Being with you, Dealing with fire [OPEN]

[patchricide]

🧙 WHO: Princess Allura and YOU!
⚔️ WHAT: Catchall for different prompts: One stolen from the TDM, one picked up from the quest board, one responding to the dark web board.
🕒 WHEN: Throughout May
🗺️ WHERE: Different locations for each
⚠️ WARNINGS: All applicable warnings of violence and danger for the quest prompts.


Stolen From the TDM: This Familiar of Mine

Even though the expedition into the Giant Cave was organized as a way to promote an invasion of Celliwig, Allura isn't here because she's interested in a declaration of war — not when diplomacy is a fully viable option.

Instead, what drew her into spelunking was the promise of collecting those gemstone geodes for herself. How could she resist? For a long time, she had wanted to start collecting things that sparkle, and a collection of raw, glittering crystals seemed like the perfect place to start. More than that, these were the perfect raw materials to craft new jewelry, and the promised benefits to magic meant there would be a useful benefit to indulging her materialistic side.

So, she's spending the entire day in the caves, mining for her own pile of geodes and helping others with hauling the minerals to the surface. And so, as it happens, does her familiar.

See, her familiar does enjoy following her around, but usually doesn't draw much attention to itself: It's just a big, spherical rock, after all. But here in the mine? It looks like a massive oversized geode, ready to be split open like a watermelon. In the low light of the cave, it even has a faint, illuminated sparkle, as if there's veins of crystal showing through its surface.

In other words, to someone else digging up geodes near Allura? It would look like they just found the motherload of crystals.

[OOC: Yes, characters can attack Allura's crystal by mistake. Just don't be too mean about it!]


Quest Accepted: May Contain Violence and Nudibranches

The expedition to exterminate the nudibranches hasn't quite begun yet. Right now, Allura's standing close to the shore, holding her complimentary potion of water breathing, turning it over in her hand as if to observe how the liquid moves in the glass. However, it's a purely idle act. Her attention is on the task ahead.

When she talks, her voice is muted, as if her voice were travelling through a thick barrier rather than the open air.

"I think it makes the most sense if I take the lead," she explains. "For the most part, we should stick close together... but if we're attacked, I can call out telepathically for help. Even if we're underwater or silenced, my magic will still work."

But there's a curl of a frown on her lips. "It's only one way, though..." And the thought of her partner not having any way to call for help bothers her. "How about we run through a few hand signals before we dive?"


Quest Rejected: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

In the distance, over the tree line, there's smoke. When Allura saw it, she dropped everything and started sprinting towards the source. And beside her, keeping pace, there's a blue mechanical lion running to the rescue as well.

"More fires?!" Her exclamation is more incredulous than surprised. "This has to be intentional — but who would be doing this?!"

Based on how strong the billows of smoke are, the fire must be fresh. Maybe even fresh enough that Allura's question could be answered, depending on how long the culprits decided to stick around.

"Come on, it should be just a little further...!"


Wildcard

[OOC: Want to take a prompt here in an entirely different direction? Want to do something else entire? Send a PM — let's work something out, and I'll write up a new prompt or closed toplevel for you!]

Comments

Quest Rejected

[heartlessswordsman]

Allura may have rejected this quest, but aaaaaaah.

Ya boi Zelgadis over here sure as hell didn't. It's easy money, okay? Plus the building was empty anyway! He's probably doing some demolition team a favor! Of course, this all looks way worse than that, what with the way that there's a mysterious cloaked figure hanging out next to this burning building and all.

As soon as said mysterious cloaked figures sees Allura coming, he turns and starts running for a nearby alley. Under any other circumstances, he totally would have stayed and tried to help Allura put the fire out! But, y'know, he kind of wants to get paid first.

[patchricide]

You know, it says a lot that Allura has seen this exact figure wearing a cloak before, possibly even the exact same cloak, but doesn't put together who it is. Apparently, despite how many times they've encountered each other so far, Allura doesn't actually know Zelgadis all that well, since the idea of someone doing this without a truly just cause...

Well, that's criminal and evil, right? Look, the mysterious figure is even running. Who would do that if they're not up to something terrible and devious?

"Blue, you stay here and see if you can find something to put the fire out. I think I saw someone go this way!" And so, Allura splits the party she made with her robot lion — which sure, can probably handle this by itself, though it'll be tough without access to its ice ray — and starts giving chase to Zelgadis. "Get back here!"

[heartlessswordsman]

Oh, it's definitely criminal and evil, Zelgadis is a little bit evil. Just a little bit, though. Chaotic neutral? That sounds about right.

Anyway, he's running. The good news is he has a pretty decent head start. The bad news is the alley is a dead end. Balls. He starts to back track but likely doesn't get very far. What a stupid day, but y'know, he really has no one to blame but himself this time.

[patchricide]

That's just it, though. Allura's team doesn't call themselves paladins for nothing. She normally only ever fights evil, not consider it a friend of sorts.

