[Last year's masquerade ball was a wonderful event, much as Hijikata usually only attends such functions as security in case of an attack or other incident, and it only got more magical when everybody streamed out into the night to find Camelot overgrown with enormous plant life. This year's spring equinox celebration feels a little more sparse: no announcements or invitations, just a gift basket at the door of his remote home. It's understandable; the kingdom has gone through a lot of hardship, and a lavish ball wouldn't really fit the situation. It's thoughtful of the king to get this food to everybody, really.
Despite having taken the night off from his ghost patrol work Hijikata ventures out into Camelot's streets, wanting to see the huge glowing flowers again. A year ago the vernal soul pools allowed him to experience what his life would have been like on different worlds, and it was enriching in more than one way, so he loses no time and gets into one of the large plants (last time his sadistic subordinate Okita was still here and pushed his drunk ass into something like a rafflesia; this time, left to his own devices, he chooses an oversized pea pod).
But before long the pod opens again, turns sideways, and washes him out along with the mysterious liquid. He sits up, totally confused.]
What was that for..?! Did I not qualify this year, or what? Is it because I got hit by that werewolf curse?
[If so he's not the only one, he knows that! He looks around for others who got dumped by their flower beds.]
2) Door of Dreams
A ⦿ Journey to Mab's Cavern
[If Hijikata had never had to hear Princess Bluebell's high-pitched little voice again it would've been too soon, but alas, after trying to silence the obnoxiously blaring alarm from his phone he finds himself listening to her stressed-out message. Oh, so it's an emergency situation... of course it is. He resignedly lines up to use one of the newly enchanted mirrors in a hurriedly opened department store to get transported to the fae kingdom's capital city.
From Nicnevin the expedition soon departs eastwards to Mab's Cavern. He strikes up conversation with whoever is travelling next to him.]
Do you know anything about Queen Mab? I've seen her cave on the map before, but I just assumed that it was named after a past queen of Elphame or something.
B ⦿ Your most Secret Dream
[Once they arrive at the foggy mountain Hijikata is surprised at all the blooming trees covering it. Of course, it's time for them to blossom... it makes him nostalgic. He could be sitting under the cherry trees in Edo with the other men of the Shinsengumi now, but his world is frozen in time, and it was frozen in autumn when the calamity occurred, a couple of months before he arrived on Avalon.
When they all crowd around the white marble door leading into the cave news of the price for entry quickly spreads through the group. Hijikata isn't exactly happy, but what can be done? He thinks about what his most secret dream even is while he waits in line. He wants to save the multiverse, but they all want that. He wants to go home eventually, but surely that also goes for the vast majority of outworlders here. There's really only one thing he wishes for in addition, and even that wish probably isn't unique to him, but it's the best he has to offer. So when his turn comes that's what he tells the door in a low voice.]
Once we've sorted out the calamity situation and I can go home I want to also be able to visit Prismatica again. I've still got the crystal they gave us in the end, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?
[It shouldn't be, but who knows? Even if he can return there, will he find it as it was? Will those he last saw on that crystal world still be there? Anything could have happened between his last visit and this calamity - given how the multiverse operates they could have been pulled into entirely different timelines, dimensions, and worlds. It's a greedy wish, wanting to live in two worlds (plus Avalon, if there'll be a possibility to return here too)...
He blinks when he realises that the door hasn't budged. What did he do wrong? It takes him a moment to realise that he's been withholding the actual reason. His cheeks flush slightly as he speaks again.]
There are people there I absolutely want to see again... again and again.
[Oh man, hopefully nobody listened in. He swallows as the door gives way to let him in.]
3) Mab's 4th Wall
(OOC: Anyone from any canon is very welcome!! Any prompt can seamlessly merge into one or more of the next ones if you'd like to combine them - please indicate your (initial) preference between C and D if we get to that point from A or B. But jumping right in at any point is fine!)
