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]

...I wish you could too, Ahito.

[ It honestly makes him a little sad, thinking about the fact that Ahito's world likely won't get any better anytime soon.

Man, it sucks having friends. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Well, I'll see how long I can stretch my life out. There's too many things left that I still want to enjoy after I find that organization.

[revengier]

You say stretch your life out... does that mean you don't have long?

[dyingtohealyou]

Hm?

[Thinking back to what he's told Kurapika-]

Oh. I guess I didn't go into detail on the experiments, did I?

[revengier]

Not that I recall. All you mentioned was that they happened.

[dyingtohealyou]

The experiment was for multiple purposes, but in my case, they took someone with no talent for magic and gave me magic to heal anyone I look at.

[He tips his shades down briefly - that explains why his eyes are that strangely bright cyan.]

But that's not all. Magic in my world requires a sacrifice to use, unlike this one. It can be anything - the sounds you make, your memories, your life... even your soul. You don't choose, you just wake up the next day and it's gone.

My sacrifice is myself. My own body's health. I don't know how long I have, but it's nowhere near how long I'd have naturally at this point.

[revengier]

[ Ah.

That certainly explains a lot, many of the puzzle pieces he's gathered about Ahito beginning to slot together. ]

That's unfair, not being able to choose your own price. [ ... ] My condolences, Ahito.

[ At least Kurapika was able to make his own decisions. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[He shrugs. Not totally ambivalent, but not terribly upset, either. It is what it is.]

I knew there was a sacrifice, but you don't really get it until you start using magic. And for the purpose of the experiment, I was using it every day, for hours at a time.

I can't do anything about it now... but I can at least try to make sure no one else ends up like me.

[revengier]

...It's all you really can do.

[ He falls into a silence, a confession of his own on the tip of his tongue. It's something he's never told anyone before, but... ]

One of my abilities reduces my lifespan. For every second that I use it, I lose one hour.

[dyingtohealyou]

[-!

That gets his expression to become grim at the mere implications.]

...Is that the restriction necessary to make it stronger...?

[revengier]

It's the price I have to pay for using it. All powerful abilities come with conditions or a price where I'm from.

[ And it's a price he's willing to pay. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Some things are worth the price. He can understand that much.]

...How long have you used it so far?

[revengier]

...The last time I used it, I used it for about nine hours.

[ So, about three years off of his life in that one instance. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

And that's not the only time you've used it, either.

[It's not a question.]

[revengier]

No, it isn't. I've used it for that long before as well.

[ Years and years off of his life.

In a way, he and Ahito are in the same boat. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Hopefully not as much as I've used mine.

[But if it is, then, well. There's nothing for it.

Kurapika knew the price of his actions, as Ahito did. At least he knew enough to make a proper choice.]

[revengier]

We'll find out the answer to that one day, won't we?

[ He doesn't know how to feel, knowing that someone else has to carry the same price for their abilities.

There's no happiness in it. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

Guess so.

[...]

It probably doesn't need saying, but... Make the most of what you've got left. Got it?

[revengier]

[ He pauses, not knowing what to say for a moment. ]

You say that like it's easy.

[dyingtohealyou]

Of course it isn't.

That's why it's so important.

[revengier]

How do you make the most of what you have? What do you do?

[dyingtohealyou]

Have fun. Get good snacks.

Prank my friends, to keep 'em on their toes.

[Is that last one really necessary...?]

No one said the road to revenge has to be all doom and gloom.

[revengier]

Don't you worry? What will you do if you decide you'd rather focus on pranking your friends over your revenge?

[ It's a very telling question, but around Ahito, he doesn't really care so much about revealing a lot. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Is it distracting for you?

[revengier]

...It is. I... find myself thinking about everything else life has to offer.

[ And he simply cannot have that. ]