[OPEN] Now that we're out here, open your heart

[thepattern]

🧙 WHO: Corwin of Amber & you
⚔️️ WHAT: Various happenings, some quest-related, some not
🕒 WHEN: Throughout March
🗺️ WHERE: In and around Camelot, Brocéliande, and the Red Springs
⚠️ WARNINGS: Gun use, violence, ETA

I. The sun is still shining, look at the view – Carpentry + Gunfire

[ The results of Corwin's quest with Darin across the Pure of Heart bridge last month may have been... a mixed success (to put it mildly), but regardless of how things turned out, Corwin walked away from it one million gold richer. And that one million gold is enough for him to find somewhere more permanent to live. He prefers to live outside the hustle and bustle of the city, so he buys a quaint little house on the outskirts of Camelot, at the edge of the Brocéliande forest. Though he is accustomed to luxury, he doesn't need much space all for himself, so a modest sized house is fine for him. But he would like enough space in his backyard that he can build himself a decent gun range for rifle practice (now that his rifle has viable ammunition again). He buys himself an axe and starts felling trees to build a backstop and ricochet guard over the hill behind his property, so anyone is welcome to hear the gunshots of him testing his new range and come investigate. ]

II. The moon is still dining, with me and you – Trying new foods

With the Spring Equinox festivities in full swing, many Camelot restaurants are celebrating in kind, offering new dishes incorporating fresh flowers as ingredients. Such things may be common fare in some worlds, but for a man who was last on Earth in the 1970s, he's not quite used to such things as a dandelion salad.

"I'm sorry? I don't care for weeds in my lunch. Don't you have anything more, I don't know... I'm more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy."

The waiter politely suggests that he can bring a steak out for the main course, but insists that Corwin at least try their house special salad as a starter. Sighing, Corwin agrees, but when his meal is served, He glances at whoever is sitting at the table next to him, admitting in a loud whisper, "I have no idea if these dandelion greens are going to be any good. If I start gagging, cover for me so I don't make a scene."

III. Everything's turning, turning around – Selling wares + Catching a thief (Quest)

[ The nice thing about having a magically-reloading rifle, is that Corwin no longer has any shred of a reason to keep his custom bullets around. It's not like they even work anywhere outside of Amber. The jeweler's rouge component to them isn't combustible in the vast majority of shadows, making them the perfect weapon to lay siege to Mount Kolvir and try to dethrone his brother. He hasn't really needed them since then, however, so showing up in this strange new Avalon with a whole magazine and an extra box full... Well, he doesn't see the point.

And so he meticulously collects the jeweler's rouge from each bullet into little velvet bags, then goes to visit the local jewelry stores to see whether any of the proprietors are willing to buy it off of him for an appropriately inflated fee.

He's walking into one jewelry store in particular when he finds the proprietor in the middle of explaining the details of a quest to recover a stolen jewel to an interested quester, and what can he say? His curiosity is piqued. ]

Excuse me, do you mind if I join you on this quest? I always love a good chase, and can provide my own transportation.

[ Indeed, he has his own horse tied up outside of the shop. ]

IV. But if you want to play, stay right back on Earth – Wildcard

[ Want something else? Go for it! HMU @ millennialfalcon or ©hris#1234 to plot. Will match prose or brackets. ]

Comments

[thepattern]

None of the nations whose laws I violated were ones that have any sort of commercial or political dealings with the one I call home, so as far as I'm concerned, their laws are more... gentle suggestions, to be considered and disregarded when need be.

[thepattern]

[ Corwin eyes the armored man, trying to get a sense of how much armor like that would weigh. ]

If it were just you, Drummer could do it. Or the two of us, without your armor. But if you would rather remain suited up for this mission, then you probably ought to find a horse of your own.

[cameprepared]

Heh. Not the case for me. My brother's a cop, and an ex-Air Force pilot. I'm at least a little obligated to care about US law.

[friendsallover]

I'd prefer the armour stay on...so where does one find a horse?

[It certainly can't be worse than riding a blerg.]

[thepattern]

More often than not, in a stable.

