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

Atem | Yu-Gi-Oh!

[king_of_egypt]

Familiar Follies Trying to familiarize himself with his new surroundings, Atem was exploring the building when he came upon a common area filled with other sundered looking just as out of their element as he was. An innocuous looking crystal floated by his side as a he strode into the room. Pausing only a few feet in, he surveyed the room looking for anyone bearing a resemblance to someone he would know. So far, he hadn't been having any luck. For what purpose was he brought here? Better yet, why were any of them brought here? He thought the days of not having any answers were long behind him. Atem turned to leave the room, when a few yelps of surprise stopped him in his tracks. Wheeling around to find the source of the disturbance he realized that Capricius Crystallius, that innocent looking crystal, was now in the center of the room using it's telekinesis to lift the other familiars in the room. Ie. It was showing off for no legitimate reason. "For Ra's sake....." He said more to himself before moving over to his creature trying to figure out how to reign it in. "Capricius! Put them down!" He shot a few apologetic looks as he raised his hands defensively in front of him. "I'm sorry. I really.... I don't know what's gotten into him." Rather than releasing it's hold Capricius answered in chimes, and Atem was clueless as to what any of that meant. "Uh- is there..... anyone..." He trailed off. They were all just as new at this as him, there wasn't anyone readily available to ask for assistance. In a decidedly authoritative voice he addressed the crystal again. "That's enough!" Other [I'm open to suggestions if you have something else in mind!]

Oh gods... I kind of have to do this...

[gender_neutral]

V's familiar was generally a poor imitation of whatever V needed him to be. Which at the moment, was mostly Blackwing. A raven. Who just. saw. a. giant. floating. Shiny.

The creature, looking like a starling that is wearing feather extensions was flying around the other familiars, trying to reach the shiny.

"Someone kindly remind me why it is that I felt that respecting my familiar was a sign of character growth rather than insanity. Before he is out of range for a thrown weapon, please."

Because for some reason quickened lightning bolt WAS NOT WORKING.

Follow those impulses XD

[king_of_egypt]

"I would, however I'm having a similar conundrum myself," Atem replied before he could stop himself, exhibiting just how much he was losing his patience with his own familiar. Not that he would actually, in reality attack Capricius with more than words.

Then to the offending shiny,"Capricius! I won't say it again."

The crystal started to lower the other creatures, with it's point having been made but when it realized there was a raven trying to pursue, Capricius floated closer to it's master for cover.

I shall then! :D

[gender_neutral]

"MINE!" Willard called, aiming right for the retreating shiny. Some special abilities from the form yes, clearly also some special weaknesses.

"If you happen to know any way of retrieving the spell slots that have been blocked off from us, I did have a spell prepared that could be adapted to work in this instance."

[king_of_egypt]

Capricius tried to duck behind Atem, but when that didn't seem like enough the crystal loped around him and flew off in the other direction, trying to shake it's pursuer. They had just traded one chaotic situation for another.

"Spell...... slots?" While he recognized both of the words, he hadn't heard them put together before. "I'm afraid I wouldn't have the first idea in how to accomplish that at this time." It was the same for him. If he had access to his powers, or his monsters as it were then breaking up their familiars would have been easy.

[puzzlers]

Yugi didn't know what to expected when he arrived, but finding his other self here wasn't even on the list of surprises he had started, because even for a place where magic reigned supreme he thought their last encounter was going to be their last... especially since the puzzle no longer existed, at least not in their world. No doubt Atem had taken it back with him to prevent its power from being used and abused...

He couldn't help but stare at the pharaoh, ignoring the craziness going on with his out of control familiar. Peregrin didn't look impressed, but she realized that Yugi wasn't paying it much attention, so she bumped heads with him. "Huh, oh, uh... I know him." He blurted out, and his mismatched familiar just stared back at him, as if to say no duh.

Yugi swallowed the lump in his throat and stepped forward just as Atem bid his familiar to stop. "..." Nailed it. "Other me..." Old habits die hard.

