Rider (坂本龍馬 | Sakamoto Ryouma) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
amakakeru) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2021-10-10 01:17 pm
amakakeru) wrote in isleofavalon2021-10-10 01:17 pm
Entry tags:
October Quests and Open Log [open]
🧙 WHO: Rider (Sakamoto Ryouma) and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests, naps in questionable places, etc.
🕒 WHEN: October
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none so far, check thread headers for specifics
[ 1. Don’t Lose Your Head ]
[ 2. Any Port in a Storm ]
[ 3. Wildcard ]
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests, naps in questionable places, etc.
🕒 WHEN: October
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none so far, check thread headers for specifics
[ 1. Don’t Lose Your Head ]
[ A black horse with a rider in white on its back patrols the area where volunteers are dealing with cleanup. It’s a bit upsetting to see the aftermath, but someone needs to protect them as they do their work. The dead deserve a respectful end as much as anyone else.
The thundering of hooves snaps him to attention and he tugs on the reins. It can only be the Headless Horseman. Ryouma abhors violence, however there is a time and a place for it. Used in the defense of others, it’s a powerful tool. One hand on the reins, the other draws the sword at his side. ]
Get out of sight!
[ A call to any volunteers that were nearby and, if there’s anyone else helping to chase off the horseman, he looks to them with a little smile. ]
Ready? If you flank while I charge, we should be able to force a retreat.
[ 2. Any Port in a Storm ]
[ Ryouma is still getting used to a human body and human needs. The most difficult thing to get used to again is the need for sleep. He keeps odd hours at the best of times, so naps are generally how he copes.
The problem is the locations he chooses for these naps. Naps are best taken indoors in a bed or on a chair or a couch, not on a bench somewhere or under a tree or slumped over on a cafe table. You may find a surprisingly well-dressed man in a dark blue shirt and white slacks, sometimes with a hat over his face sometimes still on his head, asleep in any number of places in the city. He’s surprisingly hard to rouse from his sleep and seems more annoyed than embarrassed when he’s woken up. ]
Mm…What? Is there a problem here? [ He yawns and stretches, rubbing at his face. ] What time is it, anyway?
[ 3. Wildcard ]
[ Got an idea? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we can work something out! ]
1
[ Izutsumi, for her part, looked a little doubtful. The headless horsemen she'd encountered were implacable spirits, meaning they were a massive pain in the ass -- yet this man sounded sure. And he didn't sound like he was planning to try and kill it, so...
Oh, well. What had hesitation ever gotten her? So she darted forward, a dark shape with a flash of white, hurling some projectile into the horseman's pauldron so as to draw its attention away from a retreating NPC. ]
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Izutsumi's projectile is enough to redirect the horseman's attention. Instead of going after the mounted rider, he goes after her instead. Ryouma leans down, forcing his horse to go faster to cut off his charge. It's dicey whether or not he'll make it in time. ]
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At this point was where most adventurers would try to juke left or right, maybe try and open things up with a little fiery explosion or two if they knew their magic. Izutsumi's escape route took her upward instead, her somersault as graceful as a true cat's. The creature's steed was still charging full steam ahead, but Izutsumi was touching safely down on its rump, behind its daunting rider.
Her knife was a quick flash at the reins, slicing through the bit of leather line on one side. She didn't know what this particular headless horseman was made of, but why not gum up control of his horse? ]
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Her little trick works like a charm, too, enough to make the horseman more than a little irate. He can't control his mount nearly as well with just one hand and now he has an extra body on board to deal with. His horse slows, pulling at the reins, the first sign of disobedience its show so far. The horseman twists in his saddle to swat at Izutsumi with his free hand.
Ryouma takes this moment to flank on his current blind side and strikes him hard and fast in the side with the hilt of his katana. ]
Jump on if you can!
[ He's putting a lot of trust in his own horse for this. ]
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Izutsumi flipped her way out of the headless horseman's immediate reach, landing just behind Ryoma instead. One clawed arm reached out to steady herself against Ryoma's shoulder, though she'd had them long enough to remember not to dig in with them. ]
Look out!
[ The horseman swung his sword; even before the weapon came down, Izutsumi could hear the force behind the swing in the whistle of the air around it. ]
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The problem now comes in that the horseman's sword is quite a bit heavier than his katana; it's not made to take that kind of force. He has his pistol, too, but that would mean relinquishing his grip on the reins to pull it out. He can trust his horse to go where it needs to go. It's the mindset he has to put himself into right now.
