June Adventures

[mayoninofukucho]

WHO: Hijikata and... YOU?
WHAT: TDM prompts (it's tournament time!!), some knight-squire bonding, and questing!
WHEN: Throughout the first half of June
WHERE: Nicnevin, Campsite near Lake Avalon, Camelot City, Cave near the Ruins of Celliwig, Camelot Villages
WARNINGS: None so far!



1) Tournament in Nicnevin

A ⦿ Meeting Fae't

[Finally the Fisher King has been delivered to Queen Elphame... but of course the outworlders' job doesn't end there. Hijikata is surprised at the announcement of an ad-hoc tournament, but he's not one to shy away from a challenge! The bigger problem is that not only has he been magically transported to Elphame, but so have his crow tengu familiar Arashi (OK) and his two chicken-sized pet compsognathuses (not OK). Why were the dinosaurs brought here?! He usually simply lets them run free in the area between his campsite at the lakeshore and the Brocéliande forest ("irresponsible pet ownership", "invasive species"... what are you talking about?), and he frankly doesn't have the bandwith to deal with them, so he turns to his familiar.]

You watch the two of them, Arashi. I'll gather information on what exactly the program is going to be.

What? But, Hijikata-san--!

[The samurai starts striding off at a remarkable speed. Does anyone want to stop this injustice... or rather join up with him in finding out the details of the tournament? Or maybe some kind soul feels like helping out the distressed crow person struggling to keep a hold on the rambunctious dinosaurs' double leash?]

B ⦿ 1v1 (Skilled)

[Naturally Hijikata signed himself up for the 1v1 battle category first and foremost. He loves a good duel, and the two tournaments he participated in so far during his stay on Avalon taught him a lot! He looks confident as he stands in the arena, a whopping three swords at his belt (one long, two short). He was lucky to have had his gear and weapons on him when he was spirited away.]

So you're my opponent!

C ⦿ Free-for-All

[Now this is a whole other ballpark. Hijikata wasn't keen on getting caught in the crossfire of the initial clashes, so he quickly retreated to the outskirts. Now he's hiding in a thicket near the moat surrounding the massive tree Nicnevin is built into, scanning the area for anyone also wearing a telltale bracelet on their wrist. Whoever approaches can prepare for a watery assault... unless they are the ones sneaking up on him.]

D ⦿ Bubble Down

[After a day filled with games, action and adrenaline Hijikata is tired, but curious about the underwater accommodation. Who knew that there was a whole civilisation living in this moat? But there's life everywhere on Avalon, even in the smallest crevices. As he sits in a cushy chair eating his dinner and looking at the mermaids swimming around outside the last thing on his mind is steering, so his bubble may just collide with someone else's... unless he has a mindful "servant" with him who's remembering to watch their course. (OOC: Feel free to assume that Hijikata won against your character in either category if you'd like them to be his temporary servant!)]

So they did have human food here the entire time...

[He lets out a scornful snort. Of course nobody told them that at the end of the year when the goddamn Mari Lwyd took everybody's provisions from home!]

E ⦿ Magical Maze

[A new day brings a new challenge, and this time Arashi is accompanying Hijikata. He's still quite feather-ruffled over how his bond partner ditched him with his hard-to-handle pets the previous day, but when Hijikata gives him a red gemstone - a thoughtful present for the crow tengu from his squire - he is appeased (though he does make a petty remark about how much more well-mannered the boy is than certain people). Before long they need to focus on the maze they find themselves in, though.]

Arashi, you can fly. Can't you just check for the way out?

[The familiar nods and lifts off, and after a brief survey round he returns.]

There is an exit ahead two more corners to the right, however there are some squares to be stacked before you will be able to climb up.

Squares?

[Once they arrive at the exit moments later the riddle is revealed to be... well, a block puzzle. Hijikata groans.]

This is the wrong medium for us! Even I would have trouble moving those boulders, and you're like half my body mass! And only you can touch them? We may as well look for a different exit.

[This really doesn't look too promising... unless, maybe, someone with a stronger familiar wants to help!]

F ⦿ Potion Pickers

[Hijikata isn't exactly a potion master, but he also is too dedicated to back down from the final challenge of the tournament, so here he is with five potions in his arsenal - and he doesn't waste any time offering his chalice to his opponent.]

