December Adventures

[mayoninofukucho]

WHO: Hijikata and ✨YOU✨
WHAT: TDM prompts (exploring the Land of Maidens) and a couple of dark web quests!
WHEN: Throughout December
WHERE: Land of Maidens, Camelot City, Underground Fae Prison, Forest of the Felled
WARNINGS: NSFW for prompt 3B ('Go Get 'Em, Tiger' Quest); I'll add more if necessary!



1) Arrival in Elphame

A ⦿ Searching for Direction

[Early in December Hijikata instructs his ghost subordinates to keep up their nightly patrol in Camelot City and look out for its people while he's in Elphame (where, he hopes, it won't be quite as winterly yet). Upon arrival in the Land of Maidens he tries to figure out where to go next from the small island in the lake and, after some fruitless investigation, ends up sticking his face underwater, which prompts the small fairies who are celebrating the shimmering holographic stones to start teasing him.]

Look, he thinks he can dive out of here! Hahaha!

Well, if that wasn't what you meant by "Keep your head down", what else was it?! Be more clear!

[Instead of elaborations he receives more giggles and an enchantment.]

I don't even need to know what you just did, you little cuties!

[?!?!? What? No!! He meant to demand that they tell him what they did to him at once, and the term he called them was anything but flattering!]

I'm sure you actually have nothing to do with this, so never mind. If you helped me I wouldn't know how to repay you, anyway!

[No!!! He meant to say that they better fix this, or else!! God, this is going to be an ordeal. He turns away from the giggling fairies, visibly furious.]

I had no idea this would be so much fun!!

[No!!! He knew exactly that it'd be a shitshow! (And yet he still came...)]

B ⦿ Off-Track

[Not wanting to endure the fairies' mocking laughter any longer Hijikata grimly takes a different pair of shoes out of the big camping backpack he brought and puts them on. They look pretty much exactly like the others - simply black dress shoes -, but they clearly have different properties, given that he confidently walks across the lake's surface in them without sinking in. Once he reaches the mountainside enclosing the gorge he tries to climb up, but the fairies, who curiously followed him, put yet another spell on him, and the wall freezes wherever he touches it, making it impossible for him to grasp on to anything.]

You're so cute!! I want you to spend all day with me!!

[His expression and tone make it rather clear that that's not at all what he wanted to say... but honestly, the fairies may just have done him a favour, because the aqrabuamelu living nearby have been attracted by the commotion. A pair of them are looking down from the clifftop. When Hijikata spots them he shouts up.]

Hey!! No worries, I don't need any help!! I'm having the time of my life!

[No!!! He wants help getting out! But the scorpiontaur-looking warriors don't seem to think that they want him up there with them at all, anyway, instead taking out their bows and arrows. Hijikata still doesn't look like he's entirely sure that staying with the fairies is the better choice here...]


2) Can You Imagine?

A ⦿ Whisper Bridge

[After some fellow outworlders finally figure out that the right way leads through the waterfall they all gradually make it to the three floating islands. Hijikata takes in the lush, gargantuan forest, ancient statues and friendly wildlife on the first one and the fairy-tale-ish castle on the second one, and after spending a while exploring the surroundings he realises with great relief that the reverse speaking spell has stopped working.

Once he hears about the demands of each of the sorceresses' tasks he really regrets coming here at all. What the hell kind of jobs are these?! He isn't cut out for any of this! Facing thorns that turn people to stone? He just got petrified by a basilisk last month, so no thanks!! He can neither sing nor play an instrument nor paint, so those tasks are out of question for him as well... and he doesn't have the slightest idea how to take care of a baby, let alone a gigantic one! Once he hears of the wolf transformation curse he vows to give that maiden a wide berth, too. Does he end up helping at all?! Maybe! In any case it's the final task that seems to lead to everyone's final destination (or so he mistakenly assumes).]

Crossing this damn unsecured bridge blindfolded... do they just want to do us in, or what?

[There's nobody else around... who's supposed to control whether they walk across blindfolded? He slides his blindfold up on one side and takes a few steps onto the bridge. Seriously, these fae give them nothing but trouble-- but his train of thought gets cut off as a massive, beautifully galaxy-patterned sky orca comes barreling towards him with a delightend noise. It's lunch time!]

