February Adventures

[mayoninofukucho]

WHO: Hijikata and ✨YOU✨
WHAT: Practicing Magic, Observing Fairies, Gathering Medicine Ingredients, Avoiding Valentine's Day and Black Magic, Questing
WHEN: Throughout February
WHERE: White Cliffs, City of Camelot, Brocéliande, South Beach, Bridge of the Pure of Heart
WARNINGS: Probably Violence and/or NPC Death for the Quest Prompts



Training at the White Cliffs

[After two all-too-brief initial run-ins (immediately after his arrival and later at the tournament) it took Hijikata a full month to flag his familiar down again and finally get his name: Arashi. The reserved crow tengu would of course have come to his aid at any time if he had really needed him, but Hijikata is too stubborn to call for him if there's no real emergency (and honestly, even then he would first try to handle it on his own).

Since he learned during the single element knock-out competition that his fire magic can be greatly amplified by wind magic he manages to convince his familiar to meet him at the White Cliffs to practice together (after all there isn't much they could accidentally destroy on the shore). He accompanies the trek of volunteers to help collect the new arrivals on the first day of the month, but stays behind until the caravan has departed and the lakeside is deserted. Arashi soon arrives on the wind. Anyone else visiting the cliffs may overhear part of their conversation.]

There's one thing I don't understand, though: why do I have fire magic? I thought your kind specialised in only wind magic.

Your magic is given to you by Avalon, not by me. Our bond merely enables you to receive and use it. The powers at work here likely sensed that you used fire magic before and granted it to you once more. Think of it as residual pathways in your body, like a dry riverbed that was filled with new water.

Really? That stuff is traceable? But other people got completely different magic than they had before, so how does that add up?

This I cannot say. My theory may not apply to all, or even altogether. But we have no sure way of determining the truth at this moment, so shall we begin?

[Arashi clearly has no time to waste. Honestly, if he could he'd likely hand Hijikata over to a different training partner after going through the basics of element combination magic with him... if he spots any other off-worlders nearby chances are he will invite them to participate and dump his bond partner on them before long.]


Frost Fairies (for bakudan_bambino)

[Anyone who regularly peruses the free breakfast buffet at the hotel housing the off-worlders in Camelot will have gotten used to the sight of Hijikata devouring two big plates of protein-rich food drowning in mayonnaise every morning before shamelessly grabbing a dozen bread rolls and sausages and making sandwiches for the rest of the day, pretty much taking up the whole two-seater table with his pile of food. Yes, he has a halfway steady income now; no, he has no money left to spare on food once he has taken care of his cigarette and mayonnaise supplies (he easily goes through three bottles of the latter every day, and that's already under strict self-discipline).

This morning, though, something has him distracted in the middle of his sandwich-making activities. He's kneeling on his chair like a kid, facing the window so intently that his nose is almost pressed against the glass along with both his palms. To anyone passing through the breakfast area there's nothing readily visible out there; no one is walking by or anything... there's only slush in the street and ice crystals growing in the corners of the window.]

It's beautiful...


Medical Emagicy

A ⦿ Deez Nuts

[Like many other off-worlders Hijikata volunteers to help gather medicine ingredients to help the ailing Avalonians. By the time he has himself freed up for it he hears reports that by now the cinnabar paper bush at the Red Springs resort has already been mostly harvested by other helpful people, and all the better. He has the impression that sprites are much like pixies, so he'd rather avoid dealing with them. Being made to dance until he drops is just about the last thing he needs, just short of pollen-induced future visions. He's had enough of those in that goddamn cave last month, so no thanks!! Head into the Brocéliande forest to harvest nuts, though? He can do that.

He heard the warnings of the bear firs, but he's not worried. If magical fire is the only thing that can destroy them, then he's the right man for the job. Nonetheless he also has his trusty sword at his belt to fight off any lesser animals that would steal his harvest. He hasn't actually visited this forest before, so he wanders around a little lost. If his cloak were red instead of black and if he were smaller and cuter he might make a fine Little Red Riding Hood impression wandering through the forest with his basket, but since none of this is the case he doesn't. He's smoking, too.]

So where's that tree..? With so many people on the mission you'd think there'd be some trails.

B ⦿ Wait, isn't that a Pokémon?

