Quest Log: APRIL 2021

[faileas]

Quest Log: April, 2021

CITY-WIDE QUESTS Quest #1 - Part-timers Wanted! (Aefenglom) - The following places are looking for part-timers for the month. Duties vary by shop, though all are paying 500-cunes per hour, five days a week. Amicable Arrangements - A flower shop in the shopping district is looking for part-timers to help with arranging flower bouquets. Anyone with an interest and willingness to learn is welcome. Training includes learning all about the Language of Flowers and their meanings. Undermael College Library - The college's library needs more assistants to help organize books and papers, especially with the influx of new research as more breakthroughs are made regarding understanding the Cwyld. No need to be a student to apply. Spring Cleaning - The Aefenglom Beautifying Committee, a volunteer-run organization, is looking for new members willing to help clean up the city for spring. Snacks are provided, but the only payment is that feeling of pride and satisfaction you get when the streets are trash-free! Quest #2 - A Haven Memorial (Aefenglom) - The Mirrorbound Council -- a "seat" for in Parliament representing the Mirrorbound, which is open to all who would participate -- has put forth an ambitious project starting this month. A memorial obelisk is beginning construction in the Haven, honoring those Mirrorbound who have since vanished from Geardagas. It will be a place for remembering those who are no longer in the city, as well as potentially a community-oriented space for Mirrorbound as a whole. (ooc: please feel free to plot among one another regarding this player-led initiative in the player plotting post linked above! Any of the additional features are possible, so please just let the mods know how the plot is progressing and we'll keep things updated!) Quest #3 - Seeking Healing Vibes - Inkchanted is looking for volunteers to test a potential new healing spell. Discount available to testers! Inkchanted is your local enchanted tattoo parlor, delivering simple spells, wards, and other services as temporary tattoos and skin paintings — ever since we started, we have been receiving requests for a tattoo design that would administer a self-healing spell. Figuring out how to make that work has been our focus for quite a while! We might be close to the breakthrough, and for that, we need your help! Self-healing spells work differently on Monsters and Witches. For example, even the type of magic proficiency for the latter seems to factor into how the spell works... That's where you come in. Anyone wishing to test the healing spell can get it painted on (with a bonus magical battery for the Monsters, allowing them to use the spell even without magic of their own), and get a special discount on a tattoo of their choice. All we ask is for testers to take notes. Did the healing spell work as intended? How many times did it work? Were there any unexpected side-effects? The discount voucher will be provided upon receiving the notes — Submitted Cú Chulainn (ooc: the spell can heal one larger injury, or up to three-four smaller scratches, though it can also fail and heal only one scratch and disappear entirely after that! The side-effects can be of a wide variety, from itching or tingling on the healed area, to more supernatural-like glowing, changing colours. There's also a risk that using the spell, aside from healing the wound, will cause the character in question to temporarily grow something matching the type of the Monster they are Bonded to (so a small dragon horn, scales, feathers etc), or get a side-effect similar to the magical signature of the Witch they are Bonded to (for example, ice-cool touch for Ice Witches). Feel free to play with the side-effects, and to providing the notes to anyone on the Inkchanted staff (either through inbox, or poking at a top-level/catch-all). Current Inkchanted staff consists of Cú Chulainn, Waver Velvet, Iskandar, Yona, Soren and Alex Benedetto.) 🌶️ Quest #4 - The Dark Desires Café & Club (Aefenglom) - A new establishment is opening at the very edge of the Entertainment District, where it borders the Aristocratic District -- The Dark Desires Café & Club. Funded and founded by Lady Adelaide, an older noblewoman well known among her peers as an eccentric lady who delights in pushing boundaries and questioning norms, the Café is made up of two parts: a coffee and tea shop, which serves the expected beverages as well as some pastries and lunch items, and the exclusive club and stage that are open to members, catering to more sensual desires and providing a safe space for those interested in exploring a kink-friendly community. In collaboration with the Bonded pair owners of Worse Dragon, The Dark Desires Café & Club have started inviting members of the Mirrorbound who may be interested, especially those who have previously shopped at related establishments. Come check out the coffee shop by day, stay for the shows, workshops, and other fun in the evenings! The atmosphere of the establishment is elegant and refined, but strives to feel safe and community-oriented at the same time. The building itself is large, in an older style, furnished finely with a theme of dark cherry woods and black or wine-red curtains and trims, embellished with tasteful nude statues and paintings in a classical style. Club shows feature stage shows and demonstrations from various performers, with features this month including the esteemed rope artists, ladies Liliann and Hildegarde, a Bonded pair who have a show focused on artistic shibari, dancing, and acrobatics. Rope workshops can be signed up for after the show and will be held throughout the month. Tomas, ex-actor and Lady Adelaide's partner (also a Witch, slightly younger than her with silvery temples and black hair), is in charge of management and can be found bustling around the premises in charge of hires, sign-ups and the club's calendar. Now hiring open-minded individuals with exceptional personalities from all walks of life for the following jobs: - waiters to serve the cafe's fabulous coffee, tea and sweets - hosts and hostesses to entertain the guests - musicians to provide atmospheric background - those with experience and interest in hosting kink-positive workshops - burlesque dancers and other performers comfortable with sensual themes - backstage professionals ranging from lighting work, choreographers, stagehands and stage managers Mirrorbound who have shopped at Worse Dragon or other adult establishments around the Entertainment or Shopping districts recently may find invitations slipped into their shopping bags, or flyers around the Haven advertising the new club and inviting anyone interested in a casual, supportive atmosphere for adults, or advertising some of their burlesque shows or kink workshops. (Suggested by Ran.)

