Let The Games Begin

[magicademymods]

February Event and Intro Log Orientation Week/Magic Mayhem The campus of Diatu Magicademy stretches out before you, confused and chaotic and surging with energy. Where are you headed? To your dorm or suite, to get settled? Maybe you need some food now? Wherever you head off to as your first stop, you have to deal with the snow. Helpful or proud students are passing out various magical remedies to get you where you need to be -- umbrellas with a nasty tendency to dump snow directly onto other people nearby, an iron tube that projects fire but appears to have no off switch, snowshoes that keep you slightly too high off the snow and thus provide no friction for stopping... Familiar Follies Familiars do not harass or harm each other as a rule -- but that doesn't mean they have no pecking order, and the week of Orientation finds them all jockeying for status and position as suits them. This can take the form of pranks, displays, competitions, or simple physical assertiveness towards each other. The goal is simply to be seen as superior by the student body. New wizards especially may find themselves surprised at this behavior of their familiars... 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 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.) Furthermore, they request to perform a few spells on you for testing purposes. It is, quite regrettably, possible that if you consent to this testing, you will come away with a temporary side effect -- a slight change of hair color, traveling two steps for every one you take, one hand moving about a second behind the arm it should be attached to, or being ridden by a penguin. No need to worry, these changes won't last more than a day! Wonders Await Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Have fun!

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Alphinaud Leveilleur | Final Fantasy XIV

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Orientation Week / Magic Mayhem

[Alphinaud has been one of the lucky ones to be given a pair of the snowshoes. It's a relief, of course, because the snow has accumulated to an uncomfortable level for hiking through, so now he can proceed without concerns of the coldness or the wetness as it clings to his ankles.

At least, he thinks so as he takes his first step, filled with confidence, and finds that he keeps going. He realizes at least that at this rate, he's like to crash, and so he lets his body fall backwards to avoid it. Unfortunately, this means that he's now bathing in the snow, and he drops the books and things he had meant to transport to his new living quarters. Hopefully they're magically inclined to not soak up the moisture of the snow?? The same could not be hoped for Alphinaud, though, and he sits up at once, already shivering from it while he tries to gather his belongings.]

Familiar Follies

[Though the cat that he has been assigned as a familiar had been amicable at their introduction, its personality seems a lot more assertive now. Indeed, Alphinaud realizes that there's a different air about all of the familiars. They seem intensely focused on one another, and, more accurately, a need to display some form of dominance. His cat, Topaz, often disappears from his side, and by the time he realizes it, there's such a showdown taking place.

Though Alphinaud would prefer his familiar not to engage in such displays, he also tells himself that this must be their way, and so he tries to hold himself back from calling it off. Sometimes, however, fearing for the safety of one or the other, he will step forward, holding out his hand to cease it.]

Topaz, that's enough!

Research on the Sundered

[Truthfully, Alphinaud stands as much to gain by this research. It seems necessary to returning him to his home, and even were it not, he is genuinely curious about the art. As such, he is polite and easily complicit with the request. He doesn't realize he's been affected with a side effect, however, and he takes his leave with his hair reflecting a nice shade of bubblegum pink.]

Wildcard

[RIGHT THIS OPTION. I'm bad at toplevels so feel free to run into him elsewhere or whatever else!]

Magical Mayhem

[bearshermark]

[Eleven tries not to laugh- he really does- but at least it's quiet and he has the decency to look abashed as he picks up one of Alphinaud's books and offers it out to him]

Sorry- are you all right?

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[Why must Alphinaud keep giving the worst impressions of himself at every opportunity here? He catches the laughter, well-deserved at that, and he raises his head to the sight of a book extended towards him. Beyond that is Eleven, an innocent smile on his face. Alphinaud returns the smile as he accepts the book from him.]

Thank you. I shall manage; though in contrast to the prior snow incident, this hardly feels as cold as it ought to.

[He gathers the other couple of books that dropped and sets them in a pile for the moment while he takes these stupid snowshoes off.]

It occurs to me that I may have misunderstood the purpose of these attachments.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven nods and picks about the area to collect anything else that had fallen. Quills and, he grimaces, leaflets of paper that may or may not dry to a usable state]

I think you have the right of it, but.. [His eyes flick back toward a group of students] Well, they seem given to mischief.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[Having removed the snowshoes, he sets them atop of his books. There is a concern for the wetness of the snow upon them, but he also hopes that perhaps there is a magic to return their state to normal. This land does seem to have quite a variety of spells at its leisure.

