TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 19

[avalonmods]

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⚔️️ 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.

---

The people have spoken! This means that brave Otherworlders will be heading into the Bermuda Station-- an underwater train station that passes to other worlds. Currently frozen in time, a train half in Avalon and half in another world, it's an extremely unstable location so certain preparations will need to be made... including how to get past the Falak, a humongous sleeping snake whose side is blocking the entrance. That's definitely something the newbies can be enlisted to help with though!

A ⦿ Get Lost
	The first thing to do is to budge the sleeping snake, and for that we need strength. The kind of strength not even ten siphoners could manage because this snake is buried deep underground, sleeping, and titanic. And so, the Elphame Traders have brought with them to Camelot their greatest alchemist to hold workshops on how to brew the most excellent strength potion... the only thing is, you have to fetch the secret ingredients first, so everyone should be out gathering those to make these potions! It requires a super rare ingredient that's coincidentally only available during the month of May.  Enter the Edge of the Dusklight Wood and seek out the Shadlins. Though their eyes are haunting and you won't forget about them soon, those brave enough to chase after them will find themselves utterly lost in an endless forest so dense that you cant see the ground or the sky for
the treetops and foliage. Don't try to find your way out, just keep walking, listening, watching and following whatever direction you see the eyes of the Shadlins next. Travel with another as the silence of the forest can be deafening and has been known to drive people to talk to themselves, hear voices that will attempt to coax them into doing harmful things to anyone else they run into, or even attract ear wyrms-- a tiny draconic creature that curls around a person's ear and gruffly (they are wyrms) sings the last song they hear endlessly on repeat until they hear a new one-- and doesn't let go unless someone else whispers a song into their ear... at which point, it will switch to theirs. Good luck tricking someone else into trading ear wyrms!

---

B ⦿ Fountain of Yewth
Eventually, you will come upon what appears to be some kind of toxic, tar pit, at which point, you have reached the sacred bathing pit of the Tree People, a type of plant fae that are known for trading fertile land potion to Camelot to keep their crops lively no matter. It turns out, they are extremely territorial and not at all peaceful when they are not on diplomatic trade missions. They will attempt to sneak up on you and whoever you're with, capture, and roast you over an open fire for dinner. Elemental mages will have the best chance against them, but be careful- the gases from the tar are flammable, so you will have to defeat them without using fire magic. (Green mages will be great boons as well, but secondary magic is definitely a lot harder for new arrivals than it is for practiced magicians!) You'll need to escape once captured and scoop up some of that toxic tar carefully, in a container so you don't get it on your skin. It's very potent and in its base form, will temporarily grant super-strength
but will deplete your character's body and cause rapid aging (as in, a good 30 years in a day's time). May is the time when the tree people sprout flowers and thus their pollen is contained within the tar, which is the secret ingredient we need! Just don't get killed in the process.

C ⦿ Unseen Path
	Following the eyes is the way that got you there, but following your heart is the way that will get you out. As you may have noticed, the forest is dense and dizzying and somehow, everything looks the same. There's quite literally no way to find your way out with your eyes-- and quite intentionally. Magic prevents anyone who can see from finding their way out of the forest. To this end, characters will need to blindfold themselves and a partner, then tie an enchanted cloth (be sure to pick one up from the alchemist before leaving on your journey!) around both of your waists. It's best if you do it side-to-side if you don't want any awkward contact (though it may be easier to walk spooned together if you're comfortable) especially since to activate the enchantment, you both have to compliment the other person every 10 minutes after putting it on. This will cause the binding to tighten and then behind your closed eyes, you will be able to see the binding glow, and both of your footsteps from the day will illuminate in your
mind. Follow the footsteps you can only see with your eyes closed and you will find yourself back where you started outside of the forest. Hopefully you get along with your partner-- it's a long walk home when you can't see.

---

The strength to budge the strength obtained, an even more valuable item is needed to counteract the magical energy crackling in and out of frozen time: a rare collection of hourglass coins. Rumor has it that they are actually in Camelot, held by an Arcane Mage embedded deep within an organized crime family. The rumor, of course, is true- and was put out by the family themselves. The end of the world is nigh, which is why they have released the information. Call it civic duty! But they aren't going to lose such a valuable asset for free. Which is why the rumor contains the following information: An underground casino is holding a gambling tournament. High-rollers will be given a special card that will give them access to an illegal auction, at which the coins are being auctioned off. Queen Elphame, pleased that the otherworlders have decided to entrust her with the Fisher King, sends this information in an encrypted text to all otherworlders, along with a warning that the auction will not be dependent on money, but that Elphame is happy to pay participants for bidding. As long as you don't piss anyone off, it should be safe for anyone to help.

