King's Mulligan [Interactive Project]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Tiles: Are you wanting to invite her over? If it’d make you feel better I wouldn’t mind..

Lash: That’s not really up to me-

Courier: I’m allowing it, feel like it’s a bit wrong not to.

Courier: Considering her brand and such.

Lash: Mm.. it’s in the name and all.

Tiles: She did prep something rather nice earlier..

Courier: Mm! Wouldn’t mind seeing if she has more secrets.

Lash made a rift appear in front of you.

Lash: Pick her up? Think she’d appreciate being checked on by someone who’s also new to this.

Lash: And with your pact it’s easier to warp you in and out.

Tiles: I’ll see what I can do-

The rift immediately dived into you, pulling you through the other side.

You stumble just briefly enough to make a noise, startling the cat laying on her bed.

Tiles: Sorry, don’t mean to disturb but…

Tiles: Would you be interested in a little time to socialize-

You’re cut off by a whimper coming from her.

You get a bit closer, offering a hand.

Tiles: Are you okay?

???:

???: I’m scared of what might end up happening…

She looks at you with a face that’d clearly been crying for a good while.

Tiles: Creme….

???: No… Not sure honestly..

???: I want to go home… 

[skinstealer]

ask them if there's anything that you could do to help calm them down, ground them

lash and courier will understand if you're late coming back. it's important to be here right now

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You don’t hesitate to leap into action, Courier and Lash will understand if you’re late.

Tiles: I’m here.

Tiles: If there’s anything I can do-

The cat tightens her curl around the pillow.

???: I know you don’t care much for me.

???: You don’t have to pretend to be nice.

Tiles: I’m not pretending to be anything.

Tiles: We just met today but… you are a potential comrade.

Tiles: And I do appreciate you tuning up my lance…

???: ..Did I do good?

Tiles: You did..

???: You hurt me with it..

You pause for a moment to ponder her words.

Tiles: Are you Creme or Ibarra?

???: B-both? I feel disjoined being outside of the mirror.. And I feel like a prisoner inside my body right now. 

Tiles: Have you been alone this whole time? I’m sure someone can help you-

???: Dive tried to pick a fight, didn’t go far. Jackie? He came out of Bastion to talk things down, but Baston tired out pretty much immediately after.

???: Must be someone very special, if they managed to brute force into this world..

Tiles: He is.. Where’s Dive now? They didn’t hurt him, did they-

???: No, they’re just.. Talking with him in the gathering hall.

Tiles: Do you want me to get him-

???: No, not right now.

???: If I’m honest though I don’t want to be left alone right now.

???: Part of me wants to know you, part of me wishes you stranded me in that world.

???:  But.. ultimately nobody hates you here.

Tiles: You were given an opportunity.

Tiles: Don’t feel happy about your collaboration with the crown… but I recognize your struggle.

The cat nods, wiping her face just a little.

???: Don’t blame you, hate myself too for that.

???: I tried to get out of it plenty of times, and everytime I just… froze.

???: Cut down at every attempt to make it out of that world.

???: Bailing at the last second when I swore I’d escape this cursed land and move to something legitimate..

???: Doesn’t matter.

Tiles: Now’s as good a chance as any..

???: Easy for you to say.

???: Now that I’m here I know I’m committed.

???: Creme is more than happy to take your side. I… Ibarra is not.

???: We can only maintain a front for so long but ultimately, we will lose all of it. Our home, the family shop, all of my materials.. Gone.

???: I know this group looks promising to you but.. For me it’s a dead end.

???: That rabbit, Gallows? Kind man, but if he’s the best they could’ve sent for us I don’t think I could make anything to equip this drowning city for war.

The cat’s eyes start to water again.

Tiles: And what of me?

Tiles: I’ll always need work from you, should you be willing...

???: Y-you offer? I mean..

The cat, or perhaps cats...?

They were very visibly flustered at this.

???: Powerful, a perfect model for my equipment but..

???: You’re but one ant against a hateful sky.

???: I’d love to work with someone like you though. Make so many wonderful spades and mails..

???: A truly heroic knight like you, the canvas of dreams...

