I've eaten owl in the past, when it was prudent to eat," he replied coldly, adding a peck for good measure. When one was a soldier, sometimes meat was meat when behind the lines. Not ideal, but it was necessary for survival.

He had no doubt that 76 would choose to be as difficult as possible, being a bitter and stubborn old goat. At this rate, he should probably ask how many people's heads Jack had rammed into walls, since that was definitely his M.O. "We're both rotten, so don't think I'm the only one that would taste awful."

"You realize I know how bullshit of a story that is, too. How many times you told it," Not a single change in his voice, not even phased- "It was squirrel."

He tapped the side of his mask, that pitch-black visor materializing in to existence over his eyes again, pushing through a bit of knocked over brush while clamping a hand over talons. All the better to keep the asshole of an owl he was carrying from grasping at anything he passed by.

"No meat."

"You do understand that I didn't spend my all of my military carrier and life with you, right?" His tone was dry and demeaning, shaking his owl head back and forth in disapproval. And he had eaten squirrel. And rabbit. And well... most animals at least once.

He screeched in displeasure for his talons being grasped, looking to snag any part of Jack's hand. Talons were stronger than beak and much better about grasping. He, of course, added a peck again.

"You're no meat? Well, that explains much."

"Are your ear holes working?" Because he had certainly said story. "You're not worth arguing with."

He knew how to hold talons, keeping them well and fairly trapped without any danger to him, and he wasn't worried about that beak or the pecking. Just leaving Reaper in silence while he was being carried. Head tilted as he peered in through a clearing, checking around a little for a few things set up before he stepped out and to the remains of a camp already broken down. Letting the hunting rifle drop on top of the pack.

Fire already put out and kicked to the point in a few hours there'd be no sign of anyone being out here at all.

"They do, but listening to you is actually painful," he replied, hooting in aggravation.

His talons flexed and strained, but he was unable to find purchase on anything but air. That didn't mean he wasn't continually try, but now that he was brought into what clearly had been a camp. He looked around, eyes blinking as he drank the details in. This was where Jack was living, huh? Suited the man.

He hooted and squirmed to try to get free of those hands.

Be moving on to another area after this, kept it difficult to find him when he didn't want to be found. Never really did want to be found most of the time, suited him just fine.

Didn't speak, just picked up some cloth he'd been using to bundle something else and wrapped Reaper up in it like an owl burrito. Securing it around him tightly, talons and all, setting him up against a log. Let him watch the rest of the camp be picked up,he hunting rifle packed away and exchanged for a much more familiar pule rifle.

Hauled the back up over a shoulder.

Despite the disadvantage, Reaper put up an owl-sized fight as he was wrapped in that cloth, hooting and screeching. He hissed once he was set down on the log, looking around this small glade where 76 had clearly made camp and now was looking to move on to a new location.

He disliked how much their training and survival skills often meant that they thought of the same avenues to avoid detection. Jack was terribly antisocial.

"Why are you dragging me around with you?"

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