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

[shortleash]

So I should say nothing?

( In some way, that seems like conceding to Khun. Yes, it is a waste of effort to address him, but Mika would rather their sharp edges scrape against each other than he make himself accommodating. )

You say what you want, and so will I. It's not my problem if you don't like what you hear.

( He won't stop Khun from leaving, though, nor does it seem to be his intent. But he's not gracious enough to not respond, so, alas, )

[serenesinker]

[Before Yodarha follows his fellow wizard, he quickly goes through each person in the line, using simple magic to solve immediate problems, and noting down other ones that would take more time or resources to accomplish in a small journal.]

I'm used to generosity and gratitude after a job well done, but... nothin' like this. Truth be told it makes me a bit uncomfortable!

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan has already gathered what information he has needed re: issues, but that isn't necessary for his current fellow companion, so he doesn't begrudge him for taking the time. ]

It seems we have that in common.

I suppose it may be due to the climate and situation, more than anything...though it doesn't make it any less disconcerting.

[1145pm]

But you're here, now, doing things and helping the rest of us. I wouldn't discount any of that.

[ He's sympathetic, in a way, but he knows everything he says will be met with resistance. At this point, he realizes he's a little sad that Ahito doesn't like him, but there's nothing he can really do about that. ]

Even if this is all temporary, I don't want to act like you were never here, or retroactively erase your memory from this world. That's too sad. [ He smiles. He won't mention the page in his tome dedicated to him... ]

But if you still don't like it, can I at least keep the footage for myself?

[1145pm]

Oh, yeah! I'm so glad it's doing well! I hope future sages and wizards take good care of it after we're gone, and that it feeds many generations of manor-dwellers in the future!

[ Hehe... Something about the notion tickles him. He's glad a part of them will live on in manor grounds.

Tatara pauses to zoom in on Ithaqua's face. ]

Ooh... That's interesting, and a little unexpected. [ Most native to this world see Northern wizards as solitary creatures, after all. Maybe Ithaqua was, too, at some point— ] Could you tell us a little more about the people here? Anyone you like in particular, or anything funny that's happened?

[1145pm]

[ He meets Solomon's tense gaze with sad, sympathetic gaze.

He thinks about the way he's acted throughout their time here in this world—has this been something he's carried with him this whole time? Tatara wishes he remembers the conversation about apprenticeship better, one they had towards the beginning. He'd been so caught up with trying to figure out his age, that's...all he can remember. ]

I'm sorry. Keeping that in the back of your mind...can't have been easy.

[ He knows he ultimately had no control over who he picked, but he still feels bad. ]

You still love them?

[1145pm]

Uhhh, I don't know!

[ Tatara weaves through the crowd with Comet in tow; the footsteps of the people in pursuit. It might be just a dream but he's not going to find out if whatever they have planned for him still hurts! ]

We're better off just shaking them— Here!

[ He takes a pretty abrupt turn into a narrow alleyway. Don't let go! ]

[1145pm]

[ Tatara sticks close as the scene unfolds. It takes a lot of willpower not to walk forward and wander the scene for himself, to take a closer look at a younger Aguero and to touch him (why would he need to, when he grasps the real one's hand so tightly?).

Aguero's modern world isn't all that different from his own, he thinks (though Kusanagi preferred older fashioned décor, and Tatara himself couldn't afford sleek designs like this.

Ultimately, though, he listens.

He remembers what Aguero told him, after he attempted to behead Mika. He remembers, generally, the path he had walked, he knows how important Baam is to him, he knows that Aguero is relentless in his quest to do anything for those he considers a guiding light. So that Aguero would plot and scheme like this doesn't take him by surprise, nor does it disappoint him either. That's just how he is.

Memory-Khun smirks, and Tatara smiles. Maybe he should be scared, but all he thinks is about how incredible he is.

But his expression drops when he sees the scene shift. The stretchers, the medics, the blood. His eyes linger on Baam's face for a little bit—he doesn't know that's him, but he has a feeling he's important—before they move to memory-Khun's blank, empty eyes.

