So, no real change since I left you at the camp? [the dour behaviour had been worrying, to say the least] ..And does he still ignore Noishe as well?
[ The creature's distress had been plain. And ordering Lloyd to pay the dogmonster the attention they deserved hadn't made things better, all told. ]
Perhaps. Though I think everyone needs time to recover, decompress. After that, it'll be a matter of who speaks to who - Eagle will only wind up the younger coterie folk, I think, if he chooses to remain evasive.
He doesn't react to Noishe much, but he doesn't actively push him away either. My interactions with Lloyd have been very similar.
[And he hates it!!! But what can you do besides make sure the boy is fed and healthy, right?]
I have a feeling that attempting to get anything useful out of Eagle would be a waste of time...
[Anyway, they're approaching the house. It's not too far, see? Once they get to the door, Kratos will be all polite and shit and hold the door open for Sophia.]
I'd imagine Noishe's not too happy about that, either. I suppose we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
[ What else can they do? Until some means to counteract the effect of incense can be found..
She pauses when he moves ahead to the nearest house (it still surprises her how small the other cities are, even with Kiichpan now literally half its previous size). Once he opens the door, a small smile is given for old fashioned chivalry given as she passes through it, before taking in the house itself.
Liveable, given they'll be off tomorrow. ]
So long as you don't play along to his tune. I don't know what state Viper will be in to answer anything, given I heard she'd collapsed at some point once things were..ended, I suppose?
Jaguar might be the best bet for succinct answers.
[Noishe shows concern by sticking to Lloyd like glue. Speaking of which, the dogmonster's nose carefully pushes the door to Lloyd's room open. Time to check out THE PEOPLE.
As for Kratos, he quietly closes the door behind himself and Sophia.]
Jaguar does seem like the best place to start. I don't have a problem with Salamander, either, though I can't say how approachable she is.
[ The dog might be her favourite member of the Aurion-Irving family (sorry not sorry). ]
Hello Noishe.
[ There's a smile to greet the worried face that noses the door open, though Sophia does not approach. No reason to risk waking Lloyd, assuming he sleeps, and accidentally triggering another fire burst of some kind. That can surely wait until breakfast. ]
I can't say I've had reason to approach either. [she sets her bag down in one room corner, before turning around] I've...dealt with military types before. I doubt that Jaguar would give my questions due consideration he might someone he recognises as a fellow soldier or warrior. But, he and Salamander also seem to have unexplained...history, which may make him less receptive to her coterie members.
[ She waves a hand, indicating that 'history' is not quite the word she's looking for, but hopefully close enough to get the point across. Then her hand settles behind her neck as she stretches it. ]
[That's fine, everyone should love the dog the most.
Noishe makes some kind of happy dogmonster noise at Sophia before returning to boy guarding duty. A+ boy guard Noishe should get a promotion.
Kratos finds a nice wall to lean against, crossing his arms while they chat. He can't do anything without looking like he's brooding, sorry.]
I have no particular loyalty to Salamander, but I doubt that would make much of a difference to Jaguar. So far these "leaders" seem to lack the desire to listen to reason. I'm sure the majority of us here hardly care about their petty grudges against each other, we simply want to do what needs to be done for everyone's benefit.
[ If he wishes to brood-lean, then Sophia will happily take the stool next to the table, pausing only to dust it off absently with one hand. Goodness knows she's done enough walking today, and there'll be more ahead to do on the morrow. ]
They cannot proceed further as they are now. They must know that the recovery of that relic, the defeat of that creature, only succeeded because of those brought here by the incense.. Perhaps they'll change their tune, in the aftermath of Kiichpan. [a pained sigh, followed by the shake of her head] So much senseless loss.
[YES please take a seat, you've been on your feet for hours. The good news is that she'll be able to ride around on Noishe tomorrow if she needs to so it's fiiine.]
It seems that a lot of very powerful people have been brought here against their will. I don't imagine that the coterie leaders are going to stay in power for very long if they don't change their tune.
[ Getting to ride around on Noishe would be the highlight of her entire time here. Best surprise ever! ...But Lloyd will of course need to ride first, if they can't find some leashes for keeping him on track. ]
But all those powerful people were —are— still susceptible to incense. [that statement does get a frown, and a side-eye however] They have an edge in that they've..really not been, prior to now. They've stayed in power for some time and a shake up might be good for them, but I would prefer a peaceable solution over power jockeying.
