|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 7, 2021 14:08:41 GMT -6
It had been quite some time since Fiera had last come across the quest board. It wasn't intentional. She simply had a thousand other things to be doing in her life. Maintaining her political career, training a bunch of pets, managing her community. It was difficult work, as she would lament to anyone willing to listen. And she did it all alone! She hadn't even meant to come across it this time either. Normally there was someone skulking around it, trying to flag down anyone who was willing to help (usually for free, of course) and Fiera just couldn't bother putting in the effort telling them no. So she usually went around, looking the other way if she even so much as saw someone along this street. It looked clear today though, and Donner was feeling quite frisky. Less people meant a lesser chance of him jumping up on people, and Fiera getting a lawsuit for her troubles. Fiera 1 Donner 37.1/18.6 1
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 7, 2021 15:24:01 GMT -6
Donner had always been a bit of a grumpy boy, but it wasn't necessarily his fault. Seekers were just... aggressive animals. They were outright designed that way, and he was no exception. Even his concept of "cuddles" involved more teeth than most people were comfortable with. Which was why she always kept him muzzled outside the house. But that meant that he didn't like to run, play, and exercise less than other pets. He was still capable of happiness and curiosity. It just involved more violence than other creatures. That's why Fiera was so glad this path was clear today- it let her unroll his leash a bit so he could be a bit more free on their walk. Heck, she even checked the quest board while he took a break, just out of amused curiosity while she was in a good mood. And sure enough, there was something on there that caught her eye...
Fiera 2 Donner 37.2/18.7 2
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 12, 2021 10:38:52 GMT -6
Pictures of toys that she might have played with as a child- rocking horses, tiny trains and boats, a plush... well, she didn't have any animals like THAT back home, but she was sure she would have liked to have a plush of one regardless. "No experience needed" was the other part she liked. It must have been quite an easy job, and they didn't specify a task which meant there was probably a lot to do. Maybe she could take a load of toys while walking Donner and drop them off places. Having a snarling seeker by her side would certainly keep anyone from bothering her while she completed the task, and she could complete a quest while her pet got some exercise in turn. What could possibly go wrong? ...A growing pit of dread appeared in her stomach, twisting and turning the second she summoned that thought from her brain.
Fiera 3 Donner 37.3/18.8 3
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 12, 2021 10:41:42 GMT -6
Fine, so she had probably just jinxed herself. It was still worth checking out. The workshop the letter described was a bit of a walk, but it was nothing she and her pet couldn't handle. She flicked the leash as she prepared to set off, like a horse driver flicking the reins. Donner shot off again, practically dragging her down the sidewalk. "Geez! Slow down!" She hissed, leaning back on the leash, but it didn't slow him down even a smidge. It looked like he was just as excited to go on an adventure as she was. "Alright, guess we're going then!" She said, and followed him along. Every so often she had to tug extra hard on the leash to drag Donner down a path they needed to take, but for the most part he set the pace until they were finally trotting through the woods next to the workshop.
Fiera 4 Donner 37.4/18.9 4
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 12, 2021 10:45:33 GMT -6
It was a surprisingly secluded place, but Fiera could see the reasoning for it. Having a workshop where you were hand-constructing toys was likely a rather noisy profession, what with all the hammering and sawing. She couldn't imagine any neighbors wanting to put up with it. Her neighbors only barely tolerated her, and she was a model tenant, thank you very much. Sure enough, there was a loud crash ahead of her, followed by a screeching noise. "Jeez." She said, flicking her ear as if to clear the annoying sound out of her brain. "Guess this guy's gotten started early, eh Donner?" She said with a chuckle. Donner didn't seem quite as amused however, and simply stared forward with narrowed eyes. His pace got a lot less frenetic too and instead he slowed to a crawl, almost as if he was trying to sneak forward. She raised an eyebrow- that was quite odd for him.
