LFM [@R.Greenhilt: Video]

[greatcleavage]

Good afternoon. My name is Roy Greenhilt.

[Seven words -- no, no, he doesn't have to keep himself to the word limit of a Sending spell with this strange device, even though he's given to understand its transmission functions are most analogous to that spell.]

[Don't mind that brief pause. He's just going to be here acting like he knows what he's doing.]

As many of you are no doubt aware, there are numerous exploratory missions set out to benefit the quarantine and ensure the survival of its people. I am seeking others who would be willing to join a party dedicated to routinely undertaking these missions, as well as various other freelance opportunities that may present themselves. I'm an experienced adventurer and party leader, so I'd like to put those skills to use here for the betterment of the quarantine.

I generally prefer in-person interviews but I recognize we're all a bit busy adjusting to our new circumstances, particularly after the storms that just rolled through and a recent concern about attacks on the quarantine, so I'm willing to be flexible. My own duties aren't to be put aside on a whim either! [Roy offers a grin to the camera which is a little stale, the joke lame enough that it proves he's not quite comfortable with this whole thing.]

Please get in touch with me at your earliest convenience if you're interested in joining.

Comments

[dust_of_life]

[She scowls a little, doing some internal calculus. Fatima's still not sure about the people or the place. The Masquerade probably still doesn't exist. But that doesn't mean that people are just used to...well. Things. Things like her.

Better to play it safe.]

Well. I have several years training in hand-to-hand. Some archery. I'm working as a hydroponics assistant with a specialty in herbs. I know plants like the back of my hand.

[In fact, she can even talk to them. But that's a detail that doesn't need to be shared right now.]

And I don't take "no" for an answer.

[With that last bit, she gives him a faint smile.]

[greatcleavage]

[That's an interesting skillset. Definitely not a conventional one. Maybe it's some prestige class, 'herbal monk' or the like...]

[But this world has taught him that he can't expect normality, not when he's talking into some gnomish gadget that replicates magical communications. So he lets it go for the moment.]

Well, let's be fair, sometimes the party leader has to say no and expect it to be listened to. That may not be a plus. [But he says this with a grin, having understood her point.] Knowing plants is definitely a plus, particularly if we're going to be traveling through unknown terrain. Anything else?

[dust_of_life]

[To be fair, Fatima is used to being the "party leader." She's fought and struggled and clawed her way to the top of the heap. Back home. It frankly feels like a wretched demotion, being brought here.

But that's her personal baggage. She won't spew it on a stranger right now.]

Well. I'm pretty good at building fires.

[With her blood. Another detail she'll keep to herself.]

I mean, camping isn't my thing, but despite the fabulous you see here, I can rough it.

[greatcleavage]

[Roy would feel the same were he joining up under someone else's leadership. He'd never dreamed of anything else BUT his current position since he was in college, and descending to a subordinate role would be -- well, a pretty new thing. Not that he hadn't done it once... and it had gone horribly.]

Well, I'm given to understand there aren't taverns conveniently spaced on day's travel apart outside the walls, so that is honestly a pretty handy skill. I'll also give you marks for presentability in social situations.

[dust_of_life]

[She laughs.]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[And maybe she tosses her head like a proud little filly. Maaaaybe.]

Right. Also, manners are totally a thing.

My name is Fatima. Fatima Merali.

[At this point, she would normally toss in a comment, a throwaway like "And I'm not a terrorist." But something tells her that may be outside of this guy's schema of the world.

One can hope...]

[greatcleavage]

[Roy assumes she is just a flirt in general at this point; it's highly unlikely any of that would be directed to him in specific, in his estimation. Still, that can be a valuable skill to turn on others and of benefit in a social situation, so it's a net gain to an adventuring party.]

It's nice to meet you, Fatima. If -- if we can call this meeting. [He taps the phone a bit indelicately, expecting it would have no effect on the resulting image the way a magical spell would be unaffected. Apologies for that.]

[dust_of_life]

Pop culture dictates that it's close enough.

[In truth, Fatima isn't big on social media. Her Facebook feed is largely filled with people from junior high she hasn't cared about in years. But she recognizes the value of technology.

Sometimes, she feels like the only person in the universe who knows how to use "the Google box."]

