thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

[promittere]

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

Comments

[troublereduction]

[ It's the sight of his sister that makes him reach out instinctively, almost say her name, and he doesn't only because he can't quite bring himself to call out for her. Even though it's been 7 years, and he knows full well that part of his life is out of reach forever, he still misses her. The last person with whom words didn't need to be said for them to understand each other.

That's also why he cannot help his disappointment when he's suddenly back where he was and sees only a piece of string in his hand. ]

...Ain't sure what you guys mean by this. [ He's addressing the spirits. He thinks it's the spirits doing, anyway? But he also isn't really expecting a response. ]

[mirristry]

[Sure, hit Phil with your worst!]

[impacter]

Hello to you too, Aragaki-kun.

[His smile quirks, not quite reaching his eyes, as he brushes the mana stone clean of snow and pockets it at a pouch on his belt. He has scrapes and scratches around his face, as well as a smattering of purple and red against one cheekbone up through the bridge of his nose that seems to still be healing.]

Hm? Here?

No. I'm answering the request of the people, just like the rest of you. This isn't a place I would want to dwell any more than I have to.

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

Of distant, mourning screams.]

You should care to do the same. Okay?

[troublereduction]

[ Truly, Day grows more convinced even here fate has a sense of humor with how often the topic of memories has ended up being broached. Is he supposed to take this as some sort of sign? ]

Makes sense. [ And he agrees, at least to some degree. Day doesn't look down at his tea, but finds his gaze wandering to a window, looking out of it. ] People're shaped by memories and bonds, I'd say. [ The people who are part of those memories too, he means. ]

[mirristry]

[Phil has been restless ever since returning from the mission. He knows he should be resting and recovering, yet this evening finds him out on a short walk to try to get a little bit of fresh air and clear his head somewhat.

Really, he knows better than to step into something like this, but... at this point, what does he have to lose?]

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan supposes she hasn't quite had a solid opinion on the music...other than it is generally nice. It isn't terrible, and she probably has heard some jazz numbers.

Though, she misses the sounds that are usually heard in her home. ]

That is perhaps the bonus of spending time with those from the West. Once you're spending time with the general crowd, you can expect quite a good deal of friendliness. Though, it does help the mood is quite festive.

[ She has been the receipt of some compliments herself. ]

...I am as well. After all, no matter wherever one is, such views never fail to be nothing short of spectacular.

[dyingtohealyou]

[At the very least, while his expression is quite serious, he doesn't seem overly distressed. There's a kind of weary acceptance, watching scenes play out that he's seen a million times and more in his dreams.

By the time it ends, he releases a soft sigh.]

...Guess my ward needs work.

[Damn toxins...]

[foresightis2020]

[ He pauses at that. He probably hasn't...heard of an airplane. ]

...I assume that is another flying vehicle.

[ They don't have normal 'airplanes' on the Xianzhou Alliance. ]

Do you know what it looks like, for comparison's sake?

[impacter]

... I wasn't sure. This situation was a complicated one, with a lot of fine triggers. Emotions were high, and tensions between the Devildom and Celestial Realm were strained. If something had happened, even if it wasn't directly involving the human world, the possible overflow to humanity would still be too large for me to ignore.

[Just him. Not Ibuki. Though he'd always wanted Ibuki to be at his side...

...

Thirteen comes crashing back in and slaps the phantom Solomon across the back of the head before Ibuki has any chance to respond.

No!
She stiffens her jaw, pointing at Ibuki as well.
No, no promises, no oaths, no pinky swears, nothing! Don't you dare! Solomon, you know better, that's against the rules.
Ah... right, right. Sorry.

Ibuki looks confused, hesitating as though trying to ask something. But Thirteen interrupts again, swatting Solomon away to go fetch blankets. He absconds with a tired laugh and leaves Thirteen to speak with Ibuki alone.

The memory shifts, with the faint request from Thirteen:

Solomon. Hey, you're coming with me. I've got intruders in my maze, and they're YOUR problem, so I'm not going to make it MY problem. Got it? Go clean up your mess, and don't start an incident with the monarchy on my property or I'm finding your candle in Candy's things and using it in my next machine, got it??

Time blurs with passage. Hours, a fight, an escape. The feeling of being cornered.

They're back at the fountain. Thirteen stands off in a corner with disapproval. Solomon stands in front of Ibuki. A few blurred figures of distorted shape and color now occupy the space.

And one specific creature - a demon, and a powerful one at that - is advancing towards the two humans. Lucifer.

