isleofavalon | snow furries...i mean flurries; [open]

Entry tags:

snow furries...i mean flurries; [open]

Who: Haru & open!
What: December Quests
When: first two weeks of December
Where: New Camelot's Farmland, Brocéliande, The City
Warnings: None, but will update if needed.

I. (Hogtied Quest)

[She honestly doesn't know why she volunteered for this. Haru knows hogs, knows how big and ominous looking they can be to a small animal like her, but she also knows the animals here are different and...well, fairy pigs should mean they're a smaller size, right? Like a dwarf rabbit is smaller than an average rabbit?

Well no, not quite.

Clearly she's bitten off more than she can chew taking up this quest. These pigs are too much for someone like her to handle, and after chasing after one, tripping, and falling face-first into the mud-and-slush in the surrounding field, Haru kind of just rolls over onto her back staring up at the sky.]

This was a stupid idea.

[Grumbling to herself, she gets up and brushes as much of the mud off her as she can, trudging back to the farmhouse where she took up this request (much to the surprise of the farmer). No doubt she runs into someone else taking this quest to task.]

Do you have a towel or something?

II. (Snow Villa Quest)

[Haru can be found fulfilling this quest with relative ease throughout the outskirts of the city & on the city-facing edge of the Brocéliande forest. In fact, she creates her various snow sculptures with obvious joy in taking something and shaping it anew. Not that she's much of an artist, but there is something nice about being able to control and make something out of your own free will, something that other small creatures will enjoy and inhabit for the holiday season.

She's building a snow rabbit, one that's a head taller than her (which still only makes it well under five feet). Standing back, she admires her work, hands on her hips.

Said outloud, within earshot of anyone passing by or also making their own snow sculpture for the fae:]

Now then...where to put the hole where it won't look weird...hm.

III. White Cliffs

TEXT | un: botanybunny
Hey, is there anyone out there heading over to Albion's White Cliffs for that winter solstice ritual? I've been thinking about it for a bit and I'd like to go.

I just know I can't go alone. It would be nice if someone could join me.

(ooc: please feel free to toplevel with your own prompt, or tweak the above prompts to better suit your character interacting with Haru! i'm reachable at

trashcats or my CR post.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Join you? So, you're in the market for a bodyguard?

More like a partner or travel companion. I wouldn't want a bodyguard.

[even though yeah she...definitely will need one.]

Well, whatever. If you've got any whiskey to share, I might be interested.

[ Interested just means she's bored and willing to fight something; but asking for a little extra incentive, money or booze, can't hurt either. ]

[Haru is a simple 19 year old from a modern world who's never needed to hire a mercenary in her life]

You're saying you want to be wined and dined before heading to the caves? I'm not really about that life anymore...

[she's uh!!! misinterpreting what's being implied 100%]

If you don't want to join me you don't have to. I was just putting out a request.

Wait, what? I didn't say no or anything.

[ Sal blames her confusion on the little, irritating message device trying to make her life hell but...it's really just her total lack of charisma. ]

Shit, I'll just grab my sword and wait by the gates. Getting the hell out of the city for a while should be its own damn reward.

You made it sound like you wouldn't say yes unless you got something out of me!

[now she's wondering if it was even a good idea to reach out to complete strangers to go adventuring with!! but, it sounds like she has found a companion, confusion aside.]

I will meet you by the gate. Just look for a small white rabbit-- that's me.

[and it'll take her a bit!! unlike Sal, Haru has 0 weapons but a ton of chutzpah, and after bundling up for an adventure out in the cold (a big puffer coat, scarf, pants and snow boots) said small white rabbit approaches the gate.

it may seem like she's alone, but there's a small ball of white fluff on her head that's her familiar, a kesaran-pasaran.]

