[OPEN] At least they're not crows

[kirkhammer]

Who: Vivienne and YOOOU
When: 7/09-7/15
Where: Around the Administrative Circle in Caissa, the stables in Caissa, and Petrosian
What: Colle doesn't earn itself, so guess it's time to settle some griffons down. And do a little farming. That second part doesn't sound like much fun, but look, when you're poor...... Also Vivienne likes (tamed) animals more than she does people, confirmed.
Rating: PG-13?

1-A: Magical Creatures Rights Advocates? More Like Zealots Tbh

[While she has experience with smaller firearms - pistols, mainly - Vivienne's never used a rifle before. It's far heavier in her hands than she was expecting, though not to the point where it's unwieldy. She's been swinging a large hammer around for a few years by this point, after all. But no, what's making Vivienne cringe is the young man following her, shouting something about MURDERING ANIMALS!!! and that THEY WANT TO LIVE TOO!!!. Nevermind that she's carrying tranquilizer darts rather than live rounds - the man seems to refuse to listen.

But enough's enough. Your character probably spots Vivienne dragging an unconscious man's body along the ground by his legs. She didn't tranq him, no, she's saving those darts for the real threat, which means he might be waking up sometime soon to yell some more about SAVING THE GRIFFONS!!!

Help her "dispose" of the body? Maybe tie him up somewhere? Dump him in a stack of hay? Toss him into a pig pen?? Then they can tackle the griffons together. But if you wanna play the nice guy/gal, convince her to leave the poor guy alone - he's just really passionate about his ambitions.......]

1-B: Seriously, Anything's Better Than Crows

[Well, with that delightful distraction out of the way, now's the time to earn some dosh. Except it's particularly breezy today, and that, coupled with the fact that, while large, griffons aren't exactly slow - especially when they're in the air - it's rather difficult to get a good shot in to bring one down. Unless you're a good shot. You know, calculating wind speed and bullet drops and all that stuff an amateur shooter like Vivienne doesn't know about.

Looks like she's going to have to devise another scheme to bring it down. Bait's probably a good idea. SO. Hero. Vivienne will be on the approach with a quite "excuse me".]

Have you anything shiny on you? The more extravagant, the better.

[Unless you wanna coach her on how to properly use a rifle. That works too.]

2: Who's Throwing This Shit Out?

[Being overly uninformed when it comes to magic (she's working on this. Slowly.), and largely useless at running and repairing machinery (less progress happening on this front), Vivienne is then best suited to physical labour. But after a day of hauling buckets of water, she's decided to go for something a little simpler today, and scooping rubbish out of the river seems relaxing, if not an easier way to make colle.

Are you out doing this (honestly) mundane job today too, Hero? If so, Vivienne will murmur out loud:]

I'll be frank - with this amount of rubbish, I find it hard to believe this is a nation at war.

3: Animals Are Pretty Neato. Guess Those Animal Rights Advocates Are Onto Something.

[Being an individual of few belongings and attachments, it's rare that Vivienne finds sentimental value in something. Not to say it's impossible, but that sort of thing tends to take longer. Not with her horse though.

She'd purchased him a very short time before was returned to her world, but whether it's due to some deeply-rooted desire to be like a knight of some description, or more simply, that horses don't talk, Vivienne grew fond of her new ally. Now that she's back though, she fully intends on purchasing that very same horse, and thank the gods he's still there. She's just uh.. lacking in proper funds at the moment, which is why she's taking on what jobs she's able to. I mean, what if someone else snatches up Eldon before she can? Can't have that happening, can we?

Anyway, more to the point, Vivienne visits the stable quite frequently. Sometimes she'll bring an apple or two, sometimes she goes with a book to sit quietly and read... in.. her horse's presence.....

Please come laugh at her.]

WILDCARD

[Wanna hit me up with something else? Just leave me a starter (or I can come up with one, if you give me a rough idea of what you're shooting for). Failing that, lemme know through PM or at paako, and we can work something out!]

Comments

2

[moreasleep]

[Rory was indeed doing this mundane job as well, complete with wearing a mundane sun hat. Despite working in the same place, they each had different tasks. Until now, he had been clearing out the weeds and planting in the new crop. He stopped working, briefly, to look at her. He did not respond to her question; he seemed not to have heard it.]

You're back?

[He sounded doubtful. He had assumed she had disappeared. Had she just been in hiding this whole time?]

[kirkhammer]

[That voice...

