look at me, i'm the wound you tried to hide

[promittere]

ANDANTE ALLA WANING CRESCENT

Another day dawns for the Sage's wizards. It's been a month, now, since arriving in this world and being given a task nobody seems to fully understand—though after the jobs the Southern and Central wizards have taken on, it seems like it might just be possible after all.

And it seems like there's another task for the wizards, from the Eastern nation. However, unlike the other requests the Sage has been fielding, this task is far too big for five wizards alone. This is a task everyone will need to help tackle, whether they like it or not. Those that aren't particularly altruistic will still be whisked together by Tatara and Lazuli both, and they may still find the journey...illuminating. Answers to what happened to the original wizards may be just within reach.

Traveling via the elevator at the manor is familiar to some of you, at least, Lazuli setting a mana stone into the control not a surprise in a the slightest. The fact all of you can, somehow, fit in the elevator comfortably may be a surprise, but it's best not to dwell on it too much. You'll be staying at the City of Rain, Lazuli tells you with the air of someone reading you a court sentence, but you've been tasked with clearing up the site of some sort of disaster. He doesn't have much information beyond that—a fact that seems to greatly annoy him—and he warns you not to break any of the City of Rain's laws well before you're out of the elevator.

Which that shouldn't be too difficult, right? Right...?

Perhaps not, as the rules of the city are extreme. There are certain areas which forbid socialization and talking entirely, some areas where only talking to strangers is forbidden, only a handful of businesses allow chatter of any sort, and the list goes on. The most pressing law of all, though, is very simple: no use of any sort of magic within city limits. Do your best to follow the rules because breaking them will result in an arrest, and do you really want Lazuli and Tatara bailing you out? With the rules laid out and lodging sorted, Lazuli ushers you to the site you're tasked with dealing with. You will have downtime to explore the city, though, as it's expected to take several days to clear things up.

The site is a terrible, terrible mess. In what must have once been a peaceful patch of wilderness, there now sits a terrible gouge in the earth, several meters deep and twice as wide across, hollowed by what must have been a powerful force. The dirt is gray and sandy, dead in the manner the Southern wizards will recognize. Plants on the edges of the crater are dry and withered and splintered and broken. Permeating the air is a lingering dread, one both Southern and Central wizards will immediately recognize...

But it is clear now, now that your magic is considerably stronger, that the spirits are agitated by the disturbance in the fabric of magic. Dark clouds hang low over the site, and low thunder rumbles in the constant threat of a storm that will never come. The spirits' agitation, coupled with the dread hanging in the air, will feel uncomfortable, and perhaps leave the more sensitive of the bunch feeling on edge. This is not something that can will resolve on its own, so your most important task is to calm the spirits. That means doing the things they like: playing music, dancing, praying, telling stories, wearing fanciful and whimsical clothes to soothe their temperaments.

Your second most important task is to clear out monsters. The unusual energy in the air is attractive to beasts magical in nature—they slink out of their hiding places in the deep wilderness to the area, and their presence is threatening the humans who regularly use the nearby routes for trade and to commute. Kill them, take their mana stones for yourself. Win-win.

The third task is general clean-up. Remove the dead plants from the earth, remove the broken trees and any natural debris that might prove to be a hindrance. Characters are more than welcome to search inside the crater for any hint or clue as to what might have caused this strange explosion, but they'll find the site picked clean, earth having fallen into cavities where there might have been larger objects present at one point...like someone was here to clear out any evidence.

JOB BOARD

Reinforcement. Peace in Granvelle Castle has been restored. A liveliness and energy has returned to the castle and the surrounding parts of the city that hasn't been seen in nearly a month. Thank your Central friends for their hard work!

Their issues aren't quite resolved, however. The castle is asking for help in creating and then reinforcing a magical barrier around the castle. The barrier is a bit bigger than what one wizard alone is capable of at this point, so band together to create and reinforce what parts you can. Perhaps it's not a bad idea to use your own hair or blood as a conduit.

The type of barrier is specific, however—they want one that masks magical signatures. If you step inside, you'll feel a faint, but powerful presence within... What are they guarding?

