melodiesoflife | Triple Threat

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Triple Threat

WHO: Rialynn Kollmann, OPEN
WHAT: A bard's work is never done. There are dances to customize, a new house to move into, and the scariest holiday ever to completely avoid holy shit ghosts are scary you guys.
WHEN: October 1st - 18th (pick a day!)
WHERE: Aqures Ixen

1. Moving Into House A-12

One might think that a bard who regularly went on long journeys and frequently suffered from wanderlust wouldn't really have much in the way of belongings to move from one place ot another.

One would be wrong.

Sure, her room had been sparse as far as personal decor went, when she first got dropped into this world. It had been a long time since Rialynn really had a permanent place to call her own. But once she realized that she could store things here...souvenirs, books, and so many instruments, her bedroom quickly became stuffed with papers, notes, and plenty of things she didn't necessarily need but dearly loved anyway.

Back and forth she led her horse, laden with bulging saddlebags that contained her clothes and books, from her old house to her new one. She'd promised that she would try not to be messy, but she did sheepishly admit that she sometimes got carried away with her projects and forgot. K'pandolu was therefore granted full rights to nag and yell as she deemed fit if Rialynn's messes started to spill out of her room.

Every time she passed the music store, her head craned around and she stared longingly at the piano in the window that she could never save up enough money to afford.

"Someday, she whispered, brushing her fingertips on the glass as she passed. (Unaware of the shopkeep SIGHING as he came out to wash off her prints yet again.)

Keeping her long auburn hair pinned up, she worked endlessly to transport her belongings, making multiple trips back and forth.

"Hey!" she shouted as she backed into the house, very carefully dragging a cloth-wrapped cello with her, "do you want to get take out after I finish up and take a shower?" No one needed a smelly bard to share a meal.

* * * * *

2. Dance! - In the Training Hall

It took a while for her suggestion to get at least one of the rooms outfitted with mirrors, so solo trainees could study their form and ensure that they were moving in the right way. But she'd made the request not to study her fighting, but her dancing. When she wasn't getting kidnapped into a forced marriage or trading secrets with Ramza's sister, Rialynn had come across quite a few worlds with very different styles of music and dancing. One of them she'd thought to be very similar to her friend Zack's world, given how they looked and dressed, and it might even have been his world. A pity he'd gone into crystal stasis, really, there was still so much they could have learned from each other.

For now, she just had to practice the steps and moves she'd picked up from watching others. They probably thought it was weird having the bandanna-clad girl stare at them so intently, but so what? It wasn't as if she would see them again, and she liked their style very much. It was worth it.

Dancing was a lot harder to do without the right music to accompany her. She had to dance in silence in the small practice room, her leather vest cast aside and blouse untucked, since she'd liked how the tails of the long shirt flowed when her dance subjects demonstrated their skill and talent.

Her movements were sharper, fluid but jerky at the same time as she flowed from pose to pose. Occasionally her eyes flicked up to the mirror to see if it looked as smooth as it felt. Sometimes she stumbled over her feet. Sometimes she just couldn't quite get her shoulder and leg to move into different positions, and she'd drop everything to throw her head back and groan a long, long sigh of frustration.

Closing her eyes, she thought back to the music, tapping her foot to a silent rhythm in her head. Maybe a different dance...a different melody...a different style, just to give her a new challenge. Dancing didn't come as easily to her as singing did, it took a lot more practice. The Dancer job did make it easier, but...

She heard the beat.

Her shoulders twitched, hitching and falling alternatively before her head lolled to the side, her body falling into a spin. She opened her eyes and focused on her face in the mirror, arms rising as she slid to the side with a smooth roll of her hips. Another spin. Another spin. On the third revolution she jumped, kicking up one leg high as she came around and dropped to complete another spin upon her knees.

* * * * *

3. This is Hallo-NOPE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE - Around Town

No one else would have shrieked and dropped all their eggs on the ground at the ugly plastic Frankenstein display in the grocery store, but those people were not Rialynn. She slapped a hand against her pounding heart in her chest, releasing a shaky breath, then asking the grocery clerk (very red-faced) for a cloth so she could clean up the spill.

