Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 17, 2015 1:40:11 GMT
Magnolia had been far too big a town for Tracen to keep up with. After announcing that he would travel and explore Fiore, he picked a direction and just kept walking. There was a map tucked away in his pack, but what fun would it be if he knew where he was going? A certain thrill existed in the unknown. Maybe he would return to explore the town proper, but for now, it was out into the wilderness.
Towards the mountains, through the forest, he camped out a single night and eventually found a small town in his path. Clover Town, according to the sign. With it was a board, with messages posted on it. Taking a closer look, Tracen realized that they were jobs. He picked one of the more worn messages up, reading it carefully... “A missing daughter...” The job described a red-haired girl that had gone missing. Well, more like ran away from home, judging from her picture. Briefly he wondered if people were looking for him... according to the Templars, he'd been gone for years... maybe someone out there cared for him, too. Just like how someone had posted about their missing daughter.
I can find this 'Roxanne', he decided, despite the mission not giving any location details. If she realized how much her family missed her, certainly the girl would return. Tracen could at least help someone else out.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 17, 2015 1:52:47 GMT
Stupid bar. Roxanne hadn't wanted to be there anyway. Nope. Just because she'd kicked and yelled while they'd thrown her on her butt outside didn't mean anything other than they were being jerks. She'd pay the tab eventually! "-And then I'll kick you in the groin so hard your children will be sore!" Why she'd finished yelling when they were clearly gone and the door had shut, most of the people directly around her wanted to know, from the looks of it. Roxanne paused after her line, looking back and forth. "What?" she asked simply as she stuffed her hands flame-tattered white jacket pockets. No one seemed to actually want to talk to the girl who moments before had been throwing out a string of curses that would make a hardened criminal blush. Good. She didn't want to talk to them anyway. She shrugged, immediately starting to move away from the spot as she grumbled to herself. Now how was she supposed to get drunk and find herself some entertainment for the evening?
As she walked, she very nearly bumped into a young man. A surprisingly acrobatic twist caused her to miss him. "Careful," she spat out despite that. That was probably her fault too. She *had* had her eyes closed there for a moment while she composed herself.
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 17, 2015 2:04:59 GMT
A bar or tavern of some sorts was traditionally a means of finding more information, right? It was with that thought that Tracen wandered into town. Regrettably, he didn't really understand the layout well enough to know if he was headed in the right direction. It never occurred to him to ask for directions, either. He was still wandering around lost when he noticed the person ahead of him a few steps was teetering. Strangely. If this continued, they'd likely collide. Wait, wasn't that the same person he'd just seen a picture of? He attempted to move out of her way, only somehow to get in her way more, and nearly bumped into her. By some freak movement, she twirled out of the way.
"Hey!" His anger momentarily flared at her rude response. Only to be quickly forgotten as his first realization hit him fully. "Aren't you Roxanne?!" He exclaimed, honestly surprised. What were the chances of that? This was like some intervention of fate. Maybe he really -was- supposed to find her. He stood up a little straighter, mind racing on what to say to her. While he had really wanted to find her, he had no idea exactly how to convince her to come back. It wasn't like he was going to drag her to her parents. "Er... are you drunk?" He frowned a bit; he didn't think she was old enough to drink... And if she really was intoxicated, it meant using reason would be a lot less successful.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 17, 2015 2:15:02 GMT
The young man caused Roxanne to stop in her tracks, still staring at him. Suddenly, she wanted to know if she knew the guy. He knew her name, which meant... "How the h*** do you know my name?" She asked, the confusion apparent on her face. Her crimson eyes searched him, but no, she'd never seen him before... not from what she could recall, and she had a fantastic memory, if she did say so, herself.
"Yeah, Roxy Lexington, though not exactly at your service," she introduced herself with a flip of her hair. Despite her confusion, she grinned. It was more of a cocky grin. At least she was still mostly coherent despite having had a couple of shots... otherwise she might have freaked out a little more. "Does someone have a problem with me? You look a bit like the mercenary type."
Roxy remained composed, but the conclusion she ended up with to did put her a bit more on edge. Had someone complained about her behavior or put up a bounty knowing she was a member of the Red Blades? It wasn't like she didn't spread her name around *just* to make sure it could be tied back to her parents. "I should warn you, you don't really want to mess with me if so."