Fiera 5 Donner 38.0/19.0 5
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 12:54:25 GMT -6
As Fiera and Donner got closer, she started to wonder if the loud banging noises she kept hearing were something she didn't have to worry about after all. Wouldn't something of that volume start to bother the crafter as well? She picked up the pace a little bit without even thinking about it, if just out of a sick sense of curiosity. Sure enough as she approached she could very obviously see that something was wrong. A man sat outside the front door to the building- a squat little thing, certainly up to date with her mental image of a "toy workshop". Most notable about it however was that one of its front windows were busted out, incredibly loud noises were coming through it, and a metal pole had been shoved straight through the front door, piercing it entirely. Fiera guessed, mostly likely correctly, that that wasn't supposed to be there.
Fiera 6 Donner 38.1/19.1 6
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 12:56:54 GMT -6
"Uh... hey there." She started weakly, still eyeing the building. The young man looked up, noticed Fiera, and then noticed her seeker right after. "You- are you from the quest board?" He said, growing increasingly happy, but with a sort of manic air about him that Fiera had seen before. He practically reeked of desperation. "Uh yeah... I think I'm supposed to be. Delivering... some toys?" She said, leaning away from the building and looking at it suspiciously. The man shook his head quickly, before nodding again. "No, no that's- well yes, people were SUPPOSED to do that. But something went... wrong this morning. My workshop has a lot of mechanized and mechanical parts, and they just went haywire! I have no idea what caused it, but my machines and a large portion of my creations are completely out of control! I can't even get back in there without one of them throwing a chunk of metal at me!"
Fiera 7 Donner 38.2/19.2 7
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 12:59:31 GMT -6
Fiera continued to listen incredulously as the man continued to talk, his words spilling out of his mouth like a pierced tank of water. "So then, I was hoping- that is, I knew that people would still be coming today! I knew that my quest board ad was still up, so I was hoping that I could get their help in a task that was probably... uh... stranger than they were expecting, but still!" He trailed off, for just a moment. "Unfortunately, most everyone brought rather. Squishy creatures with them. Shiku, jibiji, a harachiu... None of them wanted to go in there. Which, I can't blame them! But the longer this goes on for, the less I'll even be able to SALVAGE by this point, let alone deliver on time!" He ran his hands down his face. "It's a disaster! But you! Your seeker! I don't know what... you were EXPECTING to do with him... not that I wouldn't have found something!"
Fiera 8 Donner 38.3/19.3 8
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 13:01:51 GMT -6
He stammered a moment at the sour face Fiera made, attempting to reassure her. "But by this point, I'm pretty sure you're my only hope at getting this under control! Please!" He said, practically on his knees begging by this point. Fiera sighed as another loud bang radiated from the workshop. She did NOT want to get herself all messy today- she had JUST styled her hair- but she couldn't exactly say no, could she? Not that she was doing it out of sympathy, of course. No, she was more interested in that she was likely to be the ONLY person that would get a "prize" for this quest, seeing as everyone else had scuttled off like cowards. She could claim their portions... provided she greased the wheel, so to speak. "...Fine." She said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "What needs to be done, exactly?" She said, flicking an ear and raising an eyebrow at the man.
Fiera 9 Donner 38.4/19.4 9
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 13:04:30 GMT -6
The man gaped at her for a second, as if still processing before stumbling toward her, as if he meant to hug her out of glee. She flattened her ears back and Donner growled softly. He backed off. "Thank you! Thank you so much! There's an emergency stop at the back of the workshop- it flips the breaker leading to my node. Should shut everything down! That's all you need to do!" He stopped as a massive chunk of wood flew through the broken window, landing in the snow between them. "Uh... provided that you can get back there, of course." He said sheepishly. Fiera smirked and leaned down toward Donner. "Somehow, I don't think we'll have a problem." She said, undoing his muzzle. The seeker flexed his jaws experimentally before letting out a pleased grumble. Where there was a fang, there was a way. With that, she gave the man a curt nod and began walking to the door.
