17 July, 2026 x •x Openx • x Esikkent, Turkey
Late to the Gate! → ??? (July 26) → ??? (August 8) → ??? (August 15) → ???(August 22)
The morning of the Twenty-Year Refrain had not started off well.
At 8:42, Professor Forrest discovered that the enchanted travel alarm on her bedside table had helpfully adjusted itself to Istanbul time, which would have been useful if she had not already manually adjusted the time earlier. At 8:43, Professor Malik discovered that the thing had affected his alarm as well. At 8:44, both professors reached the same conclusion from opposite sides of the corridor.
They were late.
By 8:45, Professor Forrest was moving down the hall of the student lodging house in a dressing robe, one shoe fully on, the other trapped under her arm, knocking sharply on doors as she passed.
“Up, please. Up. We are leaving in five minutes.”
Knock knock knock.
“Five minutes!”
Knock knock knock.
“Shoes. Clothes. Wand. Everything else pack with magic or leave behind!”
A door opened. Then another. One student emerged with their hair still wet. Another appeared with their shirt half-buttoned. Someone had clearly put on two different socks and either had not noticed or had decided to make a bold choice. Every student who had thought to set an alarm would have found they had suffered the same fate as their professors.
Professor Malik stepped into view at the end of the corridor, fully dressed in a way that suggested either discipline or magic. Still wearing his scarf despite the very warm summer day.
A few minutes later, the Penwick group was outside and moving through Esikkent at a rapid pace, with Professor Malik leading the pack and Professor Forrest at the back, frantically hurrying those who were falling behind. Residents and visitors alike moved in the same direction.
Down.
The Gate Floor itself was wide and open, cleared of ordinary foot traffic. Low ropes, carved posts, and white marker stones divided the viewing areas from the ceremonial space where the Janus Gate lay.
A ceremony attendant in pale blue robes approached the viewing area with the quick, controlled steps of someone who had solved seven problems already that morning and expected eight more before the ceremony began. A bronze cord crossed their shoulder. “Guests of Penwick?” they asked.
Professor Forrest smiled. “Yes. Apologies for cutting it close.”
The attendant’s eyes flicked over the students, then the professors, unimpressed.
“Your reserved spot is over there,” they said, pointing to a roped-off area at the front of the viewing area. “Please do not cross the white stones into the ceremonial area. If a student feels faint or suddenly certain they have been invited into the ceremonial space, they should inform a chaperone immediately.”
Professor Malik looked at the students. “You heard them.”
The attendant continued, “Wands may remain on your person. They should not be drawn unless there is immediate danger.” A voice called out, and the attendant quickly bowed their head and ran off.
As the group went to their designated spot, it was easier to see the hustle and bustle around them. Near the Gate, attendants moved around a low stone table. Two carried sealed documents bound in blue cord, another brought a shallow bronze bowl, and another placed a long wooden case beside the table.
Professor Forrest stepped slightly in front of the students, “Since we missed the leisurely version of this morning,” she said quietly, “you are getting the field version. Remember that this ceremony uses more than words. Placement matters. Silence matters. Timing matters. And make the most of this moment, it's a wondrous occasion!”
A soft note sounded from the bronze bowl, and conversation began to quiet down as the ceremony was about to begin.
At 8:42, Professor Forrest discovered that the enchanted travel alarm on her bedside table had helpfully adjusted itself to Istanbul time, which would have been useful if she had not already manually adjusted the time earlier. At 8:43, Professor Malik discovered that the thing had affected his alarm as well. At 8:44, both professors reached the same conclusion from opposite sides of the corridor.
They were late.
By 8:45, Professor Forrest was moving down the hall of the student lodging house in a dressing robe, one shoe fully on, the other trapped under her arm, knocking sharply on doors as she passed.
“Up, please. Up. We are leaving in five minutes.”
Knock knock knock.
“Five minutes!”
Knock knock knock.
“Shoes. Clothes. Wand. Everything else pack with magic or leave behind!”
A door opened. Then another. One student emerged with their hair still wet. Another appeared with their shirt half-buttoned. Someone had clearly put on two different socks and either had not noticed or had decided to make a bold choice. Every student who had thought to set an alarm would have found they had suffered the same fate as their professors.
Professor Malik stepped into view at the end of the corridor, fully dressed in a way that suggested either discipline or magic. Still wearing his scarf despite the very warm summer day.
A few minutes later, the Penwick group was outside and moving through Esikkent at a rapid pace, with Professor Malik leading the pack and Professor Forrest at the back, frantically hurrying those who were falling behind. Residents and visitors alike moved in the same direction.
Down.
The Gate Floor itself was wide and open, cleared of ordinary foot traffic. Low ropes, carved posts, and white marker stones divided the viewing areas from the ceremonial space where the Janus Gate lay.
A ceremony attendant in pale blue robes approached the viewing area with the quick, controlled steps of someone who had solved seven problems already that morning and expected eight more before the ceremony began. A bronze cord crossed their shoulder. “Guests of Penwick?” they asked.
Professor Forrest smiled. “Yes. Apologies for cutting it close.”
The attendant’s eyes flicked over the students, then the professors, unimpressed.
“Your reserved spot is over there,” they said, pointing to a roped-off area at the front of the viewing area. “Please do not cross the white stones into the ceremonial area. If a student feels faint or suddenly certain they have been invited into the ceremonial space, they should inform a chaperone immediately.”
Professor Malik looked at the students. “You heard them.”
The attendant continued, “Wands may remain on your person. They should not be drawn unless there is immediate danger.” A voice called out, and the attendant quickly bowed their head and ran off.
As the group went to their designated spot, it was easier to see the hustle and bustle around them. Near the Gate, attendants moved around a low stone table. Two carried sealed documents bound in blue cord, another brought a shallow bronze bowl, and another placed a long wooden case beside the table.
Professor Forrest stepped slightly in front of the students, “Since we missed the leisurely version of this morning,” she said quietly, “you are getting the field version. Remember that this ceremony uses more than words. Placement matters. Silence matters. Timing matters. And make the most of this moment, it's a wondrous occasion!”
A soft note sounded from the bronze bowl, and conversation began to quiet down as the ceremony was about to begin.
Welcome to the Summer OM!
Please review the OM Rules and Moderated Thread Rules before participating.
- This is an "open thread", so feel free to join whenever, even if other Qill posts have already been made (in which case, act like you've been there the whole time).
- This is also a "moderated thread", so your character's abilities and health pool are at play!
- There will be a new message from The Quill in this thread about every week for a "mod post", helping facilitate your character's journey! Please do not write beyond what I have described in the mod posts (the gate opening, the ceremony starting, etc)
- You are welcome to lightly godmod Professor Forrest and Malik, as well as the attendants around the area.
