Fantasy Wherever the Wind Takes You

[Shreb]

Laila blinked at him, before recognizing the face immediately!

"Wow! That was really accurate, haha."

Still...Seems like I might not be able to readily talk to him as much...How should I go about communicating with him?

She thought to herself for a long moment. "By the way, you won't really have to do anything. Arioon's funding the whole trip for us as a favor for giving her Parilla, and Mom basically settled all the logistics. All I really did was show face so even if we don't have our tickets, the carriage will have us by password. Considering the thing she gave me...Who knows where we'll be able to go!"

...

Laila brought up her curiosity. "Question, Reeve. When you write...Like, let's say you write the word "Up", or "Yes," do the words you write remain consistent? I know that the language is basically completely altered so you can't communicate like that, but it's just because...Like, if you learned sign language, that's still 'communication', so your curse is obviously gonna stop you. Since you haven't made that effort, it hasn't tried, but I assume it's something that will stop working, but it's not like you writing the same gibberish will have that same effect. Maybe if you just kept writing really simple words like 'yes' or 'no' consistently, there might be a pattern and we can communicate some fairly simple phrases...? Like you just have to tell me what you're writing, in a way, and...All that."

 

[Gary Sue]

It was kind of surprising to hear that others did most of the job for Laila, but anything that would get them to have a smoother time at this point. They still had the tassel after all to go through whichever territory they pleased- or most of them at the very least- so it would be for the most part a trip around the town. Something to get his body 'back in shape' as much as possible, even if it was just a slow walk or a slightly faster jog around the area. Without a sword... well, it'd definitely be a new feeling moving around so lightweight. It mattered little, but the habit built over the last years would definitely feel odd to break.

The glance he gave at her when she asked however was... confused, to say the least. His 'writing remaining consistent' could only mean one thing, and for most people it was incredibly simple. But in his own eyes and mind, he didn't even write differently to how he wrote prior to getting curse. If anything, he couldn't understand how he was writing the abyssal runes that he was- neither could he really see them, like his eyes translated everything he read in abyssal automatically to the common spoken language.

The best he could offer to answer her musing was... a shrug..? Not particularly helpful, but he could see some utility to what she was saying as well. If they had time to kill, they could definitely give it a shot and see if they could muster an answer to this question she posed. Sadly though, it wouldn't be all that practical for their upcoming challenge. If it did work though... "... I guess we could pack some writing supplies just in case. It's interesting... maybe I can teach Laila how to partially speak this language, even if I don't know how myself?"

 

[Shreb]

As she suspected, it was uncertain. Out of combat, this wouldn't be a large issue. In combat, the most they would be able to do is organize the gestures of...

Laila got herself a good idea. "Back when we fought those boars and first met, I gave you those hand signals and we were able to communicate with each other that way. Ergo, there's no way this curse would affect you using hand signs, it didn't seem to register them as...Speaking; writing and speaking might be totally different from using hand signs."

She wasn't technically wrong; when they initially met, they managed to communicate that Reeve would push forward and Laila would be firing arrows and avoiding his running path; to minimize friendly fire, they succeeded in relaying where they would be going and how they would be pushing, though that was with the assistance of eye contact and weapon gesturing. Technically speaking, if they could evolve such communication, they would have access to fundamental tactics and command that, while still being leagues below verbal components, would still fit under the umbrella of speech and yet remain elusive to the curse's effects.

"The academy. The magic academy is likely going to have a combat department! We can ask them for lessons on communicating without a voice. I hear they can speak to each other through just their thoughts alone...But that in itself is a magical technique, but we might be able to learn something more physical for your sake."

As such, tactical orders that could be relayed in silence would prove useful in their endeavors.

"Eh, but I'm thinking too far into this when we haven't even gotten on the carriage...Well, there's a couple of things to do. We can get you some new equipment at the blacksmith's...With this trusty little badge Arioon gave me, I'm pretty sure we'll get special privileges! We can also spend a bit of time just hanging out, relax before the carriage ride because I think it'll be kind of uncomfortable...Can also get something good to eat! I love a good smoked duck...Mm...Oh, and there's also just buying general supplies. We'll probably be packing our own food and clothes, so it'll be good timing to get that settled...I was planning on writing some new scrolls and talismans; especially since you'll be needing some if you need to hit something but it's not immediately in front of you..."

 

[Gary Sue]

So far, he had dreaded the two's inevitable visit to the magic academy, knowing that its time was only drawing nearer by the minute. But when she mentioned a lesson on non-verbal communication, his eyes gleamed a little as he looked at her, clapping his hands in both surprise and amusement. He could still use gestures to talk with her and convey some small emotions, it was all manners of speech that were hindered, from what he understood. Hell, thinking back to his clash with his curse, he clearly remembered one of the many words said during their brawl.

