exsiliumlogs | (no subject) (part 2)

I've been in space for a little bit. It was pretty quiet. There was a big explosion, and then I was back on the ground, mostly. You ever had shawarma?

Shawarma? I don't remember. Maybe, maybe not? Why were you in space?

I had to fly a nuclear missile headed for Manhattan through a portal instead.

Seriously? [ Huh. Well, she doesn't know what she was expecting particularly, but she doesn't think it was that. Interesting. ] So you didn't get to hang out and enjoy it?

I was moderately unconscious after managing to see it explode on impact. We didn't have time to get that close bond, you know how it is with those whirlwind relationships.

Would you ever want to go back? [ Gesturing in the general direction of - well, the ceiling, but clearly intending to bring mind the sky, the space above it. There's something young and excited in her voice. ] More prepared, obviously. But go into the stars.

[ The knee-jerk reaction is both yes and no at the same time, which is odd to reconcile. ]

Yeah. I'd go back.

[ People who are being quite careful to not monitor him emotionally and don't realize this might be a sensitive topic - her. ]

Yeah, me too. Well, it wouldn't be back for me. But I'd like to see space.

[ He's looking down at his dessert as it arrives now, poking at the garnish with his fork for a moment before the mood lifts again. ]

S'pretty. Gigantic, tiny balls of light aeons away. Yeah, it's nice. Little vacation, I think, catch some rays, a little peace and quiet for once so I can finish my book.

[ She just kind of hums an assent to that, thoughtful, and then tilts her head at him, smiling a little. ]

You're writing a book?

[ okay, he can see where you got that, but ]

Facetious - reading. There are enough books about me already, and I'm taking a break from writing textbooks. You know, letting other people have a shot at it too, sharing is caring.

I was wondering. Never seen you writing at all. [ Considering. ] There's books about you?

I don't like people to know I can do it. I like to be underestimated, and illiteracy has a good edge on that respect. [ Conspiratorially. His good mood is honestly back now, instead of just pretending to be. Mercurial! Yay! ] Not here there aren't, unless someone just starts to want playing a joke on me. Back home. Biographies and shit.

[ She laughs a little bit at that, because good moods are slightly infectious to her and she likes them. ] Yeah, I guess it would. Oh, they can't read, we've got them.

Aren't you pretty young to have biographies written about you already?

Exactly. What people forget is that barbarians have a d12 hit die instead to make up for it. Checks and balances.

[ This pie is actually not that bad. ] Apparently not. I've packed a lot of life in, I guess. Either that or there's just not enough interesting people to write biographies about. Or it's just easy to find all the information.

And broadswords and clubs. Can't forget those.

[ It really isn't. She's kind of impressed. ] Are they at least well written?

Barbarians actually tend to do better with greatswords and two-headed battle axes, given their usual strength modifiers, but hey, if you want to play a dex-based barbarian, no one's stopping you.

[ He snorts. ] Some of them are fine. Some get things wrong.

It's been like - [ a decade, of course ] ten years since I played at all, I barely remember the advantages of dexterity versus strength.

So pretty hit and miss. What are they going to do when you keep doing stuff, stick out second editions? Now edited to include his daring exploits in alien invasion number three.

There aren't many for a barbarian without the right feats.

[ I enjoy that they both effectively went, 'Well, I have no political skills whatsoever. Fuck the mission, let's go eat.' ] Uh, basically. There's another one every few years anyway, it's a rolling progression. I mean, half the shit's on wikipedia anyway so I don't quite get the point of paying for it, but I guess it's decent bathroom reading after you've finished the crossword.

I wonder if they've got a copy of Dungeons and Dragons around Exsilium somewhere. Maybe we could start a group.

[ She thought long and hard about using her empathy to help the Initiative who am I kidding her thought process there was 'yeah no fuck that' without even a brief 'Should I' on the front of it. Also just squinting. ] I get that you're interesting, but do they really find you that interesting? Every few years?

And ruin all this street cred I've been banking?

It's not the same people over and over again. Rotation. I'm fascinating, okay, that's the general consensus here.

You can always keep it very exclusive, with only people you know won't ruin this 'street cred'. [ Doing everything but actually air quote it to make it clear that's what she's doing it. ]

Oh, of course. Fascinating.

Uh huh. Who'd DM the thing?

Are you seriously - that hurts, that you can even get something like that out.

I'm sure we could find someone. You wouldn't have to be involved with the search of course, to ensure that your delicate reputation stays intact.

[ Amused. ] I can say anything with a straight face.

I am getting far too much hostility from your side of the table.