[There are tales of such knights out there, knights with the strength of a dozen men whose armor could be picked out of a crowd of a thousand by even the most poorly educated peasant. Though many strive to achieve such a level, scarcely even one man in a thousand-, no, one knight in a thousand will ever reach such a level.
To their enemies this armor is a terrifying sight to behold, an immense figure bearing down on them whose armor seems to repel all attacks, naught except for the strongest of attacks causing them to so much as flinch. With equally formidable weapons they charge across the battlefield, seemingly unaware of whatever odds may be against them or how unlikely victory may seem to be. Or perhaps they are aware, as but a single knight of this caliber is easily worth a thousand men on the field of battle.
To their allies, those they've sworn to protect, they're a beacon of hope, their armor a symbol of what they are willing to endure for the sake of others. A truly imposing figure who stands between the innocent and the wicked, an unmovable wall of steel proud to be the shield of their country and people. Indeed, such armor is seen fit for the truly great. Good King Fado of Renais, Lord Tirado and even His Majesty Emperor Vigarde of the Grado Empire all wore such armor into battle. Truly, such is the armor of lords and legends!
The coming of such a knight is foretold a moment in advance to the patrons of this particular shop by the distinct sound of heavy metal upon concrete in the distance, by the way the tables seem to shake ever so slightly and the way drinks ripple, not entirely unlike that one scene in Jurassic Park. And when the door opens, none are prepared for the sight they witness... precisely one such knight slowly walking through the door, the room itself seeming to shake when hundreds of pounds of steel come to rest in the doorway. In their hands a magnificent lance of silver, an equally fine blade sheathed at their side. And across their back truly the most stunning sight of all, for it is the pride of the Grado Empire, the legacy of the legend himself, the Black Axe of Grado! Garm!
What could such a knight want with this establishment? Should they feel safe under the guise of such a sentinel, comfortable in that no harm shall befall them as they enjoy consuming several times their recommended daily intake of caffeine before showing up 15 minutes late to wherever they may be going... or is this a sign of the end? An armored reaper here to ferry their souls to whatever lay beyond and their ultimate judgement?]
Whew, thanks for buying me a drink Ringabel! Training in all this armor sure gets exhausting!
[... you can hear the blank stare on everyone's face.]
[There's a reason that, in a life that seems so long past, he always tried to go incognito whenever out among the people. The stares of those as you walk past in full armor - some staring in awe, some gaping in terror but always a look from all - became a bit much to handle at times, even for the legendary Dark Knight. Even now, for the man known just as Ringabel, being the center of attention isn't always the greatest, even when beautiful ladies are involved. There are plenty of times when being another face in the crowd is for the best.]
[Suffice it to say, Ringabel has never exactly felt incognito fully decked out as the Dark Knight.]
[... until riiiiiiiiiiiiight about now.]
[Oh sure, it's still awkward to pull his wallet out of a full suit of armor while Durandal hangs at his waist. It's difficult to manage the coins and papers with hands covered in gauntlets as black as the night. But really, it's nothing compared to the looks his compatriot is getting right now.]
Think nothing of it, Amelia. It would be nothing short of a tragedy if you were to come to harm due to simple dehydration. I'd never allow it.
[There will no doubt be many stories told about this later today, about the time the Dark Knight showed up at a coffee shop next to a knight whose armor somehow rivaled his in terms of sheer... stature.
If Amelia's realized they're about as unsubtle as an actual war suddenly coming through the front door, she's not showing it as she calmly steps up to the back of the line. Well, as calmly as one can step wearing that much armor, the sheer weight of it all the more apparent now that she's actually inside. Planting the rear of her lance into the floor carefully, as not to damage the floor she waits patiently, armor shifting as she turns her gaze upon the menu.
The man at the back of the line is now staring directly forwards very, very intently and trying not to think too hard about just who is standing behind him. The man at the front of the line, displeased with how they put in a quarter-pump too much of some flavor and therefore had committed a mortal sin in the eyes of the coffee deities, was about to start complaining but wisely decides harassing the staff anywhere within eyeshot of those two would be potentially counter-intuitive to things like breathing and having a pulse.]
