Believes everyone is born good, and lives their life deciding to stay that way or not ❤️
He also believes everyone is deserving of love in all its forms ❤️
Observant
Semi-religious (he has mixed feelings)
Believes that everyone is plagued by some invisible struggle, and that it is up to the individual to help themselves out because no one else will lend support without a price ❤️
Believes that the modern weapons that have been made are dishonorable, and so he relies on a sword basically always ❤️
Ambitious
Distrustful on principle
Believes that everyone is wearing some sort of public facade, and that in wearing one for so long, someone can lose sight their true self ❤️
“This will only end badly for me—and for you. For everyone! I am not cut out for . . . this.”
Elias, for once in the hours of Mayriott’s rambling, looked up from the buttons on his uniform. “What,” his head tilted as he raised a brow. “You’re not cut out for tea time?”
Mayriott shook their head, opening and closing their mouth before they could finally manage a few words.
“I will have you know that I’m perfectly acquainted with tea.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’ve gone to many a tea time and there’s nothing so strenuous about it-“
“Sure.”
“But this- this is not some regular old tea party! This is a mission that I cannot fail—my first ever mission—and if I fail it could spell out the death of everyone here and back home!”
“May.”
Elias grabbed their shoulders, holding their gaze to make sure they’d listen to him. As that silent promise was made, he eased into a soft smile, patting their back before letting them go.
“It’s tea,” he repeated, jabbing a teasing finger at them. “It’s only tea.”
May tried to interrupt and argue that it wasn’t so simple, but Elias carried on.
“Just talk about your ideas. You’ve always been more . . . French. You’ll fit right in.”
They scoffed, rolling their eyes. “I’ll fit right in with the fish, they’ll throw me into the sea, I’m sure.”
“Or,” Elias clarified, “You’ll fit right in because you’re as normal as can be, and they’ll love your ideas so much that they might even consider electing you as royalty.”
At that May mocked a gag, earning a chuckle from Elias. As much as they could argue for hours on end, it’s nearly time, and the storm overhead beckons for their arrival.
Before they turn, however, they looked at Elias, trying to memorize his hazy shape. He’s not quick to notice—he’s not the observant type—but when he does, he steps closer, trying to make things clearer.
“May?”
They swallowed, huffing a quiet, shivering breath. “It’s tea.”
He nodded, smiling, though only for a fleeting second. “Only tea.”
Mayriott Welk had never intended to run. He never was much of a runner. Yet, he couldn’t unsee it. That hunched figure over a lifeless comrade, draining the one thing he had left in him. He couldn’t help it. So he ran. Amidst his running, the battlefield melted away, and a town sparked into view.
This town, so far detached from any waking reality, may be his best chance at survival. For in Oakhurst, the beginning of the end is never so far away, and a rebirth is sure to be lurking around the corner.
New fic! This time some rp related stuff for Mayriott and Lior! Also on ao3 if anyone prefers reading there!
As Lior wanderes the outskirts of Oakhurst they see a figure clothed in red moving towards the town. Mayriott, he thought, the soldier from before. "Hey!" he calls out to them. By the time that Lior reached him Mayriott had picked up and packed away whatever they had been doing.
“Hello . . . Lio, yes?” Came the greeting. Their voice was steady and kind just like it had been for most of their conversations.
"Yes, sorry if I startled you. I was just making a quick trip around town to forage while we still got some daylight. You wanna come along?" Lior explains and holds up a few carrots and some garlic that they already managed to find. Mayriott looks at him for a few moments and then joins Lior’s side in one smooth motion. “I saw some at the . . . Northeastern side of the barrier. It could be well to check there.”
"Sounds good! Let’s go"
They walk in silence for a moment, but Lior feels like they should say something. They are curious about what the soldier had been doing alone in the woods, but frankly it was none of their business. So, he settled for asking: "Was it good? Whatever you were doing I mean. How was it?" Lior truly could have kicked himself. That sounded so stupid. Lior really didn’t want to sound stupid in front of May, they needed the other to trust them. If they trusted Lior he could make sure they were safe.
Mayriott nods, falling into step beside Lior.
“It- . . . It helped; that’s for sure. The forest is made primarily of Norway Spruce, y’know that? Some European Beech here and there, but, well. Back home those were awfully more common.”
