001

[swordandaxe]

Who: Richter Abend and you!
Where: The plaza
When: Let's just go with today, around midday
Style: Prose or action, whatever the poster's preference is.
Status: Open!

Richter was pissed, to put it lightly. Bedraggled and confused by the sudden shift in his surroundings, Richter has yet to move to do anything. His left hand sat on the hilt of his sword, gripping it so tightly his hand was shaking. For the longest time he stood in the plaza, studying anyone who passed by to see if Ratatosk or Marta are anywhere nearby.

Approach if you dare, denizens of Vatheon. Richter was just going to stand there for now, dripping with water and scowling at everything.

Comments

[redcladidealist]

[A flash of a red jacket in the crowd might be Richter's first sign of Lloyd. The brunette is weaving his way through the plaza, his arms full of... towels? Yes, that certainly looks like towels, and it's making it hard for him to dodge everyone. He's trying, though, dodging to the right to avoid someone on the left. Still looking to the side, he doesn't see Richter.

Which could be a bad thing.

Because Richter is right in his path. If Richter doesn't see him and dodge, he's about to get a face full of towels.]

[swordandaxe]

[Richter completely misses Lloyd, so focused on finding Ratatosk and Marta that he fails to process that someone is coming right for him until the last second.

Good thing Richter is fast, because he steps out of the way just in time.]

Watch where you're going!

[redcladidealist]

[Wh-whoa! Where did that guy come from?! Lloyd nearly stumbles, dropping some of his towels.]

Sorry! I didn't see you there!

[At least he didn't actually run into him.

But his towels...]

Aw man...

[Arms still full, he awkwardly bends down and tries to pick them up. Not a hint of recognition for the man he nearly knocked down.]

[swordandaxe]

Lloyd Irving?

[Richter, however, instantly recognizes Lloyd. He falls into a defensive stance, hands reaching for his weapons but not yet drawing them.]

Where are we? Tell me!

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd straightens up, startled at the recognition.]

Wha- Whoa, how'd you know my name?

[Whoa, whoa, why is this guy reaching for his weapons?! Lloyd hastily drops his towels and steps back, hands going toward his own sword hilts just in case.]

This is Vatheon. Now who are you to ask me questions that way?

[swordandaxe]

Don't play games with me, Lloyd! Where is Ratatosk?

[Richter draws his sword and axe, scowling at Lloyd.]

I don't care about you, so tell me where he is!

[redcladidealist]

[When Richter draws his weapons, Lloyd quickly unsheathes his own. He has no idea what's going on, but it looks like it's about to go bad.]

I don't even know what you're talking about. Who is Ratatosk?

[radiantwingedone]

Don't mind Duke just staring at him then.

Well. Duke is definitely staring at the right direction to be staring at the redhead, the focus to his eyes isn't right to be actually watching the man. Through or just before, he's definitely studying something - both with sight and with a slow swirling of mana.

[swordandaxe]

Richter happens to catch sight of Duke and stares back at him for a moment before frowning, "What are you staring at?"

[radiantwingedone]

"Your mana." Yup, that's all he's going to explain at the moment.

[swordandaxe]

Richter frowns at Duke, obviously confused, "My mana? How can you possibly see my mana?"

[radiantwingedone]

"...." That... is actually a good question. Or perhaps it was a good question in the sense of 'how should Duke explain how he does what he ...just does'.

"Can because combination of extensive study of a form of magic that existed before Mana and use of personal mana as a reference to where objects and living creatures are." The closest he's going to get admitting his sight isn't the best.

[swordandaxe]

Well, Richter wasn't in Sybak Academy for no reason. Even with Duke's stilted speech, Richter can kind of understand what he means, "What sort of magic can be done without mana? And are you saying you use your own mana to...see? Are you blind?"

[flyingdreams]

[Oh, that doesn't look very good. Mrs. Brisby is tempted to leave him alone, to not get involved, as angry as he looks... but hospitality wins out.]

Um, pardon me, sir...?

[She's careful to stay out of his range, juuuust in case, but she does slowly move a little closer.]

[swordandaxe]

[What the...? Is that...a talking monster?

Richter looks skeptical but answers anyway. At least he's distracted from his anger.]

Yes?

[flyingdreams]

Ah, yes, hello. I'm Mrs. Brisby.

[She fidgets, a little, as per usual.]

I... take it that you're a newcomer?

[swordandaxe]

Richter.

[He pushes his wet bangs out of his eyes and adjusts his glasses.]

You could say that. Where am I?

[flyingdreams]

Pleased to meet you, Mr. Richter.

[Even with him as grouchy as he is, she curtsies, ever polite.]

This place is called "Vatheon". It pulls people away from their homes... but I believe people usually go back, after being here for a while. They say something like, "time never passes", when you go home. So you pick up where you left off.

Or something like that...

[swordandaxe]

[Well, he may be grouchy, but he's not going to be rude to someone being polite. He inclines his head at her curtsy.]

So, I'm here because of some sort of magic. Whoever cast it must be pretty powerful, to bring so many people here.

[fistfullofmagic]

Of all the things Dhaos was expecting to encounter on a trip to get bread, a new arrival with a distinctly Aselian mana signature was rather low on the list¹. Definitely worth at least studying from a distance though, as the redhead is the first half-elf he's seen since his own arrival. Sandwiches can wait.




¹ Item number 673 to be precise.

[swordandaxe]

[The first time Richter's eyes cross Dhaos, he doesn't even realize he's being stared at. When Richter notices Dhaos still looking, he stares back for a moment before speaking.]

What is it? If you've got something to say, say it.

[fistfullofmagic]

[Even though he's been spotted, Dhaos' expression remains unchanged.]

...You are a Half-elf?

[swordandaxe]

[Richter tenses, eyes narrowing slightly.]

What does it matter if I am?

[fistfullofmagic]

You are the first besides myself that I have seen.

[swordandaxe]

[Richter blinks and unconsciously relaxes a bit.]

I see. I'm Richter. You are...?