August Catch-All

[tempredmental]

🧙 WHO: Keith, OTA
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests, TDM prompts, open to other options, as part of the animal mage prank, Keith has black cat ears and a tail, which looks pretty weird when he transforms into something else XD
🕒 WHEN: Throughout August
🗺️ WHERE: Around Camelot and in the Lake
⚠️ WARNINGS: Hunting for the invasive species prompt, violence because animal mage attacks, injuries and everything that goes with that, will update if needed

=====

Don't Treep, Man

Out in the farmlands, Keith could be found doing a variety of tasks early on in the month. He was helping with mending fences and equipment as best he could, using his elemental magic to help water fields, things like that. It was hard and tiring work, but he didn't mind so much. At some point, he could also be found transformed into a border collie (with an extra set of ears and a second tail that happened to belong to a cat...) and running with Kosmo to herd in animals that had escaped, bringing them back to the farms.

He won't turn down help... or argue too much if someone wanted to try talking him into a lunch break.

=====

Invasive Species

Yes, Avalon had developed itself into a fairly modern-like society, so hunting for survival wasn't actually a true necessity. However, some of the creatures that were causing problems would be pretty useful for feeding people in a pinch. Leaning on the two years he spent in the Abyss with his mother, where he had found Kosmo and raised and trained him, Keith found himself and his wolf doing something they hadn't done in what felt like a long time. Just... hunting...

For a while, it actually was kind of nice to get back to that. Just him and his wolf, working in tandem, doing what they did best, and now with the added benefit of being able to communicate on a new level thanks to Keith's animal magic. Keith could be found out in the woods for a few hours each day if he wasn't working at the farms, or at various town businesses that would be interested in that sort of thing, looking to sell off what he'd brought back. Restaurants? Butchers? Tanneries? Yup.

=====

Fresh Waters

Once he got over the initial panic of his situation and was told what was going on, Keith made it a point to figure out how to use his new mer-tail so he could get his stuff and grab the nearest people that might need help, and get back to the surface as quickly as possible. Three days wasn't a long time, and, since no one could seem to tell him just how long it had been already since he'd first arrived, he didn't want to take any risks getting stuck down there like this.

Unlike one of his teammates back home, being a mer was not a dream of his. Plus, this was a double curse! He still had the cat ears from that stupid animal magic spell someone cast on Camelot!

Thankfully, Keith's self-awareness when it came to his movements made it easy for him to learn, and it only took a few hours, really, before he was zooming around the underwater village, locating and reclaiming his things and finding others who might need help getting out of there before that last sunset.

=====

Animal Mage Hunt

Later in the month, the attacks on animal mages were still continuing. Keith's efforts with helping to herd the lost livestock back to their caretakers hadn't gone unnoticed, either. Despite the fact that he was also visibly a target of the spell in question, Keith found himself the target of several of these attempts to eliminate the source of the curse throughout the month at various points. Most were one-on-one and easy for him to escape from. He'd learned to combine his fire and water magic to create the steam equivalent of a smoke bomb, too, in order to mask an escape if he found himself in a position where he knew he couldn't fight back for some reason.

That said, though, after the first few attempts on his life, Keith stopped going out without his armor on. While he never stopped carrying his Marmora sword in general even with normal clothes, he would sometimes leave the bayard in his apartment with his armor, but now? Nope. He had both blades and his armor. He was ready for a fight at all times.

He would also be looking for these animal mage hunters, working to hopefully stop them from killing his fellow mages. In some cases, he might be the rescuer. In others, he might need rescuing. Towards the end of the month, the constant fighting and being on edge would finally get to him, and he'd end up injured pretty badly in one of the attacks. He'd barely escape, but he was going to need help getting somewhere safe.

=====

Open House & Swap Meet

As Keith was recovering and starting to feel better from his injuries sustained in the mage attacks, he would attend the open house at Camelot castle. He could be found wandering the castle itself and exploring, as well as visiting different vendors at the Swap Meet. If anyone were to sneak up on him, though, they might be met with a sword to their throat or find themselves knocked back and away with a fairly strong gust of wind. He was still a little on edge after a rough month of watching his back.

Comments

Don't Treep, Man

[tantailizing]

[There's on and off 'thump thump' of a hammer striking wood as the fences are being repaired. A moment of silence, shuffling, and then the hammering resumes. Rinse and repeat work. It's old-fashioned maybe, having just a wooden fence, but it's been doing its job.]

