[CLOSED] do you want to catch some fish?

[aquaveiled]

WHO: Himeka & Ryunosuke
WHAT: "Survival training" aka fishing
WHERE: Greentruth
WHEN: Beginning of June
WARNINGS: Is Himeka a warning? Then lizards.

[ With Estinien feeling a little more like his usual self, Himeka allows him a few hours of true solitude before she returns to her post of watching over him. It's a loose term, of course, given that she isn't the sort of person to suffocate another with her presence, but she wants to make sure that she's there for him when he needs someone or, more specifically, when he doesn't think he does.

Gathering a few supplies is her main focus as well as checking in with the volunteers in the kitchen since she hasn't been in for a while. A little trip by one of the local streams may also get her something nice to cook for dinner. Surely some freshwater fish can bring his mood up.

As she hops off one of the many rope and wooden plank bridges between platforms, she does slow her pace as she spots a young man who may as well have a glowing yellow exclamation point above his head. That was the same boy from Venera, wasn't it? The one she saw on the ground when she found Estinien whom Alphinaud tended to...

She'd been so wrapped up in their mission to procure Estinien's shard that she hadn't paid nearly enough mind to the others in the aftermath. In part it was a luxury she could afford now that Alphinaud was there, knowing they were in his capable hands. So she offers a wave in greeting as she approaches with a smile. ]

You made it back to Greentruth in one piece.

Comments

[locumstudentesquire]

[It's mostly the fact that he's a squishy powerless little lawyer guy who would get eaten by dinosaurs in two seconds if he went anywhere on his own, but it's kind of you to think it's purely a matter of preference, Himeka.

But off they go! Ryunosuke does make sure to keep up; mostly because, as mentioned, falling behind for him would probably be. Pretty bad! Or he imagines it could be, anyway.

He also makes sure to keep up because, well... He'd like to make conversation. This is his first chance to really talk to her, and he'd like to both get to know her better, and find out what she thinks about the Entity...

So as they get underway, he clears his throat gently and speaks up.]

By the way... If you don't mind my asking: how is Ser Estinien? I've not seen him around the settlement here since the three of you returned...

[aquaveiled]

[ Has he seen Alphinaud? He has seen Alphinaud. He's a tiny, skinny little thing but she would trust him with her life. You can't judge people by appearances!

What Ryunosuke will find is that Silent Protag Syndrome Himeka is perfectly fine with companionable silences as much as she regards them, but she's equally happy to chat if prompted.

"Ser" Estinien, is it? Did Estinien share his title? Interesting.

Still it's a fair question. It's no secret that they were successful as many had been worried for him, but she knows that his condition is something he's sensitive about. It's not her place to out him. ]

He's...taking some time for himself.

[ Himeka offers Ryunosuke a small smile. ]

It's been a lot to go through, you know?

[locumstudentesquire]

[OK, Alphinaud has magical healing powers? What does Ryunosuke have? Absolutely nothing, that's what, at least at this point in the story. He can... Halfway decently shoot a bow at a stationary target from a stand-still. That's about it. He'd get eaten by a plant or something in like, 2 minutes.

Regarding Estinien, Ryunosuke nods in understanding. He tries to return her smile, though it's feeble by comparison.]

I can only imagine. It's incredible that he was able to come back from that, and I'm beyond relieved, but... It can't have been easy. Or pleasant.

[He slips briefly into a troubled silence. In full honesty... He would have been concerned about Estinien's condition regardless of his own involvement in the incident, but. There is a factor of guilt involved too... Does anyone even know that he'd been there before it had happened? That he'd been present the whole time, only locked deep in the contagion's effects? He had sat there, watching in near total indifference, as a man was tortured right before his eyes. He had only broken out of his apathy because the shock of witnessing the killing blow had jarred him free, and by then of course, it was already too late...

If anyone is aware of his failure, they haven't mentioned it around him. And Ryunosuke isn't sure what to think of that, or if he should even bring it up. It seems... Selfish, to make this about his own guilt, when others have suffered far worse. Even if he does feel like he owes Estinien an apology for failing him, and the matter has continued to gnaw at him relentlessly ever since...

Ryunosuke shakes his head lightly, trying to chase off the melancholy.]

Well, I'm glad he has good company to help in his recovery. You two appear to be rather close, if I'm not mistaken... Is there a history there?

