Chocobo Roundup

[damn_juicebox]

WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, OPEN!
WHAT: A group of adventurers sets out to find themselves some new feathered friends, as well as spend time together camping out and battling monsters. On the last day, the adventure is capped off with a battle against a chocobo eater.
WHEN: November 7th - 9th
WHERE: Calm Plains

OOC NOTES
There will be two threads for each day: one for mingling, and one for fighting monsters/encountering chocobos. The encounter schedule is listed below. Assume encounters A-E happen in the daytime, and F-J happen at night. We can assume that most of the encounters are handwaved, so if there's one you'd love to play out, start a thread with the encounter listed in the subject. Example: Day 2, Encounter X: Five Hamsters.

Note: We will not find five hamsters. No one is allowed to die horrifically in this fun-filled expedition.

Some chocobo captures are reserved for those who signed up, and have been marked accordingly. You can claim one of the encounters on this list, if you like. And if you're a new character, you can join too! Either assume Rukia mentioned it to them and invited them along, or PM me and I'll have Rukia meet your character in the intro log if she hasn't already.


Day 1
A: Enemy female yellow chocobo (accompanied by two Buers)
B: 3 Red Elementals
C: Friendly female aqua blue chocobo - Claimed by LEVY
D: TREASURE CHESTS! (surprise it's two Mimics)
E: ANOTHER TREASURE CHEST! (still a Mimic though)
F: Friendly female green chocobo
G: Enemy female yellow chocobo (accompanied by 2 Gargoyles) - Claimed by RAMZA
H: 1 Mandragora
I: Friendly female yellow chocobo
J: 1 Hamster (run)

Day 2
A: Friendly male yellow chocobo - Claimed by FAI
B: 2 Geezards
C: Unfriendly male yellow chocobo - Claimed by YUNA (AU)
D: Enemy female yellow chocobo (accompanied by 2 Wyverns) - Claimed by K'pandolu
E: 3 Goblins
F: 1 Gargoyle
G: Friendly female yellow chocobo
H: 8 Goblins
I: Unfriendly male yellow chocobo
J: 2 Touch Mes

Day 3
A: Unfriendly female yellow chocobo
B: Unfriendly female yellow chocobo
C: Friendly female purple chocobo - Claimed by KIJA
D: 3 TREASURE CHESTS! (Nope still Mimics who puts a treasure chest in the middle of the plains seriously)
E: Enemy female yellow chocobo (accompanied by 2 Mandragoras)
F: Unfriendly female yellow chocobo
G: 9 Buers
H: Unfriendly female white chocobo - Claimed by RUKIA
I: Unfriendly female yellow chocobo
J: CHOCOBO EATER (small)

Comments

Day Three - Encounters

[damn_juicebox]

[OOC: After the defeat of the chocobo eater, the heroes will return to Aqures Ixen in time for dinner.]

Day Three - Encounter H

[damn_juicebox]

[Three days of rain. And three days of no white chocobos. Rukia's starting to regret not going after that beautiful aqua-colored bird, but she'd firmly believed that her white-feathered companion was still out there, waiting for her.]

[Perhaps a yellow bird would be just fine. She's liked all of the other yellow chocobos she's met, and as Cloud suggested, there's always feather dye if she has her heart set on a white bird. Why is the color so important? She can't really say, but if she had to guess, she would suppose it's because the color is somewhat thematic to her. Her zanpakutou is white, from blade to guard to ribbon. Snow is white, like the nature of her sword and the snow that blankets the ground on her birthday. She's attracted to the color and the purity it represents.]

[Wielding the chocobo lure, she activates it once more. She can't afford to be picky any longer. This is the last day, and she needs to go to Esdham to deliver her reports on the previous month.]

[But just then, there's a flash of movement near the outskirts of the woods. Rukia straightens, all of her attention riveted. Something tells her that this is it. This is the companion she is fated to join.]

Is that...?

[Glancing at the others, then at the woods, she edges forward as quietly and stealthily as she's able without going invisible. What she sees makes her dark blue eyes go wide with wonder. In a small clearing, dancing, is a splendid white chocobo with feathers as white as the clouds. It shakes the rain from its feathers with a feminine trill, and immediately, Rukia knows.]

[This is the one.]

[The chocobo lifts its head, fixing its gaze directly on Rukia. A connection is made, and it holds itself very still.]

[Carefully, oh so carefully, Rukia edges forward, holding out her hand.]

You are the one I have been searching for.

[The chocobo makes no sounds, not even ruffling its feathers. It regards her hand, then Rukia herself.]

Pleased to meet you. I am Rukia--

Kuh~wehhhh.

