open 🍃 still I follow heartlines on your hand

[hearthwarming]

Who: Oriphi and anyone!
Which: Open log
Where: Around town and two (2) dreamscapes
What: Helping out with wimdy-related damages, and two traveling-themed dreamscapes. Do you want to D&D/Fantasy AU your character? Or meet Ori's friends? Here's your chance!

1 ✧ it fucken WIMDY

( A )
[ Destructive gusts of wind or no, Oriphi can usually be found helping out wherever she can around town - but this month especially so.

Some days she's around after a particularly strong bout of windiness, helping clear debris or patching up damage to buildings by using elemental magic to conjure and grow woody vines to reinforce structures. Sometimes, for a little extra flair, she makes flowers sprout all over the buildings. Though that seems like it might be pointless when the next gust will likely blow all the blooms away, it's worth it for any measure of joy it might bring to the those who dwell in the the previously-damaged home or shop or anything else. ]

Hmm... What do you think? [ This, she says to anyone who might be passing by as she finishes her work, or perhaps someone she's been helping repair this building with. ] Is it too much?

( B )
[ Other days, she's caught in the middle as the wind starts to pick up. Each time, she slams the end of her staff down, embedding it into the ground as vines come up to brace it into place. She does her best to plant her feet down and hold on, but— the livestock aren't so lucky. ]

Oh, no!

[ With one arm tightly wrapped around her staff, she reaches out with the other to send vines out in an attempt to prevent a sliding cow or sheep from going airborne. It seems to be working, but she might need additional help to hold on! ]

2 ✧ a hearth of moonlight and shadow ✧ interactive dream

[ It is well into the night, and a warm fire burns in the center of what looks like a campsite put up in the midst of the woods.

Spread out across the site are a few adventurers. A tall, lithe elven woman with copper-colored hair patrols the perimeter of the camp, embedding magical arrows into the ground in a seemingly logical pattern. In another corner, a white-haired elven man sits with an open spellbook and scrolls strewn about around him. Then, seated closer to the fire, there is (yet another) elven man with his hand gripped decisively around a bottle of wine, a tall, half-orc man sketching, a half-elven man with dark hair tuning a lute, and a masked figure. Save for the ambient sounds of jungle creatures coming alive in the night, the sound of various writing implements on parchment, and the tuning of a lute - the camp is silent.

Whose dream is this? Whose friends are these?

The answer is revealed when Oriphi emerges, seemingly out of nowhere. But the moment that she appears, it's as if the quiet vignette truly comes to life.

"Alright, this is boring. Anyone up for another team-building exercise?" declares the dark-haired elven man, setting his lute aside in resignation. Something about the dreamscape tells you that his name is Colin, and that he is a bard.

"Always," replies the bare-chested elf, Mellon, lifting his bottle of wine in agreement before he takes a hearty swig. Sian, the masked figure, simply shrugs and offers a noncommittal noise.

"Uuuuh, I'm really busy doing this drawing? It's coming out really well. Really cute, actually." And though Cibark's sketched drawing of a river scene is appealing, it's not what one would typically describe as "cute," and while his tone sounds serious, something says that he's being facetious.

Dae, the man with the glasses, slams his spellbook shut abruptly as he stands up with seemingly renewed purpose, startling Aerie and causing her to nearly snap an arrow in half. He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose as the lenses catch the light of the fire, making them gleam in the dark.

"Mister Colin, what an excellent idea! The Alchemighty needs to have a strong foundation, so we've got to team-build as much as we can!"

One can practically hear the way that Colin rolls his eyes. "Aaand just like that, I suddenly don't want to." ]

I think it'll be fun!

[ Ori finally chimes in that moment, taking her seat beside the bard and shyly nudging him with her elbow and a smile on her face. The boredom on his face fades a bit, and he acquiesces, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head.

It's then that the adventurers turn their attention and gaze towards the dreamwalker present. ]

So, how about it? Two truths and a lie. You start!

3 ✧ there once was a ship that put to sea— ✧ interactive dream

[ This dream finds its inhabitants and visitors at sea, on the main deck of some kind of merchant or passenger ship. It seems to be a beautiful day out on the seas, the waters more or less mild and the skies clear and bright.

Only that the ship is actively under attack by a massive froghemoth. What is a froglike monstrosity doing out in the ocean? Can it even survive in saltwater? Don't worry about it - it's a dream. What matters is that in its many tentacles, it holds a few of Oriphi's adventuring friends.

