empatheias | ( semi-open )

Entry tags:

( semi-open )

Who: Trunks and people (maybe you)
Where: Various places
When: middle of the month up until the player plot
Format: [ like this ]
semi-open
Summary: smol Trunks doing some things with people. some closed prompts with an open prompt.

( GOTEN; trees and thangs )
[ A little ways out of the city and from everyone really, Trunks climbs his way up the tallest tree that he can find and makes his way pretty much right to the top. It's once he's found a rather sturdy branch that he throws his blanket over it and takes a seat across it, looking down to see how far Goten is from him since Trunks went up ahead first to make sure there weren't any monsters or anything that would cause them problems. ]

Hey, Goten! What's taking you so long?

[ Sheesh, talk about a slowpoke. He better not have found that nest of baby birds on the way up. ]

( ROKUROU; swords and thangs )
[ On the day that he and Rokurou are to meet for ~~lunch and~~ sword shopping, Trunks comes to gently touch down on the ground after flying his way over to their meeting location in Shaarnath, his backpack slung over his shoulder and a rather determined look on his face. Well, there's also a smile, because he's been looking forward to this but the name of this game is to find himself THE PERFECT SWORD and Rokurou has offered to help. Or was picked to help whether he wanted to or not. Kids or something.

Either way, when Trunks spots the other, he makes his way over and, reaching out, tugs on his pant leg much like he had done back when they did their sword training. ]

Hey, I brought water in case we get thirsty since it can be hot around here.

[ It's good to plan ahead after all. ]

( ZARKON; hunting and thangs )
[ This Herodotus creature sure sounds like it might be a bit of a challenge and what is it that Saiyans adore? A good fight and a good challenge, so of course Trunks signs himself up for this. Unfortunately one needs a partner for this but, so long as his partner can handle himself? He doesn't mind and it shows in the way he approaches Zarkon, coming to stand beside him. ]

You ready then? [ Tilting his head. ] You gonna take one of those flying bikes?

[ Since, well, Trunks doesn't need that or an airship. ]

( OPEN; just thangs )
[ Pretty much up until the player plot kicks into high gear, Trunks will be found around the market looking in various windows of shops, handing out more THE KNIGHTS OF THRAS posters, feeding animals under a bridge, even having lunch by himself on a bench with his papers and sword set aside. Feel free to bump into him wherever you'd like, if you'd like, he's a good kid who's just puttering around town. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Maybe you need a haircut, Rokurou. Do you want Trunks to give you one?? On the house. ]

You better not.

[ He narrows his eyes a little at Rokurou's head before hands slip away from cheeks. ]

I still have to race Thras.

[Excuse you no?? Hair is a man's pride and all that.

Also don't get all yandere, man.]

I think there's plenty of Thras to share. [Just a wry response as he glances up at Trunks.] Maybe you should try asking him to spar, too. He enjoys it, anyway.

[Let's see they've been walking for a while. The place to turn is...aha, down this alley.]

[ Thras is his buddy, ok? The Knights of Thras?? Helloooooo. ]

I'm used to sparring with my dad or Goten. I've never sparred against a dragon before. I don't want to really hurt Thras.

[He just laughs.]

I know you're strong, Trunks, but he can definitely handle it. I have yet to come even close to beating him. Besides, he's the Arehtei of courage and leads a people full of warrior. Of course he likes to fight.

Yeah, I guess.

[ Arms come to stretch out on either side of Rokurou's neck and Trunks lets his head rest against the back of the daemon's head as they go. He's silent for a little bit before he finally begins to mutter again.]

Hey, Rokurou? Have you ever had someone important to you leave this place?

You're full of topics today... [But he just tilts his head just slightly as an indication that he's listening.

More importantly this particular topic...]

But no. Granted I haven't really been here long enough so those I've met who have left were people I didn't know all that well.

[Small pause.]

I take it you did.

[ Trunks remains quiet even after the remark is made and, for a boy who is usually so bright and bratty, it's clear that this is a little more serious for their talks. ]

My dad did.

[ He says that with small hands coming to curl into fists against his knees. ]

He wasn't here very long but he disappeared anyway. So did the other Gohan.

[ Hands come to slip away from his knees and gently hold some of Rokurou's hair then. ]

Before I came here, Goten and I tried to help my dad because there was someone trying to destroy the Earth... but he wouldn't let us and he knocked me out and when I woke up... I found out he died.

[ Frowning, he looks to the back of Rokurou's head. ]

People don't come back here very often, do they?

[As Trunks speaks, Rokurou's pace slows a bit until he finally stops at the end. He only shifts his head slightly as if to glance toward him before he resumes moving forward.]

I see... I'm sorry you've had to go through that. [He reaches up with both hands to lightly place them on Trunks's legs, as if to help support him both physically and emotionally.

