[ On Christmas morning, Dabi will find at his doorstep a basket of Maruki's attempt at homemade snacks from life back in Tokyo – dorayaki, melonpan, senbei... silly little things you'd normally get at a convenience store. There's also a note: ]
Merry Christmas, Elan-kun! I hope these foods are new to you and you enjoy them.
[As it turns out, the quest board is good for his mental health. Menial tasks are breezed through, and he craves something a little more meaty. So as it turns out, he's found himself coming again and again to do more. This time, there's a familiar face, and he waves at Elan, Orthrus ever by his side to deter any would-be problem makers. Kazuya pats one of Orthrus' faces with his other hand as the demon stares at Elan like a snack with the other.]
[Presumably this isn't the first time that Elan's seen Orthrus, but damn if that dog doesn't still freak him out whenever their paths cross. He KNOWS that thing could rip him to shreds, and he doesn't like it!!!
But as always, he does a pretty damn good job of not outwardly showing it. Gives Kazuya a little smile in greeting.]
Well well, if it isn't mister fear taster himself...! [Elan turns to face him properly, one hand on his hip.] It's less that I need something to do, and more that I'm trying to decide if any of the rewards are actually worth the hassle. You know what I mean?
[Brow furrowing slightly, Elan looks back at the board. He doesn't remember seeing anything like...?
Oh.]
What, this one with the chickens?
[He doesn't look particularly impressed.]
It's free eggs, specifically. Which isn't exactly nothing, and there are far less appealing foods you could wind up with an unlimited supply of. But the way you put it got me hoping for something a little more grand than that... Free restaurant grade meals for life, for example.
Oh, no, sorry. There was one I did a few days ago that promised free food for life from the food stalls. Though... I wouldn't mind farm fresh eggs for life either. I could make a lot of things with them.
[ He says, contemplatively. ]
But for now, I'm pretty content buying most things here. The quality of pretty much everything is way better here.
[That gets his attention. Free food? From the whole marketplace??? FOR LIFE????]
There was a reward that sweet and you just went and snapped it all up for yourself? [His tone is all fake-pouty sounding, but he's still wearing that typical disaffected little smile of his.] How rude... You could have at least invited me along.
Nah, I did it with someone else. Akechi, do you know him?
[He has a feeling he does, but he'll ask anyway. Akechi just seems like the kind of person who makes it a point to meet everyone he can, if how they met is any indication.]
I would have invited you along if I had known you were so interested in doing these.
Ah, well... You and Akechi both can make up for it by hooking me up with some free meals. Not that Akechi really knows me from Adam... We've only interacted briefly over that 'Sleepr' thing.
[The cat encounter shall remain a secret, as long as Elan can help it.]
If I remember correctly, he's the brown haired one who's always talking about justice, right?
[He doesn't think Akechi would share meals, quite frankly. Or maybe he would if he's putting up an act. It's hard to say.]
I don't mind sharing. I prefer to cook my own food anyway, so coming out here just for something to eat is mostly just going to be a treat, I think. But yeah, he's the justice guy.
[So basically what Kazuya's saying is that this reward is entirely wasted on him! At least that's what it sounds like to Elan's ears. Woe...
He continues to smile pleasantly.]
Nice to know that my powers of recollection haven't failed me.
[And then he's looking back over the quest board again.]
...Too bad that kind of power isn't enough to net me the reward for some of these higher-risk missions, though. It's rather inconsiderate of these townfolk frankly. I mean, not all of us can bleed steam or pull two-headed dogs out of the ether... How's a regular guy like me supposed to get by?
If you want to piggyback off of me, you can pick whatever quest you want.
[He's sure that's he's getting at, after all. Still, he does have a point. Some of these quests are not particularly designed for people without any sort of power. Suppose that's what gives them such a good reward.]
And beyond that, I have no problems "renting" out my demons for other people to use.
[...Damn Kazuya, he hadn't even gotten around to sincerely trying to guilt trip you into it yet! He was legit just bemoaning the fact that all of the quests with rewards worthwhile seem un-doable for a dreamer with his lack of abilities.
This does expedite things, though. Gets right to the point! Elan's eyebrows are raised in surprise for a moment, before he returns to his usual mask of calm.]
Interesting... I have more than a few questions, but let's start with, "how does that even work?"
In exchange for some of your Magnetite, I'll temporarily place a demon into your service. It will obey all commands you give it, save for attacking other people unless it's in self defense.
[Just to cover his own ass if it comes down to irresponsible ownership, or something like that.]
It'll be useful if you want power to complete some of these harder quests on your own.
[That's somewhat of a different arrangement than what he expected. The demon will take his orders...? How is that even possible?]
