Entry tags:
[ December Catchall / closed quests + open prompt ]
Who: Phos ft. Lottie + Cairngorm / Quesmates!
Where: The town + the forest
When: Early-mid December
What: General questing shenanigans, except for the one that isn't actually a quest
Warnings: none
[ prompts in comments will be locked quests + one open for folks to be caroled at by some rocks and a fashionista. ]
Where: The town + the forest
When: Early-mid December
What: General questing shenanigans, except for the one that isn't actually a quest
Warnings: none
[ prompts in comments will be locked quests + one open for folks to be caroled at by some rocks and a fashionista. ]

QUEST 38 / LUPIN
They're a little ways into the forest by now, scouting for a pine (specifically?!) tree that's suited to their Christmas Spider Pleasing task. Approaching the next one they come across— not too tall, not too sparse— Phos turns to Lupin for his approval. ]
What about this one?
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The truth is that Lupin's never actually done this, either - the whole Christmas tree thing. He went from dirt poor orphan to comfortable wanted criminal over the course of his life, and neither end of that spectrum lends itself to roomy houses with space for trees and time to decorate them. ]
That looks fine to me. We could probably fit a lot on it. [ that's the fun part, right?! Lupin glances over at them quizzically. ] Think you can cut it down?
[ it's more rhetorical than anything, seeing as he doesn't have an axe with him... the other reason going with Phos was a good idea. Cutting down a tree is hard work if you don't have metal hands. ]
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With Lupin's approval, their face lights up. ]
Yeah. Stand back a little, just in case.
[ And once Lupin is clear of the area, they kneel at the base of the tree, contorting their right arm into a sharp edge that they position against the trunk. Phos tosses one last look back at Lupin to confirm that they're going to start- and draw their arm back before driving the Gold Axe Hand into the wood to bring it down. It's a bit of a process, and after some time they morph the gold into a serrated edge to finish the job once the tree begins to tip.
Falling to the ground, it collapses against the snow with only a pleased Phosphophyllite left standing. The alloy taking the form of regular hands again, they clap with a laugh. ]
Did you see that? It seriously fell! Yay!
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It's hard not to stare at the strange transformation of Phos's arm. Theoretically, he knew they could do this - he's seen how malleable that alloy is - but he's never seen them work it into such a specific shape for a particular purpose. They're like a walking Swiss army knife. It would be cool, save for the fact that they had to get both their arms lopped off at some point to do it...
But that's a thought for another time. For now, there's a tree felled with barely any effort, and that's pretty damn great. He claps along with Phos, grinning at them. ]
Very good! You're really handy, you know that? That would have taken me an hour. And a lot more complaining.
[ their positive attitude is also a high point. Lupin walks over, stretching his arms a bit before squatting next to the top of the tree and getting ready to heft that end up - sure, Phos could probably carry it, too, but he feels a little bad making them do all the work. Even if they're probably ten times stronger than him. ]
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[ Even if phos chopped it down themself, they're glad to share the victory of obtaining such a nice tree. It's beautiful in all its toppled glory, and the idea that they'll be throwing decorations on it later to make it pretty has them grinning as they begin to take hold of the tree to lift it, only stopping in surprise when they see Lupin doing the same. ]
Hey, is it safe for you to do that? Like your arms won't snap off or something from how heavy it is?
[ or like, the human equivalent of that happening to a gem? ]
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Not if you help me out. Go on, pick up the other end, will you? [ puttin' that cheese to work today. ] I'll start feeling useless if I don't help you out with more than picking out a tree.
[ ... although this is probably a superfluous effort. ]
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[ they make a face that's not Totally convinced but allow Lupin to carry his end of the tree as they secure their alloy around the trunk. In thick webs of gold, they tangle it through the branches to leverage most of the weight for his sake. ]
Ready? One, two..
[ Three! The cheese is hefty and stronk, and they lift the pine with relative ease. Poking their head to the side to see him over the spray of branches, they call out: ]
Okay! Guide us out, Monsieur Lupin!
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Leave it to me!
