Hijikata Toshirou (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mayoninofukucho) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2021-03-07 11:30 pm
mayoninofukucho) wrote in isleofavalon2021-03-07 11:30 pm
Entry tags:
March Adventures
WHO: Hijikata and ✨YOU✨
WHAT: Banishing Frost Fairies, Escorting Dragonlets Home, Considering a Smoothie, Barrel-Rolling, Questing
WHEN: Throughout March
WHERE: City of Camelot, Foot of the Ash Mountains (via Dusklight Woods / Lands of Rot Passage), Route to Celliwig, Red Springs
WARNINGS: Probably Violence for the Quest Threads!
Problems Spring Up
A ⦿ The Lesser Banishing of the Frost Fairies
[Last month Hijikata first got to see a frost fairy by happenstance when he looked through the glass of the hotel cafeteria's window, and upon learning that it's a local custom to leave them ice cream by the open window overnight he did just that... and found a disco ball as a return present in the morning. After asking around he gleaned that it's a spell item that can start a disco, and while that's about the last thing he generally wants he still appreciates the gesture from the little magical beings.
When he hears that everyone is asked to help banish them for spring to come he's happy to comply and buys a ready-made pot of icy-looking leafy plants with a single nightshade in the centre (look, he has neither the time nor a good sense for flower arrangements, don't judge him for not assembling it himself). So far, so good... until he leaves the plant pot in his room with the window open in the evening while he's out for dinner (he stopped stocking up on breakfast food for the whole day since his questing ventures finally gave him some financial stability), and, upon returning, finds about a dozen rabbits in his room. They're all white and seem to emit a soft glow, and their eyes look blind... but on closer inspection their irises look like little mirror images of the moon. How the hell they got in when Hijikata's room is on the third floor is a mystery.]
What the...
[Clearly there's only one explanation: his prank-happy subordinate Okita who arrived last month put them here. Somehow. He turns back around in the open doorway and yells down the corridor.]
SOUGOOOOO!!
[He doesn't even know which floor Okita's room is on, but the sadist prince is bound to be nearby to witness the fallout of his little stunt... only that this isn't actually his doing at all. If anyone passes by or investigates the reason for the shouting perhaps the kind soul can help him get the cute but uninvited animals outand may or may not be roped into the fairy banishment ritual.]
B ⦿ The Language of Flowers
[Dragons. Of course Avalon has those, given that it even has zombies. Hijikata remembers all too well what happened on Prismatica when the dragons came down from the mountains during their breeding season... suffice to say that their mating songs had an effect on the off-worlder population. Avalon may be a slightly more normal world (for a given measure of "normal") but he's not getting involved with this new problem, forget about it! At least that's his attitude until it becomes clear that people are going to embark on that goddamn dangerous escort mission (and that's after somehow wrangling the flowers from the dragonlets). Hijikata feels torn for a short while, but ultimately his sense of duty wins out, and he heads to the flower fields.
By now countless people have linked the local guide to the language of flowers on AOL, so after consulting the website Hijikata opts to liberate a bluebells planting. These flowers should help him express his constancy and reliability to the dragons. He finds three dragonlets guarding the blue flowers, so he impresses them with some dynamic fire magic effects. Clearly it earns him some dragon credibility, because while they stay put they at least let him harvest what he needs. He thinks about where he could find some young oakwood twigs to weave the garland out of (honestly, he'll probably need to ask for help with that) so the end result will also communicate his strength, when one of the young dragons flutters up on top of his head, prompting him to stop the flower harvest and try to pry its claws out of his hair.]
Hey! Give me a break here! Why the hell can't your parents just come pick you up?
[He may be able to handle it on his own in the end, but any help is appreciated... and maybe somebody is actually in need of a swordhardy companion for the trek? Even if he can just help by lending some of "his" flowers for someone else's garland, he'll gladly do his part.]
