Half Past Midnight

Who: Paziter and Desdemona, then Elanna
When: Anesus 1, 9pm
Where: Lounge

After his first encounter with one of the compounds host of residents, Paziter's gleaming enthusiasm for socialization had all but guttered out. The Vrykola was feeling down-trodden. His feelings and what little ego he possessed were hurt and it hadn't even been a full night, yet. He'd spent the rest of the evening confined to solitary quarters, moving his belongings around until he had enough space to get between the door and his bed, with a make-shift bench set over one of his trunks, a complicated looking contraption of glass and metal balanced atop that, and a locked box of tools nearby. Candles had been placed over ceramic tiles, glued to their spots with dabs of wax (though now most of them were melted down, having seen use right through dawn and into the day.)

Who: Jacta and Tabrika
When: Anesus 1, early evening to later evening
Where: Around the castle, indoors

The day spent exploring with Cathryn had opened Jacta's eyes a little, and she thought that she was beginning to understand how the compound worked. At least... how the compound worked in between those ominous challenges that Harlan had mentioned. There were orchards and tillable land, there were forested areas farther out and she was pretty certain that the river that she'd had to ford to get to the compound gates last night (a thousand years ago) ran through the compounds lands somewhere further East than she'd had a chance to explore today.

Who: Desdemona and Alarie
When: Anesus 1, 7:00PM
Where: 2nd Floor, Sitting Room

The day passed quickly, as it usually did for someone who slept through the daylight. Desdemona had been exhausted from her journey, and if that wasn't enough, there was the emotional baggage that came with being locked inside a compound for six years. She woke slowly, not particularly eager to explore her new home, but eventually deciding she didn't want to stay locked in her room. After pulling on a crimson silk gown and fixing her hair, Desdemona departed from her room, locking the door behind her.

Who: Raven and Paziter
When: Anesus 1, 2am
Where: The Courtyard

Raven was in no mood to sleep. She'd always been a bit nocturnal and all the night's activity only made it worse. While the others had gone about finding their rooms or uniting with family, she'd taken the time to explore the grounds outside the castle. The full moon pulled at her, encouraging restlessness, even if the moon was not her own. It made her wander, urging her towards curiosity that only seemed natural in a new setting. Rather than poke into people's rooms at the late hour, she acquainted herself with the land. There seemed to be decent hunting in the area, but she wasn't hungry enough to track down a catch; it just seemed good to be aware of her surroundings. She'd circled the castle walls, noting the windows and the single entrance and exit, and eventually made her way into the courtyard, pleased to see there was an outside area protected within.

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Weather: This is a day when the outside Mages who help maintain the compound make an effort in controlling the weather, and those with the ability to can sense it. For the arrivals and departures, the sky is clear and, while the air is cold, it is not too cold. Once everyone has had time to reach the castle, the magical control is lifted and weather continues on its course. A wind picks up around dawn and temperatures drop a little, making it uncomfortable outside for anyone who is not a Vrykola.

12:00 AM
The Anesiel moon is high in a clear, chilly sky, shining blue and full over the Trivald compound. The few Anesiel Lykos in residence are locked in their rooms, unable to take out their full-moon frustrations on anything but their own belongings. In the Main Hall, the rest of the residents gather, listening as the clock rings out twelve times. For the senior residents, it is time to leave, some with smiles, some with tears, all with a touch of anxiety about what the outside world will hold for them now. Their time is over, goodbyes have been said, and they leave in order to reach the compound gates in time for the opening; their rooms left empty for the next round to come. For everyone else, it is a time of waiting. A flood of 18 year olds will be coming soon, along with the trials to follow.

12:30 AM
The clock sounds twice at the half hour. The occupants of the compound can return to their rooms. This is the one test they know, the one test they expect-- the young one's arrival. The compound gates are opened for just long enough to let the old out and the new in, at exactly half past the hour, then are closed for another year, leaving a group of newcomers to find their way to the castle and claim their rooms. Each carries their belongings with them to their new home, none certain what their future holds. The Anesiel tribe Lykos are harried and guided by the other tribes, to be either chased into the woods or locked up upon reaching the castle, so they don't cause any damage.