january catch-all!

[unghost]

Who: cairngorm and friends
What: questing! dealing with being human!!
When: january
Where: bring it around town
Warning: none

starters in the comments! if you'd like to quest with me, feel free to hit me up at ishimarus.

Comments

QUEST 41 | GODMOTHERING

[unghost]

MAYA

[unghost]

[ If they’re being honest, their quest track record with Maya has been hit or miss. Sometimes it ends up going smoothly, sometimes they end up in a worse mood than when they started off. So they’re glad to see the only red requirement quest is something they have no intention of completing with her - she’s a capable person, definitely, but the happier and more optimistic someone is, the more comfortable they feel raining on their parade constantly.

As such, it’s no surprise that when they’re doing their usual “search the library books for cool hints for the quests” rounds, and she enters the library, they’re quick to dryly huff out: ]

Can I help you with something?

[ It’s under the guise of being a responsible librarian who would help get a text for anyone looking. But they don’t look up from their work to watch her. ]

[scooptimistic]

[ Why won't you love her, Cairngorm!!!

Probably because Maya is energetic and buoyant and happily pushy, and they have every right to feel a sense of foreboding, should that feeling actually exist within them right now. ]

Funny you should ask that... because that was my question to you!

[ Oh, dear.

She strikes a pose, one arm held dramatically aloft. ]

I've decided to be your fairy godmother!

[unghost]

No. Don't do that.

[ STRAIGHT TO THE POINT!! They give her a not-so-friendly scowl from where they stand, pausing their work to show how serious they are. ]

I don't want anything. I just got a wish granted from that other quest.

[scooptimistic]

But this wish could be more fun!

[ ... Does Cairngorm even understand fun yet... ]

LUPIN

[unghost]

[ Ever since them and Lupin became an item, they’ve been agreeing to spending time over at his place with increasing frequency - today is no exception. Sometimes they just need a break from the Lottie and Phos Power Hour. Anyway, they’re the type that’s fine just sitting in silence while they both work on something. They’re studying (they always do this whenever the town gives out monthly quests, or in preparation when things begin to go sour), and he’s… well, they don’t really know. Truth be told, they don’t try very hard to understand what it is he builds or crafts or writes, usually because it has nothing to do with their goals.

However, after sitting in prolonged silence together at his dining room table, they seem to pipe up out of nowhere. ]

Hey. [ They’re not looking up from their book; in fact, their eyes are still moving - an indication that they’re still reading. ] Did you end up getting a wish granted? By that bell.

[heartsteals]

[ One day, Cairngorm will appreciate his totally cool thief tools!! Although, at the moment, he's just trying to do some damage control on his poor knife. It got really destroyed when he used it to carve that ice wall in the palace; he doesn't even know if he can get it back to a usable condition, honestly, but since nice things aren't exactly easy to come by around here, he has to at least try. Lupin's a chatty sort; if they hadn't spoken up first, he definitely would have.

But they did! Naturally, they have his full attention. He sets down the various pieces of his fancy dagger (safety first), looking over their way. ]

That? No, I didn't. I wasn't sure I wanted to trust this place with something that personal... Looks like I should have, though. Everyone's wishes seem like they're coming true.

[unghost]

[ It's sweet that he immediately gives them all his attention, but they keep their eyes on their book, for now. It's a copy of Cinderella. ]

Hmm. [ They hum in acknowledgment, turning the page. ] I went, but only because Lottie made me.

[ So - he didn't end up making one. They were hoping he would tell them, and then they would have a better idea of something he would want or need than what they've already thought of, but things can't be that simple all the time, can they... under a normal circumstance, they'd be under the same impression; that they don't trust the town to grant them anything useful or good. But their wish being granted makes them think maybe they can use this chance to pay him back, in some small way, for the things he's given them. ]

I thought it'd backfire or not work, but both of ours ended up getting granted. [ A beat. ] Even if it makes no sense.

[heartsteals]

[ Maybe their reading material's got them thinking about wishes. Lupin rests his cheek in his hand, idly studying their expression. ]

Sense or no sense, you've got the best house in town now. That Lottie's a clever girl. [ or lucky. He's not sure what he would have asked for, but in retrospect, plumbing is definitely a good idea. ] What did you wish for, anyway?

