InsaneJournal

TIME UPDATE
DATE: Thursday, June 18, 2009.

WEATHER: Temperatures drop a few degrees into a more bearable heat. There's not a cloud in the sky!

EVENTS: In the morning, local news is covering a confirmed hunter attack at Heme. The attack was after hours, with only the bartender, Saoirse Shaddock, inside when it happened. The young vampire was attacked with silver, but was fine by the time police arrived on the scene. The hunter fled the scene and was wearing a mask. Security is expected to be stepped up at Heme considerably.

A confirmed hunter attack on local soil is a huge deal. But surprisingly, with all else going on today, it simply is not enough to hold the attention of local news media.

It seems several supernaturals were discharged from the military recently for unclear reasons, and a small group of them has brought it to the attention of the media. Military heads are quick to respond, insisting that it is not their policy to discharge individuals purely for being a supernatural race. And yet there are documented cases where that seems to be exactly what happened. Is this the military's next 'don't ask, don't tell'? In response, several hundred previously discharged soldiers are receiving an invitation to return to duty today.

And even that isn't enough to dominate the news. No, every news channel in the country, even the world, is covering... animals.

It becomes very clear that Something is Up at dawn. The amount of strays we've been seeing the past few days? Have increased tenfold. It is impossible to travel any short distance without seeing at least one animal running through town. But it's not limited to stray cats and dogs, or even squirrels and deer. Mountain lions, bears, moose... just about any wild animal with a habitat in the area can be seen running through town. And it's not just in Scarlet Oak. This is global. Early in the morning there are news reports of the same thing happening all over the world, in some cases with everything from alligators to zebras, elephants and everything in between. There are birds too, of every kind.

But no animal attacks are reported. Even if cornered, none of these animals are attacking. They all move with purpose, and a clear destination. If hindered, they simply try to get away and continue their journey. Not only are the animals not attacking humans, they are not attacking each other. If a cat and mouse cross paths, they ignore each other and go on their way.

By eleven AM, several churches in the country are crying Armageddon, as it is said in the Bible that someday the lion will lay with the lamb. But that's not what's happening here, and it only takes a few more hours for the truth to become clear.

There are instances of it all day, but what's really happening isn't picked up and reported to the public until mid afternoon. The animals are choosing people. Some of them crossing the country to do so. But what are they choosing people for?

To serve.

They have become familiars. Three days ago, animals of all kinds felt a calling to find their master. They all knew what and who they were looking for exactly, no matter how far they had to travel. When they finally find their master, they announce themselves.

Every familiar has telepathic abilities. Not only with their master, but to anyone in the area. They can understand human speech, and project their own thoughts and responses into surrounding minds. Once a familiar chooses their master, they inform them of what they are, and that together their abilities will be strengthened. The familiars don't know why this is happening, only that something big is coming where they will need each other.

By the evening news, enough people have been chosen for things to become clear. One, only witches and elementals are being chosen. Two, all familiars possess human intelligence, and the same telepathic projection. For the second time in less than six months, the world as we know it is changed.

Please read *THIS POST* on the OOC for more information about this plot and familiars before playing.

If you have something you feel warrants a mention in the next time update, please let the mods know!