[ This is the yellow color requirement quest of the month, so they're a little more willing to cooperate with people without the same amount of cajoling it'd usually take. But... there's still a lot of unknowns about this quest. They're fine doing the hard labor part (chopping the tree down), and assume that whoever they do the quest with will likely provide the arts and crafts part of this. The great news is the first part's done; they've got a small pine tree dragging behind them, walking in stride with Ryo as they pair make their way back to the living area of Flavo, where it's most convenient to do the decorating part. ]
And you're sure that this is the right kind of tree...?
[ They ask, slightly suspicious, but otherwise not too bothered. ]
[ Ryo has always been a Grinch who views the winter holiday as superficial consumerist nonsense, but the quest rewards are a good incentive to get him to participate in activities like decorating trees or caroling. Cairngorm seems like a good quest partner for it, too—being a Gem with little knowledge of Christmas means they likely share his apathy toward it and won't think it has to be some special, magical experience. All that needs to be done is get that tree and put some decorations on it, no holiday cheer or getting into the spirit of Christmas necessary.
(Little does he realize that they do in fact need to put their heart into this.) ]
Yeah, I'm sure. Christmas trees are traditionally evergreen conifers such as pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance.
[ He responds, sliding his hands into his pockets as the pair starts heading back. With the hard labor part of the way, the only thing left to do is decorate it. Acquiring the decorations wasn't too difficult, thankfully; he had to do some scavenging, but he was able to find a box of ornaments and garland in a dusty attic. ]
[ Well... that's Ryo for you. They remember not understanding a lot of the words he throws around, and this is no different. To them, there's trees, and other trees, no need to make it more complicated than it has to be. But whatever. They hum, accepting his explanation with little question. They, too, are extremely goal-oriented with this task - they never understand what's supposed to be so sentimental about holiday crafts, especially when the craft requires getting dirty or hard labor (they'd really hated that pumpkin carving quest, so at least this one's a little less messy.)
As such, they don't mind travelling in silence up until the pair have reached a suitable spot to set up the tree - some abandoned Flavo cottage will do the trick. It's not like they want this around their own house. ]
Does it have to go inside? Or can we just leave it wherever.
It's more common to put it up indoors, but outside is fine too. [ An outdoor tree is exposed to the elements and can easily be blown over by a strong wind, but Ryo doesn't care; the only thing that matters is that it's standing long enough for them to decorate it. What happens to the tree after they're done is of no concern to him. ]
I'll go retrieve the decorations while you erect the tree.
[ With that, he turns around and starts walking toward Ruga, eventually disappearing from view—and a little later, he returns with a large box in his arms. ]
[ They nod, glad that this operation is going smoothly so far. As soon as Ryo takes off to retrieve the ornaments, thinking in a similar way that they don't particularly care what happens to this tree after they're done doing this little task. So, they just set it up slightly to the side of the cottage's front door, far enough away from the front of the house so that they'll be able to decorate it on all sides.
When he returns with the box, they peer inside, carefully slinging their finger through one of the hooks on an ornament, knowing that they'll easily destroy such a delicate and thin thing made of glace if their fingers even graze it. ]
And we're to just hang these everywhere on it.
[ It all seems like such a waste. They're so focused on getting a head start on this decorating that they pay no mind to the spider that's slowly making it's way into view in the vicinity of their decorating station. ]
Yeah. [ He says with a nod as he sets the box down near the tree. ] It's a rather asinine tradition, isn't it?
[ He reaches a hand inside the box and pulls out some sort of star-shaped ornament with a missing piece; it's certainly seen better days, but that's hardly surprising given the general state of the town. When he straightens from his bent posture, he sees something move in the corner of his vision and he immediately whips around to get a better look at the spider. ]
[ They were about to agree that this is an incredible waste of time, before they're prompted to look back at the spider. Which is initially shocking (they almost drop the ornament), but they belatedly remember that there's supposed to be some spider element to this quest. ]
Right. We're supposed to do this to "please" it or something...
[ Even though they know this, it's still a bit unnerving. They slowly move to place one of the ornaments on the tree, watching for a reaction from the spider. Once they place the ornament on whatever the closest branch to them was, they turn to face the spider fully, waiting for some sort of negative reaction that doesn't come. It just keeps standing there, unblinking, like it's waiting for the both of them to continue. ]
Is it really going to just stand there...? Or should we take turns watching it.
[ Who knows when it might turn rabid and attack them, after all - they have little faith in anything that comes from that vile forest. ]
I don't think that's necessary, but be cautious. [ He regards the spider with guarded suspicion as he latches the star onto one of the lower branches. ]
I'd prefer to kill it right away if that wasn't going to make us fail the quest.
