3rd Feather - November Catchall [Open]

[milkmycattle]

🧙 WHO: Crow and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Flap Veg Quest and some TDM prompts
🕒 WHEN: Throughout November
🗺️ WHERE: Various locations
⚠️ WARNINGS: None at the moment
[Quest] Flap Veg

[ Crow saw both requests. One to protect the butterfly lettuce and the other to steal it. He considers both, but it doesn't seem wise to be the offensive when he has no idea how outmatched he'd be. It's better to be on the defense, but there are still disadvantages there too. Whatever, how hard can guarding lettuce be?

So Crow guards over the fluttering produce armed with his guitar, in case things do go awry. Though as miraculous as flying lettuce is, it's also quite boring to watch. So Crow may--may not be nodding off in the middle of his shift. This could be a good chance to steal some lettuce!]


A. The Floor is Lava!

This is insane!

[Maybe this is someone's idea of a sick joke, but Crow perceives it as the best obstacle course ever! He stands at the doorframe leading to what looks like a living room. The room looks fully furnished, despite the obvious fact that the floor is full of magma, but the furniture doesn't seem to be scorched. Still, he can feel the heat radiating from it, and it does seem to appear realistic with how it bubbles and swirls around like boiling stew.

Crow peeks around the room, trying to map out how he would get across. There are various things they can use as footings like the coffee table, sofa, and armchairs. There are a few bookcases along the walls that maybe they could knock over or even the curtains they could swing from.

He bounces on his heels, ready to take the first leap inside. Finally, he turns to his comrade, seeing how they felt about this.]

Should we stick together? Or go separate ways and meet on the other side?


B. Hungry No More

I. [Crow enjoyed watching those videos. So much that they encouraged him to help the cause, and also experiment with cloning the food. It's an issue he firmly stands behind because no one should have to wonder where their next meal is. So he starts to play around with a few recipes. Some didn't even work, but Crow keeps trying. He follows some videos to a T, but ultimately he decides to be a little heavy-handed towards the end. Unfortunately, this effort causes the food to multiply at a quite alarming rate. Crow stands there stunned at how fast his food is replicating, before long it flattens him against the wall. The rocker couldn't even move an inch from the sheer weight of the accumulating vegetable, why did he think it was a good idea to clone a pumpkin?! All he could do is yell out for help, hoping someone could hear him.]

Is anyone out there?! I'm being crushed! Crushed to death by pumpkins!!

II. [ Somehow he manages to escape death's cold grasp after the first mishap, but this time will be different. He gives the recipe another go, this time choosing a carrot to experiment on. Yet, Crow actually messes up the recipe again, but not only does it multiply, but the vegetable also starts sprouting arms and legs. Not long there's a small army of carrots menacingly stalking towards him.]

This is why I don't do science experiments!

[He tries to get rid of them, pulling out his guitar, so he can hack the produce into bits. The sharp edge of his guitar splits a few of them in half. Crow watches in horror as the monster carrots regenerate, before replicating into doubles.]

Shit!

[He doesn't even know how to fix this either. All Crow could do is seek help, but from whom? Maybe you're lucky enough to bump into Crow as he tries to outrun some mutated carrots.]

C. Magical Flu

[He's been feeling under the weather for a few days. The normally energetic hedgehog finds himself just wanting to sleep all day. His body feels weak and heavy. He also constantly feels cold. He hopes he's not getting...sick?! He should probably stay inside and reserve his energy, but he figures a walk might cure his lethargy. Big mistake!

He walks around Camelot, but he doesn't feel any better. Instead, his nose feels a bit itchy now. He covers his nose for the inevitable sneeze to follow.]

ACHOO!

[ Unbeknowst to Crow some of his dark magic leaks out and hits a person nearby. The innocent bystander's clothes flip backward, so all the fastenings are at the person's back instead of the front. Someone's going to have trouble getting out of their clothes. He sneezes again a horse gets hit by the stray magic, the stallion's legs start to wiggle about as if made of jelly. The redhead notices weird things are happening around him, but he's not aware that he's the cause. Since Crow's magic consists of jinxes and enchantments, he'll affect people with mild annoyances.]

Huh? What is up with everyone today?

[Someone stop him before he creates an even bigger mess!]

D. Paralysis, paralysis, paralysis again

[ Crow seems like a pretty confident person, but he actually has some insecurities as well. A wandering sleep demon picks up on it as the redhead sleeps, entering his body and creating a nightmare of his own inner demons. On the outside, Crow is tossing and turning, muttering to himself and clutching his blanket tightly around him.

