diatuooc | Test Drive #1

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test drive

Test Drive #1

Test Drive #1

The Airship There

By carriage or coach, spellwagon or ship, perhaps even on the wings of magic, the Sundered heed the call to gather at the Tenzin High Dock of Vulbaria. On this, the appointed day, a great passenger airship sits in the dock, the seals of the six Houses fluttering from flagpoles along her length and her wooden planks atremble as if it is eager to be off. At last, the gangplank descends, and the Hand of Diatu opens her doors to the Sundered so they can take their first step on the path towards protection and salvation.

Inside, you may choose from long comfortable couches, broad circular tables surrounded by straight-backed, cushioned chairs, or viewing seats at the glass front of the ship. Sundered who need special accommodations are quickly provided for, ensuring everyone travels in comfort. Trays drift through the air periodically, offering snacks and drinks to the passengers.

This may be the first chance you've had to truly relax since being swept to this strange world. Certainly it is the first chance you've had to meet your fellow Sundered. As the airship lifts gracefully off from the High Dock, your journey to Diatu begins. Excited? Nervous? Simply angry? Or perhaps searching among the crowd here for a familiar face or some sign of hope?

Rain, Rain...

Welcome to Diatu Magicademy. It's raining.

Seriously raining. One of those downpours that feels like a curtain has dropped on you, that soaks to the bone within a second of stepping into it. Obviously, this won't do, and a civic-minded cluster of Purifeul students has taken it upon themselves to solve this problem. No sooner do you step through the gates then you practically run into a giant and complex runic diagram being drawn out with long staffs by several students, all of them speaking seeming nonsense about derivatives, limits, and equations. Magic! In action right before your eyes!

And yet, just as their mathemagics wind towards the center of the diagram and they all make their final stroke -- one student slashes his line off on a weird tangent, speaking an equation that sounds nothing at all like what his fellows utter. The spell completes... weirdly, as the students look in horror at each other. The temperature abruptly drops seventy degrees, and a cold wind begins to blow.

Welcome to Diatu Magicademy. Please get out of the blizzard before you freeze.

Thaumaturgy 101

After some fifteen minutes of grumbling from Professor Loshakle, followed by half an hour of theory and basics, the grouchy old man finally gets to drawing a magical symbol on the board. "This is straight out of Fundamental Principles of Wizarding," he says, writing Sense Magic next to the symbol. "As is everything you'll learn here. I'll emphasize yet again, you MUST know the name of the spell and the proper gestures. You can't simply wave your wand in any old pattern and say any old words. That isn't how it works," he says, glaring around the class as if daring someone to question him.

But he gives no one the opportunity, instead producing a wand and making the gesture to trace the symbol he'd drawn in midair. "Sense Magic," he intones, and the air and his wand both shimmer.

"Now. You all try." Just like that. What the Professor doesn't mention is that this spell can produce some very interesting results if the symbol is off, or the timing...

Bala-inlota Practice

Bala-inlota is the main interaction the Magicademies have with each other -- the sport of wizards! Two teams take the field, with the goal of heaving a ball through their opponent's hoop. The rules primarily revolve around not inflicting lethal injury, because bala-inlota is a free-for-all at best, where each team relies on both physical and magical might to win the day.

You kind of wish someone had told you this BEFORE you got hauled onto the field so the coach could see if you've got what it takes.

Now half a dozen players are charging down the field at your ragtag group of semi-willing recruits, while another half-dozen are preparing spells that you've been absolutely assured aren't as nasty as the ones deployed in actual play. On your side: the ball, your wits, your physical ability, and maybe three classes's worth of magical education.

On the upside, magic is pretty good at healing.

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[This is not a face Alphinaud wanted to see. Or, perhaps, ever expected to see again. He is definitely not the only one somewhat shocked, to judge by the wide yellow eyes that greet him; though Yotsuyu goe Brutus draws herself up to her full height in an attempt to tower over the Elezen youth. That done, however, she offers no violence to him. Not yet. Not...yet.]

