[PQ+] you quack me up

// you knew who I was //

Elated in his success and with his talons gripping the small blue ducky as if he's gained something precious, Danta is primed and ready for victory lap around the bonfire when he realises that, apparently, someone isn't taking you lose as an answer. With a squawk of irritation at the dinner plate sized hand that comes swiping at him, the gore crow drops low to the ground, where it promptly becomes the Grounds' Theocrat once more.

Straightening up - and he's far from a large man, but he is tall - with his tail lashing at his heels and the duck clutched in his hand, he's clearly planning to hold his ground against the large man and the large problem he poses. "Is there a problem?" he wants to know, stuffing #14 into his pocket for good measure as a gesture of possession over it.

---

Danta shifts back and squares up to the large man. (Obviously).

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

You need chaos in your soul

As the duck seemed to freeze into the ground with annoying stubbornness, her face fell momentarily, not accustomed to being denied anything. If her brother was here, she would insist he punish the garden for its insolence. However, she suddenly had bigger (well perhaps not 'bigger') things to deal with. She'd been spotted, but she wasn't about to let them take her ducks. 

Nova may be new to Caido and the world in general, but she had a knack for manipulation, and she knew that most people - especially kids - would always do what they were told not to. 

Sending a tendril of magic over the snow into a patch across the garden, a subtle hint of orange would appear out of her reach like a duck buried in the snow. Her expression turned to one of panic as she reached out a hand to 'stop' the children. "Oh no! Don't go over there! That one's mine!" She looked down at the duck, using her hard-soled foot to bash against the ice as if she couldn't move from the spot. Growling to 'herself,' she said, "Darn snow caught my shoe." With any luck, she'd distract the kids and free the red duck herself. 

---

Nova uses her illusion magic to distract the kids while kicking her solid shoe against the ice.

Nova

to give birth to a dancing star.

you gotta get bruised before you get mad
you gotta fall down before you fight back

Sohalia's attempt to escape was, unfortunately, unsuccessful, and as the irate mother stormed through the crowd towards the Luminary, the girl visibly paled. At first, she attempted to feign ignorance, looking around as though for someone else. (Who, me?) When the mother continued her menacing approach, the girl braced herself to give the duck back. Honestly, it really belonged to the boy, anyway.

Tarak, however, had other thoughts, and he screeched angrily from his bonded's shoulder, as though daring the mother to continue forward. Perhaps Sohalia should have stopped him, but as the woman came steadily closer, the griffin hissed and opened his beak wide - only to belch a warning blast of fire in the woman's general direction. It wasn't enough to burn her, but it was a clear warning. Come closer, and he would defend what was now his.

---

Sohalia freezes, but Tarak spits fire at Shorts Boy's mom.

was feeling so weak but baby i'm strong
little did i know i'm a champion

Sohalia

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

Invisible ministrations seemed to have done the Honeybee a world of good – her hands grabbed hold of the yellow duck (this one had a #16 emblazoned) and she immediately shoved it into her bag. Thereafter, she was scurrying again, hopefully out of sight and out of mind (except for a few kiosk workers who were furrowing their brows and pointing at the floating bag).

The Theocrat’s squaring up seemed to do exactly what was necessary – because the moment of reality hit the man quickly thereafter. Whether it was size, renown, title, or simply the instant, the larger man grumbled, lowered his head, and made off to skulk elsewhere, maybe by the lamppost. Dantalion was free to keep the duck out of anyone else’s clutches, and to continue looking elsewhere.

This time, Nova prevailed again – outwitting the small child gang as they ran towards the illusion. “Well, it’s ours now!” They crowed and rallied, screeching at one another while trying to decide who would actually keep it – by the time they realized it was very much a trick and ruse, Nova would be long gone, having freed #11 from the ice.

Tarak and Sohalia faced down a very irate mother, who crossed her arms, fully intending to use her own mass and irritation to bully the Attuned in return. But the griffin wasn’t about to let things happen in such a way, and the fire was enough to dissuade – though not without some cutting remarks. ”Fine, you little shits. But you’ll be sorry for bullying a young boy. And learn to control your animal.” Which clearly meant Sohalia should probably keep evading this particular duo.

And somewhere, by an innocuous lamppost, another young girl missing her front teeth screeched at the top of her lungs – proudly displaying a very large and realistic looking mallard duck - #2.

--

Melita remains invisible and has found #16.

Dantalion has secured #14.

Nova has outwitted the small children and now has #11.

Sohalia and Tarak have evaded the mother, for now.

You may:
- Bully the NPCS
- Look elsewhere (available now are old ass bench, another innocuous lamppost, or a hot cocoa stall)
- Attempt to fleece your competitors

Ducks Currently In Possession:
Sohalia - #13
Nova: #7, #11
Melita: #4, #16
Dantalion: #14
NPC Child: #2

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

You need chaos in your soul

Quite proud of her schemes, Nova tucked the duck into her jacket and stood from the snow. While the children dug through an empty pile of snow, she felt that she deserved a sweet treat. Her hands were frozen, and the nearby hot chocolate stand smelled divine. With a skip in her step and a smile on her face, she made her way to the stand. 

