[Try more the "gods" themselves come and ask you do their dirty work, but sure, close enough—
This man has nerves of steel, he notes to himself. A hunter of some skill, that much is clear.
Altius nods in response to the recognition; he is currently one of the inn's proper residents, though he hadn't planned to continue staying there... until this incident came along. He'll still be looking into his own residence later, but for now he's being more of a busybody around Richard's recently-acquired business-turned-shelter.]
I was out to look for linens and cleaning supplies, but... [He looks down at the bag over his shoulder, only half-full. There's a sense of him debating with himself as he folds his arms.] Perhaps I should return and regroup, instead.
[Having spend the majority of his life in different military camps, partaking in various campaigns Richard was more than just used to macabre views of battlefield. Though there might have been time when he would have yielded at the sight of these monsters, but living here in Aldrip for over two seasons had made him resilient and taught him to avert his fears -- making the creatures to blend in with the rest. The bloodshed, death and misery were no strangers to him.
It had been very unfortunate timing for the new group of The Chosen. Not many had chance or time to gather their bearings before yet another crisis had arrived to their city. But Richard supposes that there was luck in the misfortune, as the inn was one of the few unaffected places. And even more luckier to have men like this one among their ranks, Richard supposes. The good deeds of the stranger around the inn had not gone unnoticed by him.]
A noble endeavor, indeed. The Willow Clinic is not too far away from the Inn. However, for your next supply run I do recommend you group with someone that is able to battle the creatures of the night.
[Richard keeps eyeing the man, having to crane his neck up a bit considering their height difference.] Richard Plantagenet, what of you?
[A-ha. So this is the man who's recently taken ownership of his current living space. His presence certainly makes up for his small stature, Altius notes. He dips his head momentarily in response to the offer of the name, because uhhh he's not shaking hands when the guy just beheaded a monster. There have to be spatters of blood on that black outfit he can't see.]
Please call me Altius, Sir Plantagenet. [From what he's read across the network, perhaps that address is appropriate enough?] Wise advice. I suppose I got ahead of myself in my eagerness to do something of worth...
[but in reality he just thought maybe he could get away with some magic on his lonesome and say he got lucky. But! It wouldn't be beneficial to his reputation to continue with such a dangerous task alone, when claiming to be helpless. On that note, he casts a look around to make sure nothing else is approaching...]
Are there any creatures you've encountered worse than this one?
[Well, the correct way to answer him would be more along the "your grace" or "my lord", but Richard does appreciate the effort in Altius' words. It is at least better than the ridiculous nicknames such as "Ricky" that some of the people in this darned world called him.]
Yes. Yes I have. [Richard answers to his question, glancing down at the grotesque remnants of the monster. It had not been too long since his encounter with a massive beast, one that tore down trees and could not be stopped by mere sword and arrow. Honestly, it was a small miracle that Richard had survived from it without any significant injuries -- but it had worked as wake up call, reminding Richard of the limitations of his own power.
For now at least.]
This ought to be a lesson to be learned, then. Come. [And with that he walks past Altius, turning to the one of the smaller alleys near them.]
[Sadly, he's not had the time to research forms of royal address in his plans to obliterate the Earth as we know it. The good news for Richard, though: the only way Zekarion is ever going to refer to him as a weird nickname is if he's explicitly asked! And even then it's a maybe.
The answer he gets is direct, so he supposes he can respect that. It's followed quickly by a continuation of the earlier reprimand and a command, which he does indeed follow after only a brief pause. He steps after Richard just far enough to give the smaller man full range with that sword without worrying about Altius's safety.
He was actually hoping for a little more than a yes, however. He can only work so much with the vague idea of "worse." He lowers his voice in the hopes of not alerting anything else to their presence.]
Can you tell me what sorts of things I'll need to expect with these dangers? [Hopefully the context of "being new to monsters and magic" will draw out the details he's looking for...]
