[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]

"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."

[tantailizing]

"Totally get it. Get back to me on a later date, okay?"

They should get these guys back... and look at that, their horses found a few more friends.

[beefaroni]

Asterios grunts, making no promises - and instead focuses on the horses.

"... Looks like all of them. Now we can try to make them follow us."

[tantailizing]

"Hey, lucky us, right?"

But for some reason, watching them all wiggle their heads and sing... it still looks wrong. It's the eyes, definitely the blank wide eyes and hundred yard stares.

"... What do we wanna try first?"

[beefaroni]

He doesn't like the idea he's about to suggest, but the options are few and far between.

"... Sing like them?"

[tantailizing]

"... I know I'm average at singing, but I don't know about pulling that off."

But he really doesn't have any other ideas himself. Thanks curse, making herding horses harder than it should be... was herding horses hard?

[beefaroni]

Asterios steps forward and... well, he doesn't sing - he's not really sure how to, to be honest - but tries humming the same tune the horses are, struggling to match their melody.

[tantailizing]

Off-tune or off-melody, it does seem to get the horses attention. Whether they actually want it or not is the better question because they just seem to be staring.

[beefaroni]

Well, they're listening! So Asterios continues to experiment - he begins, slowly, walking towards the direction of the stables, humming all the while.

[tantailizing]

Zidane's going to stay back from this one. Maybe Asterios's magic helps, maybe it doesn't, but the horses were following so why interrupt?

[beefaroni]

Asterios almost breathes a sigh of relief, but he doesn't want to break the chain of melody. So, after a breath, he keeps the humming up, not intending to stop until they were all back at the stables were they belonged.

[tantailizing]

It seems the horses follow more out of curiosity of this perplexing song Asterios is making than anything, but if it works, it works. And geez, it's a bit of a walk back to the tables with their parade of cursed horses; and Archimedes had a lot of explaining to do once they were all locked up again.

[beefaroni]

Once all the "horses" have returned to the stable and safely locked up... Asterios sits on his big behind.

That was easy physically, but mentally? That was draining.

"... We never speak of this again."

[tantailizing]

"Oh no, agreed with that."

Because he doesn't want to think of the terror horses ever again, thanks.

"Still, good job, Berry."

[beefaroni]

"Berserker."

He will correct that to the grave, dammit. But... he does look over at Zidane, and nods slowly.

"... Thank you."

[tantailizing]

He grins. Another time, he might say Berserker, but he's still Berry, and Zidane would nod back.

"No problem. And again, if you wanna work on magic, just ask. We can practice in the forest too if you want."

[beefaroni]

"... Another time." Again, no promises, but no denying it either! A hopeful future?

[tantailizing]

"Sure! See ya around!"

He'd head off and go inform Archimedes so that way Berry didn't have to.