mamoritai mamoritareru

[iconoclassist]

[So, let's say this is the day before we all get hired as adventurers and hit on by bards.

Which is to say, it's a fairly normal evening wherein Shirin has killed something for dinner and brought it back to wherever they're sleeping, even if that somewhere is an inn, because habits die hard. Surely bothering the surly elf will just get you some rabbit stew and not an arrow in the knee?]

Comments

[fieldarcanum]

Shirin... You are aware that we make well enough to pay for a meal in the inn, yes?

[Seriously, bro. Don't do this to him, he's still not hugely fond of this adventuring thing.]

[iconoclassist]

Of course we do. And the rabbit is overcooked, the vegetables are drowning in salt, and what they're calling bread is actually hardtack.

[Snorting.] It's not their fault. Times are hard enough. But I'm not on tour, I don't have to eat like that.

[fieldarcanum]

Perhaps not... It does feel reminiscent of the survival training I was place through in the order, however. And anyways, they are trying their level best...

[He's wandering over to see what she caught.]

[iconoclassist]

[Pheasants, it looks to be. Which she is roasting pretty expertly.]

Look, I might as well get you used to this kind of fare. Get too attached to comfy beds and inn food and getting to the capital will be more miserable than it has to be. Doublelock will be bad enough.

[fieldarcanum]

Ah yes, I recall now... You mentioned something about a gnome and his traveling band. I suppose your services as a guide are in high demand, after all...

[He sits down near the fire.]

You needn't worry much. I may be royal, but I am trained as a soldier. And furthermore... my physiology does not demand much in the way of food or sleep.

[iconoclassist]

Worrying about you is, it may surprise you to remember, actually my job right now.

[Holding out pheasant on a stick.] Besides, this is delicious. You can still enjoy food, can't you?

[fieldarcanum]

Enjoying food is a majority of what I do with it, yes...

[Taking her offering and tucking into it.]

You are quite talented.

[iconoclassist]

[Waving her hand dismissively.]

I may have buttered up my unit's cook until he taught me a few tricks, is all. A scout can't always be around with the rest for mess, no?

[fieldarcanum]

I suppose not, but it has served you well in the learning...

[He does seem to have had his mood picked up some by the meal, even if it's hard to tell...?]

[iconoclassist]

[She never does seem to have any trouble telling his moods, come to think of it. Wonder why that is?]

I don't like half-assedly learning something, Konstantin.

[fieldarcanum]

[It is strange, given most people assume he is just perpetually gloomy.]

You also appear to dislike compliments of any sort.

[iconoclassist]

Tell you what, I'll take a compliment when you can emote that you're happy, deal?

[Prodding his cheek. She...she may be teasing him.]

[fieldarcanum]

I think you and I both would prefer that I was not expressive. It is far safer that way.

[Oh there now you made the dhampir feel bad.]

[iconoclassist]

Safer? ...I'm guessing Dhampir have some sort of natural charm going on, then, enthralling people when they emote too strongly?

[Taking her own haunch of pheasant.] If that's the case, then don't worry. Elves are immune.

And before you ask; yes, I've tested it, no, I'm not telling you how or why.

[fieldarcanum]

There is the element of magnetism, true...

[Pausing to consider how to put this without scaring the natives.]

But with risk of emotions running high, comes too certain other appetites I would rather ignore.

[iconoclassist]

Isn't suppressing your emotions all the time going to make the inevitable snap much more violent, dramatic, and probably, for some reason, in the rain?

[HOW DOES SHE KNOW ALL THIS--]

I understand the safety concerns, I do. I just think practicing experiencing them safely is probably a better solution in the long term, if much scarier in the short.

[fieldarcanum]

I would have assumed an elf would have understood the need to consider the longer term more closely.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

It is currently inconsequential, however.

[iconoclassist]

I am considering the long term. You're the prince, and if I don't let you get killed out here, you'll eventually be the King. You already terrify most people because they can't tell the difference when you're upset and when you're just bored and mildly hungry.

The confidence to smile a little without being worried expressing yourself will end disastrous will do quite a deal for your popularity, and, I imagine, your peace of mind.

[fieldarcanum]

You raise good points, save for one: I am uncertain that I ever wish to be popular. It might better suit my subjects if I remain someone they simply fear and respect...

[iconoclassist]

I'm pretty sure that's how you get staked, Konstantin. I think of precisely never being feared didn't backfire on a ruler.

[fieldarcanum]

Then perhaps I am not meant to rule forever. A son or daughter shall succeed me, as I do my lord father.

[iconoclassist]

...I'm starting to see why he sent you on this trip. You resemble him more than I thought.

[fieldarcanum]

I have been told as much. It is unsurprising that I would; he saw to much of my education personally when I was younger.

[iconoclassist]

Oh, that's not what I mean. But I remember talking to another gloomy kid who thought he had the entire future already figured out, alone and stoic.

[Examining her fingernails, casually.]

I decked him when he ignored the hints I was dropping he was being an idiot. What's it gonna be for you, Konny?

[fieldarcanum]

I think you would find me a difficult man to assault, Shirin, but you are welcome to take your best shot, I believe the phrase is?