June Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

June Event and Intro Log Diatu and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Sundering Midterm Results It turns out that inadvertently summoning a horrible demon of immense and terrible power is still worth a passing grade: minus a lot of points for summoning the entirely wrong thing, but enough extra credit for successfully doing something so incredibly over-the-top to make up for it just a little. Meanwhile, something something power of running water, there's a demon imprisoned in the fountain, locked behind a massive magic circle of protection. Its flames neither evaporate the water nor are quenched by it, its lashing pointy tail stabs futilely at the stone in an attempt at petty vandalism, and otherwise it squats with otherworldly patience, claws drumming on its thighs. Till someone comes close, and then it calls out. "Come! It is in my power to grant a wish to those who ask! Speak your desire and I shall grant it!" Of course, the demon's ability to interpret wishes in an extremely jerkass manner is unparalleled by mortal malice. Still, this doesn't stop those students who think they're clever, can outwit a demon, have a background in legal jargon, or just want a turkey sandwich on rye bread with lettuce and mustard and-and they don’t want any zombie turkeys, they don’t want to turn into a turkey themselves, and they don’t want any other weird surprises. Needless to say, it has gone well for none of them -- but will you be the one to break the streak? As for the circle, it is specifically warded against meddling, so no freeing the demon (accidentally or otherwise). Those who try to touch it or cross through it are promptly hurled with pinpoint accuracy into a nearby pond that has been put there explicitly for this purpose. (Except for Minamimoto -- if HE messes with it, his pants rip themselves off his body, wrap around his head, and haul him away while shouting the multiplication tables incorrectly.) Potent Potables Students work hard, and they play hard. Around midterms, this often takes the form of picnics with unreserved and unrestricted access to not just copious amounts of barbecue and potato salad, but also alcohol. From fine wines to barrels of beer to Liverpunch Whiskey, all sorts of offerings pop up at the parties that occupy space along the Walk or outside the Towers and Keep. Anastara, you see, has no legal drinking age; like most of the Tenscore Kingdoms, children grow up with alcohol, and generally its consumption is seen as no major event and no special treat. And it simply hasn't occurred to anyone that other cultures on other worlds might not function the same. So enjoy a picnic, but also enjoy your free access to the wonders of intoxication. Physical Challenge (aka the Prompt Least Likely To Cause Suffering) Healthy body, healthy mind, the saying goes. Professors Trammel and Kith, adherents to this philosophy, have begun holding extracurricular exercise groups during the off hours. Students can learn proper weightlifting techniques for endurance as well as strength, jog around the campus in groups, play impromptu games that get the body moving, or even just practice slow stretches and what other worlds might call 'yoga'. Captain Lominia aggressively prowls the area, looking for people to scoop into bala-inlota exercises -- far more grueling and dangerous to succeed at if you don't want to be badgered onto the student team, but amazing workouts either way. And Headmaster Birony has set up a fairly extreme obstacle course straight out of a ninja challenge, overseen by Professor Porfsin from behind a cannon which magically flings beanbags at the participants. Those who make it through receive a pie from the Headmaster, who it turns out apparently can make a really darn tasty pie. Research On the Sundered With the arrival of the Sundered come those wizards engaged in research on their presence here, now set to investigate what brought them here and how to get them home. All newly-arrived Sundered students are asked to meet with representatives of the research team, to introduce themselves and relate what they will of their homes. In addition, the team requests samples of blood, hair, and skin -- carefully magically collected, and the researchers will sign in the presence of the Sundered a Glyphed contract that forbids them from using the samples for a purpose they know will be harmful. (They quite understand your reasons to be suspicious of this collection! And they will not compel anyone who refuses even given these conditions.) This month, the researchers wish for you to engage in some sort of conflict, clash, or battle with your fellow Sundered. Spars with blunted weapons are the obvious choice, but games of strategy like go, shogi, or Fantastic Foils are also an option. A rousing debate will do as well -- anything that raises passion and energy. The team explains that they've found many of the Sundered who they interviewed have recently been through some sort of conflict or trouble on their world, and they wish to see if there's any magically-measurable aspect they share when challenged. Wonders Await Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Except for the fountain. You can't swim in the fountain till they figure out how to banish the demon.

Comments

[zanarkandian]

physical challenge

This whole 'magic school' thing isn't really up Tidus's alley. He hadn't really paid attention when Lulu and Yuna tried to teach him minor spells before, and now there's math involved too? Ugh. He's been frustrated for a week.

