Searching for the Inner Ranger (Private, Mizushin, GM Minerva)

[Demetri Valentine]

Timestamp : 3rd Brightening of the 5th cycle of Ponutis
, Era X, In the Age of the Darkening; round' 2 PM, Pre-Evening

Stepping along the grass paths of the Demiosian inner city, the human looked around wanderingly for that of a sign that would direct him. He was in search of further training, and since the training grounds told him they could not train further because of Merfolk happenings, the Valentine was in search of a trainer that was not of the official type, but more of a experienced rider. Also, along side his searching for a rider, he hoped to find a skilled marksmen... or perhaps both in one, which would be great luck. His eyes continued to check on signs and faces, hoping someone would present themselves with ease, but Demetri then knew he would have to do more to find such a person. He needed to find a way to get his word out that he was indeed in search for a trainer... but how? Kicking a rock around whilst he walked, the human soon found himself near Orator Square, the center of Demios, and began to lose his hope.

Seeing a crate near a large building, he propped himself on top of it, first checking it for stability and splinters, then settling his rump down on its hard surface. Hope this crate isn't important to someone... he thought, chuckling to himself. His eyes began to slump to the ground, and his mind was fading into thoughts of sleep. Shaking his head roughly, he then began to sing a small tune under his breath, to entertain himself and provoke adrenaline,

I come a'searching, for that, that isn't there.
I come a'walking, stepping 'ere and there,
smelling flowers and treats, spotting narrows and cheats,
I am he who wanders knowingly, night growing ever slightly,
where is that who I seek? Not near as fortunes greet...

Sighing with his small limericks, Demetri then placed his head in his hands, kneeling over himself in a bored state of matter. Where was that who he seeked, and when would the time come that the human would learn the ways that hes always dreamed of? Time could tell, as the Outlander stayed on that small crate, not much of a care in the world, thoughts wandering all around the psionic plane.

OoC: Minerva, you know what this is... for AGM's, I had this okayed, don't worry. I was poked for a timestamp... so theres the slackiest one I could come up with

[Mizushin Junzo]

OOC: While we wait for Demetri to stamp this, I'll jump in.

IC:

The Thelyri ran his hand over his brow, wiping away the sweat that beaded on them. The events of the merfolk invasion rested heavily over the city of Demios. And with no small reason, he knew. The lands outside the city were ravaged by the mauraders and their army. And the city itself was quite worn by the battles waged by the defenders against their powerful foe.

He sighed in exasperation as he walked along the stone streets of Demios, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana, something he'd grown used to over his many journeys, and even more now in recent times. Then a slumped figure caught his sight, though he wasn't quite sure about it. The Thelyri drew closer to look, and realized whom it was. "Ho! Demetri!" Junzo called out to the sleepy looking fellow as he approached him.

[Demetri Valentine]

Demetri's tired expression grew into a large smile when the sight of Mizushin walked up to him. In a great greeting, the Thelyri let out a big Ho! and Demetri jumped to his feet to meet the gaze. "Mizushin, fancy seeing you this evening! Please, stay and have a chat with me, I'm terribly bored. I've been looking for a trainer for the past few hours, and having no luck; but perhaps if we waited around, one might jump in front of us!" Laughing, Demetri then patted Mizushin's shoulder as a friendly gesture, and sat back onto his wonderful crate. "Aye, theres another crate 'ight here if you wish to sit with me. I don't know who keeps leaving these wondeful sitting crates around, but thank the gods for them!" Chuckling a little more, he then placed his legs stretched out, and his arms resting behind his head.

[Mizushin Junzo]

"Well...I've been busy around here. But Demios has managed well enough against the merfolks." He sighed a bit, and glanced skywards. "If it wasn't Winter, I've no doubt we'd have an easier time fending them off, without the presence of storms and all. They'd be less effective on land I'd gather with a hot sun blazing on their hides." He shook his head and he turned his gaze back to Demetri. "But we do what we can, in our given circumstances, eh?"

He moved towards the side, and took a seat down beside Demetri to sit on a crate. "Why don't mind if I do..." He settle himself down, fixing his swords so they weren't hindered, then resumed his conversation with his fellow Hoplite. "Now what was that again? You're looking for a trainer...? For what? I daresay, you won't have too much time to hone your blade, seeing as you're fairly proficient with it." He shrugged. "On the other hand, learning something basic wouldn't be hard..."

The thelyri rubbed the side of his face, and dropped his hand to his side again. "You wouldn't happen to know how to ride a horse would you? Its been something I've been meaning to try. I'd appreciate a good lesson or two. I think we have enough of a rest to try something like that."

