RP:Yoshika
Summary: Yoshika crashes a Raven's first press conference and kind of steals the focus, but she secretly didn't want to speak just yet.
The Fountain of Wishes
A marble fountain takes up the majority of Schezerade’s central square. In its centre, a ring of golden fish peek their heads out of the water, spewing streams of water from their mouths. Stacked on top of that ring lies a platform with a ring of majestic eagles, wings outstretched, chests puffed out proudly as jets of water shoot out of their beaks, into the sky. In the very centre of this beautiful fountain, placed on yet another platform above the eagles and fish stands a marble statue of Schezerade’s founder, a beautiful avian woman sporting a metallic arm. Passersby's stop to watch the living fish swimming in the fountain and the statue of the powerful woman with wonder. Some can even be seen tossing coins into the fountain as well, in hopes that their wishes will be granted.
Raven stares up at the beautiful avian woman for a moment to let her thoughts wonder for once as reporters gather before the fountain for a press conference on the recent happenings of her opponent, Mr Draft, who has been missing since her student came out against him. Well… Technically Brennia’s student, but that’s why she is here, to pretend to be Miss Smyth and continue the good fight of free education within Schezerade and an open policy for the city. Corvo stands and introduces ‘Senatorial Candidate Smyth’, but for a moment it didn’t dawn on Raven to stand up because that’s not her name. Oh, right, she stands up to address the crowd, but she hesitates a moment while looking down at the speech Corvo prepared and covers her hesitation up with shuffling those pages around a bit.
Yoshika has come along way from where he was in the Bards Lodge to where he was now. Not being able to get to the floating city by the way most avaians would, he had to take another route. He came upon a ray of light in a meadow and that carried him up to the arch ways of the city Schezerade. This was a new place for Yosh and since it was a city of avains and he was looking for a fellow avian it made sense that he would eventually find his way there. One of the first places he came across was a huge fountain with a fairly large group of people all dressed in clothes he’s never seen before. Looking around he sees one person that stands out from the rest. A tall female with the blackest wings he’s ever laid eyes on and a caramel skin shade. Feeling a little self conscious about his missing wing he lowers his right wing onto his shoulders and makes sure the area of his missing wing is covered with his red scarf. People were making a big deal about whatever was about to happen.Yosh wasn’t sure if he wanted to stick around and his sword mirrored his sentiment by swaying back and forth in an effort to keep him walking, but there was something about the women he saw with that black wings that kept him there. So he stayed. Hiding behind the others.
Raven began in that warm velvety alto timbre, “my fellow Schezegardians...” Teal tinged eyes glance around at those taking notes and one closer to Yoshika comments, “what’s with the accent?” She seems to have adapted a Veretian (French) accent and then rumors murmured around them, ‘so it’s true?!’ She would continue, but slowly the attention was stolen to the warrior that just happened upon the scene, “is that, Chai Yoshika?” One reporter inquired with a half opened mouth in awe. Uncertainty furrows her brow as she looks to Corvo who had stood up next to her, “who is that?” Corvo leaned in to whisper about the legend and he figured this would be great publicity if Raven welcomed him back into Schezerade. He gently leads her by the elbow down the platform and through the small crowd, “Merry meet..” Corvo leans in again and provides the name so she finishes with, “Yoshika…” Her accent having a bit of trouble with the name and her fist places over her own heart in a slight bow, “welcome back into Schezerade.” Her smile spreads to poke dimbles in her cheeks and expose perfect pearly white teeth, but something innocent in the smile diminishes the cynic dullness in those teal eyes. She reaches that hand out to him to shake it if he will.
Yoshika having no idea who she is looks confused but entranced by the way her eyes looked. Blue was there but was covered by the green causing a teal color to form. As she approached him the sword that swung at his side stood silent. Noticing the sudden stillness Yosh looked down at his blade wondering where the gusto that it had when meeting new people went. Flicking the sheath to antagonize it out of spite. He was greeted with a hand shake and for a moment was concerned with what it ment. Did he know her? Who was she? A moment must have passed and looked quite awkward. With a flinch of his whole body he was jolted out of his thought. With a smile he reached out to meet her hand with his and began to look around. He noticed her associate at this time. ‘Looks like a brown noser’ He thinks to himself. While they are shaking hands he leans in and tilts his head “What is this?” he whispers.
