diatu | One minute I held the key [OTA]

One minute I held the key [OTA]

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~]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yotsuyu arched a brow at Eleven's question, and looked from him to Hendrik in silence, giving them a long, slow regard.

It's not really intended to make any of them uncomfortable, but she passes a few glances back between them before her brow furrows, and she wrinkles her nose ever so slightly at the younger man.]

Is this a trick question? I've eyes, you know. It is clear that there is something between the two of you, but you look little like each other, so it is not familial. And good Ser Hendrik is a knight. Knights protect people. It is clear that he has taken you as his charge.

[At least to someone like her, who made a life out of being clever and astute and quick to gather information. Maybe others might need that pointed out, but she is not one.]

[The longer she looks between them, the more Eleven's face heats. He rubs at it and works to will the redness away]

Sorry, it wasn't that I was trying to insult you. I have a number of travelling companions, but they aren't all my protectors.

[Two of them have also sworn themselves to his service, but the others he'd prefer to think weren't obligated to follow him]

..Anyway, it's nice to meet you.

[Did he already say that? It feels like he already said that. Don't mind him; social graces were never a strength of his]

I met Yotsuyu the day I found out that you were here, Luminary.

[That had been an interesting day to say the least. But to her, he nodded.]

I am his companion, his sword and his shield. And I will protect him even if it means my death. And I will follow that oath even here in this place.

[Being a knight is serious business.]

Edited 2019-03-22 22:56 (UTC)

[At Hendrik's words, Yotsuyu is sorely tempted to just gesture at him as if to say "See?" and look at Eleven. But she restrains herself, and only nods to the knight.]

As I said, I did see his pursuit of you, but I was not certain what it was about. Nor did I want to frighten you further by also giving chase. Though had I realized it was just a conversation, I might have.

[Not that she knew any of it, she's dissembling.]

And while we have spoken of many things, he and I, the topic of you has not come up yet. Though if you are under his protection, I may just look out for you, as well.

[Luckily, Yotsuyu is very much a more subtle individual. Eleven isn't likely to notice her tailing him if she chooses to do so. Nor would she be like to call attention to herself were he out with his friends.

Unlike Hendrik, probably.]

[His shoulders go rigid as the title and oath falls across them. But either she already knows or paid little heed. Still, his heart quickens]

I- that isn't necessary. I don't want anyone's life or.. or service. It's just a title that doesn't mean anything to anyone here.

[Hendrik nodded at Yotsuyu.]

An extra pair of eyes would be most appreciated. Back home he had many such companions though when he came back after a disappearance, I had met up with his childhood friend named Gemma, his mother and his faithful dog Sandy. I cannot say what had happened to the others, though I am sure they survived.

[The knight then looked at Eleven.]

I swore that oath to you at the Last Bastion and again here. I will stand by it regardless of all else.

[Her gaze softens slightly as she watches Eleven, quiet for the moment. Really, the title means nothing to her, although she does wonder, idly, if it's anything like the vaunted Warrior of Light in her world. She won't make that connection--he seems ill enough at ease.]

You have neither from me, young man. What Hendrik has is my...friendship. And as odd as it is to have that word roll off my tongue, I see no reason to do less for you.

[She glances at Hendrik, then. And then she smiles, perhaps a bit wickedly.] One must admit, I am more...scenic than he is. And less threatening!

[Less threatening.

..Well, he supposes she's never tried to kill him before, so that's true enough. Before he can muse on the scenic bit however, his brain makes a belated connection and he whirls on Hendrik, eyes wide]

Mom and Gemma? You didn't- they weren't killed!?

[Hendrik is somewhat surprised at Yotsuyu's announcement of friendship but it does make him happy. And he's just going to smile and shake his head at the 'scenic' comment. She would definitely be more subtle about things than him and he knows that.

And as the knight's about to make a comment, the Luminary is staring right at him. And at the question, he shakes his head again if a bit slightly confused by the question.]

No they were not slain. They are both alive and well.

[She knows not all families were like hers. Yotsuyu smiles at Hendrik, but does not interrupt his minor discussion with Eleven. She senses on some level that this is a very important revelation to the young man.

For the moment, she keeps her peace and lets them continue.]

[Eleven sways, destiny forgotten as a weight he hadn't realized he's been carrying vanishes all at once. In its place, relief so overwhelming that his eyes brim with it and his breaths turn shallow. His knees gradually give way to the ground, and for a few moments, his shoulders shake and he stifles sobs into the palm of his hand. It takes some time to find his voice again.]

..Thank Yggdrasil. Oh, thank Yggdrasil.

[He swallows and tries to regain himself, voice wavering and increasingly aware of how he must look]

..I'm sorry, I just- the village was.. and I didn't know what happened to them- if they were killed because of me.

[At first he's really confused and trying to figure out why the Luminary is on his knees. But Hendrik kneels down to the other's level to hear the last bit of words. And then it hits him.]

No, the villagers were imprisoned and not murdered. I was the one who spoke to Jasper about that.

[Thankfully the other had actually listened, because they were going to be killed until Hendrik showed up.]

Clearly there were people you loved there. There is no shame in that, Eleven. I am glad they are well and safe.

[Hardhearted she may be, but only against her own family. Her own people. And there were reasons for that, not that she cared to divulge that to him yet. If ever. Hendrik knew, but he was a man grown and a knight who had seen battle. That was different. She wasn't inclined to baby anyone, but now? She wasn't eager to compound the younger man's pain, either.]

Come. Here, stand up. You need not rush to compose yourself, but there is no need to roll about in the mud.

