Jan 03 03:45:27 106 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sun Jan 03 03:45:27 106 PA.

Desmond is sitting quietly near the central fountain, upon one of the odd benches. With his legs crossed and his helmet settled on his lap, hands settled on his knees. He is very still, not even his tail or ears given to their usual unconscious motions. It's relatively early and, for the moment, there is no one else about. Though that could change at any time. Until then, there is a perfect stillness which the big cat soaks in. Stillness. Horrible, wretched stillness. Thankfully it's broken by a pair of boots against the ground as Valerie strolls inside with a less than pleased and considerably bored look on her face, casting a glance over her shoulder. Nuts to that place! She turns and heads further into the garden. Sure beats those dusty books. And there! A cat! A big kittycat! The woman so totally strides towards him! It would appear she's still in the remains of the red coat, shredded and burnt though it may be. It's largely intact in the back, but it still looks like crap.

It will be at about the halfway point of Valerie's approach that Desmond's ears flick, both swiveling towards the sound of her tread. His eyes remain closed, his body otherwise still for several long moments before they open slowly and shift directly towards her. "Valerie," he rumbles to her with a dip of his head. The name given the tone of a greeting by his deep voice. His eyes flick over her briefly before he adds, "You are well?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Valerie replies in a carefully neutral voice. She stops once near the kittycat, and looks him up and down. Seems like he still retains all pieces of his body, despite his fierce battle last night. But then, he's tough and will probably be okay as long as Aimee down's grow MD claws.

Desmond is whole and in the days since the fight, he's had his armor repaired, only slight signs of the chest gouge and a subtle warping of the front of the helmet betraying past damage. "It is a customary thing to ask.. and you do not seem positive of mood," he observes. "You still wear this coat? Perhaps you would be better served purchasing another for these cold times."

Valerie's armor isn't with her. It might still being repaired, or maybe she has it stocked somewhere. "I'm sure I will find one soon. I haven't taken the time to search for one yet." She looks away, and leans over the fountain and cups her hands, filling them with cool water, which she then totally brings to her lips and drinks.

Desmond nods his head once, accepting the words simply. "Are you well? You don't seem as.. light in mood as you have seemed before. If you have troubling thoughts, you need not hesitate to speak of them. I do not mind such things and I do not tend to speak of what discreet things I am told by others." A simple offer given as he remains settled in place.

"I feel like this sometimes," Valerie admits in a low tone, still looking down at the water. "It is true that we survived the battle, even if we were not in actual danger, and life goes on. Nevertheless, we will all die soon enough. I was reminded of that the other day." She smiles wryly and shakes her shiney head. "Nothing has changed, but today my spirits are a little low."

Desmond nods his head once more and rumbles, "This is a true thing. Death is inevitable for all things that live. But that is hardly something to dwell on now. Especially for you, one who is still early in her own span. Or so some would think." Slowly he uncrosses his legs, breathing out deeply as he stretches them out loosely. "It is not something I dwell upon. There is enough to consider beyond that. a great deal to learn."

"I will fall in battle," Valerie states casually, sounding of herself. "Perhaps I should have been more polite to that bitch goddess," she murmurs a moment later, even though the prospect doesn't seem to please her a great deal.

Desmond frowns faintly. "I am not sure what you mean by that, but you can hardly know when and where you will find an end," he states simply. "For those that fight, it is often that we do see an end in battle, but you can never be certain. Even I, who has been well trained. Several times I have almost seen my end, despite my skills. So too those unskilled find a way to live through the most dangerous circumstances."

And that's why Valerie likes Desmond so much. He says the most darling things. It does seem to chase her blues away somewhat, her lips parting in an amused grin. "So you say. Why are you here, in this garden?" Her voice and overall posture, too, reveal that she's been perked up considerably. Of course, so does the fact that she dips her fingers in the water and flicks a few drops at Desmond.

Desmond's ears flick at the flicked drops of water, though beyond that and a dip of his eyes towards them, he doesn't otherwise react. "I come here at times to seek my center," he rumbles, an armored hand lifted to gesture about. "It is often quiet and is protected from the weather. A pleasant place to sit quietly and let one's mind wander to those topics which it will. A form of meditation, as some call it. But before you might ask, no you are not bothering me. Another common question." "I'm not? That's fortunately," Valerie states playfully. She dips her fingers in the water once more. Flick, flick. "I have noticed you cats seem to like to do that. It seems awfully dull to me." Flick.