Alphinaud follows Eleven's eyes to the group, who seem to be enjoying themselves and pointing at the various students who are also having similar difficulties.]

Rather astute. I do wonder if this is common practice towards new students, or if this is particularly for the Sundered.

[bearshermark]

[It's disheartening to see them, but at least it's only enchanted objects rather than spells.

He shrugs with a brief sigh and turns back toward Alphinaud, shifting the lot of quills and papers to offer him a hand up]

In either case, let's look after each other. Hopefully they'll warm to us before long.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[He smiles, accepting the offered hand and pulling himself up along with the assistance. Once standing, he brushes off some of the snow from his back.]

Yes, I would like to believe as much. We have much to learn from them, but they may be surprised what they could learn from us in exchange.

[Maybe. Each person, however, certainly carries their own potential. One never truly knows what another is capable of until they are given lease to try.]

Have you received your accommodations?

[bearshermark]

Yes, I'm in the.. Eather tower? [Something close to that anyway.] It's suitable, though the others don't seem given to devotion to their gods as much as they're meant to. It's given me cause to wonder.

[He hands over the rest of Alphinaud's supplies] I take it you haven't settled into yours quite yet?

Orientation / I'm going to assume this happens before our TDM thread if that's ok!!

[sorewatopsecret]

[Small hands also begin to gather up a portion the fallen books, belonging to a young woman about his age. Hugging the books to her chest securely with one arm, she uses the other to tuck a lock of silver hair behind her ear before extending her hand out to help him up. With a polite smile, she speaks rather softly, yet dignified:]

You'd best exercise caution when accepting charity from our upperclassmen for now. Though there does not appear to be serious malice, it appears this campus is quite fond of practical jokes.

YES super ok!!

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[He notices at once that she is rather dignified, speaking and carrying herself with a grace that rivals the leaders of his realm. As her hand is offered, he gently accepts, mostly out of appreciation for the concern but also a little for the sake of balance, and he pushes himself upwards so that she needn't be inconvenienced much.]

Thank you for the assistance— and your words of caution. I do have a bit of experience with such types, so I will have to bear that in mind.

[sorewatopsecret]

[Going against expectations, she does not let go of his hand as she works with him to get him back on his feet. Rather, Takane actually grasps it more firmly. Not to be charming or smooth or whatever nonsense... but because he is starting to float upward once more. Oh dear.]

Might you consider ridding yourself of those snow shoes...? [She asks with gentle sincerity, not even a drop of sarcasm in her voice.] If I am permitted to be so frank, it would seem that trudging through the snow banks may be a more effective means of getting to our destinations, rather than attempting to make use of these offerings.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[As soon as he positions himself upright, he feels her tightened grip simultaneously with his slipping feet, and he grasps tighter as well in response. His eyes widen in surprise, forgetting that those snowshoes had been the cause of this mishap in the first place, but eternally grateful for her foresight in preventing another embarrassing fall.]

I do believe you may be right about that... I doubt my ability to take a single step properly in these.

[That said, how to remove them now that he's in this awkward position... Sitting back down is probably the best course of action, but he's going to attempt to slowly lower himself, trying to steady his balance, to see if he can discard them without having to do so.]

[sorewatopsecret]

[Ah yes, it would probably not be that desirable to sink back into the snow that he fell in. She can understand that. She tries to support him as best she could using their joined hands, a bit reminiscent of holding onto a surface at half one's height to remove shoes while standing. All things considered, despite her dainty appearance, she has a surprising amount of strength; her arm remaining steady.

But, snow is slippery. Especially when one was ill-dressed in preparation for this sort of climate, having been in a coastal town before being whisked to this world; heels were more unwieldy than they already were when each step leads to sinking knee-deep into snow. A misstep sliding further than she'd like, and Takane herself loses her footing.]

Ah.

[Aaaaand they're falling. They Tried.]