Recycling. The Eastern country is known for its expertise in all things mechanical, particularly when it comes to clockwork. While not as bombastic or flashy as Western technology, the use of magic and mana stones being deeply frowned upon and rejected, Eastern artisans can create truly fantastical things just with gears and cogs and a bit of know-how... But, of course, sometimes it's better to scrap something and create something new than let the old items waste away, so some Eastern craftsman have asked for help gathering clockwork automatons and other creations in order to melt it all back down. Some of them seem a bit nervous and harried, but it's an easy enough job to scrap automatons and cart junk around.

Monster hunting. The few settlements in the North have been sending in frantic request after frantic request. There has been a disturbing increase in monster activity in the North, and the native Northern wizards are as unreliable as ever. They need your help in thinning the numbers, and that's all they really ask for—you can keep all the mana stones you earn.

For those of you who haven't been to the North yet, the weather is harsh, no matter the season. Protection on oneself to survive the negative degrees is crucial; make sure your magic is up to snuff enough to keep yourself at least room temperature. And using your magic to battle on top of that? This isn't going to be an easy job, not at your level. Be cautious, and good luck.

Mana areas & amulets. You've been here for a month now, and living in an unfamiliar place, alongside unfamiliar people, using unfamiliar magic must be wearing you down. Isn't it? In that case, it's time for the last piece of your wizardhood puzzle: your mana area.

Mana areas are spots where wizards feel most at peace with themselves, most whole, and a place where they can refill on the emotional load they've been chipping away at for their magic. It can be a specific location, or a conditional circumstance. Find more detail on the magic page. Your task—given to you by your sage and your mentor—is to traverse the continent, find your mana area, and recharge your batteries, so to speak. While there, make an amulet to take back with you, like a portable battery.

WANDERER TASKS

Listen to the spirits.

You've been here long enough that it's time to see if you can actually communicate with the spirits who've laid claim on you and have been empowering your spells. Try your listen and see if you can hear what they have to say to you.

OOC Note: For those attempting this task, ping one of the mods and roll a dice! Based on the dice roll, your character will get a little tidbit from the spirits... Or they might not hear anything yet, but they can always dedicate themselves to their studies and try again after leveling up!

TATARA ACTIVITIES

Don't make promises.

If you've made a promise, don't break it.

If you break a promise, you'll lose your magic. And I don't know if I can help you anymore or send you home if that happens. I'm sorry this is so late. But please...be careful.

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your third event! Everyone's lasted a month, congratulations! Keep working on your magic, keep forging those bonds.
🌙 As your characters settle into the world, they might find themselves irresistibly drawn to crowds, to music, to dancing. It's hard to resist the allure of a gathering, and it's hard to keep yourself from swaying to music when it fills your ears, no matter what sort of person you used to be. You're changing...
🌙 As we enter the second month, we are announcing a deadline for finding your pairs. This will be Friday, June 14 at 11:59 PM EDT. Remember, you may submit a guess at any time, and there is no penalty for getting a guess wrong, so long as you have a thread to back up your guess and consent from your partner. The pair page is here.
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting on this post, as not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Next up for missions is East. Let's hope they don't have to talk to anyone for this one.

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[1145pm]

> on the scene - eastern country

[ What a sight...

There's a rare serious, contemplative look when Tatara sees The Gouge (tm) for the first time.

Every day, while his wizards tasked with cleaning this up, he'll be found by the edge of the crater, either standing or crouching, depending on how long they've been there that particular day. Sometimes he's just watching, sometimes he's got a thick, red tome open in his hands as he writes stuff down. Either way, he's around if anyone needs a boost as always.

Otherwise, he's usually hanging out in the lounge area of the inn. If he sees you pass by, he might wave you over with a bright smile and a finger to his lips. Come hang out! But quietly. ]

> bar night

[ Upon return from the Eastern Country, Tatara commandeers the entire bar for a night.

There are red streamers decorating the whole area, lots of red candles decorating the place, lit and adding ambiance. A lot of personal knickknacks from his room have been added to the bar, ostensibly for decoration (is it just clutter now?), and the scent of smoke hangs in the air.

Tatara himself is dressed a bit differently: he's wearing a black jacket, a red scarf tied loosely around his neck, sunglasses (indoors?). And he's smoking, for some reason, though the way he coughs lightly every so often suggests it's not something he normally does. ]

Welcome, folks! [ He speaks, and to Japanese speakers, they might recognize that as an awful Kyoto accent. ] Sit down! What can I do ya for?

[ Do you trust Tatara to make you a drink? ]

> back and forth

[ After the Central wizards completed their mission, Tatara's behavior changed a bit.