"I cannot speak for others, but that is not the only thing I do," Desmond assures her. "There are days where stillness is a desired thing and days where activity is sought. Often I partake of the gym then." Given that he's armored, he doesn't seem too bothered by the flicking. "What is it you do when you have time to spend on that which you desire?"

That doesn't seem to stop Valerie, however. Flick, flick. "When I'm not training or working? Assuming I have money for it, I visit a tavern. If not, I go for a walk or stay inside in the warmth." Flick. "Why do you go to the gym? I still don't quite understand the purpose of it. I thought it was merely a way to entertain young men without alcohol or women."

"To make use of the facilities there. A body that is not trained will not perform at it's maximum potential," Desmond replies. "Such strength and agility as I have.. much of it is natural, but some is conditioned. Only through running, lifting weights and the like can I keep myself in top condition. Just as one might maintain their weapons to keep them in peak condition, so too must one do for the body. perhaps if I were to have such machinery as is there in my abode, I would not need the gym. But there I need not pay for, maintain or store it. It is quite advantageous."

"This one finds the gym to have a certain relaxation. If not the gym, than strenuous exercise elsewhere. One in Rath'tklan's work cannot afford excessive emotional outbursts and there is a centering to be found with physical effort. For this one, it is not always about strength or agility. But about a frame of mind, and a mindset." The familliar voice can belong to only one other! And he soon appears, using his staff for a walking stick as he moves. "Good Day, Human-Valerie, Brother-Desmond. It pleases this one that you are both unharmed."

Valerie stops flicking drops at Desmond to consider all that. "That's an interesting idea," she admits, sounding as if she hadn't really considered it before. And then Rath'tklan shows up! She turns her head to look at the other armored kittycat, and raises a hand in greeting. "So, going to this gym would make me a better warrior?" she asks carefully. "Don't you get the same effect by honest work?"

Desmond turns his head towards Rath as he speaks and meets his greeting with a nod of his head. "Rath'tklan. It was a close fight, but a victorious one," he rumbles in reply. He looks to Valerie then and considers her words. "A warrior will ever look to hone the body, for it is the base tool. Whether you battle with the gun or the blade, the body is what wields it. Thus it will help, but many are the paths a warrior must tread. Of the body and the mind, to embrace their true potential." He pauses, considering for a moment. "It would benefit, yes," he adds, summarizing himself.

"There are many different thoughts on the benifets of such exercizes. Beyond the physical, It permits one to center themselves and focus; to loose the rages and fears that weigh them down. This is the most important facet of a warrior, Human-Valerie. Every soldier must have a certain amount of fearlessness and bravado, but excessive emotion is a death knell. Too much rage and one may be easily led astray; fooled and guided by their feelings. There have been many times that this one's life has been saved, or at least prolonged by centering himself in battle to better focus on the objective. This one will also point out that more physical conditioning is always a benifet. Once, this one was forced to leap backwards out of a window and hang for a period from the mast of a flag pole while firing a pistol accurately. Were it not for this one's gymnast training, this one would not be having this conversation." That IS Rath'tklan's honest work.

Valerie looks from Desmond to Rath'tklan and then back again. It's like tennis! With words! "Perhaps my dismissal of that place was premature," she then admits uncertainly. "I will visit it in the near future." And then back to Rath'tklan! "You aren't entirely right. There is strength to be found in rage, even though it can be difficult to channel. Nevertheless, it can allow you to fight with the strength of ten men."

Desmond nods his head as Rath speaks, mutely agreeing with the other feline's words. To Valerie, he notes, "Strength is not all." An amusing thought, perhaps, from one of his physical presence. "Control and strength are paramount. Some rage.. some anger can be of use to push one's limits, but it can easily slip control. This is something I have personal experience with. True rage is a curse to be controlled."

Rath'tklan says to Desmond now that he has said his piece at Valerie. "This one is pleased. There is honor in victory against an equal opponent. Tell me, Brother, have you seen or heard from Kesslan as of late? This one has grown concerned." Valerie gets a slow nod as he folds his hands properly to lean upon his staff. "Human-Valerie does have truth in her words. This one has seen a man defending his home and family survive against many odds. This one has had little oppertunity to find things to be quite so enraged about, and confesses he has difficulty seeing it." Valerie gets his gaze. "Were your weapons effective?"

