abraxaslogs | [SEMI-OPEN] and all you see

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[SEMI-OPEN] and all you see

WHO: Estinien Wyrmblood and others
WHAT: Local man extremely mad and other tales. Also, farming.
WHERE: Solvunn's Primary Settlement and potentially the Horizon
WHEN: Mid to Late September
NOTES: This is a September catch-all for stuff that goes beyond the intro to Solvunn. Currently just a very general open prompt and specific closed prompts but if you'd like something with Estinien please hit me up on the discord or

quixocalypse.

As it turns out, Estinien settles into Solvunn easily, like a comfortable pair of old boots. Despite his tendency towards aggression and grouchiness, farm life seems to agree with him, and after coming together with a local sheep raising family, he'll be putting the month of his time there into working on the farm and gradually building up his strength after losing so much weight in prison.

Things you may find Estinien doing in September:
- Trimming sheep hooves, cleaning animal shelters, repairing fences, tracking down lost sheep.
- Lifting weights, doing miscellaneous cardio, combat training in a field using a pitchfork instead of a spear.
- Spending time taking care of his domain and exploring the Horizon.
- Quietly drinking alone at a tavern.

Hit me up if you want a specific starter based on these concepts, or alternatively, throw a wildcard starter at this post.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Solvunn is a far less natural fit for Kay, a teenager whose limited life experience has been spent almost entirely in a comfortable urban environment.
It's not that she's opposed to lending a hand here and there; on the contrary, she finds the whole spirit of cooperation thing kind of sweet, and she's able to vibe with that mindset easily enough. But she's a Great Thief of Truth, and an investigator at heart; it's hard to feel content about mucking out goat pens when there's a multiverse that potentially needs saving, and a world she's itching to get back to.

Long story short, she's constantly on the lookout for justifiable distractions from all the chores and farmwork. That's at least half her motivation for seeking out Estinien today; that, and the fact that she has a favor she wants to cash in on, whether Estinien remembers the deal they'd made or not.

She finds him on his farm, working on repairing one of the fences. Kay rests her arms on the closest stable portion of the structure, greeting him with her typical broad, goofy grin.

"Hey Esti. Howsit goin'?"

(He has long since earned a goofy nickname by now. One that Kay keeps on using, even if he has his protests about it.)

Estinien hasn't fought against the nickname besides giving her some fairly incredulous eyebrow raises - there's nothing offensive about it, really, even if it seems odd to him. At least it's just a part of his name instead of picking something unrelated and silly. If she can't bring herself to use the 'nien' part, then so be it, he guesses.

Repairing fences is actually the part of this work he has the least natural instinct for, given that he never really learned to fix objects or build things. He's saved by the fact that most of it is just physical labour and persistence, but right now he's dealing with a crooked post that he isn't completely sure what to do with.

He casts her a look, frowning to himself.

"Passably," he says, pushing the post without much success. Is he going to have to dig this up? He thinks he's going to have to dig this up. He ruminates on the post for a few more moments before considering he should follow that up with something.

"What do you want?"

Kay straightens up, backing off the fence to put a hand to her chest as she adopts an expression of theatrical offense.

"Why would you assume I want something? Sheesh, can't a girl just drop by to say hello to a friend?"

She saves him the trouble of having to dignify her shenanigans with a response, quickly dropping the act (and her hand) and resuming her same goofy grinning from before.

"Just kidding. I guess you know me too well by now, huh? How long's it been since we first met, anyway...?"

Edited (Just fixing... Spacing.) 2021-09-14 16:30 (UTC)

While Kay's interactions haven't always come with some kind of agenda, he's noticed she has a certain way of approaching when she has some kind of scheme in mind. There's a sort of theatrical confidence to it. It's something he recognizes well from a few acquaintances back home. He's not irritated by it, at least not yet - he'd just rather get whatever it is over with.

He hums to himself, thinking about dates as he works. Probably at least a dozen weeks at this point, and so...

"A few months?" he suggests.

"Ding ding ding! Correct!" Kay praises, because apparently this is some kind of pop-quiz game show now. "Alright then, question number two!" She holds two fingers up for emphasis. "Do you remember the deal we made, that first day we talked out in the prison yard?"

Something about her presentation has him increasingly on edge, like she really thinks she has some kind of nefarious card up her sleeve. He pauses, going still halfway through picking up the shovel, staring at her like a wild animal that has just noticed a human is present.

He wracks his thoughts. In the pressure of the moment, nothing comes to mind. What deal? What did he offer? He can remember meeting her, but what on earth would he have said at the time?

"Uh..." is all he manages, regarding her warily, until suddenly, something clicks.

"Oh Halone."

"Heheheheheh," Kay chuckles, looking quite pleased with herself. Smug, even. "I'll take that as a yes. So..."

She's shifts back to leaning on the fence again, casually propping her chin up on one hand. Grinning like the cat that ate the canary. "You're gonna keep your word, right? And teach me some awesome dragon jumps?"

Estinien makes an annoyed rumbling sound, rolling over potential diversions in his head. He didn't promise her anything - at least he doesn't think he did. What was it he said... was it that he would consider it? He doesn't feel like he would make any sort of commitment so easily.