Interesting... And remind me, exactly what does giving you my "magnetite" entail? I think you mentioned it in the past, but my memory on the subject is a bit fuzzy about the details.
A bit of pain when I pull it from you, but it shouldn't be unbearable, or anything. You'll regenerate what I've taken over time, so there's no need to get worried about anything like that, or any lingering ill-effects.
[There's a definite shift that comes over Elan, an increased tension. As usual, it's subtle, but not impossible to notice. Even though he remains largely pleasant in this interaction:]
I'll stop you right there. Lasting effects or no, I've had more than enough of people pulling things from me for one lifetime.
[His lifespan, his memories, his identity, his fucking nervous system... Blood? There was a lot of blood drawing for testing purposes. Point is, Peil already took enough from him. He's not giving anything else up. Not if he can help it.]
[ The tension isn't too obvious, but he can certainly tell it's there. And his words make him further understand the situation and reasoning he might have for disagreeing.
So he nods, and holds his hands up in a little surrendering gesture. ]
No worries, then. I won't force the issue. If it's something you don't want, then how about you just use me to get what you want from a quest like I said previously? I'm more than happy to tag along on a more dangerous one.
[The fact that Kazuya backs down that quickly does wonders for his standing in Elan's book. He cocks his head curiously.]
Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but why are you so eager to throw yourself into a potentially dangerous situation like that? It'll be even more difficult for you, with me there as dead weight.
[He's... Really not used to being surrounded by people who are just helpful for the sake of it. He'd honestly think Kazuya was a bit of an idiot for this, if he didn't already know better.]
Well you're certainly not lacking for confidence...
[He pauses thoughtfully, eyes flicking back to the quest board again briefly.]
Alright, fine. If you're that serious about helping... I don't suppose the people who gave you that free food guarantee might be needing more assistance that would result in a reward of a similar caliber...?
Anyway, I don't see any flyer for the rat extermination one right now, so I think I may have done too thorough a job last time. It looks like they're looking for more incognito food raters, but that only gets you one free meal, and I don't know if I have it in me to eat at five more places after the portions that they gave me last time...
[But, alright, fine, if Kazuya is really offering to help with one of these harder quests, he might as well get SOMETHING out of it. He looks over the postings again, reading the rewards first and THEN checking what the job involves.]
...Oh? Now this one is interesting: A little search and rescue for a potion that can heal almost anything? They're offering quite a lot of cords in addition, too...
[Elan blinks in surprise. Kind of amazing how Kazuya keeps making this sound WAY too good to be true, and yet he's still probably going to go through with it anyway.]
Well now, that is quite a bargain. I feel so spoiled.... A guy could get used to this.
[ At some point during the week, Elan receives an invitation:
I'll be hosting a dinner party on March 22 and would love to see you there!
Feel free to come to the Horizons farmhouse any time after 5 PM.
Please do not bring anything! No food, no drinks, nothing but your presence. I appreciate the thought, but for me, the joy of this is being able to cook for a group of people, and I would like to handle it myself.
Hope to see you there!
Dr. Maruki
One gets the impression that if you go against his wishes to bring something anyway, it might stress him out...
When the mingle log goes up on the 22nd, please feel free to come tag around! ]
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12/25 gift delivery !!
Merry Christmas, Elan-kun! I hope these foods are new to you and you enjoy them.
january questboard
Looking for something to do too?
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But as always, he does a pretty damn good job of not outwardly showing it. Gives Kazuya a little smile in greeting.]
Well well, if it isn't mister fear taster himself...! [Elan turns to face him properly, one hand on his hip.] It's less that I need something to do, and more that I'm trying to decide if any of the rewards are actually worth the hassle. You know what I mean?
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[Boring. Basic. He's done a few, because he has that burning urge to do things in his body.]
There's a few that look like they might be worth the hassle, though? There was one that promised free food for life.
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Oh.]
What, this one with the chickens?
[He doesn't look particularly impressed.]
It's free eggs, specifically. Which isn't exactly nothing, and there are far less appealing foods you could wind up with an unlimited supply of. But the way you put it got me hoping for something a little more grand than that... Free restaurant grade meals for life, for example.
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[ He says, contemplatively. ]
But for now, I'm pretty content buying most things here. The quality of pretty much everything is way better here.
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There was a reward that sweet and you just went and snapped it all up for yourself? [His tone is all fake-pouty sounding, but he's still wearing that typical disaffected little smile of his.] How rude... You could have at least invited me along.
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[He has a feeling he does, but he'll ask anyway. Akechi just seems like the kind of person who makes it a point to meet everyone he can, if how they met is any indication.]
