festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

[lockedon]

[ What is is a 'rarebit' indeed....

Thankfully, because I took so long to reply, Boba has helpfully stepped in to have Gray explain to the uneducated masses what rarebit is and now everyone can partake joyfully in this delightful dish. Once Gray gets her turn at the fire, apparently.

For now, they both have to wait while he finishes cooking, though he really could do with less griping. Gray may be content to ignore Gen but Eustace is not, glancing over and replying back cooly. ]

If you want more, you can buy more. [ Or work for it, as Gray had. But: ] You can have my share for now.

[ It's less out of any particular kindness than it is practicality. They might be of similar heights and builds but Gen is still growing where he isn't, and possessed of an appetite far larger than his.

Gray's answer is a little less curt, though just as brief. ]

It's rabbit. They're easier to trap and hunt.

[ No Dungeon Meshi monster eating for them today. Tomorrow though? Who knows. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Just cheese on bread. Barely what could be called 'cooking' then. But still -- even if Gen only gives a noncommittal grunt in response to Gray's explanation, his stomach gives a quiet growl that's almost lost beneath the gentle crackle of the fire.

Fuck, he really misses just being able to eat whatever, whenever. ]

The point is trying not to spend money. [ There's an unspoken 'duh' tacked onto the end of the answer he tosses Eustace's way, and Gen's tail thumps against the log he's sitting on, just once, as he glances Gray's way once more. ] Figured if they're already giving you freebies, they'd buckle and give a little more if you just acted cutesy for a second. You know, show off the apron, ask nicely, give big puppy eyes.

[ Because Gray is, after all, cute (derogatory) in that apron of hers.

That delightful(?) commentary of his is at least capped off with a dismissive wave of the hand towards Eustace and a gruff, ]

I don't need yours.

[ Even if his stomach growls again. Look, being a vagrant 6'2" teen used to eating stupid amounts is hard, okay. He tries to smooth the matters over by leaning forward to toss another branch into the fire, looking intensely at the steaming pot. ]

... I've never had rabbit before. What's it taste like.

[gravings]

[ In Gray's eyes, Eustace is incapable of doing wrong, so it's a bit tough listening to Gen's guff. To add to things, Gray isn't especially fond of people calling her cute — much less when they're suggesting that she attempt to weaponize the trait in a (derogatory) way. ]

You're the one with puppy ears and a puppy tail. If you want to borrow my apron, you'll probably look cuter.

[ Congratulations to Gen on joining the rare ranks of people who manage to annoy Gray. He should think about what he's done to be put on the same level as Mordred. As Gray is no longer feeling particularly helpful, it's up to Eustace to answer Gen's question. ]

[lockedon]

[ Damn....that was brutal.

Gray showing any sort of backbone is always a surprise. Gray talking back to someone, especially when that someone is Gen, is nothing short of a historic event. There's a decided widening of his eyes as he stares first at Gray, then at Gen, but it's quickly followed by a quick flash of appreciation. Look at that beautiful character development, his baby is finally growing up.

As a reward for her holding her ground, Eustace does in fact take over, answering Gen's question after the bulk of the surprise has dissipated. ]

It tastes similar to chicken. A little tougher. If you're not used to eating wild game the taste might put you off initially.

[ It doesn't help that he's not the best at cooking, but it's not as though any of them have room to be picky right now. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Wow, okay. It's not even like Gen's that sensitive about people giving him shit, because the type of crowd he hangs out with means he's used to a certain level of give-and-take, but -- damn. The retort from Gray catches him completely off-guard. Kind of like getting headbutted right in the nose by what looks like a harmless kitten.

And while Gen outwardly only reacts with a blink and a scowl before looking away with a dismissive huff, muttering something about 'They're not puppy ears' under his breath like her barb's not really worth a proper response ... those 'cute' ears of his flatten back until they're almost hidden in the shaggy mess of his hair, his tail drooping down to rest over the back of the log he's seated himself on. ]

... never had a reason to eat game before.

[ Said at a low mumble. Is he sulking? Just a little bit.

Gen frowns as he tosses another stick into the fire and watches a few embers come floating out. His next words are still muttered low, though these are almost more directed at himself than at either of his campmates. ]

Wonder how everyone who sold their lot in with those creepy groups're doing. Bet they don't have to deal with this shit.

[gravings]

[ Gray does think Gen's ears and tail are cute, so it's an odd circumstance that makes it sound like she's criticizing him. Truth be told, she feels a little bad about about causing his current droopy puppy dog look, but she's spent enough time being cross with Add and his foul mouth to know that she has to be firm. Thinking about Add still almost makes her apologize on the spot; maybe she'll do it later if Gen will behave himself.

