RP:Much Crab Very Wow

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Kreekitaka happens upon Kelovath and Cobalt near the bridge in Larket. By the end of it all, Kree may be setting up a place in Larket and Kelo ordered some new armor.

Bridge to the Void

Kelovath enjoyed his walks throughout Larket when the opportunity was there. Most of the time, there was a goal in mind that the other council members had requested, but right now, this was for him. The paladin hadn’t returned to the bridge since the small army of fermin attempted to cross it. Some did manage to get by him, but the fight was something else. His armor saved his life a couple of different times during that battle. And now, the man stood in at the center of the bridge, looking out over it and occasionally down at the water below. Not his favorite spot in Larket, although the view was peaceful and it was typically rather quiet on his side of Larket. Now that the nearby tower was looted and there had been little need for House of Ara, the road here was less traveled. The paladin and his mismatched armor would have looked odd, to others, as the man was standing there alone, kind of laughing to himself. Down below was what made the man laugh. It was Cobalt, playing in the water, attempting to catch fish for himself. The large mount appeared to be having a difficult time and the laughter coming from Kelovath made that clear. To anyone else, he probably looked like a crazy person.

Kreekitaka had, quite frankly, not spent enough time in the water lately. So much business happening on land. Affairs were mostly managing themselves in his hometown, though he knew he'd have to go back there quite soon. Still, he needed to check in on this city--now that Hildegarde was set up as queen and he had a plot of land in Frostmaw, he had the time to really look into this first alliance he'd made. So he took the most comfortable way there, as soon as he reached it--the river, gliding easily through the water and probably ruining several people's days of fishing. Being a creature roughly the size of a small bus will tend to scare fish. This might, in fact, be why Cobalt was having such terrible luck today--they were all rather skittish. After a little bit, a large, dark shape of some kind began to shift under the water, and moved swiftly towards the bank near the weasel-creature, a small wave forming around the swell where whatever-it-was pushed its way toward the surface. Not being directly in front of the mammal--despite and partially because Vindicator's instincts wanted very much to spear it with its foretalons, treating this as an attack run--Kree burst out of the water and crawled up onto shore. In more normal circumstances, in which Kree wasn't fused to his mount, this would look like a crab person climbing out of the water. No big deal, right? In this case, it was like some kind of thirty-foot-long scorpion with a crab person grafted to its body rather like the top half of a centaur is a man grafted to a horse climbing out of the water. And it wasn't your normal scorpion, either--it had two sets of main claws, one of which was smaller and had regular pincers, and the other was much larger and had barbs like a mantis--or rather, blades formed from carapace, each the size of a sword. Trident-tipped tail arcing high overhead, Kree's body thrummed lightly to help vibrate a bit of excess water off of him and he looked around--oh. Oh that simply wouldn't do. "Excuse me," he called up to the man, gesturing with a crabman claw, "buTAH! I cannoTAH! hepp noTAH!icing your armor. Have you ever HHHTHoughTAH! abouTAH! repyacing iTAH!.?" A tailor's job is never finished, nor is that of a salesman/entrepreneur. Customers can be found anywhere.

Kelovath had seen a lot in his time. Dragons. Evil gnomes. Crazed pixies. A smelly hobo who might have also been crazy or extremely intelligent. Hadn’t figured that one out yet. There was also that huge worm-like thing in the middle of a forest. Quite a day that one. But what he witnessed down below the bridge was definitely something new. And surprising. The man was about on his way in a rush until the crab-scorpion-thing called up to him. Very hard to understand and even harder to believe that such a thing was friendly. Cobalt, on the other hand (paw?) was not having it. The weasel was hissing and doing this weird thing with his tail that Kelovath had only seen once before in an encounter with a large squirrel. Kelovath lifted a hand into the air, signaling for the crab to give him a second to get down there. Carefully, he took the same path that Cobalt did, slipping and sliding here and there, but overall, it was a successful trip to the river. Cobalt had calmed down some by this point, getting a sense that everything was cool here. The paladin patted his mount softly before speaking. “I’m sorry. Did you mention something about my armor?” The man looked down at his breastplate, which obviously did not match the style or even the color as the rest of his protective gear. The color was off by a shade or two and the style was definitely more medieval than intended. “I do need to get something more…Fitting, I think.” Lifting his gaze back to Kree. “Do you…Sell?” Seemed unlikely, as the crab-thing emerged from the water. Wouldn’t his wears be ruined?

