Pack Mentalities
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:23 pm
Pack Mentalities
Things had only grown incredibly busy in the brief amount of time Rickter had returned, after the fiasco that took place with his desperate attempt in releasing Talon from his shackles. He wasn't going to linger on the antics of his role in that attempt, nor dwell on the mistakes he had made when it came down to that attempt as well. What the wolf did need to concentrate on was the act of saving more than just his dear Bondmate, as it was going to take a lot of work and effort just to see those left behind safe from Imperial clutches.
This was exactly why his actual familial home had grown considerably busy over the past couple of days, due to the fact his immediate kin were going to do what they could to help out. And there was the Barnells themselves who would do anything in their power to further promote that aid, of course, it was all in hopes that their kin would be returned at the end of the road. So, Rickter had to start by conducting meetings where it seemed feasible and necessary. He didn't have much at his disposal, and while he would've gladly returned to the Imperium himself, doing so would only be counterproductive to everything Talon had done in turn.
It frustrated Rickter. But he knew this could all be done if things were laid out in a plan that could work, and what few resources he did have available would be enough to pull this off. Saving two men from the Inquisition would certainly prove highly challenging though, the odds proving improbable the longer he thought more and more about what all he could do remotely. This was probably why he found it best to level with his pack mates first and foremost, having already spent time with Hannah to mellow her aggression out almost a week before tonight. Patrick though, remained a bit more distant and hard to sit down and meet with, and given how invested Rickter had been in trying to prepare for the next couple of months...
Well, it certainly proved time to break that wall that had formed between him and the Atinoran. So when his brothers suggested looking for him at the High Hopes Tavern, the wolf did not take long at all to prepare and seek his next packmate out there. Sure enough, the third-born Barnell had cozied himself at the bar with the barmaid shooting him patient smirks, likely bemused by his playful advances as she served him a refill of his current beverage. She shot a friendlier smile to Rickter though when he approached, and that was enough to cause the Atinoran to glance past his shoulder while she turned to resume her work.
"Doin' the rounds with everybody?" Patrick glibly joked as he took a rather generous swig from his mug. Rickter didn't really react to the comment, however, as the press of his lips kept a stern line to cement his expression. Not quite stoic but still firm as to withhold any emotion felt from his companion's underlying feelings.
"You could say that... Your brothers said you'd be here." The wolf started with a lean on the bar to ease into the conversation, patient as ever when he remained fixated on Patrick rather than the barkeep.
"Leave it to them to be my keepers now that Papa and Burt are gone." Patrick retorted with a moderately annoyed look up at the shelving of liquor bottles on the wall, clearly determined to avoid eye contact with Rickter now that he'd sat with the Atinoran.
The wolf didn't really have anything to say in that regard, thus with a brief period of "..." carrying on, the approach of the barmaid led him to glance at her. A silent offer to see if he wanted anything, one that ended with a soft shake of his head to decline in turn.
"So, go on, come out and say what's on your mind, big guy." Patrick finally weighed in with a slight sigh, taking another swig from his mug as the barmaid left them alone.
"I understand the frustration you feel after having left the Imperium the way we all did. And make no mistake... I have every intention to do what is necessary to save your clansmen." The wolf started as it had been the first point he deemed necessary to make, to superficially knock down the proverbial wall Patrick had built between them. "In rushing things the way I did, I sabotaged everything in terms of the groundwork for our plans. And by doing so... I've disrupted the sanctity of your pack as a result of my failure."
"Yeah, that about sums it up..." Patrick nodded along with a raise of his eyebrows, his gaze still fixated on the bottles as he took another generous swig. By now the wolf could smell the booze burning off the man, but, did nothing in regards as Patrick was known to frequently carry such a scent.
"Regardless. It is my sole purpose to see that we get your family members back in earnest. It may end up taking me a little bit of time but... I intend to have preparations made for a return to the Imperium by Ash." He promised to the Atinoran with a crease in his brow, the sheer look of determination enough to garner Patrick's full attention. Perhaps it might've been the delivery of the news itself, given the turnout of the last time they were down there.
"Going back to do more damage yourself then?" An inquiry with an accusatory tone but one that led Rickter to almost chuckle.
