November Adventures

[mayoninofukucho]

WHO: Hijikata and ✨YOU✨
WHAT: TDM prompts (needing rescue after getting paralysed by a basilisk, cleaning up the Forest of the Felled, and fighting sleep paralysis demons) and Ghost Patrol shenanigans!
WHEN: Throughout November
WHERE: Forest of the Felled, Camelot City
WARNINGS: None; will update if that changes!



1) Life Alert

A ⦿ Not Seeing is Believing

[When Hijikata hears that a new expedition will come to clean the remaining hex-, curse- and spell items out of the Forest of the Felled he's ready to help again, all the more since King Arthur is coming along this time. Hijikata followed his recent AMA session, but didn't want to side-track it (especially not publicly), so maybe he'll get an opportunity to tell him about his Yuureisengumi on this occasion?

It doesn't come to that, though. On the day the group from Camelot is expected to arrive he makes his way to the Bridge of the Pure of Heart and, carefully staying on his side of it, looks across... only to meet the eyes of a massive snake-like creature that's staring up at him from the cold water near the far riverside. Immediately he petrifies, and that's how expedition members may find him hours later, still standing on the far side of the bridge with an expression of mild surprise frozen on his face and a hand just barely lifted to reach for his sword. Please save him? Surely no fellow outworlder would do mischief with a poor petrified man, right?]

B ⦿ Forest Cleaning

[After a kind soul administered the nimbus flower paste to Hijikata he could finally move again and join up with the party, and a little later he's walking northward between the mostly leafless trees with his assigned partner. He's still a little paranoid that the fachan from last time might come back, so he keeps a close eye on the pale autumn sun as they collect various strange and potentially dangerous items.]

I kind of want to burn all this stuff... who knows what'll happen if the wrong people get their hands on it?

C ⦿ Paralysis, Paralysis, and Paralysis again

[Hijikata makes sure that they're back at the camp before nightfall. It gets cold very quickly now - it's been cold all day, really -, so the large campfire and the hot stew, thin as it may be, are very welcome. As most others start turning in for the night he heads back to his hut since it's within walking distance and he didn't bring any camping equipment for that reason. However he has barely gotten there when a couple of his Yuureisengumi subordinates catch up with him in alarm. They had stayed behind mingling at the camp, unseen by all but the death mages (who hopefully didn't take them for leftover malicious ghosts), so they witnessed several expedition members being beset by sleep paralysis demons.

By the time Hijikata arrives back at the campsite the issue has escalated, so he starts charging at the demons crouching on people's chest right away to cut them down with his sword, but they're very fast and flee into the darkness. He helps shake people awake, and if someone seems trapped in their dreams he'll let the local cognitive mages conduct their ritual to send him into the person's nightmare. In either case he'll address them in a calm voice.]

It's safe to wake up now.


2) The Ghost Patrol

A ⦿ Ghosting Hour

[After Hijikata assembled the Yuureisengumi (or, as it's probably more commonly known by now, because who the hell can remember that, the Ghost Patrol) just over a month ago he relentlessly trained them - as well as he could as a living person; he ended up having to delegate much of it to the two division leaders he appointed -, and the ghosts' efforts have borne fruit: after weeks of hard work most of them are capable of becoming active in the nightly streets of Camelot.

Their typical routine is as follows: after totem-travelling to the city with a dozen spectral subordinates in the early evening hours Hijikata fetches his horse from the stable and holds an assembly in which he assigns districts and, if applicable, specific duties to them, then sends them on their way while he himself goes on patrol on his own. He reconvenes with them before dawn (or earlier if they report any trouble they need his help with), and once he's sure that they'll be able to handle the work he leaves them to it for the next two nights while he attends to his daytime business.

After three nights in total he takes the ghosts back to their "headquarters" at the edge of the Forest of the Felled, and the next night he returns to Camelot with the other dozen to start their three-night work shift. The spirits operate unseen by most, but death mages may notice them possessing muggers, burglars and other criminals and walking them off to the nearest police officer, if not to Hijikata himself. Victims of would-be crimes may find themselves puzzled as their assailant suddenly wanders away... or maybe someone will happen across their commander as he takes a report from, for all non-death-mages, apparently the empty, silent air.]

