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Monkey See, Monkey Do

Scene details

Setting: The Star Chasers attempt to practice their teamwork in the wake of their chaotic battle against the vampire hunters.

Log


 Satisfied for the moment with their trajectory, Ivo looks away from the helm back to the deck of the Romancing SaGa. Their vessel endured the surprising assault from their pursuing vampire hunters intact, fortunately, and now wends generally eastward through the snaking waterways that comprise so much of the Oradian jungle, delving deeper into nature and into the nation's past. The Star Chasers are experiencing a moment of respite, or at least, most of them are. Reize may have tried the wrong herb for seasickness again.
 "We are fortunate to have such formidable beauties among us to defend against outrageous attacks," he begins, shamelessly flattering without batting an eye as his gaze shifts from Ruidosa to Madonna to... he gets to the undead primate and hesitates, thrown off slightly before recovering. He means Daiby too, of course. "However, given your exceptional power, coordination is all the more key. When we reach the ancient meeting place of the serpent cult and the Ankhialeans, I suspect we should be especially cautious to act in concert and with elegant restraint."
 Maybe if he calls restraint the elegant option, it will appeal to the lovely Madonna a little more. He would prefer to avoid disturbing any lingering undead with wanton destruction. Ivo already has to deal with enough mighty and imperious undead in his life.
 "I wonder how we might best... integrate our new kingly companion into our teamwork," he observes, deciding it wisest to first broach the topic of their stinky ghoul rather than with how Rui and Madonna are to act as a team. "And when Yacumama joined us, we acquired part of her lost priestess's Regalia, which seemed to be compatible with Daiby..."

Madonna is too busy on the deck in a lounge chair eating a banana and giving Ivo a look. Let's not linger too long on this scene for rating and censoring sakes. Instead let's focus on Ruidosa's furious look as she stamps her foot a moment giving the (off screen) Madonna a look and looking back to Ivo.

"I hate plants. I hate bananas screw it all." she says as she commiserates on maybe herbs making Reize's life interesting to fight seasickness again.

She looks to Ivo. "Does she really need to come? Ugh. She's like the worst traveling companion she isn't even going to help on the ship. She's gonna want to be waited on hand and foot!" she says as she huffs.

"It's a big undead monkey, Ivo. It's good at going ape and good at destroying things. It is a big, stinky hammer and everything it'll encounter will be a big nail." she says as she takes a deep breath.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=12.
Comment: Resist lingering
Roll(s): 12. Total result is 12. This is a success (by 0).

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks, 4 days ago


"Finger nail or carpentry nail?" Daiby asks Madonna.

Daiby is back in her bikini outfit, since, of course, they're still in the jungle. She sits on a deck chair but she does NOT have an iced beverage in a cup this time! (She has a banana. She ate another one a minute ago. Two big starchy bananas? That's breakfast.)

"I'd like you to tell me, now that we're not being assailed by horrors, just what you mean by compatibility, Ivo," Daiby continues on. She attends to him as she finishes off that second banana.


