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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[Ithaqua settles down, taking up the tea again and crossing his legs.]

Did he also tell you about the witches?

That she had those moments at all... that's an accomplishment itself. Being in such a condition isn't easy, after all.

[ He stuffs his hands in his pockets. ]

I had a friend with deteriorating health as well. That was why I left the Kurta Clan at all. I wanted to find a doctor that could attend to his needs.

[ And in the end, he lost that friend too. ]

I wasn't sure how many I would be entertaining, nor what their appetites would be like.

[He gives Yamato a wry grin.]

That's quite a... glowing review.

[He laughs softly, nostalgic in a way.]

Truthfully, it sounds like many groups I've been a part of in the past.

[Oh, that's... That's really embarrassing, huh? G'raha at least won't laugh at him, but maybe the concerned look on his face might be worse...]

Are you alright?

Ugh. Pretty bold move of them, doing that right in front of you...

[More evidence that Ahito's own parents dying was no great loss, as if he needed more of that.]

...She sounds powerful.

[Though he still has to wonder, new "found" child...

...]

Is this spell one she used, too?

Not even a little.

Yeah.

...It's probably going to take a long time before our technology reaches a point where we don't have to rely on magic anymore. But if the attitudes of magic users could change for the better, at least...

[That's something worth working towards, he thinks.]

[It wasn't easy - her health was getting worse, and on top of that, she realized his condition was worsening, too.

But that just made every smile all the more precious, to him. A hard-won victory against all odds.

At Kurapika's words though, he thinks back-]

...Is that why you cheated the test?

Y-yes, I'm fine.

[Sadly this is the sort of embarrassment that Phil is quite used to by now, so he's not as mortified as he could have been as he straightens back up. Years of being a klutz will do that to you...]

Forgive me for interrupting you, though. You were trying to practice magic, I assume?

[ In turn, Jing Yuan is made to give pause for a moment, not knowing how to answer the question at first. But, all the same, he isn't the type to allow himself to be silent. ]

If there is a way to bring down this place, I will find it. I suspect I would need to stop the individual who has been chiefly coordinating this to make a difference, however.

[ Jing Yuan doesn't know if that is even possible, but that would be his first choice of action back home.

Killing the people who bid doesn't necessarily guarantee that it will stop, neither does bringing it to the attention of the authorities. He'd need to research about it, and observe all manners of attack. ]

[ This is...a keen reminder that Jing Yuan himself had quite the many irons in the fire, blinking as everything so happened to be displayed before Malice's eyes in a quick succession of images that barely left much of a breather.

Intentional, perhaps, for a man who prided himself on his calm; his patience. And someone else beside him who had been going through the turmoil of his own emotions. Or maybe that is simply his mind placing these kinds of reasons in the first place. When Malice's attention is turned to Jing Yuan he doesn't look tired, though he does sigh; not at him, but a reminder of his responsibilities. And what rests upon his shoulders...a duty in which he has been unable to tend to for quite awhile now. ]

I suppose you can say that I did, yes.

It might not...quite make much sense to you, given the myriad problems occurring based upon what you witnessed, but it is something that keeps myself quite occupied back at the Xianzhou Alliance.

[ Luocha, the unexplainable seemingly return of his Master, other matters going on in the background, and himself putting his own plans into motion. ]

To put it simply, there were quite a lot of incidents in a small span of time based upon intruders, and in the aftermath there are many loose ends that need to be wrapped up.

Not at all. This? [He waves his hand at the invisible banner.]

This is a product of my experiences.

Correct. I am confident in my ability to do so where I come from. I've little need or opportunity yet here to test my limits in this realm.

[ their resident souths are so industrious in that regard, after all. ]

Better to find out now than in a more dire situation...

[ he trails off because he also hears the sounds of the battlefield. he's been here long enough that he knows what to expect from this place, and by now mostly— mostly only harbors a faint, wry curiosity for what the forest will dredge up next. this particular scene... ]

... Well, I suppose it could be worse. [ he remarks, musing. ] This field and climate ... Northern Valm? —Ah. I see.

[ what he sees is made starkly apparent once the rest of the illusion finishes painting itself into being: a siege on a fortified keep, defended by the most powerful cavalry in the world. around them battle has already broken out, faceless soldiers meeting each other in fatal clash.

but one man stands out for the bloody red of his armor, eye catching by design. he rides out to meet them rather than hide away.

"you do your sister's legacy proud, little king!" his voice booms out, cutting uncannily through the din. memory is a strange thing, what it etches into permanence, what it allows to fade. this man is the focus of the memory, that much is clear. "but humanity already has a savior. a conqueror who broke stronger men than you when they refused to bow. warriors of valm! ride with me now! together, we will stamp out this final pack of insurgents and unite the world!"

a god amongst men, that's how his followers see him. simply a man, and yet, at the same time...

two phantom figures dart through the battlefield, navigating its dangers deftly; the divine sword blocks the sharp bite of an axe that means to maim the mage. a spell-wrought tempest handles the foes who would think to strike them down from afar. a younger robin in regalia the current no longer seems to favor, shadowing a man clad in shining armor and wearing the marks of his station. it's all a blur, weapons clashing in a dangerous dance ...

up until the man is in front of them, the sanded edges of the memory giving way to a sharper clarity once more. all parties have their weapons drawn, but for now they speak.

"why do you resist me, your grace? did your exalted sister not want peace? yet here you stand, betraying her cause."