[ Sal meets the sight of the incoming bundle of fluff with a level stare. Small white rabbit, well, she sure as hell doesn't know what she was expecting out of this, but that's literally what she's staring down at. Bundled up similarly for the weather, with a comfortable red cloak wrapped around her shoulders, the sight of two weapons belted at her waist are obvious to spot: a sword and a gun. Can't go along without Jeff and the Cacophony, after all ]

Shit, I hope you spent all that time getting prepared and not...powdering your nose, I guess?

[ Does a rabbit even need to wear make up? She shrugs, gesturing to the rented cart waiting behind them. ]

Well whatever, go ahead and hop in. They'll take us up toward the cliffs and we can make our way from there. No sense wasting all our energy trudging through all this damn snow along the way.

[That...sure was a greeting. Haru's nose, at the mention of whether or not it was being powdered, twitches a bit, and she tilts her head, confusion clear on her simple rabbit face.]

...did I really take that long to meet you? Sorry for the wait.

[What you see is what you get, and Haru does not have any kind of weapons or any sign of experienced travel wear on her. Just winter clothes, a purse, and her familiar.

And, despite her size, she gets up into the rented cart with the ease of someone used to taking wide steps out of necessity, getting settled in and making room beside her for Sal.]

That's smart. I can spot you some money if you had to pay for this. [Not that she has much...but she doesn't want to be rude to her travel companion.] I was looking into rides myself, someone like me would probably not make it up that way in a day.

[Because, you know. Short legs.]

[ Sal leans back in the cart, arms folded over her chest in a way that only seems appropriate. Tough, guarded, and not exactly relaxed. Even if they don't have to make the entire way on foot, she's planning to keep an eye out for trouble. ]

Don't worry about the money, I didn't exactly spend for luxury here.

[ To be more precise, she's worried about getting tangled up in prices again. Sal's nobody who can finesse out coin easily or charm out favors; so far, she's settling on finding something she can punch out there. And, in her own weird way, this might even be how she's decided to be friendly (rusty doesn't even begin to cover it). ]

So, since we've got a little time to kill...what made you decide to give this thing a try? Just itching to get out of the city for a while?

[ Ahh, small talk. The cart gets rolling into motion and Sal frowns as they roll over the rocky path along the way. Affordable, after all, doesn't exactly mean cozy too. ]

[The bumpy, rough ride does seem to affect Haru a bit more than it does Sal. From her seat on the cart, her legs don't reach the ground and dangle awkwardly, so the movement does knock her about somewhat as they move.

She seems a touch frustrated by how easily the cart is tossing her around, but says little of it out of a practice of swallowing her thoughts and feelings to keep to herself. Trying her best to keep her center of gravity in check, her hands are palms down and flat on either side of her body, body swaying this way and that.

Maybe it's good she won't take my money for booking such a lousy ride...]

Uh, yeah. I've been feeling a bit cooped up lately and wanted to try something new. We don't have any magic where we're from, and I'm interested in seeing what this ritual is all about. [At least she's fine with the small talk.] Hopefully it doesn't require an animal sacrifice.

[A bit of a joke.]

[ Sal's been looking off into the distance, watching as the city grows smaller behind them. It's only at the mention of a sacrifice that her attention snaps suddenly to her cartmate; one could almost get the impression that the idea is startling to her. She blinks away the look of surprise, offering up a shrug instead. Trying to play it off. ]

Didn't have any magic where you're from, huh? [ Privately, she's almost surprised. ] Well, there's no magic in any fucking world that's worth sacrificing friends. Or, you know, similarly stranded strangers who've been cooped up in the city too damn long.

[ With the passion that she says it, the sentiment seems strikingly genuine. For someone who carries around a bunch of weapons, it might look a little unexpected too. She frowns, reaching up to scratch at the scar on her cheek. ]

Did you bring a gift along? [ A beat. ] Not for me, I mean.

[For a world of talking animals of all shapes, sized and species, it's incredibly mundane.

