isleofavalon | May Catch-All

Entry tags:

May Catch-All

🧙 WHO: Adelle and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Open post for May!
🕒 WHEN: Throughout May, probably more towards the first half.
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS:

A. ARGUING FAIRY

[Adelle happened to run into some of the people protesting for an invasion of Celliwig. It didn't go well--not violent, mind. At least, not physically. But it was audible from a distance; some raised voices, and then finally Adelle shouting loudly:

"None of you understand ANYTHING!"

And then she stormed off. It's into a side street, away from the plaza where some of them were recruiting for their expedition into the Ash Mountains. Adelle leans back against the side wall of a store. Her fingers are at the bridge of her nose, pinching there. Her eyes are shut, too.

She's red-faced -- still angry, and trying to come down from that. Deep breaths, slow and steady. She's not very aware of her surroundings, at the moment.]

B. TAVERN EXCURSIONS

[The best way to get to know a new city...

...is to go to its taverns! Thus, Adelle has found her way into a bar. Maybe she dragged a couple people along; maybe she went herself and joined with people. Nonetheless, the silver-haired woman knows her way around her cups. She has a couple of empty mugs in front of her. And she sways a little.

And her cheeks are red, and she is beaming, as she drinks another glass of the stuff.] Cheers!

C. NO BUCCA-ING OUT

[Adelle stands near the shore. She has a potion in her hand, and she looks down at the water. Her blue eyes are on it, thoughtfully. Under there are the nudibranches that they must slay -- that are quite dangerous. She has her sword, the single-edged one that she trusts will work well underwater. She also has her magic.

She glances at the person with her -- flashes a smile at them -- and then she nods her head once.]

Ready? We'll need to have our wits about us. And we probably should only drink these once we jump right in!

D. HOLO, GOODBYE

[This isn't the sort of request that Adelle can turn down. A chance for a sick grandmother to see a beloved light show... well, that's important. Especially because it might be the last time. So she prepared for it well -- and now, at the city's gate, she's waiting.

And going through her pack one more time. She has a cloak on, along with some rations -- and a pair of good shoes for traveling. Well-made boots. She's learned the importance of nice shoes, thank you very much.

Adelle looks to who's coming with her.] So... northwest, past the farmlands, and then in the river. The rocks seem like they will be hard to miss.

E. WILD CARD

[Want to do something different? Hit me up!!]

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( it was impossible to pass up, in Maruki's opinion. a simple and pure good deed. no fighting, none of that stuff. all he needs to do is make sure he doesn't get lost, right?

so, he's packed up with a bag that's full of things. food, waterproofs, a water skein. things he's pretty sure will be useful, depending on how long this takes. )

Sounds like it. I wonder how long the effect lasts on the rocks.

( they're not going to have to run back, right? )

[Adelle considers that for a second.]

If there's more than one, let's grab a few. If they seem like they're dimming... we can hurry back?

[Be it running. Or flying, in her face.]

( unfortunately flying is off the cards for him. maybe Hastur could support him somehow? because, while he's started jogging again, he's got nothing close to the stamina one might need to rush back before a glimmering stone extinguishes. )

... It's something to do with the water, right? I wonder if collecting some of that would help prolong the effect.

( idle musings, more than anything, as they begin to set off. he read a little about this ceremony when he first arrived, but it didn't include an explanation of these kinds of situations. )

Putting it in water, to preserve it? That's not a bad idea...

[Adelle trails off for a second.] I didn't bring any jars or anything. Do you have something suitable?

( they may find out later that the water does nothing, but hey. better safe than sorry. )

I have... ( hold on one second, please while he pulls out the skein he packed. ) one of these. Though I'm not sure we'll be able to submerge it.

( maybe a sprinkle works just as well?

well, with the city gates starting to disappear into the background as they walk on, Maruki hooks the skein to one of the straps of his bag and continues forward. )

How have you been adjusting to this place?

( he's not sure if she's new or not, but given the circumstances of arrival, he thinks it's fair to say that people are not perfectly adjusting to this whole idea in a couple of weeks. it still comes off as truly bizarre to him, even after a while. )

[Adelle looks over the skein -- then she nods.] It's worth a try, I think!