A ⦿ Safe Bets
Once you find the delicious Sichuan-style restaurant that acts as a front for the casino and say you're "here for more heat than the peppers," you'll be led down to a literally underground casino. Blackjack, poker, roulette, craps-- there aren't any slot machines, all the games are monitored and in groups, so you won't be left wanting for opponents. Pick a game and play your way to the top! If you play for long enough and do well enough, you'll be escorted to yet another secret room in the back and asked to change into something more appropriate for high rollers from their selection of suits and dresses (per your preference). Just be wary not to get caught if you try to use your magic to cheat- there are bouncers around, and they're more than happy to drag
you out crying and screaming. The only way you're getting back in if you're caught cheating is with a very good disguise-- and only once.  Then you go to magic casino jail, where they have a cognitive master magician trap you in the world of Mr. Dollaman, a fictional golden coin with a fedora who runs a slot machine from inside the game like a hardened blood-thirsty businessman, Wreck-It Ralph style. Good luck getting out- The only way is to get past Mr. Dollaman by admitting what you're most greedy for, then rushing to pull Mr. Dollaman's slot machine plug while he revels in your admission of guilt and gives a villainous monologue.

---

B ⦿ Bidding Wars
	Now you're dressed to the nines, you're invited into a large lounge-type room. There are little tables, cocktails being served-- and 100% alcoholic ones, this is an illegal establishment, they don't care to enchant for proper drinking ages (but from an OOC standpoint: please content warn for underaged drinking and use common sense/be responsible- little kids drinking is inappropriate af, but high schoolers without supervision isn't something we're going to pretend doesn't happen. Just don't be skeezy about it.) It's a good place to network and mingle ahead of the auction, and once the auction starts, it's good to have someone you trust to sit with. After all, it's not your mother's auction. The auction begins and despite expectations, money isn't the only thing you're allowed to bid. There are fae involved, and the black market. You can bid organs, services, hot dates, control of your name, all kinds of things! Outside of the the grand prize of the hourglass coins, a glimmering set of coins forged from frosted glass that are able to filter and stabilize time magic on a small-
scale, but extremely breakable that is necessary for the success of the Bermuda Station mission later this month, there are other prizes you can win, such as:  Legendary Phoenix Feather - These feathers are extremely rare, from the original phoenix herself. They can be used to defy death and bring back loved ones with healed ailments, no rot or injuries, in perfect condition. (However, it is not legitimate. It is just incredibly shiny. You have been scammed if you bid on this item.) Ancient Glacier Piece - A chunk of an ancient glacier, enchanted to never melt to preserve its integrity. It does mean it can be put into a drink and not melt though, so that's kind of cool... but I'm not so sure ancient bacteria is safe. You might want a friend around to call a doctor if you try it. The Prism Flower - A rare, live plant that blooms into a flower. The flower can be reduced down into a dye that changes colors and patterns at random, creating gorgeous effects. Be careful, however ,as the dye is extremely permanent-- anything that spends more than a couple of seconds in contact with it besides water will find itself dyed-- including living creatures. There are two flowers currently on the plant, but it can be grown into a large bush. Take care of it well- if it dies, you will not be refunded. The Prestigezza - A special pizza that will grant any pizza-related wish you might have, from crispier pepperoni to your deepest, weirdest pizza fantasy. It's very filling, so share with a friend! Tears of a Banshee - Drop these tears into a drink and that night you will dream of your destined death. The only true chance you will ever have to change your fate. You may want to make sure someone else is around to make sure you wake up though- these dreams can feel very realistic.

---

C ⦿ Knot a Problem
It's important to relax before you get involved in something stressful. A healthy way to clear your head involves taking up a hobby, and as such, a small section of Camelot has put together the Avalon Craft Fair. With such a daunting task ahead of everyone, now seems like the perfect time to lower peoples' stress anxiety with a healthy outlet. There are plenty of booths selling crafting materials, art, paintings, and more... but there seems to be a theme this time, and there are a lot of knot-centered booths: Tie Knots: Take lessons from a master artiste who can teach you how to tie knots around your acquaintances, friends, significant others.. whoever you'd like. They'll teach you an enchanting song that will bring the rope to life so that you can use hand gestures to tighten and loosen without physically touching your subject. Grab a partner.. or lasso one in for some good old fashioned shibari.
Release Knots: There are decidedly forms of magic that exist beyond the basics that everyone is able to access, and one of those magic forms involves the art of massage. First you have to find someone to practice basic massage techniques on, so grab a partner and start rubbing! Once you've managed the basics, you'll be able to learn how to channel your magic into the massage and cause physical sensations like tingling, warming, cooling, and tiny static shocks. Tie the Knot: Okay, not quite a marriage booth-- but they consider themselves starters! Be careful, the fairies running this booth are tying peoples' wrists together with magic knots that only release once you reveal a secret about yourself to the person you're tied to. What a fun way to get close!

