undergrounds | [OPEN POST] The game is on

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[OPEN POST] The game is on

This event runs from 20th-25th July 2015.

Hello, Londoners! Bit hot, isn't it? Blimey, you might even get a tan at this rate, assuming you're not a vampire.

But there's no time to relax and enjoy the sunshine. No. This is the third and final week of the hunting season in the Other Realm and the magic of the hunt is about to bleed into all of London...

Basically, if you're a predatory type, your hunting instincts may be sharper than usual this week. By how much? Not a lot, we're not talking rabid wolves or losing self-control here, but conditions are perfect for hunting. You can feel it in the air. Hunters of all kinds can expect good fortune – yes, that includes humans who track down other supernatural species too.

As for everyone else... try not to be lunch. Welcome to London.

Prompts

1) HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF. Bare those fangs and sharpen those claws. You're feeling a little... peckish.

2) THE WHITE HART. The hunt for the legendary White Hart has begun. Fae hunting parties compete to pursue the beast, and upon its capture much merry-making ensues. Should a party pass through into the mortal realm during this hunt, they will appear as drunken louts searching for a pub.

3) HUNTING PARTY. No reason to let the fae have all the fun! Choose your quarry, gather your team and pursue your prey. This could be a serious hunt-to-kill party or something more light-hearted.

4) CAPTURE/KILL. The moment you've been waiting for. Your prey, cornered. Do you allow your instincts to take over and let rip?

5) I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS. I just got to London and now I'm being chased by a vicious pack of supernatural beings. FML.

6) CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. What's the first thing you see when you set foot in London? Make up your own scenario here.

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{ the white hart }

Maera loves the hunts. No matter which court leads the charge, hunts make her excited like nothing else. They bring out her passion, her strength, her slight tendency towards violence. And while she doesn't think she's good enough with a weapon to join in the hunt this time around, she's very happy to take part in any way that she can. So she darkens her eyes, grabs a bag, and runs along with the rest of the hunters, offering them all drinks to keep them going. Of course, some of the drinks given out might be spiked with a little something. Nothing harmful - just an over-the-counter sleeping pill that'll probably make the drinker too drowsy to be of much use.

Obviously, it's going to be an Unseelie who claims the beast at the end of the day. Maera's just helping her side along. And she'll betray no hint of any foul play on her face, just smiling and offering to anyone she runs into, "Need a pick-me-up?"

((ooc: maera won't play her tricks on any responders unless you'd like me to, jsyk!))

{ choose your own adventure }

It goes without saying that Maera's not going to just pass out drinks without having some herself. And maybe having a little too much. She's been grabbing whatever's closest, and the mixture of fae wine and mortal drinks has actually made her pretty tipsy.

Which is why she might stumble into someone on the streets of London completely alone, having fallen behind the rest of the party she had been running with earlier. Maera doesn't quite keep track of the time during the hunt, and so, whether it's the middle of the night or the afternoon, she'll be noticeably drunk, slurring apologies to whoever she's careened into. "S-so sorry about that. You-- alright, there?"

"Maera?" Heiji hadn't participated in the hunt -- not after that terrible Henhouse Incident which might or might not be in the papers later. He still had a chicken feather or two sticking to him. Not that he was in much mood to notice.

"Gone a little overboard celebratin', huh? Man, I'm gonna be glad when this month's over."

"I wouldn't say overboard." She giggles a little, shaking her head. "S'a good time for it, anyhow. Why aren't you drunk?"

"I had an... incident earlier. I got regrets." Big ones, man.

"Speakin' of regrets, ain't you gonna have one killer hangover later?"

The Hunter

Dismissive as Azula has been about the hunting season, she can feel it in the air the same as anyone else. Her appetite for souls has spiked along with her hunger for power. Which is why she does two different kinds of hunting.

During the day, she preys on the weak-willed mortals. As well as the skeptics who are always glad to mock the supernatural. Taking advantage of her heritage and the ignorance of the general population, she's put together a small vendor stand in a place where it may or may not technically be legal.

It's a very simple set-up. She has a an incense holder in the shape of a dragon, several pieces of paper prefolded and with kanji on the back but their blank sides open, and a collection of incense. All of which is frankensinse.

"Anything you want," she says to a curious person who approaches her, "can be yours. Ask for what you want, write it on the paper, and offer what you're willing to give for it. Then burn the paper and send your request to the forces that be."

'The forces that be' meaning her. But none of it is a lie.

At night, her prey is of the supernatural variety. She feels the air, waiting to catch just that hint of a spirit not yet gone from this world. There are always a few. The lost, pathetic souls grasping for more time than their mortal lives deserved.

So, she'll just help a few people out who might be bothered by them. And, well, if there are witnesses the time or two she actually finds one... She doesn't worry much. No one will believe anything they say.

The Hunted

Azula isn't naive enough to think that even she is untouchable. There are things enough that would feast upon a fae, but she won't just hide away in the Other Realm at night because it might be dangerous. After all, she has her own hunting to do.

