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[Mission] Story Time!; It's a a good day.
Topic Started: Feb 22 2017, 12:41 AM (251 Views)
Fairchild	Feb 22 2017, 12:41 AM Post #1
The Sir of FTG Posts: 854 Group: Member Member #4,191 Joined: Dec 16, 2014	Julian rolled over in bed, groaning and mumbling as he groggily tried to find the will to get up. It was something of a ritual for Julian these days, and it wasn't just because of the general lack of sleep which Julian was cursed with, thanks to the demons. You see, ever since "The Incident" where Syeena trashed The Black Bird Casino, Julian had been... less trusted by the guild. Apparently, helping someone escape a sadistic torturer's clutches didn't mean much when they wrecked the place during their escape. It also didn't help that the torturer was one of their own guild-mates. Before, Julian had been fairly influential, despite his technically-low status as a guild member, but now? Well... that was all over. There weren't many people who wanted to work with "Julian the Jinx", but "The Crow Amongst Ravens"? Well... No one wanted to work with him. Julian was still considered a traitor by some of the more impassioned members of the guild, thinking that he didn't care about Raven Tail's agendas and prosperity. While, at times, that was true, at-large, Julian was more invested in Raven Tail's good fortune than most of the random dregs who had joined up. Most of them only really devoted themselves to Raven Tail because they allowed a level of freedom to be the same dregs they had always been, but be paid well for their troubles, with protection from the Knights. Those in that category saw Julian as a goody-two-shoes, ready to turn on his allies, should they cross some line drawn in the sand. Of course, this was not the worst of it, for Julian. He didn't much interact with other members of the guild, lest he had to. He occasionally was loaned members of the guild to assist with the smuggling business, but otherwise, Julian just acted as supplementary income to the guild, along with a little bit of black-market item movement. It was win-win. Julian made good money and the Raven Tail supported his decisions, to a degree, despite many people only knowing him as the eternally unlucky shopkeep. Now, however, well... they had retracted much of their support. In fact, they had replaced Julian entirely, with Julian's rivals, of all people! Hale and his band of rejects were handling the same business that Julian once spear-headed, and what's worse, they were doing it better than he could ever manage. They were making a mockery of the dwindling pile of jewel which Julian had accumulated and making him look like an under-zealous schlub... and Julian was no better-off than any other D-Ranked mage in Raven Tail. He was treated like a new recruit all over again. The only way to gain his status back, now, was the good-old-fashioned way. That was part of why Julian was here in some hotel in Poinsettia, although, it wasn't the only reason. Trevor Purfoil was another deciding factor. After spending some time reacquainting themselves, it became clear that they were... still friends. Honestly, it was a surprising thing, from the outside. Hell, sometimes, it felt confusing to the both of them. They had both done terrible things, at least, in their own minds, all the while convinced that the other had no choice. They had each agonized over the idea that their friend had suffered so much because of their actions... Even after each of them apologized and was forgiven, they still felt guilt, but they worked hard to overcome it, simply looking forward, rather than back. And now, Trevor was looking to ease Julian's mind and allow him a level of peace which he had been missing for some time. It had, of course, not been Julian idea of a good time, reading to children... but it was a D-Rank Mission, and, strangely enough, Raven Tail was accepting it as one of theirs, as many other guilds had before them. You had to complete a handful of these D-Rank Missions to qualify to take on more difficult missions, even if you were physically capable... Julian supposed that the reason behind this was more about competence than skill, and in retrospect, might be another reason why Raven Tail had ultimately pulled their support from behind Julian. The guild was fairly political, in how it operated... and many of the members of the guild who knew of Julian's placement amidst their ranks scoffed at the idea of a D-Rank Mage being trusted with anything more dangerous than a fruit snack. After his indiscretion, those members were satiated in their suspicions, and Raven Tail needed to distance themselves from this situation. "And now, I'm 'bout ta go read ta a bunch o' ankle-biters..." He supposed Trevor meant well. It was something calm and... innnocent. That's what it was, really. It was innocent. Honestly, this was what he needed, wasn't it? Something to take him away from all the dark and macabre that he had started to accept as an everyday notion and just tell stories where the good guy always wins, and the bad guy gets what's coming to him. It's black-and-white, sure, but in its simplicity, there was a modocem of peace, even for someone who would often be considered the "villain" by most people. Honestly, the more he thought about it, the more he was coming around to the idea... Yeah. This was going to be a good day! Edited by Fairchild, Feb 22 2017, 12:41 AM.
