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
[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? ]
[ The ruins hold his curiosity for a bit, but what forms in Hector's mind are different questions. ]
You mean like, in the game lore? I didn't realize there was supposed to be a story behind all this.
[ He says this as he stays beside Yael. He's no architect or archaeologist, so it's all just useless rock to him. And it's all been gameplay so far—no cutscenes, no dialogue with NPCs. He comes to rest his foot on a larger piece of rubble, trying to nudge it over to see if there's anything underneath. ]
Weird place though. No monsters, no loot. Just ruins?
[ Nothing happens, not for a few seconds, and they might both think that they can leave the area as it is with no further investigation.
That is, until Hector attempts to nudge one of the pieces of rubble over, and a tone echoes so loudly in both of their ears that it feels like it's coming from within their own bodies. It rings again, but the location of it is easier to pinpoint this time.
That sound, piercing and loud in their ears, is coming from beyond that wall. ]
[ Hector instinctively claps his hands over his ears, but that doesn't help. He removes his foot, letting the rubble roll back into place, but that doesn't seem to change anything either.
He looks over, vexed, as Yael trudges over towards the wall. And after a moment, Hector jogs to catch up with him, face flinching whenever that ping comes again. ]
You're going towards it? That can't be a good idea, Yael.
[ There are no ill effects! At least, not with that first ring.
As Yael makes his way towards the wall with Hector in tow, that same tone echoes in their ears again, just as loud as before. Though this time, they can feel it throughout their bodies, as if the sound is vibrating up through the ground and into them.
Should they get closer to the wall, they'll feel a pressure in their heads, a sign of a headache beginning to form. ]
[Oh. That's unpleasant. Hector's dulcet tones are just as annoying but far less headache-inducing, but Yael ignores them.]
Seriously, this goddamned game—!
[Hector can follow after him if he wants, but Yael isn't about to be undone by a damn wall. He bears the pain to trudge all the way over to it and examine it for any remaining clues.
Why is he being so stubborn? He has his reasons, surely, but vocalizes none of them.]
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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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I wonder if there was some kind of war here a long time ago.
[Yael is a fool, so he'll gladly pick up some rocks. Will he regret it?]
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You mean like, in the game lore? I didn't realize there was supposed to be a story behind all this.
[ He says this as he stays beside Yael. He's no architect or archaeologist, so it's all just useless rock to him. And it's all been gameplay so far—no cutscenes, no dialogue with NPCs. He comes to rest his foot on a larger piece of rubble, trying to nudge it over to see if there's anything underneath. ]
Weird place though. No monsters, no loot. Just ruins?
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That is, until Hector attempts to nudge one of the pieces of rubble over, and a tone echoes so loudly in both of their ears that it feels like it's coming from within their own bodies. It rings again, but the location of it is easier to pinpoint this time.
That sound, piercing and loud in their ears, is coming from beyond that wall. ]
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Pleasant. This game's just full of fun surprises.
[Perhaps he's tempting fate, but Yael trudges over in the direction of the wall.]
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[ Hector instinctively claps his hands over his ears, but that doesn't help. He removes his foot, letting the rubble roll back into place, but that doesn't seem to change anything either.
He looks over, vexed, as Yael trudges over towards the wall. And after a moment, Hector jogs to catch up with him, face flinching whenever that ping comes again. ]
You're going towards it? That can't be a good idea, Yael.
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As Yael makes his way towards the wall with Hector in tow, that same tone echoes in their ears again, just as loud as before. Though this time, they can feel it throughout their bodies, as if the sound is vibrating up through the ground and into them.
Should they get closer to the wall, they'll feel a pressure in their heads, a sign of a headache beginning to form. ]
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Seriously, this goddamned game—!
[Hector can follow after him if he wants, but Yael isn't about to be undone by a damn wall. He bears the pain to trudge all the way over to it and examine it for any remaining clues.
Why is he being so stubborn? He has his reasons, surely, but vocalizes none of them.]
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