this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
the sun is setting on the edges of the horizon, and the largest venue in all of downtown has been entirely reserved for the permissions of a single coven. the huge building at the center is brimming with activity and dancing, but the meat of the event is constantly taking place outside. [break][break] the silverwing gala, the twice-in-a-year gathering of all members of silvertongue, has a lot of things which distinguish it. one, you need to either be incredibly influential and rich to attend or you needed to be a member or alumni of the coven Silvertongue. two, this gala is a fest of networking and bribery. it is a place to forge alliances between the kind that seeks profit from wars and cares little of the innocent and the ones that have no choice (or many choices, yet still chose) but to work for their coin.[break][break]
the table seats rotate automatically every few hours, enabling a wide variety of people to meet a variety of others. richer guests have fixed seats, or have entire tables which do not rotate. it all depends on your power and sway, and it's a nest of vipers. [break][break] quite literally.
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[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"]
how to participate
[break][break]
any member of silvertongue that posts six times in this thread will receive a unique "job/quest." with varying requirements. depending on how they sell their skills, they will be offered different kinds of requests.
if you post twelve times, then you will receive two unique job offers* or a special job offer given by an official NPC.
other members may post in the thread, but only members of silvertongue are allowed to engage in official mercenary deals with different figures
non-ST members may post six times for a reward at the end of the thread
be on the look out, as several NPCs may make an appearance!
double posting is not allowed
the thread will continue for about two weeks
icly, you can be seated at any table and attempt to out-shine others at the same placement. if not a member of silvertongue, you can enjoy the variety of food or, if you'd like, attempt to network yourself.
every post does not have to be about marketing yourself, though at least one of such posts is encouraged for witches seeking jobs.
she wants to flaunt it, she got that look in her eye
Dahlia was excited.
This was an event she had been attending for years now, because of how booming the family business had been. Between that her family's lowkey affiliation with Silvertongue, she felt excited by her prospects.
It had taken her six hours to get ready.
But the dress and makeup were on point, and her hair was bitchin'. So she really had no qualms despite the constant banging on her door or the arrival of her bodyguard. He'd been there for going on two hours now and she was finally finishing up her took with diamond studded earrings, before checking out her butt in the mirror and making sure her bosom was properly in place. Finally she walked out, with a sassy sway to her hips.
She grinned at Taylan, grabbing his arm and chittering animatedly about her latest escapade before pulling him into the carriage, where they were the only two left. The rest of her family had already gone, her father having patted Taylan's arm and wishing him good luck.
They arrived in high fashion, the envy of several older women who clearly didn't look as good as Dahlia did. Even with dyed bright pink hair she was stunning, or so her ego told her anyway. She sauntered into the building with Taylan, holding onto his arm delicately as she scanned the crowds with a sharp gaze.
Then she saw her opening.
She slide her arm out of Taylan's and when he wasn't looking, she vanished into the crowds. Her smile was cat-like, she loved playing games with him. She scanned the crowds again, twirling and slipping through people as they stood around chatting. She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and sipped the bubbly slowly, enjoying the sensation on her tongue.
What to do now though? She pondered this for a moment as her gaze flickered from face to face.
Time to make some friends.
She approached the closest person (that wasn't family or Taylan because lord they were everywhere) and smiled sweetly.
"Hello there stranger, looking to make your night better? How about we become friends?"
And takes a moment to assess the sins she’s paid for.
[attr="class","monalisa"]he is no stranger to gatherings such as these; they are, after all, a byproduct by virtue of his birth; but taylan is thinking of a younger shadow of himself -- one which had gone by a different name, and had felt at ease amid venomous snakes. it isn't to say his present self is driven mad by the gala ( though it does awaken less than pleasant memories ) but the charge of protecting someone else is enough to make him pace along the corridor, restless and impatient at the fact that he's being forced to wait two whole hours. two whole hours.
he silently laments the things he could have done in the wasted time. taken a nap, for example.
when she does come out ( finally ) he tolerates the spirited chatter with well-practised patience ( albeit worn thin already by the waiting time ), acknowledging developments in her tales with half-hearted nods and affirmative, monosyllabic noises that can scarcely be classified as words. barely enough energy is summoned for a more respectful nod for her father, and he begrudgingly reminds himself that, tedious as the job is, the family pays well.
their arrival draws a few eyes; eyes which, he notes, focus on dahlia. as concerned as he ought to be about the attention -- bodyguard and all -- he finds himself intrigued more by some other attendees of the gala. faces of note. important people. capital letters. only later, belatedly, refocusing after sweeping the room, does he note that the light pressure of dahlia's arm on his has vanished.
