1x1 with ::madlyhazel

[LunaNebulae]

White eyes glitter under his hood, clawed hands skimming over the worn leather of the tome at his side as a cloaked figure walks in through the farming villages gates; the battered state of them showing some signs of neglect as he walks past. There's a motley bunch of guards, and those he does see seem to be slacking, each more preoccupied with something other than the task at hand. No matter, this actually suits the hooded stranger better. Walking in, he tucks his tail inside his robes, to avoid drawing any attention to himself as he walks.

The air here reeks of smoke and animals, and the visitor's pointed ears twitch as he hears the sounds of pastured sheep nearby, the shepards tending to them seeming to have poor luck with their herds tonight. If he were anyone else, perhaps he would lend a hand, but he's not here to assist in farmwork. No. He's here because he's heard rumors of an important tome being sighted in the area. Sighted being the key word. It could be anywhere by now considering how long it's taken him to trek here. In his defense, those ruins three towns back looked ripe for study. Alas, it had been a waste of time. 'hopefully this nameless town isn't a waste either' he thinks to himself, shaking his head as he rounds a corner, getting a good look at a small farm near by.

The sound of thick wood hitting the ground rings heavy in the air, before the sound of cloven hooves approaches the stranger. In an instant the feeling of something hitting him in the knees as he's brought to the ground. Hood falling back from his face as he hits the cold dirt path below him, white eyes grow wide as many sounds meet his pointed ears; a dog barking, the yelling of a elderly man, another man's voice ringing into the air, and the sound of a sheep braying loudly as it seeks it's freedom.

"Really?"

His voice is exasperated as he sits up, watching the ruckus before him as he lets out a deep sigh. Well, he hadn't planned on helping before, but after getting knocked over by a rouge sheep fleeing the flock, he felt it was now his business to fix this... to some extent anyhow. At the very least he had a bone to pick with the sheep. Focusing for a brief moment, Nero feels his energy spike before settling, and his senses grow more powerful. He can tell by hearing that the sheep has made it all the way to the gates he passed through moments ago. Growling to himself, Nero stands and propels himself back down the path he had just traveled down.

Runing back to the gates, the Teifling's eyes narrow at the sight of the sheep, barreling towards the rickety gates as a dog runs on its heels. A sheen of sweat glistens over purple skin as he moves to the pack behind him, clawed fingers gripping the rope strapped onto the side of his pack before tugging it free. Tying a slipknot, Nero studies the loop for a second before rushing forward again.

The sheep bays as Nero rushes past the dog, gaining speed upon the farm animal. Pouncing, he feels the animal under him as he wrangles the rope around its neck, feeling it struggle in his arms as he does. "Gotcha you naughty thing. Maybe next time, you won't be so rude when plotting your escape." Standing up again, the lavender skinned male hears the growling of a dog, before he looks at the creature, cocking a slender white brow. Focusing on the dog, he makes a mental connection in attempt to soothe the shepards helper, telling it that he plans on returning the sheep home. Apparently, that appeases the dog as he hears it's anger and distress simmer down, but he does get a warning from the creature not to step a toe out of line, lest he wants to get bitten.

Apparently he had stood there longer than he thought he had, because he could hear the sound of metal jingling. It wasn't weapons, at least he didn't think that it was, but it definately wasn't anything the ill equipped guard probably had. Looking towards the gate, he saw a figure approaching, and curiosity to see who it was tugged at the very center of his being.

[::madlyhazel]

The town was one of many, and the knight hadn't found anything particularly interesting about this one. His travels had taken him quite far from his home kingdom, but he'd initially been surprised how similar everything was. He supposed it would only be once he got clear across the map would things begin to change. For now, the stench of humanity clung to the air, along with the ripe scent of manure. Delightful.

Ewan's eye skimmed the streets, looking out for any characters that looked particularly out of line, or any unusual adventurer who could lend him a few words of advice. These days he was simply looking for anything that might lead him on a better path. Even he wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for; it was hard to put a name to something when you had no clue what it was. He knew he was looking for a way to get Cesario back, but actually going about that was a lot more roundabout than he'd like.

