Hold me (and probably Logan back). I think it's pretty clear we should not trust this man. You should probably get out of there soon. Maybe spring Ben if you can. It's a 4+van vs. 2. Of course... 3 of the 4 are children and the 2 have guns but ya know. (Also, vroom vroom, motherfucker. Get him Thomas.)
Roman stepped on Logan’s foot and gave him a shut-up glare before he could say anything else.
‘Ben’ made a grunting sound when Lieutenant Colonel Ryan asked him about not wanting to take ‘unnecessary risks’. Roman was not stupid. Clearly, Ben was not too enthusiastic about being here. Roman didn’t know much about barbegazi. They weren’t really on the list of mythical beings for humans to be concerned about in a positive or negative light and he had never met one. They just did exist.
That being said, despite Roman’s ignorance, he did know that they lived high in the mountains and liked the cold. The back of the van, however, was sweltering judging by the puff of air that came out when the doors were opened, and considering the man was basically wearing a fur coat, Roman was pretty sure he wasn’t having a good time. His face was tinted slightly purple above the long white beard on his face and his long nose was a striking white at the tip. Now, Roman didn’t actually know much about the natural coloring of barbegazi, but, like, that seemed... wrong...
Not to mention the fact that he was literally in a cell. Roman could almost get taking preventative measures like that in case someone turned into a zombie and tried to eat you. However, then he thought about it for a moment and remembered the first time he’d seen a zombie and how it had stupidly just banged into a door without trying the handle until it was bleeding. The cell probably didn’t... need to be locked if Ben was actually willing to be there. At least, it didn’t need to be locked in a way where he couldn’t get out in an emergency.
Roman swallowed, a bit scared for their own safety honestly. It was clear Lieutenant Colonel Ryan wanted something from them more than information, and Roman was a little worried he might not be taking ‘no’ for an answer given what he was doing with Ben.
Roman stepped into the van to stand next to the cell. “Uh,” he said awkwardly. “Hey, I’m Roman. You’re Ben?”
The barbegazi considered him for a moment. “Ben’redorȯ,” he corrected. “Ben for singéstu.”
“Okay, uh, Benredoor,” Roman tried. He really did. At least the man seemed more amused than angry at his mispronunciation. Roman... thought. “We thought you might want some water. It’s hot and we have cool water, so we thought it might help.” He held the water bottle out through the bars.
Benredore, reached up and took the offering. Instead of drinking it right away, he pressed it against his face.
“Are you,” Roman said, lowing his voice a bit. “Are you sick?”
“Not with zombie infection,” he answered. “Too hot.” Roman grimaced, and glanced back at Logan who was unfortunately arguing with Lieutenant Colonel Ryan again. Of course he was too hot. How long had he been back here? Roman had been hot outside and he wasn’t meant for the cold.
Roman watched as he took a drink of the water and thought for a moment. He already had decided he liked the barbegazi far more than he liked the lieutenant colonel. Logan hadn’t even talked to him, but Roman was sure he’d agree. Especially because Roman didn’t think they’d be getting out of this situation if Lieutenant Colonel Ryan had a say in it.
He looked back at Benerdoro. “Do you know where the key is?” he asked very quietly.
The man tilted his head with a raised eyebrow.
“I assume you don’t want to be here?”
The barbegazi continued to look at him for a moment and then eyed Logan who was arguing with the solider and Patton who was pulling at the back of Logan’s shirt, likely trying to make him stop. Benredoro inclined his head towards the wall. Roman glanced over without moving his head to see there was a key on a hook out of the cell’s reach, but easy enough for someone outside of it to grab. He looked back at the man in the cell and nodded.
Welp. This was either going to be a great decision or they were all going to get shot.
Lieutenant Colonel Ryan of the OSM is semi open for questions.
Ben’redorȯ (or Ben when he’s talking to humans as he is a Barbegazi) is semi open for questions.Thomas is open for questions.
Thomas is open for questions.
Roman is open for questions.
Patton is open for questions.
Logan is open for questions.