[ it's heavy, but not nearly as heavy as it could be, so Lupin's not heaving and struggling through this whole endeavor - thankfully. ]
You've never decorated anything before, right? Not even your own room?
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No, not that I can remember.
[ A shake of the head; that was more of a Dia and Red Beryl thing to do, probably..? Onward through the forest and back towards town, they're already vividly imagining what their tree will look like when it's done. One that will be so cute it would put even their more stylish gems to shame..!! ]
I think I've kept flowers in my room before, but someone else would have put them there.. Which means you'll have to be the expert in showing me how it's done, since I'm totally a rookie.
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Ha. I'll see what I can do. Our materials around here are pretty limited. Usually, we decorate with lots of shiny foil and ornaments and things like that... but you guys are probably the only shiny, pretty things in town.
[ he's looked, trust him. Outside of some cool rocks he found (that he's keeping in his room, thank you, maybe he's still 5 on the inside), which he can't exactly put on a tree. ]
Flowers aren't a bad idea, though... Paper flowers and fabric flowers, anyway. [ a beat. ] You had some in your room, though? I didn't know gems liked flowers the way humans do.
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[ are they joking? you decide.
More seriously, the issue of the flowers. Phos frowns a little in humorous disbelief, as if Lupin has said something ridiculous. ]
You don't have to be human to appreciate flowers. Even Cairngorm has worn a crown of them before. It brightens up their grumpy face, you know? [ suddenly, it's like a lightbulb has gone off in their head. a revelation just as they're close to town again. ]
Like how we'll do with the tree! There were old clothes in my house when I arrived. Do you think those will work for fabric flowers?
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[ JUST IN CASE THEY AREN'T JOKING...
but oh, look, just the kind of information he was angling for, and he didn't even get to asking about it himself yet. Phos, you're on his side...!! Lupin nods enthusiastically, smiling. ]
That should work just fine as long as you don't mind cutting them up. [ he's never made fabric flowers before, but how hard could it be?! It has to be easier than making smoke bombs and handmade hang-gliders. More importantly: ] Cairngorm likes flowers?
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[ yes.. it's all coming together. Phos is looking quite pleased with themselves, deciding that they will have the most beautiful tree in all of Chroma. ]
Cairngorm doesn't dislike flowers. [ They correct, because they're not sure that they can say Cairngorm likes anything with 100% confidence. But they have enough memory to sift through to remember them tossing their flower crown for Phos to hold right before— ]
When we had the crowns, they gave theirs to me to hold while they fought a Lunarian. I think they'd take care of anything someone gave them, though.. [ peering ever so suspiciously.. ] Were you going to give them a present?
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Even if he's still not sure doing the quests is actually helping.
He wasn't expecting Phos to call him out instantly on what he was thinking - although, in fairness, it's not a present he's going to give them anytime soon, what with the weather. ]
You could say that. [ a small shrug of his shoulders. Or shoulder. The one that isn't carrying a tree. ] I've been trying to get a smile out of them, but they try hard to act uninterested in everything.
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Why? I don't think their face can even move that way. [ Their brow furrows with a little bit of incredulity. This is a professional observation! But if Lupin is that set on making it happen, well.. ]
They like it when they don't have to worry. But that's kind of hard to give, so maybe you can start with flowers and if they don't like it, you can ask what would make them happier.
MOONIFORM!!!! i'm calling it that from now on
Why? How can you ask something like that, monsieur Phos? I thought you two were the closest of friends. Surely you want to see their cute happy expression, too. [ a beat. then, a little more seriously: ] ... Uh. Are you saying you've never actually seen them smile before?
[ he is actually a little surprised... although not that surprised, considering how Cairngorm talked about Phos before. Still. They've known each other for a few years, right?! This might be harder than he thought... ]
ITS THEIR BRAND!!!
what. ]
Cairngorm isn't cute.
[ They hit back the reply with an equally as exaggerated look of concerned bafflement. Does Lupin suffer from some human eye ailment and not know? Has he been seeing Cairngorm blind this entire time? ]
They might be a little cuter if they smiled, but they haven't done it around me before that I can remember.
