[Open]

[chronosynthesis]

Who: Syrlya and You.
When: The first week of November.
Where: Caissa and job-related parts of Blanc.
What: Syrlya copes with the lingering forest illness and does his part to find a cure for the people still afflicted.
Rating: PG.


[Caissa]

[As it turns out, the corruption isn't actually fatal... which leaves Syrlya at two weeks of illness. He hasn't slept well, felt well, and most food don't even taste good anymore. Except meat.

It isn't as hard for him to ignore the constant craving of flesh, but it is uncomfortable and anything to stave off the desire helps. Which is why at almost all times he can be found chewing on jerky. With a whole bag in hand.

And if he catches another infected hero he offers them a piece of the dried meat as well.] Here. I find it helps.



[Alternatively, he's leaning over the edge of the railing, groaning and holding his neck. Trying not to be sick.]

[Job 1 - The Carbuncle]

[It's a relief to be in a forest that isn't rotting, and feeling the vibrant life of the trees almost makes Syrlya feel better--though he's wary about touching anything even with the enchanted ring. And gloves. Look, he'll just feel guilty if he spreads this disease to anyone.

He's wringing his hands as he walks around the forest for any sign of the Carbuncle...] Of course it won't be easy... I hope this works.

[He cups his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice as he laughs.] Ha... hahahaha!

[It doesn't sound even remotely genuine.]


[Job 2 - The Baby Tree]

A fairy tale... that is something that is not true, correct? A fanciful story?

[He looks aside to the other hero patiently awaiting access to the baby tree, furrowing his brow.] Just from my world and not my people, correct? Ah--would you happen to have a story like that to share?

Comments

Carbuncle!

[nh2h]

[The sound of forced laughter attracted...!!

...Wander and Wynona, both of whom just gave Syrlya the most unsure look.]

What, um, what're you doing there, buddy? Is everything okay, you need any help?

[Because that sounded like something, but whatever it was, it was not laughter. Perhaps a seagull cry?]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya jumps slightly and turns around, having expected to be alone.] Ah--Wander? Oh, hello.

[He slowly lowers his hands.] I am trying to attract a carbuncle for its gem... I was told that they are drawn by laughter.

[nh2h]

[And here he was worried. Wander raised his shoulders and waved his hand.]

Oh, well that's easy! We just got to do something that makes you laugh! So what'll it be? Jokes? A funny story? Tickling?

[He leaned in closer and smirked.]

Puns?

[chronosynthesis]

I was trying to... [So he's not great at faking his feelings. He shrugs his shoulder.] I don't know, what do you think is your funniest?

I'm sorry

[nh2h]

[He lounged atop a big boulder so he could be closer to Syrlya's height.]

Well, they're all good if you ask me. It depends more on what you'd like, you're the one that's trying to laugh, after all. I've got loads of good stories and jokes, and I've identified several secret tickle points on lots of my buddies, and I can come up with puns—especially fruit ones, all day.

...Kum,—quat will it be? I'm up on all the currant affairs. Honeydew you think a joke will raisin your spirits? Or, I'd bet you'd get a giggle out of a tickle by your nec—tarine!

[Then, he paused, tensed, and then sniffed. Yet instead of sneezing as a regular person would, he exclaimed:] Ca—shew!!

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya follows Wander as he climbs up higher, folding his arms with a crooked smile as he waits for Wanders best attempt.

He blinks slowly, still as he's faced with the Pun Barrage. There doesn't appear to be a reaction from him at first.]

... Which ones were the fruits? [Were they fruits? None of them sound familiar to him.]

[nh2h]

[His jaw dropped. Wynona fell over and rasped, apparently finding this hilarious. However, did a lizard's hiss count as laughter? Perhaps not.]

The kumquats and the—... okay, not a problem! We'll just find something more appeeling to you!

[He stood up on the boulder and leaned on Syrlya's shoulder.]

A tickle is great, as long as it's not part of some heinous scheme to force an entire galaxy to be happy, so how about it? Are you ticklish?

[Wander wiggled his fingers, already eyeing out a few places he thought Syrlya might be ticklish.]

[chronosynthesis]

But what is a kumquat? [He leans back a little as Wander leans forward, but that's just to see what Wander is doing.]

... Has that ever happened? [That doesn't sound like that's ever really happened.] I don't know. I've never tried it?

[nh2h]

It's a little citrus fruit, kind of like an orange, but it's about this small. [He pinched his fingers to demonstrate.] I'll get you some later, in fact, I'll get you a whole fruit basket!

[Completely ignoring that part about galactic takeover...]

Then there's only one way to find out! Let's see... how about... this!

[He reached out to tickle Syrlya, one hand going for the crook between his neck and shoulder, his other hand going for his ear.]

[chronosynthesis]

Oh, you don't have to--[He stops as Wander's hands come close, suddenly jerking his head back and grabbing his own collar just before Wander can get a hold of him.] Why my face!

[nh2h]

[Without Syrlya to lean against for support, Wander tumbled over the boulder and landed on his face. His fingers still wiggled.]

Mfth hlkh...

[He sat up and spat out several leaves.]

