Completed The Broken Shell

[Ricky Maze]

Sort of? Either you are or aren't, so what is it that makes him not? He thought with a small frown, one he quickly covered with an earnest smile, hoping that Gale wasn't a mindreader. Odis glanced to his master, then gave Gale is greatest charm. Only once did the dog whine to grab his attention, giving him the biggest best puppy eyed look a dog could give. Ricky couldn't help but let a real grin loose, watching Odis attempt to charm Gale into liking him.

"Odis, heel!" He commanded, the dog gave no hesitation. Completely forgetting his current obligation with Gale he cheerfully stood next to his master, yet the pup hadn't taken his curious gaze off Galr. His tail wagging eagerly as his master rubbed his head. "Apologies about his manners, he has difficulties taking no for an answer." He slightly jested, as that was somewhat true. He felt earnest to ask a favor, but Gale was just a stranger. There was no telling if they should meet again

"So how long have you lived in Zeltiva?" He asked without trying to pry, but of course that was exactly what he was doing. He felt even worse now, knowing that he may have annoyed the artist.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale glanced at the dog briefly before looking back at Ricky, who for an odd reason had a short lived frown on his face. Why was he frowning, he could only imagine it being the loss of his home. What else would it be? Gale shrugged it off like he would brush off sand on his pants. About to ask a question, seeing appropriate, Gale was interrupted like many times before. Except this time, by the dogs whining.

Looking down at the dog, which seemed strange to Gale from previous experiences, he raised an eyebrow at his large puppy dog eyes. A grin slowly grew on Gale's face and a deep chuckle pushed its way past his lips. What did it want, food? His paper? Why was it giving him that look for? Gale swore the dog was trying to make his eyes brown and as big as possible, as if to see his past at previous sets of eyes.

But the owner called him over and the dog obeyed, Gale's curious look fading away as another chuckle bellowed from his throat. “No worries, as long as he doesn't show any aggression then manners don't exactly matter, doesn’t it? After all, he is a dog. Dogs have to be dogs just like humans have to be human.” Gale shook his head brushing his fingers through his hair as if to get something out of it, but he was really just covering up the fact that he was shaking his head at himself. He didn't like it when he did that, relate things to being human and such. Why? Not sure, he just never thought that being human meant anything. Neither was being a Zith or a Kelvic. Just what you do and who you were was what he preferred to compare things to.

"But I'm tellin' ya, he looks like it wants to dig into my soul with those eyes of his." Gale looked to Odis, gesturing with a nod of his head.

Ricky question how long Gale had been in Zeltiva and he replied simply, "Lived here all my life. Know the place better the back if my hand, especially since I'm constantly getting gunk all over them." He smirked. He didn't ask the same, that meaning he'd bring up the topic of his house and such. So he decided he would do his introduction now, since no one was there to interrupt him.

"So- uh... What do you do for a living?" Gale figured it must be interesting. He has a dog and a sword. Was he a hunter of some sort? But no matter what it was, Gale hoped for the man's sake that it was enough to cover for a place to stay somewhere and some food. It would be a horrible welcome home present if he had to sleep outside of Zeltiva.

[Ricky Maze]

He wondered why he never saw Gale before, maybe it was because Ricky was so busy with his dad growing up. That and ALL throughout Ricky's childhood he's had interesting times, maybe there was one time he may of met or seen Gale... but there was no telling if that did happen or not. Ricky had a mixed expression once Gale spoke to him, a friendly and troubled one as he now had no idea where to go to next. "Oh, I'm a fisherman. Although much of my gear is in need of repair." He had forgotten the travel pack he wore had a broken pole and a torn net. If he hadn't been so careless on the trip back then maybe he'd have them still. Plus if his house still stood he would have a means to fix it, but that was a different story now. Gale must have wondered what he was going to do, seeing as how he was the first to speak with Ricky after his tantrum. What a pitiful return he really was having, it seemed like everything he owned was about to break. "I suppose that'll have to change, at some point really. Gears in bad shape and the rent won't be easily paid in time." He sighed as he patted Odis, licking is muzzle as he yawned. The dog was pretty tired from the trip, though tired was an understatement. They both were exhausted, ready to find what ever bed they could collaspe in. He felt the awkward pause between strangers coming around, and didn't want for it to happen, so he continued to express his plans to Gale; for the sake of the conversation and his sinking heart. "Suppose I'll be gettin' a room at the Grotto for a while, until I can find something that'll work...." He trailed off there, now realizing that he hadn't the slightest idea on what he was going to do. Ooc : I figured being strangers the conversation would find an awkward silence at some point, situation being present can do that too, but feel free to keep it kickin' if you like! Remember we have part II of this to do when he gets his room key.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale smirked slightly and nodded,” Not bad of an occupation, I hear. Hard isn’t it? I suppose that’s why you need more gear.” Gale scratched his arm before switching his notebook in the opposite hand. Hearing Ricky’s dilemma about the job reminded him about his own. He’d probably should have look for a different job that paid more when it didn’t exactly offer much. But then again, as he grew in drawing the more sales he had been getting. He could call himself lucky on that. Sad thing, the man would probably have to give his occupation up. Finding a job was difficult, Gale knew. Suppose Gale had some luck that he thought he didn’t have since he was able to pay for his expenses with something he loves to do.

“Mhm. Well, the Grotto isn’t that bad of a place. I’ve been there a while and it hasn’t been a bad experience.” Gale shrugged, “Guess I need to get a place of my home soon as well, though. Can’t live at an Inn forever now can ya?”