You know I've never been in a shop like this before, I didn't know there were so many kinds of coffee! [Ringabel, you're buying an already somewhat hyperactive 16 year old in hundreds of pounds of armor some of the most caffeinated drinks one can generally obtain are you sure this is a wise idea]
[Ringabel's acutely aware of his surroundings, even if he's now the Dark Knight only by virtue of having the asterisk. He's also incredibly glad the man at the front of the line can't see his face, because even Ringabel would have difficulty hiding the smirk upon it after seeing the man practically wet himself rather than risk complaining. It's moments like those that remind him of of the good he can do in the world, even if on the smallest of scales.]
[It's almost a worthwhile trade-off for the fact that the most lovely of baristas won't be able to see his charming face when they order their drinks. Almost.]
It's not so much about kinds of coffee, though there can be subtle variations on flavor and aroma, but about the preparation. Just as with any meal. Most poultry won't taste different from each other, but there are a thousand ways to prepare it.
[Ah, Amelia. You might be a bit too young for him, but it doesn't mean he still won't show off some, with his smooth demeanor and his wealth of knowledge. Or something like that.]
So then, would you prefer something on the sweeter side? Or perhaps a flavor a bit more... robust?
[As the man in front takes his drink and makes a somewhat hasty escape from the shop the line moves up, Amelia herself shuffling a step or so forwards before resting her lance against her shoulder, mindful to not accidentally smack anybody in the face with it. The man, on his way out, spares but a tiny glance at the two knights out of the corner of his eye.
Once he leaves, he then proceeds to bolt down the street as though the devil himself were chasing him, Amelia herself only sparing the door a single glance before turning her attention back to the menu. There's a moment of quiet contemplation, silently weighing those two possibilities in her head.
With her helmet on, it kind of looks like she's giving the menu a staredown and the baristas seem to be making a conscious effort to avoid standing inbetween her and the menu for more than a second at any given time.]
Well... Lady L'arachel said her favorite was something called a Dead Eye? Although it needed a lot of stuff to make it sweet. And she sounded like she knows a lot about coffee, Rennac told me she practically lives off of it, so she's gotta know what she's talking about! [There's a pause for all of one second, as trusting as Amelia is of her friends, A'rachel is... different.] ... I think.
[There's something about that name that makes him a bit uneasy. While he enjoys a good dark brew, Ringabel's hardly a connoisseur and can't pretend to know every drink on the menu. Was it one he didn't care for, perhaps? Or perhaps it was a drink some lady had before with him on a day out on the town, before she broke his poor fragile heart. Something like that anyway. At any rate, once she talks about sweetening it he loses a bit of interest, never having been much for drinks on the sweeter side. What is it with the ladies he knows and sweets? They can't all have the same tastes, can they?]
Well, if it's sweet then even someone inexperienced in coffee shouldn't have too much trouble with it. I don't think it'd quite agree with my own palate, but why not give it a shot?
Besides, if you don't like it, I'll simply get you something else. It's the least I can do for my training partner.
[If nothing else, it'll be a new experience or something like that! Besides she's feeling brave today, and what's the worst that could happen?
Overhearing their conversation, a couple of people in line exchange nervous glances. One woman by the door scoots back in her seat ever so slightly. There are those who realize this is going to be a terrible idea.
Unfortunately neither Amelia nor Ringabel realize this, and the man directly in front of them, now at the front of the line can do nothing but mouth "God be with you" to the barista before taking his drink and hastily exiting the building. Now at the front of the line, Amelia steps far enough to the side to let Ringabel approach as well, speaking up in as cheerful a tone as ever.] I'll have a Dead Eye please! With as much... oh, we'll go with vanilla! As much as you can fit!
