October Event Log

[magicademymods]

October Event Log Fall Cleaning Suddenly and without warning, the lighting in or near every building on campus goes red. A second later, a deep alarm rises in volume as the buildings begin to shake. The faculty barely bat an eye as they direct students to get outside quickly. "Fall cleaning," they explain wearily to those students who have never experienced this phenomenon. Older students offer their own explanation as they move: at some point every fall the buildings of the Magicademy rearrange themselves so the cleaning golems can repair their foundations, tend to the ground around them, keep them from sinking into the caverns, that sort of thing. Totally harmless. Well, until you realize no one knows where your House tower went. Or till you need to get to class promptly except Kedrigan Hall is in the middle of a lake somehow. Or till the Library of Starchime is down in the middle of the lab caverns and you have to try to study while students practice magic in the aisles. But it's okay! This will only last for a couple of days! You can get by, right? The Bonfire To say goodbye to the warmth and hello to the frost, the Magicademy celebrates the changing of seasons with a great bonfire. A massive conglomeration of burning wood sends flame licking up some sixty feet into the air, and the warmth pouring from the huge fire wards off any hint of cold from those nearby. By tradition, the bonfire burns till morning, and many students have bedrolls or tents or even straight-out beds parked nearby so they can take their spot in keeping it lit. Others have brought food and drink, enough to selflessly share with everyone. The whole things is one big party, really; House rivalries and personal animosities and music duels are all set aside for a night as the campus unites in solidarity. It's one of the nicer times you could ask for. This Is Halloween Bad news. Terrible news. The worst news imaginable. Headmaster Birony has found out about Halloween. Diatu Magicademy is nothing but orange and black now. Carved pumpkins wander the campus and aggressively pose for anyone who glances their way (or doesn't...). Spiderwebs litter every hallways and passage, complete with spiders that patiently move their webs out of the way and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience with a sort of weariness that says they know exactly who to blame for this. A twelve-foot-high menorah sits in the Great Hall, leading some to suspect that the Headmaster's Intimations to learn more about the holiday did not produce universally-accurate results. Headmaster Birony herself patrols the grounds like a madwoman, slinging extra spookiness wherever she passes and occasionally Discovering costumes straight onto the innocent students she passes. "Spirit of the season!" she yells before fleeing, candy and toilet paper left behind in her path. If by this point you are questioning whether the Headmaster ever does actual work, rest assured you're not the first, nor will you be the last, to wonder that. Research on the SUNDERDOG! (Sunderdog!) SUNDERDOG! (Sunderdog!) This month's assignment, for those willing to undertake it: actually nothing disastrous! Instead, the researchers ask that you compare your world to another Sundered student's, then report back to them on the differences and similarities. They're most interested in magic styles, but anything you give them will have value!

Comments

[darkenedmoon]

[This Is Halloween]

Yotsuyu has questions. Questions that she isn't certain that she wants answered. First and foremost in her mind? (Aided in no small part in the discussions of her Espionage students and their discussions of 'who they ship'...) Is Headmaster Birony a shipper?

Whyever would Yotsuyu wonder that, you ask?

She's not entirely certain that she wants to find out the answer. Yotsuyu's also not certain she wants anyone else to see her like this, either!


[The Bonfire]

Yotsuyu is one of those who has brought something to share. To wit; a pair of gallon jugs, full of sweet apple cider. (She may have hard cider secreted somewhere as well, but that is not for the younger students, and she will hoard it away from them. Only her closest friends will get a portion!)

She has made herself a little tent on one side of the bonfire, clearly intending to take a turn at keeping it lit, and for the moment sits cross-legged in front of it, with a cup of cider of her own near the jugs.


[Research on the Sundered]

"'Tis true, I know little of the practice of magic on Hydaelyn, but that does not mean I cannot speak of theory. So what harm is there in comparing notes?" Yotsuyu asked. Of course, if there was another topic that intrigued her companion, she'd do her best to converse!

Halloween

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

SURPRISE IT'S JECHT!

"Oh man! That fits you like it was made for you!" Without shame, he wandered right on up, looking over her costume and the nice way it fit her. "You know -- it was, but the style!"