[Frankly, the hill trolls sound like the most unpleasant company imaginable, but the doctors need the poliwag grass, and Hijikata is just about as well prepared for this mission as one can be, given that the people of Edo are also extremely rude in every way. Soon after entering the heartland of the hills he meets a troll woman who seems to have been just waiting for an off-worlder to come in search of the bluegrass. It's no wonder, word must have gone around by now.

After a quick confirmation of his intentions she demands that he herd her geese while she attends an important appointment (she's actually just visiting her best friend to exchange the latest gossip, but he doesn't need to know that). Her whole overall conundrum is that the geese's enclosure got damaged when some troll children were too rowdy throwing boulders, so someone must watch the geese while someone else repairs the fence. Who? Well, whoever Hijikata can rope into it.]

Hey! Over here! You're also looking for the bluegrass, right? The troll who owns these geese said she'll help if I fix the fence, but I've got to watch the damn birds at the same time, so can you give me a hand with either? We'll split the reward.


Sync or Swim

[Even if Hijikata knew more about Morganna than "evil sorceress" (much like all he really knows about Arthur and Merlin is "good king" and "wise mage", respectively), he ultimately trusts his gut instinct above all else. After getting to speak with Arthur during his AMA he has the impression that the king is genuinely doing his best with the situation he's been thrown into, whereas Morganna's entire demeanour so far has done nothing to improve his opinion of her. As such he doesn't open the attachment in her message and decides to avoid any entanglement with the synchronic magic she offers, enticing as the power it promises is.

But when he sees the glow of the huge bonfire in the evening after having heard the music and general buzz of activity from the park each time he passed it by he can't help but feel... well, not "left out" since it was his own decision to not participate, but it's a slightly lonely feeling. Surely it won't hurt if he heads over there - not to join in (the spell practice should have mostly concluded anyway), but just to keep an eye on things? It's a fire after all! It might go out of control. So he makes his way through the tent village and stands among the others.

Looking at the shimmering, colourful flames makes him think of Prismatica with its crystals everywhere... it must be those memories that suddenly make him want to moonlace with somebody. But this is Avalon, and he can't very well just ask someone to hold hands or sit back to back with him when it doesn't generate chroma or anything else, so he simply wraps his arms around himself - and that's when he observes a couple of disembodied shadows walking around until they each reach a person and disappear. He stares for a moment longer before turning to the person next to him.]

Did you see that just now? Those shadows?

[Please tell him he isn't the only one who saw that. This probably isn't good at all.]


Quests

A ⦿ Save a Beast, Kill a Man (for heartlessswordsman)

[QuestBoard has some interesting tasks on offer again this month, however Hijikata is being choosy (pretty bold for someone who struggles to finance his addictions!). Sure, he could help the elves with their little height rivalry, but what is he, a mule? He's pretty confident that they'll have enough takers without him making a tool out of himself at the beach. That person who wants the library investigated promptly gets stamped as a conspiracy theorist by him. He's not going to get in trouble with the librarian over wild speculations! And he definitely wants nothing to do with Cupid's arrows. He knows the truth about Valentine's Day, after all!

That quest posted by the selkie woman, though, immediately fills him with righteous indignation. Who the hell does that man think he is?! First he forces her into marriage, then he heads out to kill an innocent kraken?! Not on Hijikata's watch. He loses no time in making his way to the area where the kraken was sighted, and he isn't the only one. On the way he sees Zelgadis' distinctive figure ahead of him and jogs a little to catch up to his first tournament duel opponent.]

Hey! You're after that bastard too?

[If he is there won't be much need for a further explanation, and if he just happens to be walking in the same direction he may well want to join Hijikata once he hears what's been going on.]

B ⦿ A Quest for the Pure of Heart

[When Hijikata sees Morganna's quest he does a double take. Like hell is he going to get involved in that!! He has half a mind to make a post on AOL to caution others as well, but honestly, this is so damn sketchy, surely no one with a halfway functional moral compass is going to entertain the idea in the first place... however 1,000,000G is a lot of money. It's certainly tempting. An online post won't effectively keep anyone from carrying out the quest, so Hijikata decides to take action.

Some of those who accepted the quest (he's dedicated, but he can't logistically intercept everybody) will find him waiting on the other side of the bridge, standing there with a cigarette glowing between his lips, scrutinising them like a reverse bridge knight who judges people after letting them cross.]

So you took that witch up on her offer? I hope you're not planning to do her that little extra favour.

