Deer Country Network

[Asami's standing among a variety of machinery. Some look pretty simple and familiar, depending on where you're from, and some might be quite obviously native to Trench — that is to say, quite gothic and mystical looking despite still technically being mechanical. Asami's smiling brightly, and she gives the camera (her omen) a wave.]

Hello everyone! I'm pleased to announce the opening of my new shop, Sato Repairs!

[She gestures around the room.]

I've been tracking down as many tools and machines as I can, so if you have any vehicles or weapons or... anything else, I guess! Anything that needs fixing, you can bring it to me and I'll make it good as new.

You can find me down in the Willful Machine; just look for the sign! And if you have any questions, just let me know!

[There's another second of her smiling, and then she nods at her omen and the video ends.]

(ooc: i've set up a permanent ic contact for finding asami at her shop here!)

[Jacob Stone comes from a world of both smartphones and magic (and sometimes those smartphones had magic in them), so he isn't entirely unfamiliar with this. The Omni is a little awkward at first to deal with, but he's managing.

What he isn't managing, is the rattlesnake that seems intent on curling around his shoulders in a cozy fashion.]

Hi. My name is Jacob Stone, I just got here, so there's a lotta new things I ain't quite got the hang of yet.

Uh.

So.

So can y'all tell me if there's an incantation or something to get rid of--of whatever this little critter is?

[The snake looks just as grumpy as he does, for a moment, and hisses at him. He looks mildly offended at the gesture, or maybe the snake might have said something rude.]

I'm not--I don't use magic, I mean, but this thing just sort of appeared outta nowhere and now it won't go. I didn't mean to summon it! But I guess I did and now I don't know how t'make it go away.

[He's just...a little stressed. Being a Librarian whose job it is to find magical artifacts and hide them from the world and as a rule doesn't use magic because he's terrified of it is now in a world absolutely steeped in it, and he just accidentally summoned a smoky creature right out of his chest.

It's fine. He's fine?]

[ She's going to keep this very short and to the point- she's a woman of few words. ]

Best place to grab a drink for someone new in town?

so everyone's cool with the squid thing
like everyone just collectively agreed that was okay
and went with it
that's a thing people just live with in this crappy city

cw: minor mentions of war, discussions of possible character death

So, it seems that my Blessed Day is in fact the same day as my birthday.

[ Luna speaks off camera, busy trying to put her Omni in the right place. It takes a couple of moments, but the initial view of Luna's room: all soft lighting, bright but peaceful tones across the space, is finally obscured as Luna steps into the frame to sit at her desk, something in her hand. She waves to the camera with a cheerful smile in greeting before she continues with what she's addressing. With a soft sound, she lugs the item in her hand onto her desk and then carefully holds it up to the camera of her Omni to show it.

It's a sword: the Blade of Agency, to be precise. Luna gazes down at it with faint bemusement; of course Doorway would gift a sword, considering they appear with one at all times. But Luna's... not quite sure what to do with it. She's a Witch, not a sword-swinger. Not that she's ungrateful, and she certainly doesn't mean to come across as that as she stares at the sword. ]

I found this propped up against the wall of my room this morning. A gift from Doorway, my Patron. [ Her head twists one way in thought, brow pinching. It's a fine looking blade, she thinks. Although she's not very knowledgeable in that department. ] It... feels special. I don't think it's just a regular sword.

[ She can't really tell how, though. She should really find some way to find that out before she goes about using it. Ravenclaws err on the side of caution in the face of magic swords. ]

... Although if I'm meant to use it, I've never actually swung a sword before. [ ... ] I believe I shall need some help with that.

[ Should anyone be interested in that. There's a long pause; Luna smiles faintly. She would turn the feed off at that but something else is on her mind. She's quiet for a little while, putting the sword down carefully down on her desk once more. It's... something difficult, the way her expression shifts. Not something necessarily bad, but— ]

... I turned twenty today. [ She lets that settle for a moment before she continues. Her voice is hushed, a little sombre in some way. She fiddles with her hands as she goes on: ] It's quite funny, you know. Not being a teenager anymore. Well, not just that part, really.

I suppose— I guess I never expected to live past seventeen. [ A short pause, there's a sudden realisation. She smiles weakly. ] Although I realise that doesn't quite funny at all when you say it out loud, does it?

[ More like horrifying, than anything else. Sometimes Luna has that uncanny knack for making people uncomfortable with the things she says; but it's a truth of her home. She was headed to battle before Trench, before Deerington. It was quite possible she'd never make out to the other side of that battle. Even people as young as she was die in war, she understands that. But now, here, she's made it out of her teens and into the first steps of adulthood. It's given her a great deal of cause for ruminating. ]

I've learned a lot about different things; different magic, and ways people live. Especially Muggles. ... I've met a lot of people, made friends. I've gotten to experience a lot of new things in those friendships I didn't have the chance to get to at home. I even met someone who I love very much. [ Her weak smile turns to something fonder, there's warmth there. Perhaps it's quite fitting that Doorway is her Patron, after all. Her relationships are important to her. But don't worry, she's not going to get too mushy over her boyfriend over the network. ]

I know for as difficult life here can be, for as hard Deerington was... this place is a kind of opportunity. It's let me have a great deal of things I didn't think I could have. Things I would have likely never had the chance to experience if I had never come here and stayed in my own world. It's a chance at living. One I didn't think I would get.

[ ... ]

I think that's quite important to remember. When things are difficult. Or when I do miss home sometimes. [ She goes quiet again, lost in her thoughts for a little bit. Even now, trying to pull the positives here in a world that has much stacked against them. Her expression turning to a serene dreaminess as she props her elbows on her desk, chin in her hands. So: ] ... What are you glad for the opportunity for, Sleepers?

[A lot of other places had been opening lately, and Makoto could probably find a dozen reasons to keep putting it off. But she was ready, and there was no reason to delay it anymore, plus Valentine’s day was only a week away so if she was going to do this, it was now or never. Taking a little extra time she dressed up a bit more than she usually would, and was wearing a bit more make-up, though her signature rose earrings, and the matching pendant and bracelet she’d been given were clearly visible as well.

It was early but there was still plenty of light and a little traffic out on the sidewalk. As the video starts she’s standing in front of a building in the Cellar Door district. Flowers, a pair of tables, and a window with the name Flour and Bloom frame her as she offers a small bow. She was a bit nervous but she managed to smile still, this was about the sixth time she’d made this video.]

Alright, so there’s been a lot of new additions lately with arrivals and other businesses opening. I’d like to introduce Flour and Bloom, a floral shop and bakery that I’m opening today. We’re in the Cellar Door district and currently have a small selection that’s perfect for Valentine’s day next week, or other celebrations taking place currently. Besides Christmas roses, we have winter honeysuckle, Pansies, winter aconites, snowdrops, and different herbs & mushrooms.

Fresh made this morning with the help of Snow White we also have Elderberry Tarts, Cinnamon Delights, Sugar Cookies, and Lemon Pound Cake. Though we’ll take special requests and are going to have baking lessons for those interested as well.

I hope you have a sweet day.

[With another both she let's out a breath and the video ends.]