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( open) la pista è come uno specchio d’argento
Who: OTA parties interested in the Remove the Obstacles! job, with the added bonus of collecting the frozen-to-the-canal toys and donating them to the orphanage for bonus cookies and affection points from the orphans!
When: Before the start of the Flower Festival.
Where: Anywhere in Caissa!
What: Several Heroes take up Stuart's request of taking care of freeing frozen toys from the canals and repairing ice where they can.
Rating: None, will update as becomes necessary.
The canals are used by citizens looking to shave time off their travel through the city during the winter season, skating on anything but thin ice. The troublemakers salting patches of the smoothed ice has turned it into a hazardous endeavor, made all the worse when wooden toys have been frozen to the ice. Of the Heroes who've stepped up to help take care of this clean-up (or perhaps even catch a culprit in action, despite the guard saying they had a plan in place for the very thing) were finding themselves facing a variety of challenges, up to and including...
One: getting out on the ice. The salted patches aren't too slick, but the rest gets slippery, and those who might be borrowing ice skates to speed up their travel times from trouble spot to trouble spot might be facing the biggest challenge yet. Learning how to ice skate! Or walking out, or giving up and sliding on one's rear end to reach the trouble spots. Whatever works! If people are judging you, well, they're probably no one worth listening to anyway, right?
Two: communication over radios is a dream and a wish, but Heroes do have Carriers, and Carriers do have audio capabilities. Trying to coordinate with fellow Heroes over Carrier-audio is more of a challenge than it may seem, especially with so many new to the idea! (And not all Carriers being willing to cooperate...)
Three: there are places where the salt has thinned the ice too much to support added weight... be careful, Heroes, lest you fall right in! Though if you do fall in, can you swim? Or fight off the shock of potential hypothermia? Oh dear, where are the blankets? Victims of thin ice may need to get wrapped up and brought indoors as soon as possible. Heat 'em up! We don't want our Heroes losing fingers or toes!
Four: though once the wooden toys are found, prying them off the ice is a challenge in and of itself. For those Heroes already tapping in to the Pawn rank's limited magical abilities, matchstick level fires can be effectively used... at a cost. Patience and perseverance are key to this method of toy removal, as will purifying and replenishing one's mana. Toriel will insist that everyone should try and salvage both the toy and ice for the sake of donating these toys to the orphanage along the way. Then again, one might try using brute force to pry the toys free... or see about convincing one of the residents who lives near the canals to allow them to borrow pots of hot water to extract toys that way!
Five: all work and no play leaves people grumpy and gives people aches and pains, which means that breaks are a must have, even for the heroes! If that means earnestly learning how to skate, picking impromptu snowball fights, or volunteering to haul a load of salvaged toys to the orphanage for a cookie break is up to each individual. This may not be their city, but wandering the canals, at least they're bound to get to know the layout of Caissa a little better than before!
When: Before the start of the Flower Festival.
Where: Anywhere in Caissa!
What: Several Heroes take up Stuart's request of taking care of freeing frozen toys from the canals and repairing ice where they can.
Rating: None, will update as becomes necessary.
The canals are used by citizens looking to shave time off their travel through the city during the winter season, skating on anything but thin ice. The troublemakers salting patches of the smoothed ice has turned it into a hazardous endeavor, made all the worse when wooden toys have been frozen to the ice. Of the Heroes who've stepped up to help take care of this clean-up (or perhaps even catch a culprit in action, despite the guard saying they had a plan in place for the very thing) were finding themselves facing a variety of challenges, up to and including...
One: getting out on the ice. The salted patches aren't too slick, but the rest gets slippery, and those who might be borrowing ice skates to speed up their travel times from trouble spot to trouble spot might be facing the biggest challenge yet. Learning how to ice skate! Or walking out, or giving up and sliding on one's rear end to reach the trouble spots. Whatever works! If people are judging you, well, they're probably no one worth listening to anyway, right?
Two: communication over radios is a dream and a wish, but Heroes do have Carriers, and Carriers do have audio capabilities. Trying to coordinate with fellow Heroes over Carrier-audio is more of a challenge than it may seem, especially with so many new to the idea! (And not all Carriers being willing to cooperate...)
Three: there are places where the salt has thinned the ice too much to support added weight... be careful, Heroes, lest you fall right in! Though if you do fall in, can you swim? Or fight off the shock of potential hypothermia? Oh dear, where are the blankets? Victims of thin ice may need to get wrapped up and brought indoors as soon as possible. Heat 'em up! We don't want our Heroes losing fingers or toes!
Four: though once the wooden toys are found, prying them off the ice is a challenge in and of itself. For those Heroes already tapping in to the Pawn rank's limited magical abilities, matchstick level fires can be effectively used... at a cost. Patience and perseverance are key to this method of toy removal, as will purifying and replenishing one's mana. Toriel will insist that everyone should try and salvage both the toy and ice for the sake of donating these toys to the orphanage along the way. Then again, one might try using brute force to pry the toys free... or see about convincing one of the residents who lives near the canals to allow them to borrow pots of hot water to extract toys that way!