[ Not that Phos has given them much reason to smile in the time they've known each other. Their expression falters as if to somewhat say that, if Lupin can see it, but they catch themselves enough to press at a different matter. ]
You must like Cairngorm a lot to want to bother them so much just for a smile.
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My apologies; you're right. They're not cute, they're adorable. [ their long, glittery eyelashes! their grumpy expression combined with their caring attitude! the way they blush when he teases them!! he will not budge on this issue!! ] That's a shame, though.
[ he misses the little hitch in their expression since he's preoccupied carrying the tree - or at least kind of holding it while Phos does all the heavy lifting. Too bad. He thought Phos could probably give him some well-founded advice, but it seems like the relationship between the two gems might not be as tight-knit as he was imagining. ]
I do like them a lot. I know they're a grouch, but I've got a weakness for those lonely types. They're a big softie underneath it all, besides.
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I guess they're sort of cute. But not as cute as me! [ FACTS.
Agreeing only because Lupin seems so set on this idea, and totally not because Phos knows part of Cairngorm is, like, maybe cute even if they never show it. The potential is there, just untapped because there isn't really room for it to grow back home. ]
You must be causing them a lot of trouble if they're showing you that side of themselves.
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Don't be jealous. I'd say you're more beautiful than cute.
[ he replies without an ounce of shame. This is based entirely on appearance, of course... Phos's personality is another story. But that's neither here nor there. He continues lightheartedly. ]
Anyway, you could say that. [ he hopes he's causing them trouble in a good way and not a bad way. ] Speaking from experience, are you?
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[ Is what they say, but Phos's tone and expression are obviously pleased at the compliment. Even if they're only borrowing this face, it's still theirs for right now and being beautiful is an absolute must for them. ]
I mean.. We didn't get off to the best start. [ so, yeah. they hope Lupin doesn't know what happened back then. ]
But even when they act like they're mad sometimes, you can tell they're really just worried and care about you, right? I do it too much and then they get mad for real, so you have to be careful about it if you want to stay on their good side.
[ start taking notes! ]
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Exactly. They can try to pass it off as being tough, but I think they worry about me more than anyone else in the whole town does.
[ to his slight chagrin. Everyone had full confidence in him back home; having someone constantly doubting his competence is rather frustrating, even if it's coming from a place of caring. ]
Unfortunately, I've got a knack for getting into trouble, so I suppose I'll be testing how much they can put up with. And how many flowers it takes to win back their favor.
QUEST 39 / TSUMUGI
Are you ready? Not too cold?
[ they must be sure after experiencing it themselves.. ]
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[ don't mind him, phos - he's just shivering, but not from the cold mostly. ]
I'm just a little... Er, why did the bell have to be in the forest, for one. I heard that there are beasts lurking in the woods, so I can't help but be a little nervous about this quest as a whole.
[ least he's all dressed up to the nines. if a monster were to devour him, they'd have to get through layers upon layers of fabric first. ]
But I believe that you can protect me with those cool arms of yours, Phos! I'm sorry that I'm useless like this, but the faster we get to the bell unharmed, the better. ♪
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[ But hopefully things don't come to that, since they don't want to be responsible for any squishy human deaths just in case the beasts out here are surprisingly strong or something. ]
I used to feel super useless, but I'm sure there's plenty of things you can do that I can't! Even if fighting isn't one of them, it's just more natural where I'm from. Everyone can do something..
[ they pat him on one very puffy, protected shoulder as a means of reassurance, offering their best Reliable Partner smile. ]
So let's go ring that bell with no worries, okay?
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All right, we might as well get this over now or never.
[ he takes one step into the woods and -- okay, so far so good. putting a finger on his lips, he gestures phos to follow his lead; the bell shouldn't be hard to find if people have been ringing it all throughout the week. for all they know, someone would've gotten ahead of them by now. ]
Still, it's amazing how you can easily put yourself back together. Most humans can technically do that on a more emotional level, but there are some who just can't go back to the way they used to be after being broken down. ♪
[ well. so much for an icebreaker. ]
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I wouldn't say "easily".. [ considering the 102 years they were unconscious after their last big break? haha. yeah ] But we have more time than you to get over things emotionally. Anyone would get over something after a couple centuries, you know?