Valerie follows the conversation, opening her mouth just about the time she's addressed by Rath'tklan. "Ah?" she asks, her mental train shifting tracks. "Yes, they were. Very efficient indeed. The power of your rifle was very, very impressive," she admits eagerly. "Yet it sustained damage in the battle; I have left it with the authorities, who assured me they will have it repaired by today." She then reaches into the one pocket that has survived the battle, and takes out two grenades, which she offers to Rath'tklan. "Moreover, they replaced the grenade I used."

"No, I have not seen Kesslan for some time. It gives me some concern, but I trust if there was trouble, he would seek one of us out," Desmond rumbles. "Such rage is a last ditch thing. It is good that you have not needed to feel it. Better that you never know it." He shakes his head slightly and watches the grenades change hands. "I should purchase some of those," he muses idly.

Rath'tklan takes hold of the grenades, inclining his head towards Valerie. "It pleases this one that the trinkets given proved to be of use. The rifle is an old friend. Do not concern yourself over the damage. Such things happen in battle." Not hesitating, Rath'tklan redirects the two grenades into Desmond's hand. "This one has an abundance, and is not especially fond of them."

Valerie reaches into the same pocket, and this time she takes out an energy pistol in its holster. "I very much appreciate this, Rath'tklan. The e-clips are being recharged, however. They are with the rifle." So if he gets attacked during the next hour or so, nuts to him.

Desmond snaps up a hand for each, catching the explosives neatly. His head turns to each as he considers them for a few moments before he nods once and takes pains to secret them away into one of his pouches. "I will see that they are stored properly," he rumbles. Looking up after they're both hidden, he dips his head to Rath. "My thanks. Until I have spoken with Aimee on our plans, I would keep my store of credits as intact as possible." At that, he looks to Valerie and wonders, "What do you plan to do with the credits you were awarded?" A casual, simple curiosity in his deep voice.

Rath'tklan rejects the pistol with the flat of his hand. "Human-Valerie should keep the pistol until she has such fortune as to gain one of her own." It is said in a flat way, as he nods to Desmond. "This one has a severe distaste for grenades and their imprecision. Many times however, he has used them for a distraction. An explosion in one direction and a rifle shot in another."

Valerie hesitates for a moment or two, but then slips the pistol and its holster back into her pocket. "Then I thank you once more." It takes a bit before she answers Desmond. "I was planning on buying a few of the cheapest energy pistols I can find, as well as some e-clips. I don't need more than one, but my people can use them to train with."

"I've had some training in their use. A precise throw is a difficult thing to master, but I ever look to hone my own aim," Desmond rumbles. "Be it with knives or grenades." He looks to Valerie and nods his head once. "Wilks makes some of the cheaper. Though even with what was given, only a few could be bought. Do they have the means to recharge the e-clips? I have been told it takes specific equipment, but I know not the precise nature of it."

"It would be advantageous if you were to permit this one to train you in the use of projectile pistols. We do, afterall, live in a place where things can become immune to energy weapons with but a thought. There are many cheap, and yet effective firearms available. And in many ways, though they lack stealth, the effects are satisfying. This one has one of the locally made NTI Pistols and has been cosnidering getting one of the heavy models that they create." He even goes so far as to answer Desmond's own question. "There are rechargers that may be purchased that plug into ports upon any nuclear reactor. Such as power armor, vehicles, or other options."

"No," Valerie tells Desmond simply. They do not. She then looks to Rath'tklan, and frowns uncertainly. More things to consider! "I will gladly accept training as soon as Desmond judges me adequate with an energy pistol." And just in case anyone were wondering, she adds, "We do not have any nuclear reactors."

Desmond nods his head once to Rath. "I don't imagine they are very cheap." He looks to Valerie then and nods his head once. "For the purposes of your people, it might be better that you use projectile weapons. I prefer lasers because they are silent. I would imagine it might be easier to learn to craft your own bullets than to gather the funds needed to bring your people a proper e-clip charging device. Or, failing that, to have ammunition delivered as needed, rather than sending e-clips back and forth." A pause, then he adds, "I will have to accompany you to the range soon, that you can show me how well your practice has fared. You did well in battle, against moving targets. A very good sign."