B ⦿ The Island of Dreams

[Somehow Hijikata manages to make it to the third island in one piece. At first he's confused by all the unfamiliar people, beings and things he sees there, but before long he's filled in on the island's peculiarity and instantly creates a dozen Mayorins out of thin air. All his pissiness appears gone as he plays and laughs with the toddler-sized gnome-like creatures, who all seem to be wanting his attention.]

So this is our present for the winter solstice? All the trouble was worth it after all!


3) Quests

A ⦿ Who You Gonna Call? Ghostbusters! (for angel_of_death)

[Hijikata's bliss on the Island of Dreams was harshly interrupted when he found out that Camelot's criminal underground had been making moves against his hard-working ghost patrol back in King Arthur's domain. Why now of all times?! After some hasty information-gathering he returns to Camelot to meet up with his anonymous contact.

The city in front of him is still snow-clad, and he's easy to spot in his black attire. Now he can only hope that the mystery person will make it to his location before the Yuureisengumi's enemies do.]

⦿ Banyanished (for milkmycattle)

[Hijikata eventually managed to get his captured subordinates back, at least for the time being, though the incident forced him to rearrange them into bigger groups of four (they previously patrolled in pairs) and caution them to take no risks until he's able to figure out some safeguards for them - which may be rather challenging, given that unlike physical entities they can't be outfitted with warding gems or other protective items. Damn it, this time the dark web scumbags really set the Yuureisengumi back! That heist they were planning probably was a success after the ghosts, thrown into some disorder by the disappearance of several of their comrades, fell back until their commander's return.

While he's back in his "home" kingdom, though, he feels the need to follow up on some of the other quests on the dark web. One that immediately caught his eye when he saw it is the one concerning the underground fae prison - something he had no idea existed until now. Luckily he ran into Crow, so they're sitting in the library and mulling over the quest together. Hijikata taps the approximate location of the prison on a map with his finger.]

"Halfway between Dinas Emrys and the Forest of the Felled"... that's Elphame territory. It should be smack dab under the Valley of the Shearing. I know nothing about that area.

[Generally speaking a prison break really goes against his principles, but after everything the fae have done to the outworlders during his year on Avalon he's willing to at least investigate and give the prisoners a chance to make their case. Elphame's rogue justice irks him.]

C ⦿ Go Get 'Em, Tiger (NSFW)

[And then there's that other dark web quest... the one that hits Hijikata with an unwelcome, wholly inappropriate sense of near-nostalgia. It's not like he habitually participates in orgies, but the concept of generating healing energy through intimacy rings all too familiar. How long has it been since Prismatica? He visited ever so often after returning to his homeworld, but now it's already been almost a year since this new calamity froze it along with every other world out there.

Back home he had always rejected the notion that romance might be in the cards for him - a man who lives by the sword shouldn't get involved with an innocent woman. Prismatica, however, gave him plenty of incentive - such as saving the planet - and brought him close to people like him, soldiers who'd seen war and bloodshed. What reasoning could he have used to refuse them too? In the end being with them made him happy. None of his moonlacing partners are here on Avalon now, but he decides to improvise a little and recreate one of the moonblessing transformation effects he got to experience - purely to help the Forest of the Felled get back on its feet after being cursed for such a long time, of course. In no way does he selfishly want to feel good or anything!

Ultimately he wanders into the cold winter woods during the day (when his subordinates are hidden away in their various flasks and birdhouse-like structures) with his hammerspace camping backpack and sets up a campfire and a simple, small two-person tent he bought in Camelot, which he fills with a whole bunch of blankets and pillows. He overlooks his work, satisfied. Now only one thing is missing... he takes out the 'From the Void' recipe he won after braving the Celliwigians' spooky trials last month. He should probably best only start the summons once he's all set, huh? He gets in the tent, ready to close it from inside. No one's going to walk up and ruin this for him, right?

And also surely no one's going to come inspect the quiet tent by the burned-down fireplace the next day either (because damn, multiple summons at the same time really will knock a man out for a whole day)?]


[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. If asked for his name in Elphame he'll say he's 'Agent Mayo 13' (yeah...).]

Comments

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata also has been keeping his eyes narrowed - it's so goddamn windy and cold up here! If nothing else, though, they definitely are successfully avoiding the dreadful scorpion warriors far below under the foliage. At Crow's call he slightly lifts his head and turns to the right, where a gargantuan tree rises up high above all others.]

