isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

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EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

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Autumn, despite the chillier weather, is a season of warmth and gathering. Perhaps moreso this year than normal, given the rather unplanned gathering of Celliwig and Lestari underneath Camelot's roofs. Though significant contributions from otherworlders have made food, shelter, clothes and other productions and donations, medical care, security and protection, and childcare an amazing group effort, typical individual celebrations for the departure of the dead from Avalon aren't being held, like Lestari's Death Ball. After looking at all the support they've been given, Lestari and Celliwig have looked at what they have to offer to help both their own people and the people of Camelot and other worlds.

The people of Lestari excel in cognitive magic, and while there are those who use it for mind-altering magics, there is a good portion who dedicate their studies to emotional and psychological support. One such method is the enchantment of origami paper into something affectionately called Worry Monsters: an specialized counseling technique used to help form support bonds between people with negative emotions. Having spent a portion of the month enchanting paper, two square sheets of paper are handed out to anyone the encounter. The first paper says: "Personifying your emotions can give them a tangible form and make them easier to face. Write down something that causes you worry, stress, fear, or sadness. This is your Worry Monster." The second paper says: "When your Worry Monster is present, how does it make you feel? Any reaction is valid."
When both papers are written on, the writing on both will disappear as if absorbed by the paper, then the pages will animate and fuse, then begin to fold into a monster! Halloween is this month, is it not? There is no sense in not having a little fun. These little Worry Monsters will stomp off and begin roaming Camelot until they find a match-- someone who shares those feelings. Once they find an emotional matching Worry Monster, the monsters will return to their creator and grow to the size of kaiju. They are very light, enchanted paper, so even if someone or something gets stepped on, they won't be hurt or damaged. However, they are strong enough to pick their makers up and carry them to the matching monster who will do the same. Don't worry-- characters will be invisible while being carried by their monster, so their identities will be protected until they are brought to their match. The paper monster will turn to butterflies and fly away once their task is complete. What matches do after they are brought to each other is up to them-- but they will know, undoubtedly, that they share the same worries-- they are with someone who understands. Do it as many times as you'd like, for as many negative emotions as your character wants. For finding something to do, Celliwig offers a solution. While Lestari's people have spent their efforts this month enchanting papers, the people of Celliwig are less apt to share so openly. Instead, they take their time learning about a variety of holidays from other worlds, and come to find one they can apply their particular talents to. While most of their showcase in the past has been on light magic, a holiday such as Halloween plays in particular to their talents in dark magic. A number of locations that have opted in and won't interfere with other relief efforts have been enchanted with dark magics for brave souls to venture into and test their courage! What's more, each of these locations will yield tokens for the victors that can be used to gain prizes. All courage tests must be performed with partners. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
	The library has been converted into a haunted art gallery, many of which have had their paints and other implements enchanted. Some paintings will seem like they're watching you, others will seem like a small figure in the background is following you throughout the library in different paintings. A painting of fruit may start throwing the fruit at you and materializing it into real fruit, so you may find yourself pelted with tomatoes if you don't run fast! A single painting filled with black paint might start leaking and filling the room you're in, pulling you into shadow until you're stuck in the library's underground labyrinth. (Reference monthly quests here and here for more info about the labyrinth.)
There are a variety of paintings with different curses applied. Navigate through the library and escape the haunted paintings-- pairs who make it through without turning back will gain a Celliwig Token.
Another token can be gained via scavenger hunt in the Broceliande. Find cursed dolls from within tree hollows. The dolls will giggle and try to run away, may move when they're only visible in the corner of your eye if you set them down. What's perhaps a little spookier is that they take on the appearance of the first person to touch them, though they will never exceed three inches in height. Beware during your search, however, as there are a good many trees that have been transfigured into mimics. Though the mimics are not going to attack anyone, they do have giant hidden, wriggling tongues that will reach up and wrap the unalert up above the ground for capture. The only way down is if a partner fights the mimic, so don't go alone! Find a doll of both you and a partner and make it back to Camelot to obtain your token. The curse will break once they're exchanged for a token, so you can keep the cute little doll for yourself if you'd like.

The last test of courage invokes a temporary blindness hex on one of the partners. Both partners are walked into a soundproofed room, entirely silent in a way that truly seems to mess with one's head.

The unblinded partner is only allowed to answer "yes" or "no" questions, though no one will fault them for giggling as long as they give no clues otherwise. The blind partner is to stick their hands into a tank of water with mystery items hidden within. These items may be mere objects like peeled grapes in soggy noodles, or perhaps the tank is filled with chicken bones and those tiny garra that eat dead cells and are sometimes used for pedicures. All the items are set up to feel spooky, but ultimately are unharmful. As long as the partner who can give clues doesn't break the yes/no rules and the item is guessed within 3 guesses, a token will be rewarded!

