you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

[promittere]

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...

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[leewards]

welcome ball
[Who says a beast from the woods can't clean up nicely? Previously, the most expensive set of clothing Ithaqua had worn were those he'd pilfered in order to sneak into town and impersonate Nathaniel, and... here he is. In a far more dressy version of his regular outfit-- and a new mask. He's not too fond of it because it leaves the lower half of his face open, so just about anyone can see his lips, and fangs when he opens his mouth, but as long as it covers some part of it, he's fine. And, he supposes, he can eat properly in public with this sort of mask.

Well, he has to anyway. A hater of society he may be, his mother taught him manners.]

food
[It's only natural for Ithaqua to be curious of the various food on display... and while he did try some of the savoury meals, he's had more of the desserts thus far. But one half of the table is dedicated to what's clearly a single culture's dishes. Why is that so important?

He wanders over with a plate of a slice of decadent chocolate cake, peering at the plates full of... eggs cut in half, soft-boiled judging from the gooey yolks... but?]

Why do these eggs smell strange? [Because they're ajitsuke tamago. But he doesn't know that, of course.]

drinking (cw: irresponsible consumption of alcohol)
[Technically, he's old enough. Technically, he's made his own drinks out of curiosity, and and it's not unheard of for adults to drink in the coldest nights of the year to keep warm. He's done it himself, in a dark corner away from his mother even though she wasn't in a position to watch him. But drinking when it's not a necessity? Just... because you want to? That's something Ithaqua has never done before, and colour him curious.

He has a flute of champagne between his fingers, and he might not admit it, but he's feeling it, as evidenced by the giggles as he passes people by, stilts clicking on the marble floor. If someone else has alcohol in hand, he'll make a beeline for them and tilt his head to the side like a little owl.]

What are you drinking?

dancing
[Who would even be brave enough to dance with someone this obnoxiously tall? Even if his height is artificially enhanced with the presence of stilts... who would even dare? Those things might as well be weapons that were somehow allowed into the castle.

Not that they stop Ithaqua from trying to dance, or asking people to dance. He just has to... bend over quite a bit to offer his hand.]

Feel like dancing? Heheh!

tatara's task: gardening

There, I've cleared the spot already. [Ithaqua places his free hand on his hip. Indeed, there are deep, thick lines in the ground that have blocked off the patch Tatara has already mentioned, plus a litte bit more. He sets his axe against the nearest tree and steps onto the future garden patch that he'll be maintaining for the foreseeable future, already poking little holes into the ground with his stilts.

It's not the method he chooses to work with the ground though. He's just testing how it gives way.] First we till the ground, add more fertile soil, and then plant. If you've not found tools, use your magic.

[In fact, Ithaqua has done a lot of the work already. He has managed to source some topsoil and mulch, and even got some seeds and seedlings. Why does he need assistance again? He might as well share the rewards of having completed this task with someone else... Even if the reward really isn't what he's after.

Tatara's request is just an excuse for him to make a garden. This way, none of the annoyances in the manor can bother him about him working with plants and dirt, or when he's squirreling away seeds from the fruits and vegetables they cut up in the kitchen for meals.]

job board: shadows in the night

[Ithaqua is very, very at home in the dark as his companion for this mission will find-- not even because of the lantern on his axe, the light it gives is barely enough to illuminate Ithaqua's odd, inhuman silhouette. But he just moves easily, taking lines smoothly around obstacles and wholly unafraid of the darker areas of the capital, as if he can see in the dark. At least it's not difficult to keep up with him in his dark clothing, with that lantern.]

Hm, hmm, hm~ A good night to go hunting. A shame we're in the city, and not in the forest.

[He can't hunt any of the humans in here. Sigh.]

job board: escorting nobility

Ohhh? Are these what you're so afraid of? [He acts like he's not staring down a pack of eyes glaring at them from the darkness between the trees, reflecting the light from the lantern dangling from his axe.] These are just wolves. As long as you skirt their territory and do not make eye contact, you've nothing to be afraid of.

Or... Hmm, hmm~ These ones have developed a taste for human flesh, perhaps.

[He sounds far too cavalier for this situation-- in truth, he's not afraid. A little concerned that he has to fight animals that are just trying to protect their home from interlopers. But then the beasts he coined as wolves step out from behind the trees, he sees that they actually are not. They may look like wolves, but are larger, bulkier. And, with this proximity, bearing some sort of magic.]