So they tried to make off with the food only, huh... those sorry bastards. Wonder if they've got other mouths to feed.

Should we have let them run, Commander?

No. If everyone did this we'd quickly have a serious problem on our hands. Hopefully the police will let them off with a slap on the wrist.

B ⦿ Yuureisengumi Crisis

[Operations have been smooth... a little too smooth, almost. Hijikata is proud and happy, but within the Yuureisengumi's ranks there's been malcontent murmurs. "Why should a living man be our leader? He's nothing but a meatbag! At the very least he could have the decency to join our ranks properly, or else share his body for when it comes in handy!" A few other ghosts agree with Jeremiel, the leader of the Sword Lily division (the other one is the White Eggplant division, for the record... Hijikata sincerely named them after what he considers symbolically relevant flowers).

So once it's Jeremiel's division's turn again to patrol Camelot he and his co-conspirators disperse as assigned, but then secretly reconvene and tail Hijikata. The elf ghost motions for the others to stay back and approaches the samurai alone.]

Commander, there's a problem!

Oh? Well, what is it?

[Hijikata is met with a smirk as his subordinate dives into him, stunning him with his ghostly coldness and taking control of his body.]

We don't enjoy being ordered around by a smug warm-blooded man, that's what. I've been dead for a long enough time to make for a better leader of other ghosts! So don't worry, the organisation is in more capable hands now.

[He calls the others to him and instructs them to likewise possess living people and encourage civilian ghosts to do the same. The plan is to take refuge in Loch Manor come dawn - the sunlight weakens ghosts, after all. If anyone comes across Hijikata on his black horse this night he'll be wearing a smug expression on his face, like the cat that got the cream, and scan them up and down, as if to gauge if they're suitable for... something. (Possession. It's possession, for those ghosts who haven't found a suitable living body yet).]

Hmmm...

C ⦿ Crisis Aftermath

[However the usurpation was resolved in the end, Hijikata eventually regained control of his body (and he may be quite indebted to whoever helped him out). He didn't show mercy to the traitors and punished them in accordance with the Yuureisengumi code, which all members knew well enough, trapped them in a corked bottle plastered with spell seals, and buried it in the Forest of the Felled. It's unlikely that anyone else is out here besides the remaining members, who quietly witnessed the punishment, but if any outworlder is nearby they may overhear his address to his subordinates.]

Don't make such long faces. I'll write down that they're buried here, and why, so if I croak someone's going to know and can dig them up if they see fit.

[He cracks a wry grin.]

And don't think croaking will stop me from leading you. Jeremiel didn't have the wrong idea in that regard.


[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please feel free to hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]

Comments

A.

[itsmypower]

[This one's lost a bit. Having slipped away hours ago, it's pure coincidence that Shoto's back-tracked again. Sweeping the bridge first.

A man-shaped stone's claiming the other far-end of it, blocking his path. A little familiar. Almost like—] Hijikata-san...? [No answer.] Sensei! [Sculpture now. A solid cast there. His shout kills the silence.] Damn it... [Had the Basilisk done this? His first thought's "revenge", to go after it, and then he's two steps bolting before a second thought dawns on him. Thinking better of that. He's not about to leave him. He isn't thinking about the bridge—what it's required of him. He simply leaps. Sprinting across at full tilt, nearly colliding with him.

Clutching at shoulders soon. All the way solid.] You're still alive, right? [Ah. No good...

He's picking him up. Lifting a mass twice his weight through grit teeth and magic-strength. Their height's nearly even.]

Listen. I don't know if you can hear or not, but I think we need those flowers.

[The "cloud-somethings".]

Sorry. I said I wouldn't let anything happen to you...

[A Hero can't panic. But off he goes, statue carried like lumber as he half-runs away with him. A little unwieldly. Into the forest, then. He'll make this quick.]

You'll have to come too, sensei. I don't really trust the others here.

