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

[impacter]

AMONG ROYALTY

[This Northern wizard looks very composed, comfortable, and all polite smiles that don't quite reach his eyes as they're escorted into the castle. This isn't his first time in such an environment, and it won't be the last.

If any wallflower is looking avoidant of the entire affair, they'll be getting a tap on the shoulder and a gloved hand held out to them, his voice gentle but certain.]

Come on, now. Let's at least give a good show.

[If you're not part of the very large antisocial crowd, that doesn't make a difference! Here he comes anyway, smile easy and steps easier, all gentle airy laughter that seems slightly empty as he tries to catch your attention.]

You look like you're enjoying yourself. May I cut in?

[He takes quite a bit of time to talk to some of their representatives, but that gets abruptly interrupted by someone hitting the floor. After the general tension has settled down, Solomon seems to grow far quieter, wrapping up his more official talks and drifting out to the balcony with a glass of alcohol in one hand. He will give a polite smile to anyone that passes nearby, but he's kept rather deep in thought otherwise. He'll come back inside. Eventually.]

OH NO

[There's a loud bang from Floor 3, one of the sets of windows forcefully slamming open in a pillowing cloud of smoke. From inside, the door to Room 5 buckles as Solomon's body quickly flies out and hits the opposite wall, the sorcerer coughing in plumes of blue and purple in a bit of a daze. Peeking inside the room will show... well, there USED to be a fire, and there WAS something on top of it, but given that the pot is now partially embedded in the ceiling and the room looks like a rainbow exploded all over it, it's safe to assume whatever was being created is long gone.]

SHOPPING LIST

[Heading towards the elevator? You'll probably pass grandpa! Solomon's nearby, a pen and paper in hand and a jar of ink floating next to him under a very simple levitation spell, one that he has to recast every so often as it starts to wane. Really, having magic that's still so weak is such a chore.

He will perk up at anyone that seems to be getting ready to head out, waving for them to hold the doors as he stuffs the list into his coat.]

Ah, wait, wait. Mind if I tag along? I could use your help with something.

WILDCARD

[If you would like to do any jobs, just specify which one and I'll write us a custom starter!

Solomon can be found in the library and, unfortunately, still in the kitchen. Solomon is constantly, CONSTANTLY practicing his magic around the grounds in really strange ways like seeing if he can float to the roof or trying to contain a whirlwind in a bottle, etc, so feel free to practice with him or have his character notice yours and approach to watch them. He's nosy.

Night owls can find him up on the roof many nights. What the fuck is he doing up there?]

among royalty - not the antisocial edition

[1145pm]

[ At least the orange juice is very tasty! Tatara's taking a quick break from hopping from person to person when Solomon finds him, and he beams up at the man about to cause an International Incident. ]

Of course! What would you like? A chat? A dance? A little salmon on a cracker?

[ What would you like, Uncle Solomon?! ]

[impacter]

[Aw, look at that smile. It's good to see there's some energy coming from their sage,, even if many of the wizards seem to be sticking to the sidelines.]

Ahahah - no, no, I'm watching my figure. [Teehee.] But I wouldn't say no to a dance with our dear sage.

[He holds a gloved hand out.]

Would you like to lead, or shall I?

[1145pm]

[ Oh, yay! Solomon is such a nice dude.

Anyway, Tatara snags a little salmon on a cracker for himself and pops it into his mouth, then gives a firm nod. ]

You lead. [ He says this with his mouth full because he has bad manners. ] I've never danced like this before!

[ He puts his hand in Solomon's and takes a few steps forward, almost ready to drag him all the way to the dance floor. ]

[impacter]

Tatara...

[He doesn't move, tugging back on Tatara's sleeve with a tapping motion to his own mouth.]

Swallow first, my dear Sage. I cannot do anything for you if you start to choke.

east mission!

[dadsandals]

[ Yamato hadn't expected to see Solomon also show interest in the Eastern Mission when he did, but he figured that this would be a good time to talk to the guy about what happened with Akira. It's an escort mission, and while they need to be careful and alert, there will be some time for idle chatter.

In the middle of escorting the nobles, Yamato turns to Solomon. He's got his hand near his focus -- a pendant around his neck -- for easy access, in case something goes haywire. ]

So far, so good.

[ They haven't been ambushed yet. ]

[impacter]

[Solomon, meanwhile, has been fairly calm the entire trip. What small talk he's tried to engage in with the nobles has been met with a rather cold reception, so he's let the conversation drift to a stop for now, preferring to stay on foot rather than use his broom.]

It's been awfully quiet. Perhaps we got lucky.

Are you worried at all?

[dadsandals]

A little, yeah, because it's quiet.

[ Too quiet. Honestly, he went on this mission geared up and ready (?) to fight. He doesn't like that nothing's jumped out at them yet. ]

Do you really think we got lucky, or are they just waiting?

[impacter]

It's hard to say. Wild animals and monsters work on instinct, and bandits will either be desperate or opportunistic.

[He's keeping his eyes trained on their surroundings, rather than on Yamato. Normally he could focus far more of his attention on the conversation, but with his powers stripped down to a scant minimum, he can't rely on intuition alone anymore.]

Have you fought before?

among royalty (wallflower)

[shortleash]

( Mika, dressed as such (but with symmetric thighboots), was absolutely wallflowering against a back wall, making slow progress toward the balcony with every little while. He's basically spoken to nearly no one this entire evening.

So he doesn't seem pleased by the tap or the suggestion. )

... Why? These people seem annoying.

