North Sea Dungeon

[Theriot]

The town square felt oddly quiet for such a lovely morning. The sun above was bright but not too warm, a light sea breeze filtering through the admitedly sparse buildings as a short man rumaged through a tightly packed bag near the bulletin board, a slight furrow of concentration to his brow as he sat crouched.

Theriot had been living on the island for a bit now, enough time that he felt ready to finally start diving into the dungeon properly. Surely going down to only the first floor wouldn't be too dangerous, as long as he had someone willing to get their hands dirty with monsters while he worked on his magic.

During his second week here, he had met a few interesting people he was looking forward to work with, one of which he was meeting up with today; Rokuro was very nice and quite skilled (and didn't ask for too much money as payment for his services), he felt safe enough taking a single, huge ogre along for his first few expeditions, as he didn't plan on reaching the depths just yet.

His hand finally curled around the last glass vial he was looking for inside the bag, the last of his final preparations before he was ready to go. Theriot nodded to himself and rose to his feet, pulling the bag up with him with a huff, he lifted a hand to his eyes and began scanning around for his new adventure partner. Excitement creeping up his chest.

[Rokuro]

For a man of his size, Rokuro was unexpectedly quiet. Rounding a corner near the bulletin board, he cleared his throat loudly on his approach behind the gnome as he stood. For the short time he'd spent here on the island, with some small part around shorter races like Theriot, Rokuro had tried to adjust himself accordingly. No longer did the impressive club he wielded, taller than most half-foots, lay at his hip where it could easily hit someone. Instead, it's strapped across his back alongside a small, tightly rolled bag likely filled with more personal items than what an adventurer would usually carry. In his hand swings his adventurer's pack, graciously donated by the Island's party organizers the day he'd met Theriot.

"My apologies I'm late," He says, a sheepish smile on his face. Rokuro wasn't late in the slightest. In fact, he did this nearly every time he'd seen Theriot. "I got caught up trying to make sure all of my extra equipment was in order, then by the time I realized it..." He shakes his head, crossing his free arm over his chest. "Have... You been waiting long at all? Heard anything from the other potential party members?" Rokuro asks, cautiously unloading his questions to the gnome.

[Theriot]

It was impossible to hide the whole body jolt that ran through the man as he spun around. His staff clattering to the ground near his feet in the process.

"Ah! T-There you are!" He still tried and failed to conceal how startled he was, he fidgeted with his glove "No no, not at all! You are right on time. And no, I uh..."

He took a short moment to fully take in the ogre's presence before continuing, tilting his head slightly to look at the scary looking weapon strapped on his back before his gaze went back down to the bag on his hand, surely packed with similarly useful resources. Feeling more confident on his decision, he smiled up at him.

"There won't be any more party members my friend, just you, me and that huge club of yours" He vaguely motioned towards the object in question as he picked up his staff from the ground "Should be more than enough manpower for a short excursion to the first floor, I think"

"Unless you plan on bringing an uninvited pal along, that is" Theriot chuckled quietly to himself.

[Rokuro]

Rokuro jumps a bit, clearly thinking of trying to reach for Theriot's staff to help him... If only for a split second. He breathes out a small sigh of relief when the gnome picks it up on his own, reassuring smile on his face. "Well, I suppose we'll get to know each other more, huh?" He jokes lightly. "I really don't know anyone else on the island... W-Well, nobody who wasn't already preoccupied." Rokuro admits, before slinging his bag onto his back. He's large enough that there's still space for more there. "Might as well start moving then, huh? If you're ready." He offers.

[Takiko]

Since arriving on the island Takiko had made a habit of waking up early to eat breakfast in the town square. He sat on the top of a small stone wall kicking his feet; the wooden geta he wore gently clinking as they hit. There was a clear view of the bulletin board from where he sat, devouring a bowl of mackerel and rice that he had prepared at home. He made sure to pick his bowl clean before wrapping it and tossing it into his bag, sighing in satisfaction. Takiko leaned back and propped his arms behind him as he stared on at a gnome rummaging through a bag in front of the board. It had been some time now, but he continued to wait impatiently to see if the short man had something to post.

Takiko's eyes narrowed as he saw an ogre with white hair approach the gnome. He had been told of another ogre being on the island, the name Rokuro had rung a distant bell in his memory when he heard it. By the looks of how they greeted each other, it seemed they were already acquainted. This began to seem like an opportunity that had already been long taken from Takiko, but there's always a chance to get it back. A fire lit behind the young ogre's eyes as he hopped off the wall and carried his things over to the board.

The white-haired ogre put a bag on his back and said something to the other man but before a response could be made, Takiko's geta clacked right behind the gnome. "Oi!" He belted fiercely to make sure his presence was known. He waited for the gnome to turn and look at him, maybe startling him a little too much. Takiko carried on regardless, "Looks to me like you plan to go into the dungeon and might need some muscle. I'll have you know this guy right here might not be the best choice." He pointed directly at Rokuro, sneering. "I've heard stories about this one. Not very loyal I tell you," he shook his head as he said this. "Not long ago I heard he even betrayed his own clan, leaving them without a leader after they were struck with tragedy."

"And look at that club," Takiko said disdainfully. "So unwieldy. Nothing's better than using your own raw strength! Any smart adventurer knows that!" He hit his own bicep as he said this. "I'm telling you this now, I'm looking for hire and I can easily prove myself more capable than any other person on this island. All you need is the right coin and I'm yours. I'll even charge half of whatever he's taking from you, so how about it?" Takiko ended with a big, toothy grin and outstretched hand.

