AW 4

[19:37] If he's considered home, he doesn't seem to object to it. That wasn't dissimilar to what he'd felt anyhow, being here. Quite obvious in fact as he moves towards the Petrakis and their drawing.

"Busy as always."

Expression still flat he peers down as to what they were doing. "Mm. Jianyu is joining the Knights."
(Avlainn)
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[19:37] Yuri says, "I-"
[19:38] Yuri asks, "Really?"
[19:38] Yuri exclaims, "Nice..!"
[19:38] Avlainn says, "Mhm."
[19:39] Not a glance is given to the Princess. Nails scratched at their cheek, lips pursing as their mind wandered elsewhere.

Narrow hues settled on Roland, their lips curling into a smile that very, very, very, very quickly faded. Lips parting in surprise.

Oh...

"The King refused me years ago. He didn't want someone in the Order who lives on revenge."

"If I see a dragon, a Drakanite, I'll hurt them or worse."

How sneaky Avlainn was. But they smile, slight.

"But, sure..."

(Jianyu Xi)
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[19:40] Avlainn says, "The Cobalt, soon to be Azure Knights don't hang under the same banner as the First Light."
[19:40] Avlainn says, "You aren't joining them."
[19:40] Jianyu Xi says, "It's too bad the Princess doesn't like me."
[19:40] Jianyu Xi says, "A shame, truly."
[19:40] Avlainn says, "Jianyu, you're making excuses."
[19:41] Jianyu Xi asks, "I most certainly am not. It's true, is it not? I'm not nice or pleasant. She wouldn't want someone like that in her tight banded, friendly group of Knights, yes?"
[19:42] Jianyu Xi says, "Besides, I'm not blue, or cobalt, or azure."
[19:42] Yuri was surprised at first to hear that Jianyu wanted to join the Knights. Though with a bit more explanation it made more sense; it wasn't the First Light but rather their own little group.

The confusion only had him pass one comment.

"W-We really should have went with 'Blades' instead of 'Knights'..."

His gaze briefly sat at Jianyu's feet before shifting away.
(Yuri)
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[19:42] The talk of Jianyu joining the knights present a frown on his lips. That is, until Jianyu's correction as to which set of knights they were intending to join. His frown lightens, but not enough to hide his distaste at the idea. "Jianyu, you're overselling just how much people dislike you."

It's spoken with a light-hearted tone before he elaborates.

"I don't hate you, nor does the princess. Honestly, you just need to be more appealing in terms of personality. But even so, I'm certain that if Avlainn enjoys your company, than princess Aeliana will too."

His arms fold behind his back, still smiling in the meanwhile.
(Roland Pelleaux)
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[19:44] Atlas says, "Hmm..."
[19:47] The Princess offers nothing on the topic, attention set squarely upon her scribbling. Jianyu was right -

The Princess didn't like her. The Princess didn't like her influencing Avlainn. The Princess didn't like a lot of things, and while it was not beyond her capacity to in time like Jianyu, the girl had left a foul taste in her mouth.

But there was no need to fight on it. No need to acknowledge it. With a delicate smile and golden eyes beset upon her art, she utters a quiet,

"Really? Cool."
(Aeliana ras Petrakis)
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[19:48] Sneaky indeed. How unpleasant and awkward, joining alongside Knights who existed as friends, so close together and likely having trust.

Jianyu didn't trust them, the Princess especially. Why would they want to? It's not as though they're refusing, but yes, making excuses as to why they shouldn't.

And they shouldn't.

"More appealing? I shouldn't have to behave in a way for people to like me. I don't want to be liked, Roland. Maybe you care about that, but I don't."

They will make small efforts but never will they act as they aren't.

"But, again," Icy hues met the Princess' golden ones. "The King refused it. Will you go against your father?"

Yet, as Avlainn said, they're different from the First Order, for whatever reason. "Whatever happens, happens. Regardless, our time together will be short and sweet."

It's a promise.

"You're home now and there's not much here for me."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[19:52] There's an eye to Jianyu at her commentary, nonchalance stricken across her countenance. Much too invested in her drawing to want to spare Jianyu more than a passing comment, she does, in fact, humour her with an utterance.

"The First Light, like you've just been told, doesn't have anything to do with the Cobalt Knights. The Cobalt Knights are our group.

If you want to join, join. If you don't, don't. I don't care. Yuri, Lain and Saewyn all get to vote too."

And that was that. There need not be any disobedience of her father, for the Cobalt Knights did never and would never fall under his command. Nor did it fall under hers, really.

They all made the decisions together.
(Aeliana ras Petrakis)
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[19:53] Atlas says, "Huh..."
[19:55] Yuri may not have been the most perceptive person in the world but he could still notice the animosity between the Princess and Jianyu. A light frown appeared on his features before he spoke up, shaking his head.

