Challenges

Challenges
Date of Scene:	09 November 2012
Location:	Traverse Town
Synopsis:	Jean issues a challenge....
Cast of Characters:	Ivo Galvan, Raiya Fujihara, Auron, Jean Faraven

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Ivo Galvan has posed:
"Remember this plaza, Sensei?"

Ivo has grown accustomed to the eternal twilight of Traverse Town, refuge of the denizens of shattered worlds. On behalf of the Shard Seekers he often ventures here to pursue new requests to fulfill, listen out for vital information, and encounter fellow refugees with whom he might seek common cause. He satisfies his own curiosity in the process, of course. And though his motley crew is not yet an official clan, and hasn't yet had a big enough break to vault them to greater significance, he and his allies are accruing enough successes and accumulating funds steadily enough that he can afford to take a few detours.

"I think it was right by this fountain that I sought your aid while carrying Reize and Lily to safety," the young swordsman continues casually, brushing out his blue cloak to place a gloved hand on Hauteclare's hilt at his hip, smiling slightly, regarding the scene with a hint of fond delight. "I admired your skill with a sword from the very beginning, you know. My first thought was that I ought to ask you for a lesson." He tilts his gaze toward Raiya, his smile broadening into a grin. "But I never anticipated that it would turn out this way."

After his defeat in their long-overdue rematch, the knight-errant gladly acquiesced to Raiya's wish: that he should become her student and learn the arts in which she's trained. A training mission to scourge the nearby Corridors of Darkness of their inevitable Heartless menace is a good next step, now that they've finished stocking up on supplies here.

For a moment, Ivo's playful grin becomes subdued, and his eyes soften.

"I'm glad that it did, Asteria."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
As Ivo knows, Raiya dislikes the constantly twilight setting of this land. It robs her of her favorite time of day and nighttime is also when the samurai can finally be at true peace with herself. The twilight here is something of a tease, a taunt, a slap in her face at times. Despite all of this, the blonde swordswoman does her best to not let this drag her down too far. But, she is thankful that her circular hat hides most of her face if she tips her head downwards like she is currently doing.

Her head does lift upwards when Ivo mentions the fountain that was so tied to their own fate. The slight gush over her skill with a katana causes Raiya to smile wryly, her green eyes lazily dancing over towards her newest student. "Fate often works in mysterious ways. I never thought myself ready so soon to take on a pupil." She looks away now at the fountain. "But, sometimes fate can smile upon us and lead us to new chapters in our lives."

Ivo calling Raiya 'Asteria' causes the ronin to lower her head slightly, her hat concealing her features now. Was she embarassed, thrilled, nervous that Ivo called her that name? It was unclear on the particulars, but it was obvious that it was having some profound effect on the woman.

Auron has posed:
Traverse Town has sort of become Auron's unofficial home base. Even if he's been away from it for at least a week or more now, he's finding it's a convenient place to hang one's metaphorical hat. Or in Auron's case, his haori. With so many different people here, so many worlds connecting to this one, he's no longer the 'odd' one. Everyone seems perfectly content to ignore the heck out of him. Which suits Auron just fine.

Seems like this is a place that even a dead man can almost feel like he belongs.

But over there, at the fountain. Well. It doesn't take a genius to note that there's a conversation going on over there near the fountain. And it's probably a conversation that Auron shouldn't be interfering in. Though even if he doesn't hear, he'll move over closer, so he can at least watch the two talking. It looks like it should be interesting. And someone just might hear the steady thud of his boots over the sound of the fountain.

Jean Faraven has posed:
The strategic value of Traverse Town had been one of the first priorities of SeeD as they gained their bearings in the new, wider world. None knew by just what coincident the eternally twilit realm had become a nexus point for so many realities, but there it was. Anyone who was going anywhere invariably had to pass through Traverse Town on the way, bringing with them rumors, hearsay and the occasional travelworn fact from a dozen worlds away.

Jean Faraven had wasted no time in establishing a few regularly staffed listening posts assembled from a few easily made (And easily paid) contacts in the taverns and alleyways any city this size was bound to have, the places where talk and moxy mixed easily with alcohol and blood. Many of Balamb Town's refugees had begun to take up residence here as well, establishing a strong enclave for the mercenaries to derive support.

The infamous Hound was just heading back from a regular report when he happened to see opportunity ring him by way of the fountain. He'd seen the samurai before, but it was the lad with her the caught Jean's eye, the memory of a promise sparking in his eye even as his feet subtly, silently shifted course.

His presence was as slow and stalking as a beast on the prowl, possibly not being sensed until his words finally came from an uncomfortably close distance behind the young knight.

"Ivo Galvan."