A ⦿ Hall of Flowers
[Hijikata doesn't know what he expected, but a hall covered in flowers wasn't it. He hesitantly moves forward as multiple of them turn to him and address him in turns.]
Oh, who're you? What are you doing here?
[This is Elphame territory, and he knows to not share his name with the fae, or with anyone who could pass it on to them.]
Ah... I'm just a knight. I'm looking for Queen Mab.
It's dangerous to enter her cave! Don't you know?
Well, I heard that the queen doesn't want to be disturbed, but we kind of have an emergency situation--
You definitely shouldn't go alone! You are alone, aren't you?
[Well... is he?]
B ⦿ Caihong
[After walking in total darkness for a short while Hijikata starts to see lights... warm red lantern lights. Naturally he steers towards them with his companion - if he didn't lose them. But in that case maybe he'll find a new one?
As he gets closer his heart starts beating faster. These red temples rising above most other buildings, the countless small shops and the street food stalls that emit delicious smells, the red bridges across the many waterways... it's Caihong, isn't it? He knows this has to be a result of the dream world merging with the real world, but he can't suppress his excitement.]
I... I didn't think I'd get back here. Not this fast.
C ⦿ Fulfillment
[Hijikata loses no time procuring some street food for himself and his companion - he may not have the necessary device to pay with on him, and even if he did, he can't produce currency-transferrable chroma anymore since they're not really on Prismatica, but the vendor recognises him as one of the Moon Knights and is willing to write it up for later. Hijikata naturally pours plenty of mayonnaise over his meal and closes his eyes in enjoyment as he takes a first bite.]
It's just as good as I remembered!
[Is this really as good as it gets for him, though? Or is something even nicer about to happen? Maybe that'll depend on who his companion is.]
D ⦿ The Prideful King (CW: brainwashing, people turning into aggressive minions)
[When the trumpets sound Hijikata is at first confused. They're in a cave, he remembers that in some part of his mind, but it seems to be endlessly high, and while the sky is obstructed by the upper levels of the layered city Lunatia what little can be seen of it from Caihong turns blood red. A figure emitting bright light appears high above... a large, six-winged being, face hidden under a lion mask. The seraph doesn't speak, but moves his hand to lift the mask, and Hijikata freaks out, grabbing his companion's arm and pulling them into a narrow side street.]
Don't look at him!! Whatever you do, don't look at him!
E ⦿ Pond of Flowers
[Somehow he and his companion made it out of Caihong... or maybe he ran into someone new again. They're clearly back on Avalon now, because he's never before seen this glowing pond and the small island harbouring the sleeping queen in her bed.]
Okay, I guess we're in the right place here.
[He carefully steps on the nearest rock in the water, then, satisifed with its stability, moves on... until pitiful, multifold cries reach his ears from below.]
Please help us, Mister! Please! Queen Mab imprisoned us here!
What?
We were people once! We failed her tests, and she turned us into flowers to beautify her chambers... only the touch of a living person can save us!
Damn, I should've known that this was a trap!
[Curse those tricky fae! Something about this doesn't sit right with him, though. Even if Queen Elphame and her people enjoy toying with the outworlders, they need their support to avert the calamity. Surely the queen wouldn't benefit from sacrificing them all and losing them as a source of magic... unless their magic would continue to persist and fuel Avalon even from this pond. There's also the possibility of Queen Elphame being earnest, but Queen Mab having deceived her to take everyone who comes her for herself.
He hesitates while the flowers' pleas and cries for help increase. He looks over to the sleeping queen... her solemn face betrays no emotions. In any case these flowers are clearly harmless, and why should they lie? He crouches down to reach into the water and free them... not his best idea, but will he find out the hard way?]
(OOC: I'm sorry for making such a huge TL;DR post; this event kind of ran away with me..! If you have any questions or would like to plot please hit up my plotting post or send me a PM!)
