[open] a new day, a new adventure for us to embark on!

[rotacalamitas]

🧙 WHO: Bennett and YOU
️️⚔️️ WHAT: A catch-all for July
🕒 WHEN: All month
🗺️ WHERE: All over the island.
⚠️ WARNINGS: None


[Face Your Fears]
[The "Brave of Soul" Cave... It was a curious name, but even more curious was the supposed treasure to be found there. He wasn't sure what he'd do with it, but prismatic crystals sure sounded cool to him, it'd make a nice trophy if nothing else.

But as he holds up a hand to cast a fire spell for some light in the otherwise dim cave, nothing happens, not even a spark. Bennett frowns at the result.]

No magic, huh... I guess we're going in blind here. Come on, let's get going, I'm sure the treasure'll be worth the trip!

[Burn My Dead]
[Bennett just wanted to help. When he'd heard there was trouble on the farmlands, he was quick to rise to the challenge and offer his aid, whatever it might be. After all, he might be unlucky, but what's the worst that could happen?

...Someone should have warned him the zombies weren't weak to fire. ]

H-help! We need some water over here! Quick, before they spread the fire!

[Just his luck...]


[In The Belly of the Beast]
[First zombies, and now this... Bennett couldn't have possibly been prepared for something like this to happen. He and his partner find themselves stuck in the belly of a giant worm. The worm wasn't particularly picky about its diet, large slabs of rock and earth providing suitable footholds them for them inside the beast's belly at least. But how long those were going to last, it was difficult to say. Needless to say, a way out had to be found, and fast.

But all Bennett can do is look at the person stuck with him in this situation sheepishly, hanging his head in shame over their precarious predicament.]

I'm sorry... I know my luck's pretty bad, but this is a new one even for me...

[Spotted Dicklivery]

Hey, what is Spotted Dick, anyway?

[It's a question that comes suddenly and earnestly the boy having little knowledge as to what it could be (and thankfully being too innocent to take it down a dirty line of thought). They'd agreed to the task, and at the time he never once thought to ask about the contents of the package, too distracted by the idea that the job sounded pretty sweet. Getting paidto climb the mountains? That's peak adventure right there! It's only while they're setting up camp for the day that the thought crosses his mind.]

It must be pretty special, that person's even famous for their Spotted Dick!

[Does he realize how that sounds with the way he worded it? No, probably not.]

Comments

Ochako - Summer Fever!

[rotacalamitas]

[Bennett was no stranger to caring for others when they're sick, frequently playing the role of caretaker for his dads any time one of them was sick or ailing. Therefore, he was all too willing to try and help out with his summer fever that was ravaging the hospitals, whatever he could do.

...After a couple incidents, he was banned from trying to use healing magic to help, so now he's playing gofer, running back and forth delivering supplies and other things.]

Coming through!!

[He's charging down the hall at full speed, pushing around a cart loaded with pitchers of ice water to the various rooms. What could possibly go wrong?]

[floatsaway]

[What could possibly go wrong indeed! Surely nothing at all, with Bennet's absolutely stellar luck and all that.

Ochako, not being a healer herself, but medically trained and always willing to help others out, is masked up and hauling a load of freshly laundered bedsheets and pillows behind her with her kinetic magic. It keeps her arms free, and lets her carry heavy loads, so why not? She's actually got a clipboard in hand, peering down at it to see which rooms at the hospital needed their beds changed, a pencil tucked behind one ear.

She's too preoccupied checking that list, and not paying attention, to notice Bennett charging straight at her with that cart of pitchers until she hears him shouting. Looking up, all she sees is an accident waiting to happen.]

Ah.

[rotacalamitas]

[Thankfully, Bennett notices Ochako at the last second before he manages to run over her with the cart. He digs his heels into the ground and brings his body and the cart to a full and sudden stop!

...Unfortunately for Bennett, the forces of inertia and gravity are well beyond his abilities, so the sudden stopping of the cart causes the pitchers of water, and their contents, to launch into the air, the water spilling out into a perfect tidal wave of hydration in her direction.]

Ochako! Watch out!

[It might be a little too late for that, Bennett.]

Venti - Lavaft Behind

[rotacalamitas]

[To the average adventurer, a Slime was the most basic and common of monster that a person could encounter in their travels, and yet also perhaps the most significant. This was especially true in the case of a Teyvat adventurer, where slimes represent the very power of the elements themselves. Therefore, it was oddly fitting that the ones to take on the task of saving the Geode Slime were two such adventurers.]

I wonder how different the slimes here are from the ones back home...

[Bennett looks to his partner, the bard of Mondstadt, Venti.]

Maybe they're gigantic, it makes sense a giant one could easily get stuck somewhere, right?

[concierto]

[Meanwhile, Venti is minding his own, peering their way with a small smile on his lips. Clearing out slimes is a task most residents of Teyvat have had to complete in one way or another. So although he isn't too keen to work too hard he thinks this kind of quest should be easy enough to handle. Even without the use of swirling some pyro.