Lot of folk are ticklish there. Is something wrong?

[chronosynthesis]

I just--I was not expecting you to grab my face. Sorry. [He leans over and offers his hand to help Wander to his feet.]

[nh2h]

[Once on his feet, Wander playfully elbowed Syrlya's leg.]

Aw, that's okay! I'm sorry for sneaking it up on you like that. Tell you what, we can try that again and I'll tell you where I'm going to tickle you, or, we can skip the tickling and get right into a funny story!

[Wynona rolled her several pairs of eyes and started eating one of the many sandwiches Wander prepared. It felt like they were going to be here for a while. Was she the only one that was thinking it might be a whole lot easier to get that giggly Wander to laugh instead of the other way around?]

[chronosynthesis]

Let's try a funny story. [He's not even sure if his flesh is ticklish the same way as other people's.

He crouches to Wander's level and folds his arms over his legs.] I'm ready.

[nh2h]

Okay, I got one that's a real rib-tickler! Back in the last galaxy I used to travel, me and my best pal, Sylvia, attended a party hosted by the so-called [he snickered] High Gnee Society. These folks knew what they were doing, everything—from their paintings, their symbol, their side dishes, was butt jokes! Their buffet table had rump roast, buttered buns, bottomless blorpberry juice.

And their faces... [he squeaked:] looked like butts! I guess you could say they were real party poopers.

[chronosynthesis]

[He is having a difficult time trying to envision that. He blinks slowly, but Wander seems to be delighted with the story himself, so...] What else happened at this party? Will you tell me about it?

[nh2h]

Of course I will, buddy! I'll tell you everything!

[Wander pushed a small rock over so Syrlya could sit on it. This could take a while. He took a stick and began drawing in the dirt. While he did not take any photographs, he dedicated the event to memory, so he was able to replicate some of the dishes, a few paintings such as a hand pinching a loaf of bread, and the... questionable star symbol that was likely not a star.]

Here's Sylvia, [he made a quick drawing of the zbornak.] She wore a big fluffy dress and powdered wig that day. You see, we thought it'd be a real fancy shindig and word was they had a secret powerful enough to stop Dominator from destroying the whole galaxy, so it was really important to impress them. Syl told me that no matter what, I wasn't supposed to laugh, so that made things really hard, as you can imagine. I lost it at the [he snickered] pu pu platter. Syl had to dangle me off a balcony a few times to let out all the laughs where no one would hear.

[He drew Sylvia and himself surrounded by the strange appearing High Gnee Society.]

Then, we were finally invited to speak to the [he giggled] High Gnees. And you know what happened next? Sylvia couldn't take it anymore and she laughed in front of everyone! In the end, we all had a good laugh, and that was the secret! Even in the darkest times, it's important to keep your spirits high. Shoot, I already knew that, though. Syl said we could've skipped the party and spent the whole time enjoying nature's booty.

[This time, he could not help it. Wander burst out laughing.] Nature's booty!!

1/2

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya leans over to peer at the drawings, raising a brow. It reminds him a little of a human nobleman's party, and he's sure Marjory or Kasmeer would find this far more amusing.

But he smiles politely all the same--until he chokes on a snort at "nature's booty" and looks up at Wander in surprise.] Well that's--ah?

[chronosynthesis]

[Right behind Wander, in the bushes, is the face of a carbuncle appearing to laugh along with him. Syrlya points at it immediately.] There's one, it came!

[He's already scrambling for the little creature.] Excuse me!

[nh2h]

[Well, it was not a laugh, but a snort was a good start! Story time was over, however, and Wander turned to see the carbuncle.]

I'll go with you, Syr!

[He jumped after him and pursued the adorable creature.]

Come here, little guy, you so cute I just want to kiss you on the cheeks!

[... Cheeks. Wander could not help giggling and it slowed his pace a bit. Wynona sighed and continued to eat. It would not do to run after eating and she was already tired just watching them.]

[chronosynthesis]

[The carbuncle, startled by the sudden movement and sounds, retreats back into the bush.

Syrlya leans right over Wander, arms outstretched as he tries to find it again.] Wait, do not scare it! We need its gem!

[As if Syrlya was any less alarming. He squints his eyes as he looks for any movement among the foliage.]

[nh2h]

[While Syrlya looked from above, Wander crouched low to the ground to see if he could find it under the bush.]

Aw, is the little guy shy? If you come back, we can share a few more laughs, and how about some lunch?

[chronosynthesis]

Shhh. [Syrlya takes a step closer, standing precariously as he tries to see into the bush.

The carbuncle sticks its nose out from the brush and Syrlya dives for it.] There!

[Let it never be said he's particularly good with animals.]

[nh2h]

[While Syrlya dove into the foliage, Wander shook his head and clicked his tongue.]

Now, Syr, I like the spirit, but that's not how we should be making new friends. How's the little fella supposed to feel about you trying to grab his crown jewel? Rude.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya catches himself before he ends up face-forward into the ground as the carbuncle bounces out of the way and into another bush.

He grunts and pushes himself up, separating a leaf from his... leaves.] How would you catch an animal like this? I did not bring a trap.