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

[annihilator]

[The great thing about heading north is that Malice is prepared for it. He's been working with fire for his entire stay here, and with it has come temperature control. So while he is dressed for the weather, he's also not shivering at all even up here, simply because he can make himself warm enough. This just so happened to work out perfectly for him.

Of course, Malice is always one to take on any jobs that involve fighting, and hearing that the Forest of Dreams is having problems means that's where he's going. Initially he's a bit disappointed that so many of the actual threats have already been taken care of by the forest itself, but his expression lights up when he finds a mana stone. And then another! Ooh, and here's another...

Which means that yes, he is popping these in his mouth like candy and crunching on them because it is the one thing Malice is allowed to eat. Well, that and it enhances his power, which is the real reason why he wants them. Though he's gotten character development, he still desperately seeks power and this is a great way to get it!! Thanks, monsters. Anyway, if you're around, you can find him scavenging for mana stones, though he won't steal any of the ones you may have already laid claims to!

Alternatively, perhaps you're here later, when Malice's protective magic has fizzled out and he forgot to reapply it... in other words, it's dream sharing time. Please refer to my plotting comment for what sorts of memories you may encounter, and let me know which one you'd like! I'd love to swap memories, so feel free to give me one of your character's too!

Or perhaps you're finding him later, back at one of the northern villages. Malice has dispatched several monsters and is now being surrounded by the villagers, offering gifts, praise, and being treated like a hero. Perhaps you helped him with these monsters? Or maybe you're just arriving to help out around here? Either way, he'll shake himself free of the villagers to greet you with a grin and a wave of his claws.]

These guys treatin' you like some kinda hero too? Honestly, I could get used to this...

[His good arm is carrying so much stuff. They have given him far too many Things to take back with him and of course he's going to keep them. Being a wizard is fantastic, why can't we always be treated like gods—]

Dream sharing

[troublereduction]

[ You know, Day figured Malice would have no real issue about eating mana stones, but it's somehow still surprising that he's eating them pretty much right after picking them off the ground... ]

How's the collectin' goin'?

[ Day's got a small sack of mana stones, though he hasn't touched them otherwise. ]

[annihilator]

[listen, he's the guy who would lick blood off the kitchen floor, i don't know what to tell you—]

Pretty good! [crunch crunch] There're a lot of 'em 'round here. Easier than huntin' the monsters myself, anyway.

[Not that he's complaining, he does enjoy a good fight... But anyway, he hasn't noticed that his protection spell is wearing off. How's yours doing, Day?]

[troublereduction]

[ Day's is still going strong, but he's going to learn soon enough that just because it protects him from the toxins' lethality, it's not going to protect him from the other Fun(TM) effects. ]

Wait, Malice, your protection spell...

[annihilator]

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.]

Forest of Dreams - randomize me a memory cap'n

[dyingtohealyou]

Looks like we had the same idea.

[He's picking up mana stones as he finds them, though he's tossing them into a bag for later.]

o7

[annihilator]

[Probably smarter than just shoving them in your mouth when they've been on the ground, but no one said Malice is a smart vampire.]

Makes sense, yeah? We're gonna be workin' together sometime soon - we've gotta be prepared for it!

[He hasn't noticed that his protection spell has worn off, so it's only a matter of time before this casual conversation about eating mana stones will turn into something else entirely.]

[dyingtohealyou]

I can't say it's pleasant, but... I really don't want to end up like Central.

[Sometimes the real motivation is trying to prove to your friends that you can do a thing without being stupid about it and somehow that leads to eating magic rocks. It's fine.]

[annihilator]

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.]

Dream Share

[chronosynthesis]

[It is late, and cold, and Syrlya hates to admit he's gotten turned around but... he's gotten turned around. At least along finding his way back he can collect mana stones, though he's mostly accumulating them in his pouch.

The flash of purple hair makes him stop, staring before approaching.] Is that you, Malice?

[annihilator]

[Oh hey, it's Syrlya! Malice pauses in his search for mana stones, grinning as he waves his good hand in greeting.]

Sure is! You out here lookin' for mana stones too?

[Though he's been so focused on that that his protective wards have faded...]

[chronosynthesis]

[He eases slightly at the familiar face.]

I'm picking them up as I find them. [Though they weren't exactly his focus.] It occurs to me that the magical creatures here must devour them as well, which makes finding so many untouched... concerning.

[annihilator]

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.......]

Forest of Dreams ---> dream sharing time;

[foresightis2020]

[ Collection of manastones sure seems to be happening, doesn't it? Well, there are worst ways to go about grabbing them, given that monsters left these ones behind. He too will be scooping them up for the sake of nabbing time.

Though he so happens to be looking right on over at Malice going to town on them.

As for protective magic fizzling out...it's fine (?) ]

I see you're attempting to prepare well for the future, hm?

[annihilator]

[crunch crunch!!]

'Course I am. Gotta be prepared for whenever we get called up North! An' I ain't gonna let anyone down; I'm gonna be prepared for anythin'.

[Well, hopefully. But also not because he is not prepared at all for what the forest has to offer now that his wards have worn off. Hopefully you're a bit better prepared for it, Jing Yuan!

It starts with a flickering of colors in the forest nearby. It catches Malice's attention and he freezes where he's crouched near a monster's corpse as the scene begins to form. It looks remarkably similar to Malice's own incredibly goth room - high arches, dark colors, a window opened to the darkest night sky, with heavy drapes to block out the sun. Standing on the balcony of this strange vision is... well, it's Malice. Just like the real Malice, this illusionary one wears the claws and a similar outfit. He has his back to them, staring up at the stars silently.