[darkenedmoon]

Of course. Yotsuyu sighed. "I see you have escaped the Headmaster's, ah, exuberant celebration of whatever this is," she said, giving the big man a frown.

"I have never been a knight. And this is far too tight to be useful in a fight! Even I know that, and I've never lifted a real blade!"

Yotsuyu may be missing the point of this costume...just a little.

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

"So far so good for me." Jecht planted one arm on the wall, leaning on it to enjoy the view lazily. "Though I think this is pretty good for you. No one's asking you to fight, so just wear it knowing you make it work!"

[darkenedmoon]

"I should hope not...but you never know." Stranger things had happened on the campus of the magicademy, and Jecht well knew it. Hellfire, he'd been present for much of it, hadn't he?

"With our luck, the ghost dragon could come bellowing and billowing up from the catacombs and challenge me, dressed as I am. Kami forbid," Yotsuyu groaned. The bedamned thing had frightened her enough the first time, she did not want to deal with it. She certainly was not one of the students who'd gone chasing after the thing! She liked to think she had sense!

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Jecht let out a sharp bark of a laugh. "I don't think it cares much about what you're wearing! Besides, you wouldn't be trying to whack anyone with a sword in a real fight anyway. Tossing some magic in, sure."

[darkenedmoon]

"Perhaps not, but it certainly might go after those dressed for battling it, instead of, say, were I in my House robes or my kimono." She grimaced a bit, and yet looked down at her feet thoughtfully.

"The boots, however, are rather nice. Those, I'd like to keep, if I could."

Especially with the weather growing colder, Yotsuyu really ought to consider no longer wearing sandals about. A nice pair of boots truly would do the trick.

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

"Oh yeah?" Jecht briefly showed a moment of interest as he looked down at them -- then frowned, as reality reared its ugly head. "Naw, boots are not a thing to surprise you with."

[darkenedmoon]

That off the cuff comment threw Yotsuyu. "Whatever do you mean?" Not to mention she thought that might be something she ought to do herself--though that gave her an entirely different idea. One that Jecht simply was not suited for.

"Surprise me? Whyever for?"

Bonfire

[talkyourwayout]

Louie has been taking full advantage of the fact that there's free food being passed around like crazy at the bonfire, but for the moment, he's plenty full and content just to take a seat at the first open spot he finds - which just happens to be at Yotsuyu's side.

"Oh, hey." He's not entirely sure what to say to the woman - honestly, she still scares him a little - but eventually he settles on... "Thanks for the knife, by the way."

Because he's pretty sure he didn't thank her at the time.

[darkenedmoon]

She couldn't help but chuckle at that. "You are quite welcome. Has it served you well?" She should certainly hope so, but if the duckling hadn't used it, well, that was his own choice.

"Would you care for some cider? It is very good; it reminds me somewhat of home. Not that Doma ever produced something like this, but on occasion Garlemald got its claws on some sprite apples or faerie apples from Coerthas or Gridania, or cider made from those apples."

And, having been high in the hierarchy, so to speak, she'd been able to have some, herself.

research on the sundered.

[puzzlers]

He is glad that he's paired with Yotsuya for this, although he would have been happy to share with just about anybody. He takes a seat across from her with a smile. "I'd be happy to talk about anything, to be honest. Back home magic was... well, it was certainly interesting. I doubt it was like it was in Hydaelyn, but let's hear it." He sat up straighter.

[darkenedmoon]

Being Yotsuyu, she'd practically demanded tea and cookies from the researchers. If she was about to be forced to sit and both speak and listen for another indeterminate amount of time, she was going to enjoy herself.

"Tea? Almond cookies?" She was already pouring herself a cup of tea, at the very least. She took a delicate sip of the tea--jasmine! How lovely!--before offering Yugi a smile and answering his question.

"Now, I was no wielder of aether on Hydaelyn, so most of this is speculation or other's research. But most magic centered on aether and its manipulation. There were six aspects, corresponding to the elements--wind, water, fire, earth, lightning and ice. According to Sharlayan astrology, there is a type of celestial aether that astrologians can manipulate, as well. This is all very basic, however, you understand." Though Yotsuyu knew enough to continue--there might be no books on Eorzean magic here, but she recalled enough to possibly make comparisons.

