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

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

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's making his usual rounds, just checking to see how everyone's doing with cleanup and all that. They were bound to run into each other at some point,

When he hears the voice from above, Tatara shields his eyes and squints past the sun up at the cube and cube-sitter.　Not that he didn't know who it was going to be, but he still smiles and waves. ]

Did you want me to get it, or are you saving it for later?

[ there's not a wave but a brighter, less playful smile when tatara spots him lording over everyone else here.

khun was saving the clockwork scrap for someone who wasn't tatara to pick up, so. he drops the lighthouse enough so they can talk comfortably, though he's still being ridiculous and floating above all the junk. ]

Later. Isn't this a job for wizards and not a sage?

[ He deserves to float over all the junk!

Tatara gives a cheeky little shrug. He knows he would be absolutely useless doing any sort of physical labor (and Khun likely knows just how skinny his arms are) so he doesn't hate the answer he gets. ]

I can only walk between both sites checking on everyone so many times before I get bored. Is there anything exciting happening over here?

[ khun absolutely knows this, yes. ]

Come see for yourself. [ he drops his lighthouse lower, stands and then holds out his hand. there's room on here for both of them. ]

[ Yay! They're going for a ride!

With a grin and laugh, Tatara steps forward and grasps Khun's hand, tight. Sweep him off his feet, lighthouse man! ]

[ ~~didn't he do that already somehow~~.

it's easy for khun to lift him, even if tatara is pretty light so up he goes. with the two of them on the lighthouse its a comfortable if not a snug fit and though khun could make it larger that would require more magic and concentration. the latter of which seems to be a bit difficult to keep in present company, so he leaves it at this size (that and maybe being cozy is nice).

he'll let tatara get settled however he wants before moving the lighthouse any. ]

There's a lot more to look at than two boring work sites from here. What do you actually want to see?

[ ~~he absolutely did~~

Up he goes! Tatara seems unsteady on the snug space on the cube at first, relying on Khun to keep him upright. Eventually, he settles on standing behind him, arms wrapped around his waist, chin perched on his shoulder.

There's no particular expression on Tatara's face when he glances up at Khun, but there is a little mischievous twinkle in his eye. ]

How far can you go?

[ oh, hello.

khun hadn't really thought of an arrangement like this even if it's obvious, but his lighthouse is very Battle coded in his mind and not date coded. he's discovering all kinds of new things here, really. not that he minds it all, it's just new, shiny, and a little bit distracting.

he glances back with a grin. ]

As far as I want? As long as I don't lose concentration or use too much magic keeping us on course.

[ could he use his lighthouse as transport in northern country? yeah. would it be a good idea? probably not. ]

Don't worry about using up your magic, because you've got me.

[ hehe

Tatara gives this earnest thought, though. He doesn't want to fall (he hasn't been on enough roller coasters to find the prospect exciting), and he doesn't want to inadvertently put Khun in a difficult situation, either. He taps his fingers on Khun's middle and comes to a conclusion. ]

The Valley of Storms is to the west of here, I think. In the mountains. Do you wanna go play with the cat spirits?

...I sure do~. [ though he thinks he should be able to handle this much on his own. and those fingers are perhaps a bit distracting too.

not that he would really mind falling if he was by himself, he's perhaps predictably a thrillseeker as long as he knows what he's getting into. sheer drops are fun though he's never ridden a rollercoaster personally. ]

Do we need to buy them toys?

[ that might be a serious question, he's never been a pet person even if they seem to be drawn to him. ]

[ Tatara will probably hold his hand at some point anyway, so Khun will be plugged in whether he likes it or not, so to speak.

Khun will feel Tatara's shoulders moving as he shrugs. ]

I don't think so? Mm, I don't really know...

[ They're on the same page! He only really knows how to deal with large-cats-as-men. ]

They're spirit cats... Or cat spirits? Do you think they'd want toys?

Hmm... we could make a quick stop before we go.

[ what do you buy spirit cats he has no idea but he will absolutely wing it.

khun levitates his lighthouse higher, enough to really give a birds eye view of the junkyard as he thinks. ]

And I can buy you something too.

[ They go higher, and Tatara instinctively holds on tighter. ]

For me! Like what?

[ He resets his chin on Khun's shoulder a little closer to his face, eager smile on his face. ]

A vase for some flowers? Or a little panther figurine? A sandwich? [ :) ? ] A kiss?

[ Gifts are still bewildering! But they still fill him with joy, so who is he to argue? ]

You don't have a choice on the last one.

[ things he should not be doing while piloting his lighthouse: turning his face to the side to sneak a quick kiss. things he will absolutely be doing: just that. ]

None of the rest, though. But I'll buy you a sandwich too if you're hungry. I was thinking a piece of jewelry.

