Intro Log: Puddle Jumpers

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-13th
Warnings: Fresh meat, lots of rain and angry ogres

If the rain on your face isn't enough to wake you up in the colosseum, maybe the thundering footsteps and- well, thunder- is. The first thing that you may notice is that it's incredibly wet around here, with winds that could knock you over if you aren't careful and thunder that brings with it a torrent of constant rainfall.

That's all fine though, because the gods saw fit to help you out on your way in and now everyone will be waking up wearing a rain coat! These coats are a little odd, and some of them are downright silly, but we trust that you'll make do. Of course, a few of the raincoats have additional sleeves, neck holes, and entirely too many buttons as well- but hey, it's the best we could do.

Wait, what was that about thundering footsteps? Oh right, as you're navigating your new fashion choices, there are some monsters afoot who will want nothing more than to grind you into a pulp and eat you- well, if you're organic, that is. If you're not organic, then they still want to grind you to a pulp, but maybe not so much the eating part.

Ogres are from many fantasy stories, but these in particular are from the Dragon Age series. With incredible strength and stamina and massive horns, fangs, and a bloodlust for violence, these monsters won't stop until everyone around them is a blood smear on the ground. They're also not too happy about this rainfall either, so be careful not to slip in the puddles as you run away from them!

Once you've splashed around a bit, feel free to run off into the stormy abyss of our islands. You can explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers September 10th-13th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

[dadyl]

[ Daryl had heard the kid enter the store long before Kelson noticed him, but after all he'd been through recently, Daryl had been dead-set on ignoring him. Just leaving whoever it was alone to go about what they were doing without involving himself; he hardly needs anything else to deal with, no one else has been able to answer his questions to his liking (and is everyone insane around here, or what?), and even when the kid starts to sniffle he just sets his mouth harder. Don't get involved. Don't make eye contact. One more can, then he'll go, and--

--damn it. Daryl glances up, a surly look on his face, lips pressed in a hard, unfriendly line. He does look at the can Kelson is holding though, and his eyebrows soften just slightly. Is this kid fucking with him? Just to get a response out of him? How does he not know that's... ]

That's dog food. [ Gruff, but to the well-trained ear, there is the tiniest note of amusement in his voice. ] You don't read well or somethin', kid? [ Daryl is not the most literate person in the scheme of things, but even the picture of the dog on it should have given it away. What's the matter with this guy? ]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson had been dead set to just continue on his way when he noticed the scowl and the unfriendly demeanor the guy was radiating, but too late now. He had asked without really looking. And then, he'd gotten an unexpected answer. Kelson blinked, surprised by the answer and turned the can toward him to look at it again, suppressing a short cough. He probably still looked confused.]

I read quite well, but I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with a lot of these items.

[Kelson also had to be shown how to use a stove and flush a toilet. So, at least he was learning?]

What's the difference? The dogs at the palace eat regular food.

[Kelson looked at the can again, he just figured the dog was some sort of signature of who ever made the food. Like how he used a flourish to guard against forgery.]

Kelson. What's a 'kid'?

[Although he'd never know it, he had been called boy-king behind his back. And impotent. And other lovely, bigoted names he was unaware of. Luckily for him, most of those men ended up dead.

He was also pretty sure if he pressed the 'your majesty' thing with this guy he would not get a good response. But names and a little respect went a long way. Still, the man had softened a bit. He reminded him a bit of the border folk. Life was tough up there, and they reflected it in their demeanor and culture. If he could win some of them over, maybe he could eventually do the same with this man.

Kelson gave a cough and brushed the black braid behind his shoulders.]

[dadyl]

[ Daryl's cagey scowl relaxes a little more despite himself, but he still doesn't seem like he's edging any closer to 'friendly'. The way this guy talks... it's all tight, proper, upper class-like, and it makes Daryl feel instantly uncomfortable. Like whoever talks like that is also someone who'll be judging him as some poor son of a bitch. He's not dressed as haggardly as he was when he arrived here, at least his wounds have been dealt with and he's no longer blood-soaked, but Daryl knows there's something about him that just reads as off to those with money. He assumes the kid means that he's used to much finer fare. ]

Yeah, well. Lucky you, princess.

