WILD JACKASS APPEARED

[vigilantist]

TYPE: HEART OF GOLD/LONE WOLF
Magic swordsman who loves dogs and sweets. Came from the poorer parts of the capital city, Zaphias, and vowed to make the world better for those below. Joined the knights, quit after a few months, decided to become a vigilante instead after going on a life-changing journey to save the environment from a giant-ass sky squid.

I wish I could make this up.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

>YER A WIZARD, HARRY: EACHDRAIDH.
[Benevolent as their oh-so-great monarchs were, Yuri found the wait for his blastia frustrating. The chokehold of rules and regulations were part of the reason of why he left the knights--being subjected to them again chafed at him like a too-tight collar, made him more irritated than he'd care to admit.

He's never been a book person. Although magic has been suggested to him several times by well-meaning acquaintances he... finds that he can't focus on the words at all. He's tried. Made himself sit at the library with a dusty old tome, forced himself to sit there and read for half an hour or so.

You have two choices here:

You might catch Yuri at the library, staring down at a book with a blank look. He folds the corner of the page, unfolds it, repeats as he flips impatiently between the pages. After a minute or so of ineffective fidgeting, he heaves a sigh and slams it shut.]

Forget it. I can't make heads or tails out of this.

[Or you might catch Yuri in the courtyard after his unsuccessful magic lesson, hefting an axe he snatched from the armory. He's testing its weight by spinning it around like he's some sort of circus act, stops every now and then to swing as if he's expecting something to pop out from the weapon. When nothing happens, he frowns in displeasure.]

>LET'S SEE HOW FAR WE'VE COME: EACHDRAIDH TIMESKIP.
[He saddled up a horse in the middle of the night while Samhain's festivities were high and took off for "a quick jaunt," according to the servants. Once the party calmed down, Yuri Lowell had disappeared from the court, with not a word or hint of his fate.

Shardbearers gallivanted off on adventures quite frequently, though he never returned word of his whereabouts, nor did he appear when the monarchs called for their subjects. It would be this way for months.

The rumors began early spring. They were by no means widespread; rather, they were localized gossip, sprouting from waylaid villages by the coast. Talk of bandits being pushed out of villages by a savage wolf with fangs of steel, of a dark beast watching over the streets with a bloody eye for wrongdoers.

(As for Yuri's opinion on these tales... well, he couldn't say that they didn't hold some appeal to him.)

So you might be someone investigating these rumors, or someone trying to find this asstoad to deck him across the face for running off without a word. Maybe you're someone who's landed in trouble on the road, only to find a mysterious swordsman suddenly in the fray.

Either way, Yuri Lowell will appear before you: quite well, and very much full of his usual attitude. Some things never changed.]

Been a while, hasn't it?

Comments

okay both these things are gonna happen but yeah lets go with DOOOOOR #1 FIRST

[showmeyourwreath]

Having trouble? [She keeps her voice low, it is a library after all, but have someone peeking over your shoulder there, Yuri, wearing a curious and friendly smile.]

congratulations you won a goat

[vigilantist]

[Whoa, how did he not notice that someone else was here? Yuri definitely is opening up that book again. Not in front of her.]

Maybe.

[He's too stubborn to admit he's stumped.] These books are way too dusty. It makes me want to sneeze.

there was a goat behind the other door too lets not kid ourselves, here

[showmeyourwreath]

[Because she's a ghost. Whoooo~

There's being right and then there's being effective, and Flora does actually mean to help, so she'll aim for the latter and not rub it in.]

Careful, now, you wouldn't want to get in trouble with the librarian.

nah, that'd be too many kids running around

[vigilantist]

[/flicks holy water on her, ain't no one got time for that no jk

Yuri turns his body so he can cross his legs and rest an arm on the table. The book dangles from his hand precariously as he tips his head up to get a better look at her.]

And let me guess. This scary librarian would be you, right?

two is too many now

[showmeyourwreath]

[/gives you bad hair days for eternity, wow]

Hey--be careful with that!

[she only has eyes for the book for a few moments before frowning subtly at him.]

No, I just came here to read things.

have you ever handled two goats

[vigilantist]

Huh, that's funny.

[Sorry, Flora, but he's not setting that book down anytime soon. He's openly grinning at her.]