Well, guess' that's it!

[That was fast! But of course the way through the air is much shorter than the path through the forest would have been, even without taking the various dangers into account. He doesn't want to yell more than necessary, but it seems like they're lucky and their arrival may remain unnoticed thanks to the cover provided by the other trees... unless the big banyan tree itself serves as a look-out, but hopefully not, given how dangerous it seems to be.

As soon as they reach the general vicinity of the enormous, tower-like tree he signals for the archaeopteryx to land, and it complies... only that it simply lets go of Crow about a child's height above the ground (in fairness, it first broke its momentum by batting its large wings in place). Then it lands properly. Hijikata quickly unmounts and runs over to his friend.]

Ah, sorry..!

[Okay, maybe he didn't think this all the way through, but he offers Crow a hand to help him up.]

[milkmycattle]

[The only tip-off Crow gets is the fairy dinosaurs slowing down during his descent. His wings flapping to further slow down its momentum, and then once they are close to the ground, the creature flings him out of his hold. Crow screams on the way down.]

UWWAAAAAAAHHH!

[He desperately throws his hands out to break his fall, but somehow his face slams into the ground and gets a mouthful of dirt. When Hijikata runs up to him, he's already spitting out the dirt before glaring at the older man.]

What the hell was that?!

[ It's not Hijikata's fault, but Crow's still pissed. He begrudgingly takes the samurai's hand to help him stand up. He dusts himself off before glaring at the archaeopteryx.]

It's a good thing you're going extinct because I would have made you into fried chicken!!

[Though he should be more grateful to the archaic creature since it did get them here pretty safely. And they'll probably be on their own when it comes to returning home. Hey, wait...did they even work out an escape plan? Depending on how things go, they'll probably have to make haste getaway. He looks over to the looming Banyan Tree in the distance, it didn't look that menacing from the sky. Time to get serious.]

So...just in case we get separated, I guess we should meet back here.

[He pulls out a red handkerchief and decides to tie it around a low-hanging branch from a nearby tree.]

How we'll get back here? I don't know.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata covers his mouth to hide a snort-laugh at Crow's angry little outburst (an unnecessary precaution since the dinosaur merely blinks at the myumon with pure animalistic lack of understanding), but gets serious as the infiltration mission proper is about to commence. Regardless he still passes Crow a wrapped candy he got from a promotional stand in Camelot so he can get the dirt taste out of his mouth.]

Our mount is going to stay in the area, so whenever we get back here it'll give us a lift back to the waterfall gorge. As for getting separated, let's avoid that. I'm going to be responsible for you as my prisoner, remember? Let get closer carefully.

[On foot they'll certainly be less conspicuous than on the dinosaur. Hijikata strokes the archaeopteryx' head and neck for farewell, and as he and Crow get going he briefly regrets not having taken camouflage clothing from Riou's camp, but it would have been too big for him and way too big for Crow. Well, they're both wearing dark clothes - he exchanged his distinctive coat for the black winter cloak he got upon arrival -, so the night will cover them sufficiently.

After finding a decent viewpoint they take position behind some enormous roots belonging to the banyan tree and observe the area. Rather than approaching the prison's main entrance they opted for a smaller side door, guarded by two fae who are chatting.]

They're not paying much attention... I guess not many people come out here, so they starting slacking. There's no cover between here and there, so let's just approach them and play dumb about my time top - say we're adventurers and we found it, and it gives off beautiful light effects or something, then I'll spin it, take them out while their movement is slowed down, and steal the uniform of one. I guess since there are two you can take the other guy's if you prefer that over playing a criminal.

[This plan kind of relies on the guards not knowing what a time top is, but what are the chances? Hijikata has never seen anyone else use one, so he assumes that they aren't very common. In the worst case he's still confident that they can take on the guards in a fair battle.]

[milkmycattle]

[ Crow angrily sucks on the piece of candy, crossing his arms over his chest as he pouts. It does get the dirt out of his mouth, but he's still pretty pissed about how their arrival unfolded! He'll get over it, especially since he needs to focus on the mission at hand.

