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

[darkenedmoon]

[Golem on the Loose]

[She might have been afforded a student teacher position, but this golem has, seemingly, not gotten the memo. Meanwhile, Yotsuyu stands before a group of cowering smaller children, glaring up at the golem itself, while holding one arm before the youngsters protectively. She has a fan in her other hand; that is pointed at the golem. It is growling about the mud the children have tracked in and is cleaning it furiously for now, but clearly it's only a matter of time before it turns its attention on them.]

Go. Escape through the windows if you must. I will hold it back!


[The Bala-Inlota Parade]

[The riotous crowd around her is practically designed to annoy Yotsuyu. She is frowning, being shoved from one place to another, and generally looking like she isn't having a very good time. She isn't. She had come down here to try to understand what all the fuss was about. It still isn't getting through to her, really. She does manage to get herself a cup of wine and back herself into a corner to watch all the chaos, but she mostly tries to keep to herself, a little frown on her face.

Do you dare approach the witch?]


[Wildcard]

(Feel free to 'choose your own adventure', hit me up in PMS or at nightlocke if you have ideas! Thanks!)

The Bala-Inlota Parade

[woo_oo]

[Well sure, they're pals, after all! She bounces along, stopping when she spots Yotsuyu, and casually strolls over.]

Hey! Did you have any of the snacks they're serving?

[darkenedmoon]

[She turns a wide-eyed look to--oh! It's Webby! Tolerable company, at least, even though Yotsuyu has basically backed herself into a corner, out of the hustle and bustle.]

No, not yet, I have not. I would not call this a snack. [With a glance at her wine, cradled against her in a stemless glass. That seems wiser than moving about with something that could end up an improvised shiv if one knocked the globe of the glass off.]

Have you? You certainly seem happy to be here. [Then again, Webby had struck her as a sweet and garrulous child; of course she would fit in here!]

[woo_oo]

[She bounces on her heels, pleased as punch! And is wondering if you have punch. It looks like punch.]

I really am! Granny never lets me eat unhealthy stuff, but that's all you can find here! I can almost feel my arteries clogging!

[darkenedmoon]

I am not sure you would like wine, but if you are looking for other treats, I can go with you.

[Webby's one of the few folk she'd suffer the crowds for, truly.]

I am not sure I'll indulge in everything you are, but there might be a few interesting tidbits, eh?

The Bala-Inlota Parade

[perfectenn]

Why, yes, this audacious child from the airship dares very much. Fresh from dancing and quite hungry, Tenn seeks out a quiet spot to eat, and it just so happens to be near someone he knows. His plate today is piled with colorfully dyed dango.

"You're still alive too, I see." He says in an unconcerned tone, but there's a hint of a smirk to indicate teasing.

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu cannot help but offer a lip curl at the sight of dango, but the snarky greeting gets a full-throated laugh from her. There might even be a hint of honest delight in it.

"Yes, I am still alive. All this bala-inlota ridiculousness has not managed to kill me yet." Yotsuyu is lucky she's not entirely close to other passersby, or someone might stare at her with horror, because someone not concerned about the sport of--Diatu, at least, if not everywhere else.

"It is good to see that the dango is top-notch, so you haven't succumbed yet, either." She doesn't mind trading snark for snark, either, but there's no malice in it.

[perfectenn]

Though he doesn't return the laugh, Tenn hides a grin behind sampling one of the garishly colored treats.

"Pompous as it is, the food is excellent. The wine must be as well." But he's one year too young to find out for himself. "Everyone has been welcoming, if bold." His cream-colored cloak has not a hint of a team color. Tenn hoped the elegant monotone might dissuade the locals from pressing their agendas. He was sorely mistaken, as he continues to be regarded like an unfortunately blank billboard.

"They are excited to have foreign participants on the teams. Perhaps they think the game will be improved by new perspectives."

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu herself is in her casual clothes--which means black and red. Twelve help her if that's actually a team's colors, and it might indeed be the reason why she's hiding. One too many fans yelling in her face.

"It is one of the better vintages I've had, yes." Though she's uncertain as whether or not she should offer him any. More because she doesn't want to be challenged about it, rather than caring about the delinquency of a minor. Most of them knew how to avail themselves anyway, if they truly chose.

