2018-11-24: By the Throat

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  • Log: By the Throat
  • Cast: Rudy Roughnight, Gwen Whitlock
  • Where: New Artica
  • Date: 11/24/2018 (Backscene from 12/17/2018)
  • Summary: In a rare moment of quiet right after the Metal Demons' attack on New Artica, Gwen comes across a bloody but calm Rudy. While the young Drifter seems to be alright, there's something that seems to be eating at him, but what is it?

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 The wake of Siegfried's attack and the arrival of the Golem, there is a definitely feeling of hope with the Drifters. Soldiers, mages, and all sorts of would-be heroes prepare themselves. But while Jack and Cecilia fought the Quarter Knight Commander and his people, one could wonder where Rudy was all of it.

 The answer is scene when one looks toward the side. It's hard to tell exactly if the threat was Metal Demons or merely arctic beasts seeking to capitalize on a chance of weakness.

 Now? There's blood on the snow. It litters the outskirts of the town and most of it is not Rudy's.

 On a knocked over barrel, the heavy armed Drifter works on his Hand Cannon, sliding bullets into the cartridge, preparing himself for yet another attack. As is often the case, his eyes reflect deep thought as he looks toward the horizon. It's a sharp contrast to the mindless nature in which he is able to work on the ARM, not even needing to look at his work.

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    It's difficult to be a courier on a continent that is entirely disconnected and free of mostly any settlement of any kind. While the camp established needed supplies and things transported, there was no skill Gwen had that necessarily made her more qualified than any other Drifter that had come over here.

    There was, however, one thing she could do.

    With her experience in dealing with boring, featureless terrain and inopportune weather conditions, Gwen made for a natural scout.
    
    There is no Gulliver here to satiate her need for conversation and errant thoughts, however. Gulliver was of desert horse stock, able to endure the cold nights and the hot days of the Badlands, but lacking the stamina and coat to trudge through an entire continent's worth of tundra. For that, she has Gullvieg, a ghostly grey and white horse brought in as a means of moving necessary supplies. The mare was quickly proving to be superior in terms of intelligence, but in the end, it didn't matter. Gwen just needed something to talk to.

    Coming back into town, her white parka dusted with iridescent frost, she had spotted the blood trail. It stood out quite naturally to her eyes, even where the blood may have turned dark and cold. Tying Gullvieg to a a post where the mare could begin to drink and eat, Gwen silently set out, taking one backward look at the makeshift tavern with its tempting glow before heading out. People were still cleaning up from the attack, but who's to say there wasn't some matter that was leftover from it all?

    ".... Oh, Rudy. Y'scared me there." The fur-lined hood and scarf is pulled down, exposing Gwen's freckled face. "How're you holdin' up? That's not your blood, is it?"

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 A glance is given to Rudy's leg as he hears Gwen before seeing her. "That is." The trail of blood can be seen as Gwen changes her angle to take in where the boy is nodding toward. A large gash seems bandaged up, the chunk of metal or bone that seems dagger sized resting in the snow. "The rest isn't."

 It might be chilling to see Rudy so calm and collected by his causal treatment of the wound, but it's clear that grievous wounds don't seem to keep Rudy down. Maybe he has some beastman blood in him or that inner drive is just that strong because now that he's gotten the handle of battle, it seems as natural as breathing to him.

 A moment or two pauses before Roughnight finally gives Whitlock eye contact. "You were in the fight," he realizes with concern beginning to creep in, looking over the woman for signs of injury. The causal talk of his wounds like that of the weather, but Rudy's emotions begin to come out a little more at the thought of people being hurt, more so when he wasn't there to protect them. "Everyone else okay?"

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    Gwen's eyes follow Rudy's gaze to his leg. She grunts back a gasp of concern, trying to adopt a more calm demeanor as she kneels down beside Rudy. "Hold on, lemme take a look at it. Looks like you did the best you could, but let's see if I can staunch that blood flow." She momentarily raises her head to look over Rudy's face, checking for any hints of wooziness or fatigue, any signs of blood loss having an effect.

     Where does he get this energy?

    Gwen's own injuries seem to be minor in comparison- the remains of a bruise here and there as she attempts to look over Rudy's leg wound, easing out a roll of gauze from underneath her parka.

    'Everyone else okay?'

