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.]
no subject
When she'd first arrived she'd wanted nothing but to return. She needed to return for him. Yet the weeks went by and while there was still that strong urge to go back and save Clive... part of her felt a tiny spark to stay.
Raising her drink at that thought, she huffed softly into the liquid before taking a delicate sip to taste the flavour. Old habits were hard to ignore after all.
Hijikata's familiar voice pierced through her thoughts and pulled her back to the moment. Slowly slipping the mug back onto the counter, she glanced over as he lightly questioned the bartender.
A strange flavour in his drink?
Instincts were hard to ignore when it came to her own preservation... and normally she wouldn't care one way or another what happened to anyone else. However she had found some small portion of herself becoming somewhat fond of that condiment loving fool even if she'd never admit to it.
Pulling away from her spot, her drink was left behind as she made her way around the other patrons to where Hijikata was. Leaning in close, her chest pressed against the back of his arm and against his side as she reached out to pluck the mug from his possession.]
I think you've had more than enough, Handsome.
[Leaning in closer, it wasn't hard to give off an air of flirtation to hide her intent from others around her as her lips brushed against his ear with a whisper.]
Call it professional curtesy but there's usually one reason why your drink would taste different.
['Professional curtesy' even Elza got annoyed at herself for actually giving a damn about someone else. Still holding the drink out of harms way, she began to pull back.] Care to walk me home, boy?
no subject
Martin, I'll take the beer to go since the lady wants me to stop for tonight. I'll bring the glass back tomorrow.
[He grabbed two coasters and gave them to Elza so she could cover the top of both glasses - his eyes motioned for her to take her own drink along as well to more convincingly make it look like they were just leaving for a little private rendezvous outside, for those in the pub who hadn't been able to overhear but might be observing -, then put on his coat, waved goodbye at the bartender, and headed outside with her. As soon as the pub's door closed behind them he started doling out instructions as he took her drink from her - not his; that was the important one, and if he collapsed it'd spill.]
Sorry for the hassle, my bad. If it takes me out bring the beer to the police station for analysis, okay? Maybe they can at least narrow down which bastard it was and stop them from doing it again.
[He felt a little nauseous, but that might be just a result of knowing that he had ingested something bad - poison, a potion, whatever it was, he doubted that it was intended to do him any good.]
no subject
Moving through the crowd to stand beside him again, the gunner remained close while they made their way out. She remembered every face of who had been in that pub in her time entering until leaving... once whatever mess this turned out to be was sorted, she was going to personally track down and hunt whoever poisoned that drink.]
Let's just say you'll owe me one. [Her tone was teasing and it was hard to see if she meant it or not.
She almost chuckled at the idea of taking it to the police station. Pouring her own drink out, she shifted the empty glass to be held in the same hand as the other while she regarded his current stance. The gunner had watched dozens of people being poisoned and succumbing to it. She'd even had to go through and poison other gunners, companions and even herself when testing out one's she'd made before administrating the antidote. This was different though. The poisons in her world she could control. She had more knowledge about them and how to counteract them than some chefs did recipes for dishes. Here though magic seemed to be often involved and any attempt to replicate her own poisons and toxins hadn't ended up working. It was irritating.
Pulling her thoughts from her mind, she added.]
Do you trust them? [Elza could count on one hand how many people she trusted. Besides she always found there was some level of corruption when it came to enforcing the law, especially the bigger it got.]
no subject
The police? Sure.
[He said it without hesitation. He had been working together with them for roughly a year, and while there had been some unpleasant clashes at first things had smoothed out between them after he was knighted. At least from then on they had known that he had he king's approval, and that they could raise any complaints about him with the court officials instead of having to deal with the persistent foreign policeman themselves.]
Look, if I don't make it please speak with Emet-Selch, too. He runs Polydegmon's Lapidary and Brew, a jewelry and potion shop in town here. He's a fellow death mage; he can inform my subordinates, just in case I get kicked into the afterlife immediately somehow. Also please make sure Shoto Todoroki knows - he's my squire.
[This was going to become a long laundry list of last wishes if she wouldn't cut him off!]
no subject
Heh, very well.
[All this talk about him not making it did make her laugh lightly this time. He was the type to be over dramatic which was something she found amusing. Showing that amusement while she glanced at him, the gunner shook her head lightly.] Are you sure there aren't any others that you want to add to your list?
[Despite her words she had taken note of the names he offered up - one in particular, Emet-Selch. Maybe she might have to pay him a visit regardless of Hijikata's attempt to allow the authorities to look into it.]
no subject
As for the rest, he'd have complained if she told him that he was being dramatic. From where he was standing he simply wanted to ensure that he left his affairs in good order! At her question he looked at her like he wanted to name more people, but visibly held himself back from dumping even more work on her.]
Yeah, that's it for now. You're not my bequest administrator after all.
[His stomach pain was getting worse, but his senses didn't seem impaired so far, and he could still breathe relatively easily. Luckily the next police station wasn't all that far, and the officers there were swift to refill the beer into a standard-issue plastic bag with a screw cap and send an officer to their laboratory with it for analysis while urging Elza to bring Hijikata to the hospital. He turned to her.]
