promittere: (Default)
lunae calamitas mods ([personal profile] promittere) wrote in [community profile] lunaecalamitas2024-05-04 01:06 pm

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
๐ŸŒ™ Welcome to your third event! Everyone's lasted a month, congratulations! Keep working on your magic, keep forging those bonds.
๐ŸŒ™ 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...
๐ŸŒ™ 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.
๐ŸŒ™ Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting on this post, as not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
๐ŸŒ™ Next up for missions is East. Let's hope they don't have to talk to anyone for this one.
1145pm: (hehe im jk)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-19 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ And Tatara sees that stupid smile and he chuckles. Because of course he was right? He knows his boyfriend (arrogantly), and he wouldn't have asked if he weren't confident. ]

Tonight! Wow, I get priority service... [ He teases, and gently pokes Khun in the cheek. ]

That sounds good. You have no idea how excited I am.
lighthaus: (<3~)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-19 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
A perk of being my boyfriend. [ proclaimed in that very khun way of his, and what does he get for it? a poke! he snatches that finger and brings it to his lips for a kiss, and then lets go. ]

I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks on you. [ and himself naturally, though he's sure he can make it work. ] Why did you pick a purple gemstone?
1145pm: (pic#17165745)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-19 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Will he stop grinning and blushing every time Khun kisses him, in any way? Even when his hand is free, he brings his fingers up to his own lips with a coy little smile, as though claiming the indirect kiss for himself.

They will behave in the jewelry store. ]


Isn't it obvious? [ He'll take a step towards the register, which so happens to be behind Khun. ] If I'm red, and you're blue, then it only makes sense that together, we're purple.
lighthaus: (021)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-19 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ they will but khun is finding it somewhat difficult right now. he'll have to claim that kiss he wants later with interest.

for now, he needs to pay. the sales person is probably (sadly) used to being regarded as air, and it's easy for khun to continue talking to tatara while paying for the jewelry. he turns to the side in order to do so.

though it's a good thing he can auto pilot the sales transaction because he's blinking just a bit dumbly at the very obvious color mixing. he hadn't considered that actually, but the smile that forms after he realizes it is pleased. ]


We are. Should I dress in purple for you on our next date?
1145pm: (pic#16970042)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-19 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you should surprise me.

[ He says this with a tease. He finds he quite likes it when Khun does what he wants. Who is he to hold him back?

The clerk hands them the bag of jewelry and Tatara takes it with a quiet thank you, and he turns to leave the store. Though his eyes remain fixed on Khun. ]


Who knows? Maybe I'll wear purple on our next date, too.
lighthaus: (touchbase)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-19 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm... in that case, you'll just have to wait and see. [ maybe he will wear purple! maybe he won't or maybe he'll go for a two color block look and his brain is instantly occupied with sorting through his current wardrobe.

he takes tatara's hand in his own now that their business is settled, making to leave. ]


You can surprise me with anything, just not grapes. The fruit, not the color.
1145pm: (pic#17103097)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-20 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh?

[ There's a little laugh, colored by curiosity. As they step back out into the city, he looks at Khun partially in surprise, and partially because he really wants to know why now he's not allowed to surprise him with grapes.

He lowers his voice when he asks, ]


Why no grapes?
lighthaus: (2)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-20 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ hmm...if they walk a bit they'll probably find a cafe where they can grab a quick bite before heading back. khun picks a direction and begins walking, an amused smile at what he presumes is tatara trying to approach the subject delicately.

it's not that serious! mostly, or at least like this. ]


For one they're too sweet. But the main reason is because they remind me of my father.
1145pm: (pic#17103095)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-21 10:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's just worried about the no talking rule in the city, though they're probably fine— ]

Ohhh. [ He says this quietly, too. He peers at Khun for a second, trying to imagine what his dad might look like, but quickly gives up. It's not like Tatara knows what his own father looks like, anyway.

There's a more important takeaway from this— ]


You don't like sweets?
lighthaus: (1)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-21 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ things khun would definitely not forget (but i did) but khun is also a huge rule breaker depending on the circumstance so. clearly they'll be fine! ]

Not overly sweet ones, I like tiramisu over flan. [ he looks at tatara with a sly smile. ]

The only non-black coffee I'll drink is yours. [ you see, he was doomed from the start. ]
1145pm: (pic#17103101)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-21 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's fine we're in charge,

A little grin crosses Tatara's face. ]
That's funny, considering how sweet you are.

[ Literally the only person in the game with this opinion! He'll lift Khun's hand to plant a gentle kiss on his knuckles. ]

But, got it. I'll make you another latte, and I'll learn how to make you a tiramisu.
lighthaus: (dawn)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-21 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ tell him you're going to make a tiramisu or call him sweet separately, it's fine he can handle it. put them together and kiss him on the hand?

he colors lightly, his fair skin doing him no favors here. ]


Tatara— [ a light sigh. ] You're the only one who would say that. Just remember you're my favorite.

[ that is the most pushback he can muster. ]
1145pm: (hehe im jk)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-05-21 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hehe! Tatara is quickly learning he likes making Khun blush. He'll have to devise more ways to get him to do it, all a part of his evil plan.

This time, he glances around the empty street before pulling Khun closer to plant a light kiss on that faint brush of pink. ]


Mm-hmm. And that goes both ways.

[ Bias? Nah—

There's a cafรฉ just down the street somewhere, and with a grin, he tugs the both of them in that direction. The cats have been totally forgotten... ]
lighthaus: (ํ๋ฆผ)

[personal profile] lighthaus 2024-05-21 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ evil, evil plan!

this is what happens when you're defenseless, khun supposes. he smiles in spite of himself, bringing a hand up to touch his warm cheek as he gets pulled along. this isn't fair when he can't retaliate given the locale, but there's always later when they get back. maybe he'll return the kiss on his earlobe before he pierces it. that'll show him.

but for now: to the cafรฉ and snacks!

vaguely, khun feels like he's forgotten something. but with tatara by his side, he really does feel like he has all he needs. ]