This is why he learned to fight at all, isn't it? Violence is okay when it's being used to protect others. That's what the point of this is. One shot should be enough to chase him off. ]
Cover your ears!
[ The sword comes down against the tsuba of his katana. He releases the reins and draws his revolver. A single shot rings out, aimed at the horseman's side. What damage it does really can't be said, but the sound of the gunshot alone is enough to make his horse rear up and, with the cut reins, he can't easily keep control.
Who knew the headless horseman could become the horseless headless horseman?
Ryouma's quickly to holster his pistol and regain control of his mount. No, they're not stopping, because he's still a problem with or without a horse. ]
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Augh!
[ She dropped from Ryouma's horse, only partially out of shock (the other part was not wanting to wait around in case he had another of those awful boomsticks about.) She landed in a patch of tall grass, lightfooted as you please.
There had been a metallic impact from the direction of the horseman, which she took to mean it had been hit... and yet it didn't seem much hurt. She figured this was due to it being some sort of spirit or other, for whom physical injury was little deterrent.
But she did notice one thing as the armored creature advanced on Ryouma again. There was a loop of something at its waist. While Ryouma had its attention, perhaps she'd take the opportunity to stalk up behind it and see if she couldn't lighten its load... ]
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The best way to do that is to taunt him. He gallops ahead of the horseman, cutting him off close and shouting as he passes him by. ]
Over here! Come get me!
[ Their foe's focus is solely on the Rider right now, so Izutsumi should have a good chance to do what she needs to do. ]
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The horseman had hardly paid attention; it was now picking up speed as it marched toward Ryouma with singleminded purpose. Though it wasn't as fast as the horse, she had to wonder if it was capable of tiring.
Probably, she didn't want the answer to that question.
Izutsumi cocked her arm back, then let fly with the horseman's whip, for that was what her ill-gotten gain was. Even if they couldn't permanently remove the creature, perhaps they could at least contain it...! ]
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The problem comes down to the distance. It's not too far away, all things considered, but any distance is too far when it's dealing with a supernatural beast. Ryouma starts to drive the horseman towards it, staying tight on his flank, his sword out once again just in case he needs to defend himself. The whip keeps him moving forward without a whole lot of options for escape...
Maybe this will work out. ]
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In theory. ]
Ugh, whatever! I don't want to think about weird theories!
[ The horseman seemed ill-inclined to take the full brunt of the whip, too, so that was progress! She just had to focus on the job at hand! ]
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[ What on earth is she yelling about? It's briefly distracting, enough that he almost gets struck by a wild swing from the horseman. A clang of metal-on-metal rings out as he narrowly blocks it and is forced to hang back for just a second.
It's not enough of an opening for their quarry to escape. Between her whipping and Ryouma corralling him, he ends up driven into the cage. ]
Quick, close it!
2
Yeah. I'm the problem.
[ there was an opportunity to say that and he took it. in any case, he's not doing anything particularly problematic right now, unless one counted the fact that he'd decided jabbing ryouma a few times with the handle of one of his swords was the best way to wake him up. which worked, didn't it? otherwise, he's just sitting here drinking the coffee he'd ordered for himself. there's something else in a paper to-go cup on the table as well. ]
Girl workin' here said ya could have it, assumin' ya weren't dead.
[ since izō is usually the one passed out in weird places and this situation might ordinarily be reversed, he's also annoyingly smug about this. ]
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Don't be like that. [ He takes the cup with a sigh. ] Just had a long night, that's all.
[ A moment later and he chuckles. ]
Did she really think I'd died?
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No kiddin'. And I won't have t'be like that if ya slept anywhere else.
[ so sleep in the room or something next time. but also this is untrue because this is unlikely to be the last time ryouma ends up saying it. ]
Figures ya think it's funny when yer doin' it...
[ dumb. stupid. why is ryouma like this? izō just looks down into his cup like that's more interesting. he's sure that if this were the other way around it wouldn't be so funny. ]
But with how ya looked? Ain't an unreasonable guess if ya never seen it happen before.
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[ It still would've been funny if their roles were reversed, he just wouldn't laugh about it in front of Izō.
That aside, he settles back in his chair and finally takes a little sip of his drink. ]
...Did I really look that bad? [ Mostly a rhetorical question. He feels a little bad for potentially worrying the staff here now. ] Do you usually come here?
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Always worryin’ about shit that don’t matter.
[ he sighs like coming in here wasn’t a voluntary choice he made for himself. ]
No, it ain’t that bad. Jus’ figured ya were one a’those blood mages ‘cause I guess they do this kinda thing all the time? Anyway, I ate yer cookie ‘cause ya didn’t really need it.