[It is in this moment the staff realize the end is well and truly upon them all. Perhaps the Dark Knight can save them from their fates? Shall he be the voice of reason, their savior in this dark hour?]
[In that moment it is at though every man and woman in that building feels the full weight of their sins, knowing the harbinger of their end is upon them. With their last hope vanquished they set about knowingly preparing their own doom, though the slightest flicker of hope remains. No matter how heavily over-wired a 16 year old gets, surely all that armor would slow her down!
A shame none of them have ever seen her in action.
While waiting for her drink she ever so casually leans back a little bit, resting one arm on the counter as though she wasn't hanging out in full combat gear. It's a surprisingly casual gesture for somebody in an outfit like that, and it's only now she seems to notice something seems ever so slightly amiss.] Huh, they looked a little... hesitant? I probably should have asked what's in a Dead Eye earlier...
[It's only now that the Ringabel is beginning to listen to the sirens in his head - as usual, just a little too late. Why did they react so strongly to a simple drink? If only he could remember what was in a Dead Eye! Curse his memory!]
Perhaps it's simply difficult to make? You should see the look they get when someone orders - [He puts on his best snooty voice, going for full authenticity] - a 'half-caf soy vanilla latte with exactly four and a half pumps of vanilla and only one teaspoon's worth of whipped cream atop!'
[He cringes a little bit at himself]
There's particular, and then there's unreasonable. At any rate, we're likely over thinking it. We do make quite the intimidating pair, you and I.
Wow, you're... not kidding. I hope it's not too much trouble for them to make! But that reminds me... [She pauses for a second before turning her attention over the counter again, speaking to the staff.] Hey, if anybody ever gives you trouble for not getting an annoyingly-specific order right, let us know! We'll sort them right out!
[Three blocks away, the man from earlier finds himself turning sheet-white inexplicably, and overcome with sheer terror promptly breaks into a sprint. as if that would actually save him were they chasing him
Back in the store, the armored duo are handed their drinks, Amelia taking hers quite happily! Nevermind that the barista stares at her for a good three seconds afterwards, silently shaking her head no before returning to whatever other task needs doing. Amelia herself blinks a couple of times under her helmet.] ... well that was slightly ominous. It smells good though!
[Aaah, dark and bitter yet cool and refreshing! The perfect iced coffee, to be sure. Well, the perfect iced coffee for those who have taste buds that function on levels aside from 'sweet.' He casts an eye over Amelia's drink, still unsure as to how worried he should be.]
If anything, perhaps they think it a drink too advanced for a newcomer? Still, we both know you're no pushover! It will be fine.
I should warn you though - you may feel an odd rush of energy before too long. Coffee is a very invigorating drink.
[Wait a minute... is that-]
[And too late, Ringabel realizes what those mental warning bells were for.]
[Unfortunately for Ringabel, he's realized a moment too late as Amelia as already pushed up her visor and taken her first couple of sips, followed by a decent sized gulp. And going by the smile on her face, she rather likes the taste of it!
Behind the counter, one of the baristas things about clocking out early. If they're quick, perhaps they can make it home in time to tell their loved ones goodbye.]
... mmm! This is pretty good actually! Invigorating sounds good too, just the thing to recover after a hard day of training! I should drink these more often... [And another very happy gulp! She's making rather short work of it, really...
What have you done, Ringabel. What have you done.]
[She's enjoying it too much for him to make a play for the drink, and damn if she isn't making short work of it. It's too late to stop the inevitable. His only option right now? Damage control. He looks down at his own coffee before lifting his helmet enough to take a long drink. If he's to have any hope, he'll need as much energy of his own as he can get.]
We should probably head back out now - between the two of us I think we take up more than our fair share of space.
[Those who have witnessed this day will not forget your valiant efforts, Ringabel.
The fact her armor takes up as much space as it does is not a fact that has gone unnoticed and she looks a bit sheepish for a moment, nodding at the baristas as she hefts her lance up once more with one hand, what might as well be the most delicious drink in all the world.]
