isleofavalon | [open] feb catchall!

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[open] feb catchall!

🧙 WHO: Kaede & You!
⚔️️ WHAT: February catchall featuring quests, some TDM prompts, and… That’s mostly it!
🕒 WHEN: February
🗺️ WHERE: Around
⚠️ WARNINGS: None, will add if necessary.

for the pure of heart; (closed to kate)
[The task they were given seems simple enough - go and get more crystals, and stop by to see an old man and put some potion or other into his food. He’s already crossed the bridge before, so that should be easy.

He doesn’t really understand the point of this potion business, though. He’s got it tucked away in his pocket, and he turns to the pink haired woman beside him. He thinks they might be a team? She doesn’t seem opposed to working together, at least. Maybe it’s because he helped her find a saw.]

What do you think it does?

[He doesn’t consider, even once, there might be something insidious going on here. All he knows is he was told to do something, and he’s going to do it lest he face the consequences for failure.

Why Morganna needs the crystals he also isn’t thinking about. It’s not important, right?]

cupid arrow testing;
[Kaede does not know what Valentine’s Day is. The fact that it’s a holiday celebrated by offworlders doesn’t help, because asking the locals for information is pointless and how is he supposed to know who comes from a world that celebrates it? All he knows is that, if such a holiday existed on his homeworld, it wasn’t important enough for him to learn about.

(But, he has come to realize, there’s a lot of very basic things that weren’t deemed important for him to know about, presumably because nobody ever considered he would end up outside of the facility. It’s very tiring, to not know anything that’s going on, and to not even have access to the one thing he’s good at.)

Still, Kaede is Kaede and he will do anything that is asked of him. When he’s told there’s some experimental arrows, he is a little confused. When he’s told to shoot himself with it, he’s even more confused… And decides he’d rather poke himself gently than actually, y’know. Shoot himself. That sounds painful?

The prick doesn’t hurt, but it also doesn’t seem like the magic… Did anything. He frowns, before shrugging helplessly at the shopkeep eager to test out the magic. He turns to leave, but freezes in place once he catches sight of... ]

Oh! Hi! I didn’t… See you there, sorry, I’m so sorry, I’ll get out of the way!

[...He wasn’t really in the way and didn’t even come close to bumping into you, but he sure is staring. And blushing. And very, very confused over all of this.]

synchronization;
[The tent is deathly quiet.

The incense is burning away, and the tent is pleasantly warm compared to the chill outside. All together, the scents and the quiet are helping to calm him down. Which is good, because, well. This is a very different sort of magic for him. Something cast together, and all because a goddess tells them to learn how to do it… There must be a reason for it, even if Kaede can’t fathom what that reason could be. Still, he doesn’t know what to do.

He takes a breath, letting it out, before looking over at his partner.]

...I heard from some of the locals it might help if you know the person you’re performing the spell with?

[He sounds uncertain, like he’s not quite sure how true that is. He fidgets for a moment, before picking up one of the offered drinks. He doesn’t drink it quite yet, but he cups his hands around it.]

If… If that’s okay with you, of course.

wildcard;
[Open to just about anything! Something at the bonfire later, maybe the arrow misfires and hits your character instead, maybe the dance is a fail and now everything is awful. If you want to hash out plans, feel free to hit me up at

daintily or Avery#8156!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( orders without proper explanation are something all too familiar to Kate. it doesn't matter why they were going to this place, just that it was what was decided. just follow orders and shut up about it.

she gave up asking pretty quickly. better to just do what's been asked and let the higher ups deal with the fallout. or, in this case, the quest-giver. if something shady's going on here... well.

how could you suspect otherwise in a place like this? )

No idea. ( hm? is it that house there which they're supposed to be visiting? ) We'll find out.

( but she's got another problem; )

Y'think he'll just let us in?

( or are they going to have to come up with a story for this? )

["We'll find out," she says. Well, he supposes she's right. There's really no choice but to just... Do it and see what happens.]

I... Why wouldn't he?

[They don't need to tell him about the potion, but... Why would he turn them away? He sees no reason why someone would do that.]

You just let random people into your house?

( she certainly wouldn't. she doesn't even like letting people she knows into her house, though, so maybe take Kate's opinions on the topic with a pinch of salt. )

I don't have a house.

