--:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::--- HP: 60/60 Place: Flynn's Ship Company: Flynn Outfit: Black leather pants, half open blouse, black boots, short cloak with his collar hidden under it. Weapons: -- Status: Healthy, exhausted --:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::---
Ikuto would wish for nothing more than have more news than he had to share. However he was under no illusions. Eager as he was to find someone that could help his ailing friend, he was subject to his own limits. And it wasn't like this place was heavily populated making it even harder. This one night had pretty much robbed the feline of most energy he had stored, but he wouldn't stop before he found their man, or woman. He had almost doze off on the spot when he faintly could make out Flynn's voice again. At least he had slept, that was a relief to the nekojin, though the second half of the answer was worrying. If they now tired so quickly compared to usual, it must have been worse than he initially thought. His first instinct was to push himself up and to go back into the city, but a feint feeling which almost caused him to reel over the railing halted him in his tracks, quickly forcing him to reconsider his flighty idea. If he went out now without rest and some sustenance he would be of no use to anyone.
Regardless Ikuto managed to catch and steady himself and shook his head as he rubbed his right temple. He had used up to much energy, though it was more cause of falling out of practice. The feline demon hadn't been using his stealth this long for many years. It would get better in a few nights, though Ikuto hoped it wouldn't take that long. The sooner he found Flynn the help he needed the better. "Aye..." he replied weakly and conceded to the other's idea. "Some food and rest would probably do me well." he replied and forced a smile, not wanting Flynn to worry.
Besides experience had taught him he had rapid recovery. It would be best for them both if he would not venture into the city until the next nightfall. "Have you been able to keep yourself busy?" he asked curiously, directing the subject away from the current situation. He was genuinely interested too. Nothing was worse than having to wait for your fate without anything else to do. His Master had been pretty skilled at that, keeping the feline bound and locked in a dark room with no knowledge of what was going to happen next. Ikuto banned the memories from his mind for now and instead focused back on his companion.
What's taken away is the price they pay. For goodness sake let it fade away. * * *
He could see it in his companion’s eyes when he spoke of the nature of his sleep. Yes it was concerning, at least for a being that rarely needed it, but in his opinion it was only a minor inconvenience. He hated that he was worrying this new friend, but he couldn’t lie.
After worrying that he might be left again, with his friend running on such low energy, it was comforting to hear the other give in and agree to rest. He returned the weak smile and reached to place a hand gently on his shoulder, slowly as not to startle him if possible. “It’s just a day, I won’t die that easily.” He assured him.
Flynn let his hand slide from that position if he’d been allowed to place it there and left it at that. He took his leave to gather up what he needed to cook up something remotely breakfast like. Eggs hadn’t been an option in years after all and his protein sources were just as scarce as the day before.
“It ain’t gonna be as spectacular as yours, but at least it’s something right?” He laughed as he returned with various vegetables. He didn’t care if his cooking wasn’t great, he wasn’t about to have Ikuto making his own food after the trouble he went through. He placed a skillet down and started the fire to heat it up while he made himself comfortable beside it. The fire made little sparks that hoped from the dry charred pieces of wood and dissipated as they met the surface of the iron.
“Haven’t really done much since ya left. Just did some work until I passed out on my work bench.” He said, and it didn’t seem like he had a problem with it. But perhaps that wasn’t the best wording to use right now. “Can’t say I’ve ever had much of a hobby outside of that. What do you do when you’re alone and not searching a dangerous city?” He asked. There was still so little that he knew about the feline and he was genuinely curious if Ikuto ever just… ya know, had a hobby? Maybe there was one he wished he had?
* * * Let go of the past, that tore you apart. Embrace this chance for a brand new start.
Who's that?: Ikuto Where am I?: My Ship Feeling: happy, a bit sluggish OOC: ... #964B00
--:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::--- HP: 60/60 Place: Flynn's Ship Company: Flynn Outfit: Black leather pants, half open blouse, black boots, short cloak with his collar hidden under it. Weapons: One handed Sword, Bow, Dagger Status: Unclaimed runaway slave, Currently helping Flynn, Healthy --:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::---
For now it would seem his friend was doing alright. But Ikuto couldn't help but worry that each ticking hour resting might be an hour to much. Still, the feline knew he too had limits. And it wouldn't help if he was unable to perform his searches. The nekojin lowered his ears slightly at the thought but they perked when he felt something on his shoulder. Though he saw it was Flynn soon enough. And they had taken care not to go to quickly so he wasn't as startled as he might have been. It was just that memories still lingered and for a long time physical touch had not been a pleasant thing. Though Ikuto noticed he didn't mind as much when Flynn did it. The feline managed to give them a smile and a nod. "I'll find some help. I have to." he replied and watched them leave for food.