Thank you, this is a really good drink! Alright, let's go! [And as dramatically as she made her entrance, she makes her exit, floor once again shaking with every step as she slowly marches out through the front door, patrons clutching their drinks protectively to keep any from accidentally spilling.]
So these re-energize people and taste good... they should give these to every soldier in the army, that'd be great! [Amelia no.]
Well... they're fantastic for a quick pick me up, but they're not without problems. Yes it gives you energy, but too many can also contribute to dehydration. An army running off of coffee alone wouldn't last in a protracted fight.
And you - [He smiles, even as he points a finger on his free hand at Amelia] - are already in danger of dehydration under all that armor. You need to be careful most of all.
[Tralsnation - 'I can't prevent what's about to happen here today, but I can at least make sure you never do this again.]
... ah, well that's a pretty good point. [But when he points at her she pauses mid-sip, blinking at him a couple of times from over the cup. It's probably a somewhat unusual sight, somebody in that much armor carrying three different medieval weapons at once pausing for a second with a cup of overly powerful coffee at her mouth, but nonetheless.
Perhaps she shouldn't have drank it so quickly, given when she lowers the cup it's already over halfway empty.]
So... I probably shouldn't have drank it that quickly, huh.
[No point in sugar coating it! But from the smile on his face, he's greatly enjoying it, even if his life is going to become a fair bit more complicated once the caffeine kicks in.]
But as long as you have a glass of water, you should be okay. I wouldn't have offered if I thought coffee and a bit of training could knock us out.
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What am I doing.
To their enemies this armor is a terrifying sight to behold, an immense figure bearing down on them whose armor seems to repel all attacks, naught except for the strongest of attacks causing them to so much as flinch. With equally formidable weapons they charge across the battlefield, seemingly unaware of whatever odds may be against them or how unlikely victory may seem to be. Or perhaps they are aware, as but a single knight of this caliber is easily worth a thousand men on the field of battle.
To their allies, those they've sworn to protect, they're a beacon of hope, their armor a symbol of what they are willing to endure for the sake of others. A truly imposing figure who stands between the innocent and the wicked, an unmovable wall of steel proud to be the shield of their country and people. Indeed, such armor is seen fit for the truly great. Good King Fado of Renais, Lord Tirado and even His Majesty Emperor Vigarde of the Grado Empire all wore such armor into battle. Truly, such is the armor of lords and legends!
The coming of such a knight is foretold a moment in advance to the patrons of this particular shop by the distinct sound of heavy metal upon concrete in the distance, by the way the tables seem to shake ever so slightly and the way drinks ripple, not entirely unlike that one scene in Jurassic Park. And when the door opens, none are prepared for the sight they witness... precisely one such knight slowly walking through the door, the room itself seeming to shake when hundreds of pounds of steel come to rest in the doorway. In their hands a magnificent lance of silver, an equally fine blade sheathed at their side. And across their back truly the most stunning sight of all, for it is the pride of the Grado Empire, the legacy of the legend himself, the Black Axe of Grado! Garm!
What could such a knight want with this establishment? Should they feel safe under the guise of such a sentinel, comfortable in that no harm shall befall them as they enjoy consuming several times their recommended daily intake of caffeine before showing up 15 minutes late to wherever they may be going... or is this a sign of the end? An armored reaper here to ferry their souls to whatever lay beyond and their ultimate judgement?]
Whew, thanks for buying me a drink Ringabel! Training in all this armor sure gets exhausting!
[... you can hear the blank stare on everyone's face.]
Something amazing
[Suffice it to say, Ringabel has never exactly felt incognito fully decked out as the Dark Knight.]
[... until riiiiiiiiiiiiight about now.]
[Oh sure, it's still awkward to pull his wallet out of a full suit of armor while Durandal hangs at his waist. It's difficult to manage the coins and papers with hands covered in gauntlets as black as the night. But really, it's nothing compared to the looks his compatriot is getting right now.]
