[It wasn't a date, exactly--at least, that's what she insisted when they went to the little restaurant in Florem. It was a wonderful little restaurant, featuring the special parfait that she loved so much. It'd been a nice meal, and she'd successfully eaten at least half her weight in food, but it's the ending that she was really excited about.
And there it is, sitting in front of her. A super deluxe parfait that's almost half her size. Her eyes light up when the waitress sets it on the table, trying not to squirm in her seat.]
It's finally here!
[She takes a big spoonful of it, pausing for a moment before placing her hand on the table. One knee bends, leg coming to rest on the booth as she holds the spoon out.]
You haven't had this before, have you, Ringabel? Why don't you try a bite?
[For a friendly outing that wasn't a date 'so don't get any weird ideas Ringabel', he was certainly feeling the sting on his wallet. It was nothing too unexpected - he'd always known Edea had quite the healthy appetite - but that parfait?]
[How could anyone actually be expected to finish that?! It was practically four or five meals by itself! And while Ringabel can normally play just about anything cool, it's hard to hide the amazement on his face]
A bite? Would you even notice if I took more than that? That thing's fit to feed the entire Duchy! You can't possibly be able to finish that!
[She lives an active lifestyle and all, but... damn.]
[Edea shrugs her shoulders, leaning back into her seat and biting down on the spoon herself. To a normal person, it might seem like a lot, but this was nothing to the Templar's daughter!
That look on his face is kind of offensive, though, along with his question. Rude, Ringabel..]
Go ahead. I'm not so greedy that I cannot share a few more, especially not if it would get you to shut your mouth for awhile.
[Another bite, and then she answers his original question,]
[At least he's in good spirits about it, for as dramatic as he makes it sound. Then again, she wounds him quite often. It's simply business as usual, and business is booming, because he's hatched quite the wondrous idea in his mind]
You're quite confident in your abilities, as always.
Of course! I am Edea Lee, daughter of the Templar of Eternia.
[That look of pride and even confidence quickly turns to one of suspicion upon hearing his suggestion. A waver, hm? Doubtlessly something shady, if it's coming from him.]
[He adores that look of confidence she gets - not that he could ever say that without risking some sort of wrath - and it's enough to egg him on further.]
My terms are simple - if you fail to finish, you'll agree to a proper date.
[It's a strange moment for Ringabel, the first time that his eyes and his gut don't agree. His eyes are rather insistent that he's being eyed by a young man with a unique hair color. His gut tells him he's being appraised by a lovely maiden with exotic locks. His senses are normally spot on, but... that manner of dress! That flatness! Could it truly be a maiden?]
[Does he want to risk making a fool of himself if it isn't?]
[Still, it would be rude to not say anything, so he'll approach with his generic winning smile - no need to put on the charm just yet.]
Hello there, is there something I can assist you with?
[That voice... definitely trying to be masculine, but is it a girl pretending or a boy wishing he had a deeper voice? Ugh, this androgyny is killing him! Still, no reason not to be cordial. He'll even show off with a small spin.]
Ah, so it's just your first time seeing a performer! Yes, it's certainly one of the flashier jobs, I'll admit. Still, there's a certain flair about it I can't help but enjoy. It's certainly livelier than something like black mage.
[And Naoto is doing absolutely nothing to help clear it up at all. c:]
It's not that I've never seen a performer before, but I have a feeling it has a slightly different connotation to you than it does to me. A black mage is nothing more than a concept where I'm from.
[And now it's his turn to give the appraising look. If they're from somewhere that Black Mages are only a concept, it's fair to say their worlds are fairly different. And that can only mean...]
Yes, I suppose that makes sense. If there are thousands of worlds out there like my own, it only stands to reason there would be thousands completely different.
[Well, he's not a lady, that's for sure. Just some lost kid that Tiz insisted they help out and one way or another it looks like Ringabell's stuck looking after him for the time being.
Welp.]
When was everyone supposed to get back? They've been gone for a long time now...
[While it's true that babysitting isn't his favorite duty, it's also not as though he's terrible with kids. There's something about this one though... something that doesn't sit quite right with him, and he can't quite put his finger on why.]
