Joint Post – Talking, Food and Talking
Featuring Turnip, Lucina and Robin
Floor 2: Urbus
What Lucina had said about gender inequality was at least a little true – that much was proven in Saito. He was the minority, though, as far as Turnip was concerned. And besides, look what happened to him. Thwack thwack stab. No more Saito. Admittedly, it hadn't been Lucina or Kagome who'd killed him, but he hardly seemed to enjoy having his face pounded in beforehand.
The armoured figure glanced up at Robin. The young man didn't seem to be in too good of a mood, actually. That was a shame; it looked as though he was being a bit more hospitable a few moments ago. Hmm… perhaps he hadn't taken kindly to Turnip's compliment/jibe. Any guilt Turnip may or may not have ended up feeling, though, was entirely flushed out of his mind with the arrival of the food. He thanked the waitress quickly before immediately sliding the top half of the first bun into his helmet. The bread was steadily pulled inwards by an invisible force, eventually disappearing entirely into the abyss. In the process of chewing, another thought occurred to him about Lucina's predicament. He paused his eating to speak in a voice with as little muffling as possible.
"You know, Not Batman, wouldn't it be a better idea to prove those kinds of people wrong, rather than humouring them? You're obviously capable of it. You're level sixteen for gods' sake."
Lucina was still glaring at Robin for making such an awful comment, then turned to Turnip. "They wouldn't give me the chance to prove it since they'd keep me out of fights and wouldn't notice because they're too busy trying to save someone who doesn't have to be saved." Lucina replied. "Sometimes I hate heroic figures because of it. They see someone in trouble and immediately think they need saving while they actually could handle it themselves."
Whatever those two were talking about, it wasn't Robin's place to speak. He would listen, however, if they asked him for his opinion. When Lucina gave him that glare, Robin didn't mind. He'd been used to that kind of stuff since school. She explained the reason she wants to prove herself. It's a little flawed, and Robin couldn't help but speak, "Maybe they just don't know what the person they're saving is capable of. Unless you know their true strength, you can't tell if they can handle it." Robin finished his speech off and sipped some more ramen. It wasn't like him to speak much without being spoken to first.
Turnip shrugged, "Eh, but with her level visible, that isn't really an excuse," He turned to Lucina. "If people are really all that intent on keeping you out of fights, you could always just kick them in the face. Face-kicking tends to work."
Lucina chuckled at Turnip's comment about face-kicking. "Turnip is right there. My level has been visible in all the online games I've ever played. It has always been like that." Lucina replied to Robin. "Since I've been hiding my level and my gender some players just walk by while I'm training without trying to help me out. I like it that way." Lucina took a bite of the... what was it? Robin bought something that she didn't even knew but after taking a bite it turned out to be quite delicious. "I also have another reason for hiding my gender but that's not a story I'm going to tell you." Lucina added.
Somehow Robin could see a little of himself inside Lucina. She wanted to be left alone. In real battles, however, there are things you can't handle alone. "Well, I won't pursue that story if you don't want to." He didn't know what else to say, nor did he want to speak, so he continued eating his ramen. Lucina seemed to be enjoying her food. It was a bit pricey, so it looked like it was worth it.
Turnip thought for a moment, then shrugged and ate another rasher of bacon. "The human race is pretty bloody weird," He murmured. He spoke up when he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, yeah, uh, so anyway - speaking of things people can't handle alone, I... have you guys done the 'Where is Rudolph' quest? 'Cause I haven't, and when I just scrape the level requirement, I don't really know what to expect. Now, normally I'd just grind first and solo it, but with it being an event quest, I don't know if I'd have the time, and I'm... oy... I haven't caught up to everyone yet." The armoured figure paused, folding his arms a little grumpily. "You..." He sighed. "Anyone feel like taking it on sometime later? I'm not asking for help, but we can have some fun, right?" Turnip looked up hopefully for a moment before correcting himself. "Yeah, if that wasn't clear I'm totally asking for help. Oh, and Robin, I don't know how the level requirement works, or if a party can bypass it or something."
