鈴萌

Her comment about the Emerald having a failsafe for protecting it, or a contingency plan, made Knuckles wince a bit. A reminder that his people had been a proud, strong race once. Brought low by a number of circumstances: Perfect Chaos, power-hungry fools, their ancient enemies the Owls... and their own hubris, too. They thought through everything that they were infallible... and that ended up being their downfall.

Perhaps there was a good reason for him to feel conflicted about having pride in his ancestors.

"My people had thought themselves to be stronger than that. Beyond needing special plans in case of emergency. They were brave, and capable... but they weren't perfect. Their own hubris contributed to their obliteration... something I seek to make up for in their place. I've... not been the best guardian, either. I've let myself get deceived before. I told myself that I'd never fall for those wiles again, but... I suppose I'm less a precise blade, and more a blunt instrument."

He'd been told he had a bad habit of putting himself down, but the sorts of catastrophes that happened because of his foolishness always weighed heavily on his mind. The return of Chaos, Eggman's subjugation of the Sky Sanctuary, the Master Emerald constantly getting shattered, or the pieces ending up in the hands of their enemies...

"That is how the hubris goes...Is there anything of ancient tech or magic you could use to fashion defences then?" Suzume had some disappointment thinking about the failings of his ancestors already. She also could tell it tied to his own negative self view with how he described himself. He was direct and honest, and clearly thought in more straight lines; all traits that weren't a bad thing.

The state of the ruins and the still standing structures had her wondering if they even had any ancient technology. Some old Babylonian tech she had seen mimicked being simply stone, and her people took advantage of that method with their own defences. At the same time if they really thought themselves above needing to make actual measures to defend their home beyond a standing army she had her worries.

She did definitely have a point: with how the threads of fate constantly linked back to Sonic, or heck, hedgehogs in general (he remembered how much fate tied back to Shadow, too), not many thought about him, or Tails, or any of their other friends. That said, even if it sometimes gave Sonic a big head, he still did his duty, and didn't expect mountains of praise. He'd act like he was the hot stuff, but never act like it was necessary.

His own little slice of humble pie, as it were.

"I'm glad at the very least that even if people forget about us, he doesn't. He might get a bit of an ego, but he's never acted like he's single-handedly saving the world. Still, a bit more recognition from others would be nice..."

Her comment about the tradition and the legacy also made him feel that much-needed pride. He'd constantly think bad about himself for being fooled by Eggman, and not acting with a bit more tact. He knew he could be rash, and jump in headfirst without thinking.

So, yes, it was nice to hear that someone thought he was doing a good job.

"I mean...I've seen natural and uncut beryl in some pretty impressive sizes close to the Master Emerald in some caves I stumbled across during a ruin hunt. If that one is just after a giant gem I could direct them to mining out and getting that cut instead." She made a little shrug, recalling the caves. Those could have even been linked to the old veins that might have been used to fashion the legendary chaos emeralds. At least by her estimation.

She didn't know too much about the stones, and given the fact they have caused more than a few battles for them she wasn't keen on understanding them too much. Knowing they were items of power that focused the chaos energy was enough for her.

"As for the idiots trying to take artifacts of your people over trying for the Master Emerald...There's not too many easy solutions for that. Greed and the pursuit of a perceived power always crops up like a weed." If it were as simple as her speaking with the scholars and colleges not to hire treasure hunters she would do that. She wished it were that simple, but that wouldn't put a stop to the black market trade under the surface. It was truly frustrating.

Then again... he, and Sonic, and Tails... all three of them had sort of built a reputation for themselves, either through stopping Eggman, or preventing the catastrophes around them. He still remembered how messy the recent events had been. Sonic held prisoner while Eggman's forces marched across the planet undeterred... Even as strong as Knuckles was... there was something about hedgehogs that made them natural magnets for Chaos power... and set them apart from everyone else, himself included.

He was still mad that he found himself helpless without Sonic around. The blue blur already had a big enough ego. He didn't need it inflated more.

"I don't know if I'd call myself 'legend'... Strong as I am, I'm just doing my job. Any other defender of the planet would do the same. Any other member of my people would've, too. Still... it's nice to know that I have fans. Most people around me seem more interested in Sonic, which can be a real drag."

As he directed her forward towards the inner part of the island, he made gestures to old murals abound... such as the mural of the battle against Chaos. In it, a yellow figure (of course, which eventually was realized to be Sonic in Super form), took down the mighty serpentine water monster, and saved the ruined city.

