don't know who I am right now [open]

[vibing]

Who: Yuri Lowell, but as a child, & you!
What: Yuri attempting to train with a sword and stealing some jerky
When: January 12-19
Where: Crenshaw, Willful Machine, the beach

Content Warnings: N/A

A. Training
[ When Yuri first woke up here, he woke up in a room with a lot of weapons in it. At least three swords, two shields, and more knives than he could count. He immediately took one of those swords. He doesn't have one yet at home, but it's a dream, a dream to have a sword and become a knight and change the Empire for the better.

With stolen sword in hand, a ten-year-old Yuri is out in some barren area of Trench, whatever greenery was there killed by the cold and snow. The sword is too big and too heavy for him, more than half his height in length, and his arms are shaking from the exertion, but he needs to learn. He needs to fight. He was told that this place is dangerous, and he needs to be able to fight, to defend himself, and defend those who can't defend themselves. That's what he's going to do. That's part of the oath he swore with Flynn: to make the world a better place for everyone.

He slashes down with a grunt, but with too much force, and the tip of the sword lodges itself in the ground ]

Stupid-- sword--!

[ He grumbles and tries his best to get it out, but the ground is frozen and hard around it ]

B. Haggling
No, that's too expensive.

[ Maybe it isn't that strange of a sight in Trench to see a child haggling for food. Here is a ten-year-old, bundled up in a coat that is too big for him, sleeves bunched up on his arms, the shoulders hanging off his thin frame. He's trying to buy some jerky, something that seems practical and filling and he's ten and doesn't know how to cook yet.

The Trenchie doesn't look very enthused by this kid who only has a few stones to his name, and rejects his offer. Yuri's little hands ball into fists ]

Fine.

[ He turns on his heel and stalks away, making a show of it, only to twist on his toes a few yards later, and lurches back toward the stand to grab some of the jerky, making off with it before the Trenchie can grab him. Who knows if this is even illegal in Trench?

Yuri dodges through the crowd, clutching the jerky close. Do you stop him? ]

C. Wildcard
[ Want to run into tiny Yuri somewhere else? He can be found around Crenshaw, Willful Machine, and by the beach. Hit me! ]

Comments

training

[thinkfirst]

[ Watching Yuri try to swing a sword nearly the size of his own body is equal parts very cute and kind of hilarious.

It's still early, and a rare break in the snow means that the morning sun is shining thin and high, making the snow all around them sparkle. Having fallen so thickly in the last few weeks, it's practically up at Yuri's shoulders except in the little training ring they tamped down for themselves. It would be nice except for the way it's clearly working against Yuri's tiny body.

Flynn gives him a little bit to try and wrestle it free before stepping forward from his place in the snowdrifts where he was warming up, in his light training armor rather than the full plate. ]

May I try? You don't want it to recoil and hit you once you get it free.

[vibing]

[ Goddess, that's annoying. Yuri shoots him a glare as he redoubles his efforts, yanking hard on the hilt. He wants to get it out of there, okay?! He's going to get it out of there!

As his frustration is grows, he growls and then he yanks again and the sword disappear from his hands. He tumbles back and falls into the snow. The sword reappears behind him, sticking out of one of the giant piles of snow.

Whatever these powers are, they're getting really annoying and Yuri shivers against the mound of snow, trying to get himself out of it, but he's pretty wedged in here now ]

[thinkfirst]

[ Flynn does not laugh, because he has self control and also because Yuri's trying really hard and it would hurt his pride. He remembers how self-possessed they both were at that age, so determined to carry the Lower Quarter on their tiny shoulders. It would be cruel to Yuri to make fun of him, so instead, Flynn first moves to pick up the sword. He pulls it one smooth move from the snowbank and lays it carefully on the ground, then turns to Yuri with a smile still on his face. ]

You're already very strong, you know. It's your technique that needs work.

[ Which doesn't mean Flynn isn't going to come and scoop him out of the snowbank to set him on his feet, because he does absolutely do that. ]

[vibing]

[ Yuri grits his teeth against the indignity of it, and refuses to meet Flynn's eyes until he's on his feet. He brushes himself off and turns to the mound of snow, the sword stuck in the top of it. ]

I know that.

[ That's why they're practicing duh Flynn. ]

I can't practice without a sword.

b.

[firstroar]

[does he?

no. not immediately, even though there's a compulsion to reach out in some way. if he did...the boy might actually topple Blue, frail as he is.

Yuri's trying to dart through the crowds and finds himself eye to eye with the lion, who stands sentry-still and seemingly willing to accept whatever collision is incoming - better the lion than the Mu at his side.]

[vibing]

[ Yuri tries to skid to a stop before he hits the lion, but it just appeared as if from nowhere! Yuri yelps and slams into the lion with his shoulder, spinning off and nearly tumbling to the ground. He manages to catch himself, looking back at the lion to see if it's going to chase him ]

[firstroar]

[chase? no. sniff at the jerky? absolutely.

this is the exact amount of time it takes the vendor to catch up, and the context paints itself clearly to Blue. he takes a step forward to intercept them, holding out a hand in a peaceful gesture.]

