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awashlogs2019-06-23 02:31 pm
[ Open ] FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP
WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20th–21st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now
[ Upon the 20th, 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 21st. 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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The statement is not strange. What is strange that Archer shows no signs of wishing to provide those finer things himself. ]
Will try.
Did something... happen?
[ He's far from the most socially adept. But at least he's not asking directly 'why'? ]
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[ He takes a furtive glance toward Saber, who’d so kindly allowed him to take the lead in this adventure. He still doesn’t know what to make of it.
Turning back to Wangji— ]
We have some…history. But all of that is in the past, now.
[ Even if it haunts him still. ]
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Is there anything you consider fine? Or anything that she does?
[ Obviously not right this moment, but. ]
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[ He shakes his head, suddenly feeling a little flustered. This is her roommate, after all. He should not behave inappropriately, or say anything that might get back to her and well… ]
As you are, I think she will be satisfied. She is not very fond of potatoes, however.
[ Blame her blond gorilla of a cousin for that. ]
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I am not...
[ 'on the table.' But that just feels wrong to say.
Instead, he focuses on the food again. ]
Will remember. Usually use rice as starch, despite strange color, than potatoes.
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That is a relief. Ah, but…
[ Okay, he’s starting to get to the gist of Wangji’s response back there. ]
Forgive me. I did not mean to imply that you must serve her hand and foot. Only that…she has seemed particularly pleased with your talents…
[ But not everyone has sworn fealty to her, after all, so they’re not obligated to cook for her either. ]
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[ It's interesting, even. On the other hand, going by Archer's expression, he feels the need to clarify a little.
How clear the situation will be is up to debate. ]
Someone thought once that Saber and I were to be wed.
[ Blue Saber, obviously. And also, no. ]
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After a moment, he manages— ]
Who—Who would dare to…
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Misunderstanding has been cleared.
[ And then some. ]
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But really, maybe it’s better if he doesn’t know. He’s not sure he wants to do anything too…rash in the middle of an expedition. ]
Yes…that much I can be grateful for. I am sorry that it has caused you undue trouble regardless.
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The... Younger Saber was very determined to make me regret trying to sully my housemate, but was more amenable to reason than her initial conduct indicated.
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I imagine she was reluctant to directly offend Blue Saber.
[ Sorry, he doesn’t believe in Wangji’s powers of appeasing Hurricane Mordred. He’ll have to see it to believe it. ]
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[ WangJi, on the other hand, remembering the conversation, is very doubtful about this statement. She did say that if anyone could start rumors about Blue Saber, it would have to be her, and that is hardly avoiding offense... ]
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Never mind her, then. I am more concerned about you, as I…have not had the chance of thanking you for joining this expedition yet. It means more than you know.
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... Information of any kind will be good. You used your ink to make this possible. Even if I am not the one to find much, I can keep people safe.
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Do you speak out of duty?
[ He’s curious; that a knight is expected to protect and a healer to heal is one thing, but he doesn’t know enough about Wangji to make a judgment call. ]
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In the end, the thoughts are too many and too complicated to express them. Only one word comes out - in the end, he has abandoned following rules and obligations. ]
... choice.
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It is by no means an easy choice.
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Not... easy?
[ He has made a few choices in the past that have been difficult. This one is like... none of them, really. So he is slightly unsure what makes it so for Archer. ]
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[ People have always been warned away from the forest for a reason. ]
We might realize too late that I have led everyone into a trap.
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Unknown is usual for us. In a battle, even with precise intelligence, we would never know what exactly each cultivator against us could do, or how powerful. In peace, some night hunts are clear, but most, people we can find information from are too terrified to give answers, or to know them. Have to think fast, be ready for anything, always. If not trap, then finding oneself overwhelmed.
If it is one, then we will find a way out again.
[ There is no break in WangJi's calm as he talks about it all. 'Archer,' 'Saber,' and even 'Berserker' are titles that suggest battles, but there are many ways to battle, and the more variables, the less possible to predict. To be part of a war where things are predictable - or close to it - would make stepping into the unknown difficult. He understands. He doesn't think less because of it, merely seeks to reassure that, no matter what Archer might think, he will not consider it any sort of betrayal. ]
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You make it sound as though cultivators are seasoned warriors…
[ Someday his actual shizun will tell him just what cultivation actually entails. But for now Tristan realizes that there may be more to that…discipline than he’d first imagined. ]
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Ought not to be. But... When we were younger, one of the sects tried to ... take everything. All the rest of us went to war against them.
It lasted three years. I was... [ His eyes dart towards Wei Ying, then return to Archer. ] We were seventeen when it began. Twenty when it ended. Saw... enough battles.
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[ Another piece of the puzzle falls into place. He can’t help but think of the time Wei Wuxian had opened up to him that New Year’s Eve, and he wonders… ]
I think I understand. All too often war forces us to abandon our ideals.
[ He frowns as he says it, willing away that knot in his chest at the bitter memory of the things he’d done out of necessity. ]
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I did not know... how much it had changed everyone. Until one person reminded me what mercy and kindness means, again.
Perhaps one of the reasons people feared him was because they understood they could not be as good, again.
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