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]

"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."

[darkenedmoon]

"Blitzball?" Yellow eyes widen, then. Her brows arch. She knew that Jecht had boasted about himself so often, so of course if this boy knew the sport...

Bother. She sighed a little, but turned a rueful smile on the young man. "I suppose if you know blitzball, then you know that braggart Jecht, hmm?"

Oh, surely she was fond of him, but he was still an annoyance who was far too full of himself, in her book. No need to mince words. "But yes, I suppose you are right, when it comes to one's fans. It is not truly my thing, but..." She spread her hands, and shrugged. "He asked, and I cannot number so many friends here that I could disdain such a thing."

[zanarkandian]

Tidus stiffens a little at that name. A blitzball star and a braggart...there's really no one else it can be. He exhales, little strands of hair flying up on his forehead as he purses his lips.

"That's my old man's name. And that sure sounds like him, all right."

Too many emotions to name are going through his head at that moment. "He's had years of practice hyping himself up. Don't worry about him."

[darkenedmoon]

Oh. Oh, that was the very last thing she'd expected! But it was not anger that passed across her face, but delight.

"You are his son? He never did tell me your name, though that is damnably like the man. And I assure you, I am not worried about him--that one can take care of himself. Please, could I have the honor of your name?"

Because for as rubbish as Jecht was about showing his own feelings about the boy, as bad as she was at knowing her own feelings, she knew how Jecht truly felt about him. Of course, it was clearly not obvious to the boy, either--but Yotsuyu could understand that perfectly, as well.

"I am Yotsuyu goe Brutus, and it is an honor to know you." With that, she bowed slightly to him.

[zanarkandian]

"Of course he didn't." Nobody seemed to remember his name! Honestly, it was kind of frustrating. But he takes it in stride, bending to offer his hand. Honestly, why bow to him? He's no Yuna.

"It's Tidus, actually. Nice to meet you too. You...really like Dad, huh?"

Honestly he'd expected a worse reaction with his father's sterling reputation preceding his arrival. Something's off.

[darkenedmoon]

"I doubt he forgot you. No, it was not that." But what was it? Shame? It was possible, but... She glances at his hand for a moment, then remembers that there are those who shake hands as a greeting. So she does, slender fingers clasping his hand once, then releasing it.

"As much as I care for anyone," Yotsuyu said, shrugging then. How to put it? Her brow furrowed and she scowled, somewhat.

"I am fond of your father, but he is...a dolt, most of the time. And far too full of himself. He annoys me, but as I said, I still call him a friend. And he has told me about you. I imagine with what you have said, you would never believe me if I told you that he spoke of you in good terms?"

No, Yotsuyu judged it not the time to tell him that Jecht had called him a hero. If she could pry it from his lips...maybe then. She certainly would corroborate it. In no way would she lie for him.

[zanarkandian]

"What...?"

Tidus is just totally confused now. He knows his father had been changed by Spira, just as he himself had been, but that totally doesn't track with the entirety of his childhood.

"No, you're right. I don't believe it. He always used to taunt me when I was little. Told me I'd never beat him. Called me crybaby. Which isn't true, by the way, I don't cry" (much) "...but yeah. I know the journey made him see things differently, but by that much? I don't buy it."

He's not too upset, at least on the outside. This talk is familiar. "But the only one I don't know about is you, Miss Yotsuyu. What's your story?"

[darkenedmoon]

"I did not expect you to, no. I understand that better than you might know." Yotsuyu crossed her arms, turning away from the boy to hide her scowl. It wasn't him she was angry at, by the Twelve! Nor did she expect him to understand. The last thing she wanted to tell him was her story, even if he'd asked.

"My story? Nothing good, I assure you. A sordid tale of hatred and war, culminating in my demise and depositing me here. All you need know is that I was hardly a hero whilst alive, though I have tried to be less rotten in my time here."

Really, it was that Yotsuyu held no pride now in what she had done.

[zanarkandian]

Tidus's reaction isn't as bad as she might think. Suddenly, the picture makes a little more sense.

"Huh. So you and dad are both trying to turn a new leaf. Makes sense."

He shrugs his shoulder. "I'm supposed to be dead too, actually...or nonexistent. A faded dream's kind of a funny thing. So I guess I don't have too much to complain about, you know? What's past is past and we can all kind of start over, right?"

[darkenedmoon]

"I am, yes." Yotsuyu gives him a nod. "But your father...I think--no, I know he is simply trying to ignore everything that happened to him, and pretend that things are absolutely fine!"

The annoyance in her voice was clear, and she threw up her hands briefly. A huff of air escaped her, but her attitude softened, and she nodded to Tidus, then.

"Yes, I am certainly trying. My past should stay there, as I am not the woman I was then." Gods knew she'd been trying.

[zanarkandian]

"That sounds just like him too," Tidus sighed. He shook his head, but immediately brightened when he looked at her.

"He's...uh. Probably gonna explode at some point in the near future because a lot of it probably has to do with me. Fair warning, but I'll try to get us through it."

He has issues too, but... "I don't want to tell you all of his business, and I don't know how much he told you, but we don't come from a very happy place. We did our best with a bad situation, but it still put him in a really bad spot."

[darkenedmoon]

"Fair warning," Yotsuyu agreed. "But I am not afraid of your father."

Even if there was a good chance she ought to be. Yotsuyu was fairly sure that Jecht would not harm her. After all, she'd backhanded him curtly thinking he'd sent her cursed lingerie, and all he'd done was shout at her...

