One minute I held the key [OTA]

[bearshermark]

Who: Eleven, a largely optional Hendrik, and you!
When: March, sometime!
Where: Various bits of Anastara
What: Eleven tries to be normal while dogged by a persistent shadow.
Other: +/-1 options for the prompts are for a bonus Hendrik if you'd like! As Eleven's new sworn bodyguard, he has a tendency to follow him everywhere- but Eleven also likes to try giving him the slip.


A. Temple Study Buddy
First Ring- Temple of Raida Library

[It's Eleven's new favorite place to study, combining prayer and academics into unparalelled focus. Intimation and Religion studies become a breeze and even Language feels a little less like the mind-numbing struggle it has been.

He's kicked back and sitting parallel to the table with a book in one hand and jotting down notes with the other. It's a good place to find him if anyone were looking, and an even better place to find some quiet.

At least until he gets a little too relaxed and tips back too far in his chair.

Eleven crashes to the floor with a short yelp, then an oof when the heavy tome takes a free punch at his gut as it falls]

..Ow.

(+1 option)
[Don't mind the middle-aged man with purple hair sitting in the corner and throwing suspicious looks at anyone that comes within a few feet of Eleven- that's just his face]


B. Sparring Practice
Magicademy- Courtyard

[As outlined in his post to the bulletin board, Eleven has in fact been sparring out in the Academy's courtyard every single day after classes, so it isn't really anything new, but the invitation itself is.

It may have been born partly out of desperation for someone else to spar with ( or for someone to take his place sparring against Hendrik) but the offer is genuine all the same. He likes fighting, and the opportunity to erase the stifling strain of classroom study is entirely too appealing to give up in even the worst bits of weather.

So even as the seasonal lightning crashes overhead and the rains pour down, Eleven maintains his regimen. Whether it's sword or fists against Hendrik, enchanted dummies, or a new sparring partner, he's in perfectly good spirits and spoiling for a fight]

Come on- again!

(+1 option)
[Feel free to interrupt Hendrik and Eleven sparring, be watched whilst fighting against Eleven- or even set up against Hendrik yourself while Eleven cheers for you from the sidelines]


C. Exploring Anastara
Anywhere

You don't have to follow me everywhere, you know.

[The words are a long-suffering sort, as though they've been repeated a hundred times to no avail.

Eleven sighs and throws a look back to his new bodyguard as they walk along the city streets. It's been a bit since he arrived, but the man's constant presence is starting to wear on him. In some ways, it rather feels like he simply can't relax when he's around- like his vigilance is contagious or something.]

No one even knows who I am. I'm pretty sure they don't have any reason to attack me.


(-1 option)
[Or if you'd rather catch Eleven alone in Anastara proper, you might find him on the run from said bodyguard~]

Comments

C. Because how can I pass up that timing...? (Inviting Axel/Lea to join.)

[nobodys_puppet]

Xion had just been stepping out of the dorms for the day when she saw two people, one... she was actually willing to approach. Not having heard him saying that no one knows who he is, she walked a bit closer, hood firmly covering her face. "Eleven, hi," she said softly, not sure if the greeting would be welcomed.

She's trying, okay?

hah it's a party!

[bearshermark]

Eleven started, taking an unconscious step back but stopped himself midway through. Yggdrasil forbid Hendrik mistake his reaction for fear.

"Xion," he breathed, working up a smile. "Hello. ..How are you?"

Re: hah it's a party!

[nobodys_puppet]

She... wasn't quite sure how to answer that question. Not really. "I.... am trying to... act like actual people....?" was that the right answer? She glanced nervously at the stranger.

[bearshermark]

Eleven followed her gaze and cleared his throat.

"This is Hendrik. He's, uh.." he faltered, failing to immediately come up with an explanation that wouldn't bring about even more questions. "..Well, he's someone from my world."

[nobodys_puppet]

She nodded. "Like Axel is from mine." That made sense. She looked to Hendrick. "Are you a friend?" Of Eleven's she meant, but she's used to talking to Roxas and Axel who understood her well enough that they would have gotten what she meant, so she didn't think to elaborate.

[unswervingcompanion]

"I am his sword, his shield and his unswerving companion." Hendrik replied with a nod. His gaze looked over at Eleven, but kept quiet about a lot of things because apparently the other hadn't spoken of them.

"And I take it you are a friend of..Eleven's?" There was some hesitation only because the knight reminded himself not to call the other 'The Luminary' though it was definitely a habit of his and of course no disrespect was ever intended.

If she was the Luminary's friend, Hendrik could definitely relax. It was nice to see that he had other companions that he could trust and spend time with.

[nobodys_puppet]

Xion had no clue what to do with Hendrik's self identification. But her focus got pulled away by another word.

"Friend?" she considered that, then looked to Eleven, unsure. "Are... we?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven colored a bit. All of that sounded rather more personal than friendship- a word he hesitated to use at this juncture. Ally probably described them best at the current moment really.

But for Xion.. "I don't see why not, if you'd like to be. I've promised to help you, and I wouldn't mind spending time with you," he grinned. "Like normal people."

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik couldn't call himself the Luminary's friend, especially after all that he had put the other through. Protector, companion, sword, and shield, well those were far more correct.

But then he watched the interaction between the two others and folded his arms across his chest. Had he been wrong in his assumption that the Luminary had made more friends here? So quietly Hendrik waited. And he made a mental note to be talking to Eleven later regarding this matter.

[nobodys_puppet]

"But I'm not a person...."

Did... this mean he had to join them for ice cream....? She was still confused about all of this, okay?

[bearshermark]

"You're overthinking it," Eleven assured brightly, not at all put off by the statement. "As long as we enjoy each other's company, then we can be friends. I don't think hearts matter."

