lunaecalamitas | you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

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

🌙 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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ They certainly have!!

Yeah, Jing Yuan is certainly boisterous in his own way (chill version), though Leo definitely is the louder by far, and definitely who would never fall asleep mid-chat or anything like that. The Easterners are making exasperated conversation with their eyes. Behold. ]

...That would simply be because of the hole. Are you going to keep it, then?

[ While they're chatting, the bushes ominously begin to rustle nearby... ]

Yeah! With this, my collection is at five~! And Sena isn't here to throw them out!

[ Otherwise his collection would be doomed. But it's a lone canon warrior game so he can't be stopped!

Unless someone here throws them out but Jing Yuan surely won't deprive Leo of his pretty rock and cool leaf collection?

He's got good ears, so he does start to turn towards the rustling curiously, still peering through his rock. ]

Sena must be a friend or associate of yours?

[ Jing Yuan is far too nice to raid someone's room to throw out their pretty rock and cool leaves collection!! Fortunately...

But also, at the least both of them are actually paying attention to this while the nobles shuffle so that they too are hiding behind the two wizards.

Good timing because out bursts like three brigands, or something like that, wielding daggers. They shout, "Give up the goods!"

Really. ]

Hmm? Look what we have here. An interruption to a peaceful walk. We can't very well have that now, can we?

Oh, Sena's - [ Well, maybe Jing Yuan can ask again later. For now, they're being interrupted, and Leo scowls about it because they were having a nice time!

Well, Leo was. And Jing Yuan? The Easterners were not. The question is if they prefer Leo or the bandits (Leo probably wins...probably. But he did show them five rocks, seven leaves, and about two sticks. And kept pointing out pretty birds, so -) ]

Hey, hey! We were having a conversation, you know!

[ The Easterners certainly were not; though they most definitely preferred Leo after the bandit entry...despite his...enthusiasm in things that made them filled with agony (hah)

The reactions from both Jing Yuan and Leo get the bandits to stare in disbelief just because of how casual they are about staring danger in the face. "Don't make fun of us! We're serious!" ]

What a coincidence. We were having a serious conversation as well.

[ A pause at Jing Yuan's words which are snidely spoken with a smirk.

"THAT'S IT, WISE ASS!"

Two bandits step forth. One runs towards Jing Yuan and one towards Leo...the first one attacking Jing Yuan is swinging too wide with the dagger, leaving himself wide open. Easily enough to the General so that in a flash he's grabbing a hold of that bandit's wrist, while his other hand mercilessly grabs a hold of that one's throat. Before, well, chokeslamming said unfortunate bandit into the ground. Ouch. ]

Edited 2024-05-02 22:21 (UTC)

Whoa, hey~! [ Leo's jumping backwards. Instead of going for the physical right off, he chants castrum regis under his breath and goes for the magical: sparkling light burst illusions around the bandit's face as he dances out of the way to get behind him. That'll make it easier to take the guy down even with his smaller size, he's pretty sure...? He's going to try not to get into a physical grappling match here and just go for disarming. ]

[ Luckily, one out of three bandits is still taking a dirt nap, and not quite keen to rise any time soon.

As for the second, he will still leave that to Leo. After all, he's got a third to contend with, who seems like he's definitely not about to give up the ghost anytime soon.

But, really, not to make his skills seem far too unseemly, or over-the-top, Jing Yuan's martial arts capabilities in present company do so happen to be peerless. He rushes the last, who barely swings up his blade to block the glaive the General has just summoned to his hand. But there is nothing he can do about the kick that sends him flying into a nearby tree; the man groans, and Jing Yuan steps closer, raising the weapon, before bringing it down to forcibly disarm the man, finishing the job where this is concerned as well.

Then, he will spin on his heel to check in on Leo. ]

[ He successfully knocked his guy out, but like. Less gracefully? Leo blinded him with a brief illusion and then smacked him upside the head with a rock that wasn't pretty.

He is doing his best. ]

[ Leo's...Leo's doing his best and that is what matters.

Jing Yuan catches sight of this, and comes closer to observe the result of all this, as well as checking for any wounds on Leo. Once he is certain that there is not, well. Time as ever to move onwards, right? ]

You performed well, Leo.

Shall we continue escorting our fellow allies here onwards?

[ The two in question look a little shaken, but at least the threat is taken care of for now. ]

Well, we can't leave a job half undone, right~?

[ They COULD, but Leo isn't going to suggest it...after all, he doesn't actually want anyone to get hurt?