[mayoninofukucho]

[It's pretty inglorious, really, to be among the basilisk's first victims, but who would have expected something like that?! If Hijikata were conscious he'd briefly have stressed out about Shoto wanting to cross the bridge, but he'd quickly have calmed down in the knowledge that he's definitely pure-hearted enough to make it across - and then he's already with him.

If he were conscious he'd internally yell and protest at being picked up, too, so much heavier on Shoto's shoulders now, but as it is he stays silent and solid as the young hero carries him into the Forest of the Felled. He'd tell him to set him back down, to leave him, that he won't go anywhere (a cheap joke alright)... but he'd also be touched at Shoto's determination to keep him safe.]

[itsmypower]

[Like Hell he'd leave him! As if he'd trust the other snakes here. He isn't stupid.

He's already promised.

No one's touching him. He's nearly weightless in arms now, and stubborn youth keeps his pace, not pausing, spells and adrenaline rushing anxious steps forward. Faster, soon. He's practically designed for this: iron shoulders, stronger back, and perfectly capable of freighting anyone anywhere. It's more than enough his having stomached the training for it. And, besides... he's seen firsthand the sort of "fun" that other students get up to. To him, he's his mission; no one's chipping him, painting him, tossing him in the river. He'd ice the sea over it. His tightened hold secures painfully. His arms trap.

As much as the forest. If he'd imagined an easy runthrough, those hopes are quickly dashed by scattered pitfalls and tripwires. At any rate, he isn't far before he's slowed again. A sound like screaming wind's splitting the airspace around them, forcing the stillness out of it. His ears catch first, and then thickened walls, jagged ice on all sides of them, sprout from empty air upwards. Cold irritation. Frosted shield between tip and sensei, his grip on him's crushing, and he forgets he's less fragile cast in armor and stone-skin—staring down an arrow's-head. Though inches away, now.

He's caught it in ice-glass.

Annoying enough, though. His anger flares through.]

You think you're gonna stop me with THAT?!

[Fuming at no one. He'll need to tread thoughtfully. Urgency over fear this time.]

I'm not that easy. [A fiercer devil's successor. So what's a few traps, then?] Don't worry, we're making through here.

[mayoninofukucho]

["No one's going to steal a stone man", Hijikata would have argued... but Shoto's concerns are far from irrational. Even if most of their fellow outworlders may not have enough of a grudge on Hijikata to mess with him in the state, the naiads well might. After all he bought passage across the river from one of them with a gemstone last time, only to never return to her. In fairness, he didn't promise he would, but she still took it badly. Regardless of what the naiads might have done, though, even if someone else tried to move him with good intentions, accidents happen - he could have ended up falling off the bridge and shattering.

He'd be so impressed with Shoto's strength and endurance, and maybe it's actually for the better that he is a passive participant in this, because if he saw the various traps trying to topple, snatch, trip and shoot Shoto there'd be no end of his hoarse yelling in the forest. On the other hand he'd be legitimately awed by the fierce yet precise competence he's showcasing on this slightly unusual escort/transport mission... this boy truly is fire and ice at once.]

[itsmypower]

[He's glad to avoid potential lectures, but there's rush to restore his more natural temperament. So, boy's persistence keeps progress, carries them through behind his own nature's strength. His flames sear through netting once, a twisting of ropes falling widely around them. His muttered spells are near-constant, fighting their way across a woods that seems both sentient and breathing. Its vines trail unnoticed, and then boy's snatched away, plants dragging at rapid speed through sticking bushes and underbrush.

He doesn't cry out; doesn't keep hold because he isn't sure where things lead to. Leaving the statue, first. The rough pulling leaves scratches, and then he's up and through tangles, twisting suspended caught in vines with angered limbs captured. Bleeding out patience: an already too-little tolerance for anything left in him.

The ground's spinning.]

Flash... freeze—

[His quiet murmur calls frost; his moving ice creeping out of him, crawling up branches, freezing the life out. His heat expands violently, force and sound igniting its too-loud explosion.

Heatwave!

[He lights himself, igniting vines in white ash, starburst burning before the ground's closing in on him. A fiery cat's-cradle in brittle, dried kindling. No time to right himself; he simply lands there, daylights dazed out of him and attempting slow healing. Flaming bits showering. Then, pulling to knees first, stumbling up again before marching to Hijikata. He wouldn't share a word of that... Only lifts him again, all the more stubborn.