[When the time comes for the next repeat, the pause goes on longer. The guy hammering is looking around and scratches his head. He then turns and looks at Keith when he walks past.]

Hey man, could you grab me some more nails?

Re: Don't Treep, Man

[tempredmental]

[Old fashioned was fine by Keith. He was used to working that way with his speeder back home. Magic, advanced tech, any of that... sure, it was handy, but some things just were better worked on this way. He paused when he heard someone address him as he was on his way back in from the latest herding run, the cat ears from the animal curse twitching a bit in curiosity, and then he nodded.]

Oh, uh... sure. Yeah. I'll be right back.

[It didn't take him long, and he came back with a decent amount.]

You look like you've done this before...

[tantailizing]

Thanks.

[He might not be able to hammer any of the posts together while Keith is getting those, but he can get them in place and ready when he comes back. With a grin, he waves when Keith returns. That looks like a good amount of nails - shouldn't be running out anytime soon again.]

Oh yeah. Not always fences, but you get the idea.

[tempredmental]

Yeah... Yeah, I do.

[Keith smiled a bit.]

I'm Keith. [He held out his hand.] You uh... want help with this or anything?

mage hunt

[sighsheavily]

Good gods--

[Cecelia comes out to the fields nearest the city in the evenings to practice spellcraft away from prying eyes, but close enough to civilization to flag others down for help.

and a good thing, too, apparently, because while she's not the one in need of it, her sharp eyes catch glimpse of a staggering shape coming out of a copse of trees.

she doesn't approach right away, because honestly, she doesn't know if it's a trap waiting to be sprung, but when her ears pick up the notes of a familiar voice, she will advance and find a familiar paladin as its source.

her stomach drops a little, expression hardening quickly to keep from letting alarm show as she draws nearer.]

Paladin. Can you hear me? [how bad is it?]

Re: mage hunt

[tempredmental]

[Keith was definitely roughed up bad this time. He'd been out chasing down a few stray animals that they'd missed earlier in the month, getting them back to the farms, when a few of the bounty hunters decided to capitalize on the fact that a lot of the animal mages had been helping track down those strays. While Keith was used to taking on more than one opponent at a time, he'd already been tired from using his animal magic to track and find some of the wandering livestock, plus having been through a few fights already that month which had left him with little rest after healing from previous injuries. He'd been vulnerable and barely managed to escape, thanks to the help of both Tarak and Kosmo, and a few well-timed elemental spells.

But, using more magic had left him even more weakened on top of his latest injuries from the fight, and he was definitely finding it hard to remain conscious long enough to get back to town for help. Tarak was too small to support him physically in any way, and Kosmo was doing his best, pushing hard against Keith's hip to keep him upright as they very slowly made their way back to the fields. Keith leaned against a tree at the edge of the field, breathing hard and eliciting a concerned whine from his wolf.]

It's okay, buddy... not that much further... [He'd said those exact words several times already, and it was starting to become something of a mantra to help him get back. At the sound of footsteps, though, the small party immediately went on alert. Even exhausted and in pain, Keith gripped his bayard's handle tightly, ready for a fight if he had to. His reaction drew a warning growl from Kosmo to the person approaching. He did recognize Cecelia as she got closer, though, and heard her voice. He lowered the blade.]

I hear you... [He was conscious... barely.] I just... need a minute... [He sagged against the tree, the idea that someone he knew, recognized, and mostly trusted causing him to lose a little bit more of that grip he had on his ability to stay awake.]

[sighsheavily]

Far more than a minute.

[he needs a healer, and she's nothing of the sort. but she's here.

the beasts at his side give her pause, and while she'll zap any creature that thinks to nip at her on a good day, she doesn't feel keen on a sudden bloodbath. likely not great for morale or recovery.]

...Call off your creatures so I can tend to you. You're a dreadful mess and 'a minute' slouched as you are isn't much use.

[tempredmental]

[It probably didn't help that both his familiar and his wolf were hurt, too. The whole trio was worse for wear, certainly, and that left them all on edge. Still, Keith knew Cecelia, and the other two did, too. Once they were sure she wasn't going to betray them to the bounty hunters, though, they started to calm down. At her request, Keith did give them both a quick hand signal. Kosmo reacted immediately, his training with Keith from back home having left a strong bond between them. Tarak wasn't far behind, the miniature kotka settling carefully on a branch above them by wrapping his tail around it for balance.]

