A Heavy Burden, A Heavy Subject (2 days after the Lunar Harvest)

[arcadianvampire]

Class Time

[Following the immediate aftermath of the night of the Hunt, Valvatorez knew there would be... questions. A great many questions. There wasn't much time to rest, and after the first day of introduction had been completed, the second day of class would be used to make a statement about the Lunar Harvest. He anticipated this would not be an easy class, but he stood ready to teach it.

Fortunately, a couple of days was enough time for Valvatorez to pull himself together and look like his usual self.]

All right, class. I understand there is still considerable tension in the wake of what happened a couple of nights ago. I shall now endeavor to explain what it was, who caused it, what effects it had on people, and what can be done in the future. Rest assured, the danger is passed, and we are back to operating as normal. Further steps are being discussed to prevent this unprecedented incident from occurring again.

The Lunar Harvest is a phenomena of Fae origin, led by a powerful fae-creature called the Lord of the Hunt. ...Some of you may have witnessed him. A vicious looking humanoid with one glowing eye, a horned antler helmet, clad in bloodied furs and hides, riding a dark shade of a horse. His "Call" is an extremely potent mind-affecting magic that appeals directly to one's instinctual self; and it can have many varying levels of effect on any sentient being, living or dead. It calls those to whom it reaches to throw themselves into their baser, wilder nature that is often predatory. Sometimes it fails, and inspires the fear of being a prey animal in others. Other times, it just simply gives an individual a feeling of foreboding, and looming dread.

It can cause massive shifts in personalities and world views. Even the most durable of individuals can find this particular fae-charm difficult to resist, to the point that wards against it have to be specifically designed.

You may be asking then, why was the campus not warded against it?

Simply put, the Lunar Harvest has never been this overt. Usually, as many Hunters will tell you, it strikes in rural areas, away from the eye of most individuals. Stories of this great hunt are usually made into local legends, usually expanding no further than villages, or perhaps a small towns. This is the first time that we are aware of that such an event struck this close to larger population centers. To call this a more high profile escalation of the event is perhaps understating just how unprecedented it is. Going forward, you can expect Daybreak's security to be even further bolstered. The staff will be meeting about it with proposals very soon, and action will be taken following that.

We have not yet discovered what emboldened the Lord of the Hunt to be this aggressive. There are only theories and conjecture at this time. But I do not believe any of you here are stupid; and I believe the obvious hypothesis is the one closest to the truth. Knowing that, it will be all the more imperative that the material in this class be digested and internalized.

As such, I will be adding malicious fae to the list of things we will be studying here. Lessons will likely be accelerated in their intensity from here on. I will be handing out updated syllabi for the new course load on Monday. For now, follow what I handed out, and given this class will get more intense, I encourage all of you to make use of office hours if you need them. Additionally, I will be providing more in-depth study guides to help you along. I understand I already push the lot of you a great deal... so I do not believe it to be fair to put more pressure on you without also trying to alleviate the worst of it.

Do not slack off, however. Study guides will only help you if you put in the time to make good use of them. They will not give you all the answers. Make sure you follow through and put in the effort.

[Valvatorez will then spend the rest of the period discussing the specifics of the Lunar Harvest, and will open the floor to questions afterward.]

Office Hours

[As usual, Valvatorez's office is open for people to visit him after class. The hours seem to have been expanded too, allowing for more time. However, what's different this time is that Valvatorez's office is decidedly much more bare than normal. A replacement temporary desk, chairs, and bookcases are in his room, and his beloved fish tank has one of its panels completely removed. The tank is empty and lifeless. Most of the bookcases are currently empty, but some of the most essential works still remain. It actually looks... lifeless, compared to Valvatorez's normally extra looking abode. The one thing that still appears normal, though... is that singing bass, still hanging on the wall as if nothing happened.]

Network Post, Locked to Faculty

Once matters surrounding upgrading Daybreak's security are settled, I propose a night out. Or in. The lot of us need more teambuilding after what happened.

[Read: We all need to get together, have a good time, and optionally get drunk.]

