2nd Feather - OTA

[milkmycattle]

🧙 WHO: Crow and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests, TDM prompts and Doppelganger Aftermath
🕒 WHEN: Throughout May
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot and the Giant Cave
⚠️ WARNINGS: Just mentions of  alcohol use, K-Pop dance crazes and Crow's normal use of profanity

A. Party Rock Anthem

[Crow is all for a party! He just didn't know how intense it was going to be. At first, he's loving the vibe. He dances and drinks without a care in the world, but the party scene starts to get tiring. The issue arrives when it's time to leave and he sees all the exits have been blocked off. Weird. He starts to get the attention of a few party overseers and they question him whether he's having a good time or not.]

Hell yes! I just wanted to get fresh air, but that's okay! If I pumped this party up, I'll feel better!

[If you can't beat them, join them or take over the party! Crow chooses the latter! If they want to keep him here, then they better be able to keep up with a rockstar! Unfortunately, other party-goers are along for the ride! Crow convinces the DJ to change the music to this hit from another world! Who's ready to hit the dance floor and lasso!]

B. Honey over Vinegar

[ Whenever someone mentions food, Crow is not too far! So when he hears about a tournament to gather the most cookies, the hedgehog is on board! However, he finds the task isn't as easy as he thought. The damn cookies are high in the tree, and he's a little too short to reach them. However, the spunky musician isn't going to allow his height to hinder him from getting those delicious cookies!

He tries a few methods with varying levels of success. First, he starts shaking the trees, and a few cookies do drop, but it's not enough. Next, he tries climbing up a tree to get closer to the confection but ends up plummeting to the ground from a misstep. Ow! Lastly, he gets a broken branch and starts whacking the cookies off the tree. This has given him the best results, but he doesn't notice the wasp nest that's within his strike zone. Someone help this hedgehog, before he gets himself and someone else hurt!]


C. Show of Strength

[ Crow doesn't really care about all the political stuff going on, but he does show interest in those crystals. So he heads over to the Giant Cave to put in the work. Even for his height, he's pretty good at swinging his pickaxe around and breaking up the hard rock. It's arduous labor, but Crow excited for the buried treasure within. If he sees his neighbor struggling, he'll lend a hand.]

You've been in that spot for a while now, you need help?

[Or maybe while he's taking a break, he might strike up a conversation.]

So, what crystal are you looking for? I wanna find the hematite and...maybe the rose quartz. Not that I need it or anything!

D. Right the Wrongs

[Even though, he had plenty of distractions since the doppelganger incident, it still doesn't sit right in Crow's chest. He knows it's not like he did these horrible acts, but he still feels responsible. So he'll be going around trying to make amends with all the people affected, handling them a care package of the best milk in Camelot and some cookies, because those two go well together.]

Look, I just want to make sure we're cool! So just tell it to me straight if you have anything to get off your chest!

[There's probably a sorry coming, but Crow still has to work his way up to officially apologizing.]

[Wildcard][ Does none of the prompts work for you? Feel free to come up with your own scenario!]

Comments

C

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata already discarded his coat, vest and cravat, and now he's about to unbutton his shirt and roll up the sleeves. This sure is hard work!]

Hm? Oh, I'm not looking for any in particular. I'm planning on giving most of them away. A friend of mine is a jewelry maker, I'm sure he can use them well. I'll get you some of those, though.

[He checks his open AOL tabs on his phone.]

I remember that rose quartz is pink, and... ah, hematite is black? What do you want them for?

[milkmycattle]

[ The redhead rubs at the sweat and grime on his forehead. Thankfully, he's able to cool down with some nice, refreshing cold milk. He's sipping on it as he speaks with Hijikata. It's funny how they end up back at this mountain after dealing with dragonlets. At the back of his mind, Crow wonders if he might see them around.]

What? You're gonna give your share away? If they make jewelry out of it, you should ask for a cut of the profit.

[He doesn't know the work that goes into making jewelry, but excavating crystals deserves some compensation. At least hazard pay, even if accepting this job is at their own discretion.

Crow decides to focus on the hematite since it's a little embarrassing to be seeking rose quartz. Of which, he isn't going to use it for himself or anything! Why would anyone think that?!]