This is how this works, right? We each drink until one of us gets taken out by it?

[This isn't how he likes to fight, not even remotely - honestly, he wants out of this! But his stubbornness and pride won't allow it, so he can only hope that whatever he'll be given won't be worse than the skip potion he's offering.]

G ⦿ Creative Flavors

[When Hijikata hears that everyone will celebrate the end of the tournament on the Island of Dreams he's excited. He'll see his beloved mayonnaise mascots again!! (Not before he massively aggravates the sky orcas, though, by making a mad dash across the Whisper Bridge without a blindfold and fending them off with strong lightning charges - he isn't in the mood for whispers from lost loved ones, thank you very much!)

In the spectacular palace's banquet hall he can be found looking all the more happy, surrounded by a dozen little gnome-like creatures that are mostly bald with just a few hair tufts and have beady little eyes... honestly, they're kind of ugly, but he doesn't seem to think so. He even has one on his lap and spoon-feeds it mayonnaise... which is all that seems to be on his plate.]

Eat up, Mayorin! Today you don't have to make your own from eggs!

[If nobody even wants to ask what he's talking about that's understandable, but for what it's worth, he looks really happy.]


2) Sleepover (for itsmypower)

[The first week of June was sunny and warm, so Hijikata invited his squire for dinner and some catching-up with each other. Since they'll probably end up talking until late he put a second mattress and sleeping bag in the small inner tent so Shoto can spend the night. By the time he picks him up outside the perimeter (to not have him run into the alarm system) and leads him into the camp proper the first stars are already faintly becoming visible in the sky, the campfire is burning, and the smell of mapo tofu is filling the air.]

See, I'm already putting your recipe to good use.

[He cracks a grin as he opens the pot lid to check on the meal.]

It's about ready, I think, but if you want to show me your new technique first it can stew a little longer. We can also leave that for tomorrow morning, though!


3) Quests

A ⦿ Elephaint

[The wording of the quest already puts Hijikata's expectations at rock bottom. What a buffoon of a guard!! He can't help but narrow his eyes and mumble to himself in aggravation as he reads it on his phone at the cigarette vending machine.]

"The Doormouse"? Are you kidding me?

B ⦿ Uncommon Sense

[A monster in a cave eating travellers? Not on Hijikata's watch! He shows up at the appointed meeting place in Camelot City fully equipped with his knight gear, evidently ready to slay.]

Do you have everything? Better check once more before I burn the totem.

[They're not cumbersomely travelling all over the island when he can get them there in a blink!]

C ⦿ Knight Quest (for rustyhoney)

[Hijikata teamed up with Jean once more for double knight duty. As they approach the first relevant location on horseback he reads through the details of the quest once more.]

Vines again... I hope it's not one of those doppelganger-creating plants again. You know, like the one we had in the Brocéliande last year that caused us so much trouble.

[He's frowning. That was a total pain in the ass! He nearly got tricked and backstabbed by one of the doppelgangers! To be fair, it probably is a different plant they're dealing with here, and if nothing else the villagers have already been evacuated... those who didn't end up missing, that is.]

I wonder if we'll find any survivors.


[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]

Comments

Knight Questing

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean appears mostly calm, though the thought of carnivorous anything is always anxiety-giving when you come from a world full of creatures trying to eat you alive. He mostly idly pets the mane of his horse as they ride.]

Yeah, I remember those... [He had been lucky enough to not get involved with the vines somehow - but he heard about them later.] Were they carnivorous? If not these might be a different plant altogether.

[Carnivorous doppelganger plant sounds a bit dangerous.]

I hope so. It would be great to help families reunite.

[mayoninofukucho]

You're right; I don't think those ones ate people. Most people were actually out of town when they got impersonated, if I remember right.

[As they enter the village it's eerily quiet. The houses, gardens and small streets are entirely abandoned. In place of the inhabitants strange green vines have spread here and there. Hijikata observes them keenly, but they don't seem to move at all... not so far at least.]

Looks like we've got our work cut out for us.

[Given that the vines are said to still be dangerous after being severed he leaves his sword sheathed for the time being.]

Should we leave the horses on a meadow? The last thing we need is for them to get attacked while we follow the growth to the mother plant. Just tell them to keep watch of their surroundings while they're alone.

[rustyhonesty]

Yeah, good idea.