 

• 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

Gilgamesh | Fate 👑

[gilgamess]

A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival
_______

[ needless to say, this sudden shift in scenery amounts to a rather undignified entrance.

in one moment, the first of all heroes had been, in this iteration of Servant (Caster class), within the halls of Chaldea, readying himself for the next conflict in the name of the last of humanity's Masters -- as was the case for all of the innumerable Servants who resided within the halls of that compound.

in the next moment, he finds himself unceremoniously deposited (dumped) within the unknown waters of what would appear to be an equally unknown terrain. could this be another Singularity? that would be one's first line of thinking. ah, but then, where are the others? and while there is something visible within the sky, it does not conform to the recognizable golden band from which Ritsuka and Mash Kyrielight had fallen into Gilgamesh's kingdom during the time of Uruk's own Singularity. in fact, no one from Chaldea appears to be within the vicinity; strange, indeed.

perhaps the King of Heroes had grown somewhat accustomed to taking their presence for granted in the present era.

more disconcertingly, he cannot feel the connection to his treasury, which should still be present even when summoned in this form. the feeling of having some form of magic as a Caster remains... yet the sense of it is altered in some manner. such matters are worthy of further investigation: first, however, he must get to dry land.

not that he necessarily minds a dive into the waters: they are cool and have about them a certain refreshing quality, rather like the primordial lake in which he bathed after the loss of the mystic herb of immortality so long before. it is rather being cast into the waters in such an abrupt manner, in the middle of other deeds -- that is the problem. simply, it is unbefitting for a King to be manhandled thusly by circumstances! ... though, for a King to have the mightiest splash, that is fitting, perhaps.

after a brief and brusque consultation with the Lady of the Lake (with whom he would rather not interact more than necessary -- she has about her the air of a goddess, of which he is less than fond) as to directions, the King of Heroes makes his way to the shore, pushing aside the mongrel octopi and other assorted flotsam of creatures who seem to be intent on invading one's space and acting so eager and foolish. he is rather less than amused at their amusement! hmph.

one can encounter him at any stage of the process: in the water, nudging the octopi and mossatees away and muttering indignantly all the while, or eventually on the shores and making his way up the White Cliffs. his familiar, a spiritual version of a lion cub, will be ambling alongside him up the cliffs, having been splashing about in the water as well.

he is not exactly in the best of moods for conversation, but ... further information as to present circumstances might not be rejected... ]


C ⦿ The Red Spring
______

[ at least the carriage ride over had provided some useful intel: a matter of saving one's world, is it? well, why did they not say so sooner?

such a circumstance should be a natural, if not easy, feat for a hero-king such as himself! rather, it would be accurate to say Gilgamesh is generally suited to and excels most in any situation involving potentially world-ending calamities: that is where his best talents come forth and his best personality traits shine. Chaldea... well, perhaps he had amassed a certain fondness for that hapless mongrel Master, Ritsuka. perhaps. somewhat, if slightly. but if the universe is frozen in time, then would it be accurate to say he is missing, to those back in his own world? hm.

in any case, there are many other Servants, and if this is simply another side wandering, a sort of quest before some eventual return when this new potential world-ending calamity is dealt with -- well, it is not as though he is unaccustomed to such detours in time and space, either. again, there is something almost natural about it, given his history.

Camelot and Archimedes, though... what odd bedfellows. Archimedes had been a historical figure, one who had not sided with humanity... was there any Servant modeled after him? if so, Gilgamesh had not encountered him in Chaldea. but one supposes this is not that Archimedes. yet the settings of Camelot and Avalon provoke even further questions: knowledge of semi-mythical kingships later than his own (though not, he would say, greater) aside, the King of Heroes's main frame of reference for those names, at least from this summoning, would be the mage, Merlin, with whom he had worked when the latter was summoned by him and enlisted in protecting his kingdom. he wonders if that scoundrel might be around here somewhere. ah, he might even be some help at such a time, despite that troublesome personality of his.

how frustrating, to think he might actually wish to see such a man, though only because the mage might provide some benefit. at the very least, one would think he would be right at home in these stomping grounds...

there is quite a lot to contemplate, but for the present moment, a King must proceed to what is most natural when arriving at the Red Spring: that is none other than the hot spring. naturally, work and adventure are both important at the appropriate moments, but one must rejuvenate one's strength and think heavily when faced with such responsibilities! ]

Though the waters in this hot spring pale in comparison to those of the baths within my kingdom, nonetheless, such a setting for a respite may be permissable.

[ he sets out the towels -- ]

Though, it would be more fitting, were I to have an attendant present at such a time...

[ where is Siduri when you need her? ]

A ⦿ Get Lost

[ a massive snake is the obstacle at hand, eh?

indeed, Gilgamesh would say that snakes are quite troublesome: he has firsthand experience in other contexts. as a hero-king, certainly he has no fear of this Dusklight Wood; that said, the place has about it the aura of the Underworld, and those eyes remind one somewhat of the gallû spirits. like the shades in the land of the dead... though, of course, he had not been too troubled by that place, either. rather, the King of Heroes had visited the Underworld numerous times; it was something like his old stomping grounds, he might even argue. though that goddess had not always been so pleased to see him or partake of his company during such journeys. still, at least she was the superior of the two twin goddesses.

ah, but these are just his wandering thoughts as he walks about in the murk; his familiar keeps him company, attending closely at his side. he packed lightly for the journey, but does carry a staff to feel the ground out in the darkness. perhaps he should have asked another to come along; in general, when partaking of an adventure, the only companion he had allowed had been his one friend. but... the silence is quite thick, and in following those eyes, his thoughts do keep returning elsewhere, and were there another here, perhaps it might keep one somewhat more grounded. not that a being of such caliber as himself needs it. however -- ]

Ah? [ that sound, like footsteps, somewhere nearby. ] Could it be that there is another here? Hmph.

