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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Something like that. [It's no human noble affair. He can navigate soldiers in revelry much more easily.] Usually I like the company of people.

It's not-?

[But then that would mean...]

...The forest's illusions?

[It does explain why his spell was useless however, and though he continues to follow Shinjiro, his eyes are on the scene before them, the intensity of the blaze strange in what was previously (or still is?) A frozen forest.]

Yes.

[Such a simple answer.]

I discovered that I could do it over and over and feel no remorse.

[omg jokes... he's been hanging out with akira a lot, huh???]

Yeah, 'course. I'm sure they're glad to be rid of that thing an' those witches!

...Yeah.

[He exhales slowly, as if trying to release all that pent-up anger. It doesn't work, of course - how could it? He'd been manipulated by the people he thought cared for him. All that, and for what? His good hand balls into a fist before he abruptly turns away from the scene.

As he does so, it fades out. Nothing else follows it.]

I did, yeah. It was only 'cause of some unexpected help from rebels - one of 'em's Cody's sister. So I'm sure you can guess how that went.

[Poorly!! But hey, he's still alive and now he's here and doesn't have to deal with Marie, so win/win.]

Guess that's fair; haven't seen anyone chompin' on 'em either. I guess it might be considered rude by some people? Eh, oh well.

[Does this look like a man with manners?? No.]

[Malice remains silent, eyes glued to the scene even as it fades out and a new one replaces it.

This time seems to be after a battle, given that human from before is sporting all sorts of bandages and Malice is sitting nearby watching him closely. "You don't need to worry about me, Mal," The human says with a laugh behind his words. "Marie patched me up! It's not like I'm gonna keel over and die the second you look away!"

The phantom Malice folds his arms, giant metal claw over his good arm as he huffs. "I ain't worried."

"Uh huh, suuuure, Mal. I believe that."

That Malice gets up from where he was sitting and approaches, swatting the human's shoulder as he flops down next to him. The human winces a bit at the strength of the blow, but his bright smile is back in place very quickly. "Yeah, yeah, I know you ain't gonna leave me alone anytime soon, Cody."

The real Malice slashes his claws through the images of both of them; his movement is lightning-fast, and the strike looks like it really would have hurt if he were actually attacking anything that could fight back. The illusions fade around him.]

Shut up! I already know how this ends! I don't need to see this crap all over again!

[...a totally normal reaction to have to seeing such chill scenes between two people who were clearly once friends.]

Huh, yeah... I didn't really give it much thought, but somethin' must be killin' 'em all...

[He shrugs once that's out there, though.]

Well, it ain't around right now, anyway!

[it's not like he's going to have to deal with that during north mission or anything.......]

Hah, yeah, can you imagine? What a pain that'd be to deal with again—

[Malice cuts himself off when he notices something strange happening nearby. The forest shimmers and begins to fade away to something that must be some kind of illusion. There's an older woman, slightly stooped from age, with white hair held back in a clumsy bun. Some curly strands have already escaped and frame her face. Though she's surrounded by quite a few children who seem to be causing all sorts of headaches for her, her smile is bright and gentle.

It seems like Malice recognizes her, because his good eye goes wide.]

That's—

[Before he can continue, the children begin to fade out one by one, leaving the woman looking sadder and more resigned... until she finds a small child with purple hair that doesn't quite cover one of his eyes. That eye is covered in a cloth tied around his head to keep it hidden, while his other eye is a very familiar bright yellow.

The woman crouches beside him even as he shrinks back and bares his fangs in some sort of feral hiss; she offers her wrist to him and he wastes no time in sinking his tiny fangs in.

Malice doesn't say anything else, simply transfixed on the scene playing out before them.]

[ Oh, so Syr's more an extrovert; not that Jing Yuan hasn't her fair share of experience with partying soldiers, but... ]

I see. Well, that isn't bad either.

I do hope you enjoy yourself at the party in addition to information gathering.

[ Jing Yuan doesn't blame Malice at all in the slightest. To suddenly be able to calm down from such a reminder seems impossible. He knows if he were in the other man's situation, he certainly would be incapable of doing exactly that.

Such that it is, it's all over, at the very least. ]

...I can.

Not very well, I'd imagine, considering your prior history.

[ He remembers what Malice had informed him of Cody and his gang, as well what entailed with that. What fun.

That being said, the Forest isn't done with them yet! Jing Yuan has been looking to question Malice a bit more or usher them along forward in certain respects. But, that doesn't matter now.

Not with the foreboding chill that suddenly falls into their surroundings. That is cold enough to feel like it may freeze those unaccustomed to it, and bring a sudden darkness that eclipses their surroundings without warning. ]

Edited 2024-05-31 22:37 (UTC)

I appreciate it.

[ Genuinely. ]

My resolve means that I do what I must, however, even if I don't like the act of killing itself.

[ Though that resolve is weakening, bit by bit and day by day. ]

I know you've come to this conclusion already, but despite everything, she seemed to be happy to have you there.

