[Ruddiger's just maintaining eye contact too, occasionally chittering and waving his little raccoon arms animatedly. Varian's used to this madness with Max, so after a moment, he just... ignores it. ]
I think he's missed having someone to bicker with.
[Varian gets it. Your animal companions aren't really animals. They're just furry people.]
Hmmm, I'm not sure. I was under the impression the portal was only opening for those of us in the dream, but that's clearly not the case. I guess we might end up with even more newcomers- especially if whatever portal exists to bring people here stays open.
[Aww he smiles.]
That's nice. My boyfriend's a knight, too. He's... around somewhere.
[ Repede listens silently to Ruddiger, but his ears go back and he doesn't seem too amused. After a long moment, he woofs quietly, and the two start having... some sort of conversation. ]
Might be the start of another feud...
[ Either way, Yuri's with Varian. Ignoring them is probably the best tactic here ]
I don't remember any sort of portal. Just... went to sleep one night. What was the portal like?
[ He smiles too. That's cute. ]
Boyfriend, huh? Must be some kinda guy. I dunno, gotta watch out for knights. All those rules.
[ He waves a hand vaguely, like the rules are bad. And, well, for him they are. ]
[Varian is used to this, though, and he just leaves them to their...discussion. He'll only intervene if Ruddiger starts throwing rocks or something. ]
Huh, that's like how we all got to Deerington originally. It was a door in a sinkhole, which led to this beach full of flowers. We were told to go into the water and off we went. Then at some point, we turned into squids and now we're here.
[It's all so very, very weird. His expression softens because Fern is one of his favourite subjects. ]
He really is some kinda guy. Not too much for the rules, though? He tends to just do what he wants a lot.
Huh. Wonder why I got pulled here. You ever find out, why you were?
[ Yep, squids. That parts pretty weird, huh? And not really worth talking about, unless this kid knows why they were squids. It's all part of the confusing things that have happened to Yuri today ]
Oh yeah? Sounds nice. Knights in my world are all rules, rules, rules. I tried it, once.
[ Yuri laughs, his head falling back to look up at the sky. At least it's a nice day. Small blessings. ]
As far as we knew, it was mostly random chance, being pulled into the dream. We never got confirmation why we, specifically got picked. It was a more a...Sleepers as a whole kind of thing.
[He definitely doesn't know why they were squids. At some point, he'll need to try and work out why, but that's for another day.]
Yeah, my dad was a knight too. Retired. He's way more about rules and...duty and stuff.
[One day he might examine dating someone with the same profession as his father. Maybe. He can't his head.]
Yeah? Huh. Well, better than being picked for some reason, I guess.
[ Is it? Yuri's never really liked being special, never really was. Being picked at random is safer than being chosen. It means he's here instead of someone else, he can take the brunt of whatever this place is in someone else's stead. ]
Yeah, that's what Flynn's like. His dad was a knight, wanted to follow after him. And I... tagged along.
[ He snorts a laugh, glancing back at Varian with a smile. He shrugs a shoulder ]
Depends on who's making them. Lots of laws I don't agree with. But my guild has laws that I helped write, and I'll follow those til I'm good and dead.
You think so? I don't know, I think the randomness of it all gets pretty frustrating. It makes it harder to pick up on patterns.
[And, boy, does Varian like patterns. He can make sense of patterns. He can make them work.]
I guess I was different, there. It never really felt like the sort of thing I wanted. I'm gonna stick to the alchemy and let the tougher folks do the knight stuff. So you tagged along, huh?
[Because that's quite the life to tag along for. Big commitment, that.]
What sort of guild is that? I think it... probably does depend on the laws. And how they help people or...don't, I guess? Some laws definitely don't help people.
Guess so. But if there's no pattern to it, it means it has nothing to do with who we are.
Alchemy, huh? Probably a good choice. I only made it three months with the knights. Wasn't for me. At least you knew that without trying.
[ Yuri watches him for a second, a little smile on his face. There's something about young people who knew what they're about that really gets him. ]
We're still figuring that out. Our guild kind of just happened, and we've just been doing what we need to do.