You are one thoroughly disgusting human... do you know that?
Well, what do you expect? You've made it very clear that you consider me your enemy.

Lucifer sneers towards Solomon, even as the sorcerer smiles, the same smile he always wears.

Ibuki. You're the one I'm looking for.

They try to placate him. They say they can explain.

Explain? What could you POSSIBLY have to say worth hearing? It's far too late for that now.

He advances, with an energy that shakes the room.

Why did you show up when you did? Why did you appear before us?
Lucifer. That's enough. Don't get any closer to Ibuki.
Quiet.

Lucifer snaps his hand up, and Solomon's entire body is drawn to a halt, frozen in place with a grunt of pain.

Just because you're lauded as the greatest sorcerer in human history, you think you stand a chance against me?! You think you could defeat the Avatar of Pride? You? A human???

There's protests from the others around the space. Other demons, though it seems their voices and appearances aren't the importance of this memory.

Ibuki speaks up through the mess.

You're not actually angry, are you? That's not it.

Lucifer goes quiet. He advances on Ibuki, in words you cannot hear... before Ibuki starts to choke, crushed under the force of Lucifer's magic without him even moving a muscle. The other demons continue to protest, but none move to stop him. All are too scared of the consequences.

Cowards.

Ibuki. I don't care whether you are a demon or a human. It doesn't matter. But you possess the power to force every single one of us into submission. You can extract our power against our will, and use it as your own. Regardless of who or what you are, you are a threat to us.

Lucifer's stance grows taller, wings spreading wide.

I resolved never to put my family in danger again. No one harms my brothers. I won't let that happen.

There's a holler. It's from Thirteen. In her hands she holds a book. A grimoire. Everyone in the room freezes. Some of the demons are confused, and others explain its purpose. A book of magic, created by a human, with information to summon and subjugate a demon against their will.

This is where every grimoire on every demon out there is born. It all happens right here. Because this is the Fountain of Knowledge, after all. Which is obviously why that sham of a sorcerer over there decided to come here. He was after this...

Weren't you, Solomon?]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Then what's with the fog?

[Uhhh????]

[troublereduction]

[ He's about to say that it's unusual that there's even the scent of rain at all, but then that all plays out.

...

Day finds himself smiling a little, even though that's perhaps overstepping a little. ]

Huh. I guess I can see it. [ Jing Yuan as a guardian and mentor, he means. ]

[troublereduction]

[ Another thing that Day wonders, though he gets the feeling he knows the answer already: surely, Solomon's sense of duty for humanity is self-imposed, not tied to something bigger than himself besides belief and principles, right? So he doesn't try to comment on the politics.

At how Thirteen reacts to the would-be promise, however, and for quite possibly the first time in the course of their interactions, Day looks at Solomon with a bit of judgment. Like he expected better of Solomon if this was apparently a big deal. He doesn't comment on it either, because it wouldn't be productive. What's passed has passed.

...At the last part, however: ]

Were you, Solomon? [ A genuine question, because Day often finds it hard to get a good read on him. ]

[chronosynthesis]

My view? [His head tips.] I wouldn't say I'm more informed than Tatara, though perhaps I can provide more detail... I find the impending disaster alarming. But we have not been completely without progress on that front, so I'm hopeful.

[foresightis2020]

[ Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't...! ]

Oh? Can you now?

[ Jing Yuan is folding his arms, raising an eyebrow just so.

Though, there is a little hint of a smile all the same; maybe because it wasn't really a bad memory or anything (and he is unoffended.) ]

[troublereduction]

You have that sorta air like a mentor. [ An honest observation. ]

[chronosynthesis]

You mean our comrades? [She pauses, momentarily caught off guard by the subject change.] I can't say I'm having real conflict with any of them. We're all doing our best, given the circumstances. Are you alright, after...?

[He makes a "flying clear across the lawn" sort of gesture.]

[chronosynthesis]

[He eases slightly at the familiar face.]

I'm picking them up as I find them. [Though they weren't exactly his focus.] It occurs to me that the magical creatures here must devour them as well, which makes finding so many untouched... concerning.

[chronosynthesis]

[... Well okay it's all strange enough he might as well trigger whatever trap this is and deal with it.]

[troublereduction]

Good to know that just 'cause we can stop it from killin' us, don't mean we ward off all the fun extras. [ Said wryly. ]

...You wanna make a move? [ Gently trying to divert this to, hopefully, something less wistful. ]

[impacter]

[The real Solomon pauses, just enough to cast those brassy eyes towards Day. And with the same smile as his counterpart, though significantly more pained, he nods.

