Crimean Commander

Behold, I am Kieran! Second in command of the great Crimean Knights! Fear not now that I have arrived, civilians. ⎾Outrealm Gates⏌

[queen-crimea]

"Ah, Queen Elincia! It's wonderful to see you again. Might you need anything? I, Kieran, second in command of the Crimean Knights is here to serve!"

"Kieran, it’s a pleasure to see you," Elincia said with a small smile as she looked at the male and nodded. "Thank you, I really appreciate it, but you’ve done enough for me as it is. Would you mind keeping me company though?"

[axepaladin]

"I've... done enough?" Impossible! Kieran felt he had far from served Elincia appropriately. He could always do better. But arguing with the Queen was one thing he never intended to do. "Well... If you believe so."

"But if company is what you'd like, I am happy to serve, milady! Consider me not only your greatest knight, but your greatest friend!"

[calmcavalier]

You Need Glasses - Kieran and Stahl

[calmcavalier]

Stahl wondered if Kieran was both hard of hearing, had bad eyesight or was simply forgetful. He was sure that this would take some getting used to. “Er…Ylisse.” He corrected with a small laugh. “I’d be happy to do t- h-hey! Wait up!”

As soon as Kieran began ride away with his horse, Stahl made quick work to follow, eventually catching up to the red head. “…You sure are full of energy, aren’t you?” He let out a huff, gently motioning for his horse to walk beside Kieran’s.

"So, is Crimea any different than Ylisse? Is it more mountainous or is it greener than it is here?" Considering how much energy Kieran had in him, the green knight assumed it wouldn’t hurt to continue his small talk with Kieran. Maybe he’d learn a lot more about Crimea that way.

[axepaladin]

Strange to many he knew, Kieran's eyes and hearing (contrary to popular belief) were both perfect. Whether he used them properly or not could be argued, though. 

Kieran looked over to Stahl as he caught up, a smile on his face. "Full of energy?" he laughed. "I guess you could say that! Er, plenty of others have, anyway..." he shrugged it off, looking ahead as he rode on.

"It certainly seems so! Mountains and forests are both plentiful! I have yet to see much of this land, but I'm certain what we have is likely larger!" Surprisingly, he wasn't just saying that in hopes of his land seeming superior. 

[lancepaladin]

Homesick - - Kieran/Oscar

[lancepaladin]

Oscar sighed and wiped his tears away. He’d never have the heart to tell Kieran that it was at Elincia’s request that he had even joined at all. “Its alright Kieran..I like being able to help everyone and being able to spend time with everyone…Yeah..I guess maybe someday they could come back..I mean anything is possible.”

Oscar turned to face Kieran, a small smile returned to his face

"I’m grateful to be working with you as well…and especially for this..Its been really nice to have had someone to talk about this with..and..honestly, I didn’t think you had it in you..Sorry for doubting you."

[axepaladin]

Just like that, Kieran's smile returned to his face. Had Oscar ever thanked him in such a tone before? He was used to the sarcastic or dry thanks he would receive, but never this. 

Giving a hearty laugh, Kieran waved off Oscar's surprise. That annoying confidence rang in his voice yet again. "Ha ha! But or course I had it in me! Is there any true reason to doubt the great Kieran, second in command of the Crimiean Knights!?" he gave no opportunity to reply to that. "I think not!"

Once his brief moment of bragging was over, though, Kieran gave Oscar a smile and pulled him over into a tight hug. He pat the green knight's back and held him there for a good minute before letting him go and stepping back. Only his hand remained on Oscar's shoulder.

"I know I may not seem like I understand what's going on all the time... But I'll always try if it means I can help you."

[calmcavalier]

You Need Glasses - Kieran and Stahl

[calmcavalier]

Stahl wanted to beg to differ. Kieran seemed quite the opposite of what he claimed to to never do. Nevertheless, he wanted to provide any assistance he could so that Kieran could safely be on his way.

"Ah, so it is your first time stepping onto this land, huh?"

"Well, there is a town nearby. Is that perhaps where you were headed? Maybe to look for your friend Oscar?" That seemed to be the likely case, at least. 

[axepaladin]

"Correct!" Kieran replied, trying to hold up his proud knowing of the unknown. "What did you say this land was called again? Elise? If you could direct me to Elise's nearest town I would be most grateful, friend!"

Before awaiting an answer, Kieran patted his horse's side and took off ahead of the knight in green. It seemed like Stahl had an odd day ahead of him.

