[Open] Jan MANTA quests

[vermilloci]

Who: rem & you
Status: Open
Where: around
What: MANTA Quests
Warnings: none so far

Frost-Kissed Blossoms General/OTA

[ The things she's found herself doing for money. No, wait. For love. Because that's what this is about! Finding the flower for those lonely people whose hearts are full of hope for finding a partner! ]

It's romantic, it is~! [ A soft, happy sigh, and she brings a mitten-covered hand to a cheek, which is as rosy as her nose in this frigid air. Rem is not unfamiliar with trekking through dangerous, icey landscapes-- quite the opposite, as the final days of the war were on the foreign, frigid ground of the Empire. That doesn't make it less unpleasant, though, as the winter storm appears to be gradually turning into a squall. This very same crescendo of sleet and snow is something she appears to blissfully ignore for the moment (or maybe, intentionally seek, because there's something about these flowers being more beautiful during storms, right?). Nevertheless, through chattering teeth and over howling wind, she speaks cheerily to whomever has decided to join her. Hopefully, you're appropriately bundled up! ] Offer a rare winter flower to your loved one!

[ As for the whole "love charm" thing about it? She doesn't believe it's real. No doubt, it's more about the journey, the tradition of giving something rare and precious to someone hopeful to win another's affection!  Seeing as not everyone on the leviathans are equipped to brave the snow, Rem is glad to take up this quest for any and all locals who wish to acquire a flower. There is no price too low that she won't agree upon to take up this task. It means that there will be bountiful amounts of adoration, affection, and love this month, and who wouldn't want to help others out with that? ] Oh! Oh, we should gather as many as we can, we should. No heart should be alone.

[ Helping others find love is a very important, very noble cause that completely justifies the risk of being frozen, frostbitten, and turned into human popsicles. Okay? Okay. Hopefully, they make it to the field and back before things get worse or if not, there is a cabin somewhere to take refuge in later. ]

Price of Freedom CW: human trafficking

 ...There it is. [ It's you, Rem, and the two of you are on the outside of a schooner's stern, hanging onto ropes that you've both hooked over the back railing. Through one of the windows is a room with a chest in it, dazzling, silken fabric spilling out of its contents. Even through the thick pane of the glass, it's far more luxurious and expensive than any material she's ever seen shimmering as if it's been woven from the swirls of sparks and the shimmers of crystals.  Odd, really. Why would anyone dare steal from a corsair in the first place? Especially a rich and powerful one with even more corsairs at his disposal. Rem wouldn't dare test stirring the elites of Nogard like that.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she carefully tests the handle of the window. On a ship as old as this one, it's rusted through, making it easy to jostle to break the lock and open outward. It's more noise than she'd want, and so with a nod in your direction, she slips inside the chamber first. It might have been an easy heist of the fabric if not for how the door inside the ship opens right at the same moment, a woman clad in the same gorgeous material enters, and Rem accidentally knocks right into her, knocking her to the ground.

"Please-- no. I'm not going back, take... take everything else, please!"

A panicked, stricken plea erupts from the woman, yet despite her protest, her voice is fearful enough to be reduced to a mere, cowering whisper. The woman has barely enough fight in her as it is, yet she struggles against the one who's crashed into her with blistered, scarred hands grabbing for anything to use against the corsair.

 In the commotion, Rem's head snaps up. Surprise, sudden understanding, then disgust crosses her expression in quick succession. ]

...What...?

[ OOC: if you're a paladin, Rem can run into you as the seamstress' guard. ]

Bounty: Undead Mermaids CW: blood, undead vampire-mermaids, fighting

[ Starlight ripples over the waves like candles beneath black silk, refracting enough light for sailors or the late beach-strollers alike to make out shillouetes of rocks, trees, piers, or other people, but not enough to reveal details beyond shadows. Those who venture upon the shores of Nogard or Eltrut far past midnight may find themselves in the presence of unwanted company, a company whose presence is known only by way of song. A melody carries over the shore, slow and soft and as solemn as a lullaby sung to one already dead. The words-- for indeed, there are words-- are nonsensical, melting into an abstract hymn, diction almost but never quite right, pitch never resolving...

And then the voice stops.

Walk a few more paces around the crest of the cove, and you will see a hooded figure standing at the shore. Should you have a torch, you may see how the figure's cloak is red... and that there is nothing at her feet, no corpse of a siren, no other creature, but a pool of blood, perhaps some blanched coral on the nearby tidepool. There, she stands silently, hand to her chest as a wave comes and laps over her boots, washing the fine spray of red, warm iron from them and the sandy shore.