"Well... not this time at least."He admitted as he knew full well the risk of doing so, as much as he wanted to resolve the matter himself at least. "I know saving your clansmen is going to require a lot of tact and subterfuge... things that I currently lack any real skill in whether I want to admit it or not." The admittance led Patrick to tilt his head just a little, his eyebrows elevated somewhat when he processed what the wolf just spoke.
"So what you're sayin' is... You need a team to go back down there and clean up your mess." He bluntly elaborated with a point of his finger from the hand that held his mug, with another generous swig taken from it as the Atinoran gulped it down almost vigorously.
"... A bit curt when you put it that way, but yes. I intend to reach out to individuals who can help me accomplish this undertaking. We'll likely have few friends to help us as is on this quest, but I've my own family willing to help pitch in where they can." Rickter responded still with a look of stoicism as his expression, appearing unbothered by the verbal jabs the Atinoran continued to make at him.
"Heh, go figure." Patrick remarked as he sat his mug down, the container practically a few sips away from being dry. "Well, it sounds to me like you need more friends. Luckily, you've got a few more who'll likely pitch in where they can." The Atinoran teased with a half-hearted grin shot to the wolf, which in turn garnered a look of questionable doubt in turn. "Don't give me that look. Can't let you have all the fun in orchestrating this, now can I? Besides, you said it yourself. You're terrible at tact and subterfuge when it comes to these sorts of things, and luckily for you, I'm the son of a bitch who knows exactly who can help steer you in the right direction with this."
"So you'll help me see this through then?" Rickter then inquired a bit more of a pleased smirk on his face, a little relieved to see the Atinoran coming out of this isolation spell he'd stuck himself within. It was likely the Barnell's would play a very key part in piecing together the rest of this plan, especially since the success of it hinged on how elaborate they were with the retrieval and rescue process.
"Only because you and I both owe it to my kin, but yes, the rest of us Barnells will gladly pitch in how we can." Patrick promised with a solid nod of approval, leading the wolf to lean further back into his elbow that rested on the bar. It was then the wolf raised his other hand to rest it on Patrick's shoulder, perhaps one of the few moments of affection Rickter dared display toward others so openly.
"I already owe you for lookin' after Telion while I was gone... So, putting this plan together then into motion is about the next best thing I can offer." He offered with a touch of genuine sincerity to his tone, understanding the importance of getting Patrick's family back together as a whole.
"...Or you could just start by ordering me another round." The Atinoran teased with a soft smirk of his own, before he looked down at the mug situated on the bar counter before him. "Listen, I don't have any doubts or concerns about your motivations. As far as I know you've usually been pretty reliable as far as friends go. So don't get too caught up in your mishaps, shit happens, so long as you continue to show the same dedication you have now... I think we'll all be pretty good in the end."
Truthfully, the wolf didn't expect Patrick to be so forthright with his thoughts, then again, he was probably drunk enough to where they were easier to articulate. At least mentally, there was a slight slur when the man spoke them aloud of course. "You know, you're actually a bit insightful... for someone who gives cruddy advice." Rickter then teased with a soft chuckle to follow.
Patrick simply shrugged his shoulders in response. "Takes a shithead to know a shithead. So, when do we start planning for this little trip back to the Imperium?" He then inquired with curiosity in his eyes.
Rickter contemplated the best way to answer that, considering his train of thought before going in-depth with how he wanted to approach the situation. "Right now, my intention is to take into account the resources necessary to set things into motion. Focusing on what our available assets are will make the meeting I'll host a bit more easier and straightforward to approach." Patrick still looked at him a bit expectantly like he wanted a more conclusive answer than that, or perhaps, a deadline to go off of so he could know when to be prepared for such an occasion. "...Just give me until the end of next month. When Ash arrives I'll have everything I need accounted for, and we'll start delegating the plans necessary to accomplish our goal."
"Sounds good to me..." The Atinoran agreed with another thoughtful glance down at his near-emptied mug. "You could still get me another ale though." He then proposed with a casual grasp of the container, giving Rickter a suggestive glance when he elevated it to empty the remaining contents within. The wolf could only softly laugh a little to the prompt, and admittedly, felt it an appropriate situation to get a mug for himself as well. So it only stood to reason that he took Patrick up on that suggestion, and decidedly spent a bit more time than he considered, to drink and unwind with the Atinoran for the evening.
