(Tracking down Raven isn't easy. He acts like an unreliable and messy person but Claude knows that if he's sharper than he lets on and if he wants to be left alone, he'll make sure no one disturbs him.
But Claude is stubborn. Once his mind is set to something, he can be relentless and between everything else he's managing, it doesn't take him too long to finally catch a certain old man who probably reeks of alcohol given their new supply of booze,)
Raven. (Arms crossed, eyes determined, he isn't here to play his usual games.) I really thought it would be easier to find you this week.
(HE WAS A FOOL.
But also because emotions are a thing: Claude is determined, confident, and surprisingly very hopeful. Enjoy? A confidence boost maybe???)
[Honestly, he figured throwing himself in the brig would make it easy to avoid people. Who would come down here with the state it's in!?
So of course it's Claude, stubborn and nosy and well meaning Claude. For him to track him down this diligently, he must want something, he can say that much even through the wine haze he's currently swimming in, flopped lazily in the corner of one of the cells, the door pulled closed but not actually locked.
The emotions on Raven's end feel as if they too have been blurred by the alcohol, anything meaningful smothered by the thick blanket of the addled contentment of drunkenness.
He raises his cup to cheers to Claude's arrival, and the pirate hat falls off his head.]
Maybe an old man wants ta drink in peace without a buncha kids judgin' him? [He takes another sip.]
Ya seem like a man on a mission today. What d'ya need?
(Hmmm, he doesn't like this. He doesn't like it when things are foggy and heavy like this. It puts a bit of a damper on his own mood but not enough that he can't push back,)
Who's judging?
(He'll come over to push open the door and lean against the doorway, arms folded in front of him and absolutely smug,)
Hah! (He's been called a lot of things but foolish isn't one he hears too often. It's been awhile.) To be honest, I might be here for the wrong reason. That would be pretty embarrassing.
I could spend some time building up more trust and waxing some poetics about how meaningful our relationship is... But even the way you are now, you'd see through all of the fancy talk and want me to cut to the chase.
(So he'll speak frankly but also seriously,)
From one liar to another, I know it's difficult to tell the truth. Whether it's because you don't trust those around you or because you just don't want others to see the real you.
[Hah, such confidence in Raven's deductive abilities. Or maybe Claude just thinks he's faking again. Either way, he's not wrong. Claude's bold confidences is warm and brilliant, which is nice and warm, but Raven's heart has lingered in the dark for so long, he doesn't know how long he can stand it. So he nods.]
That's how it is, fer sure. Old Raven's not too keen on trust. But in situations like this, ya need ta break a few rules if you wanna make it out alive, grab as many hands as ya can. Ya know what I mean?
(He knew Raven would. Even like this. He's quiet for a moment, reconsidering his decision again before making the leap,)
My leader is Fox.
(That's it. Straight to the point.)
I'm telling you because I suspect we might be on the same team. (For reasons he won't entirely explain,) If you aren't, then you don't have to tell me. I'll respect that much.
But even if we're on different teams, I want us to continue working together. I don't care about the wish. I can make my dreams come true on my own. My goal is to stop what's happening here so I can get back home and make my dream come true.
S'fine. It's not like I really gotta wish either. Y'gotta be real invested in the future ta want something like that. I'm on Goat's team, but I know if I tried competin' 'gainst someone like you, I'd just lose. [So effectively, yes, he agrees. on Claude's points.]
(Which doesn't mean that he wouldn't.... He's killed people before and he's already come to terms with the fact he'll probably have to face some of his classmates in battle in the future.)
(He's idealistic to his core but he's definitely not naive.
THIS IS... not a the best conversation to be having in a murderous setting but he's just saying it like it is,)
The Realm doesn't operate on the same sort of logic we're used to. Anything could happen to change our circumstances. One night, we might find ourselves on different sides. I wouldn't go down without a fight and I expect the same from you. But no matter what, you fight to live, understand?
[If you didn't want to be called boss you shouldn't have acted like one. Raven would point out in some ways they're on different sides now... but probably best not to.
It reminds him of Yuri, really. The way he'd taken in the reality of "Schwann" and immediately found his resolve. He wasn't happy about it, but he hadn't gone easy on him. He'd even promised not to. And Schwann's response had been...]