There's a flare of magic, one that Day can feel in his own body like it had emerged from himself without any effort at all - an echo, of what the phantom Solomon does without even moving. Lucifer has wavered at the site of the grimoire, and it is enough for the sorcerer to snap the spell that binds him, the outreaching of one hand all that is needed to free Ibuki as well, who stumbles back down to the ground coughing for breath.

Wow, Lucifer. Did you lose your composure?

The demon sneers in his direction as Solomon skirts his way over to Ibuki to stand between them, his voice lowering as he speaks over his shoulder to his apprentice.

Are you okay?
I could have handled that on my own, you know.
Haha... sorry for robbing you of the chance, then.

You feel a rush of pride at their confidence.

Thirteen tosses the grimoire. Ibuki catches it. The demons in the room are frenzied to a panic. Some yell at Thirteen for not maintaining a neutral status. She just shrugs and says to stuff it. It doesn't surprise you. Thirteen always walked her own path.

Well, now. Things have gotten interesting. So.

What are you going to do, Ibuki?

You know what you want them to say, even as they hold the book out in front of them. But it is never your choice. You are here to guide. To assist. Not to act on their behalf.

...

And yet, you still feel your chest constrict, as they lower the book from a protective hold.

...I won't.

I love all of you.

Of course they do. They always have. It's that enormous heart you love so much about them.

They hold the grimoire out to Lucifer. Your fear climbs.

Ibuki--

Lucifer stares down at them, wings still spread, still furious... but laced with deep confusion and hurt. Do they understand what they're doing?

...

There are more important things than this.

More important things than control, in the situation they're in? It unsettles and confuses the demons. Thirteen looks baffled.

Solomon's fear could not be higher. But he merely watches, eyes flicking to Lucifer. So he does not see, and he cannot stop, when they say:

I promise--

The rest of the statement feels so distant. The reason a blur. Because what matters to you isn't what they just told a demon. It's what they just did to themselves.

Your heart jumps into your throat, and you hear Thirteen start forward. The demons don't react. They don't know.

And just as the promise leaves Ibuki's lips, their entire body locks up, skin going deathly pale, as they crumple straight to the ground.

Solomon moves forward. Of course he does. The master is responsible for the apprentice, his apprentice, his...

Thirteen shoves him aside. She barks at the demons who now start to swarm. The sound is rushing through your ears like a river, with the pound of your heart. No one can rouse them. They're fading, Thirteen says. And Lucifer, of all people present, is the one that immediately grabs them in his arms and shouts for attention, for people to follow.

That ache in your heart only grows as you follow along in suit. Their love for the brothers, always warm for the brothers, always present for the brothers, even now. This beautiful, wonderful part of them, chosen over instruction and warning. Chosen over the good of humanity. That heart you love so much.

The memory starts to muddle. A pale body laid down onto a bed. A blessing attempted, with no response. A deep knowledge that, in all of the knowledge within the Fountain, there is no knowledge of the Fountain itself... nor of the curse it places. There is no way to break it. It's nearly impossible.

But you will try, you say. You promise you will find a way. No matter how impossible.

Because you love them.

Even if, with that loving and open heart, they will never, ever, love you back.]

[foresightis2020]

Hmm, all things considered, that is a good thing.

[ Jing Yuan does recognize that as a positive to say about him, and at least it means he's been making good impressions here or there. ]

As you might imagine, being a mentor is never easy. Though, I can say for certain that it is always rewarding.

[ . . .Sometimes. ]

[foresightis2020]

Mm-hmm.

We all certainly are.

[ ...

Though, Jing Yuan blinks at the question, not sure what the other is referring to until she makes the hand gesture, which does net Syrlya a considering hum. It may not seem like it but she was actually a little surprised. ]

...Yes, I am. But, I hadn't quite expected to hear a question on that matter. After all, it has been quite awhile since then, hasn't it?

[troublereduction]

Hehe, that so? [ He has to wonder if the monk who raised him ever felt the same way. ]

He a troublemaker? [ Though the way Day says it, he's asking if the boy's the kind of troublemaker you'd think fondly of. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[...?!

He looks on either side of the boat, hella confused on accounts of... not having any reason to be on a boat??

It's taking him a hot minute to figure out where he was before and how he got here from there.]

What...?

[Well. Uh. He can at least check the other passenger and see who it is?]

[dyingtohealyou]

From Kurapika's world, yeah. We don't have anything that flies... We only recently got trains in the capital.

[So that would be a no.]