UUU: "Pride and Shield"

Cast: Cabaletto (Iron) & Ayer (Silm)

TLDR:

Support Points Earned: 2

[12:58 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: The day was still young as a familiar avian form threaded his way back to the forges for the second time during their stay in Maufi. The feather in Cabaletto's hat bobbed as he walked: a visible testament to the spring in his step. The wares he had seen on display while looking for sword polish had been tantalizing and, even though his empty pockets put a bit of a damper on his prospects, he was determined to spend another few hours fawning over their craftsmanship. It wasn't difficult to find the smithies. If the scents of fire and hot steel didn't clue you in to their location, the harsh clanking of metal on an anvil would. The black-haired Heron had barely passed the first on the street when he stopped midstep at the sight of a gorgeous shield hanging from the rafters. It was all smooth lines, trimmed in sparkling gold that had yet to show the scuffs and wear of battle. He drifted over with eyes like saucers to get a closer look.

[3:28 PM] Silmashiro: Ayer was taking a walk trough the streets of Maufi, taking pleasure in the fact that for once, people were not scared of him. Maybe because, or more aptly said, thanks to the presence, of the small Kano community living in the city, or simply because of their typical massive height, most Ayzers did not seem to mind his large presence and simply ignored him as they walked past him past him. A particularly large Ayzer carrying a large box of fish even bumped shoulders with the Kano, the fisherman not slowing down his steps as he swiftly grumbled a sorry and went on his way to conduct his job. Far from irritated, Ayer smiled at the liveliness and activity of the docks, forcing people to move so fast. A quick shoulder shake replaced his massive bow in a way to not hinder people walking near him, and he kept walking forward, the sea breeze guiding his steps. Luck, or instinct, pushed the Kano to walk inside the city, the pleasant odor of the sea slowly mixing with one Ayer was much more familar with: ashes and iron. The Kano forges. He had spent his last day there, and he would probably do so again today. Far less people were crossing these roads, and most of them where Kano themselves, horns shining under the sun. Ayer took a deep breath, forges where simply where he was at home. Searching a spot where he could work, or a workshop which seemed like it needed help, a light different from the shine of Kano spikes grabbed his attention, the creamy-white color of feathers blinding him for a second as they reflected the sun. Even if they had never really talked, the brown hat he saw so much at the Pack camps left litle mystery as to who the heron could be. He walked to his teammate and joined him in the contemplation of the gold-trimmed shield. "You dont wanna buy this. Ornaments are bad for fighting."(edited)

March 2, 2018

[1:55 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: Cabaletto was so engrossed his examination that the approach of his Kano teammate went unnoticed. His wings flinched ever so slightly at Ayer's voice beside him - a natural flight response - but his face managed to maintain its grin as he recognized who it was. "Salutations, Ayer. I wast merely admiring the fine craftsmanship of its make. Mine Leafs art reserved for something more . . . practical than this." This was a lie, of course. The Heron had been fantasizing how lovely the shield would look strapped to his arm, gleaming with a light bright enough to blind his enemies. He didn't have any funds on him at the moment nor did he know how to wield a shield in battle, but those were both minor concerns. "What brings thee here today? Looking for a smith to upgrade thine bow?" It was hard to miss the enormous weapon slung across the Kano's back, nearly as tall as the man himself. Cab had left his own sword back at the inn and so was unarmed; it was shameful to admit, but he was afraid of the smiths asking to examine it if he had brought it along. The blade was in such poor repair - what would they say? Something unpleasant, that was certain.

[3:47 PM] Silmashiro: The experimented hunter eyes of the Kano do not miss the flinch, but he does not mind, he simply lower his head and tries to convey his excuses for surprising the heron this way while listenning to the grinning bird. "No. I take care of it. I made it, I can fix it." Ayer shakes his head and a callous hand gently pet the upper limb of his bow as one would pet a cat, but to no avail, the bow refused to purr. He turns away from the shield, silently observing the forges, seemingly searching something, before his gazes sets back on Cabaletto. "I am searching for work. I heard a famous smith was here and I could learn. What are you searching for? I did not take you for a fighter."

