june-july quests

[phoenixblessed]

WHO: Diluc Ragnvindr (phoenixblessed), Baizhu (physicianhealthyself), E'kayan Tia (orangebrained), Edmond (sapphireknight), Vennessa (vennessa), Guizhong (godofdust)
WHAT: Open quest prompts!
WHEN: June-July
WHERE: Anywhere the quests are
WARNINGS: Will be noted in subjects as they come up

Plotting - feel free to wildcard

Diluc Ragnvindr | Guizhong | E'kayan Tia | Edmond | Vennessa | Baizhu

Comments

Diluc Ragnvindr ❖ Genshin Impact

[phoenixblessed]

Who Let the Dogs Out

Look, you can’t stay up there.

[At first it looks as if Diluc is talking to a tree. He’s peering up into the branches, one arm lifted up to shade his eyes, but if a curious person happens to join him all will become clear. Up in the tree there is a small winged puppy sitting on a branch, looking down at him as if a) it does not understand how it got up there and b) it has no idea of how to get down.]

You have wings, come on now. [Clearly unconvinced, the puppy remains immobile in the tree. Diluc sighs and starts taking off his coat. It’s long and will only get in the way.] All right, it looks like I’m climbing a tree today.

Never Underestimate the Toad

[Despite being warned that the toads have a peculiar way of multiplying when cut, Diluc is still surprised when it happens right in front of him. Faced with a dozen of the things after a flurry of blows he pauses and lowers his claymore slightly, shifting his weight back off the balls of his feet. At this size they don’t feel like an immediate danger, but there are a lot of them.]

Something about this feels wrong.

[He mutters to his companion, rubbing the back of the wrist of his free hand against his forehead. It’s already warm enough here without using a flaming sword to solve a problem. At least the toads are small enough now that getting what they came for shouldn’t be too difficult.]

Should we really be creating so many of these things? I don’t suppose they said anything about them recombining once they run away.

Messages in the Dark

Wait.

[There they are again, though while he and his companion have been approaching the flashing lights they don’t seem to be managing to get any closer to them. Diluc is trying to be careful about this. It’s a good reward but he knows how dangerous sand can be made to be under the right (or wrong) circumstances and has no desire to end up buried up to his neck.

He narrows his eyes as he looks into the dark, then exhales sharply.]

I think that’s what we’re looking for. [Second thoughts? Yeah, just a bit.] … When you’re ready, let’s get moving. Watch your step.

who let the dogs out

[acquirement]

{ since this has been his favourite quest and a good way for him to venture out after... everything, it's no wonder he's out and about and able to bump into diluc talking to the dog up the tree.

at first he's confused, but as his eyes slide up it all becomes clear. }

If you start pampering it, it will never learn to bypass its fear and think for itself.

[phoenixblessed]

It's a puppy, Ayato.

[Diluc does not pause in removing his coat and folds it over his arm once it's off, never taking his eyes off the small creature for a moment. Despite the way it keeps fluttering its little wings it is clearly too frightened to take a leap.]

I'm going up there to get it. Watch my coat for me, if you wouldn't mind.

[He sets it on the ground and then begins scanning the tree trunk for a likely foothold.]

It has been a while.

[acquirement]

That it is.

{ he'll move to pick up the coat rather than let it settle on the ground though, dusting it off, only to pause part way through when he realises what he's doing. }

Though where I'm from, even puppies are taught to be braver than this.

{ granted, they are also often trained into being ninja dogs... but diluc doesn't know that. }

We could always ask somewhere if they have a ladder to spare if you think it will be a struggle.

[phoenixblessed]

It's no struggle. I'm just somewhat taller than I was the last time I climbed a tree.

[He glances over his shoulder, pausing for a moment as he notices that Ayato has picked up his coat, then his expression softens into a faint smile that tips the corners of his mouth up.]

When I'm next in Inazuma, I'll remember to leave any puppies that I might find in trees right where they are so I don't interrupt their training.

[And with a route up into the tree mostly worked out, he takes off his gloves and shoves them into his pocket before beginning to climb up. Luckily, it's not too high...

Relatively speaking.]

If-- if you fly off before I get to you... I'm going to be annoyed--

[acquirement]

{ he makes a small noise at the retort. }

Please do. Though most are trained to know to not try to begin with.

{ his own voice is dry, falling into step with the humour of it as he watches quietly as the dog seems to be watching him climb equally unsure about what to do with it. }

I hope you have a plan for getting back down with it.