C ⦿ Spiritual Cleansing
[Once the Camelotians have access to the flower fields again the city is quickly transformed into a sea of colours to welcome the spring equinox. There are green archways full of blossoms framing the entrances of houses and businesses, every windowsill has a colourful planted pot sitting on it, cornucopias are gushing forth beautiful bouquets in restaurants and even in the hotel lobby... it's a feast for the eyes, complemented by the increasingly longer and milder days.
Hijikata isn't interested in meditation or yoga, and he gives an all the wider a berth to the assemblies after hearing that invisible barriers will pop up and keep people from leaving. Hell no!! He has work to do! Said work (mainly solving random problems that involve a degree of effort, risk or danger for the local population) leaves him hungry and thirsty at noontime, and on his way to the nearest cheap restaurant he eyes the various smoothie stands he passes by. Eventually he actually stops to inspect one of the menus.]
Huh... it's almost like a summer festival back home with all these flavours.
[He's clearly overwhelmed by the choice. Perhaps a well-meaning (or trollish) passerby has a recommendation for him?]
No Work All Play
Keep it Rollin' Rollin' (forfirstsaderesponder)
[Hijikata didn't want to partipate in the games. He already got roped into the snow games at the start of the year right after his arrival, and this time he won't let it happen to him! Alas, Okita has different plans. A quick round of blackmail later Hijikata is climbing into a barrel, looking like he's about to be executed (which, let's face it, may as well be the case). Okita looks as self-satisfied as the cat that got the cream as his superior peeks out of the barrel.]
Sougo, do it carefully! You hear me?!
Quests
Run Snagglefoot Run (forsulit)
[How the hell did that jewelry shop hire a known thief named Snagglefoot Miffen?! Well, perhaps he used a false name along with a fake moustache. It wouldn't be the first time Hijikata saw someone get away with that. Catching thieves is police work, and even though the Shinsengumi is still not a thing here in Camelot Hijikata can't be stopped. Given that the man is by all accounts headed to the Red Springs he purchases a spring totem to beat him there. Once in the resort town he casually looks around for Snagglefoot, going by the description and digital photos he was given by the jewelry shop owners, but no sight of him so far.
In the evening Hijikata loiters near the hotel entrance when the faintest sound makes him perk up. As he looks around he spots a figure under some trees on the far side of the lawn. He narrows his eyes. Who the hell is that? As he makes his way over the person slinks back into the darkening shadows. Hijikata makes an effort to move more quietly. Now it's a game of hunter and prey... he makes a sharp turn around a tree andkabedons pins the suspect by cutting off their escape path with his arm against the trunk.]
Sneaking around in the dark, hm? That's not a good look.
Don't Lose Your Head (forintrapid)
[As soon as Hijikata learns of the new dark web he sets out to seek access, and eventually he figures it out. Damn, these are some shady quests alright!! The errand of delivering a mystery box to Celliwig, which still prevents entry to humans with its glamour, immediately peaks his heavy suspicions... so naturally he accepts the quest.
When he arrives at the (obligatorily sketchy) agreed-upon collection point for the package he finds not only the parcel but also Karma, who evidently came for the same reason, given that he's already holding and inspecting the wrapped box. Hijikata takes this in stride. It's not shocking that the sharp boy would figure out how to access the dark web and get himself involved in questionable business like this, probably for similar reasons as Hijikata, and he's one of the best allies he could have asked for, frankly.]
Looks like we're in this together, huh.
Greg Gonna Get Ganked (forboutdatlife)
[Now this is just a total thug quest. One might think that Hijikata has had enough self-made trouble for the month, but no. If someone sends hired brutes to deliver beatings as a warning that's a matter that requires investigation! So here he is, entering a seedy tavern in an unsavoury area... only to immediately spot a white-haired young man seated in a corner with a drink, standing out yet fitting in, somehow, with that rough-and-tumble aura he gives off.