Toshirou Hijkata | Gintama (Prismatica CRAU)
[Last year's masquerade ball was a wonderful event, much as Hijikata usually only attends such functions as security in case of an attack or other incident, and it only got more magical when everybody streamed out into the night to find Camelot overgrown with enormous plant life. This year's spring equinox celebration feels a little more sparse: no announcements or invitations, just a gift basket at the door of his remote home. It's understandable; the kingdom has gone through a lot of hardship, and a lavish ball wouldn't really fit the situation. It's thoughtful of the king to get this food to everybody, really.
Despite having taken the night off from his ghost patrol work Hijikata ventures out into Camelot's streets, wanting to see the huge glowing flowers again. A year ago the vernal soul pools allowed him to experience what his life would have been like on different worlds, and it was enriching in more than one way, so he loses no time and gets into one of the large plants (last time his sadistic subordinate Okita was still here and pushed his drunk ass into something like a rafflesia; this time, left to his own devices, he chooses an oversized pea pod).
But before long the pod opens again, turns sideways, and washes him out along with the mysterious liquid. He sits up, totally confused.]
What was that for..?! Did I not qualify this year, or what? Is it because I got hit by that werewolf curse?
[If so he's not the only one, he knows that! He looks around for others who got dumped by their flower beds.]
2) Door of Dreams
A ⦿ Journey to Mab's Cavern
[If Hijikata had never had to hear Princess Bluebell's high-pitched little voice again it would've been too soon, but alas, after trying to silence the obnoxiously blaring alarm from his phone he finds himself listening to her stressed-out message. Oh, so it's an emergency situation... of course it is. He resignedly lines up to use one of the newly enchanted mirrors in a hurriedly opened department store to get transported to the fae kingdom's capital city.
From Nicnevin the expedition soon departs eastwards to Mab's Cavern. He strikes up conversation with whoever is travelling next to him.]
Do you know anything about Queen Mab? I've seen her cave on the map before, but I just assumed that it was named after a past queen of Elphame or something.
B ⦿ Your most Secret Dream
[Once they arrive at the foggy mountain Hijikata is surprised at all the blooming trees covering it. Of course, it's time for them to blossom... it makes him nostalgic. He could be sitting under the cherry trees in Edo with the other men of the Shinsengumi now, but his world is frozen in time, and it was frozen in autumn when the calamity occurred, a couple of months before he arrived on Avalon.
When they all crowd around the white marble door leading into the cave news of the price for entry quickly spreads through the group. Hijikata isn't exactly happy, but what can be done? He thinks about what his most secret dream even is while he waits in line. He wants to save the multiverse, but they all want that. He wants to go home eventually, but surely that also goes for the vast majority of outworlders here. There's really only one thing he wishes for in addition, and even that wish probably isn't unique to him, but it's the best he has to offer. So when his turn comes that's what he tells the door in a low voice.]
Once we've sorted out the calamity situation and I can go home I want to also be able to visit Prismatica again. I've still got the crystal they gave us in the end, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?
[It shouldn't be, but who knows? Even if he can return there, will he find it as it was? Will those he last saw on that crystal world still be there? Anything could have happened between his last visit and this calamity - given how the multiverse operates they could have been pulled into entirely different timelines, dimensions, and worlds. It's a greedy wish, wanting to live in two worlds (plus Avalon, if there'll be a possibility to return here too)...
He blinks when he realises that the door hasn't budged. What did he do wrong? It takes him a moment to realise that he's been withholding the actual reason. His cheeks flush slightly as he speaks again.]
There are people there I absolutely want to see again... again and again.
[Oh man, hopefully nobody listened in. He swallows as the door gives way to let him in.]
3) Mab's 4th Wall
(OOC: Anyone from any canon is very welcome!! Any prompt can seamlessly merge into one or more of the next ones if you'd like to combine them - please indicate your (initial) preference between C and D if we get to that point from A or B. But jumping right in at any point is fine!)
