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

[fullspbar]

≫ I.

[ As expected of most East Wizards, Shinjiro certainly was not excited about the prospect of giant social gatherings. Dressing up is not exactly his favorite activity, nor does being the center of attention appeal to him whatsoever. But there's no option to opt out, so here he is, dressed up as meagerly as possible. Without that beanie to shadow his eyes, he at least seems somewhat less intimidating.

You can find him hanging near the balcony, leaning against the wall and peering out onto the floor with an obvious disgruntled look about him. He's not a dancer nor a socializer, so he's notably staying far, faraway from any fancily-dressed dignitaries. If you feel like chatting up a grumpy wallflower, however, he might oblige.

And when not off on his own in some secluded corner, Shinjiro can be found at the banquet table, although notably near all the Japanese foodstuffs. While he's nibbling here and there, he seems more intent on examining it, an intense look in his eyes as they rake over all the options. If you come close enough, you might even hear him mumbling to himself- ]

What'd they use to substitute this...?

[ The staff nearby almost seem nervous of his critical gaze, but they'll look away if noticed. Don't worry about it. ]

≫ II.

[ Shinjiro Aragaki is, notably, rarely ever up early. The early birds will have never seen him, and even in moments he is up at that time, he's not in a hurry to leave his room anytime soon. Some people have a consistent sleep schedule, and he certainly isn't one of them....Today, however, is an exception.

There's a sweet smell from the kitchen, in the early morning, and anyone who dares to approach will be met with the faint sound of pans sizzling and plates clattering. A peek in the door, and you'll be met with Shinjiro's back; a large bowl of batter on one side of the stove, and a small stack of pancakes on the other. While he's in the process of carefully flipping another one, he'll have noticed your presence, which is why his head turns in acknowledgement-

Those circles under his eyes are...especially dark. Almost like he didn't even sleep at all, but it doesn't stop him from grunting out a sort-of greeting. ]

If you wanna use the stove, you're gonna have to wait. 'S gonna take me a bit.

≫ II;

[foresightis2020]

[ Early birds, eh?

Well, consistent sleep schedules are for people who abide by silly constraints and the like. Jing Yuan does neither, his own schedule basically at the mercy of whatever kind of whim or whenever his mind decides to basically tell him to do in terms of greeting the next day with a heavy list of thoughts upon his mind. Inevitably making it too active for rest.

But, midday is the perfect time for cat naps and the like as well. So, here he is, waltzing in the kitchen, yawning. ]

Hmmm?

...Making breakfast for yourself?

[fullspbar]

[ Oh, it's this guy, huh. He had never particularly struck Shinji as an early riser, but then again, who knows with these people. Every day they surprise him in new ways, and not all of those ways are for the better.

A quick squint of the eyes, before he turns back to the pan ( no burny... ). ]

...Does it really look like I'm gonna eat all that on my own?

[ Sure, he likes big portions, but that's a bit much. ]

'S for everyone. Or everyone who wants to bother, anyway. If they don't want any, then that's on them.

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan is very much an outlier in terms of performing to people's expectations and sometimes, unfortunately for some, he prefers to keep it exactly that way. ]

Well, I can't quite presume anything of anyone's appetite. Some might eat more than others.

Though, if you are making it for everyone, I won't mind partaking. Might I ask what is the occasion, however?

[ He asks as he goes to get himself a plate, though not like he's bothered. Simply curious. ]

[fullspbar]

[ Can we get some normal grandpas around here...any normal ones...

That's a very true point, especially in a house with...27 people. Although, some of them definitely don't eat, or at least don't tend to eat in front of others, so he is factoring that.

Jing Yuan can help himself! Shinji will not be complaining. ]

Just felt like it. [ Which a lie, partially. Cooking is a good distraction, and he definitely needed one. ] Nobody else looked like they were doing it, and I didn't have anythin' better to do.

[ A tilt of the head, towards the cupboard. ]

There's jam in the cupboard, if that's your thing.

[foresightis2020]

[ Impossibiru!!