[ He nods, considering it for a moment ]
That's the thing. The laws that don't help people, or only help the people who already have everything, those are the ones I don't like. The knights exist in my world to support the nobility, and don't do too much for the rest of us. That's what Flynn's trying to change by being in the Knights. Tough job, but he's the guy to do it.
But, I guess he's not doing it anymore, if we're here.
[ His smile falls. That's... not good. Even if there are other versions of themselves at home. Can he trust that Flynn as much? ]
That's... a good point. Maybe it really is just names out of a hat. Lucky us.
[It's kind of hard to tell if he's being sarcastic or not.]
Oh, yeah, I knew alchemy was for me since I was really little. I'm pretty sure my dad would have rather I done something else, like the knight stuff maybe? Or... I dunno. Probably something safe and boring, like staying a farmer forever.
[Quirin didn't want his son to be in harm's way and the fact Varian consistently did exactly that was no doubt a constant source of stress for the man. He hates to think how his dad would have coped with the two deaths and the lost leg here. Not well, he imagines.
Anyway, Yuri is speaking his language, and he brightens considerably, nodding enthusiastically.]
Yes! Exactly! That's what we need! Helping the common people. And sometimes you have to do that from higher up. Change things from the inside and make sure they can ripple out to people who actually need it. That's what I was doing back home too.
[He has given up his position here. But he managed to give the people hot, running water and that's... something. ]
Well. That means we can focus on making this place better instead, right?
Sounds like a good dad. So, uh. What is alchemy? Is it anything like synthesis?
[ He doesn't know he's probably opening a can of worms here, but he thinks he knows the definition, and it doesn't mean too much to him. ]
Yeah, exactly. That's what Flynn's doing, trying to change it from the inside. Good, that you're doing it too. Me and my guild, we're trying to help in our own way.
[ A way that's outside of the Empire, because Yuri really couldn't live with their laws any longer, not once he learned he had an out.
He smiles, nodding at that. ]
Yeah. Yeah, we should. Once we know what needs to be changed.
He is. He's great. He just...worries. [And not without good reason! But Varian brightens at the chance to speak about his favourite thing in the world.] I guess! It's taking some things, combining them and turning them into another thing. So I have all sorts of potions and serums I've created by combining different ingredients together. I can also make a lot of machines- robots, transdimensional portals, weapons, stuff like that. It's really cool!
[Varian knows he won't be doing that now... not at home anyway. But then, he kind of is. There's the other him, the him that never came here, he can do...all that now. ]
Exactly! Put those skills to good use. Assuming anything needs to be changed at all, of course. I guess it's possible they're fine?
Yeah? You want to go off on your own? It's not the worst thing, being worried about. [ A few months ago, Yuri didn't think that way either, but, well. Having a family is a funny thing. They care about you as much as you care about them, and Yuri had to learn that the hard way. ] Damn, that's cool. Portals to where? Like, where we are now? Man, you think you can get us all back home?
[ Opening that can of worms... ]
Wishful thinking. It's probably pretty bad, but, hey. We'll work to make it better. Anyone hassles you, and your knight boyfriend isn't around, you let me or Flynn know, alright?
[ He senses that maybe Varian is the kind of kid who might get picked on a lot. Can't hurt to put the offer out there and, selfishly, he really wants to punch someone right about now. ]
It's less that and more... I don't know. I have my own path and it's taken a long time for him to accept that.
[And now he won't even know about this one at all. He hopes the Varian back home still carries on the path they were taking. Making things better in Corona, but still keeping his dad around. Bonding together and working out their differences. It makes his heart ache a little to think about it still, as much as he doesn't regret choosing here. He shakes his head, wincing. ]
No. I tried that back in the other place. It...didn't work out. As in...it nearly made the whole world collapse in on itself. So I'm not super inclined to try that again. [He rubs the back of his head thoughtfully.] I honestly think this is...well, it? I don't think there's a way back.
