Hijikata Toshirou (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mayoninofukucho) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2022-02-07 11:50 pm
mayoninofukucho) wrote in isleofavalon2022-02-07 11:50 pm
February Adventures
WHO: Hijikata and... YOU?
WHAT: Running from Maribelle's vendetta, TDM prompts, knightly questing, moping around, and werewolf time... with a twist!
WHEN: Throughout the first half-ish of February
WHERE: Forest of the Fisherking, Lands of Rot (maybe), Camelot City, Ash Mountains
WARNINGS: Depressed drinking in Prompt 4 and a burned ghost in Prompt 5!
(NOTE: Anyone wanting to avenge Maribelle's honour is welcome to hijack any prompt in this post for that! Likewise anyone is welcome to hit him with any dark web quests in whichever prompt!)
1) Trust Falls
[This time Hijikata really fucked up. Sure, what happened between him and Maribelle last month was not ideal, and yes, he should have told her about his plan to infiltrate the night club while still in her body, but she would surely have forbidden him to go ahead with it, and catching that unscrupulous would-be murderer was too important!! Regardless, his impulsive reaction to her AOL post was a big mistake, because thereby he gave unmistakable confirmation to any watching dark web denizens that it was him, the man they already consider a nuisance in his function as Commander of the ghost patrol, who meddled in one of their plots yet again.
Knowing that he has both the criminals of Camelot and some well-meaning white knight types who didn't heed (or see) his explanation and are keen on following Maribelle's call for retribution on his case he pretty much can't eat or drink at any bars or restaurants anymore - too much of a risk of people slipping stuff into his food and beverages to make him compliant with any humiliating antics -, and during the daytime hours, when his spectral subordinates aren't there to watch out for any threats alongside him, he has to be on edge wherever he goes. This sucks!! He really should just stay in his remote little hut at the outskirts of the Forest of the Felled... and he does.
But then the dreams start, and after having them for two nights in a row a swift glance at AOL shows him that he's not the only one. He reads other people's thoughts on the poem's meaning, but in the end he can't tell which place seems more likely - the Forest of the Fisherking or the Lands of Rot. Given that he still has some Archivist's Totems (he made a bunch of different totems in autumn, just before the fateful equinox) he decides to head there first. If he finds any hints that rule out the Fisher King he can still move on to the nearby Lands of Rot!
When he arrives he's alone. It feels a little weird. He's not used to going on quests on his own anymore, is he? Knowing that he won't be allowed to smoke among the Archivist's old books and manuscripts he lights himself a cigarette and recites the dream poem to himself once more, hoping to suddenly glean some new insight.]
I beckon thee to wither's tree,
Where widows often cry,
A poisoned place of death's embrace
North selkie's weary eye.
You seek the prick whose corpse makes rot,
And rot begot those life forgot,
'Fore the questing beast slips by.
Hm... would they really call the guy a prick? In a poem? Also what's the questing beast?
[It's rainy outside the rusted old train wagon, so perhaps someone who came to investigate the Forest of the Fisherking may want to seek shelter... or someone might arrive next to the totem statue on the same way he came, perhaps to research the Lands of Rot before turning that way. Whatever the reason, he wouldn't mind some company.]
2) Not Locked In
[Like all other outworlders Hijikata had received a lock with a fitting key in the post before he embarked on the expedition. After returning home he inspects it more closely and reads the attached note once again: Slice your sobriquet upon this seal, / Secure our sprouting solidarity. / Shackle it at the stockade. / Sing sayonara to the key. He's... not doing that, whatever it exactly means. He already heard enough whispers of shady ongoings at Queen Elphame's ball last month, and while it seems like those who went to the party (and stayed there) were not hit with the werewolf curse he still doesn't want to get entangled in any deeper relations with her and her people. His duty lies with Camelot and King Arthur! So he simply puts the lock and key aside.
His plan to stay on the down-low is nevertheless thwarted by a call from one of his subordinates who possesses enough spirit magic to manipulate phones - they're missing comrades in action again. It seems like they disappeared from their patrol route without a trace. Hijikata sees no other option than come to the ghosts' rescue, so he heads to Camelot via totem without delay. He practiced the detection of death magic traces, so hopefully he can make some headway on his own, what with the approaching dawn forcing his subordinates to retreat to Loch Manor.
Once the day awakens and the streets fill with life he can be seen out and about in the lowertown with his long black coat's hood up, trying to find any hints of the missing ghosts' whereabouts as he "scans" the area for hidden ghost-safe jars. Damn it, why are these criminals so relentless?! (Because the Yuureisengumi is relentless too, he knows, he knows). He hopes that nobody who bears him ill will will take notice of him... ugh, it's so cold too; he'd love to go for a hot soup somewhere! But it's just too risky. He takes a brief break on a bench, drinking mayonnaise (yeah) from his bottomless mug and letting out a deep sigh.]