[Demetri Valentine]

Smiling at Mizushin's wise words about the Mer attacks, he nodded his head and added, "You are too right; if we had the power of three blazing suns we would be cutting dried fish skin by now. Would be so much easier I would think..." Lowering his head at his previous Mer battles.

Then the topic switched to the Outlander's search for training. He was indeed at a loss of findings; he needed a well off trainer, but it was to no avail. "Yes, looking for a trainer... You are right, it isn't difficult to wield a blade here and there, but I was looking for something else. Basic is somewhat what I'm looking for, but we'll see." Then Mizushin added the part about horse riding, and Demetri's head flew up, excited at once at the mentioning of horses, "Ooh! Of course I can ride, I own a horse as you might have seen before. Stetson is his name, a pure Juanerro. Thats exactly what I'm looking for though, more professional riding lessons, well, that and archery. Or both in fact. We should try to get a trainer to teach us both, in fact..." Demetri ended, smiling and pondering the idea of horseriding and archery at the same time.

[Mizushin Junzo]

"Haha, well perhaps not quite that easy, but certainly it would allow us more freedom to move against the merfolk." Junzo smiled at his friends words. He was certainly a most hearty person, despite all that had happened.

"I do not have a horse myself, although I'm planning to get one once we return to the mainland. We need to make it in time for next month's events." It was a reminded of what they were going to do, not needed, but it made for useful conversation. "What breed of horse would you suggest? I suppose one that complements how I fight, of course, eh?" Junzo mused, as he thought that over.

[Demetri Valentine]

"Well, what is your fighting style? What weapons do you prefer? If your into heavy war, fighting all day, I instantly suggest a War Steed. Since your obviously an elf, a Windstepper is an idea; fast, agile, can support light loads. My horse is a pure bred Juanerro, not quite a war steed, but is very able. Strong, fast, can carry medium loads, my perfect horse. I guess it all depends on your style. What trainings have you had, if you don't mind me asking of course..." Demetri speeched, waiting for the Thelyri to reply.

[Mizushin Junzo]

"Fighting style..." Junzo smiled faintly at that. He hadn't spent much time on thinking on that for quite some time, he realized, something which he knew he needed to do. "Well, I can't quite say...power and speed, I would suppose."

He stopped for a moment as he attempted to remember exactly what he'd gone through in his on-and-off quest to master the sword. "Hmm, well...I've gotten a fair bit of training and experience with my blades." Junzo smiled and patted the hilts of his katana and wakizashi. "I've practiced using my blade and trained with it for most any situation, against foes with shields or against...well, a lot of enemies." He shrugged at the latter. "Can't say I've done any riding though, much more any fighting."

[Demetri Valentine]

"Aye, I hear ya. My silver blade has been used many a night, but I've been trained in Longsword. You see, I travelled up to Vers a long, long, time ago, and left my precious guitar, crossbow, and Longsword up there. Then I came here, to Demios, and received training for such a weapon. I am in need to go back and get the gear someday soon..." He said, remembering the gleaming silver blade on his longsword, and the carefully embroidered sheath he had with it.

"I suppose I am of the power and speed style aswell, though I would be much more strategic in the sort... you know, know your enemy, know yourself, then your sure to win. I heard such a quote somewhere, but it is so very true." He stopped, waiting to see if the trainer was standing next to him, ready to offer services. But nay, no trainer stood there, and Demetri still laid in his broad hands, surveying the scene that unfolded.

[Mizushin Junzo]

"Well yes, such a quite sounds familiar enough." Junzo cradled his face with a hand as he settled into thought. "I think I've come across such bits of wisdom in my studies. I've read up quite a bit on the Empire's history and studied what I can of what's available in military tactics and strategies." The elven warrior shrugged and dropped the hand down as he flashed his companion a smile.

"Well, in any case, it truly seems that you're dead set to finding something to do, eh?" He moved himself off the crate and streched out. "Come now, let's go try and find someone who seems to have the skills we wish to learn about, and see if we can convince him to train us, if he need convincing."

[Demetri Valentine]

Stepping up as Junzo had, Demetri cracked his neck from side to side, and let out a sigh, "Well, I suppose your right. Where to, oh gracious leader?" He smiled, hoping the elf would know the way.

Convincing... or finding... wherever this trainer was, they did not know. But minds would have to lead them to their new found training sometime, despite unknowing of the area. Where could that trainer be?

