isleofavalon | June Adventures

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gintama: toshirou hijikata

June Adventures

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.]

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[Hijikata has definitely become a reliable ally (and a friend?) to Jean too. Enough for him to someday tell about the horrors ... Should it ever come up. It's not his favourite story to tell, but it helps give perspective to why he's the way he is.]

I don't have explosive... but my sword has been enchanted so it can shoot a beam. I can clear a way with that for sure.

[It was a dragon slayer perk. Not that he's still told many people he was part of it.]

I can't just use it all the time, there's sort of a cool down, but timed right it should work well.

[Hijikata still doesn't know what Jean was a member of the dragon slayer party, but given that he wanted the beast dead as well (and only agreed to a capture attempt due to being outvoted in his own group) he'd invite him to a beer or several if he found out!]

Nice! Did you come up with that on your own? Or did you find the spell in some book, or did someone else enchant it for you?

[He enjoys exchanging magic methods, techniques, and service provider information! There's such an endless wealth of information to be found on the island, not to mention experienced specialists, but experiments can pay off big time too, even by relative novices like them.

As they arrive at the ditch he carefully peers down, only to see the vines - along with others joining up with them from somewhat further north - run down in the southern direction. He lifts his gaze at the horizon... it looks like the ditch, probably primarily serving as a border in the fields, meets a group of trees and bushes in the distance, not big enough to be called a forest.]

Alright, maybe that's where it's sitting. You know what, I think it might help if I freeze it - it's water content is so high, it should be pretty efficient. Then you can shoot at the main body while it and the tentacles are frozen.

Someone from Celliwig did it. I got it as a reward for a pretty big quest last year. The dragon one.

[It's a sign of trust that he's even saying that, even if it's said very casually in a conversation rather than a big reveal. As a fellow knight, he trusts Hijikata won't smite him down or anything like that in the middle of a quest even if he'd hate him for it.

Besides, he feels like it's no longer such a big deal. Most of the people who were annoyed with them were gone now, anyway.]

That's a good plan. Keeps it nicely still too so it won't grab either of us.

[He wouldn't want to shoot a beam and end up hitting a grabbed Hijikata or something else.]

[Jean's casual reveal of his great feat sure enough grips Hijikata's attention, much as he keeps his senses alert as they walk onwards.]

You got it as a reward for the dragon quest? So it was your group who slayed it?! You've got to tell me how you managed that!

[He sounds sincerely impressed, because he is. A whole bunch of capable people who fought the dragon on the Celliwig scene couldn't stop it from scorching the place to the ground, so he's eager to hear the dragon slayer's tale!]

I went with a couple of others to capture it - I'd rather have slain it if it'd been up to just me, mind -, but in the end we simply didn't encounter it. There were too damn many tunnels in that mountain!

Yeah, I remember there being several groups there. We got lucky with animal and blood magic tracking.

[Since the dragon was injured it made it easier to follow a trail like that.

He's also relieved that Hijikata was of this opinion rather than trying to save it. It's enough to make him smile a little bit in reply.]

I can tell you about the battle itself on our way back. We should focus on dealing with the mother plant first.

[Speaking of it, Jean swings his sword to cut a wayward vine tentacle that was approaching.] We're definitely getting closer.

[He nods - those would have been helpful magic types for the dragon hunt! Jean's focus on the quest is sensible too - and much needed, as the sudden tentacle attack proves.]

They're getting cheeky, huh? Sure looks like we're getting there!

[He freezes the severed tentacle that's still thrashing around as he passes it by. For a moment he considers sending his ice all the way up to the main body from the increasing number of tentacles leading up to it from here, however that might take away their chance of a surprise attack - but then a moment later the plant takes the decision off their hands.

The tentacles that were still like thick pipes suddenly twist and rise and fling themselves at him and Jean, trying to whip or grasp or ensnare them. Hijikata ducks, jumps, sword-slices and magic-freezes in rapid movements, seeing Jean do pretty much the same near him like a blur.]

I'll freeze them!

[He touches the first tentacle, sending a blast of ice magic through its entire structure in both directions, leaving it suspended in motion and changing its colour from green to blue-white in a blink, then turning to the next while cutting through a third that tried to wrap around his leg. If Jean has the capacities to give him cover that'll be a big help, but he isn't counting on it, given that he probably has his hands full just defending himself.]

