LEGARE.

THE LEGENDARY DARK KNIGHT, SPARDA

He might be a massive hulk of a demon, but rest assured, despite the jagged fangs and claws and tail and scales, he would rather lay down his life to save you than hurt a hair on your head. Unless you’re a demon or bent on destruction. Then there’s no telling what may happen.

Well, at least he didn’t seem upset or disappointed, which as a good thing. “No need for apologies, mon ami~ I simply like adding a bit of flair to my words~” And to leave others confused in the process. You would think that he would take more care to blend in, especially since back in his world he was being hunted down by a rather nasty, evil entity, but nope!

“Oh? How many languages do you know, if you do not mind me asking?” And just how old was he?

HIS  WING  SHUDDERS  SOME,  but only to make sure none of the melted snow gets on the young man he’s trying to defend from the blizzard.  ❝ NOW, NOW. I WELCOME YOUR CURIOSITY. NO NEED FOR ANY HESITANCE. ❞

“Huh, Alaska? Never been. But I can’t say I’ve been to space either, so I guess it’s a first either way.” He isn’t sure if he can believe that they aren’t on Earth, but when he finds his way to a computer he can try to contact Hunnigan. That’ll tell him all he needs to know, right? Surely she can trace his location even without his phone.

For now though, it seems smart to keep asking questions for as long as Sparda’s willing to answer them. The more he has to report, the better.

“Nah, not a soldier. A cop once, for a day. But I’ve been fighting different battles for a while now, so it doesn’t feel good to not have a way to defend myself if I have to. Makes me think the only reason they’d take people’s weapons is if someone doesn’t want ‘em fighting back.”

❝ Oh? Sounds like quite the story. ❞ He replies, with a pensive side-eye.  ❝ Perhaps I’ll have you tell me more about that as payment for my time. ❞ There’s a pause before he chortles, and shakes his head.  ❝ I’m not serious, mind you. There ought never be a price on kindness. ❞

❝ I suppose ‘tis a little more difficult for me to wager how much of a threat the day-to-day happenings of this place are. As you may have noticed, ❞ he pauses for effect, and raises a hand-- shifting the limb back to a clawed monstrosity for but a moment. ❝ I’ve little need for my own private arsenal in a pinch. ❞

His cane taps rhythmically in line with his gait, and he sighs.  ❝ As for our... how shall we say, benefactors, I’m afraid their motivations are still quite unclear to me. There are indeed threats that lurk in the dark, and some days you’ll find yourself in the midst of sudden chaos with little warning. But I will warn you that most of what I have encountered is hardly a trial of the body... no, they do favor their trials of the mind. ❞

The sudden string of words caught him off guard, and it took him a moment to very roughly translate what he was saying. Contrary to popular belief, he did not speak French; he only knew a handful of words and put them into his speech because it seemed like a cool thing to do.

“Non. Not exactly,” he said, hoping that he had interpreted the demon’s words correctly, while feeling bad about potentially ruining the hopeful expression on his face.

HE’S  NOT  UPSET;  THE  DECLARATION  merely brings a blank blink to his face as he processes it, having fully expected an enthusiastic, ‘ oui, je parle le français aussi! ’

It’s not until he feels a hand rest at his shoulder that Watanuki realizes he is not alone, and though he may have usually startled, he remains mostly still; only moving to lift his head as the other man began to speak.

Were those words of his own, or ones he had grown to memorize over time..? Regardless of their origins, the poem struck a chord within the shopkeeper immediately; causing the tears in his eyes to build up even further as he let out a shaking, quiet breath. His hand raised, removing the glasses from his face to try and wipe them away; but despite his best efforts, he knew the action was pointless.

“.. yes.. this is not the first time I’ve lost him,” he admits quietly, eventually returning the spectacles to his face. The warmth of his tears clouds them momentarily, contrasted against the chill of the air. “I.. was fortunate enough to reunite with him once, so I know the possibility is still there.. but I can never truly gauge what this world will do next. Perhaps he will return to my side tomorrow, or perhaps.. I will never see him again.”

The words sting, hurting Watanuki down to his very core. This was never something he would normally admit to a stranger, but he was caught in a moment of vulnerability.. one that he could not pretend he wasn’t experiencing.

“Forgive me. I am grateful for your words, regardless of how I may seem,” as he meets the man’s gaze, realization suddenly settles over the shopkeeper..  though, for the moment, chooses not to voice it. Instead, he merely smiles; a strained, empty thing that doesn’t reach the colours of his eyes. “.. part of me can’t help but wonder if you speak from experience. Though I would never wish such a loss upon anyone, if you were able to reunite with someone dear to you.. then I am glad.”

EMPTY  SMILES  HURT  HIM  MORE  and more these days, but Sparda makes no visible note of it  ❝ Yes, you are not wrong. This world-- all worlds-- they can all be quite unpredictable. But to dwell on what hurts us most, the ‘what may be’s... that is self-flagellation, my boy. Not realism. ❞

❝ Would that I could impart two thousand years worth of wisdom upon you, if that could ease your troubled soul. Unfortunately these realizations are not things easily learned. ❞ He closes his eyes and tilts his head skyward, breathing in the bitter winter air before he smiles and taps Watanuki’s breast above his heart.