    "..." Gwen's eyes track to the side. "I think you know her. Riesenlied, the Hyadean lady who created Wayside- I think she's been forced to serve on the Metal Demons' side. Like some sort of mind control. The leader, Siegfried, is,,, not himself either. Something really weird is up." If Rudy allows her, Gwen begins to reinforce the bandaging with some of her own, careful in how she touches the gauze that's already there. "It doesn't change what we came here t'do, but it's somethin' worth noting."

    Unlike the fact that she nearly made a part of the cavern fall in. What's a bit of friendly fire between friends, after all?

    "You cold at all? Let's get you in to someplace warmer. The troops have pretty much retreated, so it's the best time to go back and rest up. Can you walk, or d'ya need me t'help you?"

    Rudy may be concerned, but he's up against Gwen's equally powerful Big Sister Wannabe tendencies, even if she has nothing on Emma.

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 There is no paleness, no sign of shock. The bleeding seems to have slowed, but oddly while there was a lot of superficial bleeding, there is little sign of actual trauma to the boy's ability to walk as he moves the leg slightly as the wound is treated. He does seem to feel pain as he winces briefly at the new sensation as if the tug was more painful than the actual bleeding. As the work continues, Roughnight takes his glove off, just moving his hand to feel one of the bruises gently, as if seems interesting to him on some level. Once the work is done, the boy gives a simple smile and a "Thanks" in response.

 Soon, the Courier explains what happened with Riesenlied and Siegfried. A small frown appears on his face. "I not sure you want me to note that, but if she ends up being a problem, I'll deal with her. As for Siegfried, his time is coming." Yeah, considering the slightly chilled matter-of-fact it's likely best to point him toward the things that people don't mind being dead.

 As Gwen inquires of Rudy being cold and the like, the young Drifter only gives a shrug before getting up slowly. "I'm good," he replies before moving to stand up next to the woman. "So, you ready for all this to be over?"

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    "... You're really amazin', y'know that?" A small tease of a grin slips across Gwen's mouth as she works. "I've seen people freak out over wounds a lot smaller than this. Maybe you just nicked somethin'. Your color looks good still." ... But is it a good thing, for someone his age? It wasn't necessarily a good thing when she was younger. It just seemed like something that separated you from everyone else. "But it's good that you're wincing, just a little," she adds, finally. "Because then you'll remember next time."

    He'll deal with Riesenlied, if she becomes a problem. Gwen's grin remains, but the playful twinkle in her eyes grows sad. But there's no trace of disappointment. Adelhyde had affected Rudy.

    "A good friend of mine said something that I'm trying to hold myself to, even if it's probably gonna end up with me probably gettin' hurt over somethin' stupid," Gwen begins sheepishly. "Every life holds possibilities. To get rid of one is to snuff out those possibilities. Riesenlied... even if she becomes more of a problem, I don't want her to die. The hope that she's inspired in others might go with her, and that might create an enemy worse than anything Siegfried could throw at us." There's limits, however. Siegfried, Gwen is slowly beginning to find some level of grudging respect. But just how does that belief hold with someone like Alhazred? With Mother? Who *is* Mother?

    As Rudy stands, Gwen does the same, dusting lingering snow off her pants. "Alright. Figured you might be freezin'. I certainly am, even with all these layers."

    'So, you ready for all this to be over?'

    Gwen hesitates, even if the answer was natural for her. What is just a few years was lifetimes to the Metal Demons, and maybe just as long for the Veruni.

    She closes her eyes. "... Yeah, I am. The Veruni are definitely a thing here, so maybe, we can all work together once this is all over. There's technology they all have that probably could help a lot of folks, and maybe, we'll find a way for Filgaia to accept them. I don't see why we should be the 'chosen ones' when we're not exactly saints as a whole. But, like, the Veruni seem to be already workin' with people. I met one guy, named Elvis, who said he knew my auntie. He was, uh, kinda not wantin' to fight me on account of her. It'd be swell to maybe, just, not have all this war n' fightin' gettin' in the way." She smiles. "And think of the food! I bet they know of a buncha new dishes that are perfect. It'd be like learnin' a new kinda cuisine!"

     Pushing thoughts of food aside, Gwen looks down towards Rudy. "What about you?"

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 A brow is raised at the compliment of his hearty nature, but it isn't really remarked on. After all, there seems to be a lot more to the conversation and Rudy, as always, prefers to choose his words carefully, even when in a simple private one-on-one.