"ohmygod, dahlia, where-- i can't believe--" taylan restrains himself from tossing his hands in the air. he does wish he could simply yell into the crowd, but propriety demands a separate course of action. he settles for a frustrated, indignant whisper of "really?", and slips into the crowds.
locating a single figure amid this sea is, alas, a task easier said than done. he spies a hint of dyed pink hair, pivots mid-stride, and narrowly avoids walking straight into someone else. he has the decency to look apologetic. "ah, i'm terribly sorry--"
all around the world was waking, I never could go back
The gala is well underway when Adaline arrives. She eases her way in, allowing herself to get accustomed to the atmosphere and the conversations and the drinks being passed around, copying their smiles and sly grins and mannerisms. Blending into a crowd is one of her fortes- and though she has more experience with the common masses, she makes it work once she hits her stride.
A wineglass finds its way into her hand. She swirls it idly, content to be a wallflower for the moment while she observes. There’s a number of impressively pretty dresses, she notes, though some seem bafflingly impractical as well. Her own dress she chose for practicality’s sake. Open-backed and sleeveless, it accents her shoulder blades and- most importantly- allows for free range of motion. Sleek emerald fabric drapes to her feet, concealing sandals laced up her calves. But she’s particularly fond of her hair, done with nimble fingers and a few pins, a braided bun with loose curls falling to frame her face. Maybe if this doesn’t work out, I can be a hairdresser.
Ceridwen snorts. You’d never be happy doing that. Not enough adventure or adrenaline.
True. Now no distractions, please. The last thing she needs is her sharp-tongued familiar’s voice echoing in her head all night as she moves forward into the sea of people.
Ada meets everyone with an easygoing smile and a cheerful laugh, working the crowd while silently repeating a mantra: sell yourself; you’re Silvertongue for a reason. Still, there’s something paradoxical about a thief and a rogue trying to get herself noticed- and even on the busy floor her footsteps are unusually quiet.
"Hello there stranger, looking to make your night better? How about we become friends?"
The voice captures her attention, and she turns to see a striking young woman with pink hair. Ada’s smile is more genuine now, privately relieved at the sight of a vaguely familiar face (she’s quite sure she’s seen her before, but too focused to remember much else at the moment).
“Can never have too many friends,” she remarks with a playful note, raising her glass slightly in greeting. “Adaline Williams, at your service.”
she wants to flaunt it, she got that look in her eye
Dahlia grinned with practiced ease, inspecting the person in front of her. She was well built, a pretty little thing, but Dahlia wasn't here to compare and contrast. She winked conspiratorially and shifted a bit closer, so they wouldn't be too overheard.
"Dahlia Joshi, local troublemaker."
She wouldn't introduce herself as anything more, considering just outright saying she ran a mafia was a no-go. She smoothed out her dress and downed the rest of her champagne, dropping off the glass on a passing tray and grabbing another one.
"So little Adaline, what is your goal for the evening? See my family has been coming to these things for ages, and typically I just love to cause some mischief."
And torment her uncle if he makes an appearance. She glanced over and saw Taylan walk almost directly into someone and covered her mouth with a hand to prevent the laughter threatening to escape her. She shifted so that Adaline was blocking her view of the man so she wouldn't be caught.
iving a final tug on the lapels of his suit Xuan stared critically at his appearance in the mirror. He had opted for a more formal look tonight rather than his usual oriental garbs, it was tighter, constricting even than what he was use to but if it appeased the eye, he would have to make some sacrifices. He stared at his reflection. Would Ju also look like this in a suit? Xuan shook his head, looking away from the mirror. What's done is done. Turning around, his eyes drifted to the rather solemn man beside him.
"Why such a glum face, dear Kasi? We're going to a gala tonight not a funeral, although that could be arranged if you want." Xuan chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing into thin slits as he smiled, hiding the hatred and fury within while lightly flicking off invisible dust from the other's shoulder. However his affinity was not so controlled and the room's temperature plummeted before returning to normal.
"There, our dear Kasimir, all ready for the gala. Shall we?" He walked towards the door of the rented hotel room just steps away from where the Silverwing Gala was already receiving guests. "Be good now, tonight's a night with wonderful opportunities, make the most of it." He said as he headed out knowing the man would follow behind him.
