open ⚡ step into the rainbow

[sparkstrikes]

🧙 WHO: Lightning Farron & YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: April catch-all, quests and stuff
🕒 WHEN: When the threads happen
🗺️ WHERE: Where the threads happen
⚠️ WARNINGS: N/A


THE LIBRYRINTH (try typing that five times fast)

[This may be Lightning's first time descending through the Libryrinth, but this isn't her first rodeo. She's had to deal with all sorts of head scratching puzzles that served no other purpose than to slow her down, but it's thanks to the efforts of the previous group that they are able to explore further into the library. She'd heard some of the stories on the way down, like how it involved a maze, and how they weren't able to find a way past the monsters dwelling inside, but with more experience and more people, it should prove to be much more of a breeze.

Right?

Down into the sewers she goes, sticking close to whoever has come down with her as they pass the iron doors. Empty, empty, empty... She wonders if this is where the so-called monsters were kept, and why they became so aggressive. Whoever owns this place clearly has no mercy for whatever is being held beneath the library.

There's a splash as her feet step into a small puddle, and Lightning stops, feeling something brush up against her leg. With you being the only other person with her, she turns, the wrinkles in her frown only made deeper in the shadows.]

Hey. Back off a little.

[ ... Except she's not even remotely close enough for there to have been that sort of contact.]

SALACIOUS SAILORS

[How Lightning came across this job is anyone's guess—whether it was via the dark web or word of mouth—but after hearing the prize money for kidnapping this stupid pirate captain? It didn't take much (nothing at all, really) to convince her to go after him. Even the 500,000G for kidnapping him from the party would be enough for her to make a decent living around here, someplace small and quiet, exactly how she prefers it.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20.

What she didn't expect when she picked up the job is to be surrounded by drunken pirates in a tiny club. She really should have known better... and if it weren't for the need to be completely inconspicuous and not draw attention to herself, she would have smashed her tankard over their heads. Alas, such is not the case here and she has to keep as low a profile as possible, which is tough when you're (one of?) the only women in the club.

Pirates are bumping into her left and right, and some get a little too close for comfort when they spot her pink waves under the sailor hat, leaning into her with their breaths reeking of booze, so drunk that they're almost spilling their beer all over her. This costume is ridiculous enough, she doesn't need it to smell like terrible, cheap beer on top of it.

She's in a particularly tight spot when three pirates join her at her corner table in the back, all of them too tall and large to allow her any room to leave, and they're speaking in slurred words that she can hardly understand and won't listen to. When she tries to slide out, one will be there to stop her... and if no one comes to help get her out of this bind quick, there's going to be a bar fight that will compromise the entire mission... for her and anyone else who may also be searching for Enrico Ravenbird.

So... help a girl out?? For that 500,000G?]

DOPPELGANGER

[It's been one hell of a day. First, Lightning has to try and blow some vines apart to rescue someone from them, then she almost gets caught in them herself, and now? This is just the spiteful cherry on top at this point.

She knew she was being watched and followed from the moment she arrived back inside Camelot's city limits. There was that pricking feeling along the back of her neck, and that sense of dread in the pit of her stomach, but she kept moving, pretending like nothing was wrong in the hopes that whoever this was, they'd mess up and she'd have the opportunity to seize the upper hand.

But that opportunity never came.

Instead, what did come was a swift kick from above, and she manages to catch it by only a second. Their footsteps were quiet, but it was the sound of magic that gave them away, and the sound of wind resistance as they barreled down from the sky. She hardly has the chance to sneak in a glimpse before she's attacked again, and again, and again. It feels oddly familiar, this fighting style—they move in unison: when one throws a punch with the left, the other blocks with the right. It's not until she sees the pink head of hair that she falters.]

Serah...?

[It can't—BOOM. The kick to Lightning's stomach is hard, and it sends her flying, reeling back into an innocent passerby. There was a blast of magic that came with it, bursts of sparks blinding her before she can get a good look at the face. Sorry, unless you can step out of the way fast enough, you're about to get body slammed!]

