vallo

Smiley day, folks! It was sure nice to see you all at the speed dating--there's something magical to me about you soul touched finding connections with each other. That's what makes this flat disc of a planet meaningful!

In between all of that gazing into each other's optic orbs, did anyone happy to notice that creature outside? Kinda looked like the one that came right before the big portal opened up?

Ashton

Smiley day, Ashton, I was just wondering if you were around? I haven't seen you today yet and maybe you're still entertaining a new friend--don't let me interrupt you if that's the case, good for you, stay hydrated is all!

But...if you were done...and hadn't come home yet?

This is my second Valentine's Day ever, since we didn't really celebrate anything like this back home, at least in the Zephrah part of Tal'Dorei. I think the idea of celebrating love as a holiday is a nice one, but I'm also just someone who likes having added chances to show people, romantic, platonic, familial, or something in between, that you care.

And I understand that roses are a popular flower to give to express that and while I do like roses and usually have a magical blue one on me at all times, I just wanted to share some others, in case you were looking for options to give to another or yourself or you just like flowers: ( Cut for flowers! )

Anyway, happy Valentine's day to everyone out there, but especially to Dorian. Love you, Dor.

I could probably forget about ever trying to go through even one full semester with a perfect attendance.

My memories are still not clear about what happened, nor do I think they ever will be, but I think I'm good with it. As long as everyone is okay and the library is safe. Which it is. Good work on holding the fort down, coworkers who remained here!

Filter: Hawkins

Can we do something together this weekend? I want a video game night.

[ VALLO PRIME, RESCUERS, & REBELS ]
Got what we were looking and more. No surprises, but we'll do a full debrief after dinner for anyone that wants it.

Magic types, you're going to be needed asap though. Meet you at the command room.

Rebels + Vallo Outlander Arrivals

Okay this was all a lot today, but now that our [...] guests have been given the rundown, you all have your devices, we can answer some of your questions. I think we're all adjusting, so just bear with us. For some of us, it's been a long time since we've seen you. In some instances, if ever.

I'm also going to reiterate, please don't leave our location without bringing one of us with you. This isn't the Vallo you know and what we're dealing with is pretty shitty, so until we can figure out a larger plan, staying put is going to be safest. It's not just the Echoes. It's the people you think you know.

Alright, have your reunions and ask your questions.

We have over 30 missing Outlanders so far and more names are still coming in. The portal they went through is still open, and now protected by a barrier so we don't lose track of anyone else for now, but it does seem to be a working portal, but we cannot guarantee that it is a two-way street, given our friends and family have not stepped back through yet we have to assume the way may be blocked on their side.

We still plan to launch a rescue mission, but the group going through also needs to be aware of the risks and be able and willing to set up communications in the event that a return trip won't be immediate.

The DOA is going to be confirming the list of those missing so we have exact names and numbers, and studying the portal to ensure it's safe to travel through.

The current plan is that tomorrow we'll send a group through, if you wish to sign up to be on the rescue mission, put your name here and be at the DOA offices in the morning for a full briefing. Pack ONE bag, no larger than what you can carry and run with, and bring your weapons of choice.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped tackle trying to get our sudden spacecraft up and talking to us yesterday. Been a while since I've gotten to do that whole thing, was kind of nice. Sadly we didn't get much out of it before a small fire erupted (that was not my fault thank you very much, Shiro). But uh - notes I guess if anyone was curious!

• So far no one has claimed it as something they recognize from their world.
• Which makes sense because what we did find points to having been in Vallo, at least a Vallo.
• There's directional mentions to some standard stuff but one to "THE FOREST" which we couldn't tell if that was something in the ship at one point or pointing towards a waypoint type thing like we have.
• We managed to get a message from the comms system before the fire:
This is Captain Alarie, Vorerra Squadron, requesting immediate assistance from Starship V.A.L.L.O. in— The rest was lost.
• Black lugged the ship back to the Castle of Lions so if anyone wants to scope it out or keep doing some work just hit us up!
• There were no signs of alien monster eggs or identity thieving slimes.
• Keith finally stopped crying tears of joy.
• Nevermind.

