wintry misadventures (feb. catchall, all prompts ota)

[blue_ice]

🧙 WHO: Kaiba & you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Questing, practicing shadow magic, or possibly avoiding a Cupid-ing.
🕒 WHEN: All February
🗺️ WHERE: The different places!
⚠️ WARNINGS: possible NPC death suggestion (crystal quest), excessive sappiness (cupid). Will update if needed.

puzzles in the library

a.

Kaiba spends a considerable amount of time here, in an attempt to gain an edge on the situation with information. He reads and shelves, reads and shelves, desperately wishing they'd just load this info digitally...but he catches sight of an odd rune he thinks he recognizes on the side of the shelf, tracing it with his finger.

"...it's some kind of ancient code, isn't it."

b.

It's not long before he makes up his mind. It's close to closing time, and he's ducked behind a shelving cart---a little difficult to hide successfully with how tall he is, but he's Trying. It's a little comical how much he's squished himself behind this cart, actually. Should anyone find him, he'll press a finger to his lips and raise a brow, gesturing over at the librarian he's trying to hide from.

Don't bust him---? And maybe the two of you can work together.

(probably not) pure of heart

a.

One chilly afternoon, Kaiba finds himself at the edge of the Bridge. He's heard from people who've crossed it, and knows by now how it works...but he's oddly hesitant. Pure is the last word most people would use to describe him...sure, he's better now, but in many ways there's no coming back from where he's been.

Should anyone be nearby, he'll stop and greet them. "Have you crossed this before?"

b. (possible content warnings for npc 'death'

By some miracle, believing in his purpose...he's across. And harvesting. But there's still one more task, that he grimaces at. Is poisoning an old man really that different from the things he'd done in pursuit of power before? It's a little different when you risk dirtying your own hands, but...

He starts toward the cottage, trying to look more confident than he feels.

synchronous magic

a.

The soothing sound in here is a gentle wind, with possibly the faintest trace of a roar. Kaiba is seated here, legs folded under him, having already downed one shot. He hates every part of the idea of giving up control, and will likely ask to take the lead---but it's important to keep growing in his abilities.

So here he is, paints set by his hand.

"Do you really think asking questions will build trust between us that high?"

He's not running from it, at least. Baby steps.

b.

Win or lose, they make it outside around the fire. His shadow has found him again, and here he feels...empty. Cold. Nothing too unusual, but for the first time, he really feels the loss. Needing other people was a ridiculous weakness, he'd said all his life. He was fine alone. Other people were just liabilities.

...weren't they?

He turns to the person nearest him, an oddly hesitant expression on his face as he subconsciously scoots closer.

"Hey. How'd it go."

cupid strikes

a.

Kaiba's out and about around town all month, traveling to or from work, or perhaps training. The first Valentines' in years when he hasn't had to direct his secretaries to sort through thousands of notes. It's nice, being free of it...

Or not. It happens slowly, as the Avalonians become aware of some of the offworlders' expectations. Chocolate springing up around town. Heart decorations.

"I hate this holiday," you might hear him say. Maybe you want to commiserate, or try to change his mind?

b.

And then, most inconveniently---something strikes him in the shoulder, and he spins on his heel to tell of the person responsible. But then he's distracted by the most perfect person he's seen in his entire life. His cheeks flush pink, any insult dies on his tongue, and he smiles.

Looks like he's tongue-tied, though.

((ooc: notes!

-I haven't decided what the final outcome of the poison quest will be yet, that's up to if someone takes him up on it and how their conversation might go.

-Cupid-arrowed Kaiba will be fluffy-affectionate and awkwardly flirty. He doesn't have the emotional intelligence/experience to initiate anything more sensual/serious, but I have no objection to someone trying that with him. It'll just fail, most likely. No gender preferences either.

-Feel free to contact at kharamagic or by PM if you want to do anything else, I can add closed prompts throughout the month.))

Comments

puzzles, b

[divinereaper]

[ He does see the man crouching behind the shelving cart, a little to obvious for him to call it a good hiding spot. However when the other alerts him to the librarian floating around, he immediately tenses up and ends up trying to find a hiding place of his own.