Hijikata pretty much always has a reason to be hissy towards Samatoki, be it because he only won theiroffscreen magical duel at the tournament two months ago because Hijikata hit the water of the pool first (seriously, they both fell in!!) and proceeded to be the overall winner of the whole category, or simply that he's 9 cm / 3.5 inch taller than him for no reason (why did their respective license owners not liaise about that?!), so naturally he's immediately bristling. It's a given that they're here for the same reason. Hijikata orders a beer, and while the barkeeper pours it he sends a piercing side glance in Samatoki's direction. He better not screw this up for him!! Then again... if Hijikata is honest with himself it may not be for the worst to have some backup. If the raucously loud group occupying the largest table in the tavern is Greg's clique this may end up being a little more challenging that he anticipated. Once he gets his drink he casually wanders over to Samatoki's table and sits down.]
Got some cards on you?
[That was smooth, right? They're coming across as random strangers, right?]
[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please feel free to hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]
WHAT: Banishing Frost Fairies, Escorting Dragonlets Home, Considering a Smoothie, Barrel-Rolling, Questing
WHEN: Throughout March
WHERE: City of Camelot, Foot of the Ash Mountains (via Dusklight Woods / Lands of Rot Passage), Route to Celliwig, Red Springs
WARNINGS: Probably Violence for the Quest Threads!
Problems Spring Up
A ⦿ The Lesser Banishing of the Frost Fairies
[Last month Hijikata first got to see a frost fairy by happenstance when he looked through the glass of the hotel cafeteria's window, and upon learning that it's a local custom to leave them ice cream by the open window overnight he did just that... and found a disco ball as a return present in the morning. After asking around he gleaned that it's a spell item that can start a disco, and while that's about the last thing he generally wants he still appreciates the gesture from the little magical beings.
When he hears that everyone is asked to help banish them for spring to come he's happy to comply and buys a ready-made pot of icy-looking leafy plants with a single nightshade in the centre (look, he has neither the time nor a good sense for flower arrangements, don't judge him for not assembling it himself). So far, so good... until he leaves the plant pot in his room with the window open in the evening while he's out for dinner (he stopped stocking up on breakfast food for the whole day since his questing ventures finally gave him some financial stability), and, upon returning, finds about a dozen rabbits in his room. They're all white and seem to emit a soft glow, and their eyes look blind... but on closer inspection their irises look like little mirror images of the moon. How the hell they got in when Hijikata's room is on the third floor is a mystery.]
What the...
[Clearly there's only one explanation: his prank-happy subordinate Okita who arrived last month put them here. Somehow. He turns back around in the open doorway and yells down the corridor.]
SOUGOOOOO!!
[He doesn't even know which floor Okita's room is on, but the sadist prince is bound to be nearby to witness the fallout of his little stunt... only that this isn't actually his doing at all. If anyone passes by or investigates the reason for the shouting perhaps the kind soul can help him get the cute but uninvited animals out
B ⦿ The Language of Flowers
[Dragons. Of course Avalon has those, given that it even has zombies. Hijikata remembers all too well what happened on Prismatica when the dragons came down from the mountains during their breeding season... suffice to say that their mating songs had an effect on the off-worlder population. Avalon may be a slightly more normal world (for a given measure of "normal") but he's not getting involved with this new problem, forget about it! At least that's his attitude until it becomes clear that people are going to embark on that goddamn dangerous escort mission (and that's after somehow wrangling the flowers from the dragonlets). Hijikata feels torn for a short while, but ultimately his sense of duty wins out, and he heads to the flower fields.
By now countless people have linked the local guide to the language of flowers on AOL, so after consulting the website Hijikata opts to liberate a bluebells planting. These flowers should help him express his constancy and reliability to the dragons. He finds three dragonlets guarding the blue flowers, so he impresses them with some dynamic fire magic effects. Clearly it earns him some dragon credibility, because while they stay put they at least let him harvest what he needs. He thinks about where he could find some young oakwood twigs to weave the garland out of (honestly, he'll probably need to ask for help with that) so the end result will also communicate his strength, when one of the young dragons flutters up on top of his head, prompting him to stop the flower harvest and try to pry its claws out of his hair.]
