001 - Is this some sort of peasant quest that I'm too rich to understand?

[optimate]

Who: Blair Astor and YOU!
What: Assistant Quests, Exploring New Camelot
When: Throughout December
Where: All over the place
Warnings: None

QUEST: Hogtied

[ Combat quests may be a bit out of her league at the moment, only coming here with one extra magazine of arrows and it's electronic functions not even working properly at the moment, so she'll settle for something small and build her way up. Being a demon hunter, Blair felt this quest was in a way similar. It requires patience and stealth to which she has trained a lot for, so she took this job on a whim just to have something to do. But it wasn't as stealthy as she wanted it...

You'll find some random woman in armor, flinging a throw net to capture some pigs near the edge of the forest. The herd of swine whinny and squeal at this predator, managing to catch two so far and missing the rest. ]

Damn it!

[ Blair stomps her foot at seeing the rest of the herd get away. Had she been more adept at using her kinetic magic, she would have captured more. But two is a good start, even if it's a bit of a blow on her pride to have let the herd get away and have someone else witness it, apparently. She looked over her shoulder and immediately looked away with her face turning pink. It was a bit undignified to have someone see her almost throw a fit like a spoiled girl who didn't get what she wanted for Christmas. ]

QUEST: Snow Villas

[ Building a snowman should be easy, right? Well apparently not when it had to look pretty to be picked by the faeries. Blair, able to make a simple snowman looked at the competition with an almost jealous glare. How did theirs come out so much more creative? ]

You there.

[ She stops, backtracking a little to simmer down her bossiness. She's not at home anymore where she had people work for her, so she had to be kinder ]

Pardon me. But where did you get those accessories for your sculpture?

QUEST: Foraged and Found

[ Riding on a magical sleigh as it goes to the forest made Blair feel like she's an ancient warrior on a chariot somehow. Perhaps it's the bow in her hand, ready to fire should there be monsters that surprise her. She brought along someone with her to help with her quest, as she's admittedly not used to. Up on the "driver's" seat, Blair lets her keen eyes watch for whatever is up ahead while her companion can just sit back and relax. Without looking at her partner, Blair asks: ]

Have many times have you been out to this forest before?

OPEN: Exploring New Camelot

[ Blair, still in her armor, sticks out from the crowd as she strolls on by the sidewalks of Camelot on her own. Having earned a bit of money from her quests, she wanted to spend it a little to give herself a mental pat on the back for a job well done. She left her bow at her room, saving the space on her shoulder for her dragon familiar that she calls down to her while waiting to cross the street. A small golden dragon perched on her shoulder, nuzzling and licking at her cheek. Blair actually chuckles and smiles, petting her familiar on the chest to make it shudder and make a squeaky roar of approval ]

I should think of a name to call you... And I wonder if you can eat human food.

WILDCARD

[ I'm open to discussion for threads or ways for our characters to meet if none of these starters work out for you. I'm down to making her TDM threads to have happened if you want to handwave them meeting already. For any other inquiries, you can reach me on Plurk at Oksy ]

Comments

foraged and found

[radianceflux]

[ ooc: /gentlt assumes they've done introductions! ]

[ Blair chose the front seat, and Eruca accepted the seat in the back. She is accustomed to being driven places, being royalty, but today she accepted because she wants to observe their surroundings, take in the landscape, learn it.

And, if she's very honest, she wants to stare at the forest, the leaves of the evergreens, the sheer number of them. Forgia and the surrounding forest was lush, but this is a colder landscape, compared to tropical Forgia. This is what Granorg might have looked before the desert swallowed so much of its green land. Avalon is spoiling her, and reminding her what she has fought for at home. It's bittersweet to think about, so instead of dwelling, she focuses on their quest. ]

Very few. It's difficult to stay away from such a beautiful place.

[ She speaks firmly, to be heard above the noise of the enchanted sleigh— firmly, but not unkindly. ]

And you, Blair?

[optimate]

[ She takes a moment to look over her shoulder ]

This is the first time. I'm one of the recent arrivals to the island, so... much of it is still very new to me.

[ She didn't share that info before they went ahead to the forest, only introducing herself by name, her combat capability, and what sort of magic she practices. Blair is a woman of few words, always have been, but now feels like a reminder of what she told herself earlier, that she'll have to try and connect with people more now that she's far from home and alone ]

Perhaps it's you who should be on this seat.

[radianceflux]

Ah, no. Your skills are more suited to it.

[ Given the fate placed upon her after her uncle vanished, she never expected she'd need to know how to drive a chariot. But then again, there is no diving required of this sleigh, so perhaps...

Well, it doesn't matter now. Perhaps she'll drive on the ride back. ]

I also arrived recently. It may have been unwise to spend gold so soon just to see the forest, but— it has quite the draw, for me.