[That side-eye doesn't go unnoticed. Kratos sighs and gives Sophia a small shrug while finding something on the other side of the room to stare at for a moment. Look he's not exactly proud that he's considering violence as a viable strategy, but stabbing is what he's best at.]
I'm sure most of us would prefer a peaceable solution, myself included, but it would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of needing to use force to get results. I truly hope it doesn't have to come to that, but...
[but he will not hesitate to stab a bitch for the greater good.]
She sees the shrug, and at least looks a little mollified; Sophia is used to others going straight to violence (do not pass Go, do not collect 200 gold), but frankly, hasn't there been enough already? ]
It would be. But any plans need to be made with clear heads, and the least amount of anger. They'll expect us to rush in, guns blazing with questions and accusations - all of which we'd be entitled to.
[her gaze turns to the open door, and the shadow of Noishe and Lloyd in the other room]
Questions about the relic, I think, should be amongst the first we have for them.
[After 4000 years, one tends to get pretty burnt out on violence. He won't jump straight to murder (unless something else happens to Lloyd, or Noishe or maybe Sophia??) But yes, there's been more than enough violence already, and there's going to continue to be more at least where protecting people from monsters is concerned. Being able to at least avoid stabbing other people would be nice.]
Agreed, that would be the best approach. If we're too forceful, they may become defensive and we'd be right back where we started.
[He looks in her direction again, then follows her gaze to the door of Lloyd's room. His poor, zombie son.]
...Asking about the relic is the best place to start. If his condition is permanent...
[he might chop off Viper's head, in that case, but he'll just keep that to himself.]
I think, if nothing else, we're all in need of a history lesson. One that's decidedly less redacted than what they've provided previously.
[ Her gaze doesn't move from the door, so she doesn't notice him following where her eyes currently rest; Kratos won't fail to see her shake her head slightly. ]
We can only trust to hope that it's not. And watch how long it takes others to come out of the same stupor. Have any other Salamanders taken a look at him yet?
[ Presumably not The Salamander, but there's time yet for that. ]
If they want our cooperation, they should at least provide us that much.
[He does indeed see her head shaking. The movement distracts him and his eyes settle on her again, and he huffs a small, frustrated sigh.]
I'm less worried about his current mental state, if only because everyone who was exposed to the incense is the same way. This should wear off over time, but the fire that he's producing is unique to him, as far as I've seen.
[Another sigh, he leans his head back against the wall and stares absently at the ceiling. Mmman he wishes he could sleep, this is all so exhausting.]
A few people have looked at him, but aside from the fire, nothing seemed overly concerning to them. I don't... really know what to do but wait and see what happens.
I'll be happy to press on that particular subject, then. When the opportunity allows.
[ It's a promise, even if she doesn't say as such. His own sigh pulls her attention back to the main room and him, brows lifting slightly both in query and concern. Watching over Lloyd has likely been as thankless as it is tiring, just when was the last time Kratos managed to get any rest? ]
No others? At all? Does that include others who were fighting at the temple? Or that..monster that appeared? [she rests fingers on her chin a moment, considering.] I didn't see the fire in action, but he had burnt his hands before. Is that the primary place flames appear, or is that entirely random?
[He nods, pulling his attention away from the ceiling to find her looking in his direction. He tries not to look as exhausted as he feels and mostly succeeds... mostly.]
Unless someone else comes forward with the same problem, I think he's the only one. He was covered in burns when I found him, so I'm really not positive where it originates. There's just... there are so many unknowns. Not even just with Lloyd's condition, just in general. It's getting old, I'm not really accustomed to being out of the loop.
[ The hmm does not receive one in return, Sophia mulling over his words instead. So many things they do not know, all compounded by present circumstance. ]
There's no magic on my world, outside of books and the like. [psychic powers? entirely different story and not at all in her realm of expertise] But given the burns, it could be worth checking at the forge in the morning. This world lacks truly fireproof materials, but they may have some gloves designed to be heat resistant that could help while we're traveling.
[ Lloyd setting his hands on fire on the road would be a problem. Never mind setting the road on fire, the trees, the grass, Noishe, or even them..
It's a serious conversation, and his worry for Lloyd is keenly felt, but she can't help but chuckle when he admits to hating being out of the loop. ]
Are any of us ever accustomed to such a thing, really?
[If only Kratos knew some water spells, then the fire might not be such an issue.]
