forum I summon thee @Young-Dusty

Started May 08, 2019 by @amber_is_in_a_loop

tune

(I think that's very true >w< Rick's got so much energy lol)
"What kinda weapon is it?" Rick asked curiously. "Sounds like it's not from around here?"

"It's south African. Mine has got four blades in one, about 20 inches long in total. A straight blade, one rearward spike, one base spike and a hook on the back. It's very versatile, so it's as good in close range as it is when it's thrown."
She patted the compact pocket in the side of her bag where it lay. "I can pull it out, if you want," she carefully suggested.

"I'd love to take a look at it," Rick replied cheerfully. "I'm always happy to learn about the weapons and tools other folks use. It's very educational."

With a silent nod she swung her bag over her shoulder and slipped it out of its pocket, handing it to Rick. "It was passed on to me," she explained. A pause. "By my sister."

https://images.app.goo.gl/iNu9onFG2Kt69qucA

Rick accepted the weapon and examined it with a professional eye. "This is some quality stuff. Your sister's got good taste. I gotta admit, though, I'd be terrified to try and use it. I'd probably take my own head off sooner than my enemy's." He handed it back with a nod. "Is it as tricky to get the hang of as it looks?"

She nodded, her usually distant expression slowly melting into a smile. "It is, yeah," she admitted lightly, ignoring all thoughts of
Via. "But I had excellent training. And I'm talented," she said with playful arrogance.
As soon as she realized what she'd said, she fell silent again.

(NICE THAT'S VERY SCARY AND I LOVE IT)

(RIGHT?? I LOVE IT. YOU SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT THE ZHUA IT'S SO COOL)

(I WILL IT SOUNDS TERRIFYING XD Two seconds later: Wow….that's….yeah, that's terrifying, all right O.o I would NOT want to fight somebody who had one of those)
Rick chuckled. "You do strike me as a very talented person, Miss Charlotte. I'd love to see a little demonstration of how to use that thing sometime. It's not often I get to spend time with a fellow weapons expert."

"What can I say, you pick things up with experience." She slid the mambele back into her bag with an easy flick, blushing like a doll.
(oof I literally did minute-research on weapons earlier today only)
(yeah, the Zhua is bad. Also, the Urumi is straight up chilling)

(ahaha same, I only learned the difference between a rifle and a shotgun this morning ^^; And woahhh, the Urumi is amazing XDD It looks like giant deadly bits of tinsel lol)
"Indeed you do." Rick nodded sagely. "Speakin' of experience, do you happen to have much experience with Deorns? We're bound to run into some as we head west."

(giant deadly bits of tinsel oml I'm dying)
"Not on the military side of things, no. But I know how to treat them, feed them, calm them down and such," she said.

(XD)
"No foolin'? Well shucks! Were you one of the handlers or something?"
(I may have to introduce a Deorn character at least briefly during this journey ^^)

(Ooh yay! Also is this okay, if Charlotte knows how to handle them? Anythikg extra I should know?)
"Our aim was making kids stronger than them, so we had to hold some with us to assess their strengths and weaknesses and such. So yes. I was a handler," she explained.

(yeah it's fine! I guess I should warn you that wild Deorns will naturally behave a lot differently than those in captivity–generally twice as stubborn, aggressive, and brave–but yeah, she can be a handler ^^ I'll probably give you more tips as necessary when we meet one)
"Now that's cool. My folks always said Deorns were something to be admired. We've actually got a couple back home. They're like part of the family."

"I have to say I agree. They protected the kids, more than once. They're honourable creatures," she reminisced, shouldering her duffel further up her back.

(In the wake of the loss of his wife, lonely clockmaker Abraham attempts to build himself an automaton companion.
The finished project comes to life— with full movement and cognitive memory. Better than he'd have thought possible. But will the secret of his Constance be kept in the small town of Spindlewood?
That's the premise)

(yeet that sounds really cool but I'm unfortunately pretty busy lately and I'd probably better try to curb my rp obsession before it gets me in trouble ^^; Thanks for the offer though! I hope it goes well!)
"Accurate. They may be a little tetchy around most people, but I ain't never heard of a Deorn that would hurt a kid. Once you understand that they value strength and close family over everything else, it's pretty easy to reason with 'em. But I guess you probably already knew that."

"You learn new things everyday, right?" Charlotte told him. "But yeah. I learned a lot in their company." She cast her eyes down, the shame of Jodie's role tainting the conversation.

Rick was not the most sensitive person and didn't quite notice her shift in mood. "My parents always said that humans could learn a whole lot from Deorns and their ways. That's not a very popular opinion these days, but I think it's true. Deorns ain't monsters, they're just not as sociable as we are, and it was us humans that thought it would be a good idea to try and weaponize 'em. Now there's all this prejudice against them because they did the natural thing and fought back." He shrugged. "I gotta say, we may be more intelligent than them, but sometimes I think they're the ones with more common sense."

Caught off guard, Charlotte let out a snicker and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Shaking it off, she nodded. "Agreed."
Even without knowing she was hurting, he'd cheered her up.

Rick was surprised and happy to hear her laugh, and his smile widened. "Ayhoo, I'm glad we're on the same page when it comes to Deorns. I was a little worried you'd take a dim view on 'em….I heard that the further west you go, the less likely a person will be to tolerate non-humans. There are even people up north that run some kind of Deorn extermination business, or somethin' like that. At least, that's what the traders told us."

Charlotte shook her head in disgust. "Sounds familiar," she muttered. That's probably where she went.

((HECK remind me later and we can make a subplot outta that if you want))
"Yeah, I s'pose they get good business in some places." He sighed. "I thought about joining 'em once, you know, back when I first got kicked out. They were in the area doin' some work and told me they were always hiring. But I didn't much like the looks of their leader. He didn't really seem like a fun guy to work for…..and anyway, I couldn't much agree with that they were up to."

"For what it's worth… I appreciate that you didn't."

"Yeah…me too." Rick paused at a crossroads, then went right. "It woulda been nice to have some company, but I'm not sure they're the company I'd like to keep. This here is much better, if you'll pardon my sayin' so, ma'am."

"Well… I have a history with people being hired to hurt. So I was sceptical." She paused as Rick turned right, then followed. "But you seem alright."

"Well, it's an honor to hear you say that, it really is. I'll do my best to keep your opinion of me favorable."
He was about to say more, but then fell silent and squinted at the road ahead. "Well…shucks. Looks like the bridge is down."
A few yards up the road, it crossed the river. Normally, there was a wooden bridge spanning the water, but the storm must have washed it away because now there were only a few splinters of wood left. Rick reached the bank and scratched his head, eyeing the problem with a frown. "Current looks too strong to cross here….maybe we can find a shallower spot nearby."