TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 18

[avalonmods]

	QUICK NAV: ⚔️️ Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary
⚔️️ View Top-Levels Only ⚔️ IMPORTANT NOTE: The calamity is visible in the north area of the sky from all locations as of February's event.

A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. The water is cold, but not enough that you can't handle it on your own. The Lady of the Lake is nearby, and normally the mossatees would still be helping this time of year... but it seems like they haven't shown up. Instead, a very helpful band of octopi have joined the cause. They range in size, from large enough to scoop three characters out of the water with their plethora of wriggling tentacles... to a band of tiny,
palm-sized baby octopi working together to try to heave a single person out of the water. No matter which you get, they all seem to have unique personalities, but animal mages may note that as a species, they all seem to think of the otherworlders as fun little playthings. These little otherworlders are so funny. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. Those with animal magic may get their info from the mossatees, though may notice that they're really overly friendly and have zero concept of personal boundaries. Everyone may notice they have no concept of personal space, as they will happily run right into someone's belly for a snoot squishing. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

---

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs and rain. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

---

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Newcomers get free inn rooms for their one night stay on the way to Camelot, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and movies. Don't want to relax in the room? Take a dip in the communal hot spring. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

---

It's time for the phenomenal annual Camelot City Gaming Convention (CameCon). As you well know now, a mythical land that's been around for a few centuries has a few things in common with many modern worlds. It's got the internet, and games have evolved a little bit past hoop trundling and draughts. The large convention center located in the south part of Camelot is a good place to get dry and this year, with relationships repaired between Elphame and Camelot, is busier than ever with fae attendance up by the literal boatload! The ship raised, repaired, and gifted to Elphame last summer was used as a cruise ship to shepherd nerdy fae down for the con.

A ⦿ Becoming a Legend
	Without the massive audiences required to really run MMORPGs, Avalon is much more a fan of couch co-op style gaming. Though most games are available on mobile devices throughout Avalon when they are released, there's nothing quite like coming to CameCon to utilize the gaming stages for everyone's favorite fighting games. Multiple players at a time can plug in their phones and connect their accounts to a light magic-based illusion stage (powered by multiple light mages at a time, once a year only!) roughly the size of a basketball court. This year's primary game feature is the Knights of the Round Experience. Immerse yourself in an illusion of Camelot back in King Arthur's day. Explore the original castle, go on quests issued by mythical figures, participate in the Battle of Camlann like you and your gaming friends were there yourself! (Maybe be a little jarred by the fact that Arthur's voice is a little different-- they couldn't get the King to voice a video game, okay?) Choose your favorite
Arthurian legend level to run through with friends and strangers. And when you're done? Get some merch! Check out the cool figures of Merlin, Arthur, Morganna, Lancelot, Guinevere, and more! Or, have your game avatar printed to have a figure of  yourself to take home and commemorate the experience! That's right, you and your friends can have figures of yourselves made to keep the adventure going back home. Or, you know, find an advanced alchemist to animate it for you and really take things up a notch.

---

B ⦿ Cosplay Conundrum
A big part of the fun of conventions are the outfits. Cosplay is in this season and lucky for you, Feldspar the Tailor is here! Feldspar the Tailor is a fae-folk who loves nothing more than to travel around in his cart and make certain that everyone is dressed for the occasion... even if a little magic has to be involved to get you there. Run into his cart (not hard to miss-- the horse changes colors every few minutes) and your character will have Feldspar putting an arm around their shoulder and enchanting your character's clothes to match a character or person of legend he thinks you'll find something in common with. (On an OOC level, dress your character as whatever character you want as long as you aren't breaking the fourth wall.) It's kind of a Cinderella thing, so everything will go back to normal at midnight.   Yes, everything. As it turns out, it's not just magic clothes. Any pets will be transformed into the mascot character associated with your character's cosplay.
Nearby items will be enchanted to become the associated props. You won't gain powers or anything, but part of the magic does compel you to experience a bit of soul-bonding with your cosplay character-- which in this case means if the character you're cosplaying is easily angered, you'll find yourself easily angered. If the cosplayed character falls in love easily, guess who is going to be hot for whoever they talk to? It seems to only be one major trait at least, so your whole character's personality won't change.. but it's definitely going to be something wildly annoying.

