[OTA] You open the door to a corridor stretching to the left

[fauxbot]

WHO: Chipp and YOU
WHAT: Trials + trying to help w the cold
WHEN: During the event
WHERE: Everywhere, perhaps
WARNINGS: Knowing Chipp? Lots of swearing, discussions of death, the usual.


[A - The Bull]

[Unsurprisingly for those who know him... Chipp's already picked up the lasso and is doing his best to get it spinning. Not because he plans to use it on the bull, no -
He's just playing with it as he thinks. Because, as always, he's basically twelve.]

So... you want me to pin the big fella usin' some o' my magic? We can climb on once I got'im on the ground, I'll stick us on all magnet-like!

[B - The Belt]

... Mm.

[It's just a small noise of recognition as he and his partner walk into the room of mirrors, looking at just who is waiting for him inside of them.
This is something he should have accounted for, really. That one of these trials would be praying on the hardships he's currently going through.
Because in every mirror - alongside whoever his partner's going to have to face - is a reflection of Nenonen, his Nenett, the one he's been so torn up over for the past couple of months... staring at him with their big, bright eyes as always.

And he stares right back, the eye on his screen looking on with exhaustion and melancholy. Purposefully hanging back so as not to activate the mirrors just yet, already opening up the Hammerspace bag he's got strapped to his thigh.]

...

I got some o' them Emotion Candies in my bag if you wanna try it. Ain't used up the ones that hide ya feelin's. Might try that, myself.

[More accurately, the candies mask feelings - those feelings will still be felt, just... they're easier to work through.]

[C - The Pubby]

- Aw, it's a dog...!? I don't wanna hafta fight a dog!

[That's said the instant Chipp and his partner can see what the main objective of this trial is, the big ol' dog standing in the middle of the chamber.
It isn't coming in to attack or anything, and he's grateful for that - even taking a few steps up to offer the dog his hand to smell.

And as the dog leans in with one of its heads to sniff at him, Chipp looks back over his shoulder at who came with him.]

... You think we can back out now? Or would that count as failin'? Or maybe we supposed to do somethin' else...

[D - Fears and scars]

[Into the castle they go, Chipp walking side-by-side with someone else, even as he looks around at the crumbling halls they're walking down... though he stops for a moment, just to take it all in.]

... This one feels like a lot more than just a trial. Somethin'... cold's settlin' in my chest - I dunno what this is.

[Fear. Mortality. Chipp's never truly feared death, even while he was alive, and now that he's both dead and immortal... the fear of death just sounds silly to him.
Yet that's what's filling him up thanks to the castle's effects, spreading like frost in his veins.

Has he noticed he's started glowing? Nope, not in the slightest! But it won't be hard for others to notice, considering it's all of him.]

[E - Icy cold] (closed to rinku)

[Even just on the trip there, Chipp has complained no less than five times about just how cold the temperature is... he's wrapped up in not just his cloak, but he's also gone and gotten himself a fur wrap to go over it, too -
And despite that, he's still complaining about the cold.

With those complains getting worse as they step up to the edge of the lake, of course.]

Ugh... you promise you'll have a fire goin' when I get back out? I feel like my bones are frozen solid...

[Sorry, Rinku. He's basically a gigantic child. But he's a gigantic child who doesn't need to breathe, so unfortunately for him, he's PERFECT for climbing underwater and collecting as much coral as he can carry.]

[F - Toasty warm]

[Is this the stupidest possible thing he could be doing to help those who are sick? Perhaps.
And yet he's still doing it anyway -

That is, at some point while potions are being made, a post hits the network inviting those who are sick to the park for warmth and comfort while everyone waits on the cure...
And that's where Chipp will be, sitting on a blanket with his Crocalor and a sign that reads:
"NOT GOOD AT MAKING POTIONS

I'M 100 F / 38 C
GATOR IS FIRE TYPE AND HE'S OK WITH HUGS
ALSO HAVE SNACKS"

... Sure enough, he's got a picnic basket that his Crocalor's protecting, all filled up with handmade pastries and finger foods.
As for what Chipp's doing? He's just fooling around on his Gameboy, waiting to see if he's needed.]

