Hanging Out
Tenebrae - Wednesday, October 16, 2013, 6:08 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--<* 08: Northern Bridge Over Tornmawr River *>=--=--=--=--=--=- The Northern Highbridge is immense, a marvel of modern-day artifice and engineering. Carefully cut granite blocks form four evenly spaced arches across the placid waters below, with cantilevered wooden bridge sections set into the stonework. On each side of the moving bridge sections are two crane-like contraptions made of iron attached to thick chain extending down to the bridge's surface. These contraptions appear to raise and lower the center of the bridge, to allow for greater and larger ships to move through Alexandria. These levers are controlled from tiny structures set into the stone, off the main causeway. The Northern Highbridge is not the only way to cross the river. There are other bridges further south and there are ferries, but it is certainly the most impressive way. A sister bridge, identical, lies to the south.
On the eastern and western sides of the great 200 foot span of the bridge are two low, squat, well-constructed guardhouses. These structures obviously serve a defensive purpose, allowing access to be controlled by the troops stationed there.
At the moment, Boshter appears to be dangling by one hand from the bridge.
No, really.
Mikilos pauses in his wanderings to who knows hwere to who knows what, frowning mildly as he peers at a hand clinging to the bridge. Heading over to the side, the elf peers over. "Boshter, what are you doing?" Distinctly more curious than concerned.
"Practicing!" Boshter says, as he hangs there from the bridge. "I am always practicing! One must be ready for any situation in which one finds themselves! Who knows how long I would have to dangle from a cliff like this before someone saved me?!"
Mikilos peers a few moments. "I don't know... how long would it take you to deside to save yourself?"
"But I can not! I am very tired, hanging here from this bridge!" Boshter continues to hang onto the bridge by one hand.
Alexander walks casually up towards the bridge and......blinks as he finds the Arvek nar dangling from the bridge. Not even thinking, he runs as fast as he can over towards Boshter, and reaches to grab the arm of Boshter......
Mikilos ahs. "Likely should have tried back when you weren't so tired. It's really more a social experiment than tra-" The elf blinks, stepping back as Alexander makes an apperance.
Jibbom has arrived.
Elessa has arrived.
At the moment, Boshter is hanging from the side of the bridge by one arm. Alexander has run over to grab it. "Ah! Thank you. See? Someone will always be along to help! But I am fine! I am testing my endurance right now, good sir, hanging by one arm in a dangerous situation is VERY good practice!"
Alexander stares at Boshter. "You're positive you want to simply hang from your tiring arm? As strange as that sounds, I'd rather you trained yourself on solid ground, good sir."
Mikilos waves vaugely. "Oh I wouldn't be too concerned. He'll be back on solid ground soon enough, one way or another. Might be a swim in between, no promises."
"What is this? A citizen in need of rescue?" Jibbom suddenly barrels out of the skies, swooping down for a needlessly dramatic landing, posing with his hands on his hips. "Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night, to the rescue!" He waddles over to the edge of the bridge and peers down at Boshter. "What seems to be the trouble, citizen?"
Elessa is just strolling along, enjoying the weather and she notices the others around. Frowning, she goes over quietly, not all eager to help out at this time, but more seeing if there is a different sort of opportunity available. Especially when she hears that Jibbom is there and he is in the whole 'hero' mode she remembered spotting him at earlier instances with this attitude.
"Oh ho! It is Jibbom! I mean Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night, here to save me! Help me up, Jibbom! I am sure that you and your...you can fly now? WAit, what?" Boshter nearly loses his grip at this realization.
Nearly.
Alexander grabs onto Boshter's arm. "All right, Orange boy. You're getting back up here." He then PULLS as hard as he can. "And unlike you..." he says to Mikilos. "....I'm not willing to stand here and watch!"
"Yes!" Jibbom stretches his wings 'majestically', all too happy to explain their presence. "The Coyote, in his infinite and hilarious wisdom, has blessed me with these holy wings so that I might better spread hilarity throughout the world. Now, give me your hand, citizen!" He kneels and offers his pudgy hand to the hobgoblin.