[ Even if Ahito felt like he failed her in the end, that failure still came with a lot of success. ]

[ They are, thankfully! ]

I've never had anyone else do mine.

[ Then again, Kurapika is the type to take matters into his own hands, so of course he taught himself how to do it. He's careful, the eyeshadow brush gentle in the way he applies the shadow to Mika's eyes, all in neutrals meant to accentuate features rather than steal the show. Kurapika takes his time with this, too, figuring there's no real reason to rush this. Rushing always results in a worse job, after all. ]

[ He'll do exactly that, taking up whatever chair is available to him. The way Ithaqua shakes his blanket out to get rid of that depression... hm. Hm! ]

You had company, I see. It's good you were looked after.

[ He probably needed it after whatever North went through. ]

[ Someone actually against this practice is rare in the underground, with so many hellbent on owning a pair of Scarlet Eyes, both for their beauty and rarity.

As such, Jing Yuan's words surprise him, and it takes Kurapika a moment to even gather a response. ]

And what will you do about your limits?

[ Will he report his auction? Will he kill the auctioneers? ]

[ He smiles, just a little. ]

Mm, I think so.

[ It could provide them some semblance of relief. ]

I'll see you around, Malice. I hope you get some rest.

Right... only enough so it soaks in.

[ Then he has to find someone who understands make-up. He'll make a mess of his face if he goes it alone, that's for sure. Though, after that, there's a longer, awkward pause before he gets the courage to ask, ]

...and... where does one find various kinds of moisturizer? I wonder if Ithaqua can make some. He seems to be messing around with that kinda stuff.

I had a spell on Solomon that would warn me when he was up to something suspicious, so, when that finally alerted me, I got a little nosy, hence... a hex.

[ Yeah, you know what? He isn't keeping Solomon's crimes a secret.

And he's swift to change back into his usual clothing before stepping back out into the room to offer Khun the neatly folded-up dress. ]

I'll do that, though. Not sure if I'll get a hex that specific again but it's a good idea.

[Malice's smile is wry at that and he's nodding, prepared to say something as suddenly the chill sets in. It doesn't seem natural - it certainly couldn't get this cold this fast, even up north, right? Malice summons a small ball of fire to his hand which at least helps fight against the cold, though it does little else, especially as he takes note of the other figures.

Another one of these, then. He watches and though there's much he doesn't understand, he can see just how much pressure Jing Yuan's been under. A battle between his duties and one against destiny, gods even. As the scene changes, he watches, eye wide as he learns more. Though he still doesn't get the full scope of things, he can tell that this is... certainly a worrying memory even to him.

His attention immediately turns to Jing Yuan. More than anything else, he wants to make sure his friend is okay. The fire in Malice's hand flickers out and he looks between the scene and Jing Yuan again.]

...It sounds like you've had plenty'a problems where you're from too.

[kurapika smile!! what a reward!!]

'Course I will, you don't gotta worry 'bout me. Thanks, though; an' I'll see you 'round too!

[ The nice thing is perhaps since Comet is young yet had an upbringing surrounded by really idle ancient people, they don't really judge for the past. At least for Malice, his is significant. It meant something, even if it's painful and full of mistakes. ]

Your... Welcome?

[ They only sound unsure and surprised because Malice took it so well! They're really mellow, so they don't expect that much energy given back as a response. But he wants to move forward, and Comet thinks that's a good thing. ]

I remember about how much you worried about Yamato when he was shot. You don't want consequences like that... losing people you care about.

[ As an example! Also because they support them together if it leads to this. Please take some of the gratitude of character development off of them, please Yams. ]

Yeah.

[Malice folds his arms, glancing skyward as he continues.]

I'd already lost someone close to me through my own doin'. Couldn't go through that again, even if the situation wasn't anywhere near the same. I'd decided even before that that I'm gonna be a better person, but that...

...I guess that's just when it sunk in that I really had to shape up, or I'd risk losin' everythin' all over again.

[Last time it was because of a mistake he made. This time... well, it could be anything. That's why he needs to get stronger, so he can protect the people here. Not just Yamato and his friends, but all of them. It won't change what he did to Cody and the rebels. It won't make all of that okay. But it'll be a good step to prove that he is changing himself.]

[ Shopping trip through the fanciest city on the continent! There are probably some cool cafes, too, but that's something they consider when they're actually out there, wandering around. ]

Comparable to... oh! [ Bruno's 'oh' is less of a whisper but he'll look embarrassed for a second and drop back to a hushed tone. ] Wow, there are machines that do that? But wouldn't it be weird if that was what it was? Everyone here is from their military, so what if... if it's a weapon?

[ While Syrlya finds he can put a hand on the child's shoulder, he'll see no reaction. At least, not one from the kid himself. Contact with the little memory Bruno instead relays exactly what the vision must be feeling at that moment and a twisting, gut-wrenching fear will assail Syrlya's every sense.

He doesn't want to do this, he doesn't, why does it have to be him, why can't mamá tell them?! ]

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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