[axepaladin]

Red Knight Fight ⎾Kieran+Sully⏌

[sassycavalier]

Okay, now she was pissed off.

Sully quickly grabbed at Kieran’s collar and shoved him against a wall to get his attention. She was glaring daggers at him, tightening her grip to make sure he didn’t escape. She heard enough out of him.

"Looks like I gotta knock some fucking sense into ya, don’t I? I don’t give a damn what your position is, it doesn’t matter to me but don’t talk shit about my army.” She pointed the sharp end of her lance at him with her free hand, the tip nearly touching his neck threateningly. “Got it?”

[axepaladin]

Pulling on the reins of his horse, Kieran moved away from Sully's weapon and gave her an offended glare. 

"Bah, foolish! I admire your bravery, miss, but do you know what you could cause by attacking a high rank of another army!? You could set off some form of minor war!" He scoffed. "It's clear to me now that you must not be of high power!"

[lancepaladin]

Homesick - - Kieran/Oscar

[lancepaladin]

Oscar looked over and met Kieran’s gaze. He held it momentarily before looking down. “I can’t go back..I’ve been writing…Rolf says its just him, Titania, Gatrie..sometimes Mia comes around…Ike and Soren..they never came back..and everyone else..well they’ve moved on to their own lives.”

Oscar sobbed quietly and held onto the counter. Heavy tears fell from his cheeks and hit the counter top below “Even if I went back now..it wouldn’t be the same..My family is still split apart and scattered..Even missing in some cases..Everything I remember and miss..it’s all gone and in the past now..I just have to move on like everyone else.”

He covered his eyes and tried to stop the tears “I’m sorry.. I shouldn’t be crying like this..I don’t want you to think that I don’t like it here..I’m happy that I can help and help people..both as a Knight and on my own as a mercenary…and Boyd is nearby…and I have Elincia..and I have you..And truthfully all that is what’s getting me through this..its just hard..”

[axepaladin]

Kieran clenched his fists, wincing as he felt Oscar's pain as if it were his own. He had no idea that the Greil Mercenaries had split up like that... He had never even bothered to ask. For that he felt a certain shame, as well. Could he really claim to be close to Oscar when he didn't know a single that that went on with his life and family?

"I... I'm sorry, Oscar... It was selfish of me to suggest such a thing without knowing what it would cause you. I..." Kieran was at a loss of words, which may have been a first for him. He felt there was nothing he could say that could improve the conversation from there. He knew he would try, though.

Moving over closer, Kieran placed an unsure hand on Oscar's shoulder. He looked at him with concern as well as a bit of confusion caused by his uncertainty of how to continue. "I'm sorry, Oscar... If I hadn't convinced you to come back... Well maybe things would have been different then. But I'm grateful to be working with you again... and I know that Geoffrey and the others are thrilled to have someone like you at our side as well."

Pulling his hand away, he looked to the side feeling a bit embarrassed. "But things can always change, right? Ike and Soren have to come back eventually... I mean, he cared about you all more than anything in the world! He'll come back. And when he does, maybe then things can return to the way they were."

[lancepaladin]

Homesick - - Kieran/Oscar

[lancepaladin]

Oscar nodded patiently. He wondered if there even were giant rats in the first place but just as quickly as he thought it the story was over. No real surprise. The surprise came instead in the form of what followed the usual story fake out. 

Oscar stopped what he was doing and hesitated before putting down the knife. ”..You can tell, huh..I’m sorry, I’d hoped I was doing a better job than that. It was not your burden to bear.”

Oscar turned his head away a little more “It isn’t that I’m not happy here, I’m just..not happy. Elincia is a kind queen and being part of the Crimean knights again is just fine and I’m glad that I can do my part…but this isn’t home.”

Again he rubbed the heel of his palm to his eye as he attempted to wipe away the tears forming in the the corners of his eyes

"My family is gone. I thought that simply continuing our good work would be enough…that if I could just keep helping others as a mercenary when I could that I could cope and compromise…It isn’t enough..I miss them all. I miss the life I had and all the people that were in it…Its nothing against being here its just..its not the same."

[axepaladin]

Kieran frowned, taking a couple of steps closer. He hated to see Oscar like this. He felt as if some of the fault for Oscar's sadness fell on his shoulders. He argued endlessly in hopes of getting his old rival to rejoin him in the Crimean Knights. Was it he who pulled him away from his family?