Oh~ Not wolves, apparently. Heheh.

[And still, Ithaqua is not afraid.]

wildcard
[ bring your own prompt! feel free to head to my plotting comment first for plans/details/etc. ]

Escorting Nobility

[dyingtohealyou]

And after you talked so big, too...

[Ahito's mainly been casually drifting alongside the caravan on his broom, though he perked up once he started hearing the animals of the forest take notice.

Hopefully that northern penchant for offensive magic serves them well against these beasties.]

[leewards]

Hmmm? When did I ever lose my nerve? [On the contrary, Ithaqua has an interest in seeing exactly how these beasts work. Are they like wolves? Or perhaps more like cats? Bears? They use all four paws, surely there's something to predict about them.

He does regret that he may have to kill them just for a handful of humans.

He stretches and flexes the arm not holding onto his axe, then hefts the weapon onto his shoulder.]

Stay alert, little one. Pack beasts like to pincer.

[dyingtohealyou]

Got it, got it.

[He sounds relatively lax, but the air's temperature seems to drop as he prepares for his own offensive spells.]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua can't quite feel the chill in the air, not just yet. After all, with his unique constitution and his layered clothing, how could he?

Besides, he's far too intent on his own preparations to give a damn-- and his preparations make the temperature drop even further on account of creating a strong wind blowing in his direction, his arms spread as if ready to welcome the beasts being pushed towards him.

And when they're close? He takes a good swing with the axe, the movement of his arms almost too quick to process properly. He manages to strike one and draw blood, but when it runs, he hunts it down with much faster steps that he didn't have before.]

escorting nobility

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Something native to this forest. Any idea what kind of magic they have?

[Seeing them gets Kiryu's guard up. Far from the first time he sees enemies of some sort while escorting somebody somewhere else, really, so he's not worried. Just...very cautious. He can't go underestimating these beasts]

[leewards]

I haven't the faintest~ [He says that in the most singsong voice.

Then he raises both his hands, the temperature of their surroundings dropping as he starts to cast, icy wind pushing the beasts in his direction.]

But very few can withstand the power of wind anyway.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Hm. You were looking forward to something like this, weren't you.

[Which he can relate somewhat, really. Kiryu is the kind of person who's always yearning for a fight of some sort. He doesn't really like that side of himself, but he can't deny it exists.

This could be a time as good as any to try to practice more mid-range spells. He fought shadows the other day, but it was punches and the such. Perhaps it'll be easier to fight mid-range]

[leewards]

Mm... No. [Is that a surprising answer? Ithaqua doesn't think it is.] I was hoping for bandits, not beasts looking for their next meal.

[Or defending their territory. He won't begrudge a beast acting on instinct.]

Aaa~ah. But I've been needing exercise, and I might as well do this.

By "this" he means give a great big swing with his axe to cleave a beast's head in two. Ithaqua didn't even move from the spot, he simply let the wind push the beast until it was in range.]

gardening

[1145pm]

[ Tatara is here to "help," but he's mostly been standing to the side watching Ithaqua work. It's impressive, really, and he's more than happy to just watch him do his thing, but the order comes. This was inevitable!

He looks at his hands, then back at Ithaqua. ]

What if I don't have tools or magic?

[ help! ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua whirls around, placing one hand on his hip, and the other points straight at Tatara with a long finger ending in a long claw.]

What is that joke? You're the sage, are you incapable of magic? [Well...] Or is your magic not suited to this?

If so, go find some tools. A hoe, a shovel, a rake, something. Why did you not come prepared.

[1145pm]

[ Ooh, he's so spooky! Tatara can't help but grin at the thought when he's pointed to. ]

I can't use magic... [ Yet he sighs dramatically, his hand on his chest, like his heart has been broken...

Anyway, show's over. Tatara gives Ithaqua a salute. ]

Roger that, boss! I'll be right back!

[ He whirls on his heel and wanders away...

...to return a few minutes later, a shovel in each hand. ]

I didn't bring my own 'cause I thought you'd have them! Are these good enough?

[leewards]

[If he didn't have his mask on, Tatara would have seen Ithaqua's sneer. Why doesn't the sage have magic?

Ugh.]

Why would I need to bring my own if I am a wizard? We're encouraged to use our magic for many, many things, why expect tools for this as well? [Then he shakes his head. Whatever, not important.]

