[Day 162] Open. Power, responsibility, etc.

[dragonform]

Who: Ryu, and anyone else who finds him.
Open: Open
When: Day 162
Where: Walking around the Bastion.  Later on, the training building.
What: Ryu sorting himself out, and preparing for Colin's strike team.
Format: I'll match.
Warnings: Possible serious discussions, talks of violence, loss, sadness.

 

 

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity for him.  Losing everything, meeting all of these people who were hurting the same as he is.  Grieving did eventually come to Ryu.  In the quiet of his room, he felt the tears come.  The memories.  The possibility that no matter how much he hopes, his friends may be well and truly gone for good.  However, he doesn't want to let this thought keep him from doing what he needs to do.  There's far too much at stake for him to keep grieving.  Beneath the usually cheerful exterior the teen had managed to build over time, there is still a lot that weighs him down.

He wants a way to preserve the memory of his friends, and his people.  It is only a short time he had been given to know the remnants of the Brood, but those were one of the few times he felt he completely understood everything about himself, and his place in the world.  Though the title given to him as Prince of Dragons would mean nothing to the other residents of the Bastion, it's the memory he wants to keep alive.  His daily rituals have slowly begun to include visiting the Memorial and Shrine.  Something to ensure he never forgets the people lost, and a quiet prayer to Ladon, the Dragon God.  The spirit who watched over his people since before Myria's purge, and the one who gave him strength to carry on and gain mastery over the power of Infinity.

He had no idea if Ladon would ever know these prayers, but it felt like the right thing to do.  With his business finished there, Ryu felt it best to take a walk.  Hopefully trying to find a way to clear his mind, and prepare himself for accompanying Colin on his mission.  To that end, he would seek the training building once he truly finds his resolve.  Anyone who comes to find him in the training hall would see Ryu drilling himself through what appears to be slightly unconventional swordsmanship.

But in the middle of all of his thoughts and musings, he'll be found walking around the Bastion.  Thinking things over and trying to clear his head.

 

Comments

[forhyrule]

Zelda visited the Shrine that day, as she did every day, to offer prays to which gods may hear her. The princess had lost many things, but her faith and devotion were not among them. Usually the Shrine was quiet, particularly in the earliest part of the pseudo-morning, when the clouds were just beginning to part. Zelda liked to pray before breakfast. It was when she was the most calm.

Not everyone who visited the Shrine seemed to be calm, especially not lately. Not with everything that had happened, especially just recently. The specifics had not reached Zelda's ear, but the generalities were bad enough.

She was thinking on just those happenings when she entered the Shrine and found it already occupied. Politely, she kept silent until it seemed that the stranger had finished praying. "May the gods heed your prayer," she offered politely as she stepped forward to the altars.

[dragonform]

"And yours as well." He answers, rising to his feet and greeting the new woman with a polite nod. Ryu has never seen this woman before, but he figures it may still be uncommon for him to know everyone in the Bastion yet. After all, it has only been two days since his arrival. But with all the events that have transpired since his arrival, it feels like much longer.

"Forgive me, I don't think I've seen you here before. I'm Ryu." He passes by her as she approaches the altar, careful not to be in her way. He's not sure if he should talk to her too much, as she looks like someone who is here with a purpose.

[wayofvoice]

[In his walks about the Bastion, it's almost inevitable that Ryu will come across its largest resident to date. Paarthurnax does not need much to pack; he's already waiting at the entry to the Skyway. His long neck is raised high, and his stare is off into the distance.]

[But he's well aware of Ryu's approaching figure, and soon his eyes fall upon him.]

Your scent is too familiar to be that of mere kin. [He can pick it up right away.] Drem yol lok. If only better circumstances were here for us to meet under.

[dragonform]

[He looks up with a particular awe overtaking him. The other Ryu had described Paarthunax as big. But he wasn't prepared for this.]

You must be Paarthunax. I was wondering when we would meet.

[wayofvoice]

It does not take very long for meetings to happen in this place. [It's too small for them to avoid each other for long.]

[He adjusts his position, letting his head lower to a height hopefully less intimidating.

What may I call you, then?

[dragonform]

[Oh no, Ryu is anything but intimidated. Though Paarthunax's size easily rivals the largest of his transformations.]

I'm Ryu. Of the Brood, if it helps you tell us apart.

[wayofvoice]

You are simple enough to know one is different from the other. There is no trouble for me.

Are you one of those who has accepted Colin's offer, then?

[dragonform]

[He nods solemnly.]

Yes. It's something I've been thinking about a lot. I'm concerned about what could happen. I don't want to see anyone else hurt by this, and I'll do whatever I can to ensure that doesn't happen.

I haven't fought on the Skyway much, and I don't want to take people off guard if I have to use my power.

[After all, it would be the first time he's transformed since arriving.]

[notduchess]

Duke comes by to make sure the training hall is cleaned up. Its a habit for the knight by now, and even if still feeling exhausted from pushing the skill of healing spells the day before, that's something that will still get done.

Only there's someone still in there.

Unconventional. That's what Duke had seen of Lowell's swordsmanship.

Its fascinating, in a way. So the knight stays put after shutting the door, just watching.

[dragonform]

Instead of any straight approach to his swings, Ryu is quick on his feet. Dodging and weaving through a series of exercises he's managed to keep himself sharp. It's clear that he focuses more on agility than facing directly against whatever opponent he's picturing to himself.