[Jean's horse snorts (or neighs, in Hijikata's hearing), asking Hijikata's horse if they think they're stupid enough to not after listening to them talk about carnivorous plants.]

Oi, don't get offended when we're thinking about your safety.

[Sometimes his horse a little sassy.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata's horse returns a similar snort. His opinion on this mission is pessimistic as usual - why do these knights keep chasing after death and danger?!]

You heard Jean, you two. Stay watchful, or else we'll have to rely on the archaeopteryxes for everything from here on out.

[Black Star lets out a whinny that sounds sarcastic even to Hijikata. He can't understand him and vice versa, but they know each other well enough by now. Hijikata points at an enclosure, empty now as the people apparently took even their livestock (most probably sheep or goats) with them.]

Let's keep them there. If shit hits the fan they can jump that narrow fence.

[Once the men have dismounted and ensured that there are no vines in the vicinity of the horses' rest stop he walks back in the direction of the nearest ones they saw on the way.]

Let's hope we won't have to follow them for hours... but they can't have crawled on the ground for miles on end, right? I hope the mother plant isn't in the deepest thicket.

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean takes a moment to give the two some instructions - especially to his, who knows to return to Mikasa should something go wrong. She also has animal magic so she'd be able to understand.

It's creepy to see the village so empty, but nothing he hasn't seen before as sad as it sounds. Jean keeps his hand on his sword as they walk towards the vines they saw before.]

I don't know about how far away it might be, but if I was a carnivorous plant, I'd make sure my surroundings were filled with my own vines to protect the main body... so the distance the vines have traveled might be shorter because of that.

Continued from above (to avoid page-stretching)!

[mayoninofukucho]

[(Continued from here!)

How much worse can it be?! Should he even ask?! He's really surprised. Jean is so level-headed and agreeable, who would have thought that he lived his whole life in a nightmare? His world sounds about as horrible as some of the multiverse gathering points Hijikata heard about. He's quiet for another moment as they pass the now slack and deflated vines stretching across the field, then decides to at least give Jean a chance to talk more about it. He can imagine that he doesn't want to spring such stories on most other people, but it has to be heavy on his mind.]

What's worse than the titans?

[If it's humans... well, that'll be a disappointment, but not a surprise. Going by what Jean explained it's already human minds that control the titans, so Hijikata braces for whatever could be even worse than that.]

[rustyhonesty]

[It's not a topic he likes to talk about. Mikasa and him talk about it quite a bit from time to time, but usually they try to forget about the past life of the world they originate from. It's better for their mental health, definitely.]

I told you that there are titan shifters and we have one our side, but several on the "enemy" side. Three of them were involved in a tragedy where two of the walls protecting humanity from titans were destroyed. Those three... infiltrated our military. We became friends with them as they pretended to be the same as us. A lot of us, including me, thought of one of them as a big brother figure, even. We talked about what we wanted to do after we graduate and did all sorts of things together outside training.

[It's an unfortunate tendency of his to spill everything out at once if he's let to do so, just so he doesn't have to explain it again later. Though he explains with a neutral, pretty calm voice, it's clear from they way his hands are in fists that he isn't as quite over this whole thing.]

When we graduated they made another hole into one of the remaining walls. We still didn't find out they were the traitors until a little bit later. And just a few months ago I found out that during the chaos of the fight, they ... [He takes a deeper breathe.] They were part of the reason my best friend died in the battle against the titans that invaded.

[He lets out a rather pained, sarcastic laugh at that.]

Not only did they betray all of us they also killed one of the kindest people who ever existed.


[There are things in the world he can never forgive and this is one of those very things.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata's expression remains neutral, too, but Jean's story gets his blood boiling. Traitors are the worst. He remembers all too well how a certain ambituous and high-ranking Shinsengumi member back home attempted a coup and almost got their Commander killed. They lost a number of men in his rescue, not to mention the cold shock of seeing presumed comrades turn against them.]

...

If any of these shitheads ever show up here I'll take care of them with you, no questions asked.

[This may not be very knightly of him, but there's a limit to what he can endure, and it's not like he cares about being noble and righteous. Sure, he and Jean have seen how people who did horrible things on their homeworld can start anew for the better on Avalon (Mukuro being the best example), but he's not feeling charitable enough to preemptively extend the benefit of the doubt to those titan shifters.]

