[CLOSED] YDALIRQUEST

Entry tags:

!quest

[CLOSED] YDALIRQUEST

Who: Zoey, Faust, Dipper, Lily, Mizuki, Lavi, Sanemi, Stardust, Ryan, Link, Min-Gi, Genya, Akaza, Mystery, and Ydalir and also your ✨beloved mod Wolfie✨
What: Ydalirquest
When: A point in time that does not interfere with the main event :3
Where: The Leylines themselves, baybee!
Warnings: will be placed in headers/I expect you all to behave regarding this

Alright crew here's how this is gonna work:
- Mod responses will come after every player has tagged in OR after 24 hours have passed. If you do not tag in those 24 hours you will be skipped over.
- OOC communication will be done through the Discord in a thread in RP-Talk-1. You don't have to unmute, but please have your pings on so that if I need to @ everyone, I can. For now we will clusterfuck everyone into one thread; if we need to split into 3 for the groupings we will, just lmk.
- I am going to give you an initial "go play" toplevel somewhere in this as a heads up (this is my contingency for "Wolfie is out/busy or players are out/busy and we still want to play"). I do not recommend hitting the bell on this one, but this is so that all fourteen of you can interact at once. I want you to fuck around and go play in this one. I promise you this one does not need to be mod-guided (but ask me questions if you need to). I sort of put a lot into this setting and I'd feel bad not letting you all do the thing oops.
- PLEASE GOD IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS @ ME IN THE DISCORD chat might move fast and I might not see it. PING ME. I'm begging. I'm on my knees. A ping for Wolfie, please.
- Please hit the bell on your group threads :) and try to maintain some semblance of a tag order. For the initial "all fourteen of you are together" I will not ask for you to maintain tag order and I'm sorry for anyone's inboxes. I will try to get through this in a manner that does not make you want to explode. I was woefully underprepared for 90% of the game to actually want to do this sorry-
- You will get rewards! for participating.
----> You can redeem participation in Ydalirquest for your entire month's AC if you want ~~I don't recommend this bc there are going to be subthreads and breakpoints and you could get like, 5 threads of BAC easily from this but you know it's there if you want~~
----> Participation in the quest as a whole can count for 2 threads of magic practice, and I'll let you use the threads for other BAC. But please when you do your next magic regain put "participated in ydalirquest" so that I remember. Please.
- ?? ??????? ??? ? ??? any other weird shit i'll put in toplevels or headers thank youuueueuuuuueueuuu for playing :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Oh! That's convenient! And weird, but very cool-weird. Zoey puts her phone back into her pocket. ]

Well hey! A door is a heck of a lot better than uh. Than whatever is uh. Happening. Oof, that does not look comfortable...

[Noclipping through the floor is not for her, she thinks. She will take the door, thank you! ]

[Stardust Cookie will look over Akaza… hopefully he’s okay? the giant owl was thinking about using the door, also, but he’ll wait for the others to go. maybe clipping through the floor will be more fun. so he maneuvers his owl head downward and attempts a hard push through the floor.

yeah, this way is more exciting than door!]

Hello, there.

[he speaks to the beings on the other side once his head is through. wiggle]

Do I look like I care?

[he definitely does not. zero self preservation in this bitch. he's gonna try squirming the rest of the way through the noclip floor. this is less exciting than breaking through by force, but hey, if it works, it works.]

[Why are you people (Akaza) like this-

Link elects to take the door since he doesn't trust the fragility of his body in its current state, making his way over to it to pass through, but not before asking Mizuki as he floats nearby:]

How on earth did you know to do that?

Good intuition? [ He laughs, and just sort of floats down through the door. (Not before putting a bunch of very pixelated torches around the portal, of course-)

He twists himself to look at Akaza. Or. "Look"? He doesn't have eyes, help. ] Are you okay? Does that hurt...???