Hmmm... I oughta say something like "I'd be honored ta fight with all I have" or something, right?
(Oh. That's definitely one way to answer his order and Claude smiles. It's a quiet smile but it's probably the closest to a genuine smile he's had since coming here. There's still that ever distant quality to it all but at least, his eyes seem a little brighter,)
Whatever you have to do. (He's endeared. Truly.) Even if you have to run away or fight dirty. As long as you live, that's all that matters.
[He takes another swig from his bottle. Truly, a man drinking directly from a wine bottle is the mascot for "fuck an honorable fight I'd just leave."]
Yeah yeah, I got it. No dyin'. 'Least you all didn't line up ta smack old Raven like Yuri and th' others did. [How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man? Maybe someone SHOULD smack him. Wait. Actually. Squints!!]
I guess ya did pull that needle stunt. [A soft laugh.] You an' that boy'd probably get on like a house on fire, just like he did with th' Don.
(He's not honorable or noble like certain other lords.)
You're just lucky I like you, old man. It could have been a lot worse.
(He has his ways of making a point. Wouldn't it hurt more if he took away that bottle, kept Raven in place and made him deal with his own self? Dying is easy. Letting yourself be hurt is easy. Living is difficult.
Ah, but it seems like he hasn't forgotten that needle incident and he laughs,)
I was just making a point.
(Winks. Because he's just so clever. See what he did there?)
... Are you telling me you have a secret son or something?
[SPUTTERS AND CHOKES ON HIS WINE AT THAT LAST QUESTION-]
Wh- Of course not! Yuri's older than you even, I ain't old enough ta have a kid that age! [He was going to react to the pun or the admission of fondness once he finished his sip, but that last thing threw all of it out of the window.]
Sure, but I don't think he likes me that much. [Another sip. But, hm.]
Yuri's an interesting guy. Just some kid from th' lower quarter that decided he wasn't gonna just sit around an' wait fer other people ta fix things. Had a whole merry band a misfits including the Princess Estellise herself by the time they showed up in Dahngrest.
He and Judy ended up formin' a guild with Captain Karol, an' now I guess my life's property 'f Brave Vesperia? Seems unfair if ya ask me. [His story is a little meanering because he is earnestly drunk this time.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Week 2, Tuesday-ish
But Claude is stubborn. Once his mind is set to something, he can be relentless and between everything else he's managing, it doesn't take him too long to finally catch a certain old man who probably reeks of alcohol given their new supply of booze,)
Raven. (Arms crossed, eyes determined, he isn't here to play his usual games.) I really thought it would be easier to find you this week.
(HE WAS A FOOL.
But also because emotions are a thing: Claude is determined, confident, and surprisingly very hopeful. Enjoy? A confidence boost maybe???)
no subject
So of course it's Claude, stubborn and nosy and well meaning Claude. For him to track him down this diligently, he must want something, he can say that much even through the wine haze he's currently swimming in, flopped lazily in the corner of one of the cells, the door pulled closed but not actually locked.
The emotions on Raven's end feel as if they too have been blurred by the alcohol, anything meaningful smothered by the thick blanket of the addled contentment of drunkenness.
He raises his cup to cheers to Claude's arrival, and the pirate hat falls off his head.]
Maybe an old man wants ta drink in peace without a buncha kids judgin' him?
[He takes another sip.]
Ya seem like a man on a mission today. What d'ya need?
no subject
Who's judging?
(He'll come over to push open the door and lean against the doorway, arms folded in front of him and absolutely smug,)
What would you say if I said I trusted you?
no subject
Well part of me'd say yer a damn fool, but th' other part's honored ta have earned that from a shrewd young man like yerself.
no subject
I could spend some time building up more trust and waxing some poetics about how meaningful our relationship is... But even the way you are now, you'd see through all of the fancy talk and want me to cut to the chase.
(So he'll speak frankly but also seriously,)
From one liar to another, I know it's difficult to tell the truth. Whether it's because you don't trust those around you or because you just don't want others to see the real you.
no subject
That's how it is, fer sure. Old Raven's not too keen on trust. But in situations like this, ya need ta break a few rules if you wanna make it out alive, grab as many hands as ya can. Ya know what I mean?
no subject
(He knew Raven would. Even like this. He's quiet for a moment, reconsidering his decision again before making the leap,)
My leader is Fox.
