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

[lustro]

Now’s the time to gather ideas.

Feels like all of us Eastern wizards are kind of - [ Vague hand motions that seem to mean ??? Insecure??? Have depressing problems… ???? ] So if it’s something that implies that you’re seriously thinking of him, I’m sure he’ll like that.

[troublereduction]

[ Somehow, Day is able to roughly decipher what the vague hand gestures are supposed to mean. There are only so many terms that are applicable to all the Eastern wizards and they're mostly a variety of depression or earnest. ]

...I got a nice ring for helpin' the Southern merchants way back. It's got a sapphire set in it.

[ Why is he bringing this up? Fushigi mystery. ]

/2

[lustro]

?!

[lustro]

Marriage already??

1/2

[troublereduction]

[ Day slowly blinks at first, like he's not sure why Ginger is reacting like this. He's just going to give a ring? ]

[troublereduction]

[ And then Ginger says that, and his face instantly flushes bright red. ]

Wait wait wait that ain't what I mean! It's just a gift! A gift!

[ Did he totally forget how giving a ring might have looked like? Maybe, because it's not gold jewellery as per custom. ]

[lustro]

[ ‘Just a gift.’ ]

Daaay, it has to mean more than that? Imagine the look on his face when you give him a ring and he expects it to mean one thing and you say, “no, it’s just a gift.”

[ Ginger raises his eyebrows, like: bruh, Phil’s gonna cry. ]

[troublereduction]

I mean, yeah, but it ain't meant to be a proposal. [ In a rare moment of embarrassment, Day actually seems to be trying to cover his face with one hand. ] It's kinda too soon for that and ain't it basically a promise? I just...dunno how to express what he means to me.

[lustro]

You don’t have to know right now. Figure it out, but do it with him.

[ Phil probably needs help, too. ]

I think that will make him happy until you find the words.

[troublereduction]

...I know I wanna stay with him. [ So that answers whatever curiosity Ginegr might have had there, even though he also told Ginger he has to go back home too. ] But everything else, I'm gonna have to talk to him about. ...Thanks.

Did you really have to bring up marriage though? [ There's no heat to it, but he's so uncharacteristically flustered by the idea, apparently. ]

[lustro]

It’s just a thing humans seem to like. Mika thought I intended to propose in that way, too.

[ He leads them to the windows of a shop selling jewelry - for all sorts of body parts, but there are some rings on display. They’re suitably eye-catching, though he has no clue if they would work for proposals. ]

[troublereduction]

Mm, well...marriage helps formalize a bunch of stuff. Tyin' two important families through marriage is a way to ensure an alliance. Patricians try to marry up into a Dynast family all the time back home. It's an institution 'cause it's got benefits.

It's just that people are gonna attach other more meaningful stuff to it too, y'know? Lotta people ain't gonna say the idea of bein' with someone for the rest of their lives don't sound nice.

[ Surprisingly cynical of Day, maybe, even if he adds a more idealistic addendum to it.

His gaze follows where Ginger is looking. ]

Loookin' for a ring for Mika?

[lustro]

Formalized by who? That sounds like bringing a lot of extras into something private.

[ He does understand, somewhat. Military families in Heaven like to marry strong, but otherwise it’s not a common idea at all. ]

Maybe. I want to give him something for every season - but I think… he’d like one. At least one.

[troublereduction]

Whoever's in charge, I guess. That's assumin' you want or need your marriage to be recognized by the law, though.

[ ...Hm, now that he thinks about it, he isn't sure what Heaven's laws say about marriage, though he knows at least a few married couples there.

Day makes an amused sound. Every season, huh...]

Any specific gem in mind, or...? [ Is Ginger just going to look for one that seems Right? ]

[lustro]

I heard from one of the wizards here that…

[ He doesn’t frown, exactly, just sounds kinda glum. ]

I should present my lover with a gem that matches his eye color - apparently that’s a thing wizards do? But… Mika’s a vampire and… I don’t know if that’s his original eye color. I don’t know if he’d be said to get a red gem - or, even if I find out, if he’d be sad still to get the shade he used to have.

[troublereduction]

[ ... ]

Well, I ain't gonna claim I know Mika well or anythin', but do you think he'll be happy to know you were thinkin' of him and wanted to share somethin' romantic with him? Even if it might also remind him of somethin' sad.

[ He's going to store that tidbit about gems for his own purposes, too. ]

[lustro]

He would.

[ Soft, but certain. Ginger’s feelings for Mika burning low in his mismatched eyes, for once all sides of him in agreement on loving this one perfect being. ]

… A sapphire would match Phil’s eyes, right? Why not get a chain for it, too?

[troublereduction]

You have your answer, then. [ A small smile. ]

Hehe, wouldn't sapphires be more like my eyes, usually? [ Day looks thoughtful for a moment... ]

...Maybe an aquamarine for him, though. And somethin' else for his gray eye. [ Because it's as much as a part of him, even if Day knows it's not his natural eye colour. ]

[lustro]

[ But it’s an answer that doesn’t solve his problem. It’s okay, though; he’ll figure something out eventually. That’s always been Ginger’s keyword: eventually. ]

I can honestly say I’ve never paid attention to the exact color of Phil’s eyes.

[ No comment on Day’s because of course he knows. ]

How about a silver band?

[troublereduction]

Of course.

[ Day isn't the least bit surprised. Though now he has to wonder if this means Ginger hasn't noticed that Phil is also mostly blind in one eye... Then again, Phil said it's only really apparent when he's not wearing his monocle. ]

Oh, instead of on a chain? [ Day seems to be contemplating how practical it'd be for Phil. ] If it might help remind him to eat, don't see why not. [ Like a reminder that someone is thinking of him, even if Day can't always be present. ]

...If you end up lookin' for a gem, maybe a ruby or carnelian?

[lustro]

[ Ginger looks amused. What a hopeless pair they are, the both of them trying to be romantic… ]

Aquamarine on a silver band - for his blue and gray eyes. And a chain to match in case he needs his hands for something else.

[ He considers Day’s suggestions: ]

Ruby red… [ When he thinks that, what comes to mind isn’t a gem, it’s… ] …lips… Lipstick maybe.

[troublereduction]

It a good idea. [ Day seems pretty pleased with Ginger's suggestion. Both of them trying their best to be romantic for their partners... ]

Hm? Mika wears makeup? [ Not saying it's a bad idea, just news to him. ]

[lustro]

No, he’s naturally that beautiful.

[ Proud!! Boyfriend!! ]

I don’t think you’ve ever seen him with it, but… on the rare occasion, yeah.

[troublereduction]

[ Trying to restrain his laugh, because Ginger is just about ready to gush over his boyfriend at all times, huh. ]

If it feels right, don't see why you can't get him some.

[lustro]

[ Pity the day there’s a fool gullible enough to sit down and listen to Ginger passionately purple prose about Mika. But at the moment, his expression seems decided. ]

What about Phil? Did he do the - uh, ladies night thing?