[So take that, Kate! He's never had to make those decisions! ...Which he realizes is something he should clarify.]

A-and I didn't have one before here, either.

( ... huh. )

Hotel room, then.

( is that the point? no. but she's still pretty convinced that most people don't just let every Tom, Dick and Harry in their hotel room, either.

at least they're making progress on the distance between themselves and the house — what was once just smoke with no origin is now revealing a chimney and a roof. )

...

[He's not sure how to respond to that - how do you tell someone you had never had a space to yourself, that you never had privacy before?

So.

Might as well say nothing.

He keeps quiet, and once they reach the small house he raises a hand to knock on the door. They don't have to wait long for the old man to answer, and he seems surprised to see the two of them standing there.]

Ah, uh, hello, sir.

[He looks over to Kate. A little help, please?]

( tell them you have a sibling.

not that it's a discussion that needs expanding on, not when they're confronted with the old man and Kate realises they don't have a cover story for this.

god, it would be easier if they could just tell the dude why they're here, but whatever. orders are orders. )

Er... we're lost. ( said so flatly that she may as well be reading from a piece of paper. cough cough I'm sick got nothing on these acting skills. ) Mind if we use your bathroom?

( this is going to go swimmingly. )

[Well, that's... Kind of true.

Kaede stares at Kate, silently mouthing the word "bathroom" at her. Even he knows that's a bad cover!

Still, he turns to the old man, and it's time to put on the charm! By which I mean hypnotize him. (Kaede stop hypnotizing old people challenge.)]

Yeah, we're lost, so we'd really appreciate it if we could have a bit of your time, get refreshed, and get our bearings. We won't bother you for long.

[The man squints at them suspiciously for a moment, before the hypnotism sets in and he steps back to let them in.

Kaede can't even feel bad about it.]

( Kaede, please continue hypnotising people. it makes her life so much easier.

the man steps back easily and Kate wastes no time entering. better get this done before he figures out something's weird about these random people wanting access to his place.

hm? her eyes catch the sight of a table set with a plate of food already set out. )

We interrupting?

Don't worry about it, dear. You two can sort yourselves out while I eat.

( huh. seems like they're right on time, actually. )

[How many times is this going to happen? Why is this going to keep happening?

At least the more he does it the easier it gets...]

Thank you very much, sir... Do you mind if I get something to drink?

[He manages to resist the urge to check on the vial they were given to complete this quest, and he's... Relatively confident he can keep the old man distracted (or at least force him to be distracted) while Kate... Does whatever she wants? Keeps up their cover?

He's... Trying not to worry about this all going tits up.

Still, the question is a courtesy, as the man is quick to agree because he doesn't have much of a choice.]

Of course. Make yourselves at home!

( because that's what helps the mission. unfortunately, her ability to pull and push things about doesn't seem to be in great demand for this one.

but that's alright, because she has little hesitation about getting this job done. is it suspect? definitely. does she like it? not particularly. but as ever superior she's ever had has reminded her — asking questions is not your job. making complaints is not your job. getting the job done is your job.

still, with Kaede talking to the old man and the vial with him, she's seeing an opportunity. so, as the old man potters to the kitchen, making offers of water? tea? milk? I have juice too, Kate reaches her magic out and yanks the vial towards her in one quick motion.

all she needs to do now is ignore that uncertainty in her gut and pour it in. )

[You can do it, Kate, you can spike this man’s food.

He feels the tug of the vial leaving him, shooting Kate a glance and a nod as the man heads into the kitchen and isn’t watching them anymore, before turning to follow the man. The longer he can keep him distracted and occupied the better.]

What kind of tea and juice do you have?

[The old man starts listing off options, Kaede only half paying attention because it’s not like it really matters. He’s not planning on sticking around to drink anything - hopefully they can get the job done soon.]

( nice work, Kaede.

that doubt still curls in her gut but doubts happen all the time. it doesn't matter just what she thinks. the orders matter. the orders mean she survives. she pops the vial open and drops it into the bowl, watching it disappear into the soup without a trace.

easy.

who knows what it's supposed to be, but as soon as the last drop is in, Kate slips away from the table and towards where the bathroom may or may not be. it's not like that matters.

what matters is the fact that the crystal in her pocket has shifted from a glittering gold to a deep, inky black. )

[ Shigeru has been hearing and seeing the side effects of these arrows and there's no way he's gonna willingly stab himself with one?? That's dangerous!! But also super sketch! Very sketchy!!

