[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]

[Loop is still hanging back—this isn't their scene, not their lines, and frankly, they still don't trust this woman to just give up. It never worked on the King. Some people cannot be swayed from their motives, and it's foolish to try.

But this isn't their scene, so they'll allow it. They remain glued to Siffrin's side, an arm half-shielding him on reflex after the flames from earlier (thank you again, Josh). Listening, if only because they don't know this script, want to be ready if they need to fight again.

...

Copies and tools. They'd laugh, if it wouldn't be speaking out of turn. As if it's that simple.

Maybe they can relate to Zonari more than they'd like to admit.]

[unheiring]

[Luca's chest aches the longer Kiera speaks. There are parallels there that they should probably talk about, but now is not the time. This isn't hte first time he's thrown his support in for his sister in one of her escapades — how many times had he lied for her after a prank gone wrong, or a father scorned.

This, at least, was easier. There are no lies to be had here. Merely simple support.]

I believe many of us here know what it feels like, to be a tool. A weapon. A host. [There are very pointed thoughts being directed toward the Phoenix here, thank you.] But all of us have made choices to stand in defiance of what has been deemed our purpose. If that's the choice you make, then we will support you.

And if it is not... [He glances toward Kiera once more.] None of us will begrudge you for remaining loyal to family. It is like you said. "Family should stick together.

As long as you do not seek to further harm us directly, we will do no harm to you. And perhaps we can both learn from each other. It... would not be the first time I have done that. Today, even.

[This time, he turns to glance at Mamika. He gives her an apologetic smile, but one laced with gratitude all the same.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood doesn't trust this. He doesn't trust people easily, and he sure as hell doesn't trust the pawn of the Creature. But he would be the largest hypocrite in the world if he said he didn't relate to everything Kiera and Luca are saying. He's spent his entire life as a tool. He was raised to be an assassin, solely taking up the mantle in a desperate effort to protect the one place in the world he still cared about, full of innocent kids who deserved to grow up and life a life better than the one he had. To live...at all.

His expression is difficult to read as all of this plays out. His features are hard and it's clear that he's conflicted, but he's biting his tongue harder than he's ever bitten it before, the cords in his neck briefly visible in the effort to keep his opinions to himself. Jaw set, eyes forward. This feels like a terrible idea, one that's going to backfire on all of them, because Zonari has no reason to want anything to do with them. It would be so easy for her to prey on the good will of those less jaded than he is, to pretend just long enough until she's someplace she can do the most damage.

For "him". For "her father".

He lacks memories that would ultimately change his perspective here, of time he has yet to experience. Either way, it doesn't particularly matter. He isn't going to thrust his gun at her and fire in the middle of a crowd, nor is he going to be the one to make that decision now. It was...different, with Rollo. Far more of a situation of "this is a mercy, not something I want to do". This situation is clearly far more complicated and nuanced than that.

Wolfwood will not kill her, nor will he put his hat in the ring for doing so. He doesn't like this, and he doesn't feel confident it's going to go in their favor, but he knows he has to have faith. And if there's anyone he feels like maybe he could put his trust in...it'd be these bozos. Luca's final words to her, though... As long as you do not seek to further harm us directly, we will do no harm to you. He has to bite his tongue, yet again, not to scoff. Good luck.

Since he's still standing near Dipper after their scuffle with the Warden, Mamika is probably a good distance away from him currently. But, should she look his way, he'll readjust the way his Punisher is slung over his shoulder. He can tell just by looking at her how frazzled and overwhelmed she is by everything, and he feels like she hasn't had a single good turn since all of this started. She's been trying but, you know. He can tell when someone is compartmentalizing.

So he doesn't say anything. He'll just open his palm close to his side if she looks, subtle enough to not be blatantly obvious to anyone standing around, but more of a silent offer for comfort if she needs it.]

[purifier]

[Neither Gargoyle understands you people at this point. Zahliya is pinching the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger, clearly disapproving but not saying anything more — it's whatever you guys want at this point, he's got his swords and half a brain left, and one of y'all (not present) ate Moder and fixed everything wrong with her so like, fuck it we ball. Zonari, meanwhile, is doing that exact same pinching motion but in a way that's more like "why are you guys so confusing".

She does not intend to play nice. But if the Black Sun would be happy being reunited with his sister — and she knows he wants to be, somewhere, somehow — then fine.]

Fine. Either we come to an accord, or all of you die anyway, so I have nothing to lose.

[Lol. Lmao, even.