Anyway, good. He will help himself then. When the other says he just felt like it, he immediately doubts it, but also believes it at the same time.

It sounds paradoxical, yet there is logic in it. There must be a reason behind it, though it can very well be that it was something out of the good of one's heart as well. Thus, that. ]

Well, I shall still give you thanks. It's not everyday someone feels like cooking for strangers, and it should not go without comment.

[ He goes towards the cupboard...there should be some peach jam somewheres. ]

II

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Sure, no hurry.

[Kiryu had been about to leave, but then he noticed the way the circles under Shinjiro's eyes are pretty dark now. Huh...]

Did you wake up early or something?

[And by early it'd be like...1 AM because golly those eyebags are intense. What's up, Shinjiro?]

[fullspbar]

[ Well, he's grateful he isn't gonna argue, but he isn't grateful he apparently looks like shit enough for people to notice.

A hand pulls his beanie down a bit further over his face, frown marring it. Please, he's trying to make pancaek... ]

Just couldn't sleep. [ Which is totally normal! ] Figured I might as well, if I'm already up.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Right. If one night you got too much in your head and need to vent I guess I'd be up to letting you let out steam.

[Says that because that's usually what makes Kiryu have a hard time sleeping, so hey, mabye that's what Shinjiro got going with him too. Having said that, Kiryu steps out of the kitchen, only to return like ten minutes later with chamomile tea. Yeah, he went to his room to brew it.

Very grandpa move to be bringing tea for someone having trouble to sleep, really. He feels a little bit self-conscious about that, but oh well]

There, take it or throw it away, whatever you want.

[fullspbar]

[ That...has his eyebrow quirking, and his hands halting in the process of flipping another pancake onto the pile. The hell...? Who just offers to play therapist out of nowhere?

Thankfully, despite how jarring it is, he doesn't burn anything. But Kiryu's already stepped out before he has a chance to respond, so apparently he doesn't need to think about it further. He's back to pancake flipping when the door opens again shortly after, already turning to issue his warning again-

Only to start at the reappearance of Kiryu, tea in hand. What...? ]

...Did you seriously walk to your room just to brew that?

[ Like, if it was for himself, sure. But for him?? Shinjiro seems a bit flustered for a hot second, before he exhales sharp and moves the pan off the range just so it doesn't burn. ]

Who the hell would actually throw out tea without finishing it? Tch... [ Whatever. There's enough pancakes for now, and it's not like it's hard to pick up. He's certainly grumbling about it, still. ] Just give it here. I'll drink it.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Yeah, it was in my room. Someone had the stove busy here.

[Kiryu, the location where you brewed it isn't what caught Shinjiro offguard.

He does give Shinjiro the tea, nodding]

There. It's not like I do this often but it's drinkable.

[And indeed, turns out it's pretty alright! Without sugar nor anything else, probably because it's not hard
to guess Kiryu is the kind of guy who drinks things without many additions, usually

II-ish

[jorunna]

[ Comet asked for a cooking lesson in exchange for healing up Shinji, so time to make good on that agreement. They even woke up early! ]

...How do you break an egg without it getting on your fingers?

[ Thankfully, Shinji had the foresight to have Comet crack their first eggs separately from the dry ingredients to add in later. The first one was mostly fine after some struggle, the one bit of shell that fell in was carefully fished out. Egg whites feel really gross though. ]

[fullspbar]

[ Cooking is a good distraction; cooking lessons moreso. Hard to focus on things that bother you when you're slaving over the stove and throwing out directions. He doesn't tend to do this often, per-say, but he did say he'd do it in return for services rendered.

Shinjiro looks up from where he's mixing up the dry ingredients, pausing in digging out the whisk. He did figured they'd struggle, but... ]

Takes some practice. [ He grunts it out, before reaching over to take an egg himself. While practiced, he does a quick demonstration himself, quick sound of the egg gently whacking the side of the bowl. ] Don't crack it too hard, and grip both ends with your fingers before pulling. Not too hard, or you'll break it.