[ he pauses at the question, picking at the edge of his scarf while he studies the table. as one does. ]
I was walkin’ by. An’ I only ever had that instant shit they have over at the inn, so I figured what the hell?
[ and etcetera, etcetera, various other reasons he will name that have nothing to do with ryouma being in here. ]
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The possibilities are a little bit distracting, to the point he doesn't realize he'd been sitting in silence for a little too long. Maybe he's still too tired for this. ]
Blood mage...? That explains the cider, I suppose. [ Too cold for orange juice, but a warm apple cider is perfect. ] There was a cookie, too? ...What kind was it so I can know if I missed out?
[ Yes, that's the important part right now. Ryouma sets his hat on the table and smooths his hair back a little bit. He would need real actual rest sooner rather than later, but that's a problem for later. ]
I'm just glad it's you that woke me up.
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yeah, these are all things he's barely willing to think about, let alone confess. ]
Huh? [ oh, he should pay attention again, shouldn't he? ] Er... yeah. Ya seen that before, right? Bein' able t'use yer own blood as a weapon's all well an' good except people only got so much blood, I guess.
Anyway, it was the plain kind, y'know? The one that's just sweet.
[ most cookies being sweet, he specifically means a sugar cookie, but he never made a note of the name when he'd eaten them when the inn had offered them as a treat with the free inn breakfast. ]
Why? Better people around y'coulda seen first thing when ya wake up...
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[ He rubs at his face, still in a bit of a sleepy daze ]
Mm...I still would've liked that.
[ A moot point now. It's not like he's actually upset at missing out on a theoretical cookie. No, he's more upset he seems to have upset Izō with his absence...At least that's what he's assuming this is about. ]
Well, certainly most of them wouldn't have jabbed me in the side repeatedly...but no one else is quite like you. [ He's doing it again. ] I dunno. It's nice and familiar when you wake me up.
[ A beat and then... ]
I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was going to be out so long. I didn't think it'd end up like this...
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Been here longer. Don’t mean much.
[ unlike the time he stole ryouma’s breakfast, he's still not sorry about the cookie even knowing ryouma wanted it. izō frowns and picks up his cup again, sipping the drink slowly right up until ryouma finishes his explanation, in which case he’s lucky to avoid choking on it. ]
That's 'cause I know ya sleep like a fuckin' rock, so I was makin' it easier. Can't ya ever jus' say shit like a normal person?!
[ ah… there it is. now it’s back. izō's feelings get tangled up again, and he feels overwhelmed, so as usual, the easiest way to let them out is in anger. izō is yelling inside a cafe, though, earning a few looks, and only because the workers had been nice does he make an effort to do somewhat less of that. unclear how long it'll last. ]
The fuck were ya anyway?
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Same old Izō, for better or worse.
The better decision is to just leave that be for now and answer his other question. ]
I was just out and around talking to some locals and refugees about the situation...Seeing what I can do to alleviate any tensions and try to find some supplies for people that need them. [ The smile fades a little bit. ] I bit off more than I could chew...
[ He pats his pocket suddenly and makes a face. ]
...And someone might come looking for me now.
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really had him in the first half, not gonna lie. ]
What? Who? The fuck are ya talkin' about? [ and more importantly, it occurs to him... ] Yer tellin' me that ya knew that an' ya still did this?!
[ izō isn't sure what he wants to say about it because there's a lot he could say, but then that might get them kicked out of here if he gets going. his expression says plenty that he isn't, anyway. ryouma is lucky there's a whole table between them because izō probably would've grabbed and shaken him by now, the idiot. ]
Ya halfway told me now, so ya might as well tell me the rest without all the vague shit...
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It's not that serious, I promise! It's just some cash. I was supposed to buy some building materials and bring them back...I didn't. Not that I meant to run off with their money or anything! I just ended up getting distracted to heal some drunk that fell and hurt himself and then he wanted to repay me...I just lost track of time and kept getting pulled into things I couldn't ignore.
[ He sighs. ]
...Guess I should find them again and at least give them their money back.
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Ya really are an idiot sometimes, ain'tcha? [ occasionally he gets to feel smart. ] Somebody ya don't know trusts ya enough to hand ya money an' ya can't even—...
[ he sighs and rubs his face. ]
Shouldn't ya make good on yer word? Or are ya tryna fuck up yer reputation?
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I'm going to. I guess...I found my limit of how much I can do.
[ That said, he does check his phone because surely the person whose money he has is looking for either it or him.
...