"I suspect that brother Desmond is correct. But it is something that can be addressed, over time. Spoken to both of you, this one is proficient with most forms of modern firearms. Such skills are available to both Brother-Desmond and Human-Valerie, along with Brother-Kesslan should they be desired or needed, be it to learn from or to problem-solve." Problem-solve is such a polite way of putting it all. "This one has a distaste for heavy weapons, but in the proper time they have their uses. Perhaps it would be prudent for you to learn the use of those as well to take to your people."

"Maybe I could buy a nuclear reactor," Valerie muses in a low but not low enough voice. The universe doesn't actually stop whenever someone has a seriously stupid idea, but in this case it should. People with no real clue regarding modern technology playing around with a nuclear reactor is certainly an interesting idea. Desmond earns a serious nod, as she is, after all, his pupil at the moment. Rath'tklan earns a quick smile. "I would like that."

Desmond gains a thoughtful lean to his expression as he replies, "I have considered learning such things, but in the now, it is not of great importance. But I will keep your offer in mind. If anything, I think I would like to l earn the use of longer blades. I do favor knives, but at times it seems a longer reach would benefit me. In close is where the core of my training lies." Of course, Valerie would have seen that in the fight. He looks to Valerie and shakes his head slightly. "Could, but I am sure such a thing would cost hundreds of thousands, if not more credits." He feels safe with such a vague estimation.

Rath'tklan thinks for a moment. "Human-Valerie, if you have come into a recent amount of credits, you should go down to the Gunnery and ask them for a 'forty five general officers automatic', the largest bolt-action rifle that you can find and some ammunition for both. Get some silver rounds too. Those will be adequate for this one to teach you upon at minimal cost and will serve as ideal training weapons for others. The silver ammunition may be of use to you versus undead and other magical things." He lets Desmond explain the reactor thing. "But, if Human-Valerie does this soon, the cost will be low and will let her continue training once Brother-Desmond is finished with her... and even practice on her own." He peers at Desmond. "I would have thought that Brother-Desmond would be an accomplished swordsman."

"Then I will take a nuclear reactor," Valerie states casually. "There must be one that can be found somewhere. Maybe some of those robots." Thankfully, Rath'tklan gives her other things to think about. "Forty five general officers automatic," she echoes with a nod. "What will such a weapon cost?"

"I was given training in smaller blades," Desmond states. "I think, perhaps, my trainers did not think longer blades to be very practical for use, but as it is, I believe it would be advantageous to extend my knowledge of the blade. I can use a sword with my natural talent, but I don't have the refined technique of one properly schooled in their use. It would seem an elementary thing, but I have tried the use of one and found the balance to be far different." He looks to Valerie then and furrows his brow. "Better that you don't attempt to do such a thing yourself. Nuclear reactors are dangerous to the untrained."

Rath'tklan adds to Valerie. "And the biggest bolt action rifle that you can find. Both will be inexpensive. This one knows not the cost, but this one would not anticipate much more than a few meals." He nods at what Desmond says. "Give yourself a little bit of time yet, and this one can likely help you get one. But, destroying you own people or making them ill with radiation sickness is likely not your goal."

"I have never really learned how to fight with daggers," Valerie admits with a dismissive shrug of her shoulders. "It seemed like a waste of time." She begins to frown as they tell her of the dangers of playing with nuclear happiness, and the frown only deepens. "That is a shame. Then I will not find a nuclear reactor yet." She sounds displeased, having run into another stumbling block.

"Be mindful, such guns will not penetrate modern armor. The specialized weapons manufactured by NTI will, but they cost far more. Better that they be bought once you can put them to good use." Desmond cants his head slightly as Valerie speaks of daggers and he notes, "A half foot blade is far easier to carry concealed than a two foot blade. So too are they easier to use discreetly. And in tight confines, they will avail you better than a longer blade. So too, many are made to be thrown when one needs to strike at range, but lacks a firearm. All weapons have their place, their use."

"Brother Desmond is correct. But such weapons will cost far less than even the ammunition for NTI's specialized firearms. And when the time is right, this one owns them in both pistol and rifle configurations. This one has... options for carrying large blades in a concealed manner. This world has not yet advanced techncially enough to have developed them, however. And so such things must remain a secret." Is Wrath actually teasingly bragging? Nyah-nyah-nyahing? One ALMOST has that effect. "Concealed," Valerie says in a mildly disgusted tone. "I know there are advantages to a dagger in the dark, but that's not for me." She crinkles her pert little nose. "If I try to learn about knives again one day, it will not be because of that." She looks away, placing a hand on the fountain. "Do you think this winter will end?" Context be damned.

