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

[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.]