[OPEN] I'd say let it snow, but...

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane (Garnet in one prompt) and You~
⚔️️ WHAT: Time to head to Elphame! And maybe a quest or two for December. Catch-all for December is what I'm saying
🕒 WHEN: Throughout December until Event
🗺️ WHERE: Elphame, New Camelot, etc.
⚠️ WARNINGS:

I. The Maiden's Task - Thitis

At first, Zidane's confused why this was a task at all, but then again, considering some people were already scared of heights, climbing the tallest tree on the first island just made that worse.

When he reaches the tree in quest, he manages to bite back a grimace. The tree itself isn't a problem, but there sure are thorns on it... and statues that he has several questions about how they got there. Oh well, 'Lord Tribal' isn't one to pass up a challenge; and heck, if he's careful, the thorns would just help him reach the top sooner.

... And once again, he would prove why one should always wear gloves while ascending the trunk.

II. The Maiden's Task - Thiton (feat. Garnet)

Branch acquired from the first task, Zidane delivers it soon to Thiton, but she also has a task: perform your favorite song. Well, there's only one song he can really think of...

Raising his eyebrows, he's immediately smiling wide - she must've heard about the task too and found her way over. Well then, Thiton needn't perform at all if she just wants to enjoy music and song, but her playing along actually helps.

Other characters might hear it too - the gentle strumming of two string instruments of sorts playing in accommodation to singing. They might be here for a while; maybe take a moment to enjoy. As for those already affected by synaesthesia, well... there's something very obvious being conveyed between two people present.

III. Avalon Crossing

Snow Spirits in need of temporary homes too? Sure, he's up for the task!

Not realizing how outlandish they might be? Yeah, he did that too.

Good thing theater makes one ready for weird or outlandish sets otherwise this task might be harder. The only thing hard about it was sculpting in the snow because no duh, it's freezing. Maybe he should've gotten that potion to regulate his temperature from the traders, but he's already in this and intends on finishing.

Just ignore that shivering as he packs more snow on.

IV. Oo-nye-doo?

He might not like horses, but they are Archimedes' horses. Agreeing to the task of rounding them up (he'll leave this month's manhunt to someone else thanks), Zidane's ready to try again with horses.

... But upon finding the first one with whomever joined him, maybe... not.

"... What the hell is that!?"

And oh gods, the sounds it makes.

No thanks, he'll take the horrors from his world any day thanks!

V. Wildcard

[OOC: Wanna do another prompt from the TDM or a Quest from the board that's not here? Hit me up at demidemonLove or DM me so we can plot. He's totally here for the other tasks if interested!]

Comments

[beefaroni]

"Mmm. Can play at home." To address the horse's concern, but he does glance over at Zidane.

"Split up. Cover more ground. Must not leave... one alone."

[tantailizing]

"Nooo... play now..." Somehow, that just sounds menacing and wrong. Definitely helps Zidane look over at Asterios and nod.

"Sure, just... be careful."

[beefaroni]

Asterios nods again before focusing on the "horse". Hmmm.

"If we play now. Must promise. To return home after. Only then, will I play."

Sure, he has no confidence he'd be any good at playing, but hopefully he'd figure something out.

[tantailizing]

"No. Friend, play..."

And that beak is getting closer to Asterios' hair.

Meanwhile, Zidane's scouring Camelot, trying to find another cursed horror horse... and he's gonna find it alright. Or worse, it might find him.

[beefaroni]

If this thing wants to chew or pull on Asterios' hair... he'll allow it. He'll be annoyed, but he'll allow it.

"Play when home. That is a promise. I will not leave you. I will not trick you. I always... keep my word."

[tantailizing]

"Nom nom nom..."

Is it playing or trying to eat his hair is the better question to wonder. Also, the way its 'beak' clicks with each 'chew' might not be too pleasant around the ears... not that it was paying attention to what Asterios is saying.