She'd deserved worse.

"I...yes, I do believe he told me that. Not much else, but just that things were...not good. And that you were the one that put them right."

[zanarkandian]

"Hah. I like the sound of that."

That bright look in his eye? That's respect. It's...kind of nice to have someone to talk to about this, as much as he now knows difficult conversations are going to come.

"Well, the really short version is that a crazy cult was lying to everyone and sacrificing people every now and then to supposedly keep a giant monster at bay. Dad came there before me and tried to stop the cycle...but an even worse fate happened to him."

"Then I got there. I fell in love with a girl who was going to sacrifice herself, but I made the sacrifice instead. She taught me that some things are worth giving up everything for...and I didn't want to see Dad suffer anymore either, no matter what I thought of him."

He shrugged his shoulders. "And that's about where we're at at the moment. I'll help if I can, but I'm probably about to be kicked out of school anyway."

[darkenedmoon]

Ah. Still no details--but Yotsuyu supposed they were Jecht's to tell. It raises Tidus in her estimation, certainly. She has no fondness for others telling her secrets for her, either; she doubted Jecht would be happy about it.

The faintest of smiles crossed her lips as he continued. Sometimes, that was the way of things, was it not? Even her stone heart could be touched by such a thing. But it did explain at least a few things about Jecht to her.

"Whyever would you be kicked out of school? You just arrived here, have you not? That makes no sense," she groused. But Yotsuyu realized, belatedly, that there were more than a few things that made no sense, here.

[zanarkandian]

"That's what happens if I fail the midterms, isn't it? And I just got here! I haven't had time to learn anything!"

He has a headache just thinking about it. He ducks his head and rakes a hand through his hair, muttering to himself.

[darkenedmoon]

"I should not think so--I ought to know, as I am an instructor here." If only a student instructor. Yotsuyu chose to not even give her students a midterm--no, she informed them of their final project, and allowed them to start on it now. The more detailed it was? The better their grades would be.

"So what are your classes? It is not as if I cannot give you a study guide--or tutor you, if it is something I am taking as well. The gods know I shall probably have to help your father." At that, she sighed.

[zanarkandian]

"Uh...mostly the standard ones, I think. Sundering, law, history of wizardry, discovery, thaumaturgy, astronomy?"

Yeah, he's totally lost here. He'd barely scraped through enough school to graduate back home, as focused on athletics as he was, but Auron had drilled the importance of education into his head.

"It's all kind of giving me a headache though."

[darkenedmoon]

"Study guides for most of them, then. I am only taking Discovery, myself, but I have made guides for the rest--" To her, it was not that difficult. But Yotsuyu, given the opportunity, threw herself into learning, now, and was doing well enough.

"I have enough interest in astronomy, 'tis true, though I am not undertaking the class myself."

Yotsuyu gave him a small smile, then, as she nodded. "I understand. If one is more given to physical pursuits, this can certainly seem daunting. But I do not mind helping you."

[zanarkandian]

"You make guides for classes you're not even taking? Sheesh, that'd dedication."

Not that he's not grateful, that's just pretty far out of his depth. "I mean...thank you. It was always tough buckling down for school back home, but I had someone giving me a shove back then. I owe it to him not to slip up."

[darkenedmoon]

"I was not given much opportunity, when I was younger, to learn things. My...stepparents I insisted I stop at a young age. Now that I have the time, I have more than enough inclination to learn all that I may."

And she'd had ample time to learn that knowledge was power, as it were. Even if she chose to use it to manipulate others less, now.

"You are welcome, I am always glad to help those who wish it. Even if it is only to pass." But Yotsuyu gave him an amused wink, there. She figured he'd be easier to teach than his father, in truth. Stubborn as an ox, he was.

[zanarkandian]

"Yeah, I get it. It's rough when your parents try to keep you from the one thing you really want to do, or say you can't do it."

Ahem. He knows that all too well. And he's definitely glad to have made his own choices.

"Hah. After Dad left, I had another guardian---one of his friends came back for me. He was a really serious warrior type of guy, he always knew what to do...and he made sure I stayed in school. I think he'd like you."

[darkenedmoon]

"They were my stepparents. I am an orphan, you see." Not that there weren't dozens of those in the world, so Yotsuyu accompanied that tidbit with a shrug. It was not as if she'd been fond of them, by any means.

"Hn. He would not be the first serious warrior type I knew, if he showed here." Her thoughts turned inexorably to Hendrik--wasn't the man doing the exact same sort of thing for Eleven? Though she thought Eleven enjoyed schoolwork, at least.

"I think I would like that. Your father certainly has little knowledge of what being serious is." Though perhaps he acted like he did because of the influence of this too-serious warrior. Hard to tell.

[zanarkandian]

"He didn't back then. I think he got the idea eventually, when it counted...but that was after he'd left. Probably 'cause of his new friends."

Tidus shrugged his shoulders and settled back. "Mm...so are those the kinds of things I should start reading now or after my first class?"

[darkenedmoon]

"Oh, I would start reading them now. Though your first class might reveal some knowledge to you as well--and you might always be able to ask your teacher to explain some things to you. It will be very like cramming, I suspect, but we can only do our best, yes?"

Not that she wouldn't help the boy, if he wished it. Yotsuyu certainly played to her own strengths, when she could. And she feared no midterm, not with enough preparation!

[zanarkandian]

"Right. To victory! And by victory I mean scoring high enough to not get kicked out."

He's a star athlete, not a star student. He has limits here.