vallo

TEAM SPARE THE DRAGON + NIKOLAI & GENYA

Don't ask me why, but I'm feeling generous and a little bit social. I apparently have some extra money and, instead of buying something for the future house something I need, I feel like splurging on the fanciest restaurant in Vallo and you're all invited. It's on me.

You should probably say yes because I think this feeling happens maybe once in twenty to thirty years at the very most.

I do recall at the end of April saying it seemed like the month was suspiciously quiet for the most part.

I do apologize for that now because it seemed like Vallo decided "You want excitement? I'll give you excitement." Oops. In any case, I'm pretty sure I took the world's longest showers when we got home, so I think if the apartment ran out of hot water, that's on me too.

After the dragon incident in ancient Vallo, I'd like to caution everyone that there is a new dragon flying around here, only his name is Nutmeg and he is unlikely to attack unless provoked. There's also another dragon that arrived, along with the dragon reserve I worked at. Harry, it's Norberta. You'll have to come and say hello.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTACK THESE DRAGONS.

We're trying to track Nutmeg down. He's copper, about five metres or fifteen feet long, and relatively harmless if you don't let him bite you. (Vipertooths get their name from the venom they're known for.)

If you spot him, let me know?

And if you've worked with dragons before or are willing to take a crash course, there's some work to be done.

[Harry Potter Universe]
Hey, anyone good with wards? These ones are pretty laced with Muggle repelling spells so it's probably best we use our own for now?

[Team Spare the Dragons]

Is anyone currently a coppery bronze dragon flying over the forest near the mountains right now or is there another new dragon in our midst? Or is someone missing a dragon? I saw it land briefly and take off again (I think it caught a deer). I'm not judging if you're hungry, just teach me how to turn into one, too.

I keep waffling between being mad about the dragon apparently being dead, and mad that the asshole took me out, and even madder that it wouldn't just get the hint and go somewhere else away from the villages so that it didn't have to die to begin with.

I'm glad that no one's tried to shoot me down every time I've been a dragon in Vallo, though I suppose much of that credit should go to me not, you know, trying to kill off a whole village. Not that I'll be flapping my wings anytime soon because fucking ow.

Saints, what an absolute waste of such a beautiful and ferocious creature.

The bright side of being sent to the past with Nikolai Lantsov is the fact that a) this all still seems a fair bit calmer than Ravka and b) this man can quite literally charm the proverbial pants off of anything. If anyone is needing additional clothing for blending in, food, or money, we have a limited amount of each to share thanks to him. We've made it to Civitas and found a room above one of the taverns if you need to know where to find us.

NIKOLAI

We might want to lay off the dice games tonight. I have a feeling that someone was at least on the verge of figuring out my little gust trick and they're already suspicious enough. I think we've got enough to sustain us for a few more days, though, depending on how long this lasts. And also depending, I suppose, on how much others take me up on my uncharacteristic generosity.

TEXTS TO NIKOLAI

-- Have you started dinner yet?
-- If not, don't.
-- And don't order anything, either. We can pick something up later.
-- We have an appointment with a realtor.

I'm tired of feeling absolutely useless when it comes to being a fight and also ending up in situations where I can't even defend myself and need to do dependent on someone else to help me (that being said, Erik, I'm still grateful that you found me).

I'm also really tired of sitting here with yet another cast on my arm, so I will make a classical Ravkan (known as Russian in other worlds) dinner for someone who wants to come over and heal my arm completely.

Also should probably start looking into defensive classes.

Failed filter to Friends
Turns out I'm alive. That's a weird sentence to type. So much for immortality but it's good to know for the next set of murderous animals. I wonder what it'll be next time.

Gross on aging again.

( Failed filter to Marina )

Alright, Vallo. I have a couple of things to discuss with you.

First and foremost, who has good recommendations for local wines? I've been pretty much sticking to Essek's supply or tried and true labels, but I'm ready to branch out and become a true aficionado.

Secondly, if one were to be interested in an animal companion of sorts, but I've was uncertain as to whether they were a "cat person" or a "dog person" or an "other animal person", how would one hypothetically go about deciding which to consider adopting?

Bonus points if this hypothetical animal companion is an asshole.

In news that I imagine only Blue is interested in, my previously cancelled book readings are being rescheduled for this coming week at Chastity's Nook during the evening. Violent fowl rather got in the way last time for reasons I just don't want to think about anymore for the sake of my pride. But the socks I was given as payment for this service are rather wonderful and I would hate to disappoint, so here we are, rescheduling. As the resident experts, I've requested that Caleb and Jester pick the books to pull excerpts from, so I'm sure there will be far better selections than I might have chosen.

