open post ☀ stahn aileron

[majinken]

a: a lost boy;

[they say "there's no place like home." some also say "wherever you go, there you are."

stahn aileron, though, tends to handle things just a little differently when in a strange place. and he's definitely in a strange place right now. though he's been all over the world, none of the sights seem familiar.

so what stahn has to say at a time like this is "whenever in doubt, ask your sword!"

and so he does, holding up a rather old, but ornate sword in front of him. the blade is pointed upward, and it's probably a bit strange. what is that guy doing?]

Hey, Dymlos... do you recognize this place? I think we might have made a wrong turn somewhere...

[the problem here is that very, very few beyond swordian masters can actually hear dymlos speak. those who are exceptionally spiritually inclined might, or those with a certain exceptional strength that could make them a potential master. those who don't posses that will definitely just see a weirdo blonde with a massive mullet talking to himself. those who do will hear a voice much deeper than stahn's responding.]

Something is amiss; I know we didn't make any wrong turns, but this isn't anywhere in Darilsheid.

[well, that seems like a problem.]

I thought so too. Maybe we should backtrack? Or do you think we should just ask around?

[someone help him before he ends up wandering into the abyss as nightfall sets...

or just call him out on talking to himself, it's fine.]

b: takoyaki;

[well, the plus side to friendship with stahn? he'll definitely protect you in a bind, and he'll make sure to show his appreciation however he can. he works hard to cultivate his friendships. even if you hate him, he probably thinks you're his friend.

or will be determined to make you one, unless you've done something truly deplorable like trying to destroy the world or killing his best friend or something.

but hey, part of the perks? food. which is why when stahn sees a takoyaki stand on the street, he's pretty immediately hype.]

Mmm, do you smell that? There's takoyaki nearby! [he... really likes takoyaki, it's fine.] Come on, come on, let's go share some, my treat! [there's no getting out of this.]

c: sleep;

[have you ever met a person who really truly sleeps like the dead?

congrats, you have now!

it could be literally anywhere. rooming together. on the street, while walking—the sky's the limit, because this boy can sleep anywhere, and waking him up...

well, there's a reason the aileron secret arte is calling "waking the dead" and requires slamming a ladle against a frying pan and shouting loudly. please though... try your luck? maybe eventually stahn will stop snoring and drooling.]

d. wildcard;

[write your own prompt, if you want, i'm here for it!]

Comments

b!!

[thatsthespirit]

Takoyaki?

[WHY ARE THESE TWO HANGING OUT, we just don't know, but here they are! either way, she looks intrigued]

What's takoyaki? I'm not certain I've had the pleasure of indulging myself with that particular cuisine just yet.

[this is just what Maxwell needs: to be introduced to more food]

[majinken]

[it probably doesn't matter, dimensional crossroads or some other bullshit, since apparently he can get to elympios by way of temporal weirdness at some point anyway. thanks, canon!]

Eeeeh!? You've never had takoyaki before? Come on, now we really have to try it! [stahn, that still doesn't even tell milla what it is.

are you even trying, child...

either way, he's definitely going to lead her to the takoyaki stand, because they need to have it. they just gotta!]

[thatsthespirit]

[well, even if he didn't answer her question, Milla is following with obvious eagerness. and her expression seems to light up even more once those delectable takoyaki smells reach her nose]

Oh! It smells wonderful. A savory blend of spices and fried flour batter.

[she nods, determined, as though her mind is made up]

Very well. I accept your offer.

[as if following him to the stand wasn't acceptance enough]

[majinken]

Mm, it's all those things, and octopus, and it's got tasty toppings, too!

[he's.. a really simple soul. friendship, food and a place to sleep are really the best he can ask for, even if there are entirely too many times in his life where things get far more complicated than that.

but it's fine. it's all fine, there's takoyaki, and he's just going to have to get some for them to share (...and maybe more after that, but one step at time). they only cost a few hundred gald—

which he has to be mindful of, or he'll get an asswhooping from rutee later for breaking the budget—so he'll spring for it, beaming pretty brightly while he waits for them to serve it up.] I think you'll really like it! Or, I hope you will?

[he's pretty sure she will, though.]

[thatsthespirit]

[she'd offer to help pay, but being Maxwell meant that she had spent most of her life (inside a human body) receiving offerings from the villagers of Nia Khera. she's used to accepting gifts without protest, and this time is no different!]