[rustyhonesty]

[It's not, but in this case he doesn't care. There are some things even knights don't need be neutral and chivalrous about. And his heart didn't have room for mercy for traitors like them.]

There's especially a blond, buff guy named Reiner, if he ever happens to come across him. Let me know, too, if you do.

[The other two were as responsible as him, but Reiner's betrayal and what he heard from Marco about the situation was the worst. Especially his way of just steeling his heart and continuing to pretend for a good while.

He takes another deeper breathe.]

I'll be glad if we never have to go back to that nightmare. Our dream is to return to Empatheias, the world we were previously in, after we stop the Calamity. That place was like a home. Well, this place has become one too, but that was even more so.

1E

[over_the_sea]

Aahhhh~! This is so booorrrinnggg! [The voice comes from somewhere near Hijikata and Arashi's location, sounding like it was making it's way closer as the owner of that voice complained, loudly, about the situation.] We should just go, Squishy. Whatever at the end ain't worth it.

[It takes a few moments before Floyd appears in the same area, walking along casually, his hands linked behind his head and swinging one leg out in front of the other, seeming to be in no rush at all. And spotting Hijikata.] Heeey~! What ya doing? You know the way out? [Sure, Floyd could go the whole 'give up' route, but he's not quite to full quitting just yet. Just close. He's still hoping there could be some fun to this all. Plus Squishy no doubt would hate the consequences to this, even if Floyd would find it funny.

The 'Squishy' that Floyd was speaking to turns out to be a rather small, palm-size kraken who was cuddled up to the back and side of Floyd's neck, almost merging into the teen's hair color at first glance. At first glance, it doesn't look like it would be much help in this puzzle...]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata promptly confuses Floyd for his twin brother, having met Jade a couple of times (well, "met" is putting it too simply; Jade flat-out saved his ass after a dangerous wildlife encounter in the marshes). Sure, Jade seemed somewhat more reserved, and he had the long dark hair strand on the other side, but maybe he flipped it over for a change! Since Hijikata doesn't second-guess himself he doesn't even introduce himself (not knowing that he may have a new nickname coming up anyway) and simply complains at him, no holds barred.]

Yeah, this seems to be one way out right here, but it needs someone to move these massive blocks around first, and Arashi here doesn't have the strength!

[The black-robed crow tengu with his humanoid build, crow head, and large black wings lowers his eyes. Does Hijikata always have to be so blunt?! But before he can get a word in his bond partner points at Squishy.]

Your familiar doesn't look like a powerhouse either, so let's see if we can't find another way out with a different riddle, maybe something where he can put his many arms to use, or something airy for Arashi.

[The little kraken may not look strong, but it's cute... why did so many people get endearing familiars while he ended up with a stuff, bookish bird?]

[over_the_sea]

[If Floyd seems surprised at all by the casual way Hijikata speaks to him despite meeting for the first time, he doesn't show it. It could be a case that he's used to him and Jade getting mixed up, but it's more likely he doesn't care and is happy to be spoken to without any flair or need for formality, ready to just jump right in with little question about who he's talking to.

Floyd leans a little to the side to get a look at Arashi, looking him over then a bit of a smile. It's so great to see everyone's companions, they're so cool. Wait, back to the problem,] Oh yeah? Yeaaah, that's a pain. [Before his attention turns to Squishy. That's a good point, but you never know unless you try. So Floyd reaches a hand back to grab Squishy by the head, and pulls. Squishy clearly does not want this, wrapping it's tentacles around Floyd's neck at it's best attempt to hold on, resulting in an almost cartoonish level of being stretched out, before they loose it's grip and ends up in Floyd's grip, dangling from his grip for a few moments... then moving to latch on to his hand.]

You try, Squishyyy~! If you can't then we'll look for another way. [Floyd making his way over to the blocks and plopping Squishy down on one of them. And waits. And watches. In which Squishy looks back to him. Looks down. Slaps a tentacle against the top of the block. Then back up to Floyd. Hmmm.]

Hmmm, maybe not. Ah well. [Though when Floyd goes to pick Squishy up again... Squishy just waves a tentacle at him, as if shooing him off.] What? You wanna try again? [Was this a waste of time? Maybe, but Floyd seemed happy to see this out. For now at least. He may manhandle Squishy quite a bit, but he's willing to let it have a go at stuff if it wants to. They supposed to be friends after all, not fighting between each other.]


