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!

Comments

Hel | Valkyrie Connect

[paradoxical_personality]

Orientation Week

"This is ridiculous...." Hel lamented to herself as she tried to maintain some sense of dignity as she crossed the school grounds, dodging mis-aimed streams of fire and snow falling off the umbrellas. These helpful students passing out these objects were just exacerbating the problem. The colder temperatures were also disagreeable to her. "If they knew it was going to be like this they should have kidnapped Skadi instead.." Said without any explanation whatsoever but they didn't call that Jotun an Ice Queen for nothing. She would have been right in her element here.

Getting an idea, she pulled out the peculiar item that had been called to her upon arrival. A most frustrating piece of cloth that no matter how many times you tried to unfold it there was always more material to go. After unfurling a length from it, she called out to a student lingering near the door of the building, "You there, catch." It wasn't a question or a request but a command as she threw one end of the cloth towards them. "Now spread it on the ground..." This way she would have a clear path through the snow without the risk of slipping.

Research On the Sundered

"You can just stop right there," Hel spoke up when there was talk of collecting samples. Sure, she had agreed to meet with these representatives only because she did wish to find a way home but she wasn't comfortable becoming a test subject for their research. "The last Aesir that was submitted to something like this ended up never returning." Mercifully she left out the Valkyrie's name since if word somehow managed to get back to Asgard it could mean trouble for the clone that was posing as the missing person. The clone herself believed she was the genuine article besides.

For the moment, the people in charge of her inspection let the matter go but they might have mentioned the idea of testing a few spells on her instead. "What kind of an idiot do you take me for? Who is going to agree to that?"

Re: Hel | Valkyrie Connect

[gender_neutral]

V heard someone say catch, and sidestepped the object thrown. "I do not believe that I take orders from you."

[paradoxical_personality]

It was clear that the girl with the pigtails was used to having her orders followed as she jutted a hip out and leveled a stare at the other. "If you're uncertain then just do it so we can both get out of the snow".

[gender_neutral]

"I am not uncertain in the least. I do not actually have any cause that would press me to do as you say simply because you say it."

[paradoxical_personality]

Apparently her sarcasm aimed at this stranger's wording had been lost in the exchange as they chose to answer her straight. "Think of it this way, once I get my powers back your assistance now will help me to refrain from placing a curse on you later".

[gender_neutral]

"And once I have mine back, I see no reason not to retaliate with a quickened lightning bolt and a disintegrate should you try. Your point would be what, precisely? That I should obey because once your powers are restored you will be exactly the sort of two bit villian we deal with during random encounters and side quests? I may lack the rest of my party at this moment, but I assure you, should it be possible to regain our lost spell points my hard work and centuries of experience will restore mine long before yours even consider returning. I have dealt with your ilk before, and as I recall, we left Samantha out of spell slots for the day tied to her rather irritated father, their band of bandits, well, disbanded. As you can see, threatening me gains you nothing. I suppose were I the sort to hold a grudge the threat alone might earn you some small advantage as a rival, but I assure you, once I walk inside I intend to utterly forget your name should I ever learn it, and to think on you no more. I suggest for your part you reconsider being a spoiled brat and attempt to learn some skills that might actually be of use to you, to help yourself, rather than relying upon the blind obedience of utter strangers."

[paradoxical_personality]

"I think you would find retaliation difficult with the curse I was referring too." It was a killing curse as it were, one that was powerful enough to take down a fellow Aesir. Not that she would really employ the use of such a skill over something as petty as this. "My point would be it's cold, and wet and we're wasting time........." Or from her perspective this noisy person was. Beyond that, she resented being called a two-bit villain. She has joined a party herself that was trying to prevent Ragnarok, that seemed infinitely more important than the sort of sidequests that were being referenced here.

"Only centuries, huh?" Color her not impressed. Clearly, there was some ignorance as to who she was. "I eagerly await the day when your ego catches up with you." Preferably when you make your own journey to the land of the dead and once more gaze upon it's leader. It was for this reason that Hel did not in fact supply her name. "You're not worthy of becoming someone's rival." All of this would be rather amusing if she wasn't still being snowed upon, and feeling goosebumps running up and down her arms and legs. "You say that as if I've never done so before, but as we already covered all of our skills have been stripped from us, so your pathetic attempt to somehow shame me or discipline me is in vain." There was still enough of the cloth between here and the door that she could sort of hop across it. Normally she could have spread it herself with magic or simply levitated over the ground and have done with it.

Research

[stillnewatthis]

Not far away, a student who might very well have been mistaken for some great magical construct turned her head as her sensors processed the words of her fellow Sundered student.

