OOC commentary: Giving Pika some more responsibility... the hard way! :D
The Roof Of The Tripower Tower [NOLOOT]
On top of the world is what some people might call this place. Not
many structures in the Great Realms stretch this high into the skies.
One of the few starting accomplishments of the Tripower Kingdom.
Below stands forth the city of Torregiano, from the grassy plains in
the south stretching to the mountains, or the great sea-port and Istar
Sea to the north. Even the great Makou Cannon is below this roof
line, only by several feet though. Far off to the north on a dark
night, the lights of St. Plattsburg can be seen on the horizon, and
beyond it Vector City. To the southwest of the city, almost like a
green beacon the flaming sign of Makou City appears within the
mountains. Beyond it the Elven Valley and city of Westbridge.
Pika has arrived.
Ror stands in the lobby, waiting. His arms crossed behind his back.
You say ' You're late.'
Pika walks into the lobby, eyes skimming the area. When he spots you and hears the words he frowns a bit but nods his head slightly.
Pika says 'Sorry, it's been a while.'
You say ' That's the shittiest excuse I ever heard. Tomorrow you will be on time.'
Ror nudges two weights on the floor
You say ' Pick those up'
Pika scowls a bit at you and considers him, and the weights for a moment. Deciding it best to play along until he figures the man out, he steps over and tackles the project of picking the weights up.
You say ' Good. Now you will run to the top of the tower, using the back stairs. Then come back here with weights.'
Pika blinks at you a few times and lets out a burst of laughter. He looks a bit puzzled when he speaks.
Pika says 'Why would I do that?'
You say ' Because you are a punk. I know a punk when I see one. There's no room in Tripower for punks.'
You say ' So you will do as I say: you will carry those weights, run up the stairs all the way to the top, then you come back by the same stairs with the weights.'
Pika narrows his eyes at you and hefts his burdens in each arm. Despite his anger he tosses his thin shoulders back,
muscles straining with the weight he carries and he starts jogging towards the stairs. The man was insane... But
Pika would show him!
Ror watches Pika leave and waits patiently for his return
Pika gets a good start jogging up the steps, his anger carrying him past the first floor and into the second. He hefts the weights up at the third floor landing and starts jogging to the fourth.
Pika loses track of the flights of stairs somewhere along the way, his anger draining and replaced with pure exhaustion and irritation. Somewhere along the way the jogging becomes a walking step with every muscle protesting even that speed.
Pika does arrive back, eventually. Eventually. Thin arms, numb and screaming for release drag the weights in front of you. He doesn't even look at the man at this point, just wipes his face free of the pouring sweat.
You say ' Welcome back'
You say ' What did you see to the south?'
Pika gulps for air still as he looks back at you, his face covered in disbelief.
Pika says 'What?'
You say ' You heard me. What did you see to the south?'
Pika shakes his head at you, his shoulders slumping.
Pika says 'I saw nothing. I didn't even look.'
Ror sighs, points at the weights at his feet, then nudges the stairs, 'Well, again then.'
Pika shakes with anger as he looks at you. He glares down at the weights and up to the man.
Pika says 'Are you kidding me?'
Ror looks sternly back at Pika
You say ' I don't kid, punk'
Pika reaches down and hefts up the weights. His features quiver with emotion as he lugs the weights, once more, for his trip up the tower.
Ror watches Pika leave for his second trip
The Roof Of The Tripower Tower [NOLOOT]
On top of the world is what some people might call this place. Not
many structures in the Great Realms stretch this high into the skies.
One of the few starting accomplishments of the Tripower Kingdom.
Below stands forth the city of Torregiano, from the grassy plains in
the south stretching to the mountains, or the great sea-port and Istar
Sea to the north. Even the great Makou Cannon is below this roof
line, only by several feet though. Far off to the north on a dark
night, the lights of St. Plattsburg can be seen on the horizon, and
beyond it Vector City. To the southwest of the city, almost like a
green beacon the flaming sign of Makou City appears within the
mountains. Beyond it the Elven Valley and city of Westbridge.
Ror stands here, waiting. Similar to before, his eyes to the north and back to the south.
Pika arrives at the top after some time, pushing the door open with his back and stumbling out onto the roof. He falls flat on his back, weights crashing to the floor. He closes his eyes for a moment before hefting himself up.
Pika reaches for the weights that fell and notices you. No more room for Anger, he simply catches his breath, wipes his eyes of their sweat, and hefts the weights up once more. He then turns to the south, taking in the view.
You say ' What do you see in the South?'
Pika says 'I see the city, land, towns, mountains...'
Ror stands motionless, waiting, the breeze making the bottom of his uniform coat ripple
You say ' I will be here again tomorrow. At 4 AM. Not before, not after. You will climb these steps with those weights until you can give me the right answer.'
You say ' If not tomorrow, then the day after, or the day after that. The week or months after, until you succeed.'
Pika puts the weights down on the floor and looks in disbelief at you.
Pika says 'You are... Insane.'
You say ' I do not believe I ever asked for your opinion. The only thing I want to hear from you is 'Yes, sir.'. Do you understand?'
Pika looks again in disbelief at you but squares his thin shoulders and gives a firm nod of his head. He wants a yes sir, sure. Pika would give it. Something told him the man wasn't playing games, and somewhere inside he felt he should do what he was told to do.
Pika says 'Yes sir.'
You nod.