[Everyone pops out onto the other side, and what do you know! It's Neo Eden 2— just kidding, although those of you who went before will probably feel that it looks quite similarly. It's a city bathed in neon, dark buildings illuminated on their corners by strips of glowing lights. The people on the other side are more than happy to help those who slip through the glass stand up, while those of you that take the door will be met with handshakes... or noodle-shakes in Mizuki's case.

Hopefully Akaza isn't hurt, because the floor is not supposed to hurt, but idk maybe noclipping is painful. I wouldn't know.

Safe on the other side of the nighttime-soaked city, though, you would be free to explore, if... if. IF. You weren't immediately being invited to dinner.]

Do you want to come to our potluck? [An excitable girl, roughly Zoey's age, says.] We're having it at the park!

[The man next to her chirps:] Yeah, there's going to be a big event there, so everyone chipped in to make food. We were gonna invite the other side of the city to come see it, but y'all seemed kinda lost. You good?

[ Handshakes are good! Zoey can do handshakes! She returns them with considerable enthusiasm. ]

Wowww, this place looks so cool! It's like-- Like a video game or something! Or a movie!

[ And of course, the invitation is warmly received. She puts her hand on her chest, clearly touched. ]

Aww, that's so sweet of you! We'd love to go! Do we need to bring anything? I'm not sure where we'll get anything, but we could try! That's what you're supposed to do, right?

[he's up! and he's looking around, offering his clawed hand to help up Akaza, too. if he needs it. you good?]

I think so...

[an answer to Zoey's question, first, before Stardust tilts his head all the way to the side. owltilt. do they have time to go to a potluck? he kind of wants to go, seriously! but what could they bring along with them as a gift?]

What is this... big event?

No...? It just feels like... pressing against something?

[everyone so concerned about him... what the fuck. why do y'all care?? notably, though, both the wered wolf and stardust are going to get wet from his personal raincloud, sorry. even if he just looks at their extended hands like "???" and stands on his own. honest, he is more confused than offended.

he also has... zero intent on eating, but everyone else is already asking about what the big deal is, so he just waits for an answer on that.]

[Fucking wild, truly. Well, Link isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Or...noodle, as it were.

He makes it safely through the portal, only to be greeted by the very friendly, welcoming werefolk that are honestly a breath of fresh air while at the same time leaving him feeling INCREDIBLY cautious...suspicious, even. It feels almost too good to be true to be invited in so readily, like. Is he the only one here who feels like they could be walking right into a trap?

But it doesn't seem like it would be productive to say such in front of their company, so he decides to put that thought away for now. He's extra vigilant on a good day...he just needs to keep his eyes open, even if the rest do not.]

Your hospitality is much appreciated, thank you.

[He says as his hand is awkwardly shaken.]

Do you mind if I ask what this big event is about?

[ Mizuki can't nervously teeter on his feet now that he does not have feet, but he does nervously twirl some of his foremost tentacles around each other, trying to take in everything. As per the usual, he is not one to make the decision here. He wants to search for Ydalir, or the leylines made manifest, but he also doesn't think that's possible given their current position. This is like... a quest, or something, right? Like the plot of a video game. The isekai sort.

...

He's not very good at actually doing this sort of thing though. So, for now, he doesn't chip in with his own two cents. He'll just follow the others, as usual, for what they decide to do.

He will put down a couple pixelated poppies while he waits, though. ]

[Not Mizuki with his poppies...

The excitable girl chimes in to answer questions, though by the way she pivots on her heel, it seems she expects all of you to follow after her.]

You don't gotta bring anything! Like, okay, yes, technically that's how they work, but when you're new in town, it's not like you know. You guys are new, right? I mean, I would recognize people that look like you. You're so unique! But if you're not new I'm super sorry.

[She flips her wrist a bit. The group is currently being led down what might have been a roadway with vehicles, for those here who are familiar with how modern roads look which is like two of you, but there are no vehicles. This is basically an oversized sidewalk at this point despite the glowing neon road marks. You know the ones. The ones that are like - - - - - -. The fucking marks guys.

Anyway.]