Mikilos ehs. "I've just known Boshter longer. The only one in any real danger is anyone who might be below. And yes, Vone Steel has been of great help to the city. The orphanage is very greatful for the eggs."
Boshter promptly reaches up to grab Jibbom's arm with his oversized hands. "YOu have got me! Hooray! Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of Hobgoblins Falling Off Bridges," he announces.
Alexander pulls a lot harder to get Boshter off of the edge of the bridge, and onto the bridge proper. Hopefully, he gets him up there.
Jibbom pulls at Boshter with all of his marginal strength. "Behold my heroics, good citizens!" He shouts to any passerby within hearing distance.
Mikilos tsks mildly. "You two realize you're only encouraging him to do this again later, right?"
An amazing thing happens!
Boshter begins to lift up! It's like Jibbom's pulling is working!
It is incredibly obvious that BOshter is doing the lifting.
Jessa has arrived.
Is only when Jibbom starts pulling, ALexander's efforts nonwithstanding, that Boshter actually gets to begin being pulled up off the bridge he's dangling on. That's the scene at the moment.
Jibbom MIGHTILY and HEROICALLY pulls Boshter onto the bridge. He's totally doing it. Yep. That's him alright. "Behold the strength of Steel Von Ironblood!"
Mikilos is just standing idly by, not the slightest bit concerned of Boshter dangeling off the bridge. "Oh, I behold. You've never been stronger." In your delusions. Though the elf is smileing.
Jessa is walking sedately, a small notebook open in one hand that she appears to be taking notes in as she moves. Because of this, she's sticking to the edge of the bridge so as not to potentially impede those who are trying to move with more purpose. Thus, when she hears all the shouting, she looks up and is much closer to the scene than she possibly would have wanted to be, for sure. Completely for sure. She stares. It is actually possible to see the thoughts "Nope. NOPE!" starting to form in her head as she watches. She begins to turn. She'd be easier to avoid seeing if she would just stop wearing scarlet all the time. Ah well. Might as well ask a zebra not to wear stripes.
Alexander is ignoring Jibbom and pulling on Boshter to get him back onto the bridge. He may be the only one, other than Boshter, actually trying to pull BOshter onto the bridge.
"Yes! The Strength of Steel Von Ironblood, helper of Boshter or Blar!" Boshter is finally over the railing and then goes to pick Jibbom up, winking briefly at ALexander in good humor before dropping an arm over his shoulders. "ANd his mighty squire... what is your name exactly?" he asks ALexander.
"Hey, free squire! Neat." Jibbom is totally willing to accept this. He looks Alexander over and beams assessingly. "Yes, new squire. Tell us of your monikers and abilities. Or else I shall have to test you with a trial of heroism!" You don't want that. He spies his fellow halfling out of the corner of his eye, and beams. "Ah! You there! Magical love associate!" That is how he remembers Jessa, apparently. "Come forth! Steel Von Ironblood requires your advice again!"
Mikilos hrmms, and peers, scarlet being hard to miss. "Ah, good sanity. Or at least Jessa, which might be better. How are you today, miss Hartrose?"
"I'm married." That pops out automatically on a greeting such as that from Jibbom and then Jessa visibly winces. Still, truth hurts. Gritting her teeth, she closes the notebook and tucks it away. "What idiocy are you up to now?" It is unclear who precisely she is aiming that at. Possibly all of them.
Alexander raises an eyebrow at 'Steel Von Ironblood' before looking to Boshter. "You really shouldn't be so reckless." He then chuckles lightly. "I'm no one's squire, thanks. I'm Alexander Storm, disciple of the Maiden of Battle." He then shrugs, then watches the halflings speak to each other, shaking his head.
"I was practicing dangling in danger but thne I was saved by Steel Von Ironblood and his squire!" Boshter announces, loudly and cheerfully, to Jessa. Then he turns towards Alexander and nods, "It is okay. You have nothing to hide here."
Mikilos chuckles softly, peering at Jessa. "Congratulations, then. Which cerimony to whom are you counting?"