Comments

office;

[unlogic]

[With his knowing a majority of the details surrounding her, and also knowing what her feelings on all of that were, Desidera is very likely one of the first students that Valvatorez expected to pay him a visit, and possibly one of the few he would be telling to come see him if she didn't do so on her own.

She enters the office with just a quick knock to announce that he has a visitor, walking into the room fully without waiting on a response—she knows by now that unless the door's locked, he's only going to say to come in, anyway—and immediately taking note of just how drastically it's all changed, but not giving it any particular reaction yet.]

Professor. [It sounds like she has a statement to make, rather than any questions to ask.]

[arcadianvampire]

[Valvatorez turns his eyes up from his papers when he heard the door knock; he was already hard at work at making sure the study guides would be ready and complete on time. Reference material sat open on his desk, too. But it lost his attention the moment Desidera entered his office.]

Ah, Desidera. ...I had a strong feeling you would be coming in today.

[He hesitates for but a moment, for the door to close. It's not hard to figure what she's here about at all.]

...Are you holding up all right?

[unlogic]

It took me a day, but I'm feeling better now. [She takes one of the extra chairs.] Between...that, and a near-miss I had earlier in the month, though, I'm not sure if the sessions I've been putting myself through in the Cage will be enough.

[Though, if Valvatorez can recall, among those who had gotten fully caught-up in the hunt, nobody whose description was a match for Desidera had been there, which would tell him that she had somehow managed to keep herself out of it. Though she did have some assistance, it probably says something about how much of an effort she's been putting toward staying in control.]

Office Hours

[improbablenotimpossible]

[After spending the first day post-hunt avoiding everyone, he forced himself to resume duties, and while Valvatorez's class isn't usually on his list, the man was here to deliver the printed copies syllabi to be handed out in between his other classes, busying his mind on other matters so it won't turn inward.

He pauses, taking a long, slow look over the room. He didn't need to ask to understand what happened, then his eyes settled on the bass he heard so much about]

...To think that survived.

[arcadianvampire]

[Valvatorez's sharp red eyes turned up to the singing bass, which seemed to react to being talked about. It began singing some popular song from a couple of decades ago in response, only occasionally slipping into a garbled mess.]

It has proven quite resilient over the years. And also quite mysterious. I am very positive it has a mind of its own.

[improbablenotimpossible]

I heard in Japanese lore that long-lived items can gain a soul of their own... it makes one wonder what the soul of a plastic fish would be like.

[But it really wasn't the fish he was examining, though he had to comment on it's choice]

Bad Moon Rising, really? Your fish has a twisted sense of humor, Valvatorez.

Class

[yokeye]

[Toki is attempting to be more focused on classes this quarter, and to do better in them. He manages not to interrupt the class at all, quietly listening and taking extensive notes. Occasionally with a small burst of superspeed to transcribe entire sentences and chunks of information he doesn't understand, so he can go over them later. Once the time for questions arrives, he raises his hand and waits to be called on.]

Are there any other uhh... like, legend things or whatever that aren't usually in populated areas that maybe we should know about?

[He hesitates to to continue, and he ultimately makes it a question, because he doesn't want it to be automatically taken as a delusional claim based on coincidence.]

I had a vision like a month ago, about a cyclops. He didn't look like the fey lord guy, but like... it could have represented him and if I knew about the existence of the Hunt, I could have put that together with the hounds from another vision and figured it out in time?

[arcadianvampire]

A very good question, but I do not think you will find my answer terribly reassuring.

[He's just going to be as honest about it as possible.]

The truth of it is, there are a great many legends and tales that have some bearing of truth to being supernatural. The problem there is assessing accurately the threats each of these smaller tales may pose. Some of them are just stories, some of them are real, and the ones that are may or may not be a threat anymore.

So yes, there are many more stories that you all should learn about. The problems are prioritization and time, along with any magic used potentially interfering with each other. Logistical questions with no easy answers.

[He shook his head, knowing the answer is inadequate. Sitting on one's hands because the problem is difficult is not appropriate.]

As for your visions in seeing it before it came, I do believe it to be possible. If you would like, I will raise the idea that known Seers with visions at Daybreak be better familiarized with known credible legends at the faculty meeting. In truth, I believe that is an excellent, and rather astute idea.

