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INTRO LOG ☆ WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM
When you awaken after a nice, long, deep sleep (facilitated by some herbs burning in the fireplace, perhaps) you have made your choice. When you exit your room, you’ll see a signpost in the middle of the corridor that you didn’t notice before. There are three signs, all pointing in different directions, with the words “Apprentices”,”Guards” and “Etc” on their own sign.
Potential Apprentices will head towards the very hall they entered just last night. The Mistress isn’t here this time. In her place there is a table and a long, open scroll of parchment with the words “APPRENTICE CONTRACT” written at the very top and a small, near indiscernible paragraph of what looks to be legal jargon under it. The only other obviously readable words say “SIGN HERE”. A quill and ink lies next to the parchment for this very purpose. Whether you linger to read the entire thing before you sign or simply sign, it doesn’t matter. If you get cold feet, you can leave. If you sign, a soldier will push yet another tome into your hands.
The tome contains a short, congratulatory spiel about the honor of being an Apprentice and proceeds to go into great detail about duties that sound an awful lot like castle maintenance. There’s talk of polishing knobs, sweeping corridors, wiping windows and mopping up after orgies but very little is said about magic.
It advises you to check the notice boards in the library at least once a month to accomplish tasks and earn coins. In the back of the book is a map that marks the important locations within the castle (including the location of your lovely, new room) and a sparse map of the kingdom. Think scribbles with “forest goes here” scrawled over the top.
Potential guards head into the courtyard, where a table is set up and surrounded by a small group of current guards. The table has a banner pinned to it that reads “GUARD SIGN-UPS” and upon approaching the table, you will be asked to beat one of the current guards in hand to hand combat. When that has been accomplished, they will ask about your previous experience with protective services, your experience with weapons and offer you the job. If you fail, you’ll be turned away (you also run the risk of being laughed out of the courtyard without a chance to prove yourself).
Upon signing up, a guard will take you on a tour of the castle, walking you through the barracks, the halls, the corridors and a few of the short cuts. You will be given a map, a weapon and taken to a nurse to unlock one of your powers (if you have one). Of course, you are warned of the consequences of misusing any of these privileges. Death, torture and a life spent in a prison cell are distinct possibilities.
They urge you to check the notice boards frequently for odd jobs to complete for extra spending money and shadow you while you try on your shiny, new uniform and tour the castle. You’ll be shadowed for about a week on duty before the guards get bored and let you do your own thing.
Finally, the et cetera. The last lot. You take your pride, your clothes and whatever you can fit in your pockets and you march with purpose (probably) toward your designated route. Maybe you’re angry, maybe you’re expecting a fight, maybe you’re getting fired up and ready to fight off anyone who tries to stop you.
You’ll be disappointed.
The corridor leads you to a very normal looking door that just...opens. Amazing. You step out of the castle and into the mud. It was raining, after all. There’s a guard there, waiting to escort you into the village. It’s about a ten minute trudge through the mud, and they lead you past beautiful towers, decent cottages and toward some worn down, empty shacks. One of these lovely hovels is yours to keep, and there’s even a little bit of food there for you.
You won’t get told anything about jobs or notice boards by the guard. Once they’ve dropped you off, that’s all the guard is obligated to do.
Snooping around the village will find you a notice board with jobs posted on it and information about some sort of tri-weekly market is readily available. If you want a job you’ll have to canvas, just like the good old days. The good news is that despite Mistress’ tyranny, the economy is pretty good. Many taverns, inns, apothecaries and brothels are hiring.
The Off-Worlders have arrived at an opportune time, this month. People in the village might notice a hustle and bustle around them. Poles are mounted, banners are raised, euphemisms are crafted and everyone seems to be getting ready for something.
You don’t need to ask what it is, at first, because the banners indicate that it it’s April Fools. A little late in the month for it, you might think, but the occasion is celebrated for almost an entire month in this little Kingdom. After all, the Mistress does dearly love an opportunity to unleash malicious humor.
Thankfully, the festivities here are far from malicious. There’s food, drink, music and dancing all around town. Everyone is dressed in bright, colourful clothing and costumes and the Off-Worlders are encouraged to dance and celebrate alongside them. Cream pies, enchanted hand buzzers, the ol’ switcharoo with various possessions and other fairly lame pranks are standard.
Apprentices, guards and even outlier scum are encouraged to participate freely in the festival. It will be a week long binge of FUN.