Well. He is a heavy sleeper, judging by the amount of missed messages. Ryouma sighs, sends a few quick texts, and slips his phone back into his pocket. ]
Do you mind helping me out? It shouldn't take more than an hour to take care of everything.
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as usual, it isn't like he has much going on, so it's not like the request is particularly inconvenient. ]
Fine. Whatever. I'm useful now, huh?
[ he shouldn't be frustrated, but he hasn't been in an ideal headspace for a while either; not out running around doing things, but dealing instead with old hurts brought to the surface again. maybe he's making too much out of nothing, or maybe he's the real idiot. it's difficult to tell. if he hadn't come here looking, would ryouma still have asked? why does he even care this much? ]
Anyway, jus' tell me what ya want me t'do. Ya know how it goes...
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Ryouma can't help but look a little hurt by that response, though. It's misplaced anger, he knows, but it doesn't take the sting out of it. He's really finding ways to screw this up again, isn't he? ]
Don't be like that...I like having you with me. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Don't just do this because I asked you to...
[ Don't dwell on that for now. He manages a smile as he finishes off the rest of his drink. He doesn't feel any more rested nor anymore awake; he'll manage. ]
I just need some help carrying some of the supplies, that's all.
I'll treat you to a nice meal afterward.
[ Ugh, it still feels like he's using him for the convenience of it. That's not the truth -- he really just wants Izō with him right now. This is just including him in what he's doing, right? Ryouma feels terrible for not letting him know where he'd been all night, bringing him along is a way of soothing that and hopefully soothing Izō's irritation at least a little bit. ]
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But maybe ask me the first time an' not jus' 'cause I showed up an' ya remembered and think it's fuckin' convenient.
[ he gets up and snatches his sword from where he'd set it earlier, moving past to go and wait by the door. it's just that he probably does so a little too hurriedly not to look like he's running away.
while he may not have been very good at dealing with his feelings before either, at least time and distance had made it easier to be angry and bury the rest, so ideally, he wouldn't have to deal with it. izō had been worried about this. now it just feels too much like he did when he was younger, where everything's laid out there on the surface. then it's just plain painful, realising that the world and everyone else in it always seem to have worse troubles, so he will always be an afterthought.
one would think he might've lowered his standards at some point, but that would mean admitting that he cares about whether or not someone else does, so the ol' spiral of misery spins on, as it does. ]
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I'm not trying to bribe you. It's a thanks for agreeing to help me, that's all.
[ He's too tired to just ignore it like he usually does. This needs to be addressed, even if he knows Izō will just deflect and yell at him instead. One day they'll discuss what's actually wrong and what Ryouma can do to prove to him that things are different or what he can do differently to avoid setting him off or even what Izō can do to question whether or not his reactions are rational or warranted -- today is not that today. That day is far off from now, somewhere in the future when they've gotten more comfortable and old wounds have had time to scab over.
He leads Izō to a quiet side street, one with fewer people on it. If he's going to talk about this, a less public venue is better. Fewer prying ears and eyes listening to what should be spoken in private.
He never could leave well enough alone. ]
I already told you that I like having you around. That's not a lie. I asked you for help because I want to be around you. I want to spend time with you, even if it's just doing a quick supply run. I wouldn't ask you to do this just because it's convenient...I'm just glad you're here.
[ He manages a tired smile. ]
I'll say it as many times as it takes for you to believe me...And do what's necessary to prove they aren't just empty words.
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An' I already told ya why I was pissed off, but nobody listens t'me anyway...
[ it's no surprise that ryouma would take what izō had said as he did. they've probably been over this enough times before to assume it's just the same issue rehashed all over again, especially when izō's deliberately vague. even if what ryouma says is the truth, he just can't believe it. it's not what he feels, especially after the night he's has had. ]
Dunno what ya mean by "do what's necessary". Ain't gotta do shit. Nobody has t'change anything for somebody like me.
[ doesn't he always tell people that the only thing that matters is who he needs to kill to be useful? no one needs to die, so the tasks have changed. he'd lost sight of that. of what he is. ]
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That's really not the sort of thing he needs to be thinking of right now. He sighs quietly and keeps his eyes forward. It's easier to talk about this when he isn't looking at Izō and seeing all the reminders of the ways he'd failed him when they were alive. ]
But I want to do something for you.
[ One day he'd make him understand that. He's not doing any of this out of obligation, rather out of actual desire.