[It's the snottiest 'kweh' ever heard as the chocobo vainly tosses its head and turns its tail feathers on Rukia. Then it paddles up the mud with its feet, drenching the shinigami before trotting away.]

[Rukia raises her arms to shield herself, flinching as the mud and torn up grass spatters her robes and cheek. When she lowers her arms, her eyes burn.]

Why you...! RETURN AND APOLOGIZE THIS INSTANT!!!

[Despite her demands, she dashes after the chocobo as fast as her arms and legs carry her. This humiliation will not stand!]

Re: Day Three - Encounter H

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud is off a bit of a ways with Zack, trying to pick up the trails of any Chocobos wandering around. The rain and the mud are making any sort of tracking difficult, but eventually Zack perks up as he finds a scent. His headcrest plumps upward and he ruffles his plumage, something that Cloud has not seen him do before.]

What is it boy? Is it a monster? Hey!

[Zack darts off on his own, leaving Cloud behind to chase after him. Fortunately he doesn't have to run that far before he first hears and then sees the mud soaked girl shouting off into the distance.]

Rukia? What's going on?

I'll just be your moral support over here ok ok

[makingfriends]

[Ven's seated on his bird not too far off, also keeping an eye out for any Chocobos in the immediate area. He hears the yelling easily enough, and both he and Sora look over as a white Chocobo comes into view in the distance -- followed shortly by Rukia herself. Both bird and rider turn their heads in sync as the cat-and-mouse pair go dashing past.]

Oh! She found one! [Ven tucks his knees inward so he can lean up and forward.] Go, Rukia, go! You've got it!

Kweh!

MAH FRENNDS

[damn_juicebox]

Thank you!

[She shouts back over her shoulder at Ventus's encouragement. Then she realizes Zack is running beside her, catching up and about to pass. If that white chocobo runs at full tilt, there's no way Rukia can catch her on her own two feet. She's made up her mind.]

Cloud! I'm borrowing Zack!

[She reaches out to seize the pommel of the saddle, swinging herself nimbly up astride the bird and leaning forward.]

Go!

[The white chocobo spares a glance backward before its head jerks up in surprise. Then her eyes narrow at the sight of Zack, and she makes a derogatory 'Kuh-wehhhh to express her disapproval. But they're rapidly gaining on Rukia's target, and she starts to carefully pull her legs up underneath her, preparing to make the jump.]

[Rukia leaps.]

[And.]

[SOMEHOW SHE MAKES IT! ...Mostly. She throws her arms around the white chocobo's neck, but with no saddle to stop her, she accidentally swings around to the front. But she isn't letting go.]

Halt! Be still!

[The chocobo swings its head back and forth, trying to dislodge the small woman. But on the plus side, she's stopped running. Rukia kicks her legs back, then swings, landing squarely on its back.]

Ho ho, now you are--GYAH!

[Nope. Back to running again. And jumping. And spinning. Rukia's eyes are wide as she clings for dear life, but narrow with determination. She's come all this way, and waited all this time. She's not giving up now.]

Re: MAH FRENNDS

[neverfirstclass]

[Zack hears that disapproving Kweh, but it only encourages the bird and he doubles his efforts to give chase. He stumbles a bit as Rukia leaps to the other bird but keeps running alongside.

Chocobos are clever creatures. He basically understands that Rukia's out to capture this one, but he has his own designs in mind.

As Rukia keeps running on the ground, Zack surges ahead, cutting off the white Chocobo and forcing it to stop. What he does at that point truly shows his age. His plumage fluffs up, looking very much like Cloud's own hair spike, and he begins to prance in front of the other one, trying very much to impress her.]

[damn_juicebox]

Kwech.

[The white chocobo makes a trill of disgust, holding her head up high...but watching the dance nonetheless out of the corner of her peripheral vision. Rukia watches, but with far more confusion. Is Cloud's chocobo making advances...? She's never seen two chocobos show attraction for one another before. It's a little fascinating, and the dance is cute. But it also allows her to move slowly, carefully, to get into the best position she possibly can on the chocobo's back.]

[Suddenly realizing that Rukia is still there, the chocobo fluffs its feathers indignantly and resumes its angry prim 'Kweh kweh kweh's before it leaps nimbly over the dancing Zack, spreading her wings as she dashes furiously forward. Rukia holds on tightly, her eyes narrowed with fierce determination. She is not giving up!]

[And off they go...]

[...]

[It's probably about ten minutes later before they return, the white chocobo's head still held high as if she'd planned this all along, and Rukia's hair full of leaves and twigs. There are light scratches on her arms and cheeks, the result of being brushed up against a thick net of brambles, but she's smiling with pride.]

[THUMB'S. UP. Because she's a dork, and she just caught her very first chocobo and it's so beautiful you guys seriously.]