"Everyone already does talk about Sonic too much, so I have to agree it's nice when I find fans of yourself and Tails." She looked at each mural he directed her attention to. There had been a few other places that had their own little prophecy murals and the like she had seen previously. Some already had their events happen, others either not yet or were too damaged to determine.

These murals being whole and well preserved were a first for her by comparison. She could really to appreciate his stewardship for all of this.

At the mention of the Perfect Chaos legend, and the ties to the little creatures known as Chao's, she let out a little sigh. Quite a few Mobians kept a Chao or two as a pet; even people in her home village. She also understood why he was a little exasperated with Sonic being the hero for the prophecy.

"I'd say you're doing much already to make your ancestors proud. Holding up tradition and protecting the legacy are things I could say they would appreciate. I would guess you probably make your own current records adding to a living history even now, right? Sometimes that can be enough. That's what I've been taught, at least, from my own village elders." Suzume looked over the Chaos mural closely, leaning in just a bit to look at the details but not touching the surface. She also considered what he mentioned about Sonic before adding on her own insight.

"...Also, destiny being tied too much to just one individual means that all the threads of fate of others are strapped to them. So much so that the friends around them get a little forgotten in the mix when they help carry the burden. It's a pattern I've noticed in some other old legends and ancient prophecy's over bygone events: they forget a hero can't rise without allies and friends."

Though, he found himself glaring a bit when she mentioned her gear, then she put her boots on, and left said gear there, perhaps either to confiscate or at least examine. He simply chose the latter, taking a look at the Wispon. Curious little devices, those. The strange rectangular lightning bolt shape would make it hard to tell that it's meant to be a whip. He'd seen another from Sonic's freedom fighters use such a tool to dash across a line of rings.

His previous mental assessment of her having a storied history with those scars wasn't for show, it seemed. After a moment, he handed the Wispon back and gave her a nod, gesturing for her to join him to walk.

"Hirabayashi Suzume. You're fine to call me Suzume." She answered with a slight head bow, receiving her Wispon from him and fastening it to her belt smoothly.

His little glares about the mention of artifacts and her Extreme Gear boots didn't go unnoticed from before either. She could understand the disapproval to the artifacts, but on the Wispon and Extreme gear she was a little stumped. Things may have been better since the whole mess with Infinite, and Eggman's backing of the troublesome Jackal, but there was still always some leftover robot based trouble.

"...And I want to be clear, I'm hired sometimes to recover artifacts by an archaeologist or scientist since I have a penchant for stumbling across hidden historical ruins. I refuse jobs where they know its a tomb and deter them from pursuing it, and I abandon any jobs where it becomes clear the ruin is a tomb." She raises her hand quickly to make clear she's not done, "And I never do a job with a place that has living descendants settled around it who still revere the location either. Only exception is if the locals themselves hire me to recover their artifact because they lost access to the chamber it was in, or if some disrespectful treasure hunter looted it."

How often the latter happened wasn't something she wanted to get into. It did happen enough that she knew a good portion of the "tomb raiding" type criminal underworld knew her and, importantly, really didn't like her.

"All that said...I am here of my own volition for the curiosity I mentioned before. Essentially meeting a living legend." She gave him another smile, this time in more of a "cute" fashion with her body language as she walked with him.

Her words sounded genuine, at least? Though her facial scars spoke of struggle that wasn't on obvious display, if only to the uninitiated. Perhaps the term 'fledgling' wasn't accurate at all. Small in stature, but there was a story behind those marks... the darkened fingertips... the covered arms... A less keen eye might not have noticed. What was this enigma who sought to investigate his island?

Those stories would have to wait, as it was probably rude to inquire about them, but they gave Knuckles plenty of gauge of the curious character that hovered in front of him.

The way she spoke of songs, the way she talked about this place like it wasn't more than a myth to her own people... was she a sort of archivist? Not terribly unlike himself? Maybe it wouldn't be TOO unreasonable to allow for a tour of the island...

Made him imagine when Sonic first came to the island himself... He smashed the blue hedgehog against a wall not too far from here... good times. Perhaps the indent he left behind was still there, and would make for an interesting story.

"I'll admit I might take an artefact from an abandoned ruin now and then, but that is usually brought to someone who can study it. I also don't mess with anything in a burial ground or tomb. I have respect for the dead." There was a light bow she gave him as she spoke, a clear sign of respect, "Also, I can handle a scuffle just fine if trouble comes knocking. I've got Gear and a Wispon."

