Hijikata Toshirou (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mayoninofukucho) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ellipsanet2023-03-18 10:30 pm
mayoninofukucho) wrote in ellipsanet2023-03-18 10:30 pm
Video | Isekai Veteran Tips #1 (Blue Flash Quest)
[CW: Death on Livestream (but he'll be OK!)]
[While Ellipsa has been good to the otherworlders so far, it's still been a rough adjustment for Hijikata, and for one reason only: Nobody got power-nerfed!! Back in Edo, Lunatia, and Camelot he was considered a fearsome powerhouse of a swordsman, but here in Nightwake City... not so much.
He decides, however, to not let this break his stride, all the less once he takes notice of the 'Blue Flash' quest. At first the situation doesn't really ring a bell, but some research brings up previous similar incidents that saw people disappear in the same area, and the few blurry photos of the mysterious blue lights make a lightbulb go on in his head. He knows what these are!!
And so, a few days later, a stream goes live on the network. Despite the late hour and the creepy location (why does the airship station have to be in between the border to the cold Winter Segment, the Abandoned Mansion, and the Great Tree of Death?!) he looks confident as his phone floats in front of him (he got better at levitating things recently, and this way he'll have his hands free!).]
This is Hijikata, reporting in from the Autumn Segment. Some of you may have seen the 'Blue Flash' quest on the quest board. I'm here to confirm what happened.
[He wanders towards the dark forest behind him, still talking into the phone.]
I'm a bit of a veteran at being sent to other worlds, so I'm familiar with some creatures most of you may not have encountered before. When I looked into the case I noticed that the "blue flashes" can really only be one thing: will'o'wisps.
[As if on cue a couple of pale blue, flame-like wisps come into view, playfully circling around each other, and he makes the phone float past him to properly capture them.]
They're harmless fae beings that lead lost people out of the forest... ideally. I have an inkling that these might be spectral will'o'wisps. They're the corrupted version, if you will, and can create illusions to lure people to their doom. That's probably what happened to the missing individuals.
[The two wisps suddenly chase away into the distance, truly looking like mere blurs in the darkness. Another one, though, floats out from between the trees, so Hijikata heads towards it while keeping on talking into the phone.]
I'll confirm what kind they are! Even if it does throw an illusion at me, I'll be fine. I've seen it all by now.
[In the background the wisp moves towards him... and then a much larger thing made of the same pale blue flames bursts out from between the bushes, comes at him like a massive cannonball, opens enormous flaming maws before Hijikata even manages to turn towards it, and-- there's a tumble of night sky, trees, and then darkness as the phone lands on its face on the ground. A few moments later there'll be some clatter as the wisp spits out his swords and the other non-organic stuff, and then silence.
He sure got to the bottom of this!]
1) Who Can Do This Better?
[Hijikata can't take any calls right now, but he'll respond to messages and comments in 3 day's (in-game) time... and since that's a long while to wait, please feel free to tag out! Maybe based on this super professional research some better-prepared teams can assemble (Hijikata won't want to join, thank you very much)!]
2) Summer Flower Yard
[Anyone who knows that Hijikata is a summer power holder and wants to either congratulate him on solving the case (really?!) or is simply curious to see if the Flower Yards work as designed can of course stop by there. A blue iris will have popped up in the yard, emitting a strong cigarette smell. It'll spend a while budding, but on the 3rd day it'll bloom!]
[While Ellipsa has been good to the otherworlders so far, it's still been a rough adjustment for Hijikata, and for one reason only: Nobody got power-nerfed!! Back in Edo, Lunatia, and Camelot he was considered a fearsome powerhouse of a swordsman, but here in Nightwake City... not so much.
He decides, however, to not let this break his stride, all the less once he takes notice of the 'Blue Flash' quest. At first the situation doesn't really ring a bell, but some research brings up previous similar incidents that saw people disappear in the same area, and the few blurry photos of the mysterious blue lights make a lightbulb go on in his head. He knows what these are!!
And so, a few days later, a stream goes live on the network. Despite the late hour and the creepy location (why does the airship station have to be in between the border to the cold Winter Segment, the Abandoned Mansion, and the Great Tree of Death?!) he looks confident as his phone floats in front of him (he got better at levitating things recently, and this way he'll have his hands free!).]
This is Hijikata, reporting in from the Autumn Segment. Some of you may have seen the 'Blue Flash' quest on the quest board. I'm here to confirm what happened.
[He wanders towards the dark forest behind him, still talking into the phone.]
I'm a bit of a veteran at being sent to other worlds, so I'm familiar with some creatures most of you may not have encountered before. When I looked into the case I noticed that the "blue flashes" can really only be one thing: will'o'wisps.
[As if on cue a couple of pale blue, flame-like wisps come into view, playfully circling around each other, and he makes the phone float past him to properly capture them.]
They're harmless fae beings that lead lost people out of the forest... ideally. I have an inkling that these might be spectral will'o'wisps. They're the corrupted version, if you will, and can create illusions to lure people to their doom. That's probably what happened to the missing individuals.
[The two wisps suddenly chase away into the distance, truly looking like mere blurs in the darkness. Another one, though, floats out from between the trees, so Hijikata heads towards it while keeping on talking into the phone.]
I'll confirm what kind they are! Even if it does throw an illusion at me, I'll be fine. I've seen it all by now.