[OOC: Hahaa, talking of nicknames, for some reason while looking for ideas Frigatebird stood out for me, however I am happy if you got ideas you would rather for it.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata and Arashi both open their mouths (well, mouth and beak) watching the struggle, but just before they can get out their respective remarks about how Floyd is going to turn blue in the face and how Squishy will snap in half the little kraken finally pops off. Once Floyd places it on the block nothing much happens, yet it seems insistent...]

He's a stubborn one, huh?

[Arashi shakes his head and takes a step forward, addressing Floyd.]

Young Sir, I believe he is asking for you to join him on the block. Perhaps he has levitation powers he wants to use?

Why'd he have levitation powers of all things? By the way, Arashi, you should at least give it a try!

[Why did they just decide that Squishy is a boy kraken?! Talk about subconscious bias! Alas, the tall crow tengu sighs, then inclines his head, and puts both palms against the block Squishy is sitting on (he has arms too; his wings grow from his back). But despite his visible effort he can't move the heavy thing.]

It is no use.

(OOC: Go for it!! Hijikata will complain no matter what, pffff.)

G

[yankiisuwari]

[ Juza never really comments on any type of meal or the flavor, eating what's on his plate silently; no complaints to the chef. As for favorites, though, anything sweet goes. He counts cream puffs before falling asleep and since this is the Island of Dreams...

He's got a big bowl of whipped cream and a spoon in his hand.

But for all his desire and reverie, he's too taken up by Hijikata and the little creature with him. If cream critters existed, would he share...? Of course, his stare is naturally intense and he can't really pretend he isn't looking. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He feels Juza's gaze on him and looks up. Ah! The young man must be feeling envious! No wonder, who could resist such a cute being as Mayorin? Usually Hijikata tends to be a little on edge and braced for chaos, crime, or worse wherever he goes, but right now he's at his most relaxed, so he offers him a gentle smile where he might normally have shot a glare back.]

They're cute, right? Do you want to hold one, too?

[yankiisuwari]

[ Envy not quite, amazement maybe. They seem to gobble up Hijikata's positive disposition same as the mayonnaise. While he's surprised, then slow to consider, one totters over before Juza can reply. ]

U-uh. No, I...

[ Suddenly he looks into beady and expectant eyes, right over the rim of his bowl of cream. Does it want some? Juza still hasn't made up his mind about sharing and holds onto bowl and spoon more tightly.

But this guy sounds like he knows a lot about 'em. ] What 're they?

[mayoninofukucho]

Mayonnaise fairies. They're called Mayorin.

[The second part is objectively true, but the first part... well. It's really just a mayonnaise brand mascot from Hijikata's homeworld, but he is a little delusional and somehow convinced himself that all Mayorin mayonnaise is really made by swarms of the little creatures in theme-park-like factories. A couple more of them approach Juza and look at him intently.]

You don't have to be scared, they're the most gentle and harmless beings in the multiverse!

Sleepover

[itsmypower]

[It smells like home to him.]

Fuyumi made it for me once...

[Smiling back at him. He's out in "normal" clothes, finally; his gifted novelty noodle t-shirt—which he doesn't understand—paired with shorts and blue sneakers. A second longer-sleeved draping him. Almost comforts, now considering how the one who'd first gifted it to him isn't here anymore, can't tease him, won't remember her kindness in ever leaving it to him.

Though here, now, this hurts him less.]

I thought you'd might like it. [Seeking approval here. Wanting to share things with him.] I don't mind getting started, though. [Then, cautiously, as if in some way it's ominous,] Which technique did you have in mind? I thought I should hurry and heal you first...

[Worrying ceaselessly. He's been troubled all week about it!]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Somehow it's really endearing to see Shoto in these casual clothes, especially the silly novelty shirt that seems like it shouldn't be worn by such a serious boy, yet the contrast is its own perk. Hijikata, too, knows what it's like to have friends spirited away from Avalon without warning... in the end, once the calamity is averted, will they all only have keepsakes left of each other? Or will they be able to remain in contact? Only time will tell, so he'll focus on the present.]

Sure, we can start with that! Should I do anything particular, lie down or..?