In his mind the feline was more like he'd find some help even if it were the last he would do. But even in his tired state he knew that would not sit well with Flynn if he said that. The feline dozed off some once more until his friend returned soon after. Ikuto pushed himself up some and made his way slowly and sat down closer to Flynn and the fire. "I'm sure it will taste just fine." he replied and smiled a bit. He was well aware that his life had taught him to be precise about what he did. But he would never expect the same of someone else, that would just be unfair. Ikuto was sure it would taste good just the same and the food would help him recover some energy as well. Once done he could sleep after eating to get ready for another search in the city.
The feline cast a slightly worried glance at Flynn when they said they passed out at the workbench, but he didn't comment about it as he didn't want to make Flynn think that Ikuto thought they might fall apart at any time. His friend had said it himself, he still had some time. Some distraction came when they spoke about hobbies, though Ikuto couldn't really remember the last time he had been spending time in any hobby. "My people used to be hunters." he then said slowly as he tried to remember the time before the dark events that had shook his childhood. "If you could call that a hobby. We hunted animals but only for what we needed.I did used to make items from leftover skins...before, before my life changed." he said not wanting to speak about the attack that had wiped out his tribe.
"It was soon after that when I got captured and only knew chains and cages. There was no time for hobbies, just anxious moments between my master's whims." he managed to explain a bit about his life without going into details. His captivity had been a hard time, but he survived stronger for it at least. "Perhaps, once I saved my one true friend..." he said and glanced at Flynn. "I might try and go back to skins and herbs. I don't know much else beyond that. It had ever been the thought for me to follow my father's footsteps as hunter for the tribe. And taking care of my brother while he grew up. Or perhaps I can learn more from you and keep helping you." the feline said and smiled a bit. It was what most the males' destiny was where he came from really. Hunters, providers, even Shamans. Ikuto wasn't sure it was the first time he mentioned his brother, nor did it matter really, the boy was gone.
What's taken away is the price they pay. For goodness sake let it fade away. * * *
How long had it been since someone cared this much about him? That was a constant thought when he communicated with Ikuto now and he couldn’t help but be conflicted about it. On the one hand it felt nice; it felt as though he had someone close again. On the other hand, it brought guilt because he felt as though he was holding the other back and asking too much of him. In either case, he could feel his heart throb and he honestly couldn’t explain why.
After the heavy discussion, of the time they spent away from each other, the distracting subject was intentional. Flynn didn’t like seeing the other hurt because things weren’t going as well as they would have hoped. At least this could leave him with nice memories if things continued to go south.
“Where I come from that’s plenty a hobby, you just gave it more of a productive use. I was never one for it but I knew a few who’d hunt for sport,” He said.
Ah, but what was this? It seemed as though Ikuto was going back to dwindling with the events of his past again. He hadn’t intended to conjure up those memories along with, what he personally saw as, pleasant thoughts. Giving a sweet smile he continued, “Let’s not think about the horrors for now, hmm? I think them skills from back then would be valuable to sell if ya wanted. It could give ya a solid place in this world.”
It wasn’t long before the food he’d been stirring up began to shift into a soft golden brown that, he hoped, was ready to eat. He held his smile as he pushed the vegetables into two bowls with a spoon and offered one to the Feline. “Ey Ikuto, I was thinkin’.” Flynn paused for a moment and poked at his food. “I don’t think I like you risking so much out in that city alone. There has ta be another way right?” He asked. “Ya know that inn we were near before? What if someone there knows something? I did business there, but don’t think I ever spent the time getting ta know the patrons comin’ and goin’.”
It was a long shot, he knew that, but he liked the idea of visiting a place that they could go together. He didn’t like being the sailors wife waiting for her husband to return home with no idea if such a thing would even happen.
* * * Let go of the past, that tore you apart. Embrace this chance for a brand new start.
Who's that?: Ikuto Where am I?: My Ship Feeling: happy, a bit sluggish OOC: ... #964B00
--:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::--- HP: 60/60 Place: Flynn's Ship Company: Flynn Outfit: Image Weapons: One handed Sword, Bow, Dagger (not equipped atm) Status: Eating and talking with Flynn --:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::---
"Some hunt just for the thrill? That is awful. We are taught very early on not to waste a thing." Ikuto was slightly surprised about that. Of course he knew they hunted people, he had been a victim of it already being turned into a slave, but to hunt animals just for fun was something he couldn't even imagine doing. Though thinking of it a bit, he shouldn't be surprised at all. If people were as awful as to hunt other intelligent beings for the purpose of submitting them to a harsh life of control, they were awful enough to treat animals as terrible. The feline shook his head a bit. "I was barely walking when I shot my first arrow in a hunt." he revealed a little of his past back at his original home. "My father was the prime hunter of the tribe and his son was expected to be just as exceptional, so training started early." Ikuto said and smiled a bit.