Minus the bandits. The bandits can get hurt. ]

[ Yeah, the bandits can continue to eat it...at least that's a sentiment Jing Yuan can agree to with ease. ]

No, not at all.

As you might surmise, being a disappointment or worse can't quite be something that will pan out well for all involved.

[ The Easterners seem to at least be listening to the two's conversations closely. Perhaps they do appreciate the two after all...

Jing Yuan will begin to start them off again. ]

All things considered, even with the moment of excitement just a scant second ago, I have to say matters have been progressing well.

About how much farther do we have to go, anyway~?

[ Leo + directions are not an OTP. He's totally relying on Jing Yuan for this part. ]

According to the route...not too far. We simply need to pass through this little road, and once we emerge from the bushes, we should find ourselves at the destination.

[ It's probably like, some amount of feet away, judging by the appearance of some bushes conveniently up ahead! ]

See?

Oh! I see, I see. But, once we're there I'd like to look around a little bit...ah, I guess we have time anyway? Do we have to escort anyone back?

[ He really wasn't paying attention. ]

We could look around after we're done escorting the two we need to.

How does that sound? After all, I don't believe we will need to shadow them anywhere else.

[ So once they drop off the two nobles, they're done! Speaking of which, at this time, they do emerge from the bushes.

The two nobles are quick in their thanks before hurrying off. Quietly. Wow, look at them go... ]

I like it! A field trip with Jing!! It's more fun to explore when someone else is there, 'cause I don't have my phone to call Sena to come find me if I get lost~!

[ @ Leo Tsukinaga: leave Sena ALONE. But since he's wandered off to a different country before without noticing and just texted his fellow Knight to come collect him with nothing more than a selfie...

Yeah, it's for the best he wants to look around WITH someone. Or he'd just get himself lost permanently. ]

Spontaneous field trip it is.

[ Clearly, Jing Yuan doesn't mind it much either. ]

Ah, at least you sound quite familiar with certain aspects of advanced technology. But, that aside, Sena is your dear friend, yes?

[ Though as they're talking, the two are probably going to figure out (or be reminded) that the nobles are gonna need to be escorted back. But that's a problem for future them, right? They can look around the Blanchett place for a bit for the spontaneous field trip things, checking out how nice everything is, and all that. ]

Sena? Yeah, I love him! He's a member of Knights with me, and whenever we're overseas we live together now.

[ Leo finally gained 1 kg after this happened because Sena forcefeeds him. He's still the lightest weight Knight regardless of that... ]

But advanced technology - there do seem to be a few people who don't know what things are, huh? I mean, it's kind of hard to explain when I don't know how it works beyond that it does!

Oh? And what exactly are Knights supposed to be?

[ Is he now...Leo, why are you like this?? ]

That's right. Some are from worlds that haven't had the opportunity to produce such technology as of yet.

...At least with certain devices, explaining can be easier. Particularly if they're smaller.

[ As opposed to cars or spaceships..... ]

The idol unit I'm in! My Knights - well, I guess they're Suo's Knights now - are Sena, Suo, Rittsu, and Naru!

[ He loves them a lot and they're like...100% of his self control actually... ]

Hm, but you know...thinking about it, I've heard a lot of unfamiliar terms for other worlds too??

Suo would take over in your absence?

[ Leo's self-control in people form... ]

Perhaps that isn't too surprising, either. There tends to be differences in technology here or there; or rather, certain elements, aspects, concepts, or other matters.

Well, it's more like he already did? I was the old King, but he's been coronated now so it's all his problem!

[ It's fine, Tsukasa did want the crown. ]

What's something unique to your world, then~?

So that is what they call the leader of an 'idol unit'? A King?

[ Interesting...well, idol stuff is mostly beyond him because he doesn't tend to know much about it. ]

...I'd say spaceships that are capable of traveling far distances in space; particular the fleet of ships known as the Xianzhou Alliance. I've yet to meet anyone who would be too familiar with the concept, or have anything similar.

Only in Knights. It's how we operate! Every Unit has their own way of doing things. Like Fine's "emperor", or how Ryuseitai is themed off of Heroes. Since Knights is from "Chess", we have our own pieces.

[ Moving on - ]

But more importantly - have you met aliens, then?!

Oh? Chess pieces? I suppose I can guess what you were.

[ Why is West full of people with chess motifs/chess players, this is so funny. ]

You could say I have. The Xianzhou Alliance is home to a variety of different species.

you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

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