[She keeps walking along. When he asks, she looks at him -- there's a brief blink -- then she nods. She is new; she's been here about a month. It feels a little strange, still, to have only been here a month.

She wrinkles her nose as she thinks about it.]

I think I'm adjusting pretty well... I'm pretty good at figuring out new places! But, it is pretty different than back home.

What about you?

( it's an easy enough chat while they're walking, at least. )

I agree that it's different from home. ( sure, there's the whole Metaverse, but even with all his years of researching it, he'd never even encountered it until the day Avalon pulled him through. ) For one thing, my world doesn't have magic. Unless you count some clever sleights of hand. It's pretty boring in comparison to all of this.

( that both is and isn't true. the version of Tokyo he walked through day in and day out was boring, without magic or fantasy, but the Metaverse... well, he can only theorise right now, but somewhere like that would be full of the potential of the human mind and heart. )

No magic? At all?

[Adelle tries to picture it. Excillant is steeped in magic -- oh, sure, a lot of humans don't have magic... but it's there. People know it exists; many of them study it. And others live with it, every day.

She shakes her head once.]

This world does have more complicated machinery, than mine...

Not to my knowledge. ( he wouldn't count the Metaverse, really. its effects on the real world are nothing like the kind of things he sees here in Avalon. ) It would be exciting if it were possible, but I doubt it would remain secret for long.

( though aren't secret magical worlds the things teenage boys dream of? )

Really? The technology here seems a lot like my own. ( which really, in a way, makes the magic odder. ) If you need any help with it, I'd be happy to explain.

( he's not as tech savvy as some people, but he can use most things here without problems! )

Are you okay?

[Nobunaga didn't catch all of the argument, really just the tail end, and he agrees, he doesn't understand! He just wants to!]

Ah--

[Adelle looks up. Stressed, but she puts a smile on her face quickly. Not a very bright one; she's not really hiding her feelings that well.]

Yeah, sorry. I just got a little... heated, arguing with some people.

It's a pretty stressful situation.

Want to talk about it? We can get tea, or sake if you prefer something stronger.

[A beat. Ehhhhh... is this because it's the future, or just because he's no longer ruler of the world? EITHER WAY he should add:] I'm not--

Ara ara, how is it phrased? Flirting? I'm curious, I want to get all perspectives I can on this; and sometimes even conversation with a stranger is an imposition, so that's why I'm offering the drinks. [Holds both hands up to show symbolically they're empty.] Nothing more.

Yeah... no kidding.

[She sighs -- hesitates a second, then she blinks her eyes once.] Oh--no, it's okay, I didn't think you were. I don't mind a good drink.

Sure, ah... sure, that sounds good. You know somewhere nice?

[He instantly gives a carefree laugh of relief.] Okay, good!

Yeah! I know a dozen! What's your favorite? Drink, food, flavor, atmosphere? [A beat. He's doing the overwhelming thing again, isn't he? The sooner he gets sugar in him, the sooner he'll shut up!]

[Whoa. High energy, this one. Not that Adelle minds... sometimes, high energy is great!

It makes it a little easier to rally, even, after the earlier argument.]

Hmm, I think a good drink is best. Atmosphere is nice, too, though.

Edited 2021-05-09 17:30 (UTC)

[Gives her a thumbs up! ~~YES! Perfect excuse to use it! WOOHOO!~~]

I know just the place.

[And he leads her to the bar Mitsuhide works at and occasionally juggles, because Mitsuhide is even more of a show off than Nobunaga, which is saying something.]

Lead the way!

[She follows along, curiously -- a couple deep breaths to get her calm back, too, at least as good as she can.]

I'm Adelle, by the way.

Oda Nobunaga, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. It's not a formal title. [Because the only thing more annoying than being treated formally as royalty was the attempted assassinations to take his place, and no one really got what it meant to have to take out demons, be as hedonistic as him... etc.] But if my vassal is bartending and doesn't let me have alcohol myself, don't worry, it's just because I get rowdy like an oni, and apparently that's against the owner's policy. It's fine though! He makes this really cool sweet drink that is like fireworks. Oh, and he wouldn't refuse you any.

