New Moon/Zahliya Event START!

[mooninthewater]

NEW MOON, WHO DIS?

!

"INVITATION"

Everyone will get a recounting from Mizuki about his encounter with the creature in the woods, regardless of whether or not you had your own run in it with. He knows it was brought up before, but he just wants to make extra sure everyone is up to speed! He gives a general outline of information that he learned from Ydalir, the Trader. (And, yes, he calls her that to everyone.)

One, the creature's name is Zahliya, but has many overall titles. His full title seems to be "Zahliya, The Purifier, He Who is the First Sentinel, the Grove's Guardian". It's kind of a mouthful, but Mizuki seems adamant you do your best to remember it all.
Two, "Purifier" seems to imply his capability to ward off and, well, purify corruption from the forest. This is obviously going to be very useful to the Grove as a whole.
Three, the fog is apparently at its weakest during that of a new moon, hence the timing. Which is tonight, Mizuki happily reminds you!
Four... "Zahliya needs our help."

He doesn't seem to elaborate further on that last point. Feel free to ask him about it, or just go to your fellow neighbors and be like "hey, what the fuck is that cryptic twink on about???" Regardless of what you do with that information, Mizuki strongly encourages your to meet with everyone at the edge of the fog closest to the inn tonight.

!

GATHERING

...And by "strongly encourages", it means he will drag your dumb ass to the meeting if you need an excuse to have them actually show up. Mizuki seems very adamant about this. Zahliya is their friend now! We don't leave friends behind.

Mizuki explains that it seems relatively simple, all things considered. Simple relative to other things within the Grove, anyway. They just all gotta... "wish" for Zahliya. Sort of like believing in fairies, or calling out one's name for them to appear. Sort of.

He's certainly not going to lead in this, however. He's just here to provide the information! If anything, he's more hopeful that someone else will take the reigns from him the moment all knowledge about this is out there.

!

OOC

The OOC post about this event is here. I figured I should make the post about it initially, considering Mizuki dug for the lore about Zahliya, but considering he is not the leader-type, he will simply defer to the group from here. This is helpful for both chaos reasons and so everyone can more easily be involved. I also left the first prompt open for any pre-discussions about this you'd like to get out of the way, though if you would just like to read through Mizuki's discussion with the Trader and handwave knowing it, I'm totally fine with that, too. Mizuki wouldn't make any attempts to hide information from anyone, assuming they asked him the question first.

Recap of the Event so far! (Click to Expand!)

• The event begins with characters learning and talking about how to go about the information above. Caoimhe's brought a song. Natsuno brought knives. BB brought herself (unfortunately). Add brought... medical attention. All's well!
• Until it isn't, as when the moon is at its zenith, there's a horrifying roar and two mysterious sets of footprints within the fog. Using the goggles from the Shopkeeper, Add is able to find a twisted looking creature and a humanoid. It's decided that it's now or never to call out for their Guardian friend.
• And he does, in fact, appear! But he certainly doesn't seem to be doing so hot...
• ...but taking care of him might have to come second to the very angry monster beyond Felicity's barrier.

Comments

[mooninthewater]

…Is that Moder? [ Beat. ] If so, of course I am. It hurt you.

[purifier]

[Flinch as they get a second shot, why do humans like shots so much this shit HURTS. Get better at doctoring!!!]

Yes, you can judge with your fancy glasses, Doctor, whether or not the corruption in my system is dealt with by your medicine or by my own abilities.

[...but at least the wounds are closing.

While Add is busy playing PhD, though, to Mizuki:]

Yes, that is Moder. She's been in my hair for the last month. Angry about losing things she thinks are hers and all that.

[Yes he is talking loud enough for the angry moose to hear, yes Moder shrieks and continues to bonk its head into the barrier at this.]

[mooninthewater]

…

[ Is this a moral dilemma?? Or??? He's confused— ]

So I can eat it?

[purifier]

[SIGHS.]

You used to pick up caterpillars and eat those when you were three. I'm hardly surprised to see this behaviour carried on to your next life.

Yes, you can eat Moder. I assume you have room for all of that. [she's the size of a building mizuki]

2/2 wait i'm not done

[purifier]

[Before Mizuki goes though—]

Where is BB? I need to tell her that I am not her girlfriend.

