vatheon | (no subject)

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Who: ~~Johnny Rayflo~~ Jean Rayfluer and whoever~
What: The 14th Century man explores
When: Monday (Mid morning, on)
Where: Starting in the plaza and working his way to the park (your choice)
Style: Action
Status: OPEN

[The first thing he was supposed to do when he was lost was gather information...but talking to the people he found gave him nothing but the name of this place, not how he'd arrived here. It was an impossible place, to say the least....and he had a feeling it had some form of witchcraft behind it.

How else did a city thrive underwater?

His second dilemma and, admittedly, a less pressing one, was his attire. He was...indecently dressed and the clothes he did have on seemed to hang off of him as though meant for a man with a larger build. Seeing as even suitably closing his undershirt (As that had to be what it was, it was far too thin) wasn't getting him anywhere close to decency, the man found a place that seemed to offer him an alternative. All of the clothing options were foreign, but he'd finally chosen a simple, blue, undershirt, and a white overcoat that the resident tailor had suggested.

The one thing he did keep that he'd found on his person was his sword which he tied to his hip, at least there would be one thing of familiarity. Now he needed to explore this strange place...perhaps there was a church here that could help him...or at least offer some form of comfort in a strange land.

When wandering had only led him to more confusion (and a rapidly growing conviction on his first assumption of devilry) he turned his attention to the one thing that seemed most normal: a bit of land full of trees and grass. At least nature never changed from place to place.

His mind racing with impossibilities, confusion, and prayers sent to the Lord for some sort of answer or sign, he went to do the one thing that calmed him every morning and night: his practice routines. Sword in hand, he poured his full concentration into the movements.]

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[It's been kind of a weird day for Sola. It started out with a panicking Fai. Or, uh... not!Fai, he guesses. Soon after he'd run across a much younger Darkleer. There'd even been a poor lost boy up on the island he'd guided back down. These curses were really starting to get kind of bizarre, if you asked him. Johnny missing this morning hadn't caused him much alarm right away - the man often stayed out all night, Vampire and all - but with this curse going around? It stands to reason that Johnny might be out somewhere just as small as Fai. Which raises all kinds of other bizarre questions Sola doesn't have much time for. What it boils down to is this: If Johnny is still an adult, he could use help with all these kids. If he's a kid, he may need caring for himself and there's no way Sola will leave him alone and scared out in the bubble.

When he finally comes across Johnny in the park practicing with his sword he's incredibly relieved to find his matesprit intact, at least at first glance. There's something a bit off about the clothes he can't put his finger on, but it's still Johnny and more importantly he's still an adult. Sola sprints over with a call and a wave.]

I've been looking everywhere for you! Everyone's aged down, it seems like. Even Fai is a child, and not the one that was little to begin with.

[He hears the voice but, at first, he doesn't react-surely it wasn't meant for him. But when no one else responds, he looks up to see a man, seemingly no younger than himself, approaching him.

There was an odd look about this man...his ears, for example, why were they like that?

Weary, Jean lowered his blade, though he didn't put it away....just in case.]

Would you be talking to me? If so, I apologize, but you must have the wrong person.

I really don't...

[Sola gives a heavy sigh. Damnit, Johnny'd been affected too. He should have figured. The guy is over 700, he has a lot of history to fall back through.]

I can explain, but you have to trust me, okay? This place, it's called Vatheon, it's not Earth. We were brought here with some kind of magic. Are you following me so far?

[Really, were it any other day, he probably would have laughed in the other's face. The thought of magic was only a periphery scare, no one really believed they would see it. And yet, here he was looking at what could only be magic.

The thought it wasn't Earth was a bit too much for him and he dismissed it; worry about what you can control, not what you can't.]

Magic...all right, I'm with you on that. And I will grant you my trust if you will grant me your name.

[He was relatively trusting, he preferred to give others the benefit of the doubt to start with....but, as it seemed they were on unequal footing as far as familiarity, he supposed he should start with a name.]

[Johnny's immediate trust of his words earns him a blink from Sola but the Hylian isn't going to question it, not when it's important that he get that trust. True, Johnny's old enough to care for himself even like this, but who knows if or how the curse effected others, especially a certain demon who would like nothing more than to get the man in his clutches.]