"So, I have acquired some sort of battle squire." Jibbom strokes his chin as he ponders this development. "Fascinating! We shall test your mettle, squire! Steel Von Ironblood will not tolerate incompetence among his lackeys!" Oh no. Luckily for Alexander, Jibbom is distracted by Jessa. "Oh, no. Steel Von Ironblood is too chivalrous to use his legendary charms to seduce a married woman. No. I have concluded that there are only two maidens of such excellent caliber as to bear my children and fulfill the holy prophecy." He frowns. "But how can I ever decide between the two? I require your counsel in this matter."
"None of them really but it usually proves a good defense." Well. That makes absolutely no sense but Jessa is giving a narrow-eyed look to everyone. "Boshter was never in a lick of danger," she says sharply to Alexander. "He hugs dragons for fun." And then Jibbom proves her defense point as she gives him a flat stare. "I suppose reality has no place in this, hm? Have you considered the idea that they may also be engaged in some sort of manner, Jibbom?"
Alexander says, "I'm not hiding anything, sir. Just saw someone dangling off of a bridge and tried to help. Seems that others don't really care." He then rolls his eyes at Jibbom. "When I am tested, Ironblood, it will not be by you. And I am squire to one being......and it's not you, Ironblood." He just gives a flat stare to jessa, but then turns back to Boshter. "What's your name, oh orange one?""
"I think he's embarassed," says Boshter in a loud stage-whisper to Jibbom. "You'll have to ease him into things." Yes. He is actively encouraging him. It is probablt the worst thing anyone can possibly do. Then he turns back towrds Jesa and says, cheerfully, "Jessa! It is very good to see you again!"
Mikilos mmmms at Alexander. "No, seriously. Dragon hugs. For fun." He looks to Jibbom and quirks a brow. "Oh, narrowed it down to two lucky canidates? Who are the (un)fortunate ladies?"
"Quiet, squire! Your master is discussing his romantic exploits!" Jibbom dismissively replies to Alexander, apparently quite encouraged by Boshter's efforts. He beams at Jessa. "Steel Von Ironblood has no reason to believe that either of the ladies in question are otherwise spoken for." He looks to Mikilos. "One is the beautiful and powerful dragon knight visiting our fair city. Clearly, a woman capable of taming such a powerful creature is also capable of taming the heart of Steel Von Ironblood. The other is, of course, my long term on-again off-again flame, the good Lady Sandiel. She expresses her love mostly through projectile vomit and powerful spells which send me to other dimensions, but it is obvious nevertheless."
Jessa ignores Alexander now that she's said all she needs to to him. She told the truth! Boshter is insane. A hand goes on either hip and she taps a foot. "How are you sure that this dragon knight is not engaged? It is not like you have spoken properly to her." Sandy? Well, not even Jessa will try and pretend someone other than Jibbom would even attempt such a thing.
Alexander shakes his head at Rionblood and jessa. "Luchts." He mutters and turns. "I've heard of strange training at some monasteries, but that kind of training is thinking a little too far outside of the box. Or he's in another box entirely." He then starts back towards across the bridge...
Mikilos frowns thoughfully, and glances to Jessa. "Didn't you wed Sandy that one time?" The elf blinks, and coughs. "By which I mean performed a cerimony in which Sandy was the bride. Or maybe groom. I don't recall who the other person was, I was busy heading for the door before a new cerimony began." He coughs again. "There was a lot of booze that night."
"Surely her esteemed steed would have said something if she was spoken for." Jibbom says as he strokes his chin. "And while my beloved Ex-Former-Maybe-Wife may have a colorful romantic history, I can look past that. The question is, how can I decide between two such excellent ladies?"
Jessa squints at Mikilos. "No. It was you and Myrana but I never did finish." Patting around her middle, she ahhs and produces a flask. "I have a feeling I'm going to need this." And then she takes a swig. "Jibbom. If either of them even glances in your direction, it will be your lucky day." That....isn't an answer.
Mikilos mmms, and shrugs. "Thought there was a time with Sandy. Regardless, thank you for halting. A marriage without pre-approval would cause all sorts of legal headaches. Though I might remind Myrana of that next time I see her. Could be a useful distraction."