[yeah he heard all of that, y'all.]

[mooninthewater]

[ Excited about food!!!! He hasn't had a proper meal in foreeeeeever. ]

You should at least give her a chance to confess first before you let her down. [ Beat. ] Oh, and maybe rest, first. You can talk to her later.

[purifier]

No, I prefer pre-emptive rejection. I'm not interested in these things.

[anyway he is already trying to get up to grab his swords sorry the moose is lookin real angry back there

yes he is still injured.]

[harmacy]

[excuse me :) where do you think you're going :)

pinning Zahliya to the ground with no less than five dynamos. sir,]

Please refrain from unexpected movements. Your injuries still need time to heal, and it would be a shame to waste a sedative here...

Is there any lingering pain? Discomfort? Please, tell me how you're feeling.

[mooninthewater]

[ For what it's worth, Mizuki is helping because I don't want him to join the fight just yet. Stingers will keep Zahliya from moving his arms or legs. He doesn't say anything. Doctor Add's got it handled, after all. ]

[purifier]

[he thinks he's going to FIGHT!! and then Dynamo and Mizuki's noodles pin him down and he lets out a feral hissing noise, tail lashing. let him GO!!!]

There is plenty of pain, but it's nothing I haven't handled before, and you all shouldn't have to fight that thing. [Zahliya would in fact give Moder the finger if his arms were not held down.] I am uncomfortable with how strong your little machines are.

[Like, those were bad enough, and now Mizuki's on him too. What the fuck.]

[harmacy]

Oh? I'll take that as a compliment, kuku.

[i mean he asked if there was any discomfort he never said he'd do anything about it

in fact, he is opening a little holoscreen just for Zahliya... anything funky on the bioscan, what's gargoyle physiology look like? he can only get so much through his scanner alone, but maybe if he finds a good excuse to cut them open later... ]

You've been working hard, Zahliya. Thank you for luring them here for us to deal with. We'll handle the cleanup, so you don't have to lift a finger this time. Alright?

[purifier]

[Oh boy gargoyle physiology!

The holoscreen should reflect every tangible part of Zahliya's general shape — wings, tail, horns, hooves (good for kicking things in the face), all that good stuff. It will pick up the fact that the green lines on his skin are not, in fact, just bioluminescent lines, and act more as gills — filters, so that he can function in places ordinary humans cannot. If Add's scanners are able to tell cellular composition, Zahliya is about 50/50 on being made of limestone and organic compounds that would be found in a typical sentient creature; half the reason his skin is so stick is because his cellular makeup has cell walls akin to a plant's, except, again, made of limestone. His bones are not hollow enough to allow for much flight time, and the muscles on his wings are somewhat under-developed, which makes it more likely he's able to glide but not achieve much airtime. Fitting for an environment that only lets you get 20ft up in the air before an invisible barrier knocks you back down.

Also, his body temperature runs at what would be considered a low-grade fever for humans, around 100 degrees Farenheight / 37.7 Celcius. There's a mix of things that don't make too much sense in here. If asked, this is because Zahliya was animated with magic, and magic sort of does its own thing.

Meanwhile, outside of scanner-world, your local gargoyle is staring at the holoscreen and pouting because it shows all the closing injury points. Let him up see they're healing—]

The luring was unintentional. She made sure to pierce me with her ugly little antlers beforehand, and caught onto the wishing when I did. Try not to get your organs punctured.

[harmacy]

[Add nearly pressing his face to this holoscreen like ooohhhhhhh new lifeform just dropped]

... molecular structure is... high mineral content... concentrations similar to El... [mumble mumble mumble... don't mind him leaning more into Zahliya's business, he is a doctor it's cool they consented

He is also prodding at some of those still-healing wounds, but he is being CAREFUL!! If nothing else Add is an expert at knowing the limits of his own medicine's pain nullification, try not to think about that one too hard.

anyway he is being less subtle when he sticks a finger in one of Zahliya's gills] What's this for? Mana filtration system...?

