March Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

March Event and Intro Log Golem On The Loose The rain never stops. Water and mud track all over campus. Diligent cleaning golems stomp about, mopping and scrubbing and polishing and then going back to do it all over again, and again, and again... One of them seems to have had it. The renegade golem bursts into Kedrigan Hall -- interrupting classes and disrupting labwork to furiously seize students and scrub every last scrap of mud and dirt off of them. All the halls have been locked off with "Under Cleaning" signs, and anyone who enters them meets with the golem's wrath, as it violently plays a pre-recorded message about not interfering with groundskeeping and deploys a giant claw-like tool to grab the interloper and put them back on unforbidden ground. The professors, who are after all completely immune to the golem's attention by its very design, seem to think this is a good learning opportunity for students. Is it? Horrible Spell Doom? "Are you sure you're ready for the test on Advanced Gaseous Discovery?" one upperclassman asks the other. "Of course I'm sure," the second says confidently. Whipping out a wand from a holster on her belt, she sweeps her wand through the air gracefully, pronouncing several Osmarian sigils as she draws them. Probably. "See, that's a blue cloud--" Said blue cloud, which puffs into being as the last syllable left her lips, abruptly doubls in size. Then it doubles in size again. And again. The upperclassmen, who have been in Diatu for several years and know exactly what this sort of thing means, don't hesitate. Not even stopping to share a glance between them, they run like crazy, leaving the growing cloud behind just as classes let out and students begin to enter the halls. But... surely it doesn't have any weird and wacky side effects, right? The Bala-inlota Parade (aka The Non-Horrible Prompt) To celebrate the start of the Bala-inlota season, Anastara spares no expense. The great parade and associated festival stretches the whole weekend, and the whole city puts on their colors and turns out for the fun. Enterprising vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs ranging from small and crude figurines to magical constructs that shine field displays onto flat surfaces so you can watch the action up-close! (Good luck affording that, students.) Practically any sort of entertainment you could want appears on the streets and canals of Anastara, and food and drink flow freely. 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 team has developed a Sundering spell that they warn is crude and unpolished, because the Curriculum is so unpracticed. They hope it will connect to your home worlds and establish a magical link they can build off of to open further passages. No promises! And to those who do undergo this spellwork... it has a certain side effect of confusion, as brief images from your home world flicker across your vision for a few hours afterwards. Wonders Await Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Have fun!

A Special Note

If you thread out one or more scenes based on the confusion from "Research on the Sundered", respond to the comment on this post with a link to that thread. The results of this will be revealed next month! (It is, we're afraid, not a regain, lest your participation be based solely on that hope!)

Comments

Parade

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik was still here, and people still seemed so insistent on handing him food. It was almost humiliating and he was on the edge of refusal when he saw a familiar brown head of hair. Well so the Luminary hadn't told him he was coming here, but it was a good thing that he'd been spotted.

Guardian mode was activated, but on top of that, the knight overheard the boy asking if the food was good. So that must mean the other was hungry. Really, one would think he could take care of himself even if for just a moment. This was easier somehow when there were more companions here to keep an eye on the teenager.

But before Eleven could keep asking, Hendrik handed him a lot of different food.

[bearshermark]

"Urk..!"

One moment, he was simply asking how something tasted, and the next, he had nearly an armful of food. Eleven blinked up at his unexpected benefactor, then turned a bit red.

Hendrik.

"You found me. ..Um, how did you get all this?"

[unswervingcompanion]

"You should learn to eat if you are hungry." And no he's not helping to figure out what it all is, because even the knight has no idea.

There was the slightest eye roll at the question, but he shook his head. "People here are practically shoving food at passerby. But I highly doubt there is anything that resembles the fare back home."

And yes Hendrik has been looking, make no mistake.

[bearshermark]

"I was looking."

Eleven took a bite out of whatever was closest to his mouth, then cast a glance over the crowd. Now that he was paying closer attention, he could see that food and drink did seem to be offered rather freely without coins exchanging hands except for in a few cases.

"I guess I thought everyone was paying for everything." He brightened and took another bite out of the fried fish-thing on a stick. "If anyone hands you a beer, you've got to let me have some. They think I'm not of age here."

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik wasn't sure what to make of Eleven's request. "I have to let you have some? Does this also mean that you expect me to carry you home if you can no longer walk?" Because he totally will, and you will not live it down.

That earned a sort of snort but the blue eyes began immediately scanning the crowds for such a thing. Since the Luminary was eating, at least that would slow the beer down some. And then Hendrik wondered if this was some sort of guardian test.

With a sigh, he finally spotted a girl with several full beer glasses in her hands. So he went to go and turned to look over his shoulder. "Wait here." And then he walked off because beer sounded good actually so he'd get two.