Yeah, hematite is black. Not only does it go with my aesthetic, but I heard it helps you control blood magic better.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata doesn't expect to see the dragonlets so far down at the foot of the mountain, but who knows, the commotion might draw their curiosity (if their parents aren't keeping a stricter eye on them now)! And oh Crow, it's okay. Anyone could use some love spell boosters... okay, maybe not anyone, but details!]

I don't really need compensation. He's been helping me get a handle on my death magic, so that's--

[He pauses when he sees Crow take another sip of his drink.]

...

Is that milk?

[That so doesn't go with Crow's aesthetic!! Hijikata is beyond puzzled, then tries to suppress a little snort. He really is like a kid in some ways! That said milk is good for him, so Hijikata doesn't want to upset him into stopping drinking it.]

[milkmycattle]

I see!

[So it's something like a trade since he's assisting with his secondary discipline. It must be hard to control with all the ghosts and other undead things that go along with that magic. Crow is having a hard time figuring a practical way to use his blood magic, which is why he's seeking the hematite today.

He rubs at his mouth, wiping off a milk mustache as Hijikata questions his drink of choice.]

Yeah! The best milk in Camelot!

[Actually, milk isn't good for Crow. Hedgehogs are naturally lactose intolerant and drinking dairy milk can actually cause digestive issues that can kill them. So it's interesting that his parents own a dairy farm, and Crow drinks milk without getting sick. He's probably built up an immunity over the years.]

I used to drink a lot of milk because I thought it would make me taller, but that was a lie! Now I can't stop drinking it!

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata is really still struggling with simply just interacting with ghosts and has no plans of touching the more offensive stuff like possession magic any time soon. He's observed a few other people using their blood magic at the training grounds, though, and it really concerns him how painful and physically exhausting it has to be, so he'll naturally be concerned for Crow in that regard as well. As for the milk: good grief!! Perhaps myumon hedgehogs have immunity or at least tolerate it better than regular ones?! Luckily Hijikata doesn't know about any of that, so he doesn't launch into a stress fit and just grins.]

It's good to have a food obsession, you know? It makes it really easy to produce merchandise that your fans will buy en masse. Instead of having to complicatedly draw and manufacture a little Crow keychain they can just make it a simply milk bottle with your family's business emblem on it or such.

[He's speaking as a fourth-wall-breaker whose fans will buy items with just mayonnaise bottles printed on instead of little Hijikatas, but since Crow is a rock star it seamlessly applies!]

[milkmycattle]

[ Crow's problem is not so much the pain or exhaustion part, since he has a pretty high tolerance for both. He just hasn't been very creative. Blood magic can be used in various ways, not only to measure life force but as a weapon too. He has an issue in manifesting the latter since he doesn't have a clear vision of what he wants the fluid to be. It's frustrating!

Crow would like to think he has a higher immunity than other hedgehogs, but the reality is that Sanrio probably didn't give a damn to the accuracy of his character design.]

I guess it makes you more relatable to your audience, eh? I prefer merchandise to actually have my face on it, but that's a good idea! I hope I remember that whenever I go back home!

[He probably won't, but some marketing genius will make the link surely. Crow finishes off his milk, and picks up his ax to return to the crystal hunt.]

Let's get back to work. I'd hate to hang around here at nightfall.

[The cave is at the foot of the mountain that borders the Dusklight Woods and the Land of Rot, so Crow wants to make sure they don't run into anything creepy!]

[mayoninofukucho]

[God, Sanrio, do better... but cuteness >>> accuracy, for profit.]

You're right. Let's make sure to not idle when the others start leaving.

[If they go back in a large group it should be safe-ish... still, with the horrors of the Lands of Rot and the mysteries of the Dusklight Woods on either side of the path Hijikata really isn't keen on making that trip alone with Crow again. He keeps at it for a couple more hours, interspersed with breaks, until the majority of miners are exhausted and decide to head back, at which point he walks over to Crow again.]

Did you find enough hematite and rose quarz? Here's my contribution. It's not much, but...

