KazAlkemi

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Lab, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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Annika listened to her professor’s advice, nodding in agreement as she absentmindedly stroked Root’s wooden beak and feathers. The facts of her travel into the Neverish were still fresh in her mind. She wouldn’t forget the feeling of loneliness and being left behind any time soon. And the cabin's uniqueness was hard to forget; however, a walk did sound lovely.

”Walk. Definitely a walk first.” Annika pulled out a notebook and wrote down Sariel’s instructions for their assignment. It was almost like an archival assignment: gain new information, add it to the old, and compare. It was right up Annika’s alley.

”You can join us for a walk if you want,” Annika said to no one in particular. ”Would you like to join, Root?” She looked to the ancient creature, figuring they would want to be invited. Root didn’t have to stay with Rohan the entire time, did he? His presence on her shoulder had grown comfortable, but she could understand a familiar’s need to stay with their chosen companion. Nochella, however, went wherever she wanted. Usually.

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Location: Mikkail’s Sitting Room —> Mikkail’s Tower, Strange Academy
Grimore: Predatory Instinct; Dragonic Morphing; Hunter’s Mark
Skills:
Fit

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Callaghan led the way to Mikkail’s tower. He was most familiar with the path, and with each step closer, the more Cal started to relax. Once he stepped across the threshold, it was as if a weight had been lifted from Cal’s shoulders. He relaxed completely into the familiar presence of his mentor and the safe haven he had created here. Despite the dragon’s ire, this place was like home to Cal.

”Close the door,” he instructed whoever was the last to enter. Cal removed the journal, eyeing the offending book with a frown.

He flicked his eyes up to meet Cassi’s. ”I have the ability to enhance a magic user’s ability. It isn’t always exact, but it could strengthen your hold on what you seek from this journal. Do you remember the information we need? If so, make sure to channel that while you search the journal. Having a clear direction should help you focus, despite the chaotic nature of your power.” Cal held onto the journal a moment longer, sighing before he handed it over to Cassie.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Mikkail’s Sitting Room, Strange Academy
Grimore: Predatory Instinct; Dragonic Morphing; Hunter’s Mark
Skills:
Fit

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The longer Cal remained in this room with these people who would not listen or could not understand each other, the more his own temper would start to flare. He clenched and unclenched his hands, his eyes refusing to shift back to their human golden brown. The dragon remained on alert, watching them all as they decided their fate and the books’.

Nicky bowed out of helping Cal once his twin offered instead. At least that would keep Nicholas safe. And for a task like this, Barty seemed to have more time to give no quarter. However, accepting Barty’s help felt unsettling.

”You are mistaken if you think this book poses the greatest threat to you and your brother. Need I remind you there is someone here who knows a name to call your brother that not even I have been privileged to know? Perhaps you should get your affairs in order before worrying about mine.”

Cal felt the pressure of a warmer body against his form, and he tilted his head up to see his little moth leaning into him. However, she started to pull away.

Cal gently grasped Willow's forearm before letting it go. ”Before you leave, you wished to tell me something. Can you tell me now?” Cal's eyes flicked to Willow's injured arm. Although it was healed now, he could still picture the ice shard in her arm. ”Or should we wait until later?”

Willow paused softly as Cal spoke and grasped her forearm. She thought for a moment. ”Oh. Now is fine. I cracked the egg, and well… it was abnormal. I am going to have to bathe in that moonlight water. You asked to know, and I wasn’t sure if it was something I should say in front of the others. However after everything that has happened, it seems… so insignificant.” She chuckled softly as she relaxed into his touch. ”Do you wish to join me for the bath?”

Something in Cal's chest squeezed when he heard Willow's egg had been abnormal. As much as he had teased the night before, today's events had sobered him.

”Not so insignificant. Perhaps the two were more related than we thought. Inform the professor since you are going to see them again. And yes, I would join you if you would have me. I fear we both will need it after the day's events.” Cal kissed Willow's forehead. ”I already charged Nick with your well-being and Cassie's, but would you mind keeping your Luna's eyes on her for me as well?”

Willow nodded softly and relaxed as he kissed her forehead. ”Of course. She is a dear friend to me as well. I’ll talk to the professor as well. But perhaps you are right, it might not be so insignificant.” She gently pet Luna and offered him a small smile.

Cal returned Willow's smile, offering one to Luna as well before he released her. ”I will come find you once my task is done.”

He turned to leave when he heard his name called.

Avengers Academy: X of Swords ⚔️

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Location: Everforge, Otherworld
Magic Items:
Grimoire: Enhanced Speed
Fit

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Luna continued to chant under her breath for the pair to slow down or for someone else to catch them. She had a great vantage point from the ground and saw Andy and Percy slow as Dorian neared, before he disappeared. Luna didn’t question it, not when she saw Andy and Percy being saved.

