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[organfarm]

WHO: Jion and ... you!
WHERE: Around town, at the edge of the woods.
WHEN: Early November to later in the month.
WHAT: A local idiot let a cat drain his color, you won't believe what happened next! (AKA post-Quest 35 shenanigans). Also, general lurking near the woods thinking about sphinxes.
WARNINGS: None for now, will update if necessary!

i. - color loss shenanigans (11/5 - 8ish)

[ To those who pay attention to their surroundings while walking around town, there's a somewhat weird sight around town.

Jion lies curled up on a sunny patch of grass and dried leaves just off the streets, apparently sleeping in the mild sunshine. But there's something pretty ... off about his coloring. His hair's been toned down to a gray-brown, his skin unpleasantly ashen, and he almost blends into the colorless portions of the foliage. Thankfully(?) it looks like he's retained a little bit of coloring, but a lot of it's faded out.

At least he seems to be resting pretty peacefully ... ]

a.

[ But the sound of movement rouses him soon enough. Maybe it's the rustle of leaves underfoot, or just the thump of shoes against the ground, but he blinks awake whenever someone draws close. He props himself up on his arms, staring absently at the ground for a moment before looking up. ]

Oh, hey.

[ He sounds kind of spacey, like he's not really paying attention to anything. ]

b.

[ He must've been pretty tired, because he doesn't wake up even when someone approaches. It's probably a good thing he doesn't have anything worth stealing on him! Maybe it's still better to wake him up, though. ]

ii. color loss option two (11/5 - 8ish)

[ He can't exactly sleep forever though, so Jion also can be spotted wandering around town -- still looking a little like a mannequin that's been badly sunbleached and discolored. He spends a good amount of time pulling weeds in the communal garden or patrolling the outskirts of town. Sure, he periodically stares blankly off at nothing, but at least he's getting work done in the meantime!

He does give a small nod in greeting if he meets anyone's eyes, and familiar faces get a small wave, probably, but it's rather different from his usual (overly-)friendly self. ]

iii. just thinking about sphinxes

[ But hey, it's all cool, he's totally recovered after a few days! And, uh, is kinda hoping he didn't cause too much trouble during the time he was desaturated, everything from that time feels a little hazy ...

Later in the month, Jion can be periodically found pacing at the edge of the forest, curiously peering into the trees. Sometimes, he ventures a few meters in, then immediately stumbles back out, scuffing a hand through his hair as he frowns in thought.

He looks incredibly embarrassed if he realizes anyone's spotted his indecisive waffling, promptly backing two big steps away from the woods as his face pinks. ] -- uh, hey! Just, um. Y'know. Looking. That's all.

[ It's not even like anybody asked. ]

iv. ( closed to momo )

[ On one occasion, he actually looks like he knows what he's doing. Standing at the edge of the woods, he adjusts the straps to his MOLLE vest, making sure all its components are firmly strapped on -- medkit, hydration pack, extra pouches. Check, check, check. And his gun firmly secured in its holster, check.

He inhales deeply, then exhales slowly. It's fine, this is fine. He's this prepared, and just just gonna go exploring for a little bit, and there's not much that can instantly incapacitate him, so. As long as he's careful, it'll be fine!

He's kind of silently mouthing those words to himself, so he isn't paying attention to his surroundings at the moment, even if somebody wanders close. ]

Comments

ia

[oomfies]

[ Usually, at some point of Lottie's time locking herself inside her room for days on end, she ventures outside. Today is one of those days, traveling around town without any real idea on what the hell she's going to do other than.. find at least someone she knows. The hope to properly kill time and see someone who isn't her roommate. Well.. roommates. ]

Oh.. Hey!

[ She definitely accomplished that. She's looking down at someone she knows, who doesn't live with her. But he's not acting the same way she remembered him last, and she almost feels worried looking at him? ..Kind of? Luckily for both of them, she succeeds in politely finding a way to tell him his new style isn't working out for him. ]

Did you do something different with your hair? Why'd you change your look so much?

[organfarm]

... huh?

[ Jion looks vaguely confused by that, eyebrows raising a fraction. But also ... not really? Maybe it's because he's still waking up, but his reactions are kind of spacey and muted in general, and his expression is blank as he picks at his hair. ]

I didn't do anything to my hair. But I guess it's getting kind of long ... I might have to cut it again. [ He seems to mull over that for a moment before dropping his hand and looking back up to Lottie. ] Does it look that bad?

[ Despite the wording, he doesn't mean it meanly or in an accusatory way. If fact, there's weirdly little emotion in his voice, kind of like he's just asking her for the weather. ]

[oomfies]

What.. I mean, not really? [ That's what he gets from that??? ] It's not that big of a deal how long it is. It isn't bad, or anything.

[ Well, that wasn't where she was expecting him to go but.. He's right, she guesses? Her brows noticeably furrow, staring him down even more than before. ]

But I meant the color. Not the length, the shade. You didn't dye it?? [ Lottie has a feeling she knows the answer already, but trying for normalcy isn't too hard to ask for! Which is what she's hoping is the case, because he's kind of slowly freaking her out. ] Did it just.. naturally turn like that?