Point is, don't call me Lord like he does, he's just known me since I was a child and he knows all the lengths I went to in order to avoid more formal titles, okay?

[He's.... Babbling. He KNOWS it's babbling, but damn if he doesn't need sugar in him to shut up.]

[Anyway, leads inside, actually holding the door open for her graciously!]

A demon king? Really?

[She seems surprised -- but she has met one person who had been around gods. Maybe it's possible. Different worlds seem to have different rules.

She blinks -- then shrugs -- and then nods her head.]

I won't, don't worry. I can keep it informal. I look forward to meeting this vassal of yours.

Thank you! [Bows, despite... not wanting to keep it formal. :| He's good at this, watch!]

Hahhhhh don't let me hype him up too much, he's a living kitsune, you should be careful around him!

I'm not sure what a kitsune is... but I'll be on my best behavior. [She smiles, then she nods her head once.

It should be fine.]

A trickster fox with multiple tails. They're very cute, I can't seem to escape them. But they're notoriously sneaky. You should always be careful with them.

[To the bar!] Order whatever you'd like, it's on me.

I'll make sure of it.

[She sits down -- and takes a second to think over the menu, before she puts in an order: a mug of ale, and one of those large pretzels with a thing of cheese.]

Thank you!

My pleasure.

[He orders a pop-rock lined cherry Shirley Temple. He'll get alcohol later if he doesn't think he might be back to "work," checking on others later or hunting. It's a little easier to relax where Mitsuhide works, but at the same time, not flawlessly, since like he said, he stays on his guard even with him.]

A life of pleasure is what I'm purported to corrupt all I can into living. [A small handwave.] Theatrics, but not untrue.

Hmm. Seems like it might be unfair, though.

[She sips from her ale. Well... she shouldn't dodge the topic forever. He had offered a drink, but he also wanted to talk.] So... sorry that was how you met me. I'm usually better at keeping things under wraps, but that one got under my skin.

It isn't. The pious of my world truly believed worldly indulgences would prevent one from godliness and transcending the desires for the material realm.

[Waves a hand again, and gives a soft smile, even if it doesn't reach the ice cold eyes.] Everyone has something that sets them off more than others, no? Do you know why this one in particular?

Hmm. I think religions in my world had similar ideas. Some differences, too, though.

[She shakes her head, with a sigh.] I guess... well, I don't like seeing people decide to resort to violence first. Wars tend to leave a lot of people dead and miserable. It seems like something we should avoid.

[He's dying to ask more about that, but religion is the touchiest of subjects, even more than war. Maybe later.]

[At her explanation, he just waits for more.]

[Oh. Is that it?]

[... Okay then.] And you think they don't know that?

I know they probably do -- or they're idiots -- but... I don't know. it doesn't leave me feeling much better.

[She shakes her head.]

And I'm not sure how attacking them could resolve the situation.

What do you think fuels a war?

I think it depends. Anger or misunderstanding, sometimes.

[She sighs.]

But I think sometimes, people decide it's necessary. Or maybe most effective.

[She isn't, exactly, a politician.]

[He nods.] Me too. I don't know how to put those fires out. Never have.

[He is a politician, a war general, and he still 100% agrees with her!] I wonder if they're just scared, and lashing out. When people think a resource is dwindling, like space or survival, they start thinking they need to kill the competition so they have "enough."

But if they just worked together, they'd have more than enough.

I think that's some of it. Being scared -- and lashing out. But...

[Adelle hesitates.] I wonder, too. They're faeries, right? And most of the people here... they're humans. Or... well, not faeries, as far as I can tell.

Even if some live here... I wonder how easy it is to see them as something else. Something 'other.'

What difference would that make?

It's not like they've been feuding for centuries with each other, right? Aside from which, it's not like they've never seen them either.

[Drums his fingers on the bar in thought.] People get scared of what's new. What they haven't seen, what they don't know. People of my realms were scared of the world outside, because they didn't know what was there. But don't the faeries come here often? Weren't they here first?

[Drags a hand down his face.] Humans don't need something to be other to want to kill it. Did you see the bounty board? The one with the incubus heirs? That's standard for my home. Wars over power and inheritance are just normal. And that's between family, just drags in everyone like it or not. Actually I'd say... [Drinks. Only remember he's not drinking alcohol. Oops.] The closer someone is to you, the more reason to want you dead.

