[OPEN] we're the first ones to starve, we're the first ones to die

[disgracedvoid]

Characters: Darkleer and YOU.
Setting: Workshop like he's ever in any other floor, sob
Format: I'll start with action, but I'll match you.
Summary: STRONG troll attempts to take on the cold. The cold wins this round.
Warnings: Darkleer being a god tier passive aggressive bitch, since he's in a foul mood. Exploding things. A troll that will snap your spine like breadsticks if you piss him off.

[The first rule of making anything is choosing the right materials for the task. The problem here is that the right materials for the task are busy shattering because it's cold and they can't really withstand Darkleer's casual strength. That's new. Though he's got the theoretical knowledge for why this is happening, it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

So by the third time the frame of this heater-to-be breaks, Darkleer is seriously considering punching something. Or someone.

That and he's growling. Never a good thing when the dignified, snotty asshole troll is growling in the back of his throat. It only heralds impressive amounts of wanton violence.]

Comments

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko was freezing, and since the temperature probably wasn't going to get warmer anytime soon and since she owed Reno a thick cloak, she wandered up to the workshop after she finished cleaning up the library. However, as she wandered in, she saw..what looked like a troll growling at some mechanical parts. Worried and curious, Tohko wandered up to him, hoping that he wouldn't eat her.]

Erm..pardon me, but what's wrong?

[ghostytrainer]

[Since Johto had this nasty habit of forcing pink squishiness on all non-humans, John had never actually seen a troll in all its true Alternian glory until about a week ago when things got crazy for a weekend. And even then, he hadn't seen one anywhere near as big as Darkleer. So as he's wandering the tower and trying to acquaint himself with everything there is to see, he can't help but stop and stare a little when he makes it to the workshop.]

[In fact, it's not even John who approaches the troll in question, but rather the Litwick on his shoulder. Apparently not even the most menacing of back-of-throat growls is going to stop the little candle from floating over to see what this guy's deal is. She stops about a foot from the troll's face, giving him a curious look.]

Oooouuuuoo?

[It takes John nearly a minute to realize that his Litwick is no longer on his shoulder, but rather over by the troll who he is just now realizing does not exactly sound like the happiest camper. He jogs across the room.]

Ah! Chandel, no come back here. You shouldn't bother people like that, come back here!

[disgracedvoid]

[Darkleer looks up from his work to stare Tohko down, unaware that his irritation had reached the point of being vocal. He seems composed enough. Seems being the operative word there.]

Must there be something wrong?

[disgracedvoid]

[You know what happens when you mix a cold, irritated troll who is hyper focused on what he's doing, and a curious pokemon with no notion of personal space?

A hammer hitting a worktable. Or more specifically, a broken hammer and a broken table.

Also, Darkleer looking supremely offended by the mere presence of the litwick. And then there's John. Well, congrats, John. You wanted to see a troll? Look up. No really. Look up. And behold the glory of a fully standing unamused troll with his mouth pursed enough you can glimpse his teeth. Also, be thankful for the helmet. At least with it in the way you can't see how much he's considering popping your head between his fingers.]

Your pet, I presume?

[tohko_amano]

Well..I thought something was wrong from the way you were growling..

[disgracedvoid]

[Genuinely offended:]

I do not growl.

[He so totally does.]

[ghostytrainer]

[Yikes. He's even bigger up close. Especially for a kid who only clears five feet by a couple of inches. John gives a nervous chuckle. He might be just the tiniest bit intimidated right now. Especially in light of the broken hammer and table. Chandel, however, seems just as happy and unfazed as ever, still smiling at Darkleer. Must be nice to be too carefree to know fear, huh?]

Aha...more like a partner, really but either way, I apologize for her. She's just...curious. Likes meeting new people and all that!

[He points to his shoulder and shoots Chandel a look that clearly tells her to get her happy little butt back down here so they can leave before this nice troll snaps them bother in half.]

[disgracedvoid]

[Darkleer has a lot of practice looking down on people har har, get it, usually being almost twice as tall as most people around. His tone turns dry.]

You'd do well keeping a closer eye on your partner, else it will be others who will apologize to you, when they mistake her for a new type of monster.

[He huffs a little, trying to make up for the fact the little ghosty thing is actually kind of cute from up close. The best way to handle this embarrassing realization is to take it out on John, of course. Of course. Zahhak logic is the best logic, okay.]

And then perhaps you would do well to tell her that not everyone she will meet here are people one is glad to encounter.

[tohko_amano]

Then..what was that growl I heard a few minutes ago?

[disgracedvoid]

Surely your imagination.

[Someone's a lying liar who lies.]

[tohko_amano]

But I've never imagined hearing something before. However, I suppose that there is a first time for everything. But, if you need any help with what you're working on, please let me know.

[Tohko grabs some brown cloth from a pile, along with some needle and thread, and sits down, starting to work on her cloak.]

I shall be here awhile, after all.

[disgracedvoid]

Perhaps it is the cold that makes you hear things that are not there.

[That's technically true. I mean, it's the cold that's ruining his mood and his project and making him growl so...]

Unless you are extensively familiar with metalworking I'm afraid your help won't be of much use.

[Yeah, there's an undertone of and we both know you're not in there, sorry.]

[tohko_amano]

I doubt it..I've faced several cold winters back home without any problem. Maybe it's just the stress.

[Tohko sighed, sad that she couldn't help with the metal and for the fact that she was so stressed out to begin with.]