So yeah, big event. There's going to be a philosophical debate forum type thingy or something! It was gonna be held at the library but I dunno if you've gone into the library, it's like... cramped and you shouldn't yap at a library anyway. I love it there, but when half the city wants to show up to an event, it's really not feasible. The person running it calls themself a scholar. There's going to be food, but there's also going to be nerd stuff. It's pretty much the ultimate culmination of fun!

[ omg this girl speaks her language

Zoey will follow along as the girl leads them. It's definitely a little weird, a road with no cars, but hey! Easier om foot traffic that way. ]

Sounds like a party to me! What are they debating? Ooh, is it like a contest?

[Stardust also looks as interested as an owl can look. with big eyes, he hoots and shakes off the water from Akaza's cloud. he doesn't seen to mind being wet. actually, he likes it very much! #justbirdthings

as he follows along, he fluffs up his feathers. a scholar! he looks to the rest of the group to see if they are coming, too, and curiously asks quietly, so as not to interrupt Zoey. she seems like she's in her element]

I wonder if it's...?

[Ydalir, he means. but he doesn't know that much about Ydalir to know for sure. maybe this little side quest is not, actually, a side quest after all. perhaps it is the test?]

[thankfully, at least, with his dumbass stunt actually working in a way, his little storm is letting up. just don't expect him to connect the dots. he can't connect shit. and while he doesn't directly apologize to stardust, he nods once in his direction as they start to move.]

It seems plausible it could be her. Might as well check the only lead we've got, at least.

[Link's eyes would have lit up with immediate interest if they weren't currently blank and distant, both of them still looking in different directions. He sure doesn't look all that smart in this form, but it at least hasn't affected his brain. He's following along with the group, though it certainly isn't at all that quick. He keeps stumbling thanks to his ball-joints.]

Not just plausible, but probable. Anything we can do to influence getting her back.

[As he comes up to Akaza and Stardust, he lowers his voice a bit so their entourage doesn't hear.]

Keep your guard up. These people seem friendly, but we still have no idea what we might be walking into.

[ "Keep your guard up" Link says, as one of Mizuki's noodles is now holding the girl's hand. He's listening, probably- ]

Realistically, you had me at "food"~!

[ Food and a "quest"? Best RPG ever, he knew the leylines would like video games. ]

[Yay, holding hands and going to the debate and potluck! And the rain is stopping! Yay yay yay :) Everyone is having such a good time! Digital smiley face emojis start to rise out of the ground. Yay hooray!]

I don't think it's like a contest, but I guess it could be! I think I saw on the flyers that they're going to debate "what makes us human" or something like that. Isn't that fun?

[It won't be long until everyone reaches the park, though. Maybe "park" is a strong word in a city like this; it's more akin to a wide-open space with astroturf and glass trees, though the leaves of them are delicate enough to brush gently over your skin (or fur, or bell, or ball joints, or feathers) as you pass underneath them, like real leaves would. It's decorated much like your standard general park would be — there's a playground far in the distance that no one seems to be using, picnic tables lined with food, and what looks to be something of a stage that would be used during music festivals and the sort traditionally. All lined in neon, of course, and all difficult to look at the longer your eyes try to parse the bright lights against the stark contrast of the black metal.

Atop this stage is a microphone, enough empty chairs for five, and in the middle of them is an occupied chair sat on by a single woman. You all recognize the normal witchy drapery of Ydalir's normal outfit — the comically on the nose witch hat, the puffy dress and layered scarves — but you don't exactly recognize the woman's face, hair colours, or even the lines of age on her features. After all, she didn't have one the last time you saw her.]

[ It's like a futuristic park! Much like the rest of this place looks pretty futuristic. It's like those future memes she's seen, almost, but like, different. Zoey takes it all in as she walks, squinting at the neon and trying to focus on the gathering instead.

And the lady on the stage doesn't look familiar at all. The clothes kind of do, though? Zoey thinks for a second, and then her eyes widen. ]

Hey... She kind of looks a little bit like Ydalir, doesn't she? Like if they shopped at the same store?