WILDE QUESTS Quest #1 - Out of the City (Aefenglom) - The Coven is once more taking volunteers to venture outside of the Bright Wall to aid those in the Outer City. Trained in magic or otherwise; those without any formal training, or with very little formal training, will be overseen by a more experienced Witch. Miss Nerissa Bell asks all who are able to do any of the following to lend a hand to those our wall cannot currently protect: Medical aid (taking care of someone, healing, administering medicine in syrup, pill, or shot form, etc) Entertainment (singing, dancing, acting, story-telling, playing an instrument) Fight (hand-to-hand or with a weapon; magic can potentially bring more harm than help) Donate (toys, books, food, time, etc; or gathering any of the former) The Coven asks you be careful when interacting with infected individuals; though they're still within their right minds, becoming infected is a very real danger. We ask you wear gloves and a face mask when interacting with those showing symptoms of the Cwyld. Quest #2 - Cwyld Research Part II (Aefenglom) - The Coven and Undermael College are teaming up on researching the recently-discovered phenomenon of some of the population being resistant to the Cwyld to some level. Although it is possible for natives to develop a resistance after interacting on a regular basis with the Wilde and the Cwyld, it does seem that the data points to Mirrorbound as having the highest rates of resistance so far. Those Mirrorbound who spend a lot of time near the Cwyld, whether that is in the Wilde fighting infected beasts or in a research capacity, have a slight resistance to infection. The Coven and the College are especially interested in individuals like this! They are looking for volunteers among both the native populace and the Mirrobound to see if they can establish how often such an immunity builds and how long it might take. This test will run for several weeks or even months, depending on each person’s preference; the healers of course appreciate long-term data. You will be asked to wear an enchanted bracelet (generally a plain beaded band, though somewhat customizable) that will measure Cwyld exposure and any potential immune responses. You will be given a map and asked to spend time in marked areas outside the Bright Wall, in groups or alone, following predetermined trails through nature. Of course, the healers aren’t asking you to run into heavily infected places or directly interact with Shades, so please don’t wander beyond the marked areas unless you're prepared for the risk! At the end of each volunteer session, blood is drawn and several magical tests are done with a device similar to a blood-pressure cuff. Naturally, volunteers are also compensated for their time with cunes, and will receive healing whenever needed. (ooc: Some characters may find a mild immunity if they spend a lot of time in the Wilde. Either way, characters may experience mild side effects per player discretion, such as temporary skin or hair discoloration, feeling sick, feverish, etc. Note that Witches are more susceptible to these symptoms than Monsters, unless the Monster is a Fae or Dragon. The healers are keeping a close eye on volunteers, so if anyone has a reaction worse than mild, which is possible, they will be taken out of the study.) Quest #3 - Topsy-Turvy Teleporters (Anywhere) - A mishap with some teleportation circles set up by a small group of ambitious Fae means brave adventures are needed to lend a hand! As many folks know, some Fae have an affinity for teleportation magic and can set up fairy circles to teleport themselves and one or two other persons from Point A to Point B. A handful of entrepreneurial Fae decided to make a business of this, teleporting customers a few miles across the city or even into the Widle... though anyone with any sense would tell you that teleportation into or out of the Wilde is risky business unless it's via a well-established, Coven-tested teleporter! For a little bit, their business was going well enough, but then the Fae friends got more ambitious and wanted to transport customers longer distances. Now, they're posting up Help Wanted signs all over the city, asking for assistance in reclaiming their, uh, slightly misplaced customers. It turns out that the teleportation circles the Fae set up in the Wilde have been disrupted by a mix of foul weather and animal or Cwyldtid interference over the last couple of months-- or at least, that's their best guess as to what could have gone wrong, though it's also possible there's another reason.. Takers of these quests will be tasked with trekking out into the Wilde in search of folks (and their Fae guides) who have used the teleportation magic to uncertain results, sometimes ending up stranded and lost in the forest, or stuck up high in trees or even in canyons or holes in the ground. It's recommended to go in teams when possible, since the Wilde is always dangerous. Bonds, temporary or permanent, are always encouraged.

HIGH RISK QUESTS Quest #1 - Wilders Training (Aefenglom, Dorchacht) - As ever, The Wilders -- Witches and Monsters who scout into the Cwyld-infected lands beyond the city's Wall -- continue to train, recruit and bolster their numbers, as their work is never-ending. Pairs would be preferred for this exercise, but groups are not rejected; Wilders will be taking those willing to test their mettle into a contained part of the forest in order to pit them against various infected messing up the area either in the Wilde around Aefenglom or Dorchacht. Dorchacht's Wilders are running a similar recruitment and training drive, though the dangers in their neck of the woods, so to speak, are often quite different from around Aefenglom's and their wildlife sometimes stranger. Characters are welcome at either location. You're free to make up some dangers to deal with as you please -- aggressive animals defending their territory, Cwyldtid that have grown to large sizes, monstrous plants, etc. ⭐ Quest #2 - Underground Unpleasantness (Underground) - This month, there's a request for help posted around The Haven and addressed to Mirrorbound only. It comes from a surprising source some Mirrorbound may remember from many months ago: a settlement located in the caves and tunnels beneath the ground near the Northern Outpost, which is only known as The Underground. A group of desperate velvet wormipede farmers have reached out somehow, probably with the help of the Wilders in the Northern Outpost (or perhaps they even asked some Mirrorbound who have ties to the Underground directly). Since the Mirrorbound have made efforts before to become allies to the denizens of the Underground, the farmers hope there'll be some among them willing to help. Their plea is urgent. A strange disease has been running rampant through their herds of velvet wormipedes -- horse-sized, soft-furred livestock of a variety of colors that the Underground relies on for everything from meat to clothing to transportation -- and causing unpleasant effects. Some think it might be the Cwyld, but the Underground has generally been well-protected by their veils of Cwyld-resistant moss, and their Matriarch doesn't believe anything infected could have gotten through. Nevertheless, the wormipides have been getting sick in unnerving ways, some presenting black spots and oily skin that destroys their fur, others losing limbs or even growing extras, their bodies warping and twisting, sometimes growing to immense proportions far larger than any normal wormipede should be. Though usually docile creatures that only get aggressive if their eggs are threatened, affected wormipedes suddenly act enraged and distressed, becoming relentlessly violent until they have to be put down. Considering these livestock are what clothe and feed most of the population of the Underground, the farmers need to find the cause of this problem fast, before it wipes out the rest of their herds. Finding answers may require delving deeper into the tunnels outside the protected haven of the city below - proceed with caution.

Welcome to April's Quest Log! We're trying something different this month and providing a log you can use to thread OR to post links to your own catch-all logs. We are also no longer tracking sign-ups, which is why the April Quest Pickup header is frozen.

To keep everything in one place, we ask that you bring your quest-related questions to this thread, and you're welcome to use this header to plot among yourselves! Please note that this is not the month's event (check out the Calendar for those dates!), just a new way to present the quests that we hope will make it easier to find people to thread with.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[moustre]

[noblegarnet]

Would a Fae examining any of the teleportation circles for the topsy-turvy quest be able to find "another reason" they're not working, or could one just assume the native Fae are messing around like usual as if he wasn't already going into it thinking that?

[gynvael]

What sort of new research will can be found in the college if one were to, say, volunteer to organize so that one can actually just go through all the stuff

also how quickly will they be onto him that he's not actually there to archive and will he get kicked out for being neither student nor volunteer.

And can you take pictures of the research notes with the watch.

Underground Unpleasantness

[towards_okeanos]

Apologies in advance for A Lot of Questions.

How much information someone investigating the issue can get from the farmers? Mainly, when did the problem start? Did it start in a particular place and then spread?
What they can find in the tunnels? O rather, would they find anything or just fight a bunch of monsters and come with some leads but no conclusive evidence?

And last and but definitely not least, will Iskandar be able to tell if that's really Cwyld given his experience both as from coming in contact with the plague multiple times already and being a healer?

OOC PLOTTING

[faileas]

Player: Player Name
Character(s): Character Name(s)
Quest Pickup: Which quests are you interested in playing? Note your plans here!
Anything else? Links, permissions, other info you want to include, etc.

<b>Player:</b> Player Name <b>Character(s):</b> Character Name(s) <b>Quest Pickup:</b> Which quests are you interested in playing? Note your plans here! <b>Anything else?</b> Links, permissions, other info you want to include, etc.

