001: Audio | un: Graywords

[heartlessswordsman]

[Unlike everyone who isn't an asocial loner, Zelgadis prefers to keep his face off the network. He doesn't even really want to address the network at all, but he's kind of reached a point where keeping to himself isn't really working out. Sooo this is him stepping outside his comfort bubble, good for him.

Well, kind of stepping out of it. He just goes ahead and skips a proper introduction completely in order to get down to business.]

You'll have to forgive me if this seems like a stupid question, but the sort of technology that you have here doesn't exist where I'm from. To say that everything feels overwhelming is an understatement, but before I get too off track...

[There's a deep sigh, the sigh of a man who is just So Done with all the ridiculous curveballs that life keeps throwing at him.] This... microwave device, I believe is what it's called. It's not supposed to be smoking, right?

[Maybe he should have asked someone for technology tips before almost setting his hotel room on fire. Sorry about the smoke, hotel.]

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Tell me about it. After my family were killed, everyone started blaming me for it. I was an orphan for a year, living out of my folks' burned out house.

No one even bothered trying to understand. It really used to burn me up when I was a kid.

Still...people here seem a lot more understanding. I don't think you need to be that secretive here.

[heartlessswordsman]

[There is the briefest hint of sympathy on what's visible of Zel's face, because dude that sounds actually horrifying. But, deciding that he doesn't want to get caught up on something uncomfortably emotional again, he opts to give a smartass answer instead.]

Are they? Because the first thing you did when you saw my face was freak out and demand to know why I'm blue.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, yeah. I wanted to know why.

I never said I was scared of you for being blue.

[heartlessswordsman]

Maybe you should work on how you ask sensitive questions. Your initial reaction is the exact reason why I prefer to cover my face.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh come on, it wasn't that bad!

And speaking of 'initial reactions' [He throws an arm around Zel's shoulders] Let's talk about how you drew a sword on me.

i heard you like rp so i put a tag in your inbox while we play d&d

[heartlessswordsman]

[He was about to say 'it was definitely that bad' but then Darin had to go and call Zel out on his bullshit. Hmm.]

In my defense, you were being shady about a demon.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin gestures to literally everything about the mask and cloak around Zel's face.]

And...what do you call this? Because you're not exactly radiating light and positivity, good buddy.

[heartlessswordsman]

[Zel responds by reaching up to tug his hood a bit lower, eat shit Darin]

If it's light and positivity you want, then you're hanging around the wrong person.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Look, the point is, I only acted that way because I've tried to keep what I am hidden for my entire life. I had already lost my family. If anyone knew what I was, my adopted dad would be in big trouble too. And there would be a really solid chance that...you know.

Someone would immediately draw their weapon on me and try and kill me.

[heartlessswordsman]

[And now Zel feels like a giant asshole. Well, more specifically, he feels like a giant asshole and actually feels bad about it, probably because he's also being a giant hypocrite. He stops in his tracks and heaves a sigh.]

I did apologize for that, to be fair.

[But fuck, fine. If Darin can walk around with his stupid blue hair out after everything he's been through, then Zel can suck it up and stop hiding. He does hesitate for a moment, but eventually pulls his hood back and tugs his mask down. He doesn't look thrilled about it, but hey. Progress!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I know you did and, honestly? No hard feelings!

[He's surprised to see Zelgadis unmask himself in public like that...but he understands what the gesture means. With a grin, he claps a hand against Zel's back in encouragement.]

There's that handsome mug! Don't worry. Anyone gives you crap, I've got your back. I might not have my super strength anymore, but I've been personally trained by knights! I'm definitely no slouch!

[heartlessswordsman]

[Well compliments on his appearance are definitely not something Zel is used to, so he just scowls a bit.]

I appreciate it, but I'm perfectly capable of stabbing them on my own.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Sure, just like you're capable of setting fire to your own bed. And exploding your food.