March 4, 2018

[11:02 PM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: The man's curt reply left Cabaletto wondering if he had somehow hit a nerve. Was it an insult to ask if he needed someone else to improve his bow? Ayer certainly seemed fond of it, even taking a moment to stroke it affectionately like a pet, which, if he was honest, was a bit strange. Any thoughts about the bow were swept aside, however, at the implied affront to his fighting skill. The Heron drew himself up with an indignant huff. "Thee doth not take me for a fighter? Doth thee think me a coward who hides on the battlefield?" His smile faded into a cautious frown. "I art a contributing member to our team; many enemies hath tasted the steel of mine blade. Or would thee say otherwise?"

March 5, 2018

[8:08 PM] Silmashiro: "I dont see you fight a lot. But not fighting does not mean not contributing. Your magic songs are very helpful." An incredulous Ayer gauges the put out Heron slowly. He neither possessed the stance or the way experimented fighters moved, even if he was a bit taller than the Kano was, he barely had any muscles, and probably the most glaring, he did not even have a weapon on him, something no warrior would ever do. Why was the Heron reacting like that? Did he say something bad? "Battles are dangerous. You have better things to do."(edited)

March 7, 2018

[10:31 PM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: "Thou need not warn me of the dangers of battle. I know them full well." After all, there was no escaping them on this trip. He had watched many enemies fall from their wounds, grasping at shredded flesh or the shaft of an arrow buried in their knee. That's not how he wanted his venture to end: carted back to the Isle of White in shame without the chance to make a name for himself. "Mine songs are all very well, but 'tis there a more base way to serve one's companions than with the sweat of one's brow and the blood of one's veins? Nay, I say! I shalt wield mine sword as needed, no matter the danger to mine own health, for I am no mere bard constrained to the sidelines!" The Heron's strong, melodic voice was laced with conviction and he matched Ayer's questioning gaze with one that dared the man to press the matter further.

March 9, 2018

[7:45 AM] Silmashiro: Ayer looked straight into Cabaletto's eyes, irritated. Something about the laguz's grandiloquent attitude when talking about fighting reminded him of his clan. Not exactly what he would call good memories. Battles were no place to 'serve' people or search for glory. "This is not about yourself. You endanger your allies. Real fighters cannot focus if they have to cover your shortcomings." He already barely believed in the magical gimmicks of most people in the group, if they started to become active hindrance, he would not stand for it. "Battlefield has no place for a meaningless quest of honor."(edited)

March 12, 2018

[1:44 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: The Heron's lips were drawn into a thin, white line. He'd been having a perfectly lovely day until Ayer showed up, but it was definitely taking a sour turn. What business did the Kano have lecturing him, anyways? He was plenty reckless on the battlefield himself! "I don't need anyone to cover mine shortcomings; I can fend for myself. That's more than I can say for thee. Didn't you have to retreat during the last battle because thou were too brash and got injured?" Cabaletto hissed in response.

March 13, 2018

[12:08 AM] Silmashiro: Ayer's first reaction is a deep growl. He clenches his fists and takes step forward. The main reason of his downfall was him reaching critical heat levels. In the blurred memories of his fury, he was just trying to hold himself back from crushing the human in front of him on the horse, had jumped down to avoid the problem, and was met with some dark magic as he tried to regain both footing and mental stability. But the heron did not actually care. He was just throwing a come back to not look at himself. "Fending for yourself? Get over yourself. Who do you think killed the first wyvern who attacked you? Who shot down the second one you went on your way to anger with a useless poke? Who stays on the frontline when he should be shooting far away because some need to be protected while others fend for 'themselves' only? Who is burning himself far beyond his limit because he has no choice but to? Who?!" He realize how close he got to the heron and takes multiple steps back. Actually more angry at himself than the heron, it non the less ended up fueling him into talking more than he needed, and louder than he'd want. And Cabaletto's insults had a bit of truth to them; Ayer had been pushing himself, and the numerous battles had made his berserk tendencies surface way often than they would usually be, even when he was not heating up. "Sorry. Should not have gotten angry over this squable and this is going too far. I meant no wrong when I talked about your fighting skills. Safety is the first concern and that comes with group cohesion. People understanding every action they do has effect on the group is first step to this."