???: Is that too far? If I am fated to be here... I'd like to make so much for you, anything you desire.

[skinstealer]

like i said, i'll always need work, especially if i'm standing against a hateful sky as you say. what is it about me that makes me such an appealing canvas, though? it sounds like you're very drawn in.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Tiles: Like I said,I’ll always need the work, especially if I’m against a “hateful sky” as you’ve put it..

???: That’s fair really..

Tiles: Good reason why guilds prioritize knights who have skills other than combat. To be given the bigger jobs you need to be the best fighter or need to bring things to the table other than a will to clash blades.

Tiles: After all, at the end of the day we’re not a military.

The cat nodded.

???: I suppose that’s true..

Tiles: I do have to wonder though, what makes me so appealing as a canvas?

???:  I said too much outloud, I’m sorry..

Tiles: I’m not bothered just… curious. It sounds like you’re very drawn to the idea.

???: Well..

???: Many things! Knights carry a wide variety of equipment, they prefer personally crafted pieces vs mass produced versions if possible.

???: With the rise of factory made gear among the crown, my work is more about efficiency per dollar than anything else.

???: You lose the finer details, lest you be commissioned for a handful of elites.

???: You’re clearly one who has an interest in more unusual equipment.

???: A lance is hardly the most common dueling weapon. Yours is an execution tool, no?

TIles: It is.

???: Not commonly used for fighting..

Tiles: Mm.. suppose not.

???: Your choice of attire stands out as well.

???: Dress is beautiful, even with the wear and tear it’s take but.. Is it all that practical? You move in it well but..

Tiles: It’s… personal. We’ll put it at that.

Tiles: Is it really that simple?

???:  Well..

???: Hold on we’re having internal difficulties..

Tiles: Should I get help?

???: No just.. Picking our wording widely.

???: ….Photogenic?

???: We’ll work with that. You’re incredibly photogenic in a way I’ve never seen. Pences who take up the sword are historically more..

Tiles: Rough? I’m no different in that regard. Just.. well as you put it, a little photogenic.

???: Right.. If you were to allow me honor of being your main smith.. perhaps I could learn to love this place rather quickly.

Tiles:.. Creme?

The cat made a pitchy noise in response, cadence shifting.

???: I mean, I would like that as well..

???: But…

???: I plan to do my best no matter how you feel about the idea..

???: And.. if you could think of some things you’d like, I could start planning and talking to people here about making it happen! What’s your license category?

Tiles: Master of Blades primary, Proficient in Wands.

???: A spellblade, that explains a lot yes..

Tiles: Mmhmm! Is that helping?

The cat’s cadence shifted again.

???: Yes but… Master of Blades is a very intensive discipline.

???: One you wield with such calmness.

Tiles: I am aware of the stigma..

???: The mark of the destroyer..

???: What does that mean to you?

Tiles: responsibility, courage, to be the hand that clears the old king’s home. And if all goes well, I’ll pave a clearing for something better to be built in its place.

Tiles: I am the people’s demolition crew, nothing more and nothing less.

The cat couldn’t help but purr at that.

Tiles:... Ibarra?

???:... No?

Tiles: You’re.. Hmm. Alright I suppose.

???: What is it?

Tiles: I.. appreciate eagerness, as forward as it is.

The cat’s cadence changed again.

Creme: Spooked her…

Tiles: I can tell. I’ll figure out what to make of that. It’s a pleasant noise I suppose.

Creme: Like this?

An attempt was made, but she was fairly bad at being a cat.

It does get a smile out of you at least, enough for Creme’s eyes to light up.

Creme: S-So, with all that established.. Um.. Perhaps we can talk a little business? You were here for something so we should probably handle that too but.. I would like to brainstorm potential ways to assist you as soon as possible..

She was flustered, and her eyeliner was smeared as well.

It kind of works as a look actually...

At the very least though,she seemed in a much better mood.

[Ignispark]

...so, maybe not quite in the as soon as possible vein, but

any old experiments or concepts you've never quite gotten to work before as far as equipment. What's on the cutting edge of your work that's yet to see its proper limelight?