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[traumaticus]

Salutations to all The Chosen of Aldrip,

My name is Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of Gloucester of England and the son of Duke of York. My time in this world may be merely a blink of an eye compared to some of you who have been residing here for over a full calendar year, experiencing the change of all four seasons under the sky. However, during my brief stay I have come to notice that there are plenty of wrongs in this world, which threatens the peace of our lives here. Now, some of these wrongs might be out of our control, such as the afflictions plaguing our environment. Or the activities of the council. However, this does not mean that we are completely powerless.

It has come to my attention that thee has been a several times when we have been faced with a violent threat and an attack, be it from monstrous creature from the depths of the ocean or a curse spreading among ourselves. I fully believe that we, as a community, could benefit from organizing ourselves so that we might be prepared when the next crisis arrives to our doorsteps.

I call forward anyone with any combat training, be it from military training, self-taught or magically oriented, and share their knowledge to those who might lack skills in self-defense. It is not in my intention to position myself as a leader, nor a raise an army, but to strengthen our teamwork and cooperation as a community. I am myself experienced knight who fought and served my king in a civil war known as War of Roses, and currently I'm learning the usage of firearms under the tutelage of Mr. Valentine. I am willing to train and pass down my knowledge to anyone who is willing to learn. However, I am aware that I am out of my depths and that many of you possesses abilities both as fighters and as tacticians that I could not even fathom. Which is why I sincerely hope those individuals to answer my call and step forward and help create a safer city.

Signed,
Richard Plantagenet, The Duke of Gloucester

[ooc: ooc info can be found here!]

Comments

[traumaticus]

Neither did I.

[And well. Theirs is an encounter that Richard was not particularly proud of. After all, the man had managed to see the glimpse of the violent rage that always simmered in his blood. True, the moment had been rather disorientating and panic-inducing but still. Not necessarily something that would inspire trust in one's heart.]

Aye, I agree. I apologize for my behavior from before. I hope we can start from clean slate. Especially if we are to join hands and help the Chosen of Aldrip.

[melnik]

[ He doesn't interrupt, but raises a lenient hand before Richard has even finished speaking. ]

No need. This situation has pushed all of us to do things we normally wouldn't. I think we are all still recovering from that last happening. All the more reason we need to come together to mount a defense.

[ Speaking of which, he won't waste Richard's time. They came here to talk about that. The sharp exhale of a breath that precedes it shows he doesn't take the matter lightly. ]

Now that we are able to speak privately, I must admit to you that I am not just a ranking officer. My world was decimated by nuclear warfare; Russia as we knew it no longer exists... and in the chaos and civil conflict that followed, I became the Commander of a small military force.

[traumaticus]

You have my gratitude, then. It brings reassurance to my soul to see that there are people sharing my vision.

[The corners of Richard's lips pull back and the tension releases from his brows, forming something similar to a relief to his features.

He listens patiently to what his companion has to say and.. Ohh boy. Needless to say that Richard does not quite understand all the details, but he believes he can grasp the gist of it. Richard lets out a thoughtful hum, looking down at his drink as he chews Miller's words.]

So, a leader of survivalist group in a world that has faced the end of the times? That is a noble endeavor. I, too, have gone through an era of chaos. A storm blew over our country, toppling down the power structures and plunging everyone into the blood and chaos. As a duke of Gloucester I command a large army in the northern region England.

[melnik]

[ Although the first time they met he might not have been able to say the same, this Richard certainly does fit into the archetype he would imagine when picturing a duke of England. There is an air of almost put upon decorum to everything he says. Miller finds himself a little stilted and strange, in turn... but it's alright.

It's a far cry from what he could ever have expected, speaking with any bigshot from the home of the man who had coined the "iron curtain."

So, he allows the awkwardness to be, folding his hands upon the table—because at least they're able to talk like this. ]

I see. It is no wonder I felt compelled to tell you then. Knowing you've had this experience, I can trust your judgment in arranging this assembly even more. The inner workings of this military force that I speak of are highly classified; our ranks are known only to those who are trusted to join and, needless to say, newcomers are rigorously tested. However... the likelihood of encountering enemy saboteurs in this place is incredibly low.

[ If not... outright impossible. He says this much as though the realization has still somewhat newly dawned upon him. It's not new, in actuality, but knowing it has not made it easier for him to start changing thirty, forty years of uncompromising secrecy. ]

Even if you do hail from an enemy nation, I am sure that we have led very different lives. I wish to use what I know to help us all.

[traumaticus]

[Richard's usage of words here are all part of the performance that he had learned to put up in situations like these where he needed to talk business with another leader of sorts. How to use his words to give people a sense of trust, spark the flame of inspiration in their souls and what not.

In private, Richard preferred to spare his words. Keeping the thoughts to himself. To much dismay of those who he'd include in his inner circle.

He hums thoughtfully at Miller's words, a small smile appearing to his lips.]

It is exactly as you say, my good sir. Holding onto limitations of our nations will do us only harm in this unknown land. Nay, I would rather cross such boundaries, stand by your side and call you my friend if you were to allow it.

[How's that for smooth talking? But at least he means it to some extend. Miller appears to be formative soldier, it would do good for him to be allies with someone of his standing.]

I thank you for your trust. However, I am merely a newcomer compared to you. Do you have suggestions to which individuals I should reach out for in hopes or cooperation?

[melnik]

[ For someone with an at least slightly similar level of familiarity with diplomacy, this veil that persists over Richard's behavior doesn't go unnoticed. But Miller is alright with it — it's normal for someone like him probably, and he does not wish to show disrespect. ]

Of course... It would be my honor.

[ Even if it is simply an alliance out of convenience right now, it is undeniable that one looking to affect this place needs allies. People do not listen with a reason to. ]

To be honest, it has not been easy to get others on board with any organized efforts. There are many here with great fighting abilities, but getting them to cooperate... is another matter.

There is an entrepreneur known as Silco who has been a great ally to me since day one. He seems to be interested in any investment that would build this place up. There is also Toph — she is young, but incredibly trustworthy and she has these "earthbending" skills that make her formidable in battle.

[traumaticus]

[Richard is not quite aiming for deep, personal friendship. After all, those were luxury for someone like him. To him the word "friend" means an ally, someone who's support he could count on to have. And as a man of military, he believed that the colonel could follow his logic.]

I know Silco. [Intimately so...] I am more interested in this young lady you speak of. Do you believe she would be interested in joining a cause to secure our numbers?

[melnik]

[ Oh, he already knows him. Well, that's good. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Silco would already see the opportunity in aligning.

Miller nods. ]

I would imagine so. She is not one to accept sitting idly. If you wish to meet her, she manages the security at the Queens casino.