Searing 66th, 122nd Year, A.o.S.
This was exactly why his actual familial home had grown considerably busy over the past couple of days, due to the fact his immediate kin were going to do what they could to help out. And there was the Barnells themselves who would do anything in their power to further promote that aid, of course, it was all in hopes that their kin would be returned at the end of the road. So, Rickter had to start by conducting meetings where it seemed feasible and necessary. He didn't have much at his disposal, and while he would've gladly returned to the Imperium himself, doing so would only be counterproductive to everything Talon had done in turn.
It frustrated Rickter. But he knew this could all be done if things were laid out in a plan that could work, and what few resources he did have available would be enough to pull this off. Saving two men from the Inquisition would certainly prove highly challenging though, the odds proving improbable the longer he thought more and more about what all he could do remotely. This was probably why he found it best to level with his pack mates first and foremost, having already spent time with Hannah to mellow her aggression out almost a week before tonight. Patrick though, remained a bit more distant and hard to sit down and meet with, and given how invested Rickter had been in trying to prepare for the next couple of months...
Well, it certainly proved time to break that wall that had formed between him and the Atinoran. So when his brothers suggested looking for him at the High Hopes Tavern, the wolf did not take long at all to prepare and seek his next packmate out there. Sure enough, the third-born Barnell had cozied himself at the bar with the barmaid shooting him patient smirks, likely bemused by his playful advances as she served him a refill of his current beverage. She shot a friendlier smile to Rickter though when he approached, and that was enough to cause the Atinoran to glance past his shoulder while she turned to resume her work.
"Doin' the rounds with everybody?" Patrick glibly joked as he took a rather generous swig from his mug. Rickter didn't really react to the comment, however, as the press of his lips kept a stern line to cement his expression. Not quite stoic but still firm as to withhold any emotion felt from his companion's underlying feelings.
"You could say that... Your brothers said you'd be here." The wolf started with a lean on the bar to ease into the conversation, patient as ever when he remained fixated on Patrick rather than the barkeep.
"Leave it to them to be my keepers now that Papa and Burt are gone." Patrick retorted with a moderately annoyed look up at the shelving of liquor bottles on the wall, clearly determined to avoid eye contact with Rickter now that he'd sat with the Atinoran.
The wolf didn't really have anything to say in that regard, thus with a brief period of "..." carrying on, the approach of the barmaid led him to glance at her. A silent offer to see if he wanted anything, one that ended with a soft shake of his head to decline in turn.
"So, go on, come out and say what's on your mind, big guy." Patrick finally weighed in with a slight sigh, taking another swig from his mug as the barmaid left them alone.
"I understand the frustration you feel after having left the Imperium the way we all did. And make no mistake... I have every intention to do what is necessary to save your clansmen." The wolf started as it had been the first point he deemed necessary to make, to superficially knock down the proverbial wall Patrick had built between them. "In rushing things the way I did, I sabotaged everything in terms of the groundwork for our plans. And by doing so... I've disrupted the sanctity of your pack as a result of my failure."
"Yeah, that about sums it up..." Patrick nodded along with a raise of his eyebrows, his gaze still fixated on the bottles as he took another generous swig. By now the wolf could smell the booze burning off the man, but, did nothing in regards as Patrick was known to frequently carry such a scent.
"Regardless. It is my sole purpose to see that we get your family members back in earnest. It may end up taking me a little bit of time but... I intend to have preparations made for a return to the Imperium by Ash." He promised to the Atinoran with a crease in his brow, the sheer look of determination enough to garner Patrick's full attention. Perhaps it might've been the delivery of the news itself, given the turnout of the last time they were down there.
"Going back to do more damage yourself then?" An inquiry with an accusatory tone but one that led Rickter to almost chuckle.
"Well... not this time at least."He admitted as he knew full well the risk of doing so, as much as he wanted to resolve the matter himself at least. "I know saving your clansmen is going to require a lot of tact and subterfuge... things that I currently lack any real skill in whether I want to admit it or not." The admittance led Patrick to tilt his head just a little, his eyebrows elevated somewhat when he processed what the wolf just spoke.