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[He realizes in the same moment that they start to fall that this was a bad decision, and he regrets it, but too late. Gravity works quickly, of course, but he does what he can to take responsibility for this action. He pulls her forward a bit before releasing her hands to instead support her shoulders as they fall so that he might cushion it for her.

Thankfully, the snow does the same for him somewhat. He winces at the impact, but all things considered, it could have been much worse. Nonetheless, it is his fault that she was dragged into this.]

I'm terribly sorry about this... Are you all right?

familiar follies (i'm not counting tdm since i had her at a different canon point there, oops...)

[spellswords]

[In a stark contrast to Alisaie herself her familiar does not seem interested in engaging with this warfare. That might be because it's a tiny owl with vibrant rust red feathers and seems to vastly prefer being perched on her shoulder than to mingle. It's a little strange for her to suddenly have this tiny animal as her companion but... here they are.

And here, apparently, is a cat coming to pick a fight. The owl doesn't seem bothered but Alisaie gives it a sharp look as it creeps up on them both. It looks ready to try and pounce at the bird on her shoulder and she is having none of that...

But then suddenly Alphinaud is here to tell the cat off and Alisaie forgets her annoyance at the creature. Last she saw of her brother he was...

He expression is mostly shocked but there's an underlying hurt to it.]

Alphinaud...?

no worries! :D

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[He catches the cat before it even has the chance to leap, thankfully, and he decides to keep it in his arms for the time being. He's ready to apologize for the intrusion, but he loses the chance when he hears his name— and more importantly, the voice that calls it.

It staggers him enough to loosen his grip on his familiar, an opportunity that Topaz seizes at once to free himself. However, he does remain by Alphinaud's side, having already been discouraged from engaging any further. (It does not seem content, though.)]

Alisaie! I would never have expected to encounter you here of all places...

[And truly, this is evident upon his face, once that instantly desires to know the circumstances that have led to this. He sees the owl and knows its implications, not that it's likely for her to have arrived out of the same predicament that the other Sundered have found themselves in.]

So you were called to this realm as well.

[spellswords]

[Anyone else may have offered their wayward sibling a hug, especially given the circumstances of their separation, but Alisaie was never very good with her emotions. Upon hearing his voice in return and the acknowledgement that it's really him standing there all the stress of what had happened back home seems to crash down on her all at once.

Her reaction to this is less pleased to see him, even though she is, and more immediately upset. Alisaie lunges forward and reaches out to grab the lapel of his coat, using her other hand to strike him with significant force across the shoulder. Her owl familiar does not seem to care about the movement and manages to remain dutifully in place on her shoulder.]

Godsdamn you! Do you have any idea how worried I've been? What has happened up until now?

[Despite her actions she doesn't take a particularly angry tone; just upset... desperate. He greets her so casually... like he hadn't marched himself off into Garlean territory, disappeared and then returned comatose. She spent all that time worrying about him while the other Scions fell right before her eyes. She had been left all alone. Then... she too had fallen. She recalls a pain like nothing she had felt before that moment and then nothing. Now this.

Had this really been the place the Calling had pulled them to? After all of that... they were meant to be here? She doesn't understand any of this.]

my heart

[delusionsofleveilleur]

[Instantly, he notices that she fails to return the same surprised expression, hers more weary as if the time spent apart has been more unkind to her... This suspicion is confirmed as she latches onto his coat, and at once, he feels the force of her swatting across his shoulder. He flinches from the quick pain, but afterwards, his eyes are wide with concern as he hears her out.

Clearly, he does lack understanding of all that has occurred, thanks in no small part to the communication issues he experienced since crashing down in The Burn. He's stunned for a moment by the disparity in their greetings. It hadn't seemed like long at all since he had taken his leave, but he does know from personal experience that it doesn't take long for trouble to arise, either.

After his initial daze, he places his hands firmly upon her shoulders to support her, both physically and emotionally. He displays his resolve on his face, a tightened expression meant to restore confidence, and he speaks calmly to hopefully settle her nerves.]

Forgive me... For not showing careful consideration of your feelings, both when I left for Garlemald and now.

4.5 trauma intensifies :'(

[spellswords]

[She doesn't forgive him. Not with all these emotions threatening to boil further over. She will eventually, of course, because he's her brother but right now she's furious. She's furious he left, that he couldn't reach out to her after he did and that he was returned to her in the same state as the others.