 A small frown frowns as Gwen talks of how all life should be respected for the good that can come of it. "Metal Demons that attacked Adelhyde committed horrible acts against innocent people. I don't see it being right to forgive without consequence More so if it's out of convenience of 'enemy of my enemy'. You might think a guilty conscience is worthy enough consequence for killing a man's son or a girl's mother. But I don't. Adelhyde has a right to ask for at least a trial."

 The talk of the Veruni does garner some surprise from Rudy, perhaps not knowing as much as Whitlock, but considering how much of a loner Roughnight is, it's little surprise. To all her musings, Rudy offers a hint of skpetism, again, perhaps linked to those like Elvis when they sided with the Metal Demons. "Maybe" is all he admits after a long pause.

 Finally comes the question of what Rudy thinks of all this. Normally, a trivial answer would go. This time, however, Gwen actually gets Rudy to speak for a hint, though it's unknown if it's due to the company, the topic, or a combination of the two.

 "I just want it done," the blue haired boy begins, looking off toward the direction of the Metal Demon fortification. "I always get an odd feeling when I fight Metal Demons. I don't know what it is. Berserk seemed to say something about it too." The arms fold, Rudy lowering his head in thought. "I dunno. Figure if there is something odd I need to know about, Mother is likely the one to have the answers. And most of these guys like to talk when their fighting. So, just have to get into a fight with her, get her talking, and I'll likely get all the answers I need." A brief smile is given. "Then once the Metal Demons are taken care of, I can help Adelhyde get back to normal and go back the occasional dig. Not...." He motions to the make-shift war camp. "...This."

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    "They did. And then need to be stopped, for our future's sake." Gwen frowns, looking out onto the white landscape beyond the cavern camp's borders. "Their future shouldn't come at the cost of ours, that's for certain. If I have to fight them, I'll give it everything I got."

    Maybe, after this, peace will have a chance to begin. Wounds will have a chance to heal. They could return back to some degree of normalcy.

    A small degree of snow begins to fall, drifting through the opening to the caverns, cold and thin. Hardly the sort of thick, sticky snow one would see in Kislev.

    "An odd feeling?" Berserk. Probably one of the toughest opponents Gwen had ever had the misfortune of having to fight. Both Rudy and Zed had been affected by the Hyadean's passing, in different ways. "I admit," she reflects quietly, "there is a bit of somethin' I'd call 'intensity' whenever I've seen you fight Metal Demons. Honestly, I just thought it had t'do with somethin' in your past. Like, somethin' you didn't want to talk about, or somethin' you didn't want to remember. What did Berserk say t'you?"

    As Rudy talks about Mother, it's now Gwen's turn to be the skeptical one, though she does turn her head slightly away to avoid looking dismissive. Hope is always a good thing to have, after all. "After all this, Ignas may still have its wars and whatever since the Metal Demons aren't around t'focus on, but as long as I have a good connection to Adelhyde, I'll do what I can t'help. It's the least I can do. And you know I'd always be open t'ya helping me or me helpin' you on a dig."

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 As the snow begins to fall, Rudy looks up as Gwen speaks on the aliens and the hopes of coexistence. He doesn't comment on it but he does give a slight nod in agreement, pairing her hopes with some nonverbal support.

 The conversation continues on and Rudy glances toward Whitlock briefly before looking back toward the weather, as if hoping to find some solace in it. "I don't really remember. He just acted like he knew something," Rudy stated. "Was too concerned about killing him to put much into it at the time." It's clear it was a regret both in the killing and the lack of questions, but hindsight is always 20/20.

 The idea of him talking about his past causes Rudy to shrug. He seem blasé about it, which is odd considering the content. "I was raised by Zepet and he wasn't my father. That's all I know. I'm strong, tough, and sync well with ARMs better than most; other than that, nothing really different about me. Thought it made me a freak, but learned there are a few people that are really strong; a few people have with unique relationships with ARMs," he states thoughtfully, still seeking to avoid eye contact. He does give a brief glance toward Gwen's artificial arm as prove his point, but even so, the distance snows call his attention. "Maybe I'm just getting worked up over nothing."

 A brief pause is given, but this time, Rudy seems ready to speak more. His mouth opens and closes as if starting and stopping. He considers his words and after another couple of seconds speaks. "I dunno," he continues as he muses in real time in front of someone, brown eyes locked on the frozen landscape. "I just remember when I was with Fei, Xantia, and Avril. They asked me to come to a place where they thought they could get their memories back. They seemed like they wanted it to happen so bad." A shrug is given as Rudy gives a quiet smile. "Somehow I don't think knowing about my parents would really be that big a deal. Better to focus on the future, not on the past, right?"