Lior finds themselves relaxing at Mayriotts explanation of the flora of this strange new place. It's just nice to listen to him talk. "I didn't know that. Can't say I know too much about trees but it's interesting to learn about them for sure.", they pause for a brief moment and then add, "Honestly I'm just glad for a big forest nearby. Somewhere to let Frido graze for now. He can't eat too much grass yet y'know. He isn’t used to that, and horses tend to get ill when they eat too much too quickly so..." he trails off looking at Mayriott, a bit unsure if they lost him with their ranting about grass.
The other nods along while Lior talks. Just when Lior thinks he might be boring May, they turn to him and say: “That’s common for animals. I think the forest is a perfect place for most life, though, no matter their condition. It . . . anyways, have you heard anything odd in the town?”
Mayriotts voice changes in a way that makes Lior wince when he asks the question, but Lior does his best to hide the displeasure. They had been enjoying the casual conversation and seeing the soldier more at ease than before.
You can take the soldier out of the battlefield but there is no taking the battlefield out of the soldier, it seems.
But they answer anyway, lying wouldn't do here. He doubts he could fool the soldier anyway even if they tried. "I mean not really. I saw a few more of the other people. One’s name is Aster, she had a cat and seemed interested in books, there are also Rose and Kismet they are nice. They brought Zavier and me some left-over food they had.", they chuckle, "Good to know someone here can cook. Because I certainly cannot." Lior’s gaze shifts for a moment, becoming more serious and then softening again. "There was another fella in uniform too. Seemed nervous but not battle worn so I don't think you got anything to fear from them.", Lior takes a long look at Mayriott and adds, "And if you do, I've got your back."
Mayriott seemed to retread into themselves while Lior talked about the town’s people. He keeps his gaze carefully trained on Mays facial expression. Watching closely, searching for any sign of what he might be thinking.
“A librarian, two cooks, and another soldier.”
Mayriott seems to fidget with his coat as he summarizes what Lior just told him. He considers for a moment and then adds: “Did they mention which direction they hailed from?”
Lior wants to put May at ease with his answer, so he moves to grab a few carrots he spotted as he replies: "No he didn't mention anything. But like I said: I only saw a uniform, could be Militia, could be just stolen or borrowed to avoid trouble on the road. And if she is eager to make trouble for you, I'll be right there to help." He means that. Lior really means it and they want May to know that. Just as that realization hits them another one comes over them. He had been playing with the thought of talking to someone about it since the conversation with Nessie, since the awful vision of the coal-stained grave. Why not now? Why not Mayriott? As out of his depth the soldier seemed when facing knew people and not knowing what they wanted or on whose side they were, he couldn’t imagine the topic of graves facing him much. After all who walks onto a battlefield without thinking about their own death? Without telling a comrade or friend how you would want to be laid to rest? Mayriott seemed like the kind of person other soldiers might have confided in. He was the person Lior wanted to confide in. And he would like to be the person Mayriott could confide in. He would like to make him feel a little bit safe. He would like to hear him talk about trees more often.
Lior pauses in his movement as he crouches to dig up the carrots. He stares at his hands and the dirt on them. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks quietly: "Can I ask you a favor? It might sound strange, but I figured you might be the best to talk to about this."
May gives him a hum in response and moves to stand at his side: “Of course. What’s the favor?”
Lior looks at his hands for a bit longer while trying to get their thoughts in order and then begins to speak: "I think I might stay here for a bit, at least until after winter. Traveling in the snow isn't any fun and I promised Penny, I would teach her a thing or two about mining.", they look up at Mayriott for a moment and study their face. Was it too late to back out now? Maybe they were assuming too much? Maybe this would upset them more than he thought? But he can’t help himself, he needs to get it out, before he can think better of it, he continues, "Point being I'm gonna stick around for a bit and I figured you might too. So, the thing is..." Was he though? Mayriott hadn’t made any indication of that, had he? It was probably wishful thinking but there was no use in stalling any longer on what he wanted to ask, so they start up again: "First off I don't want to worry you, but I want someone to know that... See if I happen to die here I don't wanna be buried. Don't care what else, just don't wanna end up in a grave." The last two sentences came out in one hurried breath. Then Lior just sits there waiting to learn that this had been some terrible mistake.