"I.. Um." Full stop. He needed a deep breath for that one.

"I don't agree. I-If you're joining the Cobalt Knights our time together isn't going to be short. It's forever. N.. No matter what."

He had his vote, too. To some people's surprise it wasn't just following Aeliana's own. Yuri had his reasons.
(Yuri)
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[19:58] "It's as Avlainn said. Do your vote, Aeliana."

Hopefully, they voted as accordingly, refusing the Shengese teen entrance into this little group. Hold holding and comradery like this would only spell disaster in the long run for them. Bonding with those they didn't care to have anything to do with.

Pointless, truly.

Or, maybe this could be a good thing. They hum, a glance made to Yuri.

"Whatever you say, Yuri. I guarantee it to you it will be." They take several steps to the more frail heart Knight. "I don't work well with others."

How their shadow grew in a deeper shade, rivaling the pitch black the night brought, adding a presence of its own. It surges with magic like that of a demon.

It's nothing new, of course. For several months has this shadow lurked and watched, imbued within their own something foul and foreign.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[20:00] Roland had nothing to contribute to this conversation. He was a first Order Knight, not a Cobalt knight. Even if the title could apply to him due to the shade of his hair and the preference of his colors. He does not, however, cast a vote. But Aeliana's indifference towards Jianyu was certainly noticed.

"Princess? Are you alright?" A brow is raised in her direction, leaning over to peek at her notebook's pages.

An eye is turned towards Yuri's statement, however. "I do believe she's with-holding her vote. Which is still a vote." His eyes remain on the pages, peeping as to what thoughts were laid bare onto the papers.
(Roland Pelleaux)
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[20:11] Yuri didn't like it when he was the center of attention in a room. He liked it even less when he was being looked at as a point of reference for all of those around him to latch onto, to be the one they awaited to react, to speak, to give out his thoughts.

His green eyes averted when Jianyu approached and the young Knight had a mind to step away and find something else to do. If there was any change to that vote Jianyu expected from intimidation or anything of the sort the effort would be moot.

.. Alas, it wasn't to intimidate that the other approached, but instead to reaffirm that decision. To show something that he had not expected to see or even feel.

A presence as foul as a Demon's

Yuri's demeanor completely shifted. It was far, far from what he usually displayed, Hel, it wasn't even close to when he defended others. That vile display that was being given found something that reacted to it. Much like it had happened when fighting that hound, that panther, and that snake. Like a hand pressing against his back, pushing him forward and gifting mana to burn that surpassed the boy's very own reserves.

That blue shroud that erupted held a brilliance that was only topped by Yuri's very actions. His green eyes locked onto Jianyu's own without a doubt behind them. His right hand reached forth and up to clutch onto the other's shirt, going as far as hoisting them up a tad. A single, frown-fueled, angry question followed.

"What happened to you?"

What happened to Yuri, too?
(Yuri)
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[20:18] The drawing that Roland observes is none other than himself, set aside three other familiar figures;

Yuri, with his coy smile and tremendously long blade, much too big for a body he hadn't yet grown into.

Saewyn, presenting his signature sandwich upon the platter of his palm.

Avlainn, slumped against a tree, tight-lipped and observant, with the keenness of a thief.

Roland was the last of her efforts, though as of yet, she'd struggled to truly capture those brave, gallant features. She'd keep trying until she found success, but now wouldn't be the time.

Thus, aureate hues are hoisted from it to Jianyu, and to Yuri summarily. She had recognised that foul feeling Jianyu's presence brought, like pointed talons dragged down the chalkboard of her soul.

It isn't that which surprises her, but rather Yuri's outburst. Swathed in a veil of cobalt, raw and untrained, with bravery and valiance he scarcely embraced.

The Princess is taken by surprise.
(Aeliana ras Petrakis)
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[20:20] It was no act of intimidation, yet affirming him as to why they should be denied. Why this shadow surged was beyond them. It's been there for months and even acted out when they stood other others but now is it noticed.

Like an eroding, dark, invasive creature that fed on them, fueled them. Beckoning forth every foul thought that lurked without much say for them.

The look in his eyes changed and he got physical for the very first time. He let his mana erupt from his body and grabbed them by the fabrics of their shirt, using enough strength to lift the rather short Shengese teen up.

Their gaze narrowed, hands meeting Yuri's, nails sinking into his flesh and dragging. The pressure enough to leave red streaks on his skin.

"Don't touch me, Yuri." More than ever did they hate unwarranted contact. "You care now? That's rich. What happened? I fought a demon and lost is what happened. Are you happy?"