TRAINING GROUNDS

[Lightning has spent enough time at the training grounds since her arrival that she's become known among many of the regular knights who come and go... mostly as the woman who prefers to train alone with the "gun sword". Some have asked for the honour of a duel, after the show she and Cloud had put on a month ago, but she's had to turn each and every one of them down. Most times, it's because their fighting styles wouldn't mesh, but this time, she has another reason:

She hasn't brought her sword with her. Lightning is hardly the type to leave it behind by choice, but she doesn't need it for what she's training for today... she hopes.

Rather than swinging her sword on the mats, practicing her movements, she's on a bench hunched over a book. A rare sight indeed. Her lips move as she scans over the words on the page, and then she pauses every now and then to attempt a spell—hand out in front of her, fingers spread, and sometimes, she's only mildly successful, drawing a spark and nothing more, and other times...]

Shit. Heads up!

[Lightning loses control of what is supposed to be a simple healing spell, and it explodes in all directions, sending magic flying in a small radius around her. Anyone who happens to be near is at risk of being hit, but worry not—it's only a healing spell gone sideways!

Maybe.]

WILDCARD

None of these strike your fancy? Wanna drag her to a different quest? Feel free to leave something else below and I will roll with it, or if you'd like to plot something out, you can reach me via PM or at crystariums. I'm happy to write closed starters, too!

Comments

Salacious Sailors

[cureofmanyworlds]

Hey! Back off fr’m her!

[Getting the sailors’ attention was... a squat, burly figure, glaring at the trio. Walking around to put himself between the sailors and Lightning, he continued.]

Why botha wit’ a sickly sea dog like her when dere’s wenches over there f’r the takin’?

[He’ll let the three turn their heads before revealing his secret - Nozomi in disguise via Light magic. When they turn back, she restores the disguise.]

Well, what say ya?

[sparkstrikes]

[Oh great... another one, chivalrous and daring, coming to save the poor maiden sailor stuck in a bind. If Lightning could roll her eyes any more than she is, she would...

That is, until she catches a girl standing in the burly sailor's place instead, only for a moment, before she turns back again. She's never seen that type of magic before, if that's even what it is, so she blinks hard, squints, and pretends she saw nothing when the sailors turn back to look her over.

"He's right, ya know. This one's a right real stubborn one, aye? Them wenches o'er there'll do whatever we want 'em to for a pretty coin."

The other two agree, but before they leave, one points his finger at Lightning. "We'll be back for ya later, when we done with 'em."

She bites her tongue, tempted to bark something back at him, but instead, she keeps her eyes on her drink until they've disappeared. That's when she looks up at... whoever this is.]

Nice trick. [???]

[cureofmanyworlds]

[Once the men leave, Nozomi drops the disguise in a brief flash of light.]

Whew. Thanks. Light magic is tough to keep up as a disguise.

[Nozomi shook her head before turning to Lightning.]

I’m Nozomi. I guess you’re here for that, too, huh?

Libirynth

[friendsallover]

[It's definitely a bit different from last time. Granted, he's spent a lot of time fighting monsters then and not a lot of time looking around. His guard's still up though, and he's made a point of bringing not just his blaster, but his rifle and spear as well. The more weapons the better, really.

He tilts his head at the comment, noting the distance between them. He has the light on his helmet on for a little illumination. Down here they probably don't have to worry about the Librarian. His blaster is out and he's scanning the area.]

Wasn't me. Guessing we're not alone down here...

[sparkstrikes]

[His response makes Lightning tense up, shoulders squaring, and she reaches back for her weapon.]

Yeah. Don't like the sound of that.

[Lifting the gun to her eyes, she stares down the barrel, eyes sharp for any sign of movement, but the only thing she sees is the water dripping from the ceiling, and the reflections of ripples in the puddle below from Din's helmet. She's sure she wasn't going crazy, and she most definitely did feel something brush up against her, but if it wasn't him, then...?

