[open] feb MANTA quests

[vermilloci]

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

Dear Ocean - General

[ What a curious quest this is, with the 'reward', so to speak, entirely dependant on the advice returned. If it will ever return to her.  The seas are vast, seemingly endless, and the message can be delivered to just about anyone on any island, ship, or shoal. Holding her letter in hand, she looks into the sea one last time before neatly rolling up the parchment and tucking it into a green, glass bottle. Corking the top, she tosses it out to the sea, watching it float away until the bottle appears nothing larger than a distant, glistening speck on the horizon. ]

Dear Ocean,

Have you ever loved? Or been loved? Doesn't need to be romantic. Friends, siblings, parents, anyone...
I hope this isn't too intrusive. If this letter is found and you don't wish to answer, please cork it and send it along.

Warmly,
Bird

[ This may seem like a question, not an anonymous 'bird' asking for advice-- but... it is. Buried within the meaning of these questions is someone attempting to figure something out. ]

Magitek Barrier Stresstest- General

[ Did you know that Rem works at a cat café? Because she does, and because she does, she can incorporate some rewards to anyone who volunteers to test the magitek shield! That is, vouchers for dining at the cafe which range from free catpuccinos if one manages to crack the barrier to a free giant, jumbo, deluxe affogato parfait if you break the entire thing!

(Petting the cats is free regardless.) ]

Right here, right here! Step up!  Are you ready, nya~? [ Forgive her, the cat speech is a requirement of working here. ]  Let's see what you got!  If you break the barrier, our super-special giant, jumbo, deluxe affogato parfait has your name on it, it does!

Sleeping Curse Redux- General

....Hold still, please.

[ Hi. Hello. This is Rem, and she's looking directly at you, one hand on either side of your shoulder. If you're taller than her, she'll squeeze your shoulders to get you to lean down. If you're shorter than her, she'll bend her knees to be at your level.

For the past month, she's been oblivious to wherever this "black disk" could be. She's tried going up and down that volcano enough times that she's exhausted herself over and over again. She's poured over half-destoryed tomes found scattered in the infernal, ashen caverns, she's sat up late in the libraries and archives on Eltrut. She's consulted with the healers, she's given them their angelic jellyfish to make a paste. Perhaps, then, the disk isn't on that volcano? Perhaps this entire time, she's been wasting her efforts, looking in the wrong place? Or perhaps--

"...buried in a place where someone least expects it"...
"...Or a place where dreams are heavy. "

--...perhaps, with the two other clues provided, the black disk isn't so much a physical one at all, but a metaphor for something that's been a part of the afflicted all along, a place where it could directly create dreams within the person, completely undetected.

Their pupils.

So, yes, she's staring into your eyes, seeing if she can try to spot this elusive demon inside you through them. ]

Price of Freedom- Corsair(CW: Human Trafficking)

[ Sometime during the month-- whenever it's ICly reasonable to assume that there has been been multiple confirmed kills yet the rumors have circulated that somehow he keeps on coming back to life-- Rem herself decides to pursue the man.

Whatever this corsair is using to return from the dead, she wants to confirm that it works for herself. Because that-- that sort of power, whatever it holds, that could be the artifact she's looking for.

So, she's recruited you to come along with her on a terrible, terrible adventure. ] This... This is the place. [ She says to you, hushed. Across the street is a building carved from stone and marble-- a rather notorious and luxurious casino where it's not only gold with which the patrons gamble. Seems like someone is throwing a party, and a big one, at that.

Rem reaches into her cloak, pulling out two invitations she's secured-- uh, "secured"-- from two other guests earlier. (They're okay, they're just unconscious behind a dumpster somewhere.) ] We'll use these to get in... and play our parts. [ And by playing their parts, she means posing as obnoxious, wealthy corsairs as well. Hopefully, you're more imposing than her. Or maybe she's posing as your "property," or you're posing as hers. ] Then it's a matter of finding him.

[ No issue there, because the man apparently likes to make himself known as being the biggest, wealthiest prick in the room. The only issue is that she'd already encountered him last month, and should Rem be spotted, he'll recognize her face. What is her solution to that? Why, wearing a wig, of course. Curly, bouncy, dainty. Blonde. Yeah, great costume. ]

Wildcard

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

Comments

Sleeping Curse Redux - timey wimey date

[yuezun]

[Daqiang has his arms crossed, but he's staring right back. Willing to try just about anything to find this black disc. If Rem wanted to look in his eyes for it, he would entertain the attempt.

