February Adventures

[mayoninofukucho]

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 (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.]

Comments

[peninhand]

[ She wasn't so sure calling Maribelle's honor "stupid" helped his case in making the whole thing sound less bad than it really was, but she remained silent. ]

I was just passing by when I recognized your face, that's all.

[ That was it really. The words that had escaped her lips upon recognizing his face may have been somewhat harsh, but she hadn't intended no harm. With that said, it would be a shame to leave now, huh?

More so since she had an idea that could end this whole thing. ]

Though... If I may— I know of a way that will satisfy Maribelle and get you off her hit list, should you be interested.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Honestly, if anyone called his honour stupid he'd cut them down to size, if only verbally. Maybe. On some level he's still very aware that he's only a country bumpkin samurai from another universe playing knight here. But he's just so pissed off at Maribelle!! She already blasted him with her light magic at the club, did she really need to go on and make a big call-out post about him?!]

And what kind of way would that be?

[The suspicion is written all over his face and body language.]

Don't tell me that I should just accept my punishment!

[Belgium did that - his fellow knight!! Furthermore he saw her and Maribelle animatedly discuss what kind of humiliating costume to put him into! He won't allow that snooty noblewoman to win! He has the moral high ground in this whole debacle!!]

[peninhand]

After a fashion, yes.

[ Unfortunately, that was her idea too... But she knew how to sell it. She hoped, anyway. ]

But on your own terms. [A pause.] You decide what costume to wear, you put it on yourself and you arrange for someone to deliver Maribelle the picture. [A faint smile.] From her perspective she got what she wants and from yours, you were in control of the situation the entire time.

[ She raised a finger. That was a good plan, wasn't it? Well, if it was her she didn't know if she'd say yes... But she saw keeping control of the situation as a win, rather than allowing things to happen. ]

As I see it, the alternative is to wait till someone catches you unaware and forces this upon you. [Or convince Maribelle she's wrong, but good luck with that.] And given how some of the people who live on the island are, it is only a matter of time.

[mayoninofukucho]

[He considers her suggestion, but shakes his head.]

I appreciate your intentions here, but no. In the end it'd still be humiliating no matter what - I mean, even if I dress up in something I actually feel comfortable in, the mere act of letting that photo be delivered to her would just make her think she's won!

[He knows that it'll be worse if someone actually manages to overwhelm him, but his stubbornness and pride - pride of his principles rather than his inherent value - are completely in the way of any such compromise.]

I did the right thing, you know? I tried to catch a would-be murderer in the only body I had at my disposal.

...

I might have apologised for not telling her in advance, but she just had to go and completely blow it out of proportion! She made me look ten times worse, and now...

[He trails off in frustration. Maribelle, he feels, put a huge crack in his reputation, whereas no one (or almost no one) would even have known about her presence at the club if she hadn't told the whole network!]

[peninhand]

[ Of course it wasn't that easy. He and Maribelle swapping bodies may have been a match made in heaven, after all. Which made it all the more ironic how he looked down on her. ]

I have no doubts you feel justified, but... [How to word it?] To put things in perspective. How would you feel if, um. Someone who swapped body with you did questionable things? Things that a number of people may have witnessed firsthand.

[ Somehow... She doubted he'd take it any better than she did. ]

Add to that, Maribelle is a woman who cares a great deal about appearances and what people think of her. Your reasons might have been good, but the end result is no less humiliating. [A pause.] And honestly... I wonder if that was truly the only way. Were you planning to do what you did the way you did it, had your bodies not been swapped?

[ And if not, why couldn't he do with Maribelle's body what he would have with his own? That was the question she'd had ever since reading that whole post— He sounded honest, but that was a bit weird. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Things truly escalated in such a manner that he and Maribelle ended up stuck like two battling rams, neither budging from their position. After all now so many people are aware of the conflict and interested in the outcome! And, much as he may dislike it, the majority seem to be siding with her.