A ⦿ Panic at the Disco
	Once you're through the day and have seen all the nifty stuff developers are working on (the worlds may be ending, but they have faith you all won't let that happen, and no ideas how to stop it themselves so they're going to keep on keeping on) the traditional way to wind the night down is with a bit of food, friendship, and staying up all night with a bunch of strangers you just met in the hotel lobby. Or attending one of the late-night dances that get thrown. Bodies in motion, a red-cup laden pop-up bar, flashing lights, a fog machine, and all your favorite nerdy hits being played by a DJ so loudly that you can't actually hear anything are bound to happen. Party hard, and maybe avoid that sketchy-looking fairy who's handing out unlabeled lollipops. (Or don't, we aren't your parents.) Later during the party, there's a shock as an orc dressed in silver bell bottoms (his favorite character is from a 70's based game!)
loses his temper and sends the bouncer flying across the room with a hefty punch. In a rage, he's fighting anyone who comes near him now. What do you do? Try to calm the orc down? Run or hide? Distract him and draw him away from the party so other guests can escape? Or do you fight him directly? Seducing the orc or joining in his fight are of course options as well.. really, this situation has a lot of ways to resolve it, and your character is going to have to figure out how.

---

It's been nearly a month and a half since the Fisher King was raised from the dead and disappeared from anyone's knowledge. Hiding is not something easy to do when your curse affects the world around you, though.

A ⦿ Springtime for Skeletons
What keeps the Land of Rot, well.. rotting? Turns out, it was the Fisher King's curse. Without it to keep everything looking dead as a doorknob, things have started to get... a little odd. The zombie population has started losing its spunk and most of them have become just, well, regular corpses-- which make great fertilizer for plants, and the April rains have brought a fresh sheen of green to the once cracked desert ground, small ground plants growing over the former zombies. Grass, weeds, small flowers, moss, and small shrubberies have started appearing all throughout the Land of Rot. Beings that weren't stopped from dying like the zombies from the curse are still around though, like the enchanted skeletons cast away from necromancers past, and even they have started to see a bit of plant life return to them. There are more than a few skeletons
that rested on the ground only to have flowers sprout through their skull, giving them the appearance of rather gruesome flower crowns and other leafy adornments. Less dead creatures that found their livelihoods there are causing bigger problems, like the Fogueria, who are leaving scorched trails like crop circles around the freshly grown grasslands. Those who follow the trail will discover they all seem to have settled into the Dragon's Graveyard to avoid the rains under the shelter of the gargantuan skeletons.  This land of death had been a suitable environment for the dead, and with plants growing over everything, the wards are taken down as well. With the zombie population almost obliterated, this does allow the creatures from within the Land of Rot to disperse. Creatures like the banshee head further north, to the Unnamed Marshes, whereas Swamp Slimes head toward the Growboro's Forest rapidly overtaking the former Lestari. Of course, some of the residents like the Walking Skeletons head right for Camelot, prompting a call to battle at its border. Anyone who can fight is asked to help cut down the skeletons and separate the defeated ones into piles of like bones so that they cannot reform. Those who aren't good with a sword or blunt weapons may consider relying on magic for this one- there are plenty of ways to blow a florally decorated skeleton apart with a good spell!

