hadriel | ✘ Round 5

Greetings, all of you. I come to you with two orders of business today.

First: I see that there may have been some concerns raised about the efficacy of the Guard. [No, not naming names--he doesn't want to give Sato the satisfaction, and he knows people will probably be able to figure it out for themselves anyways if they've checked the network recently.] Some may feel that our efforts would be better spent on the dangerous creatures that threaten us.

I am here to tell you that this is already being addressed. I make daily trips out to the cave systems. I do not venture far in, as any who have spent time there know it is foolhardy to try and navigate them, but I do eliminate any creatures that I see that are beginning to prowl close to the entrances. Though it may not be possible for me alone to completely stem their encroachment during times of chaos, when the gods--or other forces--are orchestrating against us, on most days I am able to control their numbers. That combined with Hope's efforts mean that they never make it into the city.

Barring extenuating circumstances, [read: when things really go to hell and he'd rather stay beside his friends or his partner--] I have done this every morning since I have joined the Guard. And during the aforementioned times when they do make it out of the caves, you can be assured that I will be there, fighting fiercely to keep them at bay. [Anyone who saw him during the zombie invasion or the split city or any of the other times that monsters had flooded inwards knows he is a being that makes good on his words.]

I do not do this for praise. You do not need to thank me. I do it because it is my duty to keep people safe, regardless of the world I am trapped in; I only mention it now to try and allay your concerns.

It also means that I have an abundance of supplies. Should you find yourself hungry or in need of other miscellaneous things, you are free to reach out to me. You are also free to contact me should you fear a more... internal threat. It is not my place to interject myself into the business of others, but if another inhabitant of this cave has threatened you, I will do what I can to protect you.

[There's a pause as he lets all that sink in; it's more wordy than he prefers to be, but it feels like it's worth saying now. Then, he continues.]

Second: I require cleaning agents. Bleach, I believe she... I believed it was called. [Glacius alien swerves, though the memory has already been called upon. Amazing how even the most mundane of things can remind him of her.] But I will accept anything that can remove stubborn stains.

Thank you for your time. [Finally, he ends the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I understand. [ She may not like it, but she can respect it. ] Please do let me know if I can help, though, later on. Things may change.

[ For now, she'll keep her distance, trusting that he'll send out an alert if he gets into trouble. ]

[There's an audible pause; Glacius is surprised at how... easy that was.] Thank you... for respecting my agency, and trusting in both my judgment and my combat prowess. I will certainly let you know if there is anything you can do to help; I appreciate the offer more than I am probably letting on.

Just out of curiosity, what sort of combat training do you have? It has just occurred to me that we have yet to fight together against the forces of this cave.

Of course. I can hardly advise against such actions when I often take them, myself.

[ Cecily, you're a hypocrite more often than not, though. ]

I had little to none before the Inquisition; it was some light archery, but more for show than anything. It's been years since then, though, and I like to think I've honed my skill with a longbow. There is a little work with daggers, too, though nothing like what some of my companions can do.

I see. I like fighting from range as well, though my techniques do not incorporate conventional weaponry.

[A pause, then:] If you'd ever like to learn more about hand-to-hand or self defense, however, I would gladly teach you. It always pays to be prepared, to be able to protect yourself or those you care about, and I trust that you won't go turning these abilities against the innocent. [Which is an oath that all warriors-to-be of his species must bind themselves to before undergoing their training. His remark is a lot less ceremonial than all that, but it still says a lot that he'd treat Cecily in a similar manner.]

I imagine not.

[ She hasn't seen him fight, but imagines his style is as unique as his physiology. ]

I would like that, thank you. [ beat ] Though, I've noticed you seem to do me more favors than I do for you. I'll need to find some way to settle the score.

[ One way or another. ]

[An apt assessment!

Glacius smiles, pleased by the offer of kindness, but seems a little tentative about something. And here it comes:] Please, you owe me nothing. After... the circumstances of our first meeting... it would be remiss of me to not do whatever I could for you.

[There's a pause, then the alien lifts a hand.] And before you go n to reassure me that it was not my fault, I--I know. I know that, I do. And I'm not doing all of this out of some strange sense of guilt, but because I genuinely appreciate your friendship. It is just... hard to shake the memories, at times. I do not... like hurting anyone.

[Especially not someone who's never been anything but good to him.]

And I'll remind you each time you bring this up that you weren't at fault for that; I blame Rage entirely.

[ Why hold a grudge against the weapon rather than its wielder? ]

There it is. [ She chuckles, once he reiterates what she's said. ] I understand the feeling, though, and if it brings you some relief to... talk about what happened, even if it wasn't your fault, then... that's all right.

[ Glacius is one of the gentlest, kindest people she knows in Hadriel and otherwise; she can't hold much at all against him. ]

✘ Round 5 | [Audio]

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;