MoonlitRain012	Mar 1 2017, 03:25 PM Post #2
B-Class Posts: 1,049 Group: Member Member #1,659 Joined: Dec 14, 2011	Somehow the last thing that Trevor thought he’d be doing while wandering the world was reading bedtime stories to children. He’d decided to help Julian to complete a task that was set for him as part of joining the Raven Tail guild and it was completely different from anything they’d done before. There were no demons, there was no Callahan and it was unlikely that Julian was about to lose a limb in the process so perhaps this time they’d come away unscathed. Of course, Trevor would always feel that he’d done more harm to Julian than the thief had ever done to him but he was learning to accept that they were still friends. He glanced across and smiled at Julian’s latest comment. It was good natured grumbling and it was something for which Trevor was glad. It meant that perhaps his friend was starting to feel a lifting of the oppression that had weighed down on him for so long. He replied to it with warmth in his voice. “Well at least ankle-biters are better than face-biters or head-biters. Children may be demonic but they aren’t usually possessed by demons. I’m sure that you’re a good storyteller Julian. I was actually considering telling the kids some of the tales with which I was raised. They are usually pretty good stories, but I’m afraid of turning them into me. I made the terrible mistake of actually believing the tales and it landed me in hot water!” There was a momentary darkness but Trevor forced it down. “Well I suppose if you’re ready, we might as well get this mission underway. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can get the full approval of the guild!”
司 Mango	Mar 7 2017, 07:22 AM Post #3
What's The Point Posts: 1,205 Group: Librarian Member #2,572 Joined: Aug 25, 2012	Alice let out a quiet sigh as she stepped out into the morning light, closing her eyes for just a moment and breathing in, imbibing the peaceful smells and sounds of Poinsetta. The war having taken a toll on her both physically and psychologically, the young dragon slayer had decided - with no shortage of prodding by both Artorius and Artesia - to return to Fiore for a few weeks in order to bring quiescence to her mental state. She didn't need a medical degree to recognize that spending the better part of a year participating in a war was unhealthy for anyone, let alone a teenager. It was almost surreal how peaceful and gentle the atmosphere here was, at least compared to that of Bosco. Gone were the huddled refugees and dilapidated structures, the praying soldiers the dread that hung in the air like a layer of fog. Alice had to remind herself every so often to relax her posture and stop scanning the immediate area for threats; the thought that she would be leaving this place for Bosco once more before too long didn't help her nerves either. The albino had received plenty of looks from her fellow passengers, what with her ripped-up dirt-caked combat attire, numerous sheathed weapons, bandaged limbs, and oh-so-palpable mercenary-like aura she couldn't help but exude. But that was no matter. As much as she hated being the veritable center of attention, the teen wasn't about to let some sideways glances and curious children put her off. Alice was here to relax and let her mind recover from the near-constant stress of living in a warzone. Naturally, being the forward thinker she was (or at least fancied she was), the crimson-eyed dragon slayer had decided to take a few jobs on the side - nothing too over-the-top, but enough that she wouldn't spend the time she had here playing Left 5 Dead and smoking Boscan Grass in her pajamas. The first job was as simple as it got - a D-Rank Mission that consisted of little more than reading to some kids for an afternoon. She would be going straight there - typically something Alice would whine about, but tolerable this time, given she had slept plenty on the train ride. The girl was eager to be a normal person for once. Odd, given the fact that she typically hated these kinds of "missions" in part due to their superficiality. This time around, she appreciated a break. Just some nice, feel-good stories for little kids. And it was thus that Alice found herself outside the daycare center, looking entirely out of place in her mercenary garb and bandages.