Five: all work and no play leaves people grumpy and gives people aches and pains, which means that breaks are a must have, even for the heroes! If that means earnestly learning how to skate, picking impromptu snowball fights, or volunteering to haul a load of salvaged toys to the orphanage for a cookie break is up to each individual. This may not be their city, but wandering the canals, at least they're bound to get to know the layout of Caissa a little better than before!
1, YOU CAN ALWAYS USE A CHAIR
that's hardly a problem. the bigger problem is that, as badd approaches with his mace balancing against his shoulder, accustomed now to the slip-and-slide routine, it—no, she talks to him. specifically, asks a question that sounds harmless enough to answer.]
Dunno what yer talkin' about, [he begins with a rather disdainful tip of his head, eyes aiming down at her with a hard stare.
it's not a particularly hostile expression, rather one of some restraint; hesitation. he's tired with the furry of events and this is a troublesome thing to have to do for an army he didn't even sign up for, but these are the children's toys laid out like lures; badd is doing this so the civilians with no stake in any war have a safe place to skate.
the moment the monster's fire flickers at the tip of her finger, his own weapon whips out to the side in a very clear warning.]
You been causin' a lot a' trouble for the people in Caissa. Anything ya wanna say?
does this look like a wrestling match to you
Indeed, I do. Please refrain from smashing these toys. I am hoping to collect as many as we can to donate to the orphanage.
[ In reality, she heard what he said, and the accusation there; it's not something she can't understand, but in first addressing what's actually going on, she hopes to guide him toward not choosing to escalate to violence through short-sightedness. She's a monster, and he's probably not used to such things. She most certainly is not a delinquent! ]
we canadians let our children use chairs to skate with
[donate to the orphanage? a hesitant thought, nose immediately wrinkling with the new information.
it doesn't match anything he's come across before, since his promotion to s-class. a monster willing to help the human population? after hearing the rumours of an entire monster association, it's all become very touch-and-go back home; he's been on call to dispatch these creatures more than he can remember. now's no time for a startling revelation and an existential dialogue about good and evil.
his fingers tighten around the handle of his bar mace.
—and metal bat lowers it, the tip of the weapon grazing the ice benignly... which could be the worst mistake of his life, if the monster is lying, but her voice is gentle and he has the higher ground...]
I ain't gonna smash the toys, that's what I'm here to get. Whaddaya gotta say 'bout all these holes in the ice, huh?
[still implying that you're a troublemaker. prejudices run deep.]
canadians and californians have more in common than i realised...!!!
She casts a glance out over the ice, toward a nearby patch of salt that has turned the surface gravelly and difficult to skate over. ]
I am less familiar with ice repair, but I would say that they should be fixed in whatever means proves effective. I would dislike for all of us to be skating on thin ice!
[ A light laugh at her own (bad) joke, she sobers afterward. Falling into ice cold water wouldn't be good if people wanted to stave off colds, or not drown.
Turning her head back to him, she holds out a hand, still kneeling. Toriel doesn't move quickly, and lets the offer of her hand be casual. Handshakes are something she's witnessed around here. If it's also familiar for him she doesn't know, but it might be, right? ]
Speaking of ice we can break, hello! My name is Toriel. Whom do I have the pleasure of greeting?
i knew it... we are of the same people...
when her eyes trail to the salt patches on the ice, it gives metal bat some time to look her over. she's large, impressively so, taller than him at the very least (which isn't difficult to be, in her defence). goat-like, not dissimilar to a minotaur, but far softer around the edges. she has been proving non-hostile, which seems to throw him off of his game, and from the ideas she's been sharing with him...
well.]
I, uh... I only know how to smash things. I was just plannin' on catchin' the culprits, then... [now feeling particularly awkward with the developments, especially the joke she just cracked with a tinkle of a laugh, badd motions to her slowly,] I saw you standin' out here...
[his weight shifts to his other leg, then back with a little sway.
her name's "toriel"...
he didn't really want to learn that, with the rude thoughts (monster, monster, monster, stay cautious and focused and exterminate it) that have been popping up like clock alarms trying to rattle him awake. there's no denying she's a sweetheart with a benevolent streak—not malevolent, which is an unfortunate realization, because all of a sudden there's the strong desire to turn and walk away embarrassedly. badd grasps the concept; the creatures he fights daily all differ, like every species.
if there are humans who desire to be monsters, then surely there are monsters who desire to be humans.]
I'm Metal Bat.
[and after a long pause:]
Need a hand?
/the people of the snows/
What is being asked for here? Heroes like this young man, Heroes like her roommates, and Heroes like her. The word "hero" seems to cease having a meaning outside of "accepting what we do not control." Heroes to save a country from age old problems. Who was right? Who was wrong?
Thoughts for later. She's living in this moment right now. She marks the small improvements, chooses to reward those with a smile and a gracious nod, admitting: ]
Yes, I believe I do!