Fiera 10 Donner 39.0/19.5 10
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 15:05:33 GMT -6
Donner entered the building first, to her surprise- though it wasn't surprising for long. Seekers craved violence like other creatures craved water after a drought. Plenty of exercise was a decent enough substitute, but by this point he was no doubt itching for a fight. The second they both got in the door however, she quickly tugged him off to the side, ducking behind an upturned table so she could get a good look at the area. Donner sniffed the air, taking a "look" as well. She peered over the table, observing the workshop. Sure enough, there were plenty of "toys gone crazy" to be found; mostly little clockwork creatures that toddled along the floor, but there were more threatening objects at hand as well. A large stuffed murp took unsteady steps around the room, followed up by a plush looking PHIL with a cutely embroidered face... that was the size of a toddler.
Fiera 11 Donner 39.1/19.6 11
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 15:08:14 GMT -6
Both had stiff movements and distinctive folds in the cloth that implied an internal structure as opposed to being made of stuffing all the way through. Chances are there was SOMETHING in them that could take an eye out, and while they were just patrolling for now, Fiera had no clue what they'd try to do once she caught their eyes. Along the far wall there was a robotic arm as well. Boxes scattered around it implied that it was normally used to package the toys the crafter created, but it seemed to be thoroughly rebelling against that fate. As Fiera and her seeker watched, it tore a plank of wood from the floor and promptly threw it out the window as hard as it good, earning another surprised shriek from the man outside. Without hesitating or acknowledging the cry of distress, it crept along the floor again, looking for something else to throw.
Fiera 12 Donner 39.2/19.7 12
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 15:11:11 GMT -6
Fiera made a mental note to stay far, far away from that one. Who knew how hard those metallic fingers could clamp down. Finally, on the far wall she saw it- a big red button with a hand written sign above it saying "emergency stop". No doubt that's what they had to get to. Between here and there however was about thirty feet full of upturned tables, spilled (and probably sharp) equipment, tottering toys and "the big threats" that Fiera had spotted already. Perhaps not the easiest... but maybe if they really booked it, they could make it. "Ready, Donner?" She whispered, smiling... only for it to fade as the stuffed PHIL stopped and turned in her direction, its blank eyes appearing to scan the room. It couldn't see her, right? It's eyes were fake? ...It couldn't have HEARD that, right? She had barely spoken at all, more in reassurance to herself than anything.
Fiera 13 Donner 39.3/19.8 13
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 15:15:40 GMT -6
It took one step in her direction. Then another. Fiera didn't let it take any more. "Okay let's go, let's GO Donner, COME!" She shouted, vaulting herself over the table. She didn't want to be cornered, so she didn't stick PRECISELY to the far wall, but- oh shit. The robotic arm turned toward her as well, as did the murp. There was no ignoring her now. Donner leapt over the table too, but considering that he had no idea what Fiera's goal in all this could be, his focus was more on "destroy thingies" than "go hit the button". As a result, he almost immediately peeled off from Fiera, any thoughts he might have had about protecting her immediately abandoned. "What- Donner, where are you- augh!" She said, watching as he completely dodged around the large stuffed PHIL to throw himself at the murp, which was already pawing at the ground and snorting.
Fiera 14 Donner 39.4/19.9 14
|
|
|
Post by Fiera Ferella on Dec 16, 2021 15:18:14 GMT -6
They were only children's renditions of their respective creatures, all cute faces, stitched body, simplified features and short, rounded proportions, but Fiera soon found out that they certainly HIT like the real thing. Despite her best attempts to flee, the PHIL grabbed her around the waist and began spinning, slowly at first but soon increasing in speed and intensity. If she had to guess, she'd think it was some sort of "hug new friend" programming gone horribly, horribly wrong. The spinning was no doubt enough to make her dizzy, but more concerning was the increasing pressure of its "friendly hug". Thankfully it wasn't choking her- it only came up to her hips- but it WAS enough to make Fiera realize that it was going to pop her legs out of her sockets before crushing her hips if she didn't do something quick. She yowled loudly and beat at its head, to no use at all.
Fiera 15 Donner 40.0/20.0 15
|
|