[ Murder is not a valid solution to the spider problem when you're supposed to please the damn thing, unfortunately. Not letting the spider out of the edges of his vision, he picks up a length of garland and begins to wind it around the tree, starting from the top and working his way toward the bottom. ]
[ They nod, efficiently beginning to hang whatever ornaments are in the box (even if they're partially broken), staying out of his way as he winds the garland around. These quests would get done a lot faster if there were more purpose-oriented people around like themself and Ryo, in their opinion. ]
As long as it stays standing there, there's no reason to fight it...
[ Personally, they wouldn't go out of their way to waste energy to kill something unless it was an immediate threat. Even if it is a little creepy. They try to keep the spacing between the ornaments big enough so that they can fill the space with the amount in the box, going to the other side of the tree as they work. ]
Though I can't say what about this is supposed to be enjoyable for that creature. Can it even understand what's happening? It's a bug.
I doubt it. Some spiders are capable of complex predatory strategies, but something like decorating a tree should be incomprehensible to it.
[ Sure, it has a much larger brain than a standard-sized spider, but that doesn't automatically mean it has the capacity to experience aesthetic appreciation. ]
The town likely just gave it an instinct to appear whenever someone does this quest.
[ As Cairngorm puts up the ornaments, Ryo continues to work his way down the tree, draping the garland over the branches with quick efficiency and secures it in place by tying both ends around a branch. ]
[ While they have to do the ornaments one by one, they still make quick work of it, not bothering to watch what he's doing— it's not a skill they're going to ever need again, probably. ]
Yeah. There's no way a bug could understand what's going on...
[ Fairytale magic aside, it's just not probable. Gems have a sort of superiority complex above other creatures like this, and it shows in how easily they brush off the topic and the possibility. Once they put up what they think to be an acceptable amount of ornaments, they take a step back from the tree to try and inspect their work, putting a hand to their hip and letting out a lengthy sigh. ]
[ The tree is still missing a topper, but Ryo can't say he cares enough to put one on it. There's garland and a decent amount of ornaments on it and as far as he's concerned, their job here is done.
He steps back as well, vague boredom coloring his expression. Really, this is only slightly less asinine than the caroling quest. ]
That should be enough to complete the request. [ He looks over at the spider, which still hasn't moved an inch since it got there. It stares at the tree with unblinking eyes that miss nothing and then it lunges forward without warning, snapping its fangs after Cairngorm. ]
[ They were about to agree that the job here was done - but the next thing they know, they're being lunged at by the spider, only reacting quickly thanks to centuries of fighting. If they were with another gem, they might have darted to the side and evaded completely, but - Ryo's human, or at least, they think he is, so they end up just bracing their arm in front of them, letting the arachnid snap it's jaws on their arm.
Which is uncomfortable, but even a spider this big can't break through quartz. Their free hand comes to clutch at the side of the spider's head, trying to control it's movements, and more importantly, make sure it stays with them and doesn't stray towards Ryo. ]
Ugh. Disgusting...
[ They make a face, not particularly enjoying the way the legs of the spider move this way and that, trying to move them but having no luck, as they are way too heavy. ]
[ Whew. While Ryo's certain he would have been able to handle the spider had it gone after him instead, he's nonetheless a little relieved it was stupid enough to go after Cairngorm. Looks like the increased brain size didn't give it the ability to distinguish between organic people and rock people. ]
No. We decorated it according to tradition. [ He briefly flicks his gaze to the tree, then to the spider, watching it struggle. Did the lack of a topper cause the spider to attack, or some other arbritrary bullshit? ]
Do you want me to kill it for you?
[ He didn't bring his rifle since he didn't think it would be necessary, but he has a couple of knives under his coat. ]
[ Maybe this is just another cruel twist in the quest, then. They don't necessarily doubt it. When he asks that, though, they seem to hesitate, looking over to him curiously. ]
Do we need to kill it?
[ Accenting them saying this is another snap of the spider's jaws - they suppose if they try to walk it back into the forest, it probably will just continue to attack them. ]
You're the one who can get hurt by it. So if you think that's best.
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QUEST 38 | RYO
And you're sure that this is the right kind of tree...?
[ They ask, slightly suspicious, but otherwise not too bothered. ]
no subject
(Little does he realize that they do in fact need to put their heart into this.) ]
Yeah, I'm sure. Christmas trees are traditionally evergreen conifers such as pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance.