-Food stalls provide free drinks of all flavours (some of which providing new sensations or strange tingles), cakes and baked goods (some of which are provided by the Fuck Bakery: Cakes that Make you Want to Fuck). It’s hard to differentiate the enhanced food from the regular food, but Off-Worlders will soon figure out that many people have a penchant for aphrodisiacs, enhancers and drugs in their food.
-Hookah pipes with many flavours to partake in, within silk tents amongst silk pillows for getting reeealllll comfortable. The warm, fruity scents are alluring and can have aphrodisiac-like effects if inhaled for long enough. They also lower the inhibitions and calm the mind, making everyone in the tent more open to suggestion.
-Jelly wrestling for prizes (of which you are free to take liberties) and shoulder wrestling for prizes (of which you are also free to take liberties) along with other familiar carnival games with erotic twists. Bobbing for candy dicks, pin the bikini on the nude girl, cock rodeos and extremely violent games of whack-a-mole.
-The brothels are in full force. Girls in ridiculous, skimpy costumes (think octopus, jesters or plague doctors) are outside selling their wares, they’re just too tempting to resist.
-Most exciting of all is the Fun Worm, who makes his way through the whole festival. He looks like six or so villagers under a really shitty costume, but it doesn’t seem to bother anyone. On closer inspection, you will be lured in by the fun pheromones and powerless to resist them. Inhaling fun pheromones forces a big, cheesy grin on your face. Suddenly, fun is the objective and your inhibitions are severely lowered for an hour or so. He’s constantly cycling around the festival, so it’s hard to avoid him. What’s important to note is that the Fun Worm is a new addition, a gift from the travelling Fun Cult to enhance the festivities. The Fun Cult has brought fun and laughter to kingdoms far and wide, although those kingdoms became a lot less prosperous when their priorities shifted from trade and farming to jello shots and week long benders.
The festivities continue even through nightfall (lanterns will be lit, some of which float through the sky of their own accord, bonfires with incredible scents will be lit too) and will do so for the rest of the week.
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[Sliding into the role of an Apprentice only made sense to the siren. At best, it was training that she’d never had the chance to receive. At worst, it was a warm place to lay her head without laying her life on the line in turn. Even after signing, when her eyes swept over the contract and found nothing in particular hinting at her potential education, she could not bring herself to regret it.]
[She followed the map throughout the castle, trying and failing miserably to find her room. After getting turned around for the third time, Angel finally approached the nearest familiar face, clearing her throat as she did.]
Excuse me? Do you think you could help me make sense of this?
Day Two- General
[Angel had gone outside the next day, determined to explore in what she hoped would be relative peace. Not so much, it seemed, considering the festivities kicking off.]
[To say she was surprised by the nature of things (polishing doorknobs notwithstanding) would be a massive understatement. The sheer amount of both women and men, milling about in less than respectable states of attire, was enough to send a significant amount of heat to both her head and -- ]
[Well, a little further south.]
[The girl was careful to avoid the people, giving them a wide berth for fear of -- of what she couldn’t say. Unfortunately, one of these attempts sent her stumbling back into the weird looking worm-thing. Maybe she would have been embarrassed, if not for the abrupt wave of elation that swept through her.]
Day Two- Doughy encouragement.
[It wasn't hard to tell just how much more... liberated people were around these parts. Angel thought it odd, but she wasn't sure if it was just her, or if it was her sequestered upbringing talking. Whatever the reason, she'd felt somewhat... uneased since arriving in this odd place.]
[But maybe not for much longer.]
[She look a simple one, after inquiring as to the exact definition of "vanilla" and "missionary." It wasn't that sex was undesirable to her, just a little... odd. Anything to help her relax and ease into this strange new role she was playing.]
[At first, she thought the heat pooling in her gut was some sort of poison -- just fitting in a fantasy land such as this one. But judging by the knowing quirk of a brow on behalf of the woman, this was an intended effect, and not meant to be an unpleasant one.]
[Slipping away from the woman, Angel leaned against a wall, head in her hands as she tried to collect her thoughts and make sense of the odd ache between her thighs.]
day one
He's in the middle of doing just that when someone approaches him, someone who looks like they don't belong as much as he doesn't. He stops the rather undignified tugging of clothes (what little he has, and straightens up, offering a smile. She looks sweet, and she's lost, and John "Mr. Suave" Egbert can't help but give her his undivided attention. It takes his mind off his attire, that's for sure. ]
Oh. Hey there! Uh.