---

B ⦿ The Battle of the Fisher King's Forest
	Many know the the Forest of the Fisher King as a vibrant, lively place with a glorious measure of carnivorous and dangerous plants and creatures. Not dead-- but simply adapted to thriving off of the dead. It fared much better with the loss of the Fisher King's curse than the Land of Rot had. At least, that's how it started. It appears that creatures from further north have come down and started invading the Forest of the Fisher King. Mothra himself would have trouble dealing with the ensuing damage that has started happening within the forest because of the twelve-foot-tall Feral Frogs lassoing Titan Pelicans with their tongues and knocking over trees as they attempt to defeat them in a battle for territory. There's a cadre of Marsh Drakes trying to take out the smaller creatures around the area, and Cattails attempting to take out the plants that cause hallucinations as their plant-based nature makes them immune to the spores.
As a result, the Archivist has had to close up shop. He used his own powerful magics to seal off his Archive and protect its contents from the unexpected battle. He took his pocket-sized steampunk-dressed gnome to flee to Camelot to make his plea: "Otherworlders, please! You are needed to investigate what has caused this sudden invasion!" All he knows is that the invaders seem to be led by Tiddy Mun, an elderly man no taller than a three-year-old child, but wrinkly with his body front covered by a matted white beard. It doesn't make any sense! Find out what's happening and placate the invaders so that they don't destroy the whole Forest of the Fisher King! Characters can attempt to reason with the creatures they run into, break up the fight if they thing they can survive it, or... you know, accidentally get caught up in the perils of the Forest of the Fisher King and end up being hypnotized by a snake or made submissive my plant spores and swallowed whole by whatever runs into them first. It should be noted that the invaders will not harm otherworlders unless they interfere with what they're doing-- which, if your character is careful enough, will become obvious: they're harvesting resources like food and wood. There's definitely more than meets the eye here.

---

C ⦿ The Unnamed Marshes
Those who head up to the Unnamed Marshes will find the marsh much less lively than it should have been. The plants are wilting despite being in the water, the animals who remain seem rather on the thin side. Fish in the water seem willing to bite just about anything that crosses their paths, so it may be a good idea to take one of the rafts that seem to be scattered about. It'll take at least two people to steer at a reasonable speed, so you may want to partner up with someone! As you explore what somehow feels like endless marshes, you'll find the rains and fog make visibility pretty impossible in the marshes and that it's hard to tell what direction you came from, let alone where you're trying to go. Maybe it's for the best that you don't know what's surrounding you. A lot of the sounds are unearthly, and you're fairly certain
you can hear the screams of multiple banshee in the distance-- perhaps this is why they flocked North when the Land of Rot started blooming. There are plenty of creatures who seem very interested in approaching the raft, though. Perhaps your character has spotted strange lights in the water and followed those only to discover that they seem to be candle-lit lanterns, drifting through the marshes in a trail. Do you follow them to their source? Or follow them to their end? Either way, strangely, you seem to end up in the same location. Will o' wisps floating around seem to be sparking up gases to light them and send them along their way, then they come in a near circle back from the other direction, the candle flickering out as it approaches before a frantic wisp approaches to relight it. It's unclear exactly what it is they are doing, but as long as you don't interfere, they don't seem to care that your character has found them. If your character attempts to stop them, they'll cast a floating spell on your character that causes them to hover over the water rather uncontrollably... hopefully whoever you're with is ready to grab you and try to keep you down! It'll wear off after about ten minutes, but by then you could be far too high to survive even a fall back into the water. Maybe there's some way to get the will o wisps to stop their frantic job? Have an idea? Submit your idea as a comment to this thread or +1 that's already been tried. There are two possible paths this can lead to later-- if any character achieves the correct solution, it will yield a different result than if no one does. In the meantime, feel free to play out your character's idea! CW: The following paragraph of this prompt contains the potential for sexually-inclined content. Please label any threads accordingly. Perhaps you run into the some of the Unseelie swamp nymphs, beautiful creatures who surround your raft and rest their ample bosoms upon the edge of it to show themselves off. They appear the gender your character is attracted to, or to asexuals they appear as themselves- transparent individuals with vaguely green light glowing through what seems to be a circulatory system. They will be very kind to characters under the age of 16 and offer to show them through the fog, as children are innocent and too young for any other purposes they may have. Adults, on the other hand... well, these Unseelie will usually approach one or two at a time, asking to mate with adult characters since springtime is physically painful for them if they can't! Agree, and you will definitely be bottom because they are looking to lay eggs. On the bright side... they'll protect you fiercely until you lay them or they realize you're not capable of laying eggs. Don't agree to what they want and, well, they'll try to turn over your raft and pull you under the water, tying your feet to the bottom with reeds with the intention of eating you after you drown. If you won't help them with one method of survival, you'll help with another. Hopefully there's someone around to help if you end up in a tough situation.