[ well, speak up, mongrel!! not like he has all day. except maybe he does, being in the middle of the dark and endless woods. but y'know, still. don't be wasting a King's time. ]

______



[ ooc: prompt a above can lead into prompts b and c, so i'm just starting w/prompt a rather than writing 3 separate prompts. c:

might do some gambling/shibari prompts later, but i wanted to get these up for now. if you'd rather do one of the gambling prompts, give me another day or so to get those done! also, this time, i am taking gil from chaldea proper, probably later in the series. this means he may have met a number of other Servants, so if you play one, lmk if you have a preference as to them having met or if you want to wing it. there are so many Servants in Chaldea, there may still be a number he doesn't know. i'm leaving it up to individual discretion/plotting. ]

A - Get Lost

[gandivadhari]

[This was one of those times that Arjuna laments not having his abilities as a Servant. Surely he, in his proper form, could have moved such a snake and opened up the entrance to the train station. He was not as physically strong as his brother Bhima, but he was also the Endowed Hero.

As things were, though, Arjuna lacked the strength to move the snake. So, in the interest of speeding things up, he decided to help in gathering the ingredients necessary to prepare the strength potion. At first he had tried to use his light magic to glimpse his surroundings, but he soon discovered that following the Shadlins' eyes seemed to give him a better sense of his bearings, odd as it may be.

It isn't until Arjuna hears a voice cut through the gloom that he casts more light. It takes the form of a sphere that floats above his empty left hand, looking almost as if he were about to use Pashupata -- but the light is harmless, and merely provides illumination.]

...King of Heroes.

[Arjuna's face remains impassive, but there is the slightest hint of surprise in his voice as he speaks. The bow gifted to him by Agni is clutched in his right hand, but his arrows remain in their quivers.]

I was unaware that you were here, as well.

[gilgamess]

Ah. And one who knows of my legend.

[ --that is his instinctive/immediate reaction.

being addressed by his title as a heroic spirit is a sign that this other being who has appeared is one familiar with his legend -- and, thus, perhaps another heroic spirit, a Servant? that seems the likeliest individual to use such a title, unless it were a Master who had some due respect for his legacy. but another Servant would still seem more plausible, given that cadence and bearing and the easy familiarity of the title, and given the setting in which they both find themselves.

Gilgamesh is not altogether surprised by the thought that he might not be the only Servant within this world: after all, if he is here, then why would it be unlikely for others to also be? especially if the story is accurate that this is a sphere outside of time wherein individuals are summoned to save their own worlds. if so, would it not be natural for the heroes of epics and legends to be the primary individuals who are summoned to assist in the cause at hand? similar to the Servant system of his own world. so, he is not necessarily surprised to encounter someone who addresses him as a fellow hero of legend.

ah -- but, who might this be? the other man is illuminated by the light above him and by the eyes of the Shadlins, and from his appearance, Gilgamesh can see that he has a rather dark complexion... thus -- ]

A hero from one of the more Southern kingdoms, I presume? [ he considers, touching his chin. ] Though I am supposing you are not one of the Egyptians.

[ they tended to be more gilded, overall, whereas this man has about him a certain austerity. no flashiness, and a very impassive face. and that bow -- the King of Heroes does smirk, at that. ]

Might you be one of the Archer class, at that?

[ it is a guess, but he thinks it a rather well-educated one, given the obvious tool at hand. that does provoke a certain amusement, given his own usual classification... ]

[gandivadhari]

[That Gilgamesh doesn't recognize him causes Arjuna a twinge of disappointment and irritation. He doesn't let it faze him, at least. Every man, woman, and child in India, believer or no, may know his name, but he knows that doesn't hold true for the rest of the world beyond the subcontinent.]

You are correct, both in that I am an Archer, and that I am not a man of Egypt. My True Name is Arjuna. If you are familiar with the Mahabharata, then you will have heard of my exploits.

[Arjuna, like Gilgamesh, was brought from Chaldea, so he's not of the mentality that all other Servants are his foes. But even if he was, he's so confident in his abilities that he wouldn't care if they knew his identity or not.]

[gilgamess]

[ in fairness, had Gilgamesh been within Chaldea for a longer period of time, he is certain to have encountered Arjuna. he has encountered many Servants there. it is only that they are as innumerable as the stars, so for as many as he knows, there are many others he has not yet met, or may only know of vaguely.

it is quite unfortunate as well that he lacks the ability for true name discernment in this iteration and without his powers; were his abilities unlocked, including his higher level of sight, he would not need to make guesses or intuit. still, he thinks himself perceptive -- a wise king, after all, and he is pleased he at least deduced the nature of Arjuna as a heroic spirit, and his class, based on that weapon of his. while he might not have all his powers of higher sight, he is still the king who saw the deep. moreover, he being a great gatherer of the lore of ages, he does have a certain familiarity with the pantheon of which the other man speaks, though his greatest familiarity is actually with another... ]

The rival of the hero Karna, hm?