[ He peers at her map, scratching his chin. Finally, he puzzles it out and points to a spot that's nowhere near her room. ]
I know this is where you are. Does that help?
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[At least Psychos weren't intentionally trying to show off the goods. Usually. These uniforms were another matter entirely.]
[The man couldn't be faulted for what his employer assigned to him, however, and he certainly wasn't the first guard she'd seen. Just the first one to smile at her and offer to actually help.]
[As he prodded her map, a sigh escaped her. She'd been close enough once she'd started, but considering the fact that she'd been sequestered to a lab chamber for most of her life, she barely had any sense of direction. And the map wasn't anything like the high-quality digital ones she was used to using.]
I... suppose it helps me figure out where I am. I don't suppose you know your way around enough to help me?
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[ He peers at the map again, as though he's going to try and point out the path to her, then realizes that he doesn't really have a clue him. But his "mentor" is rolling her eyes at him and making a shooing motion which he takes to mean as yes, this is your job now, go take her to her room. That's what he's going to believe anyway. Anyway, this girl seems nice, and she looks like she really could use the help and company, and it's probably better him than one of the native guards. ]
Hahah. I guess you just follow me then. At least if we get lost forever, we'll have company.
[ Honest assessment, or gentle jab? Maybe it's both; he doesn't give much indication, and instead starts off uneasily in what he thinks is the right direction. How does he always manage to get roped into this kind of thing? ]
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Yes I -- I suppose you're right.
[Not that she wanted to spend eternity lost at all, of course. She'd just managed to snatch her own life back (she still wasn't sure on the details of that mess). She'd be mildly annoyed if she was to spend it lost in a massive castle.]
I'm Angel, by the way.
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I'm John! That's a nice name. I bet you get a lot of cheesy pickup lines with a name like Angel, huh?
[ Strike two... John, you're really not playing your A game today, are you? ]
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Day Two - second prompt
Ember's supposed to keep her "tough girl" image up. She shouldn't find herself concerned with anyone, especially not any of the weirdoes from this place. But seeing Angel up against a wall, obviously distraught and uncomfortable, catches Ember's attention for all the wrong reasons.
It gets her to stop in her tracks, and she looks towards Angel with an uncomfortably long glance. It reminds Ember of a girl she once knew - one who had been bullied, had a secret crush on Gene Simmons, and ended up being extremely flammable.
...That's a soft spot. Ember immediately shoves those intrusive thoughts out of her head, and decides she'll worry about it later. Right now, she decides to approach. She slaps that tough girl exterior back on, casually leaning on the wall next to Angel.]
You don't look like you're having fun, dipstick.
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[She tried to attribute the racing of her heart to being startled, but she was relatively certain that it was simply part of the side-effects of the cake she'd eaten. If she wasn't already thinking it was the worst idea ever, she was now.]
Just -- [Angel wrinkled her nose at how soft and feeble her voice came out.] Ate something that isn't agreeing with me, that's all.
[Nothing like starting a conversation off by bringing up gastrointestinal distress, right?]
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Angel's reaction is weird, though. It seems like it's more than just food, but then again, Ember wasn't really sure how humans reacted to that stuff. It had been a while. She frowns, especially when hearing Angel speak that softly, and quickly butts in again.]
What, like stomach pains or something?
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[Perhaps the cakes had sparked something inside of her, maybe even loosened her inhibitions, but they hadn't done anything to loosen her tongue. Something stuck inside her, whether it was her father's insistence that she be a "good little "Angel," or the fact that it wasn't good manners to up and tell a stranger that you were -- ]
[Turned on, was the word, right?]
[That was the other thing holding her back. She'd eaten the cakes to help shed herself of some of her inexperience. Even after 24 hours in this strange place, it was clear that sex was simply the way of things. She'd hoped to take the quick and easy way out, hoped that it would affect more than just her body, but here she was.]
[Somewhere in the universe, after turning over in what she hoped was his grave, Handsome Jack was laughing.]
This is... hardly an appropriate conversation for a stranger though. I'm sorry.
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Ember lets out a scoff, crossing her arms and leaning back against the wall. What was once a worried stare turns into a knowing, shit-eating smirk. She knew this place was obsessed with sex, but she hadn't imagined it going to this extent.
