sixthiterationlogs | [ OPEN ] Jesse's arrival

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[ OPEN ] Jesse's arrival

WHO: Jesse Pinkman and… ???
WHERE: Various places!
WHEN: First few days of Jesse's arrival
OPEN TO: Anyone! Everyone!
WARNINGS: Nothing of note, but will edit if anything arises! Got a permissions post here, tho, should you need to know what warnings generally come with Pinkman territory.

››› HIDING OUT IN HOUSE #14 — open to all

[ So, did anyone happen to witness the skinny, scrawny guy who'd been thrashing about in the fountain a couple of days ago? Burst through the surface of the water with a gasping, wheezing splutter and clambered over the edge like he was trying to scale a huge wall, and landed with a sprawling wet splat onto the dusty ground. Then promptly scrambled onto his hands and knees and puked his guts up (from water inhalation or from breathless panic, it's hard to say).

Well. If anyone did witness that, or if they witnessed a bewildered and terrified young dude scurrying through the dirt streets in soggy, light grey scrubs, they might have seen him darting frantic looks all around him for somewhere to hide before making a beeline for a house that appeared empty. Lucky for Jesse, it was: #14; the yellow house with the red trim. Right by the police station. Because nobody would be dumb enough to want to live in a house right by a police station, especially the likes of people like Jesse Pinkman, but blind panic will make a person not think too rationally about these things in times of distress.

A couple of days have passed since. Jesse hasn't emerged. He really hasn't eaten. Hasn't showered. Hasn't dared to venture out yet into this strange, new world he's found himself in. He's too bewildered and scared out of his wits to right now. But if anyone passes the house, they might see a face hovering at the window from between the curtains with wide eyes and a spooked out expression exactly like this. (OOC: cw for drug use in video.) Maybe a neighbour would like to check in on him? Or a curious passerby? Or someone who witnessed this skinny little manchild arriving in the fountain? ]

››› DOWN BY THE RIVER — open to all

[ How many days have passed now? Three? In a fit of hunger and realised dread that he ain't going anywhere if he doesn't leave this house to find a way out of here, Jesse has finally emerged from the house. Burst out the front door, runs down the steps, goes running for his life down the main street with scrawny legs and arms pumping and eyes wide with terror. He doesn't know where he's going, but soon enough, he's approaching a river. And god, even though adrenalin has him running with the speed of a startled and spooked animal, his smoker lungs can barely manage. So, he comes skidding to a stop by the river, panting, wheezing, sweating, and bends over double with his hands on his knees while choking out a gnarly smoker cough.

Movement in the water suddenly. Jesse freezes, despite being mid-cough. And then— ]

Aaa-aaahhh, Jesus! Jesus, wh-what the fuck—?!

[ Jesse's broken shout of surprise echoes across the river, and probably carries a little up towards the village, as he goes stumbling backwards, sprawling onto his ass. A reptilian-looking thing is scurrying out of the water towards him with the enthusiasm of a friendly dog. Jesse's feet dig into the ground as he frantically scrambles backwards from it, shrieking in terror. ]

››› WILDCARD

[ If there is something specific you would like to do, feel free to post up a starter! I'm still acquainting myself with the game setting etc., so tossing a random scenario at me would be a useful way for me to learn more about the game. Send me a PM if you want to discuss anything beforehand! ]

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...Um...

[ Join this bull... thing... for a meal? Jesse shifts nervously on the spot. Is this actually happening? Is this actually happening? How has he gone from the shithead, directionless life he was leading in Albuquerque, to this? Being asked by a seven foot-tall, mythical looking nightmare if he wants lunch?

One part of his brain is screaming HELL NO, IT'S PROBABLY A TRAP, THIS THING PROBABLY WANTS TO EAT YOU. Another part of his brain that is wildly, morbidly fascinated, dumbstruck with awe, is rapidly overriding logic. And so, as he shifts on the spot again, swallowing back his terror, he finds himself saying, his voice squeaking slightly: ]

...O...Okay?

[ That makes Bull break out into a smile again. He points to the inn. ]

It is right over there and there should be more people there. Mostly all humans so you'll probably feel more at home there.

[ He takes another few steps back, inviting the other to come out. He is trying to make sure his movements are calm and slow, nothing to make the guy freak out. Then giving Jesse time to make up his own mind he turns to walk towards the inn. ]

[ Um. Ummm.... Uhhhhhhh... Holy Christ, that thing is so big. Jesse watches it turn and start walking off, noting the size of those massive goddamn shoulders and arms and— How is that thing a real thing?! He swallows and thinks about just shrinking back into the safety of the house he's holed up in, resume his freaked out post by the window and watch this behemoth head off to the inn.

Very slowly, however... Jesse opens the door wider, and edges his way out the door onto the porch. His eyes drop briefly to the food left for him by Mammoth Bull Man. He crouches down and quickly scrambles all of it up into his skinny arms, ducks back inside to set it all down on the nearest table, then edges his way back out onto the porch again. He closes the door behind him. And, hands wringing together, starts down the steps, and actually, tentatively calls out: ]

H— Uh. Hey! W-wait up, yo.

[ Bull would object to being called it, but as of right now he doesn't know. So when Jesse calls out to him he stops and turns and smiles. ]

No problem.

[ He waits for the other to catch up and then continues walking towards the inn. Once they are there he opens the door wide so Jesse can see that there are other people in there, and most importantly other humans, then Bull heads inside to grab himself some food and find a place to sit.]

[ Jesse trailing after this thing towards the inn is a kind of comical sight. He's tiny compared to Bull Dude, for one, and his wide eyes of wary amazement that keep being dragged up to the guy make Jesse appear somehow smaller, younger. He follows like a nervous stray dog, always a few steps behind, skittish body language that gives the appearance that he's ready to whip around and bolt for safety the moment anything resembling danger shows itself.

