will-o'-wisps here we come

[futhark]

Who: Archer, Caster (Cu Chulainn), Rider (Iskandar) & Waver Velvet
When: First half of Octeuril
Where: Wildes
What: High-risk quest: Quest #1 - Lights Between the Trees
Warnings: nothing so far, will update as needed



Who had decided on the idea first? Was it Caster, interested in the so familiar hearings about will-o'-wisps? Was it Rider, eager to take out of the city and into the Wildes? No one knows, they were after a few rounds of ale and wine when that came into question. What matters is that they decided to go, and their Bonded soon followed (or were they bullied into it? You will never know).

A trip into Wildes requires preparations, it's not a trip into a park, Archer would remind everyone and Waver surely would make sure that nothing is lost to the spontaneousness of the moment.

They began their journey early in the morning. While the colorful lights would appear between dusk and dawn, securing a campsite early meant more time for preparations. Setting up the tents, the fireplace, not to mention firing off protective enchantments— just in case. They have all the time till the evening, and it's probably for the best. Preparing food, hunting the food maybe, reconnaissance over the area to map and not fall into an accidental sinkhole, or worse nearby bog! Not to mention there is something about finding out about flesh-eating rabbits - vicious little critters, or getting lost in the caves? (Please don't)

Ah, there are also flesh-eating plants. Buds of flora open up to reveal tricksy traps that smell likes food for the hungry, swallowing any who lean too close to digest them. Have fun!

Either way there is a lot to do before the night falls, and even more to find after it does. The lights in the forest. Fireflies, and large ones, but near the bog they appear more ghostly like, more supernatural and yes, more dangerous (even if they are a natural occurrence). And then there is the bioluminescent elk...

Plenty of adventure

Comments

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

[futhark]

Day

[ After locating an appropriate clearing, Caster is quick to set-up the camp, and quick to help should anyone struggle with it. He's in surprisingly good spirits, even if they are on a potentially dangerous trip. Or maybe, exactly because of this. ]

Feels good to walk the forest again. I'd rather take these dangers than—— [ Than Dorchacht, but he doesn't finish, just clears his throat. They're here to not think of that place for a while. Among his things he picks up and puts together a long, makeshift spear. One like Wilders carry. It's not made to last, but it is made for easy transport ] How about we catch something fresh for the dinner, hey you, you going?

Night

Research - [ Following the dancing lights is easy, and they are to find what makes them happen, no? Caster feels like in most cases, he knows the answer, he knows the answer all too well. When one of his companions follows to eagerly he moves closer, puts his hand on their shoulder to make them stop ]

Watch out, these are not fairies. And they are not friendly. [ It makes it sound like they are sentient, or at least have malicious intent. They don't. Or maybe they did once? In ancient times it was hard to tell. ] You follow them too far, you fall into the bog and there— you won't even get a chance to scream for help.

Fireplace - [ Sooner or later they make it back to the campsite, hopefully in one piece. If there is a reason to celebrate (and no one getting seriously hurt counts as it), why not down one of the bottles that were brought. Surely where there is hiking there is some beer? Caster is setting up spells on to the fire to make sure it's contained but also— ]

I can't allow to let the fire die on us. I know we all got someone to keep us at night, but at this time of the year, it might not be enough. [ He winks, and Archer just sighs mildly embarrassed and looks at the sky asking for it to have mercy and fall on them. Or maybe asking for advice? ]

Wildcard: ｢ :fingerguns: ｣

research

[boneofsword]

[Grey eyes snap to his face and Archer blinks. Has he been following under a compulsion? Surely all he did was look—

Whatever. Archer shakes his head.]

Hn. I didn't realize that I strayed from the path. [awkward, because how is he supposed to act right now.] Luckily I have my own knight to resscue me.

[Despite the slightly joking tone the intent behind those words is clear.]

[futhark]

[ Archer is this how you ask for help? Because it's charming enough that you might get it. It's all too easy to forget that this druid is, in fact, a knight (albeit a different kind than what this word usually brings to mind. ]

Can't let you drown can I? [ He offers Archer a hand, in case he strays again ] It would be good if we found ourselves walking sticks. To test the ground. Areas like this are treacherous.

[ Especially at night ]

[boneofsword]

[Being called charming is fine, even if Archer disagrees with needing help. A hand is fine, though, of one person he'd come to rely on. Caster's hand radiates warmth he can feel through both his own and his partner's gloves. With the colder days coming Archer finds himself gravitating towards the warmth, which usually means a certain Witch.]

Something similar to your staff? [he asks, glancing around.

Archer is well aware of Cú Chulainn being a knight. Not the ideal that he chided Saber for, but a realistic one living in times when death was too often a closest companion.]

[futhark]

Yeah, I should have brought it with me... [ There is a reason he didn't, and it's kind of sentimental one. It's no longer a weapon materialized at will— quite literally it is just a staff. Nothing more, nothing less.

It would be a shame if it broke ]

Ahhh, damn—!!! [ It took him exactly four steps to suddenly fall up to his knee into a muddy, wet ground. His grip on Archer's hand momentarily tightens as he catches his balance ]

[boneofsword]

[It's obvious now that Archer thinks of it. Just like their bodies changed to suit this world's rules, their belongings lost any unique abilities. Perhaps he should make his Bonded a new staff - or a new weapon. Something worthy of the new path Cú has taken. Something as unique as his beloved spear. Something suited to his fighting style.]

!— [when Caster stumbles he yanks his hand hard. It's a possibility that his companion is in a different danger - of faceplanting into the broader dragon's chest.]