Kreekitaka 's scorpion-mouth--the one by his "waist" where apparently the lower half still had some kind of say in things--hissed briefly when the weasel did, but Kree concentrated and locked down Vindicator's mind for the time being, even going so far as to relax his tail and let it drop down behind him. When Kelovath came nearer and mentioned that he needed something better, Kree clenched his facial crushers and bowed lightly. Not enough to go lower than Kelo--being twelve feet tall when upright'll to that to you--but a respectful gesture nonetheless. "I make," he said, reaching into a pouch on his belt and pulling out a little token--metal, but surprisingly unrusted--and flicked it towards the man. Hammered into it was the symbol of some kind of ancient sea creature, vaguely shield-shaped with a pair of antennae on the front. A trilobite, for those who might recognize it. "I am KreekiTAH!ka, masTAH!er fashion DAH!esigner," true, "armormaker," true, "conqueror of ciTAH!ies," just the one, really, and you had help, "demigod," inside your own semi-delusional brain, maybe "an' winner of HHHTHe King of Yove an' BeauTAH!ee awarDAH! yasTAH! winTAH!er aTAH! HHHTHe Fros'maw Yuoh evenTAH!." Man, are you still going on about that one? "You may have hearDAH! of me?" he added, hopefully. He considered himself something of a big name.

Kelovath returned the bow, as he always did. Manners and all that. He listened to the several titles and accomplishments spit out by the crab, unsure of what to truly believe. But, hearing something about Frostmaw and sort of recognizing the spoken name that creature gave himself, the paladin felt more relaxed with the situation. “I believe I have heard of you, yes.” He wasn’t completely sure of that, but a boost in confidence never hurt anyone. “So, you make, huh?” A single step was taken toward Kree, his arms lifting up and out to the side. “Tell me, what do you seen when you look at this armor?” Besides all the gold and symbols of what people believed Arkhen looked like, the armor itself was damaged and nicked here and there. The suit had seen plenty of action over the years, but overall, it was maintained well enough to get by. Although, not good enough, as Kelovath was unable to walk for a week or two after his armor pierced his own back. This request of the crab was a test and surely Kree would know that.

Kreekitaka tilted his head and considered the armor--mismatched it was, the breastplate was something different than the rest of it. Its dings and damaged bits and occasional signs of repair showed it to be an old armor, though definitely sturdy enough to protect its wearer from anything lethal--except now the breastplate was different. "I see HHHTHaTAH! you're very fonDAH! of your armor," he said, making the assumption given its decorations and wear. "I see iTAH! is very sTAH!rongyee mayDAH!, kepTAH! in gooDAH! conDAH!ition an' has saveDAH! you from many injuries over HHHTHe years. I see HHHTHe originoh breasTAH!pyaTAH! is missing. WhaTAH! happeneDAH!.? I imagine iTAH! haDAH! some granDAH! cresTAH! on HHHTHe fronTAH!." Which, if Kree could get a diagram, he'd faithfully replicate. Obviously this man had symbols which meant a lot to him.

Kelovath glanced over to Cobalt, making sure the mount was behaving. He was surprisingly. Sitting there quietly and watching the conversation take place. When Kree spoke, his ears would flick a bunch, trying to listen, but the voice bothered him in some way. Nothing could be done about that, it seemed, so for now it was ignored. “I was involved in the war. Frostmaw’s war. A fight didn’t go my way and the breastplate had to be removed from my back. Literally removed. The armor broke and pierced my back.” He shrugged. He survived and learned. “My armor is old and I fear it may break yet again. Possibly when I need it the most. I’m thinking it all needs replaced.” At least then it would all match with a new set. And ease his mind the next time a dangerous situation presents itself.

