Indignation is a Fire Emblem Roleplay. It takes place within the Outrealms as worlds collide and kingdoms wage an endless war. However, amongst the quarrels of men do the horrors of the Outrealm reach in to kill and destroy. Fight alone or join forces with other warriors as we create dramatic tales or wage war!
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The butler stumbled forward briefly before catching up to Shizuka’s pace while being lead throughout the streets. A light frown, though hardly noticeable on Grant’s face, signalled that he realised of her zoning out completely while he spoke of the royalty in his homeland. It made him feel boring what with his inability to even grasp someone’s interest. Nevertheless, he had some content knowing that he nature was true and tried instead of pretending to be interested like any other person. A small sigh departed him as he noticed the journey he was in for this town. If anything, at least the architecture of the hamlet looked appealing.
A pastry in the shape of a fish. The butler had seen a lot of things since he first came to Hoshido, but the aforementioned food was not one of them. He hesitated as he grasped what she was offering using a clean cloth to cover. The cake did not seem inedible to him, rather he was foreign to the custom. In any case, it would be very rude not to eat said food without a valid reason and seeing as he had no reason, he would.
He raised the fish shaped pasty to his mouth, to get ready to eat it. At the same time he looked to the girl who gave it to him for confirmation of how it was. Grant hoped any signs of enjoyment would raise his standard of it, though tastes could be acquired very easily if one were to be raised according to it.
The girl watched her companion with eyes full of interest. She hoped that he enjoyed one of her favorite treats. The pastry was something she remembered eating since like she was born. "You know people eat them all sorts of different ways. Some of my old friends used to start from the tail and eat it backwards." The girl held the fish to her lips and kissed it on its lips. She gave a playful giggle after. "I like to start from the head." It seemed a little bit violent but starting at the head got a bit of the red bean paste in every bite and even once she hit the tail, she'd still have the taste lingering in her mouth. She ate hers without really thinking. "You should try yours," she pushed, "its a great experience to the local food." Or maybe she should have started him off in one of the restaurants and got a more filling meal. If he was even hungry. What if he wasn't even hungry? Shizuka should have asked if he wanted anything to eat. "Hey," she started slowly, "If you're not hungry we can save it for later."
A red bean filling? The butler found it even stranger that someone would manage the idea of filling such a small perishable with something of the sort! Admittedly, he also thought the idea was rather genius in it’s own right- almost as if the bakers of Hoshido mastered the art of pie making and decided to make a smaller version of the aforementioned pastry.
What bothered him slightly was not the food, but the bruise remaining on her forehead. He had looked to her for confirmation as to how to eat the treat and that he received. At the same time he noticed that her injury was more apparent now that they were both out of the forest. Grant felt the need to address it, perhaps it might have been the reason as to why she had been on her own when they met earlier.
“I am very sorry, Miss Shizuka.” He stood straight, folding the cloth over the baked good. “Your kindness is very much appreciated, I assure you.” His throat cleared before he spoke further. “Nonetheless, my want to aid you outweighs my appetite for this clearly delicious edible.”
He held up his right palm to an incline. “A subject seemed to weigh heavily upon your shoulders when I first saw you. Might I ask what it was?”
Aid? She wasn't the one that needed help. Not at first. Shizuka thought that she was the one that was leading Grant around to show him her hometown. Her brows showed her obvious confusion. Maybe he thought of this as something else. That was clear, actually. She gave a quiet 'oh' at the realization that she hadn't exactly asked this man if he wanted any of them. She just sort of assumed he'd want a guide. Shizuka probably ruined some journey he was having. Maybe. Probably. She closed her eyes for a moment until she was completely caught off guard by the man's question.
"Uhh.." She stalled for a moment and bit her lip uneasily. With a quick turn of her head, she gazed around the street for anyone of her classmates. With nobody around she gave a quiet sigh. "I guess it was kind of obvious, huh?" She asked. The girl placed a hand on the bruise that formed on her forehead which caused her to wince slightly. Before long her smile had resurfaced upon her face and she was ready to laugh at herself once again. "It's nothing big," she grinned, "I was just having a hard time with a few classmates at the dojo." She shook it off like it was no big deal, "It's just silly things. Running into things. Tripping over my skirt. And they caught me off guard and..." For a moment her smile faded away, "I just can't win or.. do anything really."
Irksome was how he found her scenario. Too true that he was not a hot-headed individual, though there were things that got even on his nerves. Even so he would not let his mild annoyance show- keeping himself calm and composed. He inhaled deeply. Her gestures so far had been appreciated, perhaps a lot more than she realised. In any case, thing that mattered most to him at that moment was her predicament. Perhaps he might be able to help her, or so he thought. He had a plan. A plan heavily relying on her standing up for herself, but a plan none the less.
“Miss Shizuka.” Grant spoke, storing the pastry. “Please believe me when I say this. Regardless of whether you win or lose to these people, it truly is harsh to say you are unable to do anything.” He crossed his arms, shaking his head lightly. “The tides turn day by day.” The butler brought a palm up. He needed a way to persuade the maiden into believing in herself enough to be able. Perhaps playing to her attitude might do the trick.
