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[ Open ] FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20^th–21^st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now

[ Upon the 20^th, a new message pops up on the network feed, from a certain #6363F9. ]

This is Archer. Due to the efforts of Sir Berkut and I, we have uncovered yet another clue as to the history of this realm.

Many of you might remember the sorry tale spoken of by #FFFFFF himself. We learned a great deal about that young man of Blue and the path he had taken into the forest. A few days ago, the locations of certain landmarks have been made known to us. We propose to conduct an expedition into the forest in search of the hen of legend, that we may yet find some way of learning this world’s history and perhaps prevent the forest from encroaching into town.

Needless to say, the journey will be difficult. We have need of fighters as well as healers, cooks, navigators, and others of the sort. If you wish to join, you will find us assembled at the edge of the forest north of Flavo at dawn. You may address your queries to me. Thank you.

[ And sure enough, there will be a small party already gathered at the appointed place at the dawn of the 21^st. Tristan will be happy to welcome you into the group since Berkut’s going to be a sourpuss about this no matter what. :’( ]

Preparations
[ This is where everyone’s getting briefed before heading out into the forest. You’ll be given the necessary infodump as well as a few instructions.

Using the remainder of his ink, Berkut has drafted a serviceable map noting the various landmarks and overall direction, which others are free to peruse and from which they can take notes of their own. Pry the map from his cold, dead hands though (unless you're Tristan). In addition, you will be instructed to gather supplies here before heading out. Characters should bring their own food and the like, or be prepared to forage/hunt in the forest. Expecting freebies from others is poor form!

Once the preliminaries are done, you’re free to spend the remainder of this time however you wish. Offer to team up with someone, question the party leaders, find a meat shield to hide behind, draw up your own maps, or simply give the intrepid adventurers a hearty sendoff! ]

The Forest
[ The adventure begins! Though it won’t be too strictly enforced (at least where Tristan is concerned), you will be instructed to please walk in something that even halfway resembles a formation. Healers and support to the center; those with combat experience to the vanguard, rear, and flank; the works. Or don't. Berkut will only judge and not be responsible if Keigo loses his head (thus spoke Tristan, "How sad"). Maimed limbs and lost teeth are not covered by the field trip's healing insurance.

Unfortunately, the forest seen in their visions is different from the present-day location, so finding the right path won’t be easy! You might want to break up into teams to search out specific landmarks and other useful stuff as you make the trek, or help set up camp when the group takes a rest stop, or fight off whatever forest creatures happen to stumble your way! Or maybe try to liven up the trip with a little game of Eye-Spy or even outright sneak off on your own adventures! No one’s going to judge—okay, Berkut might judge a little.

Whatever the case, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of trial and error to find the clues the forest has hidden away. ]

The Destination
[ The strength of your bonds will eventually prevail, however, as you finally locate a large stone covered in strange mossy patterns. You will be informed that the site of the hen must be very near. You’ll have to suffer through a thorny, overgrown path like in the story, but hey, nothing like a trial to strengthen your bonds, right?

Of course, once you reach the fabled site of the chicken, you’ll find…nothing! Wow, that was a waste of time. Feel free to search around just in case though, or set up camp and rest for the night. It’ll be a long and grueling journey back to town. ]

OOC: As part of the ongoing event, Berkut and Tristan have combined their inks to recreate a vision based on #FFFFFF’s forum post. Further details here and here!

TL;DR version:

There is a way to find the location of the chicken from the story, but it definitely won't be easy.
Strong bonds with people of a lot of colors will make the search easier.
The journey itself will probably last only a day or two, but that’s not set in stone, so feel free to fudge timelines if you want.
The chicken won’t actually be there, though, since the conditions aren’t right for its reappearance. However, those who enter the chicken area will, according to the mods, “have a very strong sense that there WILL be something there at some point… just not yet.”
Basically, consider this an open mingle that’s available to everyone whether or not they have CR with Tristan or Berkut. Have fun, get lost, take pictures—you do you!

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[ If it were another time, he might have snorted in derision. As if he would ever fall under the spell of anyone, much less a hen! He isn't, however, in the mood to so much as crack a smirk—in fact, he isn't in much of a mood at all.

The intensifying feeling of being watched as they venture farther into the forest is starting to grate on his nerves, increasing his own vigilance toward their surroundings. It's nothing he can't handle, he tells himself amid stepping over a growing pile of thorny ashes. Whatever lurks within the forest, he can and will emerge victorious. ]

No one is a match for me—much less the sorcery of a colorful bird that preys on the weak.

[ That she would even think about it is offensive enough. ]

[ It's said that the strength of a bond determines the success one finds within the forest, and that it doesn't matter what sort of bond it is, whether positive or negative.

