Who ⚔ Yael & assorted nerds What ⚔ A dungeon run and other things When ⚔ After the party Where ⚔ Errywhere Content Warnings ⚔ Men with their tits out? Alcohol??? No correlation there surprisingly. nsfw i'm sorry mom
[ Hector peers curiously at his ring. Fai's remark draws his attention to the one on the other man's finger, and a lopsided smile crosses his face at the sight. ]
Are these mood rings?
[ What kind of summer camp reward is this? It'll go great with his boyscout getup—
So he slips it on, the color betraying him and showing him to be a bit more tense than his smile wants to let on. Ah well. ]
[Thanks for testing them out, guinea pigs. Yael is just gonna slip his into his pocket and stare at the colors on Hector and Yael's fingers. Huh.]
There's something else in the chest too. A guide.
[Yael picks up the scrap of paper in the box and studies it before looking at Fai and Hector's rings. Neutral for Fai, stressed out for Hector... Curious. At least he doesn't remark on it and call the man out before flicking the guide back into the treasure chest and heading for the Chaos Gate at the back of the dungeon.]
Well, mission successful. "GG". If that's all, I'm leaving.
[ Fai immediately looks at the paper too, hoping the ring doesn't reveal too much, which then causes it to change colors on him that lean towards anxious. Fun.
But it fades quickly enough once he sees the color on Hector's ring, his own edging back to neutral. ]
Why? I think it's something you can say in front of us too.
[Of course. It couldn't be as simple as running a dungeon and peacing out. Yael keeps his sigh hidden beneath his breath and stops in his tracks, only turning enough to throw a glance at Fai over his shoulder.]
Did nobody ever teach you to mind your own business?
[Yael languidly lifts a hand to shoo Fai and Kara away. Go on! They'll be back as soon as Hector's done henpecking him.]
[ Hands on his hips, Hector just watches the exchange. And when it looks like it's okay for him to talk, he turns to look at Yael. ]
Look, I'm not angry with you, or anything. [ His tone does drop, mostly to keep themselves out of earshot, but also in a show of sincerity. ] I just don't get why you feel the need to jump in like that. The last thing you want to do when moving as a unit is play hero. That never ends well.
[The last place he expected to be harangued like this was in a goddamn video game, but here they are... At the same time, it's novel to incite an almost paternal anger, muted as it is. So novel is it that Yael snorts, but he isn't derisive about it, loosely folding his arms over his chest.]
If it wasn't me, it would've been one of you.
[I don't want to be the one who fails to help their ally out.]
Think about it logically. One of the front line fighters should be the one to go down first, no? That's what we're for. We would've been in serious shit if you'd gotten knocked out.
But that's why you trust in the guys in the back to do their job. You acting out of line without at least warning us puts the whole squad in jeopardy.
[ Hector's language doesn't really line up with their video game environment... It's entirely likely he's gotten too immersed and forgotten where he is. ]
It's better you concentrate on staying alive than assuming someone's going to go down.
[Clearly he's forgotten where they are. Hector's frustration is so palpable, so in line with the kind of upset Yael was used to fielding in the military that he's begun to wonder who Hector is in real life. It's not hard to draw similarities between them, certainly, but that's all the more reason to head Hector off at the pass before he can carry himself away much further.]
Good thing this is all fake, isn't it? Unlike a real battlefield, you don't have to wind yourself up in knots wondering if you'll live to see your buddies another day.
[Yael's tone, in contrast to Hector's, is just lacerating enough to make his point.]
[ A vivid flash passes through Hector's mind, of blood, of rubble, of dust and gunpowder. It claws at his throat, his chest, and settles uncomfortably in his stomach.
He tenses, just slightly. It's barely noticeable.
The frown, though, is. ]
Even if it is fake, you'd be wasting everyone else's time by throwing. Not everyone has all the time in the world to play. Be more considerate. [ His fingers twitch; he resists the urge to push Yael.
[It's a look that would very well elude most people's notice, but Yael knows it well. There's no way he could miss it, having experienced what he has, and it's confirmation enough that Hector has endured the same.
That's all he needed to know. He's never been one to tolerate nagging, but he's even less inclined to stick around and humor it when Hector's words dig into him like thorns and linger there, genuinely pissing him off. The only indication of that anger is the clenching of his jaw, the refusal to look Hector in his eye as he heads for the Chaos Gate.]
Call it what you want. You know what situations are serious and which ones aren't, so spare me the drama. See ya.
[ Hector sighs, the tension leaving his body with the forceful exhale.
Sure. Maybe Yael's in active duty still. It's been a while for Hector, but he still wants to respect this game and the people who are playing with him. It would be unfair to them if he didn't press his heal button appropriately.