[futhark]

[ Archer is lost in thought, and while Cú gets read on exactly what it was, it always intrigues him. That "plotting something" feeling he gets. Maybe that's why he got so distracted to make the first step into the muddy earth

The yank back, tests his balance again and he nearly sits down— he manages to bend the leg (still on solid ground) and make a one-knee-kneel with no more accidents done.

Phew ]

See? Treacherous.

[ Proof right here ]

[boneofsword]

[How does Cú manage to stumble gracefully is beyond Archer. Most likely Fae blood and training from hell combined. It's definitely a boon.

Light rustle coming from nearby bushes has him half-turn towards the noise. All that he can glimpse is a flash of yellow. Perhaps an animal, but who knows. Archer rests one hand on the short sword strapped to his thigh, sure that Caster heard it too. While he may have draconic instincts, his Bonded spent his life in the wilderness.]

[futhark]

[ The gracefulness of a stumble is certain in the eye of beholder~

Caster's attention turn sharp, his senses focused. He had heard and seen it too, but because of the closeness and their Bond he's also tapping into the draconic instincts. Prey it says.

But it didn't run away in panic, it simply noticed someone else is here and decided to leave. ]

Careful, it was large— [ Which means it will leave tracks that are easier to follow ]

[boneofsword]

[This stumble clearly didn't hit the critic failure because of luck stat.

Archer uses all of his senses trying to find their prey. It can't be very far, though. He's unable to differentiate its scent, for everything smells like forest. No, wait, there are some mushrooms close. Not ones that can be eaten, perhaps Caster will be interested if those can be used for spells.]

It doesn't smell like a predator. Just shrooms and forest around.

A whole geological age later ... but Adventure!

[towards_okeanos]

Day

Killer rabbit stew
[When Iskandar is in good mood it's impossible to miss. He's laughing and joking all the way. He's still a little miffed he had to leave Bucephalus in the city. The forest is too dense for horses so she has to wait for another occasion to venture outside.] Say, I heard there are rabbits living in this forest. I also heard that they are really tasty. [And the fact that their fur is incredibly soft, especially this late in the year, has absolutely nothing to do with it. Not a single thing. No ulterior motive. No.] I'd like to catch a few.

Night

Sea turtles
[Iskandar sits by the fire wrapped in his signature red cloak. He looks into the flames.]
You know what are fireplaces good for? Apart from keeping everyone warm? Stories, of course! Tales of great deeds, cunning trickery or unspeakable horrors. Bring me your best and I shall reward you with one of mine!

UnBEARable noises
[Is it a bear? An earthquake? Nope. That's just one King of Conquerors snoring like a locomotive. Somebody make him shut up or not a single soul in the camp will be able to sleep through the night.]

wildcard

[it's the Wilde so ... err ... go wild...]

killer bunnies!

[boneofsword]

[Being in company of two ancient Heroic Spirits is sure going to be interesting. Archer has his doubts regarding the will-o'-wisps, but getting out of the city for a day or two feels good.

He has no doubts about cooking the provided meat, but catching it is a completely different case.]

I'm game. [he says with a shrug.] Although I have to admit that I know nothing about hunting.

[His prey until this time has been always bipedal.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar chuckles. Game. Ah, well, please don't be game, Archer. Do accompany him but don't be game.]

Oh, it's simple enough. They're just rabbits. We find their tracks, set up a few snares and wait. That's all.

[Piece of cake, right?]

[boneofsword]

[Too bad that Archer is oblivious... for now. It's going to be awkward when he realizes the double meaning.]

It all sounds simple indeed. I'd like to learn how if you don't mind company. [at least he can admit his ignorance instead of pretending to know it all and then fail later.]

Get on your, ahem, game Archer! We're going a hunting!

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar laughs. He clasps his hands with glee.]

Excellent! Let's go then! Onward! If we're successful, and I am certain that successful we shall be, a splendid meal awaits us!

[One would expect they're going at least to bring down some fabled mythical beast or at least a man-eating boar. Not a couple of rabbits. Well...]

[boneofsword]

[It's similar to how Caster suddenly gets all bright eyed and excited at the mention of hunt - or a spar. He smirks in response. Such boisterous spirit is surprisingly infectious.]

Lead the way.

[He's not sure if rabbits won't move to a quieter place with how loud his companion is. However Iskandar does know how to behave during the hunt. Well, at least Archer hopes so.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar is surprisingly quiet and treads uncharacteristically lightly for a man of his size. He had his share of hunting experience even before he was king. A boy would not be allowed to sit with men at the same table until he fell a boar on his own. Southern neighbours might have labelled Macedonians as barbarians for following this custom but at least it guaranteed they could kill their own meal when stranded in foreign lands, far from the shining marbles of Greek cities. How many among the refined Athenians, politicians, statesmen and poets, could say the same.]

There will no tracks near the camp. We need to get deeper into the forest.

[Iskandar stops raising his hand. For a short moment, he just stands there, listening to the sounds of the forest. How unlike they are to those that he knows.]

I wonder if there's a stream somewhere near.

[boneofsword]

[For a modern guy that spent half of his life in the city Archer moves very quietly and is surprisingly careful. While he didn't hunt he had to gain survival skills. All the time he keeps an eye on Iskandar, aware that during his times men had to hunt.

Following Iskandar's example he tilts his head as he listens (and sniffs the air), his senses much sharper than a human's. Archer turns slightly to the left. The air feels moist and a bit chiller, and he can hear the quiet sound of flowing water.]

This way. [it's no reason to hurry. Water source means animals come there often. Archer leads them until the sound can be heard, then he stops and glances at his companion. Iskandar has more experience in the do's and don'ts of hunting.]