[PQ] [RQ] RE: [split] the mane attraction

you're livin' for the rush, for that royal flush, but you take what you can get

Daybreak comes early in Longheat, and as the first fingers of it beam through the trees and turn the skies pink and amber, Danta is hiding a wide yawn behind his hand. "Oh shit," he says, voice a little rough and sleepy (he'd fallen silent most of the way through the night to concentrate). "We're pretty much there!" It's true - the Inner Quarter is almost on top of them, and the road they walk upon now is smooth stone rather than farm tracks.

Beaming over his shoulder to his trusty comrades, he nods towards a stream just a few yards off the side of the road. "Shall we take a quick rest before heading towards the Temple? Give the unicorns a chance to get ready for... er. Well, a lot more people than this?"

---

Last leg, round 1! <3

Danta has suggested taking a short rest by a stream just outside the Inner Quarter to give the unicorns a chance to acclimatise (and for them to get their breath back).

- Two people are needed to lead the unicorns to the stream for a drink - and to make sure none of them run off!
- One person to get some snacks/breakfast together from their supply packs
- One person to run ahead and warn the Inner Quarter about the incoming unicorns so no one freaks out.

Dantalion

you play your final ace for a pretty face, tastes like scotch and cigarettes

// up above so, up above so quiet //

It has been a long night and Asta’s spent much of it trying to pay attention to their surroundings as they get through the thick of it. Without any issues arising during his scouting, by the time they end up on more solid roads, the butcher returns to the group when it seems like they’re finally pausing for a break.

He slips into the group just in time to hear Danta’s explanation of tasks for the next stretch. He knows he isn’t exactly the best at keeping the unicorns calm, and while he figures that he could get the food ready for them all to eat before the last little leg, he notes the exhaustion rolling off of Danta’s shoulders and opts for warning everyone else. “I shall go inform the Inner Quarter of our new arrivals.” His smile is equally tired that he shoots to Danta, and with a parting dip of his chin, the man becomes fyrhund and dart toward the Inner Quarter, sure that they would recognize him by now to inform them before returning back.

---

Asta runs ahead to warn the inner quarter about the unicorns!

Astaroth

// down below so, down below so violent //

KIADA

Sticking with the herd while they continue to walk, Kiada focuses on making sure everyone remains calm, keeping them nestled in between both points of light through the night. Her movement through it does allow her to come back and see her husband for a few moments every so often, but exhaustion lingers on her face once they finally come to a stop and the sun rises once again. It has her a bit clingier, it seems, hanging back with Fox while Danta explains the next steps.

“I’ve stuck with them long enough, I’ll take them for water.” Already reaching for one of the leads to help guide the unicorns over toward the stream in the distance, she keeps her eyes focused on the unicorns for the most part, trying to ensure none of them have the brilliant idea of running off.

---

Kiada offers to lead the unicorns to the stream and checks on them in the process for any of them that might try to run off.

am i more than you bargained for yet?

FOX

Clearly of a similar mind, Fox is already collecting another lead rope to corral the rest of the unicorns after Kiada. "I'll help out too," he agrees; like his wife, he's spent enough time watching the herd's back that it seems they've finally accepted his presence as non-threatening. Providing, of course, that he doesn't turn into the spooky fiery rock hound - which he wisely does not.

Once they're settled beside the stream, some of the unicorns taking a drink while others graze a little, Fox kneels to splash his face with some water to wake himself up. "Not long now," he says with a smile across to Kiada. "How about we get a room somewhere in town? Get some sleep and some lunch before we head back home?"

---

Fox sticks with Kia and keeps an eye on the unicorns by the stream!

astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

you're livin' for the rush, for that royal flush, but you take what you can get

With everyone moving off to their individual tasks - and Danta smiles and blows a kiss after Asta when his back is turned - the Maverick finds himself with snacks to arrange. It suits him just fine after a night on the road, and he settles just beyond the herd of unicorns with the last of their supply packs. There's no need to ration anything with the Inner Quarter on top of them, and so by the time Asta returns and Fox and Kiada wander over, there's plenty available; crackers, fruit, a bit of cheese and plenty of dried meat.

"Here," Danta chirps around an apple, offering out some jerky for the butcher as he rises back to his feet. A brief rest and their excuse for breakfast later, and it appears everyone is ready to go again.

Asta's warning has been heeded too, it seems, because road towards the Temple is quieter than usual, and if there are people about setting up their stalls or hurrying to their work, they mostly keep to themselves. That and the respite given to the herd before this final stretch means the going is actually very easy, and before they know it, the Temple starts to loom large before them.