[ Then adding with a laugh: ]
Though two may indeed be better! The matter at hand is perhaps not one that requires smashing through, Metal Bat, but if you are careful in how you proceed... I can see us having a smashing good time!
[ Reaching out to tap on the ice next to where it and the toy were joined, she outlines what she means. ]
If you are careful and tap into the ice around the toys right here, I believe we can pull them off the ice, then smooth the ice over after. Perhaps with water from those who live nearby? Overnight the water should refreeze, and the ice will smooth out for the next day.
[ Granted, someone with better ice or water magic than she has (even on the same paltry level) might find greater success right now without wasting mana. Toriel hasn't mastered anything like that yet; she'll see what happens as more time passes. She'll apply herself as she must to better help those around her; for self defense, or to protect, but not to kill.
She did not ask for this war. She does not ask of herself to kill. As for others? That must be their own decision, and when made, be one they embrace or else accept the reasons for change, if change is must what occur. ]
no subject
oddly enough, there's a sense of comfort and surety that comes from the monster and it's throwing him. he doesn't want to trust the feeling or put much weight on it, lest it shatter like the ice beneath his feet and let him drown (as if that would ever happen, comes a scathing thought, a fierce pride that bubbles up like a gag reflex). this ideation is dangerous, probably, not something zenko would be thrilled to hear him think. when he returns home to her with bedtime stories, how bitter will his outlook on it be?
just that is enough for him to bully the negativity away. without a change in expression or demeanour, badd simply nods through her joke and addresses her instructions directly.]
I can get 'em out, count on it.
[the mace is hefted and, with a surprising amount of control coming from this thick-headed machine of violence, brought down on the ice in a firm tap to the bottom of a toy boat's hull. sure enough, a chip of the forgiving surface dislodges, popping the boat out with a clatter and a skid. never did metal bat think that he'd be given more c-class duties to preform in his career as a hero, but it's kind of relaxing doing something monotonous for once. not too troublesome, like the disaster level demons he faces weekly.
badd stoops to pluck the toy off of the ice, dusting it free of excess, before dependably presenting it to toriel with a studious look. time to see what she'll do with the thing—and he can only hope she meant it when she declared the toys orphanage-bound.]
One of us should stay here in case the bastards whodunnit come back. Ya wanna go grab the water afterward, in case they try to get tough with us?
no subject
his question provokes a look of curious concern, the first hint of a frown on her face. ]
You believe they will return at this time of day? Pranks like these would happen during the night, would they not?
[ unless one used frost magic, or the temperatures dropped low enough in the day... there were other possibilities, but she doesn't know if this was actively malicious or children making nuisances of themselves. she'd prefer the latter. ]
no subject
Well, who's to say they ain't skippin' school or work to do it?
[as a delinquent, there are some things he understands about this situation. it may be a very elaborate cry for attention, or someone thought to rebel against a way of life their group didn't quite agree with. with those two motives in mind, badd can't help comparing them to himself (despite the fact that he'd never do such a thoughtless thing; children treasure their toys).]
In any case, I wanna be here for when they come back. I'm gonna make 'em use their own damn spit to seal all these cracks.
[someone's irritated...]
no subject
It is all possible. Night seems like it would get colder, and have a lessened degree of discovery, but those who make mischief may make it at any time in the day.
[ She straightens as she stands, one hand rubbing at the small of her back. Aches from holding odd positions for too long... looking like she's gardening ice, which might work, since ice can only melt on her. ]
I am not sure how well spit works for such things, but I am almost curious to find out. I believe you would make them work quite hard to repair their errors.
[ Which garners another smile and a twinkle of amusement in her eyes, brushing the unsettled feeling of being out of her element and so very alone, none of her friends and loved ones around. She knows it's the same for so many here. It creates a sort of sympathy and empathy she leans into, allowing to wash through her as she observes Metal Bat. Thinks to herself, Will he be warm enough? ]
Before all of that, would you mind escorting a silly old woman to find one of those nice individuals who offers warm beverages for cold hands?
no subject
Uh, yeah. Gotta teach troublemakers a serious lesson in manners, y'know?
[there are more important things to do right now, though.
like helping ms. toriel find a local café, or even the nearest cocoa vendor. so, like a good boy taught by his mother to always treat ladies with respect, he steps forward and awkwardly offers his arm. if she can't walk well on the ice and he can, it'd be awfully selfish to go it alone and let her slip and fall.
he never saw himself in this position before, helping a monster—but she's nicer than the vast majority of the women he's met.]
Hot chocolate's damn good on a cold day, have ya ever tried it with a shot of espresso?
no subject
[ She sounds curious, thankfully taking his arm with another smile. She's not sure what he means. This may in fact be because she drinks more tea than anything else, and tea can be grown, and not in such special circumstances as coffee beans, or else maybe people didn't throw out enough espresso for it to make its way into the grocery near the ruins. ]
I do not believe that I have. What is it like?