promittere: (Default)
lunae calamitas mods ([personal profile] promittere) wrote in [community profile] lunaecalamitas2024-04-18 11:41 pm

you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

THIRD QUARTER ALLEGRO
While our newly-arrived wizards have been settling in, learning their magic, and getting to know one another, the sage and their mentor have been busy with a different kind of work behind the scenes—bureaucratic work. It hasn't been particularly exciting, but it has paid off.

Because now, the world is ready to receive them.

Put on your finest clothes, because Granvelle Castle invites you to a welcome ball in your honor.

Didn't bring any fine clothes with you? No need to worry—specially chosen tailors from Central Capital have been commissioned to take care of you, and they will be visiting the manor to get you gussied up in the fashion of your choice for the day (by this, we mean feel free to pick whatever fancy clothes you want for the ball).

As the sun sets on the designated day, all the residents of the manor make their way to the castle. Granvelle Castle stands proud in Central Capital, its lights a beacon in the darkening city, and its doors open to outsiders for the first time in weeks. Upon arrival they're greeted by brightly lit halls, welcoming staff, and a grand ballroom, windows flung open to let in the spring breeze and pale moonlight. Everyone and everything seems determined to make this a cheerful affair, despite the underlying sense of dread and tension.

Live music fills the air, played the greatest musicians in the world. There are some larger ensembles, solo acts; some pieces are of more traditional folk dances, while some are slower, and some are upbeat and avant-garde. Regardless, the floor is open for dancing—grab a buddy and dance the night away!

Lining one wall is a long banquet table, filled with plenty of food and drink, both alcoholic and non to sate the new arrivals. The hors d'oeuvres and small plates comprise an array of delicacies from around the world, with everything from savory lobster bites to the sweetest portions of tres leches you have ever tasted. It seems someone has also put in a specific request for Japanese food—a part of the banquet table has been set aside specifically for Japanese dishes, and this includes small portions of ramen. There also seems to be a plate on the far end of the table filled with lovingly stacked pieces of charcoal... Is that meant to be food?

You aren't the only ones in attendance tonight. Representatives and dignitaries from around the world are also present—they have quite a lot to say about the unusual situation, and they are most curious about these otherworldly individuals tasked with fending off the moon under their national banners. The most dignitaries are from Central, West, and East, while there do seem to be a few representatives from the less populated North and South. Those from Central, West, and South in general seem to be the most social, while the rest are more reserved. There are also a few of the castle staff that seem (begrudgingly) willing to speak with the new wizards. Most are here to chat and mingle—lend them an ear, you may learn something new...

For those tired of socializing, the ballroom opens out onto a breezy, spacious balcony. It looks out over the main thoroughfare leading to the main castle entrance, and the nighttime lights of the Central capital twinkle in the near distance. For those that would rather take a breather, there is a small patio table and a couple of chairs. Despite the waxing moon in the sky, it is a very nice evening.

If you would like to have a chat with an NPC, then please respond to this comment. NPCs will be assigned randomly if no preference is given. While everyone has something valuable to say, they're not giving potentially sensitive info out for free—let's hope your diplomatic skills are up to snuff. We're doing our best to give everyone meaningful conversations, so please bear with us!

JOB BOARD
Rejuvenation. Thanks to your Southern friends' hard work, the South has been saved from a potentially devastating crop failure, and these fledgling towns can continue to grow as they're meant to! Give them a pat on the back and a round of applause.

But the South is not without its scars. While the root cause has been taken care of, the damage has been done. A town's wheat field has been partially destroyed—help them tear out the blackened, dead wheat, till and fertilize the soil, and replant what can be replanted. The City of Clouds, the most prosperous of the Southern settlements, have also offered extra tools, hands, and seeds to help set the town back on the path to recovery. Transport these supplies to the town. Let's hope your broom skills are up to snuff too, because it's a long ride.

Shadows in the night. The residents of the Central capital have recently been reporting eerie sightings after sundown: shadowy figures lurking in corners, the constant feeling of being watched, and, in some extreme cases, these shadowy figures attacking when traveling alone at night. Many reports seem to indicate an odd concentration of these creepy figures lurking around the Granvelle Castle moat, as though trying to find a way into the castle. Residents are understandably frightened and unnerved and cannot go about their nightly business—beat back what shadows you find and make the streets safer for the Central capital residents.

