001 [video]

[benumbing]

[Jack's parked himself, where else, in Delight's bar, and even though he's halfway through the bottle in front of him, he's still composed. It's equal parts troubling and impressive...his reputation for being a party prince back home was well-earned.]

At least one of the gods here has good taste in alcohol. That's more than I can say for the god of my father. I think he prefers sweet wine and the blood of lambs or bulls...

[He waves his hand dismissively before taking another drink. He doesn't want to talk about sacrifice, or even think about it. But he's not shying away from the subject of blood.]

I'm here to ask where I can find training with the weapons in the armory. I served in the military of my world, but we were somewhat more...advanced with our weapons - which really just means we grew impatient with the time it took us to kill a great number of people, so we came up with tanks and guns. But since there are actual monsters here and I can't burst into flames or shoot ice daggers from my eyes, I'd like to master something as quickly as possible.

[And he doesn't find the up-close and personal aspect of if to be as distasteful as he might've thought. Maybe because he'll be killing monsters and not someone's son, though there are instances where he thinks the two can overlap.]

I'll be in your debt. [And the sobering way that he says those words show just how seriously Jack takes them. But it's followed by his lips curving into a smirk.] And in exchange, I'll also bring the tastiest monsters right to your doorstep. The ugly ones taste just like chicken.

[But they don't stay down as easily, not unless you're the youngest Stark girl.]

Comments

[video]

[wipedclean]

[Well that's interesting.]

You like using yourself as bait?

[video]

[benumbing]

Who told?

[He sounds a little bit amused, even if he actually did that, when he first arrived. He was just pissed and didn't care. Now he's a little less pissed and cares a little more.]

I prefer fighting.

[wipedclean]

You did. When you said you'd bring monsters to someone's doorstep. Best way to do that is act as bait.

[He shrugs.]

I can teach you knives. Others are better with the other things.

[benumbing]

I would at least try to kill them first, but the field dressing is up to you.

I already took some from there. Do you throw or use them in close combat?

video

[whichend]

[ Arya's smirking a little, proud of her fellow monster-hunter and trouble-causer. It's a good thing he wants to learn something useful. ]

Swords, daggers, arrows, or staffs?

[ choose. ]

video

[benumbing]

[He might've met his match in her, especially when it comes to causing trouble.

It's kind of delightful.]

I think I'll choose arrows.

video

[whichend]

[ Arya nods. ]

A wise choice. Meet me on the side of the bridge where the city is little more than ruins, in one hour.

action?

[benumbing]

[Jack gives the video a little salute, and then he switches to a glass of water. He's not drunk, but he's not entirely sober either. Jack downs it, and then leaves the bar behind to meet her.

His days are about to get more difficult, and probably more dangerous too. But now's the time to figure out what kind of a man he is now that he's not a prince anymore.]

[video]

[fearlessherosheart]

I might be able to demonstrate the use of the sword. It is perhaps a challenging weapon for use against monsters.

[Which is not a point against swords in Tazendra's esteem, but she is aware most people aren't as willing to risk themselves as she is.]

[video]

[benumbing]

I'll watch and learn. At the very least I might get a close shave out of it.

[A challenge sounds pretty good to him right about now. Jack finishes his drink, because it's starting to look like he'll be too busy to visit the bar.

Much.]

There were different types of swords on the walls. What's the difference?

Re: [video]

[fearlessherosheart]

There is also the difference in the world. First, there is the matter of size -- you would use a smaller sword than I, as you are shorter. A lighter blade may be used in a single hand, leaving the other free, while a longer, heavier blade requires two. The shape of the blade also influences the style of combat, as some are better for stabbing and others for slashing. One may even consider the influence of balance; a friend of mine is quite particular as to his blade's length and balance.

[Look, Tazendra has feelings about swords and swordplay. And spent a long time in the armory picking out her own sword.]

[video]

[benumbing]

You know your steel.

[There's a subtle arch of Jack's brow. He's impressed.]

I think something lighter might suit me. Will you help me pick it out?

Video

[knifecollecting]

Do you at least know how to throw a punch?

[It's probably not a good idea to get close enough to most monsters taht one could punch them, but it's a good last resort.]

Video

[benumbing]

I do know how to throw a punch. I even enjoy it from time to time, it gets the blood going.

Video

[knifecollecting]

[Jo laughs quietly.]

I can teach you to use a knife. They have those in the armory at least.

Video

[benumbing]

They do. I chose a couple for myself while I was there.

[He tilts his head at her curiously.]

Did you learn your skills here, or before?

video;

[lineare]

[ Oh, here's one she knows... right? ]

Jack Benjamin? [ The prince? ]

video;

[benumbing]

Jean?

[The girl from the hospital. That sobers him up somewhat.]

Where are you?

video;

[lineare]

I found a place for myself. Don't worry about me.

[ Jean musters a soft, small smile. Jack Benjamin is a complicated one, but she's getting a grasp of him. Truth be told, it's the others around her that'll have to worry, probably. ]

You're offering yourself as bait, I see.

video;

[fulminants]

[ Johnny clicks his teeth and grins at him when he gets that reference. ]

Anytime, non-flammable prince guy. [ But something's bugging him, and he frowns. ] Dude, not that I'm the poster boy for this but -- do you have a death wish or something?

video;

[benumbing]

I don't know, does wanting to learn how to better protect myself give you that impression?

video;

[fulminants]

[ Johnny snorts. ] What if you bring tasty monsters to some dude or chick who'd let you be a tasty snack to these monsters?

Not everyone's as awesome and kind as me, you know.

video

[casperdisaster]

[Noah's got no idea how weapons work but he does know alcohol!]

Blood of lambs or bulls? Ewwww. Also... poor lambs and bulls...

Can you even get drunk off that? I guess maybe if you're a god...

video

[benumbing]

That's sacrifice for you. Of course, it never comes at the expense of the ones holding the knives.

I've never tried it. But I imagine the more innocent the creature, the more intoxicating it is for them.

[Clearly, someone doesn't have a good relationship with gods.]

video

[casperdisaster]

It should be at the expense of the ones holding the knives. You aren't sacrificing right unless you're losing something. Everyone always assumes it means death as well...

[Over text this might not have been anything to blink at, but Noah's tone, the far away look. He has Experience with this.]