of the cluster of palm trees. There should be someone there with ointment that'll help disinfect the cut.
[Somehow she replaced the username with the message she was typing. The network literally doesn't even work like this but you know what we're gonna make this happen.]
[ SSSSSH whatever we'll work with it. Anyway when his ring decides to alert him with a message for the first time, North's initial response goes something like - ]
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!
[ Which probably also isn't possible considering the mechanics, but there's no better way to express his distress in thought form.
[EH it's magic jewelry, we'll roll with it!!! Surely even magic must backfire every now and then....
Give Riza a second to stare at this reply she was definitely not expecting, another second to try and read through her old messages, and then another few seconds to apologize profusely.]
I apologize, I meant to send this message to someone else. I'm Riza Hawkeye, another one of ALASTAIR's recruits. There's a deer in need of assistance and I was hoping a friend could retrieve some ointment for me.
[ Look this is the only slang he can say without completely embarrassing himself, give him some credit... ]
Hm.
You said you needed ointment, yes? [ And that's that - any further attempts at contacting him will probably be completely ignored, because now this Guardian has a mission to help out a poor deer.
Minutes after grabbing the ointment and some bandages, (he might be a teensy bit light fingered, but he'll give it back, honest - he even left a crude Thank you! written with a stick on a leaf and everything), he traverses across the rocks in easy hops.
It doesn't take him long to spot the native or the woman standing near him - but he still stops, at least a good 10 feet away. Normally he'd be all for handing it over to her, but he doesn't have the guarantee she can see him -- so. Hm.
Eventually North settles for throwing the tube and bandage on a flat surface near the two. He's been around for at least a thousand years, uncanny throwing abilities were something he probably mastered ages ago.
The literal radio silence on the other end after she sends her reply message - Yes, why do you ask? - has her shaking her head in exasperation before she resumes her task of trying to patch up her wounded deer patient. It's not exactly a laborious process but it is one hindered by lack of supplies. The abundance of Gift previously had outweighed any real need to stock up on healing supplies.
Speaking of healing supplies though....as soon as she finishes washing out the wound, a low clunk catches her attention. Rolling towards her is a tube, leaving behind a wad of bandages in its wake. It's with slow movements that she picks it up and untwists the cap, to discover some of the very same ointment she'd been talking about earlier.
Next to her, the deer is staring wide-eyed at a spot ten some feet away.]
Hello?
[Don't be a creep and hide, whoever you are........]
[ He doesn't leave - not yet. But he also doesn't make himself known, eyes twinkling with mischief and delight as he watches the girl notice the ointment, then stare up in confusion.
He raises his index finger to his lips, making a "sssh" gesture at the wide-eyed native. He can't take any chances here, after all.
No answer to her greeting, but he does hang around for a few more minutes after, checking that the pair doesn't need anything else from him. And if they don't, he makes his leave, but not before sending one last message. ]
[Jason's still not a big fan of carrying around a magical wire. But he's been following the recent network chatter quietly. Keeping current, looking for anything of particular note. Which is why shortly after North chimes in here, he gets a private ping looking for some elaboration.
Because boy, that conversation sure sounds familiar. But he was pretty sure he'd been eavesdropping solo.]
You got a where & when on this argument?
[Might have been more than one. Might not. (He hasn't forgotten the fishy circumstances, either.)]
It is multiple incidents? [ It's the first straightforward answer he got, which means he'll naturally gravitate towards it -
Also, he's genuinely curious; what if this wasn't the only argument that broke out? It's not like there was an entire crowd where North saw the two natives, it was just him and --
Oh.
Wait...! Could it be? He'll wait for this stranger's answer, but suddenly he has a better idea of who it might be. ]
[Don't sound so happy about this, North, this probably doesn't even qualify for a "a nice to meet you..." By all rights, multiple incidents ought to make more sense from Jason's perspective. So.]
why do you say that?
[It's not a suspicion he hasn't be harboring—even if he's not so clear on the details just yet. Which is why he's fishing.]