I'm Sola. I'm your-

[Does that matter right now?]

Ah... well, either way, this place is somewhat dangerous. There are people around who might try to trick you, so be careful, okay? I know it's confusing, but you've been here awhile. Some of us are under a curse that seems to make people younger and forget things.

[He offers a hand for Johnny to take.]

We've been living here together for more than a year.

[Will he believe that? Sola hopes he does, that he'll be trusted and can help Johnny with this. First order of business, though, is to find out just how young Johnny really is now.]

I'm sorry for asking something kind of personal but because of the curse I need to know. How old are you and what year do you come from?

[He hopes he remembers what Johnny's told him of Earth's calendar. If it's 2013 now...]

A curse?

[Really...if he suspended common sense for a moment, it would explain why he was wearing strange, ill-fitting clothes when he'd 'woken up' and couldn't remember even coming here. Perhaps it was because he'd been here all along...some sort of older him, anyway.

Really, he didn't have anything better to go on, and he was willing to believe this Sola wasn't lying to him, so he really had no choice but to accept this information for now.]

I understand...though I do not know who would want to trick me, there is no reason to, is there?

And it is the year of our lord, thirteen twenty-six.

[Something Sola had said caught his attention. and he fixed the other man with a curious gaze.]

What were you going to say just then? You are my what?

[Servant? Squire? Friend?]

Demons, other people with less than noble intentions.

[It's more than he could have hoped for, Johnny listening and accepting what he says without much question. The year he says causes the Hylian to go slightly bugeyed for a moment, though. 1326?! Johnny would have to be--

...actually it's probably better if he isn't a vampire, honestly. And... hah, they're close to the same age, he supposes. Funny. Not.. really important right now, he has to admit, but funny just the same.

Johnny's question breaks him from his thoughts. Maybe it's more important in the moment than he thought?]

Um, well... I mean, we're... y'know, together.

[A pause.]

A couple.

[He stilled, mind racing and trying to comprehend what he'd been told. Demons....Sola had said demons...but demons didn't leave Hell, did they? They merely played with mortals from a distance. And what interest would a demon have in a simple knight such as him??

But those thoughts fled in the face of the second part.

A couple. Him...with a man.]

No.

[No, it wasn't possible, those..urges those feelings...he'd stamped them down and dismissed them. Such things were the devil's play, certain death if indulged. He was a good man, a man of faith, one who would not stray from God's light. He was being lied to, he had to be!]

I grant you my trust and you throw it back in my face? Do not feed me lies as though I were some foolish youth you could manipulate, grant me more decency than that.

[The anger fled from him and he was left with a tiredness. The same tiredness he felt after a day of pretending to flirt with the ladies of the court, a day of pretending to be someone he wasn't.]

What you say is impossible, such an indecent relationship would not be proper for a man in my position.

Edited 2013-01-19 16:31 (UTC)

[He hadn't expected Johnny to believe him; it's difficult to swallow that you have an entire other life that, for you, hasn't happened yet. He'd be incredulous too. It's the absoluteness that's behind the no that pierces Sola's heart. He shows it too, unable to master his reaction in time for the stricken look to pass unnoticed. Even once he's schooled his expression his chest still feels tight and uncomfortable. He doesn't know what to say, how to explain to this man, admittedly younger but no less beloved to him, that what he says is the truth.]

Vatheon's a place where people can be what they want, or how they want to be. You don't have to be 'proper', or what others back home tell you.

[He's guessing here. That tired expression, that's the same one Johnny has when he lies, when the cracks through the forced smiles sometimes slip. He's seen enough of Johnny's real smiles now to know the difference, at least now that his mind is more ordered if not at the time.]

I used to work for a man who used me to further his own evil ends. He took my identity and forced me to strive for a new one, to take one that wasn't mine. You taught me I didn't have to, that I could find my own way, that I'm worth something as I am.

[It's close enough to the truth for now. Sola swallows.]

I'm not lying to you, I'm not trying to manipulate you.

[He offers a tentative hand and a small smile.]

I want to protect you.

[He felt a little overwhelmed. The possibility of just being himself, the person he was when he was away from the castle or by himself..it was too good to be true. How could such a place exist? If there were no rules, no norm to follow, then what was he supposed to do? How did a society function like that?