“Though I suppose if you’re not feeling up to it, I will not have to tell you the super extravagant, amazing, majestic plan I have to show up those ruffians.”
Her eyes fell to the ground while he spoke to her. She knew that Grant meant well with his words but he could never fully understand. That seemed easy for him to say. Grant probably didn't even know what it was like to have people make fun of him for his entire life. He probably didn't know what it felt like to fail no matter how hard he tried to do something. Those were all things that Shizuka knew very, very well. Her life wasn't like the tide or anything like that. She gave a gentle sigh.
And then she looked up. Her ears almost visibly perked up at the new and exciting information he had. Shizuka leaned a little bit closer to Grant like she was about to hear some juicy secret of some sort. "You have a plan?" she asked. There was a hint of excitement in her voice. "I don't want to call my classmates ruffians but, ahh, I would like them to stop messing with me. Is it really amazing? Majestic? What do I need to do?"
And to the bait he laid, his target bit. The butler was delighted at the fact that the maiden showed interest in his scheme. It was not a malevolent plan by any means, rather a way for the lass to earn quite a bit of respect from both her peers and perhaps her own mentors as well. Nevertheless he needed a way to ensure her commitment towards it. Ultimately, he could not help her if she did not have faith in her own capabilities after all.
“No, no.” Grant shook his head, turning away from her. “Please forgive me for stating my part,” his voice was soft, however it carried an exaggerated air of despair to it. To perhaps anyone else, he was clearly acting- trying to get the maiden to keep firing herself up as she did when he mentioned his plan. “You are very much correct I am afraid. What is the point of my plan to make you the most well known person in your entire standard when you do not believe in yourself?”
His right hand raised to the side of his cheek as his expression became grim. It was almost as if he was posing for a depressing portrait.
Her companion seemed depressed. Sad. Was it because she didn't believe in herself? No, that couldn't be. Because she did. “I do believe in myself!” Shizuka fired back automatically. She grew defensive at his comment. The girl could easily pretend she knew how to do everything and was good at it, but deep down and in practice, she knew she was severely lacking. She pointed to herself and her chest inflated with a bit of pride. “I'm Shizuka Yui. I'm one of the best fliers and pegasus ranchers in the village. I'm a proud member of the Hoshidan army. I've trained plenty of children and entry level fighters in this village on using bowstaffs and naginata.” Just... when matched up against others, she would choke. Shizuka was perfect on paper and techniques. And she couldn't understand why.
The girl took a deep breath and her tone softened. "What do you suppose we do? I can do anything. Just tell me what I need to do. I'll show them all that I'm great."
“The first step of my plan. . .” The butler held up his right index finger, allowing for a dramatic pause to ensue as Shizuka awaited his statement. At this time of day the marketplace was somewhat filled, yet empty enough for one to hear the sounds of nature. If they listened closely, they could perhaps hear the sound of leaves rustling along due to a rolling breeze. Maybe even the call of an unknown bird from the bamboo forest, if they were lucky.
Then came time for him to speak.
“. . .Is for you to lead me to this ‘dojo’ you speak of.” He announced rather anticlimactically. In the wide scope of things, any plan that he would concoct was not one of grandiose proportions. If the simplest methods often worked for people in their everyday lives, why complicate the manner in which you do things? That was his mentality, but he knew the maiden would not be as prompted to carry out a simple thing if he was straightforward.
“After you do so, we can move onto a more exciting part.”
She listened in with wide eyes. Shizuka moved closer with every bit of silence. Yes, the anticipation built up. His scheme would be grand indeed. The girl could just feel it! Her new friend could come in and save her! But she didn't really need saving. Shizuka had handled this all just fine her entire life. Why would it be any different now? She didn't need help but deep down she wanted it.
But not like this. The girl's expression deflated. She took a few steps back and confusion shone upone her face once again. "I don't want to go there," she mumbled. Something told her she wasn't going to get out of this. She would just be running from it once again. Shizuka was a grown adult. Such childish troubles shouldn't bother her. But they did.
"It better be exciting," she mumbled. And waved her hand at the male to follow her through the merchant district of the city towards a more secluded area. Her school was near the outskirts. It was surrounded by tall foliage and bamboo reeds. Had the entrance not been a rusty red shade, it could have been easily missed.
A smirk formed from his lips as he followed after her. The feeling of a plan in the works was second to none, regardless of how small the outcome might be. The lass’s sour mood was a factor foreseen by Grant. A remedy for that would come soon enough.
Upon reaching the rusted gates belonging to the school, he held up an arm in the shape of the alphabet L with his palm open. A signal for her to pause. He deemed the time to be appropriate for them to succeed to the next part. A portion of him hesitated in carrying the step, but Shizuka’s attitude would prove to be difficult if he was completely forward with her. A more theatrical approach was necessary.
From whence his palm was raise, he brought it diagonally downward to meet the other in a clap.
Grant felt as if he looked like an absolute fool by the overly dramatic standard of his pose, but he would forgo the emotion in favour of assisting her. Luckily enough for him, nobody else was around.