Still, that doesn't mean people around him are not going to tamper with the things. Shigeru will fluster on immediate not!contact?? Because he is also awkward and easily startled, so, you know he almost drops his device but fumbles with it in gloved hands as he shakes his head and begins to...type something?! ]

You're not in the way! It's really okay! Are you...alright? You look a bit red? Do you feel okay? [ Does he have a fever or something?! ]

[Not everyone thinks before they act, Shigeru! You can't judge him!!

Okay, when this is all said and done, he can be judged.

Also, why is he typing? That's... Not normal, right? But it's kind of cute??

(Is it really, or is this just the arrow...)]

I'm red?

[He raises a hand to a cheek and - huh. It's warm.]

I-I'm fine! I don't think I'm sick, I'm just... I mean, okay, I do feel a little strange, but! I was feeling fine earlier and I'm not supposed to be able to get sick so maybe I am getting sick now with my magic gone but, uh, I don't think that's the case?

[...He's. A bit of a rambler when he's nervous. Sorry about that.]

[ Shigeru is mute!! It's the only way he can communicate, unless you want his voice inside your head Kaede. But it's a bit spooky tbh.

Shigeru gives him a curious head tilt before shrugging his shoulders, typing something up quickly. ]

I could make sure? I mean I am a doctor. But you mean that you're immune to illness normally? So am I but without my powers from home I don't think that's the case anymore...

[ Shigeru won't let you wander off either so it's probably best to just let him...do his thing. ] The clinic I work at isn't far from here, do you want to stop by?

[Honestly, he'd probably be fine with it... But either way is fine!!]

I, well, yeah, I was immune, you know? I just didn't get sick and couldn't get sick but I guess if that ability is gone maybe I am sick? You'd probably know better than I would, if you're a doctor - that's people who study medicine, right?

[God, he should shut up. He also... Still definitely wants to spend time with this man, which he'll reflect on as odd later, but for now... He's absolutely smitten.]

But, ah, sure, if it wouldn't be a bother... It might be for the best.

[ Shigeru will cross his arms over his chest and give an acknowledging nod of agreement. Hm. Hm. That's definitely what happened!! ]

That's right! Although back home my powers made it really easy for me to cure people. But I still have a working knowledge of how to do things without them. [ You're in good hands Kaede!! ]

Then follow me this way, please! It's not too far but if you feel faint or unwell please let me know!

[It all makes sense. Obviously. This is fine.]

I see... Well, thank you for looking out for me.

[And he will gladly(?) follow Shigeru to the clinic, trying very hard to project the air that he's not a complete weirdo with no idea what's going on and absolutely no worries about everything going terribly wrong.

What if he's dying? Could he be dying? He did poke himself with that arrow - what if it was poisoned??]

...Would it also be possible to check for poison?

Well of course! I wouldn't be a very good doctor if I just left someone in a state, right?!

[ He's not evil, gosh. But they'll make it to the clinic in no time at all, although the effects of that arrow might be getting worse? But Shigeru is totally oblivious because he's an idiot like that, smdh.

Though he does turn back to look at Kaede, worry lightly creasing his brow. ]

Poison?! You...think you might've been poisoned?! We can definitely do a blood draw just to safe!! If it really is that we definitely have to get you inside right away!! [ Shigeru is now walking rather quickly to the entrance, grabbing ahold of Kaede's wrist to help him along. Normally his phobia would prevent such actions but when he's worried or there's some desperate need he can forgo it for the moment. ]

This way, please!

I wouldn’t know anything about doctors...

[Maybe it’s for the best he’s oblivious, because nobody needs to realize how much of a fool Kaede is making of himself.

Well. He might not be able to hide it for long.

There’s a squeak as Shigeru grabs his wrist, which he doesn’t attempt to cover up even though he probably should. He just dips his head down, looking at the ground and letting himself get dragged along.]

I-I doubt it’s deadly, probably? But, ah, do what you think you need to do...