[ it is that other whom Gilgamesh knows most from this pantheon -- the hero of charity.

yet he has no interest in rousing the blood on that particular conflict: it is not his own conflict, but theirs, and it is between the two of them. rather, he is focused on the matter at hand. ]

So you have also come in search of the secret ingredient to move that sleeping snake.

[ it is a statement rather than a question inasmuch as the purpose at hand is obvious. the King of Heroes is not habitually one to take on companions in travel, to say the least, but it had been advised that the depredations of the forest might cause greater problems, were one to work at this task alone. ]

A/ Get Lost

[queenofkur]

[ Ereshkigal was on this mission as well, but for vastly different reason. Ever since she had heard of the giant who could devour the souls of the dead, she had been scouring the locations most likely to be home to lost and fading spirits. She wouldn't let a single soul be lost, on her honor as goddess of death! It was no easy task without her divine authority, but she wasn't about to give up simply because it was difficult!

And this place was a prime location for spirits who needed her assistance. She would accomplish the mission's main objective as well, but this was only an excuse for her to explore this place.

But then she heard footsteps... Okay, she couldn't just go and exterminate any monsters, not without her powers. She discreetly made her way to the source of the noise, tried to at any rate. Flanked by her familiar, a christmas-themed Gallû Spirit, she prepared to strike but-- ]

G-Gilgamesh?

[ He was unmistakable. But he wasn't in this world, was he?! What was he doing here? Was he dead and his spirit was wandering this forest? No, that seemed unlikely, she had never met a spirit from her homeworld thus far. ]

What are you doing here?

[gilgamess]

[ no, he is certainly not dead... well, not this time. though it is not a state of being he is altogether unfamiliar with.

that aside, Gilgamesh is as surprised to see the goddess of Kur here as she is surprised to see him. and thus -- ]

What? Hmph, I could ask the same question of you!

[ ... yes, there are not too many incidents which could raise surprise in the King of Heroes, but seeing this goddess from his homeworld here actually rises to that level. to encounter another Servant, another hero of legend, in such a place -- well, that would be one thing. but he associates Ereshkigal quite heavily with her domain, though no doubt a Servant version of her might exist in Chaldea as well. still, there are many other beings he would expect to see before he would expect to see one so heavily associated with a specific realm.

well... he is not quite certain how he feels about such an encounter. on the one hand, he is not, as a rule, particularly fond of goddesses (though she is not anywhere of the same level of intolerable as her sister, at least), but on the other hand, there are not exactly many figures from his kingdom or era around. not that one so dedicated to being solitary as himself should feel any sort of isolation... but ah, perhaps it is not the worst thing, encountering someone from his own realm, someone rather close to home, in that sense. ]

Do not tell me you have abnegated your duties. [ it is quite easy to chide her for that with his own Authority, given how she had shown such yearning for the world of (living) humans. but then, in fairness -- ] Ah, but I suppose you must also have been summoned to this world, as well? Quite the surprise.

[ thus she cannot be rebuked for wandering from Kur. though it might be somewhat enjoyable to do so anyway, given the way in which she is prone to becoming flustered in a somewhat entertaining manner. besides, as the King, that is his prerogative in dealing with goddesses... ]

[queenofkur]

[ The mere suggestion she may have abnegated her duties was enough to tick her off. She took no small amount of pride in being hard-working and dedicated to her task. In fact, that was possibly one of the only thing she felt good about. ]

Do you think me so irresponsible?

[ Who did he think she was, Ishtar? And besides he could be asked just the same, he wasn't looking after Uruk right this moment, after all. ]

I am here in search of souls. [She looked down at the cage dangling from her hips, filled with little lights she had collected today.] This world does not have an Underworld, or any form of afterlife. The dead are sent back to their respective worlds after a time, but predatory entities who feed upon the dead lurk in the shadows of this world. [She looked back up at him.] I seek to keep what souls I can safe till the time they rejoin their respective afterlives.

[ Defensive? Yes, absolutely. There was no way she'd let anyone even suggest she'd renounced her duties. Even away from the Underworld and robbed of her divine powers, she continued to do what she could to help and save the dead. ]

I see you have not changed, King of Uruk.

[gilgamess]

[ her words do raise some interest. so this is a world with no afterlife, hm? well, Kur as it had existed during the time of his reign was unique compared to what humans of later eras experienced; the Age of the Gods had been different in all respects, including the existence of the realm of the dead. as a Servant, Gilgamesh's physical body had perished long before, but to call him "dead" would seem a strange categorization compared to the state in which the King of Heroes had been in when he had over-worked himself... a memory which still causes something of a shudder. death to him was not what it might be to an average human, suffice it to say, but here and now, in this world, he most certainly cannot think of himself as dead, even if he has been a Servant, but again, such a spirit is too lively to be associated with a corpse.

such musings become too metaphysical too quickly. in any case -- ]

I see. Then you are still abiding by the purpose you have been assigned.