While physical attacks don't seem to do much against them, they dissipate rather easily under magic. Try not to wear yourself to the bone, though—there are a lot of them.

Escorting nobility. The Eastern Blanchett noble family have called an important meeting, inviting nobles and others of import from across the Eastern Country. However, their castle lies beyond Sherwood Forest, a very large, dense, and deep wood—while a fine natural defense for the Blanchett family, it's a bit of trouble for those looking to visit. While the Blanchett's own forest guard is absent, it is your job to safely escort these nobles to the Blanchett abode, and back out. But be careful: lurking in the shadows amongst the trees are all sorts of territorial predators like bears and wolves, not to mention the magical beasts that sneak up on unsuspecting prey. You may come across a brigand or bandit or two, since the forest is a near perfect hiding place for illegal activity. And please—try not to get lost.

Typical of any Easterner, the nobles are reluctant to make much small talk and are a bit suspicious of the new wizards, but they are otherwise pleasant and will generally comply with most requests.

WANDERER TASKS
Can you go a week without ruining food or the pots and pans? Stop being so wasteful and learn how to cook or stop trying.

Learn how to use magic to repair things. Again, if you're going to keep ruining the kitchen at least learn how to put it back together.

TATARA ACTIVITIES
I need milk. I'm trying to perfect latte foam art, but I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet... I used up all the milk (oops, sorry!), so I need more. Actually, could you grab me other kinds of milk while you're at it? I want to experiment! I'm sure other markets in the farther reaches of the world will have weirder milk... Please!

We should start a veggie garden! Or an herb garden? Doesn't matter! I found a nice sunny patch of grass in the training forest—we could dig up that spot, right? Help me get it set up! I need people to dig, and till... Oh! We need seeds to plant, too! Please and thank you~

OOC NOTES
🌙 Welcome to your second event post! Get out your snazzy outfits. It's time to party.
🌙 As you grow into your magic, your character might start realizing they can differentiate between everyone's magic. Everyone has a unique signature, and you may be able to start sensing who cast what, where. Someone put a magical seal on the kitchen door? Smells like Shinjiro's magic. Akira had some of Solomon's sugar? You can sense that, too!
🌙 As you start getting past the basics, your character might realize they have a much easier time with certain kinds of magic over others. For North, this will be offensive and attack spells; for East, this will be intricate seals and curses; for West, this will be manipulative magic like illusions and transformation; for South, this will be healing, purification, and protection. Central? A little bit of everything. Read up on your country if you need a refresher!
🌙 It's been peaceful at home in the manor thus far, hasn't it? Do you think that will last?
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting contained to the OOC post, since not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Our next group to go on their mission is Central. Be ready, heroes...
specialinquisitor: (explaining)

[personal profile] specialinquisitor 2024-04-27 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Not in the least. Titans are friendly to humans. Many of the mid-sized ones, we use as the foundation for ships or aircraft.
lustro: (128)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, hello…

[ Ginger doesn’t say it’s a pleasure back, but he offers a polite smile at least. How stiff his handshake is depends on how toothy the Western representative’s smile is.

Ginger is prepared to run if his creep senses start tingling. ]


I guess so. I’m Ginger. And… you…?

[ He doesn’t really want to know tbh ]
revengier: (109)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-27 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ As tense and jumpy as the priest may be, Kurapika simply regards him coolly. ]

Anyone can turn on anyone else. I know what I intend to do with my own magic, and that's to provide assistance as it's needed.

[ Getting stronger is also part of the plan, but that's not something he needs to disclose to a man as jumpy as this. ]
troublereduction: (day104)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-27 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
That'd be way more convenient. Can ask the villagers 'bout how the field's doing now too while we're there.
themanwhoerasedhisname: 6 (6)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-27 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[A sudden shower wasn't what Kiryu expected to see happen at this point! It's pretty uncomfortable to suddenly be doused in this much water, and he's pretty sure if somebody saw how we an area of the library is they'd have a conniption over it.

Still, takes one look at Bruno to see he's pretty horrified over this. Accidents happen, Kiryu is sure, especially when magic is involved. Kiryu just...takes the glass of water, holding it aloft like nothing happened]


Seems there are no cracks. Not too bad for a first attempt from me.