As they move through the crowd to settle at a table, someone comes dangerously close for Xuan, too close. Xuan tenses, his body straining not to attack whatever came at him and Xuan wonders if the person should be Kasi's first kill of the night. "ah, i'm terribly sorry--" Taking in a unhurried breath, Xuan shakes his head. "No, no. It's alright. You look as if you were in a hurry, is there anything we can help you with?" He motions for Kasimir to come closer and looks expectantly at the man's reaction.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Jul 18, 2017 14:01:54 GMT
and i won't feel a thing
reality is a lovely place, but i wouldn’t want to live there
the crisp, starched fabric of his new formal shirt is stiff against his skin. uncomfortable in its cut, irritating in its style, terrible for the implications it carries. kasimir has never been one for formalwear - not with its restrictive fashion and lack of pockets and the emphasis it places upon his conspicuousness - nor has he ever been one for events such as these.
he has attended them before, certainly - many times, some might say, as a hired bodyguard, as a location to approach a target, as a place for infiltration and information gathering - but there is something fundamentally different about attending as a caveat for a mission or task, and attending as himself. in his own name, his own image, as close to the truth of who he is as one can reasonably get - it affords nothing but an overwhelming sense of vulnerability, or helplessness.
and undoubtedly, that is what his tormenter wants.
face set in a blank mask, kasimir stands stiffly as the dark haired man peering at himself in a mirror turns to face him, a smile on his face that does nothing to mask the seething hatred in his eyes. "why such a glum face, dear kasi? we're going to a gala tonight, not a funeral, although that could be arranged if you want." stabbing the emotional knife deep, then twisting for additional pain - nothing more than what he expects from xuan jin. the temperature of the air abruptly plummets, ice crystallising in his veins even as he keeps his gaze steady on his tormenter;
a blink
and the atmosphere returns to normal. kasimir does not move as the other approaches, doesn't flinch even when his instincts shriek at him to as the man reaches up, pauses as if relishing in the dominion he holds over the assassin, then flicks his fingers as if clearing off imaginary particles of lint. "there, our dear kasimir, all ready for the gala. shall we?" and he walks out the door.
kasimir takes a fleeting moment to breathe, to clench his fists and allow himself to feel the roiling emotions bubbling in his stomach; then the walls slam back down, fire fading behind forced stoicism as he readies himself for a night of subtle torment.
he catches up to the dark haired man within a few moments, falling into step behind xuan jin as the obedient shadow of a bodyguard he must be tonight. "be good now, tonight's a night with wonderful opportunities, make the most of it," his blackmailer orders, and despite his mental preparations kasimir cannot help the faint grimace that flashes across his features at the prospect of what is, at its core, selling himself.
he had thought he had escaped that life when he had left the streets.
hope. such a dangerous, deceptive luxury.
they make their way through the crowds, kasimir doggedly following xuan jin with green eyes ever scanning the shifting sea of people for potential help threats; his gaze falls upon an approaching man nearby, tall and dark-skinned and broad-shouldered - a fellow silvertongue member, he thinks- tyler? taylor? - but dismisses him from immediate concern. he poses no threat, of that kasimir is fairly certain. but as xuan jin stiffens, kasimir's jaw tightens as he prays, foolishly, hopelessly, that he will not be ordered to harm or kill this fellow coven member over a sheer triviality.
he's relieved ( which would have been an understatement had his emotional capacity already been filled with the frustration and annoyance of having dahlia slip away ) when the other seems scarcely bothered. but he is inevitably drawn into a conversation, forced by some old habit of civility to deviate from his typical monosyllabic replies.
an answer considered; a wan smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes ( but softer, somehow, to the red-haired man that follows silently behind, a brief moment of vague recognition ). "not particularly," he replies, in a tone clipped yet veering just short of rude. it's an art. "just looking for someone." under the assumption that any conflict has been avoided, his attention returns to the crowd even as he speaks, and in particular, back in search of dahlia.
but for all the advantage his height might offer, dahlia is somehow, miraculously, hidden from his view.
( he supposes he ought to congratulate her for that. he's not going to. )
"though," he adds quickly, before they lose attention and drift off to mingle, "i don't suppose you've seen a young lady? long black dress, obnoxious pink hair?" 'annoying, an absolute pain, and i ought to demand a higher pay for all the trouble i go through,' he might have added, and his familiar chuckles at the thought, but he doesn't.
uan could smell the delightful but albeit scarce scent of anxiousness coming from the man shadowing him. His eyes danced with mirth, pushing the right buttons and making dear Kasi's skin crawl was indeed entertaining and satisfying.
A short and what seemed final reply was given to him rather politely. He had a feeling that the man would rather anything than be here. Well, it wasn't that hard to him to be on his way either, his chuckled darkly at the back of his mind but otherwise remained the ever-friendly passerby, nodding understandingly. However, before Xuan could go back at seeking more useful opportunities, the tall man's request stops him.