He's still complaining, but she can't blame him for this one. Every look Highstorm-ways is a reminder of just how much they're bumming it out here. She doesn't mind the rustic conditions herself, even prefers them to a degree, but a feeling of unrest closes slowly like a vise around her chest until it forces a question out of her. ]

How much longer should we stay like this? Now that we've had some time to see both sides... what do you both think?

[lockedon]

[ Time for Gen to accustom himself to eating game for the next X weeks while they all bum around out here in the wilderness.

Speaking of which—their dinner appears to be done. Time to ladle everything out into little bowls and then hand them out, which he does silently as he ponders Gray's question. ]

I used to do this a lot as a kid. I don't mind it so much.

[ Is this the first time he's mentioned anything about his childhood to either of them? He thinks so—but then again he's missing a large chunk of his memories, apparently, with no way of getting them back. Maybe, like Sooyoung, they've all heard this already and are just humoring him.

But he can definitely say he prefers the freedom of being able to live on his own, without being subject to the whims of someone he neither knows nor trusts, even at the cost of a certain measure of discomfort. At some point, the risks will outweigh the benefits. His conversation with Rosaria lingers always at the back of his mind. How much longer can they be safe without the backing of either side? How long is he willing to bank on his own natural skills and nothing else?

Unconsciously, he frowns into his own bowl of soup. This man is always frowning. ]

But you two should pick a side, if there's one you're comfortable with over the other.

[ Living out in nature isn't exactly an easy way of life. If aligning themselves with either Meridian or Zenith won't chafe at them too badly, they should do it. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Gen briefly forgets about everything else when Eustace ladles out the soup. His ears perk up, his tail whaps against the log he's sitting on, and he eagerly reaches forth to take the bowl offered to him. The fact that it's a meat he's never tried before means he does take a cautious sniff first, but it doesn't smell weird, so -- he takes one careful sip of the broth first, then his tail thumps on the log as he digs in properly. Eating with only one hand means he's forced to awkwardly wedge the bowl between his knees to handle his spoon, but whatever. It's fine.

He looks up from his food only once he's demolished like half of it in ten seconds. ]

Oh yeah, you mentioned you grew up in the woods. [ Sorry Eustace. Just casually bringing up shit you have no memory of. Gen bites his spoon in thought for a moment before mumbling, ] ... I've never even been camping before all this.

[ So it's hard to imagine himself enduring this lifestyle forever. Maybe a bear will eat him three weeks in, or something. Gen gnaws slowly at a piece of meat for a moment, brow furrowed in thought, before tossing the little bone aside. When he speaks again, his tone of voice is serious for once -- not griping or complaining, but genuinely contemplative. ]

It seems too easy. Getting to live the good life just by siding with either of them. And the fact that we have to ask for it -- it means they don't actually care about us unless we're with'em. Maybe it'll be fine for as long as it lasts, but it kind of creeps me out. [ He huffs, takes a sip of the broth, then continues. ] Don't like Yima. She reminds me too much of this psycho, controlling bitch from back home. Dunno about the other guy, haven't spoken to him yet.

[ A glance towards Gray, to see if she has anything to contribute about them. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray takes her bowl of soup, though her appetite is close to nil as she listens to Eustace and Gen's answers. She stirs her stew around but doesn't yet give it a taste. She sees and feels both of their points; she doesn't mind roughing it in the woods, actually much prefers it to getting embroiled in city drama, and she's under no delusion that they're worth anything to Yima or Cyrus except as firepower. She adds an absent correction: ]

We camped together before.

[ Thus casually bringing up shit Gen has no memory of. She continues more seriously. ]

I don't know if Mr. Cyrus is any better than Miss Yima. He's friendly, but he's the head of his people too... and when people are in his position, being friendly doesn't really mean anything.

[ The Clock Tower didn't teach her how to do magecraft, but it at least taught her about politics — namely, that chasing power means becoming inhuman. And she takes a breath, a nervous bubble in her chest threatening to burst. ]

Still... I think I'm going to join Meridian.

[lockedon]

[ Psycho controlling bitch sure is one way of putting it, even if the words sound wholly natural coming from Gen's mouth. Even if he wouldn't necessarily say it like that, he sees where Gen is coming from—and where Gray is, as well. It's really the lesser of two evils, as far as they're concerned.

Problem is, he hasn't figured out which of the two is the more tolerable choice.

But it seems Gray has, and he looks up from his own bowl of stew, still untouched, at her quiet pronouncement. He wouldn't have expected that of her, usually the least decisive of them all, to have made her choice so quickly. ]

Why Meridian?

[ It's not a judgmental statement, but rather one asked of genuine curiosity. It's not often Gray chooses to decide something for herself; it's only natural to want to know the motivation why when she does. ]

i'm tagging this ANYWAY but feel free to ignore...

