open transmission: 01 [audio | commentlog]

[were_it_so_easy]

What you would have us do is known.

[The requisite pause to breathe hints at some frustration.]

When will you have us do it?

[Idle!Arbiter is idle. And outside his pod, in the rain, giving his capybara adverse weather conditions training. He will make a warrior of it yet! Or find a Kig-Yar to feed it to

Comments

[fallintheriver]

Are you actually complaining about not having to fight?

[Seriously?]

[were_it_so_easy]

There can be no honour in combat without first engaging in combat. What good is there waiting in this dark they cast upon us?

[fallintheriver]

Oh. Honour, right. Well, you enjoy your honour, I'm gonna enjoy my intact body.

[were_it_so_easy]

To possess honour does not mean to sever a limb in exchange.

[commentlog]

[bondedgryphon]

[Zhaneel is not terribly opposed to the rain, in fact, she rather enjoys sitting beneath a light misting. However, it hasn't just been misting, but pouring for several days straight. Her capybara had run outdoors at the first given opportunity and she didn't have the heart to bring it back in.

Luckily, a wet gryphon was not at all like a wet dog in smell; well, only half-so-much, if we want to be technical. The water doesn't sink through her feathers until she becomes drenched, and she is doing her best to keep under the cover of the trees while it romps.

There might be quite a few artichoke pods, but really, they weren't spread out too terribly far from one another when it came down to it.

Her capybara continues its romping and Zhaneel gives pause as she hears Arbiter's comment over the communicator. However, as she actually sees him making speaking into it, it's silly to respond that way, right?

Her tone is amused as she arches a feathered brow, listening to the commands he is trying on his capybara.I don't believe they will do

[commentlog]

[were_it_so_easy]

[Doubling the size of the army has halved its discipline. The display would have seen Sangheili beaten, exiled, or executed. The capybaras were in utter ignorance of that reality.

The Arbiter passes his hand over the high arc of his face, a more human gesture than he typically displays.]

Then they shall do laps until they are ready to comply.

[He says it with a conviction that he will make something of use from this creature that specialises in adorable over ruthless.

Though, the Arbiter turns to Zhaneel and his expression is less rigid.]

Scout Zhaneel, greetings.

[commentlog]

[bondedgryphon]

[Her chortle is full of amusement, the sound soft as she glances from the capybaras to the creature before her. He was, again, unlike any of the creatures she had before met in her lifetime. Vertiline was quickly becoming rather good at showing her things she had never before imagined.

He was an extraordinary being and suddenly the young gryphon did not at all doubt the claims he had made about his abilities and prowess; Arbiter looked more than capable of pulling through with his side of things.

However, where there were definite differences, the hand gesture is rather human-esque and hence the chortle.]

I do not doubt that if it is possible than you shall be the one to succeed in this endeavor, Arbiter.

[Her tone is nothing less than genuine as she nods her head to him.]

If it is so, then I think all will be in for quite the surprise.

[commentlog]

[were_it_so_easy]

[Her words could be taken as teasing, the phrasing particularly human and the chortle timed near it, but her tone distinguishes a sincerity to the words.

It is good that at least one understands that he can indeed be formidable. No matter that it is in the context of training these hopeless beings.]

The surprise will be these creatures gaining a measure of credibility in battle.

[A gravelly statement, with a gesture to them. The two capybaras appear to be forming one rolling mega-capybara. Their gleeful chirruping would give them away in any situation requiring stealth.]

We have others with skills to make up for their... inability.

['Sup, veiled compliment.]

[pimp_hat]

From da way t'ings be goin, it be lookin' like we just gotta wait fuh dem to actually get attacked.

[And Kevas doesn't like that idea.]

[were_it_so_easy]

[This makes an even pair.]

Standing here makes us vulnerable, a target ill-prepared for their attack. We should bring the battle to them.

[If there is to be any honour in it. The sentiment goes unsaid.]

[pimp_hat]

[Yeah Kevas tried that. It didn't go well.]

Den if we be ill-prepared maybe we oughta spend ouh time fixin' dat problem.

[were_it_so_easy]

[The Arbiter has been trying. See capybara. See capybara not learn.]

War is waged better with aggression, a push into their territory that will scar them and make their general think better of tormenting us.

I am prepared for this, are you not as well?

[mezzaline]

Arbiter! It is good to hear you well. I do wonder the same, though. And what we are to fight at all... "monsters" is so terribly generic.

[were_it_so_easy]

The standard term a human applies to anything they do not understand. What they are I will label by my own terms.

How do you fare?

[An awkward reference to the injuries she sustained upon arrival.]

[mezzaline]

[Awkward, maybe, but Mezzaline is pleased by that entire reply. Arbiter, that was a good post and you should feel good.]

Well enough. I was offered treatment shortly after, and... though I hesitated to take the offer of they who inflicted the wound, it was, apparently, a mistake.

[But her tone still turns bitter by that last word. Mistake or not, that hurt, and she is not pleased.]

[were_it_so_easy]

[There is a huff of breath, a snort of wry reflection to that.]

Mistakes are the excuse of the undisciplined.

[It is increasingly no wonder that they require the service of capable hands, such as his.]

They mend what they damage, but a physical act may not always be sufficient. You need not fight alongside them, when the battle comes.

[And that is a Sangheili invitation to be near him on the battlefield.]

[stormcleaver]

They'll come when they come. If we get a heads up, so will you. Have patience.

[were_it_so_easy]

And in suits you to be so passive in the face of aggressors?

[stormcleaver]

If it suited me, I would sit quietly in my little, provided home, instead of walking the countryside to see what I can.

[There's the sound of a dog barking distantly and...is that a sheep bleating? Where is he?]

[were_it_so_easy]

[A thoughtful grunt.]

And does it reveal anything to your senses?