She coughs once into her hand, noticing you. ] Who...? Ah-- [ A worried look crosses her expression as she greets you, and she quickly takes down her hood, gesturing to her ear to show the soft, cotton plugs she's placed in them. While they don't eliminate all noise, they've proven useful.  ] It's dangerous here, it is. There are [ What are they called again? ] sirens. You might need to cover your ears.  

Dreams Submerged in Drowning Shadow/Volcano

[ What a terrible one it is. Besides the nightmares that may plague a victim, the curse leaves many with little time and even less energy due to lack of sleep. Starting their search up the volcano is imperative. ]

When we were allowed access to the archives, I read that there were other relics like the tombstone from that one ship. Maybe this curse is caused by another relic...? If so, we're looking for something with a script similar to this on it. [ She'll show a picture on her device of the tombstone's mysterious, obscure markings on it. It's illegible, but the handwriting is unique enough to be distinct from other scripts. ]

[ Fortunately, even if they don't find a relic than can help, there's something that can help mitigate the curse. Smelling salts-- which they might be able to find in the sulfur fields. ]

Bounty: Lore Accurate Jellyfish; get in loser we're going fishing (General/OTA)

Okay, but... [ You're on Rem's brand new ~small yacht~. Not to worry, you also have some rented fishing equipment on board. Maybe some snacks, because there's no such thing as a fishing trip ] If jellyfish can also "hear" in some strange way [ They would have to, wouldn't it? Because it apparently can also sing, and typically one sings "angelically" when they also have excellent hearing and tone. ] and we use this [ What does she pull out from a satchel but a violin she had received from the Fey Fighters quest the previous month. ] ...we can make it fall asleep.

It'll have to surface then, won't it?

Dragon Heated CW: possibly NSFW thoughts

[ There is the potion. There is you. And there is her.

When she had been alive, there had been no shortage of the good faculty doctor conducting his experiments and assessments on Class 0. But this is. Hm. The healer said it would be fine. And they are a healer, and she's trying to stay on any healer's good side.  (Also there's the sequel to the book, soooo.) ]

...Uhm.... [ She fidgets in her chair. ] ...You first?

 Wildcard

[ Have an idea? PM this account, drinksteapots, or Jade294#6977! ]

Comments

Backdated to December -> Gooselaser Aftermath

[detectiveforhierophant]

Hm?

[ Dojima glanced up from the rope he was working to wind up and untangled-- ]

Ah, you two are back. How'd it--

[ ...Huh. That was some odd expressions on their faces... ]

--go...? [ Frowning slightly-- ] You both alright?

[vermilloci]

[ It's been quite the day, and Rem is quietly grateful that they've made it back to the ship with a few hours to spare before sunset. This will give her enough time to take apart all the other pieces of their work, clean the parts and set them aside in their on-ship workshop, and maybe sneak in a snack before retreating to her room.

And so, upon being greeted...

Rem gives him a tired, but nonetheless kind smile as she and the professor enter upon the gangway. She pushes a cart with most of their equipment to the side for now. ]

Hello, Mr. Dojima. [ A pause, and she glances in the professor's direction. Yes, she and Turo had discussed not disclosing their efforts beyond failure. But. Well. Him and Dojima are rooming together, and she's often seen them spend time close to each other when not working on something. While she doesn't know the exact nature of their relationship, it is obvious that they're close. Close enough that not talking about something would hurt, and that's not something she'd encourage.

Besides. Dojima is also... like Turo, kind and earnest. Hardworking and caring. She's seen it in the way he tends to the Pokemon, and as a Paladin, how much he cares for justice and doing the right thing. Even the little things, like making sure the coffee pot is always freshly brewed in the morning.

And so she nods to Turo. He can probably take it from here. Whatever he wants to tell, she'll go by his judgment. The Tera crystals are his, after all. ]

[fractales]

Dojima. [A simple direct greeting in just that name along, a tip of his own head and- well.

Contemplative silence, even if it was only for a few seconds. A hand remained still in one pocket of his lab coat, fingers loosely curled around the refined bit of tera crystal he had kept there the entire time since its removal from the canon. A glance towards Rem and, well, a small nod as it appeared he needed to take a breath.

At least he could keep his gaze on Dojima as he spoke.]

Yes, for the most part. Perhaps shaken from what we saw during a final rest of what we had been working on with magitech and the want for weaponry. [He would never unsee what had happened, how quickly that head was just gone-] It was a success, but we reported it as a failure.