You say ' Good'
You say ' See you tomorrow, punk'
Ror recalls, disappearing.
/// Back at the lobby
Ror stands waiting here once more at 4 AM, the following day.
Pika walks in at 4:00 am on the dot, walking over to you immediately.
You smile happily.
You say ' It seems you forgot the weights yesterday at the top. Would you be so kind as to fetch them for me? You know the way to the stairs.'
Pika doesn't even blink an eye or question. What's the point? If he ws going to commit to following the crazy man he might as well do it all the way. Without a word he takes to the steps and trudges up to get the weights, returning after an appropriate time for climbing that many flights of stairs, weights in hand.
You say ' Good'
You say ' Well done. Let's get started, shall we?'
You say ' Same exercise as yesterday. Up and down the tower with the weights.'
Pika lets out a little sigh and turns back around to the steps he had just come down from, taking them one at a time at a steady pace that is decidedy slower than the beginning of yesterday.
Ror waits downstairs
Pika takes much longer than his first trip. Did he get lost or give up? Eventually he comes down, stumbling a bit near the bottom but catching himself and coming to stand right before you, where he sets the weights down.
You say ' What is in the South?'
Pika wipes his brow with his sleeve and looks you in the eye as he speaks in a tired voice, picking up the weights again as he speaks, already anticipating the answer.
Pika says 'We can do this every day 'til I just pass out from exhaustion n pick up the next day. I see what I see. Why don't you show me what you see and maybe I can learn a thing or two...'
You say ' Cocky. Again then.'
Pika simply gives a shake of his head and heads on back up the stairs, giving as much speed as he can muster.
Ror waits patiently for Pika to return.
Pika does the deed, taking a long time of course and finally crawls back down the stairs. He ends up back in front of you and sets the weights down to give his numb arms a rest. He waits for the expected question more out of desire to rest than a need to be asked.
You say ' What is in the South?'
Pika shakes his head and heaves a sigh, picking up the weights again slowly.
Pika says 'I'm not going to lie to you man, I see the same thing. Land, towns, mountains.. Dirt, trees, grass, sky...'
You nod.
You say ' Then you know what to do.'
Pika trudges back up the steps nearly dragging the weights with him.
Ror waits once again...
Pika takes a long time and when he arrives back below, he doesn't even exit the stairwell, instead he plops down on the bottom step, easing the weights down and prying his hands from them as he looks to you. His eyes jump around a bit, not really focusing.
You say ' So... what is in the South?'
Pika shakes his head and attempts to lift a hand. He gets it an inch from its resting spot and it collapses back to the stair.
Pika swallows the dry lump in his throat and raises his eyes to you before closing them and leaning on his knees for support. He says nothing. He has no different answer.
You nod.
Ror walks to exit, 'See you tomorrow at 4!'
Pika doesn't even open his eyes. He leans on the rail of the stairs and decides here is a nice place to relax. So comfortable, so soft... Or maybe he's just that tired.
Ror stands here... 4 AM on the third day!
Pika exits from the elevator, looking rough and tired, like he hasn't slept or showered. He approaches you, looks for the weights to get started without speaking a word.
You say ' Eager to try again today?'
Pika frowns deeply but doesn't give a retort, just picks up the weights and wearily starts for the stairs.
Ror awaits Pika's return
Pika comes walking back down the steps after a long while and drops the weights on the ground at his sides at the bottom.
You say ' New morning, new chances. What did you see in the South?'
Pika starts to speak and then snaps his mouth closed. He clenches his jaw in frustration and then takes a deep breath.
Pika says 'I see the same thing anyone sees. I see land and trees and mountains and the city. I've seen everything there is to see. Are you trying to drive me off? I don't understand what you want!'
You nod.
You say ' I thought that might be the case, so from now on we're going to do things a little different. Also because I have better things to do than babysit punks every day.'
Pika looks at you with puzzlement on his face but says nothing. When he is beckoned, he follows, grabbing the weights along the way just in case. Better safe than sorry!
Pika now follows you.
Ror opens the door of the orphanage, it's rather dirty, and steps inside.
Pika follows along, setting the weights outside the door, mostly becasue he's tired of the pesky things. He has a frown on his face, looking around but says nothing.
You say ' This will be your new home.'
You say ' There's fifteen children living here without parents or family, save what they have here. Their caretaker died and you will take over, starting today.'
Pika lets out a burst of laughter without thinking before he can stifle it. He straightens up a bit and looks seriously at you.
Pika says 'You can't be serious, I don't know the first thing about takin care of kids...'
You say ' Better get your act togehter then, because they're your responsibility now.'
You say ' Feed them, teach me, help them grow up and try not to kill them along the way'
Pika looks around in a panic. His mind aches to climb the stairs once more. Well shit!
Pika says 'What am I supposed to feed them? What.. I mean.. What the hell...'
Ror turns for the door, holding the doorknob in his hand
You say ' Oh, one more thing before I go: this will last until you can give me an answer. So... climb that tower with the weights every morning at 4 am.'
You say ' Good luck!'
Ror quickly closes the door behind Pika so he can't give a response.
Pika gets a little wide eyed as you goes to leave. The man is just going to leave him here like this? With a bunch of kids? When you exits he looks around his surroundings at a great loss for words or actions. Wow. The only word entering his head.
Ror ... upstairs a child starts crying. The day at the orphanage has started!
