i promise we'll walk across the moon someday soon

[promittere]

FULL MOON CODA

The moon wanes, and retreats into the sky.

After a quick chat and a vote, the otherworldly wizards, their mentor, and their sage decide to hand Victor over to the Central government—to the young wizard who appeared later in the ordeal. As both a sage's wizard and Crown Prince to the Central throne, Prince Arthur is the ideal person to understand both the discriminatory behavior driving Victor against wizards and the political ramifications of his actions, both past and planned. He pledges to you to make sure that, even if you aren't around to see it, Victor pays for what he's done and then some, while respecting Tatara's wishes to avoid bloodshed. He'll manage his case, while making sure his uncle, Vincent, does not have too much sway, due to his relationship with the West. Ultimately, he'll be locked up for life, put to hard labor, and made sure his intelligence is not misused.

When the sun rises, everyone gets to work repairing the manor. The damage is pretty bad but not unsalvageable, and it's made a lot easier with the help of some of the other original wizards who trickle in as the day begins. So long as it hasn't been burnt into absolutely nothing, it's salvageable—hopefully your figurines are safe!

For the first time since you arrived in this world, things feel stable. The brittleness in the air is no longer there, and there's a serenity to the breeze and the sky. It's comfortable. As the previous sage and sage's wizards begin to go about their business as usual, they mention anomalies and other odd incidents they must take care of around the world, but it is nothing like what you initially remember. This is no longer a world a hair's breadth away from falling apart, and you fixed it.

Whether you noticed it in the chaos of the final fight, or you hear it from someone else, or you notice on your own in the days that follow, you will realize that your sage crest is gone. With the other wizards in place again, your job here is done. Quite literally. You are no longer obligated to Tatara or to this world. All that's left is to go home.

A day and time is chosen for the ritual, and you have a few days after the final battle before the ritual is ready. This would be a good time to wrap up loose ends before you go, perhaps for good.

And when the ritual is ready, you'll know.

OOC NOTES

🌙 This is the end of Lunae Calamitas! Thank you so much for playing! We hope you had fun ♥
🌙 This post will remain open, so feel free to play out what loose ends you'd like to resolve ICly.
🌙 If you have the time and energy, be sure to check out the love meme and the TL;CR meme!
🌙 Enjoy the journey home, and rest well. You earned it.

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GOING HOME...

[promittere]

[ Whenever you're ready, there's a large magical circle drawn in the courtyard for your trip home. All the materials you gathered several weeks ago comprise the ink that makes the circle, and the whole area brims with unusual power. There is one who stands at the ready nearby—Oz, the most powerful wizard in the world, has added his blood to the mixture to power the ritual for several uses, and he'll be the one to cast the ritual itself. He's the only one in this world who can cast such a powerful spell multiple times in one day, after all.

Anything you wear or carry with you will be with you when you arrive home, so be sure to pack your bags well. And once you're ready, step into the circle...

By default, the ritual can be used on one person at a time. The circle connects with the subject's home world, and, in a brilliant display of light, sends them back to the very moment from which they were taken, to the physical state they were in when they arrived. All their wizard powers will be lost and they will return to normal.

For those that wish to take others with them to their world, they will need some sort of physical bond, imbued with either their blood or strands of their hair, to keep them and their visitor(s) together in transit. For example...what about that red string you received, several moons ago? That would do the trick (and for those who did not get one, never fear—there are smart and powerful wizards willing to help devise something similar). The subject and visitors will arrive at the very moment from which the subject was taken, and the subject will be in the exact physical state they were at that moment. Their visitors will be unaffected.

Anyone who retains any sort of connection to this world, be it by keeping a visitor, or leaving a piece of themselves here (by way of soul, or memories—the messy room you left behind does not count), will remain a wizard, in addition to whatever being they were originally. Enjoy your new (or different!) skillset.

Oz will make it clear that the spell is one way—it will send people home, or to a designated world, and that is it. It cannot enable world hopping, but if the universes to which you return have that sort of magic or technology, then perhaps it's worth looking into to see your new friends in person again. It ostensibly cannot bring people back to this world, but...we all know how strange the full moon can make things...

For those who have chosen to remain in this world, we hope you've come by to see your old friends off.

