escordvi | [open] april manta quests

Entry tags:

[open] april manta quests

Who: Rem and You!
Status: Open
Where: around
What: Manta board prompts.
Warnings: Include any content warnings

Wishing Tree (General)

It's really beautiful, isn't it?

[ Seeing as this tree blooms only one night a year, many have made their way up to this tree during this very same night. You, too, might have trekked all this way with a friend or a lover in order to make a promise. But, if you're taking a moment away from them to mingle with the other pilgrims, Rem is here to converse!

She is, of course, alone, as she has no one to make a promise with-- but that's no matter, as the tree itself is beautiful enough to justify the entire hike. Doubly so, as it only blooms once a year. Although she appears winded, she smiles through her fatigue, coughing softly into her hand. ] It's worth seeing, it is. [ Rem lifts her gaze to admire the flowering pinks and reds of its boughs. ] Even if the blooms fade too quickly.

Down Where It's Wetter (General)

[ SOMEONE STOP HER, SHE'S BEING SWINDLED BY HANDSOME MERMAN VARIANT #2 BY THE COAST-- ]

Oh, what's that, you need more to be able to buy dinner...? Fishing while being able to breathe underwater must be tougher than it looks. [ Rem reaches for her coin purse, selecting another doubloon. The merman motions her closer, and she blinks, initially confused, and leans in to allow him to murmur something into her ear.

Immediately she turns red, and she hands him the coins. ] Oh, um, that's... You're very kind, you are! [ Wow wow wow, he called her beautiful. That's so nice. She's never had someone call her that before, much less in such a forward way! An embarrassed, bashful smile forms at the corners of her lips, her cheeks retaining that soft pink. This is the look of a young woman who is easily moved, practically made smitten by such kind words. ] Here, take more.

[ It's not like she needs to eat or anything! The merman has to! Plus, he's so friendly! ]

Crab Curry (Special)

[ She's kneeling by a tide pool, cupping a tiny, baby hermit crab in her palms. Rem looks over the little critter remorsefully. ] I'm sorry, little one. I was too late.

[ With her thumb, she pets over its colorful shell. Should you be close enough, you might be able to notice that it's no longer moving.

But she's still holding it. Although her head is bowed, it doesn't appear as if she's praying over it, but concentrating. ]

Wildcard

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

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[ NO ITS TERRIBLE SHE'S FALLEN FOR THIS SCHEME-- ]

O-oh! Ranma! [ She exclaims in surprise, immediately straightening up from her spot. While she's still sporting a healthy blush, it seems she's trying to make herself look proper by smoothing out her blouse and skirt. Unfortunately, both the hem and cuffs are soaked with water where she had been leaning down near the merman.

The merman in question doesn't appear to be intimidated at all by another man's presence. Everyone is fair game to be flirted with, and he gives Ranma a wink just to start out. ]

I was just helping out! This is, erm-- [ She falters, because she doesn't know the merman's name!! (Or the other two, who happen to be nearby but not currently engaging.) Embarrassing! Helpfully, the merman motions for her to lean in again, which she does, and after a moment, she addresses Ranma again. ] ...Adrian. He was telling me how he's hungry... and that he's never had a real diamond bracelet. It's so sad. [ Nevermind she's never had one, either, or even personally knows of anyone who has ever owned a genuine diamond bracelet. But Adrian the merman, who is already decked out in gold and gems, has made it clear that he would absolutely adore it if Rem could go out and buy him a luxurious gift! ]

I was going to go out and buy him one... Or find one.

[Crosses arms, keeping the flat look on his face all the while. Girl please... Slowly turning his head to the handsome merman, he shot it a minor glare when it winked at him. You can't seduce him, he likes girls! He's not going to let himself be taken that easily!]

Oh you poor, unfortunate soul. Woe is you.

[He drawled, tone ever dry as if he's been drinking salt water for the past three hours. The martial artist sighed, pinched his nose and shook his head before turning back over to his friend.]

Look at him, Rem. He's wearing gold and jewelry all over his body. [The merman hadn't even made any attempts to look necessitous.] Why does he need you to go out and get him food or more gems? He can get it himself! He's just trying to swindle you.

[ One would think Ranma's flat look would get her to pause, but nope. The spell remains strong, and Rem's eyes sparkle with affection as she looks at the merman, then back to Ranma. ] Ranma, don't be rude! He'd never!

[ Throughout their exchange, the merman yawns feigning indifference as if he's seen this all before: a young woman enchanted by their song finds herself stopped by someone trying to stop her from being taken. He merely glances back at the other two mermen waiting further out.

Rem raises a hand up, delicately tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Although her attention had briefly been on Ranma, it seems her newfound infatuation always draws her focus back to the merman. ]

Besides... This gift I'll give him-- it'll be special.

[ The mermar perks up. RIGHT YES THIS GIRL IS ENAMORED WITH HIM. HE WILL BE PLEASED WITH THE GIFT. ]

Because a gift from... [ She coughs into her hand, then clears her throat. ] ...from someone who keeps you in their heart is worth more than any gold.

[From his experience with charmers and items that enthrall people to fall in love or be all romantical (some of which he was the target of), he isn't sure if Rem's behavior is her eating up the eye candy or if it's the merman's doing. Either way, he's baffled that they're even having this conversation to begin with. What's worse is the merman. Acting like he's just an innocent handsome fella appearing before a young lady like he's their true love, like he hadn't seen this a million times.]

I'm not...

[Okay, might be time to switch up strategy. Try to talk Rem out of it first, and if that fails, then he can resort to beating the merman's chiseled face in.]

