isleofavalon | DuckQuests [Open]

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DuckQuests [Open]

🧙 WHO: Drake Mallard/Darkwing Duck and whoever!
⚔️️ WHAT: An open log with each of this month's Top Tasks!
🕒 WHEN: Throughout the first half of the month
🗺️ WHERE: Throughout Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: Probably some level of nsfw stuff for the Hot Knights prompt (but no smut); possible mentions of and attempted murder/violence for the Cult Classic prompt.

A. A Sheepish Request [Shear Determination - Drake]

[Drake Mallard is ready to undergo some quests! And the first one he chooses seems simple enough. Just shear some sheep! A... fire-breathing sheep. He doesn't have much experience with this, but how hard could it be?

Armed with a blade for shearing, he starts to approach the sheep with his partner.]

It's... easy, right? Nice, quick and easy, right? [He better hope that his own nervousness doesn't make the sheep too nervous too...!]

B. A Knight to Remember [Hot Knights - "Howard"]

[This request seems a bit more risque than his usual work! But still, there's someone to be saved, and he's here to do the saving. He decides to go undercover to complete the work. So he puts on a rental suit and tries to slick back his hair... feathers... hair-feathers, whatever they are. Once at the club, he's quickly weirded out by seeing all these scantily-clad humans. Regardless, he tries to act natural as he makes his way to the bar and introduces himself.]

The name's... Howard. [A beat.] Howard, uh, McDuck. That's right! [He snaps his fingers, ordering a drink.] I'll have it shaken, then stirred!

[There could be someone else nearby - either someone along with him on this quest or is running into him while doing his separately!]

C. Duck Flick [Cult Classic - Darkwing]

[This feels like a quest he absolutely cannot overlook. As a crimefighter, this is one eccentric and dangerous villain who needs to be taken down! And as an actor, he feels like he has the know-how to corner this villain! And so, in the guise of Darkwing Duck, he finds someone to act out a movie scene with.]

...Okay. Are you ready for this?

[ooc: Details about the kind of movie being done will be set on a thread-by-thread basis! If you have a specific movie idea in mind, you can establish that in your tag-in! If not, leave your tag-in vague about the specifics and I'll pick something. Or feel free to contact me to hash out specifics!

D. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with an alternate prompt or hit me up for plotting! Non-quest-related prompts are also welcome!]

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[ It's not the first time Emil has fought alongside feathery friends who had to pause during battle to sing (traveling with harpies and sirens and all) so he nods readily. That he can do! ]

I'll focus on covering you while you sing. I don't trust that guy not to interrupt you.

[The more distracted his partner is, the more vital to be on the lookout. And guarding is definitely more his forte than singing. ]

[It's one way to get experience!

This suggestion seems to please Darkwing, and he nods along.]

I'll have you know that I can be quite alert when I'm singing! But sure, that's fine. This can work!

[He goes through a few stretches in place.]

Now I think we might really really be ready to go with this!

[ That’s a relief to hear; between the two of them, they’ll have a wide field of vision.

Emil doesn't need much time to prepare. He feels his breath inside the mask, worries a little about the limitation on his sight, mentally checks in with Ratatosk to make sure they're both in agreement with the plan. He can feel his magic stir, but won’t use it until needed to capture the true villain. So he just needs to know what’s coming. ]

Were you going to improvise, or do you have a scene in mind?

[ Anything is fine just please don’t ask him to get a chandelier. ]

[Darkwing gives a thoughtful frown as he considers the boy's question.]

It might be easier to improvise at this point. We'll do some kind of fight scene that looks like it belongs in the movie, while I sing one of the songs. That might just be enough to lure our target over here!

It should be, yeah.

[ So it's just a matter of knowing the general story and feeling the character. How the Phantom feels about the operetta, about the soprano... maybe it's like how he feels about his own home, and about Marta. He can recall those emotions well. ]

I'll focus on fighting for show then.

[ Emil may not know theatrical swordplay, but he has enough control not to attack carelessly. As long as he is careful not to put too much strength into his blows, and match things to his partner's level, it should be fine. ]

Excellent! In that case, it sounds like our plan is ready to roll.

[With that, he draws the prop sword that he brought along and waves it into the air.]

En guarde! You - you felonious phantom! It's time for you to get an... exorcise! [He feels that the scene is only improved by his adlibbing! Once that's out of his system, it will be time for him to start singing!]