Desmond arches a brow slightly at Rath's tease. "Perhaps so, but in close quarters it remains that a smaller blade will be better." He looks to Valerie then and notes, "I said nothing of the dark." The shift of topics gives him pause, a few extra seconds going along with his usual thoughtful pause. "Of course it will. In a few months the season will be changing back to warmer temperatures." his brow furrowed as he says this, a soft air of bemusement lingering about him.

"This world, from what this one has read, has seasons on averages of three to four months. In time, it will be spring and then summer. Such is how it is upon every place. This one thinks that if Human-Valerie were to buy some other clothes, she would feel better. This one offers to take her, if required." Rath'tklan explains to Desmond what he was teasing at. "Solid energy weapons are common in melee, in the galaxy that this one is from. A small cylinder might easily become a broadsword. That is all this one was implying."

Rath'tklan was suggesting that Valerie might be warmer, not retail therapy.

"Yes... of course," Valerie tells Desmond. "It isn't nearly cold enough for this winter to stay. Not this time." She looks to Rath'tklan, and gives him a nod, as well as a ghost of a smile. That whole winter thing seems to bother her. "I should naturally find myself a new coat. This one is useless." There's a pause, more thoughtful than one might expect for such a subject matter. "You may come."

Desmond furrows his brow as he looks to Rath, considering the prospect of such a thing. "This sounds interesting, but in close confines, swinging something so large would still be bothersome." He looks to valerie then and considers her for a few moments before he wonders, "What makes you ask after the winter? Do you think it will linger at some point?" The subject seems to confuse him quite a bit and faced with that he starts to question.

Rath'tklan opens his mouth to say something to Valerie. "Human-Valerie, that is the sec..." He abruptly silences himself for some reason. "This one will ask at another time. It is neither the time nor the place." To what is he speaking of? He might be insane, as far as Desmond knows. Of course though, Desmond goes ahead and asks what his own thoughts are. Well, to a certaine extent. He's just wondering if there is some sort of trauma there, as well, he heard what Valerie says while she is sleeping.

"I know it will," Valerie tells Desmond in a firm voice. Utterly certain. "A harsher winter than ever seen before will sink its teeth into the land for years, nothing will grow, and people will grow weak and die." Of course, that might just be half-forgotten theories, or memories about, nuclear winter or something like that. You never know. She turns to Rath'tklan. "I will go find a new coat now."

Desmond furrows his brow at that and he shakes his head slightly. "I have not heard of such a thing before. Thus I could not speak for it, but I would hope that no such thing occurs." He seems to give it a good deal more thought than most might, though he seems content to leave it at that for now.

"I have." He says. Rath'tklan that is. "In the far reaches of the Galaxy, there was a race of reptillians who had everything. Economnic prosperity, technological innovation, bravery and intelligence. Until they began to war with each other. Push came to shove, pistol to rifle and soon, nuclear weapons were used. The devestation threw so much dust and radioactive fallout into the skies, the climate of the planet was permenantly altered. Most of the people froze to death, as it had been a tropical world; now reduced to an endless tundra. Very few of the broken race survive; scattered from one end of the galaxy to the other." The assassin pauses after he finishes speaking and rises to accompany Valerie. She did say he could afteral! "That story is told as a warning to those who might see the allure in excessive force. Good day, Brother Desmond."

Valerie finds herself listening to Rath'tklan quite carefully, despite the disturbing nature of it all. Or probably because it, all things considered. "Yes," she then says, and raises a hand towards Desmond. "I will see you on the range soon. Have a pleasant day." And then she turns and strides towards the door. She's really mastered the fine art of striding, too.

Desmond frowns as the story is told, seeming to take in the words without an open sense of disbelief. "So it would seem," he replies to the last comment on the story. He dips his head towards the both of them. "Farewell to you both and be well, until next we meet," he rumbles. He curls back into a crosslegged posture as the two make to depart. Settling back into the posture he held before. Settling his hands on his knees, eyes closing slowly. You have just received a vote.

Rath'tklan hurries along after Valerie, the ice-age forteller of doom!

Tags: desmond, rath'tklan, valerie