swift and silent

"My name is Lon'qu. If you have nothing to say, then I shall take my leave." {associated w/ outrealm gates rp}

[feroxiblade]

The Sky Is Low || Soren + Lon'qu

[ikesboyfriend]

Lon’qu sat waiting for the sage, who sighed quietly as he neared. He pulled his staff from his side and stood in front of the myrmidon. He held the mend staff out before him, and like that it was as though Lon’qu’s wounds had completely vanished.

"I cannot begin to grasp what you were thinking… To think someone with as little armor as you would run onto the battlefield with, not only no backup, but no cleric as well. I will have to have a talk with whoever your tactician is. I may need to teach them a thing or two.”

[feroxiblade]

"...Tch," was all Lon'qu said, giving a short shrug.

"I do not concern myself with others, they need not worry about me. As for the armor, that would only slow me down."

After the wound closed up, Lon'qu wiped away the blood to see that there wasn't even a scar; he was duly impressed. "My thanks," he said, standing up again, "I am indebted. We should head back to camp."

[exaltlucina]

家族 by 凡。

[feroxiblade]

Hurry Back Tonight || Panne&Lon'qu

Lon'qu stared down at the ring in his palm - such a small, simple thing of gold and violet gemstone, and yet heavier than all the weight of the world. He hadn't even paid for the accursed thing yet and already there was a pounding in his chest and a ringing in his ears. 

"... Fool," he whispered to himself. But before he could back out, Lon'qu waved a hand and got the merchant's attention.

---

Evening had fallen on the Shepherds' camp, and activity was winding for the day. Sunset had washed the land in a serene glow of deep red; it gave the air a hazy, sleepy quality - but calm was the last thing Lon'qu felt as he searched the camp for one person in particular. 

At last he found her, seated under a tree with a basket of vegetables in her lap.

"... Panne," Lon'qu said curtly, standing before her, "Please follow me. There are matters I would like to discuss with you."

Without waiting for an answer Lon'qu turned and began walking away from camp, thoughts racing.

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[princessofchonshin]

"Fie, I merely jest, dearest Lon’qu."

Noticing his refusal, she lowered her hand so that it rested at her side once more. The amusement did not fade from her face or her tone of voice, but she did feel a bit bad, now that he was drenched in water.

"You can take as much time that pleases you. I shall remain here and try to fetch more fish for lunch."

[feroxiblade]

Giving a short nod of thanks, Lon'qu took off in the direction of the camp. Never being one for dillydallying, he was soon dressed in a new tunic and pair of pants and heading back to the river. Luckily nobody saw him in his sopping state.

Lon'qu paused at the bank and watched Say'ri fish. The fluid motion of her long, poised body as she pulled fish from the water was at once entrancing and unsettling to the swordsman. Say'ri's femininity was something that still put him on-edge, but he admired her strength and skill and considered her to be a friend, even if he didn't quite show it.

Lon'qu knelt on the riverside and began forming a circle of stones. "I may not be able to fish," he said, a touch of humor in his otherwise dry voice, "But I at least can start the fire."

[feroxiblade]

The Sky Is Low || Soren + Lon'qu

[ikesboyfriend]

Soren’s interest in Lon’qu’s words did not last. As the wind sage had expected, there was not a location in the swordsman’s introduction he even remotely recognized. It was no different than his meeting with Henry not weeks prior to this one.

"I am unfamiliar with those lands." he replied crudely as he turned his eyes to Lon’qu’s wound. He knew too well the danger of wounds left untouched. Ike never was the careful sort. Soren stopped in his tracks, turning to face the myrmidon.

"Hold still. I am skilled in multiple forms of magic… I serve also as one of multple healers within the Greil Mercenaries."

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu glanced back at Soren, a surprised look on his face. Thus far their interactions had been a mixture of cold, gruff, and awkward - this stranger was showing an unexpected kindness.

"That would be...very much appreciated." The swordsman couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The healers of the Shepherds were predominantly female and having to spend any prolonged amount of time in a tent with one wasn't ideal.

Lon'qu sat himself down on a rock and began removing the protective gear on his forearms, wincing when the wound throbbed.

[feroxiblade]

The Sky Is Low || Soren + Lon'qu

ikesboyfriend:

"What difference would it make whether I forgave you or not?"

"It would not mean your mistakes never happened… It’s in the past. And I assure you that you arenot the first to make such a mistake.”

Pushing locks of dark green hair from his face, Soren looked at Lon’qu with distrustful eyes. He didn’t know this man. He didn’t plan to know this man. But he had already helped him once, and knew answering a simple question couldn’t make much more of a difference.

