[ Prince ] Rhy Maresh (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
londonbound) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2022-05-14 12:46 am
londonbound) wrote in abraxaslogs2022-05-14 12:46 am
[ CLOSED ] mothball mayhem, featuring pizzaman
Who: Rhy Maresh, Kell Maresh, Mat Cauthon, Dante
When: late May
Where: Castle Thorne
What: local pizzaman crashes party of fools trying to prevent bunny-related losses in the castle kitchens (and perhaps gain some free booze & cake out of it while they're at it)
Warnings: none, probably
[ This is all probably Mat's fault. At least, that's what Rhy will say. He didn't know a thing about these moth hares (a fascinating creature, apparently) until Mat came knocking, excitedly telling him something about how the castle chefs need help and the moth hares are going to eat all their food -- or something of the sort.
They are to take some enchanted orbs and help place them, activating the enchantment. Which means, of course, that Kell ends up drawn in because there's magic involved.
Now armed with a handful of the little orbs and instructions on where they're needed, the three of them head down to the kitchen stores in the lower levels of the castle. Rhy turns a couple of the glowing balls over in his hand, making them move in circles around one another in his palm. ]
So we just... set these down near the barrels? [ He sounds skeptical. And terminally rich. ] Why couldn't the servants do something so simple?
When: late May
Where: Castle Thorne
What: local pizzaman crashes party of fools trying to prevent bunny-related losses in the castle kitchens (and perhaps gain some free booze & cake out of it while they're at it)
Warnings: none, probably
[ This is all probably Mat's fault. At least, that's what Rhy will say. He didn't know a thing about these moth hares (a fascinating creature, apparently) until Mat came knocking, excitedly telling him something about how the castle chefs need help and the moth hares are going to eat all their food -- or something of the sort.
They are to take some enchanted orbs and help place them, activating the enchantment. Which means, of course, that Kell ends up drawn in because there's magic involved.
Now armed with a handful of the little orbs and instructions on where they're needed, the three of them head down to the kitchen stores in the lower levels of the castle. Rhy turns a couple of the glowing balls over in his hand, making them move in circles around one another in his palm. ]
So we just... set these down near the barrels? [ He sounds skeptical. And terminally rich. ] Why couldn't the servants do something so simple?
no subject
Why have servants do the work when you can offload it to a bunch of foreigners your mages has summoned for reasons only they know?
[Contrary to Rhy, Kell never considered his high status as something natural. He wasn't born with it, so why would he? He's no stranger to being told to do things he doesn't really feel like doing, either.]
Besides, it gets us places we wouldn't be exactly allowed into otherwise.
[And knowing a good, secluded cellar can come incredibly handy if you ever plan to do something shady. Not that he does at this very moment, but he might. In the future.]
no subject
[While there were no castles or even grand houses where Mat grew up, he understands the daily workload of the servant class. Of course Thorne's going to use their resources wisely, and they the Summoned are a resource. It's begun to sink in that he, Matrim Cauthon, is part of a privileged class here. He has no job or responsibilities, yet he lives in luxury and everything is handed to him. The servants of the castle also serve him. They're the ones making his food and cleaning up after him and washing his clothes and bedding. Helping out like this when he can, well...just feels like the proper thing to do.]
We haven't got daily responsibilities or work we need to be doing. And they give us things in thanks. I helped rescue a baby bird for'em, they gave me a gold coin and a way to write in the dark.
[The gold coin is currently around Mat's neck, resting against his chest along with the medallion that displays the Wheel of Fortune. He'd had a blacksmith drill a little hole in it, so he could thread it and wear it as a pendant.]
Trust me, it's worth lending a hand when they ask. And what else would we be doing right now? Dunno about you lads, but I like having something useful to do.
no subject
Dante just wants to see what he can add topping-wise to current endeavour. He's since discovered that now he can have two toppings appear at a time, but he can try to supplement it with something not born from magic--or at least that's the idea. What other reason would he have to wander over to the kitchens? No longer needed for late night snacks. He has gained that ultimate power himself.
He doesn't expect to be in the company of anyone but the castle staff. Dante's sauntering stroll slows to a stop when he sees the group of young men--two he recognizes as some of his first "customers", Mr. Charming and Mr. Eager--Rhy and Mat respectively. And now their friend. ]
Ah...it's raid the pantry hours, isn't it?
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[ Allowed or not. He's gotten caught, too -- and charmed his way out of it easily, but that may or may not be more because no one actually cares that much if the Summoned want extra bottles for their rooms when they get preferential status anyway and the castle is one of plenty. Still, it's kind of fun.