And where is the tiefling, herself? Well, she's desperately clutching at the bulwark, looking absolutely miserable as she tries to keep her breakfast down.

See, she always gets so terribly seasick whenever they travel via ship, and she is in no condition to fight the froghemoth - at least, not without the aid of another, or at least a reminder that she's simply dreaming and could dream the seasickness away.

"Pull yourself together, Ori!" Aerie calls out from somewhere further away, nocking an arrow and letting it loose against the froghemoth. It zips through the air and finds purchase near one of the froghemoth's eyes - but it's the only one that hits before the ranger is promptly swept away by another tentacle. ]

I— I'm trying!

[ She manages to pull an arm away from the bulwark to take up her staff, summoning a bolt of fire and casting it at the monster - but she misses. ]

(( ooc: If you have any questions, especially about the dreamscape prompts, or want to plot out anything else, feel free to PM me or hit me up at camerata! ))

Comments

[roseofmay]

[Beatrix can't help but question why the rest of Oriphi's merry little troupe seems to have little to question her with. She suspects it's because of the situation in and of itself. The general can't really affect it beyond what Ori may allow, or so it would seem. So she surmises. Not that she has an interest in changing anything or otherwise altering it. It's Ori's world, after all. Better to let her hold onto those precious memories.

And to learn.

When she asks about Beatrix's magic, a hand taps along the handle of her sword with some consideration. She knows of what Oriphi speaks.]

That was my sword. Not truly my magic, though I suppose it is something similar. I am capable of wielding white magic. Restorative, constructive, and destructive forms. I also am capable of a variety of holy sword techniques. Arts. Alexandria refers to my skill set as 'Seiken.'

[Patting her sword gently, she continues.]

In short, Save the Queen is a holy sword. It is only one of the abilities that I am able to wield.

[hearthwarming]

[ It's Ori's world, we're all just living in it.

"So you're a Paladin, then," Colin remarks, as-a-matter-of-factly, "You sort of give off that energy."

Which, really, by extension, is just Ori's opionion, given that Colin isn't actually here. But white magic, channeling magic through a holy sword, the way that Beatrix has spent her life protecting others and devoting her all in the service of others... Sounds like very Paladin activities. Cibark is a paladin, too, although his oath is to the protection of nature and his homeland. ]

Seiken... [ She repeats the foreign word on her tongue slowly. ] You're incredible, Beatrix. I didn't know you could do all of that! Maybe I'll get to see you in action again soon. Maybe on an adventure!

[roseofmay]

[It's not a word foreign to her. If anything, it's more surprising that Colin would use it. Perhaps there are more things in common with Gaia's world after all. It takes Beatrix just a moment or two to piece herself back together before she eventually nods.]

Something akin to that, yes.

[Turning her attention onto Oriphi, she utters a quiet laugh.]

I am capable of a great many things. In time, I suspect you will see some of them. Do not be mistaken, however. You are are just as capable, Oriphi.

[hearthwarming]

[ The very tail end of Beatrix’s statement is met with resounding approval across the camp as Ori’s friends agree unanimously, sounding off with approving hums or enthusiastic nods of their head or agreeing verbally. There seems to be a consensus that Oriphi is, in fact, capable—

Which, naturally, has the tiefling’s cheeks reddening. ]

Th… Thanks… I’m just doing my best!

[ ”And your best is all we can ask for, Miss Ori! You’re always looking out for us and making food, and healing us when we get hurt,” Dae says, ”And sometimes you get really mad and cast some scary spells - you are very capable!”

”In other words, you’re perfect, Ori,” adds Sian, and despite the fact that their face is concealed beneath a mask and their voice carries monotonously, there’s a subtle warmth to it that suggests they’re being sincere, for once. ]

You guys! We’re supposed to be learning about Beatrix!

[roseofmay]

[Perfect. Yes. Beatrix could see that and she can't help wearing the smallest curve of the mouth at the title. Oriphi is more than modest enough to refuse that kind of label, but Beatrix isn't sure she's seen anything out of her tiefling companion that isn't perfect.

She offers just a subtle nod of agreement, though is quickly set on the proverbial back foot when attention is placed back on her. Lifting a hand to flick at her hair, she shakes her head.]

Please. I never have been particularly keen on discussing myself. I happen to think you are a far more interesting subject. And I believe your comrades-in-arms would agree.

[Maybe she's just setting all of that up intentionally. If they are so stirred by complimenting Oriphi, then it shouldn't be difficult to keep their attention off of Alexandria's general.]

[hearthwarming]

But...