[bearshermark]

Eleven laughed, grinning and content to let Hendrik draw his own conclusions. He didn't mean to get drunk, but he couldn't deny that the idea held some appeal. And seeing as it was the weekend, he didn't have to worry about being hungover for class. But the odds of consuming enough alcohol to achieve it seemed low.

Still, he decided to leave his options open.

"Okay," he agreed readily enough, not quite tall enough to see whatever it was Hendrik did. But if the man was willing to help him acquire alcohol, then he was willing to stay in one spot and not wander off.

Besides which, he had an armful of food to set about consuming.

[unswervingcompanion]

Coming back, Hendrik actually managed to acquire three tall frothing glasses of beer. It was odd because he personally hadn't had anything like this in a long time. So it was actually kind of nice that the Luminary mentioned it, though it wouldn't get mentioned.

The knight handed Eleven one of the glasses and thought about bumping their glasses together, but rejected the idea. They weren't friends, they were companions. Hendrik served the Luminary and that was to keep him safe no matter what. And that didn't equal friends.

"Make sure you eat as well." That was said gruffly and Hendrik turned and drank his beer trying to focus on the sights.

[bearshermark]

Eleven's eyes went wide and readily accepted the glass, then cradled it like gold as much as his hands allowed.

"I could kiss you," he announced, reverent- whether to Hendrik or the glass may be difficult to parse. In either case, he downed a nice long swill of it, and alongside fried food and a heart that felt lighter than it had in weeks, the beer tasted like pure luxury.

"Mm." He came up for breath, licking his lips, and dragged his sleeve across his face. "Thank you, Hendrik. I owe you."

[unswervingcompanion]

At the Luminary's words about a kiss, Hendrik was beset with a sudden fit of coughing. It was most definitely the beer, but he rushed through the first tall glass so that he could start on the second. And at this rate, he'd have to be the one to worry about stumbling if the Luminary insisted on anything more like he just had.

But then he looked back just for a moment at the other's happy face. Then the knight turned away again. "Think nothing of it."

Besides, Hendrik could only think of reasons that it was he who should be saying thank you to the one who was destined to save the world from darkness. A beer severely paled in comparison to that.

[bearshermark]

Delighted, Eleven alternated between bouts of drinking and eating. He somehow led them through the parade and found the breath to talk about different curiosities as they came across them. With alcohol in his blood and nothing pressing to worry about, he was more relaxed in Hendrik's presence than he might have been otherwise.

"I was in Gondolia when they were holding the Signor Universo contest. We didn't get to enter, but the festival leading up to it was kind of like this and Serena loved trying all the sweets. Not nearly as much magic, of course. I've never seen so much of it in one place like this."

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik finished his second glass and made sure he kept it at that as long as the other didn't talk about frivolous silly things again. So with a sharp mental reprimand at himself, he walked beside the Luminary keeping an eye out for anything amiss.

All of the magic here was a painful memory of Jasper. And sometimes Hendrik would have to put his studies up for the night when the memories of his former friend became too painful. That one hit he'd taken for the Luminary would've severely injured the other or outright killed him. So Hendrik knew that had been his duty to take that hit, which even knocked him to his knees and was very painful.

But at the Luminary's mention of the contest, it got a tiny laugh out of the knight. "Now that you mention it, there would be some resemblance at least with the abundance of food."

[bearshermark]

Eleven nodded. "I wish we'd had more time to enjoy it, but we were trying to catch up to the merchant that bought the Rainbough from Gallopolis. ..But none of that matters here, so I can enjoy the festival like a normal person this time."

He turned a look on Hendrik, grinning. "You sure stand out a lot, though!"

[unswervingcompanion]

The normal comment had Hendrik wondering. But this boy had the weight of the world thrust upon him whether he wanted that fate or not. It was a very heavy burden to bear but no one else could do what the Luminary could. And the knight was about to say something when that last comment was thrown at him.

Making a mental note not to give the other any more beer unless he wished to talk in a more relaxed manner, Hendrik shook his head, still on the alert for danger just in case as he walked just a few steps ahead. But then he looked back for a moment.

"If I do stand out as you say, then that is a good thing. It may keep you safe and I shall continue to be your sword and shield."

[bearshermark]

Eleven drained the rest of his beer and briefly scouted about for a place to set the glass or else get a refill.

"You need another beer," he advised Hendrik. "You're still too serious. Don't make me order you to lighten up."

[unswervingcompanion]

"And here I do not think you need another." Hendrik commented dryly. But still, the knight got each of them another round, relieving the Luminary of his empty mug as well as his two. This time though he only got himself one mug and handed over a new full mug to Eleven.

"You cannot order someone to change their personality." And this was said before Hendrik took a drink from his frothing mug.

[bearshermark]

Really? Is that true? The dark thought flashed through his mind with an impulsive vengeance before he could stop it, but fortunately, the challenge did not make it to his lips. It was an anger meant for someone else, anyway.

