January Catch All, Quests and Open Prompts

[kiss_it_better]

Who: Chang Geng and you
What: Quests and TDM Prompts!
When: Through out January!
Where: Around
Warnings: Will update as needed. Probably mentions of curses.




QUEST 1: Bridge Trolls

[While healing magic wasn't useful for combat Chang Geng did already know how to fight. Besides, he needed money.

So he could be found not far from the bridge, speaking with the construction workers to get to know more about these trolls while his pixiu hand out at his side.

He has a calm sort of manner that puts people at ease and he's carrying on a conversation with them easily. If you come along he won't stop you from listening in though after he's gotten all the information he can he'll stand and look towards the bridge.

As he leaves the construction workers behind to head to the bridge proper if he spots someone following he'll turn with a smile.]

I have never fought trolls before. I wonder if it's any different from fighting normal bandits?


QUEST 2: After the Storm

[Chang Geng is tall and fit, physically stronger than most but even he's just human. When he comes upon a medium sized tree that had been knocked over he still had to wave over the nearest person he saw for help.]

Can you grab the other side?

[He had tied his wide sleeves back to make it easier to work. And his familiar is off to the side, sitting because she has lion's paws and not having thumbs makes her a little useless with moving dbris.



Brave of Soul


[He stands before the cave thoughtfully.]

Perhaps it is because I haven't been here very long but why does it seem so many of these trials involve some sort of cave?

Comments

Closed to Gu Yun

[kiss_it_better]

[Naturally, when he saw the quests he already knew that, in all likelihood, Gu Yun will probably head off to do one. So, early in the morning, he's at Gu Yun's door, holding a container of still food he'd gotten from the buffet as well as some tea, his sword strapped to his belt. It's almost nostalgic, reminding him of the mornings he'd arrive in Gu Yun's courtyard, sword and sword valet in tow.

Except now there's also his pixiu, yawning from where she's sitting by his feet.

He reaches out to knock on the door.]

crawling back in here.....

[shiliu]

[ Naturally a door knock isn't anything he can hear; fortunately he'd been about to head out himself, bearing a small package wrapped up neatly and tucked into his lapels.

So he stands at the doorway blinking in surprise, for a moment, before saying: ]

Chang Geng, I was just going to go and see you.

[ Why do we live apart, he asks himself, even though he knows the reason. It would be too difficult for him to resist Chang Geng, and torment for the other. Even so, he can resist standing aside and beckoning Chang Geng inside his apartment. ]

Come in and sit down.

WELCOMES YOU WITH OPEN ARMS

[kiss_it_better]

[He smiled, not quite able to hide how it was almost sweetly pleased at the idea that Gu Yun had been on his way to see him.]

What a coincidence...though it seems as if I arrived a step before you did.

[He steps inside. In truth, a part of him assumed that once they had the capital to find a place of their own that they would be living together. Just as it had been when he first arrived at the capital.

So...good luck explaining that in the future if you're planning otherwise.

He walked in taking a look around the place. It is as neat as he'd expected. He makes sure to turn so Gu Yun could read his lips as he spoke.]

I wasn't sure if you had eaten yet, but I brought some breakfast.

[He didn't allude outright to those early mornings when he'd do the same while accompanied by a sword valet. Perhaps those days hadn't been as important as everything else happening at the time, perhaps they hadn't been memorable to Gu Yun but for him...for him those were memories he'd placed in his heart.]

[shiliu]

[ He can't help looking at the way Chang Geng's smile lights up his face. And then, conscious of how he's been staring too long, his gaze slides away.

He clears his throat. ]

Um...no, I haven't had breakfast yet, thank you.

[ Naturally, he also remembers how Chang Geng used to meet him early in the morning. At the time, he never understood the boy's curious devotion; now, of course...

He stifles a sigh. There's a counter with two high stools beneath it, continuous with the (unused) kitchen nook, that functions as a table. He nods for Chang Geng to set his container down on it, and pulls out the stools. ]

I have something for you, as well.

[ He reaches for the small package in his lapels and draws it out. It's neatly and elegantly wrapped. ]

1/2

[kiss_it_better]

[He shook his head.] You're too kind. This isn't much, if anything, it's enough if yifu doesn't find these efforts laughable.

[Hopefully he can get some income so he can have access to a proper kitchen and proper ingredients soon...