Did I not give him enough to trade? [the gentle voice kind of deflates some of the bluster, leaving them to sputter with half-spoken accusation. it's fine; Blue can pick up what he needs to.]

I'm sorry. Here... [he digs into his coat pocket and withdraws a small bottle of beach glass.] Can you tell me...how much will serve? Since these are lean times, I assume more...

[vibing]

[ That is-- not what Yuri expected at all. He's quivering and primed to run again, but, well. He can't help but want to watch and see how this shakes out.

The last thing he expected was for this guy, the guy who was in the house when he woke up, to help him. To pay for him. No one pays for things for him (it isn't true, but he lives by not expecting it from anyone).

The Trenchie looks at the seaglass, then at Yuri, and grumbles their ascent, taking it as payment, even if they leave with a threat of what they'll do if Yuri steals from them again.

When they're gone, Yuri looks back at Blue. He can't quite make himself say "thanks" ]

You didn't have to do that.

b

[mactirebeag]

[Mebh typically only ventures into Trench to get herself food, since she prefers living out at the Waystation and there's nothing really worth hunting in Trenchwood. So when Yuri speeds past her, what doesn't concern her is how he seems to have stolen something (because she would absolutely do that herself, having never used money in her life), but that she can smell the food he's holding.

So she immediately breaks into a run after him herself, not because she's trying to uphold the law, but because she has to ask this stranger where he got that jerky. She'd sniff it out herself, but towns typically have too many scents around for her to easily track something down.] Hey!

[vibing]

[ Yuri knows when he's being chased, and looks back at her with a glare. At least it isn't the Trenchie. This is someone else. A kid. He can deal with a kid.

He pushes himself faster, running out of the market and skidding around the corner down an alley. He doesn't know what she wants, but why would she be chasing him if she didn't want something? ]

[mactirebeag]

[Since Yuri is running faster, Mebh also pushes herself faster by starting to run on all fours. She needs to know where he got that town tasty! Plus, chasing people is fun. Living among wolves her whole life means the wolfy part of her brain always activates when there's something to chase.]

Wait up, townie!

[When Yuri heads down the alley, she only skids briefly before following him there. It would probably help if she could explain why she's chasing him, but she's more focused on catching up to him first.]

[vibing]

What do you want?

[ Yuri snaps back at her, glancing back only to find her running on all fours. And she's good at it. And fast. And he kind of wants to try it. Is that weird to try? Well, he doesn't care. He narrows his eyes, shoves the jerky in his jacket pocket, then gets down on all fours and tries to mimic the way she's running.

It... sort of works. He's awkward at first, doing his best to coordinate his arms and legs, but after a few strides he kind of gets it. ]

b flavored c

[pabugotmoves]

[Bolin saw the jerky grab earlier but it was over and done with before he'd really thought to stop and think about it. Like he noticed, but he's also busy and that kid was a ninja. Good on him, you know? A little solo grab and dash, he can't hold it against anyone.

He also notices several hours later, still out in Willful Machine flyering his show, the same little kid slinking around a stall selling hot, savory pies.

Now that's a challenge. It's a high cost item with lots of interest and lots of hands changing pieces of glass and gemstone. It's also freezing cold and man does he know what a tiny, empty tummy feels like at dinner time in the dead of winter.

Somewhere in the back of his head he hears Mako's voice telling him not to get involved. That voice is promptly swept aside and told to buzz off. So Bolin jostles the flyers in his- her- argh- hands and heads in that direction, appearing behind and leaning down over Yuri's shoulder.]

Psst. You'll get caught if you try it alone. It'll be a lot easier with some help.

[vibing]

[ Yuri is cold, and he is hungry, and the pies smell so good, and he knows he shouldn't just... steal them. There are ways to get food that don't involve stealing, but his pride won't let him go to the orphanage or go back to that house where he woke up. So trying to steal a pie it is.

He's been watching the stand, trying to suss out the best time to make his move, when a voice speaks far too close to him. He stiffens, and has the urge to twist around and hit this person, but that would draw more attention to himself. And... it sounds like they're offering help. Why is everyone here so helpfu1?! It's suspicious. It makes him even more on edge. What do they want?

He glares up at her ]

You're going to help?

[pabugotmoves]

[She smiles a little more and nods. There's no grand expose to give, here, and she doesn't think he would want it. It's life or death out on these streets and any careful explanation feels like a con. Been there, done that, got conned.]

You know.. ten years ago I was right where you are now. I could snag one for you but then you wouldn't learn how and it's a two man job. Are you in?

[vibing]

...yeah.

[ Free food is free food, and Yuri is always keen to learn, even from a stranger. And, whatever happens, he can learn something, even if it ends up being pointless. If it is, he can watch this girl make a fool of herself ]

What do we do?

A

[lludw]

[It is a good space for practice, which is why a boy only a year or two older than Yuri currently is has made his way out here as well, sword on his hip and a bow and quiver on his back. Lucius stops some yards away, watching to see what exactly the younger boy is planning to do with a weapon that big.

Get it stuck, apparently.]

You need something properly sized. Any enemy will just use that one against you.

