Rescue the Roosters

Arthur whistled as he made his way down towards the agricultural section of the island. Waving at a few locals as he passed them by, he was generous with the wide and charming smiles he gave out. There was a special something in the air today, and he didn't feel like that just because of the strong UV index. While it was indeed bright out, and his connection with Helios was definitely powerful, he felt a sense of weight in the air, not unlike the feeling before a heavy storm or ghostly encounter. Arthur really hoped it was the former, giving how he was still recovering from his fight with an interdimensional parasite. That had, admittedly, taking a lot out of him spiritually and physically. For now though, he'd just enjoy doing a cute little job with a guild newcomer. There seemed to be a lot of people joining Dies Irae lately, something he was fine with now that he able to get allies upon allies to help him out and work together.

Coming upon the supposed family farm, Arthur strolled up alongside the picket fence and up onto their patio. It was a nice rustic looking home, the ranch-style house parked on what amounted to scenic pastures. The whole setting was rather pretty, reminding Arthur of the farming town that he was raised in. Hearing his heavy footstes on the front patio, the door to the ranch house opened and a smiling face greeted him. It was an older woman, the one who had apparently ordered the job request. "Oh, only one of you? I guess we're still waiting on the other guy. Don't worry. In the meantime I've got some iced tea made up for you and the other one when they arrive. I'll be right back, give me a moment okay!" Arthur laughed and scratched at his side. "Sure thing, ma'am! I'll just be waiting out here on the nice furniture if you don't mind." Said furniture looked rather comfy, sporting a lawn chair and table out on her white-colored veranda.

WC:345, TWC: 345

It was a bright, blue, sunny day. The birds were chirping. The air was pleasant upon his skin. The temperature was just right...

Ugh... I'm gonna puke... the voice inside him groaned.

Homura grimaced. Even he had to agree, the entire scene of the countryside made him a bit embarrassed. IT was way too peaceful and perfect, even for his tastes. It was as if he walked into some painted landscape. As a war orphan and one who seen his fair share of combat and turmoil, he didn't think this kind of place was realistic. Even worse, the 'voice' inside him kept on complaining and wanted to set fire to it all.

Come on? Just one little forest fire! No one will think of the wiser. Help a brother out, Homura! the voice groaned.

"For the love of god, shut up. We have a job to do-- as stupid as it is," the white-haired young man grumbled -- audible but more to that inner voice. "You will NOT do anything to ruin that, you hear me?"

He heard some grunting in his head, but nothing beyond that. He could never be on guard enough with Asura in his mind. It was amazing he got any rest at all. Still, he knew becoming a part of this guild offered both risks, and opportunities to put his 'destructive nature' to constructive use.

He soon arrived on the farm, his scarlet uniform flapping in the breeze. As he approached the farm, he saw him. A large man almost of same build and style as he was. He wore a suit of tight armor, and had long dark hair.

Homura didn't flinch as he looked to the stranger from his spot behind the fence to the farmhouse. "I take it you're Arthur?" he asked dryly-- clearly not too enthused to be there.

WC: 309

A white-haired man approached him, sporting the guild's uniform. Arthur definitely should have been wearing the guild's equipment, but he'd feel out of place in anything but the mail of his god. It was weird like that. He was quite capable of using requip magic to a great degree, but he didn't really have any predisposition towards the actual use of it for a wide and diverse set of equipment and weapons. One weapon, one sword, and one other item. That was generally it from his armory. To be fair, he did honestly use the third slot for just about anything that he thought he'd need. From what he remembered, the man's name was Homura? He wasn't particularly sure though, so he'd have to confirm it in person. Homura's skin was a dark tan, with polar opposite snow-white hair. His form was well-muscled, much like his own. Definitely a sight for sore eyes with his handsome face as well. All of his guildmates were rather attractive if he thought about it, he was lucky, or unlucky depending on viewpoint, in that regard. Arthur stood up from his chair and stretched out his arms.

Homura's voiced seemed rather unenthused, which he could understand, but not personally relate to. As it was a nice relaxing job instead of a fight to the death with eldritch horrors, this was something he had been looking forward to. Arthur was sure Homura would understand eventually, understand enough to find peace in frivolous requests of this nature. After Homura asked of his identity, Arthur nodded and sent the man a wide and charming smile. Teeth glinting in the sunlight, Arthur chuckled with a response. "In the flesh, and you're Homura right? It's some great weather we're having actually. I haven't seen you around the guild before, how are you finding things? All we've gotta do for this job is to harrass a few chickens back into their coop. They're all out around back, not gone too far because they're scared and emotionally dependent on the farmers here. Nice to meet ya, by the way." After saying all of this, the white-haired elderly woman emerged back from the house with a tray of iced tear in her hand. Offering both of them a glass, she set down the pitcher on the verandah's table and asked. "Now, any of you fine young men want some of my iced tea? Wouldn't want ya to dehydrate now would we?" Eagerly, Arthur took a glass for himself and sipped the saccharine solution. It was, as the woman had promised, awfully refreshing.