Bring tokens to the inn where a stall has been set up, with Gwion working the booth to exchange tokens for the following prizes:

1 Token: Celliwig glasswork glass set of 4-- spooky themed! It's filled with candy upon receiving, so they are friendly for everyone.
2 Tokens: Recipe: Smokescreen - Cast this spell on any liquid to make it billow plumes of fog. The smaller the water surface, the smaller the billow. A shot glass might just create a small whisp, but two mop buckets would be enough to fill up a medium room. Will not effect the contents of the liquid. Cannot be used on water bodies larger than a swimming pool (could screen about half a block).
3 Tokens: Recipe: From the Void - Summons a disembodied tentacle from the shadows. It takes a lot of energy, so you could probably manage up to three casts a day at most before becoming exhausted. Great for binding enemies, sneaking in small spaces, and reaching places you might not be able to otherwise. The tentacle will follow whatever command you have in mind upon summoning, so be sure to concentrate on the task at hand!

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Yes!!

[There's a windchime-like sound, and the fae from before reenters the room and claps.]

Congratulations, you passed this test of courage!

[He hands each of them their token, and Hijikata is far too pleased to point out that he really did nothing besides saying 'yes' three times.]

The blindness hex lasts for 30 minutes, but you guys were pretty fast, so maybe sit outside with your friend until it wears off?

Sure. Rider, are you okay, or..?

[He's not sure if he should lead him by the arm or something, or if he's more comfortable feeling his way around.]

[ He's in the middle of putting his gloves back on as he's handed the token; it takes him a moment before he can stuff it into his pocket.

Ryouma turns more or less towards Hijikata, almost hitting the tank as he does so. He's liable to walk into a wall if someone doesn't help him. ]

I think...I'll be fine. [ He won't. ] But maybe I should wait it out with you.

[Yeah, seeing this doesn't instill confidence in Hijikata. He takes Ryouma by the arm and slowly navigates him out of the room, warning him of the doorframe and the steps that lead back outside, then steers him to a bench they can sit down on until he can see again. Hijikata immediately lights himself a cigarette.]

This was a lot less of a pain in the ass than the other tests! It helped that you're really pretty good at guessing.

[ He can't help but sniff at the air. Cigarettes don't bother him and he's usually not one to smoke, but... ]

Ah, do you have another one to share? [ Might be asking too much, but he did just get them a token, so he sees no harm in it right now. ] I used to run a detective agency, so you could say I've got a bit of a knack for educated guessing.

[ The detective agency was more or less a front for his information gathering in the corrupted Grail War in the imperial capital -- Hijikata doesn't need to know that, though. Ryouma is good at getting the information he needs one way or another. ]

So that's what you are, a detective.

[He couldn't have guessed that, but it also doesn't come as a huge surprise. Hijikata is slowly starting to get an understanding of what kind of person Ryouma is, or so he thinks - as a matter of fact he's just writing fanfiction in his head, a little film noir scenery in which Ryouma, probably sick of corrupt law enforcement, opened a small but honest agency. He lights another cigarette and gives it to him. It's always nice to have a smoking buddy.]

Why'd you close your agency?

[ He gives a grateful nod as he blindly grabs for the cigarette. The act of taking a long inhale gives him the time he needs to pause and consider just how he wants to answer this question. The real answer will only lead to more questions, but a bad cover will do just the same.

A careful obfuscation of the truth is necessary. Not a lie, neither is it the full truth.

He exhales slowly, giving himself a little bit more time. ]

Ah, it was necessary. [ The imperial capital disappearing with the rest of the Singularity did make it a necessary act. ] I ended up being hired by someone else to work for them, so I'd say it worked out.

[ By "hired", he means "summoned" and by "someone else" he means his Master. ]

Now that I'm staying here for who knows how long, I may open it up again. Gives me something productive to do with my time.

[ And a useful front for gathering information. He's not going to use that information for nefarious purposes -- he's not that shady. ]

Well, as long as it worked out...

[Hijikata sees nothing odd about the explanation, and he doesn't need more details either. He doesn't really meddle in other people's affairs too much unless they're either suspicious or their story is of particular personal interest to him. Even so, he understands enough about the Heroic Spirits that he wouldn't have batted an eye at the truth about Ryouma's arrangement.]

Avalon could use an agency, I guess. If you go ahead with it I may come to you when I run into a roadblock. We knights are known figures after all.

[Once again it annoys him that he has to make do without Yamazaki and the Shinsengumi's other spies. Why does he have to do all his research and investigations on his own?!]

Mm, of course. So long as you don't expect preferential treatment for your title, I'd be happy to do what I can for you.

[ Of course someone as egalitarian as him has a distaste for titles and nobility. There's no hostility in his tone, though, just a matter-of-factness to it. ]

It's going to be a little while because I'm still getting settled...The whole natural disaster threw a bit of a wrench into things, too, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Oh, no, I meant, it's sometimes harder for knights to gather information, 'cause people recognise us and won't talk to us.

[He grins wryly, then takes another long drag from his cigarette. His knight's sigil, a personalised triple tomoe in which the three tadpole-like shapes resemble mayonnaise bottle caps with comet-esque tails (yeah), gives his title away all too clearly, and even going undercover doesn't always help.]