Speaking of fun (and not Mat's very reasonable but kind of annoyingly serious response, which Rhy is brushing off), here comes someone who knows a good time. At least when it comes to food.
Rhy beams, raising an arm out in welcome. ]
My good man, Dante. Purveyor of fine Pizza! [ Said with the intonation of a capital letter, for sure. ]
We're stocking the pantry with magical pest deterrents to protect our vital food stores. It is a lofty goal in service of the greater good. Care to join us?
no subject
[Excuse him, who you got in trouble for your not exactly legal escapades? Of course, he knows. He got scolded for getting Rhy out of his sight and losing him in the cellars.
Kell only rolls his eyes at Mat's a little too earnest reply. He likes the man, but saints, isn't he clueless sometimes. The Thorneans dragged them here from their respective places, for whatever final end they had in mind, asking nobody for permission. The least they could do is provide them with food and accommodation.
He is to say something like that, when Rhy spots a man and starts waving. Kell takes a step back with his haul of glowy orbs. He'd rather not have them trigger while he's holding a whole bunch of them.]
Careful, I'm handling delicate magical material here!
[He didn't by pure accident just overheard that not every of those shiny baubles is a stable as the people who asked them for help wanted them to believe.]
no subject
[Mat throws a grin in Dante's direction. Ah yes, he remembers the pizza. Damned good stuff, if messy. And certainly someone who enjoys food as much as this man can appreciate their current task.]
And these charming lads are correct, we're on a mission to protect the food stuffs.
[He glances over at Kell.]
We can help you carry them, you know.
stealing the round to foreshadow future funsies, don't mind me...
See, Rhy? See how civil he is?]
no subject
I come in peace, I promise.
[ But the welcoming greeting from the other two is a nice change of pace. (Most of the time when Dante shows up it's not with good news in his experience.) ]
Good service for the greater good, eh?
[ Dropping one hand, Dante rubs his chin in thought. ]
I am a few good deeds short of my Community Service badge. What sort of magical pests are we talking?
[ Has Dante missed the memo? Yes. Could he have figured it out himself? Yes. Will he? No. ]
no subject
He tucks them into his pocket now as Dante approaches. ]
Flying rabbits, it would seem. Flocks -- herds? what do rabbits travel in?
Lots of them, headed our way. It sounds like they're far too hungry for the kitchen staff's comfort, so we're meant to help keep them away.
[ Not the sort of thing Rhy's ever dealt with before, on many levels. But why not, as Mat had said. ]
no subject
Fluffles.
[He shoves his hands in his pockets and slouches forwards to get in front. If he has free hands he can at least get doors.]
Groups of rabbits are called fluffles. And according to the mages, they behave like locusts when they're...migrating or whatever it is they're doing. They're about to sweep through and eat whatever grains they can sink their little buck teeth into. That's where we come in. You're welcome to lend your hands to the effort.
no subject
You're sure that's a real word?
[Questioning your animal expert might not be the smartest idea, but when exactly reason had ever stopped him from going for the bad idea if he had one.]
Not only the grain. The little menaces eat everything that's even barely edible. If it only smells like food, they would try to eat it.
no subject
Well then, what a fortuitous turn of events...
[ He steps forward and gives Mat's shoulder a friendly pat before turning his gaze to Rhys, and then finally to Kell. ]
These two young men here can vouch for the fact that I happen to be something of an amazing chef. I'm sure I can conjure up a little distraction for this Fluffle of Fiends.
[ Hell yeah. ]
no subject
Kell, you have to try the pizza. Another time, of course. After we complete our important mission.
[ To Dante: ] Can you conjure up other foodstuffs, then?
no subject
[It makes perfect sense to Mat. But he's glad to have another pair of hands lended to the effort.]
Either way, I think Pizza Man has the right idea. Give'em something to eat and buy us some more time. And with four of us that gives us two folk to set the things and two to do what we can to keep back the fuzzy tide till they're set.
[There's a slight pause, just a little twitching of Mat's lips before he continues, not quite as enthusiastically as before.]
And I have a way to slow'em down a bit.
no subject
But no matter how the fluffy image is surprisingly hilarious, it cannot, and will not, stop Kell from letting out a frustrated groan.]
The whole point is to set those baubles before they come here. They suppose to act as a repellent, so getting anything smelling like food close to them defeats their whole purpose. Besides, no one is tracking those herds. [He is explicitly not using that word.] So we don't even know where they are coming from.
[Unless someone didn't tell him something. Which is, sadly, a possibility too.]
no subject
[ The answer there, Rhy, is "no". But a proud no all the same. Truth be told Dante hasn't tried but he doesn't see a reason to. (It also says a lot on what he's used to eating back home. Don't follow this example, boys.) ]
Hmmm...
