[open]

[umurice]

WHO: Hiiro Amagi & You
WHAT: Exploring as a new arrival
WHEN: During the celebration period
WHERE: Alenroux
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary


[The celebration in the city was overwhelming, and he felt uneasy with both factions that were heavy-handed in their recruitment. Their leaders gave him an eerie vibe, and Hiiro hadn't been too certain about trusting either one. It was not that he wasn't tempted, especially when his interests leaned closer towards one over the other. However, he didn't want to make a mistake in his choice. Didn't want to be hasty, lest he regrets it.

After all, his choice is not for his own, but for his people.

It's been a few days, and although it had hurt to think of, he had carefully analyzed the information that was presented to him and pondered over it. To be told that the world he had known is completely gone was so much of a shock that he had blanked out on it at first, but when he had time to ponder it alone, he allowed the despair to sink in. It took him a few days, appetite lost and heart heavy, before the promises were whispered into his ears. No, it was always where, but it had only sunk then, that perhaps things were not as hopeless as they seemed.

So he had to become stronger, because lying in bed all day would only hinder him from completing his mission. Although he had no reason to believe that either faction was telling the truth, he had no other lead. However, the celebration is too loud, and he needed time to really decide on things. Since he did not have someone trusted to discuss it with, he decided to ponder on it on his own, far from the celebration.

That was how he ended up in Alenroux.]

I. ALENROUX (day)

[Not having a faction seems to help at least in keeping the people at ease. Hiiro finds himself wandering around the place, the greenery unfamiliar but much more soothing than anything else. He's wearing his hometown clothes, the same one he arrived in, but seems to have a better complexion now that his initial troubles at least had some sort of direction he can pursue solutions for.

At least, that was the goal. Instead, someone passing by the farms may notice the boy sleeping under a tree, seemingly without care, tired out from all the worries he's had. In fact, one might even think it's dangerous that he's so defenseless lying down there. Whether you approach him by choice, or if you did not notice him in the area and are about to trip over him though, the results are quite the same.

That is, anyone who approaches within grabbing distance might suddenly find their ankle yanked, with Hiiro jerking up from his restful sleep with stern eyes, as though he was ready to throw this person over his shoulder.

When he sees what he's done though, he lets go immediately, the intensity slacking into surprise.]

--- Mu? What are you doing?



II. ALENROUX (night)

[The night gives way to monsters, people having abandoned the outside now that it's dangerous. Someone a lot less foolish would heed the warnings and stay indoors, but Hiiro finds himself sneaking outside of the inn now that he's slept half the day away. It wasn't like he was going to easily shift from 12 hours to 24 hours so easily. He's unfortunately too awake to stay still, and there wasn't much he can learn in the inn while he waits.

So anyone out there at night, just as foolish as he is, might find him running away from a large monster, less out of fear and more like he was doing it intentionally. Training even, judging by the way he dodges its attacks and never attacks back. Or maybe, he's just an idiot with no weapon and really needs the help.

Or they can catch him when he's being more foolish, looking like a lost puppy following a dangerous shadow that whispers to him, walking towards the darkness. In any case, he might need some help snapping out of it.]



III. Wildcard

[For now, Hiiro is planning to stick around Alenroux, but feel free to ping me for other kinds of threads in PM or @ marchingon]

Comments

[umurice]

No, I did not think I would need them. Although I felt that the atmosphere was dangerous, I thought that as long as I can find my brother quickly, I would be all right.

[He's not hiding whose voice he heard, at least.]

It was foolish of me. I heard a child's voice, but my brother is much older than I am. I should have realized that it did not make sense.

[wolfish]

Better to have someone with you, especially if you're unharmonized.

[ Since it sounds as though he's new, Yuri ventures the guess. He'd fought a monster unharmonized, but he had weapons and a king with the strength of a squadron on his side. They even had a princess spotting weak points for them.

It's a far cry from unarmed and alone. ]

Then there're pools of shadow that look like spilled ink. Those'll snatch at you too.

[ There really ought to be a primer for such things... Regardless, Yuri procures several knives from his jacket and offers them to the presumed newbie, handle first. ]

Here.

yay to knives all over again

[umurice]

Ah. You can tell?

[He hadn't chosen a faction, feeling uneasy with the idea for now. It's not that simple, given what both wanted, and Hiiro had a lot to take into consideration before he agreed to joining anyone.

The knife has him blinking, but he takes it anyway.]

Umu. Thank you, but I have nothing to give you in return.

giving an idol knives in every life

[wolfish]

Just stay alive— that'll be enough.

[ After so many died during the Harbinger Oracle's test, Yuri'd rather no one else die. It may not be permanent so long as a Shard survives, but none of them can know whether that will continue to hold true.

Besides, Byleth had a hell of a rough time after he'd revived. He'd hazard to guess Midna did too, the way she'd cloistered herself off for a time. He wouldn't wish that on them or anyone else. ]

There aren't too many of us, so people tend to notice a new face.

thanks for looking out for him

[umurice]

...? Stay alive?

[He doesn't know everything that has happened here yet. He could have asked around more, but Hiiro rarely does unless it is for a location. It wasn't lack of curiousity so much as lack of awareness.

He didn't know people were dying.]

happy to provide this service

[wolfish]

It's gotten pretty dangerous of late... Or rather, it always was, but more overtly so now.

[ Yuri thinks it worst for civilians and those unharmonized. People aren't necessarily primed to handle the dangers that now lurk in the streets of either city, so far as he's seen.