Sorry... they're just... protective. [He winced, pushing himself upright from the tree to start moving, but he was definitely unsteady on his feet.]

Open House & Swap Meet

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata, who's wandering about somewhat aimlessly, takes notice of Keith inspecting a vendor's wares at the swap meet. Seeing how he hasn't ever talked to him outside the few words during the tournament melee he walks up, mildly curious, and looks over his shoulder.]

What're you interested in?

[Hijikata is, at this point, still affected by the animal spell and sporting a bull's ears (in place of his own), horns and tail, so if Keith likewise still has his cat traits he won't remark on them.]

Re: Open House & Swap Meet

[tempredmental]

Hm?

[Keith's black cat ears swiveled immediately towards the sound of someone approaching, and he looked up when Hijikata spoke. Did Keith seem on edge? Yes. Yes, he did. Because he was, and, if his tense posture wasn't enough, the stiff twitch of the cat tail would definitely give it away. That stupid dark quest board had his nerves stretched to their limit. He recognized his former tournament opponent, but he also didn't know where he stood in regards to the animal mage bounty. So, Keith was wary as he straightened up from where he'd been looking at some magic crystals to respond.]

I was just looking at some of these focusing crystals. They're said to help with channeling the magic we have.

[mayoninofukucho]

[If it eases Keith's mind at all, Hijikata is wearing his knight insignia, a symbol of three red circles with ridged edges swirling around each other on a pale yellow background (they're mayonnaise bottle caps, but Darin managed to make them look kind of cool). He may still appear a bit intimidating with his horns, dull as they are, but he's in a fairly relaxed mood. While the animal mage hunt situation isn't fully under control yet a bunch of perpetrators got their asses beaten by irate outworlders already, and in any case the castle grounds are a well-guarded safe area as far as he's concerned.]

Oh, right! I didn't expect to see any sold here. Do you already have any black tourmaline items? What's your other magic type?

[Since Keith only used elemental magic during their battle he assumes that whatever else he has isn't suitable for person-on-person combat, much like his own death magic. He looks over the assortment of jewelry and polished crystals and gemstones, then consults AOL on his phone for guidance on the ones he's less familiar with.]

[tempredmental]

Black tourmaline? [Keith shook his head a little, but then kind of tensed at the next question.] Ah... um... [He rubbed the back of his neck, but finally caught sight of that insignia. Okay. He wasn't exactly sure what the symbol itself meant, but he did know by now that having an insignia at all meant that someone had achieved knighthood. That was above board, right? He took a breath.]

I have animal magic. [Keith looked hard at the knight, watching his reaction for any hint of what that might bring up.]

Don't Treep, Man

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[If there was one thing Darin was familiar with, it was doing maintenance on a farm. In fact, he was all too eager to take the job; it reminded him of some his work back home.]

[Darin himself is a bit of a busybody when it comes to his work. He'll mend fences, shoe horses, clean and repair tools. He's so into his work he almost forgets to take a break.]

[So, when he does, he heads on over to one of the fences he'd finished fixing and leans on it while he eats a sandwich. That's when he catches sight of the weirdest dog he's ever seen.]

[Did that dog have two sets of ears?]

[Either way, with its herding job done, Darin whistles sharply to get the 'dog's' attention.]

Hey, c'mere boy! Want something to eat? You hungry?

[He holds up an uneaten half of his sandwich.]

Re: Don't Treep, Man

[tempredmental]

[Both sets of ears actually responded to the whistle and Keith looked back towards Darin. Kosmo, of course, was much quicker to respond to the idea, and jogged his way over. Keith considered it for a moment, realizing at that moment that Darin probably had no idea who he was. He didn't know about the bounty, yet, but he also remembered that fight...

Though, Darin looked normal enough and in control now, so maybe it was okay? He shook himself out, closing his eyes for a moment to focus on his magic long enough to change back to himself... though the extra ears and tail that weren't part of a normal border collie, the cat-like ones, ended up staying. He hadn't figured out how to get rid of those, yet, since it was apparently someone else's curse. He did, thankfully, figure out how to work his clothing into his transformations by now, so he didn't end up standing there naked in the middle of the pasture.

He stretched his arms over his head.]

Actually... I kind of am.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin was already in the process of offering Kosmo part of his sandwich when Keith changed back.]

H-Holy crap! Keith?!

