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)
isleofavalon2022-05-07 11:50 pm
mayoninofukucho) wrote in isleofavalon2022-05-07 11:50 pm
Entry tags:
May Adventures
WHO: Hijikata and... YOU?
WHAT: TDM prompts (Dusklight Woods excursion, casino/auction venture, craft fair), a bit of questing, and a full moon night at the Red Springs!
WHEN: Throughout the first half of May
WHERE: Dusklight Woods, Camelot City, Red Springs
WARNINGS: Gambling in Prompt 2A!
1) Prep-Tar-Ations (Prompts A,B and/or C can roll into each other for a seamless excursion if desired!)
A ⦿ Get Lost
[Enter the Dusklight Woods and follow the eyes of the shadlins, they said... he's only walked a hundred steps into the forest before slowing down to a stop as the treetops and other foliage around him seem to turn a deeper and darker green the further he heads inside. It's eerily quiet, not a single songbird can be heard. This place is so creepy!! It's bright daytime beyond these verdant shadows, so he's wearing his sun protection gear complete with the helmet hiding his face - hopefully this way at least the shadlins won't see how nervous he is.]
...
[Looking back he can still see the edge of the woods. Perhaps it would be wiser to turn around. He doesn't need to co-spearhead every adventure, right? Besides there's the matter of getting back out... he brought an enchanted cloth with him, but who's to say that his familiar, once called upon, will really work as a partner in a pinch? It's then that he sees another person not too far away between the trees. He waves and calls out, hoping he'll be easy to spot in his black clothing.]
Hey! Over here! You shouldn't go alone!
[More importantly, he doesn't want to go alone!]
B ⦿ Fountain of Yewth
[Well, then. Following the unsettling glowing eyes in the thickets of the forest led Hijikata and his companion to... a tar pit. Sure, this is what they were told, but it still feels underwhelming to stand at the edge of the toxic, smelly black sludge.]
So this is it? Great. Well, let's get it over with.
[He sets down his backpack and rummages for the container he was given... did one of the trees at the forest's edge behind him just move positions? No, right?]
C ⦿ Unseen Path
[With the danger from the tree people overcome and the polled-laden tar obtained there's nothing standing in the way of Hijikata and his companion returning home... nothing except the forest. Well, they were instructed on what to do (or at least he was). He takes out the magical cloth, along with a blindfold, and lets out a sigh of aggravation.]
This better work! Figures that they had to make it awkward... do you want to walk in front, or should I?
2) Betting on the Future
A ⦿ Safe Bets
[Now that they've got the main ingredient for the strength potion they'll be able to move the humungous sleeping snake blocking the entrance to the Bermuda Station, but what to do about the unstable time freeze energy inside? This time Camelot's criminal underworld comes to the rescue, but of course the all-important artifacts to stabilise the locale come at a steep price.
Hijikata frowns upon gambling dens - they waste men's potential, not to mention their money -, but alas, there's no way around this. In an effort to disguise his identity he's in civilian clothes on the night of the auction, a plain black turtleneck outfit, and slicked his hair back (sadly it's already reforming into its stubborn V-shaped fringe). It's highly likely that someone among the organisers already recognised him as the pesky knight who's been meddling in dark web quests ever since his arrival, but if so they seem willing to turn a blind eye tonight. If he wants to bid a kidney on the hourglass coins, let him!
He isn't adept at gambling, but he's quick on the uptake, so after observing a few rounds of poker he wants to try his luck... unless he sees someone in trouble, be it at one of the gambling tables or with the bouncers. In that case he's going to put in a word for them. They need every person they can get into the auction hall, so he won't see anyone thrown out on his watch if he can help it!]
B ⦿ Bidding Wars
[Did he actually manage to pokerface his way through enough rounds of poker to get the privilege of an auction invitation, or (more likely) did he manage to convince someone to let him hitch a ride with them as their bodyguard, romantic partner or otherwise indispensable evening companion? Whichever it was, he's now observing the mingling crowd in the suit the organisers gently pressured him to change into. He glances at the offered drinks and murmurs to his companion - or else to whoever he sees reaching for a glass.]