[gravings]

[ It's a natural question, and one she's been chewing on for a while, so she answers readily. ]

Because I don't agree with Mr. Cyrus and his people. But that also means... I'll learn more by seeing what they see.

[ She turns her bowl a little in her hands, venting its heat from her skin. ]

If I go with Zenith, I think it'll be the same as when I was with the Kenoma. I was comfortable, but that also meant I stayed the same. If you want to move forward, you have to do things that feel hard. At least... that's what someone taught me. He had a lot of enemies, but I think he lived a beautiful life.

i suppose i will tag you back out of the goodness of my heart....

[lockedon]

[ a beautiful life.....what kind of poetry is she spouting.....


It's a more-than-reasonable explanation, but also one he doesn't expect from her, one of his brows lifting in momentary surprise. She'd always acted mild-mannered around him, largely unwilling to to make big waves or jump far out of her comfort zone. To watch her try and push forward despite her own doubts....there's equal parts admiration (in support of her trying her best) and self-pity (for his own lack of conviction in staying in in the middle ground).

He should get a move-on too, sooner rather than later. Both on his own journey forward and also on his soup, though the latter goes ignored in favor of another question. ]

Was that your mentor?

[ It's been like six months, surely they have talked about Waver at least one (1) time by now. ]

wow... generous... benevolent......

[gravings]

[ She says one tender word and suddenly it's poetry

She brightens a little at his recognition. ]

Yes. He was a terrible mage, but he still managed to become a respected Lord. He made me think that if even he could make his way through the world, then maybe I could too.

[ (affectionate)

But she begins to push her soup around, willing it to cool down a little more. ]

He was a Lord, a teacher, and sometimes a detective too. Though his cases always involved magecraft, so they weren't like detective stories in books.

that's me...a generous and benevolent overlord

[lockedon]

[ He's only heard a small amount about this Lord of hers, but somehow each new thing he hears just makes him question the capabilities of this mystery man even further. Never would he wish the fate of being brough to Kenos and being forced to choose sides upon anyone, but if Gray's mentor just so happened to find himself here, Eustace would definitely feel compelled to observe him like some sort of specimen under a magnifying glass.

He watches Gray push her soup around, all the while continuing to ignore his. ]

He sounds like a busy man.

[ That's a lot of things to have on your resume, even if half of them are interconnected. ]

I'm surprised he had time to take you on as his apprentice.

[ The words are said simply, a statement of fact rather than as any sort of judgment of the man. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray has heard every criticism of Lord El-Melloi II and agreed with most of them, so she has no argument with anyone expressing a bit of doubt about the man's time management ability. ]

It wasn't the kind of apprenticeship where he set aside time to teach me. It was more like an excuse of a title that let me be with him wherever he went. My job was really to act as his guard... and eventually, I was to fight for him in something called a Holy Grail War, where the winner could have one of their wishes granted.

[ When she says it aloud it doesn't sound great, because it wasn't great. But she evidently doesn't mind it, because she peacefully spoons up some soup to let it cool. ]

I did learn a lot from him, though.

[ To be fair!! ]

[lockedon]

[ Ah, is it time…..time for Eustace to learn about Grail Wars?

He would choose to say no deeply and vehemently, but since I hate him he gets to learn about even more fun Fate things against his will. Though he wrinkles his nose at the description Gray gives first, because he's pretty sure taking on a young girl as a bodyguard under the guise of being an apprentice and making her fight for him is kind of morally questionable?? Not that he's all that moral and upstanding himself, but he can still be a hypocrite and judge others for their actions.

But, onto the main topic at hand: ]

Holy Grail War?

[ Can he hear the capitalization of each word…..more importantly, can he repeat back the capitalization of each word? ]

[gravings]

[ Luckily for everyone involved, Gray barely knows anything about Fate/ despite being the disciple of a lore dispenser, and doesn't have the ability to regurgitate the things laypeople don't care about. ]

Yes. It's, um... a private war where mages summon the spirits of old heroes to fight for them. Since my speciality is fighting spirits, he planned for me to help make up for his lack of ability as a mage.

[ Here her eyebrows angle apologetically. ]

I don't know much more than that, though. We ended up not participating.

[lockedon]

[ Huh.

He mulls that explanation over. Finally takes a bite (a slurp??) of his soup. And then deigns to give his opinion of this whole briefly summarized affair. ]

Sounds like an unnecessary waste of time.

[ And also potentially like an overblown dick-measuring contest. So maybe it's for the best they both ended up not joining? Maybe there were other more personal reasons for wanting to participate, but Gray hasn't shared those with him and thus he's left to draw conclusions on his own.

Maybe they can talk about it a little later on, but for now he nods towards her still full bowl of stew. ]

You should eat while it's still warm.

[ And also I'm wrapping up this thread since my inbox imploded and I'm dying again. See you in the next thread, Boba.... ]