You can say that again about the disaster, though. What a mess.

[For a few moments he leans back and smokes in silence, quietly reflecting on how much work there is still left to do. Winter isn't far away now... he's sure that things are going to get harder rather than easier.]

Ah, yes, I can see that. [ Metaphorically. Because right now he can't see shit. ] You have to be careful when addressing your audience, so to speak. Using a third party is your only option, huh?

[ There's a little hint of something teasing in his tone. That fades as he sighs and flicks ash from his cigarette. ]

Mm...It's been keeping me busy, for better or worse.

[Hijikata gives off a little snort, having caught on to Ryouma's tone, so he stays on that topic.]

We do have other means, but those are sometimes more cumbersome than hiring help. As you can see I don't have my subordinates with me.

[Ryouma knew who he is right away, so he can probably imagine that it's no fun for him to be without anyone he can delegate tasks to! He checks the clock on his phone.]

Not much longer now and the spell should wear off. Being blind has to suck, hm?

[He asks very casually, flippantly even, but he actually does wonder... one of the worst moments in his life was witnessing a beloved person, his oldest brother, losing his sight.]

[ Of course the Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi would miss having his considerable amount of subordinates around. He gives a little chuckle -- he gets it.

That humor fades for a moment. Ah yes, there's that nature he's used to, the blunt, almost rude manner. He takes it in stride, at least, if only because he feels like there's no sense in trying to scold him for it. ]

It's just inconvenient. [ He shrugs. ] If I didn't know it was temporary, it'd be more frightening.

[ He pauses to stub out his cigarette and tuck the butt into his jacket pocket for later disposal. ]

I do have to say that it's interesting to be limited like this. My other senses feel sharper without my sight...So yes, I'm at a marked disadvantage, but my brain is making up for it other ways. It's fascinating.

[Hijikata doesn't need anyone to know that this is a topic that's caused him much unhappiness for a long time, even if he ultimately came to understand that his brother was still able to live a worthwhile life despite his blindness. He sounds more pensive as he responds.]

Back home we once had a blind manslayer to deal with who was incredibly dangerous. He couldn't see, but his other senses more than made up for it, as you said. It's pretty remarkable how people will adapt.

[He manages one more drag before his cigarette is also too short to keep burning. He freezes the tip over, by now an instinctive use of his magic, then glances at Ryouma's eyes, wondering if the difference will be notable when his sight returns. He has earned some more respect from Hijikata here - it may only have been a harmless game, but it does take some bravery to go blind for a collaboration with a near-stranger.]

Mm...A blind swordsman sounds like something to see in action. Really would lull people into a false sense of security before anyone ever realized they were in danger.

[ The world slowly starts to come back in focus as the hex wears off and Ryouma squints at the intensity of the light. It's almost painful, to the point he covers his eyes for a moment. ]

Ah...Well, that was a new experience. [ For better or worse. ] Thank you for staying with me while it wore off...I don't think that's something I want to do again.

Hopefully it was the first and last time.

[He gets up from the bench and stretches his arms over his head for a moment, feeling quite content. He has three tokens now and can collect the big prize! Usually he might ask what prize Ryouma is gunning for, but he'd rather avoid explaining his own choice, even though most people would surely assume that he'll use it as a weapon (and hell, he just may).]

Good work, Rider.

[He nods and lights himself a new cigarette... he is badly addicted, but it's at least in part so Ryouma will leave first and give Hijikata a chance to observe if he's really 100% back to being able to navigate around on his own.]

[ To be honest, he's got no interest in any of the prizes; he simply decided to try out some of the challenges because he was curious. His curiosity got him blinded for half an hour, which was just annoying, but it was a fun experience. He finds himself liking the ... interesting company of Hijikata.

All in all, it was worth the minor inconvenience. ]

We make a good team, don't we? [ Ryouma laughs as he stands up. He gives a slight bow. ] I'll see you around, Hijikata.

[ If he had any worries, he was right to. Ryouma takes approximately two steps, trips on nothing at all, and nearly falls on his face. He recovers quickly and calls back over his shoulder. ]

I'm fine, nothing to worry about!

[If Hijikata knew that Ryouma doesn't intend to hand in his tokens he'd nag him to do it. Even if he doesn't need any of the prizes now, one never knows when they may come in handy, and even if not, there's always the option of gifting or selling them!

As it is, though, he just looks after him, his smile at the other man's positive assessment of their teamwork briefly turning into a frown when he sees him trip. He makes a half-move to go after him, but stops himself - he said he'll be fine, so he'll trust him on that! He's not his escort! He does, however, call back after him.]

Walk slowly!!

[He hasn't known Ryouma for long, but if anything happened to him he wouldn't be happy. He observes him until he's out of sight, musing about how he's too kind and trusting... such people tend to be taken advantage of. Well, if it happens on Hijikata's watch there'll be a quick and ugly turnaround.]

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EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

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