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

[moraled]

[Even though there's sure a lot going on, that doesn't mean Constantine doesn't need to be walked. He doesn't need a leash or anything, but Barnham strides along him quietly--until there's suddenly a quiet, cheerful bark and the dog takes a detour into the saloon.

Barnham has to follow, of course, frowning.]

Constantine, what--

[Oh. Huh.]

Good evening.

[alcobrawlic]

Oh, hey.

[ Sara doesn't look all that surprised to see him, but she's lifting her beer mug in greeting anyway. ]

Popping in to join me, Barnham?

[moraled]

So it would seem.

[Thanks, Constantine.]

Ms. Valestein. I presume you are holding up as best you can. [Considering the circumstances, he won't even judge the beer.]

[alcobrawlic]

Oh, you know, just getting my quiet time in before the storm hits.

[ So yes, this is how she's bolstering herself, for as lightly as she puts it. ]

Who's your friend?

[moraled]

This is Constantine.

[COMPANION.]

He arrived alongside me, puzzlingly.

[alcobrawlic]

Maybe he's just that loyal.

[ But she'll slide off her seat to offer a hand to the little white fluffy thing. He looks very stern, BUT HE'S CUTE... ]

[moraled]

While his loyalty is not in question, I imagine he was purposefully brought alongside me.

[Which worries him, but he won't admit it.

In the meantime, Constantine happily bounces up to Sara and wags his tail.

PET HIM.]

[alcobrawlic]

I can't imagine them making a dog participate in this little game of theirs...

[ And of course she's going to pet this little precious poof, he's so cute?? ]

Unless they want to use him as a hostage.

[moraled]

[His eyebrows draw together sharply at that.]

If they attempt that, they will regret it.

[DON'T TOUCH HIS DOG]

[alcobrawlic]

I'd say just sleep with him or tuck him in your shirt at all times, and it'll probably be fine.

[ This is clearly a man who loves his dog. ]

[moraled]

[Sara.....]

He will not fit into my shirt.

[Pls.]

Naturally, I shall watch after him in this place.

[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.