[ Forests unthreatened by the desert are a dream, and one Eruca wishes to make real. ]

Are there traditions like this where you come from? We do not have winters this cold in my home.

[ Frigid desert nights, however, are common. ]

Hogtied

[lucere]

[It was at the sound of those squealing hogs that Regis comes across this curious scene. News about the havoc caused by these wild boars traveled far and wide across Camelot. While Regis wasn't too keen on the idea of taking this bounty, he eventually decided to do so thanks to the promise of a handsome reward. Even so, Regis is just hoping to get some practice in. Trying to learn the sorcery of this land is a rather daunting task.]

Having a bit of trouble?

[He questions with a hint of amusement in his tone. Unlike her, Regis is dressed plainly in black and blues without an ounce of armor. He sticks out like a sore thumb because of his fondness for black but that's simply how he is. After all, black is the color of Lucian royalty due to their ties with the Draconian, Bahamut. Thankfully, he's hardly as grim as he appears.]

At least you've managed to catch two of them.

[optimate]

[ The hint of amusement in his voice did not escape Blair, making her more annoyed, if only for a moment. But it's not his fault so she simmers down as quickly as she looks at Regis. Something about him seemed odd, like he's dressed too plainly to match his demeanor, a body language she's very familiar with given her background surrounded by the ultra-wealthy. Either way, she noticed he looks good for his age ]

It would have been better if I caught all of them.

[ She says, a hint of disappointment and frustration in her voice as she gestures for the farmer with the wagon to haul the captured pigs away. She takes the rest of the nets she was using to capture the pigs, using her magic to move them with her mind and into her hands. ]

I'm following them. If their bounty is what you seek, you're welcome to follow me. But I don't suppose you're dressed to go running through the forest.

[ She says while turning way, showing her usual indifference. With a sigh, her frustrations fade and a very small hint of excitement took it's place. She's about to go hunting, and that's what she loves to do. ]

[lucere]

[While Regis honestly looks like he's dressed for an evening at a swank cafe rather than a boar hunt, the old king doesn't seem the least bit deterred. If anything, he's all the more ready to prove the young huntress wrong. Regis isn't about to snub his nose at the reward even if this isn't his kind of bounty hunting. After all, it can't possibly be that difficult to capture a sounder of wild boars. ]

Slow and steady wins the race.

[He suggests as he lets the huntress take the lead. Don't worry, he can keep up with her. That bad knee of his isn't giving any trouble just yet.]

All you need is just a good trap and the wild hogs will fall in line.

[The old king says as he summons his familiar with just the snap of his fingers. A loud squawk is heard in the distance before what seems to be a blue feathered serpent appears from the cloudy skies above. Quetzalcoatl is typically no bigger than a parrot but the thunderbird can its size at will. That explains why the fiend is currently as big as your average horse. The wyvern-like fiend lands gracefully before Regis with a faint growl.]

Snow Villas

[amonsterbyanyothername]

[Kei had been working on making a copy of his own familiar - a medium dog-sized Simurgh. After all, they were pretty. What better inspiration.

He had been using pine-needle and holly berry branches to start accenting the feathers when he dropped the small pile of shrubbery he had in his arms at the barked, "You there!" He turns to her with a curious look, especially since she seemed to calm down from the demand. He thinks? He gives a warm smile.]

I just found them nearby in the woods. They're free, do you want some?

[He holds out some of the branches to her.]

[optimate]

[ Blair blinks, not sure why she didn't expect his warm response to her but she wouldn't complain. She hesitated slightly, slowly lifting her open hand to accept the offered some of the branches. They're smoother than the ones she hastily picked. ]

My thanks.

[ She nods, turning away to look at her snowman to decide what to do with her new branches before she glances at him and speaks ]

I don't know these forests well enough to know where to find anything. I'm... still new to this world.

[amonsterbyanyothername]

Me too. I guess I just got lucky that I found them.

[He gives a chuckle, happy to hand over as many branches as she wants. He watches her work for a moment.]

What kind are you trying to make?

Exploring

[cameprepared]

[Claire, meandering down the street with a huge black dog at her side...a black dog with glowing red eyes...isn't nearly as eye-catching as a young woman with a dragon on her shoulder. And wearing armor no less. Claire's bike jacket and hip holstered pistol are a little at odds with Avalonian fashion as well, but she doesn't much care.

Amused by the display, she smiles cheerfully and speaks up.]

Probably can. Mine hasn't had any problems with it.

Re: Exploring

[optimate]

[ Blair is actually a little surprised by Claire's familiar. Her eyes widened very subtly, blinking at the sight of a demon dog. She looks at her dragon and squints, watching it just be happy to be there. Claire got a badass familiar and she ends up with like, Baby Yoda ]

Is it- Does it bite?

[ Blair, not very used to dogs but not opposed to them, looks at the hound curiously ]

It probably has quite the appetite, judging by it's size and... evil-looks.

