A designated destination in which the half-elf needed to arrive at. This destination being known as Sybak, a location which had been known for its academics, and due to that she required to meet with the Imperial Research Academy, needing to gather information on the Demon Lord, a title which had been given to the Summon Spirit Ratatosk.
Upon reaching her destination, she glanced around herself and in the town. Many researchers had walked around and all had most likely been busy with their own research, yet something which could not stop her from obtaining the information she required. With her objective and purpose in mind, she took a step into the town to proceed.
As she had been there to find some sort of research, she was also heading to find a specific researcher. And, though knowing to find and speak with him, she hadn’t known what his appearance was, and despite that, she had planned to walk onward to the Academy to ask about the researcher and hope to find out where he was, or in the very least to find where his research was.
"Aster Laker." she muttered to herself, walking straight forward. His name slipping easily from her lips due to being familiar of him as Richter had spoke of the boy, how he had been a companion of Richter’s back when he was still at the Imperial Research Academy. And yet, despite hearing of the researcher occasionally, she hadn’t known too much about him, just the basic facts on Aster being a researcher, a former comrade, and someone who conducted research on Ratatosk.
And onward she had walked, only to pause at the sight of a familiar figure, yet she had no expectation to come across the boy. Not one word had stated that he or his companion were to walk into Sybak, having her tilt her head out of curiosity— To think, someone would have been capable of foreseeing this enough to inform the half-elf. But, with that, she grew slightly curious and had begun walking towards the boy. If she were able to speak with him, perhaps she could knock out two objectives in one run and within the same town.
She walked up, rapier tapping in the palm of her hand, smirk across her own face— Lips end touching each cheek, and to follow with the tilt of her head. “Lookie who I found! ♡ ” she had exclaimed, having her sugar-sweet tone in act and smile deviously cute to aim. “What’s Martmart’s pet doing here in Sybak?”
Sybak was quiet, it was always quiet, it always seemed quiet, there wasn’t anything to tell that it would be otherwise. Currently, Aster was happily skirting about the town square, picking up supplies, carrying pieces of parchment, ink, quills, pens, pencils, anything that he needed for his research. Shifting left on his set, his head tipped to the side curiously, chewing on his tongue as he squinted down at the list of the things he needed to get on his trip out.
Already having his arms pretty full, this was going to be difficult unless he made a trip back to the university, dropped off his supplies, then came back. Easy-peas-eE!
The person who had very abruptly caught his attention called him something he didn’t quite understand, the items in his arms being fumbled over, tripping awkwardly about them before turning to look at the pale-blonde haired girl in front of him. She was smiling, extremely near sadistically so. But, she wasn’t being mean so … he decided why not?
Smiling, Aster rubbed the back of his head, “I think you’ve got me mixed up for someone else.” He laughed lightly, “There’s no mart-mart and I’m certainly no pet.” Lowering his hand, he lifted it out to her, no sense of something else, just a smile, congenial and soft upon his face.
”My name’s Aster.” It was a simple correction, not one he knew that she would need or the person she was looking for, “Aster Laker.”
That must’ve come for a shock, the boy could have been Emil’s twin, but the scientist didn’t know this, nor did he understand why this person had been giving him such a look or called the girl by such an endearing name. Maybe they were sisters? Would make sense, going by the basic genetics of siblings, rivalries and the like, but that wasn’t for him to ask, now was it?
"Oh my Honey?" There was an eased smirk as he leaned forward, lifting a hand gently for her to either accept or decline, "What's the price? I'm quite prepared for anything. After all, they don't call me Wilder, for nothing."
"I can understand, my fabulous personality tends to overwhelm most people." There was a smirk, a finger sliding through his hair and pushing it behind his ear gently. "But you should really give me another chance sweet-heart."
[ good~ because lonely muses are my speciality <3 ]
"Hey honey, what's with the excitement?" The red-head allowed a flirtatious wink to the other as a finger flicked in a peace sign, "No need to get all hot and bothered over little old me ... or no, there is a reason, because I can just see you getting all hot and cozy near a fire with your hands all over--"
SEND ME A ✍ AND I’LL INTRODUCE YOU TO A MUSE THAT I'D LIKE TO RP AS.
His head was lowered in a silence, a realized silence as the rest of the group traveled on without him. His standing in Hamil kept him here except on special occasion which he went with the rest of them all to Kanbalar to meet with Gaius and his new missions that he would assign them to. Normally, it never went that far however.
Shifting his hammer slowly, it swirled lightly within strong arms and rested against his back, head lifting from it’s bowed position and turned to the sky. A smile upon lips as his free hand lifted to stroke through brown strands.
”NO clouds,” his voice was clear, if not a little gravely. “MEANS it’s going to be a good hunt.” At his words, his fingers moved, large, position in front of his mouth before—
—a sharp whistle cleared the area.
And animals, wolves swarmed about him and he looked around, the smile twitched upon his lips for just a second. He may not like why he had to go on this mission, not like the situation it presented for him …
…but he would at least enjoy going and finding that child once again. Her and the booster, Teepo.
"I’m tired. I’ve been busy, that’s it. Nothing had happened." Aster wasn’t really going to stop, was he? What is Richter even supposed to say to him? "The question is, are you alright?"
"Am I...? Richter, nothing's changed." Nothing was wrong, what was that weird look? Was he really just tired? "What happened? You wouldn't ask me that unless something happened."
Aster smiled, the other’s worried tone as he went blabbering on … haha, reminded him a bit of before. How Richter had tried to get him to stop doing certain things because it would ‘get him hurt’ in the end. One of which was actually hanging out with the half-elf! Like he would even consider that … Tch— “Listen, Richter, I’ll be fine.” There was a clench of teeth as gloved hands went to find his hair and green eyes were hidden from him. There was this confusion as the soft mumble escaped Richter. Aster himself growing worried, lifting himself up from the other side of the table to tap Richter on the head before pulling his hand away with a smile. “I haven’t changed, so there’s no need for worrying!”