He's still around the manor, of course, skulking around like he's up to no good. But he's been absent more and more often, with long stretches of time that he is simply nowhere to be found in the manor, or on manor grounds at all.

But maybe you're lucky and you catch him when he's either coming or going. In the early mornings you'll find him waiting for the elevator in the tower, and in the late afternoons he's emerging from the tower. He looks...hm. Maybe a bit tired, despite the chipper smile he keeps on his face. And he's always got a bag slung over his shoulder, filled with...things?

He doesn't usually go out of his way to talk to anyone en route to or from his room. But maybe you can change that? ]

back and forth

[jorunna]

[ Comet will catch up to Tatara after they appear out of the elevator one of those afternoons. I imagine Tatara was very happy to see the South wizards back and they seemed to have a better result, so this is... hm. THE VIBES IN THIS MANOR ARE A LITTLE OFF NOW, that's the excuse. ]

おかえり〜

[ To be honest, they've just always wanted to say that to someone coming back. ]

[1145pm]

[ Tatara was extremely pleased the Southern wizards came back in one piece. He might be a little worried for everyone else, considering how Central went, but...! But! ]

おっ、ただいま！

[ A comfortable and familiar phrase, one that brings a bright smile to his otherwise tired features. He gives a little wave, and changes course. ]

It's good to see you, Comet! What's up?

[jorunna]

Not much. Assume I've been doing what you asked of us.

[ Yes that's said as a joke, but No Promises have been made to break. ]

Where have you been going off to?

[1145pm]

Ahh~ Just the castle! Things have suddenly gotten really busy...

[ He gives a dramatic little sigh at that.

Once he's near enough to Comet, he stops before them, and pats their head. ]

That's what I'll assume. I'm so lucky to have such diligent wizards!

[ Even if Comet was doing Literally Nothing, they'd still get praise. ]

Bar night

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Anything as long as it doesn't have milk foam on it.

[That just doesn't go with booze]

[1145pm]

[ Tatara takes a long, contemplative drag from his cigarette, and offers Kiryu a hum. He looks very silly. ]

Beer foam, then.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Fine. That's acceptable. It's not like I'll turn away good beer anyway.

[He shouldn't be drinking too much but still, habits are hard to fight!]

[1145pm]

Coffee with beer foam...

[ He says this absently as he wanders away, to the section behind the bar with all the beer.

That isn't a threat, though. It's just a thought that now sits in his mind and may terrorize someone else another day.

When he returns, he's holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a chilled glass in another. ]

There was only one of these back there, so I guess it's good? [ The label reads City of Glory GLORIOUS IPA. Tatara has already popped the cap for him. ] Let me know what you think, Uncle Kiryu!

Bar night

[troublereduction]

[ Day noticeably perks up when he sees the changed ambience of the bar. He's quick to slide on over to the counter. ]

Why the smoke, though? [ Like, before he gets to the other important part, which is the drinks. ]

[1145pm]

[ It's Day! Tatara leans on the counter from the other side, smile on his face. ]

I'm belatedly celebrating an old friend's birthday! I think it was last month, but things were so busy when you guys first got here, you know?

[ He looks at the cigarette in his hand, newly lit. ]

He smoked a lot. I could never really get used to it, though.

[ He shrugs. Eh, he'll probably throw the rest of the pack out after the night. ]

[troublereduction]

That why you're sportin' a new look too? [ Because it's like that old friend?, he means. ] I think you look better without the smokin', anyway.

So, what drinks would you recommend?

[1145pm]

[ Tatara nods, affirmation as to why he's dressed up ("up"), and gives a light laugh. ] I think so, too.

[ With a little hum, he looks over at the stock the manor bar keeps. Hmm. ]

I think...I remember...

[ He scans, obviously looking for something, when— ]

Oh! There it is! [ He strides to the shelves and reaches upward, but what he's looking for is on a shelf higher than he can reach, seemingly nestled behind other bottles.

He looks back to Day with an apologetic smile. ] Day... Can you help me?

back and forth

[lustro]

[ On one instance of Tatara coming and going like a thing unmissed, ropes of yellow security tape fly out at him from above and behind, attempting to bind him in place. ]

... And just what are you doing?

[ Ginger sits casually on a roof overlooking the tower's path, chin in hand. ]

[1145pm]

[ child leash spell ACTIVATE?!

