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

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

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!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[At that, Phil has to stifle a quiet laugh.]

I didn't expect to hear you of all people encouraging me to 'chat someone up,' so to speak.

[He may be teasing just the tiniest bit.]

Why not?

[ He knows Phil is teasing, but he's curious. ]

[... NOT AS PLANNED. Help.]

... w-what?

Well?

[ Explain, Phil. ]

I-it's just... I thought...

[Burying his face in his free hand because he is dying now, please save him.]

I thought you wouldn't want me to flirt with someone else...

[ That gets a warm laugh out of Day. Oh, so that's what Phil was trying to tease him with. Day kind of regrets he didn't play his part in that bit properly, it would've been even cuter. ]

Oh! Well, I think it's good for you to get some enrichment. People oughta get to know your charms. [ He means this sincerely! ] And I trust you wouldn't go 'round flirtin' with people.

Now, on the other hand, if anyone tries that on you...

[ Day leans down a little to whisper into Phil's ear, for the added intimacy: ]

I wouldn't mind makin' it clear you're mine.

[Mortal Kombat announcer voice: FATALITY

Congratulations, you have now achieved the Crimson version recolor alt of Phil.

But at the same time? Phil can't say he doesn't like the sound of that... it isn't exactly a promise or a threat, but rather some sort of tantalizing combination of the two that he regrettably finds himself wanting.]

... y-you wouldn't, would you.

[But he started this and by god he's going to finish it, or at the very least not let himself metaphorically fall flat on his face in the process.]

And how would you do that...?

[ Cute... Day will never, ever tire of flustering Phil. ]

Kissin' you right then and there, for starters.

[ He can see Phil is trying his best, and if he's going to try to finish it one way or another, Day sees no reason why he shouldn't play his part, either. He brushes his lips against the shell of Phil's ear. ]

I might end up liking that.

[He's still bright red and his voice is still a bit wavery, but an attempt is being made, and even beneath the nerves there's a hint of teasing heat to his voice. And to his credit, he isn't trying to move away from that feather-light kiss, either.

Added plus: he's completely sober this time around, too.]

[ Day is so proud that Phil is trying. He likes the shy but earnest part of Phil, too. ]

Highest praise I can get ♪

[ And with that, Day presses a more solid kiss where Phil's jaw meets his ear, dipping his head down for it while keeping Phil close to him. ]

[And Phil tilts his head just a bit to make it easier, pleased that he's getting a positive response to his attempts at teasing. Day did just claim that he needs enrichment, after all, and he certainly considers this to fall into that category.

Gently he gives the hand that's holding his a squeeze to signal that he's fine with things proceeding in this direction, just should Day have any lingering concerns as to whether Phil is having any second thoughts.]

If it makes you sound like that, then I may have to say things like that more often...

[ Sometimes Day is surprised by how bold Phil is despite being shy. That night after the drinking party was something of an extreme example, but even this is rather forward, since he's been granted permission to keep up the public displays of affection.

He tucks his face into Phil's neck, both to warm Phil up and take in his scent. ]

Heh, you like a jealous man, Phil? [ Not entirely serious. Day wouldn't call himself jealous, per say, just the type who'd wish to monopolise on occasion. ]

...I want everyone to appreciate you more, but I don't like the idea of anyone else covetin' you, either.

Edited (Words,) 2024-06-18 09:57 (UTC)

... no.

[Gone is the teasing tone from just a moment ago, replaced with something softer, something warm in a way that's unlike the heat from the other evening-- something genuine rather than something filled with need or want.]

I like a man who has seen what sort of person I am and has chosen to stay by my side in spite of that.

[And if that involves monopolizing, well, there won't be any complaints out of him on that front. It isn't as though his own eyes would ever be wandering, either. ]

[ It's Day's turn to be flustered, caught off-guard by how soft and earnest Phil's answer is. Phil might not be able to see Day's expression clearly, but he can probably tell from the way Day's grip tightens where their hands are joined, and how his cheeks heat up against Phil's neck.

Right. He's in love with someone who loves him back. He's having the wholehearted romance that seemed more like a dream to him, once. ]

I'm glad you've chosen me too.

[ Even though Day was resigned to being the morning mist. Even though he foolishly tried to fill the void in his tired, wounded heart by desperately clinging to bigger things beyond himself: the idea of love, a duty to protect the world's serenity, the belief that all beings deserve a chance at happiness, the warmth of bed partners in an imitation of closeness. ]

...Can I ask you somethin'?

Edited 2024-06-18 10:46 (UTC)

Of course.

[There's something soft and almost reverent in Day's voice that tells Phil that this particular question is one of great importance, and for the briefest moment worry blossoms in his heart before he firmly squashes it down. Day is here, holding his hand. Day has chosen him. Him, with all of his flaws and the sins of his past, the ugliness that Day has seen and yet still can call him beautiful.