[ Emil draws his weapon, and it's certainly not a normal-looking sword. It’s hard to tell what it's made of - some rough, artfully sculpted grey material that is not any known metal, curved and graceful and vicious. Strangely fitting, as though it could have come from the Phantom's catacombs.

But Emil does hesitate a breath. Exorcise? Wasn’t the Phantom in the story just a man - no, wait, he can roll with this. In fact, he definitely knows how to respond.

Straightening his posture, Emil takes full advantage of his height in this instance to glower down. A snarl comes easily to his lips, and his voice deepens, quiet at first then rising to carry the challenge. ]

You are a fool... does it comfort you to believe I am beyond mere flesh and blood?

[Darkwing eyes the weapon that he draws, impressed by it. He's definitely ready for this role! He'll have to do his best to keep up.

And he likes how he rolls with that improvisation, too! He flashes a smile in approval before he gets back into character, raising his prop sword for the epic duel.]

Comfort me? On the contrary. It helps me to realize that I have to put a stop to you, no matter what! This is it... You won't bother anyone anymore!

[ The smile isn’t missed, and if anything, it encourages Emil to sink deeper into the role. He huffs out what may be the ghost of a laugh, to acknowledge how preposterous that is. All those years of careful oversight spurned as a bother. ]

I never troubled with anything that wasn’t mine to begin with. But if you feel so haunted on my stage...

[ Emil points that odd-looking sword forward. ]

Then you may die by the hand of the Phantom of the Operetta!

[ ... Okay, he can admit a musical accompaniment there would’ve been nice. ]

[Don't worry. Darkwing Duck's got you. He suddenly starts... loudly humming music, and as he moves in to attempt some simple strikes with his fake weapon, he also begins singing as loud as he can!]

In sleep he sang to me.
In dreams he came!
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name-
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Operetta is there...
Inside my mind!

[ Although he keeps his posture tall and straight, Emil otherwise chooses to fight in his normal style – it may not be so elegant as the Phantom, but the swings are passionate and aggressive. Fortunately, he has the fine control to deflect off the prop sword, shifting the force of attacks so his partner won’t bear the brunt of them, even using his kinetic magic to halt some strikes at the last second.

And he does know that song! Even outside of the play, people would sing it as a duet for fun. It’s not the best rendition he’s heard, but he can tell Darkwing is putting effort into the showmanship. When he holds that note at the end, Emil spares a few seconds to let him reach the full resonance before resuming attack.

The sounds are carrying well, and there’s no doubt anyone nearby can hear. They just have to keep it up! ]

[Darkwing doesn't know all the effort that his partner is putting into the battle! He just remembers everything he's learned about sword fighting as he keeps up their little duel, focusing on quick and flashy moves rather than substance. They're putting on a show, after all!

He continues to sing at the same time and is clearly enjoying it a lot! Being a trained actor, he is alright at singing, but right now he's focusing more on being loud than being on-key. He has to make sure their quarry sees them!

Sure enough, a crowd soon gathers around them! Darkwing sneaks glances every now and then while continuing to sing, for any sign of the perp.]

[ It’s been a while since he fought for show, but even if Emil isn’t the most entertaining, he is careful to control their mock battle to keep things safe. Glancing over the growing crowd, Emil can see their faces; there are hats and scarves, but no masks. The people closest are standing still, some occupied with their phones. (He’s not sure whether to feel embarrassed at being filmed or glad for the publicity.) Presumably, their target will have to shove through the crowd to get to them, which will catch their attention... but also gives him a growing sense of worry. What if the villain tries to attack a bystander? The whole point was not to let anyone else get hurt!

After a strike, Emil suddenly feints left, then circles right. He makes it a prowling gesture, shoulders hunched, glare menacing. He continues to face his opponent, but under the mask, his gaze darts along the line of the crowd. This way they’ll have a wider field of vision, and Darkwing can watch his back, too. ]

[For him, a stage battle is like second nature. And now he doesn't have to worry about a stunt double taking all the fun parts! He also looks excited when he sees the phones coming out, because he's ready to consume all of this publicity! Of course, it's also with a sense of concern - there are now bystanders to worry about. He keeps up his singing as they battle.]

Those who have seen your face...
Draw back in fear!
I am the mask you wear!
It's me they hear!