Leaning against the wood, she batted her long eyelashes at the owner. "Could I get a cup, please? Preferably with lots of marshmallows?" Meanwhile, she glanced around the area for any signs of ducks or other competitors. She hadn't been paying attention to them at this point, but she didn't know if that was the same for them. Nova was kind of hard to miss with her bright clothing and personality. 

---

Nova purchases and searches the hot chocolate stand.

Nova

to give birth to a dancing star.

// you knew who I was //

Victory - true victory - feels delightful, burning in the Theocrat's blood, and Danta takes a moment to remove the blue duck from his pocket and proudly display it to anyone watching. (Particularly to the large man who is surprisingly good at skulking for his size). With that smuggery over with, he pockets the duck once more and glances around to see what else might be available for the taking, though honestly, he's already won as far as he's concerned.

Still, that old ass bench looks promising.

And so, his fight with the crow and subsequent dive-bombing already a fading memory, Danta swans over to the bench to peep around it and beneath it to see if there are any other ridiculous prizes to be found.

---

Danta looks at the bench!

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

you gotta get bruised before you get mad
you gotta fall down before you fight back

Tarak was apparently more fierce than Sohalia thought; the mother backed off, albeit not without a few choice words for the Luminary. Affronted by the woman's abrasive words, Sohalia glared at her rather uncharacteristically before turning away, offering a grateful pat to her companion. She might feel bad about stealing the duck from the boy, but there was no reason for the woman to curse at them. Perhaps if she'd asked nicely, things would have gone differently.

In any case, Sohalia looked around at the competitors milling about. Seeing another child with another duck - and no, Soh was not about to touch that with a ten foot pole - she headed in the opposite direction, towards another lampost, and began to search around it, even sending Tarak up to check the top of the post for any hidden ducks.

------

Soh takes the lamppost!

was feeling so weak but baby i'm strong
little did i know i'm a champion

Sohalia

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

Guess what everyone? Melita would hit a child.

Taking a long, slow breath and considering options available, the missing tooth kid presented an opportunity. And though there was a crowd milling around, the Honeybee had enough gumption, low impulse control, and audacity to give it a shot. Lining up her arrows, she figured if she could hit the youth’s bag, she could dash over, steal it, and be gone in a flash.

What she didn’t account for was actually…missing. The armament went a bit wide and hit someone’s steel-toed shoe. The crowd, understandably, started shrieking and Melita was forced to sigh and try another tactic.

Nova ‘s adventures around the hot chocolate stand proved to be fruitful in only one way – and that was extra marshmallows. Otherwise, the stall was void of ducks, but not of people – and one woman went to grab the hybrid’s bag when the youth was distracted.

Dantalion and the old ass bench could square off as well, but the Ancient would be the victor. Once gently placed by Melita’s beloved vampire gourd underneath metal rivets and divets, was another black duck, designed with extra red glowing eyes for effect. On its head was #5. But alas, the Theocrat wasn’t alone for this venture either, and Shorts Boy made a new appearance, tearstained but determined, his tiny hand going for the toy.

And Sohalia, fresh off of her run-in, would meander about the next lamppost, and also find nothing. Except…she was definitely being followed.

--

Melita shot an arrow at the girl but missed. Boo.

Nova has received extra marshmallows in her cup but also a shitty lady grabbing her bag.

Danta has found a really cool duck and Shorts Boy.

Sohalia is being tailed. Oop.

You may:
- Bully the NPCs and they may bully you in return
- Look elsewhere (available now are slightly newer bench, cotton candy stall, the third innocuous lamppost)
- Attempt to fleece your competitors

Ducks Currently in Possession:
Sohalia: #13
Nova: #7, #11
Melita: #4, #16
Dantalion: #14
NPC Child now Scarred for Life: #2

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

You need chaos in your soul

As Nova accepted the hot chocolate with a little squeal, she felt a little less bad for not having spotted another duck. However, as soon as the treat was in her hands, some rude woman was clutching for her bag. Knowing full well that the ducks were in her jacket and not her bag, she was inclined to let the woman have it, but it was hers and it was her favorite bag that she'd made. After all, the floral pink bag with neon green stripes was one of a kind.

Gasping with anger and horror, she pulled the bag closer to her body with one hand while the other protected her drink. In a childish tone of indignation and offense, she screeched, "Hey! Let go! If you want a bag I made, you have to pay!" Yet as the woman continued to pull at what she thought was her prize, Nova wouldn't stand for it. Grabbing a cup of hot chocolate from the stand, she threw it onto the lady. "Leave me alone!"

---

Nova pours a hot chocolate on the lady.

Nova

to give birth to a dancing star.