[Theriot]

Theriot managed to clumsily catch his staff mid-air this time, though the yelp he let out was louder and higher in pitch. He blinked at the new person talking to him, eyes wide as he tried to understand what was going on. Betrayal? Tragedy? Unwieldy weapon? What was this stranger talking about?

While Theriot didn't exactly know much about ogre culture (or ogres in general, to be perfectly honest. But then again very few people this side of the world did), he felt like he had somehow ended up in the middle of some sort of dominance display between the two individuals. Were they really going to fight over him? He had to admit he felt a little flattered.

"Wait, hire?" He blinked one last time at the hand he was offered and shook his head to clear it, standing a bit straighter "Hold on, I-I'm sorry, I don't think we've met before, you are...?" He tried, lifting a brow at the so called "muscle" that just asked to replace his companion so rudely.

[Rokuro]

Rokuro hears Takiko's approach long before he sees him. That in and of itself wasn't much of an issue, the mere existence of another person from the Eastern Archipelago wasn't surprising. Them being another ogre, though? He sucks in a deep breath, already feeling their intense energy from the moment they opened their mouth. The way they carried themselves reminded him of some fowl, puffed up and loud and seeing the need to establish some kind of pecking order. Rokuro turns his head away from Takiko, arms crossed tightly over his chest as they attempt to to slander his name to Theriot.

Goodness, he'd come here to get away from all of the things this other ogre spat at him. Not that it wasn't deserved, but he really wanted to avoid any more of this unnecessary noise. Rokuro sighs, turning back only after thinking over his words carefully. "Half of nothing is still nothing... Unless you're offering to pay us to join our party?" He comments, turning a warm gaze toward Takiko. The look in his eyes is reminiscent of a fire crackling, warmth beating back a frosty gale just beyond. But otherwise completely unperturbed.

"Many hands make light work. You're clearly a very capable adventurer, so you should know that too." Rokuro smiles as he steps forward to put himself between Takiko and Theriot with an air of protectiveness to someone who squinted really hard. He smoothly glossed over any extra thoughts to the authenticity of Takiko's claims, determined to move right along. He looks down to Theriot, brow creasing in sympathy for how the short man was likely still reeling from this strange display. "Well, at least that's how I view it. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting this man before either, and since I get the feeling he may not be fond of me... I'll trust in your judgement for this chance encounter."

[Takiko]

The notion of paying to work with this gnome and deserter made Takiko scoff. He dropped his hand - prepared to retort - when Rokuro put himself between the potential partners. Takiko was not prepared for this feeling of being towered over which caused his composure to falter. In the heat of the moment he made the mistake of looking into the taller ogre’s eyes, the warmth behind them melting the glimmering - but otherwise thin - layer of confidence they had. His presence combined with that quiet and polite manner of speech was so overbearing that Takiko struggled to conjure up a thought. He turned into a bumbling mess, trying to get any words out but his attempts were ignored as Rokuro shifted focus to the gnome. His cheeks burned red with frustration and embarrassment.

“Not fond of you?” He finally spat out. There was supposed to be more to that statement - a dismissal of personal feelings and reinforcement that he was only relaying information - but all that came out was a choppy, “That’s not - ” sputtered through nervous laughter. His gaze quickly darted between the two in front of him, recognizing his own defeat. An invite had been extended by the competitor which was humiliating; Takiko was now the one in need of a party rather than the other way around. Working with this bastard was the last thing he wanted, but it had been a bit since he last found work in the dungeon and he was itching to get back in there. “Fine! I will charge a quarter of my usual rate since it seems you have some help already, gnome.” He wanted to cast a sharp look at Rokuro as he said this, but he deemed it too risky. “Just make your decision quick I need to find other clients if you decline.” Takiko ended this with a dismissive wave of the hand.

[Theriot]

Theriot could only stare in mild awe and step back as Rokuro placed himself in front of him. He wasn't used to being the smallest in a group, back home he had always been taller than his gnome peers and only slightly shorter than any elf relatives his father brought home. It made him shudder a bit to think about the possibility of being trapped between the two ogres if they decided to actually fight instead of arguing, he wouldn't put it past this new person to backstab Rokuro, figuratively and literally, and he'd get badly hurt for sure.

Even then, his heart hurt a bit thinking of letting such a high discount pass without considering the offer, his mother would never forgive him. And maybe having two huge guys protecting him like a prized treasure made him feel important and powerful, so what? He was important, and he'd rather pay a few coins for extra help than pay the resurection fee other groups asked for.

"Now, there's no need to fight friends, plenty of me to go around!" He tried to lighten the mood with a joke, though his wide grin trembled a bit as he spoke "That is a very generous offer, and I'll admit having an extra pair of hands to carry my luggage does sound tempting, don't you Rokuro?" He gave his tallest companion a wink.

"How much were you thinking for a quick first floor dive? By the look of you I assume you have plenty of experience there" The man began reaching for a pouch attached to his belt as he gave the new person an amused smile.

[Rokuro]

Rokuro awkwardly clears his throat, pointedly directing his gaze away from Theriot to inspect the postings on the bulletin board beside them. Clearly, anything implying some kind of interest past business or friendship wasn't appreciated, even in a joke. Despite the obvious discomfort held in his stance, he keeps his tone level. "If you're willing to pay for the extra help, then that's up to you, Theriot. Just remember we were planning to head out today. I don't necessarily mind delaying our expedition, it's just..." He trails off.

Already, he's starting to think of all the extra logistics of managing a larger party, never mind one with clear tensions between some of its members. Supplies would be further stretched through having two ogres, and while Rokuro took care to eat only what he needed, he got the feeling that this other one wasn't that kind of man. He glances down at his gnomish companion and the pouch upon his belt. It seemed the decision was going to be made for him. All the better, he supposed.