[He offers Crow two small chunks of rose quarz. Sadly he had no luck finding hematite.]

Continued from above!

[mayoninofukucho]

Yeah, let's get going.

[Hijikata, too, can live with this outcome. It's better to lose some rocks than limb or life. He makes sure his backpack is properly latched and hooked - it's the same big camping backpack he had on their first expedition to the mountains, but now with extra hammerspace storage room -, then puts it on and slings his coat over his shoulder as they start walking.]

Does Onyx already know what he wants as a reward? He really was a big help.

[milkmycattle]

A reward?

[Crow turns to his familiar. It doesn't seem the yatagarasu wants anything. Just being able to be in the presence of precious gems is enough for him. Though, since Hijikata is being in a generous mood, and seems intent on keeping his promises, the avian familiar makes a request.]

Well, Onyx has excellent taste just like his master! He wants something in the color of crimson!

[Just to add some emphasis to that, Onyx launches himself into the air and makes crimson feathers rain over them. The yatagarasu lets out a pleased caw as he flies over the samurai and rocker's heads. He's clearly a crimson soul as well.]

Though, he's not picky about what it is! He just keeps saying that he wants it to be shiny!

[ This lighthearted banter does distract Crow from the fact that they are walking around the edge of Dusklight Woods now. Though even with his companions, he can't shake the feeling of being watched. He even looks away from Hijikata to inspect that scrutinizing stare he feels at his back.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Figures that Onyx is also a crimson soul! Hijikata wishes he had such a good close relationship with his own crow partner. Alas.]

Something crimson and shiny? Can do.

[He already has a few ideas in mind! But just like Crow he feels his chipper mood diminish as he senses that they're not alone anymore. While the sky is still golden orange and they have about an hour left before the sun sets it's already getting dusky in between the densely growing trees... they did idle too long in the cave, didn't they? Hijikata stops walking.]

Let's review our options for getting home.

[He counts them on his fingers.]

One: we simply march through the forest as fast as we can.

Two: we choose the verge of the Lands of Rot instead - it's an open area since nothing really grows there, so we'll have better visibility of the terrain and any approaching enemies.

Three: we camp up on the mountain again like last time - or in the cave entrance, even, it wasn't a bad place at all - and walk home tomorrow in the daylight.

Four: we look for ingredients to make a farm totem while we have light, and then get ourselves out of here fast. But that'll only work if you've got the recipe on you and we can find everything we need for it.

[milkmycattle]

[Crow listens to all the options that Hijikata offers. All of them sound pretty good, but they aren't ideal. Shit, why did they linger around so long!

He considers them marching really fast into the forest, but who knows what they will bump into or if they will get lost. The Samurai makes a lot of sense about the Land of Rot, but then again, ZOMBIES!! They've camped out of the Mountain before, but they are just as ill-prepared as back then. Plus his back was hurting him for days! Lastly, the farm totem. He really needs to stock up on those totems, if he's going to do these expeditions into the woods regularly. Realistically, they won't be able to gather the ingredients in time, and probably most of the supplies they needed were deep in the Dusklight Woods. It seems they're screwed anyway!]

Let's go through The Lands of Rot. At least, we can see if something is coming versus the woods, where a possible enemy has many places to hide. It's only a small section we have to walk through anyway, right?

1/2

[mayoninofukucho]

[Honestly, in a way it's amazing that Hijikata asked Crow for his input. Back home it's his duty to make the best decision on his own and order his men to follow him. But his time on Prismatica and now here on Avalon has taught him to be a better collaborator, not least because others may have relevant experiences from their homeworlds to contribute.]

The Lands of Rot it is, then.

[It's a damn long trek from here back to Camelot City - it pretty much ended up being a whole day's undertaking to just make it from the farmlands to the foot of the mountains the last time -, so it's no wonder the organsisers of the mining expedition had the group transport arranged. Hijikata is really kicking himself for staying behind, too, but he puts on a decisive face.]

We can make it past this entire cursed-ass area by midnight if we walk fast. Camping close to the farmlands should be less of a pain than camping on the mountain was, and come morning we can start a comparatively easy walk back to the city.