Even those of them expected to fight a war. ]

[umurice]

Hmm... Is it because of these animals? Or is it related to Highstorm and Springstar? It seems they are in opposition.

[Which is mostly why Hiiro avoided them except to get some food since it was free. Other than that, he kept looking for places that would provide him some sort of peace, and he thought Alenroux was a good one. At least, for all intents and purposes, it was in the morning.]

I had not been certain what to make of each one, so staying in the city was uncomfortable.

[wolfish]

It's a little of both, among other things.

[ The puddles of not-shadow and phantoms of people who haven't made it to this place have been increasingly present for months now. They have also become steadily more threatening, to make matters worse.

It's a fine state of affairs for new arrivals to get drawn into... ]

I was reluctant, myself, when I first got here.

[umurice]

How long have you been here?

[He asks, curious enough. Though without the monster in their vicinity, Hiiro finally moves to get out of the bushes. You never know if there are insects there about to crawl into your clothes and all, hopefully none that are lethal.]

Ah! I forgot. I am Amagi Hiiro. What is your name?

[wolfish]

A good half a year or so, by my world's reckoning.

[ And others have been here far longer than him. There's a surreality to it all, still yet.

With the threat behind them for now, Yuri stands and brushes off his clothes before he offers a hand for a proper shake. ]

Yuri Leclerc. Call me Yuri.

[umurice]

That was not too long ago, then.

[...?

He looks at the offered hand, confused.]

... What is this for?

[wolfish]

...Do people not shake hands where you come from?

[ He'll set the matter of the length of his stay aside, because this? Weird. ]

[umurice]

Shake hands...?

[He looks even more confused, but seeing as he had his hand out and instructions, Hiiro takes his hand and shakes it... left to right. Shake hand, right?]

Like this? What does this mean?

[wolfish]

[ Yuri bites back a laugh, but it's a genuine challenge. ]

Almost. Like this.

[ He gently bobs their hands up and down. ]

Depending on the situation, it means different things. You can greet someone with one, usually the first time you meet. Otherwise, a handshake can be like finalizing an agreement. People say you "shake on it".

[umurice]

[!!!!

He mimics the movement, and maybe he keeps it up a little longer than he needs to, way longer than a polite handshake is meant to, until he nods.

And keeps it up anyway.]

I see! So this is how you greet and how you agree. How do you know when to stop?

[wolfish]

[ Bless him, he's doing his best.

Yuri may not be the most touchy sort of person, at all, but the kid's practicing. It's fine. ]

Short and sweet is your safest bet. A couple shakes and you're golden. Anything more can run the risk of making someone uncomfortable.

[umurice]

Ah! I see.

[And this time, he lets go. He definitely has been going way too long.]

Umu. I understand. Thank you for teaching me a new practice! Fufu, so there are customs like this... It seems like quite a simple idea, but it is such a useful act.

[wolfish]

It can come in handy when trying to build trust or rapport with others.

[ Which might be a bit of a mercenary way to look at it, but where Hiiro is new to handshakes, he may as well know there's that aspect to it as well. ]

So what do your people do instead, where you're from?

[umurice]

Hmm... Well, I never really met much new people back in the village, but it is customary for us to engage in combat when we greet each other.

[Yes, this is a thing. No, I did not make this up. He seems quite proud of this too.]

Well, in the city it seems different. Ah, but we should probably discuss this elsewhere. I sense something approaching with bloodlust.

[wolfish]

[ Oh, Balthus would just love this guy.

But Hiiro's got a point. Yuri spares a moment, bringing his hands to his mouth and imitating a bird call... Only it sounds as though it came from a thicket on the far side of the clearing. ]

Alright, that'll buy us some time to clear out. This way.

[ He gestures for Hiiro to follow and turns on his heel. ]

[umurice]

[Oh wow, he's surprised at the fact that the sound came from elsewhere, but he doesn't have time to ask that. Yuri's on the move, and Hiiro did not want to stay here even with a weapon now. He had a rough idea of the strength of that creature, and at his current stage, he would just barely be able to fight it. He wouldn't want to risk it bringing friends.

So he decides to follow Yuri's lead, keeping quiet until they find a safer place to talk.]

[wolfish]

[ Yuri is a walking grab-bag of talents... Throwing his voice, or in this case his bird calls, comes in handy out here. His strides are naturally quick as he picks his way through the forest, though he's mindful to ensure he doesn't lose Hiiro along the way.

Familiar as he is with the area, it doesn't take long for them to emerge on a field. It's quiet, save for the soft breeze shivering through the grass. ]

They seldom venture this far, so we should be safer here.

[umurice]

You sound used to this place. Do you come out here at night often?

[At night is the key term. He was here all day and nothing bad had happened, so it seems like this was something that happened when the sun sets. It wasn't unusual, normally predators hunt at night even back home, but the difference in aggression was noteworthy.

It was like they don't exist in the morning.]

[wolfish]

Often enough. One of the first things I did here was investigate the monster situation.

[ After hearing of the threat they posed to civilians, Yuri couldn't help but involve himself. It just so happened that he wasn't the only one, and they were all better off for it. ]

There had been less monsters before, but now... There've been changes in both of the cities, down below too. Guess it could be that way here as well.

[umurice]

Hm? So there were more monsters now...? Did something happen before?

[Is it just the season? Does this place have seasons? He isn't too sure, but that's a surprising tidbit to learn. He had thought this was just the regular populartion.]