"Maybe that's something we could do after the boss fight. I mean... that person would message us, right? After a plan was made? I wonder how much longer that'll take..." Lucina replied to Turnip as she finished the food Robin had bought for her. "That reminds me of a question that I wanted to ask earlier." Lucina immediately faced the white haired swordman. "With what did Turnip assist you yesterday if I may be curious?" Lucina asked him, taking a sip of the hot chocolate.
While enjoying his ramen, Robin continued to listen in on Turnip's saying. He was talking about the Rudolph quest that was available for a short time. No doubt he's a sucker who wants to get himself killed. Still, he goes out of his way and seeks assistance for the quest. There are some good rewards, Robin thinks carefully. A party would increases their chances of survival. They just need to act in sync, which is difficult to learn.
Lucina thinks it'd be better if they wait until the current boss is dealt with. "I agree," Robin spoke up, folding his hands together under his chin. "Besides, if we were to tackle this quest together, we'd need to work together in sync, with no mistakes. Otherwise, we'd be walking into a new life." A little straightforward, but they should get the picture.
Lucina decides to bring up another question which concerns yesterday's events. Robin pauses eating his ramen, then sets it down. It's better not to leave her in the dark, "There was a man listening in on our conversation at the inn yesterday. No doubt the men you know," Robin stares at Lucina to make sure she gets what he means, then continues, "I contacted a few acquaintances, Turnip included, then later the man attacked me with two others guys. The party I contacted assisted." Robin replays the battle in his mind, remembering a few instances from that battle. There was one that really ticked him off... "Anyway, in the end, we got rid of them. I'm paying Turnip back for his help that day. As for the other..." Robin hid himself deeper inside his hood, thinking back on his conversation with Kagome, "I still need to pay them back." It was a long story. Lucina would be shocked at this news. It's highly likely that she would. Robin continues gulping down his ramen before it's completely gone, "Anyway, that's the story."
Turnip frowned,
Jeez, who died and made Robin Grand Lord of the Rudolph Quest? Come on, this is one event quest, not a bloody world record co-op speedrun. It bugged him slightly that Robin was so adamant about stressing how difficult the quest was, but in all, he supposed if they weren't going to do it, he'd hardly force them. He had originally wanted the quest done before the boss battle, too, just for the extra level before facing it - but then, that depended on how quickly it was made available. With the fight only being prevented on a whim, it could be minutes or weeks before whoever was 'in charge' of it deemed the boss ready to fight. He might have to take a look at the situation later, just to see whether it was actually some kind of reputable organisation, as opposed to a rag-tag group under the banner of an egotistical prick, like there was with Saito. He supposed he'd leave the quest for now; it'd hopefully be left up over the entire Christmas period, anyhow. With the conversation now on the fight yesterday, and his bacon bun nearly finished, the armoured figure suddenly noticed the hot beverage in front of him - and the other two already at the table.
Turnip shrugged, "Yeah, we killed a few guys and Kagome made a sweet FMA reference - anyway, uh, is this hot chocolate mine? Because, uh, I don't mean to be ungrateful and all, but I only eat bacon buns here. It's kind of a protest thing." He laughed somewhat meekly, a guilty smile on his hidden face.
Lucina was a little shocked hearing this story from Robin. She felt kinda guilty that Robin was being picked on while what they really wanted was her. "... I'm sorry you had to deal with them." Lucina apologized while looking at Robin, then turned to Turnip. "I'm sorry to you as well. If it wasn't for me then you guys wouldn't have to deal with them." At least they were able to take them out. Lucina just hoped that she and her friends wouldn't have to deal with them again. Lucina was curious about the third person or persons that Robin apparently didn't want to tell her about. He hid himself in his hood so Lucina decided not to ask any further about it... until Turnip gave away the exact information that she was curious about. "... Kagome?" Lucina looked at Robin but figured he wouldn't reply to that. "I-I see..." Lucina looked at her cup of hot chocolate and looked like she was thinking. Of all people she hadn't expected Robin to choose her to help him battle them... was there some kind of connection between them? A romantic one? Lucina didn't want to know about it for some reason and was surprised by how she was reacting to this.
