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Post by Ancelas on Sept 20, 2022 15:50:29 GMT -5
Tobias studied Pheuse for a moment and then nodded slightly (Insight: 8!). It seemed like a far distance to go for warforged repairs, but it was an area of study he had no insight into, so he had to trust Pheuse's explanation.
And then the conversation turned back to him. He sighed and leaned back on the couch, folding one leg over the other. "I don't know why they want her - I'm just in a situation where I have to perform this... favor. To preserve the freedom I currently enjoy."
Tobias began to rub at his left forearm and looked down at it. "If I don't bring her back, or if I disappear, or otherwise break my agreement... there are people in Sharn that could get hurt. And I... don't want to hurt people anymore."
He paused briefly before adding, "Unless I decide they deserve it."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 20, 2022 19:14:56 GMT -5
Pheuse considered the answer and refrained from poking further. There was something more there, but perhaps it would be something that they spoke of on the trip back to Sharn, assuming they went back at the same time.
"So, what do you think we need to know about Si and yourself. Clearly we know you're related by your own admission." He looked to the exit and then back again. "More aptly, what is her connection with Brynna like? Is there some wrangling that we'll need to do in order to keep things safe? Are there any tidbits that might endear us more to her ... not that we weren't already ... though Neuks is still a little on the fence."
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 20, 2022 19:28:41 GMT -5
Tobias considered Pheuse's question before looking up to him. "Don't press her for information. She used to be a soldier. I used to be... something worse. I... created a series of events that led to her... falling out... with her unit. A misunderstanding caused by corrupt officers led to Si being labelled a traitor - a lie her friends believe. Brynna can't know that she's here. So long as we stick to whatever story Si wants to tell, then the trip back to Sharn should be peaceful.
"I might be able to get more information when we get home. And if things go well, I might share some of that information as well."
Look at you, warming up to the others. That was almost a promise!
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 20, 2022 19:39:56 GMT -5
Pheuse nodded, taking the information at face value. There was certainly suspicions that he could have, but what he was told was more than he thought he might get.
"Well, that certainly makes things awkward if you already told her that her situation is all your fault." He shrugged and then yawned. "I'm not overly concerned about keeping her situation secret from Brynna. At least in regards to my ability to keep things hidden."
He smirked. "There is plenty that I've not said or revealed."
He placed his hands on the stool and leaned forward. "Though, I must say ... you and your sister are quite the interesting pair. And both quite handsome without your guises up. If either of you didn't mind a smaller partner I'd think about taking you out." ((Flat Charisma 16))
He didn't eye up Tobias. But he did have his eyes set on him enough to reflect a seriousness to the statement.
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 20, 2022 19:48:01 GMT -5
Tobias squinted at Pheuse suspiciously.
Well shit, he had to go and make you suspicious...
Tobias snorted at Pheuse's flirtation, dismissing it whether it was honest or not. "I'm not looking for a partner, 'Warden.' I just want to do what I came here to do, and bring my sister home."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 20, 2022 19:55:00 GMT -5
Pheuse gave a light shrug of his shoulders again, hands still on the stool. "Not looking doesn't mean not open." He smirked and leaned back.
"I'm certain that we will find a way to make both of those things happen." He looked off to the side in an attempt to seem less pushy or forward. "I can make a simple promise. If the travel forces us off of the lightning rail and roaming the countryside, I can guide us anywhere you need as long as I have a map and a sextant."
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 21, 2022 6:06:00 GMT -5
"...Pretty sure it does," Tobias interjected during Pheuse's smirking pause.
"That's good," he continued, picking up the next thread. "I can't fathom why we might be forced off of the rail, but... there was no accounting for that nightmare either. Maybe it was proximity to the Mournland, but..."
Tobias shook his head. The nightmare still unsettled him.
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 21, 2022 6:31:34 GMT -5
Pheuse shrugged. "A stranger needed assistance, we assisted, things got better." He said in response to talk of the nightmare.
He switched back. "And you clearly haven't been around romantically." He chuckled. "Not looking for intimacy is just that you aren't actively looking. Not open to intimacy is more that you've closed off your heart for one reason or other."
He tilted his head, trying to look into Tobias soul through his eyes. Hoping to determine whether Tobias was not open or just not looking. ((Insight 18))
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 21, 2022 18:45:38 GMT -5
Tobias scowled, but for a moment, Pheuse's eye caught a glimpse behind Tobias' cautious exterior. Not looking? Not open? The truth was... no, he wasn't looking. No, he wasn't open. Tobias' caution ran deep - he didn't seem flustered by Pheuse's comments, he seemed... uncomfortable. The idea of intimacy in general seemed to bother him.
