Knightly Initiation

Just outside the capital branch of the Rune Knights, guards that manage a side entrance way yawn and stretch, it’s already early morning and the rounds just changed to mark another uneventful yet stressful day for many of the soldiers stationed within. The sounds of clopping hooves fully awaken the guards from any stupor as the sight of a rickety supply cart enters their purview, a simple vehicle with a pair of unique characters on board.

Now fully alert, one guard puts his hand up and asks for the purpose of the two individuals that reached roughly 80 feet close. “Welp, ere’s where I stop ‘Master’ David” The man driving the cart pipes up, a hulking bandit of a man looks back to the cargo he’s transporting with a sinister grin, the pair exchange a look before cackling and the cloaked brown figure jumps of with a large sack bag, “You really shouldn’t have Uncle Izo” a much younger voice retorts before walking towards the pair of guards.

David takes off his hood and beams a bright smile to the now cautious twin sentries, “I am David of house Bell, I’ve come here to enlist to the Rune Knights!” A moment passes until the boy notices his poor choice of a wind retardant cloak and company send off, “Urm! I do have my credentials, a letter of introduction from my Grandfather, and...” one of the knights halts David’s sudden exposition with a sigh and breaks the tension by explaining the boy should’ve just entered through the main entrance for this, and not try to enter the shipping zone.

Shocked by this David gives a slight nod to being led towards the front desk, not before the sound of Izo’s cries could be heard behind him, “You take good care of dat dense fool ya ear me?! *sniff* E’ll all be waiting for a reply by de end of da week! Take care my boi!” The sniffling bandit-looking brute waves off with his only handkerchief not long before the other guard starts ushering him off the premises with matching shouting. David could only smile and wave before mentioning to the nearby guard, “He’s like family, but he could be too overprotective sometimes, I apologise for his actions!” with a bow and voice of concern.

Finished with being let through after showing proper identification, David happily taps across the internal hallways of the Capital and towards the main reception, waving and thanking any passerby that said hello or questioned him, much to the ire of his guide. Eventually the pair reached their location, and after a small talk between a receptionist, the guard just told David to stay and went back to his post, grumbling whilst noticing the boy waving back in thanks.

Now all David had to do was sit...here, and wait for his welcoming into the Rune Knights! The boy sat in seiza eagerly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and happily smiling for all to see, this was one of his dreams for a long time! Finally!

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Words: 507 / 507
Tagged: @DOPPO + 1 RUNE KNIGHT
Colour: 99d9ea

Sitting atop a cushioned bench off to one side, David spotted many Knights of similar garb walk between the many few large hallways, each sparse stare or hello was met with a cheerful wave, most are busy even in the morning! I can’t wait until I do the same! The boy thought to himself as a pair of differently uniformed people arrived through an inner hallway, the receptionist who returned back to work with a curt wave and professional smile and a red haired soldier whose indifferent demeanour dampened the boy’s cheerfulness.

Immediately standing up to greet the superior, David hurriedly set aside his cloak to reveal a simple blue and brown clothing with metal armour, his steel sword already packed into the large sack bag which rests atop the bench. Now openly devoid of anything suspicious, David met eye level with the taller man and nodded in response to his quiet greeting, thinking the man would like to just finish this task and get some much needed sleep.

David flashed a concerned expression before affirming the Red man’s question, “Yes! I hope to make the Rune Knights proud!”, Click, clack. Click, clack. Upon inspecting over Red man’s shoulder, the boy noticed a woman cry out to a certain Major General before wrapping her exploring arms around the man’s waist, a lover’s embrace?

David was more confused by the woman’s morning greeting until they met eye contact, which made the hair at the back of the boy’s neck stand on end. This woman is..., strong. David was busy internally keeping ahold of his instinct to run away until noticing she’s inspecting him from head to toe and hold on, did the pretty woman’s eyes change? Wait, eating me?

The boy held a natural smile but vacant gaze while being introduced to Onida, only until the end of it was where David collected some semblance of self awareness for his rudeness of not introducing himself to his future superiors and obvious betters. Not yet knowing the Rune Knight’s salute, David instead relied on his family’s formal etiquette of clacking the feet together, a straight left arm to the side and a clenched right fist hammered to the chest.

Fingers slightly stinging after hitting his breastplate, David beamed a smile and replied, “I am David of house Bell! And I apologise miss Onida but I don’t think I taste good!” with full of conviction as normal, the boy thought it was a joke made to lighten the sombre mood of the Major General.

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Words: 421 / 928
Tagged: @DOPPO . @Onida
Colour: #99d9ea