➸ Quest Catch All

[npcsofmana]

Who: Anyone interested
What: The Major Quests on the most recent Quest Post
Where: Various places
When: Throughout the next couple of months
Other: Babites goes on until the next Quest post. Rachel is immediately open to top levels and freeform adventuring. Cavern Concert will be open for OOC sign ups and initial NPC interaction for a week before starting up proper.

Comments

[npcsofmana]

"Of course. Thank you for your consideration." There's a certain practiced ease to her movements as she makes her way across the ground, apparently used to somewhat rough terrain. No further prompting is needed for her to stay away from the sounds that are coming from elsewhere, and she stays by Zenyatta's side.

After a few minutes, however, a slight glow can be seen ahead amidst the rocks and stalagmites, and she starts to slow. "Sir?"

[orbislife]

Dimming his own lights, Zenyatta stops to place Bothi on the ground.

"If you wish to wait here, I will scout ahead to see what the source of the light is." And he'll leave Bothi with Hope too. Zenyatta doesn't want to endanger them even though they are starting to prove themselves more capable than he first thought a lullabud would be at their age. Though on a related note, Bothi may prove helpful should something come toward Hope while he is gone.

"Would that be all right?" Zenyatta is, after all, the escort on this quest.

[npcsofmana]

After a second of thought, Hope nods her head and crouches down to delicately place the lamp on the ground so she can dim its glow. "It would be for the best. Stay safe.... I would not wish for you to be harmed."

[orbislife]

With a nod of his head, Zenyatta begins to hover towards the light, keeping close to the cavern walls but not close enough to risk scraping against it. His Orbs of Destruction slow and gather around his neck. Bothi fidgets slightly but does not stray from Hope as Zenyatta travels farther and farther from them.

Zenyatta's aim is to locate the source of the light and report back to Hope. He does not plan to engage unless a life is in danger. Peaceful or dangerous, he'll return to Hope first and see what she has to say.

[npcsofmana]

No sound accompanies the faint glow as Zenyatta ventures forward, no vocalizations or steps against the stone floor. The reason for this becomes soon apparent as the Omnic comes in sight of the source.

If he had looked around at the other spirits which had appeared during the battle against the pumpkin, Zenyatta might recognize this being as one of them: Gnome, a small humanoid sort of figure hiding behind a sizable beard nearly as big as their body. They're not quite floating like Zenyatta, but gravity doesn't seem to affect them as much, letting them hop lightly into the air and stay there for a few seconds longer as they inspect stalagmites and stalactites leisurely.

Should he return immediately, Hope looks up expectantly, awaiting the news.

[orbislife]

Zenyatta peeks around the corner and watches the spectable before him. Whoever this is, there does not seem to be a danger. (Zenyatta had been to preoccupied with being attaked by pumpkins to take note of the other spirits.) He doesn't stay there long and returns to Hope.

"There is a small human shaped being with a large beard hopping around. Are you familiar with someone like that?"

[npcsofmana]

Almost immediately, she's up on her feet, eyes wide. "Then- that would be what I'm seeking." Her hands are almost clumsy as she tries to balance holding the lamp and going into her backpack before she realizes her own haste. Taking a deep breath, she offers the rod and lamp attached to Zenyatta.

"To commune with elemental spirits... Music must be played. It's not something that can be done with one hand. Would you hold this for me?"

[orbislife]

His lights brighten momentarily (before dimming back to their lowered luminosity) from his joy at the news. They have been very fortunate so far.

"Of course." He takes the rod and holds it much like she had. Bothi returns to their seat upon Zenyatta's lap. "Please do what you need to do."

[npcsofmana]

"Thank you." More than the low respectful bow she gives him, her voice is weighed down with gratitude and relief. This journey really has been more pleasant than even she could have expected, and it's clearly just as amazing to her.

Gotta love those good RNG rolls.

From her pack, she pulls out what looks almost like a harp, only much smaller- clearly a lyre or similar instrument. Another hasty bow to Zenyatta and then she steps around the rocks. He's free to follow her, if he wants, although she'll make sure he doesn't stay too close and scare off the elemental.

For all that she seems rather solemn, the tune that her fingers pluck out is deceivingly bright and cheerful, the song leaping up and down. It clearly appeals to the spirit, their attention caught as it drifts closer.

Then, for a single instant beneath the music, Zenyatta might be able to hear a high ping of a noise, bright and not giving any echo.

It doesn't happen again, and Hope seems more focused on the elemental than anything as they stare at one another in deep concentration even as her fingers continue moving. Then, the glow disappears as Gnome vanishes, and Hope's song ceases. She stays there for a minute longer, expression hidden, before she slowly pushes herself up. Something is clutched tightly in one hand as she returns to Zenyatta.

"...It's done. Thank you for waiting patiently."

[orbislife]

RNG and Zenyatta walk in harmony.

He keeps his distance, but he makes sure that she stays within his sight. The elemental may not be a danger. However, the danger of the caverns still exist, and Zenyatta will not neglect his duty to her.

The details of the scene before him may not be clear, but he understands that the two are communicating in some fashion. There are more ways to talk beyond words. He commits as much as he can to memory. "You are welcome. The melody you played was beautiful."

[npcsofmana]

"It is kind of you to say so." She holds her hands out for the lamp pole to be returned to her, not wanting to burden him any longer. "The spirit seemed glad of it as well." However, there's not a note of happiness in her voice as she says it. Even with all that's covering her, it's clear that she's disappointed.

"I have no more business in this place. If you could bring me back to the entrance of the caverns, that would be enough."

[orbislife]

"I believe we can return back the way we came." Zenyatta returns the lamp pole to Hope and begins the trek back to the cavern entrance.

"I sense some disappointment in you. Do you wish to talk about it?"

[npcsofmana]

Following after him, it seems she has every intent of lapsing into silence until that question. Her eyes widen, not expecting it, before she directs her gaze downwards.

"It would be long and complicated to explain. Let us simply say that... I did not receive the answer I wanted."

[orbislife]

"It may not have been the answer you wished for, but perhaps you can still take something from it. Do not be discouraged." Ever the guru, Zenyatta tries to offer another viewpoint.

Bothi tries to poke the lamp pole with a vine limb, however. They tire of dark places, preferring sunny spots and lit windowsills.

[npcsofmana]

"I think you for the kind words, although I am uncertain how much good they will do me."

Still, Bothi doesn't have to worry for much longer. The rest of the way is clear, and soon enough, sunlight can be seen from the entrance into the caverns. As they approach it, Hope carefully draws the lamp itself closer to her and extinguishes its small flame.

"In payment for your services, I have very little to offer you... So please have this." Unhooking the lamp itself, she holds out the Firefly Lamp in offering. "I feel as though it will be more useful to you."

[orbislife]

"There is no need for payment. The experience is its own reward. I had a pleasant trip with company and heard a lovely song." He got to explore a little of a place he was curious about and learned a little about the world's history, no matter how sad it might be.

... Zenyatta also completely forgot about getting paid. He usually doesn't get paid.

"However, if you are no longer in need of your lamp, I will humbly accept it."