Jibbom pouts a little at Jessa. "... This advice is not helpful in determining which of these women I should pursue. Once I have my target, I can unleash the full might of my considerable charms against them." He peers at Mikilos. "You there. You are of the elfy persuasion. Surely you have some advice on this matter."
"I do not need either of them blaming me when things go horribly wrong." Jessa eyes Mikilos. "You have no idea how something with out pre-approval can go horribly sideways."
Mikilos looks to Jessa. "oh, I have a very good idea. You've never met my Aunt." Turning to Jibbom, he ponders a moment. "Well, both are difficult, but of the two, I would advise for the wooing of Lady Sandiel. The knight, while surely a wonderful woman, is dedicated to her quest, and of another land. Long distant relationships seldom end well. Plus, you'd have to convince the dragon as well as the lady herself."
Jibbom once again strokes his chin and ponders. "Your words have a certain wisdom to them, elfy associate! While the dragon knight has an exotic, foreign charm, I should not forget the charms which drew me to Lady Sandiel in the first place. Her arcane power. Her sharp wit. Her acidic, disdainful manner of flirtation. Yes. She is the perfect one to bear my children. All it will take is a grand romantic gesture."
Alexander keeeps walking. Yeah, he doesn't want, nor need to hear any of this. Thankfully, he's out of earshot rather quickly.
There's a moment where Jessa actually attempts to put reason and sanity in the conversation. She opens her mouth, about to point out a number of facts that are worth keeping in mind. Then she remembers her audience. So instead she drinks. A lot.
Mikilos knows Von Steel cannot be stopped, only directed and mayhaps contained. Looking aside to Jessa, he murmurs quietly. "Rampaging angry dragon, or angry Sandy? Tough call, but Sandy will likely focus her rage to Jibbom. Dragon may take needed resources away from the group effort."
"The dragon will just /eat/ him," Jessa says. Then she drinks more.
Jibbom starts out confused. The best bet is to try to steer that confusion in a relatively harmless direction. "The dragon already tried to eat me, but I was too /heroic/." Jibbom claims with undeserved pride.
"No. The dragon was smart enough not to cause a diplomatic incident." Jessa almost adds something then stops. Perhaps it is best not to consider the potential diplomatic coup of actually eating Jibbom.
You say, "Dragon, and the lady knight, may choose to leave the city. Sandy is invested here."
"Excellent points. Though surely a taste of Steel Von Ironblood's famed charms could persuade her to relocate." Jibbom is far too certain of this.
"What, precisely, would these charms be, Jibbom?" Jessa asks that with very narrowed eyes.
Mikilos frowns. "....are we talking the knight, or Sandy?" Because Sandy might just pack up and leave the city to escape Jibbom.
"Dragons are very huggable!" Boshter says this, firmly.
"Dragons seem to like trying to eat me. He's the..." Jibbom counts on his fingers. "... Fourth one to try. Fifth if you count drakes."
"That's not a charm." Jessa says this firmly. Then drinks again. Because...well. Look at this.
Mikilos hrmms. "Actually, i think he was successful. Just spit you out again. Were the other actually trying to eat you, or just generally kill you?"
"Dragons are /actually/ very vulnerable to hobgoblins," continues Boshter, "Except that one. He learned how to not be vulnerable!"
Jibbom beams at Jessa. "My irresistable deliciousness is but one of my many charms!" He declares, without elaborating in any way which might be helpful.
"Well, there's many ways one can be rather delicious yes," Jessa begins. Then recalls her audience again so that the grin on her face turns a bit sickly. "But actual consumption by dragon is not a charm."
Mikilos ponders. "I suppose it might impresse certain ladies, but I don't think Sandy or the lady knight are amoung them."
Kiroth has arrived.
"What about my amazing magical arcane powers, or the many times I have saved Alexandria from unspeakable horrors?" Jibbom asks with unwavering confidence and bravado.