”Good, at least…that….crap.” The ground started to rumble under Luna’s feet. Sand rapidly shifted and moved. She scrambled to try to get out of the growing sinkhole but fell backwards.

”Oof!” Luna collapsed, her breathing shallow and rapid as she stared up at the slobbering scavenger. And it’s four-legged companion. ”And this is why we don’t go running off before knowing all the facts.”

Luna plastered on a smile, uncovering her face as she looked blindly up at her captor.

"Bright stars!” she greeted, before crossing her wrists and hammering them together twice. The scavengers weren’t always the friendliest, but hopefully, they would give her a minute to explain why she was here. Up above her, chaos ensued. Luna could hear screaming, yelling and…cannon fire? Shit. The Everforge was firing upon them all.

Dammit.

The capybara screeched, and its dwarven master tugged on the reins, studying Glimpse for a moment. The wrappings and goggles made it impossible to discern their faces or to gauge their reaction to her words. The dwarf then shifted, taking one hand off of the cattle prod, the other reaching into their saddle bag. They produced a pair of cuffs and they tossed them down at their captive. “Cuir iad seo ort!”

Fucking hell.

Luna complied, knowing this was her best option for now before she spoke again.

”Ma leigeas tu leam bruidhinn ri mo chompanach, faodaidh mi toirt orra stad.” She held up her arms, showing that the cuffs were now on and secured.

The dwarf’s head tilted briefly back in the direction of the Baba Yaga structure, rapidly crumbling under the Everforge’s onslaught. In the sky, the cannons were menacing the children who had taken flight. At the moment, the fight was solidly in the salvagers’ favor. “Beidh do chompánach leat go luath go leor, a leanbh.”

That was becoming glaringly obvious as Luna watched Leah’s moving dome begin to collapse. Well, capture was one way to get where they needed.

”Feuch gun innis thu do Kasimira Mythrilmorningstar Infuri gu bheil fàbhar aig Luna Braddock ri iomlaid.”

Translations

Seelie -
Cuir iad seo ort! = Put these on!

Ma leigeas tu leam bruidhinn ri mo chompanach, faodaidh mi toirt orra stad = If you let me speak to my companion, I can get them to stop.

Beidh do chompánach leat go luath go leor, a leanbh. = Your companion will be with you soon enough, child.

Feuch gun innis thu do Kasimira Mythrilmorningstar Infuri gu bheil fàbhar aig Luna Braddock ri iomlaid. = Make sure to tell Kasimira Mythrilmorningstar Infuri that Luna Braddock has a favor to exchange.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: The Neverish —> Lab, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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Annika glanced at Finley, her cheeks warming slightly from the chaste kiss before they released her hand. ”Of course,” she mumbled before she turned her ire back onto Rohan.

”Oh, I heard you before you just disappeared!” she said, crossing her arms. Nochella started to purr into Annika’s ear seconds before Root landed on her opposite shoulder. She looked at the ancient creature. Who knew how many years this old soul had spent watching the world turn.

”Shé:kon iónhnhe karonta'shón:'a ohté:ra,” Annika greeted her new friend, brushing the back of her finger against his beak. His presence soothed her, just as her own familiars' did. Interesting

Calm once more, Annika turned her focus onto their professor. ”And we found a journal. It carries something ancient within it. As long as you hold it, you can hear voices,” Annika explained, but as she lifted the journal, it slowly faded. As it faded from this world, a voice from another time spoke. Annika’s fingers twitched. She knew she should probably write the words down, but she kept them to herself for now.

Translations

Taken from the internet, all mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Shé:kon (hello) iónhnhe(alive) karonta'shón:'a ohté:ra (root)
firstvoices.com/kanienkeha-mohawk-en

Camp Lava Lake

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Ezekiel Kel

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Location: Camp Lava Lake
Skills:

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Zeke settled in comfortably as everyone started to eat, laugh, and share each other’s company. Maybe being forced to participate in a summer camp for juvenile delinquents wouldn’t be so bad. At least the company was good. Zeke pressed his knee against Demi, his hands busy with shovelling food into his mouth.

”I can go with you, Em. I tend to be an early riser.” Zeke had always enjoyed the stillness mornings brought. There was something peaceful in those quiet hours that left him with a semblance of calm.

Zeke paused in his eating. He always enjoyed watching Nanc complete a card pull. He found the whole thing wildly fascinating, even though he never remembered what all the cards meant.

He laughed when Nancy connected the two references. ”Oh that was hilarious. Mom was freaking out until you explained it to her, remember?”