The only response he got from Richter, was that of a saddened stare.
Did he… say something wrong?
It had been an accident. Sword and axe in both hands as Aster tried to hold back his grievance of the need to fight. Moving carefully across the field (though he wasn’t much for sneaking) and brought out his stun gun. Pushing the weapon forward and touching the monster’s skin, the thing straightening harshly as the sparks silhouetted the things frame before it fell to the ground.
What the scientist didn't notice, as Richter pulled up, glasses splashed with a spray of blood, pupils dilating, hand moving forward as the axe dropped from fingers, was the bandit. The one who had come with the monster ... Aster looked confused, shifting to turn behind to see what had gotten Richter so riled up about when a feeling of something entering through his stomach, tearing organs and slipping between ribs. Eyes widened in surprise as his mouth gaped.
Again.
He hadn't changed one bit, had he? A scream cut what had been a silence of pounding blood. One of rage, toil, grief, disbelief. Aster didn't know who it was coming from, until he felt his lungs empty and realized it wasn't Richter.
It was him. He was screaming, why was he screaming?
Richter was staring, Aster himself moving forward, inward on the sword as he tried to breath, the intakes of breath awkward as his hands wrapped around the other's shoulders and he dragged the bandit to his face. "I can't leave him again." It was a statement, breathy and horrible as his legs began to buckle.
The way he was ... the way he was, he was beginning to lose consciousness, "I can't leave him like this again." It was a whisper now as his grip loosened and the boy stumbled, shifting backwards and forwards on his heels before collapsing on top of the man, weighing him down.
A sword sticking through his back, blood dripping from his lips, he could now hear the faint sounds of Richter's voice and his head turned. Tears were stinging his eyes as he stared at the red-head.
His hair ... it was always red. Like blood the blood that ran through his veins. Pulling him free of the weapon, the bandit stumbled, weight now off scampering away through the trees as the half-elf just cradled Aster in his arms. The boy's head teetered inward, resting against Richter's chest. His breathing slowing, just slightly as he felt welt droplets hitting his cheek.
Glancing up, the only thing Aster wanted to do now, now he couldn't change anything ... was make him smile. "Hey... I told you, I haven't changed at all." The words were spoken weakly, as a finger lifted, brushing back red hair, a sleeve catching his glasses and smudging the blood slightly. "And... you really need to clean that..."
Richter was staring as the researcher just whispered soft, soft words. Of all the things Richter should do, how it would be alright how nothing really changed and how things were going to be, just like those weeks ago. When he'd met that sadened glare, but now, as his vision was fading -- "I ... I can't even see your face..." He mumbled.
But he could feel the tears. His arms lifting up, cupping the man's cheeks as he brought the half-elf down and kissed his forehead. "You've mourned me once... it's okay."
And a warm hand captured one of Aster's, keeping it close to his face but not saying anything. Eyes closed tightly as a kiss was pressed to the other's fingers before his body went lax.
The tears continued streaming down his face as he held the cooling hand within his grasp. "This...this isn't what I meant, you idiot." It was spat between his crying, arms moving to tighten around the cold body once more, kiss that hand one more time ... "You...stupid, stupid, genius human..."
With items still in hand, Yuri’s endeavors consisting assistance deemed successful. Although, the second gesture of generosity seemed to have been avoided. The warrior paid no mind to it, though. Perhaps the other hadn’t heard him — still, if he didn’t require assistance he should have at least declined it. "Okay then…" Dismissal ensues, he would not allow this to act as a source of vexation. Besides, he has dealt with worse.
Once directions were given, optics veer from the male’s petite frame; posture straightens and grip tightens while focus shifts. The inn seemed like a cozy place. Though, lack of experience at this certain inn could not improve his judgement. Tiers quirk slightly while those very same roseate tinted lips part. He had questions, plenty of them actually.
"What’re you doing? Some kind of research or something?"
A rather obvious observation on his behalf, however, he was genuinely curious. A former companion possessed the very same studious traits, maybe this was similar? Question is — what is he studying exactly? While Rita had blastia research to tend to, one might wonder what other ‘geniuses’ were up to.
There was a smile head tipping backwards at the other before looking forward again, a hum to his lips. He didn't seem to mind, as he went forward, opening the door to the inn with his foot, letting Yuri in first before scampering again in front of him. Legs oddly strong and quick for someone who spent most of his time studying. Though that was not a thing that need be concerned about. After all, the genius was one in a million, or at least according to some.
Down the hallway, a key flitted and fumbled with awkwardly as he hefted the books now in one hand carefully before -- "Ahah!" He got it, the door clicked open as a soft 'hmm?' escaped him. Glancing over his shoulder. "Oh! Research, yep. Definitely. That's my profession, ya'know?"
In comparison to Rita, he would have been more 'ditzy'. Also probably a lot less hard-headed in the factor of 'get out, get out now' type. His body was eased, not minding of the extra person near him or as he made a slight motion with his hand for the other to come into the rented out room.
One ought to feel sorry for the staff here. Scattered about were papers, books, pens... It was near as bad as the other mages with books however. They were stacked by the desk, crowded on the bed, a candle near burnt to the end of it's life -not currently flickering, thank goodness- that looked as if it was used for several nights in a row and the other didn't even care to mind it a new wax.
"I've been busy since I got back from ... And all these new things to take into account for make it so I have to study a lot just to be on-par with everyone else!" Indeed that was so. His look of contemplation before nodding, moving to his bed and laying the rest of the books he had onto the bed before shifting back over, clearing the desk free of it's contents, careful to make sure that they didn't spill or fall over...
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