Catch-all: Bradley

[ercnerd]

Comments

[battling]

I dunno-

[It's Bradley and Nero dressed the same. Nero's holding out a hand, it's the ring Sieghart has seen Bradley wear on his left middle finger.

Bradley, "If ya really wanna put that ring on my finger so bad, then you better make it outta this alive, bend down on yer knees and present it to me yerself. Selfless fools ain’t got no business bein’ bandits. Be greedy, and cling to that life with all you’ve got. Don’t matter who condemns you. I’ll always have your back. Tell me ya don’t wanna die. Or, at the very least, tell me ya don’t want me to die."

Nero, voice shaking, "…I…I don’t want you to die…"

Bradley, warm and affectionate, "Ahaha!! Then I guess we better make it back in one piece, yeah? You go an’ put that ring on my finger every time yer up for a big challenge, got it?!"]

[ercnerd]

[Such warmth and affection. Although it isn't his, it's a soothing memory in spite of the implications behind the words shared.

Sieghart's gaze drops to Bradley's left hand.]

You're a bandit, huh?

[battling]

[ The same ring is right there. Bradley rarely takes it off.

At the question he gets a confident grin. ]

You're looking at the leader of the most terrifyin' gang of bandits in the North.

[ercnerd]

Is that right? You sound awfully proud of being a looter.

[He says this easily, not necessarily as an insult.]

[battling]

If you're the best, ya should brag about it. Doesn't matter what it is.

[ercnerd]

I don't disagree with that . . . But what is it that you take?

[battling]

Interestin', useful and beautiful things. Y'know? What royals and old wizards start hoardin' away.

[ercnerd]

I only know one wizard back home, and he doesn't hoard much.

[battling]

Ya haven't met enough of 'em.

[ercnerd]

What's so great about robbery, anyway? You don't sound like you're hurting for money.

[battling]

Had t' be a bandit t' survive. Figured since I was already doin' it, I'd become the best.

[ercnerd]

I do believe people should do well in what they're best at . . .

Well, what you do back in your dimension isn't my business.

[battling]

Ain't like I'll go robbin' you for no reason, Mr. Monster.

[ercnerd]

. . . I'm neither royalty nor a wizard, so what do I have to be worried about?

[battling]

Nothin'!

Sounds like wizards from different places work different anyway. Probably wouldn't get much outta 'em.

[ercnerd]

The wizard of my dimension is an elf from an ancient kingdom. He's liable to trap you in one of his labyrinths if you try to steal from him.

[battling]

What the fuck is an elf?

[ercnerd]

You don't know?

Elves are a long-lived species of nature folk. You can tell them apart from humans and dwarves by their pointed ears. Their ability to communicate with nature doesn't automatically lend to talent for magic, but that one in particular is skilled.

[battling]

We only got humans and wizards where I'm from. Wizards don't die from old age, but we can be killed.

[ercnerd]

. . . Anyone can be killed. It doesn't matter whether they're mortal or immortal.

[battling]

Just a matter of bein' strong enough to kill them.

[ercnerd]

Strength is part of it.

[Before he can say more, another memory fragment plays:

You hide behind a thicket of trees, dead and alive, with an expressionless girl—Mari—who watches your sullen expression. Now that the conversation has steered this way, you're caught up in the torrent of boiling emotions over the terrible fate your brothers met centuries ago. But you've agreed to tell her the truth, and it would be wrong to back out after making that promise.

"May I ask what you're after? Although I don't have the Klara Libri . . . " She trails off, but continues when you neglect to respond: "My knowledge may be of help."

"I want to learn more about the demon who devours other demons," you answer flatly.

Mari's eyes widen. "A demon who devours demons . . . "

"You know something?"

"No. I can't think of anything. But I'll tell you if I do."

You sigh, the tension in your mien unraveling as you receive the answer you were expecting. "What a waste of time."

Mari watches you for a moment, then says, "I have a question for you as well." She doesn't budge when you suggest leaving this dangerous place first. "It will be safer to wait for our friends than to run away from Duel. May we keep hiding?"

You don't like the thought of cowering in a battlefield, but this is Mari. She's the last of the royal bloodline from the ancient kingdom your brothers once protected. There are forces, like Duel, who would use her as the key to endanger her life and the world. It's your duty to ensure that no harm befalls her.

You muster up a smile to lighten the mood. "I don't like it . . . but it's a rational suggestion. What did you want to ask me?"

"Well . . . I'm interested in immortality. Please let me experiment on you."

"Ack, you're not going to dissect me, are you?"

Mari smirks, and the light appears to reflect off the lenses of her spectacles as she replies, "I don't know. Maybe . . . "

You find yourself too speechless to say anything.]

[battling]

... ?

Who's that girl you were with?

[Dissection...?]

[ercnerd]

. . . Just another kid who's too interested in my invincible body.

[battling]

There's more than one?