"Soren." He spoke with a lack of enthusiasm. "Of the Greil Mercenaries. My commander is in the area, and seems to have befriended your leader… You are friends of his. That is my only reason for helping you… Your well being is not my concern."

Lon'qu nodded curtly, embarrassment fading into the stoic calmness he usually sank into. 

"I am Lon'qu," he said shortly, "A sellsword of Ferox, though formerly of Chon'sin." 

Wincing a bit, Lon'qu looked down to see a long gash in his forearm; in the heat of battle he hadn't even noticed the injury. It wasn't particularly painful, but it most likely needed a healer's attention - when at war, an infected cut could kill just as effectively as a blade to the heart.

"We should head back to camp," the myrmidon said, "Chrom will most likely wish to regroup. Accompany me or not, it does not matter to me; but our destination is the same."

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[princessofchonshin]

Say’ri allowed a snort to escape her, almost failing to cover her amusement by covering her mouth with the back of her hand. My, it seemed like Lon’qu was enjoying himself.

She quickly made her way through the water, to where her fallen companion sat in the mostly shallow water. “Care for assistance, my friend? It seems like you are, how they say, having a blast.” 

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu sputtered, cheeks turning red as Say'ri approached. "D-Do not mock me, woman!"

Awkwardly he stood back up, trying his best to avoid physical contact with Say'ri even though she offered her hand. Water streamed down his face; it pulled down on his hair and clothes, making him look less like a fearsome swordsman and more like a half-drowned fool. 

"I... I would much appreciate the opportunity to change my clothes."

[feroxiblade]

Just Spit Me Out | Lon'qu & Panne

[velvettaguel]

Panne turned her head in shame as Lon’qu forced himself to relive his own harsh memories for her sake. Humans were not worthy of her pity; they deserved the pain and suffering they were given. This was what she had always believed. But now she was surrounded by people who did care, and some of which who had felt sorrows as heavy as hers. Lon’qu compared like no other.

She looked to the swordsman with saddened eyes. For once since joining the Shepherds she felt pain not only for herself, but for another. A friend who she now believed she could trust above all the rest. She reached out to touch his hand once more, leaving Lon’qu the possibility of pulling away again if he grew too uncomfortable.

"I’m so sorry for my selfishness…" She closed her eyes. "I have no right to say such a thing. Not now… I owe it to my race to survive and grow stronger… and to all of you as well."

Panne smiled slightly as she stood. “Thank you for your kindness, man- …Lon’qu. I’ll never forget it.”

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu stiffened once more when Panne reached for his hand, but forced himself to relax - and soon, he found that he truly was at ease. Slowly he closed his hand around Panne's fingers, noting how thin it felt. The taguel always carried herself in a way that felt as though she would let nothing harm her - but here, in this moment, those walls seemed to have broken down (if only a little).

"Do not apologize. That was not selfishness in the least bit."

He paused, realizing that he had allowed a smile to creep onto his face and, slightly perturbed by this notion, quickly grew somber again. When Panne said his name, though, for what was probably the first time... he couldn't deny it had a nice ring to it.

"..." Lon'qu coughed gruffly, pulling his hand away and standing up. "It is growing dark. I will be retiring to my tent for the night."

[feroxiblade]

[feroxiblade]

Just Spit Me Out | Lon'qu & Panne

[velvettaguel]

Reaching over, Panne placed her hand on the fingers Lon’qu had wrapped around the apple. She pushed his hand closer to him, as if to say it was all his.

"…My warren…"

Panne’s voice grew quiet. She had been with the Shepherds for a long time now, but never had she been asked such a personal question. She closed her eyes as her thoughts went back to her youth.

"Majority of them were killed before I was old enough to form any memories of them… But the few of them that remained through my life were some of the most caring individuals I’d ever known. We were not all related… but we were family. We cared for one another and protected one another. I…" her voice strained.

There was nothing she could have done. They were outnumbered, and there was nothing any of them could do to help one another. She cringed at the thought of her escape with her younger brother, and the chase they had to endure. She could still see the pain on the young boy’s face as he died. The day she became the last of the Taguel.

Panne’s eyes had clenched shut once again, and she looked as though she was in physical pain at the hand of her own thoughts. “It should have been me…”

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu stiffened slightly when Panne touched his hand; it was a warm sensation that sent his skin tingling. He quickly withdrew it, taking a large bite of the apple and chewing slowly as he listened.

As Panne recounted her story her voice grew soft and a shadow passed over her face. Lon'qu could not recall the last time he had seen someone under such a weight of sadness and guilt. Something tugged at his chest and he could not say what it was.