His little floating familiar is with Venti today. Booping around his head as they continue.]

Maybe you're right! I'm absolutely not sure what to expect. Let's just hope it doesn't care to explode on us like the ones at home do.

[This one is a geo one, though! One just stuck in an elevator between two rocks?]</small

[rotacalamitas]

That'd be pretty bad, haha.

[He sounds fairly nonplussed about it. Hardly the worst thing he's ever experienced in his life. Or even in the past month, for that matter!]

I'll come at it from the front, you take the back, okay?

[He asks okay, but he's already heading over to the slime's location.]

face you fears

[notemergencyfood]

Wait, they expect us to go in with no light?

[Was Paimon's magic taken too??? Paimon stands besides Bennett, tapping below her lip cautiously. One hand, it's Bennett and his horrid luck streak. On the other hand... treasure.]

Paimon's scare. [For some good reasons too! Paimon grabs and tugs Bennett's shirt slightly. Well, if she quiets now, Bennett will go all by himself! With a small whine, Paimon sighs surrendering.] But you won't go alone. Keep your left hand on the wall and navigate like that.

[rotacalamitas]

Good idea, Paimon.

[Bennett was definitely about to just charge full speed ahead, so Paimon did the right thing. He does as instructed, placing his hand on the wall as they head on in.]

If I've got you by my side, I'm sure we'll find something great. After all, you're the guide that's always by the Traveler's side, you two have had all kinds of great adventures together!

[notemergencyfood]

[Yep, good thing. Don't want to lose Bennett that quick.]

Yeah, that's right! Paimon got this. [Not even Bennett's horrid luck could surpass Paimon's ultimate luck! This will end horribly.] When the going gets tough, keep on going!

[She's hanging on for dear life on his shirt.. maybe his pants, Paimon is too short for this ride. She follows as he proceeds.]

Wonder how they expect us to find the treasure? It's too dark, its turning Bennett black.

Belly of the Beast

[whirlwindthrust]

It isn't about your luck.

[ Xiao is going to stand there and think of ways to get them out of this. It might involve a lot of stabbing with his spear and probably blood magic. ]

We were careless and it struck when our guard was down. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[rotacalamitas]

H-haha, sorry. I get that a lot, about being careless about things, I mean. You were probably distracted by me...

[Bennett bows his head in apology to Xiao. You're going to be hard pressed to find a way to make him not take the blame on this one, Xiao.

But he's quick to shift gears, placing his hands on his hips as he glances around at their surroundings.]

We're going to have to find a way out of here. I dunno about you, but I'm not too keen on going out through the butt!

[whirlwindthrust]

[ You know what? Usually Xiao doesn't resort to this level of violence but... He's smacking the back of Bennett's head with the flat side of his spear. ]

Did I not say to cut that out? Not only is the assumption incorrect, it does not help our current predicament!

[ But now he takes the same spear and is definitely stabbing it into the lining of the creature's stomach. ]

I do not know about you... However, I intend to carve my way out if necessary.

Belly of the Beast

[notquitetamed]

[Hawk sure isn't surprised that by teaming up with Bennett to fight that worm that something would happen. Truly, he didn't even care about the bad luck at this point. It makes things more interesting and what could be more dangerous than being swallowed whole by a giant monster? To Hawk this is just more fun than fighting the thing would have been normally.

He truly sounds like he's quite amused and having the time of his life. Definitely no fear or shame here. He very much expects to get out of this just fine.]

Don't know about you, but I'm having a blast. Definitely isn't the sort of adventure everyone gets to have. I say we make our own exit and make this thing regret trying to make us its dinner.

[In fact, Hawk is taking one of his swords and shoving it right into an exposed spot in the creature's stomach. His swords have nice sharp tips and are perfect for piercing. That way, they don't have to deal with trying to climb out the same way they came and having to fight against being swallowed again. On top of that, such an injury is likely to kill the thing so that's a win-win right there.

[rotacalamitas]

Wait, you mean, like... Cutting it open...?

[Bennett felt a little bad about it. Surely this thing must have been living a peaceful life until they came along, right...?

...But he didn't want to become this thing's lunch, and he also didn't want to make an exit out through the butt.]

Alright, let's see what we can do.

[Bennett walks over to where Hawk is and pulls out his sword. He only had one sword, but it was the blade of an adventurer, well-worn and equally well-cared for. He swings the sword near the exposed area and leaves a deep and noticeable gash in the stomach lining.

In that moment, the entire stomach seems to quiver as the worm lets out a loud, pained groan. The stomach acid levels seemed to be starting to rise as well...]

[notquitetamed]

[Neither does Hawk, and most creatures will do their utmost to avoid food coming back up.]

Yeah. It's kill or be killed and I'm not up for being dinner. You got healing right? See if you can give yourself a strength boost with that to help.

