and i'll stay yours, no matter sunrise, nightfall

[promittere]

WAXING CRESCENT PRESTO

Things haven't been easy the past two months for the new sage's wizards, but their hard work is paying off. All twenty-five, including sage and mentor, have been personally invited to the home of the newly-appointed Lady Diane Chenon of Borda Island, located in the Western Country.

Borda Island is a popular holiday desination located off the western coast of the mainland, and as the local ruler, Lady Diane's abode is nothing less than a beautiful castle—a gorgeous piece of architecture, even if it isn't as grand as Granvelle Castle.

She invites everyone to stay for an entire weekend. But when they all arrive to their destination, they'll find that she's...absent, due to sudden business she has to attend to. No matter, though. Her staff is ready to receive you anyway, and you're given free reign over both the castle and the island.

In the castle, the staff have set out an entire feast for the crew, with all sorts of food imaginable. From large savory dishes to delectable sweets, everything is exquisite, and it's set out in a buffet style so everyone can pick and choose what they want to eat. The castle also has stunning views of the town and the western expanse of sea beyond the mainland.

Outside of the castle, the world is your oyster. Borda Island's beaches are pristine, well-maintained, with silky sand and shining blue water. While there are several other beachgoers at this time of year, the sands and seas are mostly open for the sage's wizards to lounge in as they please. If you think your water breathing magic is up to snuff, then why not go diving? There are whispers of a sunken city far off the coast (if you think you can find it!), and you may be lucky enough to run across a mermaid...

The markets aren't far from the beach, and they hold a vast array of trinkets, activities, and foods catering to every taste imaginable. What's unique about these markets is that a large section of the markets are wizard-owned, which means there are plenty of magical trinkets for sale. And that also means the native wizards are quite curious about you, the alien wizards...

Alternatively, feel free to return to the mainland to visit the Nectar District, which is not that far, all things considered. This is the wizard-only pleasure district of the Western Country, for those who wish to indulge in a bit of depravity. And it is worth visiting at least once while you're here, if at least to connect with some native wizards and learn about wizard culture. But be careful, and do be home in time for dinner—it's hard to escape a Western wizard's charms once they decide they want to play with you.

As night falls, everyone is treated to a spectacular sight. Some may have heard whispers of its arrival, some may not. Either way, the Venator meteor shower darts across the sky as dusk falls.

The meteor shower has another name among wizards—the Lineal meteor shower. Wizards live for a very, very long time, yet their pasts and experiences live on in the teachings they hand down to their apprentices. The stars, too, live a very long time, and as the meteor shower comes by every year, they trace the slight differences in time and in these relationships.

In the past, shooting stars have been considered bad omens. And though the perception of them as simply natural phenomena has become more prevalent, the superstition remains. But some see them as travelers, foreign visitors who are here to usher in a new age of change. How do you see them?

Regardless, every wizard has a memory or two closely related to the meteor shower. Take a moment to look up to the shooting stars as they color the sky, and take in the life you have now—what sort of memory are you going to make on this night, and how will you pass it on?

JOB BOARD

Rekindling. Thanks to your Northern friends' hard work, the worst of the damages have been avoided for the City of Ice. But that doesn't mean they don't need your help still.

The earthquakes left by the chimera's rampage have rattled some buildings, and they need repair. The magical blizzards also seem to have injured some people and damaged some of the stained glass decorations the townsfolk value so highly. Collect crystals from the Forest of Ice to try and replicate them, and try to put in as much protective magic as you can—they need it.

They also request a barrier that blocks magical signatures, much like the one erected around Granvelle Castle. It seems their patrons are back and comatose, and they would like to avoid any attacks by other opportunistic Northern wizards...

Theatrical assistance and celebration. The West is a country of the arts, as well as science, which means there is always some sort of production going on that needs hands and talent. One of the largest theaters in the City of Affluence is in need of help with costuming, prop manufacturing, and is holding auditions for roles in their upcoming play. Maybe now's a good time to get some good publicity for wizards? Or the promise of remuneration and a share of the profits will be enough, as anyone who helps the theater or helps draw crowds to their new play will get quite the financial compensation. And free tickets!

Those more musically inclined or prone to stage fright can also help with the theater's upcoming parade through the city. Those with no marching band experiences can play the most important instrument of all, the cymbal. Or triangle, pick your poison.

If that's still too much, there's always passing out flyers to advertise the new production.