[ he is not one to go lightly with praise, but he cannot fault her for her dedication. if there is one thing Gilgamesh is actually capable of showing respect for, it is one who lives by their own duty in life, whatever that may be. an individual with no sense of purpose is frivolous indeed. ]

Ahaha... though, of course I have not changed! [ he is the eternal King, after all. and in his ~final form~, no less! ] I am no fickle being, but an absolute one. Indeed, you know all this quite well already.

[ they were no strangers to one another, after all. it might have been thousands of years since they technically co-existed in the same era, but with the kinds of entities they are, it may as well have been just yesterday. ]

Hmph... what 'predatory entities' are these?

[ now he is curious, because the tasks Ereshkigal is describing do not seem to relate to his own quest at all. ]

[queenofkur]

[ She nodded. Of course she was. As for the predatory entities... That caused her to look away. That was somewhat humiliating to her. Back home, her dedication to her duties had made her virtually almighty long as she didn't leave the Underworld nor helped mortals. Such a thing would never have been a concern at all. Something threatening the dead would never have stood a chance.

But here? She was about as helpless as one could be. ]

There is a stone giant on that island who swallows the souls of the dead and destroys them. [She looked down.] Whilst it is currently asleep, I shall not take chances.

[ A little light floated behind a rock, and Ereshkigal approached it. She knelt, open her cage and gently guided the light inside. That was one more safe! That cage was starting to get crowded, but she'd craft more once back in Ritsuka's house. ]

I have accepted this mission, as it allows me to reach previously unattainable locations where the dead may be hiding.

[ Wait... She accepted this quest because of such a reason, but what about him? Had he... Taken on this mission for nothing in return? Gilgamesh, taking on a task the same way any other person would?

Ishtar would have paid good money to see that happen. ]

What of your presence here, King of Heroes? Are you on this mission out of the kindness of your heart?

[gilgamess]

[ Gilgamesh's eyes (once all-seeing, now reduced in the same way as Ereshkigal's powers had been) follow the light as the goddess of Kur guides it into the confines of her open cage. this light is different from the ones all around them -- the eyes of the Shadlins in the forest of the abyss, the eternal darkness which threatens to overtake the both of them in their reduced states.

... or that would be the case, were Gilgamesh ever one to succumb to any sort of reduction. as it is, he views all of this world as merely another challenge. indeed, in Ereshkigal's own domain, her Authority and powers are absolute, such that she had made a mockery and a miniature of Ishtar with only a few gates. here no such absolute domain exists for her.

it is also true, for that matter, that Gilgamesh has only recently entered this world, and the magic with which he had grown accustomed to as a Caster -- and, more significantly, the excessive powers of his vault (even if it was not so powerful as it had been during his prime: nonetheless, the Gate of Babylon was a supreme storehouse) -- are absent, replaced by new forms of magic with which he has, at this moment, limited experience. this necessarily puts him at something of a disadvantage.

but, wherever he goes, or whatever circumstances there may be... he is still the King of Heroes, is he not? his title and, moreover, his nature as a supreme King, transcend physical trappings. heroism is inherent within him. thus, as to Ereshkigal's question -- ]

Hmph... the universe is frozen in time and our world is on the brink of destruction. Is that not what we were told?

[ y'know, assuming that mongrel Archimedes was telling the truth. ]

Thus, is it not natural that I should rise to such an occasion? I have already faced one world-ending calamity in the name of safeguarding my kingdom! [ and he only died... once. well, actually twice. but his comeback had been grand, so w/ev. ] Facing another... what of it?

[ and he does not sound too displeased by the thought of the potential end of the world. it's more exciting than being bound to his chair reading tablets all day. now that had been his least favorite death. at least this is potentially Glorious... ]

[queenofkur]

[ She was surprised, but pleasantly so. And really, she knew the king of heroes could be serious and work for the greater good... When he felt like it. Much better than him throwing parties in his palace and absolutely ruining the peaceful rest of the dead in the underworld with all the music and laughing and noises. ]

I am surprised. I would have imagined you leaving those lesser missions to others only to enter the battlefield for the finale.

[ Not an accusation of him not doing his part— The final boss was always the toughest bit, after all. And she could have easily imagined him coming in as people were failing to get the threat down only to save the day. It would have mirrored the events they were both familiar with, after all.

... ... ...

What now? Whenever she had met Gilgamesh, there had been other people around and big things happening. But right now it was just the two of them. With no monster or threat around. Only an awkward silence settling in. Oh goodness, would she have to try and do small talk with him?

Oh no no. Okay, she simply needed to treat this as a vital mission. As if the fate of the underworld depended on this. What would she do then, asides from panicking? She closed her eyes and paused for a moment, before: ]

I-I have no problems with you- [Asides from the aforementioned parties, but in all fairness that was a long time ago.] So I propose we join force for this mission. We will be more effective together, thus ensuring the safe completion of our objective.