Tatara, obviously, with no way to detect magic, does not see it coming. He wiggles in place, completely immobilized by the tape, and his eyes roam wildly to find the source.

It's when Ginger speaks that he realizes what's going on, and he smiles sheepishly up at him. ]

...Doing my sagely duties?

[lustro]

[ It would be so easy to strangle Tatara right now. ]

Oh? Care to explain in detail to your class of one?

[1145pm]

Err...

[ He thinks about how today's duties build off the previous day's, and the previous day's, and those from the day before that. Where does he start? ]

I guess I have a meeting with the arcane management ministry this morning... Those last pretty long. There's some stuff I need to look up in the castle archives, too. I should be back for dinner...

bar

[lighthaus]

[ because we live dangerously as a state of being with their threads.

khun is a social drinker, not one of pleasure usually, so he hasn't really frequented the bar much in his time here. it's hard to miss the streamers and general red glow though, so he pokes his head in. blinks a few times, because this sure is a lot.

hmmmmm.

he saunters on over to the bar and sits down, crossing one leg over the other. regards the accent that reminds him of a species of the tower that frequently runs noodle shops, the sunglasses indoors, and the cigarette. ]

Old fashioned, keep the cherry. You must be new? We were in need of hired help, so you're a welcome addition. [ he says this all without missing a beat, tone cooler and crisper than it usually is, but still pleasant. while he's not quite sure what this, he's decided that he can play too. ]

[1145pm]

[ "life is best lived on the edge" - cid, probably

Tatara breaks character for a brief moment, if only to grin when he sees Khun sauntering over. But by the time the other has settled in his seat, Tatara is leaned up on the bar from the opposite side, cigarette to his lips. ]

If ya mean new here, sure. [ Bad accent. He tilts his head to peer at Khun over his very silly sunglasses. ] But I got years of experience in the field—got my own bar, too. Yer in good hands.

[ He looks like he's about to get up and leave to make the drink for a moment, but he pauses. He plucks the cigarette from his mouth and holds out his hand, palm up, towards Khun. ]

Yer sugar, sir.

[lighthaus]

Am I? I'll be the judge of that. [ and he does have the experience to judge here because he's attended way too many fancy cocktail hours.

that aside, khun tilts his head to the side, fingers drumming on the bar. sugar, huh. ]

Here you are. [ slowly and with much relish he lightly takes tatara's palm under one of his own, raising it and then dropping a not-so-chaste kiss. he can't make as much eye contact as he would like with the sunglasses, but that doesn't stop him. the curve of his lips particularly wry. ]

Unless you meant the other kind?

[1145pm]

[ If Khun catches it or not, Tatara doesn't really seem to care. The shadow of surprise crosses his face when his lips come to his palm, but it's quickly replaced by the burst of a grin. He's probably never going to get used to it, but he still doesn't hate it. ]

As much as I'd like, I can't very well make an old fashioned outta your kisses, can I?

[ He wiggles his fingers. If he pokes Khun's chin in the process, then that's just a bonus.

His voice just a touch lower, but the grin on his lips creeps into his tone and onto his cheeks. ]

The other kind.

on the scene - before Jail Crime as discussed

[impacter]

[Solomon's taking a break from hauling off tree debris, popping a mana stone into his mouth from a monster kill as he makes his way back to the gorge. He'd noted the tome in Tatara's hand earlier in the morning, but had left it be due to the busy nature of their work.

Now, while they have time to breath in the light of the afternoon, he takes a moment to quietly approach their Sage, an incantation on his lips--

-- before tapping the back of Tatara's neck with icy cold fingers. Hi.]

[1145pm]

[ grandpa popping mana stones...

Tatara is here again, absorbed in writing things down. So he doesn't really notice the footsteps behind him, nor does he notice someone whispering their incantation.

So you can imagine his reaction when Solomon taps him. ]

Gah!

[ He practically leaps into the air, and he drops both his notebook and his pen. ]

[impacter]

[hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee]

My, you're really staying focused, aren't you?

[He'll at least be kind enough to lean down and pluck up his pen before it rolls down the Giant Dread Hole.]

[1145pm]

Aww, c'mooon, Uncle Solomon. Don't scare me like that. You're gonna take years off my life...

[ Appreciated that his pen doesn't get dread hole'd!

He'll stoop to collect his notebook and starts brushing off the dirt from it. ]

I have a lot to write down!