[ Quatre has been traveling with the captain and his crew for some time now, leaving the children of Stardust Town to make him and his sister proud with their independence. He trusts them wholeheartedly, but still worries despite the letters they catch from them whenever they end up staying on an island for a period of time. Letters from Siete? He doesn't read those. Overall, the journey to getting stronger has been... Relaxing aside from the peaks of activity. The captain seems to get themselves into a lot of trouble.
All the time.
These are all stepping stones to the goal in Quatre's mind—he needs to become stronger. He needs to be able to protect his family. The Eternal name isn't enough for him, now that there's someone who's better at the dagger than he is. This constant desire and hunger for power doesn't ail him today. The weather is perfect and, by chance, they've made a stop in their home island. Not even at Stardust Town and he has heard countless of rumors. His expression has been etched in—furious beyond belief. It's written in his thin frown, his furrowed brow, and how tightly crossed his arms are against his chest.
They've asked their captain if they can split from the crew temporarily to get to the bottom of this. In a caravan, Quatre's hostility seeps into the atmosphere, practically radiating from him. It's definitely scaring the other passengers aside from the fact that these two are MEMBERS OF THE ETERNALS. ]
If this is the mafia again, then I'll make sure there isn't even a piece left of their pathetic group.
[ With that quietly pensive note not uncommon among her speech patterns, Esser refrains from placing a hand on Quatre's shoulder to both reassure and still him. He isn't only her brother, he's also her equal and she trusts him despite his quick temper. ]
Siete seems to think there is outside influence.
[ Unlike her twin, she's read the letter that had arrived to the Grandcypher on the previous morning for the two of them -- even past frivolous nonsense such as 'I worked reaaally hard to pen this' and 'I hope you both missed me too' which they're well-acquainted with. But there's little more of it she can say in public.
Masked behind a soft blink of her eyes that looks sleepy, her gaze tours the cramped space of the wagon they're currently in for travel. She doesn't like such underhanded methods, but she'll do what it takes to prevent unnecessary trouble. There's no reason to suspect any of the other travelers around them, though, all of whom are keeping a low profile and an unsubtle distance from the two of them. They all sport the worn garb of the local settlements and carry with them various sacks or baskets of produce they've either traded for at the market or they intend to sell in the nearest town. If there are any suspicious figures entering the island, then they aren't using this route or are keeping well out of sight.
As much as she mirrors Quatre's feelings of impatience, as much as she'd like to storm into Stardust Town right away and check in on every single one of the children until she's seen with her own eyes that they're safe, at least one of them has to keep their cool. She has to think straight. And what logic dictates instead is that some investigating of the area might prove paramount. ]
We should stop for a while in the next village. There are questions I'd like to ask before nightfall.
[ Once it's dark, there is little chance they'll be able to find anyone still outside, much less willing to talk to strangers. Esser's heart feels heavy to impose the delay on Quatre, and she can't hide the subtle note of pleading in her voice. Please, understand.]
[ FYI, they (mostly Quatre) don't miss him that much. Truly.
Quatre would also prefer that they just come in with guns blazing, but the captain made good points in being subtle and sneaky. When Esser speaks, he quiets with ears pinned back. If it were anyone else, he would have barked at them without hesitation about his conviction and current goal. Compliant, he trusts that she understands him. She's his sister... She will always be by his side. To be honest, the rest of the passengers are nobodies to him and he barely notices their presence. None of them are deemed suspicious in his eyes or else there would have been a bloodbath before they boarded.
Leaning back, he only looks frustrated with the subtle pout of his. Instead of voicing his opinion, he crosses his legs swiftly next and leans against the rickety walls of the caravan. Rage quelled, he nods, seeing where she's going with this. If they arrive only to let whatever this is slip, it'll be harder to catch them the next time. ]
What did you want to ask, Sis?
[ He can't just sulk impatiently while a child across from them hides behind their mother, staring at the two with eyes of awe, both admiration and fear. Taking notice of it, Quatre's ears perk up and he... Tries to frown less. Inside voice. Inside voice, Quatre. ]
I'll cover part of the village, too. It would be best that we get as much information quickly.
[ One last look at the other passengers, and they really don't look suspicious. It doesn't make her any happier to talk where they are, but it does mean a little bit less worry. A very minimal, trace amount.
It's probably more her frown that's scaring the child now instead of Quatre, but she doesn't seem to notice among her thoughts. ]
If Siete was right... [If being a pretty important key word there; even if she tries to keep her feelings neutral on the matter, about seventy percent of what that man says is drivel -- objectively speaking. It's kind of just accepted fact among the rest of the group. Thus, if he was right, and if he's not sending the two of them on a convoluted goldslime chase with some kind of ulterior motive... ] They're bound to have seen an increase in travelers lately.
