Lance had been up near the Steel Vigil. His usual time to pay respect to the lives lost while he still lived. He made the trip at least once a year. Sometimes more if he felt the need for a little reflection.
He thought he recognized the familiar elezen who was surrounded by a pair of Aevis. What brought her out this way, he wasn’t sure. But hells be damned if he was about to let her stand alone against those Aevis.
“Halone guide me.” A quick prayer to his beloved goddess before rushing towards the surrounded woman.
His blade struck deep into the Aevis who wasn’t facing him. A strangled cry of pain from the beast. The other just about to lunge at Rinoa. Only for it’s jaws to meet Lance’s shield as the knight crouched and raised it. He grunted under the power of those jaws that tried to rip his shield away. Not that he would give the creature that satisfaction. When it gave up trying to crunch or rip the shield away, Lance swung his blade forward right into it’s maw as it retreated. Off with part of it’s jaw! The creature staggered away several steps before collapsing to the ground, the snow staining red with it’s blood.
Lance took a deep breath of the cold biting air before looking back at Rinoa. “Are you okay, my lady? One should be more careful traveling alone out here.”
(Long overdue ❤ XD @eaotheelf I hope this came out okay.)
It was dark in these ruins. The lights they brought along were barely enough to chase away the shadows. How she had gotten Eao of all people to agree to come with her was still anyone’s guess. Maybe the woman was just bored at the time when Destiney had mentioned it.
Every sound made Destiney want to jump to defend herself. This place was beyond creepy. Yet she managed to maintain at least some dignity. Eao would probably never let her live this down otherwise if she made a fool of herself. Oh the joys of family.
A little further in. That was all it took for the creepy voidsents that inhabited these ruins to come out to play. A pair of claws from a Vodoriga took a swipe at Destiney. A well timed back-flip took her out of range of those claws and into a good position to start a little magic of her own. Only to miss the Pudding coming up behind her. The slap from behind sent her sprawling forward. Right back into range of that Vodoriga that looked all too pleased with this situation.
Until a flare of wild ice magic blasted the Vodoriga. Destiney could feel the biting chill of that wildly casted spell. There was no real control to it but there was definitely power behind it. Even the Pudding managed to get caught up in the magic.
Eao just looked smug at the victory. Even a little bored. Taking out a Imp while Destiney had been occupied and then taking out these two. It had been a risky move with the magic being so uncontrolled but the woman didn’t even look all that concerned. As if she knew she wouldn’t kill the other woman.
Destiney huffed softly as she got up, brushing dirt and bits of ice from her clothes. Trying not to shiver at the cold left from the magic. “Thanks.” Gods above she liked Eao but would it kill the woman to protect her in less wild ways? Then again it probably amused Eao to do things this way for all she knew. Family… Love them even when they do crazy things.
Rei had been outside walking for quite awhile. Today’s journey was pretty aimless. In fact, he was more so clearing his head, if anything. His gaze drifted idly over the stalls and other shops set up in the area. His usual itch to spend money had died down as he appeared to be lost in his own thoughts…or in a very, very foul mood. Or both. He walked with a stark frown on his face. His piercing crimson gaze straight ahead. People seemed to move out of the way as he passed them. And maybe they should? It was the Sekiro-kai’s turf, and he was the heir.
His geta clacked lightly on the stones under his feet as his legs pulled at the fabrics of his simple Yukata. He kept a haori over his shoulders, but the rest of his appearance was pretty nondescript. His ear twitched lightly, however, at the sound of a scuffle coming from a nearby alley and his gaze darkened.
The Seeker quickly turned the corner and, low and behold, there was a fight going on. Worse, though, Rei recognized the men by their tattoos and colors. But not the taller man, no. He had no idea what an Elezen would be doing back here. The Seeker clenched his jaw, reached towards his open to pull out a knife hidden in the fabric, and charged the group, “The fuck outa here, you worthless trash,” the Seeker growled, but not that loudly. He wasn’t shouting. No, he didn’t want to alert the Sekiseigumi.
