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

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Aight. It ain't like I'm a kid.

[ He'll follow after Shinji, trying to not let the surreality of the sound of a beach in the frigid North get to him. ]

[Perhaps Kiryu is not really understanding, even if he is doing his best. Ithaqua cannot fault him for that, and his rage subsides.]

It matters not anymore.

[He places a hand on the back of his neck and cricks it.]

The one responsible is dead. I made sure of that.

Traffic laws...?

[They have trains not cars,]

But... I think I get the gist of it.

[ Petals of purple and gray circle and dance around Phil as he steps in, the warmth of the late spring breeze rejoicing in his presence.

Soon, there is nothing in this world besides him, the breeze, and the vortex of flowers that whirl around him. Petals flutter from the swirl, breaking free, and before his very eyes they take the shape of not one, but two people.

One stands tall with a large shadow behind them, but their demeanor is gentle and kind and brimming with curiosity. The other seems to change form, back and forth, as though it's unsure how to present itself; it feels elusive, nevertheless.

And just as soon as the vision begins, it fades away. Phil now stands where he was before. ]

[ As they continue to talk on the subject and Solomon throws his initial question, his genuine interest makes Jing Yuan start to brighten up again, even though it should be hard (and for a given value of it, there is still emotional turmoil.) But...but, also, Yanqing is his pride and joy!! ]

Haha, yes, you'd be correct. Caution can truly be the last thing on a student's mind, no matter how many times one instructs them. It seems that is, perhaps, the most difficult lesson of all to teach, in retrospect.

But, yes, I suppose I do have...a tad bit of experience in other matters that may have helped. I will consider it fortunate that I have been able to impart what I can, and for it to be useful for his future.

[ There is a little bit of pause somewhere in his phrasing perhaps because Jing Yuan is unwilling to be a braggart. But, Solomon may have certainly recalled the General using a glaive when they fought together, so. Modesty. ]

Ah, you would be correct that I am fond of him; not only because he is my student, but I have taken care of him since before he could walk.

...Still, I digress. His name is Yanqing — I also can show you a picture of him from my cellphone, if you'd like.

[ This is like an anime dad who is showing pictures of his family (literally.) Even as he asks this, he forgets himself, and is already fishing thoughtlessly for his cellphone. ]

My— Oh, damn.

[Though he recasts it on himself, it's a bit too late to stop the memories from seeping in (or out?). Regardless, several figures flicker into being - first a few, then more, and still more, gathered in a run-down room that barely fits them all. They're drinking together, looking happy and chatting about something you can't hear.

Malice is there too, though he stands away from the crowd. He looks exactly the same as he does now, completely with massive metal claws, but his expression is... melancholy, maybe. He's approached by one of the others (humans, presumably) who claps a hand to this fake Malice's shoulder. The man is average in every definition of the word - plain looks, average height and build, but he has a bright smile and looks happy to chat with their local vampire. Whatever is is he's said is lost to the wind, but it gets a wry expression from Malice, who shrugs the human's hand off. They actually seem to be pretty close, despite Malice's almost dismissive treatment of him.

Though perhaps further selling that notion is the real Malice, who has frozen, staring at the human figure with his good eye wide.]

[The colour catches his attention immediately, because he doesn't wear red-- there are no such ways to make that dye in the woods, and the only regular sources of red were what his mother brought in from when she fled town... and the blood of whatever he hunted.

The red string, and the process of untangling it, takes up enough of his attention that he doesn't have to think about why Solomon was in the vision.

He already knows there's something going on between them, why they're always inexplicably tugged together. And he'd like to not keep being reminded. He might just strangle Solomon with the string and put him out of Ithaqua's misery.]

[ It's Comet! But they definitely look different. They're dressed in way-too-big robes of pure white, and their hair is very long... enough to reach the floor and then some while they sit up. They look at Ahito, and it's up in the air if they actually see him as Ahito, the Northern-aligned wizard Comet met, or something else to fit this memory. But the smile they give is the same.

But they lean over the side of the boat into the water, making a gesture for Ahito to also look! It's a really big shadow, much bigger than the little skiff the two are on. ]

Sacrificed again, little one?