Maybe he overreacted. He didn't know. But no one is going down on his watch, not if he can help it.
When he shoots Fai a glance, his expression is neutral again. As is his mood ring. ]
Guess so. [ He jerks his head towards the exit and starts making his way out. ]
[ Fai gives him a pat on the back. Whatever transpired was tense, even if Fai couldn't exactly hear it. At least Hector's mood ring is back to neutral, for better or worse. ]
Good work out there.
[ And he'll motion back to Kara, wherever she may be hanging around. ]
And you too~
[ He motions for her to follow along so they can head on out. ]
[...When Yael logs back in, he checks his email to find that a set of keywords has been "gifted" to him for a new hidden area— Δ Hidden Forbidden Bulwark.
Well, well. He isn't inclined to go exploring on his own, and with Kara and Fai offline, he shoots Hector a party request without warning. If he accepts, he'll receive the briefest of messages from Yael.]
Hector's about to reach out to Yael when he sees the other man's beaten him to it. And why would he turn this opportunity down? He's suspicious, of course, but better to have a buddy than go in alone.
So he accepts and arrives without so much a reply. When he meets up with Yael, he gives a nod in greeting. His expression is serious, but not tense like last time. He's on his guard. ]
I'm curious, but cautious. Let's see what this is about.
[ Hector and Yael will find themselves high up in the mountains, the air crisp and fresh as they breathe it in. They're on a small patch of land, most of it having been eroded down over a long stretch of time, leaving them with a relatively small area to walk around before it drops down into the misty gorge below.
Still, there's plenty to look at around here, whether it be the general scenery or that imposing wall just to their left, the pristine stone of the wall contrasting greatly with the crumbling ruins sitting just before it.
[This is the kind of place he could happily lose himself in... were it not purely digital, and then there's that massive wall looming in the middle distance. The ruins are curious too, but Yael isn't particularly interested in them. Even so, he trudges forward and examines those ruins first. Upon first glance, what stands out about them?]
[ The ruins are divided into distinct chunks. One set of stone is large and tablet-like and has old, faded writing etched into it from end to end, though it's nearly impossible to read. That it's entirely in runes means that Yael will probably not even attempt to read what it says.
The other ruins are long and almost cylindrical, more akin to pillars or typical structural support, indicating that there had been a structure of some sort here before. ]
[ Could be lava, could be tundra... This is pleasant. And for some reason, Hector doesn't like that.
Hector's gaze sweeps the area before trailing after Yael towards the ruins. Regardless of what Yael decides to do, Hector steps lightly and cautiously towards the tablet. Even if it's nearly impossible to read, he's going to look at it anyway. Are what runes still legible similar in any way to any real-world script? ]
[ What Hector can distinguish is something similar to Elder Futhark runes. Many of the runes are so faded, however, that it would be incredibly difficult to create complete words or phrases from them. ]
[They could prrrrrobably take a screenshot of that and ask a librarian for help putting them in contact with someone who can read it, but Yael isn't gonna do that. Aside from the tablet, what can be found around the ruins?]
[ A cursory look around will reveal some pillars that look like they were part of the structural integrity of a building or gate that attached to the wall. They have been clearly weathered away over several thousand years, but enough poking around will reveal various chunks and pieces of stone that indicate that this structure was probably destroyed rather than crumbling on its own. Unless one of them is an archeologist, it'll be hard to tell how long this rubble has been sitting there.
That said, they're welcome to try to get a closer look at it anyway. Maybe there's runes on these rocks too! Who knows!
Do either of them take a chance on picking any of those rocks up? ]
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Are these mood rings?
[ What kind of summer camp reward is this? It'll go great with his boyscout getup—
So he slips it on, the color betraying him and showing him to be a bit more tense than his smile wants to let on. Ah well. ]
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There's something else in the chest too. A guide.
[Yael picks up the scrap of paper in the box and studies it before looking at Fai and Hector's rings. Neutral for Fai, stressed out for Hector... Curious. At least he doesn't remark on it and call the man out before flicking the guide back into the treasure chest and heading for the Chaos Gate at the back of the dungeon.]
Well, mission successful. "GG". If that's all, I'm leaving.
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[ Hector doesn't care that Yael can see how he really feels. He glances at the others and gestures back to the entrance. ]
Go ahead. It'll only be a sec.
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But it fades quickly enough once he sees the color on Hector's ring, his own edging back to neutral. ]
Why? I think it's something you can say in front of us too.
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Did nobody ever teach you to mind your own business?
[Yael languidly lifts a hand to shoo Fai and Kara away. Go on! They'll be back as soon as Hector's done henpecking him.]
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[ His ring shifts colors again to... amused.
