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

[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.)

[over_the_sea]

[At one point Floyd did try seeing if Squishy had a hectocotylus, only to get bit, hard, for doing so. Since then he's respected Squishy's privacy to it's gender.

There's a few more slaps of those tentacles, though looking more annoyed in doing so, and still waving at both Floyd and Arashi now, still not overly clear if it's a 'come here' or 'go away'. When neither of them show signs of understanding it, there's a little ripple of those tentacles up, then down again, almost sign of frustration or like a person shaking their head.

Before Squishy suddenly expanding to a great size, pushing all three of them across the room with it's bulk, until it took up most of the space, but luckily without squashing any of them against the walls.]

...WAAAT?! [WHAT?!] Squishy!!! ... you can get so big! [Floyd's tone and expression starting as shocked, and in an instant flipping to joy, getting himself free of being push and clambering up onto one of Squishy's tentacles, skittering across it towards it's head.] Now I can ride you! [There's another ripple through a couple of those tentacles, as if Squishy was answer him, before it started to move those blocks out of the way with ease, stacking them carefully in the corner and out of the way.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Poor Squishy, this really is a daft audience! When the small creature suddenly balloons up to an enormous size Hijikata barely manages to stagger out of the way, and Arashi flat-out transforms into his smaller, faster crow form and swings himself into the air and out of the danger zone. Hijikata is too baffled by what just happened to even chew his familiar out for the temporary abandonment.

In the back of his mind he vaguely registers that "Jade" didn't seem this bubbly and exuberant - when he saw him wishing mushrooms into existence on the Island of Dreams he was more quietly excited -, but that's secondary now! The riddle is getting solved!]

Well, damn! This sure comes in handy!

[If he had known about this fabulous familiar he might just have asked "Jade" for help with the previous month's sea hag quest; Squishy probably wouldn't just have ollied out halfway through like the deinosuchus he persuaded to serve him and Dust as a mount!]

Let's get out of here!

[The stacked blocks are heavy enough for them to climb without toppling the pyramid, and if Squishy shrinks down again Floyd can simply carry him with him. Arashi, of course, can wait for them at the upper level at this rate. Hijikata doesn't realise that only Floyd and Squishy will get credit for this, given that he and Arashi are just chance benefactors, but he doesn't really care. His focus was on the combat categories of the previous day.]

[over_the_sea]

[Just wait until Hijikata got to see the twins next to each other... assuming he doesn't work it out before they get out of this all. Time will tell.

Floyd for his part is patting Squishy.] Well done, Squishy! I'm so proud of you! [Aww, it's so talented. And after a moment... Squishy just rapidly shrinks back to it's normal size. This does result in Floyd, who was still on top of one of Squishy's tentacles, to just drop from the air,] Ah! Hey! [Landing on the ground with an 'oof', but picking himself up.] Warn me next time.

[Squishy seems unmoved... though raises a couple of tentacles to be picked up, to which Floyd does, putting it back by his neck as he turns to Hijikata's shout,] Okay~! I was getting real bored here, but this is fun! I hope there's more to do, I wanna keep going now. [Before Floyd almost throws himself up those blocks, having little issue with scaling and scrambling up them even without his kinetic magic.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata observes Floyd's interaction with Squishy... damn, on some level he's really salty. Seriously, why couldn't he have such a versatile, cute kraken?! It's even quiet, too! Arashi always lectures him! But "Jade" saved his life, so he won't begrudge him his adorable familiar too much. Since he's pretty fit himself he has no trouble scaling the blocks either, and before long they're all standing on Nicnevin's solid ground and can overlook the moat-turned-crystal-maze.]

We were probably the first ones to finish, so I say we kick back a little before the next round... unless we can get first dibs on some rare potions if we show up early. You're joining that one too, right? What's your second magic type besides healing again? Not alchemy, is it? Wait, I remember - you had a hunch it'd be green magic, didn't you? Did that turn out to be right?

[over_the_sea]

[Aww, that it for now? Borrriingggg! Floyd doesn't want to wait around! He wants to do stuff now! His displeasure to this showing on his face as he flings his hands back behind his head, linking his fingers together, half listening to what Hijikata was talking about.] Ehh, I don't care about potions, unless they do something fun. [If he wanted potions he would just annoy Azul for some.