[Which he understands is a lot harder to accept fresh off the metaphorical boat than those of them who were given the choice in their new lives. And awww, Yuri, that pulls a genuine smile out of him. ]
Thanks, I'll remember that. I appreciate the offer a lot.
[Varian can definitely look out for himself, but he's never going to turn down an offer of help- you just never know here.]
[ It took Flynn a long time to accept that Yuri wasn't wasting his life by leaving the knights. His gaze skips away again, a small frown tugging at his lips.
Well, it's in the past. They've moved on. ]
That's too bad. Man, that would've been handy. [ Yuri reaches down to pet Repede's head. This is it, huh? He feels that, too, in his heart, but his head doesn't want to believe it yet. He doesn't want to believe that he isn't going to see Karol or Estelle or Hanks again. His people, his family, they aren't here. His expression drops further, a dark mood settling over him ]
Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure. Gotta stick together...
[ At least, that's why everyone taught him. They gave him shit for going off on his own, and now here he is, asking the first kid he meets to fight with him. ]
It would have, if it would have worked I was hoping to open a door between all worlds- so people could come and go as they pleased. In hindsight, it was definitely biting off a lot more than I could chew.
[Turns out turning an interdimensional prison where the trip is supposed to be one way into something that was going to facilitate unlimited interdimensional travel was...a lot harder than he'd anticipated. You live, you learn.
The dark mood is concerning, but Varian assumes it's sinking in that he's stuck in this other world now. It's a lot to deal with, he remembers.]
Sleepers are good at that, usually, at least. Banding together.
[ He sounds a bit like Rita does when she goes off about some blastia thing or another. He would find it amusing if he weren't too preoccupied now with the fact that he might never see his friends, his guild, again. Judy, Karol, Estelle, Rita, even Raven. At least he has Repede, and Flynn, but the last year changed him in more ways than one.
He nods his head, his hair dropping to hide his face. ]
Yeah? Good. Good, working together... makes it easier. Whatever it is.
Hey.
[ He shifts to his feet, and Repede stands with him, apparently fine with giving up his bickering with Ruddiger for now. ]
Uh, it was good to meet you. I'll see you around.
[ Maybe it's rude, but Yuri doesn't really care right now. He has to think about all of this, alone. He gives Varian a little wave and heads off, he doesn't know where. ]
[Other people might put it "put the entire world in complete jeopardy by trusting the worst person ever" but there you go.
Varian's a little surprised by Yuri starting to head off- but he'd be lying if he said he was unhappy about it. Varian's not great at...small talk. So he raises his hand in farewell.]
Uh...sure thing? Good luck? [Ruddiger's just gonna be stink eyeing Repede as he leaves. Clearly, a wonderful friendship has been born here. ]
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reddosmod) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
countryclub2021-08-09 05:25 pm
no subject
I think he's missed having someone to bicker with.
[Varian gets it. Your animal companions aren't really animals. They're just furry people.]
Hmmm, I'm not sure. I was under the impression the portal was only opening for those of us in the dream, but that's clearly not the case. I guess we might end up with even more newcomers- especially if whatever portal exists to bring people here stays open.
[Aww he smiles.]
That's nice. My boyfriend's a knight, too. He's... around somewhere.
no subject
Might be the start of another feud...
[ Either way, Yuri's with Varian. Ignoring them is probably the best tactic here ]
I don't remember any sort of portal. Just... went to sleep one night. What was the portal like?
[ He smiles too. That's cute. ]
Boyfriend, huh? Must be some kinda guy. I dunno, gotta watch out for knights. All those rules.
[ He waves a hand vaguely, like the rules are bad. And, well, for him they are. ]
no subject
[Varian is used to this, though, and he just leaves them to their...discussion. He'll only intervene if Ruddiger starts throwing rocks or something. ]
Huh, that's like how we all got to Deerington originally. It was a door in a sinkhole, which led to this beach full of flowers. We were told to go into the water and off we went. Then at some point, we turned into squids and now we're here.
