logs | ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ ▸ if i wanna stay alive.

Oh... Are you looking for a job?

[shalem asks that as if he wasn't keeping an eye on the local notice board for someone to help him out on a little quest of sorts. he can't deal with the badaliscus on his own, after all, and he's hoping this man might help-- fresh-faced restless are better than those who have been here a long time, because of the initial on his arm. which is why shalem wised up and wrapped it under his layers of clothing. if he doesn't want to fight... well, shalem will just have to find someone else. that's how this goes.]

You've been standing there a while-- nothing interesting, I take it. [well, he does know what's on that board, he's seen the jobs before.]

[ When someone approaches him, Tartaglia turns to face the person, a bright smile already in place. He laughs softly. ]

Something like that. Am I really that obvious?

[ It's true that none of the jobs look particularly interesting to him. It doesn't matter how many times he reads over the board. ]

I've done most of them already, but if you have something different, I'd be up for a change of pace.

It depends-- I might not be able to pay you, since this is for philanthropic reasons. [and also a good deal selfish.]

It also depends on your opinion of hunting dangerous beasts in the Shadowlands.

I don't need to get paid.

[ Honestly, he's more wanting to have something to do. ]

What kinds of beasts are we hunting?

[shalem pulls out his phone, and scrolls to a picture of the badaliscus he'd seen in the distance, the last time he was out in the shadowlands to check on his tethers.]

These. [he turns his phone to show the man.] They're quite dangerous, and both poisonous and venomous to boot. However, I've heard rumours of their dried skin being quite good for... certain skin conditions.

[no, he will not be elaborating on what those conditions would be. not here.

he's just happy to make it sound as if he's doing this for vanity, in case someone is eavesdropping, especially when he already has jewelry on himself, and looks like he has make-up. shalem appears soft, delicate, anyone would immediately assume he's vain.]

[ Curiously, Tartaglia takes a peek at what's shown on the screen. The picture of the badaliscus is enough to earn a whistle out of him, obviously impressed. ]

Wow. So these things are just wandering around in the Shadowlands?

[ That sounds dangerous, especially when that's where all their doors can be found. Where their tethers are kept safely (or as safe as they could be).

His eyes narrow, but that dark expression is gone within the next split-second. ]

I'm in. How many are you looking to kill?

[ Does he seem too excited... Maybe, but a little bloodshed is always exciting for him. ]

Edited (AAAAA) 2022-11-10 04:53 (UTC)

One should be enough, it it depends entirely on... how they struggle. Remember, we need them relatively intact on the surface to take their hide.

[and he expects that they are going to struggle a lot.

then he straightens up properly, and his tail flicks. he's found a companion for this...! and he could not be happier. (well, he'll be happier when the brand is gone...)]

I need to make a quick stop somewhere for supplies before we set off, if you're willing to wait?

[ That just makes Tartaglia smile even wider. These things sound nasty, but that's exactly what will make them extremely fun to hunt down. ]

That's fine. I'll make sure to avoid damaging them.

[ He can control himself, thankfully. ]

Where are you thinking of grabbing supplies? I might need a thing or two, so I can come with you.

I left a stash of my belongings nearby. [because he planned this! he planned waiting for someone! and he didn't want to carry a massive, heavy shield the entire time.]

But if you require something, let me know, and I can point you in the right direction.

[shalem though, he waves his hand at a nearby building-- specifically, the alleyway next to it. that's where his belongings are.]

Then, if you can point me to someplace I can get a weapon or two, that would be helpful.

[ If only he had his Vision, then he wouldn't have to worry about it, but oh well. He'll figure that stuff out later. He glances towards the building Shalem gestured at. ]

We can meet here once we've got our stuff?

The harbours. [shalem points in the direction of the bay, intimately familiar with that place and its location relative to him by now, given how often he has been there.]

Some weapons are not cheap... but if you're fully capable of using a dagger, I can lend you mine.

[why does he have a dagger on him? for reasons. where is it? hidden.]

[ Ah. The harbour is a familiar place to him by now. ]

A dagger's fine, but... are you sure it's okay? Won't it crumble easily?

[ He still doesn't get the whole thing with soul-forged items, but it's probably safe to assume that nothing is permanent. If weapons are costly, then he won't feel right about borrowing someone else's too. ]

It's been soul-forged, so if it cries... do not drop it. [and now shalem pulls it out of where he hid it-- in his clothing, strapped to his chest by a band.]

I bought it here, thus it was already forged in the way the local smiths know how. It was... cheap, however, enough that I can be worried about its integrity. If it breaks while you're wielding it, get behind me immediately.

[he'll just have to protect this man himself. then again... story of his life, right?]