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Sam’s Room —> Ballroom
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon left the room to change as the conversation came to a close. It was a black-tie event, but Rhiannon decided to go the other way and wear white. Very rarely did they wear such a bright colour, but white was a sign of the dead and a mark of respect. Rhiannon found it oddly fitting that they had chosen to pack this outfit for tonight’s event.

After applying a light pink make-up, Rhi left their room and headed down to the ballroom. Bits of the conversation floated in and out of their mind as they walked, their heels clacking a comfortable rhythm on the floor as they walked. Steps to a dance formed in their mind, temporarily distracting them before Rhiannon walked through the doors and into the ballroom.

They paused, taking in the overly ornate scene before them. Did Renee truly want to live with people who lived like this? It was a bit much. It was spectacular. Rhiannon sighed, walking over to join Ralph and accepted a glass of wine, but didn’t sip the concoction yet.

”You clean up well,” Rhi said to Ralph conversationally.

Avengers Academy: X of Swords ⚔️

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Location: Everforge, Otherworld
Magic Items:
Grimoire: Enhanced Speed
Fit

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Chase's comments had Luna seeing red. She balled her hands into vista, glaring at the arrogant worm when he waved a candy dick in her face. She snatched it from his hand and threw it away.

”I don't do dicks! And I would have explained things if your mates hadn't dove through the fairy ring and then flew off without listening to anything I had to say. You want to lead? Fine. Then you get your group in line because they're all going to get us killed before we can even get Vicky the help she needs.”

Luna stopped off, reading to leave the ungrateful group of brats behind. Let them navigate the Otherworld without her, when the ground started to rumble beneath her feet. She turned around, alarmed a mythical creature was about to emerge, but what she did see made Luna stare in awe. Leah raised the sand dome from the ground. The structure had solidified to sustain the movement. Luna grinned, shaking her head. Her brief stint of rage gone.

”I see you. Incredible work.” Where was this before Dumb and Dumber took off without the group? If only they had waited.

”I'll run ahead and meet you there!” Luna called to Leah before she took off.

Luna felt the rush of freedom running always brought her. Especially when she could run… wait. Luna's speed had been dampened from what she was used to. Was this an effect from her deaging? If that was the case, what else had been affected?

Luna met up with the group in time to see Percy falling from the sky and Andy racing to get him. Luna bounced her weight from foot to foot, ready to catch one or both of them if she needed to.

”Come on, come on. Slow yourselves,” Luna muttered under her breath.

Roll Request

Telekinesis: If no one else, Percy, Dorian, or anyone before the update can slow Andy and Percy down, roll for Luna to use her telekinetic ability to slow the pair of them down.

Camp Lava Lake

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Zeke chuckled and nodded, his eyes drifting down Demi’s body. He stopped laughing. ”Did you seriously cut my shirt, Howell?!” Zeke grabbed Demi’s–his shirt and tugged the boy forward. ”Why did you cut my shirt!?”

Demi felt a slight tug down below as Zeke gripped their shirt and pulled him forward. His heart pounded slightly as his eyes drifted from Zeke's down to his lips and then a bit further south. They snapped back to Zeke's eyes as he smiled. ”It was too long and it's too hot. Besides, you could use a few more crop tops in your wardrobe. You'd look amazing in them.” Demi stepped forward closer, Zeke's hand now pressed between them.

Zeke frowned at the offending fabric. ”I'm not some front man playboy you know. I liked this shirt,” Zeke pouted.

”Please. A Playboy would wear far less clothes. And you can still like this shirt. I only took a little bit off, not like I tore it apart or anything. It's a clean cut.” Demi took a halfstep back, hooking his fingers into the top of Zeke's jeans. ”I didn't think you'd mind so much…sorry.”

Zeke grunted, turning his head away from Demetri when he pulled Zeke forward. ”It's not like I own a lot of clothes. I brought everything I could and was still going to have to do laundry. Besides, I wore this one in the music video. You know, the one you ruined.” Zeke returned his eyes to Demi's, giving his boyfriend a cocky smile.

”All the more reason to crop it. Get those views up. Besides, it's more punk to have it like this, so it'll fit the video much better. Buuuut if you want, you can steal one of my shirts to make it even. Your pick, even if it's one of my favorite band tees.”

Zeke fingered the new hem of his shirt, the back of his knuckles brushing against Demi's stomach. ”I'm pretty sure I’d stretch your shirt out,” he declared. ”Do you even lift?” Zeke teased, poking Demi's arms.

”I can lift you “ Demi said as he grabbed Zeke by his waist and lifted him up, twirling them both in place before setting him back down. ”Stretch it out. I don't care, it'll smell more like you anyways.”