 

 

• Feldspar's spell will only change appearances. Props will not gain powers to perform the functions of the items they turn into, same for pets. • For current players: The Archivist's Totem will still take you to the Archivist's even with the Archive itself sealed off for safekeeping, but outside. • Marsh drakes are cow-sized wingless, four-legged dragons that live in marshes. They typically are greenish blue in color and are physically brutish and hunt in packs of three or more-- usually one as the distraction and two coming in from behind or the side. They have a single, thick and sharp horn protruding from their snout and  Cattails are cats made out of plant material and are named for their tails, which are identical to the cattail plant. They have sharp teeth and claws. They don't typically use them for eating as they gain energy through photosynthesis, but do use them to defend their territory. • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Comments

Neve | OC | Healing/Green | Hundun

[ivern]

Info:

[ Neve is an android from the far-future, but spent all of her life in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in an alien planet all on her own. So naturally, she's going to be awkward and panicky. She's kind and curious, even if a little naïve and gullible, with a lot of love to give. Her familiar would be a Hundun, like this lil cutie. She struggles with speech and is visually impaired, and used to having her other senses (which are pretty superhuman in accuracy) to compensate for it, but they'll be nerfed a little so she'll be struggling. ]

Caravan:

[ The last thing she remembers before waking up here, was actually going to sleep in her world. Lying in a bed of fragrant flowers, listening to the sound of running water and feeling the gentle warmth of sunlight that peeked through the garden she rested in. The feeling of rushing waves and the course sand was a rude awakening. She just closed her eyes and suddenly she's here...

But it was a good thing she was helped by the magical octopi and the cliff beast, and now she's here, aboard the Caravan where she's surrounded by so many people. She almost forgot why she's suddenly in a different world as she's just absolutely beaming with curiosity and joy to see so many living creatures. She can be seen squatting and scavenging a minibar, with her Hundun hopping in place and purring, seemingly curious as to what's in it. Neve on the other hand, just takes containers of drinks inspects them, tapping on the container, smelling it, and even listening to it by bringing the bottles to her ear. With the blindfold over her eyes, though, it might be easy to forgive her for this. Even her familiar has no eyes. ]

What is this? Very cold.

[ She asks, to nobody in particular. She's holding a can in one hand and a bottle in another, both seem to be carrying liquid. ]

Red Spring - A:

[ Now at the inn, Neve struggles to navigate through the hallways to get to her assigned room. She took some time to figure out the smartphone, and now this too? It's ironic that the organization and the lack of clutter of the inn makes it tougher for her, being more used to the organized chaos of her homeworld. Her Hundun patiently waits and walks alongside her, as Neve holds on to the walls and use it as a guide. Her senses are dulled ever since she woke up here, unable to use her heightened senses to compensate for her visual impairment.

She reaches the hallway where the rooms are, able to hear voices of people from all directions, distracting her from the fact that her hand is still patting on the wall eventually leading her to an open (or opening door), causing her hand to touch someone. She grinds to a halt, continuing to feel this person (your character) with a thoughtful hum - then a gasp! Neve recoils her hand and almost jumps back and away from the person she just suddenly touched. ]

Ah. Apologies!

Red Spring - B:

[ Wandering the inn's grounds, she was hoping to go and take a dip at the hot springs. She has a towel draped over her shoulders and a stick to use as a guide. Her familiar sticks by her, purring happily even as Neve got distracted. Sounds of training weapons clashing and swinging, accompanied the sounds of effort from various people, it was something she never heard before. She follows the sound even if it strayed from her path from the spring. She continues to listen curiously, walking unprotected from whatever fighting practice going on around her and even with the purring warning from her own familiar, trying to paw at her leg to get her away from the sparring floor.

Someone spare this girl from getting hit. Or you know, be an ass and actually hit her. Either is good. ]

caravan!

[beepositive]

[Niki hears the girl's question and leans over to take a look. It's an odd question, but he actually doesn't think too much of it. It's not the first time he's had to answer questions like that, after all.]

Looks like you've got a couple drinks there, Miss! You wanna try one out?

[He sees no reason not to encourage her since all of this stuff is free. No time like the present, and so on!]

