♔ video ||

[futurarex]

[hey so Arthur's been practicing with this infernal device. so this post has more of an air of a Public Service Announcement than his shaky uncertain previous attempt. it will be slightly ruined by all the complaining he's about to do, but for the first few seconds he is a prince, composed and regal and everything.]

No matter what stupidity this city is visiting upon us, there are still matters that I have to take care of. I need to know, first, if there is any who comes from a place where sorcery and age are such a problem. How long can we expect people to be children? It's ridiculous. And with that, if there is anyone that sought training from Haruno Sakura, she is-- [this is so stupid and a pained look crosses his face momentarily.] --Well. Her defense program continues. I will be helping with the instruction of this training.

Though not everyone enchanted is a child, some have only-- forgotten being in this city. [or other, more serious things, and his expression sudden sobers and darkens for a moment. Morgana, she is a perfect example of this latter condition, but he doesn't say that.] How long can we expect for them to remain? Is this change to be permanent?

[if some part of him wishes it to be so, he ignores it. a tiny glimmer of hope, maybe, and then--he squashes it, and moves on.]

And I also need-- [and he's practically counting off these demands on his fingers now, one after another--] --anyone that has any experience in hunting outside of this city, and anyone that knows of any horses that are here--I will need two of them, for several hours. And I need anyone that could teach swordsmanship to a young woman. Fairly, and properly. [no louts or lecherous weirdos need apply; that's evident in his suddenly stern expression.] There will be several rounds of interviews for this latter position.

That's everything for now. [and somewhat irritably, he adds:] There. And all of it accomplished on my own.

[so now certain people can stop implying that princes can't do anything for themselves, thanks.]

Comments

video;

[solitaire]

Accomplished, hmm? From where I'm standin', homme, all you did was demand things.

video;

[futurarex]

'Accomplished', in that the list was completed. And I asked, mostly for information. If it was information I already had, I wouldn't have asked for it. It requires me to wait for a response.

voice;

[ladyspitfire]

I'm afraid there are no horses. I've been told they...don't exist any longer.

[Which is really sad, okay, and not the answer she wanted.]

I have experience hunting and have explored a little outside of the city, if you have need of aid. I can also help with swordplay.

voice;

[futurarex]

[...there's a brief delay before he answers. not exist? how is that possible? and he will actually be saddened by this news, if it proves true.]

How could an entire species simply not exist? There has to be at least one or two that are still in this place, or else have been brought here. [it's unacceptable, and that shows in his tone. but, grumpy, he goes on.]

Have you hunted here?

video;

[scinlae]

[ She's not judging you, not at all. There is no judging here, nope ─ O what are we kidding, she is judging. ]

Why don't you teach her yourself? Surely hunting can wait.

video;

[futurarex]

You're not serious. I'm not going to teach Gwen myself.

[....Morgana, he's almost missed your judging. it's wonderfully familiar. :,[ and he can almost pretend that everything is as it should be, just like old times.]

[nanite]

[ wow he had to practically count on his fingers for all both demands gj dude ]

There aren't any horses. People complain about that in the archives a lot. If you're already teaching defense stuff, why can't you teach her?

[futurarex]

Sorry I don't have time to sift through hundreds of records of people whining to find the one bit of whining I actually care about. I'd think that the Initiative by now would have imported some horses. We were just at a place that had a great deal of them, why not bring some back?

[this lack of horses is seriously displeasing, so by the time he gets to the question, he's rather exasperated.]

And I can't teach her because I've not instructed girls before. I wouldn't know how--not to mention that it would be unseemly.

voice;

[ringletted]

That's quite a list. Any reason in particular for leaving the city?

voice;

[futurarex]

I've not had the time to sit down and ask for these things. It sort of--collected.

[but he's slightly less grumpy with her, at least, if only for the sake of proper manners.]

I went out into the Outlands when I first arrived here, but saw nothing very interesting. If there is some game to be found, it would be a worthy distraction from everything here.

Do you hunt?

[whatsupcroc]

... Well technically I could see about lending you a horse, but two? I'm not so sure about that. Where are you planning on going in the outside areas? I've been out in different sections before, but I'm not sure what you're aiming for.

[futurarex]

[no okay hang on. he's tired of being made a fool. with a hint of suspicion:]

I've been told that horses are extinct here. Did you manage to rescue one?

video

[supitslilith]

Woah, dude, I could totally use someone to teach me swordsmanship, too. Plus I'm a young woman. Can I get in on that?

video

[futurarex]

That all depends. Is your name Guinevere?

Permavid

[governorkang]

I've taught swordsmanship before. I do have to warn you, though, that while I'm fair, I am strict. Does the woman have any experience already?

