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

[replaceme]

[ so there's no known way home. she had assumed as much, but having it confirmed makes her bristle, because she's going to have to stay here and play nice and... she brings her arms up around herself and takes a few deep breathes. ]

That name sounds familiar. [ that's all she says about that. she had met the staff upon her arrival, since she's something of a special case, at least as far as her disposition goes. ] People fear me back home for what I am and I expect that something like that won't change just because I'm in another world. [ she seems reluctant to remove her hood, but she does so anyway. ]

[ it might not be immediately obvious that she's the daughter of a death deity from home, but the fact that she's not human should be abundantly clear. her eyes glow a translucent purple, her ears are much longer, and she's sporting a pair of horns. ] I am Lahdinokhind, thur of durvokul, ...in other words a Drackin of Death.

[darkenedmoon]

People fear what they do not understand. 'Tis a common thing, I have noted, that spreads across all of the worlds I have heard of here. [When it comes down to it, that's likely...not a comforting thought, but truly, when has Yotsuyu ever been a comforting individual?]

Pay him no mind, the old blowhard! [Yotsuyu is well aware that Loshakle is not the only one vocal in his distaste for the Sundered, but there are voices that clamor against him, and that is what matters to her.]

I am Yotsuyu goe Brutus, the former Witch of Doma. [Though there's a slight bit of amusement in her tone when she says that, and she gives a quiet, resigned chuckle. She looks no stranger than some of the Elezen who had crossed her in her time. Save the horns, perhaps, but they were not far off from an Au Ra's cranial projections either. Her gaze is impassive.]

You are different, but not unattractive for all that. Yes, you're rather pretty, I think. Though 'drackin' means little to me. And death...death and I have been more than passing acquaintances, so I see no reason to fear or hate you. [So there's one, at least.]

[replaceme]

I have noticed that it's toxicity is something that infects all races. [ because there were also humans where she's from and, like the drackin, they exhibited too. perhaps more so. and, no, it's not the most comforting thought, but it's better to be made aware, because living in the dark will make the eventual revelation even more dangerous. ]

You don't like him. [ obviously. ] Is there a reason for that besides his distaste for the Sundered? L- Like I said, I'm sure I met him, the other professors, and the Headmaster, but I was not in the best head space when I'd arrived, so most of that is unfortunately a blur.

A witch. [ though former, lady's still got to ask a question. ] Did you dabble in magic prior to your arrival here and, if so, w- what happened to that magic? [ if she's not the only one that's incapable of tapping into her magic, then she won't be too worried, though she's certainly still way behind. what had she heard people freaking out about? midterms? ]

H- Heh. [ her face colors brightly when yotsuya says she's pretty. compliments are... not something she's used to. ] T- Thank you, I, ah, I... that was very nice of you. [ she ducks her head, appreciating the follow up, but still pretty focused on the former. ]

[darkenedmoon]

He is...past his time. [A too-simple answer, but save for the fact that she'd hated his class from the moment she'd begun it, Yotsuyu had no real reason to dislike him. Maybe he reminded her of someone--no, perhaps that was it, he reminded her of her stepfather. That was something she did not want to go in to, however. Here, or anywhere else.] I dropped his class, I take Fantastics now.

[There, Yotsuyu shakes her head.] A different form of witch. Had I any talent in aetheric manipulation, I was not instructed in it. The Empire looked down on magic, you see. I only began to learn when I came here. [Though Yotsuyu certainly isn't freaking out about her midterms, indeed.]

Well! 'Tis true without lying! And if no one has told you such, it is a shame! But tell me, what are drackin? Anything like dragons as they have in Ishgard? I am not familiar, you understand--Shinryu was supposed to be merely a legend, and he was a dragon as well. Perhaps it is a lingual shift?

[replaceme]

I see. I should probably look into the curriculum here. [ and see how much of it she can successfully cram into one day. ] Who is your favorite professor, if you don't mind my asking.

Oh? [ a different form of witch? ] So why the title then? From my own world the word witch has a terrible connotation. [ and a lot of the human cult leaders were referred to as witches because they tried absorbing the power of the dragons they slayed. ]

It is what our race is called, but the humans refer to us as dragons. This [ she motions over herself. ] is not my true form, but one I assume to be able to speak to humans, because it just makes things easier. [ most people scream and run when confronted by a dragon after all. that, or try to immediately kill it. ]

[darkenedmoon]

My favorite professor? [By rights, she should say Professor Kith--although that truly isn't the case. But she'll be truthful.]

If you must know, Professor Trammel. He teaches Discovery. He is a gentleman. [In the way Loshakle wasn't. Nor was Yotsuyu really beyond being charmed by him, in truth. Not that she'd mention that in front of the man. She had her dignity!]

As does mine. I...was not the nicest, where I came from. Here, I have been trying to...not fall back into old, bad habits. [Which is the closest thing to an admission you will get at the moment, Lahdinokhind.]

Ah, I see. Midgardsormr's brood had no such talents, that I know of. [And Yotsuyu got paid to know things. If she could not be there herself, she needed to have others who might learn about what went on in distant lands. If only in the hopes that the Empire could make an easier conquest.] You walk among us this way. I find that wise. Though I doubt it has been easy on you. I am well aware of human nature.

[replaceme]

Professor Trammel... [ she trails off, committing the name to memory to make sure that she goes to meet this man, especially if he's a favorite. she still had every intention of taking professor loshakle's class, but she'd see how it went. ]

Not that I knew you when you weren't merely the former witch, but it doesn't seem like you're falling back into them in the slightest. You're here, with me, trying to help, so I'd say that's a step in the right direction. [ she offers a small smile. ]

Yes... it's something that we thankfully all learn at a young age, because there are some people out there that wish to do us harm or usurp our power. [ but that's not really something she wants to dive too much into detail about. ] From what I have experienced so far this place doesn't seem too bad, ... [ but she's not about to completely judge this book by its over. ]

[darkenedmoon]

You would not want to know me when I was the Witch of Doma. I was a monster, and to say such is as simple as that. I was given a second chance when I arrived here, and I took it. That person is dead, and I can only hope she stays that way. But I do thank you for your kind words.

