It was easier outside than in, for Asher: not that he really liked the fighting, exactly, but that dealing with a foe, an obvious foe, was easier than trying to explain himself to the refugees filling the hotel, or venturing out in the wild hope of finding someone in the snow.
So he gathered his coat back on, and scooped up his dagger, scraping at the tangled mess of his hair. His eyes raked once over the people in view, searching for familiar symbols --
They settled on Davor, and he didn't hesitate. Grabbed him by the elbow and pointed out the door. "Let's do something useful, huh?"
soldier of song
Quote:
This opponent is difficult solo, and pairs are suggested!
A small swarm of birds spot you and swoop in like they're of one mind to attack. Their bronze beaks glint wickedly, and their metallic feathers catch the sunlight. They attack by launching these feathers or by flinging their poisonous dung.
Hit points: 60 Damage: 5 damage each time they are attacked.
If you successfully kill this bird, each party involved in the battle gets 15XP and rolls 1d100 to collect loot according to the following:
1-60: You gain nothing but the victory of having beaten this opponent. 61-75: Poisonous Dung: You manage to collect a vial of the vile stuff. It can thrown at an opponent once to poison them, dealing 1 damage for 3 turns. After this it is consumed and leaves your inventory forever. 76-90: Heart's Blood: You manage to collect a vial of the creature's blood. It can be used once to replenish 3 HP, at which point it is consumed and leaves your inventory forever. 91-100: Metal Feather: Once per battle, you can backstab with this small dagger. Add 2 to your final damage. This item is reusable, and remains in your inventory.
Soldier of Song rolled 1 6-sided dice:
5Total: 5 (1-6)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 10:25 am
It was hard not to be a little jumpy, what with the constant bird attacks in-between holing up in the hotel. Still. If he was honest with himself, it wasn't as if Davor didn't like the fighting: it was familiar, something to do, as strange as that sentiment was. So although Asher's abrupt introduction -- and especially touching his elbow, oh gods -- startled him, Davor recovered quickly.
"About time." Hard to tell if he was being cheeky or totally serious thanks to his usual deadpan. Grabbing his war-hammer, always at his side or just about, Davor headed out. Wasn't hard at all finding some birds to fight; the flock came rolling in like a storm. In what was quickly becoming a familiar routine, Davor swung, already crippling some of those razor-sharp wings.
Asher grinned at the way that Davor jumped, sudden and somewhat mocking. Maybe he was pleased to have gotten the drop on someone, and maybe he was also just a bit happy about the easy enthusiasm that the man showed, immediately launching himself out into the fray to take down the beasts.
It meant Asher could hardly do any different. He followed [intended to lead, but failed] and was immediately divebombed by an angry bird. Nothing he could do but slash back at it, striking it across one side with the very tip of his dagger.
HP: 42/47 DMG: 4 Flock HP: 46/60
soldier of song
Soldier of Song rolled 1 6-sided dice:
6Total: 6 (1-6)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:47 pm
Ah, so a dagger was his newest partner's weapon of choice. Certainly more elegant than the brutal bashing Davor was up to, cutting down another bird from the flock with a powerful overhead swing. It was a good thing they had the protection of the gods to help him shrug off any injuries (more than he already did, honestly), as he seemed to have no fear putting himself into the middle of the fray, so long as he could continue getting more hits in. And yet: "Careful," he cautioned Asher, watching the birds for any more aggressive divebombs, hammer at the ready to intercede.
"Don't tell me what to do." It sat somewhere between a joke and genuine annoyance -- which showed in the slight pull of heavy brows into the middle of his forehead, the uncertain expression that wobbled between smile and frown. The effort of it split Asher's attention, which meant that as the bird dove again, his timing was off. He hit, at least, his blade slashing through several metal tailfeathers and making the bird skew sideways. He just didn't hit well.
HP: 37/47 DMG: 2 Flock HP: 34/60
soldier of song
Soldier of Song rolled 1 6-sided dice:
5Total: 5 (1-6)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:53 am
Surprised by Asher's comeback, Davor raised his black brows right back in surprise, taking only just a moment to try to pick up if that was just friendly banter or if he'd overstepped things -- but now wasn't exactly the time to wade through social complexities. Snapping back to attention as Asher nicked another bird, Davor quickly took the opportunity to finish it off, bashing the bird into a crumpled heap. That was an apology, not an attempt to show this kid up...!