But...damn. Yet another case of someone who has to watch their loved one return to nothing. He might not be able to feel true sadness, but he does feel sympathy and understands that this isn't easy. Hell, he's seen much worse reactions.]

I don't know how often people leave and come back. Apparently I've been here once before a while ago, but I have no memory of it, so there's that, too.

[There's a small pause before he continues.]

Do you want him to come back?

Of course I do, he's my dad.

[ Even if he was... slightly different due to being from another timeline or something... and even with being told that, supposedly, everything will work out and that his dad will come back, he can't be sure. Not when there's an alternate version of himself here because... who's to say he himself isn't from some other timeline then and not the one that lines up with his mom? It's all just... confusing.

But, going back to the whole revelation that even Rokurou has left before and is now here again... ]

I don't want you to leave again because then what if you come back and don't remember me?

[ Maybe that's selfish of him to say, but, it's how he feels. ]

I understand why people don't always want to make friends here and I thought of doing that myself when my dad left.

[ Pausing, he looks to his fingers curled (gently) in those dark strands of hair. ]

But I want to help people, too. Because that's what my dad would do... that's what my dad tried to do. So I want to do that, too.

[ Even if it's being something as ridiculous as a Knight of Thras. ]

[Hearing that someone actually doesn't want him to leave? That's new. Hell, for the past couple of weeks, he's begun to realize that whether he intended it or not, he's actually made quite a number of social relationships, including actual friendships. And that...is a very strange thought for a daemon who had pretty much turned whatever friendships he had into tools towards his own personal revenge. A daemon who for the past three years had only really looked out for himself. Yes he had always been relatively friendly, but actual connections?

That's not the kind of world he comes from. That's not the kind of life he expected to ever have again and honestly didn't think twice or care. He had his sword, he had his fights, that's it. That's all he really needed to be content and happy.

So this is all...very strange. It's like he's living like a human again, with people not caring (as much) about what he is and just for who he is. Isn't that exactly what he wanted? How did this all happen—it's baffling.

But. It's not necessarily a bad feeling, either. He's fine being alone. He's fine being with people. He's so indifferent it doesn't really matter all that much, but...it's hard to deny that even if it's just a little nudge, being thought of that way is kind of nice.

A little foolish and naive because what, they haven't known each other for that long, but nice.

And yet overhanging all of this is the plan Velvet is getting ready to set in motion. A goal that ties directly to what they're talking about. He still has his reservations, but...

Maybe...it's not such a stupid thing to try after all.]

You're not the first who told me they thought about keeping their distance. I know someone who has been here for years, apparently, and he's seen many of his friends come and go. Kid like you, actually—Emizel? Dunno if you've met him. Anyway I'll tell you what I told him.

Meeting people, making friends and those connections—they may be brief or they might last forever even after their gone. I think what's important isn't so much "who" you meet, but the experiences you share and how they help you grow as a person. Sometimes it hurts, but that's just life.

So I think you're on the right track. It's tough, but pushing forward is what you really need to do. And it's good that you want to follow your dad's footsteps, but don't forget you should also work on your path, too, and do things because you yourself want to.

[A small shrug.]

That's just what I think, anyway. And—[He turns to look at him with a grin.] Even if I did leave and return without my memories, I think we'd become friends again pretty quick.

[ The fact that they've been able to jump from one topic to another so effortlessly and without any sort of awkward pause or feeling between them sure says something and... maybe it's needed? In a sense, at least.

But, as Rokurou talks, Trunks listens and it's only after a moment that he comes to pull his backpack around a little so that he can unzip a pocket to reach inside.

Maybe for an adult... maybe for someone who's had different experiences than him, it makes sense with the whole accepting that people can and will inevitably leave you at some point during your life and that the experiences of those friendships and relationships are really what it all boils down to in the end. But for an eight year old who, while still relatively smart for his age, is still just a kid with a lack of life experience overall, he's not so sure he can agree with that so easily. ]

I want to protect my friends and people I care about. Even people who can't protect themselves.

[ Perhaps an insight into his creating The Knights of Thras aside from protecting his Arehtei and finding knights to be cool. ]

And I don't want to forget about anyone here or have them forget me.

[ To which, after a little digging around in the pocket, he pulls out a leather cord that has a small pebble or stone of some sort tied to it and holds it out for Rokurou. ]

Here. I was making these for the Knights of Thras because they kinda look like dragon eggs [ they're not, thankfully. ] and even though you're not one of the knights, if one of us leaves and forgets the other, if we have these, we can see that we know each other because I have one, too.

[It's okay, he knows that Trunks won't really get it now. But one day. ...Plus honestly that's all he's got other than saying, "Yeah it just kind of sucks" and giving him shounen optimism speech.

He can sense and feel Trunks moving around up there, and he's wondering what he's doing. Maybe getting some water? So when Trunks holds out the cord with the stone, he has to stop in surprise. So surprised that he doesn't take it at first, instead just staring at it.]

