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]

That's... why would they do that? Run further, if you're trying to help them?

[ Yuri doesn't understand the irony of what he's saying, looking up at Flynn with a little frown as they walk out of Crenshaw ]

[thinkfirst]

[ Why indeed. Flynn almost laughs, has to bite down on the sharp sound before it can escape into the cold air. ]

Pride, perhaps. Desperation, or a sense that being helped means you're weak. Of course it would be easier if everyone would accept the help others are willing to give, but the world is not that simple.

What is simple, however, is getting you a sword. I remember the sword we got was even a bit too heavy for us. Something lighter and one-handed would make a good practice weapon. What do you think?

[vibing]

[ Yuri thinks about that, but Flynn successfully distracts him from responding with talk of swords. He nods his head seriously ]

Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Two handed swords don't let you move very fast. What kind of sword do I use, when I'm older?

[thinkfirst]

You've used plenty of swords and you can pick up pretty much any weapon you get your hands on—I've seen you use axes, too—but generally, you seem to prefer the lighter one-handed swords.

[ An easier thing to talk about, clearly, and one of Flynn's favorite subjects. ]

You're a very fast fighter.

[vibing]

Axes... [ He's never really thought about using an axe as a weapon, but it does sound pretty cool. But not as cool as swords. Swords are the ultimate cool.

He looks back up at Flynn ] Do I ever beat you?

[ Because, well, he never has ]

[thinkfirst]

You have.

[ Flynn says with a flash of a smile, confidence brimming up and over. ]

Once. If you want to beat me more often, you'd better train hard.

[vibing]

Only once?!

[ Yuri groans, dropping his head. But, then, well ]

Wait, I do beat you? [ Whatever sadness he had at that evaporates immediately and he laughs, bright and easy ] Hah! I'll train so hard that I'll beat you a million times.

[thinkfirst]

[ There's that familiar determination. Flynn laughs, nudging his hand into Yuri's tiny shoulder. ]

I would love to see you try.