WEEK FIVE

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ONLINE CAPTAIN'S LOG: WEEK (5)

monday - thursday (33) survivors It had been merely a week since the last trial, but you find yourself faced with a new week on The Pygmalion. When you awaken, you will find the handcuff around your wrist gone. The robot in the cafeteria has prepared another breakfast of various foods. (OOC: Please submit your murder proposals by 9 PM EST Tuesday.) taken list profiles private conversations setting rulebook murder proposals ENTER COMMAND_

Comments

[chiseler]

[...what a funny question. For a moment, he's absolutely thrown off.]

What makes you ask something like that? [He's not answering just yet.]

[bloodbiter]

[she glances back at him - it seems like an obvious question for her, so his surprise takes her aback in turn]

Why did I ask if it were magic? Well, that sort of thing is common in my world. Besides, I was wondering what might make this particular dagger more important or useful, especially since you mentioned it wasn't yours. It seemed like a strange choice for her to try to use an ordinary dagger that you don't own as a means to tempt you, especially when you already have a sword.

You don't have to answer if you'd rather not, however.

[chiseler]

[This sure does kinda seem like a trap. So he keeps paused, nodding to himself in thought because Adelina's also from a world of monsters. Duh. It would make sense she'd be one to ask.]

It used to be mine. [For all of maybe five hours...] ...that dagger's supposed to protect anyone who's wielding it from everything and anything. Seems to have worked for its owner so far. Plus it's designed for monsters in particular instead of just a normal blade.

[bloodbiter]

Is that so? Fascinating.

[glancing at it for a moment longer before she looks back to him]

I would be curious as to how it was taken from you if it's meant to make you effectively unable to be harmed, unless you chose to relinquish it to another.

[but she can't see anyone just giving up that kind of power willingly.]

[chiseler]

[...well.]

That's kinda exactly what happened. [And for once he actually looks a little sheepish, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.] It was a gift, and I gifted it to someone else years ago.

[bloodbiter]

...Interesting. They must have needed protection very dearly, I take it?

[now he has her curious.]

[chiseler]

[Addie are you really ready for part of a Tragic Backstory? It's hard to say what he's thinking but it's easier to nod in response.]

She was seven at the time. I'd have to be the world's biggest jerk to leave a scared little kid defenseless when monsters were chasing after her, too.

[bloodbiter]

[well that's horrible. she frowns.]

Why were they targeting her specifically?

[chiseler]

Same reason they target any of us. Monsters can sense us and go after us, especially when they pick up on something powerful. And...she was. Is. She definitely grew up to be pretty powerful.

[Because being a demigod is hard, basically.] When we found her she was hiding in an alley behind some ironwork place and thought we were monsters, too. Figured she needed a better weapon than a hammer.

[bloodbiter]

They have a way to sense the powerful in your world? Even those who would one day grow up to be... That sounds frightening. Do they have some method of foresight?

[chiseler]

You could say that. It's more based on our scent which kind of sounds gross, but...it's hard to say what it really smells like to them. They only go after those that smell appealing to them.

[bloodbiter]

[wrinkles her nose a bit]

How disturbing. Are many people in your world bothered by them, or only a small number?

[chiseler]

More than you'd think but not a lot in the grand scheme of things. [He's quick to roll past it.] What about you? Is it common for people where you're from to fight monsters?

[bloodbiter]

[the subject change is obvious enough, so she goes with it, shaking her head with a frown]

...Not common enough, I'm afraid. They've become far too numerous and made quite a mess of things for the past few hundred years.

[chiseler]

If the problem is that bad though why aren't more people doing anything to figure out how to stop it?

[bloodbiter]

Because they don't want to be killed. The risk is great for everyone, but more so for those that actively fight.

[chiseler]

So it's a fast death or a slow death, depending on how you're feeling. [He can't help but shake his head, more than a little annoyed by the thought.] ...so why do you fight?

[bloodbiter]

That's simplifying it a bit.

[the question gives her pause, but he's been honest enough with her, she thinks.]

When we were younger, my sister used to speak about how when she grew old enough to ride a charger, she would go to fight and lead armies. She was committed to eradicating the monsters from our land, and making it safe for all of our citizens.

I know that me doing the same is what she would have wanted.

[chiseler]

[The word "was" is enough of a tipoff to understand something happened to her sister and it's...almost noble that Adelina picked up where the other girl left off. Would he do something like that? Probably not, but nobody ever said that Luke didn't have his own motivations and drive for things.]

I think the bigger question is if it's what you want. But if it matches your sister's wishes then fine. [A beat.] Been doing this long?

[bloodbiter]

I'm not certain I agree with that completely, but... It is what I want. If it could become even a bit more peaceful and safe for people to live, I would be more than satisfied.

[she shakes her head]

Not terribly long. I'm still learning. And you?

[chiseler]

[He wants to ask why she wouldn't agree, but he'll come back to that in a sec.]

I've been on my own since I was 9 but I've been learning to fight a little before that. It's been a while...you start to learn how to tackle pretty much anything when you're out on the field. There're places we can go to train, too, but I didn't have that option for the first five years.

[bloodbiter]

On your own... I'm sorry. That sounds awful.

[a small pause, uncertain whether she should push, before she continues:]

May I ask why? You needn't answer if it's something painful.

[chiseler]

[Of all the things Adelina could ask, that's probably the least offensive.]

Figured I'd take my chances out there than keep staying with my mom. I still don't really regret that either.

[bloodbiter]

...I see. She wasn't an appropriate caretaker, I assume.

[chiseler]

[A little smirk.] My mom was pretty crazy. It...[...how to describe May Castellan...] It was just better for both of us if I left her behind. That's all. I never went back after that.

[...which is mostly true, but those two times aren't important.]