A ⦿ Hall of Flowers
[Hijikata doesn't know what he expected, but a hall covered in flowers wasn't it. He hesitantly moves forward as multiple of them turn to him and address him in turns.]
Oh, who're you? What are you doing here?
[This is Elphame territory, and he knows to not share his name with the fae, or with anyone who could pass it on to them.]
Ah... I'm just a knight. I'm looking for Queen Mab.
It's dangerous to enter her cave! Don't you know?
Well, I heard that the queen doesn't want to be disturbed, but we kind of have an emergency situation--
You definitely shouldn't go alone! You are alone, aren't you?
[Well... is he?]
B ⦿ Caihong
[After walking in total darkness for a short while Hijikata starts to see lights... warm red lantern lights. Naturally he steers towards them with his companion - if he didn't lose them. But in that case maybe he'll find a new one?
As he gets closer his heart starts beating faster. These red temples rising above most other buildings, the countless small shops and the street food stalls that emit delicious smells, the red bridges across the many waterways... it's Caihong, isn't it? He knows this has to be a result of the dream world merging with the real world, but he can't suppress his excitement.]
I... I didn't think I'd get back here. Not this fast.
C ⦿ Fulfillment
[Hijikata loses no time procuring some street food for himself and his companion - he may not have the necessary device to pay with on him, and even if he did, he can't produce currency-transferrable chroma anymore since they're not really on Prismatica, but the vendor recognises him as one of the Moon Knights and is willing to write it up for later. Hijikata naturally pours plenty of mayonnaise over his meal and closes his eyes in enjoyment as he takes a first bite.]
It's just as good as I remembered!
[Is this really as good as it gets for him, though? Or is something even nicer about to happen? Maybe that'll depend on who his companion is.]
D ⦿ The Prideful King (CW: brainwashing, people turning into aggressive minions)
[When the trumpets sound Hijikata is at first confused. They're in a cave, he remembers that in some part of his mind, but it seems to be endlessly high, and while the sky is obstructed by the upper levels of the layered city Lunatia what little can be seen of it from Caihong turns blood red. A figure emitting bright light appears high above... a large, six-winged being, face hidden under a lion mask. The seraph doesn't speak, but moves his hand to lift the mask, and Hijikata freaks out, grabbing his companion's arm and pulling them into a narrow side street.]
Don't look at him!! Whatever you do, don't look at him!
E ⦿ Pond of Flowers
[Somehow he and his companion made it out of Caihong... or maybe he ran into someone new again. They're clearly back on Avalon now, because he's never before seen this glowing pond and the small island harbouring the sleeping queen in her bed.]
Okay, I guess we're in the right place here.
[He carefully steps on the nearest rock in the water, then, satisifed with its stability, moves on... until pitiful, multifold cries reach his ears from below.]
Please help us, Mister! Please! Queen Mab imprisoned us here!
What?
We were people once! We failed her tests, and she turned us into flowers to beautify her chambers... only the touch of a living person can save us!
Damn, I should've known that this was a trap!
[Curse those tricky fae! Something about this doesn't sit right with him, though. Even if Queen Elphame and her people enjoy toying with the outworlders, they need their support to avert the calamity. Surely the queen wouldn't benefit from sacrificing them all and losing them as a source of magic... unless their magic would continue to persist and fuel Avalon even from this pond. There's also the possibility of Queen Elphame being earnest, but Queen Mab having deceived her to take everyone who comes her for herself.
He hesitates while the flowers' pleas and cries for help increase. He looks over to the sleeping queen... her solemn face betrays no emotions. In any case these flowers are clearly harmless, and why should they lie? He crouches down to reach into the water and free them... not his best idea, but will he find out the hard way?]
(OOC: I'm sorry for making such a huge TL;DR post; this event kind of ran away with me..! If you have any questions or would like to plot please hit up my plotting post or send me a PM!)