[organfarm]

Oh. I didn't dye it. [ Guess his mind should have gone to that first -- he's vaguely aware that losing his color is sort of a big change, but it's also weirdly hard to feel worried about it, so it doesn't spring to the forefront of his mind. ]

Um, I let someone take some of my color for that quest. So I look a little different. But I'll probably recover soon.

[ There's a brief pause before he adds slightly hesitantly, ] Sorry? [ At the very back of his mind, he feels a little bad. Just a little bit. Enough that he ventures with that apology, but not enough to make it sound totally sincere. ]

[oomfies]

You let someone take some of your.. color? [ Talk about an abstract concept! ] Willingly?? That was a stupid idea and really irresponsible. No offense.

[ She's been avoiding the particularly weird quests for a reason - because they're totally out of her element and just seem like a terrible idea. She can only imagine the number of ways he got roped into this, just knowing his personality.

Lottie ignores the apology in favor of crossing her arms, squinting down at him. ]

Well, what did you get for doing that? Was it worth it?

[organfarm]

[ He can't tell if she's mad or not. Jion makes a thoughtful noise, frowning slightly as he thinks back. ]

I don't think I got anything for it.

[ He doesn't sound too disappointed, though. And not just because of the color loss. ]

But I didn't really do it to get anything. Mogget said it would help figure things out, if I let him take some of my color, so I let him. I'm not really smart enough to help with that otherwise. And I thought it wouldn't be a big deal -- I'm used to tests, and I'll probably recover quickly.

[oomfies]

[ If he managed to get some sweet prize out of his suffering, she wouldn't be as ruffled as she is right now. But.. he didn't. And the more he elaborates, in a weird way she gets how this mess came to be. She's not very happy about the negligence here, but she gets it. ]

Jion... Why did you listen to the TALKING cat? [ There's not a long enough pause for a real answer, after all, he just told her exactly why he did it. She's only saying it because she can't believe this is all because of some.. magic shapeshifter. ] The cat literally has only been here for a month. He knows just as much as we do: nothing.

And he's has no thumbs. You can technically do way more just by that alone!

IB

[inheritance]

[In any other case, Izuku might have just left him alone, peaceful as he looks while sleeping. Before he can decide to move on, though, the odd coloring--or lack of it, rather--makes him pause and double back.

A closer look later, eyes catching on the greyish tone of everything from his clothes and skin, has Izuku crouching down beside him with concern.]

Hey. [He hesitates before giving the guy's shoulder a light shake.] If you're not feeling well, you probably shouldn't sleep here.

[organfarm]

[ At least he's pretty easy to wake up. Jion rouses as soon as Deku shakes him, blinking drowsily as he sits up. ]

Oh ... [ His hair's a little tousled out of place, drooping over his face when he looks up to stare blankly at Deku for a moment. ] Right. Sorry.

[ That apology comes out like he doesn't mean it at all, just droned out flatly. And it's not even like he's trying to be insincere -- there's definitely the weird feeling that he should apologize, but it's hard to properly muster the feel for it. ]

[inheritance]

[Rather than getting offended, Izuku just studies his expression for a second or two before nodding to himself. The gray tint, the lack of emotion--all of it's in line with the color draining symptoms he's familiar with. Well, that decides it. There's no way he's just leaving him here on his own.]

It's okay. Why don't I help you back to your house? [He's already reaching a hand out to help him up.] You'll be more comfortable there.

[organfarm]

[ He absently takes the offered hand and clambers to his feet. ]

Um, I'm alright out here. I think I came out because I thought ... it might surprise my housemates. [ There's a slight frown with that last bit; there's a faint touch of worry and guilt gnawing at the very back of his mind, but it feels awfully distant. So he dismisses it pretty quickly, instead giving Deku another glance. ]

You must be pretty strong. I'm a heavy guy.

[inheritance]

Believe it or not, I've even carried someone way bigger than you before. [Thanks, All Might. Keeping his tone light, despite his worry, Izuku grins at him.

And despite Jion waving away his offer, Izuku lingers.] You were trying to surprise your housemates? With what?

[organfarm]

[ That earns a puzzled tilt of the head. ]

No, I didn't want to surprise them. But I ... feel weird. I think they wouldn't like it. So I wanted to get out of the way for now.

[ Pause. ]

You've really carried someone that big? [ Said as he very unsubtly looks Midoriya over, looking the slightest bit dubious. ]

[rerevale]

[ Ah, the woods. A fairytale nightmare in varying shades of monochrome, equal measures ominous and exciting in its unpredictability. Momo knows better than to trust himself to be able to wander inside and venture out unscathed (he's very aware of how very unremarkable he is, at the end of the day), but he's somehow found himself here today. Curious about the quest posted on the forum, maybe a little eager to see if he can make a difference.

He doesn't expect to see Jion here, of all people— especially not in a tac vest, fully-armed with a very real-looking firearm.

It reminds him, yet again, that Jion is military. Momo feels underdressed, in his sweatshirt and jeans combo. ]

—Hey. [ This time, he's not going to jump right into those big, beefy arms. Thank god; it's just a friendly pat between the shoulderblades.] ...Aren't solo missions dangerous? You gotta have some backup!