Whatever the question is going to be, it isn't going to change anything between them, because their hearts are already too entangled to ever be able to be fully separated again. They've chosen each other, and it's a choice made with full knowledge of the weight of the decision, a desire to grow together rather than apart.

Phil squeezes that hand back, a silent reassurance. He's right here.]

[ Phil has it right. Even though Day suspects he knows Phil's answer, he still has to broach the topic so he can tell Phil what he wants for them too. Even if all he ends up having to do is reaffirm his desire to stay with Phil. He can't bear to let him go. ]

After all this is over... you've gotta go home, yeah?

[ Because there are things Phil absolutely has to do and be responsible for. Accepting Phil for all he is means acknowledging he has much to try setting right, too. ]

'Cause I wanna tell you what I wanna do, too.

[... ah. It's probably a good thing that Day can't see Phil's face and how it falls at the mention of going home. Going home means going back to atone for his sins-- facing the reality of what he's done. It's his responsibility, of course, and he would never try to shirk it, but... this place allowed him a dream he'd never thought possible.]

... yes. I have much that I need to do there. And... I couldn't ask you to accompany me, not when the entire world is still in danger...

[But he wants to. He wants to, more than anything, because he doesn't want to let Day go either.]

[ Even if he can't see Phil's face, Day can tell that Phil is disheartened. It's why one finger tries to stroke Phil's hand, as intertwined as their fingers currently are. ]

Well, ain't like there aren't all kinds of fires everywhere back home, either. [ So, business as usual for Day, in a sense. ]

...Truth is, I got yanked here at a pretty bad time, and I dunno how things are goin' back home. Dunno if I'm considered M.I.A or if I'm even still assigned to the mission. [ And a dozen other concerns, really. ] If I can, I wanna head back to see some stuff through and tie up loose ends. Say goodbye properly, for a change. [ Implying that once that's done, he's leaving Creation for Tir Na Nog. ]

But... Let's say there ain't any way for us to go anywhere else once we head back, or if there ain't no point in me returnin'... [ Day finally pulls back from Phil's neck, so he can look at Phil properly. ] I'd rather go back with you.

[ "I'll start over a second time, if it means I can stay with you." ]

Edited (forgive my formatting sins) 2024-06-18 12:09 (UTC)

[In truth, Phil is only half-listening at first, his attention occupied by the thoughts of having to say goodbye to Day that have sprung unbidden to his mind. He hears Day say how he was brought here at a bad time, how there are things he needs to do back at home, a mention of saying goodbye (to him, surely), all things that Phil should have realized were inevitabilities, and a part of him is upset at himself for denying how this was bound to end.

Stupid. He's so stupid.

... "I'd rather go back with you."

At that, Phil jerks, and it's his turn to pull away enough to get a good look at Day's face, because he's sure he can't have heard that right.]

... what?

[It's the only thing he can think of to say in the face of that when he's sure this can't be real.]

[ Day hasn't realised exactly how much Phil has jumped ahead to assume Day means he'll be saying goodbye to him, so he tilts his head at his question. ]

I wanna go back with you, if there's no guarantee I can go to you if I go back home first. I mean, the plan was always gonna be runnin' back to you once I handle stuff back home, but...

[Logically, Phil knows what the fact that Day has chosen him means. They've already said those words to each other to affirm it, so it's not as though Phil has any sort of doubt on that front.

Emotionally, however, actually hearing Day voice the desire to return to him hits in a way that he didn't expect, and he feels the telltale prickling of tears at the corners of his eyes in the split second before he just buries his face against Day's chest to hide them.

For the first time in his life, he's something that's worth coming home to.]

[ Oh, this is...

When Phil burrows himself in Day's chest, and Day can feel the telltale wetness of tears, he wraps his arms around Phil. His tone is gentle when he speaks. ]

I ain't gonna just leave you be now that I've found you, you know?

[ Someone for Day to return to, after a life of leaving and being left behind. He no longer has to be as still as the night sky back home, while the world moves on without him. ]

[There's an overwhelming sense of catharsis in Phil's tears this time, though it likely doesn't sound that way with the way his breath hitches and shudders as he just cries it out against Day's chest. It's solid and warm and Day's heartbeat thrums steady in his ear, anchoring him here in this moment until at last his breathing slows and evens out once more. But he doesn't lift his head back up quite yet, wanting to keep breathing in that scent that is so uniquely Day.

And he wonders how, out of so many people that he's met from so many worlds, fate managed to find a way to lead the two of them to each other in a world that isn't even either of theirs.]

[ Day is patient, holding onto Phil while he cries it out. He fusses at Phil's hair, wrapping a lock between his fingers, and once Phil seems to settle down, he hums a quiet little tune. He seems content to just stay there for as long as Phil wants to.

...He didn't think he'd be able to get to do something as comfortable as this with anyone, but here he is. This ridiculous and wonderful man who he's given his heart to. ]

Love you.

[ They both know this, but Day feels like saying it again. ]

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