[Minerva]

As the two continued to indulge and entertain themselves by way of trivial conversations and talk of training, so did they remain blissfully unaware of the brilliant stroke of luck that was about to befall them. Coincidence, fluke, blessing, whatever it was seemed completely inapt and out of place, especially given the recent string of adversity and bad luck that had plagued the small island of Demios so far. Still, the majority of the town's inhabitants were doing their utmost best to salvage some sense of normality, despite the sombre aftermath that the merfolk attack had wrought upon them.

Dareleth Caledan was one of these people. Lean, yet graceful in poise and composure, his life had, sadly enough, started taking a fall long before the threat of the mers had even begun to manifest itself. His eyes were of a sullen blue, flecked with thread of brown; a chestnut hue that almost perfectly matched the unkempt and unruly mop of his hair. Dressed humbly in tan leathers, the man appeared amiable enough at first glance to the common passerby. He was a simple man, had endured a simple upbringing, and so had nothing to abhor or dislike about any of these people.

Entering the Square with a heavy yet vaguely hopeful heart, Dareleth was accompanied by none other than his most trusted and loyal friend, Kalicia. She was an incredibly beautiful thing, her ebony black hair glistening with a healthy sheen, even in the heavily subdued light of Telath's suns. her skin was a rich an, and the intelligent orbs of her eyes were accentuated by lovely, long lashes. Holding her head high with an almost arrogant sort of demeanor, her treads were delicate and dainty as she walked alongside her male companion.

"Kally, we'll have to find some work soon. Maybe someone 'round here will be willing to hire a stablehand or the like."

Whuffffff....

"I know, I know, but it's not as if we have that much of a choice, is it?"

At that, his equine friend remained adamantly silent, as if in defiance of his very words.

"Fine. Be like that. We might as well ask around here though."

Again, his words were met with the sweet sound of silence. Kally, it seemed, was not in the most co-operate of moods this brightening. Still, Daraleth was not about to let that phase him, and so continued on his short sojourn about the Square, speaking and questioning the few people gathered there, and eventually catching up with Mizushin and Demetri as they were about to leave.

"Serale, sirs. I don't suppose any of you would be interested in hiring an old horseman, would you? I wouldn't ask for much, and I'm willing to work real hard for you?"

The words felt incredibly awkward as they rolled off his tongue. It really did seem like he had taken a gargantuan fall from grace. His life had taken a long plunge since the brightening he had taught young Eledrien and Ysolla D'Allandros in the ways of horsemanship, those sweet little children who had taken such a great love and affection towards the horses he had tutored them with. That, of course, had been many patterns ago, and they would now be young adults, no longer the children he remembered. WIth a doleful look, Daraleth continued to consider the two men before him, silently pleading that at least one of them would be willing to take him on.

[Mizushin Junzo]

Well now, this is quite a thing...

Junzo turned to look at Daraleth curiously. "And old horseman you say?" The Thelyri glanced over at Demetri, and gave the other a quick smile before turning towards Daraleth once more. "Interesting." He paused for just a bit, before licking his lips and taking a step towards the man.

He crossed his arms over his chest and looked him and the horse over quickly enough. "As it so happens, me and my companion here..." He nodded at Demetri. "...were just discussing what a good idea it would be to squeeze in some training of sort on something new. As it is, we're fairly decent fighters and all, but we haven't quite had the opportunity to learn much of horsemanship and mounted combat."

Junzo gave the horse a warm smile, in the course of his little proposition. "Tell you what...if you can indeed teach us much on these things, I'll hire you as a retainer and pay you fairly." He nodded at Kalicia. "What's her name, by the way?" He asked, after glancing over to determine if she was a mare or a stallion.

[Demetri Valentine]

Well, this is quite the blessing...

Demetri listened as Mizushin did what he was exactly about to do. He glanced back and forth, at Daraleth and the stunning Kalicia, picking up the conversation setting about. Thinking to himself while he listened, Well.. this man must be in deep debt, or just sad... Hes walking the streets looking for a job? Thats horrible. The least we could do is give him some crowns for nothing! Smiling as the talking ceased, he looked at Mizushin carefully and spoke,

"Well bless us, friend. We would be gladly honored if you would teach us, sir. We were also looking to learning Marksmenship skills, if you know anything about them... But we shall both pay you fairly for your trainings... And you say you will work hard? I might have a job for you sometime later in the pattern, we shall see indeed..." he stopped, and looked to the sky, Ahh, the day when I will build my stable will come soon... He grinned, and waited for Daraleth to reply.