trepidate: <user name=vertebral> (50.)
phosphophyllite. ([personal profile] trepidate) wrote in [community profile] awashlogs2018-12-09 09:52 pm

[ 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. ]
heartsteals: (a hard eight)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-13 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ he'll be honest - he's not super thrilled about the idea of decorating a tree with a literal giant spider hanging a few feet above his head the whole time, and he's still on the fence about whether not seeing the spider until they get back to town is a good thing or a bad thing. Having Phos with him makes the whole thing slightly less nerve-wracking, at least. He hasn't seen them fight, specifically, but after seeing Cairngorm do it several times, he feels confident that this gem is more than capable of covering for him if that spider suddenly thinks he looks like lunch.

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. ]
Edited 2018-12-13 07:21 (UTC)
heartsteals: (feelin so fly like a g6)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-14 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ phos... a rock after my own heart. Unfortunately, Lupin doesn't care about short spider lives...

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. ]
heartsteals: (i'm sure you've had)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-18 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ at that, he laughs, giving them a raised eyebrow. It's a little nostalgic being treated this way - not that Cairngorm doesn't still get weird things about human anatomy wrong. ]

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. ]
heartsteals: (he is the man)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-20 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ such a bro, phos - he can tell they're making it easier on him, and he sure as hell isn't going to complain. He rests his end on one shoulder, glancing over at them from the other and waving them off with a little laugh. The monsieur thing never gets less charming. ]

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?
heartsteals: (but now you're dealing with a wildcard)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-22 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ they think...? Lupin does remember hearing that gems' memories are stored throughout their entire bodies, so maybe Phos is missing huge swaths of them. Kind of depressing. Certainly not good Christmastime discussion material. ]

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.
heartsteals: (and ooh)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2018-12-28 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Please don't do that.

[ 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?
heartsteals: (about an hour with me)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2019-01-05 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ they WILL! He was thinking more that they might be clothes Phos wore, but -- then again, the gems don't exactly need to change out of their uniforms much even in cold weather. Phos's enthusiasm is a bit infectious; he wasn't super stoked about this, but as they go along, Lupin's thinking this might actually be fun.

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.
heartsteals: (horse steak with winegums)

MOONIFORM!!!! i'm calling it that from now on

[personal profile] heartsteals 2019-01-07 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ he glances back at them again with an exaggerated look of concern on his face. ]

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... ]
heartsteals: (and if it takes a little long)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2019-01-09 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ wow, he wasn't expecting this total denial. Lupin decides to take it in stride. ]

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.
heartsteals: (don't know why you play hard to get)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2019-01-15 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ a small laugh; he casts a grin over his shoulder. ]

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?
heartsteals: (if you go all in)

[personal profile] heartsteals 2019-01-18 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lupin super knows what happened back then, considering he's viewed Cairngorm's actual memory of the event... With a slight, knowing grimace, he nods. He knows that's not why they have a new head, but it was definitely his first assumption. But he doesn't bring it up; he doubts it's pleasant for Phos to think about, either, and besides, they're talking about something more interesting now. ]

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.
fineprinted: (pic#11843454)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-13 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I-I'm fine, thank you.

[ 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. ♪
fineprinted: (2YaK)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-17 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ the reassurance is very effective! tsumugi doesn't feel too anxious anymore, letting out a sigh of relief into the cold air as he returns their smile with his gentle, determined own. ]

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. ]
fineprinted: (pic#11914793)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-19 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
Most people on Earth don't live for that long, though... Usually when someone has regrets that cut that deep, they just carry that burden to their grave without saying anything to their peers out of fear and rejection.

[ 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?
fineprinted: (2Y6R)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-19 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, uh, cheese is a food made from milk! It's yellow and has a squishy texture, kind of like your arms. But I don't know if gem people can consume human food, so I don't think you'd be able to eat your own arms either...

[ 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. ]
Edited 2018-12-19 07:12 (UTC)
fineprinted: (2YaR)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-22 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh, of course they can't digest food. they're literal rocks inside and out. and if you'd consider that and how durable they are in this world... all right, he's decided. ]

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.
Edited 2018-12-22 02:45 (UTC)
fineprinted: (2YaX)

[personal profile] fineprinted 2018-12-24 08:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ tsumugi's eyes widen at phos's very last comment, about losing their limbs again, but he stands there and waits for a magical sign that their wishes are being taken into consideration.

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.
Edited 2018-12-24 08:19 (UTC)
unghost: mingodante ⦁ twitter (pic#12153524)

[personal profile] unghost 2018-12-17 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Cairngorm, personally, really had no interest in this activity. As usual, they're getting swept up in their two housemate's bigger personalities, which would be fine, if only this task wasn't so aggravating and slow moving. They can't help but roll their eyes a little at Phos's whining, pressing the pads of their fingers to their temple. ]

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. ]
oomfies: 𝑜𝑜𝓂𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓈 (💚 collaboration.)

[personal profile] oomfies 2018-12-21 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ why did she do this to herself ]

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!
unghost: manga. (pic#12145559)

[personal profile] unghost 2018-12-23 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lottie doesn't want to be here, Cairngorm doesn't want to be here - which basically means this is all Phos's fault. They have to agree that they will likely all look incredibly stupid. ]

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.
oomfies: 𝑜𝑜𝓂𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓈 (💚 head tilt.)

[personal profile] oomfies 2018-12-27 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lottie takes a second to think over the very surreal fact she just heard Phos say "fuck" before keying in that Cairngorm actually asked her a question. Well, not asked. Just kind of stated the obvious. ]

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.
unghost: manga. (pic#12115476)

[personal profile] unghost 2018-12-29 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Don't mind them as they hold their temple and are silent for a few moments, trying very hard to keep their patience in check. It's one thing to learn about things through observation (the way they're used to), and another to do it on their own. ]

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?? ]
oomfies: 𝑜𝑜𝓂𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓈 (Default)

[personal profile] oomfies 2019-01-02 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nevermind they are going to fail and it's all her fault. Cue dramatic suffering as she groans out loud, quickly giving up on the newfound hope she was given. ]

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?