"Don't apologize for missing them..." he sighed. "You can't help it if you're not happy here! That isn't your fault." He turned his head away in shame, again wondering if he was the cause of this. He about bit his tongue to prevent himself from saying something he'd regret. No, this time he thought it'd be best to think a little before shouting his thoughts.

"Your family isn't gone, Oscar..." His eyes slowly returned to his friend's. Strangely he was speaking in a much quieter tone than was usual for him. "They're still out there together... And I mean... Nothing is stopping you from being there with them."

It stung to suggest such a thing knowing how much he wanted Oscar there with him instead. But he was starting to realize just how greedy that was of him. "I- Er... The princess would never hold it against you."

[axepaladin]

HA HA, look who's winning the follower race, oh archrival!

[lancepaladin]

Homesick - - Kieran/Oscar

[lancepaladin]

Oscar was startled and looked back, silhouetted by the candles behind him.

"Kieran!…Oh I uh…ha ha..yeah…something like that..I guess you caught me."

Oscar looked down at the food he was making. He kept his face down and away from Kieran.

"What about you..why are you awake this late? You’re going to be tired tomorrow."

[axepaladin]

Walking further into the kitchen, Kieran sighed. He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, frowning at Oscar.

"Bah... A few less hours of sleep would never slow me down. You know that! For example, there was that one time those giant rats got into the cellar! By gods, I didn't get a wink of sleep that night after I--" he stopped himself, realizing how easily he was getting off track already.

"Er... I'll save that for later." Turning to face Oscar, he placed his hand on the edge of the counter. "Believe it or not, Oscar, I'm not so unobservant that I can't tell when something's wrong! I've seen how you've changed..." He looked away. "You're not happy here... I can tell."

[sassycavalier]

Red Knight Fight ⎾Kieran+Sully⏌

Tch. "The whole world but Ylisse," she retorted.

"Look, I don’t know and I don’t care who you are, but if you know what’s good for ya, you’d get the hell outta my sight and make sure it stays like that." Her patience was running low already. If this guy wasn’t going to get it through his thick head, she was gonna knock some sense in it.

[axepaladin]

"Then Ylisse must not be the most successful of nations. Unknown to us, and unknowing of us? Bah! Foolish."

As if the two of them were not already angry at each other, her disinterest in him, or perhaps more so his job, came as an even greater insult to him.

"Hah! As though I would fear you... I am second in command in my profession! I could take on dozens of soldiers at once. Do you think you, one member of an unknown army, could stand up to the great Kieran? Laughable!"

[calmcavalier]

You Need Glasses - Kieran and Stahl

[calmcavalier]

"Well, I serve the country we’re in. It’s called Ylisse," Stahl replied, trying to be helpful. "Are you perhaps lost?" He wasn’t exactly sure how to go from here. "Maybe I can help point you in which direction you need to go. Where were you headed?"

[axepaladin]

"Lost?" he swallowed. It wouldn't be very knightly of him to seem so hopeless. No matter the truth, he decided he would be better off keeping it to himself. "Hah! Me? Of course not! I've never been lost in my life." He was lying through his teeth.

"I simply don't know the area well, that's all! You see, it just happens that I know my own land so well that others aren't exactly simple to remember!" He chuckled, proud of how believable he sounded right there. His smile faded at Stahl's question, though. Where was he headed?

"Hm... I er... I can't say I remember where I was headed." he frowned, rubbing the back of his head. Today was turning out to be one loss after the last.

[lancepaladin]

Homesick - - Kieran/Oscar

Castle Crimea was so peaceful at night.

The air about the castle was quiet but for the hum of the bugs outside. Everyone in the castle was long asleep, the Royal Knights included.  That is to say those that did not have the (mis)fortune of the night watch. At least those that did were thankfully granted a night of clear skies and comfortable midsummer air. But as a light breeze blew through the halls of the castle it carried something unusual. The faint smell of…food?

—

Oscar stood at the counter in the kitchen. The chefs were consistent about refusing to let him in during the day. It felt like ages since he’d cooked.

By the light of a few candles, the knight was already well into the preparation of a meal. He rubbed at his eye with the heel of his palm, then continued to busy his hands with the food with a sigh. 

When did things get so bad that even doing something he loved only made him feel worse?…It just figured, really, that the night when he did not even have night watch he would be up all night anyway.

[axepaladin]

Though praised for his skill as one of Crimea's superior knights, there was not much else Kieran could be admired for. He was never exactly the most conscious of his environment, nor was he the best at interpreting the actions of others. He knew Oscar, though, and he knew when something was bothering him.

