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

[shortleash]

( Mika calls the lot of them human, but the thing is that there's a fundamentally changed thing that affects the taste of their blood - the supernatural tinge, that murmurs to him, always, for one more mouthful, every time he sees a person here.

His neck's better patched up with all the effort done toward healing, but the wound remains - the blood spilling free, if less than before.

Between the people trying to heal him, Ginger going off, losing a ton of blood, and the swarm of people overwhelming him - Mika's felt dizzy, and sick. He's been trying with all of himself to remain as himself, keep in control - focus on Ginger - focus on Khun - stay in the moment - don't mind the cold - don't mind the empty - don't mind the sweet, sweet scent that spills forth from every person like a crashing wave with every pulse, their hearts so quick;

Jing Yuan brings his arm to Mika's mouth. His blood beats like a marching drum. Mika's rapier hits the floor. Yamato sees a familiar look cross Mika's expression, almost instant - the human rider of the consciousness recedes, the beast bursts through (if he just drinks, he can) (if he has some, he'd feel) (ginger needs help, he could)

It just takes a split second, too fast to really see - his fangs ripping into Jing Yuan's arm, aimed instinctive for the thickest source of blood along the artery - and yet, the bite feels good. It feels nice. It feels addictively sweet. And Mika drinks, and spills, and digs his fangs deep, grabbing at Jing Yuan's arm to keep it still, to drain him dry - drinking so ferociously, because some of it spills from his throat, and it frustrates the beast that he is. Not enough, and he's getting even less; not enough, not enough, not enough— )

[dyingtohealyou]

[There's a certain ferocity which should have been expected, but it's different, watching it up close, smelling that sharp tang of blood, feeling the warmth of each splatter from proximity.

He grits his teeth. Blood isn't anything new. He just has to make sure it doesn't go to waste.

His healing lessens in potency in his distraction, but he keeps at it even still.]

[foresightis2020]

[ There are a myriad variables at play that Jing Yuan is far too uncomfortable without knowing, but there are certainly ones he can certainly presume can lead to a number of predictable conclusions, even if he can't claim to know this for sure. Indeed, he can only presume, something that even he is capable of, even if it would be better to have more concrete facts at the ready.

He knows this for a fact, though:

Should anything happen, should something go awry, should it all not go as planned, or smoothly, if Jing Yuan himself is at the forefront of it all, he can shoulder the burden. It is a bit hypocritical for him to say what he had to Yamato...without truly intending to let the other to put himself into the jaws of danger equally. But, he believes this for the best.

Still, even if the General presumes that the conclusion of it all would be that he is at the very least rather tired by the end of it, he can't quite predict what occurs as the sordid event begins to enter towards its Final Act. Once those fangs tear into Jing Yuan's arms, he anticipates pain—nothing can be further from the truth, as something indecently pleasant seems to emanate from just having himself bitten into. But, even he realizes swiftly something is amiss—an easy presumption to make from Mika's desperate, animalistic, and feverish motions.

Surprisingly, it isn't fear that grips his heart even as the unseemly sensation climbs through him, and sparks begin to fly as his free hand pulls back, fingers curling inwards. An unorthodox usage of his original lightning capability (affinity), calling also upon the magic gifted to him as a boost, something he is well-tuned to doing no matter which aspect each Country is assigned to, to delivered a powerful electrical-charged punch to Mika's face. A literal shocking one, and one to get him straight off his other arm. ]

—He's out of control.

[ Jing Yuan sounds a little breathless as he forcefully wrenches back that arm of his, still bleeding. Yamato, be a little helper and pitch in the rest, will you?

He is trying not to have to break out any further moves. Even with as much blood he's provided to Mika, it is entirely possible Jing Yuan can overdo it (he is definitely not summoning Lightning Lord for this if he can help it!) ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Oh, well, bye Mika,,

He switches his attention to Jing Yuan.]

The End of the World.

[With those words, a gentle and soothing sensation not unlike warm water over a muddied wound washes over the arm, beginning, slowly, to encourage the flesh to heal.]

[foresightis2020]

My thanks for your assistance.

[ All things considered, Jing Yuan's recovery time mentally is perhaps swifter than most, but he isn't the type of person to truly panic much, if at all. The little bit of healing is definitely something instead of nothing. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

Mm.

[No response other than that, he's got to focus on the healing rather than the sounds of Mika getting tasered in the background. Everything is so cool and fine right now?]

[foresightis2020]

[ It's okay, fam.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

The End of the World.

[Probably enough to seal it up, if thinly. Probably not enough to replace any bloodloss, please see a southie for deeper heals.]

[dadsandals]

I know. Hang on.

[ He feels almost nauseous at the sight of the amount of blood being spilled from Jing Yuan's arm, but he's got to keep it together. The punch is enough to get Mika off of his arm – out of Yamato's grasp, even – because it's not a light one, either. It knocks Mika enough for Yamato to assess the situation and act fast.

He holds his hands out towards Mika. Sorry about this. ]

Good night.

[ He puts some kind of seal on Mika, one that has the same symbol as his Focus (a #). The seal – a curse, rather – should put Mika to sleep for a few minutes. Enough time for the healers to properly do their thing. His incantation is quite literal, it seems. ]

...

/2

[shortleash]

( Slammed back and locked up by the thunder punch, Mika skids back, a ripple of audible cracks running through his face as there comes the sound of bones shattering, skin splitting open, from lightning, from impact. The force is enough to whip him backwards, his body nearly making a backwards bridge - but he keeps to his feet in a stagger.