[Yeah, unfortunately for Altius Richard isn't the most talkative person even on the best day. And now that they're on alert and on lookout for danger? Yeah, changes for him to partake in chit-chat drops down even further. ]
I do think you discovered your primary threat for the time being. [You know, the depicated monster they just stepped over? And fair enough, the roaming monsters were their greatest concern at the moment. Tales of murder infection, Tower of trials and misbehaving AI could come later.
Well, either way. Richard briefly looks over his shoulder to see that his newfound companion was with him and would not get lost. Once he's sure that the other one could keep up with him Richard ducks behind another corner corner, arriving to the edge of a small plaza. The previously busy shopping square was now abandoned and empty - aside from the couple eerily looming coffins with puddles of blood around, of course.]
We should be able to take a short cut from here if we head straight to the north. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to hide, you hide. Understood?
[Not even a hint of new information... but then, when he seems so vulnerable, perhaps Richard thinks it pointless to share anything else. And perhaps, as someone so used to creating monsters with unique abilities that need to be outsmarted, he's expecting something stranger than particularly large and vicious animals.
He leaves the topic be, keeping his eye on his presumed protector and the surroundings, following Richard's lead when he moves close against a wall to look ahead. His eyes are clear but cautious when the royal gives him another order. Altius wonders how often this man takes charge in situations like these.]
[Don't take it personally, Altius. This is just how Richard is. Besides, he'd rather deal with the current situation and make sure that they make it to the safe house before answering to any of the newcomer's questions. Richard really hoped that the blood of the monster that still clung to his clothing would work as repellent of sorts, perhaps to signal the other creatures that the danger was near.
Or who knew, perhaps the monsters were ones who held taste for a meat of their own kinda and he was just luring them towards the inn? Anything was possible.
Which is honestly why he appreciated his companions willingness to work with him instead of putting up a fight and arguing with him pointlessly. Unlike a certain control freak he knew. Monsters weren't really something one needed to be mindful of in England. But hidden soldiers and lurking archers, who would wait just for the right moment to strike them down? Yeah, he had plenty of experience of those, which is why he wasn't exactly keen on the idea of going out in the open.]
I count to three and then you run. I'll be behind you providing cover. [He says and reaches again for his bow and arrow.] Ready. One... Two... Three!
[Good news: Altius very rarely takes things personally, because he can hardly bring himself to care. The benefits of throwing everything away for a singular goal!
Either way, Richard will find that his new acquaintance is willing to cede control to someone with greater expertise, particularly in a dangerous situation like this. It also helps that he largely prefers to keep to the shadows himself when he's working on his own, so the strategy seems sound enough to him, and he has no good reason to argue with it.
He doesn't hesitate, when it comes down to it—though he casts a glance to Richard's bow, as if the realization of the trust he's having to place in this man is reaching the forefront of his mind, he's already leaning, preparing to dash once Richard has reached two.
Then he's off without a glance behind him or at the macabre scene he passes, using only the natural advantage of his long legs in terms of speed. He won't stumble or falter; he does take some pride in the fact that he stays fit, despite all the sitting his career may imply. With any luck, nothing is lurking around and waiting to pounce...]
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expiationlogs2024-11-11 09:09 am
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This man has nerves of steel, he notes to himself. A hunter of some skill, that much is clear.
Altius nods in response to the recognition; he is currently one of the inn's proper residents, though he hadn't planned to continue staying there... until this incident came along. He'll still be looking into his own residence later, but for now he's being more of a busybody around Richard's recently-acquired business-turned-shelter.]
I was out to look for linens and cleaning supplies, but... [He looks down at the bag over his shoulder, only half-full. There's a sense of him debating with himself as he folds his arms.] Perhaps I should return and regroup, instead.
no subject
It had been very unfortunate timing for the new group of The Chosen. Not many had chance or time to gather their bearings before yet another crisis had arrived to their city. But Richard supposes that there was luck in the misfortune, as the inn was one of the few unaffected places. And even more luckier to have men like this one among their ranks, Richard supposes. The good deeds of the stranger around the inn had not gone unnoticed by him.]
A noble endeavor, indeed. The Willow Clinic is not too far away from the Inn. However, for your next supply run I do recommend you group with someone that is able to battle the creatures of the night.