He's just thin enough to hide between two bookshelves, only peeking out once he had thought the librarian was gone. ]

... I think we're safe. [ He speaks in a soft voice, just as a safety precaution. ]

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba recognizes Naoto from the tattoo tent and relaxes a little---a somewhat familiar face. He nods, then gestures at a nearby ladder. ]

I think we should head up. There's something up there. Have you seen how oddly this is arranged?

[divinereaper]

Yeah, it’s way out of place to be considered normal…

[ Naoto takes the initiative without responding, pulling the ladder closer and climbing up to grab the item. He knew that with that librarian lurking, it was better that things were done quick. Once up there, Naoto’s eyes went wide. He turns to face Kaiba with a wry smile. ]

This something is… something, alright.

[blue_ice]

I see strange objects all the time on my day job. This is in a class of its own. And there's more, if we can get to the top of the shelves.

[ Literally on top of the shelves. Glittering temptation, like a trail leading them somewhere. ]

How's your balance?

[divinereaper]

Yeah... I've seen a lot too, but this is all brand new to me.

[ He keeps climbing, soon flinching out of seemingly nowhere. He looks down at his left leg with an unreadable look. ]

I'm fine... [ As long as my leg doesn't give out, he thought to himself. ]

Cupid Strikes A

[phoenixwiz]

Harry has found it weird that he is currently single on Valentine’s Day at Avalon without Ginny around, and it is probably for the best for the both of them as he is still feeling guilty for breaking up with her without telling her that was for her safety first.

The young man knows that he definitely deserves the scolding she drilled onto him at the Battle’s start, so he is not looking forward for Valentine’s Day today and he’s trying to ignore the hearts and chocolates as Avalon is trying to get everyone pumped for the holiday.

So when he overhears Kaiba mumbling that he hates the holiday, he could relate to the situation they’re dealing with. Harry walks up to him and speaks up, “You’re not the only one who has to deal with hearts and chocolates all over town, Kaiba. I’m currently dealing with a problem I have with my ex back home.”

[blue_ice]

"...your ex?"

Kaiba's usually not one to be interested in relationship drama, but it's better than sweeping up heart confetti. So sure, why not.

"What's the problem?"

[phoenixwiz]

“Not telling her that I had to break up with her for her own safety, and because of it, she was mad at me for not informing her in the first place. I just want her to be safe from harm, hence the break up, but I was withholding that information from her for less than a year,” he admits to him, embarrassed by what he has done to her before the Horcrux Hunt.

“Sure, she and I had a make up kiss before something bad happens, but a part of me is wondering if she would sincerely forgive me afterwards. I feel horrible as a friend and her ex-boyfriend.”

[blue_ice]

Ah...not his level of expertise. But Kaiba could try, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Would being honest with her have put her in more danger? Like...if she'd known you still loved her, would enemies have been able to use that against her or you?"

synchronous magic, a

[bakudan_bambino]

"That depends on the kind of questions you ask."

Gokudera has a lot to lose if he opens up too much, but he's not going to focus on what's been troubling him... not going to share, and in doing so, what all he's been avoiding is at the front of his mind.

The bomber takes a shot as well and looks at the paints. "My name's Gokudera." Might as well start with that, right?

[blue_ice]

"Seto Kaiba," he answers. All right. So maybe that wasn't asked, and he should have waited for Gokudera to ask. That would've taken up a question. But he's feeling a little looser with himself even now, and that might set them on the right track.

"What did you do, back home?" Oddly, that's more of interest to him than whatever they're practicing in magic now. Doesn't matter, right? Anyone from any discipline can learn this.

[bakudan_bambino]

Gokudera doesn't mind that Kaiba doesn't wait for him to ask. He likes that this guy is getting straight to the point.

"I was a student at Namimori Middle." He's not just going to claim to be in the mafia because that would be horribly stupid.

[blue_ice]

"Mm. And now we're students of...all this. With little structure and chaos everywhere."

He sighs. "As for me, I was CEO of a powerful gaming company. I was also in high school for a while, but after a few...incidents, I tested out to run the company full time. It's fulfilling, so this has been. A major adjustment to say the least."

Another shot. "Next question?"

synchronous magic, b

[colchismagecraft]

...the backlash was unexpected.