That's a good idea, I'll have to ask at the forge before we head out tomorrow.
[Honestly, he's kind of grateful that she's lightened the mood a bit. He's spent all this time worrying to himself ever since The Horseshit happened, he doesn't want to drag everyone around him into the worry pit.]
No, I suppose not. I feel like other people are better at adapting to it than I am, though.
[ Magic dampening would be a godsend right about now. Assuming, of course, such items affected curses. They'll just have to carry extra water flasks with them. ]
If I can do nothing else, ideas are at least something I can contribute.. [a shrug] I'd imagine we've all had our own challenges to face with this place. You certainly don't give the impression you've had trouble with it.
Though, if you want to take some time to rest, I can keep an eye on things for a few hours for you. I'd imagine you've not gotten much shut eye with those two to worry about, and you'll need all the energy you can spare once we're on the road.
[ These three, if she counts herself going forward really. But she'd like to lighten that burden, however briefly, if she can. ]
[Maybe Kratos can just teach Lloyd how to do fire?? Who knows.]
Well. I'm good at looking like I know what I'm doing.
[That might be the most honest he's been about himself in centuries. Don't tell anyone.
At her offer, he shakes his head slightly, finally dislodging himself from that wall and uncrossing his arms.]
You needn't worry about me. Besides, you're the one who's been traveling for the past few hours, and we have even more traveling ahead of us. You should get some rest, there's another bed in that room.
[He nods his head towards the room next to Lloyd's.]
[ A Lloyd Irving capable of controlling fire magic is an entirely different sort of scary.
The honesty gets another smile, albeit one that is immediately covered by a hand out of politeness. She must be more tired than she thought.. ]
That, I can certainly speak to. And it is easier to put up such a front in a place like this, when trying to get your bearings. [fingers shift, until one is held across her lips] Your secret is safe with me.
You're the one who's been handling Lloyd's safety, as well as your own, and Noishe's. I am tired, but..Are you sure?
[it wouldn't do for the group's protector to exhaust himself now when there's a chance to rest, as far as she's concerned.]
[Any scarier than a Lloyd Irving that can't control his weird fire curse?
Y'know, smiling is something that seems to be coming to Kratos easier lately. Not much easier, and it's only around like three people (one of which is a dogmonster), but still. He returns that smile with one of his own.]
Heh. It's appreciated.
[Can't have people thinking he's uncool, right? His image is very important, if he isn't intimidating to everyone he meets then he's doing something wrong.]
Anyway, it's fine. I had a chance to rest earlier, after we arrived here.
[ Yes, because it implies more than three functional brain cells.
It might be a liiiittle late to salvage all of that intimidating image in this one case. (As for how cool or uncool he is? Well, that’s always open for debate.) But he does have a very nice smile. It’s clear where his son gets it from. ]
..Alright. [she’ll trust him if he says so.] But should you feel the need the extra rest, I’m happy to take over watch for a few hours.
[ Rising to her feet, Sophia retrieves her bag, pausing only to glance in to Lloyd and Noishe again, before moving to the second door. Pausing, palm against the wood, she looks back over her shoulder. ]
He'd started to cross the room, maybe to take a seat near the front door in case someone decides to bust in or something, but pauses and glances over when she calls his name.]
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[ The creature's distress had been plain. And ordering Lloyd to pay the dogmonster the attention they deserved hadn't made things better, all told. ]
Perhaps. Though I think everyone needs time to recover, decompress. After that, it'll be a matter of who speaks to who - Eagle will only wind up the younger coterie folk, I think, if he chooses to remain evasive.
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[And he hates it!!! But what can you do besides make sure the boy is fed and healthy, right?]
I have a feeling that attempting to get anything useful out of Eagle would be a waste of time...
[Anyway, they're approaching the house. It's not too far, see? Once they get to the door, Kratos will be all polite and shit and hold the door open for Sophia.]
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[ What else can they do? Until some means to counteract the effect of incense can be found..
She pauses when he moves ahead to the nearest house (it still surprises her how small the other cities are, even with Kiichpan now literally half its previous size). Once he opens the door, a small smile is given for old fashioned chivalry given as she passes through it, before taking in the house itself.
Liveable, given they'll be off tomorrow. ]
So long as you don't play along to his tune. I don't know what state Viper will be in to answer anything, given I heard she'd collapsed at some point once things were..ended, I suppose?
Jaguar might be the best bet for succinct answers.