Fairchild	Mar 8 2017, 12:42 AM Post #4
The Sir of FTG Posts: 854 Group: Member Member #4,191 Joined: Dec 16, 2014	Julian fastened his lachryma arm in place with a firm twist, wriggling his robotic fingers in his daily mobility check. Seemingly satisfied, he turned back to Trevor. "Only folklore I grew up wit was tha lady o' fortune. I hope yer boyhood stories is a bit more int'resting, fer tha kids' sake." It was a common story in Acalypha... a lovely sentiment worthy of the Dandelion Sector: wealth beyond your wildest dreams, and not a day's work to get it... all you had to do was find the right 0lace to stand. And for those Acalyphan youths who dreaded becoming fishermen or traders, well, loitering was kind of their past-time... It was even more common among Julian' s roommates at the orphanage. Though, in their case, it was more that there was little else they could do with their lives. No prospects for the future, and just waiting around for someone to come and make their lives... more. "Ah, jeez... I,m bummin' m'self out over 'ere, and now I gotta talk ta kids?" Almost as quickly as Julian had decided today would be good day, he was back on the other side of the fence. "Some five year old's gonna empty 'er ma's liquor drawer by the end o' tha day..." Julian scratched anxiously at his head, mussing up his hair even more than his pillow had managed. Maybe he should just call it off now. It wasn't like he had never dumped a mission before, and this one, technically, he hadn't even started yet! He could just walk away and pretend it never happened. He could do something more relaxing, like being the assistant to a narcoleptic chainsaw juggler, or- 'Relax.' Hearing the voices was strange, but this one always seemed warmer than the rest. Ever since that little incident in Bosco (the weakening of the seal), there had been far more in-fighting between the four demons than before. At least, that is how it seemed. In truth, it could have also been that now, Julian had a more tangible reminder of those other beings trapped inside his body. The Masked One, Adin, was often at-odds with the others. He was... different. The others sought control, and, perhaps, Adin did as well. The difference was that Adin did not seek to steal that control. And now, he was attempting to soothe Julian's mind: a friendly gesture. "Maybe I'm finkin' too much, eh?" Julian chuckled uneasily, "I should jus'... relax." Julian took a deep breath, smoothing out his hair with both hands. It was all gonna be fine. Even someone as eternally unlucky and hopeless as him could manage to take care of a D-Class mission, especially one so simple. Yes. Good. He dressed quickly, trying not to let the negative thoughts take hold, despite knowing exactly what they entailed. It wasn't long before he was dressed and headed out the door, a cigarette tucked into the corner of his mouth. Although, Julian stopped in his tracks, apparently realizing something, before flicking the unlit cigarette to the side. "Can't go readin' ta kiddies smellin' like a gasper factory, innit?" Julian shrugged, "Def need ta get some coffee 'fore we go in, though. Got a hankerin' fer somefin' n' caffiene'll have'ta do." Edited by Fairchild, Mar 8 2017, 08:41 PM.
MoonlitRain012	Mar 10 2017, 03:27 PM Post #5
B-Class Posts: 1,049 Group: Member Member #1,659 Joined: Dec 14, 2011	Trevor smiled and sighed. He was reminded again of how different his life and Julian’s had been. They’d been thrown together into an unlikely (and now rather surprising) friendship despite all of their differences in class and background. Perhaps one of the reasons that his people had for sending young nobles out into the world was to ensure that they were able to meet with and gain experience from people of other races and classes. He responded to Julian in a wistful tone. “Oh I was told many tales as a child. I am sure I can muster some that they’ll like!” Although Trevor could not have known that Julian was hearing the voice of one of his internal ‘companions’ he felt a similar urge to the voice in the other young man’s head and he laid a hand on Julian’s shoulder and spoke reassuringly. “Yes you should just relax, Julian. It will be fine. You won’t be too harshly judged by the children, I’m sure.” The idea of coffee was one with which the tall, lanky Northerner could agree. When he’d first arrived in the southern lands, coffee had seemed very strange to him indeed but he’d grown to appreciate the dark, rich aroma and the bitter shiver of it on his tongue. They would have time to get a cup on their way to read to the children. He spoke energetically. “I discovered a new coffee stall around here that makes the best brew. Let me take you there and we can get a cup or two."
