awashlogs | July Catch-All

[Honestly, she couldn't think of anyone else more suited to completing this quest with her than Sorey. Just because he's so kind.

So she's feeling pretty confident as they head into the forest.]

This is totally going to be a piece of cake!

Definitely!

[He smiles and nods his head enthusiastically despite following behind her.]

We don't have unicorns where I'm from, but I read a bit about them from the books in the library. If they only appear before pure-hearted people, then this should be done pretty quickly!

[Of course, they have to find the unicorns first...]

We don't have them either. They're something that only exists in storybooks! I'm really excited to see one in person!

[Well, they're bound to run into one...sooner or later.]

Yeah, me too!

[Perhaps...]

So, if we were unicorns, where would we be hiding...? [He kinda wonders if it's possible to track them like you would a deer, but he dismisses that thought quickly. Hard to track something you've never seen before, after all.]

Hm... [She crosses her arms as she thinks.] Maybe in a field of some kind? Don't unicorns usually like laying their heads on a maiden's lap pillow in a field with pretty flowers?

Do they? [He crosses his arms too.]

So you think we should...bait them into coming out?

[She hadn't thought that far ahead but...]

That's a good idea, isn't it?

I think so? Probably... [Scratches the back of his head.]

It's not like there's any danger here. According to the stories unicorns aren't dangerous...and only one of us here is a maiden...

[He's asking if you're okay being bait, Kaoru.]

[Are you kidding? Now that the idea has been planted in her head she's so down with doing this.]

And even if it turns out to be dangerous I can handle it!

So now we just need to find a field with flowers!

[ The pair have set a place and time for this meeting via the network, and surprisingly Cairn is on time, leaning up against a tree near the outskirts of the forest with their arms crossed. They've already brought the proper materials in case they get any breaks, which are set in the dirt next to them: a tray holding a can filled with tree resin, and some paint brushes. It's easy to spot the other approaching against all the muted gray of Flavo, so they lift up their head a bit from their relaxed position to acknowledge him, blinking slowly. ]

Sorey. Right?

[ Who else would just be strolling up to meet them at this time... but they do want to make sure. ]

[Sorey, on the other hand is a bit late, so he's approaching the agreed upon meeting place at a small jog. When he gets closer to the other he nods at the question.]

Yup, that's me! And you're...Cairngorm, right?

[Now that he's closer and can see the other better, his brow is furrowed as he studies Gorm. The other had said in their last conversation that they were made of crystal, but Sorey hadn't realized how literally they meant it.]

Are you...sure this is okay? Is there anything I need to know before we do this?

[He's only ever fought humans, hellions, and seraphim. None of which are entirely made of something breakable, so he can't help but worry. Though he does spot the odd basket of supplies by Gorm's feet.]

[ There's a sigh, because it's always a sigh, with Cairn, but they rub the back of their neck in response. ]

Gems like me break if we're hit too hard with things. We use tree resin to glue ourselves back together if that happens. That's what this is for.

[ They nudge the tray with their foot. ]

But we won't need it if you don't strike me hard enough to break.

[He listens to the explanation before nodding.]

Gotcha. I'll be careful, then.

[His sword isn't even a real sword, so there's doubt it could actually break Gorm, even if he did hit them with full force, but...better to be safe, right?]

So, um...how do we want to go about this? I've never sparred with anyone other than my best friend at home, actually... And we were both self-taught in fighting.

[Basically, he doesn't know what's considered normal sparring protocol, if there even is one.]

[This is absolutely the best starting quest the two of them could have possibly asked for. Well, starting quest for Mikleo anyway. Not only does he have the ability to shoot objects with excellent accurancy, it turns out he's also part of the Blue community despite not living there. It helps that the person who's head he's shooting it off is someone who trusts him. After seeing it listed on the network, Mikleo had insisted this be the one they start out with.

Together the pair make their way out to the woods.]

It didn't specify what sort of shooting we should be doing. [Side-stepping a rock.] If it doesn't work with my seraphic artes, we could always ask a third person to join us.

[Since being armatized means they have an actual bow to work with even if the arrows aren't the typical sort.]

[He looks over his shoulder when Mikleo speaks, narrowly avoiding tripping over some wayward roots. He's fine!]

Yeah, that seems to be the standard with the quests here. They're either really specific or really vague. This should work, though!

[It was the two of them, how could it not work? So he was thinking, anyway.

Not wanting to go too far into the woods he stops when there's a small break in the trees, looking around before going up to one of the bigger trees and standing in front of it. He turns to face Mikleo.]

Think this'll do? [He's talking about whether or not there's enough room here and whether this tree is a good tree for him to stand against while Mikleo shoots at him.]

[Narrowly avoiding tripping does have Mikleo's hand shooting out grip Sorey's elbow to ensure no faceplanting happens into the ground.]

