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

oh dear X333

[treno_nobleman]

He looks over at Eleven, suddenly beside him, and at the mug of whatever it is in his hand. Judging from the boy's behavior, he's fairly certain Eleven might be a little inebriated, but he isn't of a mind to shove the boy away, shocked though he might be.

"I haven't been fond of beer or ale. It doesn't suit my tastes."

:>

[bearshermark]

"There's whiskey and wines," he assures, the words echoing halfway into his mug as he takes another drink.

His eyes flick back up to Kuja, grinning again. "You said you're a noble or something, right? Guess it makes sense that you'd have a more refined taste."

cuddly boooy

[treno_nobleman]

He watches Eleven, quite sure the boy is just this side of drunk, or at least feeling the effects boy now, however much he has had to drink. With his youth, he wonders at just how at risk the boy is.

Really, he shouldn't care. This isn't his burden to bear. But he settles in to let this happen anyway, as it will, and takes a sip of his wine. "You could say that. I choose not to overindulge, but I also know my limits. How is it?"

[bearshermark]

"Mmmn," is all he has to say, biting into a piece of barbecue. He sighs into it a bit.

"It's really good. I'd be happy to have more tests if this is the result."

[treno_nobleman]

He watches the boy enjoy his dinner, a part of him amused that Eleven took to it so well. Different tastes for different people, he knew. The meat was done well enough, but the sauce he found a bit overpowering. He shook his head and took another small sip of wine.

"You enjoy both? I'm not overly fond of the studies they make us work for, but it could be worse. It could also be better."

[bearshermark]

He shakes his head- then regrets it a little bit.

"Ah- no, I'm getting the hang of studying I think, but it's a lot of classes. I wish we didn't have so many in one day. I can't focus on all of them at once. I think I might fail two of them."

[treno_nobleman]

He looked over at the boy, tail curling beside him. He would admit, this world did have a lot to throw at them, but it wasn't anything too terrible. At least, not that he could see. But he was not Eleven.

"Oh? Why do you say that?" He had a few guesses, but didn't want to assume.

[bearshermark]

Eleven gave a weird half-shrug.

"I'm just not very good at Discovery- more specifically the Osmarius language it relies on." He sighed. "And of course, that's my language class. The writing is just very.. specific? And there's so much of it, along with all my other classes. I'm finding it hard to really concentrate on it."

[treno_nobleman]

The gesture wasn't missed, but Kuja said nothing of it either way. Beside him, his tail curled and straightened along the grass.

"Most of the language is memorization and repetition, but then that is the same of any language. I haven't added that to my selections, but if I am here long enough to endure another semester, I may as well." He watched the boy, wondering. "Have you tried less memorization and more practical use of the words? It may help."

[bearshermark]

He hesitated. "..Well, the most practical use of it is in practicing Discovery magic, but it's like you have to draw and say them correctly at the same time, so that's why I've been having difficulty with it. Some symbols are similar with slight variations but pronounce differently, so I'll either draw or say them wrong and-"

Realizing that he was getting worked up, Eleven huffed out an agitated breath. "I don't think I'll ever be good at it."

[treno_nobleman]

Oh. That. Kuja lifts an eyebrow. It sounded like his first attempts at creating monsters from the Mist on Gaia. Few of those first creatures lived, and none of them lived very long. But the process was... similar.

"You simply haven't had enough concentrated practice. It will be difficult at first, as it is for anyone, but keep at it and you can master even that. Do they not have tutors for this magic to help you?"

[bearshermark]

"Probably," he said with a grimace. "I just haven't treated it as a priority.."

He's been focused on all his other classes and only glancing at his Discovery and Language homework when deadlines drew near.

"It might be a bit late now."

[treno_nobleman]

He shook his head, tail curling behind him. "It isn't if you want something badly enough. There are ways to get almost anything, even in this world."

Not everything, he knew, but certainly a passing grade, and all of that seemed ridiculous to him, even though he used the marks as a filler for his time. This world had rules, and he could play by them until it got him what he wanted. "And if not, what will they do with you for failing? We had no choice in coming here. What right do they have to punish you for not learning their ways? We are asked to temper the magic this world has instilled in us so as not to let it destroy us, but it was never told how we should do such a thing." At that, he sniffed. Temper their magic, by taking classes and not failing them. Really now.

[bearshermark]

Thinking about it, he didn't really want to pass those classes badly enough to do more than study a little harder. He could just retake it later if he failed, right? ..Though it would be nice to not have to.

Eleven hummed, idle thoughts swirling and musing them aloud. "I wonder if everyone born with magic struggles with it as we do. It doesn't seem that way. I guess it's because we were Sundered here. There seems to be a lot of dangerous magic here, though- not just ours."

[treno_nobleman]

In the brief silence, he turned his gaze over to the boy and gave him a good once over. Not that he wasn't enjoying the conversation. It was nothing thrilling, but it kept him from idle silence and having to get up to go anywhere for lack of something better to do.

"I assume you mean our magic within this world and not what we once possessed outside of it." If they were discussing what magic they once had, well. That was a whole other story. "The magic here does have its uses and they do warn us not to do horrible things to each other and anything else with it. But they hold a great deal of trust in those of us who came from another world, who didn't grow into our own in this place. Anything can be turned into a weapon. While things are quiet enough now, given time, do you really hold confidence that it will remain as peaceful as it has?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven propped his arm on a raised knee and tipped his head onto the flat of his knuckles.

"No," he answered without hesitation. "It's not peaceful now, if you look in the right places. There's a divide... I worry about how it might turn out. We're at a disadvantage in terms of power."

[treno_nobleman]

That brought out a smile, though what was behind it was far from kindness. If nothing else, the boy knew there was no such thing as peace, not forever, and especially not in this place. "Then you're already one step ahead of the game. You know our weakness in this world. So now."

He turned, shifting his weight to face his companion more fully. "What do you intend to do about it, if anything?"

[bearshermark]

His eyes dropped to the ground.

"I don't know. I'm not- not.." he sighed, shoulders falling.

At least the fight in his world was a straightforward one- one source of darkness reigning over Erdrea that he needed to destroy. More human struggles like politics, rebellions, or wars he knew far too little about. Was it even the Luminary's duty to interfere on that level? Certainly Yggdrasil stood by until darkness threatened, but neither was he a divine tree.

"..I want to help maintain peace of course, but I don't know what that means, here."