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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[leewards]

[With Urianger making Ithaqua comfortable, Ithaqua in turn takes his hand in between both of his, holding onto it as if his life depended on it. His bravado is slipping away, because he recognizes the gravity in Urianger's words, and he would like to meet that halfway. He bloody loves this man after all, and he wants to show that.]

Then ask your questions of me. [He starts to feel tired now, but resists sleep and rubs his face on Urianger's shoulder to disguise it as affection. Not that there's no affection in the gesture.]

As you said, knowing each other is key to our life together as lovers. I've much to hide, but with you? I willingly unmask myself, literally, metaphorically.

[divineth]

[Ithaqua's actions speak loud and clear. Urianger's hand curls in his partner's, and he lets out a gentle sigh as he soaks in those words.

Much like he did in the past, Ithaqua hides his appearance from the world. Whatever his reasons may be for doing so, while they are together, he feels secure enough to forego that barrier. The weight of that is not lost on Urianger.]

May we begin there, then? Wherefore dost thou don a mask?

[leewards]

Mmh. [He should have expected this.

He adjusts his position, so his head is pillowed on Urianger's chest, like he's a cat awaiting pets. Wait no, this might be a dangerous position, he's really feeling sleepy now, but he has to fight it.]

That's a story that encompasses everything. I must start from the very beginning for you to understand.

[He disengages one hand to hide a yawn behind it, but it's too late, the damage has been done. He's too comfortable to fight sleep, and when he closes his eyes, he's out like someone had blown a candle out. This is what magical exhaustion will do to him. He fought it for too long, but it has finally crept up on him.]

[divineth]

[Urianger starts to get settled in for a long story, only for Ithaqua to suddenly fall silent.]

Ithaqua?

[No response.

He lifts his head, concern rising in his voice.]

Ithaqua--

[But before concern can turn into panic, he observes that Ithaqua is just sound asleep. He stares in silence, watching the steady in and out of breath, before letting his head flop back onto the pillow with a sigh.]

Calm thyself, Urianger.

[He murmurs to himself, so not as to disturb his sleeping lover. It has to be magical exhaustion, he inwardly hypothesizes. Ithaqua went through quite the battle, and his body is forcibly making him rest.

Well...since Urianger's going to be Ithaqua's pillow for the foreseeable future, he figures he may as well make a nap out of it too. He brings his arm back up to cradle the other man, quietly taking in the sights and smells of the room before he too drifts off.

Indeed, he could get used to this.]