[Her chiding is more playful than snarky, and she offers Eleven a hand. He should get up, if only because there are golems about who might be far too enthused to...help him get clean.]

[Eleven stares at Hendrik, breathing hard as the truth unfolds in a wave. The village was sentenced to death as surely as he had been, but because of Hendrik..?

He hastily scrubs at his eyes and placing his marked hand in hers, allows Yotsuyu to help him to his feet. But it's Hendrik's shoulder that he steadies himself on]

Sorry. [Glancing down, he despairs for a moment that his pants are muddy after all, and struggles against feeling all of six years old again.

Eleven presses a hand to his chest and releases a slow breath]

..Thank you, Hendrik- truly. I- I've thought too little of you, if you defended their lives even when we were enemies. I would apologize for that.

[There's a very quick smile as the Luminary takes Yotsuyu's hand and the knight doesn't move an inch as Eleven steadies himself. Once that's accomplished, Hendrik stands to his full height as the Luminary gives him thanks.]

Your concern is for your people and you have no need to apologize. Things were different back then and I did what I judged to be right. But before we left for Mount Pang Lai, I had learned that your people and the King were going to rebuild both Cobblestone and Heliodor. So you need not worry, there was peace and goodwill.

I also see no reason for an apology. It is a testament to you that you do care for your people. That they have earned such love and devotion from you. That you must have it from them, as well.

[As her own had not. Yotsuyu does not precisely look happy or unhappy, but she does not try to force the memory down. It had happened, for good or ill.

Though at his words, she does offer Hendrik a small smile.]

[His smile is weak, but it's there. Eleven wipes at the lingering wetnesss at his eyes and feels just a little lighter. Yggdrasil had fallen, but the people of Cobblestone lived. It's not equal, but the weight of the world feels a little lighter all the same]

Thank you. ...They're good people. [He clears his throat] I'm sorry, Yotsuyu. You were saying something, I think.

[He's not going to mention how Eleven's mom pushed him out of the way once or twice to reach her boy. But that was totally fine with him. Hendrik also had Obsidian lead her back to safety once as well, but that isn't mentioned either. Still, he makes a mental note to sit down with the Luminary to catch him up and answer any and all questions as best he can.]

And they did nothing wrong to deserve death. And now I could not thank them enough for their kindness.

[He patted the Luminary on the shoulder and wondered why Yotsuyu had smiled at him, but he would ask her later since he wanted the other two to get to know each other. And he would make sure to thank her for her offer, because he could use more help.]

I cannot remember what I was about to say; so it must not have been of great import. Nor am I angered by being swayed away from it. Finding out those you care for are safe? That is more important than my little jibes.

[She waves a hand airily. In truth, she really had forgotten, and she didn't want Eleven to feel bad about the interruption, either.

She does want to get to know Eleven better, but it's clear to Yotsuyu that he's ill at ease being put on the spot. Hm. Oh, and then she has it. Something relatively lighthearted to speak of.]

So, I know we all are assigned familiars when we arrive here. Would you care to introduce yours?

[She will, perhaps, go first, dropping a hand to her waist--and that is not a nice blue serpent leather belt she's wearing, but a very real serpent. It winds around her waist a few times, mimicking a belt, but when she touches it, it lifts its head to blink at the other two.] This is Gosetsu.

[He jumps a little, not expecting her belt to move- much less be a real serpent.]

Oh, hello. [The sudden shift in topic feels a bit at odds with his mood, but far more preferable than heavier things. Eleven glances about for his familiar]

It's a bit wet out for mine- she's a cat- but her name is Lightning because of the black streaks in her fur.

[Hendrik is not touching that snake, as fascinated as he might be by it. And he's not surprised at all that the Luminary has a cat. But his..was not on his person either.]

I must apologize. I do not have Sir Gawain with me.

[After a moment, the knight realized that might not mean anything, so his head lowered.]

He's..a toad. The name was suggested in a book, but I chose it because it was a knight's name in a book. He was a green..knight.

[Like his toad. Have a not!Dad joke Luminary, though that really is the name of his toad.]

[Likely that was one of the last things Yotsuyu had expected out of Hendrik. And it shows, by the way her eyes go wide at him. There's humor in her voice, though she is trying to maintain her composure.]

I should like to meet her properly some day, Eleven. But...

[And there is where she loses it, yellow eyes canting back to the knight as she lifts a hand to her mouth and dissolves into giggles.]

A green knight?! Green and warty, Ser Hendrik? Oh, kami! Twelve bless!

[She does try to compose herself again, but it's a struggle. Gosetsu, clearly bored by all this, resumes his wrap about her waist--it's warmer that way, truly.]

[The joke feels lost on him, but Eleven smiles all the same, encouraged by the lightened atmosphere]

I'm sure you will, when the weather lets up. Or we could go inside, and she might come around. I believe we're done sparring for the day?

[Hendrik gave Yotsuyu the quickest of smiles and a small laugh. He didn't know who kami was or the Twelve that she mentioned, but he would ask her later. Right now, it was worth it to hear her laugh. And he made a mental note to somehow try and keep her laughing.

But to the Luminary, the knight nodded.]

I do believe that we are done training this day.

I would like to meet her, if at all possible. I have always had a fondness for cats...

[Yotsuyu was just never given to caring for them. Partly because she was kept busy other ways--and likely if she'd ever decided to care for an animal in her childhood, either Asahi or her parents would find reasoning to either harm it, or take it from her.]

But in any case, we should retire out of the damp. I am certain none of us need to take a chill, more so you two than I, having exerted yourselves!

One minute I held the key [OTA]

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