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 17, 2015 2:37:21 GMT
Tracen hadn't exactly asked in the most elegant of ways. Unfortunately yelling at him was inhibiting some of his normal common sense, and frazzling him a bit. He realized that he probably looked like a pretty bad person if she thought he was a mercenary. Then again, what was she doing that she expected a mercenary to come after her!? "Relax! I didn't come here to fight," he crossed his arms and glared, trying to keep himself in check. "Though you're starting to make me think I -should- have a problem with you." Maybe restarting this whole conversation would be best for both of them.
"My name's Tracen, or so I've been told. When I entered town, I saw a job about a family's missing daughter. It was you. I'm not gonna drag you back, but I thought you should know that people are worried about you," he offered. "You look a bit young to be out drinking and fearing the wrath of random mercenaries. What made you run away in the first place?" To him, she looked like she was still in her teens. More than that, it was hard to say. Basically, a bit young to be out running loose. But then again, what did he know? Maybe they had disowned her and were now looking for an apology. It wasn't like Tracen was actually interested in the reward or anything... it was more to see what happened, and if he could help.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 17, 2015 3:13:33 GMT
The red-headed wizard placed her hands on her hips as she appraised the man. She couldn't help but allow an eyebrow to raise on its own when he mentioned her family. "They're seriously worried about me?" she asked in a skeptical voice. She sighed, deflating a bit. "So you're just an errand boy then?" Her eyebrows adjusted to an almost relieved look. "Should known. You can forget it though. My so-called parents don't own me. I do what I want."
Why was she being so defensive with a random stranger? Simple, Roxy kind of hated her parents and what they stood for. In her mind, she was their doll to dress up as they wished, and they wished for some sort of princess wannabe that didn't even have a place in today's society, as she'd learned after the fact. "And to answer your question, I don't want for me what they want for me, and that's that." It really didn't get more cut and dry. Not to her.
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 17, 2015 4:57:10 GMT
Errand boy versus mercenary, huh. Tracen couldn't seem to win in Roxy's eyes. She was being awfully skeptical. It only made him wonder why, or if she was really on such bad terms with her parents. "I'm just a concerned citizen. If they're looking for you, doesn't it mean they care?" Tracen wondered. Roxy seemed to think that her parents wanted to 'own' her. He knew little about them outside of that they were looking for her, and were willing to give money for it, which meant that she was important to them. For the right reasons? That was between the family. He wanted to ask what they wanted for her that she disliked, but that felt a little too personal... if it was an arranged marriage or something, Tracen doubted he could give the proper reaction.
"Alright... well like I said, I'm not going to force you. It just seems... nice to have someone care enough to look. Making up with them doesn't mean that you're agreeing to do whatever they want." Tracen paused. Maybe talking about himself would help her understand. "I don't remember if I have anyone waiting for me to come home. But if I did, I'd want them to look for me. Everyone can make a bond like friendship, but not everyone can have a bond like blood."
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 17, 2015 5:16:57 GMT
An eyebrow raised when Tracen started shoving his own feelings onto Roxanne's life. Her hands moved from her hips to a crossed position as her scowl deepened again. "It's a nice thought, but the funny thing about blood is: You don't choose it. The only special thing about it is that it happens without your consent. If they're stupid, it's just harder to get away from them."
Why wasn't there another bar in Clover Town? Stupid small towns. She should have moved on to Magnolia today like she'd planned. It was closer to home anyway. "If you ask me, Mister concerned citizen, you're lucky. Whether you remember what you've forgotten or not you at least get to form your own opinions and attachments. Maybe your family sucks too."
Alright, that was enough of that. Roxanne was even beginning to annoy herself with all these stupid lectures. "So tell me this: Why were you concerned enough to come looking for me? Was it for me, or because you attached your own feelings to that poster they put up? Or maybe it was the reward, hm? If they didn't post a hefty one with as much money as they have, that should tell you everything you need to know right there." It wouldn't surprise her if they hadn't even offered money. Cheapskates. She was probably too devalued or something. Maybe they wanted her off the streets so she'd stop dragging their name through the mud doing the things she actually had come to enjoy.
"So there's your answer. If you need me to spell it out for you: No. I'm not going back. Need anything else, or are you content with ruining my good mood?"
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 18, 2015 5:24:31 GMT
Tracen had taken somewhat of a risk, to offer anything personal about himself. Actually, the same thought had already occurred to him - he considered himself lucky to be the way he was, without any memories. It was an opportunity. But that was for him to decide, not for someone else. The conclusion had taken a lot of thought and effort, but Roxy used it more as an excuse to dismiss him. "What's it matter to you?" He bristled. "Maybe you don't even deserve their concern, for all I know. You certainly don't deserve mine. Forget about it." He brushed past her, clearly done with the conversation. Clearly her questions were just meant to make fun of him, so there was no reason to answer. Honestly, he'd really had good intentions. And what an idiot he'd been, trying to do something good, for someone so incredibly selfish. Well that was one lesson learned. Not everyone deserved things. She could go drink herself to death for all he cared.