So kind of like one of those friendship bracelets? [Just a small, wry grin as he finally, but very slowly reaches up to kind of poke it, still not yet quite taking.]

[ Trunks blinks a little at the comparison to a friendship bracelet but, well, maybe he's not too far off from that? ]

Uh, I guess you could call it that?

[ He chuckles a little, still dangling the thing out for Rokurou to take. ]

Just don't lose it, ok? It's not like I've made a lot of these or something.

[He just continues to stare at it before he finally takes it, holding it up in his hand, letting the stone dangle and spin in the air..]

Thanks, Trunks—although I feel like I don't really deserve it.

[For. Many reasons.]

[ About time, Rokurou. Sheesh, his arm was starting to get tired. But, Trunks smiles when the necklace(??) is taken and goes back to gently holding onto the daemon's hair. ]

Because you're a daemon? Well, I'm not completely human either so that's ok. We'll just stick together and help each other out when we need it, right?

[ To which he might wiggle a little. ]

Like helping me get a sword for starters.

[He just laughs at that wiggle.]

Right, right, I know.

[He takes one last look at the pendant necklace thing (??) before carefully pocketing it.]

And speaking of which—[As if on cue, the sound of metal clanging against metal, the smell of molten iron, and the sight of swords on display out by the street soon greet them.]

Here we are. It's a weapons store, but it's a working smithy, too, so just be careful.

Edited 2018-08-12 04:53 (UTC)

[ The sound of metal clanging and the smell of molten has Trunks perk up considerably. Finally... they're here! With hands coming to let go of Rokurou's hair, he pulls himself away from the daemon and flies his way over ahead of him, eyes filled with wonder and curiosity as feet come to gently tap against the ground and he quickly runs ahead. ]

Wow! Look at all of this!

[ Truly he is like a kid in a candy store as he peeks at this and that and everything else. ]

This is so cool!

[ And his excitement might cause little flickers of coloured lights to crackle around his heels as he moves from one place to the next. ]

[At first he just watches with light amusement as he follows. But upon seeing those little flickers of light at Trunks's feet, he's reminded of a past incident and he quickly reaches out to put a hand on the boy's shoulder.]

Easy there. Glad you're enjoying this, but might want to keep the excitement down a bit. Trust me, you don't want to make these swords fly.

[He's not speaking from experience. Nope. ~~Yes, yes he is.~~]

[ Coming to pause, he glances up Rokurou before a sheepish smile tugs at his lips and he gives a little embarrassed chuckle. ]

Oh, sorry. I've just never really seen anything like this before.

[ To which he looks back around with a bright smile and curiosity still shining in his eyes. ]

We have lots of machines and stuff back home but this stuff is pretty cool, too.

[Now sure that they won't create an accident, he relaxes a bit and grins as he walks further in. Surrounded by swords, the daemon feels more in his element, the troubled thoughts and feelings from before fading.]

You've been missing out. There's nothing better than seeing finely made swords made fresh from the forge. Even better when they're made from a master swordsmith like Belkar over there.

[He nods to the older swordsmith hunched over an anvil in the back, the man currently hammering down some molten steel into the shape of a blade.]

I've been to lot of places and there are a lot of good smiths, but this guy has been the best so far. So you might have a good shot finding your perfect sword here, or forged if necessary.

[There are quite a lot around at least, all in varying forms and sizes. From small daggers to thin rapiers to giant claymores, despite the small size and modest outlook, the forge seems to have it all.]

[ Trunks takes his time looking around the place that Rokurou brings him to, smiling over to Belkar as he watches him hammer down whatever it is that he's currently working on. ]

It must take a long time to learn how to make these things.

[ And that's when he sees it.

That's when he sees the sword propped against the wall with a leather-wrapped hilt and he stops in his tracks. It's a long-sword, silver for the hand-guard, simple and not at all flashy with jewels or stones embedded inside it. But it has his full attention and Trunks makes his way over to look a little more closely at the blade. ]

Wow...

[ His fingers itch to pick it up and, curiously so, he lets them wrap around the hilt of it and he smiles brightly as he does so.

This is definitely the one. ]

Years, sometimes lifetimes.

[Briefly he thinks of the sword that rests against his back before his attention turns to Trunks. He doesn't need to hear anything more, he can see it clear in the way the boy approaches and takes the sword.

A smile forming, he makes his way over.]

How does it feel?

[Taking a look of the sword itself, he can see why it catches Trunks's attention and it does seem fitting.]

[ Gently coming to hold the sword upright, Trunks smiles first at the gleaming blade itself before he does to Rokurou. ]

It feels perfect.

[ And he comes to wrap his other set of fingers around the hilt, holding it firmly. ]

What do you think?

[He just examines how the sword is held in Trunks's hands, musing a little.]

Mind if I hold it for a second?

[ Seeming a little reluctant at first, Trunks then turns it upside down and holds the hilt out toward Rokurou. ]

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