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

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[Shadows in the Night]

If there are shadows threatening everyone, all it should take is throw some light at them. Isn't that how it works?

[Is that how it works...? Kiryu looks like he's ready to go and make the trip to the castle moat and deliver the fisticuffs, but it's not like that's how it works. Perhaps it'll have to be done...with magic fisticuffs!

But instead of going alone, he's seeing if there's anybody who wants to go along. He has learned his lesson about taking things on his own.

Cooking

Look how Kiryu cooks! He's...this odd mixture of experienced and inexperienced. He's making food that smells good and looks good! But he makes mistakes. For example, he cuts onion and instead of caramelizing or roasting or anything, he uses them raw. He doesn't do optimal moves, is what's going on]

If you want some there'll be some for you. I'm used to making plenty when I'm cooking.

[Veggie Garden

Now this is something he hasn't done before, really. Kiryu stares at the gardening stuff. He's at a loss, really]

Where's one supposed to start with? [He picks up a packet of seeds, reading it like he expects instructions to be printed on the back] I know it needs to be put in soil and then watered. It can't be that simple...

Shadows in the Night;

[foresightis2020]

It might take a little more than that.

[ But he sees the way the other waits, the body language... ]

Are you looking for back-up?

[ Can't go out and fight a danger by one's lonesome. Well, one certainly can, but he thinks he can tell the other wants accompaniment. ]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

I'm not used to fighting alongside others, but I'm trying to change that. Come along?

[This won't be a full RPG party, but hey, a two-people fight against countless shadows is fine]

[foresightis2020]

Very well.

Becoming far too rusty would be not in my best interest.

[ Time to stretch these old bones and face down a threat. At least he's familiar with doing that, heh. ]

Whenever you're ready, my friend.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[To the castle moat, then! Because apparently the shadowy entities gather there more than anywhere else. Going for the hardest tasks right away, apparently!]

You implied you already know how to fight?

[He caught onto the implications of his response, yup]

[foresightis2020]

[ To the castle moat! Jing Yuan begins to think of possible, various ways to approach the matter, and, actually... ]

I certainly do.

We will need to find out quickly the weakness of our opponents, however. It would be unfortunate if what we have to offer isn't exactly effective.

[ Something he already always considers given the nature of his enemies back on the Xianzhou Alliance, heh. ]

Still, we should probably share some of our strengths in battle, no? Are you the type to be up close or are you a ranged fighter?

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

All I know is close fighting. Magic was never my strong point.

[On account to it not existing! Kiryu looks at his own fist, pondering if magic might help with that. He's not as strong as he was in the past, but perhaps magic will help?

He learning how to use magic beyond this will be quite a learning process]

[foresightis2020]

I see. Fortunately, we have more than enough time to make up for our deficiencies in the kind of magic that has been given to us.

[ Jing Yuan has, at the least, been practicing a lot by his lonesome; easy enough to do so in respects given the kind of magic he has learned that he's had a simpler time in handling. Illusions can serve them well against mindless creatures for a myriad reasons.

It's probably at some point easy to spot their enemies lurking around. So he says: ]

I'll make it appear as if there is a way inside, and that should get our enemies all rushing to one point. If we overwhelm them from either side, that should make getting surrounded difficult.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

I'll wait in ambush. Be careful -- they don't seem too dangerous but you never know what can happen.

[Herding shadowy entities like sheep, while Kiryu waits to dispel them any way he can...this sould work well! This should also give a bit of time for Kiryu to prepare, and perhaps not rely on pure ol' fisticuffs right away]

[foresightis2020]

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. ]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[Kiryu sure didn't hold back! When the ambush began, Kiryu made sure to strike as many as he could in one move, and that involved trying to make an offensive spell of his own, to slam as many as he could onto the ground to dispel the entities. He raised his arms, chaining his hands together, and brought them down like a hammer, the magic he used delivering the same kind of attack onto all shadows close to him. What he may not have in magic skill he has it in physical strength, because all entities he got with this were dispelled]

[foresightis2020]

[ Eat shit and die, shadowlings.