Which is why she looks ready to take him down with force. "I've got you now!" As Zelgadis turns, he'll see her standing at the entrance to the alley, weapon drawn. The good news is that it's not that energy whip again, since she's conserving charges. The bad news is that it's a metal staff, which she whips around like a bo staff.

And apparently, despite the cloak only partially covering his face, she hasn't recognized who it is. Might want to do something before that big metal stick is swung towards your head, Zel!

[heartlessswordsman]

MAN, if only he had his magic from back home. He could just cast a flying spell right now and be done with this nonsense. But he can't, sooooo, he'll have to just deal with this some other way.

...Or he can just surrender, since he really doesn't want to fight with someone that he actually doesn't dislike. He sighs, turning back to Allura and raising his hands.

"I... I know this looks bad, but I can explain"

[patchricide]

"Zelgadis...?!"

Oh good, she's lowering her weapon. But her expression is shocked and unapproving. Maybe even more than before, when she thought it was some random degenerate.

"What are you doing? That was a building you set on fire!"

[heartlessswordsman]

"An empty, uninhabitable old building, that part's important."

That probably didn't matter so much, huh. Not that he really had a good excuse for any of this. Hmm.

"Now, in my defense, this job pays really well."

This Familiar of Mine

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata, like Allura, isn't a proponent of the invasion option, but he also doesn't think Camelot has any need to prove itself worthy to Celliwig. He cast his vote for improving relations with Elphame through trade and cutting Celliwig out of the picture. Let them prove that they can actually bring something of value to the table!

Be that as it may, though, he is still here too. While candy and insects didn't entice him he eventually decided that the gemstones are worth mining, and this campaign is a good opportunity for that since there's safety in numbers. Therefore he's been swinging his pickaxe and accumulating a modest amount of shiny rocks, and he was just taking off his vest to follow the way of his jacket and cravat when... a massive geode rolls by.]

...

[Thankfully he has enough experience with strange extraterrestrial life by now to not immediately hack it open (it's moving after all!). He tosses the vest onto his heap of outerwear and abandons his cave wall spot to follow it. Once it comes to a stop he crouches down and carefully puts a palm on its surface. Whether in reaction or just by chance, there's that flow of energy under the surface again...]

And what would you be?

[OOC: Sorry for the brackets, I don't do so well with prose. I hope it's okay!]

[patchricide]

[OOC: No worries, I'm fine with either style! I'll try to remember to mention it in my logs.]


[It looks like Hijikata's sense for extraterrestrial life has indeed served him well. The rock had tried to be stealthy... or, at least, as stealthy as a giant rock could be. But there were ways it could keep out of sight: Rolling around in the shadows, trying to move when people had their attention elsewhere. But perhaps there's too much commotion in the mines, or perhaps the abundance of geodes made it overconfident in its camouflage. When it's touched, it actually rattles a bit and spins on its axis, as if startled.]

[But it pauses before it speaks, as if giving its shakes time to settle before addressing the man in a calm, level tone. Its voice doesn't hit his ear, either — rather, it feels like a sort of vibration traveling up his arm until it manifests as a voice in his head.]

... interesting.

[Well, that's a start.]

There aren't many that would actually try talking to a familiar such as myself. You're fortunate that you didn't happen upon something more dangerous.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Wow. This is strange, but nothing too dissimilar from other prior experiences Hijikata has made, particularly on Prismatica. He tries to "think" back at the rock creature rather than speaking out loud.]

You're a familiar? Aw, that's a pity.

[He's not purposely transmitting his next thought, but maybe the balmera can "hear" it anyway... he thinks it's a pity because that means he definitely can't keep it (never mind that there might well have been other reasons speaking against that, such as it not wanting to be lugged around by a random stranger).]

You don't live here, then? You fit right in. And what could have been more dangerous?

[As far as rolling stones go he doesn't see much risk in addressing one.]

[patchricide]

[It doesn't quite work the way Hijikata thinks — he lacks the magic necessary to respond with telepathy of his own. But it still works, because the Balmera is sensitive enough to pick up on surface-level thoughts without Hijikata's permission.]

[Could it also dig into his subconscious? It's an unanswered question, because it's not interested. Which may be for the best.]

No, I only followed my partner in here. But then, perhaps I am evidence that she fits in here as well.

However, Avalon is filled with many different monsters. Unusual ones, deceptive ones... hungry ones. If you put your hand upon every oddity you find, you may end up losing it.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Thanks goodness this is working out! To be fair, he's never been one to guard his thoughts well, even if he holds his tongue.]

Hah, fair enough. But what can I say, you just gave off a sense of harmlessness.

[Whether that's a compliment or an insult is for the balmera to decide.]

Who's your partner? You didn't lose her, did you?

[patchricide]

Harmless... mm, perhaps in a sense. You would do well to remember the difference between the things that cannot harm you, and the things that merely choose not to.

No, I've been following her around. She's right over...

[The rock seems to shift to look towards where Allura had been standing. It hadn't checked on her since it started its conversation with Hijikata, and she seems to have wandered off somewhere else.]

