riverview | Missions, readiness and you (@gladio; video)

[ There's a video feed of a monster thrashing wildly, tramping over the ground and kicking up dirt and debris as it rushes toward the perimeter. It's joined by another, and another. They follow and stamp, snorting steam as they scream towards the fence. The video cuts away before the finale - where the Perimeter Guard make short work on the creatures. Instead, the camera focuses on a man with deep brown hair, amber eyes and wearing only a leather jacket and a large tattoo of a bird.

Hello, network. There's been enough reasons to warrant a public message about safety (particularly now that it's his job), as well as an advertisement for self improvement. He's a big guy and despite his casual appearance and tone, he speaks with a certain authority of one with a lot of experience giving inspirational instruction. ]

I'm sure you've seen the posts. Missions, a chance to do your part here. You might even be tempted to try it solo. Don't. If you think you're gonna be able to stand up against a swarm by yourself, don't bother - you won't stand a chance. [ Gladiolus drops his gaze down to his palm, then tightens it into a fist. ] But I ain't meetin' my end here, and I'm not about to let that happen to anyone on my watch. So be careful out there, team up. Train. Don't get caught in a bad situation unprepared.

[ The King's Shield's mouth pulls into a smile, hoisting a very massive greatsword nearly as tall as he is with a blade almost as wide as his waist and letting it rest on his shoulder. He doesn't seem to show any effort in doing so. ]

I'll be holding some combat training down by the barracks if you're interested in learning how to keep you and your loved ones safe. Survival skills, physical training, weapon skills... if you're interested, just ask for Gladio. That said, I got some missions that I'm opening up for interested parties. One is pretty routine - get our tech guy to the fence for repairs, then get out. The other? Well, let's just call it an extended seminar on living off the land... there are some pretty impressive beasts out there, some of which might even be tameable. Lemme know what you think.

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Not interested in learning how to 'live off the land'. I had more than enough of that shit when I was in my navy greens and still learning what end of a gun you point at the 'bad guys'.

[This one's voice is almost a hollow echo, but it's calm and careful--nearly with a sarcastic draw to it.]

Interested in the first one. I'm not a stranger to working in a group--and I'm no stranger to playing bodyguard and working muscle.

So long as the others you find to tag along with you aren't braindead idiots, count me in.

Name's Reaper.

Hey, thanks for volunteering.

[ It's hard to read a guy when he's masked and hooded. Still, this isn't exactly new to the King's Shield, so he just... deals with it. It's a good thing, too, because he will soon find that his bread and butter as an independent contractor lies mainly with the policing force within the walls and the guardians of the perimeter without.

Gladio takes a note of the username, and the given name for later reference. ]

Fence repair... [ A few more taps on his phone and he nods, satisfied. Apparently, he's none too concerned about the requisite intelligence level Reaper has demanded as terms for his joining. He's fairly certain the concentration of hot shots is pretty damn high. ] Alright, got your information --

So... Reaper, huh? [ He has to ask, because that really cannot be his actual name. ] Remind me to ask you the story behind that one.

Don't thank me until we get the job done.

[He sure is staunch, isn't he. And most certainly what you'd call unreadable, what with how the cadence of his voice never seems to change. Raspy with a slight echo to it, calm with that never-missing tone of sarcasm that drips at the end of his short sentences.

Either he's really try-hard edgy, (with a name 'GraveMistake' for a username and all) or that's really just the way he gets on. Might as well guess for yourself, Gladio.]

...

Don't need to be reminded. It's not a huge story, if that's what you're thinking.

I am Death. The name is Reaper. That's all there is to it.

[Yeah, tryhard.]

[ The mask certainly helps and the dour, stand-offish demeanor puts up a shield around this man who calls himself Death that Gladio's not sure he'll see come down. Hard to trust, maybe. ]

If you say so.

[ Or maybe he's just a hot shot, trying hard to distinguish himself from other would-be heroes with a prickly exterior, all sharp edges that cut if handled without the proper respect.

This'll be an interesting trip. ]

No offense, but maybe I shouldn't tell the others that Death walks among us. Might give off the wrong vibe.

We'll be setting out with two parties and making camp, so come prepared.

Suit yourself.

Though it's hardly my concern what kind of vibe I give off. I'm skilled, that's all they need to worry about.

I know how to come prepared. So don't worry about that. Send me a line when we're setting out. I'll be prompt in arrival.

[And he hangs up. Not even a 'bye'. What a cold guy.]

Missions, readiness and you (@gladio; video)

video; un; GraveMistake

A moment of silence for Eichi for giving Reaper a better, more edgy name...

someone say a prayer for his ego when Eichi finds out

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