[nobodys_puppet]

Could she... enjoy? Or did that need a heart? One of the many confusing things she had to wonder about.

"Do... all friends do the same things...?"

[bearshermark]

The question gives him a beat of pause. He's not an expert on having friends, but he's made a lot of the them in the past several weeks and months.

"No. I study with some of my friends and train with other friends of mine. ...I think people bond over different things."

B: Sparring Practice +1

[darkenedmoon]

[The sound of metal striking metal isn't lost on Yotsuyu, though it's curiosity that draws her to the courtyard. One face is familiar; oddly enough, it's not the young man sparring, but the knight is someone she knows. She does know better than to call out to them until they break, also, leaning against a pillar and simply observing. When it occurs naturally, only then does she call out.]

Hendrik, I did not know you had a protege! Is that the one you were chasing?

[Oh. She saw that. Well, of course she did...but her next words are mild enough.]

It seems as if you worked out your differences, so that is good. [And she gives the younger man a polite bow.]

Well met. I am Yotsuyu goe Brutus, and I have met Hendrik before, but we have not yet been properly introduced.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven looks from her to Hendrik, then back, blinking. Sword lowering, he decides it's a good time as any for a rest. He gives her a wave and wipes either sweat or rain from his brow, then straightens. He's still a touch out of breath in responding]

Eleven. ..It's good to meet you.

[unswervingcompanion]

[Since the two had put their differences aside (for the second time for the knight) Hendrik had made sure that he trained with the Luminary daily. Classes were tougher for him than he let on, but he was determined to show that a Knight of Heliodor could take on books.

He went harder on Eleven now than the day they'd met and the boy had taken a slip down a cliff during pursuit into the water below. But Hendrik still held his full might back. After all, if they kept at this, and for some unfortunate reason Mordegon appeared, they would be found unprepared, much like at the Last Bastion's horde of monsters.

One last hit and Yotsuyu appeared in the knight's line of vision. A smile appeared on his face, and he nodded, placing his greatsword on his back.]

He is indeed the one that I was chasing, but he is not my protege'.

[A glance at Eleven]

And yes, we did resolve our differences.

[He claps the Luminary on the shoulders (maybe a little harder than intended) as Eleven introduces himself. The knight can't help it, he's happy these two have finally met. And he directs his question to Yotsuyu.]

And what brings you to our corner of the courtyard?

[darkenedmoon]

Good. Good. You will, I hope, forgive me for my assumptions? [And here, she bows slightly to Eleven, again.] It is not unheard of, where I am from, for such things to happen.

[A knight taking a protege, she means. Nothing more than that.]

I heard the sounds of metal upon metal, and came to investigate. I would like to learn more about swordplay, but at the moment my skills lie more in a blade from my homeland--and I do not have a good substitute. I suppose I shall have to investigate that, as well, and see if I can find a serviceable one.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven waves a hand, far from concerned about inaccurate assumptions. He'd be far more concerned about accurate ones if he weren't rather distracted by the hands on his shoulders. It's still something of an adjustment to be so familiar with the man.

He brightens a bit though]

I'm taking forging. If you had some kind of design, I might be able to find someone to forge it for you.

[unswervingcompanion]

[Hendrik has a thought as he removes his hands from the Luminary.]

Should you wish to train, I can offer my assistance.

[He won't add that it would be his way of paying her back for teaching him how to cook. He's learned that lesson almost the hard way. But thickheaded knight is thickheaded.

Looking over at Eleven, Hendrik looks at the other man.]

That would be most helpful indeed, if you could do this.

[darkenedmoon]

I could...I have some small skill in drawing, and of course it need not be magical, truly. Just a serviceable blade would be enough. But I could not tell you how to balance it--I am no swordswoman.

[All the skill she'd had had come from Tsukuyomi. Yotsuyu could not, would not, rely on such a thing. She was not precisely happy about asking for help, either, but Hendrik had a modicum of her trust, fragile as that was. She bows to Eleven yet again.]

I would be in your debt. I would also be grateful.

[bearshermark]

You wouldn't owe me anything. I might even get to work on it a little and learn something new.

[If he can help, he will. It might not matter that he's the Luminary here, but for everything that's outside of his power, there are things like this that aren't.]

So whenever you can draw a design, I will be happy to see it through for you.

[unswervingcompanion]

[Hendrik grinned at the Luminary's gentle rebuff of being in debt. It was something Yotsutu had rebuffed him at for repayment regarding cooking lessons.

With a small nod at Eleven, Hendrik directed his words at Yotsutu.]

I have been around swords most of my life. And I will make sure that your blade is both balanced and suitable for battle.

[darkenedmoon]

Hmph. Well, if you find you need anything, and I can procure it, you must let me know. I will see about getting you a design as soon as I may, then.

[Her eyes flick over to Hendrik, then, and she nods to him.] That will be invaluable, as I haven't the foggiest idea as to how to do such a thing. And I am sure you both will do well as instructors, so.

I suppose I shall have to bring some refreshment. Drinks at the very least, and mayhap a snack as well. I may not need food 'til suppertime, but a growing young man and his protector certainly do! I shall endeavor to make them healthy.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven colors a bit, nearly of a mind to protest but knowing well enough not to. The gesture really is appreciated, as he does have a tendency to find himself quite hungry after sparring]

That's- that's very kind of you, thank you. Er, how did you know he's my protector?

[unswervingcompanion]

[Hendrik shook his head at Yotsuyu's kind and generous offer. She needn't do anything remotely of the sort, but if that made her happy, then he knew better than to argue it. She did have a formidable will, and he wouldn't get in her way. So he simply nodded.]

Your kindness would be most appreciated.

[And then he glanced at the Luminary but made no comment to the question.]