The People's Spear

[kresnikscurse]

Ludger Will Kresnik | Tales of Xillia 2

Just your average 20 year old

If average includes your first day of work involving being accused of kidnapping a kid, framed for being a terrorist, and "destroying" the world

Formally debt riddled to the bone while also having to go around and save the actual world.

Pet cat that, surprising enough, is just a normal cat.

Makes a mean ass salad (And food in general)

"I'm not the stepfather I'm the Father that stepped up"

Pretty damn good with kids and overall (dorky) good guy

[kleinstar]

Eiden gives a thoughtful nod and with an determined expression declares:

" Well - there's only so many ways to find out! "

You could go ask yes but Eiden prefers a little more hands on approach. Direct experience over word and all that.

And so Eiden takes the cupcake, turning it around to witness strange purple glow within the creation. He sighs as he closes his eyes and takes a big bite.

And oh boy does his face take a turn there.

[kresnikscurse]

Ludger stood there for a brief moment in suspense, hoping that nothing too bad would happen to Eiden throughout the testing process. Only for all of it to take a turn the moment he stared at his face after biting into it.

"Oh this is not going to be good is it?" Was the thought that ran through his mind as he took a bit of the "clearly not healthy at all" purple cupcake. And within seconds he realized just why such a face formed in the first place.

"This can't be considered food right? How did someone both undercook AND overcook it at the same time?"

He wanted to cough out all of what was in his mouth, even if he knew that wouldn't have gotten rid of such an awkward aftertaste. Something like this needed to be studied in a lab just to be sure it was harmful to anyone else.

[kresnikscurse]

"Guess i have my cat so I'm not exactly alone either..." Though talking to a cat could best be described as the first step on the path to insanity. Still he knew Rollo wouldn't think much of it, just acting their own normal way rather than complain about anything else.

"Though right yeah, thanks for this. I'm sure I would've figured it out some of these places at some point but not to this extent that quickly." Although the idea of having the recipe all to himself is something he'd have to keep in mind. Especially for cooking up something for his friends.

"If you can though I'd love to know what they put in this."

[darkenforcer]

yuri grins behind their conspiratorial palms, "right on, but not in front of the boss. i'll text it later."

with their harmless scheme laid out, he leans back in his chair and gives ludger an appraising look, satisfied. "dunno how much desserts will help in the long run, but it's a start. maybe once you're feeling more settled we can have our furry companions meet each other. repede's got a ton of cats in his gang back home, so he won't snap at 'em or anything." just spitballing; he's offering the guy something to look forward to, knowing how directionless this place can feel at first... without being explicit about his intentions, obviously. that's a key factor.

"cats get snippy in new environments, don't they? how's that going for ya?"

[kresnikscurse]

Right. One of those "pet dates" that he always heard plenty of people talking about. Unfortunately Rollo was not the type of cat to really be interested in trying to make friends or enemies so it would almost always depend on the other party. Whether or not that'd actually produce any results of course, was another story entirely...

"Probably just lazing around like they usually do." He wasn't wrong about them getting snippy but Rollo kinda did whatever it felt like in the moment, acting almost differently then most "other cats"

"If you ever do stop by I think you'll be able to figure out what I mean. Hell if you walked in right now I'm sure you'd find 'em splayed out across a table or the couch."

[kleinstar]

" That'd be awesome!! Maybe we should suggest that? "

It'd definitely make Eiden feel better - and everyone back at the Itadori Residence too!

" Hmm... Not particularly ... the berries on that one though - they look a bit weird. "

Really weird... in fact as he squints Eiden's starting to wonder if they're berries at all.

[kresnikscurse]

"...Pretty sure they aren't berries at all." Which to raise the question as "what" it was. Considering neither couldn't figure out just by staring there was no way it was healthy in the slightest bit.

"Could be spoiled though. Or something native to here that neither of us know about."

[kresnikscurse]

Getting random texts wasn't exactly uncommon. But the culprit today seemed almost too enthused at the idea of texting someone else. Even if they didn't seem to care it was just some random stranger.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" Might as well not leave the other on read...

