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. |
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diatu2019-06-07 03:00 pm
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Hendrik's eyes searched around looking for a certain face that he wasn't seeing at the present moment and silently wondered the reason for it. Maybe it was just a case of him not being far off.
At her question though, the knight turned back to face his companion. So many things went through his mind and he said none of them. It was a matter of, as Yotsuyu had said to Eleven, that he had years of practicing his line face. Something he hadn't mentioned to her stuck in his head.
"There was one more thing. I did wish to say thank you for your assistance with the Luminary at the Ball. I do not know what I would have done without you there."
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She knew damn well he was likely hiding half a dozen notions behind that poker face of his, but Yotsuyu had never had the ability to read another's thoughts. There were days--like this one!--where she wished it, but that was neither here nor there.
"Of course! I care for Eleven, why would I not try to help?" Not to mention she thought for certain that they'd come to blows, had she not interfered. "Do you know how he is doing now? I have not seen him in a day or so."
Then again, Yotsuyu didn't often go looking for him either, allowing him to come to her, if Eleven so chose.
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Nodding to her question, he answered her. "He is well, I just saw him so he is here. It was nice to be able to spar with him again." The knight had missed the Luminary but had been determined not to be a burden. So he'd kept his distance, but kept an eye on him and it had been a precarious balance at times.
"I thank you again for your kindness, and I will be off now. I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming tests."
With another nod, Hendrik turned to walk away.
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Yotsuyu's patience was never her strong point. Oh, to be thanked was nice, and the news of Eleven was good--she did still have to hunt the lad down and tell him the truth. Something she did not want to do, after protecting him from her past for so long, but...
It had to be done. And yet this whole entire exchange with his sworn protector--had the man gone mad?
She couldn't help but sputter for a moment, but then her mouth got the best of her. Between her annoyance, and a comment he'd made earlier about midterms...
"Whatever is the matter, Hendrik? Haven't you been playing with your wand enough?" Kindness? Her? Ha!
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"I beg your pardon, but I have always spoken to you in a respectful tone. I at least always strive to treat you with courtesy and respect as you deserve, unlike others I have seen you intersct with. So I do not appreciate your insinuation."
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She had tried to repay courtesy with courtesy, especially with Hendrik. "I do not understand why! I have told you more about my checkered past than I care to admit to--almost anyone else! I expect nothing of the sort from anyone because of it, and I do not know why you accord me such!"
Well, perhaps Yotsuyu had an idea, but at the moment, that was not something she would grind the man's face into. Not after everything else she's snarled at him about. He was so damn chivalrous. Yes, that was probably it.
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Was Yotsuyu trying to say that she missed him? She said the time for pretty words was passed, so maybe she didn't want to hear about how he would've spent all night dancing with her. And maybe skip the conversation about that other matter that she disregarded.
Not being a man of half measures, the knight got right up in her face. He hadn't been this close to her since they danced.
"If you would like to know what my problem has been for weeks, then I shall enlighten you at once, since you will not have my explanation any other way."
And Hendrik bent down and kissed Yotsuyu.
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Instead, she attempted to shove the larger man away with all her strength, before she glared up at him, yellow eyes ablaze, and hissed, "Just what in the seven hells was that?"
Perhaps that explained part of it, in truth. Under the strain of midterms, Hendrik had gone mad. It was a simple explanation, and he was a simple man, wasn't he?
Yotsuyu turned away for a moment--she'd been so angry with him for doing such to her, she didn't dare do it for longer. She thrust a hand to her mouth, stifling the wild laughter that wanted to escape, and biting the back of that hand to quell it, before turning to face him again, balling her fists at her sides.
"Well?"
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Out of respect he moved as she pushed him, and watched Yotsuyu carefully. He'd expected anger and possibly for her to slap him then. But nothing happened.
"It was not how I had planned to kiss you." Hendrik admitted. "You would not hear me out, so shall I attempt a poor explanation, or should I just kiss you again since you seem to still not yet understand?"
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"If you wish us to remain friends, you should not kiss me again," she growled. Angry? Oh, at least on the outside, she was angry. Inner turmoil? That was also present, though she was doing her best to keep that under icy control.
"I asked you for an explanation, if not in such proper words. Not that I honestly believe you have been hearing any words I have said, either. But yes, Hendrik! An explanation would be a wonderful thing! Pray tell, give it to me! I do so want to hear it!!"
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Words were hard right now, even harder to say them out loud, but he had to try.
"I have been admittedly avoiding you though it was dione with no malicious intent. I simply thought to honorably attempt bow out of your life due to my..own personal feelings since you already had a suitor."