Luckily, this is something he can actually do. The new blonde takes to the courses with gusto, whooping and cheering (and getting back up the moment he's knocked down by a beanbag. Hey, nothing's as bad as dodging lightning.)

When he sees another student on the course, he gives them a cheery wave, or pauses to smile if he sees someone hesitating.

"You okay?"

potent potables

Did someone say food? He's so there. Tidus can be found stuffing his face in the lovely weather, smiling wide. He's in heaven. Just...make sure he doesn't eat all the barbecue.

research

After his journey, Tidus is now a somewhat passable swordsman! He can be found twirling a practice weapon in the air, lowering it when he sees someone approach.

"Hey, wanna try me? I should warn you, I'm kinda tough---but it's okay if you're new. I didn't learn all that long ago myself." Knock that smile off his face, or take him up on a friendly game?

the ghost house one

Alternatively, the new Ka student can be found in Makerion Keep, squinting suspiciously at a nearby rattling sound. He's generally trying to be in good spirits, but...

"Anybody else getting the creeps here? Just me? Yeah, what I figured."

wildcard:
((anything else? hit me with a different prompt or message me!))

Research

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

He'd wondered if this could happen. Thought about the possibility and then stopped thinking about it, because why invite trouble he didn't need? And why try to handle a situation he couldn't when it wasn't there?

And here it was.

So there's a lot of stuff he couldn't say. A lot of things he couldn't express. No good way to say hi. They'd traded a high-five and that was supposed to be it between them. All that needed to be said. And now here's this stupid school, this stupid word, making some more stuff necessary!

But he had a sword to say stuff with. Even if it's a practice sword.

"Yeah." Jecht stepped out of the shadows, dropping the end of his practice sword to the ground with a heavy thunk so he could rest his hand on the hilt. "You owe me a rematch. Without help this time!"

[zanarkandian]

Tidus's eyes go wide for a moment. Dad. He's felt so many strong emotions about the man throughout his life, even throughout the pilgrimage alone, and after the end...here they are, everyone else long gone.

He's come a long way...he knows now that they both have. But old habits die hard. Very hard. So it's only a moment of loss before he crouches into his familiar stance, the old fire burning in his eyes.

"Don't need 'em to take you on, old man. Let's go!"

And he goes. He knows Jecht's raw power far exceeds his own, but his own evasion might close the gap. He just has to be careful about when he strikes, but for now he does his best to create space.

"Hope you haven't been curled up in a tower reading books all day!"

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

"Why'd you hope my skills haven't rusted so bad you got a prayer?"

Jecht snatched up the hilt of his sword, stomping forward practically like he was launching himself. Almost in the same motion he lashed out with the hand holding the sword -- not a slash, but more of a punch that used the hilt as a hand weight. And not even much of one considering it was wood!

[zanarkandian]

"I'm tougher than you remember---"

Apparently not if he's going to go flying. He yelps, but bounces out of the way fairly quickly and attempts a back swipe.

"I nailed your shot, for one thing."

Physical challenge

[darkenedmoon]

The gimlet-eyed stare that she's sending at the course hardly holds up to the one she turns on--and up on--the young man himself. She purses her lips, but it's hardly fair to turn her annoyance on a passerby who has only inquired after her well-being.

"I am fine, but I imagine I shall not be if I attempt...that." Yotsuyu wasn't really interested in pie or not, no matter how good the other students proclaimed the Headmaster's pastries to be. She'd probably only give them to Hendrik and Eleven anyway--or maybe Jecht. Someone who did not have a girlish figure to be concerned about. Someone who was not her. Perhaps this boy, too.

"Though I admit I am tempted, if only to see if my grace still serves me well."

[zanarkandian]

"Hey, it's not that bad, is it?" Tidus watches as another students runs the course, and promptly gets bombarded by beanbags. "Okay, okay, maybe those are a little much."

He scratches at the back of his neck and gives the woman a shrug. "But you don't have to start there. We've got weights, jogging...and okay, maybe avoid the coach guy. He's been eying me up like a chocobo steak."

[darkenedmoon]

She's more than a little amused, there. A nod to the boy's realization, and Yotsuyu chuckles. "She. Captain Lominia is a she, though I certainly understand that it is difficult to tell." It's the ridiculous pageboy. She's positive of that.

Another laugh escapes her, then. "I do see why! From everything I have learned of the sport, you do look as if you would be good at Bala-inlota, so I can understand her interest. She is always looking for good players--though it is not my sort of thing. I prefer to...watch from the stands."