[ There! Another egg in the bowl, and then he hands one back to Comet. Give it another go. ]

[jorunna]

[ Shinjiro deserves some worthwhile distractions in their life. Er, maybe it's better to call it an after-life?

They have a new egg now, and they cleaned up their hands. The funny thing is Comet went too lightly at first and then too hard by accident, so they ended up with may little cracks. When It came to to pull the shell apart, the egg sunk in under fingers a bit too easily, thus, pieces that escaped. ]

Don't crack it too hard... and don't grip it too hard.

[ Easy does it... and the egg breaks more cleanly this time, with a sunny yellow yolk in the bowl to join Shinjiro's. It feels like a little achievement, as seen from the smile on their face, but they move on to the next step. ]

Then you put them in the dry ingredients and mix. Go slowly to get used to it and not get flour everywhere...

[ They watched Shinjiro do this, so they try to mimic how he did it but slower, obviously. ]

[fullspbar]

[ They're slow-going, but a relatively fast learner, he finds. While he's watching, standing rather imposingly as one tends to do, there's approval in his expression. It's just hard to see past the shadow and the resting bitch face.

There we go. Their leader had picked up fast, but Comet seems to be on the same level. Not to mention, they don't argue; he prefers that, really.

He doesn't even need to tell them what to do next, stepping back to let them pad over to the bowl of dry mix and start. He does come up beside them to watch the process, however, with a critical eye. Since they were already sifted, the well in the middle of the mix to ready to receive the egg, but he does stop them before they can get to fully mixing it. ]

Oi. You forgot the butter and milk. [ A gesture to the other things on the counter. ] Only stir it when you've got everything in there first.

[jorunna]

[ They're actually pretty used to cold unchanging faces looking at them, even if they sound all formal and polite. Shinji's hard-to-read expression just feels like what is normal for him, except he is watching closely. Understandable when a kitchen can be dangerous.

So even if they can't see his approval well, they're not seeking it at the moment. At the end with a pancake though... It might be nice. Comet is a results person, enjoying the learning on their own supposedly, and quietly. ]

Got it.

[ They'll add those in slowly. When they spill some milk because they don't tilt the measuring cup to the right angle fast enough (garbage design...), they pause the rest of the process after pouring it in to clean it up with a towel. It's not a big enough loss to need more milk. Hopefully... They'll look at the counter then Shinji to see if everything's in there now, just in case. If Not they'll add them (and it can be handwave with a few more straightforward remarks from Shinjiro. No problem.)

After that, the butter looks like the pain point to mix in to the batter, so they focus on breaking it up and mixing evenly. ]

I didn't expect you to make pancakes. They're kind of sweet.

[ It's said very flatly despite some underlying curiosity. They're also not the healthiest of breakfasts... But it's very much a comfy food, hence no judgement of Comet could even pull that off. ]

ii

[dadsandals]

[ Hmm. Something smells very, very good in the kitchen -- better than the usual scent in this cursed kitchen! Look at that, someone's hard at work. Someone Yamato's seen around but has yet to chat with.

Maybe they can bond over cooking. They are East brothers, after all... ]

Oh, no, you can keep going. It smells good. Pancakes?

[fullspbar]

[ Ah, this...this is the guy who almost kicked the bucket a few weeks ago. Besides Tatara. They've yet to speak, really, but he seems...normal enough, all things considered.

Seeing as how Yamato likely isn't leaving or complaining, Shinjiro turns back to his work after a second, but his voice follows soon after- ]

Yeah. Go and help yourself, if you're hungry. It's not like I'm eating it all.

[dadsandals]

Thanks. I'm glad to run into someone who knows what they're doing around here.

[ Lord help Solomon and Kurapika. Lord help them....

But no, Yamato's going to go and help himself to some pancakes. They look very, very delicious. ]

You like cooking, then? So do I.

[fullspbar]

...Just don't expect this to be a usual thing. I don't get up this early most of the time.

[ Brother, he is usually so eepy. But he's sparing everyone from a potentially disastrous meal yet again, since he has nothing better to do.