[In the background the wisp moves towards him... and then a much larger thing made of the same pale blue flames bursts out from between the bushes, comes at him like a massive cannonball, opens enormous flaming maws before Hijikata even manages to turn towards it, and-- there's a tumble of night sky, trees, and then darkness as the phone lands on its face on the ground. A few moments later there'll be some clatter as the wisp spits out his swords and the other non-organic stuff, and then silence.
He sure got to the bottom of this!]
1) Who Can Do This Better?
[Hijikata can't take any calls right now, but he'll respond to messages and comments in 3 day's (in-game) time... and since that's a long while to wait, please feel free to tag out! Maybe based on this super professional research some better-prepared teams can assemble (Hijikata won't want to join, thank you very much)!]
2) Summer Flower Yard
[Anyone who knows that Hijikata is a summer power holder and wants to either congratulate him on solving the case (really?!) or is simply curious to see if the Flower Yards work as designed can of course stop by there. A blue iris will have popped up in the yard, emitting a strong cigarette smell. It'll spend a while budding, but on the 3rd day it'll bloom!]
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[This is probably a bit disappointing, but as far as he's concerned there really was absolutely nothing in between his death and reawakening. But so there are cars going to and from the Flower Yards? That sure is convenient! Once they're in the vehicle and it starts moving Hijikata is confused to see Xingchen shut his eyes. He doesn't look comfortable at all... he gently pokes his arm.]
Hey, is everything okay?
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[Disappointing, in this case, is good! Xingchen leads him out to one of the cars - he had taken one to see his friend - and he climbs into the backseat. The motion is...too quick...for his liking and he closes his eyes to anchor himself.]
I'm just...unaccustomed...to fast travel.
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You'll get used to it in time. It's a bit much right now, but it saves us so much time.
[He feels like everything he advertises to Xingchen about this advanced world boils down to saving time, but time really is valuable!]
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Yes, it does. Making the journey between realms on foot would take days. I used to sleep outdoors much of the time because we weren't near towns.
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[That's what he thinks he remembers from what the other timeline's Xingchen told him on Prismatica! In that regard cultivators are not all that different from his homeland's onmyouji... though those definitely don't know how to fly on swords, at least not as far as Hijikata knows.]
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[Cultivators share a lot of similarities with a variety of groups. The intent is the same: to protect those who cannot protect themselves.]
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You've got to miss your partner... I can't do anything about ghosts and possessions, but again, I'm not half bad at fighting monsters, so I can try to stand in for him when it comes to that.
[They are both on their own here - with nobody else from their homelands -, and while he really does enjoy the peace and quiet he can imagine that it's a little lonely for Xingchen. Presumably his workmate is less of a pain in the ass than Hijikata's can be!]
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You're very kind. [He smiles at the thoughtfulness.] I'm sure you and I can do a lot of good. And if Song Zichen arrives too, he will befriend you in no time.
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[He's curious about the details! Cultivation, after all, appears to be a pretty broad field.]
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[Grace plus power. What can go wrong?]
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[So much can go wrong when one is dealing with supernatural creatures! As he looks out of the car window he can see the city getting closer. This definitely beats walking, and he's glad that the road-building into the Segments will only continue to progress.]
When we get home I'll have to check my phone. I don't really want to, but since I was livestreaming when that thing got me I bet I've got some messages to answer.
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[He lets out a small breath of relief upon seeing - he peeks - that they are near their destination.]
Mm I bet you do too. Everyone must have been worried.
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[He imagines that they use vastly different techniques, but ultimately a sword is a sword... right? He doesn't address the worry he must have caused his loved ones here on Ellipsa - hell, he already worried Xingchen alone so much! -, but he shifts in his seat a little. Yeah, he isn't looking forward to the upset and probably angry messages, but he's got to face the music.]
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You always know just what to say. It'll be fine, I know.
[He puts a hand on Xingchen's, appreciative of his continuous support.]
If any of my friends who should know better got themselves killed I'd chew them out, too.
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It will. You'll find your way.
[Xingchen squeezes Hijikata's hand softly.]
As they deserve! They should know their lives are important.
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Thanks, Xingchen... for waiting for me, bringing food and water, and... well! For everything. I have no idea how long I'll be kept up telling everyone else that I'm back from the dead, but can I come over for a meal when I'm done at some point tomorrow? I'll give you a heads-up!
[He really just wants to spend some more time with him, just sit together, enjoy even the pauses in their conversation. Everything feels so serene with Xingchen, it never fails to put him at ease.]
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You don't have to thank me. I have a feeling you would have done the same for me.
[He smiles shyly and bows, grateful for...so much!]
I would love to see you again. I remember your love of mayo.
[Xiao Xingchen just said mayo. Be proud, Hijikata.]
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Hearing him say mayo visibly delights him. How cute is this?!]
I'll look forward to tomorrow, then. The prospect will give me strength for answering any messages! As for doing the same for you... I hope you'll manage to avoid ending up in the Flower Yard.
[He wonders what kind of flower would sprout up for Xingchen, but not so much that he actually wants to find out!]
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I have no desire to be a flower. [He chuckles and gives his friend a softer look.] Don't be afraid to face your friends. I believe they will be more relieved than upset.
[A moonflower.]
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I'll take your word for it!
[He'll bring Xingchen to his apartment, and then he'll sit down in his own and start trawling through all the text-, voice-, and video messages from people worrying for him, chiding or reprimanding him. The most important welcome back, though, was the one he received in person.]
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