EVENT: HERE THERE BE MONSTERS

[initiatesnpc]

Date & Time: October 24 - October 31
Location: Throughout Exsilium
Characters: ALL; tag yourselves in
Summary: The Transports return from their mission to find the island crawling with monsters.
Warnings: Violence, possibly injuries (notify a mod if there's cause to add a particular warning!)

The Transports return from their mission to Medieval Russia, but the Initiative Hold is eerily deserted. Normally, their would be a number of Initiative personnel prepared to meet the Transports at the end of their mission for debriefing.

Instead, there is only silence.

That is, until a distant thumping sound can be heard. It is growing closer, and suddenly the beast is bursting into the room. It lets out a roar and charges. Within minutes, it is easily defeated, but damage has already been done -- it collided with the Transporter machine, which is now making a low fizzling sound and lets off a couple sparks. The commotion is enough to draw the attention of the few remaining Initiative personnel who still inhabit the Hold, who arrive immediately afterwards. They are able to tell the Transports two things: that the machine is broken and currently unable to sent anyone back in time, and that the island has been overrun with aggressive, mutated beasts sent by the United Earth. They have been under siege for months, with the island's population reduced to a mere fraction of what it had once been.

Comments

[allsongs]

[she hums a note through a quirked smile, parsing through the words she's heard.]

Tell me what a knight is...[squinting a little.] you are? Is what you say.

[modestchivalry]

[he's curious about the humming but before he asks, he should prooobably answer her question first]

A knight is someone who protects the kingdom they live in & the people that live in it.

[allsongs]

[another soft note. while she considers, she combs hair behind her ear.]

Is this...same as all here? Called by Initiative of Exsilium.

Are all knight here?

[modestchivalry]

[that's a good question, actually. he looks thoughtful for a moment]

Hmm.. well, I suppose in a sense that is true. Knights can be both metaphorical & literal... [but that's confusing, Castor. try thinking of it in a different way she can understand]

Knights are... similar to soldiers, I suppose you could say. They live to fight & protect. The Initiative are made up of regular people, rather than just soldiers.

Does... any of that make sense?

[allsongs]

[her mouth presses into a thin line as she listens, piecing words and contexts together as she finds them.

...ah.]

...It is choice then, yes? Free will.

[modestchivalry]

[his face lights up, very happy she was able to get the general idea]

Yes! [a pleased nod] That's right. Knights choose to become knights.

[allsongs]

Hmmh... [the note again. she smiles small, vaguely emulating his approval. knights. soldiers. chosen warriors. she nods.]

I understand what you say. Thank you.

[but that doesn't mean he's off the hook just yet:] Will you tell me the word castle?

[modestchivalry]

[he actually doesn't mind explaining thing to her - in fact talking to her has done a great deal at distracting him from his anxiety]

Castles are very large, elegant yet powerful structures where Kings & Queens live. They're very big on the outside & can seem a little intimidating but they're very beautiful inside.

[allsongs]

[pressing on:] How are kings and queens different?

[modestchivalry]

Kings & Queens are the rulers of their kingdom. What they do represents all people they rule. Knights serve under their hand & protect both them & the people of the kingdom.

[allsongs]

[rulers. rule. her brow furrows faintly as she seeks to piece them into familiar places. serve, protect, people and kingdom...]

Do I understand this correct? [her hands lift in gesture.] A kings and queens are listened to by knights and peoples?

[modestchivalry]

[he nods once more, smiling the more she understands]

Yes. They set laws & rules for their people to abide by. Knights enforce those rules so that everyone lives safe & happily.

[allsongs]

[her eyes squint a little as she gives him another scrutinizing glance. this Castor, a knight...and all these other things.]

I know these things. Knights and kings and queens. [she nods slow, looking elsewhere, upward.] I know many.

[modestchivalry]

[his features soften & he smiles when she confirms her understanding]

Is that so? I'm glad... If there is anything you wish to know about, I will try to do by best to explain to you.

[allsongs]

[ha. a dangerous offer. her mouth puckers and then stretches into a mild smile – almost a smirk.]

You are kind, Castor. Good to teach. [she nods.] To talk. Thank you.

[modestchivalry]

Ehe, do you think so? [she's a little odd but he can't help but enjoy her company. having such a conversation has done wonders for his stress]

... I must thank you as well, Simmaeri.

[allsongs]

Thank for? [there's a light note of curiosity in her tone, not entirely complimentary to the dimming smile she wears.]