It did not mean he was having an easy time keeping his eyes open, however. He was exhausted and even with the other precautions - salts, jelly - he was at risk of entering the drowning nightmare nearly as soon as he even barely slipped into the edge of losing consciousness. Keeping the nightmare at bay meant fitful sleep at best and no sleep at worst.]

[vermilloci]

[ The man can barely keep his eyes open-- it would be better if she asked him to lie down and shine a light so she can look into each eye more easily, but she fears that even settling could cause him to slip into sleep.

So she stays standing, first peering into his right eye, then into his left, then back to his right-- ]

Wait.

[ IS THAT SOMETHING? Or maybe it's just a trick of the light. Either way, even if she spots a demon nesting there, she might not be able to help him. Pulling a demon out of someone via that black-disk that could be the pupil is... not her area of expertise. ] We need better lighting. [ If he's willing, she'll shuffle with him over to the window. ]

[yuezun]

[He is willing. Reluctantly. Getting pulled to and fro and pushed around was not something he particularly enjoyed. no, there is no sudden epiphany about how he did the same to others. sorry, Rem. But he still stood up and moved stand next to the window. And then to sit down - or at least lean his butt on - a table near to it so that he was of a height she didn't need to stand on her toes to see. And that he didn't need to bend awkwardly for her to examine his eyes further.

But once situated, he looked back at her and waited, maintaining eye contact as she leaned in to look at his pupils.]

[vermilloci]

[ With the light better suited, Rem leans forward to examine his eyes once again. Brown, as usual, but carrying immense exhaustion within them. That's not usual, but that's also the reason why she's checking in the first place. Rem lifts her hand up to the side of his jaw, delicately guiding him to angle his neck so that the light better strikes his face. Like before, she looks into his left eye first, then the right one, comparing the two.

There it is again. A flicker something within is right eye.

Her brow cinches suddenly, and she squints. Drawing near, Rm bites her bottom lip as he holds her breath-- and then she abruptly withdraws her hand, gasping out in surprise. ]

It's--..! Moon Supreme, it's there! Your right eye!

[ It had been brief, but there was a flash of a horrendous face within his eye, ghastly and scowling with jagged teeth. ]

dear ocean

[empyrean_mirror]

[somehow, via good luck or the grace of the leviathans, a letter returns. The handwriting is stunningly beautiful...it'd be easy to match to someone, that's for sure.]

Bird,

I've loved and been loved many times...I don't mind answering questions this way. What do you want to know?

-Karhem

[vermilloci]

[ How curious that this ocean brings this bottle back and forth so efficiently. Also, what beautiful handwriting...! As for her own, hers is neat, formal, and with very little flair. Schoolish. ]

Dear Karhem,

Oh, I'm very grateful to have caught the attention of someone with so much more experience. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

I can't help but notice that wrote you have loved many times. Assuming you are speaking romantically, would you be willing to share why those relationships didn't work?

Sincerely,
Bird

[ This is definitely a roundabout method of "I have my experience but need to compare." ]

[empyrean_mirror]

Dear Bird

While it's accurate to say I've loved and lost before, I can't honestly tell you all of them were romantic. Even family isn't a guarantee that things will work out.

My father died...and I suppose I reminded my mother far too much of him. It is not as though we do not still love each other, but it's difficult to be reminded of what was lost.

As for romantic relationships, I'm afraid most of the time, many times people have found that...I am not the person they imagined I'd be, at first sight. I think there's only been one person who ever saw otherwise.

Regards,
Karhem

Dear Ocean

[phoenixdominant]

[Oh. A bottle with a message inside of it. The questions are curious and sweet and he's a bit intrigued to answer. A few months ago he remembered many of these messages in a bottle floating around.]

Dear Bird,

My experiences with love have been diverse, each distinct in its own right, accompanied by unique sentiments.

Firstly, there's my love for my brother. A steadfast bond that assures me of his unwavering support even in the bleakest of times.

Then, there's the affection I feel for my dear sister, whose gentle spirit serves as a soothing balm for my soul.

Lastly, there's this newfound love, a sensation akin to a spark igniting into a flame, craving nourishment to thrive. It's a sensation both exhilarating and intimidating, unlike anything I've encountered before. This warmth, this novel love, fills me with a sense of excitement and apprehension, akin to standing before a blazing fire, uncertain of its potential. I'll admit, this note has me scared in a silly way.