[ they pause briefly, listening to the crunch of the snow under their heels. ]
Then again, I've forgotten a lot of things, so maybe not. Maybe I'll wish for better memory, and you can wish to have a gem body. We'll balance each other out!
[ conversational geniuses. ]
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[ what a festive conversation.............. tsumugi continues on, pausing a bit to look back at phos for a query: ]
What's having a gem body like, anyway? Would I get those cheesy arms as well?
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[ They return Tsumugi's look with a tilt of the head before waving their hands in a frantic denying gesture. ]
No, no! The arms are.. they're not cheese, whatever that is, but I lost my original ones about a century ago. I didn't have anything else to replace them with at the time, so.. [ this memory? it sucks. abruptly: ]
If you're going to become a gem, wish to become something cool and strong but still cute. You want a hardness of like, at least 5 or 6. And it has to be a pretty blue, like mine.
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[ ooookay, enough talk about autocannibalism. ]
You think the bell can just turn me into one that easily? I'm quite honored that you'd like me to be one of your kind, Phos-san, but I'm still not sure if I should go with it... I haven't even studied much of your physiology and culture just yet.
[ he's starting to consider it more seriously, though. thankfully the bell is just within reach, and with just a few more steps they can get there unharmed... if tsumugi's own abysmal luck can help it. ]
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[ They give a short laugh, proud of what they consider common sense. Everything Phos has heard about humans just proves that they were too delicate to survive back home.
But it's a thought for a later time. Tucking that into the back of their mind, they step ahead of Tsumugi to reach the bell first and make sure the coast is clear of any potential threats. No beasts seem to be lurking behind any of the trees, and their shoulders drop with relief as they wave Tsumugi over to the bell. ]
Do you think we're supposed to ring it at the same time, or does only one of us get a wish?
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Traditionally in my world we have to line up at the temple and ring the bell one by one, clap our hands together and pray - but that's usually for new years. I think we should still keep that up here to make our wishes more personal? For lack of a better word.
[ he doesn't recall anything on the network on how they should ring the bell, so. don't mind if he goes ahead and heave-ho's the bell as much as he can. ]
H-Here goes...
[ gulp. it's a leap of faith, and it's not as though this is the first time he'd made impulsive decisions. he's evidently nervous from the crack in his voice, but it'll be all right. he doesn't anything after all, even if he'd had his doubts about that after being here for more than a month. ]
I wish for a strong and cool gem body. Like Phos-san's, but much more sturdy.
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Sturdier than me..! Cheeky! Have some respect for your delicate senior! [ is joke,
But more seriously, their expression softens from outright teasing to just playful, and they pat Tsumugi's shoulder in the same manner as earlier. ]
I hope it comes true. Maybe we can even be a partner trio with Cairngorm.. But! As for my wish—
[ Yanking the bell, they give it a loud few rings and suddenly clap their hands together with a metallic clink, squeezing their eyes shut in the way Tsumugi had told them about. ]
I wish to have a better, super good memory so that I don't forget things anymore! Even if I lose my legs and arms again!
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but nope. just the nippy air blowing through their hair and the distant sound of water flowing down an icy stream. it's rather peaceful actually. ]
That means I'll have to start calling you my senior if I do team up with you guys. ♪ Though I have a feeling Cairngorm-san doesn't like me as much...
[ despite "giving" him a job at the library... though like most things, it can't be helped. tsumugi can only sigh and reach his mittened hand up to touch the cold bell, a wistful smile on his features. ]
I don't mind if they don't make my impulsive wish come true, but to be honest I'd like to give it a shot sometime. I'm only but a defective human being after all, so maybe I could be of more use to everyone if I were much more physically capable.
[ he turns his head back to phos, still with that closed eye smile. ]
But to lose your limbs in exchange for good memory, Phos-san? You might regret that someday, if they do grant us this.