He would deny it if asked, but part of him is actually sad about this spectacular falling-out. He and Maribelle disagreed about plenty of things, from her fussiness to his lack of manners, but at the core he had come to respect her determination and unexpected strength over time, and they even trusted each other with some challenges, such as the Haunted Art Gallery set up by the Celliwigian refugees last year or, together with Belgium, the hunt for the dragon... alas.]

I want to give you a little more context about the quest. I only became aware of it after we'd already been body-swapped, and it wasn't something that could wait. I'd usually spare you the details, but the perpetrator wanted someone to pour a potion into the club's champagne fountain that'd have destroyed everyone's ability to absorb sunlight, so they'd have burned at dawn the next morning.

[He takes out a cigarette and lights it with a snap of his fingers - fire magic.]

I signed up for it, got the potion delivered, and handed it in to the police. That would've gone the same no matter what. The difficult part came when I tried to lure the bastard to the club, pretending I'd bring the potion with me. In this body it'd have been harder for me since their condition was that I dress up as a server. Their uniforms are... well.

[He makes a vague hand gesture. Maribelle's complaints spoke volumes already, surely.]

Nobody wants to see a man in a bunny suit, right? Had we not been body-swapped I might have reached out to a suitable woman to split the task with, but as it was I had the opportunity to simply do it on my own, without dragging anybody else into it. Well, that was my theory.

[And they both know what happened next.]

[peninhand]

[ Nobody wants to see a man in a bunny suit, right?

Oh, the poor man. To be so innocent and naive to the ways of the world... Monika couldn't help but feel a tad sorry for him. ]

I understand. However, there is a flaw in your reasoning. [She raised a finger once more.] Like... It sounds like the quest did not mention whether the server had to be a man or woman, right? It was your own assumption that only a woman wearing the attire could be suitable for the job. A personal bias.

[ One that was very telling, but she'd spare him the embarrassment for the time being. ]

Furthermore, you could still have asked for the help of a willing person. Had you been harmed in the course of your mission, Maribelle would have been the one to bear the consequences. What if she had returned to a maimed body? To injuries or handicaps? Clearly you had the option of enlisting a willing partner for the mission.

[ She laughs awkwardly. ]

Ahaha! Sorry, I still have some old habits from the debate club... But well, is it truly that unreasonable for Maribelle to feel the way she does?

[mayoninofukucho]

[Honestly, he has even less of an excuse than others, given that he came to Avalon after spending the better part of a year on the very sexually liberal world of Prismatica. He's seen men in all kinds of skimpy outfits there. His mistake was to assume that Avalon, with its varied but arguably more "regular" society, would be more sexually conservative. So he should have said: Nobody wants to see a man in a bunny suit here. (And he'd still be mistaken.)]

It's fine, we can debate.

[He certainly prefers talking to her like this over online mudfights!]

It may have been my bias that made me think I couldn't have done it in my own body, but I believe that generally most people would expect a bunny-suited server to be female. So it didn't even occur to me involve another woman when I already passed for one. What's more, there's a chance that the perpetrator observed me from afar when I collected the potion from my post box, so they would have been expecting the same person.

[The rest of what Monika said, though, is harder to justify his actions against.]

I really didn't expect the hex to wear off while I was on the mission. I think that much is obvious, but I also realise that no one cares because I should have factored in the possibility. And I acknowledge that I put Maribelle in danger, and I shouldn't have done that. That isn't her primary complaint, though - since she wasn't harmed, which we can all be grateful for. Her main issue is that I damaged her reputation, when she did most of that herself by publicising the whole incident online!

[peninhand]

I'm sorry, but... [She sighed.] Your main line of defense is that the worst did not happen and Maribelle worsened an already bad situation. While true, it is hardly a defense. Should I be cutting myself for a reason or another, it wouldn't excuse someone trying to stab me with a knife.