He kicked off his geta as he ran and jumped up, knife first, to stab one of the men through the back of one of the attacker’s necks. The man let out a strangled cry, bleeding out as Rei withdrew the knife. The blood soaked parts of his Yukata and hands as the man bled out and fell forward, dead. He watched idly as the other man finish the rest, keep back while he flicked his dagger to get the blood off of it. He looked at the Elezen, his blank expression grew curious.
“No, they weren’t supposed to be here…” he said, bowing his head slightly, “The Ginro-kai have been impeding on our territory as of late. These mens’ deaths will only worsen the conflict. However…” he grinned slightly, “This fixed my mood quite a bit,” he bowed his head again to the Elezen, “I am Rei of the Sekiro-kai… I am sorry that our enemies disturbed your walk,” he lifted his head, “If you’d like, I can escort you to wherever you’re headed,” he said, adjusting his yukata so that his tattoos would reman mostly hidden, “I assure you, no one else will bother you if I’m with you.”
Lance seemed a little surprised at the idea of a territorial fight.Still he managed to give the man a proper Ishgardian bow. A chance to mask the bit of surprise.
“Ser Lancefer Aurifore of House Haillenarte in Ishgard.” Giving the man his full title. Keeping the same curteous smile though there was a little more warmth to it now that he knew Rei wasn’t out to kill him. He could never be too sure after all the drama with his family the year before. Especially after he’d married someone his mother surely disapproved of. “But you can simply call me Lance seeing we are a long way from Ishgard.”
Lance knelt by one of the dead men to wipe the blood from his blade before sheathing it at his side. He stood up and shook his head at Rei’s words. “It is fine. It gets hard to tell at times whether the enemies are mine or someone else’s. However they all bleed the same. I will not object to the company for the rest of my walk. I am still learning much about this city and it’s samurai when I have time off from my duties at Skyfire Locks.”
Valen raised a brow at Valen’s words. As if Valen hadn’t already killed people. Granted not at such close range before. Sometimes killing was necessary. It didn’t bother him to kill bad people. Waving a hand at the words. “I wouldn’t be concerned about the killing, my friend. If someone is trying to kill me they are likely not a very good person anyways. I am sure over time I will have my share of enemies for being a bounty hunter. I have no qualms taking the life of bad people.”
A merry laugh at Rei’s confusion over bards. “Well… For me I guess you could say it is a sudden urge. It runs in my blood. My father was a well traveled minstrel as well.” But his words died as Rei made the comment. Eyes slightly widening. Was that a joking jab at his own earlier charming jests…
“Well now. You are proving to be quite interesting indeed.” Rubbing his chin as he grinned. “Not much further.” Gesturing towards the Inn counter. “I shall step inside to grab my harp and then lead us down to the bar by the airship. Drinks and music await.” A light laugh as he swept into a playful bow. “Just wait here with Rei, Lily. A little assurance that I will return swiftly.” The little magpie flying off Valen’s shoulder and landing on top of Rei’s head.
Valen wasn’t long at all. Stepping into his room long enough to grab his harp and returning within a few minutes. Lily chirping happily at his return from her perch on Rei’s head. Now all set, Valen lead them to the lift and down to the bar he spoke of. It was quiet as it often was. Just a couple of patrons at one of the two tables. No one seated at the bar. Valen gestured for Rei to take his pick of where to sit. The bar or the table.
Lance had just left his wife’s free company house in Shirogane, wanting to explore a little more of Kugane before heading back. He had seen much of it already with his wife. Didn’t make him any less curious though for the parts they had skipped.
He stood out rather well in Kugane. From his manner of dress to his appearance. After all, elezen did not seem to be a common race around this side of the world. Though he only noticed the occasional stare of curiosity. Perhaps because even when not on duty, he still had that bearing of a knight.