[Richard keeps eyeing the man, having to crane his neck up a bit considering their height difference.] Richard Plantagenet, what of you?
no subject
Please call me Altius, Sir Plantagenet. [From what he's read across the network, perhaps that address is appropriate enough?] Wise advice. I suppose I got ahead of myself in my eagerness to do something of worth...
[but in reality he just thought maybe he could get away with some magic on his lonesome and say he got lucky. But! It wouldn't be beneficial to his reputation to continue with such a dangerous task alone, when claiming to be helpless. On that note, he casts a look around to make sure nothing else is approaching...]
Are there any creatures you've encountered worse than this one?
no subject
Yes. Yes I have. [Richard answers to his question, glancing down at the grotesque remnants of the monster. It had not been too long since his encounter with a massive beast, one that tore down trees and could not be stopped by mere sword and arrow. Honestly, it was a small miracle that Richard had survived from it without any significant injuries -- but it had worked as wake up call, reminding Richard of the limitations of his own power.
For now at least.]
This ought to be a lesson to be learned, then. Come. [And with that he walks past Altius, turning to the one of the smaller alleys near them.]
no subject
The answer he gets is direct, so he supposes he can respect that. It's followed quickly by a continuation of the earlier reprimand and a command, which he does indeed follow after only a brief pause. He steps after Richard just far enough to give the smaller man full range with that sword without worrying about Altius's safety.
He was actually hoping for a little more than a yes, however. He can only work so much with the vague idea of "worse." He lowers his voice in the hopes of not alerting anything else to their presence.]
Can you tell me what sorts of things I'll need to expect with these dangers? [Hopefully the context of "being new to monsters and magic" will draw out the details he's looking for...]
no subject
I do think you discovered your primary threat for the time being. [You know, the depicated monster they just stepped over? And fair enough, the roaming monsters were their greatest concern at the moment. Tales of murder infection, Tower of trials and misbehaving AI could come later.
Well, either way. Richard briefly looks over his shoulder to see that his newfound companion was with him and would not get lost. Once he's sure that the other one could keep up with him Richard ducks behind another corner corner, arriving to the edge of a small plaza. The previously busy shopping square was now abandoned and empty - aside from the couple eerily looming coffins with puddles of blood around, of course.]
We should be able to take a short cut from here if we head straight to the north. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to hide, you hide. Understood?
no subject
He leaves the topic be, keeping his eye on his presumed protector and the surroundings, following Richard's lead when he moves close against a wall to look ahead. His eyes are clear but cautious when the royal gives him another order. Altius wonders how often this man takes charge in situations like these.]
I understand.
no subject
Or who knew, perhaps the monsters were ones who held taste for a meat of their own kinda and he was just luring them towards the inn? Anything was possible.
Which is honestly why he appreciated his companions willingness to work with him instead of putting up a fight and arguing with him pointlessly. Unlike a certain control freak he knew. Monsters weren't really something one needed to be mindful of in England. But hidden soldiers and lurking archers, who would wait just for the right moment to strike them down? Yeah, he had plenty of experience of those, which is why he wasn't exactly keen on the idea of going out in the open.]
I count to three and then you run. I'll be behind you providing cover. [He says and reaches again for his bow and arrow.] Ready. One... Two... Three!
no subject
Either way, Richard will find that his new acquaintance is willing to cede control to someone with greater expertise, particularly in a dangerous situation like this. It also helps that he largely prefers to keep to the shadows himself when he's working on his own, so the strategy seems sound enough to him, and he has no good reason to argue with it.
He doesn't hesitate, when it comes down to it—though he casts a glance to Richard's bow, as if the realization of the trust he's having to place in this man is reaching the forefront of his mind, he's already leaning, preparing to dash once Richard has reached two.
Then he's off without a glance behind him or at the macabre scene he passes, using only the natural advantage of his long legs in terms of speed. He won't stumble or falter; he does take some pride in the fact that he stays fit, despite all the sitting his career may imply. With any luck, nothing is lurking around and waiting to pounce...]