I don't mean to wax poetic. But I do hope it answers your question, in part. And I have to wonder. Are you wondering what love might be like for yourself?

Sincerely,
-A feather on the waves.

[vermilloci]

[ WOW it sure is mysterious to find the bottle returned to her via the ocean. But here she is, reaching off the edge of her ship and scooping it from the waves. ]

Dear Feather,

Do you write in your spare time? Because you've described all those different types of love beautifully. I can tell that that beauty is something you deeply cherish, and it's enriched your life. I think that's the way it should be, and it's every bit worth experiencing and fighting for.

As for your new romantic love, you sound smitten. Do they know yet? If so, I wish the two of you the absolute best.

I did notice, though, that you didn't mention parental love. If it's not too much to ask, how was that for you?

As for myself, my love for my friends and the world is my strength. It's the easiest source that inspires me. Doesn't help that so many people both here and in my homeworld are so easy to love. Love makes helping and protecting others not a duty, but simply effortless.

Sincerely,
Bird

[ And here she's still establishing a few more questions before deriving an answer, or asking for the actual advice she wishes. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[How mysterious, indeed! There must be something magical in the water.]

Dear Bird,

Perhaps in another life, I might have fancied myself a poet or an author, but for now, I content myself with penning the heartfelt words that stir within me. Your letter held such allure that I found myself compelled to respond.

And perhaps "smitten" is indeed the apt term. Yes, we've confessed our feelings, yet I still find myself grappling to comprehend it all. The sweetness of it all is a revelation I never anticipated...

As for my parents? A long story, if you're willing. I love my parents as any child would love theirs. Desperately. Through the darkest parts of them, as well.

I would have to agree that our love for our friends is a special kind of strength. I am happy to hear that you have much of it. You sound like a soul that is easy to love.

-Feather

Price of Freedom

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Throughout the month, Ranma's been going out more in her cursed form for the sole reason of the opulent prick sending out goons to hunt down those that went after him. Any suspicious or shady individuals would pass by him without so much as giving her a glance, except one or two who happened to see the matching hairstyle before brushing it off as just a coincidence. While it would be oh-so satisfying to run in guns blazing into the marble home and knock that sumptuous son of a bitch's teeth in, Rem had the right idea in going in disguised without setting off alarm bells.

Her cursed form already provided a good enough disguise. However, with this being a fancy-schmancy rich folk party, the red silk shirt she normally wears might not cut it. That, and the rich douche could recognize it and get suspicious. So in comparison to Rem's simple wig, hers might seem a bit extra. It was the best she could do on a short notice, not to mention it was the cheapest dress she could afford right now. Even then, she had to haggle and negotiate the seller into dropping the price down for her. With the dress and some makeup, the only thing that'd clue anyone in that this was Ranma was the blue eyes and the pigtail, because she didn't want to waste time trying to style that mop

Ranma didn't question where Rem acquired the invites, pocketing hers away.] It shouldn't be that hard. Just look for the prick in the fanciest, gaudiest clothes with the most punchable face.

[vermilloci]

[ At least someone is confident between the two of them, and she nods in the other's direction. ] Okay... Remember, the goal is whatever he's using to come back. [ Unfortunately at a soirée like this, he's bound to be wearing multiple strings of jewelry and charms, and each one of them could have some sort of enchantment. The last time she'd encountered him, he used a ring to vanish from sight, making a swift getaway.

They must be careful to ensure that won't happen again, otherwise whoever attempts on his life next will surely suffer through heightened security. More than he does now, anyway.

With that said, Rem turns to look at the building. She lifts her hand to her traveling cloak's clasp, undoing the tie and discarding it by the side of the alley. Beneath it, she's wearing a... well, it's not fancy-fancy like the elite entering the casino, but more what a lower-class woman of Nogard would consider fancy. It's also the simplest dress she could find on such short notice. ] Ready?

[treebornekettlegirl]

[Confident is her middle name! Her face drooped and she turned her nose up.] Ugh, don't remind me. Cowardly bastard couldn't stick around long enough to get one good punch in. [This soirée-turned-revenge party shall remedy that. No letting him turn tail this time!

The dress she had on wasn't her first option. In all honesty, she wanted to get donned out in a suit and tie. Unfortunately, a stray puddle had other plans, and the store she bought the dress from's hot water was on the fritz. And they were on a time limit for the festivity that Ranma just went effed it. Both of them'll probably look like gangue to gold to the rest of these elites, but they should fit in among the crowd if they don't draw too much attention to them.