[ As much as Dante delights at the idea of summoning a veritable blockade of pizza to keep the pesky hares at bay, Kell does have a point. ]
Well, how about you get to setting up those baubles-- [ Is that really the name? That's great. ] --and I'll stand guard. If I see any of our would-be thieves on the horizon I can just chuck a slice at them. Like a dog with a bone.
[ Or a Moth Hare with a Cowboy Supreme. ]
no subject
[It's a precaution. Better to be prepared than to get caught mid-deterrent setting. Rabbits are quick, after all. And if they're really in the numbers the mages implied...
Light. Last thing they need is to be stampeded into the stone by a horde of winged bunnies.]
You two know magic, it's best left in your hands.
no subject
Sounds like a good plan. I say we start with the vegetable stores, since those are the least protected, then move to the grain stores. Hopefully, we'd do this before the critters appear. The kitchen staff said one orb per room should be fine, unless it's a very big one, then two.
[They have enough to go around, with a few spares that he hopes they won't need. He has no way of telling that maybe they have less time than they think.]
no subject
never mind he couldn't even do low level spellwork before this.In any case.
He nods, glancing at Kell. ]
Very well, brother. Lead the way.
[ He'll probably let Kell do all the setting up, after all. Probably safest that way. ]
jumping in to speed up things so we get to the good part faster;)
One, they can't possibly be the only group doing this. Which makes sense since the castle cellars are supposed to feed the whole castle, including the Summoned. Not that he knows how much that's supposed to be. Must be a lot, since they haven't met anyone doing the same thing yet.
Two, once he got used to how the procedure works, he started noticing an odd sparkle here and there. Usually, when set up, the orb would start to glow, and he will notice silver tendrils spreading from it all across the room. But there was one that didn't glow at first, and when it did, it was pretty uneven, and there were no silver tendrils growing out of it, expanding slowly, but what looked more like flashes of lightning. So he swapped it for another one immediately.
They were down to only three orbs - one of them faulty, he was sure about it at this point - when he realized another weird thing. A noise. He looked back at Mat and the Pizza man.]
Do you hear that?
no subject
But he does hear what Kell hears. Or at least he hears something. It's faint.]
Mmm.
[He snatches his coin out of the air mid flip and drops himself to the stone floor, stretching out and pressing his ear right against the ground.
Oh.]
Well fuck me, it sounds like we're rapidly running out of time. How's it coming?
no subject
Didn't hear t--
[ Wait.
Dante stops mid-sentence and slowly turns around. One of the few windows high above them--small, but wider than it is tall--shakes. It shakes because there is not one, but two little moth hares pressing their fuzzy little bodies against the glass.
--Wait, is that three? ]
We've got company, boys!
no subject
Then do something about it!
[He's not the most polite on his good day. Even less when there's pressure involved. There are doors on their left and right, and one more a bit further into the corridor, right by the stairs leading up and out of this part of the cellars.]
Three left.
[One of them faulty. He would need space and ability to focus, and not worry about the incoming horde, to try and re-enchant it. At this point, he's pretty sure he knows how they work, so it's definitely worth a shot.]
One needs fixing, so those two rooms first.
no subject
When the moth hares appear, Rhy looks up, startled. He's never actually seen one, though he did find illustrations of them when they were first told about the pests. They're even cuter in person. And small. He's not that worried; most of the food stores are protected at this point. ]
Here. [ Now's his chance. Rhy holds out a hand. ]
I'll do it. You work on re-enchanting the last one.
do we want the window to break and shower them all with hungry, winged fluff?
Sure. [He hands both remaining, working orbs to Rhy.]
I'll move closer to the stairs, just in case. [He turns to Mat and Dante.] You look out for those furballs. We're almost done here, but I don't trust those fuzzy butts at all.
[They might look cute, but they also look mildly menacing from the way they just completely crowd over the suddenly fragile-looking window above them.]
Got It!
[Mat's back on his feet, eyes alert. There are more and more furry little bodies pressing into that window. Feet and noses and little black eyes are filling the space rapidly. He can hear the groan of the glass. How many of those cute little things are there?
Too many, is the answer. As Mat and Dante keep watching, the glass groans louder. Thuds follow as even more moth hares add their weight to the mass. The groaning is consistent until that first, sharp crack.
Then it all goes to hell.]
Bleeding piss shit!
[Mat knows it's coming but even so, as the moth hares begin to fly and tumble in the broken window, one of his newer defense mechanisms kicks in. In a moment of sheer panic, his shadow mist begins spreading out from him. A cloud of inky black fog that swallows light rolling out at all sides of him, only adding to the confusion.
