lunaecalamitas | thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

NEW MOON ADAGIO

Between the constant requests from the North and the sense of tension that pervades the manor, Sage Tatara makes an executive decision: we're going North, baby.

Of all the things that have happened thus far, let this be the ultimate test of your magic. Even as we near summer, it's frigid. Protect yourselves and your allies from the cold. Protect yourselves while also fighting off monsters (or other territorial wizards, should you make the terrible mistake of wandering into another's territory), flying through the vast wilderness, or protecting the poor humans who need your help to survive. Time to blow off some of your steam. Just be sure to obey Tatara's one rule: don't kill each other.

One particular problem of note is in the Forest of Dreams. Without its guardian, many of these rogue monsters and dangerous predators, displaced from their normal habitats, have found their way into the forest. Many of them, however, are unable to survive against the fatal toxin, and there are plenty of animal corpses and mana stones that litter the forest. It might be best to clean these up before the forest guardian returns...

That said, the toxin is yet another thing you must protect yourself against in addition to the cold. While you can likely keep yourself from dying from the toxins, you may not be immune to its effects. This deadly toxin causes anyone who breathes it in to dream and hallucinate vividly, be it images of the past, imagined futures, thoughts of the present processed and warped...

Strangely enough, those nearby may end up sharing in your dreams... Did you want the darkest recesses of your thoughts, hopes, and fears unearthed for others to see?

Those who decide to venture far past the more populated (in relative terms) parts of the North may find themselves stumbling upon what looks to be an abandoned bandit hideout. It seems it's been abandoned for quite a while—nothing to loot here, sorry!—but there sure are a whole lot of monsters that have decided to make this hidden corner of the North their home.

While you're at it, you may find a nearby cave. Beautiful crystals dot the walls and the floors, and there are small pools of hot spring water free for relaxing. It seems to be relatively free of monsters, too. So maybe this wouldn't be a bad spot to relax, away from everything else?

However, there's one thing that makes this cave truly unique, and it isn't the vistas or the springs—it's the bats. These bats hear echoes of the past and replay them for visitors. Should you stay a while and listen, a bat may pay you a visit. And when it does, it may play for you the voices from the memories of visitors past, whose stories may hold a clue or two to your circumstances...

While the Forest of Dreams is a memory/dreamshare free for all, the aural memories replayed by the bats in the Cave of Time will come from one of the original wizards only. If you'd like an audio replay of a perhaps significant moment either in their personal life or a clue as to what happened to them (it will be randomized), then please reply to this comment!

JOB BOARD

Clean-up and repairs. While thanks to the hard work of your Eastern friends the worst was prevented, the City of Rain emerged from their short ordeal a little worse for wear.

Buildings need repair, blood needs to be cleaned off the streets, the injured need help. This is, perhaps, the only time you will be allowed to use magic openly in the city (you've been given permits and everything!), but you still are not allowed to talk outside of designated zones. Please, please don't get arrested...

As for the scrap that litters the streets? Unfortunately, you'll have to take it back to the scrapyard. But this time, there's a big, roaring bonfire out there. Just chuck all the scrap and debris in the fire. The city isn't taking any second chances—extreme situations call for extreme measures.

Reverence. Several Northern villages are currently outside the protection of a wizard, and have requested the sage's wizards' presence. They're terrified of the monsters and worried the barriers for their villages will fail sooner than later. They don't simply ask for help for free, however, and these smaller villages are steeped in their tradition—they'll pay you their respects, praying to you, offering you gifts, groveling at your feet, in hopes for a modicum of your time and protection. Do their offerings please you? Then assist them with what you deem appropriate for their worship to you: kill a few monsters for them, or a lot if you're pleased. Strengthen the barrier a lot, or not at all if you're displeased. It's up to you! You have the power here. What's it like to be a god for a day?