The knight sighed. "The night I taught you to dance was my first indication that something was amiss. And then I discovered you had a date with Sir Jecht."
He couldn't tell her how betrayed he felt and how it was then that he could understand Jasper's anger at feeling second best.
And then there was the night where events went down with the Luminary. Yotsutu's kindness and compassion with the boy had only solidified his feelings further and claimed his heart as hers.
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"I do not have a suitor. None. Should someone court madness and arrange one for me here, for gods know what reasons, they would soon come to regret it!" As would the hapless suitor!
She needed to move, and so Yotsuyu began to pace a few feet away from Hendrik, tugging her fan from within her sleeve and opening and closing it, near mindlessly. Simply to hear the thing snapping. Though she paused with it closed and pointed it at Hendrik as she asked her next question.
"Was I mistaken? I believe I told you I was married once, to an old drunk who beat me as he pleased, and when he died, I was sold to the pleasure house to pay off his debts. Had I told you that?"
Other things were far more fresh in her mind, and so Yotsuyu could not honestly recall.
"Perhaps I was remiss, but to me, you had seemed...ill at ease at the thought of going to this dance, at all! So I thought to spare you the discomfort, Hendrik. I simply asked Jecht because he does not seem ill at ease in social situations. Ill-bred, perhaps, but he is used to the adoration of other people from his blitzball stardom on his world. In comparison, I thought it would ask little from him, and a great deal from you. That is the only reason I asked him."
Well, and they were friends, but Yotsuyu considered herself friends with Hendrik as well!
"But it seems I have caused you discomfort nonetheless, and for that, at least, I do cry your pardon."
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And while he wanted to say that he would willingly be her suitor, Hendrik remained silent, gloved hands curled into fists at his side. He'd done enough damage.
When the fan started snapping, he wondered if she was angry with him. And he half expected to be hit with it at any time.
Yotsutu's words about her past though saddened him. Hendrik wished with everything in him that he had been there, knowing there was no way that he could have been.
Still, he nodded in affirmation. "Yes you have informed me and you deserved far better than to have been treated worse than a neglected dog. You should have been protected, cherished and defended."
And while he was speaking, he'd realized his tone had become snappish and sharp, so he shook his head. "My apologies."
Sighing as Hendrik listened about the Ball, he couldn't help but be touched. Now that they were talking, he could see the what and the why of things.
"Even with your kindness and thoughtfulness, you asking me to the Ball still would not have been correct." The knight looked at the ground, but then raised his gaze back up at Yotsuyu.
"It is no fault of yours. I should have been the one to ask you."
Tentatively he held out his hand to her, palm up. The knight wanted to hold her with everything in him, but he would halt himself here.
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It wasn't as if he were wrong, and perhaps her real parents would have done so--but things had turned out differently. As had the events surrounding the Ball.
"Well, you did not, and that was simply the way of it. But...Hendrik, I realize you care--deeply--" She wanted to grimace, but it was not his fault that she was...ill prepared. "But I am simply not ready for any such professions of romantic devotion. From anyone!" She lifted a hand to silence him--she had to speak her piece, first. "I was, and still am...damaged. I am healing, and learning, and to say that I would never want something like that would be a lie, now. But I need to learn to...tolerate myself, at the minimum, before I can offer anything to another. It would not be fair to you. It would likely hurt you, to rush, and I do not want to do that to someone who is...a dear friend of mine."
With that, she slid her fan into one sleeve, and reached out and took his gloved hand in her own.
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'Even if it is not with me.' went unsaid but thought.
The knight nodded again as she took his hand. He made no move to bring her closer but held onto her hand.
"I understand what you are saying. And in that case, I shall not discuss anything further and will remain by your side. I do sincerely apologize for the miscommunication."
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Oh, no, Hendrik, you aren't getting away that easily. Yotsuyu--at least now--isn't the type to not show some sort of affection where she feels it warranted. You're just a hard man to hug--you're so stiff most of the time.
But she's going to try, anyway. Tugging him closer by the hand, and stepping in to put her arms around him, at least.
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But then he feels his hand being tugged on and he's not quite sure what's going on. And the next thing he knows her arms are wrapped around him which is definitely not something that he's used to at all. So at first, he stiffens up because he's not sure why this is a thing that's happening.
After a few brief moments, he takes a breath and tries to lightly wrap his arms around Yotsuyu. He refrains from placing his hand to the back of her ebony head to hold her close to him but his eyes close as he holds on. He's so very grateful to have this one moment like this with her in his arms.