[ The voice seems to come from the shadow below. It echoes telepathically in their head as something that speaks something understandable, but to their ears, it's definitely not. But Comet is unfazed, nodding as they pet whatever's underneath the water, getting their sleeve wet. ]

[ Oh. Oh this is the fun hallucinations he's heard about, isn't it. At first Day thinks that, perhaps, this is going to be fine...until he sees the phantom Malice's face, and then the real Malice's face at all this. ]

...Malice?

[ Oh there's that gut feeling that something awful is about to follow. ]

Tch.

[The sound is annoyed, and highly agitated in a way Malice doesn't usually get. He paces around the scene, stalking it like a true predator, golden eye darting around as he searches for where Lotisse will appear next.

And then the scene fades out, replaced with a new one. Yet again this seems to be the elegant background of a noble's manor, though this one is decorated in pale whites and grays, giving it a more sophisticated and less gothic look than the last one. It seems to be an entrance hall, with towering walls and dimly lit hallways branching off.

Malice is the first to enter, eye wide and taking in the scenery with a bright expression. He turns around behind him to compliment "Loti" on his home, adding: "Thanks. For takin' me in. You didn't have to go to such lengths for me."

"How could I possibly refuse a dear friend?" Lotisse asks with a smile. It's a gentle expression, one that seems every bit sincere. He waves a hand and suddenly several servants flock to him, blocking the exit and moving toward Malice.

"But unfortunately," Lotisse says, expression twisting into something that doesn't seem to fit his features; a ferocity that shows off his fangs and reminds one that he is a vampire, "I did have to go to such lengths. I am determining what your Domain is, 'Malice'. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

"Wha—" Is about all the illusory Malice gets out before he's roughly grabbed by some of those servants and though he struggles to free himself, they're quick to disarm him of his claws.

Lotisse laughs, the sound gentle and delicate. "Just kidding. We're doing this the hard way." And with a final wink he saunters off.

Malice yells after him - demanding an explanation, asking what he did wrong, begging for a second chance - but he's dragged off in a different direction and the scene fades out.

The real Malice remains still, but his expression is tight; good hand clenched at his side so hard his knuckles are white.]

[ Day tries his best to stifle a chuckle, but he can't help breaking into a smile at how much of a proud dad Jing Yuan is here. It's cute? Seriously cute, what the hell? ]

Sounds a bit like me as a kid. [ The impatience leading into overconfidence, especially. ] But he seems like a good kid. Can't say I've ever really mentored anyone when I'm still the fresh meat in the division, but...well, I'm good dodgin' stuff, if nothing else.

[Huh... He feels like he's felt this exact same aura before, and has a good idea who it belongs to. Something to discuss with them later, then. What an interesting experience...]

[ Petals of black and gold circle and dance around Syrlya as he steps in, the warmth of the late spring breeze rejoicing in his presence.

Soon, there is nothing in this world besides him, the breeze, and the vortex of flowers that whirl around him. Petals flutter from the swirl, breaking free, and before his very eyes they take the shape of a person.

The form the petals take is of a humanoid that is slightly shorter than Syrlya, but no less proud. A heavy tome rests open in their hand, and they flip it with the casual grace of one who has studied long and thoroughly. Knowledge is power, after all, and though they may look unassuming, great power indeed lays within.

And just as soon as the vision begins, it fades away. Syrlya now stands where he was before. ]

[ Momentarily glancing at ear wiggles.

Anyway, time to pay attention to the story since that is important. Which is, well, quite the tale. ]

...You did not exaggerate on the length of the story.

[ Which is, hm. Quite a time indeed. Most would probably be weary after all of that, maybe. But the other is in good spirits. ]

But, ever am I glad you had someone who was looking out for you. It still does not sound like quite an easy road of it.

I suppose given you refer to him as you do so now, he may no longer be among the living as well?

Heheh! I can be mindful when the occasion calls for it. [And if he feels like it.]

In any case, our dear new mentor... are there more things you want to know? Many people here are awfully nosy, but I've taken a liking to you.

[ A strange kind of attitude, perhaps, for someone as cheerful as Malice to have, but considering that this is him seeing a glimpse of himself with an enemy, he doesn't even feel it is unreasonable in the slightest.