Know what, you've got a point. Special sweethearts oughta give their true loved ones gifts from their heart. [He says in seeming agreement, before tilting his head innocently.] So what is he giving you?

[Ranma kept a smug smirk to himself and continued on like it was an innocent observation than a ploy to open Rem's eyes and get her head out of the clouds.] You're giving him something from your heart, so it just seems fair he should be giving something back. Which I bet he totally is because he loves you so much.

[Try that, creep.]

[ "he loves you so much--"

WELL THAT GETS HER TO BLUSH FURTHER!! He loves her so much?! That's...!

She brings her free hand to her cheek, as if she could somehow stop it from burning red. Uwaaaa ] You're being silly. Such feelings are never transactional. It's not transactional. Haven't you ever loved someone, Ranma?

[... This might've backfired on him a lot. Don't slap your forehead Saotome, you might give yourself a migraine. Though that leads something else to happen, that being his cheeks turning a light pink at Rem's sudden question.]

What?

[He shook his head and grumbled to himself, trying to wave off the slight embarrassment.]

That's got nothing to do with any of this! This ain't about me!

[Avoiding pinching his nose in annoyance, the martial artist took a couple of steps forward, giving the mermen stink-eyes all the while.]

I just don't want you to be taken advantage of by this fishy freak. Rem, you're more clever than this! If it isn't transactional, then why is he requesting all this stuff like gold and food and diamond from you? Someone who really loves someone doesn't take and take and take from them without giving anything in return. The only thing he's been giving you is sweet nothings. He only cares about what you can give him from your wallet, not your heart.

[Last chance he's got to do this peacefully. If Plan A doesn't work, then Plan B: Beat some pretty boy mermaid's face into tuna is a go.]

[ She sees that startled look, and that's pretty much all the confirmation she needs on that topic. Before she can comment on it, he asks a question. Rather than take this as a redirection back to her, she marries both topics. ]

I... suppose you have a point. But I'm also sure that when you love someone, you give. [ Rem links her hands behind her, stepping up to Ranma. ] I hope you've done the same before. Even if it's as simple as flowers.

[ Somewhere in the distance as he peels a starfish off his face, the merman shouts: "You tell 'im, babe!" ]

[Give him a minute to scream in frustration on the inside. Why must love make people so damn stupid?! He opens his mouth to respond, until the merman shouted out. Ranma turned to the fish man and shouted back:]

You stay out of this, Adriel!

[Did he get the name wrong? He doesn't care, mermaid man can cry about it. Looking back at Rem, he gives an exhausted sigh. He's really trying not to go the violent route here, if only for his friend here.]

... Maybe I have. But the difference between then and now is gifts mean something. Because they didn't ask you to give them anything, but you got them it because they didn't need to ask. You just give it to them because you love them from the bottom of your heart, not because you needed to be told to what to give them or that they needed this or that.

[ And then-- right then, right as one part of what Ranma says resonates with her-- the curve of her lips reverses. ] I... um... [ Hurt flashes through her eyes, briefly. Although she's quick to recover, her smile doesn't return to its usual brightness. He's touching on something that reaches through. ]

I suppose... [ She replies slowly. ] I-- ah, I should have known, then, what he'd wanted from the start? Or at least had an idea... [ Her brow furrows. ]

[!!!

He saw it on her face. Hesitation. Uncertainty. Before she was oh-so sure that the fish man was her prince charming. He's getting through to her, this is great! ... Even if the one thing Ranma hates more is to hurt a girl, break her heart and make them cry.

... But breaking her heart might be the thing he has to do to save her. Being a man and a martial artist meant making the tough decisions. She'll probably hate him but he'd rather that than to see her get used and taken advantage of!]

You shouldn't have. Or wouldn't. Because he's not your true love. There's- [Plenty of fish in the sea, he nearly said before stopping himself.] -someone out there for you that truly loves you. I just know it.

[ As Ranma speaks, the merman begins to deflate-- and slink back into the ocean. He knows when his enchantment is weak, and Ranma's patience proves effective. This is a losing battle.

Rem, on her part, appears saddened as the truth seeps into her heart: she is not loved, adored, or even someone the young merman is fond of.

But before this can turn into genuine heartache, she dips her head, closes her eyes, and takes a steadying breath. She raises a hand to her chest, curling her fingers over the clasp that holds her red cloak together.

Her cheeks turn pink again, but not out of affection or enchantment. NOPE, SHE'S NOW EMBARRASSED. ] I really fell for that, huh?

Hook, line and sinker.

[Good riddance, freaky fish guy! Patience really is a virtue, and for once, it worked out well for him! He didn't need to get in the water and give chum for brains another cute girl to try swindling.]

You okay? He didn't do anything other than scam you, did he?

No, not at all. I just... [ FELL FOR IT. Aaaaa ] C-Crystals. He really had me about to turn over all my gold, huh.

[Nodding his head.]

Mhm. How much did he get out of you before I showed up?

[ Her hands fall from her face, and she reaches for her coin purse, counting the contents within. ] Not that much-- considering that he wanted me to use this coin to buy him really expensive jewelry.

[ And she wasn't about to steal it for a not!boyfriend! ]

...I should be heading back. [ Y'know. Before more mermen show up. Her poor little heart won't be able to take it! ]

[What a relief. Good thing he showed up when he did before that sleazeball could see a single cent.]

Prolly for the best. You take care now.

[ She smiles kindly at him.

But she's also quietly relieved that they're parting here, because she so desperately needs to compose herself! How embarrassing. ] Thank you, Ranma. [ She calls to him, then goes on her way. ]

[Thumbs up.]

See ya' 'round.

[She seemed fine to him, from his perspective at least. That's what he's going to trust as he waved her off, going off on his own.]

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