Haru appreciates the level of conviction in what Sal says in regards to sacrifice. But-- well, Haru knows that in some ways, she'd gladly sacrifice herself for the sake of those she cares about. But when you see your life as pretty meaningless and fleeting, the idea of dying for someone gives your death meaning, right?

These aren't thoughts she's going to express to a pure stranger, of course, so instead she simply hums in an affirmative acknowledgement, still doing her best to steady herself in the moving cart. It doesn't come across too unexpected--

The guy she's in love with looks pretty much like a delinquent, even if his personality is anything but.]

A gift? [For a second it seems like she's forgotten. But after another beat or so, she perks up] Oh yeah, I have gift! [Rifling through her small bag she pulls out--

--A box from a local pasty shop.]

It didn't really say what kind of gift we should bring, so I just picked something out that I'd have liked to get as a present.

[It's a carrot cake.]

[In theory, watching a tiny rabbit scramble after a herd of pigs should be hilarious.

That's the theory.

And it is, sorta. It does make him laugh for a split second just from the absurdity of the sight, but more than anything else it's just sad. The little creature bumbles after them filled with good intentions and he can respect her admirable attempt to face this nearly impossible situation head on.

A situation that ends entirely how he expects-0 for 1 in the favor of the pigs. Figures.

He doesn't plan on saying anything to her-ready to take his own hand at the task and get done with it before the sun goes down, if he's lucky. There are far more pigs than he expected.

But her little voice perks up from below and he throws a thumb over his shoulder to point out the small shed behind them. That area should have something she can use.]

When you're done cleaning up, I'll go another round with you. Those beasts won't be able to take on two at once.

[It's not like Haru can really get mad at someone for laughing at her; everything about what she chose to do was ridiculous looking from an outside perspective.

Seriously, what was she thinking. It must be a pretty sorry and pathetic sight watching a rabbit like her struggling to capture pigs out in the slush and mud.

She's obviously in a pretty foul mood, but does incline her head in thanks at the stranger's gesture towards the shed out back. But as she walks past him, his response gives her pause, one long ear coated in mud turning slightly in his direction, head following suit to look back at him.]

You seem like someone who could handle those pigs without help. Someone like me would probably drag you down.

[It's said in a matter-of-fact tone, and a part of her wonders if he's making fun of her.]

You held your own well enough. It will be quicker if the two of us corner the beasts.

[Look, he appreciates her tenacity and that valiant attempt to corner the pigs, even if she failed.]

Come on.

[The natural defenses she's put up against larger animals and the knowledge of them looking down at someone like her lessens a bit when the guy sounds genuine enough in his response.

The careful tension in her shoulders lessen, features softening a bit thoughtfully.]

I try, at least. [To hold her own, at least. She remains paused where she stands, thoughtful, and then nodding her head she turns back towards the shed to freshen up.] I'll get what I can of this mud off of me. Too much of it will drag me down.

[Just give her a few and she'll be ready.

Still mud covered, but after a few minutes she'll be out of the shed, a bit freshened up andm at the very least, less weighed down by mud and yuck. But she still looks like some off-brand harlequin rabbit than the pure white she usually is.

There's a more determined look in her eye this time around.]

You should be the one to capture them, though. I'm still too weak to get a proper hold.

[It's so odd to be teaming up with a talking rabbit to capture some pigs in the middle of, what should be, a town that exists only in myth. It makes him feel like he's been dragged into some twisted fairytale. Alice in Wonderland comes to mind, but he doesn't know enough about the story to know if following a talking white rabbit around will be his downfall.

She's trying, at least. The mud sticking to her coat still prominent despite her attempt to wipe it off. Given her earlier efforts, it probably won't matter. The odds of her slipping again are high, but with the two of them the struggle should end fast. What she lacks in strength, she makes up for in dexterity. ]

I will. Worry not. The beasts won't escape and we'll be finished before sundown.

[When did he become some kind of farmland wrangler??? Well, whatever. He leans against the edge of the fence for the briefest second before slinging his legs over it to just jump directly into the problem.]