He nods as they move forward. As the prisoner, it'll be ideal if he sticks close to Hijikata, so he'll try his best to do just that. Once they get closer to the Banyan tree they took cover by one of its enormous roots. Shit, this tree is humongous! Though the security outside of the prison seems to be pretty lax, especially since they catch two guards chatting away.

Hijikata presents the opportunity for Crow to pose as a guard as well. Crow thinks about it, but they might increase their chances of them being caught. If it's one of them posing as a guard, there's less chance of suspicion. They'll have to get rid of the second guard, so he doesn't alert the others when they wake.]

No, let's just go with the original plan. You take the one uniform, we can tie up and hide the guards somewhere.

[Plus, Crow is really set on playing a criminal! As for the time top, not even Crow knows what that is, so that might work in their favor. All the hedgehog boy can figure is that it does something with time, but he only assumes that from the name. From the look of the object, it seems like an ordinary toy.

So he decides to emerge from the root first to get their plan in motion. He even pulls out his device as if he's looking up something. Once he's within the guards' peripheral, he decides to flag down their attention.]

Hey, are you guys from around here? We found this really cool thingamabob not far from here, but we have no idea what it is! Maybe it's worth some money, you think? We'll give you a portion if you help us out, what do you say?

[ There's something about Crow's energy and friendly speech that makes the guards curious. Or maybe because he seems a little dumb too, this allows the pair to drop their defenses even more. Now Hijikata's chance to present the time top.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Wow, Crow really makes for a convincing cheerful adventurer who just found an odd trinket... but, well, he is a stage actor of sorts! Hijikata trudges up to him, as does one of the prison guards - the other one stays behind to guard the door. Maybe they're not totally daft.]

What are you guys doing all the way out here? You're from Camelot, right? Don't you know where you are?

In Elphame? We've been invited over by your queen for the solstice!

That's not until the twenty-first, though!

We were curious! We've never gotten this far north on the island. And already we found an artifact, see?

[He procures the time top and shows it in his palm, even letting the guard pick it up to inspect. By now his workmate is getting so curious that he comes over too... okay, scratch the "not totally daft".]

Have you seen something like this before, Malenael?

Isn't it just a toy? I don't think it's old at all! It's probably from one of those coin machines.

[After being passed around the little thing is given back to Hijikata, who pretends to inspect it some more before crouching down with it.]

I wonder if it spins?

[He knows it spins. As soon as everyone else's movements slow down he dashes forward, disarms the men and harshly knocks their heads together thrice, then unsheathes his sword to do worse with the pommel - but they already fall down unconscious, mercifully in slow-motion as the time top only stops spinning when they've already hit the ground.]

That worked well.

[For Crow it probably looked like Hijikata moved at the speed of light, taking the guards out in a blink... but at least he knows what really happened! Dragging the men into a hiding place, stealing one's outerwear and leaving them bound and gagged will be pretty much par for the course now.]

[milkmycattle]

[Crow watches with bated breath as the two guards look over the time top. At first, he suspects that they might be on to them, but it seems they are just as clueless as they are hoping. Hijikata finds an opportunity to activate the device, catching himself and the fae off guard. Before he knew it, Hijikata blurs out and then the two guards are on the floor, knocked out.]

Whoa! That was fast!

[Of course, it's mostly the time top but Crow knows Hijikata's pretty skilled. He helps the swordsman drag the two away. They stash them behind the cover of a shrubbery. He makes sure the rope and gags are secure as Hijikata places them on one of the uniforms. Luckily, it fits the older man. While searching one of the guard's pockets, he finds an archaic pair of restraints. It feels heavy like iron and there are weird etchings along the surface. Magic? Should he wear these to seem more convincing?

Without thinking, he slips the restraints onto his wrists. Once on they start to glow activating its magic. The cuffs start to pull together through some weird magnetism that the hedgehog boy can't fight, and his hands are bound together. And the shackles start to feel heavy as if he's carrying a cow within his arms, and takes a lot of effort from Crow to stand on his feet again. So these restraints well to immobilize the prisoner, so they can't make sudden movements.]

Shit, I think I really did it this time!

[The rocker's ears flatten against his head as he shows Hijikata the restraints.]

But at least this way, they won't suspect you.

