[ open & closed | july & august ]

[thedreamer]

Who: The Doctor + Others
When: July & August
Where: Free Cities | Nocwich | Horizon
What: Monthly Catch-All
Warnings: None for now, will update if needed!




[ ooc: please feel free to ping me if you'd like to plot a custom starter of any sort, i'm open to anything!
hit me up on plurk or PM | also happy to match prose or brackets~ ]

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[thedreamer]

[ He wants to ask her more about that later, not wanting to let that thread go, at least as it pertains to her. But everything suddenly takes a turn on their little jaunt. With all the things this world has taken from them, how it's changed them, granted them powers beyond his own imaginings, and even at times altered the fabric of his own memories — there are some things he's thankfully never lost. Here, that proves to be invaluable, when he can lift his head towards the same direction and see so far ahead he might very well be hefting around binoculars. ]

You've always wanted to be right in the middle of an action adventure story, right, Hilda? One with daring suspense, thrills at every turn, a real page turner. Small group, no more than 10. Weapons, yes, in abundance.

[ They're blocking the path, of course, but there are always alternatives. They can't be certain there won't be an ambush, though. He's careful, at least, not to move and draw further unwanted attention towards them. ]

Good news! They might not have spotted us and we can take that other path just behind us, through the canyon walls. Bad news! They might have already spotted us and have reinforcements ready to ambush us, but good news again, we can absolutely manage whatever happens. Let's backtrack a bit. Slightly longer way 'round, but if we can avoid them entirely, all the better.

[ He's not naive enough to believe it will be that simple, but he'll always try for the most direct way to avoid a fight if he can. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Despite what is clearly reading as a little bit of a concerning situation for them, Hilda can't help but let out a slight titter. ]

I don't know about that. I'd rather read about it if I'm being honest.

[ Her mind is already going through the paces, working a muscle that she hadn't had to use in a very long time. Strategy on the battlefield was hardly her forte. If she wasn't complaining about wanting to be on the sidelines, she was being pointed in a direction and told to fight. Or at least, that was her perception of herself.

They're outnumbered in both bodies and weapons, so in that sense they're at a disadvantage. But she's taken down more men on her own. If it comes to that she'd do it again. That's merely a cautionary mindset though, especially when she's more than happy to take up the Doctor's suggestion. Her voice is still light despite the slight edge that begins to creep into it. ]

Of course we can manage it. We're together with our valiant steed Juniper.

[ At this she gives the horse a reassuring pat and urges her to turn wasting no time at all.

The Doctor is right of course and it isn't that easy because there is, in fact, another check point awaiting them when they eventually do arrive between the canyons. Spotting the sight of at least two men up ahead Hilda lets out a huff. ]

What do you think the chances are that if we just ask nicely they'll let us through?

[thedreamer]

A lived story is always worth it, Hilda, even — and especially — with a few bumps along the way.

[ Evidently, to him, potentially running afoul of bandits equates to merely a few bumps. Easily overcome! He's faced far, far worse. This is simply a plot twist in the story of their little adventure. Just another Thursday. There haven't been enough of those lately...

He's quick to smile at her and Juniper, though, finding himself not the least bit ill at ease. There's no fear for him here, not yet, no, it would take a lot to conjure those feelings in him. Being outnumbered — on the surface of it, he's hardly worried about that, either. It's only that people with nothing left to lose, who survive out in the wilds at any means necessary — people with weapons — they tend to be unpredictable. If they can very simply take an alternate path around them, it's their best option. The most boring yes, and that call of the unknown is something he can never quite shake. Danger or not. But danger is its own thrill. Especially when you're the Doctor and you always know you'll find a clever way out without anyone being hurt.

Of course they will. ]

Us? You mean the three of us, the most amazing trio that ever roamed this well-loved little stretch of land? Can we talk our way through it? Not a single doubt!

[ He makes it sound good, right? Completely confident, this one, even if it's half delusion. He fondly pats Juniper's snout for a moment, speaking a few words of reassurance to the horse before striding forward with like this is an ordinary day and they're out for a stroll. ]

Hello! [ He calls out, with a smile to boot. ] Absolutely splendid, crossing paths like this! Good you're here, looking after things. You won't mind us passing through?

[theidlemaiden]

[ The finer points of living a lived story versus hearing about it can come later - because it turns out they're about to do just that.

(But for the record she's lived plenty of stories already. Everything that happened in Fódlan, arriving here, surviving a dragon attack and now this. Hilda doesn't really have a leg to stand on.)

They approach and while Hilda's posture is relaxed and lackadaisical as ever, she's acutely aware of where her axe is in relation to her hands and where all of them stand in accordance to them. She hasn't been in a situation exactly like this - but there have been enough that she knows what to do. And would frankly try to talk their way out of it if they can.

Their leader she presumes because he steps up in front of them offers them both a slimy smile that she immediately equates with the slimy salesmen in the markets. So he was one of those types, huh? Still, her smile doesn't budge, giving them a somewhat shy, hesitant smile to counter the Doctor's bright sunny one.

Of course. But the thing is we've recently instituted a fee in order to keep these parts safe for travellers like you. ]