... ah. Well. This is embarrassing.

[mayoninofukucho]

[This conversation is starting to remind him of one he had with the Lady of the Lake back at the Valentine's Day concert. She told him to best remember that he's not at the top of the food chain here on Avalon, and while he already had a similar experience with the Amanto conquest back home being reminded still always takes him down a notch. Regardless, at the balmera's apparent loss of its bond partner he picks it up without ado and stands.]

Can you see her from here? Otherwise let's go look around.

[Depending on how heavy it is he'll either leisurely carry it under his arm like a beach ball or hold it in both hands in front of him like a big melon... if it doesn't object to being carried in the first place.]

Quest Rejected

[doctorintern]

Fenton had also noticed the rising smoke, and with a quick moment to don the Gizmosuit, he was speeding towards the source.

Soon he arrived to the building, seeing that it was definitely ablaze. There had been many fires lately, and it was definitely a cause for concern.

"This is getting out of hand!"

[patchricide]

"Ah—! You're that robot from the masquerade!"

Look, she still hasn't seen him out of the Gizmosuit. This is a completely reasonable misunderstanding. Especially since the other robot she had mentioned is running alongside her.

"Stopping the fire is most important — but keep your eyes peeled for anyone on the scene. We have to try to stop these at the source!"

Otherwise, who knows how many other fires they would be responding to?

[doctorintern]

It is completely understandable, but he still wants to correct her. But she's right, stopping the fire is most important at the moment.

"Right!"

Luckily the building seemed to be abandoned anyway, so they don't need to worry about others getting hurt. But Fenton is still careful as he uses his magic to start raining down water on the building.

[patchricide]

Seeming isn't good enough. She had to be sure it was abandoned. Luckily, she had a way.

"Everyone out!" It's a widespread suggestion, hunting for any target still in the building. "If you can't reach the door, get to a window at least!"

And sure enough, she feels a response, like a tug on a magical fishing line. And a moment later, on one of the upper floors, a window opens, and someone sticks their head out, with a column of smoke flowing out after it.

It looks like someone fairly young, too. A teenager exploring somewhere they shouldn't have been, most likely.

[doctorintern]

Movement catching his eye, he looks up to see the figure at the window. "Hang on, I've gotcha!" He dashes forward, closer to the building before using the extendo-torso to lift up and reach the window.

"Here we go, easy now," he says, helping the person out the window. He could see he fire was quickly moving along the floorboards, so it was a good thing they could get to this person in time.

[patchricide]

Allura gapes upward as her robotic companion rapidly ascends up the side of the building. "What sort of magic...? No, is that magic?"

Because it looks more like it's his own technology at work. An unusual function, given that a rocket engine would be more adaptable, but it seems to get the job done.

"Bring them down here, I'll check them for injuries!" It's the least she can do. Right now, the Blue Lion is helping more directly than she can: It shoots a freeze ray from its mouth, freezing part of the building to buffet the fire's spread and prevent the building from collapsing.

[doctorintern]

Oblivious to her surprise, Gizmoduck makes sure that the person is safely secured in his arms before lowering back down, as quickly as he could without scaring the frightened passenger. Then he wheels over to Allura and places the civilian on the ground.

"Here," he says, "you're safe now. We're just going to check for any injuries, all right?" Once the person has let go, he'll move back to give Allura more room to work.

This Familiar of Mine

[badlypoisoned]

[Oh look, it's the young woman from when he made that horrible dress.

Also wow that sure is a huge rock.

Instead of greeting this person like a normal person he walks up with light steps and kneels down by the rock. He's being followed by some sort of swan-like creature with the long trailing tail of a phoenix.]

It seems you've found quite a large one.

[he says before he reaches out to push the "geode" a little bit. It's not rough but if no one stops him he'll probably start rocking it back and forth.]

[patchricide]

Hm? I didn't think it was that large...

[She turns as she speaks, holding a freshly cracked geode of hematite. Nothing of her own interest, given her magical powerset. But then she sees who's speaking to her, and the "large one" that he's staring at, and the comment starts making a lot more sense.]

... oh. That's... [She pauses, staring at the way he's playing with it. Her first instinct isn't to simply call it her familiar, but to explain what it is — and it could be a confusing thing to someone who doesn't know much about deep space biology.]

[After a moment, she decides the easiest thing might be to first address the rocking:] Hold on, it might not like it if you do that.

[badlypoisoned]

It might not like it?

[He asked as if to confirm and while he did so his hand did pause a mid push.

The way she started to speak made it clear that this wasn't a geode...could it be a familiar? Perhaps some kind of rock with a spirit.

Then he goes on to pat the thing instead.]

What is 'it'?

[patchricide]

It's a Balmera. You might think of it as a living planet...

Well. Normally, it's a living planet. This one's at a somewhat more diminutive scale.

['Somewhat', she says, when nothing but tiny insects would be able to live on this thing. She steps closer.]

If it were at full scale, it would have a difficult time serving as my familiar, I imagine.