[ She wasn't thinking of a particular friend of hers while saying that, nope. ]

And that is exactly how Maribelle sees this. Mayhaps she damaged her own reputation, but this damage is not the question. What you did is. [She smiled sympathetically. It wasn't really fair to put everything on him, though...] With all that said, Maribelle is asking a death sentence for something that should be repaid with a mere restitution. I don't think that's fair and I understand your stance.

[ She closed her eyes and pondered. Gosh, dealing with Maribelle was so hard, she could explode so easily... And this man seemed to hold his own honor in the highest view, too. ]

Even if you do not want to fake the punishment to satisfy her— I do genuinely believe you owe her something beyond a mere apology. What it is, I know not. But I trust you'll find it.

[mayoninofukucho]

[He nods to what she says, exhaling smoke with a resigned expression on his face. Even though Maribelle's focus is on her reputation, he simply acted irresponsibly by putting her in danger. As a knight and as a policeman he has to take responsibility for that.]

Yeah, I agree. I owe her an apology and... something beyond that. But I have no idea what might please and appease her besides getting her revenge on me.

[He looks at the cigarette between his fingers... he's still wearing the leather gloves Maribelle gifted him for Yuletide, meanwhile she offered the enchanted mirror he gifted her in return as a reward for whoever would avenge her. She must really hate his guts now. Well, he's hardly in a position where he'd have the right to whine about that.]

I'll either figure it out, or someone will manage to bring her those photos first.

[He struggles with what else to say - should he thank Monika for actually talking it out with him? She didn't need to make this her business, yet she did. However he also feels crappy and doesn't want to lower himself even further by acting like her decision to speak with him was an act of grace someone like him didn't deserve; that'd only make him fully feel like a shitty bastard man.]

[peninhand]

[ Monika remained silent for a moment. He seemed genuinely saddened by the turn events had taken... Regardless of what his personal biases and lack of caution had done, that was good enough for her. The problem was that it wouldn't be good enough for Maribelle... Or would it?

She hadn't seen this side of him. If she did, mayhaps things would change... But she probably wouldn't, either because she'd refuse to see him or because he would get defensive when faced with her barrage of accusations. In her opinion, what the two of them needed was some time together where they could speak sincerely and without aggressiveness.

Easier said than done. ]

I wasn't sure, but now— I can tell you're sincere.

[ She smiled at him once again and closed an eye. ]

If I happen to cross her path, I'll try to slip in a good word or two about you. [A pause.] And, um... Well, I can probably arrange a meeting should you want to see her. She'll hate me for a few weeks if I trick her into meeting you, but that's nothing I can't handle ahaha! And I think that would be worth it.

[mayoninofukucho]

[If nothing else he definitely won't do anything like that quest again while body-swapped with somebody! Of course that doesn't help him now, but still, a lesson was learned. That said Monika is absolutely right: if Maribelle were willing to hear Hijikata out once more, even after he abruptly cut off his video call with her, there's a good chance that both their tempers would flare up and lead to yet another vicious clash. Consequently he shakes his head at her offer.]

Don't make this your problem. If you put in a good word for me or tricked Maribelle into meeting me it'd only land you in hot water with her too. Besides I don't even know what to say to her.

[It's not only his temper and his pride that stand in his way, it's also an impressive amount of what some people would call emotional constipation. He can't for the life of him express sincere sentiments verbally; everything comes out far too harsh and blunt. Only once in a blue moon does he manage to be earnestly empathetic in a one-to-one interaction. But...]

Perhaps I'll write her a letter.

[It's a lot easier. In writing he can express himself calmly and composedly, and if his feelings do boil over during the task he can simply set it aside and resume it once he feels calmer.]

[peninhand]

[ A letter...! That was such a good idea, she wasn't sure why she hadn't even thought of it. Especially when literature was her domain. ]

Yes! That's a wonderful idea. [She nodded.] When I can't read my own feelings or express myself, writing always helps... It is possible to put on paper things we can never say.

[ Usually it was poetry, but any form of writing would do. The question was whether Maribelle would read his letter or throw it away without a second thought... She was a noble and a woman of honor, so surely she wouldn't be so stubborn as to throw it away, right?

