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(Interesting. It's a day of people not being where they would usually be...
Of course, Claude goes looking for Raven and it doesn't take him too long. From down below, he places a hand on his hip and looks up patiently. He knows he doesn't have to say anything. It's clear he wants to talk and he'll wait here all day if he has to.
Raven has to come down eventually.)
Of course, Claude goes looking for Raven and it doesn't take him too long. From down below, he places a hand on his hip and looks up patiently. He knows he doesn't have to say anything. It's clear he wants to talk and he'll wait here all day if he has to.
Raven has to come down eventually.)
[SIGHS. Well, he can't really begrudge anyone wanting to talk after an announcement like that, so he gives in fairly quickly, and drops down to the ground with a grace and ease that seems in directly conflict with his constant complaining about being old and decrepit.]
Hell of a day, huh?
Hell of a day, huh?
(Yeah, he'd kind of suspected something was up the moment he saw him up there. Now he knows there's a little more here than he'd originally though. He cracks a half smile at Raven, raising a brow before quickly wiping that smile off his face to focus on more pressing matters,)
Got that right. It's not usually how I start off my mornings.
Did you know her?
(Hajime.)
Got that right. It's not usually how I start off my mornings.
Did you know her?
(Hajime.)
She was a sweet girl.
(And he wants everyone to know that. Even if they'd only met briefly, he'd been able to tell that much.)
Do you think there was a reason? (Who is he kidding? There's always a reason, even if it's not a very good one.) We'll have to find out why before this happens again.
You didn't notice anything strange, did you?
(And he wants everyone to know that. Even if they'd only met briefly, he'd been able to tell that much.)
Do you think there was a reason? (Who is he kidding? There's always a reason, even if it's not a very good one.) We'll have to find out why before this happens again.
You didn't notice anything strange, did you?
So it happened to you too, huh?
(He's heard about it from some others.)
I was in my room so I didn't notice. Lup left but I fell asleep before she came back. (Which is a little strange but maybe he was more tired than he realized?) I didn't wake up until around the same time as everyone else... which is later than than usual.
(Someone's an early riser.)
(He's heard about it from some others.)
I was in my room so I didn't notice. Lup left but I fell asleep before she came back. (Which is a little strange but maybe he was more tired than he realized?) I didn't wake up until around the same time as everyone else... which is later than than usual.
(Someone's an early riser.)
The unknown.
(What else is there to reflect on!)
When there are so many things we don't know, you have to wonder why. We all knew something was up with this place but we didn't know what-- we still don't know-- but it looks like we're going to start finding out.
(What else is there to reflect on!)
When there are so many things we don't know, you have to wonder why. We all knew something was up with this place but we didn't know what-- we still don't know-- but it looks like we're going to start finding out.
(Monday morning, Claude comes looking for Raven! He has his bow slung over his shoulder and... a single, black feather from a crow or raven. Judging by the satchel at his side though, he has more.
He'll let Raven gather up whatever he needs and then head off towards the edge of the forest, towards an isolated area where they can talk. He holds out his hand to Raven waiting for him to give him the first arrow,)
Alright, hand it over.
(They have a deal. Raven makes the arrow and Claude fletches them for him.)
He'll let Raven gather up whatever he needs and then head off towards the edge of the forest, towards an isolated area where they can talk. He holds out his hand to Raven waiting for him to give him the first arrow,)
Alright, hand it over.
(They have a deal. Raven makes the arrow and Claude fletches them for him.)
[The arrow Raven hands Claude looks a fair bit better than the one he'd been working on when the arrangement had been made about a week ago. Clearly he's practiced a little. Only the best arrows for the heir to House Riegan, clearly.]
Y'know, I'm surprised that someone of yer social standing would have even learned how ta do something like this.
[Seems like the thing other people would have done for him.]
Y'know, I'm surprised that someone of yer social standing would have even learned how ta do something like this.
[Seems like the thing other people would have done for him.]
Status has nothing to do with it.
(He takes out a scalpel he'd snatched from the station earlier this morning. The perks of being an early riser! He begins to split the feather evenly down the middle. It's clear that he's done this before,)
My parents told me if I didn't learn how to take care of myself, I wouldn't get stronger. (Every now and then, he stops speaking to focus on a certain step that needs a little more attention,) So in the end, I did. I learned how to fight and to rely on myself just like they wanted me to.
I chased down the strongest general in the land and told him to not go easy on me. And wouldn't you know it? He was even harder on me than anyone else! I guess he had to be, though. I was difficult student.
(He takes out a scalpel he'd snatched from the station earlier this morning. The perks of being an early riser! He begins to split the feather evenly down the middle. It's clear that he's done this before,)
My parents told me if I didn't learn how to take care of myself, I wouldn't get stronger. (Every now and then, he stops speaking to focus on a certain step that needs a little more attention,) So in the end, I did. I learned how to fight and to rely on myself just like they wanted me to.
