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 hustle and bustle of the area made August even more jumpy. She was so excited to be around people, especially this many people! Normally, she sat in her bakery shop and let people come to her, but now that she had joined a new coven, they were actually asking her to do things! Outside! She knew this had been a good idea. Her parents were nervous and all that other jazz but hey, she was an adult now. An adult with adult decision-making powers. And the adult with adult decision-making powers decided she wanted another hobby other than cooking.
The table was already set up when she got there, although it was a lot plainer than she wanted. A simple white, plastic table with two folding chairs. A simple set-up that did its job, but this was no way to draw a crowd. Luckily, August had come prepared. She had spent not only all day baking assorted goodies for the sale, but she also spent all night making a lovely banner for the table. Yes, ALL NIGHT. What was sleep? An activity for weaklings.
Humming a tune to herself, August strung up the very colorful banner advertising the bake sale. She had (badly) drawn in some visual presentations of the baked goods. She was no artist, but anyone who was older than a toddler should hopefully be able to recognize the basic shapes enough to know the difference between a drawing of a doughnut and a cupcake. It was actually comically stupid how badly August drew when she held a crayon or marker in her hand, yet she was able to make the most beautiful roses and designs on cakes with icing. “It’s a different medium” she would tell people. Her familiar things it’s just because she doesn’t know when to properly apply herself.
Now that the table looked less bland and depressing, it was time to unload the baked goods. August had wheeled over an entire mini metal grocery cart full of the items she created yesterday. Carefully lifting up the boxes, she unwrapped the items and started to rearrange them on the table. She had been informed that someone else was going to come to assist her, so the young witch was sure to leave some room on the table for whatever other baked goods her temporary partner in crime would offer to the public.
Clapping her hands together, she smiled. Everything had been going great so far. Her familiar had not yet decided to yell at her for something since they left the bakery; a welcomed silence at this current moment as August played the “who is my partner for this mission” guessing game with every single stranger who entered her line of sight.
Post by heath ambroise on May 11, 2018 7:15:36 GMT
The mission had been simple enough, if he could even call it that. This was more of a volunteer effort to help the local theater troop that was always lounging around the Sun Café. He’d noted their presence a couple of times but after noting their work ethic had decidedly avoided them and any possible eye contact. He didn’t want to talk to them until they had something substantial. Especially if they got word he was a journalist. He didn’t want to be forced to attend and review an amateur play simply because they were coven mates. If all else failed, he could extort someone in the entertainment department to do it for him while he focused on other matters. Sinclair padded after him, oddly excited for once.
Heath had been preparing for the early morning task and had forced himself into something resembling a normal sleeping schedule. He’d come into a tea that had assisted in the insomnia. Just a bit before bed and he was magically out like a light. It almost made him wonder if he was drugging himself. Though, everything smelled natural, so it was…doubtful. He swallowed at the thought before shaking his head and adjusting his backpack straps. Considering their job today was to sell as many pastries as possible before sundown or whatever, he’d made arrangements to be prepared. Sun block, a book, the usual selection of writing utensils and idea notebook, extra socks, an umbrella etc. etc. etc. He’d tossed it all into his backpack. Along that he had brought around a tote of water bottles.
He’d been told that the theater troop had at least done some of the heavy lifting and put up fliers. The pinkette glanced around. It wasn’t busy yet, but it was still early. “Over there.” Sinclair stated, veering sharply right towards a conspicuous looking table. Someone was already milling around. His mission partner he assumed. “Morning. Are you helping out with the bake sale?” he asked as he carefully set down the tote behind the table while pulling out a pair. He looked over the younger girl’s work idly as Iced Out activated, spreading anything layer of ice over the bottom of the bottom to chill them. “I’m Heath. I’ll be helping out today.” The journalist explained before setting down a chilled bottle on the table for the girl. He gave a cursory glance over the treats before picking up one of the smaller bags. He’d use this one for samples to lure in customers. “And I’M Sinclair.”the Coati interrupted as he gracefully climbed up the table and occupied a relatively empty space.
"Oh! Yes, yes I am," August replied with a smile. So this was her partner in crime for the day. He looked fitting enough for the job and with the hair the two of them matched. The cohesion would really help them sell the picture that they were serious about getting these treats out to the general public. August was determined to set a good example on her first mission.