And then he whips forward into a forward hunch - unnatural, bestial. the injuries near emitting steam - the bones damaged healed up; the split skin gone, leaving only splatters of blood to prove he'd ever been hurt, mixing with Jing Yuan's blood smeared across his face and his neck and his hair and his own cold blood spilling down his front, and he's - this scarlet thing, face and head and neck and torso blood-stained; he's wide-eyed, hungry.

It's unnatural - it's strange. Not a person, not Mika, just a monster, and it bares its bloodied teeth.

It in the moment the electric lock-up wears off as the impulse reaches its heels to kick off toward another - any other, doesn't matter who - and it doesn't notice, doesn't recognize, doesn't comprehend the spell or the seal or the thing being cast, like an animal. It lunges at Yamato, nearer by a milimetre than Jing Yuan now, its hand extended outward with nails sharp like proper claws to grab him— by the neck, split him open, by the ribs, like a fruit, to drink his heart. )

[shortleash]

( The body crumples in - going limp, exhausted. And in that split second as the monster falters and its body hits the ground, is the faint expression of someone scared - Mika, unaware, but somewhere in there.

He's asleep as he hits the ground, silent as the grave: still and unbreathing and without heartbeat (because he is, as always, a corpse). It's hard to gauge if he's still alive, but his body responds to healing, if attempted, and his body will reflexively swallow blood, if offered.

What a nightmare. )

[impacter]

[As Mika hits the ground, the support for the barrier from Solomon's end completely dissolves, approaching Mika immediately with his wand drawn, expression cold.

It's only when Mika doesn't get up after a good long while that his shoulders relax. Too close. Too, too close.]

[divineth]

[Urianger keeps a close eye on the situation after arriving, and he's ready to rush in as soon as Mikaela hits the ground. As he crouches over the boy to get started on healing, he nods toward Yamato. He saw that and he is proud.]

You did well.

[A nod toward Solomon and Phil as well. From what he's pieced together so far, who knows what would have happened if this continued any longer?]

[impacter]

[He doesn't respond right away, wand still in his hand, eyes still watching Mika as though he expects the boy to shove back to his feet at any moment.]

Glad to see you.

Keep your distance if he stirs. We don't need any more injured.

[divineth]

Would that I had arrived sooner...

[It seemed like the situation was mostly covered, but more hands on deck is always good.

But yeah...he doesn't blame Solomon's intensity at all. They really can't afford another instance like last time.]

I understand.

[dadsandals]

[ He wasn't expecting that. He wasn't expecting praise or any acknowledgement in his part in this, because he just wants to go back to his room and sleep...but it's appreciated. Especially from someone who saw him struggle just a few days ago. ]

Just doing what I can. ... Thanks.

[ He appreciates it. ]

[divineth]

[It's definitely not a fun situation to be in, but Yamato stepped up regardless and that's a very good show of character in Urianger's eyes. To say nothing of Yamato's magical progress, of course.]

Of course.

[With that, he returns his focus to Mika's healing. He prays everyone's efforts have been enough and that Mika will have his senses when he reawakens.]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Once Bruno's healed Jing Yuan, Ahito gives a sigh of relief, hardly heeding the blood splashed on him as he approaches Mika. Pulls out a pocket knife, as he walks.]

...So. Do we transport him now, or later?

[Either way, guy's going to need to feed, that's almost certain.]

[foresightis2020]

Transport him following his healing.

[ So, just a bit later, in his personal opinion.

Otherwise it would be difficult having multiple people attend to him, probably... ]

[impacter]

Later.

Do what healing you can now, while he's out.

[He's still on defensive duty, but at least he's lost some of the tension now that Mika's staying down.]

[foresightis2020]

[ Well, that's that, isn't it?

He will turn his attention back on over to Yamato and give a nod of approval because yeah, that totally happened. ]

Your assistance has been appreciated.

At least now he can be attended to.

[ Even if it's like...just this, lmao. Better than the alternative, though. ]

[dadsandals]

Yours, too. Thank you.

[ And he genuinely means that. Jing Yuan did the heavy lifting, there, and Yamato is grateful for it.

They are both so tired. ]

[positivize]

[It was one thing to learn about it indirectly by witnessing the results his feeding frenzy a couple weeks ago, but it's another thing entirely to watch this all go down in front of her eyes. She's been face-to-face with demons before--things that were clearly inhuman, that fulfilled the traditional definition of monstrous--but it's still uncanny to see Mika's posture just shift like that, to something that seemed unlike himself.

In any case, he's knocked out and it seems safe to approach, she'll also continue healing Mika.]

[impacter]

[Solomon's giving the healers their space, but is still firmly standing with his wand at the ready, eyes locked on Mika.]

If he stirs, get some distance.

[serenesinker]

[So much happened so quickly. Just a short bit ago, Yodarha was pouring healing water down Mika's throat. Next thing he knew, Mika flew past him and grappled onto Jing Yuan's arm.

Yodarha's tired brain whirled as he tried to take in all of the information at once. Sucking blood, nocturnal being... Vampire. Now the shooing motion from Mika makes total sense - he was trying to protect him.

Then came the cavalry to put a stop to the blood rage. Thank Bahamut for all these kind folks stopping by to do the right thing! With Mika put to sleep, Yodarha makes his way over to the rift he opened and manages to fill up one more bottle's worth of healing water before it finally closes.]

I've uh, got a bit more healing water if he needs it.