Fairchild	Mar 29 2017, 08:19 AM Post #6
The Sir of FTG Posts: 854 Group: Member Member #4,191 Joined: Dec 16, 2014	Julian and Trevor arrived with coffee in-hand. Julian not only had a cup in his left hand, almost finished, but four more coffees which were tucked into a handy little paper cup holder. Julian tossed his cup into a nearby trashcan, moving onto another cup. Others may have assumed that Julian had brought these to share... but they were sadly mistaken. Without nicotine, Julian felt as though he needed to balance his chemical dependencies with an inordinate amount of caffiene. "Right... So we're 'ere. This is the place, innit?" Julian checked around for a moment, "Yeah. I fink it's... Yeah." Julian strode into the front door confidently, finding the place to be... a bit different than he had expected. It wasn't a hodgepodge of rambunctious rascals running, screaming and hitting each other... although that mostly seemed to be due to the environment. It was a calming place, with an air of struture. He imagined that some of this was due to the only other adult in the room, a strait-laced woman wearing round glasses. She was talking to a young kid with white hair who seemed... a couple years older than the kids who were sitting at the desks. Julian figured he had to be some kind of teaching assitant. Upon their entry, the teacher's attention snapped immediately to the slightly-tardy duo. While she had seemed perfectly pleasant only a moment before, her face was now full of a fire which Julian wouldn't have expected in even his wildest dreams, a lock of hair falling into her face as she motioned at the two of them. Her motion wasn't patient or kind, but severe and a bit condescending, pointing towards them both, then at the floor near to her. Julian hadn't been treated this way since the orphanage, although it seemed that the conditioning ran deep, and even a career criminal with a string of bodies laid out behind him found himself obeying her command, almost fearfully. A few kids snickered. "You're late. This young woman was actually here on time. What does that tell you, Mr...?" "Ah- Rousseau, ma'am." "Mr. Rousseau, this child is more competant than you. Thoughts?" "..." "I expect an answer, Mr. Rousseau." "Ah... Right. Apologies, ma'am. I suppose I will endeavor to... not dissapoint you further." Immediately, the teacher's eyes lit up, a pleasant smile spreading across her face. It was as if the scary woman who was present just a moment before had completely vanished. Even the lock of hair which had dislodged itself in her rage found itself meticulously back in place. She tilted her head to one side, all apparently forgiven, as she got to the core of why they had all gathered here today. "Wonderful~!" she beams, "Because the children have been waiting for some time, and it won't do to let them waste away any longer!" "My name is Ms. Greene, and this is my fourth grade class." she explained, "Each of you will be reading to one third of my students."
MoonlitRain012	Mar 30 2017, 02:55 PM Post #7
B-Class Posts: 1,049 Group: Member Member #1,659 Joined: Dec 14, 2011	There were two fascinating observations that Trevor had made in the last few minutes of watching Ms. Greene and Julian. The first was that this teacher had as much ability to command as any of the members of the aristocracy with whom Trevor had ever had experience and the second was how quickly Julian, the young man who had seen and done so much in his life, responded to her commands. He seemed downright sheepish as he answered her questions. The young Northerner bowed briefly to the teacher and said, “Trevor Purfoil at your service ma’am!” He also took up the place indicated by her pointing finger. He realized that he was rather daunted with the idea of reading to these children. It was as though he had suddenly made the link between the abstract idea of what he was doing and the reality of that situation. He had never really spent much time around children and sometimes he found them and their behaviour completely mystifying. It was strange to think that he’d faced war and demons, but here he was feeling daunted and intimidated by small children. Now he and Julian (and their third strange companion) seemed poised in limbo until Ms. Greene released them from that limbo and set them on the path that they were meant to take in order to keep the children occupied for a while.