[Never mind that that'll be the brunt of the journey and pretty much take them all day again, this is what they get for giving in to their hematite greed!]

2/2

[mayoninofukucho]

[Suddenly a very small voice speaks up nearby.]

You shouldn't walk through the Lands of Rot at night.

[As Hijikata, Crow and Onyx turn around it may take them a moment to see a diminutive little creature on the mossy ground... it is, in the simplest terms, a mushroom person, complete with a bulky white cap and stumpy little limbs protruding from its stem. After a moment of stunned silence Hijikata crouches for ease of conversation.]

Why not?

[At this point he's just totally taking this in stride and not even bothering with the "what are you"s and such. The small mushroom boy(?) is even wearing tiny, tiny glasses... cute...]

Well, ah... the undead get stronger at night. The sunlight makes them slow and weak, but when it's dark they're very fast! You should avoid that area after nightfall.

Damn it. We really only ever have rotten luck out here, huh? You wouldn't happen to know a safe route through the forest?

I'm not sure if it would be safe for you... I'm sorry! There are just many different people living in these woods, and some of them like to trick people like you...

[He nervously wrings his hands, then adjusts his glasses. It must have taken him a lot of courage to speak up.]

A

[konpeito_aji]

[Nobunaga's not familiar with the song, though he recognizes Korean for what it is, and oh hey! Horseback riding? He's an expert in that! Lasso... hmm! Okay! He can do this!]

Got any others? Uh, less Korean more... [He has no idea what he's looking for.] Like that though!

[milkmycattle]

[ Nobunaga's not too shabby with the dance moves. You can definitely get it if you've ridden a horse before, but anyone can get this pretty simple dance move. At the question, Crow considers it as he keeps dancing. Something less Korean?

Crow has no idea what the artist is saying himself, but the song is pretty catchy even to a rockstar. So the next song Crow picks, the musician believes it's more this guy's speed.]

How about this one?

[Don't mind if he starts headbanging along with the song!]

[konpeito_aji]

YEAH! [Also headbangs! Metal is his favorite now! Also he can get behind any and all demands for sweets, even he disagrees with it being a drink, chocolate cookies are cool!]

You're really good at this!

[milkmycattle]

Of course! I'm a Myumon, we know good music when we hear it!

[Once that song ends, he signals for the DJ to play the next one! Once the tempo increases he starts to air guitar along with the song, jumping up and down enthusiastically!]

[konpeito_aji]

What's a Myumon?

[BUT JUMPS AND DANCES ALONG TOO!!!]

[milkmycattle]

Oh, it's what I am!

[With dark lighting, his small ears are easy to miss since they kind of blend in with his hair. However, Nobunaga is bound to see Crow's tail as it swishes behind him as he moves.]

Don't worry, I don't bite! Unless you're a bowl Katsudon!

A (probably with D combo)

[impostorsyndrome]

Oh my god.

[You're probably wondering how Kadoc got into this situation,

This quest had seemed harmless enough for him to try out. Obnoxious, yes; Kadoc's not a party kind of dude. But the way he sees it, that's a benefit in this case. He's not likely to get swept up in drugs or drinking or rocking out and forget what he's there for the way someone who actually enjoys parties might. At the same time, having someone like Crow along with him is also a good idea: they need to blend in somehow, and Kadoc will stand out like a sore thumb if he's here alone skulking around the corners and refusing to engage in a good time. It's a perfect compromise! Some easy money and clout! Just go in and break shit!

But Crow . . . Crow is too good at partying. This is getting out of hand! Is that Gangnam Style?!

He slides in to tug at Crow's sleeve and lean in close, trying not to be overheard by anyone else. At least that's easy, with as noisy as this party is.]

Please tell me you don't expect me to do the dance!

[milkmycattle]

[If Kadoc didn't think things will get out of hand with Crow steering the wheel, then he has another thing coming! At least, with the hedgehog pumping up the crowd, it diverts suspicion from the fun police overseeing the party.

The mage has done pretty well to keep up with Crow throughout their duration here, but the musician still feels Kadoc could cut loose just a little bit more. So, it comes as no surprise that he's reluctant to look silly and do this infectious dance. Come on, it's Gangnam Style!]