[ When she says that, the mother of the child looks away with worry -- Esser can't blame her for not wanting to be involved if there's trouble. They're close to their destination now, no trouble in sight, the caravan's wagons rolling lazily on their heavy wheels past the last of the fields and the first few stray houses on the village's outskirts. They likely won't stop to let passengers off until center square, but she doubts it's a very large settlement. Her eyes scan the bench to make sure they won't be forgetting anything behind. ]
If we figure out where they're going, it might tell us where their group is holed up.
[ If there's really an outside crime ring working with the remnants of the local mafia, she really won't stop Quatre from storming the place. ]
[ They may not always treat Siete well, Quatre would admit that the man can be resourceful. That's it, so he doesn't question Esser's faith in their alleged leader. Some deducing and a game plan betters Quatre's mood, so the irritated expression peels off. He nods once, as his eyes dart out to the open, catching glimpses of the village. It's rather peaceful right now, despite how any outlying district suffers from its location. ]
Got it.
[ Ask for activity, any large group moving together, and for a destination. Simple enough. If they end up eavesdropping, it isn't their fault. He falls silent, finding it difficult to pick up his stilted cheerful disposition again when he knows the children in their hometown is in danger. The caravan rattles, driving over a bump, maybe a pothole, until it finally slows to a crawl. Their escort speaks to them with high spirits, voice booming that they've arrived! If only the other passengers were as happy. Being in the same space as Esser and Quatre has been nothing but tense. The bodies scramble out, making it difficult for those that came in a party.
As Quatre disembarks, the child from before stands next to him, looking up to him and Esser. Mm. He looks around, trying to see if he can spot their mother. ]
Hey! Where's your mom? [ Ah, ah. They just notice they got separated. Fretting, they stutter as they try to answer an "I don't know." ] Good children should hold onto their mom's hand when going to new places.
[ He isn't planning to deviate from the investigation, but he doesn't think it'll be too much trouble to deal with a lost kid. Quatre also does not have the heart to abandon a child, anyway... Turning to Esser, he requests her guidance. ]
[Sounds good, is what she'd like to answer but instead she falls silent with a shake of her head she knows her brother will pick up on. Unlike Quatre, she's not the type to elbow her way to the front of a crowd if uncalled for; she knows for a fact that the mother isn't still in the wagon because she was the last to disembark. But she's nowhere in sight, and it gives her pause. What if there was more to the worried face that the woman had made -- what if she just hadn't read it well enough?
She trades a look with Quatre -- the two of them have been together for as long as either can remember, inseparable; family doesn’t need words for something like this. ]
Here. Hold my hand so we won't get lost. [ She offers it and the child complies, shyly at first as they look up at both of the siblings. The small hand trembles in hers and Esser holds it gently, the expression on her face much softer now. ] Do you know someone who lives in this village?
[ Holding back a sniffle, the child nods. "My nan lives here," is what they answer, but it's the next words that worry her. "Mama said we should stay with her for a while and that we can't go home." It's not a line that's difficult to follow -- that they had run from something, someone, but it had likely followed them here. The woman must know something that she shouldn't. Esser is sure Quatre has pieced together the same.
She gives the square around them another thorough look, the sense of focus from new knowledge helpful in determining what’s relevant or not. Her eyes are sharp; you can’t shoot a gun without being aware of your surroundings, so it doesn’t take her long to find it this time. ]
By the house to your right. [ In a hushed tone, she points it out to Quatre without drawing too much attention to themselves or being too conspicuous about it. There’s a piece of cloth fallen at the corner of a fence, clean enough not to have been there for long, by the looks of it. She wants him to go take a look. ] I’ll find someone safe to stay with her child. I won’t be long.
[ They can’t be dragging the little one into whatever scuffle might ensue. ]
[ It's okay. Let Quatre elbow everything. He has been with Esser ever since he opened his eyes, so of course he understands her small gestures and expressions. He simply nods and lets her do the talking. His ears stay perked, flickering every now and then, but pin back when those foreboding words come out of a child's mouth. It kicks up his agitation, but he's capable of containing it to only a quirk of his lips and the twitch of his brow.
All the questions he has pile up though he knows this child won't be able to give him an answer, so he leaves it for the mother that they'll be able to track down later. Or at least he intends to track her down. He prepares for what he might need to see, who he might have to end, and the worst... Possibly nothing at all. ]
Understood.