Exploring as the sun was beginning to set. The street he picked was quiet. A little too quiet for the usual noise of the city. He kept a hand near the hilt of his blade as he walked. Clearly alert and on edge. A pause in his steps when two man stepped in the pathway out of the street he was on. Frowning at the figures before glancing behind him to find two more.
“I do not suppose we can talk about this like fine gentleman?” Lance slipped into the usual mask of the upper class young man from Ishgard. He was already tensed and ready when blades started being drawn by the hyuran men. “No. I suppose not. Fine. Then let us do things the hard way.”
Right now he really missed the comfort of his armor and shield. Having only been wearing his usual sword at his hip. Not even the katana he had been getting adjusted to. He much preferred at least having his shield when the numbers were against him. Thankfully his years of training would help at the very least.
A clang echoing off the sides of the buildings as his sword met the first katana that tried to strike him. Taking a step to the side just in time to dodge the second. Now the two from behind were closing in though. Kicking away the first with a solid boot to the stomach before turning to face them. The one landing a solid strike to the side of his head. That man had been quicker then Lance had anticipated. Fighting the urge to black out from the hard blow as he stumbled back towards some crates. One of the men chuckled darkly as he kicked Lance, sending the knight onto his backside.
Not once though had he left go his blade. Sadly being outnumbered was always his undoing. Didn’t mean he was out of fight yet. Trying to force his eyes to remained focused as he felt the warm trickle of blood down the side of his face. He stabbed his blade forward at the first man to approach him. Right into the man’s stomach. The other three seemed to become more leery after that. This pair had teeth.
Suddenly without warning though, one of the three let out a strangled cry of pain before crumpling to the ground bleeding. A strange dark-haired miqo’te with daggers standing behind the bleeding man. A dagger dripping with blood. Lance used his sword to help him get back to his feet quicker. Letting this distraction by him time. His sword coming down across the back of one of the men just as the stranger dealt with the other.
Lance kept a wary gaze on the newcomer. Having no idea if the man was a likely hero or if this had been an issue of territory. No chances taken when his head hurt this way. But still he managed the faked smile he used for Ishgardian nobility.
Valen had been off on another bounty. This one for a couple bandits in the Shroud. Sounded like it should be easy enough. Especially since he knew the Shroud well from growing up there. Plenty of places to hide and shoot from safety. Dressed in his hunting blacks and his grabbing the composite bow instead this time, Valen went hunting.
Except things don’t always go as planned. The trees closest to the bandits’ camp weren’t exactly good for climbing. To make a way to climb them would make too much noise. Noise that he couldn’t afford. It was two bandits. If they were alerted then odds would be against him. He’d have to just use the thick trees for cover instead of perching in their branches. It made things a little more difficult.
Valen cautiously sighted an arrow for the neck of the first bandit. Letting it fly with deadly accuracy as he quickly reached for a second arrow. The man went down with a gurgled noise, clawing at the arrow through his throat. However he had missed one important detail. The second bandit could use aether for spells. Killing the man’s partner first, gave the man time to start casting.
Rolling to the left away from the tree. Just in time to avoid the rock that slammed into it. The maneuver left him with in the open though. Vulnerable. A small silent prayer to Oschon as Valen prepared for the coming pain of the next spell if he wasn’t faster.
The pain never came. Valen looked up in surprise as the spell smashed against a shimmering protective barrier. Wanting to find the source but instead taking the shot first. The bandit mage needed to be stopped. For his safety and whoever had just rescued him. The mage went down with a strangled cry, arrow protruding from the man’s chest. A shot to the heart, nice and clean.
Valen took a deep breath before looking for the source of the protective spell. Finding a smiling Rinoa with a gathering basket hanging from one arm. Putting on a charming smile as he gave her a deep bow.
“Miss Rinoa. What a delight to see a trusting face in a time of need. I hope you will forgive me for this display.” Gesturing towards the two dead bandits. “You surely protected me from injury this day.”