His expression shifted from light amusement to unreasonable seriousness for the scenario. “Miss Shizuka.” He spoke solemnly with each word carrying an unrealistic level of weight. “This is where I bestow upon you. . .” Grant paused, having not come up with a name earlier. “Theeeeeeee. . .” Perhaps using different words in any given combination would work. “Quintessential resolve of medicinal benefit.”
Crossing his arms, he spoke. “But first, you must prove yourself to me by displaying your knowledge in combat.” The butler waggled a single finger in the air. At last his display was complete, he could test her regularly.
“For instance,” he brought forward a single hand. “If I were to use a sword or a tome against you. You could counter an assault easily by weilding. . .” The butler ceased speaking to give her the cue she needed to reply. There was not a doubt in his mind that she could answer it, after all she did mention her weapon choice earlier.
The girl watched all of his movements like she was expecting something special or amazing. Shizuka followed him closely as it became his turn to lead. She watched him walk through the gates and had almost stumbled into him the moment he stopped. Her eyes traced his form. What was he... Her mind trailed off as the man began to speak.
With fists clenched and eyes wide, she marveled in the man before her. But she straightened up at his serious tone. Almost like a commander in the army, she would listen to anything heh ad to say. Until... “What?” The confusion was clear in her voice. Grant's words weren't exactly something she could understand. Medicinal benefit she understood at least. She touched the bruise on her head. Maybe Grant was a doctor of some sort.
That didn't seem like the case. It was some sort of quiz. “That's easy!” Shizuka cheered. “I'd use my naginata of course. The long range has an advantage over the close ranged swords. And if I get up close, I can use the full naginata to counter.”
“Bravo, Miss Yui,” he said with little, albeit genuine, impression. Even if she had stated her use of a spear like weapon, Grant did not rule out the possibility of a wrong answer. He did not look down on her, rather his reasoning was his view on most, if not all, people. Trusting the abilities of a new acquaintance could prove to be hazardous no matter how small the task may be. His awareness of his own thought process made him feel all the more distant from who he was supposed to be helping.
“Bravo indeed.” The butler smiled, clapping his palms together slowly. “It seems as if you have passed my one and only test.” He raised his right hand up once more.
“Your reward- so justly deserved.”
Magic was a peculiar tool in Grant’s arsenal. On the one hand, he had a diminutive affinity to the arcane. On the other hand, what little talent he had could be used efficiently with his knowledge of both the human body and how to better heal it. He could not cast offensively, but restoring himself from near fatal wounds had it’s merits, especially when done to others. A staff was needed, though who ever said that the aforementioned item needed to be in sight?
With a snap of his fingers, he concentrated a fragment of the source of his ability on the location of her bruise. His attempt was to restore it to it’s previous state- unharmed. Often times a person would feel invigorated after being healed. Grant did not feel any sensation when mending his own wounds; he wondered how she might react to it.
There was a sense of pride that began to well up within Shizuka's chest. Grant's praise did wonders in giving Shizuka a little boost that was much needed. The rider wasn't as uneducated as she had been told she was. She understood a lot more than people gave her credit for. Usually. It was often hard for people to tell just what exactly was on Shizuka's mind.
"I'm glad there was only one test," she muttered. She didn't want to take anymore. Today was long enough already.
She watched him snap.
In that moment, Shizuka could feel a light tingling in her forehead. She shook her head as though she was trying to shake away any sense of that fuzzy feeling that she felt. It hadn't worked. Her hand lifted to the spot her bruise was, but when she touched it, she felt no sign of pain or discomfort from the bruise that had been there earlier. She blinked. And looked at Grant. And she blinked again. The wheels in her brain were turning and trying to process what had happened.
The girl leapt towards Grant and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "You're magical!" She cried out. "I knew you weren't just a normal traveler. You did this yeah? You healed me?" Grant wasn't a prince. He was more like... like a... a fairy! Men could be fairy's right? It was like the story of the woman with the evil step sisters and her fairy god mother. Grant had come in her time of need and healed her. "Thank you."
“That should just about do it,” he confirmed with himself in thought as Shizuka was processing what he had done. His skill had grown since he arrived in the continent, he deemed. The only person he ever felt compelled to heal was himself, though it seemed like that list turned into an entire book what with the regular sight of injury.
It was an appropriate time to carry on to the succeeding task, he had only one complication- the incoming tackle from the maiden. Had he not seen it coming, he would not have been able to catch himself by shifting a foot backwards. Though it was a move unexpected by him, it was not highly unlikely given her excitable nature.
“I-Indeed I am, to some measure.” He stuttered, but not out of shyness. The lass was much stronger than he had anticipated- stronger than him marginally at least. He felt as if he was in the process of being constricted by a python for a quick meal. “Yes, you are welcome!” The butler wheezed. And with the departure of his breath, realisation sank in.
Compared to some fully grown warriors, the girl’s physical power was sub par. However, her speed could make for the difference. The only thing she required was self assurance and a heightened ability to think ahead- the former of which he had supplied her in full as per his strategy.
A strained smile grew on his face. All that was left relied on her taking the final step. “Does this entail your readiness for the upmost important event in your success?” He asked with a greater certainty of the answer.
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