 Ivo's head turns to Ruidosa even as his eyes remain fixed on Madonna in the background, causing his gaze to swivel, but eventually it follows the direction of his face as if he is looking on a delay. Perhaps he is the one who needs to adapt to their new party composition most of all.
 "I sympathize," he says soothingly to Rui, hopefully managing to avoid annoying her overmuch by his successful efforts to not ogle her baleful sister overlong. "Oradia must be challenging terrain indeed."
 One cannot escape plants here. As the SaGa floats on, vines stretched across the river sway overhead innocuously, as though in veiled threat.
 "But fear not, Rui," Ivo continues. "I will endeavor to appease the tempestuous Madonna so that you needn't be bothered." Such noble self-sacrifice on his part. "Daiby can surely attest to my gallantry and devotion."
 His narrow success in resisting Madonna's allure is attributable much less to his own resolve and much more to Daiby, whose own sublime appearance functions for him like a competing force of gravity, equalizing out into something like composure.
 "I'm so glad you asked!" he then proclaimed to Daiby, brightening considerably as he is addressed, giving him a perfect excuse to gaze at her now. "If you were to also wear a bikini in battle, the visual harmony would greatly improve my precision. I suspect from the samples we acquired that Ankhialean beadwork has great potential in this regard, and with Rui's own Shadowcat Bikini Set, the full complement would..."
 Wait. Did she mean compatibility with the Serpent Regalia?
 "...produce a perfect harmony akin to yours with the Caduceus staff," he smoothly transitions. "I wish that the eidola Yacumama were more coherent, such that we could inquire more about what the staff is capable of or how you should wield it. I am hopeful that, when we reach the fabled ziggurat, her memories of the past will stir and we will learn more... or perhaps we'll be able to awaken those memories otherwise. Regardless, you could try experimenting by bringing the staff to bear in your usual serpentine arts."
 His confidence thus far, well-earned or not, falters a bit when he looks at the big, stinky hammer in question. The buzzing of insects is always audible in the jungle, but it sure seems especially concentrated ever since the ghoul was compelled to join them.
 "We... could... ask some of Daiby's snake friends to ride it around and constrict it when it starts to go too wild?"

At least Reize isn't on deck, or if he is, isn't demanding Ruidosa's attention right now in any manner, so Ruidosa is able to concentrate on the discussion at hand. "Probably both." she says. "It bangs hands and nails and puppy dog tails." she says with a sigh and looks back at Ivo. "That may not be a bad idea." she says to Ivo. "To control it. What I worry more about is the smell and other stuff. If Tranquila was here, she might have ideas, Necromancy is her thing, not mine, and Madonna doesn't care about her undead. Tranquila kinda dotes on them like pets." she says blithely.

She then looks between Ivo and Diaby and ohs. "Right right..." an excuse to get Daiby into something ridiculous. Uh huh. She sees where this is going, IVO. She gives him a quick eye narrow but doesn't let it linger too long enough lest her gaze burn a hole in his forehead.

"I wonder if those dumb herbs you tout can be stuffed into the gorilla and would do something." she says. Yes this is a good idea. Surely.

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks, 4 days ago


Daiby slides the tapered flesh of the half-peeled banana between her lips as she focuses on Ivo. Her question to Rui (not Madonna, except in so far as we are emanations of our parents) floats outwards, and then:

THE EXPLANATION!

Her lips purse around the banana.

After a nip, a press of the tongue, and a swallow of the lushly ripe fruit, Daiby says, slowly, "I'll be glad to give it a try... but Ivo, I don't have a lot of experience in USING a staff. Do you have any guidance?" After a moment, then she considers their pungent primate pal.

A little ruby-red snake pops out of her hair and looks at the Monkey King.

A couple of moments pass.

The ruby-red snake looks at Ivo. Despite a lack of facial motivation the gesture clearly transmits: 'you gotta be squiddin me.'

Daiby says, uncertainly, "I think if it's a /dead/ ape, then most of their venoms wouldn't do much... but it's possible a constrictor... or if I could find a suitably electricity-forward form, electricity can make muscles twitch after all..."

"Does it need to stay wet, or could you dry it out?" Daiby asks Rui.



  Where is Reize?

  He's in bed, eyes blank and foaming in the mouth. Unfortunately, the bad combination of herbs to alleviate the sea sickness did him in. But Reize is not alone!

  By his side is the ever loyal Ivo. Or the long-haired angelic-winged Ivo with a hand on the boy's shoulder.

 

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=12.
Comment: Resist lingering (on thoughts of Staff Guidance)
Roll(s): 1. Total result is 1. This is a failure (by 11).


