[log] Goof Troop Mingle | DAY 55/57 [closed]

[averytinyparticle]

Characters: Clayton, Enoch, House, Ginger, Ellana, Dorian, Haurchefant, Quark, Frisk, Steve, Stein, and Rydia
Location Houses 34 and 35
Date: Day and Night of 55 and 57
Summary: After Quark, Frisk, House, and Enoch meet up with the others, the group is way too big to occupy one house after lockdown. They divide into two groups for the night. By day 57, even more people join the group.
Warnings: None for now! Potentially some rudeness (looking at House in particular). Probably a sobbing Clayton and a lot of personal space invasion all up everywhere.

Choose the appropriate toplevel and start your own thread, tag around to others! Mingle it up, friends!

Comments

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant walks around, knocking on windows with his knuckles.]

Be sure to bar the windows. 'Twould do us no good to shelter in these buildings should the creatures choose to climb in through them.

[He looks back with a smile but he only smiles with his lips.]

[rubikscomplex]

Of course they do windows now. [The comment is more muttered in irritation than directed at Haurchefant. Maybe he can find something to work as nails and just nail the windows shut. Save everyone the trouble.]

Or maybe I could use the screws... [It's said speculatively as he strokes his beard, considering. There's also just checking if anyone had something that he can use his tools with.]

Hey, Ears, you got anything I could use for nails? [House brandishes his hammer for effect.] I can bar the windows real good that way.

[silverfuller]

[Ears? Who is Ears? Is it him? It must be...

Haurchefant sighs, shakes his head and spreads his arms in a shrug.]

Alas I do not. I most certainly wish that I did. When last I encountered our resident fauna I was forced to dash from room to room and hold the windows shut with my own hands.

[He rubs his chin as he thinks about this.]

What was most curious was the next morning I looked at the outside walls of the building and there was nary a mark upon them. 'Twas almost as if the creature had not been there at all...

[rubikscomplex]

Like it's all in our heads. Great.

[His tone implies this is not 'great.']

There are enough of us staying over here we can probably man the windows in shifts. You gonna be all right with the rugrats over in the other house?

[silverfuller]

This may be one occasion where the fact that the building is mostly destroyed is something of a small mercy.

[He nods.]

Fewer points of entry mean fewer areas to guard. We should be well enough-...

[He tilts his head and peers curiously at House. The face is unfamiliar but the voice....He's heard the man talk a few times now and there is no mistaking it...]

Ah! Ser Quinn? That is you, yes?

[rubikscomplex]

[House stares silently for a moment, realizing no one had actually bothered with introductions. But...]

Oh, God. If we're about to have a moment, then, no. It's not me.

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant's eyes light up in mischief for a moment then he cheers.]

Splendid! Right glad am I to at least meet you face to face. Those peculiar devices have their uses but are a poor substitute for a true, in-person conversation.

[He throws his arms open and closes in on the other man for a hug.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House uses EVADE, but it's not very effective... given the cane and the relatively close quarters. When Haurchefant manages to get his arms around the other man, he'll find the returned embrace about as warm and comforting as that he might receive from an icicle. That is to say, it's not returned. The doctor stands, rigid, with his arms down at his side, only just tolerating the hug like a disagreeable cat. This guy is huge, so he's not going to shove him away, but hell if he's not going to telegraph his silent displeasure in every way possible. After a few seconds he asks:]

Are we done, yet? I think I'm about to shed a manly tear of camaraderie.

[silverfuller]

[He gives House a bear-like squeeze before releasing him and drawing back. Normally he is respectful about not touching people but, well, this fellow could use a good teasing.]

Is a hug between friends so terrible?

[His fists clench and unclench as he flashes an unfocused smile.]

[rubikscomplex]

We've known each other a couple of weeks and live in an experimental box together. That's a low bar you've got for friendship, pal.

[House notes the fist clenching, but isn't sure what to make of it. Is this guy going to punch him for not being buddy-buddy? There's nowhere really to go, but his grip on the hammer in his hand tightens.]

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant folds his hands behind his back, lacing his fingers together against the broken shield.]

Is it? As I said earlier in trying times we must needs work together. This place is frightfully cold in more ways than one should you choose to confront it with nobody at your side.

[He flinches slightly as he says this and glances back towards the windows.

Somewhere out there is Emmanellain who has nobody at his side, nobody to protect him from the horrors of this snowy hell.

Haurchefant lowers his gaze briefly before lifting it back to House's eyes-or, as he thinks of it, back to Quinn's eyes.]

Would you not consider your current companions friends?

[rubikscomplex]

Well, let's go down the list:

The Half-pint - I met them about three days ago and they're like 10.
Quark - Also 10.
Epps - Manipulative asshole who puts on a friendly face and tries to play everyone's dad because he thinks he knows best.
Parvus - I'd have drinks with him, but that's about all we've got in common.
Blondie - He's so good it's actually physically painful to be in his presence for extended periods of time.
The She-elf - I don't think I've ever even talked to her. Boring.
The Other Chick - I think I've met dogs with more common sense.
And You - Everybody's friend. Everybody's protector. I'm guessing you're not protecting the person you want to be judging by the way you've been looking away from where we're headed and antsy since our groups met up.