[organfarm]

[ The tap the shoulder is just enough to snap him out of his thoughts, making him give a small jump, and Jion looks over at Momo with a wide-eyed blink. ]

Oh! Um, hi Momo. [ Is he still a little embarrassed about what happened back at the festival? Absolutely. But he's definitely not going to address it at all, just looking a touch awkward as he rubs a hand at his face. ] Well, you're right. I guess it's dangerous to do solo missions, but I'm not gonna do one, so ...

[ Nope, that's not at all convincing. Jion hurries to add, ] -- I mean, yeah, I was gonna go in the forest, but I just wanted to look around a little bit! And, y'know, I'm pretty tough, so it should be okay as long as I'm careful!

how tf did gmail never give me this notif... IM SORRY JFC

[rerevale]

[ Can't believe Jion’s not gonna mention the fact that they got married at the harvest festival thanks to Jion almost touching the tity…

That said, Momo looks vaguely dubious. Hands on his hips, he leans forward— his owlishly large eyes narrow in scrutiny. ]

Hmmm, are you sure? If you’re gonna go after something dangerous, is it really smart to go alone…?

ahaha it's okay, no worries!

[organfarm]

I'm not going after anything! Much less anything dangerous! Or ... not really.

[ He starts off a touch indignant, but quickly devolves into looking a little guilty and embarrassed, fidgeting with the straps of his vest. ]

But there's that quest with the sphinx, and I just wanted to see it. I wasn't gonna actually do anything with it, especially since my color's not right, but it sounded really cool so I got a little curious. And then if I found it I could help point out where it was to other people, you know?

[rerevale]

[ He's heckling Jion, and Momo knows it. There's a beat that passes here where Momo looks as if he might talk his friend away from this proverbial ledge, but it's also true that some good may come out of this, so: ]

...Well! It's your lucky day, Jion! ☆

[ Momo holds his arms out wide, and then spins on his heels. Showy and upbeat. ]

Momo-chan's a red, and he's wiling to help out! If you're not the right color, maybe the sphinx won't pop up... so I can be the matador's cape for you, in this quest!

[organfarm]

[ Sorry, he sees that flashy twirl but doesn't really take it in, totally distracted by a small realization. ]

Oh man, you're right. [ Jion blinks, wide-eyed for a moment. ] The sphinx might not even show up without the right colors. I never even thought of that, that could've been such a dumb waste of time ...

[ It's such an oversight that it merits a moment of self-admonishment before he looks back up to Momo. ]

Um, are you sure you're okay with it, though? I mean, I'd be really grateful for it, but it's supposed to be kinda dangerous in there. [ He said, somewhat hypocritically. ]

iii. you ever forget to hit send on something for a week.......

[messianic]

[Well...

In all honesty, it's not like Minato's innocent here either... he clears his throat a little, and offers Jion a quietly amused, sheepish smile.]

... Yeah, me too. Just looking.

[...A shrug.]

Anyway... why're you just looking?

[organfarm]

Um, well, it's just ...

[ He shifts his weight on one foot, then the other, obviously waffling about whether to talk or not. But it's Minato, after all, and he figures his curiosity is at least marginally shared, so: ]

-- d'you think the sphinx is gonna look cool?

[ Jion ends up blurting it out with an embarrassing amount of enthusiasm, gesturing with his hands as he continues. ]

I mean, I know we dealt with like, skeletons a little while ago, but a sphinx is completely different! A sphinx feels so -- so cinematic! How hard d'you think it's gonna be to find, d'you think it'd hurt to just try and take a look?

[messianic]

[Oh my god.

And, solemnly:]

I bet it looks very, very cool.

[I mean... it's true...]

The monsters from mythology that they use here are usually...well, very classic, and very real. So--yeah. I'm sure it looks very cool.

[THAT SAID...]

Also, probably dangerous...? Like, it's pretty easy to find monsters for quests in the woods. It's almost like you're guided there. But...

[DANGEROUS.]

[organfarm]

Right?! [ Subconsciously giving a little fistpump at the confirmation because he knew it! That sphinx probably looks amazing! ] Sphinxes are um, a lion body with a human head and horse legs, right? No, wait, that sounds wrong. And wings, I think? Man ...

[ Jion's quiet for a moment, picturing this magnificent beast, then looks back at Minato with obvious and barely-restrained excitement. ]

They probably just, like, bite and claw, right? [ Without thinking, he mumbles to himself as he looks back towards the trees, ] I can probably take that.

[messianic]

[JION...]

Isn't their big thing riddles...?

[Minato's spent plenty of time reading up on mythology with his Personas as they are... it's inevitable.]

Are you ready to answer some riddles, Jion-san?

[organfarm]

[ Riddles????? ]

... um.

[ That earns a blank stare.

Sorry Minato, Jion is ultimately kind of a musclehead jock whose default solution is to just tank his way through things. ]

Do you think it'll be, like classic riddles? What has four legs in the morning, two legs whenever, those kinds of things? I might remember those from movies.