sixthiterationlogs | Cold Arrival

WHO: Malik Al-Sayf
WHERE: Fountain Square, Inn, around the village
WHEN: 12/29
OPEN TO: Fountain: Altaïr, Elsewhere: OTA
WARNINGS: mention of past character death, tbd

Fountain: Altaïr

As far as rude revivals went, regaining consciousness underwater was pretty high up there. That it was also freezing didn't help anything in the slightest. Malik isn't entirely sure how he makes it to the surface or the edge of the fountain where he clings and tries to catch his breath.

He knows he needs to get out of the water and in to somewhere at least sheltered if not warm. That or dip back under and call his merfolk form around him. There's something off though, besides the seeming lack of other Travelers in the water with him. He tries to reach for his magic, and that's when he figures out what's out of place.

He can't access any of his bag of tricks. No magic, no portals to Liminal, no shapeshifting either.

He swears under his breath, clinging tightly to the edge of the fountain.

“Hello?” He calls out, hoping there's someone within earshot even as he struggles up out of the water as best he can with one arm while shivering.

Inn: OTA

Malik had genuinely forgotten exactly how much the cold bothered him, being able to magically ignore it had spoiled him against the unique aches it brought to his left shoulder. Which, much to his dismay, has reproduced in his knees.

He's managed to settle himself at a table close to the fireplace, which he eyes on occasion like he's contemplating actually pressing himself against the bricks or just crawling inside of. Mostly though, he eats and attempts to eavesdrop on anyone coming in.

There's something he notices though, as he eats and its enough to actually give him pause to stare at the dish before him.

“That is new.” He admits aloud, frowning.

Wildcard

He hasn't been here long, but there are some rather important things that Malik needs to test out before all hell breaks loose as it usually does. So he finds a nostly out of the place to try things out.

While most of it seems to involve standing there looking increasingly annoyed, he does eventually take to throwing stones he dug out of the snow at a cleared bit of ground with remarkable precision while looking murderous.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"People are easier than dragons," Nida shrugged dismissively. He's killed people. People on his world tend to be less intelligent than dragons. Far less intelligent. And less persistent. "And go down with far less punishment."

Mercenaries could get pretty blase about human life. Sorry Malik. The young man isn't exactly... bothered over considering people.

"And most people here who know how to fight are either people I would have to ambush, or would be really easy to kill."

You know, from a theoretical standpoint. Nida doesn't just inherently consider how to take someone down in a fight. Not at all.

"Some people, yes." Malik agrees, looking more amused than anything at this point. Its been a while since he's actually had someone to debate like that with.

"There are some here who would make either of those difficult methods of attack."

"Oh, there are," Nida agreed immediately. Bull chief among them. And frankly he doesn't know what he'd do about this guy. He is a bit... attentive.

Still, he moved a bit closer to the guy, just so he can watch the rock throwing.

"I'm guessing you think you're that latter group."

Malik shifts just enough to keep Nida in his range of sight, but otherwise keeps at his throwing. It's practiced and fluid, closer to how someone would throw a knife than a ball.

He lifts his shoulder in a shrug, "What I think does not matter, it is what others believe if me. I have one arm, how much of a physical threat could I be?"

“With the right training, which I expect you have, a lot.” The way the man held himself, the way he discussed the topics at hand clearly spoke of training. And knowledge.

"I grew up with Altair." Malik answered, watching for the reaction to that. Hopefully it will tell something about both how much the guy knows as well as how much Altair has revealed of things.

"You also have yet to give me your name."

“You haven’t given me yours,” Nida returns with a smile. But he doesn’t flinch at Altair’s name. No, he knows the man and takes it in stride. Not that he knows just what Altair is. “Are you also the sort to subtly manipulate people into projects they may be suited for because it is for the ‘greater good’?” If so that is fair. He’ll take all of Malik’s words with a grain of salt.

"I did, you got distracted by my telling you dragons were an exception. It is Malik." He half laughed, "Only when I have to deal with court politics, and I see no Kings or Sultans who can start a war with my home here. I lack the patience to deal with fragile egos or playing at being friendly with those who refuse to listen to sense otherwise. I find people who are good at things and ask them to assist in what needs doing, if they say no I move on to the next person down the list until I find someone either willing to do it or willing to learn to do it."

"And now you do sound like Altair," Nida mused with a smirk. "But I don't know that I can respect the way he acts."

His eyes turn back toward the area he should be starting his patrol from. His duty is to be doing that, but the guy is clearly new to town.

"My name is Nida."

"If memory serves he technically learned it from me." Malik admitted, even if he shrugs.

"Altair is a good man, even if he is not always in possession of the best people skills. If he has done something to offend you, it is best to actually tell him so."

"I found nothing lacking with his people skills," Nida admitted with a shrug. "And if he learned it from you then I should hold it against you, not him."

Interesting man, to see someone so young as the one who had trained Altair. Would that make this man better or worse to deal with?

"I simply handled politics with more patience than him." Malik replied, "What has he done to earn disrespect?"

Admittedly, Malik knows he isn't likely to find fault with anyone taking charge of organizing a group that seems willing to actually listen.

"I said I found nothing lacking at this time," Nida shrugged. Altair is perfect fine.

Sometimes the way he does things just makes Nida feel... like he's been pushed into things. Which was too much of his life. Too many orders, not enough real options.

Malik hummed, "What do you do here? Other than theorize about how to fight people."

Changing topic seemed like a more effective use of conversation.

“Watch rotations. Learning some woodworking too,” Nida said. “In fact I should get back to my loop. We’re not as formalized as we could be at this, not as much threat, but good to be cautious.” His eyes cast back to where he had left his circuit. Yeah. He should get back to that and let Malik throw his rocks.

"Knowing my luck with these things I will likely end up helping with the watch." Malik sighed, amused because he knows himself far too well.

"I will let you get back to it then, I doubt you need someone along."

“Watch is purely volunteer basis,” Nida shrugged. “Find something that moves you. Altair likes planning and stuff, maybe you can help with that. But if you’re eager for a walk and a discussion of what all the watch is up to seeing as chances of attack are low, you are welcome to join me. If you think you can keep up.”

With a smile he turned and strolled back toward the edge of his route. He had lost some time. It wasn’t in a rush to catch up.

Cold Arrival

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May well be a good wrap point.