Oh, Ul’dah. It was a city horrible for business, but great for Rei indulging himself in his ever worsening hoarding habits. The sun was low in the sky at this point as the seeker had garnered quite the collection of new wares for himself to take home to Hingashi. He held on to only a handful of those items as he had the rest sent ahead to the airship dock to be loaded on to his transport home. It was a good haul, though to the passerby, he would’ve looked like a very rich man who had just spent an eccentric amount of gil on loads and loads of garbage. A very confusing disconnected from how elegantly he presented himself.
While in Thanalan, Rei always opted for lighter clothes than his usual silks. A sheer scar over his shoulders, much like a shall, did little to hide his exposed arms and shoulders, his tattoos a walking gallery of birds and flowers. The shirt under that was sleeveless in an attempt to keep himself cool, though he could feel the sun burning the skin on his arms. Good thing the sun was setting, no more sun burn or stupid heat to contend with. But in the dessert, as the sun sets, the cold sets in too and Rei was intent on getting inside quickly. His airship wouldn’t leave until the next morning, so heading back to the quicksand wasn’t the worst of plans.
He turned back out of the markets and into the back alley that connected the rich with the poor. He was used to street thugs, living in a household now that was essentially all street thugs. With his hair tied in a loose bun above his neck, it didn’t really surprise him that a drunk man or two called out to him. Or maybe they didn’t care? Either way, Rei kept his eyes forward as he walked, his arms loose at his side. He was oddly relaxed despite the odd sense of tension in the air.
There was a loud thud in a small alley off to the side and Rei turned around to meet the sound. “Don’t go over there…” he commanded himself, his ears flicking as curiosity got the better of him. He didn’t move initially as the sounds of a struggle seemed to grow more frequent. His tail swished excitedly behind him. For all his dark deeds, Rei did consider himself a hero and what a better way to act that part then to go over and intervene. He placed his small bag of junk on the ground, knowing that when he got back, it would probably be gone.
Picking a knife out of his boot, Rei turned around to run into the alley to spot three refugees ganging up on a tall man. Most likely Elezen from the looks of it. Not many were that tall and of that build. He maneuvered himself into the middle of the group. He was much smaller than the Elezen, but he would have the presence of someone whose hands were drenched in blood. His gaze was narrowed with a killer’s instinct, his teeth barred angrily. “Leave, now,” he demanded.
But without giving one of the refugees so much as the chance to back away, Rei swung his dagger upward into a highlander’s face, cutting the man’s cheek open and cutting off some of his nose. Blood poured down the attacker’s face as shock settled in. “Stand down, or I will cut you down,” He said that too late for one man, it seemed. Was this miqo’te really a hero stepping in to help someone?
Valen laughed warmly when Rei admitted the compliments weren’t working. Something Valen was noticing without the admission but it was still amusing. Finally finding someone his charm didn’t work with. Of course laughing only made his ribs ache. Which in turn made him groan softly as he put his hand over the spot. He’d have to remember to call Rinoa or Virae later to look at it. For now he owed his ‘savior’ for the lost trinkets.
He was finding Rei to actually be a bit amusing and strange. Strange as in the way he made it sound like nothing to hurt Valen or keep him hostage. Making him wonder if that was something normal to just Rei or to the people where the man came from.
“I did not intend to offer you music here anyways. I left my harp back where I am staying. Not something I like to idly carry for fear of harming such a wonderful instrument of course. There is a nice quiet little bar just off the airship dock. I could grab my harp and meet you there. Unless you don’t trust me being as we just met. It is a little strange after all to just invite you to my room to play for you unless you really want a private performance. Not that I have any intentions of making unwanted advances despite your good looks and the amazing tattoo art on your skin. You’d likely just stick me with a knife if I tried.” Valen was smiling as he spoke honestly. There was no real point in lying right now. If he mad the man angry, he was just as likely to get sliced and diced for lying. “I leave the choice up to you of course.”
