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

[blue_ice]

[ And he's proven right, as the light fades from his eyes and he collapses. The body's still breathing, but there's no longer a Kaiba there.

This is a distressingly familiar situation. He hardly has time to process the existential terror, though it swells up quickly (again, familiar). This sucks.

Then he's abruptly thrown back into his body, eyes wide open as he clutches at his chest. He's trying and probably failing to keep his voice steady. ]

...damnit. Probably should've expected that.

[puzzlers]

[ yugi is on the verge of losing his damn mind. he can't believe that's what this card does, though he should have probably expected it with a name like deathtoll. ]

[ he throws himself at kaiba, wrapping his arms around him tightly. why the hell did he think it was a good idea to try using this card for the first time on his boyfriend. he squeezes him, tighter and tighter still, tears running down his face. ] I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[blue_ice]

Yugi...

[ And there's Yugi. There's Yugi trying to squeeze his soul right back out of his body, it seems like. Kaiba's still a little shaken himself, so he curls around Yugi, running his knuckles up and down his back. ]

Look. It didn't kill me, and with that name it could have.

[ Okay, probably the wrong tactic here. He sighs and drops a kiss to Yugi's forehead. ]

I'm still here, Yugi. I'm not going anywhere.

[puzzlers]

But it could have. I'm sorry, Kaiba, this was stupid and reckless and... I should have been more careful, especially because we were playing. I don't want to lose you. [ he holds him tighter, as if he's the only thing keeping kaiba tethered to this world right now. ] I'm so sorry, Kaiba. [ please forgive him. ]

[ he's going to go back to that tower and demand ask politely for some answers about this card and its origin. ]

Are you sure you're okay?

[blue_ice]

Yugi...Yugi, you were never going to lose me. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, no, but I didn't have a reason to be afraid this time. You wouldn't abandon me.

[ It's a powerful thing to admit, after years of abandonment and trust issues, but it's true. He clings a little tighter. ]

Though I fully endorse healthy skepticism of any unknown magic. Those cards are apparently just as full of ridiculous surprises as ours.

[puzzlers]

H- How do you know! We didn't know! I should have never done that, Kaiba! [ he's borderline hysterical. he really can't believe he thought something good would come of this. he clings to kaiba tightly, trying to convince himself of the same that kaiba believes. ] It seemed like it might have been the opposite from what we discovered in the tower, but this is... they... [ he's going to have to do more research. ]

[blue_ice]

I should have stopped it too. It's not all on you, Yugi. You're forgiven, all right?

[ Kaiba can't argue that it wasn't stupid, but he can at least share the burden of guilt. He takes a small breath and curls around him, leaning down to kiss him again. ]

I remember finding Mokuba in that cell...I know you would stop at nothing, because I've felt it too. You saved your grandfather. All your friends. And me, more than once. I'm sorry I scared you.

[ He sighs. ]

We should all go together.

[puzzlers]

[ he can't forgive himself for this. especially for only having told kaiba halfway through about what it was he wanted to do. he trembles, circling his arms around kaiba and squeezing him like his life depends on it, because it kind of feels like it does at this point. ]

I- I know. I wouldn't have let you stay there for long. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Kaiba, not now- not ever- and definitely not beacuse of me. [ he sniffles. ] I think you should head back to the dorm and rest... especially after having to deal with something like that.

[ he needs to go alone. this isn't something he's dragging anybody in to anymore. ]

[blue_ice]

Yugi...

[ He breathes him in and holds tight for a little while longer. ]

I'm fine. I've been through this more than once and it hasn't broken me yet.

[ But he's going to get up and start heading back anyway, taking Yugi's hand and squeezing it gently. ]

[puzzlers]

... [ but he's never been the cause of it and this is... he just... fuck. he's so stupid. he's just going to nod though, because he doesn't want kaiba worrying about him when he should be worrying about himself. yugi keeps a firm hold on kaiba's hand as they head back to the dorm. ] Maybe we can just take it easy for the remainder of the night...

[blue_ice]

[ He solves the lock and brings Yugi over to his bed. He'd been exercising before all of this, so...]