[Caster, too, was feeling the after effects of the ritual. She was already prone to the crushing feelings of loneliness and isolation, and now those wounds were very, very raw.

She'd settled for withdrawing deep into the heavy dark cloak she wore and just accepting that she really, truly was alone in this world when Kaiba had shifted up and begun speaking with her.

She just hoped her voice wouldn't waver too much.]

And you...?

[blue_ice]

[ That tongue-loosening from the shots still seemed to be in effect. He stretched beside her, watching curiously. ]

It didn't go perfectly. I don't...trust others easily, and to trust them with control of my body reminded me of something I hated, once. It took too many tries, but...it's done. Just waiting for this headache to clear.

Is that what you mean by backlash? It's like a headache, but...like nothing from before.

[ Watching the lights seemed to help, oddly. ]

[colchismagecraft]

You've experienced someone controlling you like that before? I can't say I have... it's usually me pulling the strings of others, not the other way around.

[At his comment about the headache, she simply nodded.]

...Yes. It's just...an ache, isn't it? A painful heaviness.

[blue_ice]

My soul was sealed away. It was nothing but darkness, and one of my worst memories.

[ It even happened twice. Worst luck ever. He exhaled, idly stretching and pulling his coat a little tighter for warmth. ]

I never wanted to be close to anyone. But now I feel...incomplete? No. That's ridiculous.

Pure of Heart A.

[beautyrest]

Aurora was just coming up to the rapids when Kaiba turned and addressed her. She paused and then blinked before looking around to ensure he was addressing her. With no one else around, yes, she deduced she was the one he intended the question for and she inclined her head.

"I have, yes, many times."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba nodded. A familiar face, and one that he was sure would have no trouble crossing. He looked at the rapids with some trepidation.

"I haven't tried. I seriously doubt I'm pure enough, but. I should find out, right?"

[beautyrest]

"Oh now, I am sure you will be alright. Would you like me to hold your hand and you can set one foot to see if it shall work?"

[blue_ice]

"I don't think you can catch me if I fall," he snorted, but the offer was kind enough anyway. He considered it for a few moments.

"I won't drag you down," he said finally. Perhaps confidence was what was needed to get across. "But if pull back---hm. I'll consider it. Show me how it's done first?"

library.b

[intrapid]

[ It really is funny. The shushing motion is espcially warranted with the way Karma looks like he's barely trying to contain his laughter when he sees Kaiba trying to fit behind the cart, and it is so so sooooo tempting to draw the librarian's attention see Kaiba have to explain himself.

It's a touch choice between prime entertainment and getting seeing this quest through himself, but choosing the latter comes with doses of the former as well.

As in, he holds up a little bag in front of Kaiba's face, and if he doesn't recoil from the proximity, he might from the smell: it is, very distinctly and obviously, a little baggie of cat poop, still warm, the top of the bag twisted and pinched closed by Karma's fingers but not tied or sealed in any way. He points to it, and points to where the librarian can be heard shuffling around several aisles away.

He has very good aim.

Y/Y? ]

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba wrinkles his nose---it's very, very hard not to snap right now, but he has years of business training. Of all the plans to create a distraction, did it have to be that one?

He gives the most disapproving nod of approval he can. Get it out of here, then they run. ]

[intrapid]

[ If Kaiba had a better plan, he's free to pitch it— too late now, though, because Karma lets the bag fly, flinging it over his head with a twist of his wrist so that the bulk will carry the bag directly over the librarian, but that little twist unravels the top so that it opens up, spraying feces everywhere when it lands on target without getting any on him or Kaiba.

The resulting splatter sounds very wet; the cat might have been sick. And a split second later, the shriek cuts through the silence of the library like an alarm- their signal to skedaddle.

Karma takes off immediately, trusting Kaiba to be right there with him. They should have some time now, with all the muck to clean off not only the librarian's person, but the surrounding area and books too. ]

[blue_ice]

[ Ugh. Awful. He darts around a corner and gestures to the nearest step ladder his haste to get away from the stench pushing him forward more than anything. ]

I should've conjured a hazard mask first.

[Bit late now, so he'll pull his turtleneck over his nose. It only barely helps. But now there's a way up, and he's quick to take it. ]