[God Quest] quiet talkers

i can't help it if i want to kiss you in the rain, so

The port smelled like salt and smoke, fish guts and brine—home, in all the ways that Flora was trying not to mourn just yet.

She moved through the familiar streets with her curls pinned up in a sea-slick twist, her sandals quiet on the weathered boards as she made her way toward the nautical shrine. The hem of her pale blue dress fluttered in the wind like something half-ready to take flight, and in her hands she carried a small offering: a ridiculous little bobblehead cat, carved from driftwood and painted in gaudy colours, its head already wobbling with every step she took.

"I brought you something," she said, voice light but steady as she knelt before the shrine. The bobblehead cat stared up at her with painted green eyes and a smirk that was definitely unintentional. "Figured if you’ve got to sit around all day being ominous, you might want company." She set the toy gently beside the driftwood offerings and scraps of old rope, the little cat’s head bouncing as if nodding in agreement.

Then she folded her hands, exhaled through her nose, and said more quietly, "I’m here to turn in my quest." Her tone carried none of the drama or sparkle she so often wore like jewellery. "So whenever you’re ready, spooky," she added affectionately.

---

Flora has completed her quest gained in baby you're a bad idea

1. Complete a thread collecting Memory Snow from Halo. well, if devotion is a river with Deimos!
2. Complete a thread collecting the barbs from a Dream Cactus. all things end with Mateo!
3. Complete a thread spending an hour trying not to remember something. (It's as stupid as it sounds, yes). i'm going to love you for a long time Trying not to think about Jack with Melita
4. Complete a thread reminding Remi that he was going to come and play hopscotch with Ludo, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY HE HAS FORGOTTEN light the fire bright DID IT.

Ludo Bobblehead cat? Gaudy colours? Say less, queen. Appearing, as is its custom at this shrine, line a raggedy shawl around the statue, on this occasion Ludo wastes little time in swooping down to bop at the little bobblehead with one fabric tendril, its porcelain mask a rictus of joy that's only a little ominous. "I have plenty of company already," it assures her, giving the bobblehead another little bap before plucking it up and tucking it away into its robes (where the rest of said company resides, consisting of toys and trinkets and snacks and also a real cat somewhere). "But this is a lovely addition, sweetling." Settling before her and gathering up both memory snow and dream cactus barbs to unceremoniously smoosh them together, a little shake here and a little don't look into the void there, and Ludo produces an elegant vial filled with opalescent liquid. "Ta daaaa! Flora has completed her quest and has received the following! 1-Hour Memory Potion | A potion which, when consumed, will remove an hour's worth of the recipient's memories. (The hour will be taken from the time immediately preceding the potion's consumption).

i can't help it if i want to kiss you in the rain, so

Flora beams as the bobblehead disappears into Ludo’s ever-expanding collection of oddities. "You’re gonna be the most spoiled god in Caido if you keep this up," she warns playfully, brushing her fingers against the edge of the shrine like a goodbye kiss. "I’ll bring more next time."

When Ludo presents the potion, she lets out a delighted trill and reaches for it with both hands, cradling it like treasure. "Ta daaa, indeed," she echoes, eyes glinting with amusement and reverence both. "Thanks, spooky."

With that, she rises again, tucking the vial carefully into her bag before casting one last glance over her shoulder as she heads back toward the sunlit docks, curls catching in the breeze like seafoam on the wind.

~FIN