[yokeye]

[It makes sense, with so many folklore accounts being twisted until they were so convoluted they had no similarities to the events they were based on. As well as imagined stories re-told so many times they were thought to be real. It's not an answer he likes, but it's the reality they deal with. His response is slower and the words spoken clearly; something he has learned to do to make sure the other person knows he's paying attention and his thoughts are presented in full.]

I understand the time constraints and the need to prioritize what is more valuable. Thank you for taking my concerns into consideration, Professor. I would ask, do you have any recommendations for literature if I wanted to study these legends in detail on my own time?

[With his powers, he can basically make his own time. Spending hours, from his perspective, looking over texts on legends while only minutes have passed. He's also prepared to forgo sleep to fit this in. It's important.]

Class-ish, but on the Iris Network

[bolderfell]

[Therion doesn't want to ask his questions in class, or even during office hours. Why should he have to hear himself sound stupid? Nah, he just goes to the course's online discussion board. That's what it's for, right?]

UN: tealeaf22

So that "obvious hypothesis" you mentioned in class is that the Fae have turned against this world, right? At least enough of them to matter.

[When in doubt, assume the worst.]

[arcadianvampire]

UN: LordVal

Not exactly. There are types of fae that are typically "harmful" of humanity or generally malevolent. These sorts already act in a manner that is usually detrimental to humankind's interests, though usually for their own reasons.

I was more referring to the idea that with Nightfall looming, these sorts of fae are becoming more willfully aggressive, daring, and willing to take risks. They see a chance to have what they consider fun, and they take it.

[bolderfell]

Got it. I just figured, they'd only be that brazen about it if they really weren't worried about consequences. If they were keeping a low profile before, I guess they feel they have enough strength now not to bother. ...It made sense in my head, if more of their kind joined up with them.

office

[fireindreams]

[After Ekkehardt put his life on the line to pull Grimm out of the Hunt, he had holed up in the infirmary until he was well and then promptly locked himself up in his room for even longer. There was...a lot to think of. What Grimm is now aware he has done by losing control.

It also allowed him to read the text messages properly. He had sent them out as a warning but had not expected an answer. Grimm owes a lot of people apologizes. So he will start.

He knows Valvatorez's office hours and chooses a time when he feels the man isn't busy. But just in case he did not wish to speak to Grimm after that mess, he knocks first.]

Hello Valvatorez. May I come in?

[arcadianvampire]

[For what it's worth, Valvatorez immediately stops working when he hears the knock and looks up when he hears the familiar voice.]

Ahh, Grimm, of course! Do come in. What can I do for you?

[His tone doesn't betray any negative sentiment, which may or may not make things better.]

[fireindreams]

[It doesn't say one way or another, but Grimm knows if Valvatorez did not want him around, Grimm would know. He enters and shuts the door behind him.

Grimm's clearly seen better days but given just how bare Valvatorez's room is compared to how it normally is, he suspects something equally bad went down here.]

I just...wish to extend an apology to you. I was able to read the texts we shared during the Hunt properly, and I did not mean to worry you. In addition I simply wish to know if you are alright.

[Grimm did not know Valvatorez as well as the Nightmare King did but that didn't stop him from being worried. That Hunt was...awful, to say the least.]

Class

[onebetter]

[ James has been taking notes absolutely furiously during this session. Not that his note-taking isn't always kind of excessive, but this time it really seemed like he was about to ram his pencil through the paper. Lunar Harvest has been... a time. Come end of class, he indeed still has questions. ]

Are there charms or other precautions individuals can take to ward themselves against this type of influence, even beyond whatever defenses the school will now be adding?

[arcadianvampire]

[Valvatorez pauses for a moment, thinking of the best way to approach this question.]

Typically speaking, anything the academy puts up in terms of defenses are above and beyond what a personal enchantment can provide. If such a thing were possible, it would doubtlessly require a master in the craft and a great deal of time and expense.