"I asked someone to arrange a stabling area for the unicorns around the side of the Temple," Danta explains. "If we head there, we can get them set up."

---

Round 2, we're almost at the Temple (YAY). Time to get the unicorns into the little stabling area that has been set up.

- 1 person needed to hold the gates open (and make sure they're shut once the herd is inside!)
- 1 person to guide the unicorns in using persuasion/force/whatever you feel is necessary. They can be stubborn!
- 2 people to check over the fencing that has been put up to make sure it's high enough and there are no weak points or gaps.

Dantalion

you play your final ace for a pretty face, tastes like scotch and cigarettes

// up above so, up above so quiet //

Taking his warning into account, the butcher’s confident in his return to their group and grateful for the little break the snacks have given them. They’re so close now he can almost taste it – but opts for taking the jerky Danta offers him with an easy yet tired smile. “Thank you.” He hums, snagging a few bites of cheese alongside it, and soon enough they’re ready to get back on the road.

It becomes quiet along the road, hardly anyone using this pathway to get down there even if it is a bit of an inconvenience at the moment. Either way, the closer they get with the unicorns in toe, the more the butcher begins to relax. “Lovely.” He hums to Danta’s explanation, shooting his lover a smile. “I shall check the fencing.” He decides, stepping away to slip within the fenceline to take note of the height and whether any portions seem weak or need reinforcements or blockages for any gaps.

---

Asta chooses to check over the fencing!

Astaroth

// down below so, down below so violent //

KIADA

With Fox at her side to water the unicorns before they settle down for a bit of energy, Kiada nudges him with her tail playfully as he splashes the water in his face. “Gods, you have the best ideas, you know.” She chirps, waiting until he’s standing to steal a softer, more appreciative kiss.

But then she’s focusing back on getting the unicorns watered and brought back, settling in to take a few bites of jerky and a few grapes to get her energy back up and running. The trek toward the Temple is one that is surprisingly easy and Kiada finds relief with it. Enough that when Asta peels off to begin to look at the fencing, she decides she might as well work to get the unicorns into the fence. “Alright, let’s see how bad this is, huh?” She chimes with a smirk, prepping the unicorns and using whatever means necessary between calming them down and stubbornly threatening them to get them inside.

---

Kiada guides the unicorns in!

am i more than you bargained for yet?

FOX

"I've been known to have a thought or two in my time," Fox agrees with a fanged smile flashed in Kiada's direction, one she snatches away with the soft press of her lips. With that to fuel him onwards, the trek through the Inner Quarter would have been easy even if the crowds hadn't been warned away. But given that the streets are largely empty, the hunter is even able to let his mind wander a little as they head for the Temple and the stable that has been set up.

"I've got the gate," he says readily, hurrying forward so he can hold it open for the unicorns to pass by. Well, the unicorns and his wife, of course. "If you're lucky I'll even wait until youre out before I close it again," he adds playfully to Kia, tipping her a wink. Once all of the unicorns are safely stabled - and the harpy is safely not, Fox shuts the gate and ensures the latch has been firmly pulled and hooked in place.

---

Fox holds the gate and locks it up once the unicorns are inside!

astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

you're livin' for the rush, for that royal flush, but you take what you can get

"It would be rude of me not to help you," Danta says to Astaroth with a fanged smile as they reach the stabling area. Fox and Kiada already seem to have the unicorns in hand anyway, so the Maverick wastes little time in joining his lover to check over the newly erected fencing for any gaps or breaks.

Whilst stubborn, the unicorns do more or less go in as they should - evidently Kia hanging out among them all night has granted her more than a fair bit of trust with the animals - but she and Fox will need to work together to get the last one to trundle inside. Eventually, though, the gate is closed and the task is, for all intents and purposes, complete.

Meanwhile, Asta and Danta do find a few areas in need of reinforcement simply based on the observed behaviour of the herd so far (i.e. skittish and kicky), and they'll find a few planks, nails and tools to get the job done.

"Okay," Danta announces at last, straightening up and grinning. "Now they're in, let's make sure they stay alive long enough to get this fountain up and running."

---

Round 3! The unicorns are IN!

- 1 person to fill hay nets and hang them
- 1 person to ensure there's enough hay and sawdust beneath the shelter for the unicorns to sleep if needed
- 1 person to fill the water trough
- 1 person to grab some buckets of grain from the storage area and set them up

Dantalion

you play your final ace for a pretty face, tastes like scotch and cigarettes

// up above so, up above so quiet //

“Lovely.” The butcher hums to Dantalion with a grin, sharp and yet somehow sweet as they pick their path along the fencing to ensure it’ll keep the unicorns in. There’s a few areas that require reinforcing, but with Danta doing most of the nail hammering and Asta being the one to collect the extra boards, they manage to get it all done.