Stuffing a boot into her designated bag of garbage - she was asked to keep an eye out for "useful trinkets", and so keeps another for that purpose - Vivienne then straightens, turning on her heel, to--

Ah.]

Rory. [Not exactly a greeting, that.] Yes. With the recent arrivals, in fact.

[moreasleep]

[She remembered him. He tipped his chin up, less of a greeting and more a simple acknowledgement, and…

…he did not remember her name. One of the drawbacks of being so fatigued all the time. Every so often, small details slipped into the fog. He approached the river. His jaw was tight. Her return was upsetting. It meant that even those sent home were still not safe from this place.]

That's fucking great. How're your folks back home?

[He took out a few glass bottles, which he set in a bag for recycling.]

[kirkhammer]

[Her jaw clenches at the use of expletives. Vivienne's no saint, of course, she's done her fair share of dirty work, but she's never really had it in her to use such language. #VictorianSensibilities]

No different, although that in itself is not comforting. I would much rather be there, as would a host of others.

Have you come to find a way to insult my culinary experience?

[DON'T THINK SHE'S FORGOTTEN.]

[moreasleep]

[WOW, ELSA, LET IT GO.]

Not unless you're eating that.

[He motioned to the rubbish Vivienne had collected. Admittedly, he had been wondering if she were eating well, but he did not want to get into the subject of food while up to his elbows deep in assorted filth. The next thing he pulled out of the river was several metal tins, which presumably held food at one point. Those also went into recycling.]

What happened when you got back?

[kirkhammer]

[NOT A CHANCE.

"I thought it was established that I had standards, after all?" is what she wants to say, but she can at least recognise this isn't the best time or place to start bickering. Or rather, let her pride be trampled into nothing.]

The same as anybody else when they arrive here. I awoke in a room, had to dress, and pick up my weapon and Carrier. But as you can see, my memories are intact.

[moreasleep]

[Without getting into a needless argument, he focused on his work while he listened to her. It was automatic, anything remotely recyclable went into one bag, anything he could reuse, or repurpose, even dirty shirts, went into another bag.

When she mentioned her memories, his eyes narrowed. However, his anger seemed placed elsewhere, not at her. He had long struggled with how he would explain this to his parents, to Ciaran, to everyone that he left behind, but now it seemed he would not have any recollection when he returned. That was just what he needed, more of his life lost in a fog.]

They weren't when you were home? How'd you explain that?

[Then he pulled out another piece of clothing from the river, this time it was something lacy and sheer. His face paled and he dropped it with a sound of disgust when he discovered what it was, only to pick it back up before it drifted away. Thankfully, he was wearing gloves. It quickly went into the rubbish.]

1B, I'm here for bird punching

[hiryugaeshi]

I try to avoid ostentatious things. The only thing they're good for on the mountaintop is attracting the attention of birds looking for things to decorate their nest. Unfortunately, that seems to be exactly what we need today.

[ Look at this samurai asshole, not carrying a dart rifle at all. Instead, he has his wooden sword in hand, and is keeping his eyes peeled for griffon activity. ]

Still, birds are birds. Not being allowed to slay them makes my job a little more difficult, but they're just bigger swallows in the end. We just need to know where they're going to get close to the ground.

[ Except for the whole "ass of a lion" thing. And being huge. Really, exactly like swallows. ]

If a fist does not come into contact with a bird, I will riot. RIOT.

[kirkhammer]

Swallows. [SWALLOWS......] Then these are the largest, most aggressive swallows I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

[Her eyes now wander to that sword. He can't actually be serious. Though maybe that's a moot point, considering that Vivienne might have been thinking of jumping on one to ram a dart in by hand. You know, if it absolutely came to it.]

Are you telling me you intend to bring one down with that?

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED but not this exact tag though

[hiryugaeshi]

Their size will probably work against them. They are much larger targets like this, after all. [ Why does everyone doubt the power of swallows? They are truly frustrating opponents. ]

Indeed I am. Although I suppose breaking any bones would cause permanent injuries for these creatures, so I'll just stun them with my sword before switching to the tranquilizers.

[ He actually does plan on ramming in the darts by hand, just so you know. ]

First, we need to figure out where they're most likely to attack. Someplace high, and shiny, I think. Perhaps an antenna of some kind.

[ Do they even have radio here? Or mana transmissions, that works too. ]

I'll be waiting

[kirkhammer]

[Look, when you just say it like that, people're gonna think you're a weirdo.

She's about to remind him that those pesky animal rights activists are still lingering about, but if he's planning on simply stunning them, that should keep them quiet. Assuming they've enough courage to actually follow them for long enough. And if push comes to shove, maybe she can spare a dart or two, and then just.. leave them strung up somewhere nice and high, if they love their stupid birds so much.]

