Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Taking a deep breath to remind herself of why she was here, Gladys stepped into the building and took slow, even steps to the reception desk. She practically clutched her enrollment papers, fearful that a sudden gust of wind might steal them away if she didn’t keep such a tight grasp.
Standing in front of the counter, she placed the papers down in a neat pile for the person sitting next to the desk. A moment later she cleared her throat, already feeling her pulse race as nerves tried to take over her. “I’d like to join,” she said in a small voice. Her eyes were on the ground, the respectful place to hold them, as she waited for an answer.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
The woman at the desk didn't even glance up, her entirety that of apathy and swiped the papers from where she sat. "Alright, stand there." She said after scanning the the words, not nearly with enough effort to actually read anything of importance, and murmured, monotone. "We'll call you when the 2nd in command is ready to-"
In that moment, as if on cue, the creaking and clanking of Andronikos' armor chattered throughout the entrance hall, as he stepped inside, metal-clad and with cheeks bloated with peach flesh, bites of the fruit that he held gripped in his palm. He stopped when he saw the newcomer, and with slow, suspicious motions, took another bite of the peach.
"Well, speak of the devil." The woman grumbled, unamused. "There he is, go talk to him." She ordered the girl.
Andro raised an eyebrow, although it could not be seen from underneath his helmet. "What?"
The receptionist rolled her eyes. "New recruit. Ask her the questions, swear her in, you know the drill."
Right. Andronikos had forgotten about this responsibility... Not that they have had many new recruits as of late. The whole hubub about Skye's arrest had given Eiral an interesting, if not negative reputation. He stomped over to in front of where Gladys stood, and stared down at her in silence for a few moments - possibly longer than was comfortable - before asking, "Name."
Gladys stood there, overly nervous, as the receptionist looked at her papers. Was everything okay? Would she notice that the one word was misspelled? Gladys shifted from one foot to the other, completely nervous and not sure what to suspect. And then someone barged in, clad with armor and with a peach in his hand. Wow, the EIRAL are serious… she thought as he stared down at her. She continued to look at the floor, studying his feet, as the smell of his peach reached her nose. And then he asked for her name, making her jump a little. “Gladys Hayden,” she answered, biting her lip afterward.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
"Tch-" Andronikos responded, and motioned for her to follow him with a flick of his fingers as he lumbered off up the stairs. Once there, he paused in front of one of the doors. He spoke his next words as if it were a strain on his wellbeing to do so. "Protocol commands me to ask you why you want to join the ranks."
Still a ball of nerves, Gladys followed him upstairs. He was probably having a bad day and didn’t want to deal with a new recruit like her. She would try to get this over with so he could go relax or something. When he asked her a question, he paused, stuttering a little. “I, uh. Want to help the city. Catch bad guys. That stuff…” she trailed off, still studying his shoes yet again.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
"Tch. Fine." He glared down at the new recruit, and wondered, if only by her appearance and attitude, if she really was able to handle what EIRAL would throw at her. It wasn't his problem, of course, and if anything she could be used for something besides fighting if need be, but even so... "Fine. Repeat after me-" Just as the oath reached his lips, he paused, and began mumbling to himself something incomprehensible.
Gladys took a half step back, a little confused. “I can’t hear you…” she said, bracing herself for some kind of outburst relating to her lack of hearing, which was perfectly fine the last time she checked. She didn’t want to cause a problem, but she couldn’t repeat something she hadn’t heard. Hopefully after that was taken care of, he’d leave and she’d be able to settle in without any other problems.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
A booming thump vibrated across the plates of the hallway's wall behind Gladys. Andronikos' palm had collided hard with the plaster, and with death in his eyes he growled, voluminous. " Repeat. After. Me. I, Gladys Hayden, do pledge my life to the protection of Lodan and her people. I am the sword that protects her borders, I am the shield that defends the peace. Even when the night is at its darkest, I will be the torch that lights the way. The people of Lodan are my charges, but I take all those who wear the green and gold as my brothers and sisters. I vow to protect them as I would my own family, knowing that they will do the same for me. All of this I swear until the day I draw my last breath." Every word had been a trembling roar. "Can you hear me now, mousemaid?" This, was a whisper, a hiss. He didn't like to yell- or to say anything much at all, but there was no way in the bloody burning bowels of Hell that she was EIRAL material. They needed new members, desperately, even, and Andronikos was well aware of this, but such a woman barely counted as a candidate. He wanted to make such facts absolutely clear to her, and the best way to do that, was with fear.
Post by Gladys Hayden on Jul 27, 2015 23:10:13 GMT
Gladys flinched, cowered even, beneath Andronikos’s voice. He spoke quickly, but she managed to keep up, somehow. “I, Gladys Hayden, do pledge my life to the protection of Lodan and her people. I am the sword that protects her borders, I am the shield that defends the peace. Even when the night is at its darkest, I will be the torch that lights the way. The people of Lodan are my charges, but I take all those who wear the green and gold as my brothers and sisters. I vow to protect them as I would my own family, knowing that they will do the same for me. All of this I swear until the day I draw my last breath.”
She bit her lip as he stared, glared at her even. He was right, she was nothing more than a mousemaid. “Yes I can hear you,” she replied afterwards, her hands balled at her side as the nails dug into her flesh. She had wanted to join, and this was the price to pay. It wasn't a steep price, at least. She'd do anything to let them keep her in their ranks.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
Regardless of his intimidation attempt, she repeated the oath perfectly and stood stalk still. She got through that much at least. But that wouldn't be the end of it. "Tch-" He shoved a folded uniform in her arms. "Put it on." He ordered.
Where did—? Never mind that. She took the uniform in her hands, a bit shakily, and looking around, trying to figure out which room was which. “Um.” She really didn’t want to ask another question and get shouted at again. But she couldn’t help it. “Where can I change?”
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
Andronikos rolled his eyes before tossing a key onto the stack. "Your dorm is the number on that, mousemaid." Congratulations on finishing your EIRAL introduction!
“Okay thank you,” she practically squeaked, reaching out with a free hand to grab the key and read the number on it. Unsure if she should go there now or wait, she decided it might be better to flee now, while she still had a reason to.
Inching slowly out from under his scary gaze, she walked off, searching for the room.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
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