Comments

C!

[bombdemon]

[ Honestly, Katsura probably looks more wary of Chipp than the giant dog. Which is to say that he's not all that weary -- he's seen weirder looking Amanto, and his enemy is the corrupt government rather than any individuals. But still, aside from Elizabeth, he doesn't usually work with one -- but his survival instinct seems to visibly drop down to zero when he's faced with fluff. Luckily, this particular dog doesn't seem very scary -- just a three-headed, giant newfoundland or something. ]

[ By the time Chipp's done talking, Katsura is already trying to latch onto Cerberus' side for pets, arms outstretched. ]

They did say violence is not the only way. [ thoughtfully. ]

[fauxbot]

True...

[He's happy to reach up and pat one of the dog's three giant noses as he thinks that over, the eye on his screen blinking up at it once or twice.]

... They prolly ain't lookin' for us to just sit 'n pet the dog, though, are they?
I mean, I will. I'd do that even if it weren't the objective! But y'know...

[bombdemon]

Well, there is only one way to know for sure.

[ They should sit and pet the dog. Obviously. ]

[ In the meantime, the dog growls once, but sniffs at Chipp's hand almost curiously, and doesn't do anything when Katsura faceplants into its side and starts petting it. ]

But I see your point. [ muffled by the fur. ] Perhaps we should teach it to play fetch.

E

[roundandaround]

Yeah, I promise! I'll clear out a spot and everything!

[She's read Laid-Back Camp, she knows how to make a fire! She looks in concern at Chipp, though.]

Are you sure you don't wanna borrow my Mermaid Necklace to breathe down there? I'd give you my snowsuit, but it's not gonna fit...

[Plus even winter gear enchanted for warmth can still get wet and icy!]

[fauxbot]

Naw, you can keep your necklace. I don't need to breathe - I can just go right in.
Can't die of hypothermia, neither. So I don't gotta worry about that, too.

'S why I knew I'd be the best choice for this one.

[Despite all his complaining, despite all his whining and moaning... he really does know that he's made for a task like this.
Grim Reapers are built to withstand the elements indefinitely. He knows this from experience.
So he's already pulling off his fur wrap and his cloak, turning to instead wrap Rinku in them both - to keep them dry, of course, but also because they're gonna be toasty warm and frankly she deserves it.]

... Keep an eye on these for me, 'kay? I need that cloak.

[roundandaround]

[Rinku makes a happy noise and snuggles into his gear. She nods eagerly.]

Yeah! I won't let them get lost or wrecked or anything!

[She nods, squeezes one of Chipp's hands in both of hers, and starts to shuffle around to get a campfire clear near some logs.]

B

[the_one_who_waits]

[Narinder stands beside Chipp in the room of mirrors. Their reflections seen endlessly reflected back. Yet it isn't them alone. There is the young man with big eyes, another human from the looks of it, staring at them. Narinder has no idea who it is, it seems his first friend does. Yet Narinder's attention is drawn elsewhere quickly as another reflection appears.

A lamb. It is so unassuming of a creature. White fluffy wool, a pair of short horns adorn its head, along with the Red Crown. They wear a red fleece, collar, and a yellow bell. They smile outward, their dark eyes focused on Narinder. They sway back and forth, waiting for the cat to approach.]

No. The Lamb will see my anger and fury as they should. Mine is my vessel. My betrayer. What of yours? Has that one betrayed you too?

[fauxbot]

[Yeah, Chipp recognizes that crown the moment it appears - so it isn't hard to guess that this isn't any old lamb, but The Lamb.
The one that Narinder had told him about...
Pretty cute for a betrayer and usurper of gods, he must say.