Dig up the land and lay the dirt on itself until it's soft.

gardening

[lustro]

[ Ginger has his tools ready, but he's more hesitant to use his magic on such delicate things, so... no magic today. ]

Question! What flowers are we planting?

[ Automatically assuming it's flowers. Why plant food when you can just not eat? ]

[leewards]

Only if they're flowers that bear fruit in the future.

[Those little cherry tomatoes, for example.]

Our sage wants a vegetable patch, and thus we'll grow one.

[lustro]

[ Tatara is so weird. Why a veggie patch - ]

Flowers that bear fruit, huh… Which ones are those… ?

[leewards]

Tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflower, anything that can grow underground but have stems and leaves above it. Many green ones are, in themselves, flowers that you eat. They simply don't look like flowers.

[Then he turns to Ginger, staring right him. Then he points.]

Even your namesake.

job board: shadows in the night

[jorunna]

[ Comet has been using their broom to keep up, though they did enjoy a bit of PE if that's needed. Also... it makes them a little taller to float like this and easily maneuver. ]

It's the right kind of night for it, I like that.

[ It's just them and what they're hunting for, with rest hiding inside as they should. They have a lantern hanging from their broom, but the light by Ithaqua's is easier to watch for anything out of place. ]

Would a forest be more fun to move about in? Or what you're used to.

[leewards]

Oh, a forest is very fun to move about in. I am quite biased, when the forest is my home...

[He laughs softly. In the woods, no one can hear him walk. But here, in the city with their cobbled streets? He has to pay extra attention to how he walks, to make sure his stilts don't make such loud noises.]

But we adapt, as we always do.

[jorunna]

Your home... I'm not suited for living in a forest, but for sure you would. Oh, and the The Southern Country's wilderness is known to be dangerous, but it really was beautiful to see.

[ It was a good time, Comet speaks of the South with definite fondness in their voice like a youth would. They are still very human-shaped, after all. But... Maybe they should come by there again (there is that lake with large fish). There's not much that can be done about the weather, but a companion like Ithaqua would make it less of a concern for them and others.

They don't mind the sound of the stilts at this point, even if it's louder against stone. But as they wander about the streets, an idea comes to mind. ]

Would coming up with magic to suppress sound be adapting or cheating, I wonder...

[leewards]

They say the Northern country's woods are equally as inhospitable-- thus I would prefer to be there than here. [Except he's here now, and he has to make do.] Ah, well. Your presence makes up for having to be in this place.

[Then he looks over at them, tilting his head.]

Unless the sound of my footsteps is grating to you.

tatara's task: gardening;

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan comes upon Ithaqua hard at work in the task in...maintaining the garden? He gazes upon the progress/work with eyes that seem hardly discerning, and he will even yawn.

But, by his estimation, this work has been mostly finished, if not done in terms of conquering the weeds. Interesting. ]

You have quite the extensive experience in this, don't you?

[ He asks, but he goes about it, without usage of magic. Jing Yuan has his own grand experience in gardening to work with as well, after all. ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua straightens in the middle of installing thin wooden poles connected by wires to the garden-- not at all a fence, when they surround a very specific part of the garden. Specifically, the climbing plants, which he encourages to twine around the wood with gentle hands.

Of course, he was well aware that there was someone about, but when he didn't even bother calling out or assisting, Ithaqua just pretended he wasn't there. But now he places his hands on his hips, uncaring of the dirt.]

When you must procure everything by yourself, you learn many, many things.

Money or barter are not the only ways of putting food on the table. [And has never been his family's way of putting food on the table, really. He's been doing this his whole life, though this is the first time he's worked with so many different plants for a single garden, he was almost overwhelmed.]

[foresightis2020]

[ Time to get his hands dirty! Jing Yuan has no problems doing that at least, even if the weed-whacking portion is over. Contribution efforts to a garden is time well-spent.

Burdens are meant to be shared by allies. ]

You've certainly gone to quite the grand effort. Is it out of habit from that necessity in having to do so in the past, or is it also because it is something you've come to enjoy? I've done my fair share of gardening myself, after all.

Though, not for basic survival.

[ Easy enough to admit, he thinks. Gardening or farming is an acquired skill, but it isn't too unnatural. ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua notices that Jing Yuan just... waited until he removed the weeds, and finished all of the dirty busy work. Did he actually just wait until Ithaqua was done with the literally dirty work?]

To me, there is no difference.

Humans and their wares don't exist in the forest, after all.