C

[fujimaru]

[ Most of Ritsuka's experiences with snakes boils down to the hydra family that keeps popping up on various missions, and those she usually prefers to keep her distance. Her limited abilities might mean she has to be in the thick of a battle, but at least she can usually keep a Servant between her and the enemy.

That's less of an option now, unfortunately. Instead, she's doing her best to walk as quietly as possible; her own familiar is safely at home, because there's really not much a baby deer can do against a snake, winged or not.

But when she hears the familiar voice, of course she gravitates towards it. It's the familiarity that counts. ]

Your Majesty...?

*also tl should say he bathed in the lake after the Kur journey, not after the herb loss, oops

[gilgamess]

[ the absurdity of it all is that it was the theft of the mystic herb of immortality by the snake which, in a certain sense, ended Gilgamesh's long youth and was at last the final key to wisdom. in being a sort of enemy to his cause, the snake had nonetheless played a role in his eventual maturation. life was full of such twists, and he has learned to laugh at them, as he laughed then.

nonetheless, his relationship with snakes, as with goddesses, might be described as somewhat strained. currently, however, the King of Heroes's primary preoccupation is with the shadowy forest at hand, and those bright eyes that beckon from within it.

but that voice... it is one whom he knows, indeed. and it may even be said that there is a certain twinge of satisfaction (if mild!!) in thinking that the Master might also be here -- again, he is certainly not one for whom solitude is an issue or an impediment, as it has been his habitual state for most of his existence sans the time he spent with his friend... yet, perhaps he has developed a certain fondness for those of Chaldea. there are few humans who must ever be deemed worthy in his eyes, but it could be said that the purpose provided by a Master (and, in that case, the others with whom they associated) had a certain appeal, especially for one so focused on duty as he was in his wiser form. even for a Servant such as himself, who did not submit or fawn, there was a certain quality of which he approved. ]

I did not expect to encounter you here, Fujimaru Ritsuka.

[ but if he must complete this journey and challenge, then her participation might be of some assistance. she did show her capabilities within his kingdom, after all. ]

[fujimaru]

That was your first mistake.

[ But she's smiling as she says it, a bit of tension bleeding out of her shoulders. Whatever else might be said about their situation, it's still a relief and a comfort to be recognized. She might not need recognition or admiration, like Merlin warned would never be hers... but to be known by the people she knows? That's something she does care about. ]

I'm always gonna be where I probably shouldn't be. At this point, I just go with it, wherever someone needs me.

[ Whether she will or not. It's always been both her choice and not her choice, the places she's gone in Chaldea's main mission. Sometimes she gets spirited away, and sometimes it's just an impending disaster that needs her--but no matter what it is, Ritsuka's willing to go with it. ]

Not that Your Majesty necessarily needs me. But I'm still happy to see you again.

[gilgamess]

[ ... well, touché. in general, Gilgamesh of all people should be too broad-minded to be surprised by such an encounter. he does not dwell on the matter, however: what will be will be, as the saying goes.

at her words, he cannot help but spare a certain smile. ]

You certainly do get around. Hmph... it was only hours ago that I had seen you within Chaldea.

[ to think that they are both here... ]

So I suppose you were transported here for the same reasons, hm? Another mission to save the world? How curious that, once more, we both find ourselves on the same journey, even though it is a different journey. Do you know if there are other companions of yours here? Others of your Servants, perhaps?

[fujimaru]

Some of them!

[ Because in all honesty, Ritsuka knows she probably would have been a wreck to be somewhere entirely on her own. Once upon a time, she was good at being on her own, coasting through things; now she knows what it's like to have people she can trust and turn to, and it would be miserable otherwise.

But while she isn't thrilled by the overall situation, she is doing all right. She grins back in response to his smile, folding her arms behind her back. ]

Beowulf, Gareth, Kipposhi... Ereshkigal and Mash, too. Izou-san, Ryouma-san. There's a few others, but they're not the versions that I know.

[gilgamess]

[ the King of Heroes inclines his head while listening to the list of names. some, he knows by reputation. others are altogether unfamiliar. a couple, however, genuinely pique his interest -- ]

The goddess of Kur? Tch...!

[ quite the surprise: certainly not one he had expected to hear... ]

And Mash is here as well, hm?

[ so the demi-Servant continues to accompany her Master, even in such a place. though Gilgamesh supposes it is well enough that the two of them remain together. where would Mash be without Ritsuka, after all? it must be conceded... there is perhaps a slight note of nostalgia at the thought of seeing the two of them again. though in an absolute sense, it has not been long since he has seen them in the form of his summoning as a Servant, his memories from their journey to his kingdom are... on the fonder side. ]

Yet, she is not here with you in this place. [ he waves a hand, gesturing at the darkness surrounding them in the forest. ] One would expect the two of you to be together, aha. That said... I presume you are here on the journey to find the ingredients to create strength enough to move that sleeping snake, hm?

[ to get back to the task at hand, which may yet prove... interesting, for them both. it is well enough to have Ritsuka here, knowing what she is capable of: after all, she won the support of three goddesses for humanity and performed quite a few other remarkable feats. well, remarkable for a mongrel human Master, but still. ]

[fujimaru]

I wanted to help.