Well, whatever, we're going to mess with Angel's boundaries now.]
Ohhhhhh, lemme guess, babypop. This has to do with all the sex stuff that this place is freaking obsessed with, right?
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Doughy Encouragement
Ah, sorry, are you okay?
[Stepping closer, he tilted his head a little to try and better look at her face, but made no move to touch her.]
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I'm... alright.
[She straightened up a little, as if to show that she was indeed okay. Her breath came quicker, and the slightest motion of her legs sent an odd wave pounding through her.]
Sorry to have concerned you.
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No no, it's alright. I'm just glad you're not sick. It's no fun getting sick.
[Another step closer, and he moved to join her close to the wall, but not too close to her, lest he step into her personal space.]
If I may, you're also really cute. I've never seen a woman with hair like yours before. It suits you.
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[She'd been sick for years, certainly long enough to agree that being sick to any degree was no good. Especially at a festival like this one. She already felt out of place -- best not add to it by losing her meager lunch in front of everyone.]
[As he leaned up next to her, Angel felt the heat in her gut spike. Before she'd processed her thoughts, she found herself leaning closer to him. A smile crossed over her lips, and a brief smidgen of the heat in her stomach found its way to her cheeks.]
[Normally, she might have argued at his compliment -- the ports in her head made cut stand out, more freakish than stylish. But in her current, slipping frame of mind? She couldn't have cared less.]
That is... sweet of you to say, my friend.
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Well, I don't say things I don't mean.
[Noticing how she was closer, and how attractively she flushed, he took part of a step to be even closer. Not too close - how close was too close?? - but he did wonder what it would feel like to kiss her. Not that he was a stranger to kisses. Those thoughts prompted his own cheeks to lightly flush, but with how innocent this person seemed to be, he didn't feel much of the urge to hide his low-key arousal.]
I'm Ren. What's your name?
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btw how tall is Angel? Because Ren's a bitty (5'4".)
4'10, stunted growth hooo
oh no ;; <3
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day one
You know, his very deliberate exploration, since he's most certainly not lost.]
Sure thing, doll. What do you need?
[He leans over and SHIT, SHE'S GOT THE SAME MAP.]
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[Instinctively, her body shifted away from him, though her arms remained outstretched enough for him to continue to survey her map.]
I'm trying to find my room. [She prodded at a space on the map, then motioned to the space around them.] As you can see, I am nowhere near it.
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Alright, priority number one: make sure she has no reason to think he's an idiot.]
Your room, huh? Did you get roped into this apprentice gig too? Actually, I was... [Wait, no. If he tells her he was also looking for his room, she'll realise he's lost too.] ... thinking of looking for my room later, you know? I wanted to get a feel for the lay of the land first. But if you want... I can help you look.
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[Though she had been somewhat put off by his earlier mannerisms, Angel saw no real reason not to trust the man. She nodded to him, once more before setting off.]
Sorry if I am inconveniencing you, by the way.
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[... Is he coming on too strong again? Ehhh. Look, if he's trapped in a strange land and biding his time until he gets some form of magic back, then he's going to goddamn well enjoy himself any way he can.]
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Day one;
Ah yes, our maps. It took me a time to get used to everything too, being a newcomer here myself. Are you also an Apprentice?
[She was dressed similar to him? It was a presumption more than anything but he hoped it was a good one.]
I will try and help a lady out wherever I can.
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[Logically speaking, she knew that not every man held the same malevolence in his heart that her father had. But most men were far larger than her -- she stood no chance against him.]
[And if she was being given the choice between being lost for ages and being in the company of this stranger, well...]
Yes, but -- [Angel was on the verge of denying his assistance when he spoke once more. Though she was still uneasy about his overall presence, his words reminded her of a friend since left behind. It almost brought a smile to her lips.]
I... suppose I could use a hand.
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[He offered her a polite smile and then focused on the map in her hands. Looking at it in more detail and he made out a few rooms and corridors which he'd already explored.]
I believe those are our living quarters.....the main hall where orgies sometimes take place-
[He looked back at her to gauge her reaction.]
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[She recoiled almost immediately, surprise and horror both evident on her face. She sputtered, mouth opening and closing, before clamping firmly shut. Her skin went from a rather sickly pail to a troubling shade of red in just a matter of seconds.]
You're -- You aren't serious, are you?
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