[puzzlers]

It was the least they could do. Especially after what they'd made them endure up until this point. After she was done pouring herself a cup he decided to do the same, taking a page out of her book. Might as well enjoy himself.

"Wow. That's all really amazing. It's like tapping into the world, itself, to be able to manipulate its elements. And then some higher power too? It wasn't that intricate back home or... maybe it was. I didn't really understand it, to be honest, but all of the magic seemed to stem from a set of ancient artifacts known as the Millennium Items, one of which you've probably seen around the neck of my other half- Atem. He has the Millennium Puzzle. The game of Duel Monsters is a card game back home, but it has ties to ancient Egypt where they used to call on spirits of real monsters to do battle."

[darkenedmoon]

"And your magics stem from that? Ancient Egypt, and the puzzles they created? Fascinating." Yotsuyu shook her head at that. "There are gods and spirits that are given worship on Hydaelyn, and priests that serve them, but it is not the gods that give power. At least, not when it comes to magic there, I am told. I was not talented in the manipulation of aether, however." Yotsuyu sighed slightly. "I simply read what I could get my hands on. I was not allowed to continue educating myself after a certain age--it was reserved for my brother--but I did my best."

Her brow furrowed a bit, even as she sipped her tea to wet her throat. "So tell me of this card game? I do know there is one that is popular here--is it the same, or simply a spiritual successor of the one you knew?"

[puzzlers]

"Mm. It is pretty interesting. I don't know nearly as much as Atem does, so if you'd like to know more, then you should probably talk to him. The card game of Duel Monsters is kind of the modern day version of it." He listens, nodding along, though a frown overtakes his face as she continues. "Was there a reason that you couldn't continue your studies?"

"Ah, yeah, Fantastic Foils is the on here, and I got acquainted with it, because it reminded me of Duel Monsters. It's its own game and if you'd like I could teach you! I work at the card shop and I can definitely get you some cards no problem. The rules are kiiiind of like Duel Monsters and I guess they're pretty similar. No real relation though." He'll take our his Fantastic Foils deck and show her the assortment of cards. "They actually kind of come to life when you play which is certainly a sigh to behold."

[darkenedmoon]

"Atem knows? I shall have to ask him, then." Yotsuyu gave Yugi a rueful smile at that, ducking her head slightly. "Ah, well, my stepparents decided that I was only a female, and so the indulgence of education should be reserved for my stepbrother. I had...other avenues to further myself." Not that she particularly wanted to detail any of them...

Yotsuyu leaned forward, arching her brows. "I have only heard of such a thing vaguely, but there is a game sort of like this in Eorzea...both with cards--that is Triple Triad--or with minions--little toys or creatures that are like pets. That is called Lord of Verminion. I wish I could tell you more than their names, sadly. Such things were hardly popular in the Empire."

She looked thoughtful, though. "I think I shall ask Atem, but I am not going to say I won't wish to learn. I am just the type to learn all I can about a thing, first." And there certainly was a great deal to learn at the academy, and elsewhere on this world.

[puzzlers]

"He would know more about that aspect of it, yeah. I only know a little about it, I'm afraid. But the items were held by the Pharaoh and his Priests and they could use their own spiritual power to summon monsters and use them in battle. Other people could too if their own power was strong enough, but that was not all that common..."

"And I'm sorry they thought that. You are a very intelligent and talented young woman and they should have realized that and allowed you to study alongside him..."

"Just let me know when you'd like me to show you then. I'd be happy to introduce you to the game. But, ah, back to the magic and, well, duel monsters by extension. I believe in something called the heart of the cards, which is basically that my deck is an extension of myself and will come to my aid when I'm in a bind. I trust in my monsters and they trust in me... and just like back home I actually have one of them with me now, and like I've just explained how back in Ancient Egypt the Pharaoh and his Priests used their own energy to summon and sustain their monsters, well, that's how me and monster share a bond here..."

Bonfire

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik has lost sight of Eleven for the time present and began to wander around. The fire light was welcome and it made him recall his camping days both among his men and back when he sat near it with the boy.