She pointed to a Lightning Wispon in a holster and a pair of air skating boot style extreme gear she had resting a little off to the side. Just hidden a little under some long hanging nearby foliage but still very much something she could grab in a pinch. Having them off seemed like another gesture of respect; or possibly some sort of pre-emptive compliance.

"...I am interested, though, in a tour. And if there is any music left by your people I could transcribe it and breathe new life into it. If you wouldn't mind that, that is." Suzume moved calmly over to her boots, putting them back on slowly while leaving her Wispon for him to grab if he so desired.

As long as this new face didn't distract him too badly, he could afford to take a moment away from the island's main shrine, at least. But he had to be quick. Hoping, skipping, jumping, and practically SPRINTING his way to the island's edge, the whole time he could hear the sound of a bird's song.

Something about the way it sounded... felt directed at him for some reason? The words... something about them felt like they resonated a bit within his soul. He had to admit to himself that he took this job a bit too seriously. This island, his people's lineage, their history... all left in him. He was a living archive, a scholar... an avatar of a dead people's memory.

And all it did was show him just how lonely he was here.

Stopping in front of her, right on the island's edge, he crossed his arms, and addressed her calmly.

Suzume stopped singing when he reached her, moving away from the edge of the island a bit, "Unlikely as it sounds, I did come here in part with just wanting to see the place. It's mentioned where I'm from like some mythical legend, and more as a reality away from my home." She was more fixed on the view out from the edge of the island as she answered him.

There were more than a few other reasons she could list for her certain curiosity of the island. Just seeing a legendary place or exploring an old ruin was the sort of adventure she sought out willingly. It also helped well in giving her something to bring back home for her village after the effort.

Angel Island was a different matter, however.

It was under stewardship of a guardian, and one of some seemingly exaggerated stories to boost his renown. It meant no mater how she might have approached it, she risked being seen as a threat at every option. Understandable really, with the chattering she often caught about the Chaos Emeralds in general and the Master Emerald itself.

Unlike the others she heard talking about them, she didn't share any real interest in those gems. They always sounded like more trouble than whatever they were worth.

"...My reason falls under academic. Just to keep the definition simple. Places with history are great inspiration for songs for me to bring back home, too." She finally looks at him properly, offering a more obvious smile with her eyes. Though not without some caution, as she made no effort to hide that she was otherwise paying close attention to him. He did make clear he was likely to attack her back for the boulder trouble, after all.

He had to admit, from that distance, with that fast of a throw? Pretty impressive. Thankfully, with that loud, boisterous voice of his, it wouldn't be too hard for her to hear... or perhaps not. 200 meters was still pretty far away.

His irritation melted pretty fast, if only because such a greeting felt... appropriate for a warrior such as he. His only irritation now? Stretching his voice, it was gonna be hurting his speech pretty fast, but he had an idea.

"Then I'll be waiting!" She almost wanted to sass him with the fact he would have to actually catch her first to harm her, but held back on that. Best to not press her luck more than she had already. Still, that didn't mean she wasn't ready to defend herself if it came to that.

Even if she did throw the rock first.

"...Also, I would say you surpassed what I was told. I'll be sure to make sure where I heard from has those records updated!" Suzume yelled that last bit after a brief consideration. An earnest compliment for him to consider while he made his way over.

With nothing to do now but wait she loitered at the edge of the island, almost precariously, singing to pass the wait. She didn't know if he'd rush or take his time getting to her. So she paced against precipice, entertaining herself with that song.

@grounded-sparrow: This bird just throwing a boulder at Knuckles' direction. A very sizable one at that. This is to see how his reaction time is.

It seems his back is turned to the sparrow, as the rather large projectile is hurdled towards him. But as a proud (and last) warrior of the Echidnas, his reaction time is, as expected, nearly unparalleled.

Without turning around, he simply takes a step to the left, and smashes the rock to pieces with a backhand from his right.

"Honestly? Making sure you're paying attention. Mostly, that is." Suzume started rolling her shoulders after the trouble of the boulder, yelling back to him from a "safe" distance, "Other part was curiosity since I've heard of you. Seems the rumours were true...So, I'm impressed. I was also warned not to get too close to you or your general...Property."

Hence why this tiny bird was a good 200 meters away, at least. She was also refraining from correcting him about her age, as she certainly wasn't some fledgling despite her size.

@grounded-sparrow

"A traditional sea shanty song maybe?"