"There's nothing to apologise for," Turnip waved a hand dismissively. "It's three fewer PKers in this game, and a boatload of experience points for us."
Lots of tension in the room. Turnip didn't want any of the hot chocolate. That's rather rude. Robin begins drinking his hot chocolate, taking quiet sips. Lucina apologized to both him and Turnip for involving them with her problem. It was a common thought to have. "What's done is done." Turnip had mentioned something about the Rudolph quest. Robin thought a little more about it before speaking, "We'll take on that quest tomorrow morning, under one condition," he looked at Turnip's
helmet to see if he was paying attention, which was difficult, "you follow my commands or you'll die." Robin turned to Lucina next. "It's your choice."
Turnip was astounded,
What the hell did he just say to me?
"Well excuse me,
God, I wasn't aware your life-and-death controlling spirit had manifested itself before me. What in the Nine Hells have you got stuck up your arse? It's an event quest with a level requirement I meet, not bloody Punch-Out's Mike Tyson. Honestly, I'll be careful and all, but that's a given – I'm not taking
commands from you, Robin. Jeez. Sorry I asked. Have you even done the quest before, or are you just talking out of your behind?"
Lucina sighed, pretty irritated, before putting the empty cup back on the table. "I'm not going to deal with that. No one is going to order me around when it's just a quest boss. It's probably an easy one too considering it's christmas." Lucina said with an irritated voice. "I do agree we should work together as a group but no one is going to be some kind of leader."
"You underestimate too much. Level isn't everything, it's the skills you learn and how you execute them." Robin decided to let it be and continued talking. "We'll work together, if that's how you wanna hear it." Their status with each other wasn't going so well. Socialism was never Robin's strong suit. Is it better that they don't do this quest at all? Maybe it's better if he goes at it alone. Robin got up from the table, with his food finished, and adjusted his hood, "You two figure out what time we should take on this quest and message me. I'm gonna go stock up now." Finally saying this, Robin left the two at the table, sighing from finally being alone for now.
Since they were going to take on this quest, Robin should prepare himself soon. It's off to restock on healing potions & crystals.
Turnip watched him go, bemused, although a little confused. The armoured figure followed the white-haired swordsman's movements all the way to the door, one of his eyebrows firmly raised the entire time. He chewed the bacon in his mouth slowly, and as the door closed behind Robin, he swallowed.
"Hmm. Implying he's more skilled than us. Don't know what the hell he was trying to say with all that." He turned back in his seat to face Lucina again. "Welp, just talking out of his arse again, I guess. Uh, you can have that if you want; just bacon buns for me." Turnip prodded his hot chocolate gingerly in her direction, then moved his hand to take the final piece of his bun and slot it in through his visor.
Lucina didn't turn even one second to Robin while he left and listened to Turnip's words as he turned back to her. "I don't like the way he's acting either but I'm not going to do such a quest with just you and me." Lucina stood up and brushed her hair out of her face while hiding in her hood. "I'm leaving. I gotta prepare myself for the boss fight." Lucina gracefully left the table and approached the door. While holding the doorknob she glanced back at Turnip. "By the way, if you see a blonde haired girl in a black uniform please message me." She turned back to the door. "She's bothering me somehow..." With these words she opened the door and left.
"Well, alrighty then." The armoured figure murmured. "Sure, I'll find the
one blond girl in black. It's not like people wear things with… colours. Mlegh." He stood from his seat, picking up the unwanted cocoa and walking over to the bar. He placed it in front of another patron, saying without a hint of sarcasm: "Here, drink this. The time is now. Bluebird eight is go."
And with that, Turnip promptly left.