Though within his dream, he sees his father. At least, a dark silhouette of the grumpy hedgehog. The shadowy figure starts to belittle him, just like he always did.]

So, you came crawling back? That precious dream of yours ended up being a failure, didn't it?

[ Crow could feel those words affecting him, making him feel small.] N-no, it didn't! ShinganCrimsonZ has played at many venues and we have a fanbase---!

But you haven't made it to the top of Midi City's music charts, yet?

N-no, but it's only a matter of time! Just a little bit more and I'll prove to you that I have what it takes!

You don't have what it takes. You're difficult to work with! You're self-centered! Bad attitude, too! You don't have the ambition to see it through! When are you going to learn to accept your place? You've come from generations of dairy farmers, that's all you'll ever be.

[Crow can feel each of those words anchoring him down. Normally, he would fight back. Argue that those words aren't true at all, but his voice gets lost in his throat. He can't deny it, maybe he's right?]

Comments

[milkmycattle]

[Yeah, probably a good idea that he didn't follow the trend. He hears the commotion not too far from them and it doesn't sound promising. Crow starts to feel a bit antsy.]

So should we come up with a plan to trap them in the pots?

[dottedline]

They do have lids that can be easily secured and the pot itself can be brought anywhere, after all.

[Okay, he thinks he can breathe now. Azul slowly gets to his feet.]

But no. Can I trust you not to touch anything I tell you not to, or am I going to have to make this antidote on my own?

[milkmycattle]

Oh yeah? I didn't know how pots worked, thanks for informing me!

[At the question though, he pauses to think about it. He'll have to calm his impulse to touch anything interesting.]

Um...well since I fucked up, I'll do whatever you say!

[He can actually behave during a crisis.]

[dottedline]

[Okay, that first bit was sarcasm, so Azul will ignore it. The rest of it, though, it exactly what he wanted to hear. He gestures for Crow to follow him and leads the way to the kitchen, where Azul has a station for alchemy set up.]

First, water and...probably salt. Salt, the coarse ground type.

[And while Crow gets that, Azul goes to get a few of the more...volatile ingredients he has.]

[milkmycattle]

Gotcha!

[Like an obedient puppy, he goes off to get those ingredients for Azul. He doesn't know exactly where he can find the salt, but he looks through some of the cupboards in the kitchen. He finally finds some coarse salt in the pantry. He then goes and retrieves the water from the tap. Or was distilled better?

He suddenly hears a loud bang from the other room, making him move a bit faster! Whatever, it doesn't matter!]

Here's the water and salt! What's next?

[dottedline]

[Oh God. Azul grabs the last of the vials and moves to start trying to light the fire under his cauldron.

Emphasis on "try". Someone is very, very bad at working with matches and refuses to use a lighter.]

Put it in the cauldron, and then be ready to hand me what I ask for when I ask for it or to go help the others.

[milkmycattle]

[Woah, look at that! Azul actually has a cauldron! Crow can feel the urge to ask a million questions, but he holds back. Self-control? Yes, he has it to some capacity!

As he's told, Crow pours in the water and salt into the cauldron. See? He can focus!]

Yes, I'm your errand boy for the moment!

[His tail wags a bit, kind of excited to see something otherworldly come from that pot.]

[dottedline]

[...his tail wags. Are we sure he's not a puppy? Azul's pretty sure he's a puppy.

And Crow better hope Azul doesn't make him try to work off the damages to his door and his pots later.]

Good--dammit. Here, you light this fire.

[And he throws the matches at Crow before standing to start adding what he can to the water.]

What I wouldn't give for my own magic.

[milkmycattle]

[ He's definitely a hedgehog, but he definitely does act like an undisciplined puppy sometimes. Well, if Azul manages to pull this off, he'll be in his debt. He wouldn't complain too much if he has to work off the damages, just don't expect him not to snack while he's on the job! It's a crime to be around food and not be able to eat it!

Crow catches the matches and easily lights one. Is it an ocean thing to struggle with fire? He doesn't voice his thoughts, but he wonders if that has something to do with it. Crow ignites the fire underneath the cauldron to get things brewing. He keeps his ears alert, listening out for any more abrupt noises.]

Is the magic that you have now so different from the one in your world? What else could you do besides make potions?

[dottedline]

[It absolutely is an underwater thing.]

Nearly everything. Elemental magic, kinetic magic, potions obviously--honestly nearly every type of magic people have shown here, sorcerers in Twisted Wonderland can do. Some types are obviously either illegal or heavily regulated, though.