[ You know, it'd just be easy to kiss him, but it's a lot more fun to wheedle one out of him. Hehe.

The second thing he says, though— ]

Jewelry?

[ He looks genuinely surprised for a second, even lifting his head to look more directly at him. ]

Like... [ A RING??? ] Like what?

Edited 2024-05-11 20:58 (UTC)

Mmhmm. [ don't mind him narrowly skirting a cloud just then. it's a good thing there's not really any traffic up here. ]

You like it, don't you? [ he's obviously noticed what tatara usually wears. ]

A bracelet or a necklace, I think. Depends on what they have and what you like.

[ Tatara almost reaches out to touch the cloud, but doesn't. He does Look at it, though, because maybe one day he will. ]

I do. [ He says this with a smile in his voice. Khun noticed? That warms something in his chest, and soon the smile spreads to his lips. ]

Mm, I could go for a new necklace, I think. I've had the one I'm wearing now for years. [ A moment of thought, a tap of fingers on Khun's middle again. ] But I wouldn't say no to a new bracelet.

We can get you both. [ the cashmere was only the beginning. the fingertapping is only encouragement also. ]

Maybe I'll get some earrings for myself too. Usually I change them out every once and a while, but there's no suspendium here and I haven't found anything else that I like as much.

[ Both? Tatara was just happy he was going to get one or the other, but both? There's a little moment where he stares at Khun, almost blankly, not entirely sure what to make of the offer. There was the cashmere, yes, and the multitude of other little things Khun has gifted him thus far, tangible and intangible, but it still...lands in a way he isn't sure how to respond to.

From a guy who had to grow up eating grass to survive, it's a lot.

But the curiosity comes back to him as his eyes dart between Khun's and the earrings he has on. ]

What's suspendium?

[ he can't catch the look well given their positioning and to be honest, this is an area where he's pretty blind. khun was born into wealth and even with being exiled, he managed to somehow take that wealth with him. he's also someone his other siblings hit up for loans, so even by their ridiculous standards, he's rich.

maybe he'll figure out how different they are in that area one day, but he truthfully doesn't perceive it most of the time. it makes no difference to him, he just simply likes to spoil those he likes. ]

It's a type of mineral, I'm pretty sure it only exists in my world. [ since he can't find any record of it here and no one else has recognized it either. ]

You can compare it to how diamond is treated according to the records I've read:valuable, rare, and useful. My lighthouse has suspendium, that's what usually makes it float. [ he tips his head towards tatara, giving him a good look at his earrings, a cobalt blue stud and two huggies (i can't believe that's the name of this style). ]

Plus it matches my eyes~.

Ooh... That does sound cool. And valuable.

[ He's aware of the lighthouse beneath his feet, how it feels to stand on it (and float!). His eyes settle on Khun's earrings again and he thinks a little more. ]

They're beautiful. [ His earrings, or his eyes? Hehe! He'll never tell (it's both).

The city approaches, and Tatara perches his head on Khun's shoulder again. ]

But maybe we'll find something just as nice? What if we got matching earrings?

[ he hums pleased at the compliment which he will absolutely take as both because he's just like This. it's not something he needs to hear, but coming from tatara is different.

as is the suggestion which honestly hadn't crossed his mind. he's usually on the giving end, not to mention that earrings for men are considered a bit eclectic by Tower standards (not that it's ever stopped him from piercing his own). all of which results in a light flush coloring his cheeks which he definitely can't hide with tatara draped around him.

not that he would try really, but his heart beats a bit faster regardless. ]

I like that idea, let's do it.

[ the clouds dip from view as they descend into whatever market is closest to the junkyard. will they remember to get anything for the cats or remember their original intention in coming here? it's fine. ]

[ As much as blue is worming its way into his heart, Tatara still finds himself partial to warmer colors, and he still thinks it looks nice on Khun. He sees the little flush, and before they land, he gives it a light kiss.

Luckily no one seems to notice their arrival, so the magic goes unnoticed. Tatara's mind is already filled with purple earrings, and he has definitely forgotten about the cats already. Oh well, these things tend to happen with Khun.

He spots a shop with jewelry on display in the window, and he silently motions towards it. First stop! ]

[ in they go! at least with them holding hands it's easy for the merchant to make a good guess of what they're here for. ]

Where should we start? [ they could look at earrings first but considering his very good mood, khun would be happy shopping for fancy paperclips or something else equally ridiculous. ]

[ Tatara's much the same. They could go straight to business, but where's the fun in going to a jewelry store if they don't look at the jewelry?

A lot of this isn't his style at all—too big and sparkly—but he does get promptly distracted by a butterfly brooch. ]

Ooh... [ It's so sparkly...

He whispers: ] Maybe we could look at necklaces or something?

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