"I suppose, but even here they must have those who are entirely uninterested in the spectacle. And that is where you will find me...I am just here for the wine. And maybe the food." And there is why she is basically hiding.

[outofyourshadow]

[Finished with its task, the golem rises to its looming height. Just as it takes a step towards Yotsuyu and the children, though, it's suddenly hit in the back of the head with a ball of mud.

Enraged, it rounds on Lena, whose standing behind it and holding another ball of mud dripping from one hand.]

Don't you know it's bad to pick on children?

[darkenedmoon]

Be wary, it is out of what little mind it has! [And Yotsuyu isn't very enthused by its abilities already. She's of a mind to have a word with someone in charge after this.

Well, assuming she makes it out unscathed, that is.]

Come. You all must go, we will do what we may to hold it off. At least until someone decides to disable it.

[Using the time that Lena has bought, she shoos the children all out the windows, practically throwing the smallest through it. At least this classroom is on the ground floor, for which she thanks the Twelve. And once the last child is gone, she wheels, whipping her fan out of her sleeve again, and heads for the golem. It's been occupied cleaning the mud off of itself, the walls, and where it dripped on the ground, but now it threatens once again.

Have you any ideas besides the mud? That was a good one, I must say. You have my thanks.

[outofyourshadow]

Yeah well, this thing has really been making me mad.

[She lobbed the mudball at it again, this time hitting the brush it had been cleaning with.]

But no, this is basically the plan.

[darkenedmoon]

Well. I shall have to do my best, then. Have you more mud, or should we encourage it to chase us?

[Yotsuyu isn't entirely certain that the children went to get the teachers--most of the teachers hadn't been too upset about the golem to begin with, when it had first gone berserk. She looks it over skeptically, eyes narrowed.]

I was thinking of blinding it, but I do not want it to wreck the classroom.

Bala-inlota Parade

[plusfivedex]

[Kamala, on the other hand, is enjoying the festivities, but when she takes notice of Yotsuyu, it piques her curiosity. She approaches with a little smile of greeting.]

Hello, there. Is everything okay?

[darkenedmoon]

[Yotsuyu looks up at that, a bit like a deer in headlights. She chuckles, a bit ruefully, and nods.]

Yes, I am all right, I am just hiding from the crowds who are pressing upon me the fact that since I am wearing black and red, I must be the fan of some Bala-Inlota team I've never heard of. I suppose I should have worn my robes, no one could mistake House colors...I hope.

I snuck in here to get out of the press and calm my nerves with a glass of wine, and try to figure out a way out.

[plusfivedex]

Hmm, I see...

[Kamala nods thoughtfully as she tries to work out a way she can be helpful. After all, she doesn't need her powers or her mask to be heroic.]

Oh, of course.

[She unfastens the unique cloak she had upon arriving here, and offers it to Yotsuyu.] Why don't you put this on for now, and we can walk back to the campus?

[darkenedmoon]

I am grateful for the idea and the offer--but do you not want to take in the festivities as well? It would not be right for my foolishness to cut your enjoyment short.

[Yotsuyu pauses for a moment, thinking.] We could traverse the festival and I will just wear your cloak, and stay nearby. I do not wish to simply take it, but if we do somehow get separated, I am in Suite 7 in the living quarters. Just in case.

[She really has no intent to get separated, though. It was kind enough of the girl to even offer, she won't take advantage.]

I cannot thank you enough. May I have your name? I am Yotsuyu.

Bala-inlota Parade

[unswervingcompanion]

Being tall and built, Hendrik isn't bothered much by the crowd. He's still new here of course and is looking to see what he can see. Most of this place still makes no sense to him but he's had to at least see what this..celebration looked like.

Somehow he managed to get handed a few things with a cheery wave and greeting, more than a few times. So now he's got different things to eat. And somewhere someone along the way someone gave him something to drink though he has no idea what could be in the tankard.

Spotting Yotsuyu Hendrik heads over, foodstuffs in hand. And once he reached her, he offers the food on one of the plates. "I am unsure as to what these things are. But you're more than welcome to have them."