[Anyone who just wants to collect a crystal for Morganna and not poison that innocent man (because what else could possibly be going on here?) will be left alone by him, but those who either lie without being seasoned professionals at it (he has good intuition) or outright state their intentions to go ahead with it will have to face off against him. (Users of cognitive magic may well be able to change his mind, though!)]


[OOC: I forgot to add this initially, but please check out my permissions - I'm good with pretty much anything, however you may want to opt out of fourth-walling (I'll check your permissions for this too, though) and/or threadjumping (tagging back the starter tag to avoid the thread's readability getting compromised as it gets compressed after reaching a certain length).]

Comments

Frost Fairies

[bakudan_bambino]

What is?

[Gokudera isn’t a very social person by nature. He likes to keep inside with his fellow guardian and his boss as much as possible, bringing breakfast foods up to share without being told to do so. Yamamoto is up and about before both of them most days, just being an active morning person by way of habit as an athlete. The bomber has a rough time sleeping, but won’t miss a meal, and won’t let his boss do so either.

And lately he hasn’t left the inn by himself unless he has plans to meet up with someone else.

Lucky that he finds a familiar face downstairs. Gokudera just has a basic meal set up... some eggs, a muffin, and a cup of coffee. He finds space because he doesn’t need much, and just assumes a place at the table uninvited. Looking over all the food Hijikata has, he’s not intrigued by anything, but is perplexed by the mayonnaise...

There is so much.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata was already waving him over, looking unusually excited. Once Gokudera has made himself comfortable on the opposite chair and is also looking out of the window he'll see what has the samurai so enthralled: a small, fat, white penguin-looking creature that's sitting on the windowsill, dangling a pair of outrageously long, thin legs and trailing tiny ice crystals behind its feet.]

Isn't it amazing?

[Okay... so this is what he considers cute. But then this is the man who adores the distinctly gnome-like mayonnaise mascot back home to the point of collecting every accessory that was ever made of it.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera does think the creature is sort of cute, but also so strange looking proportionately. It must be native to this land, and he wonders if it is magical, or just sort of... there.]

What is it?

[He doesn’t sound like he dislikes it, but Gokudera can’t help wanting to learn more.]

Do you think it likes gifts?

[He may or may not have a bit of a habit feeding the brownies he comes across when his insomnia is really bad.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata doesn't even know what brownies are yet... he'll probably get quite the scare if he comes across any of them when he arrives home late one of these nights.]

What do you want to give it? Oh, wait, let's try food first of all!

[Every living creature likes being offered food, right? He takes one of the mayonnaise bottles off the table... and nothing else.]

Can you stay and watch my provisions? I'll go around.

[This is going to be like a feeding session in an aquarium, kind of... unless Gokudera doesn't want to do it like that.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[As long as he doesn't mess with them if he sees them, he should be fine.]

Maybe sweets? [He suggests and then watches as Hijikata picks up a bottle of mayonnaise, expression dumbfounded.]

Uh... yeah. Sure.

[Gokudera is too intrigued to really have any sort of plan. He'll be entertained if this goes well, or if it doesn't.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata leaves and pops up outside less than a minute later, but he just does a double take in the general direction of the little penguin creature, then looks at Gokudera and gestures with a puzzled expression before looking left, right, up and down and even turning around himself once. Finally he mimics for Gokudera to open the window so he can talk to him.]

Where'd it go?

[It didn't go anywhere, but if Gokudera opened the window fully rather than just tilting it he won't be able to see it anymore either.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera can still see it, and he frowns, pointing at it. Clearly, Hijikata is not seeing it, though. When he opens the window to reply, it looks like it's hiding.]

Just leave some food out for it! Maybe it's shy.

[He knows he'd be uncomfortable if someone just wanted to sit around and watch him eat. Gokudera closes the window back up again, not wanting to be cold or let too much of the winter air in.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Okay.

[He's confused as hell, but goes on to squirt a small dollop of mayonnaise onto the windowsill right next to the creature (it shuffles away a little, then stops swinging its legs and stares at the pale yellow goop that was just placed beside it). Hijikata gives Gokudera a thumbs-up and returns inside. Once back at the table he immediately looks out and is really surprised to see the tiny penguin thing sitting there again.]

It's back! How come?

