ota; catch all until ???

[roppou]

🧙 WHO: hitoya and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: event and quests and general catch all
🕒 WHEN: throughout january, possibly into february
🗺️ WHERE: around camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: none



have a ball;
[After learning the theme of the ball, it doesn't come as any surprise that Hitoya would arrived decked out in the crisp white lab coat of a doctor's uniform. His childhood aspirations, and detour from them, were no secret.

What is far more unsettling is that he arrives dressed like one very particular doctor. Hitoya has little interest in dwelling on just what it could mean to show up looking like his old friend. Jakurai isn't here to bother him about it anymore. And if there's anyone from outside their world sharp enough to make the connection? It's easy enough to explain away.

Better to get the first word in before he has to explain.]

That looks like it has a story behind it? [He gestures with a smile.]


truth or dare;
[Hitoya has done his part to contribute to the merry-making of the ball, cautiously sampling the refreshments and making polite conversation that comes naturally to him.

He's also made his fair share of observations, noticing over time how the wallflowers among the attendees are getting ropped against their will into one childish party game or another. Rather than find himself at the mercy of magical coercion, he eventually chooses a spot among the circle of Truth or Dare, deeming it the safest option. At least it's one where he has some level of choice and control.]

Let's see... [He feigns giving it some thought with a languid swirl of the heady drink in hand. Though in truth, it's an easy decision for the lawyer.]

Truth.


beta testing; (body swapped with plenilunium)

[This was all his fault. Hitoya can't even argue with that. It was his idea to take a dark web quest. The task was simple. The money too good to pass up.

All in all, the results had been mostly harmless. The effects promised to wear off before long. They had enough leftovers from Jyushi's various restaurant and delivery jobs to last them a couple of days.

Not long enough, it seems.

Hitoya is forced to venture out wearing Jyushi's face to run all the necessary errands that have piled up over the week. It's the least he can do while Jyushi himself navigates the pitfalls of working in Hitoya's own body. The older man is just trying to get through this as quick as possible, hoping the winter garments he's bundled up in help to keep anyone from recognizing him.

Reaching out for the next item on the list, he catches sight of his nails, polished in black at Jyushi's insistence, and it still throws him off. Enough that he bumps into the person trying to shuffle behind him in the narrow aisles.]

Ah. 'Scuse me.

[God, he needs a cigarette.]

Comments

closed to jyushi; mid-february

[roppou]

[It's starting to seem like he can't go more than one day without receiving a message from Jyushi, in tears, about some new crisis or revelation. He can't really blame the teen for all that's heaped up on his plate but it's also a chance to encourage him to put to practice all he's been working on since they first formed their team.

Today however, is not one such case. Today's message sees him dragged out to the, Trappist Cafe, where Jyushi awaits in the uniform of his delivery job next to a tower of boxes decorated for the Valentine's Day holiday pile up almost equal in height to the courier himself. The message had said something about delivery being promised within Camelot borders within an hour or less or the order would be free.]

I know I already asked but... you're sure this isn't some clerical error?

[No way this is a job intended for just one person unless it's some kind of scam right???]

[plenilunium]

[Jyushi would like to believe that in their own world, he's gotten better at trying to stand on his own.

But in this case, with these deliveries that are not going to make themselves, he had gone crying to Hitoya who he knew would help. It was just in Hitoya's nature.]

Apparently, they got more orders than they thought they would. But one person alone definitely can't do this, right?

[roppou]

[The sun rises and sets, water is wet, and Jyushi still knows how to play Hitoya like a fiddle.]

That's why I'm asking! I'm not even sure it's a job for two people.

[Looking it over, considering the size and number he thinks he could carry five or six boxes at best before the pile would start to tower over his vision. At least they appear sturdy and not prone to tipping over.]

[plenilunium]

But if we [you're a part of this now, Hitoya] don't then we're letting down the cafe! [He's tearing up again and it's Kuko's words that come to mind. How getting his emotions so tangled up won't help so he takes a breath.]

I took on the job so I have to take responsibility! Do you think...we could use our magic? I might be able to get some animals to help and there's some ghosts around here...?

[Part of taking responsibility is problem-solving!]

[roppou]

[That would definitely solve the problem of not having enough hands to carry this load. Hitoya knows Jyushi doesn't make the suggestion lightly to borrow help from any friends on the other side.

After giving it some thoughtful consideration...] I think that could work yeah. How's your animal magic coming along? You think you can a manage a few that are big enough to load up with boxes?

[Something hooved would be ideal, but he understands the city has its limits.]

[plenilunium]

I've gotten good with speaking with them! Transforming can be a bit of a struggle since I take some time to transform back...[He's trying to think about this angle.]

Horses would be helpful but we'd have to rent some from Archimedes. You do have to spend money to make money...[Thinking about this some more and then, with a grin:] What if I transformed into a horse, too?

[He's thinking a bit about this.] We could rent a horse, I'm a horse, you help, and maybe I can find some deer...? Though they are a little free-spirited...

[roppou]

It'd be best if we can do it without cutting into your profits but... [It's also not bad for back up plan.

Hitoya glances down at his watch to see how much time they could spare. Tackling this from two angles should give them enough options to work with.]

See what you manage with your magic. I'll check out what Archimedes has to offer at his station. Meet me there in twenty minutes?

[plenilunium]

Okay!

