(no subject)

[trustexercises]

All right, all right. I'd tell you to be patient, but I'm not exactly the type of guy who should be arguing for patience, y'know? Still, I'm not sure how I feel that when you're complaining about having too much of a goody two-shoes there, that you have to come running to me.

I mean, come on! I can't be your answer to that, can I?

But still, a place that's so desperate that it's almost indiscriminate has gotta be interesting somehow.

[He pauses to grin.]

What, you expected me to say no? To fight tooth and nail? That's not my style. If they want me, let 'em have me. Let them decide if it's a mistake or not.

Comments

[nobleman]

I don't know if I've ever encountered someone who's that interested in being tossed into a cage. [That makes this guy a little more noteworthy, if nothing else.]

Where are you headed? [Guy's completely casual in his questioning. He's just curious.]

[trustexercises]

Who said anything about being interested? But it sounds to me like she's got her mind made up.

[He does shrug it off, smile still ever-present. Though there's something about the way he carries himself that doesn't give off an air of "friendly do-gooder." Oh, well, there are some things Alvin can't master.]

And I'm headed to a place called Asgard. The desperation's got to do with needing someone to fight their wars. Guess they forgot to conscript an army.

[nobleman]

Bringing in people to fight their wars for them... Yeah, that sounds a little familiar.

[Guy's never heard of a place called Asgard, though, which means that this guy probably isn't headed to Landel's or anywhere near it.]

Are you a decent fighter, then? [The stranger sort of has that look about him, come to think of it. Like he's been around the block a few times.]

[trustexercises]

Huh, you got experience with it?

[Alvin is familiar enough with desperation, but the rest? Not quite. His familiarity with wars was of a whole different level, but didn't involve dragging people in ... like that, anyway.]

As for your question: I'd say I am. I'm a mercenary, so I only fight your wars for some gald. If you don't have that, I'll take any kind of compensation. Call me flexible.

[nobleman]

[A mercenary, huh? Well, he does look the type. He's got enough muscle mass that he could probably swing a sword around.]

Well, back where I'm from there was a war going on... [Which has been resolved now, but it hadn't been all that long ago that Kimlasca and Malkuth were still at odds. Or at least, it doesn't feel like it'd been that long.]

But the place I was taken... sounds like underneath all the mystery and intrigue, they need us as soldiers for their war.

[pyrostorm]

Asgard, huuuh? That's a good place for you. A lot of sides. You can betray everybody! Should make you feel riiight at home!

1/2

[trustexercises]

[Her words do hit a sore spot, but it's not like he's going to make that obvious. Agria is as Agria does, after all—and truth is, he'd rather be seeing another face right about now from that day.]

Looks like you've already figured out my dastardly plan.

Now what am I gonna do with my free time? Take up crocheting?

[trustexercises]

But hey, without you kicking around, maybe it's not all lost!

'Course, if you know so much about it, maybe I should start counting the days until I see you sticking your head out somewhere.

[pyrostorm]

[ Well, let's be real, Alvin's probably hit everybody's sore spots with his constant betrayals. Maybe even Agria's! Of course, she never liked him in the first place...

Yeah anyway- ]

I wouldn't be caught dead in that place. [ A G R I A YOU DON'T JOKE ABOUT THAT!!! ]

[trustexercises]

[Well, Alvin is his own sore spot after everything, which is what makes the truth hurt. But the tides had to turn eventually!]

Aw, now that's too bad. Not up for paying anyone any favors? Or do they just not have your favorite perfume available, The Wafting Scent of Gaius?

[pyrostorm]

[ Making fun of Agria comes with its own risks, but bringing her king into it is just asking for an ass-kicking of the umpteenth degree. ]

You think you're reeeal funny, don'tcha? Let's see you crack jokes from inside a casket.

[elementum_maxia]

I assume you'll be receiving ample compensation in response to their desperation.

[trustexercises]

Worship from adoring fans and some handy telekinesis. Can't say it's "just what I always wanted," but it's new and different.

[elementum_maxia]

Oh? And what is "just what you always wanted"?

[trustexercises]

You sure you want the answer to that, Milla?

[elementum_maxia]

I did ask the question.

Sorry for not being sorry

[scornedsacredflame]

That scarf...

It looks tacky.

[trustexercises]

Hey, lay off the scarf!

And now, I rant about the one thing that pisses me off about the scarf.

[scornedsacredflame]

Look, I'm sorry, you obviously put a lot of thought into wearing this thing, the colors work great together with your jacket, but the way you wear it like a tie just ruins it. Throw the damn thing over your shoulder, you'll be doing the fashion world a huge service.

[trustexercises]

Look, kid, you obviously put too much thought into this, but something tells me you don't know a thing about the fashion of where I come from.

[dragontemptress]

And what do you expect in return to all your hard work in such a place, hm?

[trustexercises]

[Presa. Well, then. Anyone can show up in a place like this, but it still is the type of thing that'd give him pause.

He considers being completely honest, to give her some indication that her words got through to him, but ... what's Alvin without being a touch difficult at first? Or rather: evasive.]

After all that charity work I pulled off for Milla's group, you still think I'd be asking for something in return?

Not that they'd see all my hard work that way.

[dragontemptress]

[ There was a faint chuckle followed up by a pause. Somehow she couldn't exactly believe what he was saying, but hey, when did she ever believe him? Just about never. ]

That was charity work? It didn't look like that to me. You were playing on all the sides, were you not?

You can't fool me. Just be honest, Al.

[trustexercises]

Can't fault me for trying.

[He doesn't hold on to that for so long.]

You could almost say it turned into that. If you're being technical. But you're not, are you?

[There's a slow to come wistful smile, but it shows up.]

Turns out, you were right about me.

[dragontemptress]

I could, but I can't be bothered. ... Who knows. I'm just stating what I've seen and know.

[ She shrugs, showing very little interest in the man himself, even if she was quite interested in what he was doing.

There was something he said that caught her attention though. ]

And which one would that be?