Octopus? I see. . . so it's a type of sea food.

[she places her hands on the counter and leans into the booth, which earns her a few weird looks from the workers. IS SHE TRYING TO CLIMB INSIDE. . .]

Do you think they'd let me watch them prepare it? I have to admit, my curiosity is getting the better of me.

[majinken]

[the slight problem with this is... well, stahn's probably not going to be the one to point out this problem.

...because he really doesn't see much wrong with it. sure, it's a little awkward, but she's curious. and really, stahn kind of follows suit.]

We should ask! I've never really watched how it's made either... maybe we could learn how to make it too!

[but they do have one more on them, the one who tries to keep quiet most of the time—until he really needs to.

like now, when milla is looking like he might just crawl into the booth.]

Would you both just take a step back before you cause a scene!? [dymlos is clearly the straight man in this comedy routine, even though he's.

you know.

a sword.]

[thatsthespirit]

[STAHN AND MILLA ARE TRULY TALES PROTAG SOULMATES]

I'd like that. If we learn to make it ourselves, then--

[but her excitement is ruined by the straight man of the bunch, and with a slightly annoyed "hmph" she pulls herself away from the booth. much to the relief of the workers]

Is that any way to talk to Maxwell, the Lord of Spirits?

[she addresses the sword with a stern gaze, one hand propped on her hip]

[majinken]

[they are curious blonde protags with too much hair and a serious need for inomata to draw them with thicker waists. a match made in heaven!

still, stahn will groan a little, though before he can say anything, dymlos is responding to milla.]

If it will stop you both from causing such a disturbance, then yes.

[he is a fussy fire sword, which is why stahn will at least interject with:]

It's okay, Milla! Dymlos is pretty grouchy sometimes, but he just wants to help! Even though I don't think we were doing anything that bad this time.

[though "this time" definitely implies that stahn has probably done some dumb shit before.

(he has.)]

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . as though Milla hasn't "caused disturbances" before. . . SHE'S VERY GOOD AT IT, APPARENTLY]

Is peering into the takoyaki booth truly "causing a disturbance?" I didn't see any signs that prohibited me from entry.

[if humans didn't want her to enter their booths they should just??? say so???]

[still, Stahn calms her down, and she relaxes some with nothing but an annoyed sigh]

Perhaps it would be best if we ask the workers for the recipe once they deliver our order.

[majinken]

[stahn's probably just lucky he's innately good with brightening a situation, though dymlos is probably going to huff a bit.

he a sword and also a babysitter sometimes, the life.

but it's fine! stahn can get back on topic here like that little spat never even happened.]

It couldn't hurt to ask, right? I've never tried to make takoyaki before, but it sounds like fun! [don't.

this is a bad idea.

it's probably the worst idea stahn can't even cook rice porridge.]

[thatsthespirit]

[MAXWELL NEEDS NO BABYSITTER!!]

We could perhaps learn how to make it together? I have to confess, as much as I love food, I've never learned how to cook.

[THIS]

[IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN]

[majinken]

Oh, that's a really good idea!

[it's a terrible idea. it's the worst idea, and while dymlos wants to interject just to try and put a stop to it...

well, stahn keeps going.]

But... don't you think you should see if you like it first, Milla? [silly stahn, milla loves all foods.]

[thatsthespirit]

Don't be silly. I appreciate all foods.

[she knows what she's about, son]

The only way I won't like takoyaki is if it's poorly made, I assure you.

[majinken]

Eheheh, okay! I just wanted to make sure.... my best friend is kind of a picky eater, so I'm more used to that!

[being around people who... don't like things so much.

but it's fine. it's only another minute before they get their little cardboard container of piping hot takoyaki, topped with takoyaki sauce and bonito flakes. it looks and smells pretty dang good...

is stahn drooling? he might almost be drooling here because it smells so good.]

[thatsthespirit]

[at least he isn't the only one. . . she's admiring the smell and the beauty of this little cardboard container with wide eyes and a grumbling stomach]

It's. . .

It's beautiful.

[l-lifts a hand to wipe her mouth]

[majinken]

I know... it smells amazing...!

[but! stahn is actually pretty gentlemanly at times, maybe because he has a little sister. or maybe because he's just really thoughtful in general, so he holds the container out to milla.]