She feels it again, this time from beside her, and still... nothing.

Besides the movement of something wandering near Din, the only sign of it being the tiny splashes along the wet floor that look like light footsteps. She looks at him, then down at the floor, then back at him again, as if to ask "you're seeing this, right?"]

Training Grounds

[wherethewindtakesme]

[Fortunately for Lightning, Gaius is becoming the evasive tank in his canon, so as soon as he hears the warning, he dodges out of the way. It is very close though, as the wind from the spell's passing slaps him and almost makes him trip.]

What...was that?

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning groans and slams the book on her lap shut to set it aside when she sees him, not out of frustration at his presence, but frustration with her magic.]

Another damn spell that didn't work.

[She leans back, propping herself on her hands.]

You okay?

[It looks like it didn't hit him, and it isn't offensive magic, but she needs to be sure she didn't bring him (or anyone) any harm.]

Training Grounds

[cameprepared]

Whoa!

[Claire had missed some of the fireworks, or what started them, but she has pretty good reflexes. Her hand snaps up, conjuring up shadows from nothing that seem to swallow up the errant energy, engulfing and surrounding it.]

What happened?!

[She's more concerned about the other person than herself...]

[sparkstrikes]

[Well, whatever that was that gobbled up the magic, it's much more impressive than Lightning's measly wannabe sparks... and Lightning watches as the shadows eat it up as if it were nothing before she slams her book shut on her lap so she can flex her fingers.]

My magic's what happened. [And boy does she sound frustrated about it.] Haven't been able to get the hang of it, and when I do try...

[She gestures to Claire, because that is exactly what happens when she does.]

Doppleganger

[toremainbehind]

[Unfortunately for Izumo, he isn't really that fast enough. Not when the speed seems to be boosted with magic and with how fast she's flying--

Yeah, he's getting body slammed.

At least he has the decency to provide some kind of pillow for Lightning to land on when she crashes into him.]

[sparkstrikes]

[Hopefully Izumo can break his fall in some way, because when they tumble to the ground together, she slides right off of him and into a struggled crouch, but with her eyes fixed on her opponent, she has no time to register who'd caught her.

Because the person who'd kicked her was...]

What the...?

[Sword in hand, the person standing across from them is Lightning. But she's—? Who is—?

The other Lightning calls out, addressing Izumo.]

Izumo. Get away from her.

[???!??!?]

doppleganger!

[firesinthesky]

[ You know, there’s a joke to be made here. Something about Lightning in the sky, flying through the air, that kind of thing. And perhaps that joke will come out later, over drinks or some such when this whole thing is over.

Right now, however, Blaze is absolutely getting slammed into by a flying Lightning. She hadn’t fully caught the interaction that lead to this moment, apart from spotting Lightning in her periphery and thinking it would be nice to catch up. Then there’s a burst of light, and suddenly the full weight of a body is colliding with her.

Blaze may be large and sturdy, but it’s still enough to take her off her feet in surprise, and Lightning is left rather awkwardly sitting on Blaze’s chest as the Roegadyn looks up at her, somewhat dazed. ]

That’s a fine how do you do. You alright?

[sparkstrikes]

[It feels like she's hit a post that she's taken down with her, but at least whatever she's crashed into breaks the fall...? She's about to push herself up when she realizes that it isn't a what, but a who, that's caught her, and she's sitting on top of...]

Blaze!? I'm fine, but—

[Dear god, this is not how she wanted to be reacquainted. She immediately scrambles off the other woman's chest, and tries to get to her feet, but there's now a gun cocked and pointed right at her the other Lightning walks up.]

I wouldn't believe a word she says, if I were you.

Librirynth

[roseeclair]

[Makoto freezes and takes another step or two back, her large green lightning bear of a familiar mirroring the motion a bit clumsily. As good as it's been having a partner for these caverns, this lady seems... intense. Like one of the Outers when they're focused on the mission intense. But funny enough though... Makoto started out three feet away from Lightning, and it'll sound like it too.]