Because no, she doesn't cheer that much. Not even for the oaf who asked her there and promised to make shots for her.

[zanarkandian]

"Oh...oh! Right. Sorry." To be fair, his track record on correctly identifying people was not...great. He ducks his head for a moment before answering.

"I guess I could try. If I don't have to hold my breath for five minutes it's already easier than blitzball. But even the best players need their fans, you know?"

He smiles a little. "I have fun out there, but it's better if the crowd's having a good time too."

potent potables

[talkyourwayout]

Louie sits in the grass beside Tidus, his dish topped with some grilled fish and a lot of potato salad. The guy doesn't look familiar, exactly, but Louie hasn't been the best at keeping tabs at who comes and goes. Still, this is obviously someone he hasn't met yet. And the food is free, meaning Louie's in a good mood, so he smiles easily up at Tidus.

"Hey."

Re: potent potables

[zanarkandian]

"Hey!"

Huh. That's new. Tidus has never seen anyone quite like this kid before, but he's never one to turn his nose up at a new friend.

"Food's good, huh? I guess this school isn't completely bad."

[talkyourwayout]

"Oh, so you are new," Louie commented. He paused to take a bite of fish, chewed and swallowed, the continued. "Well, welcome to the school - you're right, it's not all bad. It's not great, either, though. Especially not with the ghost dragon thing."

[zanarkandian]

"Yup. Name's Tidus. Nice to meet you."

He gives his classmate a smile and a nod, but that catches his attention. "Wait...wait, did you say ghost dragon? Did it try to hurt you?"

Potent Potables

[outofyourshadow]

"...'scuse me."

Being smaller than most students was annoying most of the time, but there were some advantages to it. Such as managing to slip under the arm of someone taller to get to the table and grab one of the barbecued shish kabobs from the tray.

[zanarkandian]

And there's another one of the ducks. Tidus murmurs an apology and glances over at her.

"Here, don't forget this."

He hands her a small slice of pie with a tiny grin.

[outofyourshadow]

She grins a bit in return. "Hey, thanks. Don't mind if I do."

Yes, hello new friend.

[zanarkandian]

"No problem."

Tidus clears the path to the grassy area, looking back at her with a tiny smile.

"How's the food?"

Obstacle Course

[couldabeenturbo]

"Okay?" Dewey calls back, almost matching Tidus's speed despite being a tiny duck. What he lacks in size, he's making up for in determination. "I'm better than okay, this is AWES--"

A beanbag hits him in the face.

He flies back, landing flat on the dirt, but recovers, picking up the beanbag and hurling it at Tidus. If he has to get hit, so does everyone else. It's only fair. He's laughing as he does it, though.

"- OME!"

[zanarkandian]

"H-hey!"

Tidus respects your hustle, small duck. He's surprised by your grit. And definitely caught off guard by that toss. He swivels his head around, gapes...and soon retaliates.

"I don't think this is how we're supposed to play!"

Yet he's stopping to get in a beanbag fight anyway, laughing.

[couldabeenturbo]

"House rules are the best part of anything!" Dewey's laughing too as he starts to pick up more ammo from the ground, dodging Tidus' own shots as best he can. "Didn't you know?"

I am so sorry lost one x.x no worries

[zanarkandian]

"Yeah? I hear that's how bala-inlota works."

Tidus keeps going, but of course he's going to ask about the game. "Do you play?"

Research

[daughterofclay]

"You'll have to go easy on me, then." Said without a hint of a smile.

She's already given her actual sword to the research team. She plucks a practice sword from the rack on the wall, weighs it in her hand for a moment, then tries another until she finds one that satisfies her.

Despite her earlier request, she doesn't seem all that unused to swordplay, and the sparring position she gets into looks well-practiced.

"Ready?"

[zanarkandian]

"Can do."

Tidus tries not to let himself be deterred. Not everyone feels the same about this stuff. But he'll certainly try his best to give her a fair workout.

"Ready!"

And he rushes in, trying for a swipe from the side.

[daughterofclay]

He's fast -- she barely has time to get her sword up to block him. But she doesn't plan on letting him press her so easily; instead of falling back, she moves forward, aiming to redirect his sword upwards and bring her own practice blade down toward his shoulder.

One might note that whatever their respective skill levels may be, she's not intending to go particularly easy on him.

[zanarkandian]

{ And it works. He's driven back, light on his feet enough to pivot to the side and attempt to parry her with a wide arc. ]

Whoa, you're pretty good!