There's more he could say, but he chooses to leave it at that. He has a feeling Izō will continue to find ways to shut him down and, frankly, he's too tired to deal with that right now. ]
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[ there's more he could say, having no shortage of his usual barbs if he really wanted to use them, but he bites his tongue this time. they'll still be there later if he wants. ]
Ya wanna do somethin' so bad, then tell me that. An' make it the real fuckin' reason too, not some excuse. Ain't like I can't handle somebody havin' a shitty opinion 'bout me if that's what it is…
[ which is easily the most ridiculous thing he could say, being who and how he is, but setting ryouma up isn’t actually his intention in saying so. ]
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[ He sounds absolutely exhausted by that fact. ]
That's the truth of it. If I'd known the full scope of what I was getting into, I would have asked you to come with me in the first place.
[ The path Ryouma's on takes them towards the Brocéliande. A merchant nearby has been expecting him probably since daybreak...It's fine, he'll deal with it like he always does. ]
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Shoulda said so at the beginnin' then! Shit…
[ and now izō will deflect because he doesn't want to be perceived as caring too much. ]
Must really like people givin' ya a hard time if y'think this is fun.
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I never said I thought this was fun. [ It's the opposite of fun. ] It's just...finding something to do to keep myself busy.
[ To run himself ragged so he can stop focusing on the emptiness inside of him from Oryou's absence, to keep him from focusing on his regrets every time he so much as looks at Izō. It's not the healthiest coping methods, but when did that ever stop him?
Soon enough, the merchant he was supposed to meet at least a few hours ago comes into view and Ryouma greets him. A few ... unpleasant words and several apologies later, money exchanges hands and they receive a cart of supplies, mainly building materials and some packages of non-perishable food. ]
Now...we just need to bring this back.
[ At least it's something else to focus on aside from the things he's bottling up. ]
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[ like sitting and drinking and maybe, just maybe, fitting a meal in there somewhere.
he's not going to drag things out by asking ryouma how, in his mind, it manages to be different — how difficulties with other people are exhausting but ryouma chooses to deal with him to the point of arguing for it repeatedly — because he's not likely to accept the answer anyway.
izō stands aside while ryouma handles the business with the merchant, which is at the same time something that feels familiar and... not. he's been in a similar position before, in another time, but that was other people and other business. and it's not like ryouma needs protecting, but maybe he's unintentionally helpful in standing around looking pissed off?
of course, now there's a cart full of supplies to deal with, which is maybe a little more than he was expecting, but whatever. he already said he'd do it. ]
Gotta plan for how ya wanna do this? 'Cause—...
[ well, it speaks for itself, doesn't it? ]
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It's only when he asks the obvious question that he pulls himself out of that spiral. ]
...Help me pull it?
[ Yes. His grand plan is to...pull it themselves. It's a wonder how on earth he managed to accomplish as much as he did in his life. It's not like he's expecting Izō to do all the work...
But maybe he should've rented a horse.
It's fine. ]
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[ doing a little hard work is supposed to be good for you, right? only they're not servants anymore so this might be more tiring than it is helpful... ]
Those familiar things probably think it's rude if they gotta do shit like regular animals, huh...
[ so he hadn't expected either of them to pitch in. ]
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[ Well, nothing to it but to do it. Ryouma does stop for a moment to cast a small strengthening spell on himself and then he gently grabs a hold of Izō's arm to do the same for him. ]
Something to make this a little easier.
[ It won't get them to the level of Servants, but it'll hopefully keep them from getting too exhausted. It is a decently far walk, they're both already sleep-deprived -- anything that can help them make it through is more than enough.
Back towards town and along the farthest edge that could be considered Camelot, their destination awaits. True to Ryouma's word, the whole trip did take about an hour. A few more apologies and assurances it was just a misunderstanding and an accident and they're freed from their literal and metaphorical burdens. ]
...Rain check on the meal until after we've both slept?
2!
And for a broken weapon like them that is a lot to take in. And maybe because of that there is a bit of solace in seeking the company of other Servants who go through the same thing.]
Hmm? I do not know what the time is. [It is very human to keep track of time and tell the hours] I should look into that now my body has changed significantly. [After that they move to sit next to him.]
I am quite sure the mobile device we have received a while ago will tell us the time. [And cue looking for said mobile device because...they got it...somewhere]
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Hm...You're right. I was hoping you knew.
[ Because it's been hours since he's:
1. seen a clock
2. seen his phone
3. seen someone that wasn't asking for his help in some way.
Ryouma fishes his phone from his pants pocket and...panics. ]
It's already 10am?! How long was I asleep?!
[ Not like Enkidu can answer that, either. He sighs, then gives a quiet chuckle as he looks over at them. ]
I think you were better off not being human.