audio; date of the sad party

[grandpaladin]

Ah, now it is working! Wonderful!

[The huge, booming voice on the other end of the TAB pauses for a moment, gathering up his thoughts. And when he speaks again, you can almost hear the grin on his face.]

Hello. To you I have not met, I am Reinhardt Wilhelm. And I, too, have come to give some words in this time. When we are still mourning the loss of our space homes. Our real homes. And our friends.

[He clears his throat. What he says next is pretty cheesy, but there's no doubt he believes in what he says, completely.]

Things can be destroyed. But as long as the people, as long as we are strong, my friends, we can always rebuild.

And, if you find yourself in need of some strength -- [Here, Reinhardt laughs, though it's not his usual, booming one, it's more solemn.] -- call for me. And I will be your shield. I have strength to spare.

...

I just winked there. You cannot see it, but I did.

[click.]

Comments

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric spent a long few minutes after the speech tapping his finger against a nearby rock. He'd never admit it aloud but... he was at least somewhat stricken by his words. He didn't exactly need the inspiration of course, everything he'd been missing had cropped up on the Hub but... he didn't need to say that out loud.]

You ever considered contracting out your speech-making abilities? I've had a lot of hero types in my books, and none of them have ever sounded half as inspiring as you. Me, I'm a real wordsmith, but I'm-- I'm not so great at the whole motivating the masses thing.

[All of the decent speeches he had written had come from the actual heroes themselves. It was easy to sound good when he was just transcribing things.]

[grandpaladin]

[Reinhardt laughs again, shaking his head.]

I am just an old man with no filters! It helps when you say whatever it is that comes to mind.

[For better or worse.]

audio;

[tearsinajar]

Are you sure you weren't the one in charge of the Overwatch?

audio;

[grandpaladin]

That would require more than just belief in good!

voice

[swarm_embrace]

[Reinhardt made Kerrigan actually, genuinely smile. Good job.]

Not a bad speech, Wilhelm.

I'd rather go home than make a new one, but while I am here, if you need any blades, I've got your back.

voice

[grandpaladin]

[GOOD everyone should smile a little.]

You can call me Reinhardt, if you wish. I don't mind.

Ah, but yes. That, I understand. We just have to make the best of what we have, though, yes?

Thank you, for the offer.

audio.

[retrovirion]

I'm pretty sure there's a video function, in case you want people to actually see you winking next time. Or know what you look like.

video;

[grandpaladin]

I know! That was a joke. To make the people laugh.

[But he switches over to video for this anyway.]

audio;

[brokeassgoing]

What, you gonna crowd and comfort us all in your probably giant mantits? That'll solve it all?

audio;

[grandpaladin]

That sounds very, very unlikely to help anything.

[voice]

[coldhardy]

["Elsa" has the voice of a young woman, but unusually low and dry and crisp.]

I never saw the space homes. What were they like?

[She likes the things the old man has said -- he sounds like an old man, anyway. It's not unlike what she had been doing at home before she found herself standing high on a rock: rebuilding things she had destroyed without meaning to.]

[voice]

[grandpaladin]

The ship? Vast, like a city moving through the stars, almost...

[He sounds a little wistful. Even if Reinhardt hadn't been there that long, he could still appreciate what the Moira had been.]

[voice] Because right now she isn't in the mood for people to see her,

[fluidsea]

You... do have a good point. I may miss my friends and sister, but at least they're safe back home.

I... needed this, thank you.

voice;

[grandpaladin]

That is also true! There are those we miss, but know they are safe. Believe that! Let it carry you through!

Of course. It is nothing.

audio

[inconsequence]

[That sound you're hearing is a very dry, very heartfelt slow clap. Something about the pace of it implies a smug derision for the speaker. The voice that pipes up wryly is unmistakably that of a child, however.]

An inspiring speech. Truly. I'm moved beyond words.

audio

[grandpaladin]

[Ah, and here comes the naysayers. Reinhardt almost wishes he were surprised. Regardless, he keeps his tone light, and confident.]

You do not have to be. Some people find comfort in words -- I only wish them to be able to take it.

[Even if it hurts to hear someone who sounds like a child be so cynical.]

[grammascookies]

You do have plenty of strength to spare, don't you? But try not to work yourself too hard for others. If you do, you will not have any time for yourself.

[grandpaladin]

Ah, yes... time to myself to study the rocks!

[He laughs, though it's warm as ever.]

Don't worry, Ana. I will be careful.

audio;

[gainedlove]

[Oh...oh, Reinhardt. You really are the sort of person they wish they could be.]

...thank you. I...we can do it. Together.

audio;

[grandpaladin]

[YOU WILL BE, FRISK!! REINHARDT BELIEVES IN YOU.]

So we can, my friend. Do not lose your hope.

audio; hover translations as always

[cadeuces]

You've always had a talent for capturing the grandiose, Reinhardt.

[ In words, in spirit— it was his very essence, she presumes. Spoken fondly and with a considerately ponderous drawl, before she offers him an idiom of her own; a gentle reminder. ]

Geteilte Freude ist doppelte Freude, geteilter Schmerz ist halber Schmerz. It has always made me think of you and I hope you will hold it to heart.

[ While you may offer others your strength, know that it's all right to fall back on others, as well. ]

audio;

[grandpaladin]

It comes with the size.

[And yes, of course, he's going to laugh there. Because it's hilarious.]

... Ah. That is a good saying. I should have it written on my arm.

[not here]

[tinkerhell]

[Was that a threat? It sounded like a threat. Go back to sleep, old man.]

[grandpaladin]

[NOT EVERYTHING IS A THREAT, GABRIEL, JFC GO HAVE A COOKIE OR SOMETHING.]

text

[mylawn]

Don't overexert yourself.

text

[grandpaladin]

I don't think that's possible.

:)

audio

[wallride]

Hallo, Reinhardt! Mein Name ist Lúcio. Es ist schön dich zu treffen, wie geht es dir?

[just to show off, of course.]

audio

[grandpaladin]

[This laugh cannot be contained by a mortal man. Or a small one, anyway.]

Look at you! Doing so well, my friend! Good for you!

text;

[pillz]

ok #1 ehat the fuck happened to ur eye
#2 do u wanna rebuild or do u wanna go home. i hear we about 2 get home
#3 like a meat shield shield where if some monster wit no eyes tries 2 eat my ass i give ua r ing and ull lie down in front of it on a sushi mat or like
u want me to lie down on a couch & tell u about my childhood

text;

[grandpaladin]

War happened.

I would prefer to be home, but! Since we have not yet, we may as well make the best of this.

If you have a conflict with the wildlife here, and need a heavy hand, I can help, yes.