Seeing Yotsuyu there now, Hendrik paused in his steps. She had on a cloak over her costume and he couldn't help but smile. He'd wanted to point out it wasn't very efficient armor, but that would possibly cause a fight. And besides, he'd had to get a whole lecture explained to him on what Halloween was and why it was being celebrated. Yotsuyu wasn't striving for accuracy, but more for fun and the literal spirit of the holiday. So he stood close by, but he was not sitting near her.

"Are you warm enough?"

[darkenedmoon]

"No, but I am certain Headmaster Birony was not considering my comfort when she put me in this ridiculous getup," Yotsuyu complained. Surely, the fire would warm her eventually, she hoped. But Hendrik was making her nervous, standing over her. "By the kami, would you stop looming over me and come and sit?"

With that, she patted the ground covering next to her. "I've nothing to eat, though certainly there's enough about to trade for it, if you've not availed yourself. I do not mind offering out cider to get you a meal."

This was very little like the tales she'd heard of the Eorzeans' celebration of All Saints' Wake, but it was not something celebrated in Doma, not while Garlemald had occupied it, at least...

[unswervingcompanion]

"A lady knight would have more armor." And that's about all he was going to really say to that unless he was looking for her to slap him. He was going to keep going or possibly ask to sit when she seemed to get upset and so he sat next to her, careful not to touch her.

Blue green eyes looked at Yotsuyu and he shook his head. "It is indeed curious as to how you always seem to be offering me food. But if you are hungry, I can go."

Honestly Yotsuyu always did seem to be trying to look after him that way. It was just another one of those things that made her well..her in his eyes. She looked after him when the Luminary disappeared and it had been very touching.

[darkenedmoon]

"I am certain that a lady knight would also be more covered than I am at this moment, and thus be warmer than I am, as well." Yotsuyu could not help grumbling a little--she felt more than a bit awkward in this getup, despite the knight's obvious amusement.

Though considering it was good to see a smile on his face, she wasn't about to actually complain much more than she already had...She wrinkled her nose as she gazed up at him.

"I do that because I figure if I do not see you eating, the likelihood of you actually eating is low. Especially if I do not see Eleven nearby--which at the moment, I do not." She sniffed primly at that. "I am fine. You know I do not eat terribly much, as a rule. I availed myself earlier--though if you are hungry, please, get yourself something, and I shall wait for you."

Yotsuyu paused, then. "Though something sweet would not go amiss." She knew she was absolutely terrible at showing people that they mattered, but there were a few folk who she actively tried, with. And Hendrik was one of them--nigh unto the top of the short list, in truth.

[unswervingcompanion]

"She would be." Hendrik admitted, though to his knowledge there weren't any women in the knights of Heliodor. That didn't mean they didn't exist however. At hearing about her discomfort, he shook his head. "I can certainly fetch you a blanket or a cloak." Anything for Yotsuyu, really.

His face turned slightly red at the talk of eating. He most certainly ate quite a lot in his mind but these thoughts weren't revealed. "The Luminary is off entertaining his friends I believe." It was a long internal fight to let the boy do his own things after he'd disappeared. "I will go then."

As he stood, his head cocked to the side. "Something sweet. I will go see what fits that description. So with a nod, the knight turned and left.

[darkenedmoon]

For the moment, Yotsuyu just watched Hendrik leave--though it was not entirely a sad thing, to watch him go.

It was not as if the bonfire itself was not doing a good deal to warm her up, and she could always retreat into her tent if she chose. Still, the spirit of the bonfire was clearly to share what plenty one could, and Yotsuyu still had quite a bit of the cider in the bottles to disburse.

The hard cider? Well, that she was saving. There wasn't that much--likely enough to warm her up on its lonesome, especially if she shared it with the knight. She'd just have to wait until Hendrik returned.

[unswervingcompanion]

Coming back with a lot of food, there was one thing that he didn't forget and that was her dessert. "All I could find for sweets was this cake thing." A chocolate on chocolate concoction was placed before her but it was a really big piece.

Sitting down with the food that he acquired, the knight shook his head. "I couldn't find anything that resembles what you make." There was a complaint in there somewhere. But it wouldn't be Yotsuyu's cooking anyway, so it didn't really matter in the big scheme of things.

"And if you're hungry, I can share." There was plenty of food on Hendrik's plate after all.