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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Comments

[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.]

[leewards]

[He doesn't need Solomon to tell him that. But in truth... he already thinks he's making a mistake, following Urianger instead of returning to the forest to continue caring for her. Keep her alive, essentially.

The shell of her, that is.]

I know. But I believe I already know what she wants. [She kept much from him after all, he can extrapolate what she wants for him. Now, if he agrees with her... That's another topic.]

[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.]

[leewards]

[He hears Urianger coming before he looms, but he only uncurls from his position when Urianger embraces him. He wraps his arms around his lover's.]

I do not know if I made the right choice, but I know it's... too late now. [He knows he'd do something horrible and drastic if he returned to his world.]

[divineth]

[Silence falls after Ithaqua speaks, with Urianger gently rubbing his back as he thinks. As much as he wishes he could say that it's not too late to make a decision, that simply would not be true. Ithaqua has pledged an eternity to him. Separating from him now would mean the loss of his magic. By the same token, it pains Urianger for Ithaqua to have to choose between his mother and his lover.

He breathes out a sigh, squeezing Ithaqua tight.]

I truly wish I could promise a solution, but I cannot. Nor do I wish to instill false hope within thee. However, I am able to say that the subject of travel betwixt stars is in the process of being researched, so that it may one day be possible without the need of special circumstances. But it hath been accomplished.

[Ithaqua might have learned as much from G'raha- someone who has quite literally pulled people from one star to another.

But Urianger knows it's of little comfort with everything so uncertain. So he bows his head, gently resting it atop Ithaqua's.]

I...would also be willing to return with thee to thy world instead, so thou shalt not suffer from this decision. Together, we may discover a remedy for thy mother's affliction.

[He does not say any of this lightly. He knows the implications for him. But to him, it's only fair to be there for his lover in return.]

[leewards]

No, I do not think that's necessary. Not any longer. [He lays his head on Urianger's shoulder, ear pressed against his lover's pulse so he can listen to signs of life. At least someone he loves is still alive.] She cannot survive without me.

[And now he finally says what has been torturing him for months-- he only kept quite for his own sanity, otherwise he would have torn this world apart long ago... or himself.]

And you cannot ask me to take you to my world-- I will not allow it. I will not subject you to that. There is- there is a reason I chose to leave it.

If we had not become lovers, I would have stayed here.

[divineth]

Oh, Ithaqua… I am so sorry.

[He lifts a hand to hold against the back of Ithaqua’s for support. There really is no winning in this situation, is there?

Ithaqua’s reveal surprises him, though. He wouldn’t have gone back to his mother…?]

…What hast thou so reluctant to return?

[leewards]

You have seen where I came from. It is... worse than the Forest of Ice, solely because there's nothing there. Nothing happens.

I hunt, I care for Mother, I remove any humans who ventured into it, and then I take care of the house. Then I sleep, and when I wake, I hunt again, check in on Mother again, and I-- [He takes a deep breath.]

Outside of the forest, there is nothing, no one willing to welcome us, they hate magic and would sooner burn us at the stake.

[Then he shakes his head minutely, hand tightening around Urianger's wrist.]

Three months in this colourful world full of magic, and I realize there's more I could be seeing in my life, living without the fear of humans and their witch hunts, and that's turned me into a bad son.

[divineth]

…An agonizingly lonely existence it must have been.

[So it’s no wonder why Ithaqua would want to escape. And even if Urianger were to join him, the monotony and isolation from the world would surely creep back in with time.

He gives Ithaqua’s head gentle strokes.]

Ithaqua…I do not believe thy desire to leave maketh thee a bad son. From what I have seen and heard, thy mother put an incredible effort into preparing thee for the world beyond that forest and the town which scorned you both. She would see thee flourish, as thou hast done so hither.

[leewards]

She deserves a better death than wasting away. [But in his heart, he knows he wouldn't have been able to find an alternative.

Then, he's silent for a moment. He agrees with Urianger, he's thought about everything she's done for him ever since she found him and made him a home, how she kept the truth of his origins a secret. Perhaps she wanted him to be ignorant of the horrors, and thus happy. It's simply... difficult for him to accept because for the longest time, she was his whole life.

Then he came here and found that his world expanded.

He sighs deeply and moves his hand to hold onto Urianger's, lacing their fingers together.]

Take me home with you. That is to be my home.

[divineth]

She doth, and I dearly wish that we may have brought her hither.

[There’s still a chance that it could work out, but…they can’t bank their hope on it.

He squeezes Ithaqua’s hand, looking for eye contact.]

I shall, and I shall ensure that thou art able to live free and happy as thy mother would have surely wanted. Thou mayest live on in her stead as well.