Look, Zel, I get the loner attitude. But we're both in a foreign world and our usual abilities are nowhere to be found. I'm not trying to downplay your prowess?

But maybe 'stabbing' your way out of a bad situation should be, at the least, Plan B.

[heartlessswordsman]

You know, that's a good point. It would be a far better use of resources to practice my new magic on them.

[He is 100% fucking around, but he says it with such a straight face, man.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oooooor, and follow me on this, we don't murder or cook people alive?

I've been keeping logs and notes of everything I've seen in this world. Honestly, our 'demon' troubles are by far and away the least crazy things about this place and the people being brought here.

[heartlessswordsman]

Now, I never said anything about murder.

[God Darin, jumping to the worst conclusions right off the bat.]

Can we get into all the crazy after we've caught something to eat?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Sure sure, come on.

[There's a small lake not far with a river that feeds into it. Upon arrival, Darin scouts the area, looking for suitable branches he can use to make fishing poles.]

Alright, let's see...this should be a good spot. Just need some supplies...

[heartlessswordsman]

[hey Drain maybe it would have been a good idea to have maybe just brought a fishing pole??

Whatever its all good. Zel can't really help with fishing line, but he's got hooks covered. He plucks out a couple of his wiry hairs and shapes them into hooks, stabbing himself in the thumb in the process but its all good.]

Ah. I heaver realized how sharp this was before.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He needs money for that, loser. Besides, he can rough it just fine.]

...Did...Did you just do that with your own hair...?

do you like my typos I got them from autcorrect fucking my phone tags :(

[heartlessswordsman]

[Bruh not if you don't get caught]

I sure did. [He sighs and pops his thumbs into his mouth for a second because blood I guess. Ow dude, that was a good stabbin'.] The one thing that didn't get changed or weakened by coming here, and it's my hair. It's like a cruel joke.

you typos are the best my man keep on being the best at being you

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You're kind of a glass half-empty kinda guy, aren't you, Zel.

I mean...it sucks that most of our normal abilities are gone. Back home I could heal from most damage within a day and I could crush an anvil into a small ball with my bare hands but...hey, sometimes life hands you lemons.

[Darin takes those hooks off of Zel's hands before he stabs himself some more and finishes making the lines.]

Instead of making lemonade I tell life to screw off and squirt the lemon juice in its eyes. Then I succeed out of spite.

What a weirdly uplifting thing to say about typos

[heartlessswordsman]

I--look, I appreciate whatever this is that you're trying to do, but look at this from my perspective. Since my skin is no longer as strong as it was before, I now have to worry about impaling myself on my own hair. This has nothing to do with being negative or my level of success or whatever, and everything to do with my hair being a nightmare.

I typod on my compliment about typos

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I am looking at it from your point of view. It's a learning curve, sure, but don't you think you took your form for granted?

...I want you to know, I really had to stop myself from saying granite there.

Anyway, my point? This is a blessing in disguise. I can't heal from a broken leg in a day anymore. What does that mean? I learn to get good at healing and I learn to dodge better. I learn my limits and then I learn how to break them.

If you go through life complaining about every little thing, you're gonna miss out on all of the great things you coulda learned, Zel.

[And with that, he's casting both lines, propping them up on some rocks, and laying back to lounge.]

Masterful

[heartlessswordsman]

[naturally the granite comment earns a glare. Wow, Darin. What a prick.]

For someone as dense as you, I have to admit that I find your talent for motivational speaking impressive.

[that was like half a compliment, half a go fuck yourself. Anyway, after hesitating awkwardly for a few seconds, Zelgadis takes a seat next to Darin and just stares at the water because what else is there to stare at???]

...It's good that you're able to look at all of this in a positive light. I'm obviously not there yet myself, but. Maybe someday.

I am pretty awesome

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin points encouragingly at Zel, even though his eyes are closed.]

And just like that, you're well on your way. All it takes is a change in perspective.

That said...you never told me how you wound up like this. What's the story?