"...I am going to tell you something. Never say that it should have been you - such dark thoughts will only get you killed. You are here now; so survive."

Lon'qu hurled the apple core away and ran a hand through his hair as though trying to clear away the unpleasant thoughts that filled his head. 

"Your feelings of regret, I... I understand them." He paused, realizing he had not dredged up these memories in a very long time. "Back in Chon'sin, when I was a child, I was just a street rat living in the slums. I had one friend who made life worth living." A sharp intake of breath punctuated his speech. "But the slums are a dangerous place, full of bandits, and thugs, and I-- I couldn't protect Ke'ri. I ran like a coward while she..."

Lon'qu trailed off, finally looking back towards Panne. "I do not believe in fate. But if you have been given life, use it to get stronger."

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[princessofchonshin]

Say’ri held up her hand for a second, signaling for him to be quiet. ” … ” Suddenly, she yanked at her rod. What came with it was a decently sized trout. “Ha!” 

She turned around, holding the fish by her line with a smile. “My apologies. I shall hold your compliment given to me to my heart, dearest Lon’qu. For with patience comes with rewards.” She gestured to her catch, then nodded at his own rod.

"Be sure to keep focus as well." Her tone was a bit teasing. 

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu's eyes widened a bit. He hadn't expected Say'ri to catch a fish so quickly - a certain competitiveness that the myrmidon kept hidden began to stir.

I am not to be bested, he thought, allowing himself to even grin. Something pulled on his rod and he yanked it back...only for the end of his tunic to come loose and entangle his feet, causing him to fall over.

"B-Blast!" he cried, unable to utter anything else before plunging into the cold water, most likely scattering any fish that were nearby.

[feroxiblade]

"Hey, Lon'qu! Catch!" Robin tossed him a candied fig, giggling into her free sleeve as she did.

Out of pure instinct, Lon'qu barely managed to catch the fig before it careened into his head. "Y-You! Woman!" He thrust a pointed finger towards her. "Have I not told you to refrain from ambushing me?"

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[princessofchonshin]

"Now, we wait." Say’ri simply replied. She held out a fishing rod to Lon’qu, waiting for him to take it from her.

Once it was out of her hand, she tied bait she had brought with her to the end of the rod. Soon enough, she had stretched her arms back and cast her line. The bait landed a few feet away, gently bobbing just beneath the water’s surface.

Her eyes were focused on where her line had landed, though her stance wasn’t rigid, despite her concentration. Say’ri knew it was best to stay calm and be patient.

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu cast his line as well, exhaling slowly as he assumed his position on the water. The river tugged at his knees and the rocks were cool against the bottoms of his feet; if he concentrated on the water hard enough, he hardly even noticed that a woman was standing not five feet from him.

If there was anybody who knew how to be calm and patient, it was Lon'qu. Years and years of training had sharpened not only his blade but also his mind - his breathing stilled and he became but a statue. Briefly he dared to glance at Say'ri, and saw that she was doing the same.

"Your...stillness is admirable," he ventured to say, not quite looking at her.

[feroxiblade]

A Million Miles From Home | Yen'fay & Lon'qu

[chonsindynast]

Paying no mind to the whispers of the crowd around them that had began to arise, Yen’fay’s attention remained solely on the opponent who stood only feet from him.

Lon’qu moved with incredible speed, and Yen’fay was aware that just one misstep alone could lead to a deadly wound if this had been a more serious battle. He thought to compliment him on his skill at the battle’s end.

The battle continued, and soon enough Yen’fay saw Lon’qu’s methods changing as he progressed. Before he knew it, their blades were locked. The scraping of metal as they struggled to push one another back was a sound he had not heard in a long while, and though he had tried valiantly not to show any enjoyment up to that point, he couldn’t stop a small smirk from forming on his lips.

"I must confess, lad… The skill you have shown has surpassed my expectations… But you will have to fight harder than this."

Giving a rough shove forward with his blade, Yen’fay managed to push Lon’qu back just a step. It was enough to give the swordmaster enough time to leap away, retaking his position and awaiting Lon’qu’s next move.

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu caught Yen'fay's smirk and couldn't help but match his expression. "Do not worry, I'm just getting started." A bluff, but if there was one this Lon'qu excelled at it was not showing his emotions in battle.

Yen'fay gave a shove with his sword and Lon'qu reeled backwards, fighting to keep his balance. If he fell for even the slightest second, he knew the battle would be over.

In a fight with someone who had such incredible skill as Yen'fay, some foul play resourcefulness might be in order. 