I almost thought you were here to stick your nose in the businesses of shabby vagrants like me.

have you

[showmeyourwreath]

Why would I do that?

[HELPING IS NOT STICKING HER NOSE RUDELY INTO BITNESS which is why she is like genuinely confused here.]

And you should have better respect for yourself.

[She says that in a half-maternal tone, because he's either being self-deprecating, or making assumptions about what she might think of him, and she won't have that. So, either way, her reply works.]

goats killed my parents bc of mishandling it was tragic

[vigilantist]

[What respect, Flora? What he's said is a mixture of self-deprecation and a kneejerk defense mechanism to hide the fact that he was caught fumbling at something. You had to have a bark to match your bite, sometimes, when you're fending for yourself in the Lower Quarters.

Either way, her answer is quietly taken into consideration by Yuri. He raises his eyebrows at her.]

Respect? I didn't expect to hear that. What makes you think I don't have any?

were they like ninja goat assassins, a duo of death

[showmeyourwreath]

[Yuri, she's just met you, so she won't be at all sarcastic. give it 5 minutes But if she thought look like "seriously"it, she'd be giving you a look like "seriously"]

Maybe because I'm not the one who called you a "shabby vagrant". Just a guess.

[Okay, maybe a bit sarcastic, but it's halfway pleasant, like she's joking, not like she's being condescending.]

they were, and they were also a duo of assholes

[vigilantist]

[Ah... she's right, isn't she? Fine. He'll give her an inch.]

... heh. You got me there.

[Truth be told, it was what he was expecting whoever was running the place to call him. He doesn't look like a reputable person at all with the way he's dressed. A tattered cloak and odd clothing that doesn't suit the fashion of Drabwurld: he practically screams shardbearer.

Yuri sets the book on the table at last, away from the perils of his fingers. He doesn't bother to readjust himself to sit properly in his chair, though. Asshole.]

You a frequent customer?

so is this a revenge story or one of justice

[showmeyourwreath]

[Darn straight she does, and congratulations, just knowing that is enough to put you on her radar all the more. Prepared to be shipped on the S. S. Friend, Yuri.

But, one thing at a time.]

You could say that! I love books and magic, and magic books, even if I wouldn't recommend some of them. [She smiles a little sheepishly for a moment.] It's easier to find unbiased things here, too.

it's a batman story

[vigilantist]

[He didn't ask for friends?? Wow! But he can't deny that making new friends is nice.

All this talk about books reminds him of a certain princess back home. Estelle would have a ball in a place like this, wouldn't she? Yuri can't help softening his suspicions when he thinks about it... for now, of course.]

I agree with you there. All the books in the court libraries were too busy tooting their own horn.

[Eloquent and to the point, as always.] What's the difference between books and magic books? They're just words on paper, aren't they?

youre a robin tho

[showmeyourwreath]

[Yuri you are the most tsun indecisive butt but it's okay, your decision has been made for you!]

It's why I like coming here and places like it. Things like that matter less.

[Ah, as for books, though.]

Well, uh, mundane books typically won't try to eat you...or flood rooms with water, or change the weather to a winter or any other kind of storm...or possess you, or have evil sorcerers trapped in them, or bring dangerous things to life, or otherwise try to kill you, and other pleasant things like that. [She waves a hand with a bit of a sigh but breaks into an earnest smile.] But they can do a lot of nice things, too, like show you whole worlds or memories or other beautiful things.

Timeskip?

[sosrsithurts]

[Being attacked on the road is a scary thing. Especially when it's just you and your dog against five other guys. Rinoa is trying to decide how to handle the situation when a certain stylish hero joins in. Talk about a lucky break. But first--

She puts her hands on her hips.]

You're late.

[Trying to make such a cool entrance, Yuri. Please.]

[vigilantist]

[Sorry, not sorry. He rests his sword on his shoulder, totally intending to look cool. He knows he looks pretty cool right now.]

Sorry, I got lost in the woods picking flowers for grandmother. [It still looks as though they're outnumbered, but Yuri's had worse odds. He grins at Rinoa.] Glad I could make it before the fun was done.

[sosrsithurts]

[She sticks her tongue out at him before smiling mischievously. Lame one-liners aside-- it's definitely good to see a friendly face. An handsome one doesn't hurt either even if he is covering part of it with that scarf.]