Think nothing of it, Amelia. It would be nothing short of a tragedy if you were to come to harm due to simple dehydration. I'd never allow it.
Truly amazing.
If Amelia's realized they're about as unsubtle as an actual war suddenly coming through the front door, she's not showing it as she calmly steps up to the back of the line. Well, as calmly as one can step wearing that much armor, the sheer weight of it all the more apparent now that she's actually inside. Planting the rear of her lance into the floor carefully, as not to damage the floor she waits patiently, armor shifting as she turns her gaze upon the menu.
The man at the back of the line is now staring directly forwards very, very intently and trying not to think too hard about just who is standing behind him. The man at the front of the line, displeased with how they put in a quarter-pump too much of some flavor and therefore had committed a mortal sin in the eyes of the coffee deities, was about to start complaining but wisely decides harassing the staff anywhere within eyeshot of those two would be potentially counter-intuitive to things like breathing and having a pulse.]
You know I've never been in a shop like this before, I didn't know there were so many kinds of coffee! [Ringabel, you're buying an already somewhat hyperactive 16 year old in hundreds of pounds of armor some of the most caffeinated drinks one can generally obtain are you sure this is a wise idea]
no subject
[It's almost a worthwhile trade-off for the fact that the most lovely of baristas won't be able to see his charming face when they order their drinks. Almost.]
It's not so much about kinds of coffee, though there can be subtle variations on flavor and aroma, but about the preparation. Just as with any meal. Most poultry won't taste different from each other, but there are a thousand ways to prepare it.
[Ah, Amelia. You might be a bit too young for him, but it doesn't mean he still won't show off some, with his smooth demeanor and his wealth of knowledge. Or something like that.]
So then, would you prefer something on the sweeter side? Or perhaps a flavor a bit more... robust?
no subject
Once he leaves, he then proceeds to bolt down the street as though the devil himself were chasing him, Amelia herself only sparing the door a single glance before turning her attention back to the menu. There's a moment of quiet contemplation, silently weighing those two possibilities in her head.
With her helmet on, it kind of looks like she's giving the menu a staredown and the baristas seem to be making a conscious effort to avoid standing inbetween her and the menu for more than a second at any given time.]
Well... Lady L'arachel said her favorite was something called a Dead Eye? Although it needed a lot of stuff to make it sweet. And she sounded like she knows a lot about coffee, Rennac told me she practically lives off of it, so she's gotta know what she's talking about! [There's a pause for all of one second, as trusting as Amelia is of her friends, A'rachel is... different.] ... I think.
no subject
[There's something about that name that makes him a bit uneasy. While he enjoys a good dark brew, Ringabel's hardly a connoisseur and can't pretend to know every drink on the menu. Was it one he didn't care for, perhaps? Or perhaps it was a drink some lady had before with him on a day out on the town, before she broke his poor fragile heart. Something like that anyway. At any rate, once she talks about sweetening it he loses a bit of interest, never having been much for drinks on the sweeter side. What is it with the ladies he knows and sweets? They can't all have the same tastes, can they?]
Well, if it's sweet then even someone inexperienced in coffee shouldn't have too much trouble with it. I don't think it'd quite agree with my own palate, but why not give it a shot?
Besides, if you don't like it, I'll simply get you something else. It's the least I can do for my training partner.
WITH THE RIGHT DAMN JOURNAL THIS TIME
Overhearing their conversation, a couple of people in line exchange nervous glances. One woman by the door scoots back in her seat ever so slightly. There are those who realize this is going to be a terrible idea.
Unfortunately neither Amelia nor Ringabel realize this, and the man directly in front of them, now at the front of the line can do nothing but mouth "God be with you" to the barista before taking his drink and hastily exiting the building. Now at the front of the line, Amelia steps far enough to the side to let Ringabel approach as well, speaking up in as cheerful a tone as ever.] I'll have a Dead Eye please! With as much... oh, we'll go with vanilla! As much as you can fit!