[He's in much better shape than he was in the first couple of months after the poisoning, so he feels no urgency - not that he did at any point, stubborn as he is -, but still, the prospect of being healed is tempting. He's experienced it enough times now, in different varieties, that he knows the relief it brings.]

[itsmypower]

[Two minds on their presents, now. He shifts searching eyes away.]

You should do whatever you’re comfortable with; if that means lying down for you…

[However he wants to. The youth trails once he’s settled, and with eyes closed lightly, his hand to his shoulder, he passes him light with calmed focus, calling up winds on purified spellworks and willpower. His healing’s meditative.] I’ve never healed anyone like this before. Using the flowers. [Making it special… His own panacea of spotted fungus, wild herbs and dried petals. He’s eaten nothing besides this, made his blood a thick medicine, pure and potent as soft-white winds create his own shifting currents, sharing his own rising energy. Pouring the glow into him. His worried smiling’s still anxious.]

You could think of it like an antidote. [Warming golds over him.] But you should tell me if you’re hurting again. I always injure more than heal these days…

[Disasters and flowers; still on his mind now.]

I don’t think that’s a proper samurai, though.

[mayoninofukucho]

[In the end Hijikata doesn't lie down but sits cross-legged. This way it feels less like Shoto has to carry out an operation on him, so hopefully it'll feel a little easier for the boy as well. The healing energy, once it comes, feels like pure goodness, evoking sensations of sitting in a fragrant meadow or light forest, stroked by the wind, on a warm and gentle day - granted, the mild environment temperature in the camp helps the illusion.]

Samurai can't really heal, no.

[It's a rare meditative moment for Hijikata too, eyes falling closed for long moments at a time, completely relying on Shoto. It doesn't come naturally to him, but practising reliance is part of having a squire - and it's easy, much easier than he anticipated, because it's Shoto. He's already so strong and capable, Hijikata is fully convinced that he could stand on his own as a knight, even mentor a squire of his own. He'd make a good teacher, he's sure, having been such a keen and attentive student. He'd be able to share many minute observations and unique lines of thought. But at the same time Shoto is still so young, and Hijikata doesn't want to send him off, not yet, much as Shoto doesn't seem to want to leave.]

It's good that you can heal, though. It's always easier to kill and destroy than it is to heal and repair. It's good that this can be part of your bushido, because you're a special samurai, one who was a hero first and foremost.

[His breath is rising and falling steadily and lightly, and his mind is being lulled into such relaxation that his voice sounds much softer than usually.]

How did you manage to incorporate the flowers? Did you use them for healing potions that you drank and are now channeling into me?

A! - Meeting Fae't

[gilgamess]

[ certain hapless mongrels need to watch where they step -- at such an absurd speed, Hijikata is poised to collide with someone.

... but that someone will not be Gilgamesh, as the King of Heroes is the master of the deft sidestep. even without his extra abilities as a mage or his supreme abilities as a Servant, he still has his agility and his keen and quick reaction time. he has spent a lifetime honing both of those qualities, after all. but what is it with this man, running about in such a harried manner? he seems to be quite overrun with beasts. the King of Heroes's own familiar, a lion cub, accompanies him, as it always does in this world, but it is quite docile in comparison to the menagerie that this man seems to have about his person.

needless to say, Gilgamesh is not all about involving himself in such motley affairs -- not without some form of decent incentive, at least. rather, his goal is parallel to Hijikata's own: he intends to better understand just what is happening with this tournament. if the other man cannot answer any questions about the situation at hand, then it might not be worth speaking with him... he does, after all, look to be quite a wreck. the King of Heroes debates simply leaving him to his rabble. but, perhaps on a whim, he opts instead to intercept -- ]

The blind leading the blind, is it?

[ interpret that as you will, given the circumstances. ]

Hmph. Just where do you intend to gather this information?

[ not that he is asking because he, too, could use the help or anything. aha, it is somewhat unfortunate, not having 100% of the answers at all times... as he is accustomed to...

but really, this entire situation with the Fisher King has begun to pique his curiosity, and Gilgamesh certainly is not averse to a tournament, even in his beginner state. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[This guy..!! Hijikata immediately recognises that golden hair and those red eyes, though it's a very one-sided recognition. When another timeline's Gilgamesh briefly crossed over into Avalon during a dreamscape incident earlier this year he immediately clashed with him over his haughty attitude, but to his immense chagrin the self-proclaimed King of Heroes soon proved his merit by defeating a seemingly insurmountable demi-god enemy that likewise appeared in the dreamscape. Ultimately Hijikata had to acknowledge his superiority, which stung (a lot), but he thought he had seen the last of him!]