[ Shigeru gives him a curious look as he finally lets go of Kaede's hand once they're in an examination room. His own face just a little red as he turns to look the other over. ]

You don't? Does your world not have them? Or!! Maybe they're called something else? Like a cleric or a healer or...or a homeopath!

[ Though while he waits for the other man to answer he'll go and get out a needle and some alcohol swabs...but not before he takes off his gloves and just...scrubs at his hands. Kaede might be able to see how cracked and dry they are, clear evidence of bleeding as he winces while washing them in an almost frantic sort of way. He's not used to touching people so despite his worry that actually took a bit out of him. But, right, patients come first. He'll just give a wavering smile as he puts new gloves on over his now bandaged hand, walking over to pick up his instruments again. ]

Are you familiar with needles at all?

There's... People who conduct medical research, but they've never called themselves doctors... And they weren't

[He shrugs weakly, watching Shigeru closely. If he wasn't being influenced by the arrow, there's a chance he'd be much more nervous, but as it is he thinks he would trust this man with just about anything.

...

Though, he has to say he's a little concerned.]

...I am, yes, but... Are you alright? Your hands...

[ Shigeru might almost drop whatever is in his hands at the moment, so his phone and alcohol wipe. But he gives Kaede a soft smile and nod. Damn. He didn't expect the other to be so observant, whoops.

He looks away awkwardly as he goes to stand by Kaede stethoscope around his neck as he moves in to begin. He'll take out the thermometer hanging from the wall and hold it out motioning for Kaede to open his mouth and to put it under his tongue. ]

I'm totally fine! I'm more worried about you right now so I'll feel a lot better once we get down to whatever happened.

[ At least his gloves are spotted with blood, yet, so that's something?! He did also bandage them quite a bit so there shouldn't be any bleeding through. ]

I'll just take your temperature first and then we'll do a physical. Then a blood draw last.

[When you live life in constant fear, you get good at picking up on small details!

Even if you can only sometimes put the dots together.]

O-okay, if you're sure...?

[Most of the technology here is different from what he's used to, so the stethoscope and thermometer get a curious look. He's good at follow directions, at least, even if he has no idea how the thermometer will actually get his temperature.

Which is... Fine? It's actually perhaps a bit on the lower end, but nothing out of the unusual, despite the flush still high on his cheeks.]

[After Nyuu had explained to Kaede about her and Lucy's situation during his last encounter with her, there was (hopefully) less confusion over the matter.

On February 10th, Lucy sends him a text.]

Hi Kaede, it's Lucy. Want some cake? Me and Nyuu bought one for our birthday to share with others we've gotten to know so far.

[And with who they were on good terms with.]

[There is, and he's grateful for the explanation. Still, he's surprised by the text, but more so over the contents of it.]

Oh, sure! I'll take some if you're sharing...

[He's only distantly familiar with the concept of birthdays - he knows the date he was created, but it was never celebrated.]

So this means your day of birth is soon? Is it today?

It's today actually.

[Although, February 10th is more like an estimate of when her birthday is, given to her by the orphanage since she had no birth certificate when she was found. Lucy has no idea when her (and Nyuu's) true birthday is, but this is the closest thing she's got.]

We can meet at my hotel room. A heads up that I have 2 dogs, but they're friendly.

[Since Kaede hasn't met Tobias or Milly yet.]

Oh! Happy birthday, then!

And I'm sure it'll be fine, if they don't mind strangers. I'll come over soon.

[He's spent most of his days in the inn when he hasn't been poking at the quests on offer - it was warm in there, and he wasn't sure what else to do with himself.

Also, he's never had cake, and he's so curious about what it's actually like that maybe he's a little excited.

He knocks on the door to Lucy's room, because he knows that, at least, is the polite thing to do.]

Thanks. See you then.

[As soon as he knocks on the door, excited barking from Milly can be heard on the other side, followed by a shush from Lucy. When she opens the door, she's bent slightly to keep hold of Milly's red collar. The corgi pants excitedly as she looks up at Kaede.]

Hey, come in. Milly's probably going to jump on you once I let her go, but that's because she's excited to see a new face. She just wants you to pet her.