[It is in this moment the staff realize the end is well and truly upon them all. Perhaps the Dark Knight can save them from their fates? Shall he be the voice of reason, their savior in this dark hour?]
no subject
And I'll take an iced coffee, no cream or sugar please.
gagtag!
BUT NO THE REAL TAG NOW
A shame none of them have ever seen her in action.
While waiting for her drink she ever so casually leans back a little bit, resting one arm on the counter as though she wasn't hanging out in full combat gear. It's a surprisingly casual gesture for somebody in an outfit like that, and it's only now she seems to notice something seems ever so slightly amiss.] Huh, they looked a little... hesitant? I probably should have asked what's in a Dead Eye earlier...
no subject
Perhaps it's simply difficult to make? You should see the look they get when someone orders - [He puts on his best snooty voice, going for full authenticity] - a 'half-caf soy vanilla latte with exactly four and a half pumps of vanilla and only one teaspoon's worth of whipped cream atop!'
[He cringes a little bit at himself]
There's particular, and then there's unreasonable. At any rate, we're likely over thinking it. We do make quite the intimidating pair, you and I.
no subject
[Three blocks away, the man from earlier finds himself turning sheet-white inexplicably, and overcome with sheer terror promptly breaks into a sprint.
as if that would actually save him were they chasing himBack in the store, the armored duo are handed their drinks, Amelia taking hers quite happily! Nevermind that the barista stares at her for a good three seconds afterwards, silently shaking her head no before returning to whatever other task needs doing. Amelia herself blinks a couple of times under her helmet.] ... well that was slightly ominous. It smells good though!
no subject
If anything, perhaps they think it a drink too advanced for a newcomer? Still, we both know you're no pushover! It will be fine.
I should warn you though - you may feel an odd rush of energy before too long. Coffee is a very invigorating drink.
[Wait a minute... is that-]
[And too late, Ringabel realizes what those mental warning bells were for.]
no subject
Behind the counter, one of the baristas things about clocking out early. If they're quick, perhaps they can make it home in time to tell their loved ones goodbye.]
... mmm! This is pretty good actually! Invigorating sounds good too, just the thing to recover after a hard day of training! I should drink these more often... [And another very happy gulp! She's making rather short work of it, really...
What have you done, Ringabel. What have you done.]
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[Oh no.]
[She's enjoying it too much for him to make a play for the drink, and damn if she isn't making short work of it. It's too late to stop the inevitable. His only option right now? Damage control. He looks down at his own coffee before lifting his helmet enough to take a long drink. If he's to have any hope, he'll need as much energy of his own as he can get.]
We should probably head back out now - between the two of us I think we take up more than our fair share of space.
no subject
The fact her armor takes up as much space as it does is not a fact that has gone unnoticed and she looks a bit sheepish for a moment, nodding at the baristas as she hefts her lance up once more with one hand, what might as well be the most delicious drink in all the world.]
Thank you, this is a really good drink! Alright, let's go! [And as dramatically as she made her entrance, she makes her exit, floor once again shaking with every step as she slowly marches out through the front door, patrons clutching their drinks protectively to keep any from accidentally spilling.]
So these re-energize people and taste good... they should give these to every soldier in the army, that'd be great! [Amelia no.]
no subject
And you - [He smiles, even as he points a finger on his free hand at Amelia] - are already in danger of dehydration under all that armor. You need to be careful most of all.
[Tralsnation - 'I can't prevent what's about to happen here today, but I can at least make sure you never do this again.]
no subject
Perhaps she shouldn't have drank it so quickly, given when she lowers the cup it's already over halfway empty.]
So... I probably shouldn't have drank it that quickly, huh.
no subject
[No point in sugar coating it! But from the smile on his face, he's greatly enjoying it, even if his life is going to become a fair bit more complicated once the caffeine kicks in.]
But as long as you have a glass of water, you should be okay. I wouldn't have offered if I thought coffee and a bit of training could knock us out.