Whatever Davor's intention, it seemed that it drove Asher back into line, made him remember exactly how to move his body. This time, as the bird dove down, he drew in a breath and waited until exactly the right moment. His dagger drove in deep, leaving the bird fluttery and out of sorts. It still caught him in return, but he came up with the expression firmly settled into a pleased smile.
HP: 32/47 DMG: 8 Flock HP: 16/60
soldier of song
Soldier of Song rolled 1 6-sided dice:
3Total: 3 (1-6)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:29 am
Davor really had to wonder at these kids and their smiling in the middle of battle. He'd caught Asher's look, and he was only reminded of his early days in the military, when it still seemed like an adventure rather than, well. What it turned into.
But now wasn't exactly the time to reminisce. Pushing the thought aside as another bird harassed him with spiky metal a-plenty, he finished off the one Asher had stabbed with a well-timed crash of his hammer. He'd smile when they were done here, though even then, not really.
Being 23 certainly was a different experience. It showed in how Asher moved, too; not with the careful sparity of motion built from years of experience but, instead, an energetic effort to throw himself fully into whatever he was doing. He threw himself at the birds, and took a hit for it -- but it also worked. He drove one to the ground, and the last jerked around through the sky like it was glitching out.
HP: 27/47 DMG: 8 Flock HP: 3/60
soldier of song
Soldier of Song rolled 1 6-sided dice:
4Total: 4 (1-6)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:25 am
Well -- his style was enviable, to be sure. While such recklessness in others always made Davor nervous, his own lack of self-preservation be damned, he was impressed by Asher's takedown. The flock had thinned a lot thanks to their combined efforts, and he saw his chance to drive them off. Temporarily, sure, but how nice to see the sky for event a moment:
Swinging his hammer at that unsteady metal mess, Davor hit it right out of the air with a lucky swing. In some perverse way, this was almost becoming fun. s**t. No, no, gotta set a good example for the kids; even with their victory, he kept his cool, face remaining stoic rather than showing any pleasure.
Asher watched Davor appraisingly for a moment before the bird went down, like he was considering saying something -- and without actually opening his mouth, it was impossible to tell if that would be compliment or snark. He abandoned the words either way, stooping to poke at the carcass, looking it over for something that could, potentially, be harvested and used.
Not a whole lot.
"That weapon is really ridiculous, but I guess it works." Asher straightened again, putting his dagger away as he did.
soldier of song
Soldier of Song rolled 1 100-sided dice:
42Total: 42 (1-100)
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 12:07 am
That was the downside of so thoroughly smashing these metallic birds: there wasn't much at all to collect from the crumpled bodies left over. It was a mess, blood and dung and bits of metal here and there. Ah... he could understand why Asher made that comment. Uncalled for as it was. Nonetheless, Davor couldn't help but like Asher. He'd reminded him of his brother immediately, and this little partnership only solidified the strange deja vu.
Wouldn't say, so considering that was probably a weird thing to just blurt out, and anyway that would mean nothing to him. He simply shrugged, but there was a slight tug at the corner of his lips. "No need to be jealous. You handle yourself well with such a little thing." It was the most words he'd exchanged with another Chosen, and it was to make a shitty little innuendo. It was almost like the old Davor was showing through.
"What I have works just fine, and don't you forget it." Asher rolled his shoulders, putting his coat back into place, and considered Davor for one last minute, like he was trying to decide what that little smile meant. He didn't seem to like it, either way.
"I'm going inside. It's too cold out here." Blunt. He didn't turn though. Instead he backed up toward the door.
soldier of song
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 10:48 am
Not much of a sense of humor on this guy. Maybe a little less like Dalibor, but Davor couldn't help but snort softly in amusement at his too-serious defense anyway. Never one to argue, he gave Asher his back instead, looking out at the snow and debris -- whole lot of debris. Still, he preferred it out here.
"Nice working with you." His prostheses gave a click-click as he waved back dismissively, though he meant it. Better to meet posturing with posturing to earn respect.
