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.

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]

[ 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 ]

[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.

[firstroar]

I didn't, no. [he buttons his coat back up, breathing out a bit of vapor into the chill air.

he looks down to Yuri with a soft expression while the lion gives another loud snuff at the jerky.]

Have you found a safe, warm place?

[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 ]

[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. ]

[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 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.

[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) ]

[thinkfirst]

I was thinking about that, and I have an idea.

[ He'll let Yuri pull the sword free, for the sake of his pride. ]

Practicing with a sword that doesn't suit your size isn't going to help you. We need a sword that's meant for you.

[ We have to arm this child. ]

[vibing]

[ Yuri clambers up the snow mound awkwardly. He doesn't know how to control his powers at all, and doesn't quite think to try. His hands are freezing, and the cold is seeping through his boots, but he manages to get up to the top and hauls the sword out of the snow, holding it up triumphantly.

He skids back down the snow, sword out, which is probably unsafe, grinning ]

Wait-- really? We can get one?

[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.

[thinkfirst]

[ He's so easy. Flynn doesn't bother to hide his smile this time, letting Yuri slide back down next to him. Only after he's at the bottom does Flynn hold a hand out for the sword. ]

Well, you aren't going to get very far with this one, and there are plenty of training swords being made in Prufrock. That's where most of the city's defenders are outfitted. You'll like it.

[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.