I would have invited you along if I had known you were so interested in doing these.
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[The cat encounter shall remain a secret, as long as Elan can help it.]
If I remember correctly, he's the brown haired one who's always talking about justice, right?
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I don't mind sharing. I prefer to cook my own food anyway, so coming out here just for something to eat is mostly just going to be a treat, I think. But yeah, he's the justice guy.
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He continues to smile pleasantly.]
Nice to know that my powers of recollection haven't failed me.
[And then he's looking back over the quest board again.]
...Too bad that kind of power isn't enough to net me the reward for some of these higher-risk missions, though. It's rather inconsiderate of these townfolk frankly. I mean, not all of us can bleed steam or pull two-headed dogs out of the ether... How's a regular guy like me supposed to get by?
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If you want to piggyback off of me, you can pick whatever quest you want.
[He's sure that's he's getting at, after all. Still, he does have a point. Some of these quests are not particularly designed for people without any sort of power. Suppose that's what gives them such a good reward.]
And beyond that, I have no problems "renting" out my demons for other people to use.
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This does expedite things, though. Gets right to the point! Elan's eyebrows are raised in surprise for a moment, before he returns to his usual mask of calm.]
Interesting... I have more than a few questions, but let's start with, "how does that even work?"
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[Just to cover his own ass if it comes down to irresponsible ownership, or something like that.]
It'll be useful if you want power to complete some of these harder quests on your own.
no subject
Interesting... And remind me, exactly what does giving you my "magnetite" entail? I think you mentioned it in the past, but my memory on the subject is a bit fuzzy about the details.
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I'll stop you right there. Lasting effects or no, I've had more than enough of people pulling things from me for one lifetime.
[His lifespan, his memories, his identity, his fucking nervous system... Blood? There was a lot of blood drawing for testing purposes. Point is, Peil already took enough from him. He's not giving anything else up. Not if he can help it.]
So. Thanks, but no thanks.
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So he nods, and holds his hands up in a little surrendering gesture. ]
No worries, then. I won't force the issue. If it's something you don't want, then how about you just use me to get what you want from a quest like I said previously? I'm more than happy to tag along on a more dangerous one.
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Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but why are you so eager to throw yourself into a potentially dangerous situation like that? It'll be even more difficult for you, with me there as dead weight.
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[ The most it could ever end up being is annoying, truthfully. ]
I'm pretty hard to kill, what with being a Demon Overlord, and all.
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Well you're certainly not lacking for confidence...
[He pauses thoughtfully, eyes flicking back to the quest board again briefly.]
Alright, fine. If you're that serious about helping... I don't suppose the people who gave you that free food guarantee might be needing more assistance that would result in a reward of a similar caliber...?
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[ He gives a grin, clearly not lacking for confidence, just as he's said. ]
But we can always ask. I was pretty thorough in the rat removal, though.
[ Hm... ]
There's a paper here that wants you to rate some restaurants for free food, but it's not the same for life deal.
[... Actually, if he's so set on something like this, then does that mean..? ]
Are you capable of cooking on your own?
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He's distracted from his internalized envy by Kazuya's question, glancing back at him in mild surprise.]
Hm? Of course I am. Buuuut let's be real, it can be such a hassle sometimes... So why bother doing it myself when there's a far easier alternative?
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[He's being judgey....]
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Elan laughs in a slightly incredulous way.]
Oh? It's not as if I'm planning on never cooking again... I just want to keep my options open! I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
i dont believe what im writing. just so everyone knows. delivery is the only way to live.
LMAOOOO IT'S TRUE
Glad I have your permission.
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[ His poor tummy.... ]
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Yeah, that sounds like a real struggle.
[But, alright, fine, if Kazuya is really offering to help with one of these harder quests, he might as well get SOMETHING out of it. He looks over the postings again, reading the rewards first and THEN checking what the job involves.]
...Oh? Now this one is interesting: A little search and rescue for a potion that can heal almost anything? They're offering quite a lot of cords in addition, too...
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[ But! It's clearly worthwhile to a normie. ]
I'm more than happy to do it with you, though. You can take my potion as well, so it's a twofer.
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Well now, that is quite a bargain. I feel so spoiled.... A guy could get used to this.
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[Lol. Elan isn't a demon. But Kazuya still likes humans more than demons anyway.
He'll snatch the ticket from the board, handing it to him.]
C'mon. Let's go start the mission, it should be fun.
invitation - no need to respond! (ELAN WAS LITERALLY ON MY LIST AND I FORGOR HIM? KILL ME)
One gets the impression that if you go against his wishes to bring something anyway, it might stress him out...
When the mingle log goes up on the 22nd, please feel free to come tag around! ]
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