[ He responds, sliding his hands into his pockets as the pair starts heading back. With the hard labor part of the way, the only thing left to do is decorate it. Acquiring the decorations wasn't too difficult, thankfully; he had to do some scavenging, but he was able to find a box of ornaments and garland in a dusty attic. ]
no subject
As such, they don't mind travelling in silence up until the pair have reached a suitable spot to set up the tree - some abandoned Flavo cottage will do the trick. It's not like they want this around their own house. ]
Does it have to go inside? Or can we just leave it wherever.
no subject
I'll go retrieve the decorations while you erect the tree.
[ With that, he turns around and starts walking toward Ruga, eventually disappearing from view—and a little later, he returns with a large box in his arms. ]
no subject
When he returns with the box, they peer inside, carefully slinging their finger through one of the hooks on an ornament, knowing that they'll easily destroy such a delicate and thin thing made of glace if their fingers even graze it. ]
And we're to just hang these everywhere on it.
[ It all seems like such a waste. They're so focused on getting a head start on this decorating that they pay no mind to the spider that's slowly making it's way into view in the vicinity of their decorating station. ]
no subject
[ He reaches a hand inside the box and pulls out some sort of star-shaped ornament with a missing piece; it's certainly seen better days, but that's hardly surprising given the general state of the town. When he straightens from his bent posture, he sees something move in the corner of his vision and he immediately whips around to get a better look at the spider. ]
We've got company.
no subject
Right. We're supposed to do this to "please" it or something...
[ Even though they know this, it's still a bit unnerving. They slowly move to place one of the ornaments on the tree, watching for a reaction from the spider. Once they place the ornament on whatever the closest branch to them was, they turn to face the spider fully, waiting for some sort of negative reaction that doesn't come. It just keeps standing there, unblinking, like it's waiting for the both of them to continue. ]
Is it really going to just stand there...? Or should we take turns watching it.
[ Who knows when it might turn rabid and attack them, after all - they have little faith in anything that comes from that vile forest. ]
no subject
I'd prefer to kill it right away if that wasn't going to make us fail the quest.
[ Murder is not a valid solution to the spider problem when you're supposed to please the damn thing, unfortunately. Not letting the spider out of the edges of his vision, he picks up a length of garland and begins to wind it around the tree, starting from the top and working his way toward the bottom. ]
no subject
As long as it stays standing there, there's no reason to fight it...
[ Personally, they wouldn't go out of their way to waste energy to kill something unless it was an immediate threat. Even if it is a little creepy. They try to keep the spacing between the ornaments big enough so that they can fill the space with the amount in the box, going to the other side of the tree as they work. ]
Though I can't say what about this is supposed to be enjoyable for that creature. Can it even understand what's happening? It's a bug.
no subject
[ Sure, it has a much larger brain than a standard-sized spider, but that doesn't automatically mean it has the capacity to experience aesthetic appreciation. ]
The town likely just gave it an instinct to appear whenever someone does this quest.
[ As Cairngorm puts up the ornaments, Ryo continues to work his way down the tree, draping the garland over the branches with quick efficiency and secures it in place by tying both ends around a branch. ]
no subject
Yeah. There's no way a bug could understand what's going on...
[ Fairytale magic aside, it's just not probable. Gems have a sort of superiority complex above other creatures like this, and it shows in how easily they brush off the topic and the possibility. Once they put up what they think to be an acceptable amount of ornaments, they take a step back from the tree to try and inspect their work, putting a hand to their hip and letting out a lengthy sigh. ]
no subject
He steps back as well, vague boredom coloring his expression. Really, this is only slightly less asinine than the caroling quest. ]
That should be enough to complete the request. [ He looks over at the spider, which still hasn't moved an inch since it got there. It stares at the tree with unblinking eyes that miss nothing and then it lunges forward without warning, snapping its fangs after Cairngorm. ]
no subject
Which is uncomfortable, but even a spider this big can't break through quartz. Their free hand comes to clutch at the side of the spider's head, trying to control it's movements, and more importantly, make sure it stays with them and doesn't stray towards Ryo. ]
Ugh. Disgusting...
[ They make a face, not particularly enjoying the way the legs of the spider move this way and that, trying to move them but having no luck, as they are way too heavy. ]
What? Did we do it wrong?
no subject
No. We decorated it according to tradition. [ He briefly flicks his gaze to the tree, then to the spider, watching it struggle. Did the lack of a topper cause the spider to attack, or some other arbritrary bullshit? ]
Do you want me to kill it for you?
[ He didn't bring his rifle since he didn't think it would be necessary, but he has a couple of knives under his coat. ]
no subject
Do we need to kill it?
[ Accenting them saying this is another snap of the spider's jaws - they suppose if they try to walk it back into the forest, it probably will just continue to attack them. ]
You're the one who can get hurt by it. So if you think that's best.