[He's magnanimously giving Bruno a break. Making Bruno feel worse over this situation isn't going to help anyone, who he tries to brush off that now these two and their surroundings are soaking wet]
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] long night with)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-27 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
...

Do you believe I have a reason to curse you? I don't know how the wizards before us behaved, but I do follow logic, you know.
chronosynthesis: (❖ Chaos Vortex)

[personal profile] chronosynthesis 2024-04-27 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh dear. Of course it's a diplomatic dispute. Syrlya frowns to himself.] That does seem strange. Forgive me, I am still becoming acquainted with this place--is it abnormal for people from the West to travel to the East?
chronosynthesis: (❖ Well of Eternity)

[personal profile] chronosynthesis 2024-04-27 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Could also simply be magical constructs, though it seems like magic is uncommon outside the hands of wizards. [Of course, natural spirits here don't seem to be corporeal either so this is out of the norm either way.] I suppose we could try talking to them first, just to see if it is possible.
lustro: (008)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 'So I spent my life to keep him safe.' All of life's little pleasures - food, warmth, and... even lust - seem to be slipping away from Mika. ]

It'll get worse, you mean. Your... vampirism?

[ It's asked quietly, but Ginger thinks he already knows the answer. Is that why Mika seems so hesitant at times? Like there's something always stopping him from walking to toward the future, like he can't ever offer Ginger enough. ]

Can I see - where you... cut yourself?
lustro: (121)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh... What a waste.

[ But if Ahito's looking for a different recipe... ]

Hey, is there anything called "curry" in there?
shortleash: (pic#17120752)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-27 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
( Pondering... )

... Well, it's not as if I'm an expert or anything yet - I'm still only experimenting, but...

( A disclaimer - being realistic about his skill level, if Kurapika's intending to fix his plans on top of that. )

... I think I can strengthen you. I'd be laying a curse on the things about you, and the land, sort of... It'd be like sucking out their luck and their strength and giving it to you.

( It wouldn't be lasting, obviously - he'd have to maintain it. He assumes this is a given considering his skill level, so he doesn't specify it. Anyway, mostly no worries about lasting collateral damage to the surroundings, yay. )

I'm also working on manifesting bindings and things. I don't know how well it'll work on "shadows," but if you think it's worth pursuing, I can try it.
shortleash: (pic#17120985)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-27 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
( He didn't want to say it outright.

He's quiet, for a moment. He wants to say sorry. What else is there but sorry? What else is there but guilt?

His top isn't fully on yet, so he focuses on that first - he shrugs out one arm, the one that had just come off: his left arm. Not far from the shoulder begins the scar that bisects him, but the arm itself is clean of blemishes and marks, and his body is cool. An exquisite corpse, if you would.

He holds his arm out for Ginger. )


... Most vampires become listless. They lose sensation and taste... Feelings and desire.

( ...

Quieter: )


... I don't want to become like that. But...

( He trails off - he hadn't meant to continue that thought, but the rest of it isn't... really fair to Ginger. None of this is.

He said he doesn't believe God has interest in punishing him in particular, but he wishes He did - he deserves it. He always does. )
lustro: (078)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Tell All One’s Heart.

[ And the kitchen towel tucked in his drawer appears in his hand. He explains: ]

I asked Comet to help me make one. [ He takes Mika by the wrist and runs the warm towel up his arm. If hums faintly with healing magic. ] I thought it would - make you feel better about drinking my blood.

[ Ginger doesn’t mind either way if the bites don’t heal as fast, but in this moment, he’s glad he thought to ask. Even if Mika’s already healed and he’s only doing this for his own comfort. ]

Most? [ That doesn’t mean all. There’s hope in his voice as he says the word. ] Do… vampires… end up like that because… there’s nothing warm that ties them to the world? So they just lose more and more of their humanity, their heart?

I… uh, assume they only interact with each other.
revengier: (19)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-27 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I stick to my principles.