We should stay sober for this.
C ⦿ Knot a Problem
[Hijikata slept for half the day after the long night at the auction, but he still shows up to Camelot's craft fair, now again in his protective gear. Honestly, his mind is entirely on the upcoming mission at the Bermuda Station, but given that preparations will still take a while he may as well try to distract himself a little! He observes the rope enchantments with interest - this could come in handy to incapacitate criminals -, but once he sees where it's going he quickly turns to the massage area instead.]
A massage would be nice right now...
[He just said that to himself, recalling last month's rude awakening at the Realm of Restoration and Relaxation with vexation, but if anyone were to offer one he wouldn't say no (and at least try to return the favour)!]
3) Quest - Scary Sea Shanties (formithrarin)
[Fishing boats not coming back from the sea is a problem, so Hijikata feels compelled to get to the bottom of the matter. He confidently marches up to the docks in his sun protection gear, but with the addition of inflatable armbands around his arms and a matching pool ring around his waist. He looks positively ridiculous; why is his posture so confident?! Also he has a massive ham slung on his shoulder like an oni's club. When he spots Dust he calls out to him, remembering well how he saved his ass after his unfortunate run-in with a fuath last year.]
Are you going out to investigate what happened to the fishers, too? I was thinking of taking a deinosuchus!
[So that's what the ham is for. Still, is that really a good idea?!]
4) Flower Moon
[By the time the middle of the month rolls around Hijikata, once again on his night patrol schedule, is sound asleep in his camp when his perimeter alarm goes off in the middle of the day. The booming, joyful sound of the Wellerman shanty wakes him up, and since he's used to sleeping lightly he loses no time dashing out of his tents in full gear, sword in hand. Despite running in the direction of the music as fast as he can he only just arrives in time to see three hooded figures scurry into the smoke generated by a totem, which burns out before he can pursue them to the other side.
The strangers left no evidence behind, but he strongly doubts that they had good intentions towards him, so he decides to finally take his affliction more seriously - it has been making his life a lot harder for 3 whole months already - and avail of the hot springs' increased healing properties during the next three nights. Conveniently this month he has no quest scheduled that would particularly require his weredog strength and invulnerability, so he can afford to take the time off.
That's how he ends up at the Red Springs Resort under the full moon in the evening, black dog ears and tail showing his werebeast affliction as he soaks in the water. He whines a little under his breath; it's too hot!! He doesn't normally overheat this quickly! He flattens his upper body against a rock to cool down a little... he'll still heal if only his bottom half is in the water, right?
As he rests and tries to relax he suddenly hears the fluttering of wings. He carefully lifts his head and sees that a small swarm of 10 medium-sized red birds has landed at the far side of the spring. How odd... surely they're not going to come in here? It's only now that he notices that there's someone else present besides. Maybe the other person is also in dire need of healing? If they're quiet perhaps the birds will stick around, but he doesn't really care. Suddenly he feels self-conscious for his state; what if he the newcomer feels grossed out at the prospect of him getting dog hair in the water? He quietly addresses them while pointing at his extra set of ears.]
Sorry about this, it's just... you know, it always happens at the same time, this and the spring being at its best.
[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]
WHAT: TDM prompts (Dusklight Woods excursion, casino/auction venture, craft fair), a bit of questing, and a full moon night at the Red Springs!
WHEN: Throughout the first half of May
WHERE: Dusklight Woods, Camelot City, Red Springs
WARNINGS: Gambling in Prompt 2A!
1) Prep-Tar-Ations (Prompts A,B and/or C can roll into each other for a seamless excursion if desired!)
