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Post by Ryo on Jun 8, 2011 23:02:58 GMT -5
"He stole a blade that was going to be used to mark somebody as a knight. It's a ceremonial thing... That and the blade has some sort of special enchantment. I doubt the kid can handle it. The bracelet got stuck to me during the chase." He paused for a brief moment in thought. "Then I had to protect him from a bunch of hell spawns after he ran into the abandoned mines. He couldn't even swing the sword properly. I sort of feel sorry for the kid."
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 8, 2011 23:07:10 GMT -5
"So... a knight in our little Rogueport. That's interesting." X's' expression seemed to shift a little, but nothing too noticeable. "Well I'm afraid I don't have anything to help you with anymore, Ryo. My apologies. You are free to leave now. And do me a favor and leave the Zac kid be, would you? He hired me for a job, see?"
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Post by Ryo on Jun 8, 2011 23:15:37 GMT -5
"Spearman, actually. If I were a knight I'd actually have a weapon... Or some armor. Anything, really." He crossed his arms and turned to leave. "And I'll leave the kid alone until I get back home. If I see him again after that, he's mine. Oh, and Regul, was it? You may not want it, but thanks. I'll pay you back sometime." That said, he left the building. There he saw the kid. "Run along, would you? And try not to hurt yourself with those swords."
Aren't we Mr. Compassionate? You sound more dismissive than anything.
"This feels unnatural. Of course it's going to sound... off." And so he continued bickering with his bracelet as he walked off into the city.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 8, 2011 23:30:30 GMT -5
"Now let's get to business." Regul made sure Ryo had long left before getting to what he wanted. "Do you know anything about a gang of bandits called who attacked an old village on the outskirts of Aube years ago?" X's' face lit up in response. "Why so interested? The people involved in that raid were all killed, last I heard."
"So you do know something? Tell me anything you know, anything at all!" Regul was anxious, perhaps now he'd have a lead of some kind. "Well..." X began "All I mostly know are rumors. A gang of bandits known as the Burning Hands raided that place after hearing of hidden treasures. However, by the end all of the bandits were wiped out with the villagers."
"All of them?"
"S'what I heard. Far as I know, no one from the village itself survived either. And some people claim to have witnessed a strange phenomena on the day the incident occurred."
"What do you mean?"
"People say that on that night, the skies filled with red lightning. Make of that what you will."
Well, it was a start atleast. Not very helpful, but atleast it could help point in another direction. "Thanks. Is that all?"
"Afraid so stranger. For any more info you'd need to find one of the original bandits or villagers."
Regul nodded. "Again, thank you. I'll be on my way now." And thus the armored man left. Now all that was left for X to do was the job request the kid had asked for.
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Post by Ryo on Jun 10, 2011 22:10:08 GMT -5
And so hours passed as Ryo ran around town asking for information. However, asking for information amounted to swinging it in front of people and asking if they knew what it was. Oh sure, he had asked a few well informed individuals, but it's not like that had helped him at all. But he couldn't just give up! He resumed his manic questioning until he bumped into a familiar face or lack thereof. It was Regul. He did not know what the bracelet was. "Well... This is a bit awkward."
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 10, 2011 22:12:00 GMT -5
"You again..." Regul was practically groaning. "Still trying to figure out what that bracelet is huh?" the man then got struck by a thought. "You said you were a soldier, right?" It was a long shot, but maybe Ryo knew something about the type of person he was looking for.
--Meanwhile--
Zac had already pawned off that Katzbalger for some quick change, and now he was in the backyard of the Guild with X, both having blades at the ready. "So what's the first lesson bossman?" the kid was energetic, ready to learn the secrets to blades and whatnot.
X chuckled a little. "We'll see once I know where you stand." the soldier readied his curved sword. "Now then, come at me with all you've got. Don't hold anything back." the student was confused, but agreed none the less, and rushed in.
Each wild swing was easily parried, and Zac ended up on the ground faster than anything. "Wow, you really are pathetic." the boy got annoyed. "Yeah right! There's probably some weird power you've got in your sword right?"
