The Sudden Approach of Unexplainable Power: IC

[unleashed]

Nodding his thanks to woman as she returns with the bowl of oatmeal, Aekalos wonders if he’s become the topic of conversation at the other table as he digs in and listens to the threesome talking. Pausing between mouthfuls, as Demitri finishes speaking, he turns towards their table and remarks, “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re heading towards Bacrothen and Eberdeen. I’m going that way myself and was wondering if you could use a travelling companion... you know safety in numbers and all that, plus I could use the company.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The man looks up to Aekalos. "Well, we are headed that way. But we're hoping to avoid Eberdeen and go straight West to Bacrothen. We can't afford to pay for another travelor, though."

The boy looks interested as Aekalos addresses the table occupants.

 

[unleashed]

“Oh, I wouldn’t expect you to pay for me,” Aekalos smiles, “In fact, I was thinking I’d handle everything until at least Eberdeen, which is where we’d be parting company... as a courtesy for allowing me to travel with you.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The woman nods and speaks but looks only at the man. "That'll not be necessary, of course. Our family has been through worse. Nothing wrong with a healthy amount of work to encourage respect for the right to live."

 

[unleashed]

“Of course not... I just thought it polite to offer something, since I’d be intruding on your family,” Aekalos replies, turning back to his oatmeal.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The man smiles, "Well, you wouldn't be intruding at all. Of course, what you said is true. Safety comes in numbers. But you'll have to forgive us. Life's not always easy, and we work hard where we can. 'No free rides' and 'there's always a catch' kind of thing."

 

[unleashed]

Taking a drink of water to clear his mouth of oatmeal, Aekalos turn back and smiles. “Oh, don’t worry about it, I understand. It’s just that my business there is quite urgent, so I thought we might be able to travel faster if finding food wasn’t a concern, as I heard you talking about foraging. My need for a speedy journey isn’t your problem though...” he adds, turning back to his oatmeal once again.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The bopy adds, "We can travel quickly today since we've eaten a big meal already! We won't need to look for food until later!"

The woman nods and the man adds, "That much is true, thanks to this meal here."

 

[unleashed]

Turning back to their table, Aekalos offers a troubled smile, “Yes, though then I’d feel uncomfortable eating later when you’re not, but again that’s not your problem. Okay, so assuming I can get past that, that handles today, but what of the days after that... how much time is foraging going to add to the journey to Eberdeen... a day, two? If so, I think I must regrettably find different travelling companions or perhaps go it alone.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The woman smiles as though she knows something Aekalos doesn't. "Provided we can find what we are looking for, foraging should add little more than an hour per day. If we can find what we need in less time than that, perhaps it would take less than an hour."

The man adds, "Well, then. I suppose it depends on how quickly you must travel."

The woman with the chain underneath smiles politely and adds, "My assosciate and I can be convinced to head west, sir. The mere promise of adventure will be our pay." As she speaks, she offers her hands in a palm-up open stance above the table as if to emphasize that nothing further was required.