[ And if that isn't the crux of so many things about Ritsuka's life. She always wants to help, even if she feels like her contributions are small things in the grander scheme of--well, everything that has happened in her life. The snake being in the way is causing trouble, and she doesn't want it to be a fight (even if, knowing her luck, it will be one), but if they can wake it up and encourage it to leave... that counts for something, right? ]

But yeah, Mash is here, just not here-here. ...I also didn't tell her I was coming.

[ Ritsuka loves Mash, okay; Mash is her best friend and the one person Ritsuka trusts above everyone else--but she also knows exactly how much Mash would fuss... especially in a place like this alternate Camelot, without access to her shield or the Ortenaus system. ]

Since you're here, though, Your Majesty, I hope you don't mind me sticking with you for now.

A ⦿ Get Lost

[localdeliveryboy]

[ He's gained a bit more confidence with his magic since he arrived and with the need to deal with the Fisher King, Noah put his best foot forward - and seeing as gathering or collecting some trinket, doodad, or macguffin is one of his specialties he was quick to hop on the job.

The big string animal thing, at least he thinks its an animal, was a problem. Even with his siphon magic, he doubts that he could even budge it.

The woods themselves were of no problem, light magic is convenient that way, but he disliked the instruction of "follow the eyes in the dark". It was giving up logic and control, driving with your eyes closed, he didn't like it and neither did his familiar. The snow leopard has been on edge since they arrived, fur standing on edge and low growls at every little twig or breeze that so much as brushed her. Thank the gods for the gentle gold glow of light. ]

Eh? Oh, hey there torch. [ A beat. ] You're....real right?

[ He addresses the blonde stranger while his familiar growls. ]

Oi, oi. Easy girl. Easy. [ Now he's bending down the scratch and rub the perturbed feline. ] Sorry about her, torch. A bit on edge.

[gilgamess]

[ now here is a voice and figure Gilgamesh is altogether unfamiliar with: a stranger in the woods. one of his magic types is also light, though he is still becoming accustomed to how magic works in this world versus the sort of magic he had as a Caster class. it is new for him, though an individual of his exceptional talents should adapt quickly.

his familiar is also a feline, though of a smaller variety (at least at present; can familiars grow?): the cub looks quite alert upon seeing this newcomer's familiar, though it does not begin to growl; if anything, it seems more curious than alarmed by the sight of a fellow of the cat variety. ]

Of course I am real! What else should I be? [ the question provokes something of a laugh/huff. what a strange thing to ask!

-- Gilgamesh glances at the snow leopard, unperturbed. he is fairly non-judgmental with such beasts -- some might say readily more so than with humans. ]

Hm... and I am supposing you are another who is partaking of this quest?

[ pretty obviously so. why else would he be here? still, some introductions must be made. ]

[localdeliveryboy]

Uhhhh...an illusion? Some prank? Some creature lurin' us into a false sense of security?

[ To which the snow leopard snarled and hissed in agreement with Noah, who was quick to start petting and hold her back. ]

I said easy! Easy girl! He doesn't look like he's any of those.

[ For now. ]

Aye, that'd be the short of it. I'm LeClair. Noah LeClair. [ He holds out his hand after rising to his feet and stepping forward. ] Pleasure.

[gilgamess]

[ ... tch. mongrel, plz. ]

Hmph.

[ the King of Heroes gives a perfunctory look at the extended hand. there is a moment of hesitation before he claps it with his own gloved one. the gesture is brief: a touch, and then he withdraws. shaking hands with a commoner would be rather unbecoming in Uruk, but if they are to be on a mission together... well, he supposes he can make some scant allowances.

and he is at an age where is not quite so uptight about such matters as he once was... perhaps. ]

LeClair Noah? ... no, Noah LeClair. I see. Hm.

I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, King of Uruk, and first of all Kings. I have been summoned in the form of a Caster class only that I may better meet Uruk's time of need, thus this is why I take on such an appearance as I have now.

[ that introduction aside -- ]

Perhaps you may let that beast of yours come a little closer. Up close, she may have a different perception of me.

[ animals of the cat variety do tend to become fond of him rather quickly. one might say he has something of a natural aptitude in dealing with them. should Noah let them be introduced properly, he might be surprised at the results such an encounter might yield... ]

[localdeliveryboy]

Errr...

[ This guy sure talks funny. ]

Not sure of that's a good idea, given how she is.

[ A low growl escapes her, though she is a lot calmer with the petting. ]

...Hang on a sec, did you say you're a king?

[gilgamess]

I am quite fond of such beasts.

[ and his expression does reflect as much, as he looks warmly at the familiar.

Gilgamesh's body language is at ease despite the aggression she radiates, and he does not push any boundaries by attempting to touch: indeed, part of why he likes these animals so is that they very much have their own wills. whether she accepts his interest now or later or not at all, that is very much in keeping with the will of a feline.

-- ah, but he looks at Noah when asked such a question. ]

Tch... I am not merely any king! I am Gilgamesh, the first of them all.