No matter what your choice is, or what world you find yourself in, you will retain all of your memories of your time here.

And on quiet nights, and the moon is shining full in the sky above you,

we hope you look up

and feel a little flutter of excitement

like something a little out of the ordinary is just around the corner... ]

[1145pm]

[ Tatara is here at the ritual, of course, and he's chosen to be the last one to leave. He wants to make sure all of his wizards get home safely, if they choose to go home, so he's right there, waving everyone off with a bright smile. It's hard to believe the time has passed so quickly—people who were stranger only a mere handful of months ago are now friends to whom he must bid farewell.

He's never the type to be sad, though. It's bittersweet, knowing he may never see them again, but it's nicer knowing his bag and his camera are both full of memories of them, that he'll carry with him into the tower. ]

Farewell, and thank you!

[ Each time he says this, he says it with the utmost sincerity. Fare well on your journey home and in the days and years to come. Thank you for all your help in getting everyone through this, for saving this foreign world, and getting us this far.

When everyone is finally gone, he'll turn to the present sage and hand over his own sage tome, the thick red book with the flame symbol painted in black on the cover. Once it's out of his hands, he takes a step back. ]

It's not a long story, but it's our story. It's a little unusual, a little funny, a little sad, and it's everything we did to bring you back. I hope you read back on it someday.

[ And with that, it's his turn. He'll step into the circle with Khun and he's all smiles as he faces a certain, brighter future. To think there may have been a time where he would have stepped into this circle alone, no one the wiser to the fate that would await him on the other side. That he would have said goodbye to everything and himself for good, and submitted himself to oblivion eternal.

But that didn't happen. Instead he's taken the hand of one who taught him to live, to truly live, and pulled him from the resignation to his death. He has started to look forward to things beyond the end, instead of counting down the hours to this day. Now he sees one chapter ending, and another beginning.

When he turns to smile and wave farewell to the remaining wizards, and those who will continue their fight against the moon, he does so with heartfelt gratitude. Because without this world, and the weird little mishap that brought him and all the others here, red and blue would have never met and he would not have a rest of his life to look forward to.

So thank you, world. Thank you, sage, thank you, wizards. And thank you, moon.

He will never forget you. ]

[dadsandals]

[ Before Yamato leaves, he can't leave without saying goodbye to his twin. One last conversation, for the road.

He walks up to Tatara. It's good to see him as chipper as ever. Yamato lifts his hand and puts it on Tatara's shoulder. ]

You did well. I hope this experience is something you'll be able to cherish.

[leewards]

[Surprise, surprise, Ithaqua is approaching the sage as well. For once, he's not looming over Tatara, lacking his stilts.]

You needn't thank me, when you've done it so often over the months.

[fullspbar]

[ In the end, he doesn't have much to say. It's not as if they were particularly close, nor is he one for tearful goodbyes.

But they do have something in common, and it's for this he actually decides to offer his specific farewells. ]

...Guess I'm not surprised you're heading out with him.

[ He doesn't need to say who; he'll already know. ]

[lustro]

[ Before Tatara turns to leave, Ginger has a question for him. He grabs Tatara by the arm, loosely - just to stop him. ]

You have something to live for now, don't you?

[fallingsand]

[ It's hard to stand there and simply allow Tatara to say his farewell to him. Bruno gives him a terrible wibbly look — which is to say, he looks like he's about to burst into tears — but before he can, he gives up and gives the former sage a big ol' hug. ]

Geez, I can't believe we're never gonna see each other again. I mean... I figured, but I also didn't. I dunno. Want to? Y'know?

[troublereduction]

[ Day approaches a bit before he and Phil are about to leave. ]

Had fun, Tatara?