That night Kieran sat in his quarters, cleaning his armor for the next day. Hearing footsteps moving down the hallway he stood to his feet and slipped silently to his door, peering out at the figure moving through the castle in the dead of night. 

Oscar? The paladin squinted his eyes. It had to be Oscar. He slid out of his door and left it cracked open as he followed his friend from a distance. He followed him all the way to the kitchen, where he watched Oscar walk in. First deciding he would wait in the hall for him, his mind changed after a period of waiting. It was clear he wouldn't be done in there for a while at this point. That and whatever he was cooking was starting to make Kieran hungry.

Stepping into the doorway, he watched Oscar quietly for a minute. He always did seem to enjoy his cooking... 

"You're cooking awfully late. Still hungry, are you?" He doubted that being the truth, but it seemed like a good start to the conversation in his mind.

[lancepaladin]

"Oh, Oscar, THERE you are!" Kieran laughed, patting his friend hard on the back. "It's about time you got here. I beat you by a mile and have been waiting patiently ever since!"

Oscar jumped a bit and glanced at Kieran

"Hi Kieran. I wasn’t aware we were racing? Or..where the start or finish were for that matter, but alright I guess. Was there something you needed then? Since you’ve apparently been waiting so long?"

[axepaladin]

Oscar was on to something. Kieran hadn't mentioned a starting point or a finishing point. It seems he won this round-- Or... perhaps not?

"...Bah, you must have just forgotten after I challenged you!" he grinned, shaking his head. "No worries, Oscar! I forgive you. I'll just set up another race for us later on! That is all I need."

[calmcavalier]

You Need Glasses - Kieran and Stahl

[calmcavalier]

Stan?

Stahl decided it would be best not to correct the very excited individual that he now knew as Kieran. “Kieran, huh? Nice to meet you.” He nodded at the red head, smiling.

"Crimean Knights?" He couldn’t say that he’d heard of them before. "Are they apart of an army in this region? Haha, I’m not a civilian, either. I serve in an army as well, known as The Shepherds." 

[axepaladin]

Kieran sighed exasperatedly. Another who had never heard of the Crimean Knights? Just what was this army made of shepherds? He was beginning to wonder if he even was in Crimea anymore.

Wait-- Come to think of it Kieran didn't recognize his current location, and he did pride himself on his knowledge of his beautiful home country. Things were making less sense by the minute.

"Ahem... tell me then, good knight... What country do you serve?"

[calmcavalier]

You Need Glasses - Kieran and Stahl

axepaladin:

"Oscar!" Kieran shouted over to the knight, riding over on his horse’s back. There was a certain disappointment to his expression. "Bah! I had thought I beat you here… I must not have noticed you passing me!" Was there something different about his hair? …No. Not possible. The squinty face was exactly the same!

'Huh?'

Upon hearing someone ride up beside him, Stahl turned his own horse towards the stranger. “Who’s Oscar?” He questioned, genuine curiosity laced in his tone. To his surprise, the owner of the voice was someone he’d never seen before. 

"Er.., I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m the guy you’re looking for. The name’s Stahl, not Oscar."

[axepaladin]

"Who's...?" Kieran paused, suddenly embarrassed by his mistake. Gods! He should have noticed. This man's horse looking nothing like Oscar's!

"Y-you're not..." he coughed, glancing away. "O-of course you're not Oscar! I... I knew that! I was just reminded of him when I saw you and... got excited! Ha ha! Yes, that's right! Good to meet you, Stan."

Kieran gave a nervous smile, feigning confidence. "My name is Kieran, second in command of the Crimean Knights! Apologies for any confusion, civilian."

[sassycavalier]

"My lady, you don the same shining red armor as I! An up and rising Crimean Knight, are you? Of course! My bravery in battle must have inspired you!"

"Are you stupid or what?" She huffed haughtily, looking at him in annoyance. Just who the hell was this guy? "Never heard of any Crimean Knight before. I’m with the Shepherds in Ylisse. Next time why don’cha ask before you start wasting my time?"

[axepaladin]

"You... Have never heard of us...?" 

Preposterous! Never in Kieran's life had he known someone so ignorant. Even worse was her ability to make a group of shepherds sound as worthwhile.

"Madness! The Crimean Knights are Crimea's greatest soldiers! The whole world knows of us and our strength!"

[outrealmgates]

Oscar is reserved until 3/13

[axepaladin]

Look who won the race this time, Oscar! Your archrival strikes again!