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

[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.

[revengier]

Milk isn't going to fix genetics.

[ And a glass of milk before bed doesn't really suit him either. ]

You're right in that I'm not done growing... [ He's still in his teens, after all. ] But I don't have much hope.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua reaches out and flicks Kurapika on the forehead.]

Giving up immediately? That's not like you. Quite sad, really.

[revengier]

[ That... actually makes him smile, the corners of his lips quirking up. ]

Encouraging me? I'm surprised.

[ A pleasant surprise. ]

Even if I stay relatively short, I'll manage. I've gotten this far as it is.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua crouches down into a squat before the boy, definitely resembling a bird more now.]

You're not Kurapika if you're acting pathetic.

[revengier]

[ That makes him smile. ]

Hmm, well, you do have a point. Regardless of whether or not I grow or simply continue to look the way I do now, I'm not worried.

[leewards]

Just grow old. [Now he settles back on the blanket, unbothered by how damp it is-- it's also cold, thus his body appreciates it.]

If you want an example of how eternity corrodes your mind, you need only look at Solomon.

[Ithaqua is not looking forward to that, himself. Which is why he's already making plans to make sure it never happens.]

[revengier]

[ Growing old... that isn't really an option for him, and he glances toward the sky when Ithaqua says that instead of saying anything. ]

Mm, it does. He feels a certain sort of detachment towards everything that happened when he was younger. I'd never want that.

[ The rage in his heart quelling is more than enough—he doesn't want the love he still holds for his family to ever disappear or fade. ]

[leewards]

Very good. [Sensibility must always be praised.] You've noticed as well.

No, mortality is something that is much better than eternity, even if humans are terrible. But there are more mortals than just humans.

[revengier]

[ He lays back against his blanket, arms crossed behind his head. ]

I won't speak on your feelings towards humans, but I agree with your sentiment about morality. It should be the number on thing everyone adheres to.

Of course... most don't.

[leewards]

Those humans will eventually see how much of a mistake that was.

[He waves a hand in the air.]

[revengier]

[ He regards Ithaqua coolly. ]

Why is that?

[leewards]

[Ithaqua stares at him for a moment, and shakes his head. Is Kurapika going senile at his young age already?]

Solomon. [Look, that's all you need to know about the perils of immortality.]