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

[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!)

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[Killing Hijikata very well might make the Mayorins disappear, and Arashi along with them as he'd get booted out of Avalon. But what's the fun in killing a man whose body is being controlled by a clueless bird? That said Arashi is increasingly feeling that he made a big mistake and should have trusted in his gut instinct when he first saw Sougo's S face on the phone screen.]

...

I would prefer to not lie down. Surely tying the wrists and ankles will suffice.

[Clearly this man is malevolent to some degree, so Arashi feels inclined to ask him to collect his things and take his leave, but his magic is really running out now. It's a struggle to focus on keeping the fusion together. This isn't good. At this rate he'll have to actually stay here to keep an eye on things, and he wanted to extricate himself from the situation so badly! Unless... he locks eyes with Hayate. As a fellow youkai now bonded to a human he surely understands his plight.]

I can feel the fusion coming undone. I will need to recuperate from its effects. Hayate-san... should anything get out of hand in my absence please contact me immediately. I will provide you with the means to do so shortly.

[Yeah, it's more fun to kill the actual Hijikata himself, good point.]

Your preference doesn't matter here. [Sigh. Nevertheless, Sougo starts on tying up Hijikata's wrists, to at least make a little progress. The way Sougo ties it leaves extra rope at the end to be a makeshift leash.]

Oi, you gotta sit down for the ankles.

[Hayate had started to get distracted trying to put the laxatives in the bottles and ended up trying to dump the mayonnaise in the sink instead. As soon as Arashi looks at him though, Hayate knows he's all business. Hayate floats over to rest on Sougo's shoulder to show Arashi that he'll be watching, like a good familiar!]

I got it! I told you not to worry, though.

[Arashi obediently sits down in an armchair, awkwardly refolding his wings on his back and clearly feeling torn about this whole ordeal, but his wrists are already tied... how unbecoming, truly. He struggles to still look halfway dignified as he acknowledges Hayate's reassurance.]

I appreciate your support.

[As soon as Sougo is done tying his ankles to the feet of the armchair Arashi exhales in relief. That wasn't a moment to soon.]

I will now release the fusion.

Edited 2021-05-18 18:20 (UTC)

[There's a lot of sudden mist, or smoke, or whatever the hell kind of magical effect it may be, and as soon as it clears there's a tall crow person standing besides the armchair, slightly steadying himself on the backrest. He's drained! Hijikata, meanwhile, back in control of his body, seems to still have enough energy left to yell and scream.]

Arashi, you bastard!! What the hell is your problem?! Untie me straight away and see to it that Sougo and his weasel leave!!

Hijikata-san, you need an intervention. Sougo-san and Hayate-san offered their assistance. Rest assured that no harm will come--

No harm, my ass!! You haven't got a clue who you let into my room here! He's the worst sadist in the Shinsengumi!

[Arashi doesn't have an immediate response to that. He looks at Sougo, then at Hayate, then back at Hijikata who's twisting and turning in the armchair, trying to loosen the ropes.]

Be that as it may, he assured me that you will not be harmed. Hayate-san is also vouching for that. I am depleted of energy and require rest now, so you will excuse me--

You put me in this kind of situation and then you just olly out?!

No problem, Arashi-san.

[Sougo gives Arashi a lazy salute. After how curt he was, Sougo is still addressing Arashi respectfully. Maybe it's habit, mockery, or a mixture of both. But even Sougo can admit that Arashi's full form is pretty damn impressive. The sheer difference between dignified Arashi and Hijikata tied to a chair sure is something to behold.

Once the tengu disappears, Sougo smirks at Hijikata with all the glee of a kid finding the cookie jar when his parents are away.]

Well, well, well, Hijikata-san. Looks like there's no one to help you now.

There's me!

Sasuke doesn't count.

[Hayate whines, too used to Sougo's teasing to put up a fight right now. Besides, he has a job to do! He'll be happy if he gets to play with Hijikata and make Arashi proud of him.]

You heard the crow man. You need an intervention. Poor Arashi-san, you treated him so badly. Let's see here, where are those things...

[Sougo jerks the rope, tying it to the nearest bedpost. He needs to leave Hijikata's side temporarily to go Mayorin hunting, after all. Sword drawn, he starts to look behind all the available doors...]

Hey! Hey!! Untie me!!

[He pulls at the rope, then tries to lift it over the top of the bedpost, but the wooden post has decorative ridges, and of course Sougo tied the knot right in one of those, so the rope won't budge.]

Wait, what are you doing with the sword?! Sougo!!

[If he were tied to a regular chair instead of a heavy armchair he would long have managed to topple it, but as it is he can only strain and struggle as the sadist prowls through his apartment... and within mere moments he finds the first scared Mayorins hiding behind the paper bin.]

Leave them alone!! Hayate, protect them!!

[Sougo is looking for the Mayorins with a sword in his hand, what do you think he's going to do? Sure enough, Sougo finds the poor mascots huddling together behind a trash can. He grabs the nearest one, holding it by its little onion-shaped head with his sword at his throat. The Mayorin starts making scared, high-pitched whinnies as Sougo stares at Hijikata straight on, his face contorting into pure sadistic glee.]

So what will it be? You stay away from the sunlight or I take care of these guys one by one.

[While this is happening, Hayate floats over to sit on Hijikata's head. Even as Hijikata cries for Hayate to help the Mayorin, the kamaitachi is a little confused. For him, this is merely Sougo's way of "playing" with Hijikata and helping!]

But Arashi-san said to protect you...he didn't say anything about the Mayorin thingies.

[This is like a scene from one of his worst nightmares. His precious, beloved Mayorins are in peril right in front of his eyes, and he can do nothing to save them... nothing other than beg this goddamn sadist for mercy. He's so fearful for the poor mascot's life (existence, rather), he doesn't even try to shake the unhelpful kamaitachi off his head.]

I-- I'll stay out of the sun!! I'll avoid it completely! Just set Mayorin down, gently!

How can I be sure you're not lying, hmm? You've gotta do better than that, Hijikata-san.

[The Mayorin is full-on crying now, and Sougo refuses to budge. If only he could record this moment! He'd want to have a video of Hijikata begging him for mercy forever. Alas, both of his hands are occupied right now and Hayate's claws would just tear up his hakama...]

I promise, I promise! You can be sure because you tied me up!

[Begging Sougo like this feels beyond shitty. Hijikata knows that he's getting an absolute kick out of his despair right now, but screw his dignity and pride; his Mayorins are at stake! The one Sougo is holding is so terrified, Hijikata can't stand to see it. He's willing to do anything to save it!]

If you want to be extra sure you can-- you can use more rope, you can use tape, you can lock me in the closet..! Just leave Mayorin alone! Set him down, he hasn't done anything to you!

[He knows that last part doesn't make a difference to the sadist, but damn if he won't remind him of how wrong he is for harming these innocent mascots!]

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

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