[milkmycattle]

If people in your world have that much power, then I can see why it'll be heavily regulated!

[ He can barely use two forms of magic, let alone all magic disciplines. He's thankful, he doesn't have to deal with learning all of that, he'd fail!

However, he does relate with Azul with being able to do more in his own world. He'd be able to use his fire to burn those carrots to a crisp if that were the case.]

Well, what can you do? You just have to work with the hand you're dealt, right?

[dottedline]

Oh, absolutely not.

[And. Well. Azul hasn't brought up his Unique Magic here to anyone but...]

Back home I have something of a reputation for being able to...help people get a better hand, so to speak. You just have to know what you're doing.

[milkmycattle]

Absolutely...not?

[ Crow raises an eyebrow at Azul's claim. That sounds...a little too good to be true, but he can understand how that could tempt anyone. Heck, if he had the ability to propel himself even further in his career, he might take the chance.]

Bet there's a catch, tho! There's always a price for that kind of thing!

[dottedline]

Oh, always.

[Congratulations Crow, you are smarter than 80% of the people Azul deals with.]

It's a Deal allows me to take something of theirs--usually an ability--in exchange for whatever it is they want. I've done favors for just about everyone in school, at this point, and very rarely are they ever unsatisfied with the results. They may not like what I ask for, but if they want to cross the bridge, they've got to pay the toll.

[We just don't talk about the midterms and Overblot incident, okay. Azul has moved past that and is largely better. Mostly. Still a terrible capitalist octopus, but less predatory. It's not his fault if people want to give away their singing voices for a diet plan or hair care tonics or whatever.]

[milkmycattle]

[Crow gives Azul a disapproving look. He doesn't agree with that method, but he's sure someone really has to be desperate to turn to Azul for help. If they are mostly satisfied, who is he to judge? After all, isn't he seeking his help as well?]

As long as they're fine with their choice.

[ There's another loud Bang!, following a yell from one of Azul's workers. Crow peeks from the door to see what the current situation is! Oh no, it doesn't look good! The carrots were getting inside and the men seem to fend them off for now, but how much more time can they buy them?]

There's a breach! A breach!

[dottedline]

No one is ever forced to--oh, shit.

[Back to brewing!]

...add more to the fire, this needs to be hotter!

[milkmycattle]

[Crow hurries back over and lights a few more matches at the same time. He holds them underneath the cauldron, hoping it'll create a bigger flame.]

What else do you need?

[ Every once in a while Crow will look over his shoulder to make sure those carrots aren't on their way in.]

[dottedline]

Just more fire, or heat, or literally anything to get this to a boil--hot water. Get me a thing of water as hot it gets from the tap. That might help speed this up.

[milkmycattle]

Gotcha!

[ Crow races over to the sink to get some hot water from the tap. He pours it into the kettle and lights a few more matches to get the flame to burn even higher. It's too bad he doesn't have the use of the flames that he possessed in his world, then they wouldn't be in this predicament.]

Come on, boil already!

[dottedline]

If I could just use the microwave or the kettle for this...

[But he can't, so this is what they have to do.

Finally, though, it starts to boil. Azul looks to the clock, counting down.]

And that's a minute. Grab mitts and help me start moving this off the fire.

[milkmycattle]

[Finally!

Crow looks around for some oven mitts and of course, finds an extra pair by the stove. He quickly puts them and carefully lifts up the cauldron. It's heavy, but Crow has enough strength to hold most of the weight.]

Where am I moving this?

[dottedline]

Just off the fire.

[Azul grabs down bowls, cups, and anything else that will hold liquid.]

As I ladle this out, either dump them on the carrots or pass them out to the others to dump them on the carrots. It's meant to freeze them long enough for us to cut them up.

[milkmycattle]

[ For the time being, he lets the cauldron rest on a seemingly heat-resistant counter. He observes as Azul retrieves dishware from the cupboard. At his instructions, Crow nods his head, but even he can't suppress his excitement!]

Woah, you made a potion that can freeze?! That's cool!

[ There's another loud BANG from the other room, and suddenly one of Azul's workers collapses within the doorframe. There's a few mutant carrots making their way inside.]

Shit! They're here!

[dottedline]

[Oh God. Azul starts ladling it out, while also sometimes just throwing a ladle-ful of the potion at a carrot.]

Come on! This is mostly your fault anyway!

[milkmycattle]

Don't you think I know that!

[The hedgehog picks up bowls full of Azul's potion and tosses the substance on any of the carrot bastards that come through. It's super effective in freezing them in an instant.]</small Woah! This stuff really works!