[ The most important question to ask, of course. ]

[lighthaus]

[ it was always his plan to take this world for what it could offer him, but he never could have imagined that would be the part of himself that he was missing all along. that was his reason for climbing the tower once too, but he's also always been one to keep setting higher and higher goals for himself. this is his highest one yet, but this is just how khun aguero agnis is at his core. although now he has someone else to drag along with him.

not that he doesn't think tatara can keep up, but he knows the next few weeks, months, will be at a breakneck pace. it'll be completely different to climb hand in hand with what his soulmate (that term still makes him feel ticklish even if it is the truth), but it's what hes wanted all along. in the end, his heart won out over his brain and he couldn't be happier that it did.

he pays no mind to the rest of the world that was his home for a few months as they step into the circle, eyes only for his boyfriend, blue only for coral. ]

Ready to begin our life together? [ will he ever realize he doesn't do himself any favors in the sounding like they're already married department? (probably not.) ]

[leewards]

[Ah. So his request was impossible after all, and all he feels is... despair.

Ithaqua slips away from the crowd for a moment, giving Urianger a pat and a soft murmur that he'll be back. He ducks behind some cover and then crouches down, figure made smaller with the lack of stilts-- they were ruined in the collapse and while he found them, he decided not to get them fixed-- as he places his face into his knees, hands behind his head.

He is completely silent, but it should be obvious to anyone who found him or managed to come across him that he is mourning.]

--

[When he gets himself together and returns to the ritual grounds, he relies heavily on his mask to hide his expressions. Sure, his voice is raspier when he speaks, but his mask hides his face.

Perhaps he cuts a much less intimidating figure now, when he lacks his stilts and his axe, the only thing left being the lantern, not that he's feels all that bad about the lack. On the contrary, he stands straight, to his full height, which in itself is not inconsiderable. He'll be fine, he'll find another weapon in Urianger's home.]

So, here we are. [He opens his arms, as if to gesture to everything around them, but especially Oz with his ritual.]

We have reached the end, but I strain to think of words of parting. [He's never had to say goodbye, after all!] Here, I shall stand still for you one last time so you can speak your piece.

[impacter]

[He's not the first to speak. But he is one of the most surprised, seeing Ithaqua choose to travel rather than to stay so close to his mother.

His expression is just as hard to read as always, smile just so. But Ithaqua gives the chance for parting words.]

...

Make her proud with your choices, dear Ithaqua.

[Child of the magical, never forget your roots, even if the loss will ache.]

[divineth]

[When Ithaqua asks for a moment alone, Urianger knows precisely the reason behind it. As such, after a short while, Ithaqua will find a shadow over him in his hiding place.]

Ithaqua...

[Urianger lowers himself to his knees so that he may wrap his arms around his beloved.

For him, the nature of the ritual to return home is bittersweet, but his ultimate decision is not a difficult one. For Ithaqua, however...he knows it must be excruciating. That's why he will be there to support him as he processes it.]

[lustro]

[ Here's this guy approaching. ]

Ithaqua...

[ Though Ginger knows Ithaqua's wish, there's not much he can offer him... except... ]

This... [ He takes out a small cube, the size of a golf ball. It's plain and a pretty sky blue - the signature color of angelic power. The only distinctive mark is a tiny four-pointed star. ] This contains some of God's powers - and the power of an Angel of Humanity, a guardian angel if you will. We use it to supplement mankind's creativity, which sometimes means... boosting their memories, too. But that's - uh, that's not the important part.

[ He's already explained, he thinks, how humanity has to power to create countless stories, endless worlds, and infinite life. He doesn't want Ithaqua's story to end like this - in mourning, in despair. ]

Sorry, I'm getting all jumbled. The star - it's a tracker. And box itself is... malfunctioning, I think. But if you - or Urianger could fix it, I think you could do... something impossible with it. It can store... an entire world inside it.

[ He shifts on his feet, not uncertain. Antsy to help, maybe. Anxious to make things somewhat okay. ]

It may be cruel to give you hope, but - we met for a reason. I'll try to work on something on this end, too.

[dadsandals]

[ Yamato doesn't approach Ithaqua while he's mourning, if only because he thinks other people like Urianger know more and are able to provide more comfort than Yamato can. It's why he's glad he has one last opportunity to see Ithaqua before they leave – and this time, he's doing it with a smile, one that doesn't seem forced, either. ]

Sensei! [ Yo, teach. ] I've learned a lot from you.

[ What is this... Yamato no longer afraid of Ithaqua...??? (For now!!) ]

Thank you. I'm glad to have met you, Ithaqua.