// you knew who I was //

"Ohohoho," Danta croons, on his hands and knees to peek at the underside of the bench where he sees Duck #5 ripe for the taking. Of course, there are another pair of little hands reaching for it at the same time as him, which simply won't do. And listen, in the Theocrat's defence, he isn't aware that Shorts Boy has already been terrorised by Sohalia and Tarak - not that it would have stopped him, if we're being completely honest.

Shifting this time into a much pointier, much scalier form, lyvern!Danta's maw parts to roar directly at the (sigh) child, all sharp teeth and black, leathery wings. Alright, so he's only the size of perhaps a small bear in this form, but he imagines it will be enough to scare off a kid so he can get his hands on the duck.

---

Danta shifts into a lyvern and roars in a child's face. I'll be over here.

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

you gotta get bruised before you get mad
you gotta fall down before you fight back

Sohalia held her bag with her single duck as she searched around the lamppost and came up empty-handed. Tarak, proud of himself for having run off the irate mother, preened himself importantly upon her shoulder, earning an eye roll from the Luminary. She couldn't even be mad at him, though; he'd been protecting her - or at least his duck. He was possessive that way.

Holding her bag tightly as she saw some other woman trying to steal someone's bag and receiving a face full of hot chocolate for her trouble, Sohalia made her way to the cotton candy stall, hoping to lose herself in the crowd and avoid the angry mother and her son. As Soh poked around the stall, offering the merchant a sheepish smile and bribing him with a coin to allow her to continue her search, the back of her neck prickled. Was she being followed?

---

Soh searches around the cotton candy stall!

was feeling so weak but baby i'm strong
little did i know i'm a champion

Sohalia

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

Having already caused a scene, Melita huffed and puffed her way over to the lamppost, slightly bothered and put out that she’d have to search rather than bully again. But as she wandered around it, there seemed to be nothing of use, and she’d have to go back to the drawing board.

The others, however…well.

The woman seemed to have met her match with Nova – because no sooner were grabby hands going for her bag, than the hybrid dumped the hot chocolate upon the stranger. With a wild shriek she released anything, hands going straight to her burning skin and clothing, and Nova would be quite free to wander off. There was a crowd assembling around the charred one anyway.

Shorts Boy was having an absolutely horrendous day – for his tears had turned to excitement, and then to outright terror, as Dantalion ’s transformation roared directly in his face. He became a blubbering mess once more, curling into a ball as he cried and screeched, and now that made three rounds of bellowing. Yay! The Theocrat would be free to grab #5 and on his way. Hm. Where was that kid's mother...

Sohalia might have had the calmest venture – bribery allowing her to continue searching around the man’s cotton candy stall. He humphed and placed the coin in his pocket, but didn’t say a word, as she found yet another duck – golden hued sporting #3.

And saved by the grace of a good dice roll from being mauled – for the moment. There was definitely something still following her though…

--

Melita can’t find shit.

Nova has been freed from grabby lady and has caused a scene.

Danta has caused another scene and I don’t know why Shorts Boy doesn’t just go home.

Sohalia has found Duck #3!

You may:
- Bully the NPCs and they may bully you in return
- Look elsewhere (available now are slightly newer bench, fish stall, the fourth innocuous lamppost)
- Attempt to fleece your competitors

Ducks Currently in Possession:
Sohalia: #3, #13
Nova: #7, #11
Melita: #4, #16
Dantalion: #5, #14
NPC Child now Scarred for Life: #2

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

You need chaos in your soul

The hot chocolate splashed over the woman - luckily avoiding Nova's own stylish clothing - but the racket from the lady's cries brought an annoyed grimace to her face. Although she was used to being the center of attention, this was not the kind of crowd she liked to attract. They seemed much more concerned with the rude hag than her, and she didn't need that kind of energy. 

Clutching her hot chocolate and bag close, Nova made her way out of the growing group of people. She kept her head high, even as the unfamiliar frown marred her pretty features. A nearby bench seemed suitable enough to decompress from the experience. The cold surface made the hot chocolate even more enjoyable, and she popped a marshmallow in her mouth as she used the quiet moment to look around the bench for any signs of ducks. 

---

Nova sits and searches the new bench, enjoying her hot chocolate.

Nova

to give birth to a dancing star.

you gotta get bruised before you get mad
you gotta fall down before you fight back

Another duck! Sohalia grinned as she tucked the golden-hued creature into her bag, thanking the merchant before turning back to the crowd. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, and she looked around, searching for anyone or anything that might be watching her. Tarak, on alert and ready to step in as needed, took to the skies to search. If there was something stalking his bonded, he would be the first to know.

In the meantime, Soh moved on to the next stall - this one filled with fish. She smiled at the vendor, searching the area around the stall before asking if she could look a bit closer, offering another coin for the woman's trouble. Perhaps she would get lucky a second time and find another duck!

---

Soh looks around the fish stall.

was feeling so weak but baby i'm strong
little did i know i'm a champion

Sohalia