Lingering

         The knowledge of where everything went was perhaps impressive to someone who didn’t know Harry had already done most of his work. “Did you see a knight wandering around outside’a HQ?” It was said as a side-comment, but Harry was legitimately curious. It hurt to admit he’d done something wrong, especially something as … well, crummy as this. Because he’d made a mistake … 

         Making things tense between the Empire and the Guilds was the last thing he wanted-needed-to do. Especially in this tight coil he was in at the moment. He’d snapped at the knight and said something which could make things rocky if said knight was of any importance and was meant to deliver a message from sir Ioder or something of the like.

                  "Dunno why he was here, but I kin’a…" There was a slumping of shoulders and the boy whined softly, "Ugh— let my anger out on him an’ now ‘m kin’a screwed if he had a letter from Ioder or something."

         And there it was, the pout he was ever so infamous for. The one where his eyebrows knit together and his bottom lip slightly came out like a child thinking way to hard for his own good. “I can’t let ‘im leave till I apologized, right?” His fingers ran through his hair again, “Neeeh— but apologizing to one of them dogs goes against everything I…” Believe.

         He just treated them how they treated the guilds.

         But recently the Empire had been on better terms with the Guilds. However, Harry would continue to blame this on the fact of the catastrophe of the Adephagos which was now gone. But it appeared with the current blastia situation as well… He scrubed at his head, “What do you think, Raven? ‘m an important figure so should I apologize?” Even if it went against every fiber in his being to go say one nice things to those thugs.

         He wasn’t just dealing with himself anymore. He was the leader of Altosk. He was important and —even if he wasn’t the most important with the entire Guild Union— he still held a considerable amount of weight simply with being the one calling the shots for Altosk, let alone for the rest of Dahngrest and the mission and-or job dispensing. 

Well, Raven had known Harry long enough to grow accustomed to his horrible attitude much thanks to the Don. So this whole stressing over the knight thing was a bit much to take in even for the archer. For once thing, he was definitely not the best person to go to for advice. Like.. ever. Raven already had the habit of tripping over his own two feet in his own problems, let alone trying to help others though he tried to keep as much of a straight face as he could while the other talked. Honestly- Schwann's business had come and gone while he was in Dahngrest, so Harry didn't need to worry so much on that, even though he didn't exactly know that and Raven didn't want to risk saying 'oh, its okay. Don't worry about it,' because then Harry would start questioning how would he know? Did he really see the orange-clad knight?  If it had been anyone else than Schwann, since the man was already standing right there infront of Harry, Raven would have said that yes, fixing the matter was a must considering the fine line the empire and union had together but..   "It's- erm- fine, Harry, don't worry 'bout it," Raven's shoulders shrugged. He should have never picked up that uniform again in the first place. The only thing he was doing was helping Harry in the background anyway with the whole treaty- despite Schwann's previous actions, he was still put to work a lot around Zaphias. 

         It wasn’t on purpose. It never was. Words spoken quickly in anger, in irritation. Seeing the uniform flared a disgust within his chest he hadn’t felt in years, but now … Without his grandfather’s hand or even Raven’s scoffing tone or stare, Harry couldn’t keep it back. He’d spoken words without meaning. Hateful venom sliding from lips without even a second thought before he stormed off.

         It was when he was alone did Harry actually get the time to relax, arms curled up about his legs, head burried inside them. He felt bad and somewhat regretted his words. He understood the ‘alliance’ of sorts with the Empire and had been one of the people to condone it. He just … hadn’t expected such a reminder.

         Especially with this new knight randomly coming in and acting like he knew Harry. Knew what he should and shouldn’t be doing and was attempting … well, sort of attempting to keep him from trouble. Which he’d known he’d get in trouble for but—

                   ”Stupid…” He mumbled, fingers sliding through his hair, arm crooked in a way just the bare edges of his fingers slid through bangs, wrist propped up in the air.

He was at a loss of what to think or feel-- his life as Captain Schwann was emptier than a glass, yet he still continued. Why did he bother? Had life really been so worthwhile he let himself continue this agonizing train of absolutely nothing? Seems like it. But when the silvered cloves came off and that outrageous purple jacket came on, he felt more alive like he actually had wings that weren't clipped. 

The vigilante hovered at the top of the stairs patiently, waiting for the first of the assailants to appear. The lights grew closer, and he heard some comment about hunting. Of all the stupidity, to let the opponent know you were coming up a staircase… If there was one thing that was a surefire way to take away your advantage with numbers, it was a narrow space.

There, the first person came around the corner. The man’s eyes fell upon Yuri, showing no sign of surprise. He lifted his hand and Yuri quickly closed his eyes, predicting what was about to happen just in time. A light flashed, showing orange in front of his closed eyelids—if he’d been half a second slower, the move would have blinded him.

As it was, he took a couple steps downward, eyes remaining closed for a few moments. When they flashed open, he struck out with the hilt of his sword, striking the man neatly and rounding the staircase. Without pausing for another second, he yelled "FINAL GALE!" and slashed his sword once with one hand, flipped it to the other, and slashed again. The resulting x of air shot down the stairs, sending everyone in its path tumbling away.