"I'm August," she chirped in response as she marveled at the chilled bottle. He had frozen it so easily and without a word. Her powers worked in the literal opposite way, heating things up instead of cooling them down. It was handy for baking and other things in the kitchen, but ice powers certainly would have been too when she didn’t feel like waiting for dough to chill before being able to shape it. “Please don’t stare like that, it’s rude,” a voice from underneath the table requested with disinterest, “besides, you’re capable of magic as well.” Nicki Bunaj hopped out from underneath the table into the unwelcomed sun.
“My name is Nic, pleasure,” the hare said to the other pair. “Awwww, no. That’s not his full name. His name is Nicki Bunaj,” August protested. The familiar stared at August with a solemn look but did not deny her correction. “Thank you for assisting us today,” the hare said instead.
Picking up the bottle and twisting it off in order to take a drink, August eyed the crowd around them. “Do you have a strategy in mind?” she asked Heath as she took two big gulps. She had brought her own water as well in her bag, but at this point it was no longer cold and refreshing. August had accepted the fact that she was going to have to drink lukewarm water up until now when the fates decided to smile upon her and bring her some cold refreshing drink.
Her current plan was to simply make a lot of noise to get people’s attention and possibly pass out small sample quarters of the cookies if they were going to have issues selling. She would begin shortly, right after taking a few more sips of the water to ensure her throat was properly lubricated for the amount of talking she was going to be doing with customers.
I’m stupid I thought I responded to this already I am so sorry for the wait heath ambroise
Post by heath ambroise on May 22, 2018 4:36:14 GMT
He nodded at the girl, glad he had found the right person. “Nice to meet you, August.” He began before turning his attention to the rabbit that had hoped out from underneath. Sinclair also peeked over curious as to what the source of the voice was. “And you as well Nic- Nicki.” He continued uneasily unsure which alias to use. Sinclair turned his head away to hold back a snicker at the witch and her familiar. He didn’t want to get involved.
Heath nodded, happy to move right along with the conversation. “I was going to take a bag and offer them out as samples. I just need a plate to put them on. I’ve been to some of these shops before for reviews, I don’t think they’d mind me visiting with a snack.” He explained with a small shrug. It was for charity after all. And charity was good publicity. “Didn’t they give us some fliers or set up fliers?” he added glancing around the square before back at her. “I can run out and check those if you’d like?” he suggested before checking the time.
The man didn’t want to be gone for too long. If it got busy she might not be able to keep up with the sales. “I was hoping your familiar would be bigger. We could’ve hung a sign around him.” He added with a small chuckle, his attempt at humor. Heath glanced at her bottle before adding, “If it gets warm again feel free to tell me. I don’t mind chilling it again.” He then proceeded to open up the bag and take a whiff of the baked wonder inside. Pretty good, it would definitely be good to offer these out as bait for sales.
Post by august carter on May 24, 2018 22:48:04 GMT
“Oh, a plate! Yes, I have one of those!” August half-yelled as she went rummaging through her things. She had brought some of the items in plates and had to condense them to all fit on the table, so there were plates she just had laying around now that were unused. She found a few, but spent a little bit of time deciding which one would look best when approaching guests. She ended up settling on a simple white plate with blue floral accents to offer to Heath.
Handing the plate over with a smile, August looked around in an attempt to spot some fliers or posters advertising their sale. “Come to think of it, I didn’t see any on the way here,” she said absentmindedly as she thought back to her walk over. “But, I don’t have any with me either. No one gave me fliers,” she sighed. Nope, all she got were vague instructions of where the table was located, how much the goal amount of money was, and what assortment of baked good she should provide.
“Your free samples idea is genius,” Nic remarked with a hop forward, “convince the crowds to come by offering them a taste.” August’s bakery often used the same tactic when they had just launched a new item. It gave people a chance to try it risk free and also allowed the family to get a better idea of what people liked and disliked about the sample so they could tweak the recipe to be just right. “I wish he was bigger too,” she sighed in agreement, “but I also don’t want him any smaller, so I am happy with where he is now.” Nic looked back and forth between the two humans with a side eye. August often wondered out loud what it would have been like if Nic was large enough to ride. He always told her this idea was absolutely ludicrous for a plethora of reasons. It was also a moot point that was not worth discussing since nothing was going to change no matter how many times the conversation was had.
Post by heath ambroise on May 26, 2018 18:18:04 GMT
Heath seemed a bit caught back by the yelling but then relaxed. Jester’s Den was pretty wild at any given time of day, this shouldn’t surprise him in the least. As she turns to retrieve something for him to set up the sample display he picks out a cookie and bit half of it off before handing the other to Sinclair who nibbles on it for a moment to taste testing before shoving it all the way in and swallowing it down. “These will make good lures.” Sinclair declares as he claps his paws together to rub off the crumbs that were leftover.