Ready?

[Much of Haru's short life is trying; a series of attempts to find some form of enjoyment and pleasure for some length of time. Helping with quests seemed like a good venture, but falling flat on her face and having these smaller-than-average yet still big to her pigs wrangle free from her is a good reminder of just who and what she is.

But yes!! She tries. And there is that flame of determination and strength that flickers back to life as she makes her way through the fence, small enough to slip through the space in a very rabbit-like way.

At least she's not the one making a mess of the farmer's crops.]

Ready! They already know I'm here to catch them, so I'll go after them first to get the running. [the fairy pigs, at her arrival, do seem to move a bit closer towards them as though taunting her and her pathetic attempts.

And then...she starts towards them. Not running but walking briskly with squared shoulders and the pigs begin to fan out and run in opposite directions.]

[This girl has a fiery spunk he appreciates. Whatever she lacks in stature, she makes up for in spirit. Sometimes that's all you need to see a task through to the end.

She begins her fearless descent on the piggy masses and he-

Eyes the one headed straight for him. They're tougher than they look and he braces himself for the mindless creature to run-

Straight into his freaking kneecaps-not exactly mindless. They've clearly been through his song and dance before and it catches him off guard enough that he has adjust his foothold in the slippery, muddy ground.

He's beefy though and stronger than some animal.

One down. It's squirming and wriggling and disgustingly dirty in his grasp-he can already feel flicks of mud splattering against his face when it twists in his grip.]

Keep sending them into a frenzy. They won't have time to think or react.

[She hadn't intended to create a frenzy; rather, she just wanted to herd the pigs. But, from what Haru manages to make out through the chaos of the fairy pigs running away from her and kicking up slush and mud, it does seem to be working somewhat.

And it makes sense in a relatable way, knowing that while pigs are dangerous and omnivorous, they still have a prey animal mentality, one in which Haru gets. It may feel unnatural, acting as a predator chasing prey, it is something that Haru will lean into at Caesar's behest.

While chasing after a subgroup of pigs picked off from the rest of the drove, she does stumble a bit and nearly lose her footing. But in finding her second wind and a boost of morale, Haru is able to pick out one of the more unthinking of hogs to leap on and tackle--

Or, an attempted tackle.

Arms around its neck, her upper half is on its back while her lower half drags through the mud as the pig runs this way and that. And soon it's clear Haru is holding onto the pig for dear life.]

And then what?

[Shouted over the squealing pig she's got her arms locked around.]

i'm thinkin of going! we'd be doing winter holiday stuff back home around now so i wanna see what it's like here!

ritual makes it sound kind of scary tho LOL

...you promise you're not going to turn me pink or green again?

I HAVEN'T USED THAT SPELL IN LIKE A WEEK I PROMISE

You say that but...how can I trust you?

[100% teasing this poor girl.]

[ The little "mrgrgr!" noise Stella makes might not be audible through text but it's DEFINITELY audible if you listen with your heart, or something. ]

ill PINKIE promise!!
and if i break it, you get to prank me back like x20

Pinkie promise is a strange choice of words, considering what you did to me...

But you seem genuine enough and did help get me back to normal. I won't hold it TOO against you unless you actually do it again.

I RLY PROMISE!!!!

if i somehow screw up and do it again then you can. um. idk what your magic is but you can absolutely hardcore prank me with your magic to get back at me. i'd deserve it.

[Here Ken only took up the quest after a suggestion from someone on the network. He figured it would be good practice to test his animal magic all the while getting an idea of what this world would be like.

That and he was hoping no one would be around to see him pet said fairy pigs.

However, things didn't seem to go to plan as he saw a rabbit (Was it a rabbit? Definitely a rabbit) covered in mud.]

No but there should be one around here. [He said before his eyes wandered around in search for a cloth of some kind] I'm guessing the pigs aren't that easy to catch, are they?