He lays out the food, serving Gu Yun first before he pours tea. His attention is focused on the task until he looks up.]

2/2

[kiss_it_better]

[He's surprised but the surprise quickly makes way for something more shy and happy. He puts down everything in his hand to reach for the gift with both hands. It's common enough to do so when receiving a gift respectfully but the way he does it, it's as if he were about to receive something precious. He does so without even know what would be inside.]

Thank you.

[shiliu]

[ He reaches for his tea, bringing to his lips for a small sip. Chang Geng's delight is charming, but as for the gift...

Well, the reason for it makes him feel sad. Although in the future he knows that they'll one day be able to find a cure for the Bone of Impurity, it pains his heart that Chang Geng has had to suffer with it for so long. ]

Go on, open it.

[ Inside is a complex crystal, deeply glowing a magical pink hue. ]

[kiss_it_better]

[At the invitation, he does open it.

He stares at the crystal for a moment, studying it. It wasn't strange to receive random little gifts from Gu Yun: it had happened quite often when he was a child growing up in Yanhui.

Still, this stone was probably more than just a stone if the glow was anything to go by.]

What is it?

[shiliu]

[ He shrugs and waves a hand, putting on an air of mock impatience. ]

Since you're acting like an old man all the time, brimming with health tips, I thought I'd get you something fit for one.

[ He clears his throat, and says in as casual a tone as he can muster: ]

It's, um, supposed to clear the mind and relax the body, ensuring pleasant dreams.

[ And because I knew you wouldn't take my advice, to look after yourself first! ]

Brave of Soul. LET'S DO THIS.

[angel_of_death]

[Wrapped in the winter cloak given to him on the day of his arrival, Walter is... still not dressed entirely appropriately for the winter as he stands at Li Min's side, but he is managing to deal with the lower temperatures well enough.]

Perhaps because it's dark and spooky and lends itself to a feel of mystery? Or perhaps it's because a cave system tends to be a labyrinth with only a couple of entrances at most, so things stashed inside it can be more easily guarded than if they were in your average building.

[He inhales thoughtfully, his breath escaping him in a mist.]

...Though it's also possible the water we carried for the ritual might have just come from that cave, and they built everything else around that.

TIME FOR TRAUMA!

[kiss_it_better]

All of those are logical conclusions. [He smiled a little wryly.] So I suppose there is no supernatural reason for why that is? Where I'm from, those who want to cultivate to immortality usually choose mountains for the spiritual energies found within them. Is that not true then?

[angel_of_death]

[Lifting a hand as he so usually does upon launching explanations, Walter freely delves into the subject.]

Mountains stretch into the heavens and their peaks are removed from human civilization, so it's no surprise that some see them as stretching into the realms of gods. Like Olympus in Greece. However, the pursuit of immortality and eternal youth is a feature of many legends across the world. The Fountain of Youth. The Philosopher's Stone of Alchemical lore. But corporeal immortality doesn't really exist. No matter how close you may come to it, there's always a trick to undoing it.

[Though much of before is said with a casual flair, the youth's expression suddenly turns bitter.]

...And frankly, those that devote their energies to chasing it aren't to be trusted. But better for them to go wandering into mountains than anything else.

[kiss_it_better]

[The fact that Walter is younger than him doesn't change the fact that he's the expert when it comes to these supernatural topics.

So Chang Geng listens and doesn't argue.]

I suppose in all cultures, the fear of death is constant.

[He himself isn't too concerned about it. All people die and sometimes the true torture is living. (Though when it came to Gu Yun's possible death...that was terrifying.)

He stepped into the cave at a leisurely pace.]

You've had experience with such people? [Because he saw that change in demeanour.]

[angel_of_death]

Frequent experience.

[His young voice is nearly a sneer as he drops his hand back to his side. His gloves no longer sport the rings they once did, looking now as though they were of plain black leather.

Yet, his mood seems to lighten almost as quickly as it went stormy. The company helps.]

They're the sorts I'm sent after, you see. So it's natural that I would run across them.

[kiss_it_better]

Ah.

[He had figured that it was related to his missions as soon as he mentioned having frequent experience.]

Vampires again? Or are there others?

[As they talk, he does start heading into the cave.]

[angel_of_death]

[Walter is following, a few paces from Li Min's side. He's not used to having friends and thus keeps that slightly formal distance, even if he does not trail behind him as he would in playing the servant to his master.]