[By now a member of the hotel staff has taken notice of their antics and comes over to check if anything is the matter. When she sees what they're observing she smiles.]

That's a frost fairy! What did you give to it?

Mayonnaise.

Oh, I don't know if it'll eat that... they love ice cream, though, that I know for sure.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera notices that it's back with the window shut, and he wonders if it acts like his familiar, in that it hides when people try to look at it. Maybe it just feels safe with the window between them? He watches its long legs and little feet, grinning in amusement at the entire interaction.]

Do you have any ice cream I could give it?

[Gokudera tries to contain a snort of amusement at Hijikata admitting he gave it mayonnaise. Who even likes mayo that much?! He's wearing an excited, hopeful expression, directing it at the staff the same way someone would ask a dog owner permission to pet their animal.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[The Avalonian stifles a friendly giggle behind her hand. These two off-worlders are just so fascinated and eager...]

We don't have any ice cream here, but I've never seen a frost fairy eat during the day anyway. Perhaps they really are shy!

[Apparently she overheard Gokudera earlier when he was talking to Hijikata through the window.]

Children like to leave ice cream on their windowsill for them at night. In the morning the ice cream is gone, and the fairies usually leave a present! But only if the window is open. I guess they want to make sure the present isn't taken by magpies, so they'll leave it in the room.

So we've got to leave the window open overnight? But it's cold!

Well, you don't have to do it, of course.

[Her eyes glance over the small table that's still covered in sandwich supplies, mayonnaise bottles, and Gokudera's modest meal.]

Is everything okay otherwise? Or...

Yeah. We just took a break from breakfast.

[He really doesn't seem to feel any shame at all about piling up enough food for several people and taking up so much space with it.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera nods gently, listening with maybe too much eagerness. It would almost seem that he's full of that same childlike enthusiasm. Gonna have to get some ice cream before the day is over!]

So it's probably just relaxing too.

[He smiles at the creature through the window, planning on leaving his window open overnight.]

Thanks. [Gokudera offers to the local and then moves to sit more properly in front of his meal. Once she's gone away from them, he's looking on at all the food.]

So... Why mayonnaise?

[mayoninofukucho]

[The frost fairy does look like it's just relaxing, though it never resumed the leg-swinging and keeps looking over at the ominous goop that was placed next to it. After a moment it actually gets up and walks around the mayonnaise, sits down at the other far end of the windowsill and starts cleaning its soft-looking white feathers. Hijikata sighs, turns away and finally resumes his work, putting sausages on the bread rolls and generously loading the home-made hot dogs with mayonnaise.]

It's the best. Nothing can compare.

[He says that with absolute conviction, like it shouldn't even be a question.]

[bakudan_bambino]

But it's just mayonnaise...?

[Gokudera asks as he watches how much may Hijikata is loading onto his food, how much there is on the table, the fact that he seems to think so highly of a condiment.]

Right?

[Is there something in it that makes it special?]

Continued from above (to avoid pagestretching)!

[mayoninofukucho]

If there's mayonnaise, then there must be a mayonnaise fairy, or several. And no, of course I haven't tried. I told you, it can't be made by humans. Not properly at least.

[Gokudera sure is adventurous... which brings Hijikata back to the topic he skipped past earlier.]

You said you don't want to be a knight? A noble, then?

[From what he gathered people can be granted nobility status for constant chivalrous deeds, set apart from knighthood by less violence and more of an aid-oriented approach. Gokudera said he didn't have the drive, so maybe he just wants to not constantly put his life on the line? It would be understandable.]

Re: Continued from above (to avoid pagestretching)!

[bakudan_bambino]

It can be made by humans. Maybe it just tastes better if it isn’t.

[Hopefully that sounds like a fair compromise... like it’s the idea of magic in the food that makes it delicious, like a placebo.]

I suppose... whatever help my boss the most. I’m not exactly the... type to be a knight.

[While he does have a temper and will happily put his life on the line to protect people, he’s not so interested in that being public knowledge. He doesn’t want to be known for anything like that... feels he’s better suited as a strategist.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata just shakes his head. He'll cling to his belief that mayonnaise is too good to even be imitated by mere mortals. Gokudera's comment about his boss resonates with him, however.]

Huh... is your boss here with you, then? What industry are you guys in?