Ladies' night. The monthly lady officers' gathering is coming up in the City of Affluence—it's an exclusive meetup for the women involved in and related to Western military and bureaucratic affairs. Anyone is welcome, so long as they meet two requirements: they are outwardly presenting feminine, and they have an invitation to the gathering. Here's your chance to flex your transformation and glamour spells! Infiltrate the meetup with a disguise and a fake invitation, mingle, enjoy the drinks, the jazz, the entertainment, and find out what you can... What's the Western army up to? Be careful, though—don't get caught and kicked out!

The attendees seem to be excited about the new phantasmagoria technology and the upcoming display, and many whisper about the upcoming Venator meteor shower...

G'RAHA TASKS

Greetings, new friends! I am G'raha Tia, and while I hesitate to call myself a mentor or a replacement for the one you had, I am eternally grateful for the assistance I received and will do my best to help your cause in any way I can. To that end, I feel I may need to be caught up to speed on the events and get to know all of you.

We can have some tea and sandwiches and have a discussion! That's the best way to learn, sometimes.

TATARA ACTIVITIES

Even if we're not here for very long, I think we should leave our mark (not literally! Don't paint on the walls!). I got paint and big paper in the dining hall, but no brushes... Do you know what that means? Finger paint! Finger paint a portrait of yourself with your name and I'll hang it up in the library when they're all done!

Thanks to Cid and Khun, my camcorder works now. The thing is, what's the point of filming anything if we have no way to watch the film?! Could you guys work together to make some kind of projector? Or like...VHS player? We could have a movie night together!

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your fourth event! It's your dreamshare and memshare event! Ready to open up with your deepest and darkest secrets?
🌙 We're halfway through the game. How do you feel?
🌙 Back at the manor, Kurapika and Maya have set up a bulletin board! Leave comments, argue with your neighbors, have fun. Be nice. Don't set it on fire.
🌙 On the admin side of things, Lav has swapped out Wanderer for G'raha! Please say hello to your new mentor NPC.
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting to the post, and remember to check back frequently, since not everyone checks plurk or discord all the time.
🌙 The next country to go on their mission is North. Do you think a PVP-enabled mission will go well?

» NAVIGATION

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Not really. Spells that are meant to hurt just come more easily to me. I have to try harder for everything else.

You could stand to be more cautious.

[ Especially here. But Kurapika's warning is half-hearted anyway, simply because he believes that Khun won't have trouble fighting off whatever threats come their way.

Though... Khun's foot will eventually knock against a rock that's slightly larger than the mana stones littering the forest floor.

And the forest floor itself doesn't look very forest-y either. Rather than leaves and tree roots, dirt has settled over the ground before them. ]

A fun activity? And what do you suggest?

[ Throwing mana stones at one another? Kurapika fights the urge to roll his eyes as he motions for Jing Yuan to follow him deeper into the forest. ]

[ Jing Yuan is not the type of person who is easily surprised by much; even with the memories being put on display, he finds himself not inclined to feel like his world has been sent off-kilter. Instead, other emotions swirl up inside of him until they abruptly evaporate—the sort of startingly calm emptiness that seems to crawl in from a void.

There is a strange pain in his heart at his earlier memories being shown without his permission. It isn't like he has anything to hide, but he certainly doesn't go around telling personal things about himself.

(Is it a weakness, for someone to look upon, and see hints of his hesitance? To see any of that? He almost feels himself bristle at the thought. But, even that feels unreasonable with Solomon's actions, and he decides he simply feels tired.

Things will never turn to what they will be, and the void within his heart feels deeper for it. The warmth of that hand feels painfully dizzying even if he knows it will be temporary; and he thinks he might have simply smiled, in the past and agreed, moving past the subject.

For once, he feels himself lean tentatively into comfort, laid gentle upon him by Solomon's hand, by those simple words.) ]

Mm.

I suppose you would be correct.

[ Jing Yuan says, though it feels like he's a little distant from where he is when he does. The story doesn't end there. Because of course it doesn't.