[txt]: right, nice to meet you pascal [txt]: although a texting partner doesn't sound too bad [txt]: not really much else to do with it

...On one bright side at least he didn't have to keep paying debts anymore through it.

[fangirldream]

she dives for her phone as soon as the first buzz. her hypothesis was right-- this is an instant version of poisson's pigeon communicator!

[txt]: Then it's official! We're gonna be pen pals for life! [txt]: Or not, who knows!? Anywaaays, I'm sure we can think up a TON of stuff to do on here! [txt]: Liiike what's that button in the corner?

it's camera-shaped, that much is obvious. she taps it, expecting the screen to reflect her immediate surroundings, but instead... "WAH! i-it's me!?" one fumble causes her to accidentally take a picture, and another to full-on send it, her reaction exposed to ludger in all its wild-eyed, goofy glory.

[txt]: NOOO I HATE PHOTOS [txt]: (╥﹏╥)

[kresnikscurse]

Right before getting the opportunity to send a text as to what they were seeing it already seemed like it was too late. The picture, clearly accidental was already sent. It wasn't super surprising that not everyone knew how technology worked but the events happening in front of him was almost comedic.

[txt]: the button for photos yeah [txt]: it looks good though, for a complete accident

Almost as if to ensure she wasn't all alone in the endeavor Ludger snapped a photo of himself, with Rollo on the side of the frame lazy as usual.

[txt]: have any pets yourself?

[darkenforcer]

yuri pauses mid-chew. he doesn't know many people who'd extend their sympathy to a bunch of strangers if it meant they could go home-- let alone someone who'd just arrived. ludger must be a pretty thoughtful guy...

"pff, not entirely lone wolfing it. my dog's here," the canine irony isn't lost on him. he pokes at his cake, cheek resting on his palm, "aside from that, yeah. just me. that's how it is for a lot of people."

despite the ease in how he says it, yuri does wish he could reunite with his old friends from time to time... he wouldn't put them through all this trouble for his sake, though.

he pivots before his thoughts become too pensive for his liking, "can't really call myself a lone wolf if i'm showing newcomers my favorite dessert spots, can i? you're welcome, by the way." his voice lowers to a whisper, then, "don't tell the owner i said this, but i got the recipe damn near figured out if you want it."

[kresnikscurse]

"Guess i have my cat so I'm not exactly alone either..." Though talking to a cat could best be described as the first step on the path to insanity. Still he knew Rollo wouldn't think much of it, just acting their own normal way rather than complain about anything else.

"Though right yeah, thanks for this. I'm sure I would've figured it out some of these places at some point but not to this extent that quickly." Although the idea of having the recipe all to himself is something he'd have to keep in mind. Especially for cooking up something for his friends.

"If you can though I'd love to know what they put in this."

[darkenforcer]

"good eye, ludger! they make a mean triple chocolate cake," his new companion won't be disappointed! and if he is, well... at least yuri won't be.

the owner serves the desserts with a smile, bubbly and familiar. he thanks them after a round of small talk, then leads ludger to a small table near the window. "don't worry about the price, by the way. i've been getting discounts ever since i helped out in the kitchen during a lunch rush."

he shovels a fork-full of cake into his mouth, "guess that sorta proves my point, though. the city's just... what you make of it." is that really comforting? debatable, but it's the truth. even yuri -- easygoing as he is -- has to remind himself of that from time to time, especially during the rougher trials this place has put him through. "i wouldn't waste my time expecting it, but who knows? maybe you'll get lucky 'n they'll send you back soon."

[kresnikscurse]

"No I get you. Really I'd be more concerned if they just sent me and I knew everyone here was still trapped."

If he retained that information to begin with. Yuri at least seemed to be adjusting somewhat well to "a new life" but Ludger knew a few people who would've been freaking out if they just ended up in Spirale. Thankfully none of them seemed to be around but it was the thought that continued to worry him...

On the bright side the cake was pretty damn good. Somewhere to definitely keep in mind in case he needed some dessert for someone...

"Did anyone you knew show up here? You know, from your own world? Or have you been lone wolfing out here the entire time?"