"The you meant to lead doesn't need words. The original owner this sword was made for didn't need them- but you lack the willpower. And in exchange for all this life we're blessed with, what do you choose to have? Nothing. Neither life nor magic, a shell of a puppet."

Though those words made very little sense prior to his encounter, he was beginning to understand now. His blade melting into nothingness by the time he was awake- he assumed that's what took place at least- and the lack of all magic. He was never attuned to it, but he had discovered that whatever little magic he did possess, he gave away when he picked up the blade in order to refine its own abilities. "... Maybe going to the magic academy could help. Perhaps they'll overlook my condition too and not make a hasty judgement. Laila has been scary using her magic before.", he laughed on his own as he remembered how she terrified the group of thieves that tried to attack them in the village by the cemetery, although she quickly put a halt to that train of thought.

Equipment, food, supplies... and talismans? He was completely unaware how the last of all of this worked, but for the rest of all of the above... He glanced over at his shoulderplate, vaguely remembering that he could form his own armor now that he had a better mastery over his curse, although he was still at partial risk of overexerting himself. His stomach rumbled at the mere mention of food, and for general supplies, he just found himself scratching his head and tilting it to the side a little. She said she had most of the general supplies, so... "... Maybe just get some maintenance work on my armor then, and... A-Ahh, have Laila show me the talismans..? I think-"

Another complaint from his rowdy stomach came in at the perfect timing to interrupt him, causing him to slump and drop his arms. "If I eat anything too intense, I might vomit... but I'm so hungry.", he huffed and gave Laila a tired look, just pointing at his armor and trying his best to form a rectangle using his index fingers and thumbs. After all, the last he remembered seeing any of the talismans when Tomoe used them, they had that shape. He assumed the rest were much the same, too.

"... I sometimes feel like a child pointing at things when we can only talk like this, urgh."

 

[Shreb]

Hunger and talismans, Laila presumed...Considering how tired Reeve looked, some food seemed to be in order. She was thinking about breaking the fast via classic TAVERN EXPEDITION! Thinking further on what the magic academy would be only slow down time for her, so she definitely was trying to distract herself.

Her attention was split partially when she saw him laughing. Oh, maybe he's thinking of something funny. I wish I could ask.

Regardless, she saw him doing that little gesture, with the thingy of the rectangle. "Oh, you want to know the talismans? Or I guess, what I'm drawing for you."

It was kind of funny, she partially was treating him like a kid, but she was fairly certain if she got too specific, she would be asking him questions all day and that just wasn't as efficient as a baseline educated guess.

...Laila considered this talisman exposition important, but she was also hungry, and there's no point explaining the talisman shtick if they're both looking to fill their stomachs. "How about we get something to eat, first? We've got a little bit of time and uh, yeah, we'll be here all day so it won't be a big deal...But we can leave whenever!"

 

[Gary Sue]

It looked like even though his pantomiming was rather... dubious, it got through to her! He was excited and eager to listen, only for a rumble to echo from the both of their stomachs before het let out a low sigh and slumped his head. With a nod to Laila, he pushed himself up and off the floor to offer a hand to the shrine maiden, looking back at his armor. He considered donning the protective plates, but if they were going to be staying only inside of the town to go to a tavern... then he'd be fine without it too.

Come think of it, it had been a good while since the last he wandered around using nothing but his casual clothes- and because of his odd predicament, there wasn't a blade with him either this once. An all too casual, almost 'average commoner' attire to sport. With a small grin, he took a little bit of pride in the more relaxed feeling of it all as he glanced at the woman and gestured for her to get going. Soon enough and once the two of them were ready, they were off.

And before they even knew it, they had arrived to the tavern, having only just made their order as Reeve sat across from Laila and looked at her. His gaze was softer, leaning on one of his hands while his arm rested on the table. A small smile was teasing itself on the verge of his lips' corners, as he lost himself in her cute features for a moment before realising he was... probably being a bit too obvious about it. Coughing to clear his throat, he did the rectangle motion once more to try and get the ball rolling as best as he could, smiling sheepishly afterwards.

 

[Shreb]

Tavern time.

Arioon was also there, and she offered them quite the combo platter. Toasted bread with cheese ontop, combined with healthy bowl of beef stew with enough spices to overwhelm a lot of people's noses. Arioon spared a glance to Reeve...

And rolled her eyes.

