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

[revengier]

You will. You wouldn't be anything less.

[ Akira tends to tackle things head on, after all, and Kurapika trusts that he'll be able to sort his own emotions out in that time. Though, he doesn't have to do that part of it alone either.

Which is why the fact that Akira already loosens his hold makes him frown, and not just at the slight loss of heat between them as he straightens up. ]

...You can continue to hold onto me, if you like. I know you move on quickly, but it's alright if you want to stay like that for a while longer. [ ... ] Even when we get back to my room.

[ After all, Kurapika wants Akira to feel like it's okay to be vulnerable with him. What's the point of being together if he can't be? ]

[jokey]

[...Ah, don't threaten him with cuddles. Akira might take him up on that, though he hesitates to go back to wrapping himself around Kurapika's back like a stubborn koala cub.]

Doesn't that put you off? Me being all... [gesticulates into kurapika's shirt] ...clingy and weak?

[revengier]

[ For that, he actually turns his head back to give Akira a Look. ]

Why would it? Does it seem like I care about that?

[ Come on, Akira. He might not consider himself a good person, but he's not going to be put off by Akira leaning on him. ]

Isn't that the whole point of what we have between us? I want you to be comfortable showing that side of yourself to me. Idiot.

[jokey]

Mmngh.

[You've got him there, Kurapika. Embarrassing... Before Kurapika can appraise the flush that's burning across Akira's face, he drops his forehead against his shoulder. There. Close enough for you?]

You know it's not that easy. You can say that, but in practice, I bet it's a major turn off.

[revengier]

You're right, Akira. I'm never sleeping with you again now that you've shown weakness.

[ He shakes his head, hand settling over one of Akira's. ]

Do you really think something like that would go through my mind? Be realistic for once.

[jokey]

[Akira gasps! At least he's feeling well enough to engage in a bit of drama, eh? He claps his hand over Kurapika's mouth.]

That's waaay not what I meant. Don't be crass.

[This isn't about sex!! Akira drops his hand, but not before rubbing his thumb along Kurapika's cheek.]

But if you're offering to keep me warm in bed, I won't say no to that. I could tell you another one of my tales of derring-do.

[revengier]

[ Before Akira moves his hand, he'll feel Kurapika's lips quirk up at the corners against his palm. ]

I was already planning on it, but I'll make a formal offer. Would you join me in bed, Akira? In exchange for one of your tales, I'll tell you whatever you'd like to hear.

[ Kurapika has a lot of tales, ones he can't easily sort through, but he'll let Akira ask him for whatever he'd want to hear.

Thankfully, they're already close to the manor, and it looms in the distance, its bright lights contrasting against the darkness surrounding it. ]

[jokey]

[A formal offer to join him in bed... that makes Akira snort. Congratulations, Kurapika. You've brightened his mood considerably.]

It would be my honor and my pleasure.

[His arms hug tightly around Kurapika's middle, the ends of his hair tickling along his skin when Akira nuzzles in close to kiss the side of his neck.]

[revengier]

[ The tickling is fine, but that kiss? Kurapika's broom drops about ten feet in the air before he manages to regain control of it, accelerating significantly in an attempt to get over his embarrassment. ]

...Don't do that. Please.

[jokey]

Oh, uh. My bad.

[It's not his fault Kurapika can't concentrate??? Akira grabs on tighter just to avoid getting thrown off.]

[revengier]

[ God, he's so embarrassed. Kurapika doesn't say anything until they're at the window to his bedroom, and he flies up parallel, pushing it open with his foot.

Then, he flies right in and lands on the floor. ]

Here we are. [ You know. In case Akira didn't know, and not because Kurapika is still flustered. ] Are you still cold?

[jokey]

[Coincidentally, Akira doesn't say shit until they're safely in Kurapika's room and he steps off the broom... only to immediately collapse on the floor. Ough.]

Not cold, per se.

[But physically compromised? Very.]

