Current
2 more days and I will return to full availability
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10 yrs ago
I will be gone for a week.
10 yrs ago
Roleplaying involves a commitment to others. And if you cannot keep that commitment I'd ask you to be honest with youself and just say so. It's by far the least painful way of leaving an rp.
10 yrs ago
I'm back in business baby
10 yrs ago
I will be gone for the following week. Posts are possible, but one should not count on it.
@Zendrelax Would you be partial to going on a trip to a sunless sea with just you, me, and some expendable NPC crewmen? Perhaps we can pick up more people on the way!
As soon as the meeting was dismissed, Jan stood up from his seat and left the briefing room. He already had something in mind there was to do. This Percy fellow needed someone to really release his anger at. He was of no use in his current emotional state. Though it would be clear to him that he wasn’t the only individual with the idea as he noticed Stein some moments later as he searched the corridors for Percy, herself looking like she was looking for someone or something— that is until she noticed him as well.
“Van Gent.”
“Yes? I presume you noted Moore’s… outburst earlier too?” He stepped up besides her.
“He seems emotionally compromised. That could endanger field operations. I believe he needs to have words from his comrades.”
“I agree, It’s not in anyone’s favor for him to suffer a similar episode while out in the field.”
“That would be… problematic, I agree.” Stein replied as the two continued their pace as they discussed the task at hand.
She moved her sight for a second down to the file in her hands as she ran over where his specific quarters were located. “His barrack is located this way, close to the hangar entrance.”
As for Percy, he had made his way to his barrack located near the hangar so he could just be alone. He really didn’t MEAN to get worked up like that, but he did. His heart was still pounding and his thoughts were a scattered mess of wondering why he even signed up for this shit if all it’s gonna do is hurt his kid. She didn’t want him to leave today, even. That should’ve been a sign to just quit, but he didn’t. He’s doing the best he can, and nobody is ever satisfied with that.. At least, that’s what he thinks.
His moping was interrupted by the slam of the door being thrown open. Jan entered the room, flanked by Stein. “I thought we should have a word about your… feelings.”
Percy had nearly jumped through the ceiling when the door slammed open. Before that, he WAS actually starting to calm down. “...Did you have to slam the damn door?”
“Well, it isn’t much less rude than the way you handled the briefing just now,” Jan simply retorted.
“If you’re just here to fuck with me, then get the hell out of here.”
“Officer Van Gent is only concerned about the precedent that the briefing revealed.”
“He seems more worried about money to me,”
“He is worried about his life. As I am concerned with my own.” Stein commented before she shot a glance to Jan; why was he so aggressive over a matter that needed to be discussed?
“Son, if you have an episode like that in the middle of a mission, the enemy is going to tear you apart like a school of piranhas.” Jan said rather more calmly.
“Don’t ‘son’ me,” Percy snapped. If it wasn’t obvious by now, talking to him like he’s a child having a tantrum probably wasn’t helping.
“He’s not incorrect. Emotional instability can cause serious injury or worse to not only yourself but to the entire unit during combat.”
Percy actually paused to let that sink in, even if for just a second.
“Well, Percy, I’ll just pose you a simple question. I gathered you have someone to take care of? Well, imagine if some go-getting opponent decides to blow a hole through your cockpit while you’re distracted by your worries… who’s gonna take care of the home-front then?”
“It is likely the child would be abandoned and left to the devices of the environment.”
“I KNOW. I KNOW that! God damn it, why do you think I’m scared? I-I’ve been dealing with this shit for months! The one guy I could talk to is a fucking idiot that doesn’t even remember the shit that happened.” Percy had tears in his eyes again. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I don’t know what possessed me to think I was even cut out for this shit!”
“It is impractical to be afraid.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, I KNOW THAT.” Percy exclaimed, “BEING SCARED JUST MAKES IT WORSE! I KNOW. B-but just cause I KNOW it’s stupid doesn’t mean I can STOP IT.”
“Tch. I do not know how you want your unit to handle your emotional breaks, but I will tell you this. Emotions will make you crack, they will make you bleed, and you will be nothing but a skeleton in a mech’s graveyard.”
“So, what, I should become an unfeeling robot like you?” Percy couldn’t stop that train of thought from coming out.. and the slight blush along with the ashamed expression showed he really didn’t mean for that to come out that way.
Stein’s voice cracked a little at Percy’s irritation-caused remark, “Are you content with being foolish? You can be concerned about this person you care about, I am not saying otherwise, but you need to be focused and clear. I do not want to be calculating if you are going to risk the unit. Do you really care about that individual you care for? or do you fear death more than your desire to protect them? Are you a coward or a pilot?”