He frowned. No fliers? Something was up with that. Or, they were just dimwitted? Who threw a bake sale to raise funds and didn’t even make a few posters or fliers to advertise? He couldn’t work miracles with one sample plate. He set the plate down carefully after thanking August and giving her a nod. Then he dumped the contents of the bag he’d taken and because snapping the cookies into four parts on the plate. “Ah- thank you. Free samples always work on me, so I thought it’d be handy.” The witch explained as he worked. He also tended to get a lot of them at times for the review work he was sent to do. It wasn’t his favorite type of writing, but usually food businesses were a blessing for him and his tight budget.
Heath smiled at his bake sale partner in arms and let out a small laugh. “Yes, well, luck of the draw, right?” He’d heard some witches could influence how their familiars appeared to them but if he recalled correctly, he had been so antsy to get his to show he hadn’t really cared much about the appearance of his. Though, when he thought about it more, familiars were also their own beings, so he doubted he could’ve influenced much over what Sinclair looked like. “Maybe if you were a better witch you could change my form, Heath.” Sinclair said, eyeing the blonde carefully before snapping up another piece of cookie for what he felt bordered an insult to his appearance. The coati looked over at Nic wit ha roll of his eyes as if saying ‘Witches, right?’ before offering him the piece of cookie realizing the rabbit hadn’t gotten a sample yet.
“Right! Let’s start then. I’ll be back in 10 minutes. If you see one of the people from the troupe yell at them about the fliers.” He said. “Take care to stay hydrated. The forecast said it's going to be really hot today.” He added as he gave Sinclair a nod and picked up the plate. He spotted a few people now entering the square. Business was about to gear up.
“Agreed, everyone loves free samples,” August laughed. She too was always getting her attention drawn to signs and people offering for her to try something. She loved being able to experience new things, even if the little bribes by the salespeople didn’t end up convincing her to buy anything. She only found out about her favorite hard candy through samples one of the shops were given out. If Heath could convince some people to take a bit out of her baked goods, she was sure at least some would venture through the heat to find her for another taste.
Nic nodded solemnly in response to Sinclair’s eyeroll and comment, but did not open his mouth. His own witch often a source of anxiety and worry for the familiar given the way she acted and her personality, but as often as Nic had to nag and scold her, he had gotten used to the routine and felt a sense of pride in the fact that he was often the voice of reason keeping her safe. “No thank you, I’ve already eaten a lifetime of pasteries and the like given that August grew up in a bakery. However, I do appreciate the generosity,” he replied as he declined Sinclair’s cookie offer.
“Oh uh, okay!” August agreed as she was given instructions by Heath. It was true that they would be able to cover more ground by splitting up and while he was gone, August would be sure to do her best of making herself easy to find by the customers he would convince to come over using the treats. She didn’t really get a good look of the theater troupe members, but it was probably safe to assume that someone would come check on their progress eventually.
As Heath geared up to give away free samples, August was preparing to bring attention to their table. The banner was there to really announce what they were doing and the baked goods on the table spoke for themselves, but most people had tunnel vision when it came to being out in public; they had a certain destination in mind and focused on getting there without really taking in their surroundings. Breathing in a large huff of air, August began to use her loud speaker voice (named as such due to the fact that she was basically shouting, yet it didn’t sound threatening), “FRESH BAKED GOODS! COME SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED AROUND CREATIVITY BY PURCHASING A DELICIOUS SNACK!”
Post by heath ambroise on Jun 5, 2018 19:38:26 GMT
Sinclair nods at the rabbit familiar before shoving the rest of the cookie in his snout. He then wiped his paws of extra crumbs and jumped after Heath who would most likely need help convincing. Usually, if he could, Sinclair persuaded familiars while Heath dealt with the witches. If they could convince one or the other the sale was made, given the close ties most witches had with their familiars. Heath turned around once to look at his partner as the girl began shouting for attention of the stand. Right, they had work to do. With that he set off into the nearest, most familiar shop. An antique store with an intelligent but eccentric owner. The little bell rang as he entered and called out a greeting.
Sinclair rushed in between his legs as Heath waved to the cashier and introduced himself before pointing at the stand. In retrospect, he should’ve brought something to sell with him, but people were attracted to crows too. Having people crowd the table would bring in more people out of curiosity. As the owner came out he offered warm greetings while the woman simply gushed over his article on her shop. He smiled sincerely, having thoroughly enjoyed spending time here while writing up that story. He offered her a sample, letting her taste one of August’s delights before grinning as her face seemed to light up. Truly, August was skilled at this. He didn’t have to do much talking, the pastry did it for him.