There are your more common personal spells, runes, and enchantments that can help stave things off. However, if something has broken through the wards, they're going to be strong enough to get through a personal enchantment with ease. That does not mean such pursuits aren't worth it, however. After all, the wards can only protect you while you are within them.

Considering there is such an interest in this topic, I will look into the possibility of getting it taught more readily.

[onebetter]

[ There is a grim nod from James. Valvatorez is right, but it still stings that they have to rely on the school for this, when the school has just failed them so gravely. ]

I think many people would appreciate that now. I wasn't outdoors for most of the night, but I heard of a great many students breaking beyond their self-control to do things they regret. I think we should do anything we can to put these students back at ease with themselves. School doesn't feel safe to anyone right now, and I can't blame them.

class

[genz]

[ of course, there was no way about getting around history. the fey were a large group of all kinds, and leo barely even grew up tapping into his origins. yet he still couldn't help but feel terrible their reputation was like this. and so his feelings were a hot mess learning that specifically malicious history would be added to the curricula. he tapped at his pen in aggravated rhythm, and stayed quiet during the main lesson.

knowledge is power, but what do you choose to do with it? ]

Yo, teach. [ as the other students begin dispersing, leo walks up to him with a raised hand. ] Pardon the bluntness but... you're not a human either, right?

[arcadianvampire]

[When approached with the question, Valvatorez nodded firmly.]

That's quite correct, Mr. Leonardo. I am both a daemon and a vampire. ...And no, I'm not a daemon turned into a vampire, or anything like that. I'm literally a vampire daemon and was born that way.

[genz]

[ leo nods in acknowledgment, then seems a bit lost for a while after. he's been thinking about how to do this conversation for most of the lecture, but now that he's actually here... isn't that just the way with hard topics ]

I mean... I'm just a young dude who knows basically nothing about my fey heritage so... I don't want to sound out of line. You've um. You're a vampire daemon too. [ he waves his hands repeatedly in frustration to get the words out. ]

But how do you deal with it? It freaking sucks to have the norm of your species be "Do Not Trust, Keep Away".

Class?

[hattersgonnahat]

[The Hunt had been a mess. So much so Puella did not even bother coming to the first day of class in fact. And frankly on the second day it's a miracle she's here too.]

[But she wasn't going to address the reasons why. Certainly not in front of everybody else. But any time she got close to Valvatorez, or Valvatorez got close to her, she would noticeably flinch. The vampirely aesthetic, the red and black colors, it brought back...reminders. At least there was nothing around to trigger the memory of ice and fire being thrown about.]

[She stayed silent throughout most of the lecture otherwise. Most of the stuff here had been abridged to her before by Val already, few nights ago.]

[arcadianvampire]

[The flinches didn't go unnoticed during class. Valvatorez, of course, did not call attention to them either; not wanting to alienate the poor girl. Something was wrong, considering she never seemed to have that problem before. So, in the interest of keeping things rolling, he kept lecturing as though nothing was wrong.

It wasn't until after class that he finally spoke up about it as students were dispersing.]

Puella, might I speak to you for a moment? Provided you don't have to rush off to your next class?

Class

[trademark_skull]

[Such a tradition was new to him, but then, there was so many fey to keep track of and his expertise was more on daemons - especially the ones that reside in Hades. There was a higher chance that his father knew about this much better, having spent more time elsewhere.]

...I'm surprised they don't attack larger places more often. If they want to cause the most chaos, do it somewhere where it matters.

[Let themselves known, let the people fear them. They wouldn't be that different from real daemons.]

They probably did it because they know Nightfall is coming.

[arcadianvampire]

The reason why they do not, is to keep low enough profile. The fey understand well that if humankind were to set their mind to it, they could be driven into the Outlands fairly quickly. Like it or not, as powerful as fey creatures are, the ones in the Human World are not numerous enough, or strong enough, to take on a mobilized humanity all at once. They don't have the seemingly limitless numbers on Earth than we daemons do in the Outlands.

[Valvatorez raised a finger, pointing at Emizel directly, a bit of a smile on his face. It may have been obvious enough, but having someone in class point it out was what he was hoping would happen.]

And that, is precisely, the theory that I was speaking of. Well said, lad.