(That's it. Straight to the point.)
I'm telling you because I suspect we might be on the same team. (For reasons he won't entirely explain,) If you aren't, then you don't have to tell me. I'll respect that much.
But even if we're on different teams, I want us to continue working together. I don't care about the wish. I can make my dreams come true on my own. My goal is to stop what's happening here so I can get back home and make my dream come true.
no subject
S'fine. It's not like I really gotta wish either. Y'gotta be real invested in the future ta want something like that. I'm on Goat's team, but I know if I tried competin' 'gainst someone like you, I'd just lose.
[So effectively, yes, he agrees. on Claude's points.]
no subject
(And yet, he's not too fussed. He still seems... pleased, even if a little embarrassed!)
Goat, huh? (hMMM) I didn't think you'd tell me if I was wrong. You really could have made me go crazy if you wanted to.
(But this... is good. Because he's still learned something.)
I'm glad I can count on you, Raven.
no subject
[With the needle and all.]
no subject
(Which doesn't mean that he wouldn't.... He's killed people before and he's already come to terms with the fact he'll probably have to face some of his classmates in battle in the future.)
no subject
[Claude is in charge now?]
no subject
I mean it. I'm not naive.
(He's idealistic to his core but he's definitely not naive.
THIS IS... not a the best conversation to be having in a murderous setting but he's just saying it like it is,)
The Realm doesn't operate on the same sort of logic we're used to. Anything could happen to change our circumstances. One night, we might find ourselves on different sides. I wouldn't go down without a fight and I expect the same from you. But no matter what, you fight to live, understand?
1/2
It reminds him of Yuri, really. The way he'd taken in the reality of "Schwann" and immediately found his resolve. He wasn't happy about it, but he hadn't gone easy on him. He'd even promised not to. And Schwann's response had been...]
Hmmm... I oughta say something like "I'd be honored ta fight with all I have" or something, right?
2/2
As if! I ain't some fancy knight getting into scraps like that! If it came ta that I'd just escape!
no subject
(Oh. That's definitely one way to answer his order and Claude smiles. It's a quiet smile but it's probably the closest to a genuine smile he's had since coming here. There's still that ever distant quality to it all but at least, his eyes seem a little brighter,)
Whatever you have to do. (He's endeared. Truly.) Even if you have to run away or fight dirty. As long as you live, that's all that matters.
no subject
Yeah yeah, I got it. No dyin'. 'Least you all didn't line up ta smack old Raven like Yuri and th' others did.
[How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man? Maybe someone SHOULD smack him. Wait. Actually. Squints!!]
I guess ya did pull that needle stunt. [A soft laugh.] You an' that boy'd probably get on like a house on fire, just like he did with th' Don.
no subject
(He's not honorable or noble like certain other lords.)
You're just lucky I like you, old man. It could have been a lot worse.
(He has his ways of making a point. Wouldn't it hurt more if he took away that bottle, kept Raven in place and made him deal with his own self? Dying is easy. Letting yourself be hurt is easy. Living is difficult.
Ah, but it seems like he hasn't forgotten that needle incident and he laughs,)
I was just making a point.
(Winks. Because he's just so clever. See what he did there?)
... Are you telling me you have a secret son or something?
no subject
Wh- Of course not! Yuri's older than you even, I ain't old enough ta have a kid that age!
[He was going to react to the pun or the admission of fondness once he finished his sip, but that last thing threw all of it out of the window.]
no subject
Oh, come on, surely you know that family is more than just blood.
(The family you get to choose.)
Yuri though, huh? Feel like talking?
no subject
[Another sip. But, hm.]
Yuri's an interesting guy. Just some kid from th' lower quarter that decided he wasn't gonna just sit around an' wait fer other people ta fix things. Had a whole merry band a misfits including the Princess Estellise herself by the time they showed up in Dahngrest.
He and Judy ended up formin' a guild with Captain Karol, an' now I guess my life's property 'f Brave Vesperia? Seems unfair if ya ask me.
[His story is a little meanering because he is earnestly drunk this time.]