Anyone he considered dear to him at that time had all been gone, and the weight of the remembrance of that loneliness feels suffocating. ]

It is a weight that seems inevitable. Perhaps...time and time again, given that it is my turn to pass onto teachings myself. Though, it might be unreasonable to hope that my own student might never have to face the difficult choice I had done so alone.

But, if he must, then so he shall.

...Even if it means that for certain, not everyone should have to walk along a path so solitary at every turn. That is what you have been doing even now, since you have been out here for quite awhile yourself, is it not?

Concern, Ithaqua. Not a warning. It's not as though I don't think you can't handle yours--

[The words cut off as the surroundings start to darken. Snow starts to give out to water, air liquifies around them with the salty sting to the eyes as blue overtakes their vision, deeper and deeper and further into black.

Your limbs are bound to rough ocean rock. Though you can breathe, for they have no need to kill you outright, every motion struggles under pressure you should not be able to withstand. Your eyes have not seen the sun, have not felt warmth, have not heard anything but the cavernous, deep rushes of the depths of the ocean, for ages upon ages. You don't remember, how long it is you've been trapped.

But you feel the spirits, nonetheless. The ones that dwell in the currents and their ebb and flow. They drift past you with every breath, and they radiate their disgust, as they have every day. How many days have passed?

Imbecile. Debtor. Monster.

Are you awake? Can you still hear?

Solomon is frozen, a battered gaze towards the ground as his breath catches in his chest, squeezing his eyes shut, unable to move just as much as Ithaqua. He doesn't want to be here. He doesn't want to remember this.]

Right? She doesn't look like much, but she managed to pull off a spell like that in the middle of a fight... Needless to say, I lost that duel.

[Respect the chibi-prof.]

...Was it pleasant to see her again, at least?

It is. So long as we don't fall to those dangers ourselves.

[The sensations just increase in a sickening amount, a trickle turning to a stream to a river to a flood, flood, flood--

It radiates like the heat of the sun in waves off his body. But he feels distress, not his own, but of a phantom, stumbling and bleeding and desperately trying to will something, something in him, something innate, to stop.

The picture grows clearer, in bits and shades, with the sky coated orange and thickly coated with ash from roaring fires. Buildings have been completely flattened. The cliffsides that face the distant sea are crumbling, clean holes carved straight through them by an unnatural force. The bodies are still fresh, still bleeding. But not moving. All blown outward from a single point.

Where you now stand.]

Hmm...let me think about it for a moment.

[ Pause. ]

Play catch.

[ Yeah, let them throw mana stones at each other.

Anyway he is following along, and considering he hasn't bothered picking up the stones and throwing them, he clearly isn't being serious. ]

[He will have to stay very patient, very quiet, for a long enough time. Long enough to let the sounds of the footsteps and armor and horses start to mingle, distant muffled yells that can't quite be heard, the smashing in of doors, the sounds of quiet commotion on the other side of the dark room. Whispers and movements, rattling as items are moved, as the door itself jostles slightly before going rigid and still.

The boy stays tense, too tense, until the noise has stopped. Only then does he chance a look over, bright and brassy eyes the same color as his counterpart, and spots the hand instead.

He takes in a sharp breath, but has nowhere to run. So his fingers grip with a white-knuckled grasp into the blankets around his body, eyes locking up on Ahito with a tense mixture of uncertainty, fear, and curiosity in measures, though fear dominates them all.

You feel dread. Dread at being spotted. Fear at what will happen. Confusion, at the sight of the locked door. Curiosity, as though gazing at something unknown. Something not allowed.]

[He nods shallowly. But it doesn't stop the surroundings from shifting as they walk. To the stony, spiraling rock of a cave system that feels unnatural, otherworldly. You feel innately aware that this is a place you are both not welcomed, and a place that you feel at home.

There is someone beside you. The ghost of an image, the voice hard to place for age or gender. Their form feels of nostalgia, of pride, of stubborn energy, of compassion unending. Of the color of lilacs. Of the light of angels.

Solomon stops in place. An afterimage of him continues on, with the stranger at his side. They give him a dry, unamused look, and his phantom laughs brightly.

Sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm just glad I was able to help.

Anyway, Thirteen shouldn't mind us wandering through here. There's somewhere I want to show you, anyway--

Your heart aches with emotions not quite your own. A complex relief. A touch of disappointment, a mountain of protectiveness. And something else, something warm, that aches and aches, that you swallow down like it's normal.]

Yes...

[There's a hesitation, a caution, that Solomon doesn't use often. But as Tatara takes his hand, Solomon squeezes it on reflex and tries to walk them forward, even as the echo of his own voice starts to ripple behind them.

It was the least I could do. No need to keep the only other human here in a pickle. Though... you do have me interested in how you got Lucifer so worked up.

The surroundings start to shift to the stony, spiraling rock of a cave system that feels unnatural and otherworldly. You feel innately aware that this is a place you are both not welcomed, and a place that you feel at home.

There is someone beside you. The ghost of an image, the voice hard to place for age or gender. Their form feels of nostalgia, of pride, of stubborn energy, of compassion unending. Of the color of lilacs. Of the light of angels.

Solomon stops in place. An afterimage of him continues on, with the stranger at his side. They give him a dry, unamused look, and his phantom laughs brightly.

Sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm just glad I was able to help.

Anyway, Thirteen shouldn't mind us wandering through here. There's somewhere I want to show you, anyway--

Your heart aches with emotions not quite your own. A complex relief. A touch of disappointment, a mountain of protectiveness. And something else, something warm, that aches and aches, that you swallow down like it's normal.]

Oh? Why were you two fighting?

[ Just kinda curious about that, so he's throwing it out there, no biggee.

But at the question given to him in turn, he nods. He surprises himself with the action, even as he feels something complex at the idea of seeing someone who is definitely dead move around as if alive again.

Though it changes little of the present. ]

...Yes. Or at least something close to it. It might be somewhat complicated, but all the same, I suppose I am not entirely displeased.

Though, I can't quite expect you would feel the same in regards to what you experienced, considering the circumstances.

[Ah, the central wizard he'd seen patrolling around the beaches! What a sight. He looks up from where he's slowly separating blood from debris, offering Morag a smile that might feel a little out of place.]

Hah - That much shouldn't be an issue. But better to prepare for the worst.

Do you think we could manage some temporary barriers for the drains?

[Syrlya watches G'raha as he comes in, considering, before he slides into the offered seat.] Thank you. I'm afraid I'm just catching up on the situation regarding you and Lazuli.

[Who appears to be. Gone. But Syrlya hasn't heard dead.]

Haha... I suppose it depends on the surroundings, doesn't it?

Though that doesn't seem to be stopping you.

[An observation, neutral and light.

Faintly, distantly, there's the flickering smell of smoke. Of dust and debris. Of blood. Of distant, mourning screams.

Khun's body will feel like a phantom of itself for a brief moment. Pained. Exhausted. Powerful. Powerful. It radiates like the heat of the sun in waves off his body.

It's enough to give Solomon pause with an inhale, with a touch of his fingers to a ring he's worn since the start. A reflex, though it doesn't seem to do much for the growing discomfort.]

[It's been getting easier to cast illusions, and though Syrlya is still mindful about being touched lest it become very obvious she is not what she seems, she at least has a very convincing illusion to appear a human female. The human part really been the important one.

She smooths the end of her dress. Jing Yuan, at least, is easy enough to recognize so she remains relaxed.] I like it well enough. Seems everyone is taking the opportunity to relax away from business.

[Which means... he hasn't overheard a whole lot.]

I often wear a cowl for the full effect. As you've noticed when we first met.

But as you can see... [He waves a hand at his head. Without a hood to weigh it down, his hair has fluffed up considerably.] I am showing you the courtesy of being mostly uncovered.

[Though if he were really showing courtesy, he'd be completely maskless-- after all, most of the manor has already seen his bare face.]