[He really can't even guess and would probably believe whatever Gokudera might say, from bakers to bankers. He's a little jealous, seeing how this is already his second multiverse rodeo without his commander.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is going to try making mayonnaise, and gift it to Hijikata... then end up creating some big magical story just so the man won’t think poorly of him. Then, they can compare how he does to how... whoever the chef at the inn got the mayonnaise from.]

Yeah! Oh, we’re all in a uh... [The excuse that works well on most everyone they’re trying to keep the mafia secret around.] A sumo club, and my boss is the Tenth Generation president to it! You’d be surprised if you saw him! The Tenth is capable of many incredible things!

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata will make a far bigger production out of that mayonnaise comparison than anyone asked for. Gokudera has the right idea by making up some story; this man will probably believe anything before accepting that he made it himself. He totally buys the sumo club explanation, too.]

Wow, I didn't know kids these days were still into sumo. That's really neat. And for your club to have such a long history..!

[If the club president is an active practitioner he's probably a rotund boy, so Hijikata will keep an eye out... if only he knew how wrong he is. He smiles at Gokudera's enthusiasm; he really seems to like his "boss" (just how strictly organised is this club for him to call him that?).]

Are you the vice-president, then?

[bakudan_bambino]

[If he tricks Hijikata into eating and possibly enjoying man-made mayonnaise, he'll be amused and will never ever admit to making it. Not to Hijikata anyways. Maybe it'll be fun to come up with a story involving mayonnaise fairies!]

It's not a very large club back home... Kind of secretive, actually.

[It'll make an introduction to his boss so much more amusing when the time comes.]

I hope to be his right-hand man! So yes! Either that, or his secretary! Someone he can trust, and who would do well to be an adviser for him.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Soon he may be seen searching the entire island for the elusive mayonnaise fairies... priorities!! It's not like they have a multiverse to unfreeze or anything! For now, though, he really can't help but relate to Gokudera's feelings. Hijikata's entire career happened because he wanted to help his commander realise his dream, after all.]

Your boss must be a fantastic person for you to be so dedicated to him. I'm looking forward to meeting him.

[Odd that this sumo club is such a mysterious society, but maybe they're from a world where sumo wrestling has been outlawed? What does he know.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[There is no reason that hunting mayonnaise fairies can't be a thing that happens. If Hijikata needs to use his magic to aid in his search, then he'd be helping with the multiverse! They can have fun. It sounds like they just might.]

He is! [Gokudera is beaming talking about his boss, happy to do so, even if the context is really an odd sort of lie.] And you should! He's truly the best person I've ever met.

[Better not ask about the sumo club, Hijikata. The last person that knew too much almost got murdered, and just about killed Gokudera in retaliation. Avalon hasn't been great for him.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Sometimes fun fairy hunts and almost getting murdered for knowing too much about a sumo club lie close together!! Not that Hijikata would know right now. He tidies up the table, about ready to finally head out.]

What's his name? Just so I'll know if I run into him.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is going to have to learn how to make mayonnaise so he can get the ball rolling on the tale of the mayonnaise fairy! He's watching Hijikata clear the table while he looks down at his barely eaten food.]

Sawada Tsunayoshi. Family name first. [Because he's already met people that are not familiar with the order of names he grew so accustomed to in Namimori.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He nods in recognition...so they're both Japanese, Gokudera and his boss. Well, it's no surprise. Hijikata adapted to local conventions when introducing himself, but of course for him there's no confusion regardless which order others use. He collects his lunch boxes and gets up.]

I'll see what's going on in the city.

[There's been no signs of trouble, but it's always something. As a workaholic he can't stay idle for to long; he needs to apply himself.]

Are you going out later too? Otherwise I can bring ice cream for you on the way back. Just give me your room number, then I'll come by in the evening.

[If Gokudera is too cautious for that he won't take offence, but since he's heading out anyway he may as well offer!]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is mostly Italian, but won't correct anything he isn't privy to. He came from Japan, though, where he was staying just so he could work with his boss. The boy sips on his drink and then hums his acknowledgement.]

Mnnn I'm not.

[It's not safe. Not for him. Gokudera's felt targeted twice, and actually got the snot beat out of him a few weeks back. He's a loner who is currently unsettled in being alone. The main city isn't a big concern, but he's still doing his best to keep to himself.]

Just text me if you pick some up, and I'll come meet you. The Tenth probably wouldn't like me giving away the room numbers. [Secretive club, remember?]