Why would people put all of these horrible things around? She'd nearly cried when she saw someone's plastic skeleton hanging from its spindly throat in a nearby tree, thinking that someone had been so cruel as to murder someone and strip their flesh before leaving the skeleton as a ghastly threat against the people who lived there.

This was not a good holiday for her.

Rialynn tried to have her chores finished by daylight, raking in leaves and buying groceries and feeding her not-at-all-fat horse. If by some misfortune she did wind up staying out after dark, she didn't just walk home. She bolted as if her life depended on it. The sooner the snow and winter holidays came, the better. She wasn't sure she could take much more of seeing demons and vampires and werewolves and mummies and evil spirits, every day, around every corner. It was just too much, especially knowing that those things really did exist in this world.

If you're unfortunate enough to startle Rialynn during this time, she apologizes profusely for throwing whatever she had in her hands straight at your head.

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Ramza shook his head. "I fear it is a skill I am not destined to learn. Barkeep, and Saori, have tried to no avail. I am destined to rely on tavern fare, or to depend on my companions for palatable food."

This box was heavier than it looked. He hoped they were nearing Rialynn's new house.

"You do not need to feel like you 'owe' me. Friends help one another. 'Tis not a merchant's transaction. But if you wish to feed me, I do need to eat."

"Oh, well, that's not so bad," she grinned with a shrug of her shoulders. "The taverns make great food around here. And I'm sure there's no shortage of friends who'd be happy to welcome you to their table for a hot meal. You do a lot for everyone who lives here. Some of us would really like to return the favor now and again."

She glanced at him with a meaningful grin. Whether he agreed or not, she really did owe him for all he'd done for her.

At least he was agreeing to eat with them. She jerked her head down the path that led to the house she could now call hers. "This way. If we go camping again, I can teach you some tips and tricks to make food taste good that you can cook over a fire. My master taught me more than just songs and poems to recite."

Ramza's eyebrow quirked. He did not think of himself as doing anything exceptional for others, certainly nothing that merited the response Rialynn anticipated for him. But saying so would be as if he was calling her honesty into question, which he would not do. So he simply nodded.

"That would be appreciated. At home, I ended up camping far more than I anticipated. I should like to contribute more than just collecting firewood if I can."

The house is a welcome sight. He was quite ready to unload this box of ~~bricks~~books.

"I remember," she grinned, moving to jog up the steps first so she could get the door and hold it open for him, as her load was much easier to manage than his. "It was really nice to meet your sister. She's sweet."

Rialynn waited for him to enter, then followed at his heels with only a quick comment to let him know where her room was waiting. Inside he'd find her sizable collection of other books, maps, papers, and instruments. She did plan on sleeping in there at some point, right? "You can just set those anywhere. The bed is fine," she said, putting her box on top of a tower of three others.

"That reminds me...you won't need to walk me home much anymore. I'm going to be doing a lot of traveling, probably for the rest of the time we have here, trying to see if anyone knows anything useful and procuring different spirits for the Space Saloon. You'll get your nights back. Great, huh?"

Ramza sat the box down and stretched his arms out to relieve his muscles. Much better. He would leave the boxes for Rialynn to unpack. He was no librarian.

"If you are anywhere in Aqures Ixen, I am not letting you walk alone. At least, not in October." He gave her a sheepish smile.

"I know you can take care of yourself, but too many odd things happen during this month. I want to make sure you are safe."

"...Uh..." She didn't know what to say to that. All she could do for a moment was just stare at his face as scarlet began to creep over her own. She blinked once, twice, before she was able to shake herself back into remembrance of her vocabulary.

"It's not...I mean, I'm glad you think I'm capable and all, but it's really...pride doesn't have anything to do with it."

Well. Some of her vocabulary anyway. Why was it so hard to talk around him sometimes? She was genuinely touched that he was so concerned with her safety to the point where he was downright adamant about escorting her from place to place. Her fingers started to twitch toward the tails of her bandanna, and she had to consciously force herself not to tug at the thing lest she betray just how fitful she'd become at his simple pledge.

"Just...you know...there are so many people here that need protecting too. I'd feel guilty taking you away from them when I really should be able to stand on my own two feet and protect them too. How do I put it...?" She blew out her breath, scowling at the window as she mullet it over for a while.