"I'm not interested in romance - I'm interested in survival." He glanced over at the Ellie's book, discarded on the couch beside him. "Romance is a luxury to be enjoyed by those who haven't done the kinds of things I have."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 21, 2022 19:14:06 GMT -5
Pheuse's lips curled inwards as he refrained from a quicker answer. He took time examining Tobias and took a deep breath before speaking calmly.
"You say you ... but I have this weird notion that you, Tobias, aren't speaking for Ellie, or ... Scion?" The last name had an uptone inflection, unsure if he remembered the name correctly.
"Besides, romance isn't the same thing for everyone." He waved his hand in light circles in the air, conjuring a thought to voice what he meant. "You mentioned survival and almost in the same breath vaguely implied that what you have done to survive removes your right to romance."
He shook his head. "But in your situation, your romance ... it isn't found in Tusk Love. I think your romance is probably found in trust. The kind that is earned through reliable action and vexing honesty." He looked away and over at the discarded book. "At least, that is my read from knowing you for such a short time. I could be talking out my ass."
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 21, 2022 19:32:19 GMT -5
Tobias' eyes narrowed.
Alright, that's enough.
He rolled his eyes, and by the time he looked at Pheuse again, his form had shifted back to Ellie's.
"That's pretty insightful for knowing each other for all of five minutes," she said, picking up her book, "but don't get the wrong idea. Tobias can be dramatic, but that's because he takes the world so serious. Romance is a weird topic to discuss with him."
She turned to lie down on the couch, crossing her ankles over the arm rest. "We don't trust easily. It's gotten us this far, but I don't think we're ready for the next step. Not yet."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 21, 2022 19:50:31 GMT -5
Pheuse didn't notice the shift until the voice turned to Ellie's and then she laid down into his direct line of sight. "People watching is an important thing to do as a small person. That and actually listening to what people are saying." He stretched with a big yawn as he shifted on the work stool, trying for a slightly more comfortable position rather than simply floating.
"Romance is a fantastic topic to broach with ... almost everyone. It's so intriguing trying to discern someone's love language." He sat up some, leaning forward on the stool. His tone shifted to a subdued, but almost giddy tone. "Of course, people watching, and bumping elbows in close quarters on voyages that can last weeks gives you a fair bit of time to pick up on those things. Sub-context becomes context and it goes from there."
He settled back into a normal position and calmed his tone to simple conversation again. "Why do you like books like Tusk Love? Is it escapism? Distraction? A ruse to hide in plain sight and avoid talking?" He had avoided addressing her last statement, opting to comfortably shift to something more innocuous.
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 23, 2022 15:36:47 GMT -5
"Gotta watch a bit more carefully, then. Tobias isn't a romantic - I don't think he's ever been attracted to anyone." Ellie cracked open her book.
"It's only a ruse when it works - but no, I actually enjoy the books. I don't know... they're kind of corny, easy to read... escapism, I suppose. The world can be a pretty rough and tumble place - sometimes it's good to have a light and fluffy distraction. Swashbuckling heroes, damsels and princes in distress..."
She shrugged. "They're fun, I guess. You read anything like that, outside of technical manuals?"
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Sept 23, 2022 16:03:33 GMT -5
Pheuse chuckled at the remark towards Tobias and held his piece until Ellie had gone through everything. "Not being romantic doesn't mean you don't have a romance type. But that isn't really important right now." He waved off the further thoughts, smiling still.
"I'd probably like the genre more if Gnomes or real sized Fairy folk were main characters. But that doesn't sell like half-orcs and tieflings, or humans and elves." He shrugged. "Have read some just because they were the only reading available on long trips. But outside of that work reading is all I really do."
"I have a bit of a hang up that I really want to be able to see myself in what I am reading rather than being some perv watching all the debauchery. The closest I can get involves less savory niche productions, and that ... just isn't my thing."
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Post by Ancelas on Sept 25, 2022 10:05:44 GMT -5
"...I know a book shop in Sharn you'll want to visit," Ellie mused. "Most of the shops in Upper Sharn cater to mainstream interests, but around the changeling communities there's much more varied products."
A thought occurred to her and she looked over at Pheuse. "Have you ever visited Zilargo? They probably have a lot more entertainment your size."
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