WC: 430 TWC: 1084

The man's greeting was warm and bright as the sun. Homura didn't show any interest.

Let me punch his teeth out!! Asura roared in his head.

"Oh, shut up, you--" Homra grumbled, but soon blinked as he looked to Arthur, likely overhearing what he said. "No. Not you," he replied simply and placed his hands in his pockets as he cast his gaze away to the surrounding area.

He listened to what he had to say and relaxed a bit. The man seemed nice enough and clearly a senior to the guild next to him, who was still a newbie. The goal was to wrangle up some loose chickens and get them back into their coop. This was NOT a good idea for HOmura, considering his brand of magic often had rather-- explosive and violent results. If these chickens were as traumatized as described, he is the last person to try and heard them.

"That is NOT a good idea. " Homura said, averting his gaze away from the spot where the chickens would be. If he even let Asura slip for even a moment, he could turn the farmland into cinders-- considering how upset he was now. "I am more likely to turn those chickens into the crispy fried chicken for supper if I cut loose to heard them up." he explained.

He did wonder if he could use his energy arms to hear them and pick them up, but it still was risky. The moment Asura would have a chance to break free, he could cause more problems. It wouldn't be a pleasant experience for his first job with a guildmate.

WC: 274

When Homura failed to smile back, Arthur held back a sound of surprise. That was normally all it took for the average person or even mage to become friendly towards him. Maybe the man was just resistant to his god-given grace? Definitely a possibility, given all that Arthur knew about the world. He was not the only mage, nor knight for that matter, to serve one of the various gods existing within the multiverse. Or maybe the man just had a magical shield around him that prevented such effects. Arthur couldn't tell, but he didn't pay it any mind. It's not as if he relied on his passive charming to be friendly or likeable, for he could do the same thing with his default personality. Arthur had the substance for charm too. It was definitely strange though, that the man admittedly wasn't being very friendly. Especially when he heard the mage utter something about him needing to shut up. Slayer senses letting him pick up what had been said, Arthur's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The new recruit was feeling rather bold, Arthur had to admire him for that at least. Homura quickly clarified though, that he wasn't mumbling to himself about him, but someone else? Strange, but Arthur was willing to work with that. It wasn't as if he particularly minded being told to shut up, it was rather refreshing actually, but it was nice to see that the man had some form of manners.

After the man explained that he didn't think this job was a good idea, he looked away from where they were supposed to be headed. Homura, in another breath, also explained that he was afraid of losing control somehow and slaughtering all the chickens. While Arthur definitely couldn't relate to the specific aspect of losing control, he understand and had dealt with many people of his mindset. Arthur's mind slowly lingered on his memories with Ce before refocusing on the task at hand. It was starting to make a bit of sense now. Homura was nervous, if Arthur had to guess. From not wanting to lose control and go ham on the chickens. While the paladin had no clue what the man was really dealing with, he had to bet that it if it was difficult enough to cause problems like this, Arthur had been paired up with him for a reason. Given his particular skillset, he was the man to deal with the collateral left by his guildmates. Or maybe this was a test for the newcomer, to see if they were capable of holding themselves together for professional jobs. Either way, Arthur fully intended to help the man. Everybody deserved help regardless of the source of their problems.

"While I am in the mood for some fried chicken, I don't think that would be the best outcome. Here, I'll show you how to herd them. All you need to do is soothe them, that's all. No powers or magic neccesary."

Wanting to lead by example, Arthur walked over to one of the distressed chickens. As it was glancing around nervously, the chicken saw Arthur approaching from a mile away. Fixing its intense bug-eyed stare upon him, Arthur brought his body mass down low before speaking softly to the chicken. While his charm could have helped, the paladin had no clue if it actually extended towards taming animals. He'd soon find out, he guessed.

"Shhh chicken, I'm just going to pick you up, okay? Shhhh, nothing to worry about." Arthur brought his voice down low to a gentle whisper as he slowly crept towards the skittish farm animal. From his enhanced hearing, he could hear the avian's heartbeat slowly slowing. Gradually, it meant that his approach was working. Holding out his arms, showing he meant no harm, Arthur slowly wrapped them around the bird. Instead of freaking out and sending feathers flying, the bird readjusted itself in his hold, allowing itself to be held. Petting its feather coat, Arthur walked over to the coop and delicately laid it back into its pen.

Glancing back over towards his partner, Arthur said.

"See? Nothing too scary, just gotta show them you mean no harm, that's all."

WC: 701 TWC: 2059