[OPEN POST] The game is on

[undergroundmods]

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

"" (Watch on YouTube)

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.

Comments

[goroesi]

"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?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"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."

[goroesi]

"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."

[detectiveofthewest]

"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."

[goroesi]

"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.

[detectiveofthewest]

"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.

[goroesi]

"You're totally wrong. First-best's being- being half-and-half. Y'get the best of both worlds that way." Luckily, she stopped watching human TV way before Miley came around.

[detectiveofthewest]

"You're obviously just jealous, 'cause when I walk in a room, I get all the snuggles." Heiji should probably have more of a problem with people regarding his smaller form as cute and cuddly, but he took some kind of weird pride in it instead. He was fuzzy as FUCK, broheim.

That did bring up a good question, though. "No one ever hassles you about that? Bein' half, I mean."

[goroesi]

"'Nd I get all the stares. Maybe we-- we're just wanting different things." That seems like the best answer to Maera.

"Hassles me? Oh, Heiji. I dunno, maybe people do it-- behind my back or something. But if anyone hassled me to my face? That's it. I'd- I'd kill them. Rip 'em limb to limb." Her violence isn't coming out due to the alcohol, surprisingly, but to the hunt.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I ain't crazy about staring, myself." This was probably an animal thing, where staring was a sign of aggression. This was one area in which humans and humanoids were totally weird -- why would anyone want someone eyeballing them?

"Anyone ever tell you violence isn't the answer?" The remark was an absent one, more of a repetition of something he'd heard than something he actually believed in.

But in any case: "It happens a lot of the time, though. Maybe not if you're part of a court... but definitely if you live in the 'real' world. You know that saying, about nails that stick out gettin' hammered in? I guess if you get people to really like you, they might make an exception. If you stay on their good side."

If you were useful.

[goroesi]

She's never been taught that violence is the answer, per se, but her parents were... interesting, in their views on the subject. She's never been explicitly told that violence is wrong, especially when it's deserved.

"Heiji, it's- it's okay." Maera laughs, shaking her head. "People like me. They'll be liking me for years and years. M'gonna make sure of it. Cause I'm powerful." It's something she truly believes, despite the fact that she doesn't actually have a lot of skill yet, as young as she is. "I've got so much power. I'm going places. So don't you worry 'bout me."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I mean. I ain't sure that's such a good thing," said Heiji. He didn't have a problem with power, but being liked because of it seemed like an intrinsically lonely prospect.

"Anyhow, you're already grown. I'd hope you could look after yourself!"

[goroesi]

"Most'f the time. But not right now." And this cues her dramatic slump onto his shoulder. "I'm so drunk. It's been a long time since I was this drunk. Don't- don't mix faery spirits and mortal spirits, okay? Just don't."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji heaved a sigh, got Maera's arm a little more solidly around his shoulders, then hoisted her forward. "Okay, okay. Look, I rented a place around here, so you can come over and dry out a little before ya head home. C'mon."

And that was exactly where they were heading now, no arguments allowed! Hopefully, it would be an otherwise uneventful night and no one would question why he was hauling around a slumped-over woman talking about faery spirits.

[blind_badass]

Snake felt quite proud of himself today. He'd managed to find a pub within a decent walking distance of a bus stop. The stop was part of a line that went near his house. He'd pieced it together with the help of his phone and word of mouth.

He only stopped to have a drink or two and listen to a live band. It was something normal he could have done easily back in Seattle, where he knew where everything should be. Just this tiny step helped make London seem less like a wilderness and more like a home.

He heard two people walking toward him and he stepped to one side on the sidewalk.

[goroesi]

As they approach, Snake will begin to hear snatches of their conversation. Luckily for the two of them, the nonsense that's coming out of Maera's mouth isn't exactly unnatural in any way. "You have your own place? You should throw a party, man! Housewarming and all that. I'll supply you with all kinds of booze -it'll be great."

She's drunk enough that she really doesn't notice anyone standing in front of her - or anyone who might've politely stepped to one side to let her loud, tipsy self pass. Hopefully Heiji isn't so blind to his surroundings.

[detectiveofthewest]

"'Course I got my own place, I don't wanna look like I live on the str -- oh. Um, hi!" Maybe he should've just pretended he hadn't seen Snake, only probably Snake had already recognized his voice.

"We're just... it's not what it... this is Maera. We're friends! But she's drunk. So I'm tryin' to get her back to my place. As a friend."

Smooth.

[blind_badass]

Oho! Heiji caught with a drunken ladyfriend? Going back to his place? My, Snake was learning all kinds of things about Heiji.

"Good evening, Heiji. Far be it for me to comment on how your spend your time with your...friend." He did incline his head in a little nod toward Maera. "Pleasure to meet you."

[goroesi]

Maera holds back her laughter with great difficulty, firmly pressing the back of her hand to her mouth for a few seconds before she can speak. Even then, she can't help giggling as she says, "same to you, sir." And then, with deliberate obtuseness, she points to the stranger and turns to Heiji. "R'you specifying I'm your friend because you have a crush on him and don't-- want him to get the wrong idea? Cause I can dig that. I'll even try walkin' on my own."

[detectiveofthewest]

"You guys are jerks and I'm sure once everyone's sober, you'll get along famously," said Heiji, regretting that he'd even opened his mouth. "Maera, this is Snake. Snake, Maera."

He eyed Snake with a look of mild annoyance... which probably was wasted here. "Look, you mind helpin' me get a lady up to the apartment so can sleep it off? Or you just gonna make fun?"

[blind_badass]

"Can't I do both?" It took Snake a moment to help Maera up with his right arm around her waist. By her tone she sounded quite inebriated so he paid her comments no mind. "I'm usually not so forward with the people I just meet, but I don't mind helping out." Plus, he's got an arm around a (potential) beautiful woman so...win-win?

[goroesi]

"M'like, practically sober," she protests, but she doesn't hesitate to accept Snake's help, one arm winding around his back. "I'm sure you're a real gentleman usually, Snake, but after I sleep this off, we can-- test the theory. Where's this, uh, elusive apartment'f yours, Heiji?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"Next block, this way," said Heiji, leaving out the part where technically it was not his apartment, but actually belonged to one of those foreign investors that simply bought up nice flats in other cities and sat on them for investment purposes. Free game, right? At least he was actually using it.

And so down the sidewalk they proceeded. Once they got close to the building, Heiji called out to the doorman. "Hey, Proctor! Mind opening up for us?"

The man sighed and opened the door. "Mr. Hasegawa..." But he apparently decided not to even finish the sentence.

"C'mon, we'll take the elevator up!"

[blind_badass]

Snake got the impression the building was fairly decent. He could almost tell how plush the carpet was through his shoes. And a doorman? How did someone who worked at a cafe afford to live here? True, Heiji had said he dabbled in a few projects. He only hoped they weren't illegal.

On the other hand, it was kind of nice to have a young lady's arm around his waist. The last one who'd done that had been his last girlfriend before they mutually broke up months ago.

[goroesi]

Even with her current lack of a filter, Maera knows not to ask questions in public. So she waits until they're in the elevator and the doors have closed before she asks, "how are you affording a place here? It's ritzy as hell. ...are you using illusion-ed money?"

She's not asking because she thinks Heiji would do something like that, but because it's something she'd considered doing in the past herself.