I chased down the strongest general in the land and told him to not go easy on me. And wouldn't you know it? He was even harder on me than anyone else! I guess he had to be, though. I was difficult student.
[Well, that makes sense, he supposes. He can't help but wonder if maybe he could've been a more upstanding man at Claude's age had his parents taken a similar stance. By the time Canary got her hands on him, she could only do so much. That's what he thinks, anyway. Who can say at this point.]
Yeah? Makes me think of the person who taught me how to use a transform bow. I was a real shithead 'til I met her... she didn't care who you were or where you came from, she expected everyone ta give it their all.
[Fiddling idly with another unfinished arrow in his heads, his words and expression distant and sad, but fond. And then he blinks and seems to snap out of it entirely, as if putting on a mask.]
You're probably the type of student to start askin' smartass questions as soon as ya get the opening, I bet.
Yeah? Makes me think of the person who taught me how to use a transform bow. I was a real shithead 'til I met her... she didn't care who you were or where you came from, she expected everyone ta give it their all.
[Fiddling idly with another unfinished arrow in his heads, his words and expression distant and sad, but fond. And then he blinks and seems to snap out of it entirely, as if putting on a mask.]
You're probably the type of student to start askin' smartass questions as soon as ya get the opening, I bet.
A transform bow?
(He's never heard of a bow like that before and he finds himself looking at Raven to get another look at that curious blade he had before. If he was trying to make arrows then... that had to be it, maybe.)
... Yeah. That's how he was. One time he took me out into the plains and just left me out there for a few days. All I had was a bow and a knife. That's all he said I needed. When my mother found out, she was mad but I was fine so she let him go that time.
(Implying there was a time when she didn't let him go.)
What kind of teacher isn't ready to answer a few questions? If you aren't there to help eager bright young minds to grow, what are you really doing?
(So, yeah. He does ask smartass questions.)
(He's never heard of a bow like that before and he finds himself looking at Raven to get another look at that curious blade he had before. If he was trying to make arrows then... that had to be it, maybe.)
... Yeah. That's how he was. One time he took me out into the plains and just left me out there for a few days. All I had was a bow and a knife. That's all he said I needed. When my mother found out, she was mad but I was fine so she let him go that time.
(Implying there was a time when she didn't let him go.)
What kind of teacher isn't ready to answer a few questions? If you aren't there to help eager bright young minds to grow, what are you really doing?
(So, yeah. He does ask smartass questions.)
There's a difference between askin' questions to learn and askin' them to try and trip up the person you're learing from.
[Sir.
Anyway, that's right, he didn't get around to showing Claude. He pulls that weird blade out from the depths of his coat (how? Don't ask questions. It's fine, JRPG logic.) and he seems to hit some sort of trigger on the handle, at which it shifts and expands with a mechanical twang, the blade does transform... into a bow.]
Y'see why it's called that... [He seems to hesitate, before deciding it's fine, he might as well.] This one's hers, actually... Divine Cannon. Hadn't seen it for years before I found it in my room here. Can't say she ever dumped me in the woods a fend fer myself, though. Seems a bit much.
[Sir.
Anyway, that's right, he didn't get around to showing Claude. He pulls that weird blade out from the depths of his coat (how? Don't ask questions. It's fine, JRPG logic.) and he seems to hit some sort of trigger on the handle, at which it shifts and expands with a mechanical twang, the blade does transform... into a bow.]
Y'see why it's called that... [He seems to hesitate, before deciding it's fine, he might as well.] This one's hers, actually... Divine Cannon. Hadn't seen it for years before I found it in my room here. Can't say she ever dumped me in the woods a fend fer myself, though. Seems a bit much.
I'm just making sure I'm getting the best education possible.
(He doesn't know what he was expecting but..... it maybe wasn't that? His eyes go wide with surprise and he gasps, effectively caught off guard by the transformation,)
Woah!
(He almost drops his arrow and wouldn't that be a shame if he had to re-tie everything all over again? Luckily, he manages to catch it and just has to pull it tight again.)
It's beautiful. (Elegant shape, a fine design... he can tell it's a good bow. And knowing the story behind it makes it feel more significant,) ... And must be real precious to you.
(He doesn't know what he was expecting but..... it maybe wasn't that? His eyes go wide with surprise and he gasps, effectively caught off guard by the transformation,)
Woah!
(He almost drops his arrow and wouldn't that be a shame if he had to re-tie everything all over again? Luckily, he manages to catch it and just has to pull it tight again.)
It's beautiful. (Elegant shape, a fine design... he can tell it's a good bow. And knowing the story behind it makes it feel more significant,) ... And must be real precious to you.
Yeah. I wonder if they'd let me keep if if we manage to leave the Realm.
[But! Enough of that! Enough about him. Claude cut and run as soon as the topic switched to him at the party, but here he has a task to complete first.]