[Jyushi had tried to find some deer, it had been a challenge. They never usually wanted to talk and so Jyushi struggled to hold any negotiations with the deer. So instead, when he meets Hitoya at Archimede's station, he has two elk with him. They'd been curious about Jyushi trying to beg the deers to help them and so the elk had offered instead, a mother and her just recently grown son.

Jyushi comes to Hitoya, sheepishly scratching at his cheek.]

I found...elk? [Jyushi's never really seen an elk before. They're so big and a little intimidating but hey, they can definitely help.]

[roppou]

[Hitoya who has never even seen a deer outside of the small spotted Japanese ones around certain shrines, has most definitely never seen an elk before. He's not sure he would have been able to tell the difference if Jyushi hasn't pointed it out for him. But now that he says so, Hitoya supposes they do stand quite a bit taller, poised and regal as they stare him down, ears flicking this way and that to take in the sounds of the Camelot.]

Ah... thank you for your assistance.

[He can't speak to animals but what else are you supposed to say to two sentient creatures who are willing to work for you?]

If you think you can still transform, this should be enough to carry everything.

[He thanks Archimedes for his time as well, hiking the rope he'd picked up on the way just a little higher on his shoulders.]

[plenilunium]

[The elk look at Hitoya and shake their head with a snort.]

They say you're welcome. [Hitoya didn't ask but he thinks it's a good idea for him to know that they had listened to him and had manners.]

I should be able to transform! It's usually transforming back that I get a little stuck...

[But keeping his mind clear, almost meditating like Kuko had taught him, he takes a breath and then...

He's an elk with giant antlers. Jyushi had known that elk antlers were huge but it's one thing knowing about them and another thing to be housing them yourself. He takes a step or two, trying to get used to being an elk with antlers.

He can't really talk to Hitoya anymore so he just moves up next to him, his back next to him, to show that he's ready when Hitoya is.]

[roppou]

[Hitoya is familiar enough with the deer that roam the woods by this point but a full size elk buck is something else. Despite knowing it's just Jyushi, he's forced to take a few steps back, mostly just to marvel at him.

It's also suddenly very isolating to be the only human among the present company. While he gets Jyushi's meaning, he still figures it doesn't hurt to try tapping into powers of his own while they make their way back to the delivery order.

This doesn't normally work on animals but that shouldn't count between us right?

Upon their arrival to Elphame a few months back, his telepathy had expanded to include two way communication. It's often too awkward to rely on it as a rule but this seems the exact sort of situation it was made for.]

[plenilunium]

[Being an elk means he can't express himself visually but his eyes are definitely sparkling.]

That's so smart of you, Hitoya-san! That's expected of someone like you.

[Hitoya will not be escaping his praise.]

We should be able to carry a lot this way. I don't know how much an elk can carry but they're pretty big, right? It should be enough. So put as much on me as you can!

[roppou]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It doesn't matter how much you can carry if the boxes don't survive the journey.

[On his way to see Archimedes, Hitoya had picked up some things like rope and clips they could use to create a harness for their delivery. Now to see if he can still dredge up those memories from the last time he used those skills.

Tying the boxes together is easy enough and once he has two sets he tries stringing them together and hanging them over Jyushi's back.]

How's that? Does it feel secure?

[plenilunium]

[He trots around, trying to see how it feels. It seems sturdy and so he moves a little quicker because he needs to be fast. Without any of it falling off of him, he moves back to Hitoya.]

I don't think it'll fall off. But you'll have to do it for our friends, too. I'll let them know what you need to do so they don't get mad at you. These horns would really hurt, huh?

[Getting stabbed by elk horns would hurt. It isn't wrong.]

[roppou]

...Always a good day when you can avoid getting impaled for trying to help.]

[Still, he gives Jyushi the time and space needed to explain. The doe has grown even more receptive to him in his new form, trotting a circle around him then darting away suddenly only to return when he doesn't give chase.

When she finally turns to look into Hitoya's direct, he recognizes it as his cue and starts to get the pair of them loaded up.]

I'm no expert, but I think she likes you.

[He's teasing but also not exactly lying.]

[plenilunium]

[Jyushi usually never noticed these things but maybe animals were just more straightforward. Or maybe he was reading it wrong? But she keeps asking him about how often he goes into this form and saying he looks regal.

Maybe he's just reading into it?]

Hitoya-san! She's a mother!

[roppou]

And?

[He smirks.]

Pretty sure they don't mate for life.

[plenilunium]

[The female elk tries trotting off a little and turning to see if Jyushi follows her. This time he goes after her to ask her to stop because they have a job to do.

Which she takes as initiative but then she also recognizes he's young so she goes to him and mounts him. Here's how you do it!

Sorry, Hitoya, as Jyushi screeches and runs away from her.]

No thank you! I'm here to work and I'm not an elk and I'm sure you're a lovely lady but I'm not an elk!

[roppou]

[No Jyushi, Hitoya's the one that should be sorry as that little display earns him a full bodied laugh out loud. Though he doesn't dwell on it too long before Jyushi ends up too embarrassed to see this quest through to the end.]

Alright, alright. We've got work to do.

[Before the doe can give pursuit, Hitoya has crept up on her and lassoed the rope around her to form the beginnings of the harness. She tosses her head back, menacing in his direction.]

Beg your pardon ma'am but the clock is ticking. He'll be free to oblige you once the delivery's complete.

[It's not really clear if she even understands him but Jyushi's explanation should have been enough to explain why he's tying the boxes to her now.]