Let me get cleaned up, then we can relax.

[ And he'll take his usual too-busy-for-this quick shower, emerging in his standard blue pajamas. He sits next to Yugi and takes his hand once more. ]

I'll take your sleeping draught again just in case, but I'm not using it until I spend some time with you, all right?

[ He runs his thumb over the back of Yugi's hand. ]

What can I do to help you?

[puzzlers]

I don't need any help, Kaiba, it's your I'm worried about. [ he frowns, reaching back to take his wrist and bring it around to the front, so he can drop a kiss onto his knuckles. ] Are you sure you're alright. If you want to talk about it, let's talk about it... and, yeah, sure, that's the least I can do tonight.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba breathes a quiet sigh and smiles faintly at him. He closes his eyes, shifting just a little closer to his warmth. ]

If you really want to know what it was like...there's not much to tell.

I felt like ice pierced my brain, expanding outward and freezing me in place...and then nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had no senses, no voice...just myself in a void, and it would've been so easy to let fear consume me.

It did, back then. With Pegasus. But this time I knew it wasn't a trap, just an accident, and that you would fix it. I had no sense of time, it felt like an eternity...but I held onto the thought of you to keep me sane.

[ He sighs and tugs Yugi closer. ]

I know it has to be impossible not to blame yourself, but you're strong, Yugi. You're going to be fine.

[puzzlers]

...

[ as kaiba tells him when happen he feels sick. he looks down and closes his eyes, swallowing the bile rising in his throat, because that is what he put kaiba through. ] I'm... I'm glad you didn't let it this time. I... I would have done anything to get you back, Kaiba, [ even offer himself up in exchange. ]

[ an accident.
an accident that could have easily been avoided.
one that should have been avoided. ]

... [ when kaiba points him out as the reason he was able to endure it he almost starts crying. ] And you're even stronger, Kaiba. I'm sorry, truly, and it'll never happen again. [ he buries his face into his chest and squeezes him as tightly as he can manage. ]

[blue_ice]

I know, Yugi. I trust you.

[ Kaiba draws him onto his lap, a broad hand gently rubbing his back. It's going to be all right. His other hand slides up into Yugi's hair, stroking it and eventually lightly tugging to press his ear against his chest, in the hopes that the beat of his heart is calming. ]

You're not going to lose me. And I'm definitely not giving you up either.

[puzzlers]

[ he lays his head against his chest and closes his eyes, listening to the steady beat of kaiba's heart, which does seem to lull him into feeling more at ease. he eventually sits back a bit, reaching to cup his face as he draws him down into a kiss. ] You mean so much to me, Kaiba. [ he's glad he knows he'd never do something to purposely harm him, not when he already meant a lot and has come to mean so much more. ] I love you.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba lets himself linger, kissing Yugi slowly and steadily. He knows they need this. And he knows this is about as all right as he's going to feel tonight. Those words bring a genuine smile to his face, and he squeezes Yugi tighter. ]

I love you. Don't ever doubt it. And...mm. I think I'm ready to try to sleep.

[ He lifts the draught from the nightstand, a flicker of apprehension on his face. Blacking out feels a little too much like that...but he knows the alternative is worse. He pours it into a small glass and steels himself. ]

Will you make sure this works before you go?

[puzzlers]

I think that might be for the best, Kaiba, and... and of course. I didn't plan on going anywhere until you had fallen asleep... and even then I thought I might, ah, stay... though I should probably make sure that's alright. [ he readies his wand. ] I can cast a spell to keep this area protected, and make sure that nobody can hear... [ though it's not like anything will really be going on. ] Would you like me to stay, Kaiba? [ he gives him another kiss. ] Just drink a little bit, alright, and I'll help you the rest of the way.

[blue_ice]

[ He gives Yugi a small, grateful smile, sitting up a little straighter to kiss him properly. ]

I'd like it if you stayed. And the spell's smart. I shouln't have nightmares with this draught, but...just in case.

[ Time to make room for Yugi, then. He scoots to the side, turns the covers up, and takes a small sip. One deep breath. Then another. He turns to Yugi and smiles. ]

I'll try not to wake you.