But, the slight inkling that matters are heading towards a most certainly suspect route would be when the conversation turns towards Loti making the comment about being unable to refuse a dear friend.

Not that he is certain it is, but typically after comments like that, the other has lowered their guard down even more if it was up in the first place, and that is when betrayers see it as the prime moment to attack. He is proven right but it isn't really satisfying in the slightest.

This just makes him flashback to his conversation with Malice at the ball. This must be the guy he spoke of. ]

...That was when your mother and that man colluded together, wasn't it?

[ Jing Yuan starts off carefully, though certainly a bit bluntly. He doesn't see a reason to pretend what happened didn't occur at all. That'd be senseless and foolish.

Though he certainly doesn't want to make matters worse, the memories certainly would have made it possible. It gives even more context in the end, but it does nothing for one's emotions. ]

They are no longer here, but what I said before hasn't changed. [ I wish you all the success in being her rightfully down for acting so barbarically. ] And I understand why that man was able to trick you. It seems he was quite a close friend...I can't say I would know what changed his mind, to betray you, but it makes him no less culpable for his actions.

[ It's the dad vibes, isn't it? The chuckle ensures his smile remains, and well, it isn't like he gets the opportunity to do much of this more often back home. Yanqing is at that age where he would get embarrassed at such doting attitudes.

And he can't very well spoil him anymore. ]

Oh, does it? I suppose everyone has their moments when they are young. [ Trying to imagine little Day now... ] I do recall you alluding to something like that when we were out on the beach. Even if it was about dodging division matters upon return home.

But, you certainly must have had someone mentor you, yes? Was it anyone that made a deep impression?

[ He doesn't bother to try shrugging Solomon off. It takes him a bit to steady himself, breathing in and out for a long, long minute. ]

...I'm fine.

[ Little Day was rowdy and the source of much trouble, usually because he couldn't sit still. ]

Good at dodgin' actual things flyin' at me too, not just the abstract stuff. [ Bit of a wry smile. ] But...I guess the monk who raised me counts. And someone from the Division of Endings mentored me when I joined the bureau.

[ ...For some reason, in the crisp wintery air, there's the smell of fresh orchids? ]

[...Everything about this just grows more baffling by the moment.]

Sacrifice...? Wait, what is that?

[Trying to peer at the shadow below.]

( Mika pauses, looking up from his decidedly emo task (emo because Mika is doing it; the task itself is surely neutral) - probably a book. After a moment, he sets it down. )

... Got what to work?

Aight. Just wasn't sure if it'd be steppin' on your toes after all that.

...Did those people ever pay for what happened? [ Because it sure as hell didn't sound ethical. Day wouldn't know if any of it was by any definition legal, given some of the things that ends up permissible by law or tradition in Creation. ]

Nope. Their organization's still active, even now.

[And he sounds quite certain stating as much.]

Nothing out in the open - but they're definitely out there.

[ Shinjiro's features are skeptical, as grey eyes squint at the older man once he gets a bit closer. He had seemed pretty normal from afar, but now that he's up close- ]

...The heck? You gettin' into fights while you're here?

[ He very much looks like he's been in a brawl...or the receiving end of someone's right hook. Shinjiro's pretty intimate with the sight, himself, so he would know.

He's not too sure how much of that he believes, but that last part...the teen opts to notably look away through the forest, like he's looking for another green tint or abrupt moon in the sky, but finds his nose wrinkling at the scent of blood and dust.

His lips purse tight. ]

...I ain't planning on sticking around that long. [ Even if he's had to keep going, despite what goes on here. It leaves an obviously uncomfortable tension to his shoulders, especially when the noises seem to get louder. ] Get our damn rocks and get out.

Edited 2024-05-24 09:05 (UTC)

Unfortunate.

[ But it always seems that sources of profound pain and unhappiness get to last longer than they should. ]

But you've been lookin' for them? [ Or else Ahito wouldn't be able to say what he just did.

...There's the sound of a banquet, glasses clinking against each other, the murmur of guests chatting, and music, at first distance, but slow and gradually approaching. ]

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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