[ But then... Kelson continues to speak, and Daryl looks at him like he's just spouted another head. The palace? Is this kid some delusional little ritzy brat, or is... is this something similar to how almost everyone else he's met here seems to just be weird? In one way or another?

Speaking perfect English and not knowing what the word kid means though... that takes the damn cake. Well, almost. He's seen some pretty weird shit here already. Maybe this little princess isn't that weird, after all, everything considered.

It's only then that Daryl realizes he's been standing there staring at the guy with a bit of stunned look on his face. ] What d'you mean the palace? You the Queen of England or some shit?

[ But he also thinks the kid might have just introduced himself, so Daryl squints at him in his typical hesitant, suspicious way. ] Kelson your name? [ It's a bit of a weird name, but like Daryl can talk. He eyes the girlish braid though, thinking princess again in the back of his mind, but he picks up on the cough this time, if for no other reason than he's thinking maybe the guy's been bitten. Probably not though, or he'd been looking a lot more pallid. Can't hurt to be careful, though ] A kid, y'know... A kid. A child, whatever. You sick or somethin'?

[kingforboth]

[Daryl might recognize Kelson's accent actually, having accused him of being the Queen of England. His accent is quite similar to the Queen's English, with some welsh thrown in. It is most a definitely proper and upper class court dialect. He was dressed in a wet red tunic and black breeches, and looked like he probably should have opted for a sweater instead.

As for Daryl, he definitely didn't read like a Baron or an Earl, but Kelson knew that there were those much less fortunate than him or his nobility, and quite honestly he was just quite happy Daryl wasn't completely glaring or spitting at him. Besides, he looked new, if not very well off. The entire situation was enough to throw someone.]

Princess?

[Kelson sighed, it looked like he was going to have to do this after all.]

King of Gwynedd actually. Kelson Cinhil Rhys Anthony Haldane.

[Far be it from Kelson to not be courtly when he wasn't feeling well. Honestly, he was trying. Daryl was lucky the boy-king hadn't snapped at him. It wasn't his fault Kelson was sick. He looked down at himself, vaguely reassuring himself he hadn't put on a dress or something when he got dressed, the way Daryl was looking at him.]

Why are you looking at me like that? And yes, I'm sick. It's been pouring here for days now. I'm starting to think it's never going to end. And I am not a child, I was knighted a few months ago.

[Kelson had gotten that lecture already, that being knighted was a sign of adulthood for those who would never wear a crown. And even though the legal age was fourteen, most didn't consider any fourteen year old an adult. At eighteen, well, he was now fair game. Kelson had found that idea preposterous, as if he hadn't been 'fair game' for the last four years.

His eyes narrow again as Daryl keeps looking at him, eying the four strand square braid, his clothing, everything about him. What was going on? Was it simply a difference in class? Kelson admitted, most of his time had been spent with nobility or other royals, although he did have several friends who weren't. Still, they didn't seem quite like Daryl here. Something about him reminded him of the border folk. Rough and unpolished like the landscape. It made him a little homesick.

And if only the man would stop calling him princess before he had to correct him. At the moment, Kelson was sure he couldn't mean any disrespect by it. Or at least, that much. It was fine.

Then he took another look at the can of dog food.]

So. Can I not eat this?

[dadyl]

[ Daryl's scoff sounds far more amused and well-meaning than even Daryl expects it to, despite how he's laughing at Kelson. He shakes his head, snorting out another laugh like the longer the introduction sits on the air, the funnier it becomes. Man, he needed that. Daryl has at least reached the point where he sort of doesn't think the kid is really crazy or lying to himself, but... It just sounds so ridiculous. So removed from Daryl's realm of understanding. So impossible. ]

Sure you are, kid. An' I'm the King of England.

[ Daryl's eyebrows tick back down into a frown again though and he gives Kelson a look that clearly says 'why wouldn't I be looking at you like this?' He squats down to close the bag, shaking the cans around until he can fit the last few in. He's not sure what type of trash exactly that he looks like to Kelson, but he's sure they're all close enough that it would make no matter if he knew or not. Daryl has never given anyone a good first impression. He tries not to let it bother him. ]

Don't care what you think you are. You're just a kid. An' it shows.