But at the other's question, Chipp shakes his head "no", and there's a bit of amusement coloring his voice.]

Far from it. That there's Nenonen - Nenett.
They the first person I ever loved.

[Ever. In his entire life. Falling in love was something he wasn't even sure he was capable of before showing up in Ellipsa.

And it's with that thought that Chipp digs out that candy he mentioned, rifles through the box for one of the ones for masking, lifts his helmet, and pops that candy in his mouth.]

... They were a Winter like me, though. Damn near mastered it before this place sent'em away again -
I've heard of'em usin' the ice powers to burst livin' things from the inside.

So this ain't gonna be easy... for either of us, I'm guessin'.

[the_one_who_waits]

[Love. Narinder would scoff at the idea normally. Say it is soft weakness but in this moment, he doesn't. The first one this demi-god ever loved. Loved here. A master of the Winter magics. A true threat indeed. He is Summer but his abilities with the curses is truly limited compared to this Nenonen. He watches Chipp devour the candid and lift his head to expose another under it.

Another question for another time.]

No. This will not be a simple matter. The Lamb is the God of Death. With access to all of the powers of the Red Crown and its curses. Along with any relics they may have. We should not confront them both simultaneously. We should combat them one at a time.

...Which do we face first? The God of Death, or the Monarch of Winter and your heart?

A 😔

[emanation]

How... { he starts, stops, then sighs. honestly his own idea isn't that much different, ezra has no reason to be judgemental here. }

Actually no, I'll bite. How the hell are you going to stuck us to it like a magnet? It isn't made of metal...

{ not everyone is smart, chipp... sometimes you hear a set of words and don't think outside the box. }

your honor, i love him

[fauxbot]

Hun, puttin' aside the fact that I'm usin' magnet magic, stuff ain't gotta be metal to be magnetized.
With enough static, anything's a magnet!

[The magic of electromagnetism!! This is definitely safe. Definitely.]

... You ain't fond o' how you did your hair today, are ya?

C

[houndofmanchester]

I think it's fine. He's not hostile, and I don't think an unprovoked attack is the solution. Not that I could bring myself to strike such a well behaved hound in the first place.

[Barghest lets all three heads of the dog sniff her, giving each one a sniff of her own in return. Once approved, she reaches her hands out and begins scratching the dog between the necks.]

He just wants to play, I'm pretty sure.

[fauxbot]

[Petting the big dog: COMMENCE. Chipp's more than happy to reach up and start scratching the world's biggest Good Boy behind its ears, his antennae starting to wiggle happily on top of his helmet.
If he were a dog, himself, his tail would be going a mile a minute.]

Just wants to play, huh? Aw, that's easy -
Think a big fella like this knows how to fetch? Could go throwin' my arm for'im!

[... His prosthetic, he means. Obviously.]

C

[abnormalizes]

Ohhh, he's cute! Hi, honey.

[Evangeline also offers her hand to a different head to sniff, and once she gets acceptance, gives the hellhound some scritches.]

Don't worry, you've picked the absolute best person to pair up with to handle a monster without fighting the.

[fauxbot]

[Evangeline's giving the giant Good Boy scritches, which means Chipp's gonna do the same - even sending the fore part of his prosthetic up like a little rocket to scratch it between the ears where he can't reach otherwise.]

... I'm gonna guess you don't plan on handlin' him like you handle other monsters, ouais?

B

[kerontribution]

[There's just one reflection. The figure they don't want to face is the same for both of them. And Oryou, who's normally undaunted by anything...]

...Oryou doesn't want to fight them. Can we go back?

[fauxbot]

[Somehow, it being just Nenonen staring back at them through the mirrors makes his nonexistent heart sink even further.]

I don't... wanna fight'em either. Dunno if we can go back...
I think we either pass or we fail.

