promittere: (Default)
lunae calamitas mods ([personal profile] promittere) wrote in [community profile] lunaecalamitas2024-04-18 11:41 pm

you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

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
๐ŸŒ™ Welcome to your second event post! Get out your snazzy outfits. It's time to party.
๐ŸŒ™ 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!
๐ŸŒ™ 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!
๐ŸŒ™ It's been peaceful at home in the manor thus far, hasn't it? Do you think that will last?
๐ŸŒ™ 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.
๐ŸŒ™ Our next group to go on their mission is Central. Be ready, heroes...
dyingtohealyou: ([Sweat] your face)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-29 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Thinks about Khun.]

Hell no.
shortleash: (pic#17103510)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-29 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
( Foreshadowing, )

At least you get that much. Just because no one's hunted me down with a pitchfork yet doesn't mean I'm convinced of anyone's nature.
dyingtohealyou: ([Sigh] The lonely parade)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-30 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
It's not like I'm expecting anyone here to redeem humanity anyway.

[Humanity isn't redeemed in his own eyes either, tbh.]

It was just a roundabout way of asking how you're doing.
shortleash: (pic#17074093)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-30 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
(

oh,

he seems almost embarrassed??? )


What— Why?

( people just ask that...???(??) )
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Since before today)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Because there's not much else to do besides talk?

[Gosh Mika, obviously.]

Should I have asked about the weather instead?
shortleash: (pic#17103513)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
( Look,

He looks at the sky... Assuming it's daytime, he looks... slightly unhappier than usual, but that's not a big distinction for Mika. )


... I think the last time I talked about normal things was when I was like, 11. I'm not good at conversation.

( The latter bit is probably not new information to Ahito right now, though, lol )

What, do you have anything to say if someone asks how you're doing?
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] long night with)

1/2

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
11, huh...

[Surely that's a pleasant story, knowing everything else he does about Mika's life so far. Life and unlife?]
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] my heart still intact)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
And if anyone asks - "I'm doing just fine, thanks" is my usual go-to.

[Masterful.]
shortleash: (pic#17121080)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
Is that actually true?

( Skeptical. )

And, yeah. Happiest, chattiest part of my life was my orphanage years. I didn't know any of the shady stuff going on.

( Now he knows about the experimentation stuff, but Mika ages 6-11 was blissfully unaware and getting toys and candy from strangers at the orphanage who were definitely not running aforementioned experiments. )
Edited 2024-05-01 06:54 (UTC)
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] color or shape to it)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
What, you don't believe me?

[Why wouldn't he be fine?]

Besides, people aren't always looking for an honest answer. Most of the time it's just conversational.

Still, a chatty mini-Mika... I'd have to see it to believe it.
shortleash: (pic#17103513)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
( :sus: )

... Just assume I actually mean it, if I ask. Otherwise I wouldn't say a word.

( Give him a full and complete status report, or else. )

Being stupid and ignorant is really good for your mood. Unfortunately, I'm neither anymore.

( citation needed.... )
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Where you are)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
Oh? Are you already looking forward to hanging out with me that much?

[Haha get friendship'd, human hating vampire guy.]

Though, can't really argue with you on that last part.
shortleash: (pic#17103485)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
( wow??? )

Obviously not. I don't befriend humans - especially those who make delivering supplies a race.

( :smhcat: )

... I almost wish I could still be ignorant, though. Not that I get to say that, but... ( That's the guilt speaking. ) ... Everything is too much.
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] of making myself seen)

1/2

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Laughing.]

And yet you don't seem to be winning. Guess I must be a pretty awesome human, huh?

[This guy...]
dyingtohealyou: ([Strain] is not a strong enough word)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
...I get it, though. Even I wish to go back to those times every once in a while.

Things were a lot simpler then.
shortleash: (pic#17072497)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
( Mika doesn't quite roll his eyes, but his expression suggests that he would if he thought it weren't childish.

... He picks up the pace. )


... When was that for you, then?

( when Weren't you being a guinea pig... )
dyingtohealyou: ([Think] I can't be seen)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Still going to put in just enough speed to keep the lead.]

Five or six? ...It wasn't really until the experiment ended that I realized how messed up everything really is, though.
shortleash: (pic#17120973)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
( :/ trying to speed up again... )

... Yeah. You don't really get it when you're a kid.

I wonder if being taken advantage of is all right so long as you don't realize it.
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] You could say I'm)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Speeding up in return.]

Oh, I realized it.

I just didn't care.
shortleash: (pic#17103573)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 07:58 am (UTC)(link)
( ? )

... Why?

( ...... speeds up, )
dyingtohealyou: ([Strain] remembers that day)

cw: a bit of suicidal ideation

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
Because from the moment I saw her, I knew I'd do anything to save her.

[He speeds up, too. He can angst and race at the same time.]

As long as I could still see her smile, it didn't matter how much pain I went through, or how many times they had to put me back together again. Even when they first decided to stop the experiment, I ran past them to try to heal her even more.

[...And then he'd collapsed, comatose for three whole weeks.]

For a long time, I thought... if I'd died so she could live, maybe I would've been happier that way.

[If he hadn't been a failure, not strong enough to heal her completely, his very body giving out long before she could recover.]
shortleash: (pic#17072497)

cw: a bit of suicidal ideation

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
( Those words sound heavy in his stomach, familiar; things he would say about Yuu, if given excuse to articulate.

It feels weird to hear it from someone else - someone whose life is so fragile; moreso, because this is why it is.

(Ahito can keep his lead for now, Mika isn't so good at angst and race multitasking.) )


... Do you still feel that way?
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Whose voice was it)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Nope.

[His tone is genuinely light.]

...It took a long time. But there's people I look forward to seeing, and things I look forward to doing every day.

I still want to find that organization and make sure they can't perform any more of their horrible experiments. But - I'm still having fun living, too.
shortleash: (pic#17082667)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-05-01 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
... I can't imagine what that's like.

( ... )

But it seems nice.
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Where you are)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-05-01 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I couldn't either. But hey - maybe you have a shot at it here?

You'd just have to, you know. Actually let yourself have a little fun here and there.

[He says

Still doing this stupid race,,
]

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