A good way to tell just how heavy the heart was could be done by seeing how much a good meal would lift it up. Laila, with crossed legs and a elbow upon the table and her fingers wrapped around her cheek, was staring longingly...

Into the ceiling fixtures. Laila was still thinking about the day and was oblivious to Reeve's obvious gaze, but eventually her attention was fished along via Reeve's little rectangular motion.

"Oh! Sorry, hehe- I got a bit distracted...Diiiid you want to talk? More accurately, I guess you want me to talk! Hahah. I-I don't blame you if you didn't find that funny."

Still, seeing Reeve wanting to converse was a startling challenge for Laila; Laila could ramble, yes, but that was assuming Reeve wanted to hear about it. Trying to figure out what Reeve might want to hear or...Well, somehow communicate, was going to be far more difficult on Laila's end.

"Um. You're not feeling too stressed after everything that happened, right? You seemed like you had a lot on your plate- no pun intended- but...I mean, you even lost your sword, so...If you ask me, I'd probably be losing my mind."

 

[Gary Sue]

Reeve didn't even get much time to stare back at Arioon as by the time he realised he was being stared at, she'd already rolled her eyes and begun to walk away. He watched her silently, huffing and turning back to Laila when she finally took notice of his efforts to ask her about the talismans. Her joke got a small smile out of him, though it was mostly out of second-hand embarrassment if anything. "... Come think of it, was she always that bad at taking a hint?", he wondered with the smile turning into a small smirk, genuine and nostalgic almost for when they first started out.

He was a bit surprised seeing her skip over his admittedly vague question as she asked him on his own mood, looking at her quietly. His eyes trailed down to the stew, watching the steam rise from it as a chunk of the beef floated idly on the surface. The memories of yesterday felt like they had been much more than just one night. Hell, thinking back to the showdown with his curse, his power struggle felt like it lasted entire days if not weeks. His sense of time was muddied and so was a big part of all that was said. And yet... he was smiling by the end.

Right now, too. Though a hand moved down by his hip, there was no sword. He knew that of course, but... it was an odd feeling, wasn't it? Even so, he raised his head and looked at Laila, shaking it in refusal. He wasn't disheartened in the slightest- the fire in his eyes revealed as much.

"... now I know the answer. You are my mirror."
​

That's right. Even though he no longer had a sword and his armor felt rather unnecessary, he knew fully well that it would be a long time before he had to face being alone again. Hopefully never at that. His lips curved upwards as he raised a fist, extending it towards Laila for a bump. This was his own way of showing that he was ready for anything they'd have to face together, even if he was uncertain. She trusted him with her life before, and he would do the same, time and time again. For her.

The smell of the food was starting to get agonizing though, and the growl of his stomach only reinforced that feeling of hunger settling in his body. "W-We really are Arioon's favorite customers, huh..?"

 

[Shreb]

Judging by that expression, Laila had little to worry about. To be fair, Reeve could always get a sword, but it was clear that sword held much history to both him and the company that gave him such a vexing curse in the first place. Could, potentially, a cure be found in the heart of his inability to talk; and...Did losing that sword also mean they would be pulled back an indefinite amount of time before coming close to that?

Well, Reeve seemed perfectly content without it, so if Laila stressed about it, it would just lead to their goals misaligning, and frankly, it made her very happy that Reeve wasn't letting his lack of voice remove his desire to convey his thoughts.

He was happy, and that was far far better than when they had first met, when they saved Alina, when they embarked to Sesseth.

She fist bumped him.

Laila didn't have much of an appetite, though she can't deny Arioon seemed to know exactly how to treat the two of them. Despite Reeve's aggression...Well, Arioon never seemed too worried.

"Um, food's ready by the way, and you look hungry. You should eat!"

 

[Gary Sue]

"Laila... she looked like she spaced out for a hot minute."

When she told him to get to munching right after the fistbump, he knew better than to not listen. He immediately began to dig right into the hearty meal Arioon had served them, perking up for a second and looking toward wherever she went off- she was nowhere to be found, but... "... Come think of it, does she have Parilla with her? Not that it matters to us, but...", a sigh followed as he shook his head, looking back at Laila and gesturing toward her meal as well. It was a shame to leave her waiting too, but he figured she'd want some of the portion their friend had served so willingly too.

After he'd gone through about half his meal, he thought it a good idea to try once more and question her on the talisman she had brought up earlier. In his best effort possible, he waited until he had her attention and once he did, coughed to clear his throat. Carefully, he traced the rectangular shape of a talisman on the table with his fingertip, even adding some scribbles along the middle in hopes it would translate better once again. A small hopeful smile, and an ever-so-slightly expectant look were the most he could muster from there.

"That should... work... right?"