Though Floyd's attention gets caught with that talk of magic, looking to Hijikata for a long moment. Then smiling.] Eeehhh~? Haaa, you think I'm Jade, don't you? [Haaa, that was funny. Floyd's used to it, but he's also used to those back at Night Raven College picking it up faster once they heard Floyd talk. Then try and get away from him. Floyd did enjoy his reputation in the school. Though it was kind of fun here too, no one automatically assumed the worse about him. Which gave him more chances to have fun with them...

But right now he's more amused than scheming.] Nooo~, I'm Floyd.

[mayoninofukucho]

Floyd?

[He looks positively bamboozled.]

What do you mean? Are there two of you?

[Now that he thinks about it this boy really comes across as more of a wild card than Jade did... and aren't his eye colors reversed? Or is this some kind of trick or prank?! He's been through too many fae trials in which illusions of friends, allies, and loved ones appeared to trick him, and regardless of the maze challenge already being safely won his expression turns suspicious.]

Are you pulling my leg?

[Arashi, back in his humanoid form, nervously fidgets by his side. He's not good with confrontations, and since he never met Jade he can't judge the situation.]

[over_the_sea]

Yup! We're twins! [Floyd grinning away happily, all too happy to have such a wonderful brother that was Jade. They always knew how to get up to trouble together, and Floyd loved that. Not always out of trouble, but Jade was better at that than Floyd was. Their physically differences were slight enough for most to mix them up at first glance, but with time they could be picked out easier. Those flipped eye colors, that black streak of their hair to the opposite side, the side they wore their earrings on. But they also both enjoyed being mistaken for the other and confusing people.

That was all part of the game.]

Heeey, [Floyd drew out.] It's not like I tricked you or anything, you didn't ask. Maybe you shouldn't assume stuff. [But please do keep assuming stuff, it made messing with people so much easier.] But I had real fun, Frigatebird, we should do stuff again sometime! [And Hijikata also gets gifted a nickname. Well done!]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He scoffs. That totally wasn't an oversight on his part!]

Who'd expect twins to end up here together? I mean, what are the chances? Also who're you calling a frigatebird?! My name's Hijikata - but don't say it too loudly around here; you know what'll happen!

[Does Floyd really know, though? Regardless, overall Hijikata is increasingly getting the impression that he might just be a bit of a troublemaker... he only did the maze challenge for shits and giggles, didn't he? Still, Floyd also has at least one major point in his favour: Squishy. So Hijikata won't simply dismiss his suggestion of hanging out again.]

Do you do quests? What are your magic types?

[Why is this suddenly feeling like an interview?!]

[over_the_sea]

[Floyd takes it in his stride completely, not at all put off by Hijikata's reaction to this all.] Yeaaah, Jade said he's been here awhile without me, which makes me sad. It not fair we got separated, we're supposed to stick together. At least he had Azul here, [Then a chuckle.] Though he might had preferred not to. [Look, Azul was their friend and great, but he's also bossy as all hell. Though it was nice to just slot back into what was normality for the three of them, which included Jade and Floyd acting as 'workers' for Azul. It was a front they were well practiced at doing.

Hijikata's complaint on the nickname also gets ignored.] Yup! Sometimes! When I get bored with work or study. Though some of them are real boring, but Azul says it's good to get my name out there for him. [Building up reputation and all that.] Plus there's less people to squeeze at Golden Silence than at Mostro Lounge, so I get to do that on missions instead! [As for magic,] Ahhh~, you first. [It didn't seem as private information as it did back at Night Raven College, where everyone tried to guard just what exactly their unique magic was... but still, Floyd doesn't want others to think they can just get information out of him for nothing.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata kind of knows Azul too - not personally, but from his AOL posts. He seems to be quite the young entrepreneur, having involved his restaurant in ongoings of public interest more than once now. (Hijikata doesn't realise it, but in a hypothetical scenario his own subordinates from home would probably have been quite glad to be isekai'd without him there to boss them around...)

He snorts in dry amusement at Floyd's commentary on the "boring" quests. No joke!! He always skips those mundane ones completely and focuses almost solely on the combat quests. He didn't get knighted to look for someone's lost pet or help paint a fence! When Floyd turns his original question around on him he doesn't mind complying.]

I've got elemental- and death magic. Not to brag, but I think I've had enough time here to get a good handle on them both.

[He's definitely not going to mention how badly he freaked out for weeks on end when he first received his secondary magic! Suddenly seeing ghosts everywhere had been a total nightmare. Arashi, who had been fidgeting next to him, clears his throat and finally raises his voice.]

Hijikata-san, I shall take my leave for the time being if my presence is no longer required.