Raven releases the man’s hand after their introduction, “oh, excuse, sir.” Corvo reached out to shake his hand next while Raven explains, “I am Rav-” She gets a little elbow jab to the wings, “Senatorial Candidate Smyth and I am campaigning for leader of Schezerade so we were having a little press conference here since my opposer has not shown up for some time, but there is a debate tomorrow.” A subtle shrug, “there has been talk of a runner up taking his place, but no one in certain.” She glances around to the small group of reporters, “but it seems you have arrived to steal the show, so to speak.” Now she leans in, “should I save you from the sharks? Or are you comfortable to swim with them?” Her smirk proved she was joking, but her question was serious if he didn’t like being interviewed she could divert the reporter’s away.
Yoshika, standing there with all the attention on him was something he hadn’t experienced before and he didn’t like it. He felt blindsided and a little mad that he was being put on the spot. Looking at the crowd and back again at Raven he realizes that his only options are engage them or turn to her and let her deal with them. Not wanting more attention he decides to let the electee deal with it since she obviously already had something planned that they were here for. With one hand on his Sword and another rubbing his forehead he says to her “UH! No, no, go ahead..I, uh, was just passing by and didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Raven sees that this man was not getting it. They wanted to interview him and skip right over whatever it was that had been planned, but she clues in. “Oh, right, a tour of the bard’s college,” she says loud enough for the reporters to hear. She slips back into senator mode and fakes a smile, “I will see you all at the debate tomorrow. Have a pleasant night,” she shakes some hands and motions for Yoshika to follow through the crowd, but they are followed by Corvo and her secret service protection detail. “Don’t mind them, but those reporters were about to question your ear off,” she points to one of her own elongated pointed and pierced ears. “They know they cannot enter the bard’s college and I can give you a tour if you want, but I figured you just wanted an out from that nuthouse.” Her fake mannerisms drop and she seems nice enough, but in a sarcastic and dry manner.
Yoshika watched as Raven worked the crowd and took the focus off of him. The tension he was feeling grew small and soon he forgot it entirely and watched as they dispersed at her dismissal. Seeing her wave him over he walked his way through the groups of people scattered about. “A college you said, are you a teacher?” he asks as they continued walk. The Air was thin up in the floating city. It had been some time since Yosh was at the elevated level that he was and he began to get light headed. Un hooking his sword from his hip he began to use it as a walking stick so as not to lose his balance. It seemed now his legs felt as useless as his missing wing.
Raven seemed lost in thought a moment as if remembering, “a professor and dean apparently,” she answered as if it was no big deal, but to her it wasn’t because she doesn’t rightly remember. “So, I am supposed to know about this legend of Yosh?” Her gaze stays ahead of them, not really looking at much of anything and only making eye contact if necessary, “you have been gone for a long time…” She said it in an open ended way to elicit explanation without any actual questions, but only if he wanted to elaborate. Catching the sight of him being so affected by being so high up she noticed his wing nearest her was missing, “been a while since reaching sigh a height?”
Yoshika continued walking with Rav-or Brennia as she called herself Yosh began to sense something was amiss with her. She was supposed to be some kind of politician? Or a teacher? Or Dean? She seemed new to all of this and had as little interest as possible. A “legend” she says. He was unaware that people had known about him. If they did then they’d know why he’s missing his wing and surely wouldn’t be impressed with his mere presence. “Yes it's been a long time since i've been at this altitude” he says to her motioning to his missing wing “Makes it tough getting around” he says sounding a bit defeated.
Raven enjoys the quiet moment as they walk with Corvo shuffling with papers behind them and the secret service being a silent presence around them. “I know how that could be,” how it’s tough getting around that is. She tries not to glance at the missing wing again, “is it a touchy subject?” Being compelled to gently offer, “maybe you should get used to it. You don’t seem like a bard, but you are welcome to borrow a room in the dorms until you re-establish yourself… if you plan on sticking around Schezerade that is…” Corvo overhears, “yes! Schezerade is heading for great changes!” She glances behind to him as if to say, ‘can you just chill fan-boy?’
Yosh glances back at Corvo as they are walking. He was quite annoying and seems like he always has something to say. The clank of his sword could be heard as he walked using it as a walking stick. As they moved through the town Yosh took it all in as If it was all new to him.”Touchy” he could be heard saying under his breath. “You could say it's a touchy subject. It's a mark of shame that i’ll never be able to hide and as an avian I look like a cripple” he says. With them walking together more attention seemed to be directed their way with every person that they passed. It didn’t help with her protective possy trailing behind. “You’re offering me a room with hardly knowing me?” he asks.