[The vines are definitely going at it. Jean is very busy defending himself, but he keeps an eye on Hijikata's direction as much as he can. Which is why when he sees another vine approaching Hijikata he quickly throws his sword at it and turns into an eagle himself to make a quick flight to where the sword now is and cut through the vine efficiently after turning back into himself.]

Better if I stay closer. Gives them less direction to surprise us.

[Another group of vines meets his sword, while one attached to his leg gets torn apart by a tiger's claws he made for himself.]

You give me a signal when I should use the beam.

[Sadly Jean's chimera technique escapes Hijikata's notice - but he sees the prior eagle transformation from the corner of his eye, and for the first time he realises just how handy animal magic can be in combat. Somehow in the various tournaments he never ended up dueling an animal mage, and in hindsight that might have been quite a challenge!

Of course there's no time to discuss it now, but he'll have some questions later (the list of topics for the way back grows...), and he suddenly sees an opportunity for a new approach to the battle. He slices two more vines in half, then simply runs up to those already frozen in the ditch, more or less lying straight like pipes, and uses his momentum to slide down towards the group of trees.]

Fly!!

[He can boost his own speed with his wind magic, but doing that for Jean as well if he follows him on the same route might end in them colliding (his wind magic skills aren't all that fine-tuned). If Jean approaches from the air, though, all the plant's attention should be on Hijikata (at least he assumes that the plant detects enemies based on vibrations in the ground rather than through sight), so Jean will be able to use the beam attack by surprise after all!

As soon as he reaches the trees he sees that this is indeed the location of the mother plant: the tentacles leaves the ditch here, and others join the main body from different directions, probably probing the vast fields for animal prey. He manages to take the curve on the frozen tentacles fairly elegantly and jumps high to try and deal the mother plant a fatal blow, but more tentacles shoot up to shield it from him, so he's busy freezing those first. He's not sure if Jean is ready, but--]

Now!!

[When Hijikata yells "Fly", Jean doesn't hesitate. He turns into an eagle again and remains in the air, flying nearby Hijikata, but away from his wind magic effect. He's ready to help fight more vines or blast the mother plant whenever needed.

The signal comes and Jean lands, turning into himself and raises his sword. It glows momentarily before he swings it at the ground, sending a beam of light directly at the mother plant, blasting the vines that had time to appear in the way. They're not enough to make the beam any less powerful than it is and it cuts straight through the mother plant, dealing a lot of fatal damage.

Most of the vines that are attached to the mother plant still wither and die with it. Some still try to cope, but they're weak now without the original plant there to provide them strength.]

We did it, Hijikata... your plan worked.

It did, because you're so fast on the uptake!

[There was no time to discuss the sudden tactic change, yet Jean reacted in a blink. Not everyone could have pulled that off so well! In the worst case he might have gotten snatched by a vine, and Hijikata wouldn't have been able to easily change course to come to his aid. But why think about what could have happened when they succeeded? He watches the slack vines with great satisfaction.]

I've never seen animal magic used in combat before! I had no idea it was so versatile. An enemy throws you down a cliff? Just turn into a bird! Someone's drowning you? Fish time! You need to hide, you turn into a little insect; you need to kick some ass, you turn into a tiger...

[He can barely stop gushing as he starts walking around to check for any potential offshoots or other surviving parts of the plants, but if looks like Jean's special attack thoroughly devastated it.]

I'm used to suddden commands.

[You get them a lot in titan world. You had to react fast to survive. It's trained into him and it's useful here, too.

Hijikata's enthusiasm over the use of animal magic in combat reminds Jean a bit of himself when he started really figuring out how to use his magic to his advantage in a fight. A lot of ideas and a lot of practice to do, and the results could be seen in combat like today.]

Not only that, but I can only turn parts of myself into an animal. [He demonstrates this by making his hand have tiger claws again.] So if I ever need more than my sword, I've got what I need.

[He's also definitely checking for surviving vines while talking, shaking off the magic from his hand.]

And after the upgrades we got I can also turn into mythological creatures now.

Wow!!

