dogtagcollar

post to come

I am aware that Adstringendum is currently suffering a food shortage.

[He's sitting on top of one of the empty husks of buildings, looking over the streets. Something about him has changed a little- a quiet sadness where there might have been stony indifference before. His face has dirt streaks, and the uniform he wears is covered in dried blood.]

I have found game within the city increasingly difficult to find. I have enough food stored to feed two people for several weeks, but I cannot hunt within the city to produce more.

[Romulus stands slowly, looking out toward the city.]

For this reason, I would like to propose a hunting party out into the Wastes. I am content to go myself, but I will not be able to bag enough game to feed a large amount of people alone. I request that any hunters who have limited skills in putting out the fires to come join me.

[He tries to think of something else to say, but can't, and turns off the feed.]

[Text to Morgan || Not Encrypted]
...are you getting enough to eat?

I come to you with distressing news.

[Rome tilts his chin up and looks straight into the camera, stonefaced.]

I have been informed that a man named Santa is a suspect in stalking, breaking and entering, defiling public spaces, and willful destruction of property.

[He's so serious.]

Please, do not panic. I intend to detain this man by any means necessary. It is my honor to keep the citizens here safe, and as long as people like Santa exist, your safety is compromised. I will not allow him to harm any of you, physically or emotionally.

I simply thought you should all be aware, so you know to be careful. Board up your fireplaces if you can, and if you feel as if someone is watching you, contact me and I will track him from your location. And lastly, do not hang up your socks.

Thank you.

[He clicks the feed off.]

[Rome is sitting quietly on the stairs of his tree pod house, looking over the PCD thoughtfully. He's alright, but there's a small bandage over his temple, and his wrist is wrapped up. However, that is all that remains of the injuries he had received during his moonlight brawl with Morgan.

After a long moment, he speaks thoughtfully.]

Miss Rhyme, I have caught you a- cute thing.

[Moving his hand offscreen and pulling back a baby lemur by the scruff of its neck. It's tiny, and it squirms in his hand, clearly terrified of him (and why wouldn't it be? He smells like a predator).]

I had hoped it would make up for me serving you rabbit stew. I checked, and the teeth appear to be normal. It is small and has fur and large eyes. I was informed that a combination of such means that it is therefore cute.

[Another long pause, as he puts the lemur back down.]

As for everyone else... [Romulus sighs.]

-psychological torture. Consider the advantages that might be had if everyone believes themselves to be insane. It is not real.

[Another long pause, and he leans in to shut the PCD off.]

[The video is upside down. Rome has his head tilted almost comically sideways as he holds it up, trying to figure out exactly what the device is. His dogtags (militaristic, but affixed to a leather collar, rather than a necklace) jingle as he moves, and his manner of dress is a very pristine, tightly-fitted military uniform from an unknown country. His eyes are yellow, jet black hair cut short in a military fashion.

After a moment of wonder and contemplation, he pulls the PCD closer until you get a very good view of his nose as he whuffles and sniffs at it.]

Plastic. Metal- a computer, of some sort. [His voice is low, and he speaks with a German accent. He pulls back and turns the device around properly. From this angle, his gun strap and his handgun he has in his holster at his side become visible.]

Is this recording? [Frowning, as he turns the PCD over in his hands, trying to get an idea of what’s going on with it. The blinking red light is on. That usually means it’s recording.]

Right. [He shifts it again to face him properly, his face flat and stoic.]

This is First Lieutenant Romulus Hart of Frankfurt, calling for assistance. I am in a foreign city with uncharted plants and animals. I mean no harm, I simply wish to know the circumstances of my arrival here. Thank you for your help.

[A pause.]

Ich heiße Rome Hart von Frankfurt- [The feed cuts off before he can repeat his words in another language.]

1. How does my character smell?

I know it sounds crude, but scent is very important to Rome! Detailing how they smell normally- like tulips or sugar or blood- can help me decide how to play him, as he initially judges people by their scent. The more detailed the better, but don't worry too much about it.

2. Does my character have any silver on their person at all?

Anything from pendants to necklace chains to a hidden silver stake in their back pocket. Rome would be able to sense the silver and henceforth avoid it like the plague. If there is a good reason for the silver aura to be masked, let me know!

3. Is my character a supernatural creature?

Rome's world is chock full of supernatural beings- from sirens to dryads to banshees to wraiths. If your character is a supernatural creature, he would most likely be able to tell. Don't want him to know? Just let me know! We can chalk it up to some Animus interference.

4. TO VAMPIRE MUNS: how would I feel about a future fight?

Rome does not like vampires. As a matter of fact, he's probably going to try to hunt them down his first few months here. I neither expect nor want him to win every battle he's in, and I do not expect any of the conflict between Rome and any vampires to lead to character death. Just extremely violent scuffles- and if he's sent off like a whipped dog, all the better, he probably won't bother your vamp again. As characters are unable to truly die in Adstring, Rome's fighting will be more about asserting his dominance (in that oh-so-primitive way) than about killing anything. Hence he will be striking to kill, but won't strike the killing blow if he does have the opportunity. (This goes for most of the baddies in Adstring, just so you know. ;D)

If you don't want to fight, that's totally cool! Just let me know here, and I'll work it out.