Given how many flowers and houseplants I've dotted about in our bedroom and the house in general, the house almost feels a bit spookier than usual after yesterday. Hope everyone's feeling okay today?

BELLS HELLS

Speaking of plants, while Dorian and I are gone, if someone could water the big red flowering one in the living room tomorrow, I'd appreciate it. It was still damp this morning, but it will probably need it by tomorrow and I just don't want it fading while I'm not home to give it a boost.

Also make sure you feed the kitten in the morning and evening and check her water now and again. She kept dropping those toy mice into the dish yesterday. We're definitely settling on a name by next week, though, so leave your suggestions below. So far we've got:

Chetney Jr.
Junior
Aria
Captain Sushi
Sunny

And I put together a pasta salad for you guys, so you can eat more than just whatever you throw in the humidifier and baked goods. (Keep making the baked goods, Letters, they just need to eat more than only that.)



[...] Also, I do know that you're adults and can take care of yourselves.

[ coordinates to the quarry are the first thing that's posted. and then, there's audio - a bit fuzzy, but there's a lot of weird background noise, the sound of firearms, YELLING. ]

We have an overgrown, sentient plant problem where the quarry is - GROOT, those are not your people!

[ please note there is a distant battle cry of 'I AM GROOOOOOOOT' in the background. ]

Are you fucking

[ someone turns music on in the background, it's cyndi lauper's 'girl's just wanna have fun.' gamora sighs. ]

Can we just get a lot of firepower headed our way?

The last of the Flerkens we'd managed to gather up and bring to the Castle disappeared around midnight last night. I got to witness that wide awake - one second they were climbing all over me, the next they were gone. Almost like Minus the d It looks like they were just temporary visitors after all. They had a great time while they were here, and I know they soaked up every bit of affection they got from everyone who came by to hang out; thanks to those who brought them in and came by to play with them.

The kitten Goose brought back to the house was still there when I got home, though, so I'm guessing any home invaders you brave and/or crazy people took in are sticking around. If anyone can't handle full-time Flerken ownership, let me know. And don't mind Goose prowling around to check on her spawn sometimes. She's her own boss, what can I say. 🤷🏼‍♀️

After some initial coaching, I think I'm doing this right. Clever device, this. I'll take it over a Sending any day of the week.

Having been told that Tav and Astarion are here is good news as well. Sorry Astarion, I hear you only work nights or we would have already seen you.

I say we because Shadowheart is here with me, we're both marveling over Electri City. I'm also finding myself very fond of the lack of chamber pot smells.

Ah oh, yes, hello, Wyll Ravengard, formerly the Blade of Frontiers and more recently the Blade of Avernus. Perhaps you've heard a few stories?

Carol, have you checked on Goose lately? If so, did they seem...pregnant?

Because there's a gaggle of flerken at the base of this tree I'm at and I'm only counting around 39 of them. I suspect there's more elsewhere since they're capable of laying up to 117 eggs, but I'm hesitant to leave this tree until this group is contained because at least their focus is on me at the moment.

Team B, I'm sending you my coordinates. I will need assistance containing this group. They have a mess of tendrils that protrude from their mouths that they use to eliminate their opponents by eating them and their scratches are toxic to humanoids. We're going to try not to harm them, but we need to herd them away from the public.

Anyone that comes across a seemingly innocent, unclaimed kitten may not want to startle them.

[Filtered to Ostyia Rabalska & Wanda Maximoff, posted in the evening]

There is a matter in the covens of which you should be aware. Today the Geliara and Prigany coven meetings were both interrupted by accusations of unethical necromancy. As you will recall, neither coven is typically in the habit of practicing necromancy of any kind.