Something like what we managed has no place in this world. In saying this I do ask of you to... not mention that to anyone else.

[Simple, and yet... well, implied so much more in the simplicity of such a statement.]

price of freedom

[moremystyle]

[When Faris realizes that the woman isn't begging to spare her cargo, but herself, Faris goes rigid. Oh, no. This cannot be what they're here for.

He lets go of the woman--almost pushing her away, in fact.]

What in hell are you talking about? We're not after you!

[He shoots a glance at Rem. From the look on her face, she's had the same realization.]

The fabric's the valuable thing in here. Fairy fabric. Isn't that right?

[It isn't, and Faris knows it. But if it isn't, that means the two of them have just picked up a bounty from a slaver. And while Faris has done a bit of hostage-taking in her time--well, there are limits.]

[vermilloci]

[ Rem brings herself up into a crouch, meeting the others' eyes. No. No, it's obvious what the real "cargo" is, and what a fool they've both been to not see it earlier. The wealthy corsair did seem far more interested in the woman, after all.

Meanwhile, the seamstress struggles to hold herself together. She withdraws, stumbling toward the wall as she begins to barter: "You can have the fabric! I'll make you more! But please... don't take me back."

Rem stands, holding up her hands. ] We're not going to hurt you.

[moremystyle]

Relax, lady. [Ugh. This situation doesn't need him, it needs Lenna, or Bartz. Someone who knows how to be gentle and comforting. At least Rem seems to be doing some good there.] If we've no idea where you came from, there's no chance of us taking you back, is there?

[He glances at Rem.]

All right. Obviously we're not doing this. [Not a command, just a recognition that she seems as disgusted with this as he does.] But we're not the only ones answering this bounty. Mayhap we can lay a false trail... since these Paladins aren't up to the job.

[Not every corsair is going to have the same qualms as they are, and if he and Rem got in, others will be able to do the same.]

Dragon Heated: Some sort of boogaloo?

[yuezun]

[For all that they'd had a rough spot the last few weeks, Daqiang still found himself trusting Rem and seeking her out first when it came to tasks posted on the MANTA Board. And seeing as she had been the one he'd met the healer with the first time he'd asked for some help (with his shopping), she was the one he naturally sought out to accompany him regarding the next book in the series healer's request.

But given the nature of the ingredients that had been collected for the potion, he did not want to even risk touching it.]

This venerable one will allow you the honor of trying it.

[How magnanimous of him. As he took a step back and waved for her to go ahead.]

[vermilloci]

[ She looks to him. She looks to the potion.

With a smile in his direction, she takes the vial, downing the contents in one gulp. ]

Mm. [ Setting the vial down, her fingers lift back up to her lips, pressing against them in a curious manner, as if the contents prickle. She blinks. ] Tastes like strawberries.

[ ........ Why does it suddenly feel warm. ]

[yuezun]

[She agreed a little faster than he'd anticipated. Which rankled a little, but he put it down to her wanting to get the task over and done with as fast as possible. Reasonable.

At her description, he moved to the other side of the table and wrote down what she thought it tasted like.]

You are touching your lips. It is doing something to them?

Jan. Event Quest: 🌋 Volcanic-side Island Fire Crystal Collecting

[fractales]

[Fortunately for both Rem and Turo, Miraidon seemed 'happy' enough in helping them when it came to travel on this new island. More so when the two of them had heard of the fire crystals that could be found on the volcano side of it, their uses very much of interested; perhaps a good power replacement given Turo knew well how to work with crystals and using them to power something.

Still, it was on the seat-like back of Miraidon the two of them could sit comfortably-]

These caverns are quite interesting- one could likely spend hours here, even in spite of the heat.

[Also fortunate he had Iron Bundle with him, even if for the moment safely within its Masterball.]

[vermilloci]

[ Riding a dragon is something she's putting on her list of top 5 incredible things she's done since arriving in this realm. Also, the speed at which they're traveling helps counter the heated air surrounding the volcano. ]

We're lucky all these tunnels and sils are dormant enough for us to travel through. Otherwise, we'd be toasted as a marshmallow!

[ Rem reaches down to pat the pokémon on the side affectionately, thanking them for their ride so far. ]

[fractales]

Quite so. Still just active enough we need to keep a sharp eye out, but Miraidon will aide in making any quick escapes if necessary at the very least- and Iron Bundle can help buy a little time should they be needed as well.