Shut up and dance, Kadork! Don't think too hard about it!

[And here comes the chorus! Time to submit to peer pressure and start galloping in place! It helps that the swarm of partygoers is also doing this ludicrous dance, so it's not like the spotlight is on Kadoc. Crow nudges him into movement, dancing in front of him to give the other man a bit of encouragement.]

Come on! Just do it!

[impostorsyndrome]

Don't call me—augh!

[Noooo! Every nerd's worst enemy, the teasing nickname! Though this is far from the worst teasing Kadoc's ever gotten. He can handle this gentle ribbing from a friend . . . this is so embarrassing, though. Once he's nudged and eased into the dancing crowd, Kadoc glares around good at everyone else, Crow especially—but the fact is, the best thing to do in this situation is do the damn dance. He really can't afford to stand out if he's going to be sneaking around in a minute trying to find the key to this whole mess to break it. And the mass movement here really is good for distracting the crowd, he has to admit.

So that's how he ends up very reluctantly, very awkwardly, doing the Gangnam Style dance in the middle of a hivemind of drone partygoers, while his magically musical alien hedgehog friend pumps up the crowd. Phew. This is definitely going to be a night to forget.

He hisses, out of the corner of his mouth, trying not to attract any attention from anyone but Crow:]

Dammit . . . ! Just keep them distracted!

[milkmycattle]

[You mean a night to remember! Just going to fix that for you. It's too bad, Crow doesn't get a chance to record his hesitant friend dancing, because it would be great material to tease him with later.

Though it's good that Kadoc is the more level-headed one. It makes them a good team in this particular situation since Crow is able to set the stage for the mage to work. As asked, Crow does keep the crowd distracted, but not so much to help Kadoc out. He may, or may not, have forgotten the purpose of them being here. Crow easily being swept away by the good vibes and feeding on the attention just like he would back home. Whatever works, right?

He offers Kadoc a silent thumbs up to show him he understands, before returning his attention to the obedient mob. Time to hype them up even more throwing himself into the mass of people and crowd surfing! Crow is probably having way too much fun with this!]

[impostorsyndrome]

[Sheesh . . . Kadoc spends a little longer than he meant to just watching Crow literally throw himself at people and go all out partying. It's hard not to! He makes a spectacle! But that's exactly what he's supposed to be doing, and Kadoc reminds himself after a minute of this that he shouldn't be wasting this opportunity Crow is creating for him—even though it doesn't look like he's planning on stopping anytime soon. He can't take that for granted!

So after some extremely awkward dancing that he is very very glad is not on video (he hopes), Kadoc slips away from the crowd and makes his way to the bar. Wandering around with a drink will look less suspicious than just sneaking off. After all this, he could kinda use a drink anyway. And once he's got a beer in his hand, he gives Crow one more significant look before slipping off again to begin the search around.

They don't even know what they're looking for, so he really hopes it's something ridiculously out of place. Maybe a weird random ugly ice sculpture, something attention-grabbing like that—though then that runs the risk of it being impossible to destroy quietly. Hmmmm.]

[milkmycattle]

[Something ridiculously out of place, and yet no one would question it if present. Kadoc might have missed it, just like any of the other party-goers, but there's a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. With its position in the center of the room, its hypnotizing light fixtures must have everyone brainwashed enough not to suspect the ceaseless bash. How to attack it without raising suspicion? That's a good question.

Meanwhile, Crow continues to ride the wave of hands. The ebb and flow reliant on the enthusiastic direction Crow pumps his fists in. It seems the crowd is easily influenced by the musician's fervor. Though, he's not sure how long he can hold their attention, especially with the current song about to end. Crow catches a glimpse of Kadoc with a beer in his hand and gets an idea! Kadoc is so smart!

Crow directs the crowd to drop him off at the bar as soon as the song changes to another hit! Time to encourage more dancing and reckless drinking as Crow dances on top of the bar counter with two full bottles of alcohol in his hands. He'll reach over toward the swarm to sloppily fill their empty cups. It's not hard to feel pumped up with this song! At least the attention is now on him at the bar giving Kadoc more access to the center of the room.]