[mayoninofukucho]

[While Crow was meddling with the restraints Hijikata used his Chameleon Facial potion to change his appearance to one of the guards. He picked the one whose name didn't come up, this way he'll be able at least name the other one if need be, for example if he's asked who's on guard duty... but when he inspects his new outfit he finds that that was unnecessary since they come with badges. He turns around to Crow with his new fae face.]

I guess my new name's Elodias, but it's not like--

[He breaks off when he sees Crow's dilemma. He's about to chew him out for the screw-up, but when he sees his flattened little ears and how he's immediately proving his endless optimism and looking at the upside to the situation he just sighs.]

This may end up being a problem, but we'll deal with that later. Let's go now.

[He checks the two fae once more for any hidden items that might help them escape or call help, but Crow already did a thorough job on that, so he leaves them and enters the door (after making sure his uniform hat covers all his hair). Luckily the fae don't seem to be huge fans of technology, but even if they had an ID scanner, he's got the equivalent of an ID card on him! He makes Crow walk in front of him until they reach a checkpoint, where another fae looks up from her desk. Her surprise at seeing Crow is impossible to overlook.]

Who's that?

Special delivery.

[He tries hard to make his voice sound like the guard's, but the officer's eyebrow's go up, and she stares at him. He manages to keep looking calm and stern, but coughs a little.]

I know, my voice is all messed up... I already woke up with a sore throat, but it's gotten really bad. I hope it's not the magical flu.

You really sound awful, like a human who's been smoking all his life!

[She laughs, and Hijikata joins in, trying hard to make it seem light-hearted and definitely not like she hit the nail on the head.]

But really, we weren't expecting a prisoner, were we?

No. He's a special transfer. This guy needs to be put where the sun doesn't shine. Manelael's taking care of the paperwork, but we can't risk keeping him overground longer than necessary.

Alright. For now put him in the Nightshade section, Tract 3, Cell 32.

[She hands over a key from the board behind her (it's surrounded by a magical aura that suggests that not anybody can just walk up and grab one), which relieves Hijikata - now at least he won't have to pass more mandatory interactions! Sure, they'll probably come across other staff members, but it feels like this is sufficient in terms of authorisation. He puts away the key and nudges Crow onwards.]

Alright then, Mister Can't-Be-Contained. Let's get you to your new home!

[milkmycattle]

[ Hijikata would be entirely justified to chew him out. It'd still be better than what he normally gets for his stupidity, Rom punching his head! Though he's aware he messed up, and it might become another obstacle later down the road, they will just have to roll with it. He's so caught up in his mistake that he belatedly notices that Hijikata's face changed. That chameleon potion is pretty effective. He wonders how long it will last, but probably when it starts to wear off they should be wrapping things up. Hopefully!

They manage to infiltrate the banyan tree, and Crow notes there doesn't seem to be much security. Up until they get to the checkpoint. Crow allows Hijikata to do the talking, but he almost wonders if the fae lady behind the desk is on to them. Yet, ultimately she buys it and gives Hijikata a key. Jackpot!

When Hijikata nudges him forward, Crow starts putting on his own act. He wildly thrashes about in his restraints.]

Hey! Don't push me! And the name's Ravyn, the Crimson Arsonist, get it right!

[ He throws a dirty look towards the fae behind the desk before stalking forward. To where they're headed, Crow has no idea. Though he finds them walking through a corridor lined with tree bark. The end of the corridor is locked by a wooden gate, the stakes made out of smaller branches. As they approach the gate, it starts to lift up automatically. Once they walk through, the gate slowly makes its descent. There's a loud click as the locking mechanism falls into place, signaling they were really inside the inner chamber.

Crow's eyes widen as he sees the entirety of the prison from where he stands. It's an intricate, multi-tier dungeon. There are various alcoves housing prisoners. Maybe hundreds! The walls, floors--everything seems to be entirely made of the wood from the banyan tree. Each tier seems to be different, the lowest point appears to be their starting point, the ground floor. The other ascending tiers go all the way up to the top of the tree. The hedgehog boy can see the wood ceiling from there.

Crow lowers his voice, turning his head slightly towards Hijikata.]

That lady said Nightshade, didn't she? Wonder where that is?

[There are more fae guards around, but they seem to go about their business. Though every once and a while, one of them will stare at the two with mild interest, before turning away.]

We better keep moving.