D

[assent]

{ it's nice to find another person she knows now they seem to have passed into another stage, the glow radiating off chipp is very unusual in that it fully covers him. sonia's own are all over her skin, but the human shaped bite marks are very easy to distinguish. at least chipp knows enough about the event they're from he likely won't need to ask questions.

her own steps start to slow, and while her own relationship with death has always been met with calmness it is like drowning now. like her head is being pushed underwater to face it more directly. }

Not every trial needs to be combat related, perhaps this one is more of a psychological or emotional one...

{ she trails off. }

I assume it relates to how our bodies have changed here.

[fauxbot]

... How our bodies have--
Oh, shit, you got some glowin' bits on ya!

[Yes, that's said exactly as he looks back toward Sonia and sees the way she's glowing.
Which means he's finally catching sight of the way he's glowing, sticking his arms out in front of himself to look them over.]

Shit, I got some glowin' all o' me, too! What's this s'pposed to...?

[Looking at his arms. Then up at Sonia, and the little glowing dots covering her form.
Taking his time, looking a little closer, and...
In the softest, smallest voice, almost apologetic -]

... Oh.

[His arms fall again, back against his sides under his cloak, but after a second of thinking about it?
Sitting there, quiet, thoughtful?

He holds a hand out, offering it for Sonia to take if she'd like.]

F

[guilt_trip]

[Russell hated this wind. Hated the way it crept up on him. Hated the way it made him feel. As soon as he'd started feeling symptoms he'd holed himself up inside. He didn't want to bother anyone about it and especially didn't want to have to engage in any physical contact with anyone over it. Surely there was some other way...

He wasn't usually one to check the network much, but desperate times called for desperate measures. When he saw the post, he hadn't replied. He'd simply gotten up (with a bit of a struggle) and made his way to the park. He was anticipating a fire pit or something. He hadn't expected to see Chipp's... whole deal going on there.]

... ...

[So yeah there's a young teenager in a rabbit-ear hoodie staring at Chipp from a short distance away. He's not particularly subtle about it.]

[fauxbot]

...

[Yeah, he's definitely not being subtle. It's clear he's here because of that freezing illness, the very same that Chipp had caught a few years back during his first run in Ellipsa. All things considered, there's nothing else someone would be approaching him for, really.
... But Russell's not coming forward and asking outright, either. So, what's Chipp gonna do?

He just scoots over a little on the picnic blanket, making sure there's plenty of room, and pats the spot beside him.

Not inviting Russell to come sit right up against him or anything - just to sit on the blanket, too. For company, if he needs it; if Russell needs more than that, Chipp will be happy to give him a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on, but otherwise?
Just quiet company.]

A - maybe others later

[combat_ready]

Yes, we can do this! I can make additional restrains as needed.

[Chipp's partner for this was excitable and friendly. Clearly eager to help.]

Just give me the signal.

[She wraps an arm around Chipp, clearly having some sort of plan.]

[fauxbot]

... ?

[The sudden arm around him gets him to lift his own in response, immediately looking down at his partner with the eye on his screen scrunching up.]

... What signal you expectin', here?
'Cause I can just, y'know -

[Here, he reaches out with his hand toward the bull, before "slamming" it toward the ground -
And the bull ends up falling against the ground to match, instantly pinned by the sheer amount of magnetic force Chipp's exerting on it. It's trying to get up, but it...
Can't. At all.]

I do shit like this all the time, back home; desert's fulla bigass critters like this fella!

B

[starwill]

It's okay, you can keep them for yourself. I'm used to kicking March's butt in simulators, anyway.

[GIRL..........


The one who's appeared for Stelle is a girl with a bow.]

Although do we have to actually fight them?

[fauxbot]

I... dunno. I know I don't wanna fight'em, though.

[The reflection of Nenonen's staring at him with those big, bright eyes of theirs, all while he stares right back... and it just makes his heart wrench, thinking about having to hurt them whatsoever.]

... You think there's a way we could do this without fightin'?