[CLOSED] November quests + catch-all!

[doublecrowss]

WHO: Akechi and quest takers!
WHERE: Ruga, the woods, around town
WHEN: November
WHAT: Sphinx quest, plus maybe a catch-all!
WARNINGS: None for now!

Starters to be added!

[ooc: If anyone wants to plot more quests, feel free to PM this account or HMU at pinkgrasshopper ]

Comments

[izanyagi]

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.]

[doublecrowss]

[ 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? ]

[izanyagi]

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...

[doublecrowss]

[ 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?

[izanyagi]

[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?

[doublecrowss]

[ 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.

[izanyagi]

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.]

[doublecrowss]

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. ]

[izanyagi]

[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.