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[bardische]

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Gladio | Flowers

[bardische]

No one could agree where the sickness came from. Cases started a little over a year ago, those whispers from poor markets and sky pirates suggested it had been another year before that. White magicks did little other than ease the pain, and scholars and healers alike were helpless to stop its encroachment.

Crowns and empires sunk money into research, and as attempt after attempt failed, one possible solution continued to appear over and over: a tea made from the dried petals of a magical flower that only grew in the mountains of a remote island that no airship could reach. Even if the flower had died, there was a chance there were still old powders from the ancient group that lived and practiced there.

Of course, it was a Mist-Shrouded island with a sea full of monsters around it.

Many of the recruits had afflicted family members. Basch suspected he'd have volunteered too, if he were there age. Now, he knew he might not make it back from a task like this. But he and a handful of others knew Archades's new emperor was among those afflicted, and should he fall, he feared the continent would plunge back into war. That, and he had an uncle's fondness for the young leader, dare he even say a brother's.

It's their last night before the transports set sail, and he's seated by a camp fire, trying not to think too hard about these youngsters or the other times he's sat like this, a calm before and event that would change the world, reminding him how tiny he was.

There's someone else at the fire near him, not as green, not as full of bounding energy and a belief in their perfect salvation. "Not your first time either, I take it," he says by way of greeting. "Pegasus or Gryphon?" The two transports.

[ziedrich_bearer]

There weren't many of them with any real amount of age or experience behind them. They were all so young, Gladio had thought as he passed the time amongst them. This was a mission, yes, but also an adventure for them.

He had to wonder if they truly knew the weight of this mission. If they understood just how many lives were on the line. How bad it would be if the Lucian kingdom was destabilized by the death of the prince.

And then there was this one. A man that looks like he gets it. Someone with age and experience. Gladio had been watching him and wondering. Why this man? Why was he selected? Did he know how to fight in the Mist? Did he have the martial skills to compensate for what came next?

It was almost hard to believe he might.

"Gryphon," he says. "And no."

[bardische]

"As am I," Basch says, eyes carrying over to a group of youngsters wide-eyed and brash, laughing and gesturing. "Can't say I'm disappointed to have someone else with experience around." He doesn't guard his face, sighing as he wonders which of these children won't make it home, or will with something inside them permanently broken.

But it has to happen. Without a cure for the sickness, things will only get worse.

[ziedrich_bearer]

At least the guy recognizes experience when he sees it. Though Gladio is glad to see he's not the only one wondering about these kids.

"What's your weapon?" Gladio asks without looking at him. He's got guesses based on the guy's build, but he's not going to assume.

[bardische]

"Sword, for a long time," he says, gaze still on the youth. How many of them really even have training. "I've found myself partial to glaives and halberds the last few years, though." Distance between him and an enemy has its value. Also means in a pinch he can fight with a pole. "You?"

[ziedrich_bearer]

"Greatswords. And shields."

People don't get how useful of a weapon those can be. And of course then your off hand is free for a long knife, so he does that too but it's not the important part.

"Useful weapons. Licenses up to date?"

[bardische]

Basch makes a sound of approval. Man has the physique for it, and shields suggest a healthy sense of caution and strategy.

To the latter, he chuckles lightly. He'd much rather have someone checking that than overlooking it, and if this man checks on his team, all the better. "There's a traveling license vendor over there with some rare ones, if you ask him right," he says, nodding in the direction. He picked up a few he couldn't use yet; never knew how long these things would last.

[ziedrich_bearer]

Nice sound, and he does appreciate it. Though the 'ask him right' has Gladio smirking.

"Oh, I'm set for them," Gladio said. There's nothing that quite gets you access to all the licenses you need as being the personal bodyguard of a king. Gladio's got licenses for weapons he's competent with and hasn't used since he was a teen. Hell, he even had one for a gun and he hated them.

"Magic?"

[bardische]

Basch shakes his head. Wasn't something he had a huge aptitude for. "Not much, but I have enough white to be useful in a crisis." That an his quickenings, but, he'll keep that private for now. "I have some proficiency with buffs." Some. He's excellent at it. Basch can very much handle being a one-man escort for important people, not that he ever wants to be the only line of defense.