[king_of_egypt]

In that regard they were similarly baffled. Atem thought the last time his influence had been needed, was indeed the last time for him to go on one of these journeys through time and space, as well as the last time he would be able to meet with Yugi. Saying goodbye hadn't been easy the first time after the ceremonial duel, nor the second where he hadn't been able to say anything at all. All they had been able to share was an exchange of nonverbal cues before the pharaoh had dissipated and returned to the afterlife. It had been an all too brief reunion followed by a hasty departure. He was so preoccupied with the chaos unfolding, to notice when Yugi entered the room. If he would have had the choice he would have envisioned an entirely different scenario for meeting his partner again. "If you want to be locked in the dorm, you're going about it the right way." Still talking to Capricius. It was about this point where Yugi found his voice. It was so soft, that it almost didn't register, but as soon as it did everything else was forgotten. Atem turned toward the source and exclaimed,"Yugi?!" It came out as more as a question since he seemed to doubt his own hearing. What were the odds of the two of them from wildly different times and circumstances to be brought back together?

[puzzlers]

He's not surprised by his reaction. Yugi hadn't expected to be ripped from his home let alone thrown into a place where he could meet up with his other half again. Impossible, he had thought, but Kaiba had proven him wrong during their duel with Diva, so what made this so different? He gives Atem a weak smile as he lifts his hand to wave at him. Yeah, he's not sure what to do. His mind is racing a mile a minute and he feels frozen... trapped...

If they were going to be able to meet up every now and again, then how come they'd had to participate in that damn duel. He hated that, and even thinking about it makes his stomach turn, all of the feelings he'd buried having torn him apart. Fate was cruel, it seemed, but maybe this is what he got for not talking through how he felt.

"Yeah... it's me..." A wordsmith he is not right now.

[king_of_egypt]

Yugi's words and actions were so reserved, as if something else was weighing heavily on his mind. In a sharp contrast, Atem would be a bit more demonstrative. "Yugi!" He exclaimed with absolute certainly now, moving to close the distance between them and wearing a broad smile. It's as if for a brief moment he could push all the complications aside and just appreciate the moment for what it was. With his destiny having already been fulfilled the burden he carried was significantly lighter. Yes, he still felt obligations toward the people of Egypt and his priests but without the threat of impending doom looming ominously over him it was decidedly more manageable. Little did he realize the scars he'd left for Yugi to process on his own.

Once he was directly in front of the slightly shorter look alike, he got a better look at Yugi and grew more concerned. "What is it Yugi? What's wrong....?" Maybe he's seen a ghost pharaoh. Did you think of that?. It might still be difficult for Yugi to understand or accept, but that duel had been necessary. Atem needed to be tested on the culmination of his experiences, and he would be forever grateful to Yugi for his involvement in the process.

"You're not feeling sick are you?" There was supposed to be a potential side effect for the newfound magic that now resided within them. How those symptoms manifested themselves, however, he could only guess. "If you are, we must find a member of the staff immediately."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba had dealt with enough headaches for one day, thank you. He'd seen Yugi off after an awkward reunion, so when he saw the same hairstyle poking out of the same color uniform from behind, he didn't think much of it.

His familiar was rather upset about the showing-off, though. Kaiba clutched the cat to his chest, tucking his chin protectively over it in an attempt to avoid the mayhem he could hear from here. He intended to cross through this area quickly, but 'Yugi's' voice stopped him in his tracks, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

That wasn't Yugi. That command came from...

"Atem?"

He sounded pathetic even to his own ears. Kaiba forcibly shook his head. No, it couldn't be. Yugi had probably just stubbed his toe and had his voice drop an octave, or something.

[king_of_egypt]

Not enjoying the stern reprimand itself, Capricius finally listened- dropping the other familiars to the ground without so much as trying to soften their descent. Once Atem had noticed what was happening it was too late to stop it. "That was highly uncalled for- you had better hope that none of those creatures were injured." Before now, he had thought that he was getting along quite well with his familiar but not if it was going to abuse it's power like this on a regular basis. Ideally, Capricius had gotten this out of it's system. In the cacophony of falling familiars, he'd missed hearing his own name but Capricius hadn't. In an effort, possibly to make up with it's master, the crystal floated behind Atem and towards the source knowing that it would be followed.

Turning on his heel, Atem immediately caught sight of that characteristic outfit that was uniquely Kaiba's, and it was his turn to freeze in his tracks. "I don't believe it-" The phrase itself was a touch ironic considering the man he was gazing upon was usually the more skeptical of the two of them.

"Kaiba, is it really you?"

[blue_ice]

No...Kaiba blinked, unable to hide his jaw dropping. Those fierce eyes, that determined face...no, that was unmistakably the pharaoh. The man he'd resented so much for disappearing without a word. The one he'd poured endless effort and expense to see one more time, even when he was told it was impossible.