 Critical Hit!
 Ivo appears to be experiencing some manner of divine revelation, as when an artist beholds his muse, as Daiby savors her fruit and seeks his instruction. His own lips part in awe-struck silence, his eyes replete with yearning.
 "I will dedicate myself, body and soul, to your instruction," he breathes to his adored senpai, melting in place. "Should there be any secret of the staff not yet known to me, I shall uncover it so that I might share it with you, with passion and vigor unfailing."
 Does Ivo know anything about using magic staves? No, not really, except whatever usual trivia he's gleaned. Does he think that will be a problem? Of course not. Nothing is a problem. Everything is great.
 "That's a great idea," he dazedly says to Rui, sounding hypnotized. "Let's do it. We might as well use all the herbs we've got."
 ELSEWHERE
 The True Ivo whispers a warning to Reize: they're after his precious herbs!!!
 HERE AND NOW
 "I've heard tell of eels that unleash electricity," he says, sounding especially eager, as if the vision before him might dispense praise for his lore, praise without which he would surely perish. "Could you coax something similar from a local serpent, or...?"
 Then he stops for a moment, actually thinking. Daiby's just so inspiring.
 "...Your magic evokes elemental affinities in serpents that otherwise are not elementals," he muses. "Could you attempt that technique with Caduceus in hand and see if it might help to broaden the range or intensity of such arts? Might you sense new possibilities, or even become able to endow your friends with abilities they otherwise lack? Rather than *find* a serpent with such a capacity... could we *create* one?"
 He hesitates briefly before making eye contact with the ruby-red snake.
 "With permission, of course," he hastily adds.

Ruidosa La Crima makes a face. Oh brother.

She looks to Daiby. "What needs to be wet or dry? For the herbs? I dunno. I'm making a guess." she says. "Channeling my inner Tranquila." she says. "I guess." she says. "As for the monkey being wet or dry, it's gonna dry out and become less stinky over time but that much meat? It's gonna take this entire adventure." she scowls.

She looks to Ivo and Daiby as the concept of using electricity comes up. "I wonder. Ivo. If you could use like... an electricity sphere, or a few of them-or some similar method to control an electric creature to make a system to control it....from a distance... without relying on... her... instruction. But what would you call such a ...remote... controlling apparatus?" she asks.

She considers.

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks, 4 days ago


Daiby leans forwards, her eyes lidding as Ivo makes his promise. As he dedicates himself; as he plans to reveal the myriad mysteries and subtle potentialities of the staff, in all of its rigid power.

"Oh," she says, breathessly. "Oh, Ivo..."

Daiby puts a hand to her chest.

But the moment glimmers past, and Daiby looks more thoughtful than breathless. "Oh," she asides to Rui, "I meant that when you have corpses or the like preserved, it tends to be with dryness. In very dry areas you might get natural mummification, and some cultures have done that. If you were to dry out the corpse, it might not be as strong -- I don't know much about necromancy -- but it *would* be less repulsive."

Back to Ivo. "I don't know about evoking wholly new energies - but latent ones, I think, we can explore. Wouldn't you like to look at your own hidden talents?" asks Daiby, eyes suddenly turning up.

That red snake flicks its tongue.

The snake seems... intrigued.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20+3>=10.
Comment: Magitech improvization (plus morale boost from Daiby)
Roll(s): 10. Total result is 13. This is a success (by 3).


 "Monkey mummification," Ivo murmurs, treating this as a topic worthy of great contemplation. "I've read of peoples in Ashald and Hagos that have developed such practices, but my understanding is that it is a delicate technique. To attempt it not only unstudied, but in such a humid clime..."
 His thoughts trail off as he processes how Daiby has responded to his impassioned declaration. Lost in her dazzling eyes, he again feels how silly his doubts are, whatever they may be. Anything is possible. Everything is doable, for her. Such are his sentiments, conveniently, when Ruidosa broaches a new possibility.
 "Since our discovery of the Heavenly Crowned Beetle that served Kernunnos in the forests of Granse," he replies, eyes gleaming with intellect and resolve, "and our research with the Great Fabroxo into hybrid elespheres on the Isle of Blessed Winds, I believe that I could create durable lightning spheres that could be attached to specific nodes on the ghoul's body. By adapting the interface on Hauteclare's hilt and replicating it, I could devise a means by which to control the Monkey King's movements remotely."
 He pauses for a moment.
 "A... remote control, if you will."
 Ivo's on point today.
 "I shall retrieve your Regalia," he then courteously says to the lovely Daiby, turning to briefly depart for the cabin where the staff has been temporarily stored. "I recall that it floated to you when first acquired... I wonder if greater attunement would allow you to summon it..."
 Maybe for the best not to send it careening around below decks. Ivo leaves Rui and Daiby to conspire-- er, chat for a while before soon returning with the ancient staff, strikingly composed of intertwined serpents that seem more to have solidified than to have been carved from wood.
 "Before I offer guidance in the way of the staff," he says, as if he's in any way qualified to do so, "first, I think it best if you... act on instinct. Attune yourself with it, with how you feel..."
 Look, it's good advice. He doesn't really know how Daiby's magic works.