Hey! Give me a break here! Why the hell can't your parents just come pick you up?
[He may be able to handle it on his own in the end, but any help is appreciated... and maybe somebody is actually in need of a swordhardy companion for the trek? Even if he can just help by lending some of "his" flowers for someone else's garland, he'll gladly do his part.]
C ⦿ Spiritual Cleansing
[Once the Camelotians have access to the flower fields again the city is quickly transformed into a sea of colours to welcome the spring equinox. There are green archways full of blossoms framing the entrances of houses and businesses, every windowsill has a colourful planted pot sitting on it, cornucopias are gushing forth beautiful bouquets in restaurants and even in the hotel lobby... it's a feast for the eyes, complemented by the increasingly longer and milder days.
Hijikata isn't interested in meditation or yoga, and he gives an all the wider a berth to the assemblies after hearing that invisible barriers will pop up and keep people from leaving. Hell no!! He has work to do! Said work (mainly solving random problems that involve a degree of effort, risk or danger for the local population) leaves him hungry and thirsty at noontime, and on his way to the nearest cheap restaurant he eyes the various smoothie stands he passes by. Eventually he actually stops to inspect one of the menus.]
Huh... it's almost like a summer festival back home with all these flavours.
[He's clearly overwhelmed by the choice. Perhaps a well-meaning (or trollish) passerby has a recommendation for him?]
No Work All Play
Keep it Rollin' Rollin' (for
firstsaderesponder) [Hijikata didn't want to partipate in the games. He already got roped into the snow games at the start of the year right after his arrival, and this time he won't let it happen to him! Alas, Okita has different plans. A quick round of blackmail later Hijikata is climbing into a barrel, looking like he's about to be executed (which, let's face it, may as well be the case). Okita looks as self-satisfied as the cat that got the cream as his superior peeks out of the barrel.]
Sougo, do it carefully! You hear me?!
Quests
Run Snagglefoot Run (for
sulit)[How the hell did that jewelry shop hire a known thief named Snagglefoot Miffen?! Well, perhaps he used a false name along with a fake moustache. It wouldn't be the first time Hijikata saw someone get away with that. Catching thieves is police work, and even though the Shinsengumi is still not a thing here in Camelot Hijikata can't be stopped. Given that the man is by all accounts headed to the Red Springs he purchases a spring totem to beat him there. Once in the resort town he casually looks around for Snagglefoot, going by the description and digital photos he was given by the jewelry shop owners, but no sight of him so far.
In the evening Hijikata loiters near the hotel entrance when the faintest sound makes him perk up. As he looks around he spots a figure under some trees on the far side of the lawn. He narrows his eyes. Who the hell is that? As he makes his way over the person slinks back into the darkening shadows. Hijikata makes an effort to move more quietly. Now it's a game of hunter and prey... he makes a sharp turn around a tree and
Sneaking around in the dark, hm? That's not a good look.
Don't Lose Your Head (for
intrapid) [As soon as Hijikata learns of the new dark web he sets out to seek access, and eventually he figures it out. Damn, these are some shady quests alright!! The errand of delivering a mystery box to Celliwig, which still prevents entry to humans with its glamour, immediately peaks his heavy suspicions... so naturally he accepts the quest.
When he arrives at the (obligatorily sketchy) agreed-upon collection point for the package he finds not only the parcel but also Karma, who evidently came for the same reason, given that he's already holding and inspecting the wrapped box. Hijikata takes this in stride. It's not shocking that the sharp boy would figure out how to access the dark web and get himself involved in questionable business like this, probably for similar reasons as Hijikata, and he's one of the best allies he could have asked for, frankly.]
Looks like we're in this together, huh.