Zeke laughed when Demi picked him up. His arms naturally circled around his boyfriend's neck as Zeke was set back down. ”Hmm alright fine.” Zeke kissed Demi in defeat. ”Okay food now. I'm starving.”

Zeke pulled his arms back to take Demi's hand and led him inside. The assault of food smells and conversation greeted Zeke. He hurried over to the table, letting go of Demi's hand to gather a plate. Five burgers did sound delicious.

He spotted his sister and smiled when he saw how full her plate was and that she was actually eating.

See? She doesn't need you to look after her. She's doing just fine.

Zeke sat across from Nancy and stole a fry from her plate.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Sam’s Room
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon mused over Millicent’s findings and Ralph’s realization. ”It could be possible that Lena knew about Renee’s parental origins then. If we are tagging her with the blackmail angle. It would be a good scandal and cause a decent bit of drama that might lead to someone making a mistake and taking her or both of them out of the will. Which is what Lena confessed to trying to do. Lawrence is hot-headed enough and has been accused of killing a co-worker. Lena could have staged the whole thing, knowing Renee would be murdered without lifting a finger. Although, how does she plan to frame Lawrence with that? Then there’s Miguel. Assuming he got close to outing whoever, was it Lena or someone else? But I definitely don’t think Lena did this alone. She had help. Either another family member or a staff member. Maybe one of the ones she hired to put the blackmail in our rooms?”

The possibility of getting closer to figuring out who killed Renee sent a pleasant tingle through Rhiannon. They stood up and stretched. Rhi needed to get back to the room and change before supper, but they felt they had debriefed enough. ”We could split up during dinner, try talking to people one on one, they might be a bit more forthcoming that way.”

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: The Neverish, Strange Academy
Grimore: Find Familiar
Skills:

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Annika was still trying to decide whether to risk the stew when she was suddenly grabbed and pulled onto the table.

”Whoa! What the—” The floor started to flood with some strange substance, and that wasn’t even the only bizarre thing happening to the cabin. ”Umm, yup, time to go,” Annika scooped the book off the table before it was lost and yelled for Nochella. The same voices from before greeted her, but Annika was a little preoccupied with other things.

The cat meowed from the trees outside before shifting and appeared on Annika’s shoulder. ”Good girl.” Annika kissed her cat’s shadowy head before looking at Rohan.

Who had completely vanished. ”Uh, that’s definitely not good. Finley, Dys, let’s go.” Annika grabbed onto Finley’s hand and channelled the image and feeling of the heart they all created to get them out of this nightmare.

Just as Rohan called, the four of them appeared. Annika stumbled slightly and shoved Rohan. ”What the hell?! You just poof! Disappear on us?”

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Location: Mikkail’s Sitting Room, Strange Academy
Grimore: Predatory Instinct; Dragonic Morphing; Hunter’s Mark
Skills:
Fit

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Cassie seemed gone. Lost to the book and what it had taken from her. Cal didn’t blame her. He wanted to destroy the thing, watch it wither and burn. He would incinerate it, but he needed to get as much knowledge as he could from it before then.

Cal shifted away when Barty came after Cassie. Cal glared at the twin. ”I asked her to look at this book. I put us in danger. Cassie simply desired to help. You do not speak to a member of my coven in this way. No matter what we have shared. If you wish to turn your ire on someone, turn it on me.” Fire danced behind Cal’s eyes as he shifted to stand between Barty and Cassie. But already the fickle twin had moved to turn his anger onto Jake.

Jake was Barty’s coven. Cal had no ties to Jake and felt no desire to protect the boy.

Cal moved closer to Willow, their changed tone making the dragon within him smile. The power drew them in as much as the opportunity to gain new knowledge. As did the power Barty exerted, despite Cal’s earlier warning to leave his coven alone.

Cal watched the entire thing unfold. His cheek feathered, jaw tightening with impatience. Cal wanted to be gone from this room, in Mikkail’s tower, destroying this book. It seemed he would not be allowed to do it alone, no matter how he wished to be the one to take the final hit. To destroy what tried to ruin what was his.

Every year, Cal would take on the role of protector—sometimes leader—with his coven. It was within his nature. The twins constantly tried to wean him off that habit, to turn inward and protect the self over others. Every time, Cal refused. His life was enriched by the creatures he met, and the knowledge he gained from them would be passed on for hundreds of thousands of years. If they survived that long.

Cal’s vision changed, and he found himself no longer staring at Jake chained to the ground, but into Nicky’s eyes. The colour shifting as it so often did. ”You ask the impossible. The journal could hold clues to our mystery. This journal hurt all of us because I asked each of you to look at it. Cassi the worst, and her need for vengeance is great. How do you plan to deal with the threat? What can you do that I cannot?”