[It'll be good for him to practice using his left hand, and it'd help keep him busy.]

[futurarex]

[there is no answer for this. no answer, because he's too busy staring, speechless-- what the hell is he looking at. and it's talking-- is it a dragon? of some sort? maybe? can dragons talk?

eventually (though he's not done staring):]

What are-- What the hell are you?

video

[peachbaths]

Accomplished, he says...

[ Right. She replied to this for a reason. ]

Um, does the woman already have an instructor? [ Since Hilbert gave her a little push to actually get over herself and teach others, she might as well start now. ] I... can teach her.

video

[futurarex]

[he squints at her, measuring her up as best as he can through the video.]

That depends. There have been a few offers, but not all of them suitable. What training have you had?

[chubbybun]

I would be happy to assist her with that or any other martial art.

[Ignore the width; he does know what he's doing.]

[futurarex]

[....right. a beat, as he studies the little picture on his device.]

I see. Forgive me-- what, exactly, will-- no. What exactly would you call your specialty?

permavideo

[inafadingcrown]

[It's taken a bit, but Artanis has gotten well enough acquainted with this device to use the video feed. It's shaky for a bit, though, and it's fairly obvious that she only barely knows what she is doing.]

I assure you, those of us affected are no less irritated with the situation.

[Apparently she has a different name in the future? And a child? It's a bit overwhelming. And then some hesitation... Given her reticence to wield a sword since the kinslaying, she probably shouldn't even be thinking about offering. But if she hadn't been taught, she might be dead right now.]

I may be in a position to help the young woman, if you would tell me of her.

[futurarex]

[Arthur's eyes narrow. another of these elves. he does not trust them; he is wary of them, to say the very least.]

Why say that you may be in a position? Either you are or you aren't. But it may not actually matter. I have not settled on any one teacher.

[undroppedeaves]

I hope it's not permanent. [Not that he minds keeping young Frodo out of trouble but the kid shouldn't be here, no one should be here but kids especially.] Surely the initiative need to turn them back, or they've lost their fighters.

[futurarex]

Or perhaps they've always sought the chance to make themselves some child army. A mission where small spies are required, or something.

[dry and sarcastic, all of it. and that better not actually be the case, or else he is going to have words with the Initiative.]

It might actually not be the work of the Initiative.

video;

[graciousness]

[ WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE. ]

Interviews? Arthur, really - my Lord! - it is far too much trouble, I do not think it would be the for the best.

[ but wait she scrolls down - down and oh God. ]

--- You and Lady Morgana would hold them together?

[ wary. w a r y. ]

video;

[futurarex]

[oh hey gwen just figuring out your life for you]

Of course. We will need to conduct interviews, or else how will we know who will be best to instruct you?

I had not thought to include Morgana, but as she seems intent on including herself, I suppose I'll indulge her.

[priad]

[ A tremendous figure peers at Arthur through the screen, his form hulking and armored in in gunmetal grey plate. ]

I've taught aspirants for quite some time, both sword-work and other types of combat as well, and I've already been working with someone here. I could always teach another, if there is need.

[futurarex]

[right, this? this is a joke. a suit of armor, talking to him. hilarious.]

Have you. Who is your other student?

[Voice]

[marked_for_death]

You don't want much now, do you slick?

[Voice]

[futurarex]

Mostly information. Surely it's not so difficult to provide?

video;

[ex_cashcow493]

[ How fortunate it is that Saber's returned to normal by this day. If she had run around screaming that she wished to be a magical girl knight any longer, he might have found his hands full with yet another child to watch over. ]

Surely you have more than enough offers to teach the young lady. If not, I could find the time. [ Implying she has anything else better to do. ]

Although, that bit at the end was unnecessary.

video;

[futurarex]

[yeah if Arthur had any idea of how narrow an escape he's just had from adding another child to his menagerie... well, he'd be grateful. as it is, he gives her a dry little smile.]

It was proving a point. I still have not seen your skill, you know--only heard of it.

[incorrupt]

How young's that woman yer talkin' 'bout?

[ Lout and lecherous weirdo, reporting in.

Edit: He's uh. He's kind of still half-naked. By which I mean his shirt is too big and the collarbones are showing. But he's no longer in the clinic, at least. He's kind of somewhere on the streets right now. ]

[futurarex]

Not a child and not old.

[this is Sharpe, isn't it? he doesn't like that question, but then again, the fellow is rather crude. perhaps it's a joke. still... Arthur squints uncertainly at his device for a moment.]

What are you wearing?

[inthejunk]

...What's wrong with Miss Sakura?

[futurarex]

Well, for starters, she's a child.