"So what you're sayin' is... You need a team to go back down there and clean up your mess." He bluntly elaborated with a point of his finger from the hand that held his mug, with another generous swig taken from it as the Atinoran gulped it down almost vigorously.
"... A bit curt when you put it that way, but yes. I intend to reach out to individuals who can help me accomplish this undertaking. We'll likely have few friends to help us as is on this quest, but I've my own family willing to help pitch in where they can." Rickter responded still with a look of stoicism as his expression, appearing unbothered by the verbal jabs the Atinoran continued to make at him.
"Heh, go figure." Patrick remarked as he sat his mug down, the container practically a few sips away from being dry. "Well, it sounds to me like you need more friends. Luckily, you've got a few more who'll likely pitch in where they can." The Atinoran teased with a half-hearted grin shot to the wolf, which in turn garnered a look of questionable doubt in turn. "Don't give me that look. Can't let you have all the fun in orchestrating this, now can I? Besides, you said it yourself. You're terrible at tact and subterfuge when it comes to these sorts of things, and luckily for you, I'm the son of a bitch who knows exactly who can help steer you in the right direction with this."
"So you'll help me see this through then?" Rickter then inquired a bit more of a pleased smirk on his face, a little relieved to see the Atinoran coming out of this isolation spell he'd stuck himself within. It was likely the Barnell's would play a very key part in piecing together the rest of this plan, especially since the success of it hinged on how elaborate they were with the retrieval and rescue process.
"Only because you and I both owe it to my kin, but yes, the rest of us Barnells will gladly pitch in how we can." Patrick promised with a solid nod of approval, leading the wolf to lean further back into his elbow that rested on the bar. It was then the wolf raised his other hand to rest it on Patrick's shoulder, perhaps one of the few moments of affection Rickter dared display toward others so openly.
"I already owe you for lookin' after Telion while I was gone... So, putting this plan together then into motion is about the next best thing I can offer." He offered with a touch of genuine sincerity to his tone, understanding the importance of getting Patrick's family back together as a whole.
"...Or you could just start by ordering me another round." The Atinoran teased with a soft smirk of his own, before he looked down at the mug situated on the bar counter before him. "Listen, I don't have any doubts or concerns about your motivations. As far as I know you've usually been pretty reliable as far as friends go. So don't get too caught up in your mishaps, shit happens, so long as you continue to show the same dedication you have now... I think we'll all be pretty good in the end."
Truthfully, the wolf didn't expect Patrick to be so forthright with his thoughts, then again, he was probably drunk enough to where they were easier to articulate. At least mentally, there was a slight slur when the man spoke them aloud of course. "You know, you're actually a bit insightful... for someone who gives cruddy advice." Rickter then teased with a soft chuckle to follow.
Patrick simply shrugged his shoulders in response. "Takes a shithead to know a shithead. So, when do we start planning for this little trip back to the Imperium?" He then inquired with curiosity in his eyes.
Rickter contemplated the best way to answer that, considering his train of thought before going in-depth with how he wanted to approach the situation. "Right now, my intention is to take into account the resources necessary to set things into motion. Focusing on what our available assets are will make the meeting I'll host a bit more easier and straightforward to approach." Patrick still looked at him a bit expectantly like he wanted a more conclusive answer than that, or perhaps, a deadline to go off of so he could know when to be prepared for such an occasion. "...Just give me until the end of next month. When Ash arrives I'll have everything I need accounted for, and we'll start delegating the plans necessary to accomplish our goal."
"Sounds good to me..." The Atinoran agreed with another thoughtful glance down at his near-emptied mug. "You could still get me another ale though." He then proposed with a casual grasp of the container, giving Rickter a suggestive glance when he elevated it to empty the remaining contents within. The wolf could only softly laugh a little to the prompt, and admittedly, felt it an appropriate situation to get a mug for himself as well. So it only stood to reason that he took Patrick up on that suggestion, and decidedly spent a bit more time than he considered, to drink and unwind with the Atinoran for the evening.
"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."