Momo | IDOLiSH7 | Witch

[yesdoubt]

Player: Revise
Character(s): Momo
Quest Pickup: Seeking Healing Vibes: Momo needs his anti-mind control tattoo redone anyway after the events of February, so he'll likely get in on this too since waaaaay back when he arrived, it was one of the options he considered for a spell tattoo before realising it was so difficult to do and just going into healing magic himself anyway. So if anyone wants to help him test or needs help with theirs (possibly if the spell doesn't work properly and they need another healer on hand since Momo can definitely assist with that), those are probably the easiest routes for this one! Or if anyone needs convincing on the idea of painted/tattooed spells in the first place, because he had his anti-mind control one almost since he arrived and it worked quite well the few sparing times he had to use it until it got basically brute forced through in Feb. Also in terms of growing weird stuff, he's Bonded to a harpy and a merrow so I'm tempted to temporarily give him some hair feathers or One Single Tentacle.
A Haven Memorial: Momo's been here long enough to have had to say goodbye to a fair few people, so he's definitely going to support this in any way he can - he can offer manual labour, at the very least, even if he doesn't really have any specific experience in construction.
Cwyld Research II: He was helping with this last month too so he's just continuing on with the same, he does hang around with the Wilders a fair bit and help with scouting/patrolling and stuff so he does have that bit of built-up immunity for people to be curious about.
Underground Unpleasantness: SO Momo was very invested in the goings-on in the Underground when that first came up so he's definitely going to want to offer help here, and can be a means of introducing characters who aren't familiar with it to how to get there/what's happened since they found out about it. As he specialises in healing magic and was taught some of the minor Cwyld healing methods by Elliot before he left, he might carefully test some of those to see if they have any effect on the mystery sickness, but besides that he has been in the tunnels before and knows the kinds of dangers that are down there, so he could very much be an asset to anyone looking to help out with that.
Dark Desires: This is mostly just that he's probably going to be showing up to a workshop or two and trying to drag his bf along too because Momo is kind of horny/kinky on main and canonically makes SM references every so often so shibari is 100% right up his alley. Since he often presents a cutesier and more innocent face in public, those who are less familiar with his horny on main tendencies are welcome to raise eyebrows at him.
Momo also routinely does Out of the City healing and entertainment - I don't usually TL for this just because he does it so often, but if you want to plot something with it I'm open to wildcarding/closed prompts/what have you!
Anything else? Permissions just in case. I'm also on the hunt for new CR given how things have been recently, so if you're interested in any of these or interested in getting some CR with Momo, please don't hesitate to hit me up and see what we can sort out!

Lady Maria | Bloodborne | Witch

[whomthebelltolls]

Player: Reslari
Character(s): Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower
Quest Pickup: Maria's pretty active on quests! Hit me up if you are involved in any of the following:

Amicable Arrangements: Something light and easy if someone wants to talk shop with flowers with Maria. She's been here long enough to know a bit about most flowers and plants found in Aefenglom itself, and has probably the biggest privately owned garden among the Mirrorbound.

Cwyld Research Pt. 2: Technically she was on this last month, but I didn't do a whole lot with it; anyone else that wants to work with her is more than free to do so! She has frequently been in the Wildes, and usually does any of the bigger exploration plots, so she's had plenty of exposure to the Cwyld, and thus... probably a bit of a resistance. Still, she is more than happy to go out there and just... get it done. They can get into trouble or just chat if necessary..

Underground Unpleasantness: This is going to be one of those things that pings Maria's spidey sense for Something Wicked This Way Comes (aka something is about to go Terribly Wrong), so she is definitely willing to poke around in the Underground, even if she's less involved in it than she was with Dorchacht. She is perfectly happy to slay any of the wormipedes that need slaying, or tagging along since the tunnels can be very dangerous. Her biggest strengths tend to be... her low moral conscience and her big sword. And, well, the fact she's been here a while and has a lot of information.

Anything else? She also lost a lot of CR lately with... well, everything, so if anyone else is looking for one of the more experienced Mirrorbound Witches, and/or someone with very little moral compass, hmu! She needs a Bond, so getting a Monster that she's comfortable around is going to be a big plus. I could also do a Topsy Turvy Teleporters if someone really wants Maria to help (especially since teleportation is one of her strengths), but in interest of not writing too many toplevels, I decided to nix that one from the potentials when I do write one. Let me know!

steak / food fantasy / witch

[battlebound]

Player: Nico
Character(s): Steak
Quest Pickup:
» Spring Cleaning — Steak likes anything physical, especially if it contributes to the improvement of the community. I would probably handwave any meetings / interactions during this unless someone has a specific idea for shenanigans that could occur during it!

» Seeking Healing Vibes — I've been meaning to get Steak an Inkchanted tattoo since, like, 2019? :| And this seems like as good a time as any, as he spends so much time in the Wilde and hasn't trained in healing magic himself so he'd want to help with the development of this. He isn't a natural at magic and he's still working through the basics solo, so, uh. I'm interested to see how that interacts with the tattoo and totally up for making him endure embarrassing side effects. He's bonded to Marie and I am highly tempted to give him Fae wings as a result.
Also, he'd likely commission a tattoo which would cast an iridescent shield around himself as he misses his Food Soul powers and hasn't gotten there yet in his own magic learning.

» Dark Desires — I can't say Steak would elect to go to this of his own accord, but I'd love someone to talk him into it, whether via goading him or appealing to his sense of loyalty if they know him. And also peg him, rope workshops 👀.

» Cwyld Research II — Steak didn't take part in the first one of these, but being a research subject for this purpose is pretty up his alley anyway since he visits the Wilde several times a month. So, if anyone wants to team up with him and tackle this, I'm all for it.

» Out Of The City — This is something Steak signs up for pretty regularly, for the sake of making sure any threats to the city are dealt with. So if anyone wants to see him in combat action, help patch him up when he inevitably does something stupid like take a hit for someone else, or any other kinds of shenanigans, I'm here for it!

Anything else? I specified handwaving for Spring Cleaning, but it does apply to any of these quests. If you just wanna say it happened, we can hash out how it would have gone.

Caster (Cú Chulainn) | Fate/Grand Order | witch

[futhark]

Player: shuu
Character(s): Caster (Cú Chulainn)
Quest Pickup: Top-level's here

Seeking Healing Vibes Cú had submitted that one, and he's also joining the testing himself (going to grow temporary draconic elements along the way). But the prompt can be used for any other Inkchanted related business as well. Feel free to yell at him for the side-effects. They can alleviate some of the side-effects if your character is desperate to get their new additions out of the picture as soon as possible. Also, the bigger trouble the bigger the discount for the future services—

Cwyld Research Part II When not busy with the above, Cú will spend time in the wildes helping with this research. He had gone down for a whole month with a nasty Cwyld infection, so he's even more interested in helping to find a way to deal with it.

The Dark Desires Café & Club For some spicy fun option ... He has some Bad Experiences regarding restraints (cough Rathmores), but I'd be interested in having him work that out in a safe environment... so hell ye, rope workshops

A Haven Memorial I don't have a prompt for that, but Caster would submit this project. Either by donating money or magic help if needed. He'd lost a good chunk of people he cared for, so showing respect and immortalizing them in this way is something he completely understands

Anything else? Permissions in case if needed. Witch profile and some general first impressions are also available.

reno | final fantasy 7 (r) | harpy

[electrod]

Player: shuu
Character(s): Reno
Quest Pickup: The Dark Desires Café & Club I'm really tempted to throw him to work as a Host for a little while (and maybe as an Instructor for a hefty tip). He can look the part if he tries (and bad boy types are always in vogue), but he's also very interested in uncovering the whereabouts of Cillian Alder', and what better workplace than one when you chat with guests and flirt with them for info... He's got a big grudge against Alder for what the cult put him, and thus also Rude, and he'd love nothing more than to find and deal with him. But ulterior motives aside, he's a professional and is going to perform at the job to the best of his abilities.