All finished!

[makingfriends]

[As concerned as Ven is during those idle ten minutes, he knows this is something Rukia really has to do on her own, and she's plenty capable besides, so he stays put. When she reappears, he's not as surprised as he is simply delighted to see that she was victorious, and he urges his own bird forward to walk alongside her.]

All right! I knew you could do it!

[And while Sora lacks Zack's level of fascination with the newbie, he's nonetheless looking at her with open and friendly curiosity. New friend, yes??]

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia laughs, heaving a sigh of relief as she wipes her brow.]

Thank you!

[Her chocobo draws her head back at Sora, peering at him with intense scrutiny. She's careful to keep a measured distance at all times, but she's not kicking mud at him or flaring her feathers. New friend maybe.]

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud grins and shoots Rukia a thumbs up at her catch before going through his pack. Some fishing around leads to him pulling out some greens for her to feed to her new mount.]

Good job Rukia. She looks like a bit of a fighter so keep an eye on her.

[He's been around the birds long enough now to get an idea of their personalities at a glance. However his focus is more on Zack who is continuing to preen and puff for Rukia's new Chocobo in spite of the lukewarm response he's getting.]

[makingfriends]

[Sora respects ~The Personal Space~ and just gives a low, happy kweh-kweh! of welcome before looking forward again. He will win your friendship sooner or later!]

Yeah! I've never seen one fight a person like that before. Do you know what you're gonna name her yet?

[damn_juicebox]

I would expect nothing less.

[She smiles proudly, patting her bird's neck, which the chocobo looks as if it's permitting rather than enjoying. (But she totally enjoys it.)]

In the future I plan to undertake the chocobo knight job. I will need a mount that remains fierce and competent in the heat of battle.

[As soon as Sora stops paying attention to her, the chocobo looks slightly irritated, but manages a brief 'kweh' nonetheless. Her glances return to Zack, then away...but back again before pretending to ignore the flirtatious display.]

I think I'll name her Yuki. It means 'snow.'

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud finally jogs over, the whole chase having left him a good distance back. He shoots a quick angry look at Zack before smiling at Rukia standing next to her newly clamed chocobo.]

Congratulations! Looks like you got a good one!

[Zack on the other hand continues with his display, ignoring Cloud for the moment while puffing his neck up and waggling his head around.]

Day Three - Final Encounter (J) - Chocobo Eater

[damn_juicebox]

[It's getting dark, and Rukia can say that the expedition was a success. The weather was nasty, true, but she'd still enjoyed sharing a campfire, drinking cocoa, and talking with friends. Even if she hadn't found Yuki, she still would have returned to Aqures Ixen with a smile.]

[Riding her proud mount, she notices a faint stink in the wind, one she hasn't detected before. She can feel Yuki tensing, dancing nervously and raising her head higher. The other chocobos are starting to grow skittish as well. They paw at the ground with their talons and make anxious chirps, ruffling their feathers. Some that are less trained may even cluster together or attempt to run.]

[Rukia twists at the waist and draws her blade. She may not know what's approaching, but she can feel the threat from sheer instinct alone.]

Something is approaching.

Day Three - Final Encounter (J) - Chocobo Eater

[whereishe]

[Yuna's walking alongside her chocobo instead of riding him. She has begun to ramble about something when the chocobo comes down and nips at her shoulder. It doesn't hurt but it's hard enough to make Yuna alarmed. It isn't like the playful bites before.]

A monster?

[With a hand on her chocobo her gaze looks over the skyline. She's been training her chocobo with her beastmaster class hoping that the pair could fight together should something come up.]

Re: Day Three - Final Encounter (J) - Chocobo Eater

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia doesn't immediately answer, because she doesn't know. But she's growing as tense as her fretful chocobo.]

[Suddenly, in a small ravine to their left, a large hand grips the edge of the cliff, monstrous fingers digging deep furrows into the ground. Then it hoists its hideous bulk upward, dropping onto the plains with an earthshaking thud. It throws back its misshapen arms as it roars with hunger, and starts lumbering toward the adventuring party.]

What is that?!

[Rukia's eyes widen. Yuki bucks and dances frantically, and Rukia is forced to dismount as she can't keep it under control. Whatever this thing is, it isn't friendly.]

[iscursednomore]

[Fai was quick to attempt to steady the two he had with him and thanks to Big Yellow being awfully use to monster encounters was the most calm of them all. Making sure to keep a good grip of the other Fai was already studying up the monster before them. Pulling out his gun he was already set on attacking it should it get any closer.]

Whatever it is, I don't think it's here to be friends.

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia's chocobo flees. For a moment she looks torn, not wanting to lose the companion she fought so hard to catch, but she can't ignore the bigger threat at hand. Grrrr... She'll just have to try again, she supposes. For now, the other birds must be defended.]