His calmer reaction to her fury, however, deflates her anger quite a bit. She loosens her grip on his collar and lowers her gaze. She feels tears sting the corners of her eyes but stubbornly refuses to let them fall. Despite her anger more than anything else she's relived he's standing here right now. That he's himself and not a soulless body, still and quiet. That he's okay. It's her relief rather than her anger that brings the tears.]

I doubt my feelings would have changed your mind, stubborn fool that you are. [She says this without spite but instead a tone of grumpy resignation. She had wanted to protest loudly at the time but, like she had said then, she knew he had made up his mind. No arguing would have changed it. In the end he had returned safely. Soul not included but... still alive. Not that this absolves him of her fury over how much she worried about him.]

It's just... all gone wrong. One after another our friends fell to that voice until I was the only one left. I didn't know what to do... where to even begin to help them. To help you.

Familiar Follies

[perfectenn]

The young man walking down the hall hastily sidesteps to avoid yet another yowling face-off. Behind his glasses, narrowed eyes suggest he’s quite well-and-done with this nonsense. (His Valhudor uniform still smells of cabbage from the kitchen; Tenn has familiar troubles of his own and they are of a different but equally frustrating nature.) He has an understanding look to spare to the shouting boy.

"When was the last time you fed your familiar? I’ve found they are less aggressive after meals."

Don’t ask him how he knows that.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Alphinaud is doing his best to block his familiar's advances, but the creature is rather fast and nimble. As Topaz darts towards yet another, Alphinaud jumps to catch him in his tracks, failing miserably and landing on the ground with a thud instead and only and armful of air.

He shakes his head, knowing his efforts are useless, but he hasn't a better idea for how to control the situation. As he stands upright once more, he sees the boy looking towards him, and on top of that, he offers some sage advice.

"Fed...?" he considers, realizing that this is an arbitrary requirement of pet ownership that he has thus far... neglected. "As of yet... I have not. Where can I find suitable supplements for him?"

[perfectenn]

Tenn has no judgement left for this display after his own catastrophes, though he does raise his eyebrows at the reply.

"You weren’t given instructions and supplements when he was assigned to you?" There's a flicker of interest in Tenn's eyes; yet another thing to go after the faculty for. Later. The cat must come first.

"The kitchen can supply you with his dietary requirements." Tenn shifts his weight, fingers in his side bangs. It could almost be called an expression of discomfort. "Though they are in a state of disorder right now."

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Topaz must understand the conversation being held because he returns to Alphinaud's side at once, looking up at him expectantly— a maneuver which does cause him to feel guilty that he's overlooked such a crucial detail.

"Alas, there was... some trouble that may have distracted me," he admits, looking down at his familiar. Indeed, it had dashed out of the room and started on this nonsense right away. Alphinaud's been dealing with it ever since, and so he hasn't been able to get a grasp on any of the basics that he ought to. Considering this, he is eternally grateful for the assistance.

"I thank you for the suggestion. I'll head there at once, but... Disorder? Did something happen?"

[perfectenn]

"Hm. I see." Watching the cat, Tenn can't help but note that Topaz is taking this well. The boy may be more fortunate than first appeared in his familiar assignment. "He has been very patient with you, then." Or was hunting, if there are even non-familiar mice left in the academy. Either way, it's an improvement over another familiar he could name. But the kitchen can surely spare a can of cat food, at least.

"There was a disruption to the meal preparation. But it's in the process of being settled." And that is all he will say on the matter. "The kitchen is this way." In case the trouble referred to also interfered with learning the layout of the school, Tenn will proceed him with more familiarity of this route than he would like.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Patient... Alphinaud looks down at his familiar. Indeed, seeing as it is so well-behaved now. He wonders if it had been acting out due to hunger? That seems likely, and the guilt tugs at his chest once more.

However, he won't dwell on it. He is eager to remedy the mistake, and as this boy mentions the direction of the kitchen being "this way," as opposed to "that way," Alphinaud realizes that he intends to guide him— as does Topaz, who takes a couple of strides towards him and meows out what can only be assumed is a "thank you."

"My apologies for the trouble," Alphinaud adds himself, "but I am grateful for your assistance. I have not yet been afforded the time to properly orient myself in this new location."