[elfcast]

@kresnikscurse

✲ "Uh... You good down there?" It was a pretty snowy day. It was the middle of winter so of course it was. That was why Marcille had been surprised to find a man laying in an alley off the street, lightly covered in snow. How long had he been standing there? She couldn't be certain. Did he have a good reason for it?

"Are you hurt or something? Did you pass out drinking? Should I... call an ambulance?" Falin probably would have been the better one to deal with a situation like this. "You'll get sick if you stay out in the snow."

[kresnikscurse]

"Good" would not be how he'd describe how he was feeling. Between being snowed on and the cold weather he felt like a walking icicle then an actual human being. But

"I've been better...but you don't need to worry. I haven't drank anything just a bit tired." Was it over exhaustion? Or just that kind of weather causing his body to be in such a lull.

"Sorry if I worried you. Can you give me a hand up?"

[kleinstar]

" Huuh. Yeah... They seem all pretty good in appearance at least... "

Eiden leans closer to one of the pies -- the glaze really makes it look so tasty he feels like he can taste it just by looking.

" I worked part-time in cafe this one time most of these look stuff sold that could be sold there... do we get one of each and then just take a bite or how does this work? ...they're not going to throw the rest away are they?"

[kresnikscurse]

"I'd hope they didn't just throw them away." A waste wouldn't even begin to describe how much all of it would accumulate out in the trash.

"Maybe we could take the rest home? They still get their taste testing and we keep what we didn't eat. Seems like a win win for everyone."

And more importantly, it didn't require either of them to stuff their face full. A late night treat was just a bonus if it turned out to be pretty good too.

"Though I didn't know you worked at a cafe before. Anything you think they did right or wrong with them?"

[fangirldream]

@kresnikscurse

yeah, yeah, world-hopping. she'll wrap her mind around that later... but first, how about this shiny, new cellphone, huh? pascal's practically squeeing!

she's gotta take this baby's communication features for a spin-- to the contact list! she shuts her eyes and scrolls, leaving her test subject recipient up to fate...

...and "ludger" it is.

[txt]: Greetings, denizen of another world! I am but a lone, humble traveler... [txt]: the one and only, Pascal~!!! [txt]: ...Hey, you got those messages, yeah? [txt]: Oh, duh, it says "sent" right there! Nifty!

her texting continues at breakneck speed, fingers flying across the keyboard. she doesn't realize that it's likely blowing their phone up, nor would she care, actually.

[txt]: Anyways, get this-- I TOTALLY just picked your name at random! We should be pen pals and junk, Ludger!

[kresnikscurse]

Getting random texts wasn't exactly uncommon. But the culprit today seemed almost too enthused at the idea of texting someone else. Even if they didn't seem to care it was just some random stranger.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" Might as well not leave the other on read...

[txt]: right, nice to meet you pascal [txt]: although a texting partner doesn't sound too bad [txt]: not really much else to do with it

...On one bright side at least he didn't have to keep paying debts anymore through it.

[ofstarsandskies]

@kresnikscurse || Had the Nii-san itch so I wrote first. www

"Ludger, I... How are you doing?" Julius couldn't think of a better start to their conversation. What does someone say after forcing their brother to kill them? Julius' tunnel vision on his end never let him account for what could come after.

"Do you... have any tomatoes lying around? A group of fisherman took care for me until I could function on my own. The food was fine, but I think I had a dish with tomatoes twice, at most."

And boy did they have a lot to talk about.

[kresnikscurse]

"...Julius." On the list of meetings that could end up being awkward this was near the top. Bad enough their last talk went like that. How could you ask anyone to just have a casual conversation with a family member you killed?

Sometimes the world really did feel like they had it out for him.

"Ah yeah I do. Just picked them up a few days ago." Maybe that was the sign he was going to use them again. Of course for the dish both of them knew.

"...Pasta margherita?"

[kresnikscurse]

"Huh? 50/50? I-I don't need part of it. I was more curious then anything." Maybe a little too much. He was starting to make a pretty good deal, even if Ludger had been on the receiving end of the worst of the worst before. And that strange sense of deja vu was surrounding him yet again.