Ruidosa La Crima rolls 1d20>=10.
Comment: Resist asking Daiby to spill the tea.
Roll(s): 3. Total result is 3. This is a failure (by 7).

Ruidosa La Crima raises a brow. "Let's try it then. Maybe we can send for materials if we can take a break, but... otherwise we'll need to scavenge." she says. "Besides I'd rather not suffer innocent creatures to a fate of being attached to... that..." she says eyeing the Monkey. She looks to Daiby and says. "It's hot and humid, it might dry it out quicker. Maybe. We just got to keep it in the open. For now I wonder if we have means to repel those insects. Let's shove herbs in it." she says.

She is left a few moments with Daiby without Ivo for a moment. This is rare. So she is left alone with Diaby she just asks, bluntly.

"So how much do you like/like Ivo, anyways?" she asks. She's read romance novels about childhood friends falling in love. Maybe she's assuming things based on interactions between the two. Or Ivo's apparent infatuation.

She then looks as Daiby gets the staff. What's going to happen?

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks, 4 days ago


"You could build a smoking chamber, or something?" Daiby suggests about the monkey mummy mischegas. After that, she crosses one leg over the other, nodding slowly as she takes another long bite of the banana.

Long bite? Perhaps it's a big bite. But she does it anyway, before saying, after she brings her lips and her teeth up to say -

"Oh, Ivo," breathlessly again.

Is she having an allergic reaction to the banana. She heaves herself up to get ready, looking over to Ruidosa afterwards. SHe blinks several times, and answers her, with a warm smile, "He's one of my most intimate friends, Rui! I hope we're not being cloying. I try to carry myself with my -- oh, here he is --"

She walks forwards, her hips swaying joyously as she reaches forwards, her hands resting on the staff and brushing against Ivo's. "Alright," she says, raising it upwards then. She steps back a pace so she can twirl it like an overgrown parade baton, passing it from one hand to another and then holding the headpiece up for that ruby-red snake to slither onto.

The snake crawls onto the cadeuceus, and Daiby says, eyes widening, "Oh! Oh I am FEELING something. I thought it would be further feeling-wise but it's actually even closer. This is a wonderful staff!"


 Ivo, not seeming to have heard Rui's bold question, is occupied upon his return by swooningly admiring Daiby's seemingly unconsciously seductive grace. They are indeed most intimate friends, and the warmth they feel toward one another seems joined by what for Ivo looks to be the yearning admiration that a knight ought to feel for his pledged lady, as if he intends to render her every act as a singular painting framed forever in his heart.
 As to how that translates into terms of Rui's question... yeah, it's difficult to say. The jury is out, at the very least.
 "You're a natural with the staff," he praises her. "I would be daunted at the prospect of instructing you, were I not so inspired!"
 Ivo's going to have a difficult time finding books on staff combat out here in the jungle, but, you know, maybe once they return to Rosia for the delayed Vampire Ball, he'll have better luck.
 "As for now, while you grow accustomed..."
 He begins to busy himself with an unusual task, with which he nevertheless applies himself confidently: setting red elespheres in an arrangement around where the ghoulish Monkey King now idles, seeking to bath him in preparatory heat as though to simulate an oven in which he might be baked.
 "Would you retrieve the herbs we have remaining, Rui?" he distractedly asks. "In the meantime, I'll find ideal points for placing the lightning nodes..."
 So, Daiby can learn the current limits of how the Caduceus might enhance her serpentine spellcraft (the question of if her family's arts and this Oradian cult are somehow related or if this compatibility is a total coincidence remaining unanswered for now), and Ivo can prepare for remote controlling the Monkey King. All that needs to be discovered is if some sort of impromptu mummification can further enhance the ghoul or at least mitigate its unfortunate, uh, aspects.
 Retrieving the herbs from near where Reize languishes frothing at the mouth should be fine, right?