And then, from nearby, another figure walks into view. Long, flowing purple hair and pretty androgynous features are as captivating as the fancy, refined clothes they wear. Their expression is set in a gentle smile, in sharp contrast to the conflicted expression on the real Malice's face.

"Mal," The unknown figure states in a voice that is light and melodic, "are you truly so bored without me?"

The illusionary Malice turns to greet this figure, his expression bright and genuinely happy - the sort of thing Jing Yuan has undoubtedly seen on Malice's face on more than one occasion. "Loti! You're back!"

"I couldn't bear to stay away for too long, my friend." This "Loti" says as they cross over into the illusionary room, dipping into a mock bow before the other Malice, which he mirrors with a laugh.

So you know, things are already really normal here.]

[foresightis2020]

[ That's right...the North mission will soon be upon those from it, won't it? Jing Yuan blinks a bit as he considers this acutely. This pertinent fact feels something like he should be more cognizant of the calm before the storm.

Yet, when he considers the current pieces in play, that place so far beyond his horizon cannot be seen. Not too dissimilar to the indeterminable white of the snow that blankets the Northern country itself.

As he is about to respond to Malice's words in the affirmative, though, it seems the Forest has different plans. Soon enough, the memories wash over, and it is like he is elsewhere. ]

Hmm? A friend?

[ His words are more mumbled to himself, expression drawn in concentration. He wonders how Malice is taking this, however, he may have glanced at the real one but only for a moment. He returns his gaze back to the scene playing out in front of him... ]

[annihilator]

No.

[Malice's voice cuts through the tranquil scene like a knife. Or maybe like large, metal, edgelord-y claws. His expression is tight, angry, and he's coiled like he's ready to strike, eye fixated on that unfamiliar person.]

An enemy.

[And yet the Malice in the vision doesn't seem to see this person as such, greeting him as a friend, chatting amicably about life around the manor - about how much he dislikes the politics and expectations, about how boring it is not to be able to fight all the time. It seems that whatever is going on here, these two were close at one point.

"What if you left with me?" Loti asks. "If you came back to my territory with me, you wouldn't be stuck under Rosalie's thumb. You'd be free to live the life you want - with a place to always come home to."

"Home," That Malice repeats with a wistful look on his face. "Maybe I'd like that. If you were really offerin' it, anyway."

"Would I lie to you?" The other's expression is an open, honest smile. There doesn't seem to be anything off about it at all...

And yet that's when Malice strikes. His claws slice through nothing, and the vision of Loti disappears, leaving only the other Malice to say, "'Course you wouldn't."]

candy time

[lighthaus]

[ khun's also out to collect manastones, it's the only reason he keeps coming back to this forest even though he's already been through it with memories. he's so tired.

the sound of crunching isn't exactly comforting, so he has to investigate, walking up to malice with a bemused expression. ]

That's the first time I've ever seen someone do that.

[annihilator]

[Hey Khun! Malice looks up and waves his good hand.]

Yeah? [cronch, cronch] What do you usually do?

[lighthaus]

Eat them obviously, but not out in the open.

[ he has no qualms about who they might have belonged to, but something something manners? is this manners? maybe he's overthinking it. ]

...not that I've seen anyone else eat them before anyway.

[annihilator]

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.]

Dreamshare!

[jorunna]

[ It's nice to be here with a bit less urgency than last time. Less dead and dark looking too, so it's prettier like it's supposed to be.

Comet is kinda here with Malice for the conveniemce of getting and observing more fire magic for warmth, and now, helping him collect mana stones. He's so happy eating them... Like they're candy.

Comet would like a few to keep in their pockets for the future, but the rest are for Malice to claim, as they come over with a batch just for him. ]

Here you go!

[ This is going to distract them from proper precautions, huh. Oh well! ]

[annihilator]

[Comet, you're the best. You are his favorite person right now.]

Thanks! [chomps down on another one!] I'm gonna be so much stronger by the time I leave...

[He looks so pleased with this. He truly is a North in that he wants power...

But Comet may notice something behind Malice - semi-see through figures begin taking shape. The first is familiar - it's Malice! He looks exactly the same as he does now, right down to the claws. He seems to be in a good mood, listening intently to the other figure chatter away.

The other man looks quite average - he wouldn't really stand out from a crowd if not for his bright smile. His hair is dark, as are his eyes, and there's nothing particularly noteworthy about his stature or dress, but that smile could light up a room. He's animated as he chats, and he carries himself with a confident ease that seems relaxing, despite the fact that he's conversing with a vampire.

Needless to say, whatever they're talking about seems to be entertaining, and they seem to be quite close.]

[jorunna]

[ Comet nods, but sincerely as they watch him eat, not the "nod along" way. Wanting power on its own can go either way. They never asked where Malice is from, but the North are ambitious because of circumstances and it's kind of admirable!

But then, it's easy to see those magenta eyes wander a little, looking behind Malice. They can recognize Malice, since it's almost like looking at an afterimage of him. The other person who has that Malice's attention... now they're curious. ]

Malice, who's that over there?

[ They'll point towards his shoulder and lead their gaze that way to indicate he should look behind him. ]

[annihilator]

[He notices and turns to see what Comet is looking at. Considering he didn't pick up on any signs of danger, it can't be a monster, so he's still rather relaxed.

And then he tenses sharply when he sees exactly who Comet is looking at.]

...Cody. Leader of the rebels I was workin' with. But he's...

[Well, it doesn't really matter. He's just a vision, after all.

Cody gestures for Malice to follow him, and the visions walk off, fading away. There's a moment of downtime before the next one, at least...!]