April Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

April Event and Intro Log Plants Off The Path Green grass and radiant flower gardens bracket all the major walks on campus, and fragrant scents fill the air all around. Note the key words "major walks" there. Move off the common paths and onto 'shortcuts' or less frequented areas of the vast campus and things are quite different. Here, the plants grow just as experience with this chaotic and often dangerous school would lead you to expect. Broad-leafed stalks stretch upwards, petals unfolding to reveal long jets of fire instead of a sensible stamen. Bushes have large toothy mouths, and viciously swallow anyone who comes near (though they are still just bushes, and the victims end up on the their other side just a few scratches worse for wear). A tree grows quills instead of needles; another sprouts paper airplanes instead of leaves. An extremely aggressive pitcher-plant wanders the pathways, mugging students at knifepoint. It's a jungle out there. Bullies, Of Course Surely a Magicademy, with many students already adults and with such an emphasis on learning and control, wouldn't have those who used their magic for such petty ends as making others suffer? Uh-huh. A pack of bullies with more spell experience than wisdom has banded together to take delight in the suffering of others. They overtly pick on the small, the meek, and those with less magical skill; they torment the larger, the bold, and the powerful in secret. Worse, they are the clever sorts of bullies, who go out of their way not to get caught and not to do anything that can't be played off or explained away. Maybe you attracted their attention by looking weak enough to pick on. Or strong enough to need to be taken down a notch. Or weird enough that you were the Other and thus lesser. Or pretty/handsome enough that you needed to look less attractive so they would look more so. They are pretty good at justifying picking on anyone, really. Are they pestering you by magical tripping or property destruction? Playing keep-away with your class books? Better be careful how you respond; their fathers might hear about it. Wind At The Docks (aka The Prompt Where You Don't Get Mugged) The winds of spring bring something of a dark pastime to Anastara -- dockwatching. Aware that a sudden blast of air can rip across the island at a moment's notice, crowds gather at the docks with the air of those expecting spectacle. All too often, they are rewarded -- in the wake of a sudden wind, airships list violently, or bump into each other, or desperately pull sails and power up their flotation cores to avoid a worse collision. Curses fly through the air, and sometimes even spells. With luck, the audience might even see a pair of vessels engage in an all-out air duel, as two captains driven by pride or vengeance refuse to back down. Now, to their credit, the assembled people aren't heartless. If a ship truly looks to be in trouble, or if it's smashed to the ground or into a dock, the people of Anastara don't hesitate to help those on board to safety or ensure that they don't go down with their ship. But mostly it's watching the chaos. It IS quite a show... 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 Glyph designed to detect any influence of the magic on you. Painted on your arm, it will shine with a bright light when a Sundering effect attempts to influence you. They explain that they believe the Sundered are still subject to either the spell that brought them here or new ones, because they have detected remnants of Sundering magic in the wake of students who have mysteriously disappeared. They ask only that you report back when it lights up. Problem: when the Glyph erupts, either because of the Glyph itself or the spell it has detected... those who bear it find themselves no longer where they started. Perhaps they find themselves in a classroom late at night. Or the wrong dormitory. Or in the Great Hall in their nightshirt. Or for the utterly lowbrow amongst you, a restroom occupied by the wrong gender. Whatever the case: sorry. 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 some sort of regain this month!)

Comments

OTA

[nobodys_puppet]

Bullies -

Xion had been trying to keep out of sight as usual, though this month she had a new reasons. Isa. Saïx. Whatever you wanted to call him. Axel was sure that he had changed. Xion didn't buy it, so was trying to avoid him. Sadly it is always when we want to be at our sneakiest that we draw the most attention. And for her... well... she is short, hides in a hood, and always moves away from people like she is scared of them. Coupled with her inability to call her Keyblade and her willingness to use attack spells on Somebodies... yeah, she's a bully magnet.

It would slowly be escalating through out the month. Starting with small shoves in the hall, and trying to trip her in class. Of course she was agile enough not to trip, and to catch herself when she was pushed. And she stopped coming to classes as often. Which clearly ticked them off so they stepped up their game.

She didn't care so much when they stole her books. Though when they knocked them out of her hands it was annoying. The first time one of them tried to actually hit her, she ducked under it and escaped. The second time, out of nowhere, a cat came and attacked them distracting them so she could get away. Weird.

But by mid-month they realized that she always kept her hood up, and caught on to that being a way to get to her. And they kept trying to pull her hood down, cornering her to tug on it. Calling her names, even kicking her when she was backed against the wall.

She didn't know if she was allowed to fight back. These were PEOPLE not Heartless, not Dusks. And she knew, she just knew... Saïx was probably behind this. Or at the least... waiting for her to mess up badly enough to convince Axel to turn away from her. She didn't think Axel would... but it would hurt him. And if she told him about this... he might try and stop them and get hurt or in trouble himself. So... like so many bullying victims... she was keeping it to herself.