[ the outcome of Lottie's is obvious - Cairngorm's, not so much. He hasn't really pried, but now he's curious. ]

QUEST 42 | DEMON HUNTING

[unghost]

TSUMUGI

[unghost]

[ Since Tsumugi became a gem, Phos and Cairngorm have been teaching him the ropes to their ability. But there is one thing important to gems that he hasn’t even touched the surface of yet - and that’s combat ability. If he stays as a gem, it’s important that he’s able to defend himself, and it’d be beneficial for the town to have another capable gem around. And if he turns back to a human (which they are increasingly doubting happening the longer he stays like this), then learning how to fight while in a form where he can’t actually be harmed seriously is the best way to do it.

Which leads them to the current moment, where they’re handing over a sharp kitchen knife to him with a gloved hand. ]

Here.

[ The two are finishing a shift at the library, and they give this to him as they exit. Actually, there’s been a mysterious figure outside the woods lurking near the library that doesn’t sit with them right… they can knock out three birds with one stone if they let Tsumugi come along to investigate. They've both noticed the figure over the last couple days, but they hadn't exactly said anything about doing something about it until this moment. ]

You're aware of that demon quest, aren't you?

[fineprinted]

[ truth be told, tsumugi has thought of learning some semblance of self-defense for some time now; after being rescued by crowley and choubee and having vriska and akira quickly coming to his aid every time something puts him in great distress, tsumugi has... well, it's not as if he'd had enough of being rescued, but he'd like to do the rescuing some time so as not to bother his peers anymore. and since his supposed inability to feel pain has compounded with this gem body, it's the right time as any to get some training in.

it's just that cairngorm handing him a freshly-sharpened knife unsettles him way too much? too bad he can no longer sweat bullets anymore as he gulps down his anxieties and gingerly takes the knife by the handle. ]

I am. And even if I'm not, it's hard to ignore their presence these days.

[ the hairs on the back of his neck would've prickled in attention by now if he'd had them. the demons' watchful gazes are more than distracting, since tsumugi's investigating the huge changes in the library - specifically the books showing stuff that aren't fairytales in every few minutes or so. ]

But are you sure I'm already up for this? Can't you at least show me some basic moves or stances during a fight? Because I might even trip and fall the second we enter that forest. [ he's that unlucky. ]

[unghost]

[ They shrug. ]

You've noticed how much stronger you are now, right? Gems are much stronger than humans are, at least those of our durability. Tanzanite and quartz have similar hardness levels.

[ Being fast and strong, and most importantly, difficult to break, has kept them from getting harmed seriously in this place for almost a year. The only time they actually were in any danger was when they were forced to cut off their own limbs - and that was their own choice. ]

As such, there isn't much that will be able to break you in there, and most beasts in the forest aren't strong enough to lift us. Whether or not you're "up" for it, I doubt it'll be something that can shatter you... even if it was, Phos and I could fix you.

[ They say this with a confidence that can only come from past experience. Sure, they don't know that much about demons, but if they're anything like what they've already faced off with in the forest previously, it shouldn't be that big of a problem, at least not physically. But, if it'll make him feel better... ]

What do you mean by "basic moves"? Offense, or defense?

MINATO

[unghost]

[ Of the people they could possibly agree to do this quest with, Minato is up there in people they think they can actually rely on to carry their weight. They’ve seen his abilities once, not to mention the abilities of other “persona users”, or whatever they’re called. Frankly, they have a sort of nonchalant attitude about going into the forest, if only because they usually don’t run into anything that can do much to them other than get spiderwebs all over them.

Probably not the best mindset for a quest like this, but alas. The two have only been walking in the forest for a minute when they ask: ]

All your abilities are in order, right.

[ Just being safe. They know people have been swapping it up like crazy in this town. ]

[messianic]

Yes, that's right.

[Minato definitely understands where the question is coming from, so he doesn't hesitate to assure Cairngorm of that, nodding simply.]

I haven't swapped with anyone lately.

[Why is it "lately", Minato...]

Are you ready for handling the demons out there?

[unghost]

[ At that, they let out a breath, tired and bored sounding. ]

I'm not gonna be any more ready tomorrow...

[ As far as they're concerned, there's nothing they can really do to prepare for something like this except bring their combat skills to the table. They give him a side-glance, watching for some sign of recognition. ]

I haven't really fought any "demons" before, so it's not like I know what to expect.

DEXTERA

[unghost]

[ Dextera is also among those they have little problem trusting on a combat mission of all things. As sturdy and hardy as Cairngorm is, and as invincible as they seem to some people in the town, they’re just a regular gem - they don’t have any special powers. He, on the other hand, has proven time and time again to have abilities beyond their own comprehension. Their track record in the forest is pretty good in terms of coming out unscathed, and with Dextera along too, they’re feeling passably certain that this quest will turn out fine.

