and all I can do is try

[traaaaaash]

WHO: Eda Clawthorne and YOU
WHEN: early May
WHERE: here and there and everywhere
WHAT: assorted shenanigans
WARNINGS: idk none so far

1. PETTING ZOO

[ So. Eda is, as of right now, triple cursed and it's getting bad. She's losing more and more of her vision and the marks around her wrists are starting to be painful. As for her original curse, she's made a truce with the Owl Beast... by going into perma-harpy-mode. That's right, she's just nonstop harpy woman now. And if you think you saw a large bird-like creature hunting voles at night, no you didn't.

Either way, she's gotta do something about it. And she has an idea, which she thinks is very good, very excellent.

As a result, she's now standing in the middle of Ke-Waihu, and next to her is an animal pen made of vines. Inside, a few goats and sheep are hanging out, mostly unbothered. Eda is making sweeping gestures with arms and wings, clearly trying to attract attention. ]

You there! Yes, you! Touched something fluffy and cute recently? No? Well, do you wanna? 'Cause I got some fluffiness right here!

[ She motions her arms to present the animals in the pen. They're chilling and chewing some hay and assorted weeds she provided for them.

Soon, she will be chased by the farmers who miss their animals, but for now... you can pet some if you want. ]


2. UNOILED SNAKES

[ As a bit of a beast herself, Eda easily fits in among the Beastmaster's entourage. Once they've reached the Fetters, she takes the opportunity to snoop around a bit -- and is soon faced by a naga. She gets into a battle stance, ready dig her claws into her opponent; but just as she's ready to strike, she notices that the creature's hand gestures appear to be an attempt to communicate.

And the thing is, usually Eda would stand down at this point. But her curses are eating away at her, awakening in her urges and inclinations she's not previously had. She raises her clawed hand for an attack, and unearthly screech ripping from her throat. ]



3. TAKE A CHILL PILL

[ Eda gets an opportunity to talk to the witches here. That's how she finds out about their hypothesis on how to make a cure -- by cooling the dark waters down. She has also heard about the human sacrifices, which, all things considered, she is not actually that cool with. So she decides to do her part to help.

Or, well, she's trying to. See, she'd like to use her ice glyphs to solify the water, but her steadily decreasing vision is making it harder and harder to draw the symbols. She keeps drawing crooked circles, tapping them and failing to make anything.

Eventually, she rips up her paper in frustration, groaning all the while. ]

Ugh, I can't get it to work! Curse these... curses!

Comments

petting zoo adventures;

[incantates]

[ Harpy woman inviting him to a petting zoo... seems legit. He shouldn't question the strangeness of it so much as embrace it, even if he is staring at all the goats and sheep rather skeptically. They are cute. In a way.

He's really more of a cat and reptile person, though. ]

I think you're operating under the assumption that I would even want to pet them. However, I do give you points for optimism and enthusiasm. Sadly, I left my wallet back in Brooklyn and can't seem to access any of my bank accounts via magic...

[ Meaning he has no money to pay her off, not that he thinks this world even accepts most of the currencies on Earth. ]

I also think the locals are too busy being thirsty to think about paying money to play with cattle, so you might want to reevaluate your business plan.

[ If not that, they might just be scared off by a harpy woman flapping her wings at them whenever they draw near. ]

[traaaaaash]

[ Wow, so much criticism. How rude. Eda puts her hands on her hips and scowls. ]

Look, if you don't want what I'm offering, it costs nothing to just run along!

[incantates]

You're welcome to ignore my advice and make no profit at all, or you could follow the simple laws of supply and demand.

[ He gestures to their immediate area, which is looking less than exemplary at the moment due to the draught. ]

What do you think the locals would actually empty their pockets for?

[traaaaaash]

Well, [ her tone is akin to impatiently explaining something to a small child ] I hear petting zoos are popular in the human realm, and there's a lot of humans running around there, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Also, I need to get rid of this curse. Very soon. It's annoying.

[incantates]

Normally, they are rather charming, but I feel the locals are more eager to eat the cattle than pet it here.

[ Side-effect of having a village that's currently going through rough times with their crops dying and water sources drying out, although he can appreciate her enthusiasm and creativity. ]

You know, I'm not fond of being cursed either and wouldn't mind moving that along sooner than later.

[ He's unclear what will happen to him if he doesn't take care of it. ]

What do you say to a business proposition?

[traaaaaash]

[ She... does perk up at that. Cause listen, part of her knows this is a bogus idea, but she's grasping at straws here. ]

Depends on what it is.

[incantates]

We're in the middle of a drought, what do you think it is? As much as I hate to capitalize on others' clear distress, there's the matter of a curse to be taken care of.

[ And he's eager to be rid of it so he can get out of here quicker, so that means playing by some of the rules here ...for now. If they need to make money to progress, they'll make money. ]

How familiar are you with potion-making? I have a good recipe that can stimulate plant growth. Just a few sprinkles of it should address at least one of their problems.