How long do you usually have to wait after fulfilling a quest for your prize?

[He is aware that not all of the prizes are good items but it's fine so long as it doesn't mean one of them ends up hurt and not by one of Mikleo's projectiles.

As much as he would like to explore the forest, that isn't why they're out here today. Mikleo eyes the tree Sorey stands in front of - ensuring that the shape of his friend doesn't get lost in the gray of the wood.]

It'll work. [With that, he throws one of the apples they brought. Chances are they won't need the other two they brought but it makes for a good snack.]

Mm.... [Sorey frowns at that. He hasn't really been keeping track of time all that well here.] Not long, I think? So far it seems like it happens soon after. Maybe a day or less?

[He can only imagine what the reward for a quest like this could be.

He fumbles momentarily with the apple he's tossed, holding it up victoriously in one hand while grinning brightly.]

Okay! [Someone...is excited about this.

With the apple in hand he leans back against the tree for balance before carefully putting the apple on his head. Or trying anyway. He looks a bit like he's putting on an apple-shaped hat.

The apple wobbles but stays in place. He turns his gaze back to Mikleo, mouth opening to speak when--

The apple rolls off and thuds to the ground next to him. Sorey pouts at it.]

[Mikleo merely wants to know how long they should wait before trying a different tactic, is all. And if makes a note of it in a journal everytime, well who would know besides Sorey?] We'll just have to see.

[He expects a bad one - it is a ridiculously risky quest that he hopes others only do with someone they trust.

An eyebrow raises as Sorey fumbles with catching the apple like a goof, a corner of his lip lifted in faint amusement.

While his friend fiddles with the fruit, Mikleo summons his staff and waits only for the other teen to turn too fast and the apple goes right off with the movement.

He heaves a light sigh and crosses the distance between, stopping only when he's in front of Sorey. Both hands lift to the taller male's shoulders and pushes lightly, not so much as to throw him off-balance but to get him to take a step back.]

Don't slouch. [Once Sorey's right up against the tree, one hand lifts to the brunet's chin - lifting it.] Head up and don't move.

[Mikleo takes a half-step back, eyeing Sorey to make sure he stays put before reaching down for the apple. Straightening up to place the apple carefully on his friend's head.]

[He was honestly about to get the apple himself, but before he can move Mikleo's hands are on his shoulders and he's being pushed back. He lets the other move him with no resistance.]

Mm!

[That's all the sound he can really make in answer because once his head was in place he worried that trying to speak would accidentally ruin the position. So he does as told and keeps still. Mikleo's fingers were cool on his chin.

He's pretty much holding his breath at this point, watching Mikleo's concentrated face as the apple's placed on his head. It doesn't move this time and he takes this opportunity to try breathing a little.

If his cheeks appear a little pink, it's a mystery as to why.]

[Balancing the apple takes a minute and most of his attention is directed at it entirely so he misses the flush of Sorey's cheeks, slowly moving his hand away from the fruit.]

Perfect.

[It's only when he takes a step back to survey the set-up does he notice the hint of color on the other's face. A hand - the same hand that had grabbed Sorey's chin earlier - covers his face to hide his own slight blush.]

Right, I'll be quick.

[Though he appears to be reluctant to move away for a long moment. Longer than necessary. Now is not the time for his heart to flutter or for air to get caught in his lungs.

Finally turning and heading back to a good distance, Mikleo knows the extent of his reach with his artes. He's been practicing them even outside of battles to make them stronger, reach further and last longer.

When he faces Sorey again, it's with a look of serious determination. The need to not hit the other with his artes - only the apple. He raises his staff... a deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In that moment Mikleo is as still as Sorey is until he isn't.

A single icicle forms and shoots at the human, the apple and the tree - it's small but could be deadly if the aim is off.

Thunk - the sound of it connecting with the unfortunate fruit. Right through the middle. Mikleo inhales with relief, dismissing his staff with a fluid flick of his wrist.]

You all right?

Edited 2018-07-18 07:24 (UTC)

[Sorey watches Mikleo curiously, following him with his eyes when the other boy turns to walk away.

When they're facing each other again, though, the determined expression on Mikleo's face reflects on Sorey's too. He focuses on keeping his breathing steady as he waits for Mikleo to shoot.

They'd talked about this on the way here, so he knows what to expect for the most part.

He barely has time to flinch before it's over in the blink of an eye and his whole body relaxes visibly. The apple falls again, but this time he catches it before it gets too far.]

Yeah, I'm okay! [A bright smile.]

[He brings the apple up to examine the hole now in it.] Nice shot, Mikleo! Right in the middle.

Do you think that's enough, though? You did shoot it, but...should we try again with the bow?

[For all he knows they could've already filled the quest conditions, but well, the quests here are never really this easy or straightforward. He figures some thoroughness wouldn't hurt. They did bring more than one apple, after all.]