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[Noishe shows concern by sticking to Lloyd like glue. Speaking of which, the dogmonster's nose carefully pushes the door to Lloyd's room open. Time to check out THE PEOPLE.
As for Kratos, he quietly closes the door behind himself and Sophia.]
Jaguar does seem like the best place to start. I don't have a problem with Salamander, either, though I can't say how approachable she is.
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Hello Noishe.
[ There's a smile to greet the worried face that noses the door open, though Sophia does not approach. No reason to risk waking Lloyd, assuming he sleeps, and accidentally triggering another fire burst of some kind. That can surely wait until breakfast. ]
I can't say I've had reason to approach either. [she sets her bag down in one room corner, before turning around] I've...dealt with military types before. I doubt that Jaguar would give my questions due consideration he might someone he recognises as a fellow soldier or warrior. But, he and Salamander also seem to have unexplained...history, which may make him less receptive to her coterie members.
[ She waves a hand, indicating that 'history' is not quite the word she's looking for, but hopefully close enough to get the point across. Then her hand settles behind her neck as she stretches it. ]
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Noishe makes some kind of happy dogmonster noise at Sophia before returning to boy guarding duty. A+ boy guard Noishe should get a promotion.
Kratos finds a nice wall to lean against, crossing his arms while they chat. He can't do anything without looking like he's brooding, sorry.]
I have no particular loyalty to Salamander, but I doubt that would make much of a difference to Jaguar. So far these "leaders" seem to lack the desire to listen to reason. I'm sure the majority of us here hardly care about their petty grudges against each other, we simply want to do what needs to be done for everyone's benefit.
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They cannot proceed further as they are now. They must know that the recovery of that relic, the defeat of that creature, only succeeded because of those brought here by the incense.. Perhaps they'll change their tune, in the aftermath of Kiichpan. [a pained sigh, followed by the shake of her head] So much senseless loss.
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It seems that a lot of very powerful people have been brought here against their will. I don't imagine that the coterie leaders are going to stay in power for very long if they don't change their tune.
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But all those powerful people were —are— still susceptible to incense. [that statement does get a frown, and a side-eye however] They have an edge in that they've..really not been, prior to now. They've stayed in power for some time and a shake up might be good for them, but I would prefer a peaceable solution over power jockeying.
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I'm sure most of us would prefer a peaceable solution, myself included, but it would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of needing to use force to get results. I truly hope it doesn't have to come to that, but...
[but he will not hesitate to stab a bitch for the greater good.]
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She sees the shrug, and at least looks a little mollified; Sophia is used to others going straight to violence (do not pass Go, do not collect 200 gold), but frankly, hasn't there been enough already? ]
It would be. But any plans need to be made with clear heads, and the least amount of anger. They'll expect us to rush in, guns blazing with questions and accusations - all of which we'd be entitled to.
[her gaze turns to the open door, and the shadow of Noishe and Lloyd in the other room]
Questions about the relic, I think, should be amongst the first we have for them.
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or maybe Sophia??) But yes, there's been more than enough violence already, and there's going to continue to be more at least where protecting people from monsters is concerned. Being able to at least avoid stabbing other people would be nice.]Agreed, that would be the best approach. If we're too forceful, they may become defensive and we'd be right back where we started.
[He looks in her direction again, then follows her gaze to the door of Lloyd's room. His poor, zombie son.]
...Asking about the relic is the best place to start. If his condition is permanent...
[he might chop off Viper's head, in that case, but he'll just keep that to himself.]
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[ Her gaze doesn't move from the door, so she doesn't notice him following where her eyes currently rest; Kratos won't fail to see her shake her head slightly. ]
We can only trust to hope that it's not. And watch how long it takes others to come out of the same stupor. Have any other Salamanders taken a look at him yet?
[ Presumably not The Salamander, but there's time yet for that. ]
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[He does indeed see her head shaking. The movement distracts him and his eyes settle on her again, and he huffs a small, frustrated sigh.]
I'm less worried about his current mental state, if only because everyone who was exposed to the incense is the same way. This should wear off over time, but the fire that he's producing is unique to him, as far as I've seen.
[Another sigh, he leans his head back against the wall and stares absently at the ceiling. Mmman he wishes he could sleep, this is all so exhausting.]
A few people have looked at him, but aside from the fire, nothing seemed overly concerning to them. I don't... really know what to do but wait and see what happens.