As it fades, things fall into place, and Tatara turns to Aguero, his own eyes wide as he looks up at him. ]

...Aguero.

[lighthaus]

I don't care what you do or don't like. [ he's just bossy by nature and slightly bothered by the minor implication about tatara being unusual. is he? yeah, it's one of the things that attracted khun in the first place, but he still doesn't like when mika says it that way. ]

Knock yourself out. [ and then he's actually leaving before he starts to get really bothered, since he knows himself. ]

[1145pm]

Whaaat!

[ He dips his head to smell himself because of course— ]

I'm clean, though! I could wipe it off for you!

[1145pm]

[ That's doubly so when it comes to the nature of being chosen for this role—perhaps it is, as Rustica put it, "Chosen by the moon." ]

I guess I do agree. I guess there really doesn't have to be a grand or dramatic reason...

[ He scratches at his head with a sheepish smile. ]

In that case, I hope I've been an okay enough sage for you all so far.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua is wholly unaware of Tatara zooming in on his face, with how uninformed he is about technology. And even if he did, his mask is on-- that's a physical barrier, and an emotional one as well. Tatara's actions don't bother him.

Even if he's a bit confused by the words. Is he... digging for information right now? Or, to be more precise, gossip? "Anyone you like in particular"? Come on now. He does have an answer to that, but he's not sharing for the camera.]

Would it not be best to ask someone else for information about the people, dear sage? I don't keep abreast with the latest news in the manor, and whatever I would say would be coloured by my own opinions, based on my experiences with them.

[lighthaus]

Tatara. [ his own eyes are clear not blank.

he's not kind enough to explain himself, nor does he want to make excuses for himself so tatara will need to ask for clarification if he wants any. though he does offer him the most important thing. ]

That was Baam, at the end.

[lighthaus]

Does it? [ well go on~ ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Are you sure Tatara... are you absolutely sure there is nothing that can be done...]

I don't see a problem with it. People die and fade into obscurity all the time.

[Maybe it'll happen to him, maybe it won't - that said, the people he hopes will remember him aren't any in this room at this moment, that's for sure.]

You can't just get rid of it?

[divineth]

[The returned kiss makes Urianger's heart do a little flip in his chest. It's more than enough confirmation that he must have been doing something right. More than just something, apparently. Ithaqua looks like he's been metaphorically swept off his feet.

Carefully running a hand through Ithaqua's hair, Urianger smiles down at him.]

And there shall be many more from whence it came, all for thee.

[leewards]

[Urianger's almost-promise reignites Ithaqua's possessiveness, pulling him out of his daze, and he cups the back of his lover's neck.]

I expect nothing less. [As a first kiss, that was quite nice, even if it was soft-- likely because they're running high on emotions.

As high as Ithaqua is on fumes. But they don't need to worry about that. (maybe)]

And what I have to give shall be yours. I don't intend to simply keep taking, after all. [Then he takes Urianger's hand to lead him to the bed. Wholly innocent intentions, really. They're likely not ready for that yet.]

[divineth]

[For someone to give themself over to him in this way...it's almost flooring for Urianger. Is he capable of taking care of such a precious gift? While he does not yet know the answer, he has every intention of giving his all in return.

He allows himself to be led along, though the action in itself gives him a lump in his throat. He wouldn't have thought twice about this before, but context changes things. He's just a little anxious because everything is so new now, it's fine.]

I... I look forward to thine offerings. I expect I shan't be disappointed.

[leewards]

Are you nervous? Heheh! Worry not, I'm not about to jump atop you, or coerce you into ravishing me. [Where did he learn such language? From books, of course!

Ithaqua climbs into bed, getting himself comfortable on the far end, and pats the space next to him.]

I just believe that we should make ourselves comfortable as we talk about... whatever we want. My little excursion, myself, yourself, what you want to do with me, what I want to do with you. Anything.

[1145pm]

...I thought it might've been.