 It's clear from his tone, he's mostly at peace with it, but there is still that shred of doubt, the one that comes without true closure. And in the end, it's clear that's what Rudy wants, to just have it be done.

 The quiet smile grows at the talk of Gwen wishing to support, almost to the point of a laugh or a chuckle, if Rudy's silent soul was one to do it more often. "You're a good woman," he simply concludes in the wake of her words, content to go back to offering few words in the wake of his rare monologue.

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    "... Huh. Maybe he was tryin' to unnerve you?" Sensing the effect the gentle curtain of distant snow has on both their nerves, Gwen moves to sit on a boulder, gesturing for the young man to stand or sit wherever nearby. "Even if he didn't seem like th'type. But it ain't like we really knew him all that well."

    Drawing her scarf over her mouth as she looks outward, Rudy's words prompt an edge of a smile to peek out from underneath the scarf's folds. The quick glance towards her ARM does not go unnoticed by Gwen. For a moment, she closes her eyes.

    .... All this time, she had failed to appreciate that she could actually play a part in encouraging someone to accept themselves, all while she fumbled with the same struggles, if on her own terms.

    "Maybe he felt he saw somethin' in you that called out t'him. Sometimes it just happens. If there was somethin' there, it may've died with him. Maybe Zed'd know, but it sounded like Berserk didn't really chat much outside of fightin'."

    As Rudy speaks, Gwen plays the quiet one this time, giving Rudy the space to think and put together his thoughts. It's rare that Rudy feels like speaking.

    It must have been on his mind for a while, now.

    Hanging her arms over her knees, Gwen looks out towards the snow. "Don't remember if I've told you this before, but t'be honest, I don't remember much 'bout my parents either." Gwen itches the side of her head through the hood of her parka, frowning. "From what I've gathered, they were both orphans themselves, just tryin' to make a family. I guess... it's different for people. I've never had to really go look for them because I had something already. Maybe, it's the same for you. Even if someone is gone, you still have the memories of those times. I guess they don't feel they have that, or an origin to point to. A beginning."

    Her beginning was fire, pain, and death. And in the middle of it, like the last entity inside of Pandora's Box-

    It's okay to have hope.

    "And you're a good young man," she says, softly. "If you decide to continue bein' a Drifter, I think you'll turn out to be a pretty amazin' one." Maybe, even a dream chaser, even if the words feel false in these tense times. Facing away from watching the sky, Gwen's blue grey gaze focuses on Rudy. "Just promise me that you'll never lose that heart of yours."

    The words feel fake the moment she says them, like something out of a one gella novel. She coughs, adding, "Like, well, even when you're facin' Metal Demons, or even when you're wounded, it's just... I dunno. The moment you see anybody you care about being hurt, you're always right there, trying to protect them. Even if you're more wounded than they are. While I'd, uh, always advocate for you t'make sure you don't overdo it, I do think that's a quality 'bout you that makes you. More than whatever Berserk saw."

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 The offer for the seat is given a bit of a pause as is the thoughts on their previous foe. After a few moments, Roughnight takes the seat. "Maybe so," he concedes on Gwen's observations, clearly seeing merit in all her words on the Quarter Knight. Zed isn't even really given much thought by Rudy, but considering his grudge against Metal Demons and their supporters, likely better than other reactions he could muster.

 "The only thing I have in this is fighting for everyone. I like helping," Rudy offers as he merges the talk of the past and the future into one line of thought. "Zepet clearly saw something in me. Want to do right by him, even if I'll never be as good as him. Can at least try, tho'."

 As Gwen looks at Rudy, he returns the glance. The wind breaks the silence, his bandana fluttering in the chilly breeze. After too much consideration, he finally gives a slight nod before looking back out. "I'll try." More words come, but they catch in his throat and more silence follows.

 Finally, a question spills out, though the motivation is unknown as his tone seems calm and seemingly neutral as if talking about the weather. "So, what are your plans after all this?"

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    "Yeah, Zepet was really somethin', accordin' to my Auntie. But, like, if Zepet was here, I bet he'd be satisfied, at the very least. You're takin' all his wisdom and trainin' and, well..." She gestures loosely at the expanse of the camp, the tundra, and the stronghold far beyond, hidden in the light grey blue of the atmosphere beyond. "You're helpin' save people. Humanity, even. That's a pretty hefty achievement. I mean, sometimes, I wake up at night and go 'what am I doing here, I'm not supposed t'be here'. But here we all are."