I has been a while, hasn't it? Still, I wouldn't worry. I'm sure any moment now we'll hear Edea and Agnes going on about whatever dessert they've managed to bring back.
[He pauses for a moment, trying to decide where to steer the subject.]
So... Benjamin, yes? You're awfully young to be traveling alone.
[There are tales of such knights out there, knights with the strength of a dozen men whose armor could be picked out of a crowd of a thousand by even the most poorly educated peasant. Though many strive to achieve such a level, scarcely even one man in a thousand-, no, one knight in a thousand will ever reach such a level.
To their enemies this armor is a terrifying sight to behold, an immense figure bearing down on them whose armor seems to repel all attacks, naught except for the strongest of attacks causing them to so much as flinch. With equally formidable weapons they charge across the battlefield, seemingly unaware of whatever odds may be against them or how unlikely victory may seem to be. Or perhaps they are aware, as but a single knight of this caliber is easily worth a thousand men on the field of battle.
To their allies, those they've sworn to protect, they're a beacon of hope, their armor a symbol of what they are willing to endure for the sake of others. A truly imposing figure who stands between the innocent and the wicked, an unmovable wall of steel proud to be the shield of their country and people. Indeed, such armor is seen fit for the truly great. Good King Fado of Renais, Lord Tirado and even His Majesty Emperor Vigarde of the Grado Empire all wore such armor into battle. Truly, such is the armor of lords and legends!
The coming of such a knight is foretold a moment in advance to the patrons of this particular shop by the distinct sound of heavy metal upon concrete in the distance, by the way the tables seem to shake ever so slightly and the way drinks ripple, not entirely unlike that one scene in Jurassic Park. And when the door opens, none are prepared for the sight they witness... precisely one such knight slowly walking through the door, the room itself seeming to shake when hundreds of pounds of steel come to rest in the doorway. In their hands a magnificent lance of silver, an equally fine blade sheathed at their side. And across their back truly the most stunning sight of all, for it is the pride of the Grado Empire, the legacy of the legend himself, the Black Axe of Grado! Garm!
What could such a knight want with this establishment? Should they feel safe under the guise of such a sentinel, comfortable in that no harm shall befall them as they enjoy consuming several times their recommended daily intake of caffeine before showing up 15 minutes late to wherever they may be going... or is this a sign of the end? An armored reaper here to ferry their souls to whatever lay beyond and their ultimate judgement?]
Whew, thanks for buying me a drink Ringabel! Training in all this armor sure gets exhausting!
[... you can hear the blank stare on everyone's face.]
[There's a reason that, in a life that seems so long past, he always tried to go incognito whenever out among the people. The stares of those as you walk past in full armor - some staring in awe, some gaping in terror but always a look from all - became a bit much to handle at times, even for the legendary Dark Knight. Even now, for the man known just as Ringabel, being the center of attention isn't always the greatest, even when beautiful ladies are involved. There are plenty of times when being another face in the crowd is for the best.]
[Suffice it to say, Ringabel has never exactly felt incognito fully decked out as the Dark Knight.]
[... until riiiiiiiiiiiiight about now.]
[Oh sure, it's still awkward to pull his wallet out of a full suit of armor while Durandal hangs at his waist. It's difficult to manage the coins and papers with hands covered in gauntlets as black as the night. But really, it's nothing compared to the looks his compatriot is getting right now.]
Think nothing of it, Amelia. It would be nothing short of a tragedy if you were to come to harm due to simple dehydration. I'd never allow it.
[There will no doubt be many stories told about this later today, about the time the Dark Knight showed up at a coffee shop next to a knight whose armor somehow rivaled his in terms of sheer... stature.
If Amelia's realized they're about as unsubtle as an actual war suddenly coming through the front door, she's not showing it as she calmly steps up to the back of the line. Well, as calmly as one can step wearing that much armor, the sheer weight of it all the more apparent now that she's actually inside. Planting the rear of her lance into the floor carefully, as not to damage the floor she waits patiently, armor shifting as she turns her gaze upon the menu.
The man at the back of the line is now staring directly forwards very, very intently and trying not to think too hard about just who is standing behind him. The man at the front of the line, displeased with how they put in a quarter-pump too much of some flavor and therefore had committed a mortal sin in the eyes of the coffee deities, was about to start complaining but wisely decides harassing the staff anywhere within eyeshot of those two would be potentially counter-intuitive to things like breathing and having a pulse.]