[ Oh my god. What if this lady stole Ydalir's clothes. ]

[Stardust slows to give a nod to Link, those owl brows(?) furrowing deep in thought. he will be on guard, as best as he can. he has a power that can take him stealthily from one point to another, after all. he is nervous to practice flying, but it's not like he wants to draw attention to himself, here, so, bird steps it is. and shadow sneaking when he needs to.

after glancing around the park, his eyes zero in on the woman on the stage. it seems like he's wondering if that is Ydalir, or if they have a clothes thief on their hands! just like Zoey]

I see what you mean. She wears the same outfit. Could she have been given a new face or form in this world, like us?

I'm not worried. [he says in response to link, though it's in a far more self-assured tone than a lackadaisical one. and maybe he visibly cringes at the topic of debate. gods, please don't make his ass participate.

once they arrive, he... maybe has more trouble looking directly at the stage and the lady and everything than the rest of the group does. medieval peasant meets flavor blasted goldfish etc. his dread only deepens at the glint of extra chairs, conveniently their number. please let him be wrong.]

That... would actually make sense. [he's going to look at the weird plastic grass instead of the obnoxiously bright decor, thanks.]

[God, his poor fucking eyes. Medieval peasant meets flavor blasted goldfish indeed, he's way too late 1800s for this.

As they approach the stage and a figure that seems to be Ydalir in some form is sitting up there with those chairs, the purpose of it all is slowly blurring into focus, even though it may not be what they are hoping for. They'd mentioned a debate, after all...just not what the debating was going to be about.]

Let's see what they have to say.

[Wouldn't it be so crazy if this lady stole Ydalir's clothes? Just right off her body? Would that be fucked up or what—

Regardless, the people you've arrived with have wandered off to the food while you guys talk, so you're either free to join them or free to go up to my ominous chairs and sit. Either way, the woman who allegedly stole Ydalir's clothes starts talking, and the chairs remain empty for now. You'll all indeed recognize that the voice is Ydalir's own, but you can't exactly say you recognize the way she's acting either. In her lap is a book from which she idly browses the pages, but she doesn't seem all that focused on reading out from it.]

What is it about human beings that distinguishes us from other species?

[The crowd shouts several answers, but they get lost in the overall noise. Perhaps you lot might fare better.]

[oh. this. is entertaining. not in a good way. Stardust wanted to eat all the wonderful potluck food, but now he doesn't feel like it anymore. there's something unnerving about that woman that he cannot put his talon on.

are the people of this world actually human? Stardust shoves his glasses up his tiny beak, seemingly a bit annoyed about something. what makes this clothes-thief-or-possibly-Yadlir the authority on human beings, anyway? and why would humans even be brought up in this space?

he attempts to calm himself. perhaps she is merely the moderator for the leyline human debate club, or something. he doesn't like that, either. shouldn't all beings, human or not, be equals? he decides to keep his beak shut, because... he's not human, after all. not now, and not ever. even in the Grove, he's still a Cookie, just wearing human skin. but, anyway, it might be interesting to listen in on what the others have to say about it. he glances to the group, wondering if anyone is going to reply]

...

["please don't make me do it," thinks akaza, five seconds before probably-ydalir asks a question that makes him recall a difficult but very illuminating conversation he's had in his time in the grove -- and which was, ironically, a direct result of asking for her aid.

... if this whole thing is a trial to help her, the least he can do is return the favor. he walks to the front of the crowd, toward that obnoxious, blinding light. he avoids getting up on the stage, because fuck baring himself in front of a crowd of people. no, this he says directly to the lady with ydalir's voice.]

Scars. The weight of them and the memory they carry. [the leylines have placed him back in this form. his back tingles as he wonders whether they "knew" enough to recreate his own.] For an animal, they're a badge of survival, but for a human -- or... other beings on the same mental level... [looking at you, stardust, because he includes cookies in that.] They represent some difficulty overcome. Growth as a person, commitment to a cause... love, enough to be a shield for someone else.

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noting that mizuki said to skip him this round for my sanity

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