Wilders Training while Reno doesn't want anything more to do with Cwyld and its research, thank you very much, scouting job sounds good for him. He's got way too many itchings for a fight and hunt, being a Harpy based on bird of prey, and that's a good way to blow off some steam, and get the ferocity put somewhere productive

Anything else? Info + permissions in one

Yona | Akatsuki no Yona | Witch

[darkestbefore]

Player: Rynn
Character(s): Yona
Quest Pickup:

➝ Amicable Arrangements/Undermael College Library: Yona doesn't often delve into many of the part-time jobs (although she has a standing arrangement with the fae fashion designers who put on shows now and then) but she's looking to keep busy this month so she may be donating some of her time here for a few weeks. No definite plots as to these options, but I'd be willing to throw her at others who are also eyeing them.
➝ Seeking Healing Vibes: Yona is one of the employees at Inkchanted and is absolutely available to help with any of these quests if you'd be willing to try it out. While she often doesn't do many of the permanent tattooings, she has a hand in the artistic end of things and the enchanting itself, so she would absolutely be taking part in the applying of these new Inkchantments!
➝ Topsy-Turvy Teleporters: this would not be the first time Yona's traipsed out into the wild looking for misplaced people and she doubts it will be the last. Also she has a fondness for the fae and would be eager to help them. She'd really prefer not to go alone, however, as while she can handle a great many risks on her own, the Wilde is still very unpredictable and she's not stupid.
➝ Underground Unpleasantness: SLAMS IN HERE because the moment Yona hears "Underground" she is here. She's hugely invested in the Underground and the goings on there and is still a frequent presence there at least once every few weeks or so, just to check up on things. (She may be among those the farmers reached out to, actually, considering she's made it her responsibility to remain a go-between since that first official meeting.) And well aware of how important the wormipedes to the society as a whole, she would absolutely be down to get to the source of this trouble. Someone help her come solve a mystery!!!

Anything else? I'm not opposed to tossing her at some of the other plots/quests as well. Yona is always up for helping out should someone need it, and I am definitely looking to build her CR back up after some recent losses. She's also going to vaguely be on the lookout for a new roommate, if anyone's in dire need of a new place to stay! Her Cottage is damn cute, just saying.

Zack | Final Fantasy VII | Monster (Chimera)

[exsoldier]

Player: Court
Character(s): Zack Fair
Quest Pickup:
➸ Amicable Arrangements: I think it's safe to say that Aerith could talk Zack into doing anything flower-related, so he could be found here! A good option for something lowkey where we'd like our characters to chat and catch up and maybe talking about flower meanings or whatever else.

➸ A Haven Memorial: Zack hasn't been here as long as some others, but he's still lost some people he was close to by this point, and will support the idea behind the memorial. He's here to provide any necessary hard labor or whatever else might be needed to make the obelisk a reality!

➸ Underground Unpleasantness: Given that Zack had some experience with the wormipedes via a past quest some time ago, he'll be upset to hear about what's happening and will want to go and try to find a way to reverse whatever illness they're experiencing, hopefully without killing them. Because the wormipedes are good, okay? ;o; Anyone else who feels similarly about it would be a great partner for this!

Anything else? Other than the Underground Unpleasantness quest, Zack's endeavoring to stick mainly to the city and away from any super dangerous jobs in light of the whole... kidnapping thing. This will probably only last for this month as he tries to appease his castmates and endeavors not to give them further heart attacks, but yeah.

Kor Meteor | Tales of Hearts | Witch

[spirialink]

Player: Kyo
Character(s): Kor Meteor
Quest Pickup:
Spring Cleaning: This is standard community service, Kor likes to help and be helpful and he'll gladly do something where the only payment is the satisfaction of knowing you did something good.

A Haven Memorial: Kor's been here over a year now and has said goodbye to his fair share of friends over the course of it, including a canonmate as well as a bondmate, so he'd be willing to help out with something like this, both to contribute to putting it together, as well as offering his heart magic services to people who might be struggling with their losses.

Seeking Healing Vibes: Kor does a lot of fighting outside the walls of the city, so he'd actually be pretty interested in some sort of self-healing thing, especially since he has absolutely no talent for healing magic himself despite how much he's tried. He absolutely can't manage much more than the most basic of curative magic, so anything is better than nothing in his book. His bonds are a rabbit and a dog, so any side-effects he may experience would be connected to that, and his magical focuses are lightning magic and heart magic.

Wilders Training: He's been working with the Wilders for some time now, as he's eager to fight and protect and work his butt for the sake of his friends, and he feels more motivated than ever to help do something about the Cwyld after how it affected one of his bondmates. Come join a hyperactive knucklehead with a heart of gold who just really wants to fight monsters like the JRPG protag he is?

Anything else? Kor's lost a lot of CR over the months so I'd like to try and rebuild it if I can instead of letting it shrink further, so he's available for working with anybody who's willing. He also hasn't exactly been looking but... He lives alone on the top floor of an apartment building and I want to change that someday. Loneliness isn't good for him.

Caster (Cú Chulainn) | witch

[futhark]

1 Healing vibes~ Inkchanted parlor

｢ ooc: more info on inkchanted and how it works can be found here ｣

[ Truth to be told, the whole idea was a very... late-night one. So it could use some polish around the edges, if it got more time. But it didn't, and living by improvisation is somewhat a thing by now. The healing spell hasn't been working as intended 100% of the time, and thus wasn't ready to be offered to the customers.

But with the recent mess with the cult proved that the quicker they can have it offered to the public, the better. The Inkchanted team while being quite diverse (three witches, turnskin, dragon, merrow) cannot cover all the possibilities. Not to mention, a danger that Mirrorbounds react differently than the natives

So there they are... ]

—A) First visit

So you're here for the testing? [ Cú claps his hands and grins widely. Immediately shifting for painting tools ] Great! Thank you for your help— Don't hesitate to contact us if the side-effects don't go away quickly. We are going to offer assistance through the whole process!

[ He takes off the long glove to uncover his forearm, showing an intricate design painted on his skin. ]

I'm one of the test subjects too. [ As if that could assuage some worries that might have risen ]

—B) Notes drop/ Problem report?

[ So by the time, it takes to return with the notes on the side-effects, or maybe to report a problem with them, Cú has... changed a little bit. There are black and red scales covering the side of his face, and what looks like a small horn is growing off his forehead right above them. ]

...sit down, I'm listening.

—C) Inkchanted wildcard

｢ ooc: You can use this for any other Inkchanted related business/inquiry not related to the quest too! ｣

2 - Cwyld Research Part II

[ Having the first-hand experience with the havoc that Cwyld wrecks on one's body make Caster all more prone to sign up for the research. He'd hate to coop inside the walls, and avoiding Wildes altogether— after all, nature, even if diseased is preferable for him than walls and building of stone.

So here he is, in a small encampment with anyone else who signed up for this. Setting up the fire and a tent in the wilderness. The area looks familiar, maybe he crossed through here before? Either way, a faint sound of the river in the distance confirms his suspicion.

When the campsite is done he turns to his companion— ]

How about we ditch the food supplies and catch ourselves some fresh fish?

3. The Dark Desires Café & Club potential nsfw option

[ When all the research and running around wildes can't keep the mind occupied, there is an adventure to be found within the city itself. Cú's capricious enough to wander Entertainment District at night, looking for— anything, really. It's easier to forget that way. And while his geis might no longer work in this world, he does not want to test them. Means, he is never going to refuse an offer of food or drink. So a hostess offers a drink as an invitation to this new establishment, is all he needs to step in

—it's even better if he gets to rope someone in. He turns around to whoever is near (or whoever was accompanying him till now) rising the glass as mischief sparks in his eyes ]

What do you think? Want to join me? I'll buy you a drink—

4) Wildcard

｢ ooc: The obligatory, choose your own adventure option. Or just throw me a wish and I'll write you a starter. You can reach me on plurk for plotting aetarna ｣

The Dark Desires Café & Club

[darkestbefore]

[ She's been accompanying him tonight - and quite a lot recently, if she's honest. She hasn't missed his restlessness and she's been a little worried he was pushing himself too hard after his recent illness, but she also trusted him to know his own limits. She hoped. That didn't mean she wasn't keeping an eye on him anyway.