Which she couldn't do if anyone came across this situation themselves, of course.



Plants -
Of course, avoiding the bullies meant more shortcuts and hiding than usual. She actually didn't mind the bush as she could take the pain and others avoided it. The pitcher plant chose the wrong day to go after her, however. She had just been cornered by the bullies and had barely escaped with her hood intact. If she could feel, she would be angry and hurt and scared. And so when the plant came after her, it was just too much. Besides, it might even be a heartless... so...

"THUNDER!" She called her lightning down on the plant without mercy. Oh hey, it dropped a knife. She could probably sell that for munny, right?

bullies

[burningbrighter]

Okay, that was just not going to fly. Sunset had worried about the poor girl the last time she'd tried to talk to her. She needed friends who understood her. She definitely didn't need to be bothered like this.

"You think you're so cool ganging up on someone, don't you?" Sunset challenged, rolling up her sleeves. "Sorry, but it's pathetic. Now why don't you run along before I really make this worse?"

As a former bully, she knew a thing or two about dispersing the crowd. Her hand crackled with magic.

Re: bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

Xion pushed herself closer against the wall, eyes wide under her hood as she watched. "You're going to get in trouble..." she said softly, shaking her head.

"Yeah," one of the bullies jeered. "You're going to get into trouble. So back off, and maybe we'll forget we saw you. For now."

[burningbrighter]

"You can't scare me that easy," Sunset scoffed. "I used to be just like you. I know your tricks. And I know why you're doing this too."

She narrowed her eyes. "Because there's something missing in you. Maybe you don't see it. Maybe you think I'm ridiculous. But you wouldn't be enjoying this childish bullying if your life was as fulfilling as you think it is. I've been there, and I promise life is so much better when you let this stuff go."

[nobodys_puppet]

Oh yes, because they were going to all, nod, agree and leave. Nope. Smirking at each other, they turned away from Xion - they could find her again later, they've been doing it all month - and they headed for the newcomer. Now they had a new toy to break.

Xion's eyes went widder, as she struggled to figure out what she should do. She knew what Axel would do. He would attack the people who had gone after her. Well, after him if he had been in this situation. But she couldn't even imagine someone trying to bully Axel. It just didn't work. She couldn't imagine anyone that stupid. But if it was some random Somebody attacking her or Roxas he'd stop them. He did what he could within the Organization...

But Saïx was here now. And she was sure he sent these bullies after her, to get her to attack a Somebody and get into trouble. But another Somebody was going to get hurt because of her. She was in trouble either way.

She closed her eyes. She was going to be a Dusk no matter how this turned out so.... "Thunder," she whispered, raising a hand and bringing it down. Small lightning strikes hit each of the bullies, making them jump and look around. They didn't see anyone else, figured it couldn't have been Xion since she hadn't fought back before then. So now they were eyeing Sunset somewhat more warily.

Their backs had been to Xion, so they hand't seen her lips move. But Sunset might have been able to.

[burningbrighter]

Sunset clenched her fist, mind flashing through countless spells as she tried to find a defense. This was not good. Oh, what if she...

But then the crackle sounded, she looked up, and...oh, all right. She has their attention now.

"That was your warning. Next time I won't miss."

And she drums her fingers together, vibrating the air just so...and there's no other flash, but a lound thunderclap sound booms just above them.

[nobodys_puppet]

Xion looked up at her, then caught on to what she was doing and nodded. If they thought it was another Somebody defending herself, no one would be in trouble.

So when the bullies advanced on sunset again, Xion whispered "Thunder" once more and shocked them again, with enough strength that this time they finally took the hint, and stumbling over each other, fled.

She sank to the ground, shaking, once they were gone.

[burningbrighter]

Sunset was careful not to look at Xion too long to avoid drawing their attention back to her, instead smirking at her challengers. She flicked her wrist, stood strong, and...

Boom. When they fled she spared a tiny smile, then hurried over to Xion.

"Hey, are you okay? Does that spell take a lot out of you?"

[nobodys_puppet]

She shook her head a bit. "I... hopefully you will not get in trouble. I'm sorry," she said softly, looking at the ground.

Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

Xion had been late to their usual sunset meeting the past three days in a row, and when she had arrived she was unusually somber. She hadn't mentioned anything to Lea, but that in itself didn't necessarily mean anything, and he was starting to get concerned. So this time, he planned to walk along with her and talk on the way, hoping the change of pace might help.

Which was how he happened upon her backed against a wall, surrounded by four older teens who were jeering and kicking at her. "Hey!", he shouted angrily that the bullies as he hurried over. "The heck do you guys think you're doing?!"

One he had their attention he came to a stop within conversation distance. "If I were you, I'd back off of her," he said, eyes narrowing. "Now. Before you end up regretting it."