Right now, this is the best way for him to serve the young emperor. Even if he'd rather be by his side.

[ziedrich_bearer]

"Black," Gladio explains related to himself. White magic was not his skill. Hell, even black wasn't really, but he's got some low aptitude and he made sure to be ready for it should it be called on.

"Sounds like a specialized sort of skills. YOu doing this for someone important to you then? No fame and fortune goal?"

[bardische]

The tactician in him makes note that their skills are complementary. If he needs someone to go in with him later, this man could be a good candidate.

Perceptive, too.

Basch gives a low laugh, attention finally going to his conversation companion. "Been a long time since I had any dreams of glory. Rather wish it would stay away, honestly." His face dips briefly, though, thoughts to Larsa, to the others undoubtedly afflicted. "Personal, and worried about the far-reaching consequences if there isn't a cure soon." Destabilization, panic, war.

[ziedrich_bearer]

Doesn't want glory, but also doesn't flee from this responsibility. Yeah, that's someone Gladio could depend on later. Provided the man actually has any skills.

Of course the comment the man makes definitely echoes in Gladio. He knows that feeling very strongly. The Eosian continent was as close to trouble as this region was. Perhaps even more so. Gladio's come a long way for this.

"Yeah, ramifications are a big thing. Need to find these plants. And bring them back. Hopefully they can be forced in greenhouses."

[bardische]

Basch makes a noise in agreement. “If it exists, I trust we have enough good minds to find a way to expand the cure.” Magick could do a lot. “We have to hope the tales of old were not just tales, and that it hasn’t gone extinct.”

This could be a fool’s errand. And by the time they found out, more people would be dead. But he was no stranger to disappointment. There was a very real chance this mission ended in defeat.

[ziedrich_bearer]

That's something that he supposes might be true. But he doesn't really know how to do it himself.

"A lot of hope, and I'm not letting it go any time soon. But I can't come back without success. Too much depends on it."

[bardische]

“My thoughts as well. All the more reason to have a strong team to reach more remote or dangerous places, should we need to.”

And honestly, with how rare and important this flower was, he fully expected it to grow somewhere difficult to reach.

[ziedrich_bearer]

"Guess it's about us then," he says with a sigh. Which didn't make sense, at all. Maybe they can train up some people to make a better team.

[bardische]

"One more than I feared I'd have," Basch says, somehow more lightly than he feels. "I've been keeping an eye -- there are a few youth who look promising, but I worry they won't take training well until the joy of adventure has warn off."

Seen the reality of what they've signed up for. Many of the actual armies were being kept home, in case wars broke out or populations needed to be controlled.

[ziedrich_bearer]

Same with Gladio. He's beyond relieved by that after all. But it will take time.

"We'll manage this," Gladio says with a sigh. "We have no other choice."

[bardische]

"The kind of man I strive to serve beside. Basch," he says, leaning over to hold out a hand. He'll leave the rest of his name and title out; they add nothing if this man does not already recognize him. He likes that, too. Equals in this.

[ziedrich_bearer]

"Gladio," he says, taking that hand and shaking it firmly. He took is leaving so much out. He also doesn't want to be recognized immediately.

"Together we're going to save the day."

[bardische]

"By your command, then," Basch agrees, returning the firm shake. He's happy to follow this man's lead and only step in if he must. And it's nice to have some optimism on their side.

"Have you much experience with fighting in thick Mist?"

[ziedrich_bearer]

His command? Gladio laughs. He's just used to that. He's a captain after all.

"Yeah. Most of my life actually."

[bardische]

Basch has been captain a long time, but he’s honestly happier to follow someone else, given their skills and goals align.

“Family business?”

[ziedrich_bearer]

"For generations," Gladio said, smiling to himself. Over a hundred of them. He isn't going to point out that part. Some things were weighty enough numbers that the very knowing of them meant there was something deeper going on. "Been trained since I was a kid."

[bardische]

Ah. Pride in his work, too. And a legacy. Good qualities, together.

"Trained since youth as well, but no pedigree here." He and Noah had learned what they could as children, then enlisted as soon as they could. War was already brewing.