[purifier]

[Zahliya laying on this blanket on the ground like :| while Add pokes at his wounds, his blood is currently a deep black, but Add will find later that it's mysteriously red. Hmm hmm!

He's about to say something when Add sticks his fingers where they don't belong, and Zahliya literally yelps and squirms to get away from it. Add will note that it's very hot under that surface, kind of like sticking his finger into candlelight. Also, when he does that and opens up the slit further, more fog seeps out from it rapidly.]

Don't do that! [ANGRY GARGOYLE NOISES] They're made to filter the corruption out while my body processes it. It's uncomfortable to have you sticking your fingers in there.

[Sighs...

Meanwhile, Moder is about to try to gore Natsuno.]

If I give you samples of my blood later, will you calm down enough to focus on the pissed off monster trying to kill your friends?

[harmacy]

[he's going to be upset later he didn't take blood samples NOW if it's gonna change by then ugh... his data...

but for now he seems content with that compromise, smiling in a slightly-less-nefarious manner. extracting his finger from the patient—] Is it a sensitive area? Sorry, sorry, it's just the first time I've seen such a thing. In this lifetime, anyway.

[Instead of prodding he's going to be good and start cleaning and bandaging the more serious wounds. He glances at the battlefield only briefly, waving a hand to send off one of his dynamos... it's fine, Natsuno will live, probably.]

Combat isn't my specialization, so it's better if I remain on the sidelines. That means you're stuck with me until this situation is dealt with. Now, why don't you calm down and be a good patient for me, hmm?

[purifier]

Yes, it feels weird when you stick your fingers where they don't belong.

[Just so you know!! Feels weird!]

I would be calmer if you would not stick your hands in random places. I know you're a doctor, and I'm willing to work with you, but you need to behave and ask first.

[amhran]

[ Fel is going to take an active stance here, so her powers of healing will not be used - she is so powerful, and Caoimhe is glad that Fel can use her abilities that way instead. So Caoimhe takes a moment after seeing all this take place, pleased that the summoning work and her song had helped in some way. She stops singing and transforms the harp into a lyre so it hangs on a sash at her side.

She is watching everyone hoard around the Gargoyle, and her very weak voice chirps out - ]

I-I can help... I-I can close any open wounds... Including some internal ones, but I cannot.. I cannot heal any broken, fully... But..

[harmacy]

[once he's done shoving his fingers in places he's not supposed to—]

My Cure should be able to restore everything on its own. [because he is the BEST doctor and everyone should rely on HIM and not the other healers] However, in the interest of time... additional healing sources would be appreciated, I suppose.

[amhran]

You are truly amazing Add... [ FOR REAL THOUGH, she looks at him and everything he's done. It's been so long since she has seen such bad horrible injuries... The last time it had been during the great walk from the East coast, when all the people of the Kingdom Grandall had been forcibly teleported away. So many lives were lost, many elderly who could not walk or travel far... So many injuries - Caoimhe sits herself wherever Add wants and effectively will cast Cure Wounds wherever he needs her to and when he needs her too. She will mention she can only cast so many times at different levels of capacity - she can heal one GREAT wound but the rest will have to be smaller. Let me know if you need me to say anything. ]

[harmacy]

[add: shower me with praise i am the BEST
add, the moment anyone actually showers him with praise: o-oh.... for me? 🥺

clearing his throat, making a point not to look at his cohealer rn]

... Of course. Well, it's nothing special, really. I'm only doing my job.

[purifier]

[Okay he's been listening the whole time but. He twists his neck around to look at her while Add is apparently shoving his fingers in places they don't belong—]

You were the only one who remembered the song that all of you used to sing when you were kids. ...it made me happy to hear.

[amhran]

[ Caoimhe smiles, looking down to the new found friend - their protector. It made her happy to have been able to bring this moment alive. ]

Chung... Chung shared it with me, and I spent time thinking on it... But in the end I let the words flow forth, on the night that you asked us to call for you. Thank you...

[purifier]

[He would reach up and pat her head if he weren't being held down.]

You're a sweet girl. You always were. I hope you're doing alright in this place.

She gives them a playfully wink.

[devilishkouhai]

[ I know ur not bitch xoxoxox. ]

[purifier]

[blank stare.]