Fighters to the front! If you can heal, move back, we'll need you if it manages to break through us!

[Rukia runs toward the chocobo eater with a loud shout. It draws back its hand and swats her, sending her flying through the air with a sickening crunch. Her small body hits the ground... And vanishes. The real Rukia is behind it, her blade biting into the back of its squat legs.]

[whereishe]

It's a chocobo eater!

[Yuna's faced one before though that had been in Spira. She brings her fingers to her lips and whistles summoning Celes to her side. The little moogle plops down on her new chocobo and looks out at the daunting creature.

She hasn't been able to teach her chocobo any moves besides one and she hopes to let Celes benifit from it.]

Celes stay in the back and heal those who need it.

[The little moogle nods and the chocobo walks him away from the fight but still within range of those fighting. Yuna has dancer equipped so she begins dancing hoping to blind the monster.]

[iscursednomore]

[Keeping Big Yellow steady he moves a little forward, his guns out and holding them up. However before he fired he put one away before using his Scholar Job and using Mad Scientist on everyone for the moment. That should help a little bit as he pulled out the gun again and fired.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia's expression is one of alarm as Yuna names it. Then her eyes narrow. She understands that the laws of nature dictate that some animals eat other animals. It's part of the life cycle. But as it's going after the chocobos that they've worked so hard to befriend, it cannot be allowed to succeed. If it flees, she won't chase it. But so long as it intends to harm their animals, it must be destroyed.]

[The chocobo eater rounds on the hero that's dared to attack it from behind, taking a swing at her. Rukia jumps back, but she's getting close to the cliff's edge. She gives it a brief glance, careful to keep it in mind, as it would be embarrassing to die from a fall she could have easily avoided.]

[It swipes at her, and she leaps to the left, and it tries to take a bite out of her with its large, flat teeth. Then Yuna's dance falls like a dark veil as it staggers back, blinded and bewildered. It swings its massive arms back and forth, and this time Rukia can't dodge it. A glancing blow knocks her off of her feet, and she skids over the grass nearly over the ravine. Her sandals knocks off a few pebbles, sending them dancing down the cliff's edge.]

[As Fai's bullets punch into its thick hide, it roars, and starts charging the clustered heroes and chocobos to swing a powerful punch.]

[gonebyebye]

[Ector had ducked away, though unlike Yuki was still in sight. Ray himself had stuck towards the back as asked, though he only had the one healing spell. What he did have was a small collection of ranged attacks, and he used them now, firing a proton stream from his Particle Thrower.]

Eat hot protonic death, ugly!

[makingfriends]

[Once again, Ven's current Job set-up is less than ideal for the enemy he's facing, and for a moment the fearful excuse he'd offered to Rukia last week -- that he could potentially just be in the way -- comes back to make him doubt his presence here. But while he won't be terribly useful on the offensive right now, he knows what he can do, and that's what he needs to focus on.

Sora also shifts uneasily right before the monster appears, and tosses his head once it's within sight -- but he doesn't run, doesn't try to toss Ven at all. This bird nearly died once for his rider's sake already, and completely of his own will, so the loyalty there will take more than instinct or a jump-scare to shatter it.

After some comforting words to his mount to ease the tension, Ven starts rapidly casting Haste on his allies, starting with those closest to the Chocobo Eater and moving back.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Ray's attack slows the chocobo eater's charge. It raises a meaty arm to ward off the intense discomfort of the particle thrower, but this close, it can smell the delicious chocobos, and it starts to slaver.]

[Rukia pushes herself up to her feet, ignoring the pain of her scrapes and bruises as she picks up her sword and runs after the chocobo eater. She nearly trips over herself when she sees that the particle thrower can actually hit the monster.]

It's effective against things that aren't spirits?!

[Had she known that, she would have stuck with the Scholar job after all! Next month, perhaps. She shakes off her awe, and with Ventus's help, her speed doubles. Vaulting high, Rukia grasps the katana with both hands before slashing at the back of the chocobo eater's head. Had it been a Hollow, such a devastating blow would have vanquished the fiend.]

[Instead, it just gets annoyed.]

[It whips around, momentarily distracted from the party as it shakes off the shinigami. Before she can hit the ground, it catches her, its enormous sausage fingers nearly engulfing her in its palm as it brings her toward its gaping mouth. It would prefer to eat a chocobo, but it doesn't mind taking off the head of an irritating little human.]

[iscursednomore]

[Fai was quickly to try and distract Chocobo Eater by moving in much closer, his gun raised as he prepared to fire once again, this time aiming to get him to let go of the other and instead turn it's attention on him.]