Anyway, if you have some desire to listen to me read adult literature, next week is your chance. You should also buy books or literally anything else they have for sale while you're there. Or, I don't know, bring cupcakes.

(You're welcome for the stellar marketing. I know where you both live to deliver the bill.)

I have all the respect and admiration for magic users and wielders, so please understand that I mean nothing by it when I say oh thank the gods that is over. Don't get me wrong -- it was very cool once I could control it and I felt more powerful than I ever have. But I was just able to slink into shadows and out of small talk with a stranger while picking up dinner and no amount of magic will compare to my ease at disappearing when I am dabbling in being socially awkward.

Anyway, thank you for letting me borrow for a bit Zoya, but I am happy to be my roguish paladin (paladinish rogue?) self once more.

In an attempt to get a read on the situation and see if this bears similarities to what happened during the summer, is anyone else experiencing abnormalities with their magic or other abilities this morning?

I can't help but be of the opinion that giant spiders are best left as served food, than encountered alive while finishing one's errands. Given talk of other large insects, I do not know why I was so surprised, but here we are.

Though, I suppose that now there are several dead ones, so -- halfway there.

I'm under the impression that people make resolutions or goals or whatever for the upcoming new year. I'm already pretty happy with myself most of the time, but I'm here for trying anything once, so I could use some suggestions in this regard.

So, if you're taking part in such things, what resolutions might you be setting for yourself, if you're willing to share publicly, so I can shamelessly steal one?

ZOYA

What are the chances you will let me take you out for new year celebrations? If I might make a recommendation, I think the chances should be high, but don't let that sway your answer.

I realized that in my confusion, I don't believe I actually thanked anyone that I met and that helped after I arrived here so -- thank you, I suppose. This is a strange situation, but that kindness has helped make it a bit easier.

I don't really know Everything here feels rather large, does it not? Some of the buildings are taller than I've ever seen before and there's a lot of bright lights. It's different. I have traveled all over Ravka and spent the last years in Ketterdam and, but I have never seen a place quite like this. Though, I have also been told that there might be some here that are familiar with those places? Not I'm not sure if they are anyone I know as the world is a large place, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

Oh, I suppose I should I'm Inej, by the way.

Been doing some research, my loves, on appropriate songs to listen to this time of year, and I've got to say, a lot of them could stand some key improvements. But don't worry, Gideon Nav is on it, like Diego's on a clothes sale for goth toddlers (and by that I mean he wears shirts for toddlers; have you SEEN how tight they are?). But I digress. This whole Christmas thing has me on a real creative jaunt. I hope you enjoy.

( The Twelve Days of Christmas: The NAVtivity Edition )

Out of curiosity, have the ghosts dissipated, then? I haven't seen any myself, but it hasn't stopped me from being a bit wary whenever I turn corners or enter rooms so I wouldn't mind being able to relax that particular hypervigilance for a while.

The last handful of months have flown by so quickly, I was genuinely surprised when I realized how close it's become to the end of the semester and the year itself. Our years are shorter back home and the months and celebrations are similar, yet different. I think that not having a Harvest's Close festival in the streets of Whitestone or getting to go to Emon to see the bonfires for Civilization's Dawn like I did last year just sort of makes things meld together. I've enjoyed seeing new festivities and traditions here, but I've missed some of the ones from home. I miss a lot from home, but

However, Winter's Crest does seem to have some similarities to the Christmas that I've seen some talk about on the network, so that is something to look forward to! I have to like a holiday that gives me an added excuse to buy gifts for friends.

EXANDRIANS + OTHER FRIENDLY TYPES

Ah, I don't really know how Hello! . !

With the blessing of my housemates, I wanted to invite you all for dinner at the Xhorhaus on the evening of the 13th. Dinner itself would be served around 7PM, though drinks will be readily available ahead of time if you wanted to come earlier for that. I also assure that I won't actually be making dinner, therefore it will be edible as I can't guarantee as much coming from my own hands.

As for the occasion, it has been some time since I could boast having so many people in my life that I liked could call friends and that is something I wanted to celebrate -- at the risk of being incredibly sentimental. It's also I'm It is also my birthday the following day.

Anyway. If you can come, which I hope you will if you are free, please let me know so I can order enough food and provide enough to drink. It would be quite nice to see you all in one place.

Hello, fellow outlanders, if you're looking for proper Halloween makeup and hair color that won't come off with surprise rain or tears (but will eventually wear off after a few hours, probably while you're sleeping), I am at your service. I'm giving discounted rates, and since I still haven't set up a shop for myself, I'm doing it all in the salon set-up I have in my apartment.

Of course, if anyone happens to know a great spot to do this that's not in my own apartment, I'm all ears.

This is all month of course, not just for Halloween, but particularly for Halloween-designated makeup.