You know I've never been in a shop like this before, I didn't know there were so many kinds of coffee! [Ringabel, you're buying an already somewhat hyperactive 16 year old in hundreds of pounds of armor some of the most caffeinated drinks one can generally obtain are you sure this is a wise idea]
[Ringabel's acutely aware of his surroundings, even if he's now the Dark Knight only by virtue of having the asterisk. He's also incredibly glad the man at the front of the line can't see his face, because even Ringabel would have difficulty hiding the smirk upon it after seeing the man practically wet himself rather than risk complaining. It's moments like those that remind him of of the good he can do in the world, even if on the smallest of scales.]
[It's almost a worthwhile trade-off for the fact that the most lovely of baristas won't be able to see his charming face when they order their drinks. Almost.]
It's not so much about kinds of coffee, though there can be subtle variations on flavor and aroma, but about the preparation. Just as with any meal. Most poultry won't taste different from each other, but there are a thousand ways to prepare it.
[Ah, Amelia. You might be a bit too young for him, but it doesn't mean he still won't show off some, with his smooth demeanor and his wealth of knowledge. Or something like that.]
So then, would you prefer something on the sweeter side? Or perhaps a flavor a bit more... robust?
[As the man in front takes his drink and makes a somewhat hasty escape from the shop the line moves up, Amelia herself shuffling a step or so forwards before resting her lance against her shoulder, mindful to not accidentally smack anybody in the face with it. The man, on his way out, spares but a tiny glance at the two knights out of the corner of his eye.
Once he leaves, he then proceeds to bolt down the street as though the devil himself were chasing him, Amelia herself only sparing the door a single glance before turning her attention back to the menu. There's a moment of quiet contemplation, silently weighing those two possibilities in her head.
With her helmet on, it kind of looks like she's giving the menu a staredown and the baristas seem to be making a conscious effort to avoid standing inbetween her and the menu for more than a second at any given time.]
Well... Lady L'arachel said her favorite was something called a Dead Eye? Although it needed a lot of stuff to make it sweet. And she sounded like she knows a lot about coffee, Rennac told me she practically lives off of it, so she's gotta know what she's talking about! [There's a pause for all of one second, as trusting as Amelia is of her friends, A'rachel is... different.] ... I think.
[There's something about that name that makes him a bit uneasy. While he enjoys a good dark brew, Ringabel's hardly a connoisseur and can't pretend to know every drink on the menu. Was it one he didn't care for, perhaps? Or perhaps it was a drink some lady had before with him on a day out on the town, before she broke his poor fragile heart. Something like that anyway. At any rate, once she talks about sweetening it he loses a bit of interest, never having been much for drinks on the sweeter side. What is it with the ladies he knows and sweets? They can't all have the same tastes, can they?]
Well, if it's sweet then even someone inexperienced in coffee shouldn't have too much trouble with it. I don't think it'd quite agree with my own palate, but why not give it a shot?
Besides, if you don't like it, I'll simply get you something else. It's the least I can do for my training partner.
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And there it is, sitting in front of her. A super deluxe parfait that's almost half her size. Her eyes light up when the waitress sets it on the table, trying not to squirm in her seat.]
It's finally here!
[She takes a big spoonful of it, pausing for a moment before placing her hand on the table. One knee bends, leg coming to rest on the booth as she holds the spoon out.]
You haven't had this before, have you, Ringabel? Why don't you try a bite?
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[How could anyone actually be expected to finish that?! It was practically four or five meals by itself! And while Ringabel can normally play just about anything cool, it's hard to hide the amazement on his face]
A bite? Would you even notice if I took more than that? That thing's fit to feed the entire Duchy! You can't possibly be able to finish that!
[She lives an active lifestyle and all, but... damn.]
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That look on his face is kind of offensive, though, along with his question. Rude, Ringabel..]
Go ahead. I'm not so greedy that I cannot share a few more, especially not if it would get you to shut your mouth for awhile.
[Another bite, and then she answers his original question,]
I'll finish it. This is just enough for me.