She stretched and adjusted the gloves on her hands, flashing the other woman a determined grin.] Ready as I'll ever be. Let's give him a party he won't forget. [With that, Ranma promenaded towards the entrance of the casino, walking at a pace for Rem to keep up so they can both present their invites to the men in charge of letting guests in.]

Price of Freedom

[indispensable]

[So.

To say that this is not what Alhaitham had planned for this afternoon would be a massive understatement in the making. And truly, if you asked him to be honest about it Alhaitham would very bluntly say that he has zero interest in this whole thing at all, even though he does agree that everything that the man has done is very bad and should stop. It isn't really his problem in the end despite all that.

But then Rem had showed up at the doorstep asking for help, and Alhaitham unfortunately had been the one to answer the door since Kaveh was not in.

Rem had, of course, quickly tried to excuse herself, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out something was up, and it'd only taken a bit of prodding to discover what she'd come here for (and more specifically why she was seeking Kaveh's help). And while it would be easy enough to turn her away, it'd also be just as easy for her to contact Kaveh anyway, who would not hesitate to immediately drop everything and help out again if last time was of any indication.

So it is the thought of that, and the desire to keep Kaveh away from this, which brings Alhaitham to where he is right now—across a street from an all too-opulent building, staring down at Rem as she adjusts her disguise which pretty much consists of... just a wig, apparently.

Alhaitham may not be some kind of grand master spy, but even he can already see this going downhill very quickly.]

Do you not even have a change of clothes? [Rem doesn't this guy know you or something why are you still stuck in the same clothes.]

[vermilloci]

[ ……And here she had thought she’d been so prepared with obtaining the invitations, learning about how many men the Corsair has stationed throughout the venue, which floor he’d most likely to be on, and the mysterious artifact he carries, that her “disguise” would be the least of her worries.

Clearly (and rightfully so), Alhaitham points out that it’s not enough. She feels rather foolish. Besides the wig, she’s dressed in fashion typical for a lower class, young woman of Nogard— not at all how the people walking into the building appear. And while it is one of the nicer gowns she’d purchased to use specifically for this quest, it’s definitely nowhere near the couture of the elite. Damn, the rich really do live different lives! ]

Then I’ll have to pose as your servant. [ He definitely fits right in, poised and elegant and carrying that aloof attitude. ] Because we don’t have time to change. I spoke with the stable boy a few days ago, he says he’s been told to have the master’s stallion ready at midnight. We have to get to him before he leaves.

[indispensable]

[The scowl on Alhaitham's face deepens ever so slightly at Rem's suggestion, his distaste for this sort of ruse as clear as day, but given what she says right after there is unfortunately not much time to argue on this. The longer they stay out here and delay getting inside the less time they'll have to find the target.

He lets out a sharp breath, irritation still evident, and he thinks about it for a second before he moves to remove his cape and put it on Rem instead. Though said cape tends to hang off Alhaitham half worn, Rem's smaller stature means that it drapes over both of her shoulders with little issue.]

Pass me the invitations. [He says once he's done that, and while Rem does that Alhaitham will use that brief time to clip his Vision onto his hip since he'd taken it off from its usual latch at his cape. It he does that in a way that's remarkably similar to Kaveh, then well, nothing needs to be said about that.]

Price of Freedom!

[gruffier]

[ Rem just couldn't stay out of trouble, could she?

Not that Clive could particularly blame her. It was a story circulating amongst corsairs, each tale growing more grim than the last. They had to put a stop to it, even if that meant doing it themselves. So that means he is more than willing to come along on whatever escapade she had in mind.

... Yet therein lies the rub. Clive on any given day under normal circumstances has a physique all too intimidating— with obvious scarring and a scowl to match. Posing as something even remotely upper class would be challenging in it of itself, so they would need to get creative.

So with his hood up to conceal those jarring features, the man turns to give Rem a once over, letters included. ]

Alright. But if the moment becomes too dangerous allow me to handle the rest. [ In more... of his style, let's just say. ]

[vermilloci]

[ One look at him has her questioning how they'll be able to pull this off. Clive looks like he should be standing guard right with the other two axemen near the entrance, not one of the guests, and Rem's outfit doesn't quite compare to the couture of the wealthy.

Meaning, they'll have to act their parts-- and knowing he's a great performer is part of the reason she'd requested his help. (The other part is that he carries a big sword.) They'll have to improvise, maybe make some excuse as to why they, as fellow ~corsair rich people~, are dressed the way they are. ]

Okay... [ She gives him a nod, and she takes a moment to smooth out her dress in an attempt to appear more presentable, hoping she doesn't come off as too nervous. ] Let's head up. We don't have a lot of time.