Then again, back in those early days, the idea that this would go on for so long has seemed so unideal that he barely wanted to consider it. To realize that it's three months later is startling. Will there be a time months from now, years from now, that he'll look back to this moment and wonder where it's all gone?

He grips the shovel, digging it into the earth at the side of the crooked post with considerably more verve than necessary. He looks like something is turning in his head, his thoughts spiraling inward.

"The techniques of the dragoon are no mere party trick, you realize," he says. "The Order of the Dragoon represented the highest elite of Ishgard's military. I spent as much time as you've been alive mastering the craft."

Kay is very pointedly trying to ignore the whole "how has it been three months already" factor here, and is focusing only on the positives. That is, the potential to lean some Sick New Stunts.

The teen's head sinks more heavily against her hand, slipping until she's mushing one cheek up with the butt of her palm. "Yeah, yeah, you mentioned something like that back then, too," she sighs, trying to skip past the repeat lecture. "I get it! It's an art. Your art. I don't expect you to turn me into some kind of expert overnight. Or at all, really... All I'm asking for now is a chance to learn the basics and see how it works."

Despite her somewhat rude dismissiveness from a moment ago, she is being absolutely genuinely serious about that last part, and Estinien gets the glistening puppy-dog eyes to boot. Please teach her, pa-pa.

The most glaring issue with this, he thinks, is that while he's a master of the art, he's far from a skilled teacher. It's different than training Himeka, given she already has experience in the fundamentals. He has no experience teaching complete novices.

But, he also doesn't really have a good reason to refuse trying at all. Kay is stuck here too - wouldn't it be better for her to be as skilled as possible? She remembered the offer in the first place, so she has to be at least somewhat committed, doesn't she?

He digs silently for several more seconds.

"Have you undergone physical training before?" he finally asks.

Edited (format) 2021-09-15 14:47 (UTC)

She perks up again, now that she's getting the sense she's wearing him down.

"Physical training? Sure! P.E.'s totally my best subject back home! Ask anyone!" Grinning eagerly, she cracks her knuckles and throws a few quick jabs at the empty air in front of her, bouncing in place like an idle character in a fighting game. "See? Totally fighting fit! Wanna see me run some laps, too?"

Part of him wants to ask 'what the hell is P.E.?' but the other part of him decides that it doesn't matter and he doesn't care. He has his doubts about the intensity of the training she's talking about... but he supposes that will be part of the journey.

And he sees the opportunity here to accomplish two things at once.

"Hm. Five laps. Around this pen."

Luckily for her, the bones of the sheep pastures are divided into sections, so she doesn't have to run around the whole thing, just the section he's currently working on. But it's probably the equivalent of doing three laps around a football field.

Kay pauses mid bounce, taken aback. "Wait. Really?"

She kind of hadn't expected him to say yes to that? But that is the only reason she hesitates, because half a beat later she says, "Alright then. Five laps, coming right up!"

And then she vaults herself over the gate and takes off running, because Kay Faraday is no thief of idle threats. If Estinien is going to take her up on her offer then by golly, she is going to follow through.

Besides, she's pretty sure she's done longer runs than this for physical fitness testing at school; this probably doesn't even amount to a full mile. It takes her less than five minutes to do as he asks, and when she's done, she's only a reasonable degree of winded from the effort.

"Wooh! How was that!?" she asks between paced breaths, grinning fiercely.

It was a modest test, to be sure, but his primary goal was to see that she was physically active. Also, to get her out of his hair for a few minutes - it's easier to think when she's not grinning at him like a fool.

She doesn't already have to be a warrior, he reasons, she merely has to be unafraid of toil. He's already gotten that impression from her in the past - she's practically volunteered to join them on the mining trip, after all, despite having an easy out. If anything, she seems to find herself restless when inactive, the same way he and Himeka do. If she really is prepared to commit, then surely, she would be the sort of ideal spirit required for this sort of thing?

More frivolous than he is, of course, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Generally, he doesn't consider himself to be a role model in the first place. Even just improving her strength and endurance would be a boon, for her own survival, even if she doesn't take to the dragoon's particular style.

He barely pays attention to her actual running, only casting her a glance often enough to note that she isn't taking any shortcuts. He does note her measured breathing as she returns, though, and is glad to see she already has that sort of thing in mind. Maybe this is all part of 'P.E.'.

He sticks his shovel into the dirt, leaning on it to look her over. Alright, he decides. Alright, fine.

"'Twas the bare minimum," he says, the sentiment lingering just long enough to settle. "But that's all one needs to try."

Kay scoffs lightly, shaking her head. "Feh! 'Bare minimum', huh? Remind me to challenge you to a foot-race some time when I'm fresh, then we'll see about what's 'bare minimum'. But... Wait... Does this mean..."

She's back to grinning again.

"Does this mean you'll do it?"

Edited 2021-09-16 02:19 (UTC)

Estinien shrugs his shoulders because he will race her if she insists, not that he thinks it would be a particularly meaningful victory. Though he would be very surprised if she won, so at least there's that possibility for intrigue.

