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

[revengier]

[ He's about to make some kind of comment about Khun's attitude sitting on furniture like that as he eases himself onto the chaise, finally feeling some sense of normalcy now that he's reclining just a bit, but he loses that thought the moment Khun's demeanor changes. ]

That could go for most of the people here, don't you think? Including yourself.

[ Including Kurapika. ]

If he's as bad a cook as you say, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to use magic to enhance his food and failed.

[lighthaus]

You've seen this already. Don't tell me you forgot all about future library get together.

[ there's a little inflection here, though it doesn't last long. he crosses his legs. ]

But that wasn't entirely what I meant. Robin would kill someone without thinking twice about it.

[ ask him how he knows about that or just how casual that drop was, it's fine. ]

I don't know Solomon well enough to say if it's the same for him.

[revengier]

It might or might not be.

[ Hell, Kurapika wouldn't have trouble killing if he needed to for the sake of his goals, so the fact that Robin would isn't anything that worries him. It's why he regards Khun coolly, comfortable on his chair. ]

But I think purposefully killing a member in our group, all of which we need to get home, would be a bad move.

[lighthaus]

I've seen people do stupider things.

[ but he sighs, resting both hands on the desk and looking up at the ceiling.

(he figured kurapika would which is the reason why he said as much. the vibes he gets from Robin are similar but a different shade. ) ]

It is easier just to think he's an idiot and not accept any food in his presence.

[revengier]

[ His lips quirk up at that. ]

Maybe he should be banned from the kitchen entirely. We'll know for sure if he's actively trying to hurt anyone then, rather than just an accident.

[lighthaus]

We could do that but someone would have to police it. I can tip Aragaki off since he's in there a lot, but that would be a lot of effort to try to protect everyone.

[ he rolls his head to the side, gaze shifting to kurapika. ]

Unless you plan to call Solomon out?

[revengier]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Ahito is passing along the message, and I trust him to do it well enough.

[ Letting out a sigh, he raises a brow. ]

But if you want to as well, by all means.

[lighthaus]

I already said that's not worth the effort. I don't do things unless they're worth it.

[ kurapika gets a look back that implies he should have known this already. ]

[revengier]

Almost sounds lazy.

[ But he's right—Kurapika expected this. He can't help his shitty joke, though. ]

[lighthaus]

That's a better angle than trying to guilt me. [ a not quite chuckle. ]

But the answers the same either way, I'm just not a good person.

[revengier]

Because you put your promises above all else?

[ Or are there other factors involved too? This is Kurapika's way of opening the floor, so to speak. ]

[lighthaus]

Oh not at all, I've always been this way. It runs in my family, but my Mother is particularly ruthless, even among my dad's other wives.

[ said entirely shamelessly. he's not actually one to keep up a pretense more than he has to and in a way he prefers if he doesn't have to dial himself back. ]

[revengier]

[ Other wives, huh. Well, it's not that uncommon in Kurapika's world either, so he does no more than bat an eye. ]

I suppose a world like yours would require some level of ruthlessness.

[ ... ]

As long as you don't go killing whoever you like, it doesn't matter.

[lighthaus]

[ he blinks. khun's not entirely sure of the reaction he was expecting, but it wasn't quite this. it's not unsurprising in some ways, but in others—it's also an amusing contrast to his conversation with ahito where he just let him fill in the blanks. ]

I'm not sure if that's realism or some degree of trust, Kurapika.

[revengier]

Realism.

[ He says it bluntly and easily enough that it really seems to be all there is to it. ]

Cause any real problems and any number of the people here would deal with you. [ Including Kurapika. That said... ] But you won't, because you have to go back.

[lighthaus]

Good.

[ he likes that answer.

as for the rest, it's things he knows already. ]

And what kind of person are you? Besides someone who taste tests mysterious liquids they find on the floor.

[revengier]

Someone focused on their own goals.

[ Ruthless like Khun? No, not quite. Not at all, actually.

But would he do just about anything to make his goals? Yes. ]

[lighthaus]

Which are?

[revengier]

Irrelevant here.

[ In other words, they're deeply personal and not something he'll easily give away without reason. It's a non-answer, but at least Khun can glean that much from it. ]

[lighthaus]

[ he sighs into his hand. ]

And here I was going to ask you what lies beyond the Tower.

[revengier]

All kinds of things. You know, if you traveled around here, I'm sure you'd get a better answer than simply hearing me describe things.

[ Aside from the technology level, that is. ]

[lighthaus]

Not literally. As you said, I could see that with my own eyes.

[ it's a near grumble, though not quite. ]

I meant what it's like to achieve what you seek, at least partially.

[revengier]

You want the full truth, Khun?

[ Kurapika assumes that he does, so he continues without waiting for confirmation. ]

It's never as good as you want it to be, and it never will be.

[lighthaus]

[ he looks entirely unsurprised at that, bored even. ]

It's been said that by the time you fully climb the Tower, you lose something in the process. And that no matter what you wish for, it's never enough. There's plenty of Rankers doing all kinds of work in spite of it all.

[ a mild shrug, though he takes the time to rearrange his sash after. ]

I hope that wasn't meant to dissuade me.

[revengier]

[ He simply shrugs. ]

Someone like you can't be dissuaded.

[ They're both very focused on their goals and what they've set out to do, and Kurapika knows that he wouldn't be dissuaded by words like that either. Naturally, he can't expect Khun to be. ]

But there was no point in lying either.