Taking a deep breath, he shot forward again, sword held at the ready. But rather than striking from above, at the last second Lon'qu dropped to the ground and swiped a leg at Yen'fay's feet, hoping to disrupt his balance for just a precious moment.

[feroxiblade]

The Sky Is Low || Soren + Lon'qu

[masterofthewinds]

Having been startled by Lon’qu’s sudden leap away from him, Soren stepped back and braced himself. His fingers wrapped tightly around his tome as he readied himself for any quick attack he may have to attempt.

Lon’qu, however, did not appear to have intended to attack him. The sage quickly realized that it was he he was in the wrong, and straightened himself out as the swordsman blurted out his outrageous excuses.

"Foolish… I should have let those undead monsters have their go at you… If I had known you’d insult me with your ignorance I would have preferred to save my strength."

Soren gave a harsh glare, letting it sink in before continuing. "I’m a fully grown man. You’re welcome for the help."

[feroxiblade]

Oh. Oh dear. Lon'qu felt his face heat up and his palms get sweaty.

"I... I ask for your forgiveness, I did not mean to--"

Lon'qu coughed, attempting to regain his composure. Knowing that this stranger wasn't a woman put him at ease somewhat, but that feminine face still threw him off... "You have my thanks for saving me. I would not have escaped unscathed had it not been for you." He paused, looking at the man before him with curious eyes. "May I ask your name? I do not believe I have seen you."

[feroxiblade]

Just Spit Me Out | Lon'qu & Panne

[velvettaguel]

Under normal circumstances it wouldn’t have been unusual for Panne to yank her arm away, but this time something felt different. By the time she had turned back to Lon’qu, his hand had already been removed from her skin. She looked into his eyes, surprised by the gentleness she could see in them.

Without replying, she slowly sat back down in front of him and began rummaging through her basket. She dug through the variety of fruits and vegetables, pulling out an apple. Her eyes lowered, setting on the basket.

"I see… I do not remember much of my time in the waren, but in my youth, many of us were easily upset by the same words or events…"

She took a bite of the apple,  slowly raising her eyes to his once more.

"I too suffer from sudden memories of my past… I apologize for not considering that I am not the only one."

[feroxiblade]

"Do not apologize," Lon'qu said gruffly, ever one to become embarrassed when others asked for his forgiveness, "You are no stranger to suffering, that much I can tell."

He trailed off into silence, wondering what to say next. He tried to think back to his practice conversations with Say'ri - this is where he would ask a question, to further carry out the dialogue... right?

Lon'qu cleared his throat. "What was it like in your warren? From what you can remember." He paused. "Er, I do not wish to bring up painful memories. You may just tell me... the happy things."

He also reached for an apple from the basket, glancing up at Panne first to see if it was alright that he take one.

[feroxiblade]

The Sky Is Low || Soren + Lon'qu

[masterofthewinds]

Watching the Shepherds from a safe distance, Soren stood interest as he observed each unit’s unique fighting style. One in particular stood out to him; a dark haired swordsman who appeared to have a life of practice behind him. The skill was familiar to him. It was one that resembled a style of a comrade he had once in the past. His interest grew as the swordsman was slowly surrounded by the creatures they were fighting. Rather than assisting, he watched as the man’s struggle worsened.

After a look around however, he realized that help was not on it’s way. The group appeared to be struggling against the numbers of undead. He quickly returned his gaze to the swordsman, an odd nervousness coming over him.

You can’t put yourself in danger for the sake of others… You can’t.

He forcefully repeated his thoughts to himself over and over. In the past he was never one willing to go out of his way to save another’s life. But he knew Ike would. He knew Ike would want him to.

Rushing out onto the field without another thought, he readied his tome. He came up behind Lon’qu, holding his hand out before him as he came close "Out of the way!"

Waiting only a matter of seconds for his path to be cleared, a strong tornado-like magic came whipping over the risen, throwing them in a variety of directions and bringing an end to a good number of them. He turned to the swordsman to assure himself of his safety.

"Are you well?"

[feroxiblade]

Lon'qu was about to brace himself for an all-out attack with a long-haired stranger swooped in, fending off his attackers with an impressive wind spell. It appeared the danger was gone for now - but as the adrenaline of battle slowly began to dissipate a new fear struck.

The swordsman leapt back several paces as though his rescuer were a monster himself. He stood stiff and tense, looking like a coiled animal ready to bolt at the slightest provocation.

"Y-You! Please refrain from getting close." He coughed. "I... I do not take kindly to the presence of women."