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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 8, 2014 4:08:38 GMT -7
Serian Business District, Central Plaza January 7, 1623 - 7:00PM
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It was business as usual in the Business District, save for the lone militia guy shoveling the last of the snow banks off the street. He was covered from head to foot in warm clothing, even up to his mouth, but that didn't stop his complaints from being heard.
"Finally! It." Dylan grunted as he scooped up the last of the godsdamned snow. "Is." He moved to the huge barrel. "Done!" And unceremoniously dumped the last pile in. "Wheeewww!" he groaned as he drove his shovel into the ground and leaned against it, reaching up to pull his scarf down from his mouth and heaved a couple of tired breaths, which formed in little hazy white puffs.
"Those blasted commanders!" Dylan continued to grumble out his rant. "What did they think militia men are, janitors?! They better get their facts straight!" But even with his disgruntlement, he still has orders to carry out. Kicking at the snowy ground in annoyed resignation, he dumped his shovel onto the barrel and started to wheel it back to the designated spot for the disposal team to pick up.
"Damn it...I haven't even had lunch yet and already it's dinnertime!" he uttered in disbelief. "Welp, time for me to get myself a nice big steak!" With a loud enthusiastic whoop (and jump), Dylan headed for the tavern.
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 8, 2014 4:27:32 GMT -7
Ugh, he was so tired...and so hungry. Clearing out the mess the Hippogriff rampage had caused was harder than he'd first anticipated. Actually, it was easy; the instructors' nagging made it needlessly complicated. That was after he'd gotten the first half of his mother Professor Tellycra's lectures when she'd arrived for her classes that afternoon. With the promise of the second half once she gets home, Leifiel isn't exactly looking forward to going home early.
But still...He needed to have dinner. He'd spent more magic during the clean-up than he'd liked.
Leifiel hurried through the streets, bundled up for the cold night and hoping the baked potato hawkers were still around. He could really use some piping hot potatoes right now!
He saw his favorite stall and proceeded to run towards it...
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 8, 2014 4:45:51 GMT -7
Oh, he could practically taste it now; the thick juicy slab of sirloin, just roasted from the woodfire...dripping with sauce...The thought alone was making Dylan's mouth water. The tavern was just past that block...
Even with all that warm clothing, that particular shade of red hair was far too familiar to be missed. A grin appeared on Dylan's face when he instantly recognized the short bundle of clothes heading towards that one baked potato stall. It was a very easy target.
Shaking his head in amusement, Dylan changed his direction and instead walked, stopping right in front of Leifiel. "Hiya, kid. What's the hurry~?"
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 8, 2014 5:16:10 GMT -7
Leifiel was so close that he'd only need to call out to the hawker when someone came across his path, stopping right in front of him...What kind of moron does that?! The voice that greeted him answered that very question for him.
His expression wrinkled into a very displeased scowl, Leifiel looked up to see that...that...THAT idiot of a brunette looking at him with that big goofy grin on his face. He'd kick the offensive man at the shins right away, only he'd had done that before and that didn't---never---work.
"What are YOU doing here?!" he demanded at Dylan, pointing a finger at the other's nose. "You are not supposed to be here!" In fact, Leifiel KNEW the man would be stationed at the Theater District at THIS very hour!
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 9, 2014 4:32:34 GMT -7
The kid's expression was adorably funny, Dylan couldn't help but laugh even with Leifiel's finger jabbing at his nose. "What do you mean by that?" he asked in return with a playful shrug. "I'm just on my way for some steak! I know a good place." He leaned forward, looming over the smaller redhead. "Care to join me?" he asked with a wink, knowing full well what Leifiel's answer would be.
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 9, 2014 4:38:25 GMT -7
Steak? That certainly couldn't have been the case! Leifiel had passed by the plaza so many times...In fact, he took THIS route just so he wouldn't come across the stupid steak maniac!
He leaned away when Dylan leaned closer, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance. He's invading his personal space...as usual! "You should very well know my answer by now!" Leifiel answered sharply as he shoved Dylan's face away with a cold gloved hand, making a point to smush that nose in at the same time. "I do mind!"
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 9, 2014 4:45:19 GMT -7
Yep, just as expected. Although the cold hand pressing against his face was really COLD! Still, it wasn't enough to faze the militia man. "Whoa...Ah ah ah~" Dylan chimed as he casually grasped Leifiel's wrist and then lifted him up to carry him under his arm. "You're so eager! Don't worry; you'll be dining on fine steak in just a moment!" he said as if Leifiel's answer was 'yes'.
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 9, 2014 4:54:14 GMT -7
He really shouldn't have done that.
Now that he'd thought about it, he really shouldn't have done that.