["Properly sized" like, well, Lucius's own sword, chosen for someone his height.]

[vibing]

[ Yuri stiffens, and redoubles his efforts to work on the sword. It still doesn't budge ]

This is the sword I have. [ That he stole, when he woke up here, but you know. It's still true. He shoots the other boy a glare, even if his eyes land on his sword. It is a better size for him ] Where did you get yours?

[lludw]

Mine came here with me. [There's a slight edge of smugness in the response, but overall his tone is good-natured. More so as he continues.]

But they trade for all sorts of weapons in Prufrock. Or you could start with a dagger.

[He does have one of those as well, though not on him at the moment.]

Closed to Flynn - Late Jan; cw: shedding

[vibing]

[ In the third week of January, after a week of being a kid, Yuri is curled up in front of the fire in his, Flynn, and Blue's house. He went to sleep a child, curled up there with the magically warm blanket that Flynn told him was his. The dog sleeps with him, too, sometimes, which was strange at first, but now he's used to it. It's only been a few days, but Yuri does, did, feel comfortable here. It's a nice little house, and Blue is a calming, steady presence, and Flynn is... Flynn, but older, stronger, and more world weary than when Yuri knows him.

Sometime in the night, the itching became too much, and the skin of child him fell off, and the larger, adult Yuri, curled more soundly into the blanket. Even if sleeping on the ground isn't as common in his 20s as it was when he was 10, it isn't that uncommon for him, even if he's been spoiled since coming to Trench, sleeping in the large, comfortable bed upstairs with Flynn. ]

[thinkfirst]

[ It's sort of amazing, in retrospect, how quickly Flynn adapted to having Yuri in bed with him every night. He'd gotten used to curling around Yuri's cooler body, waking up tangled with him with Yuri's hair in his mouth and his arm flung over Flynn's chest or something.

Sleeping alone for the last week has been hard.

Admittedly, not just because of Yuri's absence. Flynn has had trouble getting to sleep, caught in visions of Yuri out alone in the city, and when he has slept he has been troubled by strange and too-real dreams of things that seem to happen a few days later, like he can tell. He's been plagued by deja-vu and a whole new set of worries, and that does not make for a healthy and fitful sleep, especially for a man who never slept particularly long anyway.

Despite all this, Flynn still wakes at the crack of dawn. Earlier, in the winter: the light outside is still just breaking when he rises most mornings. He's gotten used to sneaking past Yuri. The last few days, he has instead come downstairs to find Yuri's small form curled up in front of the fire with Repede, and that at least is better than imagining him freezing somewhere out in Trench, besieged by an Unsnake or a lingering zealot.

This morning is a particularly cold one. Frost glints on their windows, curled into strange patterns by the chill. Flynn's breath mists in front of his face despite the best efforts of the little stove, which he spends a few moments rekindling before heading downstairs in just his nightshirt and pants for tea. It's a little snowy for a run—another few inches seem to have fallen last night—but perhaps Flynn can clear some space in the backyard to train. He looks over to the glowing hearth, banked with coals for the night, out of habit, expecting a small curled form and Repede, who wasn't at the end of the bed.

There is no small form.

There is a large form, curled up with Repede, and something crumpled beside them. Hope flares bright and sharp in Flynn's chest before he can bank it. There is a familiar sweep of dark hair perilously close to the hearth, and Flynn is hurrying over before he can truly think about it, dropping to his knees beside Yuri's familiar lanky form.

Flynn doesn't mean to wake him, exactly, but—he has to make sure. ]

[vibing]

Too early.

[ Yuri groans, curling in tighter, tucking his nose under the blanket. It feels like it's far too early, even if he also feels like he's gotten a decent amount of sleep for once in his life. The floor is hard underneath him, and his shoulder aches from being pressed against it, but the blanket and the embers of the fire are warm ]

A - Jan 17

[tempredmental]

[While Yuri was tiny and small, this week had Keith big and tall. About seven feet, actually, and he was currently dressed in his Blade of Marmora armor, complete with activated mask. Whether that was more intimidating to a human child or having a purple face that very much resembled his mother, Keith wasn't sure, so he decided to keep the mask on for now. When he spoke up, his voice sounded like it was coming from a speaker.]

Swinging harder doesn't necessarily improve the strike.

[He didn't approach immediately, instead waiting to see if the child would pull the blade from the ground on his own or if he'd need to step in and help.]

[vibing]

[ Yuri growls something under his breath, not quite looking up at this person just yet. Yeah, that voice sounds weird, but he has a sword to get out of the ground. That's important. He tugs on it, and tugs, and then, with another growl of annoyance, the sword pops out of existence, only to clatter to the ground at Keith's feet.

Yuri looks up at him then, and mostly manages to hide a spike of fear. What the hell is this guy? ]

I know that.

[tempredmental]

[The masked face looked down towards the sword as it appeared at his feet. Interesting. A teleporting weapon. At least, that's how it looked to Keith. He bent down to pick it up.]

Then you should know that you should be practicing your form and technique, not overextending your strength.

[He held the sword out to the boy with both hands, as if the blade was to be revered.]

If you want to learn, I can show you what I know.