"...I would rather fight beside you than be a burden, in constant need of rescue. Does that make sense?"

Ramza shook his head. "'Tis not like that. You are not taking me away from anyone else. I will provide escort for anyone else that needs it. But your strengths lie in support, not combat. You are not a burden, but that does not mean you should be on your own."

He was worried he had insulted her, by her flushed face and her inability to meet his eye. But he would rather her be angry and safe than pacified and in danger.

"If you would prefer me send someone else with you, I will see to the arrangements." That was as diplomatic as he could afford to be.

"I have throwing knives..." she protested in an unhappy mumble. But he did have a point. With only Bard and Dancer to her name, neither gave her any true combat abilities. The 'kung fu' would only come after she mastered the Dancer job, which was four months away (two if she worked hard).

"You shouldn't be alone either. We have a couch if you need to crash. And I salt the windows to keep evil spirits out, so...well, I mean, it's not the most comfortable sitaution and I know you'd probably object to rooming with two women, but it's there. If you need it. You might."

She didn't bother mentioning the horseshoe over the door. If the blacksmith was that confused when she'd tried to explain what she wanted, Ramza wouldn't understand it any better since his world didn't have horses either.

Ramza raised an eyebrow. Why would she put salt on the windows? Ramza did not think Barkeep had ever done that, so it must not be standard protocol.

"I doubt I will be alone for long. Biggs and Wedge will assign a new Hero when they appear again." It had happened for all his other roommates. There was no reason to think he would be on his own for any length of time.

"Ah ha!" she pointed triumphantly at him as she jumped back. "But it's still alone! I'm justified!" she gloated, a teasing twinkle in her eyes. ...Although she still wasn't really sure why she was arguing so much against this. Spending time with him was a good thing. A great thing, actually! If it was what he really wanted, well...why not let him?

Rialynn dropped her hand back to her side with a sheepish chuckle, rubbing at her forehead. "I guess if you really want to stick with me, I don't mind. We can watch out for each other that way, can't we? And I'll probably need your help with some job-related stuff I'll be working on soon, since I asked to be a Blue Mage. I'll be going up against some pretty tough monsters if I want to get the best skills. So if it doesn't interfere with your duties too much, well...I don't know, I think it'd be more fun and a lot safer with some people I trust to go with me."

He was not sure why Rialynn was so excited that he was alone at home. His roommate had turned to crystal. Ramza's expression was somber.

"I can help you when you go up against your monsters. We will need a healer, at least. The world outside of the city is more dangerous than it was, and we cannot afford to take the sort of risks we did before."

All the Heroes had been reckless, back when they turned to crystal when they fell in battle.

That stare was starting to get...a little bit uncomfortable. It made her start to feel like maybe she'd accidentally stepped on a puppy or something. She started looking around the room, clearing her throat.

But right. Monsters. "I'd appreciate that. Eventually I do plan on picking up the White Mage job." She couldn't narrate someone back to life the way she had with Ramza on a regular basis, since that would require putting her close to death herself. It wasn't the best action plan in the world. "I just wanted to finish the Dancer's job first."

"A wise plan. There is a great need for healers." And Rialynn had the compassion and bravery to serve as a support class in battle. Not many were able to go into danger without means to protect themselves.

He had probably made her uncomfortable. He smiled at her, to dispel the gloomy mood in the room. "Um...what job do you plan to pair with it?"

Smiling seemed to work its usual magic, because it was quickly mirrored on Rialynn's face. "Actually, I made a list. Wait right here!"

Rialynn darted off for her room. It wasn't long before there was a series of rustling papers, the clap of books, one mild crash, and then more paper rustling. Finally she emerged with a little book, her thumb pushed between the pages where she'd written several notes (and a few random doodles). 'White Mage' was written and circled, as was 'Blue Mage,' 'Gunner,' and 'Pirate.'

"I was hoping to keep White Mage permanently equipped, but I know I can use the really good spells along with other things if I can max out nine jobs, so...it's hard to know if I should just focus on one other job at a time while keeping White Mage at the ready, or try to get everything as soon as I can so I can work more with the Onion Knight job. That one appeals to me a lot -- I feel a lot better about my skills if I can still use a rapier, and you know...you can equip just about any weapon with an Onion Knight after a certain point."

