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

[vibing]

[ Yuri yanks the jerky away from the lion possessively, glaring at it. ]

I-- no.

[ Blue's Paleblood pulls the truth out of him, even if he would normally lie. He's surprised when the word leaves his mouth, his eyes going wide. He found shelter, at least, but he wouldn't call it warm by any means. It is safe, sort of. It's an attic in a house in Crenshaw. There are people living in the house, but he tries not to bother them, even if he enjoys the mild warmth that comes from their stove ]

I'm not fine! [ Wait he meant to say he's fine! ] I'm really not fine!

[firstroar]

[Blue's heart breaks in a small way, because that admission didn't even need to happen as it did for him to hear it. it's somehow worse like this, if only because of the sting to the little boy's pride.]

...I wouldn't be either. Alone. Even if it wasn't such a strange town.

[he nods in the direction of a tea shop in view.]

I'm going to go sit down there. Will you join me for a little while?

[vibing]

[ Yuri's eyes dart between Blue and the shop, and it's on the tip of his tongue to reject the offer, but he really does want to, and instead he says: ]

Yes.

[ His voice is a little hoarse when he says it, because, again, he didn't mean to. But now it's out there, and he would in fact like some warm tea and maybe something sweet ]

[firstroar]

[Blue nods and, after the lion gives Yuri a gentle nudge, heads on over. he pulls the door open and lets the boy enter first, the warmth already blasting them as they pass through. he nods yet again - this time to the proprietor, who has gotten used to Blue's frequent-enough presence that neither he nor the giant savannah cat are treated with much surprised beyond some little gasps from infrequent locals.

he lets the boy pick a seat, settling in the one opposite him while the lion circles and then lays down in a heap under their feet - incidentally a free foot-warmer for the taking.

once they're settled, Blue pushes one of the paper menus over to Yuri's side.]

Pick whichever you like. I have enough. [...ironically, because adult-Yuri's made sure there's enough tradeables around for Blue whenever he needs them.]

[vibing]

[ Yuri isn't used to nice shops like this. The only thing resembling a restaurant he's ever been in is the tavern of the Comet. This is nice and cozy and warm and Yuri picks a table by the window because it's brighter and he can see all the people outside.

And those people are easier to look at than this guy, who's being so nice to Yuri that it's making him suspicious. Sure, sometimes people take pity on kids, but this is very nice. Yuri wants to know what the catch is.

But, well. The promise of sweets is too strong to question it just yet.

He looks down at the menu, trying to read it as best he can, but he isn't very practiced at it. He finds a word he's familiar with and goes with that, because he knows he likes it. When the server comes over to them, Yuri asks for cake. When asked what flavor, he chooses strawberry, because that sounds exotic to him.

He glances back at Blue to see if there is some catch here ]

[firstroar]

[Blue's placidity is ceaseless, even as he shifts his attention to the server to ask for some tea and affirms the boy's order is good. he looks back to Yuri with that soft, searching countenance after they're left alone for the few minutes it'll take to bring the order out.

during that:] You can ask...whatever you wish. And you can tell me...what I can do to prove the truth of my answers.

[vibing]

Why did you help me?

[ It's some of what he wants to know, but might be the most pressing one. Why is he not only helping Yuri, but treating him to cake (he better be treating, because Yuri only has some pebbles he picked up that can't be worth very much) ]

[firstroar]

[that's an easy one.

without missing a beat:] Because you needed help. And I wanted to help you.

[vibing]

Why?

[ Why did he want to help? Why was he there in that house where Yuri woke up? Who is he?

He narrows his eyes, sitting up taller to face him ]

[firstroar]

[he nods solemnly.]

Because before you came here as you are...you were my dear friend. And while you have no memory of it now...that doesn't change the feeling I have to help you.

If anything, I want to help more than I am... [he folds his hands in his lap.] But that will just see you running away faster.

Trench is...a very strange place. And many strange things happen. This is not even the strangest, if you can believe that.

[vibing]

That other guy said the same thing. [ Not-Flynn, as he's been calling him in his head. But at least Blue isn't claiming to be Hanks or something like that. That would be too much to believe.

He grates against the idea of being helped, especially helped with this kind of kindness ]

Did you help this other me?

[firstroar]

[another nod.]

We helped each other. Looking after each other in this strange place...as strange things happen. All three of us.

[vibing]

Three... [ Meaning not-Flynn. Yuri's eyes narrow. ]

Who is that guy? The blonde one.

[firstroar]

His name is Flynn. He is from your world, but...he is much older than you remember.

[things Yuri already knows, but also things that are true.]

[vibing]

That's not Flynn.

[ Yuri's voice is hard, and he refuses to believe it's true. That isn't Flynn. ]

I know Flynn.

[firstroar]

[Blue doesn't answer right away, as the server stops by to deliver the cake and tea. he murmurs a soft-thank you before pulling one of the cup and saucers his way.]

He's not the Flynn of your current memories, no. But he is Flynn - one who has lived some years longer since this time of yours.

[he pauses just to draw a soft breath and settle with the adamantine refusal from the boy across from him.]

Right now...a great deal of other people here are changing. Some are suddenly older, others suddenly younger, some in different bodies... I don't know why it's happening, precisely. But...it has something to do with the magic of this time and place.

It's very strange and confusing for everyone.

[vibing]

[ Well that

Doesn't really make sense. Yuri's mind won't accept that that's Flynn. It just won't do it. But what it will accept? Cake. Cake and warm tea and he picks up the fork almost immediately to dig into the cake, but pauses to look up at Blue ]

Um. Do you want some?

[ He should probably try to listen to what Blue said, and maybe he'll remember it later, but right now? It's too much to even consider. ]

[firstroar]

[he shakes his head with a sad smile.]

Thank you, but... It's all yours. [his tea is enough for now; a sour stomach won't help, and he doesn't want to make terrible memories with this Yuri, no matter how long or short-lived their time is.

it's a little excruciating, but...this is how it is. so he'll endure it, because it matters.]

[vibing]

[ Well, he isn't going to belabor the point. He was polite, Jiri would be proud of him. He digs into the cake, the hit of sugar and fruit on his tongue is pure bliss, enough to forget momentarily how suspicious he is about this guy and his intentions. The prickly exterior that Blue's probably felt since he found Yuri again falls away as he enjoys the cake as much as any kid has ever enjoyed sweets. It also makes him be quiet and stop questioning Blue every second, at least for a few minutes ]

[firstroar]

[the tea is still too warm, so Blue sits in a comfortable quiet, enjoying the delighted shift in Yuri's demeanor - a bit more sweet to counter the bitter.

eventually, he curls his fingers around the warm cup, lifting his eyes.]

Would it be alright if I asked you a question?

[vibing]

[ Yuri has the fork in his mouth when Blue asks that, and he just nods because what's Yuri going to do, stop him from asking? Whether he'll answer is another question (although he doesn't know he doesn't have a choice) ]

[firstroar]

Have you noticed a bird following you around? [he tilts his head just slightly.] A bird with a curved beak and gray-brown feathers.

[vibing]

[ Well... that's not the kind of question he expected. Yuri frowns, holding his fork like a weapon as he thinks ]

Yes. It was bothering me yesterday. Why?

[firstroar]

[Blue nods.]

Stormy. The omen. He's like my lion.

He's looking out for you.

[vibing]

[ Right. The lion. He was so calm that Yuri almost forgot about him. He pulls his feet back toward himself out of the lion's reach (or, at least, that's the intent).

That... kind of makes sense. The bird keeps showing up, and helped him find the attic he's been staying in, and helped him find his jacket. But he still frowns ]

I don't want help.