[It's all so very, very weird. His expression softens because Fern is one of his favourite subjects. ]
He really is some kinda guy. Not too much for the rules, though? He tends to just do what he wants a lot.
no subject
[ Yep, squids. That parts pretty weird, huh? And not really worth talking about, unless this kid knows why they were squids. It's all part of the confusing things that have happened to Yuri today ]
Oh yeah? Sounds nice. Knights in my world are all rules, rules, rules. I tried it, once.
[ Yuri laughs, his head falling back to look up at the sky. At least it's a nice day. Small blessings. ]
Not for me, but hey. Still cool.
no subject
[He definitely doesn't know why they were squids. At some point, he'll need to try and work out why, but that's for another day.]
Yeah, my dad was a knight too. Retired. He's way more about rules and...duty and stuff.
[One day he might examine dating someone with the same profession as his father. Maybe. He can't his head.]
Not one for the rules, huh?
no subject
[ Is it? Yuri's never really liked being special, never really was. Being picked at random is safer than being chosen. It means he's here instead of someone else, he can take the brunt of whatever this place is in someone else's stead. ]
Yeah, that's what Flynn's like. His dad was a knight, wanted to follow after him. And I... tagged along.
[ He snorts a laugh, glancing back at Varian with a smile. He shrugs a shoulder ]
Depends on who's making them. Lots of laws I don't agree with. But my guild has laws that I helped write, and I'll follow those til I'm good and dead.
no subject
[And, boy, does Varian like patterns. He can make sense of patterns. He can make them work.]
I guess I was different, there. It never really felt like the sort of thing I wanted. I'm gonna stick to the alchemy and let the tougher folks do the knight stuff. So you tagged along, huh?
[Because that's quite the life to tag along for. Big commitment, that.]
What sort of guild is that? I think it... probably does depend on the laws. And how they help people or...don't, I guess? Some laws definitely don't help people.
no subject
Alchemy, huh? Probably a good choice. I only made it three months with the knights. Wasn't for me. At least you knew that without trying.
[ Yuri watches him for a second, a little smile on his face. There's something about young people who knew what they're about that really gets him. ]
We're still figuring that out. Our guild kind of just happened, and we've just been doing what we need to do.
[ He nods, considering it for a moment ]
That's the thing. The laws that don't help people, or only help the people who already have everything, those are the ones I don't like. The knights exist in my world to support the nobility, and don't do too much for the rest of us. That's what Flynn's trying to change by being in the Knights. Tough job, but he's the guy to do it.
But, I guess he's not doing it anymore, if we're here.
[ His smile falls. That's... not good. Even if there are other versions of themselves at home. Can he trust that Flynn as much? ]
no subject
[It's kind of hard to tell if he's being sarcastic or not.]
Oh, yeah, I knew alchemy was for me since I was really little. I'm pretty sure my dad would have rather I done something else, like the knight stuff maybe? Or... I dunno. Probably something safe and boring, like staying a farmer forever.
[Quirin didn't want his son to be in harm's way and the fact Varian consistently did exactly that was no doubt a constant source of stress for the man. He hates to think how his dad would have coped with the two deaths and the lost leg here. Not well, he imagines.
Anyway, Yuri is speaking his language, and he brightens considerably, nodding enthusiastically.]
Yes! Exactly! That's what we need! Helping the common people. And sometimes you have to do that from higher up. Change things from the inside and make sure they can ripple out to people who actually need it. That's what I was doing back home too.
[He has given up his position here. But he managed to give the people hot, running water and that's... something. ]
Well. That means we can focus on making this place better instead, right?
no subject
[ That's definitely sarcastic ]
Sounds like a good dad. So, uh. What is alchemy? Is it anything like synthesis?
[ He doesn't know he's probably opening a can of worms here, but he thinks he knows the definition, and it doesn't mean too much to him. ]
Yeah, exactly. That's what Flynn's doing, trying to change it from the inside. Good, that you're doing it too. Me and my guild, we're trying to help in our own way.