As Zac attempted to nab the blade, X simply played keep away while countering with a knowing smirk. "Now I get what your main problem is. You believe it's the weapon that makes a person great, not the person that makes the weapon great."
"So how else am I supposed to get stronger?" Zac stared at his own sword, thinking about the odd ability it had. X responded. "Simple, make your own style that you're comfortable with. There's nothing I can teach you. Just learn as you go."
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Post by Ryo on Jun 10, 2011 22:30:31 GMT -5
"Yep and yep. Can't say I'm a very good soldier though."
Not without lying, anyway.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 10, 2011 22:34:16 GMT -5
"Where from? Would you happen to have any information on an old bandit gang known as the Burning Hands?" Yeah, definitely a longshot.
--Meanwhile--
Zac thanked X for his time and promptly ran off. He'd made a friend here in Rogueport, what little time the two had spent together.
On his run through the town, he heard the faint scream of a woman nearby. Turns out one was being harassed by a small crew of thugs, and within earshot of Regul and Ryo, too.
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Post by Ryo on Jun 10, 2011 22:38:46 GMT -5
"Burning Hands? I can't say that I have. I could check the records when I get back if you want." And then came the cry. "We can get back to this in a moment!" Unsurprisingly, he went running off in the direction of the scream.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 10, 2011 22:44:19 GMT -5
Regul dashed off right next to him. The two soon came upon the thugs, who were now more interested in the two 'heroes' that'd just shown up. "Now look who we have here." one of them spoke for the others. "Now see, this lady owes us protection money, so if you'll be so kind, move along like everyone else is doin'."
"Not a chance." the black knight placed a hand on his blade. "Let her go, or you'll be the one needing protection." The thugs laughed at this. "Okay wise guy, you'll be taken care of first!" Meanwhile, Zac was busy hiding behind some nearby barrels. Things were looking intense. Why was that Ryo guy from earlier still around?
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Post by Ryo on Jun 10, 2011 23:17:07 GMT -5
Ryo just gave Regul two pats on the shoulder as he walked forward. "Take it easy, big guy. I've got an idea... How about all of you take me on at once? Just let the lady sit off to the side while we fight. Wouldn't want to hurt your investment, right?"
"Not so fast! If we win, the big guy doesn't get involved at all! You got that?"
"Then it's a deal!"
Stop getting involved! There's no reason to risk your life over something like this!
"There's plenty of reason. You guys all set?"
The woman was sitting off to the side, but at least she was clear of the fight. It's not like they were going to let her run anyway. "We're set all right! Get 'em boys!"
"That's good." Ryo held his hand forward, light encompassing his arm. "I've always liked fair fights!" And on that note, a massive stream of energy flew forward, washing over the bandits and sending them flying back. It wasn't lethal, probably.
Since when can you aim?
Ryo was too busy counting. "Three... Four... Just look at them bounce!"
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 10, 2011 23:22:09 GMT -5
Well that was simple. The woman ran up and hugged her savior before running off. Regul was simply puzzled by the whole experience. "Since when could you do that, Ryo?" Those were almost the exact thoughts running through Zac's' mind as well, although he could recall something vaguely similar back in the mines...
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Post by Ryo on Jun 10, 2011 23:26:41 GMT -5
Nobody had ever hugged him before. As should be expected, he was rather shaken up by this turn of events.
That'll teach you to save people!
Ryo just shook it off. "I've always been able to do this kind of stuff... But that was as little as I could hit them with. I hope they're alright." One of the bandits twitched. "Oh good. They'll be fine."
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on Jun 10, 2011 23:30:32 GMT -5
And a non lethal blow at that. "You know, I just might be getting used to your presence. Where'd you say you were from again?" Regul let his blade loose. Despite the stares the two had gained from Ryo's' little stunt, it seemed they were safe for now. "And just where did you find that neat little bracelet anyhow?"
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Post by Ryo on Jun 11, 2011 19:46:36 GMT -5
"I didn't!" Ryo declared with a straight faced grin. "And this bracelet is anything but neat. You know, like I've been saying this whole time.
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