[Never hurt at all to have an Ice Type pokémon on hand whenever going somewhere hot, and Bundle did take direction well despite... the tendency to wander if left out unsupervised. Still, reliable when focused.

Miraidon seemed to churr at the acknowledgement and touch as well; really, it was a relief that the Iron Serpent did respond to positive reinforcement despite so much.]

Which reminds me, when we stop I can call Iron Bundle out to help keep the air a little chilled if need be.

Price of Freedom/She sews Lovely

[empyrean_mirror]

[Kaveh hadn't been entirely sure he was a good fit for this--he's not a warrior--but on hearing the request, well...he couldn't very well ignore it, could he? And as bad luck would have it, he's closest to the seamstresses cabin when he hears a commotion, so he comes in, claymore at the ready, when he hears the sound--]

--Rem?

[Well. This is awkward. He has plenty of Corsair friends--hell, the crew he's on is Corsair-affiliated, but this...

He's not leveling his claymore at her just yet, but he hasn't put it away, either.]

What's going on in here?

[vermilloci]

[ With one of the paladins now in the room with her, the seamstress scrambles to stand and rush behind Kaveh for protection.

This leaves Rem, still on the ground still shocked at the revelation of this quest's nature. ] I didn't--...

[ "Pirate! Slaver!" accuses the seamstress, rattled. ]

I'd never... [ Rem looks from the seamstress to Kaveh, to his claymore. Cautiously, she rises, lifting up her palms in surrender. So far, being a Corsair had involved mild quests. Defeat this monster. Find this treasure. Play a dangerous stabbing game. Stop a corrupt paladin from executing people. This quest, however, reveals the ugly underside of Nogard, the elite of which having some of the worst people, the worst corruption, and the worst ideals among them. ]

...I didn't realize. I thought it was the fabric we had to return.

[empyrean_mirror]

...Ma'am, if you go out the door there behind me, you'll be safer.

[The seamstress protests a little, but does eventually go out, likely to alert the other paladins.]

We won't have much time before she brings someone else, and I won't blame her for that. Tell me what the terms of your commission was, who assigned it, and how you want to have 'escaped'.

[There is a grim sort of fury in Kaveh's eyes--he doesn't mean to let this go. But he knows this isn't Rem's fault, and they'll have to think fast if they mean to get her out of this without being arrested.]

Frost-Kissed Blossoms

[melodiouspacifist]

[ Is it worth all of this though? Because as far as Demyx can tell, he's been trudging around in the freezing cold looking for plants that might help someone be romantic.

Romance is great and all but he's freezing his ass off. ]

Ugh, don't you think the happy couples should have to come out here themselves? You know. Do it for love and all them.

[ Or just let them freeze their asses off. ]

[vermilloci]

[ The wind, the snow, the ice, and everything else will not deter one Rem Tokimiya, and so at her companion's comment, she gives him a look, nose scrunching.

But instead of answering directly, she first leads with this: ]

Demyx... have you ever been in love?

frost-kissed blossoms + avaleci mountain adventure?

[garudas]

[Appropriately bundled up is... debatable. Benedikta didn't know how far up they would be going, but upon hearing that Rem had intended to climb higher up the mountain in search of these frost blossoms, she was adamant about not letting her go on her own. Of course, it was all masked by the "intention" to "sell the flowers" when she returned, which she plans to do anyway, but that's besides the point.

She wouldn't trust anyone to take her up there, and so, here she is, in a coat that leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, her supply of aether manages to keep her somewhat warmer. Somewhat. And she can at least control the winds so that they aren't blustering right over them and instead blows the snow around them. There's nothing else she can do to chase off the chill, mind, but it's something.

And it's leagues better than the heat of the volcano, which is worse than any of the hottest days in the Velkroy deserts. And that is saying something. She fucking hated Dhalmekia.

When Rem speaks, her enthusiasm bleeding into the air, she only gives a small—and playful—roll of her eyes.]

Is there someone you wish to give a flower to?

[And, seeing her shivering, she's just going to wrap her fingers around Rem's arm and pull her a little closer. Subtly.]

ye yeee

[vermilloci]

[ There are few others she would choose to climb up the side of mountain with. Rem's grateful for the support, leaning into the touch. Rem is not be using any of her magic (yet, because it hasn't seemed necessary), so conserving warmth between two people in the meantime is absolutely practical. ]

Oh, me? No, no. [ She replies, waving her hand. ] I'm gathering these for the love-hopefuls. I thought that it's smart of them to put this as a quest.