Jean spoke gruffly, sternly and with arms crossed.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo's honest smile, so unlike his usual expressions of mirth or delight, remains as Raiya reacts enigmatically to his use of the name she shared with him. He continues to refer to her as 'Raiya' or, perhaps because the notion still amuses him, 'Sensei' in public, but when it's just the two of them, he prefers to invoke that intimate secret. He's honored by it: a sign of real friendship he can continue to marvel at, as though it were a jewel glittering in the palm of his hand. And besides--

"What's the matter, Sensei?"

His eyes begin to twinkle again.

"Is the urge to take advantage of your student overpowering you?"

Now it's even more fun to tease her.

Yes, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective, e.g. Ivo's), it appears that being a scoundrel, as a certain huntress insists on declaring him as, is as sincere an element of the knight-errant as anything else. But whereas normally Ivo would proceed to grin impishly and silently congratulate himself on his cleverness, a perpetual act which comprises most of his internal monologue, a tingling up his spine causes him to falter just at the moment that he hears those distinctive footsteps. Something manly this way comes.

"Hey, Sir Auron."

Ivo turns and raises his hand in salute as he identifies the Guardian. Though he has to admit being a little unsettled by the way the older man seems to see right through him, he has a real respect for Auron's stoic and formidable temperament. "Were you able to meet the Lady Yuna? I encountered her in Luca and told her of your search. She was to seek you out here in Traverse Town, I believe." He's smiling easily again, having relaxed. As long as there's only /one/ masculine badass in the room, he's fine. "I hope you--"

Aaaahh!

The swordsman stiffens abruptly, having not detected the Hound of Balamb's arrival until the one-eyed man was literally right behind him. To his credit, Ivo maintains adequate composure to not spin around abruptly, conscious that it's a little late for that anyway. Instead, he slowly tilts his head until he's looking over his shoulder, eyes slightly widened and eyebrows raised.

"S... Sir...?"

Wait a minute.

"You're the-- that spirited woman from the Coliseum's bodyguard," Ivo realizes aloud, taking a step back and turning about at last, lips parting in surprise. "You fought like a demon. Pardon me, but... how do you know who I am? And..."

Honestly, he's wanted to know this for a while now.

"...who /are/ you?"

Auron has posed:
Auron recognizes the salute as a gesture of greeting, whatever else it may mean, so he returns it thusly. He nods respectfully in response to the salute. Ivo's question draws him to shake his head. "...Not yet," he replies quietly. And honestly, that worries him. Where is she? She knows where Traverse is, right? And wouldn't she have to come through here?

...Unless she's somehow unable to?

The interruption of Ivo's statement draws Auron to turn his gaze to see what the disturbance was. He fixes an unreadable, one-eyed gaze upon the newcomer. It's the kind of gaze that sometimes has people squirming. So difficult is his expression to interpret here that one might fear he's angry. But there's no trace of a frown, narrowed eye, or anything that would speak to 'angry'.

However, he also recognizes that he is not in this conversation. So he remains quiet and out of the way, so that Ivo and this stranger can speak. A trained warrior might note a tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there before the new person who somehow mysteriously knows Ivo showed up....

Jean Faraven has posed:
Jean doesn't respond to any of Ivo's remark just yet-Auron's presence is unexpected one, and while the Hound of Balamb has not met him before his hackles are instinctively raised. Stance, build, weapons and that ineffable aura all suggest this man was not one to be taken lightly. Jean might no doubt seem the same, clas in his black military fatigues and ominous eyepatch, the hilt of Anubis poking over his shoulder in easy reach.

The gunmetal steel of the SeeD's good eye met the other swordsman's gaze unflinchingly, meeting it with a firm regard of his own that was often enough to make most cadets sweat. There was a certain language shared between men of their caliber, and Jean knew how to speak. A curt nod of aknowledgment finally punctured the silent stand-off on Jean's part, as if to say 'no trouble'.

Then, finally, he turns that gaze back on Ivo with appraisal in mind. "That's right, you performed well at Coliseum too. Good reactions, compliments that unique weapons of yours of well." Jean knew a thing or two about unique weapons, if he said so himself, "I am Jean Faraven, a SeeD of Balamb Garden." He let that hang in their a second or two before adding, "I'm a soldier." Having grown used to the confusion many off-worlders tended to make with the terminology.

"I know your name because one of our agents was there when you and your companions formed the Shard Seekers. They reported on that back to me." There was a canny smile to Jean's lips that seemed approving, if not also...hungry? "I was hoping you might deliver a message to Reize Seatlan for me. To all of them, really."

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Oh, great. Just when Ivo needs her, Raiya reacts to his jibe with stony silence and throws him to the wolves -- or the hounds, at least. Ivo puts up a brave face, his features evincing mostly composure and curiosity, but there's a bead of sweat on his brow and slight twitchiness to his movements that a keen eye can't miss.