The young man released a long sigh, tugging his green robes tighter around himself. For the month now he'd been on the run, he'd been having to keep his armor covered. The sun of the Cesarion crest blazed brightly on his chest plate, and he wasn't eager to have anyone recognize him as a knight of the tyrannical kingdom. It would simply make his situation too complicated. For now, he remained incognito and skipped from town to town in search of answers.

His ears perked up at the sound of commotion, and he watched as a blur of wool darted past him, followed shortly after by a quick dog. Immediately after that came a cloaked figure dashing after, though he didn't appear to be a farmer. He looked too out of place in this town, and Ewan caught the barest glimpse of purple skin on the person's hands as they arranged a makeshift lasso. That was unusual.

Unusual often meant useful for him, and he didn't exactly have a reason to not check the situation out. He trotted after, not in quite as much of a hurry as the figure. Soon the gates of town flooded his vision, and the strange person wrangled down the sheep and tried their best to placate the dog. He paused a bit away from the trio, cocking a dark blonde eyebrow at the scene. Hm, definitely most unusual.

"Not many can catch a runaway sheep," Ewan offered, placing a hand on his hip as he gazed down, "Better get it back to the farmer before someone accuses you of stealing."

[LunaNebulae]

"I'm not most people, though it would be a shame if I got accused of stealing such a rebellious lamb from its flock." White eyes blink at the stranger, thinking that it would not be the first time he was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He really didn't want a repeat of the last time he'd been wrongfully accused. However, if the other were to simply accuse him of a theft sometime in his life, he'd be correct, just not of the sheep he's currently holding upon a makeshift lead. Sizing the stranger up, he makes the following notes: 1)He's strange. 2)the cloak over him a pretty shade of green, but nothing unusual. 3) he does not see any metal. 4)he must be hiding it under the cloak. 5)he seems remarkably human."You're not from around here, are you?"

The question is pointed as he walks forward, forgetting all about his plans to speak with the sheep at the end of his rope as he creeps closer to the man. As he walks, he feels something move in his pocket, making the teifling acutely aware that blueberry is awake, most likely disturbed by the chase. Feeling the weasel move about before she worms her way through the tunnels he's sewn into his robes, Nero takes comfort in her familiar presence.

As he draws even nearer, he feels her pop into his hood, her wriggling body messing up his faded blue locks as he enters the mans personal space. He may be a solid six inches away from him now; his pupilless eyes unblinking before blueberry gets upon his shoulder intent to inspect the man herself. Mentally he reaches out to his pet, asking her to tell him if she sees anything of interest, waiting for her to finish her own inspection. Taking note of the eyepatch, the teifling cocks his head. A pirate.....no pirates didn't wear armor, did they? He wouldn't know. Perhaps....

"Are you a mercenary? I've always wanted to meet a mercenary. Always heard they had fantastic stories to tell, if you get them to talk with something other than their blades." He is still as a statue as he speaks, the only movement from his form coming from the weasel moving to look over the other. She squeaks, chattering about something that's not coherent with how scrambled her thoughts are at the moment. Figures. Ending the connection before he gets a headache, he sighs deeply. Another time....or later, after the sheep is returned home.

An idea forms, flickering to life as a crooked smile blossoms across his features. Oh this would work well for him, and perhaps he'd find out more about this stranger since his attempt with blueberry was so easily foiled."Why don't you tell me on the way back to return this one here?"A clawed hand gestures at the sheep, his robe moving to cover most of his hand as he does. He doesn't hear anyone coming, but he can assume someone is already looking for the sheep, and Nero doesn't want to risk trouble.

[::madlyhazel]

Ewan placed his hand on the sword of his hilt warily as the stranger approached. While he didn't necessarily sense any danger from the man, it was always better to be safe than sorry. He quickly took in his features, noting the very strange eyes and the oddly colored hair. He'd certainly seen some strange things in recent times, but this was new. Perhaps a result of the blight that was spreading its ways to the corners of the world? Possibly; but this man also seemed too sane to have been affected by such a thing.

Suddenly, a strange rodent squirmed its way out of the man's robes, causing the knight to jump slightly. Yes, definitely unusual. He recognized the creature as a weasel, considering he'd killed a few in order to sell their pelts. This man seemed to have tamed this one, at least, and it looked friendly enough. Still, he knew first hand how fearsome of a bite they had, so he decided not to risk investigating the long rat any further.