[Darkwing falls right into step as he begins the circling! That makes it easier to see the growing crowd of people. Still no signs of masks. There are some people wearing hoods, though, which isn't so out of place in a place full of magic users. Is that a rope one of them has...?]

[ As new faces filter in, Emil catches sight of a few hoods. Many of their spectators are also armed in some fashion, but are preoccupied with hands away from hilts. That’s good, right? He’s still antsy. While performing a spinning attack, he notices someone holding a rope. Still not a reason to worry... wait, there was a scene with a rope. Somebody got hung - he can’t recall who, though.

After a strike, Emil moves back again, letting his partner reach those tricky notes. During that time, he feels out the area with his kinetic magic, mapping things out in relation to his own position. His speed is going to be his greatest asset if something does happen, and Ratatosk specializes in teleportation as a battle tactic. But he won’t show that hand yet, it’s better if they look distracted.

It clicks suddenly that this next part is the duet. Emil pauses in his stalking. His voice emerges deeper and surprisingly close to being on key, to match the other half of the line. ]

My spirit and your voice in one combined...

[He is a bit wary of the people in the crowd! But at the same time, this scene is intoxicating. He's having fun acting out both the fight and singing the song! And as Emil sings along with him, his eyes light up with pride and encouragement. That's the spirit, get into it Emil! He sings along with him.]

Your spirit and my voice in one combined...
The Phantom of the Operetta is there, inside my mind!

[Something's there alright. Someone who's trying to swing a rope towards Darkwing's feathery neck from behind!]

[ There's a second of confusion when he sees movement overhead behind Darkwing. Someone is readying a lasso? (The fiancé was the one who got hung?? No, that doesn't sound right.) It may just be someone adding drama, but he's not willing to chance it. With the mask hiding his face and his bangs further overshadowing his eyes, Emil feints back, pretending not to notice. And then he sings his next part... with the wrong lyrics. ]

Behind your eyes!

[ When the rope is thrown, Emil’s free left hand rises, making a swiping motion in the air. He stops the loop before it can reach his partner’s head, suspending it in midair with his kinetic magic. ]

[He blinks as he hears Emil sing the wrong lyrics. And here he thought he was a true fan! ...But the true meaning soon sinks in as he turns around and sees the rope that almost got him! He ducks down, even if Emil manages to stop it, and then he springs into action to topple the guy over.]

Sorry buddy, but no one's really becoming a phantom today!

[ Emil teleports to close the distance, catching the rope overhead and passing it swiftly to his partner. And if the culprit tries to put up a fight, that would be very unfortunate since it’s now two to one... right? They did catch the right person? The QuestBoard didn’t make any mention of a team, but Emil raises his head to scan the area as soon as he has a free moment.

There’s a smattering of cheers; many of their spectators seem to be enjoying the plot twist, while others look confused as to whether this is part of the show or not. ]

[The culprit tries to struggle, but between Darkwing and Emil, he's trapped. Darkwing smiles triumphantly.]

Sorry, but - scene over, pal! You just couldn't resist joining in on the scene, couldn't you?

[With that, the culprit confesses. As he watched them, he ended up getting increasingly angry about every part of their scene that they were getting wrong, until he just had to try killing them to put their scene out of its misery! Why was he singing the heroine's song while fighting like the fiancee?! Darkwing shrugs.]

Sheesh... Everyone's a critic. But for you, it's a critical offense!

[ Well... at least this is easy? Emil sighs in relief, the criticism going right over his head. A trap that works and saves lives is plenty enough for him!

Of course, if the guy wants to be a stickler for details... ]

Your scenes weren't very accurate, either. But you can discuss it with the knights.

[ Between the two of them, his Kinetic magic helping to hold the guy down and his Green magic on hand if things get rough, it seems to be covered. And nobody got hurt! Emil finally manages a shy yet reassuring smile at the gathered crowd. (Not that it’s very clear with the mask, but his tone conveys his appreciation.) ]

Um, thanks for coming watch us!

[In the end, it worked. And it was a lot of fun too! Darkwing only feels a little sour that he couldn't finish his song.

But now that the crisis is resolved, he can focus on the adoring public! While making sure the culprit is in place, he takes some time to give a dramatic bow to the crowd.]

Yes, thank you, you were a lovely audience! ...Except for this guy, of course. [He nudges towards the criminal.] Once this guy's off to his lifelong performance with the knights, I'll be back for autographs!

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DuckQuests [Open]

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