But upon reaching the inn without incident, Jesse peeks through the door and... Wow, so he's met maybe one or two humans so far, but he had no idea there were this many? He slinks through the door and nervously trails after Bull Dude, hands fidgeting together as he darts glances all around him. When he reaches the food, Jesse stares at it all, stomach too knotted up with nerves for hunger, but he takes a plate in his slightly shaky hand and dishes himself small heaps of this and that.

Then, uncertain where to place himself in the dining room, where to go, he approaches the table where the Bull Dude is seated, and Jesse creeps into the seat opposite while setting his plate down. Jesus Christ. Even sitting down, this guy is a mountain. With horns, and the weirdest skin colour Jesse has ever seen. Jesse can't stop gaping in confounded, somewhat terrified awe. ]

Um, so... Um. [ Picking up a fork, which visibly shakes just a little in his hand. He makes himself look down at his food, which he jabs at while shifting restlessly on his seat. How the hell does one start a conversation with a mountain of weirdness? ] So, is-is that, like, really your name? Iron Bull?

[ Bull has a healthy plate himself and he smiles when Jesse sits down at his table. The guy is braver than Bull had thought he might be. He takes a sip of his water, looking down at his food and making sure not to stare at the kid. Give him time to warm up. ]

Yes and no. It is The Iron Bull. But Qunari doesn't have names. That is what I am, Qunari. [ It is a bit more complicated than that but that would just confuse the kid. ] We have titles or job descriptions. Before I went to the human lands I had a different title. but once I got there I needed something the humans would use and I picked The Iron Bull. And I answer to it the same way you do to a name so it might as well be my name.

[ Koo-nary... Is that how it's spelt? They don't have names? Jesse lifts his eyes from his meal, an questioning eyebrow raised. How can something not have names? ]

Well... [ Jesse fidgets the fork between his fingers, his leg under the table jiggling up and down with anxious energy. ] My, uh, my name's Jesse. Just... y'know. Jesse. [ Shifting on the seat again as he glances down at his plate, then lifts his eyes back onto the Bull while continuing with a nervous attempt at a joke: ] Though, heh, guess if I was, like, koo-nary or whatever and didn't have a name, you could call me The Skinny Dumbass.

Nice to meet you, Jesse. [ Bull offers his hand to him. Then he chuckles a little at the joke. ]

It doesn't work quite like that, but we do have nicknames a lot. The titles we get is based on the job we get or we were raised to do. I was raised to be a spy so my qunari name reflects that. I have had it since my Tamassran figured out that being a spy is my purpose. Or was.

Also, we have a different name for humans who convert to the Qun. Qunari both means follower of the Qun and members of my species. It is kind of complicated. Religion often is.

[ Jesse just staring over here. Jesse doesn't even know where to begin with any of that. Half of it makes zero sense. But he leans forward over his meal slightly, peering up at Bull Man, blank confusion morphing into curious incredulity. ]

...You were a spy?

[ Bull chuckles a little. ]

Not at first, being Hissrad is a bit more complicated that just spy. I was an enforcer of the laws, hunting down traitors and those who threatened the Qunari. Eventually, I was reassigned to the human lands and there I was a spy. Most Qunari there are traitors and mercenaries. I pretended to be one of them, keeping a wide net of contacts. And sending reports back home.

[ All that mystified curiosity about spies instantly killed off at the phrase 'enforcer of the law'. The kind of turn of phrase that makes Jesse inwardly roll his eyes with scoffing disregard. Not that he lets that show in this case, not when sitting opposite a guy who could gore his skinny ass with one ram of his head. ]

Oh. Right. So, a narc. More or less.

[ Now it is the Bull's turn to be confused by terminology. ]

A Narc?

[ he hasn't heard that one, but he can guess it isn't good. They normally aren't. He sighs and nods. ]

Yes. Qunari are raised with some very strict beliefs and my Tamassran thought that I'd make a poor soldier and was smart enough to become Ben-Hassrath. Soldiers need unquestioning obedience. As Ben-Hassrath we can get away with questioning but we're still expected to obey.

[ He takes another breath. ]

I haven't done that in... nearly two decades though. Spent 8 years on Seheron and then a decade in Orlais and the countries around that.

Wow. Okay. [ Jesse brings up a hand and smears it down his face, like his brain might explode from trying to understand any of that, let alone the fact that he's sitting opposite a monster with horns. ] Got no idea what most of what you just said even means, yo, but pretty sure you just described my idea of total hell.

Edited 2018-08-27 13:04 (UTC)

A lot of people feel that way about it.

[ Bull is feeling conflicted about the whole thing. It is hard to shed something that has been such an important part of who he is and he isn't apologizing for it, but on the other hand, he indulges in things the Qun would never allow. ]

Others find comfort in it.

Comfort? In being told what you can and can't do? Bein' a hostage to other people's demands and expectations? Man, screw that.

[ At least Jesse is beginning to relax a little now. Sort of. His leg is still jiggling anxiously under the table. And he still hasn't touched his food. He's still fidgeting with his fork, twiddling it, clearly a guy who can't sit still for longer than five seconds. But at least his initial fleeing terror of Bull Man here is easing off. ]

Not having to worry about your purpose or job or where your next meal will come from. That is the other side of the Qun. We take care of our own. We don't have money or an idea that someone is more worth than anyone else. We're all parts of a machine and we all need to do our job for that machine to work.

[ Bull shrugs. ]

Despite what you might think it is not a bad life.

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[ OPEN ] Jesse's arrival

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