{ honestly he's watching out of curiosity to see how diluc will handle this, but there was a much simpler option they could have done if he was insistent about this. they both literally have earth powers. }

[phoenixblessed]

I always have a plan.

[And reasons for not using Ellipsa's earth magic too. It's not too difficult to get up into the tree and he perches himself close to the trunk on the same branch the puppy is on before swiftly scuffing the creature and tucking it into the front of his waistcoat.

The puppy, fearful as it was to jump and now with its wings trapped, seems to accept its fate.

And Diluc - who always has a plan - does what seems simplest. He pushes himself forwards and drops the distance back to the ground in a graceful freefall, landing in a measured crouch that absorbs most of the impact with one arm curled carefully around his chest.]

Oof--... There. [He straightens up, brushing himself off with his free hand while the puppy peers out of his waistcoat.] Now, hopefully that ought to be a lesson learned for this little thing.

[acquirement]

{ ayato is more likely to be lazy (though he'd call it careful consideration of the options and choosing the option with the least risk) and just use the powers provided as needed. he'll watch quietly as he finds his way back down though. }

I should hope so, though it will need to learn to fly eventually. Should we return it to the shelter? Or were you considering keeping it?

[phoenixblessed]

I'd have to ask Kaeya first.

[Kaeya, though... would probably not say 'no' to the idea of having a puppy in the apartment, so he's reluctant to even broach the topic to begin with.

The puppy in question, seeming quite content now, settles down in Diluc's half-unbuttoned waistcoat.]

The people here really ought to be more careful with their animals. First it was those cats, and now this.

[acquirement]

Oh? I didn't realise you were both that close?

{ he doesn't know that much about mondstadt, to be fair, and all he does know is more of the place than specific people. obviously the family name had come up, along with current leaders of the favonius knights but that was the limit. anything he did track was following fatui leads than anything else. }

Though I'd have to agree. They do seem to be undisciplined.

[phoenixblessed]

That--

[Didn't realise? Well, the truth of that is that no one has realised. No one knows because they have been keeping it to themselves (or Diluc has, certainly), but he cannot quite fight the way the tops of his cheeks heat at the pointed question.

He moves swiftly on from that topic and to the next one.]

I would call it entirely careless. Unless it's a test of our own tendencies towards benevolence.

[acquirement]

{ Oh? Oh???

His eyes zone in on the faint blush forming on his cheeks, storing that away to ask/tease kaeya about later. }

Either way, if we're able to help it should help with their distrust of us.

Messages in the Dark

[localweirdo]

[Hu Tao was no stranger to spooky and odd things that happen at night. If anything, this was certainly her cup of tea. That said, she had to admit, it was a little troublesome knowing what this sand will do.]

The same goes to you too! Please do careful.

[She said with a smile. As she took a step forward, she heard some movement.]

Did you hear that?

[phoenixblessed]

[It is troublesome, but Diluc has already had what he considers to be the worst kind of shock this place can offer - when he saw his own father standing in front of him as if he was alive again - and he doesn't think that this sand can do anything worse than that.]

Hmn, don't worry, I'm always--

[Careful, he's going to say, but he stops as she steps forwards and speaks again. He cocks his head and listens.]

... I do hear something. Keep going, we can't let ourselves be taken by surprise.

[localweirdo]

[She doesn't need to be told twice. As she continued to walk further ahead, she couldn't help but feel nervous.]

Be on your guard, I think something might be ready to attack us.

[But the problem was when...]

Are you ready?

who let the dogs out

[niwabi]

[ Best. Quest. EVER!! With a bag of treats in her arm, Yoimiya happily trots along the area, calling and looking for signs of cute puppies that got loose. As she's humming to herself, enjoying life, the sight of Diluc curiously catches her attention. Is that man... having a conversation with a tree? She stops dead in her tracks, watching him for a solid minute. Puzzled by the situation, she glances upwards.

Oh, okay, there's definitely a puppy with wings up there. He's not talking to a tree. ]

Do you need some treats to help lure it down?

[ She waves the bag of bone shaped biscuits in her hands. ]

[phoenixblessed]

I had a mind to go up there after it.

[Because he does have a soft spot for animals and the poor thing is obviously terrified, despite having got itself up there to begin with.

Treats, though? That's an idea. Diluc looks from the bag she's lightly waving at him, up to her face, then back at the little pup in the tree.] But let's try this first.

[It would probably save his clothes at least. Good on Yoimiya for coming forward with a solution!]

If you wouldn't mind, miss..?