Raven lets out a start to a chuckle/scoff. She doesn’t know anyone that attends the college now, “it’s a college. There’s a lot of people there I hardly know,” some truth in that at least. “There is a military barracks as well if you’d rather go back to being Chai?” A shrug, “there’s options, but what I am saying is that Schezerade would love to have you back. If someone has a problem with that then they can take it up with me.” She had sort of changed their course and brought him before a large statue of an avian man with a titanium wing, “it is lost to me of who this is, but look,” her head tilts to the titanium wing, “he must have been a big enough deal to make a statue out of and he’s missing a wing.” Teal eyes look up at the fellow avian, finally, “so… Yoshika, not all is lost.” She was aiming to raise his hopes.
Pathway of Knowledge
The buildings this stone path leads to are the very reason for the path’s namesake. It gives a very clear view of both Schezerade’s university and their massive library. Marble statues of new and old educators line both sides of the walkway, each with its own golden plaque that provides words of wisdom for students attending the university. The two most prominent statues are one of a wizened general, and the other of a powerful mage with a titanium wing.
Yoshika shocked to see a statue that greatly resembled himself. As they stood and looked his sword began to wiggle. Not alot just enough for him notice. Glancing down with just his eyes and back up again he took a deep inhale and let it out slowly. Placing his hand at the base of the statue and still not adjusted to the lack of oxygen and feeling the intrigue that Raven was providing he leaned up against it. “Yes the college sounds like a lovely place, probably more accommodating than any barracks” he says huffing and puffing. “Are we close by I’m not sure how much more walking I can do.” he says.
Raven watched how Yoshika is struggling and she shakes her head, “nope.” Occupying a bench just a few steps away from where they were standing dedicated to an old and prominent avian family observed on the plaque. “Since the conference was canceled I’ve nowhere to be for a little bit. We can just it for a moment until you are ready to press on.” She undid the button holding her blazer close to the curve of her waist and crossed one pantsuit clad leg over the other. “This town will eventually die out if we keep shoving people away or keeping other races blocked out… I aim to unite with the small towns of Lithrydel below and bring about a change in diversity and acceptance.” She folds her wings close to herself in order to make enough space for Yoshika on the bench. Doing so caused the silken sash to slip just slightly over her onyx wings and it seems it isn’t for decoration, but rather an old avian custom that if a woman is able to keep the sash steady over the gap of her wings then that means she’s disciplined and her emotions will never be portrayed through her wings.
Yoshika sat next to Raven and let out a sigh.”Uniting the lands below you. Seems like a big endevor. Well if your going to do that you’re going to have to install a huge staircase because that ray of light that carried me up……” Yoshika stops himself from finishing his thought as Corvo catches his eye shaking his head. “Was wonderful and easy on the knees” he says smiling.”just forget what I was…” His words trail off. His Sword begins to rattle up against the bench they were sitting on. Looking down at it he places his hand on it to keep it still Not wanting to have Raven or Corvo realize that it was moving on its own accord. Yoshika was a bit nervous to sit here with her. Raven was obviously a big deal around here and Yosh didn’t want to do anything to set off her guard. Holding his sword by the sheath with both hands to keep it still it let out a faint chime.
Raven did sideways glance Yoshika, they are very high up in the skies. It would take a very long time to climb stairs and he would be even more exhausted because of it. He doesn’t finish that thought so she doesn’t comment on it and then he’s distracted by his weapon again which catch the attention of the security detail. Raven manages to scoot subtly further down the bench away from the man holding his blade, but her tone is still bored and cool as a cucumber, “everything okay?” Corvo was glancing around to spot any potential threats that Yoshika might be sensing, but Raven isn’t entirely sure of this strangers motives so her eyes keep locked on him.
Yoshika noticed as Raven began to scoot down the bench they shared.The look on her face said it all. Looking down at his katana he makes a noticeable flick at the sheath out of spite. “You know i’m feeling better, can we continue to the college,” he asks her. Corvo and her guard looking at him as if he had ill intent. Realizing what it looked like to everyone else he place the katana back at his side and rests his hands on his lap. With a smile that looks like a kid caught in the cookie jar he says ”No no its not like that” Adjusting his weight to the side that Raven was on the reached out with a hand as a showing of peace. “As an avian who has been gone for so long maybe you could Show me the land and customs of our people” he asks.
Raven glances down at his hand and nods once, “of course.” She stands up and motions for him to follow once more, not really waiting around. “I am also from a distant land, but avians are quite the same if you find them living in the skies or on an island.” Raven will answer any questions Yoshika had on their way back through the square and to the college, but seeing as avians heal a little faster than humans he should be acclimating quite easily to the heights by now and the walk should be getting easier. She clues him in on the current political situation and the Flewminati without fear of sounding crazy anymore because she actually doesn’t care, but the castle is under enchantment and campus security so no worries of attacks anymore… Yoshika looks like he can handle himself anyway!