Jing Yuan's maneuver sweeps the hell out of the ones who were in the path, electricity running through the creatures and subsequently felling them swiftly.

There are still a numerous amount of them, though they are certainly startled between Kiryu and Jing Yuan's ambush attack, stumbling all over each other and all manner of clumsiness. They're not all immediately dispatched, even if the remaining ones have to regain their footing. But, Jing Yuan sees no reason to allow them much reprieve.

He will deliver a follow-up attack, slashing at least five at once in a reverse-grip swing that sends more electrical shocks through them and those close enough, causing some sort of paralysis for the ones remaining. ]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[Some would consider attacking paralyzed enemies as fighting dirty, but Kiryu has no such compunctions. He makes quick work of any shadows that can't move well anymore. His crowd control is pretty good!

Doesn't take long to finish taking all the shadows out. Kiryu seems satisfied, pleased with how well this goes even though it's shadowy entities instead of physical, real people]

Easy enough.

Cooking

[jorunna]

Sure thing, Mister Kiryu.

[ While they aren't experience either, they know how food can taste. So they look at the onions set aside like a mildly cursed topping for his dish. ]

Do you like raw onion? I like them sweeter.

[ Gasp, are they making demands? Nah, they just look at them and their eyes start stinging. ]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

I think this is how it's supposed to be...?

[He sounds unsure, like he really doesn't know if there's a better way of doing this all. Raw onions is how it is supposed to be, right?

Serviceable, is the word to describe his cooking abilities, that's for sure]

[jorunna]

Hm... It depends on the dish, but I'm sure they're better cooked down to mellow them out. They're also kind of pretty all translucent?

[ They won't really argue or scold him, he's older! They've only watched their stepmom cook. Maybe he likes them strong. ]

I can do that for you, if you want help.

[ Comet grabs a spare pot. It doesn't look burnt... thank goodness. ]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Sure. Show me how it's done. I haven't cooked seriously in a long time.

[Lots of hotel food and restaurants and eating out, instead of homemade stuff. At least Kiryu is humble enough to accept help and direction, thank goodness]

[jorunna]

[ They'll set up a pan and the stove. ]

You cook them in a little oil at low heat until they're a bit more see-through and soft. I'll add it to whatever you're making any time.

[ It'll take a bit for them onions to reach that point though. Might as well chat? ]

Cooking for your family or something professional? That's where I'd think it's "seriously".

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

I see. I'd take notes but I didn't bring...

[Note to himself: don't be caught with no pen and paper next time!]

Something like that. I managed an orphanage years ago, so part of it was cooking for them.

[Which he liked to do. He would do anything for the kids who used to be in that orphanage, although nowadays they're all old enough to have drinks with]

[jorunna]

Here.

[ They have a notebook and pen on them! From home, even. They offer it to Kiryu on the table. ]

I didn't expect you to be a manager of an orphanage...! Is that rude to say?

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Heh. I'd be surprised if you said I did look like the kinda person who did that.

[He knows he looks more like a thug]

[jorunna]

If you liked the job, then that's all that matters.

[ They'll check on the onions so that they don't burn. ]

I bet the kids felt safe.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

I'd hope so. There's nothing I wouldn't have done for them.

[Kiryu tries the soup he made, nodding]

It's for them I learned all my cooking. When I was living by myself it was mostly eating outside at random places.

[So yeah, all his cooking was meant for them!]

[jorunna]

You really sounds like you love them. So your food would taste the best even if it isnt perfect.

[ In all fairness, there are lot of good restaurants there... ]

Have any favorites out of those random places? It's probably a nice surprise to find one that's really good.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Any old convenience store used to be enough.

[You know how those have some prepared stuff like buns and bentos and the such!]