Perhaps to outsiders this would be seen as way to early to be exposed. But for Ikuto it was normal to be hunting that early. Perhaps it was an idea for later once he managed to help his friend keep his life. Right now hobbies weren't really his priority. He didn't mind thinking and talking about it though. "I might see if my skill can be used later once we have ensured you of your future." the feline said and smiled at his friend. Ikuto watched as Flynn worked on the food and then scooped it up in a bowl for them. The nekojin wasn't sure why his friend was worried about it. It looked and smelled fine. "Thank you my friend." he said as he accepted his food happily. He had been out all night without anything to eat or drink as he had been to focused on the search. Thankfully his demon blood made it possible.
Ikuto gently blew over the bowl to help the soup cool down. He was hungry yes, but it was no need to go and burn his tongue or mouth, so he waited patiently. His attention was soon caught by how Flynn spoke up anew though and red orbs moved from the food to glance over at his friend curiously. But what he heard he wasn't sure what to think of it. He looked a little surprised and he couldn't ignore the feeling of slight worry about going out there together. Wouldn't that strain his heart more than waiting here? "I know I can't stop you if that is what you want, my friend. But are you sure that will be wise?" he worded his worries softly. He disliked the idea of his friend being in danger as much as Flynn hated the idea of him going towards danger. Only in Ikuto's case he didn't have any health concerns.
What's taken away is the price they pay. For goodness sake let it fade away. * * *
It was awful. Whether it be taking the life of a human or that of an animal, Flynn couldn’t begin to understand why someone would find pleasure in taking another beings life without justifiable reason. At least when he was forced to do so at war, he could at least fool himself by saying that it was for the good of his country. But, he didn’t even like doing that. It was comforting to know that someone else felt the same.
He would have commented on it but instead he left it at a nod before getting distracted by the bit of Ikuto’s past that was brought up. “Since you were a hunting tribe that musta been a prestigious position right? I would’ve liked to see you become one, one day.” He said thoughtfully. The feline must have been amazing at it if he’d been shooting since he was a child. It was a nice thought to linger on while he tried to look at their situation a little brighter.
“Aye, I can agree ta that,” he said, taking the moments when Ikuto spoke to stir and poke at his bowl of soup. Then finally he decided to take a sip himself and there was less thought put into it than the feline had. Without a second thought he popped the scorching hot liquid into his mouth. “A-ah hot-“ Flynn mumbled as he startled a little bit. Well, it didn't taste bad, he though.
Then, after a moment of a recovery, he shrugged it off and answered his friend. “Well aren’tcha a good friend,” he said with a smile. “Don’tcha go worry’n about me. This thing ain’t ready ta give out just yet and it’s just as much my responsibility to try an get it fixed.” Then he brought up a fist and thumped it lightly against the right side of his chest.
There was confidence in the way that he spoke, even if he had a hard time believing his own words that it would work out just fine. The risks of going out didn’t need to be spoken at this point and he expected the answer that he received, but he also couldn’t just sit here any longer. It was boring and, more than anything, just felt wrong.
* * * Let go of the past, that tore you apart. Embrace this chance for a brand new start.
Who's that?: Ikuto Where am I?: My Ship Feeling: determined, a bit sluggish OOC: ... #964B00
--:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::--- HP: 60/60 Place: Flynn's Ship Company: Flynn Outfit: Image Weapons: One handed Sword, Bow, Dagger (Unequipped atm) Status: Eating and talking with Flynn --:::------::-------------------⛥--------------------::------:::---
It was a cruel world to be sure which he had ended up in. Of course he already knew that, since he himself had been beaten and abused a lot in his time with his 'master' but that they also would hunt just for pleasure, not for need. That was just unthinkable to the feline that had his first years in a very Shaman driven culture. Still his mind didn't linger on that unpleasantness when Flynn commented about his tribe. "Aye, it was. We were pretty much the leading family at the tribe. My father was the best hunter of the tribe and my mother was the medicine woman. People looked up to them." he replied and smiled a bit.
It was a slightly sad smile but a watchful eye would see there was also pride and still quite a bit of love hidden behind it that was much stronger right now. "My first lessons were hunting related. And my father taught me for years until my brother was born. After that it became a mix between hunting, hunting classes and taking care of and watching over my brother. It was a good basic life." Ikuto shook the thoughts away, as he had actually caught earlier that Flynn didn't like to see him sad. To be fair it wasn't much sadness as it was reliving fond memories. "My mother taught me about herbs and poisons, which is what I won back my freedom with." he said. It was alright for Flynn to know. The man already knew he poisoned his 'master' after all and he hadn't minded one bit.
