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

[healingincantation]

You're not? [That hardly seems fair to Rapunzel. Dust looks different, yes, but she's seen people who have appeared far more intimidating and been perfectly kind.] Um, sorry, I just- Well, nevermind. Dust, huh? I like "Dust" as a name. It's... Artsy.

[mithrarin]

It's... from my title, actually. 'Sen-Mithrarin', He Who Is Born From the Dust. [Something he hadn't learned till well after he'd accepted the name as his, or else he might have possibly rejected it.]

[healingincantation]

Your title? [Rapunzel was used to titles belonging to knights, and while she didn't count out the possibility that Dust was a knight - why would she assume? - the meaning did have her confused.] I'm not sure I understand.

[mithrarin]

That's... what I am, the Sen-Mithrarin. It's kind of complicated to explain. [And uncomfortable.] Anyway, it doesn't really matter.

[healingincantation]

[Ah, Rapunzel is familiar with uncomfortable explanations that would be best avoided - she's been in Dust's current position before, and she can recognize it.]

Alright. [She smiles, hoping it's a reassuring one.] Which of the Six Houses do you belong to?

[mithrarin]

I'm Purifeul. [The word, once strange, has settled into his mind enough that his tongue no longer trips over it.] You?

[healingincantation]

[She gives a little gasp of excitement.]

So am I! I haven't really spent much time in the dorms yet, except to sleep, of course. There's just so much to see here!

[mithrarin]

[She has a lot of enthusiasm and energy, huh? Enough that it's slowly coaxing a smile out of Dust, despite everything.]

There's definitely a lot. Have you been out into town yet?

[healingincantation]

I have, but I mostly just got to see the Third Ring - I just passed through the other two on the way there and back.

[mithrarin]

[Dust nods, the small motion exaggerated by the wide brim of his hat.] I think that's the one most worth seeing. Especially right now. There are times when thunderclouds actually get onto the lower parts of the island, and there's lightning pretty much in the streets. It's honestly an incredible sight.

[healingincantation]

That sounds... Actually, it sounds pretty breathtaking.

[Frightening, too. Absolutely so, but all the same, she can't deny how awe-inspiring it would be.]

[mithrarin]

I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I've never been one for losing my breath.
[Maybe in fury or horror, but not wonder.]

You ought to see it sometime soon. I don't know how long it's supposed to last as a regular thing.

[healingincantation]

[Rapunzel thinks about this, then nods.]

Maybe I should go out there again later today... Would you want to come with me?

[mithrarin]

Oh, I -- sure.

[The question throws him because, well, he's not used to that sort of thing. Even after being here in Anastara longer than he was alive in Falana, everything still seems just strange to him and he has yet to adjust. But this is part of life here now, isn't it? That means he needs to come to terms with it, and that means he needs to make more active efforts.]

I'd like that.

[healingincantation]

Okay, great. [Her smile is soft as she tucks some loose hair behind her ear.] We can meet up in the common area?

[mithrarin]

[He's going go on record, right now, and say that she... has a LOT of hair. To the point that he's caught himself reflexively thinking she has a tail more than once by now.]

Well, I don't mind the walk, but do you want to go all the way upstairs and then all the way back down just to meet me? The Promenade might be a little easier.

[healingincantation]

[She blushes a bit at his point, but he doesn't make her feel bad about her mistake, and even after a month in Verens - that still is a surprise. A good one.]

You're right, we can meet there. After dinner?

[mithrarin]

[Dust doesn't even realize that making her feel bad is an option.]

Sure, that's fine. I almost always in the Great Hall anyway, so that's not even out of my way in the slightest.

[healingincantation]

Good.

[She curtsies, though it's a slight gesture. She's started to pick up on the fact that it's not what most people here do.]

This is going to be fun - I can't wait.

[mithrarin]

I know a good place to watch it from, too, if you don't mind a little climb. Might want to dress for that, though. [His clothing is all-purpose... hers seems a tad less so.]

[healingincantation]

[She nods.]

I'll find something else, because a climb sounds like it'll be fun.

[mithrarin]

...Might be slightly illegal, too, but no one stopped me last time. [Dust doesn't pay much attention to that sort of things, since he's used to parkouring all over creation without regard for obstacles like that. But it might be a little relevant when it comes to encouraging someone else to do the same.]

[healingincantation]

[Hmm, she's not entirely sure she's okay with that.]

How is something slightly illegal?

[mithrarin]

Well, I'm guessing standing on someone's roof isn't exactly encouraged? I They probably don't specifically have a law saying, 'Do not stand on roofs you don't own', but if someone really cared they could probably find something to claim it violated.

[healingincantation]

I see... That might be a little outside my comfort zone? The, um, violation part.

[She didn't appreciate it when someone climbed into her tower, after all.]