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[ Ruining Cairngorm's tough guy cred? it's more likely than you think. ]
It's hard being useless, huh? I know what you mean. That's why this wish is totally a good thing, especially if it comes true! Strength isn't the most important thing, but it helps to make you feel like you can do things that matter sometimes.
[ As if to offset their sudden commiserating, Phos gives a laugh that's tinged with their own brand of wistfulness— only for it to be taken over by an exaggerated bout of surprise. ]
No, no! No way!! [ they form an X with their arms ] I've already lost them once and forgot a whole bunch of things, but if it were to happen again some day I'm just saying I want my inclusions to be super smart and keep my memories safe. Once was enough..!
PRE-CAROLING / CAIRNGORM & LOTTIE
[ Is this the third time they've asked this since Lottie has been trying to teach them carols? yes. But is Phos about to go around singing at people in an attempt to raise "Christmas spirit" when they don't know what they're doing? no! If they're going to learn about another weird ass human tradition, they want to do it right. They're not set to go out for a bit still, but the details are important here.
Tossing a strained look right at Lottie, they frown and let out a frustrated groan. ]
Why is this song so hard? I liked the jingle bell one better.
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It's not that complicated. It's "deck the halls with boughs of holly."
[ They repeat back, in correct rhythm, but with little to no pitch. Who cares if they're lacking a little spirit, at least they have it done correctly unlike someone around here. ]
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We're so fucked!
[ Lottie whines after watching the exchange. What seemed like an innocent and simple idea turned out to be one of the most grueling test of patience she's ever been forced to endure. It's awful! But she also refuses to give up since they're already an hour in. ]
We're gonna look so stupid out there!
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[ They turn their nose up at Cairngorm's reciting, arms folded as they give a huff. If humans didn't write songs about such weird things, it would be so much easier.. But they're too far in to give up yet! If singing is part of Christmas then they are going to sing!
Jumping to their feet, they stand over their housemates, hands on their hips in a commanding fashion. ]
We will not be "fucked", [ whatever that means, ] we just need to practice more! I don't want to let another holiday go to waste like the last one.
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Why do we even have to participate in these holidays?
[ What it feels like is that they're just parroting whatever humans do for the hell of it. For one, the gems can't eat, which tends to be a big part of each holiday they've witnessed, and in addition, every little tradition has to be explained to them for them to even get the gist of what's going on. It's a whole lot of energy to understand these things, and Cairngorm is always low in the patience-for-human-tomfoolery department. ]
You don't even seem to like this one that much, Lottie.
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I like Christmas! I'm just not super INTO caroling. [ She likes going to parties to take pictures, not to socialize, but that's about it. ] I just saw this quest and it looked easy? Like, we could all do it and get something. From Santa??
[ You know.. a nice gift. Some free shit. That's mainly the only reason why she's going through the effort of doing this. ]
Phos is probably right.. If we practice more we might not look stupid! We might end up just fine. It's just you guys never done stuff like this before so it's harder.
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And it's supposed to be fun. So have fun!
[ OR ELSE.
They're glad that at least Lottie is motivated, even if for different reasons. They don't know who Santa is or why they would give them free stuff just for singing, but it's just another reason on the list for why they should do this. ]
I am right. We just need to practice a tiny bit more, and I promise I'll get it a hundred percent right. We'll sound so good that this Santa person will give us a ton of gifts.
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Well, I already know the lyrics. Phos is the one who keeps messing up.
[ Just letting you know that you're the one dragging the team down :/ ]
And I read about Santa. I thought that guy only gives gifts to children.
[ But if Lottie thinks they'll get gifts anyway... did they miss something?? ]
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What was it that Phos kept screwing up at? The words or the rhythm?
[ Wait she takes that back. It's Phos. It's all their fault! ]
And you're not wrong, but Santa brings things to anyone who is nice. If you're naughty you just get coal.. You know. Didn't you read about that, too?
OPEN POST
It's a loud, out of tune, wrong-verse chaos of all your favorite Christmas hits, and right in the open for anyone to enjoy. Beside them is a box of raw onions and mustard colored fruitcake(?!), neatly cut into loafs with a handwritten sign inviting people to take them.
Come raise your holiday spirits a little? ]