Just don't expect any allowance after this. I'm keeping it all to myself.

[These guys were trying to take her money. It's only fair to do the same back, right? Patting her dog she lets Angelo take the first guy before focusing on a second for herself.]

You can take the other three, right?

[vigilantist]

[Despite the months that've gone by, Yuri's pride and cockiness towards fighting hasn't lessened one bit. He twirls his sword, readying himself for the scuffle.]

Heh, you don't even have to ask. [And with that said, he's off. These three punks were small fry, thieves who preyed on anyone they thought was weak. Untrained, probably never had a day of real fighting in their lives. They probably picked up a sword and thought of it as a good tool to intimidate people with.]

Whoa now, don't trip all over yourselves! There's plenty of me to go around. [With that cool line, he'll be diving headfirst.

These thieves don't stand a chance.]

[sosrsithurts]

[Angelo makes easy work of her thief. Dogs are scary shit. Rinoa struggles a little more. She has her death frisbee blaster edge, but in the end she's really not much of a physical fighter.

That doesn't mean she can't get some eyerolls in.]

Did you come to rescue me or bully my assailants? It's getting really hard to tell.

[Ignoring the fact said assailants are attempting to surround Yuri and win by sheer numbers. She knows it can't be much of a contest. Well. She's choosing to believe anyway! Even if Rinoa's not proficient enough to fight back-to-back mondo coolio style with Yuri, Angelo at least is willing to bite the wrist of the guy trying to stab him in the back.]

[vigilantist]

[Yuri's busy himself, fending off the thieves's clumsy attacks with graceful movements of his own sword. Her remark is met with a carefree laugh that rings through the air.]

I like to think I'm fair. Why not both?

[Ah, but what a good dog Angelo is. Yuri glances back to give an appreciative nod.]

Good boy! [Aaaand there he goes, kicking one of his assailants in the stomach. That poor guy's definitely out for the count, and his friend's running off. What wimps.]

Man, thieves these days aren't what they used to be.

[sosrsithurts]

But you're exactly the same as always.

[One more shot of her blaster edge and her thief hits the ground with a painful sounding thud. Looks like he's out cold. Dusting off her hands Rinoa turns to Yuri with a full smile now.]

I've been looking all over for you Yuri Lowell. You didn't make this easy.

[vigilantist]

I'm touched. [He understands he might've stepped on some feelings with his sudden disappearance. No letters, no words, nothing. It was nice to know he's irked some of his friends enough to drive them to find him.]

And what can I say? A guy's got to have some alone time once in a while.

[sosrsithurts]

[Stepping over she puts her face right in his. Mere inches separating them!!! Or, so that's the attempt. She's somewhat shorter, but even still. He'd better feel the closeness because his personal space sure is being invaded.]

You've been gone for months. Don't you think that's a little long to get over your man time? You didn't even show when court was called to session. The monarchs weren't too happy about that.

[Reaching up she ever...so...teasingly...pokes him right in the center of his forehead. Or attempts to at least.]

I was starting to worry.

[vigilantist]

[Ah. There's a cute girl in his face. Yuri doesn't lean away, because that'd mean he's shy and he's totally not shy, but he does blink in surprise. It's a little uncomfortable. Even so, he stands firm.

That is, until the forehead poke. He immediately affects an exaggerated pout, as if she's caused him a grave grievance... though it's more for humor than anything else.]

Hey, is that any way to treat an old friend? [He shrugs.] Besides, what the monarchs want isn't any of my concern. They've got bigger fish to fry.

[sosrsithurts]

Maybe they do. But don't think you can just skip out on addressing my feelings about this.

[She noticed that dodge. Angelo barks and Rinoa looks at the dog.]

...Oh. That's right. Maybe you should show us a place to eat first though. We didn't pack enough food for the road and ran out yesterday...

[She's not unprepared. These things just happen!!]

[vigilantist]

[Of course he didn't address that bit. What, did you take him for someone who chats openly about feelings? Yuri shoots Angelo a grateful smile for the distraction.]

Seriously? Guess you're lucky you found me so quickly. [Not like Rinoa needed his saving in the first place, anyway. She's someone who can take care of herself. He turns around, waves a hand.]

There's an inn not too far from here.

[That's his invitation for her to join him before he starts walking. He doesn't even bother to look back to see if she'll follow.]