The advent of summer. The summer solstice nears, and the City of Clouds has asked for your assistance! Their yearly summer solstice celebration is coming up and they need help preparing for the festival. Their usual magical muscle is unfortunately still out of commission, so they've turned to the current sage's wizards for assistance. They need help building sets for their dances and music, setting up magical illusions and lights for the main event, and clearing the land where they'll have the food and activity stalls. This may not be as grand in caliber as your previous jobs, but at this point, it may be best to begin building regular goodwill among the natives of this world. Who knows if it may end up being your home...

G'RAHA TASKS

I've heard that some wizards have found that they're capable of a unique sort of spell with another wizard around them, and that those spells can be quite powerful. While I've yet to see any for myself, I've been doing some digging to see if I can understand where it comes from and how it might be replicable. To that end, I think it may be fun to host some sort of gathering where people can try out spells with their comrades and see what happens...?

(OOC Note: This is basically G'raha sanctioned speed-dating, so go wild with this!)

TATARA ACTIVITIES

You know what the best way to bond is? Food! We should have a huge potluck feast one day—everyone make one dish they consider to be their specialty, and we'll have them all out for dinner one day in the dining hall! Don't miss it! I expect all of you to be there!

I really want to fill out my sage tome. I haven't gotten everyone so far, so I'm relying on your trusty submissions! If you could please write down what you like, what you don't like, what you're good at, and what you're bad at and then leave your papers in a stack on a library table, I'd be ever grateful! Thank you~

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your fifth and final (?) event! Sick of sand yet? Have some more!
🌙 Everyone made AC and that's dope, actually. Thank you all so much for sticking with us!!! We're in the home stretch. Things may be low key right now, but do you think you're ready for what's to come?
🌙 A quick reminder of the deadline for submitting your pair guesses: Friday, June 14, 11:59 PM. There's still time to guess!
🌙 We'll also be closing the rewards page on Wednesday, June 19, 11:59 PM. That's your last chance to get your random items, and your last chance to get your mission rewards. Don't miss out!
🌙 Don't forget, your OOC plotting post is here! Please be sure to use this post, since not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Our last group to go on their mission will be West. Don't fuck it up, Westies!

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[dyingtohealyou]

[Tch. This is just... annoying. So annoying, in ways he's certainly not about to put word to.]

I heard you loud and clear - repeatedly, under the honesty charm - during the party.

[He can't deny the fact that the old bastard cares anymore, as much as he'd love to.]

Just get to the point and let me make my choice. You can trot out the explanations after I know what the hell it is I'm even supposed to be doing.

[Nevermind that he's also annoyed he's even entertaining helping to begin with. Ugh!!

Still, once Solomon mentions the actual task, he settles back fully in his perch, crossing his arms.]

...Yeah, I know of him. [And where he is right this moment, though he's not about to mention that while in Western lands.] Sounds simple enough.

[impacter]

[Honestly, that doesn't fill him with any sort of comfort. The more he spoke at the bar, the more irritated Ahito looked. Perhaps no amount of honesty could recover this.]

This is not a situation where I'm going to lead with what I want you to do. I have done that with absolutely no one else, and I will not make an exception.

[...]

You've told me before that you would keep your focus on the people. Is that still correct?

Potluck;

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan hears the announcement of the Potluck and considering the general state of things, he wishes to ensure certain people are in attendance.

Hence how when he sees Ahito is mcgone, he decides to immediately search out for the little guy.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Ahito, Jing Yuan has the eyes of a hawk.

So, soon enough, he catches sight of him. He manages to get straight up to the roof quietly via broom from another angle, and lands on top, a respectable distance from Ahito. ]

Ah, Ahito.

I had been wondering where you had gone. What made you come all the way out here?

[leewards]

[Ithaqua claims one nice blue blanket and lays himself on it, spreading out his limbs like a starfish. He's more comfortable now than the last time he was at the beach, solely because this little gathering is happening later in the day, when the sun is already setting and thus the brightness is lessening. Though the temperature is still a little high due to the time of the year, so Ithaqua raises his hand and waves it, creating a fresh breeze and causing the air to cool.

Even if he's in a pair of shorts and a hoodie once more, a half-mask just to lessen the amount of skin on his face covered up. He really just doesn't like a lot of heat.

At least, if anyone isn't fine with the heat either, they can approach.]

[dyingtohealyou]

There's other people involved this time?

[Huh... Wonder who else he's pulling in.]

...I'll help the people of the North, at least. I have some standards.