"My apologies for the intrusion. But in what way does permitting this research reflect on your intelligence?"

[paradoxical_personality]

Considering that there was an arcane magic known as "programming" in Midgard, this other student could most assuredly be confused for a magical construct.

Looking towards the mechanized being Hel added some of her own commentary,"I know one dwarf that would be jealous of whoever cobbled you together.." Not realizing that this might be something rude to say. At least in this case, other times Hel had no problem being rude, like when someone wanted to collect samples from her.

"It has more to do with what they'll actually do with the research afterwards. Contract or no, I have no assurance that these people can be trusted."

[stillnewatthis]

Torbjorn?

"Have they behaved in an untrustworthy manner so far? From my perspective, the wizards here have been most helpful." Though Orisa could understand the mistrust involved -- it would be much like Doomfist getting his hands on her schematics and understanding how to disable her! -- the offering of contracts and other reassurances went a long way towards establishing confidence.

[paradoxical_personality]

Machinist Tinker was the dwarf Hel was thinking of having never met this Torbjorn guy before.

"Not as such, but if this is an elaborate ruse they would have had time to get their stories together." She casually explained questioning the logistics of accidentally shooting off such a powerful spell. Those contracts would have been reassuring if there was anyway to reinforce what was being signed. What legal representation, magical or otherwise did a passel of foreigners have in this land? As far as she was concerned the contracts were as good as kindling.

[stillnewatthis]

Orisa analyzed this statement for a moment, her eye shields spinning before snapping open further.

"Engaging in such a ruse would be pointless. Given that our capabilities are highly diminished and the wizards here possess powerful abilities we can barely comprehend, if they wished to obtain something from us they would simply take it. Engaging in an overly complicated strategy to somehow convince us to give them what they could simply take is a losing prospect."

[paradoxical_personality]

"Machine or not, I think your analysis is too short-sighted." Hel made her opinion known without concern for another rebuttal. "There's everything to gain from us by acting as a magnanimous benefactor. Blind compliance for one. Even with out our abilities, if this place was decidedly more hostile there would still be a strong resistance. Assuming this is their aim to study us long term it would tax their resources in putting down all of the uprisings, and well... having to track us down all over the land instead of us agreeing to come here willingly."

"Besides- we might find ways to release the hold on our skills, and they could fear that." She could be wrong, but she needed more evidence to make that decision for herself.

Orientation

[talkyourwayout]

Louie wasn't a fan of being ordered around - not if it didn't pay - but he wasn't exactly interested in getting into any arguments. Not just yet. He caught the end of the cloth, and did as Hel said. He could see what she's getting at, and it wasn't a bad idea, anyway.

"Good thinking." Except... No matter how much he spread out the cloth, there seemed to be more to go. "...What is with this?"

[paradoxical_personality]

In truth, neither was Hel that's why she was giving orders instead of taking them. It was just fortunate that this Therian was willing to tolerate her behavior today. From her vantage point she watched him work, and it didn't take him long to spread out enough of the material to finish making her path. "That's plenty." Which was just her way of tell him that he could stop unfolding it.

"It's something that appeared to me when I arrived called the infinity cloth," It wasn't entirely unusual in her experience but uncommon such as when the rune knife made it's appearance in Midgard. she did question why this world thought a cloth was the most suitable item for her, however.

Placing down the end she'd been holding, Hel walked across to the other side without incident. "You did well." Or thank you. Cough.

[talkyourwayout]

"Wow, what an exciting welcome gift," Louie remarked, rolling his eyes. "This place is so weird, seriously..." He shook his head, then looked up at Hel once she crossed over to his side of the cloth.

"Uh, yeah, okay. Sure. You're welcome?"

[paradoxical_personality]

In spite her herself she smiled a little at that. "It's not exactly something warriors would embark on a lengthy journey to find, no." Cloth was hardly exciting, but at least it was already being useful in some capacity. "Did it gift you with anything when you arrived?"

She leaned over to pick up the cloth, rolling it up haphazardly just so she could get inside all the quicker. "You're the only Therian I've seen so far. Most of the sundered appear to be human." Trying to make some attempt at conversation.

[talkyourwayout]

"You know what? It didn't. I wonder if I should ask someone about that." Although, he really hoped that if he could get something out of the faculty, it would be something better than a frustrating cloth.

"Therian? I don't know what that is, so I'm pretty sure I can't be one. Unless that's a word for Duck where you're from," he said with a shrug. "Also, you seem... Kind of human." Just when he thought he had it all figured out.