Greg Gonna Get Ganked (for
boutdatlife) [Now this is just a total thug quest. One might think that Hijikata has had enough self-made trouble for the month, but no. If someone sends hired brutes to deliver beatings as a warning that's a matter that requires investigation! So here he is, entering a seedy tavern in an unsavoury area... only to immediately spot a white-haired young man seated in a corner with a drink, standing out yet fitting in, somehow, with that rough-and-tumble aura he gives off.
Hijikata pretty much always has a reason to be hissy towards Samatoki, be it because he only won their
Got some cards on you?
[That was smooth, right? They're coming across as random strangers, right?]
[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please feel free to hit me up on my plotting post! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]
no subject
[It takes Klaudia only a fraction of a second to size up the situation. It's strange how well all of this has worked out for her... The thief being stuck and Hijikata momentarily blinded.]
Don't worry; I think I got him!
[She comes up to the stall, but not close enough for Snagglefoot to reach her from where he's stuck. A finger is pressed to her lips, and she smiles. Silently, she points at him and pantomimes taking something from her pocket, and then points at herself and taps her palm. She points to him again and pantomimes a running motion with her fingers on top of her other hand. Both of her brows lift, as if asking a question.]
[Snagglefoot looks to her, looks at his situation, and she can see the frantic gears turning in his head... But he doesn't seem to be deciding quick enough for her liking--so Klaudia helps him along by making a sharp jerk of her thumb across her throat, and then holds up all five fingers.]
[Four.]
[Three.]
[Two...]
[The thief's nod of agreement comes very quickly at that, fumbling for his stash of stolen gems and tossing them at her feet. She snatches the red pouch up, separating two gems from the lot and tucking them inside her vest. The rest stay in the pouch, which she holds tight in her hand.]
[The chalk comes out again, making a much smaller sigil on one of the bars--the magic pulling just enough material out of the wood to weaken it. She pulls on the bar just as the thief pushes, and the wood gives way with an audible crack. She doesn't have to fake the way that she she falls backwards with a yelp, but she's not quick to get up and give chase when the newly-freed thief bolts for the hills.]
Ow... Crap. [She winces and hisses under her breath, playing up her "accident" for Hijikata to hear.] That wasn't as sturdy as I'd hoped...
[And then a little louder:] Are you okay in there?
no subject
Hijikata is still furiously rubbing his eyes. It burns!! Hopefully Klaudia will hold that shithead thief so he can give him a beating once he's gotten the powder out! He fumbles his way through the stall, hoping to find a trough of water for the horse or such, but then he hears that crack and Klaudia's yelp, and then the update she gives him.]
He broke free?! Crap! Go after him, I can't see shit! I'll call you when I've sorted myself out!
[Damn it!! So much for alchemy! A whole lot of good it did them! He'll chew her out later about how she could have impaled either of them, or the horse for that matter, but for the time being he can only focus on dunking his face into the water once he finally finds it. He's looking really cool right now... if his subordinate Okita were here he'd fill up his entire phone space with photos.]
no subject
Absolutely not. I am awful at running, and I'm not going to keel over in the countryside from trying to keep up with him. Here-- [She pulls on his coat, trying to get him to get his head away from the trough. The water looks... okay, but she doesn't trust how long it's been sitting there.]
Stop rubbing at it. You're going to make it worse. [A pause, as she looks around.] I see a bucket over here. I'll get some fresh water to rinse it out for you. Hold onto this for me.
[She doesn't wait for a response and doesn't offer an explanation, shoving the red pouch of gems into his hands and picking up the bucket. There's a water pump of some kind in the yard. That should be fresh enough... So she goes to fetch some water from that before returning.]
On your knees, if you don't mind. I can't reach your head when you're standing.
[She's short, and her upper body strength isn't phenomenal. If she's going to help him, he's going to have to come down to her level. And she'll be kind enough to use the water to rinse out his eyes, if he does. If he doesn't... Well, she's okay with standing there with a hand on her hip and waiting.]
no subject
What's this?