Young lady, black dress, obnoxious pink hair The descriptions remind him of someone he and Kasi had passed by a few moments ago before his near collision with the man before him. Wasn't it those two that drew in the spotlight as they entered. Xuan looked at him, his eyes narrowing a small fraction, like a snake looking at its prey before swallowing it. A couple? No. It seemed almost dutiful, then differ in status, bodyguard? He looked at his own shadow, standing there rather stiffly then back at the man. Well, he could find out couldn't he? The night was quite young after all.
"Yes, in fact I think we did see such a lady, didn't we Kasi" He tapped his chin thoughtfully as if he was trying to recall the memory, his eyes sliding up towards the sky before looking back for confirmation. "I think it was not that far away?" Xuan's expression was thoughtful but his steps were not, striding though the crowd, retracing the steps with terrifying accuracy. Sure enough, a vision in pink and black stood there conversing with another. "Ah, there they are.""
all around the world was waking, I never could go back
Dahlia Joshi. Now that’s a name she’d definitely heard before- one that makes her cheeks flush slightly. Parents with power, and rumor had it, a small domain of her own as well- not to be underestimated. This was precisely the kind of opportunity she was looking for. Now don’t screw this up.
Adaline buys herself some time, taking a sip of her wine while Dahlia reaches for another glass of champagne. She lets it sit on her tongue for a second, savoring the rich flavor but missing the sting of a stronger drink.
She arches an eyebrow at her newly met friend’s words. “Truthfully,” she starts, turning the glass in her fingers, “I came looking for work- the sort that requires light feet and a light touch. But I’ve never been able to say no to a little mischief.” She flashes a roguish grin.
Noticing Dahlia glancing over her shoulder and not too keen to leave her back exposed, Adaline turns her head, just enough to see a small knot of people out of her peripheral vision. “One of them yours?” she asks in a low voice, turning back inconspicuously and lifting the wineglass to her lips once more.
she wants to flaunt it, she got that look in her eye
It's all fun and games until that Taylan starts talking and suddenly the smile on her lips turns to ice - something dangerous. Her eyes flash and that red hair - oh so it's Kasi too? Suddenly she doesn't like this, not one bit, and she turns back to Adaline once she can subtly make out the call out to her position.
"Listen. You wanna cause mischief? Girlie I'm about to offer you the chance of a lifetime if you back me up here."
A sharper grin, this one full of malice and ill intent, and she turns on her heel and sways her hips as she saunters over to the little knot of people, beckoning for the girl to follow. She slides up next to Taylan, pressing against his side, and flutters her lashes.
"I return, and with a friend. Speaking of friend you seem to have made some, pray tell dear Taylan,"
And her tone is so sugary sweet, it's almost sickening.
"introduce me won't you?"
She feels dangerous and jealous, but her calculating gaze locks onto Kasi and she quirks a smile, meant to be innocent but looking more cautionary than anything. She doesn't mind airing her dirty laundry at times but she's sure he doesn't want to talk about their conversations in a dimly lit restaurant.
"This is Adaline, she's going to be joining the family."
This is a statement full of sure intent, she's confident Adaline is looking for this chance if her body language is anything to go by. She lays a hand on Taylan and smiles icily at Xuan, a warning to back off.
Squi Squi whispers in the back of her mind, reminding her that they're in public, but she'd rather slaughter this man in cold blood in front of everyone and her uncle than letting Taylan's attention drift from where it should be - directly on her.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Jul 23, 2017 6:41:20 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
xuan jin appears not to take offence to the older man - or at least, does not signify in any way for kasimir to harm him later - and he is beyond thankful that he will not have taylor (tyler cargo? taylan kurgan? karga!) karga's blood on his hands tonight. he has a vague impression of kind eyes, of flowers and a gentleness rare in their shadowy coven - though, he does not know how accurate this impression is - but nevertheless he does not wish to kill the one person in this hellhole so far he thinks he could willingly stand.
karga is... not rude, but not polite either, in a way that clearly indicates he wishes not for idle conversation; then his eyes sharpen and snap back to the two of them, a very familiar description tumbling from his lips. pink hair, black dress, girl - he has very little doubt the older witch is searching for dahlia joshi, the want-to-be blackmailer.
he keeps the distaste off his face, quietly hoping that xuan jin will lose interest or deem searching for a wayward charge beneath him - kasimir wants nothing to do with the girl. but it seems the dark haired man possesses some sixth sense for tormenting him, and instead decides to assist karga ( to what end he does not know ) with a mockingly 'thoughtful' air. he does not answer the older witch, knowing the question to be rhetorical and his place to stay silent, instead following wordlessly at xuan jin's heels as the ever-obedient shadow, green eyes dark.
