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]

[ Hm. This is gonna be fun to work with. ]

[jorunna]

[ Suffering. They appreciate you very much, Day. ]

Maybe they can give it to us after? Then it's like a reward, I guess.

[ Read: never. The two will Book It. ]

[impacter]

That doesn't change my statement, you know.

[His lack of agency aside, it was still not exactly a kind memory, nor was it one he wanted to dwell on with other people.]

You're sure you're alright?

[promittere]

[The first voice is loud in a way that speaks of arrogance, and they sound—agitated, the sort of tired irritation of someone pushed to the edge.

"Glory fades in the blink of an eye. I'm merely a penniless scholar, now, so I'll bid you goodbye."

The second voice is calmer, gentler.

"Please, wait, M— Genius of the ages... you're known for never showing your face, so what brings you here tonight?"

An irritated sigh.

"I'm looking for a patron. You see, the rich aren't holding onto their wealth as good as they used to. Probably because of that approaching war."

"I don't believe it. The Western royals would shower you in wealth, for all of your talents."

The first man continues on, as if he wants this conversation as quickly as possible.

"No, they really have gotten quite stingy. Maybe because of the throne changing hands—but, say. Do you know the lady of Sapphire Castle?"

There's a confused, curious murmur.

"Yes, the lord of the Sapphire Castle is said to be even richer than the royal family, now, so I'm here to meet with the family's daughter. I've heard she's quite a talented musician, and I'm certain that sheltered girl will take quite the liking with me."

He launches into a speech, as the second man quietly hm's and adds input at the right places, about how nothing is as beautiful and thrilling as the moon, which remains ever out of reach, making it the subject of so much art. Artists all love beautiful and thrilling things, but with the most beautiful and thrilling thing something nobody can grasp, they must settle for what they can reach. Someone beautiful and thrilling like him, a man so desperate for funding...

"I will get on my knees before the sheltered princess and kiss her feet if that's what it takes."

There's a laugh in the second man's voice, now, barely contained.

"I understand, but it seems like even a man like you can make mistakes.

"You must have been so absorbed in your own research you failed to notice what was happening in the world around you. The only child of the Sapphire Castle's family is not a daughter, but a son. His name is Rustica—"

The conversation between scholar and noble fades, with the faint sound of a harpsichord being played.]

[troublereduction]

[ Suddenly, out of goddamn nowhere (and Day using magic to help project his voice). ]

Do you need help, dear travellers?

[impacter]

Of inexperience begetting consequences.

[You can hear more screams in the distance. Your distress climbs. No. No, no, you tried so hard. You were trying so hard. And yet your magic bubbles ferociously in your limbs, in your throat, no matter how you keep trying to press it down like you've tried for years. But it hurts. It hurts, and you feel what little grip you have over your own power slipping.

They have died because of you. And you want to scream until your throat goes hoarse. There has to be something you can do, something, something something.

Khun will feel the urge to double over, like his magic is trying to burst from his skin if he doesn't pull himself together.]

cw broken bones?? yeah

[revengier]

I think you're right about that. If anything... you'll find it interesting.

[ Kurapika knows the cadence of this battle, each and every movement memorized from the way that it haunts his dreams. They stop at the edge of one of the cliffs just as a slightly younger version of Kurapika lands on the dirt below, a long string of chains extending from his fingers. There's some sort of aura surrounding both the chains and Kurapika, white as it radiates from the outside of his body. This is the power from his world that he mentioned—Nen.

His opponent has an aura too, ferocious and red and imposing, though that could be partially due to his height. After all, his opponent is at least eight feet tall and much bulkier than Kurapika. The moment the man lands, Kurapika aims his chains right at him and misses, striking the ground behind him as he runs toward Kurapika.

"Strike first to win!"

He lands that hit, surprising Kurapika with a strike that knocks him back several feet, the sheer power of it reverberating through the earth as Kurapika uses his arm to dodge it. There's a moment where the man looks satisfied, as if he's surely won, when Kurapika emerges from the dust brushing off his clothes.

"Was that punch the best you've got?" Kurapika's voice is cool and collected as the man balks in surprise... just for a moment, because he laughs soon after. His aura surges as he charges toward Kurapika again, but this time Kurapika seems prepared for it. He dodges, leading into a few moments where he has the advantage against his much larger opponent—a punch to the back that sends him surging forward, a kick to the head that tosses the much larger man like a rag doll, and then a leap that sends Kurapika landing on the man's back and creating a crater in the earth. But that doesn't mean he's overpowering his foe either, he's quick to recover, and they once again find themselves in a standoff.

"Damn, he keeps darting around. But..."

"I'll regret not using that chance to chain you up?" There's a cruel sort of smile on Kurapika's face, a look that really doesn't suit him. "Stop making excuses and give me your best shot. You're wasting my time."

