❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗

ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤyears of cold hardens the will.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤwe⠀shall⠀never⠀fall.⠀

ㅤ

[quote bot @wrdgardens]

But more than anything, I think he thinks a lot about working. He devotes himself in a way that only the most rigorous, only those who’ve maybe been one with Rigour once, can devote themselves.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

scraping the burnt bits off his toast

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

you want to prove yourself, right? part of that is going outside of your comfort zone.

( he suspects it’s a lie anyway )

i’m sure you’ll be fine. this is what all the new guards do - if you can’t even handle this it won’t look good for you.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ ㅤ
…. ( he trembles suddenly, in a far too exaggerated way to be truly frightened. ) boss, you’re not serious are you? me? fight?
i’m more of a “make love, not war” kinda guy!
ㅤ ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

where did you —- ( more things coming out of nowhere. no, no, stick to work. )

I believe there’s some foes still lurking out of the city, next task is to deal with those before they get any closer. Stick close to me.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ ㅤ
of course, of course ! that would be just awful. we wouldn’t want that !

( sweep sweep sweep. he proceeds to salt the steps, with another bag that came out of nowhere. )

whew, that was hard work! what’s next for your favorite employee?
ㅤ ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

well — count this your first if you like, but i’m sure you’ve had more fortunes than you imply.

( a thankful nod of his head as he proceeds to chug the rest of blade’s drink )

i am certainly trying to, thank you - by the way. i can’t imagine how they’d made such a mistake.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

Ah, wonderful! I’m most grateful — oh, and uh, — of course, your company would also not be turned away.

it feels a little rude otherwise. i’d love to the pleasure of your company also if you’d care to spare a few moments.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

Well, perhaps I wouldn’t apply this to *every lion, but in these circumstances, they’re quite gentle. i’ve no cause for concern.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

Well — how do i put this. They made for quite good company you see.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

is your uh — your lion available? @heavenIyspear

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

( where did that — you know, nevermind. he shakes that thought alongside the chill that the idea of sampo calling him ‘boss’ kindled. )

don’t forget the corners. once that’s done you’ll have to salt them so no one slips.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ ㅤ
great idea, boss!

( with a salute, sampo produces a broom from seemingly nowhere and begins to sweep away at the steps, whistling all the while. )
ㅤ ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

( he balks at the salt shaker now in view )

yours was unsalted ? did they mix up the seasonings… ugh. count your blessings mr blade. i’d be happy to trade.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

oh! wormtilda — i didn’t realise you were looking to foster your worm. are you sure you’re wanting to pass them on?

[𝐒𝐓𝑨𝐑 ✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃. @SPACEFARlNG]

aww. . . that's really sweet. wormtilda will really like that, i think. congratulations on passing the adoption assessment!

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

@windtorrent

ah — here, you forgot these last time you visited.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

( a look of contemplation )

the steps nearby need some sweeping to remove the snow. we can start there.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ ㅤ
gr… ( BRIGHTLY smiles. )

okay then, cap! consider me one of your men! what should i do to prove to you that i’m all about saving puppies and helping old ladies??
ㅤ ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

er… ( the hesitation remains, alongside a healthy dose of doubt. )

that may be so — but i’m not entirely daft. people can turn over a new leaf, but actions are a far better representation. You stick to your word, payment comes second after you’ve truly proven it.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ
thennnnn — let’s start now! ( he removes his arm, excitedly. ) trust me to live a good and honest life now! pass over the credits, and i’ll stay absolutely 100% true to my word!

if you believe anyone can turn over a new leaf— you can trust me, riiiight ~ ?
ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

( thank god for small blessings. he chugs it like his life depends on it, glancing at the other with tears hanging on his lashes. )

that was horrible — was yours like that??

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

it’s not too late to live an honest life.

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

I’m not twisting your words, I’m saying exactly what you’ve said back to you - just more succinctly.

If you behaved honestly people would treat you honestly and would believe you at your word.

You’ve forced yourself into a life of crime by committing crime in the first place.

[Ø. ‍𝐅𝐎͟𝐎𝐋 ﹔ @maskdfool]

ㅤ ㅤ
why do you ALWAYS have to twist my words? sheesh, i’m being sincere and honest for ONCE and look where it gets me!

( dramatically, he tosses back his head with a sigh, his arm over his eyes. )

this is why poor ol’ guys like us turn to a life of crime, y’know!
ㅤ ㅤ

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

hmm… perhaps some well fertilised soil, or— no within my compost bin… and in my green house so it is away from predators and harm.

[𝐒𝐓𝑨𝐑 ✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃. @SPACEFARlNG]

awesome, writing that down. . .

next, if you had to keep a worm safe somewhere, where would that be?

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

The earthworm, they’ve helped me tremendously.

[𝐒𝐓𝑨𝐑 ✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃. @SPACEFARlNG]

hey geppie! what's your favorite worm?

[❝ 𝙂𝒆͟𝙥͟𝒂͟𝙧͟𝒅͟ ˊ˗ @silvermanewill]

an invaluable part of the eco system.

[𝐒𝐓𝑨𝐑 ✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃. @SPACEFARlNG]

⠀
aaaaalright! how are we feeling about worms this morning, you guys?
⠀