Turning towards the path back to the Quicksands since his harp was left in his room. A look back towards Rei. “Just do me a favor and don’t damage my hands if I do something to spark your anger. Pain I can live with. Music I can not.” Not quite sure why he admitted that to Rei. Maybe in an attempt to appeal to Rei’s better side. Valen wasn’t able to decide the reasoning. But he knew the threats weren’t just threats. They were promises of violence.
Oh, Ul’dah. It was a city horrible for business, but great for Rei indulging himself in his ever worsening hoarding habits. The sun was low in the sky at this point as the seeker had garnered quite the collection of new wares for himself to take home to Hingashi. He held on to only a handful of those items as he had the rest sent ahead to the airship dock to be loaded on to his transport home. It was a good haul, though to the passerby, he would’ve looked like a very rich man who had just spent an eccentric amount of gil on loads and loads of garbage. A very confusing disconnected from how elegantly he presented himself.
While in Thanalan, Rei always opted for lighter clothes than his usual silks. A sheer scar over his shoulders, much like a shall, did little to hide his exposed arms and shoulders, his tattoos a walking gallery of birds and flowers. The shirt under that was sleeveless in an attempt to keep himself cool, though he could feel the sun burning the skin on his arms. Good thing the sun was setting, no more sun burn or stupid heat to contend with. But in the dessert, as the sun sets, the cold sets in too and Rei was intent on getting inside quickly. His airship wouldn’t leave until the next morning, so heading back to the quicksand wasn’t the worst of plans.
He turned back out of the markets and into the back alley that connected the rich with the poor. He was used to street thugs, living in a household now that was essentially all street thugs. With his hair tied in a loose bun above his neck, it didn’t really surprise him that a drunk man or two called out to him. Or maybe they didn’t care? Either way, Rei kept his eyes forward as he walked, his arms loose at his side. He was oddly relaxed despite the odd sense of tension in the air.
There was a loud thud in a small alley off to the side and Rei turned around to meet the sound. “Don’t go over there…” he commanded himself, his ears flicking as curiosity got the better of him. He didn’t move initially as the sounds of a struggle seemed to grow more frequent. His tail swished excitedly behind him. For all his dark deeds, Rei did consider himself a hero and what a better way to act that part then to go over and intervene. He placed his small bag of junk on the ground, knowing that when he got back, it would probably be gone.
Picking a knife out of his boot, Rei turned around to run into the alley to spot three refugees ganging up on a tall man. Most likely Elezen from the looks of it. Not many were that tall and of that build. He maneuvered himself into the middle of the group. He was much smaller than the Elezen, but he would have the presence of someone whose hands were drenched in blood. His gaze was narrowed with a killer’s instinct, his teeth barred angrily. “Leave, now,” he demanded.
But without giving one of the refugees so much as the chance to back away, Rei swung his dagger upward into a highlander’s face, cutting the man’s cheek open and cutting off some of his nose. Blood poured down the attacker’s face as shock settled in. “Stand down, or I will cut you down,” He said that too late for one man, it seemed. Was this miqo’te really a hero stepping in to help someone?
Valen sucked in a sharp breath at Rei’s poking around his ribs. Less amused now then he had been before but not quite yet angry. After all, remaining calm was something he was good at. Even when someone was mocking him subtly. Tucking the offered knife into his boot just to keep himself from further physical harm since he had a feeling it wasn’t a joke. Not if he went by Rei’s body language. He wasn’t quite as easy to kill as Rei said. Yet he also wasn’t one who was used to physical fights. Most of his body was rather lithe and the muscles were in his arms and shoulders from using his longbow.
There was something foreign yet not about Rei. The word kami was definitely one indicator that the man was not local. Plus the mention of souvenirs. A look towards where had mentioned leaving his bag of trinkets. A shame really, no matter what the items had been. Trinkets or not. Valen lightly scratched his heart tattooed cheek.Trying to put everything he knew together.