[Yes, the mud may be a bit distracting, but that is definitely a rabbit covered in mud talking to you, Ken.

She sloughs some of the aforementioned grime off with her hands, wringing the bottom of her shirt, her expression utterly displeased.]

Anything to get some of this mud off, honestly. [She may have been the president of the gardening club and not actually mind getting dirty, but it's a bit of a different story when you're covered in the stuff doing something that isn't as pleasant as gardening.] There's no reasoning with those pigs...I've tried.

And they're more slippery than they look.

[Ken knew he shouldn't stare but it was rather odd to see an actual talking animal. Was this is magic talking or was it going to be the norm here? He wasn't sure but he knew he wouldn't leave her alone just like that.

As he asked various people for a cloth of some kind, he turned around and looked at her.] I'm guessing you talked to them? I figured it would be difficult to convince them to come back if they were willing to leave!

[With that, he does eventually manage something someone gives him a towel before handing off to Haru] I would be surprised if they did.

[She follows Ken as he asks around for her, and she does interject from time to time as he does ask because, well, she's capable of asking for herself and is the kind of animal to feel a touch offended when it feels like she's being babied.

Not that he is, that's just Haru and her internalized issues.]

The animals here are different from the kind I know back home, and I don't have the magic others seem to which makes talking to animals possible. I tried, but they just don't know how to talk back... [Frustrating, but no longer as surprising as it had once been.] Or they're just playing hard to get.

[She thanks him for the towel, wiping her ears first and knowing she's going to take a nice hot bath after all's said and done.]

Don't really know why I bothered signing up for this thing. It's more suited for people like you than me.

[As he asked around, he was surprised to see her speak up. It wasn't his intention to make her feel belittled, he just wanted to help. Throughout it all, he did apologize and wondered if it would do any good.

She was starting to remind him of a certain older sister figure who would react the same way. Scratching the back of his head, he really wondered what to say back to her. ]

But it was worth a try, right? How will you know until you try it?

[Should Haru look at him closer, there was something else he wanted to say. However, he was holding back unless he wanted to face her wrath.]

Rhia landed near the smaller creature. A bit bigger than a dwarf, but looked far friendlier. Rhia herself was human sized. There were two main things that seperated Fincaryians from other humans though. One - the shape of her triangular ears - was hidden by her brown curls, but the other, the wings, couldn't be missed. They were like feathers made of something more substantial than clouds before stars, but in truth not by much. Other than her silvery white wings she could have been some sort of wood sprite with her bark brown skin and hair, and her garb of woven leaves and vines. Her shoes were made of bark, and even her hair was laced with greenery. Only her blue-grey eyes and her wings would have had a chance of giving her away if she were in a tree.

She stripped a large leaf that had been wrapped around the vines of her belt and offered it. "What exactly are you trying to do here?" she asked, head cocked, sending curls tumbling over one shoulder.

Ah, this person seems like someone native to this world compared to the other primate-like animals she's seen around. Haru stares at the large leaf offered, the horticulturalist part of her half-wondering just what sort of tree a leaf as large as that could have come from, but...not much of this world made sense compared to what she knew back home.

So she takes it, gracious even if she's not smiling out of annoyance. Wiping herself down, she answers the stranger's question, voice sounding a bit flippant but mostly out of being frustrated. "I'm trying to help a farmer struggling with his crops out...these pigs are making a wreck of everything but, well--" Gesturing to herself, a bit cleaner now thanks to the leaf-turned-towel, but still looking a mess: "I haven't had any luck catching any pigs."

The leaf was from a tree in the Druma wood, which ranged from the normal trees to fantastic. So it might be identifiable, might not be.

"Oh. Well, farmers," she said with a bit of a laugh. "But.. if the pigs are being a problem, why capture them? Honey works better at baiting than thorn bushes, after all."

Unless those thorn bushes had berries. It was always worth the scratches for sweet berries.

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snow furries...i mean flurries; [open]

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