Here, try the first bite! [but don't take too long or he really will start drooling.]

[thatsthespirit]

[don't worry, she is picking one of those delicious takoyaki balls up by the toothpick immediately. and although she is dying to stuff that delectable piece of food into her mouth, she at least pauses long enough to blow on it]

[can't taste anything when your tongue is scalded, after all]

That's very kind of you. Thank you. Let's see. . .

[and now comes the moment of truth. . . CHOMP. . .]

[. . . !!!!!]

-- oh! These complex flavors. . .

[majinken]

It's really good isn't it!?

[he's so excited from the anticipation of her trying new things that stahn... manages to be half as smart in handling himself.

which is probably to be expected, bless his country bumpkin soul, he is... not the brightest. but while he's seeing how much milla likes the takoyaki, he picks up one of the balls and stuffs it into his mouth.

without blowing on it.

which goes about as well as one would expect, with the filling burning his tongue and the steam coming out of his mouth.]

Hothothothot!!

a! tags u with someone who isnt kashuu for once, who am i

[modissty]

[ONE DAY... One day Sakyou will actually probably have the power to hear Swordians. He's got some wild stuff in his future, okay. Wild stuff and magic swords and also cursed swords and it's A Time.

But for now? For now, he's definitely just seeing some weirdo talking at his sword. HM.

...Best evacuate this weirdo before he does anything sketchy.]

—Excuse me, sir. I couldn't help but overhear you... Do you need directions?

a beautiful person and also a vampire probably

[majinken]

[stahn probably won't do anything much more sketchy than... pouting and arguing with his sword in the middle of the street, it's fine?

it's probably fine.]

That's not what I—Oh!

[at least sakyou interrupting stahn's imaginary argument with his sword actually works and catches his attention. he looks surprised, but not particularly... well, like he's thinking he did anything strange by having this argument out in the open.]

Ah, mm! I think I got a little turned around, I thought I knew where I was going, but I don't recognize this place at all! [the life of definitely walking through some small tear in the dimensions, it's fine.]

[thatsthespirit]

[oh. . . oh no. . .]

[if he expected sympathy from Milla, well. he isn't getting it. instead, she lifts a hand to her mouth and chuckles in amusement]

Patience doesn't seem to be your strong suit, does it?

[happily helping herself to a second takoyaki ball, too]

look u LOOK...... i, a perfectly normal human being,

[modissty]

["IT'S PROBABLY FINE" look, that is what so many people in his canon say before they die horrifically.

On the plus side, this guy really doesn't seem too outwardly nefarious... Sakyou's pretty good when it comes to detecting sketchiness considering he himself is sometimes sketchy as heck, so he's totally a Grade A expert here.]

May I ask where you were heading? I'll do my best to help. [...] Though I've only recently moved here, myself, so I can't be sure that I'll be a handy guide if you need to travel the backroads.

[majinken]

[he's pretty used to not getting sympathy for things like that, so honestly? stahn is completely unfazed by the fact that milla is amused by it.

he's put-out, of course, but more so because he burned his tongue than because milla is laughing at him.

if anything?]

...It just smelled so good that I couldn't wait... [he can at least admit that.]

laughs, IN WHAT WORLD

[majinken]

[thanks for the vote of confidence, sakyou. though his assessment is obviously not wrong, since stahn is definitely not sketchy.

granted, stahn doesn't really perceive sakyou as sketchy, even if dymlos does immediately. this is also fine.]

Really? That would be great! [he seems exactly 0% fussed that it may not be much help. he appreciates the offer that/i> much. he may have no idea where he is, but at least the people are really nice and friendly!] I was trying to get to Darilsheid! I thought it was this way, but...

[apparently, it's not.]

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS DISBELIEF HAPPENING HERE

[modissty]

[HE DOES HIS BEST TO NOT BE SKETCHY but unfortunately they can't all be as un-sketchy as Stahn... And he is kind of sketchy at heart anyway, so really, Dymlos is Not Entirely Wrong.

Anyway, what the heck is a Darilsheid. He can't even pronounce it, weighing it on his tongue without speaking it aloud for a second or two before deciding that those are some pronunciation Olympics he just won't win.]

I... don't believe I've ever heard of that before. Do you know which domain it belongs to?