[He stays still despite the advance from Akira, his eyes drawn with exhaustion, his face scraped up at the edges with the telltale redness of exposure to the cold. And he smiles, that same apologetic smile.]

Cleaning up. [He holds up one of the mana stones, before slipping it away with the rest into a pouch at his belt.] Your temper makes me think you don't want that answer, though.

Is that right?

[Faintly, distantly, there's the flickering smell of smoke. Of dust and debris. Of blood.

Of distant, mourning screams.]

...Mm, I suppose that they are.

[ Jing Yuan says simply, because that appears to be the case. If so, then, she supposes that there is only certainly folly in pursuing the idea of trying to obtain information at a party.

It's time to enjoy herself, her hand already around a drink's container, yet despite it all she can't quite get into the mood just yet. Ah well, she will just give it time. ]

But, it is not too surprising. After all, everyone certainly does need time to relax, no?

[Syrlya had noticed Solomon's missing presence the past few days, but with no idea where he'd gone or who had seen him there wasn't much Syrlya could do to inquire about it.

And there's work to be done besides. Syrlya heads up north with a heavy cloak as soon as it's asked, and he wastes no time reinforcing barrier and deflecting creatures from the borders of the down. The people are grateful... perhaps too grateful. He wonders what it is that they feel the need to beg and grovel for salvation, as if they weren't worthy of protection in the frigid north. He wonders if they have struggled to survive since the disappearance of the wizards.

He turns down the excessive gifts. Assures them that he's here to help, and they owe nothing for it. Just the food and shelter while they're here is enough for him.

It's when he's getting some space deeper in the forest that he catches sight of a white that stands out from the trees and so. He pursues, of course, with a hurried step to confirm--] Solomon?

Whoa! [Syrlya, who had not been expecting to be jumpscared, damn near drops the fruit he was munching on.] Our future--what is that?

[He pushes aside the feelings that aren't his - he is, if nothing else, true to himself, and that makes it just a little easier, sorting through the emotions to find his own.

His own which are - conflict, knowing who this is, but - that damned sympathy, too.

He really is too soft sometimes.

Still, the hand stays, an offer. The kid - a younger Solomon can choose to take it, or not.]

No, perhaps you should not have. [And Ithaqua should not have seen this moment twice. It was difficult enough the first time, when he brought Mother home after their experiences in town.

Looking at the face of his younger self, who has not turned into a monster yet, whose eyes are still a normal, human white. The eyes are the only difference, because everything else between them are the exact same-- would be the exact same, if Ithaqua were not bundled up in all those layers.]

And yet here we are. [And there his younger self goes, scuttling away from his mother after having been frozen in place, in shock, grief, disbelief, for so long.] As you can see, Mother fared quite poorly in the place she was prior to this.

[The chain around her neck and all the injuries should tell enough of a story.]

[Temper? Don't start with him. Akira laces his arms tight across his chest, eyeing those stones that Solomon's slipping into his pockets. It isn't the biting cold that has the hairs at his nape standing on end, a spell wrapped around him to ward off the pervasive chill.

He'd feel better if he could merely blame the snow and the ice for the unease that pits in his throat, hardens like stone. The smell of smoke, acrid, stings his nostrils and propels him forward. Faster and faster strides, the distant screaming compelling him into motion.]

Stay right there. We're going back.

[They can't stay here. They can't. Akira knows the smell of death on the air, a scent that brings to mind the sound of chains dragging along the ground. Run, they have to run, and he isn't running away alone.]

[You would think at some point Syrlya would learn to recognize the signs of toxic air having dealt with is three or four times. And he does, at least, realize when his senses are muddling. He just thinks he can surely push through it.

He blinks a couple times as Bruno offers the stone, then raises his brows.] Since they're... you don't eat animals?

[Can quite call it meat, although it's conceptually the same?]

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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Tea

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Ladies' Night | Party

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I'm going to place this before the Bruno thread specifically for Reasons

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Gone Fishing

Smile

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yay... ha ha ha... yay!!

Dreaming Forest (A or B surprise me)