[ A kid that's appearing to be having trouble taking care of himself, though. That bothers Daryl, and it makes him pause when Kelson gestures with the can of dog food again. He looks at the guy a little blankly from where he's crouched on the floor. Thinking. Considering him. ]

I mean, you can. If you gotta. I'd pick somethin' else if it's there, though. [ And there's plenty still on the shelves, so Daryl gestures to them with a shrug of his shoulder. ] Y'know. If you can figure out the pictures. [ He says it wryly, almost daring the kid to ask him for help. He's not sure if he's offering or not. But if he is, it sounds more like an insult than an offered branch. ]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson set his jaw, trying not to become annoyed at the man who obviously didn't quite believe him, or did he? He was obviously knew, or he'd know better. Kelson was not the only royal here. Then again, things like the can opener and washing machine were beyond his own realm of understanding, and were incredibly foreign at first. It was no wonder some people had trouble with it. Although, if this man didn't believe he was a king, what kind of government did he have? Or was it simply his age?]

If you must call me something, call me Kelson. The correct term is 'Your Majesty' but I shan't push it.

[He'd corrected some people, mostly those from other words where the correct term was 'Your Grace'. Every time someone called him that, he turned around to see if one of his Duke's was there. It made him rather homesick. There was one duke in particular he was hoping to see again. He missed feeling safe.]

I am not a child, and I'll thank you to not treat me like one.

[But he supposed, compared to this man, he probably looked like one. And he had no way of knowing what Kelson had been through, forced to act as an adult during a time when he wasn't one. Four years earlier, at fourteen, he'd said the same thing. King for not, legal age or not, he was still a teenager. Listening to the man though, he regarded the can and put it in his own bag. Jon has a dog didn't he? Dog. Wolf. Canine. He'd give it to him when he got back. Maybe they had special dog food in Westeros and he'd be familiar with it?]

I read several languages.

[Kelson said in passing, looking at the different cans of beans.]

What about this?

[At least it didn't have a picture of a dog?]

[dadyl]

[ Daryl's smirk is loud, and he's thoroughly amused now. He raises an eyebrow at Kelson, unable to wipe away his little sarcastic smile. It's a rare expression for him, and a slightly more friendly expression than what he was wearing before. ]

Sure thing, yer Majesty. [ Said with as much stank as Daryl can put on the word, and he shakes his head at the kid's stubbornness. ]

Sure you ain't. [ Just like Carl was always saying to his dad. Always getting the lot of them into trouble, that kid was, but Daryl couldn't help but respect the little guy. Given what they were living in, who could blame him for wanting to grow up faster? Daryl had had to. He wonders where this kid came from, and what it was like for him there. ]

Good fer you. [ Back to sounding unfriendly again. Daryl can only read one language, and not that well. He's not about to admit that to some well-educated, bragging little asshole, though. ] Ain't none of them common sense, though, clearly.

[ Daryl nods at the can though, squinting at him a little. ] Unless you don't like beans. Good for protein, energy. You sound like you're gonna need it. [ In this weather, that sniffle was not a good sign. Okay, so maybe he was being a little friendly. ]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson was familiar with those who did not like him or respect his rank, but since here he could neither do something about it besides politely correct, he ignored it. It wasn't going to start a war and he wasn't going to beleaguer the issue.]

Thank you. And your name?

[Kelson had been more an adult at fourteen than he was now at eighteen. Life had come along while he was trying to grow up and kept threatening to cut him off at the knees. He had not an easy time growing up. And growing up while king? That made everything harder.

He arched an eyebrow at the apparent insult and did his best to ignore the jab, looking down at the can again.]

What are beans?

[Kelson could probably use some beans, and a good nights sleep. It was costing him too much to stay upright and hunt for food. God, he missed servants sometimes.]

And protein?

[Kelson looked miserable.] What I could use is a hot glass of wine and my own bed.