Since when can you...?

Wait...Why do you have cat ears...?

[tempredmental]

Hey, Darin.

[Keith wandered over, sliding his hands into his pockets as he walked over to lean on the fence next to him.]

Since we got our second magic... and probably because there's some weird curse on the town giving a lot of people animal features.

Mage Hunt

[vrepit_no]

((OOC: Continued from >here))

Shiro hadn't wasted time, but adjusted his route and picked up the pace till he was on scene, cat's tail bristling in fury and fear. He dropped to his knees beside Keith scanning without touching. First things first: "Anything broken?"

[tempredmental]

Keith had holed himself up in a little alcove somewhere with Kosmo, having used earth magic to build a wall to hide behind, making it look like it was a sealed former doorway. It was enough to trick the gang that had caught up with him this time, and they eventually moved on, remarking how there were plenty of other animal mages to go after as they left.

When he got Shiro's text that he was on his way, Keith had been listening for when it might be safe to bring the wall down so that Shiro could find him. He was visibly exhausted, beat up with scrapes and bruises, but he wasn't bleeding out from any major wounds. He was definitely in pain, though, judging by his breathing, and Kosmo was worried. The wolf gave a small whine as Shiro knelt down. Kosmo also was tired and roughed up looking. He'd done his best to help fight until they'd been able to teleport away to safety.

"Mm..." He frowned a little at the question, trying to self-assess his injuries based on how he felt. It wasn't working well at the moment, though. Everything hurt. This had been the roughest fight, yet, this month, and they'd been getting harder and harder each time. Keith knew it was a combination of the hunters getting smarter and more determined, and his own slowly deteriorating ability to handle the constant vigilance and defending he was having to do. Eventually, they were going to wear him down... but he shook his head slightly. "I don't think so?" He didn't sound convinced, though. "I'm not sure." He just knew he hurt at this point.

[vrepit_no]

Shiro's jaw set in concern. Keeping his voice low and soft, without breaking eye contact with Keith, he said softly, "Okay. We're going to need to find out, and that's going to hurt. You might have some broken ribs. It's going to be okay. Kosmo....?" He reached out to offer his fingers for the wolf to sniff and apply in whatever manner he felt would feel best without hurting himself.

"Kosmo, I'm going to need your help, buddy. What I want to do is get Keith out of here and lying propped up against something. I think the best place for that is going to be my room, on the bed. I need him to be able to stretch his legs and arms out and ease his breathing, okay? Do you think you could jump him there and then come back for me?"

Open House

[roseeclair]

Thankfully, Makoto isn't really the type to sneak up, more like spot him and wave and walk up in the middle of the Swap Meet. She's still coming from a different direction though, so it's likely she can't see his injuries just yet.

"Hi, Keith~"

[tempredmental]

As far as appearances go, Keith no longer looked injured from cursory glances, so Makoto likely wouldn't notice right away anyway. But, at least he saw her coming, so that prevented the immediate response he'd had with most people where he tensed up and looked ready to bolt.

"Hey, Makoto." He gave her a weak smile. Closer up, he did still look tired and strung out. "Getting in more shopping?"

[roseeclair]

A light chuckle.

"Yeah, thought I'd get some shopping in before the healing ritual."

It's when she closes in that she notices how ragged he is.

"... How've you been?"

Don't Treep, Man

[saxsongs]

Ren has been doing his part in helping out at the farms. While he has wolf ears and tail he stays away from the animals to not scare them off, but luckily there was plenty of other things to do.

One of the things was providing refreshments to those who ran around a lot, like Keith. He walks over to him at a relatively calm moment and offers him a water bottle.

"Best stay hydrated. It might be good to eat something sooner rather than later."

[tempredmental]

Keith had finally stopped to take a break between herding runs, and was currently standing there as a human (with black cat ears and a tail...) catching his breath. He gladly accepted the offered water bottle.

"Yeah, thanks." He opened it up and took a good long swig of it to start. "I did get some food earlier, so I'm alright for now, but I'll probably grab something more after my next run out there to track more livestock." The tail swayed a bit in a lazy pendulum swing back and forth as he took a second, less enthusiastic, pull from the bottle. "It's been a lot of work."

[saxsongs]

"You're doing great though. I saw your latest run and the amount you managed to bring back", he says with an encouraging smile. "The fence on the east side is almost finished so you should be safe to guide more animals over there."