[He's not about to go out of his way for anyone he deems to be causing needless suffering, human or not.]

If it's another group, I'll need more details.

[impacter]

Yes. A group of five has already gone out the end of last week at my request, and I would like another group to go with me directly now that I'm mostly fit to walk again. Nothing complicated, but I am not in any state or mood to babysit people who don't give a damn.

Which is why I'm only asking some of you.

[...]

Are you aware Oz's castle lights have been restored?

[dyingtohealyou]

[Lips forming a hard line for a moment. But eventually:]

Can't say I've been paying much attention to the castle. I was mostly out in the forest.

Why?

[impacter]

Oz's castle acted as a scarecrow of sorts to other wizards in that area. Given his power, his presence meant either he would scare any others off, or those that were too foolish would have to face the magic that protected his castle even when he wasn't present.

When he vanished with the other wizards of Central, his protective magics vanished, and so did the lights. And even after Central's mission succeeded and their wizards were brought back, those lights didn't return.

The representative I spoke to at the ball shared most of this with me. They had fear of Central retaliation, as well as avalanches from the mountain, attacks from beasts, and wizards wanting to slide in to Oz's territory. So I told them to call on us, when they felt they were genuinely growing fearful.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He absorbs it all, looking out from his perch in the tree rather than down at Solomon. After a moment:]

When did the lights return?

[impacter]

When I broke in and turned them back on.

[dyingtohealyou]

...That why you were gone in the leadup to the chimera?

[All because he went to turn some lights on, of all things?

Not that Ahito's one to assume it was a simple matter, but... all this secrecy, all this sneaking, and for what?]

[impacter]

Partially.

I wasn't so stupid as to think restoring a failsafe would be easy or without consequence. So I stayed with them and helped rebuild their homes while we braced for retaliation. Going up against Oz took every drop of magic I had, so I left for the Forest of Dreams once a day to collect whatever I could find for stones and watch for the movements of anyone or anything magical that wasn't the rest of you.

[dyingtohealyou]

And that's why you were already in bad shape for the fight.

[Goddammit grandpa.]

Did your little brush with death remind you there's other people here who are capable of helping, too?

[dyingtohealyou]

[...Ahh, caught. But he'll pretend otherwise.]

It's got a nice view, don't you think?

[Looking down over the city, seeing people just - walking, running, talking, gossiping--

Living.]

[impacter]

More or less.

[It's quiet, his head leaning back against the trunk of the tree.]

With tensions as high as they were, it felt easier to let the rest of you think what you would of me, than to bring along people who may very well be spiteful to myself or to the people. The village didn't deserve that.

I've just.. forgotten, I suppose. How fragile being mortal feels.

[leewards]

rekindling

Ah! To return to the great white North!

[That declaration is quite jubilant, and full of relief because Ithaqua? Ithaqua hates the heat. He's stretching his arms in the middle of the street, enjoying the cold. The abominable snowman is no longer in danger of melting. For now.

Though he's ignoring the looks the residents give him, as if they want to come up to him and... ask for a few things. Nope! No thank you, he's already here to work, no need to bribe him.]

nectar district: what is wizard culture

[So. Ithaqua has been here already so he can try not to be so surprised about a lot of their wares on sale (maybe try and fail because they're not quite helpful with his desire to go at Urianger's pace, no matter what they have already done). But he is a bit overwhelmed so he distracts himself with learning wizard culture instead, because these people? These people are more open than all the other wizards.

He has to wonder why.]

Aah~ [That sound is one of Ithaqua thinking. Really, deeply thinking. He has a chest of jewels in his room that has not been used, and they might as well do something rather than sit there.] So gifting gemstones in the colour of one's lover's eyes is considered a romantic gesture, is it? Unusual, most would simply gift rings and offer a mutual roof to reside in.

[To which the native wizard laughs, and puts a hand on Ithaqua's arm... and then the smile on his face, visible due to him wearing a half-mask, turns icy. Someone might want to rescue this poor guy before the creature bites.]

tatara activities: cooking

Do not, under any circumstances, allow Solomon in here. I've seen what he can do, and while his experiments are fine, accidentally poisoning us with whatever he cooks is not acceptable.

[That's said with a furtive murmur as he begins to mince meat with a heavy cleaver. He has a lot of ingredients around him, but no obvious recipe or final dish around. There are vegetables, cheese, meat and even some baguettes proofing on some cotton cloth nearby.]