[ That makes sense. Tatara's gaze flits back to where he was in the memory, moments before, but he's obviously gone.

He'll get to his questions in a second, but there's something more important he needs to say first. ]

He had beautiful eyes, too.

[ Like his king's. This is his own roundabout way of showing his acceptance for Aguero's past. ]

[divineth]

[Urianger makes some sort of strangled noise before averting his gaze for a second. Probably because his face is heating up all over again.]

Nay, I extrapolated nothing of the sort--

[Their courtship has only just begun! There are steps to be taken! He's sure Ithaqua knows this much.

A-Anyway, he does settle himself on the bed after removing his shoes.]

'Tis a broad array of subjects, I scarcely know where to begin. [Fortunately he does come to a good starting point.] We ought to discuss our needs and wants from this new relationship of ours. Dost thou agree?

[Like...what this is going to mean for them in the future, too. Beyond their mission.]

[leewards]

[On the contrary, Ithaqua is fairly sure that Urianger was thinking indecent thoughts... And honestly? Ithaqua would not have said no. But he supposes it's too early for them to do that.

He'd bring it up eventually, though.]

Mm, yes. [Ithaqua nestles himself against Urianger, placing his cheek on his new lover's shoulder.] Your affection and attention, that is what I want-- but you knew that already.

Truthfully, you are my first.

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan does think it plausible, but in the end, he cannot state it with full certainty; he isn't from Malice's world, and he knows neither of these wretched people who turned against him for such a wretched, self-serving reason.

He may have been about to say something else to Malice's words in particular, but the memory has no breaks.

Seeing the physical state that Malice is in, Jing Yuan frowns, watching as the consequences of betrayal has been thoroughly wrought upon the other man. Though, seeing him tossed into that cell and it locked right afterwards, even if Malice isn't restrained like how Dan Feng or Dan Heng had been, something about the image rings similar. Though even if it hadn't, he'd have still felt what he does now—a low simmering kind of anger that bubbles up in his throat.

He can only imagine what Malice feels now. Or rather, watching him heal up and curled in pain, he couldn't quite guess. But, he turns to look at Malice, whose anger is restrained. ]

...but it seems the Forest has other intentions.

I can understand fully why you would wish vengeance on anyone involved. Whether it was planned or not, I am still also glad you managed to extricate yourself from this — eventually.

[ All the same, it is utterly and completely reprehensible from beginning to end.

There is nothing to be done about it now, but it doesn't mean he can't remark upon the underhandedness of it all the same. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Professor Shortie...now that he knows can't be anywhere near the usual standard nickname—though it is one and is something that causes his smile to prop right on his face. Enough to make him smile a little bit in veritable amusement, which lasts not very long due to his summation.

Now he understands why the teacher was hesitant to have her in battle, besides like, other reasons, and the explanation returns the small smile with ease. ]

I see.

It does seem like she has someone very much concerned after her welfare indeed. It's fortunate that someone so kind-hearted is watching over her.

[ From his estimation, anyway. ]

I do wonder what other good qualities this Professor of yours has as well.

[divineth]

[Apologies to Ithaqua but Urianger is not thinking indecent thoughts just yet. His is, at his core, pretty pure like that.

As Ithaqua gets comfortable, Urianger brings his arm on that side up to hold and support him. He lets himself relax and sink into the bedding, still a little nervous but content. This feels nice. It feels right. Thus, his heartbeat slows into a steady rhythm.]

And thou art mine. Never have I had the opportunity to pursue romance. [That, or any opportunities he did have were squandered by indecision.] Granted...for all of mine experience with prophecy, I know not what our future holdeth. We are of two worlds, and our objective a perilous one. But I would not have asked for this courtship if I were concerned about navigating such obstacles.

[He tips his head so he can smile down at Ithaqua.]

I seek to deepen this connection of ours- this happiness we have cultivated. I seek to know all of thee- the brightest lights and the deepest shadows. I shall bring all that I have to bear in return, and I shall fight for this budding love so that it may have the opportunity to bloom.