Anyway, it's nice to meet you too. Roy? Should I call you Roy?

[greatcleavage]

Roy is fine. [Though one or two people has called him 'Sir Greenhilt' in the past out of respect, he certainly doesn't insist on it. Besides, he hasn't earned any respect yet in the first place.] I'm not sure when we'll be free to go out -- I figure we need to secure the city after the storm damage.

In the meantime, if you'd like to meet at some point I'd be grateful to get a better appraisal of your skills.

[dust_of_life]

[Her eyebrow goes up slightly at that.]

An audition?

[Normally, this would thrill her. Fatima loves any and every chance she can grab to show off. But she feels like she's in such an in-between space right now. There isn't exactly a Masquerade. But should there be? She honestly doesn't know. It's all a little confusing.]

I guess we could do that.

[A the very least, she can show off her mundane skills.]

[greatcleavage]

[Whoa, whoa; Roy hurriedly holds up a hand to stop her.] Oh, no -- not an audition! I mean, you're already welcome to the team. I mean more that I'd like to understand your combat skills so if we do get into a battle of some sort, I have a better idea of what you're capable of.

[dust_of_life]

[She smiles a little bit.

Okay, claws in with this one.]

Maybe I should have said "demonstration?"

[It's a nicer word, anyway.]

[greatcleavage]

[He'll be better once he gets more comfortable with her and understands her personality and boundaries a little better. Until then, respect is his watchword.]

That's a little more accurate. I suppose it's too much to hope that you happened to show up with your bow?

[As near as Roy can tell, people only appear with what they had on their person -- a strong argument in favor of 'never removing his sword' if he'd ever heard one.]

[dust_of_life]

Nope, afraid not.

[The Order crossbows aren't really the fashion statement she wants to make in her community college class. Anyway, they're only allowed out of the compound at night.]

I have a hunting knife, but that's about it.

[Well, also some wooden stakes, but those are a dime a dozen.]

[greatcleavage]

Unfortunate but not unsurprising. [He'd guessed as much, but you know what they say about assuming.]

[Also, Roy can confidently say Fatima has been going to the wrong colleges.]

Hopefully we can requisition something for you, but if we have to rely on melee combat, so be it. It gets me by, anyway.

[dust_of_life]

What's your area of expertise?

[She doesn't meet a lot of non-Cainites who use the word 'melee' these days. It's enough to perk up some caution in the back of her mind. He's probably not a Cainite, but you can never be too careful.]

[greatcleavage]

Single-class fighter, every level, and proud of it. [Plenty of people might look down on him for that choice, but that's all the more reason to make it work and prove its worth.]

[dust_of_life]

[Uh...what?]

I'm sorry I...have no idea what that means.

Could you translate that?

[greatcleavage]

I'm... a fighter? I've never multiclassed? Or taken a prestige class, for that matter.

[This is perfectly clear, as clear as he could think to make it. He's not certain where the disconnect is...]

[dust_of_life]

What's this...class stuff?

[Sorry, dude. Fatima is not following your lexicon at all.

She really ought to start taking notes.]

[greatcleavage]

[The answer is a while in coming, because Roy has to parse this question something fierce.]

[Is she not in on the whole 'very loose relationship with the fourth wall' thing?]

Uh. Profession? Area of expertise? You know, like cleric, wizard, bard, sorcerer, warlock... aristocrat?

[dust_of_life]

So...you only have one profession?

[Her head is starting to hurt...]

That's...not normal?

[greatcleavage]

Well, that's not necessarily the best way to think of it, but by all rights my profession IS adventuring. I've been doing it for years now -- as was my intention from a very young age.

[dust_of_life]

Adventuring.

That makes one hell of a business card.

[greatcleavage]

I'm starting to get the impression it's somewhat more common on my world than yours.

[Which is funny, because she'd been in such a hurry to sign up he'd believed she knows exactly what he means by it...]

[dust_of_life]

[That's a word she's started hearing a lot lately. "World." And the term "my world" or "your world." There are a lot of implications there. Ones she's not entirely comfortable with.

For now, Fatima decides to just go with it.]

Guess so. Most of the good adventuring where I came from happened a long while back.