“I apologize for the loss of your possessions. I would have likely ended up beaten bloody and left without gil of course without your intervention. Though do not entirely discount me on one poor choice. I can make many shots that are difficult for the average bowmen. I realize that does not help me here but I have not been long around Ul’dah but a few suns. I come from the Twelveswood. The Shroud to most not born there.” Once more giving the charming boyish smile he was so good at. Attempting to ease any tension. “I may not be wealthy but allow me to help replace what I can of your souvenirs. Or maybe offer you some help or entertainment. I shall leave the choice to you, the dashing young man who rescued me.”
The skies looked overcast, a promise of snow. Not that it was anything different for Coerthas.
The wyvern was likely a remanent of Nidhogg’s horde. The shift had been light on knights for duty tonight. After all things had been quiet since the end of the dragonsong war. Of course Lance just had to be the lucky one to be on duty when someone called out a warning about the presence of a wyvern.
Lance wasn’t one to back down from a wyvern. No matter the scars still left from the Steel Vigil. He swallowed that pain and went forth to meet the foe outside of Skyfire. He was a knight of Ishgard and would not stand by while a wyvern attacked.
Sword and shield drawn and ready to face down the threat as he approached. Rolling to avoid the clawed talons that came at it. Turning to find someone else had run into the fight as well. The armor wasn’t exactly the first thing he could place to one of the Houses. Definitely not while in battle. The sword had met the incoming jaws that had been going for Lance while he was moving to his feet. It was looking at the man’s face that Lance realized he knew this armored man.
“Tsirae! Left!” Lance called out, hoping for the knight to shift left. Giving Lance the opening to lunge with his sword towards the wyvern’s exposed belly. Between the two of them the wyvern wouldn’t stand a chance. They might not work together with serving different houses but there was a certain amount of understanding between knights usually. Especially knights from Ishgard. It helped that Lance trusted Tsirae.
Oh, Ul’dah. It was a city horrible for business, but great for Rei indulging himself in his ever worsening hoarding habits. The sun was low in the sky at this point as the seeker had garnered quite the collection of new wares for himself to take home to Hingashi. He held on to only a handful of those items as he had the rest sent ahead to the airship dock to be loaded on to his transport home. It was a good haul, though to the passerby, he would’ve looked like a very rich man who had just spent an eccentric amount of gil on loads and loads of garbage. A very confusing disconnected from how elegantly he presented himself.
While in Thanalan, Rei always opted for lighter clothes than his usual silks. A sheer scar over his shoulders, much like a shall, did little to hide his exposed arms and shoulders, his tattoos a walking gallery of birds and flowers. The shirt under that was sleeveless in an attempt to keep himself cool, though he could feel the sun burning the skin on his arms. Good thing the sun was setting, no more sun burn or stupid heat to contend with. But in the dessert, as the sun sets, the cold sets in too and Rei was intent on getting inside quickly. His airship wouldn’t leave until the next morning, so heading back to the quicksand wasn’t the worst of plans.
He turned back out of the markets and into the back alley that connected the rich with the poor. He was used to street thugs, living in a household now that was essentially all street thugs. With his hair tied in a loose bun above his neck, it didn’t really surprise him that a drunk man or two called out to him. Or maybe they didn’t care? Either way, Rei kept his eyes forward as he walked, his arms loose at his side. He was oddly relaxed despite the odd sense of tension in the air.
There was a loud thud in a small alley off to the side and Rei turned around to meet the sound. “Don’t go over there…” he commanded himself, his ears flicking as curiosity got the better of him. He didn’t move initially as the sounds of a struggle seemed to grow more frequent. His tail swished excitedly behind him. For all his dark deeds, Rei did consider himself a hero and what a better way to act that part then to go over and intervene. He placed his small bag of junk on the ground, knowing that when he got back, it would probably be gone.