Although she doesn't frequent this part of town very often, she's happy enough to tag along at Cu's side, knowing she'll be safe with him. Although she is surprised when he turns to her with that offer and with that look in his eye.

She hasn't picked up what the new establishment is just yet, unable to see the fliers from here, so she just gives him a bemused look as she arches an eyebrow. ]

Why do I suspect that question is a trap somehow?

Yona | Witch

[darkestbefore]

1. Seeking Healing Vibes

[ Yona had found out about the special Inkchanted was running the morning it went live. Which made for more than a bit of scrambling, but at least she was somewhat familiar with the healing spell Caster and Iskander had been trying to sort out. She also knew it was still not quite perfected, so she was a little worried about this venture, but she supposes it's safer to test it in a controlled environment than hoping it held up in dangerous times and have it fail.

Either way, she comes to the tattoo parlor a little early this morning, just in case the advertisement they'd put out drew in more attention than they'd been prepared to handle, and can be found there quite frequently over the next few days. ]

2. Topsy-Turvy Teleporters

[ After her time in this land now, Yona is growing very accustomed to her ventures out into the Wilde - and she's lost track of how often it's been because someone got lost out here. Today seems to be no exception, even if the cause is a little more unusual than she'd expected. Fae magic gone awry, it seems, but as she's got a particular interest in that sort of thing these days, she's out here trying to find the misplaced travelers.

Although even she knows that venturing too far into the Wilde alone is just asking for trouble, so she'd made sure to bring someone with her today as she traipses through an overgrown area near where the teleporter was meant to deposit its travelers, looking for tracks or any sort of hint that they'd come this way.

Glancing over her shoulder, she looks to where her companion for this particular quest is doing the same. ]

Have you found anything?

3. Underground Unpleasantness

[ The moment Yona had heard the Underground was in need of aid, she'd set out straightaway. It had been a few weeks since she'd been back - the whole mess with the cult had kept her occupied within the city and missing a few of her frequent trips down to the Underground settlement, where she'd been cultivating relationships and striving to ease goodwill between their peoples. Although the Underground was still firm in only trusting Mirrorbound within their borders, Yona hoped that one day soon they'd be able to open up more options for the people both below and above.

But hearing there's a sickness spreading among the wormipedes is alarming for a number of reasons. She's not overly fond of the large creatures herself but that doesn't mean she isn't aware of just how important they are to the economy in the Underground. So here she is, deep underground and wandering among the corrals and 'pastures' as it were, where many of the wormipede stock are kept. She spends her time checking over the creatures herself for anything odd and talking to their handlers to hear of the ones that have gone out of control or needed to be put down.

She's looking perplexed, so when she sees another Mirrorbound approaching, her expression brightens a little, at the very least for another brain to pick for some causes here. ]

Oh, good, you're here!

4. Wildcard

(( Yona is available for a few of these other quests as well, so feel free to leave me a prompt if there's something else specific you'd like to do, or hit me up at chaneystarr with questions/ideas! ))

Healing Vibes!

[adventageous]

[Seeing the advertisements requesting test subjects for healing tattoos is the catalyst that finally brings Alice in for the tattoo she's been considering since January.

The tattoo had been Styx's idea, and with him gone there is no reason for Alice to follow through for his sake. After all, the original reason she agreed to getting a tattoo in the first place was to prevent him from getting their business logo permanently inked onto his skin. For obvious reasons, that's no longer a pressing concern. And she would be lying if she said she didn't have reservations about the process.

Yet here she is, standing awkwardly outside of the establishment and working up the nerve to step inside. The idea of a protective or healing spell being placed onto her is more appealing than ever after everything that's happened in the past couple of months. Having a memento of Yuri is more appealing, too. And, most importantly, she hopes they can cover or remove the mark that the Evergreen Circle placed over her heart.

It would be nice not to have the constant reminder that she was once theirs.

Alice takes a deep breath to steady herself and finally steps inside the shop. She gives the first employee she sees--a young, red-haired woman--a small, nervous smile.]

Hello. I was hoping to talk to someone about getting a tattoo?

Rikku | FFX | Witch

[al_bhed]

Spring Cleaning

[Free snacks?! That's the fastest way to get Rikku to agree to do just about anything.

(Nevermind that she would have been happy to help anyway. Snacks make things better.)

The Aefenglom Beautifying Committee has paired today's volunteers off with bags and picks to pick up garbage as they find it. Rikku is happy for the company, regardless of how happy said company seems to to have her there. As the pair walks to their assigned starting location, Rikku pulls out a couple of cookies. She takes a bite of one and holds out the other.

Weren't those supposed to be for after the clean up? Don't worry about it.]

Here. We're going to need the energy once we get to the beautifying stuff.


Topsy-Turvy Teleporters

[Rikku has to admit that the fact that this predicament is fae-caused has piqued her interest. She's bonded to a fae, after all, and has seen the sorts of things he's capable of. In the hands of someone much less careful, that kind of magic can certainly be dangerous. Hopefully, the people who were affected by this magical mishap are all right. And if she learns more about fae magic, even better. Any knowledge is good knowledge in that regard.

She's early in her investigation, just outside the boundaries of the city walls and inspecting the muddy ground for any sign of disturbance. She's currently dressed in her Al Bhed wetsuit to protect herself from the elements, goggles on and weapon firmly attached to her hip for quick drawing if necessary. On her back is a bag of potions and other necessary gear.

Unsurprisingly, there isn't much to be found so close to town. She calls out to her investigation buddy (you!):]

Do you see anything weird?


Wilders Training

[It's been a few months since Rikku's first ventured out to Wilders Training. Lightning was her training buddy, after all, and she had left the city not long after they had fought off a pack of wolves together. Plus there was everything with the cult, some of it the cult's fault and some of it trouble of her own making. Now that it's all worked out (or is working out), Rikku dares to venture farther away than the city's outskirts in case one of her friends or Bonded needs her ASAP.

This time, however, she's arrived alone. That means it's time for a mini-recruitment drive--Rikku could venture out alone, but she knows that's not exactly the safest course of action. Since she's a shameless 16-year-old, she has no qualms walking right up to anyone who appears to be similarly single.]

Hey, do you need a Wilders buddy?

[Might as well just be straightforward about it.]


IV. Wildcard

If nothing here tickles your fancy, feel free to hit me up with something else! I can be found at asondeiru if you want to plot anything.

spring cleaning

[spirialink]

[Much like Rikku, Kor is also part of the "will work for free but food makes it better" club, all too eager to be of help here. That said... He's surprised to receive a cookie from his partner, but is grateful for the gesture.]

Aww man, I wish I'd known we could take food for the road. I'dve lined my pockets for this!

[He's all too quick to stuff that into his mouth. Omnomnomnom.]

Lady Maria | Bloodborne | Witch

[whomthebelltolls]

[1: Amicable Arrangements]

[Spring meant one thing to Maria: Flowers. She's been here two springs' worth of them, and every time she's made it a point to try to get into the habit of doing some flower arranging. At this point, she's sort of an old pro at it.

It's quiet and meditative; much like gardening itself, but it's a useful thing to do with the flowers she has to prune anyway. Her expression says "someone who does not want to be bothered", so it may be a surprise to some people when she seems perfectly willing to push her arrangement forward for inspection.

Honestly, it's pretty beautiful; lush, colorful, and with an almost carefully neutral-positive meaning.] ... Last year I discovered that too many flowers can get overbearing and the meaning lost, but too few looks sparse or leaves blank space where more meaning could be made. It takes some getting used to.