[ A way that's outside of the Empire, because Yuri really couldn't live with their laws any longer, not once he learned he had an out.
He smiles, nodding at that. ]
Yeah. Yeah, we should. Once we know what needs to be changed.
no subject
[Varian knows he won't be doing that now... not at home anyway. But then, he kind of is. There's the other him, the him that never came here, he can do...all that now. ]
Exactly! Put those skills to good use. Assuming anything needs to be changed at all, of course. I guess it's possible they're fine?
no subject
[ Opening that can of worms... ]
Wishful thinking. It's probably pretty bad, but, hey. We'll work to make it better. Anyone hassles you, and your knight boyfriend isn't around, you let me or Flynn know, alright?
[ He senses that maybe Varian is the kind of kid who might get picked on a lot. Can't hurt to put the offer out there and, selfishly, he really wants to punch someone right about now. ]
no subject
[And now he won't even know about this one at all. He hopes the Varian back home still carries on the path they were taking. Making things better in Corona, but still keeping his dad around. Bonding together and working out their differences. It makes his heart ache a little to think about it still, as much as he doesn't regret choosing here. He shakes his head, wincing. ]
No. I tried that back in the other place. It...didn't work out. As in...it nearly made the whole world collapse in on itself. So I'm not super inclined to try that again. [He rubs the back of his head thoughtfully.] I honestly think this is...well, it? I don't think there's a way back.
[Which he understands is a lot harder to accept fresh off the metaphorical boat than those of them who were given the choice in their new lives. And awww, Yuri, that pulls a genuine smile out of him. ]
Thanks, I'll remember that. I appreciate the offer a lot.
[Varian can definitely look out for himself, but he's never going to turn down an offer of help- you just never know here.]
no subject
[ It took Flynn a long time to accept that Yuri wasn't wasting his life by leaving the knights. His gaze skips away again, a small frown tugging at his lips.
Well, it's in the past. They've moved on. ]
That's too bad. Man, that would've been handy. [ Yuri reaches down to pet Repede's head. This is it, huh? He feels that, too, in his heart, but his head doesn't want to believe it yet. He doesn't want to believe that he isn't going to see Karol or Estelle or Hanks again. His people, his family, they aren't here. His expression drops further, a dark mood settling over him ]
Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure. Gotta stick together...
[ At least, that's why everyone taught him. They gave him shit for going off on his own, and now here he is, asking the first kid he meets to fight with him. ]
no subject
[Turns out turning an interdimensional prison where the trip is supposed to be one way into something that was going to facilitate unlimited interdimensional travel was...a lot harder than he'd anticipated. You live, you learn.
The dark mood is concerning, but Varian assumes it's sinking in that he's stuck in this other world now. It's a lot to deal with, he remembers.]
Sleepers are good at that, usually, at least. Banding together.
no subject
[ He sounds a bit like Rita does when she goes off about some blastia thing or another. He would find it amusing if he weren't too preoccupied now with the fact that he might never see his friends, his guild, again. Judy, Karol, Estelle, Rita, even Raven. At least he has Repede, and Flynn, but the last year changed him in more ways than one.
He nods his head, his hair dropping to hide his face. ]
Yeah? Good. Good, working together... makes it easier. Whatever it is.
Hey.
[ He shifts to his feet, and Repede stands with him, apparently fine with giving up his bickering with Ruddiger for now. ]
Uh, it was good to meet you. I'll see you around.
[ Maybe it's rude, but Yuri doesn't really care right now. He has to think about all of this, alone. He gives Varian a little wave and heads off, he doesn't know where. ]
no subject
[Other people might put it "put the entire world in complete jeopardy by trusting the worst person ever" but there you go.
Varian's a little surprised by Yuri starting to head off- but he'd be lying if he said he was unhappy about it. Varian's not great at...small talk. So he raises his hand in farewell.]
Uh...sure thing? Good luck? [Ruddiger's just gonna be stink eyeing Repede as he leaves. Clearly, a wonderful friendship has been born here. ]