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[At least he's in good spirits about it, for as dramatic as he makes it sound. Then again, she wounds him quite often. It's simply business as usual, and business is booming, because he's hatched quite the wondrous idea in his mind]
You're quite confident in your abilities, as always.
[There's a dangerous grin on his face now.]
Confident enough for a wager, perhaps?
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[That look of pride and even confidence quickly turns to one of suspicion upon hearing his suggestion. A waver, hm? Doubtlessly something shady, if it's coming from him.]
Perhaps. What should the terms be?
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My terms are simple - if you fail to finish, you'll agree to a proper date.
And what would you propose if you succeed?
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Very well. If I finish, you'll take me out again without treating it as though it were one.
[That's fair enough, right? Though that if is clearly just a formality. She fully expects to win this bet.]
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IDK MAN, YOUR MOVE. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE.
Regardless of sex and gender, this strange blue haired person does seem to be eyeing him rather curiously.]
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[Does he want to risk making a fool of himself if it isn't?]
[Still, it would be rude to not say anything, so he'll approach with his generic winning smile - no need to put on the charm just yet.]
Hello there, is there something I can assist you with?
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A-ah! My apologizes, I don't believe I've ever seen someone dressed quite like you before.
[You know, in that gaudy, super flamboyant Elvis getup.]
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Ah, so it's just your first time seeing a performer! Yes, it's certainly one of the flashier jobs, I'll admit. Still, there's a certain flair about it I can't help but enjoy. It's certainly livelier than something like black mage.
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It's not that I've never seen a performer before, but I have a feeling it has a slightly different connotation to you than it does to me. A black mage is nothing more than a concept where I'm from.
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[And now it's his turn to give the appraising look. If they're from somewhere that Black Mages are only a concept, it's fair to say their worlds are fairly different. And that can only mean...]
Yes, I suppose that makes sense. If there are thousands of worlds out there like my own, it only stands to reason there would be thousands completely different.
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Welp.]
When was everyone supposed to get back? They've been gone for a long time now...
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I has been a while, hasn't it? Still, I wouldn't worry. I'm sure any moment now we'll hear Edea and Agnes going on about whatever dessert they've managed to bring back.
[He pauses for a moment, trying to decide where to steer the subject.]
So... Benjamin, yes? You're awfully young to be traveling alone.
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[He frowns a little, looking a little uncomfortable.]
I guess I am, but... I can't say I had much of a choice. I don't... I don't really have a family so...
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It's fine. I can relate, actually.
[And though it's been many years and almost feels like another life, he can't completely hide the bitterness in his voice.]
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I have those I would call family now.
When I was your age though - perhaps a bit younger - that was not the case. I was alone back then.
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What am I doing.
To their enemies this armor is a terrifying sight to behold, an immense figure bearing down on them whose armor seems to repel all attacks, naught except for the strongest of attacks causing them to so much as flinch. With equally formidable weapons they charge across the battlefield, seemingly unaware of whatever odds may be against them or how unlikely victory may seem to be. Or perhaps they are aware, as but a single knight of this caliber is easily worth a thousand men on the field of battle.
To their allies, those they've sworn to protect, they're a beacon of hope, their armor a symbol of what they are willing to endure for the sake of others. A truly imposing figure who stands between the innocent and the wicked, an unmovable wall of steel proud to be the shield of their country and people. Indeed, such armor is seen fit for the truly great. Good King Fado of Renais, Lord Tirado and even His Majesty Emperor Vigarde of the Grado Empire all wore such armor into battle. Truly, such is the armor of lords and legends!
The coming of such a knight is foretold a moment in advance to the patrons of this particular shop by the distinct sound of heavy metal upon concrete in the distance, by the way the tables seem to shake ever so slightly and the way drinks ripple, not entirely unlike that one scene in Jurassic Park. And when the door opens, none are prepared for the sight they witness... precisely one such knight slowly walking through the door, the room itself seeming to shake when hundreds of pounds of steel come to rest in the doorway. In their hands a magnificent lance of silver, an equally fine blade sheathed at their side. And across their back truly the most stunning sight of all, for it is the pride of the Grado Empire, the legacy of the legend himself, the Black Axe of Grado! Garm!