In the distance is a brief yell, nothing to worry about. Safe to say, Zidane might've found another horse.

[beefaroni]

Hm. Zidane might need some help. Asterios pulls back his hair a bit, and points in the direction of the yell.

"Friend... could be, that way. They can play with us. Let us go see them."

[tantailizing]

"Yay... friiiiend..."

And it does draw out the word like that before tottering on in the direction Asterios indicates.

And indeed there is a friend... and one Zidane rubbing his frazzled tail while another cursed horse tugs at his ponytail. "Why are they like this??"

[beefaroni]

Oh boy. That didn't sound like Zidane had a good time. "... Are you okay?"

[tantailizing]

"I'm fine. It just bit me is all..." Which was incredibly rude.

However, both horses don't care. They're occupied giving each other the same stare, wiggling at each other on tapping hooves, and singing rather nonsensically.

[beefaroni]

Asterios looks at the "horses" enjoying one another's company, taking that as another win.

"If we go home... more friends to play with. More to sing with."

[tantailizing]

"Friends...?"
"More... home..."
"Home... find more friends."
"Mmm, find."

"Huh... maybe they're finally getting it?" Zidane asks, sounding a little hopeful. If they did, that meant they would be done sooner. But once they abruptly take off in the direction opposite of the stable, maybe... not. "... They better be finding the other horses. And maybe we should get a few leads."

[beefaroni]

It's not much of a lead, but it's better than nothing - but Asterios doesn't appear annoyed. Granted, he's not an emotional sort already, but his patience is a little admirable. He follows the "horses" without complaint.

"Let's find friends. All friends, should be together."

[tantailizing]

"Yeah, they should."

Though this was continuing to be some weird ordeal, Zidane's considering calling up Archimedes and telling him they're following his horses... and getting the whole curse talk out of the way. The horses that were walking ahead of them were busy waving their heads and singing to each other, or humming. They were making some kind of noise with a tune, but they were both doing something different and lacking harmony.

[beefaroni]

Since this might take a while... Asterios glances over at Zidaine.

"... Are you familiar with any of this...?" In other words, had he ever encountered a situation like this before?

[tantailizing]

"... Huh? This?"

Looking around, the only thing really with them are the horses. Ah... "Nope. My world doesn't even have horses. Odin's horse doesn't count either. And then the only horse creature I've ever faced was more dragon-like with wings and a long hooked horn... and it liked casting Bio."

[beefaroni]

A world without horses?! Asterios' eyes widen. He can't even imagine such a concept.

"Casting Bio... a spell?"

[tantailizing]

Crazy, right? But they had something in place of horses.

"Yeah, it's a nasty one too. If you're not prepared for it, there's a high chance of catching a bad bout of poison if it doesn't knock you out."

[beefaroni]

"Hm." He just nods a bit, before focusing ahead.

"... Is there such a spell... in this world?"

[tantailizing]

"Hm... not sure on a spell. I don't know what all the magic types here can do."

But gods he's hoping there's nothing like Bio. "An alchemist might be able to craft poison, but that's not exactly the same."

[beefaroni]

"... Magic is still, so distant to me." He admits quietly. "My Master uses magic through me, in my world... but here? To use it for my own? ... It is strange. Unnatural. I should not have it."

[tantailizing]

"Oh yeah? Huh, I know some people thought it was weird because their worlds didn't have it at all, but for someone to use it with you instead of you doing it yourself... that does sound off."

And had it been this way for Berry the whole time? Well, he did kinda avoid people. "... Have you been practicing with the Instructors? Or trying to get comfortable with it at all?"

[beefaroni]

The guy who stays away from people all the time? Of course not. He shakes his head. "... Only use it for food. Or quests."

[tantailizing]

"Hm... How would you feel about practicing one-on-one? Away from people?"

IE, if Zidane came to help him practice.

[beefaroni]

"... Maybe." He's not sure, but then against, it sounds like he's not 110% against it either.

"... Not today. Today, gather horses."