[aquaveiled]

[ Every Bard starts as an Archer, Ryunosuke. Don't give up yet.

Easy or pleasant? He is right about that. Estinien was a mess in more ways than one when he finally re-emerged from the crystal he'd regrown in, both mentally and physically. He may look more put together but he's still recovering in many other ways. She knows that there are scars he will harbor for quite a while even when the visible marks of the Innocence has faded.

Himeka shakes her head. ]

No, but...luckily for all of us, he's strong.

[ Stronger than he gives himself credit for.

For her part, Himeka is entirely unaware Ryunosuke had seen much more than she had once she arrived. But she definitely understands the guilt of inaction, whether it was possible to do something about it or not. At this juncture she hopes (believes) the worst is behind them all.

To his question, she nods. Talking about her friendship with Estinien is information she shares freely, at least in part of hopes that she can help the man form more connections as well. She knows it's difficult for him at times. ]

We're from the same star. We met when I had to seek refuge in his city and he was at war--two entirely unrelated events, mind you. [ Just casually glossing over all those details. ] After that ended we spent some time apart, but he found himself working alongside and then with the organization I was a part of and now we're colleagues.

[ She smiles, thinking back onto how they thought they would need to strongarm Estinien to get him to join the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, yet instead he had a whole moving speech despite all his humming and hawing. Silly man. ]

I'm proud to say he's my friend. I would trust him with my life. And...I'm very glad he's here.

[ Himeka shifts her smile to Ryunosuke. ]

What about you? Do you have any friends from your star here?

[locumstudentesquire]

[It's heartwarming, to listen to her speak of him more... Slightly concerning details of war and refugees aside.

For one thing, Ryunosuke's familiarity with Estinien is mostly cordial and professional. Though he has great respect for the man, they don't spend much time casually in each other's presence. And he doesn't seem to speak much of his own history without significant prompting.

At the same time... You can learn a lot about someone by observing how they talk about their closest friends, and he's learning quite a bit about Himeka. She certainly strikes Ryunosuke as a kind soul; a woman of good cheer who cares deeply for her companions. Definitely someone he'd like to get to know better, which makes him glad they're going on this impromptu little trip. He finds himself smiling right along with her as she speaks.

...The smile falters a bit at her question, though.]

Ah... N-no, I'm afraid not... It's probably for the best, though, even if I do miss them terribly... Better that they're spared this conflict, really. We're not combatants, and my world doesn't have anything like magic, or aions... It's been a great adjustment for me. Though any of my friends probably could have handled this far better than I have...

[What Ryunosuke wouldn't give to see her fling a Kenoma with one of her Susato Takedowns. For all he knows, she probably has all kinds of information about magic in that curious little tome of hers, too.]

[aquaveiled]

[ Estinien is indeed a tough egg to crack a times, but incredibly warm once you get through the surface. Though he's making friends of sort of the Scions, Himeka has zero compunction about helping play "wing man" for his friends here in Horos. (Sometimes he just needs a little push, you know?)

There is a hint of sadness as she nods at Ryunosuke's confirmation. To be without reminders of your home, the people you loved, it must be terrible. Yet at the same time bringing them here feels something of a guilty pleasure as well as a burden forced onto them all the same. There's no right answer, as Ryunosuke seems to agree.

Still... ]

Mm, I think you're giving magic too much credit.

[ Says the Sorceress. ]

The most important battles are not fought with spells and swords. They're often behind the scenes convincing the right people to do the right things or swaying the will of a nation, speaking up for people who can't speak for themselves.

[ She means it, too. She has no clue of Ryunosuke's past, but she doesn't want the young man to think that being on the frontlines is the only way to make a difference. ]

I'm sure there's something that only you can do that will help us out.

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke looks at her with surprise. That... Is the sort of way he would prefer to help, if given the chance. It's more in line with where his strengths lie, too. Debating, orating... Fighting in court for people who can't fight for themselves.

Thus far though, he's found little opportunity for such things.]

I... I truly hope you're right about that. [And then he must be worried that sounded kind of big headed, because he quickly adds:] Er, n-not because I'm looking for personal glory or anything like that--! I just...

[He huffs a little sigh.]

I just don't want to be a burden, to you or any of the others...