"How about I just help you anyway if it turns out to be something that's going to attack. Last thing I want here is everyone's day to be turned upside down because someone wanted to try and make a quick buck fishing up horrors underneath the sea."

[thegreatfraud]

"Well it's good to explore new avenue in this city tall grey and handsome."

Of course Huey the type to push profit againts common sense. HE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS SEA BEAST IS. HE JUST HEARD DANGEROUS and instead of worrying about SAFETY or how dangerous it is. His first concern is how he can grab ahold of it and cook it.

It could be eight feet tall and have poisonous tentacles for all he knows.

"Come on budddd. We now have a responbilit you see? If we know about it and don't do anything about it while this DANGEROUS sea beast wander the waters. What make us any better then the cops?......Plus i know some authenthic wasabi place. Straight from the roots kind of. Think of this as community service. Not getting our self in dangerous for a quick buck."

SAY THE MAN WITH GREED IN HIS EYES.

"So where is it? You got a photo? a idea how this dang looks?"

[kresnikscurse]

"Is that what he's calling it? Community service?" It was the thought that ran throughout Ludger's mind just hearing him speak. It was 300% for the money and nothing about that at all. And whatever wasabi place (if it was real to begin with) surely didn't know what they were getting into in the slightest bit.

Still his mind stayed resolute. Even if he couldn't deny that his words would've swayed the usual suspects. Just not him for reasons he'd rather not explain....

"I haven't heard much about it. Just that it's pretty dangerous. And when you do see it everyone will probably be able to tell. So I'd expect something pretty big, maybe monster looking, or a combination of both."

[kleinstar]

" Haha, you can say that again... "

Eiden had little idea what he'd been swept into - of course the positives still hold their weight. That weight however will eventually be an ache in his stomach for later.. As much as Eiden would like to say it's just for future Eiden to deal with he can't say he's not intimidated by the amount of stands.

But of course Eiden was never a quitter!

" Regrets are for later! I'm ready! Let's just stuff ourselves while we can right? "

[kresnikscurse]

"If it's there we might as well." He could feel his stomach crying out to at least take it easy somewhat during this entire escapade. That or feel the wrath of what will come after all of this was finally over.

"First we got some homemade pies. Blueberry, cherries, and apple ones. They also got plenty of additions to them, with plenty citing that having it served À la mode is some of the best things they've tasted."

[thegreatfraud]

"Oh please you have no idea how much the rich would pay for exotic sea food sashimi. I know of at least seven dubious japanese spot in cotes ward that wouldn't mind a little sea monster."

"Come on. Your young, fit and been in a scrap before right. With my magical wooden sword and your....whatever skills. How about we split this 50 50 eh?"

Hey Huey heard the sea monster here taste like chicken.

[kresnikscurse]

"Huh? 50/50? I-I don't need part of it. I was more curious then anything." Maybe a little too much. He was starting to make a pretty good deal, even if Ludger had been on the receiving end of the worst of the worst before. And that strange sense of deja vu was surrounding him yet again.

"How about I just help you anyway if it turns out to be something that's going to attack. Last thing I want here is everyone's day to be turned upside down because someone wanted to try and make a quick buck fishing up horrors underneath the sea."

[kresnikscurse]

"So nobody has found that dangerous sea creature yet right?" Considering everyone seemed to be still enjoying themselves maybe it was all just rumors instead of some deep rooted secret.

...But sometimes those were the ones that turned out to be real.

"Wait you aren't actually trying to catch it right? I don't think it'll be really worth a lot of money."

@thegreatfraud

[kresnikscurse]

"They said there was a lot of treats to judge but I didn't expect it to be this much."

Signing up for a bake off seemed to be a great way of trying out everyone's cooking and finding any hidden talen arounf Spirale. However Ludger did not expect the sheer amount of stalls that had things prepared for the volunteer judges. Thankfully whoever was organizing this event was smart enough to put two people together to wander around and taste test.

But even then just looking down the street made his stomach ache..

"Guess we should get to it. Ready for our desert binging?"

@kleinstar

[kresnikscurse]

hey guess who's alive (not me) but with school and the holidays finally over I'm gonna do a rather late winterfes starter for Ludger! No cap and I'll be choosing the event at random!