In both cases, the accusations were made by members of the coven against other members of the coven, but vaguely so; no names were given. There was just enough evidence presented to compel both covens to end their meetings early and begin investigation of the matter.

I must note that it seems suspicious for two unrelated covens to be disrupted with the very same accusation at the very same time. I also cannot help but note that they are two of the covens known to be friendly to Outlanders.

Prigany and Geliara leadership have both assured me that they will notify us of their findings when their investigations are complete. Should you wish to conduct an investigation of your own, I will be happy to facilitate and schedule meetings with the relevant parties in the covens.
[/filter]

[Filtered to the DOA, after some conversation with Wanda and Ostyia]
Good evening. There is a matter which the Magic Division leadership would like to bring to the attention of the Department at large.

Today the Geliara and Prigany coven meetings were disrupted by accusations of unethical necromancy*. In both cases, the accusations were made by members of the coven** against other members of the coven, but vaguely so; no names were given. There was just enough evidence presented to compel both covens to end their meetings early and begin investigation of the matter.

Both covens' leadership have agreed to share the findings of their investigation with the DOA Magic Division. We are currently in the process of scheduling a meeting with them to obtain more details, and the Magic Division will also be making our own inquiries.


* Necromancy in Vallo is generally done only according to a set of regulations intended to prevent its abuse. These regulations were written by the Beketh coven (the coven which is typically the only one to practice necromancy) and agreed to by the other covens many years ago, and there has been no known attempt to circumvent these regulations in recent memory.

** Caralivia Elderwood (Prigany) and Gareth Vasiliev (Geliara). They are both established members of their covens, but not outstanding ones.
[/filter]

I may have Druidcrafted a bit close to the sun, because our Christmas cactus is thriving more than anticipated. Does that mean the holiday just continues?

Speaking of holidays, with the new year coming up, it's hard not to think about how this is going to be my second one here with all of you and that's a lot to wrap my head around. It's been an eventful year, so I'm curious: what's your favorite thing that happened to you this year? Do you have anything you're looking forward to in the next year or any goals you're making?

DORIAN

Hi.

My life would have been way fucking different in Exandria if I'd just been given money all the gods damned time for no reason. This place is a pain in the ass, but fuck. That's nice as hell.

I'm parking myself at Taste of Tal'Dorei to eat and drink Winter's Crest themed shit while watching """theater""" and people should join me if you're bored. My fucking treat.

BELLS HELLS

Also I'm going to get you all not shitty gifts now that I am rolling in it. Get ready.

Does anyone have any toddler-friendly ideas for Christmas or Solstice celebrations? We've only been able to do things at home or with Julian and Emma in the past few years, because we've had to keep a low profile, but that isn't as much of a problem here and I'd like to take the opportunity for us to go a little overboard this year as a family.

Also any tips to get a "cool" teenager to wear a matching "decidedly uncool" family sweater.

FILTERED AWAY FROM TSC:

Has anyone experienced having ah- two spouses, here, from two separate times?

To explain a little further; Will and Jem were connected and shadowhunter partners before I met them. I had a connection with both of them, and ultimately became engaged to Jem. Circumstances out of our control separated us, but with his blessing, I later married Will. This was a hundred and fifty years ago. We had a full and happy and wonderful marriage with him, until he passed.

I'm immortal, so I continued on as I am now, but grieving. It took decades, but Jem was healed and we were able to be together again, we married a few years ago and now we have Mina.

They are both here, and I am very lucky, make no mistake, to be lucky enough to have them. Will is from the early days of our marriage, and Jem is from our current time - they're both very happy to be with each other again, as we've always loved all of each other, bonded as family. But it is becoming a little awkward and I haven't figured out how to breach the "who am I married to" topic in terms of intimacy with them.

I know this place is strange so if anyone has any advice, I welcome it.

[note: texts are viewable to Vallo folks as a scene!]

TEXTS TO DORIAN

-- Hey, good morning.
-- I know we were going to meet for breakfast but I wanted to say good morning, too.