Kreekitaka would have beamed had he a mouth with which to smile--and also had that not been a terrible customer service idea. He tilted his head, nodding thoughtfully, then stepped forward and set himself up squarely in front of Kelovath, spreading his arms open. "Punch me," he said, gesturing. "RighTAH! in HHHTHe chesTAH!. As harDAH! as you yike." He was almost entirely certain that no human could possibly penetrate his carapace with a punch, and furthermore than human punches usually didn't hurt that much. If there wasn't any magic or special force behind the blow, it was quite possible that punching Kree would be rather like punching a boulder.

Kelovath blinked several times at the request. He stood there, watching Kree closely. Then, with a shrug, the man reared his hand back, balled it into a fist and launched a normal, non-magic punch at the crab. Thankfully, he did have armor surrounding his hand, so the immense pain that should have been there after punching a giant crab was much less. It still hurt, sure, but his armor would take the main force. A few steps were taken back, his eyes lifting back up to Kree in a confusing look. The paladin rubbed at his hand, shaking it some as well. “Okay?” He asked. Not entirely directed as a concern, but Kelovath was curious if his punch was anything worthwhile. Doubtful, but it did feel nice to let out some frustration.

Kreekitaka felt it--admittedly, being rather huge and having his armor in an extra-reinforced state at this point in time meant that it did almost no damage, but he moved a little with the punch and tilted his head to Kelovath, gesturing to his carapace. "A fine punch. Now, yook aTAH! my carapace. Even wiHHHTH your armor weighing your fisTAH!, HHHTHere is bareyee any mark on iTAH!." His paddles clattered together triumphantly. "Sir, HHHTHis is HHHTHe maTAH!erioh I base my armor on, an' I give iTAH! oHHHTHer yayers aoso--even if iTAH! were TAH!oo break, iTAH! is my guaranTAH!ee HHHTHaTAH! iTAH! won'TAH! hurTAH! you in HHHTHe process. FurHHHTHermore, I can give iTAH! extra yevohs of proTAH!ection--imagine a foe being sTAH!ruck by yighTAH!ning when HHHTHey hiTAH! you, or HHHTHe armor expanDAH!ing TAH!oo reacTAH! againsTAH! any sorTAH! of crushing byow." Organic, all-natural armor. Probably not Kelovath's usual fare, but then he wasn't talking to your usual armor-maker, either.

Kelovath crossed his arms over his armored chest. His attention was clearly on Kree as the idea was explained. Several nods and a ‘uh huh’ or two and the man was sold. Even if it breaks, it won’t hurt him in the process. The obvious selling point to a man who did not trust his current armor. “Interesting.” He replied softly. A deep breath was taken in and a couple more nods were given, but they weren’t in response to anything verbal. The man was answering his own questions in his head and the nods just happened to follow. As did a smile. “I like it. Sounds exactly like something I need right now.” Normally, this would be the place in the conversation he’d ask about the price. And he probably should, seeing how Josleen was going a bit crazy with the spending lately. But, this was for him. And quite possibly one day, something for her, depending on the situation. “Let’s make this happen, Kreekitaka.” He hoped the name was pronounced right. Again, this crab-thing was hard to understand, but he felt like the more they talked, the better he understood.

Kreekitaka nodded and clenched his facial crushers in respect. "Marveyous." And a new customer! Maybe a returning customer, even. "I have my measuremenTAH! ribbon wiHHHTH me, if you wanTAH! me TAH!oo measure you here, or iTAH! can waiTAH! for when you come by my sTAH!anDAH! in Cenri--Cenri--" Kree's paddles jerked up and down in unison and thrust themselves all the way back, his facial crushers flaring in annoyance, and tail slowly arcing back up. Stupid freaking city with stupid freaking unpronounceable name. "HHHTHe one by HHHTHe sea!" he snapped, finally. There was a brief pause as he relaxed again, slowly. "I apoyogize--as you have seen, iTAH! is harDAH! for my mouHHHTH TAH!oo form cerTAH!ain worDAH!s." Also, you frustrate easily and have anger issues, Kree, but no, blame it on Common and your mouth.

Kelovath offered a quick shrug. “Here is fine.” A smile soon followed. He did his best to avoid Cenril. No love for that place. Unfortunate that Kree had a stand there. Hopefully when the armor the done, it could be delivered here. The man stood still, unsure if he needed to lift his arms again or wait to be instructed to do so. Whatever needed to happen, the man would wait until being told how to proceed. It had been a long time since his measurements were needed, so how to continue was forgotten.