It had surprised the feline, but now he just felt pretty much at home alongside his friend and on the ship. Ikuto grimaced a bit when the other burned themselves on the soup but he kept calm. The last Flynn needed was someone mothering over them after all. "You should be more careful with recently cooked food." he merely said and smiled gently. Part of Ikuto wanted to ask more about Flynn, but he had already learned it was painful for the other to talk about it, so he wouldn't. He felt worried about the man's decision to join him however. Still as he said, Ikuto couldn't stop Flynn if that was what he wanted.
The nekomata would just make sure to keep a close eye on his friend's condition. "Alright then. I'd welcome your company. But if it eventually gets to straining, please let me know too." he said to his friend. They could take more breaks if need be. and Ikuto would make sure to pace himself a bit slower as to not rush Flynn. "I had gotten quite deeply into the city this night. We could go a bit deeper. Last I saw there weren't many dangers there." he informed his friend, a bit more awake. Though he knew he would crash at some point, so he should sleep soon.
What's taken away is the price they pay. For goodness sake let it fade away. * * *
There was no question that bringing up these memories would bring some level of pain, but it was far less painful than remembering past abuse. Those were better days, more normal, and Flynn had a suspicion that there was more than sadness to that smile. Even the way Ikuto spoke felt the slightest bit more upbeat than it had.
He reached out his hand to tap Ikuto’s when he felt a sense of uncertainty in the other male and smiled sympathetically. “Ya really had an amazing life b’fore all this. I’m glad yer family taught what they did. Don’t think I woulda met ya otherwise,” he said.
Without that kind of training Flynn doubted that the feline would have had the chance that he did at escaping his master. Even if he did, there was little chance at survival in this world if you didn’t know how to protect yourself and obtain food. He was thankful that the other male was here now, rather than the unfortunate fates he could have met. He liked having him here.
Flynn waved his hand in front of his mouth as if it would cool the burn and he gave a guilty smile at the response. “S’fine, really. Just reminds me I ain’t jus’ a machine.” He took the advice and took more cautious spoonfuls into his mouth from then on.
“I can live with that. Besides, think ya know when I ain’t feelin’ too hot so there ain’t no use hidin’ it,” he said. “Goin’ in further don’t said like a bad plan then, but ya gotta get some sleep before thinkin’ too hard on that. We both need to be in good shape goin’ out there, even if I can play master pretty good.”
It might not have sounded like it, but Flynn wanted to rest up too in order to face the creeping lethargy that had begun to plague him. Even if he’d only woken up just before the felines return.
* * * Let go of the past, that tore you apart. Embrace this chance for a brand new start.
Who's that?: Ikuto Where am I?: My Ship Feeling: determined, a bit sluggish OOC: ... #964B00
Ikuto looked up when he felt the other's hand on his and smiled a bit again, grateful for the comforting gesture. "Thank you, Flynn. I'm glad we were able to meet as well." It was true the life had been an amazing one, though part of Ikuto wished it had lasted a bit longer. His brother had been so young, it was an awful age to die. And in such a violent way on top of it all. That was one thing the feline would never forgive himself. Their parents had sent him off with his brother to protect the boy and Ikuto had failed to keep him safe.
Remembering the past like this it made the nekomata hesitant about the whole plan more than ever. He couldn't even protect his own brother, yet here he was swearing to keep his new friend safe. What if he failed in that too? Yet he knew he couldn't change it, Flynn was determined. The feline did his best to not make his thoughts to known though. He didn't want the other to worry on top of joining him out there. Ikuto would just have to be a thousand times more vigilant and ready for battle at all times.
Still he had managed to smile a bit when the other commented about feeling he was not all machine. The nekomata guessed that would be true. But it was good to see they took the demon's word at heart. A sense of relief came over him when Flynn told him they would be honest about how they were feeling. It was a good thing to know that he wouldn't exhaust his friend without realizing.
Though it was true he would notice soon enough. A skill of observation was kind of vital to any hunter worth his salt. And it made him perceptive to a whole lot more as well. "You're right, I should." Ikuto agreed and he got up from where he had been sitting. He still felt dizzy from having used his powers so often, but he shook it off with a shake of his head with his ears backward a bit. It would be fine once he had some sleep at any rate. "Sleep well my friend, have a good rest as well." he said before going down to his hammock in the hold and laying down. He stared at the ceiling of the hold for a while as he racked his brain for ways he knew how to keep them both safe and whole. But eventually did fall asleep as his excursion of the night overwhelmed him.