[ Her smile softens somewhat, and she looks forward. The cheer in her voice smooths over to something fond, sentimental. ] This way, they can stay with their loved ones instead... Instead of abandoning them to go on such a dangerous journey alone.

[ Hey at least she acknowledges that this journey can be dangerous. ]

undead mermaids

[psionicmolotov]

[ Kimmuriel strolls the beaches like he has nothing to fear - and, well, he doesn't really fear much. Sirens prey on soft, untested minds; his is a fortress of willpower. He's not foolish enough to tease them - he is not a strong swimmer, and even with psionics he would be pressed to defend himself in the water - but he doesn't let it interfere with night-time walks. The darkness is his time too, after all.

No, the singing he takes little notice of. But when it stops...that is interesting. He bears no torch - only his own darkvision - but it is good enough to pick out the contrast of colour, often a matter of life and death in the Underdark. ]

I need not. I am strong of will enough. Their songs have little to offer me.

[ He looks out at the receding tide with interest, noting the absence of any remains. ] Do the waters have unusual properties here, or do you?

[ His question is blunt, but his tone is one of curiosity. ]

[vermilloci]

[ By the Crystals' blessing, she has, of course, forgotten the creatures she has killed thus far. Only by the evidence of battle and two extra souls in her harvest can she deduce that she is the one who reaped them. Other than that-- she recalls she fought, she remembers the battle; but they are essentially gone from her memory. ]

Mmm, I don't think so...? [ Her voice inflects upward, expressing her uncertainty. Rem brings a hand to her chin, canting her head in her crewmate's direction. ]

You don't seem too concerned.

[ A gentle waves washes across the shore, reaching to where she stands. Gradually, the sea erases the film of blood on her boots and sand. ]

Wildcard

[emet_sulk]

(follow-up from this thread)

[ Despite her overtures, it takes several days before Emet-Selch feels ready to bear even a mention of what they'd last discussed. And even it's more coincidence than anything that has Rem walking in whilst the Ascian is getting himself pleasantly (or unpleasantly) drunk on wine. The conciliatory snacks had been appreciated - they'd disappeared from in front of his door, she would have noticed. But the trauma of some ten thousand years isn't so easily put aside.

He doesn't notice her enter the dining room. He currently has his head propped up by one arm as the other hand keeps his glass from falling over as the ship rocks from side to side. ]

[vermilloci]

[ Sophisticated people-- of which, he is in her mind, if only by the way he carries himself-- drink wine. There's something so natural about seeing a crystal glass in the hand of someone who has such a quality. It's a naive association, perhaps, but one she's often found to hold true. So, seeing him with a drink doesn't register to her as odd.

Rather, it's his posture, the slope of his shoulders as he sits, slight but significant on him, that strikes her as... exhaustion, perhaps. She's not entirely sure, but it's different. It reminds her of the way he had walked away after he had his portrait painted. (It reminds her how the interaction had also weighed on her mind, too.)


If he's not paying attention, then he may not notice her until a second, empty glass is slid in front of him, and she's taking the seat opposite of him. Rem gives him a gentle smile. ]

Mind if I join you?

[ She knows that when a soldier has no one else to talk to, a bottle becomes their confidant. But, she thinks, soldier or not, perhaps this one needn't be alone. ]

Wildcard;

[afflatusexarch]

[ G'raha often struggles with sleeping, so it's nothing new. Rather, he struggles with his focus. Usually he gets too focused on what he is doing, what he is reading. And then he loses track of time.

That's not what is EXACTLY going on, but he is using his reading as a distraction. As an excuse for not going to bed even though he's clearly exhausted.

And his reading has currently taken him to tucking himself away into one of the quieter portions of the ship. ]

[vermilloci]

[ It's late. Three hours past midnight, the usual time in which Rem returns to their ship. It's not unheard of to see other members of their crew up this like (night owls, the lot of them), and most of the time, Rem makes it a point to leave people to their stargazing, reading, or other hobbies at such a late hour. However, this month Rem has been away from the ship rather than on it, which means that, in this case, it's important to make an effort to greet others and check in on them when she sees them. She is, of course, always happy to see her fellow crewmembers. ]

Oh... G'hara? Is that you? [ She nearly walks by him! ] I almost didn't--.... [ see you, is what she almost says, but her voice stops.

...

He looks terrible. Exhausted. Paler, even? Or maybe that's just the darkness of the night playing tricks.

Her tone softens. ] It must be a good book, to stay up this late reading it.