[ What a strange question. North tilts his head one side, hand moving to his beard, and letting out a long "hmm" before he answers. ]
I did not know you would be wanting to listen to natives talking, as well. [ Look just because he wants to be helpful it doesn't mean he will be, okay. ]
[Thank you for joining us in the Real World, Santa. He's since made this conclusion, but a little confirmation is good to hear. Leading North around to explain himself is generally more productive than making demands. With a measured amount of skepticism—]
You'll have to teach me that one.
[He's actually usually pretty good at that kind of thing already. But he's almost positive he would have caught on to another set of eavesdropping ears. So what is it? (Magic is an answer he doesn't like, because it tends to be messy. It's more common here than ever.)]
Not sure if it is something that can be taught, you would not happen to be -- er - [ For a moment he struggles with the vocabulary, eventually choosing the more ... public-friendly version. ] spirit, no?
[ That's one way to answer this mysterious individual's question. ]
[ To say Lancer's read everything on the network is... well, close to the mark, but still generous. Skimmed, mulled, thought it over. Formed an opinion and picked a stance.
But admitting to thinking!! Unacceptable. Time for some counsel. ]
yo. you still alive, or did you die while everyone was talking?
[ If Lancer skimmed North probably glanced at. Or something. He knows the general idea behind it, pretty sure he has a stance, but - well. No choice is easy. ]
Hah! Still alive. And very ... human. [ If that's the word he wants to use for it - ]
[ With the surprising amount of time he has since not having to worry about Christmas every day, idle chatter seems like a good way to pass the time. ]
Oh! I see what you are saying. [ ... Is the only message that he sends for a minute, then two, thinking of an appropriate response - ]
We cannot save everyone, it is true. But we are here to make sure that this world keeps living, no? With or without goddesses. It is not everything, but it is still saving something. [ Glass half empty vs half full, basically. ]
I do not know. [ Yep. ] If there is another option that is not killing the Nalawi's goddess - and Ryba, that would probably be... better. But doing so will probably bring new risks. [ Also the whole "killing someone people believe in" thing hits a little close to home. ]
If it is what people are deciding to do, I wish to help. [ ... ] Fighting a god! It is pretty exciting.
fine you're tasteless trash and you listen to kpop because you're an abomination!!!!! is that better
He welcomes the change of topics with open arms - it's not a huge departure, but the topic is much easier to discuss than ... moralities. And what not.
Hitting things (and talking about hitting things) > intense conversations. ]
Hah! I wish. Closest I got is Boogeyman. [ Probably? If you can even call the Boogeyman anything remotely resembling a god... ] How about you?
Oh?! [ He's not familiar with any (but then, he's not friendly with a god in the first place -), but it definitely piques his interest. ] What is she like? How was the battle?
she did call it love... well, either way, i wasn't interested. [ in her promise of victory, war, or affection. ]
you must've broken a few hearts yourself, eh? once upon a time?
[ and it's okay, they can be bad at idioms together. flying livestock!!! all equally ridiculous, who can keep it straight. he senses nothing wrong with this. ]
oh come on, we'll never know until we try :) [ that is to say they'll probably die!! horribly :) :) :) ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
TO: NORTH; FROM: HAWKEYE
[Somehow she replaced the username with the message she was typing.
The network literally doesn't even work like this but you know what we're gonna make this happen.]no subject
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!
[ Which probably also isn't possible considering the mechanics, but there's no better way to express his distress in thought form.
Then, a couple of minutes later: ]
... What is this? Who is this?!
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Give Riza a second to stare at this reply she was definitely not expecting, another second to try and read through her old messages, and then another few seconds to apologize profusely.]
I apologize, I meant to send this message to someone else. I'm Riza Hawkeye, another one of ALASTAIR's recruits. There's a deer in need of assistance and I was hoping a friend could retrieve some ointment for me.
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Ah.
It is no biggie [ If that was that, then... he can't really fault this "Riza" for a wrong number.
And then a second message, moments after the first one (he'll stop doing this at some point). ] Wait.
There is deer in need of help?? Where?
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Near the rockiest part of the beach. He got into a scuffle with one of the crabs.
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Hm.