Edited 2022-11-11 18:10 (UTC)

[ Oh, that's right. He forgot about the crying part. He's staring at the blade silently. ]

... If it breaks, I'll just use my hands and get you a new one later. [ This way, at least, guarantees he doesn't owe this guy anything. ] I can protect myself without a weapon— it just makes things easier.

[ He sticks his hand out — for a handshake. ]

You can call me Childe, by the way. I'll meet you at the harbours in a bit, yeah?

[shalem allows a quick shake, before pulling his gloved hand away.]

My name is Shalem. I'll be waiting there. Don't terrorize the smiths too much while haggling, please.

[he's not lying-- he will be waiting since his detour was quite quick, just at the entrance to the harbour after checking which boats they can take back to the shadowlands. there is a thick shield strapped to his back, its bulk almost dwarfing his lean frame.]

[ Tartaglia can only laugh when he's told to avoid terrorizing the smiths too much. He can't make any promises so he'll leave it at that while he goes off to find somewhere to grab another weapon or two. A dagger is fine, but he'd be more at ease if he had dual blades or even a bow at this point.

If the badaliscus are as nasty as Shalem says they are, he wants to be properly prepared. His errand doesn't take him long since he found a smith that was easy to barter with; sometimes, the promise of a favour and some gold thrown in is always enough to make people fold.

He heads to the harbour with dual blades strapped to his back. Seeing the shield Shalem carries is enough to draw out an impressed whistle. ]

Wow. Is that yours? That looks like it'll do a lot of damage.

Is it not the purpose of a shield to defend against damage? [still, he smiles, lines forming under his tired eyes.

but his shield is his trusty companion, and has been for years. he's glad he managed to find it and keep it, even if the prices of both were quite steep.]

Are you ready?

Sometimes you just gotta use what's on hand, and your shield looks like it'll pack quite the punch.

[ He's so serious about it too. He wonders if he'll get the chance to see Shalem use it in action. Those poor lizards won't know what hit them. ]

But yeah, I'm ready. You said we were headed to the Shadowlands, right? Do you know if there's a faster way to get there?

[ ... Besides crossing through the Tempest, anyway. ]

[the pythia waves a hand at the docks, towards some of the boats, then wraps his tail around one leg to start walking there.]

Using a boat, of course. I've found someone to take us there, though we'll have to find our way back ourselves. [paid a pretty sum too. he's broke again, and this is actually quite concerning when he's making plans to move soon... but needs must.]

Come, let's not keep our friend waiting.

[he leads the way to a dingy little fishing boat with the most sour-faced fisher ever, displeased with their presence, but shalem paid. that's enough for this one trip.]

Need me to spot you some money later?

[ He remembers that the boats required some coin so it wouldn't feel right if just freeloaded, even if he technically is helping the guy with the lizards. Either way, the offer is there and Tartaglia follows after Shalem to board the boat.

It's so much more eventful than he remembers, what with the Tempest doing its very best to capsize the boat they're on, but they power through it. They reach the shores of the Shadowlands, and no sooner than did both of them step off the boat did the guy just hightail it out of there.

Tartaglia looks at the boat floating away from them with a curious expression. ]

Ah. So that's what you meant by needing to find our own way back.

[shalem gives him a consoling pat on the shoulder.]

If we're fortunate, we will be able to hitch a ride for our return journey. [that's what he did, in any case. someone took pity on him and let him on the boat, with the promises of being paid back for it later.]

Come, our quarry tends to prefer living in caves or the muddy, damp areas.

Sure, sure.

[ Well, if Shalem isn't worried, then Tartaglia isn't going to be concerned over it either. He follows after the Phythia, his gaze locked on their surroundings just to be sure that nothing is going to jump out of them. ]

Do you come here often?

I do. [his smile falters a little, just thinking about why he has to come back out into the shadowlands frequently.]

Perhaps I've not explored the entirety of the Shadowlands, but I visit my door often.

[sometimes he just can't stop thinking about them, and their condition. what if they break? what if they're no longer there? he knows no one can enter the door without his express permission, but... still.]

For your tethers?

[ It's the only logical conclusion that Tartaglia can come up with. He doesn't see much of a reason to come out here otherwise, given the journey you have to take in order to get here. ]

You don't think it's a hassle? [ That they need to protect them at all. ]

Of course it is-- I would be lying if I said otherwise.

[he keeps his eyes on the wilderness as he speaks, tail tightening more around his leg so it won't accidentally fall and get into the dirt.]

But we can't simply take them with us to the city... and we can't just leave them forever. I'm sure that they're called tethers for a reason. [what would happen if something breaks open the door, breaks the tethers? would the memories associated with them disappear? shalem doesn't want to think about it.

perhaps it's unreasonable for him to imagine such things, but... he needs to be careful. many memories those tethers represent are unpleasant, but he doesn't want to be like phantom, forever chasing his unknown past.]

uwu

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