"You and a number of people. Not you by yourself. Though those are more likely to be charms." Jessa pauses. "Well. In a way."
Boshter says, "Indeed! Jibbom has saved Alexandria from many unspeakable horrors! So horrific that we don't even know if they actually exist!" Boshter chimes in."
Mikilos hesitates, then nods. "There is something to be said of great ignoreance to Von Steel's actions."
Jessa starts to laugh. A lot. A whole lot.
Elessa has connected.
Kiroth comes along the bridge and he spots a group. He can't help but notice the wings of Steel Von Blood and he nods politely, "Good evening."
"Indeed!" Jibbom shouts out, enthusiasm undaunted. "Knowledge of the nature of the horrors I have vanquished would boggle lesser minds! I've defeated dragons, giants, demons, devils, beetle lich kings, pirates, outdated political systems..." He goes on.
Jessa just goes back to drinking, shaking her head slightly and looking generally tired. Time spent around Boshter and Jibbom tend to do that.
Mikilos just smiles and nods. Jibbom is a source of endless wonder to the elf.
Alexander has left.
Elessa has left.
Sonja has arrived.
"Indeed! Of the many minds lesser than Steel Von Ironbood's, we can include skeletons! Oozes! Plant monsters!" Boshter is nodding his head up and down.
"Are you really still doing the Steel Von Ironblood schtick, Jibbom?" Sonja yells as she walks her way across the bridge. However, as she gets closer, she actually picks up Jibbom, and pokes at his wings. "So who made these for you, Jibbom? Some goofball who bought into your crackpot ideals of your inflated ego?" She then chuckles at him.
Kiroth nods politely to Jessa, "Good evening Muse. How are you doing?" He listens to the boasts and he starts to chuckle a little bit as he listens to the antics of Steel Von Blood.
"Steel Von Ironblood has vanquished all manner of waaaaaugh-" That's the sound Jibbom makes as he is abruptly picked up. His wings flap. They look real. "The Coyote has blessed me with these mighty wings to better spread his hilarious message to the people!"
"Good evening--" Jessa starts to say to Kiroth in a polite voice. Then she sees Sonja and her actions and looks infuriated. "That sort of behavior is UNACCEPTABLE!" That's shouted at the tall woman. "You do NOT just /pick people up/." The halfling probably has Views on this.
"Unless it is to give hugs. Hugs are okay, right?" says Boshter to Jessa, hopefully. He is concerned that he has been doing things ALL WRONG now, from the look on his face.
You say, "Picking people up without their permission is pretty frowned upon. There are resonable exceptions, but those tend to be when the person is in mortal danger, or is a villian."
Sonja says, "Seems you've finally gone batshit insane and your body is starting to reflect it, Jibbom." She seems to refuse to call him Steel Von Ironblood. She then looks down.....DOWN at Jessa. "I do not pick /people/ up. I only pick Jibbom up this abruptly and without asking." She then chuckles at Jessa before looking to Jibbom, then to Boshter. "No one giving you a hug, Boshter?""
Kiroth hmms, "You really should not pick up people it's rude, how would you feel if someone picked you up. I bet you wouldn't be happy. I am certainly enjoying his appearance."
"Despite the fact that he is delusional," Jessa says tartly, "Jibbom is still a /person/. And you are a moron. And you are /lucky/ I do not set you on fire. Good day all." The Muse gathers her skirts and sweeps off, her little back straight and her chin held high.
"Gasp! She is saying that Jibbom is not people! He is not people?! I suppose he is not people when he is Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night." Boshter is even /more/ concerned. And then Jessa is leaving and he is heading after her, "Wait! I am concerned about the hugs!" He'll go with her, for the moment.
"Ladies, please! Do not fight over me! There is plenty of Steel Von Ironblood for all!" Once again, Jibbom has missed the point entirely.
"Picking people up without asking for hugs is still picking people up!" Jessa shouts in a fury, answering Boshter's question. And then she heads off the bridge.
Boshter looks sad and mournful!
Mikilos nods to Boshter. "She is correct. There is something to be said for intent, and a hug is indeed a good intention. But you really should ask first."
