Welcome to Gaia! ::

Water! Genius!

For all the time he spent in the desert it was almost shameful that Maximos didnt ask for it before hand. But, he didnt hesitate to scoop up a ball of black from beside the fountain, the mass warbling and wobbling before forming into an average looking black canteen which he heartily filled.

Maximos just took to taking in the city one last time as Ryugi purchased the bread, and soon they were off. A few minutes later, he verily accepted the bread with a bright...

Thank you!

And smiled and nodded as the dragon shared a bit of traveling information, something also very valuable. Maximos examined the bread for a moment, a faint glow of his right eye, examining the bread for magical properties just before taking a nice healthy bite. It was good! Very good! Lucind made something like this, but not the same at all. This one had a bit more pep, and more tang too it. Of course, once the some came out strong his thirst would devour him if not for a sip of water.

You sound like you've traveled like this alot, have you explored any of the rest of Gaia like this too?

Impressive!

Maximos said, taking a second large bite of his bread before slipping it into his pack. He never had much of a huge morning appetite, just the strong desire to snack throughout the day, it was hearty, tasty bread, it would last a few more minutes until his appetite came back.

It really shows!

He said with a nod. And it did, such knowledge of flora and fauna, little helpful tips, it all added up. But something else caught his ear.

I didnt know you were a mercenary. For who?

I used to have a job like that.[/color

Maximos said, with a small smile.

I was adventurer, I had a rag tag band of heroes. I set out to explore the whole of my world, righting wrong where it lie.

He nodded, taking a small sip of his water.

We fought for years against a particular threat to our world's safety. A rather mysterious and unknown Dark Lord. And after about 6 years we finally confronted him.

Maximos would try very effectively to make it sound like he was simply telling an old memory, and not the largest tragedy of his life.

We managed to free him of the being that was controlling him, but in those final moments he tore open a rift into the void between dimensions sucking us each into the nothing. I think because I was practically made of magic then, and I survived, landing on Gaia.

He laughed, running a loose hand through his hair.

Wanna be Hero turned Stadium Bum.

He chuckled a bit, back in the day he had no money and no house he was literally a stadium bum.

Twists and turns indeed.

Perhaps.

Maximos said, taking another sip of water.

Or perhaps no one ever got the chance to know what we all did. I try not to think of it, it makes me homesick. Either way, your entirely right. Its a beautiful chance to wander down memory lane, and I couldnt think of a better friend to do it with.

He smiled brightly, honestly. He had no way of really expressing it, but Ryugi would have fit perfectly in that old group, when Maximos' view on the world was almost exactly as bright and cheery, and idealistic as the dragons!

Maybe...

Maximos said, the faint glow in his right eye picking up traces of gray...sadness, flickering in the flame of Ryugi's aura.

...its a new adventure, if your sharing it with someone new? Perhaps in that, the adventure wouldnt be finding new places, but having new experiences with new people in those places.

He scratched the back of his head a bit.

You know?

Now that was a subject close to the Shadow's heart.

Really?!

Maximos said, looking intently at Ryugi almost as if trying to see if he could see his skills, which was of course impossible.

You must be really good?

He smirked, proudly, deciding to add a bit information.

You know, my father was a Blacksmith.

Maximos never learned the trade, and despite the popularity of Shadowsmithing in the later years of the curse, the forged weapons were never really effective against light mages, and Maximos never really learned the art.

You did that?

Maximos said with a shocked smile. D loved those, and even Maximos had to regard their quality, not many things can survive the sort of beating D put them through and still look flawless. Ryugi had done good.

Those are amazing. Their amazingly durable, and yet finely crafted. Masterful work!

He nodded gingerly, without a good friend here this was just a plain road. With Ryugi it was an awesome memory.

Enchanting really is a fun thing, with your natural magical talent I'm sure you'll be great at it.

He smiled from ear to ear, entirely genuine. And then an idea dawned on him, something that really made him smile.

Maybe you could make me something?

Now, he was just being humble. And as admirable a trait as that was, Maximos simply couldnt have that. He tilted his head to the side somewhat, making eye contact with Ryugi.

Dont you know?

He said with his trademark friendly tone, and a smirk.

Its what you put into a weapon that makes it great...

He shook his finger as if shaking away any misconception.

...not what comes out in the end. Though...

He brought the finger in, tapping his chin.

...when you put in the right things from here, and here...

With the same finger he pointed at Ryugi's chest, obviously symbolizing his heart. And his head.

...what comes out is usually amazing.