How curious to see you here, Master Leveilleur. I do hope you did not arrive the way I did.

[As she figures that, being the diplomatic sort, the news of her demise would not have escaped him. The tiniest hint of a smile--one that may or may not be cruel once it blossoms--twitches at one side of her mouth, and she arches a black brow at him, smirking slightly.]

[It's bad enough that he's bumped into her, literally and figuratively, but he recognizes the voice before he looks up and matches it with her presence. His breath catches, and he instantly staggers back in shock, not only from the familiar face, but by way of this one that ought to have a certain quality about her that makes this quite impossible... Yes, she should have perished. The Warrior of Light witnessed and confirmed this.]

Yotsuyu...!

[He might even be inclined to believe it's a case of mistaken identity, had she not identified him outright. On top of that, her characteristic tone is markedly hers— belonging not even to Tsuyu, but to Yotsuyu.

He narrows his eyes, on guard due to this fact, even though he has nothing to defend himself with. He understands that in this situation, both parties have little to gain by engaging the other, but does she understand this as well? No, moreover, does she care?]

I couldn't hope to say without first hearing of your journey... How is it you've come to be here?

[It may be that she does understand. She is still the witch of Doma in tone and stature, but Yotsuyu has ever been a master of biding her time when necessary. It is a bitter smile that twists her lips, now, even as her eyes widen slightly.]

If it answers your question, I recall the events at Fluminis quite...pointedly, shall we say. I trust my...darling brother shared my fate?

[It was unlikely that he'd escaped her, and yet, grasping still, she had to know. Not likely that it is due to any charity in her heart towards the Eorzeans; no, she just had to know if that bastard Asahi was really, truly dead. Ancestors, grant her that...

She spreads her hands, then, and shrugs. When next she speaks, there is no small bit of derision in her tone, though it is more self-directed than aimed at him.]

I had thought my tale done, Master Leveilleur. And yet I woke here just the same. It is not the hell I expected, but so far, it may be a hell nonetheless.

[Impossible... He wants to say that it's impossible, but he has seen equally strange things, not the least of which is his own arrival here, dead or otherwise. She describes it as a hell, and for just a moment, Alphinaud does question his own mortality. It is, however, a powerful magick that has brought them to this land; of that he is certain. Restoring one's life... may be possible for them.

He doesn't share the information she desires to hear so much, that of Asahi's demise. He takes it as a rhetorical question regardless, and he's much more focused on the how and why of all of this.]

That, as always, will be yours to decide. [He, too, cannot refrain from a slightly sharp tongue. He's known her as both Yotsuyu and as Tsuyu. He knows that she has a choice in the path she chooses forward, though she could not help her past.] For now, it does seem that we share the same fate. Our differences will serve no motivation in this realm.

[Her face twists again as Alphinaud sallies past the question she so wished answered. Ah well; temper flashes briefly in her eyes, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, as she so well knows. He is the scholarly one; Yotsuyu's goal is to survive, as she has for so long. So long. ]

I did what I had to. [Unsurprisingly, it is not an apology. But did he really expect that from her? If she is ashamed of what she's done in the past, it is buried with so much else. Freedom may be within her grasp, and all she has to do is reach out...and take it. But at what price? She has not forgotten what Gosetsu did for her. And what she owes him, even now.]

You and I are here. And the princeling is not. The emperor is not, and they might have no power, should they appear. I see no need to continue our aforementioned differences, in that light. I doubt you can extend true friendship to one such as I; but I see no need to be enemies. At least for now.

[Of course, should Zenos or Varis find themselves here, her alliances might have to change. Or have an illusion of changing, at the very least. However, the ancestors know she'd try to weasel out of that, now. Yotsuyu has no desire to be a pawn again, of Garlemald or anywhere else for that matter.]

[She has the right of it. True "friendship" may be beyond his capacity, but a civil agreement? It's much preferable than the alternative. He feels more comfortable having stated his intentions outright, despite of how foolish it might seem to lay his cards on the table before an enemy. While he cannot place full faith in her words, what he said rings true for the both of them, and as such, he in inclined to believe her.