The questions came at him faster than he could reply, and Ewan stuttered slightly at the charismatic look on the unusual character's face. He seemed awfully trusting of someone he'd just met, though he did suppose that he'd come to ask the man himself some questions too. A strangled cough fought its way out of his throat, and he knit his brow as he stepped aside to allow the man past him.

"I'm not a mercenary," he decides to say first, "I'm a knight. I'd rather not be compared to that sort of... Ilk. No, I'm not from around here, but neither are you. I've never seen anyone like you quite before."

He hinted at the man's odd features, though he decided not to further delve into that. While he was entirely human himself, he knew of the various other races that existed in the world they lived in. While his home kingdom of Cesario had a majorly human population, it wasn't entirely unusual to see dwarves milling about in order to sell their wares, or even the occasional elf; however, this man's race was something entirely unknown to him.

[LunaNebulae]

A knight? That meant nobles. Plump lips pull into a tight line as a sour taste fills the teifling's mouth. Nobles couldn't be trusted, and they'd always been quickest to judge. To top it off they were people that most commoners followed with little complaint(unless you accounted for rebellions). If this one didn't like him...well, he could run. Running was what he always did anyways.

Walking forward, he felt the sheep tug on the rope, before he lightly tugged, making a connection before telling it to come. He hears a protest, making him shake his head. 'come forth. You owe me this after knocking me over on your escape' If any thing that makes the sheep try to stray, tugging and chewing at the rope, sending quite a few choice words his way. 'quite a mouth on you, does your mother know you speak with such a foul tongue?'

Loud bahing meets his ears as Nero drags a hand over his face, feeling the warm runes under his fingers, his head whipping around to look at the stubborn sheep as he hears blueberry chatter from his hood. Already exasperated with the creature he's happy to see the dog snap at the sheep, getting it to hastily come forth, bringing a sense of peace back to him. Good, at least the dog was on his side, partially. He'd have to reward them when they got back to the farm.

"Good boy."The comments to the dog, and likely a phrase he's familiar with since the dog seems pleased hearing it. The sheep is now practically leading the party home now, and its easier to keep to the path home."So I take it I'm you're first then, Sir Knight?" the last two words are sneered, weather Nero realizes it or not. Saying it feels like confirming the fact, making it something he couldn't ignore, and mixing that with the fact he was armored just made it a harsher reality. He knew he shouldn't be so angry at a man who'd done nothing against him, but a larger part of him still ate at him. It was something that picked at his old wounds, that made him irrational and filled his being with a bitterness.

The farm begins coming into view, the sound of the elderly man wheezing catching Hero's attention. Was something wrong? Pehaps it was the mans old age catching up with him, after all, he did attempt to chase a sheep, didn't he? It suddenly dawns on the male that he isn't quite sure, that he had been so enveloped in his thoughts of catching the sheep to talk that he'd almost ignored the man entirely.

[::madlyhazel]

The distaste in the man's voice doesn't escape his ears, but Ewan decides to keep quiet about it. He was more than used to folks who didn't like knights simply because they tended to work for the crown; it was something he'd learned to deal with long ago. He just sets his jaw and continues after, watching as the sheep hesitates briefly before the dog puts it back into place with a few well-placed nips. Thank the gods for the loyal canine.

"I've had a lot of firsts out here," he mutters as they draw closer to the farm.

The elderly man looks weary, and Ewan is quick to approach him and lend a helping hand. He offers a shoulder for the man to lean on, a soft gaze overcoming his features as the man offers his quick thanks. The knight noted that, despite his frame, there were some strong muscles beneath his thin skin. This man clearly spent all of his life on the farm, and his age wasn't going to prevent that. While he'd only ever worked on a farm as a page, that time had helped him learn what difficult work it was. He could appreciate anyone who dedicated their life to it.

"This fellow here caught your sheep," he explained, motioning to the stranger, "Lassoed him right outside of the gate. I was just there to watch. Do you need help herding it back?"