[He's amazed at Jean's tiger claws... though it doesn't go amiss on him that this ability comes with "cute" options too, and he wonders if any girls ever asked him to turn himself into a catboy or something else along those lines for their amusement. To him, of course, the mythological option sounds a lot more compelling.]

So you could turn yourself into a dragon? Could you breathe fire then? Oh, or a golem, for really good defence stats! Or some type of lakefolk for diving missions where having hands comes in handy!

[There he goes again! But he pauses when a different question pops up in his mind. 'I'm used to sudden commands'...]

I never asked - what did you do on your homeworld, anyway? Did you also work with animals there?

[Hijikata certainly has a lot of ideas. Jean definitely needs to talk more about what kind of uses he'll come up with when he has a notebook he can write to. It's a project that's always ongoing for him. He still has a lot to learn about animals ja mythological beings.

Jean isn't surprised by the question. It's funny how it hasn't really come up before, even if they've done missions like this together.]

No. I've learned almost everything about animals here, except about horses. [Since horses are important to them, even back home.] I was a soldier fighting to protect humanity from monsters. Both me and Mikasa, my fiancee, were.

[A soldier... that explains his discipline, certainly. Still, Hijikata can't help but feel a bit dismayed to hear it. Jean is still so young... but then he's trained men younger than him for the Shinsengumi. There'll always be war and conflict across the multiverse, he reckons, be it in the form of humans vs monsters or just human infighting.]

I'm glad you both got out of that together. What kind of monsters were you dealing with?

[He turns around himself once more, satisfied with the job they've done, and starts heading back to the village.]

[Here he goes again. Hijikata is someone who he doesn't mind telling about titans, at least. He seems like a guy who can handle it.]

Giants called titans. Smallest of them are four metres tall, largest normal ones being around ten. We use a special gear to fight them that let's us basically fly. They're humanoid looking, naked, mindless creatures and their only goal in life is to eat humans.

[How's that for monsters.]

[Hijikata does take the information in well, not showing any overt shock or horror. He's seen too much shit to still get really shaken up by things like this. Regardless, it sounds like a crappy situation, to say the least.]

Mindless? Damn, that'd piss me off. It'd be easier to handle if there were a rhyme and reason to what they're doing, don't you think? If they kill you for the hell of it even though there'd be other prey options around that's just infuriating.

[He'd probably make for a very angry fighter in Jean's world.]

Does the mindlessness make them easier to kill at least?

Some of them have some level of intelligence. We call them abnormal titans. They know what they're doing... a little. Mindless ones are definitely easier to surprise with military tactics and kill faster.

[But... that's not everything. He wonders if he should explain furhter, but at the same time it's probably easier for Hijikata to understand if he explains more about it and.... he doesn't have anything to hide at this point.]

There are also types called Titan Shifters. Those who are human and can turn into titans. They're larger than the two other titans and possess the same intelligence as humans do, since they control the titans. They also have special abilities of their own. We have one friendly one on our side, but the enemies... has at least three more.

[Titan shifters actually make this story more complicated. There's a lot of pain in his voice when he mentions them, too.]

All titans... used to be human. They were forced to become titans, eternally roam around the world in a mindless state. They hunt and eat humans because they're trying to find a titan shifter to eat so they can return to become a human.

[Okay, now this is nightmare fuel. This is the kind of thing there's no real consolation for. All of a sudden Hijikata's respect for Jean skyrockets. For him to have grown up in such a horrible world and still be so well-adjusted must have taken some serious strength of mind.]

...

[He's not a man of great physical gestures, but he puts a hand on Jean's shoulder for a moment.]

I don't know if this is the right thing to say - I'm sure you have people you care about back on your world -, but I hope you never have to return there. I'd rather hope for the others to get out too.

... thanks. I really hope we could just summon people into these other worlds by our wills. I'd have done so a long time ago.

[He won't be the first one to admit that he has a constant survivor's guilt at the back of his head, but if anyone knew Jean even a little more probably could guess that it was something that gnawed at him. Especially if they knew his story.]

What I just told you is just the tip of the iceberg of all wrongs in the world I originally come from, believe it or not. I sometimes wish I could return to the ripe age of twelve when I started training and thought titans were the worst thing ever happening to humanity.

[Ah, the simple times.]

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June Adventures

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