Winter is here, weather you like it or not

[whatsamada]

🧙 WHO: Ken Amada and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: February catch all
🕒 WHEN: All of February
🗺️ WHERE: Here there and everywhere
⚠️ WARNINGS: None at the moment, I'll add more should they come up!

A. The Libryrinth (Closed to Harry)

[All things considered, Ken wasn't sure how well this quest will turn out for the both of them. However, after how well the last quest turned out, this one shouldn't be too difficult. It wasn't all that different from the last one they did. The only thing they needed to do was to look around for some symbols and report back, right?

With a sigh, Ken was hiding under a table in a library. As he looked at Harry and his familiar, Jack Frost, he wondered how much longer he had hide in the shadows.]

You doing okay, Harry-san? You don't see the librarian nearby, do you?

B. A Tall Order

[How did Ken end up in this mess? He didn't know but that didn't stop him from looking at the 3 foot elf before crossing his arms. This quest was simple enough but at the same time? It seemed a little too simple as he wondered if there was something he didn't quite understand.

As he looked back at the chair, he mumbled to himself.]

You know, you guys are making a big deal out of nothing. Why do you feel the need to prove yourself to the South Beach Elves?

[He said before said 3 foot elves started bickering at him.]

C. Hugs all around!

[Was it just Ken's imagination or did everyone seem to be a much happier mood lately? He wasn't sure but Ken was no different. As he was out and around with his dog, Koromaru, he decided to do a couple of things to keep this positive mood up. Ever since he got shot with a Cupid's arrow, he was feeling absolutely optimistic and feeling the need to make everyone around him just as equally happy.

Should you see him around, he might either try to tempt you with free food that he made (spoilers: It's fried rice that is just decent at best), going out for a run (and he might bump into you!), or see him randomly talking to Koromaru about why dogs are better than cats.

Pick your poison.]

D. Network

UN: Koromaru

Quick question, how do you handle being homesick? I've been here for almost 2 months and I am starting to miss a couple of my friends.

What do you do when that happens?

E. Wildcard

[Surprise me! If you want to do something, feel free to ping me at rosemotifs

Comments

[bakudan_bambino]

Koromaru? Your dog... [Gokudera looks down at the creature and gives it a gentle smile. He would appreciate some food, but hopes it's something fairly light. He's not got a big appetite.]

I don't think we've met!

[whatsamada]

[As Koromaru wagged his tail, he gave a bark before bumping his head against the older teen.]

I think he wants you to pet him.

[Ken said before gesturing his hand out to the dog. Go on, you want to pet him.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is delighted by the friendly dog. He's grown a bit warmer to them after his curse lifted, and also living with an akita hasn't hurt his perspective.]

Good boy!

[He moves to pet him, eager to do so now that he's been all but invited to.]

[whatsamada]

[Koromaru wasn't going to argue! In fact, he was leaning against his pats before giving a small whine.]

You know, I think he really likes it! You're really good with dogs, did you know that?

[Because Gokudera needs more encouragement after his comments a while back!] Or maybe, you can even hug him if you want.

[bakudan_bambino]

[The whine seems to break Gokudera's heart a bit and he crouches lower.]

It's okay... I'll pet you as much as you want.

[And he does, even scratching along Koromaru's side and then up to his little ears and Gokudera looks up at Ken with a soft blush.]

I-I like most animals! [And he's especially fond of cats, but hasn't met any in this world. He'd coo over any animal, even big scaley angry ones.]

This guy is just so cute who wouldn't be really good with him? He's such a good boy! Only a big stupid person would be bad to you, right Koromaru-chan? [Oh he might be putting on a bit of a babying voice now.]

[whatsamada]

[Koromaru wasn't complaining, he was barking happily as he on wagging his tail! As he allowed himself to be petted, he looked back at his owner.]

Are all your friends this friendly? [He asked before looking back at Gokudera] Maybe we should let him come with us on our walk!

[In return, Ken just chuckled.] You up for hanging around with us, Gokudera? I was out walking him and the both of us wanted you to come along!

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera just keeps talking to him affectionately, praising and complimenting the dog for looking so clean and behaving so well. He can't understand anything Koromaru might be saying to Ken, but looks up when the boy speaks.]

Sure. I don't mind.

[It's not like he had a lot of plans for the day. His training hasn't been easy to focus on, considering he doesn't feel very safe venturing out on his own after being attacked by Azula.]

[whatsamada]

[With that, Ken decided to walk toward a certain direction. As Koromaru followed behind his owner, he let out another bark as if telling Gokudera to go with them.]

Then c'mon, I was going to show Koromaru more around Camelot. He had been curious about the training grounds and exploring the city anyway!

[He said before a small smirk appeared on his face. He was walking just a little faster wondering if the older teen would catch up.]

[bakudan_bambino]

Did he show up from home?

