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

[lighthaus]

I think so. Isn't it a waste otherwise?

[ kurapika can refuse to acknowledge it all he likes, because khun is holding out his hand regardless. ]

[revengier]

Not necessarily.

[ And that's as close as he'll get to acknowledging it, especially as he looks at that extended hand. Does he like Khun enough to accept a dance? Kurapika doesn't mind him, which is already a feat in and of itself, and the worst that could happen is that he makes a fool of himself.

...

He takes Khun's hand. ]

I'm terrible at dancing, just so you know.

[lighthaus]

And I'm excellent at it, so we make the perfect pair. [ That's not real logic, something acknowledged by his playful tone.

With an assuring smile, he begins to lead them out to the dance floor. ]

What kind of dancing have you done before?

[revengier]

[ Kurapika has a frown on his face in response, though it's one borne of apprehension more than anything.

Simply because: ]

...None, actually.

[ He follows, though, despite the slight hesitation in his steps. ]

[lighthaus]

Oh? [ that makes sense considering what kurapika said before, khun nods. ]

In that case, all you have to do is follow after me. There isn't anything more traditional than a waltz, even if it's usually done with a man and a woman.

[ given that wizards seem to be predominantly male, this is just how things are, and khun really doesn't mind. ]

To start, face me, and put your left hand on my shoulder. [ he'll take kurapika's right hand in his left, lacing their fingers together. his right comes to rest on the other boy's shoulderblade. ]

[revengier]

[ Lacing their fingers together is a bit much, isn't it? Or at least, that's what the glance he tosses towards their hands seems to say even though Kurapika places his hand on Khun's shoulder with no issue. He's certainly stiff underneath Khun's hand, and he's sure that it's obvious that physical contact isn't exactly something that he is all that used to.

Nevertheless, he continues not to really acknowledge it. ]

Alright. What's next.

[lighthaus]

[ the glare bounces off him like usual, though he does have a real reason in this case--it's easier to lead this way and get a sense of tempo, at least in the waltz. ]

Relax, you're in good hands. [ it's genuinely encouraging, even if he adds a wink to punctuate. ]

The waltz is a three beat dance, so keep count in your head. And then you just follow me. [ and with that he'll start the first sequence, a half-box, careful to go slowly. ]

[revengier]

[ He fights the urge to roll his eyes at the wink and instead focuses on Khun's instruction. 1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3... ]

Alright. Should be easy enough.

[ While he certainly isn't great at stepping, he's at least coordinated enough to do it on beat, even if he has to look down to do it. ]

[lighthaus]

See, it's not hard. Now the reverse— [ which is to say the other half of the box. he won't even call kurapika out for looking at the floor, at least not right now. ]

[revengier]

[ Spoke too soon, Khun. The reverse is what trips Kurapika up, and he ends up stepping on his toes. ]

...

[lighthaus]

[ ouch? no it's less of an ouch and more his fancy shoes. ]

Hey. It's the same as before, so you should be able to do this.

[ hmm. ]

Go by your ears, not your eyes. They should be on me.

[revengier]

[ But he has to see his feet—

No, Khun has a point. With a sigh, Kurapika lifts his gaze up to... however tall Khun is. ]

Fine.

[ His advice helps, at least, because Kurapika no longer has any problems, even if he's still a bit awkward. ]

[lighthaus]

[ good, now they've got another facet of the waltz down: the intimate gaze. ]

I won't bite unless you dirty my shoes again. [ that's a joke, probably.

and wouldn't you know i literally just realized the only place i put khun's height was in west chat OTL. he is hilariously, 1 cm taller than kurapika but taller is still taller! he picks up the pace so it's more natural along with the music, but thankfully the waltz is just a slow dance in general. ]

That's the basic steps of the waltz, which repeats in sequence. And by staying within the "box" you won't return into another pair either.

[revengier]

[ He nods, face still tight with concentration. ]

Right. It follows logical steps.

[ It's much easier to think about it that way... a simple box of 1, 2, 3. Dancing really is not his forte, not at all, but this thought process makes it manageable. ]

...You can easily clean off your shoes with magic. Don't be so stuck up about it.

[lighthaus]

And my toes? [ feigning a put upon impression. really he's just poking because this is how he is. he continues the movement, though ever so slowly he's navigating them to a space on the floor with more room to maneuver. ]

[revengier]

You didn't seem worried about them.

[ And if he was? Well... Kurapika wouldn't feel all that bad about it anyway.

The fact that they're moving to a more open spot on the floor doesn't pass him by, however. ]

Are you going to teach me a new dance?

[lighthaus]

[ he tips his head in acknowledgement, thin smile on his lips. ]

You didn't think that's all there was to the Waltz, did you?

[revengier]

[ ...Well, yes. Yes, he did. But do you think he's doing to admit that in front of someone like Khun? Hell no. ]

Then show me the rest.

[lighthaus]

[ hehe. ]

This is a two part move. First, we'll spin— [ have mercy on me and assume he explains how to do a spin with the same clear and concise directions as he has so far. ]

[revengier]

[ Oh, a spin—

Part of him feels like it's too early to be introducing moves like this, but he manages to land it anyway. ]

And what's next?

[lighthaus]

Then, we— [ sorry, kurapika gets absolutely no warning for this. usually a dip is initiated in part by the follow, but here, khun just uses his leverage and strength (and he is strong, stronger than he has any right to be even with his athleticism but that's just the benefit of his good genes) to make kurapika tip towards the floor. he doesn't drop him of course, and he follows for the first and only time in this dance.

their faces are close, closer than they need to be even for a move like this. ]

—dip.

[revengier]

[ Ah, Khun really is strong, and it makes Kurapika wonder what he might be like in a fight, here or back home. Suddenly they're moving and he's tipped towards the floor. It's a brief lapse of control, and Kurapika fights not to wrench it right back from Khun and instead go with the flow.

So he does, maintaining eye contact with Khun even though he's well aware that Khun is purposefully closer than he has any reason to be. ]

No one likes a show off, Khun.

[lighthaus]

[ given the contact between them, khun can feel the tension even as kurapika goes along with the dip. the corners of his eyes crinkle in amusement at the words, a glint in the deep blue of his eyes that's sharp. ]

No?

In that case, I better make sure I actually show off then. [ maybe that counts as a little warning compared to last time, and this is far from the ideal position to transition into a lift but that's never stopped him before. he needs to let go of the careful way he's been holding kurapika's hand through all of this, to attempt to lift him into some seblance of this pose. there's other ones he'd rather do but that require buy-in, so this will work in a pinch. ]

[revengier]

[ And what does Khun get for his efforts? A successful lift of Kurapika, who is actually relatively light, but he's met with a glare the moment his feet lift off the ground. ]

Really?

[ He hops out of Khun's grasp, landing back on his feet. ]

No more tricks like that if you want to keep dancing.

[lighthaus]

[ honestly he was mostly expecting to be kicked so reality's kinder to him. as usual he's not dissuaded, though there's not the grin or smirk kurapika might expect in response. instead there's just the slightest curve to his lips.

hmmm. it's not a pause, nor a proper moment of contemplation but something else. ]

Do you want to keep dancing? [ he's aware this is a deflection, but there's an earnest quality to it unlike before. ]