    But the real question is, what will she do afterwards? "Probably do the same thing I've always done. I'm a courier, so." The redhead tries to catch Rudy's face out of the corner of her eye without looking too obvious.

    Is he worried about something? That she was going to leave? Or was it wider than that, involving all his friends?

    .... His life must have been so lonely, in that twilight between Zepet's death and meeting all his current friends.

    She leans back on her hands, giving Rudy a wide smile. "... You know a lot of us'll be just a message away if you ever need something, Rudy. Including me. Even if it's just t'talk. We're gonna win this, and we're all gonna survive. Because, like hell am I gonna lose it all now." No matter how empty those words may be outside of the context of things like 'hope', maybe it'll inspire some further context from the quiet Drifter. "And if you find you need a breather from Adelhyde, you can always, you know, work with me for a while. Or with Cecilia, or Jack. Tethelle might have somethin' too."

    But did she really answer his question?

    A hand reaches up, a few fingers touching where the green and gold pendant sits against her chest.

    Does she even know?

    "... What about you?" When in doubt, ask the question back.

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 Talk of Zepet gets Rudy's full attention, the man still the pillar of perfect in the blue haired boy's mind. As the vague answer is given and the question is given, Rudy shrugs. The talk of people being there is not dismissed, but a nod is all he grants it, as if not needing to delve too much on the power of friendship. Talking at length was a rare thing for Rudy and he has swiftly slid back to his normal manner of (not) speaking.

 "It's sometimes odd when people encourage people," Rudy states, seemingly not choosing to answer any questions, yet answer them all at the same time. "You know it's the right thing to say or the right thing to hear; that there's likely some truth to it. But until you get to that moment where it's do or die, you just leave it be because you just don't want to deal with it."

 A soft sigh is given. "Guess we'll find out what the 'new normal' is gonna be when Mother's dead," Roughnight decides, slowly getting up and dusting off a bit of snow here and there. It would seem that Rudy's decided that the conversation is reaching its end or he doesn't frolic down the path of 'happy ever after' too long for whatever reason.

<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.

    "... Guess I overdid it, eh?" Gwen gives Rudy a wry grin, and chuckles. "I guess it really is what you decide to do in the moment. But I'm confident. The worst we can do is die, really."

    She coughs, and quickly adds, "I mean, if we die, it means it's quick, which is a lot better than slow, an-" She quickly waves a hand. "Okay, so, that was a grim train of thought, so, uh, let's just say, 'we won't die.'

    she really needs to stick to being optimistic about living, this is clear

    Gwen hears that sigh, and her chin lowers against her scarf.

    She couldn't give him any answers, in the end.

    "We'll figure it out then, yeah. Same as we always do. One thing's for sure, though- there'll be no Mother to block us. No more surprise attacks like that on Adlehyde. We'll be able to hear the Guardians again. It won't be a perfect, peaceful world, but it'll be one where we get to live. I'm okay with that." As Rudy gets up and dusts himself with a certain finality, Gwen does the same. "I'm gonna go get some grub. You're welcome t'come along, but I won't force ya." After all, the booze they have there is pretty potent. Last thing she needs to do is challenge poor Rudy to an arm wrestling match again.

    She lets out her own sigh, her breath a cloud drifting in the air. "... Just promise me you'll survive all this, Rudy. Even if the future is uncertain, I want my friends to be in it. Otherwise... it gets lonely."

    Her breath hitches, but she raises another smile instead. "Either way, uh, take care, Rudy."

<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.

 As Gwen tries to find the right words to say and fail, Rudy gives a quiet and calm smile. Despite being transparent about his own difficulties, there is an odd reassurance. While Gwen talks of possible death and dying and how they won't actually fail, Rudy just pulls off his glove. His hand moves to brush against Gwen's cheek if she'll allow it, his hand somehow slightly cold but still the same coloration as the rest of him. If she pulls away, it will linger in the air with no offense really taken. It is cold outside after all.

 "You'll survive. Jack will survive. Cecilia will survive. My friends will be safe as long as I'm here. Even if I have to rip out Mother's throat with my own bare hands."

 There is still that child like smile which when paired with the gentle, calm, hopeful resolve might be a little unnerving. The hand of a possible throat ripper is lowered and the glove put on. "Gunna check the parameter, make sure there is no one planning to get us while our guard's down." The cartridge is slapped into his Hand Cannon. "See you later, Gwen," he states briefly before making his way out.