Right, got it...

[sparkstrikes]

Hm?

[Lightning catches onto the distance pretty quick, especially so when Makoto takes several steps back. Unless she'd reached out to touch her, it seems a little odd that she had felt anything at all... unless...?

There's a splash that comes from behind Lightning, and she makes the sudden movement of reaching back to draw her weapon. The gun's barrel is raised as she spins around, with her finger ready to pull the trigger, only to feel something slimy reaching around her ankle instead.

A bang rings out almost immediately, before she can even think, but whatever it is has just absorbed the bullet as it wriggles and oozes further around her ankle.]

What—!?

Librynth

[feralhumanity]

[This is Nanaki's second time in the library's labyrinth, the first time having navigated through the first half of the library. He didn't realize there was a second level to explore, but he is not about to leave a dungeon unexplored. Plus, Nanaki truly wonders what sort of things lie deeper in the labyrinth, and why it's all under a library. Curious...]

[Nanaki walks alongside his current companion, but he's not exactly walking super close to her. So when she asks him to back off, he turns to her, his ears flicking.]

I'm nowhere near you. But if you'd prefer I walk behind you, I can do that.

[sparkstrikes]

[If you'd told Lightning a week ago that she would be wandering around the sewer basements of a library with... a dog?... she would have laughed in your face. Everything about this situation is completely out of the realm of what she thought was possible and yet... here she is.

Which is why when Nanaki's ears flick at her, she can't help but step back. Not out of fear, but out of confusion. She's never really been much of an animal person, and hasn't really dealt with them before, so she's not quite sure what to expect, or what that means.]

No. It's fine.

[Wait... what? Nowhere near her...]

Hang on. That wasn't you?

salacious sailors

[theleadingman]

[The job had piqued his interest too keenly for him to resist, despite his best efforts, and the money certainly didn't hurt, either. All things considered, Balthier figures he's well-suited for this particular job— he knows pirates, after all, being one himself, and he's done his share of kidnapping, even if his 'victim' had not only been willing, but indeed requested that he do it in the first place. It still counted; there was plenty of avoiding authorities involved.

Kidnapping a single pirate in the midst of a drunken revel seems simple enough, but not long after arriving, he sees that he isn't the only one who'd thought to try their hand at doing so. Even well-disguised as she is, a brief glimpse of rose-colored locks is enough to tip Balthier off to Lightning's identity, but there's little to be done about it before three pirates invite themselves to seats at her table.

Even from where he's sitting, he can see the the start of a conflict beginning to brew, and it's mere moments before he slides out of his own seat and makes his way deftly through the crowd, dodging and squeezing past pirates that wouldn't be at all out of place in old Balfonheim until he reaches her table and claps a hand against the shoulder of the man trying to block her way.]

The lady is with me. Step aside.

[That probably won't work, but before things escalate, he'd like to be able to say he tried diplomacy.]

[sparkstrikes]

[With or without a disguise, the recognition of his voice is instant, and she tries her best not to perk up at the sound of it coming from behind the three large silhouettes blocking her view, but she does watch over the rim of her glass as a hand is placed on one of their shoulders, and all three of them turn.

Sipping quietly, she waits, and watches to see what they'll do next. She doesn't expect much friendliness, considering how drunk they are, and lo and behold, she's right—the biggest one grunts out loud like a mad bull.]

"What's she got to do with a little man like you?"

[She snorts into her glass.]

Training Grounds

[inemeraldfaith]

[Admittedly, she only tends to visit the grounds when she's watching other people practise. One never knows when they might get hurt, after all, and it might help to have a hand ready and available if something like that should happen. But usually, people have a decent handle on things. After all, she has yet to be needed for intervention.]