[cameprepared]

No, he doesn't bite unless you upset him.

[The hound, sensing he's being talked about, quirks his head to the side, sitting and staring up at Blair.]

I know he's a Black Dog, like in English folk tales. [She's gathered Barghests are like the Black Shuck] But I think he's mostly okay.

He does eat a lot, you're right.

hogtied

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Soundwave arrives in time to see a frustrated Blair stomping the ground, the sound of squeals brought him over to this scene.

His head tilts to the side when their eyes meet briefly before Honestly, Soundwave didn't care about how she reacted to her troubles with capturing the wild boar- it's normal for people to vent their frustration. And it's not a total failure, as she seems to have caught two boars. With that said, he's undertaking this exact quest too, so perhaps she could use another hand.]

Blair... Do you need help with capturing those animals?

[optimate]

I'm not opposed to it.

[ She sighs. At least it's someone she's familiar with who came to the scene. ]

How are you with forest terrains? I'm following them. They move quick so we should keep up with them.

Hogtied

[morganknight]

What? That wasn't bad at all.

[Better than Morgan had managed to do, although in his defense, his performance isn't exactly his own fault. Rather than joining her in the toss, he's busy trying to disentagle his familiar's nine heads from the net. Stupid hydra!]

Re: Hogtied

[optimate]

Unfortunately, I don't settle for "not bad".

[ She crosses her arms, still feeling annoyed but also calming herself down with a sigh as a farmhand approaches and claims the captured pigs to put them in a wagon. Blair side-eyes the hydra trapped in the net, helping it out with her kinetic magic. She clicks her tongue and looks at her hand, feeling the sensation of using telekinesis against her skin ]

It's just, the learning curve for this magic is frustratingly steep.

[morganknight]

Thanks. YOU, behave. [He's about as stern to the hydra as he is to his cats back home, and expects his words to have just as little effect. Instead of letting the little guy get himself stuck again, Morgan pops open a pocket of his coat and dumps him into it. He's a surprisingly good fit.]

Give yourself some credit for progress, Blair. You can do that and still drive to get better. [He rocks forward onto the balls of his feet, then rises smoothly, coat whispering around his legs in that weird sort of way it has that makes it look more metallic than cloth.] I'm guessing you didn't do much in the way of magic back home?

I'm more used to this sort of thing, I'm guessing.

Foraged and Found

[gundhamster]

[Gundham had left his hamsters in the care of his familiar, given the weather. Instead, a red fox was perched on his shoulders, tail wrapped around his neck, sniffing fervently as they rode in the sleigh.]

Enough to have a good lay of the land. If I'm being honest, I prefer the forest to the city.

[optimate]

Ah- Right.

[ Blair returns to look ahead, trying to imagine preferring this forest over the comforts of a modern city. ]

I suppose it's a beautiful enough forest for a cabin or two, or the occasional hike through the woods... But aren't there monsters?

[gundhamster]

There are indeed. It is a fascinating ecosystem even with the addition of these monsters that I cannot help myself from being drawn back to the shade beneath the boughs...

[Gundham stands in the sleigh, the fox crouching down to better stabilize itself on his shoulders.]

We should be nearing the ideal spot soon. There is a fox den nearby with plenty of twigs and limbs strewn about from their hunting that we could use.

exploring new camelot

[birdflipping]

Careful. Feed it too much, and it might get big enough to decide you're its next snack.

[Nero happened to be passing in the opposite direction, shooting the remark by nodding at the little dragon familiar and offering a grin to the young woman in armour. No, she didn't ask him. Yes, he's going to offer unsolicited snark as he passes anyway.]

[optimate]

[ Blair's brows raise at this passing stranger who made such a comment to her like they're already acquainted. But her mild surprise turned to a small hum and an even smaller tug on her lips ]

Duly noted. I'll make certain it likes me enough that it eats other people first.

[birdflipping]

[He doesn't even take notice of her surprised reaction, continuing with a shrug.]

You never know, eating you first might be a sign it likes you.

Foraged and Found (Sorry this is late...;;)

[angel_of_death]

A few. There's a lot of gathering to be done with winter upon us.

[Though he had started off gathering fallen branches due to a lack of equipment, Walter is going out mostly for the kindling and logs this time. For that purpose, he's borrowed an axe — or rented one, more appropriately, as gold was involved —, said axe resting beside him in the back of the sleigh, the teen mindful not to let it bump about lest it damage anything.]

Are you going to hunt game while we're out here?

[He's definitely noticed her bow. She must have quite the arm strength to be using something like that, he reasons, glancing to her with passing interest; it doesn't look like the sort of weapon an amateur would carry.]

[optimate]

No, but one can never be too careful. A monster might show itself and my magic is still lacking.

[ She says, keeping her eyes in front and watching everything with a hunter's gaze ]

If you've been here before, do you know to find the objects we seek?