What could such a knight want with this establishment? Should they feel safe under the guise of such a sentinel, comfortable in that no harm shall befall them as they enjoy consuming several times their recommended daily intake of caffeine before showing up 15 minutes late to wherever they may be going... or is this a sign of the end? An armored reaper here to ferry their souls to whatever lay beyond and their ultimate judgement?]
Whew, thanks for buying me a drink Ringabel! Training in all this armor sure gets exhausting!
[... you can hear the blank stare on everyone's face.]
Something amazing
[Suffice it to say, Ringabel has never exactly felt incognito fully decked out as the Dark Knight.]
[... until riiiiiiiiiiiiight about now.]
[Oh sure, it's still awkward to pull his wallet out of a full suit of armor while Durandal hangs at his waist. It's difficult to manage the coins and papers with hands covered in gauntlets as black as the night. But really, it's nothing compared to the looks his compatriot is getting right now.]
Think nothing of it, Amelia. It would be nothing short of a tragedy if you were to come to harm due to simple dehydration. I'd never allow it.
Truly amazing.
If Amelia's realized they're about as unsubtle as an actual war suddenly coming through the front door, she's not showing it as she calmly steps up to the back of the line. Well, as calmly as one can step wearing that much armor, the sheer weight of it all the more apparent now that she's actually inside. Planting the rear of her lance into the floor carefully, as not to damage the floor she waits patiently, armor shifting as she turns her gaze upon the menu.
The man at the back of the line is now staring directly forwards very, very intently and trying not to think too hard about just who is standing behind him. The man at the front of the line, displeased with how they put in a quarter-pump too much of some flavor and therefore had committed a mortal sin in the eyes of the coffee deities, was about to start complaining but wisely decides harassing the staff anywhere within eyeshot of those two would be potentially counter-intuitive to things like breathing and having a pulse.]
You know I've never been in a shop like this before, I didn't know there were so many kinds of coffee! [Ringabel, you're buying an already somewhat hyperactive 16 year old in hundreds of pounds of armor some of the most caffeinated drinks one can generally obtain are you sure this is a wise idea]
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[It's almost a worthwhile trade-off for the fact that the most lovely of baristas won't be able to see his charming face when they order their drinks. Almost.]
It's not so much about kinds of coffee, though there can be subtle variations on flavor and aroma, but about the preparation. Just as with any meal. Most poultry won't taste different from each other, but there are a thousand ways to prepare it.
[Ah, Amelia. You might be a bit too young for him, but it doesn't mean he still won't show off some, with his smooth demeanor and his wealth of knowledge. Or something like that.]
So then, would you prefer something on the sweeter side? Or perhaps a flavor a bit more... robust?
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Once he leaves, he then proceeds to bolt down the street as though the devil himself were chasing him, Amelia herself only sparing the door a single glance before turning her attention back to the menu. There's a moment of quiet contemplation, silently weighing those two possibilities in her head.
With her helmet on, it kind of looks like she's giving the menu a staredown and the baristas seem to be making a conscious effort to avoid standing inbetween her and the menu for more than a second at any given time.]
Well... Lady L'arachel said her favorite was something called a Dead Eye? Although it needed a lot of stuff to make it sweet. And she sounded like she knows a lot about coffee, Rennac told me she practically lives off of it, so she's gotta know what she's talking about! [There's a pause for all of one second, as trusting as Amelia is of her friends, A'rachel is... different.] ... I think.
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[There's something about that name that makes him a bit uneasy. While he enjoys a good dark brew, Ringabel's hardly a connoisseur and can't pretend to know every drink on the menu. Was it one he didn't care for, perhaps? Or perhaps it was a drink some lady had before with him on a day out on the town, before she broke his poor fragile heart. Something like that anyway. At any rate, once she talks about sweetening it he loses a bit of interest, never having been much for drinks on the sweeter side. What is it with the ladies he knows and sweets? They can't all have the same tastes, can they?]
Well, if it's sweet then even someone inexperienced in coffee shouldn't have too much trouble with it. I don't think it'd quite agree with my own palate, but why not give it a shot?
Besides, if you don't like it, I'll simply get you something else. It's the least I can do for my training partner.
WITH THE RIGHT DAMN JOURNAL THIS TIME
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gagtag!
BUT NO THE REAL TAG NOW
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