The Warden, of course, is having none of this, and so the smoke simply wraps around Zonari one last time and flies off through the forest. Wheeeeee goodbye, it has to go find a new body.]

Before you drag me to your weird little civilization, though — here. [Y'all had better catch these because she is very specifically hurling three shards at you: One of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Please fucking catch these.] I was going to destroy them. I don't care if you consider it pre-emptive thanks for fixing my father's relationship with my aunt, but don't lose them. Or do. It's not my job to babysit you.

[Let's head back. Please put this gargoyle somewhere where she'll be watched.]

1/2 I GUESS

[unheiring]

[Luca jumps into motion, ready to catch one of the shards. His hands outstretch and... promptly punch the thing into the air. He tries to catch it as it goes airborne once more, but his ass is short. That's uh... That's not happening. Someone else please make up for his mistake -]

2/2

[unheiring]

[Once the shard is properly caught by somebody fucking else apparently, he turns his attention back to Zonari. He straightens himself up as best as he can, hoping that she doesn't say anything (and knowing that she damn well probably will). Whatever, he's going to shift the subject back.]

I believe you have something else to give us. To return to us? [He motions to Zahliya.] I do not intend to prevent your passage to the grove. However, I can make it significantly more uncomfortable.

[He lets his own flame manifest, sparks dancing between his fingers. He blows a few toward her in a casual threat, before turning to Zahliya properly. Let him dote on you now babes thanks.]

[lupusxylem]

[Luca he swears to god-

Wolfwood watches him attempt to catch that shard- the moon shard, specifically-, literally punching it further into the air, and his reflexes activate. It sails in an arc thanks to being literally punched, prompting him to reach up and snatch it out of the air like he does with Zazie's bugs when he finds them. It sits heavy in his palm, definitely humming with latent magic he couldn't hope to understand.

He considers pocketing it for a moment, to wait until he can ask someone more versed with these things what he should do with it- Mizuki maybe, or Ain who knows magic- but after some deliberation...

The Punisher walks a few steps over, holding it out in between his fingers to Zahliya.]

Believe you've earned this.

[theuniverseleads]

[Alright cool so this is happening now. Loop catches the shard that happens to fly in their direction, making it look rather effortless compared to Luca (lmao). They hold it up curiously, studying it in their own light.

...

Feels... uncomfortably familiar. Haha.

So it's probably not a fake, at least. They would know what a star feels like.

They grip it tightly in their palm, wary eyes falling on Zonari again. Still don't think they should trust her, but.]

Right, because it's such a good idea to let her come in close and "give back" all those memories. Sorry, but I still don't buy it. How can we be sure this isn't a trick?

Losing a bunch of shards you planned to destroy... that's hardly what I'd call proof of anything. That may as well be a fair trade for your brother's memories to you—or his life!

[cryopathy]

[the hard part out of the way, kiera lets out an extremely dramatic sigh and slips back into their usual relaxed posture. make no mistake, they still fully expect a surprise attack at some point, whether it's two seconds or two months from now, but pretending to be somewhat at ease is their whole thing.

yes, they are most definitely laughing out loud at luca's fumble. then for sure blowing a cold gust up the back of his shirt with a look that says behave.

meanwhile, they give their new "friend" a cheery as can be smile!]

Threats of bodily harm are so childish, aren't they? I won't allow Luca to roast you. I can offer you either a perch atop the barn or a pile of hay next to the sow... depending on how you're feeling about dear Zahliya's memories!

i need to get this done before weaspen hop on a plane sorry-

[purifier]

[Moon shard obtained! And Zahliya is immediately sticking it in his mouth and oh hm things are happening—

While the rest of you duke it out over the sun shard, someone please come in here and claim the sun shard looks at Jami lovingly do you still want this, Zahliya slowly stops trying to vore the moon and pays attention to what's happening. Mizuki taught him this okay.]

Yes, yes, the memories. You people really don't let anything go. And look, sun-head, I told you it wouldn't go well and you people demanded a truce anyway.

[She will walk closer to Zahliya, who looks like he's five seconds from hissing like a cat at her, and everyone will get to watch as an array of colourful, crystal-ball like orbs surround her. If you look into them, they're clearly memories she stole away — none of them contain any of you, since she couldn't get those because he was clinging to them, but they're mostly things about fights he's been in, how to actually use his magic before Luca was gay at him, that part where she's been in the background of a lot of his life... Look, he's getting stuff she stole like a thousand years ago back, see? See how cooperative she is.

Zahliya is going to have a migraine for the next three days.]

There. I'll take my barn perch now. Do something entertaining while you have me holed up there, at least.