But the look on the other man's face...that pained look had been pure and completely real. Was it possible he was not being lied to? Perhaps...if it was true about this place, and he had been here a while, perhaps he had finally been able to do what he wanted.

And perhaps he had really stepped into the most lucid dream of his life.]

I want to believe you.....I do.

[The man looked to Sola, his fear, uncertainty, and hope all intermingled on his face.

But he reached out, paused, and took the offered hand.

To be perfectly honest, he half expected the wrath of God to rain down on his head right then and there...but nothing happened. No one was around, though. Would everything really be all right if they were truly in public?]

...are you certain we will not be hung simply for this gesture?

[He said it with a small smile on his face, only barely joking.

...but even if they were, this moment, holding hands with an attractive young man just as he'd longed to since becoming a man...it was nice. It was worth it.]

Why would we be hung?

[That doesn't make sense to Sola. Even with all he understands now, homosexuality as a sin has never been anything he fathomed. After all, most of his real parenting was done by trolls and to a race that's sexually compatible across the board, you never really think about gender.

He twines his fingers between Johnny's, looking down at the interlocking digits as something precious. Even if Johnny doesn't remember him at the moment, he's still willing to accept Sola after a small nudge. It's comforting.]

[For just a moment, Jean gave Sola a look that would suggest the Hylian had just grown another head, but then he looked away. Maybe this was a dream after all...it only seemed more and more impossible.

But what was wrong with having dreams? They could be the most enjoyable part of life.

He offered a small, but real, smile to Sola.]

Nevermind. If what you say is true and we are...together, I feel bad not really remembering you.

[He paused as something occurred to him. He brought their hands closer to his face, bowing as he did so, and kissed the back of Sola's hand.]

Please, will you allow me the honor of courting you a second time?

C-courting?

[It's not that he doesn't know the word, but... well, Johnny hadn't really 'courted' him the first time! Sola had simply acted on impulse, asked him to be matesprits, and that was that.

A faint flush comes over the replica's cheeks and he opens his mouth to respond-

-only to be interrupted by a beep from his SFC. With a mildly annoyed look, Sola takes it from his belt and clicks a few things, then looks back up at Johnny swiftly.]

I'm sorry, I have to go do something really quick. Wait for me, okay? I'll be back soon!

[Without waiting for an answer, Sola dashes off. He'd decided to keep an eye out for any kids in danger this week and that's exactly what he needs to take care of.]

[ Barry had been very upset to find himself stuck in his childish form. He'd scanned the network quickly to get an idea of what was going on, but he hadn't lingered on any one thing. So this was what being in one of the curses felt like. He'd tried all different forms of magic to release himself from this, but nothing had worked.

[ With nothing better to do with himself he'd headed out and wasn't he pleasantly surprised to see who else but Johnny and looking rather young, and dare he say human? Well this held promise.

[ He moved over towards a tree and curled himself up into a small ball as if he'd been crying. His long braid hung down beside him and he forced tears into his eyes as he made sure to make enough noise that Johnny would hear. ]

[Jean paused in his practice when he thought he'd heard something. After a moment, he heard it again and sheathed the sword. Someone was crying...

The knight looked around and finally spotted the little girl by the tree.

Cautiously, he approached and knelt down next to her.]

Miss? What is troubling you? May I help?

[ Barry looked up at Johnny, Jean now, with wide crimson tinted eyes. Surely it was just a trick of the light and they were really a deep brown. ]

I...I'm lost.

[ Barry picked up the teary eyed look. His face was perfectly innocent. Who wouldn't want to help such a little angel? ]

[And just as he would be nearly a decade later, Jean got entirely lost in those eyes and the need to protect this innocent-faced person, only a child now.

The knight held out his hand for the child to take and offered a small smile.]

Do not cry, allow me to help you. Where is it you need to be, young one?

[ Oh Jean~ Barry had almost forgotten how kind he could be, and how easily he could sweep him off his feet with that glance. ]

I...I don't know.

[ Barry brought a hand up to his face and wiped at the tears. ]

I woke up and I was in a strange place.

[ He looked up at Johnny with wide doe eyes. ]

Where are my mama and papa?