[ Quatre is quick to fade and make quick work. In a second he's already investigating the cloth. Picking it up, he analyzes it before pressing forward without Esser. Don't worry. Twin senses will tell him when to return after he interrogates everyone that hangs around this odd alley it takes him. While his appearance does shake up some locals, his peppy and rather lyrical way of speaking helps him get some hints and clues.
When it's time, Quatre backtracks to rendezvous with his twin. Raising his hand and calling out to her, he tries to get her attention. ]
A handful of people said they heard some kind of chase. "A lot of footsteps" to be specific, but they weren't there to see what was really going on. [ Resting a hand on his hip, the other fishes for the cloth in his pocket to show to her. ] It has the same pattern.
[ Native to a village nearby, then also worn by a couple of people in the caravan they were in. ]
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the beginning
All the time.
These are all stepping stones to the goal in Quatre's mind—he needs to become stronger. He needs to be able to protect his family. The Eternal name isn't enough for him, now that there's someone who's better at the dagger than he is. This constant desire and hunger for power doesn't ail him today. The weather is perfect and, by chance, they've made a stop in their home island. Not even at Stardust Town and he has heard countless of rumors. His expression has been etched in—furious beyond belief. It's written in his thin frown, his furrowed brow, and how tightly crossed his arms are against his chest.
They've asked their captain if they can split from the crew temporarily to get to the bottom of this. In a caravan, Quatre's hostility seeps into the atmosphere, practically radiating from him. It's definitely scaring the other passengers aside from the fact that these two are MEMBERS OF THE ETERNALS. ]
If this is the mafia again, then I'll make sure there isn't even a piece left of their pathetic group.
[ Yikes. ]
of the end
[ With that quietly pensive note not uncommon among her speech patterns, Esser refrains from placing a hand on Quatre's shoulder to both reassure and still him. He isn't only her brother, he's also her equal and she trusts him despite his quick temper. ]
Siete seems to think there is outside influence.
[ Unlike her twin, she's read the letter that had arrived to the Grandcypher on the previous morning for the two of them -- even past frivolous nonsense such as 'I worked reaaally hard to pen this' and 'I hope you both missed me too' which they're well-acquainted with. But there's little more of it she can say in public.
Masked behind a soft blink of her eyes that looks sleepy, her gaze tours the cramped space of the wagon they're currently in for travel. She doesn't like such underhanded methods, but she'll do what it takes to prevent unnecessary trouble. There's no reason to suspect any of the other travelers around them, though, all of whom are keeping a low profile and an unsubtle distance from the two of them. They all sport the worn garb of the local settlements and carry with them various sacks or baskets of produce they've either traded for at the market or they intend to sell in the nearest town. If there are any suspicious figures entering the island, then they aren't using this route or are keeping well out of sight.
As much as she mirrors Quatre's feelings of impatience, as much as she'd like to storm into Stardust Town right away and check in on every single one of the children until she's seen with her own eyes that they're safe, at least one of them has to keep their cool. She has to think straight. And what logic dictates instead is that some investigating of the area might prove paramount. ]
We should stop for a while in the next village. There are questions I'd like to ask before nightfall.
[ Once it's dark, there is little chance they'll be able to find anyone still outside, much less willing to talk to strangers. Esser's heart feels heavy to impose the delay on Quatre, and she can't hide the subtle note of pleading in her voice. Please, understand. ]
no subject
Quatre would also prefer that they just come in with guns blazing, but the captain made good points in being subtle and sneaky. When Esser speaks, he quiets with ears pinned back. If it were anyone else, he would have barked at them without hesitation about his conviction and current goal. Compliant, he trusts that she understands him. She's his sister... She will always be by his side. To be honest, the rest of the passengers are nobodies to him and he barely notices their presence. None of them are deemed suspicious in his eyes or else there would have been a bloodbath before they boarded.
Leaning back, he only looks frustrated with the subtle pout of his. Instead of voicing his opinion, he crosses his legs swiftly next and leans against the rickety walls of the caravan. Rage quelled, he nods, seeing where she's going with this. If they arrive only to let whatever this is slip, it'll be harder to catch them the next time. ]
What did you want to ask, Sis?