He'd nearly had =he chance to see Atem again, he was so close...but he sacrificed it and fell to the darkness, knowing it was Yugi's place. And he'd awoken to a brighter world, one with a strong future, but without the otherworldy duelist who'd torn his being to shreds and forced him to come back stronger.

All hope had been lost, and yet here Atem stood before him. Kaiba took a hesitant step forward, his hand still curled protectively around the black cat on his chest. He swallowed and closed his eyes, taking a few moments longer than usual to find his words.

"I could ask you the same question, but from what I've learned about this world's tricks, an illusion would've been created with music. And all I heard were the howls of these creatures. So there's no need for your crystal to throw me around."

He wouldn't trust Capricius as far as he could throw him...but his owner was a different story. There was wariness in Kaiba's expression, exhaustion, frustration...but a fragile hope too.

[king_of_egypt]

The shock on Kaiba's features was evident, and he seemed to be having difficulty in processing the situation. Not that he was alone in that regard, however it was far more peculiar to see the brunette displaying anything other than cold indifference outside of a duel. The significance of that was not lost on Atem, nor the fact that it had been Kaiba who last set out to reconstruct the Millennium puzzle. How strange, that after so much time he should start believing in at least some aspect of those Egyptian fairy tales he'd scoffed at so frequently in the past.

Atem had always appreciated the level of passion Kaiba possessed for dueling, and the challenge he presented but it did go beyond that. They shared a special bond between them, just like Atem and Yugi, both connections unique in their own aspects. Still looking for some reason in all this madness, he couldn't help but wonder if that in some way had influenced why they had been brought here. Also- he suddenly noticed the cat, which was a mild distraction from his internal thoughts. At least that worked in Kaiba's favor, as it prevented any question about the delayed response.

"That's a fair point," Agreeing easily with Kaiba on that score. "That is not a challenge Capricius...." Keeping the volume lower this time but the words were every bit as sharp. It was wise not to trust the creature when it was in this sort of mood. It was far to eager to prove it's worth. Capricius floated in the air between them, peacefully, as if it wasn't planning on causing anymore trouble.

"It's good to see you again, Kaiba."

[shiningkindness]

From underneath the crystal, a plume of smoke is suddenly shot out at it. It's mostly harmless, but it does smell a lot of cigar smoke.

Nearby, Fluttershy frowned and stomped a foot in the floor.

"Ballet! That's not nice!"

The ground seemed to rumble in response, to which Fluttershy shook her head.

"Yes, I see what its doing to the other familiars, but that's no excuse to be rude!"

[king_of_egypt]

If the smoke bothered the floating crystal it wasn't letting on to it. It had more of an effect on it's master. Coughing, and waving the smoke away from him Atem attempted to compose himself once more.

"Truly, I am sorry for this, I really don't know why he's doing this." Assuming Capricius was even a he to start with. The two needed to find a better way to communicate before that could be cleared up. Not getting the acknowledgement it wanted was frustrating to the familiar so it would have placed the creatures down at this point however it didn't want it to look like that decision was made by this Ballet.

"Put. Them. Down." Only after a few more moments did the crystal give up on it's antics, slowly lowering the various cats, rats and what have you to the floor below.

[shiningkindness]

Finding something thin and flat, Fluttershy helped clear the smoke from the air.

"I-It's not your fault. I'm sorry about Ballet too."

The ground rippled with what sounded like a snort, more smoke rising into the air that Fluttershy quickly fanned away. Once the other familiars were back on the ground, Fluttershy gently tapped her foot.

"Ballet...you should apologize too."

There was a pause, then a shadow from underground slowly rose until the whale-like creature emerged, looking at them both with its one good eye, the other hidden underneath a black eyepatch.

"...my apologies."

Familiar Follies

[logdates]

Peridot was only distracted by the crystal - such luster! - for so long before she noticed Cornelius being lifted off the ground. She gave a startled yelp; tried to pull the fire elemental back down - but she couldn't reach him. Ugh. She turned to Atem, the crystal's apparent master, with a glare.

"Why isn't it listening?"

[king_of_egypt]

As to be expected some of the sundered were starting to lose their patience with Capricius's shenanigans. He swallowed hard as the first question was posed. He was used to his duel monsters following his orders easily, save for Kuriboh on rare occasions, so this was something entirely foreign to him.

"If I knew that, it would make this so much simpler."

[logdates]

Peridot sighed, agitated but unable to really fault Atem; after all, Cornelius was already proving to be quite a handful, himself.

"Ehh... Yeah. Still, we have to get him to put Cornelius down somehow!"