[ivern]

Drinks? What are those?

[ An even odder question, for sure. Virtually everything in this world is new to Neve. She looks at both containers and gives them a little shake, listening to and feeling the differences in sound and density. The thought of having a new experience made her give a little smile ]

But sure. Will try it!

[beepositive]

[Hmm, okay, now that's a tough one. He tilts his head thoughtfully. How to describe drinks...]

Drinks are liquid. Ah, you know, like water or juice or coffee? Usually people have it with food, but you can have it however you want.

[He's not sure if she knows what any of that means, but... He reaches over to turn the can and bottle in her hand. Of course, he doesn't recognize any of the brands, but maybe if he can figure out what kind of drinks they are...]

These things are containers, you know? But the liquid is inside, so we gotta open them first. Seems like they're nice and cold, too, I bet they'll be really refreshing.♪

[ivern]

[ She figured he'd be human. Even with her superhuman senses dulled, it's still strong enough to be able to tell her things about Niki, and mostly navigate fine. She welcomes him to take the drinks her hand, a canned soda and a bottled water. ]

Oh. Like what humans take. Got it!

[ She seems excited, not even sure if she's got that upgrade that allows her to eat and drink and convert food into fuel. She likely does? Only one way to find out ]

The red can sounds different. What is it?

[beepositive]

Looks like it's a soda. It's made with carbonated water, so maybe it's the bubbles you're hearing? [Actually, is that a thing? Can it be heard? He's never thought about it before. He realized a long time ago that these were things he took for granted.] Well, the containers are made of different material, too.

[He pulls on the tab to open the can before crouching beside the girl, offering the drink back to her.]

Take it slow, okay? Don't let the bubbles take you by surprise~.

[Niki probably had a very distinct memory of a friend drinking soda for the first time, so he kind of already knows how that goes. Still, knowing about it may not necessarily prepare someone for exactly how that feels.]

[ivern]

Car-bo-na... Oooh. Soda! I heard of it. Never tried it.

[ It took her a second to match it with a proper word recorded in her head. Her datebase is limited, as an android built for a specific purpose and just enough extra knowledge that she won't need a caretaker to function around humans. Neve watched through her blindfold, fists pumped near her cheeks in anticipation and with a little jolt and a smile when she hears that crack, and fizzy bubbles inside.

She takes the can with both hands, enjoying the sound and smell of it with a big sniff. After a few seconds, she does take a sip ]

Mmm! It's very sweet. It's rough. Like water, but... angry?

[ She puts her hand on her throat, curious as to how this will affect her voice box that's been needing a replacement ]

[beepositive]

Nahaha! It does feel angry, doesn't it?

[That was totally spot-on! He can't help but be amused. Honestly, it was pretty interesting to hear about these things from people who didn't grow up with them like he had. It was almost like a new experience for him, too, in its own way.]

Soda is delicious! But too much sugar's not really good for you, so you probably shouldn't drink it all the time. A can every once in a while shouldn't hurt you, though.

[Well, you know, he says that without knowing she isn't human, but hey! So far, so good, right? Actually, on that note, it only just now occurs to him to ask:]

I guess you don't really drink a lot of stuff, huh?

[ivern]

[ Neve feels fuzzy at his reaction, unable to stop herself from smiling from it and from having this new experience. With the kind of life she lived back home, even something as simple as drinking soda is something life-changing to her. ]

I don't drink. I'm an android!

[ Her habit of signing her words showed, gesturing with her hand while the other kept the can close to her chest like it's gonna escape or something. ]

[beepositive]

An android. [He says, nodding, as if he understands. But then, his eyes widen. He definitely does not understand!] Wait. Wait, wait, wait! Is it okay for you to be drinking stuff, then?!

[He just thought that maybe she was really sheltered or something! It didn't occur to him that maybe physically it wasn't a good idea!]

I've never met an android before, but that's no excuse for feeding someone something that's bad for them!

[Of course, he doesn't actually know if it's bad for her or not. He's just panicking. But what if he's the worst?!]

[ivern]

Hm?