[paradoxical_personality]

"How curious," Hel hadn't been sure if they all had received gifts or not but now there was evidence to the contrary. It might be something worth looking into further among the other sundered. "I wouldn't be sure who you could ask since no one handed me this thing to start with." It, like the rune knife must have chosen it's wielder.

"Maybe there's a different word for it in your land," And duck wasn't the word she was thinking. "They are sometimes referred to as beast-men." Waiting for a sign of recognition on that one. "Anyone possessing humanoid qualities and that of a beast." Essentially. Human? Excuse. Let's not be insulting duck man. "I am not human, I'm Aesir, A Goddess..."

Research on the Sundered

[delusionsofleveilleur]

A bit hesitant to step in after it's made clear that doing so will be akin to admitting idiocy, Alphinaud does still feel the need to say his piece. He raises a hand in greeting as he steps towards her, his hair notably more pink than its usual white, not that she would know this.

"I do understand your concerns," he says with a nod. "And while the decision still rests with you, I thought that I should inform you that I have completed the tasks that they requested and have indeed returned unharmed. You need not proceed if you are truly uncomfortable, but I would ease your mind about the intentions of their endeavor."

[paradoxical_personality]

Spotting the hand gesture she turned to face him. Without being told, she assumed this is how he normally looked. The pinkish tint reminded her a bit of Baldr, a fellow Aesir with powerful healing abilities.

"I'm sure that's just the sort of thing Norn would have said," and look where it got her. As far as she knew Norn had been killed after she had been experimented on. It would have been a terrible way for a valkyrie to go, or... anyone really. "If their intentions are truly for our benefit I won't believe it until I have more to go on than the word of someone who is just as new to this world as I." No offense intended.

"I can't fathom why anyone agreed to participate in this. You had no way of knowing beforehand what would befall you.... why did you agree?"

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Her concerns are valid, and he does appreciate her hesitation. He's not exactly intending to change her mind, but at the same time, having more samples should prove beneficial to all.

"Mayhap it is due to mine own curiosity," he replies earnestly. "If they are as clueless as we are, then it is likely that every bit of data will be important in securing answers. For my part, I agreed to provide some of that data."

As to why, though... Why would he entrust it to them so easily? He'd be lying to say that he had no concerns of his own, but ultimately, he sided with them because they asked.

"As strangers to this world," he continues, "we are rather at a disadvantage. Should they truly desire anything of us, they should have no difficulty in simply taking it. Those with such intentions are like to attain things by force. However, I watched as others refused, and they did not so much as raise an eyebrow. For now, I've no reason to suspect that they mean to cause harm in any way."

[paradoxical_personality]

To an extent she could respect that. I mean at least he wasn't going to insist that others make the same choice.

"Seems simple enough," Hel was curious as well but she was definitely drawing the line at this research. "That's a big if, since someone here must have known what they were doing. Maybe not at this school specifically but on this world." In theory. It still could have been an accidental spell. "Maybe." At least she would allow that much.

"So basically, until you see them do something openly hostile or suspicious you're giving them blind faith." That would be all well and good if they turn out to be on the up and up, but if not you've already supplied them with valuable data. "We have two very different ways of approaching this..." Hel would wait until they earned her trust before supplying anything.

"Do you have a name?" Feeling that their initial subject was exhausted by this point.

[delusionsofleveilleur]

"Alphinaud Leveilleur," he introduces with a polite bow. He's glad that their difference of opinions hasn't caused any tension between them, but at this fact, he does find it amazing what simple civility can do. Would that others could see and learn from this.

"I suppose that does align with my criteria. Until I find evidence of something unsavory, I see no reason not to lend mine own aid," he continues. "I have been betrayed once in such a fashion. Still, as much regret as filled my heart at that time, I should not like to instead make the mistake of assuming those intentions on someone who was not involved." That said, he also knows this is his own point of view, and he doesn't hold it against her for being more cautious. "Might I ask your name as well?"

[paradoxical_personality]

Hel could come across as too sarcastic at times, or cold at others but in spite of her faults she was usually willing to hear someone out. There were a few occasions where her and her companions jumped into battle too quickly, but let's not talk about those. Cough. "That name sounds Elven," Unsure if elves even existed in that other plane.

"May you not find yourself regretting that decision this time." Alphinaud had impressed her both with the way he carried himself and his acknowledgement that there were different ways to approach the same situation. Some of the other students acted as if everything was black and white to them. It was better to examine a situation from multiple angles. "I can see your point..." He wanted to give everyone a fair trial.

"I'm Hel, Queen of the underworld and Goddess of death."