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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...

[ They're about to say something to either reassure themselves or Malice that he's fine, but then there is another... what do you call it. A scene? They watch it play it out with a frown, because there are vibes from the woman that vaguely reminds them of those on the moon. The poised height and stern features are the sticking points here, but they can see that must be alike to Malice. Then when that vision of Malice gives his response, they check on the real one... Ah. That's also not a look they've seen on Malice, so they can add two and two. This is bad.

They get to Malice's side, wishing they had a bigger sort of... presence? Something to cover this up. Instead they take his hands, tugging. ]

We should go.

[ They toss a mana stone at that woman to be sure it's just an illusion, only to have it just pass through her. It's the spirit of the thing, but they can take the confirmation. ]

[Watching the mana stone sail through her head gets a snort from Malice that's dangerously close to a laugh. He allows Comet to lead him away with a lopsided grin, because it's kind of hard to be mad when your companion tosses a stone through your enemy, ruining her perfect appearance for even just a moment.

Unfortunately for them both, the scene isn't quite done playing out.

"I wanna stay with you." The other Malice says and continued in a rushed tone, "The rebels. I know where they're hidin'. That'll prove my loyalty, yeah? I'll give you all I know 'bout 'em."

If Comet turns back, they may notice that the woman is smiling now. It's still a subdued expression, and one that's still just as cold as everything else about her. "I would appreciate that greatly. From now on, you are Helichrysum of Annihilation Eclipse."

The phantom Malice nods eagerly and remains still as the woman steps forward. "Thank you," She says, still with that cold smile even as she reaches up to place a hand on Malice's shoulder, "my son."

The real Malice doesn't turn back. He already knows how this scene plays out, and he's powerless to stop it. Though his expression has darkened again, it's probably obvious why. He sold out the rebels - the people he was close to - for acceptance by this woman. If he hadn't...

Well, there's no point in thinking about it, he supposes.]

[ They can't do much, they understand that. So they can do what they think is best in trying to lead Malice away. Oh, and throwing a rock at the vampire lady. The response from Malice to that is all they need to know it's not a useless act.

They can't help though, as they give a glance back at that moment. They see that smile, and this scene... chills them to the bone.

But they don't let go of Malice. They look at his face. They can figure this out. They're a little oblivious to things outside of what's immediate or urgent to them, but this is immediate. And relevant, now that they think about it... But, what matters is Malice right now. ]

You... look like you regret that choice you made.

[ A face of sympathy, eyes closed. ]

[The figures in the background fade out, and all is still and silent.

Comet doesn't ask for an explanation. They don't dismiss it either, and they guess correctly. There isn't any hesitation when Malice replies.]

'Course I do. They were warmin' up to me, an' Cody... he accepted me. That place was startin' to feel like home.

[But then...]

I chose to sell 'em out. For a number of reasons, but those reasons ain't important now. Most of the rebels died not long after that conversation - Rosalie went after 'em an' crushed 'em all. Cody was killed. So many of the others were killed. An' that's somethin' I have to live with, 'cause I made a shitty decision an' got 'em killed.

[It was harder to admit all of this at the start of his time here, but the words leave him in a rush now. An explanation, sure, but his expression spells grief. If he could take it back, he would. If he could undo the damage he's dealt, he would. But the world doesn't work like that, so all he can do is try to be better going forward.]

[ Comet is silent that whole explanation. Quiet as a mouse, Ithaqua would say. They made a simple guess over asking, because that's what they seem to have right now: a regretful Malice. What Malice gets in exchange for confirming, plus the explanation? ]

...Thank you for telling me. there was something on my mind during that... so I ended up saying something obvious. I'm sorry.

[ Their voice is quiet, but full of sympathy. They rub their eyes, since they were starting to water at hearing Malice talk about Cody and the rebels. It's the home part that gets them. They had to close their eyes at the part after. ]

You'll live with that guilt and betrayal... But it makes you a better Malice in the present. That's the one I have with me right now.

[ It feels a bit silly and selfish to say that. But Malice knows how he feels and has for probably a long time. There's no need for comforting him about that. ]

[Comet doesn't deserve to deal with a fuck up like him, but regardless of knowing the truth - of hurting at Malice's actions - they still find a way to lift his spirits. Whereas before, he was always filled with a sense of trepidation at looking towards the future - of living with his guilt - now it feels... different. Not comfortable exactly, but something close to it. Because after all, Comet wouldn't say something like that if Malice hadn't made any progress at all, right? So he's being better to the people he likes here, and he's still damn determined to avoid any more fuck ups like that in the future. No matter what it is that someone has to offer him, he won't budge. Someone's gotta protect his friends, after all, and it might as well be him.