Heath didn’t even remember mentioning it was for the troupe as he left the shop, and watched the cashier he had spoken with earlier rush out after him with some money in her hands. Excellent. That was like one person, and there were…so many more to get to. He avoided the bakeries and local cafes, not wanting to anger any store owners about the temporary competition. He could still here the yelling and he spotted a couple of people at the table already. They were off to a good start at least. He glanced around, remembering the advertising and strangely spotted no fliers. Who had planned this again?
“Free sample?” he asked as people passed him by. “Free sample from our bake sale?” he asked with a polite smile. A couple of people went for it and he managed to squeeze in a small monologue about the fundraiser they were having. Others seemed to view the cookie samples suspiciously and declined. That was fine though. Sinclair asserted he would happily eat any and all leftovers of their samples. He kept going, interrupting his conversation with Sinclair only to deliver a sample and point them in the direction of their table. “It’s been more than 10 minutes Heath.” Sinclair stated as Heath was about to veer into an artist’s shop. They were tireless surely, they were hungry too. “Oh- Right. Let’s go check in then.” The witch replied snapping back to reality and ambling his way back. “How’s it looking August. Do you need a break?” He asked as he set down the sample platter. It was almost empty. Though that was partly Sinclair begging to be sneaked a couple bites in between potential customers.
Post by august carter on Jun 11, 2018 20:31:51 GMT
The free samples were working better than August had anticipated. She knew she was good at baking, but she didn’t expect this many people to suddenly show up at the table. Part of her was grumpy she didn’t bring some business cards for her own family bakery in order to advertise where they could go in order to get seconds if they ran out. It wasn’t part of her job this time around to advertise for herself, so she bit the bullet and kept her mouth shut.
She was selling out of things left and right. Since she made the items, it was luckily easy for August to figure out what exactly the customers were describing when they came up to the table. Some ate the samples from Heath and promptly forgot the shape or color of the baked good, only remembering that it had been delicious and they wanted more. Eventually, August had to put Nic in charge of handling the cash.
The task was a bit difficult given his paws, but whenever change was required to be made he’d simply call August over. Otherwise, Nic would just ask the customers to pay by putting the money into the slot on the top of the lockbox they had been given by Jester’s Den. It was simple enough of an instruction for people to follow, so problems rarely occurred.
“We’re doing so well!” August exclaimed happily when Heath and Sinclair came back to check in on them. “There are some things that are already sold out, and others that are on their last few available pieces. Oddly, no one wants any of the cupcakes. Do you think it’s because they look a little weird? I was running low on some food coloring so the icing isn’t the most appealing,” August sighed in addition to her happy news.
Post by heath ambroise on Jun 29, 2018 19:15:10 GMT
Heath nodded as he surveyed the table. She was right, they’d sold a lot quickly. Even without the fliers that he thought would be up, there was still a business. Good thing they’d gotten here early or they might’ve missed the rush of people. Sinclair popped himself under the table, glancing around for fallen change that he could pick up before coming back up to watch the bunny and the lock box. Heath crossed his arms as he looked at the untouched, and strange orange/green frosted abominations that August has mentioned. “I mean, it still probably tastes good, but why not make specific samples of that to get them to sell faster?” Heath offered as his partner continued attending to customers and hollering for business.
He set to work himself, reaching for a plastic knife and taking one of the uglier cupcakes on his used plate. He peeled off the wrapping paper with care before folding it and setting it aside. Then he cut the cupcake up as many times as he could before it started to crumble away. He licked his fingers quickly before popping in a piece. The presentation may have been lacking, but he doubted the taste did. The blonde chewed silently, holding out the plate of free samples out to the flocking customers. “Naw its good. Just bad presentation.” He said to August with a shrug before calling out to people gently with his free cupcake pieces.
Heath bit his lip to keep himself from smirking as he noted. The customers that were actually buying the cupcakes were people who were starting to sample. This was almost too easy. The sun beat down on their little stand and he wished the theater troupe could have provided a fan or an umbrella of some sort. He plopped down into one of the chairs once they’d sold every crumb August had made. It had been a fast-paced couple of hours, but at least it was over now. “That went well.” He noted as he turned to his partner who was probably worse for wear after her part as the human megaphone. “Let’s clean up and get this lock box back to the Sun Café.” He added as he stood up with a soft grunt and stretched his arms over his head. His back let out a couple of pops before he set to work on cleaning up.