Like, say, the keen eyes of his current companions.

"Not yet...?" Ivo murmurs at Auron's response, his lively blue eyes hinting at concern. "How troublesome." Don't you mean 'troubling'? Well, never mind. He'd suggest looking for her, but obviously, that's just what Auron is doing. "She struck me as a highly competent young woman, though," he offers encouragingly. "I suspect she can handle herself. Still, if you'd like some assistance in hunting her down..." He manages a smile that isn't laced with nervousness. "Don't hesitate to call upon the Shard Seekers. We're based in Fluorgis now, where the Fire Crystal is held."

Oh, no, now the other terrifying man is judging him. Positively, it seems, for the most part. "Thank you, sir," Ivo replies, trying to regain his equilibrium. He's not always flippant. Right now there's little trace of his playfulness as he regards Jean seriously. But his eyes widen slightly in recognition at the mention of SeeD. "The organization to which... Instructor Trepe belongs?" He didn't almost accidentally refer to her as 'Mistress' in public. There's no way that would be possible. ...Damn that woman. "I visited your Garden briefly. Lovely architecture. But I didn't get to see any dinosaurs while in the Training Area." Okay, so some of that playfulness has returned.

He kind of wants to ask about that card game everyone was playing, but now doesn't really seem like the right time for it. Mostly because Jean's smile has put Ivo a little bit on edge again, though he makes a valiant attempt at not showing it. "To Reize and the others? Of course," he assents, and though his voice betrays no uneasiness, his eyes are hesitant. "What shall I pass on?"

Auron has posed:
Auron may not be the kind to trifle with, but at least for the time being he seems willing to let things ride. The figurative hackle-raising from Jean is something he can probably pick out, given that he has the time to do so. All the more reason he doesn't need to make any moves that might be misunderstood as an attack.

The unspoken communication from Jean is recieved and understood. In response, he offers a single, slow nod in return, his remaining eye closing briefly. The slight tension in Auron's shoulders relaxes. And just like that, the silent standoff is over.

But another reason to remain and not interfere? There is information being dispensed! And Auron likes information. Especially when dealing with the newly patch-worked lay of these worlds. Jean's clairification is appreciated, as Auron has never heard the word 'SeeD' used like that before. Though the mention of 'agents' -- and Jean's referring of himself in the plural -- draws a slight quirk of Auron's brow.

He will leave the matter of finding Yuna for later, as this matter seems of more relative immediate importance. Besides that, as much as he understands the body language from Jean, Auron does not know this other man, this 'SeeD', and he doesn't want to spout off more information than he needs to.

Oh but there's more information, from both Jean and Ivo both. Fluorgis, the Fire Crystal, Shard Seekers, Instructor Trepe, Garden, Reize Seatlan -- it's a pretty safe bet to say he's mentally cataloguing all of this.

Jean Faraven has posed:
Jean too was gathering more intelligence than he'd hoped for. The acquisition of strategic knowledge came as naturally as breathing to the properly trained agend of SeeD and tidbits like Fluorgis, the Fire Crystal and this Yuna girl were are silently filed way and ranked in order of importance to be categorized somewhere in Garden's intelligence department later. Once Auron proves himself no threat the Hound gains a bit of ease and levity himself, nodding quietly in light of Ivo's existing experience with his organization.

"Ah, so you've met Specialist Trepe." He clarifieds, "She's not an instructor at the moment, but I see you still lived the tell the tale." Jean smirked with the kind of self-satisfaction that he alone knew the reason for, pleased to know he can still pick out the potential in youth when he sees it, "Pretty impressive for your age, i'd say you could challenge the T-Rexaurs we keep in the training area if you paced yourself.." His head tilted, "..maybe bring a friend or two. But right, the message.."

His relaxed stanced suddenly snapped tight, and there was a calmness back in the older man's eye that belied the importance he felt underlined his next words, "Tell the Shard Seekers that if they seek to challenge the world, then they should travel to the city of Junon. An answer will await at the top of the great cannon." The hint of a smile crap back into his voice, "But only for the bold."

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Somehow, Ivo finds that Auron's impassive silence is even more intimidating than had the man said anything at all. Here Galvan was, affording his assistance, and the Guardian just glowers at him as though in rebuke for opening his mouth. Upon reflection, though, Auron seems to always look like he's glowering, so he's probably not mad.

As it is, the knight-errant will just have to deal with the unsettling sense of being laser-eyed through the back of his skull while he faces Jean, who seems to be in-- almost too good of a mood. How is it that absolutely nothing these guys express can put him at ease? "Oh, she isn't? My mistake... some of her old students still seemed fond of referring to her as such." Not that he thinks of her as an Instructor because she has instructed him so thoroughly. None of that happened, and he still has his pride as a man! "Ha..." The mention of the T-Rexaurs does, however, bring the young swordsman's grin back. "...Maybe I will." Not Shiki, though. She's been almost-eaten too many times as it is.