[revengier]

[ Kurapika shrugs off his coat and outer layers before reaching out a hand to help Akira up. ]

Let's get your coat and gloves off.

[jokey]

[Akira takes Kurapika's hand and wobbles upright with some effort. He'll make the wise decision and wander over to the bed where he can shrug off his coat and gloves.]

Sorry. I'm still feeling a bit weak.

[revengier]

Akira. Don't apologize.

[ Look, he'll even help Akira with getting off his jacket and gloves. He can't have those cold, wet clothes on if he wants to regain his strength.

He kneels down and works on taking off Akira's shoes and socks. ]

[jokey]

...Right. Okay.

[But he's inconveniencing Kurapika, so why shouldn't he apologize? Ah, but fine. He doesn't want to hear it, so Akira won't apologize anymore, lifting his feet to help Kurapika peel off his sodden shoes and socks.]

Can I borrow a change of clothes from you? I'll give them back after I've cleaned them.

[revengier]

[ Despite being seemingly inconvenienced, Kurapika doesn't seem to mind the fact that he has to practically peel off Akira's socks, tossing them to a random corner of his room. They'll dry, it's fine. ]

Of course.

[ He stands, padding over to his dresser and pulling out a cotton shirt and shorts. This'll probably be fine. So with a shrug, he throws them at Akira's face before he pulls out his own pajamas. ]

[jokey]

Thanks.

[Akira can handle stripping out of the rest, pulling his shirt off overhead and wiggling out of his jeans. He folds his clothes and sets them aside, though he did consider yeeting them into the corner to join his socks.

Pulling on the t-shirt and shorts, he tugs at the duvet to curl up beneath it. He motions for Kurapika to join him with grabby hands extended out from the side of the blanket.]

[revengier]

[ Well, if Akira won't yeet them... Kurapika will at least push them off of his bed and into a nice little folded pile on the floor. He takes his sweet time peeling off all of his layers before pulling his pajamas on, his hair sticking up in a few places once he gets his shirt over his head.

There's no time to waste brushing his hair back down, though, not when Akira's reaching out his hands for him. Shuffling over to the side of the bed, he lifts up the covers and climbs in. ]

Casual clothes like this look good on you.

[jokey]

[Eh, leave the messy hair. It suits Kurapika anyway. Akira wastes no time looping his arms around Kurapika, his hold loose but no less yearning. He needs this whether he's willing to admit it or not.]

Really? [Skeptical tbh...] Should I start dressing like this every day?

[revengier]

[ Kurapika scoots close enough to let their legs tangle a bit, one of his hands settling on Akira's waist. ]

If you wanted to. I think you dress nicely as it is, however.

[ Akira has a nice sense of style, and while Kurapika doesn't really care when it comes to the way others dress, he would happily admit that he likes the way Akira dresses. ]

[jokey]

I'm glad I have a fan. Some haters would tell you my sense of style is totally whack, yo.

[Like Ryuji who likes to ape on his joker ensemble as if it isn't the tightest fit this side of Japan. Akira curls in a little closer, his shock of messy black hair tickling the underside of Kurapika's jaw. Kurapika said he wouldn't judge him for being a weak and vulnerable little babyman, so let him at least try it and see if he likes the coddling.]

You look pretty good in a suit... but the smoking doesn't fit you at all.

[revengier]

Then they lack taste.

[ Which he would probably agree with when it comes to Ryuji, so. His hand rests on the back of Akira's head, pulling him closer so he can bury his face in Kurapika's collarbones. ]

The smoking is something I picked up when making deals. It's bad form to reject a cigarette or even a cigar, you know.

[jokey]

[Akira snorts, laughter rumbling against Kurapika's palms. Mmm, collarbones...]

Sure, but you aren't wheeling and dealing here. You're addicted.

[revengier]

[ He huffs indignantly. ]

What of it? This isn't about me anyway.

[ Stop shifting the focus onto him, Akira! He'll even kick his feet a little bit in protest. ]