She put the book on the table, moving aside so Ramza could get a good look at it too. "It's the last two jobs I'm having a hard time choosing. I sort of wanted to go for Gambler and Merchant just because they're not jobs you see too often, and I guess they lead to an advanced job too. But it's not one I can really see myself using, on account of how it seems to be suited for fighting other Heroes."

Lifting her head, she examined Ramza curiously for a moment. She knew he preferred being a Freelancer, but she hadn't really asked why. Maybe it had to do with the same reservations she'd had, before finally giving in and taking up the Bard job from Cid. "Hey," she said after a moment of thought. "You've never taken any Jobs upon coming here, right? Why is that?"

Ramza considered the list Rialynn handed him.

"I think it is important to work to your strengths. If Gambler or Merchant do not suit you, it seems you should focus on the jobs that do."

He pointed to the circled jobs. "Gunner with White Mage would help you keep your distance, so that the lack of physical strength would not put you at a disadvantage. And most mage classes pair well together."

He handed the list back to Rialynn. He could only make suggestions. What she chose was up to her.

"I took the Santa job when I went to the Empire...but yes, it is true that for the most part, I have not used jobs. I wanted to rely on my own power...and in my world, crystals that grant the bearer extraordinary powers draw them from...other sources. The dead...or from demons."

"Huh...that's true..." she knit her brow, leaning over the notes as he pointed out some suggestions. "I forgot you were a tactician in your world. You'd probably know a lot about this kind of thing."

She straightened when he gave her notes back to her, nodding once. Maybe she'd scrap the gambler and merchant jobs after all, or at least save them for last to focus on the others, just in case something more interesting and useful came up. She liked the Sky Pirate job since it had the possibility of granting her a personal airship. What could be more useful than that?

Of course, remembering about his past from the file he'd let her read also reminded her of the Lucavi, and what happened to people's souls if they could not be revived from their mortal injuries in time. "Oh...oh that's...that makes sense," she said, swallowing quickly. "I'm sorry, I wasn't even thinking about that." And here she was, charging around the house acting all excited about it. What a dunce! "Well, for what it's worth, I think your own power is pretty great."

Ramza shrugged. "My power has become more great since I mastered the Freelancer class. It was not my intention, but it seems that everyone here is destined to use their crystals somehow, for good or for ill."

He did not mind that Rialynn was enthusiastic about her jobs. "I do not begrudge anyone else the use of their job powers. It is just...not the path I chose. That is all."

"It makes sense," she told him, then looked down at her notes again. "Hopefully no one's given you a hard time about it. I mean, I can't imagine anyone would, but..."

Ah, who was she kidding? Who in the world would want to bully Ramza of all people, especially over something like that? She didn't need to worry so much.

"Well...maybe you can help me pick out the last two, if Gambler and Merchant turn out to be not-so-great. Something that would be useful to you if we wind up in a battle together."

Ramza shook his head. "For the most part, no one had questioned it. I am passable with my blade without a job, so I think I have not been a burden to anyone because of my choice." He shrugged.

"For you, perhaps Scholar or Dragoon? A Scholar understands the stories behind what the rest of us know, and gain the ability to translate texts. It could compliment your bardic skills. And a Dragoon is fast and agile, and they attack while offering the enemy little chance to fight back. If you have a head for heights, it could serve you well."

In the end, no one but Rialynn could decide what would be best for her, but at least she would know more of her options.

"Scholar is a must," she agreed. It was already part of her crystal, so she was glad for the confirmation. There were a lot of things the Ancients did that she was curious about, so she would love to learn the language as swiftly as possible. The quicker she could study, the better!

"Dragoon..." She said the word as if tasting it for the first time. It was hard to imagine herself decked out in that magnificent armor, standing tall and proud with a spear in her hand. But there was definitely a certain appeal too. "Heights were never a problem. I think airships are pretty exciting!"

Ah, but that was... She shook her head with a quiet grin. She was probably talking about herself too much as it stood.

"Maybe I'll be a blacksmith too. If you're going to fight with a sword, maybe I can make you something great." Of course, she didn't know he already had Excalibur. Swords didn't get more great than that.

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Triple Threat

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