[ Neve's brows raise at his question, not even knowing the answer to it herself. After a silent pause, Neve cops her collar and throat, pointing at her neck and speaking in a garbled voice ]

What' wrong? It doesn't stay here?

[beepositive]

[Oh, phew, that's a relief. Maybe? Maybe. He's not really sure where to go from here, but at least that calms him down a little.]

Ah, well, the thing about drinks is that you're supposed to, you know, drink them? You're supposed to swallow it so your body can absorb the nutrients. ...er, well, that's how it works for humans, anyway.

[He's trying to recall things he might have heard about androids from TV or something, but nothing really comes to mind. The only information he has in his head is about food (and the songs he was forced to memorize, but mostly food).]

I just don't want you to get sick or something because I was too excited for you to try something new!

Red Spring - B

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata also came for the hot springs, having the night off from his patrol work in Camelot City. He's walking a little behind Neve, and usually he'd probably be occupied with his own thoughts, but her walking stick draws his attention. Is she blind? He doesn't know if she's a local or a newcomer... it is that time of the month where new people arrive, isn't it?

And then she wanders off the path and right towards the training area. He stares for a moment - can't she hear the clanging of blades and the hissing of magical attacks and whatnot; is she deaf too?! -, then he snaps out of it and runs after her.]

Hey! Miss!

[If she doesn't stop walking he'll grab her arm and pull her back, a safe distance away from those focused on sparring and training.]

You shouldn't go there! People are practicing their offensive magics and testing their weapons; you can get hit if someone doesn't notice you.

[Well, if she is deaf of course she won't be hearing this...]

[ivern]

[ Neve is so distracted and focused on the combat and magical practice, and even her own familiar getting in front of her and pushing against her shins, that she didn't notice Hijikata following her to the training grounds. She tilts her head, sensing him seconds before she feels his hand on her arm, tugging her to a halt ]

Hmm? Is that what it is?

[ She at least have heard about magic on the way here on the caravan, and knows about weapons. Only she's more familiar with projectile ones. ]

Oh...

[ She deflates a little, relaxing ]

Sorry. Did not see it.

[mayoninofukucho]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[The cane and blindfold speak volumes.]

Were you trying to get to the springs? I'll bring you there; I'm headed the same way.

[He notices the hundun and gives it a long look... where is its face? He's never seen a creature like this.]

I'm actually not sure if familiars are allowed in the springs. I never tried taking mine.

[ivern]

Yes. Hot springs!

[ She nods with a smile, and her fists fly at her side to convey her excitement. Her hundun steps to the side now that this man had stopped Neve from crossing a line - literally. She was so close towards the rim of the practice areas. But that's not her concern anymore now that this man has distracted her from it.

The hundun purrs, flapping it's wings and communicating to Neve that it's going to be fine. It will wait for her. ]

They say it's okay. They say hot water is not good for their feathers anyway.

[ The hundun was just accompanying her due to her easily distracted and visually impaired self could spell trouble, and it almost did. The hundun is grateful to him as it flutters away. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He looks after it... it's odd, but somehow he finds it cute. He starts steering Neve in the right direction.]

Mine's got feathers too, so that's probably why he doesn't care for the springs. If you've got a familiar you must be a new arrival, right?

[It's disorienting enough to be dumped in the bay's waters as it is, how much more scary must it have been for a blind person? But this woman seems cheerful enough and not too shaken up by the ordeal.]

I'm an outworlder too. My name's Hijikata; I've been here for a good while.

[ivern]

Very new. Yes.

[ She puts a hand on her chest, nodding gently and retaining her smile ]

Neve. Good to meet you.

[ She won't even try to say his name. Her throat still needs to get use to talking this much. But at least now her focus is completely shifted to Hijikata that her back is turned completely from the practicing fighters. She figures to explain herself, and as she speaks, she starts gesturing in sign ]

Sorry. I got distracted. Never heard weapon sounds before.

[mayoninofukucho]

Never? You must be from a peaceful world, then... or at least from a peaceful part of it.

[He should shrug it off, but he gets seriously worried for guileless civilians like her, all the more if they're more handicapped than others.]

