[CLOSED] Zahliyaquest...2

[purifier]

Who: Zahliya, Luca, Joshua, Wolfwood, Dipper, Mamika, Siffrin, Loop, & Kiera
What: A gargoyle needs task-doers for character development
When: Mid-August, yes during the rainstorms, good luck
Where: ??? :)
Warnings: Typical Sticks trigger warnings apply, suicide, time loops resulting in multiple character deaths, Wolfwood just shot someone executioner style, more to be added


OOC notes, here is a rehash of your rules:

• Mod tags will come either a) after everyone involved has tagged in or b) after 24 hours have passed since the last mod tag. This means if you are absent for any reason, the thread WILL move on without you.
• Interaction in this log will be redeemable for MAIN AC, not just Bonus AC like most of our NPC threads.
• This questline will shape Zahliya's outcome for the rest of the game, and may or may not result in an almost-full Corruption cure and therefore gamewide impact. I will let people know midway through the quest if he's currently aimed at aggression/confidence/staying in the Grove, or if he's on passive/indecisive/leaving the Grove.
• The old OOC plotting post for this is here!

Comments

[theuniverseleads]

Oh! How useful! [they feel less special... but also, they don't really want to give everyone their personal number, so. this is fine.

anyway, they elbow Siffrin in the ribs.] Poor stardust here can only talk to himself, but he knows how to call me! And I can talk to him whenever I want! So we can pass messages, too~

there are isat spoilers in this link

[purifier]

Yeah. A nebula. [Loop could've just fucking lied here and Zahliya would've genuinely believed them.] Either way, you telepaths will be helpful. Just in case. Even you, Dipper.

That said, I don't expect the Forest to play nice at any point. [And since y'all can't be touchin the fog wall, Zahliya pulls out some sets of the golden glasses from his toolbelt, you know the one with the bird skull? Yeah. Here you go kids.] I don't know if anyone has these already or not, but Heimr said you could borrow them if you don't. You have to give them back when you're done, or pay the cost to keep them.

[aka: this is your free golden glasses trial, if you want these after this quest they cost bac, you're welcome.]

Oh, and don't be alarmed, but I've been told everything looks weird through these. Including you guys, including me. They reveal "truths". They're meant to help you see the true paths through the fog, after all.

[leggierissimo]

[ Ooh. Glasses. He'll be taking one of those pairs, thank you. He's seen what that fog wall can do. ]

I hope it's not a "you break it, you buy it" situation.

[ Putting those on! And outwardly not showing any surprise, but definitely giving everyone a good, long look for a bit. That's... hm. Pardon him as he looks down at himself. Unfortunately, he can only see part of him. ]

Well, aren't we an interesting bunch.

[ghostharasser]

[Oh. Zahliya thinks he will be helpful. He feels a lot better about it then. Praise...]

[Anyway he definitely already has the glasses on and is looking around. These work kind of like his old enchanted eyepatch did back in Deerington, good to know.]

I guess that's probably less of a surprise than it should be, huh?

[unheiring]

[Still a touch skeptical, Luca puts on the glasses. He glances around once, gaze landing on Kiera. Almost immediately, he snaps to attention and takes a step back. He's far shorter than her, so he can't exactly prevent anyone from seeing their face, but he's still trying.

His hands itch to draw his blade, even though no one has moved to raise a hand against her. Call it instinct.]

I would - suggest not wearing these unless absolutely necessary.

[cryopathy]

Oh, I'm going to look ridiculous in these.

[y'know, with a full set of glasses over the eyepatch. yet, she slips them on nonetheless, just as curious as everyone else. fortunately, or... unfortunately? she can only see her limbs change, nothing of her own face. which is more than fine by her, actually. she thinks it's a good decoy. blows a little gust of cold air across the back of luca's neck.]

I can see the smoke coming out of your ears, Luc. Relax. We're on a mission; surely such a capable group as this won't get so easily distracted.

[unheiring]

[That's a sufficient enough distraction. Kiera better mind her face, though, because he's practically leaping a foot in the air as the cold air drifts down his spine. He turns to shoot a glare at her.]

I suppose that's the last time I try to assist you.

[It's not.]

casually spoiling ISAT intermittently for the rest of this log now dwbi

[theuniverseleads]

[There is a noticeable reaction from Loop somewhere between "everyone looks weird" and "reveals truths". They stare at the glasses in their hands, at the gold-tinted grass and mud below, motionless as everyone else continues to talk and look around.

They... lower their hands. They can't do this. Not while everyone is watching.]

Looks like they're not in my size, sorry! [no ears! no nose! they have an excuse!!] I'll just... follow behind someone else. It's fine!

[purifier]

[Zahliya is listening to everyone be like... "oh we're so interesting! oh wow I hate this! wow they don't fit!" and he's not sure what y'all are on about, but he takes it that everyone looks weird through them? Just as Heimr said for sure...]

If you hold them up to your face, they should still function. I don't have tape, but you can make a decent glue out of tree sap, if you really want them to stay.

[Thanks buddy.]

[start_again]

[Oh. Siffrin hasn't actually tried these on yet. He eyes the pair of glasses he'd gotten from the shop for a moment before slipping them on and looking at Loop.

...Yeah, he doesn't look surprised by what he sees. It's just a little strange, functionally looking in a mirror.]

...You should probably put on some clothes if you're gonna be around people wearing these.

[theuniverseleads]

[Siffrin is just about the only one they don't mind looking at them, but they still squirm uncomfortably. Trying to look at him instead of looking at everyone else who might be looking at them.

... they're kinda scared to check. But they cannot say that out loud, so instead they give Siffrin a pleading look. Please, just tell them they look... not worse... let them down gently... they don't wanna look and see something even more disgusting in their reflection... please...]

Is it that bad?

[start_again]

[Aw, you're making them feel a bit bad, even through all the rock-induced iciness.

...Not bad enough to give in, though. Loop certainly did their fair share of fucking with him, after all. This is just some extremely mild payback. Siffrin shrugs.]

Relax. You look like yourself.

[Yeah, that is a very pointed look he's giving them.]

1/2

[theuniverseleads]

Like—?

[Like themselves.

Like... a person.




............................ with no clothes?????????

fumbling the glasses in their panic to hold them up and check wait are they ACTUALLY standing here buck-ass blinding naked in front of everyone—]

2/2

[theuniverseleads]

[THE ILLUSION HAS CLOTHES (and hands, and feet, that's really all they can make out from here)

Loop sighs really loudly and punches Siffrin in the shoulder (playfully) (it still hurts).]

You're lucky you're so cute. [they feel better thanks bestie]

[start_again]

[Loop's reaction drags a hint of a smile out of him. He's still not in a great place, but hey, that made him feel alive for a moment. He rocks slightly with the punch but at least seems to take it in the intended spirit.]

I'm still definitely the cute one.

[theuniverseleads]

You are, teehee!

[they both are! ☆]