[His voice lowers for Ithaqua’s ears only, gentle but full of conviction.]

I shall show thee the beauty of Eorzea and beyond. Wherever our journeys may take us, and whatever hardships we may face, I shall always be there to support thee. This, dear Ithaqua, I promise unto thee.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua blinks at the gentle urging, but lifts his head from Urianger's shoulder, and removes his mask, assuming that his lover would like to see his face. He quickly finds that he is right, in a sense... But not in a way he expected.

Urianger didn't just reiterate his desires to be with Ithaqua and bring him home, but he made a promise. That is so much more important than anything else in this world, and he's speechless as he looks up at Urianger's face, eyes wide.

Then he looks down, kneading their hands together.]

I accept that promise.

[divineth]

[As Ithaqua looks down at their hands, Urianger briefly parts them so he may do something important. With his free hand, he reaches into his robes. What he produces from them is carefully slid onto Ithaqua's finger: a ring inlaid with a beautiful gemstone of swirling blue and red. The blue, no doubt, represents Ithaqua's original eye color. But the red...]

Then may this ring serve as a symbol of my promise, as well as a physical bond to bring thee home with me.

[...his blood.

He lifts Ithaqua's newly ringed hand to plant a kiss upon it.]

I love thee.

[leewards]

I-- [He can't actually believe what he's seeing right now, a ring on his finger with a stone of his eye colour-- but not the white ones he has now, but the bright, blue ones he had in his childhood-- and another in a deep crimson that he knows as only one thing.

He lets out a breath shaky with both laughter and muffled snuffles. That's how emotional Urianger has made him.]

For once, you're quite ahead of me.

[Still, he brushes his lips over his elf's cheek.]

I love you too. [Now he has to think of a way to get his blood on Urianger without alarming his lover too much.]

[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.

[leewards]

[Ithaqua looks up, then stands, taking a deep breath.

And stares, even if he has to control his knee-jerk response towards anything religious (which is to say, violence). Ginger is right-- the gesture is a cruel one, even if it comes from a place of good.

Eventually he raises a hand, rejecting the gift. It's rude to do so... but he really, really does not want it. He thinks the cruelty of false hope is too much to bear, and he does not want such a thing in Urianger's life, either.]

I know you're only thinking about me. [His voice is raspy.] But I believe that holding onto the past so heavily like that will only cause me to become too dependent on it. I cannot accept this help.

... But you could find another way to help, instead.

[lustro]

... Yeah...

[ The single word trails off into a somber silence. It's all he says for a while as he puts away the cube because - he understands. He understands being so dependent on a thing of the past. And he knows what Ithaqua means when he says he cannot.

Ithaqua's right. But Ginger wishes - he wishes Ithaqua didn't have to lose something so dear to him for... the possibilities of a happy future. He can convince himself that he has all the time in the world to go back to Rum and his family, so there's always hope, but - reality could breathe too harsh and tumble down this little daydream made thin of paper and shakily held up by mere hope, couldn't it?

He can be cruel to himself, but he never wants to be cruel to those he cares about. He won't offer the cube again. ]

If you say I can, then I will. What is it?

[leewards]

Should you manage to find the forest I came from... Bury her.

[Because she certainly wouldn't survive for long without him. He can map how long (how short) she can last, and it's a grim thought.]

The house may stay intact, for another magical to make it their home if they flee the witch hunts.

[lustro]

[ There’s a sharp intake at the request because Ginger has never had to personally handle death - even during the Eastern mission, he hadn’t touched Collodi. But he thinks… Ithaqua wouldn’t ask if he felt there was a better option.

Could he do this for this abominable creature that he was… fond of? Yeah, yeah he could try. No, not just try. He’d do it. He would. ]

… How do you want to mark her resting place? What do you want it to say?

[leewards]

[he shakes his head.]

No need for such things. As long as it's within the grounds of the house, anyone who comes across the house itself will know who came before them.

[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.

[leewards]

Are you, truly? [Now his voice goes lower, into a rumble. As if preparing for an intimidation tactic. But no, it's just a bluff.]

Save it. [He waves a hand.] There is nothing to thank me for.

[dadsandals]

[ Did Yamato look a little nervous there? Maybe just a little. Some things never change. ]

Haha, alright, then. [ Classic Itha. ] It's been an interesting experience, nevertheless.

Enjoy yourself, where you're going.

[leewards]

I'm sure you already have an inkling of where I'm going.

[Perhaps not a concrete idea... but certainly, an idea. Though Ithaqua helps him out with an unsubtle look over his shoulder towards a certain elf.]