Still, better safe than sorry. ]

You should open the letter with a statement of apology, if I may. If only to ensure Maribelle will not throw it away. [You never knew with tsunderes...] Then speak your heart. If you what write is true, surely it will resonate with her.

[mayoninofukucho]

[To be fair, he probably doesn't exactly give off strong writer vibes... but on paper, safely distanced from the other party and their emotions, he can be rather eloquent in expressing himself! He even tried his hand at some poetry too, back home, but that's a secret he doesn't feel inclined to share with anyone. After all he has (or had) a reputation to maintain!]

Yeah, of course, of course.

[He's well aware that he'll have to do the literally equivalent of begging on his knees for Maribelle to even consider forgiveness, and part of him is still hesitant, but... he did fail in his duty to her as a civilian he's sworn to protect, and if nothing else he won't run from his responsibility of owning up to that. He exhales more smoke.]

Are you a friend of hers? Or are you some kind of relationship fixer back home?

[Monika's motivation for getting involved in the conflict is none of his business, technically, but he can't help his mild curiosity. Why would a bystander invest time and effort in and intervention when she could just watch the drama with popcorn?]

[peninhand]

Oh, um, ahaha! [Oops. Why did this situation feel so familiar all of a sudden? At least things were going well.] I-I often tried to get my friends back together whenever they had troubles. That's a bad habit of mine, I guess I'm a bit nosy...

[ And often with terrible results. But at least it didn't look like she had worsened the situation here! Hopefully thanks to her input, they would be back to being good friends ere long, and without the need to involve humiliating costumes in the process.

Who knows, maybe he'd end up even wearing those costumes deliberately for her...! ]

But I do consider Maribelle a friend. [She nodded.] I don't think it would be fair for either of you to lose your friendship over a mistake and a misunderstanding.

[mayoninofukucho]

[He smiles faintly. She is a teenager, after all... probably the glue that keeps her high school friends group together back home. (Little does he know, also regarding her hopes that he might come around with sight to the costumes - he'd rather endure torture than willingly humiliate himself!)

For a moment he considers asking if she'd like a reward for her support, but then decides against it - they really only talked a little, and as a noble it's her job, in a way, to offer non-martial assistance to her fellow people, right? Or does this not fall under that? God, he has absolutely no idea what a noble really does. If nothing else he wants to honour her faith in him. It does make him feel a bit better that at least one person's poor impression of him was ameliorated.]

I'm glad you think this way, Lady Monika.

[He offers a bow.]

It may take me a while to find all the right words, but I'll try to compose a sufficient message.

[peninhand]

[ Hey, those days are behind her! Now she's busy dealing with the guilt and trauma of it all. And besides, she really was the glue keeping her friends together before she turned into a psychopath and deleted them all! She would never leave her friends hanging.

...

... Anyway, she bowed in her return. ]

So long as you write with your heart, I have faith you'll find the right words.

[ She raised her finger once more. She probably should let him be on his way. He had a lot of thinking to do for his letter, right? And she was going to get late with her own errands. ]

Please take care, alright? And I hope to hear the two of you are friends again ere long, ahaha!

[mayoninofukucho]

[That's such a kind sentiment, Hijikata manages a little smile. He takes Monika's encouragement to write with his heart fully at face value, whereas many of his friends and acquaintances from home might have offered some kind of sarcastic retort. He'll try his best!!]

I hope so too.

[He honestly doesn't think Maribelle will want to entertain relations with him anymore - just her forgiveness alone will need to be hard-won -, but hope dies last, right?]

You take care as well, Lady Monika.

[One more nod, and he turns to go... he'll keep looking for his missing subordinates for now, of course, that takes priority, but later on he will start working on a letter. For what it's worth, he has a positive first impression of Monika. He doesn't call just anybody Lord or Lady, even if they're nobles! His respect needs to be earned, and she managed that.]