Sonja stares at Jibbom. "Seriously Jibbom. When didja get the wings?" She says finally putting him down. "And I know better than to think it's your ego becoming physical in form, you goofball." It's clear that there's something depper than just a giantborn picking on someone smaller than her.
Kiroth nods politely to the Muse as she heads off, "Have a good day Muse." He looks back to the Giantborn and he gives a shrug. He nods politely to Mikilos and Boshter.
Jibbom continues to flap his wings even after he's set down. "It is as I said! The Coyote blessed me with them in a divine intervention! It happened last month. At one of those sleazy bars with the dancing ladies."
Mikilos shrugs to Sonja. "Magic users developing wings in not unheard of. Ironblood's I find mildly susprising, but he's done weirder things."
Sonja shakes her head quietly, chuckling at Mikilos. "Actually, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. A bit nutty, but I'd still fight along side of him." She then looks to Kiroth. "Sorry about the strange greeting I gave Jibbom here." she says playuflly nudging him with a toe. "I haven't seen him in a long while. Sunblade Sonja Brynhildr."
Kiroth hmms, "I've never heard of it, but I would concede to those that have more experience." He bows his head politely, "Sunblade Kiroth. It is nice to meet you."
"It is certainly better than being blessed with Coyote's Divine Constipation," says Boshter, happily, to Jibbom.
"Too true!" Jibbom shouts in agreement. "And now, I must go and spread my holy energies to a very, very special woman. As soon as I figure out who that woman is. Steel Von Ironblood, away!" The halfling waddles off.
Mikilos tsks and rolls his eyes, but smiles at the departing halfer. "He's crazy, but there's few in the city who can really vouch for their own sanity."
Sonja says, "It can happen, but I know little of things such as that." She then raises her eyebrows to Kiroth. "Welcome Fellow Sunblade." She says with a bow. "Good to see more sunblades out here fighting for the freedom of the people. But then, Mikilos....just about anyone that joins the adventurer's guild is crazy....""
Kiroth waves to Jibbom, "Have a good night." He shrugs, "I wouldn't say that he's crazy, perhaps eccentric or his mind just walks a different path then the rest of ours. Who know the path he could be walking could be the right one for him. As long as he's not dangerous to the innocent who are we to judge?"
Sonja says, "No, He's crazy." She says with a chuckle. "But you couldn't ask for a greater friend. And he's not a danger to innocents. He's more likely to defend the innocent than harm them. However, his ego tends to do more harm than good sometimes, and he needs to be brought down to earth. I don't want to see him getting hurt because someone goaded him into something he couldn't do.""
Kiroth hmms, "Well you had better talk to him before he slaps the dragonier or grabs her...um...well just grab her. Someone was giving him some bad advice about how to approach her. From what I remember it was his ex-former-future wife."
Mikilos nods. "He's quite smitten, or obcessed, or something. But he really does mean well. But for now I think he'll leave the Dragon Knight alone. Or at elast not actively seek her out."
Sonja says, "I hope so. I don't want to see him get hurt." She then shrugs a bit. "And he's a grown gnome. he can handle himself.....I think.""
Kiroth nods, "I don't want to see him hurt either, I don't want to see anyone hurt, hopefully he won't get himself in too much trouble. I saw her dragon when she same, it was an awfully big dragon."
Mikilos glances to Sonja. "Lucht, not gnome. Though for some reason I make the same mistake."
Sonja says, "I can't tell the difference sometimes. Both are quite insane, literally." She then yawns. "Ugh. I'd better get back to the temple so I can sleep." She then waves to Mikilos and Kiroth."
Kiroth smiles, "I'm sure they have the same difficulties telling between us tall folks." He nods, "Be safe and rest well."
Mikilos nods, and shrugs. "Jessa claims to, but I think it's just her way of being passive agressive."
Kiroth nods, "Well no matter the race I try to treat all with compassion and respect. If you'll excuse me I have to go as well, I was just going to see if my shield was done getting the dents repaired."
Mikilos nods, and shrugs, peering around a moment before heading off himself.