Tag: Thanks for asking!
It had been a few sun with no other gifts. Until one night a melody could be heard not far from his window. It was familiar.
Alex frowned as he stopped cutting the vegetables for the dinner he was making. Keeping the knife with him as he prowled over towards the window. Hiding beside the window to first look and make sure there was no trap or someone waiting on the window ledge. Cause some people could be downright sneaky and clever enough for that. Closing his eyes for a moment when he seen nothing right away. Listening to the familiar melody and trying to place it. Where had he heard it before…
Moving away from the window, he switched his kitchen knife for a proper pair of blades. He headed outside to look around for the one playing the music, unsure if this was somehow related to the mystery gifts or just someone amusing themselves. Still he was tense and ready just in case though he was clearly playing it cool.
“Who’s out here playing music?” Alex called out as he looked around cautiously. Looking for any sign at all of the mystery player.
Shield! (For Lance cuz why not? Haha)
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.
“Thank you for the assist.”
“Shield” for Valen and Rinoa ❤️
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.”
♡ – If your muse were rendered unable to fight, what about them would change? Would they be able to handle it?
(Haha. XD Alex would go down swinging till he couldn’t swing anymore. He’d find a way to fight unless he was paralyzed. He’d get angry and bitter most likely. Fighting is a big thing for him. Take that away and he’d be so lost. He’s spent so much of his life fighting to survive.)
(I think Lance would be sad but he would accept it. There would be moments of longing to pick up a blade again. He’s spent almost his whole life as a knight. It would be hard for him to let it go. But now that he’s married, I’m sure given time he would find other things to do. Like raising a family.)
(Odds are if Valen lost the ability to fight, he’d lose his ability to play his harp as well since he’s a bowman. Which would make him incredibly lost. He’s spent his entire youth training for this moment. He loves to be able to play music and travel the world. Most likely he’d take up drinking and staring longingly out a window. He wouldn’t handle it too well.)
(To be an adventurer you have to be able to fight. Keaira’s mother wouldn’t mind her not being able to fight anymore but Keaira would. It would be heartbreaking. Though she has a very loving family and would be okay in time. It would take a long time to recover from such a loss though. She would at least try her best to keep her chin up.)
(It wouldn’t be that big of a loss. She is more of a pacifist anyways. She’d likely continue what she’s doing now. Being a herbalist and healer. After all you don’t need to know how to fight in order to help people.)
(Thanks @leatherlaceandblades )
♧ – Does your muse have any regrets about a battle or incident they had to fight in? Has it changed them?
(Lance most definitely has. The Steel Vigil left it’s scars both physically and mentally. He regrets that they lost the Vigil and their commander. He know he was still too young to have made a strong difference in that fight. Doesn’t mean it haunts him any less. He still returns to the ruined Vigil once a year to pray to Halone for those lost that day. That loss made him work harder and remain true and loyal to Haillenarte despite his family. Even went as far as to explore the ruins of The Palace of the Dead when he heard rumors of his commander’s ghost having been sighted down there.)
(For Alex that would have been his fight against his former mentor. He regrets not making sure the man was actually dead before he fled. Years later it led to him being tortured for two days and nearly killed. It’s made him more paranoid and more serious. Any time he flexes that hand his mentor scarred, it’s him reliving at least some part of that memory.)
(Mari has had one fight only really. She’s managed to live most of her life in relative peace beyond that. She originally fled Dravania to escape the war. The old woman she took shelter with in Coerthas was a former dragoon. The woman taught her to fight. However there was a group of knights that later hunted the old woman down and accused her of being a heretic. Mari was told to run, not quite being ready to face a group of skilled knights. But remembering the old woman telling her it was better to love then to hate. So Mari regrets being unable to help the old woman but those interactions with that woman kept her from hating and nursing a grudge.)
(Thanks @rei-sekiro )
™ – Do any inspirations for how your muse fights come from other media? List or describe them.
(Generally, not one thing specifically really. It’s like a little of various different shows or movies or games. I watch a lot of things with action scenes. I mean for like magic shows like Magic Knights Rayearth, RWBY, and Avatar: The Last Airbender help shape some of the way I view it in my head. Does not always translate well to text when I’m writing. But that is often the way my brain works. XD Like I have this vivid beautiful picture in my head and then it comes out not so pretty when I write. Like what is words? Haha. I seriously watch a huge variety of things though and pick up little pieces from just about everything.)
(Thanks @nocturnedreaming )
♤ – Given a chance to learn and use a combat ability or magic they don’t possess, what would your muse choose?
(If Alex had to choose, probably magic. He’s already skilled with daggers and a polearm. Already knows poisons. He has no real skills with magic though. Never had anyone to teach him and it’s not exactly something you can learn alone. Not for him at least. He’d enjoy knowing a little fire magic.)
(Healing or Holy magic. Lance, like Alex, knows various weapons but has no training with aether for spells. Lance actually has a smaller personal aether pool. A counter balance to the fact that he’s physically strong and durable. He would like to know at least some healing magic to at least be better able to protect and save those he cares about.)
(Close fighting combat abilities. He has zero interest in magic but he does regret never learning how to deal with close range dangers. After a few mishaps, he’s realized how vulnerable that makes him.)
(Thanks @stars-bleed-hearts-shine )
♠ = Lance, ✓ = Alex. =D
♠ – What is your muse’s weapon of choice? Is it magical or mundane in nature?
“Physical weapons. Usually a sword and shield. Though I have been trying my hand with other weapons as well. It gives me the advantage of better knowing what other weapons are capable of in a fight. I have been studying with a katana lately specifically. After a trip to Kugane with my wife, we thought the training of the samurai there might be beneficial to help me with a problem I have.”
✓ – Has your muse ever lost anyone they cared about on the battlefield? Do they feel responsible?
(No not really. He’s never really been on a battlefield -yet- with someone he’s cared about. Before he started finding reasons to care, he was more of a solitary fighter. A sort of assassin or hired hitman. The closest he’s been was the day he betrayed Lance on a scouting mission in an effort to protect the knight. He knows he’s responsible and doesn’t ever deny it. He was protecting the first person who ever showed any signs of caring about him. So to him it was worth it.)
(Thanks @subetei-noykin )
Spirit of the Warlock 