[ The entrance is flanked by two stocky guardsmen, both bald, both large, both beady-eyed, and both holding axes at their sides. They pay Clive more mind than they do Rem, but they're not the only ones. A woman stands with a clipboard in hand just off to the side, and her gaze sweeps over him from head to toe and back up again. Red lips press together as she lifts her chin, disapproving, perhaps, but the quirk of her brow suggests she's also... intrigued.

"Don't be shy, handsome, we're all friends here." She saunters over, brushing long hair over her shoulders. "Invitations?" ]

[gruffier]

[ His acting skills, while highly desired, may not be the best use of his skills for this operation. (Acting was one thing, but lying was entirely a different situation. Plus the obvious lack of liquid courage he had to even stand up in front of everyone to preform.) But the sword? Yeah, he could do something with that, for sure.

So it's with that sword that he'll approach the front of the establishment with Rem, keeping half an eye out for her as they walk towards it. He can notice from his peripheral the look she has— perhaps she was nervous? It was an obvious reaction, he thought. Yet if Clive has learned anything in his time with her is that she wasn't afraid to step into or out of situations that may seem uncomfortable to others. She had a kind heart, and that was something that had driven the man to stay close beside her, even to the point of stepping up to this heavily guarded door.

He wanted to protect that kind, kind heart. ]

Invitations... right. [ The man attempts to speak coolly while keeping an unwavering frown plastered against his face when his eyes move from one individual to the next. He'll push for more aggro if he needed to, so as long as the attention is on him. But for the time being he'll turn his head towards Rem, motioning for the invitations before retreating them and handing them to the woman.

So far, so good? ]

Magitek Barrier

[callmekacchan]

[Oh ho ho. Katsuki loves a good challenge. And breaking shit? He's great at breaking shit. His quirk is made for it.]

That parfait is mine!

[He's not even huge on sweets. But he likes winning. So he gets into position.]

If there are any rules better tell me now!

[vermilloci]

[ Rem immediately scrambles to come up with something she hopes is all-encompasing to whatever it is he's about to do: ]

---Rule one: don't burn the town down!

[ SO... UH, ANYWAY... She's going to tell her coworkers to take a step back. ]

[callmekacchan]

Yeah, yeah. Only damage the barrier. Got it.

[He's smart enough to know what she means there. He more meant if aything was off limits for this competition.

He's assuming this means quirks are on the table so he takes aim and lets off an explosion directly at the center of the barrier.]

DIE!!!

dear ocean.

[garudas]

["Bird." She can't help wonder who this might be.

Benedikta might have picked something along the same lines were it her that wrote the message, and it's for that reason that she feels compelled to write back to this Bird's letter that she unfurled when it got swept up in the current near her boat.

Not that she knows much on the matters of the heart, her own still a tangled mess, but... these bottled messages have served to help her before. Perhaps they would do it again. And if no one knows who she is, then what is the harm anyway?]

Bird,

I may not be the ocean, but when it comes to love, I find myself at a bit of a loss.

[She pauses, the ink splotching on the page where she rests it.]

How might one know that they have been? Or that they are?

Sincerely,
Hummingbird

[vermilloci]

[ Rem, too, is only asking and answering these things behind the relative safety of anonymity. ]

Dear Hummingbird,

There are so many different kinds of love! I may not know or remember all of them, but I know that deep love is unconditional in any form.

When you love someone, it’s easy to love them. Because it’s easy to do so, it’s also effortless do all that you can for them, to give everything in order to keep the other safe and content, and no matter what they do to you, you give it anyway.

It’s easy because it’s inspiring and makes you feel strong, and you only ever want to do more even if they don’t feel the same.

Have you never felt this way? Romantic or familial? Or even with friends? Or are you asking because you’re uncertain as to what you feel?

Warmly,

Bird

[garudas]

Dearest Bird,

I may be very well uncertain as to what it is that I feel.

I speak of romantic love.

I know nothing of familial.

You say that it is easy to love someone, but could it truly be called that if it isn't? If it makes you feel weaker rather than stronger? It's as if I don't feel like myself when those feelings come about, and I cannot say I'm ever sure what to do with them.

When one spends so many years hating the person they thought they loved, only to be reunited with them later, it is anything but easy.

- Hummingbird