She can draw some comfort from that, at least, that they still have a bond, even if he definitely, truly does not trust her in the least.

...But, oh, No one is a match for me—much less the sorcery of a colorful bird that preys on the weak. His pride-- it's odd, but she's actually missed it. And she's glad that he has it, despite how wickedly she had treated him during the event many months ago.

Of course, she thinks to herself. Berkut is not one to be undone so easily. Despite herself, Pyra smiles. ] It preys upon the weak... [ Those in desperate and in love.

....Hah. ] You're right, you would be the least effected by it. Everything that you do... it's through your own power and will.

I think that-- with those two things alone, Lord Berkut, you could overcome everything even beyond a little lost hen.

[ If this conversation had taken place months prior, he might have accepted her sincerity without question. Now, he finds that he neither accepts nor rejects it.

They're just words. ]

I can.

[ In spite of recent events back home, he still has his confidence. It's also a touch defensive as he affects a certain level of boredom like he's explaining something to an ignorant inferior. ]

What is a hen to a battlefield? I've ridden into countless battles and emerged victorious.

Power and duty exist as one. It is the duty of those with noble blood to be strong and lead others. The clodhopper who sought the legend clearly did not understand this.

[ Attempting to win another's heart by presenting a fowl of lore, the young man in the story claimed to have the will, but ultimately lacked power of his own. What an idiot. He deserved what he got. ]

[ Power and duty exist as one....

She seems to have forgotten about that, in her time here. She had been caught up in interpersonal relationship, emotions, bonds; she had missed what it had meant to be her Father’s daughter, that she has a role to fulfill, beyond being attached to any human. Briefly she thinks of her counterpart, of her “brother”.

”I wish to give them a push in the right direction... as the benevolent servants of our wise dad should.” he had said. With that push being, of course, towards oblivion.

...This isn’t her world, however. Does that duty still exist?

....Actually, that’s a good question to ask Berkut. ] But this place has none of your subjects, or your people you— as a knight and lord— have sworn to fight for.

But here you are leading us into the forest.

Do you still feel... obligated? [ No, maybe that’s not the right world. ] Ah, or maybe... that it is only you who is most capable of leading us, or that you must be the one to lead as one with noble blood, ...even if this is not your world?

[ This topic has strayed from the actual expedition in progress; however, it's relevant enough that Berkut deigns to answer. ]

Being in a different world does not change the natural order. One who is born noble cannot become common, just as one who is common cannot become noble. Why, then, should their duties shift?

As a noble and a general, I am meant to lead. If the opportunity to do so arrives, it is only natural that I would seize it.

[ While he isn't very fond of the idea of chasing after a hen, nearly everything else about the expedition has slaked his increasing thirst to take up the reins. Six months have swept past him since his arrival in Chroma, more than enough to make him restless. He really can't stand the idea of being here any longer. ]

I'm sure many people appreciate your help. [ Because that is what he's doing. He's helping! ] You're... capable and strong, and you never seem to lose your principles or goal... I think that many here need that right now, that leadership and direction.

[ There are many noble-born within Chroma, but Berkut is one that has such pride in being one, it would be ridiculous for anyone to mistake him for otherwise. ] The mystery of the town only seems to be growing, after all, and I can't help but feel with the trees coming closer that we're losing more and more time.

[ The mysteries grow, even as the town itself shrinks. Hopefully, this venture will lend them some answers. If not, well—it's Chroma's loss. ]

Shen Qingqiu believes that we'll soon be driven out of the town to go elsewhere.

[ At the mention of Shen Qingqiu, she glances at him. It's accompanied by a flash of guilt that passes through her eyes, if he's concerned enough to notice. ]

If we can't solve the mystery of these trees, then we will have no choice.

But it's... [ A pause. ] It's very difficult, to traverse the forest. [ Look how many people there are here to make it so safe! ] There is a...guardian still out there, deep within, too.

[ The only reason he bothers to look in her direction, albeit with the slightest turn of his head, is because she glanced at him first. He sees something in her eyes in the brief moment their gazes meet; it is fleeting, and he doesn't entirely process the emotion that was behind them. ]

So I heard. A creature so powerful that not even you were able to do more than distract it.

[ Pyra hardly considers herself powerful... especially considering there are many strong people here within Chroma. ] You're right, we... had to flee.

[ She's surprised he's heard? But her expression shifts once more, her lips turning down to a troubled frown. ] We believe it's another guardian of the forest, and it... oozed a kind of dark energy.

After the first guardian was defeated, someone brought up the possibility that the trees were moving in because they had killed it. If this one is slain, what then? [ A pause. ] Even still, this one is blocking us from further exploring the forest, so it can't remain.