If only it were already spring at least..!
[It would be a shame if anyone affected by the lock task's side effects side-tracked him into helping them get access to whichever public buildings, but would it really? If nothing else it'd be an opportunity to warm himself up inside.]
3) Knight Quest (forgroundzeroes)
[Of course Hijikata was going to carry out this month's knight quest, he has to earn his keep after all - but while he was still waffling over whom of his combatant friends or fellow knights he should reach out to (some of them seemed pretty sympathetic to Maribelle's complaints about him; whom can he even still trust not to try to humiliate him now?) he receives a message from none other than Rei, asking him if he'd be willing to take him along.
Well... why not? Hijikata does not trust Rei, not fully, but... somehow, at the core, he does, doesn't he? Ugh. He must, because he agrees, and at the appointed time the two of them are on their way towards the Ash Mountains. Hijikata brought his own horse Black Star, along with his shield and heavy knight's cloak. The weather is once again shitty - rainy and windy -, but he had some Dry Spells prepared to shield himself and Rei.]
So how much do you know about those I.C.E.s?
4) Frost Fairies and Ghosts (forsulit)
[A couple of days later Hijikata has a night off, so he does his shopping in Camelot during the daytime and totem-travels back home in the evening, entrusting the city to his subordinates. His death magic trace finding skill has improved at a staggering rate, if only due to his sheer determination to rescue any of his men and women as quickly as possible. They're all together again... for now.
He takes a tub of newly bought ice cream - caramel flavour -, opens it along with a kitchen window, and puts it on the windowsill. Will the frost fairies even come all the way out here? Probably not, but alas, he doesn't have a place to stay in Camelot anymore (the camp doesn't count, it has no windows!). With his subordinates all in the city he's the only person left here at the Yuureisengumi HQ... or is he?]
5) Valentine's Blues
[Hijikata stayed on guard. He really, really did. But when he visited Darin's forge for maintenance of his gear - on the 14th, as it just so happens - and found the place cold and empty he felt dread in his stomach, and one bounced text message later he knew. This is normal. It's just what happens. Still, he really wanted a drink at his favourite pub to drown out the feeling of yet another loss.
At the pub he overhears the bartender talking to another patron about how "that little bard's probably gone too", and that's another painful jab. Not Venti, right? They're not talking about Venti?! He eventually musters the nerve to ask, because nothing is worse than the uncertainty, and sure enough they are, having heard that he went missing. One more bounced text message, and Hijikata needs the drink all the more desperately... alas, the moment he took his eyes off it to speak with the others and use his phone was all the inconspicuous person who just slipped out of the pub needed to pour something into his mug from a small vial. Did anybody notice? They could warn him... or watch and see what happens. He raises his drink to whoever is next to him with the expression of someone who's been drenched in a cold downpour.]
This shitty weather would get anyone down, huh? At least we still have alcohol!
6) Amnesia Attack
[The night after Valentine's Day someone manages to hit Hijikata with a memory loss spell. She carefully stays hidden in the shadows, having no intention of pushing him into a bar fight as the dark web quest demands, all the more because there's none going on right now, despite it being late and the mood getting wilder in the pubs. Another reason she's refraining from even trying - and also the reason he's out and about in the streets so confidently - lies in the upright black wolf ears (dog ears, really... still nobody told him) on top of his head. She won't take the risk of being mauled!! Just getting this annoying-ass knight off track will already be a great service to her group. Now they'll be able to do their business without being interrupted!
Hijikata walks on, though his expression goes increasingly blank and confused. Where is he? What is he doing? The animalistic instincts brought out by the moon really don't help. He starts following any interesting scent in hopes of gleaning some information about his whereabouts, and for a while he simply wonders about practically everything he sees... until he notices something approaching him from the corner of his eyes.
A second later a scream of pure terror rings through the night. Whoever runs to investigate will find Hijikata shaking with fear in a corner, dog ears flat against his head and tail between his legs as he shields his face.]
GO AWAAAAAY!!! HELP!! THERE'S A HORRIBLE BURNED GHOST!!!
[His poor subordinate, visible only to other death mages (or anyone with a nifty device as some people seem to be manufacturing) as she hovers in the air in front of him, is very dismayed. She only wanted to make her report..! Sure, he sometimes still jumps at the sight of her - her spirit magic isn't advanced enough yet to change her appearance from what she looked like the moment she met her end in Celliwig -, but for him to react like this?!]