His lip quirks slightly as she starts grinning again, trying to stay stern but amused despite himself. He's been easing back into his training regiment anyway, rebuilding lost muscle, so he was going to be doing it anyway.

"Aye," he says. "But 'twill be no easy commitment. We'll start with-" How many days is reasonable to get her to train? Seven? Six? Five? "-three days of the week, and build from there. And I'll expect you to be on time, barring any emergencies."

"YES!" Kay cheers, doing a jubilant little hop and pumping both fists in the air. "Thank you! I'll be there for sure, you can count on me!"

That hop, on the heels of all the running, gives her a bit of a head rush, so she leaves it at one, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her wrist. She's still full of a vibrant energy though, and that lighthearted grin of hers never falters.

"Heh, I guess I'll just have to start calling you 'sensei' once we start, huh?"

Estinien is actually familiar with that term, though it isn't the one he'd use here. No, if she is going to be training as a dragoon, it would make more sense to abide by Ishgardian culture.

"More traditionally, a knight of Ishgard would refer to their teacher as 'master'," he says, shrugging his shoulders. He isn't going to enforce that, but it's worth pointing out.

"Oh. Huh!" She considers that for a moment. "Well, I guess if that's the correct term of respect, then that's what I'll use! It is kind of a shame, though... I think 'Esti-Sensei' has a good ring to it! Heh-heh..."

There's something about her mixing that cutesy nickname with a teacherly term of respect that strikes him as bizarre. His eyebrows raise and he exhales, as if to say 'if you insist...'

"At any rate," he says, pulling his shovel from the dirt. "I have work to attend to, but you may join me for my evening training session. In the meantime, you'll need to find a pole that can stand in for a spear."

He doesn't honestly know what Kay does with her days, but it's something to keep her busy, at least.

"A pole, huh? Hmmm..." She tilts her head back a moment, musing to herself. "I can think of a few possibilities.... Alright then! I'll find myself a weapon and meet you back here in the evening!"

Once they work out a specific time and place she takes off, keen on fulfilling that particular task. Her first thought is to check the docks and see if there are perhaps any spear fishers who might be willing to part with one of the tools of their trade, but the third settlement isn't exactly immediately close to hand.

In the end, she shows up at the required time and place with her neighbor's laundry pole in hand, a knotted but sturdy length of wood, which happens to be taller than Kay is by a good two feet or so.

"Master Esti-Sensei!" she calls out to him as she trots up, holding the big stick aloft. "How's this?"

Though Estinien would have his doubts about her method of acquisition if he had any idea it was stolen from a neighbour, but as it is, he's blissfully ignorant. As she arrives, he is mid-technique, lifting the entire weight of his body onto the end of his own pole staff, spinning around for an impressively long time. He only stops when he hears her call out. Dismounting gracefully, he pulls the end of the pole from the earth, spinning it around to a resting position with an instinctive sort of precision.

The time he named was about an hour after the standard supper time, in a section of empty farmland near where he lives. While the grass here is scraggly and rough anyway, it looks as if sections of it have been scorched by something, burning it down to the blackened dirt.

He raises an eyebrow, looking over her 'weapon.' It might be a bit tall... but it's honestly not that out of proportion compared to the lances he's used to working with. More incredulous is that title she just called him by.

"...'Twill suffice," he says.

Edited 2021-09-17 15:29 (UTC)

Grinning goofily, Kay fidgets and scratches behind one ear. "Heh. It was kind of the best I could do on short notice, y'know? Maybe we can tie a knife to the end of it or something to make it more... Spear-like?"

More to the point...

"Forget about that though, what the heck was all that crazy spinning and stuff just now? That was totally kick-ass! Does that move have a name? Is that what you're gonna teach me to do first?"

The fact that she DEFINITELY doesn't have the upper body strength to pull something like that off yet doesn't cross her mind for a second.

The pole is fine, really - about the right height to represent a polearm, and strong enough to hold her weight. The rest, though... it's certainly ambitious.

"First? Unlikely," he says, coming over to her as if to inspect her more closely. He raises his eyebrow. Suddenly, he reaches over to squish her bicep, as if checking to see how swole it is. "You'll need strength training before that. Airborne techniques require mastery over your body - more so than standard physical fitness would allow."

He puts his hand on his hipe, huffing out evening air as his heart rate gradually slows.

"...'Tis called the Ring of Thorns. If you train diligently, it will someday be within your capabilities."

To be fair, there's not nothing there. Kay at least possesses enough arm strength to help support her own body weight during her numerous clambering escapades, so she's got more than just twigs for limbs. But it's true: swole, she is not.

"Awwww, phooey," she pouts, poking her own arm in turn. "And here I thought I was rocking a total gun-show." With a sigh, she rests one hand on her hip, and shrugs with the other. "Nothing else for it then I guess... Except to train super hard and get absolutely RIPPED. Then I can learn sick moves with kick-ass names like that one!"

[SEMI-OPEN] and all you see

DRAGOON TRAINING

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