Video | UN: hijikata | Irregular Quest: Keep a Man out of the Sun for a Day

[mayoninofukucho]

[It's after dinnertime on another rainy evening when a new video pops up on AOL. Hijikata has never posted anything on the network before (beyond responses to other people), so he's not exactly a familiar face... but those who do know him may be surprised by the changes to his outfit and the large black wings on his back. He looks a lot more composed than usual and gives the camera a slow blink before starting to speak.]

My name is Arashi. I am the familiar of Hijikata-san, whose body I am inhabiting by means of familiar fusion to bring you this message. I am afraid that I find myself in need of some assistance.

[He seems to be in a hotel room, and attentive listeners may be able to catch the occasional high-pitched little noise in the background, as if there were guinea pigs or other small pets running around. Arashi keeps a straight face.]

It has come to my attention that Hijikata-san has been struggling to reverse the impact of the wishes that were made about two months ago. I cannot maintain the familiar fusion state for very long, so I seek the support of anyone willing and able to keep him away from the sunlight for a day.

[What the reclusive crow tengu isn't telling the viewers: due to the heavy rains he decided to check on his bond partner, only to find his hotel room full of mayonnaise mascots. When the flooding began Hijikata had fetched them in a panic from the smallholding farm the owners of which had been letting him keep them in an enclosure, and their presence immediately made it clear to Arashi that he never fixed his messed-up magic. Hijikata had just finished preparing a familiar fusion essence in his room for later use in an emergency, and ultimately it was used much sooner as a result of the ensuing fight.]

Please come to Room 306 at the main inn if you are interested. I cannot offer gold, but I am able to train users of wind magic and help awaken it for novice users of elemental magic, or otherwise I can offer some rare items.

Just as a warning, there are some... creatures here.

[The mayonnaise mascots are harmless, but kind of creepy looking in his opinion. They are unnatural, wholly unnatural. The sooner they disappear the better.]


(OOC: This is open for anyone, no dibs (after all we've got time loops happening around here!). Villains and pranksters are also welcome (after all Arashi is such an absent familiar that he wouldn't be able to tell who Hijikata's friends are, or if he has any at all). If you'd like to plot anything specific out I have my CR meme post here!)

Comments

[colchismagecraft]

[Yup, the little dragon will be jumping onto her lap and peering at the camera, so Arashi will be able to get a good view of the creepy-cute little thing.]

Spoken like a true Magi.

I wonder if it is similar to reinforcement, or whether it is akin to fusing magic circuits directly- it's a technique I would be curious to learn myself, in time.

[mayoninofukucho]

[The Magi remark flies over his head, alas. He simply assumes that Caster considers his attitude towards his bond relationship with Hijikata appropriate.]

It is hard for me to gauge the similarity to other techniques as I have never used such magic before - or had a bond partner, for that matter. That said the familiar fusion ought to be available to all bonded pairs that arrived here, given that with the recipe Hijikata-san was able-- oh!

[He blinks at the skeletal little dragon.]

Would this be your bond partner?

[Who knows, it might just be a pet... he'll wait for confirmation before he bows to it in greeting.]

[colchismagecraft]

I held a similar pact with a Magus, back in my world- but I never sought to combine our power in such a way.

[Mostly because her and her first Master had a very sour relationship.]

And yes, the little one is my familiar.

[It seemed that the dragon could recognise the possession for what it was, and wagged it's tail happily to see a fellow familiar.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He does greet the little bone dragon with a bow and a faint smile. As for what Caster said regarding her previous bond relationship, the concept of a (presumed) human/human fusion strikes Arashi as odd at first, but then again why should it not result in the same benefits? If, for example, a physically strong fighter and a skilled spellcaster fuse together the result would be quite the powerhouse... much as with him and Hijikata, in theory.]

Perhaps such a spell did not exist in your world? I did not know of it before I came here either.

...

If you try it out this fusion with your partner I would caution you to ensure that you are in a safe environment. I mean no offence, but bones can be fragile.

[colchismagecraft]

[Certainly, when she'd combined her reinforcement magic with a physically strong fighter, that had worked well for her.

The little dragon was happy to be greeted, wagging its tail all the more vigourously. New friend!!]

There were similar spells, but not so much direct possession.

...Of course. We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt, would we?

[There was an odd undercurrent to her voice as she said that. As if, under the right circumstances, she absolutely would use that power for harm.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Aw, this little dragon is cute... Arashi smiles again. (Honestly, his emotions are more plain to see on Hijikata's features; his usual beaked bird head allows him to a pokerface.) They may be completely different species, but they share the same predicament of being naturally magic-infused beings suddenly finding themselves paired with an upgraded mortal.]

Exactly.

[He totally is catching that tone in her voice and that slight hint of a smile (or smirk?) at the corners of her mouth, and he has no doubt that this woman will absolutely dabble in this magic as soon as she can, but he's content to keep the conversation superficial. He has enough on his plate right now to not try and meddle in the business of other off-worders besides his own. Speaking of which...]

I do not assume that you might be able to lend me a hand regarding Hijikata-san?

[colchismagecraft]

You'd be better placed finding someone who can hold their own should he retaliate. Do I look the sort of woman able to best him in combat?

[In other words, she was 100% here to dig for information and not be at all useful.

But at least she was being relatively polite about it?]

[mayoninofukucho]

I understand. Hijikata-san can be quite forceful in his determination.

[Determination to save his little mayonnaise gnomes from being unmade, in this case.]

Nevertheless, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[He does appreciate that she was polite!! He looks at her familiar... he can't say it out loud, but he sure hopes that this woman doesn't give it as much grief as Hijikata gives him.]

[colchismagecraft]

And you as well- I go by 'Caster', here, if we run into each other again.

Best of luck with your pact-bound.

[mayoninofukucho]

Thank you, Caster. I will need it.

[He says that without an ounce of irony as he inclines his head to bid her goodbye. 'Caster' certainly sounds more like a designation than a proper name... what a mysterious person.]