”Are you seriously implying I don’t love my daughter? She’s the whole reason I haven’t just quit living!”
“I’m implying you fear more than you love. Otherwise this conversation would be not occurring.” Stein spat as she moved a strand of her blonde hair out of her face.
“You’ve already said that if I die, she’s fucked! Even with Zach taking care of her-”
“Then don’t DIE, you cowardly piece of civilian rubbish! If you are focused and have your team behind you, you won’t have to worry about any of this! Are you so insanely idiotic you can think only like a twelve year old? I’m done. My words are spent.” Stein turned to Jan, “I have concluded my thoughts, I will be in the hangar. Working. Like a pilot.”
Stein turned and made for the hangar as she left the two to their thoughts.
“She’s right you know, your languishing in your own worry isn’t serving anyone but yourself.”
“Just leave me alone. I don’t need you hounding on me too.” Percy sniffled, trying - and failing - to hide that he was definitely losing any semblance of maturity he might’ve had before this exchange.
“Sure… I’ll be in the training room, running scenarios. I find it to be quite a calming exercise… you should come sometime too. Release some more of that deep-seated anger in a more productive manner.”
With that said, Jan turned to leave too. He had done enough to at least claim to have done his part, though he wasn’t going to pretend Stein’s polite tirade hadn’t caused quite a bit more impact.
It didn’t take too long for Jan to hear Percy’s footsteps behind him - lagging behind a little, but nonetheless. Maybe it’s the start of something, maybe not.
Patron God: The winged general , sigil is a golden eagle holding a lance and shield Patrons Domain: Warfare
Aspect of Patrons Domain: Cavalry
Appearance:Adrian is a strong man of well-toned musculature. He stands at 1 meter 75 and weighs in at 90 kilograms of muscle and bad temper. He has black hair and green eyes. The eyes flare up with a golden glow when Adrain exerts his supernatural power. General Apparel:Always dressed in uniform, Adrian's ensemble consists of a segmented platemail breastplate emblazoned with the sigil of the winged general, Relatively standard greaves and sabots, and A decorated helmet that quite resembles the beak of a bird of prey. Armor/Weapons/Equipment:Adrian is encased in the aforementioned armor, along with a shield in his left arm.. When it comes to weapons, he primarily wields a winged lance gifted to him by his patron. The lance is a weapon of great power, when it is brought to bear on an enemy, sparks of lightning envelop the head. It is however, still a weapon unfit for close-quarters combat. For this purpose, Adrian also has a cavalry saber of comparable quality. Magical/Divine Abilities:At Adrian's beckon, he can summon a phantasmal horse of golden light. This horse is not a living entity of its own, but simply a manifestation of Adrain's power. It is for all intents and purposes a trained warhorse otherwise. It shows absolute loyalty to its summoner and has strength and endurance to rival even the hardiest and strongest breeds of mortal horses.
Personality:Adrian is a boisterous and confident individual. He believes himself to be a peerless cavalier and one of the best warriors of the world. This worldview is unsurprising given little has ever happened to challenge the notion. He sees the world as a place filled with corruption and injustice, to be crushed under the hooves of his horse for the cause of good. He himself is of course an incorruptible warrior and defender of the innocent.
Likes:Justice, respect, adoration and honorable combat. Dislikes: Cowardice, injustice , people that give in to despair. Fears: The idea of enemies that cannot fall to the sword Aspirations:To become an unstoppable force of good, destined to drive evil from the world forever.
Relationships: None that would be relevant to the task at hand Allies:His patron. Also the great warriors of the steppes, who consider him the avatar of the golden general. Not that it will matter down in hell. Enemies: As a demigod, he stands opposed to the pearled one, god of deserts and fire, and patron to the peoples that tore down an old empire. It was Adrian who led the charge that broke the desert hordes spine forever, and he has never been forgiven for it. Loyalties:Adrian has a strict adherence to hierarchy and will often try to form a rudimentary one when he's out of his element.He expects obedience from those 'below' him, but will bow to those he considers his superior. As he is a warrior without peers, one could see how this could become a problem.
History: Adrian began his life as the son of a peasant farmer. Life was simple, days passed in a routine. Every autumn the lords came for their rightful part of the harvest, every winter they would remain with more than enough to survive with.
And then, as is often the case, things changed. In this case, the change was the coming of war. This was Adrain's fifteenth year. It seemed like nothing but yet another distant event until the autumn came again. This time the part of the harvest taken was quite a bit larger. for the good of the country. They said. The winter was harsh and ruthless that year. With stubborn hardiness, Adrian and his family survived. They were not particularly angry. After all, only a fool would argue against how these things always went. In that same vein, they also did not complain when the army came back in the summer, demanding Adrian pack his belongings and throw himself into the merciless machine of war. He had been raised a proud countryman, so there were little complaints. He said goodbye to his parents, who looked at him leave with pride... And perhaps also a bit of worry, but was such not to be expected of concerned and wholesome parents?