He stalked angrily off into the city. Even if his face didn't change, his movements were enough that others had noticed, and were giving him a wide birth. Or maybe it was just really empty and he thought people were avoiding him. There was still the matter on what to do, considering that fate decided to give him a false lead with that Roxy. Maybe he was meant to check out the bar she'd been thrown out of... He had only caught the tail end of the scene. But if people didn't like her as much as he disliked her, maybe that would be a better place to explore. Or at least cool off; the last interaction had put him in a bad mood.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 18, 2015 5:40:19 GMT
Roxanne sighed as the man stormed off. She watched him go, a large part of her glad to see him gone like so many other people. Who needed them? She'd done just fine on her own, and she'd continue to do so. She earned her own money... usually. She had her own network of allies, her own social interactions. She even had an attractive boss with an intriguing personality. No, she wasn't in need of his help. Even if she was just a little bit tipsy.
Then again, she supposed it wasn't his fault. Her parents had put him up to it with no regard for her feelings or the feelings of people around them. They knew good and well they'd only get her back by dragging her kicking and screaming, and yet they allowed some good Samaritan to come try to lead her home like a lost puppy?
"****." Spitting out a short curse, Roxy turned and decided to follow the man. He'd stormed off pretty quickly though, and it took her a bit to find him, likely contemplating what to do next since she'd ruined his plans. "Hey, I wasn't finished," she half lied as she approached with her hands in her pockets. "Look, it's not your fault my idiot family didn't give you an accurate picture," she told him, scratching her cheek with an irritated look on her face. "I wont call myself a good person, but you did go out of your way to try and help, and my own personal code says that's... commendable. How much were you promised if I did come home? I assume you looked into it because you needed some cash..."
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 19, 2015 3:28:07 GMT
Tracen was still brewing over the red-haired woman's words to him. Getting over things quickly, it wasn't his best strong point. He really just needed to chalk it up as a rude stranger thing, and shrug it off. He walked without any particular destination, the notion of going into the same bar already out of his mind. Night would close in soon, and people were on their way back from work. Maybe he had enough to spend the night at an inn with an actual bed, it would be a nice change of pace from camping. He paused on the street, rummaging through his pack and finding a few spare coins. That's when Roxy approached him. He looked up suspiciously at her approach, clearly not happy about her return. There was something different about her this time though, maybe it was her posture; she seemed less uptight.
When she finished speaking, he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Was that an apology? It almost sounded like one, in a weird kind of way. "Well..." He was almost offended again when she asked about how much money he was promised... but maybe it really was just that Roxy had a huge grudge against her family. If she was trying, Tracen could give her some leeway. Was her question that important, that she'd gone looking for him? Or was actually an apology like he initially thought? "I just happened to see the missing poster when I walked into town. I haven't even met your family, or know what the reward is," he admitted. "Although I am searching for jobs too. But I wasn't planning to start that until tomorrow. Thanks, I guess. About the commendable part." He shook his head; he felt like he was butchering his words almost as badly as she was. "How far have you gotten on this whole running-away-from-home thing? ...If you're not going back, and get into some kind of trouble, I'll do what I can to help." That was maybe as close to an apology as he was going to get, too.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 23, 2015 16:46:46 GMT
"Heh. I wonder how old the picture is." Roxy hadn't exactly changed a ton in two years. She looked a bit older, but her biggest change was her manner of dress. Her parents would probably die to see her revealing any skin instead of being trapped in one of those horrible poofy dresses the nobility had worn like... thirty years ago. They really didn't change with the times, her family. It was amusing to think what they would say at this point if they saw her now. She didn't want to know enough to go find out, though.
"I've been away for two years," Roxanne shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "I've got my own life now, and it's certainly not as stifling as their outdated way of life. They want to pretend they're still important nobles, when there hasn't even been a king in like... what? Twenty years or something?" History wasn't her greatest strength.
"As for help, I know you're a helpful kind of guy, but I don't tend to need much in the way of help." Roxy glanced around quickly to make sure no Templars were within eyesight. She opened her hand a bit, and a small magic circle appeared in front of it as a sword coated in flame materialized. She flipped it around quickly and easily before handing the handle to Tracen. She could un-summon it at a moment's notice. "I think I'm pretty well equipped for trouble."