司 Mango	Apr 29 2017, 07:49 AM Post #8
What's The Point Posts: 1,205 Group: Librarian Member #2,572 Joined: Aug 25, 2012	Alice sat hunched forward, her elbows resting upon spread knees, only adding to the very much out-of-place look. The dragon slayer barely moved her head to acknowledge the entrance of her mission partners - she was damn tired, jet-lagged (or whatever the equivalent was in this universe), and hardly readjusted to the hustle and bustle of city life, much less having arrived from a warzone. Indeed, the only indication that the white-haired female hadn't simply dozed off in her chair came after Ms. Greene had finished thoroughly shaming the others for their relative tardiness. "Not a child." Alice's voice was whispery, almost raspy, and clearly strained. The near-constant yelling she had done in the past months whilst on the battlefields had taken its toll on her vocal chords; the orphan's voice was now thoroughly shot, to the point where she sounded constantly on the verge of tears at times, and downright creepy at others. The older woman paused momentarily, blinking at the girl. "Hm? Sorry miss, I didn't quite catch that." "Not a child, ma'am." Alice's words were hardly any louder than before. The girl rose from her seat with a sigh, then turned to face the two males whom she would be working with. The crimson-eyed lass could somewhat sense an air of contemplation about them; fellow personnel, perhaps? Mercenaries? They had to at least be mages of some sort; they were undoubtedly not civilians. Alas. She'd strike up a proper exchange later, if she had the energy. For now, then, Alice put on her best attempt to be at least somewhat amiable despite her fatigue, nodding her head in acknowledgement towards them before speaking. "So...how're we gonna split this up, then?"
Fairchild	Apr 30 2017, 08:51 AM Post #9
The Sir of FTG Posts: 854 Group: Member Member #4,191 Joined: Dec 16, 2014	"Well, before you arrived, I already had the students break off into groups." "There are a few... trouble groups in each section... But I'm sure you can handle them well enough." she surmised, "Isn't that right, Mr. Rousseau?" "Ah- Yes, Ma'am." "Very good, Mr. Rousseau." Ms. Greene teased, "Now we can get to work. Children!" The class immediately snapped to face forward as Ms. Greene turned to look at them once more. Apparently, nobody wanted to admit they were listening in on an "adult conversation" that their teacher was having. Maybe it was because they were afraid of her. Julian knew he would be, in their positions. "Children, split into your groups!" The children immediately did as they were told, scrambling to all group up as neatly as possible into three amorphous crowds. Julian looked over each group quickly. Each group had their own share of trouble-makers, of varying degrees. There was a kid with his back to the group, showing something to two of his friends. Likely some kind of contraband, based on the kids' reactions to it... Of course, the second group had that group of girls chattering away. They probably saw this as a prime time to catch up with their friends. Think they're too old for a good story. Julian already knew he was going to give that set a wide berth. He didn't want to get involved with that set of headaches. The third group seemed to be pretty tame by comparison. A bunch of front-of-the-classers, by the looks of it. Most of 'em would be too worried about upsetting teacher to even think of causing a stir. Seemed like Julian might have gotten a lucky break in that neither of the others had managed to decide how to divvy things up. Julian was quick to make his move. "I'll take Group 3." Julian affirmed, walking towards the "nerd" group, "Aw'right ya li'tle anklebiters, follow up wif me an' I'll tell ya a story or two."
MoonlitRain012	May 11 2017, 03:24 PM Post #10
B-Class Posts: 1,049 Group: Member Member #1,659 Joined: Dec 14, 2011	Trevor watched with a sense of vague desperation as Julian took hold of the most tame group of children. He had the choice of one group with disruptive boys who’d probably be difficult to discipline or a bunch of giggling girls who’d probably be hard to discipline and annoying. However, he wasn’t sure if he could deal with the troublemaking boys without resorting to a little Northern control. He really didn’t want to get thrown out for cuffing one of them on the ear or doing something else physical. It would have been a matter of course where he came from but down here in the south he suspected that it would be viewed differently. Reluctantly, he concluded that the girls, while annoying might be easier to deal with so he marched up to them and put on his best ‘I am in command’ voice. He channeled all of the lessons that he’d learned while watching his father govern to come across as commanding and in control. “Right girls! I’m going to tell you some stories now. Let’s go!” There was a snicker that ran throguh them and one of the girls looked at him through long hair and giggled, turning bright red. Trevor thought oh good Gods please don’t let them do that. I really don’t want to deal with silly crushes on top of their generally disruptive behaviour. They trotted along behind him willingly enough but he suspected he’d have a hard time getting them to pay the slighest bit of attention. They sat in a loose semi circe around him as he also sat on the floor. It seemed to be what everyone was doing, so why break with protocol?
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