And then May is at their side again and sits down and speaks: “You won’t die, El- Lio. I promise you . . . you won’t die. But, if you do, you won’t be buried. You’ll belong to nature, or some other force beyond us. It’s a better ending. A more beloved one.” It’s a comfort to hear. Lior can’t help but believe May even though he knows it’s a lie. Well not really a lie May must believe it. Still a very sweet one. One they would like to make themselves believe.
For a moment he imagines himself lying in the forest, on a bed of moss and grass and reeds that Mayriott might make for him. He imagines the forest creatures around his lifeless body. It’s a peaceful image. The sun shining above them and a few birds for company. Yes, that was a prospect they could live with.
A smile of relief crosses their face. "Thank you, really.", they pause and turn to look at Mayriott, "I didn't mean to worry you, really didn't, but I figured with you being a soldier and all, it might not be the first time you had a talk like this with someone. Besides I can't really ask Zavier. Don't wanna scare xem. Xe is already plenty scared." Lior pushes themselves up from the ground as he goes to offer his companion a hand to help them up, Lior registers that one of his hands is practically covered in dirt. He grins shakes his head and resolves to offer the less dirty of the two.
May nods, humming in silent acknowledgment. He takes their hand, standing after a slight wobble.
“I understand. Really, you don’t need to worry about it. I- I’m used to it. You’re right. I’ve had this talk many a time before.”
He shifts a bit before finally starting to walk again.
Hey :) how would you feel about a ship between Lior and Mayriott? I really like their dynamic so far and Lior is kinda crushing on May. I think? It could also be more of a queerplatonic thing if you want it to be. That would also fit in with Lior being aromantic (maybe like grey- or demiromantic idk still figuring out specifics).
No pressure of course on any of that and I would also be cool with them not ending up together if either of us end up prefering another end-game ship for our guys.
My ship name sugestion is Warhorse btw.
(hope this is formulated at least okay-ish.)
first off, this is formulated wonderfully, so no need to worry.
secondly, I think I’m leaning more queerplatonic, perhaps? May is a bit stubborn in the mind when it comes to love, but I’d be open to a queer platonic relationship between him and Lior!
I’d have to do some research since I’d want to as best as I can accurately represent it on his part, but I’d be good with that!
I think someone else was considering putting their character and Mayriott in a relationship, so I wanna check back in with them, but then we can try and build out their relationship more!
forgot to say, but I absolutely adore the ship name Warhorse!! I think that’s a play, too-
It’s not as though Mayriott was opposed to working, but some days, it seemed like there was no true benefit for it. After all, why work when it all inevitably ends up in someone else’s pocket?
Perhaps that’s part of the reason the envelope seemed to lift his spirits. It wasn’t just his doom signed and sealed, it was freedom. A test. Adventure.
Something new.
So, really, how could he refuse?
The mitilia gave him an escape, and the future held certainty. Iron and Blood. That was the plan, and for God, he would’ve stuck by it, had the green not flashed before his eyes.
It seemed clear to him now that he would never escape his debt to others. He’d live like that eternally, then. Fine.
He’ll pay however much it takes to be free. Weightless. To see again.
He’ll pay. He’s got the means and ability to. Might as well. Besides, it’s all he’s good for, isn’t it?
I really like the nickname Mayriott gives to Rosalina :)
I was also wondering if there’s something simple I could paint for Mayriott I’m thinking of doing it for all the characters.
And I was wondering if our characters could have a dynamic as Mayriott seems really interesting, maybe Rosalina talks to them about her strange thoughts/urges (lycanthropy)?
I’d love to get to know them more.
Yayy!!! Glad to hear you like it :D
As for the painting, uhhh - maybe a hooded crow if you’re good with animals, but if not, I think a simple bird on a sword or something would work? Idk, it’s really up to you!
YESYESYES! I think a dynamic would be AWESOME for them!! I could totally see her talking to him about the lycanthropy, and the greatest part of it is that he’s not a physical doctor, so he’s just trying to help from a psychological standpoint (his vision is blurry due to corneal eye scarring and he can barely wrap a bandage correctly, so he’s not cut out to be a physical doctor but he tries lol)
I’d love to build out more of their dynamic, they seem like so much fun!!
Nice thing is, I’m planning on posting a personality description/fun facts for Mayriott sometime today, so hopefully then you can learn a bit more about him :3