[impacter]

[It's not surprising news, to hear that this is the final step. But Solomon seems composed enough as takes his time to slip through the crowd and tap as many as he can. Do you have that fall-damage charm that Ginger and Solomon made for everyone? He will ask to see it, if so, with a lift of his finger to his lips.]

I wouldn't be in the position I'm in if I couldn't trace magical signatures to strange places. But I need a beacon to look for.

[As in: Yes, Solomon is offering to do some world-hopping research, but he needs something magical to either tie him to you, or tie you to him.

No promises, he says. But he will try.

He is also specifically looking for Akira. You have something he needs, before he leaves, kiddo.

--

Once he's spoken to everyone, and spent some time alone with those that request it, Solomon for once makes no show of it when it comes to his departure. It is the clothes on his back, the items in his pockets, those charms that have been gifted to him, and nothing else.

It doesn't stop the ache at turning back to settle on familiar faces, even if he's deceptively good at hiding it. But its moments like these he needs to cherish, while he still can. Let him ache for the loss of the momentary, the loss of connection and compainionship. Let him ache for how sudden this departure must be, unable to drift and let time slowly rip the bandage.

...]

Believe that our connections will transcend time. Don't lose your hopes now, mm? A checkpoint like this isn't the finish line for everything. And your powers, your worth, your sense of belonging... they do not start and end here, even if things must change.

[He chuckles lightly, head tilting slightly.]

I'll find you soon, little lambs. Just keep calling.

Okay?

[His hand lifts, a bare wave, before he swings his cape and steps out onto the magical circle with little more than a nod towards Oz.

It's as the light starts to flash that the sorcerer gives a sweeping bow, mere moments before he's swept off and away.

A fabulous performance, by one and by all.]

[dadsandals]

Haha, leave it to Solo to know how to make his way back to everyone.

[ So he's assuming this isn't really a final goodbye...to Solomon, anyway. He holds up the fall damage charm; he's still got it! ]

I'll hang onto this, then. When you make your way to Japan, I'll show you around.

[dyingtohealyou]

[Eyeing Solomon as he's approached with the fun little factoid that he can in fact be found across worlds.

...He's not as annoyed by this as he would have been, once.]

Are you at least going to share your secrets once you've figured it all out?

[troublereduction]

...Well, ain't a surprise that you're gonna be the one to give it a shot.

[ Day fishes out the charm from somewhere in his pocket to show it to Solomon. ]

If you do end up lookin' for me, you're gonna find Phil too. [ Which is basically Day's admission that he won't be going home alone. ]

[lustro]

What? It's not goodbye forever?

[ It doesn't matter if he's ready for this or not, it's happening. And if, at one point during this finale, his eyes and ears track Solomon closely - taking in his health, his demeanor, his clothes, the soothing sound of his voice... the details of him that he hopes will never be lost to time. Well, Ginger won't bother hiding anything now.

Surprisingly, no tears, though he feels as tender and damp as the fields after an autumn shower.

There are things he should say: thank you, for encouraging me when you thought I needed it most. Thank you - for the lessons you taught me. Sorry, for being childish and selfish. Sorry, I really cared about you and never said because it's easier to wait and think time is endless. Sorry for not understanding your heart even though I wanted you to know mine. ]

[dadsandals]

[ Yamato is at the ritual, and he understands that this trip is one way. He hasn't offered up his world as an option, hasn't even officially asked Malice to go home with him yet, but somehow, the idea of them never seeing one another again hadn't occurred to him. After three months of seeing each other daily, from those he would just pass by in the hallway to the people he's grown to deeply cherish, it feels weird that he's going to go back to the life he once had. He's happy for it, but he will mourn what he had here.

When Yamato came here, he was angry, bitter and didn't believe in freely handing out his trust. While the latter is somewhat true, he's managed to connect with people here more than he has at home, and that must mean something.

He's also never been great at goodbyes, though, so he's sort of just standing off to the side while the ritual's being set up, not really knowing what to do with himself. All of this felt like a dream...and he's sure people at home will think it was if he told them, too. That's fine, though. This dream is unending, and he'll hold onto what he can of his wizard powers by leaving what's left of his room behind.

Pardon him, if he seems a little sad to be parting ways today. ]

...