I can just call myself an ambulance. You don't have to spend your whole night on this.
no subject
Elza shifted the tainted beverage from one mug to the next out of his sight while they walked, so when she handed the poisoned ale to the officers, the mug remaining in her possession still held a small amount at the bottom. With that done, she gracefully stepped back outside, 'empty' mug still in hand, while she glanced over at her charge.
Whether she noticed any response to his increase pain or not she didn't let it be known. Call himself an ambulance? If the term had been used a few months back she wouldn't have had a clue what he was talking about, as it were she had used some of her down time to study up on the more modern technologies this and other worlds had over her own.
She could have left him there. He hadn't paid for her service and she was under no obligation to give him her assistance. She'd watched that scarred kid 'die' from ingesting poison when they first met and wouldn't be fazed one way or another it if happened again. Yet some part of her couldn't do that with him... it would be something akin to leaving the Clive of her past behind and she would have sooner died than ever allowed for that to happen.]
You can repay me later.
[It was all she said in reply. She wasn't going to say that she actually didn't mind your company. Or that maybe, maybe, there may have been something else 'clouding' her judgement.]
no subject
At her simple response a small, grateful smile appeared on his face. He made the call, declining the officers' offer to do it for him, and when arrangements were made and he sat down on a bench in front of the police station the faint smile was still there. He lighted himself a cigarette to distract himself from the pain.]
Maybe this Valentine's Day wasn't a total bust.
[It was a joking remark, but after the realisation that now even more cherished friends were gone from Avalon, the poisoning, and the various big and small disasters that had tainted the whole month so far for him it gave him comfort that Elza was willing to keep him company. Getting injured or killed was part of his job, he had always known that, but since this night was his night off his subordinates weren't here with him. They were spread through the city doing their work. Having someone else by his side made it easier to endure.]
no subject
Stepping away while he discussed the poisoning with the other officers, her mind was already running through each and every face she remembered seeing during her time there. She'd have her work cut out for her but she was patient and she had always found her target.
There was something on his face when she gave her response that she hadn't quite expected. The ankle that appeared was small, but it seemed... Genuine. How long had it been since she'd received something like that?
Once again she was being foolish, but right now she didn't care.
When he went to sit, the gunner moved to occupy the spot against the wall beside the bench. Relaxing her shoulder blades against it, her arms, mug still in hand, folded nearly over her chest while the smell of tabaco began filling the air.]
Oh? I lack the knowledge on the topic to say either way.
[There was a shrug with her words. Oh she'd noticed the increase of flowers and nonsense lining the streets and over the network, but it was far from something she'd cared to remotely delve into.]
no subject
It's just a silly Earth holiday.
[He leaned back against the backrest, putting one arm on it as well and keeping the other one occupied with the cigarette rather than covering his upset stomach. He really didn't want to look
any morepitiful in front of Elza.]Originally it was the fest of Saint Valentine, a holy man of some countries' religion, I think, hence the name. Over time it turned into a celebration of romantic love, but it really ended up as pure commerce. Even that new meaning got diluted to the point where now friends and family are given chocolates and flowers and small presents too, so stores all raise their prices around that time of the year. Looks like the Avalonians got hooked too.
no subject
Seems like a ridiculous thing to dedicate a whole day to... not to mention a waste. [She shook her head and chuckled lightly.
Love.
She had experienced it twice in her life. It may not have been a conventional way to experience it but it had been real and the most amazing thing that still haunted her to this day. If she only waited for a single day to show her men how she felt then what would have been the point?
That question had her slightly shrugging her shoulders.] People shouldn't need a day to show their feelings for another.
no subject
[Hijikata had experienced romantic love only once on his homeworld, back when he had still been young. He had decided to not pursue it. Prismatica, of course, had given him more of it than he could hold in his hands or in his heart. He had ended up caring for every single one of his moonlacing partners, but since many of them had remained singular encounters he ultimately experienced that deep, steadily growing love with only a few people - still more than he could ever have imagined beforehand.]
...
[He tried to think of what else he could say on the matter without drifting into clichéd phrases, but the arrival of the ambulance was a welcome distraction. It was an enclosed cart pulled by fast-running mounts that vaguely looked like antelopes. Two medics jumped off the coach box.]
Are you the man who got poisoned?
Yes.
[He carefully got up from the bench and walked towards them, turning back to Elza before letting them help him into the medically well-outfitted back of the cart. He didn't expect her to want to come along now that he was in capable hands.]
Thank you.
[That was all he said, but he really meant it. Given how poorly his month had been going the experience might have had a far worse impact on him if not for her calm, steady presence.]
no subject
When the ambulance arrived, the gunner took a step back to allow for her
friendcompanion to be tended to.The offer of thanks, the sincerity in it, came somewhat as a surprise. Elza gave a slight nod in return before turning to begin heading off. He was where he should be now and she had work to do.]