Did I miss anybody?

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant's eyes go wide for a moment.]

Not pro-

[Is he that easy to read? He shakes his head.]

There is more to a person than what you see at the surface. Any of these brave men and women could be the one who might save you when you are next in danger.

[rubikscomplex]

And what does that have to do with being friends? I save people's lives every day back home. We don't keep in touch.

[silverfuller]

Were you trapped in-what was it?

An experimental box?

We are all of us in this together.

We'd do well to get to know one another and bond together in camaraderie.

[He shifts his weight.]

Try as you might you will not long be able to avoid seeing the same faces and time and time again. Not here, anyroad...

[rubikscomplex]

I also work with people who aren't my friends. How does that work into your little relationship web? Do they not have acquaintances where you're from?

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant is still looking worriedly out the window when he answers.]

Of course we do! But I told you of the war, yes? We are set upon by foes from all sides which is why I feel one can never have too many allies.

Even an acquaintance can one day become a dear friend. 'Tis the reason I am ever willing to invite foreigners into my employ and more!

[Whoops, he just blurts that last bit out in anxiety induced word vomit. Oh, well, nothing to be embarrassed about.]

We may not be at war here but the dire circumstances are not so different. Even if you should encounter someone you may not trust there is a saying I've heard about keeping friends close and enemies closer.

I do not necessarily agree with it, but I am not so naive that I do not understand it.

[rubikscomplex]

Why would I want an acquaintance to become a dear friend when they might die tomorrow? Anyway, we have all these ethical rules about doctors not treating their friends. Some people think that compromises their judgement or something. You find comfort in camaraderie because you think it gives meaning to someone's life before they die.

I find not giving a crap works really well for not being bothered when Billy Bob I was traveling with for a couple of days gets turned into monster chow. You don't need close friends or enemies here. You're better of keeping them all at arm's length. No real point in getting attached.

Whoever you're looking out for's probably got a good chance of dying here, too. I'm guessing... 70-30 on exposure versus monsters if they haven't turned on their Beacon.

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant visibly tenses.]

Your outlook seems dreadfully lonely...

[His gaze drifts towards Quinn then back to the window.]

I am looking out for everyone, yourself included, though I suspect you refer to the individual who currently haunts my thoughts.

He will not die here, I'll not allow it. He's suffered far too much already.

[rubikscomplex]

Being alone doesn't mean you're lonely. Just means you're a fan of solitude. [He even says that like he believes it. Some days more than others.]

And that attitude is going to leave you an anxiety-ridden idiot or depressed when you fail to live up to some arbitrary bar you've set for yourself that you have almost no control over. You can't put him in a bubble here, Ears. Live with that or you'll turn into a liability to everyone else.

[silverfuller]

[Haurchefant turns towards Quinn completely now.]

I am a knight and a knight lives to serve and aid those in need. Those who are trapped here are in need. Him, perhaps, more so than others. He is no warrior and has no talents that could help him survive the harsh reality of this place.

[He knocks a fist against his chest, rattling the armor.]

I can protect him. I must.

[rubikscomplex]

Okay, Sir Lancelot. Don't come crying on my shoulder when you fail. Because you will. It's not a question of 'if.' It's a question of 'when.' Brace yourself for it or make sure you're with Epps when it happens. He's the touchy-feely one.

[silverfuller]

Anything that may come to bring our party harm will first have to make its way through my shield. Though it may be broken there is strength yet in it and my arm shall not falter when I raise it against our enemies.

[He blows out a breath.]

What is it that you wish for me to say? Do you want me to admit defeat? To decide here and now that I cannot save anyone? No, no, that is not how I think.

My life is my knighthood. I will protect us until I no longer can, until the spirit leaves my body. In the name of the Fury, this I swear.

[rubikscomplex]

No. I want you to say you're not going to be a moron who's setting himself up to be disappointed. You think you're the only fighter here? The first group I ran into had two guys who were literally named for weapons. Janey and I leave them and a few days later we see their names in the obits.

It doesn't matter who you are, how good you are; anyone can die here. Accepting that is professional. You're a freaking soldier. Get some goddamn perspective! Do whatever it is you think you're going to do, but don't make stupid decisions or set yourself to an impossible goal.

It's 'I'll do what I can,' not 'I'll do it no matter the cost.'

[silverfuller]

What if I intend both? I shall do what I can, no matter the cost.

I know what loss is, Doctor Quinn. Sometimes I...cannot save someone.

But I dare not think that everyone is someone who may die under my watch. I could not bear it. I would rather think that everyone is someone I might be able to protect.

I'd sooner die than let another come to harm. That, Ser, is what being a knight is about.