awashlogs | [CLOSED] November quests + catch-all!

[ The message had only come as a mild surprise, really; from their very first meeting, Yu had seemed eager to take on quests and learn more about the town, which is a fairly natural course of action to take. As a newcomer, there probably weren't that many people he was acquainted with, so resorting to one of the few Reds he likely knew only seemed like the obvious next step.

This is killing two birds with one stone, too; Akechi has been interested in learning more about these relics people have been earning as rewards, but also, he can't say he hasn't been interested in Yu, too. There's something about this guy, something... familiar.

So this is where they have been, wandering the woods for quite some time now-- neither is particularly good at tracking down creatures, so they have to rely on hard work and luck. His powers aren't particularly useful, either, so for now he's staying dressed in his civilian getup, though he's always alert for danger, anyway.

Which brings him to one observation: ]

I must say, you don't look very frightened to be exploring the woods, Narukami-kun. I understand you're a newcomer, but has no one warned you of the dangers that lurk around these parts?

[ Or maybe they have and Yu is just hiding some powers of his own? Hmmmm. ]

[Yu's smile is as mysterious as the katana sheathed on his back. They have been wandering, but he's been using it to take a look around at the same time.]

Don't worry about me too much, Akechi-san. I can handle myself just fine if things go wrong. I've also already solved a riddle with someone else before, so I don't think it should be a problem between the two of us either.

[He looks back at him.]

I could say the same thing about you, but you have a lot more experience with these woods than I do.

[ Oh, Akechi never thought the riddle would be much of a problem, but it's probably too soon for him to brag about his own skills. ]

It's true I have some more experience, though that alone isn't always enough. More often than not, these woods are unpredictable.

[ And that's about as much fair warning as he can give for now; no matter how powerful, no one is immune to what lies beyond these trees, unless they have no weakness at all. ]

But, I, too, can probably handle myself in case things go awry. Of course, let us hope it won't come down to that.

That bad huh. So you're saying each experience is going to be different.

[He seems pretty excited about that, from the brief grin that shows up on his stoic face before it returns to a more neutral tone.]

Alright. Last time I acted more as support. Should I be doing the same with you? If you'd like to lead the way...

[ Ah, that grin; he can tell what it means. It's raring for adventure, dangerous and reckless and all too familiar.

(Akechi hates it, still.) ]

I don't think there's much leading the way to be done when we're not actually following a path, is there?

[ But, he won't reject that invitation, either-- as much as he doesn't like teamwork per se, he's not the type to pass up on an opportunity to flaunt his skills, as a detective or otherwise. Which is why he steps ahead when he spots a mark on the ground: a footprint. And he's done this enough to be able to tell just what kind this is. ]

I've seen this before; we must be close to our target. Stay close, all right?

[ He spares Yu a last glance before dashing off ahead, closely following the trail left behind by the Sphinx. Surely it won't take much longer now...! ]

[Sorry Akechi, you seem to be attracting an unusual amount of protags. He nods in silence at him when he asks his first question, not exactly dodging it, just a silent agreement before he finally speaks once he takes a good look at the mark as well.]

Yeap. I'll keep up.

[To his credit, he is true to his word as they move.]

[ And just as predicted, they don't have to follow that trail much longer before a clearing comes into view, and, further ahead, the creature he's already come to know quite well, given his previous encounters.

That's also why he's fairly sure the sphinx won't physically attack them, and just present them with a mind challenge instead. But, just to be extra safe: ]

This is it. [ He turns to Yu. ] Are you ready to proceed?

Yeah.

[Really talkative, that one.]

Maybe they'll let us pet them this time...

[Wait what?--He'll let Akechi speak to it first, since he's the leader right now and all.]

[ Pet them... what..................... ]

I... [ Squint. ] I don't think that would be prudent. Let us focus on the quest at hand for now.

[ What... a... weirdo......

Still, Akechi will move ahead and approach the creature, unafraid but at the ready, just in case things didn't go as planned. And since he's probably an old timer by the Sphinx's standards by now, it doesn't both with extending much of a greeting or warning, simply opting for standing up on all four legs instead. ]

We would like to take on your challenge again, please.

[ Good manners never hurt anyone, right? ]

Sure.

[WHY

WHY DOES HE SOUND DISAPPOINTED?

The sphinx looks at both of them. They have done a quest before so maybe it would be best to give a harder one this time.]

Very well a challenge to which we all agree,
Answer correctly and you will go free,
Introductions are not necessary,
But fail my test and you I will bury...

[It moves around quietly before speaking once more.]

I appear with a halo of water and a tongue of wood,
Stone skin and an earthen heart where long have I stood,
Sometimes made to entertain,
I am made to wear a gold chain,

[It looks at Akechi briefly before adding;]

Be careful what word you use,
The answer may be more abstruse,
A hill where it all started,
Emperor's prize soon departed...

[ Akechi watches as the Sphinx moves around them, taking in its words and carefully thinking them over. A halo of water and a tongue of wood... That makes him think of the moat around a castle and a drawbridge. And the stone skin... that would be the walls, wouldn't it?

He parts his lips to speak, but the Sphinx cuts him off with a warning that makes him go over his answer again. If he's to choose his word carefully, then-- ]

I believe I have the answer. [ But, he does spare Yu a glance. ] Do you have any input to share, as well?

[Yu had been pacing himself, thinking about what this could all mean. His conclusion rested with 'castle' however the warning seemed to imply that it might be the wrong answer.

A hill where it started...does it mean the Japanese Emperor? Or a different one...

He seems a bit relieved that Akechi seems to have an idea in mind.]

My first guess was castle but I don't feel it's right. I'm trying to think of other buildings like that...a keep?

[He doesn't seem convinced. He's on the cusp of finding it, but the other's input could probably save him some time.]

What do you think is the answer?

[ Akechi nods when Yu shares his first guess. It really did seem like the obvious answer, but-- ]

That was my initial hypothesis, as well, though the following rhymes spoke of caution when choosing a word. That led me to believe it's something similar to a castle, though not quite the same. Something possibly even more opulent.

[ Something he's intimately acquainted with, too, much like one of the previous riddles he got from the Sphinx. This one, too, sounds like it might hold some special meaning... ]

A palace.

A palace...

[Yu briefly ponders it, his eyes lighting up as if to say ahh yes, this sounds like the right answer.]

I definitely think it's worth a try. Do you want me to be on standby in case it isn't?

[Honestly it makes a lot of sense but Yu wasn't one to just not be careful either.]

That would be prudent, yes. I will stay on guard just in case, as well.

[ What would even happen if they did give the wrong answer, though? Akechi got it right both times before, but he definitely has some... scientific curiosity going.

Regardless, that's not the time for that. So he turns back to the Sphinx, meets its piercing glance head on, before offering his answer: ]

A palace.

[ And much like the previous time, the Sphinx roars its approval, and it really makes Akechi wonder, if it wants people to succeed. ]

"To the challenge, you rose
But may you always stand your ground
The gift of knowledge is one to impose
Dangerous, as it is profound."

[ ... well. Much to Yu's dismay, that doesn't sound like the Sphinx is about to let him pet it, either. ]

[Nooooo.....Yu looks happy but a bit disappointed, much like he had been Akira.

Goodbye sweet Sphinx. He never got to pet you. He puts his sword away and looks at the other teenager, a congratulations in order.]

Great job, Akechi-san. I hope you don't mind me saying that you remind me of a friend who's good at this type of challenge as well.

[CLOSED] November quests + catch-all!

Yu

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I apologize I keep forgetting that my notifs for Yu's account don't work

it's fine!

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