[ But all joking aside, they're actually not that far from the stables at the edge of town where Corwin bought his horse. He's pretty sure they offer daily rentals, too. ]

Come on, this way.

[ He takes Drummer by the reins and starts walking. ]

[thepattern]

Well, sure. If you're a US native then US law concerns you. I'll obey Amber laws when in Amber. Everywhere else... free game.

[thepattern]

[ In the end, food is food. And if the food tastes decent or better, then it counts as a win in Corwin's book. ]

You should. For rabbit food, it's not bad.

[friendsallover]

[Ah, that would make sense. Is it obvious that he doesn't deal with animals much yet?

But he can adapt and if this is a faster mode of transportation, he'll take it. So he lets Corwin lead.]

[cameprepared]

Sure, yeah.

[She can accept that. But also, you know, not be a thief.]

Coming up on the Inn now. You ready to catch this creep?

[divinereaper]

Fair enough. Doesn't hurt to try things, after all.

[ Naoto takes a bite into his own food, humming in thought. ]

I got to ask, though-- you don't eat much salad?

[ Naoto has to ask, considering his apprehension earlier about eating it in the first place. ]

[thepattern]

[ And lead Corwin does, through the streets, at a brisk but not hurried pace. ]

So, with whom do I have the pleasure of catching this thief today?

[thepattern]

More than ready.

[ He kicks his horse and picks up the pace-- not so fast that Claire won't be able to keep up, but enough to hasten their arrival at the inn. ]

[thepattern]

[ Being a properly raised gentleman, Corwin finishes chewing before he answers. ]

I was raised on a more... simple sort of cuisine. Well cooked meat, plain bread, cheese, wine. Maybe some fruit for a sweeter taste, or for dessert. And then during all the time I spent away from home, well. Much of it was spent eating military rations.

[cameprepared]

[Once they've made it to the inn yard, Claire slides off, fingers flashing out the motions to a curse to keep her bike from being stolen. Definitely do not touch that bike, Corwin.]

Okay. Any idea where we'd start?

[friendsallover]

Mando works as well as any.

[It's the name he's been giving people anyway. He's quiet for a moment before adding the follow up.]

And you are?

[thepattern]

[ He's familiar enough with the movements and gestures of painful magic to know not to go anywhere near Claire's bike without her permission, and busies himself tying up his horse. ]

Might as well give his description to the innkeep, see if he knows anything.

[thepattern]

[ Not knowing anything about Mandalorians or their culture, Corwin accepts 'Mando' as a name and moves on. ]

Corwin. You catch many ne'er do wells, Mando?

[divinereaper]

Damn, that does sound simple-- not that it's a bad thing! I actually enjoy the simple stuff. [ He hums. ] But you're not curious about other foods? You really can't limit yourself here.

[friendsallover]

More often than not. Something of a job back where I'm from.

[But there is a nod of acknowledgement at the name.]

[cameprepared]

Right. I'll go do that. Why don't you go check around the back, see if he's hanging in the springs area?

[No need to waste time, she guesses.]

[thepattern]

[ Interesting. That could mean a few different things. ]

On contract, or for the government?

[thepattern]

[ Corwin gives her a jaunty two-fingered salute. ]

You got it, boss.

[ And around he goes to the back, asking anyone who happens to be lounging in the springs area if they've seen anyone matching the thief's description. ]

[thepattern]

I'm as curious as anyone might be, I suppose... [ Though perhaps that's an over-exaggeration. ] Curious enough to try a weed salad.

[friendsallover]

Contracts. Mercenary work and the like.

[He's got nothing to hide. He was just doing what he had to to get by. Or help the covert to get by.]

[thepattern]

Good, that makes two of us.

[ Though Corwin has served in-- and led-- his fair share of armies, in the past, he had been something of a mercenary for hire back on the Shadow Earth... before he regained his memories.

Any further attempts at conversation are cut off when they arrive at the stables, where Corwin gestures for Mando to take his pick of the horses available. ]

You'll want a big, sturdy one, to handle the weight of all that armor.