[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.]
WHAT: Running from Maribelle's vendetta, TDM prompts, knightly questing, moping around, and werewolf time... with a twist!
WHEN: Throughout the first half-ish of February
WHERE: Forest of the Fisherking, Lands of Rot (maybe), Camelot City, Ash Mountains
WARNINGS: Depressed drinking in Prompt 4 and a burned ghost in Prompt 5!
(NOTE: Anyone wanting to avenge Maribelle's honour is welcome to hijack any prompt in this post for that! Likewise anyone is welcome to hit him with any dark web quests in whichever prompt!)
1) Trust Falls
[This time Hijikata really fucked up. Sure, what happened between him and Maribelle last month was not ideal, and yes, he should have told her about his plan to infiltrate the night club while still in her body, but she would surely have forbidden him to go ahead with it, and catching that unscrupulous would-be murderer was too important!! Regardless, his impulsive reaction to her AOL post was a big mistake, because thereby he gave unmistakable confirmation to any watching dark web denizens that it was him, the man they already consider a nuisance in his function as Commander of the ghost patrol, who meddled in one of their plots yet again.
Knowing that he has both the criminals of Camelot and some well-meaning white knight types who didn't heed (or see) his explanation and are keen on following Maribelle's call for retribution on his case he pretty much can't eat or drink at any bars or restaurants anymore - too much of a risk of people slipping stuff into his food and beverages to make him compliant with any humiliating antics -, and during the daytime hours, when his spectral subordinates aren't there to watch out for any threats alongside him, he has to be on edge wherever he goes. This sucks!! He really should just stay in his remote little hut at the outskirts of the Forest of the Felled... and he does.
But then the dreams start, and after having them for two nights in a row a swift glance at AOL shows him that he's not the only one. He reads other people's thoughts on the poem's meaning, but in the end he can't tell which place seems more likely - the Forest of the Fisherking or the Lands of Rot. Given that he still has some Archivist's Totems (he made a bunch of different totems in autumn, just before the fateful equinox) he decides to head there first. If he finds any hints that rule out the Fisher King he can still move on to the nearby Lands of Rot!
When he arrives he's alone. It feels a little weird. He's not used to going on quests on his own anymore, is he? Knowing that he won't be allowed to smoke among the Archivist's old books and manuscripts he lights himself a cigarette and recites the dream poem to himself once more, hoping to suddenly glean some new insight.]
I beckon thee to wither's tree,
Where widows often cry,
A poisoned place of death's embrace
North selkie's weary eye.
You seek the prick whose corpse makes rot,
And rot begot those life forgot,
'Fore the questing beast slips by.
Hm... would they really call the guy a prick? In a poem? Also what's the questing beast?
[It's rainy outside the rusted old train wagon, so perhaps someone who came to investigate the Forest of the Fisherking may want to seek shelter... or someone might arrive next to the totem statue on the same way he came, perhaps to research the Lands of Rot before turning that way. Whatever the reason, he wouldn't mind some company.]
2) Not Locked In
[Like all other outworlders Hijikata had received a lock with a fitting key in the post before he embarked on the expedition. After returning home he inspects it more closely and reads the attached note once again: Slice your sobriquet upon this seal, / Secure our sprouting solidarity. / Shackle it at the stockade. / Sing sayonara to the key. He's... not doing that, whatever it exactly means. He already heard enough whispers of shady ongoings at Queen Elphame's ball last month, and while it seems like those who went to the party (and stayed there) were not hit with the werewolf curse he still doesn't want to get entangled in any deeper relations with her and her people. His duty lies with Camelot and King Arthur! So he simply puts the lock and key aside.
His plan to stay on the down-low is nevertheless thwarted by a call from one of his subordinates who possesses enough spirit magic to manipulate phones - they're missing comrades in action again. It seems like they disappeared from their patrol route without a trace. Hijikata sees no other option than come to the ghosts' rescue, so he heads to Camelot via totem without delay. He practiced the detection of death magic traces, so hopefully he can make some headway on his own, what with the approaching dawn forcing his subordinates to retreat to Loch Manor.
Once the day awakens and the streets fill with life he can be seen out and about in the lowertown with his long black coat's hood up, trying to find any hints of the missing ghosts' whereabouts as he "scans" the area for hidden ghost-safe jars. Damn it, why are these criminals so relentless?! (Because the Yuureisengumi is relentless too, he knows, he knows). He hopes that nobody who bears him ill will will take notice of him... ugh, it's so cold too; he'd love to go for a hot soup somewhere! But it's just too risky. He takes a brief break on a bench, drinking mayonnaise (yeah) from his bottomless mug and letting out a deep sigh.]