Hours after its occurrence did they tend to themself and sit at the wall. They remembered it clear as day, the hurt and humiliation of loss and the pain in their neck.

Their head cants, ivory tresses dangling to the side and revealing a shallow, healed streak along their neck. "It almost killed me."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[20:24] Watching the two behave in ways like this, both in hesitation and in bravery, he cannot shake that this was far out of the way from what he'd initially expected.

Still, rather that argue it or go against it? Avlainn merely allows things to happen. For nature to take its course and for it to all come to a head. He sighs before moving toward Aeliana.

It would seem that drama has been brought to their doorstep.
(Avlainn)
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[20:28] As the grip was maintained a certain fury could be captured within young Yuri's heart. Even as nails sunk into his flesh the shroud surrounded him almost looked like it was going to pounce right at Jianyu, like it needed to burn them alive.

For a mere moment it might seem terrifying. That raw, uncontained, uncontrolled energy that sought to erase the vile demonic forces that plagued one that wasn't a friend, yet could have been one.

Yuri held on for a few more moments before he dropped the Shengese with a small push, driving them away.

"I've cared since the start. I-..."

The distance drawn and the conversation that had been engaged had the boy simmer back down to his normal self. He could feel his hands shaking, his body releasing so much tension at once caused him to almost feel ill.

".. I-I don't know why you didn't... talk to us."

No longer did he cross his gaze with Jianyu. Even the blue wisps around his body evaporated in time. That brief surge of raw emotions had been extinguished when the pale-haired one had been proven not to be from Helheim, but instead merely wounded.

Yuri turned around, aiming to make his way westwards. Not out of anger, but in order to regain his composure. Why did he do that? Why did he step up like that? Just what was that hand he felt against his back pushing him forward? It was terrifying to think about.
(Yuri)
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[20:29] Aeliana ras Petrakis whispers something.
[20:33] Roland Pelleaux whispers something.
[20:34] Not even sharp claws to his hands deterred him. By his own merit did he drop them, pushing them away so hard that they stumbled and nearly fell back.

He's cared since the start?

Jianyu stood up straight, narrow hues to the back of Yuri's head as he made attempts to leave the situation in its entirety.

Now don't they just bring out the worst in people? It seems his vote had been cast.

"Oh how I hate this thing. Like a pest at my very feet, watching me, listening." Their gaze tore from Yuri and went to the ground, to their shadow that felt to stare back at them. It looked so tangible and real.

The urge to stomp it out had been resisted.

"Your group then, yes?" Like it never even happened, they turned to look at Aeliana. Digits rose and pushed loose tresses behind their ear.

"I imagine that there is no betrayal amongst you all. No telling of secrets, no telling lies. Are you like a family? Family is held much higher than friends."

There was no true interest in a family that would drive a knife into their back. They aren't liked and surely it would lead to problems in the future.

"Much, much higher."

Dainty hands came together, clapping. "Well I will be on my way now. I wanted to see Avlainn there safe and home and not eaten as he journeyed here." They turned, though had no where in particular they wanted to be.

Except for here, of course.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[20:38] Yuri's reaction was something that no one expected. Especially now, when no hostilities were present. His gaze shifts from Yuri to Jianyu, the question as to what happened and the answer given left Roland conflicted as to what the proper course of action was to be. Slowly but surely, others would come to the same conclusion as Yuri. Others, with much less kindness towards Jianyu will even make attempts to strike her down.

"There's no need for hostilities, we-"

Before he could truly interject, the two were already parting ways. A frown presses itself to his lips, unable to truly pull the two together. At least, without it being against their chosen paths and wills. To impose upon either would be a contradictory feeling to what Roland wished he could do for them.

"Yuri, Jianyu... Do be safe, take some time to clear your minds."

Useless counsel was all he could give to either of them.
(Roland Pelleaux)
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[20:45] "No.

We are Family."

It comes as a quiet, honest declaration. They were a gang of misfits. A Princess who had lost family and home, and found friendship outside of those who hung close for relevance - those who veiled ulterior motives beneath promises of friendship. A thief who had been abandoned, and found loyalty in an unlikely place. A boy who had no family, who struggled to grow into himself, but who tried all the same, supported by those around him.

And Saewyn. Saewyn was just along for the ride.

But they were a family.

"It's not my group. It's our group. And if you can't grow to be kind and treat the people in it like family, and hold them higher than friends -"

She need not finish her utterance. Golden eyes are slung back down to her scribbling. The words spoke themselves. There was a chance for Jianyu here, certainly.

But it would be one earned off of her own back. Aeliana didn't care to chase someone here for Lain and Lain alone.

Worry inches upon her countenance as Yuri storms away. Would he be okay?


(Aeliana ras Petrakis)