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

[revengier]

[ The failed attempt makes him smile in amusement, simply because Kurapika can tell it's out of laziness rather than incompetence.

He leans forward to get a better look. ]

Can I hold a couple of them?

[leewards]

Mm~ Go ahead, but they're simply ice.

[He could even put them in a drink-- though they have no drinks right now. Still, Ithaqua keeps his hand open for Kurapika to take a cube. Or two. Or several.

And, as promised, they don't melt.]

[revengier]

[ He takes two, tossing them up in the air before catching them in his palm. ]

I never would have thought to make ice that doesn't melt, but maybe I will from now on.

[ It'll be useful for drinks. ]

I've only thought to make weapons.

[leewards]

Oh, these can certainly be weapons, if I were to apply myself. [And he has created weapons! ... He's just not interested in doing so right now.]

But there are more applications to this for me-- mostly for my own entertainment.

[revengier]

[ Hmm... reinforced enough, he could see these as viable weapons for sure. ]

And how do you use these for entertainment?

[leewards]

Well... [Given he's still a little lazy, Ithaqua thinks it's fine to just do a little something. Something small and easy.

So he sits up and blows into his hand, forming a nice, perfectly round snowball the size of an apple. (8)

And then tosses it at Kurapika's face.]

1/2

[revengier]

[ Kurapika sputters, face suddenly full of snow because he wasn't expecting Ithaqua to, like, actually bean him with a snowball?? Hello?

He frowns, huffing as he crosses his arms. ]

What are you, five years old?!

[revengier]

[ Fine. Two can play at that game.

Uncrossing his arms, Kurapika snaps and a rush of water falls over Ithaqua, equivalent to the size of a small bucket. ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua cackles as he's doused, much like a wild dog-- he was expecting this, and isn't even mad. He simply pushes himself into a crouching position and shakes himself off vigorously, still like a dog.

And surely, Kurapika will get splattered by water, because he's right there.]

[revengier]

[ He sure is getting splattered, and he's got the frown on his face to prove it! ]

Seriously? Really mature of you.

[leewards]

So what? Heheh. [He makes a point of shaking his hair out in Kurapika's direction in particular, just because of that complaint.]

I've many, many years ahead of me, why should I be mature all of the time, starting at this young age?

[His fun done, he tugs his shirt off and wrings it out. He won't be able to wear it again for tonight, but that's fine, given his resistance to the cold.]

[revengier]

[ Kurapika watches as water is wrenched from the shirt and lands on the blankets. ]

How many years? You must live quite the long life.

[ He wouldn't have emphasized so many years if he didn't, after all. ]

[leewards]

Eternity.

[Wait, maybe he should elaborate...]

I likely may be in my third decade, but I have far more than that ahead of me. Heheh!

[revengier]

You're thirty?

[ Interesting... he brings a hand up to his chin. ]

In my world, being trained in the power of Nen can slow the aging process, but it isn't by much. No one lives for hundreds of years.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua gives a shrug. How old is he, really? He doesn't know, but he doesn't care.]

I'm no human. I remember my twentieth birthday, but that was long ago. [The truth about his birth hadn't been revealed yet, because his mother commented on the milestone.]

And my face-- you've seen it, hmm? I look like your peer rather than your elder. I've not aged in about that long, as well. So, no need for intensive training when you are like me.

Not that I shall suggest that one becomes like me, mind. I am a monster, it is simply not obvious right now.

[revengier]

[ Ithaqua is right about that, he looks close in age with Kurapika, which is why he never thought to question how old he might really be. Maybe he should start doing that, given the overall characteristics of this group... ]

Why isn't it obvious? Is your "monstrous" state locked behind powers you cannot access here?

[leewards]

Like I said, I am young-- these changes to my body shall come gradually.

[Even if he won't actually elaborate on why he started out looking human... It's fine.

And he shall repeat himself once more:] There's no rush when it comes to a lifespan like mine.

[revengier]

[ Hm. He doesn't think he's going to get any solid answer out of Ithaqua, so he'll drop it with a shrug. ]

I have the average lifespan of any human from my world.

[leewards]

And you should be grateful for that. [Ithaqua turns his head in a way that's very bird-like.]

I do not think one who has been human their whole life will be able to withstand the thought of living forever.

[revengier]

No, and I wouldn't want to.

[ That much, Kurapika is sure of. ]

I hold my memories close to my heart. The thought of those memories, and my feelings, fading eventually is one I don't want to entertain.

[leewards]

Very good. That's something quite important to keep in mind. [What a thing to say as he slings his still-damp shirt over his shoulder.]

Especially in your current position.

[Being with someone, he means.]

[revengier]

[ A look of surprise briefly passes over Kurapika's face, but ah... right. The party made the nature of he and Akira's relationship obvious. ]

If anything, we would try to find immortality together... though I'd hope he's smart enough to not look for it in the first place.

[ Reckless enough, though? Probably. ]

[leewards]

Perhaps not as a youth. [He gives a shrug.]

Imagine being frozen forever whilst you are still growing and have yet to reach full physical peak, especially height.

[revengier]

[ Height, huh... he's still 5'7, and hasn't grown in a couple of years. The very realization makes him frown. ]

...I take almost entirely after my mother, so I'm more than likely not getting any taller.

[leewards]

[Wait, how old is Kurapika to be saying that... He doesn't know. And he wouldn't know how humans grow either, he shot up quickly and stopped there. And then his body changed when he shed his humanity, so his proportions are becoming exaggerated.]

If you're still young, there's a chance. Drink some milk or something.