[2: Cwyld Research Pt. 2]

[A lake. Of course there's a lake on this route. She hates lakes.

If only she thought she could get away with doing this drunk, but she also knows it's too dangerous to.]

They probably want to see the effects on the sand. A brief visit to the shore should be fine for it.

[There's other things going bump in the night, she's pretty sure she heard the rustling of something far too large and far too bold to be just a deer or something.

It's hard, though, with the Cwyld rot in the air burning her nose a bit; sick and rotting and a little of the ozone tinge of magic.]

[3: Underground Unpleasantness]

[The Underground wasn't much a place Maria considered or visited often. The difficulty of getting there, combined with the fact it was so... Monster-heavy meant it was a bit of a put-off for the Hunter.

But signs of the Cwyld getting past the moss? That was a big deal. Regardless of her feelings on the city in the first place (and her distaste of their treatment of Witches, as well), it was worth investigating.

So she stands at the mouth of one of the tunnels, and peers into the softly pulsating darkness of the depths.]

Did you see the wormipede creatures the last time? And their sticky webbing?

[4: Wildcard]

[Feel free to use this prompt for anything else! You can also hit me up at Reslari or up at the plotting comment at the top of this post if you want to hash out plans!]

3

[yesdoubt]

[In contrast to Maria, Momo has kept up with the Underground quite regularly since their original dealings with them. He appreciates the difference in atmosphere to the cities above ground, and he likes getting the opportunity to catch up with the people down here and look through the wares that are easier to come by under here than they are above ground. So of course he comes very promptly when they need help - and encounters a familiar face at the mouth of the tunnels.]

Yeah, I helped herd them at one point, so I've definitely seen them around. Never had to deal with the webs myself, but I've seen what they can do with them.

[It had been a bit of an adventure getting through the tunnels the first time around, when people hadn't known to give the wormipede eggs a wide berth or risk getting webbed up.]

Momo | IDOLiSH7 | Witch

[yesdoubt]

[a: seeking healing vibes]

[Having had a magic tattoo almost since he arrived, given he wanted to find a defense against being mind controlled almost as soon as he found out it was a possibility here, Momo has confidence in how things are done at Inkchanted. Hence why he's quite prepared to line up to help test their healing tattoos despite already being very experienced in healing magic himself. It had been one of the options he'd asked about when he was still deciding what to get all the way back then, so he's glad to see it finally becoming a reality.

At least, until he starts to get a weird itch in his hair and at the base of his spine a little while after getting the spell painted. He doesn't ascribe it to that initially, even if he's not sure what it is, but he reaches his hands up to his hair just in time to feel downy feathers poking out from between the strands, turning it into a strange mix of textures.

While he's concerning himself with that, though, something prods its way out above the waistband of his pants. It could initially be mistaken as the first growth of a tail, possibly something reptilian or lizard considering its smoothness...

...and then a full-length, very solid tentacle snaps its way out from the spot, threatening to smack anyone behind him in the face if their reflexes aren't on point today. The sudden growth is enough to make his spine straighten as he gives a bit of a yelp of surprise - as he turns his head, the tentacle registers well enough, but he seems to be more concerned about the fact that it hit (or almost hit) someone than that he has it at all.]

Ah, I'm sorry! I don't...know how that happened, I don't do much transmutation magic...? [He sounds kind of stumped as he reaches out to touch the tentacle and investigate it, like he's making sure it's real and attached to him.]

--

[b: dark desires (18+ characters only)]

[Given that he's in a relationship, Momo sometimes has reason to take a look through the offerings in the adult stores in the red light district, so he gets an invitation to the new shop quite early on. He initially checks it out during its cafe hours, just to get an idea of whether he'd want to take a closer look during the evenings - but it's during that visit that he sees the advertisements for the evening shows and workshops, and can't help but be curious.

Of course, if he's going to drag his partner to something like this, he has to ensure the performers know what they're doing. Legitimately - if anyone else happens to attend the same shibari show as Momo, he's very clearly paying far more attention to the rope techniques and how skillfully they're being done than the actual performers. In fact, he's analysing them so closely that it might take him a moment to notice any familiar faces nearby, breaking off from his attentions to offer them a wave and a bit of a mischievous grin.]

Oh, what brings you to an establishment like this? Is there someone you want to ravish a little? [He knows why he's here, but clearly it's open season on everyone else's motivations.]

--

[c: underground unpleasantness]

[Since the initial opening up of the Underground, Momo has made a habit of going down there reasonably regularly. Whether it's to offer help, keep up with the locals he's made friends with, or just to buy things that are more abundant under the surface than on it, he's not an unfamiliar face to them. So of course, as soon as he catches wind that there's something going on down there again, he goes down to get to the bottom of things.

And the first hint he gets of that comes very quickly, when he makes an attempt to heal one of the sickly black patches on a less badly infected worm, and immediately has to recoil as he feels a very familiar resistance to regular healing...almost a backlash, in fact.]

...It's Cwyld. How the hell did it get through the moss? [Suddenly, he's all business.]

--

[d: wildcard]

[[Feel free to toss me another starter based on one of these or something for A Haven Memorial, Cwyld Research II or Out of the City, or hit me up to plot either on Momo's plotting toplevel up the post or at reviseleviathan!]]

c

[sonnestark]

[Eager to put herself back in the field after several weeks of forced rest, this particular quest had immediately caught Karin's interest when she'd seen the listing. Perhaps going to the Underground when she was still so newly recovered was reckless, but she has grown tired of sitting on her hands; making herself useful would surely be the fastest way to helping herself feel like things were normal again, however dangerous it might be. Her investment in the Underground's wellbeing hadn't hurt, either, when it had come to making this particular decision.

So far, her investigation had turned up little of note; the few worms she had encountered up until now had been largely healthy, but as she rounds the bend to find one that isn't doing so well, it's the familiar face that's currently doing his own investigation that takes her by surprise, more than the worm's condition.

They haven't spoken in months now, at least not as themselves, and she feels something catch in her throat before she swallows it down and forges ahead, approaching the worm from the opposite side.]

Is it resisting your healing?

[Hi, Momo.]

closed to Asriel

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran had been wanting to look into the other settlements, though admittedly under better circumstances... but an opportunity is an opportunity, and even though he's dubious about the claims of the moss keeping out all of the Cwyld, he feels at least safe enough to visit for a few days.

He's on the way to the local markets when he spots a familiar figure, and while it shouldn't be a surprise that other Mirrorbound would want to take a look into the request the city had sent them, he's still a bit surprised to see the young monster.]

Asriel?

[The kid is pretty noticeable, even with fully-shifted turnskin around. That fur is very white.]

[justabaddream]

[Asriel was on his way to try out some of the quests that have been listed around town, eager to just get out of the house and explore a little more. He's in better spirits since his kidnapping, thanks to his sword training giving him new confidence. At the sound of his name, he perks up.]

Hi Ferran! What are you doing out here?

Aerith Gainsborough | Final Fantasy VII (Remake) | Witch

[bloomly]

AMICABLE ARRANGEMENTS.