It won't bring Cody or the others back. But it will keep his resolve firm so he can be a better Malice.]

Thanks. For sayin' that. An' you don't gotta apologize - it's... gettin' easier to talk 'bout, anyway.

[He hesitates for a moment before deciding to hell with it and reaching out his good hand to gently pat Comet on the head. Pat pat.]

I mean it. Hearin' that you think I'm doin' better now means the world to me. I've been strugglin' with all'a this since arrivin' here, an' I am tryin' to do better. I'm gonna keep workin' at it.

[ 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.]

That's good to hear, really. And, even if you make a mistake again... we've seen mistakes happen already. But we'll try to fix them.

[ Comet smiles. Since they were thinking about the past, and the time spent here... ]

The fortune teller who visited told me about someone who chose betrayal... They said I was bound to that person. I think they were talking about—

[ They're interrupted by... Humming. It's sounds like it's an older woman, not quite upbeat... But soothing. Suddenly, there are whitish rectangular shapes, transparent like the individuals from Malice's memories. The rectangles define themselves into canvases with beautiful scenic paintings. There's the exception of one rectangle, which makes itself into a window... With a lattice of metal bars over a black sky. A prison.

Comet looks downward, taking a deep breath. ]

Oh. Mine too, huh. [ Their memories. They don't turn their head to the singing voice, instead looking at the paintings. ]

This is where my mom was locked up.

[ There's a figure working at her easel behind Comet. She has long, silky white hair that reached the floor and the bounds of the memory, fading at the ends with her paint smeared robes. A small, but longer haired Comet sits next to her in tied up, oversized clothes. ]

[Malice's attention is immediately drawn by the illusions again, but he certainly isn't going to forget what Comet started to say. The fortune teller's words have been bothering him since he first heard them, so figuring out what they mean would certainly be helpful... But right now he's more interested in this.

Unlike Comet, Malice turns to the figure, blinking in surprise at the bitty Comet sitting next to her. He decides not to mention that little Comet is incredibly cute, instead looking back over at the current Comet's words.]

Locked up? D'ya mind if I ask why?

[ 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. ]

[And thus she had Comet. What a fascinating story... He wants to ask what happened to their father, but maybe that wouldn't be a very good question right now, since it seems Comet and their mother were trapped here.]

She sounds like a nice woman. Carin' an' gentle.

[Comet's sounding a bit guilty, though. Hopefully they aren't blaming themselves for their mom's choices...?]

Mm-hm, she was.

[ At least there's definite fondness with Comet's response to affirm that. There's another scene about to play out from the way things come into view, and Comet figures they should just... sit on the forest floor and let it play out. It's only fair since they saw Malice's memories. They'll tug Malice to join them, handing him a mana stone.

There's a memory of Comet again, a bit older this time... holding a huge stack of paper needing to be filled out based on the lines and empty boxes. Surrounding them are looming spirits or indistinct shades of people. Comet isn't paying any mind to them, but their eyes look tired and empty, trying to read the text in their hands and make sense of it, probably.

"Oh, it's the priestess's kid."
"They're really making the poor thing wait with with us? We have all the time in the world when we're dead and those guys are immortal, not them."
"Yeah, the priestess is in rough shape, too. Just let them take care of her if they won't go near her."
"Oh.. Rumor is that they need the kid as a replacement for--"

Like it's a library (the faint walls and desks would imply it is), the spirits are shushed by a tall figure coming into view. This one has robes like their mother but pristine and tidy, with same white hair and red eyes as hers. Comet looks up at the elder, then at the gossipy spirits, but they get tugged away by their arm out of the scene. ]

...Oh, we didn't have to wait with that memory. I'm glad.

[ This time, their voice sounds a little cold as does they look out where the memory was, holding their knees. ]

[Malice joins Comet on the ground, accepting the mana stone with a quiet thanks. Crunch crunch... Is this the vampire wizard equivalent of eating popcorn while watching poor Comet's memories?? Yeah, kinda.

