[ Onni's remark startles another small smile out of Nikolai. Part of him is surprised he gives off that impression even to someone who has no idea who he is. Nikolai is a leader, yes. But back in his own world, that always came, to some degree, with recognition of name and rank. Even as Sturmhond, he so quickly garnered notoriety that he was never sure if the respect his crew gave was to him or to the legend. And as king of Ravka, well.
But just hearing him speak, Onni said he sounded like a leader. A pleasant warmth spreads through Nikolai's chest. He could tell Onni, now. It's a good opportunity to do so. Not mentioning that he's a king will indeed be close to a lie of omission. At the same time... Nikolai finds that he wants to go on like this. Just a while longer.
So, with a hint of humor in his voice, he says: ]
Something like that.
[ At the store, Nikolai copies Onni and takes a basket, tucking it into the crook of his elbow. He finds himself drawn to the displays of fruits and vegetables. After a moment's meditation, he starts picking up one of everything he's never seen before and tucking it into the basket. ]
I'm not going to know which of these are good until I try them.
[ But a random assortment of oddly-colored fruits does not a meal make, and so he admits: ]
I have to admit, my cooking skills are... rudimentary. You mentioned stew. I would be happy to help make that?
[ Just the thought of it is enough to make his stomach growl again, and Nikolai thinks of the monster. When it had first started to emerge, he'd had a few days when he hoped that going to bed on a full stomach would be enough to keep it at bay. It had, of course, not helped one bit.
On the walk over, Onni had mentioned that there are no animals here. No farms with geese, no cows in fields. No prey for the monster to go after, apart from people. The weight of it hits him, then. Nikolai just sort of... stops, that bag of bright-colored edible fluff in one hand, his shoulders slumping.
He doesn't know what makes him decide. Maybe it's desperation, or maybe it is the impression he has gotten of Onni as they walked and spoke together. ]
Onni. There's a problem.
[ Nikolai swallows, feeling uncharacteristically small, and lost. He doesn't look up from that bag. There is a possibility, he knows, that Onni will take this news very badly. Hell, Nikolai might end up needing to run for his life. This is someone who was skilled at killing monsters, in his own world. But it's the only option Nikolai has, right now. ]
I have a problem, and I need help.
[ Nikolai feels light-headed and oddly disconnected from himself. How is he even going to begin to explain? ]
If I'm going to be stuck in this place, I'm eventually going to need to sleep. Only, the thing is... it's very important, for everyone's safety, that when I go to sleep I be... contained. Restrained, ideally, but if there is a windowless room with a very sturdy door you can barricade, that might do in a pinch.
[ Nikolai is fairly sure that if he isn't tied down, the monster will batter itself against the door and walls trying to escape, but he could deal with a few bruises. Better that than waking up over some innocent person's half-eaten corpse. ]
After we eat, could you- would you help me find somewhere safe, and- and make sure I can't get out?
no subject
But just hearing him speak, Onni said he sounded like a leader. A pleasant warmth spreads through Nikolai's chest. He could tell Onni, now. It's a good opportunity to do so. Not mentioning that he's a king will indeed be close to a lie of omission. At the same time... Nikolai finds that he wants to go on like this. Just a while longer.
So, with a hint of humor in his voice, he says: ]
Something like that.
[ At the store, Nikolai copies Onni and takes a basket, tucking it into the crook of his elbow. He finds himself drawn to the displays of fruits and vegetables. After a moment's meditation, he starts picking up one of everything he's never seen before and tucking it into the basket. ]
I'm not going to know which of these are good until I try them.
[ But a random assortment of oddly-colored fruits does not a meal make, and so he admits: ]
I have to admit, my cooking skills are... rudimentary. You mentioned stew. I would be happy to help make that?
[ Just the thought of it is enough to make his stomach growl again, and Nikolai thinks of the monster. When it had first started to emerge, he'd had a few days when he hoped that going to bed on a full stomach would be enough to keep it at bay. It had, of course, not helped one bit.
On the walk over, Onni had mentioned that there are no animals here. No farms with geese, no cows in fields. No prey for the monster to go after, apart from people. The weight of it hits him, then. Nikolai just sort of... stops, that bag of bright-colored edible fluff in one hand, his shoulders slumping.
He doesn't know what makes him decide. Maybe it's desperation, or maybe it is the impression he has gotten of Onni as they walked and spoke together. ]
Onni. There's a problem.
[ Nikolai swallows, feeling uncharacteristically small, and lost. He doesn't look up from that bag. There is a possibility, he knows, that Onni will take this news very badly. Hell, Nikolai might end up needing to run for his life. This is someone who was skilled at killing monsters, in his own world. But it's the only option Nikolai has, right now. ]
I have a problem, and I need help.
[ Nikolai feels light-headed and oddly disconnected from himself. How is he even going to begin to explain? ]
If I'm going to be stuck in this place, I'm eventually going to need to sleep. Only, the thing is... it's very important, for everyone's safety, that when I go to sleep I be... contained. Restrained, ideally, but if there is a windowless room with a very sturdy door you can barricade, that might do in a pinch.
[ Nikolai is fairly sure that if he isn't tied down, the monster will batter itself against the door and walls trying to escape, but he could deal with a few bruises. Better that than waking up over some innocent person's half-eaten corpse. ]
After we eat, could you- would you help me find somewhere safe, and- and make sure I can't get out?