Hijikata Toshirou (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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isleofavalon2022-06-08 11:50 pm
mayoninofukucho) wrote in isleofavalon2022-06-08 11:50 pm
Entry tags:
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 (foritsmypower)
[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 (forrustyhoney)
[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.]
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
[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.
no subject
...
[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.
no subject
[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.]