But she does try to keep aware, try to keep alert. But no one's guard is perfect.

The Hunt

Azula is happy to join a hunting party for this 'White Hart.' Her own culture doesn't have much about it, so she doesn't grasp why they want to catch the creature, but it's a way to pass time, and her father did say she was to learn about the fae culture here.

This? Seems to be a big part of it.

So, she's happy to toast in the Other Realm and pursue the animal. When there's a moment to rest or a meal to be had, she can be found having her fill and enjoying herself. When the race is on, she's almost tireless, driven by an inner fire.

The Celebration

Once the beast is caught, Azula falls easily into the revelry. Fairy wine and fairy food are in abundance, and she enjoys them to the fullest. Where there is music, there is dancing, too.

Though she makes merry less than she shows. The wine is never allowed to be enough to go to her head, and she doesn't stuff herself silly. Nor does she lose track of time while dancing. At least not more than any fae does.

Still, she's meant to enjoy herself, so she'll certainly act like she is.

"Oh?" Her eyes go wide at this news. It might've been better for Heiji not to bring this up. "Oh, what happened? Hunt stories are- are the best stories."

As for mentions of hangovers, she waves one hand flippantly as if she can flick the possibility away. "Hunts aren't time for regrets, silly. Anyway, it'll be- totally worth it once we get the White Hart."

Mab rides astride a tall white horse, her long white dress draping down the horse's side and mimicking it's own extra long mane and tail. As the horse pulls up next to Maera she looks down at the changeling and her bevy of drinks, a small lift of the corner of her lips, her horse barely even breathing hard though they've been going for some time now. The horse dances a little and the woman's eyes glow with delight at the spectacle of the hunt mirroring the horse's attitude. "Well met, Mistress Maera are you enjoying the festivites?" Hounds call around them and smaller prey than the white hart continuously scatter ahead of the fae riders and their packs.

A woman ahead makes a motion to Mab who waves a hand indicating she'll catch up without even looking. Their hounds continue on ahead as the red-headed fae laughs in delight and her horse leaps after them.

"Well met, milady." Maera's eyes answer her question easily enough, bright and wide with the joy of the hunt, even though she's not really participating. Nevertheless, she nods, saying, "there's nothing like a hunt, is there? I love them more than- anything, really. Have you been enjoying yourself as well? Do you need a refreshment?"

"The White Hart, right. Anyway, I got kinda... peckish durin' one of my night walks. Listen, you can't go repeatin' this to anyone. Okay?"

He meant that -- no repeating this story to a bunch of fae would probably think it was hilarious.

"Are you asking me, a dreadful Unseelie fairy, to make a promise?" Yes, she's tipsy enough to make claw-hands and a menacing face at that, though her expression is pretty much ruined by her ever-present smile. "Fine, I won't tell anyone, now tell me."

Oh my god, Maera. Still, Heiji laughed a little at her expression. And the claw hands.

"Someone left their chickens out in the yard and I ended up facin' off with this coyote shapeshifter for 'em. Then their owner showed up with a broom. Okay?"

He put a hand over his face. "Ugh, I can't believe this..."

Maera was truly a child of the fae. Like a human with Christmas, Maera looks as though she is ready to open all her presents. Mab's horse tosses it's head impatiently and paces one direction before Mab nudges him back beside Maera continue the conversation without interruption. "There is something infinitely satisfying in the simplicity of the predator and prey dynamic the hunt provides." Mab agreed, her smile widening, "Yes I am enjoying myself."

Something in her eyes danced at the offer of drink. Ever has that been a favorite manner of capture for the fae. Even amongst peers in her own court. "A refreshment freely given with no expectations. Such a kind gesture my dear. Perhaps you are in the hunt more than I had previously guessed." There is something like approval in her tone.

This paragraph precludes both 2a. and 4., 2b. takes place after both of the others back in the Other Realm.

Mab doesn't always join the Wild Hunt but when she does she has absolutely no issue enjoying herself. Fae hunts have so many powerful magical creatures they take on a magic of their own. They say you either run from the hunt or join it. But if you're running along with the terror of being chased by any manner of groups of high dangerous creatures, there is also a magical terror added that can drive even reasoning, thinking people and things to pure, unthinking animal reflex. Some of the less controlled fae can also become carried away, letting the hunt take them places they cannot handle. Many a minor fae has died flinging themselves headlong into the awaiting grasp of a stronger foe than they were prepared for. It also means that the hunt can slip between worlds without some of the hunters realizing it. The hunting party slips through a doorway between two trees and bursts out through a park in the mortal world, flickers of light and noise and beautiful or horrible creatures continue the chase across the well manicured lawns naturally glamored now as they pass mortal structures and escape out onto the streets of London.