A ⦿ Get Lost
[Enter the Dusklight Woods and follow the eyes of the shadlins, they said... he's only walked a hundred steps into the forest before slowing down to a stop as the treetops and other foliage around him seem to turn a deeper and darker green the further he heads inside. It's eerily quiet, not a single songbird can be heard. This place is so creepy!! It's bright daytime beyond these verdant shadows, so he's wearing his sun protection gear complete with the helmet hiding his face - hopefully this way at least the shadlins won't see how nervous he is.]
...
[Looking back he can still see the edge of the woods. Perhaps it would be wiser to turn around. He doesn't need to co-spearhead every adventure, right? Besides there's the matter of getting back out... he brought an enchanted cloth with him, but who's to say that his familiar, once called upon, will really work as a partner in a pinch? It's then that he sees another person not too far away between the trees. He waves and calls out, hoping he'll be easy to spot in his black clothing.]
Hey! Over here! You shouldn't go alone!
[More importantly, he doesn't want to go alone!]
B ⦿ Fountain of Yewth
[Well, then. Following the unsettling glowing eyes in the thickets of the forest led Hijikata and his companion to... a tar pit. Sure, this is what they were told, but it still feels underwhelming to stand at the edge of the toxic, smelly black sludge.]
So this is it? Great. Well, let's get it over with.
[He sets down his backpack and rummages for the container he was given... did one of the trees at the forest's edge behind him just move positions? No, right?]
C ⦿ Unseen Path
[With the danger from the tree people overcome and the polled-laden tar obtained there's nothing standing in the way of Hijikata and his companion returning home... nothing except the forest. Well, they were instructed on what to do (or at least he was). He takes out the magical cloth, along with a blindfold, and lets out a sigh of aggravation.]
This better work! Figures that they had to make it awkward... do you want to walk in front, or should I?
2) Betting on the Future
A ⦿ Safe Bets
[Now that they've got the main ingredient for the strength potion they'll be able to move the humungous sleeping snake blocking the entrance to the Bermuda Station, but what to do about the unstable time freeze energy inside? This time Camelot's criminal underworld comes to the rescue, but of course the all-important artifacts to stabilise the locale come at a steep price.
Hijikata frowns upon gambling dens - they waste men's potential, not to mention their money -, but alas, there's no way around this. In an effort to disguise his identity he's in civilian clothes on the night of the auction, a plain black turtleneck outfit, and slicked his hair back (sadly it's already reforming into its stubborn V-shaped fringe). It's highly likely that someone among the organisers already recognised him as the pesky knight who's been meddling in dark web quests ever since his arrival, but if so they seem willing to turn a blind eye tonight. If he wants to bid a kidney on the hourglass coins, let him!
He isn't adept at gambling, but he's quick on the uptake, so after observing a few rounds of poker he wants to try his luck... unless he sees someone in trouble, be it at one of the gambling tables or with the bouncers. In that case he's going to put in a word for them. They need every person they can get into the auction hall, so he won't see anyone thrown out on his watch if he can help it!]
B ⦿ Bidding Wars
[Did he actually manage to pokerface his way through enough rounds of poker to get the privilege of an auction invitation, or (more likely) did he manage to convince someone to let him hitch a ride with them as their bodyguard, romantic partner or otherwise indispensable evening companion? Whichever it was, he's now observing the mingling crowd in the suit the organisers gently pressured him to change into. He glances at the offered drinks and murmurs to his companion - or else to whoever he sees reaching for a glass.]
We should stay sober for this.
C ⦿ Knot a Problem
[Hijikata slept for half the day after the long night at the auction, but he still shows up to Camelot's craft fair, now again in his protective gear. Honestly, his mind is entirely on the upcoming mission at the Bermuda Station, but given that preparations will still take a while he may as well try to distract himself a little! He observes the rope enchantments with interest - this could come in handy to incapacitate criminals -, but once he sees where it's going he quickly turns to the massage area instead.]
A massage would be nice right now...
[He just said that to himself, recalling last month's rude awakening at the Realm of Restoration and Relaxation with vexation, but if anyone were to offer one he wouldn't say no (and at least try to return the favour)!]