Yeah, I guess we're done here. The potion challenge doesn't include familiars. Feed the dinosaurs, will you?

[Arashi inhales and opens his beak to protest, but already Hijikata hands over some moonstone pieces - the fae accept that as payment more readily than gold (or e-gold) -, at which point the crow tengu exhales again, apparently resigning to his task, and inclines his head towards Floyd before taking off into the sky. Hijikata lights himself a cigarette.]

So, I told you my magic types. What've you got?

[over_the_sea]

Bye bird! [Floyd waved enthusiastically as Arashi left them. He really likes seeing all these familiars, they come in such a range of shapes and sizes!

Well... he guesses it's only fair, since Hijikata answered. Then again, he also could not answer too, just because he doesn't want to... but naahhh.] Kinetic and blood. We used to have elemental magic back in our world, it's weird to be without it. [It was such a base magic that all magic users had, so to be without it was such a pain!

But enough of that,] Heeyy~, how'd ya know Jade? Do you go to the restaurant? [He doesn't seem like the type... but who knows.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Between Floyd's complaints about having been temporarily separated from his brother, his bubbly chattering to Squishy earlier, and his cheerful wave at Arashi now Hijikata is getting the impression that he's a little less mature than Jade. No matter, though; as long as he isn't a total klutz this doesn't disqualify him as a future questmate.

He nods at his magic types, satisfied. Those are good ones... but he won't get Floyd all hyped up by telling him about all the gruesome stuff experienced blood mages are able to do. He doesn't need him trying to blood-puppeteer people around right now!]

No, I'm usually too busy.

[He grabs most of his food at stalls and stands, and in any case he prefers small hole-in-the-wall restaurants over anything fancy.]

I first ran into Jade on the Island of Dreams at the end of last year - I assume you haven't been there yet, but you'll get to see it soon; it's a pretty great place -, and last month we went out to together search the Fisher King in the swamp. It wasn't us who found him in the end, but your brother's got a good head on his shoulders.

[over_the_sea]

Yeahhh~, Jade's real good at planning stuff out. It's why we work so well together. I just do and he makes sure it works after I do a thing. [The spontaneous and the planned, they were a good balance for each other.]

I'm happy he made friends here. [It would had been so sad if he had been all alone, but Floyd knows Jade is good at making contact with others.] Since you know us both now we should do something sometime. Like karaoke! Or, I donno, other stuff. No hiking though, Jade will try and make you go hiking with him. [Which is super boring.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He lets out a small amused snort again at "he makes sure it works after I do a thing". Yeah, alright, these twins are a handful. Luckily they're not his subordinates, so he isn't about to try and do anything about that. It's kind of Floyd to immediately invite Hijikata to an outing... he really is social, huh?]

I'm not really good at karaoke, but hiking can be worthwhile if we hike to a cave with rare minerals or something!

[Workaholic much?]

[over_the_sea]

Ugh, no way! You and Jade can go. [Yeah, no, that's no fun according to Floyd.] I don't wanna keep stopping to take photos of every rock or plant he finds that he likes. [It's weird, Jade, it's weird! And more important, it's boring!] You guys do that, and when you wanna do something actually fun we can do something.

[In saying that.] Plus you sound like Azul. [Azul would 100% make Jade and Floyd hike out if it meant him getting some sort of rare minerals that he could sell for a profit.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Okay, Floyd really is a little childlike. He just wants to have fun!]

Oh, do I? I'll have to stick to him and Jade for such ventures, then!

[In fairness, he'd also hike out if there were a magical medicine to gather, a village to liberate, or a monster to slay. He just finds it hard to wander around just for the sake of it, and he'd probably get impatient with Jade for stepping whenever something catches his eye!]

I should get on with the potion program, I reckon - thanks again for your help down there!

[Floyd get a smile and a nod, and Squishy gets an offer of a tiny two-finger handshake.]

[over_the_sea]

[That it, huh?

...ok!] Okaayy~! Have fun, Frigatebird! [Floyd may wave as Hijikata leaves, but Squishy seems rather indifferent to this all.] Catch ya later! [This was fun.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Hijikata!!

[The nickname sure helps keep his real name under wraps, which is all too advisable here in Elphame, but he just has to protest! Well, Floyd seems to selectively overhear his corrections regardless. As Hijikata trots off he looks down at his somewhat puffy cravat. Is that what earned him the bird moniker? It's not even stained red with monster blood right now... but in fairness, it's only a matter of time until that happens again.]