[Still, Yotsuyu was firm in endeavoring not to fall back into her old ways. Surely her tongue was still sharp when warranted, but if that was the worst she did...though she was quite aware that words could be as harmful as weapons, in the wrong hands.]

No, no, there are those here at the school who do have the well-being of the Sundered in mind, but caution would never go amiss, here. There are also those here among us--only one, to my meager knowledge--but I have heard of one Sundered who is...a madman at best. I do not know his name, but if I hear any more I shall warn you. He should be given a wide berth, if at all possible.

[replaceme]

[ a monster. that's kind of how lady views herself, though she's not going to say as much. ] I'll, ah, I'll have to take your word for it. I'm... I'm glad that you got a second chance. If you find a way home will you take it or will you stay here?

No? Well, I shouldn't really be too surprised that that's the case, and of course. It's always safe to err on the side of caution, especially in a place like this. So he's a sundered and he's also... crazy? [ she hopes she can avoid him, since she has no desire to have to interact with somebody like that. it'll only make her crazy and stressed and no. ] Please do. I'd very much appreciate that. A- And really? You'd think they'd give this person more strict rules. He seems like a menace...

[darkenedmoon]

I will stay here. There is nothing left for me on Hydaelyn...[And being what she has said that she is, Yotsuyu sees no reason to keep this secret from Lady.] I was slain there, you understand. I would rather stay here for that reason alone. [And, well, things really aren't terrible here. Things are fairly familiar, and she's made friends--even if Yotsuyu knows she'll likely have to say her farewells to most of them, someday.]

I am sure they have tried. I do trust Headmaster Birony. [As much as Yotsuyu trusts anyone, in truth.] But there is the fact that the mad do not think as we do, and the gods know what they have tried. I am a student instructor, and even I am not privy to that information. Though I suppose that is a good thing. If we do not know, we can hardly take matters into our own hands.

[replaceme]

[ she's not surprised by yotsuya's answer, especially after what she's been told, and she's sure that she's not the only one that feels that way depending on how their home lives have been going. ] Slain? I- I'm sorry, that sounds absolutely terrible... [ she hadn't been killed back home, but sometimes she wishes she had been, because that would have been considerably less painful. ]

... [ she makes a sound, but says nothing more on what probably should be done to that individual. ] I'll just have to steer clear of him, because if he should come near me and start in with his lunacy, then I'm not going to hesitate to make him leave me alone. [ there are plenty of crazies back home and she'd been the subject of their torture, so that's a trigger for her, so she absolutely won't hesitate to use force to make him understand that he needs to stay back. ] But thank you very much for all the insight.

[darkenedmoon]

It is merely what I deserved. Do not pity me...I have only learned the error of my ways here. [Though her mien isn't angry at all. It's a surprisingly gentle smile that she turns on Lady, no offense taken.

Though the girl's next words make her frown, somewhat. Worried, not angry.] I understand, but I hope you would exercise caution and not engage, if at all possible. I am sure there are those who would aid you, if they knew, but so far there is no good way to contact one another here, save for the spelled bulletin board...

[Well, she'd been remiss in attempting to craft the linkpearls she'd spoken to Atem about. It was high time that she actually put herself to work, then.]

[replaceme]

[ she doesn't have the best history with people trying to slay her, so she's definitely more on edge. it has nothing to do with yotsuya and everything to do with her focusing on the bad as opposed to the good. ]

... [ she takes her advice with grain of salt. if she tells him to stop and he doesn't stop and if she asks once again and he doesn't listen, then he's asking for it. she'll have no remorse for engaging him at that point. still, she nods. ] It's nice to have options.

I hope to see you around the campus. You've been kind, helpful, and patient. I can only hope there are more people like you here.

[darkenedmoon]

[And it was true also that if Yotsuyu saw Lady in danger, she would spring to the drackin's aid. She'd only grown more formidable in her time here.]

It is true that you do have options, yes. And I am certain that there are more people like me here. [A beat.] As usually I am not any of those things. Though I have been trying to turn over a new leaf, as they say!

[It's a poor attempt at a jest, in truth, but it's directed at her own self, not at Lady. She offers her a smile.] Please, if you are to be off, do not hesitate to ask for myself if you see me. I would be honored to aid you again.

[replaceme]

I'm, ah, I'm sure too. I have met a couple of people already and so far everybody has been p- pretty nice. I guess past experiences have soured my outlook. [ she doesn't have to guess. she knows. she's just trying not to sound too pessimistic. ] But this certainly makes it easier to, uhm, open up and try to... make friends... [ and all that sort of stuff. ]

I- I will. Which, ah, which house are you in?

[darkenedmoon]

As they do, your past experiences are what you know! It is not your fault that you are guarded--it is what has been done to you in the past. I know. I understand. [Because it certainly was not if she had her own lens to focus through. Yotsuyu understood that only too well. She could hardly blame another for something similar.]

I see no reason to not say we are friends, should you wish it. Or...attempting to be friends? [Because such a thing is not easy to express, even for her. Even now. She did not have friends when she was on Hydaelyn.]

Oh! I am not in robes today. I am in House Purifeul, but since I am an adult, I am in the living quarters with the instructors, not in the House dormitory.

[There's not even a hint of anger in her. Children do not need her among them. Yotsuyu accords herself a terrible influence, and she'd protect them from herself, if given a choice.]