War was an unkind master to Adrian. The mellow routine of country life was a sharp contrast of the iron-hard discipline in the army. No longer did he wake up to the sound of birds singing. No longer could he loiter in the fields when his work was done. Those things had been replaced with signal horns and barracks respectively. Still, the discipline forged him from an easygoing country kid to a disciplined soldier. Always orderly walking in lockstep along his comrades.
Of course, as a peasant, he was far from worthy of riding the mighty steeds that the Royal cavalry used. Nevertheless, he was always impressed to see them in action. The way in which they scattered the enemy as a single unit. Somehow, he survived a full year of war as a simple foot soldier. And it was on the eve of the last battle of the year that his destiny came calling.
It was but a spur of the moment. The general was thrownout of the saddle by an opportunistic enemy, and Adrian was close enough to intercede. As a footstool's, all he was armed with was a spear and his training. Despite this, he threw himself between his superior and the enemy cavalry. Call it skill, call it luck, but despite his inferior equipment and unfavorable position, he managed to drive his spear through the cavalier leading the charge.
It was like a sea parting. The sight of their commander getting impaled by a mere commoner sowed the seeds of doubt amongst the sand-people. And the quick counterattack only served to further sow panic amongst their ranks. Adrian's act of spontaneous heroism had earned him both the attention and the respect of the top commanders. And so they granted his one wish. To serve as a cavalryman.
Of course, there was some opposition to the idea of a commoner riding in the cavalry, but few complained. After all, no one wanted to be that one guy who complained about the hero that had saved the day.
Winter came, and the war ground to a halt. It was a time of training, of regrouping, and of reunions with family dearly missed. At first, they did not recognize the proud mounted man clad in armor. But then they realized this man was their son, hardened in the crucible of war.
Though he could only see them for a week, it was a week of rejoicing. Of simple happiness, and of excited tales of the prestige and power he had earned by his hard work alone. He reveled in the pride his parents showed, and why should he not. He had gone above and beyond the call of duty to the country.
At the week's end. Adrian whispered a goodbye to his home for a second time and dutifully returned to the field of battle. His comrades in arms were already waiting for him. The first engagement with the enemy was marked by a favorable wind in the back. The day ended on what would be a year of fortune and victory.
Adrian's part in this year of conquest was large. He had grown to become respected by his peers and his superiors. Always leading the charge, always boldly breaking through where no normal man would even consider attacking. Even though he was of lowborn blood, heralds and bards sung of his exploits all the same.
Now, wars in this time were often short affairs, not often taking longer than a year or two. Despite this, the enemy did not want to give up the rich lands they were being driven from without a fight. A last stand was made The sultan himself had come to bolster his troops morale.
When the horns of battle sounded, Adrian's purpose became clear more than ever. He spurred his horse onwards into a charge. He leveled his lance to striking height and drove it through the ranks of infantry, through the cavalry that he had clashed with so often, and finally through the heart of the sultan himself.
His leading the charge had profoundly broken the sand-people. In mass, they abandoned their position. They ran for their lives even as they were scythed down by the dozen by Adrian and his comrades. Nevermore would they have to fear the menace from the desert.
And it was victorious and resplendent that they marched into the city they had come to liberate. The people sang praises to the victorious army. After all, they had been as slaves to the oppressors from the desert, and now they would be free. Leading the victory parade was Adrian himself, Helmeted and stoic, he silently basked in the glory.
The evening was long and loud. The victorious men partied the night away, drunk as much on their victory as they were on the fine wines of the city. Adrian partook in the celebrations, but rather humbly so for one of his rank. He had not forgotten about his humble origins. At least not at this time.
That morning, Adrian went to marvel at the wonders of the city he had helped liberate. For some reason, he felt himself called to the great temple in the center of the city. Clerics and priests were hard at work casting away the heretical symbols of the sand-people's heathen god. The great domed temple would soon be restored in its old glory.
He found himself in the middle of the temple when the priests unfurled a great and impressive tapestry. A gust of wind catched it and stretched it to its full length. Something vast and mighty could be felt in the temple. The sun stood high in the sky, and the rays of light shining through the stained-glass windows all converged in the middle of the temple. Everyone else felt what was happening too. Everyone kneeled, like a soldier showing respect to their superior. Though Adrian did not fall completely to the ground. He knew in his heart... His valor and determination had made him as an equal.
It was that day the golden general of the steppe peoples bequeathed a spark of his power on a follower most favored by him.