Ruidosa La Crima considers. "I'm unsure of mummification making the monkey more powerful, but I know it can't hurt." she considers. "So let's dry the sucker out quicker." she says.

She looks to Daiby's answer and is about to say something when Ivo comes back and she has to be silent.

Lest he hear GOSSIP.

She looks to Ivo and gives him a 'what do I look like, your manservant?' look, but sighs and goes to get the herbs. "Be careful around the ape, we don't need to smell any more like the nonsapient undead."

This should be easy enough. Grab a create of herbs, bring it back up to deck, where the monkey is. Maybe fight a one wing angel Ivo hallucination.

Who knows!

  • Character: Daiby
  • 2 weeks, 4 days ago


Before Ivo got back up to join them, Daiby smiled at Rui, with perhaps a pause - a hint of quizzicality - because there might be some detail that isn't really reaching her.

That or it's a long con.

Is there a difference?

ANYWAY, staff-equipped Daiby sweeps it around. The red snake that's coiled onto the top is lovin' it; fifty percent of the snake is very firmly engulfed and grasping onto the structure, so it feels secure, but also, society! The world! New and thrilling potentials! She brandishes it towards Ivo--

But doesn't do anything. Tilting the staff up, she steps forwards to give Ivo a quick and impulsive kiss on the cheek~ and then steps back to sweep around, feeling an energy flow through it. "I think you are fire aligned!" she addresses the snake, who flicks its tongue. ('cool,' the snake is subtitled)

"Do you need particular herbs?" Daiby says, flipping the staff up to rest it on her shoulder. "Or just anything aromatic?"

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20+5>=10.
Comment: Magitech improvization (plus Super Morale Boost from Daiby)
Roll(s): 11. Total result is 16. This is a success (by 6).


 All is well as can be above decks. It seems that the Serpent Regalia of entwined snakes serves as the perfect perch for further serpentine entwining, the staff perfectly poised to enhance Daiby's techniques and perhaps expand her awareness of her friends' capabilities. Could her family line in Cosmopolis, where sages of the world once gathered to settle and found the Spiring City upon its high plateau, have once descended from Oradian priests? One can only wonder for now if this conjuncture is more than coincidence.
 But Ivo's thoughts are only on success in his endeavors and, of course, the thrilling sensation of the lingering impression of Daiby's lips upon his cheek. With the greatest of alacrity, he positions elespheres about and upon the foul revenant of the Monkey King, hardly even smelling him now. The red elespheres are quietly pierced with pinholes, leaking heat without rupturing, while the carefully crafted double-orbed lightning elespheres, precious indeed and impossible to replicate outside of a laboratory setting, are bestowed generously upon the ghoul's form. Everything seems quite promising.
 All they need is for Rui to come back with the herbs and then they can stick them in... wait, where do they plan on sticking the herbs, exactly?
 ...
 ELSEWHERE
 "Reize!" the angelic True Ivo, Reize's best friend in the world whom only he can see, cries. "Reize, your precious! You must defeat them! She is surely possessed, to think to take your treasure from you!!!"
 Rui is able to find all the various herbs that they had acquired at the fishing village back when they were seeking seasickness cures. Fortunately, the mildly annoying request offers little difficulty.
 ...So why does it faintly sound like boss music?



  "....Nooooooo! I must defeat them! I must defend my precious!"

  ...Is what would be said. Instead.

  "grggghhrghrhghghgghhgghhgh...." As Reize feebly foams in the mouth and lays in bed. He's not getting up.