Clock Tower Ruins -- Herrscher

Summary
Herrscher made a guard uncomfortable with his smile, though managed to convince them to answer his question despite a very tense exchange. The guard hesitantly admitted to Herrscher that the clock tower is of great historical significance, and has somehow protected the people of Epoche in the past.

This exploration was awarded __ AP.

Transcript
PANDOR. Exploration commenced. Herrscher Herrscher quietly stared at the clock tower just a little ways ahead of him as he grasped onto thin air. To have nothing in his hands was not a feeling he enjoyed, but there was nothing he could do about it. Nonetheless, to ruminate on his lack of possessions was not his goal. Instead, he straightened himself out, approached closer. The ruins were supposedly off-limits, or so he heard. Too dangerous for passers-by to snoop around in... if that was the case, surely there must be guards nearby. So... that is what he will do. Not break into the tower, not let curiosity get the better of him: instead, he was to find the nearest guard and approach them. Surely that was a far safer option. PANDOR. Upon approaching the marble ruins, you can easily spot just how well-guarded these ruins are, as sentries seem to roam around every nook and cranny within the area. As such, your search for a guard proves to be rather easy as you approach one of them by their post.

His expression remains rather neutral, though you can see his eyes seem to be locked on you as you approach. He remains on guard as he quietly informs you that the ruins are off-limits to any civilian, and requests that you return to wherever you came from for your own safety and well-being. Herrscher Finding a guard didn't take very long, They definitely weren't kidding when they spoke of how protected this place is. Herrscher nods compliantly as he is told off, though instead of backing off, he stays where he is, glancing at the tower, no attempt to hide the dead and distant look in his eye. After a moment or two, he suddenly focuses on the guard, staring down at him with a cold intensity. "... I merely have a... few questions, if I... may have a moment of your time." PANDOR. The guard seems a little relieved as you nod at his warnings, but seeing as you haven't walked away just yet... there's a hint of annoyance in his features. That is, until the moment you stare him down. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows, sweat trailing down his temple. It seems as if he wants to maintain his stoic demeanor, attempting to hide the fact that you have managed to successfully unnerve him.

"I, er... I suppose I could answer a few of them, as long as you do not stray any further into the ruins." Herrscher Ah. Herrscher tilted his head slightly upon noticing the guard's nervosity, blinking before softening the expression on his face somewhat. "Do not be afraid." He offers the guard a subtle smile, though the comfort of his smile is... debatable. "I will not." He looks back over at the clock tower, adjusting his bangs to make sure it covers his eye. "... what is this place? I can tell it is a clock tower with ruins. But what is it. It seems important." PANDOR. Unfortunately, the guard seems to grow even more nervous at your smile, seeing as his stance grew even more tense and how beads of sweat seemed to form by his temples. You can tell he's refusing to make any sort of eye contact with you at the moment, staring at something behind you in an attempt to make it seem like he is.

"Er... I don't get what you mean. That's... all there is to it. A clock tower with ruins. There's nothing more to it other than that." He looks like he's hoping you would find that answer satisfactory enough and leave him alone. Herrscher "You do not...?" His smile falters when he realizes it's not helping the situation. He adjusts his weight (or lack there-of) to properly position himself on the ground. He's... not used to not being able to float, but he'll have to deal with it. He stares down at the guard with the cold, unblinking stare he normally carries. Though the other has an unfocused, absent look in his eyes, it doesn't stop him. "If it truly was nothing, it would not have been so heavily guarded. One or two would be more than enough to watch over some meaningless, dilapidated ruins, would it not? It would be in your best interests not to lie to me." His voice too speaks with the same monotonous sound, though his last few words are spoken just a bit more forcefully. PANDOR. Careful eyes glance back and forth at you, eyeing your every movement. It seems as if he's waiting... either for your departure from the ruins, or for a fellow sentry to join him at his post.

He seems uncomfortable as you point out the obvious to him, quietly gulping as you spoke. However, the tone of your voice causes him to grit his teeth and finally muster the courage to stare you right in the eye, clearly displeased with your current choice of words.

"Watch your tongue, stranger. I am under no obligation to answer your questions if I deem it fit to do so. My duty is to guard these ruins, not answer to questions from some passersby like you." Herrscher The guard seems finally brave enough to live up to his actual job. How utterly disappointing that they are this way. "You need to strengthen your willpower. That one moment of fear, of hesitance..." His stare grows more intense, though there seems to be no hatred behind it. Not that it would have been easy to tell, anyway. "... would have been enough for someone to have slain you, had they come here with malicious intentions." Though his smile might have, the intensity in his gaze does not falter. "But you do not deny it. You desire for me to disappear, do you not? Then it would be in the best interests for all were you to answer me truthfully, so that this may come to its end in a timely manner." A fire seems to burn in his eye... "... I care not that you know not who I am... however, you do not have the right to tell me to watch my tongue. Understand?" ... though it is gone as quickly as it came. PANDOR. The disdain on the guard's face is a clear indicator that he is not at all appreciative of your words. Though he remains at full alert, you can see that one of his hands has now moved to rest on the hilt of his sword. It doesn't seem like he has any intentions of actually unsheathing it, as it is meant to serve as a warning for you to cease such form of speech instead.

He almost sneers at you as he talks, eyes narrowed to carefully watch your every action.

"One. You have only one chance to have whatever blasted question you have be answered before you are to leave this place." Herrscher Ah. He is being threatened with violence now. The guard's hand sliding over to his sword was a telltale sign of such. But he held himself steadfast, showed no hesitance, no fear. There was nothing the other could do that Herrscher had reason to be afraid of. His expression softened once more as he gazed over at the sword. "See. You can listen. I will leave if you give me an adequate answer." He glances back over at the clock tower after. "This tower is important, is it not? There would be no reason to protect it so fervently, to get so riled up over my questioning, had it just been ruins with no significance. Tell me what purpose it has. Why you have been brought here to guard it armed. Why this entire place is filled to the brim with soldiers keeping everyone as far away from it as they can. It obviously holds great significance, importance, but most of all, use, if it is being treated as such. What are you hiding in there?" Then, he stares at the sword again. "I have no intention of doing anything beyond this. All I want is an answer. And 'the ruins are dangerous and you might hurt yourself' is not one. We both know that." PANDOR. His grip on the sword's hilt grows tighter with every word of yours, knuckles almost white with every question you throw his way. Hesitance causes him to bite down on his lower lip, seemingly musing on just how much he should tell you so you can finally leave him on his own. After a moment of silence he finally speaks once more, his voice quiet yet firm.

"This tower is of great historical significance to the people of Epoche. We want to preserve it and its many secrets just the way it is, to honor the way it has protected our people in the past. That is all that I am willing to tell you, as I do not wish to speak of this anylonger. Whatever questions you have, you will have to find the answers somewhere else."

His steely gaze settles on you as he speaks, the firmness in his voice an indicator of his intent to follow through his words. Looks like he isn't going to let himself be pushed around anymore. Herrscher Herrscher returns the guard's kindness with a piercing gaze of his own. How annoying. Were humans always this stubborn? ... no, he knew better than to question that. They always were. He reacts in no other way. Not an acknowledgement that he heard the other's words, though he's caught onto it all. Instead, he turns around, leaves without a single word. He never lies, after all. If he says he'll do something, he will. At least he got what he came here for... somewhat. The guard was so kind as to reveal it was definitely not ordinary... no wonder everyone seemed so interested in it, then. And so he disappears. He's had enough of this tomfoolery this time around. PANDOR. Exploration ended.