exsilium | Video

Entry tags:

Video

I find it difficult to believe that I'm the only one who has chosen to remain behind on the night of the party. I've spent the better part of a month on the streets of our illustrious host city. [Bone dry.]

I'm finding myself in the mood for some company. I don't suppose anyone here knows Wicked Grace or Diamondback?

If not, I'll settle for a decent drink. I'll even buy the first round.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[With all the travel, he's more than a little accustomed to his name being mangled and delivered in unconventional ways. Doesn't mean it isn't still a little funny - particularly coming from some guy who talks like an antique.]

Rick's fine. And believe me - this rock ain't so bad. So thanks anyway for the... not welcome I guess. [He makes a vague, dismissive hand gesture.]

So those games you were pitching are cards, right? Not from around here either then.

Rick it shall be, then. [He dips his head cordially.]

I take it you've seen worse? I've met a few here who say they have been to several different worlds, a claim that not too long ago would have stretched my credulity to the breaking point.

[Now, he considers nearly anything possible.]

Yes, they're both card games. Easy enough to pick up.

[Mastering was a different story.]

No, I come from a world I consider it improbable you'd have heard of. I haven't been here very long.

[Worse? Sure, probably. On a grand scale, it's kind of hard to weight the pros and cons, it's a little difficult to compare. On the one hand: alright, back home they managed to avert their own apocalypse - not so here. On the other?

Well, there's plenty to do here, that's for sure.]

Let me guess - more horses and swords than I'm probably used to? Maybe a king or two? [Which is probably an overt reference to Duncan's choice of attire.]

Not as many horses as you might expect. They're expensive to keep. As for the rest of it, yes, swords aplenty, kings, queens, viscounts, and Maker only knows how many other ranks and divisions, depending upon where one travels.

Is the technology here more or less advanced to that to which you're accustomed? I've found that helpful for a point of reference.

More. Maybe not leagues ahead, but crap like this -- [He shakes the tablet a bit, the video feed swinging wildly for a moment] -- is pretty ridiculous. We've got radios, telephones, but nothing anywhere near this junk. Probably less swords than what you're used to though.

[That remark comes with a wry grin, a little shrug. 'Less' is very much a key word in this instance.]

[He closes his eyes for the wild swinging. Hello vertigo!]

I'm unfamiliar with those words, radios or telephones. I suppose you have guns? I've recently been introduced to those. They're very loud, not exactly a stealth weapon.

They're-- [He stops himself. It's probably not really worth explaining what either is; not like it's gonna be terribly relevant any time soon.] --yeah, we've got guns and plenty of 'em.

[He thumbs over his shoulder to where his own holster is hanging from a hook on the wall behind him.] And yeah, so they're not exactly subtle, but if you've got enough ammunition these things usually work themselves out.

On more than one occasion since arriving here I've found myself wondering how useful they might be in my world. Overall, I'd say it would be limited for reasons too numerous to bore you with. Still, it has been interesting learning a new weapon. It's more efficient than a bow.

They're definitely not fool proof, I'll give you that much. But if nothing else, there's a certain intimidation factor. [Nothing says 'Don't screw with me' like firing a few rounds in the right direction.]

Does wonders in the right situation.

I can agree with that based on the loudness alone. The first time I fired one I nearly dropped it because of that. I wasn't expecting it.

[Since then he practiced with ear protection. That first shot made sense to him now. Better to know what to expect than be taken off guard the first time he has to use one in action and not training. That would be a good way to get the wrong man killed.]

Hopefully tonight we can forget about such concerns for a small time.

[Forgetting about the gun by his side is something like forgetting about a limb, but he can appreciate the sentiment. Not that card games have never really carried the association of being a threat-free habitat. Still, s'the thought that counts.

He grins, easy and about nine kinds of smart-ass:]

Fingers crossed, huh?

That would make the card game difficult.

[He doesn't think he's being funny. This is the confused face of culture clash.]

[Oh Jesus--

Rick's all half grimaces, half smothered smiles. This is like talking to an eighty year old: 'You kids and your swing music.']

Nevermind, just forget I said anything.

All right.

[Now he has the sense that he said something strange, although for the life of him he can't figure out what.]

We'll be meeting in the training room nearest the exit in the Hold in about fifteen minutes. Do you know where that is? If not I can come get you.

I know where it is just fine.

[His first month on the island may have started out a bit rough, but he's not a complete slack jaw. He knows well enough how to poke around, how to familiarize himself with new territory.

Rick pings a thumbs up at the screen--] See you in fifteen then. [--and terminates the video feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video

Re: video