Have you ever been at a tournament?! They usually hang up posters and hand out flyers so people know what's going on where and when!

[His eyes dart to the lion cub, unsure if it's a pet or a familiar. Some people have very exotic pets and others very mundane familiars! He won't ask, though, lest the question earn him more mockery. Arashi, upon seeing his bond partner snap at the other man, tentatively moves away from them backwards with the leashed dinosaurs, hoping to subtly extricate himself from the situation. He's a diplomatic being, and Hijikata is pretty much the opposite, which makes it stressful for his familiar to be associated with him sometimes. Hijikata, meanwhile, realises that there may be a caveat to what he just said.]

Okay, to be fair, they announced this tournament really ad-hoc, so maybe they've had no time to distribute much written information, but in that case I'll just go to the castle to inquire!

[He points all the way up at the gargantuan tree housing Nicnevin. A few gaps in the crown show the towers of the castle. Honestly, it would probably make more sense to send Arashi up there, given that he can fly... but that would mean that Hijikata has to mind his overactive little dinosaurs, so no.]

[gilgamess]

[ it is a one-sided recognition indeed: certainly this iteration of the King of Heroes does not have those memories, though he would pleased to hear of his own grandiose accomplishments. Hijikata is fortunate, perhaps, to presently be dealing with a summoning of Gilgamesh whose personality is more tempered and errs on the more mature side... well, compared to his usual self, that is, which is to say that certain members of Chaldea, such as Romani, do still have a tendency to describe him as immature. not that Gilgamesh considers them to have an iota of sense in such judgments, But.

the framing of Hijikata's question is rather amusing. ]

Heh... were I to attend any tournament, it would be one hosted by me.

[ he was the king, after all. ]

Ah, very well then. I shall permit you to show me the way to the castle, that I may also learn more, for it seems I too am in this tournament.

[ Gilgamesh has a certain fondness for commoners, actually. they were useful at such times.

that cub is just eyeing Hijakata's animal retinue with quite a bit of curiosity, though it is a rather even-tempered animal and mindful of potential danger in such situations, so it does not rush forward. it tends to attend closely at Gilgamesh's side, a very loyal miniature companion -- more docile than Enkidu, though. more like Siduri. he supposes he probably should give it a name, soon... ]

In receipt for your assistance in helping me procure this information ... perhaps I might deign to assist with those beasts of yours.

[ not that Gilgamesh feels he owes any measure of generosity; it is not a trait for which he has habitually been known. but he is not entirely without some semblance of belief in reciprocal favors. a sense of honor was probably one of one thing others could credit him with across his different iterations, and in this summoning, all the more so. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata scowls. Of course Gilgamesh would have been hosting any tournaments he might have been at before! Well, this is Avalon; the tables turn for everyone here, kings and emperors and even deities. But this particular king probably still has to get the full memo - ugh, the graciousness with which he grants Hijikata permission to lead the way! But then his offer to help him with the little reptiles stops the samurai's snappish response dead in his throat.]

What, you'll help me with the compsognathuses? Do you know anything at all about dinosaurs?

[The chicken-sized creatures, meanwhile, are very interested in the Gilgamesh's cub companion. It's not small enough to be suitable prey for them, but certainly an interesting playmate! Maybe they can even tease it and chase it around! They pull on their leashes and make squawking sounds, and Arashi, seeing a chance to get out of his pet-sitting duty, quickly chimes in, spreading his large black wings to emphasise the sensibility of his suggestion.]

Hijikata-san, how about you and the kind Sir keep an eye on these two while I gather the information from the castle? I shall be back in no time.

Hah... fine by me, but don't dawdle! Here, take my phone. If they hung up any program flyers take a photo.

[The longer the stays alone with Gilgamesh the more of a risk he runs to blow a fuse over the king's ego! But hey, maybe it'll go well after all, and he can answer some questions he may have about the context of the situation he was thrown into here. As he takes the double-leash and the crow tengu lifts off into the sky he asks what he has been wondering about anyway.]

So when did you get here?