March 16, 2018

[2:23 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: Any smug thoughts running through Cabaletto's mind dissipated as Ayer stepped forward. He was angry; it was written in the tenseness of his muscles, the rigidness of his stance, the steeliness of his eyes. Did I push him too far? This isn't good. Ayer's tongue-lashing was harsh, delivered with a biting tone that rose in volume as he continued. With every step forward he took, Cab took a shuffle back to try and maintain some distance between them. The Heron's heart beat in a panic and he frantically began processing ways to escape if need be. With that bow, he's sure to shoot me down as soon as I make a move. Maybe if I bash his head with the shield first... Planning was for naught however, because the Kano's anger deflated without warning, morphing angry words into apologetic ones. "Mine apologies as well. I should not have lashed out at thee," he responded with a guarded tone. It seemed any immediate danger was past, but his nerves were still on edge. As an olive branch, he added, "I shalt consider mine actions more carefully from now on. 'Tis not mine intent to cause our group hardship."

March 18, 2018

[3:28 AM] Silmashiro: "Thank you." Cabaletto might have been forcing himself, but Ayer apreciated that he heron instantaneously accepted his apologies and said he would hear and think about the Kano's words. He had ignited the whole quarrel with his thoughtlessness and it was magnanimous of the heron to just put it behind him. An awkward silence happens as he turns back to gaze at the ornamented shield, silently observing the object of Cabaletto's interest. "I can make one like that. The shield. If you want. But sturdier. Not a trophy. But still pretty. I think." He turns ot the heron again, scratching his head with one of his hands. "To make amends."

March 21, 2018

[2:25 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: The offer caught him even more off guard than the unexpected mood swing. The Kano was going to make him a shield now? He wasn't sure what to think; did Ayer have some kind of angle that he wasn't seeing? However, it would be rude to refuse such a generous gift without reasonable proof of ill intent. "I wouldst be honored to carry a piece of thine craftsmanship," he accepted with a friendlier tone. "I hast no doubt that 'twill be a valuable asset." At least, I hope it will be. I have no idea how to fight with one strapped to my arm. Will I even be able to carry it? Maybe he did have some doubts after all.

[4:42 AM] Silmashiro: Probably not the most subtle way to mend a relationship that barely started, but Ayer thought it was okay. He never was much of the subtle type. "It would be safer. Better my craft than one of those toys. That way you can gain time until I shoot down people who attack you." A barely susceptible movement happened at the corner of the Kano's lips. "And you can cover me if I 'get too brash' again. Group cohesion."(edited)

March 26, 2018

[2:06 AM] IronPegasus | Fluffy~: Ah, the olive branch came with a thorn after all. Cabaletto let it go though; there was no need to light another fire in the still-warm bed of coals. At least the Kano had the decency to suggest that he would need help as well. It was a small concession, but he'd take it. "Group cohesion," the Heron parroted with a hint of a smile. "I supposeth having someone watch mine back isn't the worst thing that couldst happen. Our enemy hast a bad habit of sneaking up behind me whilst I sing." After a moment's hesitation, he offered up a hand to shake. "Here's to our . . ." Friendship wasn't quite right. They were hardly friends; this seemed more like a mutual acknowledgement of each other at this point. ". . . alliance."(edited)

[9:03 AM] Silmashiro: Ayer was not exactly expecting a handshake, but he non the less takes the heron's offer with his upper right hand, his less callused one, and shakes firmly. "To a good partnership." ===End RP===(edited)