( anything that grows, even in this place, seems to pull her in--and a flower shop, of all things, a dream that could have been, maybe in another life? she's volunteering for work immediately. truthfully, she probably would have done it for free, but money is a thing that she's getting used to having to deal with again, and she knows, at least, having more of it is better than having less. it's something that makes her unreasonably happy, being around all the flowers, learning how to properly cut them and tend to them and wrap them up.

while she's working, she'll be the first person to chirp a welcome as soon as someone comes into the shop--she won't hover, won't slam anyone with questions, but for those that look a little lost, picking out their flowers, she'll be happy to help. she'll be humming along to a song that no one knows, standing at the counter wrapping up bouquets, but please feel free to call out to her or look troubled: she'll come right over, and with the tag pinned to the front of her dress, denoting her as AERITH, at least there's a name attached to the friendly face. )


THE DARK DESIRES CAFE & CLUB.

( at first, she'd just been wandering around the city--excited to find a new place to buy tea, most likely, especially given her prior experiences--but it's the ambiance of the place that makes her go from ducking her head inside to stepping in entirely. she's a little out of her element, here, but ironically that's where someone like her flourishes: her curiosity is hard to curtail, and she's happy to take guidance from the staff to seat her at a table and watch a show.

she nurses her tea, eyes round, totally enraptured; welcome to the world of kink, aerith, you have no idea what you're doing.

it's after the show that's the real delight--a workshop? where she can try to learn the things she saw? she's absolutely geared up for it, and absolutely excited to latch on to whoever might be there with her, someone to help show her the ropes, so to speak. need a partner? aerith gainsborough is happy to oblige. she'll be standing there with her hands into fists at her sides, eager and ready to listen raptly--and practice. )


OUT OF THE CITY.

( she's been keeping up with her magic training--mostly out of habit, and mostly because there's still a part of her that feels on edge, thinking of the way that tifa struggled when they first arrived, thinking of the way that even she herself struggled when they first arrived--and in her mind, there's no point to learning all these skills if she can't use them to help. that's why she's a frequent volunteer to go past the wall and help out how she can; she's a healer, above all else, and those are talents that extend far past where she may have left them behind on gaia.

proper precautions mean she's in gloves and a mask, though really, she thinks they might hinder at times--she does her best to communicate her smiles through her eyes, gentle words and careful hands that work at the spells she's practiced, moving swiftly from one person to the next outside the building she's chosen to start with in the outer city. it reminds her of home: in a way that twists her stomach up, unpleasant.

these people deserve better than what they're getting--but she'll try to help out as much as she can, and will probably be so focused on her magic that she won't notice anyone approaching her. might have to call her name out a few times. )


WILDCARD/OOC.
if you have a specific idea or want to discuss anything, plotting is here; i'm happy to write custom starters as well! further contact at whitemagics!

out of the city

[exsoldier]

[ Given that this is Zack's first time out of the city after he'd been dragged back in by Rude, severely infected and half-dead on his feet, it's something of a momentous occasion. He doesn't make a big deal of it, and neither does Aerith. She'd asked him to come with as her "bodyguard," even though there's no plan to go past the outer city and into the Wilde. Baby steps, and while Zack doesn't really like being coddled, he knows that Aerith's coming from a good place.

It's more than knowing. He can feel it. Their Bond makes things easier at times, because words aren't always needed.

This is hardly his first time out here, as he'd often made stops before pressing on into the Wilde, and had even taken some jobs from the chimeras out here. They greet him warmly now, seeing him as one of their kind, and he's happy to keep the kids entertained as Aerith does her work.

There's a point where he can sense that she's starting to get tapped out, though. She's taken to her Witch abilities rather well, being something of a natural, but even she has limits. She can probably do more now that they're Bonded and he's there to regulate her, but still.

So once she finishes up with her current patient, he steps over, reaching down to set a gloved hand on her shoulder. ]

Break time?

BISHOP | OC | Witch

[getting_better]

A - Topsy-Turvy Teleporters

[ Memories was stirred when he heard the details of the quest, some fond while others he would have preferred remain dormant. Teleportation back in his world was tricky as well and needed complicated calculations, accurate readings of distance, mass of the object or person being sent, the items they have on their person, and the exact time, longitude, latitude, and elevation of the exit point if there wasn’t an anchor on the otherside to determine that already. To summarize, teleportation is a pain in the ass and this is why he preferred travelling the old fashioned way.

The allure of teleportation isn’t lost to him and in an ideal world, it’d be as simple as just saying where you want to go and passing through a gate or just appearing elsewhere via popping in and out of the space, so he can’t fault when some group want to take their swing at turning it into a form of public transport. He tips his metaphorical hat off to them. What he can fault them over is not having the foresight to have some form of guard or personnel around if their little “upgrade” went awry instead of having to scramble around the city looking for help. Answering the call to help was a no brainer and the years of training and experience immediately kicked in. ]

Here, and….here….that means the optimized route from here would be….

[ Whispered Bishop as he marked areas on his map while he worked. He had just returned or was about to leave to search again judging by amount of mud and dirt on his boots and person, and next to his map as a list of names with a few descriptions of the missing person – some crossed out but there’s still quite a few names. Next to him are the necessary equipment and supplies he needed, small food rations, flares, healing potions and other medical supplies he can carry, a rough map of the area he made after a quick scout, along with his regular effects – a katana, a hunting knife, his magitech gun, and a small telescope. ]


B - Underground Unpleasantness

[ The train of unpleasant nostalgia continues to chug along, full speed ahead and someone tore off the breaks. He doesn’t venture into the underground often but kept his ear to the ground about news and ongoings, and the news of a herd of these worms getting sick is certainly enough to spark an investigation regardless of the quest. What awaited him under the earth however was anything but interesting.

He sighed deeply, standing before a freshly slain wormipede with his blade in hand, along with other worm farmers who were even more downtrodden than him. ]

That’s the second one today.

[ He said as he wiped the grime from his katana, a few the farmers looking away from him while the remaining simply scowled before stomping off to the herd. Bishop just sighed in quiet response to the aggression. ]

Put it with the other one for disposal.

[ He said to the other farmers before going to where the creatures blood and fluids pooled, along with the mysterious substance. He knelt next to it, silently studying it for a time with a heavy frown before going leaving to idle by the entrance to the farm away from the farmers and their herd of worms. Bishop studied the farm, arms crossed while he tapped his finger on a silver flask in hand, pondering their situation and the facts he knows so far. He sighed again after a moment, and will likely continue to sigh if the events of the day were any indication of what was to be expected. ]

Man….today is a bad day to be awake.


C – Wildcard

[ Come up with your own scenario or HMU at my plotting post or riaxc. ]

A

[bloomly]

( she's had the good sense not to use any of the teleporters, at least--it reminds her too much of the sorts of things in the labs where she spent a good deal of her childhood--and has been trying to avoid them, or the memories they bring up. after all, she's got two good feet, legs made for walking, and an uncanny ability to keep herself entertained no matter the distance; so while she might praise the innovation, she's not entirely surprised that they're apparently having some sort of difficulty with them.

there's people going missing, search parties that seem to frequent the places where the teleporters are located, and though she thinks she would certainly be able to help, she also knows the kind of backlash she might get, going out into potential danger without letting anyone know. so she's stayed away, for the most part, but--curiosity always gets the best of her, doesn't it?

cue her eyes falling on someone who looks like they could use a good shower: he's covered in dirt and mud and even a bit of greenery, she thinks, which means he must have been going on out beyond the wall for something. next to him, as she veers closer: a gathering of supplies, from gun to knife to a large sword which, at first, does make her shoulders go tense. she forces them to relax.

maybe it's a bad habit, the way that she's taken to coming up on strangers: both of her hands clasped behind her back, slightly bent, the braid of her hair falling over a shoulder as she tries to stand on her toes to peer at the map that this particular stranger has. there's a list of names, too; her lips quirk into a smile. )

The ones crossed off aren't dead, are they? ( good-natured and warm, as she feels like it's probably more like they've been found or something, right? she offers a smile. ) Do you need any help? You look like you've been through quite a bit.

underground unpleasantness (closed to kor meteor)

[exsoldier]

[ As soon as Zack catches wind of the news from the Underground, particularly in reference to the wormipedes, all intentions to remain in the safeness of Aefenglom go out the window. His memories of collecting some of the docile creatures when they'd gone missing some months back is definitely behind the decision, which may or may not be the most thought-out.