Kreekitaka nodded and pulled the measuring ribbon from his belt. "Io neeDAH! you TAH!oo remove HHHTHe ouTAH!er yayers of your armor, pyease. UnDAH!erwear is fine, buTAH! I require cyoser measuremenTAH!s TAH!oo your skin HHHTHan whaTAH! I have access TAH!oo righTAH! now." Assuming he started disarmoring himself--assisting if assistance was required--he asked, in a small-talky sort of way, "Have you any neeDAH! for reguyar cyoHHHTHes? As I mentioneDAH!, I am a maker of fashionabo wear besiDAH!s jus' armor."

Kelovath forgot that he would need to remove his current armor. Doing so here, in front of someone he hardly knew was uncomfortable. Not because he was getting undressed, but because of what covered his skin. As always though, the paladin wore long sleeved undershirt and pants. No assistance was needed, as the paladin was used to doing this on his own for many, many years. His bare skin remained covered for the most part, excluding his hands, but there wasn’t much that could be done there. Should Kree even bother, it’s noticeable that there is some brutal scarring covering both of his hands. They weren’t burns, which made it even more strange. “I don’t have any real need for everyday clothes, but I know of a person or two that would make use of your skills.” The paladin did what was asked of him. Lifting an arm when needed, taking in a breath if asked. Whatever Kree needed to get the correct measurements. “I’ll be sure you pass your name along.” Is there anything more uncomfortable than a large crab-scorpion-thing touching you, knowing that in a single moment, you could be snapped in half? Probably, but this would definitely be up in the top 5 for Kelovath.

Kreekitaka hadn't any desire to snap his customers in half. Dead customers are by no means profitable. And besides--for the most part, the measurement ribbon was handled by Kree's manipulator tendrils that emerged from the "palms" of his claws. No claw was necessary. A few instructions were given, but for the most part Kree handled things smoothly and professionally. "Many HHHTHanks," he said, clenching his facial crushers. "Aoways a pyeasure TAH!oo hear someone's been referreDAH! TAH!oo me." Eventually, Kree finished up and put the measuring tape back in his utility belt. "Now, HHHTHe easiesTAH! way for me TAH!oo show you HHHTHe extras I can give you is for you TAH!oo come TAH!oo HHHTHe sTAH!anDAH!--or I cooDAH! reTAH!urn here TAH!oo YarkeTAH! wiHHHTH my maTAH!eriohs an' seTAH!up someHHHTHing in HHHTHe ciTAH!ee so I can make iTAH! here, an' have everyHHHTHing I neeDAH! TAH!oo make changes if for whaTAH!ever reason you're unsaTAH!isfieDAH! wiHHHTH iTAH!." Which he might go ahead and do -anyhow- because now that he knew there was already a river leading here, he could just bring a housecrab up the river with some of his employees, who knew the material and how to work it, and set up a location in town easy as pie. That'd make two new locations within a week of each other, not to mention the other investments he was making in Frostmaw... pretty soon he'd have to start expanding to other goods and services if he wanted to maintain this rate of expansion.

Kelovath did not want to go to Cenril, so, “You can step up a place within the city. I’ll let the council know why you’re here and you shouldn’t be bothered by the guards.” He stressed the words guards, because there was only so much they could do when it came to the citizens of Larket and even further, of Hollow in general. Now that the measurements were taken, the paladin redressed himself in his armor, doing so rather easily. When that was completed, the paladin gave a quick bow to the crab. “When you get set up, send word to the fort and I’ll come find where ever you’ve set-up. There are a couple places to check out…” He mentioned a couple nearby, then another that was closer to the fort. “But, it’s really up to you.” A warm smile was offered and the man turned somewhat. When he did Cobalt stood and the paladin mounted the over-sized weasel. On the back of Cobalt, he might have been eye level with the crab. “Talk soon, I hope.” A dip of his head and a tug at the reign connected to Cobalt and the pair were climbing up the hill with ease, reaching the bridge in a very short time. Peering back over the edge, the paladin waved to Kree, and then slowly went back toward Larket.