"don't you dare use my sister to justify what you've done. you enslave the weak and kill the able. you are the enemy of peace."

watching all this, both robins, older and younger, remain silent. his hood shadows his expression as he settles into a guarded stance, sword drawn, at his king's back.

this is not a place for tacticians to speak their thoughts. this is a conversation for king and conqueror only, ideologue against ideologue, beliefs brandished like steel. this triumph will only have any meaning if they break the valmese belief that walhart the emperor is a god among men. ]

That seems to be the case.

[Slowly, his shoulders relax, but he still can't shake his worries entirely.]

...I suppose you're right. The important part is that they came back in one piece, and the worst did not come to pass. It's still an abrupt wakeup call to just how little power I have compared to what I'm used to.

[But after a heavy sigh, he perks back up again.]

But I shan't let that discourage me.

[ That is indeed something for them to consider. Jing Yuan is already considering some ideas in her head. But it will have to wait until they're out and about to see what viable places are possible. ]

That's correct, there are.

[ There's a momentary pause, though, because hmm. She then utters her next words in a quieter tone: ]

...You do have a point. Or at least even if it isn't something outwardly like a weapon, it could potentially be used to supplement one.

I feel perfectly fine, but thank you for your concern.

[He pushes a plate of sandwiches over towards him in a very subtle, not at all grandparent-ish way.]

Though it may have been easier to adjust had I arrived with you.

[ They never really knew what they looked like as a kid besides knowing they looked different and were very small for a bit, but going by the opinion some have of them now... okay. It makes sense. ]

She was curious about Earth, ran away from her duties for a bit... and fell in love with a human.

[ They say it pretty forwardly, with a tiny bit of... guilt in their voice. When they finally turn around, it's to motion to the little Comet.

"Did you get to see that in the ocean?" The little Comet asks, pointing at the red octopus in the painting their mother works on.

Their mother snorts. "Not quite... I saw a frozen one. But I'd rather paint where it would be happy." Comet get pulled a little closer to her side, with them squeaking before the two fade away. ]

[ He can totally see this. ]

Wow, that's so cute! I bet the kitty loves you for it.

[ And with that he clicks off the recording and lowers the camera, giving Ithaqua a big smile. ]

Thanks, Ithaqua! This will be a nice little glimpse into your life.

[ That notably makes his features tighten, discomfort written in the tension in his shoulders and the lines of his face. He feels antsy, anxious. Not things he normally is.

But that's Khun. He's not Akihiko, chasing with earnestness and pleads and arguments. He's not Mitsuru, assertive and too nosy for her own good sometimes, like a scolding parent. He's just Khun.

I don't know. This has never happened before...

The girl looks disquieted, fingers raising to her head.

We can't rule out something may have happened at Tartarus. Perhaps it's best we head back for the night. The Dark Hour is almost over.

Shouldn't we check it out? The white-haired boy, bandaged hands idly cracking. Maybe if we make some more headway, we'll figure something out.

Quit gettin' ahead of yourself, Aki. You're already tired, and so is princess over here.

He sounds just like himself, despite it all; naggy and exasperated, like he's the only one with common sense in the room. There are protests from both, on multiple fronts, but he just gives them the 'I'm not dealing with this' look that Khun has likely become familiar with by now.

Shinjiro peers at both visages with an indescribable expression, beyond the ill of ease and anxiety. Fondness, almost, behind the shadow of his eyes. ]

...Some things never change.

[ It's spoken as if it's a cast-off thought. ]

( ...

After a moment, he's finally willing to part the cup from his lips, his gaze falling down to the cup; seeing the blood for what it is, its scent still strong. And yet... )

... You only have so much. ( Softly - not a tone he often takes on. ) ... I can wait.

( And he can. He's not gonna be greedy. This is already... a lot.

... )

... Do you think it'd be wrong if we did make it look and smell like real tea?

( In total contradiction with what he said before - and a step further, even. What he said before was purely pragmatic, predicated on the presumption he'd remain resigned to his life as a monster. But this changes things - in a way he could not fathom.

But in a sense, he's unsure - uneasy, and that much creeps into his otherwise grateful demeanor. He seems a little like he's worried the other shoe is going to drop, like - is it really okay for him to experience this? Is something bad going to happen to either of them because of it? Would God punish them, somehow?

It's all irrational, but it's just as vibrant in his heart as the sweet taste of this hot tea on his cold, corpselike tongue. )

[ They won't! Confused as they are, they don't want to lose Tatara in an unfamiliar place like this... or end up on the bad side of those yakuza.

They get yanked a bit into the corner, but it just gets a small gasp out of them as they try to adjust, hoping to be ready for another in this strategy to shake them. Only one at a time can follow them into this alleyway, it seems! ]

I've run away from being chased before, but not in the city. [ They say it to have the experience to comment on this situation. ] You've done this before.

( Mika thankfully remains still and quiet as Kurapika works, without preference as to how Kurapika approaches it, nor critique of his pace.

It feels weird and a little ticklish, and perhaps the most signs of life Mika offers are that slight twitch when Kurapika works at his eyes, or furrowed brows when it feels kind of weird. It lends him a faintly human quality, when his skin otherwise is fully lacking in warmth. )

... Then how did you learn?

Edited 2024-06-01 09:43 (UTC)

[ In which I just give up on all other prompts and do tailored memshare openers here.

If anyone wants to do any custom starters, you can hit me up in DMs or in the plotting thread. ]

Hmm... flow of supplies...

[Yodarha racks his brain for some kind of solution. Suddenly, his expression lights up! One could imagine a light bulb springing to life above his head.]

Oh! We can power stuff with mana stones, right? What if we made some kinda self-travelin' vehicle powered by 'em? One with enough storage to put supplies in, so the villages can send stuff back and forth?

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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