It's not like Avalon is a battlefield, but it's far from safe. There are dangerous creatures in every forest, cave and mountain, and in the lake too. And that's without going into the people... there are syndicates and kidnappers all all sorts of other low-lives.

[Very reassuring, Hijikata. That'll help her relax, no doubt.]

[ivern]

[ All that causes Neve to stop half-way through her next step, looking at Hijikata with her jaw dropping. Is it really as bad as he said? Dangerous creatures, kidnappers, syndicates? Neve is frozen solid, unsure if she should try to move away from her spot or retreat back to the inn. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Okay yeah that was alarming, alright. Damage control time!!]

Well, that's not the majority - just what goes on after dark in the shitty parts of town. You've got scum in any city; Camelot's no exception. The average person here is decent, so don't worry too much! Just don't go into any shady areas on your own, and you'll probably be fine.

[They've reached the springs now, so Hijikata gives Neve into the care of a female employee to help her around while he gets into the water already. Is there a separation between the men's and women's area that they can keep talking through? Is it a mixed bath? Who knows! (OOC: Your choice!)]

[ivern]

[ Hearing that allows Neve to relax a little, very gradually. Still a little wary of the dangers of this world, even if it's small. She takes his word for it for now, easily distracted by the scent and humid air of the hot springs. They get split up after that, with the employee assisting Neve so she can navigate better in the changing rooms and other areas of the spring.

After a while and once he's settled nicely in the hot waters of the springs there's a splash! From the water rises Neve. Her hair is drenched and covering her naked chest with her blindfold as her only article of clothing. It's made worse when she raises her arms up, bouncing in place on the shallow end of the pool ]

Hello again! Didn't want to be alone. You said it's dangerous!

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata should be used to the mixed bath by now... but he tends to visit the hot springs at such impossible times that somehow he never ended up close by a woman so far. Seeing her bounce up and down is a lot to take in!!]

Ah-- be careful, don't jump!

[He averts his eyes, waiting for her to (hopefully) get comfortably seated in the deeper water.]

I'm sorry I told you all that stuff. I just see a lot of it because of my work, but you don't have to go into the wilderness or sketchy establishments or whatnot if you're not a knight.

red spring - b

[gilgamess]

[ the King of Heroes had only lately vacated the hot springs himself, having enjoyed some rather luxurious relaxation within the warm water. of course, he can be as serious and purposeful as a situation such as the end of the world might demand, and prepared to take on all the evils of the world, no less, but bereft of any especial urgency for such epic confrontation, he is one who certainly does enjoy idle pleasures, so naturally he had spent some time soaking within the hot springs and making himself quite at home on the grounds of the inn in general.

now toweled off and clothed again (though his hair is still mussed and wet, and skin still dewy from the remnants of the warm water), Gilgamesh is idly wandering near the training grounds when he notices this girl and her own wandering -- more haphazard than his, it would seem, as she is nearing precariously close to the center of the sparring. to judge from her covered eyes, it would seem she cannot see very well, yet with that creature pulling at her and with the stick in front, not to mention hearing, it still seems strange that she should be approaching potential danger without any caution.

not that he is the most altruistic of individuals, but he is capable of a small good deed once in a while. perhaps. at the very least, he is somewhat curious about what he sees, and so he approaches. ]

Aha, do you know where you are, girl?

[ and adds, by way of explanation -- ]

You are quite close to being knocked flat from one direction or another.

[ he should wonder why she does not heed her familiar, or her other senses. is it just pure foolishness? does she have some wish for danger? a small oddity. ]

[ivern]

[ Right before the group in the sparring circle stop to intervene and help Neve out, Gilgamesh catches her attention. She jolts to a halt, looking to her side where his voice came from. ]

No. I heard sounds. I never heard them before. So I come to hear more of it.

[ Neve lowers her head, sort of ashamed that she almost got hurt. But she's quick to perk up again, smiling. Her familiar purrs and joins her side, relieved that she didn't get hurt at least. Neve hugs her walking stick tighter, glancing over to where the practice of offensive magic are being done. The sound of whistling and cracking of energy was very alien to her. More so than the clashing of practice weapons. ]