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

[king_of_egypt]

The other hall occupant is more sufficiently disguised as some of Atem's bright blond locks escaped being concealed. Still, his eyes locked on to the other silently questioning who it could be and if they could be sworn to secrecy. The height suggests someone tall, but the Anubis head makes it hard to be accurate in guessing. The chest is well defined.

When neither one speaks a word the other unfortunate student starts to make his departure. After he passes by, Atem decides to speak. "Wait."

"You can't go that way." He pivoted on his feet to look at the back of the retreating figure. "There's a class that's about to let out. If you want to avoid being seen you should follow me." If they were as keen on not being spotted that is.

[blue_ice]

"Fine. Lead the way."

Kaiba really hopes the mask is enough to distort his voice. He'd know the pharaoh's voice anywhere...and he'll always follow, whether he admits it or not.

Best to keep his sentences short. "Headmaster prank?"

[king_of_egypt]

There's something about the tone that gives Atem momentary pause- but for now he hasn't quite figured it out.

With a nod,"This way then." He aimed for an adjacent corridor but before going down it he pressed his back to the wall and leaned over enough to peer down it. "The coast is clear." Pushing himself off the stone structure he proceeded to walk as swiftly and as quietly as he could manage.

"Definitely." Then with a laugh,"If I had run into you under different circumstances I would have been more concerned. I'm not quite ready to return to the land of the dead."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba feels himself oddly heartened by that statement. They'd discussed the subject before, of course, but to know that his friend still had a reason to stay...

He nodded. "Good, because I wouldn't want you to. And I really hope he wouldn't be insulted to be mistaken for this tacky costume."

And there was his distinctive snort. Seems he'd gotten too comfortable.

[king_of_egypt]

Atem was unwittingly answering a question that had been posed to him before and it was true- he was less inclined to leave now than he had been when he first arrived.

The answer he received however had him glancing to the side and up at this costumed gentleman. Somehow those words felt more emotionally charged than they should have been for a casual stranger. Who else had he seen on campus that was this tall? "... Mm yes, I suppose it isn't wholly authentic."

Looking back down the hallway he allowed a silence to pass between them before calling the other out. ".. and if anyone knew anything about flashy costuming it would be you... Kaiba."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba freezes in place, a curious shade of pink spreading down his neck and over his shoulders. At the sound of his name, the mask mysteriously loosens and falls away, leaving him standing there with a flustered expression and mussed hair.

"That's enough, pharaoh. Come on."

He yanks on Atem's wrist, in a sudden hurry to get them away from public view.

"...have I mentioned that I hate this place?"

[king_of_egypt]

When his companion came to an abrupt halt it took only a pace later for Atem to as well. Perhaps he shouldn't have acknowledged the other's identity but he really didn't think that Kaiba had any reason to feel embarrassed. In fact the sight of him standing there flushed and half-clothed was rather pleasing to the eye. The embarrassment was soon mirrored as Atem forced himself to look away, now grateful that his veil covered the pink tinge on his features. He had no business thinking of such things now.

"I wasn't going to press it further." He replied still finding the stone floor a suitable source to direct his attention to. Consequently, when Kaiba reaches out to grab him he wasn't expecting it. The first step is more of a stumble but he corrects himself after that.

"I'm sure you must have at least a dozen times now."

[blue_ice]

"That's because it just gets worse all the time."

Kaiba can't really explain why he's so embarrassed...he knows he looks good, and he's confident and secure in his relationship. Maybe it's just the idea of being vulnerable in front of the man who always pierced his armor in the worst ways. But at least he's not the only one looking like this.

He does smile a little as they hurry along...once he remembers to let go of him. Finally, thankfully, they reach a tower. Atem and Yugi's tower.

"You'll be safe here until it wears off."

[king_of_egypt]

Atem couldn't really argue with that statement since one of their trio always seemed to be a magnet for the worst kind of trouble. He means you Yugi. That being said Kaiba didn't always get out unscathed either.

There could be any number of reasons for the unease. Confidence aside, this still wasn't how either one of them tended to dress so they could chalk it up just to that. The longer they traveled together the more his own embarrassment lessened.

Keeping pace with Kaiba it doesn't take long to figure out where they're heading first.

Okay- that line makes him feel a little silly again. Kaiba was making him sound like a damsel in distress. ".. and you always accused me of being overly dramatic." He chuckled at that. "What about you? You're not going to try for your own tower are you? I might be able to hide you in our room until the spell is over." Then with a smirk. "It might even be a nice surprise for Yugi."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba can only laugh at himself. It's truly ridiculous...and surprising that Atem managed to rouse such a sound from him in this state. He has to hold onto his stomach to keep from doubling over, he's laughing so hard.

"I just wanted to...defend your honor," he snorts. "But fine. We'll see if you're right about his tastes. And I'll even behave. Maybe we could...play a game, in the meantime?"

[king_of_egypt]

The moment that is shared between them is one of many that makes Atem glad to be here to witness it. Kaiba had a great laugh when he used it, and not the maniacal variety. It's hard not to get swept up in it.

Although he's looking amused himself, Atem shakes his head as if he's totally exasperated. "Well- my honor has been secured. Let's get inside." Opening the door he allowed the brunette to go first before following him. "I definitely don't think he'll be expecting this."

"Why not?"

[blue_ice]

"Good. It's been too long."

Kaiba decides to make himself at home in the dormitory. He casually wraps himself in a stray blanket (it's cold for him, all right) and reaches for his pocket and...

"...ugh. I don't have my deck. We'll have to do something else. Do you have anything here?"