At least it's just fog, and follows the natural rules of fog. It can be waved away.]
no subject
Dante chuckles and rubs his chin, completely irreverent to the sound of the glass giving. ]
Heh, they're almost--
[ Well.
The glass explodes, Mat shouts, and Dante is only too glad that he's used to things blowing up very literally in his face. He miraculously leans back, somehow managing to dodge the several shards of splintered glass with inhuman reflexes. Swivling around in the same motion, he grabs a few of the moth hares out of the air just as the mist consumes the hallway.
So now it's moth hares flying around completely discombobulated in the fog, that is until the flapping of their little wings starts to thin it out. ]
Start takin' numbers, kid!
[ Which apparently means grab them. With no where else to put them, Dante decides to do the only smart thing and shove them in his shirt. Nailed it. ]
no subject
Then the fog comes, all goes dark, the thick glass above their head shatters, and his concentration falters. It's barely a blink of an eye, but enough to lose any grip he's gained on the enchantment. Before even the first shards of glass reach him, the orb explodes, showering everything and everyone with a glittery, multicolour dust. The smell of freshly baked caked mixes with the metallic scent of blood, as Kell reaches for what he knows always works for him.
"As Anasae"
The dispelling command almost does. It works for the fog, it works for the shower of glass still in the air, even for the layer of dust on the floor. But the dust that managed to stick to them doesn't disappear. Worse, it seems to make the furry menaces go mad. The hares lose their interested in the further parts of the corridor. Instead, they seem to believe the four of them are food.
"Sanct! Get off me, you little bastard!"
Kell shakes off the first hare that tried to bite his bloody hand.
no subject
[ Rhy ducks, instinctively shielding his face and head with his arms when the glass breaks, though he's far enough away none of the shards reach him. The dust, however, is another matter. ]
Kell! [ unclear if this is a worried shout, or an accusatory one. maybe both?
In the chaos, the fluffy little menaces are upon them, and Rhy still has two orbs left. At this point, is it worth actually trying to run out to the other room and place them? He was already at the door, but the dust was everywhere, and now it's clinging to him too.
Fuck it.
Exit Rhy, booking it out of there as fast as he can go, pursued by a dozen angry fuzzballs. ]
no subject
Mat does his best, at first, trying to grab up moth hares and make some sort of barrier with his body. But it's hard in the bloody dark, and his stupid shadow fog hangs thick until Kell does...whatever he does. Something magic.
And then things get worse. The dust manages to coat them all, adding to the madness. The moth hares Mat has managed to gather up - squirming, kicking masses that they are - turn on him. Try and burrow down into his shirt.]
We're fucked!
[It's all he manages to say before there's a moth hare climbing his face and that does it for him. They've done what they can. They have exhausted their ability to aide in this situation, and now voracious rodents want to eat them.
That's enough of that.
Taking a cue from Rhy, Mat pushes off as many of the creatures as he can and takes off.
At least they'll provide some distraction....]
no subject
At least they drove the critters away from the food, managed to place all but two of the orbs. So? Not bad?
The moment Kell finds the first water source, he splashes a generous amount on himself. Not because he knows what he's doing, but the stupid dust clinging to every uncovered surface makes him want to scratch his skin off. He's been bitten and screamed at enough times, so that might not be the dust that makes him so itchy, but all the marks from the little teeth. But the fact he was able to wash at least some dust off, seems to make fewer hares treat him as food.]
We'd better all take a shower.
[It would need some good scrubbing to get rid of all of this stuff. Then they can go and report back they finished their task.]
no subject
Covered in glitter isn't the worst that could happen. He's got about ten moth hares stuffed into his shirt and four in each hand when the "order to retreat" is called. Looking at the squirming rabbit-like creatures, Dante shrugs and tosses them back out of the broken window like baseballs. They can fly, they'll be fine.
He follows after the boys, idly pulling out more moth hares as he goes, tossing them into a nearby bin, a room and kicking the door shut, etc. A problem for future someone else. ]
Well then...
[ He approaches the glitter-coated group, apparently having no problems with being doused with the stuff himself holding last moth hare by the scruff. ]
These little guys are a lot more tenacious than we gave 'em credit for.
[ The moth hare makes a huffing noise. ]
Seems to me like we could use a snack for a job well...
[ "Well done"? Ha. ]
--...a job finished.
no subject
What have you done that those little monsters didn't bite you?
[Because Kell has almost been eaten whole. The fact that he was the closest to orb when it exploded could be a factor in his popularity with the critters, but makes it no less unfair. Why it's always him getting the shortest end? ]