Vampires.

[There were others of like mind, but the ones that hadn't crossed into successfully using occult methods tended to fall under the jurisdiction of the police. Much as their more successful counterparts, they have a nasty habit of racking up body counts primarily comprising of innocents.]

Ageless though they are, their lives are fuelled with the lives of others.

Quest 2: After the Storm

[champagnetower]

Okiedokie smokey!

[Hifumi is definitely not made of great strength himself, but he feels like he's a pro at cleaning, and believes all people can do is their very best. So that's how he'll help others! He pumps a fist excitedly in the air before he goes to the other side of the tree.]

Okay! I'm ready whenever you are! I just know we can make it work on a count of 3, yeah?

[kiss_it_better]

[How energetic.

He didn't hate it, to be honest. When he was younger it may have felt exhausting but he's an adult now and he's learned to get over his dislike of being around strangers.

So he smiled. It wasn't a bright expression but gentle and mild-mannered.]

Is 'okiedokie smokey' a common phrase where you're from?

[He nodded as he holds his side of the tree.]

On three, then.

[He'll wait until Hifumi gets his hands on the tree before he counts to three slowly and calmly.

Then he lifts his end of the tree with relative ease, though not enough ease to move the tree if the other end isn't also picked up.]

[champagnetower]

[The question makes Hifumi giggle.]

Not really, but my previous job was to talk to people from a bunch of places, so customers told me all kinds of fun phrases and stuff!

[He thinks people are so much fun! So even this right now is very thrilling for him.

He waited for the countdown, managing to lift the tree.]

Oof! A little heavy, huh? But we've got this!

[Even if he thought it was a bit heavy, he carries it just fine.]

Sorry for the late reply!

[kiss_it_better]

What sort of job did you have?

[He doesn't find people as fun but over the years he's learned to deal with his more...hermit like tendencies.]

At least we won't have to move it very far. This way.

[He jerks his head a little, to indicate the direction they should move the tree.]

We'll just get it out of the way and someone else can decide who takes it after.

[After all, the wood should still be in good condition. Though the tree had died it could still be useful.]

it's okay!

[champagnetower]

I was a host at a host club!

[He nods, following along with Chang Geng's directions.]

That's great! I'm glad we could move this! The storm really left a big ol' mess, and it's nice that we can help clean it up!

[Hifumi prepares himself to set the tree down when Chang Geng does, to make sure they can do it just right.]

Kind of a weird way to meet new people, but a good way to get people to work together!

[kiss_it_better]

What's a host club?

[He's never heard of such a thing and he's curious.]

Mm. It's certainly easier with more people helping.

[Once they got the tree to a good spot, he nods then slowly lowers the tree, making sure to watch to make sure his companion is doing the same.]

But speaking of meeting people, I haven't introduced myself yet. [He smiled.] I'm Li Min.

[champagnetower]

It's a place mostly women go to spend tons of money on getting drunk, having good conversation and partying!

[He chuckles after that nutshell of an explanation.]

It's super weird not having been in that kind of environment for a while, but I guess this is okay too! Anything can be made into a good time... A good time while working out like this, what's not to love? Nyahaha!

[Hifumi moves right along, lowering the tree to set it down with Chang Geng.]

Nice to meet you, Li Min! I'm Hifumi Izanami, but you can call me Hifumin!

Brave of Soul

[sealingpower]

Zelda too stood hesitantly before the cave entrance when she heard the familiar voice and turned to see Chang Geng.

"You would not be wrong on that one." She remarked as she approached, "It is good to see you again."

She smiled having now learned of the prank the pixies had played on her. "And this time we are both more appropriately dressed." She commented looking away momentarily.

"Would you mind if I accompanied you? These... cave trials have not treated me well in the past." She admitted hesitantly as she recalled the memories of the quest to collect the water for the ceremony at the Red Springs.

The princess looked back to him hopefully, she had no doubt that there would be something in that cave that she wouldn't be able to handle on her own.

[kiss_it_better]

He inclined his head and returned her greeting. "You as well." Though he's not aware of the pixie's prank, he still smiles anyway. After all, even if they had both been wearing a robe that still hardly counted as appropriately dressed.

"I wouldn't mind at all, of course." His answer came without hesitation and the smile he uses to answer that hopeful look is gentle. "It's probably best not to undergo these trials alone...even better to go with a familiar face."