Leifiel made a surprised noise as he was suddenly lifted off his feet and found himself tucked under Dylan's arm. Very much like a bag of potatoes. When he'd realized what had just happened, the little redhead started squirming to free himself from the larger man's arm.
"Are you deaf?!" Leifiel protested as they started heading towards the tavern. "Put me down this instant!" He tried elbowing Dylan's midsection, but Leifiel's lack of arm strength and Dylan's own winter clothes rendered the attempts useless. The little redhead had no choice but to use magic.
With a quick and simple spell, Leifiel formed a snowball from the ground and had it fly towards Dylan's face.
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 9, 2014 5:02:30 GMT -7
The snowball flew straight towards Dylan, and although he had a feeling the kid would pull something like that, he just went on walking. Until the snowball made contact with his face, the white ball of icy fluff disintegrating on impact.
There was an ominous stillness as Dylan stood still after the snowball attack. Then, without even looking at Leifiel, Dylan said, "Oh, so you want to play before we eat?" With a quick turn on his heel, he started walking towards the opposite direction from the tavern. "Sure, let's play a little game...~"
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 9, 2014 5:09:07 GMT -7
Leifiel would've gloated when that snowball hit. He would've expected Dylan to drop him when that snowball hit. He would've expected himself to start putting a wide distance between him and the other when that snowball hit.
What he didn't expect was Dylan turning towards a different direction when that snowball hit. What was going on? It was a little worrying for the little redhead, actually. Then again, that ominous stillness should've been a dead giveaway already.
"Wait, wait...!" Leifiel started trying to squirm out of Dylan's hold again. Especially since the street they were walking through was very much familiar. Oh, no he wouldn't...!
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 10, 2014 3:41:27 GMT -7
"What?" came Dylan's reply. "You're the one who wanted to play a game before dinner, kid~" He took a turn at one corner and then straight down that street; he knew very well where they're going. Why not? They've already gone this way before.
----- Flashback -----
It was a few months ago, sometime around October. Dylan and Leifiel had met at the plaza. It was more of a chance meeting really; neither of them had any intention of meeting. Unfortunately for the kid, their paths crossed that day.
Dylan himself was just patrolling the area, as usual. The area wasn't too populated that day, mostly due to the heavy rain that covered the city.
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 10, 2014 4:16:06 GMT -7
----- Flashback -----
Going to the academy under this heavy rain wasn't what Leifiel would consider worth it, under normal circumstances. However, this wasn't any normal circumstance. In fact, it was necessary if he wanted to earn some points for a particular class he was having difficulty with. At least the library wasn't crowded and he was able to write a series of reports in peace.
Going home right after, that was going to be a little more difficult. The rain hadn't let up since he'd gone into the academy and some of the main streets were starting to get flooded.
Not wanting to walk through all that, Leifiel decided to take a detour. A longer one, but at least it'd be dryer. Somewhat.
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 10, 2014 4:28:24 GMT -7
----- Flashback -----
Why does he always end up with the worst routes to patrol in? Now that Dylan thought about it, he'd often get stuck patrolling the problem areas whenever there's bad weather. Was that on purpose?
The rain wouldn't show any signs of letting up and it was already late into the afternoon. Dylan sought some shelter as the rain got stronger. Ugh, what would he have to give to be in a warm tavern and have a warm drink, he thought as he sneezed. If this continues, his weapons might be waterlogged, and be a pain to clean!
There was someone who was out in the rain? Dylan was surprised to see someone out in this weather; must be crazy...or out on a very important errand. "Crazy weather, isn't it?" he greeted the person when they took shelter under the same awnings as Dylan.
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Post by Leifiel Hilde on Jan 10, 2014 4:37:42 GMT -7
----- Flashback -----
The detour, as it turned out, wasn't as dry as he'd expected it to be. Leifiel was more than annoyed that even the alternative route he'd taken was about to be flooded as well. Not to mention that the rain became heavier. There wasn't anything he could do and sought some shelter to pass the rain.
There was someone else already occupying the nearest shelter, but he didn't have much of a choice.
"Crazy weather, isn't it?"
Leifiel paused in mid-step when he heard that voice. Of all the places to...!
"It certainly isn't as crazy as you are!" Leifiel answered sharply.
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Post by Dylan McNeil on Jan 10, 2014 4:45:21 GMT -7
----- Flashback -----
Dylan blinked his eyes in surprise. And from having water get into his eyes. With a disgruntled whine, the militia man started dabbing his eyes with the back of his hand...which didn't help much because he was drenched completely.
As he was wiping his eyes, Dylan couldn't help but laugh at the retort. So the kid was the one crazy enough to be outside in the rain? He really wasn't surprised about that. "So says the one who looks like a wet chick~" he returned to Leifiel's jab.
"Seriously though, why are you out here in this rain? It's dangerous!" Dylan asked as he took off his outer raincoat and draped it over the kid's head.
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