[Johnny's heart hurt for the child with an angel's face, and he reached out to wipe away her tears as well.]

Don't cry. I will help you find them, if you will allow me to. You should not be left by yourself.

Edited 2013-01-20 07:05 (UTC)

[ Barry nodded and reached up to be picked up by Johnny. The feel of Johnny's hand on his face in a gesture other than hate was so familiar and wanted that it nearly brought real tears to his eyes. ]

You promise? You'll help me?

[Jean reached down and wrapped his arms around the small child, lifting her off the ground and to his chest.]

I promise. I would not leave a defenseless maiden alone, especially when I am able to help.

[Sola trots back to the park, feeling relatively proud of himself and more than a little relieved. Hopefully that Dirk kid would be more careful now that he's out of the snow and warmed up. Sola had hated to leave since he didn't seem to have anyone to take care of him, but such is the case of many this week and there's a certain not-yet vampire that's far more innocent than is healthy that Sola needs to get back to.

Oh, looks like he's made a friend. Sola raises his arm in a wave and begins to call out.]

Joh-

[The name is left unsaid as Sola realizes just who Johnny is cradling, even in that female and diminutive form.

He couldn't have been gone long, half an hour, forty-five minutes at most, and yet somehow Johnny had gotten himself found by the exact demon Sola had vaguely warned him about before! It's uncanny how this man can get himself into trouble.]

What's going on?

[His voice is a little cooler than his first run in with Johnny today and there's a hard edge to it, all directed at the delicate blonde.]

[ So it seemed the curse had affected Sola too, but not quite the same way it had for Johnny, or Barry. The demon smirked a little over Johnny's shoulder as he purposely buried his face into Johnny's neck in mock fear. ]

Who is that?

[ Barry's voice sounded frightened as if he didn't trust Sola. ]

[Jean looked back and smiled when he saw Sola.]

Ah, you're back. I found her by herself, I offered to help find where she belonged.

[He pet the child's hair and his tone softened. He hoped it would be comforting, after all, Sola wasn't going to do anything to her.]

There is no need to be afraid. Sola is a friend; no one here means you any harm.

[Sola gives a hard look at the apparent child in Johnny's arms, the smirk not missed. So, even like this he's after the vampire. Well, not vampire right now but... semantics. He has to tell Johnny the truth somehow or else he'll be in terrible danger.

But he doesn't want to lose his trust by openly attacking an apparent child either...]

...Can I talk to you alone for a moment, please? Without... her.

I don't trust him. [ Barry spoke loud enough that Sola could hear her. The look he gave over Johnny's shoulder spoke volumes. Say anything and I will hurt you. ]

No, please don't go!

[ Barry clung tighter to Johnny's neck. ]

[Jean looked from the little girl in his arms to Sola, clearly confused as to what was going on here, but he trusted Sola, maybe there was something going on.

He went to set the girl down and smiled at her to calm her.]

Do not fret, I trust him and I will not go far.

[Yes, Sola knows that Barry will probably flay him terribly later, but if his own safety is to be at the price of Johnny's, it's far too high to pay. He waits for Johnny to be free of the parasitic demon so they can talk a little more candidly.]

[ Barry looks as if she's about to cry again when Johnny sets her down. ]

B-but...he...

[ And there were the crocodile tears, large and free flowing. ]

[Jean set her down, offering a soft smile as he pet her hair and wiped some of those tears away.]

Do not fear, my lady, I will hardly even be out of your sight.

[And then he crossed to Sola, his tone taking on more of an edge, but he tried not to be unpleasant. Ultimately, it wasn't Sola's fault the girl was crying.]

What is so dire that a child cannot hear it?

[Sola keeps his voice very low, glancing back at where Johnny had left Barry standing.]

I know everything here is strange to you right now, and you have no real reason to trust me, but please believe me when I say that child is not all she appears to be. I know her. It, really. It's a shape changing demon and a convincing one at that.

[He puts his hand up to prevent any interruptions before they start.]

I know it's hard to believe, I know that, and I'm sorry, but I'm just.. I care about you, I'm trying to protect you. You can ignore me all you want, but please, please at least be on your guard.