Despite his speed, he does appear to be wearing some armor in the form of a breastplate beneath his coat, but the extra armor doesn't seem to do much of anything to hinder him. With a final step and slash against the air, Ryu stops. Never once did he fumble or seem unsure of what way his body should move next. His style didn't seem to follow a particular structure, but it was evident Ryu has been keeping a sword in his hands for a very, very long time.

As he's cooling down from the exercise, he finally notices Duke's presence. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone else was here. I hope I'm not in your way."

[notduchess]

"This place is supposed to be used. I can't call you in my way for using it." Duke looks about the room and sighs.

"I left in a hurry yesterday, I wasn't sure if I left the place a mess or not." The scrubbed pink look to the knights hands might be explained by that.

[dragonform]

"Better safe than sorry." He responds with a cheerful smile.

He shakes his head, looking around the training hall. Whatever mess might have been here between the time that Duke leaves and Ryu arrives, the more obvious clutter would have been cleared and organized. He figures it would be the polite thing to do for whoever ends up using the training hall after he does.

"Was everything alright?" He might not have been privy to whatever made Duke leave in a hurry. After all his attention at the time was focused on Raile and Zulf.

[notduchess]

Duke's expression doesn't really close off, but its clear that no, everything wasn't.

"Rin will be fine. Night was.. beyond help when they made it back." This might explain any rushing about that was heard in the hospital. Or why Zulf had wandered off for a little bit.

[dragonform]

That certain news had hit everyone, didn't it?

"I suppose you can guess why I'm here."

[amnesiadragon]

The other Ryu spots his counterpart at the shrine, and sits outside. He's still not sure if he feels totally welcome at that place. He feels like he's intruding. He has no one to pray to. Even the Endless, though they're seen as gods, aren't really prayed to in the same way he sees people here sometimes pray. He doesn't want to interrupt though, so he waits.

He has a feeling he knows what's going on - the death of Rin's friend, people talking about going to hunt down the creature responsible... he can understand those feelings. But he's not sure if he's the best person to help with them. As the other leaves the shrine, he stands, not saying anything but just being a presence for the other.

[dragonform]

"I was hoping I would see you today." He says with a smile. There's a lot he has been mulling over since his arrival. Time away from his counterpart has allowed him to think. He still has many questions about the Endless, just as Ryu is sure that the other has questions about the Brood. Who knows? Maybe the other Ryu could be just what he needs to sort himself out.

"I was praying to Ladon, the Dragon God. He was a spirit I met when I finally found my people." He explains, looking back at the Shrine. "I've never really been involved in any religion, but paying respects to the one who guided my people seems like the right thing to do." He adds with an uneasy smile. "Or maybe I'll hear some of his wisdom again."

[amnesiadragon]

"I'm glad you have someone like that." He's not sure who he could say 'guides' his people - or if he even has a people at all. As far as he's concerned though, his friends are his 'people'. "So... the Brood was a tribe of people... could they all transform?" He hasn't even seen the other transform, but he might be able to. He has no idea how deep their similarities go, or if it's really just their looks and name.

[dragonform]

"They could a very long time ago." He answers back, thinking about the best way to explain this. "But there was a war. Someone feared their power, and decided they should be destroyed. My world would have been destroyed if they did, so the Brood didn't fight back. They either died, or gave up their power and went into hiding."

He turns to face Ryu with a plaintive smile. "As far as anyone knows, I'm the only one left who still has that power. Elder Jono gave his life to give me the power of Kaiser, and..." There was Teepo, but Ryu was unable to bring himself to talk about that just yet.

[amnesiadragon]

Ryu's eyes widen, everything else forgotten for the moment. "W-wait. The Kaiser Dragon? You can control it?"

The memory of what had happened when he'd first taken that form is still extremely fresh. The terrified expressions, the crunch of bone... it's all still clear to him.

[dragonform]

"You know about it?" He glances at his counterpart with a surprised expression. "Yes, I can control it. It takes a lot to do and I can't hold the form for more than a minute or so at best, but I can control it."

He has something else to admit a little further. "It took me a very long time to gain full control over my powers. Before that, there were... Mistakes."

His counterpart isn't the only one who has done wrong by people because of his power. Ryu has more than a few charred innocents on his body count.

[daughterofursa]

There's time before the strike force sets out, and Zuko has trouble sitting still at any time, much less before a fight. She's learned by now that thanks to the weird limits here, she can't practice her firebending if she intends to use it later, but she can practice her swordplay.

It looks like someone else had the same idea. Zuko comes across Ryu in the training hall, and stops to watch for a few minutes.

"Interesting style."

[dragonform]

He halts himself mid-swing, turning to face Zuko. He's a little surprised to see someone else at first, but he gives Zuko his full attention. "Thank you. I started training with my brothers, the rest I picked up on my own."

Of course, he's not going to forget his manners! "I'm Ryu, by the way... Well, one of them." He says with a small smile. "What's your name?"

[daughterofursa]

"Zuko." She doesn't return the smile; it's not likely that she's smiled since arriving at the Bastion.

"Are you part of the group leaving or staying?" She's sure that he's at least heard about the expedition being mounted to hunt the gasfella.

[dragonform]

"So you've spoken to Colin too, huh? I'm going. Even if my sword isn't needed, I figure my healing magic would keep everyone from getting too banged up while we're out there." Though that leads him to another question. "You?"

[daughterofursa]

"I'm going for the fight," she answers, touching a hand to the sword hilts by her shoulder. "We can't afford anyone else coming back like those two, so we need to hit hard."

She hesitates. "When you say magic..." She isn't sure how to pose the question, but she's seen a few things that don't resemble any kind of bending she knows.