Her plight, after all, resonated with a hatred in affiliation with her homeland, back on Hydaelyn. Without the influence of all of that, mayhap there is even a chance for "Tsuyu" to have a second... No, he ought not to rely on such sentiments for now. That they have an agreement is sufficient.]

I appreciate your being forthright with me. Naturally, I am of the same inclination.

[He relaxes his stance, relieved to be able to hold a sensible conversation with her. It's strange, considering their history, but thanks to "Tsuyu"'s actions, it isn't as surprising as it might have been otherwise.]

As strangers to this land with the same familiarity of our realm, we may stand to benefit from sharing any findings that we incur. Have you any thoughts on the magicks of this realm?

[It isn't as if Yotsuyu has made any true promises here. Then again, neither has Alphinaud. If anything, it's a very wary truce between them, for now. Something that circumstances could make or break. She has not precisely relaxed her stance, yet, but she takes a step or two back, to sink gracefully down on the nearest chair, crossing her ankles daintily. And ceding the advantage to him, as she no longer attempts to intimidate him with height. Yotsuyu gives him a nod at his first comment, though the second makes her scowl again, somewhat.

However, she offers no insult. Progress? ]

Magicks were for you Eorzeans. I am, I fear, not well aware of them, though I suppose that I had best turn my hand to learning. And that as swiftly as I might!

[Something of a rueful smile crosses her lips, then, fleeting as a cloud scudding its way across the face of the moon.]

Though if I should come across anything potentially interesting or useful, perhaps we can arrange a time to compare notes?

[Indeed, he forgets that despite everything, she is essentially a child of Garlemald. She doesn't seem to view it with the same disdain, which is a good thing as it has become a necessity for them, but that would leave her with little experience in the field.

He does consider the potential problems that might arise with Yotsuyu gaining strength via magicks. Though it isn't a guarantee that she could turn to use them for harm, he must be prepared for the possibility. It's as he is pondering this that her suggestion draws him from his thoughts. An impeccable opportunity presents itself just as he wonders how he might approach the idea.]

Glad that we are of the same mind. Though hailing from the same realm, our experiences within it are quite varied. Together, we may be able to make sense of more than we could hope to accomplish alone.

That is my thought as well, Master Leveilleur. Even if we may simply end up running in a pair of circles. Kami, I should hope not!

[It's a small expression of disgust that crosses her face, then, though it's clearly not directed at him--more at the idea of each of them striving to find answers, and simply not succeeding. Ugh. The very idea!]

What rubbish. [This is what she mutters, though Yotsuyu shakes her head and looks at Alphinaud again, with some amusement.]

Not our burgeoning plans. The thought of failure. Even though I have no great yearning to return to Hydaelyn, I am certain you do. And I am sure you would like nothing more to see my backside as you depart, and I do not fault you for it in the least!

[No desire to return at all? Well, that's hardly surprising. Even should she have survived... assuming she truly did not— circumstances being what they are, he is still curious to discern the truth— her last ordeal there certainly proved that she would forever be haunted in that realm. Furthermore, the very fact that she aims to distance herself from it does suffice to show that she may yet possess the possibility to return to her gentler persona.]

Indeed, I do have a number of pressing matters to attend back on Hydaelyn... though I do not believe my arrival here to be sheer coincidence. Ever we were in search of answers to questions left long unsolved, and there may be a possibility that I may find them here.

[Or there is the chance that he's wrong in all of his assumptions, but time will tell. As to whether that constitutes a "failure"...]

We are out of our element here, and as such, liable to face some setbacks— of that, I am aware. However, one failure need not mean that all is lost. For proof of this, look to your former homeland of Doma.

[Look to Doma? That makes Yotsuyu sneer, just a bit. After all, she blamed most of her problems on Doma--or at least the people who turned a blind eye to her suffering, there. And she did not want to think about it.]