Oh—

[It's Lightning's voice that catches her, which is the telltale sign that this might be That Moment in which Aerith has been minutely prepared for. The little zip of magic is enough to make her lift her arms over her head to cradle herself as she ducks down. Who knows where it'll end up going, after all, and better safe than sorry.

There's no actual impact, though, and only when she feels like it's safe to do so, she emerges from the self-made shelter she's created for herself. After assessing herself and deciding she's no worse for wear, her attention turns.]

You all right? That's the first time I've seen that happen.

[Shocking really, considering they've all had to start at the same elementary level here. Well, those of them not native to Camelot, that is.]

[sparkstrikes]

[The spell doesn't get very far, smashing into a wall several feet away and bursting into a rain of light. The knights practicing their swings nearby duck as well and watch as the magic dissolves into nothing over their heads. That, combined with Aerith's comment, makes her wonder if this really doesn't happen around here all that often... and it makes her lips turn downwards into a confused frown.

As Aerith's arms come down, Lightning sets her book aside and jumps to her feet, taking half a step towards her.]

I think so.

[Besides the initial shock and worry, Lightning is perfectly fine, but she isn't the one who's just had a spell flung at her.]

Thought something like that would've been more common 'round here, but I guess not... [She exhales with a sharp sigh.] You good?

geralt; tdm cont'd 🐺

[sparkstrikes]

( ⮀ )

[Same here, buddy. Lightning's ahead of him in line in that regard... and she scoffs at the thought.]

There's some wizard around here named Merlin. Kinda cocky... annoying, but he knows his stuff about magic.

[Supposedly. She stopped listening to his message the moment he started praising himself.]

Or there's the king. Haven't met him, but pretty sure he's useless.

[gynvael]

[ The expression that crosses Geralt's face indicates he has zero fondness for wizards. Or kings, for that matter. The world is strange, but its politics, so far, seem commonplace. He supposes nothing ever changes there, even across spheres. ]

Sounds like wizards and kings to me. Though I'll take a useless king over an ambitious one any day.

[ He's been avoiding the thought that he apparently possesses some kind of magic now, too. Not that he's without magic, usually, but this sounds...different. Than a simple Witcher's signs.

He doesn't know how he feels about it. It's been easier to confront the world itself than what's changed within him. ]

training grounds

[schmisse]

[ For the first time, Weiss doesn't actually have her sword clipped to the magnetic holster on her belt. Rather, it's floating right next to her, as if it is clipped. An illusion, but it's more of a test to her stamina. If she can keep at this and be able to concentrate on other uses of her magic, then she can begin to do other things.

There's an open area nearby, with some straw dummies that she can use for training. She'll have to pass by another area to get there, but— oh! That's a familiar face! Weiss """bothered""" her during the masquerade, finding her aura to be a little too familiar that she couldn't just leave her alone. She should say hi! ]

Lightni— [ When she sees something bright moving quickly towards her, she's quick to wield her sword to try and contain what's coming at her. Whatever spell it is, she could probably absorb it, right? Right.

In the words of someone very close to her: Don't think. Just feel. Perhaps not in the right context that she's using it now, but she closes her eyes and lets the magic in her do its thing without much thought. The healing spell dissipates, energy flowing through her as she glows a bright blue light for a few seconds until it's gone. ]

What... was that?

[ She can feel more magic in her, but... that didn't seem to be anything destructive? ]

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning is too slow in leaping into action to get Weiss out of the way, and instead is left standing there, looking as if she'd been frozen in time in the middle of preparing for a jump, when Weiss absorbs the magic. She straightens, clearing her throat, but concern brings her brows together into a frown as she looks over the girl to make sure she's not injured. She may have been a terror at the masquerade, but Lightning isn't going to let her go on if she's hurt!

Thankfully, it was nothing more than a simple spell, so unless something has gone terribly wrong in its execution, she shouldn't have anything to worry about... and Weiss seems fine.]

Just a healing spell. Shouldn't have been anything too bad.

[Flexing her fingers, she wanders over.]

You just... absorbed it. [They can do that???] You okay?