    “ Forgive me if this comes across as rude, but I cannot do that, sir.” though gentle her voice is, it remains firm. “ I am the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. To turn my back on, or to leave someone alone in their time of need, would be unforgiveable. I cannot do that.and leave in good concious.”

   her hand is placed over her heart as she bows at the waist. “ My doppelganger is going nowhere, nor is she far. Time is of the essence, this I understand, but your plight carries just as much meaning. Just because it is another tragedy of many does not mean you should force yourself to acquiesce the pain you feel. If one does not properly mourn, then it will come to affect them in greater ways later.”

HE  SHIFTS  HIS  HEAD  EVER  SO  slightly, scarlet eye drawn to her willful declaration, but just as quick to drift back to the wall. With a sad laugh, he concedes.  ❝ EVER BOUND BY DUTY... YES, THAT IS THE WAY OF A KNIGHT. I CANNOT DENY YOU THIS. ❞

“Sure.” Leon follows suit, putting one hand in his pocket, while keeping his right free. No weapon to speak of, but old habits die hard.

“An eclipse…” a glance to the sky confirms what Sparda said was true. “So what, people are getting kidnapped and brought here in line with the whims of uh, space?” The fact that this guy is saying there’s an eclipse every few days, though– that isn’t possible. And people who are dead…?

“Where in the world are we, anyway? You said it was an island, but what country are we in? What’s the name of this city?” It looks pretty big– surely he would have heard of it, right?

“Sorry to bombard you with questions right off the bat, but I think I’m still trying to get my bearings.” A pause. “I guess that’s not uncommon if this really is the norm around here.”

❝ I would not have offered to give you a tour if I took offense at a few inquiries, now would I have? ❞ He says with a warm laugh. He’s lived long enough to know what some of these strange quirks mean, and cannot help but cast an obvious glance toward the other’s free hand.  ❝ Pardon mine own curiosities, Mr. Kennedy. Are you a soldier? ❞

   “ No, do not worry yourself over that. I can take care of my counterpart on my own. You have lost much with this reveal and it is only right you be given proper time to grieve. I can stand watch and ensure you do not be disturbed.” even if he looked more than capable of handling himself, a knight’s duty extends to everyone.

HE  WOULD  NOT  DENY  HER  the offer. Sparda turns, tail limp against the ground, and with slow, hesitant motion, lowers himself to his knees to rest a clawed hand against the wall before he presses his brow to the back of said hand.

❝ YOU NEEDN’T STAY BEHIND FOR AN OLD MAN, ❞ he says, quiet, not long after,  ❝ YOU’VE A DOPPELGANGER TO FIND AS WELL. I HAVE LIVED A LONG TIME, MOURNED FOR MANY... THIS IS BUT ANOTHER TRAGEDY TO ADD TO THE LIST. ❞

“Yeah? That’s, uh. Cool.” He can’t help but feel unease at being in the presence of someone inhuman, especially after the mention of being on an island, but… he’s got nothing right now. No weapons, nowhere to run. Maybe it’s better to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, at least for right now. Besides, he’s been nothing but civil. Might be worth his while to see what he can learn.

“Leon Kennedy.” He returns the handshake, holstering the toy gun on his hip.

“You say ‘usually’– I take it this isn’t an isolated incident, then? I don’t recognize this place at all. Last I remember I was headed out of Harvardville, and uh…” a glance at the taxi, and a quick look away from the hole. Nope, not dealing with that right now.

“That’s all I’ve got. Something tells me this isn’t the vacation time I’ve been requesting.”

❝ Sir Kennedy, ❞ Sparda repeats with a nod. The taxi drives off without them, not wanting to stick around. Besides, he’s already been beckoned to piss off, and that’s perfectly fine with him.  ❝ Shall we? ❞ With a tilt of his head in gesture, Sparda starts away from the hole, though he first looks both ways before he crosses the street.

❝ I’m afraid this is very much a common occurrence. Look to the sky, my boy-- ❞ he says, pointing his cane up at the eclipsed skies above them,  ❝ Every few days, like clockwork, the city is shrouded by the heavens, and the cycle repeats anew. More lost souls, dredged up from all manners of place. Living, dead, from ages long past, or from future realms. It is all quite... fantastical. But I assure you, you will come to settle in due time. ❞

“Is that, uh, normal for you?” Leon puts a hand to his temples– he wishes he could say it was the first time he’d woken up in a strange place robbed of his weapons. And while demons are new to him, he’s a little too overwhelmed to think too hard about it just yet.

(…if he’s looking for a fight, this toy gun’s not gonna do much, though.)

“This might be a weird question, but mind telling me where we are right now? I think I must have had a pretty rough night.”

❝ Very much so, ❞ he’s quick to reply, stretching out his hand to summon a cane. Not a weapon in any regard, but a simple stick to lean upon while he speaks, head tilting slightly in concern for the other.