[niwabi]

[ Awww, how sweet! Yoimiya is positively touched by Diluc's act of heroism. It's very understandable, had a puppy get stuck in a tree on her watch, she wouldn't hesitate to climb up there and rescue it. ]

Not at all! Here you go.

[ Beaming at his response, she opens the bag, happily placing a few of the bone-shaped treats in the palm of his hand. ]

The more people holding treats the merrier! I think we'll have a good shot of luring that poor puppy down if we both offer it a goodie.

[phoenixblessed]

Thanks.

[He takes a couple of the treats that she offers him and raises one hand up to show them clearly to the puppy. The little creature spots them easily and flutters its small wings, letting out a few whining yips when Diluc doesn't try to bring the treats any closer.]

... Do you think you could reach him from my shoulders?

[It's an idea, right? If she's up for it.]

[niwabi]

[ It's a brilliant idea! The man has a good few feet over her and with their heights combined, she's confident they'll make a pyro tower tall enough to bring the puppy back down to safety. ]

Yeah, I should be able to reach it no problem. With your assist, it should be way easier than helping out a kid that climbed a tree and doesn't know how to get down.

[ Ah, rascal kids. Gotta adore them...

It's hard to listen to the poor puppy's sad yips, so not wasting a single second, she slides the straps off her backpack. With the treats ready and in her hands, Yoimiya stands behind Diluc and will hop on his back whenever he's ready. ]

Ready whenever you are!

[phoenixblessed]

[It seems like an easy solution to the problem that doesn't involve one of them climbing up, or having to wait down here for the pup to get hungry enough that desire for treats overcomes its fear.

When she moves behind him he crouches down to let her up and then stands carefully, balancing the young woman on his shoulders as if he's done this kind of thing before.]

Are you high enough?

[Without looking up it's hard to tell, and-- look, if he turns his head his face is going straight into her thigh and he'd like for the both of them to leave this encounter with their dignity intact.

Diluc takes a step forwards, putting her as close to the puppy as he can.]

[niwabi]

[ Alley-oop! Yoimiya perches herself onto his shoulders and thanks to Diluc's assistance, the blonde is taller than she's ever been! She's impressed with how he's able to hoist her up with no problem but based on first impressions, he comes across as someone who is very capable and strong. ]

Yeah! I think I can reach it from here.

[ Thanks to his strength, she's able to easily balance on his shoulders, carefully holding her arms out towards the critter in need. ]

C'mon little fella! Let's get ya down so you can have some treats and play with your buddies.

[ At first, the poor puppy looks somewhat uncertain, nervous to jump down from this angle. It takes a bit of coaxing from Yoimiya by waving the treats around in hopes of enticing the critter even further. The puppy flaps its tiny wings before making the dramatic leap, plopping itself right into her arms.

They did it! Cute pupper is safe. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[The sword he wields has more than allowed him to build the strength to easily lift this young woman up on his shoulders, though he does (respectfully) hold on to her thighs to make sure she doesn't lose her balance. Diluc keeps her steady while she coaxes the little pup down, then once he's sure she has the creature safe he slowly and carefully moves himself down to one knee to let her back down onto her feet.

Once she's on the ground again he steps back and straightens up, almost self-conscious in the way he smooths one hand over his hair and shakes his bangs back into place.]

A job well done.

[He's smiling just slightly as he gives the puppy a gentle pet.]

And you have made quite enough trouble for today.

[niwabi]

[ With a light landing, Yoimiya is able to safely make it to the ground with the winged fluff ball tucked away in her arms. Mission complete! She turns around to give Diluc her thanks, taking notice of him smoothing over his hair, eliciting a tiny giggle from her. Didn't expect him to be a little self-conscious about his appearance but it's quite an endearing scene to witness. ]

Thank you for the assistance! The two of us make a great puppy-rescuing team.

[ But hopefully, there won't be any more puppies getting themselves stuck in trees.

In response to the head pat, the puppy lets out an appreciative yip. To further show its gratitude, the tiny animal affectionately nuzzles its head in Diluc's palm before licking his hand, a sign of thank you for getting it down. ]

Aw, I think this little fella likes you a lot!

[phoenixblessed]

[And Diluc, of course, would say that he is not at all self-conscious about his appearance while in the middle of doing somethihng that contradicted that statement.]

Hah... I'll admit, I do like dogs.

[As the pup nuzzles its head into his palm he cups his hand there, rubbing his thumb across the top of the animal's head and behind its ear. His expression is gentle, softening the usually stern edges of his face and making him look more like his age than the hard-faced magnate he is often obligated to be.

Animals have a way of doing that.]

And I ought to have introduced myself before. I'm Diluc.