[Feeling its weight distribution and hearing the small noise of the jewels inside clinking against each other distracts him from his stinging eyes. He opens the top and dips his fingers inside... that feels like the stolen goods alright. He pulls the pouch closed again as he hears Klaudia return.]
When'd you take it off him?
[He didn't hear them talk or anything! Did she ninja-snatch it from Snagglefoot as he shoved past her? But then she tells him to kneel, which he does with some reluctance. Instead of obediently waiting for her to wash his face, though, he feels around for the bucket.]
I can do it myself!
no subject
[Honestly. What's wrong with letting her do it? Aside from buttering him up so that he doesn't suspect anything particularly nefarious on her end. She's learned from experience that people are less suspicious of her if she makes herself helpful.]
[And speaking of helpful... She'll explain about the gems as she's pouring the water over his eyes to flush out the powder.]
That guy got stuck in the bars, so I was trying to search him. I grabbed the pouch just before he broke through and ran. Ended up plowing into me and knocking me over--but I held onto it. So you're welcome. Now you don't have to go back empty-handed.
no subject
What do you mean, I don't have to go back empty-handed? Aren't you going back with me? I'd honestly rather to go after Miffen first, actually, so why don't you go back to Camelot on your own-- no, never mind; chances are he'd follow and ambush you.
[This is so frustrating!! But seriously, now after this encounter Snagglefoot is bound to be all the more cautious and all the harder to find, and splitting up with Klaudia will only make her more vulnerable (of course Mr. Defeated-by-Itching-Powder is not concerned about his own safety here).]
no subject
[That sounds very silly to her. It's not like they're a team or anything; they just happened to be after the same quest. And honestly, she doesn't want to be anywhere near the jewelers when they find out a few gems are missing. All things considered, she's pretty sure they'd search her on the spot.]
[When the bucket is empty again, she'll set it down and wait to see how he's faring. One hand goes to rest on her hip.]
Trust me, it'll go smoother if you take it back without me. Just make sure to tell them I helped. [A pause.] You can give them the name Klaudia. And you can keep whatever reward they offer. I don't need it.
no subject
Are you sure you don't want half of the reward? I can transfer it to you. What's your AOL username?
[He pulls out his phone to search her up.]
Also Miffen won't know that I left with the jewels - unless he's keeping an eye on us right now -, so it won't necessarily be safe for you to stay behind here.
no subject
[There's a small tension to her jaw, and the chews on her lip for a few seconds.]
...If I give you my username, will you stop worrying about what is or is not safe for me? I can take care of myself, even if he does come looking.
no subject
[He stands up, showing his readiness to go, but he's still waiting for her username first.]
The payment will come from 'hijikata'.
no subject
Selcouth. S-E-L-C-O-U-T-H.
[She doesn't bother pulling her phone out or writing his name down. She'll get it when he inevitably makes the transfer. Or messages her or something.]
no subject
I'll be on my way, then. Thanks.
[Is he thanking her for helping him wash his eyes, or for securing the bounty? Apparently he has no intention to specify, just giving her a curt, slightly awkward nod before exiting the stable. He's even saving the whole tirade he wanted to launch into earlier about how dangerous her alchemy seems to be, having cooled down sufficiently to realise that she could easily turn that around on him since he did nothing but use some brute force that backfired on him.
He's still malcontent to leave without also seizing Snagglefoot, so he'll try to hunt him down for a while, probably until dawn, but the thief knows better than to still show his face around the inn. Even with Klaudia and Hijikata split up he won't risk attacking either of them. He's not a brawler! So eventually Hijikata will give up and loiter around in the hotel lobby to hopefully catch someone about to head back to Camelot via totem and try to hitch a trip with them. Otherwise he'll eventually take a cart (and sleep the whole way).
Naturally the jewelers will notice the missing pieces, but it's a minor loss compared to the rest of the lot, so they'll still pay Hijikata in full for the swift retrieval, and he'll make sure to wire Klaudia her part.]
no subject