they find joshi in the presence of another woman, this one dark haired and tan with strong features but not an immediate threat either; the pink haired girl smiles in an expression reaching nowhere near her eyes, her mouth full of glittering glass shards and saccharine sweetness. the look in her eyes is a warning directed at him, but kasimir meets her gaze and holds it, steady and unfathomable. joshi holds nothing on him next to xuan jin.
he cannot help but think that it is inevitable that this night will end in blood.
the answer he recieves is affirmative, and the man's strides confident as he moves through the crowd. there's a certain part of taylan's pride that protests against his quiet following ( in particular, iris' sudden comment that a stranger was able to locate dahlia faster than he was, and that was his job. )
and there she is. a successful, clever use of angles and position to block her from his sight ( and internally, he approves of the effort ). he opens his mouth as though to speak, what few words that come to mind automatically caustic and chiding, but shuts up as dahlia begins, her words poisoned sweetness that makes him instinctively fall silent. he knows his place. begrudgingly.
( he's not about to undermine her authority in a gala like this, but if the way his eyes darken and his jaw stiffens is any indication, taylan is most definitely not pleased by this development. )
a sharp nod is offered to the mystery woman -- who is introduced, by dahlia, as adaline -- before his gaze turns to the two strangers. there's some animosity drifting about that he can't quite place, but somehow, he gets the feeling that he's standing in the middle of a fighting pit, tensions sharpened to a knife's edge. a more self-preserving fellow would bow his head, get the introductions over with, and beat a hasty retreat. it's rather unfortunate that he's too stubborn to let this go.
still, he's not stupid. he bears it as a mental note, and keeps it for later.
"dahlia joshi, meet other guests," he sweeps a hand vaguely between them. one would wonder whether he always talks with gritted teeth. still, the stranger and his red-haired shadow are regarded with a more even expression than the glare directed at dahlia. "my apologies, i didn't catch a name?"
hen the girl approaches, Xuan fights the immediate reaction of giving Kasi the command to kill. Interesting. His eyes narrowed again while slowly counting down the step until she reached them. Seven, six, five... He scrutinised each of her moments.
Delta? Delia? Dahlia. Yes, Dahlia of the Joshi family. He sneered with distaste on the inside. A life born in wealth, wealth that would breed disregards whatever actions they do as 'harmless fun and games'. His fingers flexes but otherwise watches impassively at way she approaches the man they had just encountered. Two, one. Possessiveness was oozing from her from the way she almost stuck herself to the man. He resists the urge to chuckle, and instead opt for maintaining the rather amusing act of a random good Samaritan.
Then she openly glares at who he assumed was Kasi behind him, he tuts in disapproval in the back of him mind. Wearing your heart on your sleeve, huh? Foolish but also interesting. Xuan wonders how they would know eachother and he briefly glanced back at Kasi his smile sending the red-hair man a message that the matter would be discussed later. She turns her gaze to him with a warning and Xuan catches it, smiling harmlessly back. Would it would be the same expression if she was to be bleeding out onto the dirt streets with the company some rather hungry rats? It was like looking at a small creature trying to act intimidating but having neither the bark nor the bite.
He makes note of the fireworks display of uncontrolled emotions from dear Miss Joshi and dips his head slightly in greeting, smile still in place as his eyes drift from one to the other. "Xuan Jin. Pleasure Miss Adeline, Miss Dahlia and this is a friend and longtime partner, Kasimir. Oh and you are?" He tilts his head toward the tall man staring right into his eyes questioningly, eyebrows arched a fraction.
Post by julius kingston on Jul 24, 2017 15:59:49 GMT
初めまして。
as much as she liked to pretend otherwise, Erin Caulfield had never grown out of her love for the theatrics, or so it seemed. (then again, when had he?) the group arrived in a long carriage-- all of them, a little too easily grouped together for comfort. being seen together, he often argued, wouldn't really help them in the future.
however, this was practically a moment to bask in-- julius adjusted his little bow tie as he opened the carriage door for cassidy (and then pushed it closed when anyone else would attempt to walk through). before the novices could get a hold of him, he gently tugged cassidy into the crowd, suppressing a chuckle.
by the time he turned back to cass, there was a playful smile on his face. "i think we lost them."
the night sky reigns above, the stars big enough to threaten to fall at the seems. yet he can't help but staring at cass, and then quickly looking away and towards the crowd when their eyes met. "i need to record this on my interface honestly...i'll admit there are some things the big city does not have..." he seems to express great disgust in saying those words.
he seems to be obsessively avoiding the fact that they might (he wasn't sure) have been having a moment. whatever the hell that was.