Right. The mana distributors. [Dispersers? Amplifiers? Vivienne's the last person to know what they are.] Shall we then? I long to see the skills you've honed.

[hiryugaeshi]

[ He's not a weirdo, you're all weirdoes for not understanding swallows. Maybe. Not really. ]

I wonder how much I'll get to show against opponents like these? Still, I can't deny a captive audience their due.

[ He raises his left hand and shoots out a chain from inside his sleeve, a hook latching on to a rooftop with a shiny whatever it is. Having two weapons sure is handy. He gets a grappling hook.

He offers Vivenne a hand before reeling the chain in, pulling up onto the rooftop with a practiced motion. ]

Apex predators like griffons aren't likely to care what is nearby, but keep your voice low anyway. We don't want to startle them.

[kirkhammer]

[K, Kojirou. K.

There's something to be said about her first instinct to a chain bursting out of one's clothing being to reach for a weapon - a rifle, in this case. Yharnamites are a jumpy lot, but all things considered, maybe that's excusable. Still though, that doesn't change the fact that Vivienne doesn't like that she's done it, so it's almost begrudgingly that she obliges with his unspoken request.]

On the other hand, that also means they're quite capable of defending themselves, and to that end, I'd rather they not know we're here. We keep downwind.

[And just so he knows:]

A frontal assault like this was not what I had planned - the only weapon I've brought with me is this rifle. I'm leaving it to you to provide a clear shot. I trust you're up for it?

1-B

[whipoflust]

[ He was here on different business today but he can guess why she might be asking. He smiles politely. ]

I do own a pocket watch, as a matter of fact. Are you looking to draw something down with shiny items?

[kirkhammer]

[And as if in answer, a screech is heard from somewhere above. Its location remains unknown, but it lurks nonetheless.]

Griffons. They're apparently fond of shiny, metallic objects, among other things. Something about decorating nests.

[All she cared to find out about was what drew them. The why's weren't too important to her.]

[whipoflust]

[ Thieving birds (One could call griffons a kind of bird, in a way, right?) that likes shiny things? Like blue jays and jackdaws and Menas. Though Menas was much less graceful and elegant than griffons. ]

Ah, yes, I have heard of creatures like that, although I did not know that they have a fondness of such items. I suppose that I do not mind letting you borrow my watch, as long as I get it back later.

[kirkhammer]

[Well, they have feathers and a beak, that's close enough. But there's a rather pregnant pause before she speaks next, weighing out the possibility of re-obtaining said pocket watch against... well, replacing it should the worst happen.

How much could a pocket watch cost...?]

Would you be adverse to a replacement if I'm unable to return it?

[Probably best to be transparent in this matter.]

[whipoflust]

[ Ah, yes, there was that chance after all, that it would not be possible to retrieve it. He didn't think that she would not try not to lose it - but did the job include retrieving any lost items.

He considers her question for a couple moments. ]

I suppose not, since there is no sentimental value to it.

[ Not that he was much for sticking feelings of sentimentality to items. ]

[kirkhammer]

Good. [She says that a little too quickly, a little too readily.] Then if I may.

[Aaaand she'll just hold out her hand.]

1-A

[fuhrinkaed]

[Ed was mostly here because Griffons--any magical animal is like a siren's call to him to be honest. He was already excited to see a griffon, and he couldn't wait to help out and--]

[And. That is his roommate. Dragging a body along.]

[Really, there's only one thing that you could possibly say to something like that.]

U-uh... hi there. Why are you dragging a person around?

[kirkhammer]

[A rather curt nod.]

Ed.

He was keeping me from doing my job.

[fuhrinkaed]

Ah... hah...

[He scratches his cheek.]

Um... isn't that a little..?

I mean, you could have just... talked to him. Right? Er--you did do that, at least.

[kirkhammer]

I've only so much patience for those who do not listen. And I've also only so much patience for being falsely accused. My job is to pacify and remove these griffons from the city, not kill them, as he was loudly proclaiming.

[A none-too-gentle yank on the activists's to tug him over an unusually large cobblestone in the road.]

People like this seem to be out in full force, no doubt in protest to others who have taken this job.

[fuhrinkaed]

Um...

I see... B-but he was just being loud, right? Y-you wouldn't normally do something about someone just speaking, right? H-he didn't try to hurt you, did he?

[kirkhammer]

Would you feel better if I said he did?