[And Hawk is going to move his own swords to increase the size of that gash and work towards Bennett until they got something large enough. He's using kinetic magic to increase his own speed. He sees that stomach acid though and they may need to move up or he'll have to see if something else will work to keep that away from them.]

Spotted Dicklivery

[cryostar]

[Kaeya might've really only taken the job when he hears Bennett going.

One) He may or may not be concerned about the kids, and two) it must be so nice to be innocent.

It's taking much in him not to just snicker aloud even as he follows the kid.]

Do you really think so?

[rotacalamitas]

Yeah, I do. Like, just think about it.

[It was getting dark, so it was time to set up camp. There was a convenient cave alongside the mountain path that was perfect for them to take shelter for the evening, especially if it starts to rain, which it was bound to do at some point. Bennett knows how things go for him. The fact it's held off this long was a miracle in itself. But he drops the backpack containing the goods in it on the ground and starts grabbing a few things to get a campfire going. He may be unlucky, but he knows his way around adventuring.]

We're going all the way up in the mountains just so this person can get their hands on this other guy's Spotted Dick. That's one heck of a delivery, so it must be impressive!

[cryostar]

[Oh, you sweet naive child.

Kaeya has to hold back a smile.]

What do you think it could be then, Bennett?

Burn My Dead

[pureyang]

[This is the perfect kind of assignment for one like Chongyun. Battling evil spirits is within his blood, and so when he hears that the farmlands are being ravaged by the spirits of the dead, he hoists his claymore and heads out, eager to fend off the monsters and offer his services. He may not have his Vision or thaumaturgy, but he is still trained in martial arts.]

[While he wasn't expecting so many of them, Chongyun is quick to strike the zombies down with his blade. But when he hears about the fire, he looks over quickly, eyes widening when he sees the flaming zombie. He doesn't have any water, and his primary magic, Cognitive, won't do much good here. But perhaps his secondary...]

[He moves on instinct, thrusting his hand out and calling upon his magic. He channels his Siphoning magic on the flames, trying to draw the magical fire away from the zombies before it spreads.]

[rotacalamitas]

Whoa...

[Bennett was... Impressed by what he saw. Siphoning magic wasn't terribly common here, at least as far as he's observed, so seeing it in action was impressive, to say the least. The fire that once engulfed the zombie was gone, drained away by Chongyun. And although the fire didn't help to directly defeat the zombie, it did weaken its physical defenses. This is something Bennett observes, noticing the zombie's charred skin and blackened bones, so he quickly pulls out his sword and--]

Haaah!

[--Slices it in right in half! Too bad he doesn't know he needs to double tap, but at least that zombie isn't going anywhere.]

That was awesome, Chongyun.

[pureyang]

[It works just as he'd done in practice. The fire magic is drawn to his siphoning magic, pulled away from the zombie and towards Chongyun. Now, it should be like he practiced. He'll absorb it, channel it through his hand, and then redirect it towards--!]

..!! Nrgh!

[The fire magic is absorbed and channeled, but he doesn't expect it to channel through him, rather than just through his hand like other magic he's practiced with. The surprise jolts him, and the energy of the fire gets stuck within him. He winces, claymore dropping to the ground as he grips his chest.]

Agh..! T-This heat..!

[Oh Archons... his yang energy..!]

spotted dicklivery.

[wuf]

[ He wasn't sure what it was, so instead of questioning it any longer, Razor leaned down to sniff the package. Because, maybe it's something he'd be able to identify that way. He otherwise has no clue what something like this is meant to be. After a few, quiet moments he stands upright again and looks at Bennett. ]

It is food.

[ Which means that he's going to have to be on his very best behavior and not eat it before it gets there. ]

Sweet. Fruit?

[rotacalamitas]

It's a fruit?

[He gives Razor a confused glance. He was not expecting Spotted Dick to turn out to be a fruit of all things. But he trusts Razor's senses, if he says it's a fruit, it's probably a fruit.]

I wonder what's so special about them, then...

Face your Fears

[darksideofdawn]

[Diluc is much more wary than Bennett. Perhaps its because he's not an adventurer like Bennett and is attracted by any sort of treasure. But when he got word Bennett was going to explore it...he wasn't keen on letting the boy go alone either. So here he is.

His eyes narrow as he tries to look further into the cave but he can't see anything at all.

No magic either hm?

He adjusts the claymore uncomfortably tied to his back.]

Going into that darkness with no light to guide us sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[Diluc holds back a sigh and shifts his weight to his right foot as he looks at Bennett]

You really think whatever treasure is in there is worth it?

[rotacalamitas]

[Bennett was surprised Diluc had volunteered to tag along with him. But he wasn't going to object to him coming along, he knows that despite being a winery owner, Diluc's a very capable warrior in his own right.]

Totally! [Bennett gives Diluc a thumbs up.]

The greater the danger, the greater the reward. If this place is making it that hard for us to get through it, then the treasure has to be pretty awesome!

[Bennett just ignores all the times he's gone on dangerous adventures only to come up short.]