If only it were already spring at least..!
[It would be a shame if anyone affected by the lock task's side effects side-tracked him into helping them get access to whichever public buildings, but would it really? If nothing else it'd be an opportunity to warm himself up inside.]
3) Knight Quest (for
groundzeroes) [Of course Hijikata was going to carry out this month's knight quest, he has to earn his keep after all - but while he was still waffling over whom of his combatant friends or fellow knights he should reach out to (some of them seemed pretty sympathetic to Maribelle's complaints about him; whom can he even still trust not to try to humiliate him now?) he receives a message from none other than Rei, asking him if he'd be willing to take him along.
Well... why not? Hijikata does not trust Rei, not fully, but... somehow, at the core, he does, doesn't he? Ugh. He must, because he agrees, and at the appointed time the two of them are on their way towards the Ash Mountains. Hijikata brought his own horse Black Star, along with his shield and heavy knight's cloak. The weather is once again shitty - rainy and windy -, but he had some Dry Spells prepared to shield himself and Rei.]
So how much do you know about those I.C.E.s?
4) Frost Fairies and Ghosts (for
sulit)[A couple of days later Hijikata has a night off, so he does his shopping in Camelot during the daytime and totem-travels back home in the evening, entrusting the city to his subordinates. His death magic trace finding skill has improved at a staggering rate, if only due to his sheer determination to rescue any of his men and women as quickly as possible. They're all together again... for now.
He takes a tub of newly bought ice cream - caramel flavour -, opens it along with a kitchen window, and puts it on the windowsill. Will the frost fairies even come all the way out here? Probably not, but alas, he doesn't have a place to stay in Camelot anymore (the camp doesn't count, it has no windows!). With his subordinates all in the city he's the only person left here at the Yuureisengumi HQ... or is he?]
5) Valentine's Blues
[Hijikata stayed on guard. He really, really did. But when he visited Darin's forge for maintenance of his gear - on the 14th, as it just so happens - and found the place cold and empty he felt dread in his stomach, and one bounced text message later he knew. This is normal. It's just what happens. Still, he really wanted a drink at his favourite pub to drown out the feeling of yet another loss.
At the pub he overhears the bartender talking to another patron about how "that little bard's probably gone too", and that's another painful jab. Not Venti, right? They're not talking about Venti?! He eventually musters the nerve to ask, because nothing is worse than the uncertainty, and sure enough they are, having heard that he went missing. One more bounced text message, and Hijikata needs the drink all the more desperately... alas, the moment he took his eyes off it to speak with the others and use his phone was all the inconspicuous person who just slipped out of the pub needed to pour something into his mug from a small vial. Did anybody notice? They could warn him... or watch and see what happens. He raises his drink to whoever is next to him with the expression of someone who's been drenched in a cold downpour.]
This shitty weather would get anyone down, huh? At least we still have alcohol!
6) Amnesia Attack
[The night after Valentine's Day someone manages to hit Hijikata with a memory loss spell. She carefully stays hidden in the shadows, having no intention of pushing him into a bar fight as the dark web quest demands, all the more because there's none going on right now, despite it being late and the mood getting wilder in the pubs. Another reason she's refraining from even trying - and also the reason he's out and about in the streets so confidently - lies in the upright black wolf ears (dog ears, really... still nobody told him) on top of his head. She won't take the risk of being mauled!! Just getting this annoying-ass knight off track will already be a great service to her group. Now they'll be able to do their business without being interrupted!
Hijikata walks on, though his expression goes increasingly blank and confused. Where is he? What is he doing? The animalistic instincts brought out by the moon really don't help. He starts following any interesting scent in hopes of gleaning some information about his whereabouts, and for a while he simply wonders about practically everything he sees... until he notices something approaching him from the corner of his eyes.
A second later a scream of pure terror rings through the night. Whoever runs to investigate will find Hijikata shaking with fear in a corner, dog ears flat against his head and tail between his legs as he shields his face.]
GO AWAAAAAY!!! HELP!! THERE'S A HORRIBLE BURNED GHOST!!!
[His poor subordinate, visible only to other death mages (or anyone with a nifty device as some people seem to be manufacturing) as she hovers in the air in front of him, is very dismayed. She only wanted to make her report..! Sure, he sometimes still jumps at the sight of her - her spirit magic isn't advanced enough yet to change her appearance from what she looked like the moment she met her end in Celliwig -, but for him to react like this?!]
[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.]