I admit, I don't know much about metal, but one of my friends is pretty good with it. If you want, I can tell her that you need help the next time I see her. She's a really nice girl. She'll help you out.

[iron_infidel]

[He walks bundled up within his cloak. Earlier this week he had decided that he second cloak could be used as double warmth around his shoulders.The troll, being of mutant blood, had warmth to his body and it wasn't to say the cold was troubling him.

The cold was something Signless was used to. Cold was part of survival for him through the long dark seasons on Alternia and heavy rainstorms that struck his ship. So, it was not uncommon for him to be walking through the floors of the tower. Being that Disciple had recently disappeared he found himself wanting more distractions to turn his thoughts away from her. It is only fortunate for him that he comes across Darkleer in the workshop.

His ears quiver a tad as the threatening growl reaches them, however he isn't drawn away. In fact he steps a bit closer and begins by giving up his sympathies for the troll and his frustrations.]

Perhaps a break might be a wise decision in this case. I have often heard that taking a break from a tedious task such as this one, which it observes to be, is a mature decision.

[ghostytrainer]

[Oh please, she is cute from all over! Obviously Darkleer's helmet just restricted his ability to see this.]

Well, technically speaking she is a monster. [The answer came out before he could really stop and think about the fact that that was probably a really dumb thing to say just now. Now is not the time for semantics.]

I mean--! Er...okay. Yeah to both of those things. Sorry, still kind of new here and trying to get used to the fact that this place is pretty much nothing like Johto. Anyway I will just...take her and just get out of your hair, Mister Troll. Sorry again, ahaha... Chandel, please get back down here...

[The command comes out as more of a hiss than anything. But instead of heeding it, the Litwick gives another echoing coo and wiggles her arms at Darkleer. See, she'd love to come and go elsewhere, John...but even moreso, she would love to hang out with this guy a little while longer.]

[disgracedvoid]

[He takes a moment or two while she spoke to get a better hold of his temper, though it was not helping much. Then added, almost as if talking to himself.]

I am not particularly fond of the cold.

[Seriously? Screw this cold weather, he's got a reasonable fear that his horns will freeze and fall off.]

I do not need help, per se. But I suppose I should not turn away qualified assistance.

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko kept sowing as she spoke. She wasn't trying to be rude..but she had to get this done!]

I don't like the cold either..and alright then! If I see my friend, I'll let her know that you could use some help. However..it might be hard for me to tell her if I don't know your name.

[disgracedvoid]

[Darkleer is perfectly aware of how bloody cute the little thing is, okay. But he can't very well sit down and coo at it, can he? Well, he can, just not in public. Or anywhere he risks having witnesses. He's got an image to maintain, you know?

He stares down at John for a long moment, taking in that ramble and letting the silence after it stretch entirely longer than strictly necessary. Then he sighs.]

I assure you, she will not get anywhere near my hair.

[Giving Chandel a pointed look. Also being obtuse on purpose because Darkleer is a dick.]

[disgracedvoid]

[The frame in Darkleer's hands grew a spontaneous dent the moment Signless started talking. Mostly because Darkleer's hands clenched.

And then there was the unpleasant sound of metal cracking and crumbling.

Whoops.]

And we are both trolls who always choose the mature route, are we not.

[disgracedvoid]

[Considering Darkleer was paying attention to his own work as well, it was fair. He refrains from making a small noise at the roundabout way of asking his name and instead shook his head a little.]

They call me Darkleer.

[iron_infidel]

[Oh, well what a dent that is. Surely he needs to be more aware of his surroundings or Signless could give some more notification of his presence before speaking. He frowned and cleared his throat before hew ent on to speaking.]

Oh, well yes that is true that we are. At least when you throw comparisons to the younger ones. In such a case we are much more mature.

[A pause.]

I still do think you should consider a break, that dent is unfortunate. Perhaps some help is needed?

[disgracedvoid]

[He's just. Going to put the remnants of that metal piece aside and just indulge in the Olympic art of putting his face in his hands and his elbows on the table. Man, and with Signless penchant to talk nonstop, it was almost like the old times, withstanding Mindfang's constant stream of chatter.

Darkleer takes a moment to wonder quietly if he's destined to put up with loquacious trolls that don't know their place in the sacred order of the hemospectrum. Because if so, Signless was seriously fucking pushing it and Destiny was kind of asking to be punched in the face. Don't ask how he's going to punch an abstract concept like Destiny or why he'd have a face in the first place, he is STRONG and nothing can stand in his way.]

You are remarkably upbeat, considering the weather.

[This is not an accusation. Honest. It just sounds like one.]

[iron_infidel]

[He gives a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the mood given Darkleer's constant upset. Though he got the change of topic, perhaps talking about his present unsuccessful project was not in the right mood for discussing.]

I try not to let the cold bother me. It is not alien to me, and I have been subjected to the nipping of severe temperatures during my travels. A simple blanket or a the body of another is enough to keep me warm in such times.

[disgracedvoid]

[Flatly.]

It's cold enough I will need to reforge steel into an alloy so it will withstand it. A simple blanket is not going to help you for long.

[He is not. Going to talk. About the body of another. Because fuck you, don't rub it iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin.]

[iron_infidel]

[Need some salt for that wound there. Remember to rub it in with circular motions to get the best effect.]

I will offer my assistance if you wish for it. I would only need to require some instruction.