( The rich ones. He's not well-versed with nobles, but he's learning he does not like them. )

[impacter]

[He hums softly, lowering his voice as he leans in a little closer, speaking as more of an aside.]

Annoying or not, remember that they're a key part of us earning our freedom. You don't have to like it, but good graces will get us further.

[He lets the statement settle between them in silence, before his voice returns to a more normal pitch, his cadence slightly more energetic than it had been a moment ago.]

I won't keep you out there for long. If you're still feeling a little uncomfortable, I can even escort you onto the balcony.

[shortleash]

( Bleh - Mika makes a face. )

Our "freedom"? What, from this world?

( lol, if so. But he seems reluctant, still. At least he lets his voice fall a little lower. )

... I don't even know how to dance. You could pick anyone else.

[impacter]

Of course. We have a deadline, remember?

[He could mean the moon. Mika knows better, though.

His voice drops quiet again, his smile careful.]

I picked you to get you out of the sea of vultures for a moment. [He glances towards some of the more talkative and boisterous of the representatives - briefly, with only his eyes, before settling back on Mika.] You look like a very nervous cat slinking against the wall like this.

One dance is all I ask. I'll show you what to do.

oh no

[fallingsand]

[ Oh no? Oh no. Oh no! All the noise from Solomon's room down the hall startles Bruno right out of a nap and has him stumbling out into the hallway half a minute later in a tizzy. ]

What was that?! What exploded?! Wh—

[ Panicked yelling cuts off when he sees Solomon deposited against the wall across from his own room's door, wide open with all that smoke billowing out. ]

...oh geez... [ He's quick to walk over, leaning down over Solomon to check on him. At least all that coughing means he isn't dead. ] Are. Are you alright? What was that?

[impacter]

[His lungs definitely still work! Though with how dazed he looks and how long it takes him to respond, he's had the wind knocked out of him at bare minimum.]

Still alive. Just a -- [He coughs, the air around him still mingling with muted color.] -- a little bit of an accident.

[A bit.

He winces visibly as he tries to push himself into a more stable sitting position.]

I didn't blow a hole through anyone's room, I hope?

[fallingsand]

Uhhh.

[ Bruno gives a sidelong glance to the only room next to Solomon's. That would be Robin and he can't tell from here, to be honest. He would need to venture into Solomon's room and that seems... dangerous? Maybe? ]

Nnnno? Probably not? [ Ha ha, he sure hopes not, otherwise wow, someone's in trouble. ] Hey, let's ignore that for now. Does anything feel really off or... or painful or...?

[ He'll drop to a knee next to Solomon, hands hovering nearby but not quite willing to invade the guy's personal space if he's not injured or anything. ]

You really did go flying with that.

wallflower

[positivize]

[Well, maybe wallflower isn't quite the right word here. Maya is indeed still mingling with the other guests and seems sociable enough, but she hasn't stepped out to dance at all. However, during her breaks from chatting up the representatives, she will just be standing off to the side and watching everyone else dance as she quietly nibbles on something from the banquet table.

As such, surprise flits through her face as she blinks at the proffered hand.]

Huh!? O-Oh, I don't think I'm the right person for that. I'm all left feet, so I'd probably just step on your toes or something.

[impacter]

There's no time like the present to learn. Perhaps some of our political friends would benefit from seeing us stretch our comfort zones.

[As in, he's asking for the sake of their audience. But he won't push that no too much, withdrawing his hand. He has some level of manners.]

You've been a busy little bee tonight. Is this an environment you've seen before?

[positivize]

Hahaha... Well, maybe another time! And after I've had some actual lessons.

[But she definitely looks relieved when he lets the matter go, and her face relaxes into a cheerful smile.]

This is actually my first time being at a big event like this. We don't really do these sorts of fancy balls back home, so I figured I'd make the most of it!

practicing magic + feeding?

[lustro]

[ He's getting there, but maybe the way he's thinking about magic - isn't the most conducive to major progress. He's just. So doubtful. ]

Solomon, do you think we can - um - put a wish in a bottle?

[impacter]

[Solomon's out under the shade of a tree today with a book from the library and a pot of tea, his cup and saucer floating next to him.

Engrossed as he is, he doesn't notice his company until Ginger speaks up, blinking up from his reading.]

A wish?

What a strange request. Why do you ask?

[lustro]

[ He sits down next to Solomon without being invited.

Well, he still doesn’t quite understand how magic works here. But he was thinking if their emotions played a role, then what about a wish? ]

I want to give it to some of the others - so… they have it when they need - hope?

Among Royalty - Balcony

[troublereduction]

[ Day enters the balcony with a drink in hand himself, looking to get a bit of fresh air before returning to the party. ]

Hm? Taking a break too?

[impacter]

Mm?

[It takes him a second to look up, not recognizing the voice. Thank god it's another wizard and not a politician... plus it's one of the few he hasn't met yet.

Normally he'd be a little more energetic at the opportunity, but with Akira having fallen face first onto the floor only a short while ago, the Northern Wizard looks as though the wind has been taken from his sails, carefully swirling his glass from where he leans against the balcony railing.]

Ah... yes, something like that. I guess I've had my share of socializing for one night.

I don't believe we've met yet, right?

[troublereduction]

[ Hmm, noting that Solomon does seem a little brooding, at least right now. He should take a more relaxed approach to this, he thinks. ]

Oh, yeah. I'm Joyous Day, but just Day's fine. You are...?