The beer went a long way in helping chase it away. Mindful of the direction of his thoughts however, Eleven took to this one more slowly.

"I know.. I just wish you weren't obligated to protect me- that no one was. I wonder who everyone really is and think that maybe I won't ever know because of what I am. I think that's why I like this place and the people I've met here."

[unswervingcompanion]

"I obligated myself." Hendrik said, stopping abruptly to turn to face the Luminary. "And I do understand that you carry a heavy burden in restoring light to our world. But know this, you do not walk alone here nor did you back home. You have friends here and you should cherish those that you have while you can. And mayhaps we can find a way to defeat the darkness here."

It was his clumsy way of telling the Luminary that he wasn't alone and that he would try to share in the burden. "Start where you are, and work from there. Here is all that you have, and for now, make the most of it." It was something similar to what he had told Yotsuyu when she had told him of her plight and how things had gone for her back in her home world.

[bearshermark]

Eleven looked up at Hendrik, not quite expecting him to stop to offer encouragement or advice. For the first time, he found himself grateful for the knight's presence. He might not need a protector, and Hendrik might not be one of his friends, but he understood.

For now, that would be enough.

"Mm," he said, voice echoing into his beer glass as he ducked his head back to it, "I'm doing that, I think. I know what I have to do and I'm not going to forget that, but I would appreciate it if you could call me by my name, here."

[unswervingcompanion]

"I shall try." But really Hendrik couldn't make any promises. Luminary came to his lips faster than anything else. And probably at the speed at which the current subject was consuming that beer. But Eleven was an adult in their world, and besides, there was the whole saving the world burden.

So he sighed and figured if the Luminary was going to drink, he wasn't going to do it lightly. Let him learn and at least Hendrik could carry him back and let him sleep off the effects of the alcohol. This, of course, wouldn't save him from the hangover that would plague him in the morning, but live and learn, or tough love.

The knight grabbed another round for the Luminary and handed that to him. That should keep the other busy and quiet, but somehow Hendrik doubted it.

[bearshermark]

Eleven laughed brightly, accepting the fresh beer with a grin. "Now you're trying to get me drunk."

He'd intended to slow down, but now that he had another glass waiting, saw no reason not to polish off his second. It went down nice and easy, and he was pretty sure he was starting to feel it.

But that was fine. Getting drunk sounded like the best idea he'd ever had. A shame he hadn't been able to do it sooner; it would have made the Fall easier to deal with.

"You're a decent guy, Hendrik. ..We should've been allies sooner."

[unswervingcompanion]

Nope, Eleven shattered the quiet thing right off. "Better to make sure that you're safe instead of being in a dangerous place while you are not thinking clearly." In other words, Hendrik could keep an eye on the Luminary while he drank. And then the knight would be able to carry him safely. It was better than the other being off by himself or to get into who knew what trouble either by himself or someone else.

That last comment got a 'hmph' out of the taller man. Hendrik had wished that himself, that he'd known a great many things about Jasper, the King, and the Luminary being the Luminary and not the Darkspawn as he'd been fed. And then there was the whole matter of not knowing Princess Jade was alive and well.

The knight clenched his fists as he walked and spoke his next words."To think of how loyally I carried out the King's orders then fills me with shame. But my regrets are worth naught now, and no apology will suffice."

He stopped and gazed off into the distance for a moment before continuing with a small shake of his head. "No, all I can do now is fight alongside you in the battle against Mordegon. I vow that I will defend you with my life if needs be."

[bearshermark]

"I'm still thinking clearly," he defended, though he was aware that would probably change soon. Still, he thought it was important for Hendrik should know he wasn't that drunk yet.

But he bit his lip, eyes lowering to watch his feet. He was relatively sure he was still walking just fine- another good sign. His shoulders hunched.

"It won't be. I'll be strong enough, this time. I have to be."

[unswervingcompanion]

With a sigh that he couldn't dwell on this, Hendrik turned to look at the Luminary, nodding at his words.

"No one can predict what lies ahead, but we can make sure that we are always prepared for battle. And you will do well when the time comes. Of that, I hold no doubt."

The knight then looked at the Luminary trying to figure out if the other was going to collapse or not. "Are you still able to walk?"

[bearshermark]

"Yes," he said, resolute as he raised the glass to his lips again.

"Let's talk about something else," he decided, and veered as far away from destiny as it was possible to get. "How are your classes going?"

[unswervingcompanion]

That question had the knight swerve right back around and the fists clenched again. "I confess, I was never academic. Even when King Carnelian took it upon himself to educate me, I would often glaze over during lessons. The few things I did learn have stood me in good stead ever since. Needless to say, I now wish I had taken my studies more seriously."

He sighed. "I find at times that I go back to being that same boy."

Jasper would be great at this sort of thing, but Hendrik didn't equal his childhood friend.