6/24: Steph

[randori]

[ He'd shouted a lot during the day, waking up and shouting himself hoarse and wanting to cry about everything that had happened. Nothing had turned out how he'd wanted— he was so sure it would, but it didn't, and now he's left behind to sort things out. Still alive.

There are things he can sort out by himself late at night, but there are things he needs people for- longs to be with people after not having that chance. Later in the evening, after dinner when people are fed and ready to wind down for the night, he goes to find her. ]

...Tell me about what happened. All of it. What went wrong, and what I can do to change that next time.

Comments

[vigilantics]

I... shot it and then a monster kind of hit it back to me and I got stabbed with my grappling hook?

[ it's mostly mumbled, like she really does not want to admit this. ]

[randori]

[ When Natsuo of all people gives you this look, you know you fucked up.

He doesn't say anything. Please prove him wrong that you're not a complete disaster, Steph. ]

[vigilantics]

[ THIS IS EXACTLY WHY SHE HASN'T TOLD ANYONE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE WOODS. THIS RIGHT HERE. ]

It was a really strong monster?

[randori]

[ Mmhmm. Yeah. Okay. ]

Tell me where, and I'll go beat it up for you.

[vigilantics]

I don't think you'll be able to find it on purpose. The woods are pretty big and it'll be easy to get lost.

[ natsuo you have been alive for like ten seconds. don't. ]

[randori]

But you found it! What were you looking for? Something important, right? Did you find it?

[ You weren't just... taking an idle stroll in the middle of the woods, were you, Steph? ]

[vigilantics]

We got attacked before we could get to it, and then a phoenix showed up and brought us to the castle.

[ yeah. ]

[randori]

[ hm ]

I've got a sword- I could fight off the phoenix too. What was out there?

[vigilantics]

... first I will kindly ask you to not fight the phoenix. He did nothing wrong.

[randori]

...Okay. [ He just dropped both of you from 50 feet in the air or something, but, fair. ]

So you'll tell me?

[vigilantics]

[ the phoenix did some things wrong, but she's also not dead, so she can appreciate it. ]

You'll probably find a different monster.

[randori]

Are there a lot...? Are they things that can escape and get to people while they're outside, not like the minotaur that's got to pummel through the maze walls first?

[ The fact that there are monsters doesn't scare him, and neither does the extent of Steph's injuries. ]

[vigilantics]

[ she is realizing that and it is concerning her. ]

I honestly don't think they're going to leave the forest. So it just depends on whether or not people go in there themselves.

[randori]

People are going to go in there, though.

[ He stares pointedly at her, and whatever reason had compelled her to go inside in the first place. ]

One day, maybe we'll have to, like, if we need to escape or something. So it'd be better to make sure it's safe before that.

[vigilantics]

[ in her defense, steph and varian were the first two people to go into the woods so they had no reference for now dangerous it was. everyone who went in after are the real morons here. ]

... you shouldn't. You should focus on everything else that's going on.

[randori]

This sort of stuff is important too... And I can't really help with all the other stuff! [ He folds his arms again, leaning into the back of the chair with a huff. ]

I'm not smart enough to figure anything out on my own, so even if I focus, I don't know where to start. I'm good at fighting, though, and I won't be taken by surprise this time.

[vigilantics]

Let's just shelve the woods adventure for now. You'd need to stock up on supplies and need some sort of light. You're not going to get far at all without that.

[randori]

I can pack food from the kitchen, and I've got a source of light. One of those clicky metal things from the lab.

[ A F I R E S T R I K E R ]

[vigilantics]

[ SHUT UP THEY'RE FIREWORKS ]

As someone who has actually been in the woods, I think you're probably going to need more than that.

[randori]

Two... packs of food? Maybe Dave's sword will help? I haven't learned how to use it yet, but I know how to keep it nice and shiny.

[vigilantics]

There are people who will probably teach you. We have... a very weirdly large amount of swordsmen here? Huh.

[randori]

[ If they're smart, they wouldn't teach him. ]

Right? Lots of people know how to use swords, so I didn't think it was that hard either. ...I'm really nothing special compared to everybody else, huh?

[vigilantics]

Everyone has their different talents, Natsuo. Not all of us can cut flies in half with a blade or whatever it is that they do.

[ she gestures at him. ]

You're very special though.

[randori]

I'm not- I'd rather learn how to cut flies in half with a blade! That'd be so cool!

[vigilantics]

I'm not sure if we'll be here long enough for you to master that move, Natsuo.