2a. Her glamored gaze travels through the park, picking out faces, a slight frown on her own. Even the regular humans who might normally be caught speechless and in awe of such a sight have enough instinct to see they need to leave. Fast. People start moving quickly, scrambling to get as far away from the stream of fae as they can, even if they look more like crazy people on motorcycles. Mab tilts her head at a familiar face and turns her horse/bike to the side, foregoing the hunt for a moment to canter up alongside them. Her horse dances to a stop and she looks down, eyes still expressing excited hunger from the hunt. "It is, perhaps, not the best time to be out and about."

4. Mab follows along but is not oblivious to where she has ended up. Her eyes scan the park which is not completely empty but at least it is late at night, and fewer people will report such an odd hallucination or night terror. She swings her horse/bike out, hair and skirt pressed back by the wind of her passage like flags mingling with her white mare's own long tresses until nearly indistinguishable if one can see through the glamor, following a rider distracted by a new quarry. To the mortal eye she is in a charcoal grey suit, her hair still streaming behind as her bike rumbled smoothly underneath her. Is it just a regular human who couldn't possibly hope to escape? Or is it something perhaps more dangerous all together? Mab should really keep an eye on it anyway if they are to continue expanding into the human realm. No sense making that silly girl's worries a reality.

2b.
The hunt slipped back into the other realm and a flick of a tail is all that can be seen of the White Hart as the fae back in their normal forms continue to give chase. Mab's horse pulls up alongside another and she turns her head a little, inclining it in greeting. "Well met." She calls above the sounds of the hounds and the horses.

Wildcard got another idea? Throw it at me.

Mab reigns her horse in as the hunt breaks, slipping off and whispering in it's ear for a moment before the two part. When she turns and pulls out a wineskin, sipping as she walks toward the banquet tables. She pauses next to Azula and motions to the seat at the table to be sure it isn't taken before she settles down and a lesser fae moves forward to begin loading up a plate for her of items she motions to. She leaves him to it and turns to the foreign seelie. "Nothing quite so invigorating as a good hunt, don't you agree?"

"I've never seen a hunt like this," Azula admits without shame. It's a cultural thing, she knows, and that's why she's supposed to be here. She raises her glass, having gotten her seat a short while ago. "But it's refreshing."

She never, ever claimed to not be a total dork - especially with this much faery wine in her bloodstream.

"Stop delaying and finish the story!" She smacks him lightly on the shoulder, bouncing on her heels a little. "Did the owner wallop you?"

That's the great thing about being half-fae, half-human - Maera gets this excited around Christmas too. "I can't wait until I'm ready to join. Mom's a little apprehensive, but she knows I have my head on straight most of the time. I'm going to try to train so that next year, I can really hunt. I might even be riding alongside you, milady."

Her rapid sentences are punctuated with a cheeky grin as she rummages through her bag for some harmless orange juice. "You know me. I'm all about kind gestures. Some of the other hunting parties looked so exhausted that I just felt they should get some sleep, you know? So I helped them out a bit. Not you, though. You seem to be on top of your game, if you don't mind me saying."

"Don't say wallop," Heiji said, still crabby about the whole affair. "He might've nudged me. A little."

aka smacked his rump with a cornhusk broom. FML: Fae Edition.

"But only 'cause it was hard getting out from under that fence!"

Being as involved in the Underground as he was, Faust really had no excuse for being out and about during such a dangerous time of day. But he had long since stopped carrying about things like his own impending doom. It was like knowing you were going to die in a terrible accident; why worry about the details?

He wore a heavy, bulky overcoat and a hat that obscured most of his face. He lifted his face to look at Mab, however, as she approached. He smelled like grave dirt.

"Good evening."

"You got walloped, Heiji. No two ways about it," she says affirmatively, breaking out into giggles that take an embarrassingly long time for her to stifle.

"Why didn't you just charm the human or something? Wouldn't that have been easier than trying to crawl under a fence?"

"It's a fox thing," said Heiji, as if Maera couldn't possibly understand the enormously complicated Reasons. Also that somehow Malia had an aura of bad decisions that shone proudly out from every strand of her fur, blinding everyone in the immediate area to good sense.

"Anyhow, I got out, didn't I?" He plucked a chicken feather off his shoulder and stuck it on Maera's instead. "And I got a chicken dinner out of it. So there."

"So it's a fox thing t'make dumb decisions? Gosh, I'm glad I'm a fairy, then." She takes the feather from her shoulder, waving it in the air lightly as she speaks. "And as- repayment for me not telling anyone, I'm totally-- reserving the right to laugh at you about this whenever I want."

"And as re-repayment, I reserve the right to cut off your future supply of amusing stories." He blew a little puff of air at the feather.

"Besides, I wouldn't wanna be a fairy for anything."

"Whaaaat?" Yes, she comically draws out the word, eyes going wide. "Why wouldn't you want to be a fairy? It's the second-best thing you could ever be!" The first-best obviously being half-fairy, half-human.

"Well, the first-best is obviously a fox. We're cute, soft, and fluffy. Anything else would be a downgrade." Clearly.

He needed to find someone to brush him later. It was literally the best.

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