[She moves back to allow space for Kaede to come through. Just as Lucy said, the moment she releases Milly, the corgi jumps on him. If he indulges in petting her, she'll attempt to lick his hand.]

[Oh! He wasn’t expecting one of the dogs to be so... Stubby. He smiles brightly at Milly - she’s so cute! - and reaches down to pet her once he’s inside and she’s been freed.]

She’s very cute. I’ve never seen a dog quite like her before.

[He hasn’t seen a dog before coming here.]

[Milly barks happily, soaking in Kaede's attention. Lucy's lips curl upward a bit, showing a hint of a smile.]

No? Before I adopted her, I saw pictures of her breed in books or on the TV. She's a corgi.

[Milly barks to confirm, and with Lucy's animal magic, she can hear the dog's voice saying, "That's right!"]

My other dog is over there. Hey may look mean, but he's actually very sweet.

[She points at a corner of the room where there's a large dog bed, and laying atop the dog bed is a pitbull with a slightly greying face and faded scars. He lifts his head up upon noticing Kaede, tail wagging.]

His name is Tobias.

A corgi...

[No, the word doesn't sound familiar. Hm. He wonders if this kind of dog exists in his world at all...? There's so many things he's never experienced before, he wouldn't be surprised if they existed and he had no way of knowing about them...

But he also can't ignore the fact that, yes, at the end of the day they're from different worlds. Maybe the dogs where he's from are different, so it doesn't matter that he's never seen any before?]

And what kind of dog is Tobias?

[Oh, that's a big boofer.]

A pit bull. He's a rescued dog, too. See the old scars on his face? Humans used to make him fight other dogs.

[She bends down to stroke Tobias' head.]

But he passed all his behavioral tests at the shelter I adopted him from, so I took him in since no one else would. Pit bulls have a bad reputation because of their being popular dogs to use in dog fighting. Yet despite all that, Tobias is still a lovable boy, aren't you?

[The dog licks Lucy's hand in response and continues to wag his tail.]

Milly was rescued too. Her previous owner abandoned her in the apartment they moved out of.

[Despite their past bad experiences, both dogs seem very happy to be with Lucy and Nyuu, and neither of the dogs are nervous with Kaede around.]

Edited (grammar) 2021-03-10 23:13 (UTC)

...Why would anyone do that?

[That seems so... Needlessly cruel, and for what purpose?

He pets Milly again, enjoying the presence of the dog. He wasn’t sure what to expect from them, but... Dogs are quite good, he’s realizing.]

They both seem very sweet.

Money and amusement, at least in Tobias' case. I don't know why anyone would want to abandon Milly, though. Maybe they couldn't afford to take care of her anymore, or maybe they were just too lazy to take her to the shelter themselves.

[Or some other reason only known to Milly's previous owner.]

Yes, they are. I'm glad they can still be happy after what happened to them.

[If the dogs could do it, then perhaps she could move on from her tragic past too, in time.]

Have you ever had any pets? Like a goldfish or something?

[Money and entertainment... He frowns, shaking his head. Now’s not the time to think about how terrible people can be.

He straightens, shaking his head.]

Ah, no, I’ve never had anything like that.

[A pause.]

...Well, maybe? I did end up with something that looked like my familiar before I ended up here, but I didn’t get to spend much time with it.

[Lucy would have agreed with him had he voiced that thought aloud. Today is supposed to be a happy one (even though it was only last year when Lucy started viewing her birthday as a positive thing).]

Hopefully it's safe while it's frozen in time then, waiting for you to come back.

[She rises to her feet.]

Can't forget the reason we're getting together today, though. Let me show you the cake.

[She retrieves the dessert from the mini fridge, revealing a vibrant purple cake.]

It's an ube cake. Ube's a yam, and a popular thing to use in Asian desserts, especially in the Philippines.

I think it would be safe even if it wasn't frozen in time.

[It's just a feeling he gets.

He looks at the cake, surprised by how vibrant it is. That's... Very, very purple.]

I've never seen anything quite that purple before... [Hm.] What does it taste like...?

[If such a thing could even be described.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[open] feb catchall!

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cupid arrow

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sorry this is so late /sob

it's ok!!

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Wildcard; (Lucy) text; un:elfe

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>action!

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CW: mentioned animal cruelty

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