You said you needed ointment, yes? [ And that's that - any further attempts at contacting him will probably be completely ignored, because now this Guardian has a mission to help out a poor deer.
Minutes after grabbing the ointment and some bandages, (he might be a teensy bit light fingered, but he'll give it back, honest - he even left a crude Thank you! written with a stick on a leaf and everything), he traverses across the rocks in easy hops.
It doesn't take him long to spot the native or the woman standing near him - but he still stops, at least a good 10 feet away. Normally he'd be all for handing it over to her, but he doesn't have the guarantee she can see him -- so. Hm.
Eventually North settles for throwing the tube and bandage on a flat surface near the two. He's been around for at least a thousand years, uncanny throwing abilities were something he probably mastered ages ago.
Merry Christmas, Riza. ]
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The literal radio silence on the other end after she sends her reply message - Yes, why do you ask? - has her shaking her head in exasperation before she resumes her task of trying to patch up her wounded deer patient. It's not exactly a laborious process but it is one hindered by lack of supplies. The abundance of Gift previously had outweighed any real need to stock up on healing supplies.
Speaking of healing supplies though....as soon as she finishes washing out the wound, a low clunk catches her attention. Rolling towards her is a tube, leaving behind a wad of bandages in its wake. It's with slow movements that she picks it up and untwists the cap, to discover some of the very same ointment she'd been talking about earlier.
Next to her, the deer is staring wide-eyed at a spot ten some feet away.]
Hello?
[Don't be a creep and hide, whoever you are........]
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He raises his index finger to his lips, making a "sssh" gesture at the wide-eyed native. He can't take any chances here, after all.
No answer to her greeting, but he does hang around for a few more minutes after, checking that the pair doesn't need anything else from him. And if they don't, he makes his leave, but not before sending one last message. ]
Merry Christmas!! [ Y e p. ]
@red. does this here b/c I'm late.
Because boy, that conversation sure sounds familiar. But he was pretty sure he'd been eavesdropping solo.]
You got a where & when on this argument?
[Might have been more than one. Might not. (He hasn't forgotten the fishy circumstances, either.)]
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Give him a minute - his first instinct is "who needs to know", but collaboration!! He's working on collaboration -- ]
Temple, near evening.
Who is this????? [ Yeah that didn't last long at all. ]
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East side or West? Indoors?
[Casually ignoring that last question because who needs to know.]
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Who are you??????
[ But give him like 3 minutes, and he'll eventually answer. ]
East. [ ... ] North east. Indoors.
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[Just trying to put a finger on it. He waits out the three minutes until North begrudgingly answers. He can play a long game here, bud. Obliquely—]
Saw something similar around the same time and place.
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Why? [ He has an inkling of why, but this guy has given him zero answers so far and he wants to get something out of this mysterious 'Red'. ]
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[Among, y'know, other things.]
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And what do you think?
It is multiple incidents? [ It's the first straightforward answer he got, which means he'll naturally gravitate towards it -
Also, he's genuinely curious; what if this wasn't the only argument that broke out? It's not like there was an entire crowd where North saw the two natives, it was just him and --
Oh.
Wait...! Could it be? He'll wait for this stranger's answer, but suddenly he has a better idea of who it might be. ]
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[So you tell him, bud.]
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[ If he's interpreting that right, this was the same guy he met back at the library and at the temple.
Nice to meet you, Red! ] You did not bring company, we were at the same place at same time.
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why do you say that?
[It's not a suspicion he hasn't be harboring—even if he's not so clear on the details just yet. Which is why he's fishing.]
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[ What a strange question. North tilts his head one side, hand moving to his beard, and letting out a long "hmm" before he answers. ]
I did not know you would be wanting to listen to natives talking, as well. [ Look just because he wants to be helpful it doesn't mean he will be, okay. ]
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Well, unless you're secretly three foot and furry I think you might be mistaken.
[It had been a pretty empty hall, hadn't it.]
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Hah!
Just because you cannot see me that does not mean I am not there.
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You'll have to teach me that one.
[He's actually usually pretty good at that kind of thing already. But he's almost positive he would have caught on to another set of eavesdropping ears. So what is it? (Magic is an answer he doesn't like, because it tends to be messy. It's more common here than ever.)]