3) Quest - Scary Sea Shanties (for
mithrarin)[Fishing boats not coming back from the sea is a problem, so Hijikata feels compelled to get to the bottom of the matter. He confidently marches up to the docks in his sun protection gear, but with the addition of inflatable armbands around his arms and a matching pool ring around his waist. He looks positively ridiculous; why is his posture so confident?! Also he has a massive ham slung on his shoulder like an oni's club. When he spots Dust he calls out to him, remembering well how he saved his ass after his unfortunate run-in with a fuath last year.]
Are you going out to investigate what happened to the fishers, too? I was thinking of taking a deinosuchus!
[So that's what the ham is for. Still, is that really a good idea?!]
4) Flower Moon
[By the time the middle of the month rolls around Hijikata, once again on his night patrol schedule, is sound asleep in his camp when his perimeter alarm goes off in the middle of the day. The booming, joyful sound of the Wellerman shanty wakes him up, and since he's used to sleeping lightly he loses no time dashing out of his tents in full gear, sword in hand. Despite running in the direction of the music as fast as he can he only just arrives in time to see three hooded figures scurry into the smoke generated by a totem, which burns out before he can pursue them to the other side.
The strangers left no evidence behind, but he strongly doubts that they had good intentions towards him, so he decides to finally take his affliction more seriously - it has been making his life a lot harder for 3 whole months already - and avail of the hot springs' increased healing properties during the next three nights. Conveniently this month he has no quest scheduled that would particularly require his weredog strength and invulnerability, so he can afford to take the time off.
That's how he ends up at the Red Springs Resort under the full moon in the evening, black dog ears and tail showing his werebeast affliction as he soaks in the water. He whines a little under his breath; it's too hot!! He doesn't normally overheat this quickly! He flattens his upper body against a rock to cool down a little... he'll still heal if only his bottom half is in the water, right?
As he rests and tries to relax he suddenly hears the fluttering of wings. He carefully lifts his head and sees that a small swarm of 10 medium-sized red birds has landed at the far side of the spring. How odd... surely they're not going to come in here? It's only now that he notices that there's someone else present besides. Maybe the other person is also in dire need of healing? If they're quiet perhaps the birds will stick around, but he doesn't really care. Suddenly he feels self-conscious for his state; what if he the newcomer feels grossed out at the prospect of him getting dog hair in the water? He quietly addresses them while pointing at his extra set of ears.]
Sorry about this, it's just... you know, it always happens at the same time, this and the spring being at its best.
[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]
no subject
[Or is supposed to work, anyway. Presumably, if the situation goes sideways enough, the Sen-Mithrarin could awaken and Ahrah could somehow fail to make it to him. But that didn't happen.]
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[He can't think of another explanation for this! As they finally arrive at the top of the cliffs he turns to the lake, which lies smooth and blue... a deceptive serenity, but at least they took out one dangerous element today.]
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[All those audibly capitalised terms only hammer it in!! He may not be sure what a Sen-Mithrarin is, other than a damn capable warrior, but he gets a special talking sword reserved only for him! And the Moonblood Elder also doesn't sound like a random old man, especially since an arbitrarily selected village elder probably wouldn't be holding an artifact powerful enough to make a guy strong enough to defend the whole country! But honestly, he'd rather hear the rest of the story over some food and drinks - if Dust doesn't have other plans. He takes out a few of his totems.]
Do you have anywhere to be? If not let's go to the Red Springs or Camelot City for a meal. My treat.
[If Dust isn't up for it, no harm done. Hijikata usually isn't nosy, but he may just ask for more of his story when they next run into each other.
(But couldn't he just said that he's got totems before they climbed all the way up here?!).]
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Maybe someday I'll say no to food, but it won't be today. We've earned a meal.
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So Dust will be met with yet another challenge: politely force it down, or insist on placing his own order.]