[traaaaaash]

[ She puts her hands on her chin in thought. ]

You know what, you're making several points here. For one, there are rich people we can scam.

[incantates]

[ They're getting somewhere at least... ]

I would phrase it as less of a scam and more of a valuable service. The potions are actually effective in doing as promised. We'll just be collecting a nominal fee in exchange for said service.

[ And they don't have to torment the local livestock while they're at it. Win-win! ]

1

[scrapgege]

[It's not often Xie Lian gets jumped by a rather feathery person and randomly asked about fuzzy animals, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not the weirdest thing that's happened to him ever.

But he is still taken a little at unawares.]

... Excuse me?

[traaaaaash]

[ Eda is still grinning and gesturing toward the pen once again. ]

It's a petting zoo! Where you can pet friendly, fluffy animals. Not familiar with the concept, I take it?

[scrapgege]

I've never hard of that, no. But that sounds fun!

[Although, now that he's looking at those animals...]

Are they yours?

[traaaaaash]

[ uhm ]

They are now!

[scrapgege]

[He really wants to try to be charitable here, but... he's pretty sure he's seen that sheep before.]

... Did you steal them?

[traaaaaash]

I borrowed them.

[ Which... honestly, is kinda true. She does intend to return them. Eventually. If she remembers which sheep goes where. ]

[scrapgege]

... And you asked before you did?

[He has an inkling she did not. Not that he will do anything about it, but you know.]

Why are you asking people to pet them?

[traaaaaash]

Hey now, I'm not pressuring anyone! Merely offering.

[ Oh, that first question? No comment. ]

[scrapgege]

Alright, but why, though?

[Seriously, this is... cute but very, very strange.]

[traaaaaash]

Extra cash, of course!

[ Shush you she is a genius ]

[scrapgege]

Oh...

[That's a novel idea, and Xie Lian can see how this could make a lot of money. However...]

... Well, I don't have any money. Is that a problem?

[traaaaaash]

Wellllll... [ She narrows her eyes and makes a wavering motion with her fingers. ] yes.

But it's supposed to go toward our group anyway, so we can all go home, right?

[scrapgege]

I guess so, I'm just... not really carrying anything of value. I juts have the clothes on my back.

[Very, extremely literally.]

[traaaaaash]

[ Eda considers this, then grins at him. ]

Would you say you are good at public speaking?

[scrapgege]

I haven't really done any in a while... people tend to ignore me, most of the time.

[It was easier when he was actually a crown prince and a revered god.]

[traaaaaash]

Well, you could feed the animals, then, if you've got some time to spare.

[ Yes hello you're being roped into her little scheme. ]

[scrapgege]

Sure, I'd love to help!

[He's a helpful kind of guy! But....]

Can I pet them while I feed them?

[traaaaaash]

Yeah, sure, whatever.

[ She waves a hand dismissively. ]

3.

[thesuspense]

Auntie, what are you doing?

[For a while, he's been watching her, interested in the symbols she's drawing. He knows cultivation, he knows symbols, characters, all kinds of signs drawn for all kinds of reasons, but he's not familiar with those.

However, he is also familiar with someone having vision issues. So he walks closer, looking at her, perhaps - definitely - all the more intrigued by the use of the word 'curses'.]

Can't I help you, auntie? I'm quite skilled at cursing. I learned early.

[traaaaaash]

[ Eda, still perma-harpyfied, turns to the newcomer with a curious grunt, then narrows her eyes at him. ]

Who is whose auntie?

[thesuspense]

Plenty. To plenty.

[Seems like a bit of a general question, but since it's not the first time around here that he's encountered people confused by how he addresses them, he does figure out what part to explain.]

You are old, auntie.

[traaaaaash]

[ She narrows her eyes. ]

Not too old to kick your butt!

[thesuspense]

[His smile widens, but then he just moves his head slightly, acknowledging the threat. Old ladies can be formidable, he doesn't actually doubt that.]

With your curses, auntie? How's it work?

[traaaaaash]

Yes. With my curses.

[ Not that she's actually in the habit of cursing anyone. She just is very cursed. And, well, one of them actually makes her stronger. ]

[thesuspense]

Is that what you were doing?

[He gestures in the air vaguely, mimicking the symbols he'd seen her draw.]

What's supposed to happen? I feel the energy, but--

[He turns one hand slightly. Nothing.]

Need help?

[traaaaaash]

[ Once more, she narrows her yes at him. This time, it's her pride talking. ]

No.

[thesuspense]

Ah.

[He nods in understanding. In a mocking way, but still.]

So, you mean for it to not work?

[traaaaaash]

No, it's just -- I'll get it.

[ She's not cursed out of her eyesight she's just temporarily impaired okay. ]