"Skill and survival are the only things that matter" [open]

[swordofajerk]

[There's a moment of disorientation, of feeling like he's slipping into (or out of) something, and then suddenly there is a Spectre in the middle of Limbo yelling and shoving the other Spectres nearby out of his way and reaching for something that should be on his hip but isn't and all he can thing of is he needs something.

Sword? Maybe? That feels right, he needs a sword. Where can he get one, why doesn't he have one, why does he want one, why the hell is he suddenly aware of the fact that he is dead?]

Dammit. What the hell is going on--

Comments

[swordofajerk]

[Weird, but okay. He'll just go help himself.]

Enough of a reason to eat, I guess. You can't fight if you're hungry.

[crypddyd]

Indeed.

[He starts pouring tea for them both]

I would ask if you like chamomile, but you may not even remember. Let's just hope it's not completely counter to your pallet.

[swordofajerk]

I don't.

[Remember, that is. Sword grabs something that doesn't look like it'll go badly with tea, some sort of cheesy bread something from near the fridge.

And maybe most people would introduce themselves but this is Sword. He doesn't really care to. Instead he just looks for something to slice the bread with.

And says nothing. Small talk is boring, that much he knows.]

[crypddyd]

[Lion doesn't press the need to talk, and just slides the cup over. There's sugar and honey nearby if needed- and there's silverware in a drawer.]

[swordofajerk]

[And once he finds the knives and gets his snack, he'll take the tea with a murmured thanks.

Only to instantly set it aside with a pinched look on his face.]

Well, to answer your question: I don't like chamomile.

[crypddyd]

[That makes him laugh sharply]

Well, sadly that just means more for me. Would something sweeter work better, do you think?

[swordofajerk]

I don't think so, no.

[Given how just looking at the sweeter snacks made him gag a little...]

Just...is there any plain tea? Or water?

[crypddyd]

Water, yes. Here.

[He dumps out the tea cup into the sink and rinses it, filling it with water before handing it over]

It's very convenient.

[swordofajerk]

...huh.

[But he's not going to complain, because easy water means he can get that vile herbal taste out of his mouth. Ugh.

Hm. Right. Manners.]

...thank you.

[crypddyd]

You're welcome.

[He either doesn't notice or doesn't mind the brash tone]

I go by Lion. You've met Medic and Rei so far, correct?

[swordofajerk]

And a few others. I'm going by Sword, for now. Just how many Executors are there, and how many are young girls?

[Because really. There seems to be an imbalance here.]

[crypddyd]

More than there should be. At least fifty percent I would say.

[he doesn't look thrilled by this fact]

[swordofajerk]

[. . .]

You're serious.

[What.]

[crypddyd]

[He nods]

We all tend on the younger side with a few exceptions, but some much more so. Monarch, for example, seems... twelve at most?

[swordofajerk]

Twel--are they at least capable, or is Rei letting unskilled children run around as Executors?

[crypddyd]

He's very skilled- I've fought alongside him. But no matter how skilled you are, a battle can take a toll.

Rei herself doesn't seem that much older than him- but she has been 'awake' longer than anyone else, so she is our leader in that regard.

[swordofajerk]

[Muttered:] So I was right about her age.

[More clearly:] And that's all it takes? Someone being "awake" the longest? Not skill or age or anything that actually matters when it comes to being a leader?

[crypddyd]

She knows the most about this place, and she is very powerful- but she is no dictator. Honestly, we don't have much of a hierarchy.

[swordofajerk]

And that works?

[crypddyd]

It does for now. Though I will admit some more structured leadership may be wise. But many of us would balk at being ordered around and... at our small size it hasn't been worth the fight.

[swordofajerk]

So it's just all collaborative?

[There's a hint of disgust at that, but he's not sure which part he's disgusted by: the lack of leadership or the thought of working with people. Maybe both.]

Hm. Whatever, so long as there's something to fight.

[crypddyd]

[he nods]

We all have a similar goal and needs, so in a way we are more a community than an army.

But if you are looking to stretch your legs a bit, I know a good area for training your new abilities.

[swordofajerk]

[That gets him to perk up and almost...sort of...smile? Sort of. It's a smile for Sword, at least.]

Do you know? No one mentioned that.

[crypddyd]

[that almost smile earns one in kind- something a bit sharp for this otherwise kind seeming man]

Yes. I usually try to do group training sessions. But you seem like someone that would prefer live combat? The Underside of this layer is less dangerous than those deeper in, but it is far from safe. Still, I'm sure two Executors could handle themselves well enough, even if one is a newcomer.

[There's a bit of... challenge there?]

[swordofajerk]

Ha! The first thing I knew when I woke up was that I needed a sword. I'm sure I could handle myself just fine, with or without you.

[This is probably reckless.]