[ That, he hadn't known. If that's true, he doesn't need to think twice before he answers. ]

If we are to delve into the forest's depths, we must leave the sanctuary behind and move forward. It is a reasonable exchange. Slay the guardian, and do not look back.

[ No good can come of anything that radiates dark energy, anyway. ]

[ Honestly, she had been wondering if the correct answer would be to slay it as soon as possible, or if it should be captured (if it could be). That Berkut so quickly answers without so much as a pause falls in line with Mythra’s instinct to do the same. ~~destroy first ask questions later~~

It earns him a bit of an appreciative smile, actually. A little tired, a little sorrowful with everything that has happened recently... but still a grateful smile for his answer. However it’s because of that tiredness that she answers just a tad more casually. ] No room for debate, Lord Berkut, is that it?

What is there to debate?

[ By nature, he isn't very curious. A ruler must think clearly, not fall victim to indecision. He has little interest in studying an unholy beast; it is an obstacle, and obstacles must be removed for the sake of advancement (read: kill it with fire and regret the consequences later). ]

If it stands in our way, it must be removed. Failure to do so means remaining in place and rotting in our indolence.

[ Were this months ago, she would have giggled softly at his answer. But with their relationship as it is now...

She just nods and smiles, turning her eyes back to the path they’re on. ] I suppose... You’re right. The only thing we can do is move forward. [ Will there be consequences instead of some sort of reward? She’s not sure, but they do have to take the possibility into account. ]

You truly are a strong leader, to make up your mind so quickly.

[ .... ]

I’m... glad we had the chance to talk again.

[ With a frown, Berkut purses his lips.

Back then, he'd been an inch away from commanding Pyra to never speak to him again. Even in his anger, he'd recognized the folly of completely severing a tie in Chroma. Still, he'd made his displeasure clear—and Pyra, though ignorant, had dutifully disappeared from his sight for the weeks to come. A part of him is a little surprised that the silence lasted this long.

Technically, they haven't gone back on his condition. This isn't idle chatter. Mere seconds ago, she relayed things to him that he hadn't known.

Now she's gone and said something so vulnerable. He doesn't care for it. ]

You had something to share, and so I listened. That was the agreement, was it not?

[ She blinks slowly at him for a moment, and then with a final wave of flame from her hand... the last of the thorns impeding their path go up in flames.

Negative bonds are just as valuable as positive ones when finding one’s way into the forest, aren’t they? This is fine. ] Yes, Lord Berkut.

[ She’s still smiling though, even if it seems that their conversation is coming to an end. ] I’m.... just happy to see that you’re well.

[ She's making this awkward.

Rather than comment on what she's feeling, he focuses on her words. ]

There is nothing this realm can do to me that I cannot overcome.

[ Berkut sincerely believes this. At the same time, there's the niggling doubt in the darkest recess of his mind that he willfully ignores. Squaring his shoulders, he pushes onward, past the last of the thorns and toward the clearing ahead. He must overcome Chroma's trials. ]

Come. Don't dawdle.

[ Pyra follows after him, and it seems that their journey through the vines and thorns has brought them into yet another clearing....

Nothing. But she has the inexplicable feeling that something important will occur in this same area. ] ...It’s not here.

[ She actually doesn’t sound all that disappointed. Still, she brings out an amulet she had made from the alchemy cauldron, letting it dangle by its cord from her fingertips. If the chicken is multicolored, she would have thought the amulet would easily react to its presence and point in its direction more strongly than other colored objects. But it only gently tugs toward her (and Berkut, if any of his color has been restored). ]

Nothing at all.

[ She pockets the amulet. ]

...What would we have all done with this hen, if we found it?

[ While his shoulders remain stiff, there's a shrug to be heard in the words of Berkut, who eyes the amulet before it's pocketed. ]

We might have captured it.

[ The hen's absence doesn't affect Berkut too terribly, not when there's the feeling that there will be something else to gain in the future. As it is, they now know the path to the clearing and the mere fact that it exists. That's good enough for him.

He tugs on the reins, ushering his horse forward. Finally, Buceph can move about without worry for the thorns surrounding them. ]

Speak to Archer for the details. This campaign was his idea.

[ What a pretty horse...

But also-- just might have captured it? He doesn't strike her as someone who wouldn't walk into the forest without some sort of plan, but perhaps he doesn't care all too much. ]

And you?

Will you be venturing into the forest with someone again anytime soon?

Only a fool would venture in so deep alone. I do not intend to shy away from the forest, either.

[ That is to say, yes. Only, he doesn't know who that person will be. There really isn't anyone he trusts here. ]

Search the premises. Once the area has been secured, we will rest.

[ He, too, will take part in making sure the clearing is safe before they do anything else. With the issue ordered, he moves to part ways with Pyra. ]

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