Settled beside his lover, his posture failing in its usual perfect position likely due to being tired, he can’t help the slight snort that leaves him for the mention of making sure they stay alive long enough. “I shall go and ensure the shelter is sufficient.” He parts from Danta with a fleeting kiss and an easier smile, snagging the bundles of hay and sawdust to fill the space to make sure it was comfortable enough for keeping the unicorns out of the worst of the elements at least until the time comes.

---

Asta goes to ensure the shelter is covered with enough hay and sawdust!

Astaroth

// down below so, down below so violent //

KIADA

It was easy to imagine getting the unicorns into the fenced off section, even knowing it’d be a much more difficult attempt than she’s preparing herself for. Maybe it’s because of the exhaustion that creeps into her bones, but it’s enough that when Fox tells her that he’s got the gate, she can’t help the bright laugh that leaves her lips. “You’re such a gentleman.” She bounces her eyebrows at Fox as she starts to guide the creatures in.

It goes smoother than she’d expected, honestly, until they reach the last one that they have to work together to make sure it gets inside. Once it’s finally in, she breathes a breath of relief and rubs at her temple, nudging Fox with the tip of her tail to shoot him a brighter smile. “I’ll go fill the hay nets.” She says behind a yawn as she starts to move to get the nets in place and the bales of hay to start to fill them with, and if she gives Asta a bit of shit on the trips back and forth, so be it.

---

Kia fills the hay nets!

am i more than you bargained for yet?

FOX

"Don't speak too loudly, or other people will hear. They might even start to believe it," Fox hisses playfully to Kiada, though his suave remarks are somewhat ruined by the last difficult unicorn. He does manage, with her help, to get it secured at least, and feels a small sense of victory to be able to put a solid gate between himself and the herd at last.

Not for long though, as it happens.

Feeling his own body start to ping him warning signals that he's pushed it too far for too long, Fox nevertheless hides a yawn behind his hand and steels himself for the next set of tasks. "I can fill the water troughs," he says with an easy enough nod, dutifully climbing back into the stable and approaching the troughs. He ensures they're free of hay and debris before locating the well that feeds the Temple's water supply.

Ferrying buckets back and forth isn't much fun, but without water magic it's the only way to go about it, and Fox isn't one to complain besides. It gets done, but to say he's tired and aching by the end is an understatement.

---

Fox fills the water troughs!

astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

you're livin' for the rush, for that royal flush, but you take what you can get

"I guess that leaves me with the grain," Danta says, smiling and pausing just long enough to receive his parting kiss from Astaroth before he lets them all get on with their tasks. He's not immune by any stretch to the exhaustion that seems to hang over the group, though if he had to do it again he'd still choose the all nighter to be done early.

Even so, he's not the quickest as he heads for the grain store with his buckets, bringing them back with about as much enthusiasm as Fox carries the water; he's not even able to enjoy the shit Kiada might be giving Asta, though he'll likely remember it later and laugh. At least their herd seems grateful enough, the unicorns stopping for a drink and to munch some of the hay, a few even trying to nudge the butcher out of the way so they might rest.

By the time they're done - in more than one way, Danta is pleased to say that the only thing left to do is easy. "If we head into the Temple," he says, "we can open the windows so the unicorns can poke their heads in if they want. Might bring extra magic, who knows?"

---

Round 4! VERY LAST TASK! Everyone head into the Temple and open the windows over the stable so the unicorns can look in and be a part of everything else that needs to happen to get the fountain up and running!

There will also be food and drink available thanks to the priests and priestesses <3

Dantalion

you play your final ace for a pretty face, tastes like scotch and cigarettes

// up above so, up above so quiet //

It takes a decent amount of work to get the shelter all fitted out for the unicorns, making sure they have their own section of dry sawdust, comfy enough (in his mind) given that he taps into the feirw part of his mind to make it cover enough to keep everything dry and mostly clean. As for the hay, the trips back and forth between the hay storage and the bags drawn up on the edges are a bit slower than he’d like – but he imagines that’s a sentiment everyone else is feeling so he wisely keeps it behind his sharp teeth.

Finally, though, when that portion of the work is done and the end is in sight, the butcher finds himself yearning for the lingering warmth of the Temple. “Perfect.” It sounded easy enough, even as the butcher lingers by Danta’s side to join him in entering the Temple to open the windows alongside the rest of them and to absolutely take advantage of any sweet treats that may be laying about for all their hard work.

---

Asta helps open windows and looks for sweet treats after their work is done ;D

Astaroth

// down below so, down below so violent //