[ Mikleo's eyes don't leave Sorey or the apple, waiting for one or the other to move. Even from here he can see he got the apple in the center and he's never been so glad that he has excellent aim.

Still, it's a relief to see the smile on his friend's face. Knowing that he hadn't injured him at all and tilts his head to peer at the hole in the apple. ]

The shot's easy to make when your target isn't moving.

[ A pause as he considers the question. Mikleo doesn't relish the idea of shooting more projectiles at Sorey but logically knows they should cover every option available. ]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to use the bow.

[ He pulls out the second apple and cross back over to his friend, his steps slower to give Sorey time to shake himself out if need be. Also to perhaps prolong having to fire water arrows. ]

If this doesn't work, we could try find an actual arrow. [ Or just do another quest all together. ]

Mm, that's true. [Though he's sure Mikleo would've aced the shot even if he had been a moving target.

He hums at the statement, taking a moment to stretch his arms above his head before settling back against the tree. Though he makes an effort, he's probably nowhere near the position he was in before.

He smiles warmly as Mikleo approaches.]

The only arrows I know of are too rusted to use right now. I think after this we can call it a day and see what happens, if anything.

[ They've certainly made harder shots than that, such as the drake in Marlind.

A slight shake of his head as Sorey stretches and tries to reposition himself again only to fail, but it's fine. Mikleo can fix that.

He hums quietly in agreement. ]

If it doesn't, we can find another quest to do instead. Let's fix up those arrows and save it for something more important - like hunting should we get the opportunity.

[ He can easily make as many water arrows as he wants but arrows are harder to come by. Once in front of Sorey, he stops and holds up the new apple. ]

Ready for round two?

Yeah! [That was, in fact, exactly what he was saving the arrows for--once they were fixed up enough.

His heart speeds up a little now that Mikleo's closer again, but he attributes it to adrenaline more than anything. At the question he nods.]

Ready when you are.

[ Well, Mikleo does know Sorey pretty much by heart by now - of course he'd want to use the arrows for actual hunting.

Once more he reaches out to position his friend with firm but gentle directions, shoulders and posture first before again correcting the level of his head by touching Sorey's chin and jaw. He keeps hold as he places the apple on top of brown hair. Mikleo tried to pick the ones with the flattest bottom he could but they can't all be perfectly balanced so it takes him a little longer.

Both hands come away slowly so as not to disturb anything. There's a small victorious smile to see the apple stays on the first try. ]

There, that will do.

[And once more Sorey lets Mikleo move him wherever he needs him to be. Since he was expecting it this time, there's no sudden flush on his cheeks. Although, the longer Mikleo holds his chin the more antsy he becomes. Thankfully Mikleo steps back before he accidentally squirms out of position. Now he's just doing the best he can to hold the position.

He watches Mikleo, smiling as well when the other does. Since he can't nod or speak for fear of the apple falling, Mikleo will just have to take the determined look in his eyes as cue enough to get started.]

[ Being so close he absolutely notices the way Sorey wants to jitter out of his own skin and vows to make it quick. The looks is all Mikleo needs to know the other is ready and once more steps away to take up an acceptable distance away.

He summons the bow to his hand and raises it. The feeling of it in his hand is so off as typically the bow is only used when they're armatized and it doesn't help the fact that he's firing at Sorey. Definitely all wrong but Mikleo doesn't let that wrongness show on his face. Seeing as how this isn't a battle, the power he gathers and forms into an arrow isn't anywhere near even the weakest one they use.

A deep breath - aim and fire. It goes quick but also seems like an eternity. There's only a single arrow of water aimed straight at the apple. The arrow impacts about the center of the fruit once more and Mikleo banishes the bow - ready to use it for when they do armatize it again. ]

Hopefully that will do the trick. [ Nope, never doing that again. ]

[He's holding his breath again as he watches Mikleo prepare to fire with the bow. The sight is certainly strange, though for him it just reminds him of when Mikleo showed up in Galahad Ruins with it so very long ago now.

Despite the arrow being water this time, it still makes a loud sound as it makes its mark and with it Sorey visibly exhales and relaxes. He catches the apple again as it falls and looks at the hole in it.]

Guess we'll find out.

[He smiles at Mikleo.]

So, you hungry? Wanna split the last apple?

[ Once more, Mikleo crosses the distance towards Sorey with the intent to sit beneath the very tree his friend was standing against. Eyeing the now holey apple that's missing the very object that put the hole in it in the first place.

He shifts to the side of their target practice area and sits with his back to the tree. ]

We might as well. I'm sure the other apples could be used later as well.

[ Seeing as how they aren't particularly dirty. If they cut the apple, they won't be wasting the food. ]

July Catch-All

Quest 16

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backdated to their meeting!

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Quest 17

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