Maybe it is just lashing out on the faeries, because they don't know what to do with all their fears and anxieties about the end of worlds, and just need something to blame.

It still seems like I must be missing something though. Or maybe I'm wrong for expecting reason from something highly irrational.

Sorry... I'm not helping. I meant to listen, not talk.

[Adelle quiets down. He has a lot to say -- and she listens, because this is someone who's been a king and a general. She's had a longer, more involved life than she lets on... but she recognizes experience here.

So she's quiet, for a moment. Then she nods.]

I think it's part of it. I don't think it is rational -- being scared of someone you don't know. But the lack of familiarity makes it easier to blame them, maybe? Because... they're there, they're an unknown, and people can only guess what they and their queen might want.

[She sighs and looks down.]

Familiarity breeds contempt, too, though. And... I don't know if it is rational, but it doesn't hurt to look for rationality in their arguments, either.

Indeed. War is rarely rational, unfortunately.

Maaaaaah... have you much experience with it? Or more on humanity's faults?

[A quest like this wouldn't usually be Claude's speed, but he's admittedly curious about seeing the spirit for himself. And, really, after losing his grandfather just a few years ago after a long illness, he can relate to the requester more than he's prepared to admit.

So he joins Adelle, armed with a sword, a good cloak for travelling, and a pack with a few basic supplies.]

I think so too. Let's get going. [Claude doesn't want to lurk around the city gates any longer than necessary, especially knowing a certain someone still has it out for him.]

[Adelle smiles at Claude -- there's a final check of her own sword and pack, before she straightens her cloak out.] Yeah, let's get going.

[She starts walking -- away from the city gates, along the pathway towards the river.]

Have you ever been out this way? I haven't had the chance yet.

No, not really. I figured it was just farmland out here. Most of the time when I head out of town, it's to the Brocéliande.

[He glances over his shoulder (still paranoid), before following after her along the path. His wyvern familiar has taken wing and is following high up in the sky.]

Ah! I haven't had a chance to get out there, yet. [She didn't quite feel like another forest after the Fisher King's. Something about the woods trying to murder her. But the Brocéliande sounds nicer.

She blinks, as she walks.]

Are you worried we're being followed?

Hm? [He looks back at her, apparently preoccupied with his own thoughts, before he realises what she's asking.] Oh, there's just a... friend of mine I'd rather not see. We're fine, though.

Someone who is a little pushy, huh?

[Adelle is assuming, her player is lolin']

Extremely pushy. Not someone I'd want to invite along to a party. You know?

[we'll just roll with that, since she seems to be buying the story!]

Those types are real headaches. [Adelle sighs.

Yep, she buys it.]

Don't worry, I doubt they'd have any reason to wander up this far.

Yeah, I think we're fine.

[Subject change from an uncomfortable topic, go!]

Do you often take on quests like this one?

Mm-hm! Since I got here, and a lot back in my world. I was an adventurer, there. A mercenary, too, but more of a bodyguard than a professional soldier.

[She glances sideways at him.] What about you?

I dabble. I'm no mercenary, but they're a useful way to earn income, and it doesn't hurt getting to learn more about this place to boot.

[Sure, his reasoning isn't entirely altruistic, but most of the requests are in return for coin and not just based on goodwill, so he doesn't feel too bad.]

A bodyguard sounds exciting, though. I don't suppose you ever guarded someone important?

Mm-hm. Thanks to these sorts of missions... well, I learned all sorts of things about Camelot. And the local countryside. And the... er... wildlife.

[She trails off for a second.]

Mm-hm. A noble, who was also a scholar -- he wanted a bodyguard to protect him. And then we met a princess, and I ended up helping her, too.

Though she didn't have a kingdom, anymore, so... it wasn't quite the normal way of protecting royalty.

[He eyes her; that certainly piques his interest.] That sounds like quite the complicated situation. And a princess without a kingdom must have a fair share of enemies.

[He's not trying to prod too much if it's a touchy subject in any way, but as ever, given his curiosity he just can't help it.]

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May Catch-All

holo, goodbye!

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