[ He can't just sulk impatiently while a child across from them hides behind their mother, staring at the two with eyes of awe, both admiration and fear. Taking notice of it, Quatre's ears perk up and he... Tries to frown less. Inside voice. Inside voice, Quatre. ]
I'll cover part of the village, too. It would be best that we get as much information quickly.
no subject
It's probably more her frown that's scaring the child now instead of Quatre, but she doesn't seem to notice among her thoughts. ]
If Siete was right... [ If being a pretty important key word there; even if she tries to keep her feelings neutral on the matter, about seventy percent of what that man says is drivel -- objectively speaking. It's kind of just accepted fact among the rest of the group. Thus, if he was right, and if he's not sending the two of them on a convoluted goldslime chase with some kind of ulterior motive... ] They're bound to have seen an increase in travelers lately.
[ When she says that, the mother of the child looks away with worry -- Esser can't blame her for not wanting to be involved if there's trouble. They're close to their destination now, no trouble in sight, the caravan's wagons rolling lazily on their heavy wheels past the last of the fields and the first few stray houses on the village's outskirts. They likely won't stop to let passengers off until center square, but she doubts it's a very large settlement. Her eyes scan the bench to make sure they won't be forgetting anything behind. ]
If we figure out where they're going, it might tell us where their group is holed up.
[ If there's really an outside crime ring working with the remnants of the local mafia, she really won't stop Quatre from storming the place. ]
no subject
Got it.
[ Ask for activity, any large group moving together, and for a destination. Simple enough. If they end up eavesdropping, it isn't their fault. He falls silent, finding it difficult to pick up his stilted cheerful disposition again when he knows the children in their hometown is in danger. The caravan rattles, driving over a bump, maybe a pothole, until it finally slows to a crawl. Their escort speaks to them with high spirits, voice booming that they've arrived! If only the other passengers were as happy. Being in the same space as Esser and Quatre has been nothing but tense. The bodies scramble out, making it difficult for those that came in a party.
As Quatre disembarks, the child from before stands next to him, looking up to him and Esser. Mm. He looks around, trying to see if he can spot their mother. ]
Hey! Where's your mom? [ Ah, ah. They just notice they got separated. Fretting, they stutter as they try to answer an "I don't know." ] Good children should hold onto their mom's hand when going to new places.
[ He isn't planning to deviate from the investigation, but he doesn't think it'll be too much trouble to deal with a lost kid. Quatre also does not have the heart to abandon a child, anyway... Turning to Esser, he requests her guidance. ]
Do you want me to handle this?
no subject
She trades a look with Quatre -- the two of them have been together for as long as either can remember, inseparable; family doesn’t need words for something like this. ]
Here. Hold my hand so we won't get lost. [ She offers it and the child complies, shyly at first as they look up at both of the siblings. The small hand trembles in hers and Esser holds it gently, the expression on her face much softer now. ] Do you know someone who lives in this village?
[ Holding back a sniffle, the child nods. "My nan lives here," is what they answer, but it's the next words that worry her. "Mama said we should stay with her for a while and that we can't go home." It's not a line that's difficult to follow -- that they had run from something, someone, but it had likely followed them here. The woman must know something that she shouldn't. Esser is sure Quatre has pieced together the same.
She gives the square around them another thorough look, the sense of focus from new knowledge helpful in determining what’s relevant or not. Her eyes are sharp; you can’t shoot a gun without being aware of your surroundings, so it doesn’t take her long to find it this time. ]
By the house to your right. [ In a hushed tone, she points it out to Quatre without drawing too much attention to themselves or being too conspicuous about it. There’s a piece of cloth fallen at the corner of a fence, clean enough not to have been there for long, by the looks of it. She wants him to go take a look. ] I’ll find someone safe to stay with her child. I won’t be long.
[ They can’t be dragging the little one into whatever scuffle might ensue. ]
no subject
All the questions he has pile up though he knows this child won't be able to give him an answer, so he leaves it for the mother that they'll be able to track down later. Or at least he intends to track her down. He prepares for what he might need to see, who he might have to end, and the worst... Possibly nothing at all. ]
Understood.
[ Quatre is quick to fade and make quick work. In a second he's already investigating the cloth. Picking it up, he analyzes it before pressing forward without Esser. Don't worry. Twin senses will tell him when to return after he interrogates everyone that hangs around this odd alley it takes him. While his appearance does shake up some locals, his peppy and rather lyrical way of speaking helps him get some hints and clues.
When it's time, Quatre backtracks to rendezvous with his twin. Raising his hand and calling out to her, he tries to get her attention. ]
A handful of people said they heard some kind of chase. "A lot of footsteps" to be specific, but they weren't there to see what was really going on. [ Resting a hand on his hip, the other fishes for the cloth in his pocket to show to her. ] It has the same pattern.
[ Native to a village nearby, then also worn by a couple of people in the caravan they were in. ]