It...seemed like a good idea at the time.

[splinterself]

[So after getting the "Where is this, who are you, what is going on?" out of his system, Dirk Strider was purposefully and boldly exploring Mac Anu and was...kind of bemused by the fact that the city wasn't done up in purple and black.

...just saying.

He had ended up at the harbor and there he paused in his wan- purposeful exploring, as...you know what's incredibly distracting? Actually only having one self (at least for the time being) that he was aware of. Also the clothes. Also the fact that he still had no idea what the hell was going on, and, more importantly, what was happening with Roxy.

There was a certain irony in him spacing out just as badly as he did when he had multiple selves to juggle, one which was lost on the guy as he was spacing out, brooding.]

...

[Yeah, this was getting him nowhere. (And shit, the lack of purple really was throwing him off.) That was when he shook his head slightly, turned to the nearest person, and said:]

Hey.

[So verbose.]

Comments

[hoperaider]

[Jake is not at all discouraged by the empty room, and immediately takes a look at the rightmost passageway...only to back up in case the giant actually can go through the corridor. Because fuck physics?]

Your thoughts?

[splinterself]

[Hm.]

I guess that depends on if you feel lucky, English. We could always chill here and you take potshots until the giant dies. Or we could just go somewhere else and come back later.

[hoperaider]

Given its size, it may take a long time before it falls.

[He checks his map.]

How about we leave the devil for last and explore the rest of this place? We may need more health drinks in case my bayonet doesn't reach it from here.

[splinterself]

Yeah, I really don't feel like dying today.

[Which leaves...the last of the three paths. (And at this point I wish I kept up with drawing a map of this place.) Dirk heads in that direction instead. From behind, the giant chills.]

[hoperaider]

Agreed.

[Jake follows, and man, he hopes that giant doesn't follow or anything. The last thing they need is a surprise attack from it.]

[splinterself]

Or hell, worse, it tries chasing after us and we're stuck running through this place while trying to find the exit. [The giant, at least for the time being, seemed content to chill in its room behind them. Still, Dirk kept an eye on his behind in case he needed to hastily shove Jake against the nearest wall and act as a distraction or raise up his sword and thrust into the opposition. Better safe than sorry.

To be serious for a moment, though, he couldn't keep an eye on Jane or make sure that Roxy was safe (and this was and would drive him absolutely nuts), but he could at least make sure that Jake was alright.]

[hoperaider]

That's almost as bad as the stalking predator scenario.

[Jake is infinitely thankful that Dirk has his back. He's starting to fall back into the wary watchfulness he has when out in the jungle. Unfortunately, this also means he's going to be ridiculously easy to startle, regardless of knowing that Dirk is there.]

[splinterself]

But you can't deny that merciless jungle predation was good for something. [And he's going to fall back ever so slightly, let Jake take the lead as they near the next room.]

[hoperaider]

I suppose it was good at making me more cautious, though that didn't help with the thrice damned giant spiders on the island, to be perfectly upfront.

[He is super glad to have Brobot because of that.]

[splinterself]

So...

[And at this point he goes and attempts an arm draping thing with elements of a headlock, and say a few other things, but given Jake's general state it seemed fitting to pause the action here in case he got shot by accident.]

[hoperaider]

[He pretty much jumps into the goddamn wall, heart racing. Fuck, he needs a minute.]

[splinterself]

[...remember this?]

[hoperaider]

[Rude.]

Shit. My apologies, Dirk. It's just....

[He's pretty sure a few years have been shaved off his life expectancy.]

[splinterself]

[...pfft. The slightest of guffaws escaped his lips, a half-uttered chuckle, a wryly extended snicker.]

It's fine, Jake. Come on.

[And there's the next room! Right up ahead. Inside it they would discover three goblins.]

[hoperaider]

[Okay, it's a little worth it to hear that, but shit. That was bad.]

Right, business as usual.

[splinterself]

[Right, goblins, strife, blah blah blah EPIC BATTRU blah blah blah

But that brings up a good question.]

Hey Jake.

[hoperaider]

Yes?

[splinterself]

What are we going to do after we're done here?

[hoperaider]

How do you mean?

[splinterself]

Dude, I mean that sooner or later we'll be finished with this dungeon, right?

[hoperaider]

Yes, but I'm not quite sure if you mean to find a way back, potential plans for here in the meantime, or discussing plans for when we get back.

[splinterself]

All of the above, [Well, maybe mo- som- he'll handle the hard parts and let Jake enjoy the place.] but I was thinking more 'what to get to eat.'

[hoperaider]

I did notice food stalls while I was exploring the Root Town. I assume we can buy food.

[He checks his money pouch, and finds about 1100 GP in it, which surprises him. Jake recalls facing around 22 goblins thus far, soooo....]

Well, it seems we've been steadily accumulating wealth just by defeating the goblins. I doubt money will be an issue in that case. And housing is basically what the guilds are for, other than having a group of people to form various parties and share treasures with.

[splinterself]

Well yeah, but what? Tacos, pizza? [And he says 'pizza' very faintly wistfully: it looked really good. He always wanted to try some.] Or were you planning on ditching me the second we got out and going your own way? English. I thought we had something.

As for the guilds, I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm ready to join anything just yet.

[hoperaider]

Well, if there are ovens to cook with, I could probably be persuaded into making some pizza. I just need the money to buy the ingredients. [Lucky for him that Jake has always wanted to try his hand at cooking it.] That depends on if you want me to stick around. I don't have a problem with it.

There's also the option of creating one, which is my plan if we have to stay here.