Snippet #1586420

Day set: Pre-launch
Time set: PM
Location set: Military Quarters

((Ymber))
Soon, Ymber knew it hadn't been a good idea to talk to that man. The first image the nobleman saw on the short man would be edged in his mind for a while. Such a big scar. So that was how people who fight end up looking like? Such an ominous appearance, Ymber knew there was something off within him, even if he could not explain what it was.

The young man stepped back for a moment, as if taking a defensive stance, when seeing the other man raising his arm. It even revealed more scars. Ymber felt disgusted; not because of his looks, but because of what those scars meant. However, he decided not to show hesitation. He did not want to appear weak in front of a man who, despite looking dangerous, was still shorter than him. He had to cling to that, in order to feel brave enough to, at least, not run away.

The answer came as a surprise. What did he mean, no fighter? If he was no figher, what on the world was him? It didn't take more than a few seconds, to know what the man was. A murderer, and an expert one, or so he claimed. Ymber would believe him. So he was right in front of a murderer. Capturing him would make him a hero, right? Ymber had to consider trying it, if only for a short moment. It was not the smart choice, however. It would be reckless.

Besides, Ymber was not the kind of person who could become a murderer. Nor he wanted to become one. Killing defenseless women or children was not his style. Hell, he didn't even approve of that!! All he wanted to do was have great skills that would make people kneel before him. And if these skills helped him become a high officer of the army, then all the better.

But Ymber tried looking confident. "Killing a defenseless woman or child? That is not for me, not at all. I want the best swordplay of all Indri'Enis! But... I won't... do it that way. My name is Ymber, from the Ocmare family! And we will be as far as you can get!". His line... was terrible, he thought. There was also a chance the man would attack -perhaps even kill- him, now. That was a risk he was ready to take.

After all, the words he had chosen to say were mainly to get out of that situation, and if the man was a honorable fighter, everything would have worked like a charm. But he was no fighter, even less honorable. He wished not to be associated to a murderer; that could ruin his reputation. Not even the best set of skills would change his mind, there.

And as he awaited the man's reaction, he realised of something. If he had been able to be modest for once, and just admit he was not cut out to be a murderer, maybe he could have been saved without further problem. But he had to let out all those words, right? And now, for the first time in many years, the young nobleman, Ymber, who was always right, felt he had made a mistake.


Day set: Pre-launch
Time set: PM
Location set: The Commons

((Stella))

Stella looked at Jean, who was still sitting down. She had been able to spot his relief when she told him about how she had made sure the town would be safe, or that she had tried her best to make it happen, at least. But she had also seen his surprised eyes after she explained there were other parties that opposed to that mission. It was, after all, something which belonged to the dark realm of politics, one that she knew only too well.

Jean's face had changed even more, when Stella told him about the 'aeliens', but, surprisingly for her, the man seemed to accept the existance of other beings without much hesitation. He was more concerned about the reasons why they had been chosen. At some point, she would have to give a bit more detail on that, but she felt this was a way too open space for that particular bit of information.

She was worried Jean would be too worried about possible reasons why they had to be on the ship, so the only thing she could do was hope Jean would not get too carried away. He was quite right about the reason being their 'expertise'. And that was exactly it, their own particular and personal skills, and not their military background. In fact, unlike Solstice, Jean and Stella hadn't been chosen as fighters. It bothered her that she had such a role; getting information from the aeliens. In her mind, that was probably the most dangerous role, actually.

"You ask why he gave me such a secret...? Well, of course, I could not predict the extent of the information he knew, and even less be aware that no one aboard the ship was aware of the purpose of the mission... But when I approached him, I tried to use a... we could say, different set of skills, to the ones you have seen." The girl smiled playfully.

It was then, that Jean stood up, and looked at Stella. The man's words surprised her quite a lot. As he bowed in front of her, he asked to have the next dance with her. She was quite surprised, at first, but quickly smiled softly. "Of course, Jean-Baptiste Montague... ah, but I have a question for you... does the name 'Stella' ring a bell?" Stella let out a low yet still audible amused laugh. Being from the Baptiste family, he should know quite a lot of people, but would he associate her name with the daughter of the Ocmare family?