His words soften.]

...Sorry. [For leaving him.] You didn't see that, right?

[No. Still embarrassing.]

Let's keep going.

[mayoninofukucho]

[This is too much!! If Hijikata were able to he'd chide the hell out of Shoto - not for leaving him behind for a moment, but for facing this ridiculously dangerous terrain for his sake. Hopefully the flowers aren't far now...

If it were nighttime already Hijikata's ghost subordinates would doubtlessly be besides Shoto, unseen by him yet doing their best to support him with whatever means their spirit magic affords them, but despite their different origins they share their aversion to the daylight, thin and grey as it may be in this cold autumn forest. There's no need for witnesses, though; Shoto's messed-up state will speak volumes to Hijikata once he can see him again (unless he'll be able to heal himself up well and fast beforehand).]

[itsmypower]

[What samurai surrenders? He's mechanical. A Hero doesn't back down.

His ice attacks everything: turns all threats into winter, leaving its snow behind.

When legs cramp, he pauses. Just for a second. To set the other down. His breaths come harder, hands on his knees when he drops his guard. Eyes shut a brief moment, opening wide when a massive paw shoves him. Naturally, he bristles.] Kasha! [Warning an 8-foot demon-cat, who, once spying Hijikata, slings him weightlessly over a shoulder. But youth lunges after, pulling as best he's allowed with bruising limbs and stiff fingers. He sounds incensed.] Where are you taking him?! [Sharp and demanding. The smaller human goes with him, digging in heels before beast's grown tired, snatching him up and setting him opposite. A kitten by its scruff; he doesn't stop struggling, refusing to stay, slamming his fists down repeatedly. All but biting.]

Listen, damn it! [He's pushing up. A heavy arm caging him.] I can handle this my way! [Indignant, now. This is a boy who doesn't like hand-ups, who's had the sweetness knocked out him. In his still-dizzied state, it isn't Kasha he's seeing at all, shouting at someone beyond him. This side is his, too; and though he's very much himself, still high from harsh fighting, he hasn't come down enough to register. Kasha's helping him. Acutely aware of every threat present, the boy who won't quiet.] Kasha! [The demon's ignoring him; has always ignored him. His heat burns through overhangs, scatters firefly cinders, leaving trace of carbon only. Where the boy can only watch, a disastrous power on full display, "Hell's Chariot" telling him rest. His angry tone quiets.] I've never asked you for anything...

[No response comes. Only his listening, holding the youth's precious person.]

Why now?

[It's too embarrassing, hanging. Draped as he is. He watches ashes drift.]

I was fine on my own. [He wants to sulk.] I won't forgive you that easily.

[They're carried a while like that, before beast stops abruptly, eyeing the shore's edge of something. A wide marsh of sorts stopping them. And then one's being lifted, the boy settled down properly. He blinks first, drowsily.]

...Now I see. [One last barrier. He sweeps his hand with open palm, brushing the air to extend white fingers. Ice crusting over.] Glacier. [He freezes underfoot, floating paths along murky surface, glancing back anxious and crossing to watch the other two. All safely across when he lifts his arms, impatience personified.]

Hand him over. [Sulking and sour, showing his youth again.] I'll take him from here.

[He isn't ungrateful... only untrusting. The demon doesn't make sense to him.

He can already see the flowers.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata would be impressed to finally meet Kasha. Shoto mentioned his familiar when they first spoke many months ago, but while Hijikata is familiar with the various demon cats of their homeland he never saw one in person, let alone one this large. If anyone had told him that he and Shoto would be carried through the Forest of the Felled like luggage today he wouldn't have believed them.

If he were in Shoto's position he'd be fighting back and complaining just like him, stubborn and hot-headed as he, too, can be all too often, but it's ultimately thanks to Kasha that he won't descend into hell just yet, ironic as it may be - and thanks to Shoto, of course, who takes care of even the last obstacle in their path and makes the treacherous march passable. Handed back over to him Hijikata hopefully won't be weighing on him for much longer.]