Anyway, it looks like Comet's dealt with a lot of people gossiping about them - likely because they are half-human. Even so, that looks exhausting to deal with, and his own experience as being a subject of gossip was awful. He can only imagine how much worse Comet's was, because Malice only had to deal with it for a couple of years at most.]

You really have been through a lot, huh?

[Malice gently reaches out to rest his good hand on Comet's head.]

But I'm right here, alright? So you're not dealin' with all this alone.

[ Yes, like popcorn! Or those malted balls of chocolate. Not shown is Comet would sometimes hide snacks in their sleeves if the wait to talk to the elders was gonna be long...

They keep getting headpats... And they're usually unsure if they like the. Clearly their growth will be stunted at this rate... But this one they take fine without getting surprised. ]

Thank you. Hearing that from you really means a lot to me too... Especially when I know how hard much you're trying, unlike the Moon People I've grown up with.

[ "(LC's) moon here is evil and may behaunted?"

Wow! Cool! Moving on, it's a day ending in Y. There's a real reason now Comet isn't even bothered by these tales about the moon.

On a whim, they too ear a man stone with Malice. With no illusions of Moon Elders around, Comet brings their arms high up. Don't mind the crutches as they explain. ]

Those people... won't ever change... So when I got that rare chance to leave... I did. I only knew what the Earth was like from my mom, but surely... it's worth spending some of my shorter life to see.

[ The last little memory is faint among the bright dreamy trees, but it's fine because they'd rather just carry on with their conversation with Malice and attention on him. He's real and he's being the kind of person he clearly wants to be. A good person, a supportive one. He smiles as they leans on their knees.

If Malice wants to take a glance... It's just an ocean under the moonlight, with a horizon that seems to go on forever. The Comet there is alone at the shallows, gazing at the full moon. Their hair is messily cut short, fluttering in the sea breeze. They're content. ]

[Huh, makes sense why Comet's pretty chill about the moon being a threat, because that's how they viewed the Moon People. Or something like that, anyway.]

Did ya like it? Earth. You've probably seen all sorts of great things, yeah?

[His attention drifts to the scene before them, of Comet all alone, but looking content this time. It seems his guess may be right - Earth must have provided Comet with so many different experiences that they wouldn't have had on the moon.]

They nod. It's definitely something like that, or at least, a surprisingly easy feeling/opinion to apply from one world to the next.

I do. And I feel like I have? Things like the scenery mom loved so much... People too.

[ They don't need to list them to far. The things come and go to make a pleasant life. ]

Right, I almost forgot. If I think now that the fortune teller might have been talking about you, then if you met them... I hope it was helpful.

[ It works the other way too m! Comet looks a little flustered. They don't like attention, even if it's meant to be good news. ]

Heh, I'm glad to hear it.

[And Malice really is. After all, it seems like Comet needed to have some good experiences in their life, especially after what happened with their mother...

But at that, Malice snaps his fingers.]

Right! I've been thinkin' 'bout that! They said somethin' like... "they've journeyed far in search of normalcy" or somethin', if I'm rememberin' right.

[...]

You think yours was talkin' 'bout me, huh? Those strings of fate or whatever they are... I wonder if that's the kinda magic Itha an' Sol used...

[They did pull off a super cool attack despite really not liking each other, and it seems like it would've been tough to set up spur of the moment... But then, he didn't really see what happened inside their attack, so who knows. Regardless!]

'Course, I wouldn't mind at all if you're my fated partner or whatnot!

[ Ah. That would sound like them, it shows on the dawning realization on Comet's face. ]

Itha...qua and Solomon? They got stronger...

[ The nicknames are cute... They didn't know about that part about finding your other pair but that makes sense! Also they like them both, so good for them. This feels like an accomplishment to figure out, and a good one to make them smile. ]

I don't mind either! You're someone I'm sure I can depend on.

Yeah, they sure did! It was amazin', looked like the sorta magic they had to work together for an' practice a ton... but they usually don't get along, so it was a surprise!

[But Malice grins at the second part: praise!! Being dependable is something new too, and something he wants to do his best to live up to. It'd make Cody happy, he thinks - though he doesn't really have the right to think about that in the first place.]

I'm really glad I am! I'll be sure to keep an eye out for ya!

[He points at his one good eye and then laughs. It's not a joke, despite the... really bad joke...]

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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