[fellheart]

[ in the days leading up to their departure robin can be found around the manor, either helping in fixing things up, or... not. his usual haunts, perhaps; reading in the library, jotting something down in that book of his, nursing a chess set in one of the lounges, even whittling away at ... certain potentially familiar, small figurines? actually, wait, some of these seem to have outfits different from the ones previously found in the manor...

at least once, perhaps, he heads to check on the city of ice (and maybe elsewhere, as well), but that's neither here nor there. he'll be available prior to the appointed time, is what we're saying.

---

of course he's going back. it was never written that he would stay. that said, when it's made clear that the trip is one way...

some of you might have something of his. he will not ask for them back, but do they burn a hole in your pocket? they might pulse with a bit of cold for just a moment in the crowd as he checks for his own signature— huh, that's one more than he was expecting, but halved ... ah, he sees what must have occurred— to see where they are now, but otherwise, they'll be as they last were. hopefully you haven't dumped them somewhere, he'll be cross if so.

perhaps surprisingly for him, he's not going to make any dramatic speeches or gestures this time around. tearful farewells and heartfelt displays of sentiment aren't things he's known for either, so that leaves him quiet and evaluating as he watches everyone else's.

he's in no hurry to leave, so for a while, he'll be hanging at the back of the crowd, available if anyone wants to accost him. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Ahito is... quietly pensive as he makes his preparations, though he still has the energy to offer a cheeky smile and wave to anyone he passes along the way. Characters may notice him heading out of the manor and later returning with an assortment of goods - a leaf-patterned teacup rimmed with gold and its matching saucer, a little toy automaton from the east, and a small pouch full of assorted jewelry that certainly must have some decent monetary value.

And if you catch him pausing in front of reflections to gaze at the bright blue of his eyes over his shades? Don't worry about it. Probably.

He's surprisingly not in a rush to be the first through the portal, so feel free to catch him in the lead up to the ritual, or at the ritual itself with some small bags looped around his shoulder as he watches others depart.]

[revengier]

[ He had a feeling it would come to this, that they would all part ways someday without the ability to easily come into contact. This is what he prepared for, and so... it's easy to make his decision.

Which is why, at some point, Kurapika slips away from the group to find a quiet spot away from the crowd. With a hand over his heart, he closes his eyes and steels his resolve in a moment of silence.

It's the least he can do for a broken vow.

Though, perhaps, this is what his parents and friends would have wanted for him in the end anyway—to live his own life for himself and no one else.

He eventually returns to the circle, hanging back a bit so he can say goodbyes to anyone who would want one. ]

[troublereduction]

[ Day's been busy in the days (heh) leading up to the ritual, between helping out with repairing the manor and putting his affairs in order. He makes several trips out of the manor too, returning with something different each time. A veritable stack of books, a couple of bookmarks made from pressed Southern flowers, a pocketwatch of Eastern make...

At the ritual, Day lingers for quite a while, to let both him and Phil say whatever needs to be said before they leave. Some of you might still have the bracelets he made weeks ago, which he certainly won't be taking back, whether or not their magic is spent. And if you know him but didn't get one earlier, there might be a surprise waiting for you when you talk to him.

In a quieter moment, you can find him examining a piece of red string that might be familiar if you happened to step through one of those fairy circles some time ago... ]

[divineth]

[Saying goodbye to others from a different star, with the possibility of never seeing them again... It's not even the first time that Urianger has had to do this, and yet it makes the process no less easier. These are people whom he's grown accustomed to seeing all the time- people he's forged friendships with. But he knows that this was always the end goal. Their work here is done, and now...it's time to go home.

What he couldn't have foreseen, however, was that he'd be returning home with someone. Multiple someones, even. But one of them has never set foot upon Etheirys before. Life back home is going to have no shortage of excitement, that's for sure. Maybe it'll help dull the pain of separation.

Before the ritual, Urianger can be found around the manor grounds for some final mingling and goodbyes. He might even be spotted leaving something of his in the library: his deck of tarot cards. Just a little piece of Etheirys for the wizards of this world to ponder.

When it's time for the ritual to take place, Urianger is in the crowd near Ithaqua and G'raha. He smiles toward everyone present.]

'Twas an honor to have met and labored alongside you all.