I did not live this long only to be poisoned by an idiot at a meal.

tatara's activities: submission writing

[Ithaqua, over his time here, has learned the fine art of twirling pens around his fingers as he thinks of what to write.

Which means that he twirls a pen and it goes flying... and he just picks up another one close by. Sorry if that previous pen narrowly missed you. Sorry if that new pen was the one you wanted! Even if one were to complain, Ithaqua would just give an absentminded apology.]

Mm, apologies.

[foresightis2020]

[ Well, seeing as Tatara has decided to join, as one of the 'hosts' (kind of) Jing Yuan decides to speak up while the other is strumming away. ]

Good of you to join us, Tatara.

Are you enjoying the sights?

[ He is sure that it's going to be yes since meteor showers are nice to watch, whatever kind of superstition is around, but he's just going to put forth the inquiry anyways just for smalltalk's sake. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Ahito is most certainly caught. No way to get out of this.

Jing Yuan raises a brow, as if amused. He has seen a variety of ways in which people have endeavored to play dumb with him, though he doesn't cease to be entertained by the various methods. ]

I certainly do think so. From this vantage point, one can witness the various walks of life.

[ He just casually asks this: ]

Though, that isn't why you decided to perch up here, is it?

[1145pm]

> anyway, here's...music.

[ Even before the Venator meteor shower travels across the sky Tatara can still be found out at the beach on Borda Island. He's sitting comfortably on a colorful towel, beneath an umbrella. His flip flops are discarded somewhere in the sand, and he sits cross legged as he practices (?) guitar. Actually...it does seem like he's practicing pretty hard, going back to chords, trying different fingerings, humming along and mumbling words as he does so.

It's rare to see him away from the group, absorbed in something that isn't actually ridiculous. Come say hi—maybe he'll play something for you! ]

> dinner.

[ It's potluck time! Did you bring food?

Whenever someone enters the dining hall from the kitchen, Tatara will practically jump in front of them, eager to see what they're bringing. He takes a sniff, leans in close to look. ]

What'd you bring?!

> ...?

[ Back at the manor, sometime later in the week, some might notice Tatara carrying a precarious stack of books towards the elevator. There's a bag slung over his shoulder, presumably with more books, and it looks like...genuinely too much for him to carry? His skinny arms cannot possibly carry that much weight!

In fact, he looks like he's struggling, and the stack of books wobble. Help! ]

[lighthaus]

Go Fish

[ On one of the quieter nooks of Borda Islands is Khun, set up on an outcropping of rocks that stretch into the ocean. He's relatively easy to spot by the umbrella he's set up for shade, along with the cooler and buckets he has next to him. You might think he's decided to have a beach party of his own, except this is all fishing gear and not refreshments. Going by the ease of which he casts the line into the sea, this is something he apparently has a lot of experience in too.

Who knew he had an actual normal hobby? ]

Spell Dating

Isn't there supposed to be some kind of guidance for this sort of thing? Well, I can't be blamed for improvising then.

[ Hello are you looking to try practicing your spells with someone else? Think fast because that sure is a spear of ice being thrown your way, though it might just be an illusion too. That depends on how much Khun likes you, or just his mood. It's fine.]

Wildcard

[ Anything else! He'll be around Western Country the most, and if you're up with the birds you might catch him with a spear in the early morning hours.]

[1145pm]

[ When Jing Yuan talks to him, he strums a chord and lets the music fade naturally. It's nice, listening to it fade in tandem with one of the stars above. ]

Yeah. It's pretty.

[ Sorry! He doesn't have a lot of thoughts on the heavens.

He smiles at Jing Yuan. ] You?

[dyingtohealyou]

[Just letting out the longest sigh.]

And in your arrogance, you almost died and left them to fend for themselves anyway.

[dyingtohealyou]

Why else would I be here?

[If you're going to accuse him at least name the crime, grandpa.]

[foresightis2020]

[ He'll take his time. Typical grandpa and westie behavior~ ]

That is a good question, isn't it?

[ Finally, he gets to the point, having noticed Ahito's absence in coincidental timing with a certain announcement. Gotta support our local Sage, as always. ]

Tatara is hosting a potluck.

You were hoping to avoid it, were you not?

[foresightis2020]

Things almost look the same as they always do, but the only difference now is how they are with the meteor shower that brings to light the heavens above.

But, in the end, I'd say it appears quite nice.

[ Jing Yuan has seen quite a many meteor showers himself so it isn't like it is far too special, but there is always something serene...calming, about it. ]

Did you have the chance to often glimpse such sights?