Picking a knife out of his boot, Rei turned around to run into the alley to spot three refugees ganging up on a tall man. Most likely Elezen from the looks of it. Not many were that tall and of that build. He maneuvered himself into the middle of the group. He was much smaller than the Elezen, but he would have the presence of someone whose hands were drenched in blood. His gaze was narrowed with a killer’s instinct, his teeth barred angrily. “Leave, now,” he demanded.
But without giving one of the refugees so much as the chance to back away, Rei swung his dagger upward into a highlander’s face, cutting the man’s cheek open and cutting off some of his nose. Blood poured down the attacker’s face as shock settled in. “Stand down, or I will cut you down,” He said that too late for one man, it seemed. Was this miqo’te really a hero stepping in to help someone?
Rei glanced over his shoulder as the Elezen behind him so rudely thanked his deity instead of him for saving his life. His ears flicked, slight irate, as he stared up at the man. Rei hadn’t realized how tall the Elezen was until that moment. But he wasn’t going to relax quite yet. Not until the armed thugs decided they’d had enough. “One, two…” he began to count under his breath. But he soon found them fleeing, rather than engaging the two of them.
The seeker turned around, nearly whipping the Elezen with his hair as he did so, “There is no deity on this plane who is going out of their way to save you. I just happened to be passing by this mess…” he gestured to the blood splattered on the pavement with his blood soaked dagger. He lifted the blade a bit closer to his face to get a better look at it and then idly began flinging the blood off of it in a sharp flicking motion of his wrist.
He turned back to face the Elezen again, lowering the dagger so it was in a non-threatening position, “Damsel?” he repeated the word, tilting his head slightly, a loose lock of hair slipping from his shoulder. He seemed genuinely confused by that notion, “I don’t care if you’re a man or woman. Scum like that needs to be eradicated,” he glared back at the blood stains on the pavement from the man he had landed his warning shot on. “I’m glad you have the decency to also thank me instead of that Osch…whoever,” he shook his head.
He a came even closer to the man, his feet light on the pavement, almost silent, as he began to examine the man more closely, standing on his toes even to check his wounds, “Did they break your skin?” he asked, reaching out with his free hand to try and take hold of the arm the Elezen had over his own torso to check the wound, “I am not a healer, but I can bring you to one,” he frowned, looking up at the man through his long eyelashes,.
“What did you think you were doing? wandering around out here with nothing but a rusty old meat knife,” he chided and held out his own dagger, “It’s dirty, but at least carry this. I can always get another.” His dagger was of shinobi make. But the man himself was not a shinobi. He held out the knife handle first to the minstrel to take.
Valen would have taken a surprised step back if he wasn’t already leaning against the wall. Quite surprised by the man’s attitude. Plus the fact that his usual charm seemed to have no effect. “Well… Not an easy customer this one.” The words were muttered mostly to himself as he maintained that earlier smile.
“Oschon the Wanderer. He is one of the Twelve gods of Eorzea. The deity that watches over those of us that wander the world.” Moving his arm aside to show there were no open wounds. Maybe a cracked rib but that wasn’t visible to the eye. “I shall be alright. I will contact a healer friend later. The busted lip. Maybe a cracked rib. This is minor compared to the damage I took from a failed hunt a moon ago.”
Valen took a long moment looking at the dagger. As if deciding whether he wanted to accept such a gift. Conflicted but slowly he reached to take it. “I am afraid I might dishonor such a fine gift. My skills are with the strings rather then a blade. Not that my bow would have been much help in this situation. I am a hunter of distance. A player of songs. I never thought to need such a skill before. Nor was it my intention to wander down the wrong road. I was merely rehearsing my music in my head.”
Seeing as the situation seemed safe, the little doman magpie finally flew down from the roof. Landing lighting on Valen’s shoulder and chirping at him. The young man giving a laugh which caused him to wince. Reaching up to gently rub Lily’s belly. “How rude of me. I am Valentin and this is my companion, Lily. But you may call me Valen. Might I ask the name of my savior?”
Spirit of the Warlock 