[ There's quite a bit of conviction in his words, giving them a weight that everything else he's said so far hasn't possessed. After all, his principles are always his top priority. ]
Edited (SORRY FOR THE EDITS) 2024-04-27 22:23 (UTC)
lustro: (055)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ All of that means nothing to Ginger, but he nods anyway. ]

A couple of weeks. Not too long at all. How did you… hear about us? Everyone seems to know.
foresightis2020: (17)

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-27 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
There certainly could.

[ Jing Yuan definitely was not around for Bitegate, but man. That would've been a hell of a first meeting/true initial encounter indeed.

But, at the question, he supposes he has an easy answer for that. ]


I am. Why do you ask?

[ It does seem a random inquiry to put out there like that, but that in turn deserves a questioning all on its own. ]
Edited 2024-04-27 22:42 (UTC)
foresightis2020: (17)

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-27 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What an interesting comment; he assumes that must be based on Malice's experiences, more than anything. Which would make sense, given vampires do not have the same options as humans or other species when it comes to sustenance. ]

Only the strongest? Hm...while that can be certainly a fact, do you believe that is something true for every species?

[ As for the other matter... ]

Naturally, a good idea. Some might believe they've reached the pinnacle of their ability without having the foresight to hone what they're able to do in the first place.
foresightis2020: (17)

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-27 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, well then, it seems we've something in common. Now I have to wonder if we might be inclined towards the same genre in our reading material.

[ His light-hearted tone makes it clear he'd think it amusing if it'd be the case, but not in a bad way. That said... ]

Though...what did you mean by a bit popular, exactly?

[ It seems like it bears questioning, so he does decide to poke a little at the specifics. Something like that doesn't seem too personal, after all. ]
Edited 2024-04-27 22:48 (UTC)
lustro: (117)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Like if you’re alone or scared - and needed to know there’s someone out there wishing for your safety. Or - or - if you need just a little bit more power, if one person isn’t enough…

[ He wants to put that miracle in something everyone can have access to. An answer to a prayer. ]

It’s too abstract, isn’t it? I’m just worried because we’re getting split up by these… missions or whatever.
foresightis2020: (14)

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-27 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Have no fear. Should something go awry, I will be prepared to act accordingly.

[ Jing Yuan can't quite foresee what kind of result might come from such creatures causing quite a ruckus, but he's certain in his capability to make the best out of a dangerous situation. ]

Now, let us take care of the situation and emerge victorious.

[ Once they're in their respective positions, the General conjures easily a most suitable illusion for the shadows, which does get them distracted enough to paw at one point. But, the time to strike isn't immediate; only until they've congregated together in that one spot, as Jing Yuan stated.

Already, the man spurs into action, leaping down from the wall, shouting: ]


Now!

[ Electricity laces around his glaive as he strikes from one end, leaving Kiryu to box them from the rear end or some other side. ]
lustro: (119)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-27 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh - thanks?

[ Confused that Kurapika’s even complimenting him. He thinks he looks about the same as usual. ]

I’m not used to all this fancy stuff. Talking to people with power always makes me sweat.
shortleash: (pic#17074237)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-27 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
( Oh?? The towel - surprises him, the cold and unfeeling part of him wanting to say it doesn't matter; he's already healed. The part of him that's still Mika... feels how the warmth seeps in, and accepts the sensation of Ginger's magic; accepts this thing - Ginger went out of his way to do for him, to think of him.

His expression softens, after a moment, and his voice sounds like someone who isn't - sure how to take kindness, but wants to care for it, as if like cupping a small and injured bird in his hands. )


... Thank you.

( He can't be sure if it'll make him feel better or not until they try it - can anything? But even so, it makes it feel easier to... exist, he thinks. Ginger makes things feel easy.

Would it be better or worse if he told Ginger he's come to think of him more? )


... More or less.

( He answers in response to both ideas - that they mostly only interact with each other and that they lose things that tie them to humanity - not familiar with this being a universal vampire trope. He only has his own, limited experience to go off of - with himself and others. )

... I've lost a lot of things, but... my feelings for Yuu-chan never faded. And, as long as I was around him... I felt a little more alive, I guess. I could feel things, notice things - more than before... But.

( A beat - and for once he focuses on on the warmth of the towel, instead of the cool night air. )

... He can't be my anchor. I think... he moved on from me. I'm a dead thing, after all.

( 🚨🚨🚨unreliable narrator alert🚨🚨🚨 )