[ No, these dream versions of Oriphi's friends are eager to agree with the General. After all, she has always thought of her friends as wonderfully supportive of her - perhaps undeservingly so - and that seems to be coming to the forefront in this dream.

"I believe that means it's your turn now, Miss Ori!" Dae flourishes a hand, gesturing as if to say go on, then. ]

Okay. Um. Well...

[ She tilts her head in contemplation for a long, quiet while, glancing around at Beatrix and her companions as if she'll find two truths and a lie about herself in their faces. ]

... I get seasick easily, I can play the lyre, and...

[ judging by the fact that she trails off, alone, and the way that she seems to come upon this idea when she looks at Beatrix— ]

I am really good with swords!

[ — it is abundantly clear which one the lie is. ]

[roseofmay]

[This couldn't have worked out better in her favour, honestly. Beatrix makes a note in the future to divert all attention onto Oriphi from here on out, considering how successful she's been thus far. Of course, eventually Ori will catch up and she'll need a Plan 'B' to handle that, but...

She'll cross that bridge when she gets to it.

Oriphi begins to rattle off what she's good at. In essence, two truths and a lie, and idly Beatrix wonders what kind of information she'd be willing to give. None of these people know her, however, and thinking on it too much is a moot point. The last remark Ori makes coaxes a short-lived laugh out of the general.]

Oh, no, you are not.

[It's not even accusatory. That's just the truth.]

If you think you are, I would be more than pleased to give you a decent challenge.

[hearthwarming]

[ There is a moment after her response in which the members of Oriphi’s party aren’t quite sure what to make of her, the looks on their faces ranging from impressed to scaroused maybe a little intimidated. Dae, meanwhile, draws in a deep breath and poises himself to rise up to such a challenge, but Sian reaches over and claps a hand over his mouth instead. Not right now, Dae, they whisper into the wizard’s ear.

Still, though - Beatrix is correct, and Ori chuckles bashfully, a hand reaching up to absentmindedly twirl her hair between fingers. ]

You’re right…! I’m okay with a staff, but…

[ Leaning forward, she rests her elbows atop her knees and then her chin in her hands as she gives Beatrix another curious look. Her friends, meanwhile, seem to basically fade into the background with their own quiet conversations. ]

Say, Beatrix… Have you ever wanted to go out and explore like this?

[roseofmay]

[Beatrix would, naturally, be more than ready to take on every challenge that would come her way. Oriphi’s group of friends are likely more than she thinks them to be. That is, it is very likely that she has underestimated them. As she tends to with most everyone she comes up against.

Evidently arrogance is still firmly attached to her.]

Another staff wielder. I remember you using one back when we first met. Perhaps it did not occur to me that was what it was.

[If she ever wants more training or practise, she knows precisely who to send her toward.

At the question, she’s quiet and thoughtful. She’s not particularly open about her past prior to her entrance into the knighthood. Beatrix holds a great deal of knowledge of places that exist outside of Alexandria. More than the bookish sort. If she’s done any exploration, she certainly hasn’t made it a habit to own up to it.]

I have not exactly had such time afforded to me to follow such pursuits. I do not dislike the idea of exploration, however. I have spoken here and there with others in Reverein about exploring some of the uncharted areas.

[hearthwarming]

[ If this conversation took place just moments ago, Beatrix's answer might have prompted a few enthusiastic reactions from her friends. Something along the lines of how they'll introduce her to the exciting, thrilling life of an adventurer - but as it is, they've seem to become part of the backdrop, and Beatrix mentioning Reverein seems to push Ori further into a sense of awareness. ]

Oh...

[ Of course. This is a dream. Her beloved friends aren't really here. Beatrix is, though, isn't she...? ]

Then... Shall we explore together, sometime? I would be happy to accompany you.

[roseofmay]

[It's a compelling offer, really. Beatrix knows going it alone is an unwise course of action. At the same time, she values her solitude and still... really doesn't like working with others unless she absolutely has to. Or maybe it's less about working with and the inevitability that facing hardship does tend to bond people together. She's spent an awful lot of time trying to put that down and prevent that from happening, which is great on her part and all.

Except that she can't control the free will of others.]

Perhaps pick someplace that is a little less dangerous in that case. Not that I think you would be incapable of handling yourself, but deliberately putting you in danger would only run the risk of upsetting Diluc.

[As much as she imagines if she told Dohalim she was deliberately thrusting herself into dangerous situations, he would likely have a part of him feeling apprehensive, despite knowing how capable she is.]

I see no reason why we cannot do this, however, if it is something you would like.