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 26, 2015 5:40:10 GMT
The picture had shown Roxanne in a different outfit, but her face had changed little. To some people perhaps it would have been hard to pick her out, but it seemed unusually clear for Tracen. Two years was still much more time than what Tracen expected. He had thought she'd been out for a month, if not less time. This explained why the notice was so buried beneath other jobs. "Well... can't say I remember having any experience with princesses, though you're not the type I'd expect. Maybe it really is better for you to see the world then." Maybe princess wasn't the right word, but something along the noble family line. Roxanne hardly had the attitude of a princess, but maybe she was overcompensating; trying very hard to be what her parents disliked.
Tracen glanced around when Roxy became suspicious of her surroundings. It made him feel like this was a secret of some kind, that no one else should see. Blue eyes blinked inquisitively at her until the magic began to form. "Whoa. That's a really big sword." He accepted the hilt, raising it up to eye level. Heavy to a normal person maybe, not too much for him. He held it out; the balance felt good. But the weapon was certainly foreign in his hands. He could never fight with it. Tracen's spear, while unremembered, certainly felt different in his hands. He held the hilt back for her to take.
"Are you part of a guild or something then?" Tracen wondered. Magic was a talent that few could use well naturally. It was possible that the sword was just for show, but... Roxy seemed confident enough that Tracen trusted her skill with it too. Night was falling rapidly and the people around them had already thinned considerably. Yet he thought he saw a stray shadow... or was just all this travel getting to him? It wasn't exactly the first time he thought someone might be watching him, though it was the first time in Clover. "I know you're strong and all, but at least let me walk you back to wherever you're staying. I'll just worry if you go back to drinking at some weird hour." If there really was someone, he didn't want to abandon Roxy if she got into a fight.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Jun 26, 2015 13:50:21 GMT
"Well, princess is a strong word. Dad used to be a Duke though. Something about being proudly appointed by the king when something something blah blah it's all pretty pointless now, except that he got a lot of cash from it." Roxy chuckled, placing her free hand in her jacket pocket. "Lady Roxanne would technically be correct, if I or my family still actually had any claim to a title." Not that she wanted it anyway.
She laughed again when he commented on the size of her sword. When he handed it back, it disappeared instead of her actually taking it back, a small flash of magic being the only indication of what happened. "Yeah I'm part of a guild," she answered, though she didn't say which one, for good reason. She liked to brag, but she had no idea where this guys' loyalty actually was, and had zero desire to fight with him. "If you want to walk me to the nearest inn, that's fine," she decided. "A helpless noble lady like me might just fall right into trouble."
She laughed again, doing her best not to drunkenly sway now that she'd had time for the alcohol to hit properly. "It's a good thing you aren't into rewards though. I'm not rich. That's actually why I got thrown out of the bar back there." Had he actually seen that? Who knew? She'd been drinking so the details didn't matter as much. "Plus..." she pointedly looked him up and down. "You aren't really my type."
Post by Tracen Tenshou on Jun 29, 2015 5:38:43 GMT
Princess was a pretty strong word. Lady Roxanne, huh. Yeah, Tracen wasn't about to go calling her that. It seemed completely out of place, even if it was officially correct, which apparently it wasn't anymore. Was there a chance that he was part of nobility, too? He felt like one of the Templars would have mentioned it. If his supposed brother was also part of the Fiore defense, then maybe his family was more military.
At the very least, he was relieved when she agreed to walk with him to the inn. He almost offered his hand to her when she began to sway, but decided against it at the last minute... that seemed like something she might yell at him for. “Yeah, you're not my type either,” he mentioned without thinking on it much. “Rewards are nice and all, but there's a lot more to life than just that.”
Their walk back seemed peaceful, and Tracen didn't get the indication of being followed anymore. Had his imagination just conjured that shadow? The inn wasn't too hard to find in such a small town, Tracen opening the door for Roxy. Inside the inn, just to the side of the counter and in full uniform, where two Templars... Tracen spared them a curious look, the awkward moment when two strangers' eyes meet briefly before looking away, before reaching the counter. The two seemed out of place in such a small-town inn, but Tracen figured they were probably spending the night themselves. “I'd like to rent a room please...” He began, before turning back to Roxy. “I'm not exactly rich either, so I hope you have enough to stay for tonight.”