Is tossin' kids into the wilderness a normal part of the curriculum in yer "Leicester Alliance"?
[But! Enough of that! Enough about him. Claude cut and run as soon as the topic switched to him at the party, but here he has a task to complete first.]
Is tossin' kids into the wilderness a normal part of the curriculum in yer "Leicester Alliance"?
(He holds the string taught in his hands for a moment and then resumes where he left off.)
No.
(Tying and knotting the string in place, he's finished his first arrow. While not as fine as the ones you might get at a proper armory, there's really nothing wrong with his work considering their limits,)
I didn't have a typical upbringing. (Just going to hold out his hand for yet another arrow,) ... So you remember everything after all.
(From the dinner. He'd reeked of alcohol but he still had enough in him to retain something,)
What do you really wanna know, old man? I doubt you want to hear about how I was indoctrinated in religion and politics. Or maybe you want to hear about how every lord learns how to use a sword?
No.
(Tying and knotting the string in place, he's finished his first arrow. While not as fine as the ones you might get at a proper armory, there's really nothing wrong with his work considering their limits,)
I didn't have a typical upbringing. (Just going to hold out his hand for yet another arrow,) ... So you remember everything after all.
(From the dinner. He'd reeked of alcohol but he still had enough in him to retain something,)
What do you really wanna know, old man? I doubt you want to hear about how I was indoctrinated in religion and politics. Or maybe you want to hear about how every lord learns how to use a sword?
[Handing him another arrow! With a soft laugh.]
People're a lot more likely ta tell you things if they think yer too drunk to remember.
[Perhaps he was putting on something of an act.]
I dunno, I'm just curious, same as you are. You remind me a bit of someone I used ta know.
People're a lot more likely ta tell you things if they think yer too drunk to remember.
[Perhaps he was putting on something of an act.]
I dunno, I'm just curious, same as you are. You remind me a bit of someone I used ta know.
Edited 2020-10-09 03:55 (UTC)
Hmm, it's a good thing I chose what to tell you instead of giving you a free pass.
(Even when it comes to sloppy drunks, Claude von Riegan has a level of caution. To some degree, Claude has been able to control the topic at hand,)
I didn't go to school in the Alliance. Sure, I had lessons in etiquette and domestic affairs but any noble worth their title gets sent to the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach instead.
(And they learn how to fight, about the Church, and all of that other boring stuff like he mentioned before. But they didn't really talk about Garreg Mach that night, did they? The Alliance was the topic and he redirects the conversation back on point,)
Do I? Hopefully it's someone good. Let's see... Like I said, the Alliance is managed by the Five Elite Houses of which, House Riegan is the leader. Together, we're supposed work together so the Empire and Kingdom don't get any funny ideas about taking back their old lands. In recent years, House Riegan has had some problems... my grandfather's getting up there in years and isn't as spry as he used to be. His daughter ran away from home a long time ago and his son, the last heir, died suddenly in an accident.
(Or conveniently whatever your perspective is,)
Without an heir, some of the other houses started to get ambitious. Unfortunately for them, my grandfather managed to track down his long lost daughter. Unfortunately for him, she had no intention of coming back but as fate would have it, she had a son... And not just any son, but one who could even prove definitively he was a Riegan so none of the other houses could question him.
(Even when it comes to sloppy drunks, Claude von Riegan has a level of caution. To some degree, Claude has been able to control the topic at hand,)
I didn't go to school in the Alliance. Sure, I had lessons in etiquette and domestic affairs but any noble worth their title gets sent to the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach instead.
(And they learn how to fight, about the Church, and all of that other boring stuff like he mentioned before. But they didn't really talk about Garreg Mach that night, did they? The Alliance was the topic and he redirects the conversation back on point,)
Do I? Hopefully it's someone good. Let's see... Like I said, the Alliance is managed by the Five Elite Houses of which, House Riegan is the leader. Together, we're supposed work together so the Empire and Kingdom don't get any funny ideas about taking back their old lands. In recent years, House Riegan has had some problems... my grandfather's getting up there in years and isn't as spry as he used to be. His daughter ran away from home a long time ago and his son, the last heir, died suddenly in an accident.
(Or conveniently whatever your perspective is,)
Without an heir, some of the other houses started to get ambitious. Unfortunately for them, my grandfather managed to track down his long lost daughter. Unfortunately for him, she had no intention of coming back but as fate would have it, she had a son... And not just any son, but one who could even prove definitively he was a Riegan so none of the other houses could question him.
[Once the commotion of what is now a weekly routine dies down, Raven goes looking for one of the many teenagers giving him stress.
It takes him a hot minute to think to look in the Planetarium, but he makes it there eventually.]
You lookin' ta talk to one of the Leaders? Think they're probably too busy, by now.
It takes him a hot minute to think to look in the Planetarium, but he makes it there eventually.]
You lookin' ta talk to one of the Leaders? Think they're probably too busy, by now.
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