[There's a deep urgency to his plea, a sense of caring he makes no effort to hide. Sola wants nothing more than to keep Johnny safe, especially when it's becoming more and more clear he may not be able to do that himself right now.]

[ Barry's gaze hardened the minute Johnny's back was turned. How dare he. How DARE Sola get in between Johnny and himself yet again! It was infuriating, and Barry swore if he could help it he'd find some way to make Sola pay without breaking the contract he'd made with Johnny.

[ When Johnny was back to a position he could see Barry again, the tears were back on as well as the pathetic looks. Really Johnny how could you possibly believe that this sweet little angel was anything but a perfect little girl. ]

[His mind felt stuffed with impossibilities and nothing seemed to make sense. He trusted Sola, but what he was saying and what Jean was seeing were not matching up. Children were God's most perfect creation...besides, demons were monsters, this child was hardly a monster.

And yet...nothing in the other man's demeanor, tone, or words gave him the impression he was being lied to.

Finally, he shook his head, trying to chase away at least some of the confusion and doubt.]

I...I cannot say whether or not I believe you; I am uncertain what to think. However, I do know that I am a knight of my realm and what I see is a young girl in need of help, I cannot ignore that.

If you so wish to accompany me while I find her somewhere safe to be, I will not turn you away.

[Barry's hard look is not lost on Sola but he doesn't try and get Johnny to turn and see. He knows the apparent child will just shed more crocodile tears. Perhaps it would be best to go with them and safeguard his matesprit.

He nods.]

I would be more comfortable by your side, if that's alright. You can protect him - or her, I guess, but someone needs to protect you.

[He knew next to nothing about Johnny, let alone anything of the vampire's past, so it's quite fascinating to watch him move so well with a sword. It reminds the boy of the few times he managed to get a sneak peek at the guards during their morning practice.]

[He didn't immediately notice the child nearby. When he did, the knight paused and lowered his sword, turning a curious look to the boy.]

Hello.

[Jean went down on one knee in an attempt to lessen the height difference.]

And who might you be?

[Fai starts and takes a step backward, then stops and steadies himself.]

I'm Fai.

[His face turns bewildered. Had the curse gotten to Johnny too? He doesn't like that many of the adults he can go to for help are now younger and seem to have no idea who he is.]

Don't you remember me?

[A look of concern crossed Jean's face and he shook his head.]

I apologize, I do not. But, then, I do not know where I am or how I came to be here, so, I may well know you and simply do not remember it.

[Memory loss had occurred to him in the time he'd been practicing. It didn't seem...likely, it wasn't like he had a hole in his memory, more that he was doing one thing and suddenly he was here. But, he supposed, it was still possible.]

Edited 2013-01-20 19:22 (UTC)

[Well, at least Johnny's willing to acknowledge that there's a chance that he's forgotten things. It's more than he could have hoped for after his encounters with others.]

You're in Vatheon. It's a place that brings lots of people together from different worlds. We live in the same house here.

Oh...then I must apologize again, I did not mean to leave you alone.

[If it was true, and he was not in the habit of discrediting children, then he had left someone alone who, potentially, depended on him for something. He felt bad.]

Fai...will you lead me to this home? If there was something you needed, please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate.

It's okay, there's nothing to be sorry about.

[Fai nods and moves to wrap his hand around the knight's.]

I can take you home. You don't have to do anything though, I got Sola to help me this morning.

[Jean took Fai's hand, still a little concerned, but at least he seemed all right.]

As long as you are not wanting for anything. I wish I could remember, it seems I have forgotten many important things.

[Like living with people...?]

If I may, how long have I been your caretaker?

You'll remember again soon, I think. Things like this happen sometimes. But never for very long.

[It seems like they're gonna be in for a long week. As much as he wishes he had gotten to be an adult, it's nice to still remember everything. Fai heads back towards home, worried about how the man will react to Sola or their house in general but trying not to let it show. If he stays calm maybe the man will too.]

When I got here almost six months ago you were already here. My brother was living with you and Sola, and you just took me in too.

[He's still surprised sometimes about how easily that had happened. They may be an awkward family, but it had been nice to be accepted so quickly and dealt with so patiently.]

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Sorry this took awhile! Between sick and comp issues I'm just now getting to it orz

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