But he takes a few steps away. Mostly, he just wants to monitor the situation so they don't have a PK on their hands. ]
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Look, I'm not angry with you, or anything. [ His tone does drop, mostly to keep themselves out of earshot, but also in a show of sincerity. ] I just don't get why you feel the need to jump in like that. The last thing you want to do when moving as a unit is play hero. That never ends well.
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If it wasn't me, it would've been one of you.
[I don't want to be the one who fails to help their ally out.]
Think about it logically. One of the front line fighters should be the one to go down first, no? That's what we're for. We would've been in serious shit if you'd gotten knocked out.
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[ Hector's language doesn't really line up with their video game environment... It's entirely likely he's gotten too immersed and forgotten where he is. ]
It's better you concentrate on staying alive than assuming someone's going to go down.
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Good thing this is all fake, isn't it? Unlike a real battlefield, you don't have to wind yourself up in knots wondering if you'll live to see your buddies another day.
[Yael's tone, in contrast to Hector's, is just lacerating enough to make his point.]
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He tenses, just slightly. It's barely noticeable.
The frown, though, is. ]
Even if it is fake, you'd be wasting everyone else's time by throwing. Not everyone has all the time in the world to play. Be more considerate. [ His fingers twitch; he resists the urge to push Yael.
That tone, though— ] And that was uncalled for.
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That's all he needed to know. He's never been one to tolerate nagging, but he's even less inclined to stick around and humor it when Hector's words dig into him like thorns and linger there, genuinely pissing him off. The only indication of that anger is the clenching of his jaw, the refusal to look Hector in his eye as he heads for the Chaos Gate.]
Call it what you want. You know what situations are serious and which ones aren't, so spare me the drama. See ya.
[With that, Yael warps out and logs off.]
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I suppose that’s our sign to head back ourselves, hmm?
[ He raises an eyebrow. If Hector wants to talk about it, he’ll listen, but Fai won’t ask otherwise. This isn’t his business. ]
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Sure. Maybe Yael's in active duty still. It's been a while for Hector, but he still wants to respect this game and the people who are playing with him. It would be unfair to them if he didn't press his heal button appropriately.
Maybe he overreacted. He didn't know. But no one is going down on his watch, not if he can help it.
When he shoots Fai a glance, his expression is neutral again. As is his mood ring. ]
Guess so. [ He jerks his head towards the exit and starts making his way out. ]
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Good work out there.
[ And he'll motion back to Kara, wherever she may be hanging around. ]
And you too~
[ He motions for her to follow along so they can head on out. ]
some days later...
Well, well. He isn't inclined to go exploring on his own, and with Kara and Fai offline, he shoots Hector a party request without warning. If he accepts, he'll receive the briefest of messages from Yael.]
Δ Hidden Forbidden Bulwark. Meet you there.
[And off they go.]
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Hector's about to reach out to Yael when he sees the other man's beaten him to it. And why would he turn this opportunity down? He's suspicious, of course, but better to have a buddy than go in alone.
So he accepts and arrives without so much a reply. When he meets up with Yael, he gives a nod in greeting. His expression is serious, but not tense like last time. He's on his guard. ]
I'm curious, but cautious. Let's see what this is about.
[ And they step in... ]
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Still, there's plenty to look at around here, whether it be the general scenery or that imposing wall just to their left, the pristine stone of the wall contrasting greatly with the crumbling ruins sitting just before it.
What will they decide to look at first? ]
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[This is the kind of place he could happily lose himself in... were it not purely digital, and then there's that massive wall looming in the middle distance. The ruins are curious too, but Yael isn't particularly interested in them. Even so, he trudges forward and examines those ruins first. Upon first glance, what stands out about them?]
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The other ruins are long and almost cylindrical, more akin to pillars or typical structural support, indicating that there had been a structure of some sort here before. ]
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[ Could be lava, could be tundra... This is pleasant. And for some reason, Hector doesn't like that.
Hector's gaze sweeps the area before trailing after Yael towards the ruins. Regardless of what Yael decides to do, Hector steps lightly and cautiously towards the tablet. Even if it's nearly impossible to read, he's going to look at it anyway. Are what runes still legible similar in any way to any real-world script? ]
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[They could prrrrrobably take a screenshot of that and ask a librarian for help putting them in contact with someone who can read it, but Yael isn't gonna do that. Aside from the tablet, what can be found around the ruins?]
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Kshak!
Cool. Something to look at and ponder later. At least, though, this answers his question about whether Yael can read viking: the answer is no.
So he turns away from the tablet and looks to see, with great anticipation, at what else the ruins have to offer. ]
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That said, they're welcome to try to get a closer look at it anyway. Maybe there's runes on these rocks too! Who knows!
Do either of them take a chance on picking any of those rocks up? ]
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