That gets his opponent fired up and his aura surges once again, creating an oppressive atmosphere that reaches the two of them up on top of the cliff, and it almost feels like they've been weighed down by it. After all, it's not the sort of aura you forget easily.

He punches the earth, creating a layer of dust that provides a smoke screen and allows him to finally get a hit on Kurapika... leading to a sickening crack that's telling of broken bones. Even from this angle, the dust having traveled up far enough to obscure their own vision and potentially cause them to choke on the air they breathe in, it's easy to see that Kurapika's arm has been shattered almost entirely. ]

cw broken bones, etc

[revengier]

Mm, it is.

[ Kurapika knows the cadence of this battle, each and every movement memorized from the way that it haunts his dreams. That younger version of Kurapika stands still on the dirt below, a long string of chains extending from his fingers. There's some sort of aura surrounding both the chains and Kurapika, white as it radiates from the outside of his body.

His opponent has an aura too, ferocious and red and imposing, though that could be partially due to his height. After all, his opponent is at least eight feet tall and much bulkier than Kurapika. The moment the man lands, Kurapika aims his chains right at him and misses, striking the ground behind him as he runs toward Kurapika.

"Strike first to win!"

He lands that hit, surprising Kurapika with a strike that knocks him back several feet, the sheer power of it reverberating through the earth as Kurapika uses his arm to dodge it. There's a moment where the man looks satisfied, as if he's surely won, when Kurapika emerges from the dust brushing off his clothes.

"Was that punch the best you've got?" Kurapika's voice is cool and collected as the man balks in surprise... just for a moment, because he laughs soon after. His aura surges as he charges toward Kurapika again, but this time Kurapika seems prepared for it. He dodges, leading into a few moments where he has the advantage against his much larger opponent—a punch to the back that sends him surging forward, a kick to the head that tosses the much larger man like a rag doll, and then a leap that sends Kurapika landing on the man's back and creating a crater in the earth. But that doesn't mean he's overpowering his foe either, he's quick to recover, and they once again find themselves in a standoff.

"Damn, he keeps darting around. But..."

"I'll regret not using that chance to chain you up?" There's a cruel sort of smile on Kurapika's face, a look that really doesn't suit him. "Stop making excuses and give me your best shot. You're wasting my time."

That gets his opponent fired up and his aura surges once again, creating an oppressive atmosphere that reaches the two of them up on top of the cliff, and it almost feels like they've been weighed down by it. After all, it's not the sort of aura you forget easily.

He punches the earth, creating a layer of dust that provides a smoke screen and allows him to finally get a hit on Kurapika... leading to a sickening crack that's telling of broken bones. Even from this angle, the dust having traveled up far enough to obscure their own vision and potentially cause them to choke on the air they breathe in, it's easy to see that Kurapika's arm has been shattered almost entirely. ]

If it's too much for you, feel free to turn away.

barges into memshare (basement edition)

[revengier]

Mm, you don't have to tell me twice. I hope you've placed plenty of protections on yourself?

[ He expects Solomon to have done so, but still. You never know.

That distant smile irks him, enough to prompt him to ask that question in the first place. ]

[fallingsand]

I comb it when it needs it but otherwise? Nah.

[ Bruno does have to take his time figuring out the whole dress thing but eventually, he'll slip back out from behind the screen wearing dress number two. It's a little long on him due to height but otherwise, the fit isn't too bad. ]

How's it look?

[revengier]

Oh. Congratulations on your engagement.

[ He's staying out of the romance drama, but you bet he's going to popcorn whatever it is that Yamato is cooking up here. ]

kurapika will now be voiced by the koolaid man

[impacter]

Naturally. I'm not a fan of being poisoned to death.

[He crouches over to pluck up a few more stones from beneath the snow.

Faintly, the space around them starts to feel damp. Dark. Claustrophobic.

As though trees are no longer trees, as though the sky above starts to feel like it isn't real; fogging up the sensation of openness, their space condensing with the innate sensation of feeling small.

Alone.

Afraid.]

[foresightis2020]

[ Developments that essentially end up as an ultimate net positive...?? ]

...Ah, there's a thought.

Perhaps candles? Those can easily be dimmed by blowing them out.

[ She hadn't thought that far ahead in regards to bringing own lights, but it did at least give a possible idea of what kind. There's probably also generally maybe lighting via magic as option as well, she supposes. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Considering the constant requests and other tasks assigned by a poor village, Jing Yuan finds himself once again in the Forest of Dreams, having come upon seeing Robin revive this wolf. To many people it'd be disconcerting and to Jing Yuan he is at least a little wary because he has to figure if its a friendly creature not attacking Robin first.

