Week 1, Sunday Evening; Barnham

[alcobrawlic]

[ There's been a lot to mull over, with the Sheriff's arrival and those two girls now in jail, a lot of information to take in. Which, for a bracer and an instructor, isn't impossible for Sara, but there was a difference between learning a curriculum or the details of a mission or job request and...

This.

A game where they were being encouraged to kill each other. It's a sick game, definitely, but she's a little more concerned about how the younger ones are handling it-- and just how many of their number have killed before.

For now, she just sighs into her beer mug-- her third, but there's really no point in stopping now. Her mind is still, unfortunately, clear enough.

The saloon's fairly quiet for now, and that's all she needs. ]

Comments

[alcobrawlic]

Then I'll lend a hand. That's a lot easier than being told to murder the whole town.

[ Yeeeah. ]

[moraled]

[...Oh.

Barnham's small shriveled heart grew half a size that day.]

... If you are not troubled by that, it would be much appreciated.

[alcobrawlic]

If it bugged me, I wouldn't mention it, trust me. And how could I not want to protect a little guy like him?

[ She's not heartless, she just beats up her students on occasion. ]

[moraled]

I imagine that there are those who would not care.

[He sighs.]

Though even so...it is only to be expected that in a situation such as this, everyone will focus first and foremost on their own safety. I could not fault them for that.

[alcobrawlic]

Yeah, I imagine a lot of people are going to get about ten times more paranoid because of that announcement.

[ Sort of a shame, but hearing that you all needed to kill each other? That didn't exactly inspire any feel-good thoughts, she's sure. ]

[moraled]

Even our attempts at organizing ourselves will have been stymied by this development.

[Ugh!!!]

There will be suspicion and mistrust coloring every action now.

[alcobrawlic]

And here you are, hanging out with me.

[ She'll just point that out, taking a quick swig of her beer. ]

[moraled]

I am not concerned, currently, for my own safety. If I was not confident in my ability to handle myself, I could not call myself a defender of others, even in the name of justice.

[alcobrawlic]

... A part of me gets that completely, but another part of me really hopes it's not that you think I'd be easy to take down.

[ She's got some pride, okay? Totally pride as she tries to coax a dog onto her lap with her non-beer hand. ]

[moraled]

[Really, Sara.....

Constantine is too knightly to sit upon a lady's lap, though!!! He remains on the ground, wagging his tail at her.]

Believe what you will. It is not the company in particular that I am concerned with at the moment. Let me simply state that I believe you are the sort to demand a fair and honorable fight before attempting to kill someone.

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... Well, she tried. The dog's still cute. ]

... Hm.

[ The usual lackadaisical, sassy expression falls from her face at that moment, and something a little more nostalgic and weary takes its place-- before she closes her eyes and sighs.

People changed, after all. ]

Well, you're not wrong. Stabbing someone in the back isn't really my style.

[moraled]

Naturally, you may be lying. That could always be the case.

I will not question it now, however.

[Too much to deal with. Constantine sits, and tilts his head at Barnham.]

There is more than enough to concern myself with.

[alcobrawlic]

First and foremost, that you're in a saloon and not drinking anything alcoholic. That's the first suspicious thing right there.

[ As she straightens up and returns to her stool.

Nope, she sure didn't look solemn a minute ago. ]

[moraled]

[Sara....]

I see no reason to imbibe myself with alcohol and rob myself of my senses at the moment.

[alcobrawlic]

Sure, if you drank about ten of anything here. A glass is just enough to take the edge off your nerves and help you focus.

[moraled]

I am not currently suffering from nerves, and my focus is fine.

[sorry Sara]

While I shall not judge your choice of activity here, I have no desire to participate myself.

[alcobrawlic]

... Just curious, but has anyone ever called you a killjoy before? What kind of a gentleman lets a lady drink alone?

[ BOOOOO. ]

[moraled]

[That's rude]

I believe you shall be fine. You were drinking alone without me, and you will continue to do so when we have parted.

[alcobrawlic]

But I don't wanna drink alone!

[ SHE ACTUALLY MISSES NEITHARDT AS A DRINKING PARTNER RIGHT NOW. If just because it'd be a great distraction.

Also she may have had a lot, as is. ]

[moraled]

...Ms. Valestein.

I have no intentions of drinking on this night. Perhaps another, when the situation is not quite so dire. For now, I would prefer to keep my wits about me.

[alcobrawlic]

Uuugh, fine. [ Well, she can't force him to drink, but there's still a disappointed sigh into her mug. ] But I'll hold you to that.

[ Perhaps didn't mean "never"! ]

[moraled]

[He shakes his head, simply.]

Believe what you will. If the situation grows less dire, I will happily grant you a toast.

[alcobrawlic]

I guess that all depends on how many people are willing to kill someone else to get back home.

[ ... She doesn't have a whole lot of faith that people won't start dying. She's seen what people are capable of under pressure. ]

[moraled]

[... Yeah. He won't argue that.]

I do not doubt that in the future, we will face trials. We must keep our wits about us for that very moment.

[alcobrawlic]

That's fine. I might miss sleeping in, but I'm not about to let something like this stop me from shutting their game down.