At the message, though, Ivo's eyebrows raise again.

"To challenge... the world?"

Okay, let's face it.

"...Understood."

Jean knows just how to appeal to Ivo.

Anyone who asks you to show up on top of a giant cannon for some mysterious confrontation is an interesting person. Even if Jean /weren't/ the preposterously badass Hound of Balamb, there's no way someone like Ivo could turn down a pitch like that. He seems almost to be suppressing the grin which upticks the corners of his lips. So the Shard Seekers have caught SeeD's interest?

"We'll be there."

This should be promising.

Auron has posed:
No, Auron isn't angry with Ivo. If he was, Ivo would definitely know. The Guardian's expression here is less a glower and more a flat, unreadable face. He will look between the two of them as they speak, keeping his gaze carefully neutral. A mention of 'challenging the world' draws his attention. He waits for Ivo to note his response, and then he tilts his head up slightly. Not enough to reveal his mouth over the large collar he wears, mind.

"...I take it this is a challenge you're not prepared to explain?" Auron inquires. Sure, he's not a Shard Seeker. But he might as well ask about it. Besides, if he's going to be idle where he cannot find Yuna, he might as well help someone else who needs it.

Jean Faraven has posed:
Ivo accepts without question, which pleases Jean greatly. Not that he /shows/ it, mind, beyond a sharp nod in acknowledgment, "Very well then. Good luck, Ivo Galvan." He canted his head towards Auron when the other finally spoke, nodding with a knowing smile to the fellow warrior's question, "You've seen it yourself, haven't you? Already, the worlds are teeming with young men and women united by chance, purpose, fate...whatever you want to call it. Just like we once did."

The Hound of Balamb began to take his leave, casually sauntering off to the towards the direction that would eventually take him back to the world Balamb resided in.

"Some of us have interest in knowing just what these new adventurers are capable of. That's all."

They were students just beginning the trials of life, after all. /Someone/ had to test them.

Human traffic briefly obscures the veteran SeeD and as he walks away. He is nowhere to be seen when it clears.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo watches in silence as Jean disappears.

Though not motivated by a warrior's drive, he has a keen sense for opportunity, and the raw thrill and intrigue of not just whatever this Hound has in store for him, but the sheer improbability of this challenge, would be shameful to deny. Moreover, though not in Jean and Auron's league, he knows of what the warrior speaks. These haphazardly fused worlds offer much potential for those with the eyes to see.

Or, well, eye, as the case may be.

To be viewed as one of those with potential...

At last, Ivo sighs quietly, and lifts his hands in a laconic shrug.

"Sir Auron..."

He'll have to struggle to not disappoint.

"Will I ever possess the gravitas of either of you?"

Auron has posed:
Oh, Auron has seen it. The many people from many different worlds. Pirates. Promising Black Mages. Spirited young Princesses. Young heros that look like the young man he'd taken care of when he was younger. Even people who claim to be from inside machina. So many new people, people from worlds he'd never even imagined could exist. Many with similar goals, as far as he knows.

Jean is correct. Auron's story had ended long ago. His part is played. Now he is a retired actor, waiting in the wings to guide the actors for the final act where they need to be. But he sees the appearance, the gathering of younger 'actors', to play out whatever script this conglomeration of worlds has written for them. Hopefully not another tragedy.

It is their story now. Auron is interested to see how it ends.

But it seems that Jean is retreating from the field. And so Auron offers a respectful nod to the veteran SeeD. More unspoken communication between the two warriors, an understanding that doesn't need words to make itself clear. He is quiet again, until Ivo speaks. 'Gravitas'? Fayth, Auron hopes not. It took Auron losing everything that mattered to him, including his life. And that's not something he would wish on anyone else.

For a moment, the expression on the Guardian's face seems to slacken slightly, the line of his shoulders relaxing a little. He suddenly just looks... very tired. Defeated. Definitely not the stoic, stern warrior from a moment ago.

The break in his composure is brief, but nonetheless it is definitely there. And it was clear enough for anyone observing him with even a cursory glance to see. Perhaps there is more to this man than silence, stoicism... and unnerving, unreadable gazes. And his response to that question?

"...Pray you never do."

That said, he turns, and takes a few steps away from the fountain. Though he stops a moment later. Without turning, he notes, "...I would appreciate any help you can offer in finding Yuna. But." A pause, and the turns his head, just enough to regard Ivo over his shoulder, with his good eye.

"...Don't neglect your story in the meantime."

And then he continues away from the fountain. Ivo knows where to find him if he needs to know or tell Auron anything. Mainly because it's fairly obvious his steps are taking him in the direction of the hotel in Traverse....