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[ It's a promise, even if she doesn't say as such. His own sigh pulls her attention back to the main room and him, brows lifting slightly both in query and concern. Watching over Lloyd has likely been as thankless as it is tiring, just when was the last time Kratos managed to get any rest? ]
No others? At all? Does that include others who were fighting at the temple? Or that..monster that appeared? [she rests fingers on her chin a moment, considering.] I didn't see the fire in action, but he had burnt his hands before. Is that the primary place flames appear, or is that entirely random?
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[He nods, pulling his attention away from the ceiling to find her looking in his direction. He tries not to look as exhausted as he feels and mostly succeeds... mostly.]
Unless someone else comes forward with the same problem, I think he's the only one. He was covered in burns when I found him, so I'm really not positive where it originates. There's just... there are so many unknowns. Not even just with Lloyd's condition, just in general. It's getting old, I'm not really accustomed to being out of the loop.
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There's no magic on my world, outside of books and the like. [psychic powers? entirely different story and not at all in her realm of expertise] But given the burns, it could be worth checking at the forge in the morning. This world lacks truly fireproof materials, but they may have some gloves designed to be heat resistant that could help while we're traveling.
[ Lloyd setting his hands on fire on the road would be a problem. Never mind setting the road on fire, the trees, the grass, Noishe, or even them..
It's a serious conversation, and his worry for Lloyd is keenly felt, but she can't help but chuckle when he admits to hating being out of the loop. ]
Are any of us ever accustomed to such a thing, really?
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That's a good idea, I'll have to ask at the forge before we head out tomorrow.
[Honestly, he's kind of grateful that she's lightened the mood a bit. He's spent all this time worrying to himself ever since The Horseshit happened, he doesn't want to drag everyone around him into the worry pit.]
No, I suppose not. I feel like other people are better at adapting to it than I am, though.
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If I can do nothing else, ideas are at least something I can contribute.. [a shrug] I'd imagine we've all had our own challenges to face with this place. You certainly don't give the impression you've had trouble with it.
Though, if you want to take some time to rest, I can keep an eye on things for a few hours for you. I'd imagine you've not gotten much shut eye with those two to worry about, and you'll need all the energy you can spare once we're on the road.
[ These three, if she counts herself going forward really. But she'd like to lighten that burden, however briefly, if she can. ]
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Well. I'm good at looking like I know what I'm doing.
[That might be the most honest he's been about himself in centuries. Don't tell anyone.
At her offer, he shakes his head slightly, finally dislodging himself from that wall and uncrossing his arms.]
You needn't worry about me. Besides, you're the one who's been traveling for the past few hours, and we have even more traveling ahead of us. You should get some rest, there's another bed in that room.
[He nods his head towards the room next to Lloyd's.]
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The honesty gets another smile, albeit one that is immediately covered by a hand out of politeness. She must be more tired than she thought.. ]
That, I can certainly speak to. And it is easier to put up such a front in a place like this, when trying to get your bearings. [fingers shift, until one is held across her lips] Your secret is safe with me.
You're the one who's been handling Lloyd's safety, as well as your own, and Noishe's. I am tired, but..Are you sure?
[it wouldn't do for the group's protector to exhaust himself now when there's a chance to rest, as far as she's concerned.]
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Y'know, smiling is something that seems to be coming to Kratos easier lately. Not much easier, and it's only around like three people (one of which is a dogmonster), but still. He returns that smile with one of his own.]
Heh. It's appreciated.
[Can't have people thinking he's uncool, right? His image is very important, if he isn't intimidating to everyone he meets then he's doing something wrong.]
Anyway, it's fine. I had a chance to rest earlier, after we arrived here.
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It might be a liiiittle late to salvage all of that intimidating image in this one case. (As for how cool or uncool he is? Well, that’s always open for debate.) But he does have a very nice smile. It’s clear where his son gets it from. ]
..Alright. [she’ll trust him if he says so.] But should you feel the need the extra rest, I’m happy to take over watch for a few hours.
[ Rising to her feet, Sophia retrieves her bag, pausing only to glance in to Lloyd and Noishe again, before moving to the second door. Pausing, palm against the wood, she looks back over her shoulder. ]
Kratos?
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He'd started to cross the room, maybe to take a seat near the front door in case someone decides to bust in or something, but pauses and glances over when she calls his name.]
Hm?
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[ I appreciate this more than you know. ]
I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.
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