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

One of the bullies pushed her harder into the wall. "Someone won't always be around to protect your sorry self." he snarled before they backed off a bit, eyeing Axel. Because yeah, he was scary looking. "Some of us don't need to hide behind adults," another one snapped.

"Don't get in trouble over this Axel," Xion said softly. If she got him in trouble.... She closed her eyes and looked away.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

"And some of us are grown up enough to know that picking on people smaller than ourselves is wrong," Lea said. "But that fact obviously hasn't managed to get through your thick skulls yet."

"So here's the deal," he said. "You're all gonna politely let my friend go and walk away. Then you're gonna go find yourselves a new hobby that doesn't involve making other people's lives miserable. You do that, and you don't bother her again? I'll forget this ever happened, and we can all go on with our lives."

"Or you can take what I like to call 'the Stupid Option'," he said. "You can think 'hey, there's four of us and only one of him', or 'hey, he's a skinny-looking stick man', and you're gonna think you can take me in a fight. And then you're going to try and do just that, either by magic or the old fashioned way. But lemme tell you, I've fought and killed scarier things than you before breakfast. You try that? One way or another, you'll lose."

"So which option is it going to be?" he said. "Smart, or stupid?" He didn't mind getting into a bit of trouble for the sake of a friend. Besides, it took more than one person to get in a fight, so he wouldn't be the only one in trouble if they did decide to be idiots, and chances are they knew it.

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

She made no comment on how picking on people smaller than him was exactly what Saïx had always done. She slid a little closer to Axel, hoping that maybe he wouldn't go after them and get himself in trouble if she was that close to him.

They glared. They were going to take option three. Run now, and take it out of her worse next time. They glared at her then broke and ran. She hunched back in on herself.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea didn't chase after them. He knew very well that they'd probably try again; guys like that usually did. But at least now he knew about it and could be on the lookout for both trouble and for them specifically. He'd gotten a good look at all their faces, and definitely had them memorized; if he saw them again, he'd know them.

He glared after them until they'd rounded the corner and vanished from sight before sighing, his posture an expression melting into one of concern. as he turned to look Xion over. "What are you apologizing for?", he said. "They were the ones harassing you; they're the ones who ought to apologize. And are you OK? They didn't hurt you or anything, did they?"

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

"I don't want you to get in trouble over this," she said softly, looking down, and not answering his questions about if she was okay or hurt.

She reached up to make sure her hood was still in place. Too many people around. She just wanted to go somewhere, just her and Axel, and hide from everyone else.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

"I wouldn't be in any more trouble than they would," Lea said. "Besides, you're worth getting in a bit of trouble for." The fact that she didn't answer those questions didn't go unnoticed either, even if his own inspection satisfied him that she hadn't been seriously harmed. Physically, anyway.

Lea sighed a bit. "C'mon," he said. "Let's go get some ice cream, and then we'll talk. My treat this time."

He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, then straightened up giving the people nearby a hard look. True they hadn't actually done Xion any harm, but they hadn't done anything to prevent it either, even when they had to have seen something going on. Most of those people seemed to decide very quickly that they had somewhere else to be and hurried off.

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

She wanted to tell him that with Saïx sniffing around, they had to be extra careful. But that would hurt him, so she kept her mouth closed. Besides, he was never the one who would be in trouble with Saïx anyway.

But she nodded at the offer of ice cream and walked with him, staying close enough that his hand could stay on her shoulder, hoping he didn't feel that she was trembling through her coat.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea did feel the trembling and gave her shoulder a hopefully reassuring squeeze. He wasn't sure what to say for a moment. "Hey...", he said finally gently as they walked. "You know it's OK, to... not be OK, right? And I don't just mean physically; if you're upset, you can tell me about it. That's part of what friends are for, after all."

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

"Not if it will get you in trouble," she said softly.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea looked at her, quirking an eyebrow. His reply was one of dry amusement, despite the situation. "Xion," he said, "getting in trouble was one of my chief pass times for a good portion of my childhood. Trust me; I can handle a little trouble."

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

"But things are different here," she said softly. Not that she knew what they had been like then, but they had to be.... right? That was the biggest thing she was learning here. Things were different.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Things are different everywhere," Lea said. "But regardless, I can handle trouble. Whether it's getting detention or the more violent kind of trouble. Trust me; I've had plenty of practice."

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

"It's not worth it," she said softly. It wasn't. Not for her.

Re: Bullies

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea sighed. "Yes it is," he said. "And yes you are. I'm not telling you to beat them up or anything, but... promise me you'll let me or one of the teachers know if it gets too out of hand, at least? I promise I won't do anything stupid."

Re: Bullies

[nobodys_puppet]

She made herself give him a hint of a smile, looking up as she pushed him lightly. "I don't think you can promise not to do anything stupid," she teased. Tried to tease. She wanted to forget this whole bully thing and just go have ice cream with him.