[Gokudera isn't going to fall behind, but follow along with the dog and the boy. He catches up well enough, not wanting to fall behind, and not bothered by Ken's pace.]

[whatsamada]

[As Ken was walking a little faster, he pondered a little to himself.]

No, more like I did a few quests and I asked for an item to get something from back home?

[He said before giving a small shrug.] I'm surprised I got Koromaru back even if he's without his powers!

[bakudan_bambino]

You can do that?

[Maybe he should see if he could get a piano or his keyboard by doing some quests.]

He usually has powers?

[whatsamada]

He has the same power as me since we can fight shadows back home.

[But then there was a long pause on his end.] Just that he doesn't really need to use an Evoker. He can summon his Persona on his own.

[bakudan_bambino]

What's a Persona?

[Gokudera is just imagining the dog barking and biting at shadows, and howling to summon... another dog?]

[whatsamada]

It's kind of like a familiar?

[How was he going to explain this to him? Just where was Fuuka when he needed her to tell people things about their world?] Long story short, it's kind of like another part of yourself is like a familiar and can fight the creatures back in my world.

[Did any of that make any sense at all?]

[bakudan_bambino]

So in your world, Koromaru has his own Persona and so do you?

[He wonders about it, is enjoying hearing about it. Makes him feel like maybe his own world isn't so strange.]

What's it look like?

[whatsamada]

I guess the best way to describe mine is a giant robot?

[Now that he thought about it, has he ever talked about Personas to anyone else before?] Kala-Nemi has kind of see through looking canon in between its arms and head while Koromaru's is Cerebus. He's a three headed giant dog.

[Pause] I wish I can show you our Personas because it's pretty difficult to describe them.

[How else can you describe mythological beings who take form as a giant fighting ghost anyway?]

[bakudan_bambino]

A giant robot? That sounds cool.

[He remembers his boss having the dream of wanting to become a giant robot when he grew up. The memory makes him smile as he walks and frowns in confusion.]

Can you speak to him, Ken?

[whatsamada]

You mean Kala-Nemi?

[Once again, there was a long pause on his end. There was a lot of things he could say about his Persona but he will have to admit this.]

Yes, I could. He is someone who always says things that I don't want to hear but he does speak the truth. He is someone I look to should I need to gain a better sense of justice.

[There was a hint of sadness in his voice but he didn’t want to let Gokudera notice it. Instead, he kept his face as stoic as possible hoping his friend wouldn’t ask for more.]

[bakudan_bambino]

Both.

[Ken has animal magic, so it's reasonable if he can talk to Koromaru. Gokudera isn't going to rush Ken along or shake him for details. This conversation helps take his mind off his own problems.]

That makes sense. Sometimes the truth can hurt to hear.

[He thinks on things kept secret from him and how painful it was to hear about. Again, he's back to focusing on his own problems, though these ones are from home, old things he thought he'd buried and will often verbally dismiss.]

[whatsamada]

[As Ken looked down at Koromaru, all the dog could do was give a whine. He didn't need to tell him anything, Ken just knew what he was trying to say to him.]

I know Koromaru can hear his but I know it's mostly Cerebrus telling him to keep moving forward regardless of what happens.

[He said with a sigh.] But it isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it can be what is needed in order for people to grow. I know I had to or else I would be stuck in the same place I was two years ago.

[bakudan_bambino]

It means a lot that he listens to Cerberus, then.

[Important to keep moving forward. Gokudera understands.]

Yeah. It can help. [He puts a hand on Ken's shoulder.]

Sorry I brought the mood down. [Thank God Gokudera can read a room... or at least understands that he's really good at being sometimes a... bad friend. He shouldn't prod so much. It's none of his business...]

[whatsamada]

[In return, Ken raised an eyebrow at him.]

What are you talking about? You didn't do anything wrong, I'm use to thinking a lot about these kind of things.

[After dealing with murder and revenge, it was only natural for a boy his age to think a lot about his own life and how things could have been different.]

If anything, I'm surprised I haven't thought that much about it lately. [Which he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.]

[bakudan_bambino]

Just because you're used to it, doesn't mean it's good that I brought it up.

[He cares, Ken. That's all.]

Maybe it's a good thing you haven't, even if it's not usual for you. There's a lot about this world that... offers a change of perspective, I think.

[whatsamada]

How so?

[Or rather, he already knew this place would but he was curious to see what Gokudera's opinions were. As he tilted a little to the side, he gave a small smirk.]

How has this place changed your opinion on something?

[bakudan_bambino]

You can be used to something that is unhealthy, Ken.

[He lights up a cigarette as they walk.]

I have two people that I know from home here. They're both from further in my timeline. One is my boss, and the other is just... a nuisance. He's a good guy. They both are, but already this place is so much calmer than anything I've faced in my life back home.

I'm not trying to say that I like anyone or are interested in making friends, but... maybe people aren't as bad as I thought.