[LunaNebulae]

The elderly man looks relieved, greatfully accepting the shoulder to lean on, some of the stress leaving his features. His wheezing doesn't stop, and it's easy to tell he's frustrated by his inability at the moment. Hero's face softens, seeing his father in the man, just as human and simple, and it hurts the teifling's heart. "Thank ya', but I need more assistance repairin' the fence than I do returnin' this one to the flock. If that fence isn't repaired I risk loosin' them all, even with Erza's help herdin' 'm"

If Nero's heart hurt earlier, it outright stung now as his face contorted downwards into a frown. In addition to that, the knight's honesty catches attention, causing him a brief moment of confusion. Covered arms cross over his chest as he tries to cover his discomfort from his personal feelings, not wanting to worry the elderly man as his gaze flickered from him to the knight(a gesture that was only notable by the tilt of his head)."If he can handle getting the sheep back, do you think you can help get the fence back in working order?"

At his words he hears blueberry chatter, and Nero doesn't need to use his telepathy to know she's fussing at him for choosing to do this now when he could easily settle down and sleep before he drops. Honestly, though her concern touches him, he's more worried for the shepard than himself for once

[::madlyhazel]

Ewan just offered an easy smile, patting the older man on the shoulder. "I can get that fence together for you no problem. And don't worry about any pay--I'd just like to help."

With that said, he made sure the man was steady before letting him off of his shoulder. He began discussing materials and tools with the farmer, his attention completely diverted from Nero for the moment. As a knight, he'd pledged to help civilians in need. While the pledge had initially only been for Cesarion citizens, he'd decided to extend it to those he figured could really use the help. With his kingdom in disarray and no true king to return to, it was simply better to assist when he could.

Apparently the old man had the materials and tools necessary for the job, but had been unable to do it on his own simply due to the rigorous activity. Ewan clapped the farmer, softly, on the back, before flicking his attention over to the stranger.

"If you wouldn't mind, I figure two sets of hands could get the job done twice as fast. Mind helping me out?"

[LunaNebulae]

While the other two men busy themselves with chatter over the fence, Nero stares off into space, his mind idly turning over things as he focuses on the sounds of cicadas. The stars are beautiful tonight, and he quietly laments not looking up sooner. From the position of the moon, he can tell the sun will rise in a few hours, but it doesn't bother him. Another sleepless night can't hurt him, even if this one is wasted upon things that don't further his studies.

It isn't until he hears a question asked, that Nero blinks out of his stupor, pupiless eyes looking towards the source of the sound yet not placing their origin."Hm?"

Looking between the knight and the old man, it hits him like a sack of bricks. Helping, right...he had never been really good with any brand of carpenters tools, but if all else fails he could hold things in place while the other wacks away with a hammer.

"Of course I'll help. I wouldn't just volunteer you for this without the intent to help." He would. He really and truely would. The only thing keeping him from doing just that is the profiling curiosity about the strange knight. Why was he so nice, and why was he out here? Not to mention he just seemed to have an air of mystery about him, a mystery Nero desprately wanted to solve. But first, he'd have to ask his name, after all, names held power.

As soon as they've collected supplies for the repair ror sure and the old man is out of earshot, Nero looks at the knight, pupiless white eyes glittering as he holds a hammer in his left hand, the feeling once again reminding him of his father."So I never caught your name, Mind telling me who I'm working with?"

[::madlyhazel]

Ewan hums questioningly as he carries a heavy stack of wood on his muscular shoulder. His good eye flicks over to the strange man, and he tries to offer a decent smile. He hadn't exactly expected to try to make friends, but it couldn't help to be nice while this odd man helped him repair the fence. After all, he'd initially approached with the intent of asking a few questions. Upon reaching the broken fence, he dropped the stack of wood to the ground.

"Call me Ewan," he offered, "And how about you? What should I call a fellow like yourself?"

He moved to stick one of he posts into the ground, using his strength to shove it into the dirt. With a few well-placed jabs of his armored elbow, it seemed sturdy enough. Its twin soon followed after next to it, and he briefly stepped back to ensure they were at about the same level. Next, he took a flat slab of wood and placed it between the two posts, motioning for the man to start hammering the iron nails into place.