Gale shook his head, looking at his sketchbook. With a slight smirk of shame and humor, the blonde said,” You wouldn’t happen to want a half drawn picture of yourself, would you? I’m not going to finish it, forgetting my manners when I started it.” He chuckled at himself. “No, huh?” The murderer said as if answering for Ricky. “I thought it was funny at the time. I’ve been looking for something to draw that wasn’t like my usual pictures, which tend to be a little on the down side…” Gale paused as if to space out for a moment. Shaking his head out of it, he continued as if nothing happened,” When I saw him rage like that it was humorous at first till I overheard him talking to his dog and found it wasn’t funny at all. Wouldn’t change a thing if I draw it then, would it, hm?” Gale looked at the page which he had flipped to subconsciously. The artist looked up as if getting back to what he was doing. ”Huh? Oh, apologies. I guess I’m a little tired… Hadn’t gotten much sleep, if you know what I mean.” Gale smirked softly, giving his best excuse for his “absence”.

[Ricky Maze]

As Gale offered a sketch he mentioned he drew of Ricky, he seem to quickly refrain on the offer as he began to mumble to himself. Or at least he seemed to be to himself, though it was still loud enough to be heard by Ricky. It was his inspiration at the time, that was all Ricky could really make out. However when Ricky quickly snatched the paper, Gale seemed surprise and awed as if he felt guilty for it. As he gazed at the drawing it was only half done, but pretty damn impressive in the time given into it. He couldn't believe Gale had manage to draw such a picture, not that it made him angry that Gale did; more of the fact that Ricky looked how he did when he was sketched. It was really quite funny now that he looked at it, in fact he could feel the laughter well up within himself. His firm frown he tried to keep as a friendly smile was blown completely away as the laughter practically brimmed out. Becoming a loose grin and into a wider grin that exploded into a unstoppable chain of laughs, Odis jumped around and barked at his master as he could feel the laughter within Ricky washing everything out. Between his breath's for air and the tear wiping from laughing so hard, he managed to hand the sketch back with a wide real grin. "Ya drew that huh? Tell ya what, finish it then give it to me! I wanna see it when it's done." He cheered as he still worked to catch his breath, his sides hurting from the laughs that escaped. Odis happily watched as the two conversed, his tail wagging with energetic interest.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

It struck Gale with surprise that Ricky had found it humorous and not irritating. He found it exceptionally funny as a matter of fact. Was it because he had a sense of humor or because he’s trying to not think about how disrespectful it was? It confused Gale greatly.

The dog made Gale nervous when he started barking. Even though he was wagging his tail and barking from excitement, and not aggression. Taking a half step away from the mutt, Gale looked back at Ricky who handed his notebook back.

Finish it? Was this guy insane? He wouldn’t be surprised actually. But he supposed he could- no, he couldn’t finish it. It was practically mocking the man. He wanted to be mocked? That’s not natural…He was definitely an interesting man. Not like his father, he was a different kind of interesting. The kind when you meet someone who you couldn’t figure out what their goals were or whether they had good intentions or not.

“Oh…kay… I’ll get it back to you some other time then.” Gale said awkwardly, obviously still full of confusion. “Talk to you later-er…Richard? I’ll-um… Finish it later.” Gale gave a half smirk and a half wave as he turned around, flipping his notebook closed and keeping it in his hand at his side, and continued on his walk. Indeed one of the more interesting greetings.

[Ricky Maze]

He didn't say anything when Gale called him "Richard" but only laughed in silence, watching the thin blonde walk away in a confused manner. Probably expected Ricky to be angry, which was understandable in Gale's case. He looked to Odis with a grin, which then faded as the decimated corpse that was once his home caught his eye. So much for homecoming. "Hmh hmmh." Odis whined to pull his masters attention, which worked because Ricky looked to his dog curiously. "Ruff!" He only need bark once, as his expression was clear. Zeltiva was their home even if they had no house, the inn would provide a substitute for a time. Until that day he can appeal to the community...yes he would have to wait until Spring. Fall was halfway over and nobody wanted to work in the cold....so Spring it was. Convinced with this he and Odis began to walk in the direction to World's End Grotto, from there he would rent a room long enough for him to make his next move...

[Echelon]

Adventurer's Loot A Gift Experience is its own reward. Ricky's Loot : Ricko Maze Skill XP Reward Observation +1XP Socialization +3XP Lore: Sensing Unseen Shifts Witnessing Memories In Ruin Utter Humiliation Snowballing Mood Formalities in Despair Laughing At One's Self Starting Fresh Items or Consequences: -1 House. Notes: I appreciate how willing you are to present Ricky with challenges. The more challenging the story the clearer we can see Ricky's virtues. Gale's Loot : Gale McCenry Skill XP Reward Drawing +1XP Socialization +2XP Philosophy +1XP Lore: Pleasure In Others Pain Sympathizing With The Lost Remorse For Cruel Thoughts Hypocritical Wisdom Art as an Escape Deep Seeded Terror of Canines People Are Boundlessly Different Pressure of a New Acquaintance Items or Consequences: Usage of one journal page. Notes: Please edit out the "thread history" part of your character sheet, but keep the "Thread List" post. For more drawing points you should try to get more into the structure of how Gale draws. Does he follow lines with his eyes and try to mimic with his hand? Does he see in basic shapes then refine later? Does he shade with shadows then add definition later? Does he start without the silhouette of a person then work in or does he start with the face? How about weight? Does he start at the feet? How does he handle light (there will be more important at expert level) (I can see why this thread was important to Ricky, though I can't quite divine the purpose it held for Gale. Still, I hope to see these two with more contact in the future. Perhaps threads that involve them both not just Ricky. I hope Ricky can give Gale some purpose outside of art.) - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, please PM me.