Shinjiro will continue to add some to the pile, but he gives an acknowledging nod to Yamato's pancake theft. ]

Learning to cook makes your life a hell of a lot easier. [ A click of the tongue. ] With so many damn people here, everyone should be learnin' a thing or two.

[dadsandals]

I think so, too. Some need a little more help than others.

[ STARES POINTEDLY AT SOLOMON...or he would if the guy was here, but. He takes the pancakes and puts it on a plate. ]

And don't worry, I usually make my own food. Maybe I'll take after you and make some for everyone, like you are. [ He laughs. ] Sometimes, I wonder how certain people are managing to get by with their lack of cooking knowledge.

ii. cheers to a sane kitchen

[shadowkin]

[Whoa. That's the best smell from the kitchen in ages, ever since somebody out there had the dubiously-advised brilliant idea of making the kitchen a part of their mandated routine. Does Wanderer even eat or does he just like watching them suffer, nobody knows!

Cid has been using the opportunity to sample, let's say, without any true regard for whether things are edible. Sometimes beggars can't be choosers, and sometimes you just have to put up with certain things for the sake of magic and mayhem.

This fine morning, where nothing is on fire and nothing presumably exploded in the night (I don't remember where in the timeline we are but probably this is fine) -- seems to be a fairly promising one. He fails to sneak up on the cook, but that's probably just as well.]

Oooh. I don't think I've seen a traditional breakfast since I got here.

[It's debatable whether he's seen a traditional anything since he got here, minus the stuff at the ball, but that was like. The one time. Wafting the smell of pancakes to himself like some kind of connoisseur, he looks stupid.]

That's a lot of pancakes..... you sharin'?

[And shameless.]

[fullspbar]

[ This guy...now that he thinks about it, pretty sure they haven't spoken before. They pass each other in the halls, but this has gotta be the first time they've actually exchanged words. Does he even know his name...?

Well, whatever. Shinji gives him a blank, unimpressed look at his pancake-wafting, but gives a dismissive shrug. ]

Does it look like I'm gonna be able to eat all that by myself?

[ So, no. ]

Take what you want. If anybody misses out, that's on them.

[ So he says, like he isn't making a ton to spare...but he isn't generous enough to make some for whoever's too slow after they're gone. ]

[shadowkin]

[Does Cid keep track of who he may or may not have talked to, or who he may or may not have mooched off of before??? Do house cats and dogs keep track of their food bowls...? (Okay, to be fair, sometimes he can vaguely recall names and places around here; but it's a big manor and everyone is too busy trying to kill somebody other than him. It's great.)

The unimpressed look slides off him like water off a duck, or butter off a pancake, either or. As soon as the not-quite-agreement is given, Cid is already bounding up to plate and eagerly sizing up the lot.

Most people wouldn't be able to eat that much in the mornings, but most people aren't Cid Kagenou. He works in the darkness, after all. ☆ Perhaps there will be regrets here. But for now:]

Sooo, you're just really into cooking or something? Can't say it's the first thing on my mind when I'm up.

[That, of course, presumes getting up at a relatively normal hour of the day. Which this guy probably did not. But how much does Cid want to join some kind of manor insomnia club...? Eh.]

Syrup.... Syrup......

[The real question is whether this kitchen even has proper fixings.]

[fullspbar]

[ There's way too much...enthusiastic or mouthy sorts around here. The dorm is one thing, but so many people crammed into one manor, there's a lot of energy he's not used to having around. Even if Akihiko could have enough of his own to match probably half of them...

But Cid is feeding himself, and that's what matters. As long as this shit gets eaten, he's not gonna complain. ]

I just felt like it. Didn't have much else to do this morning, and I'm not usually up this damn early anyway.

[ When the horrors keep you up, doing something to distract yourself is always a viable option. Thus, the stove.

Upon hearing his mutterings, he jerks his head towards one of the further cupboards. ]

There's some syrup and jam in there. Not maple, but it's sweet enough.