[darkenedmoon]

"What is all this? I told you you needed give no thanks," Yotsuyu chided, but it was gentle at least, comparatively. He's heard her both arrogant and angry before, and none of that is evident now.

"Truly, though, they loaded you down, did they not? I suppose it would be rude not to share." So she accepted the plate, looking over it curiously. Her brows arched.

"It looks like something from my homeland...curious. I was aware they had dango and daifuku here, but not yakitori. You should try some; it's on a skewer, so I should hope it does not put you out too much."

And, recalling her confusion over 'hot dogs', she offered, "They are made with chicken and spring onion, it looks like. Nothing which offends, I hope."

But she's fond of yakitori, so Yotsuyu wastes no time in taking a skewer for herself and digging into it as daintily as she can.

[unswervingcompanion]

"I had no choice. People were giving out samples, or so they said." Hendrik wasn't about to listen to her regarding food because well..chivalry. "And I happened to pass so many of them." Truly by accident, but he wasn't going to say no to food.

His eyes looked at the things Yotsuyu had indicated, of course not even hoping to recognize the names she used. But if she recognized them then they couldn't be bad. He had never seen half of these things before and wasn't sure about the customs of consuming them. If he was around his knights, they would be flat out feasting, but there Hendrik would know exactly what he was eating before he ate it.

So he sets the rest of the things down and tries the foods she had named, the first thing that he was trying was the meat on the skewer. After a bite or two, he nodded. "This is good. I will make sure to get more of it."

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu noted his confusion, though she didn't laugh at him. "Dango and daifuku are desserts, anyway. Sweets. I am sure you'd rather have real food, first." In truth, so would she, though she'd hardly pass up the daifuku with strawberries inside.

Some of the food he'd laid claim to was unfamiliar to her as well. She'd seen some Eorzean delicacies that had been imported and served when the prince of the Empire came to be entertained, but those weren't always times she'd been calm enough to sample them.

"You may have all the dango though, if you like. I am not fond of them as I almost find them too sweet." Save for when she was the childish 'Tsuyu', but dango-eating then was something she tried to put out of her memory. "I am glad you enjoy the yakitori, at least!"

Parade - Long time no see! OTL

[bluebloodyblazes]

One of those people pushed in her direction happens to be someone familiar, even though they haven't seen each other for a while.

"Hey, watch it, asshole!" Rin just manages to stop himself from colliding with her with a great deal of stubbornness.

"Man, Sorry abou- Oh, Hey, Yotsuyu," He smiles sheepishly, but not before turning around and flipping off the crowd in general.

[darkenedmoon]

Well, that was indeed a face she hadn't seen in a while. Yotsuyu arched a brow at him, a low chuckle escaping her briefly. Especially after he makes a rude gesture at the crowd.

"I cannot imagine that schoolwork has occupied your time, you horrible young man," she said. But she is smiling as she says that. "Where have you been hiding, then? I am not surprised, either, that this has brought you out of cover, either. This seems more up your alley, whilst I am a duck out of water here."

She'd hidden out here to both escape the press of the crowd, and the fact that they seemed to think she was a fan of a team she'd never even heard of, and could care less about. Of course.

[bluebloodyblazes]

"I think I just got... Really lost? There was a really big library and, Well I think I lost a couple of weeks possibly and maybe got cursed." But that's neither here nor there.

"And this is for a Game, right? 'Course I'm here," he grins. "I'm not great at school stuff, but Sports I can do," he takes a casual lean against the wall next to the woman.

"If I make it in, you're gonna cheer for me, right?" He teases, tail flicking in amusement.

[darkenedmoon]

"Lost? In Starchime, or was it another library?" And a curse, too? That was...more than a bit disturbing, honestly. It made her brows fly up.

"Yes...as I understand it, it is,m for a game. It is also possible I might be able to help you with that 'school stuff." Yotsuyu sniffs delicately, but then rolls her eyes just a bit at Rin's next question.

"Seeing as I already had one other person ask, yes, I will both be showing up to games and cheering for both of you." 'If I must' is mostly unspoken, but she had said she would, so as grudging as it was at the moment, she really would show.