There is one small issue, though. ]

Have you fought any “demons” before? I’m not really sure what I should be looking for.

[ How does one go about finding a dastardly demon… or will it come to them if they walk around in these woods long enough? ]

[passio]

[ dextera has fought demons, in a sense. he’s fought mutants, and he has some experience with demons in—well, with guren. it’s a complex mess of things, but he’s sure if he can take on a meta-being, he can fight whatever demons the town is going to throw at them. so he nods. ]

They…

[ he starts to sign, automatically, but stops himself. ]

They can take any form. The Bogeyman was a kind of demon.

[unghost]

[ Uncharacteristically, they get a little distracted for a moment. Their brows raise in surprise, and their head tilts over at him, slowing their gait to a pause. There's not anything around - it's okay to sidetrack for just a second. ]

Ah... your voice. [ His voice...! It's so soft and sweet; not exactly what they expected - not that they spend a ton of time thinking about it. They'd pretty much assumed that that might've just been how people in his universe communicated, since it's normal for all different kinds of life to speak differently. Well, either way. It's weirdly nice, but also not what they're supposed to be focusing on right now, so they shake their head. ] I just didn't expect it.

[ And they mean that in the least rude way possible. In acknowledgment of what he said about demons, they glance around a little more suspiciously at the thicket around them, not wanting to linger on the topic (his voice, or the bogeyman) if he doesn't want to talk about it. ]

QUEST 43 | POWER SWAPPING

[unghost]

LOTTIE

[unghost]

[ It’s morning at Gem Haus; Lottie is probably doing whatever it is her morning routine is, and Cairngorm is sitting at their ~*new dining room table*~ with their laptop in front of them. It was quest posting day recently, afterall. They usually skim through them for any that look plausible to do without a huge threat, and then forget about going on the forum entirely, but whenever Lottie enters the room, they offer this slightly snide comment: ]

Did you read the color requirements carefully this time?

[ YES they’re still mad she wasted all their time for caroling ]

[oomfies]

[ What is with all this BLATANT hate? Lottie's brows furrow bitterly, wrapping her blanket around herself as she totes her own laptop to the kitchen table. ]

Oh my god.. Get over it!

[ Even if the clothing they received was trash, she can still salvage something out of it.. Maybe some fabric in case she runs out (not likely, since their house got pimped). Lottie places her laptop on the table before rummaging through the cupboards. The ones she closes she unintentionally slams. ]

Just don't ever do any quests with me if you're so mad??

[unghost]

[ At least she feels bad. They didn't think she'd actually get that irritated by just one little comment, but maybe it's because they're so used to bickering with Phos on a daily basis that they expect her to act differently. Well, whatever. They just let out a tired sigh, leaning back in one of the house's new chairs. ]

We don't have to do any quests together this month. There's no yellow requirement ones... [ And they'd only done that dumb caroling one because they thought they needed to. ] Only a couple "any color" ones. And they both sound like bad ideas.

[ Exchanging powers, especially, considering there's plenty of people around with no abilities at all - so it'd be hard to tell if you passed or not. ]

CONNOR

[unghost]

[ It’s a little strange for Cairngorm to approach people first, but this time, they have good reason to. Connor is maybe the only person they can think of that they’re acquainted with that might be able to help out with the issues they’ve been having recently in the library, with his vast array of skills. Truthfully, they don’t understand most of them, but from what it seems like, he has a mind that processes complicated things very quickly. That’s enough for them. ]

Connor.

[ Aloofly, among the streets of Bluo, they come to his side, giving him a quick once-over in case it looks like he’s actually in the middle of something. ]

Are you busy, currently?

LUX

[unghost]

[ With all the recent snow, it’s pretty difficult to stay awake. They’re drowsy, and ever since switching once with a human, they have to admit that being free from the exhaustion that comes from going outside in winter was a nice reprieve for how sleep deprived they’d been. Lottie hadn’t inherited their exhaustion when they swapped, either. Not that they’d ever consider swapping for such a small reason.

However, Lux might find that they’re a little less able to fight off their sleepiness, even inside the well-lit church. They went inside to read, wanting out of their house and the library for a change of pace, but it appears that they’ve nodded off with a book open in their lap, looking more like a crystal sculpture than anything else with the lack of breathing and all. It seems that they won’t even stir as anyone approaches them, with how tired they are… ]