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

[vigilantist]

As the madam wishes. [Yeah, he's not going to stop snarking anytime soon. Yuri sits down--in a normal manner, surprisingly--and gives a nod to the waitress who approaches them.]

The usual. Could you get something for the dog, too?

[He tilts his head towards Rinoa's way.] The chicken's great, if you're wondering.

[sosrsithurts]

If you make this sound any more like a date there's going to be some very jealous girls back at court.

[Turning to the waitress she smiles warmly.]

Just a salad and a lemonade is fine. Thanks.

[Pulling some money out of her pocket she hands it over. She likes to pay up front just in case she has to leave in an hurry. Or more specifically in case someone goes rushing off. Now that she's found him she's definitely not leaving things to chance.]

So. Explain.

[vigilantist]

[Giving explanations isn't his job. Yuri's a man of action, not words, and that's obvious to anyone who meets him. It's only natural for someone to have questions about his disappearance. He understands that much. So he'll opt for the simpler answer.]

I got bored. So I left. [That's glossing over a ton of facts. The way certain shardbearers have been treating the natives, the idea of chaining himself to a cause he couldn't put his heart into-- yeah, those were best left unsaid.] Sorry if you were expecting some big story.

[sosrsithurts]

...

[She looks down. This got awkward fast. But what did she expect? Still. A bit selfishly she wishes he didn't make her feel like the enemy. She works as a message runner for the court because, well, she's not much good at anything else and she wants to do her part. That doesn't mean she expects everyone to give service.]

You didn't have to stay silent. A letter would have been nice.

[Thankfully her lemonade arrives so she can stir the ice with her pinky instead of looking at the table like someone kicked her dog.]

[vigilantist]

[As much of a jerk as he puts himself out to be, he hates it when his friends get hurt. Yuri regards her with a critical eye before he lets out a soft sigh.]

... if I could've, I would've. [He's under no impression that he's a good guy to hang around with. It's not a matter of low self-esteem or anything along those lines. He understands that bad luck follows him like a dog, that he's more outspoken and honest than he ever should be, that in the end, they're both expected to be pawns in the middle of a war composed of kings and queens.

Even if it cost him his head, Yuri can't stand injustice happening right under his nose. The only issue was he wasn't willing to sacrifice the heads of those close to him.

His own meal arrives: pie and juice. He leaves them untouched, for now. His attention's focused on her.]

You know that.

[sosrsithurts]

[She does know. But that doesn't mean she has to like it. Saying so would just be hurtful though. She knows he's not malicious. Stubborn with a one-track mind and a mouth bigger than a small city, yes. But never mean to his friends.]

Just remember I can look after myself and you if it comes down to it. Angelo and I are getting better every day. So maybe depend on your friends a little more?

[It's a small plea. A little tiny one! That's not too much. Even just being asked to do a favor every once in a while would leave her pretty happy...]

Oh. But that's not why I tracked you down. Here.

[Reaching into her bag she shuffles envelopes around until she pulls out one with Yuri's name on it.]

It's from the Monarchs. They said it was urgent, but they didn't tell me what it was...

[If he opens it he'll find it's an invitation to a ball. Attendance is also listed as mandatory.




And she would totally be his Robin.]

1/2

[vigilantist]

[Yuri's about to argue that she should worry about taking care of herself (and her dog) when she offers the letter. After staring at it like it's some sort of cursed object, he cautiously accepts it.

..............

His expression immediately transforms into one of obvious distaste once he reads what it is.]

Ah.

[He can pout if he wants to. He's an adult.]

[vigilantist]

[Casually just. Folding it in half. Twists it a little with both his hands as if he's intending to rip it.]

Tell them I'm dead.

[sosrsithurts]

Yuri!

[Getting up she reaches across the table to snatch the letter forcefully out of his hands.]

That's not funny!

[For good measure she throws an ice cube from her drink at him.]

[vigilantist]

[He doesn't startle at the forceful action-- if anything, he looks a little displeased by her response. The ice cube, though, startles him. He flinches. That's cold?!]

Good. Because it wasn't a joke.

[Rinoa please work with him??]

[sosrsithurts]

[She will train him like a dog. She's got magazines for it and everything. ]

I can't just tell them that. They'd be waiting for you to revive to exile you. Do you even think the things in your head throu--

[As she speaks she unfolds the letter and reads it. It must be pretty terrible. Maybe she could pull some connections for him and...]

...You baby.

[vigilantist]

[He's a cool lone wolf, excuse you. He's wild and free and can't be tamed! Anyway, he'll be crossing his arms. Not gonna budge on this, nuh-uh.]

What? I don't like balls.

[sosrsithurts]

It's just a party. There'll be free food.

[If she can't appeal to reason maybe she can appeal to his hobo lifestyle okay.]

[vigilantist]

And people I can't stand.

[That was a nice attempt, though. He almost felt something there.]

[sosrsithurts]

It doesn't say you have to stay the whole time. Do it for me.

[The cutest face she can muster. She's desperate shut up.]

[vigilantist]

[... she really wasn't holding back, was she?]

Don't tell me you'll be going.

[sosrsithurts]

I was thinking about it. It'll be a good way to meet people. And maybe...

[Reaching up her hand grips the two rings on her necklace. She's always looking for information about her boyfriend. He doesn't seem to be in Eachdraidh, but the hope that he's looking for her and will some day arrive is what keeps her going.]

Who knows. I might find something this time. Don't you want to see all your friends? Just think of it as a reunion.

[vigilantist]

[Yuri doesn't miss the meaning of that gesture. He doesn't say anything for a moment, though his gaze has noticeably softened. In a world like this, it's easy to miss home. You thought about the people you left behind and wondered if they were doing all right. How good it'd be to have them by your side. Stuff like that.

Going to the ball would be a bad idea on many levels. He's a borderline renegade who's disobeyed the monarch's orders through negligence. He's a street rat with no appreciation for nobility's culture. More importantly, he feels that he can do so much more in this tiny village than frolicking in some grand palace.]

Listen, Rinoa. I appreciate you going through the trouble of finding me. Why don't you stay here for the night? You must be tired.

[sosrsithurts]

...If you run off on me I'll put Angelo on you like a scent hound.

[Not that that's a talent of Angelo's. But she'd try it anyway! Poking at her tea again she takes an awkward sip. She's just no good when it comes to hiding her feelings. And what she's feeling right now is worry. For him, for her. But mostly for him.]

...Okay though. One night won't hurt.

[She flashes him a small smile.]

Does this mean I get to hear story time from you?

[vigilantist]

[Her honesty with her feelings is something Yuri can appreciate. Her threat is met with a sigh.]

You're as scary as ever, I see. [With most of the heavy talk out of the way, he starts cutting up his food. He's feeling kind of hungry.] What, you think I got good bedtime stories to tell?

[sosrsithurts]

The way I've been hearing it there's a guy out here with six arms who can take down a gang of bandits, a dragon and rescue a baby. All before noon. You don't want to give me your side of the story? If you leave it like this I might mistake you for an hero.

[vigilantist]

Six arms? [He looks awfully amused.] Good to see I've left a horrifying story for future generations to come.

[Pie's finished! He'll be standing up now.]

All right. I guess it can't hurt. Come on.