He followed the chaos to the bottom where a larger number of people than he had guessed were waiting. Seemed like remnants of the Blood Alliance had come crawling out of nowhere. An ironic grin twisted his lips upward. I don’t mind walking in to traps all that much, but man. This is some welcoming committee. Maybe it was a good thing that the old man had shown up, after all, though Yuri wasn’t about to call for his help.

Raven kept decently close towards his fellow companion because despite 'leaving it all to Yuri', he'd have his back in seconds if the wolf was in need  but while Yuri was taking care of the advancing enemies Raven was doing a bit more scanning around the area. Crappy trap, don'cha think? He thought to himself. Where's the big boss in this all? Downstairs, perhaps? Well.. they'd have to get past the little fish to get him.      'Final gale!' The birds head turned in interest as all the opposing men went tumbling down the stairs- watching as if it was the most entertaining thing in the entire world, "10 points!" Raven threw his arms up, calling to Yuri. Dropping his arms soon after and following down the steps, Raven gave a bit of a whistle to the group.   "Wooow~ Two against.. mm.. lesse.. one, two, three.. seven, eight... geez! Ya all move t'much ta count. Hold still, will ya?"

"I’m looking for a group." The blonde declared to the archer. Would this get anywhere? Certainly, if this man was as talkative as he seemed, then yes it would. But if he was just another random flirt who cared nothing about the women he could get attention from, then that was a whole other case. "How well do you know the guilds of the area? Well… Now that I think of it, I’m sure the name itself would be enough. Can you get me in contact with a group? A guild, more specifically. I have a job I need taken care of, and it’s not exactly a one man project."

Raven listened, keeping his expression straight and unreadable as he spoke of the guilds and a certain group he was looking for. It took a lot not to snicker in amusement, "I know them very well, I hope." He replied, long fingering cupping his chin and running along the stubble on his cheek as if in thought. As Phantom moved to get up, Raven moved to follow along, placing down his own payment for his drinks and giving a wave and a wink to the ladies he was leaving. The bird stayed beside the other as they we're leaving, "Brave Vesperia, huh?" He tapped his finger on his chin, considering, "Th' famous newbie guild? What business would you have with them?" He decided to dig a bit further instead of openly admitting that Phantom was talking to a member of said guild. 

She was about to refuse the offer of food—more out of habit than a lack of hunger—when an embarrassingly loud grumble came from her stomach.

"Well, I suppose dinner would be nice. I know a place that serves the most incredible stew.” Yes, something warm and hearty would hit the spot.

She didn’t bother to stop and discard her armor or bow; might as well stay vigil if she was going out, she figured as she led the way. The restaurant that she chose was a modest one—the building seemed to sag a little under its own weight, but a warm light glowed from within.

Raven laughed softly- well, she did have a point there but that was okay. Past was past right now and he didn't care. He was just far, far too happy with Casey here to care. Placing a hand over his mouth and snickering into it more with the loud sound coming from her stomach. Looks like someone was hungry.   "Good, I'd hate to be denied a date with such a pretty girl after we just got back together~" He teased, happily following the knight as she spoke of a place she knew that was good.  The archer looked the place up and down- damn.. he was surprised it was even still standing yet it held such an inviting atmosphere to it. He was used to run down, shaggy looking places in Dahngrest but with the attitude of the city none of which looked so cozy. His eyes fell to Casey and he snickered,

Her past something she kept sealed tight; under lock and key, much like a dairy that kept her secrets and weaknesses safe for prying eyes. There was only one person other than herself who could tell you what was written on the pages that were sealed away. And it had cost her everything, she held dear. Not an experience that she longed to repeat. 

When was the last time that she indulged herself in a friendly conversation with a complete stranger, when it wasn’t to pry information out of them. Oh, that was when. Exhaling another sigh, Presa rubbed her temple she had not consumed enough alcohol for this, lingering thoughts of this nature were the last thing she wanted. 

Perhaps this was just the sort of thing the woman needed, drinking the night away chatting with a stranger. It had been years since she had enjoyed herself, sometimes the woman wondered if she still knew how to have a good time.

Tales of Academia: Part 11 By: ufotable

Translator/Raw Provider: EirlysTylluan Typesetter/Cleaner/Redrawer: DimensionSlip

Link to earlier parts: here

DO NOT REHOST OR REUPLOAD THESE SCANS.

Finished ToV at a friend’s place.  I can now definitely understand why Yuri’s a fan favorite.

—

Voices drifted up the stairs to them—their owners sounded relaxed, unconcerned. Clearly, they thought that all they were doing was hunting down one lone intruder who had no way of escaping. But Yuri had no intention to escape. “What, leave now? Just when the party’s about to get started?” His grin became wolfish. “And here I was, thinking you’d come here because you liked fun, Old Man.”

If these people were intending to catch him off-guard, they were going about it in all the wrong ways. Idiots were either supremely confident in their numbers and ability to take care of whatever was in the manor, or they had no idea what they were in for. He drew his blade again, not long after he’d resheathed it. “You got here just in time, after all.”