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[ That's one way to answer this mysterious individual's question. ]
backdated slightly to godgate 2016 ; text
But admitting to thinking!! Unacceptable. Time for some counsel. ]
yo. you still alive, or did you die while everyone was talking?
one day maybe they won't talk about dying
Hah! Still alive. And very ... human. [ If that's the word he wants to use for it - ]
Already looking for more battles, Lancer?
nah what's the fun in that
hah. well, you know me.
[ Real answer: not recklessly, but yes. ]
what do you make of things, north?
in that case further enables my children's movie character into Deep Talks (tm)
But more importantly - ah. Let him play dumb for a second, here. ] we are given method on how to save this world, no?
casual existential dread with santa
i guess that depends on what you wanna call saving.
santa's apparently best played w/ morbidity
You are thinking there is another way?
spoken like a true hipster edgelord
nah. i just don't expect to save an entire world.
don't make me into things i'm not!!
Hm. Why is that?
yeah your splash page navi is very convincing
Also this is not what he wanted, don't turn this on him, North. ]
i'm not gonna lose any sleep killing these goddesses, but we all know someone's gonna get screwed over no matter what we do. or don't do.
[ Whether it's the gods themselves, the planet itself, Pomarr, the Nalawi... ]
kinda silly to think of that as 'saving' right?
et tu???
Oh! I see what you are saying. [ ... Is the only message that he sends for a minute, then two, thinking of an appropriate response - ]
We cannot save everyone, it is true. But we are here to make sure that this world keeps living, no? With or without goddesses. It is not everything, but it is still saving something. [ Glass half empty vs half full, basically. ]
look at my layout and call it hipster
Either way, a good turning point. ]
so does that mean you're going along with it?
i mean aside from the art you've basically turned it into the portal too so
I do not know. [ Yep. ] If there is another option that is not killing the Nalawi's goddess - and Ryba, that would probably be... better. But doing so will probably bring new risks. [ Also the whole "killing someone people believe in" thing hits a little close to home. ]
If it is what people are deciding to do, I wish to help. [ ... ] Fighting a god! It is pretty exciting.
fine you're tasteless trash and you listen to kpop because you're an abomination!!!!! is that better
And that's all very heavy. He has North's answer—or enough to piece it together—so... ]
you ever duke it out with one before?
thanks nu i knew i could count on you
He welcomes the change of topics with open arms - it's not a huge departure, but the topic is much easier to discuss than ... moralities. And what not.
Hitting things (and talking about hitting things) > intense conversations. ]
Hah! I wish. Closest I got is Boogeyman. [ Probably? If you can even call the Boogeyman anything remotely resembling a god... ] How about you?
u///u
Anyway, he's usually kind of sparse on the details, but what the hey. ]
a goddess of death. i'd trade you.
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Oh?! [ He's not familiar with any (but then, he's not friendly with a god in the first place -), but it definitely piques his interest. ] What is she like? How was the battle?
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there's a slight pause where lancer makes a face at the memory. ]
it was a good fight, but she'd always kinda creeped around me... should've chased her off earlier.
but i don't think i'd stand a chance as i am now.
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Creeped? For what reason?
Hah! We are a fraction of what we are supposed to be. I would not be happy to face my old foes now.
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you tell me, claws -- why do you think a goddess of death and war follows anyone around?
[ spoilers: it's because he's awesome at it. ]
don't count yourself out, you're pretty handy with the swashbuckling. maybe if we try our very best we'll turn out juuuust fine.
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But North has an idea of the answer now, that's just a feeble attempt at a counterargument. ]
Bah! Maybe if cows are flying. [ He means... pigs... Also trying to fight things suck when you can't jump around 40 feet at a time, or something. ]
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you must've broken a few hearts yourself, eh? once upon a time?
[ and it's okay, they can be bad at idioms together. flying livestock!!! all equally ridiculous, who can keep it straight. he senses nothing wrong with this. ]
oh come on, we'll never know until we try :) [ that is to say they'll probably die!! horribly :) :) :) ]