The eye color isn't exactly something that immediately gives to an easy confidence, though the vibes he can tell is that it isn't a threat after he visually assesses the situation properly. Especially since he knows Robin is essentially a strategist and would have reacted accordingly himself. ]

...Is this a familiar of yours, Robin?

[ A fair question to ask, considering everything, and it kind of looks like that since he wasn't here for the beginning of all the experiments — but in the midst of this one, sort of. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ It's funny because Jing Yuan has a great deal of confidence, and yet he prefers to be modest or humble whenever he is talking about his own skills seriously. As it is, he looks somewhere between sheepish or slightly embarrassed (wow don't perceive that!) when Solomon points that out. ]

Haha, well, when you put it that way...

[ He trails off because time to reorient the subject back onto his student, to cover up that embarrassment which briefly showed on his face. Which, thankfully, Solomon does himself, hearing him speak upon him saying that he has essentially the right attitude for it. ]

I always do, yes.

But, ah, you're right. It would truly be a shame if I did. It is quite a pain to keep up with the spells and whatnot here. Even if I would not call my concentration poor; I too simply know it could be simply the nature of things.

[ He isn't going to end up dying here just because he is getting out the fam pics. Now that would simply be sad, but he moves to ensure his step isn't at least slow-moving because, yeah. Just a little more, so while they make their way towards the end of the tree line...resisting a bit from opening out the cell he has just got, he asks: ]

...Oh, do you have any students that you'd like to speak of yourself, by the way?

this just in: miyuki sawashiro has been replaced

[revengier]

[ Hm.

He hates this feeling, actually. Kurapika frowns, making sure his charms are still intact, before taking in his surroundings. There's a certain unreal sort of quality to it all, one that makes his chest tighten and his breath catch in his throat. ]

Solomon.

[ Is he still here? ]

[fallingsand]

Yes! Aaand... I... also made the tea I swapped the flavors with taste like blood. So. Yep.

[ He did taste it. He tasted both. He's been doing this for awhile. He probably smells like blood in addition to what is definitely mint tea, assuming vampire senses are simply that good. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ S ~ w ~ o ~ o ~ n from far away ]

[impacter]

One or two. Nothing that you need to worry about.

[Though he does note the tension, much higher than most he's seen. Bruno was like this as well...

He knows which hallucination this is, by now. So it's simply a matter of bracing, of making sure he's keeping his eye to the people around him for what's to come.]

...Is something wrong?

[Shinjiro'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.

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.]

memshare (summoning)

[divineth]

[Urianger crosses paths with the hooded figure in the forest- a figure he recognizes all too well from the restoration efforts in the East. So this is where Solomon wandered off to, huh...]

Verily. 'Tis a true test of our protection magicks.

[Not to mention their mental fortitude.]

Art thou aiding in the cleanup? Or art thou simply seeking mana stones?

[troublereduction]

[ Day keeps his eyes on the fight below, gaze focused. Despite how he acts in general, he's watching with the kind of trained eyes that comes from experience, which Kurapika can definitely pick up on.

...That said, noting that smile, because it really doesn't suit Kurapika. He winces at the sound of bones breaking, if only because it doesn't sound any less painful no matter how used he is to broken bones at this point. ]

Think I've seen worse. [ Technically true. Sunrise exists and he could practically fill out a bingo card for her injuries. ]

[troublereduction]

I think...I'll be alright. [ It's just too much emotion that he didn't want to grapple with then and there. ] Gonna lie the hell down once we're back.

[ Beneath them, the grass, leaves and dirt of the forest starts to give way to a wooden floor. ]

oh yeah (bass boosted)

[impacter]

[...Ah.

Solomon goes still, but his response is oddly quiet.]

I'm here. I can see it, too.

[The increasingly smaller space filters out all its light, darker and darker, save through a small opening. High, higher than they can reach. A ceiling fades in, a cold floor beneath, a thick door to one side and a thin bed far underneath the window, its wall completely coated in shadow. The air smells thick of disease and smoke, the sounds of galloping horses and clanking metal reverbing through the space from above. Above. They're low, below, cold and dark and damp.

There is a figure curled up under the blankets, small with their hands clenched tightly to their face. But Solomon acts before the stranger can, quietly moving forward to try and grab Kurapika by the arm and pull him back towards the shadowed wall.]

[impacter]

Mn. So long as you're sure. Though... I can accompany you out, but I--

[That thought's cut off as the space starts to change again with echoing sounds under their feet. Solomon slows his pace, looking behind him. This... he doesn't remember this one.]

Day. Eyes up.

[foresightis2020]

[ The entire time this memory has been shown, Jing Yuan certainly has been holding himself in the most tense of ways.

There are many reasons for this, though despite that, he hears the compliment, and does not reject it. It takes him a moment to respond, and he judges it acceptable because it also is the truth, letting out a sigh. ]

Mm. No, I do not believe I have.

Which is more than can be said of others.