It's hardly keeping in with his promise to stay safe after his experience with the Evergreen Circle, but Zack's never been very good at staying put and doing what he's told, anyway. If he can help the people and creatures of the Underground somehow, he wants to be there.

So he makes his way to the Northern Outpost with his trusty Buster Sword strapped to his back. He'd done what he could to make sure Cloud had everything he needed back home. With the way that the loss of Sephiroth is affecting him, he can barely get out of bed, and it's an unwelcome reversal of last month. Still, Cloud had insisted he'd be all right, that this was something he'd simply have to wait out. It makes Zack wonder what it will be like if one of his Bonds ever breaks.

Though he's jarred out of all those thoughts when he spots a familiar back-of-someone's-head in front of him. It's been a while (to say the least), but Zack still recognizes Kor at a glance. Especially since the last time they saw each other, it was helping out the wormipedes. He jogs to catch up. ]

Hey! Kor, right? Are you heading underground too?

[ Because it's been some time since they talked, Zack's myriad of monster changes may come as a shock. The feathers in his hair and around his neck are more noticeable, eyes that were once bright blue are now gold, and he's got a lion's tail. Everything else seems to be covered by his clothing, however. ]

[spirialink]

[Much like Zack, when Kor heard there was trouble involving the wormipedes, he was quick to jump to the chance to help. He hadn't forgotten he'd spent helping the wormipedes, especially the bit where he got to ride one. He didn't want anything bad to happen to them.

When he hears a familiar-sounding voice call out to him, he turns in the direction of it, only to be greeted by... a bird-lion man?]

Ah, you're... [Kor stares at him for a second, trying to place why he seemed familiar. And then he starts to see past the physical changes and into what lies beneath.]

...Oh! Zack! [Kor even imitates the pose that Zack did when he taught his catchphrase all that time ago.] Wow, it's been a while! Are you here to help the wormipedes too?

[Not the farmers, the wormipedes. They're what matter here.]

[Closed to Myr]

[turmoiling]

[After distinctly uncomfortable experiences with the strain of the Cwyld Underground, Jin Guangyao is sure news will spread without his help; but at the same time, there isn't much he can do directly, and there's already stranger than usual... issues.... at play.

On his way to the teleporter at the Northern Outpost, the sight of a familiar figure causes a lapse in his preoccupied thoughts to other topics almost as unfortunate. Averting his eyes, he slithers on past without acknowledging his fellow Council member, pretending to still be deep in thought.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[It had been the plight of the wormipedes--of course--that had gotten Myr's attention; or rather, one of the Fauns who herded them had written him in horrified haste about the disease afflicting the creatures. While his own help hadn't been much to speak of, the lingering hope there were surface herbs that might help where the Underground's has him trudging back there today.

He's already in a low mood--worried for the sick wormipedes and having left Crookytail at home for her own safety--so the uneasily familiar hiss of scales as Jin Guangyao slides past earns a flattening of his ears and his fingers tightening on his staff. He sidesteps away from the Naga, prey-wary, and says nothing as he continues on toward the tunnels. Unpleasant, yes, but mercifully brief--

And then something twists and tangles in the ambient magic of the outpost, crushing souls into unexpected contact and leaving them knotted. Myr makes a strangled noise of shock and drops his staff with a clatter.]

Maker's breath--!

( closed to ferran )

[benedicus]

( with signs plastered up all over the city and some of them directly on top of each other—which aziraphale assumes to be a sign of their urgency and desperation—it has been impossible to miss the fact that some more adventurous individuals have sought to make a business out of teleportation. it is also impossible to miss the fact that there were some rather serious flaws with the magic behind it and many customers have found themselves in all manner of places.

he'd seen someone getting removed from a tree earlier. he'd politely pretended not to notice. they were being helped, after all. no need to stick his nose into it if they were currently resolving the issue.

when he finds a familiar face, holding one of the help wanted fliers and chatting with one of the fae themselves, he thinks that he might rethink his position. if ferran were inquiring then perhaps someone he knew had gotten stuck?

aziraphale did feel he owed him a favour for trying to help locate people for him previously. )

Good afternoon! I don't mean to interrupt, but—

( he is indeed interrupting and he is going to continue to do so. )

Would you be inquiring about the teleportation portals?

[noblegarnet]

[Chatting is a polite way of putting things. He is, in fact, tersely questioning what the hell the Fae in front of him means by the leylines feel off and, in return, being asked can't you feel it too?

Aziraphale's approach cuts off his train of thought, however, and the sight of a friendly face helps some of the frustration fade from his posture. The vague nature of the question lets him answer it without committing to helping the other Fae, which he certainly appreciates.]

That's right. [He turns an incredibly suspicious eye towards the businessfae, who looks almost encouraged by the newcomer.] Apparently, something's gone wrong with several of them. At once. Strangely enough.

[The native brings a hand to their chest, claiming they've taken every precaution and this is all just an unfortunate accident.]

Mello | Witch | Quest #4

[onamissile]

1. Honey, Let's Eat Out Tonight (Open)

[Bartending and serving are two entirely different beasts; Mello is quickly learning this, even as he makes his way to his third table. The way he's been asked to speak reads like a script and besides: his bar (yes, his. Regardless of whether or not he owns it), is his domain.]

[Here? Not so much. He's been asked to become involved in some way, and so here he is.]

[So a disgruntled-looking server approaches your table, practically daring you to order with the way he stares. He's decked out in leather — of course he is — but it isn't an invitation, no.]

[Doesn't matter what sort of establishment this is.]

[A tray in one hand from which he draws glasses of water with ice, places it down beside you and your guest — or maybe it's just you, if you're the lonely sort — and his first question is as predictable as can be.]

Appetizer?

[Flat, disinterested. He lists a few, tips a blonde head awaiting a response. It's clear that he doesn't want to be here, let alone doing this.]

[Order at your own risk.]


2. So If We're Here, We Might as Well — (Closed to Alex)

[Mello's long-since taken a break from bringing out drinks and food — doesn't matter whether people are waiting — to watch the stage. Atop it is Alex in all of her glory and talent, and while he's partially bristling with pride, so many people have their eyes fixed on her, don't they?]

[For some, she's background entertainment. Which he also finds offensive.]

[Suffice to say, Mello isn't having a good time. He waits for a pause in her song, throws her a smirk just so she can remember. Offers up a glass of champagne meant for some customer or another; doesn't matter. Alex is earning it, anyway.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex had been recommended the job, the cafe’s manager even offering to provide the dress for the evening. She’d worked on the set list with the musicians the week before, a request for more sultry music to go with the ambience and mood of the evening. At least she’s somewhat used to singing these types now, more confident in moving along to the music.

It surprised her to find out that M would be working that night as well, and there was comfort in knowing someone there. Or was it...? She catches sight of him from the stage, the knowing smirk on his face a bit unsettling and embarrassing. The merrow tries to take her gaze away, focusing back on the performance, bur every now and then, she couldn’t help but look back at the blonde. It was at least less awkward than seeing the couples that were just making out in their seats. ]