[sorewatopsecret]

How fascinating! So familiar do not have to take the form of animals, either? A silver-haired woman looks up with a neutral expression, seemingly unbothered as she watches her own familiar, a snowy white owl, being levitated into the air. The bird itself, likewise, seems to just be accepting of its own circumstances, unlike the other writhing familiars trying to retaliate.

"Oh, I do not believe it is a situation that calls for distress, good sir," her tone when she speaks, while excessively formal, is relaxed and passive. "It is but natural for avians, such as owls, to be in the air, and Taketori does not seem particularly bothered. Furthermore, it would seem that your familiar wishes to prove utility, rather than might."

[king_of_egypt]

If only all the other creatures and their masters had been half as relaxed as this young woman and her owl. When Atem looked to the source of the voice his gaze settled on her. "You don't...?" He questioned, since he was viewing this situation much differently than she was. Not only was his familiar being a nuisance to countless others, it was serving as a terrible first impression. If the sundered couldn't even trust him to manage his own familiar then how could he be counted on for anything else if a need should arise? Essentially he was putting way too much thought into the ramifications from this single incident. "Well- yes... it is I suppose but usually under their own power," Responding to the portion about feathered creatures. "I just wish he would prove it in other ways." Although talking to her did give him an idea. Capricius was clearly trying to get attention for it's abilities and wasn't getting acknowledged only reprimanded. Perhaps, he was using the wrong approach. Sparing the girl one more look, he then turned to Capricius. "That is a fine skill you possess, Capricius, thank you for showing it to me. Now if you wouldn't mind...." His tone was considerably kinder this time, and his volume wasn't raised. This time his familiar started to lower the others back to their original resting places.

[sorewatopsecret]

As the chaos begins to die down, Takane reaches out with cupped hands, and the owl nestles gracefully in her palms. As if nothing absolutely happened at all. This fellow was quite clever, to quickly understand her hint and deduce what needed to be done to quell this little happening. And for that, she is quite pleased that everything did not escalate further.

It is these sort of minds that will be crucial in researching magic and methods that would all send them back to their worlds. Knowing that there are many here to be found, she can rest easy.

"Splendidly done, good sir," she commends sincerely. "Your familiar's ability is quite impressive as well. And you, Taketori, your composure is admirable."

So she says, exchanging a brief nuzzle with the bird. It was some foresight, to spread the praise equally, lest another 'flexing' competition get fired up. That settled, her eyes gazes up to the... strange, crystal thing.

"I am curious, however. Never had it crossed my mind, the possibility of familiars not being limited to animals. It is... mystifying."

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Alphinaud was just as surprised by the sudden flotation of his— and every other— familiar, and he was even more curious about its source: the crystal in the center of the room. Where he's from, crystals are a rather mysterious but great source of power. It seems the same must be true of this realm. He's so busy pondering over this thought that he forgets his instinct to help his familiar, but he finally snaps out of it and moves to catch him from the air.

"Topaz! Sorry, are you all right?" he questions the cat, but he looks towards the boy who yelled at the crystal. Rather, he was commanding it. Does that mean... "Does this belong to you?"

[king_of_egypt]

Atem was still trying to get his familiar under control when he realized he was being addressed. Unable to mask his displeasure he replied somewhat in jest,"Not for much longer..." The words held no weight and were entirely untrue but Atem's familiar didn't seem at all amused by it. Relinquishing it's hold on the others it instead decided to lift it's master instead. Expelling a note of surprise, Atem turned his attention back to Capricius. "I wasn't being serious, put me down!" Instead Capricius decided the best course of action was to turn Atem upside down. As the blood rushed to his head, the pharaoh, for modesty's sake, placed his hands on his tunic to make sure there would be no costume malfunction. ".... I might have deserved this, but I am telling you that I was kidding Capricius." His tone had noticeably softened. This was a prime example of an embarrassing situation escalating beyond repair. "I am sorry...."

[delusionsofleveilleur]

Alphinaud reaches a hand out to assist the poor upturned boy, but he hesitates, not wanting to aggravate the situation further. He looks aside then, a sort of politeness as he seems to be struggling with his clothing. Still, he wonders if he'll be set down properly or left to fall like that... The latter result does not sound pleasant.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes to the boy, since he somewhat instigated this scene with his albeit harmless question. But he turns instead towards the crystal. "You're Capricius? As you can see, he is truly sorry, so would you consider kindly lowering him once more?"