Doma? I would rather not. I am better off without it--as I am certain it is better off without me. I am sure there are few who shed tears over the Witch of Doma's demise.

[Though her phrasing suggests she can think of at least one or two who might have mourned--she still doesn't understand why the Warrior of Light was upset at her imminent passing. Should they not have been like Asahi--cursing her name and awaiting her death? It made no sense.

Yotsuyu shook her head, then. ]

Well. Since I am certain the answers you do seek are likely for the good of all back on Hydaelyn, it is truly the least I can do to give you what aid I can. So you do have that, and I shall hope it is enough. I am no scholar as you are, but...I have my tricks.

[He is aware of her mislike for Doma, and yet he cited it as an example nonetheless. In fact, he did so knowingly, for she herself contributed to its long history of subjugation. Its peoples had truly become hopeless, finally accepting of a fate that none desired but could also not escape from. Or so they had thought, but Alphinaud and company soon discovered the flame still burning within them, and they were surprised at just how intense it was.

It isn't the end until one decides it so. Hearing her latter statement, perhaps that innate flame is still alight within her as well. That she is willing to provide such assistance to a former enemy, even knowing those who would benefit from the aid, is a remarkable gesture he couldn't have fathomed. As such, he smiles.]

And I daresay I shall have need of them ere long. I know not a specific means by which to repay your services at present, but I am ever available should you have any requests.

Repayment?

[There's a part of her that wants to laugh; but there's also a part of her that wonders just what that might be. Yotsuyu certainly knows much about the exchange of favors owed and scratching one's back to have her own scratched in turn, as the saying goes, but...Her lips twitch for a moment, and then she shrugs, spreading her hands.]

I suppose I shan't deny it entirely--there may be, in the future, something you could do for me that I might need--but for now, perhaps let us call this 'penance' and be done, eh?

[Penance? Truly? He feels a tinge of the same sense of inner conflict as when she had first reappeared as Tsuyu with Gosetsu in tow. Voicing a thought so far removed from any that the notorious "Yotsuyu" could have imagined, he and his comrades had wondered if she was merely acting. Now, however, he calms that suspicion in his heart as he knows her to be capable. Silently, he hopes that this land provides her with the opportunity of a second chance that she was never truly afforded on Hydaelyn.]

Very well. I agree that it seems best to move forward as equals. After all, as mentioned, our history means naught in this realm, and so we may begin anew with a clean slate.

Which is precisely what I am hoping for, Master Leveilleur. Not that I plan to divest myself of all my former talents, just...

[It's a moue of distaste she makes, then. It wasn't as if Yotsuyu was not entirely aware of her crimes. But the samurai had tried to show her a better way, and the kindness that those who had had no right to show such a thing to her...Tsuyu's memories were still there, if not exactly fresh. She had not harmed these people, here. There were not nearly so many harsh memories, for either side. If this was another chance, she was going to grasp it with both hands. And try not to mess it up, this time.]

The harsher ones, perhaps. They may have their uses, but I shall hope not. That also denotes a change, I should hope.

[He smiles once more. It is actually... rather pleasant to speak with her like this. 'Tis a shame it could not come to fruition on Hydaelyn, but another chance is another chance. Alphinaud takes up his tea again, savoring the aroma for a moment before he takes another sip and replaces the cup and saucer to the table. His gaze drifts to the windows beside them, where he watches the clouds peacefully pass them by.]

Would that Gosetsu were here as well.

He would hate it, more so than I! [Though it's not malicious laughter, that quick bark that escapes her. Yotsuyu shakes her head.

Perhaps he might like to see the fruits of certain of his labors complete, but he would not like being separated from Hien Rijin, you can be most certain of that. His loyalty is unswerving.

[Maybe there's something to be learned from that. It wasn't as if the Empire had earned her loyalty. Just paid for it.]

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Test Drive #1

The Airship There, with all my apologies.

I might have shrieked irl bless you so much!!

She's the scary one! But it's so nice to see Alphinaud here. :)

even at her scariest Yotsuyu is precious bae! ♥

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